<p>Synthetic and physicochemical studies on appropriately functionalized ODN-conjugates have been performed to evaluate their abilities to act as antisense agents against RNA or as intramolecular DNA cross-linking agents. Intercalating aromatic systems [phenazine (Pnz), dipyridophenazine (DPPZ)] and metallointercalators such as Ru²⁺(phen)₂(DPPZ) and Ru²⁺(tpy)(DPPZ)<b>L</b> [where <b>L</b> = chemically or photochemically labile ligand, phen = phenanthroline, tpy = terpyridine], which are covalently tethered to the oligo-deoxynucleotides (ODNs), have been chosen for this purpose. The ODN-conjugates were typically prepared by automated solid phase synthesis using phosphoramidite building blocks, or on solid supports, both functionalized with the chromophore groups. The photosensitive metal complex, Ru²⁺(tpy)(DPPZ)(CH₃CN), has been incorporated by post-synthetic coupling to the amino-linker modified ODNs <i>via</i> an amide bond. The intercalating ability of the tethered chromophores gave enhanced stability of the duplexes and triplexes formed with ODN-conjugates and their complementary targets: DNA, RNA, or double-stranded DNA. The conjugation of DPPZ chromophore to ODN (at 3', 5' or at the middle) led us to incorporate Ru²⁺(phen)₂(DPPZ) through the DPPZ ligand, for the first time. The corresponding (Ru²⁺-ODN)•DNA duplexes showed dramatic stabilization (ΔT_m = 19.4 – 22.0ºC). The CD and DNase I footprinting experiments suggest that the stabilization is owing to metallointercalation by threading of the Ru²⁺(phen)₂ moiety through the ODN•DNA duplex core, thus "stapling" the two helical strands from the minor to major groove. On the other hand, Ru²⁺(tpy)(DPPZ)(CH₃CN)-ODN conjugates represent a new class of oligonucleotides containing the photoactivatible Ru²⁺ complexes, which can successfully crosslink to the complementary strand. The mechanism of cross-linking upon photoirradiation of [Ru²⁺(tpy)(DPPZ)(CH₃CN)-ODN]•DNA involves <i>in situ</i> conversion to the reactive [Ru²⁺(tpy)(DPPZ)(H₂O)-ODN]•DNA which are subsequently cross-linked through the G residue of the complementary DNA strand. All starting materials and products have been purified by HPLC and/or by PAGE and subsequently characterized by MALDI-TOF as well as ESI mass spectroscopy. Terminal conjugation of the planar Pnz and DPPZ groups through the flexible linkers were also shown to improve thermal stability of the ODN•RNA hybrid duplexes without alteration of the initial AB-type global helical structure as revealed from CD experiments. As a result, RNase H mediated cleavage of the RNA strand in the intercalator-tethered ODN•RNA duplexes was more efficient compared to the natural counterpart. The RNase H cleavage pattern was also found to be dependent on the chemical nature of the chromophore. It appeared that introduction of a tether at the 3'-end of the ODN can be most easily tolerated by the enzyme regardless of the nature of the appending chromophore. The tethered DPPZ group has also been shown to chelate Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺, like phenanthroline group, followed by the formation of redox-active metal complex which cleaves the complementary DNA strand in a sequence-specific manner. This shows that the choice of appropriate ligand is useful to (i) attain improved intercalation giving Tm enhancement, and (ii) sequence-specifically inactivate target RNA or DNA molecules using multiple modes of chemistry (RNase H mediated cleavage, free-radical, oxidative pathways or photocross-linkage).</p>

Synthetic and physicochemical studies on appropriately functionalized ODN-conjugates have been performed to evaluate their abilities to act as antisense agents against RNA or as intramolecular DNA cross-linking agents. Intercalating aromatic systems [phenazine (Pnz), dipyridophenazine (DPPZ)] and metallointercalators such as Ru2+(phen)2(DPPZ) and Ru2+(tpy)(DPPZ)<b>L</b> [where <b>L</b> = chemically or photochemically labile ligand, phen = phenanthroline, tpy = terpyridine], which are covalently tethered to the oligo-deoxynucleotides (ODNs), have been chosen for this purpose. The ODN-conjugates were typically prepared by automated solid phase synthesis using phosphoramidite building blocks, or on solid supports, both functionalized with the chromophore groups. The photosensitive metal complex, Ru2+(tpy)(DPPZ)(CH3CN), has been incorporated by post-synthetic coupling to the amino-linker modified ODNs via an amide bond. The intercalating ability of the tethered chromophores gave enhanced stability of the duplexes and triplexes formed with ODN-conjugates and their complementary targets: DNA, RNA, or double-stranded DNA. The conjugation of DPPZ chromophore to ODN (at 3', 5' or at the middle) led us to incorporate Ru2+(phen)2(DPPZ) through the DPPZ ligand, for the first time. The corresponding (Ru2+-ODN)•DNA duplexes showed dramatic stabilization (ΔTm = 19.4 – 22.0ºC). The CD and DNase I footprinting experiments suggest that the stabilization is owing to metallointercalation by threading of the Ru2+(phen)2 moiety through the ODN•DNA duplex core, thus "stapling" the two helical strands from the minor to major groove. On the other hand, Ru2+(tpy)(DPPZ)(CH3CN)-ODN conjugates represent a new class of oligonucleotides containing the photoactivatible Ru2+ complexes, which can successfully crosslink to the complementary strand. The mechanism of cross-linking upon photoirradiation of [Ru2+(tpy)(DPPZ)(CH3CN)-ODN]•DNA involves in situ conversion to the reactive [Ru2+(tpy)(DPPZ)(H2O)-ODN]•DNA which are subsequently cross-linked through the G residue of the complementary DNA strand. All starting materials and products have been purified by HPLC and/or by PAGE and subsequently characterized by MALDI-TOF as well as ESI mass spectroscopy. Terminal conjugation of the planar Pnz and DPPZ groups through the flexible linkers were also shown to improve thermal stability of the ODN•RNA hybrid duplexes without alteration of the initial AB-type global helical structure as revealed from CD experiments. As a result, RNase H mediated cleavage of the RNA strand in the intercalator-tethered ODN•RNA duplexes was more efficient compared to the natural counterpart. The RNase H cleavage pattern was also found to be dependent on the chemical nature of the chromophore. It appeared that introduction of a tether at the 3'-end of the ODN can be most easily tolerated by the enzyme regardless of the nature of the appending chromophore. The tethered DPPZ group has also been shown to chelate Cu2+ and Fe3+, like phenanthroline group, followed by the formation of redox-active metal complex which cleaves the complementary DNA strand in a sequence-specific manner. This shows that the choice of appropriate ligand is useful to (i) attain improved intercalation giving Tm enhancement, and (ii) sequence-specifically inactivate target RNA or DNA molecules using multiple modes of chemistry (RNase H mediated cleavage, free-radical, oxidative pathways or photocross-linkage).

Steroids are important biological regulators existing in hormones which are used to control metabolism of the body. There are widespread applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Drugs of steroid nature - anti-inflammatory and antiallergic corticosteroids, diuretics, anabolics, androgens, gestagens, contraceptives, antitumor medications, etc. - are now widely used in human and veterinary medicine. Nowadays, biotechnological modifications of steroids are preferred over chemical modifications as a green chemistry since they are more likely to be natural. In this work four different Fusarium species were screened for bioconversion of steroids into pharmaceutically important derivatives of steroids by reduction, dehydrogenation, side-chain degradation etc. on A and D-rings containing many active sites. Fusarium spp. used in this work, namely Fusarium roseum OUT 4019, Fusarium anguioides OUT 4017, Fusarium bulbigenum OUT 4115 and Fusarium solani OUT 4021 are filamentous fungi, which belong to the class of Deuteromyces. They can grow using simple carbohydrates and nitrogen sources. 4-androstene-3,17-dione conversion is used as a model system. Under same environmental conditions it is found that whole cells of Fusarium roseum OUT 4019 can dehydrogenate at C-1 and C-2 producing androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and also reduce at C-17 in addition to dehydrogenate at C-1 and C-2 producing 17-hydroxyandrosta- 1,4-dien-3-one, Fusarium anguioides OUT 4017 can reduce at C-17 producing 17-hydroxy-androst-4-en-3-one, Fusarium solani OUT 4021 can reduce at C-3 and C-17 producing androst-4-ene-3,17-diol at 25 C&deg / and 160 rpm with uncontrolled pH. In these conversions, androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione, 17-hydroxy-androsta-1,4-dien- 3-one, 17-hydroxy-androst-4-en-3-one, androst-4-ene-3,17-diol were isolated with 54 %, 22 %, 26 %, 90 % yields, respectively. In another study, bioconversion reactions of aromatic methyl ethers by Fusarium roseum OUT 4019 were investigated and for some compounds, cleavage of methyl ether was observed.

[Alpha]-Amino ketones can serve as important intermediates for the synthesis of biologically active molecules, and making these precursors in a practical manner has long been a challenge for organic chemists. The oxygen-carbon-carbon-nitrogen (O-C-C-N) sequence is common in natural and synthetic compounds of biological interest, due in part to their relatedness to peptides. Because of the many known carbonyl transformations, [alpha]-amino ketones have the potential to form various amine derivatives. Herein we present our research endeavors which led to several novel methods of forming this type of functionality. These endeavors culminated with the development of a two-step hydrazidation/N-N bond cleavage technique for forming [alpha]-amino ketals--which can be readily hydrolyzed to [alpha]-amino ketones. / text

No description available.

Variably dolomitized limestone samples from the Rundle Group in Western Alberta, Canada were deformed under a variety of confining pressures and at room temperature in a triaxial rock press. The aim of this research is to establish the mechanical behaviour and brittle constitutive laws of limestone and dolomite composites. This data can then be used to develop strength profiles of thrust faults in the Rocky Mountain Fold and Thrust Belt. For example, many of the thrust faults in the Canadian Foreland are composed of limestone–dolomite composites, yet the mechanical properties of these composites remain unknown. Sample protoliths were selected for their similar grain sizes and grain size distributions, low porosity and low silica content in order to best examine relationships between these parameters and the distribution of strain between the dolomite and calcite. This study shows that increasing dolomite content correlates to an increase in strength at low and medium confining pressures. At high confining pressures, distributed brittle deformation adds complexities that are attributed to textural controls. Microstructural analysis of deformed samples shows that at approximately thirty to forty-five weight percent dolomite is interconnected via a dolomite grain network that provides a load-bearing capacity to the dolomite. This load-bearing capacity correlates to dramatic jumps in the strength of dolomite–limestone composites observed with increasing confining pressures. Inherent weaknesses in calcite grains such as twin planes and cleavage intersections are exploited by fractures resulting in reduced peak strengths of calcite-rich composites. Calcite generally absorbs strain and distributes it into finer spaced fracture networks than in dolomite. In dolomitized rock that still contains calcite cleavage within dolomite is not exploited, rather transgranular cracks break dolomite down into irregular and angular particles. At near pure dolomite content and at high confining pressure dolomite will fracture and disaggregate along cleavage. Comminuted dolomite grains commonly show a larger distribution of sizes and have more irregular shapes than contiguous comminuted calcite grains. Comminuted calcite particles are commonly much smaller than comminuted dolomite grains and show more regular shapes and an even grain size distribution.

This Master’s degree thesis analyses the generational cleavage present in the South Korean electorate, according to the results of the 18th presidential election that took place in December 2012. The focus of the thesis is on the changes of political ideologies and the generational change within the past decade, since the shift within electorate’s political orientations has exposed the slowly emerging generational cleavage. The object of the thesis is to find out whether there really is a generational cleavage within the Korean electorate and if so, what are the main reasons behind it. The object is being pursued by using descriptive analysis of primary and secondary sources and an in-depth interview with open questions. / Šis magistro laipsnio baigiamsis darbas tiria kartų skirtį Pietų Korėjos respublikos visuomenėje pagal 2012 m. gruodžio mėnesį įvykusių aštuonioliktųjų prezidento rinkimų rezultatus. Pagrindinis dėmesys yra telkiamas politinių ideologijų pokyčius ir kartų kaitą praėjusiame dešimtmetyje, kadangi elektorato politinių ideologijų pokytis išryškino pamažu atsirandančią kartų skirtį. Pasitelkiant aprašomąją pirminių bei antrinių šaltinių analizę bei giluminio interviu metodą atviro tipo klausimais siekamas darbo tikslas – išsiaiškinti ar Korėjos elektorate tikrai pasireiškia kartų skirties fenomenas ir jeigu taip, kokios yra jo priežastys.

3’-end modification by polyadenylation is a ubiquitous feature of almost all eukaryotic mRNA species and is catalyzed by a consortium of enzymes, the polyadenylation factors. Poly(A) polymerase (PAP), the enzyme catalyzing the addition of adenosine residues during the polyadenylation stage, exists in four isoforms within Arabidopsis. In silico and yeast two-hybrid studies showed that PAP1 has unique expression and interaction pattern in Arabidopsis, suggesting non-canonical functions of PAP1. Its exclusive interaction with PAP4 has not been reported in other living systems until now and hints at a difference in polyadenylation in plants with respect to mammals and yeast. Cleavage Stimulation Factor (CstF), a heterotrimeric complex of the polyadenylation factors CstF50, CstF64 and CstF77, plays a role largely in cleavage of pre-mRNA. This study highlights some aspects of the Arabidopsis homologs of CstF64 and CstF77, central to various cellular processes other than nuclear polyadenylation. In silico studies showed an elevated expression of CstF64 in the pollen while that of CstF77 remained fairly low. Yeast two-hybrid assays indicated a novel kind of interaction of CstF64 with Fip1(V). It is also speculated from sub-cellular localization techniques by agroinfiltration in tobacco leaves that CstF64 localizes in the cytoplasm and CstF77 in the nucleus, as found for the orthologs of CstF77 in other systems.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-76).

In this work, six triazene compounds are assayed to DNA cleavage activity. The same six triazenes and the drug Asercit® (dacarbazine) are assayed to antibacterial activity and toxicity to Artemia salina Leach.: 1,3-bis-(phenyl)triazene-1-N-hidroxide (T1), 1-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)triazene, (T2), 1-(4-azophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)triazene (T3) ,1,3-bis-(4-azophenyl-triazene) (T4), 1,3-bis-(2-bromophenyl)triazene (T5), 1-(4-carboxyphenyl)-3-(4-azophenyl)triazene (T6) and 5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazenyl)imidazol-4-carboxamide (dacarbazine, Asercit®). Triazene T1 cleaves approximately 50 % of plasmid DNA (pBSKII and pUC18, 3.75 mM, 50ºC/24 hours, Tris.HCl buffer 200 mM pH 8.0). Hydroxyl radical scavengers (glycerol 0.1 and 1.0 %, DMSO 0.04 M and tiourea 0.04 M) and argon atmosphere not interfere in DNA cleavage by T1. The Kb of T1 determinated by spectrofotometric titrations with DNA are 4.50 x 101 M-1 (pH 6,5), 1.00 x 102 M-1 (pH 7,0) e 2.33 x 102 M-1 (pH 8,0). T1, T6 and Asercit® are the more actives in antibacterial activity with CIM/CBM of even 16/64 μg/ml. LC50 more lower determinated by toxicity to A. salina are to T1 (0.081 ± 0.008 μg/ml), T5 (0.076 ± 0.011 μg/ml) and T6 (0.077 ± 0.007 μg/ml). Theses studies show the wide biological activity conferred by triazene compounds. / Neste estudo, seis compostos triazenos são avaliados quanto à atividade de clivagem do DNA. Os mesmos seis triazenos e o medicamento Asercit® (dacarbazina) são avaliados quanto à atividade antibacteriana e toxicidade frente à Artemia salina Leach.: 1,3-bis-(fenil)triazeno-1-N-hidróxido (T1), 1-(4-bromofenil)-3- (4-nitrofenil)triazeno (T2), 1-(4-azofenil)-3-(4-nitrofenil)triazeno (T3), 1,3-bis-(4- azofenil)triazeno (T4), 1,3-bis-(2-bromofenil)triazeno (T5), 1-(4-carbóxifenil)-3-(4- azofenil)triazeno (T6) e 5-(3,3-dimetil-1-triazenil)imidazol-4-carboxamida (dacarbazina, Asercit®). O triazeno T1 cliva aproximadamente 50 % do DNA plasmidial (pBSKII e pUC18, a 3,75 mM, 50 ºC/24 horas, tampão Tris.HCl 200 mM pH 8,0). Seqüestradores de radicais hidroxil (glicerol 0,1 e 1 %, DMSO 0,04 M e tiouréia 0,04 M) e atmosfera de argônio não interferem na clivagem do DNA por T1. Os Kb de T1 determinados por titulação espectrofotométrica com DNA são 4,50 x 101 M-1 (pH 6,5), 1,00 x 102 M-1 (pH 7,0) e 2,33 x 102 M-1 (pH 8,0). T1, T6 e o Asercit® são os mais ativos na atividade antibacteriana com CIM/CBM de até 16/64 μg/ml. As LC50 mais baixas determinadas pela toxicidade para A. salina são para T1 (0,081 ± 0,008 μg/ml), T5 (0,076 ± 0,011 μg/ml) e T6 (0,077 ± 0,007 μg/ml). Esses estudos mostram a ampla atividade biológica conferida pelos compostos triazenos.