A determinação de estruturas tridimensionais de quelatos com metais pesados e de alguns potencialmente úteis agentes quelantes, é uma ferramenta muito importante no estudo de complexos que poderão agir como antídotos na intoxicação por ingestão de metais pesados. Um conhecimento detalhado destes complexos é exigido para auxiliar na modelagem de estruturas moleculares e na determinação de procedimentos que sejam mais efetivos na neutralização dos processos, desenvolvidos por indivíduos com intoxicação crônica por metais pesados. Aqui serão reportados os resultados de um estudo sistemático de complexos [TlMe2L], onde L = 2-mercapto-3-piridina ácido carboxílico (I), 6-mercapto-3-piridinametoxicarboxilato (II), 2-mercapto-3-piridina-metoxicarboxilato (III), 6-mercapto-3-piridina-etoxicarboxilato (IV) e 2-mercapto-3-piridina-etoxicarboxilato (V). O estudo dos arranjos supramoleculares destes complexos mostra que, apesar das diferenças na simetria dos grupos espaciais e os substituintes nos ligantes, o empacotamento no cristal são similares. Os complexos formam polimeros infinitos em uma, duas e três dimensões, baseadas em interações TI - S, T1 - N e T1 - O e ligações de hidrogênio. Existem várias formas de correções dos dados de difração de raios X em monocristais. Durante o processamento das intensidades coletadas realizam-se várias correções, tais como de Lorentz, polarização, absorção e eventualmente correção por deterioração da amostra. A correção por absorção é fortemente recomendada para cristais que possuem fortes absorvedores em sua forma estrutural. Foram estudados os efeitos da absorção dos raios X em amostras cristalinas e uma comparação dos resultados obtidos ao aplicar os diferentes métodos de correções por absorção disponíveis. Constatou-se que após serem realizados diferentes formas de correção por absorção, houve diferenças significativas nas figuras de mérito, picos e vales de densidade de carga residual e parâmetros de deslocamentos anisotrópicos. Já nos ângulos e distâncias de ligações não foram observados mudanças significativas. / The determination of the three-dimensional structures of heavy-metal chelates and of some potentially useful chelating agents is a very important to01 in the study of complexes that may act as antidotes against poisoning by ingestion of heavy metals. A detailed knowledge of these complexes is expected to assist in the design of molecular structures and procedures that are more effective in counteracting the life threatening processes inevitably developed by individuals with chronic heavy-metal intoxication. Within this framework a series of dimethylthallium(III) complexes were studied. Here we present complexes of the type [TlMe2L], where L=2-mercapto-3- pyridine carboxylic acid(I), 6-mercapto-3-pyridine-methoxycarboxylate(II), 2-mercapto-3-pyridine-methoxycarboxylate(III), 6-mercapto-3-pyridineethoxycarboxylate(IV) and 2-mercapto-3-pyridine-ethoxycarboxylate(V). The study of the supramolecular arrangement of these complexes shows that, in spite of the differences in space group symmetry and substituents in the ligand, the crystals packing are remarkably similar. The complexes form infinite polymers in one, two and three dimensions, based upon TI-S, T1-0 e T1-N covalent bonds and intermolecular secondary interactions. The complexes also present strong hydrogen bond intermolecular interactions. There are many forms of corrections to the data collected in a single crystal X-ray diffration experiment. During the data reduction many corrections take place, such as: Lorentz, polarization, absorption and eventualy corrections for the deterioration of the sample. The absorption correction is strongly recommended for crystals with strong absorbers in its structural form. The effect of the absorption of the X rays has been studied in crystalline samples, as well as a comparison between the result obtained from the different available methods of absorption corrections. This work that showed different forms of absorption correction, made significant differences in the merit figures, peak and hole of residual charge density, as well as the anisotropic displacements parameters. Bonds distances and angles, on the other hand, did not change significantly.

Leishmania é um protozoário parasito flagelado responsável pelas Leishmanioses, classificadas como doenças negligenciadas, que causam um risco a 350 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo. As fumarato hidratases (FHs) são enzimas que catalisam a hidratação reversível da molécula de fumarato em S-malato e estudos recentes em tripanosomatídeos, utilizando Trypanosoma brucei como modelo, apontam essas enzimas como potenciais alvos para o planejamento de compostos com ação tripanossomicida e leishmanicida. O presente trabalho visou à caracterização funcional e estrutural das enzimas fumarato hidratase de Leishmania major através da determinação da estrutura por técnicas de difração de raios-X em monocristais, aliadas a técnicas espectroscópicas, de mutagênese sítio dirigida e simulação de dinâmica molecular. A susceptibilidade dessa classe de enzimas ao oxigênio devido a presença de um complexo do tipo [4Fe-4S] exigiu a utilização de técnicas modernas para a realização dos experimentos em condição de anaerobiose. A estrutura da isoforma citosólica da FH em L. major (LmFH-2) foi determinada por técnicas de difração de raios-X em monocristais e consiste na primeira estrutura de uma proteína da classe I das FHs a ser determinada. O enovelamento de LmFH-2 foi descrito como novo e consiste em uma proteína dimérica na qual cada monômero apresenta dois domínios denominados domínios N- e C- terminais, que possuem grande mobilidade entre si. A análise das estruturas cristalográficas de LmFH-2 em complexo com o substrato malato e os inibidores malonato e succinato, associada aos estudos de dinâmica molecular, nos permitiu propor que a mobilidade entre os domínios está associada à entrada do substrato no sítio ativo. Os dados estruturais corroborados pelos dados espectroscópicos e bioquímicos foram utilizados para mapear o sítio ativo e construirmos um modelo para descrever o mecanismo de ação enzimática adotado por essa classe de enzimas. Na tentativa de dar ínicio à validação do nosso modelo, o resíduo conservado Thr467, pertencente ao sítio ativo da LmFH-2 e identificado como importante na interação com o substrato, teve seu papel catalítico avaliado através da combinação de técnicas de mutação sítio-dirigida associada a estudos cinéticos e estruturais. A perda significativa na atividade da proteína mutante LmFH-2-T467A fortaleceu nossas hipóteses de que a Thr467 poderia atuar como ácido ou base no mecanismo RESUMO | II de ação das FHs da classe I. Os resultados obtidos nesse trabalho nos fornecerão as bases estruturais para o mapeamento acerca do mecanismo catalítico adotado pelas enzimas fumarato hidratase da classe I, assim como, para o planejamento de ligantes específicos como uma importante ferramenta na avaliação do potencial desta classe de enzimas como alvo para o desenvolvimento de novas terapias contra a Leishmaniose. / Leishmania parasites are the casual agent of leishamaniasis, classified as neglected tropical diseases, with 350 million people at risk of infection. Fumarate hydratases (FH) are enzymes that catalyze the stereospecific reversible hydratation of fumarate to S-malate and recent studies in trypanosomatids, using Trypanosoma brucei as a model suggest that the fumarate hydratase enzymes are essential for the parasite survival and should be exploited as potential targets for the development of new therapies against trypanosomatid related diseases. The present work focused the functional and structural characterization of both fumarate hydratase enzymes from Leishmania major by a combination of crystallographic, spectroscopic, site-direct mutagenesis and molecular dynamics techniques. The susceptibility to oxygen observed for this class of proteins due to the presence of a [4Fe-4S] cluster required the use of state-of-art infrastructure to perform the experiments under anaerobic environment. The structure of LmFH-2 has been determined by X-ray diffraction techniques and consists of the first class I FH structure to be reported. LmFH-2 folding has been found to be unique and consists of a dimer with each monomer composed of two major domains named N- and C-terminal domains. The analysis of the crystallographic structure of LmFH-2 in complex with the substrate malate and with both inhibitors malonate and succinate has allowed us to propose that the movement observed between both N- and C-domains is associated to the entrance of the substrate into the active site. The structural data corroborated with biochemical and spectroscopic studies have been used to map the active site and to build a model to describe the mechanism of action adopted by this class of enzymes. As our first attempt to validate our model, the residue Thr467 that belongs to the active site and has been identified as important in the interaction with the substrate, had its catalytic role evaluated by site-direct mutagenesis in combination with kinetic and structural studies. The significant loss in activity observed for the mutant LmFH-2-T467A supports our hypothesis that Thr467 can act as either acid or base during catalysis. Our results have provided the structural basis for the complete mapping of the catalytic mechanism adopted by fumarate hydratase enzymes, as well as for the design of specific ligands as an important tool for evaluating FHs as drug targets in development of new therapies against Leishmaniasis.

Myostatin is a secreted growth factor of the transforming growth-factor $\beta$ (TGF$\beta$) superfamily, and a powerful negative regulator of muscle mass in vertebrates. As such, there is considerable interest in developing pharmacological agents which inhibit myostatin signalling in order to stimulate muscle growth in the context of pathological muscle wasting. Like other TGF$\beta$ family proteins, myostatin is biosynthesised as an inactive (latent) precursor protein which requires proteolytic processing to liberate the mature bioactive growth factor. To examine the molecular basis of pro-myostatin latency and the mechanism by which it is activated in the extracellular space, I have determined the crystal structure of unprocessed human pro-myostatin and studied the properties of the protein at various stages of activation. Crystallographic analysis of pro-myostatin reveals a unique domain-swapped dimeric structure, with an open V-shaped conformation distinct from the prototypical family member, TGF$\beta$1. Following cleavage of the prodomains by furin, pro-myostatin persists as a stable non-covalent complex which is resistant to the natural inhibitor follistatin and exhibits significantly weaker bioactivity than the mature growth factor. A number of distinct structural features combine to stabilise the interaction between pro and mature domains and in doing so confer latency to the pro-complex. This facilitates a controlled, step-wise process of activation in the extracellular space and contributes to a complex network of regulatory control. The results presented here provide a structural basis for understanding the effect of natural polymorphisms on myostatin function and a starting point for structure-guided development of next generation myostatin inhibitors. As a proof-of-concept, I present preliminary data on prodomain derived stapled peptides as inhibitors of myostatin signalling.

Dans ce manuscrit, nous trouverons l'étude et la caractérisation de 3 nouveaux matériaux pour le stockage chimique de l'hydrogène : l'hydrazine borane (N2H4BH3, HB avec 15.3 % m H) et les hydrazinidoboranes de lithium (LiN2H3BH3, LiHB avec 11.6 % m H) et de sodium (NaN2H3BH3, NaHB avec 8.8 % m H). Ces matériaux font partie de la famille des boranes, récemment envisagés comme des matériaux prometteurs pour le stockage chimique de l'hydrogène. Comme exemple type, nous pouvons citer l'ammoniaborane (NH3BH3, AB avec 19.6 % m H), car il possède une capacité massique théorique en hydrogène élevée et débute sa déshydrogénation à une température modérée (122°C). Cependant, la cinétique de déshydrogénation de AB est lente. En outre, des gaz nocifs à la pile à combustible, tel que de la borazine, sont émis au cours de la thermolyse. Dans ce contexte, des dérivés, à savoir les amidoboranes, ont été synthétisés pour améliorer les performances de AB. En effet, les amidoboranes de lithium (LiNH2BH3) et de sodium (NaNH2BH3) génèrent 10.9 et 7.5 % m H (respectivement) à 90°C sans période d'induction et sans formation de borazine. Pour notre étude, nous avons choisi de suivre une stratégie similaire de déstabilisation ; nous avons travaillé sur la modification chimique du HB. Dans le premier chapitre nous présentons le protocole de synthèse de HB ainsi que sa caractérisation chimique, structurale et thermique. La synthèse, une métathèse de sel, a été une optimisation du protocole mis en place en 1961 par Goubeau et Ricker. Nous l'avons optimisé en termes de coût, de rendement (≈ 80 %) et de pureté (≥ 99 %). Les caractérisations chimique et structurale nous ont révélé la présence d'un réseau de liaisons Hδ+•••Hδ-, ce qui confère à HB son état solide ainsi que sa stabilité à température ambiante. Cependant, ce réseau ne met pas en jeu la totalité des motifs de HB, au contraire de AB. Les caractérisations thermiques nous ont confirmé cette observation par une diminution de la température de début de déshydrogénation d'environ 60°C et l'absence de période d'induction lors de la décomposition isotherme. Aucune émission de borazine n'a été enregistrée. Cependant, nous avons mis en avant la formation de N2H4 et de NH3. Par des mesures volumétriques, nous avons enregistré que HB est capable de libérer 6.2 % m H en 3 h à 110°C. Les deux chapitres suivants traitent de la synthèse et caractérisation des hydrazinidoboranes de lithium (chapitre II) et de sodium (chapitre III). Les analyses chimique et structurale ont mis en avant une augmentation du degré de liberté du groupement BH3 pour ces deux matériaux par rapport celui de HB, mais aussi la présence d'un réseau de liaisons Hδ+•••Hδ- moins complexe que dans HB. La synthèse de LiHB donne lieu à la formation de deux polymorphes notés ici α- et β-LiHB. Dans nos conditions, NaHB et LiHB ont présenté des propriétés de déshydrogénation plus intéressantes que HB, avec une déshydrogénation totale lorsqu'ils sont tous deux soumis à une rampe de température. En outre, il a été remarqué une nette diminution de l'émission de NH3 (sans N2H4). Pour NaHB, cette émission peut être supprimée par l'ajout d'un excès de NaH lors de la synthèse. La cinétique de déshydrogénation est également améliorée. Nous avons enregistré une déshydrogénation quasi-totale en 1 h à 150°C pour LiHB (2.6 équiv. H2) et en 24 s à 110°C pour NaHB (2.5 équiv. H2). NaHB montre par ailleurs un comportement non conventionnel lors de sa décomposition à des températures supérieures à 100°C ; il libère la quasi-totalité de son hydrogène en quelques minutes à une vitesse de 4 L H2/min à 110°C. Ces matériaux ont donc démontrés leur potentiel pour le stockage chimique de l'hydrogène. / In this manuscript, we present the study and characterization of three new materials for chemical hydrogen storage: i.e. hydrazine borane (N2H4BH3, HB with 15.3 wt % H), lithium and sodium hydrazinidoboranes (LiN2H3BH3, LiHB with 11.6 wt % H and NaN2H3BH3, NaHB with wt 8.8 % H). These materials belong to boranes' family, which have recently been seen as promising materials for chemical hydrogen storage. A typical example of such materials is ammoniaborane, which has a high theoretical hydrogen content (NH3BH3, AB with 19.6 wt % H) and starts it dehydrogenation at moderate temperature (122°C). However, the dehydrogenation kinetics of AB is slow. In addition, some gaseous impurities are detected; e.g. borazine has been often reported to form. In this context, derivatives of AB, i.e. amidoboranes, have been synthesized with the objective to improve the dehydrogenation properties of the parent AB. Lithium and sodium amidoboranes (LiNH2BH3 and NaNH2BH3) generates 10.9 and 7.5 wt % H (respectively) at 90 ° C without any induction period and no borazine formation. For our study, we have chosen to follow a similar strategy in order to destabilize HB by chemical modification. In the first chapter, we report the synthesis protocol of HB and its chemical, structural and thermal characterizations. The synthesis, which is a salt metathesis, is an optimization of the protocol established in 1961 by Goubeau and Ricker. We optimized it in terms of cost, yield (≈ 80%) and purity (≥ 99%). The chemical and structural characterizations have revealed the presence of a Hδ+••• Hδ- network conferring the solid state to the borane as well as its stability in room conditions. However, the network does not involve all of the HB molecules unlike in the case of AB. Thermal characterizations have confirmed this observation through a decreased onset temperature of about 60 °C and the absence of an induction period. No emission of borazine was besides recorded. However, we put forward the formation of N2H4 and NH3. By volumetric measurements, we demonstrated that HB is able to release 6.2 wt % H2 in 3 h at 110 ° C. Chapters II and III deal with the synthesis and characterization of lithium (Chapter II) and sodium (Chapter III) hydrazinidoboranes. We performed detailed chemical and structural characterizations that revealed an increase of the degree of freedom of the BH3 group for these materials compared to HB, but also the presence of the Hδ+ •••Hδ- network but it is less complex than in HB. The LiHB synthesis has put forward the formation of two polymorphs, here noted α- and β-LiHB. In our conditions, Na- and Li-HB have presented more attractive dehydrogenation properties compared to HB, with a total dehydrogenation and a net decrease in the emission of NH3 (without N2H4) when both materials are subjected to a temperature ramp. The emission of unwanted NH3 can be hindered for NaHB by adding an excess of NaH during the synthesis. The dehydrogenation kinetics is also improved. We recorded an almost complete dehydrogenation with 2.6 equiv. H2 in 1 h at 150 ° C for LiHB and with 2.5 equiv. H2 in 24 s at 110 ° C for NaHB. Note that NaHB shows an unconventional behavior upon isothermal decomposition at temperatures above 100 ° C since it releases substantially all of its hydrogen in few minutes with the very high rate of 4 L H2/min at 110 ° C. These materials have thus demonstrated their potential for chemical hydrogen storage.

L’alternane-saccharase (ASR) de Leuconostoc citreum NRRL B-1355 est une glucane-saccharase appartenant à la famille 70 des glycoside hydrolases (GH70). Cette α-transglucosylase utilise le saccharose, substrat peu coûteux et abondant, pour catalyser la formation d’un polymère d’α-glucane composé de liaisons osidiques α-1,6 et α-1,3 alternées dans la chaîne principale et appelé alternane. Avec une température optimale de 45°C, l’ASR est parmi les glucane-saccharases les plus stables. Afin d’avoir une meilleure compréhension des déterminants de la spécificité de liaison, de la polymérisation et de la plus haute stabilité de l’ASR, nous avons résolu la structure de cette enzyme. Notre étude par mutagénèse dirigée combinée à du docking moléculaire suggère que la spécificité de liaison est contrôlée par le positionnement de l’accepteur dans l’un ou l’autre des sous-sites +2 ou +2’. Des complexes de l’ASR avec différents ligands ont également mis en évidence un site signature de l’enzyme. Ce site est impliqué dans la formation du polymère d’alternane et pourrait servir de pont facilitant l’élongation processive de l’alternane. Enfin, nos travaux préliminaires indiquent que le domaine C pourrait être impliqué dans la stabilité de ces enzymes. Nos résultats ouvrent des nouvelles pistes d’investigation concernant l’étude des relations structure-fonction des glucane-saccharases et la conception de polymères de structure et propriétés physico-chimiques contrôlées. / The alternansucrase (ASR) from Leuconostoc citreum NRRL B-1355 is a glucansucrase belonging to the family 70 of glycoside hydrolases (GH70). This α-transglucosylase uses a cheap and abundant molecule, sucrose, to catalyze the formation of a unique α-glucan polymer made of alternating α-1,6 and α-1,3 linkages in the main chain, called alternan. With a 45°C optimum temperature, ASR is among the most stable glucansucrases to date. To get a deeper insight in ASR determinants involved in linkage specificity, polymerization and stability, we have solved the unliganded 3D structure of this enzyme at 2.8 Å. Coupled to mutagenesis and molecular docking, our results suggest the alternance to be governed by the acceptor positioning in either +2 or +2’ subsite, and the key contributions of Trp675 or Asp772 residue, respectively. Complexes of ASR with various sugar ligands were also obtained and highlighted a site never identified in any other GH70 enzymes. This site is uniquely found in alternansucrase and could act as a bridge between the domain V and the active site facilitating alternan processive elongation. Finally, the construction and characterization of chimera enzymes suggested domain C to be involved in enzyme stability. Overall, our results improved our knowledge on the structure-function relationship of ASR and open new paths for the conception of polymers with controlled structures and physicochemical properties

Owing to the growing demand for enantiopurity in biological and chemical processes, tremendous efforts have been devoted to the synthesis of homochiral metal-organic materials (MOMs) because of their potential applications in chiral separation and asymmetric catalysis. In this dissertation, the synthetic strategies for homochiral MOMs are discussed keeping the focus on their applications. Two distinct approaches have been taken to synthesize chiral structures with different topologies and accessible cavities. The chiral MOMs have been utilized in enantioselective separation of racemates. Chiral variants of the prototypal metal-organic framework MOF-5, δ-CMOF-5 and [lambda]-CMOF-5, have been synthesized by preparing MOF-5 in the presence of L-proline or D-proline, respectively. CMOF-5 crystallizes in chiral space group P213 instead of Fm-3m as exhibited by MOF-5. The phase purity of CMOF-5 was validated by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, TGA, N2 adsorption, microanalysis and solid-state CD. CMOF-5 undergoes a reversible single crystal to single crystal phase change to MOF-5 when immersed in a variety of organic solvents although N-methyl-2-pyrolidone, NMP, does not induce loss of chirality. Indeed, MOF-5 undergoes chiral induction when immersed in NMP, affording racemic CMOF-5. A pair of homochiral network materials (CNMs), [Co2(S-man)2(bpy)3](NO3)2·guests (1S) and [Co2(R-man)2(bpy)3](NO3)2·guests (1R) based upon S-mendelic acid and R-mendelic acid were synthesized and characterized, respectively. The cationic networks contain 1D homochiral channels with the cross section of 8.0 Å × 8.0 Å. The chiral amphiphilic channel surfaces lined with hydrophilic nitrate anions and hydrophobic phenyl groups are capable for multiple interactions with guest species. Chiral resolution of 1-phenyl-1-propanol (PP) enantiomers was performed utilizing the homochiral porosity of 1S and 1R through different time period at different temperatures with/without additives. The mechanism for enantioselective separation of PP was fully investigated through single crystal structural analysis of guest exchanged 1S and 1R. Chiral resolution of PP revealed enhanced performance with additive, which can significantly improve the ee value from 32% to 60%.

<p>Future energy systems based on hydrogen as energy carrier require reliable ways for storing hydrogen gas in safe, clean and efficient ways. Metal hydrides absorb hydrogen gas reversibly, making them suitable for storage applications. Investigations of the crystal structures of these materials contribute to an understanding of the factors which can influence the absorption<i>. </i></p><p>Three systems, Ti₃Sn-D, Nb₄MSi-D (M=Co or Ni) and Pd-Ni-P, have been investigated in this thesis. Various solid state synthesis techniques have been used for sample preparation. The crystal structures have been studied using x-ray and neutron diffraction techniques.</p><p>Three metal hydride phases were found in the Ti₃Sn-D system upon hydrogenation. Deuterium occupies titanium octahedra and the applied deuterium pressure induces the phase transitions. The distances between the deuterium atoms increase from 2.47 Å in orthorhombic Ti₃SnD_0.80 to 4.17 Å in cubic Ti₃SnD.</p><p>The Nb₄MSi-D system (M=Co or Ni) readily absorbs deuterium at room temperature and 90 kPa deuterium pressure to give a deuterium content of Nb₄MSiD_~2.5. Two interstitial voids, both coordinated by four niobium atoms arranged in a tetrahedral configuration, accommodate deuterium atoms. </p><p>Two ternary phases and a solid solution of nickel in Pd₃P have been synthesised and the crystal structures determined. PdNi₂P is orthorhombic and crystallises in the MgCuAl₂-type structure: an ordered derivative of the Re₃B-type structure. Pd₈Ni₃₁P₁₆ is a tetragonal high-temperature phase stable at 700°C with 110 atoms in the unit cell. Pd_2.7Ni_0.3P_0.94 has the cementite-type structure with mixed occupancy of palladium and nickel at one of the two non-equivalent crystallographic metal positions.</p>

<p>Glycosidases hydrolyse the glycosidic bond in carbohydrates. Structural studies of three glycosidases with different substrate specificities are presented in this work.</p><p>Dextranase catalyzes the hydrolysis of <i>α</i>-1,6-glycosidic linkage in dextran polymers. The structure of dextranase, Dex49A, from <i>Penicillium minioluteum</i> was solved in the apo-enzyme (1.8 Å resolution) and product-bound (1.65 Å resolution) forms. The main domain of the enzyme is a right-handed β-helix, which is connected to a β-sandwich domain at the N-terminus. Using NMR spectroscopy the reaction course was shown to occur with net inversion at the anomeric carbon. A new clan is suggested that links glycoside hydrolase (GH) families 28 and 49.</p><p>Endo-<i>β</i>-1,4-D-mannanase catalyzes the depolymerization of <i>β</i>-1,4-mannan polymers. The structure of endo-1,4-<i>β</i>-mannanase Man5A from blue mussel <i>Mytilus edulis</i> has been determined at 1.6 Å resolution. Kinetic analysis of Man5A revealed that the enzyme requires at least 6 subsites for efficient hydrolysis. The architecture of the catalytic cleft differs significantly from other GH 5 enzyme structures. We therefore suggest that Man5A represents a new subfamily in GH 5. </p><p>Both the Dex49A and the Man5A structures were determined by multiple-wavelength anomalous diffraction using the selenium <i>K</i>-edge with selenomethionyl enzymes expressed in the yeast <i>Pichia pastoris</i>.</p><p>Endoglucanase Cel6A from <i>Thermobifida fusca</i> hydrolyzes the <i>β</i>-1,4 linkages in cellulose. The structure of the catalytic domain of Cel6A from <i>T. fusca</i> in complex with a non-hydrolysable substrate analogue has been determined to 1.5 Å resolution. The glycosyl unit in subsite –1 was sterically hindered by Tyr73 and forced into a distorted ²S_O conformation. In the enzyme where Tyr73 was mutated to a serine residue the hindrance was removed and the glycosyl unit in subsite –1 had a relaxed ⁴C₁ chair conformation.</p>

Future energy systems based on hydrogen as energy carrier require reliable ways for storing hydrogen gas in safe, clean and efficient ways. Metal hydrides absorb hydrogen gas reversibly, making them suitable for storage applications. Investigations of the crystal structures of these materials contribute to an understanding of the factors which can influence the absorption. Three systems, Ti3Sn-D, Nb4MSi-D (M=Co or Ni) and Pd-Ni-P, have been investigated in this thesis. Various solid state synthesis techniques have been used for sample preparation. The crystal structures have been studied using x-ray and neutron diffraction techniques. Three metal hydride phases were found in the Ti3Sn-D system upon hydrogenation. Deuterium occupies titanium octahedra and the applied deuterium pressure induces the phase transitions. The distances between the deuterium atoms increase from 2.47 Å in orthorhombic Ti3SnD0.80 to 4.17 Å in cubic Ti3SnD. The Nb4MSi-D system (M=Co or Ni) readily absorbs deuterium at room temperature and 90 kPa deuterium pressure to give a deuterium content of Nb4MSiD~2.5. Two interstitial voids, both coordinated by four niobium atoms arranged in a tetrahedral configuration, accommodate deuterium atoms. Two ternary phases and a solid solution of nickel in Pd3P have been synthesised and the crystal structures determined. PdNi2P is orthorhombic and crystallises in the MgCuAl2-type structure: an ordered derivative of the Re3B-type structure. Pd8Ni31P16 is a tetragonal high-temperature phase stable at 700°C with 110 atoms in the unit cell. Pd2.7Ni0.3P0.94 has the cementite-type structure with mixed occupancy of palladium and nickel at one of the two non-equivalent crystallographic metal positions.

Glycosidases hydrolyse the glycosidic bond in carbohydrates. Structural studies of three glycosidases with different substrate specificities are presented in this work. Dextranase catalyzes the hydrolysis of α-1,6-glycosidic linkage in dextran polymers. The structure of dextranase, Dex49A, from Penicillium minioluteum was solved in the apo-enzyme (1.8 Å resolution) and product-bound (1.65 Å resolution) forms. The main domain of the enzyme is a right-handed β-helix, which is connected to a β-sandwich domain at the N-terminus. Using NMR spectroscopy the reaction course was shown to occur with net inversion at the anomeric carbon. A new clan is suggested that links glycoside hydrolase (GH) families 28 and 49. Endo-β-1,4-D-mannanase catalyzes the depolymerization of β-1,4-mannan polymers. The structure of endo-1,4-β-mannanase Man5A from blue mussel Mytilus edulis has been determined at 1.6 Å resolution. Kinetic analysis of Man5A revealed that the enzyme requires at least 6 subsites for efficient hydrolysis. The architecture of the catalytic cleft differs significantly from other GH 5 enzyme structures. We therefore suggest that Man5A represents a new subfamily in GH 5. Both the Dex49A and the Man5A structures were determined by multiple-wavelength anomalous diffraction using the selenium K-edge with selenomethionyl enzymes expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. Endoglucanase Cel6A from Thermobifida fusca hydrolyzes the β-1,4 linkages in cellulose. The structure of the catalytic domain of Cel6A from T. fusca in complex with a non-hydrolysable substrate analogue has been determined to 1.5 Å resolution. The glycosyl unit in subsite –1 was sterically hindered by Tyr73 and forced into a distorted 2SO conformation. In the enzyme where Tyr73 was mutated to a serine residue the hindrance was removed and the glycosyl unit in subsite –1 had a relaxed 4C1 chair conformation.