New aspects in acceleration of glycidyl ether oligomerization by imidazole compounds

Summary Using simple model compounds the oligomerization of glycidyl ethers accelerated by imidazole and imidazole derivatives was investigated. The formation of oligomers depending on 1,3-diphenoxy-2-hydroxypropane as their starting compound was predominant.In the case of imidazole 1,2-dihydroxy-3-phenoxypropane and the resulting oligomers are further formed. It seems to be obvious that this reaction also occurs in the absence of water.An over-all reaction mechanism including both the main products of the glycidyl ether oligomerization formed and the different imidazole compounds investigated is proposed.     

Real-Time BODIPY-Binding Assay To Screen Inhibitors of the Early Oligomerization Process of Aβ1–42 Peptide

Misfolding and aggregation of amyloid β1–42 peptide (Aβ1–42) play a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Targeting the highly cytotoxic oligomeric species formed during the early stages of the aggregation process represents a promising therapeutic strategy to reduce the toxicity associated with Aβ1–42. Currently, the thioflavin T (ThT) assay is the only established spectrofluorometric method to screen aggregation inhibitors. The success of the ThT assay is that it can detect Aβ1–42 aggregates with high β-sheet content, such as protofibrils or fibrils, which appear in the late aggregation steps. Unfortunately, by using the ThT assay, the detection of inhibitors of early soluble oligomers that present a low β-sheet character is challenging. Herein, a new, facile, and robust boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) real-time assay suitable for 96-well plate format, which allows screening of compounds as selective inhibitors of the formation of Aβ1–42 oligomers, is reported. These inhibitors decrease the cellular toxicity of Aβ1–42, although they fail in the ThT assay. The findings have been confirmed and validated by structural analysis and cell viability assays under comparable experimental conditions. It is demonstrated that the BODIPY assay is a convenient method to screen and discover new candidate compounds that slow down or stop the pathological early oligomerization process and are active in the cellular assay. Therefore, it is a suitable complementary screening method of the current ThT assay.     

Polyphenolic glycosides and aglycones utilize opposing pathways to selectively remodel and inactivate toxic oligomers of amyloid β

Substantial evidence suggests that soluble prefibrillar oligomers of the Aβ42 peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease are the most cytotoxic aggregated Aβ isoform. Limited previous work has revealed that aromatic compounds capable of remodeling Aβ oligomers into nontoxic conformers typically do so by converting them into off-pathway aggregates instead of dissociating them into monomers. Towards identifying small-molecule antagonists capable of selectively dissociating toxic Aβ oligomers into soluble peptide at substoichiometric concentrations, we have investigated the pathways used by polyphenol aglycones and their glycosides to remodel Aβ soluble oligomers. We find that eleven polyphenol aglycones of variable size and structure utilize the same remodeling pathway whereby Aβ oligomers are rapidly converted into large, off-pathway aggregates. Strikingly, we find that glycosides of these polyphenols all utilize a distinct remodeling pathway in which Aβ oligomers are rapidly dissociated into soluble, disaggregated peptide. This disaggregation activity is a synergistic combination of the aglycone and glycone moieties because combinations of polyphenols and sugars fail to disaggregate Aβ oligomers. We also find that polyphenolic glycosides and aglycones use the same opposing pathways to remodel Aβ fibrils. Importantly, both classes of polyphenols fail to remodel nontoxic Aβ oligomers (which are indistinguishable in size and morphology to Aβ soluble oligomers) or promote aggregation of freshly disaggregated Aβ peptide; thus revealing that they are specific for remodeling toxic Aβ conformers. We expect that these and related small molecules will be powerful chemical probes for investigating the conformational and cellular underpinnings of Aβ-mediated toxicity.     

Synthesis and Characterization Of Oligo(azomethine) Hybrids. Part II

Summary The synthesis and characterization of aromatic oligo(azomethines) hybrids by thermal oligomerization of a new monomers is reported. The new oligo(azomethines) have been characterized using, FT-IR, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermo gravimetric and viscosimetric measurements. These oligomers were synthesized by the intermolecular reaction between the ester group and the amine group, and the resulting products contain simultaneously imine, amide and carboxylic acid groups. The soluble oligomers were fractionated and it was possible to obtain a materials of different solubility and molecular size. The oligomers have high thermal stability that reached a loss of mass even of 10% at 460 °C.     

Condensation of alkoxysilanes in alcoholic media: II. Oligomerization of aminopropylmethyldiethoxysilane and co‐oligomerization with dimethyldiethoxysilane

In the context of the preservation of cultural heritage, the treatment of paper by an aminoalkylalkoxysilane, or its mixture with dimethyldiethoxysilane (DMDES), gave encouraging results. The condensation experiments presented here, carried out in alcohol medium using aminopropylmethyldiethoxysilane (AMDES) alone or with DMDES, were followed using ¹H NMR, ²⁹Si NMR and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI TOF) spectroscopies. The aim was to determine whether DMDES and AMDES could copolymerize under the conditions used. An exchange reaction was observed for AMDES in ethanol in the absence of water, under conditions where no exchange took place for DMDES. In methanol, this reaction proceeded much more rapidly and the reactivity of methoxysilyl groups was higher than that of ethoxysilyl groups. In the same solvent, in the presence of water, hydrolysis, cyclization and oligomerization were observed using NMR and MALDI TOF spectroscopies. In ethanol, a kinetic study of a mixture of DMDES and AMDES showed that the condensation of the two monomers proceeded at comparables rates and MALDI‐TOF analysis gave evidence that mixed oligomers were produced, containing from one to four AMDES units. It was concluded that the co‐oligomerization did not lead to a mixture of homo‐oligomers, which would be due to different hydrolysis and condensation kinetics, but induced the formation of co‐oligomers. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Size and Fluorescence Properties of Algal Photosynthetic Antenna Proteins Estimated by Microscopy

Antenna proteins play a major role in the regulation of light-harvesting in photosynthesis. However, less is known about a possible link between their sizes (oligomerization state) and fluorescence intensity (number of photons emitted). Here, we used a microscopy-based method, Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS), to analyze different antenna proteins at the particle level. The direct comparison indicated that Chromera Light Harvesting (CLH) antenna particles (isolated from Chromera velia) behaved as the monomeric Light Harvesting Complex II (LHCII) (from higher plants), in terms of their radius (based on the diffusion time) and fluorescence yields. FCS data thus indicated a monomeric oligomerization state of algal CLH antenna (at our experimental conditions) that was later confirmed also by biochemical experiments. Additionally, our data provide a proof of concept that the FCS method is well suited to measure proteins sizes (oligomerization state) and fluorescence intensities (photon counts) of antenna proteins per single particle (monomers and oligomers). We proved that antenna monomers (CLH and LHCIIm) are more “quenched” than the corresponding trimers. The FCS measurement thus represents a useful experimental approach that allows studying the role of antenna oligomerization in the mechanism of photoprotection.     

Yeast prion-protein, sup35, fibril formation proceeds by addition and substraction of oligomers

In analogy to human prions, a domain of the translation-termination protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Sup35, can switch its conformation from a soluble functional state, [psi-], to a conformation, [PSI+], that facilitates aggregation and impairs its native function. Overexpression of the molecular chaperone Hsp104 abolishes the [PSI+] phenotype and restores the normal function of Sup35. We have recently shown that Hsp104 interacts preferably with low oligomeric species of a Sup35 derived peptide, Sup35[5-26]; however, due to possible exchange between different oligomeric states, it was not possible to obtain information on the distribution and stability of the oligomeric state. We show here, that low-molecular-weight oligomers (Sup35[5-26])n (n approximately = 4-6) are indeed important for the fibril formation and disassembly process. We find that Hsp104 is able to disaggregate Sup35[5-26] fibrils by substraction of hexameric to decameric Sup35[5-26] oligomers. This disaggregation effect does not require assistance from other chaperones and is independent of ATP at high Hsp104 concentrations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that critical oligomers have a preference for alpha-helical conformations. The conformational reorganization into beta-sheet structures seems to occur only upon incorporation of these oligomers into fibrillar structures. The results are demonstrated by using an equilibrium dialysis experiment that employed different molecular-weight cut-off membranes. A combination of thioflavin-T (ThT) fluorescence and UV measurements allowed the quantification of fibril formation and the amount of peptide diffusing out of the dialysis bag. CD and NMR spectroscopy data were combined to obtain structural information.     

Confocal Spectroscopy to Study Dimerization,Oligomerization and Aggregation of Proteins: A Practical Guide

Protein self-association is a key feature that can modulate the physiological role of proteins or lead to deleterious effects when uncontrolled. Protein oligomerization is a simple way to modify the activity of a protein, as the modulation of binding interfaces allows for self-activation or inhibition, or variation in the selectivity of binding partners. As such, dimerization and higher order oligomerization is a common feature in signaling proteins, for example, and more than 70% of enzymes have the potential to self-associate. On the other hand, protein aggregation can overcome the regulatory mechanisms of the cell and can have disastrous physiological effects. This is the case in a number of neurodegenerative diseases, where proteins, due to mutation or dysregulation later in life, start polymerizing and often fibrillate, leading to the creation of protein inclusion bodies in cells. Dimerization, well-defined oligomerization and random aggregation are often difficult to differentiate and characterize experimentally. Single molecule “counting” methods are particularly well suited to the study of self-oligomerization as they allow observation and quantification of behaviors in heterogeneous conditions. However, the extreme dilution of samples often causes weak complexes to dissociate, and rare events can be overlooked. Here, we discuss a straightforward alternative where the principles of single molecule detection are used at higher protein concentrations to quantify oligomers and aggregates in a background of monomers. We propose a practical guide for the use of confocal spectroscopy to quantify protein oligomerization status and also discuss about its use in monitoring changes in protein aggregation in drug screening assays.     

Elucidating amyloid beta-protein folding and assembly: A multidisciplinary approach

Oligomeric, neurotoxic amyloid protein assemblies are thought to be causative agents in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. Development of oligomer-specific therapeutic agents requires a mechanistic understanding of the oligomerization process. This is a daunting task because amyloidogenic protein oligomers often are metastable and comprise structurally heterogeneous populations in equilibrium with monomers and fibrils. A single methodological approach cannot elucidate the entire protein assembly process. An integrated multidisciplinary program is required. We discuss here the synergistic application of in hydro, in vacuo, and in silico methods to the study of the amyloid beta-protein, the key pathogenetic agent in Alzheimer's disease.     

AlCl3/促进剂协同催化1-癸烯齐聚制备聚α-烯烃合成油

以三氯化铝为催化剂、过渡金属氯化物MCl₃（VCl₃、CrCl₃和TiCl₃）为促进剂,催化1-癸烯齐聚制备了具有高黏度指数的聚α-烯烃（PAO）合成油,系统研究了促进剂的作用机制和齐聚反应条件对齐聚反应活性和PAO性能和结构的影响。结果表明：VCl₃和CrCl₃的加入能明显增加1-癸烯齐聚反应收率和齐聚物的黏度指数。过渡金属氯化物通过双氯桥结构与三氯化铝形成双金属化合物,通过双金属间的协同效应,改变三氯化铝的吸电子能力来增加其催化活性。通过核磁氢谱（¹H NMR）和核磁碳谱（¹³C NMR）分析,确定了AlCl₃/MCl₃催化1-癸烯齐聚遵循阳离子聚合机制,1-癸烯齐聚物中主要的不饱和双键为三取代和双取代内烯烃。过渡金属氯化物促进剂可以调整优势反应途径从而改变齐聚产物的分布。     

Complex bases: 12. Application to the anionic polymerization of diene monomers

Complex bases and solid complex bases MNH₂-ROM (M = Li, Na, K) are able to initiate the anionic oligomerization of diene monomers. Although activation of alkali amide by alkali alkoxide was apparent in these reactions, variation of the alkoxides did not influence the microstructure of the oligomers.     

Structural and electronic properties of poly(3-thiophen-3-yl-acrylic acid)

This work presents a combined theoretical and experimental study of poly(3-thiophene-3-yl acrylic acid), a new polythiophene derivative soluble in polar solvents. Quantum chemical calculations on small oligomers were performed to propose a structural model for this polymer. Specifically, the minimum energy conformations and the rotational profiles of the different isomeric derivatives constructed for a model system formed by two monomeric units were calculated. The resulting model, which shows head-to-tail polymer linkages and the acrylic acid side group arranged in trans-conformation, were used to predict the π-π^∗ lowest transition energy of an infinite polymer chain. On the other hand, the polymer was prepared by chemical oxidative coupling using anhydrous ferric chloride and subsequent alkaline hydrolysis. The synthetized material, which is soluble in aqueous base and acetone solutions, was characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR and UV-vis experiments. Both the structural information and electronic properties derived from such experiments are fully consistent with the theoretical model obtained using quantum mechanical calculations.     

Exploring the early steps of amyloid peptide aggregation by computers

The assembly of normally soluble proteins into amyloid fibrils is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. Because protein aggregation is very complex, involving a variety of oligomeric metastable intermediates, the detailed aggregation paths and structural characterization of the intermediates remain to be determined. Yet, there is strong evidence that these oligomers, which form early in the process of fibrillogenesis, are cytotoxic. In this paper, we review our current understanding of the underlying factors that promote the aggregation of peptides into amyloid fibrils. We focus here on the structural and dynamic aspects of the aggregation as observed in state-of-the-art computer simulations of amyloid-forming peptides with an emphasis on the activation-relaxation technique.     

Peptide and protein mimetics inhibiting amyloid beta-peptide aggregation

Protein misfolding is related to some fatal diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) generated from amyloid precursor protein can aggregate into amyloid fibrils, which are known to be a major component of Abeta deposits (senile plaques). The fibril formation of Abeta is typical of a nucleation-dependent process through self-recognition. Moreover, during fibrillization, several metastable intermediates such as soluble oligomers, including Abeta-derived diffusible ligands (ADDLs) and Abeta*56, are produced, which are thought to be the most toxic species to neuronal cells. Therefore, construction of molecules that decrease the Abeta aggregates, including soluble oligomers, protofibrils, and amyloid fibrils, might further our understanding of the mechanism(s) behind fibril formation and enable targeted drug discovery against AD. To this aim, various peptides and peptide derivatives have been constructed using the "Abeta binding element" based on the structural models of Abeta amyloid fibrils and the mechanisms of self-assembly. The central hydrophobic amino acid sequence, LVFF, of Abeta is a key sequence to self-assemble into amyloid fibrils. By combination of this core sequence with a hydrophobic or hydrophilic moiety, such as cholic acid or aminoethoxy ethoxy acetic acid units, respectively, good inhibitors of Abeta aggregation can be designed and synthesized. A peptide, LF, consisting of the sequence Ac-KQKLLLFLEE-NH 2, was designed based on the core sequence of Abeta but with a simplified amino acid sequence. The LF peptide can form amyloid-like fibrils that efficiently coassemble with mature Abeta1-42 fibrils. The LF peptide was also observed to immediately transform the soluble oligomers of Abeta1-42, which are thought to pose toxicity in AD, into amyloid-like fibrils. On the other hand, two Abeta-like beta-strands with a parallel orientation were embedded in green fluorescent protein (GFP), comprised of a beta-barrel structure, to make pseudo-Abeta beta-sheets on its surface. The GFP variant P13H binds to Abeta1-42 and inhibits Abeta1-42 oligomerization effectively in a substoichiometric condition. Thus, molecules capable of binding to Abeta can be designed based on structural similarities with the Abeta molecule. The peptide and protein mimetics based on the structural features of Abeta might lead to the development of drug candidates against AD.     

Photopolymerization of acryl composites for producing waveguides with high transparency within telecommunication spectral regions

The photopolymerization of hydrocarbon and fluorine-containing monomers and oligomers synthesized in this work for the creation of planar polymer waveguides has been studied. The kinetics of the copolymerization of hydrocarbon and fluorinated compounds hardly depends on the number and structure of fluorinated moieties. The overall kinetics of the photoinitiated polymerization of acryl oligomers with different chemical nature of their oligomer block, molecular masses, and local and macroscopic viscosities has been studied by IR spectroscopy. At high initiation rates, the oligomer block’s flexibility, which is governed by the number of groups with a low potential rotational barrier, e.g., carbonate groups, is the principal factor that influences the kinetics of polymerization. At low initiation rates, the viscosity of oligomers becomes an essential factor. The optimal conditions for molding optical articles from hydrocarbon and fluorinated acryl oligomer composites have been determined.     

The synthesis and cationic polymerization of novel epoxide monomers

The preparation of a novel series of multifunctional silicon-containing epoxide monomers, oligomers, and polymers has been carried out. The hydrosilylation method employed was found to be applicable to the design and synthesis of a wide variety of materials with different chemical and mechanical characteristics, which range from hard and brittle to elastomeric. By tailoring the kinds of and number of epoxide groups that are incorporated into these materials, it is possible to substantially modify their reactivity in photoinitiated cationic polymerization. Those monomers and oligomers containing cycloaliphatic epoxide rings undergo polymerization rates considerably more rapid than conventional epoxides. There are many applications of such photocurable monomers in the field of electronic materials.     

Physico-chemical properties of siloxane surfactants in water and their surface energy characteristics

A simple but efficient method has been followed for the synthesis of water soluble siloxane amphiphile by grafting poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) onto the hydrophobic poly(hydromethyl siloxane) backbone. Systematic variations in the amount of PEG incorporations were carried out to get water soluble oligomers. The structural analysis of the systems was done by ¹H NMR and GPC analysis. The solution behavior of these amphiphiles was studied. The presence of nonpolar microdomains was observed at concentrations ≥0.01 g/dL for all the systems. Interestingly, I₃/I₁ ratio of pyrene fluoroprobe solubilised in aqueous solution of amphiphile suggests greater nonpolarity of microdomains in the system containing a higher PEG graft. The oligomers were shown to be surface active wherein, critical aggregation concentration decreased systematically with the decrease in the hydrophilic PEG substitutions. However, the system with a higher PEG substitution shows the close packed aggregates in the solution as suggested from the viscosity and fluorescence measurements. The contribution of polar and dispersion component towards the total surface energy was studied by the contact angle measurement by the sessile drop method.     

Organic base catalyzed oligomerization of propylene carbonate and bisphenol A: Unexpected polyether diol formation

A useful oligomer of polyether diol was obtained from the oligomerization of propylene carbonate and bisphenol A initiated by organic base under mild condition. The new oligomers were characterized by MALDI-TOF MS, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR spectra, TG-DTA analysis, and viscosity determination.     

Molecular Mechanisms of Inhibition of Protein Amyloid Fibril Formation: Evidence and Perspectives Based on Kinetic Models

Inhibition of fibril formation is considered a possible treatment strategy for amyloid-related diseases. Understanding the molecular nature of inhibitor action is crucial for the design of drug candidates. In the present review, we describe the common kinetic models of fibril formation and classify known inhibitors by the mechanism of their interactions with the aggregating protein and its oligomers. This mechanism determines the step or steps of the aggregation process that become inhibited and the observed changes in kinetics and equilibrium of fibril formation. The results of numerous studies indicate that possible approaches to antiamyloid inhibitor discovery include the search for the strong binders of protein monomers, cappers blocking the ends of the growing fibril, or the species absorbing on the surface of oligomers preventing nucleation. Strongly binding inhibitors stabilizing the native state can be promising for the structured proteins while designing the drug candidates targeting disordered proteins is challenging.     

Oligomerization of α-octene catalyzed by zeolites

The oligomerization of octene-1 was studied in the presence of zeolites of different structural types (e.g., Y, Beta, ZSM-12, and ZSM-5). It was shown that at 150–200°C, wide-pore zeolite catalysts Y, Beta, and ZSM-12 exhibit high catalytic activity in the reaction. The conversion of catalyzed octene can be as high as 96%, and the yield of oligomers is 88–100 wt %. Zeolite ZSM-5 at 150–180°C has low activity and mainly catalyzes the isomerization of octene-1. As the temperature rises to 250°C, low molecular weight oligomers resulting from the cracking process are the main products of this reaction. The activity and selectivity of zeolite catalysts in the oligomerization of octene-1 are conditioned by their acidic properties and structural characteristics, as well as by the reaction conditions. It was revealed that the main oligomerization products are octene dimers having an alkylnaphthene structure and containing unsaturated hydrocarbons with tri- and tetra-substituted double bonds in amounts of 2.2–3.2%. The properties of the octene oligomers synthesized in the presence of zeolite Beta are similar to the characteristics of hydrogenated poly-α-olefins, the oligomerization of which was performed on AlCl₃ complexes.