Crystal structure and magnetic properties of YbZn_(0.7)In_(1.3)

The new ternary YbZn0.7In1.3 compound was synthesized in evacuated quartz ampoules at 900 ℃,followed by annealing at 400 ℃.It crystallized in the UHg2 structure type with a=0.47934(5) nm,c=0.36955(5) nm,V=0.073535(15) nm3.The shortest distances between theatoms in this structure were equal to 0.3696 nm(Yb-Yb),0.3328 nm(Yb-M) and 0.2767 nm(M-M),respectively.Magnetization measurements indicated that the title compound exhibited a paramagnetic behavior down to 2 K,with antiferromagnetic-like interactions.Calcu...     

Crystal structure analysis of collagen model peptide (Pro-pro-Gly)10

Single crystals of (Pro-Pro-Gly)10 were grown by the hanging drop method. The crystals diffracted to a resolution of 1.8 A. In the crystals the polypeptides form triple helices that aggregate end-to-end mediated by the solvent molecules, with the basic repeat being 20 A along the helical axis. Analysis of the 20 A structure of (Pro-Pro-Gly)10 using data up to a resolution of 1.9 A revealed that the overall structure is in accordance with the 7/2 model proposed for collagen. The three strands are held together by the (Gly) N-H O (Pro-X) hydrogen bond interactions, and additional stability is provided by the (Pro-Y) Calpha -H O (Pro-X) hydrogen bonding interactions.     

Crystal structure of tryptophanase

The X-ray structure of tryptophanase (Tnase) reveals the interactions responsible for binding of the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) and atomic details of the K+ binding site essential for catalysis. The structure of holo Tnase from Proteus vulgaris (space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a = 115.0 A, b = 118.2 A, c = 153.7 A) has been determined at 2.1 A resolution by molecular replacement using tyrosine phenol-lyase (TPL) coordinates. The final model of Tnase, refined to an R-factor of 18.7%, (Rfree = 22.8%) suggests that the PLP-enzyme from observed in the structure is a ketoenamine. PLP is bound in a cleft formed by both the small and large domains of one subunit and the large domain of the adjacent subunit in the so-called "catalytic" dimer. The K+ cations are located on the interface of the subunits in the dimer. The structure of the catalytic dimer and mode of PLP binding in Tnase resemble those found in aspartate amino-transferase, TPL, omega-amino acid pyruvate aminotransferase, dialkylglycine decarboxylase (DGD), cystathionine beta-lyase and ornithine decarboxylase. No structural similarity has been detected between Tnase and the beta 2 dimer of tryptophan synthase which catalyses the same beta-replacement reaction. The single monovalent cation binding site of Tnase is similar to that of TPL, but differs from either of those in DGD.     

Crystal structure and thermal expansion of perovskites containing uranium（VI） and rare-earth elements

By the method of high-temperature reactions in solid phase, compounds with the general formula MII(AIII2/3U1/3)O3 (MII=Sr, AIII=Sc, In; MII=Ba, AIII=Sc, In, Y, Nd-Lu) were synthesized. Their structures (space groups Fmm and Pnma) were refined by the Rietveld method and morphotropic transition in Ba(Ln2/3U1/3)O3 on the border of Gd-Tb was discovered. By means of high-temperature X-ray diffraction, phase transitions were studied and thermal expansion coefficients were determined.     

Crystal structure and phase relations of Pr_2Fe_(14)B-La_2Fe_(14)B system

The crystal structure and phase relations of the Pr_2Fe_(14)B-La_2Fe_(14) B system were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction(XRD), differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS). The crystal structure parameters were determined by full-profile Rietveld refinements. The results revealed that all alloys of(Pr_(1–x)La_x)_2Fe_(14)B crystallized the Nd_2Fe_(14)B-type structure with the space group P4_2/mnm and formed a continuous solid solutions between x=0.0 and 1.0. The lattice parameter a, c, unit-cell volume V and c/a ratio increased linearly with the La concentration. Determined by thermogravimetry analysis, the Curie temperature(T_C), phase transition temperature and melting temperature of(Pr_(1–x)La_x)_2Fe_(14)B decreased linearly upon the La content. Based on the results of DSC measurements and X-ray powder diffraction examinations, the phase diagram of the Pr_2Fe_(14)B-La_2Fe_(14) B system was built up.     

Crystal structure of the IIB subunit of a fructose permease (IIBLev) from Bacillus subtilis

The bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS) mediates both the uptake of carbohydrates across the cytoplasmic membrane and their phosphorylation. During this process, a phosphoryl group is transferred from phosphoenolpyruvate via the general PTS proteins enzyme I, HPr and the sugar-specific components IIA, IIB to the transported sugar. The crystal structure of the IIB subunit of a fructose transporter from Bacillus subtilis (IIBLev) was solved by MIRAS to a resolution of 2.9 A. IIBLev comprises 163 amino acid residues that are folded into an open, mainly parallel beta-sheet with helices packed on either face. The phosphorylation site (His15) is located on the first loop (1/A) at one of the topological switch-points of the fold. Despite different global folds, IIBLev and HPr have very similar active-site loop conformations with the active-site histidine residues located close to the N terminus of the first helix. This resemblance may be of functional importance, since both proteins exchange a phosphoryl group with the same IIA subunit. The structural basis of phosphoryl transfer from HPr to IIAMan to IIBMan was investigated by modeling of the respective transition state complexes using the known HPr and IIAMan structures and a homology model of IIBMan that was derived from the IIBLev structure. All three proteins contain a helix that appears to be suitable for stabilization of the phospho-histidine by dipole and H-bonding interactions. Smooth phosphoryl transfer from one N-cap position to the other appears feasible with a minimized transition state energy due to simultaneous interactions with the donor and the acceptor helix.     

Crystal structure and infrared spectrum of thallium holmium polyphosphate, TIHo(PO3)4

Crystals of thallium-holmium polyphosphate TIHo(PO3)4 were grown by flux method technique and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Structure of TIHo(PO3)4 was solved for the first time, and it crystallized in the monoclinic P21/n space group with the following unit-cell dimensions: a=1.02225(3) nm, b=0.88536(2) nm, c=1.09541(4) nm, β=105.888(1)°, V=0.95354(5) nm3 and Z=4. The crystal structure was solved from 2174 independent reflections with final R1(F2)=0.0442 and Rw(F<2)=0.0861 refined with 164 parameters. The atomic arrangement could be described as a long chain polyphosphate organization. Holmium atoms had eighffold coordination. The structure of T1Ho(PO3)4 consisted of HoO8 polyhedra sharing oxygen atoms with phosphoric group PO4. Infrared spectrum was investigated at room temperature in the frequencies range, 350-4000 cm-1, showing some characteristic vibration bands of infinite chain structure of PO4 tetrahedra linked by bridging oxygen.     

Crystal structure of estrogen sulphotransferase

OBJECTIVE: To describe a coccidioidomycosis outbreak in Ventura County following the January 1994 earthquake, centered in Northridge, Calif, and to identify factors that increased the risk for acquiring acute coccidioidomycosis infection. DESIGN: Epidemic investigation, population-based skin test survey, and case-control study. SETTING: Ventura County, California. RESULTS: In Ventura County, between January 24 and March 15, 1994, 203 outbreak-associated coccidioidomycosis cases, including 3 fatalities, were identified (attack rate [AR], 30 cases per 100,000 population). The majority of cases (56%) and the highest AR (114 per 100,000 population) occurred in the town of Simi Valley, a community located at the base of a mountain range that experienced numerous landslides associated with the earthquake. Disease onset for cases peaked 2 weeks after the earthquake. The AR was 2.8 times greater for persons 40 years of age and older than for younger persons (relative risk, 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-3.7; P<.001). Environmental data indicated that large dust clouds, generated by landslides following the earthquake and strong aftershocks in the Santa Susana Mountains north of Simi Valley, were dispersed into nearby valleys by northeast winds. Simi Valley case-control study data indicated that physically being in a dust cloud (odds ratio, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.6-5.4; P<.001) and time spent in a dust cloud (P<.001) significantly increased the risk for being diagnosed with acute coccidioidomycosis. CONCLUSIONS: Both the location and timing of cases strongly suggest that the coccidioidomycosis outbreak in Ventura County was caused when arthrospores were spread in dust clouds generated by the earthquake. This is the first report of a coccidioidomycosis outbreak following an earthquake. Public and physician awareness, especially in endemic areas following similar dust cloud-generating events, may result in prevention and early recognition of acute coccidioidomycosis.     

(Mg_(4-x)Zn_x)Ta_2O_9微波陶瓷的结构和介电性能

结合高能球磨法技术,采用传统固态反应法制备了Zn掺杂Mg_4Ta_2O_9基单相刚玉结构微波陶瓷。在XRD、SEM、Raman等晶体结构及微观形貌的系统表征和微波性能测试的基础上,开展了Zn掺杂Mg_4Ta_2O_9基微波陶瓷的结构和性能相互作用的研究。结果表明,在x=0~0.8范围内,Zn能够固溶进入Mg_4Ta_2O_9基体而形成单相刚玉结构(Mg_(4-x)Zn_x)Ta_2O_9陶瓷。XRD精修结果进一步显示,Zn掺杂可导致Mg_4Ta_2O_9陶瓷中氧八面体的扭转畸变。拉曼光谱结果显示,Zn掺杂使Mg(Zn)—O键之间的振动减弱。而Zn取代Mg使Mg(Zn)—O键长变长和键能减弱是未掺杂Mg_4Ta_2O_9陶瓷的品质因子从169 074 GHz下降到(Mg_(3.2)Zn_(0.8))Ta_2O_9陶瓷的68 173 GHz的关键因素。     

Crystal structure and infrared spectrum of thallium holmium polyphosphate, TlHo(PO_3)_4

Crystals of thallium-holmium polyphosphate TlHo(PO3)4 were grown by flux method technique and characterized by single crys- tal X-ray diffraction. Structure of TlHo(PO3)4 was solved for the first time, and it crystallized in the monoclinic P21/n space group with the following unit-cell dimensions: a=1.02225(3) nm, b=0.88536(2) nm, c=1.09541(4) nm, β=105.888(1)°, V=0.95354(5) nm3 and Z=4. The crystal structure was solved from 2174 independent reflections with final R1(F2)=0.0442 and Rw(F2)=0.0861 refined with 164 parameters. The atomic arrangement could be described as a long chain polyphosphate organization. Holmium atoms had eightfold coordination. The structure of TlHo(PO3)4 consisted of HoO8 polyhedra sharing oxygen atoms with phosphoric group PO4. Infrared spectrum was investigated at room temperature in the frequencies range, 350–4000 cm–1, showing some characteristic vibration bands of infinite chain structure of PO4 tetrahedra linked by bridging oxygen.     

Crystal and molecular structure of the centrosymmetric meso-valinomycin analogue--cyclo (D-Val-D-Hyi-D-Val-L-Hyi-L-Val-D-Hyi-L-Val-L-Hyi-L-Val-D-Hyi-D-Val-L-Hy i) (C60H102N6O18)

The crystal structure of cyclo (D-Val-D-Hyi-D-Val-L-Hyi-L-Val-D-Hyi-L-Val-L-Hyi -L-Val-D-Hyi-D-Val-L-Hyi).2H2O has been solved by x-ray direct methods. The crystals (grown from a mixture of octane/CH2Cl2) are an orthorhombic, centrosymmetric space group Pbca, cell parameters a = 11.458 (2), b = 25.613 (3), c = 23.691 (3) A, Z = 4; therefore the molecule lies on a center of inversion in the cell. The atomic coordinates for the C, N, and O atoms were refined in the anisotropic thermal motion approximation (allowing for H-atom contribution to Fcal) to a standard R-factor value of 0.081. In contrast to meso-valinomycin, the analogue under study does not adopt an octahedral cage bracelet conformation. It has an unusual centrosymmetric elongated form with two type II terminal beta-bends formed by N-H ... C=O 4-->1 type intramolecular H bonds. Two symmetry-related water molecules reside in the elongated molecular cavity of the centrosymmetric depsipeptide ring.     

Crystal structure of human uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase

Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (URO-D) catalyzes the fifth step in the heme biosynthetic pathway, converting uroporphyrinogen to coproporphyrinogen by decarboxylating the four acetate side chains of the substrate. This activity is essential in all organisms, and subnormal activity of URO-D leads to the most common form of porphyria in humans, porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). We have determined the crystal structure of recombinant human URO-D at 1.60 A resolution. The 40.8 kDa protein is comprised of a single domain containing a (beta/alpha)8-barrel with a deep active site cleft formed by loops at the C-terminal ends of the barrel strands. Many conserved residues cluster at this cleft, including the invariant side chains of Arg37, Arg41 and His339, which probably function in substrate binding, and Asp86, Tyr164 and Ser219, which may function in either binding or catalysis. URO-D is a dimer in solution (Kd = 0.1 microM), and this dimer also appears to be formed in the crystal. Assembly of the dimer juxtaposes the active site clefts of the monomers, suggesting a functionally important interaction between the catalytic centers.     

Crystal structure of human cathepsin S

We have determined the 2.5 A structure (Rcryst = 20.5%, Rfree = 28.5%) of a complex between human cathepsin S and the potent, irreversible inhibitor 4-morpholinecarbonyl-Phe-hPhe-vinyl sulfone-phenyl. Noncrystallographic symmetry averaging and other density modification techniques were used to improve electron density maps which were nonoptimal due to systematically incomplete data. Methods that reduce the number of parameters were implemented for refinement. The refined structure shows cathepsin S to be similar to related cysteine proteases such as papain and cathepsins K and L. As expected, the covalently-bound inhibitor is attached to the enzyme at Cys 25, and enzyme binding subsites S3-S1' are occupied by the respective inhibitor substituents. A somewhat larger S2 pocket than what is found in similar enzymes is consistent with the broader specificity of cathepsin S at this site, while Lys 61 in the S3 site may offer opportunities for selective inhibition of this enzyme. The presence of Arg 137 in the S1' pocket, and proximal to Cys 25 may have implications not only for substrate specificity C-terminal to the scissile bond, but also for catalysis.     

Crystal structure of cyclin-dependent kinase 2

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) is a member of a highly conserved family of protein kinases that regulate the eukaryotic cell cycle. The crystal structures of the human CDK2 apoenzyme and its Mg2+ ATP complex have been determined to 2.4 A resolution. The structure is bi-lobate, like that of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, but contains a unique helix-loop segment that interferes with ATP and protein substrate binding and probably plays a key part in the regulation of all cyclin-dependent kinases.     

Crystal structure of an RNA octamer duplex r(CCCIUGGG)2 incorporating tandem I.U wobbles

The crystal structure of the RNA octamer duplex r(CCCIUGGG)2has been elucidated at 2.5 A resolution. The crystals belong to the space group P21and have unit cell constants a = 33.44 A, b = 43.41 A, c = 49.39 A and beta = 104.7 degrees with three independent duplexes (duplexes 1-3) in the asymmetric unit. The structure was solved by the molecular replacement method and refined to an Rwork/Rfree of 0.185/0.243 using 3765 reflections between 8.0 and 2.5 A. This is the first report of an RNA crystal structure incorporating I.U wobbles and three molecules in the asymmetric unit. Duplex 1 displays a kink of 24 degrees between the mismatch sites, while duplexes 2 and 3 have two kinks each of 19 degrees and 27 degrees, and 24 degrees and 29 degrees, respectively, on either side of the tandem mismatches. At the I.U/U.I mismatch steps, duplex 1 has a twist angle of 33.9 degrees, close to the average for all base pair steps, but duplexes 2 and 3 are underwound, with twist angles of 24.4 degrees and 26.5 degrees, respectively. The tandem I.U wobbles show intrastrand purine-pyrimidine stacking but exhibit interstrand purine-purine stacking with the flanking C.G pairs. The three independent duplexes are stacked non-coaxially in a head-to-tail fashion to form infinite pseudo-continuous helical columns which form intercolumn hydrogen bonding interactions through the 2'-hydroxyl groups where the minor grooves come together.     

Crystal structure of the iron-dependent regulator (IdeR) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis shows both metal binding sites fully occupied

Iron-dependent regulators are a family of metal-activated DNA binding proteins found in several Gram-positive bacteria. These proteins are negative regulators of virulence factors and of proteins of bacterial iron-uptake systems. In this study we present the crystal structure of the iron-dependent regulator (IdeR) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis. The protein crystallizes in the hexagonal space group P62 with unit cell dimensions a=b=92.6 A, c=63.2 A. The current model comprises the N-terminal DNA-binding domain (residues 1-73) and the dimerization domain (residues 74-140), while the third domain (residues 141-230) is too disordered to be included. The molecule lies on a crystallographic 2-fold axis that generates the functional dimer. The overall structure of the monomer shares many features with the homologous regulator, diphtheria toxin repressor (DtxR) from Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The IdeR structure in complex with Zinc reported here is, however, the first wild-type repressor structure with both metal binding sites fully occupied. This crystal structure reveals that both Met10 and most probably the Sgamma of Cys102 are ligands of the second metal binding site. In addition, there are important changes in the tertiary structure between apo-DtxR and holo-IdeR bringing the putative DNA binding helices closer together in the holo repressor. The mechanism by which metal binding may cause these structural changes between apo and holo wild-type repressor is discussed.