Site-directed mutagenesis study on the roles of evolutionally conserved aspartic acid residues in human glutathione S-transferase P1-1

The evolutionally conserved aspartyl residues (Asp57, Asp98and Asp152) in human glutathione S-transferase P1-1 were replacedwith alanine by site-directed mutagenesis to obtain the mutants(D57A, D98A and D152A). The replacement of Asp98 with alanineresulted in a decrease of the affinity for S-hexyl-GSH-agarose,a 5.5-fold increase of the K_m^GHS and a 2.9-fold increase ofthe I₅₀ of S-hexyl-GSH for GSH–CDNB conjugation. Asp98seems to participate in the binding of GSH through hydrogenbonding with the -carboxylate of the -glutamyl residue of GSH.The k_cat of D98A was 2.6-fold smaller than that of the wild-type,and the pK_a of the thiol group of GSH bound in D98A was {smalltilde}0.8 pK units higher than those in the wild-type. Asp98also seems to contribute to the activation of GSH to some extent.On the other hand, most of the kinetic parameters of D57A andD152A were similar to those of the wild-type. However, the thermostabilitiesof D57A and D152A were significantly lower than that of thewild-type. Asp57 and Asp152 seem to be important for maintainingthe proper conformation of the enzyme.     

Catalytic activities of binary metal oxides containing iron for hydrocracking of benzyl phenyl ether and diphenyl ether

Hydrocracking of benzyl phenyl ether and diphenyl ether has been carried out over a series of iron catalysts (Fe₂O₃, Fe₂O₃Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃ZnO, Fe₂O₃ZrO₂, Fe₂O₃MgO and Fe₂O₃SiO₂) and reference catalysts ($\text{CoOMoO}{}_3\text{Al}{}_2\text{O}{}_3$, $\text{NiOMoO}{}_3\text{Al}{}_2\text{O}{}_3$ and SiO _Al₂O₃) to search for active and selective catalysts, and to elucidate the catalyst properties of relevance for CO bond cleavage. Among the iron catalysts, Fe₂O₃ZnO, Fe₂O₃ZrO₂ and Fe₂O₃MgO exhibited relatively high activities and selectivities. The important property of catalysts relevant to hydrocracking of the ethers is the ability to accomplish hydrogenation. Acidic properties of the catalysts cause condensation and rearrangement of the reactants. The features of the iron catalysts are compared with those of molybdenum catalysts, and the reaction mechanisms discussed.     

A Nifedipine Coground Mixture with Sodium Deoxycholate. I. Colloidal Particle Formation and Solid-State Analysis

Sodium deoxycholate (DCNa) is a bile salt that forms multimolecular inclusion compounds with a variety of organic substances. In this study, complex formulation of DCNa with nifedipine, a poorly water soluble drug, by grinding was investigated. The coground mixture was prepared with a vibration rod mill, and its solid state was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A laser diffraction particle size analyzer was also used to determine the particle size distribution curve in solution. When a nifedipine-DCNa (1:2 w/w) mixture coground for 30 min was dispersed into water and a pH 6.8 buffer solution, a semitransparent colloidal solution occurred immediately; 90% of the total particles formed in solution had a diameter less than 600 nm. Both powder X-ray diffraction peaks and DSC endothermic peak of nifedipine crystals were not found for the coground mixture, whereas a new exothermic peak was observed on DSC thermograms. The magnitude of this exothermic peak depended on the weight fraction of DCNa and the grinding time, indicating that nifedipine crystals changed into an amorphous state by complex formation with DCNa during the grinding process. In the FTIR spectrum of the coground mixture, the peaks of aromatic CH out-of-plane bend and dihydropyridine NH stretch of nifedipine were considerably weakened, suggesting that van der Waals interaction may be present between the drug and DCNa molecules. From these results, it is clear that the cogrinding method with DCNa is very useful for the formation of amorphous nifedipine in the solid state and the production of colloidal particles of the drug in solution.     

Stabilized production of highly concentrated bioethanol from fermentation broths by Zymomonas mobilis by pervaporation using silicone rubber‐coated silicalite membranes

Since pervaporation performance of ethanol‐permselective silicalite membrane, which is an aluminum‐free hydrophobic zeolite, in the separation of fermentation broths by yeast are negatively affected by succinic acid, the potential of pervaporation using silicone rubber‐coated silicalite membranes of ethanol fermentation broths, not containing succinic acid, by Zymomonas mobilis was investigated for the reliable production of concentrated bioethanol. In the separation of fermentation broths, the pervaporation performance was influenced by nutrients used for the preparation of fermentation broths. In the separation of a broth prepared with yeast extract, pervaporation performance was greatly compromised by accumulation of a substance(s) having an ultraviolet absorption maximum at approximately 260 nm not only in total flux, but also in permeate ethanol concentration compared to the separation of binary ethanol/water mixtures. When supplying a prepared broth with corn steep liquor without the accumulation of a substance(s) having an ultraviolet absorption maximum at approximately 260 nm, the permeate ethanol concentration did not decrease. Treating the prepared broth with activated carbon was effective in restraining the decrease in total flux. Pervaporation performance is also deteriorated by the adsorption of lactic acid contained in corn steep liquor onto the silicalite crystals. In the separation of ternary mixtures of ethanol/water/lactic acid, accomplished by adjusting the ternary mixtures to pH > 5, more than 90% of the permeation flux in the separation of binary ethanol/water mixtures was obtained, and the permeate ethanol concentration was comparable to that obtained in the separation of binary mixtures. For stably performing pervaporation, it is important to prepare ethanol fermentation broths by Zymomonas mobilis in which lactic acid concentration is as low as possible. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chromium-Plated Steel Strip for Can Making

In laboratory researches and food packing tests, it has been shown that cold rolled steel strip, plated with a thickness of about 0–002 mil (0–05 μ) of chromium and coated with lacquer is a satisfactory material for cans. It is highly resistant to corrosion, especially to sulphur staining, and the lacquer coating remains firmly adherent. In food packing tests with it, the chromium content of the foodstuffs was no greater than it was with tinplate. The chromium plating line is similar in layout to an electrolytic tinning line, but insoluble electrodes are used and the electrolyte contains chromic and sulphuric acids. For high-speed operation with several plating tanks, special screening of part of the cathode is used to obtain a better lustre.     

Solid Acid Catalysts: Roles in Chemical Industries and New Concepts

Extensive studies of the cracking catalyst used in the largest process in chemical industries established the research field of solid acid catalysis. Solid acid catalysts are also utilized in various industrial processes. A new concept for acid site generation, Molecular hydrogen-originated protonic acid site, and its characteristics in alkane isomerization are described.