Challenge of new biological energy resources——Arguments on structure of active site of NiFe hydrogenase

Hydrogenases are enzymes that can reversibly split molecular hydrogen. Study on the structure of the active site and the mechanism of catalysis has drawn great attention because the results may be useful for the design of cheap biomimetic hydrogen catalysts for fuel cells, or as model for the photoproduction of H\-2. At one time the active site was generally considered to be composed of mononuclear nickel complex with ligands from the polypeptide. A breakthrough in the understanding of the structure of Hases occurred with the resolution crystal structure of D. gigas Hases in 1995. The unexpected result challenged the previously reported spectroscopic studies and caused some academic arguments. Some methods and results used for insight into Hases have to be reconsidered. Different viewpoints concerning the structure of active site of Hases in different periods and some remaining questions will be presented.     

Functional analysis of hydrogenases and their effects on cell growth and magnetosome synthesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense</Emphasis>

This study addressed the effect of hydrogen metabolism on cell growth and magnetosome synthesis in Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense strain MSR-1. Two deletion mutants were generated: L206, with single deletion of the hupL gene encoding H2-uptake [NiFe] hydrogenase; and B206, with double deletion of the hyaB gene encoding H2-producing [NiFe] hydrogenase and the hupL gene. The wild-type and mutant strains were compared in terms of hydrogen uptake capability, hydrogen yield, growth rate, and iron uptake, and o...     

The crystal structure of an oxygen-tolerant hydrogenase uncovers a novel iron-sulphur centre

Hydrogenases are abundant enzymes that catalyse the reversible interconversion of H(2) into protons and electrons at high rates. Those hydrogenases maintaining their activity in the presence of O(2) are considered to be central to H(2)-based technologies, such as enzymatic fuel cells and for light-driven H(2) production. Despite comprehensive genetic, biochemical, electrochemical and spectroscopic investigations, the molecular background allowing a structural interpretation of how the catalytic centre is protected from irreversible inactivation by O(2) has remained unclear. Here we present the crystal structure of an O(2)-tolerant [NiFe]-hydrogenase from the aerobic H(2) oxidizer Ralstonia eutropha H16 at 1.5?? resolution. The heterodimeric enzyme consists of a large subunit harbouring the catalytic centre in the H(2)-reduced state and a small subunit containing an electron relay consisting of three different iron-sulphur clusters. The cluster proximal to the active site displays an unprecedented [4Fe-3S] structure and is coordinated by six cysteines. According to the current model, this cofactor operates as an electronic switch depending on the nature of the gas molecule approaching the active site. It serves as an electron acceptor in the course of H(2) oxidation and as an electron-delivering device upon O(2) attack at the active site. This dual function is supported by the capability of the novel iron-sulphur cluster to adopt three redox states at physiological redox potentials. The second structural feature is a network of extended water cavities that may act as a channel facilitating the removal of water produced at the [NiFe] active site. These discoveries will have an impact on the design of biological and chemical H(2)-converting catalysts that are capable of cycling H(2) in air.     

The influence of the nonmagnetic metal spacer Bi, Ag and Cu on the properties of the multilayer films

When a ferromagnetic (FM)/antiferromagnetic (AFM) bilayer is field-cooled below the Neel temperature (TN) of the AF layer, a unidirectional anisotropy is induced in the FM. Exchange bias is one of the phenomena as- sociated with the exchange anisotorpy cr…     

Molecular simulation study of the binding mechanism of [α-PTi<Subscript>2</Subscript>W<Subscript>10</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>]<Superscript>7−</Superscript> for its promising broad-spectrum inhibitory activity to FluV-A neuraminidase

Polyoxometalate (POM) has promising antiviral activities. It shows broad-spectrum inhibiting ability, high efficiency, and low tox-icity. Experimental assays show that titanium containing polyoxotungstates have anti-influenza-virus activity. In this paper, the bind-ing mechanisms of five isomers of di-Ti-substituted polyoxotungstate, [α-1,2-PTi₂W₁₀O₄₀]^7– (α-1,2), [α-1,6-PTi₂W₁₀O₄₀]^7– (α-1,6), [α-1,5-PTi₂W₁₀O₄₀]^7– (α-1,5), [α-1,4-PTi₂W₁₀O₄₀]^7– (α-1,4) and [α-1,11-PTi₂W₁₀O₄₀]^7– (α-1,11), to five subtypes of influenza virus A neuraminidase (FluV-A NA) were investigated in the context of aqueous solution by using molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies. The results show that the isomer α-1,2 is superior to other isomers as a potential inhibitor to neuraminidase. The positively charged arginine residues around the active site of NA could be induced by negatively charged POM to adapt themselves and could form salt bridge interactions and hydrogen bond interactions with POM. The binding free energies of POM/NA complexes range from –5.36 to –8.31 kcal mol^–1. The electrostatic interactions are found to be the driving force during the binding process of POM to NA. The conformational analysis shows that POM tends to bind primarily with N1 and N8 at the edge of the active pocket, which causes the conformational change of the pincers structure comprising residue 347 and loop 150. Whereas, the active pockets of N2, N9 and N4 are found to be more spacious, which allows POM to enter into the active pockets directly and anchor there firmly. This study shows that negatively charged ligand as POM could induce the reorganization of the active site of NA and highlights POM as a promising inhibitor to NA despite the ever increasing mutants of NA.     

Use of ionic liquid in leaching process of brass wastes for copper and zinc recovery

Brass ash from the industrial brass manufacturer in Turkey was leached using the solutions of ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([bmim]HSO₄) at ambient pressure in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and potassium peroxymonosulfate (oxone) as the oxidants. Parameters affecting leaching efficiency, such as dissolution time, IL concentration, and oxidizing agent addition, were investigated. The results show that [bmim]HSO₄ is an efficient IL for the brass ash leaching, providing the dissolution efficiencies of 99% for Zn and 24.82% for Cu at a concentration of 50vol% [bmim]HSO₄ in the aqueous solution without any oxidant. However, more than 99% of zinc and 82% of copper are leached by the addition of 50vol% H₂O₂ to the [bmim]HSO₄ solution. Nevertheless, the oxone does not show the promising oxidant behavior in leaching using [bmim]HSO₄.     

无机-有机杂化材料催化合成乙酸异戊酯及动力学研究

以甘氨酸(Gly)和磷钨酸为原料合成的一系列无机有机杂化材料为催化剂,考察各因素对其催化合成乙酸异戊酯的影响,并利用响应面分析法优化乙酸异戊酯合成工艺。研究表明,[GlyH]_(1.0)-H_(2.0)PW_(12)O_(40)催化剂具有最高的催化酯化反应活性和重复使用性能。响应面分析法优化乙酸异戊酯合成的最佳条件为:醇酸摩尔数比为1.05∶1,催化剂用量为酸质量的4.5%,反应时间2.0h,带水剂量10mL,该条件下,乙酸异戊酯产率为98.5%,结果与模型预测值基本相符。优化条件下[GlyH]_(1.0)-H_(2.0)PW_(12)O_(40)催化酯化反应表观活化能为79.73kJ/mol。     

Structural basis for a [4Fe-3S] cluster in the oxygen-tolerant membrane-bound [NiFe]-hydrogenase

Membrane-bound respiratory [NiFe]-hydrogenase (MBH), a H(2)-uptake enzyme found in the periplasmic space of bacteria, catalyses the oxidation of dihydrogen: H(2)?→?2H(+)?+?2e(-) (ref. 1). In contrast to the well-studied O(2)-sensitive [NiFe]-hydrogenases (referred to as the standard enzymes), MBH has an O(2)-tolerant H(2) oxidation activity; however, the mechanism of O(2) tolerance is unclear. Here we report the crystal structures of Hydrogenovibrio marinus MBH in three different redox conditions at resolutions between 1.18 and 1.32??. We find that the proximal iron-sulphur (Fe-S) cluster of MBH has a [4Fe-3S] structure coordinated by six cysteine residues--in contrast to the [4Fe-4S] cubane structure coordinated by four cysteine residues found in the proximal Fe-S cluster of the standard enzymes--and that an amide nitrogen of the polypeptide backbone is deprotonated and additionally coordinates the cluster when chemically oxidized, thus stabilizing the superoxidized state of the cluster. The structure of MBH is very similar to that of the O(2)-sensitive standard enzymes except for the proximal Fe-S cluster. Our results give a reasonable explanation why the O(2) tolerance of MBH is attributable to the unique proximal Fe-S cluster; we propose that the cluster is not only a component of the electron transfer for the catalytic cycle, but that it also donates two electrons and one proton crucial for the appropriate reduction of O(2) in preventing the formation of an unready, inactive state of the enzyme.     

The classification of statistically recursive sets

The main aim of this paper is to make a classification of random setsK _m (ω) constructed in theorem 2. 1 and theorem 2. 1′ in [1]. We provide five criterions for the classification. Many kinds of random sets such as Hawkes constructed in [2], Graf constructed in [3] and Mauldin constructed in [4] are the special cases ofK _m (ω) constructed in [1], and then these random sets belong to some model respectively according to our classification. Supported by the National Natural Science Fundation and the Doctal Programme Fundation of China Hu Dihe: born in May 1935, Professor     

Investigation of the interfacial water structure on poly[2-（dimethylamino）ethyl methacrylate] at the air/water interface by sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy

The effect of pH on the conformation of surface alkyl groups and the structure of interfacial water molecules on poly[2-(dime-thylamino)ethyl methacrylate](PDEM) at the air/water interface were investigated with sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy(SFG-VS).At pH 4.1,the hydrogen bonding SFG spectra were similar to that of the air/pure water interface.As the pH increased from 5.4 to 9.6,the SFG intensities of both highly ordered hydrogen bonding(3200 cm-1 band) and less-ordered hydrogen bonding(3400 cm-1 band) were enhanced because of the charge-induced effect of deprotonated PDEM.The free OH peak disappeared completely because it was replaced by interfacial PDEM molecules.At pH 11.5,a new spectral band appeared at about 3580 cm-1 in the ppp and sps spectra,and this could be assigned to the C2v asymmetric stretching mode of the water molecules through molecular symmetry simulation.These hydrogen bonding structures are fully consistent with the conformational change of PDEM alkyl groups,and PDEM molecules act as a Hofmeister solvent.PDEM molecules are kosmotropic when they are charged and become more chaotropic as the pH increases.     

Cloning and analysis of [NiFe]-hydrogenase genes from Arthrospira platensis FACHB341

0IntroductionHydrogenase(H2ase)has beeninvestigatedin a va-riety of bacterial groups since it was firstly reported in1931[1-3].Cyanobacteria contain two different types ofH2ase,uptake H2ase(EC1.12.7.2)and bidirectional orreversible H2ase(EC1.12.1.12).Uptake H2ase is in-duced under N2-fixing situation,mainly confinedin hete-rocysts.Bidirectional H2ase is constitutively synthesized,active in both heterocysts and vegetative cells present inboth N2-fixing and non-N2-fixing conditions.This en…     

HRP标记的二抗检测heme结合蛋白造成假阳性问题的探讨

为了验证对辣根过氧化物酶(horseradish peroxidase, HRP)作为二抗标记物在检测heme结合蛋白时产生假阳性问题的推测,以菠菜细胞色素b_6f复合体(Cyt b_6f)和铁氧还蛋白-NADP~+氧化还原酶(FNR)为检测对象(前者含有heme结合蛋白Cyt f,后者不含heme基团),采用菠菜FNR一抗、HRP和碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,ALP)标记的二抗,设计对比实验。结果表明,在使用HRP标记的二抗体系中,Cyt f不经一抗和二抗孵育即可显色,这是明显的假阳性;而在ALP标记的二抗体系中,Cyt f条带不显色,只有FNR条带显色。在western blot实验中,如果被检测蛋白为heme结合蛋白或者混有少量heme结合蛋白,应避免采用HRP标记的二抗,建议使用ALP标记的二抗或者其他二抗产品;heme结合蛋白具有类似HRP的氧化还原酶活性,其本身可以和显色液反应,从而产生假阳性,干扰对实验结果的判断。     

离子液体N-丙基-吡啶二氰胺盐[C3py][DCA]水溶液的体积和表面性质

在T=(288.15～318.15)K温度范围内,测定了不同质量摩尔浓度的离子液体N-丙基-吡啶二氰胺[C_3py][DCA]水溶液的密度和表面张力。根据密度值计算了不同浓度[C_3py][DCA]水溶液的平均摩尔体积和热膨胀系数,水溶液平均摩尔体积随着温度和质量浓度的升高而增大,热膨胀系数随着温度的升高而增大。并提出了一种估算水溶液表面张力的经验方程。预测值与实验值具有较好的一致性。     

Chemical states of the atoms in magnetic multilayers Ta/NiO x /Ni81Fe19/Ta and Co/AlO x /Co

Ta/NiO _x /Ni₈₁Fe₁₉/Ta and Co/AlO _x /Co multilayers were prepared by rf reactive and dc magnetron sputtering. The exchange coupling field (H _ex) and the coercivity (H _c) of NiO _x /Ni₈₁Fe₁₉ as a function of the ratio of Ar to O₂ during the deposition process were studied. The composition and chemical states at the interface region of NiO _x /NiFe were also investigated using the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and peak decomposition technique. The results show that when the ratio of Ar to O₂ is equal to 7 and the argon sputtering pressure is 0.57 Pa, the x value is approximately 1 and the valence of nickel is +2. At this point, NiO _x is antiferromagnetic NiO and the corresponding H_ex is the largest. As the ratio of Ar/O₂ deviates from 7, the H _ex will decrease due to the presence of magnetic impurities such as Ni⁺³ or metallic Ni at the interface region of NiO _x /NiFe, while the H _c will increase due to the metallic Ni. Al layers in Co/AlO _x /Co multilayers were also studied by angle-resolved XPS. Our finding is that the bottom Co could be completely covered by depositing an Al layer about 1.8 nm. The thickness of AlO _x was 1.2 nm.     

The comparative investigation on redox property and second-order nonlinear response of Keggin-type α-[PM12O39NPh]3− (M = W and Mo) and Mo6NPh

Keggin-type phenylimido-polyoxometalates α-[PM₁₂O₃₉NPh]³⁻ (M = W and Mo) have been systematically investigated on the electronic structures, redox as well as nonlinear optical (NLO) properties by density functional theory (DFT). The strong M≡N bond confirmed by natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis comprises one s bond and two π bonds, the same as Mo≡N in [Mo₆O₁₈NPh]²⁻. Furthermore, phenylimido segment effectively modifies the electronic properties of α-[PM₁₂O₃₉NPh]³⁻. On one hand, when enlarging the inorganic cluster from {Mo₆O₁₈} to {PMo₁₂O₃₉}, the energy gap between HOMO and LUMO in α-[PMo₁₂O₃₉NPh]³⁻ decreased, resulting in enormously anodic shift for the reduction potential, while the excitation energy is less and the total second-order polarizability β ₀ is up to 438-3×10⁻³⁰ esu, which is nearly 10 times larger than that of [Mo₆O₁₈NPh]²⁻. On the other hand, when metal W in α-[PM₁₂O₃₉NPh]³⁻ is substituted by Mo, the interaction between Mo and N is enhanced and the redox ability becomes stronger. The β ₀ value for α-[PMo₁₂O₃₉NPh]³⁻ is more than 5 times higher than that of α-[PW₁₂O₃₉NPh]³⁻. It indicates that changing appropriate metal or enlarging the inorganic cluster will improve the redox properties and second-order nonlinear response. Moreover, the electron transition for three compounds mentioned above occurred mainly from organoimido segment (as the electron donor) to polyanion cluster (as the acceptor). As a result, α-[PMo₁₂O₃₉NPh]³⁻ may be a promising candidate for oxidant and nonlinear optical material. Electronic Supplementary Material  Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20573016), Training Fund of NENU’s Scientific Innovation Project (Grant No. NENUSTC07017), Science Foundation for Young Teachers of Northeast Normal University (Grant No. 20070304) and Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (PCSIRT)     

A possible configuration of H 5 + cluster

On the basis of our previous work, a configuration of H ₅ ⁺ has been presented that is a square center structure, and the energy for the structure of H ₅ ⁺ has been obtained by IACQM. The result showed that there is an extreme energy E_e: −2.45981 [2 Ry] atR = 2.50a ₀. It indicates that the square center structure of H ₅ ⁺ system has the certain stability, which is a possible configuration of H ₅ ⁺ .     

Structural diversity and reactivity of d^10 metal- （4-pyridylthio）acetate system

The hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structures of four coordination polymers, namely, 2D [Zn（μ3-ta）（pytaH）]n （1）, 2D [Zn（μ3-pyta）Cl]n （2）, 1D [Cd（μ-pyta）2（H2O）]n （3）, and 3D [Cd（μ3-pyta）（μ-Cl）]n （4） （pyta = （4-pyridylthio）acetate, ta = thioglycolate）, are reported. They are based on （4-pyridylthio）acetate and its derived ligand. The ta^2- ligand present in 1 was generated from an in situ C（sp^2）-S bond cleavage of the pyta ligand. In these compounds, versatile intermolecular interactions, such as close S…S interactions and strong （O-H…O/N/S） or weak （C-H…O/S, C-H…Cl） hydrogen bonding interactions, play an important role in the formation of three-dimensional supramolecular networks in the solid state.     

驾驶行为对重型柴油车实际道路行驶排放测试的影响

为探究驾驶行为对重型柴油车实际行驶污染物排放的影响,利用车载便携式排放测试系统(PMES,portable emissions measurement system)对3辆车分别进行了平稳驾驶、正常驾驶和激烈驾驶共9次PEMS试验.对每辆车前后3次试验的市区、市郊、高速路段和总行程路段动力学参数v·apos[95]和比排放进行了计算,并利用动力学参数v·apos[95]对污染物排放特性影响进行了深入分析.结果表明:相较于平稳驾驶,正常驾驶和激烈驾驶行为下3辆车NOx比排放增加33.73％～621.10％,PN比排放增加21.26％～122.40％;同时CO比排放与车辆动力学参数v·apos[95]之间无明显影响关系,市郊、高速路段NOx比排放和PN比排放与车辆动力学参数v·apos[95]存在较强的相关性,可见其驾驶行为对车辆排放的影响不容忽视.     

Property variation of ionic liquid [Bmim][AuCl4] immobilized on carboxylated polystyrene submicrospheres with a small surface area

In order to understand the effect of surface chemical groups on the immobilized species, Au-containing imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL) [Bmim][AuCl4] was intentionally immobilized on polystyrene (PS) submicrospheres (d～300 nm) with a very small surface area (4-10 m2/g), which possess carboxyl-moiety (COONa or COOH) on the surface. The behavior of immobilized [Bmim][AuCl4 ] on the two types of submicrospheres was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was revealed that the melting points (Tm) of [Bmim][AuCl4 ] that had been immobilized on PS-COONa and PS-COOH submicrospheres were decreased by 2.7 and 4.1℃, respectively. The interaction mechanism between the IL and submicrosphere surface moieties was further analyzed by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis. The data indicated that the coordination environment of Au species changed markedly when [Bmim] [AuCl4] was immobilized on the surfaces of PS-COONa and PS-COOH submicrospheres, as illustrated by the decrease in white line peak intensity. The effect of surface COOH groups on Tm depression and the white line peak intensity of the XANES spectrum is more pronounced than that of COONa groups, most likely due to the possible hydrogen bond formation between the COOH group and [Bmim]+.     

Influence of organic acids on UV-Vis spectra of pyrrolidino-[60]fullerene derivatives

A pyrrolidino[60]fullerene 1 with pyrrolidine group was synthesized and characterized. The UV-Vis spectra showed that the blue shift of absorption peaks was first observed when strong organic acids such asp-toluene sulfonic or trifluoroacetic acid were added to the solution of pyrrolidino[60]fullerene 1 in dichloromethane. The results indicated that the pyrrolidino[60]fullerene derivatives without pyrrolidine group also possess the same phenomenon. Experiments and computation with the MOPAC 7.0 semi-empirical PM3 method demonstrated the reason that some energy gaps on [60] fullerene skeleton were increased because electronic charges on [60] fullerene framework transferred to pyrrolidine ring when strong organic acids were added into pyrrolidino[60]fullerene derivatives’ solution; as the result, the complexes could be formed and some absorption wavelengths blue shifted in the UV-Vis spectrum.