Transgenic Expression and Functional Characterization of Human Platelet Derived Growth Factor BB (hPDGF-BB) in Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Recombinant human platelet derived growth factor BB (rhPDGF-BB) is clinically approved for treating diabetic neuropathic ulcers. Plant-based expression systems offer less expensive ways of producing recombinant drugs, which do not require purification for clinical use. From this perspective, rhPDGF-BB is an ideal candidate for expression in plants as it can be applied topically. Here, we report a proof of concept study, in which rhPDGF-BB was expressed in tobacco plants, and its biological activity was tested in vitro. The mature human platelet derived growth factor BB (hPDGF-BB) gene was codon-optimized for tobacco and fused with ER targeting and retention signals, 5′ and 3′ UTRs of arc5-1 gene along with CaMV 35S promoter, and then, transferred by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Gene and protein expression of hPDGF-BB were confirmed by PCR and immunoblot studies. Bioactivity of hPDGF-BB expressed protein was determined by in vitro assays such as proliferation and migration in NIH3T3 cells. Our data reveals that total soluble proteins containing hPDGF-BB from transgenic plants showed a 4.5-fold increase in fibroblast proliferation compared to non-transgenic plants. Furthermore, plant-made rhPDGF-BB induced chemotaxis of treated cells and promoted wound healing in vitro. These results clearly demonstrate that functionally active rhPDGF-BB protein can be produced in plants and might have therapeutic benefits.     

rac‐5‐Diphenylacetyl‐2,2,4‐trimethyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,5‐benzothiazepine and rac‐5‐formyl‐2,2,4‐trimethyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,5‐benzothiazepine

rac‐5‐Diphenylacetyl‐2,2,4‐trimethyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,5‐benzothiazepine, C₂₆H₂₇NOS, (I), and rac‐5‐formyl‐2,2,4‐trimethyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,5‐benzothiazepine, C₁₃H₁₇NOS, (II), are both characterized by a planar configuration around the heterocyclic N atom. In contrast with the chair conformation of the parent benzothiazepine, which has no substituents at the heterocyclic N atom, the seven‐membered ring adopts a boat conformation in (I) and a conformation intermediate between boat and twist‐boat in (II). The molecules lack a symmetry plane, indicating distortions from the perfect boat or twist‐boat conformations. The supramolecular architectures are significantly different, depending in (I) on C—H...O interactions and intermolecular S...S contacts, and in (II) on a single aromatic π–π stacking interaction.     

Phase structure and morphology of zinc-iron alloy electrodeposits

Zinc-iron alloy electrodeposits are providing higher corrosion resistance to steel components and also having better mechanical properties when compared to zinc deposits. This is due to the unique phase structure of the alloy formed. This study elucidates the phase structure of the electrodeposited alloy, based on the deposition kinetics and morphological characteristics. Deposition of iron was hindered by charge-transfer process, at low current densities. But zinc deposition was prevailed through diffusion control, only at high current densities. The probability of substitution of iron in hcp lattice along c-axis is more, than a-axis. This is because the linear density along c-axis is lower than a-axis. Intermetallic compounds of variable compositions were identified. Compounds such as FeZn₁₆, FeZn₁₃, Fe₅Zn₇₈ have dominantly “η” phase structure and FeZn₆, Fe₅Zn₂₂, Fe₂Zn₇, Fe₅Zn₂₉, Fe₃Zn₁₃ have “Γ” phase structure.     

Growth aspects,spectral, thermal and hardness studies of rare earth cerium(III)nitrate doped zinc(tris) thiourea sulphate single crystals

Single crystals of pure and cerium(III)nitrate doped zinc(tris) thiourea sulphate (ZTS) were grown from aqueous solution by slow evaporation method. The cell parameters of the grown crystals were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns were recorded and indexed for the structural confirmation. The presence of functional group in the compound has been confirmed by FTIR analysis. UV–vis absorption spectrum has been recorded to determine the cut-off wavelength of the crystal. TGA/DTA studies show thermal stability of the grown crystals. SEM-EDX analysis revealed the incorporation of the impurity (Ce³⁺) into ZTS crystals. The microhardness study reveals that the hardness number (H_v) increases with load for all the grown crystals of this work. From the values of work hardening coefficients, it was concluded that pure and cerium nitrate doped ZTS crystals belong to the category of soft materials. The second harmonic generation of cerium(III)nitrate doped ZTS crystals was confirmed by Kurtz–Perry powder method using Nd:YAG laser.     

Investigation of d-orbital participation in bonding by positron angular correlation

Whether or not ligand perturbation is necessary for d-orbital contraction and consequent participation in bonding has been controversial till now. A study of angular correlation of positron annihilation radiation on organic sulphides and sulphones gives a direct evidence for the conclusion that ligand perturbation is necessary.     

Phosphorus pentasulfide: A mild and versatile Catalyst/Reagent for the preparation of dithiocarboxylic esters

The reaction of carboxylic acids (1) with a variety of thiols or alcohols in the presence of phosphorus pentasulfide (P(4)S(10)) as a catalyst and reagent (20-40 mol %) proceeded effectively to afford the corresponding dithiocarboxylic esters (2) in high yields.     

Steric enhancement of resonance

The rate constants and the activation energies for the alkaline hydrolysis of some substituted ethyl benzoates furnish evidence for the phenomenon of steric enhancement of resonance. For 3-substituted-4-alkoxybenzoic esters the rate constants calculated on the basis of the principle of additivity of substituent effects are appreciably higher than the observed values, indicating that the 3-substituent does not sterically inhibit the resonance interaction of the alkoxy and ester groups but actually enhances it. The cause of this steric enhancement of resonance is explained. The rates of quaternization of some N,N-dimethylanilines with methyl iodide have also been determined. The observed rate constants of 4-alkoxy-3-methyl-N,N-dimethylanilines are significantly higher than the values predicted on the basis of additivity of group effects. Thus there is enhanced resonance interaction of the alkoxy group with the dimethylamino group increasing the nucleophilicity of the dimethylamino group. A similar steric enhancement of resonance is observed in the case of 3-methyl-4-methylthio-N,N-dimethylaniline also.     

Reversible Addition‐Fragmentation Chain‐Transfer Polymerization for the Synthesis of Poly(4‐acetoxystyrene) and Poly(4‐acetoxystyrene)‐block‐polystyrene by Bulk,Solution and Emulsion Techniques

The living radical polymerization of 4‐acetoxystyrene via the RAFT process has been achieved employing bulk, solution and emulsion techniques. The rate of polymerization was studied between 60°C and 90°C. Increasing the temperature increases the rate of polymerization without affecting the polydispersity. Poly(4‐acetoxystyrene) with narrow polydispersity (1.08) was obtained. Various novel dithiocarboxylic esters and dithiocarbamates were screened as chain‐transfer agents for the RAFT polymerization of 4‐acetoxystyrene. The block copolymerization of poly(4‐acetoxystyrene) with styrene leading to poly(4‐acetoxystyrene)‐block‐polystyrene confirmed the presence of active chain ends in the first block. The acetoxy polymers were hydrolyzed to the corresponding hydroxy polymers under mild basic conditions.