Compartmentalization, functional groups

Moreover, the inner cavity of supramolecular capsules provides a discrete, well-defined environment ideally suited to investigate effects of compartmentalization and processes in confined spaces [8]. To realize technical applications as detection and stabilization of encapsulated molecules or their use as nano-sized reaction vessels, precise control of important factors such as size, stability, porosity of the walls, and functionalization of the inner surface have to be achieved [9-18]. Several capsules have been synthesized and a proof of principle for several applications has been provided, but in most cases their use is restricted to small guest molecules. The development of spacious architectures which are able to encapsulate several bulky molecules and are amenable for decoration of the inner surface with functional groups will constitute an important step on the way to functional systems. 

Plant biotransformation parallels liver biotransformation and is conceptually divided into three phases. Phase I typically consist of oxidative transformations in which polar functional groups such as OH, NH2, or SH are introduced. However, reductive reactions have been observed for certain nitroaromatic compounds. Phase II involves conjugation reactions that result in the formation of water soluble compounds such as glucosides, glutathiones, amino acids, and malonyl conjugates or water-insoluble compounds that are later incorporated or bound into cell wall biopolymers. In animals, these water-soluble Phase H metabolites would typically be excreted. In Phase III, these substances are compartmentalized in the plant vacuoles or cell walls. For additional details, the reader is referred to reviews on the subject by Komossa and Sandermann (1995), Pflugmacher and Sandermann (1998), and Burken (2003). Enzymatic conversion rates typically follow Michaelis-Menten kinetics and are temperature-dependent (Larsen et al., 2005 Yu et al., 2004,2005, 2007). 

The best way to incorporate functional groups in a well-defined number and a uniform distribution into the rigid unimer micelles is to employ ter-polymerization techniques as described in the previous section for labeling the polymers with Py and 2-Np moieties. The functional groups thus incorporated are tightly encapsulated in the hydrophobic microdomains in the unimer micelles. This was termed compartmentalization of functional groups in unimer micelles [24,41,42]. 

The role of GSH in cellular protection (see below) means that if depleted of GSH, the cell is more vulnerable to toxic compounds. However, GSH is compartmentalized, and this compartmentalization exerts an influence on the relationship between GSH depletion or oxidation and injury. The loss of reduced GSH from the cell leaves other thiol groups, such as those in critical proteins, vulnerable to attack with subsequent oxidation, cross-linking, and formation of mixed disulfides or covalent adducts. The sulfydryl groups of proteins seem to be the most susceptible nucleophilic targets for attack, as shown by studies with paracetamol (see chap. 7), and are often crucial to the function of enzymes. Consequently, modification of thiol groups of enzyme proteins, such as by mercury and other heavy metals, often leads to inhibition of the enzyme function. Such enzymes may have critical endogenous roles such as the regulation of ion concentrations, active transport, or mitochondrial metabolism. There is... 

The best known functions of the ER require a high membrane surface and/or a separate, specific microenvironment within the organelle. Although many enzymes hosted by the ER use its membranous structure only as a scaffold, others are compartmentalized within the ER i.e., their active site is localized in the lumen. The activity of these enzymes usually is dependent on the special composition of the luminal compartment. The enzymes often receive their substrates and cofactors from or release their products to the cytosol therefore, the transport of these compounds across the ER membrane is indispensable. This article focuses on this latter group of the ER enzymes, the functioning of which makes the ER a separate metabolic compartment of the eukaryotic cell. 

A number of reports deal with functionalized polysoaps, including the incorporation of chromophores, mesogens, redox-active moieties and electrically conductive groups (Fig. 16). Three basic intentions can be identified i) the functional unit serves as probe to monitor certain properties of the parent polysoap ii) the polysoap provides a suitable matrix for the functional unit, e.g. by compartmentalization, clustering, orientation etc. iii) the combination of functional unit and polysoap creates new collective features in the system, e.g. improving or modifying the self-organization. 

---