Nucleic acids biologically active

Simultaneously new, previonsly nnknown biological activities of boron cage molecules and their complexes with metals have been discovered, which including anti-HIV activity, anticancer activity, or in the form of conjugates with nucleosides (nucleic acid components) activity as purinergic receptor modulators. 

As an activator of the phosphokinases, magnesium is essential in energy-requiring biological processes, such as activation of amino acids, acetate, and succinate synthesis of proteins, fats, coen2ymes, and nucleic acids generation and transmission of nerve impulses and muscle contraction (67). 

Much effort has been placed in the synthesis of compounds possessing a chiral center at the phosphoms atom, particularly three- and four-coordinate compounds such as tertiary phosphines, phosphine oxides, phosphonates, phosphinates, and phosphate esters (11). Some enantiomers are known to exhibit a variety of biological activities and are therefore of interest Oas agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals (qv), etc. Homochiral bisphosphines are commonly used in catalytic asymmetric syntheses providing good enantioselectivities (see also Nucleic acids). Excellent reviews of low coordinate (coordination numbers 1 and 2) phosphoms compounds are available (12). 

In addition to effects on biochemical reactions, the inhibitors may influence the permeability of the various cellular membranes and through physical and chemical effects may alter the structure of other subcellular structures such as proteins, nucleic acid, and spindle fibers. Unfortunately, few definite examples can be listed. The action of colchicine and podophyllin in interfering with cell division is well known. The effect of various lactones (coumarin, parasorbic acid, and protoanemonin) on mitotic activity was discussed above. Disturbances to cytoplasmic and vacuolar structure, and the morphology of mitochondria imposed by protoanemonin, were also mentioned. Interference with protein configuration and loss of biological activity was attributed to incorporation of azetidine-2-carboxylic acid into mung bean protein in place of proline. 

The hypothesis that our biological world built on the DNA-RNA-protein central dogma was preceded by an RNA world in which RNA molecules carried both the genetic information and executed the gene functions (through ribozyme activity) is now widely accepted [130]. However, it is also well recognized that RNA due to its vulnerability to hydrolysis - especially as a result of catalysis by divalent metal ions - would not have been able to evolve in a harsh pre-biotic environment Also the formation of RNA under presumed pre-biotic conditions is extremely inefficient It is not so far-fetched to propose that a peptide nucleic acid-like molecule may have been able to function as a form of pre-biotic genetic material since it... 

Quinone methides have been shown to be important intermediates in chemical synthesis,1 2 in lignin biosynthesis,3 and in the activity of antitumor and antibiotic agents.4 They react with many biologically relevant nucleophiles including alcohols,1 thiols,5-7 nucleic acids,8-10 proteins,6 11 and phosphodiesters.12 The reaction of nucleophiles with ortho- and /iara-quinone methides is pH dependent and can occur via either acid-catalyzed or uncatalyzed pathways.13-17 The electron transfer chemistry that is typical of the related quinones does not appear to play a role in the nucleophilic reactivity of QMs.18... 

Sample preparation used to extract proteins from cells prior to analysis is an important step that can have an effect on the accuracy and reproducibility of the results. Proteins isolated from bacterial cells will have co-extracted contaminants such as lipids, polysaccharides, and nucleic acids. In addition various organic salts, buffers, detergents, surfactants, and preservatives may have been added to aid in protein extraction or to retain enzymatic or biological activity of the proteins. The presence of these extraneous materials can significantly impede or affect the reproducibility of analysis if they are not removed prior to analysis. 

Another important group of hydrolytic enzymes are phospho- and cyclophosphodiesterases. They catalyze the hydrolysis of phospho-diester bonds and many of the most relevant biological substrates are nucleic acids. Phospholipase C and D are also important examples. Initial attempts to measure phosphodiesterase activity placed a phosphodiester between a fluorophore and a quencher and the probe was tested in vitro [146], This system was slightly modified by Caturla and used for the identification of catalysts with phosphodiesterase activity [147], More recently, Nagano and co-workers used a coumarin donor and fluorescein as a FRET... 

---