Structural and enzymatic characterization of the sialidase SiaPG from Porphyromonas gingivalis.

The sialidases, which catalyze the hydrolysis of sialic acid from extracellular glycoconjugates, are a group of major virulence factors in various pathogenic bacteria. In Porphyromonas gingivalis, which causes human periodontal disease, sialidase contributes to bacterial pathogenesis via promoting the formation of biofilms and capsules, reducing the ability for macrophage clearance, and providing nutrients for bacterial colonization. Here, the crystal structure of the P. gingivalis sialidase SiaPG is reported at 2.1 Šresolution, revealing an N-terminal carbohydrate-binding domain followed by a canonical C-terminal catalytic domain. Simulation of the product sialic acid in the active-site pocket together with functional analysis enables clear identification of the key residues that are required for substrate binding and catalysis. Moreover, structural comparison with other sialidases reveals distinct features of the active-site pocket which might confer substrate specificity. These findings provide the structural basis for the further design and optimization of effective inhibitors to target SiaPG to fight against P. gingivalis-derived oral diseases.

Disturbed tooth germ development in the absence of MINT in the cultured mouse mandibular explants.

The Msx2-interacting nuclear target protein (MINT) is a nuclear matrix protein that regulates the development of many tissues. However, little is known regarding the role of MINT in tooth development. In this study, we prepared polyclonal antibodies against MINT, and found that that MINT was expressed in different cells at each stage of tooth germ development by immunohistochemistry. The role of MINT in tooth development was further illustrated by the misshapen and severely hypoplastic tooth organ in the cultured mandibular explants of MINT deficient mice. From the initiation to cap stage, the differences between mutants and wild-type molars were more and more distinguished histologically. In the MINT-deficient mandibular explants, the tooth germ was reduced in the overall size and lacked enamel knot, with abnormal dental lamina and collapsed stellate reticulum. Furthermore, the BrdU incorporation experiment showed that the proliferation activity was significantly reduced in MINT-deficient dental epithelium. Our results suggest that MINT plays an important role in tooth development, in particular, epithelial morphogenesis.

Photolysis of low concentration H2S under UV/VUV irradiation emitted from microwave discharge electrodeless lamps.

The photolysis of simulating low concentration of hydrogen sulfide malodorous gas was studied under UV irradiation emitted by self-made microwave discharge electrodeless lamps (i.e. microwave UV electrodeless mercury lamp (185/253.7 nm) and iodine lamp (178.3/180.1/183/184.4/187.6/206.2 nm)). Experiments results showed that the removal efficiency (eta H2S) of hydrogen sulfide was decreased with increasing initial H2S concentration and increased slightly with gas residence time; H2S removal efficiency was decreased dramatically with enlarged pipe diameter. Under the experimental conditions with pipe diameter of 36 mm, gas flow rate of 0.42 standard l s(-1), eta H2S was 52% with initial H2S concentration of 19.5 mg m(-3) by microwave mercury lamp, the absolute removal amount (ARA) was 4.30 microg s(-1), and energy yield (EY) was 77.3 mg kW h(-1); eta H2S was 56% with initial H2S concentration of 18.9 mg m(-3) by microwave iodine lamp, the ARA was 4.48 microg s(-1), and the EY was 80.5mg kW h(-1). The main photolysis product was confirmed to be SO4(2-) with IC.

Photochemistry in the mixed aqueous solution of nitrobenzene and nitrous acid as initiated by the 355 nm UV light.

The 355 nm photon-initiated microscopic reaction mechanisms of the mixed aqueous solution of nitrobenzene and nitrous acid in the presence or absence of O(2) were studied by the laser flash photolysis technique. The main transient absorption peaks in the recorded spectra were assigned and the growth/decay trends of several transient species were investigated. It was found that the OH radical formed from the photolysis of nitrous acid triggered most of the subsequent radical reactions. The rate constant of the reaction between OH radical and nitrobenzene was measured to be (3.4 +/- 0.1) x 10(9) l mol(-1) s(-1). The product from this reaction, namely C(6)H(5)NO(2)-OH adduct, was found to react with O(2) to yield C(6)H(5)NO(2)-OHO(2) adduct with a rate constant of (1.6 +/- 0.2) x 10(9) l mol(-1) s(-1). Final steady-state products were identified by GC/MS analysis and were in accordance with the transient spectroscopic results. The possible reaction pathways were proposed.

[Photocatalytic degradation of hexafluorobenzene by tungstophosphoric acid].

We verified that C6F6, a typical perfluorine compound, could be photocatalytic degraded by H3PW12O40. The defluorination of C6F6 was determined as a function of irradiation time, pH, initial concentration of H3PW12O40, and additives as well. The defluorination of C6F6 increased with the irradiation time. Acid condition, especially pH = 1.0 is preferred. 3 mL solution of 2.0 x 10(-4) mol/L C6F6 and 5.0 x 10(-6) mol/L H3PW12O40 was irradiated for 20 min and the defluorination of C6F6 was equal to 208.1%. O2, KMnO4 and K2S2O8 added in the solution were able to increase the defluorination of C6F6 via oxidating [PW12O40](4-). The defluorination of C6F6 would decline in the presence of alcohol and aromatic compounds.

Reactions between the SO4*(-) radical and some common anions in atmospheric aqueous droplets.

The rate constants of reactions between the SO4*(-) radical and some common anions in atmospheric aqueous droplets e.g. Cl-, NO3-, HSO3- and HCO3- were determined using the laser flash photolysis technique. Absorption spectra of SO4*(-) and the product radicals were also reported. The chloride ion was evaluated among all the anions to be the most efficient scavenger of SO4*(-). The results may supply useful information for a better understanding of the vigorous radical-initiated reactions in atmospheric aqueous droplets such as clouds, rains or fogs.

Reaction mechanism of 3-chlorophenol with OH, H in aqueous solution.

The reaction mechanism of 3-chlorophenol with OH, H in aqueous solution was studied by transient technology. The 3-chlorophenol aqueous solutions have been saturated with air or N2 previously. Under alkaline condition, the reaction of OH radical with 3-chlorophenol produces 3-chlorinated phenoxyl radical, with the absorption peaks at 400 nm and 417 nm. Under neutral condition, the reaction of OH radical with 3-chlorophenol produces OH-adduct with the maximal absorption at about 340 nm. And in acid solution, the reaction of H with 3-chlorophenol produces H-adduct with the maximal absorption at about 320 nm. 3-chlorophenol is compared with 4-and 2-chlorophenols from the free radical pathways. The results show that the positions of chlorine on the aromatic ring strongly influence the dehalogenation and degradation process.