Chemical Additives Enable Native Mass Spectrometry Measurement of Membrane Protein Oligomeric State within Intact Nanodiscs

Membrane proteins play critical biochemical roles but remain challenging to study. Recently, native or nondenaturing mass spectrometry (MS) has made great strides in characterizing membrane protein interactions. However, conventional native MS relies on detergent micelles, which may disrupt natural interactions. Lipoprotein nanodiscs provide a platform to present membrane proteins for native MS within a lipid bilayer environment, but previous native MS of membrane proteins in nanodiscs has been limited by the intermediate stability of nanodiscs. It is difficult to eject membrane proteins from nanodiscs for native MS but also difficult to retain intact nanodisc complexes with membrane proteins inside. Here, we employed chemical reagents that modulate the charge acquired during electrospray ionization (ESI). By modulating ESI conditions, we could either eject the membrane protein complex with few bound lipids or capture the intact membrane protein nanodisc complex-allowing measurement of the membrane protein oligomeric state within an intact lipid bilayer environment. The dramatic differences in the stability of nanodiscs under different ESI conditions opens new applications for native MS of nanodiscs.

Microwave, infrared, and Raman spectra, r0 structural parameters, conformational stability, and vibrational assignment of allyl thiol

FT-microwave spectrum of allyl thiol, H(2)CCHCH(2)SH, has been recorded, and 19 transitions have been assigned for the most abundant isotopologue of Gg conformer, and the rotational constants have been determined; A=20,041.439 (4), B=2795.830 (1), C=2701.084 (1). From the determined microwave rotational constants and ab initio MP2(full)/6-311+G(d,p) predicted structural values, adjusted r(0) parameters are reported with distances (Å): rCC=1.343 (3), rC-C=1.496 (3), rC-S=1.827 (3) and angles (°) ∠CCC=123.4 (5), ∠CCS=112.5 (5), and τC(γ)C(β)C(α)S=118.7 (5). Variable temperature (-55 to -100°C) infrared spectra (3600-400cm(-1)) were recorded of allyl thiol in liquid xenon and the Gg conformer was determined to be the most stable form. The enthalpy differences relative to the Gg form are for Cg 120±9cm(-1) (1.44±0.11kJ/mol), for Gg' 337±34cm(-1) (4.03±0.41kJ/mol), and for Gt 360±36cm(-1) (4.31±0.43kJ/mol). The relative amounts present at ambient temperature are Gg 52±1%, Cg 29±1%, Gg' 10±1%, and Gt 9±1%. The conformational stabilities have been predicted from ab initio calculations with many basis sets up to aug-cc-pVTZ and the predicted stabilities are in agreement with the experimentally determined order. Vibrational assignments are reported with support by ab initio predictions and results are discussed.

Microwave, structural, conformational, vibrational studies and ab initio calculations of isocyanocyclopentane

The infrared and Raman spectra (3200-50 cm(-1)) of the gas, liquid or solution, and solid have been recorded of isocyanocyclopentane, c-C5H9NC. FT-microwave studies have also been carried out and 23 transitions were recorded for the envelope-axial (Ax) conformer. Variable temperature (-65 to -100 °C) studies of the infrared spectra (3200-400 cm(-1)) dissolved in liquid xenon have been carried out. From these data, both the Ax and envelope-equatorial (Eq) conformers have been identified and their relative stabilities obtained. The enthalpy difference has been determined to be 102±10 cm(-1) (1.21±0.11 kJ mol(-1)) with the Ax conformer the more stable form. The percentage of the Eq conformer is estimated to be 38±1% at ambient temperature. The conformational stabilities have been predicted from ab initio calculations by utilizing several different basis sets up to aug-cc-pVTZ from both MP2(full) and density functional theory calculations by the B3LYP method. Vibrational assignments have been made for the observed bands for both conformers with initial predictions by MP2(full)/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations to obtain harmonic force constants, wavenumbers, infrared intensities, Raman activities and depolarization ratios for both conformers. The structural parameter values for the Ax form are; for the heavy atom distances (Å): C≡N = 1.176 (3); Cα-N=1.432 (3); Cα-Cβ,Cβ'=1.534 (3); Cβ-Cγ,Cγ'=1.542 (3); Cγ-Cγ'=1.554 (3) and angles (°):∠Cα-N≡C=177.8 (5); ∠CβCα-N=110.4 (5); <CβCαCβ' = 102.9 (5); ∠CαCβCγ=103.6 (5); <CβCγCγ' = 105.9 (5). The results are discussed and compared to the corresponding properties of some related molecules.

Structure and conformation studies from temperature dependent infrared spectra of xenon solutions and ab initio calculations of cyclobutylgermane

The infrared spectra (3500-220 cm(-1)) of cyclobutylgermane, c-C(4)H(7)GeH(3) have been recorded of the gas. Also variable temperature (-65 to -100 °C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500-400 cm(-1)) of the sample dissolved in liquid xenon were recorded and both the equatorial and axial conformers were identified. The enthalpy difference has been determined from 10 band pairs 8 temperatures to give 112 ± 11 cm(-1) (1.34 ± 0.13 kJ mol(-1)) with the equatorial conformer the more stable form. The percentage of the axial conformer present at ambient temperature is estimated to be 37 ± 1%. From ab initio calculations conformational stabilities have been predicted from both MP2(full) and density functional theory calculations from a variety of basic sets. The r(0) structure parameters have been obtained for both conformers from the previously reported rotational constants from the three isotopologues. The determined heavy atom distances for the equatorial [axial] form are (Å) Ge-C(α)=1.952(3) [1.950(3)], [Formula: see text] , [Formula: see text] [1.551(3)] and angles in degrees (°) ∠GeC(α)C(β)=118.6(5) [113.4(5)], [Formula: see text] , ∠C(α)C(β)C(γ)=87.8(5) [88.8(5)], [Formula: see text] and a puckering angle of 29.1(5) [25.1(5)]. Data from ab initio calculations were used to predict vibrational harmonic force constants, fundamental wavenumbers, infrared intensities, Raman activities and depolarization ratios for both conformers. The results are compared to the corresponding properties of some related molecules.

Microwave, structural, conformational, vibrational studies and ab initio calculations of fluoroacetyl chloride

The infrared and Raman spectra (3200-50 cm(-1)) of the gas, liquid or solution, and solid of fluoroacetyl chloride, FCH2COCl have been recorded. FT-microwave studies have also been carried out and 22 transitions were recorded for the trans conformer. Variable temperature (-50 to -105 °C) studies of the infrared and Raman spectra (3200-50 cm(-1)) of xenon solutions have been carried out. From these data, the trans, cis and gauche conformers have been identified and their relative stabilities obtained. The enthalpy difference has been determined to be 159±11 cm(-1) (1.90±0.14 kJ mol(-1)) with the trans conformer the more stable form than the cis. The energy difference between the cis and gauche form is 222±18 cm(-1) (2.66±0.21 kJ/mol) and the energy difference between the trans and gauche forms is 386±13 cm(-1) (4.61±0.16 kJ/mol). Vibrational assignments have been made for the observed bands for the three conformers with initial predictions by MP2(full)/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations to obtain harmonic force constants, wavenumbers, infrared intensities, and Raman activities for the three conformers. By utilizing the microwave rotational constants of two isotopomers for trans, combined with the structural parameters predicted from MP2(full)/6-311+G(d,p) calculations, adjusted r0 parameters have been obtained for the trans conformer. The results are discussed and compared to the corresponding properties of some related molecules.

Raman and infrared spectra, r₀ structural parameters, and vibrational assignments of (CH₃)₂PX where X=H, CN, and Cl

The infrared (3500-80 cm(-1)) and Raman spectra (3500-40 cm(-1)) of gas/or liquid and solid (CH(3))(2)PX with X=H (DMH), CN (DMCN) and Cl (DMCl) as well as (CD(3))(2)PH have been recorded and complete vibrational assignments are given for all three molecules. To support the spectroscopic study, ab initio calculations by the Møller-Plesset perturbation method to second order MP2(full) and density functional theory calculations by the B3LYP method have been carried out. The infrared intensities, Raman activities, vibrational frequencies and band contours have been predicted from MP2(full)/6-31G(d) calculations and these theoretical quantities are compared to experimental ones when available. By utilizing the previously reported microwave rotational constants for DMH and DMCN along with the MP2(full)/6-311+G(d,p) predicted values, adjusted r(0) structural parameters for DMH and DMCN have been determined. The heavy atom parameters for DMH are: r(0)(P-C(3,4))=1.8477(30)Å, ∠CPC=99.88(50)° and for DMCN: r(0)(N-C)=1.159(3), r(0)(C-P)=1.790(3), r(0)(P-C(4,5))=1.841(3)Å, ∠NCP=175.7(5), ∠CPC(4,5)=97.9(5) and ∠CPC=100.7(5)°. Barriers to internal rotation are reported. The experimental values are compared to the corresponding values of some similar molecules whenever possible.

Layered supramolecular hydrogels from thioglycosides

Low molecular weight hydrogels are made of small molecules that aggregate via noncovalent interactions. Here, comprehensive characterization of the physical and chemical properties of hydrogels made from thioglycolipids of the disaccharides lactose and cellobiose with simple alkyl chains is reported. While thiolactoside hydrogels are robust, thiocellobioside gels are metastable, precipitating over time into fibrous crystals that can be entangled to create pseudo-hydrogels. Rheology confirms the viscoelastic solid nature of these hydrogels with storage moduli ranging from 10-600 kPa. Additionally, thiolactoside hydrogels are thixotropic which is a desirable property for many potential applications. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy of xerogels shows layers of stacked sheets that are entangled into networks. These structures are unique compared to the fibers or ribbons typically reported for hydrogels. Differential scanning calorimetry provides gel-to-liquid phase transition temperatures ranging from 30 to 80 °C. Prodan fluorescence spectroscopy allows assignment of phase transitions in the gels and other lyotropic phases of high concentration samples. Phase diagrams are estimated for all hydrogels at 1-10 wt% from 5 to ≥ 80 °C. These hydrogels represent a series of interesting materials with unique properties that make them attractive for numerous potential applications.