• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.867-874
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• 2000

Two new azobenzene crown ether calix[4]arenes, 10 and 11, were synthesized by two pathways. In the first pathway,two ethoxy nitrobenzene groups were attached to t-butylcalix[4]arenes in a 1,3 position. Subsequent reduction ofthe nitrobenzene group s by metallic zinc in an alkaline solution afforded 10 and 11 in8% and 12%,respectively. In the second pathway,an azobenzene containing two glycolic units was prepared prior connect-ing to t-butylcalix[4]arenes. The yields from the second approach (5%, 8% for 10 and 11, respectively) were lower than those from the former approach. Single crystals of 10 suitable for X-ray crystallography was ob-tained by recrystallization in methanol.Both the X-ray structure and the 1H-NMR spectrum of 10 indicated that the stereoisomer of the azobenzene moiety was trans and the calixarene platform was in cone conformation. 1H NMR spectroscopy suggested that 10 underwent an observable cis-trans isomerization in CDCl3 under room light and upon UV irradiation with cis:trans ratios of 33:67 and 36:64,respectively. Compound 6 which was the precursor of 11showed fluxional behavior and was found to have mixed conformations ofcone and partial cone with a ratio of 47:53 at -30 $^{\circ}C.$ 1H NMR spectrum of 11 suggested that 11 was initially isolated as cis azobenzene with calix[4]arene in cone conformation and underwent conformational interconversion through calix[4]arene annulas in a similar fashion to 6 upon exposing to light. The complexation studies of 10 with picrate salts of Na+ and K+ using 1H NMR spectroscopysuggested that Na+ preferred to bind the cis form of 10 while K+ preferred to bind the trans form. The stereoisomer of the azobenzene unit in 11 changed partially from cis to trans upon complexing with K+.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2006

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are ubiquitously distributed and play important functions in diverse cellular signaling systems. The proteins are largely classified into three groups, such as typical 2-Cys Prx, atypical 2-Cys Prx, and 1-Cys Prx, that are distinguished by their catalytic mechanisms and number of Cys residues. From the three classes of Prxs, the typical 2-Cys Prx containing the two-conserved Cys residues at its N-terminus and C-terminus catalyzes $H_2O_2$ with the use of thioredoxin (Trx) as an electron donor. During the catalytic cycle, the N-terminal Cys residue undergoes a peroxide-dependent oxidation to sulfenic acid, which can be further oxidized to sulfinic acid at the presence of high concentrations of $H_2O_2$ and a Trx system containing Trx, Trx reductase, and NADPH. The sulfinic acid form of 2-Cys Prx is reduced by the action of sulfiredoxin which requires ATP as an energy source. Under the strong oxidative or heat shock stress conditions, 2-Cys Prx in eukaryotes rapidly switches its protein structure from low-molecular-weight species to high-molecular-weight protein structures. In accordance with its structural changes, the protein concomitantly triggers functional switching from a peroxidase to a molecular chaperone, which can protect its substrate denaturation from external stress. In addition to its N-terminal active site, the C-terminal domain including 'YF-motif' of 2-Cys Prx plays a critical role in the structural changes. Therefore, the C-terminal truncated 2-Cys Prxs are not able to regulate their protein structures and highly resistant to $H_2O_2$-dependent hyperoxidation, suggesting that the reaction is guided by the peroxidatic Cys residue. Based on the results, it may be concluded that the peroxidatic Cys of 2-Cys Prx acts as an '$H_2O_2$-sensor' in the cells. The oxidative stress-dependent regulation of 2-Cys Prx provides a means of defense systems in cells to adapt stress conditions by activating intracellular defense signaling pathways. Particularly, 2-Cys Prxs in plants are localized in chloroplasts with a dynamic protein structure. The protein undergoes conformational changes again oxidative stress. Depending on a redox-potential of the chloroplasts, the plant 2-Cys Prx forms super-molecular weight protein structures, which attach to the thylakoid membranes in a reversible manner.