Characterization of a dipartite iron uptake system from uropathogenic Escherichia coli strain F11

In the uropathogenic Escherichia coli strain F11, in silico genome analysis revealed the dicistronic iron uptake operon fetMP, which is under iron-regulated control mediated by the Fur regulator. The expression of fetMP in a mutant strain lacking known iron uptake systems improved growth under iron depletion and increased cellular iron accumulation. FetM is a member of the iron/lead transporter superfamily and is essential for iron uptake by the Fet system. FetP is a periplasmic protein that enhanced iron uptake by FetM. Recombinant FetP bound Cu(II) and the iron analog Mn(II) at distinct sites. The crystal structure of the FetP dimer reveals a copper site in each FetP subunit that adopts two conformations: CuA with a tetrahedral geometry composed of His⁴⁴, Met⁹⁰, His⁹⁷, and His¹²⁷, and CuB, a second degenerate octahedral geometry with the addition of Glu⁴⁶. The copper ions of each site occupy distinct positions and are separated by ∼1.3 Å. Nearby, a putative additional Cu(I) binding site is proposed as an electron source that may function with CuA/CuB displacement to reduce Fe(III) for transport by FetM. Together, these data indicate that FetMP is an additional iron uptake system composed of a putative iron permease and an iron-scavenging and potentially iron-reducing periplasmic protein.     

Histidine Residues in the Na+-coupled Ascorbic Acid Transporter-2 (SVCT2) Are Central Regulators of SVCT2 Function,Modulating pH Sensitivity,Transporter Kinetics,Na+ Cooperativity,Conformational Stability,and Subcellular Localization

Na⁺-coupled ascorbic acid transporter-2 (SVCT2) activity is impaired at acid pH, but little is known about the molecular determinants that define the transporter pH sensitivity. SVCT2 contains six histidine residues in its primary sequence, three of which are exofacial in the transporter secondary structure model. We used site-directed mutagenesis and treatment with diethylpyrocarbonate to identify histidine residues responsible for SVCT2 pH sensitivity. We conclude that five histidine residues, His¹⁰⁹, His²⁰³, His²⁰⁶, His²⁶⁹, and His⁴¹³, are central regulators of SVCT2 function, participating to different degrees in modulating pH sensitivity, transporter kinetics, Na⁺ cooperativity, conformational stability, and subcellular localization. Our results are compatible with a model in which (i) a single exofacial histidine residue, His⁴¹³, localized in the exofacial loop IV that connects transmembrane helices VII-VIII defines the pH sensitivity of SVCT2 through a mechanism involving a marked attenuation of the activation by Na⁺ and loss of Na⁺ cooperativity, which leads to a decreased V_max without altering the transport K_m; (ii) exofacial histidine residues His²⁰³, His²⁰⁶, and His⁴¹³ may be involved in maintaining a functional interaction between exofacial loops II and IV and influence the general folding of the transporter; (iii) histidines 203, 206, 269, and 413 affect the transporter kinetics by modulating the apparent transport K_m; and (iv) histidine 109, localized at the center of transmembrane helix I, might be fundamental for the interaction of SVCT2 with the transported substrate ascorbic acid. Thus, histidine residues are central regulators of SVCT2 function.     

Crystal structure and physical properties of the new 2D polymeric compound bis(1,5-diaminotetrazole)dichlorocopper(II)

Two new coordination complexes, Cu(datz)Cl₂ and Cu(datz)₂Cl₂, where datz is 1,5-diaminotetrazole, have been obtained by the reaction of copper(II) chloride with datz. For one of them, Cu(datz)₂Cl₂, the crystal structure, magnetic susceptibility and thermal properties are reported. For the other compound only spectroscopic and thermal properties are presented. In Cu(datz)₂Cl₂ the Cu atoms were found to be octahedrally coordinated. Equatorial positions are occupied by two chloride anions and two tetrazole ligands via their N⁴ donor atoms. Surprisingly, the amino groups at the N¹ atom of the tetrazole ring of nearby molecules are in axial positions. Each copper atom is linked with four others through the datz molecules to form 2D polymeric networks parallel to the yz plane. Magnetic properties of Cu(datz)₂Cl₂ and the data of quantum-chemical calculations of molecular electrostatic potential and energies of hydronation of nitrogen atoms for datz using MP2/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-31G* levels of theory are in agreement with the structural data obtained.     

On the relative stability of tetragonal and trigonal Cu(II) complexes with relevance to the blue copper proteins

 The role of the cysteine thiolate ligand for the unusual copper coordination geometry in the blue copper proteins has been studied by comparing the electronic structure, geometry, and energetics of a number of small Cu(II) complexes. The geometries have been optimised with the density functional B3LYP method, and energies have been calculated by multiconfigurational second-order perturbation theory (the CASPT2 method). Most small inorganic Cu(II) complexes assume a tetragonal geometry, where four ligands make σ bonds to a Cu 3d orbital. If a ligand lone-pair orbital instead forms a π bond to the copper ion, it formally occupies two ligand positions in a square coordination, and the structure becomes trigonal. Large, soft, and polarisable ligands, such as SH^– and SeH^–, give rise to covalent copper-ligand bonds and structures close to a tetrahedron, which might be trigonal or tetragonal with approximately the same stability. On the other hand, small and hard ligands, such as NH₃, OH₂, and OH^–, give ionic bonds and flattened tetragonal structures. It is shown that axial type 1 (blue) copper proteins have a trigonal structure with a π bond to the cysteine sulphur atom, whereas rhombic type 1 and type 2 proteins have a tetragonal structure with σ bonds to all strong ligands. The soft cysteine ligand is essential for the stabilisation of a structure that is close to a tetrahedron (either trigonal or tetragonal), which ensures a low reorganisation energy during electron transfer. Received: 9 July 1997 / 26 November 1997     

Reactivity of ligand-swapped mutants of the SCO protein from Bacillus subtilis. Isomers of the CCH metal binding motif

The Synthesis of Cytochrome Oxidase protein, or SCO protein, is required for the assembly of cytochrome c oxidase in many mitochondrial and bacterial respiratory chains. SCOs have been proposed to deliver copper to the Cu_A site of cytochrome c oxidase. We have reported that Bacillus subtilis SCO (i.e., BsSCO) binds Cu(II) with high-affinity via a two-step process mediated by three conserved residues (i.e., two cysteines and one histidine, or the CCH motif). A remarkable feature in the reaction of reduced (i.e., di-thiol) BsSCO with copper is that it does not generate any of the disulfide form of BsSCO. This molecular aversion is proposed to be a consequence of a binding mechanism in which the initial copper complex of BsSCO does not involve cysteine, but instead involves nitrogen ligands. We test this proposal here by constructing two isomers of BsSCO in which the conserved copper binding residues (i.e., the CCH-motif) are retained, but their positions are altered. In these variants the two cysteines are exchanged with histidine, and both react transiently with copper (II) with distinct kinetic profiles. The reaction generates Cu(I) and the protein is oxidized to its disulfide form. EPR analysis supports a copper binding model in which cysteine, which is at the “histidine position” in the mutant, is part of an initial encounter complex with copper. When cysteine is the initial ligating residue an oxidation reaction ensues. In contrast initial binding to native BsSCO uses nitrogen-based ligands, and thereby avoids the opportunity for thiol oxidation.     

Catechol Oxidase and SOD Mimicking by Copper(II) Complexes of Multihistidine Peptides

Copper(II) complexes of five peptide ligands containing at least three histidine residues have been tested as catalysts in catechol oxidation and superoxide dismutation. All systems exhibit considerable catechol oxidase-like activity, and the Michaelis–Menten enzyme kinetic model is applicable in all cases. Beside the Michaelis–Menten parameters, the effects of pH, catalyst and dioxygen concentration on the reaction rates are also reported. Considering the rather different sequences, the observed oxidase activity seems to be a general behavior of copper(II) complexes with multihistidine peptides. Interestingly, in all cases {N_im/2N_im,2N^?} coordinated complexes are the pre-active species, the bound amide nitrogens were proposed to be an acid/base site for facilitating substrate binding. The studied copper(II)-peptide complexes are also able to effectively dismutate superoxide radical in the neutral pH range.     

[Cu4(H2O)4(dmapox)2(btc)]n · 10nH2O: The first two-dimensional polymeric copper(II) complex with bridging μ-trans-oxamidate and μ4-1,2,4,5-benzentetracarboxylato ligands: Synthesis, crystal structure and DNA binding studies

A two-dimensional copper(II) polymer with formula of [Cu₄(H₂O)₄(dmapox)₂(btc)]_n · 10nH₂O, where dmapox is the dianion of N,N′-bis[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]oxamide and btc is the tetra-anion of 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid, was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurement, IR and electronic spectral studies. The crystal structure of the complex has been determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The structure consists of crystallized water molecules and neutral two-dimensional copper(II) coordination polymeric networks constructed both by the bis-tridentate μ-trans-dmapox and tetra-monodentate μ₄-btc bridging ligands. Each btc ligand links four trans-dmapox-bridged binuclear copper(II) building blocks [Cu₂(H₂O)₂(trans-dmapox)]²⁺ and each binuclear copper(II) building block attaches to two btc ligands forming an infinite 2D layer which consists of 4+4 grids with dimensions of 13.563(5) × 15.616(5) Å. The environment around the copper(II) atom can be described as a distorted square-pyramid and the Cu?Cu separations through μ-trans-dmapox and μ₄-btc bridging ligands are 5.225 Å (Cu1-Cu1ⁱ), 5.270 Å (Cu2-Cu2ⁱⁱ), 6.115 Å (Cu1-Cu2), 9.047 Å (Cu1-Cu2ⁱⁱⁱ) and 10.968 Å (Cu1-Cu1ⁱⁱⁱ), respectively. Abundant hydrogen bonds among the crystallized, the coordinated water molecules, and the uncoordinated carboxyl oxygen atoms cross-link the two-dimensional layers into an overall three-dimensional channel-like framework. The interaction of the copper(II) polymer with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated by using absorption, emission spectral and electrochemical techniques. The results indicate that the copper(II) polymer interacts with DNA strongly (K_b = 4.8 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ and K_sv = 1.1 × 10⁴) and the interaction mode between the copper(II) polymer and DNA may be the groove binding. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about the crystal structure and DNA-binding studies of a two-dimensional copper(II) polymer bridged both by the trans-oxamidate and btc ligands.     

Chiral 2-pyridyl alcoholate copper complexes: crystal structures of [bis(2-pyridyl alcoholate)copper(II)] and the use of [(2-pyridyl alcoholate)copper(II)]and [(2-pyridyl alcoholate)copper(I)] in asymmetric cyclopropanation of styene and allylic oxidation of cyclohexene

Chiral N,O pyridine alcohols HL¹-HL⁶ were used to form complexes with copper(II) ions. Ligands HL¹ and HL² formed complexes with copper(II) ions when Cu(OAc)₂ and HL were refluxed in methanol/ethanol mixture. Ligand HL³ formed a complex with copper(II) when deprotonated with NaH and stirred in a Cu(II) acetate THF solution. Ligands HL⁴-HL⁶ did not form complexes with copper(II) under similar conditions. Two complexes, [Cu(L¹)₂] and [Cu(L²)₂], were isolated as single crystals and characterized by X-ray crystallography. These complexes showed low catalytic activities in asymmetric reactions. However, they became active when reacted with triflic acid. Copper complexes, [Cu(L)] or [Cu(L)]⁺, formed in situ by reacting ligands HL with copper(I) or (II) ions, respectively, were also found to be active copper catalysts for asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrene with ethyl diazoacetate and allylic oxidation of cyclohexene with t-butylperoxybenzoate. Enantioselectivities up to 56% and 38% were obtained in asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrene and asymmetric allylic oxidation of cyclohexene, respectively.     

Two macrocyclic pentaaza compounds containing pyridine evaluated as novel chelating agents in copper(II) and nickel(II) overload

Two pentaaza macrocycles containing pyridine in the backbone, namely 3,6,9,12,18-pentaazabicyclo[12.3.1]octadeca-1(18),14,16-triene ([15]pyN₅), and 3,6,10,13,19-pentaazabicyclo[13.3.1]nonadeca-1(19),15,17-triene ([16]pyN₅), were synthesized in good yields. The acid-base behaviour of these compounds was studied by potentiometry at 298.2 K in aqueous solution and ionic strength 0.10 M in KNO₃. The protonation sequence of [15]pyN₅ was investigated by ¹H NMR titration that also allowed the determination of protonation constants in D₂O. Binding studies of the two ligands with Ca²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ metal ions were performed under the same experimental conditions. The results showed that all the complexes formed with the 15-membered ligand, particularly those of Cu²⁺ and especially Ni²⁺, are thermodynamically more stable than with the larger macrocycle. Cyclic voltammetric data showed that the copper(II) complexes of the two macrocycles exhibited analogous behaviour, with a single quasi-reversible one-electron transfer reduction process assigned to the Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple. The UV-visible-near IR spectroscopic and magnetic moment data of the nickel(II) complexes in solution indicated a tetragonal distorted coordination geometry for the metal centre. X-band EPR spectra of the copper(II) complexes are consistent with distorted square pyramidal geometries. The crystal structure of [Cu([15]pyN₅)]²⁺ determined by X-ray diffraction showed the copper(II) centre coordinated to all five macrocyclic nitrogen donors in a distorted square pyramidal environment.     

An analogous ligand of blue copper active sites : synthesis, electron spin resonance characteristics of its copper(II) complex, and role of proline residue.

In order to clarify a role of the proline residue at near cysteine and histidine positions of plastocyanin and azurin, N-mercaptoacetylglycyl-L-prolyl-L-histidine has been synthesized as an analogous ligand of blue copper sites and the spectroscopic properties of its Cu(II) complex compared with those of the N-mercaptoacetylglycylglycyl-L-histidine-Cu(II) complex. In the present tetrapeptide-Cu(II) complexes, the exchange of the glycine of the third position by the proline residue effects a red shift(80 nm) of the visible absorption and a decrease (192→75×10^?4cm^?1) of the copper hyperfine splitting. The introduction of proline residue induces a change of the complex geometry from D_4h to T_d symmetries.     

Copper(II) complexes of Neobelliera Bullata Trypsin Modulating Oostatic Factor and its analogues

The stoichiometry, stability constants and solution structure of the complexes formed in the reaction of copper(II) with hexapeptide NPTNLH, i.e. the Neobelliera Bullata Trypsin Modulating Oostatic Factor (Neb-TMOF), and its analogues DPTNLH, Ac-NPTNLH and Ac-DPTNLH have been determined by potentiometric, UV-visible, CD and EPR spectroscopic methods. Upon raising pH for Ac-NPTNLH and Ac-DPTNLH peptides, copper(II) coordination starts from the imidazole nitrogen of the His⁶; afterwards three deprotonated amide nitrogens are progressively involved in metal ions coordination. In a wide pH range of 4.5-8.5 for the NPTNLH and DPTNLH ligands the CuL complex dominates with the imidazole nitrogen of His⁶ coordinated to form a macrochelate. The N-terminal amino group of the NPTNLH and DPTNLH peptides takes part in the coordination of the metal ion in the CuL, CuH₋₁L and CuH₋₂L complexes. However, at pH above 9 the CuH₋₃L complex with the {N_Im, 3N⁻} coordination mode is formed. For the CuH₋₂L complex the spectroscopic data clearly indicate the 4N {NH₂, CO or COO⁻, 2N⁻, N_Im} bonding mode with the axial coordination of the N-terminal amine group to the metal ion.     

Potentiometric and spectroscopic studies on the solution molecular structures of copper(II)-[S]-2-[N-(2′-hydroxybenzyl)aminomethyl]pyrrolidine complexes, potential non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the complexes formed by copper(II) with potential non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) under physiological conditions. A former study suggested that 2-benzylaminomethylpyrrolidine ligands could be good candidates as potential OIL (OH-inactivating ligand) when complexed to copper(II). In order to assess the chemical behavior as OIL, [S]-2-[N-(2′-hydroxybenzyl)aminomethyl]pyrrolidine (OHbamp) was synthesized and bound to copper(II). Physico-chemical properties were determined at 37 °C in 0.15 M NaCl using glass electrode potentiometry, UV-Vis and circular dichroism spectroscopies, before and after copper(II) complexation. [Cu(OHbamp)(H₂O)₃]⁺ was the main complex found at both physiological and inflammatory pH values, showing appreciable stability at pathological pH compared to copper(II) complexes of histidine, the predominant low-molar-mass ligand of copper(II) in blood plasma. However, neutral species such as [Cu(OHbamp)₂(H₂O)₂] and [Cu(OHbamp)(OH)(H₂O)₃] are predominant only above pH 8, preventing a significant amount of drug from diffusing through membranes at inflammatory pH. In conclusion, copper(II)-OHbamp system does not meet all the requirements to be an OIL. Nevertheless, these results allow us to better identify the chemical features needed for a good OIL candidate.     

Spinach plastocyanin: Comparison of reduced and oxidized forms by natural abundance carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Differences between the reduced Cu(I) and oxidized Cu(II) forms of spinach plastocyanin were investigated by natural abundance carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 67.9 MHz using proton noise decoupling. The spectra confirm that histidines 38 and 91 are copper ligands and demonstrate that coordination is by the N^o1 of both imidazole rings. Spectra of reduced plastocyanin yielded 128 separately resolved carbon resonances. Upon oxidation, 16 of these were observed to disappear; yet there was little change in the positions or intensities of other peaks. Those peaks which disappear are assigned to carbons near the metal. The protein evidently does not undergo a substantial change in conformation upon change of redox state.     

Interaction between poly(L-lysine48, L-histidine52) and DNA.

Poly(Lys⁴⁸, His⁵²), a random copolypeptide of L -lysine (48%) and L -histidine (52%), was used as a model protein for investigating the effects of protonation on the imidazole group of histidines on protein binding to DNA. The complexes formed between poly(Lys⁴⁸, His⁵²) and DNA were examined using absorbance, circular dichroism (CD), and thermal denaturation. Although increasing pH reduces the charges on histidine side chains in the model protein, the protein still binds the DNA with approximately one positive charge per negative charge in protein-bound regions. Nevertheless, CD and melting properties of poly(Lys⁴⁸, His⁵²)-DNA complexes still depend upon the solution pH which determines the protonation state of imidazole group of histidine side chains. At pH 7.0, the complexes show two characteristic melting bands with a t_m (46–51°C) for free base pairs and a t′_m (94°C) for protein-bound base pairs. The t′_m of the complexes is reduced to 90°C at pH 9.2, although at this pH there is still one lysine per phosphate in protein-bound regions. Presumably, the presence of deprotonated histidine residues destabilizes the native structure of protein-bound DNA. The binding of this model protein to DNA causes a red shift of the crossover point and both a red shift and a reduction of the positive CD band of DNA near 275 nm. This phenomenon is similar to that caused by polylysine binding. These effects, however, are greatly diminished when histidine side chains in the model protein are deprotonated. The structure of already formed poly(Lys⁴⁸, His⁵²)·DNA complexes can be perturbed by changing the solution pH. However, the results suggest a readjustment of the complex to accommodate charge interactions rather than a full dissociation of the complex followed by reassociation between the model protein and DNA.     

Synthesis, characterization and coordination chemistry of dibenzofuran derivatives of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane

A 1,4-disubstituted dibenzofuran derivative of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (cyclen), L1, has been prepared by the direct reaction of cyclen and chloroacetyldibenzofuran and the mono-substituted derivative, L2, by reaction of chloroacetyldibenzofuran and 1,4,7-tris(t-butoxycarbonyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane followed by deprotection with trifluoroacetic acid. The ligands were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The reaction of the 1,4-disubstituted dibenzofuran cyclen, L1, with Cu(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O in methanol yielded crystals of [CuL1](ClO₄)₂·MeOH·1/2H₂O that were suitable for single crystal structural analysis. The X-ray structure confirmed that the 1,4-disubstituted dibenzofuran cyclen had been formed. The copper(II) coordination sphere in the complex cation, [CuL1]²⁺, is occupied by four nitrogen atoms from the macrocycle and an amide oxygen donor from one dibenzofuran pendant group. As is typical for copper(II)-cyclen complexes, the Cu(II) centre sits above the plane of the macrocycle nitrogen towards the oxygen donor, in this case by 0.5 Å. Fluorescence emission studies indicate that coordination of the macrocycle to either copper(II) or zinc(II) results in a decrease in emission with respect to the emission of the pure ligand.     

Crystallization of Thermus thermophilus histidyl-tRNA synthetase and Its complex with tRNAHis

Histidyl-tRNA synthetase (HisRS) has been purified from the extreme thermophile Thermus thermophilus. The protein has been crystallized separately with histidine and with its cognate tRNA^His. Both crystals have been obtained using the vapor diffusion method with ammonium sulphate as precipitant. The crystals of HisRS with histidine belong to the spacegroup P2₁2₁2 with cell parameters a = 171.3 Å, b = 214.7 Å, c = 49.3 Å, α = β = γ = 90°. A complete data set to a resolution of 2.7Å with an R_merge on intensities of 4.1% has been collected on a single frozen crystal. A partial data set collected on a crystal of HisRS in complex with tRNA_His shows that the crystals are tetragonal with cell parameters a = b = 232 Å, c = 559 Å, α = β = γ = 90° and diffract to about 4.5 Å resolution. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Structure, solution equilibria and magnetic properties of copper(II) complexes with new sulfurated triazoline derivatives of α-amino acids

Two new sulfurated triazoline ligands have been synthesized by functionalization of glycine and l-alanine (HL¹ and HL², respectively) at the carboxylate site with retention of chirality in the latter case. The ligands and their copper(II) complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic methods and their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. The compound [Cu(H₂L²)₂](H₅O₂)(SO₄)₂(HSO₄) presents a very disordered structure with regard to the anionic counterion and a very unusual elongated crystal cell. In all the complexes the ligands are (N,S) coordinated to copper(II), while the amino groups remain protonated and uncoordinated. The ligands have also been studied in solution and their dissociation constants were determined both by potentiometry and ¹H NMR titrations. Potentiometric studies on the complex [Cu(H₂L²)₂](H₅O₂)(SO₄)₂(HSO₄) were performed to determine the dissociation constants of the ligand once coordinated to the metal. The complex [CuCl₂(H₂L¹)]Cl was studied also by magnetic susceptibility measurements, showing an interesting antiferromagnetic behavior at low temperature which has been interpreted on the basis of its crystal packing.     

Crystal and molecular structure of [N,N′-ethylenebis(methyl-2-amino-1-cyclopentenedithiocarboxylato)]copper(II): A quantitative relationship between tetrahedral distortion and redox potentials in copper N2S2 compounds and the relevance to type I copper(II) centers

The crystal and molecular structure of the copper(II) complex of the N₂S₂ tetradentate ligand, ethylenebis(methyl-2-amino-1-cyclopentenedithiocarboxylate), was solved at room temperature by a single crystal x-ray diffraction study. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a = 7.739(1) Å, b = 13.893(2) Å, c = 17.096(3) Å, V = 1838(1) ų, ?_observed = 1.56 g cm^?3 and ?_calculated = 1.57 g cm^?3 for a molecular weight of 434.2, and Z = 4. Diffraction data were collected with a Syntex P$\text{1}$ diffractometer using graphite-monochromatized Cu (λ = 1.5418 Å) radiation. The heavy atoms were located from a Patterson synthesis; all other nonhydrogen atoms were located using difference Fourier techniques, and hydrogen atoms were placed in calculated positions. Final refinement resulted in discrepancy indices of R = 0.067 and goodness of fit of 2.92 for all 995 reflections (5° < 2θ < 100°) greater than three times their standard deviation. The molecules are monomeric and well separated. Bond distances in the two ”halvesldquo; of the ligand are sufficiently different to suggest that different resonance structures exist in each portion. This agrees with the rhombic symmetry displayed by the frozen glass esr spectrum of the compound (_xx ≠ g_yy). The dihedral angle between the planes defined by the CuN₂ and CuS₂ planes is 20.0°, indicating a rather distorted inner coordination sphere. The copper(II)-copper(I) reduction potentials found for this compound and the trimethylene and tetramethylene analogs were determined to be ?1.01, ?0.79, and ?0.64 V respectively. A quantitative relationship between tetrahedral distortion and redox potentials is obtained, and these results are discussed in terms of ”blueldquo; copper(II) sites in proteins. Trends in CuS and CuN bonding patterns in the same three compounds are discussed with regard to the short CuS (cys) bond distance in plastocyani Finally, a brief discussion of the optical spectra of these three compounds, their variation, and their significance with respect to tetrahedral symmetry in copper(II) protein sites is presented.     

A new structural type for a binuclear chloride-bridged copper(II) complex. Structural and magnetic characterization of di-μ-chloro-chloropentakis(benzimidazole) dicopper(II) monochloride tetrahydrate, [Cu2Cl3(C7H6N2)5]Cl·4H2O

The synthesis, crystal structure determination and magnetic properties of a new five-coordinated unsymmetrical copper(II) dinuclear complex [Cu₂Cl₃(C₇H₆N₂)₅]Cl·4H₂O are reported. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group Pnma with 4 formula units in a cell of dimensions: a = 19.506(3), b = 17.384(4), C = 11.940(2) Å. The structure was solved by direct methods. Least-squares refinement using 2138 independent reflections with I3σ(I) has led to a final value of the conventional R factor (on F) of 0.047 and R_w of 0.049. The complex cation consists of pairs of deformed trigonal-bipyramidal copper(II) centers which share an edge by two equatorial chloride ions. The equatorial coordination sites of the Cu(1) atom are occupied by three chloride ligands, while of the Cu(2) atom by two chloride and one benzimidazole ligands. The axial sites are occupied by the nitrogen atoms from four benzimidazole ligands. The Cu atoms and equatorial ligands are located on the symmetry plane. The Cu---Cu non-bonding distance in the complex is 3.386(1) Å; the two shorter bridging Cu(1)---Cl(1) and Cu(2)---Cl(1) distances are 2.402(2) and 2.424(2) Å; the two longer Cu(1)---Cl(2) and Cu(2)---Cl(2) are 2.620(2) and 2.551(2) Å. The Cu(1)---Cl(1)---Cu(2) and Cu(1)---Cl(2)---Cu(2) angles are 89.1(1) and 81.8(1)°. The structure is the first example of a bibridged binuclear complex with two non-equivalent Cu---Cl---Cu bridges. Comparison to other binuclear bis(μ-halide)-bridged copper complexes of similar structure has been made. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate ferromagnetic coupling of the copper(II) centers, the intramolecular exchange parameter, 2J, being 5.6 cm⁻¹ and the intermolecular one J′ = −0.6 cm⁻¹. The investigation of the electronic structure of the complex and the orbital interpretation of the magnetic coupling based on extended Hückel molecular orbital calculations are also presented.     

Copper-ligand interactions and physiological free radical processes. Part 3. Influence of histidine,salicylic acid and anthranilic acid on copper-driven Fenton chemistry In Vitro

With a view to the possible use of copper(II)-^·OH inactivating ligand (OIL) complexes as regulators of inflammation, the reactivity of the copper(II)-ascorbate system with hydrogen peroxide has been investigated in the presence of three key substances: histidine (the main copper(II) low molecular mass ligand in extracellular fluid), salicylic acid (the well-known non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug, previously shown to be potentiated by copper(II) in animal models of inflammation), and anthranilic acid (an inactive substance by itself, known to be activated by copper(II) in the same models) at physiological pH (7.4) and inflammatory pH (5.5).

Such substances may affect the amount of TBARS detected in solution following copper-mediated Fenton-like reactions through three distinct mechanisms: (i) by decreasing the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox potential, i.e. at the expense of ^·OH radical production, (ii) by scavenging ^·OH radicals in the body of the solution, and/or (iii) by acting as a true OIL, i.e. at the expense of ^·OH detection. Redox potential measurements of initial solutions have been performed in parallel to TBARS determinations to help discriminate between different ligand influences. Computer-aided speciation has been used to understand the role of copper(II) distribution on the ligand effects characterised.

Contrary to previous interpretations, histidine has been found to mainly affect ^·OH production by lowering the redox potential of the Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple. Salicylate, which has no effect on ^·OH production, has been confirmed to mainly scavenge ^·OH radicals in the body of the solution. Anthranilate, which both increases ^·OH production and decreases ^·OH detection, behaves as a potential OIL.

These results tend to confirm our previous hypothesis that copper potentiation of antiinflammatory substances is indirect, i.e. independent of any interaction between metal and drug, whereas copper activation of substances that are inactive by themselves results from specific metal-substance interactions taking place at inflammatory sites.