Mn porphyrin-based superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimic, MnIIITE-2-PyP5+, targets mouse heart mitochondria

The Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(N-ethylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin, MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ (AEOL-10113) has proven effective in treating oxidative stress-induced conditions including cancer, radiation damage, diabetes, and central nervous system trauma. The ortho cationic pyridyl nitrogens of MnTE-2-PyP5+ are essential for its high antioxidant potency. The exceptional ability of MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ to dismute O2.- parallels its ability to reduce ONOO- and CO3-. Decreasing levels of these species are considered its predominant mode of action, which may also involve redox regulation of signaling pathways. Recently, Ferrer-Sueta at al. (Free Radic. Biol. Med. 41:503-512; 2006) showed, with submitochondrial particles, that>or=3 microM MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ was able to protect components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain from peroxynitrite-mediated damage. Our study complements their data in showing, for the first time that micromolar mitochondrial concentrations of MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ are obtainable in vivo. For this study we have developed a new and sensitive method for MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ determination in tissues. The method is based on the exchange of porphyrin Mn2+ with Zn2+, followed by the HPLC/fluorescence detection of ZnIITE-2-PyP4+. At 4 and 7 h after a single 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of MnIIITE-2-PyP5+, the mice (8 in total) were anesthetized and perfused with saline. Mitochondria were then isolated by the method of Mela and Seitz (Methods Enzymol.55:39-46; 1979). We found MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ localized in heart mitochondria to 2.95 ng/mg protein. Given the average value of mitochondrial volume of 0.6 microL/mg protein, the calculated MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ concentration is 5.1 microM, which is sufficient to protect mitochondria from oxidative damage. This study establishes, for the first time, that MnIIITE-2-PyP5+, a highly charged metalloporphyrin, is capable of entering mitochondria in vivo at levels sufficient to exert there its antioxidant action; such a result encourages its development as a prospective therapeutic agent.     

Cationic porphyrins bearing diazolium rings: synthesis and their interaction with calf thymus DNA

Two novel cationic porphyrins bearing five-membered rings at the meso-positions, meso-tetrakis(1,3-dimethylimidazolium-2-yl)porphyrin (H2TDMImP) and meso-tetrakis(1,2-dimethylpyrazolium-4-yl)porphyrin (H2TDMPzP), have been synthesized. These two compounds interact with calf thymus DNA (CTDNA) in different binding modes from that of mesotetrakis(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin (H2TMPyP). H2TDMImP outside binds to the minor groove of CTDNA while H2TDMPzP intercalates into CTDNA. These two novel cationic porphyrins strongly bind to CTDNA even at high ionic strength and the binding constant of H2TDMPzP to CTDNA is comparable to that of H2TMPyP. The binding of H2TDMImP to CTDNA is enthalpically driven. The favorable free energy changes in binding of H2TDMPzP to CTDNA come from the large negative enthalpy changes accompanied by small positive entropy changes.     

Interaction of metallopyrazoliumylporphyrins with calf thymus DNA.

The interaction of transition metal complexes of cationic porphyrins bearing five membered rings, meso-tetrakis(1,2-dimethylpyrazolium-4-yl)porphyrin (MPzP, M=Mn(III), Ni(II), Cu(II) or Zn(II)), with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) has been studied. Metalloporphyrins NiPzP and CuPzP are intercalated into the 5'GC3' step of ctDNA. MnPzP is bound edge-on at the 5'TA3' step of the minor groove of ctDNA, while ZnPzP is bound face-on at the 5'TA3' step of the major groove of ctDNA. The binding constants of the metalloporphyrins to ctDNA range from 1.05x10(5) to 2.66x10(6) M(-1) and are comparable to those of other reported cationic porphyrins. The binding process of the metallopyrazoliumylporphyrins to ctDNA is endothermic and entropically driven. These results have revealed that the kind of central metal ions of metalloporphyrins influences the binding characteristics of the porphyrin to DNA.     

Highly efficient controllable oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and acids with sodium periodate catalyzed by water-soluble metalloporphyrins as biomimetic catalyst

Highly efficient controllable oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes or acids by sodium periodate in the presence of water-soluble manganese porphyrins (meso-tetrakis(N-ethylpyridinium-4-yl)manganese porphyrin, MnTEPyP) with different reaction media has been reported. The manganese porphyrin showed excellent activity for the controllable oxidation of various alcohols under mild conditions. Moreover, different factors influencing alcohol oxidation, for example, oxidant, catalyst amount, temperature, and solvent, have been investigated. A plausible mechanism for the controllable oxidation of alcohol has been proposed.     

Synthesis and in vitro antioxidant properties of manganese(III) beta-octabromo-meso-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin

Manganese(III) meso-tetrakis(4-carboxypheny)porphyrin (MnTBAP) is a readily available and widely used agent to scavenge reactive oxygen species. A major limitation of MnTBAP is its relatively weak potency due to its low metal centered redox potential. The goal of these studies was to prepare a more potent analog of MnTBAP by increasing its redox potential through beta-substitution on the porphyrin ring by bromination. Manganese(III) beta-octabromo-meso-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (MnBr(8)TBAP) was prepared in three steps starting from the methyl ester of the free ligand meso-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin, with an overall yield of 50%. The superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of MnBr(8)TBAP (IC(50)=0.7 microM) was the same as manganese(III) meso-tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin (MnTM-4-PyP(5+)), while the metal-centered redox potential of the first was considerably higher than the second (E(1/2)=+128 and 0 mV vs. normal hydrogen electrode, respectively). However, a number of these cationic Mn-porphyrins (such as MnTM-4-PyP(5+)) redox-cycle with cytochrome P450 reductase in the presence of oxygen and NADPH whereas MnTBAP and its halogenated analog, MnBr(8)TBAP do not. The enhanced ability of MnBr(8)TBAP to inhibit paraquat- and hypoxia-induced injuries in vitro is also reported. In these in vitro models, in which cationic Mn-porphyrins exhibit very low activity, MnBr(8)TBAP appears to be at least eightfold more active than the non-brominated analog MnTBAP.     

Impact of electrostatics in redox modulation of oxidative stress by Mn porphyrins: protection of SOD-deficient Escherichia coli via alternative mechanism where Mn porphyrin acts as a Mn carrier

Understanding the factors that determine the ability of Mn porphyrins to scavenge reactive species is essential for tuning their in vivo efficacy. We present herein the revised structure-activity relationships accounting for the critical importance of electrostatics in the Mn porphyrin-based redox modulation systems and show that the design of effective SOD mimics (per se) based on anionic porphyrins is greatly hindered by inappropriate electrostatics. A new strategy for the beta-octabromination of the prototypical anionic Mn porphyrins Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(p-carboxylatophenyl)porphyrin ([Mn(III)TCPP](3-) or MnTBAP(3-)) and Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(p-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin ([Mn(III)TSPP](3-)), to yield the corresponding anionic analogues [Mn(III)Br(8)TCPP](3-) and [Mn(III)Br(8)TSPP](3-), respectively, is described along with characterization data, stability studies, and their ability to substitute for SOD in SOD-deficient Escherichia coli. Despite the Mn(III)/Mn(II) reduction potential of [Mn(III)Br(8)TCPP](3-) and [Mn(III)Br(8)TSPP](3-) being close to the SOD-enzyme optimum and nearly identical to that of the cationic Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin (Mn(III)TM-2-PyP(5+)), the SOD activity of both anionic brominated porphyrins ([Mn(III)Br(8)TCPP](3-), E(1/2)=+213 mV vs NHE, log k(cat)=5.07; [Mn(III)Br(8)TSPP](3-), E(1/2)=+209 mV, log k(cat)=5.56) is considerably lower than that of Mn(III)TM-2-PyP(5+) (E(1/2)=+220 mV, log k(cat)=7.79). This illustrates the impact of electrostatic guidance of O(2)(-) toward the metal center of the mimic. With low k(cat), the [Mn(III)TCPP](3-), [Mn(III)TSPP](3-), and [Mn(III)Br(8)TCPP](3-) did not rescue SOD-deficient E. coli. The striking ability of [Mn(III)Br(8)TSPP](3-) to substitute for the SOD enzymes in the E. coli model does not correlate with its log k(cat). In fact, the protectiveness of [Mn(III)Br(8)TSPP](3-) is comparable to or better than that of the potent SOD mimic Mn(III)TM-2-PyP(5+), even though the dismutation rate constant of the anionic complex is 170-fold smaller. Analyses of the medium and E. coli cell extract revealed that the major species in the [Mn(III)Br(8)TSPP](3-) system is not the Mn complex, but the free-base porphyrin [H(2)Br(8)TSPP](4-) instead. Control experiments with extracellular MnCl(2) showed the lack of E. coli protection, indicating that "free" Mn(2+) cannot enter the cell to a significant extent. We proposed herein the alternative mechanism where a labile Mn porphyrin [Mn(III)Br(8)TSPP](3-) is not an SOD mimic per se but carries Mn into the E. coli cell.     

Phosphate group effects upon the equilibrium of iron(III) meso-tetrakis (4-N-methylpyridiniumyl) porphyrin in aqueous solution

Iron(III) meso-tetrakis (4-N-methylpyridiniumyl) porphyrin (FeTMPyP) undergoes a complex equilibrium in aqueous solution as a function of pH. Use of phosphate buffers, a common practice in biomedical applications of porphyrins, suggests the complexation of phosphate anion at the sixth coordination position to the iron, which contributes to the complexity of the equilibrium in the pH range from 1 to 4. In the absence of phosphate the equilibrium is simplified in a similar way as in the presence of high salt concentrations. Combined use of optical absorption, (1)H NMR and infrared spectroscopies, together with the literature data, suggest the formation of hexacoordinated monoaqueous-phosphate FeTMPyP complex in a limited acidic pH range. Discussion of the behavior of cationic FeTMPyP as compared to anionic iron(III) meso-tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (FeTPPS(4)) is presented in regard to equilibrium of different species to explain the observed complex equilibrium.     

Reduction of manganese porphyrins by flavoenzymes and submitochondrial particles: a catalytic cycle for the reduction of peroxynitrite

The reduction of manganese(III) meso-tetrakis((N-ethyl)pyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin (MnTE-2-PyP) to manganese(II) was catalyzed by flavoenzymes such as xanthine oxidase and glucose oxidase, and by Complex I and Complex II of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. The reduced manganese porphyrin has been previously shown to react rapidly with superoxide and carbonate radical anion. Herein, we describe the reaction of a reduced manganese porphyrin with peroxynitrite that proceeds as a two-electron process, has a rate constant greater than 7 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) (at pH 7.25 and 37 degrees C), and produces nitrite and the Mn(IV)Porphyrin. The Mn(II)/Mn(IV) redox cycle was used to divert peroxynitrite from the inactivation of succinate dehydrogenase. In a typical experiment, 5 microM MnTE-2-PyP in the presence of excess succinate was able to protect the succinate dehydrogenase and succinate oxidase activities of submitochondrial particles challenged with a cumulative dose of 140 microM peroxynitrite infused in the course of 2 h. Other MnPorphyrins that are reduced more slowly do not provide as much protection underscoring the rate limiting character of the reduction step. The data presented here serve to rationalize the pharmacological action of MnPorphyrins as peroxynitrite reduction catalysts in vivo and opens avenues for the development of MnPorphyrins to protect mitochondria from oxidative damage.     

A new SOD mimic, Mn(III) ortho N-butoxyethylpyridylporphyrin, combines superb potency and lipophilicity with low toxicity

The Mn porphyrins of k(cat)(O(2)(.-)) as high as that of a superoxide dismutase enzyme and of optimized lipophilicity have already been synthesized. Their exceptional in vivo potency is at least in part due to their ability to mimic the site and location of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase, MnSOD. MnTnHex-2-PyP(5+) is the most studied among lipophilic Mn porphyrins. It is of remarkable efficacy in animal models of oxidative stress injuries and particularly in central nervous system diseases. However, when used at high single and multiple doses it becomes toxic. The toxicity of MnTnHex-2-PyP(5+) has been in part attributed to its micellar properties, i.e., the presence of polar cationic nitrogens and hydrophobic alkyl chains. The replacement of a CH(2) group by an oxygen atom in each of the four alkyl chains was meant to disrupt the porphyrin micellar character. When such modification occurs at the end of long alkyl chains, the oxygens become heavily solvated, which leads to a significant drop in the lipophilicity of porphyrin. However, when the oxygen atoms are buried deeper within the long heptyl chains, their excessive solvation is precluded and the lipophilicity preserved. The presence of oxygens and the high lipophilicity bestow the exceptional chemical and physical properties to Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(N-n-butoxyethylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP(5+). The high SOD-like activity is preserved and even enhanced: log k(cat)(O(2)(.-))=7.83 vs 7.48 and 7.65 for MnTnHex-2-PyP(5+) and MnTnHep-2-PyP(5+), respectively. MnTnBuOE-2-PyP(5+) was tested in an O(2)(.-) -specific in vivo assay, aerobic growth of SOD-deficient yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where it was fully protective in the range of 5-30 μM. MnTnHep-2-PyP(5+) was already toxic at 5 μM, and MnTnHex-2-PyP(5+) became toxic at 30 μM. In a mouse toxicity study, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP(5+) was several-fold less toxic than either MnTnHex-2-PyP(5+) or MnTnHep-2-PyP(5+).     

Electrostatic contribution in the catalysis of O2*- dismutation by superoxide dismutase mimics. MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ versus MnIIIBr8T-2-PyP+

The Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(N-ethylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin (Mn(III)TE-2-PyP(5+)) is a potent superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimic in vitro and was beneficial in rodent models of oxidative stress pathologies. Its high activity has been ascribed to both the favorable redox potential of its metal center and to the electrostatic facilitation assured by the four positive charges encircling the metal center. Its comparison with the non-alkylated, singly charged analogue Mn(III) beta-octabromo meso-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)porphyrin (Mn(III)Br(8)T-2-PyP(+)) enabled us to evaluate the electrostatic contribution to the catalysis of O(2)() dismutation. Both compounds exhibit nearly identical metal-centered redox potential for Mn(III)/Mn(II) redox couple: +228 mV for Mn(III)TE-2-PyP(5+) and +219 mV versus NHE for Mn(III)Br(8)T-2-PyP(+). The eight electron-withdrawing beta pyrrolic bromines contribute equally to the redox properties of the parent Mn(III)T-2-PyP(+) as do four quaternized cationic meso ortho pyridyl nitrogens. However, the SOD-like activity of the highly charged Mn(III)TE-2-PyP(5+) is >100-fold higher (log k(cat) = 7.76) than that of the singly charged Mn(III)Br(8)T-2-PyP(+) (log k(cat) = 5.63). The kinetic salt effect showed that the catalytic rate constants of the Mn(III)TE-2-PyP(5+) and of its methyl analogue, Mn(III)TM-2-PyP(5+), are exactly 5-fold more sensitive to ionic strength than is the k(cat) of Mn(III)Br(8)T-2-PyP(+), which parallels the charge ratio of these compounds. Interestingly, only a small effect of ionic strength on the rate constant was found in the case of penta-charged para (Mn(III)TM-4-PyP(5+)) and meta isomers (Mn(III)TM-3-PyP(5+)), indicating that the placement of the positive charges in the close proximity of the metal center (ortho position) is essential for the electrostatic facilitation of O(2)() dismutation.     

Biomimetic degradation of lignin and lignin model compounds by synthetic anionic and cationic water soluble manganese and iron porphyrins.

The biomimetic oxidation of 5-5' condensed and diphenylmethane lignin model compounds with several water soluble anionic and cationic iron and manganese porphyrins in the presence of hydrogen peroxide is reported. The oxidative efficiency of manganese and iron meso-tetra(2,6-dichloro-3-sulphonatophenyl) porphyrin chloride (TDCSPPMnCl and TDCSPPFeCl, respectively), meso-tetra-3-sulphonatophenyl porphyrin chloride (TSPPMnCl) and manganese meso-tetra(N-methylpyridinio)porphyrin pentaacetate (TPyMePMn(CH3COO)5) was compared on the basis of the oxidation extent of the models tested. Manganese porphyrins were found more effective in degrading lignin substructures than iron ones. Among them the cationic TPyMePMn (CH3COO)5, never used before in lignin oxidation, showed to be the best catalyst. The catalytic activity of porphyrins in hydrogen peroxide oxidation of residual kraft lignin was also investigated. The use of quantitative 31P NMR allowed the focusing on the occurrence of different degradative pathways depending on the catalyst used. TPyMePMn(CH3COO)5 was able to perform the most extensive degradation of the lignin structure, as demonstrated by the decrease of aliphatic hydroxyl groups and carboxylic acids. Noteworthy, no significant condensation reactions occurred during manganese porphyrins catalyzed oxidations of residual kraft lignin, while in the presence of iron porphyrins a substantial increase of condensed substructures was detected.     

Reactions of manganese porphyrins with peroxynitrite and carbonate radical anion

We have studied the reaction kinetics of ten manganese porphyrins, differing in their meso substituents, with peroxynitrite (ONOO-) and carbonate radical anion (CO3.) using stopped-flow and pulse radiolysis, respectively. Rate constants for the reactions of Mn(III) porphyrins with ONOO- ranged from 1 x 10(5) to 3.4 x 10(7) m(-1) s(-1) and correlated well with previously reported kinetic and thermodynamic data that reflect the resonance and inductive effects of the substituents on the porphyrin ring. Rate constants for the reactions of Mn(III) porphyrins with CO3. ranged from 2 x 10(8) to 1.2 x 10(9) m(-1)s(-1) at pH 相似文献   

The stability of DNA-porphyrin complexes in the presence of Mn(II) ions

The complex formation of porphyrins with DNA leads to changes of stability of DNA. In the present study we investigated binding properties and the thermodynamic parameters of a water-soluble, cationic planar Cu(II)-containing meso-tetrakis(4-N-butyl-pyridiniumyl)porphyrin [CuTButPyP4] and nonplanar Co(II)-containing meso-tetrakis(4-N-butyl-pyridiniumyl)porphyrin [CoButPyP4] with calf thymus DNA in the presence of divalent manganese ions. For displaying the changes of thermodynamic parameters (T_m and ΔT) the melting curves of DNA-porphyrin complexes in the presence of Mn²⁺ ions have been obtained. The enthalpy (ΔH) of helix-coil transition has been also evaluated. It was shown that the binding of ions to DNA proceeds in two stages depending on the manganese/DNA phosphates molar ratio [Mn]/[P]. At the first stage (0.001 < [Mn]/[P] < 1), the interaction of manganese ions with DNA phosphates occurs, causing an additional screening of their negative charge and the stabilization of the double helix. As a result, the best conditions for intercalation of CuTButPyP4 or of peripheral rings of CoButPyP4 occur. The significant increase of T_m, but less changes of ΔT were observed. At the second stage (1 < [Mn]/[P] < 4), the ions interact with both the phosphates and the nitrogen bases of DNA. At this stage, it is possible for the manganese ion to coordinate simultaneously to the oxygen atom of the phosphate and the neighboring base of DNA. At a higher [Mn]/[P] ratio, the destabilization of the double helix begins, and partial breakage of the hydrogen bonds between the nitrogen bases occurs. Respectively the destabilization of DNA in the presence of both porphyrins takes place.     

Chemical properties of water-soluble porphyrins. 5. Reactions of some manganese (III) porphyrins with the superoxide and other reducing radicals

Solution properties of three manganese porphyrins, in monomeric form, were investigated. These were the 'picket-fence-like' porphyrin Mn(III)-alpha,alpha,alpha,beta- tetra-ortho(N-methylisonicotinamidophenyl)porphyrin (Mn(III)PFP) and two 'planar unhindered' porphyrins, the Mn(III)TMPyP (tetrakis (4-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin) and Mn(III)TAP (tetra(4-N,N,N-trimethylanilinium)porphyrin). The porphyrin properties studied were: the absorption spectra in their manganic and manganous forms; acid/base properties of the aquo complexes; the effect of potential axial ligands (up to a concentration of 0.1 mol dm-3) and their one electron reduction potentials. Knowing these properties, the reaction of the Mn(III) porphyrins with the superoxide radical and other reducing radicals were studied using the pulse radiolysis technique. The second-order reaction rate constant of O2- with the Mn(III) porphyrins, which governs the catalytic efficiency of the metalloporphyrins upon the disproportionation of the superoxide radical, was 5.1 X 10(7) to 4.0 X 10(5) dm3 mol-1 s-1, depending on the pH and the nature of the metalloporphyrin. These values are at least one order of magnitude lower than found for Fe(III)TMPyP. One electron reduction of the three Mn(III) porphyrins by eaq-, CO2-, CH2OH and (CH3)2COH had similar second-order rate constants (10(9)-10(10) dm3 mol-1 s-1). That for (CH3)2(CH2)COH was about 10(5) dm3 mol-1 s-1. Reduction in all cases produced the corresponding Mn(II) porphyrin and no intermediate was found. The oxidation reaction of the Mn(II) porphyrins by O2- was approximately two orders of magnitude faster when compared to the reduction of Mn(III) porphyrins with the same radical. Since the reactivities of O2- towards the three manganese (III) compounds follow their reduction potentials, it is suggested that these reactions are governed by an outer-sphere mechanism. This suggestion is corroborated by the finding that water molecules acting as axial ligands, in these aqueous solution systems, are not replaced by another potential ligand when the latter is in the concentration range of 100 mM or less.     

Synthesis and spectroelectrochemistry of N-cobaltacarborane porphyrin conjugates

N-Substituted porphyrins are well-known for the distortion they exhibit of the porphyrin plane through the sp(3) hybridization of one of the pyrrolenic units. They have served as model compounds in investigations of many biochemical processes. In this paper, we developed an efficient route to N-substituted porphyrins, and report the synthesis of a series of new N-substituted cobaltacarborane-porphyrins containing one or two cobaltabisdicarbollide anions linked by (CH(2)CH(2)O)(2) chains to either the core porphyrin nitrogens or to a meso-aminophenyl group. These conjugates show different degrees of distortion of the porphyrin macrocycle, which affect their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties. In particular, the core N-substituted conjugates show significant fluorescence quenching in comparison with the noncore substituted macrocycles. The X-ray structures of two targeted core N-cobaltacarborane porphyrin conjugates are presented. The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of these porphyrin conjugates were investigated; while the peripheral N-substituted cobaltacarboranylporphyrins undergo three reversible reductions and three reversible oxidations (two attributed to the porphyrin and one to the Co(III) cluster), the core N-substituted porphyrins exhibit complicated electrochemical behavior with coupled chemical reactions.     

Interaction of cationic porphyrins with DNA: importance of the number and position of the charges and minimum structural requirements for intercalation

Thirty-three porphyrins or metalloporphyrins corresponding to the general formula [meso-[N-methyl-4(or 3 or 2)-pyridiniumyl]n(aryl)4-nporphyrin]M (M = H2, CuII, or ClFeIII), with n = 2-4, have been synthesized and characterized by UV-visible and 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. These porphyrins differ not only in the number (2-4) and position of their cationic charges but also in the steric requirements to reach even temporarily a completely planar geometry. In particular, they contain 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 meso-aryl substituents not able to rotate. Interaction of these porphyrins or metalloporphyrins with calf thymus DNA has been studied and their apparent affinity binding constants have been determined by use of a competition method with ethidium bromide which was applicable not only for all the free base porphyrins but also for their copper(II) or iron(III) complexes. Whatever their mode of binding may be, their apparent affinity binding constants were relatively high (Kapp between 1.2 x 10(7) and 5 x 10(4) M-1 under our conditions), and a linear decrease of log Kapp with the number of porphyrin charges was observed. Studies of porphyrin-DNA interactions by UV and fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosimetry, and fluorescence energy transfer experiments showed that not only the tetracationic meso-tetrakis[N-methyl-4(or 3)-pyridiniumyl]porphyrins, which both involved four freely rotating meso-aryl groups, but also the corresponding tri- and dicationic porphyrins were able to intercalate into calf thymus DNA. Moreover, the cis dicationic meso-bis(N-methyl-2-pyridiniumyl)diphenylporphyrin, which involved only two freely rotating meso-aryl groups in a cis position, was also able to intercalate. The other meso-(N-methyl-2-pyridiniumyl)n(phenyl)4-nporphyrins, which involved either zero, one, or two trans freely rotating meso-aryl groups, could not intercalate into DNA. These results show that only half of the porphyrin ring is necessary for intercalation to occur.     

Photodynamic inactivation of Escherichia coli by novel meso-substituted porphyrins by 4-(3-N,N,N-trimethylammoniumpropoxy)phenyl and 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl groups.

The photodynamic effect of novel cationic porphyrins, with different pattern of meso-substitution by 4-(3-N,N,N-trimethylammoniumpropoxy)phenyl (A) and 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (B) groups, have been studied in both solution bearing photooxidizable substrates and in vitro on a typical Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. In these sensitizers, the cationic groups are separated from the macrocycle ring by a propoxy spacer. Thus, the charges have a high mobility and a minimal influence on photophysical properties of the porphyrin. These compounds produce singlet molecular oxygen, O2(1Delta(g)), with quantum yields of approximately 0.41-0.53 in N,N-dimethylformamide. In methanol, the l-tryptophan photodecomposition increases with the number of cationic charges in the sensitizer. In vitro investigations show that cationic porphyrins are rapidly bound to E. coli cells in approximately 5 min. A higher binding was found for A3B3+ porphyrin, which is tightly bound to cells still after three washing steps. Photosensitized inactivation of E. coli cellular suspensions follows the order: A3B3+ > A44+> ABAB2+ > AB3+. Under these conditions, a negligible effect was found for 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS4(4-)) that characterizes an anionic sensitizer. Also, the results obtained for these new cationic porphyrins were compared with those of 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-N,N,N-trimethylammonium phenyl)porphyrin (TTAP4+), which is a standard active sensitizer established to eradicate E. coli. The photodynamic activity of TTAP4+ is quite similar to that produced by A4(4+). Studies in an anoxic condition indicate that oxygen is necessary for the mechanism of action of photodynamic inactivation of bacteria. The higher photodynamic activity of A3B3+ was confirmed by growth delay experiments. Photodynamic inactivation capacities of these sensitizers were also evaluated in E. coli cells immobilized on agar surfaces. Under these conditions, A3B3+ porphyrin retains a high activity to inactivate localized bacterial cells. Therefore, tricationic porphyrin A3B3+ is an interesting sensitizer with potential applications in photodynamic inactivation of bacteria in liquid suspensions or on surfaces.     

Biological effects of anionic meso-tetrakis (para-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrins modulated by the metal center. Studies in rat liver mitochondria

In this paper, we present a study about the influence of the porphyrin metal center and meso ligands on the biological effects of meso-tetrakis porphyrins. Different from the cationic meso-tetrakis 4-N-methyl pyridinium (Mn(III)TMPyP), the anionic Mn(III) meso-tetrakis (para-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (Mn(III)TPPS4) exhibited no protector effect against Fe(citrate)-induced lipid oxidation. Mn(III)TPPS4 did not protect mitochondria against endogenous hydrogen peroxide and only delayed the swelling caused by tert-BuOOH and Ca²⁺. Fe(III)TPPS4 exacerbated the effect of the tert-BuOOH, and both porphyrins did not significantly affect Fe(II)citrate-induced swelling. Consistently, Fe(III)TPPS4 predominantly promotes the homolytic cleavage of peroxides and exhibits catalytic efficiency ten-fold higher than Mn(III)TPPS4. For Mn(III)TPPS4, the microenvironment of rat liver mitochondria favors the heterolytic cleavage of peroxides and increases the catalytic efficiency of the manganese porphyrin due to the availability of axial ligands for the metal center and reducing agents such as glutathione (GSH) and proteins necessary for Compound II (oxomanganese IV) recycling to the initial Mn(III) form. The use of thiol reducing agents for the recycling of Mn(III)TPPS4 leads to GSH depletion and protein oxidation and consequent damages in the organelle.     

Theoretical studies on metal porphyrin halides: geometrical parameters and nonlinear optical responses

The geometrical parameters and static electric properties of several metal porphyrin halides, including Fe(III) porphine chloride (FePCl), Fe(III) porphine bromide (FePBr), Fe(III) tetraphenylporphine chloride (FeTPPCl), aluminum phthalocyanine chloride (AlPcCl), gallium(III) phthalocyanine chloride (GaPcCl), and manganese(III) phthalocyanine chloride (MnPcCl), were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) methods. It was observed that FePBr and MnPcCl showed the highest total hyperpolarisabilities among the studied porphyrins. To investigate the effect of substituted phenyl groups on the nonlinear optical (NLO) responses of porphyrins, the optical properties of FeTPPCl and FePCl were compared using UBLYP/cc-pVDZ+LanL2DZ level of theory. Moreover, the polarised continuum model (PCM) was employed to study the influence of solvation on the optical properties of FePCl.