Zn(II) metabolism in prokaryotes

It is difficult to over-state the importance of Zn(II) in biology. It is a ubiquitous essential metal ion and plays a role in catalysis, protein structure and perhaps as a signal molecule, in organisms from all three kingdoms. Of necessity, organisms have evolved to optimise the intracellular availability of Zn(II) despite the extracellular milieu. To this end, prokaryotes contain a range of Zn(II) import, Zn(II) export and/or binding proteins, some of which utilise either ATP or the chemiosmotic potential to drive the movement of Zn(II) across the cytosolic membrane, together with proteins that facilitate the diffusion of this ion across either the outer or inner membranes of prokaryotes. This review seeks to give an overview of the systems currently classified as altering Zn(II) availability in prokaryotes.     

LHRH interaction with Zn(II) ions

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), a hypothalamic neurohormone, forms a complex with Zn ions in solution. In order to explain the structure of this complex, the stability constants of Zn(II) complexes of LHRH and also pyroglutamyl-histidine-methylester, N-acetyl-histamine, and N-acetyl-histidine were established with the use of potentiometric technique. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy shows that the mode of coordination of Zn(II) to LHRH consists of binding to the imidazole nitrogen and the peptide oxygen of the His-Trp bond.     

Computer simulation of Zn(II) speciation and effect of Gd(III) on Zn(II) speciation in human blood plasma

The speciation and distribution of Zn(II) and the effect of Gd(III) on Zn(II) speciation in human blood plasma were studied by computer simulation. The results show that, in normal blood plasma, the most predominant species of Zn(II) are [Zn(HSA)] (58.2%), [Zn(IgG)](20.1%), [Zn(Tf)] (10.4%), ternary complexes of [Zn(Cit)(Cys)] (6.6%) and of [Zn(Cys)(His)H] (1.6%), and the binary complex of [Zn(Cys)₂H] (1.2%). When zinc is deficient, the distribution of Zn(II) species is similar to that in normal blood plasma. Then, the distribution changes with increasing zinc(II) total concentration. Overloading Zn(II) is initially mainly bound to human serum albumin (HSA). As the available amount of HSA is exceeded, phosphate metal and carbonate metal species are established. Gd(III) entering human blood plasma predominantly competes for phosphate and carbonate to form precipitate species. However, Zn(II) complexes with phosphate and carbonate are negligible in normal blood plasma, so Gd(III) only have a little effect on zinc(II) species in human blood plasma at a concentration above 1.0×10⁻⁴ M.     

Zn(II)-113Cd(II) and Zn(II)-Mg(II) hybrids of alkaline phosphatase. 31P and 113Cd NMR

Methods have been developed for the addition of different metal ion species to the three distinct pairs of metal sites (A, B, and C) found in the dimer of apoalkaline phosphatase. This allows the preparation of hybrid alkaline phosphatases in which A and B sites of each monomer contain two different species of metal ion or the A and B sites of one monomer contain the same species of metal ion, while the adjacent monomer contains a second species. The following hybrids have been characterized in detail: (Zn(II)ACd(II)B)2 alkaline phosphatase, (Zn(II)AMg(II)B)2 alkaline phosphatase, (Cd(II)AZn(II)B)2 alkaline phosphatase, and (Zn(II)AZn(II]B)(Cd(II)ACd(II)B) alkaline phosphatase. 31P and, where appropriate, 113Cd NMR have been used to monitor the behavior of the covalent (E-P) and noncovalent (E X P) phosphointermediates and of the A and B metal ions. From the pH dependencies of the E-P in equilibrium E X P in equilibrium E + Pi equilibria, it is clear that A site metal is the dominant influence in dephosphorylation of E-P and may have a coordinated water molecule, which ionizes to ZnOH- at a low pH providing the nucleophile for dephosphorylation. A site metal also serves to coordinate phosphate in the E X P complex. B site metal has a much smaller effect on dephosphorylation rates, although it does dramatically alter the Pi dissociation rate, which is the rate-limiting step for the native enzyme at alkaline pH, and is probably important in neutralizing the charge on the phosphoseryl residue, thus potentiating the nucleophilic attack of the OH- bound at A site. Phosphate dissociation is slowed markedly by replacement of B site zinc by cadmium. There is clear evidence for long range effects of subunit-subunit interactions, since metal ion and phosphate binding at one active center alters the environments of A and B site metal ions and phosphoserine at the other active site.     

Insulinomimetic Zn complex (Zn(opt)2) enhances insulin signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element with multiple regulatory functions, involving insulin synthesis, secretion, signaling and glucose transport. Since 2000, we have proposed that Zn complexes with different coordination environments exhibit high insulinomimetic and antidiabetic activities in type 2 diabetic animals. However, the molecular mechanism for the activities is still unsolved. The purpose of this study was to reveal the molecular mechanism of several types of Zn complexes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, with respect to insulin signaling pathway. Obtained results shows that bis(1-oxy-2-pyridine-thiolato)Zn(II), Zn(opt)2, with S(2)O(2) coordination environment induced most strongly Akt/protein kinase B (Akt/PKB) phosphorylation, in which the optimal phosphorylation was achieved at a concentration of 25 microM, and this Zn(opt)2-induced Akt/PKB phosphorylation was inhibited by wortmannin at 100 nM. Further, the phosphorylation was maximal at 5-10 min stimulation, in agreement with the Zn uptake which was also maximal at 5-10 min stimulation. The Akt/PKB phosphorylation was in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Zn(opt)2 was also capable to translocate GLUT4 protein to the plasma membrane. We conclude that Zn(opt)2 was revealed to exhibit both insulinomimetic and antidiabetic activities by activating insulin signaling cascade through Akt/PKB phosphorylation, which in turn caused the GLUT4 translocation from the cytosol to the plasma membrane.     

真菌吸附铅锌的研究

正随着采矿业的迅速发展,越来越多的重金属通过多种途径进入土壤环境中,对生态环境造成了不可估量的破坏并严重威胁人类健康。铅锌在工业上具有非常重要的作用且其应用极为广泛,而他们具有的难去除、难迁移和生物累积等特性使得铅锌在环境中的污染尤为突出。通过微生物的生长代谢,有效降低土壤重金属毒性,是促进植物生长的重要步骤之一。同时也要求微生物自身具有抵抗重金属的功能,根际微生     

Protein damage by photo-activated Zn(II) N-alkylpyridylporphyrins

Destruction of unwanted cells and tissues in photodynamic therapy (PDT) is achieved by a combination of light, oxygen, and light-sensitive molecules. The advantages of PDT compared to other traditional treatment modalities, and the shortcomings of the currently used photosensitizers, have stimulated the search for new, more efficient photosensitizer candidates. Ability to inflict selective damage to particular proteins through photo-irradiation would significantly advance the design of highly specific photosensitizers. Achieving this objective requires comprehensive knowledge concerning the interactions of the particular photosensitizer with specific targets. Here, we summarize the effects of Zn(II) N-alkylpyridylporphyrin-based photosensitizers on intracellular (metabolic, antioxidant and mitochondrial enzymes) and membrane proteins. We emphasize how the structural modifications of the porphyrin side substituents affect their lipophilicity, which in turn influence their subcellular localization. Thus, Zn(II) N-alkylpyridylporphyrins target particular cellular sites and proteins of interest, and are more efficient than hematoporphyrin D, whose commercial preparation (Photofrin) has been clinically approved for PDT.     

Effects of Zn(II) on galactosyltransferase activity

The enzyme -4-galactosyltransferase (GT) catalyzes the transfer of a galactosyl group from UDP-galactose to N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) on glycoproteins. In the presence of -lactalbumin (-LA), galactosyltransferase catalyzes the transfer of galactose to glucose to yield lactose. It is known that, in the absence of -lactalbumin, Zn(II) competes with Mn(II) for the same binding site(s) in galactosyltransferase, resulting in an increase in the apparent Michaelis constant,K _m (app), for Mn(II)-activation of N-acetyllactosamine synthesis. In the presence of -lactalbumin (i.e., lactose synthase), the Mn(II)-activation is biphasic and the initial phase is inhibited by increasing concentrations of Zn(II). The Zn(II) inhibition of lactose synthase plateaus at [Zn(II)]:[-lactalbumin] 1:1, while for N-acetyllactosamine synthesis there is no plateau at all. The results suggest that Zn(II) binding to -lactalbumin effects lactose synthase. Kinetically, Zn(II) induces a decrease in both theK _m (app) andV _m for Mn(II), which results in an apparent increase, followed by a decrease, in lactose synthase activity at Mn(II) concentrations below saturation of the first [Mn(II)] binding site. Increasing Zn(II) also decreasesK _m (app) andV _m for both glucose and UDP-galactose in the lactose synthase reaction with either both Ca(II)- or apo--lactalbumin, further suggesting novel interactions between Zn(II)--lactalbumin and the lactose synthase complex, presumably mediated via a Zn(II)-induced conformational change upon binding to -lactalbumin. On the other hand, in N-acetyllactosamine synthesis, Zn(II) only slightly effectsK _m (app) for N-acetylglucosamine and has essentially no effect onK _m (app) orV _m for UDP-galactose.On leave from the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142292, Russia     

Biosorption of Zn(II) by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

There have been a number of studies considering the possibility of removing and recovering heavy metals from diluted solutions. These are due, principally, because of the commercial value of some metals as well as in the environmental impact caused by them. The traditional methods for removing have several disadvantages when metals are present in concentrations lower than 100 mg/l. Biosorption, which uses biological materials as adsorbents, has been considered as an alternative method. In this work, variables like pH and biomass chemical pretreatment have been studied for its effect on the capacity for zinc biosorption by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. Also, studies to determinate the time for zinc adsorption were carried out. Results indicate that a capacity as high as 82.61 mg of Zn(II)/g of dry biomass can be obtained at a temperature of 25v°C and that the biosorption process occurs in a time of 30 min.     

Unusual dimeric Zn(II)-cytosine complexes: new models of the interaction of Zn(II) with DNA and RNA

Synthesis and crystal structure of two Zn(II) dimer complexes with 1-methylcytosine (1-MeC) are reported. In complex [Zn(2)Cl(4)(mu-1-MeC-O2,N3)(2)] (1), two 1-MeC ligands are bridging two ZnCl(2) moieties. In [Zn(2)(1-MeC-N3)(4)(mu-SO(4))(2)].2H(2)O (2), the sulfates act as bridging ligands and 1-MeC are linked via N3 to Zn(II) as terminal ligands. Both complexes represent the first examples of Zn(II)-pyrimidine dimers. The potential biological significance of 1 and 2 is discussed.     

Different crystal forms of Zn(II) compound with diethyl (pyridin-3-ylmethyl)phosphonate (3-pmpe) ligand: Zn(3-pmpe)Cl2

The synthesis and characterization of the new didentate ligand diethyl (pyridin-3-ylmethyl) phosphonate (3-pmpe) and three of its Zn(II) complexes are described. IR and X-ray analyses show that in the reaction of ZnCl₂ with 3-pmpe in methanol three crystalline polymorphs are formed: [Zn(3-pmpe)Cl₂]₂ (1) and [Zn(3-pmpe)Cl₂]_n (2 and 3). In these crystals 3-pmpe acts as a didentate N,O-bridging ligand and Zn(II) are in a slightly distorted tetrahedral ZnNOCl₂ environment. Zn²⁺ ions in 1 are doubly bridged by the 3-pmpe ligands, resulting in the formation of dinuclear species. In polymeric compounds 2 and 3 Zn²⁺ ions are singly bridged by the 3-pmpe, resulting in the formation of one-dimensional chains. Small differences in the conformation of the ligand in 1 and 2 have been found. The infrared spectra are in agreement with the structural data.     

Structural comparison of alkylated derivatives of (bmmp-dmed)Ni and (bmmp-dmed)Zn

The sulfur-alkylation of the nickel (1) and zinc (2) complexes of the dithiolate N₂S₂ ligand N,N′-bis-2-methyl-mercaptopropyl-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine, H₂(bmmp-dmed), have been investigated. Reactions with iodomethane yield [(Me-bmmp-dmed)Ni]PF₆ (3), [(Me₂-bmmp-dmed)NiI₂] (4), and [(Me₂-bmmp-dmed)ZnI]₂[ZnI₄] (5). Addition of iodoacetamide yields [(AA₂-bmmp-dmed)Ni]I₂ (6) and [(AA₂-bmmp-dmed)Zn]I₂ (7). Each of the metal-thioether products (3-7) have been characterized spectroscopically and by X-ray crystallography. Structural data is compared with that of the previously reported thiolato precursors 1 and 2. Sulfur-alkylation of 1 results in small relative changes in the nickel-sulfur bond distance, whereas for 2, the zinc-sulfur bond distance increases significantly, but is not cleaved. The difference between nickel and zinc is attributed to the release of a π*-bonding interaction between the metal and sulfur upon alkylation that compensates for the decreased σ-donor ability of the thioether in the case of nickel, but not for zinc.     

Solution equilibrium characterization of insulin-mimetic Zn(II) complexes

Solution speciation (stoichiometry and stability constants) of the insulin mimetic Zn(II) complexes of several bidentate ligands with (O,O), (N,O) or (S,O) coordination modes have been determined by pH-metry at 25 degrees Celsius and I=0.2M (KCl). All ligands were found to coordinate in a bidentate way forming mono, bis and tris complexes, besides a mixed hydroxo bis complex ZnL(2)(OH) detected in the slightly basic pH range together with the tris complex. Relationships between the stability data, lipophilicity of the complexes and earlier biological data are evaluated. The validity of the linear free energy relationships (LFER) between the proton and Zn(II) complexes and also between the VO(IV) and Zn(II) complexes is tested.     

Structural and functional characterization of the Zn(II) site in dimethylargininase-1 (DDAH-1) from bovine brain. Zn(II) release activates DDAH-1

L-N(omega),N(omega)-dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase-1 (DDAH-1) is a Zn(II)-containing enzyme that, through hydrolysis of side-chain methylated l-arginines, regulates the activity of nitric-oxide synthase. Herein we report the structural and functional properties of the Zn(II)-binding site in DDAH-1 from bovine brain. Activity measurements of the native and metal-free enzyme have revealed that the endogenously bound Zn(II) inhibits the enzyme. Native DDAH-1 could be fully or partially activated using various concentrations of phosphate, imidazole, histidine, and histamine, a process that is paralleled by the release of Zn(II). The slow activation of the enzyme by the bulky complexing agents EDTA and 1,10-phenantroline suggests that the Zn(II)-binding site is partially buried in the protein structure. The apparent Zn(II)-dissociation constant of 4.2 nm, determined by 19F NMR using the chelator 5F-BAPTA (1,2-bis(2-amino-5-fluorophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid), lies in the range of intracellular free Zn(II) concentrations. These results suggest a regulatory role for the Zn(II)-binding site. The coordination environment of the Zn(II) in DDAH-1 has been examined by Zn K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy. The extended x-ray absorption fine structure observed is consistent with Zn(II) being coordinated by 2 S and 2 N (or O) atoms. The biological implications of these findings are discussed.     

Zn(II)-induced dimerization of human carbonmonoxy hemoglobin

Binding of Zn(II) to the carbon monoxide complex of human hemoglobin was shown by equilibrium sedimentation and sedimentation velocity experiments at pH 7.0 to induce the dissociation of liganded tetramers to dimers but not to monomers. These results provide direct confirmation of previous kinetic and gel filtration experiments (R. D. Gray, (1980) J. Biol. Chem.255, 1812–1818) that Zn(II) binding to liganded hemoglobin produces a change in aggregation state of liganded hemoglobin.     

Nicotianamine forms complexes with Zn(II) in vivo

The non-proteinogenic amino acid nicotianamine (NA) is a major player in plant metal homeostasis. It is known to form complexes with different transition metals in vitro. Available evidence associates NA with translocation of Fe, and possibly other micronutrients, to and between different plant cells and tissues. To date, however, it is still extremely challenging to detect metal-ligand complexes in vivo because tissue disruption immediately changes the chemical environment and thereby the availability of binding partners. In order to overcome this limitation we used various Schizosaccharomyces pombe strains expressing a plant NAS gene to study formation of metal-NA complexes in vivo. Tolerance, accumulation and competition data clearly indicated formation of Zn(ii)-NA but not of Cu(ii)-NA complexes. Zn(ii)-NA was then identified by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). About half of the cellular Zn was found to be bound by NA in NAS-expressing cells while no NA-like ligands were detected by XAS in control cells not expressing NAS. Given the high conservation of eukaryotic metal homeostasis components, these results strongly suggest the possible existence of Zn(ii)-NA complexes also in planta. Reported observations implicating NA in plant Zn homeostasis would then indeed be attributable to direct interaction of Zn(ii) with NA rather than only indirectly to perturbations in Fe metabolism. Re-evaluation of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra for the Zn hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens showed that NA is as expected not a major storage ligand for Zn. Instead it is hypothesized to be involved in efficient translocation of Zn to above-ground tissues in hyperaccumulators.