Analysis of the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of the cobalamin intermediate in ribonucleotide reduction.

EPR absorption-derivative lineshapes have been computed and least-squares fitted to the spectrum of the intermediate derived from 5'-deoxy-5'-adenosylcobalamin in the ribonucleotide reductase reaction. A Gaussian-type intrinsic lineshape was assumed and the effects of inhomogenous broadening, rotation of coordinate axes of the A-tensor relative to the g-tensor, angular dependence of transition probability and ligand hyperfine splitting have also been investigated. When the overall spectrum was computed as the sum of the lineshapes corresponding to two distinct Co(II) species, A and B, each having rhombic symmetry, the least squares procedure converged to a much better fit than with a single species, and matched almost all of the features of the experimental spectrum. The magnetic properties of A and B were compared with those of a series of other Co(II) complexes by a plot of g - g versus A - A. The results eliminate cobalt with 5-coordination to nitrogen for A and B, and suggest low-spin cobalt complexes having strongly distorted 6-fold coordination. The possibility that the sixth, symmetry-decreasing ligand is the oxygen molecule is excluded by the chemistry of the system and by the EPR properties of previously reported cob(II)alamins. It is suggested that the sixth ligand is a carbonyl, amide or sulfhydryl group of an enzyme sidechain which is inserted off-axis into the coordination position so as to exert the observed symmetry-lowering effect.     

Design of a flexible ligand for the construction of a one-dimensional metal-organic coordination polymer

A new ligand LH (where LH = N-(picolinoyl)-biurate) has been prepared and characterized. The presence of three amide linkages make this ligand sufficiently flexible to act as N,N,O donor tridentate blocking ligand in the formation of a one dimensional metal-ligand layer like structure. Reaction of LH and dicyanamide (dca) with Co(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O gives [CoL(dca)]_n (1). In this compound picolinamide modulated ligand L coordinated the central Co(II) ion in a meridonal-fashion. The single crystal X-ray crystallography revealed that in 1, dca acts as μ_1,5− singly bridging ligand whereas μ_1,5− doubly bridging is the more common type. This gives rise to the 1D undulated waves like structure. The Co(II) centre is surrounded in a distorted square pyramidal coordination geometry. The variable temperature magnetic (VTM) susceptibility measurements show that the global feature of the χ_MT versus T curve for 1 is characteristic of very weak antiferromagnetic interactions through the dicyanamide ligand and between 300 and 5 K the best fit parameter was determined as J = −3.52 cm⁻¹. The X-ray structure, VTM study and UV-Vis spectrum of the compound show that 1 is a low-spin square-pyramidal compound whereas high-spin compounds are more common for the five coordinated cobalt (II) compounds. The X-band EPR spectrum of 1 at room temperature shows only one isotropic band centred at g = 2.08.     

Copper complexes with new oxaaza-pendant-armed macrocyclic ligands: X-ray crystal structure of a macrocyclic copper(II) complex

The synthesis of new oxaaza macrocyclic ligands (2-4) derived from O¹,O⁷-bis(2-formylphenyl)-1,4,7-trioxaheptane and functionalized tris(2-aminoethyl)amine are described. Mononuclear copper(II) complexes were isolated in the reaction of the corresponding macrocyclic ligand and copper(II) perchlorate. The structure of the [Cu(2)](ClO₄)₂ complex was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The copper(II) ion is five-coordinated by all N₅ donor atoms, efficiently encapsulated by the amine terminal pendant-arm, with a trigonal-bipyramidal geometry. The complexes are further characterized by UV-Vis, IR and EPR studies. The electronic reflectance spectra evidence that the coordination geometry for the Cu(II) complexes is trigonal-bipyramidal with the ligands 1 and 2 or distorted square-pyramidal with the ligands 3 and 4. The electronic spectra in MeCN solutions are different from those in the solid state, which suggest that some structural modification may occur in solution. The EPR spectrum of powder samples of the copper complex with 2 presents axial symmetry with hyperfine split at g_// with the copper nuclei (I = 3/2), which is characteristic of weakly exchange coupled extended systems. The EPR parameters (g_// = 2.230, A_// = 156 × 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ and g_⊥ = 2.085) indicate a d_x²-y² ground state. The EPR spectra of the complexes with ligands 3 and 4 show EPR spectra with a poorly resolved hyperfine structure at g_//. In contrast, the complex with ligand 2 shows no hyperfine split and a line shape which was simulated assuming rhombic g-tensor (g₁ = 2.030, g₂ = 2.115 and g₃ = 2.190).     

Structural and electronic mimics of the active site of cobalt(II)-substituted zinc metalloenzymes

Complexes of cobalt(II) and zinc(II) which involve monodentate coordination of two alkyl carboxylate and two imidazole ligands in a slightly distorted tetrahedral fashion have visible and magnetic circular dichroism spectra remarkably similar to the cobalt(II)-substituted proteolytic enzymes thermolysin and carboxypeptidase A. Single crystal x-ray structure determinations on [Co(C₂H₅COO)₂Im₂], Im = imidazole, and its zinc counterpart reveal only minor structural differences between the cobalt and zinc species. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of cobalt(II) doped into zinc(II) complexes with known structures demonstrate the extreme sensitivity of the g-values to minor structural differences.     

Biomimetic zinc(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with tri-tert-butoxysilanethiolate and imidazole ligands - Structural and spectroscopic studies

New, heteroleptic zinc and cobalt complexes with tri-tert-butoxysilanethiolate and imidazole co-ligands are characterized by crystal structure studies. The ligands exhibit different coordination modes to Co(II) ions: NOS₂ (with methanol as O-donor ligand) in 2′, NO₂S₂ in 2′′, N₂S₂ in 1, and to Zn(II) ions: N₂S₂ in 3 and N₃S in 4. Complex 2′ is a structural analog of cobalt-substituted active site of alcohol dehydrogenase. All four-coordinate Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes have tetrahedral geometry. Solution and solid state electronic spectra of cobalt(II) complexes are discussed and compared to literature data available for the cobalt-substituted liver alcohol dehydrogenase and sorbitol dehydrogenase. The EPR spectra of all cobalt complexes exhibit at 77 K a characteristic broad signal with g ∼3.6 and 5.6, strongly indicating a high-spin state, S = 3/2, of Co(II) complexes.     

The metal site of Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin,revealed by a crystal structure determination of the co(II) derivative and co-EPR spectroscopy

The crystal structure of cobalt-substituted azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been determined to final crystallographic R value of 0.175 at 1.9 Å resolution. There are four molecules in the asymmetric unit in the structure, and these four molecules are packed as a dimer of dimers. The dimer packing is very similar to that of the wild-type Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin dimer. Replacement of the native copper by the cobalt ion has only small effects on the metal binding site presumably because of the existence of an extensive network of hydrogen bonds in its immediate neighborhood. Some differences are obvious, however. In wild-type azurin the copper atom occupies a distorted trigonal bipyramidal site, while cobalt similar to zinc and nickel occupy a distorted tetrahedral site, in which the distance to the Met121,S^δ atom is increased to 3.3–3.5 Å and the distance to the carbonyl oxygen of Gly45 has decreased to 2.1–2.4 Å. The X-band EPR spectrum of the high-spin Co(II) in azurin is well resolved (apparent g values g_x′ = 5.23; g_y′ = 3.83; g_z′ = 1.995, and hyperfine splittings A_x′ = 31; A_y′ = 20–30; A_z′ = 53 G) and indicates that the ligand field is close to axial. Proteins 27:385–394, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Structural implications derived from the analysis of electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of natural and artificial copper proteins

An extension of a method relating chemical structure to the EPR parameters A_∥ and g_∥ is presented. For complexes having the same atoms of ligation, a decrease in charge of the metal-ligand complex decreases g_∥ and increases A_∥. From this analysis, one concludes that in artificial copper proteins as well as in the naturally occurring nonblue copper proteins copper is ligated to oxygen and nitrogen but not to sulfur. A method is presented for the interpretation of EPR changes that occur with ligand exchange reactions at the Type 2 (nonblue) copper sites such as occur in laccase.     

Spectroscopic studies of cobalt-substituted ferredoxin fromClostridium pasteurianum

Summary Ferredoxin fromClostridium pasteurianum substituted with two Co atoms did not give any cobalt EPR signal at 8 K as isolated, but upon reduction with sodium dithionite, a broad signal appeared withg values that indicate highspin (S=3/2) Co(II). These signals were distinct from Co(II)-dithiothreitol signals, and disappeared upon reoxidation with air. Under anaerobic incubation of apoferredoxin with Co(II), a green derivative showed a visible spectrum typical of tetrahedral Co(Il)-thiolate coordination, which shifted dramatically upon exposure to air. The¹H-NMR spectrum of the aerobically isolated protein is reported at 300 MHz; magnetic susceptibility measurements were indicative of a diamagnetic species. These spectroscopic studies indicate that Co(II)-substituted ferredoxin is oxidized to low-spin Co(III)-ferredoxin in the presence of sulfide and oxygen. The diamagnetic Co(III) state could reversibly be reduced to highspin Co(II) by sodium dithionite.     

Synthesis and properties of guanidine-pyridine hybridligands and structural characterisation of their mono- and bis(chelated) cobalt complexes

The synthesis of four guanidine-pyridine hybridligands and their spectroscopic features in MeCN are described. In order to demonstrate their coordinating properties, the corresponding cobalt(II)chloride complexes have been prepared and completely characterised by means of X-ray structure analysis, UV/Vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The neutral complexes {1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-(quinolin-8-yl)guanidine}cobalt(II)-dichloride [Co(TMGqu)Cl₂] and {N-(1,3-dimethylimidazolidin-2-yliden)pyridin-8-amine}cobalt(II)-dichloride [Co(DMEGpy)Cl₂] exhibit a tetrahedral coordination of the cobalt atom, whereas in bis[chlorobis{N-(1,3-dimethylimidazolidin-2-yliden)quinolin-8-amine}cobalt(II)]tetrachlorocobaltate [Co(DMEGqu)₂Cl]₂[CoCl₄] and chlorobis{1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-((pyridin-2-yl)methyl)guanidine}cobalt(II)chloride [Co(TMGpy)₂Cl]Cl, the cobalt atom is coordinated in a trigonal pyramidal environment. These trigonal pyramidal complex cations represent the first bis(chelated) guanidine cobalt complexes in which the pyridine donor resides on the apical position and the guanidine donor forms with the chlorine atom the base of the pyramid. Besides the structural characterisation, the quenching effect of the cobalt(II) ion (d⁷) on the ligand fluorescence has been studied.     

Coordination behavior of amine bases to the axial site of a (dibenzo[b,i][1,4,8,11]tetraazacyclotetradecinato)cobalt(II)

The mutual interaction of various amine bases with the (dibenzo[b,i][1,4,8,11] tetraazacyclotetradecinato)cobalt(II) (Co(II)-1) was investigated by measuring electronic spectra in methyl benzoate. The Co(II)-1 became the pentacoordinated complex by taking up an amine base in the axile site: Co(II)-1 + B ? BCo(II)-1. For the mutual interaction of substituted pyridines with the Co(II)-1, the general behavior of the equilibrium constants was explained on the basis of the amine basicity and the Hammett equation by reference to the corresponding behavior of the porphyrin, corrin and corrole complexes. Moreover, there exists a systematic correlation between log K and the chemical shift of the corresponding 4-position in the ¹³C-NMR spectra of substituted pyridines. The isoequilibrium temperature obtained from a plot of ΔH against ΔS was 260 K. The equilibrium is primarily controlled by entropy at the usual temperature. The weaker coordination tendency of some hindered pyridine such as 2-methyl- and 2,6-dimethylpyridine toward Co(II)-1 was attributed to the steric effect between the in-plane ligand of Co(II)-1 and the 2- and/or 6-methyl groups of substituted pyridines in the coordination process.     

Exchange inert Co (III)-carboxypeptidase A: a catalytically inactive metallocarboxypeptidase.

Exposure of cobalt (II) carboxypeptidase A_α, [(CPD)Co(II)], to small molar excesses of the oxidizing agent m-chloroperbenzoate rapidly destroys (< 30 sec) both its peptidase and esterase activities in parallel. Concomitantly, the characteristic Co(II) electron paramagentic resonance (EPR) signal is abolished. [(CPD)Co(III)], isolated from the reaction mixture, has the same molecular weight and amino acid composition as [(CPD)Co(II)], contains 0.95 g-atom of Co and 0.01 g-atom of Zn per mole of protein, does not exhibit an EPR spectrum and is catalytically completely inactive towards both peptide and ester substrates. Identical treatment of the native zinc enzyme affects neither its catalytic activity nor its metal content. The reaction of m-chloroperbenzoate with [(CPD)Co(II)] follows saturation kinetics and is prevented by the inhibitor β-phenylpropionate. Furthermore, under the conditions found to oxidize [(CPD)Co(II)] effectively, there is no reaction with Co(II) $\text{E. coli}$ alkaline phosphatase. Thus, m-chloroperbenzoate has the characteristics of an active-site directed oxidizing reagent for [(CPD)Co(II)].     

Comparison of solution and crystal properties of Co(II)-substituted human carbonic anhydrase II

The visible absorption of crystals of Co(II)-substituted human carbonic anhydrase II (Co(II)-HCA II) were measured over a pH range of 6.0-11.0 giving an estimate of pK_a 8.4 for the ionization of the metal-bound water in the crystal. This is higher by about 1.2 pK_a units than the pK_a near 7.2 for Co(II)-CA II in solution. This effect is attributed to a nonspecific ionic strength effect of 1.4 M citrate in the precipitant solution used in the crystal growth. A pK_a of 8.3 for the aqueous ligand of the cobalt was measured for Co(II)-HCA II in solution containing 0.8 M citrate. Citrate is not an inhibitor of the catalytic activity of Co(II)-HCA II and was not observed in crystal structures. The X-ray structures at 1.5-1.6 Å resolution of Co(II)-HCA II were determined for crystals prepared at pH 6.0, 8.5 and 11.0 and revealed no conformational changes of amino-acid side chains as a result of the use of citrate. However, the studies of Co(II)-HCA II did reveal a change in metal coordination from tetrahedral at pH 11 to a coordination consistent with a mixed population of both tetrahedral and penta-coordinate at pH 8.5 to an octahedral geometry characteristic of the oxidized enzyme Co(III)-HCA II at pH 6.0.     

A spectral investigation of the copper(II) complex of the antitumor compound bleomycin

A thorough spectral investigation of the copper(II) complex of the antitumor compound, bleomycin, has been carried out in solution employing optical, difference optical, electron spin resonance, and circular dichroism techniques. The optical spectrum of a pH = 7 solution of the 1:1 complex between copper(II) and bleomycin is characterized by a broad weak band in the visible region (λ_max = 610 nm) that cannot be resolved and intense ultraviolet bands at 317 (? = 2800), 327 (shoulder), 250 (? = 4700), and 257 nm (shoulder). The circular dichroism spectrum in the visible region shows the broad and weak visible absorption band contains at least three components (558, 675, and 880 nm) that are likely to be “d-d” in origin. The electron spin resonance spectrum is characteristic of a tetragonal d⁹ copper(II) system showing no rhombic distoritions at X-band frequencies (g_x = g_y ± 0.002). The spin Hamiltonian parameters for the pH = 7.0 solution corrected for second order effects are A_∥ = 177 × 10^?4 cm^?1, A_⊥ ? 15 × 10^?4 cm^?1, g_∥ = 2.214, g_⊥ = 2.039. Most interesting was the observation of extra hyperfine splitting due to endogenous nitrogen coordination in a 30% glycerol glass (A^N = 12.0 × 10^?4 cm^?1). That pattern is best interpreted as a seven-line sequence associated with three liganded nitrogens. A dramatic change in all spectral properties occurs when the pH of the copper(II)-bleomycin complex is lowered to 2.5. All these data taken together suggest a CuN₃O coordination complex in solution. Details and justifications as well as a discussion of the limitations of the interpretations are presented.     

Synthesis and characterization of the cobalt(III) complexes of two pendant-arm cross-bridged cyclams

The cobalt(III) complexes of 4,11-diacetato-1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane (1), [Co(1)]PF₆, and 4,11-diacetamido-1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane (2), [Co(2)][PF₆]₃, have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of [Co(1)]PF₆ consists of an octahedral cobalt(III) cation coordinated to all four ligand nitrogen donors in the macrobicycle’s cavity, as well as to the deprotonated carboxylate oxygen atoms of both pendant arms. Analytical and spectroscopic data indicates that the ligand in [Co(2)][PF₆]₃ is not deprotonated, suggesting coordination through the amide carbonyl oxygens. Study of the electronic spectra of these novel complexes and comparison with data from related cobalt(III) complexes characterizes the ligands as strong field with Δ₀=24,040 and Δ₀=24,250 cm⁻¹ for 1 and 2, respectively. Cyclic voltammograms were obtained for both complexes with large variations observed due to the differences in ligand charge and coordination.     

An EPR Study of NO Bonding to Erythrocruorin from the Earthworm Octolasium Complanatum

The EPR properties of the nitric oxide derivative of Octolasium complanatum erythrocruorin have been investigated as a function of the concentration of protons and cations which are known to affect the oxygen-linked allosteric equilibrium. The EPR spectrum has a rhombic shape with g_x = 2.08, g_z = 2.005, and g_y = 1.99, and remains unchanged under all the experimental conditions used. A supernyperfine pattern consisting of nine equally spaced lines is present in the g_z region indicating an interaction with two nonequivalent nitrogen atoms, one contributed by the nitric oxide and the other by the proximal histidine. The constancy of the EPR spectrum suggests that changes in the allosteric equilibrium do not involve differences in the strain of the Fe(II)-histidine bond as in tetrameric hemoglobins.     

Transition metal complexes of a tridentate ligand bearing two pendant pyridine bases: The X-ray crystal structure of pentacoordinate copper(II) complex

The synthesis of a tridentate ligand, N,N′-bis(2-pyridinyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide [H₂L] is described together with its manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes which were characterized based on elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, spectral, magnetic and thermal studies. The IR spectral studies of all the complexes exhibit a similar feature about the ligating nature of the ligand to the metal ions and revealed that the ligand has coordinated through the nitrogens of the deprotonated amides and the central pyridine. The two pendant pyridine nitrogens in all the complexes are protonated and involved in hydrogen bonding with the oxygens of amide groups. This observation is confirmed by the single-crystal X-ray crystallographic studies of copper(II) complex. The geometry around the copper atom can be viewed as a distorted trigonal bipyramid with τ = 0.74 [structural parameter, τ = (β − α)/60; where α and β are the two basal angles in a five coordinate complex]. The electrochemical study of the copper(II) complex shows single quasi-reversible redox peak [Cu(II) ↔ Cu(I)]. The EPR spectrum of copper(II) complex exhibits rhombic pattern [g₁ = 2.0276, g₂ = 2.0926 and g₃ = 2.18].     

pH dependent copper binding properties of a CuA azurin variant with both bridging cysteines replaced with serines

A double mutant of Cu_A azurin was prepared in which both bridging cysteine thiolate ligands of the binuclear Cu_A center were replaced by serine. The copper binding properties of this protein were investigated, and shown to be pH dependent. At lower pH (5.2 ± 0.1), the protein binds one copper per protein molecule as demonstrated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Copper titrations resulted in electronic absorptions at 730 nm (peak) and ca. 330 nm (shoulder) in the UV-Vis spectrum. EPR data show a four line pattern with hyperfine A_∥ = 150 G and g_∥ and g_⊥ values 2.32 and 2.03, characteristic of a type II (T2) copper. Superhyperfines to two nitrogen atoms were also observed. At higher pH (8.5 ± 0.1), the protein binds upto two copper atoms per protein molecule, and copper titrations exhibit a blue transition at 595 nm in the UV-Vis spectrum. The EPR data are consistent with two monomeric sites very similar to one another having hyperfines A_∥ = 182 and 150 G, g_∥ = 2.24 and 2.22 and a similar g_⊥ value of 2.01. These results indicate that both bridging cysteines play a critical role in the Cu_A center, and replacing them with serines is not enough to maintain the symmetrical diamond core structure or the characteristic electronic and functional properties of the Cu_A center.     

Reaction of N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate and other bidentate ligands with Zn, Co and Cu bovine carbonic anhydrases. Inhibition of the enzyme activity and evidence for stable ternary enzyme-metal-ligand complexes

The reactions with N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) of zinc, cobalt and copper carbonic anhydrase from bovine erythrocytes were investigated. The native zinc enzyme was inhibited by DDC, but no removal of zinc could be detected even at a very high [ligand]/[protein] ratio. At identical pH values a larger inhibitory effect was found for the cobalt enzyme. The metal was removed by DDC from the protein at pH less than 7.0. No cobalt removal occurred at pH 10, where a stable ternary complex with the enzyme-bound Co(II) was detected. Its optical and EPR spectra are indicative of five-coordinate Co(II). The reaction of the Cu(II) enzyme with stoichiometric chelating agent was marked by the appearance of an electronic transition at 390 nm (epsilon = 4300 M-1 X cm-1). Metal removal from the copper enzyme readily occurred as the ligand was in excess over the metal, with parallel appearance of a band at 440 nm, which was attributed to the free Cu(II)-DDC complex. Also, in the case of the copper enzyme an alkaline pH was found to stabilize the ternary adduct with the diagnostic 390 nm band. EPR spectra showed that the ternary adduct is a mixture of two species, both characterized by the presence in the EPR spectrum of a superhyperfine structure from two protein nitrogens and by a low g parallel value, indicative of coordination to sulfur ligands. It is suggested that the two species contain the metal as penta- and hexacoordinated, respectively. Measurements of the longitudinal relaxation time, T1, of the water protons suggested that water coordination is retained in the latter case. Hexacoordination with retention of water is also proposed for the Cu(II) derivatives with the bidentate oxalate and bicarbonate anions, unlike the corresponding Co(II) derivatives, which are pentacoordinated. Different coordination of Co(II) and Cu(II) adducts may be relevant to the difference of activity of the two substituted enzymes.     

An electron paramagnetic resonance study of native and modified freeze-dried cupric insulin hexamer.

Cupric insulin was modified by the addition of cross-linking disulphide bridges between hexamers. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of this freeze-dried material was compared with that of freeze-dried unmodified cupric insulin containing various amounts of copper and added water. The modified insulin was found to have cupric ion sites magnetically very similar to that of native insulin containing two cupric ions per hexamer. Native hexamer produced in the presence of 2 Cu(II) ions per hexamer gave, after freeze-drying, an EPR spectrum with A_∥^Cu=16.5 mT, g_∥=2.285 and g_⊥=2.059 (site 1). The use of 4 or 6 Cu(II) ions per hexamer resulted in spectra with two components-a major component with the same A_∥^Cu and g_∥ values as the sample containing 2 Cu(II) ions (site 1) and an additional minor component (site 2). These sites have been identified with the analogous zinc binding site within the hexamer formed by three B-10 histidine residues (site 1) [1, 2] and the site formed by the B-1 α-amino and A-17 glutamyl-γ-barboxylic acid functions where excess zinc is bound (site 2) [3, 4]. The addition of water to native hexamer containing 2, 4, or 6 Cu(II) ions resulted in the appearance of three distinct EPR absorptions, one of which had the same parameters as the freeze-dried native insulin containing 2 Cu(II) ions per hexamer (site 1). Two further sites appeared (3 and 4) with the following parameters: A_∥^Cu=15.0 mT, g_∥=2.353, and g_⊥=2.07; A_∥^Cu=16.5 mT, g_∥=2.315, and g_⊥=2.07, respectively.     

Spectral study of ascorbate oxidase

The electronic, CD and EPR spectra of ascorbate oxidase isolated from the green zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo medullosa) in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) have been investigated. The visible absorption bands are clearly resolved in the CD spectrum, where the extrema occur at 735, 610, 550, 475 and 330 nm, while weak additional CD activity possibly occurs near 420 nm. The near-UV spectrum is dominated by the absorption of the aromatic amino acid residues centered at 280 nm, while resolved CD bands occur at 296, 291, 283, 265 and 240 nm. In the far-UV region the protein CD spectrum reflects its secondary structure: a single negative maximum at 218 nm suggests a predominant anti-parallel β conformation for ascorbate oxidase. The frozen solution EPR spectrum of the protein has been fitted according to a new computer simulation procedure. The following parameters were obtained: for the type 1 copper g_z = 2.222, g_x = 2.032, g_y = 2.056, A_z = 59 G, A_x = 11 G, and A_y = 5 G; for the type 2 copper g ? = 2.240, g_⊥ = 2.057, A? = 179 G and A_⊥ = 1 G. Of the eight copper atoms present in the protein four are EPR-detectable: three of type 1 and one of type 2, as shown by computer simulation of the EPR spectrum. Ascorbate oxidase is a rather unstable protein when purified and it is sensitive to a number of environmental factors. Aging of the protein leads to a decrease in the ratio between the type 1 and type 2 coppers. A new species formed at the early stages of the aging process, that has been spectrally characterized, suggests that the loss of the type 1 copper is preceded by a change in the symmetry of the original type 1 site from pseudotetrahedral to pseudotetragonal.