Infrared and electron paramagnetic resonance study of nitrosyl(protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester)iron(II) and its complexes with nitrogenous bases as model systems for nitrosylhemoproteins: effect of solvent polarity

Infrared and electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of nitrosyl(protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester)iron(II)(Fe(PPDME)(NO)) and its complexes with nitrogenous bases (N bases) such as imidazoles, pyridines, aliphatic amines, and anilines have been measured in various solvents. At room temperature, giso, Aiso, and nu NO values of five-coordinate Fe(PPDME)(NO) decreased with an increase in solvent polarity parameter ET, indicating the interaction between the solvent and the vacant axial coordination position. It has been found that the nu NO value of six-coordinate species is very sensitive to the solvent polarity, while the giso value is less sensitive. The solvent effect on the equilibrium constants, which are evaluated from the intensity change of the NO stretching band for five- and six-coordinate species, is discussed.     

Epr detection of endogenous nitric oxide in postischemic heart using lipid and aqueous-soluble dithiocarbamate-iron complexes

Spin-trapping techniques combined with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to measure nitric oxide (·NO) production were compared in the ischemic-reperfused myocardium for the first time, using both aqueous-soluble and lipophilic complexes of reduced iron (Fe) with dithiocarbamate derivatives. The aqueous-soluble complex of Fe and N-methyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (MGD) formed MGD2-Fe-NO complex with a characteristic triplet EPR signal (a_N12.5 G and g_iso = 2.04) at room temperature, in native isolated rat hearts following 40 min global ischemia and 15 min reperfusion. Diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC) and Fe formed in ischemic-reperfused myocardium the lipophilic DETC2-Fe-NO complex exhibiting an EPR signal (g = 2.04 and g = 2.02 at 77K) with a triplet hyperfine structure at g. Dithiocarbamate-Fe-NO complexes detected by both trapping agents were abolished by the ·NO synthase inhibitor, N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Quantitatively, both trapping procedures provi ded similar values for tissue ·NO production, which were observed primarily during ischemia. Postischemic hemodynamic recovery of the heart was not affected by the trapping procedure. (Mol Cell Biochem 175: 91–97, 1997)     

Imidazole,imidazolate, and hydroxide complexes of (protoporphyrin IX)iron(III) and its dimethyl ester as model systems for ferric hemoproteins: Electron paramagnetic resonance and electronic spectral study

The EPR and electronic spectral changes upon titration of systems consisting of (protoporphyrin IX)iron(III) chloride (Fe(PPIX)Cl) or its dimethyl ester (Fe-(PPIXDME)Cl) and imidazole derivatives with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide solution have been measured at 77 and 298 °K in various solvents. The EPR and electronic spectra of the melt of Fe(PPIXDME)Cl in imidazole derivatives have been also measured. The imidazole derivatives studied here were imidazole and 4-methyl-, 4-phenyl-, 2-methyl-, 2,4-dimethyl-, 1-methyl-, and 1-acetylimidazole. The spectral changes upon addition of hydroxide were markedly different between the systems containing NH imidazoles (BH), with a dissociable proton, and those containing NR imidazoles (BR), without it. In the former systems, five spectral species were successively formed at 77 °K and were assigned to following complexes: [Fe(P)(BH)₂]⁺, Fe(P)(BH)(B), [Fe(P)(B)₂]^?, Fe(P)(BH)(OH), and [Fe(P)(B)(OH)]^?, where P is PPIX or PPIXDME. In the latter systems, initial complex, [Fe(P)(BR)₂]⁺, was found to be changed to final complex, Fe(P)(BR)(OH), through an intermediate at 77 °K. At 298 °K, both systems were found to react with hydroxide to finally form Fe(P)(OH). The crystal field parameters were evaluated using the EPR g values in low-spin complexes studied here and in hemoproteins. The five regions corresponding to five low-spin complexes could be distinguished in crystal field diagrams.     

Dinitrosyl-iron complexes with thiol-containing ligands: spatial and electronic structures.

Parameters of the EPR signals of monomeric dinitrosyl-iron complexes with 1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (DNIC-MT), obtained by treating MT+ferrous iron in DMSO solution with gaseous NO, have been compared with those of the crystalline monomeric DNIC-MT with tetrahedral structure. Dissolved DNIC-MT were characterized by the isotropic EPR signal centered at g=2.03 with half-width of 0.7 mT and quintet hyperfine structure when recorded at ambient temperature or the anisotropic EPR signal with g( perpendicular)=2.045, g( parallel)=2.014 from frozen solution at 77 kappa, Cyrillic. DNIC-MT in crystalline state showed the structure-less symmetrical singlet EPR signal centered at g=2.03 and half-width of 1.7 mT at both room and liquid nitrogen temperature. The Lorentz shape of this signal indicates the strong exchange interaction between these complexes in the DNIC-MT crystal. Being dissolved in DMSO the crystalline sample of DNIC-MT demonstrated the EPR signal typical for DNIC-MT, obtained by treating MT+ferrous iron in DMSO solution with gaseous NO. Low spin (S=1/2) d(9) electron configuration of DNIC-MT with tetrahedral structure (formula [(MT-S(.))(2)Fe(-1)(NO(+))(2)](+)) was suggested to be responsible for the signal of DNIC-MT in crystalline state. Dissolving of the crystals of DNIC-MT may result in the change of their spatial and electronic structure, namely, tetrahedral structure of the complexes characterized by low spin d(9) electronic configuration transforms into a plane-square structure with d(7) electronic configuration and low spin S=1/2 state (formula [(MT- S(-))(2)Fe(+)(NO(+))(2)](+)). The latter was suggested to be characteristic of other DNICs with various thiol-containing ligands in the solutions. The proposed mechanism of these DNICs formation from ferrous iron, thiol and NO shows that the process could be accompanied by the ionization of NO molecules to NO(+) and NO(-) ions in the complexes. Detailed analysis of the shape of the EPR signals of these complexes provided additional information about the exchange interaction typical for DNIC-MT in crystals.     

EPR spectroscopy of common nitric oxide - spin trap complexes

Two commonly used hydrophobic and hydrophilic spin traps for NO, namely Fe2+(DETC)(2)and Fe2+(MGD)(2), respectively, were analyzed via EPR spectroscopy. EPR spectra of trapped NO, together with field position standards, were recorded both in the frozen state and at room temperature. We present a detailed characterization of the EPR spectra of the above paramagnetic NO complexes, concerning g-value, hyperfine splitting and linewidths. This study also provides spectroscopic data required to develop a quantitative and sensitive detection system for nitric oxide both in hydrophobic and hydrophilic aqueous media.     

Nitric oxide-forming reaction between the iron-N-methyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate complex and nitrite

The objective of this study was to elucidate the origin of the nitric oxide-forming reactions from nitrite in the presence of the iron-N-methyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate complex ((MGD)(2)Fe(2+)). The (MGD)(2)Fe(2+) complex is commonly used in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic detection of NO both in vivo and in vitro. Although it is widely believed that only NO can react with (MGD)(2)Fe(2+) complex to form the (MGD)(2)Fe(2+).NO complex, a recent article reported that the (MGD)(2)Fe(2+) complex can react not only with NO, but also with nitrite to produce the characteristic triplet EPR signal of (MGD)(2)Fe(2+).NO (Hiramoto, K., Tomiyama, S., and Kikugawa, K. (1997) Free Radical Res. 27, 505-509). However, no detailed reaction mechanisms were given. Alternatively, nitrite is considered to be a spontaneous NO donor, especially at acidic pH values (Samouilov, A., Kuppusamy, P., and Zweier, J. L. (1998) Arch Biochem. Biophys. 357, 1-7). However, its production of nitric oxide at physiological pH is unclear. In this report, we demonstrate that the (MGD)(2)Fe(2+) complex and nitrite reacted to form NO as follows: 1) (MGD)(2)Fe(2).NO complex was produced at pH 7.4; 2) concomitantly, the (MGD)(3)Fe(3+) complex, which is the oxidized form of (MGD)(2)Fe(2+), was formed; 3) the rate of formation of the (MGD)(2)Fe(2+).NO complex was a function of the concentration of [Fe(2+)](2), [MGD], [H(+)] and [nitrite].     

X-band and S-band EPR detection of nitric oxide in murine endotoxaemia using spin trapping by ferro-di(N-(dithiocarboxy)sarcosine)

Ammonium salt of N-(dithiocarboxy)sarcosine (DTCS) chelated to ferrous salt was tested as an NO-metric spin trap at room temperature for ex vivo measurement of (.)NO production in murine endotoxaemia. In a chemically defined in vitro model system EPR triplet signals of NO-Fe(DTCS)(2) were observed for as long as 3 hours, only if samples were reduced with sodium dithionite. This procedure was not necessary for the ex vivo detection of (.)NO in endotoxaemic liver homogenates at X-band or in the whole intact organs at S-band, whereas only a weak signal was observed in endotoxaemic lung. These results suggest that in endotoxaemia not only high level of (.)NO, but also the redox properties of liver and lung might determine the formation of complexes of (.)NO with a spin trap. Nevertheless, both S- and X-band EPR spectroscopy is suitable for (.)NO-metry at room temperature using Fe(DTCS)(2) as the spin trapping agent. In particular, S-band EPR spectroscopy enables the detection of (.)NO production in a whole organ, such as murine liver.     

The cytochrome c oxidase-azide-nitric oxide complex as a model for the oxygen-binding site

The complex of cytochrome c oxidase with NO and azide has been studied by EPR at 9.2 and 35 GHz. This complex which shows delta ms = 2 EPR triplet and strong anisotropic signals, due to the interaction of cytochrome a2+3 X NO (S = 1/2) and Cu2+B (S = 1/2), is photodissociable . Its action spectrum is similar to that of cytochrome a2+3 X NO with bands at 430, 560 and 595 nm, but shows an additional band in the near ultraviolet region. The quantum yield of the photodissociation process of cytochrome a2+3 X NO in the metal pair appears to depend on the redox state of CuB. When the photolysed sample was warmed to 77 K, a complex was observed with the EPR parameters of cytochrome a3+3 - N-3 - Cu1 +B (S = 1/2). This process of electron and ligand transfer can be reversed by heating the sample to 220 K. It is suggested that in the triplet species azide is bound to Cu2+B whereas NO is bridged between Cu2+B and the haem iron of the cytochrome a2+3. The complex has a triplet ground state and a singlet excited state with an exchange interaction J = -7.1 cm-1 between both spins. The anisotropy in the EPR spectra is mainly due to a magnetic dipole-dipole interaction between cytochrome a2+3 X NO and Cu2+B. From simulations of the triplet EPR spectra obtained at 9 and 35 GHz, a value for the distance between the nitroxide radical and Cu2+B of 0.33 nm was found. A model of the NO binding in the cytochrome a3-Cu pair shows a distance between the haem iron of cytochrome a3 and CuB of 0.45 nm. It is concluded that the cytochrome a3-CuB pair forms a cage in which the dioxygen molecule is bidentate coordinated to the two metals during the catalytic reaction.     

Probing subtle coordination changes in the iron-quinone complex of photosystem II during charge separation,by the use of NO

The terminal electron acceptor of Photosystem II, PSII, is a linear complex consisting of a primary quinone, a non-heme iron(II), and a secondary quinone, Q(A)Fe(2+)Q(B). The complex is a sensitive site of PSII, where electron transfer is modulated by environmental factors and notably by bicarbonate. Earlier studies showed that NO and other small molecules (CN(-), F(-), carboxylate anions) bind reversibly on the non-heme iron in competition with bicarbonate. In the present study, we report on an unusual new mode of transient binding of NO, which is favored in the light-reduced state (Q(A)(-)Fe(2+)Q(B)) of the complex. The related observations are summarized as follows: (i) Incubation with NO at -30 degrees C, following light-induced charge separation, results in the evolution of a new EPR signal at g = 2.016. The signal correlates with the reduced state Q(A)(-)Fe(2+) of the iron-quinone complex. (ii) Cyanide, at low concentrations, converts the signal to a more rhombic form with g values at 2.027 (peak) and 1.976 (valley), while at high concentrations it inhibits formation of the signals. (iii) Electron spin-echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) experiments show the existence of two protein (14)N nuclei coupled to electron spin. These two nitrogens have been detected consistently in the environment of the semiquinone Q(A)(-) in a number of PSII preparations. (iv) NO does not directly contribute to the signals, as indicated by the absence of a detectable isotopic effect ((15)NO vs (14)NO) in cw EPR. (v) A third signal with g values (2.05, 2.03, 2.01) identical to those of an Fe(NO)(2)(imidazole) synthetic complex develops slowly in the dark, or faster following illumination. (vi) In comparison with the untreated Q(A)(-)Fe(2+) complex, the present signals not only are confined to a narrow spectral region but also saturate at low microwave power. At 11 K the g = 2.016 signal saturates with a P(1/2) of 110 microW and the g = 2.027/1.976 signal with a P(1/2) of 10 microW. (vii) The spectral shape and spin concentration of these signals is successfully reproduced, assuming a weak magnetic interaction (J values in the range 0.025-0.05 cm(-)(1)) between an iron-NO complex with total spin of (1)/(2) and the spin, (1)/(2), of the semiquinone, Q(A)(-). The different modes of binding of NO to the non-heme iron are examined in the context of a molecular model. An important aspect of the model is a trans influence of Q(A) reduction on the bicarbonate ligation to the iron, transmitted via H-bonding of Q(A) with an imidazole ligand to the iron.     

Dinitrosyl iron complexes [E5Fe(NO)2] (E = S, Se): A precursor of Roussin’s black salt [Fe4E3(NO)7]

[PPN][Se₅Fe(NO)₂] (1) and [K-18-crown-6-ether][S₅Fe(NO)₂] (2′) were synthesized and characterized by IR, UV-Vis, EPR spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, and X-ray structure. [PPN][Se₅Fe(NO)₂] easily undergoes ligand exchange with S₈ and (RS)₂ (R = C₇H₄SN (5), o-C₆H₄NHCOCH₃ (6), C₄H₃S (7)) to form [PPN][S₅Fe(NO)₂] and [PPN][(SR)₂Fe(NO)₂]. The reaction displays that [E₅Fe(NO)₂]⁻ (E = Se (3), S (4)) facilely converts to [Fe₄E₃(NO)₇]⁻ by adding acid HBF₄ or oxidant [Cp₂Fe][BF₄] in THF, respectively. Obviously, complexes 1 and 2′ serve as the precursors of the Roussin’s black salts 3 and 4. The electronic structure of {Fe(NO)₂}⁹ core of [Se₅Fe(NO)₂]⁻ is best described as a dynamic resonance hybrid of {Fe⁺¹(NO)₂}⁹ and {Fe⁻¹(NO⁺)₂}⁹ modulated by the coordinated ligands. The findings, EPR signal of g = 2.064 for 1 at 298 K, implicate that the low-molecular-weight DNICs and protein-bound DNICs may not exist with selenocysteine residues of proteins as ligands, since the existence of protein-bound DNICs and low-molecular-weight DNICs in vitro has been characterized with a characteristic EPR signal at g = 2.03. In addition, complex 2′ treated human erythroleukemia K562 cancer cells exposed to UV-A light greatly decreased the percentage survival of the cell cultures.     

Spectroscopic characterization of mononitrosyl complexes in heme--nonheme diiron centers within the myoglobin scaffold (Fe(B)Mbs): relevance to denitrifying NO reductase

Denitrifying NO reductases are evolutionarily related to the superfamily of heme--copper terminal oxidases. These transmembrane protein complexes utilize a heme-nonheme diiron center to reduce two NO molecules to N(2)O. To understand this reaction, the diiron site has been modeled using sperm whale myoglobin as a scaffold and mutating distal residues Leu-29 and Phe-43 to histidines and Val-68 to a glutamic acid to create a nonheme Fe(B) site. The impact of incorporation of metal ions at this engineered site on the reaction of the ferrous heme with one NO was examined by UV-vis absorption, EPR, resonance Raman, and FTIR spectroscopies. UV--vis absorption and resonance Raman spectra demonstrate that the first NO molecule binds to the ferrous heme, but while the apoproteins and Cu(I)- or Zn(II)-loaded proteins show characteristic EPR signatures of S = 1/2 six-coordinate heme {FeNO}(7) species that can be observed at liquid nitrogen temperature, the Fe(II)-loaded proteins are EPR silent at ≥30 K. Vibrational modes from the heme [Fe-N-O] unit are identified in the RR and FTIR spectra using (15)NO and (15)N(18)O. The apo and Cu(I)-bound proteins exhibit ν(FeNO) and ν(NO) that are only marginally distinct from those reported for native myoglobin. However, binding of Fe(II) at the Fe(B) site shifts the heme ν(FeNO) by 17 cm(-1) and the ν(NO) by -50 cm(-1) to 1549 cm(-1). This low ν(NO) is without precedent for a six-coordinate heme {FeNO}(7) species and suggests that the NO group adopts a strong nitroxyl character stabilized by electrostatic interaction with the nearby nonheme Fe(II). Detection of a similarly low ν(NO) in the Zn(II)-loaded protein supports this interpretation.     

Energy transfer and trapping in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Synechococcus</Emphasis> WH 7803

Excitation energy transfer (EET) and trapping in Synechococcus WH 7803 whole cells and isolated photosystem I (PSI) complexes have been studied by time-resolved emission spectroscopy at room temperature (RT) and at 77 K. With the help of global and target analysis, the pathways of EET and the charge separation dynamics have been identified. Energy absorbed in the phycobilisome (PB) rods by the abundant phycoerythrin (PE) is funneled to phycocyanin (PC645) and from there to the core that contains allophycocyanin (APC660 and APC680). Intra-PB EET rates have been estimated to range from 11 to 68/ns. It was estimated that at RT, the terminal emitter of the phycobilisome, APC680, transfers its energy at a rate of 90/ns to PSI and at a rate of 50/ns to PSII. At 77 K, the redshifted Chl a states in the PSI core were heterogeneous, with maximum emission at 697 and 707 nm. In 72% of the PSI complexes, the bulk Chl a in equilibrium with F697 decayed with a main trapping lifetime of 39 ps.     

Experimental and theoretical study of the arrangement, electronic structure and properties of neutral paramagnetic binuclear nitrosyl iron complexes with azaheterocyclic thyolyls having ‘S-C-N type’ coordination of bridging ligands

Geometrical and electronic structures of neutral paramagnetic binuclear nitrosyl iron complexes with azaheterocyclic thyolyls [Fe₂(μ-SR)₂)(NO)₄] with bridging ligands: aminomercaptotriazolyl, RC₂N₃H(NH₂) (1), mercaptoimidazolyl, RC₃N₂H₃ (2), methylmercaptoimidazolyl, RC₃N₂H₂CH₃ (3), and dihydromercaptoimidazolyl, RC₃N₂H₅ (4) have been calculated by the methods of density functional, B3LYP and PBE. Coordination of bridging ligands corresponds to ‘S-C-N type’, more energetically preferable than μ-S type coordination. This results in big Fe?Fe distances, with the value of intramolecular exchange interaction being inconsiderable; therefore the complexes are paramagnetic at ambient temperature, with effective magnetic moment about 2.5 Bohr magneton. The interaction of the Fe atoms spins and intermolecular exchange are antiferromagnetic, and this should be taken into account while describing the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility. The electronic configuration of the Fe(NO)₂ unit with one unpaired electron (similar to that in binuclear diamagnetic complexes) forms due to binding of spin 3/2 of Fe⁺d⁷ center with oppositely oriented spins 1/2 of two NO groups. Theoretical approaches describe satisfactorily not only the experimental structure of the complexes but also their IR spectra.     

An EPR study of the dinuclear iron site in the soluble methane monooxygenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) reduced by one electron at 77 K: the effects of component interactions and the binding of small molecules to the diiron(III) center

Reduction of the soluble methane monooxygenase hydroxylase (MMOH) from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) in frozen 4:1 buffer/glycerol solutions at 77 K by mobile electrons generated by gamma-irradiation produces an EPR-detectable, mixed-valent Fe(II)Fe(III) center. At this temperature the conformation of the enzyme remains essentially unaltered during reduction, so the mixed-valent EPR spectra serve to probe the active site structure of the EPR-silent, diiron(III) state. The EPR spectra of the cryoreduced samples reveal that the diiron(III) cluster of the resting hydroxylase has at least two chemically distinct forms, the structures of which differ from that of the equilibrium Fe(II)Fe(III) site. Their relative populations depend on pH, the presence of component B, and formation of the MMOH/MMOB complex by reoxidation of the reduced, diiron(II) hydroxylase. The formation of complexes between MMOB, MMOR, and the oxidized hydroxylase does not measurably affect the structure of the diiron(III) site. Cryogenic reduction in combination with EPR spectroscopy has also provided information about interaction of MMOH in the diiron(III) state with small molecules. The diiron(III) center binds methanol and phenols, whereas DMSO and methane have no measurable effect on the EPR properties of cryoreduced hydroxylase. Addition of component B favors the binding of some exogenous ligands, such as DMSO and glycerol, to the active site diiron(III) state and markedly perturbs the structure of the diiron(III) cluster complexed with methanol or phenol. The results reveal different reactivity of the Fe(III)Fe(III) and Fe(II)Fe(III) redox states of MMOH toward exogenous ligands. Moreover, unlike oxidized hydroxylase, the binding of exogenous ligands to the protein in the mixed-valent state is allosterically inhibited by MMOB. The differential reactivity of the hydroxylase in its diiron(III) and mixed-valent states toward small molecules, as well as the structural basis for the regulatory effects of component B, is interpreted in terms of a model involving carboxylate shifts of a flexible glutamate ligand at the Fe(II)Fe(III) center.     

Nitric oxide initiates iron binding to neocuproine.

It was demonstrated that two species of paramagnetic dinitrosyl iron complex (DNIC) with neocuproine form under the following conditions: in addition of neocuproine to a solution of DNIC with phosphate; in gaseous NO treatment of a mixture of Fe(2+) + neocuproine aqueous solutions at pH 6.5-8; and in addition of Fe(2+)--citrate complex + neocuproine to a S-nitrosocysteine (cys-NO) solution. The first form of DNIC with neocuproine is characterized by an EPR signal with g-factor values of 2.087, 2.055, and 2.025, when it is recorded at 77K. At room temperature, the complex displays a symmetric singlet at g = 2.05. The second form of DNIC with neocuproine gives an EPR signal with g-factor values of 2.042, 2.02, and 2.003, which can be recorded at a low temperature only.The revealed complexes are close to DNIC with cysteine in their stability. The ability of neocuproine to bind Fe(2+) in the presence of NO with formation of paramagnetic DNICs warrants critical reevaluation of the statement that neocuproine is only able to bind Cu(+) ions. It was suggested that the observed affinity of neocuproine to iron was due to transition of Fe(2+) in DNIC with neocuproine to Fe(+). In experiments on cys-NO, it was shown that the stabilizing effect of neocuproine on this compound could be due to neocuproine binding to the iron catalyzing decomposition of cys-NO.     

Purification of highly active oxygen-evolving photosystem II from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

A method is described for the isolation and purification of active oxygen-evolving photosystem II (PS II) membranes from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The isolation procedure is a modification of methods evolved for spinach (Berthold et al. 1981). The purity and integrity of the PS II preparations have been assesssed on the bases of the polypeptide pattern in SDS-PAGE, the rate of oxygen evolution, the EPR multiline signal of the S₂ state, the room temperature chlorophyll a fluorescence yield, the 77 K emission spectra, and the P700 EPR signal at 300 K. These data show that the PS II characteristics are increased by a factor of two in PS II preparations as compared to thylakoid samples, and the PS I concentration is reduced by approximately a factor ten compared to that in thylakoids.Abbreviations BSA bovine serum albumin - Chl chlorophyll - DCBQ 2,6-dichloro-p-benzoquinone - DCMU (diuron) 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea - DMQ 2,5-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone - EDTA ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid - EPR electron paramagnetic resonance - Hepes N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N-2-ethanesulfonic acid - MES 2-[N-Morpholino]ethanesulfonic acid - OEE oxygen evolving enhancer - PS II photosystem II - SDS-PAGE sodium dedocyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis     

Iron-blocking the high-affinity Mn-binding site in photosystem II facilitates identification of the type of hydrogen bond participating in proton-coupled electron transport via YZ

Incubation of Mn-depleted PSII membranes [PSII(-Mn)] with Fe(II) is accompanied by the blocking of Y(Z)(*) at the high-affinity Mn-binding site to exogenous electron donors [Semin et al. (2002) Biochemistry 41, 5854-5864] and a shift of the pK(app) of the hydrogen bond partner for Y(Z) (base B) from 7.1 to 6.1 [Semin, B. K., and Seibert, M. (2004) Biochemistry 43, 6772-6782]. Here we calculate activation energies (E(a)) for Y(Z)(*) reduction in PSII(-Mn) and Fe-blocked PSII(-Mn) samples [PSII(-Mn, +Fe)] from temperature dependencies of the rate constants of the fast and slow components of the flash-probe fluorescence decay kinetics. At pH < pK(app) (e.g., 5.5), the decays are fit with one (fast) component in both types of samples, and E(a) is equal to 42.2 +/- 2.9 kJ/mol in PSII(-Mn) and 46.4 +/- 3.3 kJ/mol in PSII(-Mn, +Fe) membranes. At pH > pK(app), the decay kinetics exhibit an additional slow component in PSII(-Mn, +Fe) membranes (E(a) = 36.1 +/- 7.5 kJ/mol), which is much lower than the E(a) of the corresponding component observed for Y(Z)(*) reduction in PSII(-Mn) samples (48.1 +/- 1.7 kJ/mol). We suggest that the above difference results from the formation of a strong low barrier hydrogen bond (LBHB) between Y(Z) and base B in PSII(-Mn, +Fe) samples. To confirm this, Fe-blocking was performed in D(2)O to insert D(+), which has an energetic barrier distinct from H(+), into the LBHB. Measurement of the pH effects on the rates of Y(Z)(*) reduction in PSII(-Mn, +Fe) samples blocked in D(2)O shows a shift of the pK(app) from 6.1 to 7.6, and an increase in the E(a) of the slow component. This approach was also used to measure the stability of the Y(Z)(*) EPR signal at various temperatures in both kinds of membranes. In PSII(-Mn) membranes, the freeze-trapped Y(Z)(*) radical is stable below 190 K, but half of the Y(Z)(*) EPR signal disappears after a 1-min incubation when the sample is warmed to 253 K. In PSII(-Mn, +Fe) samples, the trapped Y(Z)(*) radical is unstable at a much lower temperature (77 K). However, the insertion of D(+) into the hydrogen bond between Y(Z) and base B during the blocking process increases the temperature stability of the Y(Z)(*) EPR signal at 77 K. Again, these results indicate that Fe-blocking involves Y(Z) in the formation of a LBHB, which in turn is consistent with the suggested existence of a LBHB between Y(Z) and base B in intact PSII membranes [Zhang, C., and Styring, S. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 8066-8076].     

A reversible NO complex of Fe(TIM): an S = 1/2FeNO nitrosyl

[Fe(TIM)(CH₃CN)₂](PF₆)₂ (1) (TIM = 2,3,9,10-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclodeca-1,3,8,10-tetraene) forms a complex with NO reversibly in CH₃CN (53±1% converted to the NO complex) or 60% CH₃OH/40% CH₃CN (81±1% conversion). Quantitative NO complexation occurs in H₂O or CH₃OH solvents. The EPR spectrum of [Fe(TIM)(solvent)NO]²⁺ in frozen 60/40 CH₃OH/CH₃CN at 77 K shows a three line feature at g=2.01, 1.99 and 1.97 of an S=1/2FeNO⁷ ground state. The middle line exhibits a three-line N-shf coupling of 24 G indicating a six-coordinate complex with either CH₃OH or CH₃CN as a ligand trans to NO. In H₂O [Fe(TIM)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ undergoes a slow decomposition, liberating 2,3-butanedione, as detected by ¹H NMR in D₂O, unless a π-acceptor axial ligand, L=CO, CH₃CN or NO is present. An equilibrium of 1 in water containing CH₃CN forms [Fe(TIM)(CH₃CN)(H₂O)]²⁺ which has a formation constant K_CH3CN=320 M⁻¹. In water K_NOK_CH3CN since NO completely displaces CH₃CN. [Fe(TIM)(CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ binds either CO or NO in CH₃CN with K_NO/K_CO=0.46, sigificantly lower than the ratio for [Fe^II(hemes)] of 1100 in various media. A steric influence due to bumping of β-CH₂ protons of the TIM macrocycle with a bent S=1/2 nitrosyl as opposed to much lessened steric factors for the linear Fe---CO unit is proposed to explain the lower K_NO/K_CO ratio for the [Fe(TIM)(CH₃CN)]²⁺ adducts of NO or CO. Estimates for formation constants with [Fe(TIM)]²⁺ in CH₃CN of K_NO=80.1 M⁻¹ and K_CO=173 M⁻ are much lower than to hemoglobin (where K_NO=2.5×10¹⁰ M⁻¹ and K_CO=2.3×10⁷) due to a reversal of steric factors and stronger π-backdonation from [Fe^II(heme)] than from [Fe^II(TIM)(CH₃CN)]²⁺.     

Zero-field splitting of Fe3+ in horseradish peroxidase and of Fe4+ in horseradish peroxidase compound I from electron spin relaxation data.

From the temperature dependence of the Orbach relaxation rate of the paramagnetic center in horseradish peroxidase (HRP), we deduce an excited-state energy of 40.9 +/- 1.1 K. Similar studies on the broad EPR signal of HRP compound I indicate a much weaker Orbach relaxation process involving an excited state at 36.8 +/- 2.5 K. The strength of the Orbach process in HRP-I is weaker than one would normally estimate by 2-4 orders of magnitude. This fact lends support to the model of HRP-I involving a spin 1/2 free radical coupled to a spin 1 Fe4+ heme iron via a weak exchange interaction. Such a system should exhibit an Orbach relaxation process involving delta E, the excited state of the Fe4+ ion, but reduced in strength by (Jyy/delta E)2, where Jyy is related to the strength of the exchange interaction between the two spin systems.     

Spectroscopic evidence for a copper-nitrosyl intermediate in nitrite reduction by blue copper-containing nitrite reductase

The reactions of nitrogen monoxide (NO) with the blue copper-containing nitrite reductases from Alcaligenes sp. NCIB 11015 and Achromobacter cycloclastes IAM 1013 were investigated spectroscopically. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals of the blue coppers vanished in the presence of NO at 77 K, being fully restored by the removal of NO. The additions of NO to the enzyme solutions resulted in the substantial bleaching of the visible absorption bands at room temperature. The reactions were also completely reversible. These results suggest the formation of a cuprous nitrosyl complex (Cu+-NO+), which is likely the intermediate in the enzymatic nitrite reduction.