Metal ion binding and activation of Streptomyces griseus dinuclear aminopeptidase: cadmium(II) binding as a model

A detailed metal binding and activation of the dinuclear aminopeptidase from Streptomyces griseus (sAP) has been analyzed and modeled by means of metal titration as well as kinetic and thermodynamic techniques using Cd2+ as a probe. Cd2+ binds to the two metal-binding sites in a sequential manner to produce a very active Cd2+-substituted derivative, particularly in the presence of Ca2+ (53% and 90%, respectively, relative to the activities of the native form in terms of kcat/Km under the same conditions). The first stepwise formation constant for the binding of metal to the dinuclear site (to form M-sAP) was found to determine the metal-binding selectivity, regardless of the magnitude of the second stepwise formation constant (to form M,M-sAP from M-sAP). Interestingly, despite the seemingly very different binding profiles for different metal ions under different conditions, all of them can be well described and fitted by the sequential binding model. In addition, Ca2+ was found to significantly affect metal binding, inhibition, and entropy of activation of this enzyme, and its role in sAP action is re-evaluated.     

Silver(I), mercury(II), cadmium(II), and zinc(II) target exposed enzymic iron-sulfur clusters when they toxify Escherichia coli

The toxicity of soft metals is of broad interest to microbiologists, both because such metals influence the community structures in natural environments and because several metals are used as antimicrobial agents. Their potency roughly parallels their thiophilicity, suggesting that their primary biological targets are likely to be enzymes that contain key sulfhydryl moieties. A recent study determined that copper poisons Escherichia coli in part by attacking the exposed [4Fe-4S] clusters of dehydratases. The present investigation sought to test whether other soft metals also target these enzymes. In vitro experiments revealed that low-micromolar concentrations of Ag(I) and Hg(II) directly inactivated purified fumarase A, a member of the dehydratase family. The enzyme was also poisoned by higher levels of Cd(II) and Zn(II), but it was unaffected by even millimolar concentrations of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II). Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis and measurements of released iron confirmed that damage was associated with destruction of the [4Fe-4S] cluster, and indeed, the reconstruction of the cluster fully restored activity. Growth studies were then performed to test whether dehydratase damage might underlie toxicity in vivo. Barely toxic doses of Ag(I), Hg(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) inactivated all tested members of the [4Fe-4S] dehydratase family. Again, activity was recovered when the clusters were rebuilt. The metals did not diminish the activities of other sampled enzymes, including NADH dehydrogenase I, an iron-sulfur protein whose clusters are shielded by polypeptide. Thus, the data indicate that dehydratases are damaged by the concentrations of metals that initiate bacteriostasis.     

Synthesis,physico-chemical characterization and antimicrobial activity of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with some acyldihydrazones

Complexes of the type [M(bssdh)]Cl and [M(dspdh)]Cl, where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II); Hbssdh = benzil salicylaldehyde succinic acid dihydrazone, Hdspdh = diacetyl salicylaldehyde phthalic acid dihydrazone have been synthesized and characterized with the help of elemental analyses, electrical conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, electronic, ESR and IR spectra and X–ray diffraction studies. Magnetic moment values and electronic spectral transitions indicate a spin free octahedral structure for Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes. IR spectral studies suggest that both the ligands behave as monobasic hexadentate ligands coordinating through three > C = O, two > C = N– and a phenolate group to the metal. ESR spectra of Cu(II) complexes are axial type and suggest as the ground state. X–ray powder diffraction parameters for [Co(bssdh)]Cl and [Co(dspdh)]Cl complexes correspond to an orthorhombic crystal lattice. The ligands as well as their metal complexes show a significant antifungal and antibacterial activity against various fungi and bacteria. The metal complexes are more active than the parent ligands.     

Synthesis, physico-chemical characterization and antimicrobial activity of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with some acyldihydrazones

Complexes of the type [M(bssdh)]Cl and [M(dspdh)]Cl, where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II); Hbssdh = benzil salicylaldehyde succinic acid dihydrazone, Hdspdh = diacetyl salicylaldehyde phthalic acid dihydrazone have been synthesized and characterized with the help of elemental analyses, electrical conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, electronic, ESR and IR spectra and X-ray diffraction studies. Magnetic moment values and electronic spectral transitions indicate a spin free octahedral structure for Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes. IR spectral studies suggest that both the ligands behave as monobasic hexadentate ligands coordinating through three > C = O, two > C = N- and a phenolate group to the metal. ESR spectra of Cu(II) complexes are axial type and suggest d(x(2)-y(2)) as the ground state. X-ray powder diffraction parameters for [Co(bssdh)]Cl and [Co(dspdh)]Cl complexes correspond to an orthorhombic crystal lattice. The ligands as well as their metal complexes show a significant antifungal and antibacterial activity against various fungi and bacteria. The metal complexes are more active than the parent ligands.     

Complex-formation and redox reactions of bilirubin and biliverdin with zinc(II), cadmium(II) and copper(II) ions

Transition metal complexes of bilirubin and biliverdin were studied spectrophotometrically, in DMSO and in a boric acid-NaOH buffer mixture at pH 10.5. In the zinc(II) and cadmium(II)- bilirubin systems, 2:1 complexes are formed. Both in aqueous and in DMSO medium, the copper(II) ion oxidizes bilirubin to biliverdin. With all three metal ions, biliverdin forms 1:1 complexes, the stabilities of which are higher than those of the corresponding bilirubin complexes. Accordingly, these metal ions accelerate the oxidative transformations of bilirubin.     

Zinc(II), cadmium(II) and mercury(II) complexes of the vitamin B1 antagonist oxythiamine

The reaction of oxythiamine chloride hydrochloride (HOxTCl x HCl) with ZnCl2, CdCl2 and HgCl2 in ethanol yielded the complexes [ZnCl3(HOxT)], [CdCl3(HOxT)] and [HgCl3(HOxT)]. In water, the reaction with CdCl2 afforded [CdCl2(OxT)], but reaction with ZnCl2 or HgCl2 yielded unidentified products. The four new complexes were characterized by mass spectrometry and IR spectroscopy in the solid state and by 1H, 13C and 15N nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in hexadeuterated dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO-d6), and three were also studied by X-ray diffractometry. In [ZnCl3(HOxT)] and [HgCl3(HOxT)] the oxythiamine ligand is bound to the metal via N(1') and adopts the V conformation exhibited by thiamine in biological contexts. The infrared (IR) spectrum of [CdCl3(HOxT)] suggests a similar coordination mode. In [CdCl2(OxT)] each OxT zwitterion coordinates to one Cd(II) ion via its N(1') atom and to another via its N(3') and O atoms, giving rise to a polymeric chain along the x-axis. The coordination number of the metal is made up to six by Cdc...Cl interactions, two of which link the polymeric chains in pairs. This seems to be the first metal complex containing the oxythiamine ligand as a zwitterion, with the N(3')-H/O(4'alpha)-H group deprotonated. Neither HOxTCl nor its zinc(II) complex showed any significant activity in vitro against HeLa cells.     

Linear free-energy analysis of mercury(II) and cadmium(II) binding to three-stranded coiled coils

Investigators have studied how proteins enforce nonstandard geometries on metal centers to assess the question of how protein structures can define the coordination geometry and binding affinity of an active-site metal cofactor. We have shown that cysteine-substituted versions of the TRI peptide series [AcG-(LKALEEK)(4)G-NH(2)] bind Hg(II) and Cd(II) in geometries that are different from what is normally found with thiol ligands in aqueous solution. A fundamental question has been whether this structural perturbation is due to protein influence or a change in the metal geometry preference. To address this question, we have completed linear free-energy analyses that correlate the association of three-stranded coiled coils in the absence of a metal with the binding affinity of the peptides to the heavy metals, Hg(II) and Cd(II). In this paper, six new members of this family have been synthesized, replacing core leucine residues with smaller and less hydrophobic residues, consequently leading to varying degrees of self-association affinities. At the same time, studies with some smaller and longer sequenced peptides have also been examined. All of these peptides are seen to sequester Hg(II) and Cd(II) in an uncommon trigonal environment. For both metals, the binding is strong with micromolar dissociation constants. For binding of Hg(II) to the peptides, the dissociation constants range from 2.4 x 10(-)(5) M for Baby L12C to 2.5 x 10(-)(9) M for Grand L9C for binding of the third thiolate to a linear Hg(II)(pep)(2) species. The binding of Hg(II) to the peptide Grand L9C is similar in energetics for metal binding in the metalloregulatory protein, mercury responsive (merR), displaying approximately 50% trigonal Hg(II) formation at nanomolar metal concentrations. Approximately, 11 kcal/mol of the Hg(II)(Grand L9C)(3)(-) stability is due to peptide interactions, whereas only 1-4 kcal/mol stabilization results from Hg(II)(RS)(2) binding the third thiolate ligand. This further validates the hypothesis that the favorable tertiary interactions in protein systems such as merR go a long way in stabilizing nonnatural coordination environments in biological systems. Similarly, for the binding of Cd(II) to the TRI family, the dissociation constants range from 1.3 x 10(-)(6) M for Baby L9C to 8.3 x 10(-)(9) M for TRI L9C, showing a similar nature of stable aggregate formation.     

Speciation of ternary complexes of lead(II), cadmium(II) and mercury(II) with L-dopa and phenanthroline in propanediol-water mixtures

Abstract

The formation constants of ternary complexes of title systems have been determined pH-metrically in biologically relevant conditions at an ionic strength of 0.16 mol dm^-3 and 303 K. The overall stability constants have been evaluated using MINIQUAD75 computer program. The complexation equilibria have been derived on the basis of species distribution diagram. In the present study L-Dopa and 1, 10-phenanthroline are found to be compatible ligands, proving greater stability of ternary complexes as compared to binary ones. The trend in variation of stability constants with change in dielectric constant of medium is explained on the basis of electrostatic and non-electrostatic forces. Distributions of the species with pH at different compositions of propanediol-water mixtures are also presented. The factors responsible for the compatibility of both the ligands have also been discussed.     

Trimeric G proteins in crustacean (Callinectes sapidus) Y-organs: occurrence and functional link to protein synthesis

Crustacean Y-organs produce ecdysteroid molting hormones. Regulation of ecdysteroidogenesis appears to be complex, involving regulatory ligands (including but not limited to molt-inhibiting hormone, an eyestalk neurohormone) and the capacity of the Y-organs to respond to those ligands. Available data indicate cell signaling pathways involving cAMP, cGMP, or both may be involved in regulation of Y-organ function. Trimeric G proteins link receptor occupancy to regulation of intracellular cAMP levels. In studies reported here, we have assessed the occurrence of G proteins in blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) Y-organs, and the link of G proteins to Y-organ function. Bacterial toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation revealed a PTX-sensitive (alpha i-like) protein in Y-organ membranes, but failed to reveal a CTX-sensitive (alpha s-like) protein in Y-organ membranes. Western blotting with primary antibodies raised against conserved regions of mammalian G proteins detected an alpha i-immunoreactive protein (approximately 40 kDa) and two alpha s-immunoreactive proteins (approximately 50 and approximately 57 kDa) in Y-organ membrane preparations. Incubation of Y-organ membrane fractions with cholera toxin significantly suppressed incorporation of [35S]-methionine into TCA-precipitable Y-organ proteins, but had no detectable effect on ecdysteroidogenesis in short-term (6 h) incubations. The combined results indicate that C. sapidus Y-organs possess both Gi and Gs proteins, and that alpha s is functionally linked to regulation of glandular protein synthesis.     

Toxic effects of mercury(II), cadmium(II) and lead(II) porphyrins on Trypanosoma brucei brucei growth

The effects of free mercury(II), cadmium(II) and lead(II) ions and their metalloporphyrin-derivatives on Trypanosoma brucei brucei growth in culture were studied. All experiments were conducted in the dark. IC(50) values on growth obtained in 24-h time-course experiments were 1.5 x 10(-7), 2.4 x 10(-6), 4.4 x 10(-6) and 2.6 x 10(-5) M for mercury(II) porphyrin, cadmium(II) porphyrin, lead(II) porphyrin and free base porphyrin, respectively. While the IC50 values for Hg2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ were 3.6 x 10(-6), 1.5 x 10(-5) and 1.6 x 10(-5) M, respectively. These results clearly indicate that the toxicity of the metalloporphyrin complexes of mercury(II), cadmium(II) and lead(II) to T. b. brucei parasites was much higher compared to their free metal ions and free base porphyrin at low concentrations. It was also observed after 8 h incubation that the metalloporphyrins were effective in inhibiting the division of the parasites at concentrations >1.25 x 10(-7) M for mercury(II) porphyrin, concentrations >1.2 x 10(-6) M for cadmium(II) and lead(II) porphyrins and at concentrations >3.6 x 10(-6) M for Hg2+ ion. These observations were not detected in samples treated with the free metal ions and the free base porphyrin at the same concentrations. Interestingly, trypanosomes treated with metalloporphyrin complexes displayed different morphological features from those cells treated with free base porphyrin or metal ions. The chemotherapeutic potential of the metalloporphyrins of H2TMPyP for treatment of African trypanosomiasis is discussed.     

Metal-directed affinity labeling of zinc(II), cobalt(II) and cadmium(II) horse liver alcohol dehydrogenases

The active site metal in horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase has been studied by metal-directed affinity labeling of the native zinc(II) enzyme and that substituted with cobalt(II) or cadmium(II). Reversible binding of bromoimidazolyl propionic acid to the cobalt enzyme blueshifts the visible absorption band originating from the catalytic cobalt atom at 655 to 630 nm. Binding of imidazole to the cobalt(II) enzyme redshifts the 655 nm band to 667 nm. Addition of bromoimidazolyl propionic acid blueshifts this 667 nm band back to 630 nm. This proves direct binding of the label to the active site metal in competition with imidazole. The affinity of the label for the reversible binding site in the three enzymes follows the order Zn ? Cd ? Co. After reversible complex formation, bromoimidazolyl propionic acid alkylates cysteine-46, one of the protein ligands to the active site metal. The nucleophilic reactivity of this metal-mercaptide bond in each reversible complex follows the order Co ? Zn ? Cd.     

A preparative study of some coronands and their complexation of silver(I), zinc(II), cadmium(II) and lead(II)

A study of the complexation of heavy metal ions by the coronands 3,12,20,29-tetraoxa-35,36-diazapentacyclo[29.3.1.1.^14,18.0^5,10.0^22,27]-hexatriaconta-1(35),5(10),6,8,14,16,18(36),22(27),23,25,31,33-dodecaene (1); 2,3,11,12-bis (4^′-methylbenzo)-1,4,10,13-tetrathia-7,16-dioxacyclo-octadeca-2,11-diene (2); 7,16-diaza-1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-2,3,11,12-dibenzocyclooctadeca-2,11-diene (3); 2-[19-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-7,8,9,10, 18,19,20,21-octahydro-6H,17H-dibenzo[b,k][1,4,10,13,7,16]tetraoxadiazacyclooctadecin-8-yl]-1-phenyl-1-ethanol (4); 1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclo-octadecane (5); and 2-[16-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclo-octadecanyl]-1-phenyl-1-ethanol (6) is described. Coronands 1 and 3 were prepared by literature methods, improved methods were used to prepare 2, and 4 and 6 were prepared from 3 and 5 (obtained commercially), respectively. Potentiometric studies in N,N-dimethylformamide yielded (logK/dm³ mol⁻¹)=5.50, 6.49, 9.42 and 7.52 for [Ag · 1]⁺, [Ag · 2]⁺, [Ag · 5]⁺ and [Ag · 6]⁺, respectively; <2, <2, 4.30 and <2 for [Zn · 1]²⁺, [Zn · 2]²⁺, [Zn · 5]²⁺ and [Zn · 6]²⁺, respectively, <2, <2, 5.92 and >7.52 for [Cd · 1]²⁺, [Cd · 2]²⁺, [Cd · 5]²⁺, and [Cd · 6]²⁺, respectively, and 2.62, 2.38, 6.71 and >7.52 for [Pb · 1]²⁺, [Pb · 2]²⁺, [Pb · 5]²⁺, and [Pb · 6]²⁺, respectively. ESI-MS studies of the interactions of 1-6 with Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ are also reported.     

Ditopic bis(oxazolines): Synthesis and structural studies of zinc(II), copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes

The synthesis, crystal structures, magnetic and spectroscopic properties of zinc(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) dinuclear complexes 2-4 of a novel dinucleating polyoxazoline ligand 1 are reported. X-ray analysis revealed that the three complexes are centrosymmetric dinuclear species with an overall S shape, the bisoxazoline moieties pointing toward the aromatic core of the molecule. Magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest that there is a very weak exchange interaction between the copper or nickel ions in complexes 3 and 4.     

Synthesis, structural and corrosion inhibition studies on cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with 2-acetylthiophene benzoylhydrazone

Cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with 2-acetylthiophene benzoylhydrazone have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, electronic, IR, NMR and ESR spectral techniques. The molecular structures of ligand and its copper(II) complex have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The Cu(II) complex possesses a CuN₂O₂ chromophore with a considerable delocalization of charge. The structure of the complex is stabilized by intermolecular π–π stacking and C–H?π interactions. Hatbh acts as a monobasic bidentate ligand in all the complexes bonding through a deprotonated C–O⁻ and >CN groups. Electronic spectral studies indicate an octahedral geometry for the Ni(II) complex while square planar geometry for the Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes. ESR spectrum of the Cu(II) complex exhibits a square planar geometry in solid and in DMSO solution. The trend g_|| > g_⊥ > 2.0023 indicates the presence of an unpaired electron in the d_x²-y² orbital of Cu(II). The electro-chemical study of Cu(II) complex reveals a metal based reversible redox behavior. The Ni(II) complex shows exothermic multi-step decomposition pattern of the bonded ligand. The ligand and its most of the metal complexes show appreciable corrosion inhibition properties for mild steel in 1 M HCl medium. [Co(atbh)₂] complex exhibited the greatest impact on corrosion inhibition among the other compounds.     

Formation and confirmation of binary complexes of calcium(II), magnesium(II ) and zinc(II) with L-histidine in dioxan-water media

Abstract

A computer assisted pH-metric investigation has been carried out on the speciation of binary complexes of Ca(II), Mg(II) and Zn(II) with L-histidine. The titrations are carried out with sodium hydroxide in varying concentrations (0–60% v/v) of dioxan-water mixtures at an ionic strength of 0.16 mol L^-1 and at a temperature of 303 K. Ca(II), Mg(II) and Zn(II) form the binary complexes of ML₂H₄, ML₂H₃, ML₂H₂, ML₂H and ML₂ in dioxan-water mixtures. The effect of systematic errors in the concentrations of the substances on the stability constants is in the order acid > alkali > ligand > metal> Log F. The effect of solvent, dielectric constant of the medium and the electrostatic interactions between the complex species on the stability of the complexes are discussed.     

Free metal ion depletion by "Good's" buffers. I. N-(2-acetamido)iminodiacetic acid 1:1 complexes with calcium(ii). magnesium(II), zinc(II), manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), and copper(II).

Formation (affinity) constants for 1:1 complexes of N-(2-acetamido)iminodiacetic acid (ADAH₂) with Ca(II), Mg(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) have been determined. Probable structures of the various metal chelates existing in solution are discussed. Values for the deprotonation of the amide group in [Cu(ADA)] and subsequent hydroxo complex formation are also reported. The use of ADA as a buffer is considered in terms of metal buffers complexes which can be formed at physiological pH, i.e., at pH 7.0 there is essentially no free metal ion in 1:1 M²⁺ to ADA solutions.     

Studies of cadmium binding to hexokinase: structural and functional implications

The interaction between cadmium and yeast hexokinase was studied. Cadmium produces changes in the aggregation state of the protein and large structures with a large molecular mass were formed. This phenomenon occurs without large modifications to the secondary structure. During this change the enzyme maintains a high level of activity in the monomer as well as in aggregate form. This implies that the enzyme function is not greatly affected by the change and it maintains its active sites without significant modifications. According to kinetic measurements with both glucose and ATP as a variable substrate, cadmium causes a mixed-type inhibition with a main uncompetitive component. Binding experiments show that the protein presents negative cooperative binding with cadmium at various temperatures (298, 303 and 313 K) and a progressive loss in metal union with concentration depending on the temperature. The total union percentage decreases as the metal concentration increases. This is probably due to the aggregation process, which affects the binding sites for the metal and also for the substrate. Labile interactions are more persistent than specific interactions in accordance with the solvation parameter.