A possible model of hemoprotein-fatty acid peroxide complex demonstrated by electron spin resonance

Coordination reaction between linolenic-acid-hydroperoxide (LHPO) and chloro(5, 10, 15, 20-tetraphenyl)-porphyrinato iron (III), Fe(III)TPPCl, was investigated by means of ESR. ESR spectra of the ferric low-spin complex (g1 = 2.336, g2 = 2.174 and g3 = 1.929) was recorded for the mixture prepared by mixing Fe(III)TPPCl and LHPO at -78 degrees C in the presence of alkaline reagent. ESR line width of complex was broadened when 17O2 labeled LHPO was used for ESR measurement. In terms of the g-parameters of the ferric low-spin species, this complex was concluded to be Fe(III)TPP(-OCH3)(-OO-linolenic acid) type complex.     

Spectroscopic studies on bleomycin-iron complexes with carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, isocyanide, azide, and cyanide and comparison with iron-porphyrin complexes

The bleomycin-iron complexes with CO, NO, C2H5NC, OH-, N-3, CN-, and CH3NH2 were characterized by electronic, ESR, 1H-NMR, and M?ssbauer spectroscopies and the findings were compared with the corresponding hemoprotein complexes. The 1H-NMR and M?ssbauer features for the CO and C2H5NC adducts of the bleomycin-Fe(II) complex are consistent with an S = 0 ferrous assignment. The OH-, CH3NH2, and N-3 adducts of the bleomycin-Fe(III) complex show the ESR, 1H-NMR, and M?ssbauer spectra typical of a low-spin Fe(III). The unique M?ssbauer parameters of the bleomycin-Fe(II)-NO complex demonstrate mixing between the NO pi- and the Fe 3d-orbitals. The magnitude of the proton chemical shifts over +/- 50 ppm indicates a high-spin ferric type for the bleomycin-Fe(III)-CN complex. The M?ssbauer parameters (delta EQ = 0.89 and delta = 0.48 mm/s) of the CN- adduct differ substantially from those of typical low-spin hemoprotein-cyanide complexes. Except for the CN- adduct, the M?ssbauer and crystal field parameters of these bleomycin-iron complexes are similar to those of the corresponding hemoprotein complexes.     

EPR and ENDOR studies of cryoreduced compounds II of peroxidases and myoglobin. Proton-coupled electron transfer and protonation status of ferryl hemes

The nature of the [Fe(IV)-O] center in hemoprotein Compounds II has recently received considerable attention, as several experimental and theoretical investigations have suggested that this group is not necessarily the traditionally assumed ferryl ion, [Fe(IV)=O]2+, but can be the protonated ferryl, [Fe(IV)-OH]3+. We show here that cryoreduction of the EPR-silent Compound II by gamma-irradiation at 77 K produces Fe(III) species retaining the structure of the precursor [Fe(IV)=O]2+ or [Fe(IV)-OH]3+, and that the properties of the cryogenerated species provide a report on structural features and the protonation state of the parent Compound II when studied by EPR and 1H and 14N ENDOR spectroscopies. To give the broadest view of the properties of Compounds II we have carried out such measurements on cryoreduced Compounds II of HRP, Mb, DHP and CPO and on CCP Compound ES. EPR and ENDOR spectra of cryoreduced HRP II, CPO II and CCP ES are characteristic of low-spin hydroxy-Fe(III) heme species. In contrast, cryoreduced "globins", Mb II, Hb II, and DHP II, show EPR spectra having lower rhombicity. In addition the cryogenerated ferric "globin" species display strongly coupled exchangeable (1)H ENDOR signals, with A max approximately 20 MHz and a iso approximately 14 MHz, both substantially greater than for hydroxide/water ligand protons. Upon annealing at T > 180 K the cryoreduced globin compounds II relax to the low-spin hydroxy-ferric form with a solvent kinetic isotope effect, KIE > 6. The results presented here together with published resonance Raman and Mossbauer data suggest that the high-valent iron center of globin and HRP compounds II, as well as of CCP ES, is [Fe(IV)=O]2+, and that its cryoreduction produces [Fe(III)-O]+. Instead, as proposed by Green and co-workers, CPO II contains [Fe(IV)-OH]3+ which forms [Fe(III)-OH]2+ upon radiolysis. The [Fe(III)-O]+ generated by cryoreduction of HRP II and CCP ES protonate at 77 K, presumably because the heme is linked to a distal-pocket hydrogen bonding/proton-delivery network through an H-bond to the "oxide" ligand. The data also indicate that Mb and HRP compounds II exist as two major conformational substates.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic, and antitumor activity of metal chelates of S-methyl-N-(l-isoquinolyl)-methylendithiocarbazate

Complexes of Mn(III), Fe(III), Fe(II), Co(III), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Pt(II) with S-methyl-N-(l-isoquinolyl) methylendithiocarbazate (N-N-SH) were isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, conductance measurement, magnetic susceptibilities, and spectroscopic studies. On the basis of these studies, a highly distorted, high-spin, chloro-bridged, polymeric octahedral structure for [Mn(N-N-S)Cl2]; a distorted, low-spin, monomeric octahedral structure for [Fe(N-N-S)2]; a distorted, high-spin, octahedral structure for [Ni(N-N-S)2]; and a square-planar structure for [M(N-N-S)X] (M = Ni, Cu, Pt or Zn and X = Cl- or -OAc) are suggested. With Fe(III), the complex [Fe(N-N-S)2][FeCl4] was isolated while the Co(II) was oxidized to yield the Co(III) ion as [Co(N-N-S)2]2[CoCl4]. All these complexes were screened for their antitumor activity against P 388 lymphocytic leukemia test system in mice. Except for Mn(III), Fe(III), and Co(III) complexes, all were found to possess significant activity; the Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes showed a T/C% value of 160 and 195, respectively, at their optimum dosages.     

Novel cytotoxic chelators that bind iron(II) selectively over zinc(II) under aqueous aerobic conditions

To achieve cellular iron deprivation by chelation, it is important to develop chelators with selective metal-binding properties. Selectivity for iron has long been the province of certain oxygen-donor chelators such as desferrioxamine, which target Fe(III) and exploit the strength of a relatively ionic Fe(III)-O interaction. We have been studying novel chelators that possess mechanisms to selectively chelate +2 biometals, particularly tachpyr [N,N',N"-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3,5-cis,cis-triaminocyclohexane] and derivatives from N,N',N"-trialkylation and pyridine ring alkylation. Metal-exchange and metal-binding competition reactions have been conducted at pH 7.4, 37 degrees C and time periods until no further change was observed (generally 24-48 h). Under anaerobic conditions, tachpyr is strongly selective for iron, binding 95+/-5% Fe(II) versus 5+/-5% Zn(II) in the forms [Fe(tachpyr)](2+) and [Zn(tachpyr)](2+) respectively. Under aerobic conditions, tachpyr complexes Fe(II) more effectively than Fe(III), forming iminopyridyl complexes [Fe(tachpyr-ox-n)](2+) (n=2, 4) by O(2)-induced and iron-mediated oxidative dehydrogenation. Complexes [Fe(tachpyr-ox-n)](2+) are also strongly bound forms of iron that are unaffected by an excess of Zn(II) (75 mol zinc:1 mol iron complex). The preference of tachpyr for iron over zinc under aerobic conditions appears to be hindered by oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III), such that the proportions bound are 44+/-10% Fe(II) versus 56+/-10% Zn(II), in the respective forms [Fe(tachpyr-ox-n)](2+) and [Zn(tachpyr)](2+). However, upon addition of the reducing agent Na(2)S(2)O(4) that converts Fe(III) to Fe(II), the binding proportions shift to 76+/-10% Fe(II) versus 24+/-10% Zn(II), demonstrating a clear preference of tachpyr for Fe(II) over Zn(II). Iron(II) is in the low-spin state in [Fe(tachpyr)](2+) and [Fe(tachpyr-ox-n)](2+) (n=2, 4), which is a likely cause of the observed selectivity. N-methylation of tachpyr [giving (N-methyl)(3)tachpyr] results in the loss of selectivity for Fe(II), which is attributed to the steric effect of the methyl groups and a resulting high-spin state of Fe(II) in [Fe(N-methyl)(3)tachpyr)](2+). The relationship of chelator selectivity to cytotoxicity in the tach family will be discussed.     

Influence of ligand structure on Fe(II) spin-state and redox rate in cytotoxic tripodal chelators

The Fe coordination chemistry of several tripodal aminopyridyl hexadentate chelators is reported along with cytotoxicity toward cultured Hela cells. The chelators are based on cis, cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane (tach) with three pendant -CH2-2-pyridyl groups where 2-pyridyl is R-substituted thus are named tach-x-Rpyr where x=3, R=Me; x=3, R=MeO; x=6; R=Me. The structures of [Fe(tach-3-Mepyr)]Cl2 and [Fe(tach-3-MeOpyr)](FeCl4) are reported and their metric parameters indicate strongly bound, low-spin Fe(II). The structure of [Fe(tach-6-Mepyr)](ClO4)2 implies steric effects of 6-Me groups push donor Npy's away so one Fe-Npy bond is substantially longer at 2.380(3)A vs. 2.228(3)A for the others, and Fe(II) in the high-spin-state. Accordingly, anions X(-)=Cl or SCN afford [Fe(tach-6-Mepyr)(X)]+ from [Fe(tach-6-Mepyr)]2+ (UV-vis spectroscopy). Consistent with a biological cytotoxicity involving Fe chelation, chelators of low-spin Fe(II) have greater toxicity in the order [IC50(72 h) is in parentheses then the spin-state SS=H (high) or L (low)]: tachpyr=tach-3-Mepyr (6 microM, SS=L) greater, similar tach-3-MeOpyr (12microM, SS=L)>tach-6-Mepyr (>200 microM, SS=H). Iron-mediated oxidative dehydrogenation with O2 oxidant removes hydrogens from coordinated nitrogen and the adjacent CH2, converting aqueous [Fe(tach-3-Rpyr)]2+ (R=H, Me and MeO) into a mix of low-spin imino- and aminopyridyl-armed complexes, but [Fe(tach-6-Mepyr)]2+ does not react (NMR and ESI-MS spectroscopies). The difference of IC(50) for chelators at different time points (delta IC50=[IC50(24h)-IC50(72 h)]) is used to compare rate of cytotoxic action to qualitative rate of oxidation in the Fe-bound chelator, giving the order, from rapid to slow oxidation and cell killing of: [Fe(tach-3-Mepyr)]2+ (delta IC50=5 microM)>[Fe(tachpyr)]2+ (delta IC50=16 microM)>[Fe(tach-3-MeOpyr)]2+ (delta IC50=118 microM). Thus, those chelators whose Fe(II) complexes undergo rapid oxidation kill cells faster, and those that bind Fe(II) as low-spin are far more cytotoxic.     

Structures and electronic properties of the catecholatoiron complexes in relation to catechol dioxygenases: chlorocatecholatoiron complexes are compared to the 3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholatoiron complex in the solid state and in solution

Chlorocatecholatoiron complexes, [Fe(TPA)(4Cl[bond]Cat)]BPh(4) and [Fe(TPA)(3Cl[bond]Cat)]BPh(4), (4Cl[bond]Cat and 3Cl[bond]Cat: 4- and 3-chlorocatecholates, respectively; TPA: tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) were isolated as intermediates for the oxygenative cleavage of chlorocatechols by nonheme iron complexes. Geometric structures of these complexes together with [Fe(TPA)(DTBC)]BPh(4) (DTBC: 3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholate) as reference were analyzed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS) in the solid state and in solution. Structure of the DTBC complex in the solid state was shown to be noticeably different from the other complexes as seen in the magnetic susceptibility and spectroscopic data. Electronic and magnetic properties of these complexes were studied by X-ray absorption (XANES), electronic (VIS) and ESR spectroscopies, and magnetic susceptibility. Electron transfer from the catecholate ligand to the Fe(III) center was indicated by the Fe[bond]K edge values in XANES spectra and by the LMCT bands in electronic spectra. Magnetic susceptibility and ESR data indicated that at low temperatures the complexes are in equilibrium between the low (S=1/2) and high-spin (S=5/2) ferric states with the latter component increasing with temperature. Remarkable differences between the spin states in solid and in solution were observed with the DTBC complex.     

Important roles of Tyr43 at the putative heme distal side in the oxygen recognition and stability of the Fe(II)-O2 complex of YddV, a globin-coupled heme-based oxygen sensor diguanylate cyclase

YddV from Escherichia coli (Ec) is a novel globin-coupled heme-based oxygen sensor protein displaying diguanylate cyclase activity in response to oxygen availability. In this study, we quantified the turnover numbers of the active [Fe(III), 0.066 min(-1); Fe(II)-O(2) and Fe(II)-CO, 0.022 min(-1)] [Fe(III), Fe(III)-protoporphyrin IX complex; Fe(II), Fe(II)-protoporphyrin IX complex] and inactive forms [Fe(II) and Fe(II)-NO, <0.01 min(-1)] of YddV for the first time. Our data indicate that the YddV reaction is the rate-determining step for two consecutive reactions coupled with phosphodiesterase Ec DOS activity on cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) [turnover number of Ec DOS-Fe(II)-O(2), 61 min(-1)]. Thus, O(2) binding and the heme redox switch of YddV appear to be critical factors in the regulation of c-di-GMP homeostasis. The redox potential and autoxidation rate of heme of the isolated heme domain of YddV (YddV-heme) were determined to be -17 mV versus the standard hydrogen electrode and 0.0076 min(-1), respectively. The Fe(II) complexes of Y43A and Y43L mutant proteins (residues at the heme distal side of the isolated heme-bound globin domain of YddV) exhibited very low O(2) affinities, and thus, their Fe(II)-O(2) complexes were not detected on the spectra. The O(2) dissociation rate constant of the Y43W protein was >150 s(-1), which is significantly larger than that of the wild-type protein (22 s(-1)). The autoxidation rate constants of the Y43F and Y43W mutant proteins were 0.069 and 0.12 min(-1), respectively, which are also markedly higher than that of the wild-type protein. The resonance Raman frequencies representing ν(Fe-O(2)) (559 cm(-1)) of the Fe(II)-O(2) complex and ν(Fe-CO) (505 cm(-1)) of the Fe(II)-CO complex of Y43F differed from those (ν(Fe-O(2)), 565 cm(-1); ν(Fe-CO), 495 cm(-1)) of the wild-type protein, suggesting that Tyr43 forms hydrogen bonds with both O(2) and CO molecules. On the basis of the results, we suggest that Tyr43 located at the heme distal side is important for the O(2) recognition and stability of the Fe(II)-O(2) complex, because the hydroxyl group of the residue appears to interact electrostatically with the O(2) molecule bound to the Fe(II) complex in YddV. Our findings clearly support a role of Tyr in oxygen sensing, and thus modulation of overall conversion from GTP to pGpG via c-di-GMP catalyzed by YddV and Ec DOS, which may be applicable to other globin-coupled oxygen sensor enzymes.     

Electron exchange in pyridine solutions of iron(III) protoporphyrin IX chloride

Proton magnetic resonance and absorption spectroscopy have been used to examine solutions of mixtures of reduced and oxidised iron protoporphyrin IX chloride in deuterated pyridine. The Fe(II) species are low spin but the Fe(III) complex is an equilibrium mixture of high and low spin forms. The movement to high field of the ring protons of the low-spin Fe(III) signals alone increases regularly with the amount of diamagnetic Fe(II) relative to the paramagnetic Fe(III) haem. The low spin Fe(III) must be in rapid exchange with the low-spin Fe(II) complex but not with the high-spin form. The addition of carbon monoxide to the Fe(II)/Fe(III) mixture effectively blocks electron exchange between the complexes as shown by a return of the proton resonances of the Fe(III) complex to positions seen in the absence of any Fe(II).     

Novel iron complexes and chelators based on cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane: iron-mediated ligand oxidation and biochemical properties

 The interaction of Fe(II) and Fe(III) with the novel Fe(II) chelator N,N′N″-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)-cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane (referred to as tachpyr) gives rise to six-coordinate, low-spin, cationic complexes of Fe(II). Tachpyr also displays a cytotoxicity toward cultured bladder cancer cells that is believed to involve coordination of intracellular iron. The anaerobic reaction of tachpyr with Fe(II) salts affords the Fe(II)-tachpyr²⁺ complex, but in presence of oxygen, oxidative dehydrogenation of one or two of the aminomethylene group(s) of the ligand occurs, with formal loss of H₂: R—N(H)—C(H)₂—(2-py) → R—N=C(H)—(2-py)+H₂. The resulting mono- and diimino Fe(II) complexes (denoted as [Fe(tachpyr-H₂)]²⁺ and [Fe(tachpyr-2H₂)]²⁺) are an inseparable mixture, but they may be fully oxidized by H₂O₂ to the known tris(imino) complex Fe(II)[cis,cis-1,3,5-tris(pyridine-2-carboxaldimino)cyclohexane]²⁺ (or [Fe(tachpyr-3H₂)]²⁺). Cyclic voltammetry of the imino complex mixture reveals an irreversible anodic wave at +0.78 V vs. NHE. Tachpyr acts as a reducing agent toward Fe(IIII) salts, affording the same two Fe(II) imino complexes as products. Tachpyr also reductively removes Fe(III) from an Fe(III)(ATP)₃ complex (which is a putative form of intracellular iron), producing the two Fe(II) imino complexes. Novel N-alkylated derivatives of tachpyr have been synthesized. N-Alkylation has two effects on tachpyr: lowering metal affinity through increased steric hindrance, and preventing Fe(III) reduction because oxidative dehydrogenation of nitrogen is blocked. The N-methyl tachpyr derivative binds Fe(II) only weakly as a high-spin complex, and no complexation or reduction of Fe(III) is observed. Corresponding to their inability to bind iron, the N-alkylated chelators are nontoxic to cultured bladder cancer cells. A tach-based chelator with three N-propyleneamino arms is also synthesized. Studies of the chemical and biochemical properties of this chelator further support a relationship between intracellular iron chelation, iron reduction, and cytotoxicity. Received: 23 March 1998 / Accepted: 1 June 1998     

On the formation of an oxygen-tolerant three-component nitrogenase complex from Azotobacter vinelandii

Conditions are defined in which the oxygen-labile nitrogenase components from Azotobacter vinelandii can be protected against oxygen inactivation by the so-called Fe/S protein II. It is demonstrated that oxygen protection can be achieved by complex formation of the three proteins. Complex formation was studied by gel chromatography. Only when the three proteins are in the oxidized state and MgCl2 is present, can an oxygen-tolerant complex be isolated. Quantitative SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of such complexes, yielded an average ratio of nitrogenase component 2/nitrogenase component 1 (Av2/Av1) of 2.4 +/- 0.5. Protection by Fe/S protein II was correlated with the amount of [2 Fe-2S] clusters present in the protein and not by the amount of protein. Measurements of the amount of iron and sulfide of Fe/S protein II showed that the iron and sulfide content of the protein was variable. The maximum values found indicate that Fe/S protein II contains two [2Fe-2S] clusters per dimer of 26 kDa. Full protection by Fe/S protein II was obtained with a ratio of Fe/S protein II/Av1 of 1.1 +/- 0.2; the Fe/S protein II containing two [2Fe-2S] clusters per dimer of 26 kDa. When Fe/S protein II contains less [2Fe-2S] clusters, more protein is necessary to obtain full protection. The three-component nitrogenase complex is also oxygen stable in the presence of MgATP or MgADP. Analysis in the ultracentrifuge showed that the major fraction of the reconstituted complex has a sedimentation coefficient centered around 34S. A small fraction (less than 30%) sediments with values centered around 111 S. This suggests an average mass for the oxygen-stable nitrogenase complex of 1.5 MDa. Taking into account the determined stoichiometry of the individual proteins, the molecular composition of the oxygen-stable nitrogenase complex is presumably 4 molecules of AV1,8--12 molecules of aAV2 and 4--6 molecules of Fe/S protein II containing two [2Fe-2S] clusters per dimer of 26 kDa.     

Synthesis, characterization and antitumor properties of some metal complexes of 3- and 5-substituted salicylaldehyde 2-pyridinylhydrazones

Complexes of Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Pt(II) with 3- and 5-substituted salicylaldehyde 2-pyridinylhydrazones (XSPH, X = H, 3-NO2, 3-CH3O, 5-Br, 5-Cl, 5-CH3, or 5-NO2) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, conductance measurements, magnetic moments (300-78 K), and spectral studies. On the basis of these studies a monomeric, high-spin, distorted octahedral structure for Mn(XSPH)2 and Fe(XSPH)2, a dimeric, high-spin, five-coordinate structure for Co(XSBH)Cl, a dimeric, low-spin, five-coordinate structure for Ni(XSPH)Cl and Zn(XSPH)(OAc), and a square-planar structure for M(XSPH)Cl.H2O (M = Cu(II) or Pt(II] complexes are suggested. The polycrystalline ESR spectra of Cu(II) complexes are isotropic and suggest dx2-y2 ground state in square-planar stereochemistry. M?ssbauer spectral results indicate distorted octahedral structure for iron(II) complexes. All the metal(II) complexes have been screened for their antitumor activity against P388 lymphocytic leukemia test system in mice and have been found to possess no significant activity at the dosages used.     

Reactions of spinach nitrite reductase with its substrate, nitrite, and a putative intermediate, hydroxylamine

Plant nitrite reductase (NiR) catalyzes the reduction of nitrite (NO(2)(-)) to ammonia, using reduced ferredoxin as the electron donor. NiR contains a [4Fe-4S] cluster and an Fe-siroheme, which is the nitrite binding site. In the enzyme's as-isolated form ([4Fe-4S](2+)/Fe(3+)), resonance Raman spectroscopy indicated that the siroheme is in the high-spin ferric hexacoordinated state with a weak sixth axial ligand. Kinetic and spectroscopic experiments showed that the reaction of NiR with NO(2)(-) results in an unexpectedly EPR-silent complex formed in a single step with a rate constant of 0.45 +/- 0.01 s(-)(1). This binding rate is slow compared to that expected from the NiR turnover rates reported in the literature, suggesting that binding of NO(2)(-) to the as-isolated form of NiR is not the predominant type of substrate binding during enzyme turnover. Resonance Raman spectroscopic characterization of this complex indicated that (i) the siroheme iron is low-spin hexacoordinated ferric, (ii) the ligand coordination is unusually heterogeneous, and (iii) the ligand is not nitric oxide, most likely NO(2)(-). The reaction of oxidized NiR with hydroxylamine (NH(2)OH), a putative intermediate, results in a ferrous siroheme-NO complex that is spectroscopically identical to the one observed during NiR turnover. Resonance Raman and absorption spectroscopy data show that the reaction of oxidized NiR ([4Fe-4S](2+)/Fe(3+)) with hydroxylamine is binding-limited, while the NH(2)OH conversion to nitric oxide is much faster.     

Identification of the 1,2-propanediol-1-yl radical as an intermediate in adenosylcobalamin-dependent diol dehydratase reaction

The reaction catalyzed by adenosylcobalamin-dependent diol dehydratase proceeds by a radical mechanism. A radical pair consisting of the Co(II) of cob(II)alamin and an organic radical intermediate formed during catalysis gives EPR spectra. The high-field doublet and the low-field broad signals arise from the weak interaction of an organic radical with the low-spin Co(II) of cob(II)alamin. To characterize the organic radical intermediate in the diol dehydratase reaction, several deuterated and (13)C-labeled 1,2-propanediols were synthesized, and the EPR spectra observed in the catalysis were measured using them as substrate. The EPR spectra with the substrates deuterated on C1 showed significant line width narrowing of the doublet signal. A distinct change in the hyperfine coupling was seen with [1-(13)C]-1,2-propanediol, but not with the [2-(13)C]-counterpart. Thus, the organic radical intermediate observed by EPR spectroscopy was identified as the 1,2-propanediol-1-yl radical, a C1-centered substrate-derived radical.     

Rapid and quantitative activation of Chlamydia trachomatis ribonucleotide reductase by hydrogen peroxide

We recently showed that the class Ic ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) from the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis ( Ct) uses a Mn (IV)/Fe (III) cofactor in its R2 subunit to initiate catalysis [Jiang, W., Yun, D., Saleh, L., Barr, E. W., Xing, G., Hoffart, L. M., Maslak, M.-A., Krebs, C., and Bollinger, J. M., Jr. (2007) Science 316, 1188-1191]. The Mn (IV) site of the novel cofactor functionally replaces the tyrosyl radical used by conventional class I RNRs to initiate substrate radical production. As a first step in evaluating the hypothesis that the use of the alternative cofactor could make the RNR more robust to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species [RO(N)S] produced by the host's immune system [H?gbom, M., Stenmark, P., Voevodskaya, N., McClarty, G., Gr?slund, A., and Nordlund, P. (2004) Science 305, 245-248], we have examined the reactivities of three stable redox states of the Mn/Fe cluster (Mn (II)/Fe (II), Mn (III)/Fe (III), and Mn (IV)/Fe (III)) toward hydrogen peroxide. Not only is the activity of the Mn (IV)/Fe (III)-R2 intermediate stable to prolonged (>1 h) incubations with as much as 5 mM H 2O 2, but both the fully reduced (Mn (II)/Fe (II)) and one-electron-reduced (Mn (III)/Fe (III)) forms of the protein are also efficiently activated by H 2O 2. The Mn (III)/Fe (III)-R2 species reacts with a second-order rate constant of 8 +/- 1 M (-1) s (-1) to yield the Mn (IV)/Fe (IV)-R2 intermediate previously observed in the reaction of Mn (II)/Fe (II)-R2 with O 2 [Jiang, W., Hoffart, L. M., Krebs, C., and Bollinger, J. M., Jr. (2007) Biochemistry 46, 8709-8716]. As previously observed, the intermediate decays by reduction of the Fe site to the active Mn (IV)/Fe (III)-R2 complex. The reaction of the Mn (II)/Fe (II)-R2 species with H 2O 2 proceeds in three resolved steps: sequential oxidation to Mn (III)/Fe (III)-R2 ( k = 1.7 +/- 0.3 mM (-1) s (-1)) and Mn (IV)/Fe (IV)-R2, followed by decay of the intermediate to the active Mn (IV)/Fe (III)-R2 product. The efficient reaction of both reduced forms with H 2O 2 contrasts with previous observations on the conventional class I RNR from Escherichia coli, which is efficiently converted from the fully reduced (Fe 2 (II/II)) to the "met" (Fe 2 (III/III)) form [Gerez, C., and Fontecave, M. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 780-786] but is then only very inefficiently converted from the met to the active (Fe 2 (III/III)-Y (*)) form [Sahlin, M., Sj?berg, B.-M., Backes, G., Loehr, T., and Sanders-Loehr, J. (1990) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 167, 813-818].     

The exchange activities of [Fe] hydrogenase (iron–sulfur-cluster-free hydrogenase) from methanogenic archaea in comparison with the exchange activities of [FeFe] and [NiFe] hydrogenases

[Fe] hydrogenase (iron–sulfur-cluster-free hydrogenase) catalyzes the reversible reduction of methenyltetrahydromethanopterin (methenyl-H₄MPT⁺) with H₂ to methylene-H₄MPT, a reaction involved in methanogenesis from H₂ and CO₂ in many methanogenic archaea. The enzyme harbors an iron-containing cofactor, in which a low-spin iron is complexed by a pyridone, two CO and a cysteine sulfur. [Fe] hydrogenase is thus similar to [NiFe] and [FeFe] hydrogenases, in which a low-spin iron carbonyl complex, albeit in a dinuclear metal center, is also involved in H₂ activation. Like the [NiFe] and [FeFe] hydrogenases, [Fe] hydrogenase catalyzes an active exchange of H₂ with protons of water; however, this activity is dependent on the presence of the hydride-accepting methenyl-H₄MPT⁺. In its absence the exchange activity is only 0.01% of that in its presence. The residual activity has been attributed to the presence of traces of methenyl-H₄MPT⁺ in the enzyme preparations, but it could also reflect a weak binding of H₂ to the iron in the absence of methenyl-H₄MPT⁺. To test this we reinvestigated the exchange activity with [Fe] hydrogenase reconstituted from apoprotein heterologously produced in Escherichia coli and highly purified iron-containing cofactor and found that in the absence of added methenyl-H₄MPT⁺ the exchange activity was below the detection limit of the tritium method employed (0.1 nmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹). The finding reiterates that for H₂ activation by [Fe] hydrogenase the presence of the hydride-accepting methenyl-H₄MPT⁺ is essentially required. This differentiates [Fe] hydrogenase from [FeFe] and [NiFe] hydrogenases, which actively catalyze H₂/H₂O exchange in the absence of exogenous electron acceptors.     

Carcinine-β-cyclodextrin derivatives as scavenger entities of OH radicals and SOD-like properties of their copper(II) complexes

6-Deoxy-6-{4-[N-(2-aminoethyl)propaneamide]imidazolyl}cyclohepta amylose (CDcarc) and 6-{3-amine-N-[2-(imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]propaneamide}-6-deoxycyclohepta amylose (CDcrac) were synthesized with the aim to obtain copper(II) complexes able to scavenge superoxide radical. The copper(II) complexes were studied by means of UV-Vis, ESR, CD, ESI-MS spectroscopies to gain information about the species present in solution as function of the pH. The antioxidant activity was assayed against superoxide enzymatically generated and compared with that obtained from copper(II) complex with underivatized carcinine. The hydroxyl radical scavenging ability of these new ligands was also tested.     

Low-temperature magnetic circular dichroism studies of the photoreaction of horseradish peroxidase compound I

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) compound I is photolabile at all temperatures between room temperature and 4 K. The photoredox reaction has been studied in frozen glassy solutions by using optical absorption and magnetic circular dichroism spectra following photolysis of HRP compound I with visible-wavelength light at 4.2 and 77 K. The photochemical process is characterized as a concerted two-electron transfer reaction which results in the conversion of the Fe(IV) heme pi-cation radical species of HRP compound I into a low-spin Fe(III) heme species. This reaction occurs even when photolysis is carried out at 4.2 K. Spectra recorded between 4.2 and 80 K for the low-spin ferric hydroxide complex of HRP closely resemble the data measured for the photochemical product. The proposed mechanism for the photoreaction is (formula; see text) No evidence is found for the formation of an Fe(II) heme at these temperatures.     

Two new 4′,4′′-disubstituted dipyrazolylpyridine derivatives, and the structures and spin states of their iron(II) complexes

Reaction of 2 equiv of the sodium salt of ethyl pyrazole-4-carboxylate, with 1 equiv of 2,6-dibromopyridine, in diglyme at 130 °C for 5 days yields 2,6-di[4-(ethylcarboxy)pyrazol-1-yl]pyridine (L¹), with 2-bromo-6-[4-(ethylcarboxy)pyrazol-1-yl]pyridine (L²) as a significant byproduct. Reduction of L¹ with excess NaBH₄ in thf affords 2,6-di[4-(hydroxymethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]pyridine (L³) in low yield. The crystalline complex [Fe(L¹)₂][BF₄]₂ · 2CF₃CH₂OH is low-spin at 150 K, while bulk samples with this formula are approximately 10% high-spin and 90% low-spin at room temperature. This ratio does not vary significantly on cooling from its magnetic susceptibility, suggesting that the material might be contaminated by a second, minor high-spin phase. Single crystals of [Fe(L³)₂][BF₄]₂·1.4CH₃CN have a mixed spin-state population, with the low-spin state predominating at 150 K. The [Fe(L³)₂(BF₄)]⁺ moieties in the lattice associate into 1-D chains through intermolecular O-H?O and O-H?F hydrogen bonding. Bulk samples of [Fe(L³)₂][BF₄]₂ · H₂O are fully low-spin below 200 K, but the magnetic data imply the onset of a gradual thermal spin-transition centred above room temperature. DSC and TGA measurements imply that this transition is centred at 322 K, and involves loss of lattice water. Both complexes undergo spin-crossover in (CD₃)₂CO solution, with transition midpoints near 250 K.