Effects of charged peptides on electron transfer from [Fe(CN)6]4– to cytochrome c or plastocyanin

 Interactions of charged peptides, such as aspartic acid peptides (Aspptds) and lysine peptides (Lysptds), with cytochrome c (cyt c) or plastocyanin (PC) have been studied by measuring electron transfer between [Fe(CN)₆]^4– and cyt c or PC in the presence of these peptides. Aspptds, up to penta-aspartic acid, served as competitive inhibitors of electron transfer from [Fe(CN)₆]^4– to oxidized cyt c, while Lysptds, up to penta-lysine, promoted electron transfer from [Fe(CN)₆]^4– to oxidized PC. The electron transfer inhibitory effects of Aspptds are explained as competitive inhibition due to neutralization of the positively charged amino acid residues at the surface of cyt c by electrostatic interactions, whereas the electron transfer promoting effects of Lysptds may be due to formation of PC·Lysptd or Lysptd·[Fe(CN)₆]^4– complexes subsequently forming an electron transferring complex, PC·Lysptd·[Fe(CN)₆]^4–, without repulsion of the negative charges. The inhibitory effect of Aspptds and promotional effect of Lysptds became significant as the net charge or concentration of the peptides increased. The promotional effects of Lysptds decreased as the net charge of the PC negative patch was decreased by mutagenesis. Thus, charged peptides may serve as a probe for investigation of the molecular recognition character of proteins. Received: 19 May 1998 / Accepted: 27 July 1998     

[AuCl4]− and Fe3+/[Fe(CN)6]3− ions-derivated immunosensing interface for electrochemical immunoassay of carcinoembryonic antigen in human serum

[AuCl₄]⁻ was initially deposited by electrochemical reduction on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to form porous nanogold layer, then prussian blue (PB) was electrodeposited onto the as-prepared nanogold layer, and then secondary nanogold particles were fabricated again on the PB surface by electrochemical reduction for the immobilization of anti-CEA antibodies. The presence of double-layer porous gold nanoparticles enhanced the immobilized amount of biomolecules, and improved the sensitivity of the immunoassay. PB, as a good redox probe, was facile to electrochemical analysis and measurement. Under optimal conditions, the developed immunoassay exhibited dynamic range from 3.0 to 80.0 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.9 ng/mL CEA (S/N = 3). Moreover, the selectivity, reproducibility and stability of the immunosensor were acceptable.     

Computational investigation of the geometric structures of [(CN)5PtTl(CN)n]n− (n=0, 1, 2 or 3)

[(CN)₅PtTl(CN)_n]ⁿ⁻ (n=0–3, complexes I–IV) have been studied computationally using quasi-relativistic gradient-corrected density functional theory. Good agreement is obtained with previous EXAFS and Raman data for complexes II–IV, but calculations significantly overestimate the PtTl bond length and underestimate ν(PtTl) for complex I. The addition of co-ordinating water molecules to the thallium atom in complexes I–III has little effect on complexes II and III, but significantly shortens the PtTl bond in complex I, bringing it into excellent agreement with experiment. The bond length shortening is traced to intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The total molecular bonding energies of hydrated I and I′ (in which the axial ligands on the thallium and platinum atoms are interchanged) are found to be very similar to one another, suggesting that complex I might exist as a mixture of isomers in solution.     

Conformational Studies of Dextran [α-(1⇒6)-D-Glucan]

Abstract

A theoretical conformational study of dextran, a (l?6)-linked α-D-glucan polysaccharide, has been made to allow an explicit comparison with earlier results on pustulan, the corresponding (1 ?6)-linked β-D-glucan. The nonbonded, torsional and hydrogen bond contributions to potential energy were calculated as a function of rotational angles φ, ψ, and ω The (φ, ψ, ω)-space of the disaccharide and of helices contain many local energy minima with very small energy differences. A comparison of (1?6)-α-D-glucans with (1?6)-β-D-glucans indicates significant differences in conformational behavior. Specifically, our results shed light on the fact that dextran does not gel, whereas pustulan does. The difference in tendency to gel may be related to the fact that dextran has no particularly favored conformations with structural regularity whereas pustulan does.     

Binding of α-synuclein with Fe(III) and with Fe(II) and biological implications of the resultant complexes

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is hallmarked by the abnormal intracellular inclusions (Lewy bodies or LBs) in dopaminergic cells. Amyloidogenic protein α-synuclein (α-syn) and iron (including both Fe(III) and Fe(II)) are both found to be present in LBs. The interaction between iron and α-syn might have important biological relevance to PD etiology. Previously, a moderate binding affinity between α-syn and Fe(II) (5.8 × 10³ M⁻¹) has been measured, but studies on the binding between α-syn and Fe(III) have not been reported. In this work, electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to study the binding between α-syn and Fe(II) and the redox property of the resultant α-syn-Fe(II) complex. The complex is of a 1:1 stoichiometry and can be readily oxidized electrochemically and chemically (by O₂) to the putative α-syn-Fe(III) complex, with H₂O₂ as a co-product. The reduction potential was estimated to be 0.025 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which represents a shift by −0.550 V vs. the standard reduction potential of the free Fe(III)/Fe(II) couple. Such a shift allows a binding constant between α-syn and Fe(III), 1.2 × 10¹³ M⁻¹, to be deduced. Despite the relatively high binding affinity, α-syn-Fe(III) generated from the oxidation of α-syn-Fe(II) still dissociates due to the stronger tendency of Fe(III) to hydrolyze to Fe(OH)₃ and/or ferrihydrite gel. The roles of α-syn and its interaction with Fe(III) and/or Fe(II) are discussed in the context of oxidative stress, metal-catalyzed α-syn aggregation, and iron transfer processes.     

Synthesis and structure of a novel molybdenum-iron-sulfur cluster with Mo2Fe2 core and all-disulfide chelate ligands, [Mo2Fe2(μ3-S)4(S2CNEt2)5] CH3CN

The cluster compound [Mo₂Fe₂(μ₃-S)₄- (S₂CNEt₂)₅]CH₃CN has been prepared from the reaction system containing (NH₄)₂MoS₄, FeCl₃, NaS₂CNEt₂, PhSH and NaOCH₃. The crystal and molecular structure have been determined by the low temperature X-ray diffraction technique. The compound crystallizes in space group P2₁/c of the monoclinic system with a = 19.397(7), b = 10.891(7), c = 24.302(8) Å, β = 108.95(2)° and Z = 4. With use of 2647 reflections (I)>2.5σ(I)) the structure was refined to R(R_w) = 0.045(0.036). The cluster Mo₂Fe₂S₄(S₂CNEt₂)₅ has a cubane-like skeleton [Mo₂Fe₂S₄]⁵⁺. Each metal atom is coordinated by three μ₃-S atoms and a disulfide chelate terminal ligand. The fifth S₂CNEt₂ group as a bridging ligand coordinates to two Mo atoms. In a molecule of the compound, the two Mo atoms are equivalent but the two Fe atoms are unequivalent.     

Synthesis of heterodinuclear FeRu(CO)6(R-DAB(6e))(R-DABRNC(H)C(H)NR) Part XV. Comparison of the reactivities of heterodinuclear FeRu(CO)6(R-DAB(6e)) and homodinuclear analogues M2(CO)6(R-DAB(6e)) (M = Fe,Ru). Single-crystal x-ray structures of FeRu(CO)6(i-Pr-DAB(6e)) and FeRu(CO)5(i-Pr-DAB(4e))(C3H4)

The reactions of Fe(CO)₃(R-DAB; R¹, H(4e)) (1a: R = i-Pr, R¹ = H; 1b: R = t-Bu, R¹ = H; 1c: R = c-Hex, R¹ = H; 1e: R = p-Tol, R¹ = H; 1f: R = i-Pr, R¹ = Me) with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ and of Ru(CO)₃(R-DAB; R¹, H(4e)) (2a: R = i-Pr, R¹ = H; 2d: R = CH(i-Pr)₂, R¹ = H) with Fe₂(CO)₉ in refluxing heptane both afforded FeRu(CO)₆(R-DAB; R¹, H(6e)) (3) in yields between 50 and 65%.The coordination mode of the ligand has been studied by a single crystal X-ray structure determination of FeRu(CO)₆(i-Pr-DAB(6e)) (3a). Crystals of 3a are monoclinic, space group P2₁/a, with four molecules in a unit cell of dimensions: a = 22.436(3), b = 8.136(3), c = 10.266(1) Å and β = 99.57(1)°. The structure was refined to R = 0.049 and R_w = 0.052 using 3045 reflections above the 2.5σ(I) level. The molecule contains an FeRu bond of 2.6602(9) Å, three terminally bonded carbonyls to Fe, three terminally bonded carbonyls to Ru and bridging 6e donating i-Pr-DAB ligand. The i-Pr-DAB ligand is coordinated to Ru via N(1) and N(2) occupying an apical and equatorial site respectively (RuN(1) = 2.138(4) RuN(2) = 2.102(3) Å). The C(2)N(2) moiety of the ligand is η²-coordinated to Fe with C(2) in an apical and N(2) in an equatorial site (FeC(2) = 2.070(5) and FeN(2) = 1.942(3) Å).The ¹H and ¹³C NMR data indicate that in all FeRu(CO)₆(R-DAB(6e)) complexes (3a to 3f) exclusively η²-CN coordination to the Fe atom and not to the Ru atom is present irrespective of whether 3 was prepared by reaction of Fe(CO)₃(R-DAB(4e)) (1) with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ or by reaction of Ru(CO)₃(R-DAB(4e)) (2) with Fe₂(CO)₉. In the case of FeRu(CO)₆(i-Pr-DAB; Me, H(6e)) (3f) the NMR data show that only the complex with the C(Me)N moiety of the ligand σ-N coordinated to the Ru atom and the C(H)N moiety η²-coordinated to the Fe atom was formed. Variable temperature NMR experiments up to 140 °C showed that the α-diimine ligand in 3a is stereochemically rigid bonded.FeRu(CO)₆(R-DAB(6e)) (3a and 3e) reacted with allene to give FeRu(CO)₅(R-DAB(4e))(C₃H₄) (4a and 4e). A single crystal X-ray structure determination of FeRu(CO)₅(i-Pr-DAB(4e))(C₃H₄) (4a) was performed. Crystals of 4a are triclinic, space group P1, with two molecules in a unit cell of dimensions: a = 9.7882(7), b = 12.2609(9), c = 8.3343(7) Å, α = 99.77(1)°, β = 91.47(1)° and γ = 86.00(1)°. The structure was refined to R = 0.028 and R_w = 0.043 using 4598 reflections above the 2σ(I) level. The molecule contains an FeRu bond of 2.7405(7) Å and three terminally bonded carbonyls to iron. Two carbonyls are terminally bonded to the Ru atom together with a chelating 4e donating i-Pr-DAB ligand [RuN = 2.110(1) (mean)]. The allene ligand is coordinated in an η³-allylic fashion to the Fe atom while the central carbon of the allene moiety is σ-bonded to the Ru atom (FeC(14) = 2.166(3), FeC(15) = 1.970(2), FeC(16) = 2.127(3) and RuC(15) = 2.075(2) Å). The ¹H and ¹³C NMR data show that in solution the coordination modes of the R-DAB and the allene ligands are the same as in the solid state.Thermolysis reactions of 3a with R-DAB or carbodiimides gave decomposition and did not afford C(imine)C(reactant) coupling products. Thermolysis reactions of 3a with M₃(CO)₁₂ (M = Ru, Os) and Me₃NO gave decomposition. When the reaction of 3a with Me₃NO was performed in the presence of dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate (DMADC) the known complex FeRu(CO)₄(i-Pr-DAB(8e))(DMADC) (5a) was formed in low yield. In 5a the R-DAB ligand is in the 8e coordination mode with both the imine bonds η²-coordinated to iron. The acetylene ligand is coordinated in a bridging fashion, parallel with the FeRu bond.     

First example of photomagnetic effects in ionic pairs [Ni(bipy)3]2[Mo(CN)8] · 12H2O

Ionic triads formed by [Ni^II(bipy)₃]²⁺ (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridyl) and diamagnetic [M^IV(CN)₈]^4? (M = Mo and W) were prepared and structurally characterized. The two compounds are isostructural and their structure consists of a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded framework where cation–anion interactions occur through short contacts M–CN?H–C(bipy). Before irradiation, the Mo analogue behaves as paramagnet with small intermolecular interactions between the [Ni^II(bipy)₃]²⁺ cations. Upon irradiation with visible light, it exhibits a reversible photomagnetic effect, which is interpreted in terms of the formation of paramagnetic [Mo^V(CN)₈]^3? and [Ni^II(bipy)₂(bipy^?)]⁺ due to the outer-sphere electron transfer.     

Structure of microbial communities performing the simultaneous reduction of Fe(II)EDTA.NO2−and Fe(III)EDTA−

BioDeNOx is a combined physicochemical and biological process for the removal of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from flue gas. In the present study, two anaerobic bioreactors performing BioDeNOx were run consecutively (RUN-1 and RUN-2) at a dilution rate of 0.01 h⁻¹ with Fe(II)EDTA.NO²⁻ and Fe(III)EDTA⁻ as electron acceptors and ethanol as electron donor. The measured protein concentration of the reactor biomass of both runs was 120 mg/l. Different molecular methods were used to determine the identity and abundance of the bacterial populations in both bioreactors. Bacillus azotoformans strain KT-1 was recognized as a key player in Fe(II)EDTA.NO²⁻ reduction. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of the reactor biomass showed a greater diversity in RUN-2 than in RUN-1. Enrichments of Fe(II)EDTA.NO²⁻ and Fe(III)EDTA⁻ reducers and activity assays were conducted using the biomass from RUN-2 as an inoculum. The results on substrate turnover, overall microbial diversity, and enrichments and finally activity assays confirmed that ethanol was used as electron donor for Fe(II)EDTA.NO²⁻ reduction. In addition, the Fe(III)EDTA⁻ reduction rate of the microbial community proved to be feasible enough to run the bioreactors, ruling out the chemical reduction of Fe(III)EDTA⁻ with sulfide as was proposed by other researchers.     

Theoretical Study of the Conformations of Pustulan [(1⇒6)-β-D)-Glucan]

Abstract

The total potential energy including nonbondedJuntorsional and hydrogen bond contributions has been computed for pustulan, a (1?6) linked β-D-glucan polysaccharide, as a function of rotational angles φ, ψ, and ω The (φ, ψ, ω)-space contains many local minima and at least three distinct deep minima. Two minima at (φ, ψ, ω)=(25°,190°,gg) and (φ, ψ, ω)=(65°,150°,gg) of almost equal energies have helical parameters (n=5.2, A=1.0Å) and (n=3.2, h= 1.5Å), respectively. A third minimum at (φ, ψ, ω)=(40°,70°gt) leads to an extended zig-zag structure (n=2.2, h=2.2Å). Energy maps obtained for gentiobiose, the disaccharide of pustulan, also reveal many local minima and the small energy differences among them indicate that gentiobiose is extremely flexible. Gentiodextrins, a family of cyclic molecules of (l?6)-β-D- glucose residues, were also studied. Conformations free from steric hindrance were found for cyclic molecules with three to six glucose residues.     

Preparation, characterization, and biological evaluation of 6(I),6(IV)-di-O-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-cyclomaltoheptaose and 6-O-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-cyclomaltoheptaose

6(I),6(IV)-Di-O-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-cyclomaltoheptaose (βCD) {6(I),6(IV)-di-O-[α-l-Fuc-(1→6)-β-d-GlcNAc]-βCD (5)} and 6-O-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-βCD {6-O-[α-l-Fuc-(1→6)-β-d-GlcNAc]-βCD (6)} were chemically synthesized using the corresponding authentic compounds, bis(2,3-di-O-acetyl)-pentakis(2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl)-βCD as the glycosyl acceptor and 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→6)-3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-(2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonylamino)-d-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate as the fuco-glucosaminyl donor. NMR confirmed that α-l-Fuc-(1→6)-d-GlcNAc was bonded by β-linking to the βCD ring. To evaluate biological efficiency, the biological activities of the new branched βCDs were examined. The cell detachment activity of 5 was lower than that of 6 in real-time cell sensing (RT-CES) assay, indicating that 5 has lower toxicity. In SPR analysis, 5 had a higher special binding with AAL, a fucose-recognizing lectin. These results suggest that 5 could be an efficient drug carrier directed at cells expressing fucose-binding proteins.     

X-ray absorption spectroscopic analysis of Fe(II) and Cu(II) forms of a herbicide-degrading α-ketoglutarate dioxygenase

 The first step in the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) by Ralstonia eutropha JMP134 is catalyzed by the α-ketoglutarate (α-KG)-dependent dioxygenase TfdA. Previously, EPR and ESEEM studies on inactive Cu(II)-substituted TfdA suggested a mixture of nitrogen/oxygen coordination with two imidazole-like ligands. Differences between the spectra for Cu TfdA and α-KG- and 2,4-D-treated samples were interpreted as a rearrangement of the g–tensor principal axis system. Herein, we report the use of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to further characterize the metal coordination environment of Cu TfdA as well as that in the active, wild-type Fe(II) enzyme. The EXAFS data are interpreted in terms of four N/O ligands (two imidazole-like) in the Cu TfdA sample and six N/O ligands (one or two imidazole-like) in the Fe TfdA sample. Addition of α-KG results in no significant structural change in coordination for Cu or Fe TfdA. However, addition of 2,4-D results in a decrease in the number of imidazole ligands in both Cu and Fe TfdA. Since this change is seen both in the Fe and Cu EXAFS, loss of one histidine ligand upon 2,4-D addition best describes the phenomenon. These XAS data clearly demonstrate that changes occur in the atomic environment of the metallocenter upon substrate binding. Received: 3 July 1998 / Accepted: 13 October 1998     

Enrichment of dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing bacteria from groundwater of the Siklós BTEX-contaminated site (Hungary)

Dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria are commonly found in microbial communities of aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated subsurface environments where they often play key role in the degradation of the contaminants. The Siklós benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX)-contaminated area is one of the best characterized petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated sites of Hungary. Continuous monitoring of the microbial community in the center of the contaminant plume indicated the presence of an emerging Geobacter population and a Rhodoferax phylotype highly associated with aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated subsurface environments. The aim of the present study was to make an initial effort to enrich Rhodoferax-related and other dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria from this environment. Accordingly, four slightly different freshwater media were used to enrich Fe(III) reducers, differing only in the form of nitrogen source (organic, inorganic nitrogen or gaseous headspace nitrogen). Although enrichment of the desired Rhodoferax phylotype was not succeeded, Geobacter-related bacteria were readily enriched. Moreover, the different nitrogen sources caused the enrichment of different Geobacter species. Investigation of the diversity of benzylsuccinate synthase gene both in the enrichments and in the initial groundwater sample indicated that the Geobacter population in the center of the contaminant plume may not play a significant role in the anaerobic degradation of toluene.     

The photolytic release of copper from the copper penicillamine complex [Cu(II)6Cu(I)8(D-penicillamine)12Cl]5−

The light sensitivity of CuPen ([Cu(II)₆Cu(I)₈(D-penicillamine)₁₂Cl]⁵⁻ was examined. The wavelength range of the photolytic activity was determined in the visible and near-ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. No photolytic activity was observed above 450 nm. The quantum yield of copper release was measured between 450 nm and 250 nm and was found to increase from 0 to 0.1. A shoulder around 400 nm corresponding to electronic absorption and CD features was observed in the photo-action spectrum. Inhibition of formazan formation from nitroblue tetrazolium mediated by xanthine oxidase-generated superoxide was used to quantify the copper release as a result of the photolytic decomposition of CuPen. The influence of oxygen on the photolytic reaction was investigated by EPR and electronic absorption spectroscopy. In the absence of oxygen, visible light induces almost total bleaching. However, EPR reveals only slight changes in the spin concentration. Upon introduction of aerobic EDTA all of the copper is immediately oxidised to Cu(II).     

New thiocyanato and azido adducts of the redox-active Fe(η-C5Me5)(η-dppe) center: Synthesis and study of the Fe(II) and Fe(III) complexes

The new thiocyanato- (5) and azido- (6) complexes were synthesized and studied under their Fe(II) and Fe(III) redox states. For the first time among the various [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η²-dppe)]-based cationic radicals studied so far, the magnitude and spatial orientation of the g-tensor diagonal values were experimentally determined for 5[PF₆]. These data are in good agreement with those issued from a DFT modelization. The changes experienced by the electronic structure of the Fe(II) complexes subsequent to oxidation are reminiscent of these previously observed for the known arylalkynyl analogues, albeit some differences can be pointed out. Thus, the differences observed in the ¹H NMR spectra of 5[PF₆] and 6[PF₆] are attributed to a slower electronic spin relaxation and to the differently oriented magnetic anisotropy. The sizeable spin density evidenced by DFT on the terminal atom of the ligands of the Fe(III) complexes renders these new paramagnetic metallo-ligands quite appealing for accessing larger polynuclear molecular assemblies with magnetically interacting centers.     

The metabolism of N6(Δ2-isosopentenyl) [3H]adenine by different stem sections of Pisum sativum

Serial segments of internodal stem tissue were isolated from Pisum sativum L. shoots and incubated in a medium containing N⁶(²-isosopentenyl) [³H]adenine. The recovery of radioactive derivatives separated using HPLC indicated a gradient of cytokinin metabolic activity in the stem. This gradient of activity was found to be greatest at the basal node in young seedlings but was high both at upper and lower nodes in older plants. An attempt to correlate this phenomenon with the basipetally decreasing concentration of indole-3-acetic acid in the stem led to an experiment in which stem segments were pretreated in indole-3-acetic acid solutions before incubating in a medium containing N⁶(²-isosopentenyl) [³H]adenine. Indole-3-acetic acid was found to have a marked effect on cytokinin metabolism in isolated stem segments. These results are discussed in relation to apical dominance in the shoot.