Growth, structure and spectroscopic characterization of Nd3+-doped KBaGd(WO4)3 crystal with a disordered structure

The undoped and the Nd(3+):KBaGd(WO(4))(3) crystals were grown by the top seeded solution growth (TSSG) method from a flux of K(2)W(2)O(7). The structure of the pure crystal was determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. It crystallizes in the monoclinic symmetry with space group C2/c. In the structure, K(+) and Ba(2+) ions share the same 8f site with occupancy of 0.464 and 0.536, respectively. The investigation of spectral properties of Nd(3+):KBaGd(WO(4))(3) crystal indicates that it exhibits broad absorption and emission bands, which are attributed to locally disordered environments around the Nd(3+) centers. The broad absorption band is suitable for diode laser pumping.     

Growth, mechanical, thermal and spectral properties of Cr3+:MgMoO4 crystal

This paper reports the growth, mechanical, thermal and spectral properties of Cr(3+):MgMoO(4) crystals. The Cr(3+):MgMoO(4) crystals with dimensions up to 30 mm×18 mm×14 mm were obtained by TSSG method. The absorption cross-sections of (4)A(2)→(4)T(1) and (4)A(2)→(4)T(2) transitions are 12.94×10(-20) cm(2) at 493 nm and 7.89×10(-20) cm(2) at 705 nm for E//N(g), respectively. The Cr(3+):MgMoO(4) crystal shows broad band emission extending from 750 nm to 1300 nm with peak at about 705 nm. The emission cross-section with FWHM of 188 nm is 119.88×10(-20) cm(2) at 963 nm for E//N(g). The investigated results showed that the Cr(3+):MgMoO(4) crystal may be regarded as a potential tunable laser gain medium.     

Antioxidation and DNA-Binding Properties of Binuclear Lanthanide(III) Complexes with a Schiff Base Ligand Derived from 8-Hydroxyquinoline-7-carboxaldehyde and Benzoylhydrazine

8-Hydroxyquinoline-7-carboxaldehyde (8-HQ-7-CA), Schiff-base ligand 8-hydroxyquinoline-7-carboxaldehyde benzoylhydrazone, and binuclear complexes [LnL(NO(3) )(H(2) O)(2) ](2) were prepared from the ligand and equivalent molar amounts of Ln(NO(3) )?6 H(2) O (Ln=La(3+) , Nd(3+) , Sm(3+) , Eu(3+) , Gd(3+) , Dy(3+) , Ho(3+) , Er(3+) , Yb(3+) , resp.). Ligand acts as dibasic tetradentates, binding to Ln(III) through the phenolate O-atom, N-atom of quinolinato unit, and C?N and ?O?C?N? groups of the benzoylhydrazine side chain. Dimerization of this monomeric unit occurs through the phenolate O-atoms leading to a central four-membered (LnO)(2) ring. Ligand and all of the Ln(III) complexes can strongly bind to CT-DNA through intercalation with the binding constants at 10(5) -10(6) M(-1) . Moreover, ligand and all of the Ln(III) complexes have strong abilities of scavenging effects for hydroxyl (HO(.) ) radicals. Both the antioxidation and DNA-binding properties of Ln(III) complexes are much better than that of ligand.     

Nucleoside phosphorylation by phosphate minerals

In the presence of formamide, crystal phosphate minerals may act as phosphate donors to nucleosides, yielding both 5'- and, to a lesser extent, 3'-phosphorylated forms. With the mineral Libethenite the formation of 5'-AMP can be as high as 6% of the adenosine input and last for at least 10(3) h. At high concentrations, soluble non-mineral phosphate donors (KH(2)PO(4) or 5'-CMP) afford 2'- and 2':3'-cyclic AMP in addition to 5'-and 3'-AMP. The phosphate minerals analyzed were Herderite Ca[BePO(4)F], Hureaulite Mn(2+)(5)(PO(3)(OH)(2)(PO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(4), Libethenite Cu(2+)(2)(PO(4))(OH), Pyromorphite Pb(5)(PO(4))(3)Cl, Turquoise Cu(2+)Al(6)(PO(4))(4)(OH)(8)(H(2)O)(4), Fluorapatite Ca(5)(PO(4))(3)F, Hydroxylapatite Ca(5)(PO(4))(3)OH, Vivianite Fe(2+)(3)(PO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(8), Cornetite Cu(2+)(3)(PO(4))(OH)(3), Pseudomalachite Cu(2+)(5)(PO(4))(2)(OH)(4), Reichenbachite Cu(2+)(5)(PO(4))(2)(OH)(4), and Ludjibaite Cu(2+)(5)(PO(4))(2)(OH)(4)). Based on their behavior in the formamide-driven nucleoside phosphorylation reaction, these minerals can be characterized as: 1) inactive, 2) low level phosphorylating agents, or 3) active phosphorylating agents. Instances were detected (Libethenite and Hydroxylapatite) in which phosphorylation occurs on the mineral surface, followed by release of the phosphorylated compounds. Libethenite and Cornetite markedly protect the beta-glycosidic bond. Thus, activated nucleic monomers can form in a liquid non-aqueous environment in conditions compatible with the thermodynamics of polymerization, providing a solution to the standard-state Gibbs free energy change (DeltaG degrees ') problem, the major obstacle for polymerizations in the liquid phase in plausible prebiotic scenarios.     

Remarkable stability of solubilized and delipidated sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase with tightly bound fluoride and magnesium against detergent-induced denaturation

Conditions were developed in the absence of Ca(2+) for purification, delipidation, and long term stabilization of octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C(12)E(8))-solubilized sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase with tightly bound Mg(2+) and F(-), an analog for the phosphoenzyme intermediate without bound Ca(2+). The Ca(2+)-ATPase activity to monitor denaturation was assessed after treatment with 20 mm Ca(2+) to release tightly bound Mg(2+)/F(-). The purification and delipidation was successfully achieved with Reactive Red-agarose affinity chromatography. The solubilized Mg(2+)/F(-)-bound Ca(2+)-ATPase was very rapidly denatured at pH 8, but was perfectly stabilized at pH 6 against denaturation for over 20 days at 4 degrees C even without exogenously added phospholipid and at a high C(12)E(8)/enzyme weight ratio (10:1). The activity was not restored unless the enzyme was treated with 20 mm Ca(2+), showing that tightly bound Mg(2+)/F(-) was not released during the long term incubation. The perfect stability was attained with or without 0.1 mm dithiothreitol, but inactivation occurred with a half-life of 10 days in the presence of 1 mm dithiothreitol, possibly due to reduction of a specific disulfide bond(s). The remarkable stability is likely conferred by intimate gathering of cytoplasmic domains of Ca(2+)-ATPase molecule induced by tight binding of Mg(2+)/F(-). The present study thus reveals an essential property of the Mg(2+)/F(-)/Ca(2+)-ATPase complex, which will likely provide clues to understanding structure of the Ca(2+)-released form of phosphoenzyme intermediate at an atomic level.     

Molecular structure, bioavailability and bioactivity of [Cu(o-phen)2(cnge)](NO3)2.2H2O and [Cu(o-phen)(cnge)(H2O)(NO3)2] complexes

Two Cu(II) complexes with cyanoguanidine (cnge) and o-phenanthroline, [Cu(o-phen)(2)(cnge)](NO(3))(2).2H(2)O (1) and [Cu(o-phen)(cnge)(H(2)O)(NO(3))(2)] (2), have been synthesized using different experimental techniques and characterized by elemental analyses, FTIR, diffuse and UV-vis spectra and EPR and magnetic moment measurements techniques. The crystal structures of both complexes were solved by X-ray diffraction methods. Complex (1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a=12.621(5), b=31.968(3), c=15.39(1)A, beta=111.68(4) degrees, and Z=8 and complex (2) in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a=10.245(1), b=13.923(2), c=12.391(2)A, beta=98.07(1) degrees, and Z=4. The environments of the copper(II) center are trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) for [Cu(o-phen)(2)(cnge)](2+) and an elongated octahedron for [Cu(o-phen)(cnge)(H(2)O)(NO(3))(2)]. Solution studies have been performed to determine the species distribution. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of both complexes have also been tested in order to determine if these compounds mimic the enzymatic action of the enzyme SOD that protects cells against peroxide radicals.     

Neuropharmacological actions of some binuclear lanthanide(III) complexes

Binuclear lanthanide(III) compounds are of great interest because of the potential of their mutual Ln(3+)-Ln(3+) electronic couplings to produce unusually sharp images in magnetic resonance and fluorescence imaging of biological tissue. The toxicity and neuropharmacological properties of the water soluble and stable neutral binuclear complex [La(api)](2) were compared with those of binuclear complexes with lower water stability, and the components used in their syntheses. The order of the 24-h LD(50) (mg/kg body wt.) of the compounds in mice was: salicylaldehyde (2.24)160). These compounds induced convulsions, urination and defecation in mice. Due to the relatively very low toxicity of [La(api)](2), its mode of action was explored. Its proconvulsant action may possibly involve an interaction of undissociated complex with muscarinic receptors, and is reversed by atropine.     

Solution structure of Cobalt(III)hexammine complexed to the GAAA tetraloop, and metal-ion binding to G.A mismatches

The solution structure of a 22 nt RNA hairpin and its complex with Co(NH(3))(6)(3+) bound to the GAAA tetraloop has been determined by NMR spectroscopy. Co(NH(3))(6)(3+) has a similar geometry to Mg(H(2)O)(6)(2+) and can be used as a probe for binding sites of completely solvated magnesium ions. The hairpin contains tandem G.A mismatches, similar to the P5abc region of a group I intron, and is closed by a GAAA tetraloop. The tandem G.A mismatches are imino hydrogen bonded in contrast with the sheared G.A mismatches found in a different context in the crystal structure of the P4-P6 domain. Chemical shift changes of the imino protons upon titration of the RNA hairpin with Mg(2+) and with Co(NH(3))(6)(3+) were used to identify ion-binding sites. Paramagnetic resonance broadening upon titration with Mn(2+) was also used. The titration curves gave dissociation binding constants for the magnesium ions in the millimolar range, similar to the binding in the major groove of RNA at tandem G.U base-pairs. Although the largest chemical shift change occurred at an imino proton of one of the G.A base-pairs, no nuclear Overhauser enhancement cross-peaks between the cobalt ligand and neighboring RNA protons were seen, presumably due to the high mobility of the Co(NH(3))(6)(3+) at this site. Nuclear Overhauser enhancement cross-peaks between Co(NH(3))(6)(3+) and the GAAA tetraloop were observed, which allowed the determination of the structure of the tetraloop binding site. The Co(NH(3))(6)(3+) is bound in the major groove of the GAAA tetraloop with hydrogen bonds to guanine base N7 and to phosphate oxygen atoms of the tetraloop.     

Release of NO by a nitrosyl complex upon activation by the mitochondrial reducing power

The reaction of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)NO](3+) and mitochondria was investigated through differential pulse polarography and fluorimetry. The nitrosyl complex undergoes one-electron reduction centered on the NO ligand site. The reaction between the mitochondrial reductor and trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)NO](3+) exhibits a second order specific rate constant calculated as k=2 x 10(1) M(-1) s(-1). The reduced species, trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)NO](2+), quickly releases NO, yielding trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)H(2)O](2+). The low toxicities of both trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)(NO)](2+) and trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)H(2)O](2+) and its ability to release NO after reductive activation in a biological medium make the nitrosyl compound a useful model of a hypotensive drug.     

Photophysical properties of Pr(III) and Er(III) complexes of poly(pyrazolyl)borates.

The complexes [M(L(1))(2)(NO(3))] and [M(L(2))(NO(3))(2)](M = Pr, Er; L(1)= the tetradentate ligand dihydrobis-[3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazolyl]borate; L(2)= the hexadentate ligand hydrotris-[3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazolyl]borate) were prepared and their structural and photophysical properties studied. All complexes are 10-coordinate. Crystallographic analysis of [M(L(1))(2)(NO(3))](M = Pr, Er) showed that for the smaller Er(iii) ions steric congestion at the metal centre results in two of the Er-N(pyridyl) distances being particularly long, which does not occur with the larger Pr(iii) ion that is better able to accommodate 10-fold coordination. On UV irradiation, both Pr(iii) complexes show, in the visible region of their luminescence spectra, transitions originating from both the (3)P(0) level (at ca. 21,000 cm(-1)) and the (1)D(2) level (at ca. 17,000 cm(-1)), a consequence of the fact that the lowest triplet state of the coordinated pyrazolylborate ligands lies at ca. 24,000 cm(-1) in each case so is high enough in energy to populate both levels. This contrasts with Pr(iii) complexes based on diketonate ligands in which the lower triplet energies of the ligands result in emission from the (1)D(2) level only. At longer wavelengths, near-infrared luminescence arising from the (1)D(2) emissive level is observed with lifetimes (in both the solid state and solution) being in the range 50-110 ns. For both Er(iii) complexes, luminescence at 1530 nm occurs following UV excitation of ligand-centred transitions. In CH(2)Cl(2) both complexes gave dual-exponential luminescence, with the major component having a lifetime characteristic of an intact Er(iii) complex (approximately 1.5 micros) and the minor component being much shorter lived (0.2-0.5 micros), suggestive of a species in which a ligand is partially detached and the metal is solvated, with the two forms interconverting slowly. This behaviour is consistent with the steric congestion and long M-N(pyridyl) bonds that were observed in [Er(L(1))(2)(NO(3))]. In the solid state both Er(iii) complexes gave very weak luminescence, which could be fitted to a single exponential decay with a lifetime similar to the longer-lived of the solution components.     

Ce(4+) induced down-regulation of ERK-like MAPK and activation of nucleases during the apoptosis of cultured Taxus cuspidata cells

Ce(4+) (Ce(NH(4))(2)(NO(3))(6)) at 1mM induces apoptosis of suspension cultures of Taxus cuspidata cells; however, the underlying signal mechanisms are unknown. We show here that a 46-kDa ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase)-like MAPK appears to be down-regulated at 4h, and remains at low levels for up to 48 h. An inhibitor of superoxide anions (O(2)(-)) generation, diphenyl iodonium (DPI) successfully blocks down-regulation of ERK-like MAPK and degradation of DNA. Moreover, a 41-kDa p38-like MAPK activity remains unchanged from 0.5 to 48 h. The p38 inhibitor SB202190 effectively inhibits p38-like MAPK activity, however, SB202190 fails to modify the apoptotic rate at concentrations up to 100 microM. Three nuclease (34-kDa, 22-kDa and 20-kDa) activities are profoundly enhanced in Ce(4+)-induced T. cuspidata cells. They have an optimum pH at 6.8, and are stimulated by Ca(2+)/Mg(2+). Caspase-3 inhibitor, Ac-DEVD-CHO, does not attenuate the 34-kDa nuclease activity, but inhibits the 22-kDa and the 20-kDa nuclease activities. In addition, inhibition of O(2)(-) generation by DPI significantly reduces the three nuclease activities. In conclusion, the present study suggests that down-regulation of ERK-like MAPK, burst of O(2)(-), activation of caspase-3-like and induction of three nucleases as the key signaling events mediating apoptosis in Ce(4+)-induced cultured T. cuspidata cells.     

Calcium is a cofactor of polymerization but inhibits pyrophosphorolysis by the Sulfolobus solfataricus DNA polymerase Dpo4

Y-Family DNA polymerase IV (Dpo4) from Sulfolobus solfataricus serves as a model system for eukaryotic translesion polymerases, and three-dimensional structures of its complexes with native and adducted DNA have been analyzed in considerable detail. Dpo4 lacks a proofreading exonuclease activity common in replicative polymerases but uses pyrophosphorolysis to reduce the likelihood of incorporation of an incorrect base. Mg(2+) is a cofactor for both the polymerase and pyrophosphorolysis activities. Despite the fact that all crystal structures of Dpo4 have been obtained in the presence of Ca(2+), the consequences of replacing Mg(2+) with Ca(2+) for Dpo4 activity have not been investigated to date. We show here that Ca(2+) (but not Ba(2+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), or Zn(2+)) is a cofactor for Dpo4-catalyzed polymerization with both native and 8-oxoG-containing DNA templates. Both dNTP and ddNTP are substrates of the polymerase in the presence of either Mg(2+) or Ca(2+). Conversely, no pyrophosphorolysis occurs in the presence of Ca(2+), although the positions of the two catalytic metal ions at the active site appear to be very similar in mixed Mg(2+)/Ca(2+)- and Ca(2+)-form Dpo4 crystals.     

Capacitative calcium influx in human epithelial breast cancer and non-tumorigenic cells occurs through Ca2+ entry pathways with different permeabilities to divalent cations

The operation of capacitative Ca(2+) entry (CCE) in human breast cancer (SKBR3) and non-tumorigenic (HBL100) cell lines was investigated as an alternative Ca(2+) entry route in these cells. Ca(2+) readdition after thapsigargin-induced store depletion showed activation of CCE in both cell lines. SKBR3 cells exhibited retarded store depletion and CCE decay kinetics compared to the non-tumorigenic HBL100 cells, suggesting alterations in Ca(2+) homeostasis. CCE was also highly permeable to Mn(2+) and to a lesser extent to Sr(2+), but not to Ba(2+). In HBL100 cells, CCE is contributed (30%) by a Ca(2+)/Mn(2+) permeable route insensitive to low (1 microM) Gd(3+) and a Ca(2+)/Sr(2+)/Mn(2+) permeable non-selective pathway (70%) sensitive to 1 microM Gd(3+). In SKBR3 cells, the relative contribution to CCE of both routes was opposite to that in non-tumorigenic cells.     

The effects of copper and other ions on the ribonucleic acid polymerase activity of isolated rat liver nuclei

1. The effects of various ions on the Mg(2+)- and Mn(2+)/ammonium sulphate-activated RNA polymerase activities of isolated liver nuclei were studied. 2. The Mg(2+)-activated RNA polymerase reaction was inhibited by more than 60% by Cd(2+), SeO(3) (2-), Be(2+), Cu(2+), Co(2+), Ca(2+) and La(3+), all at 1mm concentrations. 3. The Mn(2+)/ammonium sulphate-activated RNA polymerase reaction was strongly inhibited by Hg(2+), Cd(2+), Cu(2+) and Ag(+). The effect of Hg(2+), Cd(2+) and Ag(+) was relieved by cysteine or mercaptoethanol. 4. Inhibition by Cu(2+) was not affected by addition of DNA, and was relieved only partially by EDTA or histidine. 5. No changes of RNA polymerase activities were observed in nuclei isolated from the liver of rats treated with copper albuminate.     

Morphology and proliferation of B16 melanoma cells in the presence of lanthanoid and Al3+ ions

The effects of trivalent metal ions such as lanthanoid (La , Ce, Nd , Sm , Gd , Er , Yb , Lu ) and Al ions on the morphological change and proliferation of B16 melanoma cells in culture are discussed. These metal ions induced morphological transformations and decreased growth rates at doses of 1 mM. B16 melanoma cells treated with La , Ce , Nd , Sm , and Gd showed polyhedrical spreading. Elongation of axones was dependent on the metal ions. B16 melanoma cells treated with Er , Yb , Lu , and Al showed a long slender shape. Growth rates of melanoma cells in the presence of 1 mM of metal ions (La , Ce , Nd , Sm , Gd , Yb , Al ) were significantly lower than that of control cells. Measurements of cell cycle indicated that the metal ions arrested the transitions from G /G to S state. © Rapid Science 1998     

Cations residing at the selectivity filter of the voltage-gated Ca2+-channel modify fusion-pore kinetics

Strontium (Sr(2+)), Barium (Ba(2+)) and Lanthanum (La(3+)) can substitute for Ca(2+) in driving synaptic transmission during membrane depolarization. Ion recognition at the polyglutamate motif (EEEE), comprising the channel selectivity-filter, during voltage-driven transitions, controls the kinetics of the voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) and its interactions with the synaptic proteins. We tested the effect of different charge carriers on evoked-release, as a means of exploring the involvement of VGCC in the fusion pore configuration. Employing amperometry recordings in single bovine chromaffin cells we show that the size of the fusion pore, designated by the 'foot'-amplitude, was increased when Ba(2+) substituted for Ca(2+) and decreased, with La(3+). The fusion pore stability, indicated by 'foot'-width, was decreased in La(3+). Also, the mean open time of the fusion pore (tau(fp)) was significantly lower in Sr(2+) and La(3+) compared to Ba(2+) and Ca(2+). These cations when occupying the selectivity filter reduced the spike frequency in the order of Ca(2+) > Sr(2+) > Ba(2+) > La(3+), which is parallel to the reduction in total catecholamine release. The correlation between ion binding at the selectivity filter and fusion pore properties supports a model in which the Ca(2+) channel regulates secretion through a site at the selectivity filter, upstream to cation entry into the cell.     

Platination of the (T2G4)4 telomeric sequence: a structural and cross-linking study.

The telomeric sequence (T(2)G(4))(4) was platinated in aqueous solutions containing 50 mM LiClO(4), NaClO(4), or KClO(4). The identification of the guanines which reacted with [Pt(NH(3))(3)(H(2)O)](2+) revealed that the same type of folding exists in the presence of the three cations and that the latter determine the relative stabilities of the G-quadruplex structures in the order K(+) > Na(+) > Li(+). The tri-ammine complex yielded ca. 40--90% of adducts, mono- and poly-platinated, bound to 4 guanines out of the 16 guanines in the sequence, in the decreasing amounts G9 > G15 > G3 > G21. The formation of these adducts was interpreted with a G-quadruplex structure obtained by restrained molecular dynamics (rMD) simulations which confirms the schematic model proposed by Williamson et al. [(1989) Cell 59, 871--880]. The bifunctional complexes cis- and trans-[Pt(NH(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2+) also first reacted with G9 and G15 and gave cross-linked adducts between two guanines, which did not exceed 5% each of the products formed. Both the cis and trans isomers formed a G3-G15 platinum chelate, and the second also formed bis-chelates at both ends of the G-quadruplex structure: G3-G15/G9-G21 and G3-G15/G9-G24. The rMD simulations showed that the cross-linking reactions by the trans complex can occur without disturbing the stacking of the three G-quartets.     

(Dien)M(II) (M=Pd, Pt) and (NH3)3Pt(II) complexes of 1-methylcytosine: Linkage and rotational isomerism, metal-promoted deamination, and pathways to dinuclear species

Despite their structural similarity, [Pt(dien)(1-MeC-N3)](2+) (1), [Pd(dien)(1-MeC-N3)](2+) (2), and [Pt(NH(3))(3)(1-MeC-N3)](2+) (3) (with dien=diethylenetriamine and 1-MeC=neutral 1-methylcytosine) behave in part markedly different at strongly alkaline pH (12-13) and at room temperature. While 1 and 2, yet not 3 show linkage isomerization from N3 to N4, deamination of the cytosine nucleobase to 1-methyluracilate occurs with 1 and 3, yet not with 2. Pathways leading to N3,N4-diplatinated 1-MeC(-) complexes (1-MeC(-)=1-methylcytosine, deprotonated at exocyclic amino group N4) have been studied at high pH by starting from 1 and 3, respectively, and adding (dien)Pt(II). It appears that initial migration of the metal entity from N3 to N4, followed by binding of the second metal to the available N3 site, is favored over sequential coordination to N3 and then N4. X-ray crystal data of 1-3 density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and NMR ((1)H, (195)Pt) data are presented.     

Paired Bacillus anthracis Dps (mini-ferritin) have different reactivities with peroxide

Dps (DNA protection during starvation) proteins, mini-ferritins in the ferritin superfamily, catalyze Fe(2+)/H(2)O(2)/O(2) reactions and make minerals inside protein nanocages to minimize radical oxygen-chemistry (metal/osmotic/temperature/nutrient/oxidant) and sometimes to confer virulence. Paired Dps proteins in Bacillus, rare in other bacteria, have 60% sequence identity. To explore functional differences in paired Bacilli Dps protein, we measured ferroxidase activity and DNA protection (hydroxyl radical) for Dps protein dodecamers from Bacillus anthracis (Ba) since crystal structures and iron mineralization (iron-stain) were known. The self-assembled (200 kDa) Ba Dps1 (Dlp-1) and Ba Dps2 (Dlp-2) proteins had similar Fe(2+)/O(2) kinetics, with space for minerals of 500 iron atoms/protein, and protected DNA. The reactions with Fe(2+) were novel in several ways: 1) Ba Dps2 reactions (Fe(2+)/H(2)O(2)) proceeded via an A(650 nm) intermediate, with similar rates to maxi-ferritins (Fe(2+)/O(2)), indicating a new Dps protein reaction pathway, 2) Ba Dps2 reactions (Fe(2+)/O(2) versus Fe(2+)/O(2) + H(2)O(2)) differed 3-fold contrasting with Escherichia coli Dps reactions, with 100-fold differences, and 3) Ba Dps1, inert in Fe(2+)/H(2)O(2) catalysis, inhibited protein-independent Fe(2+)/H(2)O(2) reactions. Sequence similarities between Ba Dps1 and Bacillus subtilis DpsA (Dps1), which is regulated by general stress factor (SigmaB) and Fur, and between Ba Dps2 and B. subtilis MrgA, which is regulated by H(2)O(2) (PerR), suggest the function of Ba Dps1 is iron sequestration and the function of Ba Dps2 is H(2)O(2) destruction, important in host/pathogen interactions. Destruction of H(2)O(2) by Ba Dps2 proceeds via an unknown mechanism with an intermediate similar spectrally (A(650 nm)) and kinetically to the maxi-ferritin diferric peroxo complex.     

Interaction of K7Fe3+P2W17O62H2 with supported bilayer lipid membranes on platinum electrode

The influence of K(7)Fe(3+)P(2)W(17)O(62)H(2) on l-alpha-phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol bilayer lipid membrane on Pt electrode was studied by voltammetry and AC impedance spectroscopy. The interaction of the polyoxometalates with the BLM can promote the access of Ru(NH(3))(6)(3+) and [Fe(CN)(6)](3-/4-) to the electrode surface. It was found that some kind of pores had been formed on the BLM by AFM. The phenomenon is attributed to the interaction of K(7)Fe(3+)P(2)W(17)O(62)H(2) with phosphatidylcholine phosphate groups located in its outer leaflet. Experimental results are helpful to understand the biological activity of the polyoxometalates in vivo.