A new insulin-mimetic bis(allixinato)zinc(II) complex: structure–activity relationship of zinc(II) complexes

During the investigation of the development of insulin-mimetic zinc(II) complexes with a blood glucose-lowering effect in experimental diabetic animals, we found a potent bis(maltolato)zinc(II) complex, Zn(ma)₂, exhibiting significant insulin-mimetic effects in a type 2 diabetic animal model. By using this Zn(ma)₂ as the leading compound, we examined the in vitro and in vivo structure–activity relationships of Zn(ma)₂ and its related complexes. The in vitro insulin-mimetic activity of these complexes was determined by the inhibition of free fatty acid release and the enhancement of glucose uptake in isolated rat adipocytes treated with epinephrine. A new Zn(II) complex with allixin isolated from garlic, Zn(alx)₂, exhibited the highest insulin-mimetic activity among the complexes analyzed. The insulin-mimetic activity of the Zn(II) complexes examined strongly correlated (correlation coefficient=0.96) with the partition coefficient (logP) of the ligand, indicating that the activity of Zn(ma)₂-related complexes depends on the lipophilicity of the ligand. The blood glucose-lowering effects of Zn(alx)₂ and Zn(ma)₂ were then compared, and both complexes were found to normalize hyperglycemia in KK-A^y mice after a 14-day course of daily intraperitoneal injections. However, Zn(alx)₂ improved glucose tolerance in KK-A^y mice much more than did Zn(ma)₂, indicating that Zn(alx)₂ possesses greater in vivo anti-diabetic activity than Zn(ma)₂. In addition, Zn(alx)₂ improved leptin resistance and suppressed the progress of obesity in type 2 diabetic KK-A^y mice. On the basis of these observations, we conclude that the Zn(alx)₂ complex is a novel potent candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00775-004-0590-8     

Investigation of the zinc status of surgical patients—II. Influence of vascular reconstruction on the zinc status

Patients admitted for major vascular reconstruction operations received an i.v. dose of ⁶⁵Zn. From the increased whole-body retention of ⁶⁵Zn and the findings on other parameters it was concluded that the post-operative zinc metabolism of these patients differed from that of the control subjects. Unexpectedly, this difference persisted for several months. These patients can probably serve as controls in studies of patients who have undergone surgery of the intestinal tract. Increase of whole-body retention of ⁶⁵Zn may be a sensitive indicator for subclinical zinc deficiency, but application in practice is hampered by the long duration of the period required for the measurement. From the present results it seems likely that measurement of the retention of ⁶⁵Zn in the forearm as a function of time yields the same information but in a considerably shorter time.     

Detection of low molecular weight copper(II) and zinc(II) binding ligands in ultrafiltered milks—the citrate connection

Low molecular weight zinc(II) and copper(II) binding ligands were detected in ultrafiltered human, bovine, and goat milk by the application of the method of modified gel chromatography. Human milk contains at least three detectable low molecular weight copper binders, whereas bovine and goat milk contain at least two. All three milks show two copper binding peaks with the same elution volumes. Zinc chromatograms were less specific than copper. Zinc showed only a single detectable low molecular weight binding ligand common to all three milks. Elution volumes for both zinc(II) and copper(II) citrate and picolinate systems were measured. Elution volumes of both copper(II) and zinc(II) citrate complexes are identical to elution volumes of an intense peak observed with all three milks; it is reasonable to assume that at least part of this peak corresponds to citrate. Human milk alone has a relatively intense binding peak for copper(II) at the same elution volume as the glutamate complex. Human and goat milk have another low intensity copper(II) binding ligand peak at the same elution volume; a number of amino acid complexes have binding peaks at this position. No peak characteristic of the zinc(II) or copper(II) picolinate systems could be found with any of the milks.     

On the mechanism of action of thiamin enzymes, Crystal structure of 2-(α-hydroxyethyl)thiamin pyrophosphate (HETPP). Complexes of HETPP with zinc(II) and cadmium(II)

The crystal structure of the 2-(α-hydroxethyl) thiamin pyrophosphate (LH₂) was solved by X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic data: space group F2dd, a=7.922(4) Å, b=33.11(2) Å, c=36.232(10) Å, V=9503(9) ų, z=16. Metal complexes of the general formula K₂{[M(LH)Cl₂]₂} (M=Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺) were isolated from methanolic solutions and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, Raman, and ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectra. They were also characterized by ¹³C NMR, ³¹P NMR, ¹¹³Cd NMR, ES-MS, and ¹H NMR ROESY spectra in D₂O solutions. The data provide evidence for the bonding of the metals to the N(1′) atom of the pyrimidine ring and to the pyrophosphate group. The free ligand and the metal-coordinated ligand adopt the S conformation. Since thiamin cofactor, substrate, and metal ions are present in our system, the extracted results directly refer to thiamin catalysis and possible functional implications are correlated and discussed.     

pH-dependence of the specific binding of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions to the amyloid-β peptide

Metal ions like Cu(II) and Zn(II) are accumulated in Alzheimer's disease amyloid plaques. The amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide involved in the disease interacts with these metal ions at neutral pH via ligands provided by the N-terminal histidines and the N-terminus. The present study uses high-resolution NMR spectroscopy to monitor the residue-specific interactions of Cu(II) and Zn(II) with (15)N- and (13)C,(15)N-labeled Aβ(1-40) peptides at varying pH levels. At pH 7.4 both ions bind to the specific ligands, competing with one another. At pH 5.5 Cu(II) retains its specific histidine ligands, while Zn(II) seems to lack residue-specific interactions. The low pH mimics acidosis which is linked to inflammatory processes in vivo. The results suggest that the cell toxic effects of redox active Cu(II) binding to Aβ may be reversed by the protective activity of non-redox active Zn(II) binding to the same major binding site under non-acidic conditions. Under acidic conditions, the protective effect of Zn(II) may be decreased or changed, since Zn(II) is less able to compete with Cu(II) for the specific binding site on the Aβ peptide under these conditions.     

Structures and free energy landscapes of aqueous zinc(II)-bound amyloid-β(1–40) and zinc(II)-bound amyloid-β(1–42) with dynamics

Binding of divalent metal ions with intrinsically disordered fibrillogenic proteins, such as amyloid-β (Aβ), influences the aggregation process and the severity of neurodegenerative diseases. The Aβ monomers and oligomers are the building blocks of the aggregates. In this work, we report the structures and free energy landscapes of the monomeric zinc(II)-bound Aβ40 (Zn:Aβ40) and zinc(II)-bound Aβ42 (Zn:Aβ42) intrinsically disordered fibrillogenic metallopeptides in an aqueous solution by utilizing an approach that employs first principles calculations and parallel tempering molecular dynamics simulations. The structural and thermodynamic properties, including the secondary and tertiary structures and conformational Gibbs free energies of these intrinsically disordered metallopeptide alloforms, are presented. The results show distinct differing characteristics for these metallopeptides. For example, prominent β-sheet formation in the N-terminal region (Asp1, Arg5, and Tyr10) of Zn:Aβ40 is significantly decreased or lacking in Zn:Aβ42. Our findings indicate that blocking multiple reactive residues forming abundant β-sheet structure located in the central hydrophobic core and C-terminal regions of Zn:Aβ42 via antibodies or small organic molecules might help to reduce the aggregation of Zn(II)-bound Aβ42. Furthermore, we find that helix formation increases but β-sheet formation decreases in the C-terminal region upon Zn(II) binding to Aβ. This depressed β-sheet formation in the C-terminal region (Gly33-Gly38) in monomeric Zn:Aβ42 might be linked to the formation of amorphous instead of fibrillar aggregates of Zn:Aβ42.     

Picomolar concentrations of free zinc(II) ions regulate receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase β activity

As key enzymes in the regulation of biological phosphorylations, protein-tyrosine phosphatases are central to the control of cellular signaling and metabolism. Zinc(II) ions are known to inhibit these enzymes, but the physiological significance of this inhibition has remained elusive. Employing metal buffering for strict metal control and performing a kinetic analysis, we now demonstrate that zinc(II) ions are reversible inhibitors of the cytoplasmic catalytic domain of the receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase β (also known as vascular endothelial protein-tyrosine phosphatase). The K(i)((Zn)) value is 21 ± 7 pm, 6 orders of magnitude lower than zinc inhibition reported previously for this enzyme. It exceeds the affinity of the most potent synthetic small molecule inhibitors targeting these enzymes. Inhibition is in the range of cellular zinc(II) ion concentrations, suggesting that zinc regulates this enzyme, which is involved in vascular physiology and angiogenesis. Thus, for some enzymes that are not recognized as zinc metalloenzymes, zinc binding inhibits rather than activates as in classical zinc enzymes. Activation then requires removal of the inhibitory zinc.     

Metallo-β-lactamase and phosphotriesterase activities of some zinc(II) complexes

Metallo-β-lactamases (mβl) and phosphotriesterase (PTE) are zinc(II) enzymes, which hydrolyze the β-lactam antibiotics and toxic organophosphotriesters, respectively. In the present work, we have synthesized a few asymmetric phenolate-based ligands by sequential Mannich reaction and their corresponding zinc(II) complexes. These zinc(II) complexes were studied for their mβl and PTE activities. It is shown that the zinc(II) complexes can hydrolyze oxacillin, the β-lactam antibiotic, at much higher rates as compared to the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl diphenylphosphate (PNPDPP), the phosphotriester. Among the complexes studied, the binuclear asymmetric complex 1 having a water molecule coordinated to one of the zinc(II) ions exhibits much better mβl activity than the mononuclear complexes. However, the mononuclear zinc(II) complexes having labile chloride ions exhibit significant PTE activity, which can be ascribed to the replacement of chloride ions by hydroxide ions during hydrolysis reactions.     

Preparation and characterization of oxovanadium(IV), acetatomanganese(III), chloroiron(III), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II) and palladium(II) complexes of 3,3′-(1,2-phenylenediimino)diacrolein

The oxovanadium(IV), acetatomanganese(III), chloroiron(III), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II) and palladium(II) of 3,3′-(1,2-phenylenediimino)diacrolein were prepared and investigated by means of mass, electronic, vibrational, NMR and ESR spectroscopy as well as magnetic susceptibility measurements. The acetatomanganese(III) and chloroiron(III) complexes were confirmed to be of high spin type. The absorption bands appearing in the energy range greater than 23 000 cm⁻¹ were attributed to π→π^* transitions within a ligand molecule and charge- transfer transitions from metal to ligand. The metal complexes assume the square-planar configuration type since the ligand-field bands were detected in the 12 700–18 500 cm⁻¹ region. Strong bands appearing at 1601 and 1627 cm⁻¹ were assigned to the CC and CO stretching vibrational modes, respectively, and were shifted to lower frequency upon metal-coordination. A VO stretching band was observed at 982 cm⁻¹ for the oxovanadium(IV) complex and a CO stretching band was observed at 1547 cm⁻¹ for the acetatomanganese(III) complex. Upon complex formation the amine proton signal is found to vanish and the aldehydic methine proton signal in the lowest field is shifted upfield for the nickel(II), zinc(II) and palladium(II) complexes. ¹³C NMR spectra support the coordination structure of the complexes which is revealed by ¹H NMR spectra. As judged by the spin Hamiltonian parameters, the oxovanadium(IV) complex is of a square- planar type with an unpaired electron in the d_xy orbital and the copper(II) complex assumes a distorted square-planar coordination due to the presence of five- and six-membered chelate rings with an unpaired electron in the d_x2−y2 orbital.     

Additional characterization of the two oxygen-containing compounds formed by the interaction of phthalocyaninatoiron(II) and dioxygen. Reproducible synthesis of the species isomorphic with the α form of Fe(II)Pc

The two compounds obtained by the interaction in solution of Fe(lI)Pc with O₂, presently considered two crystalline modifications of the μ-oxo dimer of Fe(III)Pc, are further characterized by visible absorption, XPS and Mössbauer spectra. The results stress the difference between the solid state properties of the two Fe(III) compounds.The behaviour of Fe(II)Pc and the two oxidized compounds in some chlorinated and non-chlorinated solvents, at different temperatures in the presence and absence of O₂, is reported. It is seen that heating the two Fe(III) products in 1-chloronaphthalene, or dimethylformamide, in vacuum sealed tubes, gives as a final product βFe(II)Pc. However, the same procedure in chlorobenzene or nitrobenzene yields, in a reproducible way, the pure oxygen-containing species which is isomorphic with αFe(II)Pc. Until now this product was only obtained in a fortuitous manner.     

A Revision of the Chinese Athyrium Roth II—Enumeration of the Species (1)

About 300 “species” names of Athyrium from China were published. They are preliminarily treated as 117 species with a number of varieties and hybrids. The complete enumeration will be reported in four parts. The present paper is part one, a key to the species.     

Lysine 624 of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a critical determinant of amyloid β peptide length: support for a sequential model of γ-secretase intramembrane proteolysis and regulation by the amyloid β precursor protein (APP) juxtamembrane region

γ-Secretase is a multiprotein intramembrane cleaving aspartyl protease (I-CLiP) that catalyzes the final cleavage of the amyloid β precursor protein (APP) to release the amyloid β peptide (Aβ). Aβ is the primary component of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and its mechanism of production has been studied intensely. γ-Secretase executes multiple cleavages within the transmembrane domain of APP, with cleavages producing Aβ and the APP intracellular domain (AICD), referred to as γ and ε, respectively. The heterogeneous nature of the γ cleavage that produces various Aβ peptides is highly relevant to AD, as increased production of Aβ 1-42 is genetically and biochemically linked to the development of AD. We have identified an amino acid in the juxtamembrane region of APP, lysine 624, on the basis of APP695 numbering (position 28 relative to Aβ) that plays a critical role in determining the final length of Aβ peptides released by γ-secretase. Mutation of this lysine to alanine (K28A) shifts the primary site of γ-secretase cleavage from 1-40 to 1-33 without significant changes to ε cleavage. These results further support a model where ε cleavage occurs first, followed by sequential proteolysis of the remaining transmembrane fragment, but extend these observations by demonstrating that charged residues at the luminal boundary of the APP transmembrane domain limit processivity of γ-secretase.     

Synthesis and structure of the complex tetra-μ-prolinatodirhodium(II)

The dinuclear Rh^IIRh^II complex with proline [Rh₂(pro₄][NEt₄]₂ was synthesized and its structure studied by means of spectroscopic (IR, EPR and ESCA) and magnetochemical methods. It was shown that two proline molecules serve as bridging ligands, while the other two are only axially coordinated through their N atoms.     

To the knowledge of the fauna of Microlepidoptera (Lepidoptera) of the “Curonian Spit” National Park. II

A list of 243 Microlepidoptera species found in the territory of the Curonian Spit (both in its Russian and Lithuanian parts), in addition to that in the first part of the present publication (Sinev and Shapoval, 2013), is given: Gelechiidae (33), Tortricidae (138), and Crambidae (72 species). 142 species have been collected in the territory of the “Kurshskaya Kosa” National Park, including 49 species new to the Curonian Spit, 30 species new to Kaliningrad Province and 3 species (Scrobipalpa obsoletella, Scrobipalpa pauperella, and Catoptria osthelderi) new to the fauna of Russia.     

Acceleration of the depolymerization of amyloid β fibrils by ultrasonication

Amyloid fibrils, rigid and filamentous aggregates associated with various diseases, are often difficult to depolymerize into monomers. Ultrasonication is a strong agitation that accelerates nucleation above the critical concentration of amyloid fibrillation. We examined the effects of ultrasonication on the fibrils of amyloid β(1–40) as well as on monomers. Ultrasonic pulses accelerated spontaneous fibrillation when the peptide concentration was above 1 μM. On the other hand, ultrasonic pulses accelerated the depolymerization of fibrils into monomers at 1 μM. These results indicate that, although amyloid fibrillation is a reversible process determined by thermodynamic stability, kinetically trapped supersaturation and physical difficulty of dissolving rigid fibrils prevent the smooth phase transitions. We propose that, in addition to accelerating the nucleation of fibrillation and fragmentation of fibrils above the critical concentration, ultrasonication is useful for dissolving fibrils below the critical concentration.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Antitumor Studies of Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) Complexes of N-Nicotinoyl-N′-o-Hydroxythiobenzhydrazide

A new ligand N-Nicotinoyl-N-o-hydroxythiobenzhydrazide (H₂Notbh) forms complexes [Mn(Notbh)(H₂O)], [M(Notbh)] [M=Ni(II) Cu(II) and Zn(II)] which were characterized by various physico-chemical techniques. All the metal complexes were observed to inhibit the growth of tumor in vitro, whereas, ligand did not. In vivo administration of these complexes resulted in prolongation of survival of tumor bearing mice. Tumor bearing mice administered with metal complexes showed reversal of tumor growth associated induction of apoptosis in lymphocytes. The paper discusses the possible mechanisms and therapeutic implication of the H₂Notbh and its metal complexes in tumor regression and tumor growth associated immunosuppression.     

A novel mutation in the β-protein coding region of the amyloid β-protein precursor (APP) gene

Summary A novel mutation, a C to T transition at base pair 2124 in exon 17 of the amyloid -protein precursor (APP) gene, has been identified by direct sequencing of amplified DNA from two Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. A simple oligonucleotide-hybridization procedure was developed to allow population studies of this DNA variation. The mutation, which is silent at the protein level, was present in 2 out of 12 investigated AD patients, in 1 out of 60 non-AD patients and in 1 out of 30 healthy individuals. The mutation can be used as a new marker for linkage studies involving the APP gene, although more comprehensive population studies are required to determine the status of the mutation as a possible risk factor for the development of AD.