Bis-Azacrown Derivative of Di-Benzilidene-Cyclopentanone as Alkali Earth Ion Chelating Probe: Spectroscopic Properties,Proton Accepting Ability and Complex Formation with Mg2+ and Ba2+ Ions

1,3- bis-[4-(N-aza-15-crown-5)-benzylidene]cyclopentanone-2 ( I), a ketocyanine dye, was synthesized. The electronic absorption and emission spectra, protolytic interactions in aqueous alcohol media and complex formation with alkali earth metals in acetonitrile were studied for the dye ( I) and for several model compounds. It was shown that protonation of both dialkylamino groups of all compounds studied takes place at closely similar pH values. The complexation of alkali earth metals with azacrown derivative ( I) takes place at azacrown moieties and the carbonyl group. The sequence of binding to these sites is different for Mg²⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions. The effective ejection of Ba²⁺ ion out of the azacrown cycle was observed in the excited state, though, as in the case of Mg²⁺ ion, such process occurred only partially. The results obtained suggest that this azacrown derivative of dibenzylidene cyclopentanone is sensitive to alkali earth ions and has prospects for different biologically oriented applications.     

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is reduced to pyrroloquinoline quinol (PQQH2) by vitamin C,and PQQH2 produced is recycled to PQQ by air oxidation in buffer solution at pH 7.4

Measurements of the reaction of sodium salt of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQNa₂) with vitamin C (Vit C) were performed in phosphate-buffered solution (pH 7.4) at 25 °C under nitrogen atmosphere, using UV–vis spectrophotometry. The absorption spectrum of PQQNa₂ decreased in intensity due to the reaction with Vit C and was changed to that of pyrroloquinoline quinol (PQQH₂, a reduced form of PQQ). One molecule of PQQ was reduced by two molecules of Vit C producing a molecule of PQQH₂ in the buffer solution. PQQH₂, thus produced, was recycled to PQQ due to air oxidation. PQQ and Vit C coexist in many biological systems, such as vegetables, fruits, as well as in human tissues. The results obtained suggest that PQQ is reduced by Vit C and functions as an antioxidant in biological systems, because it has been reported that PQQH₂ shows very high free-radical scavenging and singlet-oxygen quenching activities in buffer solutions.     

Characterization of nickel tetrahydroxy phthalocyanine complexes and the electrocatalytic oxidation of 4-chlorophenol: Correlation of theory with experiments

This work reports on the use of nickel(II) tetrahydroxy (NiPc(OH)₄) and (poly-Ni(OH)Pc(OH)₄) phthalocyanine complexes as films on ordinary poly graphite electrode (OPGE) for the electrochemical oxidation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP). The NiPc(OH)₄ film was electrotransformed to Ni(OH)Pc(OH)₄ film in aqueous 0.1 M NaOH solution to the ‘O-Ni-O oxo’ bridge form. The result showed that the Ni(OH)Pc(OH)₄ film on OPGE was more electroactive in terms of increase in current and less catalytic in terms of potential compared to the adsorbed NiPc(OH)₄ on OPGE. The reactivity of the two molecules was explained by theoretical calculations. The energies of the frontier orbitals of NiPc(OH)₄, Ni(OH)Pc(OH)₄ and 4-chlorophenol were calculated using density functional theory (DFT) method. The inter molecular hardness (η) and donor-acceptor hardness (η_DA) of Ni(OH)Pc(OH)₄, NiPc(OH)₄, Ni(OH)Pc(OH)₄/4-chlorophenol and NiPc(OH)₄/4-chlorophenol were estimated. The Ni(OH)Pc(OH)₄, showed stronger interaction with 4-chlorophenol than NiPc(OH)₄. DFT method was also used to model IR and Raman spectrum of H₂Pc(OH)₄ and NiPc(OH)₄.     

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure, DFT- and TDDFT-based spectroscopic property investigations on a mixed-ligand chromium(III) complex, bis[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazolato]-(1,10-phenanthroline)chromium(III) isophthalate

A mixed-ligand Cr(III) complex with 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole, 1,10-phenanthroline and isophthalic acid, [Cr(pbm)₂(phen)]X_0.5 (1X_0.5) (Hpbm = 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; H₂X = isophthalic acid) has been prepared by heating in aqueous solution and characterized, and the geometric structure and spectroscopic properties, investigated experimentally and theoretically by using the density functional theory level (DFT) and the time-dependent density functional theory level (TDDFT). The theoretical-experimental agreement is satisfactory. Further theoretical analyses of electronic structure and molecular orbitals have demonstrated that the low-lying absorption bands in UV-Vis spectrum are mainly π → π∗ ligand-to-ligand charge transfer transition (LLCT) and or π → (d_z²-d_x²-y²-d_yz) ligand-to-metal charge transfer transition (LMCT) in nature.     

Glucuronate complexes with Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+ in aqueous chloride solution: a possible chemical speciation model for biochemical understanding

ABSTRACT

Protonation constants and Na⁺-, Mg²⁺-, Ca²⁺-, Zn²⁺- and Cd²⁺-D-Glucuronate complex formation constants have been determined potentiometrically in different ionic strength conditions. Glucuronate forms a very weak complex species with Na⁺ (K ～ 1 dm³ mol^?1), and weak species with Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ (K ～ 10 dm³ mol^?1). When glucuronate interacts with Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺, two species, M(gluc) and M(gluc)₂ (glue = glucuronate) having a stability intermediate between that of mono and dicarboxylate complexes, are formed. This can be due to the involvement of the ethereal oxygen in the coordination. Medium effects are considered in the light of speciation problems.     

铜、铅、镉、锌、汞和银离子复合污染对水螅的急性毒性效应

以水螅(Hydrasp)为例,通过单因子静态急性毒性试验方法和等毒性溶液法,分别研究Hg2 、Cu2 、Cd2 、Ag 、Zn2 和Pb2 对其单一和复合毒性效应。单一实验结果表明,它们对水螅毒性大小顺序为Hg2 >Cu2 >Cd2 >Ag >Zn2 >Pb2 。复合毒性实验表明,Zn2 与Cu2 、Hg2 、Pb2 、Ag ;Pb2 与Cu2 ;Hg2 与Ag ;Pb2 与Ag 这些组合对水螅联合急性毒性总体上表现出拮抗作用,Cd2 与Cu2 、Hg2 、Pb2 、Ag 组合总体上则是协同作用,Zn2 与Cd2 、Pb2与Hg2 、Cu2 与Hg2 ,Ag 在不同的浓度水平组合下明显表现出不同的毒性效应。     

重组PICK1蛋白的多聚形式及其与Ca2+和Mg2+的结合

蛋白激酶Cα相互作用蛋白1(PICK1) 是从线虫到人的所有生物中非常保守的一类存在于细胞质中的膜结合蛋白,在蛋白质转运,以及细胞内信号转导过程中发挥重要作用.通过基因重组技术获得PICK1及其截短的 N-PDZ(1～110 残基)和 BAR-C(128～416残基)重组蛋白,结合变性与非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳,以及分子排阻层析,表明溶液中的PICK1主要以二聚体形式存在.利用荧光光谱分析PICK1与金属离子Ca²⁺和Mg²⁺的结合情况.结果表明,在0.02 mol/L Hepes, pH 7.2,随着2种金属离子的不断滴加,PICK1在338 nm 处的最大荧光强度逐渐降低,PICK1与Ca²⁺结合常数为Ka1=（2.34±0.20）×10.6 L/mol^-1,Ka2=(7.75±0.62)×10.5 L/mol^-1,而Mg²⁺结合常数为Ka=（5.00±0.40）×10.6 L/mol^-1.另外,对PICK1的N端区域N-PDZ和C端区域BAR-C的重组片段与金属离子Ca²⁺和Mg²⁺结合情况进一步分析表明,Ca²⁺既能与PICK1的N 端N-PDZ结合,又可与C端BARC结合,而Mg²⁺只结合在PICK1的N-PDZ区域.比较Ca²⁺或Mg²⁺对PICK1结合脂质的影响,显示Ca²⁺能明显增强蛋白和脂质的结合.     

Synthesis, characterization, DNA-binding and spectral properties of complexes [Ru(L)4(dppz)]2+ (L=Im and MeIm)

Two new Ru(II) complexes [Ru(L)(4)(dppz)](2+) (L=imidazole (Im), 1-methylimidazole (MeIm); dppz=dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine), have been synthesized and characterized in detail by elemental analysis, (1)H NMR, Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopic techniques. The interaction of these complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been explored by using electronic absorption titration, competitive binding experiment, circular dichroism (CD), thermal denaturation and viscosity measurements. The experimental results show that: both the two complexes can bind to DNA in an intercalation mode; the DNA-binding affinity of complex [Ru(Im)(4)(dppz)](2+)1 (K(b)=2.5 x 10(6)M(-1)) is greater than that of complex [Ru(MeIm)(4)(dppz)](2+)2 (K(b)=1.1 x 10(6)M(-1)). Moreover, it is very interesting to find that the circular dichroic spectrum of DNA-complex 1 adduct, in which both bands centered at 277 nm and 236 nm are all negative, is very different from those of DNA-complex 2 adduct and other Ru(II) complexes binding to DNA in general intercalation mode. It may be due to the hydrogen-bonding effect or the contribution of induced CD signals of complex 1. Another interesting finding is that the hypochromism of the complexes is not linear relation to their DNA-binding affinities. In order to deeply study these experimental phenomena and trends, the density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) computations were carried out, and on the basis of the DFT/TDDFT results and the frontier molecular orbital theory, the trend in DNA-binding affinities, the spectral properties as well as the interesting phenomena of larger extent of hypochromism but relatively smaller K(b) values for the title complexes have been reasonably explained.     

Conformations and properties of the L‐tryptophyl‐containing peptides in solution,depending on the pH—Theoretical study vs. experiments

The conformational preference and electronic properties of three L ‐tryptophyl‐containing dipeptides, i.e., glycyl‐L ‐tryptophane (H‐Gly‐Trp‐OH), L ‐alanyl‐L ‐tryptophane (H‐Ala‐Trp‐OH), and L ‐methionyl‐L ‐tryptophane (L ‐Met‐Trp‐OH) in solution depending on the pH of the media are studied both theoretically and experimentally. The effect of the protonation of the COO^? and deprotonation of the NH as well as the alkaline hydrolysis of the amide fragment in a strong basic media on the electronic spectra are discussed. Ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) methods as well as the time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) method as a function of the basis set are performed with a view to obtain the geometry and electronic properties of all of the species as well as the intermediate, obtained in the alkaline hydrolysis mechanism. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 93: 727–734, 2010. This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and properties of supramolecular Cu, Zn, and Cd complexes with Salen-type bisoxime ligands

Three new supramolecular complexes, [Cu(L¹)H₂O]_n (1), [Zn(L²)(H₂O)₂]_n (2), and [Cd(L²)(H₂O)₂]_n (3), have been synthesized and characterized by FT-IR spectra, fluorescence spectra, and thermal analyses. And the structures of complexes 1-3 have been elucidated by X-ray analyses. Complex 1 is square pyramidal geometry with an unusually long bond (2.262 Å) from penta-coodinated Cu^II center to the oxygen atom of the apical coordinated water molecule. Molecules are linked by hydrogen bonding between the coordinated water and the phenolic oxygen atoms of adjacent molecules, thus formed a self-assembling continual zigzag chain supramolecular structure. The crystal structure of complex 2 (or 3) has indicated that the complex consists of one Zn^II (or Cd^II) atom, one L²⁻ unit and two coordinated water molecules, the coordination number of the Zn^II (or Cd^II) atom is six, and formed an infinite metal-water chain supramolecular structure by intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking of neighboring benzene rings. Meanwhile, the thermal and photophysical properties of the resulted complexes have also been discussed.     

Theoretical models of catalytic domains of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A with Zn2+ and Mn2+ metal dications and putative bioligands in their catalytic centers.

The oligomeric metalloenzymes protein phosphatases dephosphorylate OH groups of Ser/Thr or Tyr residues of proteins whose actions depend on the phosphorus signal. The catalytic units of Ser/Thr protein phosphatases 1, 2A and 2B (PP1c, PP2Ac and PP2Bc, respectively), which exhibit about 45% sequence similarity, have their active centers practically identical. This feature strongly suggests that the unknown structure of PP2Ac could be successfully homology-modeled from the known structures of PP1c and/or PP2Bc. Initially, a theoretical model of PP1c was built, including a phosphate and a metal dication in its catalytic site. The latter was modeled, together with a structural hydroxyl anion, as a triangular pseudo-molecule (Zno or Mno), composed of two metal cations (double Zn2+ or Mn2+, respectively) and the OH- group. To the free PP1c two inhibitor sequences R29RRRPpTPAMLFR40 of DARPP-32 and R30RRRPpTPATLVLT42 of Inhibitor-1, and two putative substrate sequences LRRApSVA and QRRQRKpRRTI were subsequently docked. In the next step, a free PP2Ac model was built via homology re-modeling of the PP1c template and the same four sequences were docked to it. Thus, together, 20 starting model complexes were built, allowing for combination of the Zno and Mno pseudo-molecules, free enzymes and the peptide ligands docked in the catalytic sites of PP1c and PP2Ac. All models were subsequently subjected to 250-300 ps molecular dynamics using the AMBER 5.0 program. The equilibrated trajectories of the final 50 ps were taken for further analyses. The theoretical models of PP1c complexes, irrespective of the dication type, exhibited increased mobilities in the following residue ranges: 195-200, 273-278, 287-209 for the inhibitor sequences and 21-25, 194-200, 222-227, 261, 299-302 for the substrate sequences. Paradoxically, the analogous PP2Ac models appeared much more stable in similar simulations, since only their "prosegment" residues 6-10 and 14-18 exhibited an increased mobility in the inhibitor complexes while no areas of increased mobility were found in the substrate complexes. Another general observation was that the complexes with Mn dications were more stable than those with Zn dications for both PP1c and PP2Ac units.     

Theoretical modeling and experimental studies on N-n-Decyl-2-oxo-5-nitro-1-benzylidene-methylamine

The Schiff base compound, N-n-Decyl-2-oxo-5-nitro-1-benzylidene-methylamine, has been -synthesized and characterized by IR, electronic spectroscopy, and X-ray single-crystal determination. Molecular geometry from X-ray experiment of the title compound in the ground state have been compared using the Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional method (B3LYP) with 6-31G(d) basis set. Calculated results show that density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level can well reproduce the structure of the title compound. To investigate the solvent effect for the atomic charge distributions of the title compound, self-consistent reaction field theory with Onsager reaction field model was used. In addition, DFT calculations of the title compound, molecular electrostatic potential and thermodynamic properties were performed at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory.     

Apo,Zn2+-bound and Mn2+-bound structures reveal ligand-binding properties of SitA from the pathogen Staphylococcus pseudintermedius

The Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a leading cause of canine bacterial pyoderma, resulting in worldwide morbidity in dogs. S. pseudintermedius also causes life-threatening human infections. Furthermore, methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius is emerging, resembling the human health threat of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore it is increasingly important to characterize targets for intervention strategies to counteract S. pseudintermedius infections. Here we used biophysical methods, mutagenesis, and X-ray crystallography, to define the ligand-binding properties and structure of SitA, an S. pseudintermedius surface lipoprotein. SitA was strongly and specifically stabilized by Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions. Crystal structures of SitA complexed with Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺ revealed a canonical class III solute-binding protein with the metal cation bound in a cavity between N- and C-terminal lobes. Unexpectedly, one crystal contained both apo- and holo-forms of SitA, revealing a large side-chain reorientation of His⁶⁴, and associated structural differences accompanying ligand binding. Such conformational changes may regulate fruitful engagement of the cognate ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporter system (SitBC) required for metal uptake. These results provide the first detailed characterization and mechanistic insights for a potential therapeutic target of the major canine pathogen S. pseudintermedius, and also shed light on homologous structures in related staphylococcal pathogens afflicting humans.     

Aromatic and aliphatic mono- and bis-nitroxides: A study on their radical scavenging abilities

Nitroxide radicals are an emerging class of interesting compounds with versatile antioxidant and radioprotective properties. All literature studies have so far concentrated on compounds bearing only one nitroxide function. Here, we now investigate and compare the radical scavenging behaviour and antioxidant activity of aromatic indolinonic and aliphatic piperidine bis-nitroxides, i.e compounds bearing two nitroxide functions. Their corresponding mono-derivatives were also studied for comparison. Radical scavenging activity was investigated using EPR and UV–Vis spectroscopy by following spectral changes in acetonitrile of the nitroxides in the presence of alkyl and peroxyl radicals generated, respectively, under anoxic or aerobic conditions from thermal decomposition of AMVN [2,2′-azobis(2,4-di-methylvaleronitrile)]. Antioxidant activity of the nitroxides was evaluated by monitoring conjugated dienes (CD) formation during methyl linoleate micelles peroxidation and by measuring carbonyl content in oxidized bovine serum albumin (BSA). The results show that: (a) each nitroxide moiety in bis-nitroxides scavenges radicals independent of each other; (b) aliphatic nitroxides do not scavenge peroxyl radicals, at least under the experimental conditions used here, whereas indolinonic aromatic ones do: their stoichiometric number is 1.14 and 2.17, respectively, for mono- and bis-derivatives; (c) bis-nitroxides are roughly twice more efficient at inhibiting lipid peroxidation compared to their corresponding mono-derivatives. Although this study provides only comparative information on the relative radical-scavenging abilities of mono- and bis-nitroxides, it helps in understanding further the interesting reactivity of these compounds especially with regards to peroxyl radicals where many controversies in the literature exist.     

Discovery of a novel DNA binding agent via design and synthesis of new thiazole hybrids and fused 1,2,4-triazines as potential antitumor agents: Computational,spectrometric and in silico studies

New series of furan–thiazole hybrids (3a-f), thiazolo[2,3-c]-1,2,4-triazines (4a-f), their bioisosteres 1,3,4-thiadiazolo[2,3-c]-1,2,4-triazines (8a-d) and 1,2,4-triazino[4,3-b]-1,2,4-triazines (13a-e) were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antitumor activities at the National Cancer Institute (NCI, USA). Among the synthesized compounds, 3d was found to exhibit promising broad spectrum antitumor activity (GI₅₀ MG-MID = 14.22 µM) in a five-dose assay against the full panel NCI-cancer cell lines. 3d displayed higher antitumor activity against most tested cancer cell lines than 5-FU as reference. COMPARE analysis and molecular electrostatic potential computational study revealed that 3d probably exerts its antitumor properties through DNA binding similar to Clomesone. Further DNA binding studies using fluorescent terbium (Tb⁺³) probe revealed increased fluroresence of DNA-3d-Tb⁺³ mixture due to damage of the double-stranded DNA. Also, UV–vis absorption study was conducted which showed hyperchromic shift in DNA absorption confirming 3d-induced DNA damage. The assessed potency of 3d-induced DNA damage of calf thymus DNA showed a concentration as low as 2.04 ng/mL for a detectable DNA damage. Moreover, in silico calculation of physicochemical properties and druglikeness were in compliance to Lipinski’s rule.     

Phase equilibrium in poly(rA).poly(rU) complexes with Cd2+ and Mg2+ ions, studied by ultraviolet, infrared, and vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy

Ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) absorption and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy were used to study conformational transitions in the double-stranded poly(rA). poly(rU) and its components-single-stranded poly(rA) and poly(rU) in buffer solution (pH 6.5) with 0.1M Na+ and different Mg2+ and Cd2+ (10(-6) to 10(-2) M) concentrations. Transitions were induced by elevated temperature that changed from 10 up to 96 degrees C. IR absorption and VCD spectra in the base-stretching region were obtained for duplex, triplex, and single-stranded forms of poly(rA) . poly(rU) at [Mg2+],[Cd2+]/[P] = 0.3. For single-stranded polynucleotides, the kind of conformational transition (ordering --> disordering --> compaction, aggregation) is conditioned by the dominating type of Me2+-polymer complex that in turn depends on the ion concentration range. The phase diagram obtained for poly(rA) . poly(rU) has a triple point ([Cd2+] approximately 10(-4)M) at which the helix-coil (2 --> 1) transition is replaced with a disproportion transition 2AU --> A2U + poly(rA) (2 --> 3) and the subsequent destruction of the triple helix (3 --> 1). The 2 --> 1 transitions occur in the narrow temperature interval of 2 degrees -5 degrees . Unlike 2 --> 1 and 3 --> 1 melting, the disproportion 2 --> 3 transition is a slightly cooperative one and observed over a wide temperature range. At [Me2+] approximately 10(-3) M, the temperature interval of A2U stability is not less than 20 degrees C. In the case of Cd2+, it increases with the rise of ion concentration due to the decrease of T(m) (2-->3). The T(m) (3-->1) value is practically unchanged up to [Cd2+] approximately 10(-3)M. Differences between diagrams for Mg(2+) and Cd2+ result from the various kinds of ion binding to poly(rA).poly-(rU) and poly(rA).     

Effects of Solar Radiation on Photoorientation,Motility and Pigmentation in a Freshwater Cryptomonas

The effects of solar radiation on motility, photoorientation and pigmentation have been studied in a freshwater Cryptomonas species. The diaphototactic orientation performed by the cells is impaired within about 90 min of solar radiation. Likewise, the percentage of motile cells within the population and the average velocity of the swimming cells decreases within about the same exposure time. This effect is not due to a thermal stress but rather seems to be caused by the solar UV-B component, since decreasing short wavelength UV radiation by means of an artificial ozone filter or UV cut-off filters increased the tolerated exposure time. Solar radiation also bleached the photosynthetic pigments of the cells as shown by absorption difference spectra.     

Reciprocal effects between spermine and Mg2+ on their movements across the mitochondrial membrane

Mg(2+) competitively inhibits spermine transport in energized rat liver mitochondria (RLM) and exhibits a K(i) of 0.1mM on the initial rate and an I(50) of 0.6mM on total spermine accumulation after 20 min. Addition of 2mM Mg(2+) after spermine accumulation induces release of the polyamine. In view of the fact that spermine cycles across the inner membrane under physiological conditions, these results demonstrate that Mg(2+) inhibits spermine influx but does not affect the efflux pathway of the polyamine; the inhibitory effect occurs via an interaction with the specific site responsible for spermine transport. Instead, spermine inhibits Mg(2+) binding without affecting the rate of Mg(2+) transport, suggesting that both cations bind to the same site, which, however, is not used for Mg(2+) transport. Spermine also inhibits Mg(2+) efflux from RLM induced under conditions of the "low conductance state," a preliminary step preceding permeability transition pore opening.