An EPR study of Signal II in oriented photosystem II membranes

Signal II of plant photosynthesis, which is thought to be due to a plastosemiquinone cation radical, has been studied by EPR at 9 and 35 GHz in non-oriented and partly oriented PS II particles. The spectra measured of the oriented particles at 35 GHz show that the molecular Z-axis, which is the axis perpendicular to the plane of the radical, makes an angle of 60° with the membrane normal. All spectra could be computer-simulated with one set of parameters. This set is essentially the same as that given earlier on the basis of EPR spectroscopy on non-oriented membranes [(1985) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 809, 421-428], except that the bond bending of the hydroxyl group on ring position 1 is found to be 60°, resulting in a somewhat smaller isotropie hyperfine splitting of the hydroxyl proton.Signal IIEPROrientationHyperfine coupling     

The cationic plastoquinone radical of the chloroplast water splitting complex: Hyperfine splitting from a single methyl group determines the EPR spectral shape of Signal II

The proposal that EPR Signal II in spinach chloroplasts is due to a plastoquinone cation radical (O'Malley, P.J. and Babcock, G.T. (1983) Biophys. J. 41, 315a) has been investigated in further detail. The similarity in spectral shape between Signal II and the 2-methyl-5-isopropylhydroquinone cation radical is shown to arise from hyperfine coupling to one methyl group for both radicals. A well-resolved four line EPR spectrum of approximate relative intensity 1:3:3:1 for membrane orientation parallel and perpendicular to the applied magnetic field direction also indicates that the partially resolved structure of Signal II is due to hyperfine interaction with one methyl group, i.e., the 2-CH₃ group of the plastoquinone cation radical. The ENDOR band observed for this coupling is similar to that observed for methyl group bands of model quinone radicals. The principal hyperfine tensor values obtained for the methyl group interactions are A_⊥ = 27.2 MHz and $\text{A}{}_{\mathrm{}}\text{= 31.4}\text{MHz}$. The large isotropic coupling value (28.6 MHz) of the plastoquinone cation radical's 2-methyl group in vivo indicates that the antisymmetric orbital is the sole contributor to the spin-density distribution of Signal II. The orientation data also suggest that the plastoquinone cation radical is oriented such that the C-CH₃ bond direction, and hence the aromatic ring plane, lies perpendicular to the membrane plane.     

EPR properties of immobilized quinone cation radicals and the molecular origin of Signal II in spinach chloroplasts

In Photosystem II, Z reduces P-680⁺ and gives rise to a characteristic EPR signal, termed II_vf in oxygen-evolving chloroplasts and II_f in non-oxygen-evolving chloroplasts. Previous model compound studies of Signal II have centered on the immobilized anionic and neutral forms of semiquinone radicals. These radicals, however, exhibit an essentially structureless band shape in constrast to the partially resolved hyperfine pattern observed for Signal II. In the experiments reported here, we show that some cationic semiquinone radicals (e.g., 2-methyl-5-isopropylhydroquinone cation radical) exhibit band shape and micro-wave power saturation characteristics upon immobilization which are similar to Signal II. Examination of a series of quinone cation radicals shows that a Signal-II-like spectrum is observed when significant unpaired spin density occurs at a ring carbon to which a methyl group is bound. Whether this will occur for a specific quinone depends on the extent to which the peripheral substituent pattern favors a contribution from the antisymmetric benzenoid molecular orbital to the ground state of the radical. For the 2-methyl-5-isopropylhydroquinone cation radical, for example, a 26% contribution of this orbital is estimated. A plastoquinone cation radical in which the electron-donating ability of the quinol-OH groups has been decreased is compatible with antisymmetric orbital stabilization and, therefore, is identified as the Z⁺ species. Hydrogen bonding of the quinol oxygen to hydrogen-donating amino acid residues in vivo plus an out-of-plane geometry for the quinol-OH groups is proposed to stabilize the antisymmetric orbital. The partially resolved structure of Signal II indicates that the antisymmetric orbital is the major contributor to the ground state; the principal hyperfine splitting in the spectrum arises from the 2-CH₃ group of the plastoquinone cation radical. The estimated electrode potential of the Z⁺ radical is in close agreement with the in vitro electrode potential of quinone cation radicals.     

Supposition of the origin of Signal II from random and oriented chloroplasts

From previous studies of biological semiquinones in different solvents, the origin of Signal II in chloroplasts is hypothesized to be a plastosemiquinone anion radical perturbed by a metal cation. Assuming this model, theoretical principal g factors and hyperfine splitting constants were calculated and used to simulate the random spectrum of spinach Signal II. Oriented chloroplasts were used to determine the principal angles of this model. Oriented chloroplasts from collard greens showed a different angular dependency of Signal II from those of spinach as well as the presence of added fine structure.     

Evidence for an anisotropic magnetic interaction between the (bacteriopheophytin) intermediary acceptor and the first quinone acceptor in bacterial photosynthesis

We have investigated electron spin polarization effects occurring in protonated and perdeuterated reaction centers of Rhodospirillum rubrum with electron spin resonance at 9 and 35 GHz (X- and Q-band). As for Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides strains 2.4.1 and R-26 (Gast, P. and Hoff, A.J. (1979) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 548, 520–535; Gast, P., Mushlin, R.A. and Hoff, A.J. (1982) J. Phys. Chem. 86, 2886–2891), electron spin polarization effects of the prereduced first quinone acceptor Q^?_A in R. rubrum are strongly nonuniform. This nonuniformity is due to an anisotropic magnetic coupling between the intermediary bacteriopheophytin acceptor (I^?) and Q^?_A. It is argued that the anisotropy is too strong to arise solely from an anisotropy in the exchange interaction between I^? and Q^?_A and that dipolar contributions to the magnetic coupling between I^? and Q^?_A are important. The anisotropy in the magnetic coupling for reaction centers of Rps. sphaeroides strains 2.4.1 and R-26 is different from that of R. rubrum wild type. The combination of the 4-fold higher resolution at Q-band and the line narrowing upon deuteration has enabled us to obtain the principal g values and two hyperfine interaction constants of the reduced first quinone acceptor Q^?_A. The principal g values are g_x = 2.0067, g_y = 2.0056 and g_z = 2.0024; the hyperfine constant of the CH₂ group at position 1 is 1.6 G and that of the CH₃ group at position 2 is 2.1 G. These values are close to those found for ubisemiquinone in vitro (Okamura, M.Y., Debus, R.J., Isaacson, R.A. and Feher, G. (1980) Fed. Proc. 39, 1802; Hales, B.J. (1975) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 97, 5993–5997).     

Metallobleomycins: electron spin resonance study on nitrosyl complex of iron(II)-Bleomycin

The ESR spectrum of the bleomycin-Fe(II)NO complex shows rhombic symmetry with a triplet hyperfine interaction in the g_z signal, and its ESR parameters have been compared with those of the ferrous-NO complexes of hemoproteins. The substitution of ₁₄NO by ₁₅NO gives the transition from a triplet to a doublet in the g_z absorption with a concomitant change in the nitrogen hyperfine constant. The addition of DNA to the ferrous-NO complex of bleomycin induces the greater separation of the g_x and g_y absorptions in comparison with the original ESR spectrum. The present three-line g_z signal for the bleomycin-Fe(II)-NO complex is indicative of weakened fifth axial nitrogen ligand-to-iron bonding with concomitantly stronger NO-to-iron bonding. On the other hand, the ESR feature of the bleomycin-Fe(III) complex is typical of the rhombic low-spin type, and no stable ferric-NO complex of bleomycin is formed.     

A spectral investigation of the copper(II) complex of the antitumor compound bleomycin

A thorough spectral investigation of the copper(II) complex of the antitumor compound, bleomycin, has been carried out in solution employing optical, difference optical, electron spin resonance, and circular dichroism techniques. The optical spectrum of a pH = 7 solution of the 1:1 complex between copper(II) and bleomycin is characterized by a broad weak band in the visible region (λ_max = 610 nm) that cannot be resolved and intense ultraviolet bands at 317 (? = 2800), 327 (shoulder), 250 (? = 4700), and 257 nm (shoulder). The circular dichroism spectrum in the visible region shows the broad and weak visible absorption band contains at least three components (558, 675, and 880 nm) that are likely to be “d-d” in origin. The electron spin resonance spectrum is characteristic of a tetragonal d⁹ copper(II) system showing no rhombic distoritions at X-band frequencies (g_x = g_y ± 0.002). The spin Hamiltonian parameters for the pH = 7.0 solution corrected for second order effects are A_∥ = 177 × 10^?4 cm^?1, A_⊥ ? 15 × 10^?4 cm^?1, g_∥ = 2.214, g_⊥ = 2.039. Most interesting was the observation of extra hyperfine splitting due to endogenous nitrogen coordination in a 30% glycerol glass (A^N = 12.0 × 10^?4 cm^?1). That pattern is best interpreted as a seven-line sequence associated with three liganded nitrogens. A dramatic change in all spectral properties occurs when the pH of the copper(II)-bleomycin complex is lowered to 2.5. All these data taken together suggest a CuN₃O coordination complex in solution. Details and justifications as well as a discussion of the limitations of the interpretations are presented.     

Effects of trypsin upon EPR signals arising from components of the donor side of Photosystem II

EPR signals from components functioning on the electron donor side of Photosystem II (PS II) have been monitored in PS II membranes isolated from spinach chloroplasts after treatment with trypsin at pH 7.5 and pH 6.0. The following information has been obtained. (1) The multiline manganese signal, the g = 4.1 signal and Signal II_slow are lost with trypsin treatment at pH 7.5, but not at pH 6.0. (2) At pH 7.5 the multiline S₂ signal and the g = 4.1 signal are lost with approximately the same dependency on the incubation time with trypsin. At pH 6.0 trypsin treatment is known to block electron transfer between Q_A and Q_B (the first and the second quinone electron acceptors, respectively) allowing only a single turnover to occur. Under these conditions both the g = 4.1 signal and the multiline signal are induced by illumination at 200 K and their amplitudes are almost the same as in untreated samples. These results are interpreted as indicating that the g = 4.1 signal arises from a side path donor or from S₂ itself rather than a carrier functioning between the S states and the reaction center as previously suggested. (3) Cytochrome b-559 is converted to its oxidized low-potential form by trypsin treatment at both values of pH. At pH 6.0 the S-state turnover still occurs indicating that the presence of reduced high-potential cytochrome b-559 is not necessary for this process.     

The Origin of the Multiline and g = 4.1 Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Signals from the Oxygen-Evolving System of Photosystem II

Continuous illumination at 200 K of photosystem (PS) II-enriched membranes generates two electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals that both are connected with the S₂ state: a multiline signal at g 2 and a single line at g = 4.1. From measurements at three different X-band frequencies and at 34 GHz, the g tensor of the multiline species was found to be isotropic with g = 1.982. It has an excited spin multiplet at ~30 cm^-1, inferred from the temperature-dependence of the linewidth. The intensity ratio of the g = 4.1 signal to the multiline signal was found to be almost constant from 5 to 23 K. Based on these findings and on spin quantitation of the two signals in samples with and without 4% ethanol, it is concluded that they arise from the ground doublets of paramagnetic species in different PS II centers. It is suggested that the two signals originate from separate PS II electron donors that are in a redox equilibrium with each other in the S₂ state and that the g = 4.1 signal arises from monomeric Mn(IV).     

Chelation of copper(II) by daunomycin and 5-iminodaunomycin and interaction of the complexes with mononucleotides: An ESR study

Coordination of copper(II) ions by daunomycin and 5-iminodaunomycin has been studied by electron spin resonance spectroscopy, at various values of pH and r, the anthracycline-to-Cu(II) molar ratio. At r = 1–5, polymeric complexes are formed in the case of daunomycin. At r = 5, a mononuclear complex is predominant and at r = 10, this is the only one formed with the ⁶³Cu and ⁶⁵Cu hyperfine interaction being clearly defined in the g_∥ region (g_∥ = 2.26, ⁶³A_∥ = 175; ⁶⁵A_∥ = 190 G). For 5-iminodaunomycin both chelation sites are involved in the coordination and a polymeric structure (in which exchange interactions between Cu(II) centers operate) is stable in the range r = 1–3. At r = 3, the triplet state of a dinuclear Cu(II) complex is observed and 5-iminodaunomycin behaves as both a bridging and a terminal ligand. For r = 5–10, the dinuclear complex coexists with the mononuclear one. In the presence of mononucleotides dGMP, dAMP, dCMP and thymidine, no ternary complex such as mononucleotide/Cu(II)/anthracycline was observed.     

Ruthenium(II) thiacrown complexes: Synthetic, spectroscopic, electrochemical, DFT, and single crystal X-ray structural studies of [Ru([15]aneS5)Cl](PF6)

We wish to report the synthesis of the Ru(II) crown thioether complex, (1,4,7,10,13-pentathiacyclopentadecane)chlororuthenium(II) hexafluorophosphate, [Ru([15]aneS₅)Cl](PF₆), and a study of its properties utilizing single crystal X-ray diffraction, electronic spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, density functional theory calculations and cyclic voltammetry. The crystal structure shows a single [15]aneS₅ macrocycle and a chloro ligand coordinated in a distorted octahedral fashion around the ruthenium(II) center. A significant shortening (0.15 Å) of the trans Ru-S bond length occurs in this complex compared to the related PPh₃ complex (2.4458(10) to 2.283(1) Å) due to the differences in the trans influence of the two ligands. ¹³C NMR spectroscopy demonstrates that the structure of [Ru([15]aneS₅)Cl]⁺ is retained in solution. As expected for a Ru(II) complex, the electronic absorption spectrum shows two d-d transitions at 402 and 331 nm. These are red-shifted compared to hexakis(thioether)ruthenium(II) complexes and consistent with the weaker ligand field effect of the chloro ligand. The electrochemical behavior of the complex in acetonitrile shows a single one-electron reversible oxidation-reduction at +0.722 V versus Fc/Fc⁺ which is assigned as the Ru(II)/Ru(III) couple. DFT calculations for [Ru([15]aneS₅)Cl]⁺ show a HOMO with orbital contributions from a t_2g type orbital of the Ru ion, a π component from a p orbital of the axial S atom of [15]aneS₅, and a p orbital of the chloro ligand while the LUMO consists of orbital contributions of d_x²-y² orbital of the Ru center and p orbitals of the four equatorial S donors.     

On the electron delocalization in cyclopropenylidenes - An experimental charge-density approach

The extent and nature of cyclic electron delocalization in free and coordinated cyclopropenylidene carbenes has been analyzed by combined experimental and theoretical charge-density studies. The significant asymmetry of the C-C bond lengths in substituted cyclopropenylidene carbenes was identified as cooperative effect which depends on contributions of both σ- and π-bonding. We show that analyses of (i) the topology of the Laplacian of the electron density distribution and (ii) the out-of-plane atomic quadrupole moments - the charge-density analogues of p_π occupation - allow to distinguish between the influence of σ- and π-electrons on cyclic electron delocalization. These studies hint for pronounced electron localization in the carbene lone pair region which dominates the electronic structure of free cyclopropenylidene carbenes and hinders the establishment of true aromaticity. We further investigated the electron donating/withdrawing ability of cyclopropenylidene ligands relative to N-heterocyclic carbenes. The experimental benchmark systems LCr(CO)₅ (L = 2,3-diphenylcyclopropenylidene and 1,2-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) show that the cyclopropenylidene ligand clearly displays the higher π-acceptor capability relative to N-heterocyclic carbenes.     

Q-band electron paramagnetic resonance study of nitrosylprotoheme dimethyl ester complexes with N-,O-, and S-donor ligand as model systems for nitrosylhemoproteins

Electron paramagnetic resonance (epr) spectra (at X- and Q band frequency) of nitrosyl(proto-porphyrin IX dimethyl ester) iron( II) complexes with a trans axial ligand of nitrogen-, oxygen-, and sulfur-donor ligand, in the trozen glass state at 77°K, have been investigated in order to understand the epr spectra of nitrosylhemoproteins. The Q-band spectra resolved the spectral features more clearly than the X-band spectra and distinctly exhibited two groups of absorptions, which were attributable to two molecular species. Significant relations were found between two g values (e.g., g_x-g_z, g_x-g_y) and between the g value and the degree of the hyperfine splitting in central absorption. The epr parameters were not very sensitive to the π-bonding ability of the axial ligand, but registered the steric interaction of the axial ligand with porphynnato core. These findings can be utilized in the characterization of an axial ligand trans to the nitrosyl group in nitrosylhemoproteins.     

Electron Spin Resonance Analysis of the Nitroxide Spin Label 2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidone-N-Oxyl (Tempone) in Single Crystals of the Reduced Tempone Matrix

The nitroxide spin label Tempone (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidone-N-oxyl) can be reduced with ascorbic acid to give a nonparamagnetic species. Single crystals of reduced Tempone serve as a suitable host matrix to orient trace quantities of Tempone for ESR analysis. In these crystals the majority of the Tempone molecules are well-oriented, but a smaller fraction of the molecules tumble freely to give an isotropic electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrum. ESR transitions for the oriented molecules are saturated at much lower microwave power levels than for the tumbling molecules. For the oriented molecules, an analysis of the anisotropy of the spectroscopic splitting factor (g) gives principal values of g₁ = 2.0094, g₂ = 2.0061, g₃ = 2.0021. The hyperfine coupling tensor is nearly axially symmetric, with principal values (in gauss) of A₁ = 6.5, A₂ = 6.7, A₃ = 33.0. Within experimental error, the principal axis systems for the g tensor and the hyperfine tensor are identical. Comparison of the average values of g and A with the isotropic values of these parameters for Tempone in solvents of different polarity suggests a method for choosing the most appropriate tensor elements to be used for spin label experiments in various solvent systems.     

Crystal structure and exchange pathways of the complex l-(trypthophyl-glycinato)copper(II)

The crystal structure and the EPR characterization of the compound Cu [C₁₃H₁₃N₃O₃] is reported. It crystallizes in the P2₁2₁2₁ space group, with a=8.2829(5), b=9.347(2), c=16.499(2) Å and Z=4. The copper ion is in a distorted square planar coordination, bonded to two nitrogen and one oxygen atoms from one dipeptide and to an oxygen atom from a symmetry-related molecule. Thus, neighbor copper atoms at 5.14 Å are connected by equatorial syn–anti carboxylate bridges giving rise to a chain structure along the b-axis. The chains are connected via hydrogen bonds and cation–π interactions, the latter being provided by the ‘sandwich’ structure involving each copper atom and two tryptophan residues from neighbor molecules. The EPR spectra of polycrystalline sample imply an essentially d_x2−y2 ground state orbital for the Cu(II) ions. The g-values reflect a slightly distorted axial symmetry around the Cu(II) ions as expected from the structural results. No hyperfine interaction is observed, which is indicative of the presence of exchange interactions between the copper atoms as suggested by the X-ray results as well.     

An EPR Study of NO Bonding to Erythrocruorin from the Earthworm Octolasium Complanatum

The EPR properties of the nitric oxide derivative of Octolasium complanatum erythrocruorin have been investigated as a function of the concentration of protons and cations which are known to affect the oxygen-linked allosteric equilibrium. The EPR spectrum has a rhombic shape with g_x = 2.08, g_z = 2.005, and g_y = 1.99, and remains unchanged under all the experimental conditions used. A supernyperfine pattern consisting of nine equally spaced lines is present in the g_z region indicating an interaction with two nonequivalent nitrogen atoms, one contributed by the nitric oxide and the other by the proximal histidine. The constancy of the EPR spectrum suggests that changes in the allosteric equilibrium do not involve differences in the strain of the Fe(II)-histidine bond as in tetrameric hemoglobins.     

EPR of Cu Prion Protein Constructs at 2 GHz Using the g⊥ Region to Characterize Nitrogen Ligation

A double octarepeat prion protein construct, which has two histidines, mixed with copper sulfate in a 3:2 molar ratio provides at most three imidazole ligands to each copper ion to form a square-planar Cu²⁺ complex. This work is concerned with identification of the fourth ligand. A new (to our knowledge) electron paramagnetic resonance method based on analysis of the intense features of the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum in the g_⊥ region at 2 GHz is introduced to distinguish between three and four nitrogen ligands. The methodology was established by studies of a model system consisting of histidine imidazole ligation to Cu²⁺. In this spectral region at 2 GHz (S-band), g-strain and broadening from the possible rhombic character of the Zeeman interaction are small. The most intense line is identified with the M_I = +1/2 extra absorption peak. Spectral simulation demonstrated that this peak is insensitive to cupric A_x and A_y hyperfine interaction. The spectral region to the high-field side of this peak is uncluttered and suitable for analysis of nitrogen superhyperfine couplings to determine the number of nitrogens. The spectral region to the low-field side of the intense extra absorption peak in the g_⊥ part of the spectrum is sensitive to the rhombic distortion parameters A_x and A_y. Application of the method to the prion protein system indicates that two species are present and that the dominant species contains four nitrogen ligands. A new loop-gap microwave resonator is described that contains ∼1 mL of frozen sample.     

Molecular dynamics study of methane in water: diffusion and structure

In this study, theoretical analysis on the geometries and electronic properties of various conjugated oligomers based on thiophene (Th) or bicyclic non-classical Th units is reported. The dihedral angle, bond length, bond-length alternation, bond critical point (BCP) properties, nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) and Wiberg bond index (WBIs) are analysed and correlated with conduction properties. The changes of bond length, BCP properties, NICS and WBIs all show that the conjugational degree is increased systematically with main chain extension. As a result, the highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy separation (E _g) is decreased upon chain elongation. The E _g of oligomers based on bicyclic non-classical Th unit is much lower than that of Th-based oligomers due to the narrower E _g of bicyclic non-classical Ths compared to Th, which indicates that the narrow E _g of the bicyclic non-classical Ths can be carried over to their polymers by using them as building blocks for the polymers. The band structures and density of states analysis show that the four polymers all have small band gap ( < 0.9 eV), wide highest occupied bandwidth and relatively small effective mass of hole, which indicate that those proposed polymers may be potential conductors.     

Interaction of the high-spin Fe atom in the photosystem II reaction center with the quinones QA and QB in purified oxygen-evolving PS II reaction center complex and in PS II particles

EPR signals in the high-spin region were studied at 10 K in photosystem II (PS II) particles and in a purified oxygen-evolving PS II reaction center complex under oxidizing conditions. PS II particles showed EPR peaks at g = 8.0 and 5.6, confirming the recent report by Petrouleas and Diner [(1986) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 849, 264-275]. Addition of 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) or o-phenanthroline shifted the peaks to be closer to g = 6.0 depending on the medium pH. On the other hand, the PS II reaction center complex showed peaks at g = 6.1 and 7.8, and at g = 6.1 and 6.4, in the absence and presence of o-phenanthroline, respectively. All these peaks were found to be decreased by the illumination at 10 K. These results suggest that the high-spin signals are due to Q₄₀₀, Fe(III) atom interacting with the PS II primary electron acceptor quinone Q_A as reported and that the Fe atom also interacts with the secondary acceptor quinone Q_B. This interaction seems to induce the highly asymmetric ligand coordination of the Fe atom and to be affected by DCMU and o-phenanthroline in a somewhat different manner.