Synthesis, characterisation, supramolecular aggregation and biological activity of phosphine gold(I) complexes with monoanionic thiourea ligands

A series of phosphine gold(I) complexes containing monoanionic thiourea ligands has been synthesised by reaction of the appropriate precursor chloro complex, Ph₃PAuCl, Cy₃PAuCl, dppf(AuCl)₂ [dppf = Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)₂] or dppe(AuCl)₂ (dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) with the thiourea and Me₃N base in methanol solution. The complexes have been fully characterised by elemental analysis, NMR spectrometry, electrospray mass spectrometry, and in several cases, by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The crystallographic studies show that the ligands coordinate as a thiolate in each case with systematic variations in geometric parameters being readily ascribed to the influence of the N-bound substituents. In four of the structures, discernable supramolecular aggregation patterns are evident, leading to loosely associated dimers or chain motifs, the latter mediated by either Au?S, N-H?N or C-H?O interactions. Cytotoxicity data, against the P388 leukemia cell line, and anti-microbial data are also reported.     

Three Mn(II) supramolecular coordination complexes containing carboxylate-tetrazolate ligands

Three novel complexes [Mn(atza)₂(H₂O)₄] (1), [Mn(nptza)₂(CH₃OH)₄] (2), and [Mn(a4-ptz)₂(H₂O)₂]_n · 2nH₂O] (3) [atza = 5-aminotetrazole-1-acetato, nptza = 5-[(4-nitryl)phenyl] tetrazole-1-acetato, a4-ptz = 5-[N-acetato(4-pyridyl)] tetrazole] containing carboxylate-tetrazolate ligands have been synthesized and characterized by element analysis. X-ray crystallography shows that complexes 1 and 2 both contain mononuclear structure. The complex 3 is a 1D polymeric chain structure. Compounds 1-3 are self-assembled to form supramolecular structures through hydrogen bonds interactions.     

Antifungal activity of three spermidine conjugates

Three tri-substituted spermidines, di-p-coumaroyl-caffeoylspermidine, tri-caffeoylspermidine and tri-p-coumaroylspermidine, isolated from pollen of Quercus alba, were examined for antifungal activity. Both di-p-coumaroyl-caffeoylspermidine and tri-p-coumaroylspermidine reduced mycelial growth of the oat leaf stripe pathogen, Pyrenophora avenae and reduced powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei) infection of barley seedlings when applied as a post-inoculation treatment. When used as a pre-inoculation treatment, only di-p-coumaroyl-caffeoylspermidine reduced powdery mildew infection significantly. Growth of P. avenae in the presence of 100 microM di-p-coumaroyl-caffeoylspermidine reduced activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC), and led to a reduction in the incorporation of labelled ornithine into spermidine. The other two spermidine conjugates increased AdoMetDC activity and the flux label from ornithine into spermine in P. avenae significantly.     

Synthesis and antifungal activity of two novel spermidine analogues

Two spermidine analogues were synthesised and examined for antifungal activity. Both compounds used as 1 mM post-inoculation sprays reduced infection of barley seedlings by the powdery mildew fungus, Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei, infection of broad bean seedlings by the rust fungus, Uromyces viciae-fabae, and infection of apple seedlings by the powdery mildew fungus, Podosphaera leucotricha. Since these fungal pathogens cannot be cultured axenically, the effects of the two spermidine analogues on mycelial growth in vitro, as well as preliminary investigations on polyamine biosynthesis, were undertaken using the oat stripe pathogen, Pyrenophora avenae. Although neither compound affected radial growth of the fungus on plates, both analogues reduced fungal biomass in liquid culture substantially. The two spermidine analogues, used at a concentration of 1 mM, had no significant effect on the conversion of labelled ornithine into polyamines in P. avenae.     

The influence of spermidine (polyamines) on DNA depurination in vitro

The influence of the spermidine, spermine and putrescine on the DNA depurination rate was studied. These polyamines protect DNA against depurination. The rate of Col EI DNA depurination at pH 4.3 was decreased over 10-fold by addition of 10 mM polyamines.     

Effect of thioacetamide,growth hormone or partial hepatectomy on spermidine acetylase activity of rat liver cytosol

Rat liver cytosol extracts catalyzed the formation of monoacetylspermidine when incubated with acetyl-CoA and spermidine.This activity was enhanced 15-fold by administration of thioacetamide (150 mg/kg). The peak of activity occurred 18–24 h after treatment with the drug and then declined reaching control levels by 76 h. Previous studies have shown that ornithine decarboxylase activity was also greatly increased over this time period. Putrescine content in the liver was increased 80–90-fold at 18–24 h and then declined. Spermidine levels were decreased significantly over the period 12–24 h after thioacetamide treatment and then increased substantially at later times. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that, at early times after administration of thioacetamide, the increase in putrescine content is brought about both by decarboxylation of ornithine and by degradation of monoacetylspermidine.Spermidine acetylase activity was also measured in liver extracts prepared after two other physiological stimuli known to enhance ornithine decarboxylase activity were used. Both growth hormone treatment and partial hepatectomy produced an early 2–3-fold increase in the cytosolic spermidine acetylase activity.     

Argentophilic interaction and anionic control of supramolecular structures in simple silver pyridine complexes

The synthesis and characterization of three simple 1:2 silver(I) pyridine adducts of different counter-anions, [Ag(py)₂]⁺ · X⁻ (X = ClO₄, 1; BF₄, 2; PF₆, 3), are reported. The structural studies for 1-3 reveal the presence of strong ligand-unsupported argentophilic interactions between [Ag(py)₂]⁺ ions, forming pairs of . The Ag?Ag contact distances are 2.96-3.00 Å. In 1 and 2, pairs of are further linked into 1-D infinite chains by a combined set of multiple Ag?Ag close contacts (3.34-3.37 Å), offset ‘head to head’ π-π stacking, and anion bridging interactions. Such combined set of interactions is anion-dependant with 1 and 2 containing anions of tetrahedral geometry and , affording essentially the same supramolecular architecture. Metal-anion interactions are crucial in organizing the 1-D chains into 3-D networks. The ES-MS studies of 1 and 2 provide positive evidence for the aggregation of silver(I) ions in solution. In contrast, for 3 with the counter-anion of octahedral , pairs of are organized into a 3-D network via a combined set of Ag?F contacts, C(H)?F hydrogen bonds, and ‘head to tail’ π-π stacking interactions. No extended 1-D polymeric chains of silver ions are present in 3.     

Conserved supramolecular architecture in polymetallic nucleobase complexes

The single crystal X-ray structures of two different polynuclear metal-nucleobase complexes are reported. Crystals isolated from the reaction of CdBr₂ with ethylenediamine-N9-ethyladenine, A-Et-en, were characterised by X-ray structural analysis as a coordination polymer [μ-{CdBr(N3,N7-A-Et-en)}₂CdBr₄] (2). Reaction of the Pd(II)-adenine complex, [PdCl(N3-A-Et-en)]⁺, with sodium uracilate yielded [(Pd(N3-A-Et-en)₂(N1,N3-U)][ClO₄]₂ (3). Despite the considerable differences in the nature of the compounds the crystal structures feature essentially similar supramolecular architectures. A building block analysis demonstrates how this arises and reveals an approach, based on bond-type substitution and molecular replacement, to conserving such features. This may be a useful approach that could be more widely adopted in crystal engineering strategies.     

High-relaxivity supramolecular aggregates containing peptides and Gd complexes as contrast agents in MRI

Mixed supramolecular aggregates, obtained by assembling together two amphiphilic monomers (C₁₈H₃₇)₂NCO(CH₂)₂CO(AdOO)₅-G-CCK8 (AdOO is 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid, CCK8 is C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin) and (C₁₈H₃₇)₂NCO(CH₂)₂COLys(DTPAGlu)CONH₂ (DTPAGlu is N,N-bis[2-[bis(carboxyethyl)amino]ethyl]-l-glutamic acid), are characterized for their structural parameters by dynamic light scattering and for their relaxometric properties, in the absence and in the presence of 0.9 wt% NaCl. Two different aggregates (micelles and bilayer structures) are present in the absence of NaCl, while only bilayer structures are observed at physiological ionic strength. The presence of NaCl increases the ionic strength, promoting a decrease in the repulsions between the polar heads and among the aggregates in solution, thus supporting the formation of large-curvature aggregates such as bilayer structures like vesicles. In these conditions the closed, vesicular shape and the large size (hydrodynamic radius of about 300 Å) of the aggregates allow a high number of paramagnetic gadolinium complexes and bioactive peptides to be accommodated on the inner and external surfaces . The presence of the salt causes a variation in the structural arrangement of the molecules and a partial rigidification of the assembled Gd(III) complexes on the surface vesicles, reducing their internal motions and giving an approximately 15% higher relaxivity value (r _1p = 21.0 and 18.6 Mm^?1 s^?1 in the presence and in the absence of NaCl, respectively). The vesicles obtained, for the high relaxivity of each gadolidium complex and for the presence of a surface-exposed bioactive peptide, are very promising candidates as target-selective MRI contrast agents.     

Synthesis, spectral properties and supramolecular dimerisation of heteroleptic triple-decker phthalocyaninato complexes with one outer crown-substituted ligand

Four complexes - [(15C5)₄Pc]M(Pc)M(Pc), (Pc²⁻ - phthalocyaninato-dianion, [(15C5)₄Pc]²⁻ - 2,3,9,10,16,17,24,25-tetrakis(15-crown-5)phthalocyaninato-dianion, M = Sm, Dy, Tm, Y) were obtained via the reaction of M(Pc)₂, H₂[(15C5)₄Pc] and M(acac)₃. The influence of the stability of starting M(Pc)₂ on the yields of target compounds was investigated. Increasing the stability of M(Pc)₂ leads to higher yields of [(15C5)₄Pc]M(Pc)M(Pc) and lower yields of scrambling products. All complexes were characterized by ¹H NMR, UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy as well as MALDI TOF mass-spectrometry. The analysis of ¹H NMR spectra was performed in terms of lanthanide-induced shifts. Cation-induced dimerisation was studied by means of spectrophotometric titration. Supramolecular dimers {2[(15C5)₄Pc]M(Pc)M(Pc) · 4K⁺} are the largest discrete cofacial supramolecular assemblies built of phthalocyanine building blocks reported up-to-date. The observed increase of the intermolecular excitonic interaction between building blocks with the increase of REE(III) size is tentatively explained in terms of metal-size dependent deformation of phthalocyanine ligands in sandwich complexes.     

Efficient plant regeneration from long-term callus cultures of rice by spermidine

A significant reduction in regeneration potential with increasing age (upto 12months) in rice (Oryza sativa L. cv.TN-1) embryogenic callus cultures was observed. Spermidine, while having an inhibitory effect on plant regeneration in fresh callus cultures, promoted morphogenesis in long-term callus cultures. A massive accumulation of polyamines, particularly putrescine (5-fold) was observed in 12 month old cultures resulting in a change of putrescine /spermidine ratio, which seems to be important for maintaining the morphogenetic response. Application of exogenous spermidine to 12 month old cultures showed increased levels of polyamines and restored the putrescine/spermidine ratio comparable to that found in freshly induced cultures, concomitantly, promoting the plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in long-term rice callus cultures.Abbreviations PA Polyamines - PCA Perchloric acid - PUT Putrescine - SPD Spermidine - SPM Spermine     

Immunomodulatory action of spermine and spermidine on NR8383 macrophage line in various culture conditions

We examined the effect of spermine (SPM) and spermidine (SPD) on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion from macrophages in various culture conditions, including several protocols of polyamines addition and media supplemented with 0, 1 or 15% fetal bovine serum. TNFalpha secretion was inhibited by SPM or SPD added 18h before stimulation in a concentration-dependent manner. Their effect was directly related to the presence of FBS. When SPM or SPD was added simultaneously to the stimulus, the TNFalpha secretion inhibition was higher than that obtained after pre-treatment. In this case, the effect was inversely proportional to the presence of FBS. The addition of polyamines also inhibited the secretion of MCP-1 in NR8383 cells. We conclude that SPM and SPD inhibited the secretion of inflammatory cytokines TNFalpha and MCP-1 in different ways, depending on culture conditions. In any case, SPM was more effective than SPD.     

Effect of polyamines on in vitro anther culture of Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan

The improvement of the induction rate in Citrus anther culture is important for taking practical advantage of the haploid potential in breeding. The influence of polyamines on anther culture of Citrus clementina, cv Nules, with particular attention to the free, soluble and insoluble-conjugated polyamine levels, has been investigated. Putrescine, spermidine and putrescine plus spermidine, were added to the standard induction medium. Before culture, spermidine was the most abundant among the free polyamines detected in anthers. The exogenous supply of either putrescine or spermidine, either independently or combined, effected greater uptake and accumulation of polyamines. The addition of 2 mM spermidine to the medium stimulated gametic embryogenesis in clementine Nules, whereas putrescine did not influence embryo production. Regenerants were mostly tri-haploids; a few doubled-haploids and no haploid plants were obtained.     

Chemistry of molecular and supramolecular structures of vanadium(IV) and dioxygen-bridged V(V) complexes incorporating tridentate hydrazone ligands

Four hydrazone ligands: 2-benzoylpyridine benzoyl hydrazone (HBPB), di-2-pyridyl ketone nicotinoyl hydrazone (HDKN), quinoline-2-carbaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone (HQCB), and quinoline-2-carbaldehyde nicotinoyl hydrazone (HQCN) and four of their complexes with vanadyl salts have been synthesized and characterized. Single crystals of HBPB and complexes [VO(BPB)(μ₂-O)]₂ (1) and [VO(DKN)(μ₂-O)]₂·½H₂O (2) were isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Each of the complexes exhibits a binuclear structure where two vanadium(V) atoms are bridged by two oxygen atoms to form distorted octahedral structures within cis-N₂O₄ donor sets. In most complexes, the uninegative anions function as tridentate ligands, coordinating through the pyridyl- and azomethine-nitrogen atoms and enolic oxygen whereas in complex [VO(HQCN)(SO₄)]SO₄·4H₂O (4) the ligand is coordinated in the keto form. Complexes [VO(QCB)(OMe)]·1.5H₂O (3) and 4 are found to be EPR active and showed well-resolved axial anisotropy with two sets of eight line pattern.     

Further study of the effect of macrocyclic pendant groups on the supramolecular architecture: Synthesis and structures of macrocyclic nickel (II) complexes with trans-butene dicarboxylate

Two nickel (II) complexes with the formula [NiL(H₂O)₂] · 6H₂O (1 · 6H₂O) and [NiH₂L(BDC)]_n (2), where L = 3,10-bis(3-propylcarboxyl)-1,3,5,8,10,12-hexaazacyclo-tetradecane, BDC = trans-butene dicarboxylate, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra and single-crystal X-ray analyses. In 1, the Ni(II) ion is six-coordinated with four nitrogen atoms from the macrocyclic ligand in the equatorial plane and two water molecules in axial position. In 2, the structure is made up of one-dimensional chain of [NiH₂L]²⁺ units with BDC²⁻ anions, in which the Ni(II) ion is also six-coordinated with four nitrogen atoms from the macrocyclic ligand in the equatorial plane and two carboxylate oxygen atoms from the BDC²⁻ group in axial position. In 2, the 1D chains are aligned in a parallel mode.     

Determination of polyamines in human prostate by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of polyamines in human prostate has been developed. This method is based on pre-column derivatization with dansyl chloride (Dns-Cl). The derivatives were separated on a μBondapak C₁₈ column (250×4.6 mm I.D.; 10 μm), and eluted with methanol and distilled water using a one-step linear gradient. The column eluate was monitored by fluorescence detection (excitation, 370 nm; emission, 506 nm). The within-assay precision of the study (C.V.) was as follows: putrescine (PUT) 2.88%, spermidine (SPD) 2.94% and spermine (SP) 1.17%. The between-assay precision (C.V.) was: PUT 2.66%, SPD 3.06%, SP 2.79%. The recovery was greater than 97%. The detection limit for PUT, SPD and SP were 0.05, 0.08 and 0.06 nmol/ml, respectively. In contrast to other studies, sample or polyamine derivatives did not require extraction with an organic solvent such as ethanol, evaporation under vacuum or other condensation procedures. This is a simple, rapid and sensitive method that can be applied to the determination of polyamines in nearly all biological tissues and body fluids, such as urine and serum.     

Use of acid-base and redox chemistry to synthesize cobalt(III) and iron(III) complexes of a partially deprotonated triprotic imidazole-containing Schiff base ligand: Hydrogen bound 1D linear homochiral and zig-zag heterochiral supramolecular complexes

Aerial reaction of cobalt(II) perchlorate with H₃(1) [H₃(1) is the tripodal ligand derived from the condensation of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine with three equivalents of imidazole-2-carboxaldehyde] in methanol and [FeH₃(1)(ClO₄)₂] with Fe(1) in acetonitrile results in the formation of [CoH₂L](ClO₄)₂·H₂O and [FeHL]ClO₄·CH₃CN, respectively. Mössbauer spectroscopy and variable temperature magnetic susceptibility indicate that [FeHL]ClO₄·CH₃CN is a low spin iron(III) species. Both complexes were characterized by EA, IR, and single crystal structure determinations. Both complexes crystallize in the centrosymmetric monoclinic space group, P2₁/c, so both enantiomers of the chiral complex are present. The supramolecular features of these complexes, caused by the partial deprotonation of the ligand and the resultant formation of imidazole-H···imidazolate hydrogen bonds, are different. [FeHL]⁺ forms hydrogen bonds with molecules from adjacent cells of like chirality. This results in a linear homochiral array of iron complexes. In contrast, [CoH₂L]²⁺ forms hydrogen bonds with a molecule from the same cell and one from another cell resulting in an 1D alternating heterochiral zig-zag chain.     

Phorbol esters stimulate spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase activity in mitogen-stimulated bovine lymphocytes

Phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) is shown to induce spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, a rate-limiting enzyme of polyamine biodegradation, in bovine lymphocytes. When PMA and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were added simultaneously, the enzyme activity was stimulated synergistically. The ability of phorbol esters to stimulate the enzyme activity was consistent with their tumor-promoting ability. Phorbol, which is not a tumor promotor, was incapable of stimulating the enzyme activity. Phorbol diacetate weakly stimulated the activity of the acetylase. Phorbol dibutyrate had a similar stimulatory effect to PMA. These results suggest that the spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase may play an important role in changes in polyamine levels in phorbol ester-treated cells and that the increase in the enzyme activity may have some relationship to the control of cell growth and differentiation by phorbol esters.