Poly(γ-glutamylcysteinyl)glycines or phytochelatins and their role in cadmium tolerance of Silene vulgaris

Abstract. The effect of cadmium on growth of Cd-tolerant and -sensitive plants of Silene vulgaris and on the production of metal-binding compounds in both types of plants was studied. The Cd-content of the roots and the Cd-root/shoot ratio was higher in Cd-tolerant plants. A Cd-binding compound (Cd-BC) with an apparent molecular mass of 14.5 kD was isolated from the roots of Cd-tolerant and -sensitive plants, grown in 40 mmol m⁻³ Cd for 21 d. More than 60% of the total Cd in the roots was associated with this compound. Determination of the amino-acid content of the purified Cd-containing compound from both types of plants showed that they possessed a similar amino-acid composition to that of phytochelatins. Only the bis- and tris-forms were present. The amount of Cd and sulphide associated with phytochelatin was greater in tolerant plants than in sensitive ones suggesting that an increased sulphide content of complexes containing peptide, sulphide and Cd may form the basis of evolved Cd-tolerance in Silence vulgaris.     

The role of the plasmalemma in metal tolerance in angiosperms

Evidence for the role of the plasmalemma in metal tolerance of metal resistant ecotypes, cultivars and clones is presented. A range of tolerance mechanisms involving the plasmalemma are discussed including alterations to protein carrier and channel function and synthesis, efflux pumps and maintenance of plasmalemma integrity. Specific examples of such alterations from the literature on Al, As and Cu tolerance, where the plasmalemma has been shown to have a role in tolerance are considered. Tolerance by alterations to plasmalemma function in tolerant ecotypes may also rely on internal metal detoxification mechanisms constitutive in tolerant and non-tolerant plants.     

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence properties of bisalicylideneethylenediamino (salen) metal complexes

The spectroscopy, electrochemistry and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of eight bisalicylideneethylenediamino (salen) metal complexes are reported. Two of the complexes contain an unsubstituted salen ligand and either cobalt(II) or nickel(II). The others have 1,2-cyclohexanediamonio-N,N′-bis(3,5-di-t-butylsalicylidene) as the ligand, and chromium(III), aluminum(III), cobalt(II), cobalt(III) or manganese(II) as the metal center. The complexes have lowest energy absorption maxima between 350 and 430 nm. When excited at these wavelengths, the complexes emit between 417 and 594 nm in acetonitrile. Photoluminescence efficiencies (?_em) were between 0.0310 and 23.8 compared to Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; ?_em = 1), with the aluminum complexes displaying the most intense photoluminescence. Both reversible and irreversible oxidative electrochemistry is displayed by the metal–salen complexes with oxidation potentials ranging between +0.152 and +1.661 V versus Ag/AgCl. The ECL intensity peaks at a potential corresponding to oxidation of both TPrA and the salen systems, indicating that both are involved in the ECL reaction sequence. ECL efficiencies (?_ecl) were between 0.0018 and 0.0086 when compared to Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ (?_ecl = 1) in acetonitrile (0.05 M tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) as an oxidative–reductive ECL coreactant). Also, qualitative studies using transmission filters suggest that the complexes emit ECL in approximately the same region as their photoluminescence, indicating that the same excited state is formed in both experiments.     

Self-assembly and cytotoxicity study of waterwheel-like dinuclear metal complexes: the first metal complexes appended with multiple free hydroxamic acid groups

Two waterwheel-like dinuclear complexes [M(2)(PHA)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] (M = Cu(II) (1), Zn(II) (2); HPHA = phthal-hydroxamic acid) appended with four free hydroxamic acid groups, namely, free hydroxamic acid metal complexes (FHAMCs) have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of complex 1 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, which adopts the paddlewheel motif with four bidentate carboxylate ligands joining two Cu(II) ions. The relative cytotoxicities of compounds 1 and 2 against SMMC-7721 and HO-8910 cell lines are similar and more predominant than HPHA (IC(50): Cu(II)>Zn(II)>HPHA). The synergic effect of the bound water molecules, multiple free hydroxamic acid groups and dimetal active sites with bridging carboxylate may have significant impacts on their pharmacological activity. As the prototype for a new class of hydroxamic acid derivatives, the self-assembly of FHAMCs presents a promising new strategy in designing multiple hydroxamic acids with remarkable bioactivities.     

Structure and biological properties of first row d-transition metal complexes with N-substituted sulfonamides

Cobalt (II), copper (II), nickel (II) and zinc (II) complexes with 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde derived N-substituted sulfonamides have been synthesized and the nature of bonding and structure of compounds have been deduced from physical, analytical and spectral (IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, Mass and electronic) data. An octahedral geometry has been suggested for the complexes. Complexes along with the ligands were assessed for their antibacterial and antifungal activities on different species of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The results revealed the ligands to possess moderate to significant antibacterial activity which was, in many cases, enhanced on chelation. Similar results were observed for antifungal activity. Brine shrimp bioassay was also carried out for in vitro cytotoxic properties against Artemia salina.     

In-vitro biological evaluation of some ONS and NS donor Schiff's bases and their metal complexes

Complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) with the Schiff bases salicylidene-o-aminothiophenol (H₂L) and thiophene-o-carboxaldeneaniline (SB) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic measurements, thermogravimetric analyses as well as infrared spectra and reflectance spectra. The nature of the bonding has been discussed on the basis of IR spectral data. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and electronic spectral data suggest a six-coordinated octahedral structure for these complexes. The complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) are paramagnetic, while Zn(II) and Cd(II) are diamagnetic in nature. The complexes were tested for their antimicrobial activities against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens using the “Disc Diffusion Method”. The results are compared with the standard drug (tetracycline) and show moderate activity.     

Isolation and Identification of α-(γ-Aminobutyryl)-Hypusine

A new dipeptide, alpha-(gamma-aminobutyryl)-hypusine, was identified in bovine brain. This compound was isolated from trichloroacetic acid-soluble fraction of bovine brain with five steps of ion-exchange chromatography. Its structure was postulated by routine chemical analyses and determined by synthesis. The amount of the compound isolated from 1.2 kg of bovine brain was 870 nmol.     

Design,synthesis, and biological properties of triazole derived compounds and their transition metal complexes

Triazole derived Schiff bases and their metal complexes (cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II), and zinc(II)) have been prepared and characterized using IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, mass spectrometry, magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements, and CHN analysis data. The structure of L², N-[(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)methylidene]-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine, has also been determined by the X-ray diffraction method. All the metal(II) complexes showed octahedral geometry except the copper(II) complexes, which showed distorted octahedral geometry. The triazole ligands and their metal complexes have been screened for their in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic activity. All the synthesized compounds showed moderate to significant antibacterial activity against one or more bacterial strains. It is revealed that all the synthesized complexes showed better activity than the ligands, due to coordination.     

New macrocyclic Schiff-base complexes incorporating a phenanthroline unit. Part 2: Template synthesis of some manganese(II) complexes and crystal structure studies

A series of Mn(II) macrocyclic Schiff-base complexes [MnLⁿ]²⁺ have been prepared via the Mn(II) templated [1+1] cyclocondensation of 2,9-dicarboxaldehyde-1,10-phenanthroline with appropriate linear and branched amines. In this way ligands the pentaaza macrocycle L¹ which is 15-membered and L² which is 16-membered possessing no pendant arm, L⁶ is 15-membered with one 2-aminoethyl pendant arm and L⁸ which is 18-membered hexaaza macrocycle with two 2-aminoethyl pendant arms are formed. All the complexes have been characterized using spectroscopic methods. The crystal structures of [MnL⁸](ClO₄)₂ · EtOH were determined and indicate that in the solid state the complex adopts a slightly distorted hexagonal bipyramid geometry with the Mn(II) ion located within a hexaaza macrocycle with the two pendant amines coordinating in the axial positions.     

Synthesis,X-ray structure,in silico calculation,and carbonic anhydrase inhibitory properties of benzylimidazole metal complexes

Three coordination compounds of formula {M(bmim)₂Cl₂} were synthetised (M?=?Co, Zn, and Hg) and fully characterised. Each complex incorporates 1-benzyl-2-methylimidazole (bmim) as ligand. The coordination polyhedron around the metal center for all complexes has a quasi-regular tetragonal geometry. Density functional theory calculations were carried out on the title compounds and as well on hypothetical complexes (Cu, Ni), in order to elucidate their electronic and molecular structure. The calculations reproduced the Co, Zn, and Hg experimental structures and could predict stable complexes in the case of Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions. The carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitory effects of the three complexes were investigated. Only compound {Hg(bmim)₂Cl₂} (3) exhibited a modest inhibitory effect against hCA I, probably due to the affinity of Hg(II) for His residues at the entrance of the active site cavity.     

Self-assembly of four three-dimensional reduced molybdenum(V) phosphates decorated with transitional metal complexes

Four new three-dimensional materials built from reduced molybdenum(V) phosphates as building blocks and transitional metal (Co, Zn and Cd) complexes as linkers, (Hbpy)₂[Co(bpy)(H₂O)]₂[Co(H₂PO₄)₂ (HPO₄)₆(MoO₂)₁₂(OH)₆] (1), [Co(H₂O)₄]₂[Co(Hbpy)(H₂O)]₂[Co(bpy)][Co(HPO₄)₄(PO₄)₄(MoO₂)₁₂(OH)₆] · 6H₂O (2), Na₂[Zn(Hbpy)(H₂O)₂]₂[Zn(Hbpy)]₂[Zn(HPO₄)₂(PO₄)₆(MoO₂)₁₂(OH)₆] · 4H₂O (3), (H₂bpy)₂[Cd(bpy)(H₂O)]₂[Cd(bpy)(H₂O)₂]₂[Cd(HPO₄)₄(PO₄)₄(MoO₂)₁₂(OH)₆] · 2H₂O (4) (bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, TG, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The 3-D framework of 1 is constructed from Co[P₄Mo₆]₂ dimers bonded together with [Co(bpy)]_n coordination polymer chains. In compound 2, the Co[P₄Mo₆]₂ dimers are linked by both [Co(bpy)] complex chains and the cobalt dimers to form a 3-D framework. Compounds 1 and 2 represent the first examples of reduced molybdenum(V) phosphates decorated with transition metal complexes chains. The 3-D framework of 3 is constructed from Zn[P₄Mo₆]₂ dimers bonded together with [Zn(bpy)] coordination complexes and [Zn(bpy)(H₂O)₂] complexes. In compound 4, the Cd[P₄Mo₆]₂ dimers are coordinated with [Cd(bpy)(H₂O)] and [Cd(bpy)(H₂O)₂] complexes to construct a 3-D structure. To our best knowledge, it is the first time that linear ligand 4,4′-bpy molecules have been grafted into the backbone of reduced molybdenum phosphates. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of compounds 1 and 2 are reported.     

Cyanide and imidazolate bridged macrocyclic dinuclear CuII complexes: Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

Reaction of [Cu₂L](ClO₄)₄ with CH₃CN in acetonitrile, and Him in DMF gave cyanide and imidazolate bridged macrocyclic dinuclear copper (II) complexes with the formula [Cu₂L(CN)](ClO₄)₃ (1) and [Cu₂L(im)](ClO₄)₂ · 0.7Br · 0.3Cl, (2), respectively (L = N[(CH₂)₂NHCH₂(C₆H₄-p)CH₂NH(CH₂)₂]₃N). In 2, each Cu(II) atom is coordinated with four macrocyclic nitrogen atoms and one imidazolate N atom, forming a slightly distorted square pyramidal geometry. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 and 2 show that the two Cu(II) atoms of the binuclear unit are antiferromagnetically coupled with g = 2.148, J = −86.09 cm⁻¹ for 1, and g = 2.047, J = −38.20 cm⁻¹ for 2. The correlation between the structures and the J values is discussed.     

Synthesis,characterization of some transition metal(II) complexes of acetone <Emphasis Type="Italic">p-</Emphasis>amino acetophenone salicyloyl hydrazone and their anti microbial activity

Complexes of the type [M(apash)Cl] and [M(Hapash)(H2O)SO4], where M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II); Hapash = acetone p-amino acetophenone salicyloyl hydrazone have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance, magnetic moments, electronic, ESR and IR spectra, thermal studies (TGA & DTA) and X-ray diffraction studies. The ligand coordinates through two >C=N and a deprotonated enolate group in all the chloro complexes, whereas through two >C=N- and a >C=O group in all the sulfato complexes. The electronic spectra suggest a square planar geometry for Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) chloride complexes and an octahedral geometry for the sulfate complexes. ESR data show an isotropic symmetry for [Cu(apash)Cl] and [Cu(Hapash)(H2O)SO4] in solid state. However, ESR spectra of both Cu(II) complexes indicate the presence of unpaired electron in d x2-y2. The X-ray diffraction parameters for [Co(apash)Cl] and [Cu(Hapash)(H2O)SO4] complexes correspond to a tetragonal and an orthorhombic crystal lattices, respectively. Thermal studies of [Co(apash)Cl] complex shows a multi-step decomposition pattern. Most of the complexes show better antifungal activity than the standard miconazole against a number of pathogenic fungi. The antibacterial activity of these complexes has been evaluated against E. coli and Clostridium sp. which shows a moderate activity.     

Copper(II) complexes of diclofenac: Spectroscopic studies and DNA strand breakage

Copper(II) complexes of diclofenac with interesting anti-inflammatory profiles have been prepared and studied by infrared and electronic spectroscopy. In the solid state and in polar and coordinating solvents, all the complexes are solvated binuclear carboxylato-bridged complexes, [Cu(L)²(S)]², where L is monodeprotonated diclofenac and S is the axially bonded solvent. The effect of the copper(II) complexes on the in vitro DNA strand breakeage was studied by agarose gel electrophoresis. Relaxation or double stranded scissions of pDNA were observed leading to the formation of linear pDNA. Treatment of pDNA with high concentrations of these compounds caused a disappearance of pDNA. For the parent drug, sodium diclofenac, no effect on the pDNA was observed. This study presents some indications that the binuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu(L)²(S)]², could have some relevance in the treatment of tumor cell lines.     

Generation and spectroscopic characterization of new 18+δ electron complexes. Relationship between the stability of 18+δ electron organometallic complexes and their ligand reduction potentials

The relationship between the electrochemical reduction potential of a ligand and the ability of that ligand to form a kinetically inert 18+δ complex in a reaction with a 17-electron radical was investigated. (18+δ complexes are 19-electron adducts in which the unpaired electron is primarily located on a ligand orbital.) To probe the relationship, a series of 18+δ complexes was generated by irradiating the Cp′₂Mo₂(CO)₆, Cp₂Fe₂(CO)₄ and Co₂(CO)₈ dimers in the presence of a series of bidentate phosphorus ligands. (Irradiation of the dimers formed 17-electron metal radicals by photolysis of the metal-metal bonds.) These experiments showed that bidentate phosphorus ligands with reduction potentials more positive than −1 volt (versus SCE) formed long-lived 18+δ complexes (in THF or CH₂Cl₂ solutions at 23 °C), while ligands with potentials more negative than −1 V formed reactive 18+δ complexes. The inability to detect 18+δ complexes in the latter case is attributed to kinetic factors: the 18+δ complexes are powerful reductants and they readily initiate a chain disproportionation of the dimers by electron transfer. Analogous experiments with bidentate nitrogen ligands did not produce any detectable 18+δ complexes. In this case, the undetectability of the 18+δ complexes is probably thermodynamic in origin: the hard nitrogen ligands and soft metal centers form adducts that are unstable with respect to metal-nitrogen bond cleavage. 18+δ complexes are the subject of increasing interest, especially as models for their more reactive 19-electron-complex counterparts. These results provide some guidelines for the design of 18+δ complexes that can be synthesized, isolated and characterized for such studies.     

Formation of carnosine-Cu(II) complexes prevents and reverts the inhibitory action of copper in P2X4 and P2X7 receptors

To further analyze the action of copper on brain synaptic mechanisms, the brain dipeptide carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) was tested in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing the rat P2X4 or P2X7 receptors. Ten micromolar copper halved the currents evoked by ATP in both receptors; co-application of carnosine plus copper prevented the metal induced-inhibition with a median effective concentration of 12.1 +/- 3.9 and 12.0 +/- 5.5 microm for P2X4 and P2X7, respectively. Zinc potentiated only the P2X4 ATP-evoked currents; carnosine had no effect over this metal. The relative potency and selectivity of classical metal chelators to prevent the copper inhibition was compared between carnosine and penicillamine (PA), bathophenanthroline (BPh) or L-histidine (His). Their rank order of potency in P2X4 and P2X7 receptors was carnosine = PA = His > BPh > Glycine (Gly) and carnosine = BPh = His > PA > Gly, respectively. The potency to prevent the zinc-induced potentiation in the P2X4 receptor was BPh > PA > His; carnosine, Gly and beta-alanine were inactive. Whereas 1-100 microm carnosine or His alone did not modify the ATP-evoked currents, 10-100 microm PA augmented and 100 microm BPh decreased the ATP-evoked currents. Carnosine was able to revert the copper-induced inhibition restoring the maximal ATP gated current in a concentration-dependent manner. Electronic spectroscopy confirm the formation of carnosine-Cu(II) complexes, mechanism that can account for the prevention and reversal of the copper inhibition, revealing its potential in copper intoxication treatment.     

Solvent effects of N‐nitroso,N‐(2‐chloroethyl), N′,N′‐dibenzylsulfamid and its copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes: fluorescence studies

The structure of N‐nitroso, N‐(2‐chloroethyl), N′,N′‐dibenzylsulfamid (CENS) was established by X‐ray crystallography. The atomic coordinates, factors of isotropic thermal agitation, bond lengths and valence angles were determined. The solvent effects on the electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra of CENS were investigated at room temperature. The effects of solvent polarity and of hydrogen bonding were interpreted by means of linear solvation energy relationships (LSERs). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the hydrogen donation properties of the solvent play an important role in determining the position of the absorption maximum, while the classical polarity of the medium is the only dominating parameter in determining the emission maximum and the Stokes' shift. Complexation of the investigated compound by two different transition metal ions was studied. Fluorescence measurements show that fluorescence quenching by cobalt(II) is more important than that by copper(II). This phenomenon can be attributed to good stereo‐structural matching between the electronic configuration of the Co²⁺ ion and the active site distribution of CENS in aqueous solution. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis, structure and solution chemistry of quaternary oxovanadium(V) complexes incorporating hydrazone ligands

[V^IVO(acac)₂] reacts with an equimolar amount of benzoyl hydrazone of 2-hydroxyacetophenone (H₂L¹) or 5-chloro-2-hydroxyacetophenone (H₂L²) in the presence of excess pyridine (py) in methanol to produce the quaternary [V^VO(L¹)(OCH₃)(py)] (1) and [V^VO(L²)(OCH₃)(py)] (2) complexes, respectively, while under similar condition, the benzoyl hydrazones of 2-hydroxy-5-methylacetophenone (H₂L³) and 2-hydroxy-5-methoxyacetophenone (H₂L⁴) afforded only the methoxy bridged dimeric [V^VO(L³/L⁴)(OCH₃)]₂ complexes. The X-ray structural analysis of 1 and 2 indicates that the geometry around the metal is distorted octahedral where the three equatorial positions are occupied by the phenolate-O, enolate-O and the imine-N of the fully deprotonated hydrazone ligand in its enolic form and the fourth one by a methoxide-O atom. An oxo-O and a pyridine-N atom occupy two axial positions. Quaternary complexes exhibit one quasi-reversible one-electron reduction peak near 0.25 V versus SCE in CH₂Cl₂ and they decompose appreciably to the corresponding methoxy bridged dimeric complex in CDCl₃ solution as indicated by their ¹H NMR spectra. These quaternary VO³⁺ complexes are converted to the corresponding -complexes simply on refluxing them in acetone and to the -complexes on reaction with KOH in methanol. An equimolar amount of 8-hydroxyquinoline (Hhq) converts these quaternary complexes to the ternary [V^VO(L)(hq)] complexes in CHCl₃.