Is Ag(I) an adequate probe for Cu(I) in structural copper–metallothionein studies?

The binding abilities of silver(I) to mammalian MT 1 have been studied and compared with those of copper(I), recently reported [Bofill et al. (2001) J Biol Inorg Chem 6:408–417], with the aim of analyzing the suitability of Ag(I) as a Cu(I) probe in Cu–MT studies. The Zn/Ag replacement in recombinant mouse Zn₇–MT 1 and corresponding Zn₄-MT 1 and Zn₃-MT 1 fragments, as well as the stepwise incorporation of Ag(I) to the corresponding apo-MTs, have been followed in parallel by various spectroscopic techniques including electronic absorption (UV–vis), circular dichroism (CD) and electrospray mass spectrometry coupled to capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE-ESI-MS). A comparative analysis of the sets of data obtained in the titration of Zn₇–MT 1, Zn₄–MT 1 and Zn₃-MT 1 with AgClO₄ at pH 7.5 and 2.5 has led to the reaction pathways followed during the incorporation of silver to these proteins under these specific conditions, disclosing unprecedented stoichiometries and structural features for the species formed. Thus, the Zn/Ag replacement in Zn₇–MT 1 at pH 7.5 has revealed the subsequent formation of Ag₄Zn₅–MT, Ag₇Zn₃–MT, Ag₈Zn₃–MT, Ag₁₀Zn₂–MT, Ag₁₂Zn₁–MT, Ag_x–MT, x=14–19, whose structure consists of two additive domains only if Zn(II) remains coordinated to the protein. A second structural role for Zn(II) has been deduced from the different folding found for the Ag_x–MT species of the same stoichiometry formed at pH 7.5 or 2.5. Comparison of the binding features of Cu(I) and Ag(I) to the entire MT at pH 7.5 shows that, among all the _xZn_y–MT (0y<7) species found, only M^I₄Zn₅–MT [(Zn₄)(₄Zn₁)] and M^I₇Zn₃–MT [(₃Zn₂)(₄Zn₁)], which form during the first stages of the Zn(II)/M(I) metal replacement, show comparable 3D structures; thus, they are the only species where Ag(I) ions can be predicted to be an adequate probe for Cu(I).Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at .     

Synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic properties and EPR spectra of copper(II) acetate derivatives: tetra-(μ-acetato)bis(2-methylaminopyridine)copper(II) and catena-poly(aquadiacetato-μ-3-aminomethylpyridine)copper(II). Sheets formed by chains connected through hydrogen-bonds

The derivatives of Cu(OAc)₂ · H₂O with 2-methylaminopyridine and 3-aminomethylpyridine, [Cu₂(μ-OAc)₄(MeNHpy)₂] (1) and [Cu(OAc)₂(μ-NH₂CH₂py)(H₂O)]_n (2), respectively, have been synthesized and characterized. Compound 1 shows the dimer structure of [Cu₂(μ-OAc)₄(H₂O)₂], with four syn-syn bridging acetate groups and the MeNHpy ligand coordinated in the axial positions. It is antiferromagnetic (2J=−285 cm⁻¹). Signals of the triplet state are observed in its EPR spectrum and the zero-field splitting parameter has been calculated (D=0.36 cm⁻¹; g_∥=2.35; g_⊥=2.07). Otherwise, the ligand 3-aminomethylpyridine acts as bridging bidentate ligand in compound 2, forming infinite zig-zag chains. Each copper atom lies in a square-planar pyramidal coordination, determined by two nitrogen atoms of two bridge ligands, two oxygen atoms of two monodentate terminal acetate groups and a water molecule. The parallel chains form a sheet because of the hydrogen bonds between them. The shortest Cu-Cu distances are: 5.1270, 6.0952 and 6.2163 Å (inter-chains) and 7.875 Å (intra-chain). Compound 2 shows a slight antiferromagnetic effect below 30 K. The EPR spectra show an orthorhombic signal (g₁=2.26; g₂=2.08; g₃=2.06).     

Synthesis and characterization of alkynes β-diketonate copper(I) complexes

The reactions of 1,3,5-tris-(trimethylsilylethynyl)benzene (1) with Cu₂O and 1,1,1,5,5,5,-hexafluoroacetylacetone in alkyne to Cu ratios 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:3 in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature give copper complexes (η²-1,3,5-tris(trimethylsilylethynyl)benzene)(Cu(hfac)) (2), (η²:η²-1,3,5-tris(trimethylsilylethynyl)benzene)(Cu(hfac))₂ (3) and (η²:η²:η²-(1,3,5- tris(trimethylsilylethynyl)benzene))₂(Cu(hfac))₃(4), respectively. In the same conditions, 2,5-bis-(trimethylsilylethynyl)thiophene (5) reacts with 0.5 or 1 equiv. of Cu₂O to give (η²:η²-2,5-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)thiophene)(Cu(hfac)) (6) and (η²:η²-2,5-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)thiophene)(Cu(hfac))₂ (7), respectively, and 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,3-butadiyne (8) with 0.5 equiv. of Cu₂O give (η²:η²-1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,3-butadiyne)(Cu(hfac))₂(9). All the new compounds have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods and their thermal properties were examined by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).     

Theoretical investigation of direct amination of β-ketoesters catalyzed by copper(II)-bisoxazoline(BOX)

The mechanism of the direct amination of β-keto esters catalyzed by copper(II)-bisoxazoline has been studied by means of density functional theory of B3LYP method. The computational results support the present mechanism, which involves (i) the generation of the enol from β-keto esters, which coordinates to copper(II)-bisoxazoline. The coordination step appears to be fast, exothermic, and irreversible. (ii) The formation of the σ(N-C) bond via a six-membered ring transition state after azo dicarboxylate coordination with the chiral catalyst. This step is chirality-control step. (iii) Intramolecular hydrogen migration generates a catalyst-product complex, which can finally yield product. The hydrogen shift is the rate-determining step, which affords the experimentally observed (R)-product. The stereochemical predictions have been rationalized in terms of steric repulsions, showing good agreement with experimental data. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The coordination of copper(II) with β-casomorphin and its fragments

The synthesis of β-casomorphin-5 (Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-Gly, H₂L) and a number of its peptide fragments is described. Complexes formed between these peptides and Cu(II) have been investigated spectrophotometrically, using CD and EPR spectroscopy, and potentiometrically. Results show that, with tyrosine as the N-terminal residue, the major complex formed at physiological pH is the dimeric species, [Cu₂L₂], bonded through the phenolic O^? of the Tyr residue of one ligand and the N-terminal amine nitrogen of the second ligand molecule. There is no evidence for coordination through the peptide nitrogens unless the terminal Tyr group is removed.     

Benchmarking of copper(II) LFMM parameters for studying amyloid-β peptides

Ligand field molecular mechanics (LFMM) parameters have been benchmarked for copper (II) bound to the amyloid-β_1–16 peptide fragment. Several density functional theory (DFT) optimised small test models, representative of different possible copper coordination modes, have been used to test the accuracy of the LFMM copper bond lengths and angles, resulting in errors typically less than 0.1 Å and 5°. Ligand field molecular dynamics (LFMD) simulations have been carried out on the copper bound amyloid-β_1–16 peptide and snapshots extracted from the subsequent trajectory. Snapshots have been optimised using DFT and the semi-empirical PM7 method resulting in good agreement against the LFMM calculated geometry. Analysis of substructures within snapshots shows that the larger contribution of geometrical difference, as measured by RMSD, lies within the peptide backbone, arising from differences in DFT and AMBER, and the copper coordination sphere is reproduced well by LFMM. PM7 performs excellently against LFMM with an average RMSD of 0.2 Å over 21 tested snapshots. Further analysis of the LFMD trajectory shows that copper bond lengths and angles have only small deviations from average values, with the exception of a carbonyl moiety from the N-terminus, which can act as a weakly bound fifth ligand.     

Relationship between copper biosorption and microbial inhibition of hydroxyl radical formation in a copper(II)–hydrogen peroxide system

The microbial retardation of the spin adduct, DMPO-OH, formed in a copper(II)–hydrogen peroxide–DMPO (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide) solution was examined in relation to copper biosorption. A hydroxyl radical is formed in the solution through two steps, the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) by H₂O₂ and the Fenton-type reaction of Cu(I) with H₂O₂. The resultant radical is trapped by DMPO to form DMPO-OH. Microbial cells retarded the DMPO-OH in the Cu(II)–H₂O₂–DMPO far more significantly than in the UV-irradiated H₂O₂–DMPO solution. Egg albumin showed a higher DMPO-OH retardation than microbial cells both in the Cu(II)–H₂O₂–DMPO and the UV-irradiated H₂O₂–DMPO solutions. These results indicated that the retardation effect is related to organic matter and not to microbial activity. Microorganisms having higher affinities for copper ion retarded DMPO-OH more significantly. The linear relationship between the amounts of copper biosorption and the inverse of the median inhibitory doses for DMPO-OH indicated that the microbial cells inhibited the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) by H₂O₂, followed by the decrease of hydroxyl radical formation and the retardation of DMPO-OH. These results also suggest that the coupling between microbial cells and Cu(II) ion can be estimated from their ability to retard DMPO-OH.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of copper(II) and manganese(II) α,ω-dicarboxylate complexes

Copper(II) ,-dicarboxylate complexes of general formulae, [Cu(O₂C(CH₂)_nCO₂)]·xH₂O, [Cu(O₂C(CH₂)_nCO₂) (phen)₂]·xH₂O and [Cu(O₂C(CH₂)_nCO₂)(bipy)_y]·xH₂O (n=1–8; y=1, 2; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; bipy = 2,2-bipyridine) were synthesised. These copper complexes, some related manganese(II) complexes and the metal-free ligands were screened in vitro for their ability to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans. Metal-free 1,10-phenanthroline and all of the copper(II) and manganese(II) phenanthroline complexes were potent growth inhibitors, with only one bipyridine complex, [Cu(O₂C(CH₂)CO₂)(bipy)₂]·2H₂O, having moderate activity. The remaining substances were effectively inactive. Complexes which were active against C. albicans also proved effective against C. glabrata, C. tropicalis and C. kreusi with the manganese complexes retaining superior activity. For the phenanthroline complexes the active drug species is thought to be the dication [M(phen)₂(H₂O)_n]²⁺ (M = Cu, Mn). Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to all of the metal complexes and also to metal-free 1,10-phenanthroline. Only the copper phenanthroline complexes showed intermediate activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Copper(I) and copper(II) binding to β-amyloid 16 (Aβ16) studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Copper-β-amyloid 16 (Aβ16) complexes were investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Copper(i) and (ii) complexes were formed on-line in a microchip electrospray emitter by using a sacrificial copper electrode as the anode in positive ionization mode. In the presence of ascorbic acid in the peptide solution, the amount of Cu(i)-Aβ16 generated electrochemically was even higher. A kinetic model is proposed to account for the generation of copper complexes. The structure of Cu(i)-Aβ16 was investigated by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and the binding site of Cu(i) to Aβ16 was identified at the His13, His14 residues. Cu(ii)-Aβ16 was also investigated by MS/MS and, based on the unusual observations of a-ions, the two binding residues of His13 and His14 of Aβ16 to Cu(ii) were also confirmed. This approach provides direct information on Cu(i)-Aβ16 complexes generated in solution from metallic copper and gives evidence that both His13 and His14 are involved in the coordination of both Cu(i)- and Cu(ii)-Aβ16 complexes.     

改性壳聚糖吸附Cu(Ⅱ)及其生物活性研究

壳聚糖具有特殊的生物活性和生理调节机能,其分子的重复单元中富含氨基和羟基,对Cu(Ⅱ)具有良好的络合能力.壳聚糖分子结构的规整性和分子间氢键的存在使其难溶于多数溶剂,对壳聚糖进行改性以增强溶解性和对Cu(Ⅱ)的吸附能力是壳聚糖研究的热点.文章综述了目前壳聚糖的理化改性和对Cu(Ⅱ)的吸附研究,对吸附过程的影响因素做了总结,对壳聚糖吸附体内Cu(Ⅱ)生物学活性的应用作了展望.     

Structural and some medicinal characteristics of the copper(II)–hydroxychloroquine complex

In the first phase of this study, the binding of hydroxychloroquine to the copper(II) cation is examined using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance spectrometry (FT-ICR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H and ¹³C NMR) in one and two dimensions. The data suggest the metal–ligand complex is a polarity adaptive molecule. In the second phase of the study, the complexes activity is tested against the National Cancer Institute’s 60 cell line panel. Its anti-cancer activity is compared to quinine, Cu(II)–quinine and hydroxychloroquine. It serves as a base line for future anti-cancer complexes in which hydroxychloroquine is utilized for its ability to impact cell autophagy.     

Rectangular tetranuclear silver(I) and μ8-selenide-centered octanuclear copper(I) complexes containing bis(diphenylphosphino)amide ligands

Interaction of Ag(CF₃CO₂) with bis(diphenylphosphino)amide (dppa) in THF gave a tetranuclear Ag₄-coplanar silver(I) complex [Ag₄(μ-dppa)₂(μ₄-O₂PPh₂)₂(μ-CF₃CO₂)₂] (1). The trinuclear trigonal-bipyramid copper(I) complex [Cu₃(μ₃-Cl)₂(μ-dppa)₃][CuCl₂] (2) was obtained from the reaction of [CuCl] powder with bis(diphenylphosphino)amide (dppa) in THF. Treatment of 2 with (Me₃Si)₂Se in THF afforded a μ₈-selenide-centered octanuclear copper(I) complex [Cu₈(μ₈-Se)(μ₄-Se)(μ₄-SeH)₃(μ-dppa)₄][(Ph₂PO)₂N] (3). The structures of 1-3 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Complex 1 comprises a rectangular Ag₄ array with each edge bridged with a pair of μ-dppa, μ₄-O₂PPh₂ and μ-CF₃CO₂ ligands that are approximately perpendicular to each other. Complex 2 contains a trigonal-bipyramid [Cu₃(μ₃-Cl)₂]⁺ core surrounded by three μ-dppa ligands. The cationic complex in 3 consists of four [Cu₂(μ-dppa)] fragments side-capped by one μ₄-Se and three μ₄-SeH ligands and center-connected by a μ₈-Se atom.     

Copper-release from yeast Cu(I)-thionein by hypothiocyanite (OSCN−)

In the course of an oxidative burst oxygen free radicals and hypothiocyanite (OSCN^–), a transiently abundant derivative of thiocyanate (SCN^–), are formed in the presence of activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). At the same time Cu(I)-thionein is present and the question arose whether or not thiocyanate and its oxidized form may transiently release highly Fenton active copper to improve the efficacy of the above mentioned oxidative burst. Thus, the reaction of yeast Cu-thionein with OSCN^– was examined. Indeed, a release of copper from the Cu(I)-thiolate clusters of the protein was observed ex vivo. Both the chiroptic and luminescence emission signals of Cu-thionein essentially levelled off in the presence of a 15-fold molar excess of OSCN^– expressed per equivalent of thionein-copper. The effective copper-releasing activity of this reagent was confirmed by equilibrium dialysis. The demetallized protein could be reconstituted under reductive conditions. SCN^– did not affect the copper-thiolate bonding. It rather acts as a potent metabolic source for the transient copper release from Cu-thionein in the presence of activated PMNs.     

Stabilization of a hydrated ketone by metal complexation. The crystal and molecular structures of bis-2,2′,N,N′-bipyridyl ketone-hydrate nickel(II) sulfate,copper(II) chloride and copper(II) nitrate

The crystal structure of the complexes (I)Ni[C₁₁N₈N₂(OH)₂]₂SO₄, (II) Cu[C₁₁H₈N₂(OH)₂]₂Cl₂· 4H₂O and (III) Cu[C₁₁H₈N₂(OH)₂]₂(NO₃)₂·2H₂O have been determined by three-dimensional X-ray analysis methods. Crystal data are: (I), monoclinic, space group C2/c, Z = 4, a = 19.666(4), b = 7.994(2), c = 16.045(6) /rA, /gb = 111.231(9)°, (II), monoclinic, space group C2/c, Z = 4, a = 14.504(4), b = 12.333(8), c = 14.630(3) Å, /gb = 90.92°; and (IIl), monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, Z = 2, a = 7.601(5), b = 11.977(4), c = 14.463(6) Å, β = 93.10(8)°. These structural investigations clearly demonstrate that in each case hydration occurs across the ketone double bond in the ligand and that the resulting hydroxyl group coordinates to the metal. Two di-2-pyridyl ketone ligands are thus bonded to the metal atom in a tridentate fashion. In the nickel complex (I), all six coordination interactions appear to have approximately the same strength. However, in the copper complexes (II) and (III), the pyridyl nitrogens are strongly coordinating to the metal in the equatorial plane, while the hydroxyl groups are more weakly coordinating in the axial direction. The metal to ligand bond distances are: (I) d_Ni−O = 2.098(4), d_NiN = 2.062(4), 2.087(4) Å, (II) d_CuO = 2.465(5), d_CuN = 1.994(5), 2.006(5) Å, (III) d_CuO = 2.464(5), d_CuN = 1.990(5), 2.036(5) Å. The neutral diol that results from hydrolysis of di-2-pyridyl ketone is stabilized by coordination to the metal and such coordination is little affected by changes in the metal, the anion or the extent of hydration.