Nitrilotris(methylenephosphonates) in aqueous solution and solid state - dilatometric, potentiometric and NMR investigations

Dissociation and alkali complex formation equilibria of nitrilotris(methylenephosphonic acid) (NTMP, H₆L) have been studied by dilatometric, potentiometric and ³¹P NMR-controlled titrations. Dilatometry indicated the formation of alkali complexes ML (M=Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) at high pH with a stability decreasing from Li to Cs. An efficient combination of potentiometric and NMR methods confirmed two types of alkali metal complexes MHL and ML. Stability constants for the equilibria following M⁺ + HL⁵⁻ ? MHL⁴⁻ and M⁺ + L⁶⁻ ? ML⁵⁻, respectively, were determined: logK_NaHL=1.08(0.07), logK_KHL=0.86(0.08), logK_NaL=2.24(0.03). Systematic errors are introduced by using alkali metal hydroxides as titrants for routine potentiometric determinations of dissociation constants pK_a5^app and pK_a6^app. Correction formulae were derived to convert actual dissociation constants pK_a into apparent dissociation constants pK_a^app (or vice versa). The actual dissociation constants were found: pK_a5(H₂L⁴⁻ ? H⁺ + HL⁵⁻)=7.47(0.03) and pK_a6(HL⁵⁻ ? H⁺ + L⁶⁻)=14.1(0.1). The anisotropy of ³¹P chemical shifts of salts M_nH_6 − nL (M=Li, Na, n=0-5) is more sensitive towards titration (n) than isotropic solution state chemical shifts.     

Low spring constant regulates P-selectin-PSGL-1 bond rupture

Forced dissociation of selectin-ligand bonds is crucial to such biological processes as leukocyte recruitment, thrombosis formation, and tumor metastasis. Although the bond rupture has been well known at high loading rate r_f (≥10² pN/s), defined as the product of spring constant k and retract velocity v, how the low r_f (<10² pN/s) or the low k regulates the bond dissociation remains unclear. Here an optical trap assay was used to quantify the bond rupture at r_f ≤ 20 pN/s with low k (∼10⁻³-10⁻² pN/nm) when P-selectin and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) were respectively coupled onto two glass microbeads. Our data indicated that the bond rupture force f retained the similar values when r_f increased up to 20 pN/s. It was also found that f varied with different combinations of k and v even at the same r_f. The most probable force, f*, was enhanced with the spring constant when k < 47.0 × 10⁻³ pN/nm, indicating that the bond dissociation at low r_f was spring constant dependent and that bond rupture force depended on both the loading rate and the mechanical compliance of force transducer. These results provide new insights into understanding the P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 bond dissociation at low r_f or k.     

Organo-peroxyl compounds via catalytic oxidation of a hindered phenol and aniline utilizing new manganese(II) bis benzimidazole diamide based complexes

Bis benzimidazole diamide ligand-N,N′-bis(2-methylbenzimidazolyl) propanediamide [GBMA = L] has been synthesized and utilized to prepare new Mn(II) complexes of general composition [Mn(L)X₂]·nH₂O where X is an exogenous anionic ligand(X = Cl⁻, CH₃COO⁻, SCN⁻). The geometry of the ligand and its Mn(II) complex have been optimized at the level of UHF, by using ZINDO/1 method. Binding energies, heat of formation and bond lengths of geometry optimized structures for the ligand and complex have been obtained. The oxidation of 2,4,6-tri-tert.-butylphenol (TTBP) and 2,4,6-tri-tert.-butylaniline (TTBA) has been investigated using these Mn(II) complexes as catalyst and TBHP as an alternate source of oxygen. The organo-peroxyl compounds have been isolated and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR and mass data. A different product profile was obtained when H₂O₂ is used as an oxidant.     

Equilibrium and structural studies on Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with N-(2-benzimidazolyl)methyliminodiacetic acid: crystal structures of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes

Combined pH-metric, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR and EPR spectral investigations on the complex formation of M(II) ions (M=Co, Ni, Cu and Zn) with N-(2-benzimidazolyl)methyliminodiacetic acid (H₂bzimida, hereafter H₂L) in aqueous solution at a fixed ionic strength, I=10⁻¹ mol dm⁻³, at 25 ± 1 °C indicate the formation of M(L), M(H₋₁L)⁻ and M₂(H₋₁L)⁺ complexes. Proton-ligand and metal-ligand constants and the complex formation equilibria have been elucidated. Solid complexes, [M(L)(H₂O)₂] · nH₂O (n=1 for M = Co and Zn, n=2 for M = Ni) and {Cu (μ-L) · 4H₂O}_n, have been isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral, conductance and magnetic measurements and thermal studies. Structures of [Ni(L)(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O and {Cu(μ-L) · 4H₂O}_n have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The nickel(II) complex exists in a distorted octahedral environment in which the metal ion is coordinated by the two carboxylate O atoms, the amino-N atom of the iminodiacetate moiety and the pyridine type N-atom of the benzimidazole moiety. Two aqua O atoms function as fifth and sixth donor atoms. The copper(II) complex is made up of interpenetrating polymeric chains of antiferromagnetically coupled Cu(II) ions linked by carboxylato bridges in syn-anti (apical-equatorial) bonding mode and stabilized via interchain hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions.     

Diorganotin(IV) complexes of dipeptides containing the alpha-aminoisobutyryl residue (Aib): preparation, structural characterization, antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of [(n-Bu)2 Sn(H(-1)L)] (LH=H-Aib-L-Leu-OH, H-Aib-L-Ala-OH)

Two new organotin(IV) complexes with dianionic dipeptides containing the α-aminoisobutyryl residue (Aib) as ligands are described. The solid complexes [(n-Bu)₂Sn(H₋₁L_A)] · 2MeOH (1 · 2MeOH) (L_AH = H-Aib-L-Leu-OH) and [(n-Bu)₂Sn(H₋₁L_B)] · MeOH (2 · MeOH) (L_BH = H-Aib-L-Ala-OH) have been isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic techniques (H₋₁L²⁻ is the dianionic form of the corresponding dipeptide). Complexes 1 · 2MeOH and 2 · MeOH are monomeric with similar molecular structures. The doubly deprotonated dipeptide behaves as a N(amino), N(peptide), O(carboxylate) ligand and binds to the Sn^IV atom. The five-coordinate metal ion has a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. A different network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds in each compound results in very dissimilar supramolecular features. The IR, far-IR, Raman and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR data are discussed in terms of the nature of bonding and known structures. The antibacterial and antiproliferative activities as well as the effect of the new compounds on pDNA were examined. Complexes 1 and 2 are active against the gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus. The IC₅₀ values reveal that the two compounds express promising cytotoxic activity in vitro against a series of cell lines.     

Novel Pt(II) and Pt(IV) complexes with 3-amino-5-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-2,4-imidazolidenedione. Synthesis, physicochemical, chemometric and pharmacological investigation

Platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes with 3-amino-5-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-2,4-imidazolidenedione (L) with general formulaе cis-[PtL₂X₂]·nH₂O and [PtL₂Cl₄], where X = Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻ and n = 2-4) were synthesized. The novel compounds were fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR spectra, thermal analysis and molar conductivity. The geometry of Pt(II) complexes and of the organic ligand in the gas phase were optimized using the hybrid DFT method B3LYP with LANL2DZ and 6-31G** basis sets. Some physicochemical parameters as dipole moment, HOMO, LUMO energies and ESP charges were calculated. The comparison of the bond length and angles, obtained from the X-ray analysis and DFT calculations is realized. The cytotoxic effects of these complexes in human T-cell leukemia KE-37 (SKW-3) are reported.     

Preparation, crystal structures and spectroscopic properties of novel [MCl3 − n(P)3 + n] (M = Co, Rh; n = 0, 1, 2 or 3) series of complexes containing tripodal tridentate phosphine, 1,1,1-tris(dimethylphosphinomethyl)ethane

Cobalt(III) and rhodium(III) complexes of the series of [M^IIICl_3 − n(P)_3 + n]ⁿ⁺ (M = Co or Rh; n = 0, 1, 2 or 3) have been prepared with the use of 1,1,1-tris(dimethylphosphinomethyl)ethane (tdmme) and mono- or didentate phosphines. The single-crystal X-ray analyses of both series of complexes revealed that the M-P and M-Cl bond lengths were dependent primarily on the strong trans influence of the phosphines, and secondarily on the steric congestion around the metal center resulting from the coordination of several phosphine groups. In fact, the M-P(tdmme) bonds became longer in the order of [MCl₃(tdmme)] < [MCl₂(tdmme)(PMe₃)]⁺ < [MCl(tdmme)(dmpe)]²⁺ (dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane) < [M(tdmme)₂]³⁺ for both Co^III and Rh^III series of complexes, while the M-Cl bond lengths were shortened in this order (except for [M(tdmme)₂]³⁺). Such a steric congestion around the metal center can also account for the structural and spectroscopic characteristics of the series of complexes, [MCl(tdmme)(dmpm, dmpe or dmpp)]²⁺ (dmpm = bis(dimethylphosphino)methane, dmpp = 1,3-bis(dimethylphosphino)propane). The X-ray analysis for [CoCl(tdmme)(dmpm or dmpe)](BF₄)₂ showed that all Co-P bonds in the dmpm complex were shorter by 0.03-0.04 Å than those in the dmpe complex. Furthermore, the first d-d transition energy of the Co^III complexes and the ¹J_Rh-P(tdmme) coupling constants observed for the Rh^III complexes indicated an unusual order in the coordination bond strengths of the didentate diphosphines, i.e., dmpm > dmpe > dmpp.     

Kinetic study of dissociation of Eu(III) complex with H8dotp (H8dotp = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetrakis(methylphosphonic acid))

The dissociation kinetics of the europium(III) complex with H₈dotp ligand was studied by means of molecular absorption spectroscopy in UV region at ionic strength 3.0 mol dm⁻³ (Na,H)ClO₄ and in temperature region 25-60 °C. Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLIFS) was employed in order to determine the number of water molecules in the first coordination sphere of the europium(III) reaction intermediates and the final products. This technique was also utilized to deduce the composition of reaction intermediates in course of dissociation reaction simultaneously with calculation of rate constants and it demonstrates the elucidation of intimate reaction mechanism. The thermodynamic parameters for the formation of kinetic intermediate (ΔH⁰ = 11 ± 3 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS⁰ = 41 ± 11 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) and the activation parameters (E_a = 69 ± 8 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔH^≠ = 67 ± 8 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS^≠ = −83 ± 24 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) for the rate-determining step describing the complex dissociation were determined. The mechanism of proton-assisted reaction was proposed on the basis of the experimental data.     

Cyclic and acyclic compartmental Schiff bases, their reduced analogues and related mononuclear and heterodinuclear complexes

[1+1] macrocyclic and [1+2] macroacyclic compartmental ligands (H₂L), containing one N₂O₂, N₃O₂, N₂O₃, N₄O₂ or O₂N₂O₂ Schiff base site and one O₂O_n (n=3, 4) crown-ether like site, have been prepared by self-condensation of the appropriate formyl- and amine precursors. The template procedure in the presence of sodium ion afforded Na₂(L) or Na(HL) · nH₂O. When reacted with the appropriate transition metal acetate hydrate, H₂L form M(L) · nH₂O, M(HL)(CH₃COO) · nH₂O, M(H₂L)(X)₂ · nH₂O (M=Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺; X=CH₃COO⁻, Cl⁻) or Mn(L)(CH₃COO) · nH₂O according to the experimental conditions used. The same complexes have been prepared by condensation of the appropriate precursors in the presence of the desired metal ion. The Schiff bases H₂L have been reduced by NaBH₄ to the related polyamine derivatives H₂R, which form, when reacted with the appropriate metal ions, M(H₂R)(X)₂ (M= Co²⁺, Ni²⁺; X=CH₃COO⁻, Cl⁻), Cu(R) · nH₂O and Mn(R)(CH₃COO) · nH₂O. The prepared ligands and related complexes have been characterized by IR, NMR and mass spectrometry. The [1+1] cyclic nature of the macrocyclic polyamine systems and the site occupancy of sodium ion have been ascertained, at least for the sodium (I) complex with the macrocyclic ligand containing one N₃O₂ Schiff base and one O₂O₃ crown-ether like coordination chamber, by an X-ray structural determination. In this complex the asymmetric unit consists of one cyclic molecule of the ligand coordinated to a sodium ion by the five oxygen atoms of the ligand. The coordination geometry of the sodium ion can be described as a pentagonal pyramid with the metal ion occupying the vertex. In the mononuclear complexes with H₂L or H₂R the transition metal ion invariantly occupies the Schiff base site; the sodium ion, on the contrary, prefers the crown-ether like site. Accordingly, the heterodinuclear complexes [MNa(L)(CH₃COO)_x] (M=Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni², x=1; M=Mn³⁺, x=2) have been synthesised by reacting the appropriate formyl and amine precursors in the presence of M(CH₃COO)_n · nH₂O and NaOH in a 1:1:1:2 molar ratio. The reaction of the mononuclear transition metal complexes with Na(CH₃COO) · nH₂O gives rise to the same heterodinuclear complexes. Similarly [MNa(R)(CH₃COO)_x] have been prepared by reaction of the appropriate polyamine ligand H₂R with the desired metal acetate hydrate and NaOH in 1:1:2 molar ratio.     

Theoretical studies on tetrahedral oxoanions MO4 (n=2, 3, 4; M=Cr, Mo, W)

The structure and bonding in MO₄ ⁿ⁻ (n=2, 3, 4; M=Cr, Mo, W) tetrahedral oxoanions have been investigated using density-functional methods. Good computational-experimental agreement for the geometrical parameters of the known species has been obtained which allowed the prediction of the cited parameters for those species that have not yet been isolated. The molecular-orbital analysis indicates that the chemical bonds mainly have d functions of the metal and p functions of oxygen. The electron affinities for the process MO₄ ⁿ⁻ + 1e → MO₄ ^(n + 1)− have also been calculated and their importance in relation with the preparation of the oxoanions MO₄ ⁿ⁻ (M=Mo, W; n=3, 4) not reported in the bibliography is discussed. Comparative studies of the electronic structures of oxoanions allow to explain their reactivities against nucleophilic and electrophilic attacks. The vibrational frequencies have been calculated and compared with the experimental values and the different relationships between the symmetric-stretching and antisymmetric-bending frequencies allow to confirm the assignations of the calculated spectra.     

A novel fibronectin type III module binding motif identified on C-terminus of Leptospira immunoglobulin-like protein, LigB

Infection by pathogenic strains of Leptospira hinges on the pathogen’s ability to adhere to host cells via extracellular matrix such as fibronectin (Fn). Previously, the immunoglobulin-like domains of Leptospira Lig proteins were recognized as adhesins binding to N-terminal domain (NTD) and gelatin binding domain (GBD) of Fn. In this study, we identified another Fn-binding motif on the C-terminus of the Leptospira adhesin LigB (LigBCtv), residues 1708-1712 containing sequence LIPAD with a β-strand and nascent helical structure. This motif binds to 15th type III modules (15F₃) (K_D = 10.70 μM), and association (k_on = 600 M⁻¹ s⁻¹) and dissociation (k_off = 0.0129 s⁻¹) rate constants represents a slow binding kinetics in this interaction. Moreover, pretreatment of MDCK cells with LigB_1706-1716 blocked the binding of Leptospira by 39%, demonstrating a significant role of LigB_1706-1716 in cellular adhesion. These data indicate that the LIPAD residues (LigB_1708-1712) of the Leptospira interrogans LigB protein bind 15F₃ of Fn at a novel binding site, and this interaction contributes to adhesion to host cells.     

Structures and excitation energies of ozone-water clusters O3(H2O)n (n = 1-4)

Hybrid density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations have been carried out for ozone-water clusters O₃(H₂O)_n (n = 1-4) in order to obtain hydration effects on the absorption spectrum of ozone. The first water molecule in n = 1 is bound to the ozone molecule by an oxygen orientation form in which the oxygen atom of H₂O orients the central oxygen atom of O₃. In n = 2, the water dimer is bound to O₃ and then the cyclic structure is formed as the most stable structure. For n = 3 (or n = 4), the cyclic water trimer (or tetramer) is bound by a hydrogen bond to the ozone molecule. The TD-DFT calculations of O₃(H₂O)_n (n = 0-4) show that the first and second excitation energies of O₃ are blue-shifted by the interaction with the water clusters. The magnitude of the spectral shift is largest in n = 2, and the shifts of the excitation energies are +0.07 eV for S₁ and +0.13 eV for S₂ states. In addition to the spectral shifts (S₁ and S₂ states), it is suggested that a charge-transfer band is appeared as a low-lying excited state above the S₁ and S₂ states. The origin of the spectrum shifts was discussed on the basis of theoretical results.     

Synthesis, characterizations, and crystal structures of triorganotin(IV) derivatives with areneseleninic acids

Six new triorganotin(IV) complexes, [R₃Sn(O₂SeC₆H₄Cl)]_n (R = Me 1; Ph 2), [R₃Sn(O₂SeC₆H₄Me)]_n (R = Me 3; Ph 4), [R₃Sn(O₂SeC₆H₄Bu)]_n (R = Me 5; Ph 6) have been synthesized by the reaction of 4-chlorobenzeneseleninic acid, p-Tolueneseleninic acid, and 4-tert-butylbenzeneseleninic acid with triorganotin(IV) chloride in the presence of sodium ethoxide. All of the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Crystal structures show that all of the complexes exhibit 1D infinite chain structures which are generated by the bidentate oxygen atoms and the five-coordinated tin centers.     

Copper(II)-mediated oxime-nitrile coupling in non-aqueous solutions: Synthetic, structural and magnetic studies of the copper(II)-salicylaldehyde oxime reaction system

The reactions of salicylaldehyde oxime (H₂salox) with Cu^II precursors yielded the known complexes [Cu(Hsalox)₂] (1) and [Cu(Hsalox)₂]_n (2), as well as complexes [Cu₃(salox)(L₁)(L₂)]·MeCN (3·MeCN), [CuCl(L₁)] (4) and [Cu₂Na(O₂CMe)₅(HO₂CMe)]_n (5), where L₁⁻ = o-O-C₆H₄-CHNO-C(CH₃)NH and L₂³⁻ = o-O-C₆H₄-CHNO-C(o-O-C₆H₄)N. L₁⁻ was formed in situ via the nucleophilic addition of the oximato O-atom of salox²⁻ to the unsaturated nitrile group of the MeCN reaction solvent. L₂³⁻ is also formed in situ probably through the nucleophilic attack of the oximato O-atom to the unsaturated nitrile group of salicylnitrile; the latter, although not directly added to the reaction mixture, can be produced via the dehydration of salox²⁻. Compounds 1 and 2 contain Hsalox⁻ bound to the metal center in two different coordination modes; they both contain the same mononuclear unit, however a 2D network is generated in 2 due to a relatively long Cu-O_oximato bond. Compound 3 contains three different ligands, i.e. salox²⁻, L₁⁻ and L₂³⁻, which act as μ₃-κ²O:κO′:κN, κO:κN:κN′ and μ₃-κ²O:κ²N:κO′:κN′, respectively, whereas 4 consists of a square planar Cu^II atom bound to a κO:κN:κN′ L₁⁻ and a chloride ion. Compound 5 consists of dinuclear [Cu₂(O₂CMe)₅(HO₂CMe)]⁻ units and Na⁺ ions assembled into an overall 3D network structure. Magnetic susceptibility measurements from polycrystalline samples of 2 and 5 gave best-fit parameters J = +0.36 cm⁻¹ (H = −J?_i?_j) and J = −360 cm⁻¹, zj = +20 cm⁻¹ (H = −J?_i?_j − zJ〈S_z〉?_z), respectively.     

Divalent metal 1,3-phenylenediacetate coordination polymers with rigid or flexible dipyridyl tethers: Chains, layers, and interpenetrated networks

Hydrothermal synthesis has afforded four divalent metal 1,3-phenylenediacetate (1,3-phda) coordination polymers containing different dipyridyl-type ligands. {[Cu(1,3-phda)(dpa)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n (1, dpa = 4,4′-dipyridylamine) exhibits a simple 2-D (4,4) rhomboid grid structure. {[Co(1,3-phda)(bpy)]·1.5H₂O}_n (2, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) also possesses a (4,4) layer structure, but with syn-syn bridged {Co₂(OCO)₂} dimeric kernels serving as 4-connected nodes. {[Co(H₂O)₄(3-bpmpH₂)](1,3-phda)₂·8H₂O}_n (3, 3-bpmp = bis(3-pyridylmethyl)piperazine) manifests cationic 1-D [Co(H₂O)₄(3-bpmpH₂)]_n⁴ⁿ⁺ chains linked into higher dimensionality by unligated 1,3-phda anions and curled tetrameric water molecule units. {[Ni(1,3-phda)(4-bpmp)(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O}_n (4, 4-bpmp = bis(4-pyridylmethyl)piperazine) has an underlying twofold interpenetrated 6⁵8 (cds) 3-D network topology. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility studies revealed the presence of weak antiferromagnetic coupling and zero-field splitting (J = −1.65(4) cm⁻¹ and D = 30.9(7) cm⁻¹ with g = 2.20(1)) within the {Co₂(OCO)₂} dimers in 2.     

Ibuprofen modulates allosterically NO dissociation from ferrous nitrosylated human serum heme-albumin by binding to three sites

Human serum albumin (HSA) is a monomeric allosteric protein. Here, the effect of ibuprofen on denitrosylation kinetics (k_off) and spectroscopic properties of HSA-heme-Fe(II)-NO is reported. The k_off value increases from (1.4 ± 0.2) × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, in the absence of the drug, to (9.5 ± 1.2) × 10⁻³ s⁻¹, in the presence of 1.0 × 10⁻² M ibuprofen, at pH 7.0 and 10.0 °C. From the dependence of k_off on the drug concentration, values of the dissociation equilibrium constants for ibuprofen binding to HSA-heme-Fe(II)-NO (K₁ = (3.1 ± 0.4) × 10⁻⁷ M, K₂ = (1.7 ± 0.2) × 10⁻⁴ M, and K₃ = (2.2 ± 0.2) × 10⁻³ M) were determined. The K₃ value corresponds to the value of the dissociation equilibrium constant for ibuprofen binding to HSA-heme-Fe(II)-NO determined by monitoring drug-dependent absorbance spectroscopic changes (H = (2.6 ± 0.3) × 10⁻³ M). Present data indicate that ibuprofen binds to the FA3-FA4 cleft (Sudlow’s site II), to the FA6 site, and possibly to the FA2 pocket, inducing the hexa-coordination of HSA-heme-Fe(II)-NO and triggering the heme-ligand dissociation kinetics.     

In rat dipeptidyl peptidase III,His is essential for catalysis,and Glu or Glu stabilizes the coordination bond between His or His and zinc ion

Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) III is a zinc-dependent exopeptidase that has a unique motif, “HELLGH,” as the zinc-binding site. In the present study, a three-dimensional (3D) model of rat DPP III was generated with the X-ray crystal structure of human DPP III (PDB: 3FVY [Dobrovetsky E. et al. (2009) SGC]) as a template. The replacement of the seven charged amino acid residues with a hydrophobic amino acid around the zinc ion did not cause any significant changes in K_m values or in the substrate specificity. However, the k_cat values of H568R and H568Y were remarkably reduced, by factors of 50 and 400, respectively. The His⁵⁶⁸ residue of rat DPP III is essential for enzyme catalysis. The k_cat values of the mutants E507A and E512A were 2.38 and 3.88 s^− 1 toward Arg-Arg-NA, and 0.097 and 0.59 s⁻¹ toward Phe-Arg-NA, respectively. These values were markedly lower than those of the wild-type DPP III. Furthermore, the zinc contents of E507A and E512A were 0.29 and 0.08 atom per mol of protein, respectively, and those mutations caused remarkable increases in the dissociation constants of the zinc ions from DPP III by factors of 5 × 10³ to 2 × 10⁴. The 3D model of the catalytic domain of rat DPP III showed that the carboxyl oxygen atoms of Glu⁵⁰⁷ and Glu⁵¹² form the hydrogen bonds to the nitrogen atoms of His⁴⁵⁵ and His⁴⁵⁰. All of these results showed that Glu⁵⁰⁷ or Glu⁵¹² stabilizes the coordination bond between the zinc ion and His⁴⁵⁵ or His⁴⁵⁰.     

Quantitative measurement of binding kinetics in sandwich assay using a fluorescence detection fiber-optic biosensor

Fiber-optic biosensors have been studied intensively because they are very useful and important tools for monitoring biomolecular interactions. Here we describe a fluorescence detection fiber-optic biosensor (FD-FOB) using a sandwich assay to detect antibody-antigen interaction. In addition, the quantitative measurement of binding kinetics, including the association and dissociation rate constants for immunoglobulin G (IgG)/anti-mouse IgG, is achieved, indicating 0.38 × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for k_a and 3.15 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ for k_d. These constants are calculated from the fluorescence signals detected on fiber surface only where the excited evanescent wave can be generated. Thus, a confined fluorescence-detecting region is achieved to specifically determine the binding kinetics at the vicinity of the interface between sensing materials and uncladded fiber surface. With this FD-FOB, the mathematical deduction and experimental verification of the binding kinetics in a sandwich immunoassay provide a theoretical basis for measuring rate constants and equilibrium dissociation constants. A further measurement to study the interaction between human heart-type fatty acid-binding protein and its antibody gave the calculated kinetic constants k_a, k_d, and K_D as 8.48 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, 1.7 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹, and 2.0 nM, respectively. Our study is the first attempt to establish a theoretical basis for the florescence-sensitive immunoassay using a sandwich format. Moreover, we demonstrate that the FD-FOB as a high-throughput biosensor can provide an alternative to the chip-based biosensors to study real-time biomolecular interaction.     

Kinetics of the complexation of nickel(II) with 1,10-phenanthroline and its derivatives in acetonitrile-water mixed solvents

The kinetics of the complexation of Ni(II) with 1,10-phenanthroline(phen), 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline(dmphen), and 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline(NO₂phen) in acetonitrile-water mixed solvents of acetonitrile mole fraction x_AN = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 at 288, 293, 298 and 303 K have been studied by stopped-flow method at ionic strength of 1.0 (NaClO₄) and pH 7.4. The corresponding activation enthalpy, entropy, and free energy were determined from the observed rate constants. The complexation of Ni(II) with the three ligands has comparable observed rate constants; in pure water the observed rate constants are (×10³ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) 2.31, 2.57, and 1.38 for phen, dmphen and NO₂phen, respectively. The corresponding activation parameters for the three ligands are, however, considerably different; in pure water the ΔH^‡/ΔS^‡ (kJ mol⁻¹/J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) are 44.7/−30.2, 19.5/−114.1, and 32.2/−76.9 for phen, dmphen, and NO₂phen, respectively. The effects of solvent composition on the kinetics are also markedly different for the three ligands. The ΔH^‡ and ΔS^‡ showed a minimum at x_AN = 0.1 for phen; for dmphen and NO₂phen, however, maxima at x_AN = 0.2 were observed. Nevertheless, there is an effective enthalpy-entropy compensation for the ΔH^‡/ΔS^‡ of all the three ligands, demonstrating the significant effects of the changes in solvation and solvent structure on the complexation kinetics. As the rate-determining step of Ni(II) complexation is the dissociation of a water molecule from Ni(II), the solvent and ligand dependencies in the Ni(II) complexation kinetics are ascribed to the change in solvation status of the ligands and the altered solvent structures upon changing solvent composition.