Polynuclear water-soluble dinitrosyl iron complexes with cysteine or glutathione ligands: Electron paramagnetic resonance and optical studies

Electron paramagnetic resonance and optical spectrophotometric studies have demonstrated that low-molecular dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) with cysteine or glutathione exist in aqueous solutions in the form of paramagnetic mononuclear (М-DNICs) and diamagnetic binuclear complexes (B-DNICs). The latter represent Roussin’s red salt esters and can be prepared by treatment of aqueous solutions of Fe²⁺ and thiols (рН 7.4) with gaseous nitric oxide (NO) at the thiol:Fe²⁺ ratio 1:1. М-DNICs are synthesized under identical conditions at the thiol:Fe²⁺ ratios above 20 and produce an EPR signal with an electronic configuration {Fe(NO)₂}⁷ at g_aver. = 2.03. At neutral pH, aqueous solutions contain both M-DNICs and B-DNICs (the content of the latter makes up to 50% of the total DNIC pool). The concentration of B-DNICs decreases with a rise in pH; at рН 9–10, the solutions contain predominantly M-DNICs. The addition of thiol excess to aqueous solutions of B-DNICs synthesized at the thiol:Fe²⁺ ratio 1:2 results in their conversion into М-DNICs, the total amount of iron incorporated into M-DNICs not exceeding 50% of the total iron pool in B-DNICs. Air bubbling of cys-М-DNIC solutions results in cysteine oxidation-controlled conversion of М-DNICs first into cys-B-DNICs and then into the EPR-silent compound Х able to generate a strong absorption band at 278 nm. In the presence of glutathione or cysteine excess, compound Х is converted into B-DNIC/M-DNIC and is completely decomposed under effect of the Fe²⁺ chelator о-phenanthroline or N-methyl-d-glucamine dithiocarbamate (MGD). Moreover, MGD initiates the synthesis of paramagnetic mononitrosyl iron complexes with MGD. It is hypothesized that compound Х represents a polynuclear DNIC with cysteine, most probably, an appropriate Roussin’s black salt thioesters and cannot be prepared by simple substitution of М-DNIC cysteine for glutathione. Treatment of М-DNIC with sodium dithionite attenuates the EPR signal at g_aver. = 2.03 and stimulates the appearance of an EPR signal at g_aver. = 2.0 with a hypothetical electronic configuration {Fe(NO)₂}⁹. These changes can be reversed by storage of DNIC solutions in atmospheric air. The EPR signal at g_aver. = 2.0 generated upon treatment of B-DNICs with dithionite also disappears after incubation of B-DNIC solutions in air. In all probability, the center responsible for this EPR signal represents М-DNIC formed in a small amount during dithionite-induced decomposition of B-DNIC.     

Isolation and Purification of Enzymes from Ligninolytic Complex of the Basidial Fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trametes pubescens</Emphasis> (Schumach.) Pilat and Study of Their Properties

A method for purification of enzymes from the ligninolityc complex of the basidiomycete Trametes pubescens (Schumach.) Pilat has been elaborated. Two homogeneous isoforms of laccases (laccase 1 and laccase 2) as well as a homogeneous preparation of lignin peroxidase were isolated. Basic biochemical parameters of the enzymes were determined, such as the molecular weights (67, 67, and 45 kD, respectively), isoelectric points (5.3, 5.1, and 4.2, respectively), as well as content and composition of the carbohydrate moiety of the laccases (N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, and xylose). The pH dependences and thermal stabilities of the laccases were investigated. The kinetic parameters of the enzymatic reactions catalyzed by the laccases were determined using different substrates, such as catechol, hydroquinone, 2,2 -azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate), and K4Fe(CN)6. The structure of the active sites of both laccases and the lignin peroxidase were studied by EPR, CD, and UV-VIS spectroscopy, as well as using fluorescence analysis. Our studies showed similarity of the spectral characteristics of the two laccases, whereas their kinetic properties were found to be different.     

Iron-sulfur centers in the Staphylococcus aureus respiratory chain]

Using low temperature EPR spectroscopy, signals of iron-sulfur centers with g-factors of 2.02 and 1.94 were detected in the respiratory chain of St. aureus membranes. According to their relaxation parameters and redox properties, these iron-sulfur centers are similar to iron-sulfur centers S-1 and S-3 corresponding to succinate dehydrogenases of mitochondria and bacterial membranes.     

Several forms of chromaffin granule cytochrome b-561 revealed by EPR spectroscopy.

Low-temperature EPR spectra of chromaffin granule membranes from bovine adrenal medulla reveal 3 different signals of the ferric cytochrome b-561. A typical gZ signal of a low-spin cytochrome observed at g approximately 3 is comprised of a high-potential component with gZ = 3.14 and a low-potential one with gZ = 3.11, the low-potential signal showing significantly faster relaxation. In addition, a highly temperature-sensitive heme signal at g = 3.7 is observed which is fully retained in the preparation of granule membranes with b-561 reduced by 50% but disappears upon full reduction of the cytochrome by ascorbate. The signal is strikingly similar to that of the mitochondrial low-potential cytochrome b heme (bL or b-566). The presence of several forms of b-561 in chromaffin granule membranes may provide a structural basis for the transmembrane electron transfer believe to be catalyzed by this hemoprotein.     

Studies on the conformational changes of metalloproteins induced by electrons in water-ethylene glycol solutions at low temperatures. III. Adrenal ferredoxin.

The reduction of adrenal ferredoxin (adrenodoxin) at low temperatures was investigated in order to separate local modifications of the active centre of the protein on its reduction, from the conformational transition which seems to accompany the change of the redox state of the irons; The ESR spectra of the states of the protein, where the reduced active centre is to be found by the "oxidized" conformation of the apoprotein, were obtained. The transition from the states of the protein to the state which occurs on its chemical reduction at room temperature was also investigated. The results of the work support the view that conformational changes in proteins (enzymes) which take place while they are functioning proceed after modifications of the active centres (change of the redox state, adsorption of a substrate, etc.), and are essentially caused by them. Adrenal ferredoxin was the third subject in our studies of the intermediate states of proteins which appear after reduction of their active centres by means of electrons trapped in water-ethylene glycol mixtures at the temperature of liquid nitrogen [1, 2]. In the reduced state, the active centre of the protein has an ESR signal with a g-factor of 1.94 [3, 4] which is convenient for our purposes.     

The source of non-heme iron that binds nitric oxide in cultivated macrophages.

In cultured macrophages (J 774 line) a decrease in iron-sulfur centers (ISC) was not observed after 5 min treatment with nitric oxide (NO) (10(-7) M NO/10(7) cells). The content of these centers was measured by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy at 16-60 K. However, the appearance of a characteristic ESR signal at g(av) = 2.03 indicated the formation of dinitrosyl iron complex (DNIC) in these cells. These findings suggest that loosely bound non-heme iron (free iron) but not iron from ISC is mainly involved in DNIC formation. ISC might release iron for DNIC formation after their destruction induced by the products of NO oxidation (NO2, N2O3, etc).