RESEARCH NOTE: PHOTOREACTION OF 4', 5'-DIHYDROPSORALEN WITH THYMINE

Abstract— The photocycloaddition reaction of 4',5'-dihydropsoralen with thymine was carried out in solution and in the frozen state. A major photoadduct was isolated and characterized by elemental analysis and physical methods. The photoadduct was proven to be the 1:1 C₄-cycloaddition product, an analogue of furocoumarin-DNA biadduct, with the stereochemistry of anti -head-to-head formed through 2+2 addition reaction between the pyrone double bond of 4', 5'-dihydropsoralenand 5,6-double bond of thymine.     

PROPERTIES OF AN UNUSUAL PHOTOPRODUCT OF U.V. IRRADIATED THYMIDYLYL-THYMIDINE

Abstract— One of the four major photoproducts formed by UV irradiation of TpT in aqueous solution has a number of unusual properties. This compound, which we arbitrarily call TpT⁴, is produced irreversibly from TpT with single-hit kinetics and seems to represent a novel pathway for TpT photolysis different from the conventional cyclobutane ring dimer formation. This communication describes the preparative isolation of TpT⁴ by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and its UV, fluorescence and IR spectra. TpT⁴ has an absorption maximum at 325 mμ, fluoresces at 405 mμ when excited at 325 mμ, and has an IR spectrum consistent with the assumption that one of the thymine rings has been converted to a pyrimidin-2-one structure. In addition, TpT⁴ appears to have both pyrimidine rings linked together and does not contain a peroxide group as previously supposed. Spectrophotometric titration shows that TpT⁴ has a pKâ of 10.75 and is unstable to prolonged treatment at extreme pH. A model structure consistent with the present data is given. This model contains the glycosidic and phosphodiester bonds intact with a 5-methylpyrimidine-2-one ring and a thymine ring joined in ether linkage at the C₄ positions, with an OH at the C₄ position in the thymine ring.     

3,4 AND 4'',5''-PHOTOCYCLOADDUCTS BETWEEN 4''-METHYLANGELICIN AND THYMINE FROM DNA

Abstract— Two C₄-cycloadducts between 4'-methylangelicin and thymine were isolated from the photo-reaction (365 nm) between this furocoumarin and DNA. Their capacity to undergo photoreversion at 254 nm and their spectroscopic and NMR data allowed us to assign furan- and pyrone-side structures, respectively, to these photocompounds. The former adduct has a cis-syn configuration; the latter. which was also isolated from a photoreaction between the furocoumarin and thymine in water-methanol solution, was assigned a cis-anti structure.     

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THYMIDINE-8-METHOXYPSORALEN-TETRAMETHYLETHYLENE PHOTODIADDUCTS

Abstract A 8-methoxypsoralen<₄⁵₅⁶>thymidine C₄-monoadduct was photolyzed with tetramethylethylene to obtain an analogue of thymidine<₅⁶₄⁵>-methoxypsoralen<₃⁴₅⁶>thymidine C₄-diadducts. The structure of the adduct was determined by physical methods and a triplet manifold was proposed as the reactive state for the photocycloaddition reaction.     

ZUM WIRKUNGSMECHANISMUS PHOTODYNAMISCHER FUROCUMARINE PHOTOREAKTION VON PSORALEN-(4-14C) MIT DNS, RNS, HOMOPOLYNUCLEOTIDEN UND NUCLEOSIDEN

Abstract— The photodynamic binding of psoralen to DNA and RNA was shown using different methods. This binding was found to be mainly located either at thymine or uracil. The concentration and pH dependancy was studied. The photoproduct obtained with uridine was isolated paper chromatographically and was split into initial components photochemically.
The results bring an evidence that psoralen with its 3,4-double bond is able to form a cyclic derivative with the C₆-C₆ doble bond of thymine or uracil.     

STUDIES ON THE PHOTOTOXICITY OF COUMARIN DERIVATIVES — I. PHOTOCYCLODIMERIZATION OF 5,7-DIMETHOXYCOUMARIN

Abstract— 5,7-DimethoxJtcoumarin (DMC) dimerizes through the C₄-photo-cycloaddition of 3,4-double bonds to form a syn head-to-tail dimer on direct irradiation ( Λ≥ 300 nm) in acetonitrile or benzene solution. The quantum yield of the photocyclodimerization in acetonitrile is 0.068 which is greater than that of coumarin.
In the presence of triplet sensitizers such as benzophenone, 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin forms an anti dimer with the quantum yield greater than 0.08. The structure of the photodimers has been elucidated by IR, UV, NMR, and mass spectrometry. The results of luminescence studies, triplet quenching and sensitization revealed that the syn head-to-tail dimer was formed via an excited singlet precursor, while the anti dimer was formed via the excited triplet state.     

PREPARATION AND PHOTOPHYSICAL STUDIES OF PORPHYRIN-C60 DYADS

Abstract Porphyrin-C₆₀ dyads in which the two chromophores are linked by a bicyclic bridge have been synthesized using the Diels-Alder reaction. The porphyin singlet lifetimes of both the zinc (Pz_n-C₆₀) and free base (P-C₆₀) dyads, determined by time-resolved fluorescence measurements, are ≦17 ps in toluene. This substantial quenching is due to singlet-singlet energy transfer to C₆₀ The lifetime of Pzn-¹C₆₀ is -5 ps in toluene, whereas the singlet lifetime of an appropriate C₆₀ model compound is 1.2 ns. This quenching is attributed to electron transfer to yield P_zn^bull;+-C₆₀^bull;-. In toluene, P-¹C₆₀ is unquenched; the lack of electron transfer is due to unfavorable thermodynamics. In this solvent, a transient state with an absorption maximum at 700 ran and a lifetime of-10 μs was detected using transient absorption methods. This state was quenched by oxygen, and is assigned to the C₆₀ triplet. In the more polar benzonitrile, P-¹C₆₀ underoes photoinduced electron transfer to give P^•+-C₆₀^bull;-. The electron transfer rate constant is −2 × 10¹¹ s⁻¹.     

MONOFUNCTIONAL 4',5'-PHOTOCYCLOADDUCT BETWEEN 4,5'-DIMETHYLANGELICIN AND THYMINE

Abstract A new fluorescent compound has been isolated from the products of hydrolysis of DNA irradiated in the presence of 4,5'-dimethylangelicin, a monofunctional photosensitizing furocoumarin. The marked similarity of the UV absorption and fluorescence spectra of this photoproduct to those of 4',5'-dihydro-4,5'-dimethylangelicin, as well as its behaviour on photodissociation (254 nm) yielding thymine and 4,5'-dimethylangelicin in equimolecular amounts, are consistent with a cycloadduct between one molecule of 4,5'-dimethylangelicin and one of thymine, and the C₄-cycloaddition occurs through 4',5'–double bond of the furocoumarin and the 5,6-double bond of the pyrimidine.     

STRUCTURE OF HYPSORHODOPSIN: ANALYSIS BY FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY AT 10 K

Abstract— Vibrational bands of hypsorhodopsin in the difference Fourier transform infrared spectra were identified as the bands which arose after formation of isorhodopsin by successive irradiations of bovine rhodopsin at 10 K with >500 nm light, and also as the bands disappeared upon conversion to bathorhodopsin by warming. The chromophore bands were assigned by the bands which shifted upon deuterium substitution of the polyene chain of the retinylidene chromophore. The presence of chromophore bands which shift by D₂O exchange clearly shows that the Schiff base chromophore of hypsorhodopsin is protonated. The amide I bands and several other protein bands of hypsorhodopsin appeared at the same frequencies as those of bathorhodopsin, but they are different from those of rhodopsin and isorhodopsin. Furthermore, like bathorhodopsin, hypsorhodopsin displays the C_l—H out-of-plane bending mode which is weakly coupled with C₁₂-_-–H out-of-plane mode. These facts show that hypsorhodopsin has a chromophore conformation and chromophore-opsin interaction more similar to bathorhodopsin than to rhodopsin and isorhodopsin.     

MONOFUNCTIONAL3,4-and4',5'-PHOTOCYCLOADDUCTS BETWEEN 4,5'-DIMETHYLANGELICIN and THYMINE

By irradiating (365 nm) an aqueous liquid solution of 4,5'-dimethylangelicin. a monofunctional photosensitizing furocoumarin, in the presence of an excess of thymine, two new compounds, I and II, have been obtained; they do not show fluorescence when observed with Wood's light. The nuclear magnetic resonance data, the marked similarity of UV absorption and fluorescence spectra of these compounds with those of synthetic 3.4-dihydro-4,5'-dimethylangelicin and their capacity to undergo photodissociation (254 nm) yielding the starting thymine and 4,5'-dimethylangelicin in equimolecular amounts, are consistent with C₄-cycloadducts between the 3,4-double bond of the furocoumarin and 5,6-double bond of thymine. Nuclear magnetic resonance data indicate for I and II a head-to-head and a head-to-tail structure, respectively. When irradiation is carried out in the frozen state, two adducts. III and IV, fluorescent at Wood's light, have been obtained other than the two above-mentioned compounds I and II. Compounds III and IV have been identified as 4'.5'-fluorescent adducts between the 4',5'-double bond of the furocoumarin and the 5.6-double bond of thymine; one of them (III) is identical to that formed in the photoreaction between DNA and 4,5'-dimethylangelicin; for this last compound a cis head-to-head structure has been suggested.     

Photocycloaddition Reactions of Pyrazinopsoralen with Simple Olefins

Direct photolyses of pyrazinopsoralen (PzPs) with excess olefins such as dimethyl fumarate (DMFu), dimethyl maleate (DMMa) and dimethyl ethylidenemalonate (DMEM) gave C₄-photocycloadducts. The photoproducts were determined to be 1:1 C₄-cycloadducts formed through the addition of 4',5'-furan double bond of the excited P_zP_s to the olefins. The fluorescence of P_zP_s was quenched by olefins with rate constants on the order of 10₉–10₁₀ M -¹/s. The appearance of the long-lived fluorescence component implies a singlet exciplex mechanism for the photocycloaddition reaction of PzPs with excess olefins.     

LIGHT-DRIVEN REDOX PROCESSES IN FUNCTIONAL MICELLAR UNITS—III. Zn-TETRAPHENYLPORPHYRIN SENSITIZED REACTIONS IN METHYL VIOLOGENE SURFACTANT ASSEMBLIES

Abstract— The photoreduction of methyl viologene by ZnTPP triplet excited states was studied in mixed micelles containing the functional surfactant JV-dodecyl, N -methyl viologene (C₁₂MV²⁺) as one and Cetyltrimethylammoniumchloride (CTAC) as the other component. Using the laser photolysis technique the kinetics of the redox reaction were studied at various CTAC/C₁₂MV²⁺ ratios. The average time for the electron transfer decreases linearly with the C₁₂MV²⁺ occupancy. The back transfer from C₁₂MV²⁺ to ZnTPP²⁺ can be intercepted if a donor such as NADH is cosolubilized in the micelle. In such a system irreversible methyl viologene reduction is achieved which in the presence of a suitable redox catalyst can be used to produce hydrogen from water.     

THE EFFECTS OF HIGH-INTENSITY UV-RADIATION ON NUCLEIC ACIDS AND THEIR COMPONENTS—I. THYMINE

Abstract— The set of final products of thymine conversion induced by high-intensity UV irradiation (λ= 266nm, intensity 10²⁴-5 × 10²⁹ photons·s⁻¹·m⁻², pulse duration 10ns) of the dilute aqueous solution to the first approximation is similar to that formed with ionizing irradiation (γ-irradiation of aqueous solution or autoradiolysis of a solid 2-[¹⁴C]-thymine). The data obtained suggest that high-intensity UV-induced photochemical conversion of thymine involves photoionization and/or photodissociation. These processes pass through the higher excited state(s) populated as a result of the second photon absorption by excited (most probably in the T₁ triplet state) thymine molecules.     

Fluorescent Dimers of Merocyanine 540 (MC540) in the Gel Phase of Phosphatidylcholine Liposomes

Abstract— Fluorescence emission from merocyanine 540 (MC540) dimers was observed in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) vesicles. This unusual behavior was observed only for vesicles in the gel-phase state. No dimer fluorescence was observed either in monopalmitoylphosphati-dylcholine (C₁₆PC) micelles or in liquid-crystalline DPPC vesicles, indicating that dimer fluorescence efficiency increases in highly packed interfaces. The excitonic theory of Kasha was used to interpret the spectral features. The overall fluorescence quantum yield (φ_r) decreases with decreasing lipid: probe ratio, not only because of the presence of a weakly fluorescent dimer that absorbs a high fraction of the total absorbed light but also due to quenching of monomer emission. This suggests the existence of probe domains. The dimer fluorescence quantum yields (φ_m) were estimated in DPPC large unilamellar vesicles (LUV) and DPPC multilamellar vesicles. The dependence of φ_r with probe concentration is compatible with values of φ_m lower than 0.05. The dimerization equilibrium of MC540 in C₁₆PC micelles and DPPC-LUV was also studied. Apparent dimerization equilibrium constants, K_dapp and dimer absorption spectrum were calculated in C₁₆PC micelles for the first time. The dimerization equilibrium constant in DPPC-LUV was calculated and discussed in terms of the fraction of volume occupied by the lipid phase.     

PHOTOBIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF 5-A-LKOXYPSORALENS WITH RESPECT TO THE ACTION ON Escherichia coli

Abstract— Near-UV induced activities of a series of 5-a-lkoxypsoralen derivatives (C₁ to C₈) and 5-h-ydroxypsoralen were compared with respect to lethal, mutagenic and prophage inducing effects on E. coli . Although 5-a-lkoxypsoralen derivatives having an alkoxyl chain longer than C₂ were slightly soluble, their saturated solutions containing their insoluble portion showed the significant photolethal effect on E. coli . 5-E-thoxypsoralen was less photoactive in inducing phenotypic reversion of the arginine auxotrophy than 5-m-ethoxypsoralen but it photoinduced prophage lambda from the lysogenic bacteria as well as 5-m-ethoxypsoralen. Photomutagenesis by the derivatives of C₃ to C₈ could not be detected but ca . 10% of the lysogenic bacteria photoinduced prophage in the presence of the derivatives at the maximum induction.     

A Resonance Raman Study Of the C=C Stretch Modes in Bovine and Octopus Visual Pigments with Isotopically Labeled Retinal Chromophores

Abstract— Previous resonance Raman spectroscopic studies of bovine and octopus rhodopsin and bathorhodopsin in the C–C stretch fingerprint region have shown drastically different spectral patterns, which suggest different chromophore-protein interactions. We have extended our resonance Raman studies of bovine and octopus pigments to the C=C stretch region in order to reveal a more detailed picture about the difference in retinal-protein interactions between these two pigments. The C=C stretch motions of the protonated retinal Schiff base are strongly coupled to form highly delocalized ethylenic modes located in the 1500 to 1650 cm⁻¹ spectral region. In order to decouple these vibrations, a series of 11,12-D₂-labeled retinals, with additional 13C labeling at C₈, C₁₀, C₁₁ and C₁₄, respectively, are used to determine the difference of specific C=C stretch modes between bovine and octopus pigments. Our results show that the C₉=C₁₀ and C₁₃=C₁₄ stretch mode are about 20 cm⁻¹ lower in the Raman spectrum of octopus bathorhodopsin than in bovine bathorhodopsin, while the other C=C stretch modes in these two bathorhodopsins are similar. In contrast, only the C₉=C₁₀ stretch mode in octopus rhodopsin is about 10 cm⁻¹ lower than in bovine rhodopsin, while other C=C stretches are similar.     

A THEORETICAL STUDY OF THE CYTOSINE EXCIMER STATE: THE ROLE OF GEOMETRY OPTIMIZATION

Abstract A study of the lowest excited dimer (excimer) singlet state of the DNA base cytosine was performed with fully optimized geometry (near the cis-syn form) using a slightly modified version of MOPAC6 (AM1 hamiltonian) and 112 excited configurations involving an active space consisting of the four highest occupied and the two lowest empty MO of the dimer. A binding energy of 3 kcal/mol for the excimer state is demonstrated, and the excimer fluorescence is predicted to be shifted 150 nm to longer wavelengths relative to that of the monomer fluorescence. The excimer geometry has the planes nonparallel (40–45° interplanar angle) and distorted, with the C₅-C₆ bonds showing quite close contact (2.4 Å). Excitation is found to be more localized in the region of the C₅-C₆ bond than expected from the monomer wavefunction. No stable excimer was found if the planes were constrained to be planar, nor if the triplet state was selected. The results suggest that the excimer geometry found in this study may be a precursor to the cis-syn cyclobutane photodimer.     

THE REACTION OF METHYLENE WITH HYDROGEN

Abstract— An investigation has been made of the reaction between methylene, formed by the photolysis of ketene, and hydrogen. Ethane, ethylene and methane are the major hydrocarbon products, and it has been shown that the formation of these products may be adequately described by the sequence of processes
CH₂CO + hv → CH₂+ CO (1)
CH₂+ H₂→ CH₃+H (2)
2CH₃→ C₂H₆ (3)
CH₃+ H₂+ CH₄+ H (4)
CH₂+ CH₂CO → C₂H₄+ CO (7)
In particular, the relative rates of ethane and methane formation are consistent with the known rate constants for reactions (3) and (4), and it is not therefore necessary to postulate the participation of an 'insertion' process
CH₂+ H₂→ CH₄ (6) to account for the formation of methane.
Decrease of the energy possessed by the methylene, either by increase of the wavelength of ketene photolysis, or by increase of gas pressure, is shown to result in an increase in the reactivity of the methylene towards ketene relative to its reactivity towards hydrogen (i.e. the ratio k₂/k₂ increases).     

SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF CUTANEOUS PHOTOSENSITIZING AGENTS–III. SPIN TRAPPING OF PHOTOLYSIS PRODUCTS FROM SULFANILAMIDE ANALOGS

The photodecomposition of sulfanilamide (4-aminobenzenesulfonamide), sulfacetamide. sulfathiazole. sulfadiazine, carbutamide and tolbutamide has been studied using the spin traps 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropanc and 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-l-oxide. The following radicals were trapped during the photolysis of sulfanilamide in aqueous solution: H' and HNC₆H₄SO₂NH, (α-fission). SO₂NH₂ and C₆H₄NH₂ (δ fission). H₂NC₆H₄SO₂ and NH₂ (δ-fission). Although the C.,H₄SO₂NH₂ and the SO; radicals were also detected these were not formed directly by homolytic bond fission. Homolytic bond fission was also observed during the irradiation of sulfacetamide (α.δ), sulfadiazine (α). carbutamide (α,δ) and tolbutamide (δ). All of the analogs, with the exception of tolbutamide, generated the SO; radical. Sulfacetamide, sulfadiazine and carbutamide generated the C₆H₄SO_2;NHR radical by some process that did not involve homolytic bond fission. The free radicals generated by these agents may play an important role in their phototoxic and photoallergic effects.     

A HIGHLY REACTIVE HETEROATOM ANALOG OF RETINAL AND ITS INTERACTION WITH BACTERIORHODOPSIN

Abstract— C₁₈ formate ester (5) [2-(6-methyl-8-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3E,5E,7E-octatrienyl formate], a highly reactive analog of retinal, was synthesized and its interaction with bacterioopsin studied. The formate ester, in the absence of purple or bleached membrane, undergoes very rapid reaction (t_l/2= 0.9 min) in neutral buffer but with membrane present it diffuses more rapidly into the membrane where it reacts slowly. Incorporation of 5 in the membrane results in a 38 nm (3900 cm^-1) red shift which remains after reconstitution with retinal. Similar experiments with the corresponding C₁₈ alcohol (4) results in a red shift, but this absorption blue shifts upon reconstitution with retinal. Washing the formate ester-treated membrane with bovine serum albumin or the corresponding lyophilized preparation with hexane, treatments that remove retinal oxime, fails to remove the UV-visible absorption, suggesting that a covalent bond between the C₁₈ moiety and a nucleophilic group of the protein has probably formed.