Optimized DNA targeting using N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-beta-alanyl 2'-amino-LNA

Incorporation of N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-beta-alanyl 2'-amino-LNA (bipyridyl-functionalized 2'-amino locked nucleic acid) monomers into DNA strands enables high-affinity targeting of complementary DNA with excellent Watson-Crick selectivity in the presence of divalent metal ions. Positioning of bipyridyl-functionalized 2'-amino-LNA monomers in two complementary DNA strands in a "3'-end zipper" constitution allows modulation of duplex stability, i.e., a strong stabilizing effect with one equivalent of divalent metal ion per bipyridyl pair, or a strong destabilizing effect with an excess of divalent metal ions.     

Sulfonated molecules that bind a partially structured species of beta2-microglobulin also influence refolding and fibrillogenesis

Human beta2-microglobulin (beta2-m) is a small amyloidogenic protein responsible for dialysis-related amyloidosis, which represents a severe complication of long-term hemodialysis. A therapeutic approach for this amyloidosis could be based on the stabilization of beta2-m through the binding to a small molecule, to possibly inhibit protein misfolding and amyloid fibril formation. The search of a strong ligand of this protein is extremely challenging: by using CE in affinity and refolding experiments we study the effect that previously selected sulfonated molecules have on the equilibrium between the native form and an ensemble of conformers populating the slow phase of beta2-m folding. These data are correlated with the effect that the same molecules exert on in vitro fibrillogenesis experiments.     

Exploring the emissive properties of new azacrown compounds bearing aryl, furyl, or thienyl moieties: a special case of chelation enhancement of fluorescence upon interaction with Ca(2+), Cu(2+), or Ni(2+)

Three new compounds bearing furyl, aryl, or thienyl moieties linked to an imidazo-crown ether system (1, 2, and 3) were synthesized and fully characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, UV-vis absorption, and emission spectroscopy, X-ray crystal diffraction, and MALDI-TOF-MS spectrometry. The interaction toward metal ions (Ca(2+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), and Hg(2+)) and F(-) has been explored in solution by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Mononuclear and binuclear metal complexes using Cu(2+) or Hg(2+) as metal centers have been synthesized and characterized. Compounds 2 and 3 show a noticeable enhancement of the fluorescence intensity in the presence of Ca(2+) and Cu(2+) ions. Moreover compound 3 presents a dual sensory detection way by modification of the fluorimetric and colorimetric properties in the presence of Cu(2+) or Hg(2+). EPR studies in frozen solution and in microcrystalline state of the dinuclear Cu(II)3 complex revealed the presence of an unique Cu(2+) type.     

铜离子对烟草多酚氧化酶变性和复性影响的热力学研究(英)

在有无5 mmol·L^-1 CuSO₄存在的两种情况下，运用荧光光谱研究了烟草多酚氧化酶在盐酸胍诱导下的变性和复性平衡。烟草多酚氧化酶在6.0 mol·L^-1盐酸胍变性30 min(25 ℃)即完全失活。荧光光谱结果表明：铜离子能够提高烟草多酚氧化酶的结构稳定性和抗盐酸胍变性的能力，进而影响烟草多酚氧化酶在盐酸胍诱导下的变性和复性过程。没有外源铜存在的情况下，盐酸胍诱导的烟草多酚氧化酶变性和复性是一个可逆的二态过程；在5 mmol·L^-1 CuSO₄存在的条件下，由于结合了Cu²⁺的酶的中间态稳定性增加，显示特征荧光，结果显示，外源铜存在时，盐酸胍诱导的烟草多酚氧化酶变性和复性是一个可逆的三态过程。根据相应模型，进行了热力学计算。上述实验结果得到酶活性测定的进一步证实，在6 mol·L^-1盐酸胍中放置5，10，15，20，25，30 min，烟草多酚氧化酶的剩余活性分别为18.7%，11.7%，8.9%，6.6%，3.6%，0.06%，但在5 mmol·L^-1 CuSO₄存在的条件下，剩余活性则分别为60.3%，44.6%，42.5%，40.2%，25.6%，25.3%。     

Formation of dinuclear copper(II) complex with N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine in aqueous solution

The polynuclear complexation of divalent 3d transition metal cations with N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (tpen) in aqueous solution was investigated. It was found that copper(II) forms a dinuclear complex with tpen in an aqueous solution containing chloride. The composition of the complex was determined as Cu(2)Cl(2)(tpen)(2+). Furthermore, the stability constant of the complex was determined and its structure was postulated to be (mu-Cl)(2).     

Effect of metal ions (Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) and water coordination on the structure of glycine and zwitterionic glycine

Interactions between metal ions and amino acids are common both in solution and in the gas phase. Here, the effect of metal ions and water on the structure of glycine is examined. The effect of metal ions (Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) and water on structures of Gly.Mn+(H2O)m and GlyZwitt.Mn+(H2O)m (m = 0, 2, 5) complexes have been determined theoretically by employing the hybrid B3LYP exchange-correlation functional and using extended basis sets. Selected calculations were carried out also by means of CBS-QB3 model chemistry. The interaction enthalpies, entropies, and Gibbs energies of eight complexes Gly.Mn+ (Mn+ = Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) were determined at the B3LYP density functional level of theory. The computed Gibbs energies DeltaG degrees are negative and span a rather broad energy interval (from -90 to -1100 kJ mol(-1)), meaning that the ions studied form strong complexes. The largest interaction Gibbs energy (-1076 kJ mol(-1)) was computed for the NiGly2+ complex. Calculations of the molecular structure and relative stability of the Gly.Mn+(H2O)m and GlyZwitt.Mn+(H2O)m (Mn+ = Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+; m = 0, 2, and 5) systems indicate that in the complexes with monovalent metal cations the most stable species are the NO coordinated metal cations in non-zwitterionic glycine. Divalent cations Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ prefer coordination via the OO bifurcated bonds of the zwitterionic glycine. Stepwise addition of two and five water molecules leads to considerable changes in the relative stability of the hydrated species. Addition of two water molecules at the metal ion in both Gly.Mn+ and GlyZwitt.Mn+ complexes reduces the relative stability of metallic complexes of glycine. For Mn+ = Li+ or Na+, the addition of five water molecules does not change the relative order of stability. In the Gly.K+ complex, the solvation shell of water molecules around K+ ion has, because of the larger size of the potassium cation, a different structure with a reduced number of hydrogen-bonded contacts. This results in a net preference (by 10.3 kJ mol(-1)) of the GlyZwitt.K+H2O5 system. Addition of five water molecules to the glycine complexes containing divalent cations Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ results in a net preference for non-zwitterionic glycine species. The computed relative Gibbs energies are quite high (-10 to -38 kJ mol(-1)), and the NO coordination is preferred in the Gly.Mn+(H2O)5 (Mn+ = Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) complexes over the OO coordination.     

High-enthalpy hydrogen adsorption in cation-exchanged variants of the microporous metal-organic framework Mn3[(Mn4Cl)3(BTT)8(CH3OH)10]2

Exchange of the guest Mn2+ ions in Mn3[(Mn4Cl)3(BTT)8(CH3OH)10]2 (1-Mn2+; BTT=1,3,5-benzenetristetrazolate) with selected cations results in the formation of isostructural framework compounds 1-M (M=Li+, Cu+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+). Similar to the parent compound, the new microporous materials are stable to desolvation and exhibit a high H2 storage capacity, ranging from 2.00 to 2.29 wt % at 77 K and 900 torr. Measurements of the isosteric heat of adsorption at zero coverage reveal a difference of 2 kJ/mol between the weakest and strongest H2-binding materials, which is attributed to variations in the strength of interaction between H2 molecules and unsaturated metal centers within each framework. The Co2+-exchanged compound, 1-Co2+, exhibits an initial enthalpy of adsorption of 10.5 kJ/mol, the highest yet observed for a microporous metal-organic framework.     

Application of N-PLS calibration to the simultaneous determination of Cu(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) using peptide modified electrochemical sensors

The simultaneous determination of Cu(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) is demonstrated at four modified gold electrodes using N-PLS calibration. Three of the electrodes were modified with the peptides Gly-Gly-His, gamma-Glu-Cys Gly and human angiotensin I which were covalently attached to thioctic acid self-assembled monolayers and the fourth electrode was modified with thioctic acid only. Voltammetry at the modified electrodes in the presence of the three metal ions revealed one peak due to the reduction of copper and another due to the overlapping peaks of cadmium and lead which made quantification using conventional methods difficult. N-PLS was used to calibrate and predict trace concentrations (100 nM to 10 microM) of mixtures of Cu(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+).     

Intermolecular magnetic couplings in the dinuclear copper(II) complex mu-chloro-mu-[2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole] aqua chlorocopper(II) dichlorocopper(II): synthesis, crystal structure, and EPR and magnetic characterization

Mu-chloro-mu-[2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole] aqua chlorocopper(II) dichlorocopper(II) is the first characterized dimeric complex of a transition metal and this hetero ligand [C(12)H(10)Cl(4)Cu(2)N(4)OS; triclinic; space group P; a = 9.296(3) A, b = 9.933(3) A, c = 10.412(3) A; alpha = 79.054(5) degrees, beta = 82.478(6) degrees, gamma = 67.099(5) degrees; Z = 2 at room temperature]. The Cu(II) ions are bridged by the N-N thiadiazole bond and a chloride ion [Cu1-Cu2 = 3.7800(8) A]. Thermogravimetric analysis shows this structure to be stable at temperatures up to 348 K. At higher temperatures, the successive loss of a water molecule and one chloride of the dimeric unit is identified. From room temperature to 125 K, half of the Cu(2+) ions are progressively engaged in intermolecular dinuclear antiferromagnetic exchanges, while the other half remain paramagnetic. At lower temperatures, both susceptibility and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements show the paramagnetic-only couplings of this half of the Cu(2+) ions, involving a singlet ground state for interacting Cu(2+). This unusual behavior has been satisfactorily explained on the basis of intermolecular Cu-Cu interactions (J = -180 cm(-1)), involving the magnetic d(z)2 orbital perpendicular to the molecular plane, on which are seen the conjugate effects of the bridging chloride and the planar thiadiazole. It is noteworthy that the behavior of the title compound is original, compared to the systematic in-plane intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling of other thiadiazole-containing binuclear complexes.     

Highly sensitive and fast responsive fluorescence turn-on chemodosimeter for Cu2+ and its application in live cell imaging

A rhodamine B derivative 4 containing a highly electron-rich S atom has been synthesized as a fluorescence turn-on chemodosimeter for Cu(2+). Following Cu(2+)-promoted ring-opening, redox and hydrolysis reactions, comparable amplifications of absorption and fluorescence signals were observed upon addition of Cu(2+); this suggests that chemodosimeter 4 effectively avoided the fluorescence quenching caused by the paramagnetic nature of Cu(2+). Importantly, 4 can selectively recognize Cu(2+) in aqueous media in the presence of other trace metal ions in organisms (such as Fe(3+), Fe(2+), Cu(+), Zn(2+), Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), and Ni(2+)), abundant cellular cations (such as Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), and Ca(2+)), and the prevalent toxic metal ions in the environment (such as Pb(2+) and Cd(2+)) with high sensitivity (detection limit < or =10 ppb) and a rapid response time (< or =1 min). Moreover, by virtue of the chemodosimeter as fluorescent probe for Cu(2+), confocal and two-photon microscopy experiments revealed a significant increase of intracellular Cu(2+) concentration and the subcellular distribution of Cu(2+), which was internalized into the living HeLa cells upon incubation in growth medium supplemented with 50 muM CuCl(2) for 20 h.     

Synthesis of metallothionein-mimic decapeptides with heavy atom signaling properties

The automated parallel solid-phase synthesis of a 17-member library of metallothionein-mimic decapeptides carrying a Lariat ether group is described. The peptides were synthesized in good yield and the identity and quality of each product were performed by mass spectrometry and IR. Subsequently, in the presence of europium(III) ions as fluorescent reporter, each compound was screened, both attached to the resin and cleaved off, for their sensing behavior towards metal ions (Cd(2+),Hg(2+), Cu(2+), Mg(2+) and Ca(2+)) using fluorimetric techniques. Several of these Cys-enriched synthetic peptides showed surprisingly low detection limits for Cd(2+) and Hg(2+). The analytical potential of these metallothionein-mimic decapeptides as metal ion recognition materials for sensor development is outlined. Finally, the sensing response mechanism, based on an energy transfer process and a metal ion allosteric interaction, is proposed.     

Rationally designed fluorescence 'turn-on' sensor for Cu2+

A rationally designed, coumarin-based fluorescent sensor imino-coumarin (IC) displays high selectivity for Cu(2+) over a variety of competing metal ions in aqueous solution with a significant fluorescence increase. DFT/TDDFT calculations support that the fluorescence 'turn-on' of IC originates from blocking the electron transfer of the nitrogen lone pair upon complexation with Cu(2+). IC was successfully applied to microscopic imaging for detection of Cu(2+) in LLC-MK2 cells (in vitro) and several living organs (in vivo).     

Copper(II) coordination to ligands immobilized on photoluminescent porous silicon

Increased preorganization can be achieved by immobilizing ligands on solid supports. Photoluminescent porous silicon, which can undergo facile hydrosilylation, was used as a support for open chain neutral N- and O-donor ligands. The abilities of these ligands to bind the divalent metal ions Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), and Pb(2+) are examined. Immobilized ligands selectively complexed Cu(II) over the other metal ions studied. Ligands immobilized on photoluminescent porous silicon also removed a significant amount, up to 98%, of Cu(II) from copper(II)-spiked, organic-rich, seawater samples.     

The effect of surface attachment on ligand binding: studying the association of Mg2+, Ca2+ and Sr2+ by 1-thioglycerol and 1,4-dithiothreitol monolayers

The difference in the heterogeneous binding of Mg(2+), Ca(2+) and Sr(2+) ions by 1-thioglycerol (TG) and 1,4-dithiothreitol (DTT) spontaneously adsorbed monolayers on Au has been studied following the changes in the double layer capacity. A mathematical treatment, based on calculating the electrochemical potential difference at the monolayer-electrolyte interface, has followed our recent work which dealt with the acid-base equilibrium at the interface as a means of calculating the pK of ionizable SAMs and their binding with Cd(2+). Experimentally, spontaneously adsorbed monolayers of TG and DTT were assembled on Au surfaces and studied by impedance spectroscopy and alternating current voltammetry (ACV). The capacity was measured for each of the modified surfaces at increasing concentrations of the divalent metal ions separately. The goal of this study has been to examine the effect of metal ion binding by similar ligands that are differently attached onto the surface. TG and DTT monolayers differ in their flexibility, which is a result of their attachment to the surface through one and two arms, respectively. The general trend of the apparent heterogeneous association constants of the divalent metal ions, which were calculated from the capacity measurements, was substantially different from the classical Irving-Williams series that is applicable to homogeneous systems. This difference could be nicely explained by the reduction of the degree of freedom and flexibility of the attached ligands.     

Bis‐copper(II) Complex of Triply‐linked Corrole Dimer and Its Dication

Copper complexes of corroles have recently been a subject of keen interest due to their ligand non‐innocent character and unique redox properties. Here we investigated bis‐copper complex of a triply‐linked corrole dimer that serves as a pair of divalent metal ligands but can be reduced to a pair of trivalent metal ligands. Reaction of triply‐linked corrole dimer 2 with Cu(acac)₂ (acac=acetylacetonate) gave bis‐copper(II) complex 2Cu as a highly planar molecule with a mean‐plane deviation value of 0.020 Å, where the two copper ions were revealed to be divalent by ESR, SQUID, and XPS methods. Oxidation of 2Cu with two equivalents of AgBF₄ gave complex 3Cu , which was characterized as a bis‐copper(II) complex of a dicationic triply‐linked corrole dimer not as the corresponding bis‐copper(III) complex. In accord with this assignment, the structural parameters around the copper ions were revealed to be quite similar for 2Cu and 3Cu . Importantly, the magnetic spin–spin interaction differs depending on the redox‐state of the ligand, being weak ferromagnetic in 2Cu and antiferromagnetic in 3Cu .     

Enrichment and determination of zinc by high-speed countercurrent chromatography.

The capability of high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) has been investigated for enrichment and determination of metal ions at trace levels. Separation of selected divalent metal ions was performed using a small coiled column. A hexane solution of 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (EHPA) was employed as the stationary phase. Loaded divalent metal ions such as Ni, Co, Cu, and Zn were chromatographically eluted in the order of increasing extractability by passing a mobile phase buffered at a desired pH. Individual metal ions showed good linearity between concentrations and chromatographic peak areas of the absorbance, as detected by postcolumn reaction with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR). Metal ions enriched into the stationary phase from a sample solution were separated into individual metal ions. The trace quantity of zinc in natural mineral water was determined by enrichment separation through an HSCCC column.     

A comparative study on textural characterization: cation-exchange and sorption properties of crystalline alpha-zirconium(IV), tin(IV), and titanium(IV) phosphates

Tetravalent metal phosphates (M=Zr, Ti, and Sn) were prepared and characterized by XRD, surface properties, and TG-DTA. The cation exchange and sorption behavior of these metal phosphates toward transition metal ions such as Cu(2+), Co(2+), and Ni(2+) have been studied comparatively as a function of temperature and concentration. The adsorption process was found to increases with increase in temperature and concentration. The selectivity order for alpha-titanium and alpha-tin phosphates is Cu(2+)>Co(2+)>Ni(2+), whereas for alpha-zirconium phosphate it is Cu(2+)>Ni(2+)>Co(2+). The ion exchange capacity of alpha-titanium phosphate is greater than those of other phosphates, which is explained on the basis of the surface behavior, disorderness of the system, degree of hydrolysis of incoming guest adsorbate metal ions, and structural steric hindrance of the exchangers during adsorption and sorption. The distribution coefficient, Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy values indicate that the ion-exchange processes are spontaneous.     

Selective colorimetric sensing of Cu2+ using triazolyl monoazo derivative

Although the high sensitivity, high selectivity and fast response make emission (fluorescence) based technique as one of the most promising tool for developing the chemosensors for metal ions, the past few years have witnessed a demand for the absorption based chemosensors for paramagnetic heavy metal ions, especially Cu(2+). Being paramagnetic, Cu(2+) leads to the low signal outputs ("turn-off") caused by decreased emission which may sometimes give false positive response, rendering the emission based technique less reliable for analytical purposes. Herein, we report synthesis and characterization of a hetarylazo derivative, characterized by a strong charge-transfer band which gets attenuated convincingly in the presence of Cu(2+) leading to distinct naked-eye color change (yellow to purple), and to a lesser extent in the presence of Cd(2+), Zn(2+), Co(2+), Pb(2+), Fe(2+), Ni(2+), Fe(3+) and Hg(2+) for which the naked eye sensitivity was comparatively (w.r.t. Cu(2+)) much less. No response was observed for the other metal ions including Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Ba(2+), Mn(2+), Ag(+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Pb(2+), and lanthanides Ce(3+), La(3+), Pr(3+), Eu(3+), Nd(3+), Lu(3+), Yb(3+), Tb(3+), Sm(3+), Gd(3+). The proposed sensing mechanism has been ascribed to the stabilization of LUMO after complexation with Cu(2+) and a 1:1 stoichiometry has been deduced.     

Synthesis, physical studies and uptake behavior of: copper(II) and lead(II) by Schiff base chelating resins

Two new chelating resins possessing multiple functional groups capable of coordinating with several metal ions are reported. The resins were synthesized by condensing Schiff bases derived from 2-aminophenol, 2-hydroxy-5-chloroaniline and terephthaldehyde with formaldehyde in an alkaline medium. The effects of pH and contact time of the Cu(2+) and Pb(2+) in aqueous solutions on the uptake behavior of the resins were studied. The metal ion uptake behavior of the resins was investigated by the batch method. Both the uptake and the selectivity of the resins towards the investigated metal ions were related to the structure of the resins, type of the metal ion and the uptake conditions. The resins showed maximum uptake capacity for Cu(2+) and Pb(2+) at pH 10. Cu(2+) was seen to undergo preferential adsorption in separate and mixture solutions of Cu(2+) and Pb(2+). Kinetic studies for the resins using Langmiur equation were also performed. The Schiff base monomers and their formaldehyde resins were characterized by elemental analyses, FTIR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the resins was studied using TGA/DTG analysis.