N'-alkylated guanidiniocarbonyl pyrroles: new receptors for amino acid recognition in water

[reaction: see text] N'-Substituted guanidiniocarbonyl pyrroles 7 were synthesized for the first time by activation of a Boc-protected guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole 3 with triflic anhydride and subsequent reaction with a primary amine. These guanidinium cations are efficient receptors for the complexation of amino acid carboxylates even in water (K(assoc) > 10(3) M(-1)) as could be shown by UV titration studies.     

Highly stable self-assembly in water: ion pair driven dimerization of a guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole carboxylate zwitterion

The synthesis of a novel water-soluble guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole carboxylate zwitterion 2 is described, and its self-association in aqueous solutions is studied. Zwitterion 2 forms extremely stable 1:1 dimers which are held together by an extensive hydrogen bonding network in combination with two mutual interacting ion pairs as could be shown by ESI MS and X-ray structure determination. NMR dilution studies in different highly polar solvents showed that dimerization is fast on the NMR time scale with association constants ranging from an estimated 10(10) M(-1) in DMSO to a surprisingly high 170 M(-1) in water. Hence, zwitterion 2 belongs to the most efficient self-assembling systems solely on the basis of electrostatic interactions reported so far. Furthermore, an amidopyridine pyrrole carboxylic acid 10 was developed as a neutral analogue of zwitterion 2, which also dimerizes with an essentially identical hydrogen bonding pattern (according to ESI MS and X-ray structure determination) but lacking the ionic interactions. NMR binding studies demonstrated that the solely hydrogen-bonded neutral dimer of 10 is stable only in organic solvents of low polarity (K > 10(4) M(-1) in CDCl3 but <10 M(-1) in 5% DMSO in CDCl3). The comparison of both systems impressively underlines the importance of ion pair interactions for stable self-association of such H-bonded binding motifs in water.     

合成受体与模型磷酸化肽的相互作用机理

为了研究基于Zn2+-二甲基吡啶胺及胍羰基吡咯基团的配位型受体Zn Dpa G与磷酸化肽的相互作用机制,选取具有不同序列的磷酸化肽作用模型,采用等温滴定微量热法考察了Zn Dpa G与磷酸化肽的结合常数,研究了模型肽中磷酸基团的数量、密度及位置等因素对多肽与受体间结合强度的影响.结果表明,Zn Dpa G受体对双磷酸化肽结合能力显著高于单磷酸化肽,其结合常数可提高10~40倍,2个磷酸基团的距离越近,结合作用越强;而磷酸基团的位置显著影响受体与单磷酸化肽的结合强度.本研究结果为进一步优化磷酸化肽受体结构设计,实现肽与受体间高选择性识别提供了一定的理论依据.     

Stereoselective self-sorting in the self-assembly of a Phe-Phe extended guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole carboxylate zwitterion: formation of two diastereomeric dimers with significantly different stabilities

The 'dipeptide extended' guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole carboxylate zwitterion GCP-Phe-Phe 1 forms stable dimers in DMSO. However, dimerization is highly stereoselective. Only homochiral dimers are formed and the (L,L)·(L,L) dimer (K(dim) > 10(5) M(-1)) is significantly more stable by a factor of 10(3) than the diastereomeric (D,L)·(D,L) dimer (K(dim) = 120 M(-1)).     

Ion-pairing molecular recognition in water: aggregation at low concentrations that is entropy-driven

Investigations into the thermodynamic parameters that characterize the binding of citrate to tris-guanidinium host 1 in water are reported. The parameters K(a), DeltaH degrees, DeltaS degrees, and DeltaG degrees for the binding event were quantified using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) techniques. The 1:1 binding stoichiometry was verified by a Job plot derived from NMR data, and the microcalorimetry data was collected for solutions of 1 and citrate ranging from 1 to 100 mM using phosphate buffer concentrations of 5 and 103 mM. At low buffer concentrations (low ionic strength) complexes with greater than 1:1 stoichiometries were observed by ITC, and K(1) was determined to range from 2.0 x 10(3) to 3.0 x 10(3) M(-1). At higher buffer concentrations (high ionic strength) the higher-order complexes were not detected, and K(1) was determined to be 409 M(-1). The 1:1 association of host 1 and citrate is characterized by a large favorable entropy component and negative enthalpy. However, the complexes with higher-order stoichiometry arise from desolvation processes that result from the association of polyions in aqueous media and is entirely entropy driven. This leads to an unusual observation: the dilution of one component of the host/guest complex leads to the formation of the higher-order complexes. The reason for this observation is discussed.     

How to achieve self-assembly in polar solvents based on specific interactions? Some general guidelines

In general, self-assembly in polar solutions requires a combination of several non-covalent interactions within one binding motif. Besides the combination of H-bonds and hydrophobic or aromatic stacking interactions, in the last few years H-bonded ion pairs have been proven useful in this context. Also the molecular rigidity and the extent of intra- versus intermolecular interactions within the monomer play an important role in determining the self-assembling properties of a given monomer. We present some general guidelines and illustrative examples of various approaches that have been pursued in the literature before finally concentrating on a case study from our own work, the dimerization of a guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole carboxylate zwitterion. This zwitterion forms stable dimers with K > 10(9) M(-1) in DMSO and >10(2) M(-1) even in water and can not only be used to study the importance of various non-covalent interactions for self-assembly in polar solvents but also to construct large nanostructures.     

Oxoanion binding by flexible guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole-ammonium bis-cations in water

The syntheses of several bis-cations 1-5 with a simple primary ammonium cation attached via flexible linkers of varying length to a guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole oxo anion binding site are reported. In UV-binding studies in aqueous buffer solution these bis-cations showed efficient binding of various N-acetyl amino acid carboxylates. However, complex affinity is significantly depending on both the anion and the length of the linker in the bis-cation. With increasing linker length, complex stability first increases until an optimum is reached for bis-cation 3 with a C4-linker. Then the complex stability decreases again. The best binding substrate in this series is N-acetyl phenyl alanine, most likely due to additional cation-pi-interactions between the aromatic ring and the guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole cation. The formation of the complex between bis-cation 3 and N-acetyl phenyl alanine carboxylate was investigated further by fluorescence titrations and NOE studies, as well as molecular mechanics calculations.     

Host-[2]rotaxanes as cellular transport agents

Host-[2]rotaxanes, containing a diarginine-derivatized dibenzo-24-crown-8 (DB24C8) ether as the ring and a cyclophane pocket or an aromatic cleft as one blocking group, are cell transport agents. These hosts strongly associate with a variety of amino acids, dipeptides, and fluorophores in water (1 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.0), DMSO, and a 75/25 (v/v) buffer to DMSO solution. All peptidic guests in all solvent systems have association constants (K(A)'s) in the range of 1 x 10(4) to 5 x 10(4) M(-)(1), whereas the K(A) range for the fluorophores is 1 x 10(4) to 9 x 10(5) M(-)(1). Association constants for the cyclophane itself, cyclophane 3, are smaller. These values are in the 1 x 10(3) to 5 x 10(3) M(-)(1) range, which shows that the rotaxane architecture is advantageous for guest binding. Cyclophane-[2]rotaxane 1 efficiently transports fluorescein and a fluorescein-protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor into eukaryotic COS-7 cells, including the nucleus. Interestingly, cleft-[2]rotaxane 2 does not transport fluorescein as efficiently, even though the results from the fluorescence assays show that both [2]rotaxanes bind fluorescein with the same ability.     

Sequence selective recognition in the minor groove of dsDNA by pyrrole,imidazole-substituted bis-benzimidazole conjugates

A series of pyrrole, imidazole-substituted bis-benzimidazole conjugates, Py-Py-Im-gamma-biBenz, Py-Py-gamma-biBenz, Py-Im-gamma-biBenz, and Im-Py-gamma-biBenz (1-4), were prepared in an attempt to target dsDNA sequences possessing both A/T and G/C bps. The dsDNA interactions and sequence specificity of the conjugates have been characterized via spectrofluorometric titrations and thermal melting studies. All conjugates form 1:1 complexes with dsDNA at subnanomolar concentrations. The Im moiety selectively recognizes a G/C bp embedded in the A/T-rich binding site. This represents the first clear example of sequence selective recognition in a 1:1 motif.(1) The equilibrium association constant (K(1)) for complexation of a specific nine-bp dsDNA site, 5'-gcggTATGAAATTcgacg-3', by conjugate 1 is approximately 2.6 x 10(9) M(-1). Displacement of the G/C position or G/C-->A/T substitution within the nine-bp site decreases the K(1) by approximately 8-fold, whereas two continuous G/C bps decrease the K(1) by approximately 50-fold magnitude. The K(1) values for seven-bp dsDNA, 5'-gcggtaTGAAATTcgacg-3' and 5'-gcggtaCAAAATTcgacg-3', binding sites by conjugates Py-Im-gamma-biBenz (3) and Im-Py-gamma-biBenz (4) are approximately 2.3 x 10(9) and approximately 1.2 x 10(9) M(-1), respectively. However, the conjugates with no Im moiety, Py-Py-gamma-biBenz (2) and Py-Py-Py-gamma-biBenz (5 and 6), are specific for seven- to nine-bp A/T-rich sites and single A/T-->G/C bp substitution within the binding site decreases the K(1) values by 1-2 orders of magnitude.     

Discrimination of A/T sequences in the minor groove of DNA within a cyclic polyamide motif

Eight-ring cyclic polyamides containing pyrrole (Py), imidazole (Im), and hydroxypyrrole (Hp) aromatic amino acids recognize predetermined six base pair sites in the minor groove of DNA. Two four-ring polyamide subunits linked by (R)-2,4-diaminobutyric acid [(R)H2Ngamma] residue form hairpin polyamide structures with enhanced DNA binding properties. In hairpin polyamides, substitution of Hp/Py for Py/Py pairs enhances selectivity for T. A base pairs but compromises binding affinity for specific sequences. In an effort to enhance the binding properties of polyamides containing Hp/Py pairings, four eight ring cyclic polyamides were synthesized and analyzed on a DNA restriction fragment containing three 6-bp sites 5'-tAGNNCTt-3', where NN = AA, TA, or AT. Quantitative footprint titration experiments demonstrate that contiguous placement of Hp/Py pairs in cyclo-(gamma-ImPyPyPy-(R)H2Ngamma-ImHpHpPy-) (1) provides a 20-fold increase in affinity for the 5'-tAGAACTt-3' site (Ka = 7.5 x 10(7)M(-1)) relative to ImPyPyPy-(R)H2Ngamma-ImHpHpPy-C3-OH (2). A cyclic polyamide of sequence composition cyclo-(gamma-ImHpPyPy-(R)H2Ngamma-ImHpPyPy-) (3) binds a 5'-tAGTACTt-3' site with an equilibrium association constant KA= 3.2 x 10(9)M(-1), representing a fivefold increase relative to the hairpin analogue ImHpPyPy-(R)H2Ngamma-ImHpPyPy-C3-OH (4). Arrangement of Hp/Py pairs in a 3'-stagger regulates specificity of cyclo-(gamma-ImPyHpPy-(R)H2Ngamma-ImPyHpPy-) (5) for the 5'-tAGATCTt-3' site (Ka = 7.5 x 10(7)M(-1)) threefold increase in affinity relative to the hairpin analogue ImPyHpPy-(R)H2Ngamma-ImPyHpPy-C3-OH (6), respectively. This study identifies cyclic polyamides as a viable motif for restoring recognition properties of polyamides containing Hp/Py pairs.     

Protein determination by microchip capillary electrophoresis using an asymmetric squarylium dye: noncovalent labeling and nonequilibrium measurement of association constants

In response to a growing interest in the use of smaller, faster microchip (mu-chip) methods for the separation of proteins, advancements are proposed that employ the asymmetric squarylium dye Red-1c as a noncovalent label in mu-chip CE separations. This work compares on-column and precolumn labeling methods for the proteins BSA, beta-lactoglobulin B (beta-LB), and alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA). Nonequilibrium CE of equilibrium mixtures (NECEEM) represents an efficient method to determine equilibrium parameters associated with the formation of intermolecular complexes, such as those formed between the dye and proteins in this work, and it allows for the use of weak affinity probes in protein quantitation. In particular, nonequilibrium methods employing both mu-chip and conventional CE systems were implemented to determine association constants governing the formation of noncovalent complexes of the red luminescent squarylium dye Red-1c with BSA and beta-LB. By our mu-chip NECEEM method, the association constants K(assoc) for beta-LB and BSA complexes with Red-1c were found to be 3.53 x 10(3) and 1.65 x 10(5) M(-1), respectively, whereas association constants found by our conventional CE-LIF NECEEM method for these same protein-dye systems were some ten times higher. Despite discrepancies between the two methods, both confirmed the preferential interaction of Red-1c with BSA. In addition, the effect of protein concentration on measured association constant was assessed by conventional CE methods. Although a small decrease in K(assoc) was observed with the increase in protein concentration, our studies indicate that absolute protein concentration may affect the equilibrium determination less than the relative concentration of protein-to-dye.     

Carboxylate binding by 2-(guanidiniocarbonyl)pyrrole receptors in aqueous solvents: improving the binding properties of guanidinium cations through additional hydrogen bonds

A series of guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole receptors has been synthesized which bind carboxylates by ion pairing in combination with multiple hydrogen bonds. Their binding properties with various carboxylates have been investigated using NMR titration studies in 40% water/DMSO (v/v). The best receptor has association constants which are in the order of K approximately/= 10(3) mol(-1) and hence some 30 times larger than with the simple acetyl guanidinium cation. Through a systematic variation of the receptor structure, semiquantitative estimates for the energetic contributions of the individual binding interactions could be derived. These data show that the various hydrogen bonds are not equally important for the binding but differ significantly in their energetic contribution to the overall complexation process. Furthermore, the receptor can be made chiral and shows selectivity upon binding of enantiomeric amino acid carboxylates. Molecular modeling was used to obtain structural information for the various receptor carboxylate complexes and served as a basis to explain the observed differences in binding constants.     

Hydrazide-based quadruply hydrogen-bonded heterodimers. Structure, assembling selectivity, and supramolecular substitution

This paper describes the synthesis, self-assembly, and characterization of a new class of highly stable hydrazide-based quadruply hydrogen-bonded heterodimers. All of the hydrazide-derived heterodimers possess the complementary ADDA-DAAD hydrogen-bonding sequences. Hydrazide derivatives 1, which has two intramolecular S(6) RO.H-N hydrogen bonds, and 2 complex to afford two fastly exchanging isomeric heterodimers 1.2 and 1.2' in chloroform, as a result of two different conformational arrangements of 2. An average binding constant K(assoc) of 4.7 x 10(4) M(-)(1) was determined for heterodimer 1.2 and 1.2' by (1)H NMR titration of 1 with changing 2 in chloroform-d. In contrast, 1 binds 11 and 12, both of which are introduced with two intramolecular S(6) hydrogen bonds, to exclusively afford heterodimers 1.11 and 1.12, with K(assoc) values of 1.8 x 10(4) and 5.0 x 10(2) M(-)(1), respectively. Fluorine-containing 19, which has a hydrazide skeleton identical to that of 1 but two intramolecular S(6) F.H-N hydrogen bonds, can also complex with 2, 11, and 12, to afford heterodimers 19.2, 19.2', 19.11, and 19.12, with K(assoc) values of of 1.2 x 10(4) (average value for 19.2 and 19.2'), 5.4 x 10(3), and 1.9 x 10(2) M(-)(1), respectively. The structures of the new heterodimers have been proven with NOESY, IR, and VPO (for some of the heterodimers) experiments. Moreover, 1 and 19 can also strongly bind 2,7-dilauroylamido-1,8-naphthyridine 23 to afford dimers 1.23 and 19.23 with K(assoc) values of 6.0 x 10(5) and 1.4 x 10(5) M(-)(1), respectively. Adding 1 to the 1:1 solution of 23 and 1-octyl-3-(4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-yl)urea 24 or 1-octyl-3-(4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-pyrimidin-2-yl)urea 25, which had been developed initially by Zimmerman and Meijer, respectively, induces dimers 23.24 and 23.25 to dissociate, leading to the formation of dimers 1.23 and 24.24 or 25.25, respectively. The new hydrazide-based hydrogen-bonding modules described are useful building blocks for self-assembly and open a new avenue to recognition between discrete supramolecular species.     

Reversible Self-Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles Based on Co-Functionalization with Zwitterionic and Cationic Binding Motifs**

We report a pH- and temperature-controlled reversible self-assembly of Au-nanoparticles (AuNPs) in water, based on their surface modification with cationic guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole (GCP) and zwitterionic guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole carboxylate (GCPZ) binding motifs. When both binding motifs are installed in a carefully balanced ratio, the resulting functionalized AuNPs self-assemble at pH 1, pH 7 and pH 13, whereas they disassemble at pH 3 and pH 11. Further disassembly can be achieved at elevated temperatures at pH 1 and pH 13. Thus, we were able to prepare functionalized nanoparticles that can be assembled/disassembled in seven alternating regimes, simply controlled by pH and temperature.     

Self-folding molecules: a well defined, stable loop formed by a carboxylate-guanidinium zwitterion in DMSO

Two zwitterions 1a,b have been synthesized, in which a carboxylate group is attached via a flexible alkyl chain of different length (butylene and ethylene, respectively) to a guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole cation moiety. For 1b, no signs for either an intra- or intermolecular association between these two groups in polar solution (DMSO) could be found. In contrast to this, the 1H NMR spectrum of 1a shows clear evidence for a strong interaction between the carboxylate and the guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole cation. According to variable-temperature and concentration-dependent concentration-dependent NMR studies, this interaction stems from an intramolecular complexation. It was shown by ROESY and H/D-solvent exchange experiments that 1a, even in DMSO, folds into a well-defined intramolecular loop conformation held together by multiple weak interactions.     

Self-assembly of molecular capsules in polar solvents

[structure: see text] We present a novel type of molecular capsule formed by self-organization of calix[4]arenes with several oppositely charged functional groups located at their upper rims. In highly polar solvents, the complementary half-spheres form stable 1:1 complexes with association constants of up to 7 x 10(5) M(-)(1) in methanol. The cavity inside the capsules is large enough for the inclusion of small aliphatic or (hetero)aromatic guest molecules.     

Molecular-recognition properties of a water-soluble cucurbit[6]uril analogue

The molecular-recognition properties of the cucurbit[6]uril analogue (1) in aqueous buffer (sodium acetate, 50 mM, pH 4.74, 25 degrees C) toward a variety of guests including alkanediamines (6-12), aromatics (14-32), amino acids (33-36), and nucleobases (37-42) were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. For the alkanediamines studied (H2N(CH)nNH2, n = 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12), the association constants increase as the length of the alkane (n) is increased. Host 1 is capable of forming strong complexes with guests containing aromatic rings with association constants (Ka) ranging from 10(2) to 10(6) M(-1) as a result of the favorable pi-pi interactions that occur between host 1 and the aromatic rings of the guest when bound in the cavity of 1. Biologically relevant guests such as amino acids and nucleobases are also bound in the cavity of 1 with Ka values ranging from 10(3) to 10(6) M(-1). Consequently, cucurbit[6]uril analogue 1 functions as a versatile fluorescent sensor for the presence of a wide range of chemically and biologically important substances in aqueous solution including nitroaromatics, neurotransmitters, amino acids, and nucleobases.     

Electropolymerization of negatively charged Ni(II) complex for the selective determination of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid

Electrodes for the dopamine (DA) determination in biological samples have been developed with improved selectivity and sensitivity in an excess of ascorbic acid (AA). Negatively charged Ni(II) complex was synthesized and electropolymerized on the glassy carbon electrode to impart the surface with anionic characteristics that could act both as a catalyst and as a discriminating layer against AA based on the electrostatic interaction. Thus prepared electrodes enabled selective determination of DA even in a large excess of AA by differential pulse voltammetry at physiological pH. Linear response was found down to 1.0 x 10(-7) M with 5.0 x 10(-9) M of LOD (Limit of Detection). In a flow injection analysis performed in an amperometric mode, the detection limit was lowered by two orders of magnitude down to 1.0 x 10(-9) M with a linear range of 1.0 x 10(-9) to 1.0 x 10(-6) M. The relative standard deviation was found to be 3.36% from 25 independent measurements for 1.0 x 10(-5) M of DA. Stable oxidation current of DA was observed even after 30 days storage in air. The recoveries of DA in the 100-fold diluted human urine samples were 97.7% for 4 measurements. The rate constant for the DA oxidation was 1.3 x 10(-3) cm s(-1) from hydrodynamic experiments using a rotating disk electrode.     

Highly cooperative ion-pair recognition of potassium cyanide using a heteroditopic ferrocene-based crown ether-trifluoroacetylcarboxanilide receptor

A heteroditopic receptor having crown ether and trifluoroacetylcarboxanilide groups selectively recognizes both potassium and cyanide ions in acetonitrile with an association constant of as high as Ka = 1.9 x 10(7) M(-1) through a highly cooperative ion-pair interaction, resulting in two orders of magnitude enhancement in the binding affinity.     

Application of capillary electrophoresis for inorganic selenium speciation in the frame of high-level waste management

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) with direct UV detection is proposed for speciation of inorganic Se in high-level liquid waste. In this aim, the optimal conditions of measurements (pH, electrolyte buffer concentration) and the influence of nitrate excess on the quantitative determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) were studied. Different electrolyte buffers were considered: carbonate, phosphate and citrate. It was found, that citrate buffer is the most suitable for the application under consideration. Under the chosen optimal conditions (20 mmol L(-1) citrate buffer, pH 2.5), calibration curves for Se(IV) and Se(VI) are linear in the concentration range 10(-4)-10(-3) mol L(-1). The detection limits are 4x10(-6 )for Se(IV) and 2x10(-5) for Se(VI). The accuracy of the procedure was checked by calculating the recovery by spiking simulation solutions. Relative standard deviation (S(r)) is less than 10%.