Recognition of polarized lipid bilayers by p-oligophenyl ion channels: from push-pull rods to push-pull barrels

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of 14-methoxy-84-methylsulfonyl-22,33,42,53,62,73-hexa(Gla-Leu-Lys-Leu-NH2)-p-octiphenyl (1) and 14,84-bismethoxy-22,33,42,53,62,73-hexa(Gla-Leu-Lys-Leu-NH2)-p-octiphenyl (2) are described (Gla = -OCH2CO-). Nanomolar concentrations of push-pull rod 1 are found to suffice to selectively form ion channels in polarized spherical bilayer membranes composed of egg yolk phosphatidylcholine. Exponential dependence of the ion-channel activity on membrane polarization reveals a gating charge of 0.85/channel. Independence of the activity of push-push rod 2 on membrane potential demonstrates that cell membrane recognition originates from the axial dipole in push-pull rod 1. Nonlinear concentration dependence of activity at -180 mV indicates parallel self-assembly of push-pull rod 1 into a tetrameric barrel-stave supramolecule.     

Planarity recognition of cationic dyes by anionic, crystalline bilayer aggregates

Steric selectivity in terms of molecular planarity of cationic dyes was investigated using anionic bilayer aggregates. Planar cationic dye (para-type stilbazolium) could be incorporated into the hydrophobic region of anionic crystalline bilayer aggregates, whereas structurally related, less planar dyes (ortho-type stilbazolium) could not be incorporated in spite of somewhat higher hydrophobicity resulting from lengthening of the N-alkyl group.     

On the electrostatics of cell-membrane recognition: from natural antibiotics to rigid push-pull rods

The question why pore-forming, alpha-helical natural antibiotics are not toxic is discussed within the general context of the interaction of electrostatically asymmetric "nanorods" with neutral, anionic, and polarized bilayer membranes. We suggest that simplification of the structural complexity of natural systems will be necessary to ultimately define the involved subtle balance between constructive and destructive electrostatic interactions.     

Allyl complexes of scandium: synthesis and structure of neutral, cationic and anionic derivatives

Neutral, cationic and anionic allyl compounds of scandium contain highly fluxional allyl ligands in solution, whilst in the solid state both η(1)- and η(3)-binding modes are detected.     

Interaction of charged lipid vesicles with planar bilayer lipid membranes: detection by antibiotic membrane probes.

A technique has been developed for monitoring the interaction of charged phospholipid vesicles with planar bilayer lipid membranes (BLM) by use of the antibiotics Valinomycin, Nonactin, and Monazomycin as surface-charge probes. Anionic phosphatidylserine vesicles, when added to one aqueous compartment of a BLM, are shown to impart negative surface charge to zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine bilayers. The surface charge is distributed asymmetrically, mainly on the vesicular side of the BLM, and is not removed by exchange of the vesicular aqueous solution. Possible mechanisms for the vesicle-BLM interactions are discussed.     

Spectral studies of N-nonyl acridine orange in anionic, cationic and neutral surfactants

The spectroscopic and photophysical properties of N-nonyl acridine orange - a metachromatic dye useful as a mitochondrial probe in living cells - are reported in water and microheterogeneous media: anionic sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and neutral octylophenylpolyoxyethylene ether (TX-100). The spectral changes of N-nonyl acridine orange were observed in the presence of varying amount of SDS, CTAB and TX-100 and indicated formation of a dye-surfactant complex. The spectral changes were also regarded to be caused by the incorporation of dye molecules to micelles. It was proved by calculated values K(b) and f in the following order: K(bTX-100)>K(bCTAB)>K(bSDS) and f(TX-100)>f(CTAB)>f(SDS). NAO binds to the micelle regardless the micellar charge. There are two types of interactions between NAO and micelles: hydrophobic and electrostatic. The hydrophobic interactions play a dominant role in binding of the dye to neutral TX-100. The unexpected fact of the binding NAO to cationic CTAB can be explained by a dominant role of hydrophobic interactions over electrostatic repulsion. Therefore, the affinity of NAO to CTAB is smaller than TX-100. Electrostatic interactions play an important role in binding of NAO to anionic micelles SDS. We observed a prolonged fluorescence lifetime after formation of the dye-surfactant complex tau(SDS)>tau(TX-100)>tau(CTAB)>tau(water), the dye being protected against water in this environment. TX-100 is found to stabilize the excited state of NAO which is more polar than the ground state. Spectroscopic and photophysical properties of NAO will be helpful for a better understanding of the nature of binding and distribution inside mammalian cells.     

The lipid bilayer concept and its experimental realization: from soap bubbles,kitchen sink,to bilayer lipid membranes

The inspiration for lipid bilayer research, without question, comes from the biological world. Although self-assembled bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) in vitro, were first reported in 1961, experimental scientists have been dealing with BLM-type interfacial adsorption phenomena since Robert Hooke’s time (1672). BLMs (of planar lipid bilayers) have been used in a number of applications ranging from basic membrane biophysics including transport, practical AIDS research, and ‘microchips’ studies, to the conversion of solar energy via water photolysis, to biosensor development using supported bilayer lipid membranes (s-BLMs), and to photobiology comprising apoptosis and photodynamic therapy. This paper presents an overview of the origin of the lipid bilayer concept and its experimental realization, as well as the studies of our laboratory and recent research of others on the use of BLMs as models of certain biomembranes. In addition, we describe briefly our present work on supported BLMs as biosensors and molecular devices; the experiments carried out in close collaboration with colleagues on s-BLMs are delineated.     

Electronic interactions in oligoferrocenes with cationic, neutral and anionic four-coordinate boron bridges

Dinuclear and trinuclear ferrocene complexes {[Fc2BMe2]Li, [Fc-BMe2-fc-BMe2-Fc]Li2, Fc2B(pyind), [Fc2B(bipy)]PF6, [Fc-B(bipy)-fc-B(bipy)-Fc](PF6)2} bearing anionic, uncharged, and cationic four-coordinate boron bridges have been synthesized (Fc: ferrocenyl; fc: 1,1'-ferrocenylene; pyind: 5-fluoro-2-(2'-pyridyl)indolyl; bipy: 2,2'-bipyridyl). The molecular structures of [Fc2BMe2]Li(12-crown-4)2, [Fc-BMe2-fc-BMe2-Fc](Li(12-crown-4)2)2, Fc2B(pyind), and [Fc2B(bipy)]PF6 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The anionic aggregates [Fc2BMe2]- and [Fc-BMe2-fc-BMe2-Fc]2- are very sensitive to air and moisture whereas bromide salts of their cationic counterparts [Fc(2)B(bipy)]+ and [Fc-B(bipy)-fc-B(bipy)-Fc]2+ may be dissolved in water without decomposition. Cyclic voltammograms of the diferrocene species show two well-resolved one-electron transitions separated by 0.21 V ([Fc2BMe2]Li; Eo' = -0.43 V, -0.64 V; vs. FcH/FcH+), 0.18 V (Fc2B(pyind); Eo' = -0.03 V, -0.21 V), and 0.16 V ([Fc2B(bipy)]PF6; Eo' = +0.23 V, +0.07 V), which indicates electronic interactions between the two ferrocenyl substituents. Two redox waves with an intensity ratio of 1:2 are observed in the cyclic voltammograms of the trinuclear derivatives [Fc-BMe2-fc-BMe2-Fc]Li2 and [Fc-B(bipy)-fc-B(bipy)-Fc](PF6)2. In the case of the BMe(2)-bridged species, the electrochemically unique central ferrocenylene unit is oxidized at a much more cathodic potential value (Eo' = -1.21 V) than the two terminal ferrocenyl substituents (Eo' = -0.51 V). The opposite is true in the case of the B(bipy)-bridged trimer where oxidation of the terminal ferrocenyl groups (Eo' = +0.03 V) precedes oxidation of the internal iron atom (Eo' = +0.26 V). The Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox potentials of the mono- and dianionic species differ to a much larger extent from the redox potential of parent ferrocene (Eo' = 0 V) than the Eo' values of the corresponding mono- and dicationic derivatives. Apart from electrostatic interactions, the electrochemical properties of BMe2- and B(bipy)-bridged oligoferrocenes are determined by the pronounced positive inductive effect of triorganoborate substituents together with positive sigma/pi* hyperconjugation on the one hand and ferrocene-to-B(bipy) charge transfer on the other.     

Synthesis, structure and hydrosilylation activity of neutral and cationic rare-earth metal silanolate complexes

Rare-earth metal alkyl tri(tert-butoxy)silanolate complexes [Ln{mu,eta2-OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)2]2 (Ln = Y (1), Tb (2), Lu (3)) were prepared via protonolysis of the appropriate tris(alkyl) complex [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(thf)2] with tri(tert-butoxy)silanol in pentane. Crystal structure analysis revealed a dinuclear structure for with square pyramidal geometry at the yttrium centre. The silanolate ligand coordinates in an eta2-bridging coordination mode giving a 4-rung truncated ladder and non-crystallographic inversion centre. Addition of two equiv. of 12-crown-4 to a pentane solution of 1 or 3 respectively gave [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)}(CH2SiMe3)2(12-crown-4)].12-crown-4 (Ln = Y (4), Lu (5)). Crystal structure analysis of 5 showed a slightly distorted octahedral geometry at the lutetium centre. The silanolate ligand adopts an eta(1)-terminal coordination mode, whilst the crown ether unit coordinates in an unusual kappa3-fashion. Reaction of 1-3 with [NEt3H]+[BPh4]- in thf yielded the cationic derivatives [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(thf)4]+[BPh4]- (Ln = Y (6), Tb (7) and Lu (8)); coordination of crown ether led to compounds of the form [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(L)(thf)n]+[BPh4]- (Ln = Y, Lu, L = 12-crown-4, n = 1 (9,10); Ln = Y, Lu, L = 15-crown-5, n = 0 (11,12)). Reaction of 1 with [NMe2PhH]+[B(C6F5)4]-, [Al(CH2SiMe3)3] or BPh3 in thf gave the ion pairs [Y{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(thf)4]+[A]- ([A]- = [B(C6F5)4]- (13), [Al(CH2SiMe3)4]- (14), [BPh3(CH2SiMe3)]- (15)), whilst two equiv. [NMe2PhH]+[BPh4]- with 1 in thf produced the dicationic ion triple [Y{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(thf)6]2+[BPh4]-2 (16). Crystal structure analysis revealed that 16 is mononuclear with pentagonal bipyramidal geometry at the yttrium centre. The silanolate ligand coordinates in an eta(1)-terminal fashion. All diamagnetic compounds have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 13 were tested as olefin hydrosilylation pre-catalysts with a variety of substrates; 1 was found to be highly active in 1-decene hydrosilylation.     

Fabrication of highly insulating tethered bilayer lipid membrane using yeast cell membrane fractions for measuring ion channel activity

A tethered bilayer lipid membrane (tBLM) was fabricated on a gold electrode using 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-phosphothioethanol as a tethering lipid and the membrane fractions of Saccharomyces pombe yeast cells to deposit the upper leaflet. The membrane fractions were characterized using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering and found to be similar in size to small unilamellar vesicles of synthetic lipids. The dynamics of membrane-fraction deposition and rupture on the tethering-lipid layer were measured using quartz crystal microgravimetry. The electrochemical properties of the resulting tBLM were characterized using electrical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The tBLM's electrical resistance was greater than 1 MOmegacm(2), suggesting a defect-free membrane. The suitability of tBLM produced using membrane fractions for measuring ion-channel activities was shown by a decrease in membrane resistance from 1.6 to 0.43 MOmegacm(2) following addition of gramicidin. The use of membrane fractions to form high-quality tBLM on gold electrodes suggests a new approach to characterize membrane proteins, in which the upper leaflet of the tBLM is deposited, and overexpressed membrane proteins are incorporated, in a single step. This approach would be especially useful for proteins whose activity is lost or altered during extraction, purification, and reconstitution, or whose activities are strongly influenced by the lipid composition of the bilayer.     

Simultaneous analysis of cationic, anionic, and neutral compounds using monolithic CEC columns

A new capillary electrochromatography (CEC) column for the simultaneous analysis of cationic, neutral, and anionic compounds using CEC-ESI-MS is described. Three different silica monolith columns were prepared by changing the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) contents for comparison of the separation property of these columns. Different separation programs were used for the simultaneous separation of different charged compounds under the same conditions. The column prepared with 80 mg of PEG separated typical compounds within 15 min using 1 M formic acid as the electrolyte. The analytes migrated in the order of cationic, neutral, and anionic compounds, which means that the migration order was mainly determined by the electrophoresis. The hydrodynamic flow by pressure from the inlet side was significant for a stable analysis to be achieved. The effect of the composition of the sheath liquid was also examined. All analytes (14 amino acids, thiourea, urea, citric acid, and ATP) were detectable when 1% acetic acid in 50% (v/v) methanol was used as the sheath liquid.     

Synthesis and electronic structure of cationic, neutral, and anionic bis(imino)pyridine iron alkyl complexes: evaluation of redox activity in single-component ethylene polymerization catalysts

A family of cationic, neutral, and anionic bis(imino)pyridine iron alkyl complexes has been prepared, and their electronic and molecular structures have been established by a combination of X-ray diffraction, Mo?ssbauer spectroscopy, magnetochemistry, and open-shell density functional theory. For the cationic complexes, [((iPr)PDI)Fe-R][BPh(4)] ((iPr)PDI = 2,6-(2,6-(i)Pr(2)-C(6)H(3)N═CMe)(2)C(5)H(3)N; R = CH(2)SiMe(3), CH(2)CMe(3), or CH(3)), which are known single-component ethylene polymerization catalysts, the data establish high spin ferrous compounds (S(Fe) = 2) with neutral, redox-innocent bis(imino)pyridine chelates. One-electron reduction to the corresponding neutral alkyls, ((iPr)PDI)Fe(CH(2)SiMe(3)) or ((iPr)PDI)Fe(CH(2)CMe(3)), is chelate-based, resulting in a bis(imino)pyridine radical anion (S(PDI) = 1/2) antiferromagnetically coupled to a high spin ferrous ion (S(Fe) = 2). The neutral neopentyl derivative was reduced by an additional electron and furnished the corresponding anion, [Li(Et(2)O)(3)][((iPr)PDI)Fe(CH(2)CMe(3))N(2)], with concomitant coordination of dinitrogen. The experimental and computational data establish that this S = 0 compound is best described as a low spin ferrous compound (S(Fe) = 0) with a closed-shell singlet bis(imino)pyridine dianion (S(PDI) = 0), demonstrating that the reduction is ligand-based. The change in field strength of the bis(imino)pyridine coupled with the placement of the alkyl ligand into the apical position of the molecule induced a spin state change at the iron center from high to low spin. The relevance of the compounds and their electronic structures to olefin polymerization catalysis is also presented.     

Theoretical study of neutral, anionic, and cationic uracil-Ag and uracil-Au systems: nonconventional hydrogen bonds

The interaction of Ag and Au with uracil has been studied using the B3LYP density-functional approach. Neutral, cationic, and anionic systems were analyzed in order to study the influence of the atomic charge on bond formation. This interaction becomes stronger as the charge increases. In the case of neutral systems, a weak association is present. In the case of cations, the interaction is mainly electrostatic. The extra electron of the anions is localized on the metal atom. Consequently, nonconventional hydrogen bonds are formed. The ionization energy of uracil-Ag and uracil-Au is lower than the corresponding values for the metal atoms and uracil molecule, while the electron affinity is higher for uracil-Ag and uracil-Au than the analogous values for the isolated Ag, Au, and uracil. This might have significance for further experiments and possibly for applications, where the movement of the electrons is important. In the case of uracil-Ag and uracil-Au (anions), it may be possible to induce the detachment of one electron from the anion and also to remove a single hydrogen atom. It is possible that tight competition exists between the H dissociation and electron aloofness.     

Theoretical study of cytosine-Al, cytosine-Cu and cytosine-Ag (neutral, anionic and cationic)

The binding of cytosine to Al, Cu and Ag has been analyzed using the hybrid B3LYP density functional theory method. The three metals all have open shell electronic configuration, with only one unpaired valence electron. Thus it is possible to study the influence of electronic configuration on the stability of these systems. Neutral, cationic and anionic systems were analyzed, in order to assess the influence of atomic charge on bond formation. We argue that in the case of anions, nonconventional hydrogen bonds are formed. It is generally accepted that the hydrogen bond A-H...B is formed by the union of a proton donor group A-H and a proton acceptor B, which contains lone-pair electrons. In this study, we found that in the case of (Cu-cytosine)(-1) and (Ag-cytosine)(-1), N-H...Cu and N-H...Ag bonds are geometrically described as nonconventional hydrogen bonds. Their binding energies fall within the range of -20.0 to -55.4 kcal/mol (depending on the scheme of the reaction) and thus they are classified as examples of strong (>10 kcal/mol) hydrogen bonds.     

Spectral studies of N-nonyl acridine orange in anionic, cationic and neutral surfactants

The spectroscopic and photophysical properties of N-nonyl acridine orange – a metachromatic dye useful as a mitochondrial probe in living cells – are reported in water and microheterogeneous media: anionic sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and neutral octylophenylpolyoxyethylene ether (TX-100). The spectral changes of N-nonyl acridine orange were observed in the presence of varying amount of SDS, CTAB and TX-100 and indicated formation of a dye–surfactant complex. The spectral changes were also regarded to be caused by the incorporation of dye molecules to micelles. It was proved by calculated values K_b and f in the following order: K_b TX-100 > K_b CTAB > K_b SDS and f_TX-100 > f_CTAB > f_SDS. NAO binds to the micelle regardless the micellar charge. There are two types of interactions between NAO and micelles: hydrophobic and electrostatic. The hydrophobic interactions play a dominant role in binding of the dye to neutral TX-100. The unexpected fact of the binding NAO to cationic CTAB can be explained by a dominant role of hydrophobic interactions over electrostatic repulsion. Therefore, the affinity of NAO to CTAB is smaller than TX-100. Electrostatic interactions play an important role in binding of NAO to anionic micelles SDS. We observed a prolonged fluorescence lifetime after formation of the dye–surfactant complex τ_SDS > τ_TX-100 > τ_CTAB > τ_water, the dye being protected against water in this environment. TX-100 is found to stabilize the excited state of NAO which is more polar than the ground state. Spectroscopic and photophysical properties of NAO will be helpful for a better understanding of the nature of binding and distribution inside mammalian cells.     

Complexes of anionic liposomes and a cationic polymer: Composition,structure, and characteristics

Adsorption of the synthetic polycation poly-N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide (PEP) on the surface of bilayered lipid vesicles (liposomes) is studied. Two types of liposomes are used: (i) traditional two-component liposomes formed from neutral phosphatidylcholine (PC) and anionic diphosphatidylglycerol (cardiolipin, CL²⁻) and (ii) PC/CL²⁻ anionic liposomes with the built-in nonionogenic surfactant poly(ethyleneglycol) cetyl ether with a degree of polymerization of 20 (Brij-58). PEP is quantitatively linked with both types of liposomes; this process is electrostatic in character and fully reversible. The formation of a poly(ethylene glycol) layer on liposomal membrane decreases the stability of polycation-liposome complexes in aqueous salt solutions. Adsorption of PEP on the surface of PC/CL²⁻ liposomes is accompanied by their aggregation; PC/CL²⁻/Brij liposomes do not aggregates, even during complete neutralization of their charge by the adsorbed PEP. DSC measurements showed that the adsorption of the polycation is accompanied by microphase separation in the liposomal membrane: formation of domains, which are composed primarily of CL²⁻ molecules and linked to the complex with PEP, and regions, where electroneutral lipids are primarily concentrated. With the use of a spin probe, the packing density of bilayers (their microviscosity) is estimated, and a preferential localization of the probe at the boundaries of lipid domains in the membrane based on PC/CL²⁻/Brij liposomes is proposed. The causes of the aggregative stability of three-component PC/CL²⁻/Brij liposomes are described, and the structure of the prepared polymer-liposome complexes is discussed.     

Biophysical aspects of agar-gel supported bilayer lipid nembranes: a new method for forming and studying planar bilayer lipid membranes

Conventional bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs), formed by either the painting method or the Langmuir-Blodgett technique, lack the desired stability. This paper presents a simple method for forming long-lived BLMs on agar-gel supports. The supported BLM reported has a greatly improved mechanical stability and also has desirable dynamic properties. These self-assembled BLMs are of significant interest, in view of their similarity of biological membranes, their molecular dimension and their spontaneous formation.     

On the admittance of lipid bilayer membranes: Part II. Uncouplers and ion carriers

Rangarajan's modular formalism has been applied to those cases in which ion transport across an ultra-thin membrane is associated with membrane permeation of a neutral species. A single connectivity diagram can be used to represent the admittance in the presence of an ion carrier or of either a monomeric or a dimeric uncoupler.     

Complexation and chiral recognition thermodynamics of 6-amino-6-deoxy-beta-cyclodextrin with anionic, cationic, and neutral chiral guests: counterbalance between van der Waals and coulombic interactions

The stability constant (K), standard free energy (Delta G degrees), enthalpy (Delta H degrees), and entropy changes (T Delta S degrees) for the complexation of 6-amino-6-deoxy-beta-cyclodextrin with more than 50 negatively or positively charged as well as neutral guests, including 22 enantiomer pairs, have been determined in aqueous phosphate buffer (pH 6.9) at 298.15 K by titration microcalorimetry. The thermodynamic parameters obtained in this study and the relevant data for native beta-cyclodextrin indicate that the complexation and chiral discrimination behavior of the cationic host with charged guests are governed by the critical counterbalance between the electrostatic interactions of the charged groups in host and guest and the conventional intracavity interactions of the hydrophobic moiety of guest, such as hydrophobic, van der Waals, solvation/desolvation, and hydrogen-bonding interactions.     

Excited state properties of neutral, anionic and cationic 1,1-disubstituted 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylsiloles: A quantum chemical characterization

Structure, electronic states, photoluminescence, and carries transport properties of 1,1-disubstituted 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylsiloles for light-emitting diodes were investigated experimentally [G. Yu, et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 6335], and the excellent electroluminescent (EL) properties of them have been found. In this paper, excited state properties of neutral, anionic and cationic 1,1-disubstituted 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylsiloles are studied with quantum chemistry method as well as the 3D real space analysis methods. The transition densities of neutral, anionic and cationic 1,1-disubstituted 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylsiloles show that the orientations and strengths of dipole moments the neutral, anionic and cationic ones are significantly different, where the neutral 1,1-disubstituted 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylsiloles show the Frenkel character; while the anionic and cationic 1,1-disubstituted 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylsiloles show the plasmon character. The charge difference densities of neutral, anionic and cationic 1,1-disubstituted 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylsiloles reveal the important diversity of the orientations and the results of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). The theoretical results also reveal the contribution of the substituents at the 1,1-position to the neutral and charged excited state properties of 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylsiloles. The calculated results are consistent with the experimental results, and further provide the insight of understanding to the excited state properties of neutral, anionic and cationic 1,1-disubstituted 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylsiloles.