SINGLET OXYGEN GENERATION BY FUROCOUMARINS: EFFECT OF DNA AND LIPOSOMES

The quantum yield of singlet oxygen generation by aqueous furocoumarins was measured at 365 nm using the photosensitized inactivation of subtilisin Carlsberg as the probe with the following results: psoralen (0.18), 5-methoxypsoralen (0.013), and 8-methoxypsoralen (0.035). Singlet oxygen formation was significant for dark complexes of 8-MOP with calf thymus DNA and the covalent DNA photoadducts. Incorporation of 8-MOP in sonicated egg phosphatidylcholine liposomes did not inhibit photosensitization of subtilisin Carlsberg and also led to lipid peroxidation, with positive tests for the involvement of singlet oxygen. Peroxidation of the liposomes was inhibited by the presence of α-tocopherol and promoted by the presence of cholesterol in the membranes.     

FORMATION OF SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN BY 8-METHOXYPSORALEN*

Abstract— The formation of singlet molecular oxygen (^lO₂) by energy transfer from the excited 8-meth-oxypsoralen (8-MOP) molecule was investigated. This was done in several ways: (a) In the reaction of irradiated 8-MOP with the ¹O₂ acceptor 2-methyl-2-pentene, the characteristic oxidation products were identified. (b) The rate of the 8-MOP sensitized photooxidation of 3, 4-dihydroxy phenylalanine (dopa), which appeared to be also a useful ¹O₂ acceptor, was larger in D₂O than in H₂O. (c) The β-values for reaction of ¹O₂with dopa in the presence of 8-MOP or of methylene blue as ¹O₂ generators were in accordance with each other. The consequences of ¹O₂ formation by 8-MOP sensitization is discussed for the clinical use of this compound.     

EFFECT OF SINGLET OXYGEN QUENCHERS ON OXIDATIVE DAMAGE TO LIPOSOMES INITIATED BY PHOTOSENSITIZATION OR BY RADIOFREQUENCY DISCHARGE

Abstract —Lipid model membrane systems, liposomes, may be oxidized by both toluidine blue Osensitized photo-oxidation and radiofrequency-discharge-generated singiet oxygen. Oxidation can be followed by the appearance of lipid peroxides, malondialdehyde formation, and ultimately by the lysis of the liposomes. Inhibition of oxidation is observed in both systems using either β-carotene or DABCO. These observations are consistent with the view that type II (singlet oxygen) reactions are involved in this photodynamic system.     

KINETIC AND SPECTROSCOPIC FEATURES OF SOME CAROTENOID TRIPLET STATES: SENSITIZATION BY SINGLET OXYGEN

Abstract— Triplet-triplet absorption spectra of a series of carotenoid pigments in benzene solution have been determined by pulse radiolysis experiments. The natural lifetimes in deaerated solution have also been measured. They fall in the range 2–10 µ s as found for other carotenoids under similar conditions. Pulsed laser (337 nm) excitation of benzene solutions containing oxygen, carotenoid and a photosensitized molecule (anthracene) showed the generation of absorption spectra of the triplet states. These absorptions decayed by first order kinetics in such a way as to indicate that they were formed in reactions with singlet oxygen, itself generated by interaction with the anthracene triplet state. Bimolecular rate constants for energy transfer from O*₂ (¹△_g), to carotenoid have been evaluated.     

THE REACTION OF SINGLET OXYGEN WITH PROTEINS, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CRYSTALLINS

Photosensitized oxidation of the eye lens proteins, the crystallins, is thought to lead to protein crosslinks and high molecular weight aggregates. Such protein modifications may be important factors in the formation of lens opacities or cataracts. We focus attention here on type 2 photo-oxidation involving the reaction of singlet oxygen (1O2) with crystallins and some "control" proteins. We find that: (1) trp residues are oxidized to N-formyl kynurenine and related products, but this in itself does not lead to the production of high molecular weight protein aggregates of the protein; (2) tyr residues react with 1O2 but we do not detect dihydroxyphenylalanine or bityrosine nor are protein crosslinks formed as a result; (3) oxidation of his residues appears necessary for high molecular weight protein covalent aggregates to form. Proteins devoid of his, e.g. melittin or bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, do not form high molecular weight products upon reaction with 1O2. Prior reaction and blocking of his inhibits the crosslinking reactions. (4) The oxidized protein is seen to be more acidic than the parent and has an altered tertiary structure. (5) Among the crystallins, reactivity towards 1O2 varies in the order gamma greater than beta greater than alpha and also gamma A/E greater than gamma D greater than gamma B crystallin.     

PHOTOOXIDATION AND SINGLET OXYGEN SENSITIZATION BY PROTOPORPHYRIN IX AND ITS PHOTOOXIDATION PRODUCTS

Protoporphyrin IX and its various ester derivatives have been previously shown to undergo self-sensitized photooxygenation to yield hydroxyaldehydes (photoprotoporphyrin) and mono- and diformyl deuteroporphyrin derivatives. In the present study the photoreactions of these products in the presence of oxygen have been investigated. All of the photooxidation products are themselves good sensitizers of singlet oxygen. In addition spin trapping experiments indicate these products can produce superoxide in low-to-moderate efficiency by an excited state electron transfer process. The photo-products themselves are somewhat more stable to photooxidation than protoporphyrin IX itself. The two monoformyl-monovinyl deuteroporphyrins have been found to undergo further photooxidation at the vinyl groups to yield primarily monoformyl hydroxyaldehydes in a reaction mainly involving singlet oxygen analogous to the initial reaction of protoporphyrin IX.     

IS SINGLET OXYGEN FORMATION DOMINANT IN TRIPLET QUENCHING PROCESSES? MEASUREMENT OF THE QUANTUM YIELD OF SINGLET OXYGEN FORMATION BY THE TIME-RESOLVED THERMAL LENS METHOD

The quantum yields of singlet oxygen formation (Ø_Δ) by the quenching of triplet states of organic sensitizers are measured at various concentrations of the sensitizers by using the time-resolved thermal lens method. Above a certain concentration, Ø_Δ is independent of the sensitizer concentration. Below the threshold, Ø_Δ gradually decreases as the concentration of the sensitizer decreases. The extrapolation of Ø_Δ to zero concentration indicates that singlet oxygen formation is not necessarily dominant in the quenching process even for the ³ππ* state in benzene.     

PHOTOSENSITIZED FORMATION OF SINGLET OXYGEN BY CHLOROPHYLL a IN NEUTRAL AQUEOUS MICELLAR SOLUTIONS WITH TRITON X-100

Abstract— Singlet oxygen (^lO₂) formed in the photolysis of neutral aqueous micellar (with Triton X-100) solution of chlorophyll a (dissolved inside the micelle) is detected in the aqueous phase by a test using imidazole in the presence of p -nitrosodimethylaniline. The quantum yield of ^lO₂ diffusing out of the micelle into the aqueous phase is also determined [θ(^lO₂) ⋍ 0.70–0.85].     

SINGLET OXYGEN GENERATION BY FUROCOUMARIN TRIPLET STATES—I. LINEAR FUROCOUMARINS (PSORALENS)

Abstract— Triplet extinction coefficients and hence singlet → triplet intersystem crossing quantum yields have been measured in benzene for a number of linear furocoumarins including pseudopsoralen, 5, 8-dimethoxypsoralen, 4, 5', 8-trimethylpsoralen and 3-carbethoxypseudopsoralen. These triplet yields were then used in conjunction with the corresponding quantum yields of singlet oxygen formation, measured in oxygenated solution, to estimate the fractions of furocoumarin triplets which when quenched by ground state oxygen produce singlet excited oxygen, similar data being obtained for psoralen, 5-methoxypsoralen, 8-methoxypsoralen and 3-carbethoxypsoralen. The superoxide anion radical was not detected from these oxygen quenching reactions, nor was a contribution to the singlet oxygen yield found from furocoumarin excited singlet state quenching by oxygen. The fraction of furocoumarin-oxygen quenching interactions leading to singlet oxygen varied between 0.13 (for 5, 8-dimethoxypsoralen) and unity (for 3-carbethoxypsoralen), and thus needs to be taken into account, as well as the triplet quantum yields, in assessing photobiological processes involving singlet oxygen.     

RELATION BETWEEN SOME PHOTOBIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF FUROCOUMARINS AND THEIR EXTENT OF SINGLET OXYGEN PRODUCTION

Abstract— The production of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) by a series of furocoumarins with different skin sensitizing abilities has been investigated with methods already proven to be suitable to establish the ability of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) to generate ¹O₂.
The following compounds: 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP), psoralen, 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) and 5,8–dimethoxypsoralen (5,8–DMOP), are able to generate ¹O₂ when irradiated with long–wave ultraviolet light. With the photobiologically inactive angelicin no ¹O₂ production has been found. The relative extent of ¹O₂ formation has been determined for the various furocoumarins and has been compared with literature data for the skin photosensitizing effect. The observed relation between experimental data on the one side and the literature data on the other side is discussed.     

PHOTOSENSITIZATION OF PYRIMIDINE DIMER SPLITTING BY A COVALENTLY BOUND INDOLE

Abstract— Photosensitized pyrimidine dimer splitting characterizes the enzymatic process of DNA repair by the DNA photolyases. Possible pathways for the enzymatic reaction include photoinduced electron transfer to or from the dimer. To study the mechanistic photochemistry of splitting by a sensitizer representative of excited state electron donors, a compound in which an indole is covalently linked to a pyrimidine dimer has been synthesized. This compound allowed the quantitative measurement of the quantum efficiency of dimer splitting to be made without uncertainties resulting from lack of extensive preassociation of the unlinked dimer and sensitizer free in solution. Irradiation of the compound with light at wavelengths absorbed only by the indolyl group (approximately 280 nm) resulted in splitting of the attached dimer. The quantum yield of splitting of the linked system dissolved in N₂0-saturated aqueous solution was found to be 0.04 ± 0.01. The fluorescence typical of indoles was almost totally quenched by the attached dimer. A splitting mechanism in which an electron is efficiently transferred intramolecularly from photoexcited indole to ground state dimer has been formulated. The surprisingly low quantum yield of splitting has been attributed to inefficient splitting of the resulting dimer radical anion. Insights gained from this study have important mechanistic implications for the analogous reaction effected by the DNA photolyases.     

QUENCHING OF SINGLET OXYGEN BY HUMAN PLASMA

Direct measurements of the decay of singlet oxygen phosphorescence at 1270 nm were made in human plasma diluted with various amounts of deuterium oxide. The Stern-Volmer plot of the singlet oxygen lifetimes was linear up to 15% plasma concentration (vol/vol). Extrapolation of these measurements to 100% plasma content gave a singlet oxygen lifetime of 1.04 +/- 0.03 microseconds in human plasma. Biological molecules accounted for 77% of the total singlet oxygen quenching while water accounted for 23% of the quenching. The contributions of various types of biological molecules to the total singlet oxygen quenching were calculated from their plasma concentrations and their quenching constants. Plasma proteins quenched most of the singlet oxygen. Uric acid also quenched a significant amount of singlet oxygen (12%). Tocopherols, carotenoids, ascorbic acid and bilirubin made only small contributions to the total singlet oxygen quenching (less than or equal to 4%).     

RATES OF REACTION OF SINGLET OXYGEN WITH SULFIDES

Abstract—Reaction rate constants for the reaction of singlet oxygen with a series of 24 sulfides in chloroform have been measured by inhibition of the self-sensitized photooxidation of rubrene. The reaction rate constant is sensitive to steric effects, decreasing as the carbons α- to sulfur become more highly substituted. Addition of a methyl group to each of the carbons α- to sulfur decreases the rate constant by about a factor of 10. From a series of p - and m -substituted thioanisoles, a ρ of -1.67 ± 0.09 was found. A much better correlation was found with σ than with σ⁺ indicating there is no resonance interaction with the reaction center. Typical rate constants are: di- n -butyl sulfide, 2.3 × 10⁷ M ^-1 s^-1; CBZ-L-methionine methyl ester, 1.4 × 10⁷; di-s-butyl sulfide, 1.8 × 10⁶; di- t -butyl sulfide, 1.3 × 10⁵; and thioanisole, 2.3 × 10⁶.     

REACTION OF RETINOL AND RETINAL WITH SINGLET OXYGEN

Abstract— The rate constants for the reactions of all- trans retinol and retinal with singlet oxygen were measured in a variety of solvents of different polarities. The rate constants increased with increasing solvent dielectric constant, which suggests that a charge transfer mechanism plays a part in the reaction. Further, the rate constant of reaction of singlet oxygen with retinal is greater than that with retinol. Since retinal has a lower ionization potential than retinol, these relative rates also support the hypothesis of charge transfer involvement in the reaction.     

NEAR-INFRARED DETECTION OF SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN PRODUCED BY PHOTOSENSITIZATION WITH PROMAZINE and CHLORPROMAZINE

A sensitive near-infrared detection system has been used to study the steady-state emission of ¹O₂ at 1268 nra produced by promazine (PZ) and chlorpromazine (CPZ) during photo-illumination. Singlet molecular oxygen could be detected in a variety of ordinary and perdeuterated organic solvents, but was not detectable in water or deuterium oxide. The emission was enhanced in the perdeuterated organic solvents and could be eliminated by rigorous degassing or by addition of the singlet oxygen scavenger 2,3-dimethylfuran. Singlet oxygen could not be detected in any of the solvents during irradiation of the sulfoxides of PZ and CPZ. We conclude that in biological systems ¹O₂ production is not a major pathway to phototoxicity for the sulfoxides, while for the parent phenothiazines the formation of ¹O₂ is much more likely to be important in nonpolar environments such as cell membranes than in the aqueous parts of the cell.     

A STANDARD SYSTEM TO DETERMINE THE QUANTUM YIELD OF SINGLET OXYGEN FORMATION IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract —The kinetic behavior of the ESR Signal II in spinach chloroplasts has been studied under steady-state illumination and under flash conditions. In controls Signal II exhibits biphasic decay following cessation of illumination—a moderately fast phase (t_1/2 10-60s) and a slow phase (t_1/2? 2–3 h). Addition of 3-(3, 4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea (DCMU), o-phenanthroline, NH₄Cl or gramicidin had no effect on the decay of Signal II; however, agents such as antimycin A, carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), NH₂OH or tris washing greatly accelerated the decay of Signal II. Flash photolysis-electron spin resonance experiments on Jensen-Bassham type chloroplasts reveal the presence of a previously unnoticed decay component in the g ? 2 region. This species is formed in less than 1 ms and exhibits a decay half life of ?6-10s. The spectral profile corresponds to the steady-state Signal II spectrum. This new transient is formed in approximately equimolar amounts to Signal I. The results are discussed in terms of two prevalent hypotheses—one which would place the Signal II component on the reducing side of PSII and another which would place the Signal II component on the oxidizing side.     

PHOTOOXIDATION OF 8-METHOXYPSORALEN WITH SINGLET OXYGEN*

Abstract— The in vitro photooxidation of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) with singlet oxygen is studied. Irradiation of 8-MOP(295–400 or320–400 nm) in the presence of oxygen for 72 h results in the formation of a product (1.4%) which is identified as 6-formyl-7-hydroxy-8-methoxycoumarin by aid of IR, NMR, MS and co-chromatography with an authentic sample. A study of this reaction in the presence of l,4-diazobicyclo(2,2,2)octane, a singlet oxygen scavenger, indicates the involvement of ¹O₂ in the formation of this compound. In addition to this, formation of a novel dimer of 8-MOP is reported.     

QUANTUM YIELD OF SINGLET OXYGEN PRODUCTION BY XANTHENE DERIVATIVES

The singlet oxygen quantum yield (φ₁o₂) of 11 purified fluorescein derivatives was determined by reaction with singlet oxygen acceptors in aqueous and ethanolic solutions; in both solvents φ₁o₂ was enhanced with increasing halogenation. Tryptophan and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidone were found to be unadapted for the determination of φ₁o₂, in our systems; however, the use of 9.10-dipropionic anthracene acid andp-nitrosodimethylaniline in conjunction with imidazole derivatives was suitable for ¹O₂ detection in water. Both methods lead to results in excellent agreement. As in ethanol. φ₁o₂, was equal to the triplet state quantum yield (φ_T), the comparison between the two solvents showed that φ_T in water was greater than in ethanol. The comparison between our values obtained with polychromatic light with published data obtained with monochromatic light suggests that the triplet quantum yield of fluorescein derivatives is wavelength independent.     

QUENCHING OF SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN BY PHTHALOCYANINES AND NAPHTHALOCYANINES

Using the direct measurement of the photosensitized luminescence of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) the rate constants (kq) have been determined for 1O2 quenching by the monomeric molecules of the following phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines in chloroform: tetra-(4-tert-butyl) phthalocyanine (I); octa-(3,6-butoxy) phthalocyanine (II), tetra-(6-tert-butyl)-2,3 naphthalocyanine (III), aluminium tetra-(1-tert-phenyl)-2,3 naphthalocyanine (IV), tri-(n-hexyl-siloxy) derivatives of silicon- (V), tin- (VI), aluminium- (VII) and gallium- (VIII) 2,3 naphthalocyanine. The following kq values were obtained (kq x 10(-8) M-1 s-1): 2.9 (I), 59 (II), 100 (III), 20 (IV), 3.9 (V), 53 (VI), 33 (VII), 110 (VIII). As most of the quenchers have the low-lying triplet levels, a contribution of the quenching mechanism based on the energy transfer from 1O2 to these levels has been analysed. A formula is proposed describing the relation between kq values caused by this mechanism, and photophysical constants of the quencher triplet state. This formula was applied to phthalocyanines, naphthalocyanines, beta-carotene and bacterochlorophyll a. The data suggest that the energy transfer can fully explain the activity of V and strongly contributes into the activities of II, III and VI-VIII. A charge transfer interaction might be an additional mechanism involved in 1O2 quenching by compounds studied. As some phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines are strong physical quenchers of singlet oxygen they can be used as efficient inhibitors for photodestructive processes in photochemical systems.