Synthesis and biological evaluation of anthranilamide-based non-peptide mimetics of ω-conotoxin GVIA

Non-peptide mimetics based on an anthranilamide ‘scaffold’ possessing fragments that mimic Lys2, Tyr13 and Arg17 in ω-conotoxin GVIA have been prepared. Compounds were assayed for binding to the voltage-gated calcium channels Ca_v2.2 (‘N-type’) and Ca_v2.1 (‘P/Q-type’) in rat brain. The primary synthetic target, 2-(6-amino-hexanoylamino)-5-(3-guanidino-propoxy)-N-[4-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)-phenyl]-benzamide (2a), exhibited low μM binding to Ca_v2.2 and was more than 30-fold selective for Ca_v2.2 over Ca_v2.1.     

Analgesic Buxus alkaloids with Enhanced Selectivity for the Low-Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel Cav3.2 over Cav3.1 through a New Binding Mode

Low-voltage-gated calcium channels (LVGCCs; Ca_v3.1-3.3) represent promising drug targets for epilepsy, pain, and essential tremor. At present, modulators with heightened selectivity for a subtype of LVGCCs are still highly desired. In this study we explored three classes of Buxus alkaloids and identified 9(10/19)abeo-artanes Buxusemine H and Buxusemine L (BXSL) as an unprecedented type of Ca_v3.2 inhibitors. Particularly, BXSL exhibited Ca_v3.2 inhibition comparable to Z944, a non-subtype-selective LVGCCs inhibitor under clinical trial. While lacking specificity for Ca_v3.3, BXSL showed a 30-fold selectivity of Ca_v3.2 over Ca_v3.1. As compared to several well-known inhibitors, the experimental and computational studies suggested BXSL exhibits a distinct binding mode to Ca_v3.2, notably through the essential interaction with serine-1543 in domain III. Furthermore, BXSL showed minimal impact on various recombinant and native nociceptive ion channels, while significantly reducing the excitability of isolated mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons. Animal studies in wild-type and Ca_v3.2 knock-out mice revealed that BXSL (5 mg/kg), by inhibiting Ca_v3.2, exhibits an analgesic effect equivalent to Z944 (10 mg/kg) or mibefradil (10 mg/kg). Moreover, we proposed a structural rationale for the high selectivity of 9(10/19)abeo-artane-type alkaloids towards Ca_v3.2 over Ca_v3.1. This study introduces a novel analgesic agent and valuable molecular insight for structure-based innovative Ca_v3.2 drug development.     

Interaction of trialkyltin(IV) chlorides with sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase

The interaction of the organotin compounds trimethyltin(IV) and tributyltin(IV) chlorides with the calcium pump from sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes was studied. It was found that the presence of calcium fully protects against the inhibitory effect of both organotin compounds. However, the apparent affinity of the protein for tributyltin chloride is two orders of magnitude higher than for trimethyltin chloride (K_0.5 values of 14 µ m and 1.4 m m , respectively). Studies of intrinsic fluorescence of the Ca²⁺‐ATPase and enzyme phosphorylation by ATP and Pi support the hypothesis that the inhibitory properties of trialkyltin compounds are due to the inhibition of calcium binding to the high‐affinity binding sites of the Ca²⁺‐ATPase. This suggests that there is a specific interaction between the trialkyltin compounds and the calcium binding sites of the protein. The effect of trialkyltin compounds on Ca²⁺‐ATPase was also addressed by differential scanning calorimetry to assess the thermal transition of the protein denaturation, and by infrared spectroscopy in the absorption region corresponding to the amide I band (1600–1700 cm^?1) to observe changes in the secondary structure of the protein. We conclude that the interaction of trialkyltin compounds with Ca²⁺‐ATPase reduces the affinity and cooperativity for calcium binding and, consequently, the inhibition of ATPase activity. These events are accompanied by changes in the secondary structure of the protein, including loss of α‐helix structure and a concomitant increase in protein aggregation or unfolding. The activity of trialkyltin compounds on the Ca²⁺‐ATPase is discussed in relation to their solubility in water and in the lipid phase. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lead interferes with calcium entry through membrane pores

Calcium is an important intracellular messenger in all cells, represented here by nerve cells and osteoblast-like (OBL) cells. In neurons the intracellular calcium signal is related, e.g., to bioelectric phenomena. In OBL cells the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) plays a role in the intercellular communication via gap junction channels. [Ca²⁺]_i might be affected by lead (Pb²⁺). In the nervous system even low Pb²⁺ concentrations impair learning and memory functions. Considering long-term potentiation (LTP) as a model for learning and memory it has been proven that the generation and maintenance of LTP is reduced by Pb²⁺ (1–10 μM). As the induction of LTP depends on a rise of [Ca²⁺]_i, we examined the effects of Pb²⁺ on [Ca²⁺]_i and on currents through calcium permeable membrane pores in dorsal-root ganglion (DRG) neurons, using calcium measurements (Fura-2/ AM) and whole cell patch clamp techniques. To study the effects of Pb²⁺ on intercellular communication via gap junctions we used rat OBL cells investigating interactions of Pb²⁺ with electric cell coupling. Furthermore, we examined calcium release activated channel currents (CRACCs) of these cells. Lead (1–10 μM) reduced the stimulated increase of [Ca²⁺]_i in a concentration dependent manner, by reducing both voltage-activated calcium channels (VACCs) and N-methyl-D-aspartate activated calcium channels (NACCs) in neurons. Voltage-activated calcium channel currents (VACCCs) were reduced by Pb²⁺ with an IC₅₀ of 0.46 μM. The effect was quite specific as voltage activated sodium and potassium channel currents were not significantly altered in the same concentration and voltage range. Furthermore, this effect was not voltage dependent and only partly reversible. A 100-fold higher concentration of Pb²⁺ (IC₅₀ of 46 μM) was found for the reduction of NACC currents. A small portion of this effect was not reversible. Other agonist activated channel currents (kainate and quisqualate) are not affected. In OBL cells, the calcium entry through calcium release activated channels (CRACs) was reduced in a concentration dependent manner by extracellular Pb²⁺, the concentrations were between 2 and 20 μM. Surprisingly the electric coupling through gap junction channels in OBL cells was not reduced by either extracellular or intracellular Pb²⁺ (5–25 μM). Received: 1 August 1997 / Revised: 24 October 1997 / Accepted: 30 October 1997     

A new caged Ca2+, azid-1, is far more photosensitive than nitrobenzyl-based chelators

Background: Photolabile chelators that release Ca²⁺ upon illumination have been used extensively to dissect the role of this important second messenger in cellular processes such as muscle contraction and synaptic transmission. The caged calcium chelators that are presently available are often limited by their inadequate changes in Ca²⁺ affinity, selectivity for Ca²⁺ over Mg²⁺ and sensitivity to light. As these chelators are all based on nitrobenzyl photochemistry, we explored the use of other photosensitive moieties to generate a new caged calcium with improved properties.Results: Azid-1 is a novel caged calcium in which a fluorescent Ca²⁺ indicator, fura-2, has been modified with an azide substituent on the benzofuran 3-position. Azid-1 binds Ca²⁺ with a dissociation constant (K_d) of ∼230 nM, which changes to 120 μM after photolysis with ultraviolet light (330–380 nm). Mg²⁺ binding is weak (8–9 mM K_d) before or after photolysis. Azid-1 photolyzes with unit quantum efficiency, making it 40–170-fold more sensitive to light than caged calciums used previously. The photolysis of azid-1 probably releases N₂ to form a nitrenium ion that adds water to yield an amidoxime cation; the electron-with-drawing ability of the amidoxime cation reduces the chelator's Ca²⁺ affinity within at most 2 ms following a light flash. The ability of azid-1 to function as a caged calcium in living cells was demonstrated in cerebellar Purkinje cells, in which Ca²⁺ photolytically released from azid-1 could replace the normal depolarization-induced Ca²⁺ transient in triggering synaptic plasticity.Conclusions: Azid-1 promises to be a useful tool for generating highly controlled spatial and temporal increases of Ca²⁺ in studies of the many Ca²⁺-dependent biological processes. Unlike other caged calciums, azid-1 has a substantial cross section or shows a high susceptibility for two-photon photolysis, the only technique that confines the photochemistry to a focal spot that is localized in three dimensions. Azide photolysis could be a useful and more photosensitive alternative to nitrobenzyl photochemistry.     

Comparison of Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding to calmodulin. An enthalpy,entropy, and gibbs free energy analysis

A consistent set of G _B , H _B , and S _B parameters have been determined from ion specific electrode, calorimetric, and spectrophotometric studies for the binding of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ to bovine calmodulin at pH=7.0 and an ionic strength I of 0.113M. A non-linear least squares analysis of calcium specific ion electrode data yields, on a molar basis, four calcium dissociation constants: 10^–7 for the first site, 10^–5 for the fourth site, and two constants between these values. Both calorimetric experiments and an indicator method provide evidence that Mg²⁺ binds to calmodulin, probably at the same sites as Ca²⁺, but with affinities about 100 times smaller: 4×10^–5 for the first site and 2×10^–3 for the fourth. Calorimetric titrations on Ca²⁺ binding to calmodulin in three buffers are consistent with 0.46 protons released upon binding at all four sites and yield an average H _B per site of 5.6 and 7.9 kJ-mol^–1 for Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, respectively. The entropy of the system increases by 524 and 361 J-K^–1-mol^–1 when Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, respectively, bind to four sites on calmodulin, i.e., the selectivity of calmodulin for Ca²⁺ is primarily derived from entropy effects. Further analysis based on elimination of the entropy term for the metal ions demonstrates that calmodulin bound to Ca²⁺ has a larger entropy than the unbound calmodulin; the opposite is true for calmodulin bound to Mg²⁺. These analyses are consistent with the hypothesis that Ca²⁺ forms tight complexes at all sites on calmodulin and that release of waters of hydration upon binding is the source of the increase of entropy in the system.     

A confocal study of mechanism of 5-hydroxytryptamino induced intracellular calcium dynamics in cultured rat stomach fundus smooth muscle cells with a new Ca2+ indicator STDln-AM

A new fluorescent Ca²⁺ indicator STDln-AM for detecting [Ca²⁺], transients in cultured smooth muscle cells is presented. By making a comparison, the difference between STDln and fluo-3 is discussed in detail. Using the new Ca²⁺ indicator, the mechanism of 5-hydroxytryptamino (5-HT) induced intracellular calcium dynamics in stomach fundus smooth muscle cells (SFSMC) of rats is investigated. It is shown that in contrast with fluo-3, STDln is uniformly distributed in the cytosolic compartment but excluded from the nucleus, when it is transfected into cells. This feature makes it a real cytosol Ca²⁺ indicator and can reflect changes of cytosol [Ca²⁺] more accurately than that of fluo-3. In addition, STDln responds to the [Ca²⁺], transients more sensitive and faster than fluo-3. The results also show that, the L-type Ca²⁺ channel inhibitor Mn9202 and the PLC inhibitor Compound 48/80 can significantly inhibit the [Ca²⁺], elevation induced by 5-HT, while the PKC inhibitor D-Sphingosine can enhance the effect of 5-HT. The results suggest that 5-HT acts by the way of 5-HT₂ receptors on SFSMC, then through 5-HT₂ receptors coupled IP₃/Ca²⁺ and GC/PKC double signal transduction pathways to make Ca²⁺ release from intracellular Ca²⁺ stores and Ca²⁺ influx possibly through L-type calcium channels.     

Surface properties of catalytic aluminas modified by alkaline-earth metal cations: A microcalorimetric and IR-spectroscopic study

Lewis acidic properties of transition aluminas whose surfaces have been doped with alkaline-earth metal cations (Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺) were studied by means of the room temperature adsorption of carbon monoxide. The vibrational features of CO adsorbed at the surface of doped aluminas were investigated by IR spectroscopy in comparison with pure parent aluminas, while the quantitative and energetic features were studied by adsorption microcalorimetry. Various CO adspecies were found to form at the surface of both pure and doped-alumina, owing to the structural heterogeneity of the Al₂O₃ surface and to the presence of alkaline-earth metal cations. The surface heterogeneity was revealed by different v_co stretching frequencies, namely v_co≈2230, 2218 and 2205 cm⁻¹ for coordinatively unsaturated tetrahedral Al³⁺ cations in different crystallographic configurations, and v_co≈2186 and 2172 cm⁻¹ for coordinatively unsaturated Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺ cations, respectively. Heats of adsorption of ≈80, 70 and 55 kJ/mol were assigned to the formation of Al³⁺/CO complexes, ≈45 kJ/mol for Ca²⁺/CO and ≈30 kJ/mol for Ba²⁺/CO complexes. The latter value was estimated through a correlation curve existing between v_co stretching frequencies and adsorption enthalpies. This correlation, already proposed in the past for CO adsorbed on non-d/d⁰/d¹⁰ metal cations, has been revisited and confirmed here, by including Al₂O₃ data for which an apparent lack of correlation between the two parameters was first observed. With respect to pure alumina, the population of Lewis acidic sites was found to be significantly depressed by the presence of alkaline-earth cus metal cations. These acidic sites are intrinsically weaker than tetrahedral cus Al³⁺ cations, as witnessed by smaller upward shifts of the v_co stretching frequencies with respect to CO gas and lower heats of adsorption, in accordance with expectations from the charge/ionic radius ratios. Ca²⁺ cations were found to compete in adsorbing CO with Al³⁺ cations more efficiently than the larger Ba²⁺ cations. In the case of CaO/Al₂O₃ systems outgassed at 1023 K, a thin surface layer of calcium aluminate, not detected by XRD or HRTEM, was suggested to form.     

Determination of calcium binding sites in gas-phase small peptides by tandem mass spectrometry

Low-energy (LE) and high-energy (HE) collisionally activated decompositions (CAD) of calcium/peptide complexes of the form [M-H+Ca]⁺ and [M+Ca]²⁺ reflect the site of calcium binding in various gas-phase peptides that are models of the calcium binding site III of rabbit skeletal troponin C. The Ca²⁺ binding sites involve an aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and asparagine, which are in the metal-binding loops of calcium-binding proteins. Both fast atom bombardment (FAB) and electrospray ionization (ESI) were used to generate the metal/peptide complexes. When submitted to LE CAD, ESI-produced Ca²⁺/peptide complexes undergo fragmentations that are controlled by Ca²⁺ binding and provide information on the Ca²⁺ binding site. The LE CAD spectra are simple, indicating that Ca²⁺ binding involves specific oxygen ligands including acidic side chains and that only a few low-energy fragmentation channels exist. The HE CAD spectra of FAB-produced Ca²⁺/peptide complexes are more complex, owing to the introduction of high internal energy into the precursor ion. Interactions of the other alkaline-earth metal ions Mg²⁺ and Ba²⁺ with these peptides reveal that the ligand preferences of these metal ions are slightly different than those of Ca²⁺.     

HPLC micro-fractionation coupled to a cell-based assay for automated on-line primary screening of calcium antagonistic components in plant extracts

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) micro-fractionation was successfully coupled to an automated ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake assay using GH₄C₁ cells for the separation of natural product extracts and for the primary detection of their calcium antagonistic components. The reliability of the procedure was first established with a reference solution consisting of pure compounds with a known effect on the Ca²⁺ uptake. No loss of activity was observed to occur after HPLC micro-fractionation. Extracts of Peucedanum palustre and Pinus sylvestris, showing high and no inhibition of Ca²⁺ uptake as total extracts, respectively, were analysed and the inhibitory activity of the P. palustre extract could be traced to two components, identified as columbianadin and isoimperatorin. As expected, no significant inhibition was observed with the micro-fractionated P. sylvestris samples. In summary, the procedure was found to be applicable for primary detection of calcium antagonistic components in complex matrices and to significantly reduce the time previously needed for bioactivity-guided isolation.     

Darstellung und Kristallstruktur eines Calciumcarbidchlorides mit einer C34−-Einheit,Ca3Cl2C3

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Calciumcarbide Chloride Containing a C₃^4? Unit, Ca₃Cl₂C₃ Ca₃Cl₂C₃ was prepared from calcium, CaCl₂ and graphite in sealed tantalum capsules. Red, transparent crystals were obtained from heating the mixture to 900°C (for one day) and annealing afterwards at 780°C for three days. The compound forms a layered structure (Cmcm, Z = 4, a = 384.24(9) pm, b = 1340.7(3) pm, c = 1152.6(3) pm, R = R_W = 0.036 for 481 independent intensities) with alternating stacks of double layers of Ca²⁺ and monolayers of Cl^?. The double layers of calcium contain allylenide ions, C₃^4?. The latter exhibit C_2v symmetry, a bond angle (C? C? C) of 169.0(6)° and a C? C separation of 134.6(4) pm.     

A confocal study of mechanism of 5-hydroxytryptamino induced intracellular calcium dynamics in cultured rat stomach fundus smooth muscle cells with a new Ca2+ indicator STDln-AM

A new fluorescent Ca²⁺ indicator STDln-AM for detecting [Ca²⁺], transients in cultured smooth muscle cells is presented. By making a comparison, the difference between STDln and fluo-3 is discussed in detail. Using the new Ca²⁺ indicator, the mechanism of 5-hydroxytryptamino (5-HT) induced intracellular calcium dynamics in stomach fundus smooth muscle cells (SFSMC) of rats is investigated. It is shown that in contrast with fluo-3, STDln is uniformly distributed in the cytosolic compartment but excluded from the nucleus, when it is transfected into cells. This feature makes it a real cytosol Ca²⁺ indicator and can reflect changes of cytosol [Ca²⁺] more accurately than that of fluo-3. In addition, STDln responds to the [Ca²⁺], transients more sensitive and faster than fluo-3. The results also show that, the L-type Ca²⁺ channel inhibitor Mn9202 and the PLC inhibitor Compound 48/80 can significantly inhibit the [Ca²⁺], elevation induced by 5-HT, while the PKC inhibitor D-Sphingosine can enhance the effect of 5-HT. The results suggest that 5-HT acts by the way of 5-HT₂ receptors on SFSMC, then through 5-HT₂ receptors coupled IP₃/Ca²⁺ and GC/PKC double signal transduction pathways to make Ca²⁺ release from intracellular Ca²⁺ stores and Ca²⁺ influx possibly through L-type calcium channels.     

Characterization of the 1st and 2nd EF-hands of NADPH oxidase 5 by fluorescence, isothermal titration calorimetry, and circular dichroism

Background

Superoxide generated by non-phagocytic NADPH oxidases (NOXs) is of growing importance for physiology and pathobiology. The calcium binding domain (CaBD) of NOX5 contains four EF-hands, each binding one calcium ion. To better understand the metal binding properties of the 1^st and 2^nd EF-hands, we characterized the N-terminal half of CaBD (NCaBD) and its calcium-binding knockout mutants.

Results

The isothermal titration calorimetry measurement for NCaBD reveals that the calcium binding of two EF-hands are loosely associated with each other and can be treated as independent binding events. However, the Ca²⁺ binding studies on NCaBD(E31Q) and NCaBD(E63Q) showed their binding constants to be 6.5 × 10⁵ and 5.0 × 10² M^-1 with ??Hs of -14 and -4 kJ/mol, respectively, suggesting that intrinsic calcium binding for the 1^st non-canonical EF-hand is largely enhanced by the binding of Ca²⁺ to the 2^nd canonical EF-hand. The fluorescence quenching and CD spectra support a conformational change upon Ca²⁺ binding, which changes Trp residues toward a more non-polar and exposed environment and also increases its ??-helix secondary structure content. All measurements exclude Mg²⁺-binding in NCaBD.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that the 1^st non-canonical EF-hand of NOX5 has very weak Ca²⁺ binding affinity compared with the 2^nd canonical EF-hand. Both EF-hands interact with each other in a cooperative manner to enhance their Ca²⁺ binding affinity. Our characterization reveals that the two EF-hands in the N-terminal NOX5 are Ca²⁺ specific.

Graphical abstract

     

Identification of the Large-Conductance Ca2+-Regulated Potassium Channel in Mitochondria of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Mitochondria play a key role in energy metabolism within the cell. Potassium channels such as ATP-sensitive, voltage-gated or large-conductance Ca²⁺-regulated channels have been described in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Several hypotheses have been proposed to describe the important roles of mitochondrial potassium channels in cell survival and death pathways. In the current study, we identified two populations of mitochondrial large-conductance Ca²⁺-regulated potassium (mitoBK_Ca) channels in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. The biophysical properties of the channels were characterized using the patch-clamp technique. We observed the activity of the channel with a mean conductance close to 285 pS in symmetric 150/150 mM KCl solution. Channel activity was increased upon application of the potassium channel opener NS11021 in the micromolar concentration range. The channel activity was completely inhibited by 1 µM paxilline and 300 nM iberiotoxin, selective inhibitors of the BK_Ca channels. Based on calcium and iberiotoxin modulation, we suggest that the C-terminus of the protein is localized to the mitochondrial matrix. Additionally, using RT-PCR, we confirmed the presence of α pore-forming (Slo1) and auxiliary β3-β4 subunits of BK_Ca channel in HBE cells. Western blot analysis of cellular fractions confirmed the mitochondrial localization of α pore-forming and predominately β3 subunits. Additionally, the regulation of oxygen consumption and membrane potential of human bronchial epithelial mitochondria in the presence of the potassium channel opener NS11021 and inhibitor paxilline were also studied. In summary, for the first time, the electrophysiological and functional properties of the mitoBK_Ca channel in a bronchial epithelial cell line were described.     

枸橼酸盐抑制泌尿系结石形成的化学基础

本文综述了防石药物枸橼酸及其盐对泌尿系结石形成、抑制和治疗的化学基础，重点讨论了其与钙离子的配位、封闭尿石矿物生长活性位点、抑制草酸钙的成核和生长、增加尿液中尿大分子和枸橼酸浓度、改变尿液pH以及诱导二水草酸钙和三水草酸钙形成，并讨论了抗衡阳离子对枸橼酸盐抑制能力的影响。     

羧酸聚合物对磷酸钙的阻垢作用和机理

采用静态阻垢法评定了膦酰基羧酸聚合物(POCA)、聚丙烯酸(PAA)、丙烯酸-丙烯酸羟丙酯共聚物(T-225)、水解聚马来酸酐(HPMA)等四种羧酸类聚合物阻垢剂对磷酸钙的阻垢性能, 发现在加药量为25 mg/L时几种聚合物对磷酸钙垢的阻垢率分别为100%, 94.6%, 36.2%和30.2%. 采用分子动力学(MD)方法, 模拟计算了四种聚合物与磷酸钙晶体的(110)晶面的相互作用结合能、非键作用能等参数. 结果表明: 聚羧酸与(110)晶面结合能以及非键作用能的大小排序为POCA＞T-225＞HPMA＞PAA, 结合能以及非键作用能越大, 说明聚合物与垢晶体的结合越紧密, 抑制性能越好; 因此它们对磷酸钙阻垢能力大小排序为POCA＞T-225＞HPMA＞PAA. 该理论计算与实验室静态阻垢评定结论一致. 通过对超分子对关联函数的分析, 发现POCA和T-225聚合物中羰基O原子与晶面上Ca^2＋之间形成了较弱的离子键, 但强度远比非键作用小, 非键作用主要由库仑作用和范德华作用力提供, 且库仑作用的贡献更大. 据此合成了马来酸酐-苯乙烯磺酸钠-丙烯酸羟丙酯(MA-SS-HPA)以及苯乙烯磺酸钠-丙烯酸羟丙酯-亚磷酸(MA-SS-H₃PO₃)共聚物, 加药量为18 mg/L时对磷酸钙垢的阻垢率分别为94.2%和100%, 性能优于POCA.     

Cation and anion ordering in the layered oxyfluorides Sr3−xAxAlO4F (A=Ba, Ca)

The synthesis and structural characterization of mixed oxyfluorides of the type Sr_3−xA_xAlO₄F is reported, where A is either calcium or barium. In these compounds the fluoride and oxide ions are ordered onto two distinct crystallographic sites. There is also an ordering of the alkaline earth cations over two crystallographic sites upon substitution of Ba²⁺ or Ca²⁺ for Sr²⁺. The solid solubility limits extend to x∼1 for substitution of both barium and calcium, but the larger Ba²⁺ cations show a strong site preference for the ten-coordinate strontium sites, while the smaller Ca²⁺ cations prefer the eight-coordinate strontium sites.     

Characterizing Enzyme Cooperativity with Imaging SAMDI-MS

This paper describes a method that combines a microfluidic device and self-assembled monolayers for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SAMDI) mass spectrometry to calculate the cooperativity in binding of calcium ions to peptidylarginine deiminase type 2 (PAD2). This example uses only 120 μL of enzyme solution and three fluidic inputs. This microfluidic device incorporates a self-assembled monolayer that is functionalized with a peptide substrate for PAD2. The enzyme and different concentrations of calcium ions are flowed through each of eight channels, where the position along the channel corresponds to reaction time and position across the channel corresponds to the concentration of Ca²⁺. Imaging SAMDI (iSAMDI) is then used to determine the yield for the enzyme reaction at each 200 μm pixel on the monolayer, providing a time course for the reactions. Analysis of the peptide conversion as a function of position and time gives the degree of cooperativity (n) and the concentration of ligand required for half maximal activity (K_0.5) for the Ca²⁺ – dependent activation of PAD2. This work establishes a high-throughput and label-free method for studying enzyme-ligand binding interactions and widens the applicability of microfluidics and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry.     

Synthesis of Small‐Molecule Fluorescent Probes for the In Vitro Imaging of Calcium‐Activated Potassium Channel KCa3.1

Small‐molecule probes for the in vitro imaging of K_Ca3.1 channel‐expressing cells were developed. Senicapoc, showing high affinity and selectivity for the K_Ca3.1 channels, was chosen as the targeting component. BODIPY dyes 15 – 20 were synthesized and connected by a Cu^I‐catalyzed azide–alkyne [3+2]cycloaddition with propargyl ether senicapoc derivative 8 , yielding fluorescently labeled ligands 21 – 26 . The dimethylpyrrole‐based imaging probes 25 and 26 allow staining of K_Ca3.1 channels in NSCLC cells. The specificity was shown by removing the punctate staining pattern by pre‐incubation with senicapoc. The density of K_Ca3.1 channels detected with 25 and by immunostaining was identical. The punctate structure of the labeled channels could also be observed in living cells. Molecular modeling showed binding of the senicapoc‐targeting component towards the binding site within the ion channel and orientation of the linker with the dye along the inner surface of the ion channel.     

Synthesis of Small-Molecule Fluorescent Probes for the In Vitro Imaging of Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel KCa3.1

Small-molecule probes for the in vitro imaging of K_Ca3.1 channel-expressing cells were developed. Senicapoc, showing high affinity and selectivity for the K_Ca3.1 channels, was chosen as the targeting component. BODIPY dyes 15 – 20 were synthesized and connected by a Cu^I-catalyzed azide–alkyne [3+2]cycloaddition with propargyl ether senicapoc derivative 8 , yielding fluorescently labeled ligands 21 – 26 . The dimethylpyrrole-based imaging probes 25 and 26 allow staining of K_Ca3.1 channels in NSCLC cells. The specificity was shown by removing the punctate staining pattern by pre-incubation with senicapoc. The density of K_Ca3.1 channels detected with 25 and by immunostaining was identical. The punctate structure of the labeled channels could also be observed in living cells. Molecular modeling showed binding of the senicapoc-targeting component towards the binding site within the ion channel and orientation of the linker with the dye along the inner surface of the ion channel.