Spectroscopic selection of distance measurements in a protein dimer with mixed nitroxide and Gd3+ spin labels

The pulse DEER (Double Electron-Electron Resonance) technique is frequently applied for measuring nanometer distances between specific sites in biological macromolecules. In this work we extend the applicability of this method to high field distance measurements in a protein assembly with mixed spin labels, i.e. a nitroxide spin label and a Gd(3+) tag. We demonstrate the possibility of spectroscopic selection of distance distributions between two nitroxide spin labels, a nitroxide spin label and a Gd(3+) ion, and two Gd(3+) ions. Gd(3+)-nitroxide DEER measurements possess high potential for W-band long range distance measurements (6 nm) by combining high sensitivity with ease of data analysis, subject to some instrumental improvements.     

Explicit treatment of spin labels in modeling of distance constraints from dipolar EPR and DEER

Current SDSL-EPR methods allow measurement of dipolar distances in the 8-70 A range; however, the use of extrinsic probes complicates the interpretation of these distances in modeling macromolecular structure and conformational changes. The data presented here show that interprobe distances correlate only weakly with Cbeta-Cbeta distances, especially for distances that are on the order of the spin label tether lengths. Explicitly incorporating the spin label into the modeling process increases the experiment/model correlation 4-fold and reduces the distance error from 6 A to 3 A.     

Distance measurements in Au nanoparticles functionalized with nitroxide radicals and Gd(3+)-DTPA chelate complexes

Nanosized gold particles were functionalised with two types of paramagnetic surface tags, one having a nitroxide radical and the other one carrying a DTPA complex loaded with Gd(3+). Selective measurements of nitroxide-nitroxide, Gd(3+)-nitroxide and Gd(3+)-Gd(3+) distances were performed on this system and information on the distance distribution in the three types of spin pairs was obtained. A numerical analysis of the dipolar frequency distributions is presented for Gd(3+) centres with moderate magnitudes of zero-field splitting, in the range of detection frequencies and resonance fields where the high-field approximation is only roughly valid. The dipolar frequency analysis confirms the applicability of DEER for distance measurements in such complexes and gives an estimate for the magnitudes of possible systematic errors due to the non-ideality of the measurement of the dipole-dipole interaction.     

Upconversion emission enhancement of Gd3+ ions induced by surface plasmon field in Au@NaYF4 nanostructures codoped with Gd(3+)-Yb(3+)-Tm(3+) ions

Au nanoparticles (NPs) attached β-NaYF(4) nanocrystals codoped with Gd(3+)-Yb(3+)-Tm(3+) were synthesized by a facial solution method. The UV-vis-near-infrared absorption spectrum shows typical surface plasmon resonance band of Au NPs in addition to the characteristic absorption peaks of Yb(3+) ion. X-ray diffraction and selected area electron diffraction results indicate the existence of Au NPs. The transmission electron microscopic image reveals the formation of Au@NaYF(4) nanostructures. Enhanced ultraviolet (UV) upconversion luminescence (UCL) was observed in the nanostructures under the excitation of 980-nm infrared laser. The largest enhancement factor was obtained as 76 for the (6)I(J)→(8)S(7/2) emission of Gd(3+) ions, which was much larger than those emission enhancement factors of Tm(3+). It is for the first time to our knowledge that the emission enhancement of Gd(3+) ions was obtained. Local field enhancement induced by Au NPs was found to be responsible for the UCL enhancement, which is the further experimental evidence of local field enhancement theory. Magnetic measurements of the Au@NaYF(4) nanostructure indicated it would have potential application in magnetic resonance imaging.     

Titanium(4+) and zirconium(4+) dichloride complexes with pyridinedicarboxylic acid derivatives as ethylene polymerization catalysts

Titanium(4+) and zirconium(4+) complexes with pyridinedicarboxylic acid derivatives have been synthesized. The composition and structure of the synthesized 2,6-bis(diphenylhydroxymethyl)pyridine complexes have been corroborated by NMR and IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The complexes activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) are catalytically active in ethylene polymerization, Depending on the Ti/Al_MAO ratio, the catalytic activity of the complexes varies between 90 and 420 kg PE/mol Ti h atm.     

Preparation of Gd(2)O(3) : Eu(3+) and Gd(2)O(2)S : Eu(3+) phosphor fine particles using an emulsion liquid membrane system

Size- (submicrometer-sized) and morphology- (spherical) controlled composite Gd-Eu oxalate particles were prepared in an emulsion liquid membrane (water-in-oil-in-water emulsion) system. The oxalate particles thus prepared were calcined in air to obtain Gd(2)O(3) : Eu(3+) phosphor particles and in sulfur atmosphere to obtain Gd(2)O(2)S : Eu(3+) phosphor particles. These submicrometer-sized spherical phosphor particles showed photoluminescence properties with emission peak at 614 nm for Gd(2)O(3) : Eu(3+) and 628 nm for Gd(2)O(2)S : Eu(3+).     

Europium(III) and terbium(III) chelates of quinolonecarboxylic acid derivatives as labels for immunofluorimetric assay

Luminescence properties of Tb(III) and Eu(III) complexes of quinolonecarboxylic acid derivatives were studied. Optimal conditions of luminescence were determined, and the influence of surfactants and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid on the luminescence properties of the complexes was studied. It was demonstrated that species-specific immunoglobulins labeled with terbium ions can be determined with the detection limit of the lanthanide label 5 x 10^-14 M.     

Synthesis and fluorescence properties of rare earth (Eu3+ and Gd3+) complexes with alpha-naphthylacetic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline

Rare earth binary complex Eu(NNA)3 (NNA, alpha-naphthylacetic acid), ternary complex Eu(NNA)3.phen (phen, 1,10-phenanthroline) and a series of dinuclear complexes with different mole ratios of Eu3+ to Gd3+ were synthesized. Many advanced approaches, such as element analysis, FTIR spectra, TG and DTA analysis, were used to determine the composition and structure of binary and ternary complex. Moreover, their fluorescence properties were studied by fluorescent spectra and lifetimes. The fluorescence spectra and decay curves of dinuclear complexes indicated that the fluorescence emission intensity was enhanced and the fluorescence lifetime was prolonged by Gd3+. The dinuclear complexes show the best properties when the mole ratio of Eu3+ to Gd3+ is 6:4. A new parameter Y, which was used to evaluate the effect of Gd3+, was introduced. In addition, the relationship of Y value and mole fraction of Gd3+ was analyzed by mathematical software. The results showed that Y value decreased by single exponential mode when the content of Gd3+ decreased.     

Kojic acid derivatives as histamine H(3) receptor ligands

The histamine H(3) receptor (H(3)R) is a promising target in the development of new compounds for the treatment of mainly centrally occurring diseases. However, emerging novel therapeutic concepts have been introduced and some indications in the H(3)R field, e.g. migraine, pain or allergic rhinitis, might take advantage of peripherally acting ligands. In this work, kojic acid-derived structural elements were inserted into a well established H(3)R antagonist/inverse agonist scaffold to investigate the bioisosteric potential of γ-pyranones with respect to the different moieties of the H(3)R pharmacophore. The most affine compounds showed receptor binding in the low nanomolar concentration range. Evaluation and comparison of kojic acid-containing ligands and their corresponding phenyl analogues (3-7) revealed that the newly integrated scaffold greatly influences chemical properties (S Log P, topological polar surface area (tPSA)) and hence, potentially modifies the pharmacokinetic profile of the different derivatives. Benzyl-1-(4-(3-(piperidin-1-yl)propoxy)phenyl)methanamine ligands 3 and 4 belong to the centrally acting diamine-based class of H(3)R antagonist/inverse agonist, whereas kojic acid analogues 6 and 7 might act peripherally. The latter compounds state promising lead structures in the development of H(3)R ligands with a modified profile of action.     

EPR g factors of trigonal Dy(3+) center in ThO(2) crystal

The perturbation formulas of EPR g factors g(parallel) and g( perpendicular ) for the lowest Kramers doublet of 6H(15/2) of a 4f(9) ion in trigonal symmetry are established in this paper. In these formulas, besides the contribution due to the interaction within the lowest 6H(15/2) manifolds considered in the previous papers, the contributions due to the J-mixing among the 6H(15/2), 6H(13/2) (first excited state) and 6H(11/2) (second excited state) via crystal-field interaction, the admixtures among the states with the same J value via spin-orbit coupling interaction and those between the lowest Kramers doublet Gammagamma and other Kramers doublets Gamma(X) within the states 6H(J) (J=15/2,13/2,11/2) via crystal-field and orbital angular momentum interactions are included. From these formulas, the g factors g(parallel) and g( perpendicular ) for the trigonal Dy(3+) center in ThO(2) crystal are calculated. The results are discussed.     

Analysis of the Raman spectra of Ca(2+)-dipicolinic acid alone and in the bacterial spore core in both aqueous and dehydrated environments

The core of dormant bacterial spores suspended in water contains a large depot of dipicolinic acid (DPA) chelated with divalent cations, predominantly Ca(2+) (CaDPA), and surrounded by water molecules. Since the intensities of the vibration bands of CaDPA molecules depend significantly on the water content in the CaDPA's environment, the Raman spectra of CaDPA in spores may allow the determination of the spore core's hydration state. We have measured Raman spectra of single spores of three Bacillus species in different hydration states including the spores suspended in water, air-dried and vacuum-dried. As a comparison, we also measured the Raman spectra of CaDPA and DPA in different forms including in aqueous solution, and as amorphous powder and crystalline form. We also monitored changes in Raman spectra of an individual spore during dehydration under vacuum. The results indicated that (1) the state of CaDPA in the core of a spore suspended in water is close to an amorphous solid or a glassy state, but still mixed with water molecules; (2) the ratio of intensities of Raman bands at 1575 and 1017 cm(-1) (I(1575)/I(1017)) is sensitive to the water content in the CaDPA's environment; (3) variations in I(1575)/I(1017) are small (～4%) in a population of dormant Bacillus spores suspended in water; and (4) the I(1575)/I(1017) ratio increases significantly during dehydration under vacuum. Consequently, measurement of the I(1575)/I(1017) ratio of CaDPA in spores may allow a qualitative estimation of the degree of hydration of the bacterial spore's core.     

Investigations of the EPR zero-field splitting and the defect structure for Mn(2+) and Fe(3+) ions in anatase crystals

The EPR zero-field splittings D of Mn(2+) and Fe(3+) ions in anatase crystals at room and low temperatures are calculated from the high-order perturbation formula of zero-field splitting D for 3d(5) ions in tetragonal symmetry based on the dominant spin-orbit coupling mechanism. The calculated results are consistent with the observed values. From the calculations, Mn(2+) and Fe(3+) ions are suggested to substitute for Ti(4+) ions in anatase (in the previous paper, Mn(2+) ion was suggested at an interstitial site rather than substitutional site) and the defect structures (characterized mainly by the local oxygen parameter u) for both tetragonal Mn(2+) and Fe(3+) impurity centers are estimated. The different zero-field splitting at room and low temperatures are due mainly to the change of local oxygen parameter u with the temperature. These results are discussed.     

A luminescent and mesoporous core-shell structured Gd2O3 : Eu(3+)@nSiO2@mSiO2 nanocomposite as a drug carrier

In this paper, Gd(2)O(3) : Eu(3+) nanospheres have been encapsulated with nonporous silica and further layer of ordered mesoporous silica through a simple sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N(2) adsorption/desorption, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and kinetic decay were used to characterize the sample. The results indicate that the nanocomposite with general 50 nm shell thickness and 270 nm core size shows typical ordered mesoporous characteristics (2.4 nm) and has spherical morphology with a smooth surface and narrow size distribution. Additionally, the obtained inorganic nanocomposite shows the characteristic emission of Eu(3+) ((5)D(0)→(7)F(1-4)) even after the loading of drug molecules. The biocompatibility test on L929 fibroblast cells using MTT assay reveals low cytotoxicity of the system. Most importantly, the nanocomposite can be used as an effective drug delivery carrier. A typical anticancer drug, doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), was used for drug loading, and the DOX release, cytotoxicity, uptake behavior and therapeutic effects were examined. It was found that DOX is shuttled into the cell by the nanocomposite and released inside cells after endocytosis and that the DOX-loaded nanocomposite exhibited greater cytotoxicity than free DOX. These results indicate that core-shell structured Gd(2)O(3) : Eu(3+)@nSiO(2)@mSiO(2) nanocomposite has potential for drug loading and delivery into cancer cells to induce cell death.     

The first coordination compound containing three different types of spin carriers: 2p-3d-4f (TCNQ.-, Cu2+ and Gd3+)

A novel heterospin system, [(CuL)2Gd(TCNQ)2].TCNQ-.CH3OH.2CH3CN, is obtained by reacting the mononuclear complex, [CuL], with gadolinium(III) nitrate, followed by the substitution of the nitrato ions with anionic organic radicals.     

Chemiluminescence determination of barbituric acid using Ru(phen)(3)(2+)-Ce(IV) system

A chemiluminescence (CL) method for the determination of barbituric acid (BA) was proposed, which is based on the enhancement of BA to the CL intensity of Tris-(1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) (Ru(phen)₃²⁺)-cerium(IV) (Ce(IV)) system. The concentration of BA is proportional to the CL intensity in the range of 5.0×10⁻³-2.0 μg ml⁻¹. The detection limit is 6.9×10⁻⁴ μg ml⁻¹. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of determining 11 samples containing 0.20 μg ml⁻¹ BA is 3.2%. This CL method has been successfully applied to the determination of BA in the synthetic samples. The mechanism of CL reaction was studied.