Europium and terbium Schiff base peptide complexes as potential antimicrobial agents against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella typhimurium</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis>

Eu(III) and Tb(III) Schiff base complexes are applicable in various fields such as sensing, assays, screening protocols in vitro, and imaging studies in vitro or in vivo. Fluorescent europium and terbium complexes and their interaction with cell penetrating peptide (KKKRKC) can represent an excellent key for understanding pathway of peptide transportation though cell membrane and the application of Schiff base complexes as potential antibacterial drugs. The Schiff base–metal complexes and its conjugates with peptide were tested for their antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium. Schiff base–metal complexes conjugated with peptide show minor toxicity in normal human PNT1A cells and high antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa and S. typhimurium, where IC50 down to 125.9 and/or 36.1 µM were found for P. aeruginosa and S. typhimurium, respectively. Our results strongly suggest that Schiff base–metal complexes conjugated with peptide have great potential to be developed into highly effective antibacterial drug.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-functional derivatives of 3,4-dihydro-2<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-1,4-thiasilines

The first cyclic unsaturated S-functional derivatives of 4,4-diphenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-thiasiline, S-oxide, S,S-dioxide, and S-sulfonimide, were prepared. Oxidation of the hydrolytically less stable 4,4-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-thiasiline leads to the corresponding sulfoxide and sulfone along with the ring opening products, siloxanes containing the sulfoxide or sulfonyl group.     

Viscosities and Surface Tensions of Phenetole with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Dimethylformamide and Tetrahydrofuran Binary Systems at Three Temperatures

Viscosities, η, and surface tensions, σ, of binary systems of phenetole (ethoxy benzene or ethyl phenyl ether) with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylformamide or with tetrahydrofuran were measured over the entire mole fraction range and at (298, 303 and 308) K. The experimental data was used to compute the deviations in viscosity, Δη, and surface tension, Δσ. Values of the excess Gibbs energy of activation G*^E, surface entropy S _σ and surface enthalpy H _σ were calculated. Viscosity data of the binary systems were calculated using the Grunberg and Nissan and the three-body and four-body McAllister correlations. The Redlich–Kister method was used for evaluation of coefficients and standard deviations for Δη, Δσ and G*^E. The results were interpreted in terms of the probable effect of molecular interactions between components as well as polarity.     

Structural diversities and preliminary antimicrobial studies of 1-((<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-(pentylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol and its metal complexes

Schiff bases and their metal complexes have a number of biological activities such as antidepressant, analgesic, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antitumor. In the present studies, the 1-((E)-(pentylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol ligand is prepared by the reaction of 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde with n-amyl amine. The ligand results in CoL₃, NiL₂ and CuL₂ complexes when reacted with the cobalt acetate, nickel acetate, and copper acetate salts respectively. The complexes along with their ligand are fully characterized by X-ray diffraction studies and biologically screened. The ligand structure reveals that it is a zwitterion species where the iminic nitrogen atom is protonated and the C–O bond shows a high double bond character. The cobalt complex has an octahedral geometry around the metal center and each nitrogen atom is in the trans position to the oxygen donor site. On the other hand, the copper complex shows a centrosymmetric square planar coordination, and in this case, the nitrogen sites are trans to each other. The complexes and the ligand are found to be more potent than the standard drugs used against some microbes in their preliminary biological studies.     

Cycloascauloside b from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astragalus caucasicus</Emphasis>

The structure of a new cycloartane glycoside isolated from leaves of Astragalus caucasicus Pall. (Leguminosae) was elucidated using chemical transformations and spectral data. Cycloascauloside B is 20R, 25-epoxy-24S-cycloartan-3β,6α,16β,24-tetraol 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1å2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside.     

Thermodynamic characteristics of complexation between Ho<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and ethylenediamine-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>'-disuccinic acid in aqueous solutions at 298.15 K

The thermodynamic characteristics of complexation between ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (H₄Y; EDDA) and Ho³⁺ ion were determined calorimetrically and potentiometrically at 298.15 K and ionic strengths of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 (KNO₃). The logK, Δ_rG, Δ_rH, and Δ_rS values for the formation of HoY^– and HOHY complexes were calculated at the studied and zero ionic strength values. The changes in thermodynamic parameters of the reactions are discussed.     

Solution Thermodynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis><Superscript>/</Superscript>-Ethylenebis-(salicylideneiminato)-diaquochromium(III) Chloride in Aqueous Dimethylsulphoxide

The densities, viscosities and refractive indices of N,N ^/-ethylene-bis(salicylideneiminato)-diaquochromium(III) chloride, [Cr(salen)(H₂O)₂]Cl, in aqueous dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) with different mass fractions (w ₂ = 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80 and 1.00) of DMSO were determined at 298.15, 308.15 and 318.15 K under atmospheric pressure. From measured densities, viscosities and refractive indices the apparent molar volumes (V _φ ), standard partial molar volume (V _φ ⁰ ), the slope (S _V ^* ), standard isobaric partial molar expansibility (φ _E ⁰ ) and its temperature dependence (?φ _E ⁰ /?T) _p , the viscosity B-coefficient, its temperature dependence (?B/?T), solvation number (S _n ) and apparent molar refractivity (R _D ^φ ), etc., were calculated and discussed on the basis of ion–ion and ion–solvent interactions. These results revealed that the solutions are characterized by ion–solvent interactions rather than by ion–ion interactions and the complex behaves as a long range structure maker. Thermodynamics of viscous flow was discussed in terms of transition state theory.     

Reaction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminophenol and <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminobenzyl alcohol with palladium(II) bis(isocyanide) complexes

Reactions of palladium(II) bis-isocyanide complexes cis-[PdCl₂(CNR)₂] (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃, 2-Me-6-ClC₆H₃) with an equimolar amount of chelating N,O-binucleophiles, 2-aminophenol and (2-aminophenyl)-methanol, in acetonitrile at room temperature in 24 h selectively afforded the corresponding open-chain monocarbene complexes. The complexation involved one isocyanide ligand and amino group of the aromatic amine. Neither bis(carbene) complexes (in the reactions with 4 equiv of the nucleophile under harsh conditions) nor C,O-chelate structures were detected. The isolated complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, NMR, and mass spectra, and X-ray diffraction data.     

Nitrosative Stress Response in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio cholerae</Emphasis>: Role of <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-Nitrosoglutathione Reductase

Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, poses serious threats to humans worldwide. V. cholerae faces host inflammatory response and encounters nitrosative stress before establishing successful colonization. It is not clear how V. cholerae combats nitric oxide and reactive nitrogen species. In the present study, we used three clinical strains of V. cholerae and tested their nitrosative stress response pattern towards sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). Among them, V. cholerae, belonging to both O1 and O139 serotypes, showed moderate resistance to SNP and GSNO. However, a V. cholerae strain belonging to non O1 and non O139 showed sensitivity to SNP but resistance towards GSNO. Reduced glutathione and glutathione reductase play a significant role to combat nitrosative stress in V. cholerae. This is the first report where we show the presence of GSNO reductase activity in V. cholerae and that it plays an important role to detoxify S-Nitrosoglutathione. GSNO reductase activity of V. cholerae was regulated by posttranslational modification through S-nitrosylation under in vitro conditions which could be reversed by dithiothreitol (DTT). In addition, we show that biofilm formation remained unaffected under nitrosative stress in V. cholerae.     

Synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">ortho</Emphasis>-carboranyl derivatives of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-asparagine and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-glutamine

(S)-Asparagine and (S)-glutamine ortho-carboranyl derivatives with free amino and carboxy groups in the α-position were synthesized. By an example of N ^γ-(1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecarboran-3-yl)-(S)-glutamine it was demonstrated that the developed synthetic approach carboranyl derivatives of amino acids allowed the preparation of optically pure isomers.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-allyl and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-propargyl trifluoromethanesulfonimides. Theoretical analysis

Tautomers of N-allyl- and N-propargyl-substituted trifluoromethanesulfonimides (CF₃SO₂)₂NR (R = CH₂CH=CH₂, Z/E-CH=CHMe, CH₂C≡CH, CH=CH=CH₂, C≡CCH₂) were calculated by the DFT (B3LYP, wB97XD, PBE1PBE), MP2, and CBS-QB3 methods. The results were compared with the theoretical data for the corresponding amines and amides NHRR¹ (R¹ = H, CF₃SO₂). It was shown that there is no conjugation between the nitrogen atom and C=C bond and that conjugation exists with the C≡C bond with electron density displacement toward the nitrogen atom. The calculations of anions derived from N-allyl- and N-propargyl-trifluoromethanesulfonimides revealed the possibility of their rearrangement with elimination of trifluoromethanesulfinate anion and formation of its H-complex with N-(prop-2-en-1-ylidene)trifluoromethanesulfonamide or N-(prop-2-yn-1-ylidene)trifluoromethanesulfonamide.     

Crystal and molecular structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">tris</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-chlorophenyl)phosphine selenide

The crystal and molecular structure of tris(m-chlorophenyl)phosphine selenide, C₁₈H₁₂Cl₃PSe (I), was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The trigonal rhombohedral structure of I (space group \(R\overline 3 c\), a = 14.110(2) Å, c = 32.360(4) Å, Z = 12) was solved by direct methods and refined by least squares in an anisotropic approximation (R = 0.029) for 1319 averaged measured reflections (CAD-4 automatic diffractometer, λCuK_α).     

Binuclear copper(II) complexes with acyldihydrazones of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-benzenesulfonyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-aspartic acid

The structure and the EPR spectra of copper(II) coordination compounds with acyldihydrazones of N-benzenesulfonyl-L-aspartic acid and salicylaldehyde (2-hydroxyacetophenone) were described. The compounds were studied by chemical and thermal analyses, IR spectroscopy, and EPR. The molecular and crystal structures of copper(II) complexes with N-benzenesulfonyl-L-aspartic acid bis(salicylidene)hydrazone (H₄L¹) [Cu₂L¹ · 2Py] · 1.5 H₂O was determined by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are triclinic: a = 10.4714(4) Å, b = 12.9702(5) Å, c = 14.6187(9) Å, α = 104.763(2)°, β = 93.082(2)°, γ = 111.4240(10)°, space group P \(\bar 1\), Z = 2. The binuclear complexes containing copper cations whose coordination polyhedra are connected by an aliphatic spacer (Cu...Cu, 8.669 Å) are additionally linked by phenoxy bridges (Cu...Cu, 3.398 Å). The EPR spectra of these compounds in solutions exhibit an isotropic signal of seven HFS lines due to two equivalent copper ions with the spin Hamiltonian parameters g = 2.115?2.120, a _Cu = (35.5?38.0) × 10^?4 cm^?1, which is indicative of weak exchange interactions between the paramagnetic sites.     

Mononuclear and heterodinuclear phenanthrolinedione complexes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>-block elements

1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-dione (Phd) complexes of group 3 and lanthanide elements having formulae Ln(hfac)₃(Phd) (Ln = Y, Eu, Yb; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) were synthesised and characterised. Complexes of d-block elements of the type [MCl(Phd)(p-cymene)]⁺ (M = Ru, Os) were also prepared. In all these species, coordination of the polydentate ligand occurs by the N-donor moieties, as indicated by DFT calculations. The novel compounds were tested, together with fac-ReBr(Phd)(CO)₃, as precursors for the preparation of heterobimetallic d/f derivatives. The reaction of the rhenium complex with yttrium or lanthanide anhydrous triflate salts led to the formation of the complexes ReBr(CO)₃(N,N′-Phd-O,O′)Ln(OTf)₃(THF) (Ln = Y, Eu, Yb), where the trivalent ions interacted with the quinonoid moiety. The redox properties of the rhenium centre were strongly affected by the coordination of Ln(OTf)₃, as observed by comparing the cyclic voltammetry measurements carried out on fac-ReBr(Phd)(CO)₃ and on ReBr(CO)₃(N,N′-Phd-O,O′)Y(OTf)₃.     

Splitting of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis></Superscript> atomic states in icosahedral 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> metal endofullerenes M@C<Subscript>60</Subscript>

Group-theoretical and quantum-chemical investigations of the spectrum of low-lying excited states have been performed by the ROHF and FCI-RAS (Full CI in Restricted Active Space) methods for 3d metal endofullerenes (MEFs) M@C₆₀ (M =Mn, Cr, and Fe) in different charged states. The major purpose of this study is quantum-chemical verification of the anomalous (“non-Bethe’s”) character of splitting of the d ^N atomic states in an electrostatic field with icosahedral symmetry, predicted previously within the theory of integral invariants theory. The interrelation between the integral invariants theory and the quantumchemical methods applied in this work is considered in detail. Our calculations suggest that the d ^N atomic states in the icosahedral field generated by fullerene C60 (I _h ) on a metal atom (ion) remain non-split for different charged states of the metal and C₆₀. Reasons for this phenomenon and other possible approaches to verification of the prediction are discussed. It is demonstrated that the d ^N states of the encapsulated metal are split in icosahedral 3d MEFs only under very strong compression of these structures.     

Synthesis of (2<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>,3<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>,4<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-2,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-isopropylidene-4-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)cyclopentan-1-one

(2S,3S,4S)-2,3-O-Isopropylidene-4-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)cyclopentan-1-one was synthesized starting from D-ribose through methyl (Z)-3-(5-acetyl-2,2-acetoxyacetyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)prop-2-enoate which was subjected to cyclization in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene, followed by decarboxylation.     

Mononuclear cobalt (III) complexes with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-salicylidene-2-hydroxy-5-bromobenzylamine and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-salicylidene-2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzylamine

Cobalt (III) complexes with N-salicylidene-2-hydroxy-5-bromobenzylamine (H₂sbba) and N-salicylidene-2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzylamine (H₂scba), [n-(C₄H₉)₄N][Co(sbba)₂] (I) and [n-(C₄H₉)₄N][Co(scba)₂] (II), were synthesized. The crystal structure of II was determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method at 90 K confirming its crystallization in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 11.729(2) Å, b = 16.901(3) Å, c = 21.483(4) Å, β = 98.840(4)°, V = 4208.2(14) ų, D_x = 1.295 g cm^?3, and Z = 4. The R1 [I > 2σ(I)] and wR2 (all data) values of 0.0664 and 0.1920, respectively, for all 9521 independent reflections. The compound is composed of a tetra(n-butyl)ammonium cation and an octahedral cobalt(III) complex anion with two scba^2? ligands in a meridional fashion. The electronic spectral features of I and II are consistent with the octahedral cobalt(III) ion with an N₂O₄ donor set.     

Synthesis and structure of bis(1,2-diaminoethane) copper(II) bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-hydroxybenzoate) monohydrate and <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-diaquabis(1,2-diaminoethane)copper(II) bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminobenzoate)

X-ray structural analysis has been performed for two complex compounds: Cu(en)₂(o-HB)₂H₂O (I) (a = 16.873(4) Å, b = 8.713(2) Å, c = 14.803(3) Å, β = 91.15(2)°, V = 2175.8(8) ų, C2/c, Z = 4, R(F) = 0.0263, 1516 reflections with I > 3σ (I)) and [Cu(en)₂(OH₂)₂]²⁺(o-AB^?)₂ (II) (a = 7.488(5) Å, b = 22.122(8) Å, c = 7.856(5) Å, β = 118.77(2)°, V = 1140.7(11) ų, P2₁/n, Z = 2, R(F) = 0.0432, 1684 reflections with I > 3σ(I)) synthesized under identical conditions (en is ethylenediamine, o-HB is o-hydroxybenzoate, and o-AB is o-aminobenzoate). Although the compounds were assumed to have similar structures and the Cu-Lig bond lengths and the cis and trans angles are acceptable for an octahedral structure, the geometric parameters of o-HB suggest that the copper atom has a plane square environment.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">CrMAPK3</Emphasis> regulates the expression of iron-deficiency-responsive genes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</Emphasis>

Background

Under iron-deficient conditions, Chlamydomonas exhibits high affinity for iron absorption. Nevertheless, the response, transmission, and regulation of downstream gene expression in algae cells have not to be investigated. Considering that the MAPK pathway is essential for abiotic stress responses, we determined whether this pathway is involved in iron deficiency signal transduction in Chlamydomonas.

Results

Arabidopsis MAPK gene sequences were used as entry data to search for homologous genes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii genome database to investigate the functions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) gene family in C. reinhardtii under iron-free conditions. Results revealed 16 C. reinhardtii MAPK genes labeled CrMAPK2–CrMAPK17 with TXY conserved domains and low homology to MAPK in yeast, Arabidopsis, and humans. The expression levels of these genes were then analyzed through qRT-PCR and exposure to high salt (150 mM NaCl), low nitrogen, or iron-free conditions. The expression levels of these genes were also subjected to adverse stress conditions. The mRNA levels of CrMAPK2, CrMAPK3, CrMAPK4, CrMAPK5, CrMAPK6, CrMAPK8, CrMAPK9, and CrMAPK11 were remarkably upregulated under iron-deficient stress. The increase in CrMAPK3 expression was 43-fold greater than that in the control. An RNA interference vector was constructed and transformed into C. reinhardtii 2A38, an algal strain with an exogenous FOX1:ARS chimeric gene, to silence CrMAPK3. After this gene was silenced, the mRNA levels and ARS activities of FOX1:ARS chimeric gene and endogenous CrFOX1 were decreased. The mRNA levels of iron-responsive genes, such as CrNRAMP2, CrATX1, CrFTR1, and CrFEA1, were also remarkably reduced.

Conclusion

CrMAPK3 regulates the expression of iron-deficiency-responsive genes in C. reinhardtii.

     

Synthesis and structure of Pt(II) acetamidate complexes containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dimethyl-substituted ethylenediamine and trimethylenediamine

Reactions of acetamide with platinum(II) diamines [Pt(N,N-DimeEn)Cl₂], [Pt(Tm)Cl₂], and [Pt(N,N-DimeTm)Cl₂] (N,N-DimeEn = (CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₂NH₂, Tm = NH₂(CH₂)₃NH₂, N,N-DimeTm = (CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₃NH₂) with preliminary precipitation of chlorine ions by silver salts gave binuclear Pt(II) acetamidates [Pt₂(CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₂NH₂)₂(μ-NHCOCH₃)₂](NO₃)₂ · H₂O (I), [Pt₂(NH₂(CH₂)₃NH₂)₂)(μ-NHCOCH₃)₂](NO₃)₂ · H₂O (II), and [Pt₂(CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₃NH₂)₂(μ-NHCOCH₃)₂](HSO₄)₂ (III), whose crystal structures were determined. Crystals of I are monoclinic: a = 14.459(2) Å, b = 17.197(3) Å, c = 9.822(2) Å, β = 105.923(10)°, V = 3348.6(8) ų, space group P2(1)/c, Z = 4, R _hkl = 0.0419 for 6663 reflections. Complex I is a binuclear acetamidate with bridging (NHCOCH₃)^? ligands, one of which is bound to two Pt atoms through the N and O atoms, and the other ligand is bound only through the N atom. The Pt-Pt distance is 2.987(1) Å. Crystals of II are monoclinic: a = 10.213(7) Å, b = 13.373(9) Å, c = 16.533(11) Å, β = 97.971(9)°, V = 2236(3) ų, space group P2(1)/n, Z = 4, R _hkl = 0.557 for 6462 reflections. The Pt-Pt distance is 3.057(1) Å. Crystals of III are monoclinic: a = 10.557(12) Å, b = 18.531(2) Å, c = 14.4744(17) Å, β = 108.705(2)°, V = 2682(5) ų, space group P2(1)/n, Z = 4, R _hkl = 0.569 for 8506 reflections. The Pt-Pt distance is 3.202(1) Å. Complexes II and III are binuclear acetamidates, in which two chelating Pt(Tm) or Pt(N,N-DimeTm) moieties are coordinated through the N and O atoms of (NHCOCH₃)^? cis-bridges.