A Doppel α‐Helix Peptide Fragment Mimics the Copper(II) Interactions with the Whole Protein

The doppel protein (Dpl) is the first homologue of the prion protein (PrP^C) to be discovered; it is overexpressed in transgenic mice that lack the prion gene, resulting in neurotoxicity. The whole prion protein is able to inhibit Dpl neurotoxicity, and its N‐terminal domain is the determinant part of the protein function. This region represents the main copper(II) binding site of PrP^C. Dpl is able to bind at least one copper ion, and the specific metal‐binding site has been identified as the histidine residue at the beginning of the third helical region. However, a reliable characterization of copper(II) coordination features has not been reported. In a previous paper, we studied the copper(II) interaction with a peptide that encompasses only the loop region potentially involved in metal binding. Nevertheless, we did not find a complete match between the EPR spectroscopic parameters of the copper(II) complexes formed with the synthesized peptide and those reported for the copper(II) binding sites of the whole protein. Herein, the synthesis of the human Dpl peptide fragment hDpl(122–139) (Ac‐KPDNKLHQQVLWRLVQEL‐NH₂) and its copper(II) complex species are reported. This peptide encompasses the third α helix and part of the loop linking the second and the third helix of human doppel protein. The single‐point‐mutated peptide, hDpl(122–139)D124N, in which aspartate 124 replaces an asparagine residue, was also synthesized. This peptide was used to highlight the role of the carboxylate group on both the conformation preference of the Dpl fragment and its copper(II) coordination features. NMR spectroscopic measurements show that the hDpl(122–139) peptide fragment is in the prevailing α‐helix conformation. It is localized within the 127–137 amino acid residue region that represents a reliable conformational mimic of the related protein domain. A comparison with the single‐point‐mutated hDpl(122–139)D124N reveals the significant role played by the aspartic residue in addressing the peptide conformation towards a helical structure. It is further confirmed by CD measurements. Potentiometric titrations were carried out in aqueous solutions to obtain the stability constant values of the species formed by copper(II) with the hDpl peptides. Spectroscopic studies (EPR, NMR, CD, UV/Vis) were performed to characterize the coordination environments of the different metal complexes. The EPR parameters of the copper(II) complexes with hDpl(122–139) match those of the previously reported copper(II) binding sites of the whole hDpl. Addition of the copper(II) ion to the peptide fragment does not alter the helical conformation of hDpl(122–139), as shown by CD spectra in the far‐UV region. The aspartate‐driven preorganized secondary structure is not significantly modified by the involvement of Asp124 in the copper(II) complex species that form in the physiological pH range. To elaborate on the potential role of copper(II) in the recently reported interaction between the PrP^C and Dpl, the affinity of the copper(II) complexes towards the prion N terminus domain and the binding site of Dpl was reported.     

Affinity,Speciation, and Molecular Features of Copper(II) Complexes with a Prion Tetraoctarepeat Domain in Aqueous Solution: Insights into Old and New Results

Characterization of the copper(II) complexes formed with the tetraoctarepeat peptide at low and high metal‐to‐ligand ratios and in a large pH range, would provide a breakthrough in the interpretation of biological relevance of the different metal complexes of copper(II)‐tetraoctarepeat system. In the present work, the potentiometric, UV/Vis, circular dichroism (CD), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies were carried out on copper(II) complexes with a PEG‐ylated derivative of the tetraoctarepeats peptide sequence (Ac‐PEG₂₇‐(PHGGGWGQ)₄‐NH₂) and the peptide Ac‐(PHGGGWGQ)₂‐NH₂. Conjugation of tetraoctarepeat peptide sequence with polyethyleneglycol improved the solubility of the copper(II) complexes. The results enable a straightforward explanation of the conflicting results originated from the underestimation of all metal–ligand equilibria and the ensuing speciation. A complete and reliable speciation is therefore obtained with the released affinity and binding details of the main complexes species formed in aqueous solution. The results contribute to clarify the discrepancies of several studies in which the authors ascribe the redox activity of copper(II)‐tetraoctarepeat system considering only the average effects of several coexisting species with very different stoichiometries and binding modes.     

Side‐chain glycylglycine‐based polymer for simultaneous sensing and removal of copper(II) from aqueous medium

Since glycylglycine (Gly‐Gly) residue in the N‐terminal region of human prion protein, a copper binding protein, binds with Cu(II), N‐terminus Gly‐Gly side‐chain containing water soluble block copolymer was synthesized and used for simultaneous sensing and removal of Cu(II) ion from aqueous medium. The polymer has amide nitrogen atom and ester carbonyl group as potential binding sites in the side‐chain Gly‐Gly pendants. Job's plot experiment confirms 2:1 binding stoichiometry of polymer with Cu(II). This polymer is able to sense parts per billion level of Cu(II) very selectively in an aqueous medium and remove Cu(II) ions quantitatively by precipitating out the Cu(II) via complex formation in the pH range 7–9. The binding mode of polymer with Cu(II) in polymer‐Cu(II) complex was characterized by ¹H NMR, FTIR, and UV–vis spectroscopy. The attachment of Cu(II) in the polymer‐Cu(II) complex was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry experiment. Cu(II) release from the complex was achieved at pH 5 due to the protonation of amide nitrogen atoms in the Gly‐Gly moiety. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 914–921     

New Insight in Copper‐Ion Binding to Human Islet Amyloid: The Contribution of Metal‐Complex Speciation To Reveal the Polypeptide Toxicity

Type‐2 diabetes (T2D) is considered to be a potential threat on a global level. Recently, T2D has been listed as a misfolding disease, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) is a molecule cosecreted in pancreatic β cells and represents the main constituent of an aggregated amyloid found in individuals affected by T2D. The trace‐element serum level is significantly influenced during the development of diabetes. In particular, the dys‐homeostasis of Cu²⁺ ions may adversely affect the course of the disease. Conflicting results have been reported on the protective role played by complex species formed by Cu²⁺ ions with hIAPP or its peptide fragments in vitro. The histidine (His) residue at position 18 represents the main binding site for the metal ion, but contrasting results have been reported on other residues involved in metal‐ion coordination, in particular those toward the N or C terminus. Sequences that encompass regions 17–29 and 14–22 were used to discriminate between the two models of the hIAPP coordination mode. Due to poor solubility in water, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivatives were synthesized. A peptide fragment that encompasses the 17–29 region of rat amylin (rIAPP) in which the arginine residue at position 18 was substituted by a histidine residue was also obtained to assess that the PEG moiety does not alter the peptide secondary structure. The complex species formed by Cu²⁺ ions with Ac‐PEG‐hIAPP(17–29)‐NH₂, Ac‐rIAPP(17–29)R18H‐NH₂, and Ac‐PEG‐hIAPP(14–22)‐NH₂ were studied by using potentiometric titrations coupled with spectroscopic methods (UV/Vis, circular dichroism, and EPR). The combined thermodynamic and spectroscopic approach allowed us to demonstrate that hIAPP is able to bind Cu²⁺ ions starting from the His18 imidazole nitrogen atom toward the N‐terminus domain. The stability constants of copper(II) complexes with Ac‐PEG‐hIAPP(14–22)‐NH₂ were used to simulate the different experimental conditions under which aggregate formation and oxidative stress of hIAPP has been reported. Speciation unveils: 1) the protective role played by increased amounts of Cu²⁺ ions on the hIAPP fibrillary aggregation, 2) the effect of adventitious trace amounts of Cu²⁺ ions present in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), and 3) a reducing fluorogenic probe on H₂O₂ production attributed to the polypeptide alone.     

Dicopper(II) trihydroxide cyanoureate dihydrate

The title compound, poly[[μ‐cyanoureato‐tri‐μ‐hydroxido‐dicopper(II)] dihydrate], {[Cu₂(C₂H₂N₃O)(OH)₃]·2H₂O}_n, is a new layered copper(II) hydroxide salt (LHS) with cyanoureate ions and water molecules in the interlayer space. The three distinct copper(II) ions have distorted octahedral geometry: one Cu (symmetry ) is coordinated to six hydroxide groups (4OH + 2OH), whilst the other two Cu atoms (symmetries and 1) are coordinated to four hydroxides and two N atoms from nitrile groups of the cyanoureate ions (4OH + 2N). The structure is held together by hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the terminal –NH₂ groups and the central cyanamide N atoms of organic anions associated with neighbouring layers.     

Redox activity and multiple copper(I) coordination of 2His–2Cys oligopeptide

Copper binding motifs with their molecular mechanisms of selective copper(I) recognition are essential molecules for acquiring copper ions, trafficking copper to specific locations and controlling the potentially damaging redox activities of copper in biochemical processes. The redox activity and multiple Cu(I) binding of an analog methanobactin peptide‐2 (amb₂) with the sequence acetyl–His₁–Cys₂–Tyr₃–Pro₄–His₅–Cys₆ was investigated using ion mobility–mass spectrometry (IM‐MS) and UV–Vis spectrophotometry analyses. The Cu(II) titration of amb₂ showed oxidation of amb₂ via the formation of intra‐ and intermolecular Cys–Cys disulfide bridges and the multiple Cu(I) coordination by unoxidized amb₂ or the partially oxidized dimer and trimer of amb₂. The principal product of these reactions was [amb₂ + 3Cu(I)]⁺ which probably coordinates the three Cu(I) ions via two bridging thiolate groups of Cys₂ and Cys₆ and the δN₆ of the imidazole groups of His_6, as determined by geometry optimized structures at the B3LYP/LanL2DZ level of theory. The products observed by IM‐MS showed direct correlation to spectral changes associated with disulfide bond formation in the UV–Vis spectrophotometric study. The results show that IM‐MS analysis is a powerful technique for unambiguously determining the major ion species produced during the redox and metal binding chemistry of oligopeptides. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Study of Folded Ubiquitin Conformers Induced By Treatment with <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-[Pd(en)(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Superscript>2+</Superscript>

Ion mobility-mass spectrometry is used to study the new conformers of bovine ubiquitin (Ub) and the palladium(II) binding sites after the incubation with cis-[Pd(en)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ where en = ethylenediamine. Palladium(II) complexes are potentially useful proteomic reagents because they selectively bind to the side groups of methionine and histidine and hydrolytically cleave the peptide bond. Incubating 1.0 mM solution of Ub with 10.0 molar excess of cis-[Pd(en)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ results with one to four Pd²⁺ or Pd(en)²⁺ being attached to intact Ub and two conformer families at each of the 4+ to 11+ charge states. The 4+ and 5+ species exhibit a compact form, which is also observed in untreated Ub, and a new highly folded conformer. The 6+ to 10+ exhibit an elongated form, also observed in Ub, and a new partially folded conformer. The new conformers are shown to be more stable if they contain at least one Pd²⁺, rather than all Pd(en)²⁺. IM-MS/MS of [UbPd₂en+5H]⁹⁺ shows that both the partially folded and elongated conformers first lose the en ligand, followed by dissociating into product ions that indicate that Met1, Glu51/Asp52, His68, and Glu16 are binding sites for Pd²⁺. These results suggest that Pd²⁺ is simultaneously binding to multiple side groups across different regions of Ub. This type of sequestering of Pd²⁺ probably reduces the efficiency of Pd²⁺ ions to selectively cleave Ub because it prevents Pd²⁺ anchoring to only Met or His and to an adjacent backbone amide nitrogen and forming the “activated complex” necessary for specific peptide bond cleavage.     

Environmental Effects on a Prion's Helix II Domain: Copper(II) and Membrane Interactions with PrP180–193 and Its Analogues

An abnormal interaction between copper and the prion protein is believed to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of prion diseases. Copper binding has been mainly attributed to the N‐terminal domain of the prion protein, but this hypothesis has recently been challenged in some papers which suggest that the C‐terminal domain might also compete for metal anchoring. In particular, the segment corresponding to the helix II region of the prion protein, namely PrP180–193, has been shown both to bind copper and to exhibit a copper‐enhanced cytotoxicity, as well as to interact with artificial membranes. The present work is aimed at extending these results by choosing the most representative model of this domain and by determining its copper affinity. With this aim, the different role played by the electrostatic properties of the C‐ and N‐termini of PrP180–193 (VNITIKQHTVTTTT) in determining its conformational behaviour, copper coordination and ability to perturb model membranes was investigated. Owing to the low solubility of PrP180–193, its copper affinity was evaluated by using the shorter PrPAc184–188NH₂ (IKQHT) analogue as a model. ESI‐MS, ESR, UV/Vis, and CD measurements were carried out on the copper(II )/PrPAc184–188NH₂ and copper(II )/PrP180–193NH₂ systems, and showed that PrPAc184–188NH₂ is a reliable model for the metal interaction with the helix II domain. The affinity of copper(II ) for the helix II fragment is higher than that for the octarepeat and PrP106–126 peptides. Finally, the different ability of PrP180–193 analogues to perturb the DPPC model membrane was assessed by DSC measurements. The possible biological consequences of these findings are also discussed briefly.     

A Functional Role for Aβ in Metal Homeostasis? N‐Truncation and High‐Affinity Copper Binding

Accumulation of the β‐amyloid (Aβ) peptide in extracellular senile plaques rich in copper and zinc is a defining pathological feature of Alzheimer′s disease (AD). The Aβ1–x (x=16/28/40/42) peptides have been the primary focus of Cu^II binding studies for more than 15 years; however, the N‐truncated Aβ4–42 peptide is a major Aβ isoform detected in both healthy and diseased brains, and it contains a novel N‐terminal FRH sequence. Proteins with His at the third position are known to bind Cu^II avidly, with conditional log K values at pH 7.4 in the range of 11.0–14.6, which is much higher than that determined for Aβ1–x peptides. By using Aβ4–16 as a model, it was demonstrated that its FRH sequence stoichiometrically binds Cu^II with a conditional K_d value of 3×10⁻¹⁴ M at pH 7.4, and that both Aβ4–16 and Aβ4–42 possess negligible redox activity. Combined with the predominance of Aβ4–42 in the brain, our results suggest a physiological role for this isoform in metal homeostasis within the central nervous system.     

A Functional Role for Aβ in Metal Homeostasis? N‐Truncation and High‐Affinity Copper Binding

Accumulation of the β‐amyloid (Aβ) peptide in extracellular senile plaques rich in copper and zinc is a defining pathological feature of Alzheimer′s disease (AD). The Aβ1–x (x=16/28/40/42) peptides have been the primary focus of Cu^II binding studies for more than 15 years; however, the N‐truncated Aβ4–42 peptide is a major Aβ isoform detected in both healthy and diseased brains, and it contains a novel N‐terminal FRH sequence. Proteins with His at the third position are known to bind Cu^II avidly, with conditional log K values at pH 7.4 in the range of 11.0–14.6, which is much higher than that determined for Aβ1–x peptides. By using Aβ4–16 as a model, it was demonstrated that its FRH sequence stoichiometrically binds Cu^II with a conditional K_d value of 3×10^?14 M at pH 7.4, and that both Aβ4–16 and Aβ4–42 possess negligible redox activity. Combined with the predominance of Aβ4–42 in the brain, our results suggest a physiological role for this isoform in metal homeostasis within the central nervous system.     

AQUEOUS EQUILIBRIA OF COPPER(II)- AND NICKEL(II)-POLYGLYCINE COMPLEXES

Abstract

Magnetic susceptibility measurements, new potentiometric data, optical spectra, and a new statistical method of calculation are combined in the formulation of an equilibrium scheme defining the dilute solution interactions of nickel(II) and copper(II) ions with diglycine, triglycine, and tetraglycine as a function of pH. At low pH appreciable concentrations of a previously unreported complex, MHL²⁺ (HL =polyglycine ligands) are shown to be present in all nickel(II)-polyglycine systems and in the copper(II)-triglycine system. This new protonated species is assigned a structure in which the metal ion is coordinated to the terminal carboxylate and to the adjacent peptide carbonyl oxygen with the proton residing on the terminal amino group. As the pH is raised in the 1:1 systems, MH_?1L, MH_?2L^? and MH_{_3}L^2- are formed in succession depending on the number of peptide linkages in the ligands, HL. The concentration of the monodeprotonated intermediate species NiH_?1L never exceeds 10% of the total metal ion concentration in the triglycine case and is always less than 0.5% when tetraglycine is the ligand. The dideprotonated intermediate NiH_?2L- reaches a maximum of 38% of the total metal concentration in the 1:1 Ni-tetraglycine system. An explanation is presented for this negative deviation from the predictions based on statistical grounds. Complete species distribution diagrams which include the new protonated complexes are presented and are employed to explain the differences in the interactions of copper(II) and nickel(II) ions with polyglycine ligands. Probable coordinate bonding sites suggested for the complexes formed in solution are inferred on the basis of stoichiometry, relative stabilities, and available microscopic information.     

Key Intermediate Species Reveal the Copper(II)‐Exchange Pathway in Biorelevant ATCUN/NTS Complexes

The amino‐terminal copper and nickel/N‐terminal site (ATCUN/NTS) present in proteins and bioactive peptides exhibits high affinity towards Cu^II ions and have been implicated in human copper physiology. Little is known, however, about the rate and exact mechanism of formation of such complexes. We used the stopped‐flow and microsecond freeze‐hyperquenching (MHQ) techniques supported by steady‐state spectroscopic and electrochemical data to demonstrate the formation of partially coordinated intermediate Cu^II complexes formed by glycyl–glycyl–histidine (GGH) peptide, the simplest ATCUN/NTS model. One of these novel intermediates, characterized by two‐nitrogen coordination, t_1/2≈100 ms at pH 6.0 and the ability to maintain the Cu^II/Cu^I redox pair is the best candidate for the long‐sought reactive species in extracellular copper transport.     

Copper(II)‐Specific Fluorogenic Task‐Specific Ionic Liquids as Selective Fluorescence Probes and Recyclable Extractants

The designed synthesis of a series of copper(II) specific fluorogenic hydrophobic task‐specific ionic liquids (TSILs) from a new naphthalene‐based tetradentate ligand is reported. Absorption and fluorescence spectral studies reveal both the ligand and its derivative TSILs show exclusive selectivity towards copper(II) ions. The Stern–Volmer method for calculation of the detection limit for ligand and TSIL_1–3 shows values of 0.12, 20, 17, and 15 μM , respectively. Extraction and striping studies by doping these TSILs in [bmim][NTf₂] demonstrated that these TSILs are recyclable extractants for the selective recovery of Cu^II ions from a mixture of 14 relevant metal chloride aqueous solutions in biphasic liquid–liquid extraction with approximately 95 % recovery.     

Cross‐Talk Between the Octarepeat Domain and the Fifth Binding Site of Prion Protein Driven by the Interaction of Copper(II) with the N‐terminus

Prion diseases are a group of neurodegenerative diseases based on the conformational conversion of the normal form of the prion protein (PrP^C) to the disease‐related scrapie isoform (PrP^Sc). Copper(II) coordination to PrP^C has attracted considerable interest for almost 20 years, mainly due to the possibility that such an interaction would be an important event for the physiological function of PrP^C. In this work, we report the copper(II) coordination features of the peptide fragment Ac(PEG₁₁)₃PrP(60‐114) [Ac=acetyl] as a model for the whole N‐terminus of the PrP^C metal‐binding domain. We studied the complexation properties of the peptide by means of potentiometric, UV/Vis, circular dichroism and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry techniques. The results revealed that the preferred histidyl binding sites largely depend on the pH and copper(II)/peptide ratio. Formation of macrochelate species occurs up to a 2:1 metal/peptide ratio in the physiological pH range and simultaneously involves the histidyl residues present both inside and outside the octarepeat domain. However, at increased copper(II)/peptide ratios amide‐bound species form, especially within the octarepeat domain. On the contrary, at basic pH the amide‐bound species predominate at any copper/peptide ratio and are formed preferably with the binding sites of His96 and His111, which is similar to the metal‐binding‐affinity order observed in our previous studies.     

Synthesis, Structure, Magnetism and Electrochemical Properties of Linear Pentanuclear Complex: Ni5(μ-dmpzda)4(NCS)2

吡啶修饰的线性五核金属化合物[Ni5(μ-dmpzda)4(NCS)2][ dmpzda-H2=N,N’-Di(4-methyl pyrydin-2-yl)pyrazine-2,6-diamine]被合成并表征,其电化学和磁性被报告。 化合物含有接近180º的 Ni-Ni-Ni角,末端含有两个轴配体的Ni5 线性链。这个五核线性金属链被四个顺式的dmpzda2-配体螺旋包裹。化合物中存在两种类型的Ni-Ni键长：末端连接有轴配体的Ni-Ni键长被配体影响,其键长为2.3821 Å;内部的Ni-Ni距离比较短,为2.2959 Å。两末端的Ni(II)离子由于连接轴配体构成四方锥形(NiN4NCS)并存在较长的Ni-N 键长（2.103 Å),这个键长符合高自旋Ni(II)构型。内部的三个Ni-N 距离为1.886-1.906 Å,这样构成正方形平面(NiN4)并呈低自旋的顺磁构型。化合物显示了同[Ni5(μ-tpda)4(NCS)2]类似的磁性,即在化合物中两末端Ni(II)仍存在反铁磁性的作用。     

Copper,BDNF and Its N‐terminal Domain: Inorganic Features and Biological Perspectives

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that influences development, maintenance, survival, and synaptic plasticity of central and peripheral nervous systems. Altered BDNF signaling is involved in several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease. Metal ions may influence the BDNF activity and it is well known that the alteration of Cu²⁺ homeostasis is a prominent factor in the development of neurological pathologies. The N‐terminal domain of BDNF represents the recognition site of its specific receptor TrkB, and metal ions interaction with this protein domain may influence the protein/receptor interaction. In spite of this, no data inherent the interaction of BDNF with Cu²⁺ ions has been reported up to now. Cu²⁺ complexes of the peptide fragment BDNF(1–12) encompassing the sequence 1–12 of N‐terminal domain of human BDNF protein were characterized by means of potentiometry, spectroscopic methods (UV/Vis, CD, EPR), parallel tempering simulations and DFT‐geometry optimizations. Coordination features of the acetylated form, Ac‐BDNF(1–12), were also characterized to understand the involvement of the terminal amino group. Whereas, an analogous peptide, BDNF(1–12)D3N, in which the aspartate residue was substituted by an asparagine, was synthesized to provide evidence on the possible role of carboxylate group in Cu²⁺ coordination. The results demonstrated that the amino group is involved in metal binding and the metal coordination environment of the predominant complex species at physiological pH consisted of one amino group, two amide nitrogen atoms, and one carboxylate group. Noteworthy, a strong decrease of the proliferative activity of both BDNF(1–12) and the whole protein on a SHSY5Y neuroblastoma cell line was found after treatment in the presence of Cu²⁺. The effect of metal addition is opposite to that observed for the analogous fragment of nerve growth factor (NGF) protein, highlighting the role of specific domains, and suggesting that Cu²⁺ may drive different pathways for the BDNF and NGF in physiological as well as pathological conditions.     

catena‐Poly[[(2,2′‐diamino‐4,4′‐bithiazole){μ3‐cis‐N‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)‐N′‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl]oxamidato(3−)}dicopper(II)] nitrate 0.6‐hydrate]

The title complex, {[Cu₂(C₁₄H₁₆N₃O₄)(C₆H₆N₄S₂)]NO₃·0.6H₂O}_n, is a one‐dimensional copper(II) coordination polymer bridged by cis‐oxamide and carboxylate groups. The asymmetric unit is composed of a dinuclear copper(II) cation, [Cu₂(dmapob)(dabt)]⁺ {dmapob is N‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)‐N′‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl]oxamidate and dabt is 2,2′‐diamino‐4,4′‐bithiazole}, one nitrate anion and one partially occupied site for a solvent water molecule. The two Cu^II ions are located in square‐planar and square‐pyramidal coordination environments, respectively. The separations of the Cu atoms bridged by oxamide and carboxylate groups are 5.2053 (3) and 5.0971 (4) Å, respectively. The complex chains are linked by classical hydrogen bonds to form a layer and then assembled by π–π stacking interactions into a three‐dimensional network. The influence of the terminal ligand on the structure of the complex is discussed.     

Synthesis, Characterization, DNA-binding Properties and DNA Cleavage of a New Ternary Copper(Ⅱ) Complex with Mixed-ligands of Tridentate Schiff Base and 1,10-Phenanthroline

A new copper(II) complex, [Cu(naph‐leu)phen]CH₃OH·0.5H₂O, in which naph‐leu is the tridentate Schiff base ligand derived from the condensation of 2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde and L‐leucine, phen is phenanthroline, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The DNA‐binding properties of this complex have been investigated by absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and circular dichroism (CD) spectra, as well as viscosity measurement. Results show that this copper(II) complex binds to calf thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) in an intercalative mode and its intrinsic binding constant K_b is 4.87×10³ L·mol^?1. Furthermore, the DNA cleavage activity of this copper(II) complex has also been investigated by submarine gel electrophoresis. Interestingly, it was found that this complex can cleave the supercoiled plasmid pBR322 DNA to both nicked and linear forms.     

Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Properties of Three Copper(II) Complexes Constructed by 4‐(4,6‐Bis(1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)morpholine

Three copper(II) complexes of the polydentate N‐donor ligand [4‐(4,6‐bis(1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)morpholine] (L) with chlorides, nitrates, and perchlorates as anions, namely, [CuCl₂(L)] · 0.5(MeCN) ( 1 ), [Cu(NO₃)₂(H₂O)(L)] · (MeCN) ( 2 ), and [Cu(L)₂](ClO₄)₂ · (MeCN) ( 3 ) were synthesized and structurally characterized by IR, elemental analysis and X‐ray crystallographic analysis. In these complexes, the L ligand binds the copper(II) cation in the tridentate N₃ form. The coordination arrangement around the central copper(II) atom is distorted square‐pyramidal in 1 but it is distorted octahedral in 2 and 3 . The interesting noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonds, π–π stacking, and anion–π interactions present in the solid‐state structures are discussed. The crystal results reveal that the counteranions play important roles in determining the diverse structures of these complexes. Moreover, the PXRD, TG, DRS, and fluorescence properties of compounds 1 – 3 were investigated.     

Supramolecular Complexes Based on [M(CN)8]4– (M = Mo,W) and Aliphatic Amine CuII Tectons

Three heterometallic supramolecular complexes [Cu₂(pn)₄(Mo(CN)₈)·4H₂O] (pn = diaminopropane) ( 1 ), [Cu₂(pn)₄(W(CN)₈)·4H₂O] ( 2 ) and [Cu₂(1,2‐pn)₄(H₂O) (W(CN)₈)·3H₂O] ( 3 ) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Complexes 1 – 3 exhibit three different networks. In 1 , the copper(II) ion is pentacoordinate with a distorted square‐pyramidal arrangement and the network is formed by the incorporation of coordinative linkage between the μ₂ bridge of [Mo(CN)₈]^4– and copper(II) ions and hydrogen‐bonding interactions. In 2 , the copper(II) ion exhibits a distorted square‐pyramidal arrangement and the network is formed by the hydrogen bonded trinuclear complexesof [Cu₂(pn)₂(W(CN)₈)]. In 3 , the copper(II) ions show twodifferent distorted octahedral arrangements. The network structure of 3 is formed by the hydrogen‐bonded complex chains of [Cu₂(1,2‐pn)₂(W(CN)₈)].