Mechanism of Thyroxine Deiodination by Naphthyl‐Based Iodothyronine Deiodinase Mimics and the Halogen Bonding Role: A DFT Investigation

This paper deals with a systematic density functional theory (DFT) study aiming to unravel the mechanism of the thyroxine (T4) conversion into 3,3′,5‐triiodothyronine (rT3) by using different bio‐inspired naphthyl‐based models, which are able to reproduce the catalytic functions of the type‐3 deiodinase ID‐3. Such naphthalenes, having two selenols, two thiols, and a selenol–thiol pair in peri positions, which were previously synthesized and tested in their deiodinase activity, are able to remove iodine selectively from the inner ring of T4 to produce rT3. Calculations were performed including also an imidazole ring that, mimicking the role of the His residue, plays an essential role deprotonating the selenol/thiol moiety. For all the used complexes, the calculated potential energy surfaces show that the reaction proceeds via an intermediate, characterized by the presence of a X?I?C (X=Se, S) halogen bond, whose transformation into a subsequent intermediate in which the C?I bond is definitively cleaved and the incipient X?I bond is formed represents the rate‐determining step of the whole process. The calculated trend in the barrier heights of the corresponding transition states allows us to rationalize the experimentally observed superior deiodinase activity of the naphthyl‐based compound with two selenol groups. The role of the peri interactions between chalcogen atoms appears to be less prominent in determining the deiodination activity.     

The role of the halogen bond in iodothyronine deiodinase: Dependence on chalcogen substitution in naphthyl-based mimetics

The effects on the activity of thyroxine (T4) due to the chalcogen replacement in a series of peri-substituted naphthalenes mimicking the catalytic function of deiodinase enzymes are computationally examined using density functional theory. In particular, T4 inner-ring deiodination pathways assisted by naphthyl-based models bearing two tellurols and a tellurol-thiol pair in peri-position are explored and compared with the analogous energy profiles for the naphthalene mimic having two selenols. The presence of a halogen bond (XB) in the intermediate formed in the first step and involved in the rate-determining step of the reaction is assumed to facilitate the process increasing the rate of the reaction. The rate-determining step calculated energy barrier heights allow rationalizing the experimentally observed superior catalytic activity of tellurium containing mimics. Charge displacement analysis is used to ascertain the presence and the role of the electron density charge transfer occurring in the rate-determining step of the reaction, suggesting the incipient formation or presence of a XB interaction. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Halogen Bonding Controls the Regioselectivity of the Deiodination of Thyroid Hormones and their Sulfate Analogues

The type 1 iodothyronine deiodinase (1D‐1) in liver and kidney converts the L ‐thyroxine ( T4 ), a prohormone, by outer‐ring (5′) deiodination to biologically active 3,3′,5‐triiodothyronine ( T3 ) or by inner‐ring (5) deiodination to inactive 3,3′,5′‐triiodothronine ( rT3 ). Sulfate conjugation is an important step in the irreversible inactivation of thyroid hormones. While sulfate conjugation of the phenolic hydroxyl group stimulates the 5‐deiodination of T4 and T3 , it blocks the 5′‐deiodination of T4 . We show that thyroxine sulfate ( T4S ) undergoes faster deiodination as compared to the parent thyroid hormone T4 by synthetic selenium compounds. It is also shown that ID‐3 mimics, which are remarkably selective to the inner‐ring deiodination of T4 and T3 , changes the selectivity completely when T4S is used as a substrate. From the theoretical investigations, it is observed that the strength of halogen bonding increases upon sulfate conjugation, which leads to a change in the regioselectivity of ID‐3 mimics towards the deiodination of T4S . It has been shown that these mimics perform both the 5′‐ and 5‐ring deiodinations by an identical mechanism.     

Deiodination of thyroid hormones by iodothyronine deiodinase mimics: does an increase in the reactivity alter the regioselectivity?

Organoselenium compounds as functional mimics of iodothyronine deiodinase are described. The naphthyl-based compounds having two selenol groups are remarkably efficient in the inner-ring deiodination of thyroxine. The introduction of a basic amino group in close proximity to one of the selenol moieties enhances the deiodination. This study suggests that an increase in the nucleophilic reactivity of the conserved Cys residue at the active site of deiodinases is very important for effective deiodination.     

Detection and quantification of 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine and 3,3′,5′-triiodothyronine by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A novel and rapid method for identifying and quantifying 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3; reverse T3) has been introduced using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). MS(2) spectra in either negative ionization mode or positive ionization mode can be used to differentiate T3 and rT3. Quantification of the T3 and rT3 isomers under the negative ionization mode is also achieved without prior separation by HPLC.     

Differentiation of diiodothyronines using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Diiodothyronines 3,5-diiodothyronine (3,5-T2), 3',5'-diiodothyronine (3',5'-T2), and 3,3'-diiodothyronine (3,3'-T2) are important metabolites of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3; reverse T3). In this paper, a novel and rapid method for identifying and quantifying 3,5-T2, 3',5'-T2 and 3,3'-T2 has been introduced using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). Fragmentation patterns were proposed on the basis of our data obtained by ESI-MS/MS. MS2 spectra in either negative ionization mode or positive ionization mode can be used to differentiate 3,5-T2, 3',5'-T2 and 3,3'-T2. On the basis of the relative abundance of fragment ions in MS2 spectra under the positive ionization mode, quantification of the 3,5-T2, 3',5'-T2 and 3,3'-T2 isomers in mixtures is also achieved without prior separation.     

Development of a validated liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the distinction of thyronine and thyronamine constitutional isomers and for the identification of new deiodinase substrates

Thyronines (THs) and thyronamines (TAMs) are two groups of endogenous iodine-containing signaling molecules whose representatives differ from each other only regarding the number and/or the position of the iodine atoms. Both groups of compounds are substrates of three deiodinase isozymes, which catalyze the sequential reductive removal of iodine from the respective precursor molecule. In this study, a novel analytical method applying liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed. This method permitted the unequivocal, simultaneous identification and quantification of all THs and TAMs in the same biological sample. Furthermore, a liquid-liquid extraction procedure permitting the concurrent isolation of all THs and TAMs from biological matrices, namely deiodinase (Dio) reaction mixtures, was established. Method validation experiments with extracted TH and TAM analytes demonstrated that the method was selective, devoid of matrix effects, sensitive, linear over a wide range of analyte concentrations and robust in terms of reproducible recoveries, process efficiencies as well as intra-assay and inter-assay stability parameters. The method was applied to study the deiodination reactions of iodinated THs catalyzed by the three deiodinase isozymes. With the HPLC protocol developed herein, sufficient chromatographic separation of all constitutional TH and TAM isomers was achieved. Accordingly, the position of each iodine atom removed from a TH substrate in a Dio-catalyzed reaction was backtracked unequivocally. While several established deiodination reactions were verified, two as yet unknown reactions, namely the phenolic ring deiodination of 3',5'-diiodothyronine (3',5'-T2) by Dio2 and the tyrosyl ring deiodination of 3-monoiodothyronine (3-T1) by Dio3, were newly identified.     

头发中甲状腺激素和类固醇激素的高效液相色谱串联质谱检测

基于高效液相色谱-串联质谱（HPLC-MS/MS）,开发了一种灵敏、可靠的方法,用于同时测定人类头发中的甲状腺和类固醇激素,包括甲状腺素（T4）、3,3′,5-三碘甲状腺原氨酸（T3）、3,3′,5′-三碘甲状腺原氨酸（rT3）、3,3′-二碘甲状腺原氨酸（3,3′-T2）、L-甲状腺原氨酸（T0）、皮质醇（F）和可的松（E）。头发用量20 mg,使用甲醇/氨水（体积比95∶5）在40℃下孵育24 h。采用电喷雾离子源,在多反应监测模式和正离子模式下进行定量分析。在甲醇/纯水（体积比80∶20,含0.2 mmol/L乙酸铵）的等度洗脱条件下,7种待测物分离良好。该方法检测上述7种激素的检测限在0.3～1.9 pg/mg,定量限在1.1～6.5 pg/mg;日内、日间变异系数均小于10%,回收率在89.4%～109.1%之间;稳定性、残留效应均符合检测标准要求。运用该方法检测140名被试的头发样本,所有被试的T0、F和E均可定量检测,而T4、T3、rT3和3,3′-T2的含量非常低,均在定量限附近,仅在少量被试中可被检出。     

Remarkable Effect of Chalcogen Substitution on an Enzyme Mimetic for Deiodination of Thyroid Hormones

Iodothyronine deiodinases are selenoenzymes which regulate the thyroid hormone homeostasis by catalyzing the regioselective deiodination of thyroxine (T4). Synthetic deiodinase mimetics are important not only to understand the mechanism of enzyme catalysis, but also to develop therapeutic agents as abnormal thyroid hormone levels have implications in different diseases, such as hypoxia, myocardial infarction, critical illness, neuronal ischemia, tissue injury, and cancer. Described herein is that the replacement of sulfur/selenium atoms in a series of deiodinase mimetics by tellurium remarkably alters the reactivity as well as regioselectivity toward T4. The tellurium compounds reported in this paper represent the first examples of deiodinase mimetics which mediate sequential deiodination of T4 to produce all the hormone derivatives including T0 under physiologically relevant conditions.     

Comparison between Hydrogen and Halogen Bonds in Complexes of 6-OX-Fulvene with Pnicogen and Chalcogen Electron Donors

Quantum chemical calculations are applied to complexes of 6-OX-fulvene (X=H, Cl, Br, I) with ZH₃/H₂Y (Z=N, P, As, Sb; Y=O, S, Se, Te) to study the competition between the hydrogen bond and the halogen bond. The H-bond weakens as the base atom grows in size and the associated negative electrostatic potential on the Lewis base atom diminishes. The pattern for the halogen bonds is more complicated. In most cases, the halogen bond is stronger for the heavier halogen atom, and pnicogen electron donors are more strongly bound than chalcogen. Halogen bonds to chalcogen atoms strengthen in the order O<S<Se<Te, whereas the pattern is murkier for the pnicogen donors. In terms of competition, most halogen bonds to pnicogen donors are stronger than their H-bond analogues, but there is no clear pattern with respect to chalcogen donors. O prefers a H-bond, while halogen bonds are favored by Te. For S and Se, I-bonds are strongest, followed Br, H, and Cl-bonds in that order.     

Halogen and Chalcogen Bond Energies Evaluated Using Electron Density Properties

Halogen (X-bond) and chalcogen bond (Ch−bond) energies for 36 complexes have been obtained at the RI-MP2/def2−TZVP level of theory, involving the heavier halogen and chalcogen atoms (Br, I, Se, Te). We have explored the existence of linear relationships between the interaction energies and the local kinetic energy densities at the bond critical points that characterize the σ-hole interactions (both electronic G(r) and potential V(r) energy densities). Interestingly, we have found strong relationships for halogen and chalcogen bonding energies, especially for the V(r) energy density, thus allowing to estimate the interaction energy without computing the separate monomers. This is also useful to estimate the interaction in monomeric systems (intramolecular X/Ch-bonds), as illustrated using several examples. Remarkably, we have also found a good relationship when in the same representation both halogen and chalcogen atoms are included, thus allowing to use the same empirical correlation for both interactions.     

Activating Chalcogen Bonding (ChB) in Alkylseleno/Alkyltelluroacetylenes toward Chalcogen Bonding Directionality Control

Activation of a deep electron-deficient area on chalcogen atoms (Ch=Se, Te) is demonstrated in alkynyl chalcogen derivatives, in the prolongation of the (C≡)C−Ch bond. The solid-state structures of 1,4-bis(methylselenoethynyl)perfluorobenzene ( 1Se ) show the formation of recurrent chalcogen-bonded (ChB) motifs. Association of 1Se and the tellurium analogue 1Te with 4,4′-bipyridine and with the stronger Lewis base 1,4-di(4-pyridyl)piperazine gives 1:1 co-crystals with 1D extended structures linked by short and directional ChB interactions, comparable to those observed with the corresponding halogen bond (XB) donor, 1,4-bis(iodoethynyl)-perfluorobenzene. This “alkynyl” approach for chalcogen activation provides the crystal-engineering community with efficient, and neutral ChB donors for the elaboration of supramolecular 1D (and potentially 2D or 3D) architectures, with a degree of strength and predictability comparable to that of halogen bonding in iodoacetylene derivatives.     

The Dominant Role of Chalcogen Bonding in the Crystal Packing of 2D/3D Aromatics

The chalcogen bond is a nonclassical σ‐hole‐based noncovalent interaction with emerging applications in medicinal chemistry and material science. It is found in organic compounds, including 2D aromatics, but has so far never been observed in 3D aromatic inorganic boron hydrides. Thiaboranes, harboring a sulfur heteroatom in the icosahedral cage, are candidates for the formation of chalcogen bonds. The phenyl‐substituted thiaborane, synthesized and crystalized in this study, forms sulfur???π type chalcogen bonds. Quantum chemical analysis revealed that these interactions are considerably stronger than both in their organic counterparts and in the known halogen bond. The reason is the existence of a highly positive σ‐hole on the positively charged sulfur atom. This discovery expands the possibilities of applying substituted boron clusters in crystal engineering and drug design.     

Multinuclear NMR studies on CF3 substituted sulfur,selenium and tellurium compounds

A systematic investigation of thirty-four CF₃Se(II, IV) and eight CF₃Te(II, IV) compounds by ¹³C, ¹⁹F, ⁷⁷Se and ¹²⁵Te NMR spectroscopy resulted in some general features for chemical shifts and coupling constants which agree with the trends of reported ¹⁹F and new ¹³C NMR data of CF₃S(II, IV) compounds. Moreover, the NMR spectra of molecules of the type E=CXY (E = chalcogen, X, Y = halogen) and substances containing a CSe double bond have been studied. From the comparison of these NMR data with those of CF₃ substituted chalcogen compounds, a partial double bond character of the carbon-fluorine and carbon-chalcogen bond in CF₃ substituted chalcogen compounds can be derived:

     

Simultaneous quantification of T4, T3, rT3, 3,5‐T2 and 3,3′‐T2 in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model to study exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls

Environmental toxicants that interfere with thyroid hormone (TH) signaling can impact growth and development in animals and humans. Zebrafish represent a model to study chemically induced TH disruption, prompting the need for sensitive detection of THs. Simultaneous quantification of 3,3′,5‐triiodo‐l ‐thyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), 3,3′,5′‐triiodo‐l ‐thyronine (rT3), 3,5‐diiodo‐l ‐thyronine (3,5‐T2) and 3,3′‐diiodo‐l ‐thyronine (3,3′‐T2) in zebrafish larvae was achieved by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry in positive ion mode. Solid‐phase extraction with SampliQ cartridges and derivatization with 3 m hydrochloric acid in n‐butanol reduced matrix effects. Derivatized compounds were separated on an Acquity UPLC BEH C₁₈ column with mobile phases consisting of 0.1% acetic acid in deionized water and 0.1% acetic acid in methanol. The limits of detection ranged from 0.5 to 0.6 pg injected on column. The method was validated by evaluating recovery (77.1–117.2%), accuracy (87.3–123.9%) and precision (0.5–12.4%) using diluted homogenized zebrafish embryos spiked with all target compounds. This method was then applied to zebrafish larvae collected after 114 h of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), including PCB 28, PCB 66 and PCB 95, or the technical mixture Aroclor 1254. Exposure to PCB 28 and PCB 95 increased the T4:T3 ratio and decreased the T3:rT3 ratio, demonstrating that this method can effectively detect PCB‐induced alterations in THs.     

H2XP…SHY复合物中磷键与硫键的理论研究

用从头算量子化学方法MP2 与CCSD(T)研究了H₂XP和SHY (X, Y=H, F, Cl, Br)分子的P与S之间形成的磷键X―P…S与硫键Y―S…P的本质与规律以及取代基X与Y对成键的影响. 计算结果表明, 硫键比磷键强, 连接在Lewis 酸上的取代基的电负性增大导致形成的磷键或硫键增强, 键能增大, 对单体的结构和性质的影响也增大; 而连接在Lewis 碱上的取代基效应则相反. 硫键键能为8.37-23.45 kJ·mol^-1, 最强的硫键结构是Y 电负性最大而X 电负性最小的HFS…PH₃, CCSD(T)计算的键能是16.04 kJ·mol^-1; 磷键键能为7.54-14.65 kJ·mol^-1, 最强的磷键结构是X 电负性最大而Y 电负性最小的H₂FP…SH₂, CCSD(T)计算的键能是12.52 kJ·mol^-1. 对磷键与硫键能量贡献较大的是交换与静电作用. 分子间超共轭lp(S)-σ^*(PX)与lp(P)-σ^*(SY)对磷键与硫键的形成起着重要作用, 它导致单体的极化, 其中硫键的极化效应较大, 从而有一定的共价特征.     

Competition between chalcogen bond and halogen bond interactions in YOX<Subscript>4</Subscript>:NH<Subscript>3</Subscript> (Y = S,Se; X = F,Cl, Br) complexes: An ab initio investigation

Using ab initio calculations, the geometries, interaction energies and bonding properties of chalcogen bond and halogen bond interactions between YOX₄ (Y = S, Se; X = F, Cl, Br) and NH₃ molecules are studied. These binary complexes are formed through the interaction of a positive electrostatic potential region (σ-hole) on the YOX₄ with the negative region in the NH₃. The ab initio calculations are carried out at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level, through analysis of molecular electrostatic potentials, quantum theory of atoms in molecules and natural bond orbital methods. Our results indicate that even though the chalcogen and halogen bonds are mainly dominated by electrostatic effects, but the polarization and dispersion effects also make important contributions to the total interaction energy of these complexes. The examination of interaction energies suggests that the chalcogen bond is always favored over the halogen bond for all of the binary YOX₄:NH₃ complexes.     

Theoretical Density Functional Theory insights into the nature of chalcogen bonding between CX2 (X = S,Se, Te) and diazine from monomer to supramolecular complexes

Chalcogen bonding is a noncovalent interaction, highly similar to halogen and hydrogen bonding, occurring between a chalcogen atom and a nucleophilic region. Two density functional theory (DFT) approaches B3LY-D3 and B97-D3 were performed on a series of complexes formed between CX₂ (X = S, Se, Te) and diazine (pyridazine, pyrimidine and pyrazine). Chalcogen atoms prefer interacting with the lone pair of a nitrogen atom rather than with the π-cloud of an aromatic ring. CTe₂ and CSe₂ form a stronger chalcogen bond than CS₂. The electrostatic potential of CX₂ (X = S, Se and Te) reveals the presence of two equivalent σ-holes, one on each chalcogen atom. These CX₂ molecules interact with diazine giving rise to supramolecular interactions. Wiberg bond index and second-order perturbation theory analysis in NBO were performed to better understand the nature of the chalcogen bond interaction.     

Fragmentation of carbohydrate anomeric alkoxyl radicals: a new synthesis of 1,1-difluoro-1-iodo alditols

[reaction: see text]. The beta-fragmentation of 2,2-difluoro-saccharide anomeric alkoxyl radicals, generated under oxidative condition by treatment of the respective alcohols with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (DIB) and iodine, afforded 1,1-difluoro-1-iodo alditols in high yield. The reactivity of the fluorinated radical generated by rupture of the C-I bond has been preliminarily assessed by reductive deiodination with tributyltin hydride/AIBN and intermolecular allylation using the Keck reaction.