Magnetic circular dichroism and cobalt(II) binding equilibrium studies of Escherichia coli methionyl aminopeptidase

Equilibrium dialysis of methionyl aminopeptidase from Escherichia coli (EcMetAP) monitored by atomic absorption spectrometry and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) shows that the enzyme binds up to 1.1 +/- 0.1 equiv of Co(2+) in the metal concentration range likely to be found in vivo. The dissociation constant, K(d), is estimated to be between 2.5 and 4.0 microM. Analysis of the temperature and magnetization behavior of the two major peaks in the MCD spectrum at 495 and 567 nm suggests that these transitions arise from Co(2+) with different ground states. Ligand field calculations using AOMX are used to assign the 495 nm peak to Co(2+) in the 6-coordinate binding site and the 567 nm peak to Co(2+) in the 5-coordinate site. This is further supported by the fact that the binding affinity of the Co(2+) associated with the 567 nm peak is enhanced when the pH is increased from 7.5 to 9.0, consistent with having an imidazole ligand from a histidine amino acid residue. On the basis of the MCD intensities, it is estimated that, when the 5-coordinate site is fully occupied, 0.1 equiv of cobalt is in the 6-coordinate site. Even when the cobalt concentration is very low, there is a small fraction of binuclear sites in EcMetAP formed through cooperative binding between the 5- and 6-coordinate Co(2+) ions. The magnetization behavior of the 6-coordinate Co(2+) MCD peak is consistent with an isolated pseudo-Kramer doublet ground state, suggesting that the cobalt ions in the binuclear sites are not magnetically coupled.     

Palladium(II)-catalyzed cyclization of urethanes and total synthesis of 1-deoxymannojirimycin

The palladium(II)-catalyzed cyclization of the urethane 8, which was derived from D-mannitol, gave the cyclic compound 9 with excellent diastereoselectivity. During these transformations, the Pd(II) species are not reduced and thus the catalyst can recycle without its reoxidation. The cycloadduct 9 was converted to 1-deoxymannojirimycin.     

Pd(II)-catalysed aminocarbonylation as a key step in the total synthesis of C-6 homologues of 1-deoxynojirimycin and 1-deoxy-l-idonojirimycin

The first successful Pd(II)-catalysed aminocarbonylation of the highly substituted benzylaminoalkene 5 allows the direct preparation of fused piperidine lactones 3 and 4, which are subsequently converted to the novel C-6 homologue of 1-deoxynojirimycin 1 and 1-deoxy-l-idonojirimycin 2. The study of the influence of various catalytic conditions on the diastereoselectivity and product distribution of the key aminocarbonylation is presented.     

Preparation and characterization of the native iron(II)-containing DNA repair AlkB protein directly from Escherichia coli

The Escherichia coli AlkB protein was recently found to repair cytotoxic DNA lesions 1-methyladenine and 3-methylcytosine by using a novel iron-catalyzed oxidative demethylation mechanism. This protein belongs to a family of 2-ketoglutarate-Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenase proteins that utilize iron and 2-ketoglutarate to activate dioxygen for oxidation reactions. We report here the overexpression and isolation of the native Fe(II)-AlkB with a bound cofactor, 2-ketoglutarate, directly from E. coli. UV-vis measurements showed an absorption peak at 560 nm, which is characteristic of a bidentate 2-ketoglutarate bound to an iron(II) ion. Addition of excess amounts of single-stranded DNA to this isolated Fe(II)-AlkB protein caused a 9 nm shift of the 560 nm band to a higher energy, indicating a DNA-binding-induced geometry change of the active site. X-ray absorption spectra of the active site iron(II) in AlkB suggest a five-coordinate iron(II) center in the protein itself and a centrosymmetric six-coordinate iron(II) site upon addition of single-stranded DNA. This geometry change may play important roles in the DNA damage-searching and damage-repair functions of AlkB. These results provide direct evidence for DNA binding to AlkB which modulates the active site iron(II) geometry. The isolation of the native Fe(II)-AlkB also allows for further investigation of the iron(II) center and detailed mechanistic studies of the dioxygen-activation and damage-repair reactions performed by AlkB.     

Patterns of protein synthesis in a growth delay mutant (nuv) of Escherichia coli after treatment by near-UV radiation or hydrogen peroxide

When Escherichia coli cells are stressed by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), synthesis of a large number of proteins is repressed, while several other proteins are induced. Since there is evidence that some lethal effects of near-UV (NUV) radiation may be directly or indirectly due to hydrogen peroxide generated by NUV light, treatment of cells with NUV radiation or H2O2 might be expected to repress and induce the same set of proteins. In this study, we compared the effects of H2O2 and NUV irradiation on patterns of protein induction and/or repression which were separate from the 4-thiouridine-dependent response using growth delay mutants (nuv). Concentrating initially on the proteins that ceased synthesis following NUV irradiation in an nuv mutant, we observed that these were not the same as those that ceased synthesis following H2O2 treatment. Inspection of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis proteins indicated that NUV irradiation repressed synthesis of a different set of proteins, although there was some overlap between the two (45%). It was also observed that the new proteins which appeared after each of the two treatments were different. This suggests that the induction and/or repression of new proteins following NUV irradiation is not triggered solely via oxidative stress, although there is some overlap between the proteins that are induced or repressed following the two treatments.     

Synthesis and characterization of new HgS nanoparticles prepared by Hg(II)-triazole-3-thiol as precursor

Nine Hg(II) complexes, [Hg(DiphtS)₂(L-L)](2–7) {where, HDiphtS = 4,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol; L-L = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) (2); 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp)(3); 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb)(4); 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf)(5); 2,2′-bipyridine (Bipy)(6) and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen)(7) } or [Hg(DiphtS)₂(L)₂] (8–9) {where L = triphenylphosphine (Ph₃P) (8) and triphenylphosphine sulphide (Ph₃PS) (9)}, have been prepared form the reaction of [Hg(DiphtS)₂](1) with phosphine or amine as co-ligands. Then characterized by the IR, NMR (¹H and ³¹P) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, molar conductivity. The results supported the monodentate behaviour of HDiphtS ligand in all complexes (1–9) in anion form through the sulfur atom. Complexes 1, 2 and 6 have been used as single source precursors for the preparation of ethylene-diamine capped HgS-nanoparticles. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), have been used to characterize the HgS nanoparticles.     

Hydrothermal and sonochemical synthesis of a nano-sized nickel(II) Schiff base complex as a precursor for nano-sized nickel(II) oxide; spectroscopic, catalytic and antibacterial properties

The Ni(II) complexes [Ni(L)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1) and [Ni(L)₂(NO₃)₂] (2), where L is the Schiff base ligand of 4,5,9,13,14-pentaaza-benzo[b] triphenylene, were synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Nano-sized particles of (1) were prepared both by sonochemistry (3) and solvothermal (4) methods. NiO nanoparticles were obtained by calcination of the nano-structure complexes at 500 °C. The structures of the nano-sized compounds were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The thermal stabilities of the bulk complexes (1–2) and nano-sized particles (3–4) were studied by thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry. The catalytic activities of complexes of (1–4) are reported. The free Schiff base and its Ni(II) complexes have been screened for antibacterial activities against three Gram-positive bacteria. The metal complexes are more active than the free Schiff base. Electrochemical studies show that the Ni complexes undergo irreversible reduction in MeCN solution.     

Polyisonitriles. II. Heterophasic catalytic synthesis of poly(α-phenylethylisonitrile) and of poly(n-hexylisonitrile)

A three-component catalytic system has been discovered, which successfully polymerizes α-phenylethylisonitrile to high polymer (DP = 200–900) and also polymerizes n-hexylisonitrile. The catalyst components are a strong acid, a free-radical source, and a heterophase and are all necessary in this system. The use of a liquid medium in which the polymer is insoluble promotes the rate of polymerization and total yield. Poly(α-phenylethylisonitrile), formed from monomer in a presence of oxygen and finely ground glass coated with sulfuric acid, can itself serve, in the presence of monomer and oxygen, as a catalyst for this polymerization. Preparative details and discussion of these synthesis factors are given.     

A total synthesis of (±)-isocomene and (±) β-isocomene by an intramolecular ene reaction

The racemic sesquiterpenes isocomene 1 and β-isocomene 22 have been synthesized starting from 1,7-octadien-3-one 10 in a stereoselective manner. In the key step 12 → 13 (Scheme 5) the C-7, C-8-bond was formed by an intramolecular thermal ene reaction. Further transformations of 13 (Scheme 6) involved successively ring contraction 18 → 19, elimination 21 → 22 and olefin isomerization 22 → 1.     

Design and synthesis of 2(1H)-pyrazinones as inhibitors of protein kinases

Kinase enzymes play a key role in the development and progression of cancer. Inhibitors of deregulated kinases are effective small molecule anticancer drugs. The 2(1H)-pyrazinone heterocycle is a previously unexploited motif that can fulfil the structural requirements for ATP-competitive inhibition of kinases. Rapid solution-phase syntheses of novel 3,5- and 3,6-disubstituted-2(1H)-pyrazinones were developed through selective, sequential substitution of 2,5-dihalo-3-benzyloxypyrazine and 3,5-dihalo-2(1H)-pyrazinone intermediates. Palladium-catalysed cross-couplings and S_NAr reactions were used to introduce substituents chosen on the basis of the calculated physicochemical properties of the target pyrazinones. Representative compounds demonstrated good solubility, kinase inhibitory activity and antiproliferative activity in human tumour cells, confirming the suitability of this chemical class as a kinase-focused library.     

Urea-based ruthenium(II)-polypyridyl complex as an optical sensor for anions: synthesis, characterization, and binding studies

A new ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(bpy)2(1-(6-nitro-[1,10]phenanthrolin-5-yl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-urea)] (bpy=2,2'-bipyridyl) was synthesized and characterized using standard analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Detailed absorption, emission, and 1H NMR spectral studies revealed that this receptor molecule acts as a sensor for F-, CH3COO-, and H2PO4- in acetonitrile solution. Binding of these anions caused an appreciable change in the color of the acetonitrile solution, which could be detected with the naked eye. At relatively lower concentration of anions, 1:1 H-bonded adduct was formed; however, at higher concentration, classical Br?nsted acid-base-type reaction prevailed. The relative binding affinity of different anions toward this receptor was evaluated and was rationalized with quantum chemical calculations. Narrowing of the gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels on deprotonation of the receptor molecule caused a faster decay of the luminescence lifetime for the Rudpi-->Lpi*/bpypi*-based triplet excited state.     

Synthesis,characterization, DNA binding/cleavage,and anticancer and antimicrobial activities: Nano-sized Co(II) and Cd(II) complexes and their use as a precursor for CoO and CdO nanoparticles

In the search of effective bioactive compounds, Co(II) ( C1 ) and Cd(II) ( C2 ) complexes of the type [M(FMAPIMP)(H₂O)Cl].nH₂O (where M = Co(II); n = 2, Cd(II); n = 3, and FMAPIMP = ligand[2-((E)-((2-(((E)-furan-2-ylmethylene)amino)phenyl)imino)methyl)phenol]) were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, UV–Vis., cyclic voltammetry, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectral studies. The thermal stability of nano-sized Co(II) and Cd(II) complexes was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Cobalt and cadmium oxides were synthesized using cobalt and cadmium nanoparticle (NP) structure Schiff base complexes as the raw material after calcination for 5 h at 600 °C. According to the results, Co(II) and Cd(II) complexes with mole ratio 1:1 of metal: H-FMAPIMP which octahedral are the most probable geometry for it. On the contrary, synthesized C1 and C2 NPs were used as suitable precursors for the preparation of CoO and CdO NPs. The obtained NPs were characterized using FT-IR, UV–Vis., TGA, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy techniques. PXRD analysis revealed that the obtained oxides were crystalline and corresponded to CoO and CdO phases. Crystal size, shape, and morphology were determined using SEM and TEM. H-FMAPIMP and its two complexes ( C1 and C2 ) were tested against human ovarian cancer cell line (PA-1). The synthesized Co(II) and Cd(II) complexes exhibited enhanced activity against the tested bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia Coli) and fungal strains (Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus) as compared to H-FMAPIMP. The results of the DNA-cleavage activity indicated that the ligand and its two complexes can cleave calf thymus-DNA at different degrees. Further, antituberculosis activity was performed using microplate alamarBlue assay. Among all these synthesized compounds, C1 exhibited good cleaving ability compared to the newly synthesized C2 . Finally, the geometry of H-FMAPIMP and its Co(II) and Cd(II) complexes was optimized using molecular modeling.     

The new way to synthesize ethyl 1-butyryloxy-1-phenylmethane(P-phenyl)phosphinate and whole-cell biocatalysis by Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens

Abstract

A new compound, ethyl 1-carboxy-1-hydroxy-1-phenylmethane(P-phenyl)phosphinate, was synthesized and the configuration of its diastereoisomers was described using NMR spectroscopy. Acylation with butyryl chloride gave an unexpected product, ethyl butyryloxy(phenyl)methane(P-phenyl)phosphinate, which was then hydrolyzed using two bacterial species as biocatalysts. Good results were achieved for biocatalytic hydrolysis performed by Escherichia coli cells, giving optically active products with 84% enantiomeric excess, and enantioselectivity of 25.8 for one pair of enantiomers. Better results were obtained when the biocatalytic reaction was carrying out for a longer period and the conversion degree reached 71%, the enantiomeric excess of unreacted substrate was >99% and enantioselectivity increased to 32.1. In all cases, isomers bearing α–carbon atom of S configuration were hydrolyzed preferentially.     

Cobalt(II)–metformin complexes containing α‐diimine/α‐diamine as auxiliary ligand: DNA binding properties

The cobalt(II) complexes [Co(Cl)₂(met)(o‐phen)] ( 1 ), [Co(Cl)₂(en)(met)] ( 2 ) and [Co(Cl)₂(met)(opda)] ( 3 ) (met = metformin, o‐phen = ortho‐phenanthroline, en = ethylenediamine, opda = ortho‐phenylenediamine) were synthesized and characterized using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, molar conductance measurements, thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, magnetic moment measurements, electronic spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The metal centre was found to be in an octahedral geometry. UV–visible absorption, fluorescence and viscosity measurements were conducted to assess the interaction of the complexes with calf thymus DNA. The complexes showed absorption hyperchromism in UV–visible spectra with DNA. The binding constants from UV–visible absorption studies were 1.38 × 10⁵, 2.1 × 10⁵ and 3.1 × 10⁵ M^?1 for 1 , 2 and 3 , respectively, and Stern–Volmer quenching constants from fluorescence studies were 0.146, 0.176 and 0.475, respectively. Viscosity measurements revealed that the binding of the complexes with DNA could be surface binding, mainly due to groove binding. The activities of the complexes in DNA cleavage decrease in the order 3 > 2 > 1 . The complexes were docked into DNA topoisomerase II using Discovery Studio 2.1 software.     

Modelling the use of lanthanides(III) as probes at calcium(II) binding sites in biological systems: Preparation and characterization of neodymium(III) and calcium(II) malonamato(-1) complexes

A bioinorganic approach into the problem of the isomorphous substitution of calcium(II) by lanthanide(III) ions in biological systems is discussed. Reactions of malonamic acid (H₂malm) with Ca^II and Nd^III sources under similar conditions yielded the compounds [Ca(Hmalm)₂]_n (1), [Nd(Hmalm)₂(H₂O)₂]_n(NO₃)_n (2) and [Nd(Hmalm)₂(H₂O)₂]_nCl_n·2nH₂O (3·2nH₂O). Their X-ray crystal structure data show that the malonamate(-1) ligand presents two different ligation modes and coordinates through the two carboxylate and the amide-O atoms, thus bridging three Ca^II ions in 1 and two Nd^III ions in 2 and 3·2nH₂O. Complex 1 is a 3D coordination polymer based on neutral repeating units, whereas 2 and 3·2nH₂O are 1D coordination polymers based on the same cationic repeating unit. Hydrogen bonding interactions further stabilize the 3D framework structure of 1 and assemble the 1D chains of 2 and 3·2nH₂O into 3D networks. The three complexes were characterized spectroscopically (IR, far-IR, and Raman) and the thermal decomposition of 2 and 3·2nH₂O was monitored by TG/DTA and TG/DTG measurements. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data for 2 are also reported. The bioinorganic chemistry relevance of our results is discussed.     

Nano-sized Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes and their use as a precursor for synthesis of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles: A study on their sonochemical synthesis,characterization, and DNA-binding/cleavage,anticancer, and antimicrobial activities

Two new divalent copper (C1) and zinc (C2) chelates having the formulae [M(PIMC)₂] (where M = Cu(II), Zn(II) and PIMC = Ligand [(E)-3-(((3-hydroxypyridin-2-yl)imino)methyl)-4H-chromen-4-one] were obtained and characterized by several techniques. Structures and geometries of the synthesized complexes were judged based on the results of alternative analytical and spectral tools supporting the proposed formulae. IR spectral data confirmed the coordination of the ligands to the copper and zinc centers as monobasic tridentate in the enol form. Thermal analysis, UV-Vis spectra and magnetic moment confirmed the geometry around the copper center to be tetrahedral, square pyramidal and octahedral. Study of the binding ability of the synthesized compounds with Circulating tumor DNA (CT-DNA) bas been evaluated applying UV-Vis spectral titration and viscosity measurements. The copper and zinc oxides were achieved from the copper and zinc nano-particles structures Schiff base complexes as the raw material after calcination for 5 hr at 600°C. On the other hand, synthesized of C1 and C2 NPs were used as suitable precursors to the preparation of CuO and ZnO NPs. Finally, the synthesized of the two complexes exhibited enhanced activity against the tested bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia Coli) and fungal strains (Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus) as compared to HPIMC. Among all these synthesized compounds, C1 exhibits good cleaving ability compared to other newly synthesized C2.     

Dinuclear cadmium (II) Schiff base complex: synthesis,crystal structure,spectroscopic characterization and application as a new precursor for preparation of nano-cadmium oxide

A novel cadmium (II) nano-complex, [Cd(EtOH)(HL)(NO₃)]₂ (1), (H₂L = 2-[(2-hydroxy-propylimino) methyl] phenol) was synthesized by solvothermal and sonochemical methods. The new nanostructure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Single crystalline of compound 1 was obtained using a branch tube method. The determination of the structure by single-crystal X-ray crystallography shows that the complex is a centrosymmetric dimer in which deprotonated phenolates bridge the two seven-coordinate metal atoms and link the two halves of the dimer. The luminescent properties of the complex 1 were examined and compared with the free ligand. The thermal stability of nano-complex 1 was analyzed by thermal gravimetric analysis. Furthermore, the effect of the initial substrates concentration on size and morphology of compound 1 nanostructure was investigated in sonochemical method. After the solid-state transformation of compound 1 at 650 °C in air, pure-phase nano-sized cadmium (II) oxide was produced. The morphology and size of the prepared CdO samples were further observed using TEM and SEM. Investigation of the optical properties of the produced cadmium oxide, using UV–Vis spectroscopy, confirmed its semiconducting properties by revealing optical band gap at 2.93 eV. A blue shift is observed in the band gap when compared with bulk sample which is due to the quantum size effect.     

Study on synthesis of lanthanide chelates of (l)-α-trifluoromethyl-polyfluoroalkyl-β-diketone and their application as chiral shift reagents

The lanthanide chelates of (l)-2, 2-dimethyl-6-trifluoromethyl-7-oxa-6, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10-octafluoro-3, 5-decanedione, Ln [(l)-CF₃CF₂CF₂OCF (CF₃) COCHCOC (CH₃)₃]₃ (l-3a, Ln=Eu; 3b, Ln=Pr), are useful as ¹H NMR shift reagents for direct determination of enantiomeric composition of enantiomorphous alcohols, ketones and amines. With these substrates, l-3a induces shift difference similar to that induced by Eu(facam)₃ and Eu(hfbc)₃. However, due to the higher solubility of the chelates l-3a and l-3b in nonpolar organic solvent such as CHCl₃, CCl₄ and only one ¹H signal from l-3a and l-3b is observed, their application as the new chiral shift reagents seems promising. The spectral nonequivalence is also observed for dimethylsulfoxide in the presence of l-3a.