Interactions of trimethylamine N-oxide and water with cyclo-alanylglycine

The osmolyte trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is one of a family of compounds found in living systems that can stabilize biomolecular tertiary structures. As a step in exploring the interactions between this material and polyamino acids, we have determined intermolecular 1H{1H} nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs) between the protons of cyclo-alanylglycine and protons of solvent components in TMAO-water solutions. Comparison of the results to effects predicted on the basis of the molecular shape of the dipeptide and experimental translational diffusion coefficients suggests that both water and TMAO molecules have properties in the vicinity of the dipeptide that are different from those in the bulk solution. Changes of local concentrations of water and TMAO and changes in the diffusive behavior of these components near the dipeptide are rejected as possible explanations of the discrepancies between observed and calculated Overhauser effects. Rather, it is concluded that TMAO molecules, and the water molecules associated with them, participate to some extent in the formation of long-lived solute-solvent complexes. The aliphatic alcohol tert-butyl alcohol is structurally similar to TMAO. Overhauser effect studies of its interaction with cyclo-alanylglycine in tert-butyl alcohol-water suggest similar kinds of interactions are present in this system but that they are significantly weaker, presumably because of the lower polarity of this alcohol compared to TMAO.     

Destruction of hydrogen bonds of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) aqueous solution by trimethylamine N-oxide

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a compatible or protective osmolyte that stabilizes the protein native structure through non-bonding mechanism between TMAO and hydration surface of protein. However, we have shown here first time the direct binding mechanism for naturally occurring osmolyte TMAO with hydration structure of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), an isomer of polyleucine, and subsequent aggregation of PNIPAM. The influence of TMAO on lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM was investigated as a function of TMAO concentration at different temperatures by fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity (η), multi angle dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy measurements. To address some of the basis for further analysis of FTIR spectra of PNIPAM, we have also measured FTIR spectra for the monomer of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) in deuterium oxide (D(2)O) as a function of TMAO concentration. Our experimental results purportedly elucidate that the LCST values decrease with increasing TMAO concentration, which is mainly contributing to the direct hydrogen bonding of TMAO with the water molecules that are bound to the amide (-CONH) functional groups of the PNIPAM. We believed that the present work may act as a ladder to reach the heights of understanding of molecular mechanism between TMAO and macromolecule.     

An X-ray and neutron scattering study of the equilibrium between trimethylamine N-oxide and urea in aqueous solution

The interaction of the osmolytes trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and urea in aqueous solutions at 40 °C was investigated by isotopic substitution neutron scattering at a TMAO mole fraction of 0.05 and TMAO/urea concentration ratios of 1?:?2 and 1?:?4. The partial pair distribution functions obtained by the empirical potential structure refinement method are consistent with those obtained previously for similar pure TMAO and 1?:?1 TMAO-urea solutions and indicate that urea progressively replaces the water molecules in the first coordination shell of the TMAO oxygen atom. The apparent association constant for the TMAO?:?urea complex (K(1)) was calculated to be 0.14 M(-1), which is of the same order as the experimental urea-protein binding constants per site reported in the literature. This confirms that the two osmolytes act independently at least in the physiological range.     

Interactions of cholesterol with cyclodextrins in aqueous solution

The interaction of cholesterol with several cyclodextrins (CDs) was investigated in water using solubility method. It was found that heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-CD (DOM-beta-CD) forms two types of soluble complex, with molar ratios of 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 (cholesterol : DOM-beta-CD), and neither a soluble nor insoluble complex is formed between cholesterol and alpha-CD, beta-CD, and gamma-CD, although a minor soluble complex formation was observed between cholesterol and 2-hydroxylpropyl-beta-CD. The thermodynamic parameters for 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complex formation of cholesterol with DOM-beta-CD obtained from the changes in K with temperature are as follows: DeltaG degrees (1 : 1)=-11.6 kJ/mol at 25 degrees C (K(1 : 1)=1.09x10(2) M(-1)); DeltaH degrees (1 : 1)=-3.38 kJ/mol; TDeltaS degrees (1 : 1)=8.25 kJ/mol; DeltaG degrees (1 : 2)=-27.1 kJ/mol at 25 degrees C (K(1 : 2)=5.68x10(4) M(-1)); DeltaH degrees (1 : 2)=-3.96 kJ/mol; and TDeltaS degrees (1 : 2)=23.2 kJ/mol. The formation of the 1 : 2 complex occurred much more easily than that of the 1 : 1 complex. The driving force for 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complex formation was considered to be mainly hydrophobic interaction. Also, based on the measurements of proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and studies with Corey-Pauling-Koltun atomic models, the probable structutures of the 1 : 2 complex were estimated.     

Structure of the molybdenum site of Escherichia coli trimethylamine N-oxide reductase

We report a structural characterization of the molybdenum site of recombinant Escherichia coli trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) reductase using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The enzyme active site shows considerable similarity to that of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) reductase, in that, like DMSO reductase, the TMAO reductase active site can exist in multiple forms. Examination of the published crystal structure of TMAO oxidase from Shewanella massilia indicates that the postulated Mo coordination structure is chemically impossible. The presence of multiple active site structures provides a potential explanation for the anomalous features reported from the crystal structure.     

The formation of iron carbonyl radical anions in the reactions of iron carbonyls with trimethylamine N-oxide

The interaction of iron carbonyls, Fe(CO)₅, Fe₂(CO)₉ and Fe₃(CO)₁₂ with Me₃NO occurs according to a one-electron redox-disproportionation scheme giving rise to iron carbonyl radical anions: Fe₂(CO)₈^·− (1), Fe₃(CO)₁₂^·− (2), Fe₃(CO)₁₁^·− (3) and Fe₄(CO)₁₃^·− (4). The role of Me₃NO, inducing CO-substitution, consists of the generation of reactive 17-electron species with a labile coordination sphere in which the substitution for other ligands occurs, resulting from fast ligand and electron exchange in the confines of the ETC-reaction.     

A flow injection electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous measurement of trimethylamine and trimethylamine N-oxide in urine

Key metabolites for the diagnosis of the genetic disorder trimethylaminuria are trimethylamine (TMA) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). A rapid, automatable flow injection ESI-MS/MS method for their measurement in urine has been developed. The TMA was derivatized with ethyl bromoacetate to form ethyl betaine bromide. The 2 min ESI-MS/MS analysis employed four multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) ion pairs for derivatized TMA (146.1, 118.1), derivatized (2)H(9)-TMA (155.1, 127.1), TMAO (76.1, 58.1) and (2)H(9)-TMAO (85.1, 66.1). In control urine samples (n = 27) referred for suspected metabolic problems TMA was 0.11-1.19 mmol/mol creatinine, TMAO was 13.5-181 mmol/mol creatinine and the TMA/TMAO ratio was 0.0025-0.055. In five patients with diagnosed trimethylaminuria, TMA was 5.3-230 mmol/mol creatinine, TMAO was 0.36-607 mmol/mol creatinine and the TMA/TMAO ratio was 0.20-134.     

Photo-induced degradation of some flavins in aqueous solution

The blue-light induced photo-degradation of FMN, FAD, riboflavin, lumiflavin, and lumichrome in aqueous solution at pH 8 is studied by measurement of absorption coefficient spectral changes due to continuous excitation at 428 nm. The quantum yields of photo-degradation determined are ϕ_D(riboflavin, pH 8) ≈ 7.8 × 10⁻³, ϕ_D(FMN, pH 5.6) ≈ 7.3 × 10⁻³, ϕ_D(FMN, pH 8) ≈ 4.6 × 10⁻³, ϕ_D(FAD, pH 8) ≈ 3.7 × 10⁻⁴, ϕ_D(lumichrome, pH 8) ≈ 1.8 × 10⁻⁴, and ϕ_D(lumiflavin, pH 8) ⩽ 1.1 × 10⁻⁵. In a mass-spectroscopic analysis, the photo-products of FMN dissolved in water (solution pH is 5.6) were identified to be lumichrome and the lumiflavin derivatives dihydroxymethyllumiflavin, formyllumiflavin, and lumiflavin-hydroxy-acetaldehyde. An absorption and emission spectroscopic characterisation of the primary photoproducts of FMN at pH 8 is carried out.     

Kinetic role of tert-amines in the osmium tetroxide catalyzed trimethylamine N-oxide dihydroxylation of cyclohexene

Effect of some tert-amines on the catalytic osmium tetroxide dihydroxylation of cyclohexene in aqueous tert-butyl alcohol has been investigated All amines have been found to retard the catalysis greatly and beyond a definite concentration of amine, the rate reaches a minimal and remains constant. The oxidation of cyclohexene is inhibited by pyridine, 2.2′-bipyridyl and DABCO with an inverse first-order dependence whereas inhibition by triphenylamine NN-diethylaniline, picoline pyrazine hexamethylenetetraamine and TMEDA shows an inverse partial order dependence. The inolvement of dioxomonoglycolatoosmium(VI) esters and their monoamine adducts in the rate determining oxidation step was established by the linear plots of 1/Δk₂ vs. 1/[L] where Δk₂ is the decrease in the second-order rate constant in the presence of [L] concentration of tert-amine. The ligand-accelerated or ligand-decelerated catalysis of tert-amines in the catalytic osmium tetraoxide dihydroxylation of alkenes may vary depending on the secondary oxidant on the alkene and on the structure and concentration of the tert-amine. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 359–366, 1997     

A luminescent receptor with affinity for N-terminal histidine in peptides in aqueous solution

Crown ethers of suitable size are the perfect artificial host compounds for ammonium ion binding, but the rather low affinity in aqueous solution prevents their use at physiological conditions. We report here the synthesis and properties of a luminescent benzo crown ether with a pendant copper imidodiacetic acid complex, which coordinates with high affinity to histidine. The emission intensity of the benzo crown ether increases significantly in the presence of ammonium ions in methanol. At physiological conditions in buffered water at pH 7.5 these interactions are too weak to be detected. If an ammonium ion and an imidazole moiety are present in the analyte, such as in His-Lys-OMe or His-OMe, high binding affinity in aqueous solution is restored. The binding event is signaled by an increase in emission intensity, which can even be observed with the naked eye. This allows the selective detection of small peptides containing N-terminal histidine or histidine among all other amino acids at physiological conditions.     

Squarate complexes of some lanthanide ions in aqueous solution

The squarate complexes of Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Tm³⁺ in aqueous solutions of 0.05M, 0.075M and 0.1M ionic strength are studied using the solvent extraction method. Effects of changes in the ionic strength on the stability constants of the complexes formed are discussed.     

Solubility of some calcium-carboxylic ligand complexes in aqueous solution

Insoluble species were identified in the systems Ca(2+)-hemimellitate, Ca(2+)-1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate and Ca(2+)-citrate, and their solubilities were determined in aqueous solution at T = 25 degrees C. Values of pK(s0) were obtained for the species CaLH (L = benzene-1,2,3-tricarboxylate or hemimellitate), Ca(2)L (L = 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate), CaLH and Ca(3)L(2) (L = citrate), together with their dependence on ionic strength. Solid compounds were also characterized by thermogravimetry. The complex formation in solution for the system Na(+) - and Ca(2+)-hemimellitate was studied too.     

Interactions of some amino acids and glycine peptides with aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide at T=298.15 K: a volumetric approach

The apparent molar volumes V_φ of glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, and lysine have been determined in aqueous solutions of 0.05, 0.5, 1.0 mol · kg⁻¹ sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 1.0 mol · kg⁻¹ cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) by density measurements at T=298.15 K. The apparent molar volumes have also been determined for diglycine and triglycine in 1 mol · kg⁻¹ SDS and CTAB solutions. These data have been used to calculate the infinite dilution apparent molar volumes V₂⁰ for the amino acids and peptides in aqueous SDS and CTAB and the standard partial molar volumes of transfer (Δ_trV_2,m⁰) of the amino acids and peptides to these aqueous surfactant solutions. The linear correlation of V₂⁰ for a homologous series of amino acids has been utilized to calculate the contribution of the charged end groups (NH₃⁺, COO⁻), CH₂ group and other alkyl chains of the amino acids to V₂⁰. The results on the partial molar volumes of transfer from water to aqueous SDS and CTAB have been interpreted in terms of ion–ion, ion–polar and hydrophobic–hydrophobic group interactions. The volume of transfer data suggests that ion–ion or ion–hydrophilic group interactions of the amino acids and peptides are stronger with SDS compared to those with CTAB. Comparison of the hydration numbers of amino acids calculated in the present studies with those in other solvents from literature shows that these numbers are almost the same at 1 mol · kg⁻¹ level of the cosolvent/cosolute. Increasing molality of the cosolvent/cosolute beyond 1 mol · kg⁻¹ lowers the hydration number of the amino acids due to increased interactions with the solvent and reduced electrostriction.     

Molecular modelling of amphipathic basic model peptides: Interactions in aqueous solutions and in the presence of lipids

Molecular modelling calculations based on experimental data obtained in solution and in small unilamellar vesicles are used to study interactions between amphiphilic basic peptides and membranes. The behaviour of such peptides during the initial and final stages of the adsorption process is our primary interest. Primary sequences of 20 amino acid residues were designed with equal numbers of basic lysines and hydrophobic leucines in order to get an amphipathic α helix. First, in solution, aggregates with an increasing number (up to nine) of helical monomers were built up and the hydrophobic solvent accessible surface per monomer was analysed on energy minimised structures. This showed that aggregates with 5–8 of monomers should be equally probable, in reasonable accordance with experimental data. In addition, models of membranes with 21 dimyristoyl-phosphatidylcholine lipids were constructed; amphiphilic peptides were merged into these assemblies with their axes parallel to the monolayer surface and the whole lipid/peptide complex was submitted to a few steps of simulated annealing and further energy minimisation techniques in order to equilibrate alkyl chains in the vicinity of the peptide. These simulations yield an estimation of the penetration depth for the peptide in the monolayer of ∼3.2 ?, whereas experimental approaches to this question were not productive. The modification in the peptide net electrical charge by interchanging Leu in Lys residues in such systems is also examined: for low-charged peptides the penetration depth increases. Received: 20 May 1998 / Accepted : 3 September 1998 / Published online: 7 December 1998