The transformation from 2°‐amine to 3°‐amine of cyclam ring alters the fragmentation patterns of 1‐tosylcytosine‐cyclam conjugates

The novel N‐1‐sulfonylcytosine‐cyclam conjugates 1 and 2 conjugates are ionized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) in positive and negative modes (ES⁺ and ES⁻) as singly protonated/deprotonated species or as singly or doubly charged metal complexes. Their structure and fragmentation behavior is examined by collision induced experiments. It was observed that the structure of the conjugate dictated the mode of the ionization: 1 was analyzed in ES⁻ mode while 2 in positive mode. Complexation with metal ions did not have the influence on the ionization mode. Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ complexes with ligand 1 followed the similar fragmentation pattern in negative ionization mode. The transformation from 2°‐amine in 1 to 3°‐amine of cyclam ring in 2 leads to the different fragmentation patterns due to the modification of the protonation priority which changed the fragmentation channels within the conjugate itself. Cu²⁺ ions formed complexes practically immediately, and the priority had the cyclam portion of the ligand 2 . The structure of the formed Zn²⁺ complexes with ligand 2 depended on the number of 3° amines within the cyclam portion of the conjugate and the ratio of the metal:ligand used. The cleavage of the cyclam ring of metal complexes is driven by the formation of the fragment that suited the coordinating demand of the metal ions and the collision energy applied. Finally, it was shown that the structure of the cyclam conjugate dictates the fragmentation reactions and not the metal ions.     

γ‐Glutamylcysteine‐ and Cysteinylglycine‐Directed Growth of Chiral Gold Nanoparticles and their Crystallographic Analysis

Chiral optical metamaterials with delicate structures are in high demand in various fields because of their strong light–matter interactions. Recently, a scalable strategy for the synthesis of chiral plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) using amino acids and peptides has been reported. Reported herein, 3D chiral gold NPs were synthesized using dipeptide γ‐Glu‐Cys and Cys‐Gly and analyzed crystallographically. The γ‐Glu‐Cys‐directed NPs present a cube‐like outline with a protruding chiral wing. In comparison, the NPs synthesized with Cys‐Gly exhibited a rhombic dodecahedron‐like outline with curved edges and elliptical cavities on each face. Morphology analysis of intermediates indicated that γ‐Glu‐Cys generated an intermediate concave hexoctahedron morphology, while Cys‐Gly formed a concave rhombic dodecahedron. NPs synthesized with Cys‐Gly are named 432 helicoid V because of their unique morphology and growth pathway.     

ESI‐MS studies of the non‐covalent interactions between biologically important metal ions and N‐sulfonylcytosine derivatives

The aim of this report is to present the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry results of the non‐covalent interaction of two biologically active ligands, N‐1 ‐ (p‐toluenesulfonyl)cytosine, 1‐TsC, 1 and N‐1 ‐ methanesulfonylcytosine, 1‐MsC, 2 and their Cu(II) complexes Cu(1‐TsC‐N3)₂Cl₂, 3 and Cu(1‐MsC‐N3)₂Cl₂ and 4 with biologically important cations: Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The formation of various complex metal ions was observed. The alkali metals Na⁺ and K⁺ formed clusters because of electrostatic interactions. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ salts produced the tris ligand and mixed ligand complexes. The interaction of Zn²⁺ with 1–4 produced monometal and dimetal Zn²⁺ complexes as a result of the affinity of Zn²⁺ ions toward both O and N atoms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Direct Monitoring of γ‐Glutamyl Transpeptidase Activity In Vivo Using a Hyperpolarized 13C‐Labeled Molecular Probe

The γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) enzyme plays a central role in glutathione homeostasis. Direct detection of GGT activity could provide critical information for the diagnosis of several pathologies. We propose a new molecular probe, γ‐Glu‐[1‐¹³C]Gly, for monitoring GGT activity in vivo by hyperpolarized (HP) ¹³C magnetic resonance (MR). The properties of γ‐Glu‐[1‐¹³C]Gly are suitable for in vivo HP ¹³C metabolic analysis since the chemical shift between γ‐Glu‐[1‐¹³C]Gly and its metabolic product, [1‐¹³C]Gly, is large (4.3 ppm) and the T₁ of both compounds is relatively long (30 s and 45 s, respectively, in H₂O at 9.4 T). We also demonstrate that γ‐Glu‐[1‐¹³C]Gly is highly sensitive to in vivo modulation of GGT activity induced by the inhibitor acivicin.     

Insights into the mechanism of methionine oxidation catalyzed by metal (Cu2+, Zn2+, and Fe3+)—Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide complexes: A computational study

In this DFT study, a mechanism of the oxidation of methionine (Met) amino acid residue catalyzed by the metal (Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Fe³⁺) bound amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide has been proposed. Based on experimental information, two different mechanisms: (1) stepwise and (2) concerted mechanisms for this important process have been investigated. The B3LYP calculations suggest that in the stepwise mechanism, the two separate pathways leading to the same sulfoxide product [Met(O)] go through prohibitively high barriers of 27.3 and 35.1 kcal/mol, therefore it is ruled out. In the concerted mechanism, the Cu²⁺‐Aβ complex has been found to be the most efficient catalyst with the computed barrier of 14.3 kcal/mol. The substitutions of Cu²⁺ by Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺ increase barriers to 19.6 and 16.9 kcal/mol, respectively and make the reaction thermodynamically less favorable. It was also found that, in comparison with the cysteine (Cys) residue, Met is more susceptible toward oxidation. Its substitution with Cys slightly increased the barrier to 15.8 kcal/mol for the Cu²⁺‐Aβ complex. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2009     

Metal Ions Induce Growth and Magnetism Alternation of α‐Fe2O3 Crystals Bound by High‐Index Facets

In this study, quasi‐cubic and hexagonal bipyramid α‐Fe₂O₃ polyhedrons with high‐index facets exposed were controllably synthesized by applying metal ions Zn²⁺ or Cu²⁺ as structure‐directing agents. The growth of the α‐Fe₂O₃ nanostructures with high‐index facets were induced by metal ions without the addition of any other surfactants. The quasi‐cubic form controlled by Zn²⁺ looks like a cube but has an angle of approximately 86° bound by (012), (10‐2), and (1‐12) facets, whereas the hexagonal bipyramid form controlled by Cu²⁺ has a sixfold axis bound by {012} facets. Magnetic measurements confirm that these two kinds of nanocrystals display shape‐ and surface‐dependent magnetic behaviors. The hexagonal bipyramid iron oxide nanocrystals show a lower Morin transition temperature of 240 K and might be spin‐canted ferromagnetically controlled at room temperature, and the ferromagnetism disappears at low temperature. The quasi‐cubic nanocrystals have a splitting between FC curve and ZFC curve from the highest experimental temperature and no Morin transformation occurs; this indicates that they would be defect ferromagnetically controlled at low temperature. The reported metal‐ion‐directing technique could provide a universal method for shape‐ and surface‐controlled synthesis of nanocrystals with high‐index facets exposed.     

Comparison of the pH‐dependent formation of His and Cys heptapeptide complexes of nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) as determined by ion mobility‐mass spectrometry

The analog methanobactin (amb) peptide with the sequence ac‐His₁‐Cys₂‐Gly₃‐Pro₄‐Tyr₅‐His₆‐Cys₇ (amb_5A) will bind the metal ions of zinc, nickel, and copper. To further understand how amb_5A binds these metals, we have undertaken a series of studies of structurally related heptapeptides where one or two of the potential His or Cys binding sites have been replaced by Gly, or the C‐terminus has been blocked by amidation. The studies were designed to compare how these metals bind to these sequences in different pH solutions of pH 4.2 to 10 and utilized native electrospray ionization (ESI) with ion mobility‐mass spectrometry (IM‐MS) which allows for the quantitative analysis of the charged species produced during the reactions. The native ESI conditions were chosen to conserve as much of the solution‐phase behavior of the amb peptides as possible and an analysis of how the IM‐MS results compare with the expected solution‐phase behavior is discussed. The oligopeptides studied here have applications for tag‐based protein purification methods, as therapeutics for diseases caused by elevated metal ion levels or as inhibitors for metal‐protein enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases.     

2-羟基-1-萘甲醛缩-2-萘甲酰腙对Zn2+的选择性识别

设计合成了识别Zn²⁺的荧光传感分子--2-羟基-1-萘甲醛缩-2-萘甲酰腙(3)。 通过红外光谱、核磁共振谱和质谱测试技术表征了其结构。 利用其光谱性质研究了该物质对几种过渡金属离子的识别性质,初步探讨了其结合模式。 结果表明,在乙腈介质中,受体分子3表现出对Zn²⁺良好的选择性,Zn²⁺的加入导致受体分子3的吸收光谱在435 nm处出现1新峰,其吸光度逐渐增强,同时于239、302、330、342和387 nm处观察到5个清晰的等吸收点;在516 nm处荧光增强101倍,而其它过渡金属只引起受体分子]3的荧光略微增强。 Job法实验揭示受体分子3与Zn²⁺的结合比为1∶1。     

Tuning the Redox Properties of a Nonheme Iron(III)–Peroxo Complex Binding Redox‐Inactive Zinc Ions by Water Molecules

Redox‐inactive metal ions play important roles in tuning chemical properties of metal–oxygen intermediates. Herein we report the effect of water molecules on the redox properties of a nonheme iron(III)–peroxo complex binding redox‐inactive metal ions. The coordination of two water molecules to a Zn²⁺ ion in (TMC)Fe^III‐(O₂)‐Zn(CF₃SO₃)₂ ( 1 ‐Zn²⁺) decreases the Lewis acidity of the Zn²⁺ ion, resulting in the decrease of the one‐electron oxidation and reduction potentials of 1 ‐Zn²⁺. This further changes the reactivities of 1 ‐Zn²⁺ in oxidation and reduction reactions; no reaction occurred upon addition of an oxidant (e.g., cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN)) to 1 ‐Zn²⁺, whereas 1 ‐Zn²⁺ coordinating two water molecules, (TMC)Fe^III‐(O₂)‐Zn(CF₃SO₃)₂‐(OH₂)₂ [ 1 ‐Zn²⁺‐(OH₂)₂], releases the O₂ unit in the oxidation reaction. In the reduction reactions, 1 ‐Zn²⁺ was converted to its corresponding iron(IV)–oxo species upon addition of a reductant (e.g., a ferrocene derivative), whereas such a reaction occurred at a much slower rate in the case of 1 ‐Zn²⁺‐(OH₂)₂. The present results provide the first biomimetic example showing that water molecules at the active sites of metalloenzymes may participate in tuning the redox properties of metal–oxygen intermediates.     

Remarkable Reinforcement of a Supramolecular Gel Constructed by Heteroditopic [18]Crown‐6‐Based Molecular Recognition

The heteroditopic crown ether‐based ligand 1 containing the diazafluorenylimino group as a binding site for the Zn²⁺ and Cs⁺ was synthesized. The ligand 1 can be gelated in DMSO/water with and without Cs⁺ in the presence of the Zn²⁺ ion. Interestingly, the remarkable gelation reinforcement of gel 1 occurred with Cs⁺ in the presence of Zn²⁺, which is due to the formation of a sandwich complex. According to DFT calculations, one Zn²⁺ is bound to two diazafluorenylimino moieties in a tetrahedral structure. In addition, one Cs⁺ ion is bound to two crown‐rings. The Zn²⁺‐diazafluorenylimino ligand gel without Cs⁺ shows a spherical structure with 250–800 nm diameter, whereas the Zn²⁺‐diazafluorenylimino‐based ligand gel with Cs⁺ shows a fiber structure with 60–70 nm diameter and several micrometers of lengths. The rheological properties of the Zn²⁺‐ diazafluorenylimino‐based ligand gel were strongly dependent on the presence of Cs⁺.     

CE with on‐line detection by ICP‐MS for studying the competitive binding of zinc against cadmium for glutathione

Development of a feasible method for studying the competitive interaction between a pair of antagonists is essential for understanding the antagonism of trace metals in biological systems. Herein, we report the application of CE on‐line coupled with ICP mass spectroscopy (CE‐ICP‐MS) to investigate the competitive binding of Zn²⁺ against Cd²⁺ for glutathione (GSH), which is related to the detoxification of Cd²⁺ in biological system, and introduce a method to evaluate the kinetics and thermodynamics for the competitive binding of Zn²⁺ against Cd²⁺ for GSH. The CE‐ICP‐MS hybrid technique allows easy and sensitive probing of the competitive binding of Zn²⁺ against Cd²⁺ for GSH and quantitative determination of the important thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the competitive binding of Zn²⁺ against Cd²⁺ for GSH. Owing to the high sensitivity and element selectivity with multi‐elements detection capacity of ICP‐MS, we detailed the evaluation of the kinetics and thermodynamics describing the competition of Zn²⁺ against Cd²⁺ for GSH from the systematic data obtained by CE‐ICP‐MS. The competitive binding of Zn²⁺ against Cd²⁺ for GSH was demonstrated exothermic and thermodynamically favorable (ΔG=?7.2 kJ/mol) and driven entirely by a large favorable enthalpy decrease (ΔH=?15.1 kJ/mol) but with an unfavorable entropy decrease (ΔS=?25.6 J/mol/K). The kinetic data were fit to a second‐order equation with the reaction rate constant (k) of (2.18±0.10)×10² L/(mol·s) under the simulated physiological condition.     

Intramolecular chelation of Zn2+ by α‐ and β‐mercaptocarboxamides. A parallel ab initio and polarizable molecular mechanics investigation. Assessment of the role of multipole transferability

α‐ and β‐mercaptocarboxamides constitute the Zn²⁺‐ligating entity of several highly potent metalloenzyme inhibitors. We have studied their interaction energies with Zn²⁺ using the polarizable molecular mechanics procedure SIBFA, and compared them to the corresponding ab initio supermolecule ones. Such validations are necessary to subsequently undertake simulations on complexes of Zn²⁺–metalloenzymes with inhibitors. If the distributed multipoles and polarizabilities are those derived for each ligand in its appropriate Zn²⁺‐binding conformation, a close reproduction of the ab initio binding energies is afforded. However, this representation is not tractable upon increasing the size of the ligands and/or to explore a continuum of binding conformations. This makes it necessary to construct the ligands by resorting to a library of constitutive fragments, namely in this case methanethiolate, formamide, and methane covalently connected together. A close reproduction of the ab initio interaction energies is enabled, but only if the ligand–ligand interactions are computed simultaneously with those occurring with Zn²⁺. This representation accounts for the nonadditivity occurring in the Zn²⁺–methanethiolate–formamide complex, and justifies the use of the distributed multipoles on the fragments for the construction of larger and flexible molecules. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 1038–1047, 2001     

Syntheses,structures of N‐(substituted)‐2‐aza‐[3]‐ferrocenophanes and their application as redox sensor for Cu2+ ion

Rigid N‐(substituted)‐2‐aza‐[3]‐ferrocenophanes L1 and L2 were easily synthesized from 1,1 ‐dicarboxyaldehydeferrocene and the corresponding amines. Ligands L1 and L2 were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The coordination abilities of L1 and L2 with metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical shift (ΔE_1/2) of 125 mV was observed in the presence of Cu²⁺ ion, while no significant shift of the Fc/Fc + couple was observed when Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ metal ions were added to the solution of L1 in the mixture of MeOH and H₂O. Moreover, the extent of the anodic shift of redox potentials was approximately equal to that induced by Cu²⁺ alone when a mixture of Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ was added to a solution of L1. Ligand L1 was proved to selectively sense Cu²⁺ in the presence of large, excessive first‐row transition and late‐transition metal cations. The coordination model was proposed from the results of controlled experiments and quantum calculations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reversible Self‐Assembly of Carboxylated Peptide‐Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles Driven by Metal‐Ion Coordination

Carboxylated peptide‐functionalized gold nanoparticles (peptide‐GNPs) self‐assemble into two‐ and three‐dimensional nanostructures in the presence of various heavy metal ions (i.e. Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺) in aqueous solution. The assembly process is monitored by following the changes in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band of gold nanoparticles in a UV/Vis spectrophotometer, which shows the development of a new SPR band in the higher‐wavelength region. The extent of assembly is dependent on the amount of metal ions present in the medium and also the time of assembly. TEM analysis clearly shows formation of two‐ and three‐dimensional nanostructures. The assembly process is completely reversible by addition of alkaline ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution. The driving force for the assembly of peptide‐GNPs is mainly metal ion/carboxylate coordination. The color and spectral changes due to this assembly can be used for detection of these heavy‐metal ions in solution.     

Applications of iron and nickel immobilized on hydroxyapatite‐core‐shell γ‐Fe2O3 as a nanomagnetic catalyst for the chemoselective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides under solvent‐free conditions

In the present study, Fe²⁺ and Ni²⁺ immobilized on hydroxyapatite‐core‐shell γ‐Fe₂O₃ (γ‐Fe₂O₃@HAp‐Fe²⁺ and γ‐Fe₂O₃@HAp‐Ni²⁺) with a high surface area has been synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. Then, γ‐Fe₂O₃@HAp‐Fe²⁺ and γ‐Fe₂O₃@HAp‐Ni²⁺ were used as a new and magnetically recoverable nano catalyst for the selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides with 33% aqueous H₂O₂ (0.5 mL) as an oxidant at room temperature in good to excellent yields and short reaction time. Nontoxicity of reagent, mild reaction condition, inexpensive and high catalytic activity, simple experimental procedure, short period of conversion and excellent yields, and ease of recovery from the reaction mixture using an external magnet are the advantages of the present method.     

Tautomeric Switching and Metal‐Cation Sensing of Ligand‐Equipped 4‐Hydroxy‐/4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydroquinolines

Novel 4‐hydroxyquinoline (4HQ) based tautomeric switches are reported. 4HQs equipped with coordinative side arms (8‐arylimino and 3‐piperidin‐1‐ylmethyl groups) were synthesized to access O‐ or N‐selective chelation of Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions by 4HQ. In the case of the monodentate arylimino group, O chelation of metal ions induces concomitant switching of phenol tautomer to the keto form in nonpolar or aprotic media. This change is accompanied by selective and highly sensitive fluorometric sensing of Zn²⁺ ions. In the case of the bidentate 8‐(quinolin‐8‐ylimino)methyl side arm, NMR studies in CD₃OD indicated that both Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions afford N chelation for 4HQ, coexisting with tautomeric switching from quinolin‐4(1H)‐one to quinolin‐4‐olate. In corroboration, UV/Vis‐monitored metal‐ion titrations in toluene and methanol implied similar structural changes. Additionally, fluorescence measurements indicated that the metal‐triggered tautomeric switching is associated with compound signaling properties. The results are supported by DFT calculations at the B3LYP 6‐31G* level. Several X‐ray structures of metal‐free and metal‐chelating 4HQ are presented to support the solution studies.     

Transition metals as electron traps. I. Structures,energetics, electron capture,and electron‐transfer‐induced dissociations of ternary copper–peptide complexes in the gas phase

Electron‐induced dissociations of gas‐phase ternary copper‐2,2′‐bipyridine complexes of Gly‐Gly‐Gly and Gly‐Gly‐Leu were studied on a time scale ranging from 130 ns to several milliseconds using a combination of charge‐reversal (⁺CR^?) and electron‐capture‐induced dissociation (ECID) measured on a beam instrument and electron capture dissociation (ECD) measured in a Penning trap. Charge‐reduced intermediates were observed on the short time scale in the ⁺CR^? and ECID experiments but not in ECD. Ion dissociations following electron transfer or capture mostly occurred by competitive bpy or peptide ligand loss, whereas peptide backbone fragmentations were suppressed in the presence of the ligated metal ion. Extensive electron structure theory calculations using density functional theory and large basis sets provided optimized structures and energies for the precursor ions, charge‐reduced intermediates, and dissociation products. The Cu complexes underwent substantial structure changes upon electron capture. Cu was calculated to be pentacoordinated in the most stable singly charged complexes of the [Cu(peptide ? H)bpy]^{+ ?} type where it carried a ～+ 1 atomic charge. Cu coordination in charge‐reduced [Cu(peptide ? H)bpy] intermediates depended on the spin state. The themodynamically more stable singlet states had tricoordinated Cu, whereas triplet states had a tetracoordinated Cu. Cu was tricoordinated in stable [Cu(peptide ? H)bpy]^{? ?} products of electron transfer. [Cu(peptide)bpy]^{2 + ?} complexes contained the peptide ligand in a zwitterionic form while Cu was tetracoordinated. Upon electron capture, Cu was tri‐ or tetracoordinated in the [Cu(peptide)bpy]⁺ charge‐reduced analogs and the peptide ligands underwent prototropic isomerization to canonical forms. The role of excited singlet and triplet electronic states is assessed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Di‐ and Triphosphate Recognition and Sensing with Mono‐ and Dinuclear Fluorescent Zinc(II) Complexes: Clues for the Design of Selective Chemosensors for Anions in Aqueous Media

The synthesis of a new ligand (L1) containing two 1,4,7‐triazacyclononane ([9]aneN₃) moieties linked by a 4,5‐dimethylenacridine unit is reported. The binding and fluorescence sensing properties toward Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ of L1 and receptor L2, composed of two [9]aneN₃ macrocycles bridged by a 6,6′′‐dimethylen‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine unit, have been studied by coupling potentiometric, UV/Vis absorption, and emission measurements in aqueous media. Both receptors can selectively detect Zn²⁺ thanks to fluorescence emission enhancement upon metal binding. The analysis of the binding and sensing properties of the Zn²⁺ complexes toward inorganic anions revealed that the dinuclear Zn²⁺ complex of L1 selectively binds and senses the triphosphate anion (TP), whereas the mononuclear Zn²⁺ complex of L2 displays selective recognition of diphosphate (DP). Binding of TP or DP induces emission quenching of the Zn²⁺ complexes with L1 and L2, respectively. These results are exploited to discuss the role played by pH, number of coordinated metal cations, and binding ability of the bridging units in metal and/or anion coordination and sensing.     

Polymorph‐Dependent Solid‐State Fluorescence and Selective Metal‐Ion‐Sensor Properties of 2‐(2‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐4(3H)‐quinazolinone

2‐(2‐Hydroxy‐phenyl)‐4(3H)‐quinazolinone (HPQ), an organic fluorescent material that exhibits fluorescence by the excited‐state intramolecular proton‐transfer (ESIPT) mechanism, forms two different polymorphs in tetrahydrofuran. The conformational twist between the phenyl and quinazolinone rings of HPQ leads to different molecular packing in the solid state, giving structures that show solid‐state fluorescence at 497 and 511 nm. HPQ also shows intense fluorescence in dimethyl formamide (DMF) solution and selectively detects Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions at micromolar concentrations in DMF. Importantly, HPQ not only detects Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions selectively, but it also distinguishes between the metal ions with a fluorescence λ_max that is blue‐shifted from 497 to 420 and 426 nm for Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions, respectively. Hence, tunable solid‐state fluorescence and selective metal‐ion‐sensor properties were demonstrated in a single organic material.     

The Crystal Structure of a Homodimeric Pseudomonas Glyoxalase I Enzyme Reveals Asymmetric Metallation Commensurate with Half‐of‐Sites Activity

The Zn inactive class of glyoxalase I (Glo1) metalloenzymes are typically homodimeric with two metal‐dependent active sites. While the two active sites share identical amino acid composition, this class of enzyme is optimally active with only one metal per homodimer. We have determined the X‐ray crystal structure of GloA2, a Zn inactive Glo1 enzyme from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The presented structures exhibit an unprecedented metal‐binding arrangement consistent with half‐of‐sites activity: one active site contains a single activating Ni²⁺ ion, whereas the other contains two inactivating Zn²⁺ ions. Enzymological experiments prompted by the binuclear Zn²⁺ site identified a novel catalytic property of GloA2. The enzyme can function as a Zn²⁺/Co²⁺‐dependent hydrolase, in addition to its previously determined glyoxalase I activity. The presented findings demonstrate that GloA2 can accommodate two distinct metal‐binding arrangements simultaneously, each of which catalyzes a different reaction.