Flexibility of Na,K-ATPase secondary structure upon drug-protein interaction

The enzyme Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase is an integral membrane protein which transports sodium and potassium cations against an electrochemical gradient. The transport of Na⁺ and K⁺ ions is connected to an oscillation of the enzyme between the two conformational states, the E₁ (Na⁺) and the E₂ (K⁺) conformations. The enzymatic activity of ATPase is largley affected by different ligands complexation. This review reports the effects of several drugs such as AZT (anti-AIDS), cis-Pt (antitumor), aspirin (anti-inflammatory) and vitamin C (antioxidant) on the stability and secondary structure of Na,K-ATPase in vitro. Drug-enzyme binding is mainly through H-bonding to the polypeptide C=O and C-N groups with two binding constants K_1(AZT) = 5.30 × 10⁵ M^?1 and K_2(AZT) = 9.80 × 10³ M^?1 for AZT and one binding constant for K_cis-Pt = 1.93 × 10⁴ M^?1, K_aspirin = 6.45 × 10³ M^?1 and K_ascorbate = 1.04 × 10⁴ M^?1 for cis-Pt, aspirin and ascorbic acid. The enzyme secondary structure was altered from that of α-helix 19.8% (free protein) to almost 22–26% and the β-sheet from 25.6% to 18–22%, upon drug complexation with the order of induced stability AZT > cis-Pt > ascorbate > aspirin.     

Interaction of aspirin and vitamin C with bovine serum albumin

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) has a major biological role as a natural antioxidant. Aspirin belongs to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and functions as an antioxidant via its ability to scavenge-OH radicals. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) is the major soluble protein constituent of the circulatory system and has many physiological functions including transport of a variety of compounds. In this report, the competitive binding of vitamin C and aspirin to bovine serum albumin has been studied using constant protein concentration and various drug concentrations at pH 7.2. FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopic methods were used to analyze vitamin C and aspirin binding modes, the binding constants and the effects of drug complexation on BSA stability and conformation. Spectroscopic evidence showed that vitamin C and aspirin bind BSA via hydrophilic interactions (polypeptide and amine polar groups) with overall binding constants of K(vitamin C-BSA)=1.57×10(4)M(-1) and K(aspirin-BSA)=1.15×10(4)M(-1); assuming that there is one drug molecule per protein. The BSA secondary structure was altered with major decrease of α-helix from 64% (free protein) to 57% (BSA-vitamin C) and 54% (BSA-aspirin) and β-sheet from 15% (free protein) to 6-7% upon drug complexation, inducing a partial protein destabilization.     

RNA binding to antioxidant flavonoids

Flavonoids are an interesting group of natural polyphenolic compounds that exhibit extensive bioactivities such as scavenging free radical, antitumor and antiproliferative effects. The anticancer and antiviral effects of these natural products are attributed to their potential biomedical applications. While flavonoids complexation with DNA is known, their bindings to RNA are not fully investigated. This study was designed to examine the interactions of three flavonoids; morin (Mor), apigenin (Api) and naringin (Nar) with yeast RNA in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using constant RNA concentration (6.25 mM) and various pigment/RNA (phosphate) ratios of 1/120 to 1/1. FTIR, UV-visible spectroscopic methods were used to determine the ligand binding modes, the binding constant and the stability of RNA in flavonoid-RNA complexes in aqueous solution. Spectroscopic evidence showed major binding of flavonoids to RNA with overall binding constants of K(morin) = 9.150 x 10(3) M(-1), K(apigenin)=4.967 x 10(4) M(-1), and K(naringin)=1.144 x 10(4) M(-1). The affinity of flavonoid-RNA binding is in the order of apigenin>naringin>morin. No biopolymer secondary structural changes were observed upon flavonoid interaction and RNA remains in the A-family structure in these pigment complexes.     

Studies on the interaction of gallic acid with human serum albumin in membrane mimetic environments

In this study the interaction between gallic acid and human serum albumin (HSA) in AOT/isooctane/water microemulsions was characterized for the first time using fluorescence quenching technique in combination with UV absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique. In water-surfactant molar ratio (omega(o))=20 microemulsions fluorescence data revealed the presence of one binding site of gallic acid on HSA and its binding constants (K) were (1.18+/-0.02)x10(4), (1.13+/-0.02)x10(4), (1.03+/-0.02)x10(4), (0.95+/-0.02)x10(4), (0.87+/-0.02)x10(4) and (0.82+/-0.03)x10(4)M(-1) at 282, 289, 296, 303, 310 and 317 K, respectively. The affinities in microemulsions were much higher than that in buffer solution. FT-IR and CD data suggested that the protein conformations were altered with the reductions of alpha-helices from 54-56% for free HSA in buffer to 40-41% for free HSA in microemulsion. After binding with gallic acid, the alpha-helices of HSA in microemulsion increased 2-7% for different drug-protein molar ratio. The thermodynamic functions standard enthalpy (Delta H(0)) and standard entropy (DeltaS(0)) for the reaction were calculated to be -8.10 kJ mol(-1) and 49.42 J mol(-1)K(-1). These results indicated that gallic acid bound to HSA mainly by hydrophobic interaction and electrostatic interaction in microemulsions. In addition, the displacement experiments confirmed that gallic acid could bind to the site I of HSA, which was approved by the molecular modeling study. Furthermore, the DLS data suggested that HSA may locate at the interface of the microemulsion and gallic acid could interact with them.     

Interaction of anticancer herbal drug berberine with DNA immobilized on the glassy carbon electrode

The interaction of anticancer herbal drug berberine with double-strand DNA (dsDNA) and single-strand DNA (ssDNA) in solution, dsDNA immobilized on the glassy carbon electrode prepared by Langmuir-Blodgett technique, were investigated by electrochemical techniques (cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry) and UV spectroscopy. The presence of DNA results in a decrease of the currents and a negative shift of the electrode potentials from the DPV curves of berberine, indicating the dominance of electrostatic interactions. The spectroscopy data confirmed that the predominant interaction between berberine and DNA is electrostatic. The binding of berberine with DNA, when analyzed in terms of the cooperative Hill model, yields the binding constant K(a)=2.2(+/-0.2)x10(4) M(-1), corresponding to the dissociation equilibrium constant K(d)=4.6(+/-0.3)x10(-5) M, which in the range of the applied concentrations of DNA (bp) and berberine, and a Hill coefficient m=1.82(+/-0.08) in Britton-Robinson buffer solution (0.05 M, pH 5.72) at T=298 K (25 degrees C). Apparently, at least two molecules of berberine have to bind as a couple to cause, e.g., the "elementary event" of current change. The results are suggestive for further fruitful applications of this anticancer herbal drug and DNA-modified electrodes.     

The potent anti-HIV protein cyanovirin-N contains two novel carbohydrate binding sites that selectively bind to Man(8) D1D3 and Man(9) with nanomolar affinity: implications for binding to the HIV envelope protein gp120.

Cyanovirin-N (CVN) is a monomeric 11 kDa cyanobacterial protein that potently inactivates diverse strains of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at the level of cell fusion by virtue of high affinity interactions with the surface envelope glycoprotein gp120. Several lines of evidence have suggested that CVN-gp120 interactions are in part mediated by N-linked complex carbohydrates present on gp120, but experimental evidence has been lacking. To this end we screened a comprehensive panel of carbohydrates which represent structurally the N-linked carbohydrates found on gp120 for their ability to inhibit the fusion-blocking activity of CVN in a quantitative HIV-1 envelope-mediated cell fusion assay. Our results show that CVN specifically recognizes with nanomolar affinity Man(9)GlcNAc(2) and the D1D3 isomer of Man(8)GlcNAc(2). Nonlinear least squares best fitting of titration data generated using the cell fusion assay show that CVN binds to gp120 with an equilibrium association constant (K(a)) of 2.4 (+/- 0.1) x 10(7) M(-1) and an apparent stoichiometry of 2 equiv of CVN per gp120, Man(8)GlcNAc(2) D1D3 acts as a divalent ligand (2 CVN:1 Man(8)) with a K(a) of 5.4 (+/- 0.5) x 10(7) M(-1), and Man(9)GlcNAc(2) functions as a trivalent ligand (3 CVN:1 Man(9)) with a K(a) of 1.3 (+/- 0.3) x 10(8) M(-1). Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments of CVN binding to Man(9)GlcNAc(2) at micromolar concentrations confirmed the nanomolar affinity (K(a) = 1.5 (+/- 0.9) x 10(8) M(-1)), and the fitted data indicated a stoichiometry equal to approximately one (1 Man(9):1 CVN). The 1:1 stoichiometry at micromolar concentrations suggested that CVN has not only a high affinity binding site-relevant to the studies at nM concentrations-but a lower affinity site as well that facilitates cross-linking of CVN-oligomannose at micromolar concentrations or higher. The specificity of CVN for Man(8) D1D3 and Man(9) over the D1D2 isomer of Man(8) indicated that the minimum structure required for high affinity binding comprises Manalpha1 --> 2Manalpha. By following the (1)H-(15)N correlation spectrum of (15)N-labeled CVN upon titration with this disaccharide, we unambiguously demonstrate that CVN recognizes and binds to the disaccharide Manalpha1 --> 2Manalpha via two distinct binding sites of differing affinities located on opposite ends of the protein. The high affinity site has a K(a) of 7.2 (+/- 4) x 10(6) M(-1) and the low affinity site a K(a) of 6.8 (+/- 4) x 10(5) M(-1) as determined by isothermal titration calorimetry. Mapped surfaces of the carbohydrate binding sites are presented, and implications for binding to gp120 are discussed.     

Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies of the interaction of proflavine with DNA.

The interaction of proflavine with herring sperm DNA has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and UV-Vis spectroscopy as well as viscosity measurements. Shifts in the peak potentials in cyclic voltammetry, spectral changes in UV absorption titration, an increase in viscosity of DNA and the results of the effect of ionic strength on the binding constant strongly support the intercalation of proflavine into the DNA double helix. The binding constant for the interaction between proflavine and DNA was K = 2.32 (+/- 0.41) x 10(4) M(-1) and the binding site size was 2.07 (+/- 0.1) base pairs, estimated in voltammetric measurements. The value of the binding site size was determined to be closer to that expected for a planar intercalating agent. The standard Gibbs free-energy change is ca. -24.90 kJ/mol at 25 degrees C, indicating the spontaneity of the binding interaction. The binding constant determined by UV absorption measurements was K = 2.20 (+/- 0.48) x 10(4) M(-1), which is very close to the value determined by cyclic voltammetry assuming that the binding equilibrium is static.     

Study on the interaction of tamiflu and oseltamivir carboxylate with human serum albumin

Oseltamivir phosphate (OP; tamiflu) is an antiviral pro-drug, which is hydrolyzed hepatically to the active metabolite oseltamivir carboxylate (OC). It is the first orally neuraminidase inhibitor that was used in the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza virus A and B infection. Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant of the proteins in the blood plasma and is major transporter for delivering several drugs in vivo. This study was designed to examine the interaction of HSA with oseltamivir phosphate (OP) and oseltamivir carboxylate (OC) in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using a constant protein concentration and various drug contents. FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopic methods were used to determine the drugs binding mode, the binding constant and the effects of drug complexation on protein secondary structure. Structural analysis showed that OP and OC bind HSA via polypeptide polar groups with overall binding constants of K(OP-HSA)=3.86(± 1.05)× 10(3)M(-1) and K(OC-HSA)=1.5(±0.45) × 10(2)M(-1). The alterations of protein secondary structure are attributed to a partial destabilization of HSA on drug complexation. The protein secondary structure showed no major alterations at low drugs concentrations (50 μM), whereas at higher content (1mM), decrease of α-helix from 58% (free HSA) to 38% (OP-HSA)-48% (OC-HSA), decrease of random coil from 15% (free HSA) to 2% (OP-HSA)-3% (OC-HSA), increase of β-sheet from 6% (free HSA) to 20% (OC-HSA)-29% (OP-HSA) and turn from 8% (free HSA) to 17% (OC-HSA)-19% (OP-HSA) occurred in the drug-HSA complexes. These observations indicated that low drug content induced protein stabilization, whereas at high drug concentration, a partial protein destabilization occurred in these drug-HSA complexes.     

Vertical diffusion of water molecules near the surface of ice

We studied diffusion of water molecules in the direction perpendicular to the surface of an ice film. Amorphous ice films of H(2)O were deposited on Ru(0001) at temperature of 100-140 K for thickness of 1-5 bilayer (BL) in vacuum, and a fractional coverage of D(2)O was added onto the surface. Vertical migration of surface D(2)O molecules to the underlying H(2)O multilayer and the reverse migration of H(2)O resulted in change of their surface concentrations. Temporal variation of the H(2)O and D(2)O surface concentrations was monitored by the technique of Cs(+) reactive ion scattering to reveal kinetics of the vertical diffusion in depth resolution of 1 BL. The first-order rate coefficient for the migration of surface water molecules ranged from k(1)=5.7(+/-0.6) x 10(-4) s(-1) at T=100 K to k(1)=6.7(+/-2.0) x 10(-2) s(-1) at 140 K, with an activation energy of 13.7+/-1.7 kJ mol(-1). The equivalent surface diffusion coefficients were D(s)=7 x 10(-19) cm(2) s(-1) at 100 K and D(s)=8 x 10(-17) cm(2) s(-1) at 140 K. The measured activation energy was close to interstitial migration energy (15 kJ mol(-1)) and was much lower than diffusion activation energy in bulk ice (52-70 kJ mol(-1)). The result suggested that water molecules diffused via the interstitial mechanism near the surface where defect concentrations were very high.     

Determination of formation constants of hydroxo and carbonate complexes of Pr(3+) in 2 M NaCl at 303 K

The hydrolysis of praseodymium III in 2 M sodium chloride at 303 K was studied. Two methods were used: pH titration followed by a computational refinement and solvent extraction in the presence of a competitive ligand. The hydrolysis constants obtained by pH titration were: logbeta(1,H)=-7.68+/-0.07, logbeta(1,2H)=-15.10+/-0.03, and beta(1,3H)=-23.80+/-0.04. The stability constants of praseodymium carbonate complexes were determined by pH titration as well and were: logbeta(1,CO(2-)(3))=5.94+/-0.08 and logbeta(1,2CO(2-)(3))=11.15+/-0.15. Praseodymium carbonate species were taken into consideration for calculating the first hydrolysis constants by the solvent extraction method and the value obtained was: logbeta(1,H)=-7.69+/-0.27. The values for logbeta(1,H) attained by both methods are the same. The species-distribution diagram was obtained from the stability constants of praseodymium carbonate complexes and hydrolysis products in the conditions of the present work.     

A new fluorescent calix crown ether: synthesis and complex formation with alkali metal ions

We synthesised a new N-benzylaza-21-crown-7 ether 5 with a dihydroxy coumarin as a fluorescence sensor and investigated the binding behaviour towards alkali metal cations in methanol by fluorescence titrations. The association constants are within one order of magnitude, with the exception of sodium. Potassium is the preferred binding partner (K(Na)=330 M(-1); K(K)=8600 M(-1); K(Rb)=8200 M(-1); K(Cs)=4400 M(-1)). The corresponding aza-21-crown-7 ether (6) was attached by a methylene unit to a resorcarene to give fluorescent calix crown ether 12. The binding abilities of the calix crown ether towards alkali metal ions in methanol have also been investigated, and an increasing complex stability, distinct for potassium and rubidium in comparison with 5, was found: K(Na)=440 M(-1); K(K)=110,000 M(-1); K(Rb)=63,000 M(-1); K(Cs)=20,000 M(-1). Like bis(crown ether)s, a cooperative complexation of the crown ether and the cavitand scaffold can be assumed. The proposed complex geometry is supported by Kohn-Sham DFT calculations for the potassium and caesium complexes.     

A monomolecularly imprinted dendrimer (MID) capable of selective binding with a tris(2-aminoethyl)amine guest through multiple functional group interactions

A molecularly imprinted dendrimer (MID) with a colorimetric reporter group exhibits three-point binding of tris(aminoethyl)amine in THF with a K(assoc)= 3.3 x 10(6) M(-1).     

Incorporation of a monolithic column into sequential injection system for drug-protein binding studies

A sequential injection analysis (SIA) manifold was incorporated with a monolithic strong anion-exchanger disk for on-line drug-protein interaction studies. The antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CF) was selected as a model drug compound. The separation principle was based on the strong retention of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the monolithic strong anion-exchanger and the liberation/release of the free form of the drug. Elution of the retained BSA was easily achieved by delivering a different mobile phase via the SIA manifold. The type of functional group of the monolithic support, the breakthrough volume and the injected volumes of CF and BSA were studied and optimized. The influence of the variation of incubation time was studied in on-line binding assays. Scatchard plot was employed to obtain the number of binding sites and the equilibrium binding constants. For the off-line study of the CF-BSA binding, two binding classes were determined with constants of (3.16+/-0.21)x10(6)M(-1) and (1.27+/-0.48)x10(4)M(-1) and 6.1+/-1.3 and 17.8+/-3.9 binding sites per class, respectively. In non-equilibrium binding experiments the binding rate constant was k(1)=785 M(-1)min(-1). All measurements were monitored with fluorescence (lambda(ext)=300 nm, lambda(em)=460 nm) and spectrophotometric detection (lambda=280 nm). To evaluate the accuracy of the developed method the obtained results were compared versus ultrafiltration experiments and were found in good agreement.     

A novel isomerization on interaction of antitumor-active azole-bridged dinuclear platinum(II) complexes with 9-ethylguanine. Platinum(II) atom migration from N2 to N3 on 1,2,3-triazole

The reactions of the dinuclear platinum(II) complexes, [[cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)](2)(mu-OH)(mu-pz)](NO(3))(2) (1, pz = pyrazolate), [[cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)](2)(mu-OH)(mu-1,2,3-ta-N1,N2)](NO(3))(2) (2, 1,2,3-ta = 1,2,3-triazolate), and a newly prepared [[cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)](2)(mu-OH)(mu-4-phe-1,2,3-ta-N1,N2)](NO(3))(2) (3, 4-phe-1,2,3-ta = 4-phenyl-1,2,3-triazolate), whose crystal structure was determined, with 9-ethylguanine (9EtG) have been monitored in aqueous solution at 310 K by means of (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The dinuclear platinum(II) complexes 1-3 each react with 9EtG in a bifunctional way to form 1:2 complexes, [[cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)(9EtG-N7)](2)(mu-pz)](3+) (4), [[cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)(9EtG-N7)](2)(mu-1,2,3-ta-N1,N3)](3+) (5), and [[cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)(9EtG-N7)](2)(mu-4-phe-1,2,3-ta-N1,N3)](3+) (6). The reactions of 2 and 3 involve a novel isomerization, in which the Pt atom, initially bound to N2 on the 1,2,3-ta, migrates to N3 after the first substitution by N7 of 9EtG. This isomerization reaction has been unambiguously characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and pH titration. The reactions of 2 and 3 with 9EtG show faster kinetics, and the second-order rate constants (k) for the reactions of 1-3are 1.57 x 10(-4), 2.53 x 10(-4), and 2.56 x 10(-4) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. The pK(a) values at the N1H site of 9EtG were determined for 4-6 from the pH titration curves. Cytotoxicity assays of 1-3 were performed in L1210 murine leukemia cell lines, respectively sensitive and resistant to cisplatin. In the parent cell line, 2 and 3 exhibit higher cytotoxicity compared to cisplatin, especially, 2 is 10 times as active as cisplatin. 1 was found to be less cytotoxic than cisplatin, but still in the active range and more active than cisplatin in a cisplatin-resistant cell line.     

Fluoride ion complexation by a B(2)/Hg heteronuclear tridentate Lewis acid

The reaction of [Li(THF)(4)][1,8-mu-(Mes(2)B)C(10)H(6)] with HgCl(2) affords [1,1'-(Hg)-[8-(Mes(2)B)C(10)H(6)](2)] () or [1-(ClHg)-8-(Mes(2)B)C(10)H(6)] (), depending on the stoichiometry of the reagents. These two new compounds have been characterized by (1)H, (13)C, (11)B and (199)Hg NMR, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. The cyclic voltammogram of in THF shows two distinct waves observed at E(1/2) -2.31 V and -2.61 V, corresponding to the sequential reductions of the two boron centers. Fluoride titration experiments monitored by electrochemistry suggest that binds tightly to one fluoride anion and more loosely to a second one. Theses conclusions have been confirmed by a UV-vis titration experiment which indicates that the first fluoride binding constant (K(1)) is greater than 10(8) M(-1) while the second (K(2)) equals 5.2 (+/- 0.4) x 10(3) M(-1). The fluoride binding properties of have been compared to those of [1-(Me(2)B)-8-(Mes(2)B)C(10)H(6)] () and [1-((2,6-Me(2)-4-Me(2)NC(6)H(2))Hg)-8-(Mes(2)B)C(10)H(6)] (). Both experimental and computational results indicate that its affinity for fluoride anions is comparable to that of but significantly lower than that of the diborane . In particular, the fluoride binding constants of , and in chloroform are respectively equal to 5.0 (+/- 0.2) x 10(5) M(-1), 1.0 (+/- 0.2) x 10(3) M(-1) and 1.7 (+/- 0.1) x 10(3) M(-1). Determination of the crystal structures of the fluoride adducts [S(NMe(2))(3)][-mu(2)-F] and [S(NMe(2))(3)][-mu(2)-F] along with computational results indicate that the higher fluoride binding constant of arises from a strong chelate effect involving two fluorophilic boron centers.     

Amperometric biosensor for the quantification of gentisic acid using polyphenol oxidase modified carbon paste electrode

The affinity of mushroom polyphenol oxidase (PPO) towards gentisic acid (GA), a metabolite of acetyl salicylic acid (ASA), is demonstrated by spectrophotometry and by electrochemical techniques. The enzyme can selectively recognize GA even in the presence of large excess of ASA and its metabolic derivatives (salicylic acid (SA) and salicyluric acid (SUA)). At -0.150 V, the sensitivity is (6.1+/-0.1)x10(4) NAM(-1), the response is linear up to 2.0x10(-4) M and the detection limit is 5.0x10(-5) M. The kinetic parameters, obtained from Eadie-Hofstee plots, are I(max)=51.4 nA and K(m)(app)=6.7x10(-4) M.     

Study on the interactions of kaempferol and quercetin with intravenous immunoglobulin by fluorescence quenching, fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy

The interactions of kaempferol and quercetin with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) were studied in vitro by spectroscopic methods including fluorescence spectra, Fourier transformation infrared (FT-IR) spectra and circular dichroism (CD) spectra. The binding parameters for the reactions calculated according to the Sips equation suggested that the bindings of IVIG to kaempferol and quercetin were characterized by two binding sites with the average affinity constants K(o) at 1.032 x 10(4) M(-1) and 1.849 x 10(4) M(-1), respectively. The binding of IVIG with quercetin is stronger than that of IVIG with kaempferol. They were of non-specific and weak drug-protein interactions. Docking was used to calculate the interaction modes between kaempferol and quercetin with IVIG. The secondary structural compositions of free IVIG and its kaempferol, quercetin complexes were calculated by the FT-IR difference spectra, self-deconvolution, second derivative resolution enhancement and the curve-fitting procedures of amide I band respectively, which are in good agreement with the analyses of CD spectra. The effect of 3'-OH substituent in quercetin is distinct between the interactions of IVIG with kaempferol and quercetin for the secondary structure of the protein. The observed spectral changes indicate a partial unfolding of the protein structure, but the typical beta structural conformation of IVIG is still retentive in the presence of both drugs in aqueous solution. The average binding distances between the chromophores of IVIG with kaempferol (4.30 nm) and quercetin (4.35 nm) were obtained on the basis of the theory of F?rster energy transfer. IVIG can serve as transport protein (carrier) for kaempferol and quercetin.     

Fluoride ion complexation by a cationic borane in aqueous solution

The phosphonium borane [p-Mes(2)B(C(6)H(4))PMePh(2)](+) complexes fluoride in water containing 10% methanol with a binding constant of 1.0(+/-0.1) x 10(3) M(-1) to afford the zwitterion p-Mes(2)FB(C(6)H(4))PMePh(2).     

A comparison of electrochemical and electrokinetic parameters determined for cellophane membranes in contact with NaCl and NaNO3 solutions

Electrochemical and electrokinetic characterizations of cellophane membrane samples have been carried out by measuring membrane potential, salt diffusion, and tangential streaming potential, which allow the determination of different characteristic membrane parameters. Experiments were made with the membrane samples in contact with NaCl and NaNO(3) solutions at different concentrations and under different external conditions (concentration gradients), in order to obtain differences in transport and membrane characteristic parameters, depending on the electrolyte considered. Salt permeability across the membrane, which was obtained from diffusion measurements, is about twice as high for NaCl solutions as for NaNO(3) solutions, which is attributed to the different sizes of the electrolytes. Membrane potential measurements keeping the concentration ratio constant (C(1)/C(2)=2) were used to determine both the effective fixed charge concentration in the membrane, X(f), and the average value of transport numbers, t(i); taking into account these values, concentration dependence of membrane potential under a different external condition (C(1)=cte=0.01 M, 5 x 10(-3)< or =C(M)< or =5 x 10(-2)) was predicted. Results show that cellophane membrane behaves as a weak cation-exchange membrane and its permselectivity to cations is practically independent of the electrolyte considered. From electrokinetic results, assuming a Langmuir-type adsorption of anions on the cellophane surface, the number of accessible sites per surface unit was obtained, which is higher for Cl(-) than for NO(3)(-), in agreement with the small radii of chlorine ions; however, no significant differences in the specific adsorption free energy were found (DeltaG(Nacl)=-22.0 x 10(3) J/mol) and (DeltaG(NaNO(3))=-23.2 x 10(3) J/mol).     

Membrane dynamics of the amphiphilic siderophore, acinetoferrin

Acinetobacter haemolyticus is an antibiotic resistant, pathogenic bacterium responsible for an increasing number of hospital infections. Acinetoferrin (Af), the amphiphilic siderophore isolated from this organism, contains two unusual trans-2-octenoyl hydrocarbon chains reminiscent of a phospholipid structural motif. Here, we have investigated the membrane affinity of Af and its iron complex, Fe-Af, using small and large unilamellar phospholipid vesicles (SUV and LUV) as model membranes. Af shows a high membrane affinity with a partition coefficient, K(x)= 6.8 x 10(5). Membrane partitioning and trans-membrane flip-flop of Fe-Af have also been studied via fluorescence quenching of specifically labeled vesicle leaflets and (1)H NMR line-broadening techniques. Fe-Af is found to rapidly redistribute between lipid and aqueous phases with dissociation/partitioning rates of k(off) = 29 s(-1) and k(on) = 2.4 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. Upon binding iron, the membrane affinity of Af is reduced 30-fold to K'(x) = 2.2 x 10(4) for Fe-Af. In addition, trans-membrane flip-flop of Fe-Af occurs with a rate constant, k(p) = 1.2 x 10(-3) s(-1), with egg-PC LUV and a half-life time around 10 min with DMPC SUV. These properties are due to the phospholipid-like conformation of Af and the more extended conformation of Fe-Af that is enforced by iron binding. Remarkable similarities and differences between Af and another amphiphilic siderophore, marinobactin E, are discussed. The potential biological implications of Af and Fe-Af are also addressed. Our approaches using inner- and outer-leaflet-labeled fluorescent vesicles and (1)H NMR line-broadening techniques to discern Af-mediated membrane partitioning and trans-membrane diffusion are amenable to similar studies for other paramagnetic amphiphiles.