Histidine-rich branched peptides as Cu(II) and Zn(II) chelators with potential therapeutic application in Alzheimer's disease

Two histidine-rich branched peptides with one lysine as a branching unit have been designed and synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis. Their complex formation with Cu(II) and Zn(II) as well as their ability to attenuate the metal-ion induced amyloid aggregation has been characterized. Both peptides can keep Cu(II) and Zn(II) in complexed forms at pH 7.4 and can bind two equivalents of metal ions in solutions with excess metal. The stoichiometry, stability and structure of the complexes formed have been determined by pH potentiometry, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, circular dichroism, EPR and NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS. Both mono- and bimetallic species have been detected over the whole pH range studied. The basic binding mode is either a tridentate {N(amino), N(amide), N(im)} or a histamine-type of coordination which is complemented by the binding of far imidazole or amino groups leading to macrochelate formation. The peptides were able to prevent Cu(II)-induced Aβ(1-40) aggregation but could not effectively compete for Zn(II) in vitro. Our results suggest that branched peptides containing potential metal-binding sites may be suitable metal chelators for reducing the risk of amyloid plaque formation in Alzheimer's disease.     

Dynamics of Zn(II) binding as a key feature in the formation of amyloid fibrils by Aβ11-28

Supramolecular assembly of peptides and proteins into amyloid fibrils is of multifold interest, going from materials science to physiopathology. The binding of metal ions to amyloidogenic peptides is associated with several amyloid diseases, and amyloids with incorporated metal ions are of interest in nanotechnology. Understanding the mechanisms of amyloid formation and the role of metal ions can improve strategies toward the prevention of this process and enable potential applications in nanotechnology. Here, studies on Zn(II) binding to the amyloidogenic peptide Aβ11-28 are reported. Zn(II) modulates the Aβ11-28 aggregation, in terms of kinetics and fibril structures. Structural studies suggest that Aβ11-28 binds Zn(II) by amino acid residues Glu11 and His14 and that Zn(II) is rapidly exchanged between peptides. Structural and aggregation data indicate that Zn(II) binding induces the formation of the dimeric Zn(II)(1)(Aβ11-28)(2) species, which is the building block of fibrillar aggregates and explains why Zn(II) binding accelerates Aβ11-28 aggregation. Moreover, transient Zn(II) binding, even briefly, was enough to promote fibril formation, but the final structure resembled that of apo-Aβ11-28 amyloids. Also, seeding experiments, i.e., the addition of fibrillar Zn(II)(1)(Aβ11-28)(2) to the apo-Aβ11-28 peptide, induced aggregation but not propagation of the Zn(II)(1)(Aβ11-28)(2)-type fibrils. This can be explained by the dynamic Zn(II) binding between soluble and aggregated Aβ11-28. As a consequence, dynamic Zn(II) binding has a strong impact on the aggregation behavior of the Aβ11-28 peptide and might be a relevant and so far little regarded parameter in other systems of metal ions and amyloidogenic peptides.     

Determination of Cu(II) and Zn(II) using silica gel loaded with 1-(2-thiasolylazo)-2-naphthol

The silica gel with 1-(2-thiasolylazo)-2-naphthol adsorbed was obtained. The adsorption of Cu(II) and Zn(II) from an aqueous solution onto loaded silica gel was studied. The capabilities of 1-(2-thiasolylazo)-2-naphthol immobilized for Cu(II) and Zn(II) preconcentration, visual and diffusion reflectance spectroscopic detection was evaluated. The detection limits were 10 and 15 microg.l(-1), respectively. Visual test scales for metal ions determination in the range 0.65-13 microg per sample were worked out. The developed methods were applied to Cu(II) and Zn(II) determination in natural and tap water. The obtained results agreed well with the reported value.     

Monitoring of Zn(II) and Cd(II) adsorption on activated carbon from aqueous multicomponent solutions by differential pulse polarography (DPP)

The adsorption process of Zn(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solution has been investigated from both kinetic and equilibrium standpoints, using differential pulse polarography (DPP) on a mercury dropping electrode as the analytical technique. With such an aim, adsorption experiments were performed using not only a single metal ion–Zn(II) or Cd(II) solution but also a multi-component ion metal–Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) solution. The influence of the pH change in the multi-component ion metal solution on the adsorption of Zn(II) and Cd(II) was also studied. The adsorption processes is relatively fast for Zn(II) and Cd(II). The presence of two foreign ions in the solution slightly speeds up the adsorption process for Zn(II) and significantly slows it down for Cd(II). The adsorption isotherms are similarly shaped for Zn(II) and Cd(II). The addition of the foreign ions has a more unfavourable effect on the adsorption for Cd(II) than for Zn(II). At pH 2, neither Zn(II) nor Cd(II) is adsorbed practically on the carbon. The voltammetric approach has proved to be a fast and efficient method that, at the same time, enables one to monitor the adsorption of Zn(II) and Cd(II) with potential on-line application, which could be useful in waste-water treatment.     

Voltammetric analysis of Cu (II), Cd (II) and Zn (II) complexes and their cyclic voltammetry with several cephalosporin antibiotics

Both osteryoung square wave voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry have been utilized to elucidate and confirm the possible complexation reaction that occur between the various cephalosporin antibiotics and either the toxic, non-essential metal ion, viz. Cd (II), or the essential but toxic (when their concentration exceeds certain level in serum) metal ions, viz. Cu (II) and Zn (II). Voltammetric measurements indicated the existence of 1:1 metal-to-ligand ratio (as in cephalexin and cephapirin complexes), 1:2 ratio (such as in cefamandole, cefuroxime and cefotaxime complexes) and 2:1 ratio in case of ceftazidime complexes. Adsorption behavior was evidenced for Cu (II)-cefuroxime or ceftazidime complexes as well as for those for Zn (II)-cephalexin or cephapirin. This phenomenon could be used for the determination of either the antibiotic or the metal ion using adsorptive stripping voltammetry. Detection limits down to 7x10(-10) M have been easily achieved.     

Salisaldehyde-2-aminobenzimidazole schiff base complexes of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II)

New metal complexes of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) with salicylidine-2-aminobenzimidazole (SABI) are synthesized and their physicochemical properties are investigated using elemental and thermal analyses, IR, conductometric, solid reflectance and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The base reacts with these metal ions to give 1:1 (Metal:SABI) complexes; in cases of Fe(III), Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions; and 1:2 (Metal:SABI) complexes; in case of Ni(II) ion. The conductance data reveal that Fe(III) complex is 2:1 electrolyte, Co(II) is 1:2 electrolyte, Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes are 1:1 electrolytes while Ni(II) is non-electrolyte. IR spectra showed that the ligand is coordinated to the metal ions in a terdentate mannar with O, N, N donor sites of the phenloic -OH, azomethine -N and benzimidazole -N3. Magnetic and solid reflectance spectra are used to infer the coordinating capacity of the ligand and the geometrical structure of these complexes. The thermal decomposition of the complexes is studied and indicates that not only the coordinated and/or crystallization water is lost but also that the decomposition of the ligand from the complexes is necessary to interpret the successive mass loss. Different thermodynamic activation parameters are also reported, using Coats-Redfern method. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cork biomass as biosorbent for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II)

The removal of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) from solutions using biosorption in cork powder is described. The adsorption isotherms were determined, along with the effect of different variables, such as the solid–liquid ratio, temperature and pH on the removal efficiency of the metals. The potentiometric titration curve of the cork biomass was determined and some zeta-potential studies were carried out. The effect of the pre-treatment by Fisher esterification on the biosorption properties of cork is also presented. It was concluded that the adsorption of the heavy metals was favoured by an increase in pH. The degree of heavy metal removal is directly related to the concentration of cork biomass, and the maximum sorption capacity of cork biomass for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) was 0.63, 0.76 and 0.34 meq./g, respectively. It is shown that ion exchange plays a more important role in the sorption of Cu(II) and Ni(II) on cork biomass than in the sorption of Zn(II). The pre-treatment by Fisher esterification confirmed the important role of the carboxylic groups in binding of Cu(II) and Ni(II) and showed that they are the only binding sites for Zn(II).     

C-branched chiral (racemic) macrocyclic amino acids: structure of their Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes

A new procedure for the synthesis of macrocyclic embedded bis-α-amino acids and their use as cation-ligands is described. These compounds are able to form stable Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes as long as they have a flexible tether between the two nitrogen atoms. For a given macrocycle, the X-ray diffraction studies revealed diastereomerically pure complexes having different geometries depending on the metal ion.     

Synthesis of alkynylated photo-luminescent Zn(II) and Mg(II) Schiff base complexes

A new series of photo-luminescent Zn(II) and Mg(II) Schiff base complexes were prepared by treatment of the arylethynyl-substituted salicylaldehydes obtained from the Sonogashira reaction with the metal salt followed by addition of the different diamines. Most square-planar Zn(II) complexes exhibited good quantum efficiencies. The Mg(II) complexes displayed even higher quantum yields than the corresponding Zn-complexes. Unsymmetrical Zn(II) Schiff base complexes were also successfully prepared from organic monoimines obtained as intermediates in the formation of the Mg metal Schiff base complex. The monoimine can also be prepared from the reaction of salicylaldehydes with excess diaminoarene. Two crystal structures featuring the zinc atom are reported, one with a rare four-coordinate square planar geometry and the other with a five-coordinate square pyramidal geometry.     

Complexation of Ni (II) and Zn(II) ions by 3-(1-naphthyI)-2-mercaptopropenoic acid

The complexation equilibria between Ni(II) and Zn(II) metal ions with 3-(1-naphthyl)-2-mercaptopropenoic acid (H₂NMP) were studied by glass electrode potentiometry, at 25 °C and 1.0 mol·dm^–3 in NaClO₄ as constant ionic medium in 50% (v/v) water-ethanol solutions. Formation constants for the complexes Ni(NMP), Ni(NMP) ₂ ^2– , Zn(NMP) and Zn(NMP) ₂ ^2– , refined by the MINIGLASS program, are reported.     

Spectral,thermal and magnetic investigations of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) 4-methylphthalates

Conditions for the preparation of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) 4-methylphthalates were investigated and their composition, solubility in water at 295 K and magnetic moments were determined. IR spectra and powder diffraction patterns of the complexes prepared with molar ratio of metal to organic ligand of 1.0:1.0 and general formula: M [ CH₃C₆H₃(CO₂)₂]·nH₂o (n=1-3) were recorded and their decomposition in air were studied. During heating the hydrated complexes are dehydrated in one (Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd) or two steps (Cu) and next the anhydrous complexes decompose to oxides directly (Cu, Zn), with intermediate formation of carbonates (Mn, Cd), oxocarbonates (Ni) or carbonate and free metal (Co). The carboxylate groups in the complexes studied are mono- and bidentate (Co, Ni), bidentate chelating and bridging (Zn) or bidentate chelating (Mn, Cu, Cd). The magnetic moments for paramagnetic complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) attain values 5.92, 5.05, 3.36 and 1.96 M.B., respectively. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal decomposition of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) hippurates

The hippurates of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) were isolated from the solution, their quantitative composition and the way of coordination of metal — ligand were determined and the conditions and products of thermal decomposition during heating in air atmosphere up to 1273 K were studied. The complexes of Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) heated lose some water molecules and then decompose to MO. The hippurate of Co(II) heated loses some water molecules and then decomposes to CoO with intermediate formation Co₃O₄.

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Zusammenfassung Aus Lösung wurden die Co(II)-, Ni(II)-, Cu(II)- und Zn(II)-Salze der Hippursäure gewonnen, ihre quantitative Zusammensetzung sowie die Art der Koordination der Metall-Ligandenbindung bestimmt. Weiterhin wurden die Bedingungen und Produkte der thermischen Zersetzung beim Erhitzen in einer Luftatmosphäre bis 1273 K untersucht. Die Komplexe von Ni(II), Cu(II) und Zn(II) verlieren beim Erhitzen ein paar Moleküle Wasser und zersetzen sich anschlieend zu MO. Co(II)-hippurat gibt beim Erhitzen einige Moleküle Wasser ab und zersetzt sich dann über die Zwischenstufe Co₃O₄ zu CoO.

     

Bis-(thiosemicarbazonato) Zn(II) complexes as building blocks for construction of supramolecular catalysts

In this paper we report the application of bis-(thiosemicarbazonato) Zn(II) complexes as building blocks in the construction of supramolecular transition metal assemblies. We investigated their coordination behaviour towards pyridylphosphine molecules and found these systems comparable to those based on Zn(porphyrin) and Zn(salphen) complexes. Additionally, catalytic experiments and an in situ high-pressure FTIR study of the supramolecular rhodium hydroformylation catalysts, assembled using the bis-(thiosemicarbazonato) Zn(II) complexes, demonstrate their applicability in supramolecular catalysis and their potential for application in other areas of supramolecular chemistry.     

A novel class of Cd(II), Hg(II) turn-on and Cu(II), Zn(II) turn-off Schiff base fluorescent probes

N,N'-((5,5'-(quinoxaline-2,3-diyl)bis(1H-pyrrole-5,2-diyl))bis(methanylylidene))bis(4-methoxyaniline) 4 and N,N'-((5,5'-(quinoxaline-2,3-diyl)-bis(1H-pyrrole-5,2-diyl))bis(methanylylidene))dianiline 5 have been prepared and structurally characterized. The X-ray crystal structures of compounds 4 and 4a have been determined. These compounds displayed good sensitivity toward transition metal ions with Cd(II), Zn(II) turn-on and Cu(II), Hg(II) turn-off in fluorescence. It is an elegant example of on/off behavior like a lamp. When Cd(II) or Zn(II) is added into compounds 4 or 5, the lamp will switch on, and then when Cu(II) or Hg(II) is added into the mixture, the lamp will switch off. The binding properties of 4 and 5 for cations were examined by fluorescence spectroscopy. The fluorescence data and crystal structure indicate that a 1:1 stoichiometry complex is formed between compound 4 (or 5) and metal ions, and the binding affinity is very high. The recognition mechanism between compound 4 (or 5) and metal ion was discussed based on the their chemical constructions and the CHEF/CHEQ effect when they interacted with each other.     

A new chelating resin for preconcentration and determination of Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A new polychelatogen, AXAD-16-1,2-diphenylethanolamine, was developed by chemically modifying Amberlite XAD-16 with 1,2-diphenylethanolamine to produce an effective metal-chelating functionality for the preconcentration of Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) and their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Various physiochemical parameters that influence the quantitative preconcentration and recovery of metal were optimized by both static and dynamic techniques. The resin showed superior extraction efficiency with high-metal loading capacity values of 0.73, 0.80, 0.77, 0.87, 0.74, and 0.81 mmol/g for Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II), respectively. The system also showed rapid metal-ion extraction and stripping, with complete saturation in the sorbent phase within 15 min for all the metal ions. The optimum condition for effective metal-ion extraction was found to be a neutral pH, which is a great advantage in the preconcentration of trace metal ions from natural water samples without any chemical pretreatment of the sample. The resin also demonstrated exclusive ion selectivity toward targeted metal ions by showing greater resistivity to various complexing species and more common metal ions during analyte concentration, which ultimately led to high preconcentration factors of 700 for Cu(II); 600 for Mn(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II); and 500 for Cd(II) and Pb(II), arising from a larger sample breakthrough volume. The lower limits of metal-ion detection were 7 ng/mL for Mn(II) and Ni(II); 5 ng/mL for Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II), and 10 ng/mL for Pb(II). The developed resin was successful in preconcentrating metal ions from synthetic and real water samples, multivitamin-multimineral tablets, and curry leaves (Murraya koenigii) with relative standard deviations of < or = 3.0% for all analytical measurements, which demonstrated its practical utility.     

N-vinylcarbazole polymerization by 13X molecular sieve exchanged with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)

The polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole by 13X molecular sieves modified by five different transition metal ions, viz. Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II), has been studied under various conditions. The order of reactivity follows the trend: Mn(II) ≈ Cu(II) > Co(II) > Zn(II) > Ni(II) at pH ∼ 3.55 and an exchange level of 30% of the metal ion. The polymerizations are believed to occur by a dual-ion-initiation mechanism in which both metal ions and proton centres participate. The overall energy of activation (E_a) for each system decreases with decreasing pH of the exchanging salt solution. Average activation energy on proton centre (E_H) and that on metal ion centre (E_a) have been evaluated for each system. E_a, E_H and E_c have been shown to correlate with one another. The molecular weights and their distributions are affected by the nature of the metal ion and also by the protonic centres. The possibility of a correlation of the catalytic activity of the modified 13X with ionic radius, electronegativity and normal co-ordination number has been examined.     

Mn (II) and Zn (II) complexes of a benzimidazole ligand having undecyl chains: Crystal structures,photophysical and thermal properties

A new tridentate benzimidazole ligand (L‐C¹¹) containing undecyl chains and its Mn (II) and Zn (II) complexes were synthesised and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods. Molecular structures of complexes [Mn(L‐C¹¹)Cl₂] and [Zn(L‐C¹¹)Cl₂] were evaluated by X‐ray diffraction studies. The X‐ray data showed metal ions in both complexes are five‐coordinate with distorted square pyramidal geometry around the metal centres. The undecyl chains in the structure of the complexes are aligned in an interdigitated manner (head to tail) forming a non‐polar domain. The aggregation properties of the ligand and its complexes were investigated by UV–Vis. absorption and emission spectroscopies in DMF‐water mixtures. The emission spectral data revealed that the compounds showed aggregation induced quenching (AIQ) in DMF‐water solutions. Moreover, thermal properties of the compounds were investigated by TG, DTG and DSC analysis.     

The coordination chemistry of Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes with 1,2,4-triazole derivatives

This perspective illustrates the coordination features of complexes constructed by 1,2,4-triazole derivatives and transition metal ions which belong to Group IIB, namely Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II), demonstrates their behaviors in thermal stabilities, gas or liquid adsorption, fluorescence and nonlinear optical properties and also discusses the relation between their properties and crystal structures. Various 1,2,4-triazole derivatives containing versatile donor sites for coordination can be obtained through introducing different substituent groups to C3, N4 and C5 positions, thus offering rich coordination modes. The structures of these complexes rely on their triazole ligands, as well as mixed ligands, metal ions, anions and synthetic conditions. Obviously, the diversity in structure induces the controllability of properties, since the properties are influenced by several factors, which is significant for the applications of potential multifunctional materials.     

Phenomena Affecting the Equilibrium of Al(III) and Zn(II) Extraction with Winsor II Microemulsions

The extraction of Al(III) and Zn(II) from an aqueous solution with two water-in-oil microemulsions, one containing di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (DEHPA), was investigated to aid the understanding of the role of the extractant and the metal specific characteristics in the mechanism of microemulsion extraction. The extraction of Al with the DEHPA microemulsion increased by a factor of about 10 with respect to that in the conventional DEHPA system, whereas the extraction of Zn was lower than that in the single DEHPA system. Extraction with the DEHPA-free microemulsion was very low, showing that metal ion solubilization was not important in the mechanism of microemulsion extraction. It is proposed that the effect of the mixed microemulsion on the metal distribution coefficient is the result of the balance between a decrease in the complexation reaction yield due to the interaction between butanol and DEHPA, and the adsorption of the metal complex at the macro- and microinterfaces. The former leads to a decrease in Zn(II) extraction and the latter to Al(III) extraction synergism. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Preparation,Properties and Thermal Decompositions of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) Complexes of 2,5-dichlorobenzoic Acid

Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) 2,5-dichlorobenzoates were prepared and their compositions and solubilities in water at 295 K were determined. The IR spectra and X-ray diffractograms of the obtained complexes were recorded. The complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) were obtained as solids with a 1:2 molar ratio of metal to organic ligand and different degrees of hydration. When heated at a heating rate of 10 K min^-1, the hydrated complexes lose some (Co, Zn) or all (Ni, Cu, Cd) of the crystallization water molecules and then decompose to oxide MO (Co, Ni) or gaseous products (Cu, Zn, Cd). When heated at a heating rate of 5 K min^-1, the complexes of Ni(II) and Cu(II) lose some (Ni) or all (Cu) of the crystallization water molecules and then decompose directly to MO. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.