Structure of Dicopper Complexes of N,N,N',N'-Tetrakis[(2-benzimidazolyl)methyl]-2-hydroxy-1,3-diaminopropane with Coordinated Thiocyanate Counterions

The structures of five dicopper complexes of binucleating ligand HL-H (N,N,N',N'-tetrakis[(2-benzimidazolyl)methyl]-2-hydroxy-1,3-diaminopropane) with thiocyanate and some other counterions were investigated by the X-ray diffraction method. In Cu(2)(HL-H)(NCS)(2)Cl(2).6H(2)O.CH(3)OH, 1 (a = 12.524(5) ?, b = 14.429(4) ?, c = 16.343(3) ?, alpha = 109.01(2) degrees, beta = 92.62(2) degrees, gamma = 115.27(3) degrees, Z = 2, triclinic, P&onemacr;), one chloride is not coordinated. Distorted square pyramidal (SP) geometry is found for both CuN(3)ClN and CuN(3)ON coordination sites in which the N(3) tripodal coordination sites come from the two symmetric halves of HL-H and the other nitrogen atoms come from thiocyanate ions. In Cu(2)(HL-H)(NCS)(2)(ClO(4))(2).6H(2)O.2EtOH, 2 (a = 10.955(2) ?, b = 15.366(5) ?, c = 18.465(9) ?, alpha = 65.57(4) degrees, beta = 89.73(3) degrees, gamma = 79.81(2) degrees, Z = 2, triclinic, P&onemacr;), the coordination environments for the two copper ions are both CuN(3)ON. However, their geometries are different: one is distorted SP and the other is distorted trigonal bipyramid (TBP). In Cu(2)(HL-H)(NCS)(2)(ClO(4))(2)Cl.H(3)O.3.5H(2)O, 3 (a = 11.986(6) ?, b = 12.778(5) ?, c = 17.81(1) ?, alpha = 82.41(4) degrees, beta = 75.44(5) degrees, gamma = 78.46(4) degrees, Z = 2, triclinic, P&onemacr;), the chloride ion does not coordinate to copper ion, but it is hydrogen bonded to the hydroxy hydrogen. The coordination environments for the two copper ions are both CuN(3)ON with distorted SP geometries. In Cu(2)(HL-H)(NCS)Cl(3).6H(2)O, 4 (a = 12.026(5) ?, b = 14.369(6) ?, c = 16.430(6) ?, alpha = 111.64(3) degrees, beta = 90.51(4) degrees, gamma = 113.90(3) degrees, Z = 2, triclinic, P&onemacr;), one chloride does not coordinate. The coordination environments for the two copper ions are CuN(3)ON in severely distorted TBP geometry and CuN(3)Cl(2) in SP geometry. In Cu(2)(HL-H)(NCS)(3)OH.2H(2)O.3CH(3)OH.Et(2)O, 5 (a = 18.322(5) ?, b = 15.543(6) ?, c = 19.428(7) ?, beta = 102.78(3) degrees, Z = 4, monoclinic, P2(1)/c), the hydroxide ion does not coordinate. The coordination environments for the two copper ions are CuN(3)N(2) with a geometry inbetween SP and TBP but slightly closer to SP and CuN(3)ON in distorted SP geometry. The distances between the copper ions are in the range 4.45-7.99 ?, indicating negligible interaction between the copper ions. The hydroxy groups of HL-H in 1-5all coordinate to copper ions either in a terminal mode (in complexes 1, 4, and 5, denoted as OHR(t)) or in a bridging mode (in complexes 2 and 3, denoted as OHR(b)). These hydroxy groups do not lose their protons in all cases. All thiocyanate anions coordinate to copper ions through nitrogen atoms. All copper ions in 1-5 are pentacoordinated. The fact that the CuN(3) geometries of the tripodal coordination sites in HL-H do not allow the formation of a square planar complex, may be the driving force for the formation of pentacoordinated complexes. From the structurally known dicopper complexes of the HL-H type ligands, the relative coordinating abilities of ligands to CuN(3) are OHR(t) > NCS(-) > Cl(-)(t) > OHR(b) approximately Cl(-)(b), where the letters b and t in parentheses denote bridging and terminal coordination modes respectively.     

Cysteine and histidine shuffling: mixing and matching cysteine and histidine residues in zinc finger proteins to afford different folds and function

Zinc finger proteins utilize zinc for structural purposes: zinc binds to a combination of cysteine and histidine ligands in a tetrahedral coordination geometry facilitating protein folding and function. While much is known about the classical zinc finger proteins, which utilize a Cys(2)His(2) ligand set to coordinate zinc and fold into an anti-parallel beta sheet/alpha helical fold, there are thirteen other families of 'non-classical' zinc finger proteins for which relationships between metal coordination and protein structure/function are less defined. This 'Perspective' article focuses on two classes of these non-classical zinc finger proteins: Cys(3)His type zinc finger proteins and Cys(2)His(2)Cys type zinc finger proteins. These proteins bind zinc in a tetrahedral geometry, like the classical zinc finger proteins, yet they adopt completely different folds and target different oligonucleotides. Our current understanding of the relationships between ligand set, metal ion, fold and function for these non-classical zinc fingers is discussed.     

Solution [Cu(amm)]2+ is a strongly solvated square pyramid: a full account of the copper K-edge XAS spectrum within single-electron theory

The solution structure of Cu(II) in 4 M aqueous ammonia, [Cu(amm)](2+), was assessed using copper K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and Minuit XANes (MXAN) analyses. Tested structures included trigonal planar, planar and D2d -tetragonal, regular and distorted square pyramids, trigonal bipyramids, and Jahn-Teller distorted octahedra. Each approach converged to the same axially elongated square pyramid, 4 x Cu-Neq=2.00+/-0.02 A and 1 x Cu-Nax=2.16+/-0.02 A (EXAFS) or 2.20+/-0.07 A (MXAN), with strongly localized solvation shells. In the MXAN model, four equatorial ammonias averaged 13 degrees below the Cu(II) xy-plane, which was 0.45+/-0.1 A above the mean N4 plane. When the axial ligand equilibrium partial occupancies of about 0.65 ammonia and 0.35 water were included, EXAFS modeling found Cu-Lax distances of 2.16 and 2.31 A, respectively, reproducing the distances found in the crystal structures of [Cu(NH3)5](2+) and [Cu(NH3)4(H2O)](2+). A transverse axially localized solvent molecule was found at 2.8 A (EXAFS) or 3.1 A (MXAN). Six second-shell solvent molecules were also found at about 3.4+/-0.01 (EXAFS) or 3.8+/-0.2 A (MXAN). The structure of Cu(II) in 4 M pH 10 aqueous NH 3 may be notationally described as {[Cu(NH 3)4.62(H2O)0.38](solv)}(2+).6solv, solv=H2O, NH 3. The prominent shoulder and duplexed maximum of the rising K-edge XAS of [Cu(amm)](2+) primarily reflect the durable and well-organized solvation shells, not found around [Cu(H2O)5](2+), rather than two-electron shakedown transitions. Not accounting for solvent scattering thus may confound XAS-based estimates of metal-ligand covalency. [Cu(amm)](2+) continues the dissymmetry previously found for the solution structure of [Cu(H2O)5](2+), again contradicting the rack-bonding theory of blue copper proteins.     

Spectroscopic characterization of the Leu513His variant of fungal laccase: effect of increased axial ligand interaction on the geometric and electronic structure of the type 1 Cu site

A variety of spectroscopic techniques, combined with density functional calculations, are used to describe the electronic structure of the Leu513His variant of the type 1 Cu site in Myceliophthora thermophila laccase. This mutation changes the type 1 Cu from a blue to a green site. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), optical absorption, circular dichroism, and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopies reveal that, relative to the trigonal planar blue type 1 Cu site in wild-type fungal laccase, the covalency and the ligand field strength at the Leu513His green type 1 Cu center decrease. Additionally, there is a significant reorientation of the d(x)()()2(-)(y)()()2( )singly occupied MO, such that the overlap with the Cys sulfur valence orbital changes from pi to sigma. A density functional study in which internal coordinates are systematically altered reveals that these changes are due to the increased strength of the axial ligand (none to His), leading to a tetragonal distortion and elongation of the equatorial Cu-ligand bonds. These calculations provide insight into the experimental differences in the EPR parameters, charge-transfer absorption spectrum, and ligand-field MCD spectrum between the axial-His variant and blue Cu centers (plastocyanin and the type 1 site in fungal laccase). There are also significant differences between the green site in the Leu513His variant and other naturally occurring, green type 1 Cu sites such as in nitrite reductase, which have short axial Cu-S(Met) bonds. The large difference in EPR parameters between these green type 1 sites derives from a change in ligand field excitation energies observed by MCD, which reflects a decrease in ligand field strength. This is associated with different steric interactions of a His vs an axial Met ligand in a tetragonally distorted type 1 site. Changes in the electronic structure of the Cu site correlate with the difference in reactivity of the green His variant relative to blue wild-type fungal laccase.     

Trigonal planar copper(I) complex: synthesis, structure, and spectra of a redox pair of novel copper(II/I) complexes of tridentate bis(benzimidazol-2'-yl) ligand framework as models for electron-transfer copper proteins

The copper(II) and copper(I) complexes of the chelating ligands 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2'-ylthiomethyl)pyridine (bbtmp) and N,N-bis(benzimidazol-2'-ylthioethyl)methylamine (bbtma) have been isolated and characterized by electronic and EPR spectra. The molecular structures of a redox pair of Cu(II/I) complexes, viz., [Cu(bbtmp)(NO(3))]NO(3), 1, and [Cu(bbtmp)]NO(3), 2, and of [Cu(bbtmp)Cl], 3, have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The cation of the green complex [Cu(bbtmp)(NO(3))]NO(3) possesses an almost perfectly square planar coordination geometry in which the corners are occupied by the pyridine and two benzimidazole nitrogen atoms of the bbtmp ligand and an oxygen atom of the nitrate ion. The light-yellow complex [Cu(bbtmp)]NO(3) contains copper(I) with trigonal planar coordination geometry constituted by the pyridine and two benzimidazole nitrogen atoms of the bbtmp ligand. In the yellow chloride complex [Cu(bbtmp)Cl] the asymmetric unit consists of two complex molecules that are crystallographically independent. The coordination geometry of copper(I) in these molecules, in contrast to the nitrate, is tetrahedral, with pyridine and two benzimidazole nitrogen atoms of bbtmp ligand and the chloride ion occupying the apexes. The above coordination structures are unusual in that the thioether sulfurs are not engaged in coordination and the presence of two seven-membered chelate rings facilitates strong coordination of the benzimidazole nitrogens and discourage any distortion in Cu(II) coordination geometry. The solid-state coordination geometries are retained even in solution, as revealed by electronic, EPR, and (1)H NMR spectra. The electrochemical behavior of the present and other similar CuN(3) complexes has been examined, and the thermodynamic aspects of the electrode process are correlated to the stereochemical reorganizations accompanying the redox changes. The influence of coordinated pyridine and amine nitrogen atoms on the spectral and electrochemical properties has been discussed.     

Metal-ligand interplay in blue copper proteins studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy: Cu(II)-pseudoazurin and Cu(II)-rusticyanin

The blue copper proteins (BCPs), pseudoazurin from Achromobacter cycloclastes and rusticyanin from Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, have been investigated by (1)H NMR at a magnetic field of 18.8 T. Hyperfine shifts of the protons belonging to the coordinated ligands have been identified by exchange spectroscopy, including the indirect detection for those resonances that cannot be directly observed (the beta-CH(2) of the Cys ligand, and the NH amide hydrogen bonded to the S(gamma)(Cys) atom). These data reveal that the Cu(II)-Cys interaction in pseudoazurin and rusticyanin is weakened compared to that in classic blue sites (plastocyanin and azurin). This weakening is not induced by a stronger interaction with the axial ligand, as found in stellacyanin, but might be determined by the protein folding around the metal site. The average chemical shift of the beta-CH(2) Cys ligand in all BCPs can be correlated to geometric factors of the metal site (the Cu-S(gamma)(Cys) distance and the angle between the CuN(His)N(His) plane and the Cu-S(gamma)(Cys) vector). It is concluded that the degree of tetragonal distortion is not necessarily related to the strength of the Cu(II)-S(gamma)(Cys) bond. The copper-His interaction is similar in all BCPs, even for the solvent-exposed His ligand. It is proposed that the copper xy magnetic axes in blue sites are determined by subtle geometrical differences, particularly the orientation of the His ligands. Finally, the observed chemical shifts for beta-CH(2) Cys and Ser NH protons in rusticyanin suggest that a less negative charge at the sulfur atom could contribute to the high redox potential (680 mV) of this protein.     

Synthesis, characterization, and DFT studies of thione and selone Cu(I) complexes with variable coordination geometries

Coordination of Cu(I) halides with N,N'-dimethylimidazole selone (dmise) and thione (dmit) ligands was examined by treating CuX (X = Cl, Br, I) with one or two equivalents of dmise or dmit. The reaction of CuI and CuBr with one molar equivalent of dmise results in unusual selenium-bridged tetrameric Cu(4)(μ-dmise)(4)(μ-X)(2)X(2) copper complexes with average Cu-Se bond lengths of 2.42 ? and a Cu(2)(μ-X)(2) core (X = I (1) or Br (6)) that's in a rhomboidal structure. The reaction of CuX (X = Cl, Br, and I) with two equivalents of dmit or dmise results in trigonal planar Cu(I) complexes of two different conformations with the formula Cu(dmit)(2)X (3a, 3b, 4, and 7) or Cu(dmise)(2)X (2, 5, and 8) with average Cu-S and Cu-Se bond lengths of 2.23 ? and 2.34 ?, respectively. The coordination geometry around the copper center in complexes 1 to 8 is determined by the type of halide and chalcogenone ligand used, intramolecular π-π interactions, and short contact interactions between X-H (X = I, Br, Cl, Se or S). The theoretical DFT calculations are in good agreement with experimental X-ray structural data and indicate that dmise ligands are required for formation of the tetrameric complexes 1 and 6. Electrochemical studies show that the trigonal copper selone complexes have more negative potentials relative to analogous copper thione complexes by an average of 108 mV.     

Design and spectroscopic characterization of peptide models for the plastocyanin copper-binding loop

The Cu(II)- and Co(II)-binding properties of two peptides, designed on the basis of the active site sequence and structure of the blue copper protein plastocyanin, are explored. Peptide BCP-A, Ac-Trp-(Gly)(3)-Ser-Tyr-Cys-Ser-Pro-His-Gln-Gly-Ala-Gly-Met-(Gly )(3)-His-(Gly)(2)-Lys-CONH(2), conserves the Cu-binding loop of plastocyanin containing three of the four copper ligands and has a flexible (Gly)(3) linker to the second His ligand. Peptide BCP-B, Ac-Trp-(Gly)(3)-Cys-Gly-His-Gly-Val-Pro-Ser-His-Gly-Met-Gly-CONH(2), contains all four blue copper ligands, with two on either side of a beta-turn. Both peptides form 1:1 complexes with Cu(II) through His and Cys ligands. BCP-A, the ligand loop, binds to Cu(II) in a tetrahedrally distorted square plane with axial solvent ligation, while BCP-B-Cu(II) has no tetrahedral distortion in aqueous solution. In methanolic solution, distortion of the square plane is evident for both BCP-Cu(II) complexes. Tetrahedral Co(II) complexes are observed for both peptides in aqueous solution but with 4:2 peptide:Co(II) stoichiometries as estimated by ultracentrifugation. Cu(II) reduction potentials for the aqueous peptide-Cu(II) complexes were measured to be +75 +/- 30 mV vs NHE for BCP-A-Cu(II) and -10 +/- 20 mV vs NHE for BCP-B-Cu(II). The results indicate that the plastocyanin ligand loop can act as a metal-binding site with His and Cys ligands in the absence of the remainder of the folded protein but, by itself, cannot stabilize a type 1 copper site, emphasizing the role of the protein matrix in protecting the Cu binding site from solvent exposure and the Cys from oxidation.     

Coinage metal complexes of a boron-substituted soft scorpionate ligand

An improved synthesis of lithium phenyltris(methimazolyl)borate, Li[PhTm(Me)], (methimazole = 1-methylimidazole-2-thione) is described, and the structure of the methanol-solvated [Li(OHMe)4][PhTm(Me)] has been determined. The syntheses and characterization of complexes [M(PhTm(Me))(PR3)] (M = Cu, Ag, Au; R = Et, Ph;) are reported, and the complexes [Cu(PhTm(Me))(PPh3)], [Ag(PhTm(Me))(PEt3)] and [Au(PhTm(Me))(PEt3)] are crystallographically characterized, showing a progression from pseudo-tetrahedral geometry (copper, S3P coordination) to trigonal planar geometry (silver, S2P coordination) to linear geometry (gold, SP coordination). In addition, the copper(I) and silver(I) triphenylphosphine complexes of the adventitiously formed phenylhydrobis(methimazolyl)borate ligand, [M(PhBm(Me))(PPh3)], have been crystallographically characterized, showing both species to have a trigonal planar primary coordination sphere, with a secondary M...H-B interaction. Finally, reaction of copper(II) chloride with Li[PhTm(Me)] results in formation of a compound analyzing as [Cu(II)(PhTm(Me))Cl], although its extreme insolubility and marked instability have precluded its complete characterization. Attempts to prepare this by ultra-slow diffusion of the reactants through solvent blanks has led to isolation of a mixed-valence copper(I/II) methimazolate cluster, [Cu(I)10Cu(II)2(mt)12Cl2] and a copper(I) dimeric complex [Cu2(PhTm(Me))2], indicating that copper(II) ions oxidatively decompose the phenyltris(methimazolyl)borate anion.     

Crystal chemistry of the 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'bipyridine/copper bromide system

The reaction of 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2-bipyridine (henceforth dmbp) with copper(I) and/or copper(II) bromide under a wide variety of conditions has led to the isolation of 10 different crystalline materials. These include one Cu(I) salt, [Cu(dmbp)(2)]Br (a distorted tetrahedral Cu species and a lattice Br(-) ion); two mixed valence Cu(I,II) compounds, [Cu(dmbp)(2)Br][CuBr(2)] (discrete 5-coordinated Cu(II) and linear Cu(I) species) and Cu(dmbp)(2)BrCu(2)Br(3) (linked 5-coordinate Cu(II) and trigonal planar Cu(I) species); and seven Cu(II) compounds, (dmbp)CuBr(2) (stacked planar monomers), [(dmbp)CuBr(2)](2)(five coordinate bibridged dimers), (dmbp)Cu(2)Br(4) (stacked planar bibridged dimers), (dmbp)CuBr(2)(DMSO) (five coordinate monomers), [Cu(dmbp)(2)Br]OH.5(1)/(2)H(2)O and [Cu(dmbp)(2)Br](Br/OH).5(1)/(2)H(2)O (five coordinate monomers), and (dmbpH(2))CuBr(4).H(2)O (distorted tetrahedral monomers). The crystal structure determinations of these materials are reported. A common thread in their structural chemistry is the supramolecular architecture developed through interdigitation of the dmbp rings on neighboring molecular species. The interdigitation leads to layer structures in many of the materials. The distances between the interdigitated dmbp rings are in the range 3.4-3.7 A. The Cu(dmbp)(2)Br(+) species exhibits an exceptionally large distortion from tetrahedral geometry due to deviation of the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the Cu(dmbp) fragments from 90 degrees. The Cu(dmbp)(2)Br(+) cations have distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry, the Br(-) ion occupying an equatorial position. The length of the Cu-Br bond in the Cu(dmbp)(2)Br(+) species is correlated with the change in dihedral angle between the planes of the two dmbp ligands. The mono-dmbp complexes show a greater variation in coordination geometry for the Cu(II) species, including distorted trigonal bipyramidal and augmented square planar 4 + 1 and 4 + 2 coordination.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) complexes with a biphenyl-bridged bis(pyrrole-2-yl-methyleneamine) ligand

The reactions of nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) acetate salts with a potentially tetradentate biphenyl-bridged bis(pyrrole-2-yl-methyleneamine) ligand yielded three complexes with different coordination geometries. X-ray crystal structural analysis reveals that in the nickel(II) complex each nickel is five-coordinate, distorted trigonal bipyramid. In the copper(II) complex, each copper is four-coordinate, between square planar and tetrahedral. In the zinc(II) complex, each zinc is four-coordinate with a distorted tetrahedral geometry and the molar ratio of the zinc and ligand is 1 : 2.     

The active-site structure of umecyanin, the stellacyanin from horseradish roots

The type 1 copper sites of cupredoxins typically have a His(2)Cys equatorial ligand set with a weakly interacting axial Met, giving a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Natural variations to this coordination environment are known, and we have utilized paramagnetic (1)H NMR spectroscopy to study the active-site structure of umecyanin (UMC), a stellacyanin with an axial Gln ligand. The assigned spectra of the Cu(II) UMC and its Ni(II) derivative [Ni(II) UMC] demonstrate that this protein has the typical His(2)Cys equatorial coordination observed in other structurally characterized cupredoxins. The NMR spectrum of the Cu(II) protein does not exhibit any paramagnetically shifted resonances from the axial ligand, showing that this residue does not contribute to the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) in Cu(II) UMC. The assigned paramagnetic (1)H NMR spectrum of Ni(II) UMC demonstrates that the axial Gln ligand coordinates in a monodentate fashion via its side-chain amide oxygen atom. The alkaline transition, a feature common to stellacyanins, influences all of the ligating residues but does not alter the coordination mode of the axial Gln ligand in UMC. The structural features which result in Cu(II) UMC possessing a classic type 1 site as compared to the perturbed type 1 center observed for other stellacyanins do not have a significant influence on the paramagnetic (1)H NMR spectra of the Cu(II) or Ni(II) proteins.     

Perturbation of the Electronic Structure of a Copper(II) ion by a Cu(I)Cl Moiety in a Class I Mixed Valence Copper Complex, Cu(II)(Me(5)dien)Cl(2)(Cu(I)Cl)

A new mixed valence copper complex Cu(II)(Me(5)dien)Cl(2)(Cu(I)Cl) (2) was obtained from the reaction of CuCl with Cu(II)(Me(5)dien)Cl(2) (1) in acetonitrile. The structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 8.374(5) ?, b = 17.155(3) ?, c = 23.806(5) ?, beta = 94.40(4) degrees, Z = 8, and V = 3398(1) ?(3) while compound 2 crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Pbcn with a = 14.71(1) ?, b = 16.06(2) ?, c = 13.38(1) ?, Z = 8, and V = 3159(5) ?. The Cu(II)(Me(5)dien)Cl(2) unit in both compounds has a similar distorted square-pyramidal geometry. The Cu(I)Cl moiety in 2 is attached to the Cu(II) unit via two bridging chlorine atoms and has a distorted trigonal planar geometry. UV-vis and EPR spectroscopic studies and molecular orbital calculations established the presence of significant perturbation of the Cu(I)Cl unit to the electronic structure of the Cu(II) ion in compound 2.     

Spectroscopic and density functional studies of the red copper site in nitrosocyanin: role of the protein in determining active site geometric and electronic structure

The electronic structure of the red copper site in nitrosocyanin is defined relative to that of the well understood blue copper site of plastocyanin by using low-temperature absorption, circular dichroism, magnetic circular dichroism, resonance Raman, EPR and X-ray absorption spectroscopies, combined with DFT calculations. These studies indicate that the principal electronic structure change in the red copper site is the sigma rather than the pi donor interaction of the cysteine sulfur with the Cu 3d(x2-y2) redox active molecular orbital (RAMO). Further, MCD data show that there is an increase in ligand field strength due to an increase in coordination number, whereas resonance Raman spectra indicate a weaker Cu-S bond. The latter is supported by the S K-edge data, which demonstrate a less covalent thiolate interaction with the RAMO of nitrosocyanin at 20% relative to plastocyanin at 38%. EXAFS results give a longer Cu-S(Cys) bond distance in nitrosocyanin (2.28 A) compared to plastocyanin (2.08 A) and also show a large change in structure with reduction of the red copper site. The red copper site is the only presently known blue copper-related site with an exogenous water coordinated to the copper. Density functional calculations reproduce the experimental properties and are used to determine the specific protein structure contributions to exogenous ligand binding in red copper. The relative orientation of the CuNNS and the CuSC(beta) planes (determined by the protein sequence) is found to be key in generating an exchangeable coordination position at the red copper active site. The exogenous water ligation at the red copper active site greatly increases the reorganization energy (by approximately 1.0 eV) relative to that of the blue copper protein site, making the red site unfavorable for fast outer-sphere electron transfer, while providing an exchangeable coordination position for inner-sphere electron transfer.     

Crystal structures of oxidized and reduced stellacyanin from horseradish roots

Umecyanin (UMC) is a type 1 copper-containing protein which originates from horseradish roots and belongs to the stellacyanin subclass of the phytocyanins, a ubiquitous family of plant cupredoxins. The crystal structures of Cu(II) and Cu(I) UMC have been determined at 1.9 and 1.8 A, respectively. The protein has an overall fold similar to those of other phytocyanins. At the active site the cupric ion is coordinated by the N(delta1) atoms of His44 and His90, the S(gamma) of Cys85, and the O(epsilon)(1) of Gln95 in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Both His ligands are solvent exposed and are surrounded by nonpolar and polar side chains on the protein surface. Thus, UMC does not possess a distinct hydrophobic patch close to the active site in contrast to almost all other cupredoxins. UMC has a large surface acidic patch situated approximately 10-30 A from the active site. The structure of Cu(I) UMC is the first determined for a reduced phytocyanin and demonstrates that the coordination environment of the cuprous ion is more trigonal pyramidal. This subtle change in geometry is primarily due to the Cu-N(delta1)(His44) and Cu-O(epsilon1)(Gln95) bond lengths increasing from 2.0 and 2.3 A in Cu(II) UMC to 2.2 and 2.5 A, respectively, in the reduced form, as a consequence of slight rotations of the His44 and Gln95 side chains. The limited structural changes upon redox interconversion at the active site of this stellacyanin are analogous to those observed in a typical type 1 copper site with an axial Met ligand and along with its surface features suggest a role for UMC in interprotein electron transfer.     

The X-ray absorption spectroscopic model of the copper(II) imidazole complex ion in liquid aqueous solution: a strongly solvated square pyramid

Cu K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and Minuit X-ray absorption near-edge structure (MXAN) analyses were combined to evaluate the structure of the copper(II) imidazole complex ion in liquid aqueous solution. Both methods converged to the same square-pyramidal inner coordination sphere [Cu(Im)(4)L(ax)](2+) (L(ax) indeterminate) with four equatorial nitrogen atoms at EXAFS, 2.02 ± 0.01 ?, and MXAN, 1.99 ± 0.03 ?. A short-axial N/O scatterer (L(ax)) was found at 2.12 ± 0.02 ? (EXAFS) or 2.14 ± 0.06 ? (MXAN). A second but very weak axial Cu-N/O interaction was found at 2.9 ± 0.1 ? (EXAFS) or 3.0 ± 0.1 ? (MXAN). In the MXAN fits, only a square-pyramidal structural model successfully reproduced the doubled maximum of the rising K-edge X-ray absorption spectrum, specifically excluding an octahedral model. Both EXAFS and MXAN also found eight outlying oxygen scatterers at 4.2 ± 0.3 ? that contributed significant intensity over the entire spectral energy range. Two prominent rising K-edge shoulders at 8987.1 and 8990.5 eV were found to reflect multiple scattering from the 3.0 ? axial scatterer and the imidazole rings, respectively. In the MXAN fits, the imidazole rings took in-plane rotationally staggered positions about copper. The combined (EXAFS and MXAN) model for the unconstrained cupric imidazole complex ion in liquid aqueous solution is an axially elongated square-pyramidal core, with a weak nonbonded interaction at the second axial coordination position and a solvation shell of eight nearest-neighbor water molecules. This core square-pyramidal motif has persisted through [Cu(H(2)O)(5)](2+), [Cu(NH(3))(4)(NH(3),H(2)O)](2+), (1, 2) and now [Cu(Im)(4)L(ax))](2+) and appears to be the geometry preferred by unconstrained aqueous-phase copper(II) complex ions.     

Copper(II) Complexes of the Hexaaza Macrocyclic Ligand 3,6,9,16,19,22-Hexaaza-27,28-dioxatricyclo[22.2.1.1(11,14)]octacosa-1(26),11,13,24-tetraene and Their Interaction with Oxalate, Malonate, and Pyrophosphate Anions

The hexaaza macrocyclic ligand 3,6,9,16,19,22-hexaaza-27,28-dioxatricyclo[22.2.1.1(11,14)]octacosa-1(26),11,13,24-tetraene (BFBD), forms both mono- and dinuclear complexes, as well as several protonated and hydroxo chelates, with Cu(II) ions. These cationic species can bind inorganic and organic anions through coordination and hydrogen bonding. Stability constants of the mono- and dinuclear Cu(II) complexes of BFBD and their interaction with oxalate, malonate, and pyrophosphate anions have been measured potentiometrically. The nature of the bonding between the hosts and the guests is discussed. The crystal structures of two new dinuclear Cu(II) complexes, determined by X-ray crystallography, are also reported. [BFBDCu(2)(Cl)(3)]ClO(4).0.5H(2)O crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, with a = 13.267(2) ?, b = 12.155(6) ?, c = 18.461 0 ?, beta = 90.86(2) degrees, and Z = 4. Each Cu(II) ion is coordinated by three nitrogen atoms from the diethylenetriamine unit of the macrocyclic ligand and two chloride anions, forming a square pyramidal geometry. [BFBDCu(2)(Ox)](BF(4))(1.8)Cl(0.2) crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, with a = 6.772(1) ?, b = 10.646(2) ?, c = 11.517(2) ?, alpha = 64.74(3) degrees, beta = 79.79(3) degrees, gamma = 81.94(3) degrees, and Z = 1. The environment of each copper is intermediate between square pyramidal and trigonal pyramidal. The oxalate anion bridges in a bis-bidentate fashion between two Cu(II) ions.     

Lumenal loop M672-P707 of the Menkes protein (ATP7A) transfers copper to peptidylglycine monooxygenase

Copper transfer to cuproproteins located in vesicular compartments of the secretory pathway depends on activity of the copper-translocating ATPase (ATP7A), but the mechanism of transfer is largely unexplored. Copper-ATPase ATP7A is unique in having a sequence rich in histidine and methionine residues located on the lumenal side of the membrane. The corresponding fragment binds Cu(I) when expressed as a chimera with a scaffold protein, and mutations or deletions of His and/or Met residues in its sequence inhibit dephosphorylation of the ATPase, a catalytic step associated with copper release. Here we present evidence for a potential role of this lumenal region of ATP7A in copper transfer to cuproenzymes. Both Cu(II) and Cu(I) forms were investigated since the form in which copper is transferred to acceptor proteins is currently unknown. Analysis of Cu(II) using EPR demonstrated that at Cu:P ratios below 1:1 (15)N-substituted protein had Cu(II) bound by 4 His residues, but this coordination changed as the Cu(II) to protein ratio increased toward 2:1. XAS confirmed this coordination via analysis of the intensity of outer-shell scattering from imidazole residues. The Cu(II) complexes could be reduced to their Cu(I) counterparts by ascorbate, but here again, as shown by EXAFS and XANES spectroscopy, the coordination was dependent on copper loading. At low copper Cu(I) was bound by a mixed ligand set of His + Met, whereas at higher ratios His coordination predominated. The copper-loaded loop was able to transfer either Cu(II) or Cu(I) to peptidylglycine monooxygenase in the presence of chelating resin, generating catalytically active enzyme in a process that appeared to involve direct interaction between the two partners. The variation of coordination with copper loading suggests copper-dependent conformational change which in turn could act as a signal for regulating copper release by the ATPase pump.     

Crystal structure and thermochemical reactivity of an unusual copper complex that contains copper in four different coordination geometries

According to X-ray single-crystal structure analysis, {[Cu(II)(en)2]2[Cu(I)2(CN)6]}[Cu(II)(en)2]2[Cu(I)(CN)3]2.2H2O contains copper in four different coordination environments: trigonal planar, square planar, square pyramidal and tetrahedral. The different coordination geometries of copper were investigated by quantum chemical calculations of model compounds, thus allowing to tentatively assign the different CN-bands in the IR spectrum. The thermolysis led to sub-microm sized rod-like copper(II) oxide particles.