Exploiting amyloid fibril lamination for nanotube self-assembly

Fundamental questions about the relative arrangement of the beta-sheet arrays within amyloid fibrils remain central to both its structure and the mechanism of self-assembly. Recent computational analyses suggested that sheet-to-sheet lamination was limited by the length of the strand. On the basis of this hypothesis, a short seven-residue segment of the Alzheimer's disease-related Abeta peptide, Abeta(16-22), was allowed to self-assemble under conditions that maintained the basic amphiphilic character of Abeta. Indeed, the number increased over 20-fold to 130 laminates, giving homogeneous bilayer structures that supercoil into long robust nanotubes. Small-angle neutron scattering and X-ray scattering defined the outer and inner radii of the nanotubes in solution to contain a 44-nm inner cavity with 4-nm-thick walls. Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images further confirmed these homogeneous arrays of solvent-filled nanotubes arising from a flat rectangular bilayer, 130 nm wide x 4 nm thick, with each bilayer leaflet composed of laminated beta-sheets. The corresponding backbone H-bonds are along the long axis, and beta-sheet lamination defines the 130-nm bilayer width. This bilayer coils to give the final nanotube. Such robust and persistent self-assembling nanotubes with positively charged surfaces of very different inner and outer curvature now offer a unique, robust, and easily accessible scaffold for nanotechnology.     

Modulating the activity of membrane-active peptides through Zn(II) complexation

Seeking to increase the selectivity of antimicrobial peptides for prokaryotic cells, we incorporated a bis-dipicolyl amine (bis-DPA) ligand at the N-terminus of de novo designed model peptides. The Zn₂·bisDPA complex increases the interaction of peptides with anionic model membranes, while decreasing interactions with zwitterionic model membranes. Further, it improves the peptides’ antimicrobial activity and decreases their hemolytic activity without substantial changes to their secondary structure. Therefore, incorporating a Zn₂·bisDPA complex is a useful strategy to enhance the selectivity of antimicrobial peptides.     

Complexes of Zn(II) and Mn(II) with biacetyldihydrazone

The complexes [Zn(BdH)₂Cl₂] and [Mn(BdH)₂Cl₂] have been prepared and studied by IR, electronic and ESR spectroscopies and by magnetic measurements. All results agree with a molecular formula for both complexes and a distorted octahedral environment for the metal atoms.     

Metal-directed self-assembly of a Zn(II)-salpyr complex into a supramolecular vase structure

A new type of supramolecular building block, Zn(II)-salpyr [salpyr = N,N'-3-pyridylenebis(salicylideneimine)], is described that contains both a pyridyl donor and a Lewis acidic Zn(II) acceptor site in the salen framework. As a consequence, this building block self-organizes into a stable tetrameric vase structure via cooperative intermolecular Zn-N(pyr) interactions.     

Metal ion-controlled self-assembly using pyrimidine hydrazone molecular strands with terminal hydroxymethyl groups: a comparison of Pb(II) and Zn(II) complexes

Metal complexation studies were performed with the ditopic pyrimidine-hydrazone (pym-hyz) strand 6-hydroxymethylpyridine-2-carboxaldehyde (2-methyl-pyrimidine-4,6-diyl)bis(1-methylhydrazone) (1) and Pb(ClO(4))(2)·3H(2)O, Pb(SO(3)CF(3))(2)·H(2)O, Zn(SO(3)CF(3))(2), and Zn(BF(4))(2) to examine the ability of 1 to form various supramolecular architectures. X-ray crystallographic and NMR studies showed that coordination of the Pb(II) salts with 1 on a 2:1 metal/ligand ratio in CH(3)CN and CH(3)NO(2) resulted in the linear complexes [Pb(2)1(ClO(4))(4)] (2), [Pb(2)1(ClO(4))(3)(H(2)O)]ClO(4) (3), and [Pb(2)1(SO(3)CF(3))(3)(H(2)O)]SO(3)CF(3) (4). Two unusually distorted [2 × 2] grid complexes, [Pb1(ClO(4))](4)(ClO(4))(4) (5) and [Pb1(ClO(4))](4)(ClO(4))(4)·4CH(3)NO(2) (6), were formed by reacting Pb(ClO(4))(2)·6H(2)O and 1 on a 1:1 metal/ligand ratio in CH(3)CN and CH(3)NO(2). These grids formed despite coordination of the hydroxymethyl arms due to the large, flexible coordination sphere of the Pb(II) ions. A [2 × 2] grid complex was formed in solution by reacting Pb(SO(3)CF(3))(2)·H(2)O and 1 on a 1:1 metal/ligand ratio in CH(3)CN as shown by (1)H NMR, microanalysis, and ESMS. Reacting the Zn(II) salts with 1 on a 2:1 metal/ligand ratio gave the linear complexes [Zn(2)1(H(2)O)(4)](SO(3)CF(3))(4)·C(2)H(5)O (7) and [Zn(2)1(BF(4))(H(2)O)(2)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(3)·H(2)O (8). (1)H NMR studies showed the Zn(II) and Pb(II) ions in these linear complexes were labile undergoing metal ion exchange. All of the complexes exhibited pym-hyz linkages in their cisoid conformation and binding between the hydroxymethyl arms and the metal ions. No complexes were isolated from reacting either of the Zn(II) salts with 1 on a 1:1 metal/ligand ratio, due to the smaller size of the Zn(II) coordination sphere as compared to the much larger Pb(II) ions.     

Supramolecular click chemistry for the self-assembly of a stable Zn(II)-porphyrin-C60 conjugate

Owing to the complementarity between a bis-Zn(II)-porphyrin receptor and a fullerene ligand bearing two pyridine substituents, the substrate can be clicked onto the ditopic receptor, thus leading to a stable non-covalent macrocyclic 1 ratio 1 complex.     

Pentanuclear homoleptic M(5)L(6) (M = Mn(II), Co(II), Zn(II)) complexes formed by strict self-assembly

A series of trigonal bipyramidal pentanuclear complexes involving the alkoxo-diazine ligands poap and p3oap, containing the M(5)[mu-O](6) core is described, which form by a strict self-assembly process. [Co(5)(poap-H)(6)](ClO(4))(4).3H(2)O (1), [Mn(5)(poap-H)(6)](ClO(4))(4).3.5CH(3)OH.H(2)O (2), [Mn(5)(p3oap-H)(6)](ClO(4))(4).CH(3)CH(2)OH.3H(2)O (3), and [Zn(5)(poap-H)(6)](ClO(4))(4).2.5H(2)O (4) are homoleptic pentanuclear complexes, where there is an exact match between the coordination requirements of the five metal ions in the cluster, and the available coordination pockets in the polytopic ligand. [Zn(4)(poap)(poap-H)(3)(H(2)O)(4)] (NO(3))(5).1.5H(2)O (5) is a square [2 x 2] grid with a Zn(4)[mu-O](4) core, and appears to result from the presence of NO(3), which is thought to be a competing ligand in the self-assembly. X-ray structures are reported for 1, 4, and 5. 1 crystallized in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n with a = 13.385(1) A, b = 25.797(2) A, c = 28.513(3) A, beta = 98.704(2) degrees, and Z = 4. 4 crystallized in the triclinic system, space group P1 with a = 13.0897(9) A, b = 18.889(1) A, c = 20.506(2) A, alpha = 87.116(1) degrees, beta = 74.280(2) degrees, gamma = 75.809(2) degrees, and Z = 2. 5 crystallized in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n with a = 14.8222(7) A, b = 21.408(1) A, c = 21.6197(9) A, beta = 90.698(1) degrees, and Z = 4. Compounds 1-3 exhibit intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Zn(II) and Cd(II) Complexes with Bisdithiophosphonates

2,4-Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2,4-dithiodiphosphetane-2,4-disulfide (Lawessons reagent) reacts with stoichiometric equivalent of alkane diols HO(CH₂)_nOH (n=2, 3, and 5) to form bisdithiophosphonic acid. The obtained crude bisdithiophosphonic acids are treated with dry NH₃ to give ammonium salts of bisdithiophosphonic acids. Ammonium salts of bisdithiophosphonic acids react with ZnSO₄ in water and Cd(Ac)₂ in ethanol to form new bisdithiophosphonate complexes of Zn(II) and Cd(II). The zinc and cadmium complexes of these tetradentate ligands are isolated in high yields. Ammonium salts of bisdithiophosphonic acids and their Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes are characterized by elemental analyses, mass spectra (ESI), IR and NMR spectroscopies.__________From Koordinatsionnaya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 5, 2005, pp. 338–343.Original English Text Copyright © 2005 by Karakus, Yilmaz, Bulak.This text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Metallothionein Induction by Cd(II) and Zn(II)

Blood may contain high proportion of the toxic and essential metals.Blood is responsiblefor the transport of ion of such metals.The organs such as the kidney,liver and placentaare exposed to a large proportion of the metals which enter the blood and may b…     

Syntheses and structures of isoindoline complexes of Zn(II) and Cu(II): an unexpected trinuclear Zn(II) complex

Deprotonation of the tridentate isoindoline ligand 1,3-bis[2-(4-methylpyridyl)imino]-isoindoline, 4'-MeLH, and reaction with hydrated zinc(II) perchlorate produces an unexpected trinuclear Zn(II) complex, [Zn(3)(4'-MeL)(4)](ClO(4))(2).5H(2)O (1), whereas reaction with hydrated copper(II) perchlorate in methanol produces the expected mononuclear product, [Cu(4'-MeL)(H(2)O)(2)]ClO(4) (2). X-ray diffraction shows that the trinuclear Zn(II) complex (1) contains a linear zinc backbone, and the arrangement of ligands about the outer chiral zinc(II) atoms is helical. The two terminal zinc ions exhibit approximate C(2) site symmetry, with tetrahedral coordination by two pyrrole and two pyridyl nitrogen atoms of the potentially tridentate isoindoline ligands. The central zinc ion exhibits approximate tetrahedral symmetry, with coordination by four pyridyl nitrogen atoms of four different isoindoline ligands. Pyridyl-pyrrole intramolecular pi-stacking interactions contribute to the stability of the trinuclear cation. The structure of the mononuclear copper(II) complex cation in 2 is best described as a distorted trigonal bipyramid. The isoindoline anion binds Cu(II) in both axial positions and one of the equatorial positions; water molecules occupy the other two equatorial positions.     

Orotic acid complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) with imidazole

The [Co(HOr)(H₂O)₂(im)₂] (1), [Ni(HOr)(H₂O)₂(im)₂] (2), [Zn(H₂O)₂(im)₄](H₂Or)₂ (3) and [Cd(HOr)(H₂O)(im)₃] (4) complexes (H₃Or: orotic acid, im: imidazole) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic and conductance measurements, UV-vis and IR spectra. The thermal behaviour of the complexes was also studied by simultaneous thermal analysis techniques (TG, DTG and DTA). The orotate ligand (HOr²⁻) coordinated to the Co(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II) ions are chelated to the deprotonated pyrimidine nitrogen (N₍₃₎) and the carboxylate oxygen, while do not coordinate to the Zn(II) ion is present as a counter-ion (H₂Or⁻). The first thermal decomposition process of all the complexes is endothermic deaquation. This stage is followed by partially (or completely) decomposition of the imidazole and orotate ligands. In the later stage, the remained organic residue exothermically burns. On the basis of the first DTG_max, the thermal stability of the complexes follows order: 2, 176°C>1, 162°C>4, 155°C>3, 117°C in static air atmosphere. The final decomposition products which identified by IR spectroscopy were the corresponding metal oxides.     

Coordinating Properties of Co(II) and Zn(II) Complexes with Sterically Hindered Porphyrins

Cobalt(II) and zinc(II) complexes with 5,15-di(o-methoxyphenyl)-3,7,13,17-tetramethyl-2,8,12,18-tetra-n-buthylporphyrin and its capped analogues, where the MN₄ reaction site is shielded by bridging groups containing m-phenylene and dimethoxy-substitutedp-phenylene fragments, were synthesized. Equilibrium constants of additional coordination of pyridine and N-methylimidazole by these metalloporphyrins were determined at 298 K. It was found that steric distortion of the porphyrin core destabilizes extra complexes.     

Mn(II) and Zn(II) interactions with peptide fragments from Parkinson's disease genes

Two peptide sequences from PARK9 Parkinson's disease gene, ProAspGluLysHisGluLeu, (P(1)D(2)E(3)K(4)H(5)E(6)L(7)) (1) and PheCysGlyAspGlyAlaAsnAspCysGly (F(1)C(2)G(3)D(4)G(5)A(6)N(7)D(8)C(9)G(10)) (2) were tested for Mn(II), Zn(II) and Ca(II) binding. The fragments are located from residues 1165 to 1171 and 1184 to 1193 in the PARK9 encoded protein. This protein can protect cells from poisoning of manganese, which is an environmental risk factor for a Parkinson's disease-like syndrome. Mono- and bi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy has been used to understand the details of metal binding sites at different pH values and at different ligand to metal molar ratios. Mn(II) and Zn(II) coordination with peptide (1) involves imidazole N(ε) or N(δ) of His(5) and carboxyl γ-O of Asp(2), Glu(3) and Glu(6) residues. Six donor atoms participate in Mn(II) binding resulting in a distorted octahedral geometry, possibly involving bidentate interaction of carboxyl groups; four donor atoms participate in Zn(II) binding resulting in a tetracoordinate geometry. Mn(II) and Zn(II) coordination involves the two cysteine residues with peptide (2); Mn(II) accepts additional ligand bonds from the carboxyl γ-O of Asp(4) and Asp(8) to complete the coordination sphere; the unoccupied sites may contain solvent molecules. The failure of Ca(II) ions to bind to either peptide (1) or (2) appears to result, under our conditions, from the absence of chelating properties in the chosen fragments.     

One- and two-photon induced emission in heterobimetallic Zn(II)-Sm(III) and Zn(II)-Tb(III) complexes with a side-off compartmental ligand

Heterobimetallic [Zn(II)Ln(III)] complexes have been obtained using a compartmental Schiff-base ligand, H(2)valdmpn, resulting from the 2:1 condensation between o-vanillin and 2,2-dimethyl-propilenediamine: [Zn(H(2)O)(valdmpn)Sm(O(2)NO)(3)] 1, [Zn(H(2)O)(valdmpn)Tb(O(2)NO)(3)] 2a, [Zn(H(2)O)(valdmpn)Tb(O(2)NO)(3)]·H(2)O 2b, and [Zn(H(2)O)(valdmpn)Gd(O(2)NO)(3)]·H(2)O 3. The crystal structures of 1, 2b, and 3 have been solved. Compounds 1 and 2a crystallize in a non-centrosymmetric space group (P2(1)2(1)2(1)), being isomorphous. Crystals 2b and 3 are also isomorphous (space group P1[combining macron]). The complex entities in the four crystals are similar and their structures consist of binuclear species with the pentacoordinated zinc(II) ion hosted into the N(2)O(2) compartment and the lanthanide(III) ion in the large, open compartment, with a coordination number of 10. The photophysical properties of the four compounds have been investigated. Strong visible excited (excitation tails extend up to 420-430 nm) one photon antenna sensitization was obtained with the samarium(III) and terbium(III) derivatives. Following femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser at λ(ex) = 775 nm, both second-harmonic generation at λ(em) = 775/2 nm and two-photon induced emission in the VIS range were obtained, extending thus the excitation range of these complexes from the VIS to the NIR spectral range. The two-photon induced emission and second harmonic generation effect for a samarium(III) complex are reported for the first time.     

Dehydration studies of Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) methanesulfonates

The dehydration process of Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) methanesulfonates was studied by thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques in dynamic N₂ atmosphere. The TG/DTG curves show that all of them contain four crystallization water molecules, which are lost in two steps. The peak temperature and dehydration enthalpies ΔH were measured from DSC curves for each compound. The effect of procedural variables on the TG and DSC curves was investigated. In this work, the procedural variables included heating rate, Al pan state (unsealed and sealed) and sample mass.     

Anion recognition and sensing with Zn(II)-dipicolylamine complexes

This critical review covers the developments in anion recognition and sensing using Zn(II)-dipicolylamine functionalized receptors over the past decade with emphasis on recent rapid advances in the last five years.