The mononuclear metal center of type-I dihydroorotase from aquifex aeolicus

Background

Dihydroorotase (DHO) is a zinc metalloenzyme, although the number of active site zinc ions has been controversial. E. coli DHO was initially thought to have a mononuclear metal center, but the subsequent X-ray structure clearly showed two zinc ions, α and β, at the catalytic site. Aquifex aeolicus DHO, is a dodecamer comprised of six DHO and six aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATC) subunits. The isolated DHO monomer, which lacks catalytic activity, has an intact α-site and conserved β-site ligands, but the geometry of the second metal binding site is completely disrupted. However, the putative β-site is restored when the complex with ATC is formed and DHO activity is regained. Nevertheless, the X-ray structure of the complex revealed a single zinc ion at the active site. The structure of DHO from the pathogenic organism, S. aureus showed that it also has a single active site metal ion.

Results

Zinc analysis showed that the enzyme has one zinc/DHO subunit and the addition of excess metal ion did not stimulate catalytic activity, nor alter the kinetic parameters. The metal free apoenzyme was inactive, but the full activity was restored upon the addition of one equivalent of Zn²⁺ or Co²⁺. Moreover, deletion of the β-site by replacing the His180 and His232 with alanine had no effect on catalysis in the presence or absence of excess zinc. The 2.2 Å structure of the double mutant confirmed that the β-site was eliminated but that the active site remained otherwise intact.

Conclusions

Thus, kinetically competent A. aeolicus DHO has a mononuclear metal center. In contrast, elimination of the putative second metal binding site in amidohydrolyases with a binuclear metal center, resulted in the abolition of catalytic activity. The number of active site metal ions may be a consideration in the design of inhibitors that selectively target either the mononuclear or binuclear enzymes.

     

Interaction of angiotensin peptides and zinc metal ions probed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry experiments were used to provide evidence regarding the sites of interactions between zinc metal ions and angiotensin peptides. The electrospray ionization mass spectra of histidine-containing human angiotensin II (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe) and angiotensin I (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu) in the presence of zinc show abundant multiply charged ions for the zinc-attached peptide [M + aZn²⁺ +(c ? 2a)H⁺]^c+, where a = 1, 2 and c is charge. From collisionally activated dissociation experiments, with both low energy (triple quadrupole mass spectrometry) and high energy collisions (linked scan at constant B/E with a double focusing instrument) of the [M + Zn]²⁺ and [M + Zn + H]³⁺ ions for angiotensin II, a [b ₆ + Zn]²⁺ species is produced as the most abundant product ion, suggesting that the zinc interaction site is in the vicinity of the His⁶ residue. Additionally, tandem mass spectra from the zinc-attached ions for angiotensin I show abundant [b ₆ + Zn]²⁺ and [b ₉ + Zn]²⁺ products, providing evidence that both His⁶ and His⁹ are involved in zinc coordination.     

The synthesis of luminescent lanthanide-based chemosensors for the detection of zinc ions

Herein, we report the synthesis of two lanthanide-based chemosensors, Tb-5 and Eu-6, designed to sense free zinc ions (Zn²⁺) in aqueous solutions. The Tb-5 complex features a bis(2-pyridinylmethyl)amine moiety as a zinc(II)-responsive lanthanide-sensitising ‘antenna’, while Eu-6 incorporates a quinoline-based moiety for this purpose. Luminescence enhancements of 210% and 340% are observed upon addition of Zn²⁺ ions to Tb-5 and Eu-6, respectively. Both sensors are selective for Zn²⁺ ions over several other cations of environmental significance.     

Octamethyl‐1, 1′‐di(2‐pyridyl)ferrocene: A Redox‐Active Ligand with a Pronounced Selectivity for Divalent Metal Ions

Octamethyl‐1, 1′‐di(2‐pyridyl)ferrocene ( 1 ) acts as molecular electrochemical sensor for magnesium, calcium, zinc, and cadmium ions in acetonitrile solution. The new redox peak, anodically shifted by ca. 0.40 V, which appears in the cyclic voltammogram of 1 in the presence of even small amounts (10 mol %) of these ions, is unaffected by an excess of alkali metal ions. Metal complexation is accompanied by a batho‐ and hyper‐chromic shift of the band in the visible region of the UV‐Vis spectrum of 1 . A detailed study of the behaviour of 1 towards zinc chloride in acetonitrile solution has revealed that 1 is able to accommodate a maximum of two zinc ions. Oxidation of zinc‐coordinated 1 leads to partial decomplexation. The N‐methyl and N‐benzyl species 1 Me⁺, 1 Me₂²⁺, 1 Bzl⁺ and 1 Bzl₂²⁺ have been synthesized and the former two structurally investigated by X‐ray diffraction. Alkylation causes an anodic shift of the redox potential of the ferrocene nucleus, which is linearly dependent on the number of alkyl groups introduced. Octamethyl‐1, 1′‐di(2‐thiophenyl)ferrocene ( 2 ) has also been synthesized and structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction. Cyclic voltammetry has revealed that, in contrast to 1 , 2 does not respond to the divalent metal ions studied.     

Advances in methods of on-line preconcentration in the capillary-electrophoretic determination of metal ions

The possibility of pH-stacking is proved for the on-line preconcentration of metal ions by the example of the capillary-electrophoretic determination of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) ions with photometric detection in the visible spectral region in the form of their complexes with Methylthymol Blue (MTB). It was shown that pH-stacking enabled the attaining of preconcentration coefficients of more than 10² with an efficiency 10⁶ of theoretical plates in the hydrodynamic injection of a sample at 30 mbar for 120 s.     

Raman and FTIR Spectroscopic Studies of 1‐Ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium Trifluoromethylsulfonate,its Mixtures with Water and the Solvation of Zinc Ions

In this paper we report on the interactions of the ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonate ([EMIm]TfO) with water and the solvation of zinc ions in neat [EMIm]TfO and [EMIm]TfO–water mixtures investigated by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The structures and physicochemical properties of the [EMIm]TfO–water mixtures are strongly dependent on the interaction between cations, anions, and water. The structure was changed from ionic‐liquid‐like to water‐like solutions upon addition of water. In addition, zinc salts can precipitate in 0.2 M Zn(TfO)₂/[EMIm]TfO upon addition of 10 % (v/v) water, presumably as a result of polarity change of the solution. The average coordination number of TfO^? per zinc ion calculated from Raman spectra is 3.8 in neat [EMIm]TfO, indicating that [Zn(TfO)₄]^2?, and [Zn(TfO)₃]^? complexes are present in the solution. However, in the presence of water, water interacts preferentially with the zinc ions, leading to aqueous zinc species. The solvation of zinc ions in 1‐butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium trifluoromethylsulfonate ([Py_1,4]TfO) was also investigated. In [Py_1,4]TfO, there are, on average, 4.5 TfO^? anions coordinating each zinc ion, corresponding to the weak interaction between [Py_1,4]⁺ cations and TfO^? anions. The species present in [Py_1,4]TfO are likely a mixture of [Zn(TfO)₄]^2? and [Zn(TfO)₅]^3?.     

五-和六配位的三核锌配合物{[ZnL(OAc)]2Zn}∙CH3COCH3的合成，晶体结构及荧光性质

合成并结构表征了一种新型的线性三核锌(II)配合物,{[ZnL(OAc)]2Zn}∙CH3COCH3（H2L：乙二氧双(5-溴-2-羟基苯亚甲基胺)）。X-射线结构表明配合物中三个锌(II)离子配位到了两个四齿的L2-单元和两个桥联的的乙酸根基团。围绕两端的Zn(1) 或 Zn(1)#1原子形成了扭曲的四方锥配位几何体,围绕中心Zn(2) 原子构成了一个稍微扭曲的八面体配位结构。同时,观察到锌(II)配合物能发出蓝绿色荧光,其最大发射波长为464 nm。     

Preparation and up-conversion fluorescence of rare earth (Er or Yb/Er)-doped TiO2 nanobelts

Anatase TiO₂ nanobelts doped with rare earth (RE) ions Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ or Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ have been prepared using layered titanate nanobelts (LTO NBs) with RE ions as the precursor obtained by ion-exchange between LTO NBs and RE ions under hydrothermal process. Various measurement results demonstrate that the RE ions have doped into the lattice of TiO₂, and the Er³⁺ or Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ doped nanobelts show strong visible up-conversion (UC) fluorescence under 980 nm excitation. The UC emission intensity of LTO NBs embedded with Er³⁺ or Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ is slightly higher than that of the corresponding TiO₂ nanobelts doped with RE ions, whereas higher RE doping content leads to the decrease of UC emission intensity due to the concentration-quenching effect.     

Synthesis and properties of crown ether functionalized coumarin substituted zinc phthalocyanine

The novel 6,7-[15-crown-5]-3-[p-(2,3-dicyanophenoxy)phenyl]coumarin (1) and its non-peripherally substituted zinc phthalocyanine complex (2) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR (for compound 1), MALDI-TOF, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectral data. Fluorescence intensity changes of compound 1 have been determined by addition of Na⁺ or K⁺ ions at 25 °C in THF. The effects of the chromenone crown ether substituent of the phthalocyanine molecule on the photophysical (fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime) and photochemical (singlet oxygen generation and photodegradation) properties were also investigated. The fluorescence of the zinc phthalocyanine complex is effectively quenched by addition of 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ).     

Fluorescent chemosensor for Cu2+ ion based on iminoanthryl appended calix[4]arene

Calix[4]arene based podands 1a of cone conformation and 1b of 1,3-alternate conformation possessing imine units and bearing anthracene moieties have been synthesized by a 1 + 2 Schiff base condensation in good yields and examined for their cation recognition abilities towards cations such as lithium, sodium, potassium, nickel, cadmium, copper, zinc, lead, silver and mercury ions by UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The calix[4]arene derivative 1b shows a selective fluorescence enhancement in presence of Cu²⁺ ions among the various metal ions tested (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions). The colour of the solution changes from colourless to light yellow in the presence of Cu²⁺ ions. The stoichiometry of the complex formed between 1b and Cu²⁺ was found to be 1:1 as established by Job’s plot.     

Electrochemical behaviour of zinc gluconate complexes

Voltammetric studies revealed that under transient conditions in the pH range 3.7 to 5.0, the deposition of zinc from ZnSO₄ solutions involves the formation of adsorbed monovalent zinc. The conversion of divalent zinc to monovalent is a slow step. In the presence of gluconate, the reduction of divalent complex involves the monovalent zinc complex and the second electron transfer is slow. In the pH range 10 to 12.5, the zinc complex may be [(Zn(GH₄)₄]2^- and is found to vary with gluconate and OH^- ions. The conversion of [Zn(GH₄)(OH)_abs ^-] to Zn(OH)₂ or Zn(GH₄)₂ is the slow step in the reduction of the complexes. In strong alkali solutions sodium gluconate forms zinc hydroxy gluconate complexes. [Zn(OH)₃(GH₄)]^2- to adsorbed [Zn(OH)(GH₄)]^- is the slow step in the reduction.     

Intradiffusion coefficients for perchlorate ions in zinc perchlorate and zinc chloride solutions at 25°C: Comparing transport properties of zinc chloride and zinc perchlorate systems

Intradiffusion coefficients for³⁶ClO ₄ ^– have been measured in solutions of zinc perchlorate of concentration 0.1 to 3 mol dm^–3 at 25°C by the diaphragm cell technique. In addition, intradiffusion coefficients for perchlorate ions in zinc chloride solutions have been measured over a concentration range at 25°C. The results confirm previous work on the effect of complexation on diffusion in zinc chloride solutions above a salt concentration of 0.1M. The present data, together with literature data for diffusion coefficients of the other species present in the zinc perchlorate electrolyte system, have enabled a simple analysis of the hydration around the zinc ions to be carried out. This indicates that the water diffusion data are consistent with the zinc ions having an effective hydration sphere of 11 (±2) water molecules. This is in keeping with values obtained for other simple divalent electrolytes using the same model. The model is extended here to allow analysis of water diffusion in zinc chloride solutions taking into account the presence of complexed chloro-zinc species. The experimental data are consistent with the effective hydration of the chloro-zinc complexes being independent of the number of chloride ligands and equal to 18±3 over a concentration range of 0 tol mol-dm^–3. This postulate is discussed in terms of its consequences on the water ligand dynamics for the complex equilibria.     

A highly sensitive fluorescent probe for tracking intracellular zinc ions and direct imaging of prostatic tissue in mice

A highly sensitive fluorescent sensor ZnDN was designed, synthesized and used for tracking intracellular zinc ions in various living cells and direct imaging of prostatic tissue in mice. ZnDN was prepared from the heterocyclic-fused naphthalimide fluorophore, and the zinc receptor, N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (BPEN). Upon addition of Zn²⁺ to the solutions of ZnDN, a remarkable fluorescence enhancement was observed, which could be attributed to the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. Since ZnDN exhibited high sensitivity toward Zn²⁺ in phosphate buffer solution, with a limit of detection of 4.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol/L, it was further applied for the imaging of exogenous and endogenous Zn²⁺ in different living cells. Living cells imaging experiments suggested that ZnDN could image the changes of intracellular free zinc ions, and could be used for two-photon imaging. Moreover, flow cytometry suggested that ZnDN could distinguish cancerous prostate cells from normal cells. Animal experiments indicated that ZnDN had the potential in imaging prostate tissue in vivo.     

Biomimetic Ion Nanochannels as a Highly Selective Sequential Sensor for Zinc Ions Followed by Phosphate Anions

A novel biomimetic ion‐responsive multi‐nanochannel system is constructed by covalently immobilizing a metal‐chelating ligand, 2,2′‐dipicolylamine (DPA), in polyporous nanochannels prepared in a polymeric membrane. The DPA‐modified multi‐nanochannels show specific recognition of zinc ions over other common metal ions, and the zinc‐ion‐chelated nanochannels can be used as secondary sensors for HPO₄^2? anions. The immobilized DPA molecules act as specific‐receptor binding sites for zinc ions, which leads to the highly selective zinc‐ion response through monitoring of ionic current signatures. The chelated zinc ions can be used as secondary recognition elements for the capture of HPO₄^2? anions, thereby fabricating a sensing nanodevice for HPO₄^2? anions. The success of the DPA immobilization and ion‐responsive events is confirmed by measurement of the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle (CA), and current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of the systems. The proposed nanochannel sensing devices display remarkable specificity, high sensitivity, and wide dynamic range. In addition, control experiments performed in complex matrices suggest that this sensing system has great potential applications in chemical sensing, biotechnology, and many other fields.     

Inorganic Syntheses,Volume XXI : edited by J.P. Fackler,Jr., Wiley-Interscience,New York, 1982, xvii + 215 pages, £29.25.

The 1/1 reaction of Et₂Zn with N-t-butyliminopropanone (t-BuNC(H)C(Me)O) leads to quantitative formation of dinuclear [EtZ$\text{n(Et)(t-Bu)NC(H)=C(Me)O}$]₂ via ethyl transfer within the unstable Et₂Zn(t-BuNC(H)?C(Me)O) complex. An X-ray structure determination has shown the product to have a dinuclear structure involving a N,O-chelate bonded [Et(t-Bu)NC(H)C(Me)O]^? mono-anionic ligand and a central four membered Zn₂O₂ ring formed by intermolecular ZnO coordination. Hydrolysis of this zinc complex gives a quantitative yield of N-t-butyl-N-ethylamino propanone, which upon reaction with Et₂Zn reforms the dinuclear zinc complex.     

Quantification of ziram and zineb residues in fog-water samples

The present paper describes the extractive quantification of zinc-dithiocarbamate fungicides, i.e. ziram (zinc bis-dimethyldithiocarbamate) and zineb (zinc ethylene-1,2-bis-dithiocarbamate) in fog-water samples. The method is based on the releasing of equivalent amount of zinc from the fungicides and its subsequent determination by visible spectrophotometry or by flame-atomic absorption spectrometry (flame-AAS). For spectrophotometry, the sample contained up to 48 μg of ziram and 42 μg of zineb was first equilibrated with chloroform. The recovery results show that only ziram content was extracted into chloroform. Then, the sample was treated with NH₄SCN and surfactants (i.e. CPC and TX-100) solutions, and extracted with toluene to remove interference of inorganic zinc and other metal ions, if present in the sample. The residue was further used for zineb determination. The chloroform extract and residue were then digested separately with nitric acid to release Zn(II), which were then analyzed spectrophotometerically with 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol in the micellar medium (TX-100) for the determination of ziram and zineb, respectively. The complex shows λ_max at 495 nm. The molar absorptivity in terms of ziram/zineb was determined to be (8.05) × 10⁴ L mole⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The detection limits for ziram and zineb were calculated to be 20 and 21 μg L⁻¹ (with R.S.D. < 1.5%), respectively. Whereas, the optimum concentration ranges were 0.08-1.6 and 0.07-1.4 mg L⁻¹, respectively. Alternatively, the Zn contents present in chloroform extract and in residue were directly analyzed using flame-AAS without undergoing the digestion procedure, and ziram and zineb were determined, respectively. The optimum concentration ranges were 0.9-4.8 and 0.8-4.3 mg L⁻¹, while the detection limits were calculated to be 145 and 144 μg L⁻¹, respectively with R.S.D. < 2.5%. The methods are free from interference of almost all ions [including Zn(II)] and other dithiocarbamate pesticides, which can commonly associate with ziram/zineb in fog-water.     

The colours of simple salts of the violurate anion

Salts of the violurate anion with the alkali and alkaline earth metals, the d¹⁰ ions Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺, Mn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag⁺ and the lanthanides show a variety of spectacular colours in the solid state. The metal ions have no intrinsic absorption in the visible region (apart from the weak spin-forbidden bands of Mn²⁺) and do not normally show charge-transfer absorption. The colours are ascribed to the n→π* transition of the violurate anion. As confirmation of this assignment the visible absorption of the K⁺ salt is shown to be polarized perpendicular to the plane of the violurate anion. Low temperature (∼20 K) absorption spectra of the Na⁺, K⁺ and Rb⁺ salts are reported.     

Novel mono- and dinucleating ligands-containing artificial di- and tetrahistidine and their zinc(II) complexes as a structural phosphotriesterase models for the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl diphenylphosphate (p-NPDPP)

Two new artificial peptides with histidine side chains, namely N-methyl N,N′-bis(Im-bzl-l-histidylmethylestermethyl)amine L1 and N,N′,N″,N?-tetrakis(Im-bzl-l-histidylmethyl-estermethyl)ethylene diamine L2 have been synthesized and were shown to form stable zinc complexes [L1Zn(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ 1 and [L2Zn₂(H₂O)₃](ClO₄)₄ 2, respectively. Solution studies (pH–¹NMR titrations) of the ligand L2 in the presence of zinc ions were also reported. The catalytic activity of zinc complex species 1 and 2 as structural phosphotriestrase models were tested on the hydrolysis/detoxification of p-nitrohenl diphenylphosphate (p-NPDPP). From the correlation between the pH-rate profiles and the species distribution curves, the catalytically active species could be identified. On the basis of R-dependence as well as the rate acceleration of each complex, the possibility of cooperative action of zincs in dinuclear zinc complex is debated.     

Spectroscopic studies on the mixed Nd3+-La3+ and Ho3+-Gd3+ acetate systems as an example of the determination of stability constants from electronic spectroscopic data

The previously worked out spectroscopic method of determination of stability constants of lanthanide ions displaying hypersensitive transitions in absorption spectra [ions of f²–f⁶ and f⁸–f¹² configurations] has been extended to all the lanthanide ions. The method is based upon measurements of the oscillator strength of hypersensitive transitions of mixed systems of equimolar concentrations containing two different lanthanide ions, in the spectrum one of which a hypersensitive transition is easily observed. The method was proved on the La³⁺-acetate and Gd³⁺-acetate systems, both the lanthanide ions having no hypersensitive transitions within the generally available UV and VIS measurement range.