Designed high affinity Cu2+-binding alpha-helical foldamer

The design, synthesis, and characterization of a folded high-affinity metal-binding peptide is described. Based on the previously described folded peptide NTH-18, in which an alpha-helix was constrained through two disulfide bonds to a C-terminal extension of noncanonical secondary structure, a peptide (1) was designed to contain two histidine residues in positions 3 and 7. Air oxidation of 1 led to the formation of peptide 2, which contained two intramolecular disulfide bonds. The presence of the two histidines significantly destabilized the alpha-helical structure of 2 when compared to NTH-18. However, CD spectroscopy revealed that the addition of certain transition metal ions allowed the reformation of a stable alpha-helix. CD, NMR, and EPR spectroscopy as well as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry indicated that 2 bound to Cu2+ to form a 1:1 complex via the imidazoles of the two histidine side chains. A glycine displacement assay revealed a dissociation constant for this complex of 5 nM at pH 8, which is the lowest reported value for a designed Cu2+-binding peptide. This peptide displayed more than 100-fold selectivity for Cu2+ over Zn2+, Ni2+, and Co2+. The 1.05 A crystal structure of the Cu(II)-complex of 2 revealed a square-pyramidal coordination geometry and confirmed that 2 bound to copper in an alpha-helical conformation via its two histidine side chains. The high affinity metal binding of peptide 2 demonstrates that metals can be used for the selective nucleation of alpha-helices.     

吡咯并[2,1,5-cd]中氮茚酰腙衍生物的合成及Cu2+荧光探针行为

设计合成了吡咯并[2,1,5-cd]中氮茚酰腙衍生物6. 测试了其紫外光谱和荧光光谱, 研究了其对铜离子的选择性识别作用. 结果表明, 化合物6作为铜离子荧光探针, 受常见离子干扰较小, 对于铜离子有着较高的选择性和较低的检出限.     

Metal-binding ability of human prion protein fragment peptides analyzed by column switch HPLC

The structural conversion of the prion protein (PrP) from the normal cellular isoform (PrP(C)) to the posttranslationally modified form (PrP(Sc)) is thought to relate to Cu2? binding to histidine (H) residues. Traditionally, the binding of metals to PrP has been investigated by monitoring the conformational conversion using circular dichroism (CD). In this study, the metal-binding ability of 21 synthetic peptides representing regions of human PrP(C) was investigated by column switch high-performance liquid chromatography (CS-HPLC). The CS-HPLC system is composed of a metal chelate affinity column and an octadecylsilica (ODS) reversed-phase column that together enable the identification of metal-binding regardless of conformational conversion. Synthetic peptides were designed with respect to the position of H residues as well as the secondary structure of human PrP (hPrP). The ability of the octapeptide (PHGGGWGQ)-repeating region (OP-repeat) to bind metals was analyzed by CS-HPLC and supported by CD analysis, and indicated that CS-HPLC is a reliable and useful method for measuring peptide metal-binding. Peptides from the middle region of hPrP showed a high affinity for Cu2?, but binding to Zn2?, Ni2?, and Co2? was dependent on peptide length. C-Terminal peptides had a lower affinity for Cu2?, Zn2?, Ni2?, and Co2? than OP-repeat region peptides. Interestingly, hPrP193-230, which contained no H residues, also bound to Cu2?, Zn2?, Ni2?, and Co2?, indicating that this region is a novel metal-binding site in the C-terminal region of PrP(C). The CS-HPLC method described in this study is useful and convenient for assessing metal-binding affinity and characterizing metal-binding peptides or proteins.     

1-乙酰基-3-(2-羟基-4,6-二甲氧基苯基)-5-芳基-2-吡唑啉的合成及Cu2+荧光探针行为

设计合成了6个1-乙酰基-3-(2-羟基-4,6二甲氧基苯基)-5-芳基-2-吡唑啉化合物4a～4f.测试了它们的紫外光谱和荧光光谱,研究了其对铜离子的选择性识别作用.结果表明,化合物4f作为铜离子荧光探针,受常见离子干扰较小,对于铜离子有着较高的选择性和较低的检出限.     

NMR reveals anomalous copper(II) binding to the amyloid Abeta peptide of Alzheimer's disease

The Abeta peptide is the major protein component of amyloid deposits in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Age-related microenvironmental changes in the AD brain promote amyloid formation that leads to cell injury and death. Altered levels of metals (such as Cu and Zn) exist in the AD brain, and because Cu and Zn can be bound to the Abeta in the amyloid plaques, it is thought that these binding events in vivo may trigger or prevent Abeta amyloid formation in the AD brain. Although several structural models have been proposed, all of these are undefined due to the lack of definitive structural data. The present NMR studies utilized uniformly 15N-labeled Abeta(1-40) peptide and 1H-15N HSQC experiments and demonstrate for the first time that the Abeta binds Cu and Zn in a distinct manner. The binding promotes NH signal disappearance of E3-V18, which was not due to the paramagnetic effect of Cu2+, as identical NMR studies were seen with Zn2+, which is diamagnetic. NMR titration experiments showed that the amide NH peak intensities of R5-L17 showed the most pronounced intensity reduction, and that the 1H signals for the side chain aromatic signals of the three histidines shift upfield (H6, H13, and H14). We propose that initially Cu2+ is anchored to the Abeta monomer (fast exchange rate) and is followed by deprotonation and/or severe line broadening of the backbone amide NH for E3-V18 (intermediate exchange rate). By contrast, Cu2+ binding to soluble Abeta aggregates leads to rapid aggregation and nonfibrillar amorphous structures, and without metal, the Abeta can undergo the normal time-dependent aggregation, eventually producing more ordered, late-stage parallel beta-sheet structures. These anomalous (rare) binding events may account for some of the unique properties associated with the Abeta, such as its proposed "dual role", where sequestration of metal ions by the monomer is neuroprotective, while that by beta-aggregates generates oxygen radicals and causes neuronal death.     

The dimeric and tetrameric octarepeat fragments of prion protein behave differently to its monomeric unit

Potentiometric and spectroscopic data have shown that octarepeat dimer and tetramer are much more effective ligands for Cu(II) ions than simple octapeptide. Thus, the whole N-terminal segment of prion protein due to cooperative effects, could be more effective in binding of Cu(II) than simple peptides containing a His residue. The gain of the Cu(II) binding by longer octarepeat peptides derives from the involvement of up to four imidazoles in the coordination of the first Cu(II) ion. This type of binding increases the order of the peptide structure, which allows successive metal ions for easier coordination.     

An allosteric synthetic catalyst: metal ions tune the activity of an artificial phosphodiesterase

A trinuclear metal complex of general formula (L-H)M3(Mf)2 represents the first allosteric low molecular weight catalyst. L is a polyaza ligand having a tetradentate and two bidentate metal binding sites, Ms is a "structural" (allosteric) metal, and Mf are functional (catalytic) metals which interact with a substrate. In mononuclear [(L-H)Ms]+ complexes [(L-H)Cu(MeOH)]ClO4 (1a). [(L-H)Cu]NO3 x 2H2O (1b), [(L-H)Ni]ClO4 x 4H2O (2), and [(L-H)Pd]ClO4 x 2H2O (3), prepared from L and M2+ salts, the metal is strongly bound by an in-plane N4-coordination (confirmed by X-ray crystal structure determination of la). Formation of trinuclear complexes [(L-H)MsCu2]5+, with two functional Cu2+ ions coordinated to the bidentate sites of L, was evidenced in solution by photometric titration and by isolation of [(L-H)Cu3][PO4][ClO4]2 x 9H2O (4). The trinuclear complexes catalyze the cleavage of RNA-analogue 2-(hydroxypropyl)-p-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNP), an activated phosphodiester. From a kinetic analysis of the cleavage rate at various HPNP concentrations, parameters KHPNP (the equilibrium constant for binding of HPNP to [(L-H)MsCu2]5+ and kcat (first-order rate constant for cleavage of HPNP when bound to the catalyst) were derived: KM= 170 (Ms= Cu2+), 340 (Ms = Ni2+), 2,600 (Ms = Pd2+) M(-1), kcat = 17 x 10(-3) (Ms= Cu2+) 3.1 x 10(-3) (Ms=Ni2+), 0.22 x 10(-3) (Ms = Pd2+) s(-1). Obviously, the nature of the allosteric metal ion Ms strongly influences both substrate affinity and reactivity of the catalyst [(L-H)MsCu2]5+. Our interpretation of this observation is that subtle differences in the ionic radius of Ms and in its tendency to distort the N4-Ms coordination plane have a significant influence on the conformation of the catalyst (i.e., preorganization of functional Cu2+ ions) and thus on catalytic activity.     

CuII binding sites located at His-96 and His-111 of the human prion protein: thermodynamic and spectroscopic studies on model peptides

The prion protein (PrP) is a Cu(2+)-binding cell-surface glycoprotein. Using PrP peptide fragments, by means of potentiometric, spectroscopic and thermodynamic techniques, we have shown that Cu(2+) ions bind to the region comprising His-96, His-111 and the octarepeat domain within residues 60-91. Cu(2+) may bind in different modes, which strongly depend both on His position within the peptide sequence and on the adjacent residues. We have used a series of protected oligopeptides having His at the C- or the N-terminus, inducing different binding modes to amide nitrogens around the His residue, either towards the N- or C-terminus. His imidazole acts as an anchoring site for Cu(2+) and then binding to ionized amide nitrogens follows. When it is directed towards the C-terminus the formation of a less stable seven-membered chelate ring with a {N(im), N(-)} binding mode occurs. When coordination goes towards the N-terminus the thermodynamically more stable six-membered chelate ring is formed. NMR data suggest that both the coordination modes are possible for the model peptides; however, the thermodynamic measurements show that they only slightly differ in energy and the influence of the adjacent amino acid residues can address the coordination toward the C- or the N-terminus.     

8-氨基喹啉取代苯甲酰胺衍生物对汞离子和铜离子的识别

设计合成了可识别金属离子的荧光传感分子8-氨基喹啉取代苯甲酰胺衍生物,通过核磁共振谱和质谱表征其结构;利用其光谱性质研究了该系列物质对过渡金属离子Cu2+,Hg2+,Pb2+,Zn2+,Ni2+和Cd2+的识别性质,初步探讨了其识别机理。实验表明:在乙腈中,8-氨基喹啉苯甲酰胺的吸收光谱在509nm处对Cu2+有响应,溶液由无色变成红色;而其荧光光谱对Hg2+和Cu2+有良好的选择性,荧光增强倍率分别高达368和192,与金属离子形成结合比为1:1配合物。     

Effect of metal ions (Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) and water coordination on the structure of glycine and zwitterionic glycine

Interactions between metal ions and amino acids are common both in solution and in the gas phase. Here, the effect of metal ions and water on the structure of glycine is examined. The effect of metal ions (Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) and water on structures of Gly.Mn+(H2O)m and GlyZwitt.Mn+(H2O)m (m = 0, 2, 5) complexes have been determined theoretically by employing the hybrid B3LYP exchange-correlation functional and using extended basis sets. Selected calculations were carried out also by means of CBS-QB3 model chemistry. The interaction enthalpies, entropies, and Gibbs energies of eight complexes Gly.Mn+ (Mn+ = Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) were determined at the B3LYP density functional level of theory. The computed Gibbs energies DeltaG degrees are negative and span a rather broad energy interval (from -90 to -1100 kJ mol(-1)), meaning that the ions studied form strong complexes. The largest interaction Gibbs energy (-1076 kJ mol(-1)) was computed for the NiGly2+ complex. Calculations of the molecular structure and relative stability of the Gly.Mn+(H2O)m and GlyZwitt.Mn+(H2O)m (Mn+ = Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+; m = 0, 2, and 5) systems indicate that in the complexes with monovalent metal cations the most stable species are the NO coordinated metal cations in non-zwitterionic glycine. Divalent cations Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ prefer coordination via the OO bifurcated bonds of the zwitterionic glycine. Stepwise addition of two and five water molecules leads to considerable changes in the relative stability of the hydrated species. Addition of two water molecules at the metal ion in both Gly.Mn+ and GlyZwitt.Mn+ complexes reduces the relative stability of metallic complexes of glycine. For Mn+ = Li+ or Na+, the addition of five water molecules does not change the relative order of stability. In the Gly.K+ complex, the solvation shell of water molecules around K+ ion has, because of the larger size of the potassium cation, a different structure with a reduced number of hydrogen-bonded contacts. This results in a net preference (by 10.3 kJ mol(-1)) of the GlyZwitt.K+H2O5 system. Addition of five water molecules to the glycine complexes containing divalent cations Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ results in a net preference for non-zwitterionic glycine species. The computed relative Gibbs energies are quite high (-10 to -38 kJ mol(-1)), and the NO coordination is preferred in the Gly.Mn+(H2O)5 (Mn+ = Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) complexes over the OO coordination.     

罗丹明类荧光探针的合成及对铜离子的检测

合成了罗丹明类Cu2+荧光增强型分子探针3',6'-双(二乙氨基)-2-(N-乙叉基氨基)螺[异吲哚-1,9'-占吨]-3-酮（RA）,并研究了它的光谱性能及对铜离子的识别作用.在乙腈/水（体积比1/1）的介质中,当加入Cu2+后探针RA显玫瑰红色,最大吸收波长为548 nm,最大发射波长为571 nm,且荧光强度显著增强,但是,其它常见离子如Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Cd2+, Cr3+, Co2+, Ni2+, Ag+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Fe3+, Hg2+不引起或引起很小的紫外/可见或荧光光谱变化.RA的选择性荧光增强主要是由于Cu2+诱导分子中的酰胺闭环结构发生开环,导致分子结构的共轭程度增大.在6.5×10-8～2.9×10-6 mol?L-1范围内RA可以有效检测Cu2+,检测限为5.0×10-8 mol?L-1.RA对Cu2+的识别不可逆,而且探针RA对pH值不敏感,可以在比较宽的范围内（pH=4.1～10.5）高灵敏、高选择性检测Cu2+.     

均三嗪衍生物应用于Fe3+和Cu2+的选择性识别研究

合成了2,4-二甲基-6-(4’-N,N-二甲氨基苯乙烯基)-1,3,5-均三嗪(1)和2-苯乙烯基-4,6-二甲基-1,3,5-均三嗪(2)两种化合物,并对其进行了1H NMR,MS,元素分析等表征.采用吸收光谱法研究了金属离子与化合物间的相互作用,结果显示:化合物1对Fe3+和Cu2+表现出高选择性光谱响应,其最大吸收波长由393 nm分别红移至525 nm和513 nm,溶液颜色由黄色变为粉红色.化合物1与Fe3+结合形成1∶1型配合物,其结合常数为1.8×104L mol-1;与Cu2+结合形成2∶1型配合物,其结合常数为2.6×1010L mol-1.化合物2仅对Fe3+呈现显著的光谱变化,其最大吸收波长由304nm红移至357 nm,而Cu2+的加入未引起光谱明显变化,2与Fe3+亦形成1∶1型配合物,结合常数为1.0×105L mol-1.结果表明Fe3+可能与化合物1和2中三嗪N配位,而Cu2+与化合物1中甲氨基中的N配位.同时考察了其它金属离子如Li+,K+,Mg2+,Ca2+,Co3+,Ni2+,Ag+,Cd2+,Hg2+和Zn2+等离子对化合物1和2吸收光谱的影响,结果显示两者光谱均无明显变化,据此提出了高选择性Fe3+,Cu2+的识别体系.     

Direct NMR detection of alkali metal ions bound to G-quadruplex DNA

We describe a general multinuclear (1H, 23Na, 87Rb) NMR approach for direct detection of alkali metal ions bound to G-quadruplex DNA. This study is motivated by our recent discovery that alkali metal ions (Na+, K+, Rb+) tightly bound to G-quadruplex DNA are actually "NMR visible" in solution (Wong, A.; Ida, R.; Wu, G. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2005, 337, 363). Here solution and solid-state NMR methods are developed for studying ion binding to the classic G-quadruplex structures formed by three DNA oligomers: d(TG4T), d(G4T3G4), and d(G4T4G4). The present study yields the following major findings. (1) Alkali metal ions tightly bound to G-quadruplex DNA can be directly observed by NMR in solution. (2) Competitive ion binding to the G-quadruplex channel site can be directly monitored by simultaneous NMR detection of the two competing ions. (3) Na+ ions are found to locate in the diagonal T4 loop region of the G-quadruplex formed by two strands of d(G4T4G4). This is the first time that direct NMR evidence has been found for alkali metal ion binding to the diagonal T4 loop in solution. We propose that the loop Na+ ion is located above the terminal G-quartet, coordinating to four guanine O6 atoms from the terminal G-quartet and one O2 atom from a loop thymine base and one water molecule. This Na+ ion coordination is supported by quantum chemical calculations on 23Na chemical shifts. Variable-temperature 23Na NMR results have revealed that the channel and loop Na+ ions in d(G4T4G4) exhibit very different ion mobilities. The loop Na+ ions have a residence lifetime of 220 micros at 15 degrees C, whereas the residence lifetime of Na+ ions residing inside the G-quadruplex channel is 2 orders of magnitude longer. (4) We have found direct 23Na NMR evidence that mixed K+ and Na+ ions occupy the d(G4T4G4) G-quadruplex channel when both Na+ and K+ ions are present in solution. (5) The high spectral resolution observed in this study is unprecedented in solution 23Na NMR studies of biological macromolecules. Our results strongly suggest that multinuclear NMR is a viable technique for studying ion binding to G-quadruplex DNA.     

Evaluation of the metal binding properties of the histidine-rich antimicrobial peptides histatin 3 and 5 by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to investigate metal ion interactions with salivary peptides histatin 3 (H3) and histatin 5 (H5). Conformational changes of these peptides in the presence of metal ions were studied using circular dichroism spectroscopy. H3 and H5 formed high affinity complexes with Cu(2+) and Ni(2+) and, to a lesser extent, with Zn(2+). Both peptides show the potential for multiple binding sites for Cu(2+) and Ni(2+) and only a single strong binding site for Zn(2+). The binding of a third Cu(2+) ion to H3 seems to enable the binding of a fourth ion to H3. The binding of a second and third Ni(2+) ion to H5 has a similar effect in enabling the binding of a fourth ion. None of the metal ions examined stabilized a regular secondary structure for either peptide. Subtle changes in overall conformation are seen with the addition of Cu(2+) to both H3 and H5.     

Metal ion binding to parvalbumin. A proton NMR study

The 1H NMR spectra of carp parvalbumin saturated with Ca2+, Cd2+, La3+ and Lu3+ were compared, using 2D 1H NMR techniques as well as conventional 1H NMR spectra. The Ca2+ and Cd2+ saturated parvalbumin (with both high affinity Ca2+-binding sites occupied) gave rise to very similar spectra. This shows that these two species have almost identical protein conformations. The 1H NMR spectrum from the Ln3+ saturated parvalbumins deviated from the other two and it was therefore concluded that Cd2+ is a better probe for Ca2+ than Ln3+ in parvalbumin and probably also for related calcium binding proteins. The addition of excess of divalent metal ions, such as Mg2+ or Ca2+, causes small changes in the chemical shift of some methyl resonances. This is presumably caused by binding of these metal ions to a third site close to the CD site which is made up of the carboxylic groups from Glu 60 and Asp 61.     

Copper(II) complexes of terminally protected pentapeptides containing three histidyl residues in alternating positions, Ac-His-Xaa-His-Yaa-His-NH2

Copper(II) complexes of the pentapeptides Ac-HisAlaHisValHis-NH2, Ac-HisValHisAlaHis-NH2, Ac-HisProHisAlaHis-NH2, Ac-HisAlaHisProHis-NH2, Ac-HisGlyHisValHis-NH2 and Ac-HisValHisGlyHis-NH2 have been studied by potentiometric, UV-Vis, CD and EPR spectroscopic methods. It has been found that the pentapeptides are efficient ligands for the complexation with copper(II) and exhibit an outstanding versatility in the co-ordination geometry of complexes. The presence of three histidyl residues provides a high possibility for the formation of macrochelates via the exclusive binding of imidazole-N donor atoms. The macrochelation suppresses, but cannot preclude the deprotonation and metal ion co-ordination of amide functions and the species [CuH(-2)L] and [Cu2H(-4)L] predominate at physiological pH in equimolar solutions and in the presence of excess metal ions, respectively. It is also clear from the data that both C-terminal and internal histidyl residues can work as the anchoring sites for metal binding and subsequent amide deprotonation resulting in the formation of co-ordination isomers and dinuclear species in equimolar solutions and in the presence of excess metal ions, respectively. In more alkaline solutions (pH approximately 10) a third amide function can be deprotonated and co-ordinated in the species [CuH(-3)L]- with (N-,N-,N-,N(im)) co-ordination. The dinuclear species [Cu2H(-5)L]- and [Cu2H(-6)L](2-) containing hydroxide ions and/or imidazolato bridges are formed at high pH in the presence of excess of metal ions. The insertion of one proline into the sequence preceding histidyl residues hinders the deprotonation of amide functions at that site and the formation of only mononuclear complexes was observed with these peptides.     

Metal Complexes of Pharmacophore-Containing Pectin with d -Elements Ions (Cu 2+ , Co 2+ , and Mn 2+ )

Spectral methods have been used to study the complexation of apple pectin modified with organic pharmacophores (nicotinic, salicylic, 5-aminosalicylic, or anthranilic acid) with Cu2+, Co2+, and Mn2+ ions in an aqueous solution. The composition and stability series of the metal complexes, corresponding to the empirical Irving–Williams series, have been established. The standard thermodynamic parameters (ΔH°, ΔG°, and ΔS°) of the complexation process have been calculated. It has been shown by means of 13C NMR and IR spectroscopy that the interaction of pharmacophore-containing pectins with d-metal ions (Cu2+, Co2+, Mn2+) occurs via the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups of the modified polymer matrices. The viscosity and thermal properties of the metal complexes have been determined.     

A novel 5-mercapto triazole Schiff base as a selective chromogenic chemosensor for Cu2+

A novel colorimetric cation sensor bearing phenol, thiol and HCN groups was designed and synthesized. In a DMSO/H2O (9:1, v/v) solution, the sensor exhibited highly selective recognition of Cu2+ among a range of metal ions tested. In the presence of Cu2+, solutions of the sensor underwent a dramatic color change from colorless to yellow, while the presence of other metal cations such as Zn2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Fe3+, Hg2+, Ag+ and Ca2+ had no effect on the color. The detection limit of the sensor toward Cu2+ is 8.0×10(-7) M and an association constant Ka of 4.3×10(5) M(-1) was measured. The sensing of Cu2+ by this sensor was found to be reversible, with the Cu2+-induced color being lost upon addition of EDTA.     

Synthesis of a novel calix[4]arene-based fluorescent ionophore and its metal ions recognition properties

A novel fluorescent ionophore derived from calix[4]arene and pyrazoline was designed and synthesized. Its molecular structure was confirmed by 1H NMR and element analysis. The resulting material shows specific fluorescent behavior toward the Zn2+ ion among the other divalent metal ions, such as Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+. The primary results indicate this ionophore material is a potential material for developing efficient fluorescent Zn2+ chemosensors.     

Ligand-based backbone modifications for metal-chelating nucleic acids

Ligands were incorporated into the backbone of DNA for nucleoside replacements, and the binding of metal ions, such as Cu2+, Pt2+ and Pd4+, was shown to influence stability of the resulting duplexes.