Multivalent ions and biomolecules: Attempting a comprehensive perspective

Ions are ubiquitous in nature. They play a key role for many biological processes on the molecular scale, from molecular interactions, to mechanical properties, to folding, to self-organisation and assembly, to reaction equilibria, to signalling, to energy and material transport, to recognition etc. Going beyond monovalent ions to multivalent ions, the effects of the ions are frequently not only stronger (due to the obviously higher charge), but qualitatively different. A typical example is the process of binding of multivalent ions, such as Ca²⁺, to a macromolecule and the consequences of this ion binding such as compaction, collapse, potential charge inversion and precipitation of the macromolecule. Here we review these effects and phenomena induced by multivalent ions for biological (macro)molecules, from the “atomistic/molecular” local picture of (potentially specific) interactions to the more global picture of phase behaviour including, e. g., crystallisation, phase separation, oligomerisation etc. Rather than attempting an encyclopedic list of systems, we rather aim for an embracing discussion using typical case studies. We try to cover predominantly three main classes: proteins, nucleic acids, and amphiphilic molecules including interface effects. We do not cover in detail, but make some comparisons to, ion channels, colloidal systems, and synthetic polymers. While there are obvious differences in the behaviour of, and the relevance of multivalent ions for, the three main classes of systems, we also point out analogies. Our attempt of a comprehensive discussion is guided by the idea that there are not only important differences and specific phenomena with regard to the effects of multivalent ions on the main systems, but also important similarities. We hope to bridge physico-chemical mechanisms, concepts of soft matter, and biological observations and connect the different communities further.     

Platinum Oxide Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution: Influence of Platinum Valence State

Electrochemical hydrogen generation is a rising prospect for future renewable energy storage and conversion. Platinum remains a leading choice of catalyst, but because of its high cost and low natural abundance, it is critical to optimize its use. In the present study, platinum oxide nanoparticles of approximately 2 nm in diameter are deposited on carbon nitride (C3N4) nanosheets by thermal refluxing of C3N4 and PtCl₂ or PtCl₄ in water. These nanoparticles exhibit apparent electrocatalytic activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acid. Interestingly, the HER activity increases with increasing Pt⁴⁺ concentration in the nanoparticles, and the optimized catalyst even outperforms commercial Pt/C, exhibiting an overpotential of only −7.7 mV to reach the current density of 10 mA cm⁻² and a Tafel slope of −26.3 mV dec⁻¹. The results from this study suggest that the future design of platinum oxide catalysts should strive to maximize the Pt⁴⁺ sites and minimize the formation of the less active Pt²⁺ species.     

A Comprehensive Study on Tetraaryltetrabenzoporphyrins

Tetraaryltetrabenzoporphyrins (TATBPs) show, due to their optoelectronic properties, rising potential as dyes in various fields of physical and biomedical sciences. However, unlike in the case of porphyrins, the potential structural diversity of TATBPs has been explored only to little extent, owed mainly to synthetic hurdles. Herein, we prepared a comprehensive library of 30 TATBPs and investigated their fundamental properties. We elucidated structural properties by X-ray crystallography and found explanations for physical properties such as solubility. Fundamental electronic aspects were studied by optical spectroscopy as well as by electrochemistry and brought in context to the stability of the molecules. Finally, we were able to develop a universal synthetic protocol, utilizing a readily established isoindole synthon, which gives TATBPs in high yields, regardless of the nature of the used arylaldehyde and without meticulous chromatographic purifications steps. This work serves as point of orientation for scientists, that aim to utilize these molecules in materials, nanotechnological, and biomedical applications.     

Dynamics of Bacteriorhodopsin in the Dark-Adapted State from Solution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

To achieve efficient proton pumping in the light-driven proton pump bacteriorhodopsin (bR), the protein must be tightly coupled to the retinal to rapidly convert retinal isomerization into protein structural rearrangements. Methyl group dynamics of bR embedded in lipid nanodiscs were determined in the dark-adapted state, and were found to be mostly well ordered at the cytosolic side. Methyl groups in the M145A mutant of bR, which displays only 10 % residual proton pumping activity, are less well ordered, suggesting a link between side-chain dynamics on the cytosolic side of the bR cavity and proton pumping activity. In addition, slow conformational exchange, attributed to low frequency motions of aromatic rings, was indirectly observed for residues on the extracellular side of the bR cavity. This may be related to reorganization of the water network. These observations provide a detailed picture of previously undescribed equilibrium dynamics on different time scales for ground-state bR.     

About the Reaction of C(PPh3)2 with [M(CO)6] (M = Cr,Mo): Unusual Formation of μ-Carbonato Complexes of Mo under Participation of THF

Attempts to synthesize complexes of group 6 carbonyl compounds [M(CO)₆] (M = Cr, Mo, W) with the carbone C(PPh₃)₂ ( 1 ) via the photo chemically created adducts [(CO)₅M(THF)] lead to quantitative formation of the salts [HC(PPh₃)₂]₂[M₂(CO)₁₀] ( 2 , Cr; 3 , Mo; 4 , W). Alternatively, a long-time thermal reaction of [Mo(CO)₆] performed with 1 in THF generates a series of products initiated by a Wittig-type reaction. In addition to 3 , minor amounts of [(CO)₅MoCCPPh₃] ( 8 ), [(CO)₅MoO₂CC{PPh₃}₂] ( 5 ), and the carbonate complexes [HC(PPh₃)₂]₂[(CO)₅Mo(CO₃)Mo(CO)₄] ( 6 ) and [HC(PPh₃)₂]₂[(CO)₄Mo(CO₃)Mo(CO)₄] ( 7 ) were found. Compounds 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , and 7 were characterized by X-ray analyses, ³¹P NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The water, necessary for the formation of the carbonate, stems from decomposition of THF.     

Synthesis and Single Crystal Structure Characterization of Dinuclear and Polymeric Mixed-ligand Coordination Compounds of Zinc(II) and Cadmium(II) with the Bridging Ligand 1,2-Bis(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)hydrazine

Three d¹⁰-transition-metal coordination compounds [Cd(tfpb)₂(4-bpmh)]_n ( 1 ), [Cd(9-aca)(NO₃)(OHCH₃)(4-bpmh)]_n ( 2 ) and [Zn₂(dpp)₄(4-bpmh)] ( 3 ) with the bridging ligand 4-bpmh were synthesized [4-bpmh = 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)hydrazine, tfpb = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenylbutane-1,3-dionate, 9-aca = anthracene-9-carboxylate, dpp = 1,3-diphenylpropane-1,3-dionate]. Compounds 1 – 3 were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and structurally authenticated by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1 – 3 are constructed by an O,O'-donor ligand including chelating β-diketonates (tfpb, dpp) in 1 and 3 and a carboxylate ligand (9-aca) in 2 in combination with a linear neutral bidentate and bridging N-ligand (4-bpmh). The assembly and action of the bridging 4-bpmh ligand leads to one-dimensional coordination polymers in 1 , 2 and to a dinuclear coordination complex in 3 . The structures and the solid-state supramolecular interactions for studying the crystal packing fashions of 1 – 3 were analyzed. The supramolecular interactions including hydrogen bonding, C–H ··· π, π ··· π, and C–F ··· π in 1 , 2 , and 3 were founded.     

Host-Guest Chemistry of Truncated Tetrahedral Imine Cages with Ammonium Ions

Three shape-persistent [4+4] imine cages with truncated tetrahedral geometry with different window sizes were studied as hosts for the encapsulation of tetra-n-alkylammonium salts of various bulkiness. In various solvents the cages behave differently. For instance, in dichloromethane the cage with smallest window size takes up NEt₄⁺ but not NMe₄ ^{+ ,} which is in contrast to the two cages with larger windows hosting both ions. To find out the reason for this, kinetic experiments were carried out to determine the velocity of uptake but also to deduce the activation barriers for these processes. To support the experimental results, calculations for the guest uptakes have been performed by molecular mechanics’ simulations. Finally, the complexation of pharmaceutical interested compounds, such as acetylcholine, muscarine or denatonium have been determined by NMR experiments.     

Synergistic Biophysical Techniques Reveal Structural Mechanisms of Engineered Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides in Lipid Model Membranes

In the quest for new antibiotics, two novel engineered cationic antimicrobial peptides (eCAPs) have been rationally designed. WLBU2 and D8 (all 8 valines are the d -enantiomer) efficiently kill both Gram-negative and -positive bacteria, but WLBU2 is toxic and D8 nontoxic to eukaryotic cells. We explore protein secondary structure, location of peptides in six lipid model membranes, changes in membrane structure and pore evidence. We suggest that protein secondary structure is not a critical determinant of bactericidal activity, but that membrane thinning and dual location of WLBU2 and D8 in the membrane headgroup and hydrocarbon region may be important. While neither peptide thins the Gram-negative lipopolysaccharide outer membrane model, both locate deep into its hydrocarbon region where they are primed for self-promoted uptake into the periplasm. The partially α-helical secondary structure of WLBU2 in a red blood cell (RBC) membrane model containing 50 % cholesterol, could play a role in destabilizing this RBC membrane model causing pore formation that is not observed with the D8 random coil, which correlates with RBC hemolysis caused by WLBU2 but not by D8.