Determining the structure and mode of action of microbisporicin, a potent lantibiotic active against multiresistant pathogens

Antibiotics blocking bacterial cell wall assembly (beta-lactams and glycopeptides) are facing a challenge from the progressive spread of resistant pathogens. Lantibiotics are promising candidates to alleviate this problem. Microbisporicin, the most potent antibacterial among known comparable lantibiotics, was discovered during a screening applied to uncommon actinomycetes. It is produced by Microbispora sp. as two similarly active and structurally related polypeptides (A1, 2246-Da and A2, 2230-Da) of 24 amino acids linked by 5 intramolecular thioether bridges. Microbisporicin contains two posttranslational modifications that have never been reported previously in lantibiotics: 5-chloro-trypthopan and mono- (in A2) or bis-hydroxylated (in A1) proline. Consistent with screening criteria, microbisporicin selectively blocks peptidoglycan biosynthesis, causing cytoplasmic UDP-linked precursor accumulation. Considering its spectrum of activity and its efficacy in vivo, microbisporicin represents a promising antibiotic to treat emerging infections.     

Electron delocalization of metal electrons in Fe complexes by positronium spin conversion reactions

The rate constants, k_CR, of conversion reactions, CR, of ortho- into para-positronium atoms promoted by 3d paramagnetic complexes of V^II, Cr^II, Cr^III, Mn^II, Co^II and Ni^II ions are linearly correlated with the electron delocalization β caused by the ligands. β's may be evaluated by means of the empirical equation β=1−th, where t and h are constants characteristic of the ion and ligands, respectively. The determination of the unknown t(Fe^II) value is here described. It was derived by means of the rate constants of the CR caused by some Fe^II complexes. It was found that t(Fe^II)=0.14±0.01. A relationship between t and the oxidation number of the metal ions is suggested.     

On the positronium spin conversion reactions caused by some macrocyclic Co complexes

The rate constants, k_CR, of ortho- into para-positronium (o-Ps→p-Ps) spin conversion reactions, CR, caused by the high-spin [Co^IIsep]²⁺, [Co^IIdinosar]²⁺ and [Co^IIdiamsar]²⁺ macrocyclic complexes and also by high-spin [Co^II sen]²⁺ tripod complex were measured at several temperatures. The delocalizations, β, of Co^II unpaired electrons, promoted by the mentioned ligands, were determined by using the previously established correlations between k_CR and the electron delocalization β of unpaired metal electrons. β is given by the ratio between the Racah inter-electronic repulsion parameters of complexes, B, and that of the free ions, B₀. The β values are compared with those of the Co^II complexes with en (1,2-ethanediamine), pn (1,2 propanediamine) and dien (2,2′ diamino diethylamine) ligands. The k_CR rate constants are also compared with those of the Ps oxidation reactions, OR, promoted by the corresponding Co^III complexes. It is concluded that, unlike OR's, the CR's do not occur by formation of hepta-coordinate adducts with Ps atoms.     

Chemical constitution of 3d complexes and rate constants of ortho-para positronium conversion reactions

The positronium spin exchange (SE) reactions promoted by the 3d complexes Mn _aq ²⁺ , Co _aq ²⁺ , [Cr(NH₃)₆]³⁺, [Cr(NH₃)₅H₂O]³⁺, and [Cr(H₂O)₅Cl²⁺] were investigated at different temperatures in order to ascertain whether they were diffusion controlled like those promoted by Cr _aq ³⁺ , Fe _aq ²⁺ , Ni _aq ²⁺ and [Ni(NH₃)₆] _aq ²⁺ ions studied previously.It was found that the reactions are diffusion controlled and that the effective reaction radii deduced from the Smoluchowski equation are smaller than the compound radii calculated from bond lengths and angles. It was also found that the rate constants, and therefore the reaction radii, are correlated with the spin—orbit coupling of 3d unpaired electrons and ligand capabilities to cause expansion of the d-electron cloud (nephelauxetic effect). In particular the effective reaction radii of SE reactions promoted by 3d complexes increase as the electron delocalization from 3d atoms increases.Work supported by Ministero Università e Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica (M.U.R.S.T.) and by Consiglio Nazionale Ricerche (C.N.R.).     

Positronium interactions with Cu(II) Ions in water

Summary Positronium reactions with Cu(II) ions in aqueous solution were investigated by measuring the concentration dependence of lifetime spectra and of 1D-ACAR curves for the following Cu (II) complexes: [Cu(H₂O)₆[²⁺, [Cu(NH₃)₄ (H₂O)₂]²⁺ and [Cu(EDTA)(H₂O)]²⁻. The combined analysis of lifetime and ACAR data shows that Cu(II) ions:a) reduce the formation of positronium (inhibition effect),b) promote both ortho ⇌ para conversion and redox reactions. It was also found that inhibition and reaction rate constants are affected by the ligand type.     

Electron Delocalization Caused in 3d Complexes by Azide and Chloride Ligands Checked by Positronium Spin-Exchange Reactions

The rate constants k _CR of orthointo para-positronium conversion reactions promoted by 3d complexes are linearly correlated with the electron delocalization of unpaired metal electrons caused by ligands, as measured by the ratio between the interelectronic repulsion parameters in complexes and in the free gaseous ions (1 > 0). The values may be evaluated by means of the following empirical equation: = 1 t _M h _L, where t _M and h _L are characteristic constants of 3d ions and ligands, respectively. By measuring k _CR and applying the correlations mentioned above, h _L constants may be derived providing that t _M is known. The method was used to measure the h _L value of N^– ₃, not yet known, and to check that of Cl^– ligand.