Catalytic action of Mn‐superoxide dismutase in scavenging superoxide radical anion by double hydrogen abstraction from dihydrolipoic acid: A theoretical study

The mechanism of scavenging superoxide radical anion ( ) by dihydrolipoic acid (diLA) in absence and presence of the enzyme Manganese‐superoxide dismutase (Mn‐SOD) has been investigated using density functional theory. Mn‐SOD was modelled by a complex of a manganese cation (Mn²⁺) bonded to three similar molecules having a histidine ring each and a water molecule. It has been shown that the scavenging mechanism involves double hydrogen abstraction by from different pairs of neighboring sites of diLA. It has been found that diLA alone cannot scavenge superoxide radical anions efficiently as the barrier energies involved in the reactions are very high. However, in presence of Mn‐SOD, owing to its catalytic action, the corresponding reactions become barrierless due to which superoxide radical anions would be scavenged highly efficiently. H₂O₂ formed from superoxide radical anion due to double hydrogen abstraction from diLA is scavenged by diLA alone barrierlessly without involving Mn‐SOD or any other catalyst.     

Antioxidant activity of methimazole-copper(II) bioactive species and spectroscopic investigations on the mechanism of its interaction with Bovine Serum Albumin

Free radical-mediated oxidative stress has been implicated in numerous autoimmune disorders including Graves’ disease. Hyperthyroidism results in a marked increase in intracellular antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase. The later activity is significantly increased in untreated Graves’ patients while treatment with methimazole results in normalization of the free radical and antioxidant activity indices. In this context, and considering the findings mentioned above, the aim of the present study was to evaluate unknown biological activities of methimazole and its methimazole-copper(II) complex investigating their superoxide scavenger power. Under the applied experimental conditions, methimazole did not show superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity while the copper complexes exhibited a strong superoxide radical scavenging capacity. Bearing in mind that the capacity of drugs to bind and/or interact with albumin is essential for their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, a complete investigation of the binding ability of both compounds by using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Raman and Fluorescence spectroscopies, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry was included. Besides, in order to probe the copper ligand environment the EPR spectra of such compounds were analyzed.     

Studies on PNPP Hydrolysis Catalyzed by Divalent Metal Ion Macrocyclic Schiff Base Complexes in Micellar Solution

Two transitional metal ion macrocyclic Schiff base complexes, NiL and CuL were synthesized and characterized, and the metallomicelles made up of the nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes and surfactants(LSS, Brij35, CTAB), as mimic hydrolytic metalloenzyme, were used in catalytic hydrolysis of carboxylic ester (PNPP). The analysis of specific absorption spectrums of the hydrolytic reaction systems indicates that key intermediates, made up of PNPP and Ni(II) or Cu(II) complexes, have formed in the reaction processes of the PNPP catalytic hydrolysis. In this, based on the analytic result of specific absorption spectrum, the mechanism of PNPP catalytic hydrolysis has been proposed; a kinetic mathematical model, applied to the calculation of the kinetic parameter of PNPP catalytic hydrolysis has been established on the foundation of the mechanism proposed; the acid effect of reaction system, structure effect of the complexes, effect of temperature and effects of micelle on the rate of PNPP hydrolysis catalyzed by the complexes also have been discussed.     

Copper‐Mediated Formation of Aryl,Heteroaryl, Vinyl and Alkynyl Difluoromethylphosphonates: A General Approach to Fluorinated Phosphate Mimics

A general and efficient access to aryl, heteroaryl, vinyl and alkynyl difluoromethylphosphonates is described. The developed methodology using TMSCF₂PO(OEt)₂, iodonium salts and a copper salt provided a straightforward manifold to reach these highly relevant products. The reaction proved to be highly functional group tolerant and proceeded under mild conditions, giving the corresponding products in good to excellent yields. This method represents the first general synthetic route to this important class of fluorinated scaffolds, which are well‐recognized as in vivo stable phosphate surrogates.     

Parsing disease‐relevant protein modifications from epiphenomena: perspective on the structural basis of SOD1‐mediated ALS

Conformational change and modification of proteins are involved in many cellular functions. However, they can also have adverse effects that are implicated in numerous diseases. How structural change promotes disease is generally not well‐understood. This perspective illustrates how mass spectrometry (MS), followed by toxicological and epidemiological validation, can discover disease‐relevant structural changes and therapeutic strategies. We (with our collaborators) set out to characterize the structural and toxic consequences of disease‐associated mutations and post‐translational modifications (PTMs) of the cytosolic antioxidant protein Cu/Zn‐superoxide dismutase (SOD1). Previous genetic studies discovered >180 different mutations in the SOD1 gene that caused familial (inherited) amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS). Using hydrogen–deuterium exchange with mass spectrometry, we determined that diverse disease‐associated SOD1 mutations cause a common structural defect – perturbation of the SOD1 electrostatic loop. X‐ray crystallographic studies had demonstrated that this leads to protein aggregation through a specific interaction between the electrostatic loop and an exposed beta‐barrel edge strand. Using epidemiology methods, we then determined that decreased SOD1 stability and increased protein aggregation are powerful risk factors for fALS progression, with a combined hazard ratio > 300 (for comparison, a lifetime of smoking is associated with a hazard ratio of ~15 for lung cancer). The resulting structural model of fALS etiology supported the hypothesis that some sporadic ALS (sALS, ~80% of ALS is not associated with a gene defect) could be caused by post‐translational protein modification of wild‐type SOD1. We developed immunocapture antibodies and high sensitivity top‐down MS methods and characterized PTMs of wild‐type SOD1 using human tissue samples. Using global hydrogen–deuterium exchange, X‐ray crystallography and neurotoxicology, we then characterized toxic and protective subsets of SOD1 PTMs. To cap this perspective, we present proof‐of‐concept that post‐translational modification can cause disease. We show that numerous mutations (N➔D; Q➔E), which result in the same chemical structure as the PTM deamidation, cause multiple diseases. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nanotechnology for Electroanalytical Biosensors of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species

Over the past several decades, nanotechnology has contributed to the progress of biomedicine, biomarker discovery, and the development of highly sensitive electroanalytical / electrochemical biosensors for in vitro and in vivo monitoring, and quantification of oxidative and nitrosative stress markers like reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). A major source of ROS and RNS is oxidative stress in cells, which can cause many human diseases, including cancer. Therefore, the detection of local concentrations of ROS (e. g. superoxide anion radical; O₂^•−) and RNS (e. g. nitric oxide radical; NO^• and its metabolites) released from biological systems is increasingly important and needs a sophisticated detection strategy to monitor ROS and RNS in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we discuss the nanomaterials‐based ROS and RNS biosensors utilizing electrochemical techniques with emphasis on their biomedical applications.     

Absolute quantification of superoxide dismutase in cytosol and mitochondria of mice hepatic cells exposed to mercury by a novel metallomic approach

In the last years, the development of new methods for analyzing accurate and precise individual metalloproteins is of increasing importance, since numerous metalloproteins are excellent biomarkers of oxidative stress and diseases. In that way, methods based on the use of post column isotopic dilution analysis (IDA) or enriched protein standards are required to obtain a sufficient degree of accuracy, precision and high limits of detection. This paper reports the identification and absolute quantification of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) in cytosol and mitochondria from mice hepatic cells using a innovative column switching analytical approach. The method consisted of orthogonal chromatographic systems coupled to inductively coupling plasma-mass spectrometry equipped with a octopole reaction systems (ICP-ORS-MS) and UV detectors: size exclusion fractionation (SEC) of the cytosolic and mitochondrial extracts followed by online anion exchange chromatographic (AEC) separation of Cu/Zn containing species. After purification, Cu,Zn-SOD was identified after tryptic digestion by molecular mass spectrometry (MS). The MS/MS spectrum of a doubly charged peptide was used to obtain the sequence of the protein using the MASCOT searching engine. This optimized methodology reduces the time of analysis and avoids the use of sample preconcentration and clean-up procedures, such as cut-off centrifuged filters, solid phase extraction (SPE), precipitation procedures, off-line fractions insolates, etc. In this sense, the method is robust, reliable and fast with typical chromatographic run time less than 20 min. Precision in terms of relative standard deviation (n = 5) is of 3–5% and detection limits is 0.21 ng Cu g⁻¹.     

Tuning molecular recognition in water-soluble nanogels with enzyme-like activity for the kemp elimination

The synthesis and characterization of water-soluble imprinted nanogels with enzyme-like activity in the Kemp elimination is reported together with studies that demonstrate how the recognition properties, morphology, and catalytic activity of the nanoparticles can be tuned by the use of surfactants, such as Tween 20. A detailed kinetic investigation is carried out, which shows clear evidence of saturation kinetics and rule out the effects of mass transfer. This is supported by characterization of the polymeric materials that confirms the morphological changes resulting from the use of surfactants. These results provide an important tool for the development of nanoparticle-based, new catalyst-mimicking enzymes.     

The synthesis,crystal structures and SOD activities of a new ligand (Lse) and Co(Lse)2(SCN)2 complex [Lse = selenium ether bis‐(N‐1‐methyl‐ benzotriazole)]

A new ligand containing selenium, Se (CH₂‐N‐Btrzole)₂ (L^se) (Btrzole = benzotriazole) and its cobalt(II) complex, Co(L^se)₂(SCN)₂, have been synthesized and the molecular structures of the title compounds have been determined by X‐ray techniques. The L^se is a meso‐configuration with a symmetric plane through the Se center, the intermolecular weak interactions of Se? Se, Se? N and π? π stacking between benzotriazole rings to extend the molecular structure to two‐dimensional network configuration. In the Co(II) complex, the metal center is in a six‐coordinated octahedral environment. Two Co(II) atoms are linked by two ligands to form a 20‐membered macrocycle; the adjacent macrocycles are linked by coordinated bond of Co? N_bentrozole to extend an infinite double strained chain. The SOD activity of the ligand and Co(II) complex have been studied by using the pyrogallol autoxidation method; thermal properties and luminescent properties of Co(II) complex have been tested, and the details of those properties have been discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interpretation of the cytostatic properties of sodium morpholyldithiocarbamate,a chelating agent

Summary The antioxidant properties of sodium morpholyldithiocarbamate (MorDTC) were studied in order to contribute to the interpretation of its antitumor activity and synergetic effect overcis-platinum.MorDTC inhibits pyrogallol autooxidation better than vitamin C but does not dismutate the superoxide radical generated by the xanthine — xanthine oxidase system. Nevertheless, the complexes formedin situ betweenMorDTC and Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) do dismutate the superoxide radical with a SOD-like activity (SOD=superoxide dismutase), expressed in terms of IC₅₀ values within the range of 3.2 to 62 µM. The highest activity corresponds to Mn(II) and Cu(II) complexes. The possible inhibitory action ofMorDTC on erythrocyte SOD was also studiedin vitro; however, the results were negative. Therefore,MorDTC should dismulate the superoxide radical after chelating metals without inhibiting SOD, the enzyme playing this rolein vivo.

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Interpretation der cytostatischen Eigenschaften von Natriummorpholyldithiocarbamat, einem komplexbildenden Reagens

Zusammenfassung Die antioxidativen Eigenschaften von Natriummorpholyldithiocarbamat (MorDTC) wurden im Hinblick auf seine Wirkung gegen Tumore und seinem synergistischen Effekt im Zusammenhang mitcis-Platin untersucht.MorDTC hemmt die Autoxidation von Pyrogallol besser als Vitamin C, greift aber das vom System Xanthin-Xanthinoxidase gebildete Superoxidradikal nicht an. Dieses wird jedoch von demin situ ausMorDTC und Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) und Cu(II) gebildeten Komplexen mit einer SOD-vergleichbaren Aktivität umgesetzt (SOD=Superoxiddismutase; IC₅₀ im Bereich von 3.2 bis 62 µM). Die höchste Aktivität wurde für Mn(II)- und Cu(II)-Komplexe gefunden. Die hemmende Wirkung vonMorDTC auf erythrocytische SOD wurdein vitro untersucht. Die Ergebnisse waren negativ.MorDTC ist daher nach der Komplexierung mit Metallen in der Lage, das Superoxidradikal anzugreifen, ohne SOD, das Enzym, das Enzym, das diese Aufgabein vivo übernimmt, zu hemmen.