Differentiation between the α-helical and coillike conformations of poly(L-glutamic acid) in aqueous solution through binding of pinacyanol

Pinacyanol in the presence of an excess of poly(L -glutamic acid) [polymer/dye ratio (P/D) > 10] exhibits different absorption spectra in the visible region when bound to the slightly charged polypeptide in the α-helical conformation or to the nearly completely dissociated polypeptide in the coillike conformation. These spectra reveal aggregation of the dye bound to the macromolecular chain in both conformations, although in the coillike one different kinds of aggregates may be present. Dye binding is accompanied by the appearance of CD bands in the visible region which are also different for the α-helical and the coillike conformations. The aggregates formed in the presence of the latter change slowly in time and seem to induce some conformational changes in the polypeptide chain. Furthermore, they have been found to be, at least partially, stable with respect to a subsequent reversal to the α-helical conformation. All results could be qualitatively interpreted assuming that in the coillike conformation, ordered regions exist along the chain as proposed by Krimm and Tiffany.     

Thermal stability of dehydrophenylalanine-containing model peptides as probed by infrared spectroscopy: a case study of an alpha-helical and a 3(10)-helical peptide

The temperature-dependent secondary-structural changes in the two known helical model peptides Boc-Val-deltaPhe-Ala-Leu-Gly-OMe (1; alpha-helical) and Boc-Leu-Phe-Ala-deltaPhe-Leu-OMe (2; 3(10)-helical), which both comprise a single dehydrophenylalanine (deltaPhe) residue, were investigated by means of FT-IR spectroscopy (peptide film on KBr). Both the first-order and the better-resolved second-order derivative IR spectra of 1 and 2 were analyzed. The nu(NH) (3240-3340 cm(-1)), the Amide-I (1600-1700 cm(-1)), and the Amide-II (1510-1580 cm(-1)) regions of 1 and 2 showed significant differences in thermal-denaturation experiments (22 degrees --> 144 degrees), with the 3(10)-helical peptide (2) being considerably more stable. This observation was rationalized by different patterns and strengths of intramolecular H-bonds, and was qualitatively related to the different geometries of the peptides. Also, a fair degree of residual secondary-structural elements were found even in the 'denatured' states above 104 degrees (1) or 134 degrees (2).     

3D coordination polymers of [2.2]paracyclophane and in situ silver(I) perfluoro-dicarboxylates: effects of the dicarboxylate spacers and conformations on the formation of complexes

Coordination polymers of [2.2]paracyclophane (pcp) with in situ silver(I) perfluoro-dicarboxylates characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis are described. Structures are found to strongly depend on the dicarboxylate spacer (n). With disilver(I) tetrafluorosuccinate ((CF₂)_n(COOAg)₂, n = 2), 3D network with composition of [Ag₄(pcp)(C₂F₄(CO₂)₂)₂] (1) forms in which silver salts afford infinite double chains and pcp act as linkages between chains. Changing the silver salt to disilver hexafluoroglutarate ((CF₂)_n(COOAg)₂, n = 3) produces 3D pillared-layer structure of composition of [Ag₄(pcp)(C₃F₆(CO₂)₂)₂] · THF (2) (THF = tetrahydrofuran), in which silver salts form 2D sheets and pcp act as pillars between the sheets. With silver octafluoroadipate (HO₂C(CF₂)_nCO₂Ag, n = 4), 2-fold interpenetrated diamond structure, [Ag₂(pcp)₂(HO₂CC₄F₈CO₂)₂]₂ · 2toluene (3), is obtained in which silver-anion chains and silver-pcp chains are connected with each other in the perpendicular manner. The three complexes represent unprecedented metal-organic networks of silver(I) multicarboxylates and polycyclic aromatic compounds. Additionally, the effects of the dicarboxylate conformations as well as the solvents on the resulting structures were discussed.     

Kinetic studies on the first dihydrogen aquacomplex, [Ru(H2)(H2O)5]: Formation under H2 pressure and catalytic H/D isotope exchange in water

The ruthenium(II) hexaaqua complex [Ru(H₂O)₆]²⁺ reacts with dihydrogen under pressure to give the η²-dihydrogen ruthenium(II) pentaaqua complex [Ru(H₂)(H₂O)₅]²⁺.The complex was characterized by ¹H, ²H and ¹⁷O NMR: δ_H = −7.65 ppm, J_HD = 31.2 Hz, δ_O = −80.4 ppm (trans to H₂) and δ_O = −177.4 ppm (cis to H₂).The H-H distance in coordinated dihydrogen was estimated to 0.889 Å from J_HD, which is close to the value obtained from DFT calculations (0.940 Å).Kinetic studies were performed by ¹H and ²H NMR as well as by UV-Vis spectroscopy, yielding the complex formation rate and equilibrium constants: k_f = (1.7 ± 0.2) × 10⁻³ kg mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ and K_eq = 4.0 ± 0.5 mol kg⁻¹.The complex formation rate with dihydrogen is close to values reported for other ligands and thus it is assumed that the reaction with dihydrogen follows the same mechanisn (I_d).In deuterated water, one can observe that [Ru(H₂)(H₂O)₅]²⁺ catalyses the hydrogen exchange between the solvent and the dissolved dihydrogen.A hydride is proposed as the intermediate for this exchange.Using isotope labeling, the rate constant for the hydrogen exchange on the η²-dihydrogen ligand was determined as k₁ = (0.24 ± 0.04) × 10⁻³ s⁻¹.The upper and lower limits of the pK_a of the coordinated dihydrogen ligand have been estimated:3 < pK_a < 14.     

Study of the O-Ru-N bonding in trans-[Ru(NH3)4(SO4)L] complexes (L=imidazole, histidine and substituted pyridines): a X-ray, EPR, spectroscopic and theoretical MO study

Spectroscopic studies on trans-[Ru(NH₃)₄(SO₄)L]⁺ where L=imidazole, histidine, pyridine and substituted pyridines were undertaken to understand the effect of various ligands on the Ru-N bonding in these complexes. The sulfate complexes show two major bands in the 250-270 and 310-350 nm region of the UV-Vis spectrum. Based on quantum chemical calculations the lowest energy band has been assigned to a LMCT (SO₄ ²⁻ → Ru^III) transition. The energy of the LMCT transition decreases as the order of the axial ligand L basicity: Him > L-hist > 4-NH2-py > 4-Cl-py > 4-pic > py > nia > 4-Cn-py > isn > pz. EPR spectra give only two g values showing that the two LUMO containing the metal d_π orbitals are degenerate and the energy separation between the LUMO and HOMO, calculated from the g values correlates linearly with the charge transfer energy and electrochemical properties. These correlations suggest extensive π donation from L to the Ru(III) d orbitals. An X-ray study of the 4-pic complex shows a bent S-O-Ru bond of 127.5° and MO calculations for three other complexes predict similar angles due to extensive σ and π bonding interaction between the sulfate oxygen and the Ru(III) ion. Surprisingly, the MO calculations do not predict the observed degeneracy in the LUMO orbital found by EPR studies. We shall argue that these discrepancies can be reconciled by insisting that the orientation of the L ring be coplanar with the S-O-Ru plane as is the case in the one X-ray study.     

Novel antagonist antibody to TLR3 blocks poly(I:C)-induced inflammation in vivo and in vitro

Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) binds and signals in response to dsRNA and poly(I:C), a synthetic double stranded RNA analog. Activation of TLR3 triggers innate responses that may play a protective or detrimental role in viral infections or in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases through amplification of inflammation. Two monoclonal antibodies, CNTO4685 (rat anti-mouse TLR3) and CNTO5429 (CDRs from CNTO4685 grafted onto a mouse IgG1 scaffold) were generated and characterized. These mAbs bind the extracellular domain of mouse TLR3, inhibit poly(I:C)-induced activation of HEK293T cells transfected with mTLR3, and reduce poly(I:C)-induced production of CCL2 and CXCL10 by primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts. CNTO5429 decreased serum IL-6 and TNFα levels post-intraperitoneal poly(I:C) administration, demonstrating in vivo activity. In summary, specific anti-mTLR3 mAbs have been generated to assess TLR3 antagonism in mouse models of inflammation.     

Supported organometallic complexes. Part 27: novel sol-gel processed rhodium(I) complexes: synthesis, characterization, and catalytic reactions in interphases

A novel T-silyl functionalized cationic (COD)(dppp)rhodium(I) complex was sol-gel processed with various amounts of the co-condensing agents MeSi(OMe)₂(CH₂)₆(OMe)₂SiMe and MeSi(OMe)₂(CH₂)₃(C₆H₄)(CH₂)₃(OMe)₂SiMe to give novel stationary phases for ‘Chemistry in Interphases’. The polysiloxane matrices and the integrity of the rhodium(I) complex centers were investigated by means of multinuclear solid-state NMR (¹³C, ²⁹Si, ³¹P) and EXAFS spectroscopies. Dynamic NMR measurements show an increasing mobility of the matrix and the reactive centers with a higher amount of the co-condensing component. The accessibility of the anchored rhodium(I) centers was scrutinized by the metal catalyzed hydrogenation of 1-hexene. All applied xerogels show remarkable activities and selectivities. An enhancement of the activities is achieved when polar solvents are used. SEM micrographs reveal the morphology of the hybrid materials and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) suggests that the distribution of the elements is in satisfying agreement with the applied composition.     

Molecular structures of electron-transfer active complexes [Re(XQ)(CO)3(NN)] (XQ=N-Me-4,4-bipyridinium or N-Ph-4,4-bipyridinium; NN=bpy, 4,4-Me2-2,2-bpy or N,N-bis-isopropyl-1,4-diazabutadiene) in the solid state and solution: an X-ray and NOESY NMR study

Crystal and molecular structures of a series of complexes [Re(XQ⁺)(CO)₃(NN)]²⁺ (XQ=N-methyl-4,4^′-bipyridinium (MQ⁺) and N-phenyl-4,4^′-bipyridinium (PQ⁺) and NN=bpy, 4,4^′-dimethyl-bpy (dmb) or N,N^′-bis-isopropyl-1,4-diazabutadiene (ⁱPr-DAB)) in the solid state have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Aromatic rings within the XQ⁺ ligand were found to be highly staggered. The dihedral angles between the pyridine and pyridinium rings were found in the range 39°-45° for MQ⁺ and 28°-46° for PQ⁺. The exceptionally low dihedral angle of 8° in [Re(MQ⁺)(CO)₃(dmb)]²⁺ is due to crystal-packing effects. The pyridinium and phenyl rings of the PQ⁺ ligand are even more staggered, with dihedral angles in the range 40°-55°. The pyridine ring of the XQ⁺ ligand is oriented relative to the equatorial ligands in such a way that it bisects the angles between the equatorial Re-N and Re-C bonds in all complexes, except for [Re(PQ⁺)(CO)₃(ⁱPr-DAB)](PF₆)₂, where it bisects the DAB ligand. Structures of the complexes [Re(XQ⁺)(CO)₃(NN)]²⁺ (NN=bpy, dmb) were also studied in solution using NOESY NMR. It was found that the orientation of the XQ⁺ ligand relative to the equatorial ligands is the same as in the solid state. The XQ⁺ ligands become even more staggered on going to the solution where pyridine-pyridinium dihedral angles range from 42° to 45°. A value of ∼69° was found for the pyridinium-phenyl dihedral angle in PQ⁺ complexes. The structural data obtained are related to electron-transfer activity of XQ⁺ complexes. It follows that any ground- or excited-state electron transfer reactions or optical charge transfer excitation have to be coupled with a major reorganization of the XQ⁺ ligand, namely twisting of its aromatic rings and shortening of the interring C-C bond. This conclusion has important implications for estimates of Marcus inner reorganization energy and electron transfer dynamics.     

X-ray and NMR study of the fate of the Co(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-diketone)3 ion in aqueous solution: supramolecular motifs in the packing of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-diketone and 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-diol complexes

X-ray structures are presented of three new cobalt complexes prepared from Co(III) and N,N^′-1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione. The cis-aqua-chloro-bis(N,N^′-1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione)cobalt(II) nitrate trihydrate (3) and the cis-aqua-bromo-bis(N,N^′-1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione)cobalt(II) trifluoro-methanesulfonate tetrahydrate (4), crystalize in the same space group with a similar arrangement of the complex ions. However, on the molecular scale there are important differences. The cobalt complex in 3 has a typical high-spin geometry whereas in 4 the cobalt complex displays a Jahn-Teller distortion characteristic for low-spin compounds. The third structure is di(N,N^′-1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-diol)(N,N^′-1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione)cobalt(III) bromide hexahydrate (5). NMR studies of the hydration of the Co(III)(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione)₃ ³⁺ ion in water and DMSO are also presented. The various possible transformations of the N,N^′-1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione ligand are discussed.     

Complementary biophysical tools to investigate lipid specificity in the interaction between bioactive molecules and the plasma membrane: A review

Plasma membranes are complex entities common to all living cells. The basic principle of their organization appears very simple, but they are actually of high complexity and represent very dynamic structures. The interactions between bioactive molecules and lipids are important for numerous processes, from drug bioavailability to viral fusion. The cell membrane is a carefully balanced environment and any change inflicted upon its structure by a bioactive molecule must be considered in conjunction with the overall effect that this may have on the function and integrity of the membrane. Conceptually, understanding the molecular mechanisms by which bioactive molecules interact with cell membranes is of fundamental importance.