Stability of Copper(II), Nickel(II) and Zinc(II) Binary and Ternary Complexes of Histidine,Histamine and Glycine in Aqueous Solution

The binary and mixed-ligand complexes formed between ligands (histidine (His), histamine (Him) and glycine (Gly)) and some transition metals (Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)) were studied potentiometrically in aqueous solution at (25.0 ± 0.1) C and I = 0.10 M KCl in order to determine the protonation constants of the free ligands and stability constants of binary and ternary complexes. The complexation model for each system has been established by the software program BEST from the potentiometric data. The most probable binding mode for each binary species of histidine and for all mixed species was also discussed based upon derived equilibrium constants and stability constants related to the binary species. The ambidentate nature of the histidine ligand, i.e. the ability to coordinate histamine-like, imidazolepropionic acid-like and glycine-like modes was indicated from the results obtained. The stability of ternary complexes was quantitatively compared with their corresponding binary complexes in terms of the parameters, log K, log X and ₁₁₁₀. The concentration distributions of various species formed in solution were also evaluated. In terms of the nature of metal ion, the complex stability follows the trend Cu(II) > Ni(II) > Zn(II), which is in agreement with the Irving-Williams order of metal ions. Thus, the results obtained were compared and evaluated with those in the literature.     

L-histidine decarboxylase as a probe in studies on histamine

Because the Falck-Hillarp formaldehyde fluorescence method, which was superbly applied to identify catecholaminergic and serotonergic neurons, is not applicable to histamine, the first author (T.W.) developed an antibody to L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC) for identification of the histaminergic neuron system in the brain. The anti-HDC antibody was of great use for mapping the location and distribution of this histaminergic neuron system. (S)-alpha-fluoromethylhistidine, a specific and potent irreversible inhibitor of HDC, was also very useful in studies on functions of the neuron system. The activity of HDC is increased by various agents, treatments, and physiological conditions. We found new compounds that increased HDC activity (i.e., tetradecanoylphobol acetate (TPA), other tumor promoters, and staphylococcal enterotoxin A); and using mast cell-deficient mutant (W/W(v)) mice, we obtained evidence that this increase occurred in macrophages. To further characterize the mechanism of increases in HDC activity, the second author (H.O.) cloned human HDC cDNA and a human HDC gene. In studies on the regulation mechanism of the HDC gene, which is expressed only in limited types of cells such as mast cells, enterochromaffin-like cells in the stomach, cells in the tuberomammillary nucleus of the brain, and macrophages, CpG islands in the promoter region of the HDC gene were found to be demethylated in cells expressing the gene, whereas they are methylated in other cells that do not express the HDC gene. In collaboration with many other researchers, we developed HDC knockout mice. The resulting research is producing a lot of interesting findings in our laboratory as well as in others. In summary, HDC has been and will be useful in studies on functions of histamine.     

A sensitive and selective determination method of histamine by HPLC with intramolecular excimer-forming derivatization and fluorescence detection

A highly sensitive, selective and simple method is described for the determination of histamine by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. The method is based on an intramolecular excimer-forming fluorescence derivatization of histamine with 4-(1-pyrene)butyric acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (PSE), followed by reversed-phase HPLC. Histamine, having two amino moieties in a molecule, was converted to the dipyrene-labeled derivative by reaction with PSE. The derivative afforded intramolecular excimer fluorescence (450-540 nm), which can clearly be discriminated from the monomer fluorescence (370-420 nm) emitted from PSE. Typically, a 10 micro L sample solution was mixed with 100 micro L of derivatization reagent solution, which was a mixture of 0.5 mm PSE in acetonitrile and 0.5 mm potassium carbonate in water (8:2, v/v). The derivatization was carried out at 100 degrees C for 90 min. The PSE derivative of histamine could be separated by reversed-phase ODS column with isocratic elution using acetonitrile:water (82:18, v/v) containing 0.03% triethylamine. The detection limit (singnal-to-noise ratio = 3) of histamine was 0.5 fmol for a 30 micro L injection. The method was successfully applied to the determination of histamine in human urine, and had enough selectivity and sensitivity for urinary histamine quantification.     

Measurement of Histamine in Stinging Insect Venoms by Isotachophoresis

Abstract

An isotachophoretic histamine assay has been developed to determine the histamine content in hymenoptera stinging insect venoms. The amount of histamine was lowest in bee venom (0.9%) while the histamine content of vespid venom extracts varied between 2.7–5.2%. Histamine, determined quantitatively by isotachophoresis, correlated well with the histamine values achieved with reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography.     

Discovery of Potential,Dual-Active Histamine H3 Receptor Ligands with Combined Antioxidant Properties

In an attempt to find new dual acting histamine H₃ receptor (H₃R) ligands, we designed a series of compounds, structurally based on previously described in our group, a highly active and selective human histamine H₃ receptor (hH₃R) ligand KSK63. As a result, 15 obtained compounds show moderate hH₃R affinity, the best being the compound 17 (hH₃R K_i = 518 nM). Docking to the histamine H₃R homology model revealed two possible binding modes, with key interactions retained in both cases. In an attempt to find possible dual acting ligands, selected compounds were tested for antioxidant properties. Compound 16 (hH₃R K_i = 592 nM) showed the strongest antioxidant properties at the concentration of 10⁻⁴ mol/L. It significantly reduced the amount of free radicals presenting 50–60% of ascorbic acid activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, as well as showed antioxidative properties in the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Despite the yet unknown antioxidation mechanism and moderate hH₃R affinity, 16 (QD13) constitutes a starting point for the search of potential dual acting H₃R ligands-promising tools for the treatment of neurological disorders associated with increased neuronal oxidative stress.     

Intercalation of heterocyclic compounds in α-zirconium phosphate: Imidazole,benzimidazole, histamine and histidine

The intercalation of imidazole and some organic species containing the imidazole ring, between the layers of crystalline zirconium phosphate has been investigated. Fourteen new, well-ordered intercalation compounds are obtained with the batch procedure at r.t. and/or 60°C. A mechanism of formation of the various compounds is proposed on the basis of the interaction between the guest molecules (with their dimensions and geometries) and the free PO₃OH groups available between the layers of the host. The new phases have been characterized by TG and X-ray methods.     

Molecular biology of histidine decarboxylase and prostaglandin receptors

Histamine and prostaglandins (PGs) play a variety of physiological roles as autacoids, which function in the vicinity of their sources and maintain local homeostasis in the body. They stimulate target cells by acting on their specific receptors, which are coupled to trimeric G proteins. For the precise understanding of the physiological roles of histamine and PGs, it is necessary to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in their synthesis as well as their receptor-mediated responses. We cloned the cDNAs for mouse L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and 6 mouse prostanoid receptors (4 PGE(2) receptors, PGF receptor, and PGI receptor). We then characterized the expression patterns and functions of these genes. Furthermore, we established gene-targeted mouse strains for HDC and PG receptors to explore the novel pathophysiological roles of histamine and PGs. We have here summarized our research, which should contribute to progress in the molecular biology of HDC and PG receptors.     

Mechanistic studies of reactions catalysed by diamine oxidase using isotope effects

Diamine oxidase (DAO), the enzyme that is responsible for amine biodegradation in animals, plants and humans, catalyses the biotransformation of amines such as histamine (HA), putrescine, 1-phenylethylamine, tyrosine, tryptamine, serotonine and spermine. The kinetic and solvent isotope effects (SIEs) were applied to study the mechanism of the biotransformation using HA and its methylderivatives. The SIE for the biotransformation of HA, N^τ-methylhistamine and N^π-methylhistamine was found to be 3.58, 2.22 and 5.70 on V_max, and 1.58, 1.06 and 1.14 on V_max/K_M, respectively. On the other hand, the kinetic isotope effect for oxidation of stereospecifically deuterium-labelled [(α R)-²H]-N^τ-methylhistamine and [(α R)-²H]-N^π-methylhistamine was 0.69 and 0.62 on V_max, and 15.06 and 7.50 on V_max/K_M, respectively. These results demonstrate that DAO catalyses amine biotransformation by stereospecifically cleaving the αC\bond H bond in the pro-S position. Moreover, the oxidation of amine to aldehyde involves several transition states, including hybridisation change from sp³ (Schiff base) to sp² (imine), then back again to sp³ to give a final product with hybridisation sp² (aldehyde).     

Normal Vibrations of Water in 1:1 Complexes

IR spectra of water in 1:1 complexes (HOH…B) show a characteristic change of the vibration frequencies v₁, v₂ and v₃ for differently strong bases (B). The normal vibrations in different complexes are calculated from the frequencies and the force constants f_OH, f_α, f_OH,OH. The normal vibrations show that v₃ (1:1) becomes the “free” and v₁ (1:1) the “bonded” OH vibration. The degree of coupling in these systems can be deduced directly from the observed band separation. For a base like water the degree of coupling in 1:1 complexes is about 40%.     

胶体金修饰电极测定鱼样中组胺的方法研究

基于胶体金修饰的玻碳电极,利用电流～时间曲线法建立了一种简便、灵敏的组胺检测方法。优化了底液的pH值和组胺的电化学测试方法及条件,考察了修饰电极的电化学性能。结果表明,组胺在胶体金修饰电极上的响应电流(-I,μA)与其浓度(c,μmol/L)在0. 1～64μmol/L范围内呈良好的线性关系,检出限为0. 033μmol/L,在带鱼和黄花鱼样品中的加标回收率分别为94. 4%～106%、91. 8%～106%,相对标准偏差分别为3. 2%、2. 5%。该法操作简单、检测速度快、成本低,适用于带鱼和黄花鱼等鱼样中组胺的测定。