Impact of Cu(2+) ions on the structure of colistin and cell-free system nucleic acid degradation.

Colistin and transition metal ions are commonly used as feed additives for livestock animals. This work presents the results of an analysis of combined potentiometric and spectroscopic (UV-vis, EPR, CD, NMR) data which lead to conclude that colistin is able to effectively chelate copper(II) ions. In cell-free system the oxidative activity of the complex manifests itself in the plasmid DNA destruction with simultaneous generation of reactive OH species, when accompanied by hydrogen peroxide or ascorbic acid. The degradation of RNA occurs most likely via a hydrolytic mechanism not only for complexed compound but also colistin alone. Therefore, huge amounts of the used antibiotic for nontherapeutic purposes might have a potential influence on livestock health.

Differences in the binding of copper(I) to α- and ß-synuclein.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of abnormal α-synuclein (αS) deposits in the brain. Alterations in homeostasis and metal-induced oxidative stress may play a crucial role in the progression of αS amyloid assembly and pathogenesis of PD. Contrary to αS, ß-synuclein (ßS) is not involved in the PD etiology. However, it has been suggested that the ßS/αS ratio is altered in PD, indicating that a correct balance of these two proteins is implicated in the inhibition of αS aggregation. αS and ßS share similar abilities to coordinate Cu(II). In this study, we investigated and compared the interaction of Cu(I) with the N-terminal portion of ßS and αS by means of NMR, circular dichroism, and X-ray absorption spectroscopies. Our data show the importance of M10K mutation, which induces different Cu(I) chemical environments. Coordination modes 3S1O and 2S2O were identified for ßS and αS, respectively. These new insights into the bioinorganic chemistry of copper and synuclein proteins are a basis to understand the molecular mechanism by which ßS might inhibit αS aggregation.

High affinity of copper(II) towards amoxicillin, apramycin and ristomycin. Effect of these complexes on the catalytic activity of HDV ribozyme.

Three representatives of the distinct antibiotics groups: amoxicillin, apramycin and ristomycin A were studied regarding their impact on hepatitis D virus (HDV) ribozyme both in the metal-free form and complexed with copper(II) ions. Hence the Cu(II)-ristomycin A complex has been characterized by means of NMR, EPR, CD and UV-visible spectroscopic techniques and its binding pattern has been compared with the coordination modes estimated previously for Cu(II)-amoxicillin and Cu(II)-apramycin complexes. It has thus been found that all three antibiotics bind the Cu(II) ion in a very similar manner, engaging two nitrogen and two oxygen donors into coordination with the square planar symmetry in physiological conditions. All three tested antibiotics were able to inhibit the HDV ribozyme catalysis. However, in the presence of the complexes, the catalytic reactions were almost completely inhibited. It was important therefore to check whether the complexes used in lower concentrations could inhibit the HDV ribozyme catalytic activity, thus creating opportunities for their practical application. It turned out that the complexes used in the concentrations of 50µM influenced the catalysis much less effectively comparing to the 200 micromolar concentration. The kobs values were lower than those observed in the control reaction, in the absence of potential inhibitors: 2-fold for amoxicillin, ristomycin A and 3.3-fold for apramycin, respectively.

Conformation propensities of des-acyl-ghrelin as probed by CD and NMR.

Des-acyl-ghrelin is a 28 amino acid peptide secreted by both human and rat stomach. Together with ghrelin and obestatin, it is obtained by post-translational modification of a 117 aminoacid prepropeptide mainly expressed in distinct endocrine cell type in the stomach. Although its receptor has not been unambiguously identified so far, des-acyl-ghrelin is considered one of the strongest antagonists of ghrelin in activating the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). Here the secondary structure of des-acyl-ghrelin in different experimental conditions has been investigated and compared with that of obestatin, a bioactive peptide having similar biological functions. CD and NMR techniques have been combined for gaining the desired conformational features. The obtained structures support a steady alpha-helix structure spanning residues from 7 to 14, very similar to that observed for obestatin at the same experimental conditions, leading to suggest that a similar secondary structure can be associated with the similar biological role.

Copper(I)-α-synuclein interaction: structural description of two independent and competing metal binding sites.

The aggregation of α-synuclein (αS) is a critical step in the etiology of Parkinson's disease. Metal ions such as copper and iron have been shown to bind αS, enhancing its fibrillation rate in vitro. αS is also susceptible to copper-catalyzed oxidation that involves the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) and the conversion of O(2) into reactive oxygen species. The mechanism of the reaction is highly selective and site-specific and involves interactions of the protein with both oxidation states of the copper ion. The reaction can induce oxidative modification of the protein, which generally leads to extensive protein oligomerization and precipitation. Cu(II) binding to αS has been extensively characterized, indicating the N terminus and His-50 as binding donor residues. In this study, we have investigated αS-Cu(I) interaction by means of NMR and circular dichroism analysis on the full-length protein (αS(1-140)) and on two, designed ad hoc, model peptides: αS(1-15) and αS(113-130). In order to identify and characterize the metal binding environment in full-length αS, in addition to Cu(I), we have also used Ag(I) as a probe for Cu(I) binding. Two distinct Cu(I)/Ag(I) binding domains with comparable affinities have been identified. The structural rearrangements induced by the metal ions and the metal coordination spheres of both sites have been extensively characterized.

NMR metabolomic investigation of astrocytes interacted with Aß42 or its complexes with either copper(II) or zinc(II).

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of senile dementia. One of the main hallmarks of AD is the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain, primarily formed by fibrils of the amyloid-ß (Aß) peptide. Transition metal ions, such as Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) have been found at high concentrations in senile plaques isolated from AD patients and evidence have been reached that (i) Aß aggregation is greatly affected by Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) and (ii) Cu(2+), implicated in the formation of reactive oxygen species, leads to mitochondrial dysfunctions ultimately leading to neuronal cells death. Aß, apart from being toxic to neural cells, induces reactive astrocytosis in cell culture. Astrocytes play many crucial roles to sustain normal brain function by maintaining the cerebral homeostasis, modulating the synaptic transmission, and providing a metabolic support for neuronal growth. Although many studies have shown that Aß fibrils interfere in the main astrocytic functions aimed at supporting the neuronal activity, nothing is known about the effects of Zn(2+)- and Cu(2+)-induced Aß aggregates on astrocyte functions. In this study the effects of treatments with Aß(42), either in absence or in the presence of Cu(2+) and Zn(2+), on astrocyte cell cultures were evaluated by using classical cellular assay and by looking at changes in metabolic profiles in the cellular medium by using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Our results indicate that metal induced Aß aggregation strongly affects the metabolites involved in the neurotransmission activity supporting a deleterious impact of Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) Aß amyloidogenesis on astrocyte functions.

Capreomycin--a polypeptide antitubercular antibiotic with unusual binding properties toward copper(II).

Capreomycin is an important therapeutic agent having intriguing and diverse molecular features. Its polypeptidic structure rich in nitrogen donors makes the drug a promising chelating agent for a number of transition metal ions, especially for copper(II). The results of the model investigational studies suggest that capreomycin anchors Cu(2+) ion with an amino function of the α,ß-diaminopropionic acid residue at pH around 5. At physiological pH copper(II) ion is coordinated by two deprotonated amide nitrogen atoms of the α,ß-diaminopropionic acid, the serine residue as well as the amino function deriving from the ß-lysine. Above that pH value we observe a rearrangement within the coordination sphere leading to movement of Cu(2+) to the center of the peptide ring with concurrent coordination of four nitrogen donors. Spin-lattice relaxation enhancements and potentiometric measurements clearly indicate that deprotonated amide nitrogen atom from the ß-ureidodehydroalanine moiety is the fourth donor atom.

Exploring the reactions of ß-amyloid (Aß) peptide 1-28 with Al(III) and Fe(III) ions.

The reactions of human ß-amyloid peptide 1-28 (Aß28) with Al(III) and Fe(III) ions were investigated by (1)H NMR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) under pH conditions close to physiological ones. (1)H NMR titrations, performed in the 5.3-8.0 pH range, revealed that no measurable amounts of Aß28-Al(III) or Aß28-Fe(III) adducts are formed; such metal adducts could not be obtained even by changing a number of experimental conditions, e.g., temperature, buffer, nature of the salt, etc. These observations were later confirmed by ESI-MS. It is thus demonstrated that Aß28, at physiological pH, is not able to form binary complexes with Al(III) and Fe(III) ions of sufficient stability to compete with metal hydroxide precipitation. The biological implications of these findings are discussed in the frame of current literature.

Coordination pattern, solution structure and DNA damage studies of the copper(II) complex with the unusual aminoglycoside antibiotic hygromycin B.

The aminoglycosidic antibiotic hygromycin B presents a peculiar chemical structure, characterized by two sugar rings joined via a spiro connection. The Cu(ii) complex of hygromycin B in water solution was characterized by (1)H-NMR, UV-Vis, EPR and CD spectroscopy, combined with potentiometric measurements. The spin-lattice relaxation enhancements were interpreted by the Solomon-Bloembergen-Morgan theory, allowing us to calculate copper-proton distances that were used to build a model of the complex by molecular mechanics and dynamics calculations. The fidelity of the proposed molecular model was checked by ROESY maps. Moreover DNA damage by the Cu(ii)-hygromycin B system was also investigated, showing single and double strand scissions exerted by the complex at concentrations in the range 1-5 mM. Addition of either hydrogen peroxide or ascorbic acid to each sample resulted in the shift of the cleavage potency towards lower concentrations of the complex.

Structural characterization and antimicrobial activity of the Zn(II) complex with P113 (demegen), a derivative of histatin 5.

Zinc binding to P113 (or demegen), a 12 amino acid (AKRHHGYKRKFH-NH(2)) fragment of histatin 5, was investigated by means of NMR and CD techniques, yielding delineation of the metal binding site and the 3D structure of the complex in water and in DMSO as well. The three His imidazole and the N-terminus nitrogens were found to act as the zinc coordinating atoms. A comparison with the previously reported Cu(II)-P113 complex disclosed that the two structures were rather diverse, in spite of an identical donor set. The two complexes were also tested for their antimicrobial activity in vitro against seven bacteria and two yeast strains: a minor activity of both complexes vs that of free ligand was given evidence, suggesting both metal ions may possibly play a negative role in vivo.

fac-{Ru(CO)(3)}(2+) selectively targets the histidine residues of the beta-amyloid peptide 1-28. Implications for new Alzheimer's disease treatments based on ruthenium complexes.

The reaction of the ruthenium(II) complex fac-[Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)(N(1)-thz)] (I hereafter; thz = 1,3-thiazole) with human beta-amyloid peptide 1-28 (Abeta(28)) and the resulting {Ru(CO)(3)}(2+) peptide adduct was investigated by a variety of biophysical methods. (1)H NMR titrations highlighted a selective interaction of {Ru(CO)(3)}(2+) with Abeta(28) histidine residues; circular dichroism revealed the occurrence of a substantial conformational rearrangement of Abeta(28); electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) suggested a prevalent 1:1 metal/peptide stoichiometry and disclosed the nature of peptide-bound metallic fragments. Notably, very similar ESI-MS results were obtained when I was reacted with Abeta(42). The implications of the above findings for a possible use of ruthenium compounds in Alzheimer's disease are discussed.

Cu(II) ion interaction with teicoplanin-vancomycin's analog.

Teicoplanin, a member of the "last chance" antibiotic family has a similar structure and the same mechanism of action as parent drug vancomycin, which is proved to be an effective binder of Cu(II) ions. However, the potentiometric and spectroscopic studies (UV-visible, CD, NMR) have shown that the modification of the N-terminal structure of the peptide backbone in teicoplanin affects considerably the binding ability towards Cu(II) ions. While vancomycin forms almost instantly the stable 3N complex species involving the N-terminal and two amide nitrogen donors, in case of teicoplanin only two nitrogen donors derived from the N-terminal amino group and adjacent peptide bond are coordinated to Cu(II) ion within the whole pH range studied. The major factor influencing the binding mode is most likely the structure of the N-terminus of the peptide unit in the antibiotic ligand.

Heteronuclear and homonuclear Cu2+ and Zn2+ complexes with multihistidine peptides based on zebrafish prion-like protein.

The homeostasis of metal ions, especially copper and zinc, is a major factor that may influence the prion diseases and the biological function of prion protein (PrP). The His-rich regions are basic sites for metal binding and antioxidant activity of the PrP structures. Animal prion-like proteins contain also His-rich domains, and their coordination chemistry may provide better insight into the chemistry and biology of PrP structures and related diseases. Herein, we report an equilibrium study on heteronuclear Zn(2+)-Cu(2+) complexes with zrel-PrP fragments from zebrafish. Potentiometric, spectroscopic, and mass spectrometric methods showed that the binding of copper is much more effective than the binding of zinc. At physiological pH, both metals bind to the histidine imidazole N donors of the studied peptides.

Structural features of the Zn(2+) complex with the single repeat region of "prion related protein" (PrP-rel-2) of zebrafish zPrP63-70 fragment.

The interaction between Zn(2+) and the single repeat of PrP-rel-2 of zebrafish at physiological pH was investigated by NMR spectroscopy; the chemical shift mapping and the proton-proton distances were used to obtain the structural model of the Zn(2+) complex.

Binding of Ni2+ and Cu2+ ions to peptides with a Cys-His motif.

Waglerin I is a 22 amino acid snake venom toxin. Its three fragments (GGKPDLRPCHP-NH2, PCHYIPRPKPR-NH2, PCHPPCHYIPR-NH2), due to the presence of two Cys and His residues, are potentially very attractive ligands for transition metal ions. The main aim of this work was to establish the impact of these two adjacent residues on Ni2+ ion binding, especially because this kind of motif is very common in nature, and the study of low molecular weight models could be helpful in understanding larger systems. In this work waglerin fragments and their N-protected analogues were studied with Ni2+ (and Cu2+ for peptides with disulfide bridges) ions using combined potentiometric and spectroscopic measurements (UV-Vis, CD, EPR and NMR). In all peptides, except PCHPPCHYIPR-NH2 with a disulfide bridge, the Cys-His motif was found to be crucial for the coordination of Ni2+ ions. In the case of the N-unprotected analogues, the N-terminal amino group participates in the coordination as well.

Structural characterization of the intra- and inter-repeat copper binding modes within the N-terminal region of "prion related protein" (PrP-rel-2) of zebrafish.

The unique biology of prion proteins (PrPs) allied with the public-health risks posed by prion zoonoses, such as various animal neurodegenerations, has focused much attention on the molecular basis of the controls cross-species and on the similarities between PrPs from different species. Given the common feature of PrPs as Cu(2+) binding proteins, it appears relevant to compare the impact of Cu(2+) on the stability constants and structures of "physiological" complexes. After having comprehensively delineated the interaction of Cu(2+) with mammalian and avian PrPs, the stabilities and molecular structures of species generated by Cu(2+) interacting with the irregular repeated domain derived from Danio rerio zebrafish PrP-rel-2 were investigated. Copper complexes with different zebrafish PrP-rel-2 fragments were analyzed by potentiometric and spectroscopic techniques. The data were interpreted as to provide evidence of all investigated repeat units selectively binding Cu(2+) via the His imidazole(s). The structural models obtained from paramagnetic NMR showed an intra- or inter-copper binding according to the number of the His in the sequence. In comparison to the mammalian and avian cases, the enzymatic function referred to SOD-like activity was shown to be rather faint in the fish PrPs cases.

CuII binding sites located at His-96 and His-111 of the human prion protein: thermodynamic and spectroscopic studies on model peptides.

The prion protein (PrP) is a Cu(2+)-binding cell-surface glycoprotein. Using PrP peptide fragments, by means of potentiometric, spectroscopic and thermodynamic techniques, we have shown that Cu(2+) ions bind to the region comprising His-96, His-111 and the octarepeat domain within residues 60-91. Cu(2+) may bind in different modes, which strongly depend both on His position within the peptide sequence and on the adjacent residues. We have used a series of protected oligopeptides having His at the C- or the N-terminus, inducing different binding modes to amide nitrogens around the His residue, either towards the N- or C-terminus. His imidazole acts as an anchoring site for Cu(2+) and then binding to ionized amide nitrogens follows. When it is directed towards the C-terminus the formation of a less stable seven-membered chelate ring with a {N(im), N(-)} binding mode occurs. When coordination goes towards the N-terminus the thermodynamically more stable six-membered chelate ring is formed. NMR data suggest that both the coordination modes are possible for the model peptides; however, the thermodynamic measurements show that they only slightly differ in energy and the influence of the adjacent amino acid residues can address the coordination toward the C- or the N-terminus.

Structural features of the Cu(II) complex with the rat Abeta(1-28) fragment.

The interaction between Cu(II) and the rat amyloid beta (1-28) fragment in micellar solutions at pH 7.5 was investigated by CD and NMR spectroscopy; the proton-copper distances were used in restrained molecular dynamics simulations to obtain a structural model of the Cu(II) complex.

The His-His sequence of the antimicrobial peptide demegen P-113 makes it very attractive ligand for Cu2+.

Histatins are a family of histidine-rich, cationic peptides up to 38 amino acids long. As other antimicrobial peptides histatins exhibit in vitro activity against both bacteria and yeasts. A 12 amino acid amidated fragment of histatin 5, designated P-113 or demegen, has been identified as the smallest fragment retaining antimicrobial activity comparable to the parent compound. Demegen, AKRHHGYKRKFH, has three His and a N-terminal group known to participate in copper ion coordination. In this study potentiometric and spectroscopic (UV-vis, CD, EPR, NMR) measurements were used to evaluate the stability constants, stoichiometry and structures of Cu(2+) complexes with demegen P-113 and its analogues in aqueous solution. The main aim of this work was to understand the role of two adjacent histidine residues in metal ion binding. The comparison with results for modified ligands showed that two histydyl residues are basic for complex formation in the 4.5-7 pH range.