Purification, cloning and characterization of a novel peroxidase isozyme from sweetpotatoes (Ipomoea batatas).

An anionic peroxidase from sweetpotato tubers is purified and characterized. The isozyme ibPrx15 is purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography using a concanavalin A column. The isoelectric point was determined to pI 4.9. MALDI-MS detected a singly charged molecule with a mass of 42029 Da. Absorption spectra of ibPrx15 compounds I, II and III were obtained after treatment with H(2)O(2) at room temperature. Comparative data of ibPrx15 on substrate specificity to tobacco anionic peroxidase (TOP) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) reveal similar specific activity towards a series of conventional substrates except for iodide, which is a two-electron donor interacting directly with the compound I derivative in the catalytic cycle. ibPrx15 exhibits a high specific activity towards iodide about 10(3)-fold to that of tobacco peroxidase. The amino acid sequence of the main isozyme ibPrx15 was determined by Edman degradation and by sequencing the amplified cDNA fragments. ibPrx15 has 86% identity to another Ipomoea sequence ibPrx05 and 72% identity with a sequence from Populus trichocarpa (PtPrx72).

Oxidative switches in functioning of mammalian copper chaperone Cox17.

Cox17, a copper chaperone for cytochrome-c oxidase, is an essential and highly conserved protein in eukaryotic organisms. Yeast and mammalian Cox17 share six conserved cysteine residues, which are involved in complex redox reactions as well as in metal binding and transfer. Mammalian Cox17 exists in three oxidative states, each characterized by distinct metal-binding properties: fully reduced mammalian Cox17(0S-S) binds co-operatively to four Cu+; Cox17(2S-S), with two disulfide bridges, binds to one of either Cu+ or Zn2+; and Cox17(3S-S), with three disulfide bridges, does not bind to any metal ions. The E(m) (midpoint redox potential) values for two redox couples of Cox17, Cox17(3S-S)<-->Cox17(2S-S) (E(m1)) and Cox17(2S-S)<-->Cox17(0S-S) (E(m2)), were determined to be -197 mV and -340 mV respectively. The data indicate that an equilibrium exists in the cytosol between Cox17(0S-S) and Cox17(2S-S), which is slightly shifted towards Cox17(0S-S). In the IMS (mitochondrial intermembrane space), the equilibrium is shifted towards Cox17(2S-S), enabling retention of Cox17(2S-S) in the IMS and leading to the formation of a biologically competent form of the Cox17 protein, Cox17(2S-S), capable of copper transfer to the copper chaperone Sco1. XAS (X-ray absorption spectroscopy) determined that Cu4Cox17 contains a Cu4S6-type copper-thiolate cluster, which may provide safe storage of an excess of copper ions.

Recombinant purple acid phosphatase isoform 3 from sweet potato is an enzyme with a diiron metal center.

Purple acid phosphatases (PAPs) from sweet potato (sp) have been classified on the basis of their primary structure and the dinuclear metal center into isoforms spPAP1 [Fe(III)-Zn(II)] and spPAP2 [Fe(III)-Mn(II)]; for spPAP3 only the cDNA is known. With the aim of unraveling the character of the dinuclear metal center we report here the characterization of this isoform at the protein level. We cloned spPAP3 cDNA in a baculovirus and overexpressed this enzyme in Sf9 insect cells. Preparation of recombinant spPAP3 in two steps afforded pure enzyme with yields of 4.5 mg.L(-1) culture medium. This enzyme is a dimeric, disulfide-linked PAP of 110 kDa, similar to known PAP isoforms from higher plants. Enzymatic studies and spectroscopic properties (max. absorption at 550-565 nm) indicated a diiron enzyme; quantitative and semiquantitative metal analysis using ICP-OES and TOF-SIMS, respectively, revealed the presence of only iron in purified spPAP3. Metal replacement in the second metal-binding site upon preparation of the semiapo-enzyme with Fe(II), Zn(II), or Mn(II) showed highest activities with Fe(II). The data show that recombinant spPAP3 has a diiron metal center. Site-directed mutagenesis was conducted to check catalytic efficiency at the atomic level. Tyr291 at the substrate-binding site in spPAP3 was mutated to His and Ala, the respective residues found in spPAP1 and spPAP2. Kinetic analysis showed that conversion of Tyr291 to His further optimized the performance of this protein as a diiron enzyme, whereas the Ala mutation weakened the catalytic efficiency regardless of the metal present in the second binding site.

Crystal structures of recombinant human purple Acid phosphatase with and without an inhibitory conformation of the repression loop.

The crystal structure of human purple acid phosphatase recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli (rHPAP(Ec)) and Pichia pastoris (rHPAP(Pp)) has been determined in two different crystal forms, both at 2.2A resolution. In both cases, the enzyme crystallized in its oxidized (inactive) state, in which both Fe atoms in the dinuclear active site are Fe(III). The main difference between the two structures is the conformation of the enzyme "repression loop". Proteolytic cleavage of this loop in vivo or in vitro results in significant activation of the mammalian PAPs. In the crystals obtained from rHPAP(Ec), the carboxylate side-chain of Asp145 of this loop acts as a bidentate ligand that bridges the two metal atoms, in a manner analogous to a possible binding mode for a phosphate ester substrate in the enzyme-substrate complex. The carboxylate side-chain of Asp145 and the neighboring Phe146 side-chain thus block the active site, thereby inactivating the enzyme. In the crystal structure of rHPAP(Pp), the enzyme "repression loop" has an open conformation similar to that observed in other mammalian PAP structures. The present structures demonstrate that the repression loop exhibits significant conformational flexibility, and the observed alternate binding mode suggests a possible inhibitory role for this loop.

New imidazole-coordinated chemotherapeutics with low epithelial toxicity.

The new imidazole-coordinated chemotherapeutics with low epithelial toxicity (NICE) presented in this article feature innovative drugs that combine epithelial toxicity comparable with that of carboplatin with novel carrier ligands optimized for DNA interaction. Recent identification of the pivotal role of basolateral organic cation transporters (OCTs) in cisplatin nephrotoxicity by a new model system (electrical resistance breakdown assay) facilitated the search for substances with a favorable organotoxic profile. The assay uses the high transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of the C7-clone of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and the exclusive basolateral expression of OCT2 in these cells. TEER and caspase-3 activity of MDCK-C7-cells grown on microfilter membranes were monitored in response to exposure of either the apical or basolateral plasma membrane to platinum complexes. The impact of complexes on cancer cell lines was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide tests. Effects of substituents on pharmacological properties of NICE were systematically investigated by introducing sterically demanding groups as well as electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups. Derivatives of NICE showed different renal epithelial toxic profiles and effects on cancer cells. NICE were significantly less toxic than cis- or oxaliplatin. The chlorine substituted NICE had no effect on epithelial integrity but markedly cytotoxic activity against amelanotic melanoma cells. Together, side effect targeted screening for new anticancer drugs with the electrical resistance breakdown assay offers an interesting approach for identifying and investigating new compounds. NICE feature the first group of platinum-based cytostatics discovered by using this system for systematic screening of new chemotherapeutics with low renal epithelial toxicity.

Structure-toxicity relationships for different types of dinuclear platinum complexes.

Nine structurally distinct dinuclear platinum complexes have been evaluated in a novel model system for the investigation of renal epithelial toxicity of platinum drugs. The results showed that these compounds are toxic when applied at the basolateral side of renal epithelia, whereas their toxic effects on the apical side are negligible. Such a difference in toxicity of the complexes has been found to result from their poor uptake through the apical membrane, as compared to the basolateral membrane. Toxicity of the compounds on the basolateral side varies depending on their structure. Structure-toxicity relationships for the group of complexes with rigid ligands and for the group of complexes with flexible ligands are discussed. Among the dinuclear complexes with rigid ligands, sterically hindered complexes are less toxic, due to their poor uptake and low reactivity towards glutathione. Within the group of complexes with flexible ligands, cis-configured isomers are more toxic than their trans-counterparts.

[Ni(2)(ppepO)(C(6)H(5)COO)(2)(CH(3)COOH)]ClO(4).C(4)H(10)O: Synthesis and Characterization of an Asymmetric Dinuclear Nickel(II) Complex Showing Unusual Coordination Behavior with Relevance to the Active Site of Urease.

The synthesis of the novel asymmetric ligand 1-[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]-3-[2-(2-pyridyl)ethoxy]-2-hydroxypropane (ppepOH) is reported. The ligand is suitable to form asymmetric dinuclear complexes with various transition metal ions. As an example, the synthesis and X-ray structure analysis of the dinickel(II) complex [Ni(2)(ppepO)(C(6)H(5)COO)(2)(CH(3)COOH)]ClO(4).C(4)H(10)O are described. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with the following unit cell parameters: a = 13.704(10) Å, b = 14.849(10) Å, c = 22.697(14) Å, beta = 96.80(5) degrees, Z = 4. The nickel(II) ions are bridged by the alkoxy donor of the ligand and two benzoate anions. The hexadentate ligand leaves a free coordination site at one of the nickel(II) ions, which is occupied by a monodentate coordinated acetic acid molecule. The coordination of the neutral acetic acid molecule is selectively stabilized by a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond of the acidic proton to the &mgr;-alkoxo bridge of the dinuclear complex. The asymmetric complex was prepared in order to mimic the substrate uptake in the dinuclear active site of ureases. The magnetic and spectroscopic properties of the complex were determined and related to those of the urease enzymes.

Dinuclear Nickel(II) Complexes as Models for the Active Site of Urease.

Dinuclear nickel(II) complexes of the ligands 2,6-bis[bis((2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amino)methyl]-p-cresol (bbapOH), N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-2-hydroxy-1,3-diaminopropane (tbpOH), N-methyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-2-hydroxy-1,3-diaminopropane (m-tbpOH) and 1-[N,N-bis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amino]-3-[2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethoxy]-2-hydroxypropane (bpepOH) were prepared in order to model the active site of urease. The novel asymmetric structures of the dinuclear complexes were characterized by X-ray structure analysis. The complex [Ni(2)(bbapO)(ClO(4))(H(2)O)(MeOH)](ClO(4))(2).Et(2)O, 1, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, with a = 10.258(2) Å, b = 19.876(3) Å, c = 25.592(4) Å, and beta = 97.12(2) degrees. The nickel ions in 1 are bridged by the phenoxy donor of the ligand and a perchlorate anion. The complexes [Ni(2)(tbpO)(MeCOO)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2).H(2)O.Et(2)O, 2, [Ni(2)(m-tbpO)(PhCOO)(EtOH)(2)](ClO(4))(2).EtOH, 3, and [Ni(2)(bpepO)(MeCOO)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2).H(2)O.Et(2)O.2EtOH, 4, also crystallize in the monoclinic crystal system with the following unit cell parameters: 2, C2/c, a = 35.360(13) Å, b = 10.958(3) Å, c = 24.821(10) Å, beta = 103.55(3) degrees; 3, Cc, a = 14.663(5) Å, b = 32.630(13) Å, c = 9.839(3) Å, beta = 92.49(2) degrees; 4, C2/c, a = 27.689(13) Å, b = 12.187(5) Å, c = 31.513(14) Å, beta = 115.01(3) degrees. The dinuclear centers of all these complexes are bridged by the alkoxy donor of the ligand and a carboxylate function. Compounds 2 and 3 have one of the nickel ions in a five-coordinated, trigonal bipyramidal coordination environment and thus show a high structural similarity to the dinuclear active site of urease from Klebsiella aerogenes. Furthermore, their magnetic and spectroscopic properties were determined and related to those of the urease enzymes. Activity toward hydrolysis of test substrates (4-nitrophenyl)urea, 4-nitroacetanilide, 4-nitrophenyl phosphate or bis(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate by the dinuclear complexes were examined by UV spectroscopic measurements.

Structural and Functional Models for the Dinuclear Copper Active Site in Catechol Oxidases: Syntheses, X-ray Crystal Structures, Magnetic and Spectral Properties, and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopic Studies in Solid State and in Solution.

Two novel tridentate dinucleating ligands containing benzimidazole were prepared, 1,3-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)-2-propanol (Hbbp, 1) and 1,5-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)-3-pentanol (Hbbpen, 2). Their complexing properties toward copper were studied in order to obtain structural and functional models for catechol oxidases. Syntheses and crystal structures of dinuclear Cu(II) complexes derived from these ligands are reported. [Cu(2)bbp(2)](ClO(4))(2).2MeOH, 3, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P&onemacr; with the following unit cell parameters: a = 7.702(3) Å, b = 10.973(6) Å, c = 12.396(6) Å, alpha = 100.59(4) degrees, beta = 99.02(4) degrees, gamma = 98.90(4) degrees, V = 998.7(8) Å(3), and Z = 1. [Cu(2)bbpen(2)](ClO(4))(2).3MeOH, 4, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pccn, with the following unit cell parameters: a = 17.478(9) Å, b = 18.795(8) Å, c = 13.888(6) Å, V = 4562.2(4) Å(3), and Z = 4. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature ranges 4.6-459 K (3) and 4.6-425 K (4) indicate an antiferromagnetic coupling between the Cu(II) centers of both complexes. In order to determine the structures of the complexes in solution, XAS spectra (EXAFS and XANES) were recorded in the solid state and in solution. The interpretation of these data, including multiple scattering calculations, together with UV-vis titrations, shows that the complexes have the same structure in the crystalline state as well as in methanolic solution. Complex 4 is able to oxidize 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (3,5-DTBC) to the quinone (catecholase activity). This reaction was also studied by XAS and UV-vis spectroscopy. These measurements reveal the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) accompanied by a decrease of the coordination number.

Synthesis, Properties, and Crystal Structures of Benzene-1,2-dithiolato Complexes of Thallium(I) and -(III).

The syntheses, molecular structures and properties of homoleptic 1,2-S(2)C(6)H(4) complexes of thallium(I) and thallium(III) with four-coordinated metal centers are described. Anaerobic treatment of TlCl, TlNO(3), or Tl(2)CO(3) with solutions of sodium methanolate and 1,2-(HS)(2)C(6)H(4) in methanol gave after metathesis with [NEt(4)]Br yellow solutions of [NEt(4)](2)[{Tl(1,2-(&mgr;-S)(2)C(6)H(4))}(2)] ([NEt(4)](2)1). Yellow single crystals were obtained from saturated acetone solutions at -10 degrees C and the crystal data for [NEt(4)](2)1 are monoclinic, P2(1)/c, with Z = 2, a = 7.440(1) Å, b = 16.373(3) Å, c = 13.201(2) Å, and beta = 97.08(1) degrees. Complex 1(2)(-)(), the first structurally characterized homoleptic ionic thiolate complex of thallium(I), contains rectangular bipyramidal [TlS(4)Tl] cages with the four sulfur atoms defining the equatorial plane and the two thallium atoms in axial positions. The S(2)C(6)H(4) fragments are almost coplanar with the S(4) plane. In the crystal lattice, nearly linear Tl.Tl chains align along the a-axis (offset ca. 3.0 degrees ) with the ligand planes parallel to the bc-plane. Within and between dimers short Tl.Tl distances are observed (Tl.Tl' within a dimeric unit, 3.5116(4) Å; Tl.Tl between dimeric units, 3.9371(3) Å) with the distance between dimeric units being the shortest contact between anions-Tl.S distances between dimeric units are longer than 5.8 Å. Aerobic treatment of TlCl, TlNO(3), or Tl(2)CO(3) with solutions of sodium methanolate and 1,2-(HS)(2)C(6)H(4) in methanol and metathesis with [NEt(4)]Br led to [NEt(4)][Tl(1,2-S(2)C(6)H(4))(2)] ([NEt(4)]2). Yellow single crystals were obtained from saturated acetone solutions at 0 degrees C and the crystal data for [NEt(4)]2 are orthorhombic, Pnn2, with Z = 2, a = 11.449(2) Å, b = 10.060(2) Å, c = 9.950(2) Å. Complex 2(-) is the first homoleptic four-coordinate thiolate of thallium(III) and contains the unusually short Tl-S distance of 2.469(4) Å. In solution, ion pairing results in chemical and magnetic inequivalence of the S(2)C(6)H(4) ligands. Although both preparations employ the reaction of thallium(I) salts with 1,2-(NaS)(2)C(6)H(4) in a 1:2 stoichiometry, complex 1(2)(-) is probably not an intermediate to the formation of 2(-). Exposing anaerobically prepared solutions of 1(2)(-) to air results in a series of color changes in the solution over a 20 min period; however, 2(-) could not be observed by NMR spectroscopy.

Comparative modeling of the latent form of a plant catechol oxidase using a molluskan hemocyanin structure.

The structure of the precursor form of catechol oxidase from sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) has been modeled on the basis of the 3D structural data of mature catechol oxidase [Nat. Struct. Biol. 5 (1998) 1084] and of hemocyanin from giant octopus (Octopus dofleini) [J. Mol. Biol. 278 (1998) 855]. A C-terminal extension peptide is found in the cDNA sequence but not in the purified, mature form of catechol oxidase. Superimposition of the 3D structures of the native hemocyanin and catechol oxidase reveals a close relationship except for an additional C-terminal domain only found in the hemocyanin structure. As sequence alignment shows good homology this domain of the hemocyanin structure was used as a template to model the 3D structure of the C-terminal extension peptide of catechol oxidase. As hemocyanins show no or only weak catecholase activity due to this domain this indicates an inhibitory function of this extension peptide. Beside this possible shielding function for the precursor form, evidence for a function in copper-uptake also increases due to the location of three histidine residues in the model.

Boron-Sulfur and Boron-Selenium Compounds-From Unique Molecular Structural Principles to Novel Polymeric Materials.

An immensely broad scope of structural motifs is covered by the intriguing chemistry of boron-sulfur and boron-selenium compounds. Characteristic structural features of the binary boron sulfides can be applied to understand and rationalize the three-dimensional atomic arrangement in macromolecular anionic frameworks such as that of Li6+2x [B10 S18 ]Sx (x≈2, shown in the picture; ○: S, •: B, ○: Li). Of interest are also the ion dynamics of lithium thioborates and a persubstituted B12 icosahedron that was prepared by high-temperature synthesis and features a characteristic planar B3 Se2 ring at the chelating ligand.

Transition Metal Complexes with the Proton Sponge 4,9-Dichloroquino[7,8-h]quinoline: Highly Twisted Aromatic Systems and an Extreme "Out-of-Plane" Position of the Coordinated Transition Metal Atom.

An extremely high thermal and chemical stability as well as a unique "out-of-plane" position of the metal atom is shown by the first stable transition metal complexes formed with the proton sponge 1 as the ligand. The properties of these complexes await wide application in catalysis and medicine.

Purification and spectroscopic studies on catechol oxidase from lemon balm (Melissa officinalis).

A catechol oxidase from lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) moCO which only catalyzes the oxidation of catechols to quinones without hydroxylating tyrosine was purified. The molecular mass of the M. officinalis enzyme of 39,370 Da was obtained by MALDI mass spectrometry and the isoelectric point was determined to be 3.4. Addition of 2 eq. H(2)O(2) to the enzyme leads to oxy catechol oxidase. In the UV/Vis spectrum two new absorption bands occur at 343 nm (ε=8510 M(-1)cm(-1)) and 580 nm (ε=580 M(-1)cm(-1)) due to O(2)(2-)Cu (II) charge transfer transitions in accordance with the oxy forms of other type 3 copper proteins. The N-terminal sequence has been determined by Edman degradation to NPVQAPELDKCGTAT, exhibiting a proline at the second and sixth position conserved in other polyphenol oxidases.

Reevaluation of the kinetics of polynuclear mimics for manganese catalases.

Considerable effort has been expended in order to understand the mechanism of manganese catalases and to develop functional mimics for these enzymes. For many years, the most efficient reactivity mimic was [MnIVsalpn(mu-O)]2 [H2salpn = 1,3-bis(salicylideneiminato)propane], a compound that cycles between the MnIV2 and MnIII2 oxidation levels instead of the MnII2 and MnIII2 oxidation states used by the enzyme, with kcat = 250 s(-1) and kcat/KM = 1000 M(-1) s(-1). Recently, a truly exceptional high value of kcat was reported for the complex [Mn(bpia)(mu-OAc)]22+ [bpia = bis(picolyl)(N-methylimidazol-2-yl)amine]. On the basis of a calculated kcat value of 1100 s(-1) and an efficiency kcat/KM of 34 000 M(-1) s(-1), this complex has been suggested to represent a significant breakthrough in catalytic efficiencies of manganese catalase mimics. However, a plot of ri/[cat]T vs [H2O2]0, where the saturation value approaches 1.5 s(-1), is inconsistent with the 1100 s(-1) value tabulated for kcat. Similar discrepancies are observed for two other families of manganese complexes containing either a Mn2(mu-OPh)22+ core and different substituted tripodal ligands or complexes of methyl and ethyl salicylimidate, with an Mn2(mu-OPh)24+ core. Reevaluation of the kinetic parameters for these three systems reveals that the originally reported values were overestimated by a factor of approximately 1000 for both kcat and kcat/KM. We discuss the origin of the discrepancy between the previously published kinetic parameters and the newly derived values. Furthermore, we provide a short analysis of the existing manganese catalase mimics in an effort to provide sound directions for future investigations in this field.