Experience-dependent regulation of CaMKII activity within single visual cortex synapses in vivo.

Unbalanced visual input during development induces persistent alterations in the function and structure of visual cortical neurons. The molecular mechanisms that drive activity-dependent changes await direct visualization of underlying signals at individual synapses in vivo. By using a genetically engineered Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) probe for the detection of CaMKII activity, and two-photon imaging of single synapses within identified functional domains, we have revealed unexpected and differential mechanisms in specific subsets of synapses in vivo. Brief monocular deprivation leads to activation of CaMKII in most synapses of layer 2/3 pyramidal cells within deprived eye domains, despite reduced visual drive, but not in nondeprived eye domains. Synapses that are eliminated in deprived eye domains have low basal CaMKII activity, implying a protective role for activated CaMKII against synapse elimination.

Roles of neuronal activity-induced gene products in Hebbian and homeostatic synaptic plasticity, tagging, and capture.

The efficiency of synaptic transmission undergoes plastic modification in response to changes in input activity. This phenomenon is most commonly referred to as synaptic plasticity and can involve different cellular mechanisms over time. In the short term, typically in the order of minutes to 1 h, synaptic plasticity is mediated by the actions of locally existing proteins. In the longer term, the synthesis of new proteins from existing or newly synthesized mRNAs is required to maintain the changes in synaptic transmission. Many studies have attempted to identify genes induced by neuronal activity and to elucidate the functions of the encoded proteins. In this chapter, we describe our current understanding of how activity can regulate the synthesis of new proteins, how the distribution of the newly synthesized protein is regulated in relation to the synapses undergoing plasticity and the function of these proteins in both Hebbian and homeostatic synaptic plasticity.

Layered transition metal carboxylates: efficient reusable heterogeneous catalyst for epoxidation of olefins.

Layered metal carboxylates [M(malonato)(H(2)O)(2)](n) (M = Ni(II) and Mn(II)) that have a claylike structure have been synthesized hydrothermally and characterized. The interlayer separation in these layered carboxylates is comparable to that of the intercalation distance of the naturally occurring clay materials or layered double hydroxides (LDHs). In this study, we have demonstrated that, instead of intercalating the metal complex into layers of the clay or LDH, layered transition metal carboxylates, [M(malonato)(H(2)O)(2)](n), as such can be used as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst in olefin epoxidation reaction. Metal carboxylates [M(malonato)(H(2)O)(2)](n) exhibit excellent catalytic performance in olefin epoxidation reaction.

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of mononuclear copper(I) nitrosyl complexes: end-on versus side-on coordination of NO to copper(I).

Two crystal structures of the mononuclear copper(I)-nitrosyl complexes [Cu(L3)(NO)] (1) and [Cu(L3')(NO)](ClO4) (2) with the related coligands L3- (hydrotris(3-tert-butyl-5-isopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate) and L3' (tris(3-tert-butyl-5-isopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane) are presented. These compounds are then investigated in detail using a variety of spectroscopic methods. Vibrational spectra show nu(N-O) at 1698 cm(-1) and nu(Cu-NO) split at 365/338 cm(-1) for 1, which translates to force constants of 12.53 (N-O) and 1.31 mdyn/A (Cu-NO), respectively. The weak Cu-NO force constant is in agreement with the observed instability of the Cu-NO bond. Interestingly, complex 2 with the neutral coligand L3' shows a stronger N-O bond, evident from nu(N-O) at 1742 cm(-1). This difference is attributed to a true second coordination sphere effect, where the covalency of the Cu(I)-NO bond is not altered. The EPR spectrum of 1 is in agreement with the Cu(I)-NO(radical) electronic structure of the complexes, as obtained from density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In addition, an interesting trend between g parallel(gz) and the Cu-N-O angle is established. Finally, high-quality MCD spectra of 1 are presented and assigned using TD-DFT calculations. Based on the in-depth spectroscopic characterization of end-on bound NO to copper(I) presented in this work, it is possible to determine the binding mode of the Cu-NO intermediate of Cu nitrite reductase studied by Scholes and co-workers (Usov, O. M.; Sun, Y.; Grigoryants, V. M.; Shapleigh, J. P.; Scholes, C. P., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 13102-13111) in solution as strongly bent (approximately 135 degrees) but likely not side-on.

Rapid and persistent modulation of actin dynamics regulates postsynaptic reorganization underlying bidirectional plasticity.

The synapse is a highly organized cellular specialization whose structure and composition are reorganized, both positively and negatively, depending on the strength of input signals. The mechanisms orchestrating these changes are not well understood. A plausible locus for the reorganization of synapse components and structure is actin, because it serves as both cytoskeleton and scaffold for synapses and exists in a dynamic equilibrium between F-actin and G-actin that is modulated bidirectionally by cellular signaling. Using a new FRET-based imaging technique to monitor F-actin/G-actin equilibrium, we show here that tetanic stimulation causes a rapid, persistent shift of actin equilibrium toward F-actin in the dendritic spines of rat hippocampal neurons. This enlarges the spines and increases postsynaptic binding capacity. In contrast, prolonged low-frequency stimulation shifts the equilibrium toward G-actin, resulting in a loss of postsynaptic actin and of structure. This bidirectional regulation of actin is actively involved in protein assembly and disassembly and provides a substrate for bidirectional synaptic plasticity.

Visualization of synaptic Ca2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activity in living neurons.

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is highly enriched in excitatory synapses in the CNS and critically involved in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. However, the precise temporal and spatial regulation of CaMKII activity in living cells has not been well described, because of a lack of specific methods. We tried to address this by optically detecting the conformational change in CaMKII during activation using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The engineered FRET probe Camuialpha detects calmodulin binding and autophosphorylation at threonine 286 that renders the enzyme constitutively active. In combination with two-photon microscopy, we demonstrate that Camuialpha can be used to observe temporal and spatial regulation of CaMKII activity in living neurons.

Sulfur K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy of homoleptic thiolato complexes with Zn(II) and Cd(II).

The sulfur K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy is applied to homoleptic thiolato complexes with Zn(II) and Cd(II), (Et(4)N)[Zn(SAd)(3)] (1), (Et(4)N)(2)[{Zn(ScHex)(2)}(2)(mu-ScHex)(2)] (2), (Et(4)N)(2)[{Cd(ScHex)(2)}(2)(mu-ScHex)(2)] (3), (Et(4)N)(2)[{Cd(ScHex)}(4)(mu-ScHex)(6)] (4), [Zn(mu-SAd)(2)](n) (5), and [Cd(mu-SAd)(2)](n) (6) (HSAd=1-adamantanethiol, HScHex=cyclohexanethiol). The EXAFS results are consistent with the X-ray crystal data of 1-4. The structures of 5 and 6, which have not been determined by X-ray crystallography, are proposed to be polynuclear structures on the basis of the sulfur K-edge EXAFS, far-IR spectra, and elemental analysis. Clear evidences of the S...S interactions (between bridging atoms or neighboring sulfur atoms) and the S...C(far) interactions (in which C(far) atom is next to carbon atom directly bonded to sulfur atom) were observed in the EXAFS data for all complexes and thus lead to the reliable determination of the structures of 5 and 6 in combination with conventional zinc K-edge EXAFS analysis for 5. This new methodology, sulfur K-edge EXAFS, could be applied for the structural determination of in vivo metalloproteins as well as inorganic compounds.

Preparation and gas separation properties of zeolite T membrane.

Zeolite T membranes were synthesized on tubular porous mullite tubes by hydrothermal synthesis. The membranes selectively permeated carbon dioxide from CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 mixtures with high separation performances, which were due to combined effects of molecular sieving and competitive adsorption.

Statistical image analysis of high-sensitivity neutron images obtained by cooled CCD systems.

Neutron sensitivity and noise characteristics of cooled CCD NR systems were investigated. Eighteen species of neutron sensitive scintillators were tested by the use of two types of cooled CCD devices. The statistical analysis of the S/N ratio of the neutron images showed that the ZnS+LiF type was the highest sensitivity scintillator. The generation rate of the CCD noises increased with increasing exposure time, temperature of the device and dose rate of the environmental radiation. The generation rate and the pulse height distribution of the noise were quite different between the two CCD devices. Thus, the origin of the noise is considered to be strongly related to the internal structure of the CCD devices.

Entrapment of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ in the anionic metal-organic framework: novel photoluminescence behavior exhibiting dual emission at room temperature.

[Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) ions were entrapped into the cavities of two-dimensional anionic sheet-like coordination polymeric networks of [M(dca)(3)](-) (dca = dicyanamide; M = Mn(II) and Fe(II)). The prepared compounds, {[Ru(bpy)(3)][Mn(dca)(3)](2)}(n) (1) and {[Ru(bpy)(3)][Fe(dca)(3)](2)}(n) (2), were structurally characterized by X-ray single crystal analysis. The spectroscopic properties of the [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) ion dramatically changed on its entrapment in [M(dca)(3)](-). The [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) moiety present in 1 and 2 exhibits novel dual photo-emission at room temperature.

Functional dynamics of Polo-like kinase 1 at the centrosome.

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) functions as a key regulator of mitotic events by phosphorylating substrate proteins on centrosomes, kinetochores, the mitotic spindle, and the midbody. Through mechanisms that are incompletely understood, Plk1 is released from and relocalizes to different mitotic structures as cells proceed through mitosis. We used fluorescence recovery after photobleaching to examine the kinetics of this process in more detail. We observed that Plk1 displayed a range of different recovery rates that differ at each mitotic substructure and depend on both the Polo-box domain and a functional kinase domain. Upon mitotic entry, centrosomal Plk1 becomes more dynamic, a process that is directly enhanced by Plk1 kinase activity. In contrast, Plk1 displays little dynamic exchange at the midbody, a process that again is modulated by the kinase activity of Plk1. Our findings suggest that the intrinsic kinase activity of Plk1 triggers its release from early mitotic structures and its relocalization to late mitotic structures. To assess the importance of Plk1 dynamic relocalization, Plk1 was persistently tethered to the centrosome. This resulted in a G(2) delay, followed by a prominent prometaphase arrest, as a consequence of defective spindle formation and activation of the spindle checkpoint. The dynamic release of Plk1 from early mitotic structures is thus crucial for mid- to late-stage mitotic events and demonstrates the importance of a fully dynamic Plk1 at the centrosome for proper cell cycle progression. This dependence on dynamic Plk1 was further observed during the mitotic reentry of cells after a DNA damage G(2) checkpoint, as this process was significantly delayed upon centrosomal tethering of Plk1. These results indicate that mitotic progression and control of mitotic reentry after DNA damage resides, at least in part, on the dynamic behavior of Plk1.

The role of CaMKII as an F-actin-bundling protein crucial for maintenance of dendritic spine structure.

Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a serine/threonine protein kinase critically involved in synaptic plasticity in the brain. It is highly concentrated in the postsynaptic density fraction, exceeding the amount of any other signal transduction molecules. Because kinase signaling can be amplified by catalytic reaction, why CaMKII exists in such a large quantity has been a mystery. Here, we provide biochemical evidence that CaMKII is capable of bundling F-actin through a stoichiometric interaction. Consistent with this evidence, in hippocampal neurons, RNAi-mediated down-regulation of CaMKII leads to a reduction in the volume of dendritic spine head that is mediated by F-actin dynamics. An overexpression of CaMKII slowed down the actin turnover in the spine head. This activity was associated with beta subunit of CaMKII in a manner requiring its actin-binding and association domains but not the kinase domain. This finding indicates that CaMKII serves as a central signaling molecule in both functional and structural changes during synaptic plasticity.

Mononuclear and binuclear copper(I) complexes ligated by bis(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane: insight into the fundamental coordination chemistry of three-coordinate copper(I) complexes with a neutral coligand.

By using the neutral bidentate nitrogen-containing ligand, bis(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane (L1' '), the copper(I) complexes [Cu(L1' ')2](CuCl2) (1CuCl2), [Cu(L1' ')2](ClO4) (1ClO4), [Cu(L1' ')]2(ClO4)2 (2ClO4), [Cu(L1' ')]2(BF4)2 (2BF4), [Cu(L1' ')(NCMe)](PF6) (3PF6), [Cu(L1' ')(PPh3)](ClO4) (4ClO4), [Cu(L1' ')(PPh3)](PF6) (4PF6), [{Cu(L1' ')(CO)}2(mu-ClO4)](ClO4) (5ClO4), and the copper(II) complexes [{Cu(L1' ')}2(mu-OH)2(mu-ClO4)2] (6), and [Cu(L1' ')Cl2] (7) were systematically synthesized and fully characterized by X-ray crystallography and by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. In the case of copper(II), ESR spectroscopy was also applied. In comparison with the related neutral tridentate ligand L1', bis-chelated copper(I) complexes and binuclear linear-coordinated copper(I) complexes are easy to obtain with L1' ', like 1CuCl2, 1ClO4, 2ClO4, and 2BF4. Importantly, stronger and bulkier ligands such as acetonitrile (3PF6) and especially triphenylphosphine (4ClO4 and 4PF6) generate three-coordinate structures with a trigonal-planar geometry. Surprisingly, for the smaller ligand carbon monoxide, a mononuclear three-coordinate structure is very unstable, leading to the formation of a binuclear complex (5ClO4) with one bridging perchlorate anion, such that the copper(I) centers are four-coordinate. The same tendency is observed for the copper(II) bis(mu-hydroxo) compounds 6, which is additionally bridged by two perchlorate anions. Both copper(II) complexes 6 and 7 were obtained by molecular O2 oxidation of the corresponding copper(I) complexes. A comparison of the new copper(I) triphenylphosphine complexes 4ClO4 and 4PF6 with corresponding species obtained with the related tridentate ligands L1' and L1 (8ClO4 and 9, respectively) reveals surprisingly small differences in their spectroscopic properties. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to shed light on the differences in bonding in these compounds and the spectral assignments. Finally, the reactivity of the different bis(pyrazolyl)methane complexes obtained here toward PPh3, CO, and O2 is discussed.

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of copper(II)-nitrito complexes with hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate and related coligands.

This study focuses on the geometric (molecular) structures, spectroscopic properties, and electronic structures of copper(II)-nitrito complexes as a function of second coordination sphere effects using a set of closely related coligands. With anionic hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands, one nitrite is bound to copper(II). Depending on the steric demand of the coligand, the coordination mode is either symmetric or asymmetric bidentate, which leads to different ground states of the resulting complexes as evident from EPR spectroscopy. The vibrational spectra of these compounds are assigned using isotope substitution and DFT calculations. The results demonstrate that nu sym(N-O) occurs at higher energy than nu asym(N-O), which is different from the literature assignments for related compounds. UV-vis absorption and MCD spectra are presented and analyzed with the help of TD-DFT calculations. The principal binding modes of nitrite to Cu(II) and Cu(I) are also investigated applying DFT. Using a neutral tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligand, two nitrite ligands are bound to copper. In this case, a very unusual binding mode is observed where one nitrite is eta1-O and the other one is eta1-N bound. This allows to study the properties of coordinated nitrite as a function of binding mode in one complex. The N-coordination mode is easily identified from vibrational spectroscopy, where N-bound nitrite shows a large shift of nu asym(N-O) to >1400 cm-1, which is a unique spectroscopic feature. The optical spectra of this compound exhibit an intense band around 300 nm, which might be attributable to a nitrite to Cu(II) CT transition. Finally, using a bidentate neutral bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligand, two eta1-O coordinated nitrite ligands are observed. The vibrational and optical (UV-vis and MCD) spectra of this compound are presented and analyzed.

Visualization of F-actin and G-actin equilibrium using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) in cultured cells and neurons in slices.

The plasticity of excitatory synapses has conventionally been studied from a functional perspective. Recent advances in neuronal imaging techniques have made it possible to study another aspect, the plasticity of the synaptic structure. This takes place at the dendritic spines, where most excitatory synapses are located. Actin is the most abundant cytoskeletal component in dendritic spines, and thus the most plausible site of regulation. The mechanism by which actin is regulated has not been characterized because of the lack of a specific method for detection of the polymerization status of actin in such a small subcellular structure. Here we describe an optical approach that allows us to monitor F-actin and G-actin equilibrium in living cells through the use of two-photon microscopy to observe fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between actin monomers. Our protocol provides the first direct method for looking at the dynamic equilibrium between F-actin and G-actin in intact cells.

Structural and electronic differences of copper(I) complexes with tris(pyrazolyl)methane and hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands.

Copper(I) complexes with tripodal nitrogen-containing neutral ligands such as tris(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane (L1') and tris(3-tertiary-butyl-5-isopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane (L3'), and with corresponding anionic ligands such as hydrotris(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate (L1-) and hydrotris(3-tertiary-butyl-5-isopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate (L3-) were synthesized and structurally characterized. Copper(I) complexes [Cu(L1')Cl] (1), [Cu(L1')(OClO3)] (2), [Cu(L1')(NCMe)](PF6) (3a), [Cu(L1')(NCMe)](ClO4) (3b), [Cu(L1')(CO)](PF6) (4a), and [Cu(L1')(CO)](ClO4) (4b) were prepared using the ligand L1'. Copper(I) complexes [Cu(L3')Cl] (5) and [Cu(L3')(NCMe)](PF6) (6) with the ligand L3' were also synthesized. Copper(I) complexes [Cu(L1)(NCMe)] (7) and [Cu(L1)(CO)] (8) were prepared using the anionic ligand L1-. Finally, copper(I) complexes with anionic ligand L3- and acetonitrile (9) and carbon monoxide (10) were synthesized. The complexes obtained were fully characterized by IR, far-IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The structures of both ligands, L1' and L3', and of complexes 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5, 6, 7, and 10 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The effects of the differences in (a) the fourth ligand and the counteranion, (b) the steric hindrance at the third position of the pyrazolyl rings, and most importantly, (c) the charge of the N3 type ligands, on the structures, spectroscopic properties, and reactivities of the copper(I) complexes are discussed. The observed differences in the reactivities toward O2 of the copper(I) acetonitrile complexes are traced back to differences in the oxidation potentials determined by cyclic voltammetry. A special focus is set on the carbonyl complexes, where the 13C NMR and vibrational data are presented. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to shed light on the differences in CO bonding in the compounds with neutral and anionic N3 ligands. In correlation with the vibrational and electrochemical data of these complexes, it is demonstrated that the C-O stretching vibration is a sensitive probe for the "electron richness" of copper(I) in these compounds.

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of first-row transition metal(II) substituted blue copper model complexes with hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate.

[CuL(SC(6)F(5))] (1) (L = hydrotris(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate anion) has been reported as a good model for blue copper proteins [Kitajima, N.; Fujisawa, K.; Tanaka, M.; Moro-oka, Y. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 9232-9233]. To obtain more structural and spectroscopic insight, the first-row transition metal(II) substituted complexes of Cu(II) (1) to Mn(II) (2), Fe(II) (3), Co(II) (4), Ni(II) (5), and Zn(II) (6) were synthesized and their crystal structures were determined. These model complexes have a distorted tetrahedral geometry arising from the tripodal ligand L. The d value, which is defined by the distance from the N(2)S basal plane to the metal(II) ion, and the bond angles such as N-M-N and S-M-N are good indicators of these structural distortions. The obtained complexes were characterized by UV-vis absorption, EPR, NMR, far-IR, and FT-Raman spectroscopies and electrochemical and magnetic properties. In UV-vis absorption spectra, the sulfur-to-metal(II) CT bands and the d-d transition bands are observed for 1 and 3-5. For 1, the strong sulfur to Cu(II) CT band at 663 nm, which is one of the unique properties of blue copper proteins, is observed. The CT energies of the Fe(II) (3), Co(II) (4), and Ni(II) (5) complexes are shifted to higher energy (308 and 355 nm for 3, 311 and 340 nm for 4, 357 and 434 nm for 5) and are almost the same as the corresponding Co(II)- and Ni(II)-substituted blue copper proteins. In the far-IR spectra, three far-IR absorption bands for 2-6 at ca. 400, ca. 350, and ca. 310 cm(-1) are also observed similar to those for 1. Other properties are consistent with their distorted tetrahedral geometries.

QZ1 and QZ2: rapid, reversible quinoline-derivatized fluoresceins for sensing biological Zn(II).

QZ1, 2-[2-chloro-6-hydroxy-3-oxo-5-(quinolin-8-ylaminomethyl)-3H-xanthen-9-yl]benzoic acid, and QZ2, 2-[6-hydroxy-3-oxo-4,5-bis-(quinolin-8-ylaminomethyl)-3H-xanthen-9-yl]benzoic acid, two fluorescein-based dyes derivatized with 8-aminoquinoline, have been prepared and their photophysical, thermodynamic, and zinc-binding kinetic properties determined. Because of their low background fluorescence and highly emissive Zn(II) complexes, QZ1 and QZ2 have a large dynamic range, with approximately 42- and approximately 150-fold fluorescence enhancements upon Zn(II) coordination, respectively. These dyes have micromolar K(d) values for Zn(II) and are selective for Zn(II) over biologically relevant concentrations of the alkali and alkaline earth metals. The Zn(II) complexes also fluoresce brightly in the presence of excess Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II), offering improved specificity for Zn(II) over di(2-picolyl)amine-based Zn(II) sensors. Stopped-flow kinetic investigations indicate that QZ1 and QZ2 bind Zn(II) with k(on) values of (3-4) x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1), compared to (6-8) x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) for select ZP (Zinpyr) dyes, at 4.3 degrees C. Dissociation of Zn(II) from QZ1 and QZ2 occurs with k(off) values of 150 and 160 s(-1), over 5 orders of magnitude larger than those for ZP probes, achieving reversibility on the biological (millisecond) time scale. Laser scanning confocal and two-photon microscopy studies reveal that QZ2 is cell-permeable and Zn(II)-responsive in vivo. Because of its weaker affinity for Zn(II), QZ2 responds to higher concentrations of intracellular Zn(II) than members of the ZP family, illustrating that binding affinity is an important parameter for Zn(II) detection in vivo.

Dichlorooxo(quinoline-8-thiolato-kappa2N,S)(triphenylphosphine oxide-kappaO)rhenium(V) acetone solvate.

The complex molecule in the title compound, [Re(C(9)H(6)NS)Cl(2)O(C(18)H(15)OP)].C(3)H(6)O, has distorted octahedral geometry. The Re=O bond occupies the position trans to the triphenylphosphine oxide O atom. The Re-Cl bond trans to the thiolate S atom is longer than that trans to the quinoline N atom, implying a stronger trans influence of the S atom. Intra- and intermolecular pi-pi interactions are also observed between the pi rings in the complex.