The impact of dihydrogen phosphate anions on the excited-state proton transfer of harmane. Effect of ß-cyclodextrin on these photoreactions.

Photoinduced proton transfer reactions of harmane (1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole) (HAR) in the presence of a proton donor/acceptor such as dihydrogen phosphate anions in aqueous solution have been studied by stationary and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The presence of high amounts of dihydrogen phosphate ions modifies the acid/base properties of this alkaloid. Thus, by keeping the pH constant at pH 8.8 and by increasing the amount of NaH(2)PO(4) in the solution, it is possible to reproduce the same spectral profiles as those obtained in high alkaline solutions (pH >12) in the absence of NaH(2)PO(4). Under these conditions, a new fluorescence profile appears at around 520 nm. This result could be related to the results of a recent investigation which suggests that a high intake of phosphates may promote skin tumorigenesis. The presence of ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) avoids the proton transfer reactions in this alkaloid by means the formation of an inclusion complex between ß-CD and HAR. The formation of this complex originates a remarkable enhancement of the emission intensity from the neutral form in contrast to the cationic and zwitterionic forms. A new lifetime was obtained at 360 nm (2.5 ns), which was associated with the emission of this inclusion complex. At this wavelength, the fluorescence intensity decay of HAR can be described by a linear combination of two exponentials. From the ratio between the pre-exponential factors, we have obtained a value of K = 501 M for the equilibrium of formation of this complex.

On the connection between the complexation and aggregation thermodynamics of oxyethylene nonionic surfactants.

Density and sound velocity data for aqueous solutions containing nonionic surfactants of the homologue series of polyoxyethylene(n) nonyl phenyl ethers (NPEn, n = 5 and 40) were analyzed in the absence and presence of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) at 298 K. Thus, the critical micelle concentration of the surfactants and their apparent and partial molar volumes and compressibilities were measured. From a pseudophase separation model, the partial molar volumes and compressibilities of both pure surfactants in the micelle state and those of NPE40 in the monomer phase have been determined directly. For the ternary systems, increases of the molar volumes and compressibilities of NPE5 and NPE40 at infinite dilution and shifts of the cmc were observed compared to the binary systems. Luminescent measurements of the complexation process between NPE40 and beta-CD showed 1:1 + 1:2 (NPEn/2 beta-CD) stoichiometries for the complexes, with thermodynamic equilibrium constants that were in good agreement with previous results for NPE5 in the presence of beta-CD. This resemblance allowed us to use these results to indirectly determine the molar partial properties of NPE5 in the monomer state and understand the changes in the thermodynamic properties of NPE5 due to aggregation. From the aggregation and complexation data, a folding of the surfactants at the monomer state, in which the hydrophobic moieties of NPEn are surrounded by the EO chain, has been found. The oxyethylene group contributions at the monomer and micelle state of the NPEn homologue series have been estimated. The values of the transfer thermodynamic properties of both surfactants and beta-CD at infinite dilution conditions have been discussed in terms of a new extended model, in which the balance between the released water from the cavities of two beta-CDs and the different hydrophobic moieties of the surfactant that enter the macrocycle was considered.

Complexation and chiral drug recognition of an amphiphilic phenothiazine derivative with beta-cyclodextrin.

Promethazine hydrochloride (PTZ) is an amphiphilic drug derived from the phenothiazine structure that possesses a charged aliphatic chain with a chiral carbon. In the presence of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD), this drug undergoes significant changes of its photophysical properties in aqueous solution. Fluorescence spectroscopy measurements show the formation of a 1:1 stoichiometry complex with quantum yield lower than that of the pure PTZ, and two fluorescence lifetimes, which can be assigned to the free and complexed forms of the drug. In addition, (1)H NMR spectra, and 2D rotating-frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (ROESY) were used to characterize the drug and the complex, and to determine the effects of the complexation on the aggregation. For the drug binary system, a noncooperative association process is observed, and in the presence of macrocycle, the chemical shifts reveal a chiral resolution of the drug enantiomers, with different stability constants of the complexes. beta-CD modifies the aggregation of PTZ in an extension that confirms the formation of a 1:1 complex. ROE enhancements and molecular modeling strategies show the most likely structure of the complex in solution, in which one of the phenyl rings is buried into the CD cavity, with a slight inclusion of the aliphatic part.

Supramolecular zippers elicit interbilayer adhesion of membranes producing cell death.

BACKGROUND: The fluorescent dye 10-N-nonyl acridine orange (NAO) is widely used as a mitochondrial marker. NAO was reported to have cytotoxic effects in cultured eukaryotic cells when incubated at high concentrations. Although the biochemical response of NAO-induced toxicity has been well identified, the underlying molecular mechanism has not yet been explored in detail. METHODS: We use optical techniques, including fluorescence confocal microscopy and lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) both in model membranes built up as giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and cultured cells. These experiments are complemented with computational studies to unravel the molecular mechanism that makes NAO cytotoxic. RESULTS: We have obtained direct evidence that NAO promotes strong membrane adhesion of negatively charged vesicles. The attractive forces are derived from van der Waals interactions between anti-parallel H-dimers of NAO molecules from opposing bilayers. Semi-empirical calculations have confirmed the supramolecular scenario by which anti-parallel NAO molecules form a zipper of bonds at the contact region. The membrane remodeling effect of NAO, as well as the formation of H-dimers, was also confirmed in cultured fibroblasts, as shown by the ultrastructure alteration of the mitochondrial cristae. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that membrane adhesion induced by NAO stacking accounts for the supramolecular basis of its cytotoxicity. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mitochondria are a potential target for cancer and gene therapies. The alteration of the mitochondrial structure by membrane remodeling agents able to form supramolecular assemblies via adhesion properties could be envisaged as a new therapeutic strategy.

Study of the interaction between a nonyl phenyl ether and beta-cyclodextrin: declouding nonionic surfactant solutions by complexation.

Absorption and fluorescence measurements for aqueous solutions at 298 K containing pentaoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether (NPE5), in the absence and presence of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD), were analyzed to determine the effect of the complexation on the aggregation of the surfactant. For the binary system, the appearance of a new emission band and the presence of an isoemissive point in the emission spectra at the time and frequency domains indicate the formation of an excimer within the micellar core. The addition of beta-CD induces the formation of an inclusion complex strong enough to break the aggregates and avoid the excimer formation. For the ternary system, the increase in fluorescence has been used to assess the binding constants of 1:1 + 2:1 stoichiometries. Static light scattering, 1H NMR diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY), and two-dimensional rotating-frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (ROESY) experiments were used to characterize the cloud point of NPE5 at 298 K, and to ascertain the effects of complexation on the clouding process. In the presence of beta-CD, the analysis of the 1H NMR spectra and the self-diffusion coefficients reveal the existence of interactions between the beta-CD and the aggregates that increase the cloud-point concentration more than expected. Under conditions of excess of beta-CD, ROE enhancements point to a complex of dominant 2:1 stoichiometry (beta-CD:NPE5) in which the hydrophobic moiety of the surfactant threads two beta-CDs.

Inclusion complexes between beta-cyclodextrin and a Gemini surfactant in aqueous solution: an NMR study.

(1)H NMR spectra, diffusion-ordered NMR (DOSY), and 2D rotating-frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (ROESY) experiments for aqueous solutions at 298 K containing the gemini surfactant, bis (dodecyl dimethylammonium)diethyl ether dibromide (12-EO(1)-12), in the absence and presence of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) were used to characterize the surfactant and to determine the effects of the complexation in the micellization. For the binary system, the critical micelle concentration (cmc), the aggregation number, the stepwise micellization constant, and the size of the monomer have been obtained by studying the dependence of the chemical shifts and the self-diffusion coefficients with the concentration of surfactant. For the ternary system, the analysis of the (1)H NMR spectra and the self-diffusion coefficients reveal the formation of complexes of 1:1 and 2:1 stoichiometry (beta-CD:gemini), with a calculated stability constant for the second binding step higher than that of the first. The values of the hydrodynamic radii of the complexes were obtained from the calculated diffusion coefficients. The presence of beta-CD modifies the cmc in an extension that indicates mainly the formation of a 2:1 complex. The analysis of the chemical shifts of the surfactant indicates the nonparticipation of the complexes into the micelles. ROE enhancements depend substantially on the amount of the macrocycle added and therefore on the stoichiometry; at low concentrations of beta-CD, one of the hydrocarbon chains binds favorably with the cavity whereas the other interacts with the outer face. By contrast, at higher concentrations of beta-CD, the two hydrocarbon tails are included in two different macrocycles.