Evaluation of Shear Horizontal Surface Acoustic Wave Biosensors Using "Layer Parameter" Obtained from Sensor Responses during Immunoreaction.

Shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) biosensors measure the reaction of capture antibodies immobilized on the sensing surface to capture test molecules (antigens) by using the change in SH-SAW propagation characteristics. SH-SAW displacement exists not only on the SH-SAW propagating surface, but also partially penetrates the specimen liquid to a certain depth, which is determined by the liquid properties of the specimen and the operating frequency of the SH-SAW. This phenomenon is called viscosity penetration. In previous studies, the effect of viscosity penetration was not considered in the measurement of SH-SAW biosensors, and the mass or viscosity change caused by the specific binding of capture antibodies to the target antigen was mainly used for the measurement. However, by considering the effect of viscosity penetration, it was found that the antigen-antibody reaction could be measured and the detection characteristics of the biosensor could be improved. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the detection properties of SH-SAW biosensors in the surface height direction by investigating the relationship between molecular dimensions and SH-SAW propagation characteristics, which are pseudo-changed by varying the diameter of gold nanoparticles. For the evaluation, we introduced a layer parameter defined by the ratio of the SH-SAW amplitude change to the SH-SAW velocity change caused by the antigen-antibody reaction. We found a correlation between the layer parameter and pseudo-varied molecular dimensions. The results suggest that SH-SAW does not only measure the mass and viscosity but can also measure the size of the molecule to be detected. This shows that SH-SAW biosensors can be used for advanced functionality.

Detection and Removal of Endogenous Carbon Monoxide by Selective and Cell-Permeable Hemoprotein Model Complexes.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced in mammalian cells during heme metabolism and serves as an important signaling messenger. Here we report the bioactive properties of selective CO scavengers, hemoCD1 and its derivative R8-hemoCD1, which have the ability to detect and remove endogenous CO in cells. HemoCD1 is a supramolecular hemoprotein-model complex composed of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(II) and a per-O-methylated ß-cyclodextrin dimer having an pyridine linker. We demonstrate that hemoCD1 can be used effectively to quantify endogenous CO in cell lysates by a simple spectrophotometric method. The hemoCD1 assay detected ca. 260 pmol of CO in 106 hepatocytes, which was well-correlated with the amount of intracellular bilirubin, the final breakdown product of heme metabolism. We then covalently attached an octaarginine peptide to a maleimide-appended hemoCD1 to synthesize R8-hemoCD1, a cell-permeable CO scavenger. Indeed, R8-hemoCD1 was taken up by intact cells and captured intracellular CO with high efficiency. Moreover, we revealed that removal of endogenous CO by R8-hemoCD1 in cultured macrophages led to a significant increase (ca. 2.5-fold) in reactive oxygen species production and exacerbation of inflammation after challenge with lipopolysaccharide. Thus, R8-hemoCD1 represents a powerful expedient for exploring specific and still unidentified biological functions of CO in cells.

Feedback Response to Selective Depletion of Endogenous Carbon Monoxide in the Blood.

The physiological roles of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) have not been fully understood because of the difficulty in preparing a loss-of-function phenotype of this molecule. Here, we have utilized in vivo CO receptors, hemoCDs, which are the supramolecular 1:1 inclusion complexes of meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(II) with per-O-methylated ß-cyclodextrin dimers. Three types of hemoCDs (hemoCD1, hemoCD2, and hemoCD3) that exhibit different CO-affinities have been tested as CO-depleting agents in vivo. Intraperitoneally administered hemoCD bound endogenous CO within the murine circulation, and was excreted in the urine along with CO in an affinity-dependent manner. The sufficient administration of hemoCD that has higher CO-affinity than hemoglobin (Hb) produced a pseudoknockdown state of CO in the mouse in which heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was markedly induced in the liver, causing the acceleration of endogenous CO production to maintain constant CO-Hb levels in the blood. The contents of free hemin and bilirubin in the blood plasma of the treated mice significantly increased upon removal of endogenous CO by hemoCD. Thus, a homeostatic feedback model for the CO/HO-1 system was proposed as follows: HemoCD primarily removes CO from cell-free CO-Hb. The resulting oxy-Hb is quickly oxidized to met-Hb by oxidant(s) such as hydrogen peroxide in the blood plasma. The met-Hb readily releases free hemin that directly induces HO-1 in the liver, which metabolizes the hemin into iron, biliverdin, and CO. The newly produced CO binds to ferrous Hb to form CO-Hb as an oxidation-resistant state. Overall, the present system revealed the regulatory role of CO for maintaining the ferrous/ferric balance of Hb in the blood.

Efficient cleavage of DNA oligonucleotides by a non-FokI-type zinc finger nuclease containing one His4-type finger domain derived from the first finger domain of Sp1.

In this study, we sought to improve the hydrolytic activity of a His4-type single finger domain (f2), which was previously derived from the second finger domain (f2') of the Sp1 zinc finger protein (Sp1wt), which has 3 tandem finger domains (f1', f2', and f3'). To this end, 2 His4-type single finger domains were generated by mutating 2 Cys residues participating in Zn(II) coordination with the His residues in the first (f1') and third finger (f3') domains of Sp1wt. Circular dichroism spectroscopy results showed that the first and second His4-type zinc finger domains (f1 and f2) adopted folded ßßα structures in the presence of Zn(II), but that the third His4-type zinc finger domain (f3) did not. Non-FokI-type zinc finger nucleases containing 3 or 4 finger domains were also prepared by combining a His4-type zinc finger domain with the Sp1wt scaffold. We studied their DNA-binding abilities and hydrolytic activities against DNA oligonucleotides by performing gel-mobility-shift assays. The results showed that f1 had higher hydrolytic activity for a DNA oligonucleotide with a GC box (5'-GGG GCG GGG-3'), compared with that of f2, although both His4-type single finger domains had similar DNA-binding affinities. The difference in the hydrolytic activity between f1 and f2 was ascribed not only to the zinc coordinate structure, but also to its folding structure and the stability of finger domain.

Intramolecular direct oxygen transfer from oxoferryl porphyrin to a sulfide bond.

A 1:1 supramolecular complex (met-hemoCD) of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinatoiron(III) (Fe(III)TPPS) with a per-O-methylated ß-cyclodextrin dimer having a -SCH2PyCH2S- (Py = pyridin-3,5-diyl) linker (Py3CD) reacted rapidly with hydrogen peroxide or cumene hydroperoxide in an aqueous solution forming two types of hydroperoxo or alkylperoxo intermediates, ROO-Fe(III)(OH(-))PCD and ROO-Fe(III)(Py)PCD, which underwent rapid homolysis to the corresponding ferryloxo species, namely, O═Fe(IV)(OH(-))PCD and O═Fe(IV)(Py)PCD, respectively. For the O═Fe(IV)(OH(-))PCD species, the iron-oxo oxygen facing the linker gradually transferred to the nearby sulfide bond on the linker, forming the sulfoxidized Py3CD (Py3CD-O)/Fe(II)TPPS complex, which then bound dioxygen in air forming an oxy-ferrous complex, O2-Fe(II)TPPS/Py3CD-O. In contrast, the O═Fe(IV)(Py)PCD species, in which the iron-oxo oxygen was located on the opposite side of the sulfide bond on the linker across the porphyrin ring, was reduced to the resting state (met-hemoCD) by the surroundings without any oxidation of the Py3CD linker.

Cellular uptake of octaarginine-conjugated tetraarylporphyrin included by per-O-methylated ß-cyclodextrin.

This paper describes the synthesis, structural characterization and cellular uptake of a supramolecular 1 : 2 inclusion complex of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin having an octaarginine peptide chain (R8-TPP) and heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-ß-cyclodextrin (TMe-ß-CD). R8-TPP was synthesized by 2 approaches: (1) on-resin conjugation of the N-terminal of octaarginine with 5-(4-carboxyphenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin, followed by cleavage from the resin, and (2) Michael addition reaction between 5-[4-(3-maleimidopropylamido)phenyl]-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin and cysteine-octaarginine peptide (Cys-Arg8). The R8-TPP obtained from both the approaches formed stable inclusion complexes with TMe-ß-CD by which non-substituted phenyl groups at the 10- and 20-positions were included to form trans-type 1 : 2 inclusion complexes. The complexation prevented the self-aggregation of R8-TPP, which resulted in the solubilisation of R8-TPP in aqueous media. A cellular uptake study using HeLa cells showed that R8-TPP complexed with TMe-ß-CD in a serum-free medium was efficiently taken up by the cells and uniformly dispersed in the cytosol. In the serum-containing medium, the R8-TPP-TMe-ß-CD complex dissociated, and the serum protein bound R8-TPP. The R8-TPP-protein complex was localized in the endosomes of the cells. The cytosol-dispersed R8-TPP showed a higher photo-induced cytotoxicity than its endosome-trapped counterpart.

Modification of a dioxygen carrier, hemoCD, with PEGylated dendrons for extension of circulation time in the bloodstream.

A supramolecular diatomic receptor, hemoCD, was modified with PEGylated dendrons to extend its circulation time in the bloodstream. The core component was 4-oxo-4-[[4-(10,15,20-tris(4-sulfonatophenyl)-21H,23H-porphin-5-yl)phenyl]amino]butanoic acid (Por-COOH). The building block of the dendrons was Fmoc-4-amino-4-(2-carboxyethyl)heptanedioic acid (FmocTA), which was condensed with α-amino-ω-methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG(5000)-NH(2)) to yield an FmocG1-dendron. After deprotection, the G1-dendron was condensed with Por-COOH to yield G1-Por. A precursor (FmocNA) of an FmocG2-dendron was prepared via a condensation reaction of 4-amino-4-(2-t-butoxycarbonylethyl)heptanedioic acid di-t-butyl ester (TA-E) with FmocTA followed by hydrolysis of the resultant nona-carboxylic acid nona-t-butyl ester. Condensation of FmocNA with PEG(5000)-NH(2) yielded an FmocG2-dendron. After deprotection, the G2-dendron was condensed with Por-COOH to yield G2-Por. The ferrous complexes of G1- and G2-Pors formed stable 1:1 inclusion complexes with Py3CD, a per-O-methylated ß-cyclodextrin dimer with a pyridine linker, in aqueous solution yielding supramolecular complexes designated as G1-hemoCD and G2-hemoCD, respectively. Both G1- and G2-hemoCDs bound molecular oxygen, with the O(2) affinities (P(1/2)) of hemoCD, G1-, and G2-hemoCDs at pH 7.4 and 37 °C being 22, 20, and 20 Torr, respectively. The modification of hemoCD with the dendrons did not cause destabilization of the O(2) adducts via autoxidation, as indicated by their half-lives (t(1/2)) of 6.8, 6.1, and 5.5 h for hemoCD, G1-, and G2-hemoCDs, respectively. The blood concentration-time curves of G1- and G2-hemoCDs injected into the bloodstream of rats exhibited two phases, with the half-lives of the fast and slow decays being 0.45 and 5.3 h, respectively, for G1-hemoCD, and 0.20 and 12.8 h, respectively, for G2-hemoCD. The half-lives of hemoCD were 0.02 and 0.50 h, respectively. The circulation time of hemoCD was markedly extended by its modification with the PEGylated dendrons, which was very effective in protecting hemoCD against opsonization for uptake by the reticuloendothelial system.

PEGylation of an artificial O2 and CO receptor: synthesis, characterisation and pharmacokinetic study.

A synthetic oxygen (O(2)) and carbon monoxide (CO) receptor (hemoCD) composed of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(ii) and a per-O-methylated ß-cyclodextrin dimer with a pyridine linker (Py3CD) was functionalised with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to elongate the circulation time of the receptor in the bloodstream. α-PEG monocarboxylic acid (HOOC(CH(2))(3)(CO)O-PEG(mw)-OCH(3); mw = 750 or 5k) or α,ω-PEG dicarboxylic acid (HOOC(CH(2))(3)(CO)O-PEG(mw)-O(CO)(CH(2))(3)COOH; mw = 10k or 20k) was reacted with the amino group of 5-(4-aminophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin to afford a porphyrin monomer having a PEG chain or a porphyrin dimer having a PEG linker, respectively. The ferrous complexes of these PEGylated porphyrins (PEG750-, PEG5k-, PEG10k- and PEG20k-hemoCDs) bound O(2) in aqueous solution, P(1/2) values being 6.5-8.1 Torr at pH 7.0 and 25 °C. Each PEG(mw)-hemoCD was infused into the femoral vein of a Wistar male rat. After 6 h of the infusions, 67, 82, 86 and 42% of PEG750-, PEG5k-, PEG10k- and PEG20k-hemoCD were excreted in the urine. PEG750-hemoCD with a hydrodynamic diameter (D(h)) of 3.4 nm seemed to partly leak from the blood vessels (pore size: 2-6 nm) before renal filtration (pore size: 4-14 nm). PEG5k- (D(h) = 6.2 nm) and PEG10k-hemoCDs (9.0 nm) hardly passed through the blood vessels but were fully filtered by the kidney, resulting in high excretion rates. A considerable amount of PEG20k-hemoCD (D(h) = 12.0 nm) was retained in the blood even at 6 h after administration. The present study demonstrates that the behaviour of hemoCD in blood after administration can be controlled by modification of hemoCD with PEG having an appropriate molecular weight.

Structural basis of the lactate-dependent allosteric regulation of oxygen binding in arthropod hemocyanin.

Hemocyanin (Hc) is an oxygen carrier protein in which oxygen binding is regulated by allosteric effectors such as H(+) and L-lactate. Isothermal titration calorimetric measurements showed that L-lactate binds to dodecameric and heterohexameric Hc and to the CaeSS3 homohexamer but not to the CaeSS2 monomer. The binding of lactate caused no change in the optical absorption and x-ray absorption spectra of either oxy- or deoxy-Hc, suggesting that no structural rearrangement of the active site occurred. At pH 6.5, the oxygen binding rate constant k(obs) obtained by flash photolysis showed a significant increase upon addition of L-lactate, whereas L-lactate addition had little effect at pH 8.3. Lactate binding caused a concentration-dependent shift in the interhexameric distances at pH 6.5 based on small angle x-ray scattering measurements. These results show that L-lactate affects oxygen affinity at pH 6.5 by modulating the global structure of Hc without affecting its binuclear copper center (the active site). In contrast to this, the active site structure of deoxy-Hc is affected by changes in pH (Hirota, S., Kawahara, T., Beltramini, M., Di Muro, P., Magliozzo, R. S., Peisach, J., Powers, L. S., Tanaka, N., Nagao, S., and Bubacco, L. (2008) J. Biol. Chem. 283, 31941-31948). Upon addiction of lactate, the kinetic behavior of oxygen rebinding for Hc was heterogeneous under low oxygen concentrations at pH 6.5 due to changes in the T and R state populations, and the equilibrium was found to shift from the T toward the R state with addition of lactate.

Calorimetric study on coordination of tridentate imidazolyl calix[6]arene ligands to zinc ion in organic solvents.

Complexation of three kinds of tris(imidazolyl)calix[6]arenes containing alternate p-substituents (Calix-tBu, R(1) = R(2) = tert-butyl; Calix-NH(2), R(1) = tert-butyl, R(2) = NH(2); Calix-NO(2), R(1) = tert-butyl, R(2) = NO(2)) with Zn(ClO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(6) in acetonitrile, methanol, and THF was investigated via isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). For the coordination of these calixarene ligands to Zn(II) in acetonitrile, typical one-phase exothermic titration curves were obtained, indicating the formation of 1:1 ligand-Zn(II) complexes accompanied by large conformational changes of the ligands. In contrast, the complexation in methanol was endothermic and dominated by favorable entropy changes. The entropy gains were achieved by extensive desolvation from both Zn(II) and the ligands. ITC measurements suggest a 2:1 ligand-Zn(II) complex formation in THF in the presence of excess ligands (Calix-NH(2) and Calix-NO(2)). The 2:1 complexes were converted to 1:1 complexes upon further addition of Zn(ClO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(6). The results indicate the important role of a coordinating solvent (acetonitrile) for direct formation of the 1:1 complexes under the conditions of excess ligand. Complexation of a ditopic ligand (Calix-Tri) with three triazole moieties on the wider rim was also studied via ITC. The first coordination of the imidazole moieties to Zn(II) was an exothermic process. This was followed by the entropically favorable coordination of the triazole moieties to the divalent cation. We have also investigated exchange of the fourth ligand (H(2)O) of the Zn(II) complex of Calix-NH(2) with butylamine, heptylamine, acetonitrile, and acetamide in a noncompetitive solvent, THF. The ΔH(0) tended to decrease upon increasing the electron-pair-donating ability of the guest ligand, whereas it was also affected by an entropic term due to restricted rotation of the guest ligand inside the calixarene cavity.

Synthetic heme protein models that function in aqueous solution.

Myoglobin (Mb) is considered as the optimal system for capturing molecular oxygen (O2) in aqueous solution under natural conditions. Therefore, the preparation of artificial systems that mimic the function of Mb is a long-standing and challenging objective. Various sophisticated iron porphyrins have been designed and synthesized to realize O2 biding at their axial positions. Although all of these compounds reversibly bind O2 in absolute organic solvents, no stable O2 adducts were obtained in aqueous solution. The reason for this is the immediate autoxidation of O2 adducts by water molecules. To achieve O2 binding in aqueous solution, the iron center of the porphyrin must be placed in a hydrophobic environment, wherefrom a water molecule is strictly excluded. Another essential requirement for a Mb model is the preparation of an electron-donative axial ligand that plays the role of proximal histidine (His). As an artificial O2 receptor that satisfies these challenging requirements, a supramolecule termed "hemoCD1" has been constructed. HemoCD1, a 1 : 1 inclusion complex of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(ii) (FeIITPPS) with a per-O-methylated ß-cyclodextrin dimer bearing a pyridine linker (Py3CD), reversibly binds O2 in aqueous solution at neutral pH and ambient temperature. The electronic spectra as well as the functions of hemoCD1 are analogous to those of Mb or its tetramer, hemoglobin (Hb). This is the first example of an artificial Hb/Mb biomimetic model capable of function in aqueous solution. Such a study on hemoCD1 as a Hb/Mb model has expanded research objectives to (1) syntheses of hemoCD1 analogues having distinct characteristics, (2) modeling enzymatic reactions of peroxidase, heme oxygenase, and cytochrome c oxidase in water, (3) development of fully synthetic artificial oxygen carriers (AOCs) utilized in animal blood, and (4) selective binding and removal of toxic small molecules, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and cyanide (CN-) in living organisms.

Oxoferryl porphyrin/hydrogen peroxide system whose behavior is equivalent to hydroperoxoferric porphyrin.

The reaction between H(2)O(2) and a pyridine-coordinated ferric porphyrin encapsulated by a cyclodextrin dimer yielded a hydroperoxoferric porphyrin intermediate, PFe(III)-OOH, which rapidly decomposed to oxoferryl porphyrin (PFe(IV)═O). Upon reaction with H(2)O(2), PFe(IV)═O reverted to PFe(III)-OOH, which was converted to carbon monoxide-coordinated ferrous porphyrin under a CO atmosphere. PFe(IV)═O in the presence of excess H(2)O(2) behaves as PFe(III)-OOH.

Time-dependent enzyme activity dominated by dissociation of J-aggregates bound to protein surface.

J-Aggregates of diprotonated 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatopheny)porphyrin (H4TPPS²â») were stabilized even in a neutral aqueous solution (pH 7.0) containing per-O-methylated ß-cyclodextrin by binding to the surface of α-chymotrypsin (ChT). The large J-aggregates covered the active site of ChT and completely inhibited the hydrolysis of the peptides. However, enzyme activity was gradually restored with the dissociation of the J-aggregates attached to the protein surface to monomers. After the completion of dissociation of the aggregates, the enzyme activity was almost completely restored, though the structure of ChT significantly changed. Circular dichroism spectroscopy suggested that the microscopic structure at the active site of ChT was scarcely affected by the J-aggregates, but the binding of J-aggregates to ChT increased the content of the random coils in the enzyme. The present study showed a new type of effector for controlling the function of ChT.

Novel zinc finger nuclease created by combining the Cys(2)His(2)- and His(4)-type zinc finger domains.

To improve the DNA hydrolytic activity of the zinc finger nuclease, we have created a new artificial zinc finger nuclease (ZWH4) by connecting two distinct zinc finger domains possessing different types of Zn(II) binding sites (Cys(2)His(2)- and His(4)-types). The overall fold of ZWH4 is similar to that of the wild-type Sp1 zinc finger (Sp1(zf123)) as revealed by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The gel mobility shift assay demonstrated that ZWH4 binds to the GC box DNA, although the DNA-binding affinity is lower than that of Sp1(zf123). Evidently, ZWH4 hydrolyzes the covalently closed circular plasmid DNA (form I) containing the GC box (pBSGC) to the linear duplex DNA (form III) in the presence of a higher concentration (50 times) of the protein than DNA for a 24-h reaction. Of special interest is the fact that the novel mixed zinc finger protein containing the Cys(2)His(2)- and His(4)-type domains was first created. The present results provide the useful information for the redesign strategy of an artificial nuclease based on the zinc finger motif.

HemoCD as an artificial oxygen carrier: oxygen binding and autoxidation.

Despite many attempts to construct completely artificial systems for carrying oxygen (O(2)) in aqueous solution, no successful example had been reported until quite recently except for picket fence porphinatoiron(II) embedded in liposomal membrane. We newly prepared a 1:1 complex (hemoCD) of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(II) (Fe[II]TPPS) and a per-O-methylated beta-cyclodextrin dimer having a pyridine linker (Py3CD). HemoCD binds O(2) reversibly in aqueous solution. The oxygen affinity corresponding to the partial O(2) pressure, at which half of the hemoCD molecules are oxygenated, was 16.9 torr in phosphate buffer at pH 7.0 and 25 degrees C. Oxy-hemoCD was gradually autoxidized (t(1/2) = 30.1 h) due to nucleophilic attack of a water molecule to the O(2)-Fe bond. Encapsulation of the iron center of Fe(II)TPPS by two cyclodextrin truncated cones is essential for binding of O(2) to the ferrous center of the porphyrin. This manuscript reports the basic characteristics of hemoCD and the possible future utility of a totally artificial O(2) carrier.

Modelling haemoproteins: porphyrins and cyclodextrins as sources of inspiration.

The association of hydrophobic cavities with porphyrin derivatives has been used to mimic haemoprotein structures. The most employed cavity in this field is ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD), and scaffolds combining ß-CDs and porphyrins are expected to inspire the combination of porphyrins and cucurbiturils in the near future. Aside from providing water solubility to various porphyrinic structures, the ß-CD framework can also modulate and control the reactivity of the metal core of the porphyrin. After a general introduction of the challenges faced in the field of haemoprotein models and the binding behavior of ß-CDs, this article will discuss covalent and non-covalent association of porphyrins with ß-CDs. In each approach, the role of the CD differs according to the relative position of the concave CD host, either directly controlling the binding and transformation of a substrate on the metalloporphyrin or playing a dual role of controlling the water solubility and selecting the axial ligand of the metal core. The discussion will be of interest to the cucurbituril community as well as to the cavitand community, as the information provided should be useful for the design of haemoprotein mimics using cucurbiturils.

Supramolecular Complexation in Biological Media: NMR Study on Inclusion of an Anionic Tetraarylporphyrin into a Per-O-Methylated ß-Cyclodextrin Cavity in Serum, Blood, and Urine.

The supramolecular complexation of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) with heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-ß-cyclodextrin (TMCD) has been known to be highly specific in aqueous media. In this study, we have used NMR spectroscopy to reveal that this supramolecular system also works even in biologically crowded media such as serum, blood, and urine. A 13 C-labeled heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-13 C)-ß-cyclodextrin (13 C-TMCD) was synthesized and studied using one-dimensional (1D) HMQC spectroscopy in serum and blood. The 1D HMQC spectrum of 13 C-TMCD showed clear signals due to the 2-, 3-, and 6-O13 CH3 groups, whose chemical shifts changed upon addition of TPPS due to quantitative formation of the 13 C-TMCD/TPPS=2/1 inclusion complex in such biological media. The 1 H NMR signals of non-isotope-labeled TPPS included by 13 C-TMCD were detected using the 13 C-filtered ROESY technique. A pharmacokinetic study of 13 C-TMCD and its complex with TPPS was carried out in mice using the 1D HMQC method. The results indicated that (1) 1D HMQC is an effective technique for monitoring the inclusion phenomena of 13 C-labeled cyclodextrin in biological media and (2) the intermolecular interaction between 13 C-TMCD and TPPS is highly selective even in contaminated media like blood, serum, and urine.

A supramolecular receptor of diatomic molecules (O2, CO, NO) in aqueous solution.

A per-O-methylated beta-cyclodextrin dimer, Py2CD, was conveniently prepared via two steps: the Williamson reaction of 3,5-bis(bromomethyl)pyridine and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) yielding 2A,2'A-O-[3,5-pyridinediylbis(methylene)bis-beta-cyclodextrin (bisCD) followed by the O-methylation of all the hydroxy groups of the bisCD. Py2CD formed a very stable 1:1 complex (Fe(III)PCD) with [5,10,15,20-tetrakis(p-sulfonatophenyl)porphinato]iron(III) (Fe(III)TPPS) in aqueous solution. Fe(III)PCD was reduced with Na2S2O4 to afford the Fe (II)TPPS/Py2CD complex (Fe(II)PCD). Dioxygen was bound to Fe(II)PCD, the P(1/2)(O2) values being 42.4 +/- 1.6 and 176 +/- 3 Torr at 3 and 25 degrees C, respectively. The k(on)(O2) and k(off)(O2) values for the dioxygen binding were determined to be 1.3 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) and 3.8 x 10(3) s(-1), respectively, at 25 degrees C. Although the dioxygen adduct was not very stable (K(O2) = k(on)(O2)/k(off)(O2) = 3.4 x 10(3) M(-1)), no autoxidation of the dioxygen adduct of Fe(II)PCD to Fe(III)PCD was observed. These results suggest that the encapsulation of Fe (II)TPPS by Py2CD strictly inhibits not only the extrusion of dioxygen from the cyclodextrin cage but also the penetration of a water molecule into the cage. The carbon monoxide affinity of Fe(II)PCD was much higher than the dioxygen affinity; the P(1/2)(CO), k(on)(CO), k(off)(CO), and K(CO) values being (1.6 +/- 0.2) x 10(-2) Torr, 2.4 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1), 4.8 x 10(-2) s(-1), and 5.0 x 10(7) M(-1), respectively, at 25 degrees C. Fe(II)PCD also bound nitric oxide. The rate of the dissociation of NO from (NO)Fe(II)PCD ((5.58 +/- 0.42) x 10(-5) s(-1)) was in good agreement with the maximum rate ((5.12 +/- 0.18) x 10(-5) s(-1)) of the oxidation of (NO)Fe(II)PCD to Fe(III)PCD and NO3(-), suggesting that the autoxidation of (NO)Fe(II)PCD proceeds through the ligand exchange between NO and O2 followed by the rapid reaction of (O2)Fe(II)PCD with released NO, affording Fe(II)PCD and the NO3(-) anion inside the cyclodextrin cage.

Porphyrin J-aggregates stabilized by ferric myoglobin in neutral aqueous solution.

J-aggregates of a diacid form (H4TPPS2-) of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (H2TPPS4-) were stabilized by binding with ferric myoglobin (metMb) in aqueous solution at neutral pH. The J-aggregates gradually dissociated to monomeric H2TPPS(4-). The average half-lifetime (t1/2) of the J-aggregates in the presence of sufficient amounts of metMb was ca. 3 h in phosphate buffer at pH 7.0 and 25 degrees C. The stabilization of the J-aggregate by metMb is ascribed to encapsulation and fixation of an edge-to-edge structure of the J-aggregate by the relatively rigid protein molecules. The secondary structure of metMb was altered in some extent in the presence of an excess amount of the J-aggregates while no effect on denaturation of metMb was observed with the H2TPPS(4-) monomer or polyacrylate. The hydrophobic nature of the J-aggregate seems to play an important role for denaturation of metMb. The ability of denatured metMb to bind the azide anion was higher than that of natural metMb. The denaturation of metMb by the J-aggregates seems to induce surfacing of hemin leading to an entropy gain in coordination of the N3(-) anion to the iron(III) center.