1-Aminobenzocyclobutene-1-phosphonic Acid and Related Compounds as Inhibitors of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase.

Five new geminal aminocycloalkanephosphonic acids (4 - 8) containing both an aromatic ring and a cycloalkane ring were synthesized and evaluated as potential inhibitors of buckwheat phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). Within the set of compounds which are related to 2-aminoindane-2-phosphonic acid (AIP, 3), a known powerful inhibitor of PAL, racemic 1-aminobenzocyclobutene-1-phosphonic acid (4), was six times weaker than AIP as an in vitro inhibitor of buckwheat PAL, but six times stronger than AIP as an in vivo inhibitor of phenylalanine-derived anthocyanin synthesis in buckwheat.

Beyond Single-Wavelength SHG Measurements: Spectrally-Resolved SHG Studies of Tetraphosphonate Ester Coordination Polymers.

Powder second-harmonic generation (SHG) efficiencies are usually measured at single wavelengths. In the present work, we provide a proof of concept of spectrally resolved powder SHG measured for a newly obtained series of three non-centrosymmetric coordination polymers (CPs). CPs are constructed from tetrahedral linker-tetraphenylmethane-based tetraphosphonate octaethyl ester and cobalt(II) ions of mixed, octahedral (Oh), and tetrahedral (Td), geometries and different sets of donors (CoO6 vs CoX3O). Isostructurality of the obtained materials allowed for the determination of anion-dependent tunability of SHG optical spectra and their relationship with solid-state absorption spectra.

Guest molecule-responsive functional calcium phosphonate frameworks for tuned proton conductivity.

We report the synthesis, structural characterization, and functionality (framework interconversions together with proton conductivity) of an open-framework hybrid that combines Ca(2+) ions and the rigid polyfunctional ligand 5-(dihydroxyphosphoryl)isophthalic acid (PiPhtA). Ca2[(HO3PC6H3COOH)2]2[(HO3PC6H3(COO)2H)(H2O)2]·5H2O (Ca-PiPhtA-I) is obtained by slow crystallization at ambient conditions from acidic (pH ≈ 3) aqueous solutions. It possesses a high water content (both Ca coordinated and in the lattice), and importantly, it exhibits water-filled 1D channels. At 75 °C, Ca-PiPhtA-I is partially dehydrated and exhibits a crystalline diffraction pattern that can be indexed in a monoclinic cell with parameters close to the pristine phase. Rietveld refinement was carried out for the sample heated at 75 °C, Ca-PiPhtA-II, using synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data, which revealed the molecular formula Ca2[(HO3PC6H3COOH)2]2[(HO3PC6H3(COO)2H)(H2O)2]. All connectivity modes of the "parent" Ca-PiPhtA-I framework are retained in Ca-PiPhtA-II. Upon Ca-PiPhtA-I exposure to ammonia vapors (28% aqueous NH3) a new derivative is obtained (Ca-PiPhtA-NH3) containing 7 NH3 and 16 H2O molecules according to elemental and thermal analyses. Ca-PiPhtA-NH3 exhibits a complex X-ray diffraction pattern with peaks at 15.3 and 13.0 Å that suggest partial breaking and transformation of the parent pillared structure. Although detailed structural identification of Ca-PiPhtA-NH3 was not possible, due in part to nonequilibrium adsorption conditions and the lack of crystallinity, FT-IR spectra and DTA-TG analysis indicate profound structural changes compared to the pristine Ca-PiPhtA-I. At 98% RH and T = 24 °C, proton conductivity, σ, for Ca-PiPhtA-I is 5.7 × 10(-4) S·cm(-1). It increases to 1.3 × 10(-3) S·cm(-1) upon activation by preheating the sample at 40 °C for 2 h followed by water equilibration at room temperature under controlled conditions. Ca-PiPhtA-NH3 exhibits the highest proton conductivity, 6.6 × 10(-3) S·cm(-1), measured at 98% RH and T = 24 °C. Activation energies (Ea) for proton transfer in the above-mentioned frameworks range between 0.23 and 0.4 eV, typical of a Grothuss mechanism of proton conduction. These results underline the importance of internal H-bonding networks that, in turn, determine conductivity properties of hybrid materials. It is highlighted that new proton transfer pathways may be created by means of cavity "derivatization" with selected guest molecules resulting in improved proton conductivity.

Inhibition of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis increases cell wall digestibility, protoplast isolation, and facilitates sustained cell division in American elm (Ulmus americana).

BACKGROUND: Protoplast technologies offer unique opportunities for fundamental research and to develop novel germplasm through somatic hybridization, organelle transfer, protoclonal variation, and direct insertion of DNA. Applying protoplast technologies to develop Dutch elm disease resistant American elms (Ulmus americana L.) was proposed over 30 years ago, but has not been achieved. A primary factor restricting protoplast technology to American elm is the resistance of the cell walls to enzymatic degradation and a long lag phase prior to cell wall re-synthesis and cell division. RESULTS: This study suggests that resistance to enzymatic degradation in American elm was due to water soluble phenylpropanoids. Incubating tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) leaf tissue, an easily digestible species, in aqueous elm extract inhibits cell wall digestion in a dose dependent manner. This can be mimicked by p-coumaric or ferulic acid, phenylpropanoids known to re-enforce cell walls. Culturing American elm tissue in the presence of 2-aminoindane-2-phosphonic acid (AIP; 10-150 µM), an inhibitor of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), reduced flavonoid content, decreased tissue browning, and increased isolation rates significantly from 11.8% (±3.27) in controls to 65.3% (±4.60). Protoplasts isolated from callus grown in 100 µM AIP developed cell walls by day 2, had a division rate of 28.5% (±3.59) by day 6, and proliferated into callus by day 14. Heterokaryons were successfully produced using electrofusion and fused protoplasts remained viable when embedded in agarose. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a novel approach of modifying phenylpropanoid biosynthesis to facilitate efficient protoplast isolation which has historically been problematic for American elm. This isolation system has facilitated recovery of viable protoplasts capable of rapid cell wall re-synthesis and sustained cell division to form callus. Further, isolated protoplasts survived electrofusion and viable heterokaryons were produced. Together, these results provide the first evidence of sustained cell division, callus regeneration, and potential application of somatic cell fusion in American elm, suggesting that this source of protoplasts may be ideal for genetic manipulation of this species. The technological advance made with American elm in this study has potential implications in other woody species for fundamental and applied research which require availability of viable protoplasts.

Abnormal accumulation of sugars and phenolics in tobacco roots expressing the Agrobacterium T-6b oncogene and the role of these compounds in 6b-induced growth.

The Agrobacterium T-DNA oncogene 6b induces tumors and modifies the growth of transgenic plants by an unknown mechanism. We have investigated changes in roots of tobacco seedlings that express a dexamethasone-inducible T-6b (dex-T-6b) gene. On induction medium with sucrose, intact or isolated dex-T-6b roots accumulated sucrose, glucose, and fructose and changed their growth, contrary to noninduced roots. Root fragments bridging agar blocks with or without sucrose accumulated sugars at the site of sucrose uptake, resulting in local growth. Induced root fragments showed enhanced uptake of 14C-labeled sucrose, glucose, and fructose. When seedlings were placed on sucrose-free induction medium, sugar levels strongly decreased in roots and increased in cotyledons. Collectively, these results demonstrate that 6b stimulates sugar uptake and retention with drastic effects on growth. Apart from sugars, phenolic compounds also have been found to accumulate in 6b tissues and have been proposed earlier to play a role in 6b-induced growth. Induced dex-T-6b roots accumulated high levels of 5-caffeoylquinic acid (or chlorogenic acid [CGA]), but only under conditions where endogenous sugars increased. Inhibition of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase with the competitive inhibitor 2-aminoindan-2-phosphonic acid (AIP) abolished CGA accumulation without modifying sugar accumulation or affecting the 6b phenotype. We conclude that the absorption, retention, and abnormal accumulation of sugars are essential factors in 6b-induced growth changes, whereas phenylpropanoids only marginally contribute to the 6b seedling phenotype.

Inhibitors of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase: substituted derivatives of 2-aminoindane-2-phosphonic acid and 1-aminobenzylphosphonic acid.

Six derivatives of 2-aminoindane-2-phosphonic acid and 1-aminobenzylphosphonic acid were synthesized. The compounds were tested both as inhibitors of buckwheat phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (in vitro) and as inhibitors of anthocyanin biosynthesis (in vivo). (+/-)-2-Amino-4-bromoindane-2-phosphonic acid was found to be the strongest inhibitor from investigated compounds. The results obtained are a basis for design of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase inhibitors useful in the enzyme structure studies in photo labelling experiments.

Inhibitors of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL): synthesis and biological evaluation of 5-substituted 2-aminoindane-2-phosphonic acids.

A series of 5-substituted derivatives of the potent phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) inhibitor 2-aminoindane-2-phosphonic acid (AIP; 2) were synthesized. The AIP analogues 3-7, with additional NO2, NH2, Me, Br, and OH groups, respectively, were tested as in vitro inhibitors of buckwheat PAL, and as in vivo inhibitors of anthocyanin biosynthesis. Within this series, the racemic 5-bromo (6) and 5-methyl (7) congeners were biologically most active (Table), although being ca. one order of magnitude less potent than AIP proper.

Kinetic analysis of the inhibition of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase by 2-aminoindan-2-phosphonic acid and other phenylalanine analogues.

The conformationally restricted phenylalanine analogue 2-aminoindan-2-phosphonic acid (AIP) inhibits phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) competitively in a time-dependent manner. This phenomenon was investigated in more detail with the heterologously expressed, highly purified homotetrameric PAL-1 isozyme from parsley. The kinetic analysis revealed that the enzyme-inhibitor complex is formed in a single "slow" step with an association rate of k(2)=2.6+/-0.04 10(4) M(-1) s(-1). The inhibition is reversible with a dissociation rate of k(-2)=1.8+/-0.04 10(-4) s(-1) and an equilibrium constant of K(i)=7+/-2 nM. The previously described PAL inhibitor (S)-2-aminooxy-3-phenylpropanoic acid [(S)-AOPP] was also found to be a slow-binding inhibitor of PAL-1. The carboxyl analogue of AIP, 2-aminoindan-2-carboxylic acid, served as a substrate of PAL-1 and was converted to indene-2-carboxylic acid.

Inhibitors of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase: 1-aminobenzylphosphonic acids substituted in the benzene ring.

Dextrorotatory 1-amino-3',4'-dichlorobenzylphosphonic acid was found to be a potent inhibitor of the plant enzyme phenylalanine ammonia-lyase both in vitro and in vivo from among the ring-substituted 1-aminobenzylphosphonic acids and other analogues of phenylglycine. A structure activity relationship analysis of the results obtained permits predictions on the geometry of the pocket of the enzyme and is a basis in the strategy of better inhibitor synthesis.

Phenylalanine ammonia lyase gene expression during abscission in citrus.

Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) gene expression was examined in fruit and leaf abscission zones of Valencia orange for periods up to 72 h after induction of abscission with Ethrel(R) (CEPA) or the citrus mature fruit-specific abscission material 5-chloro-3-methyl-4-nitro-1H-pyrazole (CMN-P). PAL gene expression was detected in mature fruit abscission zones beginning 6 and 24 h after CEPA and CMN-P application, respectively, and continued up to 72 h. PAL gene expression was detected in leaf abscission zones 6 h after CEPA application and continued throughout the remainder of the study. In contrast, PAL gene expression was not detected in leaf abscission zones treated with CMN-P. 2-aminoindan-2-phosphonic acid (AIP), a specific inhibitor of PAL enzyme activity, decreased CMN-P-induced PAL expression in fruit abscission zones, and this was accompanied by a lack of fruit drop. PAL transcripts were low in abscission zones of immature fruit; however, the transcript was induced by CMN-P but less by CEPA application. The data suggest that downstream products of PAL activity may be important not only for wound healing and defense reactions that occur at the abscission zone fracture plane, but also for regulation of PAL gene expression during abscission.

Significance of phenols in cadmium and nickel uptake.

The effects of 2-aminoindane-2-phosphonic acid (AIP), a potent phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) inhibitor, on the accumulation of cadmium and nickel in chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) were examined in this study. In vitro assay of AIP effect showed a 90% reduction in PAL activity. In plants cultured for 7 days in Cd or Ni solutions with AIP, PAL activity was higher in both shoots and roots (in comparison with metals without AIP), and was correlated with changes in free phenylalanine content. Individual amino acids were both positively and negatively affected by AIP, with the accumulation of tyrosine and proline showing increases in some variants. Contents of soluble phenols and flavonoids were not considerably affected, while amounts of coumarin-related compounds, cell wall-bound phenols and phenolic acids were substantially reduced in AIP-treated variants. Lignin accumulation decreased in controls and increased in Cd variants in response to AIP. Shoot Cd content was depleted, but shoot Ni was elevated by AIP. Total root content of Cd and Ni decreased in +AIP variants. AIP also caused more expressive changes in hydrogen peroxide and superoxide content in Cd than in Ni variants. Our results indicate that phenols have important roles in the uptake of Cd and Ni. The present findings are discussed in the context of available data regarding AIP's effect on phenols.

Copper uptake is differentially modulated by phenylalanine ammonia-lyase inhibition in diploid and tetraploid chamomile.

The effect of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) inhibition by 2-aminoindane-2-phosphonic acid (AIP) in copper-exposed diploid and tetraploid chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla ) roots has been studied in a short-term experiment (24 h). Cu evoked stronger induction of PAL activity and accumulation of soluble phenols, flavonols (quercetin and kaempferol), and lignin in diploid plants, whereas AlCl3-reactive flavonoids and phenolic acids did not differ with respect to ploidy. Amounts of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide also preferentially increased in diploid. Surprisingly, PAL activity was restored in both +AIP cultivars, being inversely correlated with the accumulation of free phenylalanine. Notwithstanding this, total soluble phenols and flavonols were more depleted in Cu+AIP diploid roots. Soluble proteins decreased in response to Cu, and AIP had no effect. Among free amino acids, proline increased more visibly in Cu+AIP diploid, suggesting that this could be a protective mechanism in conditions with depleted content of phenols. Decrease in potassium content was ploidy-independent, calcium increased in all Cu variants, and Fe increased in Cu-exposed tetraploid. Shoot Cu content did not differ in Cu-exposed cultivars, but diploid roots contained more Cu. AIP decreased root Cu but increased shoot Cu amounts in diploid, whereas tetraploid plants did not exhibit similar responses. These data indicate that inhibition of root phenolic metabolism by AIP was effective enough, allowing Cu to accumulate in diploid shoots. The present findings are discussed in the context of available data about AIP effects and with respect to the role of phenols in metal uptake.

Supramolecular networks of polymethylphosphonic acid groups bonded to aromatic platforms: biphenyldiyl-2,2'-bis(methylphosphonic acid) and benzenetriyl-1,3,5-tris(methylphosphonic acid).

Biphenyldiyl-2,2'-bis(methylphosphonic acid) (BBMP) and benzenetriyl-1,3,5-tris(methylphosphonic acid) (BTMP) as ligands have been synthesized from diphenic acid and trimesic acid, respectively. Cu, Mn and Co complexes of BBMP have been prepared but similar complexes of BTMP did not crystallize. However, a copper compound with added 4,4'-bipyridyl was obtained. This copper complex is dimeric in which the dimers are linked into a supramolecular compound through the bipyridyl groups. Interestingly, the structure was solved in P1 with an unusual correlation between the ligand oxygen bond distances and the copper bond distances to water molecules. The Mn and Co BBMP complexes are isostructural in which the BBMP ligands phenyl groups rotate around each other to bridge the metal atoms forming 1:1 linear chains. There are four water molecules bonded to Co that can be removed reversibly. In the case of the Cu compound, one Cu is square planar bonded to four phosphonate oxygen atoms from two BBMP molecules. The second copper is six coordinate adding two water molecules in the axial positions. The two copper ions alternate forming a one dimensional chain but with ligands bonding the chain on both sides. The four coordinate copper atoms are chelated by two BBMP ligands utilizing one oxygen atom from the two phosphonate groups of each ligand and a second oxygen atom from these groups that bridge across the Cu atoms to bond to the six coordinate copper ion. A detailed synthetic procedure for each of the two ligands is supplied as ESI.

Synthesis and characterization of four metal-organophosphonates with one-, two-, and three-dimensional structures.

A series of metal-organic hybrid compounds were synthesized using two new phosphonic acids, pyridyl-4-phosphonic acid and p-xylylenediphosphonic acid (H(2)O(3)PCH(2)C(6)H(4)CH(2)PO(3)H(2)). The phosphonic acid ligands have been synthesized from their corresponding bromides following two different types of reactions. The reaction of pyridyl-4-phosphonic acid with three different divalent metal salts results in the formation of molecular structures of different dimensionality. The reaction of Cu(II) with the phosphonic acid under hydrothermal conditions yields a three-dimensional (3D) open framework structure having the molecular formula [Cu(4)(NC(5)H(4)-PO(3))(4)(H(2)O)(10)] (1). The reactions with Mn(II) and Zn(II) salts with the same phosphonic acid resulted in a two-dimensional layered and a dinuclear compound with molecular formulas [Mn(3)(NC(5)H(4)-PO(3))(4)(H(2)O)(6)(ClO(4))(2)] (2) and [Zn(2)(NHC(5)H(4)-PO(3)H)(2)Cl(4)] (3), respectively. Compound 1 crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system having space group P with structural parameters a = 7.4564(15) Angstrom, b = 9.1845(19) Angstrom, c = 11.582(2) Angstrom, alpha = 100.842(3) degrees, beta = 104.303(3) degrees, gamma = 94.774(3) degrees, and Z = 1. Compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system, space group P, with structural parameters a = 7.6871(14) Angstrom, b = 10.576(2) Angstrom, c = 14.470(3)Angstrom, alpha = 81.340(3) degrees, beta = 81.561(3) degrees, gamma = 68.757(3) degrees, and Z = 2, whereas compound 3 crystallizes in a monoclinic crystal system with space group P2(1)/n. The structural parameters are as follows: a = 8.4969 (5) Angstrom, b = 9.3911 (5) Angstrom, c = 12.3779 (6) Angstrom, beta = 90.860(17) degrees, and Z = 4. The pyridylphosphonate ligand shows different ligation behavior toward the three divalent metal ions. On the other hand, p-xylylenediphosphonic acid on reaction with Co(II) formed a 3D compound [Co(2)(O(3)PCH(2)C(6)H(4)CH(2)PO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)] (4) with a layered and pillared structure. Compound 4 crystallizes in an orthorhombic crystal system with space group Pnma. The structural parameters are a = 21.744(4) Angstrom, b = 5.6744(10) Angstrom, c = 4.7927(9) Angstrom, and Z = 4.

Rational design and synthesis of porous organic-inorganic hybrid frameworks constructed by 1,3,5-benzenetriphosphonic acid and pyridine synthons.

1,3,5-Benzenetriphosphonic acid, H6BTP, 1,3,5-[(HO)2OP]3C6H3, was reacted hydrothermally with copper salts in the absence and presence of 4,4'-bipyridine (bpy) and 4,4'-trimethlyenedipyridine (tbpy) in a 1:1 molar ratio leading to three new organic-inorganic hybrid frameworks. Compound 1, {Cu6[C6H3(PO3)3]2(H2O)8} x 5.5 H2O, has three different copper ions that are interconnected by the highly charged [1,3,5-(PO3)3C6H3]6- anionic moieties. These moieties self-assemble through tetra-copper units to give a cagelike motif with two benzene rings parallel to each other at a distance of 3.531 A which extend along the a axis and link with a grouping of four-coordinated copper units in the b axis direction to give the cross-linked layered structure. In compound 2, Cu{C6H3[PO(OH)O]2[PO(OH)2]}(C10H8N2), the copper ions are in square pyramidal geometries and are interconnected via chelating and bridging BTP ligands into layers which are further cross-linked by bpy ligands into a pillared layered architecture. Compound 3, {Cu2C6H3[PO(OH)O]2[PO3](C13H14N2)} x 3 H2O x 0.5 HCON(CH3)2, contains tetra-copper units that are linked by BTP ligands and further linked by tbpy linkers in the c axis direction to produce a large channel-sized 3D framework.

A family of microporous materials formed by Sn(IV) phosphonate nanoparticles.

Reaction of Sn(IV) with phosphonic acids results in the formation of tin phosphonates with a spherical morphology arising from the aggregation of nanosized individual particles. Under high magnification, the spheres are shown to be porous with surface areas of 200-515 m2/g, depending on the type of phosphonic acid and the synthesis conditions used. The pores are largely micro in nature but also somewhat dependent on the type of phosphonic acid utilized in the preparation. Both aliphatic and aromatic organic phosphonates form these spherical aggregates. Functional groups, such as amino and carboxyl, may be introduced as part of the phosphonic acid or subsequently by further reaction, leading to a large family of naturally formed nanoparticles with accompanying microporosity.