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Biomedical subjects

J Peisach

Publications and source records attributed to J Peisach.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Studies of the electron-nuclear coupling between Fe(III) and 14N in cytochrome P-450 and in a series of low spin heme compounds.

We have observed the nuclear modulation pattern in the envelope of electron spin echoes for various low spin paramagnetic heme proteins including cytochrome c, myoglobin hydroxide, myoglobin mercaptoethanol, and cytochrome P-450, using the three-pulse-stimulated echo method. We have also carried out similar experiments with model compounds containing either [14N]- or [15N]imidazole. In many of the compounds studied, we have been able to identify the nuclear modulation effects arising from 14N of the porphyrin ring and have been able to characterize and interpret the modulation effects due to 14N of various nitrogenous axial ligands. We have found that the heme of low spin ferric cytochrome P-450 is coordinated to a nitrogenous ligand, probably imidazole. We have also demonstrated that the remote 14N of the imidazole ligand in a [14N]imidazole-heme-NO-model compound is coupled differently than in myoglobin nitroxide, demonstrating the direct effect of the protein of metal ligand bonding.

Binding Sites

Oxygenated iron bleomycin. A short-lived intermediate in the reaction of ferrous bleomycin with O2.

The reaction of Fe(II) . bleomycin with O2 to yield Fe(III) . bleomycin has been resolved into two kinetic events by stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The first event is first order with respect to both bleomycin and O2 and may be regarded as a second order reaction (k = 6.1 x 10(3) M-1s-1 at 2 degrees C). The first product has no EPR spectrum. The optical spectrum resembles those of Fe(II) . bleomycin complexes with CO, NO, and ethyl isocyanide. We propose that the first product is an Fe(II) . bleomycin . O2 complex. The second kinetic event is first order with respect to the first accumulated product (k = 0.11 s-1 at 2 degrees C) and independent of oxygen concentration. The product of this reaction is indistinguishable from Fe(III) . bleomycin by optical and EPR spectroscopy.

Bleomycin

Iron-bleomycin interactions with oxygen and oxygen analogues. Effects on spectra and drug activity.

Despite extensive structural dissimilarities, iron . bleomycin complexes and heme-containing oxygenases display remarkable similarities in binding oxygen antagonists and in spectral properties deriving from bound iron. Fe(II)-bleomycin reversibly forms a complex with either CO or isocyanide (lambda max = 384 and 497 nm, respectively), either of which interfere with its oxygen-dependent cleavage of DNA. A similar but paramagnetic complex forms with NO (lambda max = 470 nm; AN = 24 G). In contrast, cyanide enhances bleomycin activity against DNA. Complexes of bleomycin and FE(III), formed either by direct association or by autoxidation of the Fe(II) . bleomycin complex, exhibit indistinguishable EPR and visible spectra, which change characteristically with pH. At neutral pH, Fe(III) . bleomycin is a low spin complex (g = 2.45, 2.18, 1.89; lambda max = 365, 384 nm) and, at low pH, it is a high spin rhombic complex (geff = 9.4, 4.3; lambda max = 430 nm). These complexes are interconvertible (pK 4.3). Fe(II) . bleomycin oxidation, although reversible by spectral criteria, is accompanied by drug inactivation unless DNA is present.

Animals

Measurement of 14N superhyperfine frequencies in stellacyanin by an electron spin echo method.

We have measured the 14N superhyperfine frequencies for weakly coupled nitrogen in stellacyanin and in a model compound Cu(II)-diethylenetriamine-imidazole using a 3-pulse spin echo technique. By making computer simulations of the superhyperfine spectrum, we have been able to show that these frequencies result from the interaction of the remote protonated nitrogen of metal-bound imidazole with Cu(II).

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy

The nature of the copper atoms of cytochrome c oxidase as studied by optical and x-ray absorption edge spectroscopy.

X-ray absorption edge spectroscopy has been used to study the copper of 1--2 mM cytochrome c oxidase in the resting oxidized, mixed-valence, and fully reduced states. A comparison was made of this protein with copper complexes and with natural and artificial copper proteins. Spectra were obtained with synchrotron radiation from the SPEAR storage ring using highly sensitive fluorescence detectors. Temperatures of -80 to -120 degrees C were employed further to improve the stability of the samples and to avoid the possibility of either auto- or photon-induced reduction of the materials, which might have occurred in previous studies. In order to characterize the valence states of the Cu and Fe components, the samples were monitored by infrared and visible spectroscopy before and after irradiation by the X-ray beam. The combination of the optical and X-ray absorption techniques has afforded a deconvolution of the four species of copper in the various states of cytochrome c oxidase and the tentative assignment of Cu alpha, the copper redox coupled to the heme alpha of cytochrome alpha, as a highly covalent type of copper and Cu alpha 3, the copper of cytochrome alpha 3, as a more ionic 'blue' type I copper. The implications of these findings upon the mechanism of action of cytochrome oxidase are briefly outlined.

Absorptiometry, Photon

The detection of superoxide anion from the reaction of oxyhemoglobin and phenylhydrazine using EPR spectroscopy.

The low temperature EPR spectrum of a quickly reacted mixture of oxyhemoglobin and phenylhydrazine was studied. With the use of a computer, the spectral contribution of methemoglobin in the region of g = 2 was subtracted. The remaining spectrum was that of an axial free radical (g perpendicular = 2.00, g parallel = 2.06) having the magnetic parameters of superoxide anion. In the presence of superoxide dismutase, this axial radical was not seen, confirming that superoxide anion is indeed generated by the reaction.

Chemical Phenomena

Photoreduction of copper chromophores in blue oxidases.

The low temperature (77 K) irradiation of oxidized ceruloplasmin and Rhus vernicifera laccase at the 330 nm absorption which arises from type 3 copper leads to the reduction of type 1 copper as demonstrated by bleaching of the 610 nm chromophore and the decrease of the EPR signal associated with this species. Type 2 copper remains unaffected. Concomitant with the type 1 copper reduction, a new EPR signal which is possibly that of a biradical appears. Upon thawing, type 1 copper is reversibly oxidized and the radical signal disappears. Irradiation of oxidized protein at the absorption band of type 1 copper produces no spectral change. An EPR study at room temperature confirms the wave-length specificity and reversibility of the photoreduction of type 1 copper and radical formation. Radical appearance and disappearance at room temperature are extremely slow (tau1/2 approximately 30 min). Optical studies at room temperature show that upon anaerobic irradiation of laccase in the 330 nm absorption band, both type 3 and type 1 chromophores are slowly reduced. Upon return to the dark and in the presence of O2, both type 3 and type 1 centers are reoxidized. Oxidizing equivalents either from O2 or K3Fe(CN)6 are required for the reoxidation reaction. These studies demonstrate that there is a direct energy transfer between type 3 and type 1 copper sites in blue copper oxidases.

Catechol Oxidase

The reversible binding of oxygen to sulfhemoglobin.

The O2 binding properties of sulfhemoglobin were studied. The oxygen tension required for half-saturation of sulfhemoglobin is more than 2 orders of magnitude higher than that for hemoglobin A. The binding of O2 exhibits an alkaline Bohr effect larger than that observed for hemoglobin, yet the Hill number is unity. From the Bohr titration curve, 0.68 proton is released during O2 binding at 0 degrees C. Sulfhemoglobin prepared from carboxypeptidase A-treated hemoglobin has an affinity for O2 which is about the same as that of sulfhemoglobin at the theoretical limit of the Bohr titration curve. Like its carboxypeptidase A-treated hemoglobin precursor, this sulfhemoglobin does not bind O2 cooperatively. Thus, sulfhemoglobin appears to be in a high affinity form at alkaline pH and a low affinity form at acid pH, similar to hemoglobin A. These results demonstrate that the magnitude of the Hill number is not always an indicator of the interaction between oxygen binding and other functions in a hemoglobin.

Carboxypeptidases

Effect of light and oxygen on neocarzinostatin stability and DNA-cleaving activity.

The in vitro DNA-cleaving activity of neocarzinostatin, a protein antibiotic, is strongly but reversibly inhibited by anaerobiosis. Half-maximal activity is seen in the presence of 0.25 mM O2. The stability of neocarzinostatin, as demonstrated by its ability to cleave DNA, is significantly reduced in light. Inactivation by light is complete and irreversible.

Aerobiosis

Effect of chelating agents and metal ions on the degradation of DNA by bleomycin.

The degradation of DNA by bleomycin was studied in the absence and in the presence of added reducing agents, including 2-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, H2O2, and ascorbate, and in the presence of a superoxide anion generating system consisting of xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine. In all cases, breakage of DNA was inhibited by low concentrations of chelators; where examined in detail, deferoxamine mesylate was considerably more potent than (ethylenedinitrilo)tetraacetic acid. Iron was found to be present in significant quantities in all reaction mixtures. Thus, the pattern of inhibition observed is attributed to the involvement of contaminating iron in the degradation of DNA by bleomycin. Cu(II), Zn(II), and Co(II) inhibit degradation of DNA by bleomycin and Fe(II) in the absence of added reducing agents. A model is proposed in which the degradation of DNA in these systems is dependent on the oxidation of an Fe(II)-bleomycin-DNA complex.

Bleomycin

Liver microsomal cytochromes P-450 and azoreductase activity.

Hepatic microsomal azoreductase activity with amaranth (3-hydroxy-4[(4-sulfo-1-naphthalenyl)azo]-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid trisodium salt) as a substrate is proportional to the levels of microsomal cytochrome P-450 from control or phenobarbital-pretreated rats and mice or cytochrome P-448 from 3-methylchol-anthrene-pretreated animals. In the "inducible" C57B/6J strain of mice, 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital pretreatment cause an increase in cytochrome P-448 and P-450 levels, respectively, which is directly proportional to the increase of azoreductase activity. However, in the "noninducible" DBA/2J strain of mice, only phenobarbital treatment causes the increase both in cytochrome P-450 levels and azoreductase activity, while 3-methylcholanthrene has no effect. These experiments suggest that the P-450 type cytochromes are responsible for azoreductase activity in liver microsomes.

Amaranth Dye

Superoxide dismutase, a study of the electronic properties of the copper and zinc by X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

The x-ray absorption for copper and zinc in oxidized and reduced superoxide dismutase, as well as in various model compounds, was studied. Upon reduction of the protein, the added electron affects the copper site almost exclusively, while the zinc remains virtually unchanged. Reduction decreases the charge on the copper atom [toward Cu(I)] and changes the configuration of the copper site so that it becomes less symmetric. An analysis of the copper absorption observed with the oxidized enzyme and a comparison with that for Cu(II)(imid)4 suggests that the copper is not simply ligated to four imidazoles. The addition of H2O2 to superoxide dismutase reduces the copper to Cu(I), while oxygen addition to the peroxide-reduced protein restores the copper to Cu(II).

Absorption

Analogous effect of protons and inositol hexaphosphate on the alteration of structure of nitrosyl fetal human hemoglobin.

We have determined the low temperature EPR spectra and room temperature ligand dissociation rate constants of human NO-hemoglobins F and A as a function of pH and inositol hexaphosphate levels in order to assess the contribution of a quaternary structural equilibrium in the two proteins to their spectral and functional properties. Our results are consistent with an increased stability of a ligated low affinity structure in the fetal protein; the functional properties of this structure appear to be essentially the same in the two hemoglobins, even though its stability relative to a high affinity conformation is different. The pH dependence of the NO dissociation constant in both adult and fetal hemoglobin can be assigned primarily to the pH-dependent equilibria of high and low affinity forms as monitored by EPR.

Adult

The linear electric field effect in stellacyanin, azurin and in some simple model compounds.

All mononuclear Cu(II) sites in frozen solution are non-centrosymmetric and, unless physically constrained, will have a tetrahedral distortion away from the usual square planar structure often presented for Cu(II) complexes. Blue copper sites such as are found in azurin and stellacyanin have a greater distortion towards a tetrahedral geometry than do simple Cu(II) complexes. The distortion is comparable to that which is observed for Cu(II)-o-phenanthroline dichloride, a known tetrahedral complex. Blue copper sites possess an axis of asymmetry directed away from g parallel which could arise from a metal-sulfur interaction.

Azurin

Pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance studies of types I and II coper of Rhus vernicifera laccase and porcine ceruloplasmin.

Electron spin-echo decay envelopes for types I and II copper of Rhus vernicifera laccase and for type II copper of procine ceruloplasmin have been studied. Nuclear modulation patterns show that imidazole is a ligand for all of them. The linear electric field effect (LEFE) in EPR was studied for type I copper in a laccase preparation from which type II had been removed. The symmetry of the site is near tetrahedral and the magnitude of the LEFE is correlated with the intensity of blue color.

Animals