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Isolation of a low molecular weight zinc binding ligand from human milk.

A low molecular weight zinc binding compound from human milk has been purified by ultrafiltration, gel filtration, and ion-exchange chromatography. Evidence is provided that this compound is citrate. A higher amount of citrate-bound zinc was found in human milk than in cow's milk. It is suggested that the therapeutic value of human milk for patients with the genetic disorder of zinc metabolism acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) derives from a greater content of bioavailable zinc citrate in human than in cow's milk.

Animals↗

Local photodynamic therapy with Zn(II)-phthalocyanine in an experimental model of intimal hyperplasia.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) appears to be a novel promising modality to prevent intimal hyperplasia (IH) and restenosis after angioplasty. Local PDT, that consists of local delivery of photosensitizing agents followed by intraluminal local irradiation, represents a recent advancement. This methodology requires optimization in order to achieve the best prompt outcome especially in terms of pharmacokinetics of the photosensitizing agent. We studied the pharmacokinetic properties by using the photosensitizing agent Zn(II)-phthalocyanine (ZnPc), locally released by a channeled balloon. The efficacy of local PDT in reducing IH was evaluated in an experimental rabbit model of arterial injury. The maximum accumulation of ZnPc was found at 30 min: the injured portion of the artery gave a ZnPc recovery of 1.18 micromol/mg, as compared with undetectable amounts of ZnPc in the non injured arteries; within 90 min after the local delivery, clearance of the agent was almost complete. Local PDT produced an effective reduction of IH in our vascular injury model: at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days IH and intima/media ratio (IMR) was significantly reduced as compared with balloon injured arteries. The local delivery of ZnPc showed favourable pharmacokinetic properties, that allow the performance of PDT immediately after the vascular injury. Local PDT performed in these conditions represents a promising approach to prevent IH after balloon injury. Further studies are needed to better clarify the biological response of the injured arterial wall to local PDT.

Animals↗

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between quantum dot donors and dye-labeled protein acceptors.

We used luminescent CdSe-ZnS core-shell quantum dots (QDs) as energy donors in fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) assays. Engineered maltose binding protein (MBP) appended with an oligohistidine tail and labeled with an acceptor dye (Cy3) was immobilized on the nanocrystals via a noncovalent self-assembly scheme. This configuration allowed accurate control of the donor-acceptor separation distance to a range smaller than 100 A and provided a good model system to explore FRET phenomena in QD-protein-dye conjugates. This QD-MBP conjugate presents two advantages: (1) it permits one to tune the degree of spectral overlap between donor and acceptor and (2) provides a unique configuration where a single donor can interact with several acceptors simultaneously. The FRET signal was measured for these complexes as a function of both degree of spectral overlap and fraction of dye-labeled proteins in the QD conjugate. Data showed that substantial acceptor signals were measured upon conjugate formation, indicating efficient nonradiative exciton transfer between QD donors and dye-labeled protein acceptors. FRET efficiency can be controlled either by tuning the QD photoemission or by adjusting the number of dye-labeled proteins immobilized on the QD center. Results showed a clear dependence of the efficiency on the spectral overlap between the QD donor and dye acceptor. Apparent donor-acceptor distances were determined from efficiency measurements and corresponding Förster distances, and these results agreed with QD bioconjugate dimensions extracted from structural data and core size variations among QD populations.

Cadmium Compounds↗

Radial-position-controlled doping in CdS/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals.

In this paper, we report a new doping approach using a three-step synthesis to make high-quality Mn-doped CdS/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals. This approach allows precise control of the Mn radial position and doping level in the core/shell nanocrystals. On the basis of this synthetic advance, we have demonstrated the first example in which optical properties of Mn-doped nanocrystals strongly depend on Mn radial positions inside the nanocrystals. In addition, we have synthesized nanocrystals with a room-temperature Mn-emission quantum yield of 56%, which is nearly twice as high as that of the best Mn-doped nanocrystals reported previously. Nanocrystals with such a high-emission quantum yield are very important to applications such as nanocrystal-based biomedical diagnosis.

Cadmium Compounds↗

Enhancing the photoluminescence of peptide-coated nanocrystals with shell composition and UV irradiation.

The composition and structure of inorganic shells grown over CdSe semiconductor nanocrystal dots and rods were optimized to yield enhanced photoluminescence properties after ligand exchange followed by coating with phytochelatin-related peptides. We show that, in addition to the peptides imparting superior colloidal properties and providing biofunctionality in a single-step reaction, the improved shells and pretreatment with UV irradiation resulted in high quantum yields for the nanocrystals in water. Moreover, peptide coating caused a noticeable red-shift in the absorption and emission spectra for one of the tested shells, suggesting that exciton-molecular orbital (X-MO) coupling might take place in these hybrid inorganic-organic composite materials.

Cadmium Compounds↗

ATR-FTIR spectroscopy reveals bond formation during bacterial adhesion to iron oxide.

The contribution of various bacterial surface functional groups to adhesion at hematite and ZnSe surfaces was examined using attenuated total reflectance (ATR) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. When live Shewanella oneidensis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis cells were introduced to a horizontal hematite (alpha-Fe(2)O(3))-coated internal reflection element (IRE), FTIR peaks emerged corresponding to bacterial phosphate group binding. These IR peaks were not observed when bacteria were introduced to the uncoated ZnSe IRE. When cells were added to colloidal suspensions of alpha-Fe(2)O(3) at pH 7, spectra included peaks corresponding to P-OFe and nu(COOH), the latter being attributed to bridging of carboxylate at mineral surface OH groups. Selected model organic compounds with P-containing functionalities (phenylphosphonic acid [PPA], adenosine 5'-monophosphate [AMP], 2'-deoxyadenyl(3'-->5')-2'-deoxyadenosine [DADA], and deoxyribonucleic acid [DNA]) produce spectra with similar peaks corresponding to P-OFe when adsorbed to alpha-Fe(2)O(3). The data indicate that both terminal phosphate/phosphonate and phosphodiester groups, either exuded from the cell or present as surface biomolecules, are involved in bacterial adhesion to Fe-oxides through formation of innersphere Fe-phosphate/phosphonate complexes.

Adsorption↗

Impact of ripening on manganese-doped ZnSe nanocrystals.

We examine the impact of growth kinetics on the incorporation of Mn dopants into ZnSe nanocrystals. We synthesize such particles, also known as colloidal quantum dots, and use optical spectroscopy to extract information about the average number of Mn impurities per nanocrystal as the reaction proceeds. We find that this number increases with particle growth until the Zn and/or Se precursors are depleted in the reaction solution. If the reaction is continued further, then ripening of the colloid begins and the average number of Mn per nanocrystal decreases, even as the particles slowly increase in size. We show that this effect, which is detrimental for enhanced doping, can be avoided if the reactant concentration is maintained by addition of more reactants. We consider several explanations and conclude that intraparticle ripening, in which material is redistributed on the same nanocrystal due to evolution of the particle shape, is the most consistent with experimental observations.

Colloids↗

Zn(II)-phthalocyanine as a photodynamic agent for tumours. II. Studies on the mechanism of photosensitised tumour necrosis.

The mechanism of tumour necrosis photosensitised by liposome-delivered Zn(II) phthalocyanine (Zn-Pc) has been studied in mice bearing a transplanted MS-2 fibrosarcoma. Ultrastructural analyses of tumour specimens obtained at different times after red light-irradiation (300 J cm-2, dose-rate 180 mW cm-2) indicate an early (3 h) photodamage of malignant cells especially at the level of the mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The cellular damage becomes more evident between 6 h and 15 h after photodynamic therapy. On the other hand, the capillaries supplying the tumour tissue are modified at a much slower rate and appear to be severely damaged only after 15 h from irradiation, when the whole tissue becomes necrotic. Occasionally, mildly damaged capillaries are observed even at 72 h after irradiation. These findings support the hypothesis that low density lipoproteins (LDL) play a major role in the delivery of Zn-Pc to the tumour tissue; the photosensitiser is released specifically to malignant cells as a consequence of a receptor-mediated endocytosis of LDL.

Animals↗

Effect of red laser light on Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in human erythrocyte membranes sensitized with Zn-phthalocyanine.

OBJECTIVE: The influence of laser light (670 nm) on human erythrocyte membrane Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in the presence and absence of Zn-phthalocyanine (ZnPc) was studied. BACKGROUND DATA: The response of erythrocyte membranes to low-power laser irradiation has not been fully elucidated. In our study, we focused on the studies on photo-induced changes of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity. The erythrocyte membrane suspensions were incubated with 2 mM of ZnPc and next irradiated with energy doses of 19.1, 38.2, 57.3, 76.4, and 95.5 J x cm(-2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The activity of Na+,K(+)-ATPase was assayed colorimetrically at the wavelength of 820 nm and expressed in micromol of inorganic phosphate released from ATP per mg of protein. RESULTS: The measurements of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in erythrocyte membranes incubated with ZnPc in the dark demonstrated that all concentrations of the dye (0.5, 1, 2, and 3 microM) stimulated enzyme activity. The concentration of 2 microM caused the smallest increase of enzyme activity, so this concentration was accepted for further studies. Irradiation of erythrocyte membranes in the presence of the dye (2 microM) significantly decreased Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity. Only for energy doses of 19.1 and 38.2 J x cm(-2) was the enzyme activity comparable to the activity of the control. CONCLUSION: It was found that irradiation with all energy doses applied caused a rise of enzyme activity. In the presence of ZnPc, significant decrease of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity was observed.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Sensitivity of FRDA lymphoblasts to salts of transition metal ions.

Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease resulting from decreased expression of the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial protein, frataxin. FRDA patients have characteristic iron deposits and dysfunction of mitochondrial enzymes in the heart. Inactivation of the frataxin homologue in yeast causes dysregulation of both mitochondrial iron levels and iron export. Previously, we have observed sensitivity of FRDA fibroblasts to FeCl3 and hydrogen peroxide, results consistent with the hypothesis that FRDA cells may experience increased Fenton chemistry. To determine whether the sensitivity of FRDA cells to transition metal ions is a general or specific property, we have compared the sensitivity of lymphoblasts from FRDA patients and healthy controls to the transition metal salts CoCl2, CuSO4 FeCl3 FeSO4, MnCl2, and ZnCl2. FRDA lymphoblasts were significantly more sensitive to FeCl3 and MnCl2 than control cells. However, there were no significant differences observed in sensitivity to CoCl2, CuSO4, FeSO4 and ZnCl2 in the concentration ranges studied. Thus, the sensitivity of FRDA lymphoblasts exposed to transition metals appears to be specific, and could be relevant to the pathophysiological mechanism, which is discussed.

Blotting, Western↗

The subcellular localization of Zn(II) phthalocyanines and their redistribution on exposure to light.

The development of second-generation photosensitizers to improve photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an area of extensive research. Three such compounds that have been synthesized in our group are polysubstituted Zn(II) phthalocyanines that differ in their overall net charge (one cationic, one anionic and one neutral). The aim of this study was to characterize the drugs in terms of their uptake, cell killing efficacy and subcellular localization in RIF-1 cells in vitro and to identify any possible structure/function relationships. The results show that the relative uptakes and cell killing efficacy of each of the drugs follows the order cationic > > neutral > anionic. For the anionic and cationic drugs the initial subcellular localization was in the lysosomes as determined by fluorescence microscopy. The neutral phthalocyanine demonstrated a more diffuse localization characteristic of membrane staining with some involvement of the Golgi apparatus in the perinuclear area. Following light exposure the drugs rapidly relocalized to different sites within the cell in a manner that was apparently charge dependent and this relocalization was accompanied by an increase in the fluorescence associated with the drugs. This indicates that the primary sites of localization of these photosensitizers may not be as important as their secondary sites in producing cell killing during PDT, especially as the fluorescence intensity increases on relocalization.

Animals↗

Preparation and characterization of overcoated II-VI quantum dots.

A convenient route for the synthesis of high-quality overcoated II-VI quantum dots (QDs) is reported in this paper. Simple salts, such as Cd(Ac)2 and Zn(Ac)2 were used to replace organometallics, whose disadvantage is obvious. Size-tunable core/shell structured QDs (CdSe/ZnS, CdSe/CdS, etc.) were synthesized. They were of narrow size distribution and had good monodispersivity and photoluminescence (PL) properties. The spectrum was symmetrical and sharp-pointed (with the full width at half-maximum (fwhm) of about 20-30 nm). The quantum yield (QY) was improved to 60-80% from 20-30% for bare QDs and remained stable at least for 6 months. The primary overcoated QDs were modified with biomacromolecules by a direct mechanical rubbing strategy, which is very simple and fast. The results obtained by UV-vis, PL, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and fluorescence microscopy imaging showed that the modified QDs were of good fluorescent and monodisperse characteristics. They are likely to be used further for biological labels.

Cadmium Compounds↗

Characterization of crystalline L-carnosine Zn(II) complex (Z-103), a novel anti-gastric ulcer agent: tautomeric change of imidazole moiety upon complexation.

A novel crystalline Zn(II) complex of L-carnosine was prepared and evaluated for inhibitory activity against gastric ulceration in rats. The complex was found to be much more active than various other Zn(II) compounds. It was characterized by means of infrared (IR) spectroscopy, solid-state carbon-13 (13C) and nitrogen-15 (15N) 1H-cross-polarization (CP) magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The spectroscopic data indicated that L-carnosine coordinates to Zn(II) as a quadridentate ligand. A comparison of the 13C-NMR signals of the imidazole carbons of the complex with those of several histidine derivatives revealed that a tautomeric change of imidazole moiety had occurred upon complexation. The binding mode of the complex was considered to be analogous to that of the corresponding Cu(II) complex.

Animals↗