Atomic force microscopy of DNA and protein-DNA complexes using functionalized mica substrates.
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Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a technique widely used to image protein-DNA complexes, and its application has now been extended to the measurements of protein-DNA binding constants and specificities. However, the spreading of the protein-DNA complexes on a flat substrate, generally mica, is required prior to AFM imaging. The influence of the surface on protein-DNA interactions is therefore an issue which needs to be addressed. For that purpose, the extensively studied EcoRI-DNA complex was investigated with the aim of providing quantitative information about the surface influence. The equilibrium binding constant of the complex was determined by AFM at both low and high ionic strengths and compared to electrophoretic mobility shift assay measurements (EMSA). In addition, the effect of the DNA length on dissociation of the protein from its specific site was analyzed. It turned out that the AFM measurements are similar to those obtained by EMSA at high ionic strengths. We then advance the idea that this effect is due to the high counterion concentration near the highly negatively charged mica surface. In addition, a dissociation of the complexes once they are adsorbed onto the surface was observed, which is weakly dependent on the ionic strength contrary to what occurs in solution. Finally, a two-step mechanism, which describes the adsorption of the EcoRI-DNA complexes on the surface, is proposed. This model could also be extended to other protein-DNA complexes.
Optical detection of triplet-state magnetic resonance (ODMR) is employed to study the complexes formed between gene 32 protein (GP32), a single-stranded DNA-binding protein from bacteriophage T4, and the heavy-atom-derivatized polynucleotides poly(5-HgU) and poly(5-BrU). The triplet-state properties of some of the tryptophan (Trp) residues in the complexes are dramatically different from those in the free protein, in that they are subject to an external heavy-atom effect. Direct evidence for the presence of a heavy-atom effect, and hence a close-range interaction between mercurated or brominated nucleotide bases and Trp residues in the complex, is provided by the observation of the zero-field (D) + (E) ODMR transition of Trp, which is not normally observed in the absence of a heavy-atom perturbation. The amplitude-modulated phosphorescence-microwave double-resonance (AM-PMDR) technique is employed to selectively capture the phosphorescence spectrum originating from the heavy-atom-perturbed Trp residue(s) in the GP32-poly(5-HgU) complex. Arguments based on our experimental results lead to the conclusion that the heavy-atom perturbation arises from aromatic stacking interactions between Trp and mercurated bases. Wavelength-selected ODMR measurements reveal the existence of two environmentally distinct and spectrally different types of Trp in GP32. One of these types is perturbed selectively by the heavy atom and hence undergoes stacking interactions with the heavy-atom-derivatized bases of the polynucleotide while the second type of Trp residue is unaffected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
In oxygenic photosynthesis, water is oxidized at a protein-cofactor complex comprising four Mn atoms and, presumably, one calcium. Using multilayers of Photosystem II membrane particles, we investigated the time course of the disassembly of the Mn complex initiated by a temperature jump from 25 degrees C to 47 degrees C and terminated by rapid cooling after distinct heating periods. We monitored polarographically the oxygen-evolution activity, the amount of the Y(D)(ox) radical and of released Mn(2+) by EPR spectroscopy, and the structure of the Mn complex by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS, EXAFS). Using a novel approach to analyze time-resolved EXAFS data, we identify three distinct phases of the disassembly process: (1) Loss of the oxygen-evolution activity and reduction of Y(D)(ox) occur simultaneously (k(1) = 1.0 min(-1)). EXAFS spectra reveal the concomitant loss of an absorber-backscatterer interaction between heavy atoms separated by approximately 3.3 A, possibly related to Ca release. (2) Subsequently, two Mn(III) or Mn(IV) ions seemingly separated by approximately 2.7 A in the native complex are reduced to Mn(II) and released (k(2) = 0.18 min(-1)). The x-ray absorption spectroscopy data is highly suggestive that the two unreleased Mn ions form a di- micro -oxo bridged Mn(III)(2) complex. (3) Finally, the tightly-bound Mn(2)( micro -O)(2) unit is slowly reduced and released (k(3) = 0.014 min(-1)).
Utrophin is a large ubiquitously expressed cytoskeletal protein, homologous to dystrophin, the protein disrupted in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The association of both proteins with the actin cytoskeleton is functionally important and is mediated by a domain at their N termini, conserved in members of the spectrin superfamily, including alpha-actinin, beta-spectrin and fimbrin. We present the structure of the actin-binding domain of utrophin in complex with F-actin, determined by cryo-electron microscopy and helical reconstruction, and a pseudo-atomic model of the complex, generated by docking the crystal structures of the utrophin domain and F-actin into the reconstruction. In contrast to the model of actin binding proposed for fimbrin, the utrophin actin-binding domain appears to associate with actin in an extended conformation. This conformation places residues that are highly conserved in utrophin and other members of the spectrin superfamily at the utrophin interface with actin, confirming the likelihood of this binding orientation. This model emphasises the importance of protein flexibility in modeling interactions and presents the fascinating possibility of a diversity of actin-binding mechanisms among related proteins.
The complexation of new mixed thia-aza-oxa macrocycle viz., 2,12-dithio-5,9,14,18-tetraoxo-7,16-dithia-1,3,4,10,11,13-hexaazacyclooctadecane containing thiosemicarba-zone unit with a series of transition metals Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) has been investigated, by different spectroscopic techniques. The structural features of the ligand have been studied by EI-mass, (1)H NMR and IR spectral techniques. Elemental analyses, magnetic moment susceptibility, molar conductance, IR, electronic, and EPR spectral studies characterized the complexes. Electronic absorption and IR spectra of the complexes indicate octahedral geometry for chloro, nitrato, thiocyanato or acetato complexes. The dimeric and neutral nature of the sulphato complexes are confirmed from magnetic susceptibility and low conductance values. Electronic spectra suggests square-planar geometry for all sulphato complexes. The redox behaviour was studied by cyclic voltammetry, show metal-centered reduction processes for all complexes. The complexes of copper show both oxidation and reduction process. The redox potentials depend on the conformation of central atom in the macrocyclic complexes. Newly synthesized macrocyclic ligand and its transition metal complexes show markedly growth inhibitory activity against pathogenic bacterias and plant pathogenic fungi under study. Most of the complexes have higher activity than that of the metal free ligand.
Aluminum fluoride and beryllium fluoride complexes have previously been shown to bind tightly to F-ADP-actin and GDP-microtubules in competition with Pi and to mimic the XDP-Pi transient state of the polymerization. The structure of the bound complexes is investigated here in further detail. Using a fluoride ion-specific electrode, the number of fluoride atoms per aluminum or beryllium atom in the bound complex could be determined. The results indicate that AIF-4 and either BeF2(OH)-.H2O or BeF3-.H2O are the tightly bound species in both F-actin and microtubules. The dependences of the binding on pF and pH are consistent with this conclusion. The possible geometries of aluminum and beryllium fluorides in the gamma-phosphate subsite of the nucleotide are discussed in correlation with the catalytic mechanism of nucleotide hydrolysis.
Two sensitive, spectrophotometric and atomic absorption spectrometric procedures are developed for the determination of two antihypertensive agents (enalapril maleate and ramipril). The spectrophotometric procedures for the two cited drugs are based on ternary complex formation. The first ternary complex (copper(II), eosin, and enalapril) was estimated by two methods; the first depends on its extraction with chloroform measuring at 533.4 nm. Beer's law was obeyed in concentration range from 56 to 112 microg ml(-1). The second method for the same complex depends on its direct measurement after addition of methylcellulose as surfactant at the pH value 5 at 558.8 nm. The concentration range is from 19 to 32 microg ml(-1). The second ternary complex (iron(III), thiocyanate, and ramipril) was extracted with methylene chloride, measuring at 436.6 nm, with a concentration range 60-132 microg ml(-1). The direct atomic absorption spectrometric method through the quantitative determination of copper or iron content of the complex was also investigated for the purpose of enhancing the sensitivity of the determination. The spectrophotometric and atomic absorption spectrometric procedures hold their accuracy and precision well when applied to the determination of ramipril and enalapril dosage forms.
The apoenzyme of NADPH oxidoreductase, 'old yellow enzyme', was reconstituted with selectively 13C-enriched flavin mononucleotides and investigated by 13C NMR spectroscopy. The 13C NMR results confirm the results obtained by 15N NMR spectroscopy and yield additional information about the coenzyme-apoenzyme interaction. A strong deshielding of the C(2) and C(4) atoms of enzyme-bound FMN both in the oxidized and reduced state is observed, which is supposed to be induced by hydrogen-bond formation between the protein and the two carbonyl groups at C(2) and C(4) of the isoalloxazine ring system. The chemical shifts of all 13C resonances of the flavin in the two-electron-reduced state indicate that the N(5) atom is sp3-hybridized. From 31P NMR measurements it is concluded that the FMN phosphate group is not accessible to bulk solvent. The unusual 31P chemical shift of FMN in old yellow enzyme seems to indicate a different binding mode of the FMN phosphate group in this enzyme as compared to the flavodoxins. The 13C and 15N NMR data on the old-yellow-enzyme--phenolate complexes show that the atoms of the phenolate are more deshielded whereas the atoms of the enzyme-bound isoalloxazine ring are more shielded upon complexation. A non-linear correlation exists between the chemical shifts of the N(5) and the N(10) atoms and the pKa value of the phenolate derivative bound to the protein. Since the chemical shifts of N(5), N(10) and C(4a) are influenced most on complexation it is suggested that the phenolate is bound near the pyrazine ring of the isoalloxazine system. 15N NMR studies on the complex between FMN and 2-aminobenzoic acid indicate that the structure of this complex differs from that of the old-yellow-enzyme--phenolate complexes.
Four new zinc and cadmium bisphosphonates [{NaZn(Cl2CP2O6H)(H2O)5}]n (1), [{Cd2(Cl2CP2O6)(H2O)4}.H2O]n (2), [{Zn(Cl2CP2O6Pri2)(H2O)3}.H2O]n (3), and [{Cd2(Cl2CP2O6Pri2)2(MeOH)2(H2O)2}.H2O]2 (4) have been prepared and their crystal structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. Two bisphosphonate ligands were used: clodronate, (dichloromethylene)bis(phosphonate) and its symmetrical P,P'-diisopropyl ester derivative. The structure of the Zn complex 1 is three-dimensional, consisting of one-dimensional Zn-clodronate chains connected to the three-dimensional network by Na+ ions. The structure of Cd complex 2 consists of double layers, and a unique bond was found between the Cd2+ cation and a Cl atom of clodronate. Zn complex 3 consists of one-dimensional chains, but the binding of the bisphosphonate ligands is unique: in 3 the bisphosphonate ligand is only bidentate. Compound 4 is a tetramer, and hydrogen bonds hold the tetramers together, forming a layered structure.
A series of dithiolene complexes of the general type [Mo(IV)(QR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) has been prepared and structurally characterized as possible structural and reactivity analogues of reduced sites of the enzymes DMSOR and TMAOR (QR' = PhO(-), 2-AdO(-), Pr(i)()O(-)), dissimilatory nitrate reductase (QR' = 2-AdS(-)), and formate dehydrogenase (QR' = 2-AdSe(-)). The complexes are square pyramidal with the molybdenum atom positioned 0.74-0.80 A above the S(4) mean plane toward axial ligand QR'. In part on the basis of a recent clarification of the active site of oxidized Rhodobacter sphaeroides DMSOR (Li, H.-K.; Temple, C.; Rajagopalan, K. V.; Schindelin, H. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 7673), we have adopted the minimal reaction paradigm Mo(IV) + XO right arrow over left arrow Mo(VI)O + X involving desoxo Mo(IV), monooxo Mo(VI), and substrate/product XO/X for direct oxygen atom transfer of DMSOR and TMAOR enzymes. The [Mo(OR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) species carry dithiolene and anionic oxygen ligands intended to simulate cofactor ligand and serinate binding in DMSOR and TMAOR catalytic sites. In systems with N-oxide and S-oxide substrates, the observed overall reaction sequence is [Mo(IV)(OR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) + XO --> [Mo(VI)O(OR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) --> [Mo(V)O(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-). Direct oxo transfer in the first step has been proven by isotope labeling. The reactivity of [Mo(OPh)(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) (1) has been the most extensively studied. In second-order reactions, 1 reduces DMSO and (CH(2))(4)SO (k(2) approximately 10(-)(6), 10(-)(4) M(-)(1) s(-)(1); DeltaS(double dagger) = -36, -39 eu) and Me(3)NO (k(2) = 200 M(-)(1) s(-)(1); DeltaS(double dagger) = -21 eu) in acetonitrile at 298 K. Activation entropies indicate an associative transition state, which from relative rates and substrate properties is inferred to be concerted with X-O bond weakening and Mo-O bond making. The Mo(VI)O product in the first step, such as [Mo(VI)O(OR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-), is an intermediate in the overall reaction sequence, inasmuch as it is too unstable to isolate and decays by an internal redox process to a Mo(V)O product, liberating an equimolar quantity of phenol. This research affords the first analogue reaction systems of biological N-oxide and S-oxide substrates that are based on desoxo Mo(IV) complexes with biologically relevant coordination. Oxo-transfer reactions in analogue systems are substantially slower than enzyme systems based on a k(cat)/K(M) criterion. An interpretation of this behavior requires more information on the rate-limiting step(s) in enzyme catalytic cycles. (2-Ad = 2-adamantyl, DMSOR = dimethyl sulfoxide reductase, TMAOR = trimethylamine N-oxide reductase)
Anionic terminal one-atom nitride, phosphide, and carbide complexes are excellent starting materials for the synthesis of ligands containing low-coordinate phosphorus centers in the protecting coordination sphere of the metal complex. Salt-elimination reactions with chlorophosphanes lead to phosphaisocyanide, iminophosphinimide, and diorganophosphanylphosphinidene complexes in which the unusual phosphorus ligands are stabilized by coordination. X-ray structure analyses and density-functional calculations illuminate the bonding in these compounds.
Beta-elimination is explored as a possible means of nitrogen-atom transfer into organic molecules. Molybdenum(IV) ketimide complexes of formula (Ar[t-Bu]N)3Mo(N=C(X)Ph), where Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3 and X = SC6F5, SeC6F5, or O2CPh, are formally derived from addition of the carbene fragment [:C(X)Ph] to the terminal nitrido molybdenum(VI) complex (Ar[t-Bu]N)3Mo identical with N in which the nitrido nitrogen atom is installed by scission of molecular nitrogen. Herein the pivotal (Ar[t-Bu]N)3Mo(N=C(X)Ph) complexes are obtained through independent synthesis, and their propensity to undergo beta-X elimination, i.e., conversion to (Ar[t-Bu]N)3MoX + PhC identical with N, is investigated. Radical C-X bond formation reactions ensue when benzonitrile is complexed to the three-coordinate molybdenum(III) complex (Ar[t-Bu]N)3Mo and then treated with 0.5 equiv of X2, leading to facile assembly of the key (Ar[t-Bu]N)3Mo(N=C(X)Ph) molecules. Treated herein are synthetic, structural, thermochemical, and kinetic aspects of (i) the radical C-X bond formation and (ii) the ensuing beta-X elimination processes. Beta-X elimination is found to be especially facile for X = O2CPh, and the reaction represents an attractive component of an overall synthetic cycle for incorporation of dinitrogen-derived nitrogen atoms into organic nitrile (R-C identical with N) molecules.
The new cyano complexes of formulas PPh(4)[Fe(III)(bipy)(CN)(4)] x H(2)O (1), [[Fe(III)(bipy)(CN)(4)](2)M(II)(H(2)O)(4)] x 4H(2)O with M = Mn (2) and Zn (3), and [[Fe(III)(bipy)(CN)(4)](2)Zn(II)] x 2H(2)O (4) [bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine and PPh(4) = tetraphenylphosphonium cation] have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The structure of complex 1 is made up of mononuclear [Fe(bipy)(CN)(4)](-) anions, tetraphenyphosphonium cations, and water molecules of crystallization. The iron(III) is hexacoordinated with two nitrogen atoms of a chelating bipy and four carbon atoms of four terminal cyanide groups, building a distorted octahedron around the metal atom. The structure of complexes 2 and 3 consists of neutral centrosymmetric [[Fe(III)(bipy)(CN)(4)](2)M(II)(H(2)O)(4)] heterotrinuclear units and crystallization water molecules. The [Fe(bipy)(CN)(4)](-) entity of 1 is present in 2 and 3 acting as a monodentate ligand toward M(H(2)O)(4) units [M = Mn(II) (2) and Zn(II) (3)] through one cyanide group, the other three cyanides remaining terminal. Four water molecules and two cyanide nitrogen atoms from two [Fe(bipy)(CN)(4)](-) units in trans positions build a distorted octahedron surrounding Mn(II) (2) and Zn(II) (3). The structure of the [Fe(phen)(CN)(4)](-) complex ligand in 2 and 3 is close to that of the one in 1. The intramolecular Fe-M distances are 5.126(1) and 5.018(1) A in 2 and 3, respectively. 4 exhibits a neutral one-dimensional polymeric structure containing two types of [Fe(bipy)(CN)(4)](-) units acting as bismonodentate (Fe(1)) and trismonodentate (Fe(2)) ligands versus the divalent zinc cations through two cis-cyanide (Fe(1)) and three fac-cyanide (Fe(2)) groups. The environment of the iron atoms in 4 is distorted octahedral as in 1-3, whereas the zinc atom is pentacoordinated with five cyanide nitrogen atoms, describing a very distorted square pyramid. The iron-zinc separations across the single bridging cyanides are 5.013(1) and 5.142(1) A at Fe(1) and 5.028(1), 5.076(1), and 5.176(1) A at Fe(2). The magnetic properties of 1-3 have been investigated in the temperature range 2.0-300 K. 1 is a low-spin iron(III) complex with an important orbital contribution. The magnetic properties of 3 correspond to the sum of two magnetically isolated spin triplets, the antiferromagnetic coupling between the low-spin iron(III) centers through the -CN-Zn-NC- bridging skeleton (iron-iron separation larger than 10 A) being very weak. More interestingly, 2 exhibits a significant intramolecular antiferromagnetic interaction between the central spin sextet and peripheral spin doublets, leading to a low-lying spin quartet.
A molecular dynamics (MD) simulation on the contents of two asymmetric units of the crystal structure of the bacterial serine proteinase, Streptomyces griseus proteinase A (SGPA), resulted in four dihydrogen phosphate anions migrating to form a cluster in a solvent region far removed from the protein surface. In an effort to provide experimental verification for this unexpected phenomenon, native SGPA crystals were soaked in 2.0 M KH2AsO4; intensity data were collected and difference electron density maps examined for evidence of H2AsO4- ion clusters. These maps did not corroborate the cluster observed in the MD simulation. They did, however, show positive electron density features located in the active site cavity that could be interpreted as a tetrapeptide, Gly-Ala-Ser-(beta-OH)Asp, covalently bonded to O gamma of Ser195 as an acyl-enzyme intermediate. There was also a peak of electron density corresponding to an ideal position for the hydrolytic water in the deacylation reaction. This density is centred 3.1 A from His57 N epsilon 2 and 2.7 A from the carbonyl-carbon atom of the planar acyl-ester bond of the complex. The carbonyl-oxygen atom of the ester is located in the oxyanion pocket and participates in hydrogen bonds with Gly193 NH (2.6 A) and Ser195 NH (3.0 A).
The results on spectroscopic study of low temperature interactions of metal atoms, small clusters and nanoparticles with different organic and inorganic substances in the temperature range 12-300 K are presented. Complexation and reactions of atoms and clusters of magnesium, samarium and silver with carbon dioxide, ethylene and some mesogenic cyanophenyls were studied by the technique of matrix isolation and low temperature co-condensation of metal and ligand vapors, low temperature UV-Vis, IR- and ESR-spectroscopy in combination with quantum chemistry calculations. It was shown that cryochemical reactions of metal particles of different sizes reflected the system's redundant energy.
The reactivity of Ga(DDP) (DDP = 2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amino-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene) towards the rhodium-chloride bonds of [RhCl(PPh3)3] and [RhCl(COE)2]2 (COE = cyclooctene) is investigated. Reaction of the first complex leads to [(Ph3P)2Rh{Ga(DDP)}(mu-Cl)] (1), exhibiting a chloride bridging the gallium and the rhodium atoms, whereas the second complex leads to a full insertion of the Ga(DDP) ligand into the Rh-Cl bond giving [(COE)(benzene)Rh{(DDP)GaCl}] (2) on coordination of the solvent C6H6. Compounds 1 und 2 readily react with the halide abstracting reagent Tl[BArF] (BArF = B[3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4), yet the products could not be isolated and characterized because of their lability. The Au(I) complex [{(DDP)Ga}Au{Ga(DDP)}Cl] reacts with Na[BArF] giving the linear, symmetric cationic complex [{(DDP)Ga.THF}2Au][BArF] (3.2THF), exhibiting two THF molecules coordinated to the Ga(DDP) moieties.
Three types of homo- and heterotrinuclear boron complexes have been obtained in moderate to good yields from reactions of salen-type ligands with boric acid and combinations of boric acid with phenylboronic and phenylphosphonic acid. The products are air-stable and have relatively high melting points (>290 degrees C) but are poorly soluble or insoluble in common organic solvents. They have been characterized as far as possible by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR, (1)H, (11)B, and (31)P NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Furthermore, theoretical calculations have been performed for representative examples to permit a complete comparison of the different structure types. A detailed analysis of the molecular structures showed that the complexes are constructed around a central B(3)O(3) or B(2)PO(3) ring. The salen ligands are attached to two boron atoms of these rings, which have therefore tetrahedral coordination geometries. The complexes contain seven- and eight-membered heterocycles of the B(2)C(n)ON(2) (n = 2, 3) type with chair or twisted-chair and boat-chair or chair-chair conformations, respectively. In the homotrinuclear complexes one of the three boron atoms is three-coordinate and can therefore still act as Lewis acid, thus making these products interesting for catalytic applications, e.g. in asymmetric synthesis. Depending on the substitutents attached to the boron atoms, these complexes show a relationship with either trimetaboric acid, boroxine, or the tetraborate dianion found in Borax.