Gerasimos Malandrinos

Interaction of Cu2+ with His–Val–His and of Zn2+ with His–Val–Gly–Asp, two peptides surrounding metal ions in Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase enzyme

His-Val-His and His-Val-Gly-Asp are two naturally occurring peptide sequences, present at the active site of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD). The interactions of His-Val-His=A (copper binding site) with Cu(II) and of His-Val-Gly-Asp=B (zinc binding site) with Zn(II) have been studied by using both potentiometric and spectroscopic methods (visible, EPR, NMR). The stoichiometry, stability constants and solution structure of the complexes formed have been determined. The binding modes of the species [CuAH](2+) and [CuA](+) were characterized by histamine type of coordination. [CuA](+) is further stabilized by the formation of a macrochelate with the involvement of the imidazole of the C-terminal histidine. The existence of macrochelate results in a slight distortion of the coordination geometry providing good base for the development of enzyme models. The enhanced stability of the macrochelate suppresses the formation of bis-complexes as well as the amide deprotonation. This process, however, takes place at higher pH resulting in the formation of the 4 N(-) coordinated [NH(2),N(-),N(-),N(im)] species [CuAH(2-)](-). On the other hand, in the case of the Zn(II)-His-Val-Gly-Asp system, coordination takes place at the terminal carboxylate in species [ZnBH(2)](2+). Monodentate binding occurs via the N-terminal imidazole in [ZnBH](+) while histamine type of coordination is possible in [ZnB], [ZnB(2)H](-) and [ZnB(2)](2-) species. Amide deprotonation does not take place in the case of Zn(2+), hydroxo-complexes are formed instead.

Complex formation processes of terminally protected peptides containing two or three histidyl residues. Characterization of the mixed metal complexes of peptides

Copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes of the peptides Ac-HVVH-NH2 and Ac-HAAHVVH-NH2 have been studied by potentiometric, UV-vis, CD, EPR and NMR spectroscopic measurements. Both tetra and heptapeptides can form relatively stable macrochelates with copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) ions, in which the ligands are coordinated via the side-chain imidazole functions. Formation of the macrochelates slightly suppresses, but cannot prevent the copper(II) and nickel(II) ion promoted deprotonation and coordination of the amide functionalities. The overall stoichiometry of the major species is [MH(-3)L]- with a 4N (=N-,N-,N-,Nim) coordination mode. In the case of Ac-HAAHVVH-NH2, coordination isomers of this species can exist with a preference for copper(II) or nickel(II) binding at the internal histidyl residue. In the copper(II)-Ac-HAAHVVH-NH2 system, the presence of the two anchoring sites results in the formation of dinuclear complexes. The existence of these species requires the involvement of amide functions in metal binding. Both equilibrium and spectroscopic data support the fact that the copper(II) ions of the dinuclear species are independent from each other providing a good chance for the formation of various mixed metal complexes. It was found that zinc(II) is not able to significantly alter the copper(II) binding of the heptapeptide, but it can occupy the uncoordinated histidyl sites. The formation of the copper(II)-nickel(II) mixed species was obtained in alkaline solutions and CD spectra suggest the statistical distribution of the two metal ions among the histidyl residues. The binding of HAAHVVH to palladium(II) is exclusive below pH 8 and the mixed metal species of palladium(II) and copper(II) ions are formed only in slightly basic solutions.

Interaction of Cu(II)with His-Val-Gly-Asp and of Zn(II) with His-Val-His, Two Peptides at the Active Site of Cu,Zn-Superoxide Dismutase

His-Val-His and His-Val-Gly-Asp are two naturally occurring peptide sequences, present at the active site of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD). We have already studied the interaction of His-Val-His=A (copper binding site) with Cu(II) and of His-Val-Gly-Asp=B (zinc binding site) with Zn(II). As a continuation of this work and for comparison purposes we have also studied the interaction of Zn(II) with His-Val-His and Cu(II) with His-Val-Gly-Asp using both potentiometric and spectroscopic methods (visible, EPR, NMR). The stoichiometry, stability constants and solution structure of the complexes formed have been determined. Histamine type of coordination is observed for/ZnAH/2+, /ZnA/+, /ZnA2H/+ and/ZnA2/ in acidic pH while deprotonation of coordinated water molecules is observed at higher pH. /CUB/ species is characterized by the formation of a macrochelate and histamine type coordination. Its stability results in the suppression of amide deprotonation which occurs at high pH resulting in the formation of the highly distorted from square planar geometry 4N complex/CuBH-3/3.

Thiamine models and perspectives on the mechanism of action of thiamine-dependent enzymes.

Thiamine dependent enzymes catalyze ligase and lyase reactions near a carbonyl moiety. Chemical models for these reactions serve as useful tools to substantiate a detailed mechanism of action. This tutorial review covers all such studies performed thus far, emphasizing the role of each part around the active site and the conformation of the cofactor during catalysis.

Interaction of Cu(II) and Ni(II) with the 63–93 fragment of histone H2B

Chromatin proteins are believed to represent reactive sites for metal ion binding. We have synthesized the 31 amino acid peptide Ac-NSFVNDIFERIAGEASRLAHYNKRSTITSRE-NH2, corresponding to the 63-93 fragment of the histone H2B and studied its interaction with Cu(II) and Ni(II). Potentiometric and spectroscopic studies (UV-vis, CD, NMR and EPR) showed that histidine 21 acts as an anchoring binding site for the metal ion. Complexation of the studied peptide with Cu(II) starts at pH 4 with the formation of the monodentate species CuH2L. At physiological pH values, the 3N complex (N(Im), 2N(-)), CuL is favoured while at basic pH values the 4N (N(Im), 3N(-)) coordination mode is preferred. Ni(II) forms several complexes with the peptide starting from the distorted octahedral NiH2L at about neutral pH, to a square planar complex where the peptide is bound through a (N(Im), 3N(-)) mode in an equatorial plane at basic pH values. These results could be important in revealing more information about the mechanism of metal induced toxicity and carcinogenesis.

Equilibrium and structural studies on copper(II) complexes of tetra-, penta- and hexa-peptides containing histidyl residues at the C-termini

The stoichiometry, stability constants and solution structure of the complexes formed in the reaction of copper(II) with oligopeptides containing histidyl residues at the C-termini (Gly3His, Gly4His and Gly5His) have been determined by potentiometric, UV–VIS and EPR spectroscopic methods. The formation of the species [CuHL]2+, [CuL]+, [CuH−1L], [CuH−2L]– and [CuH−3L]2− was detected in all cases. Binding modes of the species [CuL]+, [CuH−1L] and [CuH−2L]− were characterized by the metal ion co-ordination of the terminal amino group, carbonyl oxygen or one or two deprotonated amide nitrogens in joined five-membered chelates from the N-termini, while the fourth co-ordination site of the metal ion was occupied by nitrogen donors of imidazole in the form of a macrochelate. The stability of the macrochelate was decreased upon increasing the length of the peptide molecule. For the penta- and hexa-peptides the species [CuH−3L]2− was characterized as a 4N-complex with equatorial co-ordination of the terminal amino group and subsequent three deprotonated amide nitrogens, with unco-ordinated imidazolyl residues, while a 5N-species was suggested to form for Gly3His with axial interaction of the imidazole-N donor atom. Copper(II) complexes of Gly2His and pentaglycine were also investigated for reliable comparison.

On the mechanism of action of thiamin enzymes, Crystal structure of 2-(α-hydroxyethyl)thiamin pyrophosphate (HETPP). Complexes of HETPP with zinc(II) and cadmium(II)

Abstract The crystal structure of the 2-(α-hydroxethyl) thiamin pyrophosphate (LH2) was solved by X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic data: space group F2dd, a=7.922(4) Å, b=33.11(2) Å, c=36.232(10) Å, V=9503(9) Å3, z=16. Metal complexes of the general formula K2{[M(LH)Cl2]2} (M=Zn2+, Cd2+) were isolated from methanolic solutions and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, Raman, and 13C CP MAS NMR spectra. They were also characterized by 13C NMR, 31P NMR, 113Cd NMR, ES-MS, and 1H NMR ROESY spectra in D2O solutions. The data provide evidence for the bonding of the metals to the N(1′) atom of the pyrimidine ring and to the pyrophosphate group. The free ligand and the metal-coordinated ligand adopt the S conformation. Since thiamin cofactor, substrate, and metal ions are present in our system, the extracted results directly refer to thiamin catalysis and possible functional implications are correlated and discussed.

The possible role of 94-125 peptide fragment of histone H2B in nickel-induced carcinogenesis.

The molecular mechanism by which nickel carcinogenicity is exerted is not fully understood. However, it is believed to involve DNA damage and epigenetic effects in chromatin, resulting from metal binding to the cell nucleus. Histone nuclear proteins are the major candidates for metal binding not only due to their abundance but also due to the presence of strong binding sites within their sequence. In order to investigate the binding capacity of histone H2B toward Ni(2+) ions, we synthesized the peptide Ac-IQTAVRLLLPGELAKHAVSEGTKAVTKYTSSK-Am (H2B(94-125)) as a model of the C-terminal tail. Complexation of H2B(94-125) with Ni(2+) starts at pH around 5 with the formation of a distorted octahedral complex. Over pH 8, this species shifts to a square-planar geometry, with the complete consumption of free Ni(2+) ions at pH 10. The formation of the diamagnetic square-planar complex was further studied by means of NMR spectroscopy. On the basis of the NOE connectivities we determined a well-resolved solution structure for the binding site of the H2B(94-125)-Ni(2+) complex, including residues E(12)LAKHAVS(19). Interestingly, nickel binding strongly affects the C-terminal of the peptide, forcing it to approach the coordination plane. If such a structural alteration is able to occur under physiological conditions, it is highly possible that it interferes with the histones physiological role and particularly with the ubiquitination process, taking place at Lys(120). We believe that these findings will assist in a better understanding of the role of histone H2B in the mechanisms of metal-induced toxicity and carcinogenesis.

Interaction of histone H2B (fragment 63–93) with Ni(II). An NMR study

The behaviour of the 31 mer peptide (Ac-NSFVNDIFERIAG(13)EASRL(18)A(19)H(20)YNKRS(25)TITSRE-NH(2)), modelling the histone-fold domain (63 to 93 residues) of H2B, towards Ni(ii) was investigated by multidimensional NMR spectroscopy (1D, 2D TOCSY, NOESY and (13)C-HSQC). The coordination involved the imidazole of His20 and three amide nitrogens of His20, Ala19 and Leu18, similar to the one shown by the hexapeptide LAHYNK contained in the 31 mer peptide. The solution structure of the Ni(ii) complex with the tridecapeptide comprising histones H2B 75-87 residues, was elucidated from the NOE cross correlations observed in the 2D-NOESY spectrum. A severe change in the peptides conformation was observed, passing from a partially helical to a well-defined ordered structure around the metal ion. A remarkable structural feature is the position of the aromatic ring of Tyr21 below the coordination plane. This and the hydrophobic fence created by Leu18 and Ala19, together with the position of Arg17 and Arg24 side chains seem to be relevant to the complex stability. We believe that these structural modifications may be physiologically important in the mechanism of nickel induced carcinogenesis.

Thermodynamic and structural characterization of the copper(II) complexes of peptides containing both histidyl and aspartyl residues

Terminally protected pentapeptides with 2 histidines (Ac-HHVGD-NH2 and Ac-HVGDH-NH2) and the terminally free peptides containing both internal aspartyl and C-terminal histidyl residues (FDAH and VIDAH) have been synthesized, and copper(II) complexes studied by potentiometric, UV-Vis, CD, and EPR spectroscopic techniques in solution. Both thermodynamic and spectroscopic data reveal that side chain donor atoms of aspartyl and histidyl residues have a significant contribution to the metal binding affinity of peptide molecules. In the case of terminally protected peptides, the role of the imidazole-N donor functions is reflected in the enhanced stability of the 3N and 4N coordinated copper(II) complexes. The amino and β-carboxylate groups of FDAH and VIDAH create a very effective metal binding site with the (NH2, N−, β-COO−) and (NH2, N−, N−, β-COO−) coordination modes including the N-termini, while the histidine sites are available for the formation of the (Nim, N−, N−) binding mode resulting in the preference of dinuclear complex formation.