Sateesh Bandaru

Peptide‐Based Carbohydrate Receptors

A broad spectrum of physiological processes is mediated by highly specific noncovalent interactions of carbohydrates and proteins. In a recent communication we identified several cyclic hexapeptides in a dynamic combinatorial library that interact selectively with carbohydrates with high binding constants in water. Herein, we report a detailed investigation of the noncovalent interaction of two cyclic hexapeptides (Cys-His-Cys (which we call HisHis) and Cys-Tyr-Cys (which we call TyrTyr)) with a selection of monosaccharides and disaccharides in aqueous solution. The parallel and antiparallel isomers of HisHis or TyrTyr were synthesized separately, and their interaction with monosaccharides and disaccharides in aqueous solution was studied by isothermal titration calorimetry, NMR spectroscopic titrations, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. From these measurements, we identified particularly stable complexes (Ka> 1000 M(-1)) of the parallel isomer of HisHis with N-acetylneuraminic acid and with methyl-a-d-galactopyranoside as well as of both isomers of TyrTyr with trehalose. To gain further insight into the structure of the peptide–carbohydrate complexes, structure prediction was performed using quantum chemical methods. The calculations confirm the selectivity observed in the experiments and indicate the formation of multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the most stable complexes.

Binding and Ratiometric Dual Ion Recognition of Zn2+ and Cu2+ by 1,3,5-Tris-amidoquinoline Conjugate of Calix[6]arene by Spectroscopy and Its Supramolecular Features by Microscopy

Lower rim amide linked 8-amino quinoline and 8-amino naphthalene moiety 1,3,5-triderivatives of calix[6]arene L1 and L2 have been synthesized and characterized. While the L1 acts as a receptor molecule, the L2 acts as a control molecule. The complexation between L1 and Cu(2+) or Zn(2+) was delineated by the absorption and electrospray ionization (ESI) MS spectra. The binding ability of these molecules toward biologically important metal ions was studied by fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy. The derivative L1 detects Zn(2+) by bringing ratiometric change in the fluorescence signals at 390 and 490 nm, but in the case of Cu(2+), it is only the fluorescence quenching of 390 nm band that is observed, while no new band is observed at 390 nm. The stoichiometry of both the complexes is 1:1 and was confirmed in both the cases by measuring the ESI mass spectra. The isotopic peak pattern observed in the ESI MS confirmed the presence of Zn(2+) or Cu(2+) present in the corresponding complex formed with L1. Among these two ions, the Cu(2+) exhibits higher sensitivity. The density-functional theory (DFT) studies revealed the conformational changes in the arms and also revealed the coordination features in the case of the metal complexes. The arm conformational changes upon Zn(2+) binding were supported by nuclear Overhauser effect spectrometry (NOESY) studies. The stronger binding of Cu(2+) over that of Zn(2+) observed from the absorption study was further supported by the complexational energies computed from the computational data. While the L1 exhibited spherical particles, upon complexation with Cu(2+), it exhibits chain like morphological features in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) but only small aggregates in the case of Zn(2+). Thus, even the microscopy data can differentiate the complex formed between L1 and Cu(2+) from that formed with Zn(2+).

Differential Recognition of Anions with Selectivity towards F(-) by a Calix[6]arene-Thiourea Conjugate Investigated by Spectroscopy, Microscopy, and Computational Modeling by DFT.

Anion recognition studies were performed with triazole-appended thiourea conjugates of calix[6]arene (i.e., compound (6) L) by absorption and (1) H NMR spectroscopy by using nineteen different anions. The composition of the species of recognition was derived from ESI mass spectrometry. The absorption spectra of compound (6) L showed a new band at λ=455 nm in the presence of F(-) due to a charge transfer from the anion to the thiourea moiety and the absorbance increases almost linearly in the concentration range 5 to 200 μm. This is associated with a strong visual color change of the solution. Other anions, such as H2 PO4 (-) and HSO4 (-) , exhibit a redshift of the λ=345 nm band and the spectral changes are associated with the formation of an isosbestic point at λ=343 nm. (1) H NMR studies further confirm the binding of F(-) efficiently to the thiourea group among the halides by shifting the thiourea proton signals downfield followed by their disappearance after the addition of more than one equivalent of F(-) . The other anions also showed interactions with compound (6) L, however, their binding strength follows the order F(-) >CO3 (2-) >H2 PO4 (-) ≈CH3 COO(-) >HSO4 (-) . The NMR spectral changes clearly revealed the anion-binding region of the arms in case of all these anions. The anion binding to compound (6) L indeed stabilizes a flattened-cone conformation as deduced based on the calix-aromatic proton signals and was further confirmed by VT (1) H NMR experiments. The stabilization of the flattened-cone conformation was further augmented by the interaction of the butyl moiety of the nBu4 N(+) counterion. The structural features of the anion-bound species were demonstrated by DFT computations and the resultant structures carried the features that were predicted based on the (1) H NMR spectroscopic measurements. In addition, SEM images showed a marigold flower-type morphology for compound (6) L and this has been transformed into a chain-like structure of connected spherical particles in the presence of F(-) . The anion-induced microstructural features are reflective of the binding strength, size, and shape of the anions. The binding strengths of the anions by compound (6) L were further compared with that of compound (4) L, a calix[4]arene analogue of compound (6) L, in order to address the role of the number of arms built on the calixarene platform based on absorption spectroscopy, (1) H NMR spectroscopy, and DFT computations and it was found that compound (6) L is a better receptor for F(-) , which extends its interactions from all the three arms.

Coumarine–imino–C2-glucosyl conjugate as receptor for Cu2+ in blood serum milieu, on silica gel sheet and in Hep G2 cells and the characterization of the species of recognition

A coumarine-imino-C2-glucosyl conjugate (L) was synthesized and characterized. The conjugate L is found to recognize Cu(2+) in aqueous HEPES buffer by exhibiting a 95% fluorescence quenching in pH range 7-10 even in the presence of several biologically and ecologically relevant metal ions. Fluorescence on-off behavior has been clearly demonstrated on the basis of the binding variability of Cu(2+) to L. The binding has been elicited through the changes observed in fluorescence, absorption, ESI-MS and (1)H NMR titrations. All the other thirteen metal ions studied did not show any change in the fluorescence emission. These ions do not interfere with the recognition of Cu(2+) by L. The structural features of [CuL]2 complex in both the isomeric forms were established by DFT computational calculations. The utility of L has been demonstrated by showing its sensitivity toward Cu(2+) on a thin layer of silica gel. The L gives sensitive fluorescence signals for Cu(2+) even in blood serum and exhibits appropriate fluorescence responses in living cells.

Optimizing the electron-withdrawing character on benzenesulfonyl moiety attached to a glyco-conjugate to impart sensitive and selective sensing of cyanide in HEPES buffer and on cellulose paper and silica gel strips

Dansyl-derivatized, triazole-linked, glucopyranosyl conjugates, (5F)LOH, (2F)LOH, (1F)LOH, and (0F)LOH were synthesized and characterized. While the (5F)LOH acts as a molecular probe for CN(-), (2F)LOH, (1F)LOH, and (0F)LOH acts as control molecules. The reactivity of CN(-) toward (5F)LOH has been elicited through the changes observed in NMR, ESI MS, emission, and absorption spectroscopy. The conjugate (5F)LOH releases a fluorescent product upon reaction by CN(-) in aqueous acetonitrile medium by exhibiting an ∼125-fold fluorescence enhancement even in the presence of other anions. Fluorescence switch-on behavior has been clearly demonstrated on the basis of the nucleophilic substitution reaction of CN(-) on (5F)LOH. A minimum detection limit of (2.3 ± 0.3) × 10(-7) M (6 ± 1 ppb) was shown by (5F)LOH for CN(-) in solution. All the other anions studied showed no change in the fluorescence emission. The utility of (5F)LOH has been demonstrated by showing its reactivity toward CN(-) on a thin layer of silica gel as well as on Whatman No. 1 cellulose filter paper strips. The role of glucose moiety and the penta-fluorobenzenesulfonyl reactive center present in (5F)LOH in the selectivity of CN(-) over other anions has been demonstrated by fluorescence, absorption and thermodynamics study. Similar studies carried out with the control molecules showed no selectivity for CN(-). The mechanistic aspects of the reactivity of CN(-) toward (5F)LOH were supported by DFT computational study.

Water-Soluble 8-Hydroxyquinoline Conjugate of Amino-Glucose As Receptor for La3+ in HEPES Buffer, on Whatman Cellulose Paper and in Living Cells

A water-soluble glucopyranosyl conjugate, L, has been synthesized and characterized by different analytical and spectral techniques. The L has been demonstrated to have switch-on fluorescence enhancement of ∼75 fold in the presence of La(3+) among the nine lanthanide ions studied in the HEPES buffer at pH 7.4. A minimum detection limit of 140 nM (16 ± 2 ppb) was shown by L for La(3+) in the buffer at physiological pH. The utility of L has been demonstrated by showing its sensitivity toward La(3+) on Whatman filter paper strips. The reversible and reusable action of L has been demonstrated by monitoring the fluorescence changes as a function of the addition of La(3+) followed by F(-) and HPO4(2-) ions. The complexation of L by La(3+) was shown by absorption spectra wherein isosbestic behavior was observed. The Jobs plot suggests a 2:1 complex between L and La(3+), and the same was supported by ESI-MS. The control molecular study revealed the necessity of hydroxy quinoline and the amine group for La(3+) ion binding and the glyco-moiety to bring water solubility and biocompatibility. The structural features of the [2L+La(3+)] complex were established by DFT computational calculations. The chemo-ensemble, [2L+La(3+)], is shown responsible for providing intracellular fluorescence imaging in HepG2 cells.

Triazole-Linked Quinoline Conjugate of Glucopyranose: Selectivity Comparison among Zn2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+ Based on Spectroscopy, Thermodynamics, and Microscopy, and Reversible Sensing of Zn2+ and the Structure of the Complex Using DFT

A water-soluble triazole-linked quinoline conjugate of glucopyranose (L) has been synthesized and characterized, and its single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) structure has been established. Binding of L toward different biologically relevant metal ions has been studied using fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy in HEPES buffer at pH 7.4. The conjugate L detects Zn2+ and Cd2+ with 30 ± 2 and 14 ± 1-fold fluorescence enhancement, respectively, but in the case of Hg2+, only a fluorescence quench was observed. The stoichiometry of the complex is 1:2 metal ion to the ligand in the case of Zn2+ and Cd2+ resulting in [Zn(L)2] and [Cd(L)2], and it is 1:1 in the case of Hg2+, as confirmed from their electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESIMS) spectra. Zn2+ shows greater exothermicity over Cd2+, whereas Hg2+ shows endothermicity , which supports the differences in their binding strength and the nature of the corresponding complex. L exhibits rod-shaped particles and upon complexation with Zn2+, it exhibits sphere-like morphological features in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. However, clustered aggregates are observed in Cd2+, whereas the [HgL] complex exhibits small fused spherical structures, and therefore the signature of these ions is seen in microscopy images. The computational studies revealed that the syn-[Zn(L)2] complex is stabilized by 9.7 kcal mol–1 more than that in the case of anti-[Zn(L)2] owing to the formation of hydrogen bonds between the two glucosyl moieties within the syn-complex. Among the anions studied, [Zn(L)2] is sensitive and selective toward the phosphate ion (H2PO4–) with a minimum detection limit of 16 ± 2 ppb. Similarly, the [HgL] can act as a secondary sensor for CN– while also exhibiting reversibility. Based on the input–output characteristics, INHIBIT logic gate was built in the case of Zn2+ vs H2PO4– and IMPLICATION logic gate was built in the case of Hg2+ vs CN–.

Cyclohexyl-diimine capped lower rim 1,3-di-derivatized calix[4]arene conjugate as sensor for Al3+ by spectroscopy, microscopy, titration calorimetry and DFT computations

Abstract A cyclohexane-trans-1,2-diimine capped conjugate of 1,3-calix[4]arene (L) has been synthesized and characterized using different analytical and spectral techniques. L has been shown to be sensitive toward Al3+ by exhibiting ~45-fold enhancement in its emission intensity at 445 nm upon complexation. All the other 15 metal ions showed almost no or minimal change in the fluorescence intensity of the L supporting that none of those 15 ions is sensed by L. The complexation between L and Al3+ has been further confirmed by absorption spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry and ESI MS. The isotopic peak pattern of the ESI MS peak clearly confirmed the presence of aluminum in the 1:1 complex formed. The need for the flexible cap moiety for bringing selectivity to Al3+ was proven by comparing the titration studies with the corresponding control molecules. The sensing of Al3+ by L in the solid powder was demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy. The supramolecular behavior of L changes from simple spherical type morphology in L to an aggregated micro pots and fibers upon Al3+ binding. The DFT computational study yielded a distorted tetrahedral complex of the dianionic receptor resulting in AlN2O2 core.