Tatiana Soboleva

Sense and Release: A Thiol-Responsive Flavonol-Based Photonically Driven Carbon Monoxide-Releasing Molecule That Operates via a Multiple-Input AND Logic Gate

Molecular structures capable of intracellular information processing that couple responses from biomarker signals to the release of drug molecules represent intelligent delivery systems. Herein we report a chemophotonically driven, sense-of-logic carbon monoxide-releasing molecule (SL-photoCORM). This extended flavonol motif operates via an AND logic gate by first sensing the cellular environment via detection of thiols and then releasing CO when triggered with visible light and O2. Overall, this approach couples the detection of a cellular redox biomarker with the ability to release a small-molecule gasotransmitter known to trigger pathways involved in pro- and anti-inflammatory effects in a dose-dependent manner. Significantly, the fluorescence properties of the flavonol-based SL-photoCORM produce a series of chemophotonic input responses via two photochromatic switches (blue-to-green and green-to-colorless), leading to trackability and spatiotemporal control of CO release. Examination of the O2 requirements of the CO release step revealed that the SL-photoCORM is suitable for use under conditions of variable cellular levels of O2. These combined properties within a single-molecular framework advance the field of CO-releasing molecules by providing feedback on the diversity and complexity of the cellular environment prior to CO release.

Properties of a flavonol-based photoCORM in aqueous buffered solutions: influence of metal ions, surfactants and proteins on visible light-induced CO release

The properties of the extended flavonol 3-hydroxy-2-phenyl-benzo[g]chromen-4-one (2a) in DMSO : aqueous buffer solutions at pH = 7.4, including in the presence of metal ions, surfactants and serum albumin proteins, have been examined. Absorption and emission spectral studies of 2a in 1 : 1 DMSO : PBS buffer (pH = 7.4) indicate that a mixture of neutral and anionic forms of the flavonol are present. Notably, in 1 : 1 DMSO : TRIS buffer (pH = 7.4) only the neutral form of the flavonol is present. These results indicate that the nature of the buffer influences the acid/base equilibrium properties of 2a. Introduction of a Zn(II) complex of 2a− to a 1 : 1 DMSO : aqueous buffer (TRIS or PBS, pH = 7.4) solution produces absorption and emission spectral features consistent with the presence of a mixture of neutral 2a along with Zn(II)-coordinated or free 2a−. The nature of the anionic species present depends on the buffer composition. PBS buffered solutions (pH = 7.4) containing the surfactants CTAB or SDS enable 2a to be solubilized at a much lower percentage of DMSO (3.3–4.0%). Solutions containing the cationic surfactant CTAB include a mixture of 2a and 2a− whereas only the neutral flavonol is present in SDS-containing buffered solution. Compound 2a is also solubilized in TRIS buffer solutions at low cocentrations of DMSO (3.3%, pH = 7.4) in the presence of serum albumin proteins. Stern–Volmer analysis of the quenching of the inherent protein fluorescence indicates static binding of 2a to the proteins. The binding constant for this interaction is lower than that found for naturally-occurring flavonols (quercetin or morin) or 3-hydroxyflavone. Compound 2a binds to Site I of bovine and human serum albumin proteins as indicated by competition studies with warfarin and ibuprofen, as well as by docking investigations. The quantum yield for CO release from 2a (λirr = 419 nm) under aqueous conditions ranges from 0.0006(3) when the compound is bound to bovine serum albumin to 0.017(1) when present as a zinc complex in a 1 : 1 DMSO : H2O solution. Overall, the results of these studies demonstrate that 2a is a predictable visible light-induced CO release compound under a variety of aqueous conditions, including in the presence of proteins.

An H2S‐Sensing/CO‐Releasing Flavonol That Operates via Logic Gates

Signaling molecules, including H2S and CO, are involved in a complex interplay within cells to maintain cellular homeostasis. In order to investigate the intracellular interplay of different gasotransmitters, new molecular tools are needed that combine sensing and release capabilities of different small molecules in a single, multifunctional, and highly-regulated molecular platform. This report gives the first example of a combined H2S sensor/CO-releasing molecule. This flavonol-based molecular tool operates intracellularly via a highly regulated AND logic gated input-output sequence and provides fluorescent feedback for the H2S detection and CO release steps. This linear sequence can be combined with a fluorescent molecular sensor for CO detection via a third distinct emission. Overall, this is the first molecular framework that can combine the sensing of H2S with the controlled release of CO, two gaseous molecules that are known to exhibit reciprocal regulation and have overlapping targets in cellular environments.

Mitochondrial-Localized Versus Cytosolic Intracellular CO-Releasing Organic PhotoCORMs: Evaluation of CO Effects Using Bioenergetics

While interactions between carbon monoxide (CO) and mitochondria have been previously studied, the methods used to deliver CO (gas or CO-releasing metal carbonyl compounds) lack subcellular targeting and/or controlled delivery. Thus, the effective concentration needed to produce changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics is yet to be fully defined. To evaluate the influence of mitochondrial-targeted versus intracellularly released CO on mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates, we developed and characterized flavonol-based CO donor compounds that differ at their site of release. These molecules are metal-free, visible light triggered CO donors (photoCORMs) that quantitatively release CO and are trackable in cells via confocal microscopy. Our studies indicate that at a concentration of 10 μM, the mitochondrial-localized and cytosolic CO-releasing compounds are similarly effective in terms of decreasing ATP production, maximal respiration, and the reserve capacity of A549 cells. This concentration is the lowest to impart changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics for any CO-releasing molecule (CORM) reported to date. The results reported herein demonstrate the feasibility of using a structurally tunable organic photoCORM framework for comparative intracellular studies of the biological effects of carbon monoxide.