Ruthenium Assemblies for CO2 Reduction and H2 Generation: Time Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy, Spectroelectrochemistry and a Photocatalysis Study in Solution and on NiO

Two novel supramolecular complexes RuRe ([Ru(dceb)2(bpt)Re(CO)3Cl](PF6)) and RuPt ([Ru(dceb)2(bpt)PtI(H2O)](PF6)2) [dceb = diethyl(2,2′-bipyridine)-4,4′-dicarboxylate, bpt = 3,5-di(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazolate] were synthesized as new catalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction and H2 evolution, respectively. The influence of the catalytic metal for successful catalysis in solution and on a NiO semiconductor was examined. IR-active handles in the form of carbonyl groups on the peripheral ligand on the photosensitiser were used to study the excited states populated, as well as the one-electron reduced intermediate species using infrared and UV-Vis spectroelectrochemistry, and time resolved infrared spectroscopy. Inclusion of ethyl-ester moieties led to a reduction in the LUMO energies on the peripheral bipyridine ligand, resulting in localization of the 3MLCT excited state on these peripheral ligands following excitation. RuPt generated hydrogen in solution and when immobilized on NiO in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell. RuRe was inactive as a CO2 reduction catalyst in solution, and produced only trace amounts of CO when the photocatalyst was immobilized on NiO in a PEC cell saturated with CO2.

A Tumor Microenvironment-Responsive Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer Nanoplatform for Hypoxia-Responsive Chemo/Chemodynamic Therapy

Background: Chemodynamic therapy is a promising cancer treatment with specific therapeutic effect at tumor sites, since toxic hydroxyl radical (·OH) could only be generated by Fenton or Fenton-like reaction at the tumor microenvironment (TME) with low pH and high endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). However, the low concentration of catalytic metal ions, excessive glutathione (GSH) and aggressive hypoxia at tumor site seriously restrict its curative outcomes.Results: In this study, polyethylene glycol-phenylboronic acid (PEG-PBA)-modified generation 5 (G5) poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers were synthesized as a targeted nanocarrier to chelate Cu(II) and then encapsulate hypoxia-sensitive drug tirapazamine (TPZ) by the formation of hydrophobic Cu(II)/TPZ complex for hypoxia-enhanced chemo/chemodynamic therapy. The formed G5.NHAc-PEG-PBA@Cu(II)/TPZ (GPPCT) with good stability could be specifically accumulated at tumors, efficiently taken up by tumor cells overexpressing sialic acid residues, and release Cu(II) ions and TPZ quickly in weakly acidic tumor sites via pH-sensitive dissociation of Cu(II)/TPZ. In vitro and in vivo experiments using murine breast cancer cells (4T1) demonstrated that the GPPCT nanoplatform could efficiently generate toxic ·OH in tumor cells while simultaneously deplete GSH, effectively kill hypoxic tumor cells by activated TPZ radicals, reduce tumor metastasis, and show no significant systemic toxicity.Conclusions: The targeted GPPCT nanoplatform may be developed for the synergistic inhibition of different tumor types by hypoxia-enhanced chemo/chemodynamic therapy.

Structure and function of N-acetylglucosamine kinase illuminates the catalytic mechanism of ROK kinases

N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) is a major component of bacterial cell walls. Many organisms recycle GlcNAc from the cell wall or metabolise environmental GlcNAc. The first step in GlcNAc metabolism is phosphorylation to GlcNAc-6-phosphate. In bacteria, the ROK family kinase NagK performs this activity. Although ROK kinases have been studied extensively, no ternary complex showing the two substrates has yet been observed. Here, we solved the structure of NagK from the human pathogen Plesiomonas shigelloides in complex with GlcNAc and the ATP analogue AMP-PNP. Surprisingly, PsNagK showed two conformational changes associated with the binding of each substrate. Consistent with this, the enzyme showed a sequential random enzyme mechanism. This indicates that the enzyme acts as a coordinated unit responding to each interaction. Molecular dynamics modelling of catalytic ion binding confirmed the location of the essential catalytic metal. Site-directed mutagenesis confirmed the catalytic base, and that the metal coordinating residue is essential. Together, this study provides the most comprehensive insight into the activity of a ROK kinase.

Synthesis of Nitrile-Functionalized Polydentate N-Heterocycles as Building Blocks for Covalent Triazine Frameworks

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) based on polydentate ligands are highly promising supports to anchor catalytic metal complexes. The modular nature of CTFs allows to tailor the composition, structure, and function to its specific application. Access to a broad range of chelating building blocks is therefore essential. In this respect, we extended the current available set of CTF building blocks with new nitrile-functionalized N-heterocyclic ligands. This paper presents the synthesis of the six ligands which vary in the extent of the aromatic system and the denticity. The new building blocks may help in a rational design of enhanced support materials in catalysis.

Structure and function of aerotolerant, multiple-turnover THI4 thiazole synthases

Plant and fungal THI4 thiazole synthases produce the thiamin thiazole moiety in aerobic conditions via a single-turnover suicide reaction that uses an active-site Cys residue as sulfur donor. Multiple-turnover (i.e. catalytic) THI4s lacking an active-site Cys (non-Cys THI4s) that use sulfide as sulfur donor have been biochemically characterized – but only from archaeal methanogens that are anaer­obic, O2-sensitive hyperthermophiles from sulfide-rich habitats. These THI4s prefer iron as cofactor. A survey of prokaryote genomes uncovered non-Cys THI4s in aerobic mesophiles from sulfide-poor habitats, suggesting that multiple-turnover THI4 operation is possible in aerobic, mild, low-sulfide conditions. This was confirmed by testing 23 representative non-Cys THI4s for complementation of an Escherichia coli ΔthiG thiazole auxotroph in aerobic conditions. Sixteen were clearly active, and more so when intracellular sulfide level was raised by supplying Cys, demonstrating catalytic function in the presence of O2 at mild temperatures and indicating use of sulfide or a sulfide metabolite as sulfur donor. Comparative genomic evidence linked non-Cys THI4s with proteins from families that bind, transport, or metabolize cobalt or other heavy metals. The crystal structure of the aerotolerant bacterial Thermovibrio ammonificans THI4 was determined to probe the molecular basis of aerotolerance. The structure suggested no large deviations compared to the structures of THI4s from O2-sensitive methanogens, but is consistent with an alternative catalytic metal. Together with complementation data, use of cobalt rather than iron was supported. We conclude that catalytic THI4s can indeed operate aerobically and that the metal cofactor inserted is a likely natural determinant of aerotolerance.

Structure and function of aerotolerant, multiple-turnover THI4 thiazole synthases

Plant and fungal THI4 thiazole synthases produce the thiamin thiazole moiety in aerobic conditions via a single–turnover suicide reaction that uses an active–site Cys residue as sulfur donor. Multiple turnover (i.e. catalytic) THI4s lacking an active–site Cys (non–Cys THI4s) that use sulfide as sulfur donor have been characterized—but only from archaeal methanogens that are anaerobic, O2–sensitivehyperthermophiles from sulfide–rich habitats. These THI4s prefer iron as cofactor. A survey of prokaryote genomes uncovered non–Cys THI4s in aerobic mesophiles from sulfide–poor habitats, suggesting that multiple–turnover THI4 operation is possible in aerobic, mild, low–sulfide conditions. This was confirmed by testing 23 representative non–Cys THI4s for complementation of an Escherichia coli ΔthiG thiazole auxotroph in aerobic conditions. Sixteen were active, and more so when intracellular sulfidelevel was raised by supplying Cys, demonstrating that they function in the presence of O2 at mild temperatures and indicating they use sulfide or a sulfide metabolite as sulfur donor. Comparative genomic evidence linked non–Cys THI4s with proteins from families that bind, transport, or metabolize cobalt or other heavy metals. The crystal structure of the aerotolerant bacterial Thermovibrio ammonificans THI4 was determined to probe the molecular basis of aerotolerance. The structure suggested no large deviations compared to the structures of THI4s from O2–sensitive methanogens but is consistent with an alternative catalytic metal. Together with complementation data, the use of cobalt rather than iron was supported. We conclude that catalytic THI4s can indeed operate aerobically and that the metal cofactor inserted is a likely natural determinant of aerotolerance.

Exporting metal-carbene chemistry to live mammalian cells: Cop-per-catalyzed intracellular synthesis of quinoxalines enabled by N-H carbene insertions

Harnessing the power of transition metal catalysis in biological settings, and especially inside living cells, can open a world of new opportunities in chemical and cell biology, as well as in biomedicine. Yet, advancing in this endeavor requires to address major chal-lenges associated to biocompatibility, transport and bioorthogonality issues, as well as the stability of the catalyst in these aqueous, crowded environments. This is especially relevant in reactions that involve the formation of organometallic intermediates that are considered labile, such as metal carbenes. Here, we demonstrate the viability of perform-ing catalytic metal carbene intermolecular transfer reactions inside live mammalian cells. In particular, we show that copper (II) catalysts can promote the intracellular an-nulation of alpha-keto diazocarbenes with ortho-amino arylamines, in a process that is initiated by the insertion of the carbene into the N-H bond of the substrate. The poten-tial of this transformation is underscored by the intracellular synthesis of a product that alters mitochondrial functions, and by demonstrating cell selective biological re-sponses using targeted copper catalysts. Considering the wide reactivity spectrum of metal carbenes, this work opens the door for significantly expanding the repertoire of reactions that can be performed in live environments and for unveiling new biological applications.