Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Pritam Mukhopadhyay

Publications and source records attributed to Pritam Mukhopadhyay.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

High fidelity kinetic self-sorting in multi-component systems based on guests with multiple binding epitopes.

The molecular recognition platforms of natural systems often possess multiple binding epitopes, each of which has programmed functional consequences. We report the dynamic behavior of a system comprising CB[6], CB[7], and guests cyclohexanediammonium (1) and adamantanealkylammonium (2) that we refer to as a two-faced guest because it contains two distinct binding epitopes. We find that the presence of the two-faced guest--just as is observed for protein targeting in vivo--dictates the kinetic pathway that the system follows toward equilibrium. The influence of two-faced guest structure, cation concentration, cation identity, and individual rate and equilibrium constants on the behavior of the system was explored by a combination of experiment and simulation. Deconstruction of this system led to the discovery of an anomalous host-guest complex (CB[6].1) whose dissociation rate constant (k(out) = 8.5 x 10(-10) s(-1)) is approximately 100-fold slower than the widely used avidin.biotin affinity pair. This result, in combination with the analysis of previous systems which uncovered extraordinarily tight binding events (K(a) > or = 10(12) M(-1)), highlights the inherent potential of pursuing a systems approach toward supramolecular chemistry.

Binding Sites↗

The cucurbit[n]uril family: prime components for self-sorting systems.

We determined the values of Ka for a wide range of host-guest complexes of cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]), where n = 6-8, using 1H NMR competition experiments referenced to absolute binding constants measured by UV/vis titration. We find that the larger homologues--CB[7] and CB[8]--individually maintain the size, shape, and functional group selectivity that typifies the recognition behavior of CB[6]. The cavity of CB[7] is found to effectively host trimethylsilyl groups. Remarkably, the values of Ka for the interaction of CB[7] with adamantane derivatives 22-24 exceeds 10(12) M(-1)! The high levels of selectivity observed for each CB[n] individually is also observed for the CB[n] family collectively. That is, the selectivities of CB[6], CB[7], and CB[8] toward a common guest can be remarkably large. For example, guests 1, 3, and 11 prefer CB[8] relative to CB[7] by factors greater than 10(7), 10(6), and 3000, respectively. Conversely, guests 23 and 24 prefer CB[7] relative to CB[8] by factors greater than 5100 and 990, respectively. The high levels of selectivity observed individually and collectively for the CB[n] family renders them prime components for the preparation of functional biomimetic self-sorting systems.

Biomimetic Materials↗

The cucurbit[n]uril family.

In 1981, the macrocyclic methylene-bridged glycoluril hexamer (CB[6]) was dubbed "cucurbituril" by Mock and co-workers because of its resemblance to the most prominent member of the cucurbitaceae family of plants--the pumpkin. In the intervening years, the fundamental binding properties of CB[6]-high affinity, highly selective, and constrictive binding interactions--have been delineated by the pioneering work of the research groups of Mock, Kim, and Buschmann, and has led to their applications in waste-water remediation, as artificial enzymes, and as molecular switches. More recently, the cucurbit[n]uril family has grown to include homologues (CB[5]-CB[10]), derivatives, congeners, and analogues whose sizes span and exceed the range available with the alpha-, beta-, and gamma-cyclodextrins. Their shapes, solubility, and chemical functionality may now be tailored by synthetic chemistry to play a central role in molecular recognition, self-assembly, and nanotechnology. This Review focuses on the synthesis, recognition properties, and applications of these unique macrocycles.

Bridged-Ring Compounds↗

Social self-sorting in aqueous solution.

Self-sorting-the ability to efficiently distinguish between self and nonself-is common in nature but is still relatively rare in synthetic supramolecular systems. We report a 12-component mixture comprising 1-11 and KCl that undergoes thermodynamically controlled self-sorting in aqueous solution based on metal-ligand, ion-dipole, electrostatic, charge-transfer interactions, as well as the hydrophobic effect. We refer to this molecular ensemble-characterized by high-fidelity host-guest interactions between components-as a social self-sorting system to distinguish it from narcissistic self-sorting systems based on self-association processes. The influence of several key variables-temperature, pH, concentration, and host/guest stoichiometry-was explored by a combination of simulation and experiment. Variable temperature NMR experiments, for example, revealed a kinetically controlled irreversible process upon cycling from 298 to 338 K, which is an emergent property of this molecular ensemble. Variable pH and concentration experiments, in contrast, did not reveal any emergent properties of the molecular ensemble. Simulations of a four-component mixture establish that by proper control of the relative magnitude of the various equilibrium constants, it is possible to prepare socially self-sorted mixtures that are responsive (irresponsive) to host/guest stoichiometry over narrow (broad) ranges. The 12-component mixture is relatively irresponsive to host/guest stoichiometry. Such social self-sorting systems, like their natural counterparts, have potential applications as chemical sensors, as artificial regulatory elements, and in the preparation of biomimetic systems.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗

Molecular clips form isostructural dimeric aggregates from benzene to water.

We report the synthesis and characterization of eight C-shaped methylene-bridged glycoluril dimers (1-8) bearing hydrogen-bonding amide groups on their aromatic rings. Compounds 1-6 undergo tight dimerization in CDCl3 solution (Ks > 9 x 10(5) M(-1)); binary mixtures of 1-7 form mixtures of homodimers and heterodimers in moderately selective dimerization processes (0.23 < or = Keq < or = 768; 0.253 < or = chiAB < 0.933). The high affinity formation of 1.1-6.6 is due to the commensurate nature of the geometrical constraints imposed by the pi-pi interactions and only two hydrogen bonds. The differential response of the strengths of the pi-pi interactions and H-bonds of 2.2 to changes in solvent polarity--from C6D6 to D2O--results in the formation of a solvent-independent isostructural aggregate that exhibits high affinity dimerization across the full range of solvents.

Benzene Derivatives↗

Metal binding characteristics of a laterally nonsymmetric aza cryptand upon functionalization with a pi-acceptor group.

The laterally nonsymmetric aza cryptand synthesized by condensing tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) with tris[[2-(3-(oxomethyl)phenyl)oxy]ethyl]amine readily forms mononuclear inclusion complexes with both transition and main-group metal ions. In these complexes, the metal ion occupies the tren-end of the cavity making bonds with the three secondary amino and the bridgehead N atoms. When a strong pi-acceptor group such as 2,4-dinitrobenzene is attached to one of the secondary amines, the binding property of the cryptand changes drastically. When perchlorate or tetrafluoroborate salts of Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), or Cd(II) are used, the metal ion enters the cavity which can be monitored by the hypsochromic shift of the intramolecular charge-transfer transition from the donor amino N atom to the acceptor dinitrobenzene. However, in the presence of coordinating ions such as Cl(-), N(3)(-), and SCN(-), the metal ion comes out of the cavity and binds the cryptand outside the cavity at a site away from the dinitrobenzene moiety. Four such complexes are characterized by X-ray crystallography. Thus, a metal ion can translocate between inside and outside of the cryptand cavity depending upon the nature of the counter anion.

Journal Article↗