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Structural characterization and formation kinetics of sitting-atop (SAT) complexes of some porphyrins with copper(II) ion in aqueous acetonitrile relevant to porphyrin metalation mechanism. Structures of aquacopper(II) and cu(II)-SAT complexes as determined by XAFS spectroscopy.

The formation of the sitting-atop (SAT) complexes of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (H(2)tpp), 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)porphyrin (H(2)t(4-Clp)p), 5,10,15,20-tetramesitylporphyrin (H(2)tmp), and 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethylporphyrin (H(2)oep) with the Cu(II) ion was spectrophotometrically confirmed in aqueous acetonitrile (AN), and the formation rates were determined as a function of the water concentration (C(W)). The decrease in the conditional first-order rate constants with the increasing C(W) was reproduced by taking into consideration the contribution of [Cu(H(2)O)(an)(5)](2+) in addition to [Cu(an)(6)](2+) to form the Cu(II)-SAT complexes. The second-order rate constants for the reaction of [Cu(an)(6)](2+) and [Cu(H(2)O)(an)(5)](2+) at 298 K were respectively determined as follows: (4.1 +/- 0.2) x 10(5) and (3.6 +/- 0.2) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) for H(2)tpp, (1.15 +/- 0.06) x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) and negligible for H(2)t(4-Clp)p, and (4.8 +/- 0.3) x 10(3) and (1.3 +/- 0.3) x 10(2) M(-1) s(-1) for H(2)tmp. Since the reaction of H(2)oep was too fast to observe the reaction trace due to the dead time of 2 ms for the present stopped-flow technique, the rate constant was estimated to be greater than 1.5 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1). According to the structure of the Cu(II)-SAT complexes determined by the fluorescent XAFS measurements, two pyrrolenine nitrogens of the meso-substituted porphyrins (H(2)tpp and H(2)tmp) bind to the Cu(II) ion with a Cu-N(pyr) distance of ca. 2.04 A, while those of the beta-pyrrole-substituted porphyrin (H(2)oep) coordinate with the corresponding bond distance of 1.97 A. The shorter distance of H(2)oep is ascribed to the flexibility of the porphyrin ring, and the much greater rate for the formation of the Cu(II)-SAT complex of H(2)oep than those for the meso-substituted porphyrins is interpreted as due to a small energetic loss at the porphyrin deformation step during the formation of the Cu(II)-SAT complex. The overall formation constants, beta(n), of [Cu(H(2)O)(n)()(an)(6)(-)(n)](2+) for the water addition in aqueous AN were spectrophotometrically determined at 298 K as follows: log(beta(1)/M(-1)) = 1.19 +/- 0.18, log(beta(2)/M(-2)) = 1.86 +/- 0.35, and log(beta(3)/M(-3)) = 2.12 +/- 0.57. The structure parameters around the Cu(II) ion in [Cu(H(2)O)(n)(an)(6-n)](2+) were determined using XAFS spectroscopy.

Journal Article↗

Models for cytochromes c': spin states of mono(imidazole)-ligated (meso-tetramesitylporphyrinato)iron(III) complexes as studied by UV-Vis, 13C NMR, 1H NMR, and EPR spectroscopy.

A number of mono(imidazole)-ligated complexes of perchloro(meso-tetramesitylporphyrinato)iron(III), [Fe(TMP)L]ClO(4), have been prepared, and their spin states have been examined by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and EPR spectroscopy as well as solution magnetic moments. All the complexes examined have shown a quantum mechanical spin admixed state of high and intermediate-spin (S = 5/2 and 3/2) states though the contribution of the S = 3/2 state varies depending on the nature of axial ligands. While the complex with extremely bulky 2-tert-butylimidazole (2-(t)()BuIm) has exhibited an essentially pure S = 5/2 state, the complex with electron-deficient 4,5-dichloroimidazole (4,5-Cl(2)Im) adopts an S = 3/2 state with 30% of the S = 5/2 spin admixture. On the basis of the (1)H and (13)C NMR results, we have concluded that the S = 3/2 contribution at ambient temperature increases according to the following order: 2-(t)BuIm < 2-(1-EtPr)Im < 2-MeIm <or= 2-EtIm <or= 2-(i)PrIm < 4,5-Cl(2)Im. The effective magnetic moments determined by the Evans method in CH(2)Cl(2) solution are 5.9 and 5.0 mu(B) at 25 degrees C for [Fe(TMP)(2-(t)BuIm)]ClO(4) and [Fe(TMP)(2-MeIm)]ClO(4), respectively, which further verify the order given above. Comparison of the NMR and EPR data has revealed that the S = 3/2 contribution changes sensitively by the temperature; the S = 3/2 contribution decreases as the temperature is lowered for all the mono(imidazole) complexes examined in this study. The solvent polarity also affects the spin state; polar solvents such as methanol and acetonitrile increase the S = 3/2 contribution while nonpolar solvents such as benzene decrease it. These results are explained in terms of the structurally flexible nature of the mono(imidazole) complexes; structural parameters such as the Fe(III)-N(axial) bond length, displacement of the iron from the N4 core, tilting of the Fe(III)-N(axial) bond to the heme normal, orientation of the coordinated imidazole ligand, etc., could be altered by the nature of the axial ligands as well as by the solvent polarity and temperature. Some mysteries on the spin states of cytochromes c' isolated from various bacterial sources are possibly explained in terms of the flexible nature of the mono(imidazole)-ligated structure.

Journal Article↗

Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of Ti(IV)-monosubstituted Keggin polyoxometalates.

Ti(IV)-monosubstituted Keggin-type polyoxometalates (Ti-POMs), mu-oxo dimer [Bu4N]8[(PTiW11O39)2O] (1), and three monomers [Bu4N]4[PTi(L)W11O39], where L = OH (2), OMe (3), and OAr (4, ArOH = 2,3,6-trimethylphenol (TMP)), have been prepared starting from mu-hydroxo dimer [Bu4N]7[(PTiW11O39)2OH] (5) or heteropolyacid H5PW11TiO40 or both. The compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis, and multinuclear (31P, 1H, 183W) NMR. The interaction of 1 and 3-5 with H2O in MeCN produces 2. The hydrolysis constants, estimated from 31P and 1H NMR data, are 0.006 and 0.04 for 1 and 3, respectively. Studies by 31P NMR, IR, potentiometric titration, and cyclic voltammetry revealed that 1-3 and 5 afford the same protonated titanium peroxo complex [Bu4N]4[HPTi(O2)W11O39] (I) upon interaction with aqueous H2O2 in MeCN. The rates of formation of I correlate with the rates of hydrolysis of the Ti-POMs and follow the order of 5 > 1 > 3. A two-step mechanism of the reaction of Ti-POMs with H2O2, which involves hydrolysis of the Ti-L bonds to yield 2 followed by fast interaction of 2 with hydrogen peroxide producing I, is suggested. The equilibrium constant for the reaction of 2 with H2O2 to yield I and H2O, estimated using 31P NMR, is 10. The interaction of the Ti-POMs with TMP follows the trends similar to their interaction with H2O) and requires preliminary hydrolysis of the Ti-L bonds. All of the Ti-POMs catalyze the oxidation of TMP with H2O2 in MeCN to give 2,3,5-trimethyl-p-benzoquinone and 2,2',3,3',5,5'-hexamethyl-4,4'-biphenol. The product distribution is similar for all of the Ti-POMs. The catalytic activities of the Ti-POMs correlate with the rates of formation of I and follow the order of 2 > 5 > 1 > 3. The findings lay a basis for a better understanding of the nature of the reactivity of titanium in Ti-catalyzed oxidations.

Journal Article↗

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of a [Mn22] wheel-like single-molecule magnet.

The synthesis and magnetic properties of the compound [Mn(22)O(6)(OMe)(14)(O(2)CMe)(16)(tmp)(8)(HIm)(2)] 1 are reported. Complex 1 was prepared by treatment of [Mn(3)O(MeCO(2))(6)(HIm)(3)](MeCO(2)) (HIm = imidazole) with 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane (H(3)tmp) in MeOH. Complex 1.2MeOH crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca. The molecule consists of a metallic core of 2 Mn(IV), 18 Mn(III), and 2 Mn(II) ions linked by a combination of 6 micro(3)-bridging O(2)(-) ions, 14 micro(3)- and micro(2)-bridging MeO(-) ions, 16 micro-MeCO(2)(-) ligands, and 8 tmp(3)(-) ligands, which use their alkoxide arms to bridge in a variety of ways. The metal-oxygen core is best described as a wheel made from [Mn(3)O(4)] partial cubes and [Mn(3)O] triangles. Variable-temperature direct current (dc) magnetic susceptibility data were collected for complex 1 in the 1.8-300 K temperature range in a 1 T applied field. The chi(M)T value steadily decreases from 56 cm(3) K mol(-)(1) at 300 K to 48.3 cm(3) K mol(-)(1) at 30 K and then increases slightly to reach a maximum value of 48.6 cm(3) K mol(-)(1) at 15 K before dropping rapidly to 40.3 cm(3) K mol(-)(1) at 5 K. The ground-state spin of complex 1 was established by magnetization measurements in the 0.1-2.0 T and 1.80-4.00 K ranges. Fitting of the data by a matrix-diagonalization method to a model that assumes only the ground state is populated and incorporating only axial zero-field splitting (DS(z)()(2)), gave a best fit of S = 10, g = 1.96 and D = -0.10 cm(-)(1). The ac magnetization measurements performed on complex 1 in the 1.8-8 K range in a 3.5 G ac field oscillating at 50-1000 Hz showed frequency-dependent ac susceptibility signals below 3 K. Single-crystal hysteresis loop and relaxation measurements indicate loops whose coercivities are strongly temperature and time dependent, increasing with decreasing temperature and increasing field sweep rate, as expected for the superparamagnetic-like behavior of a single-molecule magnet, with a blocking temperature (T(B)) of approximately 1.3 K.

Journal Article↗

Influence of Meso Substituents on Electronic States of (Oxoferryl)porphyrin pi-Cation Radicals.

A series of (oxoferryl)porphyrin pi-cation radicals generated from porphyrins substituted at the meso positions with highly electron-withdrawing aryl groups has been characterized: tetrakis-5,10,15,20-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-, 5-(2-chloro-6-nitrophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-, and 5-(2,6-dinitrophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(2,6-dichlorophenyl)porphyrins (porphyrins 1-3, respectively). The physical-chemical properties of the oxidized complexes of 1-3 are compared to those of two (oxoferryl)porphyrin pi-cation radical complexes substituted with electron-releasing aryl groups: tetramesitylporphyrin (TMP) and 2-iodotetramesitylporphyrin (2-iodoTMP). While all of the complexes examined show close correspondance in a number of spectroscopic parameters, some significant differences were observed. In contrast to observations for the oxidized complexes of TMP and 2-iodoTMP, the resonance Raman marker bands nu(2) and nu(11), which are indicators of symmetry state of porphyrin pi-cation radicals of 1-3, do not show the expected downfrequency shifts for oxidation to compound I analogs in a(2u) symmetry states. The upfield hyperfine NMR shifts of the pyrrole beta-proton signals of the compound I analogs of 1-3 are much larger than those for TMP and 2-iodoTMP. These data may be explained by admixture of some a(1u) character into the ground state of radical cations of 1-3, consistent with the hypothesis that electron-withdrawing meso substituents lower the energy of the a(2u) molecular orbital, favoring an a(1u) admixture.

Journal Article↗

Catalytic Activation of H(2) and C-H Bonds by Electron-Deficient Ruthenium(II) Porphyrins.

The Ru(2) and RuNi derivatives of 1,8-bis(10,15,20-trimesityl-5-porphyrinato)anthracene-a recently reported cofacial diporphyrin ligand comprising two hindered porphyrins spanned by an anthracene bridge-have been synthesized. Both Ru(2)(DPAHM) and RuNi(DPAHM) are extremely reactive species that apparently contain 14-electron Ru(II) centers and, as is the case for their monoporphyrin analog, (5,10,15,20-tetramesitylporphyrinato)ruthenium [Ru(TMP)], must be rigorously protected from oxygen, nitrogen, and other ligating agents. In addition, these electron-deficient Ru(II) porphyrins all appear to bind aromatic solvents such as benzene and toluene, the weakest ligating solvents in which these Ru(II) porphyrins have been found soluble. Ru(TMP) and its metallodiporphyrin analogs, Ru(2)(DPAHM) and RuNi(DPAHM), catalyze H(2)/D(2) exchange in benzene solution and as solids. When adsorbed on a particularly nonpolar carbon support, these Ru(II) porphyrins all manifest significant activity with respect to catalytic H(2)/D(2) exchange [approximately 40 turnovers s(-)(1), when normalized for Ru(II) content]. In addition, these molecules slowly catalyze the exchange of H(2) into deuterated aromatic hydrocarbons and, in the absence of solvent, the exchange of D(2) into CH(4). Kinetic studies of H(2)/D(2) exchange catalyzed by these Ru(II) porphyrins on carbon supports indicate that exchange is likely to be effected by one face of a single Ru(TMP) moiety. The activity of each supported catalyst was suppressed by the presence of ligands, either exogenous (CO irreversibly and N(2) reversibly) or from polar functionalities on the surface of the supporting matrix.

Journal Article↗

Models of the membrane-bound cytochromes: mössbauer spectra of crystalline low-spin ferriheme complexes having axial ligand plane dihedral angles ranging from 0 degree to 90 degrees.

Crystalline samples of four low-spin Fe(III) octaalkyltetraphenylporphyrinate and two low-spin Fe(III) tetramesitylporphyrinate complexes, all of which are models of the bis-histidine-coordinated cytochromes of mitochondrial complexes II, III, and IV and chloroplast complex b(6)f, and whose molecular structures and EPR spectra have been reported previously, have been investigated in detail by Mössbauer spectroscopy. The six complexes and the dihedral angles between axial ligand planes of each are [(TMP)Fe(1-MeIm)(2)]ClO(4) (0 degree), paral-[(OMTPP)Fe(1-MeIm)(2)]Cl (19.5 degrees), paral-[(TMP)Fe(5-MeHIm)(2)]ClO(4) (26 degrees, 30 degrees for two molecules in the unit cell whose EPR spectra overlap), [(OETPP)Fe(4-Me(2)NPy)(2)]Cl (70 degrees), perp-[(OETPP)Fe(1-MeIm)(2)]Cl (73 degrees), and perp-[(OMTPP)Fe(1-MeIm)(2)]Cl (90 degrees). Of these, the first three have been shown to exhibit normal rhombic EPR spectra, each with three clearly resolved g-values, while the last three have been shown to exhibit "large g(max)" EPR spectra at 4.2 K. It is found that the hyperfine coupling constants of the complexes are consistent with those reported previously for low-spin ferriheme systems, with the largest-magnitude hyperfine coupling constant, A(zz), being considerably smaller for the "parallel" complexes (400-540 kG) than for the strictly perpendicular complex (902 kG), A(xx) being negative for all six complexes, and A(zz) and A(xx) being of similar magnitude for the "parallel" complexes (for example, for [(TMP)Fe(1-MeIm)(2)]Cl, A(zz) = 400 kG, A(xx) = -400 kG). In all cases, A(yy) is small but difficult to estimate with accuracy. With results for six structurally characterized model systems, we find for the first time qualitative correlations of g(zz), A(zz), and DeltaE(Q) with axial ligand plane dihedral angle Deltavarphi.

Cytochromes↗

Determination of sulfamethazine and trimethoprim in liquid feed premixes by HPLC and diode array detection, with an analysis of the uncertainty of the analytical results.

Sulfamethazine (SMZ) and trimethoprim (TMP) are antibacterials used in veterinary practice. This paper describes a method for their determination in veterinary liquid feed premixes that is based on liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Gradient elution with methanol and ammonium acetate achieved excellent separation of the two analytes within 15 min without any interference from the matrix. Absorbance of the column effluent was monitored at 264 nm for SMZ and at 230 nm for TMP. Detailed analyses of the uncertainties of determinations afford estimated expanded uncertainties of, respectively, 0.2 and 0.1 w/v % for typical SMZ and TMP concentrations of 10.7 and 2.1 w/v %, respectively. At the lower end of the calibrated range of the method, the dominant source of uncertainty is the preparation of standards and the construction of the calibration line.

Animal Feed↗

2,4-Diamino-5-benzylpyrimidines as antibacterial agents. 7. Analysis of the effect of 3,5-dialkyl substituent size and shape on binding to four different dihydrofolate reductase enzymes.

A group of trimethoprim (TMP) analogues containing 3,5-dialkyl(or halo)-4-alkoxy, -hydroxy, or -amino substitution were analyzed in terms of their inhibitory activities against four dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) isozymes. Although selectivities were lower than with TMP, the activities against vertebrate DHFR were usually at least 2 orders of magnitude less than against enzymes from microbial sources. However, the profiles of activity were remarkably similar for rat, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Plasmodium berghei enzymes in all three series, although somewhat different for Escherichia coli DHFR, leading to the conclusion that the hydrophobic pockets are similar for the first three isozymes. Optimal substitution was reached with 3,5-di-n-propyl or 3-ethyl-5-n-propyl groups. Branching of chains at the alpha-carbon, which resulted in increased substituent thickness, was detrimental to E. coli DHFR inhibition in particular. MR is an inadequate parameter for use in correlating such substituent effects. Conformational changes of the more bulky inhibitors can be invoked to explain some differences in inhibitory pattern. Although log P explains simple substituent effects with the vertebrate DHFRs very well, it is insufficient in the more complex cases described here, where shape is clearly involved as well. Solvent-accessible surface areas were measured for TMP in E. coli and chicken DHFRs, where the coordinates are now known. The environment is more hydrophobic in the latter case; this can also be postulated for rat DHFR, which has a very similar activity profile. As with the mammalian isozymes, N. gonorrhoeae DHFR contains an active site phenylalanine replacing Leu-28 of E. coli DHFR, thus creating a more hydrophobic pocket. A similar replacement may also occur in the P.berghei isozyme. Selectivity for bacterial DHFR is dependent on the nature of the 4-substituent, being low for polar 4-hydroxy compounds but high for polar 4-amino analogues, possibly as a result of solvation differences. With complex substituents, the environment of each atom in the active site must be taken into account to adequately explain structure-activity relationships.

Animals↗

Synthesis of 2,4-diamino-6-[2'-O-(omega-carboxyalkyl)oxydibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl]methylpteridines as potent and selective inhibitors of Pneumocystis carinii, Toxoplasma gondii, and Mycobacterium avium dihydrofolate reductase.

Six previously undescribed N-(2,4-diaminopteridin-6-yl)methyldibenz[b,f]azepines with water-solubilizing O-carboxyalkyloxy or O-carboxybenzyloxy side chains at the 2'-position were synthesized and compared with trimethoprim (TMP) and piritrexim (PTX) as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from Pneumocystis carinii (Pc), Toxoplasma gondii (Tg), and Mycobacterium avium (Ma), three of the opportunistic organisms known to cause significant morbidity and mortality in patients with AIDS and other disorders of the immune system. The ability of the new analogues to inhibit reduction of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate by Pc, Tg, Ma, and rat DHFR was determined, and the selectivity index (SI) was calculated from the ratio IC(50)(rat DHFR)/IC(50)(Pc, Tg, or Ma DHFR). The IC(50) values of the 2'-O-carboxypropyl analogue (10), with SI values in parentheses, were 1.1 nM (1300) against Pc DHFR, 9.9 nM (120) against Tg DHFR, and 2.0 nM (600) against Ma DHFR. The corresponding values for the 2'-O-(4-carboxybenzyloxy) analogue (12) were 1.0 nM (560), 22 nM (21), and 0.75 nM (630). By comparison, the IC(50) and SI values for TMP were Pc, 13 000 nM (14); Tg, 2800 nM (65); and Ma, 300 nM (610). For the prototypical potent but nonselective inhibitors PTX and TMX, respectively, these values were Pc, 13 nM (0.26) and 47 nM (0.17); Tg, 4.3 nM (0.76) and 16 nM (0.50); Ma, 0.61 nM (5.4) and 1.5 nM (5.3). Thus 10 and 12 met the criterion for DHFR inhibitors that combine the high selectivity of TMP with the high potency of PTX and TMX.

Animals↗

Studies on synthetic approaches to 1H- and 2H-indazolyl derivatives.

Synthetic approaches designed to provide 1H- and 2H-indazolyl derivatives of potential biological interest are reported. Special emphasis has been placed on the characterization of indazolylpyridinium products generated from reactions between indazole and 4-chloro-1-methylpyridinium iodide under various conditions. A stable mixture consisting of 3 parts of the 1H-isomer 9 to 1 part of the 2H-isomer 10 was obtained at room temperature in the presence of the base 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (TMP). The same reaction at 60 degrees C gave only the 1H-isomer 9. At 100 degrees C in the absence of TMP only the 2H-isomer 10 was formed. The isomerization of 10 to 9 was found to proceed quantitatively at 60 degrees C but only in the presence of TMP. The effects of temperature and base on the course of these reactions are rationalized in terms of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters.

Indazoles↗

Uranyl extraction by beta-diketonate ligands to SC-CO2: theoretical studies on the effect of ligand fluorination and on the synergistic effect of TBP.

We report theoretical investigations on the effect of H --> F substitution in acetylacetonate ligands in order to understand why fluorination promotes the extraction of uranyl to supercritical CO(2) with a marked synergistic effect of tri-n-butyl phosphate "TBP". The neutral LH and deprotonated L(-) forms of the ligand, and the uranyl complexes UO(2)L(2) and UO(2)L(2)S (S = H(2)O versus trimethyl phosphate "TMP" which mimics TBP) are studied by quantum mechanics (QM) in the gas phase, whereas the ligands LH and their UO(2)L(2) and UO(2)L(2)S complexes are studied by molecular dynamics (MD) in SC-CO(2) solution as well as at a CO(2)-water interface. Several effects are found to favor F ligands over the H ligands. (i) First, intrinsically (in the gas phase), the complexation reaction 2 LH + UO(2)(2+) --> UO(2)L(2) is more exothermic for the F ligands, mainly due to their higher acidity, compared to the H ligands. (ii) The unsaturated UO(2)L(2) complexes with F ligands bind more strongly TMP than H(2)O, thus preferentially leading to the UO(2)L(2)(TMP) complex, more hydrophobic than UO(2)L(2)(H(2)O). (iii) Molecular dynamics simulations of SC-CO(2) solutions show that the F ligands and their UO(2)L(2) and UO(2)L(2)S complexes are better solvated than their H analogues, and that the UO(2)L(2)(TBP) complex with F ligands is the most CO(2)-philic. (iv) Concentrated solutions of UO(2)L(2)(TBP) complexes at the CO(2)-water interface display an equilibrium between adsorbed and extracted species, and the proportion of extracted species is larger with F- than with H- ligands, in agreement with experimental observations. Thus, TBP plays a dual synergistic role: its co-complexation by UO(2)L(2) yields a hydrophobic and CO(2)-philic complex suitable for extraction, whereas TBP in excess at the interface facilitates the migration of the complex to the supercritical phase.

Journal Article↗

Theoretical studies of the hydroxide-catalyzed P-O cleavage reactions of neutral phosphate triesters and diesters in aqueous solution: examination of the changes induced by H/Me substitution.

DFT calculations and dielectric continuum methods have been employed to map out the lowest activation free-energy profiles for the alkaline hydrolysis of representative phosphate triesters and diesters, including trimethyl phosphate (TMP), dimethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNPP), dimethyl hydrogen phosphate (DMHP), and the dimethyl phosphate anion (DMP-). The reliability of the calculations is supported by the excellent agreement observed between the calculated and the experimentally determined activation enthalpies for phosphate triesters with poor (TMP) and good (DMNPP) leaving groups. The results obtained for the OH- + DMHP and OH- + DMP- reactions are also consistent with all the available experimental information concerning the hydrolysis reaction of dimethyl phosphate anion at pH > 5. By performing geometry optimizations in the dielectric field (epsilon = 78.39), we found that OH- can attack the phosphorus atom of DMHP without capturing its proton only if the O-H bond of DMHP is oriented opposite the attacking OH- group. In these conditions, the rate for OH- attack on DMHP was found to be approximately 10(3)-fold faster than that for OH- attack on TMP. The calculated rate acceleration induced by the phosphoryl proton corresponds to the maximum rate effect expected from kinetic studies. Overall, our calculations performed on the dimethyl phosphate ester predict that, contrary to what is generally observed for RNA and aryl phosphodiesters, the water-promoted P-O cleavage reaction of DNA should dominate the base-catalyzed reaction at pH 7. These results are suggestive that nucleases may be less proficient as catalysts than has recently been suspected.

Catalysis↗

Tetramethylpiperidine-substituted phenazines inhibit the proliferation of intrinsically multidrug resistant carcinoma cell lines.

The effects of nine new tetramethylpiperidine (TMP)-substituted phenazines on the growth of a human esophageal cancer cell line (WHCO3), two human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (PLC and HepG2) and three human colon cancer cell lines (CaCo2, COLO 320DM and HT29) were compared to those of clofazimine, B669 and five standard chemotherapeutic agents. The three most active TMP-substituted phenazines against these cell lines were B3962, B4126 and B4125 with mean IC50 values for all the cancer cell lines tested of 0.36, 0.47 and 0.48 microg/ml respectively. B3962 and B4126, but not B4125 were also the most active against a semi-continuous human fibroblast culture (MRC5). The compound with the highest tumor specificity relative to the fibroblast culture, was B4125. Importantly, there was minimal variation in sensitivity of the different cell lines, including a multidrug resistant cell line (COLO 320DM) expressing high levels of P-glycoprotein, to the TMP-substituted phenazines. This was not the case with the standard chemotherapeutic agents. The efficacy of compounds such as B4125 against a broad spectrum of multidrug resistant cancer cell lines, together with their relatively high tumor specificity, suggests that these agents may be useful in the treatment of intrinsically resistant cancers such as colon and liver cancer.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Degradation of paper mill water components in laboratory tests with pure cultures of bacteria.

The degradation of dissolved and colloidal substances from thermomechanical pulp (TMP) by bacteria isolated from a paper mill was studied in a laboratory slide culture system. Burkholderia cepacia strains hydrolysed triglycerides to free fatty acids, and the liberated unsaturated fatty acids were then degraded to some extent. Saturated fatty acids were not notably degraded. However, the branched anteiso-heptadecanoic fatty acid was degraded almost like the unsaturated fatty acids. About 30% of the steryl esters were degraded during 11 days, increasing the concentrations of free sterols. Approximately 25% of the dehydroabietic, and 45% of the abietic and isopimaric resin acids were degraded during 11 days. The degree of unsaturation seemed to be of greater importance for the degradation of fatty acids than the molar mass. No degradation of dissolved hemicelluloses could be observed with any of the nine bacterial strains studied. Burkholderia cepacia strains and one Bacillus coagulans strain degraded monomeric fructose and glucose in winter TMP water, but in summer TMP water, with much lower sugar concentrations, also other Bacillus strains degraded monomeric sugars.

Bacillus↗

A bioassay for methylated galacturonan on pulp-fiber surfaces.

A colorimetric bioassay has been developed enabling separation of wood pulp qualities based on the quantity of methyl-esterified galacturonan exposed on fiber surfaces. Thermomechanical pulp (TMP) and chemi-TMP (CTMP) had, respectively, 3.1 and 0.7 microg galacturonan on the surface per mg wood pulp. The presence of galacturonan on the surface of TMP and CTMP was further confirmed by immunogold localization.

Colorimetry↗

Three thiamine analogues differently alter thiamine transport and metabolism in nervous tissue: an in vivo kinetic study using rats.

Thiamine (T) analogues pyrithiamine, oxythiamine or amprolium in amounts 10-1000 times higher than labelled T, were i.p. injected into rats together with 14C-T (30 microg; 46.25 KBq). The radioactivity associated with T and its phosphoesters in the plasma and cerebral cortex, brainstem, cerebellum, and sciatic nerve were determined at time intervals from 0.25 to 240 h from injection. The experimental data obtained were processed with a mathematical compartmental model that calculated the fractional rate constants. These are the amount of content in a given compartment that is replaced in 1 h and expressed in per hour. The results showed that all three analogues inhibited thiamine entry from plasma. Instead, oxythiamine enhanced T phosphorylation to T pyrophosphate (TPP); amprolium and oxythiamine enhanced TPP dephosphorylation to monophosphate (TMP); pyrithiamine reduced TPP dephosphorylation and TMP formation, while none of the analogues modified TMP dephosphorylation to T. In conclusion, in living rats, the action of T analogues was much more complex than could be expected from their structure and action in vitro.

Amprolium↗

Aerosolized pentamidine prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia after allogeneic marrow transplantation.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) poses a serious risk to allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients, who are often intolerant of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), the traditional first-line prophylactic agents. There are limited published data supporting the use of aerosolized pentamidine (AP) prophylaxis in the BMT population. We assessed the effectiveness of AP in BMT recipients by reviewing the experience at our center. We divided our review into four time periods from January 1990 to March 2000, during which approximately 700 BMTs were performed. The first period includes patients receiving AP treatments from January 1990 to July 1997 (baseline), the second from August 1997 to July 1998 (pre-outbreak), the third from August 1998 to October 1999 (outbreak), and the fourth from November 1999 to March 2000 (post-outbreak). At our center, TMP-SMX is the first-line agent for PCP prophylaxis, which is routinely continued for at least one year, or for the duration of enhanced immunosuppression. During the baseline period, 505 BMTs were performed and 192 patients (38%) received AP for part of their time at risk. Six patients (3%) experienced toxicities requiring discontinuation of AP. Three cases of PCP were diagnosed over 1114 patient-months of treatment in the baseline period. During the last 42 months of the baseline period, 2/154 patients receiving AP and 2 of an estimated 293 patients receiving exclusively oral prophylaxis developed breakthrough PCP (p = 0.61). During the outbreak period, 9 of 180 patients receiving AP developed PCP compared to none in the group receiving exclusively oral prophylaxis. Either changes in our AP protocol during the pre-outbreak period or pentamidine resistance may have led to this failure of prophylaxis. There were no further cases during the 5-month post-outbreak period. Our observed overall breakthrough rate was 12 cases out of 439 patients (2.7%). Our study shows that AP is an effective and well-tolerated second-line agent in preventing PCP post BMT and we recommend its continued use in this regard. However, it should be administered using a well-studied protocol, and only when TMP-SMX is not tolerated.

Administration, Inhalation↗