The biological applications of metals and metal complexes

Over the course of biological evolution, approximately 25 to 30 elements have been recognized as essential for the proper functioning of biological systems since the emergence of life [...]LA/P/0101/2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The potential of hexatungstotellurate(VI) to induce a significant entropic gain during protein crystallization

The limiting factor in protein crystallography is still the production of high-quality crystals. In this regard, the authors have recently introduced hexatungstotellurate(VI) (TEW) as a new crystallization additive, which proved to be successful within the liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) zone. Presented here are comparative crystal structure analyses revealing that protein–TEW binding not only induces and stabilizes crystal contacts, but also exhibits a significant impact on the solvent-driven crystallization entropy, which is the driving force for the crystallization process. Upon the formation of TEW-mediated protein–protein contacts, the release of water molecules from the hydration shells of both molecules,i.e.TEW and the protein, causes a reduced solvent-accessible surface area, leading to a significant gain in solvent entropy. Based on the crystal structures of aurone synthase (in the presence and absence of TEW), insights have also been provided into the formation of a metastable LLPS, which is caused by the formation of protein clusters, representing an ideal starting point in protein crystallization. The results strongly encourage the classification of TEW as a valuable crystallization additive.</jats:p

Polyoxidovanadates' interactions with proteins: an overview

Polyoxidovanadates (POVs, previously named polyoxovanadates) are a subgroup of polyoxidometalates (POMs, previously named polyoxometalates) with interesting pharmacological actions that have been tested as potential antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antiviral, and anticancer drugs. They contain mainly vanadium and are able to interact with proteins, affecting various biological processes. The most studied POV is the isopolyoxidovanadate decavanadate (V-10), which interacts with proteins and/or enzymes such as tyrosine protein phosphatases, P-type ATPases, RNA triphosphatases, myosin and actin. However, in many POVs-protein systems, the binding sites and/or the residues involved in the interaction are not identified. In the present review, the interactions of POVs, as well as linear trivanadate (V-3), both linear and cyclic tetravanadate (V-4) and two proposed heptavanadate (V-7; which are better described by V-10 molecules), with proteins are described through X-ray crystallographic studies. Interactions with POVs through theoretical and spectroscopic studies of proteins related to muscle contraction, serum, oxidative stress, and diabetes were also discussed. In sum, herein, we describe POVs' interactions with various proteins including acid phosphatase A, receptor tyrosine kinase, ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPDases), transient receptor potential cation channel (TRPM4), phosphoglucomutases, P-type ATPases, myosin, actin, transferrin, albumin, and glucosidases, among others. The putative POVs' effects on proteins are impacted by the POV' stability and speciation. The modes of POVs' interactions include H-bond, electrostatic, H-bond + electrostatic, van der Waals, and covalent binding. The spectroscopic, X-ray and computational results, the sites and modes of binding are described in detail. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.Vinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The preyssler-type polyoxotungstate exhibits anti-quorum sensing, antibiofilm, and antiviral activities

The increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics has led researchers to find new compounds or find combinations between different compounds with potential antibacterial action and with the ability to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. Polyoxotungstates (POTs) are inorganic clusters that may fulfill that need, either individually or in combination with antibiotics. Herein, we report the ability of the polyoxotungstates (POTs) with Wells-Dawson P2W18, P2W17, P2W15, and Preyssler P5W30 type structures to differently affect Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms, either susceptible or resistant to antibiotics. The compound P5W30 showed the highest activity against the majority of the tested bacterial strains in comparison with the other tested POTs (P2W15, P2W17 and P2W18) that did not show inhibition zones for the Gram-negative bacteria, A. baumanii I73775, E. coli DSM 1077, E. coli I73194, K. pneumoniae I7092374, and P. aeruginosa C46281). Generally, the results evidenced that Gram-positive bacteria are more susceptible to the POTs tested. The compound P5W30 was the one most active against S. aureus ATCC 6538 and MRSA16, reaching <0.83 mg·mL−1 (100 µM) and 4.96 mg·mL−1 (600 µM), respectively. Moreover, it was verified by NMR spectroscopy that the most promising POT, P5W30, remains intact under all the experimental conditions, after 24 h at 37 ◦C. This prompted us to further evaluate the anti-quorum sensing activity of P5W30 using the biosensor Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, as well as its antibiofilm activity both individually and in combination with the antibiotic cefoxitin against the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 16 (MRSA16). P5W30 showed a synergistic antibacterial effect with the antibiotic cefoxitin and chloramphenicol against MRSA16. Moreover, the antibiofilm activity of P5W30 was more pronounced when used individually, in comparison with the combination with the antibioticcefoxitin. Finally, the antiviral activity of P5W30 was tested using the coliphage Qβ, showing a dosedependent response. The maximum inactivation was observed at 750 µM (6.23 mg·mL−1 ). In sum, P5W30 shows anti-quorum sensing and antibiofilm activities besides being a potent antibacterial agent against S. aureus and to exhibit antiviral activities against enteric viruses.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Inhibition of Na+/K+- and Ca2+-ATPase activities by phosphotetradecavanadate

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are promising inorganic inhibitors for P-type ATPases. The experimental models used to study the effects of POMs on these ATPases are usually in vitro models using vesicles from several membrane sources. Very recently, some polyoxotungstates, such as the Dawson anion [P2W18O62]6-, were shown to be potent P-type ATPase inhibitors; being active in vitro as well as in ex-vivo. In the present study we broaden the spectrum of highly active inhibitors of Na+/K+-ATPase from basal membrane of epithelial skin to the bi-capped Keggin-type anion phosphotetradecavanadate Cs5.6H3.4PV14O42 (PV14) and we confront the data with activity of other commonly encountered polyoxovanadates, decavanadate (V10) and monovanadate (V1). The X-ray crystal structure of PV14 was solved and contains two trans-bicapped α-Keggin anions HxPV14O42(9-x)-. The anion is built up from the classical Keggin structure [(PO4)@(V12O36)] capped by two [VO] units. PV14 (10 μM) exhibited higher ex-vivo inhibitory effect on Na+/K+-ATPase (78%) than was observed at the same concentrations of V10 (66%) or V1 (33%). Moreover, PV14 is also a potent in vitro inhibitor of the Ca2+-ATPase activity (IC50 5 μM) exhibiting stronger inhibition than the previously reported activities for V10 (15 μM) and V1 (80 μM). Putting it all together, when compared both P-typye ATPases it is suggested that PV14 exibited a high potential to act as an in vivo inhibitor of the Na+/K+-ATPase associated with chloride secretion.FCT, Foundation for Science and Technology (UID/Multi/04326/2013) ; (SFRH/BSAB/129821/2017) Austrian Science Fund (FWF) (P27534) (M2200) Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) (01(2906)/17/EMR-II) Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic and Slovak Academy of Sciences VEGA (1/0507/17)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Molecular interactions at the interface: polyoxometalates of the Anderson-Evans type and lipid membranes

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are metal-oxygen clusters composed of {MO6} octahedra that have attracted considerable attention due to their remarkable antiviral, antibacterial and antitumor activities. Despite their potential, the molecular mechanisms underlying their cellular toxicity remain poorly understood. This study investigates how Anderson-Evans type polyoxotungstates (POTs) and polyoxomolybdates (POMos) interact with biological membranes by examining their effects on the zeta (ζ) – potential of the lipid bilayer and the size of small unilamellar liposomes of different phospholipid compositions. POTs affected the ζ-potential of neutral (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, DOPC) and slightly negatively charged (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine; DOPC:DOPE) membranes in the order [MnW6O24]8– &gt; [Ni(OH)6W6O18]4– &gt; [TeW6O24]6–. The addition of negatively charged cardiolipin (CL) to DOPC reduced the interaction of POTs with the membrane. An opposite effect was observed for POMos, which changed the ζ-potential of neutral and slightly negatively charged membranes in the order [Al(OH)6Mo6O18]3– &gt; [Cr(OH)6Mo6O18]3– &gt;&gt; [Ni(OH)6Mo6O18]4–. The addition of POMos increased the size of the liposomes in reverse order. The binding of [Al(OH)6Mo6O18]3– to the PE-containing phospholipid membranes and the effect of ionic strength on the interaction of [Cr(OH)6Mo6O18]3– with DOPC:CL liposomes could be inhibited by potassium fluoride (KF). Interestingly, KF did not inhibit the interaction of other POMos with membranes as indicated by ζ-potential measurements. These results suggest that the interaction of Anderson-Evans type POMs with phospholipid membranes is influenced more by their addenda and central ions than by their total charge. By unravelling the structure-activity relationships for the different POMs, we contribute to the design of biologically active POMs for therapeutic use

Polymerizing Like Mussels Do: Toward Synthetic Mussel Foot Proteins and Resistant Glues

A novel strategy to generate adhesive protein analogues by enzyme-induced polymerization of peptides is reported. Peptide polymerization relies on tyrosinase oxidation of tyrosine residues to Dopaquinones, which rapidly form cysteinyldopa-moieties with free thiols from cysteine residues, thereby linking unimers and generating adhesive polymers. The resulting artificial protein analogues show strong adsorption to different surfaces, even resisting hypersaline conditions. Remarkable adhesion energies of up to 10.9 mJ m−2 are found in single adhesion events and average values are superior to those reported for mussel foot proteins that constitute the gluing interfaces

Synthesis, characterization, and antioxidant activity of Zn2+ and Cu2+ coordinated polyhydroxychalcone complexes

ABSTRACT: Four new metal complexes [Cu(ISO)(2)], [Cu(BUT)(2)] and [Zn(ISO)(2)], [Zn(BUT)(2)] of the polyhydroxychalcones (isoliquiritigenin and butein) are synthesized, structurally characterized and their antioxidant activity is investigated. The formation of the complexes [Cu(ISO)(2)] and [Zn(ISO)(2)] is followed by Job’s plot using NMR titration. The resulting compounds are characterized by mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Studies on the radical scavenging activity are performed using DPPH as substrate. The results showed that the antioxidant activities of isoliquiritigenin and butein are enhanced after binding to copper or zinc. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00706-016-1822-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of latent isoform PPO4 mushroom (<i>Agaricus bisporus)</i>tyrosinase

Tyrosinase exhibits catalytic activity for theortho-hydroxylation of monophenols to diphenols as well as their subsequent oxidation to quinones. Owing to polymerization of these quinones, brown-coloured high-molecular-weight compounds called melanins are generated. The latent precursor form of polyphenol oxidase 4, one of the six tyrosinase isoforms fromAgaricus bisporus, was purified to homogeneity and crystallized. The obtained crystals belonged to space groupC121 (two molecules per asymmetric unit) and diffracted to 2.78 Å resolution. The protein only formed crystals under low-salt conditions using the 6-tungstotellurate(VI) salt Na6[TeW6O24]·22H2O as a co-crystallization agent.</jats:p