The heme-based oxygen sensor Rhizobium etli FixL: influence of auxiliary ligands on heme redox potential and implications on the enzyme activity

Conformational changes associated to sensing mechanisms of heme-based protein sensors are a key molecular event that seems to modulate not only the protein activity but also the potential of the Fe redox couple of the heme domain. In this work, midpoint potentials (E) assigned to the Fe redox couple of the heme domain of FixL from Rhizobium etli (ReFixL) in the unliganded and liganded states were determined by spectroelectrochemistry in the presence of inorganic mediators. In comparison to the unliganded ReFixL protein (+ 19 mV), the binding to ligands that switch off the kinase activity induces a negative shift, i. e. E = − 51, − 57 and − 156 mV for O, imidazole and CN, respectively. Upon binding to CO, which does not affect the kinase active, E was observed at + 21 mV. The potential values observed for Fe of the heme domain of ReFixL upon binding to CO and O do not follow the expected trend based on thermodynamics, assuming that positive potential shift would be expected for ligands that bind to and therefore stabilize the Fe state. Our results suggest that the conformational changes that switch off kinase activity upon O binding have knock-on effects to the local environment of the heme, such as solvent rearrangement, destabilize the Fe state and counterbalances the Fe-stabilizing influence of the O ligand

Thiol-Activated HNO release from a ruthenium antiangiogenesis complex and HIF-1α inhibition for cancer therapy

Metallonitrosyl complexes are promising as nitric oxide (NO) donors for the treatment of cardiovascular, endothelial, and pathogenic diseases, as well as cancer. Recently, the reduced form of NO– (protonated as HNO, nitroxyl, azanone, isoelectronic with O2) has also emerged as a candidate for therapeutic applications including treatment of acute heart failure and alcoholism. Here, we show that HNO is a product of the reaction of the RuII complex [Ru(bpy)2(SO3)(NO)]+ (1) with glutathione or N-acetyl-L-cysteine, using met-myoglobin and carboxy-PTIO (2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) as trapping agents. Characteristic absorption spectroscopic profiles for HNO reactions with met-myoglobin were obtained, as well as EPR evidence from carboxy-PTIO experiments. Importantly, the product HNO counteracted NO-induced as well as hypoxia-induced stabilization of the tumor-suppressor HIF-1α in cancer cells. The functional disruption of neovascularization by HNO produced by this metallonitrosyl complex was demonstrated in an in vitro angiogenesis model. This behavior is consistent with HNO biochemistry and contrasts with NO-mediated stabilization of HIF-1α. Together, these results demonstrate for the first time thiol-dependent production of HNO by a ruthenium complex and subsequent destabilization of HIF-1α. This work suggests that the complex warrants further investigation as a promising antiangiogenesis agent for the treatment of cancer

A list of land plants of Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Brazil, highlights the presence of sampling gaps within this protected area

Brazilian protected areas are essential for plant conservation in the Atlantic Forest domain, one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. A major challenge for improving conservation actions is to know the plant richness, protected by these areas. Online databases offer an accessible way to build plant species lists and to provide relevant information about biodiversity. A list of land plants of “Parque Nacional do Caparaó” (PNC) was previously built using online databases and published on the website "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil." Here, we provide and discuss additional information about plant species richness, endemism and conservation in the PNC that could not be included in the List. We documented 1,791 species of land plants as occurring in PNC, of which 63 are cited as threatened (CR, EN or VU) by the Brazilian National Red List, seven as data deficient (DD) and five as priorities for conservation. Fifity-one species were possible new ocurrences for ES and MG states

Mechanistic insights into the in vitro metal-promoted oxidation of (di)azine hydroxamic acids: evidence of HNO release and N , O -di(di)azinoyl hydroxylamine intermediate

The oxidant-dependent ability of hydroxamic acids to release nitroxyl (HNO), a small inorganic molecule endowed with various biological properties, is addressed from a mechanistic standpoint. Indeed, the exact mechanism of the hydroxamic acid oxidation in physiological conditions and the direct or indirect characterization of the intermediates remain elusive. In this work, intermolecular oxidation of isonicotino-, nicotino- and pyrazino-hydroxamic acids with K3[FeIII(CN)6] at physiological pH (7.4), was monitored by 1H NMR, MS, EPR and UV-vis techniques. While nitrosocarbonyl (di)azine intermediates, (di)Az-C(O)-NO, could be a priori envisaged, it was in fact the corresponding N,O-di(di)azinoylhydroxylamines (AzC(O)NHOC(O)Az) and HNO that were identified, the first by 1H NMR and the second on the basis of EPR and UV-vis experiments using the [2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide] (cPTIO) spin trap. The decomposition of the unstable N,O-di(di)azinoylhydroxylamine intermediates in aqueous buffer media was shown to generate the corresponding carboxylic acids as final organic products, envisaged as possible in vivo metabolites. The same oxidation experiments performed in the presence of methylamine led to the corresponding N-methyl amides suggesting that, unlike hydroxamic acids, N,O-di(di)azinoylhydroxylamines act as acylating agents in physiological pH conditions

[Fe(CN)5(isoniazid)]3−: an iron isoniazid complex with redox behavior implicated in tuberculosis therapy

Tuberculosis has re-emerged as a worldwide threat, which has motivated the development of new drugs. The antituberculosis complex Na3[Fe(CN)5(isoniazid)] (IQG607) in particular is of interest on account of its ability to overcome resistance. IQG607 has the potential for redox-mediated-activation, in which an acylpyridine (isonicotinoyl) radical could be generated without assistance from the mycobacterial KatG enzyme. Here, we have investigated the reactivity of IQG607 toward hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, well-known intracellular oxidizing agents that could play a key role in the redox-mediated-activation of this compound. HPLC, NMR and electronic spectroscopy studies showed a very fast oxidation rate for bound isoniazid, over 460-fold faster than free isoniazid oxidation. A series of EPR spin traps were used for detection of isonicotinoyl and derived radicals bound to iron. This is the first report for an isonicotinoyl radical bound to a metal complex, supported by 14N and 1H hyperfine splittings for the POBN and PBN trapped radicals. POBN and PBN exhibited average hyperfine coupling constants of aN = 15.6, aH = 2.8 and aN = 15.4, aH = 4.7, respectively, which are in close agreement to the isonicotinoyl radical. Radical generation is thought to play a major role in the mechanism of action of isoniazid and this work provides strong evidence for its production within IQG607, which, along with biological and chemical oxidation data, support a redox-mediated activation mechanism. More generally the concept of redox activation of metallo prodrugs could be applied more widely for the design of therapeutic agents with novel mechanisms of action

Effects of Rut-bpy (Cis-[Ru(bpy)2(SO3)(NO)]PF 6), a novel nitric oxide donor, in L-NAME-induced hypertension in rats Efeitos do Rut-bpy (Cis-[Ru(bpy)2(SO3)(NO)]PF 6), um novo doador de óxido nítrico, na hipertensão induzida com L-NAME em ratos

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of Rut-bpy (Cis-[Ru(bpy)2(SO3)(NO)]PF 6), a novel nitric oxide donor in N&#969;-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats. METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=6), named according to the treatment applied (G1-Saline, G2-Rut-bpy, G3-L-NAME and G4-L-NAME+Rut-bpy). L-NAME (30 mg/Kg) was injected intraperitoneally 30 minutes before the administration of Rut-bpy (100 mg/Kg). Mean abdominal aorta arterial blood pressure (MAP) was continuously monitored. RESULTS: Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in G3 rats rose progressively, reaching 147±16 mmHg compared with 100±19 mm Hg in G1 rats (p<0.05). In G4 rats, treated with L-NAME+Rut-bpy, MAP reached 149+11 mm Hg while in G2 rats, treated with Rut-bpy, MAP values were 106±11 mm Hg. In G1 rats these values decreased progressively reaching 87+14 mm Hg after 30 minutes. An important finding was the maintenance of the MAP throughout the experiment in G2 rats. CONCLUSION: Rut-bpy does not decrease the MAP in L-Name induced hypertensive rats. However, when it is used in anesthetized hypotensive rats a stable blood pressure is obtained.<br>OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeitos do Rut-bpy (Cis-[Ru (bpy)2(SO3)(NO)] PF6), um novo doador de óxido nítrico, em ratos hipertensos induzidos pelo éster metílico de N-nitro-L-arginina (L-NAME). MÉTODOS: Vinte e quatro ratos Wistar machos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos (n = 6), nomeados de acordo com o tratamento aplicado (G1-Salina, G2-Rut-bpy, G3-L-NAME e G4-L-NAME+Rut -bpy). L-NAME (30 mg / Kg) foi injetado por via intraperitoneal 30 minutos antes da administração de Rut-bpy (100 mg / kg). A pressão arterial média (PAM) da aorta abdominal foi monitorada continuamente. RESULTADOS: A pressão arterial média (PAM) em ratos do grupo G3 subiu progressivamente, chegando a 147 ±16 mm Hg, em comparação com 100 ±19 mm Hg em ratos do G1 (p <0,05). Em ratos G4, tratados com L-NAME + Rut-bpy, a PAM atingiu 149±11 milímetros de Hg, enquanto no G2 (ratos tratados com Rut bpy) os valores da PAM foram 106 ±11 mm Hg. No G1 esses valores decresceram progressivamente, atingindo 87±14 mm Hg após 30 minutos. Um achado importante foi a manutenção da PAM durante todo o experimento em ratos do grupo G2. CONCLUSÃO: O uso de Rut bpy não diminui a PAM em ratos hipertensos por L-NAME. No entanto, quando ele é usado em ratos anestesiados, hipotensos, uma pressão arterial estável é obtida

SÍNTESE, FOTORREATIVIDADE E INTERAÇÃO COM DNA DE UM NOVO COMPLEXO DE RUTÊNIO PROTÓTIPO PARA O DESENVOLVIMENTO DE AGENTES FOTOQUIMIOTERAPÊUTICOS

A new ruthenium polypyridine complex, cis-[Ru(bpy)2(1-meimN)(4-pyCHO)](PF6)2 (WP1), where 1-meimN and pyCHO are the ligands 1-methylimidazole and 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, respectively, was prepared as a prototype for use in phototherapeutic process. This compound was characterized by electronic absorption in UV-Visible, FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR, cyclic voltammetry, besides DFT that supported its molecular structure. The compound WP1 was photoreactive, where blue or green light promoted the release of 4-pyCHO ligand. Additionally, this compound was able to interact with DNA, mainly through electrostatic interactions showing photoinduced nuclease activity. There is also photoproduction of superoxide ions using blue or green light suggesting a route for DNA damage. These promising results opened new opportunities for the potential use of this system and analogues as phototherapeutic agents, which is an ongoing study in our lab

Nitric Oxide as a Central Molecule in Hypertension: Focus on the Vasorelaxant Activity of New Nitric Oxide Donors

Cardiovascular diseases include all types of disorders related to the heart or blood vessels. High blood pressure is an important risk factor for cardiac complications and pathological disorders. An increase in circulating angiotensin-II is a potent stimulus for the expression of reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines that activate oxidative stress, perpetuating a deleterious effect in hypertension. Studies demonstrate the capacity of NO to prevent platelet or leukocyte activation and adhesion and inhibition of proliferation, as well as to modulate inflammatory or anti-inflammatory reactions and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. However, in conditions of low availability of NO, such as during hypertension, these processes are impaired. Currently, there is great interest in the development of compounds capable of releasing NO in a modulated and stable way. Accordingly, compounds containing metal ions coupled to NO are being investigated and are widely recognized as having great relevance in the treatment of different diseases. Therefore, the exogenous administration of NO is an attractive and pharmacological alternative in the study and treatment of hypertension. The present review summarizes the role of nitric oxide in hypertension, focusing on the role of new NO donors, particularly the metal-based drugs and their protagonist activity in vascular function