Manganese-Hydroxido Complexes Supported by a Urea/Phosphinic Amide Tripodal Ligand

Hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) within the secondary coordination sphere are often invoked as essential noncovalent interactions that lead to productive chemistry in metalloproteins. Incorporating these types of effects within synthetic systems has proven a challenge in molecular design that often requires the use of rigid organic scaffolds to support H-bond donors or acceptors. We describe the preparation and characterization of a new hybrid tripodal ligand ([H₂pout]^3-) that contains two monodeprotonated urea groups and one phosphinic amide. The urea groups serve as H-bond donors, while the phosphinic amide group serves as a single H-bond acceptor. The [H₂pout]^3- ligand was utilized to stabilize a series of Mn-hydroxido complexes in which the oxidation state of the metal center ranges from 2+ to 4+. The molecular structure of the Mn^III-OH complex demonstrates that three intramolecular H-bonds involving the hydroxido ligand are formed. Additional evidence for the formation of intramolecular H-bonds was provided by vibrational spectroscopy in which the energy of the O-H vibration supports its assignment as an H-bond donor. The stepwise oxidation of [Mn^IIH₂pout(OH)]^2- to its higher oxidized analogs was further substantiated by electrochemical measurements and results from electronic absorbance and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies. Our findings illustrate the utility of controlling both the primary and secondary coordination spheres to achieve structurally similar Mn-OH complexes with varying oxidation states.

Mononuclear complexes of a tridentate redox-active ligand with sulfonamido groups: structure, properties, and reactivity

The design of molecular complexes of earth-abundant first-row transition metals that can catalyze multi-electron C-H bond activation processes is of interest for achieving efficient, low-cost syntheses of target molecules. To overcome the propensity of these metals to perform single-electron processes, redox-active ligands have been utilized to provide additional electron equivalents. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel redox active ligand, [ibaps]3-, which binds to transition metals such as FeII and CoII in a meridional fashion through the three anionic nitrogen atoms and provides additional coordination sites for other ligands. In this study, the neutral bidentate ligand 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) was used to complete the coordination spheres of the metal ions and form NEt4[MII(ibaps)bpy] (M = Fe (1) or Co (1-Co)) salts. The FeII salt exhibited rich electrochemical properties and could be chemically oxidized by 1 and 2 equiv. of ferrocenium to form singly and doubly oxidized species, respectively. The reactivity of 1 towards intramolecular C-H bond amination of aryl azides at benzylic and aliphatic carbon centers was explored, and moderate to good yields of the resulting indoline products were obtained.

Bis phenylene flattened 13-membered tetraamide macrocyclic ligand (TAML) for square planar cobalt(III)

The preparation, characterization, and evaluation of a cobalt(III) complex with 13-membered tetraamide macrocyclic ligand (TAML) is described. This is a square-planar (X-ray) S = 1 paramagnetic (¹H NMR) compound, which becomes an S = 0 diamagnetic octahedral species in excess d₅-pyridine. Its one-electron oxidation at an electrode is fully reversible with the lowest E _1/2 value (0.66 V vs SCE) among all investigated Co^III TAML complexes. The oxidation results in a neutral blue species which is consistent with a Co^III/radical-cation ligand. The ease of oxidation is likely due to the two benzene rings incorporated in the ligand structure (whereas there is just one in many other Co^III TAMLs). The oxidized neutral species are unexpectedly EPR silent, presumably due to the π-stacking aggregation. However, they display eight-line hyperfine patterns in the presence of excess of 4-tert-butylpyridine or 4-tert-butyl isonitrile. The EPR spectra are more consistent with the Co^III/radical-cation ligand formulation rather than with a Co^IV complex. Attempts to synthesize a similar vanadium complex under the same conditions as for cobalt using [V^VO(OCHMe₂)₃] were not successful. TAML-free decavanadate was isolated instead.

Models for Unsymmetrical Active Sites in Metalloproteins: Structural, Redox, and Magnetic Properties of Bimetallic Complexes with MII-(μ-OH)-FeIII Cores

Bimetallic complexes are important sites in metalloproteins but are often difficult to prepare synthetically. We have previously introduced an approach to form discrete bimetallic complexes with M^II-(μ-OH)-Fe^III (M^II = Mn, Fe) cores using the tripodal ligand N,N',N″-[2,2',2″-nitrilotris(ethane-2,1-diyl)]tris(2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulfonamido) ([MST]^3-). This series is extended to include the rest of the late 3d transition metal ions (M^II = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn). All of the bimetallic complexes have similar spectroscopic and structural properties that reflect little change despite varying the M^II centers. Magnetic studies performed on the complexes in solution using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that the observed spin states varied incrementally from S = 0 through S = 5/2; these results are consistent with antiferromagnetic coupling between the high-spin M^II and Fe^III centers. However, the difference in the M^II ion occupancy yielded only slight changes in the magnetic exchange coupling strength, and all complexes had J values ranging from +26(4) to +35(3) cm^-1.

Spectroscopy and DFT Calculations of a Flavo-diiron Enzyme Implicate New Diiron Site Structures

Flavo-diiron proteins (FDPs) are non-heme iron containing enzymes that are widespread in anaerobic bacteria, archaea, and protozoa, serving as the terminal components to dioxygen and nitric oxide reductive scavenging pathways in these organisms. FDPs contain a dinuclear iron active site similar to that in hemerythrin, ribonucleotide reductase, and methane monooxygenase, all of which can bind NO and O2. However, only FDP competently turns over NO to N2O. Here, EPR and Mössbauer spectroscopies allow electronic characterization of the diferric and diferrous species of FDP. The exchange-coupling constant J (Hex = JS1·S2) was found to increase from +20 cm-1 to +32 cm-1 upon reduction of the diferric to the diferrous species, indicative of (1) at least one hydroxo bridge between the iron ions for both states and (2) a change to the diiron core structure upon reduction. In comparison to characterized diiron proteins and synthetic complexes, the experimental values were consistent with a dihydroxo bridged diferric core, which loses one hydroxo bridge upon reduction. DFT calculations of these structures gave values of J and Mössbauer parameters in agreement with experiment. Although the crystal structure shows a hydrogen bond between the iron bound aspartate and the bridging solvent molecule, the DFT calculations of structures consistent with the crystal structure gave calculated values of J incompatible with the spectroscopic results. We conclude that the crystal structure of the diferric state does not represent the frozen solution structure and that a mono-μ-hydroxo diferrous species is the catalytically functional state that reacts with NO and O2. The new EPR spectroscopic probe of the diferric state indicated that the diferric structure of FDP prior to and immediately after turnover with NO are flavin mononucleotide (FMN) dependent, implicating an additional proton transfer role for FMN in turnover of NO.

Structure and Spectroscopy of Alkene-Cleaving Dioxygenases Containing an Atypically Coordinated Non-Heme Iron Center

Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCOs) are non-heme iron enzymes that catalyze scission of alkene groups in carotenoids and stilbenoids to form biologically important products. CCOs possess a rare four-His iron center whose resting-state structure and interaction with substrates are incompletely understood. Here, we address this knowledge gap through a comprehensive structural and spectroscopic study of three phyletically diverse CCOs. The crystal structure of a fungal stilbenoid-cleaving CCO, CAO1, reveals strong similarity between its iron center and those of carotenoid-cleaving CCOs, but with a markedly different substrate-binding cleft. These enzymes all possess a five-coordinate high-spin Fe(II) center with resting-state Fe-His bond lengths of ∼2.15 Å. This ligand set generates an iron environment more electropositive than those of other non-heme iron dioxygenases as observed by Mössbauer isomer shifts. Dioxygen (O₂) does not coordinate iron in the absence of substrate. Substrates bind away (∼4.7 Å) from the iron and have little impact on its electronic structure, thus excluding coordination-triggered O₂ binding. However, substrate binding does perturb the spectral properties of CCO Fe-NO derivatives, indicating proximate organic substrate and O₂-binding sites, which might influence Fe-O₂ interactions. Together, these data provide a robust description of the CCO iron center and its interactions with substrates and substrate mimetics that illuminates commonalities as well as subtle and profound structural differences within the CCO family.

A "Beheaded" TAML Activator: A Compromised Catalyst that Emphasizes the Linearity between Catalytic Activity and pKa

Studies of the new tetra-amido macrocyclic ligand (TAML) activator [Fe^III{(Me₂CNCOCMe₂NCO)₂CMe₂}OH₂]^- (4) in water in the pH range of 2-13 suggest its pseudo-octahedral geometry with two nonequivalent axial H₂O ligands and revealed (i) the anticipated basic drift of the first pK_a of water to 11.38 due to four electron-donating methyl groups alongside (ii) its counterintuitive enhanced resistance to acid-induced iron(III) ejection from the macrocycle. The catalytic activity of 4 in the oxidation of Orange II (S) by H₂O₂ in the pH range of 7-12 is significantly lower than that of previously reported TAML activators, though it follows the common rate law (v/[Fe^III] = k_Ik_II[H₂O₂][S]/(k_I[H₂O₂] + k_II[S]) and typical pH profiles for k_I and k_II. At pH 7 and 25 °C the rate constants k_I and k_II equal 0.63 ± 0.02 and 1.19 ± 0.03 M^-1 s^-1, respectively. With these new values for pK_a, k_I and k_II establishing new high and low limits, respectively, the rate constants k_I and k_II were correlated with pK_a values of all TAML activators. The relations log k = log k⁰ + α × pK_a were established with log k⁰ = 13 ± 2 and 20 ± 4 and α = -1.1 ± 0.2 and -1.8 ± 0.4 for k_I and k_II, respectively. Thus, the reactivity of TAML activators across four generations of catalysts is predictable through their pK_a values.

NaClO-Generated Iron(IV)oxo and Iron(V)oxo TAMLs in Pure Water

The unique properties of entirely aliphatic TAML activator [Fe^III{(Me₂CNCOCMe₂NCO)₂CMe₂}OH₂]^- (3), namely the increased steric bulk of the ligand and the unmatched resistance to the acid-induced demetalation, enables the generation of high-valent iron derivatives in pure water at any pH. An iron(V)oxo species is readily produced with NaClO at pH values from 2 to 10.6 without any observable intermediate. This is the first reported example of iron(V)oxo formed in pure water. At pH 13, iron(V)oxo is not formed and NaClO oxidizes 3 to an iron(IV)oxo derivative.

Reactivity of an FeIV-Oxo Complex with Protons and Oxidants

High-valent Fe-OH species are often invoked as key intermediates but have only been observed in Compound II of cytochrome P450s. To further address the properties of non-heme FeIV-OH complexes, we demonstrate the reversible protonation of a synthetic FeIV-oxo species containing a tris-urea tripodal ligand. The same protonated FeIV-oxo species can be prepared via oxidation, suggesting that a putative FeV-oxo species was initially generated. Computational, Mössbauer, XAS, and NRVS studies indicate that protonation of the FeIV-oxo complex most likely occurs on the tripodal ligand, which undergoes a structural change that results in the formation of a new intramolecular H-bond with the oxido ligand that aids in stabilizing the protonated adduct. We suggest that similar protonated high-valent Fe-oxo species may occur in the active sites of proteins. This finding further argues for caution when assigning unverified high-valent Fe-OH species to mechanisms.

Modular Artificial Cupredoxins

Cupredoxins are electron-transfer proteins that have active sites containing a mononuclear Cu center with an unusual trigonal monopyramidal structure (Type 1 Cu). A single Cu-Scys bond is present within the trigonal plane that is responsible for its unique physical properties. We demonstrate that a cysteine-containing variant of streptavidin (Sav) can serve as a protein host to model the structure and properties of Type 1 Cu sites. A series of artificial Cu proteins are described that rely on Sav and a series of biotinylated synthetic Cu complexes. Optical and EPR measurements highlight the presence of a Cu-Scys bond, and XRD analysis provides structural evidence. We further provide evidence that changes in the linker between the biotin and Cu complex within the synthetic constructs allows for small changes in the placement of Cu centers within Sav that have dramatic effects on the structural and physical properties of the resulting artificial metalloproteins. These findings highlight the utility of the biotin-Sav technology as an approach for simulating active sites of metalloproteins.

Activation of Dioxygen by a TAML Activator in Reverse Micelles: Characterization of an Fe(III)Fe(IV) Dimer and Associated Catalytic Chemistry

Iron TAML activators of peroxides are functional catalase-peroxidase mimics. Switching from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to dioxygen (O2) as the primary oxidant was achieved by using a system of reverse micelles of Aerosol OT (AOT) in n-octane. Hydrophilic TAML activators are localized in the aqueous microreactors of reverse micelles where water is present in much lower abundance than in bulk water. n-Octane serves as a proximate reservoir supplying O2 to result in partial oxidation of Fe(III) to Fe(IV)-containing species, mostly the Fe(III)Fe(IV) (major) and Fe(IV)Fe(IV) (minor) dimers which coexist with the Fe(III) TAML monomeric species. The speciation depends on the pH and the degree of hydration w0, viz., the amount of water in the reverse micelles. The previously unknown Fe(III)Fe(IV) dimer has been characterized by UV-vis, EPR, and Mössbauer spectroscopies. Reactive electron donors such as NADH, pinacyanol chloride, and hydroquinone undergo the TAML-catalyzed oxidation by O2. The oxidation of NADH, studied in most detail, is much faster at the lowest degree of hydration w0 (in "drier micelles") and is accelerated by light through NADH photochemistry. Dyes that are more resistant to oxidation than pinacyanol chloride (Orange II, Safranine O) are not oxidized in the reverse micellar media. Despite the limitation of low reactivity, the new systems highlight an encouraging step in replacing TAML peroxidase-like chemistry with more attractive dioxygen-activation chemistry.

Quantitative Interpretation of Multifrequency Multimode EPR Spectra of Metal Containing Proteins, Enzymes, and Biomimetic Complexes

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy has long been a primary method for characterization of paramagnetic centers in materials and biological complexes. Transition metals in biological complexes have valence d-orbitals that largely define the chemistry of the metal centers. EPR spectra are distinctive for metal type, oxidation state, protein environment, substrates, and inhibitors. The study of many metal centers in proteins, enzymes, and biomimetic complexes has led to the development of a systematic methodology for quantitative interpretation of EPR spectra from a wide array of metal containing complexes. The methodology is now contained in the computer program SpinCount. SpinCount allows simulation of EPR spectra from any sample containing multiple species composed of one or two metals in any spin state. The simulations are quantitative, thus allowing determination of all species concentrations in a sample directly from spectra. This chapter will focus on applications to transition metals in biological systems using EPR spectra from multiple microwave frequencies and modes.

Tuning the reactivity of Fe(V)(O) toward C-H bonds at room temperature: effect of water

The presence of an Fe(V)(O) species has been postulated as the active intermediate for the oxidation of both C-H and C═C bonds in the Rieske dioxygenase family of enzymes. Understanding the reactivity of these high valent iron-oxo intermediates, especially in an aqueous medium, would provide a better understanding of these enzymatic reaction mechanisms. The formation of an Fe(V)(O) complex at room temperature in an aqueous CH3CN mixture that contains up to 90% water using NaOCl as the oxidant is reported here. The stability of Fe(V)(O) decreases with increasing water concentration. We show that the reactivity of Fe(V)(O) toward the oxidation of C-H bonds, such as those in toluene, can be tuned by varying the amount of water in the H2O/CH3CN mixture. Rate acceleration of up to 60 times is observed for the oxidation of toluene upon increasing the water concentration. The role of water in accelerating the rate of the reaction has been studied using kinetic measurements, isotope labeling experiments, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A kinetic isotope effect of ∼13 was observed for the oxidation of toluene and d8-toluene showing that C-H abstraction was involved in the rate-determining step. Activation parameters determined for toluene oxidation in H2O/CH3CN mixtures on the basis of Eyring plots for the rate constants show a gain in enthalpy with a concomitant loss in entropy. This points to the formation of a more-ordered transition state involving water molecules. To further understand the role of water, we performed a careful DFT study, concentrating mostly on the rate-determining hydrogen abstraction step. The DFT-optimized structure of the starting Fe(V)(O) and the transition state indicates that the rate enhancement is due to the transition state's favored stabilization over the reactant due to enhanced hydrogen bonding with water.

A diferrous-dinitrosyl intermediate in the N2O-generating pathway of a deflavinated flavo-diiron protein

Flavo-diiron proteins (FDPs) function as anaerobic nitric oxide scavengers in some microorganisms, catalyzing reduction of nitric to nitrous oxide. The FDP from Thermotoga maritima can be prepared in a deflavinated form with an intact diferric site (deflavo-FDP). Hayashi et al. [(2010) Biochemistry 49, 7040–7049] reported that reaction of NO with reduced deflavo-FDP produced substoichiometric N₂O. Here we report a multispectroscopic approach to identify the iron species in the reactions of deflavo-FDP with NO. Mössbauer spectroscopy identified two distinct ferrous species after reduction of the antiferromagnetically coupled diferric site. Approximately 60% of the total ferrous iron was assigned to a diferrous species associated with the N₂O-generating pathway. This pathway proceeds through successive diferrous-mononitrosyl (S = ¹/₂ Fe^II{FeNO}⁷) and diferrous-dinitrosyl (S = 0 [{FeNO}⁷]₂) species that form within ∼100 ms of mixing of the reduced protein with NO. The diferrous-dinitrosyl intermediate converted to an antiferromagnetically coupled diferric species that was spectroscopically indistinguishable from that in the starting deflavinated protein. These diiron species closely resembled those reported for the flavinated FDP [Caranto et al. (2014) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 136, 7981–7992], and the time scales of their formation and decay were consistent with the steady state turnover of the flavinated protein. The remaining ∼40% of ferrous iron was inactive in N₂O generation but reversibly bound NO to give an S = ³/₂ {FeNO}⁷ species. The results demonstrate that N₂O formation in FDPs can occur via conversion of S = 0 [{FeNO}⁷]₂ to a diferric form without participation of the flavin cofactor.

Preparation and Properties of an MnIV-Hydroxide Complex: Proton and Electron Transfer at a Mononuclear Manganese Site and its Relationship to the Oxygen Evolving Complex within Photosystem II

Photosynthetic water oxidation is catalyzed by a Mn4O5Ca cluster with an unprecedented arrangement of metal ions in which a single manganese center is bonded to a distorted Mn3O4Ca cubane-like structure. Several mechanistic proposals describe the unique manganese center as a site for water binding and subsequent formation of a high valent Mn-oxo center that reacts with a M-OH unit (M = Mn or CaII) to form the O-O bond. The conversion of low valent Mn-OHn (n = 1,2) to a Mn-oxo species requires that a single manganese site be able to accommodate several oxidation states as the water ligand is deprotonated. To study these processes, the preparation and characterization of a new monomeric MnIV-OH complex is described. The MnIV-OH complex completes a series of well characterized Mn-OH and Mn-oxo complexes containing the same primary and secondary coordination spheres; this work thus demonstrates that a single ligand can support mononuclear Mn complexes spanning four different oxidation states (II through V) with oxo and hydroxo ligands that are derived from water. Moreover, we have completed a thermodynamic analysis based on this series of manganese complexes to predict the formation of high valent Mn-oxo species; we demonstrated that the conversion of a MnIV-OH species to a MnV-oxo complex would likely occur via a stepwise proton transfer-electron transfer mechanism. The large dissociation energy for the MnIVO-H bond (~95 kcal/mol) diminished the likelihood that other pathways are operative within a biological context. Furthermore, these studies showed that reactions between Mn-OH and Mn-oxo complexes lead to non-productive, one-electron processes suggesting that initial O-O bond formation with the OEC does not involve an Mn-OH unit.

The nitric oxide reductase mechanism of a flavo-diiron protein: identification of active-site intermediates and products

The unique active site of flavo-diiron proteins (FDPs) consists of a nonheme diiron-carboxylate site proximal to a flavin mononucleotide (FMN) cofactor. FDPs serve as the terminal components for reductive scavenging of dioxygen or nitric oxide to combat oxidative or nitrosative stress in bacteria, archaea, and some protozoan parasites. Nitric oxide is reduced to nitrous oxide by the four-electron reduced (FMNH2-Fe(II)Fe(II)) active site. In order to clarify the nitric oxide reductase mechanism, we undertook a multispectroscopic presteady-state investigation, including the first Mössbauer spectroscopic characterization of diiron redox intermediates in FDPs. A new transient intermediate was detected and determined to be an antiferromagnetically coupled diferrous-dinitrosyl (S = 0, [{FeNO}(7)]2) species. This species has an exchange energy, J ≥ 40 cm(-1) (JS1 ° S2), which is consistent with a hydroxo or oxo bridge between the two irons. The results show that the nitric oxide reductase reaction proceeds through successive formation of diferrous-mononitrosyl (S = ½, Fe(II){FeNO}(7)) and the S = 0 diferrous-dinitrosyl species. In the rate-determining process, the diferrous-dinitrosyl converts to diferric (Fe(III)Fe(III)) and by inference N2O. The proximal FMNH2 then rapidly rereduces the diferric site to diferrous (Fe(II)Fe(II)), which can undergo a second 2NO → N2O turnover. This pathway is consistent with previous results on the same deflavinated and flavinated FDP, which detected N2O as a product (Hayashi Biochemistry 2010, 49, 7040). Our results do not support other proposed mechanisms, which proceed either via "super-reduction" of [{FeNO}(7)]2 by FMNH2 or through Fe(II){FeNO}(7) directly to a diferric-hyponitrite intermediate. The results indicate that an S = 0 [{FeNO}(7)}]2 complex is a proximal precursor to N-N bond formation and N-O bond cleavage to give N2O and that this conversion can occur without redox participation of the FMN cofactor.

Formation of a room temperature stable Fe(V)(O) complex: reactivity toward unactivated C-H bonds

An Fe(V)(O) complex has been synthesized from equimolar solutions of (Et4N)2[Fe(III)(Cl)(biuret-amide)] and mCPBA in CH3CN at room temperature. The Fe(V)(O) complex has been characterized by UV-vis, EPR, Mössbauer, and HRMS and shown to be capable of oxidizing a series of alkanes having C-H bond dissociation energies ranging from 99.3 kcal mol(-1) (cyclohexane) to 84.5 kcal mol(-1) (cumene). Linearity in the Bell-Evans-Polayni graph and the finding of a large kinetic isotope effect suggest that hydrogen abstraction is engaged the rate-determining step.

Characterization of monomeric Mn(II/III/IV)-hydroxo complexes from X- and Q-band dual mode electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy

Manganese-hydroxo species have been implicated in C-H bond activation performed by metalloenzymes, but the electronic properties of many of these intermediates are not well characterized. The present work presents a detailed characterization of three Mn(n)-OH complexes (where n = II, III, and IV) of the tris[(N'-tert-butylureaylato)-N-ethylene]aminato ([H3buea](3-)) ligand using X- and Q-band dual mode electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Quantitative simulations for the [Mn(II)H3buea(OH)](2-) complex demonstrated the ability to characterize similar Mn(II) species commonly present in the resting states of manganese-containing enzymes. The spin states of the Mn(III) and Mn(IV) complexes determined from EPR spectroscopy are S = 2 and 3/2, respectively, as expected for the C3 symmetry imposed by the [H3buea](3-) ligand. Simulations of the spectra indicated the constant presence of two Mn(IV) species in solutions of [Mn(IV)H3buea(OH)] complex. The simulations of perpendicular- and parallel-mode EPR spectra allow determination of zero-field splitting and hyperfine parameters for all complexes. For the Mn(III) and Mn(IV) complexes, density functional theory calculations are used to determine the isotropic Mn hyperfine values, to compare the excited electronic state energies, and to give theoretical estimates of the zero-field energy.

Unsymmetrical bimetallic complexes with M(II)-(μ-OH)-M(III) cores (M(II)M(III) = Fe(II)Fe(III), Mn(II)Fe(III), Mn(II)Mn(III)): structural, magnetic, and redox properties

Heterobimetallic cores are important units within the active sites of metalloproteins but are often difficult to duplicate in synthetic systems. We have developed a synthetic approach for the preparation of a complex with a Mn(II)-(μ-OH)-Fe(III) core, in which the metal centers have different coordination environments. Structural and physical data support the assignment of this complex as a heterobimetallic system. A comparison with analogous homobimetallic complexes, Mn(II)-(μ-OH)-Mn(III) and Fe(II)-(μ-OH)-Fe(III) cores, further supports this assignment.

NO binding to Mn-substituted homoprotocatechuate 2,3-dioxygenase: relationship to O₂ reactivity

Iron(II)-containing homoprotocatechuate 2,3-dioxygenase (FeHPCD) activates O2 to catalyze the aromatic ring opening of homoprotocatechuate (HPCA). The enzyme requires Fe(II) for catalysis, but Mn(II) can be substituted (MnHPCD) with essentially no change in the steady-state kinetic parameters. Near simultaneous O2 and HPCA activation has been proposed to occur through transfer of an electron or electrons from HPCA to O2 through the divalent metal. In O2 reactions with MnHPCD-HPCA and the 4-nitrocatechol (4NC) complex of the His200Asn (H200N) variant of FeHPCD, this transfer has resulted in the detection of a transient M(III)-O2 (·-) species that is not observed during turnover of the wild-type FeHPCD. The factors governing formation of the M(III)-O2 (·-) species are explored here by EPR spectroscopy using MnHPCD and nitric oxide (NO) as an O2 surrogate. Both the HPCA and the dihydroxymandelic substrate complexes of MnHPCD bind NO, thus representing the first reported stable MnNO complexes of a nonheme enzyme. In contrast, the free enzyme, the MnHPCD-4NC complex, and the MnH200N and MnH200Q variants with or without HPCA bound do not bind NO. The MnHPCD-ligand complexes that bind NO are also active in normal O2-linked turnover, whereas the others are inactive. Past studies have shown that FeHPCD and the analogous variants and catecholic ligand complexes all bind NO, and are active in normal turnover. This contrasting behavior may stem from the ability of the enzyme to maintain the approximately 0.8-V difference in the solution redox potentials of Fe(II) and Mn(II). Owing to the higher potential of Mn, the formation of the NO adduct or the O2 adduct requires both strong charge donation from the bound catecholic ligand and additional stabilization by interaction with the active-site His200. The same nonoptimal electronic and structural forces that prevent NO and O2 binding in MnHPCD variants may lead to inefficient electron transfer from the catecholic substrate to the metal center in variants of FeHPCD during O2-linked turnover. Accordingly, past studies have shown that intermediate Fe(III) species are observed for these mutant enzymes.

Oxygen binding to partially nitrosylated hemoglobin

Reactions of nitric oxide (NO) with hemoglobin (Hb) are important elements in protection against nitrosative damage. NO in the vasculature is depleted by the oxidative reaction with oxy Hb or by binding to deoxy Hb to generate partially nitrosylated Hb (Hb-NO). Many aspects of the formation and persistence of Hb-NO are yet to be clarified. In this study, we used a combination of EPR and visible absorption spectroscopy to investigate the interactions of partially nitrosylated Hb with O2. Partially nitrosylated Hb samples had predominantly hexacoordinate NO-heme geometry and resisted oxidation when exposed to O2 in the absence of anionic allosteric effectors. Faster oxidation occurred in the presence of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) or inositol hexaphosphate (IHP), where the NO-heme derivatives had higher levels of pentacoordinate heme geometry. The anion-dependence of the NO-heme geometry also affected O2 binding equilibria. O2-binding curves of partially nitrosylated Hb in the absence of anions were left-shifted at low saturations, indicating destabilization of the low O2 affinity T-state of the Hb by increasing percentages of NO-heme, much as occurs with increasing levels of CO-heme. Samples containing IHP showed small decreases in O2 affinity, indicating shifts toward the low-affinity T-state and formation of inert α-NO/β-met tetramers. Most remarkably, O2-equilibria in the presence of the physiological effector DPG were essentially unchanged by up to 30% NO-heme in the samples. As will be discussed, under physiological conditions the interactions of Hb with NO provide protection against nitrosative damage without impairing O2 transport by Hb's unoccupied heme sites. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Oxygen Binding and Sensing Proteins.

Electron paramagnetic resonance and Mössbauer spectroscopy and density functional theory analysis of a high-spin Fe(IV)-oxo complex

High-spin Fe(IV)-oxo species are known to be kinetically competent oxidants in non-heme iron enzymes. The properties of these oxidants are not as well understood as the corresponding intermediate-spin oxidants of heme complexes. The present work gives a detailed characterization of the structurally similar complexes [Fe(IV)H(3)buea(O)](-), [Fe(III)H(3)buea(O)](2-), and [Fe(III)H(3)buea(OH)](-) (H(3)buea = tris[(N'-tert-butylureaylato)-N-ethylene]aminato) using Mössbauer and dual-frequency/dual-mode electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies. The [Fe(IV)H(3)buea(O)](-) complex has a high-spin (S = 2) configuration imposed by the C(3)-symmetric ligand. The EPR spectra of the [Fe(IV)H(3)buea(O)](-) complex presented here represent the first documented examples of an EPR signal from an Fe(IV)-oxo complex, demonstrating the ability to detect and quantify Fe(IV) species with EPR spectroscopy. Quantitative simulations allowed the determination of the zero-field parameter, D = +4.7 cm(-1), and the species concentration. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the zero-field parameter were found to be in agreement with the experimental value and indicated that the major contribution to the D value is from spin-orbit coupling of the ground state with an excited S = 1 electronic configuration at 1.2 eV. (17)O isotope enrichment experiments allowed the determination of the hyperfine constants ((17)O)A(z) = 10 MHz for [Fe(IV)H(3)buea(O)](-) and ((17)O)A(y) = 8 MHz, ((17)O)A(z) = 12 MHz for [Fe(III)H(3)buea(OH)](-). The isotropic hyperfine constant (((17)O)A(iso) = -16.8 MHz) was derived from the experimental value to allow a quantitative determination of the spin polarization (ρ(p) = 0.56) of the oxo p orbitals of the Fe-oxo bond in [Fe(IV)H(3)buea(O)](-). This is the first experimental determination for non-heme complexes and indicates significant covalency in the Fe-oxo bond. High-field Mössbauer spectroscopy gave an (57)Fe A(dip) tensor of (+5.6, +5.3, -10.9) MHz and A(iso) = -25.9 MHz for the [Fe(IV)H(3)buea(O)](-) complex, and the results of DFT calculations were in agreement with the nuclear parameters of the complex.

The diheme cytochrome c peroxidase from Shewanella oneidensis requires reductive activation

We report the characterization of the diheme cytochrome c peroxidase (CcP) from Shewanella oneidensis (So) using UV-visible absorbance, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and Michaelis-Menten kinetics. While sequence alignment with other bacterial diheme cytochrome c peroxidases suggests that So CcP may be active in the as-isolated state, we find that So CcP requires reductive activation for full activity, similar to the case for the canonical Pseudomonas type of bacterial CcP enzyme. Peroxide turnover initiated with oxidized So CcP shows a distinct lag phase, which we interpret as reductive activation in situ. A simple kinetic model is sufficient to recapitulate the lag-phase behavior of the progress curves and separate the contributions of reductive activation and peroxide turnover. The rates of catalysis and activation differ between MBP fusion and tag-free So CcP and also depend on the identity of the electron donor. Combined with Michaelis-Menten analysis, these data suggest that So CcP can accommodate electron donor binding in several possible orientations and that the presence of the MBP tag affects the availability of certain binding sites. To further investigate the structural basis of reductive activation in So CcP, we introduced mutations into two different regions of the protein that have been suggested to be important for reductive activation in homologous bacterial CcPs. Mutations in a flexible loop region neighboring the low-potential heme significantly increased the activation rate, confirming the importance of flexible loop regions of the protein in converting the inactive, as-isolated enzyme into the activated form.

Preparation and properties of a monomeric high-spin Mn(V)-oxo complex

Oxomanganese(V) species have been implicated in a variety of biological and synthetic processes, including their role as a key reactive center within the oxygen-evolving complex in photosynthesis. Nearly all mononuclear Mn(V)-oxo complexes have tetragonal symmetry, producing low-spin species. A new high-spin Mn(V)-oxo complex that was prepared from a well-characterized oxomanganese(III) complex having trigonal symmetry is now reported. Oxidation experiments with [FeCp(2)](+) were monitored with optical and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies and support a high-spin oxomanganese(V) complex formulation. The parallel-mode EPR spectrum has a distinctive S = 1 signal at g = 4.01 with a six-line hyperfine pattern having A(z) = 113 MHz. The presence of an oxo ligand was supported by resonance Raman spectroscopy, which revealed O-isotope-sensitive peaks at 737 and 754 cm(-1) assigned as a Fermi doublet centered at 746 cm(-1)(Δ(18)O = 31 cm(-1)). Mn Kβ X-ray emission spectra showed Kβ' and Kβ(1,3) bands at 6475.92 and 6490.50 eV, respectively, which are characteristic of a high-spin Mn(V) center.