Bridging β-Lactam Coordination at Dinuclear Zinc Sites

Spectroscopic and mechanistic studies of dinuclear metallohydrolases and their biomimetic complexes

An enhanced understanding of the metal ion binding and active site structural features of phosphoesterases such as the glycerophosphodiesterase from Enterobacter aerogenes (GpdQ), and the organophosphate degrading agent from Agrobacterium radiobacter (OpdA) have important consequences for potential applications. Coupled with investigations of the metalloenzymes, programs of study to synthesise and characterise model complexes based on these metalloenzymes can add to our understanding of structure and function of the enzymes themselves. This review summarises some of our work and illustrates the significance and contributions of model studies to knowledge in the area.

Azetidinones as zinc-binding groups to design selective HDAC8 inhibitors

2-Azetidinones, commonly known as beta-lactams, are well-known heterocyclic compounds. Herein we described the synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of novel beta-lactams. In vitro inhibition assays against HDAC isoforms showed an interesting isoform-selectivity of these compounds towards HDAC6 and HDAC8. The isoform selectivity changed in response to modification of the azetidinone-ring nitrogen atom substituent. The presence of an N-thiomethyl group is a prerequisite for the activity of these compounds in the micromolar range towards HDAC8.

Cu2+and Pt2+complexes of pyrazole and triazole based dinucleating ligands

A series of pyrazole and triazole based dinucleating ligands have been synthesized and their complexation potential for metal ions, which exhibit square planar coordination geometry has been studied. In the case of Cu(2+) the complexation equilibria in solution have been determined using pH titrations. Species with 1 : 1 stoichiometry [CuLH(n)], 2 : 1 stoichiometry [Cu(2)LH(m)], and of dimeric nature [Cu(2)L(2)H(p)], have been detected and their overall stability constants have been measured. The reactivity of the dinuclear species [Cu(2)LH(-1)] towards phosphate ester hydrolysis have shown that the OH-functionality incorporated in some of the ligands does not enhance the hydrolysis rate. Several ligands were reacted with Pt(2+) to give insoluble dinuclear species [Pt(2)LI(3)]. One of them was studied by X-ray diffraction and shows that the two Pt(2+) are bridged by the pyrazolide group and by one I(-). The remaining two positions are occupied by the amino group in alpha position of the heterocyclic ring and a terminal I(-). The nearly planar [Pt(2)LI(3)] units form sheets in the crystals, which are about 4 A apart and thus indicate pi stacking interactions.