Bio-inspired amino acid oxidation by a non-heme iron catalyst

The mechanism of ferroptosis and its related diseases

Ferroptosis, a regulated form of cellular death characterized by the iron-mediated accumulation of lipid peroxides, provides a novel avenue for delving into the intersection of cellular metabolism, oxidative stress, and disease pathology. We have witnessed a mounting fascination with ferroptosis, attributed to its pivotal roles across diverse physiological and pathological conditions including developmental processes, metabolic dynamics, oncogenic pathways, neurodegenerative cascades, and traumatic tissue injuries. By unraveling the intricate underpinnings of the molecular machinery, pivotal contributors, intricate signaling conduits, and regulatory networks governing ferroptosis, researchers aim to bridge the gap between the intricacies of this unique mode of cellular death and its multifaceted implications for health and disease. In light of the rapidly advancing landscape of ferroptosis research, we present a comprehensive review aiming at the extensive implications of ferroptosis in the origins and progress of human diseases. This review concludes with a careful analysis of potential treatment approaches carefully designed to either inhibit or promote ferroptosis. Additionally, we have succinctly summarized the potential therapeutic targets and compounds that hold promise in targeting ferroptosis within various diseases. This pivotal facet underscores the burgeoning possibilities for manipulating ferroptosis as a therapeutic strategy. In summary, this review enriched the insights of both investigators and practitioners, while fostering an elevated comprehension of ferroptosis and its latent translational utilities. By revealing the basic processes and investigating treatment possibilities, this review provides a crucial resource for scientists and medical practitioners, aiding in a deep understanding of ferroptosis and its effects in various disease situations.

Double-edge sword roles of iron in driving energy production versus instigating ferroptosis

Iron is vital for many physiological functions, including energy production, and dysregulated iron homeostasis underlies a number of pathologies. Ferroptosis is a recently recognized form of regulated cell death that is characterized by iron dependency and lipid peroxidation, and this process has been reported to be involved in multiple diseases. The mechanisms underlying ferroptosis are complex, and involve both well-described pathways (including the iron-induced Fenton reaction, impaired antioxidant capacity, and mitochondrial dysfunction) and novel interactions linked to cellular energy production. In this review, we examine the contribution of iron to diverse metabolic activities and their relationship to ferroptosis. There is an emphasis on the role of iron in driving energy production and its link to ferroptosis under both physiological and pathological conditions. In conclusion, excess reactive oxygen species production driven by disordered iron metabolism, which induces Fenton reaction and/or impairs mitochondrial function and energy metabolism, is a key inducer of ferroptosis.

‘Oxygen-Consuming Complexes’–Catalytic Effects of Iron–Salen Complexes with Dioxygen

[(salen)FeIII]+MeCN complex is a useful catalyst for cyclohexene oxidation with dioxygen. As the main products, ketone and alcohol are formed. In acetonitrile, [(salen)FeII]MeCN is rapidly oxidized by dioxygen, forming iron(III) species. Voltammetric electroreduction of the [(salen)FeIII]+MeCN complex in the presence of dioxygen causes the increase in current observed, which indicates the existence of a catalytic effect. Further transformations of the oxygen-activated iron(III) salen complex generate an effective catalyst. Based on the catalytic and electrochemical results, as well as DFT calculations, possible forms of active species in c-C6H10 oxidation have been proposed.

Biomimetic 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid Oxidase Ethylene Production by MIL-100(Fe)-Based Materials

A novel core@shell hybrid material based on biocompatible hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA) and the well-known MIL-100(Fe) (Fe₃O(H₂O)₂F(BTC)₂·nH₂O, BTC: 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) has been prepared following a layer-by-layer strategy. The core@shell nature of the studied system has been confirmed by infrared, X-ray powder diffraction, N₂ adsorption, transmission electron microscopy imaging, and EDS analyses revealing the homogeneous deposition of MIL-100(Fe) on HA, leading to HA@MIL-100(Fe) rod-shaped nanoparticles with a 7 nm shell thickness. Moreover, both MIL-100(Fe) and HA@MIL-100(Fe) have demonstrated to act as efficient heterogeneous catalysts toward the biomimetic oxidation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid into ethylene gas, a stimulator that regulates fruit ripening. Indeed, the hybrid material maintains the catalytic properties of pristine MIL-100(Fe) reaching 40% of conversion after only 20 min. Finally, the chemical stability of the catalyst in water has also been monitored for 21 days by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry confirming that only ca. 3% of Ca is leached.

Iron catalyzed oxidation of benzylic alcohols to benzoic acids

The bidentate N,O-ligands phenol-pyrazole (HL1), naphthol-pyrazole (HL2) and the commercially available ligand 5-methylphenol-benzotriazole (HL3) were used for the synthesis of novel iron(iii) complexes. The mononuclear iron complexes [FeCl(L1)2] (1), [FeCl(L2)2] (2) and [FeCl(L3)2] (3) are stable to air and moisture, both in the solid state as well as in solution, while the dinuclear, μ-oxido bridged complex [{Fe(L1)2}2(μ-O)] (1a) is air sensitive. All four complexes 1, 2, 3 and 1a were investigated for their catalytic activity in the direct one-pot oxidation of primary alcohols to carbonic acids with 30% aq. hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the oxidation agent. The activity in oxidation reactions of the isolated, mononuclear complexes 1-3 was further compared to their in situ prepared analogues IS1-3. Experimentally obtained results indicate a tendency of higher activity for the oxidation of primary alcohols for the in situ prepared complexes. In conclusion, the oxidation of aromatic primary alcohols to carboxylic acids using isolated iron(iii) complexes and in situ generated complexes in the presence of H2O2 results in good to high yields. The reaction is straight-forward, clean and generates water as the only by-product.

A bioinspired ionic liquid tagged cobalt-salophen complex for nonenzymatic detection of glucose

The development of efficient and cost effective nonenzymatic biosensors with remarkable sensitivity, selectivity and stability for the detection of biomolecules, especially glucose is one of the major challenges in materials- and electrochemistry. Herein, we report the design and preparation of nonenzymatic biosensor based on an ionic liquid tagged cobalt-salophen metal complex (Co-salophen-IL) immobilized on electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) for the detection of glucose via an electrochemical oxidation. The bioinspired Co-salophen-IL complex has been synthesized and immobilized on ERGO, which was previously deposited on a screen printed carbon electrode (SPE) to form the Co-salophen-IL/ERGO/SPE nonenzymatic biosensor. The electrochemical behaviour of this modified electrode was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Notably, the Co-salophen-IL/ERGO/SPE biosensor exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards glucose oxidation in 0.1M NaOH, based on which an amperometric sensor has been developed. The modified electrode has shown prominent performance towards glucose detection over a wide linear range from 0.2µM to 1.8mM with a detection limit and sensitivity of 0.79µM and 62µAmM^-1 respectively. The detection was carried out at 0.40V and such a less working potential excludes the interference from the coexisting oxidizable analytes. The role of Co-salophen, IL and ERGO in the electrocatalytic activity has been systematically investigated. Furthermore, the biosensor demonstrated high stability with good reproducibility.

Comparison of heme and nonheme iron-based 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase mimics: kinetic, mechanistic and computational studies

Kinetic, mechanistic and computational studies of the H₂O₂oxidation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid to ethylene by heme- and nonheme-type iron complexes are described as biomimics of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase.