Spectroscopic and polarographic investigations: Copper(II)-penicillin derivatives

Linear Polyethyleneimine-Based and Metal Organic Frameworks (DUT-67) Composite Hydrogels as Efficient Sorbents for the Removal of Methyl Orange, Copper Ions, and Penicillin V

This research explores the integration of DUT-67 metal organic frameworks into polyethyleneimine-based hydrogels to assemble a composite system with enough mechanical strength, pore structure and chemical affinity to work as a sorbent for water remediation. By varying the solvent-to-modulator ratio in a water-based synthesis path, the particle size of DUT-67 was successfully modulated from 1 μm to 200 nm. Once DUT-67 particles were integrated into the polymeric hydrogel, the composite hydrogel exhibited enhanced mechanical properties after the incorporation of the MOF filler. XPS, NMR, TGA, FTIR, and FT Raman studies confirmed the presence and interaction of the DUT-67 particles with the polymeric chains within the hydrogel network. Adsorption studies of methyl orange, copper(II) ions, and penicillin V on the composite hydrogel revealed a rapid adsorption kinetics and monolayer adsorption according to the Langmuir's model. The composite hydrogel demonstrated higher adsorption capacities, as compared to the pristine hydrogel, showcasing a synergistic effect, with maximum adsorption capacities of 473 ± 21 mg L-1, 86 ± 6 mg L-1, and 127 ± 4 mg L-1, for methyl orange, copper(II) ions, and penicillin V, respectively. This study highlights the potential of MOF-based composite hydrogels as efficient adsorbents for environmental pollutants and pharmaceuticals.

Copper limiting threshold in the terrestrial ammonia oxidizing archaeon Nitrososphaera viennensis

Ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) inhabiting soils have a central role in the global nitrogen cycle. Copper (Cu) is central to many enzymes in AOA including ammonia monooxygenase (AMO), the enzyme involved in the first step of ammonia oxidation. This study explored the physiological response of the AOA soil isolate, Nitrososphaera viennensis (EN76^T) to Cu-limiting conditions in order to approach its limiting threshold under laboratory conditions. The chelator TETA (1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane N, N', N″, N‴-tetraacetic acid hydrochloride hydrate) with selective affinity for Cu²⁺ was used to lower bioavailable Cu²⁺ in culture experiments as predicted by thermodynamic speciation calculations. Results show that N. viennensis is Cu-limited at concentrations ≤10^-15 mol L^-1 free Cu²⁺ compared to standard conditions (10^-12 mol L^-1). This Cu²⁺ limiting threshold is similar to pure cultures of denitrifying bacteria and other AOA and AOB inhabiting soils, freshwaters and sewage (<10^-16 mol L^-1), and lower than pure cultures of the marine AOA Nitrosopumilus maritimus (<10^-12.7 mol L^-1), which also possesses a high amount of Cu-dependent enzymes.

Matrix-assisted nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry for soft ionization of metal(i)–protein complexes

Metal ions play significant roles in biological processes, and investigation of metal–protein interactions provides a basis to understand the functions of metal ions in such systems.

β-Lactam antibiotics are multipotent agents to combat neurological diseases

Recently, Rothstein et al. reported that beta-lactam antibiotics, including penicillin and ceftriaxone, are potential therapeutic drugs to treat some neurological disorders, e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), by modulating the expression of glutamate transporter GLT1 via gene activation. However, considering the facts that: (i) many neurological diseases (including ALS) are associated with transition metal ions and redox stress, and ALS can be efficiently prevented by metal chelators, e.g., diethyl-dithiocarbamate (DDC); (ii) beta-lactam antibiotics have long been known as metal chelators, we argue that the beneficial effect of beta-lactam antibiotics on ALS likely involves Cu(II)-attenuating ability. This is partially supported by our theoretical calculations.

A Theoretical Analysis of the Coordination Modes of CuIIwith Penicillins: Activation of the β-Lactam CN Bond

The interaction of CuII with 6-formylamino-3alpha-carboxypenam and 6-acetylamino-3alpha-carboxypenam was investigated by means of DFT calculations with the UB3LYP functional. Nine different modes of complexation between CuII and 6-formylamino-3alpha-carboxypenam were located. When two water molecules directly bonded to CuII are included in the calculations on 6-acetylamino-3alpha-carboxypenam as penicillin model, only six CuII(H2O)2-6-acetylamino-3alpha-carboxypenam complexes (1S-6S) are found. In solution the four most stable complexes obtained from our calculations, 6S, 1S, 2S, and 3S, exhibit CuII in square-planar coordination with at least one bond to the carboxylate group, in agreement with experimental evidence. Complexes 6S, 1S, and 3S were previously suggested by available experimental evidence. In three of the most stable complexes (6S, 2S, and 3S) the beta-lactam C-N bond is remarkably activated and displays C-N bond lengths similar to those found in some tetrahedral intermediates located for the hydrolysis of 2-azetidinones. This suggests that these kinds of complexes belong to the reaction coordinate for the degradation of beta-lactam antibiotics in the presence of CuII.