Nitrosyl hydride (HNO) as an O2 analogue: long-lived HNO adducts of ferrous globins

Stabilization of a Heme-HNO Model Complex Using a Bulky Bis-Picket Fence Porphyrin and Reactivity Studies with NO

Nitroxyl, HNO/NO-, the one-electron reduced form of NO, is suggested to take part in distinct signaling pathways in mammals and is also a key intermediate in various heme-catalyzed NOx interconversions in the nitrogen cycle. Cytochrome P450nor (Cyt P450nor) is a heme-containing enzyme that performs NO reduction to N2O in fungal denitrification. The reactive intermediate in this enzyme, termed "Intermediate I", is proposed to be an Fe-NHO/Fe-NHOH type species, but it is difficult to study its electronic structure and exact protonation state due to its instability. Here, we utilize a bulky bis-picket fence porphyrin to obtain the first stable heme-HNO model complex, [Fe(3,5-Me-BAFP)(MI)(NHO)], as a model for Intermediate I, and more generally HNO adducts of heme proteins. Due to the steric hindrance of the bis-picket fence porphyrin, [Fe(3,5-Me-BAFP)(MI)(NHO)] is stable (τ1/2 = 56 min at -30 °C), can be isolated as a solid, and is available for thorough spectroscopic characterization. In particular, we were able to solve a conundrum in the literature and provide the first full vibrational characterization of a heme-HNO complex using IR and nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS). Reactivity studies of [Fe(3,5-Me-BAFP)(MI)(NHO)] with NO gas show a 91 ± 10% yield for N2O formation, demonstrating that heme-HNO complexes are catalytically competent intermediates for NO reduction to N2O in Cyt P450nor. The implications of these results for the mechanism of Cyt P450nor are further discussed.

Sixth Ligand Induced HNO/NO- Release by a Five-Coordinated Cobalt(II) Nitrosyl Complex Having a {CoNO}8 Configuration

Nitroxyl (HNO) and nitroxide (NO-) anion, the one-electron-reduced form of nitric oxide (NO), have been shown to have distinct advantages over NO from pharmacological and therapeutic points of view. However, the role of nitroxyl in chemical biology has not yet been studied as extensively as that of NO. Consequently, only a few examples of HNO donors such as Angeli's salt, Piloty's acid, or acyl- and acyloxynitroso derivatives are known. However, the intrinsic limitations of all of these hinder their widespread utility. Metal nitrosyl complexes, although few examples, could serve as an efficient HNO donor. Here, a cobalt nitrosyl complex of the {CoNO}8 (1) configuration has been reported. This complex in the presence of a sixth ligand [BF4-, DTC- (diethyldithiocarbamate anion), or imidazole] releases/donates HNO/NO-. This has been confirmed using well-known HNO/NO- acceptors like [Fe(TPP)Cl] and [Fe(DTC)3]. The HNO release has been authenticated further by the detection and estimation of N2O using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy as well as its reaction with PPh3.

The Chemistry of HNO: Mechanisms and Reaction Kinetics

Azanone (HNO, also known as nitroxyl) is the protonated form of the product of one-electron reduction of nitric oxide (^•NO), and an elusive electrophilic reactive nitrogen species of increasing pharmacological significance. Over the past 20 years, the interest in the biological chemistry of HNO has increased significantly due to the numerous beneficial pharmacological effects of its donors. Increased availability of various HNO donors was accompanied by great progress in the understanding of HNO chemistry and chemical biology. This review is focused on the chemistry of HNO, with emphasis on reaction kinetics and mechanisms in aqueous solutions.

Demethylation of the Antibiotic Methylarsenite is Coupled to Denitrification in Anoxic Paddy Soil

Arsenic (As) biomethylation is an important component of the As biogeochemical cycle, which produces methylarsenite [MAs(III)] as an intermediate product. Its high toxicity is used by some microbes as an antibiotic to kill off other microbes and gain a competitive advantage. Some aerobic microbes have evolved a detoxification mechanism to demethylate MAs(III) via the dioxygenase C-As lyase ArsI. How MAs(III) is demethylated under anoxic conditions is unclear. We found that nitrate addition to a flooded paddy soil enhanced MAs(III) demethylation. A facultative anaerobe Bacillus sp. CZDM1 isolated from the soil was able to demethylate MAs(III) under anoxic nitrate-reducing conditions. A putative C-As lyase gene (BcarsI) was identified in the genome of strain CZDM1. The expression of BcarsI in the As-sensitive Escherichia coli AW3110 conferred the bacterium the ability to demethylate MAs(III) under anoxic nitrate-reducing condition and enhanced its resistance to MAs(III). Both Bacillus sp. CZDM1 and E. coli AW3110 harboring BcarsI could not demethylate MAs(III) under fermentative conditions. Five conserved amino acid resides of cysteine, histidine, and glutamic acid are essential for MAs(III) demethylation under anoxic nitrate-reducing conditions. Putative arsI genes are widely present in denitrifying bacteria, with 75% of the sequenced genomes containing arsI, also possessing dissimilatory nitrate reductase genes narG or napA. These results reveal a novel mechanism in which MAs(III) is demethylated via ArsI by coupling to denitrification, and such a mechanism is likely to be common in an anoxic environment such as paddy soils and wetlands.

Azanone (HNO): generation, stabilization and detection

HNO (nitroxyl, azanone), joined the 'biologically relevant reactive nitrogen species' family in the 2000s. Azanone is impossible to store due to its high reactivity and inherent low stability. Consequently, its chemistry and effects are studied using donor compounds, which release this molecule in solution and in the gas phase upon stimulation. Researchers have also tried to stabilize this elusive species and its conjugate base by coordination to metal centers using several ligands, like metalloporphyrins and pincer ligands. Given HNO's high reactivity and short lifetime, several different strategies have been proposed for its detection in chemical and biological systems, such as colorimetric methods, EPR, HPLC, mass spectrometry, fluorescent probes, and electrochemical analysis. These approaches are described and critically compared. Finally, in the last ten years, several advances regarding the possibility of endogenous HNO generation were made; some of them are also revised in the present work.

Biochemical and artificial pathways for the reduction of carbon dioxide, nitrite and the competing proton reduction: effect of 2nd sphere interactions in catalysis

Reduction of oxides and oxoanions of carbon and nitrogen are of great contemporary importance as they are crucial for a sustainable environment.

Updating NO•/HNO interconversion under physiological conditions: A biological implication overview

Azanone (HNO/NO^-), also called nitroxyl, is a highly reactive compound whose biological role is still a matter of debate. A key issue that remains to be clarified regarding HNO and its biological activity is that of its endogenous formation. Given the overlap of the molecular targets and reactivity of nitric oxide (NO•) and HNO, its chemical biology was perceived to be similar to that of NO• as a biological signaling agent. However, despite their closely related reactivity, NO• and HNO's biochemical pathways are quite different. Moreover, the reduction of nitric oxide to azanone is possible but necessarily coupled to other reactions, which drive the reaction forward, overcoming the unfavorable thermodynamic barrier. The mechanism of this NO•/HNO interplay and its downstream effects in different contexts were studied recently, showing that more than fifteen moderate reducing agents react with NO• producing HNO. Particularly, it is known that the reaction between nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) produces HNO. However, this rate constant was not reported yet. In this work, firstly the NO•/H₂S effective rate constant was measured as a function of the pH. Then, the implications of these chemical (non-enzymatic), biologically compatible, routes to endogenous HNO formation was discussed. There is no doubt that HNO could be (is?) a new endogenously produced messenger that mediates specific physiological responses, many of which were attributed yet to direct NO• effects.

The role of porphyrin peripheral substituents in determining the reactivities of ferrous nitrosyl species

Ferrous nitrosyl {FeNO}⁷ species is an intermediate common to the catalytic cycles of Cd₁NiR and CcNiR, two heme-based nitrite reductases (NiR), and its reactivity varies dramatically in these enzymes.

Ferrous nitrosyl {FeNO}⁷ species is an intermediate common to the catalytic cycles of Cd₁NiR and CcNiR, two heme-based nitrite reductases (NiR), and its reactivity varies dramatically in these enzymes. The former reduces NO₂^– to NO in the denitrification pathway while the latter reduces NO₂^– to NH₄⁺ in a dissimilatory nitrite reduction. With very similar electron transfer partners and heme based active sites, the origin of this difference in reactivity has remained unexplained. Differences in the structure of the heme d₁ (Cd₁NiR), which bears electron-withdrawing groups and has saturated pyrroles, relative to heme c (CcNiR) are often invoked to explain these reactivities. A series of iron porphyrinoids, designed to model the electron-withdrawing peripheral substitution as well as the saturation present in heme d₁ in Cd₁NiR, and their NO adducts were synthesized and their properties were investigated. The data clearly show that the presence of electron-withdrawing groups (EWGs) and saturated pyrroles together in a synthetic porphyrinoid (FeDEsC) weakens the Fe–NO bond in {FeNO}⁷ adducts along with decreasing the bond dissociation free energies (BDFE_NH) of the {FeHNO}⁸ species. The EWG raises the E° of the {FeNO}^7/8 process, making the electron transfer (ET) facile, but decreases the pK_a of {FeNO}⁸ species, making protonation (PT) difficult, while saturation has the opposite effect. The weakening of the Fe–NO bonding biases the {FeNO}⁷ species of FeDEsC for NO dissociation, as in Cd₁NiR, which is otherwise set-up for a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) to form an {FeHNO}⁸ species eventually leading to its further reduction to NH₄⁺.

Water-Soluble Nitroxyl Porphyrin Complexes FeIITPPSHNO and FeIITPPSNO- Obtained from Isolated FeIITPPSNO•

The first biomimetic water-soluble Fe^II-porphyrin nitroxyl complexes were obtained and characterized by UV-vis in protonated and deprotonated forms by reduction of previously isolated and characterized Fe^IITPPSNO^•. The pK_a involved in the Fe^II-HNO ⇄ Fe^II-NO^- + H⁺ equilibrium was estimated to be around 9.7. The Fe^IITPPSHNO complex spontaneously reoxidizes to the nitrosyl form following a first-order kinetic decay with a measured kinetic constant of k = 0.017 s^-1. Experiments show that the HNO adduct undergoes unimolecular homolytic cleavage of the H-NO bond. DFT calculations suggest a phlorin radical intermediate for this reaction. The deprotonated NO^- complex resulted to be more stable, with a half-life of about 10 min.

Proton Transfer versus Hydrogen Bonding in a Reduced Iron Porphyrin Nitrosyl Complex

The ¹H NMR spectra of Fe(OEP)(HNO), which was formed from Fe(OEP)(NO)^- in the presence of 3,5-dichlorophenol, were studied as a function of temperature. The chemical shift of the HNO proton showed a unique behavior which could be explained based on the equilibrium between the protonated complex, Fe(OEP)(HNO), and the hydrogen-bonded complex, Fe(OEP)(NO)^-···HOPh. This equilibrium was consistent with UV/visible spectroscopy and the voltammetric data. UV/visible stopped-flow experiments showed that the hydrogen-bonded complex, which was formed when weak acids such as phenol were added, and the Fe(OEP)(HNO) complex were quite similar. In addition to the HNO proton resonance, the meso-resonances were consistent with the proposed equilibrium. Density functional theory calculations of various Fe(OEP)(NO)^-/Fe(OEP)(HNO) species were calculated, and the results were consistent with experimental data.

A Mononuclear, Nonheme FeII-Piloty's Acid (PhSO2NHOH) Adduct: An Intermediate in the Production of {FeNO}7/8 Complexes from Piloty's Acid

Reaction of the mononuclear nonheme complex [Fe^II(CH₃CN)(N3PyS)]BF₄ (1) with an HNO donor, Piloty's acid (PhSO₂NHOH, P.A.), at low temperature affords a high-spin ( S = 2) Fe^II-P.A. intermediate (2), characterized by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer and Fe K-edge X-ray absorption (XAS) spectroscopies, with interpretation of both supported by DFT calculations. The combined methods indicate that P.A. anion binds as the N-deprotonated tautomer (PhSO₂NOH^-) to [Fe^II(N3PyS)]⁺, leading to 2. Complex 2 is the first spectroscopically characterized example, to our knowledge, of P.A. anion bound to a redox-active metal center. Warming of 2 above -60 °C yields the stable {FeNO}⁷ complex [Fe(NO)(N3PyS)]BF₄ (4), as evidenced by ¹H NMR, ATR-IR, and Mössbauer spectroscopies. Isotope labeling experiments with ¹⁵N-labeled P.A. confirm that the nitrosyl ligand in 4 derives from P.A. In contrast, addition of a second equivalent of a strong base leads to S-N cleavage and production of an {FeNO}⁸ species, the deprotonated analog of an Fe-HNO complex. This work has implications for the targeted delivery of HNO/NO^-/NO· to nonheme Fe centers in biological and synthetic applications, and suggests a new role for nonheme Fe^II complexes in the assisted degradation of HNO donor molecules.

Mechanisms of HNO Reactions with Ferric Heme Proteins

Many HNO-scavenging pathways exist to regulate its biological and pharmacological activities. Such reactions often involve ferric heme proteins and form an important basis for HNO probe development. However, mechanisms of HNO reactions with ferric heme proteins are largely unknown. We performed a computational investigation using metmyoglobin and catalase as representative ferric heme proteins with neutral and negatively charged axial ligands to provide the first detailed pathways. The results reproduced experimental barriers well with an average error of 0.11 kcal mol-1 . The rate-limiting step was found to be dissociation of the resting ligand or HNO coordination when there is no resting ligand. For both heme proteins, in contrast to the non-heme case, the reductive nitrosylation step was found to be barrierless proton-coupled electron transfer, which provides the major thermodynamic driving force for the overall reaction. The origin of the difference in reactivity between metmyoglobin and catalase was also revealed.

Non-heme High-Spin {FeNO}6-8 Complexes: One Ligand Platform Can Do It All

Heme and non-heme iron-nitrosyl complexes are important intermediates in biology. While there are numerous examples of low-spin heme iron-nitrosyl complexes in different oxidation states, much less is known about high-spin (hs) non-heme iron-nitrosyls in oxidation states other than the formally ferrous NO adducts ({FeNO}⁷ in the Enemark-Feltham notation). In this study, we present a complete series of hs-{FeNO}^6-8 complexes using the TMG₃tren coligand. Redox transformations from the hs-{FeNO}⁷ complex [Fe(TMG₃tren)(NO)]²⁺ to its {FeNO}⁶ and {FeNO}⁸ analogs do not alter the coordination environment of the iron center, allowing for detailed comparisons between these species. Here, we present new MCD, NRVS, XANES/EXAFS, and Mössbauer data, demonstrating that these redox transformations are metal based, which allows us to access hs-Fe(II)-NO^-, Fe(III)-NO^-, and Fe(IV)-NO^- complexes. Vibrational data, analyzed by NCA, directly quantify changes in Fe-NO bonding along this series. Optical data allow for the identification of a "spectator" charge-transfer transition that, together with Mössbauer and XAS data, directly monitors the electronic changes of the Fe center. Using EXAFS, we are also able to provide structural data for all complexes. The magnetic properties of the complexes are further analyzed (from magnetic Mössbauer). The properties of our hs-{FeNO}^6-8 complexes are then contrasted to corresponding, low-spin iron-nitrosyl complexes where redox transformations are generally NO centered. The hs-{FeNO}⁸ complex can further be protonated by weak acids, and the product of this reaction is characterized. Taken together, these results provide unprecedented insight into the properties of biologically relevant non-heme iron-nitrosyl complexes in three relevant oxidation states.

Over or under: hydride attack at the metal versus the coordinated nitrosyl ligand in ferric nitrosyl porphyrins

Hydride attack at a ferric heme-NO to give an Fe-HNO intermediate is a key step in the global N-cycle. We demonstrate differential reactivity when six- and five-coordinate ferric heme-NO models react with hydride. Although Fe-HNO formation is thermodynamically favored from this reaction, Fe-H formation is kinetically favored for the 5C case.

Covalent attachment of the heme to Synechococcus hemoglobin alters its reactivity toward nitric oxide

The cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 produces a monomeric hemoglobin (GlbN) implicated in the detoxification of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species. GlbN contains a b heme, which can be modified under certain reducing conditions. The modified protein (GlbN-A) has one heme-histidine C-N linkage similar to the C-S linkage of cytochrome c. No clear functional role has been assigned to this modification. Here, optical absorbance and NMR spectroscopies were used to compare the reactivity of GlbN and GlbN-A toward nitric oxide (NO). Both forms of the protein are capable of NO dioxygenase activity and both undergo heme bleaching after multiple NO challenges. GlbN and GlbN-A bind NO in the ferric state and form diamagnetic complexes (Fe^III-NO) that resist reductive nitrosylation to the paramagnetic Fe^II-NO forms. Dithionite reduction of Fe^III-NO GlbN and GlbN-A, however, resulted in distinct outcomes. Whereas GlbN-A rapidly formed the expected Fe^II-NO complex, NO binding to Fe^II GlbN caused immediate heme loss and, remarkably, was followed by slow heme rebinding and HNO (nitrosyl hydride) production. Additionally, combining Fe^III GlbN, ¹⁵N-labeled nitrite, and excess dithionite resulted in the formation of Fe^II-H¹⁵NO GlbN. Dithionite-mediated HNO production was also observed for the related GlbN from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Although ferrous GlbN-A appeared capable of trapping preformed HNO, the histidine-heme post-translational modification extinguished the NO reduction chemistry associated with GlbN. Overall, the results suggest a role for the covalent modification in Fe^II GlbNs: protection from NO-mediated heme loss and prevention of HNO formation.

HNO-Binding in Heme Proteins: Effects of Iron Oxidation State, Axial Ligand, and Protein Environment

HNO plays significant roles in many biological processes. Numerous heme proteins bind HNO, an important step for its biological functions. A systematic computational study was performed to provide the first detailed trends and origins of the effects of iron oxidation state, axial ligand, and protein environment on HNO binding. The results show that HNO binds much weaker with ferric porphyrins than corresponding ferrous systems, offering strong thermodynamic driving force for experimentally observed reductive nitrosylation. The axial ligand was found to influence HNO binding through its trans effect and charge donation effect. The protein environment significantly affects the HNO hydrogen bonding structures and properties. The predicted NMR and vibrational data are in excellent agreement with experiment. This broad range of results shall facilitate studies of HNO binding in many heme proteins, models, and related metalloproteins.

The chemical biology of HNO signaling

Nitroxyl (HNO) is a simple molecule with significant potential as a pharmacological agent. For example, its use in the possible treatment of heart failure has received recent attention due to its unique therapeutic properties. Recent progress has been made on the elucidation of the mechanisms associated with its biological signaling. Importantly, the biochemical mechanisms described for HNO bioactivity are consistent with its unique and novel chemical properties/reactivity. To date, much of the biology of HNO can be associated with interactions and modification of important regulatory thiol proteins. Herein will be provided a description of HNO chemistry and how this chemistry translates to some of its reported biological effects.

Biological signaling by small inorganic molecules

Small redox active molecules such as reactive nitrogen and oxygen species and hydrogen sulfide have emerged as important biological mediators that are involved in various physiological and pathophysiological processes. Advancement in understanding of cellular mechanisms that tightly regulate both generation and reactivity of these molecules is central to improved management of various disease states including cancer and cardiovascular dysfunction. Imbalance in the production of redox active molecules can lead to damage of critical cellular components such as cell membranes, proteins and DNA and thus may trigger the onset of disease. These small inorganic molecules react independently as well as in a concerted manner to mediate physiological responses. This review provides a general overview of the redox biology of these key molecules, their diverse chemistry relevant to physiological processes and their interrelated nature in cellular signaling.

Hydride Attack on a Coordinated Ferric Nitrosyl: Experimental and DFT Evidence for the Formation of a Heme Model-HNO Derivative

Heme-HNO species are crucial intermediates in several biological processes. To date, no well-defined Fe heme-HNO model compounds have been reported. Hydride attack on the cationic ferric [(OEP)Fe(NO)(5-MeIm)]OTf (OEP = octaethylporphyrinato dianion) generates an Fe-HNO product that has been characterized by IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Results of DFT calculations reveal a direct attack of the hydride on the N atom of the coordinated ferric nitrosyl.

Solid-State (17)O NMR of Oxygen-Nitrogen Singly Bonded Compounds: Hydroxylammonium Chloride and Sodium Trioxodinitrate (Angeli's Salt)

We report a solid-state NMR study of (17)O-labeled hydroxylammonium chloride ([H(17)O-NH3]Cl) and sodium trioxodinitrate monohydrate (Na2[(17)ONNO2]·H2O, Angeli's salt). The common feature in these two compounds is that they both contain oxygen atoms that are singly bonded to nitrogen. For this class of oxygen-containing functional groups, there is very limited solid-state (17)O NMR data in the literature. In this work, we experimentally measured the (17)O chemical shift and quadrupolar coupling tensors. With the aid of plane-wave DFT computation, the (17)O NMR tensor orientations were determined in the molecular frame of reference. We found that the characteristic feature of an O-N single bond is that the (17)O nucleus exhibits a large quadrupolar coupling constant (13-15 MHz) but a rather small chemical shift anisotropy (100-250 ppm), in sharp contrast with the nitroso (O═N) functional group for which both quantities are very large (e.g., 16 MHz and 3000 ppm, respectively).

Reactions of HNO with metal porphyrins: underscoring the biological relevance of HNO

Azanone ((1)HNO, nitroxyl) shows interesting yet poorly understood chemical and biological effects. HNO has some overlapping properties with nitric oxide (NO), sharing its biological reactivity toward heme proteins, thiols, and oxygen. Despite this similarity, HNO and NO show significantly different pharmacological effects. The high reactivity of HNO means that studies must rely on the use of donor molecules such as trioxodinitrate (Angeli's salt). It has been suggested that azanone could be an intermediate in several reactions and that it may be an enzymatically produced signaling molecule. The inherent difficulty in detecting its presence unequivocally prevents evidence from yielding definite answers. On the other hand, metalloporphyrins are widely used as chemical models of heme proteins, providing us with invaluable tools for the study of the coordination chemistry of small molecules, like NO, CO, and O2. Studies with transition metal porphyrins have shown diverse mechanistic, kinetic, structural, and reactive aspects related to the formation of nitrosyl complexes. Porphyrins are also widely used in technical applications, especially when coupled to a surface, where they can be used as electrochemical gas sensors. Given their versatility, they have not escaped their role as key players in chemical studies involving HNO. This Account presents the research performed during the last 10 years in our group concerning azanone reactions with iron, manganese, and cobalt porphyrins. We begin by describing their HNO trapping capabilities, which result in formation of the corresponding nitrosyl complexes. Kinetic and mechanistic studies of these reactions show two alternative operating mechanisms: reaction of the metal center with HNO or with the donor. Moreover, we have also shown that azanone can be stabilized by coordination to iron porphyrins using electron-attracting substituents attached to the porphyrin ring, which balance the negatively charged NO¯. Second, we describe an electrochemical HNO sensing device based on the covalent attachment of a cobalt porphyrin to gold. A surface effect affects the redox potentials and allows discrimination between HNO and NO. The reaction with the former is fast, efficient, and selective, lacking spurious signals due to the presence of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species. The sensor is both biologically compatible and highly sensitive (nanomolar). This time-resolved detection allows kinetic analysis of reactions producing HNO. The sensor thus offers excellent opportunities to be used in experiments looking for HNO. As examples, we present studies concerning (a) HNO donation capabilities of new HNO donors as assessed by the sensor, (b) HNO detection as an intermediate in O atom abstraction to nitrite by phosphines, and (c) NO to HNO interconversion mediated by alcohols and thiols. Finally, we briefly discuss the key experiments required to demonstrate endogenous HNO formation to be done in the near future, involving the in vivo use of the HNO sensing device.

Heme versus non-heme iron-nitroxyl {FeN(H)O}⁸ complexes: electronic structure and biologically relevant reactivity

Researchers have completed extensive studies on heme and non-heme iron-nitrosyl complexes, which are labeled {FeNO}(7) in the Enemark-Feltham notation, but they have had very limited success in producing corresponding, one-electron reduced, {FeNO}(8) complexes where a nitroxyl anion (NO(-)) is formally bound to an iron(II) center. These complexes, and their protonated iron(II)-NHO analogues, are proposed key intermediates in nitrite (NO2(-)) and nitric oxide (NO) reducing enzymes in bacteria and fungi. In addition, HNO is known to have a variety of physiological effects, most notably in the cardiovascular system. HNO may also serve as a signaling molecule in mammals. For these functions, iron-containing proteins may mediate the production of HNO and serve as receptors for HNO in vivo. In this Account, we highlight recent key advances in the preparation, spectroscopic characterization, and reactivity of ferrous heme and non-heme nitroxyl (NO(-)/HNO) complexes that have greatly enhanced our understanding of the potential biological roles of these species. Low-spin (ls) heme {FeNO}(7) complexes (S = 1/2) can be reversibly reduced to the corresponding {FeNO}(8) species, which are stable, diamagnetic compounds. Because the reduction is ligand (NO) centered in these cases, it occurs at extremely negative redox potentials that are at the edge of the biologically feasible range. Interestingly, the electronic structures of ls-{FeNO}(7) and ls-{FeNO}(8) species are strongly correlated with very similar frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and thermodynamically strong Fe-NO bonds. In contrast, high-spin (hs) non-heme {FeNO}(7) complexes (S = 3/2) can be reduced at relatively mild redox potentials. Here, the reduction is metal-centered and leads to a paramagnetic (S = 1) {FeNO}(8) complex. The increased electron density at the iron center in these species significantly decreases the covalency of the Fe-NO bond, making the reduced complexes highly reactive. In the absence of steric bulk, monomeric high-spin {FeNO}(8) complexes decompose rapidly. Notably, in a recently prepared, dimeric [{FeNO}(7)]2 species, we observed that reduction leads to rapid N-N bond formation and N2O generation, which directly models the reactivity of flavodiiron NO reductases (FNORs). We have also made key progress in the preparation and stabilization of corresponding HNO complexes, {FeNHO}(8), using both heme and non-heme ligand sets. In both cases, we have taken advantage of sterically bulky coligands to stabilize these species. ls-{FeNO}(8) complexes are basic and easily form corresponding ls-{FeNHO}(8) species, which, however, decompose rapidly via disproportionation and H2 release. Importantly, we recently showed that we can suppress this reaction via steric protection of the bound HNO ligand. As a result, we have demonstrated that ls-{FeNHO}(8) model complexes are stable and amenable to spectroscopic characterization. Neither ls-{FeNO}(8) nor ls-{FeNHO}(8) model complexes are active for N-N coupling, and hence, seem unsuitable as reactive intermediates in nitric oxide reductases (NORs). Hs-{FeNO}(8) complexes are more basic than their hs-{FeNO}(7) precursors, but their electronic structure and reactivity is not as well characterized.

A singular value decomposition approach for kinetic analysis of reactions of HNO with myoglobin

The reactions of several horse heart myoglobin species with nitrosyl hydride, HNO, derived from Angeli's salt (AS) and Piloty's acid (PA) have been followed by UV-visible, (1)H NMR and EPR spectroscopies. Spectral analysis of myoglobin-derived speciation during the reactions was obtained by using singular value decomposition methods combined with a global analysis to obtain the rate constants of complex sequential reactions. The analysis also provided spectra for the derived absorbers, which allowed self-consistent calibration to the spectra of known myoglobin species. Using this method, the determined rate for trapping of HNO by metmyoglobin, which produces NO-myoglobin, is found to be 2.7 × 10(5)M(-1)s(-1) at pH7.0 and 1.1 × 10(5)M(-1)s(-1) at pH9.4. The reaction of deoxymyoglobin with HNO generates the adduct HNO-myoglobin directly, but is followed by a secondary reaction of that product with HNO yielding NO-myoglobin; the determined bimolecular rate constants for these reactions are 3.7 × 10(5)M(-1)s(-1) and 1.67 × 10(4)M(-1)s(-1) respectively, and are independent of pH. The derived spectrum for HNO-myoglobin is characterized by a Soret absorbance maximum at 423 nm with an extinction coefficient of 1.66 × 10(5)M(-1)cm(-1). The rate constant for unimolecular loss of HNO from HNO-myoglobin was determined by competitive trapping with CO at 8.9 × 10(-5)s(-1), which gives the thermodynamic binding affinity of HNO to deoxymyoglobin as 4.2 × 10(9)M(-1). These results suggest that the formation of HNO-ferrous heme protein adducts represents an important consideration in the biological action of HNO-releasing drugs.

Computational investigations of HNO in biology

HNO (nitroxyl) has been found to have many physiological effects in numerous biological processes. Computational investigations have been employed to help understand the structural properties of HNO complexes and HNO reactivities in some interesting biologically relevant systems. The following computational aspects were reviewed in this work: 1) structural and energetic properties of HNO isomers; 2) interactions between HNO and non-metal molecules; 3) structural and spectroscopic properties of HNO metal complexes; 4) HNO reactions with biologically important non-metal systems; 5) involvement of HNO in reactions of metal complexes and metalloproteins. Results indicate that computational investigations are very helpful to elucidate interesting experimental phenomena and provide new insights into unique structural, spectroscopic, and mechanistic properties of HNO involvement in biology.

Investigation of electrocatalytic pathway for hemoglobin toward nitric oxide by electrochemical approach based on protein controllable unfolding and in-situ reaction

An electrochemical approach based on protein controllable unfolding was developed and applied in combination with in-situ reaction in order to investigate the electrocatalytic pathway for hemoglobin (Hb) toward nitric oxide (NO). Hb was entrapped in a dimethyldidodecylammonium bromide (DDAB) film modified glassy carbon electrode (DDAB/Hb/GCE). Two typical denaturants of acid and urea were synergistically utilized to control the incorporated Hb to a most unfolded state without losing heme groups. Under optimal conditions, the unfolded DDAB/Hb/GCE exhibited accelerated direct electron transfer. The sensitivities for the detection of ascorbic acid (AA), NaNO(2) and NO were improved as 3, 10 and 12 times higher than those on the native DDAB/Hb/GCE, and the limits of detection (LODs) for AA, NaNO(2) and NO were down to 0.33, 0.83 and 0.063 μM, respectively. The unfolded DDAB/Hb/GCE was further applied for the investigation of Hb-NO interaction in NaNO(2) solution. With successive additions of AA, NO was generated in situ on DDAB/Hb/GCE. A new reduction peak of the intermediate HbFe(II)-HN(2)O(2) was successfully revealed near -0.65 V. The whole electrocatalytic mechanism was proposed and verified by density functional theory. The method can be a promising platform for facile study of the interaction between NO and heme proteins.

Metal centre effects on HNO binding in porphyrins and the electronic origin: metal's electronic configuration, position in the periodic table, and oxidation state

HNO binds to many different metals in organometallic and bioinorganic chemistry. To help understand experimentally observed metal centre effects, a quantum chemical investigation was performed, revealing clear general binding trends with respect to metal centre characteristics and the electronic origin for the first time.

Stabilization and detection of nitroxyl by iron and cobalt porphyrins in solution and on surfaces

Nitroxyl (HNO/NO-) is a small short-lived molecule that has been suggested to be produced by nitric oxide (NO) synthases under certain conditions. As for NO , biologically relevant targets of HNO are mainly heme-proteins and therefore, it has been difficult to discriminate the physio-pathological role of each molecule conclusively. Therefore, accurate discrimination between them is still an unresolved matter. On the other hand, there is only scarce information about nitroxyl-metalloporphyrin complexes. Hence, there is growing interest in obtaining and characterizing stable heme model nitroxyl complexes. In this review we show how HNO and NO can be discriminated electrochemically by a Co porphyrin attached to a gold surface, and how nitroxyl can be stabilized by coordination to an electron-poor Fe porphyrin. The Co porphyrin with four anchors, cobalt(II)-5,10,15,20-tetrakis[3-(p-acetylthio-propoxy)phenyl]porphyrin [Co(P)] was covalently attached to gold electrodes, and its reactions with NO and HNO donors were studied electrochemically. By fixing the potential to values that oxidize CoIII(P)NO-, HNO can be selectively detected by amperometric techniques. On the other hand, the one-electron chemical reduction of FeII(TFPPBr8)NO (TFPPBr8= 2 ,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octa-β-bromo-5,10,15,20-[tetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl)]porphyrin) with cobaltocene yields the significantly stable {FeNO}8nitroxyl anion complex, [Co(C5H5)2]+[Fe(TFPPBr8)NO]-, which was isolated and characterized by several spectroscopies and DFT calculations. This species is intermediate between FeIINO-and FeINO , which is contrasted with the predominant FeIINO-character of known non-heme {FeNO}8complexes.

Nitrosyl hydride (HNO) replaces dioxygen in nitroxygenase activity of manganese quercetin dioxygenase

Quercetin dioxygenase (QDO) catalyzes the oxidation of the flavonol quercetin with dioxygen, cleaving the central heterocyclic ring and releasing CO. The QDO from Bacillus subtilis is unusual in that it has been shown to be active with several divalent metal cofactors such as Fe, Mn, and Co. Previous comparison of the catalytic activities suggest that Mn(II) is the preferred cofactor for this enzyme. We herein report the unprecedented substitution of nitrosyl hydride (HNO) for dioxygen in the activity of Mn-QDO, resulting in the incorporation of both N and O atoms into the product. Turnover is demonstrated by consumption of quercetin and other related substrates under anaerobic conditions in the presence of HNO-releasing compounds and the enzyme. As with dioxygenase activity, a nonenzymatic base-catalyzed reaction of quercetin with HNO is observed above pH 7, but no enhancement of this basal reactivity is found upon addition of divalent metal salts. Unique and regioselective N-containing products ((14)N/(15)N) have been characterized by MS analysis for both the enzymatic and nonenzymatic reactions. Of the several metallo-QDO enzymes examined for nitroxygenase activity under anaerobic condition, only the Mn(II) is active; the Fe(II) and Co(II) substituted enzymes show little or no activity. This result represents an enzymatic catalysis which we denote nitroxygenase activity; the unique reactivity of the Mn-QDO suggests a metal-mediated electron transfer mechanism rather than metal activation of the substrate's inherent base-catalyzed reactivity.

HNO binding in a heme protein: structures, spectroscopic properties, and stabilities

HNO can interact with numerous heme proteins, but atomic level structures are largely unknown. In this work, various structural models for the first stable HNO heme protein complex, MbHNO (Mb, myoglobin), were examined by quantum chemical calculations. This investigation led to the discovery of two novel structural models that can excellently reproduce numerous experimental spectroscopic properties. They are also the first atomic level structures that can account for the experimentally observed high stabilities. These two models involve two distal His conformations as reported previously for MbCNR and MbNO. However, a unique dual hydrogen bonding feature of the HNO binding was not reported before in heme protein complexes with other small molecules such as CO, NO, and O₂. These results shall facilitate investigations of HNO bindings in other heme proteins.

The specificity of nitroxyl chemistry is unique among nitrogen oxides in biological systems

The importance of nitric oxide in mammalian physiology has been known for nearly 30 years. Similar attention for other nitrogen oxides such as nitroxyl (HNO) has been more recent. While there has been speculation as to the biosynthesis of HNO, its pharmacological benefits have been demonstrated in several pathophysiological settings such as cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and alcoholism. The chemical biology of HNO has been identified as related to, but unique from, that of its redox congener nitric oxide. A summary of these findings as well as a discussion of possible endogenous sources of HNO is presented in this review.

HNO signaling mechanisms

Due to recent discoveries of important and novel biological activity, nitroxyl (HNO) has become a molecule of significant interest. Although it has been used in the past as a treatment for alcoholism, it is currently being touted as a treatment for heart failure. It is becoming increasingly clear that many of the biological actions of HNO can be attributed to its ability to react with specific thiol- and, possibly, heme-proteins. Herein is discussed the chemistry of HNO with likely biological targets. A particular focus is given to targets associated with the pharmacological utility of HNO as a cardiovascular agent and for the treatment of alcoholism.

Reactions of HNO with heme proteins: new routes to HNO-heme complexes and insight into physiological effects

The formation and interconversion of nitrogen oxides has been of interest in numerous contexts for decades. Early studies focused on gas-phase reactions, particularly with regard to industrial and atmospheric environments, and on nitrogen fixation. Additionally, investigation of the coordination chemistry of nitric oxide (NO) with hemoglobin dates back nearly a century. With the discovery in the early 1980s that NO is biosynthesized as a molecular signaling agent, the literature has been focused on the biological effects of nitrogen oxides, but the original concerns remain relevant. For instance, hemoglobin has long been known to react with nitrite, but this reductase activity has recently been considered to be important to produce NO under hypoxic conditions. The association of nitrosyl hydride (HNO; also commonly referred to as nitroxyl) with heme proteins can also produce NO by reductive nitrosylation. Furthermore, HNO is considered to be an intermediate in bacterial denitrification, but conclusive identification has been elusive. The authors of this article have approached the bioinorganic chemistry of HNO from different perspectives, which have converged because heme proteins are important biological targets of HNO.

Insights into the nitric oxide reductase mechanism of flavodiiron proteins from a flavin-free enzyme

Flavodiiron proteins (FDPs) catalyze reductive scavenging of dioxygen and nitric oxide in air-sensitive microorganisms. FDPs contain a distinctive non-heme diiron/flavin mononucleotide (FMN) active site. Alternative mechanisms for the nitric oxide reductase (NOR) activity consisting of either protonation of a diiron-bridging hyponitrite or "super-reduction" of a diferrous-dinitrosyl by the proximal FMNH(2) in the rate-determining step have been proposed. To test these alternative mechanisms, we examined a deflavinated FDP (deflavo-FDP) from Thermotoga maritima. The deflavo-FDP retains an intact diiron site but does not exhibit multiturnover NOR or O(2) reductase (O(2)R) activity. Reactions of the reduced (diferrous) deflavo-FDP with nitric oxide were examined by UV-vis absorption, EPR, resonance Raman, and FTIR spectroscopies. Anaerobic addition of nitric oxide up to one NO per diferrous deflavo-FDP results in formation of a diiron-mononitrosyl complex characterized by a broad S = (1)/(2 )EPR signal arising from antiferromagnetic coupling of an S = (3)/(2) {FeNO}(7) with an S = 2 Fe(II). Further addition of NO results in two reaction pathways, one of which produces N(2)O and the diferric site and the other of which produces a stable diiron-dinitrosyl complex. Both NO-treated and as-isolated deflavo-FDPs regain full NOR and O(2)R activities upon simple addition of FMN. The production of N(2)O upon addition of NO to the mononitrosyl deflavo-FDP supports the hyponitrite mechanism, but the concomitant formation of a stable diiron-dinitrosyl complex in the deflavo-FDP is consistent with a super-reduction pathway in the flavinated enzyme. We conclude that a diiron-mononitrosyl complex is an intermediate in the NOR catalytic cycle of FDPs.

NMR, IR/Raman, and structural properties in HNO and RNO (R = alkyl and aryl) metalloporphyrins with implication for the HNO-myoglobin complex

Structural and functional details of heme protein complexes with HNO and the isoelectronic RNO (R = alkyl and aryl) molecules (metabolic intermediates) are largely unknown. We report a quantum chemical investigation of three characteristic spectroscopic properties, (1)H and (15)N NMR chemical shifts and NO vibrational frequencies in synthetic HNO and RNO heme complexes, with theory-versus-experiment correlation coefficients R(2) = 0.990-0.998. A new density functional theory (DFT) method was found to yield excellent predictions of experimental structures of HNO, RNO, and NO heme systems. Interestingly, this method also helps the identification of an excellent linear quantitative structure observable relationship between NO vibrational frequencies and bond lengths in all of these NO-containing systems. This suggests that NO vibrations are largely local effects of the NO bonds in these complexes and may help deduce the NO bond lengths from using experimental vibrational data in these systems. The NO vibrational frequencies in HNO, RNO, and NO metalloporphyrins were found to follow a general trend of NO > RNO > HNO complexes, as a result of the electron populations in the antibonding NO orbitals of NO < RNO < HNO complexes. Investigations of the NMR and IR/Raman spectroscopic data in HNO metal complexes show that HNO is a strong pi-acid. In addition, we performed the first quantum chemical investigation of the hydrogen-bond effect on HNO in MbHNO (Mb = myoglobin) models. On the basis of comparisons with experimental (1)H and (15)N NMR results and NO vibrational frequency in MbHNO, a dual hydrogen-bond mode for HNO in MbHNO was proposed. The enhanced stability from this dual hydrogen bonding may provide a basis for the unusual stability of MbHNO observed experimentally. These results should facilitate spectroscopic characterizations and structural investigations of HNO and RNO heme proteins and models.