Unravelling the intrinsic features of NO binding to iron(II)- and iron(III)-hemes

Dioxygen and glucose force motion of the electron-transfer switch in the iron(III) flavohemoglobin-type nitric oxide dioxygenase

Kinetic and structural investigations of the flavohemoglobin-type NO dioxygenase have suggested critical roles for transient Fe(III)O2 complex formation and O2-forced movements affecting hydride transfer to the FAD cofactor and electron-transfer to the Fe(III)O2 complex. Stark-effect theory together with structural models and dipole and internal electrostatic field determinations provided a semi-quantitative spectroscopic method for investigating the proposed Fe(III)O2 complex and O2-forced movements. Deoxygenation of the enzyme causes Stark effects on the ferric heme Soret and charge-transfer bands revealing the Fe(III)O2 complex. Deoxygenation also elicits Stark effects on the FAD that expose forces and motions that create a more restricted NADH access to FAD for hydride transfer and switch electron-transfer off. Glucose also forces the enzyme toward an off state. Amino acid substitutions at the B10, E7, E11, G8, D5, and F7 positions influence the Stark effects of O2 on resting heme spin states and FAD consistent with the proposed roles of the side chains in the enzyme mechanism. Deoxygenation of ferric myoglobin and hemoglobin A also induces Stark effects on the hemes suggesting a common 'oxy-met' state. The ferric myoglobin and hemoglobin heme spectra are also glucose-responsive. A conserved glucose or glucose-6-phosphate binding site is found bridging the BC-corner and G-helix in flavohemoglobin and myoglobin suggesting novel allosteric effector roles for glucose or glucose-6-phosphate in the NO dioxygenase and O2 storage functions. The results support the proposed roles of a ferric O2 intermediate and protein motions in regulating electron-transfer during NO dioxygenase turnover.

Insights into the effect of distal histidine and water hydrogen bonding on NO ligation to ferrous and ferric heme: a DFT study

The effect of distal histidine on ligation of NO to ferrous and ferric-heme, has been investigated with the high-level density functional theoretical (DFT) method. It has been predicted that the distal histidine significantly stabilizes the interaction of NO ferrous-heme (by −2.70 kcal mol⁻¹). Also, water hydrogen bonding is quite effective in strengthening the Fe–NO bond in ferrous heme. In contrast in ferric heme, due to the large distance between the H₂O and O(NO) and lack of hydrogen bonding, the distal histidine exhibits only a slight effect on the binding of NO to the ferric analogue. Concerning the bond nature of Fe^II–NO and Fe^III–NO in heme, a QTAIM analysis predicts a partially covalent and ionic bond nature in both systems.

The effect of distal histidine on ligation of NO to ferrous and ferric-heme, has been investigated with the high-level density functional theoretical (DFT) method.

Calculating Entropies of Large Molecules in Aqueous Phase

Entropy benchmarking of different sized molecules in aqueous phase is carried out for known solvation models, where we compare geometry and solvation cavity packing parameters, which allows us to improve the accuracy of the obtained entropy values using empirical corrections. A comparison of solvation entropy models is conducted for a benchmarking set of 56 molecules, showing how an accurate description of cavitation entropy and its hindrance on other entropy values is important for large-sized solute molecules. Finally, we compare reaction free energies with entropies calculated using the most accurate solvation model considered, where we demonstrate a significant improvement in the accuracy relative to experimental values.

Artemisinin-Based Drugs Target the Plasmodium falciparum Heme Detoxification Pathway

Artemisinin (ART)-based antimalarial drugs are believed to exert lethal effects on malarial parasites by alkylating a variety of intracellular molecular targets. Recent work with live parasites has shown that one of the alkylated targets is free heme within the parasite digestive vacuole, which is liberated upon hemoglobin catabolism by the intraerythrocytic parasite, and that reduced levels of heme alkylation occur in artemisinin-resistant parasites. One implication of heme alkylation is that these drugs may inhibit parasite detoxification of free heme via inhibition of heme-to-hemozoin crystallization; however, previous reports that have investigated this hypothesis present conflicting data. By controlling reducing conditions and, hence, the availability of ferrous versus ferric forms of free heme, we modify a previously reported hemozoin inhibition assay to quantify the ability of ART-based drugs to target the heme detoxification pathway under reduced versus oxidizing conditions. Contrary to some previous reports, we find that artemisinins are potent inhibitors of hemozoin crystallization, with effective half-maximal concentrations approximately an order of magnitude lower than those for most quinoline-based antimalarial drugs. We also examine hemozoin and in vitro parasite growth inhibition for drug pairs found in the most commonly used ART-based combination therapies (ACTs). All ACTs examined inhibit hemozoin crystallization in an additive fashion, and all but one inhibit parasite growth in an additive fashion.

Water binding to FeIII hemes studied in a cooled ion trap: characterization of a strong 'weak' ligand

The interaction of a water molecule with ferric heme-iron protoporphyrin ([PP Fe^III]⁺) has been investigated in the gas phase in an ion trap and studied theoretically by density functional theory. It is found that the interaction of water with ferric heme leads to a stable [PP-Fe^III-H₂O]⁺ complex in the intermediate spin state (S = 3/2), in the same state as its unligated [PP-Fe^III]⁺ homologue, without spin crossing during water attachment. Using the Van't Hoff equation, the reaction enthalpy for the formation of a Fe-OH₂ bond has been determined for [PP-Fe^III-H₂O]⁺ and [PP-Fe^III-(H₂O)₂]⁺. The corrected binding energy for a single Fe-H₂O bond is -12.2 ± 0.6 kcal mol^-1, while DFT calculations at the OPBE level yield -11.7 kcal mol^-1. The binding energy of the second ligation yielding a six coordinated Fe^III atom is decreased with a bond energy of -9 ± 0.9 kcal mol^-1, well reproduced by calculations as -7.1 kcal mol^-1. However, calculations reveal features of a weaker bond type, such as a rather long Fe-O bond with 2.28 Å for the [PP-Fe^III-H₂O]⁺ complex and the absence of a spin change by complexation. Thus despite a strong bond with H₂O, the Fe^III atom does not show, through theoretical modelling, a strong acceptor character in its half filled 3d_z² orbital. It is also observed that the binding properties of H₂O to hemes seem strikingly specific to ferric heme and we have shown, experimentally and theoretically, that the affinity of H₂O for protonated heme [H PP-Fe]⁺, an intermediate between Fe^III and Fe^II, is strongly reduced compared to that for ferric heme.

The dramatic effect of N-methylimidazole on trans axial ligand binding to ferric heme: experiment and theory

The binding energy of CO, O2 and NO to isolated ferric heme, [FeIIIP]+, was studied in the presence and absence of a σ donor (N-methylimidazole and histidine) as the trans axial ligand. This study combines the experimental determination of binding enthalpies by equilibrium measurements in a low temperature ion trap using the van't Hoff equation and high level DFT calculations. It was found that the presence of N-methylimidazole as the axial ligand on the [FeIIIP]+ porphyrin dramatically weakens the [FeIIIP-ligand]+ bond with an up to sevenfold decrease in binding energy owing to the σ donation by N-methylimidazole to the FeIII(3d) orbitals. This trans σ donor effect is characteristic of ligation to iron in hemes in both ferrous and ferric redox forms; however, to date, this has not been observed for ferric heme.

Ion Mobility Measurements of Multianionic Metalloporphyrin Dimers: Structural Changes Induced by Countercation Exchange

We present gas-phase structures of dimers of Mn^III and Fe^III meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin multianions with various amounts of sodium and hydrogen counterions. The structural assignments are achieved by combining mass spectrometry, ion mobility measurements, quantum chemical calculations, and trajectory method collision cross section calculations. For a common charge state, we observe significant topological variations in the dimer structures of [(MTPPS)₂+nX]^(6-n)- (M=Mn^III, Fe^III; X=H, Na; n = 1-3) induced by replacing hydrogen counterions by sodium. For sodium, the dimer structures are much more compact, a finding that can be rationalized by the stronger interactions of the sodium cations with the anionic sulfonic acid groups of the porphyrins as compared to hydrogen. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Cryo IR Spectroscopy of [Hemin]+ Complexes in Isolation

We present cryo IR spectra of isolated [Hemin]⁺ adducts with CO, N₂, and O₂ ([Hemin(CO)₁]⁺, [Hemin(CO)₂]⁺, [Hemin(¹⁴N₂)]⁺, [Hemin(¹⁵N₂)]⁺, and [Hemin(O₂)]⁺). Well resolved bands allow for the elucidation of structure and spin multiplicity in conjunction with density functional (DFT) calculations. There is a quartet spin state for the N₂ and CO adducts and a sextet spin state for the O₂ adduct, where the O₂ retains its triplet state. The double CO adsorption induces significant changes in the vibrational patterns of the IR spectra, which we take as strong evidence for a spin quenching into a doublet. Our study characterizes [Hemin]⁺, which is the Fe³⁺ oxidation product of heme that is of ubiquitous presence in hemeproteins.

Role of Spin States in Nitric Oxide Binding to Cobalt(II) and Manganese(II) Porphyrins. Is Tighter Binding Always Stronger?

Binding of nitric oxide (NO) to metalloporphyrins and heme groups is important in biochemistry while challenging to describe accurately by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Here, the structural and thermochemical aspect of NO binding to Co(II) and Mn(II) porphyrins is investigated by DFT and DFT-D (dispersion-corrected) calculations, supported by reliable coupled-cluster methodology (CCSD(T)), and critically correlated with the experimental data. It is argued that whereas the bonding of NO to Co(II) porphyrin is a simple radical recombination, the bonding of NO to Mn(II) porphyrin is accompanied by a crossing of spin states. For this reason, the spin-state conversion energy contributes to the Mn-NO bond energy, and the paradigmatic correlation between bond length and bond energy is violated for the considered nitrosyl complexes: the Mn-NO bond is (structurally) shorter by ∼0.2 Å, albeit (energetically) weaker by a few kcal/mol, compared with the Co-NO bond. Moreover, none of the many tested DFT methods can reproduce the Co-NO and Mn-NO bond energies simultaneously, except for calculations with B3LYP*-D3, TPSSh-D3, and M06-D3 methods supplemented with the proposed spin-state energy correction (to compensate for an error on the calculated spin-state conversion energy). The results of this study are important to appreciate the role of spin-state changes in ligand binding properties of heme-related models. They also highlight the need for accurate calculations for correct interpretation of experimental data, including the qualitative structure-energy relationship.

Nitrosyl–heme and anion–arene complexes: structure, reactivity and spectroscopy

Two topics are selected and illustrated to exemplify (i) a biological and (ii) an organic ionic intermediate. The reactivity behavior of NO adducts with ferric and ferrous hemes has shown remarkable similarities when examined in the gas phase, demonstrating that the largely different NO affinity displayed in solution and in biological media is due to the different coordination environment. In fact, ferrous hemes present a vacant or highly labile axial coordination site, prone to readily bind NO. The vibrational signatures of the NO ligand have also been probed in vacuo for the first time in the nitrosyl complexes deriving from ferrous and ferric hemes under strictly comparable five-coordination at the metal center. Negatively charged σ-adducts, from the association of anions with 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, an exemplary π-electron-deficient arene, have been probed by IRMPD spectroscopy and found to display variable binding motifs from a strongly covalent σ-adduct (Meisenheimer complex) to a weakly covalent σ-complex, depending on the anion basicity.

Nitric oxide as a non-innocent ligand in (bio-)inorganic complexes: spin and electron transfer in Fe(II)-NO bond

The nature of electron density transfer upon bond formation between NO ligand and Fe(II) center is analyzed on the basis of DFT calculation for two {Fe-NO}(7) complexes with entirely diverse geometric and electronic structures: Fe(II)P(NH3)NO (with bent Fe-N-O unit) and [Fe(II)(H2O)5(NO)](2+) (with linear Fe-N-O structure). Proper identification of an electronic status of the fragments, "prepared" to make a bond, was found necessary to get meaningful resolution of charge and spin transfer processes from a spin-resolved analysis of natural orbitals for chemical valence. The Fe(II)P(NH3)NO adduct (built of NO(0) (S=1/2) and Fe(II)P(NH3) (S=0) fragments) showed a strong π*-backdonation competing with spin transfer via a σ-donation, yielding significant red-shift of the NO stretching frequency. [Fe(II)(H2O)5(NO)](2+) (built of NO(0) (S=1/2) antiferromagnetically coupled to Fe(II)(H2O)5 (S=2) fragment) gave no noticeable charge or spin transfer between fragments; a slight blue-shift of the NO stretching frequency could be related to a residual π-donation due to weak π-bonding.

Cu(II)- and Mn(III)-porphyrin-derived oligomeric multianions: structures and photoelectron spectra

We present structures and photoelectron spectra of Mn(III) and Cu(II) meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) multianions, as well as of homomolecular dimers and trimers thereof. The structural assignments are based on a combination of mass spectrometry, ion mobility measurements, and semiempirical as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Depending on the type of central metal atom, two completely different dimer structural motifs are found. With a central Mn(III), the monomeric units are connected via sulfonic-acid-manganese bonds resulting in a tilted stack arrangement of porphyrin rings. With Cu(II) as the central atom, the sulfonic acid groups preferentially bind to the sodium counterions, resulting in a flat dimer structure with coplanar porphyrins. Photoelectron spectra were recorded for monomers, dimers, and trimers, each in a number of different negative charge states as determined by protonation degree (+nH). In some cases, e.g., [Cu(II)TPPS](4-), [(Mn(III)TPPS)2 + H](5-), and [(Mn(III)TPPS)3 + 3H](6-), we observe electron detachment energies close to zero, or even slightly negative. In all cases, we find a large repulsive Coulomb barrier. The observed trends in detachment energies can be interpreted in terms of a simple electrostatic model.

Tandem mass spectrometry of nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide releasing aspirins: a hint into activity behavior

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) is the most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. However, due to its action on cyclooxygenase and its acid nature, aspirin is associated with adverse gastrointestinal effects. In an effort to minimize these side effects, NO-donor and H2S-donor ASA co-drugs have been designed and tested. Their mass spectrometric behavior is now analyzed and reported. Positive ions were obtained by electrospray ionization involving protonation or alkali metal attachment. Their dissociation processes have been studied by collision induced dissociation in a triple quadrupole instrument. High mass accuracy measurements have been recorded on a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. The protonated molecules dissociate by an exclusive or largely prevailing path leading to acetyloxy-substituted benzoyl cation, namely an ASA unit. The process is reminiscent of the enzymatic hydrolysis, releasing intact ASA to a large extent. Only at higher collision energy does the formal ketene loss disrupt the ASA moiety. The gas phase chemistry of protonated ASA-releasing drugs develops along elementary dissociation steps analogous to the reactive processes in complex biological environments. This notion may provide a tool for preliminary testing of new compounds.

Cobalt-porphyrin catalyzed electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide in water. 1. A density functional study of intermediates

The reduction of carbon dioxide by cobalt porphyrins is thought to be a multistep reaction with several possible intermediates and reaction pathways. We here investigate a number of possible intermediates in this reaction using density functional theory, including both hybrid (B3LYP) and pure (PBE and BP86) functionals. Optimum structures are located, and harmonic vibrational frequencies and thermal corrections are computed for the low-lying electronic states for all intermediates. Free energies of solvation are predicted for all species, providing a reaction profile in the aqueous phase, which enables identification of likely pathways. Finally, the reaction energy for the binding of carbon dioxide to the cobalt porphine cation is determined in the gas phase and in solution.