Solid-phase synthesis provides a modular, lysine-based platform for fluorescent discrimination of nitroxyl and biological thiols

Reusable HNO Sensors Derived from Cu Cyclam: A DFT Study on the Mechanistic Origin of High Reactivity and Favorable Conformation Changes and Potential Improvements

Nitroxyl (HNO) exhibits unique favorable properties in regulating biological and pharmacological activities. However, currently, there is only one Cu-based HNO sensor that can be recycled for reusable detection, which is a Cu cyclam derivative with a mixed thia/aza ligand. To elucidate the missing mechanistic origin of its high HNO reactivity and subsequent favorable conformation change toward a stable CuI product that is critical to be oxidized back by the physiological O2 level for HNO detection again, a density functional theory (DFT) computational study was performed. It not only reproduced experimental structural and reaction properties but also, more importantly, revealed an unknown role of the coordination atom in high reactivity. Its conformation change mechanism was found to not follow the previously proposed one but involve a novel favorable rotation pathway. Several newly designed complexes incorporating beneficial effects of coordination atoms and substituents to further enhance HNO reactivity while maintaining or even improving favorable conformation changes for reusable HNO detection were computationally validated. These novel results will facilitate the future development of reusable HNO sensors for true spatiotemporal resolution and repeated detection.

The {Cu2I2} cluster bearing metal organic frameworks: crystal structures and fluorescence detecting performances towards cysteine and explosive molecules

Two {Cu2I2} cluster-bearing metal organic frameworks (MOFs) of {[Eu(CuI)2(INA)3DMF]·0.95DMF}n (Eu-CuI-INA) and {K[(CH3)2NH2]Sr4(INA)2(DMF)2{(Cu2I2)2(INA)8}·2H2O}n (Sr-K-CuI-INA, HINA = isonicotinic acid, DMF = N,N-dimethyl formamide) were prepared and characterized in this work. Both materials feature a three-dimensional (3-D) structure, in which the {Cu2I2} clusters and Eu3+ (or Sr2+) metal ions are coordinated by INA- ligands with pyridine and carboxylic groups, respectively. Impressively, Sr-K-CuI-INA exhibits sensitive fluorescence sensing behaviors towards cysteine and nitro-bearing molecules, demonstrating potential FL sensing applications for bio and explosive molecules. This work would provide a good reference for designing fluorescent MOF probes containing CuI molecules.

Mechanistic Origin of Favorable Substituent Effects in Excellent Cu Cyclam Based HNO Sensors

HNO has broad chemical and biomedical properties. Metal complexes and derivatives are widely used to make excellent HNO sensors. However, their favorable mechanistic origins are largely unknown. Cu cyclam is a useful platform to make excellent HNO sensors including imaging agents. A quantum chemical study of Cu cyclams with various substitutions was performed, which reproduced diverse experimental reactivities. Structural, electronic, and energetic profiles along reaction pathways show the importance of HNO binding and a proton-coupled electron transfer mechanism for HNO reaction. Results reveal that steric effect is primary and electronic factor is secondary (if the redox potential is sufficient), but their interwoven effects can lead to unexpected reactivity, which looks mysterious experimentally but can be explained computationally. This work suggests rational substituent design ideas and recommends a theoretical study of a new design to save time and cost due to its subtle effect.

HNO to NO Conversion Mechanism with Copper Zinc Superoxide Dismutase, Comparison with Heme Protein Mediated Conversions, and the Origin of Questionable Reversibility

The interconversion of NO and HNO, via copper zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), is important in biomedicine and for HNO detection. Many mechanistic questions, including the decades-long debate on reversibility, were resolved in this work. Calculations of various active-site and full-protein models show that the basic mechanism is proton-coupled electron transfer with a computed barrier of 10.98 kcal mol^-1 , which is in excellent agreement with experimental results (10.62 kcal mol^-1 ), and this nonheme protein-mediated reaction has many significant mechanistic differences compared with the conversions mediated by heme proteins due to geometric and electronic factors. The reasons for the irreversible nature of this conversion and models with the first thermodynamically favorable and kinetically feasible mechanism for the experimental reverse reaction were discovered. Such results are the first for nonheme enzyme mediated HNO to NO conversions, which shall facilitate other related studies and HNO probe development.

Specific Reactions of RSNO, HSNO, and HNO and Their Applications in the Design of Fluorescent Probes

Nitric oxide (NO)-derived species play essential roles in regulating cellular responses. Among these species, S-nitrosothiols (including RSNO and HSNO) and nitroxyl (HNO) are especially interesting. Owing to their high reactivity and short survival time, the detection of these molecules in biological settings can be challenging. In this regard, much effort has been invested in exploring novel reactions of RSNO/HSNO/HNO and applying these reactions to develop fluorescence probes. Herein, reported specific reactions of RSNO/HSNO/HNO are summarized and strategies used in the design of fluorescent probes are illustrated. The properties and potential problems of representative probes are also discussed.

Coordination geometry-induced optical imaging of l-cysteine in cancer cells using imidazopyridine-based copper(ii) complexes

Overexpression of cysteine cathepsins proteases has been documented in a wide variety of cancers, and enhances the l-cysteine concentration in tumor cells. We report the synthesis and characterization of copper(ii) complexes [Cu(L1)₂(H₂O)](SO₃CF₃)₂, 1, L1 = 3-phenyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine, [Cu(L2)₂(SO₃CF₃)]SO₃CF₃, 2, L2 = 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-pyridin-2-yl-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine, [Cu(L3)₂(H₂O)](SO₃CF₃)₂, 3, L3 = 3-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-1-pyridin-2-yl-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine and [Cu(L4)₂(H₂O)](SO₃CF₃)₂, 4, L4 = dimethyl-[4-(1-pyridin-2-yl-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-3-yl)phenyl]amine as 'turn-on' optical imaging probes for l-cysteine in cancer cells. The molecular structure of complexes adopted distorted trigonal pyramidal geometry (τ, 0.68-0.87). Cu-N_py bonds (1.964-1.989 Å) were shorter than Cu-N_imi bonds (2.024-2.074 Å) for all complexes. Geometrical distortion was strongly revealed in EPR spectra, showing g_‖ (2.26-2.28) and A_‖ values (139-163 × 10^-4 cm^-1) at 70 K. The d-d transitions appeared around 680-741 and 882-932 nm in HEPES, which supported the existence of five-coordinate geometry in solution. The Cu(ii)/Cu(i) redox potential of 1 (0.221 V vs. NHE) was almost identical to that of 2 and 3 but lower than that of 4 (0.525 V vs. NHE) in HEPES buffer. The complexes were almost non-emissive in nature, but became emissive by the interaction of l-cysteine in 100% HEPES at pH 7.34 via reduction of Cu(ii) to Cu(i). Among the probes, probe 2 showed selective and efficient turn-on fluorescence behavior towards l-cysteine over natural amino acids with a limit of detection of 9.9 × 10^-8 M and binding constant of 2.3 × 10⁵ M^-1. The selectivity of 2 may have originated from a nearly perfect trigonal plane adopted around a copper(ii) center (∼120.70°), which required minimum structural change during the reduction of Cu(ii) to Cu(i) while imaging Cys. The other complexes, with their distorted trigonal planes, required more reorganizational energy, which resulted in poor selectivity. Probe 2 was employed for optical imaging of l-cysteine in HeLa cells and macrophages. It exhibited brighter fluorescent images by visualizing Cys at pH 7.34 and 37 °C. It showed relatively less toxicity for these cell lines as ascertained by the MTT assay.

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.

Imaging of anti-inflammatory effects of HNO via a near-infrared fluorescent probe in cells and in rat gouty arthritis model

Nitroxyl (HNO) plays a crucial role in anti-inflammatory effects via the inhibition of inflammatory pathways, but the details of the endogenous generation of HNO still remain challenging owing to the complex biosynthetic pathways, in which the interaction between H₂S and NO simultaneously generates HNO and polysulfides (H₂S_n) in mitochondria. Moreover, nearly all the available fluorescent probes for HNO are utilized for imaging HNO in cells and tissues, instead of the in situ real-time detection of the simultaneous formation of HNO and H₂S_n in mitochondria and animals. Here, we have developed a mitochondria-targeting near-infrared fluorescent probe, namely, Mito-JN, to detect the generation of HNO in cells and a rat model. The probe consists of three moieties: Aza-BODIPY as a fluorescent signal transducer, a triphenylphosphonium cation as a mitochondria-targeting agent, and a diphenylphosphinobenzoyl group as an HNO-responsive unit. The response mechanism is based on an aza-ylide intramolecular ester aminolysis reaction with fluorescence emissions on. Mito-JN displays high selectivity and sensitivity for HNO over various other biologically relevant species. Mito-JN was successfully used for the detection of the endogenous generation of HNO, which is derived from the crosstalk between H₂S and NO in living cells. The additional generation of H₂S_n was also confirmed using our previous probe Cy-Mito. The anti-inflammatory effect of HNO was examined in a cell model of LPS-induced inflammation and a rat model of gouty arthritis. The results imply that our probe is a good candidate for the assessment of the protective effects of HNO in inflammatory processes.

Fluorescent probes for the detection of nitroxyl (HNO)

Nitroxyl (HNO), which according to the IUPAC recommended nomenclature should be named azanone, is the protonated one-electron reduction product of nitric oxide. Recently, it has gained a considerable attention due to the interesting pharmacological effects of its donors. Although there has been great progress in the understanding of HNO chemistry and chemical biology, it still remains the most elusive reactive nitrogen species, and its selective detection is a real challenge. The development of reliable methodologies for the direct detection of azanone is essential for the understanding of important signaling properties of this reactive intermediate and its pharmacological potential. Over the last decade, there has been considerable progress in the development of low-molecular-weight fluorogenic probes for the detection of HNO, and therefore, in this review, we have focused on the challenges and limitations of and perspectives on nitroxyl detection based on the use of such probes.

In Vitro and in Vivo Imaging of Nitroxyl with Copper Fluorescent Probe in Living Cells and Zebrafish

Nitroxyl (HNO) plays a critical role in many physiological processes which includes vasorelaxation in heart failure, neuroregulation, and myocardial contractility. Powerful imaging tools are required to obtain information for understanding the mechanisms involved in these in vivo processes. In order to develop a rapid and high sensitive probe for HNO detection in living cells and the zebrafish model organism, 2-((2-(benzothiazole-2yl)benzylidene) amino)benzoic acid (AbTCA) as a ligand, and its corresponding copper(II) complex Cu(II)-AbTCA were synthesized. The reaction results of Cu(II)-AbTCA with Angeli's salt showed that Cu(II)-AbTCA could detect HNO quantitatively in a range of 40⁻360 µM with a detection limit of 9.05 µM. Furthermore, Cu(II)-AbTCA is more selective towards HNO over other biological species including thiols, reactive nitrogen, and reactive oxygen species. Importantly, Cu(II)-AbTCA was successfully applied to detect HNO in living cells and zebrafish. The collective data reveals that Cu(II)-AbTCA could be used as a potential probe for HNO detection in living systems.

Reaction-Based Fluorescent Probes for the Imaging of Nitroxyl (HNO) in Biological Systems

Nitroxyl (HNO) has been identified as an important signaling molecule in biological systems and plays critical roles in many physiological processes. Fluorescence imaging could provide a robust approach to explore the biological formation of HNO and its physiological functions. Herein, we summarize the organic reaction types for constructing HNO probes and specifically focus on review of the recent advances in the development of the reaction-based HNO probes and their imaging applications in living systems.

Metal-assisted selective recognition of biothiols by a synthetic receptor array

A synergistic combination of a deep cavitand host, fluorophore guests and transition metal ions can be used to sense small molecule thiols of biological interest with good efficiency and selectivity in complex aqueous media.

Ratiometric Visualization of NO/H2S Cross-Talk in Living Cells and Tissues Using a Nitroxyl-Responsive Two-Photon Fluorescence Probe

It is of scientific significance to explore the intricate relationship between two crucial gasotransmitters nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) because they exert similar and interdependent biological actions within the living organisms. Nevertheless, visualization of the NO/H₂S crosstalk using effective molecular imaging tools remains challenging. To address this issue, and given that nitroxyl (HNO) has been implicated as the interdependent production of NO and H₂S via a network of cascading chemical reactions, we herein design a ratiometric two-photon fluorescent probe for HNO, termed TP-Rho-HNO, which consists of benzo[h]chromene-rhodol scaffold as two-photon energy transfer cassette with phosphine moiety as specific HNO recognition unit. The newly proposed probe has been successfully applied in ratiometric two-photon bioimaging of endogenous HNO derived from NO and H₂S interaction in the human umbilical vein cells (HUVECs) and as well as in rat brain tissues. Intriguingly, the imaging results consistently demonstrate that the mutually dependent upgeneration of H₂S and NO are present in living biosystems, indicating that this molecular probe would provide a powerful approach to elucidate the chemical foundation for the anfractuous cross-talk between the NO and H₂S signaling pathways in biology.

Recent Advances in Macrocyclic Fluorescent Probes for Ion Sensing

Small-molecule fluorescent probes play a myriad of important roles in chemical sensing. Many such systems incorporating a receptor component designed to recognise and bind a specific analyte, and a reporter or transducer component which signals the binding event with a change in fluorescence output have been developed. Fluorescent probes use a variety of mechanisms to transmit the binding event to the reporter unit, including photoinduced electron transfer (PET), charge transfer (CT), Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), excimer formation, and aggregation induced emission (AIE) or aggregation caused quenching (ACQ). These systems respond to a wide array of potential analytes including protons, metal cations, anions, carbohydrates, and other biomolecules. This review surveys important new fluorescence-based probes for these and other analytes that have been reported over the past five years, focusing on the most widely exploited macrocyclic recognition components, those based on cyclam, calixarenes, cyclodextrins and crown ethers; other macrocyclic and non-macrocyclic receptors are also discussed.

A targetable fluorescent probe for imaging exogenous and intracellularly formed nitroxyl in mitochondria in living cells

We have developed a new mitochondrial-targeted turn-on fluorescent HNO probe (Mito-HNO). Fluorescence imaging shows that Mito-HNO is suitable for ratiometric visualization of HNO within mitochondria in living cells.

Two-photon red-emissive fluorescent probe for imaging nitroxyl (HNO) in living cells and tissues

A two-photon red-emissive fluorescent probe has been developed for imaging nitroxyl (HNO) in living cells and tissues.

Metalloneurochemistry and the Pierian Spring: 'Shallow Draughts Intoxicate the Brain'

Metal ions perform critical and diverse functions in nervous system physiology and pathology. The field of metalloneurochemistry aims to understand the mechanistic bases for these varied roles at the molecular level. Here, we review several areas of research that illustrate progress toward achieving this ambitious goal and identify key challenges for the future. We examine the use of lithium as a mood stabilizer, the roles of mobile zinc and copper in the synapse, the interplay of nitric oxide and metals in retrograde signaling, and the regulation of iron homeostasis in the brain. These topics were chosen to demonstrate not only the breadth of the field, but also to highlight opportunities for discovery by studying such complex systems in greater detail. We are beginning to uncover the principles by which receptors and transmitters utilize metal ions to modulate neurotransmission. These advances have revealed exciting new insights into the intricate mechanisms that give rise to learning, memory, and sensory perception, while opening many new avenues for further exploration.

Recent advances in the chemical biology of nitroxyl (HNO) detection and generation

Nitroxyl or azanone (HNO) represents the redox-related (one electron reduced and protonated) relative of the well-known biological signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO). Despite the close structural similarity to NO, defined biological roles and endogenous formation of HNO remain unclear due to the high reactivity of HNO with itself, soft nucleophiles and transition metals. While significant work has been accomplished in terms of the physiology, biology and chemistry of HNO, important and clarifying work regarding HNO detection and formation has occurred within the last 10 years. This review summarizes advances in the areas of HNO detection and donation and their application to normal and pathological biology. Such chemical biological tools allow a deeper understanding of biological HNO formation and the role that HNO plays in a variety of physiological systems.

Achieving Reversible Sensing of Nitroxyl by Tuning the Ligand Environment of Azamacrocyclic Copper(II) Complexes

To elucidate the factors that impart selectivity for nitroxyl (HNO) over nitric oxide (NO), thiols, and H2S in metal-based fluorescent probes, we investigated five Cu(II)-cyclam (14-N4) derivatives. Upon exposure to NO gas at pH 7, no changes occur in the UV-vis spectra of any of the complexes. Addition of Angeli's salt to generate HNO promotes reduction of Cu(II) only in the case of [Cu(II)(14-N4-Ts)(OTf)2], which has the most positive reduction potential of the series. To gain insight into the observed reactivity, we prepared the Cu(II) complex of the mixed thia/aza 14-N2S2 ligand. [Cu(II)(14-N2S2)(OTf)2] reacts reversibly with HNO at pH 7, although nonselectively over thiols and H2S. The recurrent sensing of HNO uncovered with the study of Cu(II) azamacrocyclic complexes is a remarkable feature that opens the door for the design of a new generation of metal-based probes.

Design and Synthesis of Near-infrared Fluorescent Probes for Imaging of Biological Nitroxyl

Nitroxyl (HNO), the reduced and protonated form of nitric oxide (NO), has recently been identified as an interesting and important signaling molecule in biological systems. However, research on its biosynthesis and bioactivities are hampered by the lack of versatile HNO detection methods applicable to living cells. In this report, two new near-infrared (NIR) probes were designed and synthesized for HNO imaging in living cells. One of the probes was found to display high sensitivity towards HNO, with up to 67-fold of fluorescence increment after reaction with HNO. The detection limit was determined to be as low as 0.043 μM. The probe displayed high selectivity towards HNO over other biologically related species including metal ions, reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species and reactive sulfur species. Furthermore, the probe was shown to be suitable for imaging of exogenous and endogenous HNO in living cells. Interestingly, the probe was found to be mainly localized in lysosomes. We envision that the new NIR probe described here will serve as a useful tool for further elucidation of the intricate roles of HNO in living cells.