High Field11B and13C Nmr Investigations of Aqueous Borate Solutions and Borate-Diol Complexes

Damage-Tolerant and Self-Repairing Web-Like Borate Type Binder Enable Stable Operation of Efficient Si-Based Anodes

Novel binder designs are shown to be fruitful in improving the electrochemical performance of silicon (Si)-based anodes. However, issues with mechanical damage from dramatic volume change and poor lithium-ion (Li+) diffusion kinetics in Si-based materials still need to be addressed. Herein, an aqueous self-repairing borate-type binder (SBG) with a web-like architecture and high ionic conductivity is designed for Si and SiO electrodes. The 3D web-like architecture of the SBG binder enables uniform stress distribution, while its self-repairing ability promotes effective stress dissipation and mechanical damage repair, thereby enhancing the damage tolerance of the electrode. The tetracoordinate boron ions (- BO 4 - $ - {\mathrm{BO}}_4^ - $ ) in the SBG binder boosts the Li transportation kinetics of Si-based electrodes. Based on dynamic covalent and ionic conductive boronic ester bonds, the diverse requirements of the binder, including uniform stress distribution, self-repairing ability, and high ionic conductivity, can be met by simple components. Consequently, the proposed straightforward multifunction design strategy for binders based on dynamic boron chemistry provides valuable insights into fabricating high-performance Si-based anodes.

Enhanced diabetic wound healing with injectable hydrogel containing self-assembling nanozymes

To build a smart system in response to the variable microenvironment in infected diabetic wounds, a multifunctional wound dressing was constructed by co-incorporating glucose oxidase (GOx) and a pH-responsive self-assembly Cu2-xSe-BSA nanozyme into a dual-dynamic bond cross-linked hydrogel (OBG). This composite hydrogel (OBG@CG) can adhere to the wound site and respond to the acidic inflammatory environment, initiating the GOx-catalyzed generation of H2O2 and the self-assembly activated peroxidase-like property of Cu2-xSe-BSA nanozymes, resulting in significant hydroxyl radical production to attack the biofilm during the acute infection period and alleviate the high-glucose microenvironment for better wound healing. During the wound recovery phase, Cu2-xSe-BSA aggregates disassembled owing to the elevated pH, terminating catalytic reactive oxygen species generation. Simultaneously, Cu2+ released from the Cu2-xSe-BSA not only promotes the production of mature collagen but also enhances the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells. RNA-seq analysis demonstrated that OBG@CG exerted its antibacterial property by damaging the integrity of the biofilm by inducing radicals and interfering with the energy supply, along with destroying the defense system by disturbing thiol metabolism and reducing transporter activities. This work proposes an innovative glucose consumption strategy for infected diabetic wound management, which may inspire new ideas in the exploration of smart wound dressing.

Structures of the DarR transcription regulator reveal unique modes of second messenger and DNA binding

The mycobacterial repressor, DarR, a TetR family regulator (TFR), was the first transcription regulator shown to bind c-di-AMP. However, the molecular basis for this interaction and the mechanism involved in DNA binding by DarR remain unknown. Here we describe DarR-c-di-AMP and DarR-DNA structures and complementary biochemical assays. The DarR-c-di-AMP structure reveals a unique effector binding site for a TFR, located between DarR dimer subunits. Strikingly, we show this motif also binds cAMP. The location of the adenine nucleotide binding site between subunits suggests this interaction may facilitate dimerization and hence DNA binding. Indeed, biochemical assays show cAMP enhances DarR DNA binding. Finally, DarR-DNA structures reveal a distinct TFR DNA-binding mechanism involving two interacting dimers on the DNA. Thus, the combined data unveil a newly described second messenger binding motif and DNA binding mode for this important family of regulators.

Conversion of lignocellulose into biochar and furfural through boron complexation and esterification reactions

The aim of this work was to study the conversion of lignocellulose into biochar and furfural through boron complexation and esterification reaction. Boric acid was used to modify lignocellulose to obtain a high biochar yield boron-lignocellulosic material through complexation and esterification reactions. Furthermore, clean furfural was obtained as the gas products of boron-lignocellulosic materials pyrolysis. The structures of the boron-lignocellulosic materials were characterized, and their compound principle was revealed. Boric acid treatments increased the initial thermal degradation temperature of lignocellulose and promoted the formation of biochar and furfural. The biochar yield rate increased by 135.7% from 18.6 to 42.9% at 600 ℃ after 5% boric acid solution treatment. Compared with pure lignocellulose, cleaner and higher quantities of furfural were obtained from boron-lignocellulose pyrolysis. Finally, the possible chemical decomposition pathways of boron-lignocellulosic materials were identified. This study provides a new perspective on the thermochemical conversion of lignocellulose to furfural and biochar.

Aggregation of Gold Nanoparticles Caused in Two Different Ways Involved in 4-Mercaptophenylboronic Acidand Hydrogen Peroxide

The difference in gold nanoparticle (AuNPs) aggregation caused by different mixing orders of AuNPs, 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid (4-MPBA), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) has been scarcely reported. We have found that the color change of a ((4-MPBA + AuNPs) + H₂O₂) mixture caused by H₂O₂ is more sensitive than that of a ((4-MPBA + H₂O₂) + AuNPs) mixture. For the former mixture, the color changes obviously with H₂O₂ concentrations in the range of 0~0.025%. However, for the latter mixture, the corresponding H₂O₂ concentration is in the range of 0~1.93%. The mechanisms on the color change originating from the aggregation of AuNPs occurring in the two mixtures were investigated in detail. For the ((4-MPBA + H₂O₂) + AuNPs) mixture, free 4-MPBA is oxidized by H₂O₂ to form bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) disulfide (BHPD) and peroxoboric acid. However, for the ((4-MPBA+AuNPs) + H₂O₂) mixture, immobilized 4-MPBA is oxidized by H₂O₂ to form 4-hydroxythiophenol (4-HTP) and boric acid. The decrease in charge on the surface of AuNPs caused by BHPD, which has alarger steric hindrance, is poorer than that caused by -4-HTP, and this is mainly responsible for the difference in the aggregation of AuNPs in the two mixtures. The formation of boric acid and peroxoboric acid in the reaction between 4-MPBA and H₂O₂ can alter the pH of the medium, and the effect of the pH change on the aggregation of AuNPs should not be ignored. These findings not only offer a new strategy in colorimetric assays to expand the detection range of hydrogen peroxide concentrations but also assist in deepening the understanding of the aggregation of citrate-capped AuNPs involved in 4-MPBA and H₂O₂, as well as in developing other probes.

The interaction of Eu(iii) with organoborates – a further approach to understand the complexation in the An/Ln(iii)–borate system

A combination of different spectroscopy techniques, DFT calculations and advanced data analysis explained the Eu(iii)–organoborate complexation.

Ternary borate-nucleoside complex stabilization by ribonuclease A demonstrates phosphate mimicry

Phosphate esters play a central role in cellular energetics, biochemical activation, signal transduction and conformational switching. The structural homology of the borate anion with phosphate, combined with its ability to spontaneously esterify hydroxyl groups, suggested that phosphate ester recognition sites on proteins might exhibit significant affinity for nonenzymatically formed borate esters. (11)B NMR studies and activity measurements on ribonuclease A (RNase A) in the presence of borate and several cytidine analogs demonstrate the formation of a stable ternary RNase A.3'-deoxycytidine-2'-borate ternary complex that mimics the complex formed between RNase A and a 2'-cytidine monophosphate (2'-CMP) inhibitor. Alternatively, no slowly exchanging borate resonance is observed for a ternary RNase A, borate, 2'-deoxycytidine mixture, demonstrating the critical importance of the 2'-hydroxyl group for complex formation. Titration of the ternary complex with 2'-CMP shows that it can displace the bound borate ester with a binding constant that is close to the reported inhibition constant of RNase A by 2'-CMP. RNase A binding of a cyclic cytidine-2',3'-borate ester, which is a structural homolog of the cytidine-2',3'-cyclic phosphate substrate, could also be demonstrated. The apparent dissociation constant for the cytidine-2',3'-borate.RNase A complex is 0.8 mM, which compares with a Michaelis constant of 11 mM for cytidine-2',3'-cyclic phosphate at pH 7, indicating considerably stronger binding. However, the value is 1,000-fold larger than the reported dissociation constant of the RNase A complex with uridine-vanadate. These results are consistent with recent reports suggesting that in situ formation of borate esters that mimic the corresponding phosphate esters supports enzyme catalysis.

NMR and Crystallographic Characterization of Adventitious Borate Binding by Trypsin

Recent 11B NMR studies of the formation of ternary complexes of trypsin, borate, and S1-binding alcohols revealed evidence for an additional binding interaction external to the enzyme active site. We have explored this binding interaction as a prototypical interaction of borate and boronate ligands with residues on the protein surface. NMR studies of trypsin in which the active site is blocked with leupeptin or with the irreversible inhibitor 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride (AEBSF) indicate the existence of a low-affinity borate binding site with an apparent dissociation constant of 97 mM, measured at pH 8.0. Observation of a field-dependent dynamic frequency shift of the (11)B resonance indicates that it corresponds to a complex for which omegatau >> 1. The 0.12 ppm shift difference of the borate resonances measured at 11.75 and 7.05 T, corresponds to a quadrupole coupling constant of 260 kHz. A much larger 2.0 ppm shift is observed in the 11B NMR spectra of trypsin complexed with benzene boronic acid (BBA), leading to a calculated quadrupole coupling constant of 1.1 MHz for this complex. Crystallographic studies identify the second borate binding site as a serine-rich region on the surface of the molecule. Specifically, a complex obtained at pH 10.6 shows a borate ion covalently bonded to the hydroxyl oxygen atoms of Ser164 and Ser167, with additional stabilization coming from two hydrogen-bonding interactions. A similar structure, although with low occupancy (30%), is observed for a trypsin-BBA complex. In this case, the BBA is also observed in the active site, covalently bound in two different conformations to both His57 Nepsilon and Ser195 Ogamma. An analysis of pairwise hydroxyl oxygen distances was able to predict the secondary borate binding site in porcine trypsin, and this approach is potentially useful for prediction of borate binding sites on the surfaces of other proteins. However, the distances between the Ser164/Ser167 Ogamma atoms in all of the reported trypsin crystal structures is significantly greater than the Ogamma distances of 2.2 and 1.9 angstroms observed in the trypsin complexes with borate and BBA, respectively. Thus, the ability of the hydroxyl oxygens to adopt a sufficiently close orientation to allow bidentate ligation is a critical limit on the borate binding affinity of surface-accessible serine/threonine/tyrosine residues.

X-ray and NMR Characterization of Covalent Complexes of Trypsin, Borate, and Alcohols

An understanding of the physiological and toxicological properties of borate and the utilization of boronic acids in drug development require a basic understanding of borate-enzyme chemistry. We report here the extension of our recent NMR studies indicating the formation of a ternary borate-alcohol-trypsin complex. Crystallographic and solution state NMR studies of porcine trypsin were performed in the presence of borate and either of three alcohols designed to bind to the S1 affinity subsite: 4-aminobutanol, guanidine-3-propanol, and 4-hydroxymethylbenzamidine. Quaternary complexes of trypsin, borate, S1-binding alcohol, and ethylene glycol (a cryoprotectant), as well as a ternary trypsin, borate, and ethylene glycol complex have been observed in the crystalline state. Borate forms ester bonds to Ser195, ethylene glycol (two bonds), and the S1-binding alcohol (if present). Spectra from (1)H and (11)B NMR studies confirm that these complexes also exist in solution and also provide evidence for the formation of ternary trypsin, borate, and S1-subsite alcohol complexes which are not observed in the crystals using our experimental protocols. Analysis of eight crystal structures indicates that formation of an active site borate complex is in all cases accompanied by a significant (approximately 4%) increase in the b-axis dimension of the unit cell. Presumably, our inability to observe the ternary complexes in the crystalline state arises from the lower stability of these complexes and consequent inability to overcome the constraints imposed by the lattice contacts. A mechanism for the coupling of the lattice contacts with the active site that involves a conformational rearrangement of Gln192 is suggested. The structures presented here represent the first crystallographic demonstration of covalent binding of an enzyme by borate.

Determination of the mode and efficacy of the cross-linking of guar by borate using MAS11B NMR of borate cross-linked guar in combination with solution11B NMR of model systems

The reaction product of boric acid and the polysaccharide guaran (the major component of guar gum) has been investigated by 11B NMR spectroscopy. By comparison with the 11B NMR of boric acid and phenylboronic acid complexes of 1,2-diols (HOCMe2CMe2OH, cis-C6H10(OH)2, trans-C6H10(OH)2, o-C6H4(OH)2), 1,3-diols (neol-H2), monosaccharides (L-fucose, mannose and galactose) and disaccharides (cellobiose and sucrose) it is found that the guaran polymer is cross-linked via a borate complex of two 1,2-diols both forming chelate 5-membered ring cycles ([B5(2)]), this contrasts with previous proposals. Based upon steric constraints we propose that preferential cross-linking the guaran polymer occurs via the 3,4-diols of the galactose side chain. The DeltaH and DeltaS for complexation of boric acid to cis- and trans-1,2-cyclohexanediol have been determined, from the temperature dependence of the appropriate equilibrium constants, and used in conjunction with ab initio calculations on model compounds, to understand prior conflicting proposals for guaran-boric acid interactions. 11B NMR derived pH dependent equilibrium constants and ab initio calculations have been used to understand the reasons for the inefficiency of boric acid to cross-link guaran (almost 2 borate ions per 3 monosaccharide repeat units are required for a viscous gel suitable as a fracturing fluid): the most reactive sites on the component saccharides (mannose and galactose) are precluded from reaction by the nature of the guar structure; the comparable acidity (pKa) of the remaining guaran alcohol substituents and the water solvent, results in a competition between cross-linking and borate formation; a significant fraction of the boric acid is ineffective in cross-linking guar due to the modest equilibrium (Keq). In contrast to prior work, we present evidence for the reaction of alcohols with boric acid, rather than the borate anion. Based upon the results obtained for phenylboronic acid, alternative cross-linking agents are proposed.

Esterification of borate with NAD+ and NADH as studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and 11B NMR spectroscopy

This paper describes for the first time the direct measurement of boric acid (B(OH)(3)) and borate (B(OH)(4) (-)) adduction to NAD(+) and NADH by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and (11)B NMR spectroscopy. The analysis demonstrates that borate binds to both cis-2,3-ribose diols on NAD(+) forming borate monoesters (1 : 1 addition), borate diesters (1 : 2 addition) and diborate esters (2 : 1 addition), whereas, only borate monoesters were formed with NADH. MS in the negative ion mode showed borate was bound to a cis-2,3-ribose diol and not to the hydroxyl groups on the phosphate backbone of NAD(+), and MS/MS showed that the 1 : 1 addition monoester contained borate bound to the adenosine ribose. Boron shifts of borate monoesters and diesters with NAD(+) were observed at 7.80 and 12.56 ppm at pH 7.0 to 9.0. The esterifications of borate with NAD(+) and NADH were pH dependent with maximum formation occurring under alkaline conditions with significant formation occurring at pH 7.0. Using ESI-MS, the limit of detection was 50 micro M for NAD(+) and boric acid (1 : 1) to detect NAD(+)-borate monoester at pH 7.0. These results suggest esterification of borate with nicotinamide nucleotides could be of biological significance.

Formation of a trypsin-borate-4-aminobutanol ternary complex

The formation of ternary complexes involving serine proteases, borate, and an alcohol has important implications for understanding the physiological actions of borate and for the development of tight binding inhibitors for this class of enzymes. Recent studies of a related enzyme, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, which is subject to inhibition by a labile serine/borate mixture, have demonstrated that construction of a non-labile boronate analogue results in an inhibitor with nearly 10(5)-fold greater potency. To evaluate the generalization of this biochemistry to serine proteases, we have observed the ternary complex formed from 4-aminobutanol, borate, and trypsin. A combination of (11)B and (1)H NMR and spectrophotometric assays using acetylarginine p-nitroanilide (Ac-Arg-pNA) as the chromogenic substrate all indicate a cooperative binding interaction in which the borate is esterified by the oxygen atoms of the 4-aminobutanol and trypsin residue Ser(195). Two downfield-shifted proton resonances at 15.5 and 16.6 ppm are proposed to arise from the labile imidazolium protons on His(57), indicating a salt bridge interaction with the negatively charged borate. A cooperativity parameter alpha of 0.2 is derived from the assays. These results provide the first direct evidence for formation of a ternary complex involving a serine protease, borate, and an alcohol, and suggest that this represents a general approach for the development of tight binding ligands.

Development and evaluation of a boronate inhibitor of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) plays a central role in the metabolism of glutathione and is also a marker for neoplasia and cell transformation. We have investigated the compound L-2-amino-4-boronobutanoic acid (ABBA) as a structural analog of the putative ternary complex formed by the enzyme, L-serine, and borate, proposed to function as a transition state analog inhibitor. ABBA was found to be a potent inhibitor of the enzyme, with Ki = 17 nM using typical assay conditions (pH 8, gamma-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide substrate, 20 mM glycyl-glycine acceptor). ABBA is a stable amino acid analog with pK values determined from 13C and 11B NMR to be 2.3, 11.0 (amino titration), and 7.9 (boronate titration). The structural similarity to glutamate suggested that it might function as a glutamate analog for some glutamate-dependent enzymes or receptors. Transamination of pyruvate by ABBA to yield alanine in the presence of glutamic pyruvic transaminase was demonstrated by 13C NMR. The 2-keto-4-boronobutanoic acid transamination product is apparently fairly labile to hydrolysis, leading to formation of 2-ketobutanoic acid plus borate. The latter is also subsequently transaminated to yield 2-aminobutanoic acid. Both of these metabolites were observed in the 13C NMR spectrum. However, the corresponding transamination of oxaloacetate by ABBA in the presence of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase was not observed. Effects of ABBA on the growth of cultured rat liver cell lines ARL-15C1 (nontumorigenic, low gamma-GT activity) and ARL-16T2 (tumorigenic, high gamma-GT activity) were also investigated, both in standard Williams Media as well as in a low cysteine growth medium. A high concentration (1 mM) of ABBA inhibited the growth of both cell lines in both media, with the degree of inhibition greater in the low cysteine medium. Alternatively, growth inhibition by 10 microM ABBA could be observed only in the low cysteine media. In general, there were no significant differences between the two cell lines in terms of sensitivity to ABBA.

Detection and characterization of boric acid and borate ion binding to cytochrome c using multiple quantum filtered NMR

The application of multiple quantum filtered (MQF) NMR to the identification and characterization of the binding of ligands containing quadrupolar nuclei to proteins is demonstrated. Using relaxation times measured by MQF NMR multiple binding of boric acid and borate ion to ferri and ferrocytochrome c was detected. Borate ion was found to have two different binding sites. One of them was in slow exchange, k(diss) = 20 +/- 3 s(-1) at 5 degrees C and D(2)O solution, in agreement with previous findings by (1)H NMR (G. Taler et al., 1998, Inorg. Chim. Acta 273, 388-392). The triple quantum relaxation of the borate in this site was found to be governed by dipolar interaction corresponding to an average B-H distance of 2.06 +/- 0.07 A. Other, fast exchanging sites for borate and boric acid could be detected only by MQF NMR. The binding equilibrium constants at these sites at pH 9.7 were found to be 1800 +/- 200 M(-1) and 2.6 +/- 1.5 M(-1) for the borate ion and boric acid, respectively. Thus, detection of binding by MQF NMR proved to be sensitive to fast exchanging ligands as well as to very weak binding that could not be detected using conventional methods.