Molecular photoswitches in aqueous environments

Molecular photoswitches enable dynamic control of processes with high spatiotemporal precision, using light as external stimulus, and hence are ideal tools for different research areas spanning from chemical biology to smart materials. Photoswitches are typically organic molecules that feature extended aromatic systems to make them responsive to (visible) light. However, this renders them inherently lipophilic, while water-solubility is of crucial importance to apply photoswitchable organic molecules in biological systems, like in the rapidly emerging field of photopharmacology. Several strategies for solubilizing organic molecules in water are known, but there are not yet clear rules for applying them to photoswitchable molecules. Importantly, rendering photoswitches water-soluble has a serious impact on both their photophysical and biological properties, which must be taken into consideration when designing new systems. Altogether, these aspects pose considerable challenges for successfully applying molecular photoswitches in aqueous systems, and in particular in biologically relevant media. In this review, we focus on fully water-soluble photoswitches, such as those used in biological environments, in both in vitro and in vivo studies. We discuss the design principles and prospects for water-soluble photoswitches to inspire and enable their future applications.

Preparation and characterization of curdlan with unique single-helical conformation and its assembly with Congo Red

Elucidating the structure-activity relationship of curdlan is hampered by a lack of characterization with unique specific conformations (i.e., single- or triple-helix). In this study, single-helical curdlan is generated in dilute NaOH solutions at 35-50 °C, and characterized with NMR, SAXS, and GPC. The conformational transition from coil to single-helix and the intramolecular hydrogen bond interaction are explored using NMR. It is found that the two aforementioned types of curdlan interact with Congo Red in very different ways. Single-helical curdlan can encapsulate Congo Red to form a stable, supramolecular dye assembly, which is demonstrated by the shortest distance between the H3 of curdlan and the phenyl groups of Congo Red, and also the same self-diffusion coefficients of Congo Red and curdlan. In contrast, random-coil curdlan interacts weakly with Congo Red and cannot enwrap it. This study offers insight into the specific structure-activity relationship of beta-(1,3)-glucans.

Metal–organic architectures driven by a multifunctional 6-aminouracil spacer: structures, noncovalent interactions, and conductivity

Three new coordination polymers were assembled from a multifunctional 6-aminouracil building block and their structural features & functional properties were investigated.

In Vitro and In Vivo Inhibition of the Infectivity of Human Enterovirus 71 by a Sulfonated Food Azo Dye, Brilliant Black BN

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), a highly contagious disease in children, is caused by human enteroviruses, including enterovirus 71 (EV71), coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16), and coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6). Although HFMD is usually mild and self-limiting, EV71 infection occasionally leads to fatal neurological disorders. Currently, no commercial antiviral drugs for HFMD treatment are available. Here, numerous sulfonated azo dyes, widely used as food additives, were identified as having potent antiviral activities against human enteroviruses. Among them, brilliant black BN (E151) was able to inhibit all EV71, CVA16, and CVA6 strains tested. In rhabdomyosarcoma cells, the 50% inhibitory concentrations of the dye E151 for various strains of EV71 ranged from 2.39 μM to 28.12 μM, whereas its 50% cytotoxic concentration was 1,870 μM. Food azo dyes, including E151, interacted with the vertex of the 5-fold axis of EV71 and prevented viral entry. Their efficacy in viral inhibition was regulated by amino acids at VP1-98, VP1-145, and/or VP1-246. Dye E151 not only prevented EV71 attachment but also eluted attached viruses in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, E151 inhibited the interaction between EV71 and its cellular uncoating factor cyclophilin A. In vivo studies demonstrated that E151 at a dose of 200 mg/kg of body weight/day given on the initial 4 days of challenge protected AG129 mice challenged with 10× the 50% lethal dose of wild-type EV71 isolates. Taken together, these data highlight E151 as a promising antiviral agent against EV71 infection.IMPORTANCE Human enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the causative agents of hand, foot, and mouth disease in children and is responsible for thousands of deaths in the past 20 years. Food azo dyes have been widely used since the nineteenth century; however, their biological effects on humans and microbes residing in humans are poorly understood. Here, we discovered that one of these dyes, brilliant black BN (E151), was particularly effective in inhibiting the infectivity of EV71 in both cell culture and mouse model studies. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that these sulfonated dyes mainly competed with EV71 attachment factors for viral binding to block viral attachment/entry to host cells. As no commercial antiviral drugs against EV71 are currently available, our findings open an avenue to exploit the development of permitted food dye E151 as a potential anti-EV71 agent.

The conformation of the Congo-red ligand bound to amyloid fibrils HET-s(218-289): a solid-state NMR study

We have previously shown that Congo red (CR) binds site specifically to amyloid fibrils formed by HET-s(218-289) with the long axis of the CR molecule almost parallel to the fibril axis. HADDOCK docking studies indicated that CR adopts a roughly planar conformation with the torsion angle ϕ characterizing the relative orientation of the two phenyl rings being a few degrees. In this study, we experimentally determine the torsion angle ϕ at the center of the CR molecule when bound to HET-s(218-289) amyloid fibrils using solid-state NMR tensor-correlation experiments. The method described here relies on the site-specific ¹³C labeling of CR and on the analysis of the two-dimensional magic-angle spinning tensor-correlation spectrum of ¹³C₂-CR. We determined the torsion angle ϕ to be 19°.

Bis-azobenzene crosslinkers for photocontrol of peptide structure

Crosslinkers that undergo large changes in length upon photoisomerization can produce large conformational changes, and thereby functional changes, in biomolecules. We have designed and synthesized extended and rigid bis-azobenzene crosslinkers: 4,4'-bis(4-(2-chloroacetamido)phenyl)diazenylbiphenyl (BPDB) and the water-soluble sulfonated analogue 4,4'-bis(4-(2-chloroacetamido)phenyl)diazenylbiphenyl-2,2'-disulfonate (BPDBS). These photoswitches can produce end-to-end distance changes of a minimum of ≈5 Å and a maximum of ≈23 Å upon trans/cis isomerization. They have high absorption coefficients (45-60 000 M(-1)  cm(-1) ) and can produce up to ≈80 % cis isomers under favorable conditions. The photoswitching behavior of BPDBS-crosslinked peptides was found to be highly dependent on the crosslinker attachment site. Upon UV irradiation (365 nm), significant decreases in α-helix content were observed for peptides that were crosslinked with BPDBS through Cys residues at i,i+19, and i,i+21 positions. In contrast, large increases in α-helix content were exhibited by i,i+11 crosslinked peptides. BPDBS thus constitutes a particularly bright and effective photoswitch for biomolecule photocontrol.

[Systemic amyloidosis: practical diagnosis]

Amyloid deposits have particular ultrastructural appearance with 7 to 10 nm-diameter fibrils. Amyloid is defined by its tinctorial affinity, which includes Congo red positivity, which must polarize and produce apple-green birefringence. Immunohistochemical characterization allows to know the origin of amyloidosis (characterization, which must be performed on frozen tissue). This restatement is proposed to renal pathologists in indicating the traps of studying amyloidosis, the tissues performing for the diagnosis, the specific staining and the immunohistochemical characterization.

Alzheimer's beta-amyloid: insights into fibril formation and structure from Congo red binding

We consider here the chemistry of Congo red (CR), its binding equilibrium to Alzheimer's beta-amyloid, and the kinetics of beta-amyloid formation. Spectroscopic UV/V is measurements for the pH- and time-dependence binding of CR to Abeta analogues are analysed by Scatchard binding and the theory of nucleation-dependent fibril formation. CR likely binds electrostatically to the imidazolium sidechains of histidine residues that are exposed at the surface of amyloid fibrils. As revealed by atomic models of the Abeta protofilament, such as the nanotube beta-helix and parallel beta-sheet, the regular arrangement of histidines likely acts as a template for the end-to-end J-aggregation of CR molecules, which produces a red shift in UV/V is absorption.

Supramolecuar Motifs in s-Block Metal-Bound Sulfonated Monoazo Dyes: The Case of Orange G

Solid-state structures of Mg, Sr, Ba, Na2, Na0.8K1.2, NaRb, and Na1.5Cs0.5 complexes of the disulfonated dye 7-hydroxy-8-(phenylazo)-1,3-naphthalenedisulfonic acid, Orange G, are presented. It is shown that the s-block metal salts of the Orange G dianion (Og) can be categorized into three structural classes related to those previously proposed for simple monosulfonated azo dyes. All of the structures feature alternate organic/inorganic layering, but whereas the Mg, Ca, and Li complexes are solvent-separated ion-pair species, the Sr and Ba complexes form simple discrete molecules based on metal-sulfonate bonding, and the heavy alkali metal complexes utilize a variety of M-O interactions to form 2- and 3-dimensional coordination networks. These structural differences are rationalized in terms of simple properties of the metals (charge, size, and electronegativity) and the steric demands of the arylsulfonate groups. The Ag2 complex of Orange G is also structurally characterized, and in contrast to the s-block salts, it is found to exhibit strong Ag pi bonds. In confirmation of the above, the crystal structures of [Mg(H2O)6][Og] . 3.33H2O, [Sr(Og)(H2O)7].H2O, [Ba(Og)(H2O)7]2 . 2H2O, [Na2(Og)(H2O)6.67], [Na2(Og)(H2O)2(HOEt)], [Na0.8K1.2(Og)(H2O)6] . 1.75H2O, [NaRb(Og)(H2O)6.5] . 2.375H2O, [Na1.5Cs0.5(Og)(H2O)6] . 0.5H2O, and [Ag2(Og)(H2O)4].H2O are presented.

Supramolecular Motifs in s-Block Metal-Bound Sulfonated Monoazo Dyes, Part 1: Structural Class Controlled by Cation Type and Modulated by Sulfonate Aryl Ring Position

The solid-state structures of 43 Li, Na, K, Rb, Mg, Ca and Ba salts of para- and meta-sulfonated azo dyes have been examined and can be categorised into three structural classes. All form alternating organic and inorganic layers, however, the nature of the coordination network that forms these layers differs from class to class. The class of structure formed was found to be primarily governed by metal type, but can also be influenced by the nature and position of the organic substituents. Thus, for the para-sulfonated azo dyes, Mg compounds form solvent-separated ion-pair solids; Ca, Ba and Li compounds form simple coordination networks based on metal-sulfonate bonding; and Na, K and Rb compounds form more complex, higher dimensional coordination networks. Compounds of meta-sulfonated azo dyes follow a similar pattern, but here, Ca species may also form solvent-separated ion-pair solids. Significantly, this first attempt to classify such dyestuffs using the principles of supramolecular chemistry succeeds not only for the simple dyes used here as model compounds, but also for more complex molecules, similar to modern colourants.

A model for sequential threading of alpha-cyclodextrin onto a guest: a complete thermodynamic and kinetic study in water

The first variable-temperature and variable-pressure stopped-flow spectrophotometric study of the sequential threading of alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) onto the guest dye Mordant Orange 10, S, is reported. Complementary (1)H one-dimensional (1D) variable-temperature kinetic studies and two-dimensional (2D) rotating-frame nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (ROESY) and EXSY NMR studies are also reported. In aqueous solution at 298.2 K, the first alpha-CD threads onto S to form a 1:1 complex S.alpha-CD with a forward rate constant k(1,f) = 15 200 +/- 200 M(-1) s(-1) and dethreads with a reverse rate constant k(1,r) = 4.4 +/- 0.3 s(-1). Subsequently, S.alpha-CD isomerizes to S.alpha-CD (k(3,f) = 0.158 +/- 0.006 s(-1), k(3,f) = 0.148 +/- 0.006 s(-1)). This process can be viewed as a thermodynamically controlled molecular shuttle. A second alpha-CD threads onto S.alpha-CD to form a 1:2 complex, S.(alpha-CD)(2), with k(2,f) = 98 +/- 2 M(-1) s(-1) and k(2,r) = 0.032 +/- 0.002 s(-1). A second alpha-CD also threads onto S.alpha-CD to form another 1:2 complex, S.(alpha-CD)(2), characterized by k(4,f) = 9640 +/- 1800 M(-1) s(-1) and k(4,r) = 61 +/- 6 s(-1). Direct interconvertion between S.(alpha-CD)(2) and S.(alpha-CD)(2) was not detected; instead, they interconvert by dethreading the second alpha-CD and through the isomerization equilibrium between S.alpha-CD and S.alpha-CD. The reaction volumes, DeltaV(0), were found to be negative for the first three equilibria and positive for the fourth equilibrium. For the first three forward and reverse reactions, the volumes of activation are substantially more negative, indicating a compression of the transition state in comparison with the ground states. These data were used in conjunction with DeltaH, DeltaH degrees, DeltaS, and DeltaS degrees data to deduce the dominant mechanistic threading processes, which appear to be largely controlled by changes in hydration and van der Waals interactions, and possibly by conformational changes in both S and alpha-CD. The structure of the four complexes were deduced from (1)H 2D ROESY NMR studies.

The conformational characteristics of Congo red, Evans blue and Trypan blue

The structures of the closely related bis-azo dyes Evans blue, Trypan blue and Congo red, which appeared to have different self-assembly properties and correspondingly different abilities to form complexes with amyloids and some other proteins, were compared in this work. Ab initio and semi-empirical methods were used to find the optimal structures and partial charge distributions of the dyes. The optimal structures were searched using different widely used programs. The structures of Congo red and evans blue were found to be planar, except for the torsion on the central diphenyl bond connecting the two halves of the dye. Both symmetrical parts of the molecules appeared very close to planarity. However, Trypan blue exhibits non planarity on the di-azo bonds, as well as on the central bond between the symmetrical parts of the dye. In a consequence, the non planarity of this molecule is higher than in the case of its isomer, Evans blue and Congo red as well. The extra rotation around the azo bonds extorted by the close proximity of the sulfonic groups may be the direct cause of its poor self-assembling and complexation properties versus Evans blue.

Two novel proteins, PopB, which has functional nuclear localization signals, and PopC, which has a large leucine-rich repeat domain, are secreted through the hrp-secretion apparatus of Ralstonia solanacearum

The Ralstonia solanacearum hrp gene cluster codes for components of a type III secretion pathway necessary for the secretion of PopA1, a hypersensitive response-like elicitor protein. In the present study, we show that several other Hrp-secreted proteins can be detected by growing wild-type bacteria in minimal medium in the presence of Congo red. Two of these proteins, PopB and PopC, are encoded by genes located downstream of popA and constitute an operon with popA. popABC mutants retain the wild-type ability to cause disease in hosts and to elicit the hypersensitive response on non-hosts. Expression of the popABC operon is controlled by the hrpB regulatory gene and is induced upon co-culture with Arabidopsis cell suspensions. This plant cell-specific induction depends on PrhA, a putative receptor for plant specific signal(s). The transcription of the popABC operon is not modified by the addition of Congo red to the growth medium and the intracellular pools of PopB and PopC are very similar in the absence or presence of Congo red. Preliminary data suggest that Congo red stabilizes secreted proteins in the extracellular medium. PopB is a 173-amino-acid-basic protein that contains a functional bipartite nuclear localization signal. PopC is a 1024-amino-acid protein that carries 22 tandem leucine-rich repeats (LRR). The LRR domain of this protein forms a consensus that perfectly matches the predicted eukaryotic cytoplasmic LRR consensus. We propose that PopB and PopC may be translocated into plant cells via the Hrp pathway.