Elucidating the Electronic Structure of High-Spin [MnIII(TPP)Cl] Using Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy.

Manganese porphyrins are used as catalysts in the oxidation of olefins and nonactivated hydrocarbons. Key to these reactions are high-valent Mn-(di)oxo species, for which [Mn(Porph)(X)] serve as precursors. To elucidate their properties, it is crucial to understand the interaction of the Mn center with the porphyrin ligand. Our study focuses on simple high-spin [MnIII(TPP)X] (X = F, Cl, I, Br) complexes with emphasis on the spectroscopic properties of [MnIII(TPP)Cl], using variable-temperature variable-field magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy and time-dependent density functional theory to help with band assignments. The optical properties of [MnIII(TPP)Cl] are complicated and unusual, with a Soret band showing a high-intensity feature at 21050 cm-1 and a broad band that spans 23200-31700 cm-1. The 15000-18500 cm-1 region shows the Cl(px/y) → dπ (CT(Cl,π)), Q band, and overlap-forbidden Cl(px/y)_dπ → dx2-y2 transitions that gain intensity from the strongly allowed π → π*(0) transition. The 20000-21000 cm-1 region displays the prominent pseudo A-type signal of the Soret band. The strongly absorbing features at 22500-28000 cm-1 exhibit A1u⟨79⟩/A2u⟨81⟩ → dπ, CT(Cl,π/σ), and symmetry-forbidden CT character, mixed with the π → π*(0) transition. The strong dx2-y2_B1g⟨80⟩ orbital interaction drives the ground-state MO mixing. Importantly, the splitting of the Soret band is explained by strong mixing of the porphyrin A2u(π)⟨81⟩ and the Cl(pz)_dz2 orbitals. Through this direct orbital pathway, the π → π*(0) transition acquires intrinsic metal-d → porphyrin CT character, where the π → π*(0) intensity is then transferred into the high-energy CT region of the optical spectrum. The heavier halide complexes support this conclusion and show enhanced orbital mixing and drastically increased Soret band splittings, where the 21050 cm-1 band shifts to lower energy and the high-energy features in the 23200-31700 cm-1 range increase further in intensity, compared to the chloro complex.

Effects of protein structure on iron-polypeptide vibrational dynamic coupling in cytochrome c.

Cytochrome c (Cyt c) has a heme covalently bound to the polypeptide via a Cys-X-X-Cys-His (CXXCH) linker that is located in the interface region for protein-protein interactions. To determine whether the polypeptide matrix influences iron vibrational dynamics, nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) measurements were performed on (57)Fe-labeled ferric Hydrogenobacter thermophilus cytochrome c-552, and variants M13V, M13V/K22M, and A7F, which have structural modifications that alter the composition or environment of the CXXCH pentapeptide loop. Simulations of the NRVS data indicate that the 150-325 cm(-1) region is dominated by NHis-Fe-SMet axial ligand and polypeptide motions, while the 325-400 cm(-1) region shows dominant contributions from ν(Fe-NPyr) (Pyr = pyrrole) and other heme-based modes. Diagnostic spectral signatures that directly relate to structural features of the heme active site are identified using a quantum chemistry-centered normal coordinate analysis (QCC-NCA). In particular, spectral features that directly correlate with CXXCH loop stiffness, the strength of the Fe-His interaction, and the degree of heme distortion are identified. Cumulative results from our investigation suggest that compared to the wild type (wt), variants M13V and M13V/K22M have a more rigid CXXCH pentapeptide segment, a stronger Fe-NHis interaction, and a more ruffled heme. Conversely, the A7F variant has a more planar heme and a weaker Fe-NHis bond. These results are correlated to the observed changes in reduction potential between wt protein and the variants studied here. Implications of these results for Cyt c biogenesis and electron transfer are also discussed.

Beta-catenin nuclear labeling is a common feature of sessile serrated adenomas and correlates with early neoplastic progression after BRAF activation.

Recent observations indicate that some sessile serrated adenomas (SSAs) have aberrant beta-catenin nuclear labeling, implicating the Wnt pathway in the molecular progression of SSAs to colorectal carcinoma. We sought to expand upon this finding by characterizing beta-catenin expression in the full spectrum of serrated colorectal polyps, and correlating these findings with the genetic status of BRAF, KRAS and CTNNB1. Immunolabeling for beta-catenin confirmed the presence of abnormal nuclear accumulation in SSAs, with 35/54 (67%) SSAs showing nuclear labeling compared with 0/12 hyperplastic polyps. Abnormal nuclear labeling was also identified in 4/11 (36%) traditional serrated adenomas (TSAs) (P=0.00001). When SSAs were further analyzed with respect to the presence or absence of conventional epithelial dysplasia, nuclear beta-catenin labeling was seen in 8/27 (29%) SSAs without dysplasia (SSA) but in 27/27 (100%) of SSAs with dysplasia (P=0.000001). Sequencing of genomic DNA extracted from a subset of hyperplastic polyps, SSAs, SSAs with dysplasia, TSAs and tubular adenomas failed to identify any CTNNB1 mutations to account for abnormal beta-catenin nuclear labeling. However, abnormal nuclear labeling always occurred in the setting of a BRAF V600E mutation, indicating aberrant nuclear labeling occurs on a background of BRAF activation. Of interest, all 6 TSAs contained a KRAS mutation confirming that SSAs and TSAs are genetically distinct entities. These findings validate previous reports implicating activation of the Wnt signaling pathway in SSAs, and further indicate that Wnt pathway activation plays a role in the neoplastic progression of SSAs and TSAs to colonic carcinoma by mechanisms independent of CTNNB1 mutation.

Clinical assessment of sildenafil in the treatment of neurogenic male sexual dysfunction: After the hype.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sildenafil over a two-year period in patients with erectile dysfunction caused by spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis in a clinical practice following FDA approval and release of the medication to the general healthcare community. Study design: 40 patients including 33 SCI (13 quadriplegics, 20 paraplegics; 14 complete, 19 incomplete) and 7 MS patients were prescribed sildenafil in varying dosages. The patients were asked to return to the clinic for additional prescriptions so that we could assess their clinical response and their incidence of side effects. They were then followed for a period of up to two years either by follow up clinic visits or telephone interviews to determine whether they continued to use sildenafil as an ongoing solution to their erectile dysfunction. Results: Mean erectile response went from 4.9 to 7.8 (scale 1--10). Non-responders went from 9 to 4. 36 of the 40 were able to achieve erections sufficient for sexual intercourse. At the 2-year interval 13 of the 40 were no longer using sildenafil but only six discontinued due to lack of response. Adverse effects were minimal and mimicked those seen in the able-bodied studies. Conclusion: Sildenafil is a safe and effective first line treatment for the treatment of male neurogenic erectile dysfunction. However close clinical surveillance is necessary so that patients can avail themselves of other options should sildenafil not be effective.