Exploring element accumulation patterns of a metal excluder plant naturally colonizing a highly contaminated soil.

This work investigates the element distribution in Silene paradoxa growing on the mine dump of Fenice Capanne (Tuscany, Italy). The accumulation of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in root apoplast and symplast and in shoot was assessed and compared to the levels of the same metals in the respective rizosphere soils, analyzing both the total and the phytoavailable fractions. Levels of As, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn, were above toxicity thresholds in both soil and shoot samples. Inter- and intra-element correlations were analyzed in plant and soil using different statistical methods. Soil total and phytoavailable metal concentration were shown not to be dominant in determining metal accumulation by the plant, since no significant positive correlation was found between metal concentration in soils and plants. Moreover, results indicated that S. paradoxa was able to cope with the studied multi-metal contaminated soil excluding the elements from its tissues and preferentially accumulating them into the root compartment, thus suggesting this species as possible good candidate for phytostabilization purposes.

MHC genotype predicts mate choice in the ring-necked pheasant Phasianus colchicus.

Females of several vertebrate species selectively mate with males on the basis of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. As androgen-mediated maternal effects have long-lasting consequences for the adult phenotype, both mating and reproductive success may depend on the combined effect of MHC genotype and exposure to androgens during early ontogeny. We studied how MHC-based mate choice in ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) was influenced by an experimental in ovo testosterone (T) increase. There was no conclusive evidence of in ovo T treatment differentially affecting mate choice in relation to MHC genotype. However, females avoided mating with males with a wholly different MHC genotype compared with males sharing at least one MHC allele. Females also tended to avoid mating with MHC-identical males, though not significantly so. These findings suggest that female pheasants preferred males with intermediate MHC dissimilarity. Male MHC heterozygosity or diversity did not predict the expression of ornaments or male dominance rank. Thus, MHC-based mating preferences in the ring-necked pheasant do not seem to be mediated by ornaments' expression and may have evolved mainly to reduce the costs of high heterozygosity at MHC loci for the progeny, such as increased risk of autoimmune diseases or disruption of coadapted gene pools.

The pH dependent properties of metallotransferrins: a comparative study.

The dependence on pH of the absorption and circular dichroic spectra of iron(III), cobalt(III) and copper(II) transferrins has been (re)investigated. In the alkaline region, the CD profiles of iron(III) and cobalt(III) transferrin are essentially pH independent up to pH 11; only for very high pH values (pH > 11) is breakdown of the cobalt(III) and iron(III) transferrin derivatives observed, without evidence of conformational rearrangements. By contrast, the CD profiles of copper transferrin show drastic changes in shape around pH 10; these spectral changes, which are fitted to a pKa of approximately 10.4, are interpreted in terms of a substantial rearrangement of the local environment of the copper ions at high pH. Although the CD spectra of copper transferrin at alkaline pH strictly resemble those observed upon addition of modifier anions, the mechanism of site destabilization in the two cases is different; at variance with the case of modifier anions, our results suggest that the high pH form of copper transferrin still contains the synergistic anion. A 13C NMR experiment has confirmed this view. In the acidic region, iron(III) and cobalt(III) transferrins are stable down to pH approximately 6. For lower pH values progressive metal detachment is observed without evidence of conformational changes; around pH 4.5 most bound metals are released. In the case of the less stable copper-transferrin, metal removal from the specific binding sites is already complete around pH 6.0; in concomitance with release from the primary sites, binding of copper ions to secondary sites is observed. Additional information has been gained from CD experiments in the far UV. The pH dependent properties of iron(III), cobalt(III) and copper(II) transferrin are discussed in the frame of the present knowledge of transferrin chemistry, particular emphasis being attributed to the comparison between tripositive and bipositive metal derivatives.

The pH dependent spectral properties of Clostridium pasteurianum 2[Fe4S4] ferredoxin.

The recently assigned 1H NMR hyperfine signals of Clostridium pasteurianum ferredoxin were investigated over the pH range 8-12 to monitor possible pH-dependent conformational changes of the protein. For very high pH values minor perturbations were detected in the chemical shifts of three signals assigned to beta-CH2 cysteine protons of cluster II, while cluster I was not affected at all. These chemical shift variations, which can be fitted to a single pKa = 10.9, are interpreted as an effect of deprotonation of the phenolic group of Tyr-2, located reasonably close to cluster II. This hypothesis has been supported by means of other techniques such as CD and absorption spectroscopy that, on turn, are able to reveal minor pH-dependent spectral variations at high pH. Finally a UV difference experiment has provided further evidence for deprotonation of the phenolic group of Tyr-2. The possible influence of deprotonation of Tyr-2 on the redox properties of cluster II is discussed.

1H-NMR studies on partially and fully reduced 2(4Fe-4S) ferredoxin from Clostridium pasteurianum.

The ferredoxin from Clostridium pasteurianum, containing two Fe4S4 clusters, has been investigated through 1H-NMR spectroscopy in the reduced and partially oxidized states. The 1H-NMR spectrum of fully reduced ferredoxin, obtained by addition of stoichiometric amounts of dithionite, has been characterized. One- and two-dimensional NMR saturation transfer experiments on partially reduced samples have allowed the isotropically shifted signals of the reduced form to be correlated to those of the oxidized form, for which the complete assignment of the beta-CH2 cysteinyl residues is available. In addition, observation of the 1H-NMR signals of the intermediate species with characteristic chemical shift values for each cluster allowed us to assign all the Cys beta-CH2 signals to cluster I or cluster II and to calculate the difference in redox potential between them. Starting from these results, reanalysis of the 1H-NMR features of the two clusters in the oxidized form showed that they are strikingly similar, supporting the idea of a high degree of internal symmetry between them, in agreement with crystallographic results on an homologous ferredoxin. On the other hand, the 1H-NMR properties of the two clusters in the reduced form deviate considerably from each other, suggesting that reduction of the clusters brings about different structural changes and loss of internal symmetry. A theoretical approach is reported to account for the isotropic shifts and the temperature dependence of the NMR signals of the reduced protein.

Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance study of naproxen interaction with cyclodextrins in solution.

Changes in naproxen (NAP) 13C-chemical shifts were measured as a function of the concentration of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-cyclodextrin (alpha Cd, beta Cd, and gamma Cd, respectively) in aqueous solution in order to obtain details on the mechanism, geometry, and stoichiometry of the respective interactions. The probable structures of the inclusion compounds of NAP with natural cyclodextrins were constructed using a molecular graphics program. The higher stability of the beta Cd:NAP 1:1 (mol/mol) complex in comparison with alpha Cd:NAP 2:1 (mol/mol) and gamma Cd:NAP 1:1 or 1:2 (mol/mol) complexes was accounted for in terms of a deeper, more complete, and better fitting inclusion of the drug into the cavity of beta Cd. The inclusion behavior of NAP with some statistically substituted beta Cd derivatives [hydroxyethyl-beta Cd (HE beta Cd), hydroxypropyl-beta Cd (HP beta Cd), and methyl-beta Cd (M beta Cd)] was also investigated through 13C-NMR, UV, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and phase-solubility analysis. The stoichiometry of host:guest interactions was the same as with beta Cd, as were thermodynamics and basic complexation mechanisms. The binding between the host and guest molecules is thought to be mainly due to van der Waals, dipole-dipole, and hydrophobic interactions. The inclusion ability of the parent beta Cd was enhanced by the introduction of methyl, hydroxyethyl, and hydroxypropyl groups. The M beta Cd formed the most stable inclusion complex (apparent formation constant K(1:1) = 6892 L.mol-1 at 298 K); it was about three times more stable than those with HP beta Cd or HE beta Cd and four times more stable than that with beta Cd.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

2D 1H NMR studies of oxidized 2(Fe4S4) ferredoxin from Clostridium pasteurianum.

Oxidized ferredoxin from Clostridium pasteurianum, containing two Fe4S4 clusters, has been investigated using 2D 1H NMR spectroscopy at 600 MHz. 2D NMR experiments allowed complete assignment of the sixteen isotropically shifted signals corresponding to the beta-CH2 protons of the eight metal coordinated cysteines. Geminal connectivities of Cys beta-CH2 protons were identified through magnitude COSY experiments and confirmed through 2D NOESY experiments. A few additional signals could be assigned to the corresponding alpha-CH protons. The importance of 2D experiments to achieve firm assignments of isotropically shifted signals in paramagnetic metalloproteins is stressed.

The unusual behavior of the inhibitor S(+)(1-amino-2-phenylethyl)phosphonic acid towards carboxypeptidase A.

The molecular (1-Amino-2-phenylethyl)phosphonic acid is shown to inhibit the enzymatic activity of carboxypeptidase A. Through the spectroscopic investigation of the cobalt(II) substituted enzyme we propose that it binds the enzyme in the 1:1 ratio directly at the metal, probably through the phosphate group like phosphate itself. The aromatic group is proposed to sit in the so-called S1 hydrophobic pocket. This is a unique behavior among the inhibitors of the enzyme. The S'1 site is still available in the binary adduct so that a ternary complex can be obtained with molecules like L-Phenylalanine, which enter that site.

1H NMR studies of Chromatium vinosum cytochrome c'.

The cytochrome c' from Chromatium vinosum has been studied through 1H NMR in the pH range 4-11 in both the oxidized and the reduced forms. The 1H NMR spectra are similar to those of the other cytochrome c' systems. Three pKa values of 5.1, 7.0, and 9.2 have been observed for the oxidized species and tentatively assigned to the two carboxylate propionic residues of the heme moiety and to the iron-coordinated histidine 125, respectively. The spectra are consistent with an essentially S = 5/2 state in all the pH ranges investigated. Some evidence is provided for conformational flexibilities. Among the oxidized cytochromes c' the present one is capable of binding cyanide, giving rise to a low spin state. The reduced species is a typical high spin iron(II) system.

A 1H NMR study of cobalt(II) arsanilazocarboxypeptidase A.

Cobalt(II) arsanilazotyrosine-248 carboxypeptidase A has been characterized through 1H NMR spectroscopy. The ability of the azoenzyme to form binary and ternary complexes with L- and D-phenylalanine and azide has been investigated. Comparison with the 1H NMR results obtained on unmodified cobalt(II) carboxypeptidase provides direct information on the specific effect of the presence of the azo group on the reactivity of the system. Marked differences in the interaction with D-phenylalanine have been observed, and structural inferences are drawn.

1H NMR spectroscopic characterization of binary and ternary complexes of cobalt(II) carboxypeptidase A with inhibitors.

The binding of L- and D-phenylalanine and carboxylate inhibitors to cobalt(II)-substituted carboxypeptidase A, Co(II)CPD (E), in the presence and absence of pseudohalogens (X = N3-, NCO-, and NCS-) has been studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. This technique monitors the proton signals of histidine residues bound to cobalt(II) and is therefore sensitive to the interactions of inhibitors that perturb the coordination sphere of the metal. Enzyme-inhibitor complexes, E.I, E.I2, and E.I.X, each with characteristic NMR features, have been identified. Thus, for example, L-Phe binds close to the metal ion to form a 1:1 complex, whereas D-Phe binds stepwise, first to a nonmetal site and then to the metal ion to form a 2:1 complex. Both acetate and phenylacetate also form 2:1 adducts stepwise with the enzyme, but beta-phenylpropionate gives a 2:1 complex without any detectable 1:1 intermediate. N3-, NCO-, and NCS- generate E.I.X ternary complexes directly with Co(II)CPD.L-Phe and indirectly with the D-Phe and carboxylate inhibitor 2:1 complexes by displacing the second moiety from its metal binding site. The NMR data suggest that when the carboxylate group of a substrate or inhibitor binds at the active site, a conformational change occurs that allows a second ligand molecule to bind to the metal ion, altering its coordination sphere and thereby attenuating the bidentate behavior of Glu-72. The 1H NMR signals also reflect alterations in the histidine interactions with the metal upon inhibitor binding. Isotropic shifts in the signals for the C-4 (c) and N protons (a) of one of the histidine ligands are readily observed in all of these complexes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

13C NMR studies of D- and L-phenylalanine binding to cobalt(II) carboxypeptidase A.

13C NMR T1 and T2 measurements have been performed on cobalt(II) substituted carboxypeptidase A in the presence of carboxylate-13C-enriched L- and D-phenylalanine. Upon binding to the cobalt enzyme, the longitudinal and transverse relaxation rates T1p-1 and T2p-1 of these inhibitors are enhanced significantly compared to the zinc enzyme, allowing both determination of an affinity constant for inhibitor binding, K, and calculation of the metal-13C carboxylate distances. The L-and D- Phe concentration dependence of T2p-1 yields affinity constants of 290 +/- 60M-1 and 670 +/- 90M-1. The distance measurements calculated for Co-13C from T1p-1 are 0.39 +/- 0.04 and 0.42 +/- 0.04 nm for L-Phe and D-Phe. Both values are too great for direct coordination of their carboxylate groups to the metal atom. Upon formation of their respective ternary enzyme.Phe.N3- complexes, the distances are essentially unaltered. In conjunction with electronic absorption studies on these complexes it can be concluded that N3-, but not the amino acid carboxylate, is bound to the metal.

13C NMR studies of carboxylate inhibitor binding to cobalt(II) carboxypeptidase A.

Both 13C NMR and electronic absorption spectral studies on cobalt(II) carboxypeptidase A in the presence of acetate and phenylacetate provide evidence for two binding sites for each of these agents. The transverse relaxation rate T2-1 for the 13C-enriched carboxyl groups of the inhibitors is significantly increased when bound to the paramagnetic cobalt carboxypeptidase as compared to the diamagnetic zinc enzyme. The acetate concentration dependence of T2p-1 shows two inflections indicative of sequential binding of two inhibitor molecules. The cobalt-13C distances, calculated by means of the Solomon equation, indicate that the second acetate molecule binds directly to the metal ion while the first acetate molecule binds to a protein group at a distance 0.5-0.8 nm for the metal ion, consistent with it binding to one or more of the arginyl residues (Arg-145, Arg-127, or Arg-71). In the case of phenylacetate, perturbation of the cobalt electronic absorption spectrum shows that binding occurs stepwise. 13C NMR distance measurements indicate that one of the two phenylacetates is bound to the metal in the EI2 complex. These binding sites may correspond to those identified previously by kinetic means (one of which is competitive, the other noncompetitive) with peptide binding. The studies further indicate that it should be possible to map the protein interactions of the carbonyl groups of both substrate and noncompetitive inhibitors during catalysis by means of 13C NMR studies with suitably labeled substrates and inhibitors.

The metal-binding properties of ovotransferrin. An investigation of cobalt(II) derivatives.

Cobalt(II) ovotransferrin bicarbonate and oxalate ternary complexes were prepared and investigated in the pH range 7-10.5. Cobalt(II) provides an excellent and unique spectroscopic probe to monitor subtle structural differences in solution between the two sites of ovotransferrin and to investigate the structural dependence on pH. CD spectroscopy on one side and 1H NMR spectroscopy of isotropically shifted signals on the other are extremely sensitive techniques and are particularly suited for high spin cobalt(II)-containing compounds. In the case of the oxalate derivative the metal-binding ability of the protein is different at the two binding sites and is pH dependent; the CD spectra reveal two different sites, one of which is clearly pH dependent with a pKa of 9.5. On the contrary the bicarbonate analogue does not show any spectral difference between the two sites; both of them change with pH, the pKa being again 9.5. 1H NMR spectra of the oxalate derivatives at pH 7-8 reveal the presence of conformers, the distribution of which depends on the H2O/D2O ratio. Such conformers are not revealed in the bicarbonate system; at pH around 10 the NMR spectra of both systems show inequivalence between the two sites and/or the presence of different conformers for each site. Such differences are discussed in terms of the possible implications in mechanism and function. The overall spectral data are consistent with the donor groups being two histidines, two tyrosines, the synergistic anion, and possibly a solvent molecule.

Protease susceptibility of zinc- and apo-carboxypeptidase A.

Proteases in preparations of carboxypeptidase A progressively inactivate solutions of the apoenzyme but not the metal-containing enzyme. Free amino acids generated by proteolysis interfere with spectral studies after reconstituting the apoenzyme with cobalt. Purification by affinity chromatography eliminates this effect. Affinity-purified apoenzyme is susceptible to digestion with chymotrypsin but the metalloenzyme is not.