Photodynamic properties of dipeptide-modified hypocrellin B derivatives: the role of tyrosine and tryptophan groups.

Three long-wavelength absorbing dipeptide-modified hypocrellin B (HB) derivatives, Gly-HB, Tyr-HB, and Trp-HB, were prepared for application in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Their abilities to produce free radicals and singlet oxygen were compared in detail with EPR technique, and their binding interactions with calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) were studied by absorption spectra and DNA melting temperature measurements. Tyr-HB and Trp-HB distinguish themselves from Gly-HB and HB remarkably by their significantly improved efficiencies to generate semiquinone anion radicals, superoxide anion radicals, and hydroxyl radicals, as well as their affinity to CT DNA, as the result of the electron-donating properties and intercalating abilities of tyrosine and tryptophan groups. Tyr-HB and Trp-HB show remarkably enhanced photodamage capabilities on CT DNA than their parent HB in aerobic conditions. Moreover, they possess moderate photodamage abilities on CT DNA even in anaerobic conditions, indicating the role of Type I mechanism in their photodynamic behaviors.

Photodynamic properties of hypocrellin A, complexes with rare Earth trivalent ions: role of the excited state energies of the metal ions.

Fifteen complexes of hypocrellin A (HA) with rare earth trivalent ions (except Pm3+) along with the complex of HA with Sc3+ were prepared, and their photodynamic activities, including absorption in the phototherapeutic window (600-900 nm); water-solubility; triplet lifetime; generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen (1O2), superoxide anion radical (O2-*), and hydroxyl radical (OH*); generation of semiquinone anion radical; and affinity to DNA, as well as photosensitized damage on calf thymus DNA (CT DNA), were compared in detail using the UV-visible spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, spin-trapping EPR technique, and laser photolysis technique. All complexes exhibit a red-shifted absorption spectrum, an increased absorbance above 600 nm, improved water solubility, and an enhanced affinity to CT DNA over the parent HA. For ions that possess low-energy excited states, including Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Ho3+, Er3+, Tm3+, and Yb3+, the corresponding complexes show undetectable or nearly undetectable fluorescence, a triplet excited-state lifetime, generation of ROS, and photodamage in CT DNA. In contrast, for ions that do not possess low-energy excited states, including Sc3+, Y3+, La3+, Gd3+, and Lu3+, the corresponding complexes exhibit higher photodamage abilities with CT DNA with respect to HA, benefitting from both their comparable or even higher 1O2 quantum yields and an electrostatic affinity that is higher for DNA than HA.

Effect of chelation to lanthanum ions on the photodynamic properties of hypocrellin A.

Hypocrellin A (HA), an efficient phototherapeutic agent, can chelate with lanthanum ion to form a 1:1 complex, which exhibits enhanced 1O2 generation quantum yield, a red-shifted absorption window, greatly improved water solubility, a much lengthened triplet excited state lifetime, and an increased affinity to DNA with respect to HA. These effects in turn lead to a more potent photodamage ability on calf thymus DNA for La3+-HA than HA in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, indicating the potential application of La3+-HA in the field of photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Syntheses and characterizations of a series of novel Ln6Cu24 clusters with amino acids as ligands.

With glycine or L-alanine as ligands, a series of novel 3d-4f heterometallic Ln(6)Cu(24) clusters with the formulas of [Sm(6)Cu(24)(mu(3)-OH)(30)(Gly)(12)(Ac)(12)(ClO(4))(H(2)O)(16)].(ClO(4))(9).(OH)(2).(H(2)O)(31) (1) and [Ln(6)Cu(24)(mu(3)-OH)(30)(Ala)(12)(Ac)(6)(ClO(4))(H(2)O)(12)].(ClO(4))(10).(OH)(7).(H(2)O)(34) (2.Ln) (Ln = Tb, Gd, Sm, and La) were synthesized by self-assembly, among which 1 and 2.Tb were characterized by X-ray structure analysis. The metal skeleton of the clusters may be described as a huge [Ln(6)Cu(12)] octahedron (constructed with 6 Ln(III) ions located at the vertices and 12 inner Cu(II) ions located at the midpoints of the edges) connected by 12 additional Cu(II) ions (every 2 are connected to 1 Ln(III) vertex). The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibilities of 2.Ln was investigated and was found to vary with the central rare-earth ions. Impedance spectroscopic measurements of 2.Ln reveal that they are ionic conductors.

The photodynamic property improvement of hypocrellin A by chelation with lanthanum ions.

A 1:1 complex of lanthanum ion with hypocrellin A (La3+-HA) possessing high singlet oxygen generation efficiency, large absorbance in the phototherapeutic window, and great water solubility exhibits promising photodynamic properties.