Compostos de cobre(II) dinucleares, contendo ligantes nitrogenados, foram preparados, caracterizados por diversas técnicas espectroscópicas (UV/Vis, IV e EPR) e tiveram sua reatividade frente a células melanomas (B16F10 e TM1) verificada. Estes compostos são miméticos da tirosinase, enzima contendo em seu sítio ativo dois íons de cobre, presente em bactérias, plantas, animais e humanos, sendo responsável pela oxidação de fenóis a catecóis e destes às correspondentes quinonas. São enzimas relacionadas também à melanogênese, isto é, síntese de melanina, com formação de polímeros eumelanina e feomelanina, responsáveis pela pigmentação de nossa pele, olhos e cabelos. Os compostos mononucleares correspondentes foram também preparados e estudados, para efeito de comparação. Os resultados indicaram que os complexos dinucleares são mais ativos, tanto como miméticos da tirosinase, quanto em relação à citotoxicidade frente a melanomas, que os análogos mononucleares, mostrando que a estrutura é um fator determinante de ambas as atividades biológicas aqui estudadas. Ensaios de interação com as biomoléculas DNA e albumina humana (HSA) através de espectroscopia de UV/Vis e dicroísmo circular (CD) respectivamente, também foram realizados e complementaram os estudos. Atividade nuclease significativa foi observada para os complexos dinucleares, em presença de peróxido de hidrogênio, através de ensaios de clivagem em gel de agarose, buscando uma possível elucidação dos mecanismos de ação dos complexos em estudo. / Dinuclear copper(II) complexes with nitrogenated ligands were prepared, characterized by spectroscopic techniques (UV/Vis, IR and EPR) and had their reactivity verified towards melanoma cells (B16F10 and TM1). These compounds are tyrosinase mimics, an enzyme present in bacteria, fungi, animals and humans, capable of catalyzing the oxidation of phenols to catechols, and catechols to the corresponding quinines, and containing two copper ions in its active site. Tyrosinases are also enzymes related to melanogenesis, assisting the formation of eumelanin and pheomelanin polymers, responsible for the colour of our eyes, skin and hair. The corresponding mononuclear copper(II) complexes were also prepared and comparative studies were performed. The results indicated that the dinuclear species are more reactive than the mononuclear ones, both as tyrosinase mimics as in cytotoxicity damage to melanoma cells, showing that the structure of such species is a determining factor of both biological activities. Experiments at the interactions of these complexes with the biomolecule DNA and human serum albumim, were also conducted by UV/Vis and circular dichroism spectroscopies, respectively, and complemented the previous studies. Nuclease activity was also assessed, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, monitored by cleavage assays in agarose gel, in order to contribute to the elucidation of the mechanisms of action of these complexes

Uma série de três complexos de cobre(II) dinucleares, contendo ligantes nitrogenados e grupos aromáticos (compostos 2, 4 e 6), foi sintetizada e caracterizada por diversas técnicas espectroscópicas (UV/Vis, IV e EPR). Esses compostos tiveram sua atividade tirosinase avaliada à temperatura ambiente, através da oxidação de L-di-hidroxifenilalanina (L-dopa), e sua citotoxicidade investigada frente a células melanomas, comparada às de complexos análogos de cobre(II) mononucleares (compostos 1, 3 e 5). A influência da luz UVB, que estimula a melanogênese, também foi verificada. A exposição das células à radiação de intensidade (13 ± 2) mJ/cm2 aumentou os danos causados, principalmente em presença das espécies dinucleares. A citotoxicidade dos diferentes complexos foi determinada frente a duas linhagens de melanomas humanos (SKMEL-05 e SKMEL-147), após 24 e 48h de incubação. Células com maior teor de melanina foram mais sensíveis aos efeitos dos complexos. Verificou-se um aumento na porcentagem de células na fase sub-G1 do ciclo celular após tratamento por 24 ou 48h com estes complexos, ao contrário do verificado frente a queratinócitos não tumorais. Testes clonogênicos também indicaram maior atividade do composto (2) contendo dois centros de cobre em sua estrutura, com diminuição significativa no número de células sobreviventes após tratamento. Ensaios complementares mostraram a redução dos íons de cobre(II) nos compostos (1) e (2) em presença de melanina e a formação de espécies reativas de oxigênio (radicais hidroxil e ânions superóxido), através de espectroscopia EPR ou do uso de sondas fluorescentes. Adicionalmente, foi constatado um aumento no nível de vacúolos citoplasmáticos após tratamento com o complexo (2), indicando indução à autofagia, corroborada pelo monitoramento das proteínas LC3 e tubulina, implicadas neste processo de morte celular. Os resultados apontam para a ocorrência de pelo menos dois mecanismos de ação dos complexos frente aos melanomas, por processo apoptótico e autofágico. Indicam ainda que esta reatividade frente a melanomas é fortemente dependente da estrutura dos complexos de cobre, sendo mais significativa para os dinucleares / A series of dinuclear copper(II) complexes containing nitrogen ligands and aromatic groups (compounds 2, 4 and 6), were synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic methods (UV/Vis, IR and EPR). These complexes had their tyrosinase activity evaluated at room temperature, through the oxidation of L-di-hidroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa), and its cytotoxicity toward melanoma cells investigated, in comparison with the toxicity of the corresponding mononuclear complexes (compounds 1, 3 and 5). The influence of UVB light, that stimulates melanogenesis, was also verified. The exposition of the cells to radiation of intensity (13 ± 2) mJ/cm2, increased the caused damage, especially in the presence of dinuclear species. The cytotoxicity of the different complexes was determined toward two cell lines of human melanomas (SKMEL-05 e SKMEL-147), after 24 and 48h incubation. Cells containing higher leveis of melanin were more sensitive to the effects of the complexes. An increasing in the percentage of cells in the sub-G1 phase of cellular cycle was verified after treatment for 24 or 48h with these complexes. On the contrary, this effect was not observed with non-tumor keratinocytes. Clonogenic tests also indicated higher activity of compound 2 containing two copper centers in its structure, with a significant decrease in the number of survival cells after the treatment. Complementary assays show the reduction of copper(II) ions in complexes (1) and (2), in the presence of melanin, as well as the formation of reactive oxygen species (hydroxyl radicais and superoxide anions) via EPR spectroscopy or the use of fluorescent labels. Further, an increase in the levei of cytoplasmatic vacuoles was verified after treatment with complex (2), indicating induction to autophagy, which was corroborated by monitoring the proteins LC3 and tubulin, implicated in this process of cell death. The results pointed to the occurrence of at least two mechanisms of action of these complexes toward melanomas, apoptotic and autophagic processes. Also, they indicated that the reactivity of the studied compounds is strongly dependent on its structural features, being more remarkable to the dinuclear ones.

Compostos de cobre(II) dinucleares, contendo ligantes nitrogenados, foram preparados, caracterizados por diversas técnicas espectroscópicas (UV/Vis, IV e EPR) e tiveram sua reatividade frente a células melanomas (B16F10 e TM1) verificada. Estes compostos são miméticos da tirosinase, enzima contendo em seu sítio ativo dois íons de cobre, presente em bactérias, plantas, animais e humanos, sendo responsável pela oxidação de fenóis a catecóis e destes às correspondentes quinonas. São enzimas relacionadas também à melanogênese, isto é, síntese de melanina, com formação de polímeros eumelanina e feomelanina, responsáveis pela pigmentação de nossa pele, olhos e cabelos. Os compostos mononucleares correspondentes foram também preparados e estudados, para efeito de comparação. Os resultados indicaram que os complexos dinucleares são mais ativos, tanto como miméticos da tirosinase, quanto em relação à citotoxicidade frente a melanomas, que os análogos mononucleares, mostrando que a estrutura é um fator determinante de ambas as atividades biológicas aqui estudadas. Ensaios de interação com as biomoléculas DNA e albumina humana (HSA) através de espectroscopia de UV/Vis e dicroísmo circular (CD) respectivamente, também foram realizados e complementaram os estudos. Atividade nuclease significativa foi observada para os complexos dinucleares, em presença de peróxido de hidrogênio, através de ensaios de clivagem em gel de agarose, buscando uma possível elucidação dos mecanismos de ação dos complexos em estudo. / Dinuclear copper(II) complexes with nitrogenated ligands were prepared, characterized by spectroscopic techniques (UV/Vis, IR and EPR) and had their reactivity verified towards melanoma cells (B16F10 and TM1). These compounds are tyrosinase mimics, an enzyme present in bacteria, fungi, animals and humans, capable of catalyzing the oxidation of phenols to catechols, and catechols to the corresponding quinines, and containing two copper ions in its active site. Tyrosinases are also enzymes related to melanogenesis, assisting the formation of eumelanin and pheomelanin polymers, responsible for the colour of our eyes, skin and hair. The corresponding mononuclear copper(II) complexes were also prepared and comparative studies were performed. The results indicated that the dinuclear species are more reactive than the mononuclear ones, both as tyrosinase mimics as in cytotoxicity damage to melanoma cells, showing that the structure of such species is a determining factor of both biological activities. Experiments at the interactions of these complexes with the biomolecule DNA and human serum albumim, were also conducted by UV/Vis and circular dichroism spectroscopies, respectively, and complemented the previous studies. Nuclease activity was also assessed, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, monitored by cleavage assays in agarose gel, in order to contribute to the elucidation of the mechanisms of action of these complexes

Thesis (MSc (Farmaseutika))--PU for CHE, 1998.

Owing to atomic force microscopy’s (AFM) high-resolution in both imaging and force spectroscopy, it is very successful in probing not only structures, but also nanomechanics of biological samples in solution. In this thesis, the nanomechanical properties of lipid bilayers of biological relevance and proteins of the barnacle adhesive were examined using AFM indentation, AFM-based force mapping, and single-molecule pulling experiments. Through high-resolution AFM-based force mapping, the self-organized structures exhibited in phase-segregated supported lipid bilayers consisting of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine / egg sphingomyelin / cholesterol (DEC) in the absence and presence of ceramide (DEC-Ceramide) were directly correlated with their breakthrough forces, elastic moduli, adhesion, and bilayer thickness. Results were presented as two-dimensional visual maps. The highly stable ceramide-enriched domains in DEC-Ceramide bilayers and the effect of different levels of cholesterol as well as of diblock copolymers, on the nanomechanical stability of the model systems studied were further examined. For the proteins of the barnacle adhesive, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and chemical staining with amyloid-selective dyes, in addition to AFM imaging, indentation, and pulling experiments were performed to study the structure and nanomechanics of the polymerized barnacle glue. Nanoscale structures exhibiting rod-shaped, globular, and irregularly shaped morphologies were observed in the bulk barnacle cement by AFM. SEM coupled with energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) makes evident the organic nature of the rod-shaped nanoscale structures while FTIR spectroscopy on the bulk cement gave signatures of β-sheet and random coil conformations. Indentation data yielded higher elastic moduli for the rod-shaped structures as compared to the other structures in the bulk cement. Single molecule AFM force-extension curves on the matrix of the bulk cement often exhibited a periodic sawtooth-like profile, observed in both extend and retract portions of the force curve. Rod-shaped structures stained with amyloid protein-selective dyes (Congo Red and Thioflavin-T) revealed that about 5% of the bulk cement are amyloids.

Owing to atomic force microscopy’s (AFM) high-resolution in both imaging and force spectroscopy, it is very successful in probing not only structures, but also nanomechanics of biological samples in solution. In this thesis, the nanomechanical properties of lipid bilayers of biological relevance and proteins of the barnacle adhesive were examined using AFM indentation, AFM-based force mapping, and single-molecule pulling experiments. Through high-resolution AFM-based force mapping, the self-organized structures exhibited in phase-segregated supported lipid bilayers consisting of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine / egg sphingomyelin / cholesterol (DEC) in the absence and presence of ceramide (DEC-Ceramide) were directly correlated with their breakthrough forces, elastic moduli, adhesion, and bilayer thickness. Results were presented as two-dimensional visual maps. The highly stable ceramide-enriched domains in DEC-Ceramide bilayers and the effect of different levels of cholesterol as well as of diblock copolymers, on the nanomechanical stability of the model systems studied were further examined. For the proteins of the barnacle adhesive, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and chemical staining with amyloid-selective dyes, in addition to AFM imaging, indentation, and pulling experiments were performed to study the structure and nanomechanics of the polymerized barnacle glue. Nanoscale structures exhibiting rod-shaped, globular, and irregularly shaped morphologies were observed in the bulk barnacle cement by AFM. SEM coupled with energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) makes evident the organic nature of the rod-shaped nanoscale structures while FTIR spectroscopy on the bulk cement gave signatures of β-sheet and random coil conformations. Indentation data yielded higher elastic moduli for the rod-shaped structures as compared to the other structures in the bulk cement. Single molecule AFM force-extension curves on the matrix of the bulk cement often exhibited a periodic sawtooth-like profile, observed in both extend and retract portions of the force curve. Rod-shaped structures stained with amyloid protein-selective dyes (Congo Red and Thioflavin-T) revealed that about 5% of the bulk cement are amyloids.

This dissertation describes computational and experimental studies of synthetic complexes that model the active site of the iron-iron hydrogenase [FeFe]H2ase enzyme. Simple dinuclear iron dithiolate complexes act as functional models of the ironiron hydrogenase enzyme by catalyzing isotopic exchange in D2/H2O mixtures. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations and new experiments have been performed that suggest reasonable mechanistic explanations for this reactivity. Evidence for the existence of an acetone derivative of the di-iron complex, as suggested by theory, is presented. Bis-phosphine substituted dinuclear iron dithiolate complexes react with the electrophilic species, H+ and Et+ (Et+ = CH3CH2 +) with differing regioselectivity; H+ reacts to form a 3c-2eâ Fe-H-Fe bond, while Et+ reacts to form a new C-S bond. The instability of a bridging ethyl complex is attributed to the inability of the ethyl group, in contrast to a hydride, to form a stable 3c-2eâ bond with the two iron centers. Gas-phase density functional theory calculations are used to predict the solutionphase infrared spectra for a series of CO and CN-containing dinuclear iron complexes dithiolate. It is shown that simple linear scaling of the computed C-O and C-N stretching frequencies yields accurate predictions of the experimentally determined ν(CO) and ν(CN) values. An N-heterocyclic carbene containing [FeFe]H2ase model complex, whose X-ray structure displays an apical carbene, is shown to undergo an unexpected simultaneous two-electron reduction. DFT shows, in addition to a one-electron Fe-Fe reduction, that the aryl-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene can accept a second electron more readily than the Fe-Fe manifold. The juxtaposition of these two one-electron reductions resembles the [FeFe]H2ase active site with an FeFe di-iron unit joined to the electroactive 4Fe4S cluster. Simple synthetic di-iron dithiolate complexes synthesized to date fail to reproduce the precise orientation of the diatomic ligands about the iron centers that is observed in the molecular structure of the reduced form of the enzyme active site. Herein, DFT computations are used for the rational design of synthetic complexes as accurate structural models of the reduced form of the enzyme active site.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) are potential generic alternatives to antibodies in diagnostics and separations. To compete with biomolecules in these technological niches, MIPs need to share the characteristics of antibodies (solubility, size, specificity and affinity) whilst maintaining the advantages of MIPs (low cost, short development time and high stability). For this reason the interest in preparing MIPs as nanoparticles (MIP NPs) has increased exponentially in the last decade. Cont/d.

Recently some chemicals has been accused of mimicking the female hormone estrogen. The mode of action is termed estrogen-mimicking, because of the effects that is produced by these chemicals. Playing canary in a coal mine, wildlife was the first to indicate that something was wrong. Reproductive abnormalities such as abnormal sperm, reduced sperm production, cryptorchidism (undescended testes). abnormal hormone levels – particularly high estrogen ratios to that of testosterone. infertility, and genital abnormalities were all evidence that something in the environment was affecting the reproductive status of these animals. Also in humans instances like rising cases of infertility, abnormal sperm conditions and cases of breast cancer raised an increased concern about the potential disruptive effects of these substances on the human existence. After investigations were conducted, it was found that substances which enhance the quality of life like some detergents, agricultural products, additives to plastic, dyestuffs, paint components and pharmaceuticals to name but a few, all caused an abnormal reproductive status as seen in animals. The aims of this study were not to focus on the effect of these substances, but rather to identify estrogen and estrogen - mimics in the South African environment and to evaluate their presence in the water environment qualitatively and quantitatively with the most suitable analytical methods. Estrogen - mimics such as nonylphenol. o'p' and p'p' DDE, o'p' DDD, lindane, atrazine and the PCB's : Arochlor 1254 & Arochlor 1260 were found to contaminate the environment. The drinking water tested of the PWV area indicated that the water was free of these substances, and thus indicated a present safe situation. / Thesis (MSc (Farmaseutika))--PU for CHE, 1998

Uma série de três complexos de cobre(II) dinucleares, contendo ligantes nitrogenados e grupos aromáticos (compostos 2, 4 e 6), foi sintetizada e caracterizada por diversas técnicas espectroscópicas (UV/Vis, IV e EPR). Esses compostos tiveram sua atividade tirosinase avaliada à temperatura ambiente, através da oxidação de L-di-hidroxifenilalanina (L-dopa), e sua citotoxicidade investigada frente a células melanomas, comparada às de complexos análogos de cobre(II) mononucleares (compostos 1, 3 e 5). A influência da luz UVB, que estimula a melanogênese, também foi verificada. A exposição das células à radiação de intensidade (13 ± 2) mJ/cm2 aumentou os danos causados, principalmente em presença das espécies dinucleares. A citotoxicidade dos diferentes complexos foi determinada frente a duas linhagens de melanomas humanos (SKMEL-05 e SKMEL-147), após 24 e 48h de incubação. Células com maior teor de melanina foram mais sensíveis aos efeitos dos complexos. Verificou-se um aumento na porcentagem de células na fase sub-G1 do ciclo celular após tratamento por 24 ou 48h com estes complexos, ao contrário do verificado frente a queratinócitos não tumorais. Testes clonogênicos também indicaram maior atividade do composto (2) contendo dois centros de cobre em sua estrutura, com diminuição significativa no número de células sobreviventes após tratamento. Ensaios complementares mostraram a redução dos íons de cobre(II) nos compostos (1) e (2) em presença de melanina e a formação de espécies reativas de oxigênio (radicais hidroxil e ânions superóxido), através de espectroscopia EPR ou do uso de sondas fluorescentes. Adicionalmente, foi constatado um aumento no nível de vacúolos citoplasmáticos após tratamento com o complexo (2), indicando indução à autofagia, corroborada pelo monitoramento das proteínas LC3 e tubulina, implicadas neste processo de morte celular. Os resultados apontam para a ocorrência de pelo menos dois mecanismos de ação dos complexos frente aos melanomas, por processo apoptótico e autofágico. Indicam ainda que esta reatividade frente a melanomas é fortemente dependente da estrutura dos complexos de cobre, sendo mais significativa para os dinucleares / A series of dinuclear copper(II) complexes containing nitrogen ligands and aromatic groups (compounds 2, 4 and 6), were synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic methods (UV/Vis, IR and EPR). These complexes had their tyrosinase activity evaluated at room temperature, through the oxidation of L-di-hidroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa), and its cytotoxicity toward melanoma cells investigated, in comparison with the toxicity of the corresponding mononuclear complexes (compounds 1, 3 and 5). The influence of UVB light, that stimulates melanogenesis, was also verified. The exposition of the cells to radiation of intensity (13 ± 2) mJ/cm2, increased the caused damage, especially in the presence of dinuclear species. The cytotoxicity of the different complexes was determined toward two cell lines of human melanomas (SKMEL-05 e SKMEL-147), after 24 and 48h incubation. Cells containing higher leveis of melanin were more sensitive to the effects of the complexes. An increasing in the percentage of cells in the sub-G1 phase of cellular cycle was verified after treatment for 24 or 48h with these complexes. On the contrary, this effect was not observed with non-tumor keratinocytes. Clonogenic tests also indicated higher activity of compound 2 containing two copper centers in its structure, with a significant decrease in the number of survival cells after the treatment. Complementary assays show the reduction of copper(II) ions in complexes (1) and (2), in the presence of melanin, as well as the formation of reactive oxygen species (hydroxyl radicais and superoxide anions) via EPR spectroscopy or the use of fluorescent labels. Further, an increase in the levei of cytoplasmatic vacuoles was verified after treatment with complex (2), indicating induction to autophagy, which was corroborated by monitoring the proteins LC3 and tubulin, implicated in this process of cell death. The results pointed to the occurrence of at least two mechanisms of action of these complexes toward melanomas, apoptotic and autophagic processes. Also, they indicated that the reactivity of the studied compounds is strongly dependent on its structural features, being more remarkable to the dinuclear ones.