Objetivos: Avaliar o perfil de suscetibilidade, a prevalência da produção de AmpC, β-lactamase de espectro estendido (ESBL) e Metalo-β-lactamase (M-βla) em Pseudomonas aeruginosa obtidas de dois hospitais universitários distintos (ISCMPA e HCPA) em Porto Alegre. Em adição, tipagem molecular por PFGE foi realizada entre os isolados produtores de M-βla para avaliar a relação clonal. Métodos: Foi determinada a suscetibilidade de 238 isolados de P. aeruginosa para 8 agentes antimicrobianos, através do teste de disco-difusão, usando agar Müller-Hinton (MH) de acordo com “National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards” (NCCLS) . Todos isolados foram avaliados para produção de AmpC com o disco de imipenem (indutor) próximo ao disco de cefepima/ceftazdima (substrato). Um achatamento no halo de cefepime/ceftazidima pela indução da enzima pelo imipenem, indicava resultado positivo para AmpC. Todos isolados forma avaliados para a presença de ESBL através do teste de aproximação de disco com ceftazidima, cefepima, cefotaxima, ceftriaxona e ticarcilina-clavulanato como inibidor de β-lactamase. A produção de M-βla foi determinada através do teste de aproximação de discos de CAZ a discos impregnados com ácido2-mercatopropiônico (2-MPA). As taxas de resistência foram comparadas através do Teste Exato de Fisher. Valor de P<0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Análise de macrorestrição com a enzima speI foi realizada em isolados produtores de M-βla. Resultados: As taxas de resistência para todos os agentes foram superiores entre os isolados obtidos na ISCMPA em relação aos do HCPA. A ceftazidima mostrou ser o antibiótico mais efetivo contra os isolados de ambos Hospitais (ISCMPA e HCPA) com taxa de resistência de 25,7% (ISCMPA) e 6,1% (HCPA). A expressão de AmpC foi observada em 190 isolados (83,7% HCPA e 77,1% ISCMPA). Não foi possível detectar a presença de ESBL entre todos as P. aeruginosa avaliadas em ambos hospitais. Foi observada a presença de M-βla em 28 isolados (20,0%) da ISCMPA. Mas não foi detectada M-βla em nenhuma P. aeruginosa do HCPA. A análise de macrorestrição mostrou que 14 de 16 P. aeruginosa Mβla positivas pertenciam a um clone (denominado clone A), e seus subclones. Apenas dois outros clones (B e C) foram identificados em um isolado cada. / Objectives: To evaluate susceptibility profile, the prevalence of extendedspectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) production, AmpC and Metallo-β-lactamases (M-βla) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa obtained from two distinct hospitals (ISCMPA and HCPA) in Porto Alegre, Brazil. In addiction, molecular typing by PFGE was perfomed among isolates producing M-βla in order to evaluate probably clonal relatedness. Methods: The susceptibility of 238 P. aeruginosa to 8 antimicrobial agents was determined by the disk diffusion method, using Müller-Hinton agar (MH) in accordance with “National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards” guidelines. All isolates were evaluated for AmpC production with the imipenem disk (strong inducer) near of the cefepime/ceftazidime disk (substrate). A blunting of the cefepime/ceftazidime zone by imipenem-induced enzyme, indicated positive result for AmpC. All isolates were evaluated for ESBL production by disk approximation test with ceftazdime, cefepime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone plus ticarcillin-clavulanate as inhibitor. M-βla production was determined by disk approximation test with disks containing CAZ and 2-mercatopropionic acid (2-MPA). The results were compared by the Fisher’s Exact Test. Macrorestriction analysis by SpeI, followed by PFGE, was perfomed in isolates M-βla positive. The resistance rates were compared by The Fisher’s Exact Test. P values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Results: The resistance rates to all antimicrobial agents were higher among isolates obtained from ISCMPA than those obtained from HCPA. The ceftazidime was the more active antibiotic against the isolates in both hospitals with resistance rates of 25,7% (ISCMPA) and 6,1% (HCPA). The derepression of AmpC was observed in 190 isolates (83,7% HCPA and 77,1% ISCMPA). It was not possible to detect the presence of ESBL among all P. aeruginosa evaluated in both hospitals. Positive results for M-βla production were observed in 28 isolates (20,0%) from ISCMPA. But none M-βla production was identified in P. aeruginosa from HCPA. The macrorestriction analysis by PFGE, showed that 14 of 16 M-βla positive P. aeruginosa beloneed to one clone (named clone A) and its subclones.Only two others clones (B and C) were identified in one isolate each.

Objetivos: Avaliar o perfil de suscetibilidade, a prevalência da produção de AmpC, β-lactamase de espectro estendido (ESBL) e Metalo-β-lactamase (M-βla) em Pseudomonas aeruginosa obtidas de dois hospitais universitários distintos (ISCMPA e HCPA) em Porto Alegre. Em adição, tipagem molecular por PFGE foi realizada entre os isolados produtores de M-βla para avaliar a relação clonal. Métodos: Foi determinada a suscetibilidade de 238 isolados de P. aeruginosa para 8 agentes antimicrobianos, através do teste de disco-difusão, usando agar Müller-Hinton (MH) de acordo com “National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards” (NCCLS) . Todos isolados foram avaliados para produção de AmpC com o disco de imipenem (indutor) próximo ao disco de cefepima/ceftazdima (substrato). Um achatamento no halo de cefepime/ceftazidima pela indução da enzima pelo imipenem, indicava resultado positivo para AmpC. Todos isolados forma avaliados para a presença de ESBL através do teste de aproximação de disco com ceftazidima, cefepima, cefotaxima, ceftriaxona e ticarcilina-clavulanato como inibidor de β-lactamase. A produção de M-βla foi determinada através do teste de aproximação de discos de CAZ a discos impregnados com ácido2-mercatopropiônico (2-MPA). As taxas de resistência foram comparadas através do Teste Exato de Fisher. Valor de P<0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Análise de macrorestrição com a enzima speI foi realizada em isolados produtores de M-βla. Resultados: As taxas de resistência para todos os agentes foram superiores entre os isolados obtidos na ISCMPA em relação aos do HCPA. A ceftazidima mostrou ser o antibiótico mais efetivo contra os isolados de ambos Hospitais (ISCMPA e HCPA) com taxa de resistência de 25,7% (ISCMPA) e 6,1% (HCPA). A expressão de AmpC foi observada em 190 isolados (83,7% HCPA e 77,1% ISCMPA). Não foi possível detectar a presença de ESBL entre todos as P. aeruginosa avaliadas em ambos hospitais. Foi observada a presença de M-βla em 28 isolados (20,0%) da ISCMPA. Mas não foi detectada M-βla em nenhuma P. aeruginosa do HCPA. A análise de macrorestrição mostrou que 14 de 16 P. aeruginosa Mβla positivas pertenciam a um clone (denominado clone A), e seus subclones. Apenas dois outros clones (B e C) foram identificados em um isolado cada. / Objectives: To evaluate susceptibility profile, the prevalence of extendedspectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) production, AmpC and Metallo-β-lactamases (M-βla) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa obtained from two distinct hospitals (ISCMPA and HCPA) in Porto Alegre, Brazil. In addiction, molecular typing by PFGE was perfomed among isolates producing M-βla in order to evaluate probably clonal relatedness. Methods: The susceptibility of 238 P. aeruginosa to 8 antimicrobial agents was determined by the disk diffusion method, using Müller-Hinton agar (MH) in accordance with “National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards” guidelines. All isolates were evaluated for AmpC production with the imipenem disk (strong inducer) near of the cefepime/ceftazidime disk (substrate). A blunting of the cefepime/ceftazidime zone by imipenem-induced enzyme, indicated positive result for AmpC. All isolates were evaluated for ESBL production by disk approximation test with ceftazdime, cefepime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone plus ticarcillin-clavulanate as inhibitor. M-βla production was determined by disk approximation test with disks containing CAZ and 2-mercatopropionic acid (2-MPA). The results were compared by the Fisher’s Exact Test. Macrorestriction analysis by SpeI, followed by PFGE, was perfomed in isolates M-βla positive. The resistance rates were compared by The Fisher’s Exact Test. P values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Results: The resistance rates to all antimicrobial agents were higher among isolates obtained from ISCMPA than those obtained from HCPA. The ceftazidime was the more active antibiotic against the isolates in both hospitals with resistance rates of 25,7% (ISCMPA) and 6,1% (HCPA). The derepression of AmpC was observed in 190 isolates (83,7% HCPA and 77,1% ISCMPA). It was not possible to detect the presence of ESBL among all P. aeruginosa evaluated in both hospitals. Positive results for M-βla production were observed in 28 isolates (20,0%) from ISCMPA. But none M-βla production was identified in P. aeruginosa from HCPA. The macrorestriction analysis by PFGE, showed that 14 of 16 M-βla positive P. aeruginosa beloneed to one clone (named clone A) and its subclones.Only two others clones (B and C) were identified in one isolate each.

Objetivos: Avaliar o perfil de suscetibilidade, a prevalência da produção de AmpC, β-lactamase de espectro estendido (ESBL) e Metalo-β-lactamase (M-βla) em Pseudomonas aeruginosa obtidas de dois hospitais universitários distintos (ISCMPA e HCPA) em Porto Alegre. Em adição, tipagem molecular por PFGE foi realizada entre os isolados produtores de M-βla para avaliar a relação clonal. Métodos: Foi determinada a suscetibilidade de 238 isolados de P. aeruginosa para 8 agentes antimicrobianos, através do teste de disco-difusão, usando agar Müller-Hinton (MH) de acordo com “National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards” (NCCLS) . Todos isolados foram avaliados para produção de AmpC com o disco de imipenem (indutor) próximo ao disco de cefepima/ceftazdima (substrato). Um achatamento no halo de cefepime/ceftazidima pela indução da enzima pelo imipenem, indicava resultado positivo para AmpC. Todos isolados forma avaliados para a presença de ESBL através do teste de aproximação de disco com ceftazidima, cefepima, cefotaxima, ceftriaxona e ticarcilina-clavulanato como inibidor de β-lactamase. A produção de M-βla foi determinada através do teste de aproximação de discos de CAZ a discos impregnados com ácido2-mercatopropiônico (2-MPA). As taxas de resistência foram comparadas através do Teste Exato de Fisher. Valor de P<0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Análise de macrorestrição com a enzima speI foi realizada em isolados produtores de M-βla. Resultados: As taxas de resistência para todos os agentes foram superiores entre os isolados obtidos na ISCMPA em relação aos do HCPA. A ceftazidima mostrou ser o antibiótico mais efetivo contra os isolados de ambos Hospitais (ISCMPA e HCPA) com taxa de resistência de 25,7% (ISCMPA) e 6,1% (HCPA). A expressão de AmpC foi observada em 190 isolados (83,7% HCPA e 77,1% ISCMPA). Não foi possível detectar a presença de ESBL entre todos as P. aeruginosa avaliadas em ambos hospitais. Foi observada a presença de M-βla em 28 isolados (20,0%) da ISCMPA. Mas não foi detectada M-βla em nenhuma P. aeruginosa do HCPA. A análise de macrorestrição mostrou que 14 de 16 P. aeruginosa Mβla positivas pertenciam a um clone (denominado clone A), e seus subclones. Apenas dois outros clones (B e C) foram identificados em um isolado cada. / Objectives: To evaluate susceptibility profile, the prevalence of extendedspectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) production, AmpC and Metallo-β-lactamases (M-βla) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa obtained from two distinct hospitals (ISCMPA and HCPA) in Porto Alegre, Brazil. In addiction, molecular typing by PFGE was perfomed among isolates producing M-βla in order to evaluate probably clonal relatedness. Methods: The susceptibility of 238 P. aeruginosa to 8 antimicrobial agents was determined by the disk diffusion method, using Müller-Hinton agar (MH) in accordance with “National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards” guidelines. All isolates were evaluated for AmpC production with the imipenem disk (strong inducer) near of the cefepime/ceftazidime disk (substrate). A blunting of the cefepime/ceftazidime zone by imipenem-induced enzyme, indicated positive result for AmpC. All isolates were evaluated for ESBL production by disk approximation test with ceftazdime, cefepime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone plus ticarcillin-clavulanate as inhibitor. M-βla production was determined by disk approximation test with disks containing CAZ and 2-mercatopropionic acid (2-MPA). The results were compared by the Fisher’s Exact Test. Macrorestriction analysis by SpeI, followed by PFGE, was perfomed in isolates M-βla positive. The resistance rates were compared by The Fisher’s Exact Test. P values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Results: The resistance rates to all antimicrobial agents were higher among isolates obtained from ISCMPA than those obtained from HCPA. The ceftazidime was the more active antibiotic against the isolates in both hospitals with resistance rates of 25,7% (ISCMPA) and 6,1% (HCPA). The derepression of AmpC was observed in 190 isolates (83,7% HCPA and 77,1% ISCMPA). It was not possible to detect the presence of ESBL among all P. aeruginosa evaluated in both hospitals. Positive results for M-βla production were observed in 28 isolates (20,0%) from ISCMPA. But none M-βla production was identified in P. aeruginosa from HCPA. The macrorestriction analysis by PFGE, showed that 14 of 16 M-βla positive P. aeruginosa beloneed to one clone (named clone A) and its subclones.Only two others clones (B and C) were identified in one isolate each.

Metalloproteins account for at least half of all known proteins. Metal ions often facilitate chemical that are energetically and/or kinetically challenging. Metal ion-dependent proteins are responsible for a myriad of essential biological functions, including respiration, biosynthesis of essential amino acids, nitrogen fixation, oxygen transport, photosynthesis and metabolisms (e.g. glycolysis and citric acid cycle). Not surprisingly, a growing number of disorders (e.g. various cancers, phenylketonuria, Wilson’s disease) are associated with mutations in metalloenzymes. A general introduction of the importance of metals in biology is presented in chapter 1. This thesis is aimed at obtaining a greater understanding of the structure and function of three metalloenzymes, ketol acid reductoisomerase (KARI), purple acid phosphatase (PAP) and metallo β lactamase (MβL). Chapter 2 examines the structure and dynamics of plant KARI. KARI is an enzyme in the branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis pathway. KARI is a binuclear Mg2+ enzyme that catalyses the conversion of 2-acetolactate (AL) into (2R)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-isovalerate or 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate into (2R, 3R)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylvalerate in the presence of NADPH. To date, the only reported structures for a plant KARI are those of the spinach enzyme-Mn2+-(phospho) ADP ribose-(2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylvalerate complex and the spinach KARI-Mg2+-NADPH-N-hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate complex, where N-hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate (IpOHA) is a predicted transition-state analog. These studies demonstrate that the enzyme is consisted of two domains, N- domain and C- domain, with the active site at the interface of these domains. In this chapter, the structures of the rice KARI-Mg2+ and rice KARI-Mg2+-NADPH complexes were determined to 1.55 and 2.8 Å resolutions, respectively. Comparisons of all the available plant KARI structures have revealed several major differences. Firstly, the N-domain is rotated up to 15o relative to the C-domain, expanding the active site by up to 4 Å. Secondly, an α-helix in the C-domain that includes residues V510-T519 and forms part of the active site moves by ~ 3.9 Å upon binding of NADPH. Thirdly, the 15 C-terminal amino acid residues in the rice KARI-Mg2+ complex are disordered. In the rice KARI-Mg2+-NADPH complex and spinach KARI structures, many of the 15 residues bind to NADPH and the N-domain and cover the active site. Fourthly, the location of the metal ions within the active site can vary by up to 2.7 Å. The new structures have thus, led to the proposal of an induced-fit mechanism. In this proposed induced-fit mechanism, (i) substrate enters the active site, (ii) active site is closed during catalysis, and (iii) the opening of active site facilitates product release. PAP is also a binuclear metalloenzyme and is capable of utilizing a heterovalent active site to hydrolyse a broad range of phosphomonoester substrates. Chapter 3 examines the catalytic mechanism of PAP based on several new crystal structures. The red kidney bean PAP structure in complex in sulphate was determined to 2.4 Å. This sulphate-bound structure provides insight into the pre-catalytic phase of its reaction cycle. This stucture demonstrates the significance of an extensive hydrogen-bonding network in the second coordination in initial substrate binding and orientation prior to hydrolysis. Most importantly, the two metal ions, Fe3+ and Zn2+, are five-coordinate in this structure, with only one nucleophilic μ-hydroxide present in the metal-bridging position. In combination with kinetic, crystallographic and spectroscopic data, all PAP structures form the proposal of a comprehensive eight-step model for the catalytic mechanism of purple acid phosphatases in general. To date, no reliable method for producing recombinant PAP at levels suitable for structural biology have been reported. Natural sources are the only way so far to obtaining PAP in a large quantity. Attempts to produce active and recombinant PAP from Mycobacterium marinum using bacterial are found in chapter 4. In brief, in combination with Nus fusion tag, Rosetta (DE3) strain and lower temperature (e.g. 25oC), expression of soluble and mycobacterial PAP becomes possible. However, this soluble protein is non-functional and thus, switching into other expression system (e.g.algal sytem) is the only approach to obtain soluble and functional protein. In algal expression system, human PAP was attempted. Preliminary results indicate that some PAP activity was observed when expressed in algal system. Chapter 5 focuses on the investigation of metallo β lactamase (MβL) from Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp-MβL). This enzyme requires one or two Zn2+ ions for catalysis. Kinetic properties of Kp-MβL for the hydrolysis of various β-lactam substrates (e.g. benzyl-penicillin, cefoxitin, imipenem and meropenem) were investigated and the role of the metal ions in catalysis was also examined. Kinetic data demonstrate that Klebsiella pneumoniae MβL can degrade a broad spectrum of β-lactam antibiotics, with a high preference for cephems and carbapenems. Kinetic data from pH dependence studies has revealed that catalysis of benzyl-penicillin and meropenem is preferred at acidic pH. The kcat vs pH profile demonstrates that catalysis is enhanced by protonation, thus it is likely that the relevant group is responsible for the donation of a proton to the product or leaving group. In this case, a doubly Lewis activated, bridging hydroxide molecule has been speculated. A single protonation event (pKa ~7) is also observed in kcat/Km vs pH profile. Since benzyl-penicillin does not have an acidic moiety in this pH range, this event is likely to be associated with the free enzyme. His 79 and 139 have been speculated to enhance substrate binding. In contrast, catalysis of both cefoxitin and imipenem is favoured at alkaline pH, leading to the proposal that a terminally bound water is likely to form a nucleophile. A bell-shaped pH profile for kcat/Km is observed for cefoxitin and imipenem substrates. pKa of ~ 9-9.5 is likely to be associated with Lys161, which enhances substrate binding. In Chapter 6, a novel MβL from Serratia proteamaculans (Spr-MβL) is investigated. This chapter includes expression, purification and preliminary characterization of this MβL using steady-state kinetics. Expression of this enzyme in Rosetta (DE3) plysS E. coli strain yields only a small amount of soluble enzyme (1 mg/ 6 L culture). To improve the amount of soluble protein, Spr-MβL was subjected to several rounds of in vitro evolution. About two-fold gain in solubility was achieved by this method along with a five-fold increase in β-lactamase activity. Further rounds of directed evolution are now planned. The kinetic behaviour for Spr-MβL-catalysed the hydrolysis of three β-lactam substrates, penicillin, cefoxitin and imipenem were also studied. Kinetic data suggest that a water molecule bridging the two Zn2+ ions is the likely nucleophile in the reaction with penicillin while the reaction-initiating nucleophile is likely to be a terminally bound hydroxide in the reaction with cephalothin and imipenem (Chapter 6). In summary, this project has led to a better understanding of the structures of KARI and PAP prior to catalysis. This project has also aided in the understanding of catalytic mechanism of MβLs and the role the metal ions play. The knowledge gained will facilitate the development of new chemotherapeutics and herbicides.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are threatening human health, and the resistance is progressingfaster than the development of new antimicrobial compounds. Antibiotic resistant infections cost enormous sums of money and resources, but most importantly human lives. Therefore, early prediction and detection of antibiotic resistance in bacteria are research areas of high priority. The use of analytical instruments such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful tool for research in antibiotic resistant bacteria, both as quick microbe identification and for other areas in the field.Due to its relatively easy interpretable spectra provided by the soft ionization technique, and ability to ionize macromolecules without compromising sample integrity, it has also been used for biomarker screening for detection of antimicrobial resistance. Although these studies have shown promising results, the area is still progressing and needs further method development and standardized protocols. This study aimed to use MALDI-TOF MS for carbapenemaseassociated screening in Klebsiella oxytoca. The presumed key spectral peaks would derive from presence of the enzyme Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase, type 1 (VIM-1), and would not be found if VIM-1 were absent. The isolates, carrying the enzyme, used in the study were isolated from wastewater and river water in Örebro, Sweden. Bacteria genus and species was determined by MALDI-TOF identification, whereupon the microbes were tested for antibiotic susceptibility using the disk diffusion method. Carbapenem hydrolysis assay was used to confirm the presence/absence of functional carbapenemase. A genotypic confirmation was performed by polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis. Mass spectra from MALDI-TOF were compared for identification of possible biomarker peaks that could indicate carbapenem resistance. Nine key mass spectral peaks were found that could potentially be used as biomarkers in future studies. The peaks differentiated two groups of Klebsiella oxytocaisolates, one group producing functional carbapenemase and one group that did not, consistent with the aim of this study.

Metallohydrolases with dinuclear-zinc active sites perform many important biological hydrolytic reactions on a variety of substrates. In this regard, metallo-β-lactamases (mβ1, class B) represent a unique subset of zine hydrolases that hydrolyze the β-lactam ring in several antibiotics. The antibiotic resistance that results from this hydrolysis is becoming an increased threat for the clinical community. These metalloenzymes can hydrolyze a wide range of β-lactam substrates, such as cephamycins and imipenem that are generally resistant t the serine-containing β-lactamases. Therefore, the clinical application of the entire range of antibiotics is severely compromised in bacteria that produce mβls. Due to the lack of information on the mechanism of mβls, to-date, no clinically known inhibitors is there for mβls. In this present study, we synthesized several mono and dizinc complexes as models for the mβls and investigated the differences in their hydrolytic properties. This study supports the assumption that the second zinc in the dinuclear enzymes does not directly involve in the catalysis, but may orient the substrates for hydrolysis and the basic amino acid residues such as Asp and His may activate the zinc-bound water molecules, fulfilling the role of the second zinc in the mononuclear enzymes. The effect of various side chains on the hydrolysis of some commonly used cephalosporin antibiotics by mβl from B.cereus is described. It is shown that the cephalosporins having heterocyclic thiol side chains are more resistance to mβl-mediated hydrolysis than the antibiotics that do not have such side chains. This is partly due to the inhibition of enzyme activity by the thiol moieties eliminated during the hydrolysis. It is also observed that the heterocyclic side chains in pure form inhibit the lactamase activity of mβl as well as its synthetic mimics. The mode of binding of these heterocyclic side chains to the zinc has been analyzed from the crystal structure of the tetranuclear zinc complexes. The theoretical studies suggest that the eliminated heterocyclic thiols undergo a rapid tautomerism to produce the corresponding thiones. These thiones are found to irreversibly inhibit the LPO-catalyzed iodination reaction. The reaction of various thiones with I2 leads to the formation of thione-iodine complexes similar to that of the most commonly used antithyroid drug methimazole(MMI). These observations suggest that some of the latest generation of antibiotics may show negative effects on thyroid gland upon hydrolysis. Synthetic organophosphorus compounds have been used extensively as pesticides and petroleum additives. These compounds are very toxic to mammals and their widespread use in agriculture leads to serious environmental problems. Therfore, degradation of organophosphorus trimesters and remediation of associated contaminated sites are of worldwide concern. In this regards, the bacterial phsophotriesterase (PTE) enzyme plays an important role in degrading a wide range of organophosphorus esters and the active side of PTE has been shown to be very similar to that of mβl. This identification prompted us to check the hydrolysis of phosphotriesters by the mβl and its mimics. It has been observed that the dinuclear zine(II) complexes that do not allow a strong binding of phosphodiestes would be a better PTE mimics.

Tyrosine (4-hydroxyphenylalanine) is one of the naturally occurring 22 amino acids. The importance of tyrosine is due to the presence of its phenolic side chain. In biological systems, the tyrosyl residue in proteins is found to be sulfated, phosphorylated and nitrated. Upon oxidation with dioxygenases, Tyr residue forms dopaquinone which undergoes a series of reactions ultimately leading to the formation of melanin. Tyr is also a precursor to neurotransmitters (catechol amines namely dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine) and thyroid harmones T4 and T3. Tyr residue is also found to be cross linked with other amino acid residues in the active site of certain proteins. Tyr-Tyr cross link has also been associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Tyr residue in proteins has been targeted widely for site selective modifications. A series of chemical modifications like acylation, allylation, ene-type reaction, iodination with radiolabeled iodine, formation of Tyr-Tyr cross link with oxidants and aminoalkylation have been carried out on surface exposed Tyr residues in proteins. Apart from these chemical modifications of Tyr on protein surface, a couple of free Tyr-based scaffolds have also been developed for different applications. Similar to tyrosine-based scaffolds, several phenolate-based scaffolds have also been developed for various applications. Several phenolate-based binuclear metal complexes have been developed as mimics of the active site of metalloenzymes. Moreover, by varying the substituent in the phenolate scaffold, the redox properties of metal bound in these systems can be tuned. The thesis consists of five chapters. The first chapter gives general idea about tyrosine-and phenolate-based scaffolds. The first chapter also gives introduction to zinc(II)-containing enzymes metallo-β-lactamases (mβls) and phosphotriesterase (PTE) and their functional mimics. The importance of copper(II)-containing enzyme, catechol oxidase and its mimics has also been discussed. The significance and formation of o-dityrosine (Tyr-Tyr cross link) has also been briefly discussed. In chapters 2 and 3, a couple of phenolate-based ligands and their corresponding zinc(II)- and copper(II)- complexes have been synthesized and have been checked as mimics of zinc(II)-containing enzymes (mβl and PTE) and copper-containing enzyme catechol oxidase, respectively. In chapter 4, a series of tyrosine-based ligands have been designed and their in situ copper(II) complexes have been tested as mimics of catechol oxidase. In chapter 5, the effect of neighboring amino acid in the formation of Tyr-Tyr cross link has been studied. In chapter 2, a couple of zinc(II) complexes have been synthesized and studied as mimic of zinc(II)-containing enzymes mβl and PTE. Metallo-β-lactamases (mβls) are zinc(II)-containing enzymes which exist in both mono- and binuclear forms. Mβls are capable of hydrolyzing β-lactam ring in antibiotics and make them inactive (Scheme 1(A)). To date, an effective inhibitor for this enzyme is not known. Hence, in order to understand the nature of the enzyme a couple of synthetic mimics are known. However, in most of the synthetic mimics both the metal ions are in symmetrical environment. Therefore, we have attempted to design a few unsymmetrical phenolate- based ligands and their zinc(II) complexes. The unsymmetrical phenolate-based ligands HL1 and HL2 have been synthesized by sequential mannich reaction with formaldehyde and two different amines. Complexes 1 and 2 are obtained from ligands HL1 and HL2, respectively (Figure 1). For comparative purpose, the symmetrical ligands HL3 and HL4, and their zinc(II)-complexes 3 and 4 have been synthesized by reported procedures (Figure 1). The efficiency of the complexes 1-4 towards the hydrolysis of oxacillin has been studied. It has been observed that the binuclear zinc(II) complexes with metal-bound water molecule 1 and 4 are able to hydrolyze oxacillin at much faster rates compared to that of mononuclear complexes 2 and 3. However, between 1 and 4, there is no appreciable change in activity, indicating that the slight change in ligand environment has no significant role. PTE is a binuclear zinc(II)-containing enzyme, capable of hydrolyzing toxic organphosphotriesters to less toxic diesters (Scheme 1(B)). As the binuclear active site of mβl is comparable with that of phosphotriesterase (PTE), PTE activity of complexes 1-4 has been studied. Although the binuclear zinc(II)-complexes 1 and 4 are able to hydrolyze PNPDPP (p-nitrophenyl diphenyl phosphate) initially, these complexes are not able to effect complete hydrolysis. This is due to the inhibition of complexes 1 and 4 by hydrolyzed product, diester. However with mononuclear complexes 2 and 3 no such inhibitions is possible, and are capable of hydrolyzing PNPDPP at comparatively faster rates than 1 and 4. Scheme 1. Function of metallo-β-lactamase and phosphotriesterase. (A) Hydrolysis of β-lactam ring in antibiotics by metallo-β-lactamase. (B) Hydrolysis of organophosphotriesters to diesters by phosphotriesterase. Figure 1. Chemical structures of ligands HL1-HL4 and their corresponding zinc(II)complexes 1-4. In chapter 3, a couple of copper(II) complexes have been synthesized and their catechol oxidase activity has been studied. Catechol oxidase belongs to the class of oxidoreductase and it catalyzes the oxidation of a wide range of o-diphenols to o-quinones through the reduction of molecular oxygen to water (Scheme 2). A four new µ4-oxo-bridged tetranuclear copper(II) complexes (5-8) have been synthesized (Figure 2). The ability of these complexes to catalyze the oxidation of 3,5-DTBC (3,5-Di-tert-butylcatechol) to 3,5-DTBQ (3,5-Di-tert-butylquinone) has been studied. A detailed kinetic study has been carried out which reveals that the complexes with exogenous acetate ligands (5 and 6) are better catechol oxidase mimics compared to complexes with exogenous chloride ligands (7 and 8). This observation is due to the labile nature of acetate compared to chloride, as the displacement of exogenous ligand is essential for the binding of substrate to the catalyst. Based on mass spectral analysis a plausible mechanism has been proposed for the oxidation of 3,5-DTBC by these complexes. Scheme 2. Oxidation of catechol by catechol oxidase. Figure 2. Chemical structures of copper(II) complexes 5-8. In chapter 4, by following the analogy between phenol and tyrosine, a series of binucleating ligands of tyrosine or tyrosyl dipeptides (Figures 3 and 4) have been synthesized by Mannich reaction under mild conditions. The in situ complexation of these fifteen new binucleating ligands (HL5-HL19) with copper(II) chloride has been observed. In situ complexation was followed by UV-visible and mass spectral analysis. These in situ complexes were able to oxidize 3,5-DTBC at slower rate compared to that of the tetranuclear complexes reported in chapter 3. The catecholase activity has also been tested with the addition of base. A slight enhancement in activity of in situ complexes has been observed in the presence of base. Based on mass spectral evidences, a plausible mechanism for the oxidation of catechol by these in situ complexes has been proposed. Figure 3. Binucleating ligands (Mannich bases) of boc-protected tyrosine and tyrosyl dipeptides. Figure 4. Binucleating ligands (Mannich bases) of boc-deprotected tyrosyl dipeptides. In chapter 5 of the thesis, the effect of neighboring amino acid residue in the formation of o,o-dityrosine (Tyr-Tyr cross link) has been studied. o,o’-Dityrosine is a specific marker for oxidative/nitrosative stress. The increase in concentration of dityrosine is associated with several disease states. A detailed study has been carried out in order to find out the effect of neighboring amino acid residues in the rate of formation of dityrosine of several tyrosyl dipeptides. The formation of dityrosine has been carried out with horseradish peroxidase(HRP) and H2O2 (Scheme 3). Except Cys-Tyr, all other tyrosyl dipeptides, form corresponding dityrosine with HRP/ H2O2. With Cys-Tyr, the formation of corresponding disulfide is observed. The appreciably higher rate of dityrosine formation of Phe-Tyr is attributed to the presence of strong hydrophobic environment around the active site of HRP. Among the polar tyrosyl peptides, the positively charged peptides (Arg-Tyr, Lys-Tyr) undergo dityrosine formation at much faster rate compared to that of negatively charged dipepptides (Asp-Tyr, Glu-Tyr). This trend is in accordance with the pKa of neighboring amino acid residues. The positively charged neighboring residues with higher pKa stabilizes ionized tyrosine, hence the rate of dityrosine formation is higher for them. As positively charged neighboring residue enhances the rate of dityrosine formation, the effect of externally added L-Arg has been studied. A coupling of a few biologically relevant tyrosine derivatives has been studied. The derivatives in which one of the ortho-positions of tyrosine is blocked, does not undergo coupling under the experimental conditions employed. Scheme 3. Formation of dityrosine of Ile-Tyr from Ile-Tyr in the presence of H2O2 catalyzed by HRP. (For structural formula and figures pl refer the abstract pdf file)