Homogenous glycoforms of glycoproteins are one of the primary targets in glycobiology to allow for the determination of glycoprotein function and to create glycoprotein mimetics for use as therapeutic agents. Although N- and O-linked glycosylation is preferred in nature, S-linked glycoproteins are attractive synthetic targets due to their enhanced chemical stability and enzymatic resistance. This thesis reports a novel convergent method for the synthesis of S-linked glycoproteins through the site-specific ligation of 1-glycosyl thiols to olefin containing proteins. This strategy employs unnatural amino acid incorporation for the introduction of L-homoallylglycine (L-Hag) into proteins and free-radical addition hydrothiolation chemistry, under conditions mild enough to preserve protein activity. The unique reactivity profile of L-Hag, which has an olefinic side-chain, compared with the natural amino acids characteristically found in proteins, allows for a chemoselective chemical reaction. At the outset, methodology was optimised using Hag as a model system. The reaction was then successfully applied to proteins with different structures, for precise, site-selective glycoconjugation at single and even multiple sites. Whilst investigating the above-mentioned photochemical modification of proteins, an unexpected photo-induced site-selective protein cleavage reaction localised to the TIM-barrel proteins from family 1 of glycosylhydrolases was discovered. Although proteins are known to be affected by UV irradiation, examples of clean, site-selective photocleavage without the use of a cleaving agent are rare. Remarkably, the β-glycosidase from Sulfolobus solfataricus (SsβG) was found to form two daughter fragments following UV irradiation (240–308 nm). Alterations at and alaninescanning of a sphere of residues around the cleavage site were used to establish which residues were essential for the reaction to occur and extensive analysis of the fragments allowed a reaction mechanism to be proposed. The propensity of other proteins to undergo photo-induced cleavage was also investigated. In addition, the biotechnological utility of the aforementioned photocleavage reaction has been applied to the development of a cleaved-tag affinity purification method using a GFPSsβG fusion as the model protein.

The present thesis deals with different aspects of the chemistry of iron complexes, their interaction with DNA and photo-induced cleavage of double-stranded DNA. Chapter I presents a general introduction on metal-based drugs in cancer therapy and the evolution of the transition metal complexes capable of targeting DNA leading to DNA strand scission, emphasizing particularly the photo-induced DNA cleavage activities for their potential utility in PDT. The mechanistic pathways associated with the DNA cleavage are discussed citing selected examples of compounds that are known to be efficient DNA photo-cleavers on irradiation with light of different wavelengths. Objective of the present investigation is dealt in this chapter. Chapter II deals with the synthesis, crystal structure, DNA binding and oxidative DNA cleavage activity of ternary iron(II) complexes of phenanthroline bases to explore the chemistry of iron(II) complexes towards the metal-assisted photo-induced DNA cleavage activity. Chapter III presents the synthesis and characterization of a cationic imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine derivative to explore the role of imidazopyridine moiety in the photo-induced DNA cleavage activity of the compound. Its cytotoxic effect to the HeLa cancer cell has also been studied using UV-A light of 365 nm. Chapter IV presents the synthesis and characterization of dipyridoquinoxaline (dpq) complexes of bivalent 3d-metal ions such as d6-iron(II), d7-cobalt(II), d8-nickel(II), d9-copper(II) and d10-zinc(II) to explore any specific role that is played by the transition-metal ions in exhibiting visible light-induced DNA cleavage activity. Chapter V deals with the synthesis, characterization of oxo-bridged diiron(III) complexes of phenanthrolne bases having a structural motif found in many iron-containing metalloproteins with a diiron core in the active site. DNA binding and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity of the complexes is studied. Finally, Chapter VI deals with the synthesis and characterization of oxo-bridged diiron(III) complexes having L-histidine (L-his) and N,N-donor heterocyclic bases. This chapter describes the double-strand DNA cleavage activity of [{Fe(L-his)(dpq)}2(μ-O)](ClO4)2. Rationalization of the DNA double strand break (dsb) has been made using molecular docking calculations. This chapter also deals with the site-specific protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA) cleavage activity of the complexes on UV-A light irradiation. The references have been compiled at the end of each chapter and indicated as superscript numbers in the text. The complexes presented in this thesis are represented by bold-faced numbers. Crystallographic data of the complexes, characterized structurally by single crystal X-ray crystallography, are given in CIF format in the enclosed CD (Appendix-I). Due acknowledgements have been made wherever the work described is based on the findings of other investigators. Any omission that might have happened due to oversight or mistake is regretted.

The present thesis deals with different aspects of the chemistry of oxovanadium(IV) complexes, their interaction with DNA and protein and photo-induced DNA and protein cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity. Chapter I presents a general introduction on various modes of interactions of organic compounds and transition metal complexes capable of targeting DNA leading to DNA strand scission, emphasizing particularly the photo-induced DNA cleavage activities for their potential application in PDT. The mechanistic pathways associated with the DNA cleavage are discussed. A comparison has been made on the advantages of photoactive metal complexes over organic conjugates. Objective of the present investigation is also dealt in this Chapter. Chapter II of the thesis deals with the synthesis, characterization, DNA binding and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity of ternary oxovanadium(IV) complexes of N-salicylidene-S-methyldithiocarbazate (salmdtc) and phenanthroline bases to explore the photo-induced DNA cleavage activity in UV-A light of 365 nm. Chapter III presents the synthesis, characterization, DNA binding and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity of ternary oxovanadium(IV) complexes containing N-salicylidene-L-methionate (salmet) and N-salicylidene-L-tryptophanate (saltrp) Schiff bases and phenanthroline bases. The objective of this work is to investigate the photo-induced DNA cleavage activity in near-IR light and to see the effect of pendant thiomethyl and indole moieties in the DNA cleavage reactions. Chapter IV deals with the synthesis, characterization, DNA binding, red-light induced DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity of ternary oxovanadium(IV) complexes having N-salicylidene-L-arginine (sal-argH) and N-salicylidene-L-lysine (sal-lysH) Schiff bases and phenanthroline bases. The important results include the visible light-induced DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity of the complexes in human cervical HeLa cancer cells. Chapter V describes the synthesis, characterization, DNA binding and photo-induced DNA and protein cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity of oxovanadium(IV) complexes containing bis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amine and phenanthroline bases. The significant results include DNA cleavage activity in near-IR light and photocytotoxicity of the dppz complex in non-small cell lung carcinoma/human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells in visible light. Further, we have studied the protein cleavage activity of the complexes in UV-A light of 365 nm by using bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme. Finally, Chapter VI presents the binary oxovanadium(IV) complexes of phenanthroline bases. We have studied their synthesis, characterization, DNA binding and photo-induced DNA and protein cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity. Photocytotoxicity of dppz complex has been studied in human cervical HeLa cancer cells in visible light. Photo-induced protein cleavage activity of the complexes has been studied in UV-A light of 365 nm by using BSA and lysozyme. The references have been compiled at the end of each chapter and indicated as superscript numbers in the text. The complexes presented in this thesis are represented by bold-faced numbers. Crystallographic data of the complexes, characterized structurally by single crystal X-ray crystallography, are given in CIF format in the enclosed CD (Appendix-I). Due acknowledgements have been made wherever the work described is based on the findings of other investigators. Any omission that might have happened due to oversight or mistake is regretted.

<p>Due to the hydrophobic nature of integral membrane proteins (IMP) they give rise to several difficulties concerning handling and analysis, which is not the case for the most water soluble proteins. New analysis methods are needed, where the insolubility problems of the hydrophobic proteins due to aggregation and adhesion are tackled. Those problems also affect digestion performance and equipment compatibility for the analysis.</p><p>Protocols for analysis and separation specified for IMP are presented in <b>Paper I</b> and<b> III</b>.</p><p>The instrumentation used in this work was capillary electrophoresis (CE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Both instruments are suitable for peptide/proteins analysis.</p><p>In <b>Paper I</b>, protocols for a CE separation of bacteriorhodopsin (BR) peptides as model IMP peptides are established. Also, a partially automated manufacturing procedure of a concentration MALDI-target is presented, suitable for fractions from CE. The MS analysis detected 9 out of 10 cyanogen bromide (CNBr) digested BR peptides. A novel technique for the off-line integration of CE to MALDI-MS using a closed-open-closed system is presented in <b>Paper II</b>, where the open part is a microcanal functioning as a MALDI target window. Investigation of the microcanal electro-osmotic flow (EOF) properties and band broadening characteristics was performed. A protein separation was obtained and detected with MALDI-MS analysis in the microcanal. Different protein digestion methods were evaluated using BR in <b>Paper III</b> through MALDI-MS. Several digestion methods as well as MS media were investigated alongside different MALDI matrices. For example, matrices as the hydrophobic 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) and 2-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (2H3MBA) or 2-Hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid (2H5MBA) mixed with DHB, appeared to be promising matrices for analysis of BR.</p> / <p>Med anledning av integrala membranproteiners (IMP) hydrofoba egenskaper uppstår flera svårigheter vid hantering och analys av IMP, vilket inte är fallet för vattenlösliga proteiner. Nya analysmetoder krävs, som löser löslighetsproblemen för de hydrofoba proteinerna som tex flockning och adsorbtion. Dessa problem påverkar även klyvningsgrad och kompatibilitet med analysutrustningen.</p><p>I <b>Artikel I</b> och <b>Artikel III</b> presenteras protokoll för analys och separation specifikt för IMP. Instrumenteringen som har använts i detta arbete är kapillärelektrofores (CE) och matris-assisterad laserdesorptions-joniserings-masspektrometri (MALDI-MS). Båda instrumenten är lämpade för peptid/protein analyser.</p><p>I <b>Artikel I</b>, presenteras protokoll för en CE separation av peptider från bacteriorhodopsin (BR), som användes som modellpeptider för IMP. En delvis automatiserat tillverkningsprocedur för en koncentrerande MALDI-platta, som är anpassad för CE fraktionerna beskrivs också. MS-analysen detekterade 9 av 10 BR-peptider från cyanobromid-klyvning (CNBr). En ny teknik för off line-integrering av CE till MALDI-MS genom ett slutet-öppet-slutet system presenteras i <b>Artikel II</b>, där den öppna delen är en mikrokanal som fungerar som detektionsfönster i MALDI. Undersökning av mikrokanalens egenskaper som tex det elektroosmotiska flödet (EOF) och bandbreddningen utvärderades. En proteinseparation genomfördes och detekterades med MALDI–MS i mikrokanalen. Olika proteinklyvningsmetoder för BR undersöktes i <b>Artikel</b> <b>III</b> med MALDI-MS. Flera proteinklyvningsmetoder samt MS-medier utvärderades tillsammans med olika MALDI-matriser. Den hydrofoba matrisen 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) och 2-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (2H3MBA) eller 2-Hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid (2H5MBA) blandade med DHB, visade sig exempelvis vara lovande matriser för BR-analyser.</p>

Due to the hydrophobic nature of integral membrane proteins (IMP) they give rise to several difficulties concerning handling and analysis, which is not the case for the most water soluble proteins. New analysis methods are needed, where the insolubility problems of the hydrophobic proteins due to aggregation and adhesion are tackled. Those problems also affect digestion performance and equipment compatibility for the analysis. Protocols for analysis and separation specified for IMP are presented in Paper I and III. The instrumentation used in this work was capillary electrophoresis (CE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Both instruments are suitable for peptide/proteins analysis. In Paper I, protocols for a CE separation of bacteriorhodopsin (BR) peptides as model IMP peptides are established. Also, a partially automated manufacturing procedure of a concentration MALDI-target is presented, suitable for fractions from CE. The MS analysis detected 9 out of 10 cyanogen bromide (CNBr) digested BR peptides. A novel technique for the off-line integration of CE to MALDI-MS using a closed-open-closed system is presented in Paper II, where the open part is a microcanal functioning as a MALDI target window. Investigation of the microcanal electro-osmotic flow (EOF) properties and band broadening characteristics was performed. A protein separation was obtained and detected with MALDI-MS analysis in the microcanal. Different protein digestion methods were evaluated using BR in Paper III through MALDI-MS. Several digestion methods as well as MS media were investigated alongside different MALDI matrices. For example, matrices as the hydrophobic 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) and 2-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (2H3MBA) or 2-Hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid (2H5MBA) mixed with DHB, appeared to be promising matrices for analysis of BR. / Med anledning av integrala membranproteiners (IMP) hydrofoba egenskaper uppstår flera svårigheter vid hantering och analys av IMP, vilket inte är fallet för vattenlösliga proteiner. Nya analysmetoder krävs, som löser löslighetsproblemen för de hydrofoba proteinerna som tex flockning och adsorbtion. Dessa problem påverkar även klyvningsgrad och kompatibilitet med analysutrustningen. I Artikel I och Artikel III presenteras protokoll för analys och separation specifikt för IMP. Instrumenteringen som har använts i detta arbete är kapillärelektrofores (CE) och matris-assisterad laserdesorptions-joniserings-masspektrometri (MALDI-MS). Båda instrumenten är lämpade för peptid/protein analyser. I Artikel I, presenteras protokoll för en CE separation av peptider från bacteriorhodopsin (BR), som användes som modellpeptider för IMP. En delvis automatiserat tillverkningsprocedur för en koncentrerande MALDI-platta, som är anpassad för CE fraktionerna beskrivs också. MS-analysen detekterade 9 av 10 BR-peptider från cyanobromid-klyvning (CNBr). En ny teknik för off line-integrering av CE till MALDI-MS genom ett slutet-öppet-slutet system presenteras i Artikel II, där den öppna delen är en mikrokanal som fungerar som detektionsfönster i MALDI. Undersökning av mikrokanalens egenskaper som tex det elektroosmotiska flödet (EOF) och bandbreddningen utvärderades. En proteinseparation genomfördes och detekterades med MALDI–MS i mikrokanalen. Olika proteinklyvningsmetoder för BR undersöktes i Artikel III med MALDI-MS. Flera proteinklyvningsmetoder samt MS-medier utvärderades tillsammans med olika MALDI-matriser. Den hydrofoba matrisen 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) och 2-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (2H3MBA) eller 2-Hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid (2H5MBA) blandade med DHB, visade sig exempelvis vara lovande matriser för BR-analyser. / QC 20101109