Yes / Alfred Werner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry just over 100 years ago. We recall briefly the era in which he was working, his co-workers, and the equipment he used in his laboratories. His ideas were ground breaking: not only does a metal ion have a primary valency (“hauptvalenz”, now the oxidation state), but also a secondary valency, the coordination number (“nebenvalenz”). At that time some refused to accept this idea, but he realised that his new thinking would open up new areas of research. Indeed it did. We illustrate this for the emerging field of medicinal metal coordination chemistry, the design of metal-based therapeutic and diagnostic agents. The biological activity of metal complexes depends intimately not only on the metal and its oxidation state, but also on the type and number of coordinated ligands, and the coordination geometry. This provides a rich platform in pharmacological space for structural and electronic diversity. It is necessary to control both the thermodynamics (strengths of metal-ligand bonds) and kinetics of ligand substitution reactions to provide complexes with defined mechanisms of action. Outer-sphere interactions can also play a major role in target recognition. Our current interest is focussed especially on relatively inert metal complexes which were very familiar to Werner (RuII, OsII, RhIII, IrIII, PtII, PtIV). / We thank the Leverhulme Trust (Early Career Fellowship No. ECF-2013-414 to NPEB), the University of Warwick (Grant No. RDF 2013-14 to NPEB) the ERC (Grant No. 247450 to PJS), EPSRC (Grant No. EP/F034210/1) and EC COST Action CM1105 for support.

Herein is presented the doctoral research of Logan Rockwell Beck. We first report the development a library of osmium(II) polypyridyl complexes and characterize them for use in photoredox catalysis. We then report a triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion system that produces an oxidizing excited state and exhibits a remarkable 1.25 eV anti-Stokes shift. This upconversion system is then applied to dual nickel/photoredox catalyzed C-O cross-coupling. Finally, we discuss efforts towards the remote arylation of aliphatic amines through 1,5-HAT.

Scorpionate and terpyridine ligands are of importance in inorganic chemistry for their metal-binding properties. Tris-pyrazolylborate (Scorpionate) ligands that show facial binding mode and steric protection have been extensively used to synthesize complexes modeling the active site structure and biological function of various metalloproteins and as catalysts in C-H and NO activation and carbine transfer reactions. Terpyridine and modified terpyridine ligands showing meridional binding mode have been used in bioinorganic chemistry where Pt-terpyridine complexes are known to inhibit the activity of thiordoxin reductase (TrxR) besides showing interaction with G-quadruplex. The thesis work stems from our interest to use these ligand systems to design and prepare new 3-d metal-based photodynamic therapeutic (PDT) agents to explore their visible light-induced DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity. Efforts have been made in this thesis work to design and synthesize Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes having scorpionate (Tpph) abd terpyridine (tpy) ligands. Ternary 3d-metal complexes having Tpph and planar phenanthroline bases have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The steric encumbrance of Tpph has led to the reduction in chemical nuclease activity along with enhanced photo-induced DNA cleavage activity, particularly of the Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes. The Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of Tpph and a pyridyl ligand having a photoactive naphthalilmide moiety show molecular light-switch effect on binding to calf thymus DNA or BSA protein. The complexes do not show any chemical nuclease activity. The Cu(II) complex shows significant DNA cleavage activity in red light. The Co(II) complex displays significant photocytotoxicity in UV-A light. Ternary Cu(II) complexes of ph-tpy and heterocycylic bases are prepared and their DNA binding and cleavage activity studied. The complexes are avid binders to CT-DNA. The dipyridoquinoxaline (dpq) and dipyridophenazine (dppz) complexes are photocleavers of DNA in visible light. A significant enhancement in cytotoxicity in HeLa cancer cells is observed on exposure of the dppz complex to light. The binary Cu(II) complexes are also prepared to reduce the dark toxicity using phenyl and pyrenyl substituted terpyridine ligands. The pyrenyl substituted complex shows DNA cleavage activity in the visible light, low dark toxicity and unprecedented photocytotoxicity in visible light. The copper(II) complexes generally show dark cellular toxicity due to the presence of reducing thiols. The present terpyridine copper(II) complex having pendant pyrenyl moiety shows significant PDT effect that is similar to that of the PDT drug Photofrin. Binary Co(II) complexes show efficient DNA cleavage activity in visible light, significant photocytotoxicity in visible light and cytosolic uptake behaviour. Considering the bio-essential nature of the cobalt and copper ions, the present study opens up new strategies for designing and developing 3d-metal-based photosensitizers for their potential applications in PDT.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Platreef ore deposit, situated in the Bushveld Igneous Complex, is one of the world’s largest platinum group metal (PGM) resources. The mineralogy of this resource is, however, unique as it consists of complex PGM mineralization with mainly copper and nickel, at very low PGM grades. The PGMs are mainly present in the ore as slow floating refractory minerals resulting in marginal process economics when processing via traditional mill-float-smelt processes. A new process is currently being investigated to extract PGMs from low grade Platreef ore and concentrate using a sequential heap leach process entailing heap bioleaching and high temperature cyanide leaching. The heap bioleach extracts the base metals in an acidic sulphate medium using a mixed culture of mesophiles and thermophiles. After heap bioleaching, the heap will be reclaimed, rinsed and restacked for high temperature cyanide leaching where the cyanide liquor is directly heated via solar energy in panels. Platinum, palladium and gold are extracted during the cyanide leaching stage and then recovered from the pregnant liquor either by adsorption onto activated carbon or ion exchange resins. Final metal recovery will proceed by techniques such as electrowinning and precipitation. In this thesis, process options for the recovery of platinum group metals from cyanide solutions were identified with different flowsheet alternatives developed utilizing these options. Simulations were made for the different processing alternatives with the objective of finding the alternative flowsheet to maximise net present value. The various processing options were simulated, combining data from concurrent experimental studies and data reported in literature with kinetic adsorption models. This was combined with economic models to arrive at an optimum design for each flowsheet alternative. Seven different processing alternatives for the recovery of platinum group metals from cyanide solutions were developed and investigated. These included two different activated carbon flowsheets as well as five different ion exchange resin flowsheets. The flowsheets differ in the elution procedures as well as the use of single or multiple resins. The well-known Merrill Crowe precipitation process was investigated but was found to yield unsatisfactory results. In each alternative, the cyanide solution is sent to a SART (sulphidization, acidification, recycling and thickening) plant to remove copper, nickel and zinc from solution prior to upgrading by means of adsorption onto activated carbon or ion exchange resins and subsequent elution. The platinum group metals are recovered from the eluate by precipitation using an autoclave, producing a solid product consisting of base and precious metals, while gold is recovered by electrowinning. It was found that the overall performance of the resin-in-solution (RIS) flowsheets were superior to that of the carbon-in-solution (CIS) flowsheets, from an overall PGM recovery perspective and product grades. The superior adsorption kinetics and high selectivity of the resins for the PGMs resulted in excellent overall plant performances, with PGM extractions in excess of 97%. Gold extraction efficiencies with resins were found to be lower than those achieved in the CIS flowsheets, mainly due to the higher selectivity of the resins for the divalent platinum and palladium cyanide complexes and poor gold elution efficiencies. The gold concentrations in the feed streams to these processes were, however, very low, at only 8.5% of the total precious metal content. The overall precious metal recoveries of the RIS flowsheets were thus higher than the CIS flowsheets due to the superior PGM extractions. From the cost analyses performed it was found that the RIS flowsheets requires lower initial capital costs, almost 28% lower than that require for the CIS flowsheets, while the operating cost requirements were found to be ±10% lower. This, combined with the high overall precious metal extractions, resulted in the RIS flowsheets to achieve higher net present values than those of the CIS flowsheets over an assumed project life of 15 years. The optimum flowsheet proposed for the recovery of precious metals from cyanide leach solutions was a RIS flowsheet option that employed the Amberlite PWA 5 resin, capable of extracting platinum, palladium and gold from solution, with elution being performed with a zinc cyanide solution. This process option had the lowest capital and operating cost requirements while achieving similar overall precious metal recoveries as the other flowsheets. Economic analysis of this process yielded the highest net present value, with a 31% increase in the overall return on investment compared to the optimal CIS flowsheet. Based on this, it was concluded that resin technology would be the best process option for recovering precious metals from cyanide leach solutions, however, additional research is required as the current level of process development is only at a concept phase. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Platrif-erts, geleë in die Bosveld Kompleks, is een van die wêreld se grootste platinum groep metaal (PGM) reserwes. Die mineralogie van hierdie reserwe is uniek en bestaan uit komplekse PGM mineralisasie met hoofsaaklik koper en nikkel, teen baie lae PGM inhoud. Die PGMe is hoofsaaklik teenwoordig in die erts as stadig drywende minerale en dit lei tot marginale ekonomiese uitsigte wanneer hierdie reserwe deur tradisionele metodes verwerk word. Tans word ʼn nuwe proses ondersoek om die PGMe vanuit lae graad Platrif-erts en konsentraat te ontgin deur gebruik te maak van ʼn sekwensiële hooploogproses wat uit ʼn bio-loog en hoë temperatuur sianied loog stappe bestaan. Die bio-loog stap is verantwoordelik vir die ontginning van die basis metale deur gebruik te maak van ʼn suur sulfaat medium bestaande uit ʼn gemengde kultuur van mesofiele en termofiele. Nadat die bio-hooploog stap voltooi is, word die hoop herwin, gewas en herpak vir die daaropvolgende hoë temperatuur sianied loog, waar die sianied oplossing direk verhit word deur die gebruik van son panele. Platinum, palladium en goud word tydens hierdie stap ontgin en kan dan herwin word vanuit die loog oplossing deur gebruik te maak van adsorpsie deur geaktiveerde koolstof of ioon-uitruilings harse. Finale metaal herwinning kan deur elektroplatering en presipitasie vermag word. In hierdie tesis word verskeie proses opsies vir die ontginning en herwinning van PGMe vanuit sianied loog oplossings ondersoek waarna verskeie proses vloei diagram alternatiewe ontwikkel is met die doel om die opsie te vind wat die hoogste netto ekonomiese waarde sal oplewer. Die verskillende opsies is gesimuleer deur gebruik te maak van eksperimentele data gepubliseer in die literatuur en dit te kombineer met kinetiese adsorpsie modelle. Dit was dan gekombineer met ekonomiese modelle om ʼn optimum ontwerp van elke proses te verkry. Sewe verskillende proses vloei diagramme vir die herwinning en ontginning van PGMe vanuit sianied loog oplossings is ontwikkel en ondersoek. Hierdie het twee verkillende geaktiveerde koolstof prosesse en vyf verskillende ioon-uitruilings hars prosesse beslaan. Die opsies het verskil van eluerings metodes en adsorpsie medium. Die alombekende Merrill Crowe presipitasie proses is ook ondersoek, maar daar is gevind dat hierdie proses oneffektiewe resultate oplewer met betrekking tot die herwinning van die drie edel metale. In elke alternatief word die sianied oplossing in ʼn SART proses verwerk, waar die basis metale herwin word, gevolg deur die opgradering van die edel metale d.m.v. geaktiveerde koolstof adsorpsie of ekstraksie m.b.v. ioon-uitruilings harse, gevolg deur eluering. Die PGMe word dan herwin vanuit die eluerings oplossing deur termiese degradering van die metaal sianied komplekse, wat ʼn hoë graad presipitaat lewer bestaande uit die basis en edel metale. Goud word herwin d.m.v. elektroplatering. Daar is bevind dat die algehele verrigting van die ioon-uitruilings hars opsies beter was as die van die geaktiveerde koolstof opsies, beide van ʼn algehele edel metaal herwinnings en produk suiwerheid perspektief. Die verhoogde adsorpsie kinetika en hoër PGM selektiwiteit van die harse het daartoe gelei dat uitstekende algehele PGM herwinning verkry is in hierdie opsies, meer as 97%. Goud ekstraksie deur die harse was laer as wat verkry was deur die geaktiveerde koolstof opsies, weens die hoër selektiwiteit van die harse vir die divalente platinum en palladium sianied komplekse en laer hars eluering effektiwiteit. Die goud konsentrasies in die voer strome na die prosesse was laag, en het sowat 8.5% van die totale edel metale uitgemaak, wat bygedra het tot die lae goud herwinning. Algeheel was die edel metaal herwinning van die hars prosesse beter as die van die koolstof prosesse a.g.v. die hoër PGM adsorpsie. Koste evaluerings van die verskillende vloeidiagramme het getoon dat die hars opsies laer kapitaal kostes benodig, omtrent 28% minder as die koolstof opsies, terwyl bedryfskostes omtrent 10% minder was. Dit het bygedra tot die feit dat die ioon-uitruiling hars opsies ʼn hoër algehele netto ekonomiese waarde oor ʼn projek leeftyd van 15 jaar sal hê, aangesien de PGM ekstraksie, en dus die jaarlikse inkomste, ook hoër was. Die algehele proses vloei diagram wat voorgestel is vir die herwinning van edel metale vanuit sianied loog oplossings is die hars opsie wat gebruik maak van die Amberlite PWA 5 hars, wat in staat is om platinum, palladium en goud terselfdertyd te absorbeer, gevolg deur die eluering van die hars deur die gebruik van ʼn sink sianied oplossing. Hierdie proses het die laagste kapitaal en bedryfskostes getoon terwyl algehele PGM herwinning om en by dieselfde was as al die ander opsies. Hierdie proses sal verder ʼn 31% verhoging in die opbrengs op belegging lewer in vergelyking met die optimum geaktiveerde koolstof opsie. Die algehele gevolgtrekking is dat hars tegnologie die beter opsie sal wees vir die herwinning van edel metale vanuit sianied loog oplossings. Addisionele navorsing is dus nodig om resultate te verbeter aangesien hierdie studie slegs op ʼn konsep fase benadering was.

The reaction between the tetrahedrane cluster RCCo3(CO)9{R = CHO (1), H (3)} and the redox-active diphosphine ligand 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3- dione (bpcd) leads to the replacement of two CO groups and formation of RCCo3(CO)7(bpcd) {R = CHO (2), H (4)}. Clusters 2 and 4 are thermally unstable and readily transform into the new P-C bond cleavage cluster 5. All three clusters 2, 4, and 5 have been isolated and fully characterized in solution by IR and 31P NMR spectroscopy. VT 31P NMR data indicate that the bpcd ligand in RCCo3(CO)7(bpcd) is fluxional at 187 K in THF. Clusters 2, 4, and 5 have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction analyses.

Investigations presented here are (a) the study of reorientational dynamics and internal rotation in transition metal complexes by NMR relaxation experiments, and (b) the study of ligand exchange dynamics in transition metal complexes by exchange NMR experiments. The phenyl ring rotation in Ru3(CO)9(μ3-CO)(μ3-NPh) and Re(Co)2(CO)10(μ3- CPh) was monitored by 13C NMR relaxation experiments to probe intramolecular electronic and/or steric interactions. It was found that the rotation is relatively free in the first complex, but is restrained in the second one. The steric interactions in the complexes were ascertained by the measurement of the closest approach intramolecular distances. The rotational energy barriers in the two complexes were also calculated by using both the Extended Hiickel and Fenske-Hall methods. The study suggests that the barrier is due mainly to the steric interactions. The exchange NMR study revealed two carbonyl exchange processes in both Ru3(CO)9(μ3-CO)(μ3-NPh) and Ru3(CO)8(PPh3)(μ3-CO)(μ3-NPh). The lower energy process is a tripodal rotation of the terminal carbonyls. The higher energy process, resulting in the exchange between the equatorial and bridging carbonyls, but not between the axial and bridging carbonyls, involves the concerted formation of edge-bridging μ2-CO moieties. The effect of the PPh3 ligand on the carbonyl exchange rates has been discussed. A combination of relaxation and exchange NMR found that PPh3 ligand rotation about the Ru-P bond is slow on the exchange NMR time scale and the phenyl rotation about the P-Cipso bond is fast on the exchange NMR time scale but is slow on the NMR relaxation time scale.

O estudo computacional da interação de biomoléculas com metais de transição é bastante desafiador. Sendo assim, investigamos computacionalmente diferentes propriedades eletrônicas, estruturais e hiperfinas de complexos metálicos, a saber: a) o gradiente do campo elétrico de Crown thioethers coordenados à Ag e ao Cd e comparado com as medidas da técnica espectroscópica Time Differential Perturbed Angular Correlation durante o decaimento nuclear 111Ag -> 111Cd ; b) o acoplamento hiperfino no metal coordenado à bases de Schiff e comparado com as medidas de ressonância eletrônica paramagnética durante o equilíbrio ceto-enol; c) a interação termodinâmica entre o complexo [Cu(isaenim)]2+ e o sulco menor do DNA, por meio da dissociação do complexo supramolecular [Cu(isaenim)]2+-DNA, comparada com a energia livre experimental fornecida pela constante de equilíbrio de formação deste sistema; e d) por meio do cálculo do acoplamento hiperfino realizamos alguns passos na direção da caracterização teórica do complexo supramolecular no estado ligado. Utilizamos a teoria do funcional da densidade no esquema de Kohn-Sham para obter as propriedades hiperfinas eletrônicas e magnéticas dos complexos metálicos. No estudo do equilíbrio ceto-enol utilizamos simulações de dinâmica molecular clássica e híbrida QMMM para estimar as distancias Cu-Oágua. No caso do complexo supramolecular [Cu(isaenim)]2+-DNA, simulações de dinâmica molecular e metadinâmica clássica foram utilizadas para propor uma rota de reconhecimento molecular em um oligômero de DNA. / Computational study of the interaction of biomolecules with transition metals is very challenging. Thus, we have investigated different electronic, structural and hyperfine properties of the metal complexes: a) the electric field gradient properties of Crown thioethers coordinated with Ag and Cd and compared to Time Differential Perturbed Angular Correlation measurements during nuclear decay; b) the hyperfine coupling in the metal of Schiff basis coordinated with copper and compared to electronic paramagnetic resonance measurements during the keto-enol equilibrium; c) the thermodynamic interaction between [Cu(isaenim)]2+ complex and the DNA minor groove, by the dissociation of this supramolecular complex, comparing its free energy experimental provided by the formation constant; and d) through the calculation of the hyperfine coupling in the Cu, we characterized the bound state of this supramolecular complex. We used the density functional theory in the Kohn-Sham scheme in order to obtain the electric and magnetic hyperfine properties of the metal complexes. In the keto-enol equilibrium study, we used classic and QMMM molecular dynamics to estimate the Cu-Owater distances. Regarding [Cu(isaenim)]2+-DNA system, classical molecular dynamics and metadynamics simulations were used to propose a molecular recognition route in a DNA oligomer.

A determinação de estruturas tridimensionais de quelatos com metais pesados e de alguns potencialmente úteis agentes quelantes, é uma ferramenta muito importante no estudo de complexos que poderão agir como antídotos na intoxicação por ingestão de metais pesados. Um conhecimento detalhado destes complexos é exigido para auxiliar na modelagem de estruturas moleculares e na determinação de procedimentos que sejam mais efetivos na neutralização dos processos, desenvolvidos por indivíduos com intoxicação crônica por metais pesados. Aqui serão reportados os resultados de um estudo sistemático de complexos [TlMe2L], onde L = 2-mercapto-3-piridina ácido carboxílico (I), 6-mercapto-3-piridinametoxicarboxilato (II), 2-mercapto-3-piridina-metoxicarboxilato (III), 6-mercapto-3-piridina-etoxicarboxilato (IV) e 2-mercapto-3-piridina-etoxicarboxilato (V). O estudo dos arranjos supramoleculares destes complexos mostra que, apesar das diferenças na simetria dos grupos espaciais e os substituintes nos ligantes, o empacotamento no cristal são similares. Os complexos formam polimeros infinitos em uma, duas e três dimensões, baseadas em interações TI - S, T1 - N e T1 - O e ligações de hidrogênio. Existem várias formas de correções dos dados de difração de raios X em monocristais. Durante o processamento das intensidades coletadas realizam-se várias correções, tais como de Lorentz, polarização, absorção e eventualmente correção por deterioração da amostra. A correção por absorção é fortemente recomendada para cristais que possuem fortes absorvedores em sua forma estrutural. Foram estudados os efeitos da absorção dos raios X em amostras cristalinas e uma comparação dos resultados obtidos ao aplicar os diferentes métodos de correções por absorção disponíveis. Constatou-se que após serem realizados diferentes formas de correção por absorção, houve diferenças significativas nas figuras de mérito, picos e vales de densidade de carga residual e parâmetros de deslocamentos anisotrópicos. Já nos ângulos e distâncias de ligações não foram observados mudanças significativas. / The determination of the three-dimensional structures of heavy-metal chelates and of some potentially useful chelating agents is a very important to01 in the study of complexes that may act as antidotes against poisoning by ingestion of heavy metals. A detailed knowledge of these complexes is expected to assist in the design of molecular structures and procedures that are more effective in counteracting the life threatening processes inevitably developed by individuals with chronic heavy-metal intoxication. Within this framework a series of dimethylthallium(III) complexes were studied. Here we present complexes of the type [TlMe2L], where L=2-mercapto-3- pyridine carboxylic acid(I), 6-mercapto-3-pyridine-methoxycarboxylate(II), 2-mercapto-3-pyridine-methoxycarboxylate(III), 6-mercapto-3-pyridineethoxycarboxylate(IV) and 2-mercapto-3-pyridine-ethoxycarboxylate(V). The study of the supramolecular arrangement of these complexes shows that, in spite of the differences in space group symmetry and substituents in the ligand, the crystals packing are remarkably similar. The complexes form infinite polymers in one, two and three dimensions, based upon TI-S, T1-0 e T1-N covalent bonds and intermolecular secondary interactions. The complexes also present strong hydrogen bond intermolecular interactions. There are many forms of corrections to the data collected in a single crystal X-ray diffration experiment. During the data reduction many corrections take place, such as: Lorentz, polarization, absorption and eventualy corrections for the deterioration of the sample. The absorption correction is strongly recommended for crystals with strong absorbers in its structural form. The effect of the absorption of the X rays has been studied in crystalline samples, as well as a comparison between the result obtained from the different available methods of absorption corrections. This work that showed different forms of absorption correction, made significant differences in the merit figures, peak and hole of residual charge density, as well as the anisotropic displacements parameters. Bonds distances and angles, on the other hand, did not change significantly.

O entendimento em nível molecular da interação tanto de vírus causadores de doenças (ou parte deles, como proteínas e peptídeos) quanto de moléculas candidatas a fármacos, é de suma importância para a terapia e tratamento de doenças. Neste trabalho, utilizamos técnicas biofísicas e bioquímicas para o estudo da interação entre miméticos de membrana e dois grupos de pequenas moléculas. A primeira relacionada a uma doença, o peptídeo de fusão da Dengue, sequência putativa da glicoproteína E do vírus da Dengue, e que se conserva entre outros flavivírus, como o vírus da Zika. Já o segundo grupo é formado por compostos de coordenação de cobre, Fenantrolina e os dipeptídeos Ala-Gly e Ala-Phe: Cu(L-dipeptídeo)(Fenantrolina), e que são potenciais candidatos a fármacos antitumorais. Nossos resultados mostram que as moléculas de ambos os grupos são capazes de interagir e modificar as propriedades do sistema mimético de membrana. Indicando que, por um lado, se pode pensar em estratégias de bloqueio da interação para evitar infecção pelo vírus e, por outro lado, se pode usar nossos resultados para melhor planejar formas de potencializar a interação em mecanismos de entrega de fármaco e/ou de difusão pela barreira física representada pelo sistema de membranas da célula tumoral / The understanding at the molecular level of the interaction of both disease-causing viruses (or part thereof, such as proteins and peptides) and drug-candidate molecules is of paramount importance for the therapy and treatment of such diseases. In this work, we use biophysical techniques to study the interaction between membrane mimetics and two groups of small molecules. The first one is related to a disease, the Dengue fusion peptide, putative sequence of Dengue virus glycoprotein E, which is conserved among other flaviviruses, such as the Zika virus. The second group consists of coordination compounds of copper, Phenantroline and the dipeptides Ala-Gly and Ala-Phe: Cu (L-dipeptide) (phenanthroline), which are potential candidates for antitumor drugs. Our results show that the molecules form both groups are capable of interacting and modifying the physic-chemical properties of the mimetic membrane system. This indicates that, on one hand, one can think in strategies of blocking the interaction to avoid virus infection and, on the other hand, one can use our results to improve membrane interaction in drug delivery mechanisms and/or for facilitating diffusion through the physical barrier represented by the membranes in tumor cells

O entendimento em nível molecular da interação tanto de vírus causadores de doenças (ou parte deles, como proteínas e peptídeos) quanto de moléculas candidatas a fármacos, é de suma importância para a terapia e tratamento de doenças. Neste trabalho, utilizamos técnicas biofísicas e bioquímicas para o estudo da interação entre miméticos de membrana e dois grupos de pequenas moléculas. A primeira relacionada a uma doença, o peptídeo de fusão da Dengue, sequência putativa da glicoproteína E do vírus da Dengue, e que se conserva entre outros flavivírus, como o vírus da Zika. Já o segundo grupo é formado por compostos de coordenação de cobre, Fenantrolina e os dipeptídeos Ala-Gly e Ala-Phe: Cu(L-dipeptídeo)(Fenantrolina), e que são potenciais candidatos a fármacos antitumorais. Nossos resultados mostram que as moléculas de ambos os grupos são capazes de interagir e modificar as propriedades do sistema mimético de membrana. Indicando que, por um lado, se pode pensar em estratégias de bloqueio da interação para evitar infecção pelo vírus e, por outro lado, se pode usar nossos resultados para melhor planejar formas de potencializar a interação em mecanismos de entrega de fármaco e/ou de difusão pela barreira física representada pelo sistema de membranas da célula tumoral / The understanding at the molecular level of the interaction of both disease-causing viruses (or part thereof, such as proteins and peptides) and drug-candidate molecules is of paramount importance for the therapy and treatment of such diseases. In this work, we use biophysical techniques to study the interaction between membrane mimetics and two groups of small molecules. The first one is related to a disease, the Dengue fusion peptide, putative sequence of Dengue virus glycoprotein E, which is conserved among other flaviviruses, such as the Zika virus. The second group consists of coordination compounds of copper, Phenantroline and the dipeptides Ala-Gly and Ala-Phe: Cu (L-dipeptide) (phenanthroline), which are potential candidates for antitumor drugs. Our results show that the molecules form both groups are capable of interacting and modifying the physic-chemical properties of the mimetic membrane system. This indicates that, on one hand, one can think in strategies of blocking the interaction to avoid virus infection and, on the other hand, one can use our results to improve membrane interaction in drug delivery mechanisms and/or for facilitating diffusion through the physical barrier represented by the membranes in tumor cells