In this thesis the synthesis and full characterization of a new bulky diphosphine, tetrakis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)diphosphine, are described. This compound displays facile oxidation and a thorough investigation of its redox properties has been studied by combining solution electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disk electrode (RDE) voltammetry, with spectroscopic methods such as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Simultaneous Electrochemical Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (SEEPR) spectroscopy over a wide temperature range. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to aid in structural characterization of the radical cation that is produced and to provide computed hyperfine splitting (HFS) constants for comparison with experimental results. For comparison to this species with bulky aromatic substituents, similar studies were conducted that have identified the previously unreported radical cation of tetrakis-tert-butyldiphosphine with a bulky aliphatic substituent that provides even higher steric pressure than the 2,6-diisopropylphenyl group. DFT calculations are reported, as is full characterization with fluid and frozen-solution EPR spectroscopy. Further CV and EPR (SEEPR) studies are reported that led to the identification of radical cations of tris(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)arsine and bis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)phosphine. DFT calculations are reported, as is full characterization with fluid and frozen-solution EPR spectroscopy. / xix, 172 leaves : ill (some col.) ; 29 cm

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 223-247).

The human α-lactalbumin (α-LA) molten globule formed at low pH is a model for the study of protein folding intermediates. The molten globule lacks native-like side-chain interactions, resulting in a fluctuating ensemble of tertiary structures, characterisation of which has been precluded by severe line-broadening in NMR spectra and a lack of long-range NOEs. Paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PREs) have been measured in a variant of α-LA in which all native cysteines have been mutated to alanine (all-Ala α-LA). Cysteine residues have been mutated into regions of interest and spin labelled with MTSL. These measurements have confirmed that all-Ala α-LA forms a compact molten globule. Transient, long-range interactions that are stabilising the compact fold have also been identified using PREs measured in urea-denatured states. This has identified several interactions formed by hydrophobic residues from both the α- and β-domain, which could be important for initiating and driving folding. The molten globule’s 3D topology has been probed by measuring long-range distances between MTSL pairs using Double Electron-Electron Resonance (DEER). Broad distance distributions have been identified between elements of secondary structure, indicative of a fluctuating but compact fold. By contrast, a narrower distance distribution has been measured within one of the major helices, indicative of native-like secondary structure. The surface accessibility of all-Ala α-LA and that of two other variants ([28-111] α-LA and 4SS α-LA) has been probed using solvent PREs obtained using TEMPOL, a paramagnetic co-solute. This has revealed differences in the solvent-exposure of hydrophobic residues due to the removal of disulphide bonds. This method has also identified buried hydrophobic residues that contribute to forming the molten globule’s stable, native-like core.

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2014-10-13T21:33:03Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Adriana Pereira Mundim Guedes - 2013.pdf: 2999561 bytes, checksum: 755cb864a8446e6ff5c334be00ea5367 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2014-10-16T18:47:44Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Adriana Pereira Mundim Guedes - 2013.pdf: 2999561 bytes, checksum: 755cb864a8446e6ff5c334be00ea5367 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-16T18:47:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Adriana Pereira Mundim Guedes - 2013.pdf: 2999561 bytes, checksum: 755cb864a8446e6ff5c334be00ea5367 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-09-13 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Motivated by the perspective of ruthenium complexes to be used in cancer treatment, our research group has tested the hipotesis that some complexes of Ru (III) are able to interact with serum proteins, particularly albumin and transferrin. The Complex cis- [RuCl2(NH3)4]Cl (CTRu(III)) have been tested against different kind of tumor cells, obtaining good results. Starting from promising results obtained with this compound, subsequent studies are required to understanding the mechanism by which it exerts specificity for tumor cells. In this article, we report the first application of absorption UV-Vis, Fluorescence and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, to study the complex CTRu(III) interaction with human serum albumin (hsA) and bovine serum albumin (bsA). Fluorescence measurements revealed strong proteinsbound complex with Ksv of 1.32 x 105 and 3.71 x 105 for hsA and bsA, respectively. EPR spectra from mono-nuclear Ru(III) complexes in buffer, showed a significant decrease in the overall signal intensity following the first aquation step, is consistent with the formation of oxo-bridged Ru(III) dimers. EPR spectra revealed that the BSA very rapid binding to the protein via covalent binding through ligand-exchange with protein side chains, likely with histidine imidazoles. On the other hand, the complex binds non-covalently in hsA, probably as a product of the oligomerization of the complex in hemin-biding pocket. Furthermore, two species are slowly formed by covalent binding of the complex with the histidine residues, producing a species of axial symmetry and the other rhombic symmetry. These bonds seem to arise from the interaction of the complex with the histidine residue located in the binding Sudlow’s site II. / Motivado pela perspectiva de complexos de rutênio podem ser utilizados no tratamento do câncer, o nosso grupo de pesquisa testou a Hipótese que alguns complexos de Ru (III) são capazes de interagir com as proteínas do soro, particularmente albumina e transferrina. O complexo de cis-[RuCl2(NH3)4]Cl (CTRu(III)) foi testado contra diferentes tipos de células tumorais, obtendo bons resultados. A partir de resultados promissores obtidos com este composto, estudos subsequentes são necessários para a compreensão do mecanismo pelo qual ele exerce sua especificidade para células de tumor. Neste artigo, apresentamos a aplicação de espectroscopia de absorção UV-vis, fluorescência e ressonância paramagnética eletrônica (RPE), para estudar a interação do complexo CTRu(III) com albumina sérica humano (hsA) e a albumina sérica bovina (bsA). Medidas de fluorescência revelaram uma forte ligação do complexo com as proteínas com Ksv de 1,32 x 105 e 3,71 x 105 para hsA e bsA, respectivamente. Espectros de RPE de complexos de Ru (III) mono-nucleares em tampão mostraram um decréscimo significativo na intensidade do sinal global após a primeira passo de aquação, que é consistente com a formação de dímeros de oxo complexos de Ru (III). Os espectros de RPE revelaram que a ligação à bsA é muito rápida, a ligação covalente à proteína ocorre através de troca dos ligantes com cadeias laterais de proteínas, provavelmente com o imidazol da histidina. Por outro lado, o complexo se liga não covalentemente na hsA, provalente como produto da oligomerização do complexo no bolso de ligação hemin. Além disso, duas espécies são formadas lentamente por ligação covalente do complexo com os resíduos histidina, produzindo uma espécie de simetria axial e a outra de simetria rômbica. Essas ligações parecem surgir pela interação do complexo com o resíduo histidina localizado no sítio de ligação Sudlow II.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Oxalate decarboxylase (EC 4. 1. 1. 2 OxDC) from Bacillus subtilis is a manganese-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of the chemically inactive C-C bond in oxalate to yield formate and carbon dioxide. A mechanism involving Mn(III) has been proposed for OxDC, however no clear spectroscopic evidence to support this mechanism has yet been obtained. In addition, a recent study has shown that N-terminal metal binding site loop variants of OxDC were able to catalyze the oxidation of oxalate to yield hydrogen peroxide and carbon dioxide, which makes OxDc function as another oxalate degradation protein in the cupin superfamily, oxalate oxidase (EC 1.2.3.4 OxOx). In this work, wild-type (WT) Bacillus subtilis OxDC and a series of variants with mutations on conserved residues were characterized to investigate the catalytic mechanism of OxDC. The application of membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS), electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) provided information about the mechanism. The Mn(III) was identified and characterized under acidic conditions in the presence of dioxygen and oxalate. Mutations on the second shell residues in the N-terminal metal binding site affected the enzyme activity properties of the metal. In the N-terminal domain, the functional importance of the residues in the active site loop region, especially Glu162, was confirmed, and evidence for the previously proposed mechanism in which OxDC and the OxDC/OxOx chimeric variant share the initial steps has been found. In addition, the mono-dentate coordination of oxalate in the N-terminal metal binding site was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. A proteinase cleavable OxDC was constructed and characterized, revealing the interaction between the N-terminal and C-terminal domains.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Cellular membranes contain a staggering diversity of lipids. The lipids are heterogeneously distr ibuted to create regions, or domains, whose physical properties differ from the bulk membrane and play an essential role in modulating the function of resident proteins. Many basic questions pertaining to the formation of these lateral assemblies remain. T his research employs model membranes of well - defined composition to focus on the potential role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their interaction with cholesterol (chol) in restructuring the membrane environment. Omega - 3 (n - 3) PUFAs are the main bioactive components of fish oil, whose consumption alleviates a variety of health problems by a molecular mechanism that is unclear. We hypothesize that the incorporation of PUFAs into membrane lipids and the effect they have on molecular organization may be, in part, responsible. Chol is a major constituent in the plasma membrane of mammals. It determines the arrangement and collective properties of neighboring lipids, driving the formation of domains via differential affinity for different lipids . T he m olecular organization of 1 -[ 2 H 31 ]palmitoyl -2- eicosapentaenoylphosphatidylcholine (PEPC - d 31 ) and 1 -[ 2 H 31 ]palmitoyl -2- docosahexaenoylphosphatidylcholine (PDPC -d 31 ) in membran es with sphingomyelin (SM) and chol (1:1:1 mol) was compared by solid - state 2 H NMR spectroscopy. Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids are the two major n - 3 PUFAs found in fish oil, while PEPC -d 31 and PDPC -d 31 are phospholipids containing the respective PUFAs at the sn - 2 position and a perdeuterated palmitic acid a t the sn - 1 position . Analysis of s pectra recorded as a function of temperature indicate s that in both cases, formation of PUFA - rich (less ordered) and SM - rich (more ordered) domains occurred. A surprisingly substantial proportion of PUFA was found to infil trate the more ordered domain. There was almost twice as much DHA (65%) as EPA (30%) . The implication is that n - 3 PUFA s can incorporate into lipid rafts, which are domains enriched in SM and chol in the plasma membrane, and potentially disrupt the activity of signaling proteins that reside therein. DHA, furthermore, may be the more potent component of fish oil. PUFA - chol interactions were also examined through affinity measurements. A novel method utilizing electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) was develope d, to monitor the partitioning of a spin - labeled analog of chol , 3β - doxyl - 5α - cholestane (chlstn), between large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) and met hyl - β - cyclodextrin (mβCD). The EPR spectra for chlstn in the two environments are distinguishable due to the substantial differences in tumbling rates , allowing the population distribution ratio to be determined by spectral simulation. Advantages of this approach include speed of implementation and a vo idance of potential artifact s associated with physical separation of LUV and mβCD . Additionally, in a check of the method, t he relative partition coefficients between lipids measured for the spin label analog agree with values obtained for chol by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Results from LUV with different composition confirmed a hierarchy of decreased sterol affinity for phospholipids with increasing acyl chain unsaturation , PDPC possessing half the affinity of the corresponding monounsaturated phospholipid. Taken together, the results of these studies on model membranes demonstrate the potential for PUFA - driven alteration of the architecture of biomembranes, a mechanism through which human health may be impacted.

<p dir="ltr">The chemical constituents of terrestrial and atmospheric waters originate from biomass burning, fertilizer runoff, and anthropogenic activity, among other sources, and their multi-phase chemistry is complex. Sunlight plays an essential role in aquatic chemistry. Photosensitizers in terrestrial and atmospheric waters absorb light to form highly reactive species such as triplet excited carbon (³C*), hydroxyl radical (•OH), and singlet oxygen (¹O₂), driving the photochemical transformations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the aqueous phase. Of note, these reactive species transform DOM compounds that do not undergo direct photolysis. DOM frequently undergoes a change in optical properties following photochemical processing, with implications for air quality, water quality, and human and animal health. The presence of inorganic minerals, such as the fertilizer compound struvite, in terrestrial or atmospheric waters introduces further complexity and impacts the photochemical processes that occur. Simplified proxy systems are created in the laboratory to simulate aquatic photochemical processes and evaluate the formation and/or photodegradation of photoproducts. These mixtures typically consist of a representative organic carbon (OC) compound and a photosensitizer, along with struvite or another inorganic mineral.</p>