Cluster Ligands Research Articles

Chelating versus bridging bonding modes of N-substituted bis(diphenylphosphanyl)amine ligands in Pt complexes and Co2Pt clusters

N-substituted dppa ligands Ph2P-NR-PPh2 [R = -CH2CH2SCH2C6H5 (1), -CH2CH2S(CH2)5CH3 (2), -(CH2)9CH3 (3), -C6H5 (4)] were used for the synthesis of cis-[PtCl2{Ph2PN(R)PPh2}] complexes [R = -CH2CH2SCH2C6H5 (5), -CH2CH2S(CH2)5CH3 (6), -(CH2)9CH3 (7), -C6H5 (8)] and heterotrinuclear clusters of formula [PtCo2(CO)7{Ph2PN(R)PPh2}] [R = -CH2CH2SCH2C6H5 (9), -CH2CH2S(CH2)5CH3 (10), -(CH2)9CH3 (11), -C6H5 (12)]. The presence of relatively bulky substituents on N resulted in a higher chelating power of the ligands. The thermodynamic study of the equilibrium between the chelate and the bridged forms of clusters 9-11 showed that the bridged form is favoured by enthalpic factors whereas entropic factors favour chelation. The structures of 5 and 9 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

First mixed hydrazide/hydroxylamide metal aggregates

The first organometallic clusters of mixed hydrazide/hydroxylamide clusters of zinc, [Zn(MeZn)(4)(HNNMe(2))(2)(ONEt(2))(4)] and {Zn(EtZn)(4)[HNN(CH(2))(5)](2)(ONEt(2))(4)} were synthesized in one-pot synthesis protocols from dialkylzinc solutions, substituted hydrazines and N,N-diethylhydroxylamine; competing for the Zn atoms, the different binding properties of hydrazide and hydroxylamide ligands in these heteroleptic clusters are discussed.

Changes in Structural and Functional Properties of Oxygen-evolving Complex Induced by Replacement of D1-Glutamate 189 with Glutamine in Photosystem II: LIGATION OF GLUTAMATE 189 CARBOXYLATE TO THE MANGANESE CLUSTER

A carboxylate group of D1-Glu-189 in photosystem II has been proposed to serve as a direct ligand for the manganese cluster. Here we constructed a mutant that eliminates the carboxylate by replacing D1-Glu-189 with Gln in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, and we examined the resulting effects on the structural and functional properties of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in photosystem II. The E189Q mutant grew photoautotrophically, and isolated photosystem II core particles evolved oxygen at approximately 70% of the rate of control wild-type particles. The E189Q OEC showed typical S(2) state electron spin resonance signals, and the spin center distance between the S(2) state manganese cluster and the Y(D) (D2-Tyr-160), detected by electron-electron double resonance spectroscopy, was not affected by this mutation. However, the redox potential of the E189Q OEC was considerably lower than that of the control OEC, as revealed by the elevated peak temperature of the S(2) state thermoluminescence bands. The mutation resulted in specific changes to bands ascribed to the putative carboxylate ligands for the manganese cluster and to a few carbonyl bands in mid-frequency (1800 to 1100 cm(-1)) S(2)/S(1) Fourier transform infrared difference spectrum. Notably, the low frequency (650 to 350 cm(-1)) S(2)/S(1) Fourier transform infrared difference spectrum was also uniquely changed by this mutation in the frequencies for the manganese cluster core vibrations. These results suggested that the carboxylate group of D1-Glu-189 ligates the manganese ion, which is influenced by the redox change of the oxidizable manganese ion upon the S(1) to S(2) transition.

Gas-phase experiments on the chemistry and coordination of Zn(II) by aprotic solvent molecules

Experiments have been performed in the gas phase on a series of doubly charged zinc–ligand complexes to elucidate their solvation structure and available fragmentation pathways. Production of such complexes was achieved by the formation of neutral argon–ligand clusters followed by the subsequent addition of a single zinc atom using a pickup technique. Multiply charged ions were then produced by electron impact within a high resolution, double-focusing mass spectrometer. Studies have been undertaken on a number of zinc(II) – aprotic solvent complexes including those consisting of argon and carbon dioxide in association with the zinc cation. Investigation of these novel metal–solvent clusters took the form of recorded parent ion intensity distributions and the measurement of fragmentation patterns promoted via collision-induced dissociation (CID). Discussion of the intensity distributions is presented in terms of the solvation of Zn(II) by each solvent, drawing on existing theoretical and experimental data from the gaseous and condensed phases. Investigation of collision-induced dissociation processes includes identifying charge transfer reactions in each solvated system, and analysis of the results in terms of kinetic energy release as well as possible mechanisms for fragmentation pathways. Key words: zinc, clusters, dications, gas phase, solvation.

Nanosized [Pd52(CO)36(PEt3)14] and [Pd66(CO)45(PEt3)16] Clusters Based on a Hypothetical Pd38 Vertex‐Truncated ν3 Octahedron

Room for one more? The structures of nanosized Pd52 and Pd66 clusters that are based upon a common Pd38 vertex-truncated ν-octahedral kernel have been determined. The 45 CO ligands in the Pd66 cluster (see core structure), [Pd66(CO)45(PEt3)16], are described in terms of one extra and 44 normal ligands, two of which undergo rearrangement to accommodate the 45th CO ligand without causing any substantial changes to the architecture of the metal core.

Organometallic cluster analogues of tamoxifen: Synthesis and biochemical assay

Simple organometallic cluster analogues of tamoxifen containing triosmium or dicobalt carbonyl fragments have been prepared. Attempts at elaboration of these towards the tamoxifen skeleton were hampered by sensitivity of the cluster–ligand linkage towards the McMurry coupling conditions. Preliminary biological tests on various substrates indicate that the transition metal carbonyl fragment increases lipophilicity dramatically and reduces affinity for the estrogen receptor.

Triphenylphosphine-substituted selenido and sulfido clusters of osmium derived from Ph 3P [dbnd]Se or Ph 3P [dbnd

Cleavage of P Se bonds occurs readily in the room-temperature treatment of [Os 3(CO) 10(MeCN) 2] with Ph 3P Se to give three new compounds, [Os 3(μ 3-Se) 2(CO) 8(PPh 3)] ( 2), [Os 3(μ 3-Se)(μ 3-CO)(CO) 7(PPh 3) 2] ( 5) and [Os 3(μ-OH) 2(CO) 8(PPh 3) 2] ( 6), respectively, and three known compounds, [Os 3(μ 3-Se) 2(CO) 9] ( 1), [Os 3(μ 3-Se)(μ-CO) 2(CO) 7(PPh 3)] ( 3), and 1,2-[Os 3(CO) 10(PPh 3) 2] ( 4).No evidence for any product containing a co-ordinated Ph 3P Se ligand was obtained.The analogous reaction between [Os 3(CO) 10(MeCN) 2] and Ph 3P S produces five new compounds [Os 3(μ 3-S) 2(CO) 8(PPh 3)] ( 7), [Os 3(μ 3-S)(μ-CO) 2(CO) 7(PPh 3)] ( 8), [Os 3(μ 3-S)(μ 3- CO)(CO) 7(PPh 3) 2] ( 9), [Os 3(μ 3-) 2(CO) 7(PPh 3) 2] ( 11) and compound 6 in addition to the known compound 4. Treatment of 2 with Me 3NO at 50 °C gives the trinuclear cluster [Os 3(μ 3-Se) 2(CO) 7(PPh 3)(NMe 3)] ( 13) and the hexanuclear cluster [Os 6(μ 3-Se) 4(CO) 14(PPh 3) 2] ( 12). Treatment of compound 1 with PPh 3 and Me 3NO at room temperature gives [Os 3(μ 3-Se) 2(CO) 7(PPh 3) 2] ( 10). Compound 2 reacts with PPh 3 similarly to give 10. Compound 3 reacts with elemental selenium at 110 °C to give 2. The new compounds 2, 5, 6 and 8 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds 3, 5, 8 and 9 contain Os 3(μ 3-S) or Os 3(μ 3-Se)cluster cores with three metal–metal bonds while 2, 7, 10, 11 and 12 contain Os 3(μ 3-S) 2or Os 3(μ 3-Se) 2 cores two metal–metal bonds. The two hydroxy ligands in the triosmium cluster 6 bridging the open osmium-osmium edge and are probably derived from water. A study of the dynamic exchange of PPh 3 ligands in 5 is also reported.

Disruption of perlecan binding and matrix assembly by post-translational or genetic disruption of dystroglycan function

Dystroglycan is a cell-surface matrix receptor that requires LARGE-dependent glycosylation for laminin binding. Although the interaction of dystroglycan with laminin has been well characterized, less is known about the role of dystroglycan glycosylation in the binding and assembly of perlecan. We report reduced perlecan-binding activity and mislocalization of perlecan in the LARGE-deficient Large myd mouse. Cell-surface ligand clustering assays show that laminin polymerization promotes perlecan assembly. Solid-phase binding assays provide evidence for the first time of a trimolecular complex formation of dystroglycan, laminin and perlecan. These data suggest functional disruption of the trimolecular complex in glycosylation-deficient muscular dystrophy.

Haplotypes within genes of β-chemokines in 17q11 are associated with multiple sclerosis: a second phase study

We previously defined haplotypes of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with possible relevance to multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2 CC chemokine ligand (CCL) clusters in chromosome 17q11. The 17q11 region was also identified as a susceptibility locus by a meta-analysis of linkage studies. To confirm and refine the previous finding in a second, high resolution SNP scan in a new set of families. We genotyped 232 SNPs in 1369 individuals in 361 MS families. Transmission of marker alleles and haplotypes from unaffected parents to affected offspring was tested by using the pedigree disequilibrium test, the TRANSMIT 2.5 program, and the family and haplotype based association tests. Distribution of linkage disequilibrium (LD) was assessed by ldmax. In consensus with observations in the first scan, the present study identified haplotypes within CCL3 and CCL15 in the telomeric CCL cluster. There was also an overlap in the findings in the centromeric CCL cluster. Strong and extensive LD was detected both within the centromeric and telomeric CCL gene clusters. The present study replicates our previous findings and further suggests the existence of MS associated haplotypes within genes of CCL3 and CCL15. Haplotypes of interest are also present within the centromeric gene cluster (including CCL2, CCL7, CCL11, CCL8, and CCL13), but extensive LD prevents further refinement of these haplotypes by using the methods applied. Sequencing of the identified chromosomal segments and their flanking regions will be necessary to define specific variants with direct relevance to MS pathogenesis.

Glucose ferrocenyl-oxazolines: Coordination behavior toward [Pd(η3-allyl)Cl]2 studied by ESI-MS

Several new oxazolin-2-yl-substituted ferrocenes based on 2-amino-2-deoxy-α-d-glucose were synthesized via the corresponding amides followed by closing the oxazoline-ring with SnCl4.Coordination properties of representatives of the group of mono- and bis-oxazolinyl ferrocenes, 2-ferrocenyl-4,5-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-d-glucopyrano)-[2,1-d]-oxazoline and 1,1′-bis{4,5-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-d-glucopyrano)-[2,1-d]-oxazolin-2-yl}ferrocene, respectively, toward [Pd(η3-allyl)Cl]2 were investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in positive ion mode and by MS/MS technique.With the monooxazoline derivative mainly a 1:1 complex with the Pd-moiety was found in the mass spectrum while the bisoxazoline yields a stoichiometry of 2:1 (oxazoline:Pd). The latter result is attributed to steric hindrance of the coordination of a second Pd-moiety to the bulky bisoxazolinyl-ferrocene.In the case of 1,1′-bis{4,5-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-d-glucopyrano)-[2,1-d]-oxazolin-2-yl}ferrocene 9 overlapping of two signals in the m/z range from 955–965 was found which can be assigned to the singly charged adduct [C36H40FeN2O16+Pd(η3-C3H5)]+ and a doubly charged Pd–ligand cluster with the general formula Pd2[L(9)]2.In addition, the molecular structure of 1,1′-bis{4,5-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-d-glucopyrano)-[2,1-d]-oxazolin-2-yl}ferrocene was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.

How to Hide Zinc in a Small Protein

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

FRET measurements of cell-traction forces and nano-scale clustering of adhesion ligands varied by substrate stiffness

The mechanical properties of cell adhesion substrates regulate cell phenotype, but the mechanism of this relation is currently unclear. It may involve the magnitude of traction force applied by the cell, and/or the ability of the cells to rearrange the cell adhesion molecules presented from the material. In this study, we describe a FRET technique that can be used to evaluate the mechanics of cell-material interactions at the molecular level and simultaneously quantify the cell-based nanoscale rearrangement of the material itself. We found that these events depended on the mechanical rigidity of the adhesion substrate. Furthermore, both the proliferation and differentiation of preosteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) correlated to the magnitude of force that cells generate to cluster the cell adhesion ligands, but not the extent of ligand clustering. Together, these data demonstrate the utility of FRET in analyzing cell-material interactions, and suggest that regulation of phenotype with substrate stiffness is related to alterations in cellular traction forces.

Differential Localization of Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Substrate-1 and CD47 and Its Molecular Mechanisms in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

Polarized localization of membrane proteins to axons or dendrites is important for a variety of neuronal functions, including neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis during neural development. Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP) substrate-1 (SHPS-1) and its ligand cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47), both of which are members of the Ig superfamily of proteins, are thought to constitute an intercellular communication system in the CNS, although the physiological functions of this CD47-SHPS-1 system remain unknown. To provide insight into these functions, we have now examined the localization of SHPS-1 and CD47 in cultured hippocampal neurons. Endogenous SHPS-1 was detected at the surface of both axons and dendrites, whereas endogenous CD47 was localized predominantly to the surface of dendrites. Forced expression of these two proteins confirmed their distinct localizations. The extracellular regions of SHPS-1 and CD47 were responsible, at least in part, for their axonal and dendritic localizations, respectively; however, the axonal localization of SHPS-1 was not mediated by any one of the three Ig domains in its extracellular region. Overexpression of SHPS-1 and CD47 in distinct neurons resulted in marked accumulation of these proteins at sites of contact between SHPS-1-expressing axons and CD47-expressing dendrites. Such contact sites exhibited an enlarged structure but did not contain the synaptic marker protein vesicle-associated membrane protein-2. These results suggest that differential localization of SHPS-1 and CD47 at axons and dendrites generates a directional intercellular communication system that potentially contributes to regulation of synaptogenesis and the formation of neural networks.

Evidence That the Streptomyces Developmental Protein WhiD, a Member of the WhiB Family, Binds a [4Fe-4S] Cluster

WhiD is required for the late stages of sporulation in the Gram-positive bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor. WhiD is a member of the WhiB-like family of putative transcription factors that are present throughout the actinomycetes but absent from other organisms. This family of proteins has four near-invariant cysteines, suggesting that these residues might act as ligands for a metal cofactor. Overexpressed WhiD, purified from Escherichia coli, contained substoichiometric amounts of iron and had an absorption spectrum characteristic of a [2Fe-2S] cluster. After Fe-S cluster reconstitution under anaerobic conditions, WhiD contained approximately 4 iron atoms/monomer and similar amounts of sulfide ion and gave an absorption spectrum characteristic of a [4Fe-4S] cluster. Reconstituted WhiD gave no electron paramagnetic resonance signal as prepared but, after reduction with dithionite, gave an electron paramagnetic resonance signal (g approximately 2.06, 1.94) consistent with a one-electron reduction of a [4Fe-4S](2+) cluster to a [4Fe-4S](1+) state with electron spin of S = (1/2). The anaerobically reconstituted [4Fe-4S] cluster was oxygen sensitive. Upon exposure to air, absorption at 410 and 505 nm first increased and then showed a steady decrease with time until the protein was colorless in the near UV/visible region. These changes are consistent with an oxygen-induced change from a [4Fe-4S] to a [2Fe-2S] cluster, followed by complete loss of cluster from the protein. Each of the four conserved cysteine residues, Cys-23, -53, -56, and -62, was essential for WhiD function in vivo.

Disrupting integrin transmembrane domain heterodimerization increases ligand binding affinity, not valency or clustering.

Residues important in the interaction between the 23-residue transmembrane (TM) domains of the integrin alpha(IIb)- and beta(3)-subunits were identified by mutating each non-Leu residue to Leu. Leu substitutions of alpha(IIb) at G972, G976, and T981, and of beta(3) at I693 and G708, increased ligand binding. Substitutions with other amino acids at alpha(IIb)G972 and beta(3)G708 could also increase ligand binding. The results are consistent with and extend the helical interface between the integrin alpha- and beta-subunit TM domains previously defined by cysteine scanning and disulfide bond formation. We differentiated between affinity- and valency-based modes of activation by TM domain mutations. The mutant alpha(IIb) W967C forms disulfide-linked alpha(IIb)-subunits within an (alpha(IIb)beta(3))(2) tetramer. This tetramer behaved as an ideal model for the valency mode of regulation, because it exhibited significantly increased binding to multivalent but not monovalent ligands and basally retained the bent conformation. By contrast, the activating Leu mutants showed increased binding to the monovalent, ligand-mimetic PAC-1 Fab and increased exposure of ligand-induced binding site (LIBS) epitopes, suggesting that they partially adopt an extended conformation. Furthermore, the previously described beta(3)G708N mutation in Chinese hamster ovary cells enhanced ligand binding affinity, not valency, and did not alter cell-surface clustering as defined by confocal microscopy. Our studies provide evidence that disrupting the integrin heterodimeric TM helix-helix interface activates ligand binding mainly by increasing the monomeric affinity for ligand, but not the receptor valency, i.e., clustering.

Coordination and cluster compounds of ruthenium with the [hypho-1,2-S2B6H9]– ligand

The reaction between [tmndH][hypho-1,2-S(2)B6H9](tmnd =N,N,N',N'-tetramethylnaphthalene-1,8-diamine) and [RuCl(PPh3)2(eta5-Cp)] in CH2Cl2 at room temperature afforded two ruthenathiaboranes, [5-(eta(5)-Cp)-5-(PPh3)-5,4,6-RuS2B6H9], 1, and [Ru(eta(1)-1,2-S2B6H9)(PPh3)2(eta5-Cp)], 2, in 6 and 48% yields, respectively. The heating of a solution of [Ru(eta(1)-1,2-S2B6H9)(PPh3)2(eta5-Cp)] 2 in CH2Cl2 at reflux temperature afforded 1 in 59% yield. Compound 1 could be described as either a hypho nine-vertex {RuS2B6} cluster or a coordination compound of ruthenium which contains a bidentate eta2-dithiaborate cluster ligand; the latter description is preferred. Compound 2 contains an eight-atom hypho-type {1,2-S2B6} cage bonded to the ruthenium atom of the {Ru(PPh3)2(eta5-Cp)} unit by one sulfur atom and may be described as a compound of ruthenium coordinated eta(1)- to the dithiaborate cluster ligand. The reaction between [tmndH][hypho-1,2-S2B6H9] and [RuCl2(eta6-MeC6H4Pri)]2 in CH2Cl2 at room temperature afforded [5-(eta6-MeC6H4Pri)-arachno-5,4,6-RuS2B6H8], 3, in 94% yield. Further reaction of 3 and PMePh2 afforded another arachno{RhS2B6}cluster, [5-(eta6-MeC6H4Pri)-8-(PMePh2)-arachno-5,4,6-RuS2B6H6], 4, in 25% yield. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 were characterised with single crystal X-ray analyses.

PDB-Ligand: a ligand database based on PDB for the automated and customized classification of ligand-binding structures

PDB-Ligand (http://www.idrtech.com/PDB-Ligand/) is a three-dimensional structure database of small molecular ligands that are bound to larger biomolecules deposited in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). It is also a database tool that allows one to browse, classify, superimpose and visualize these structures. As of May 2004, there are about 4870 types of small molecular ligands, experimentally determined as a complex with protein or DNA in the PDB. The proteins that a given ligand binds are often homologous and present the same binding structure to the ligand. However, there are also many instances wherein a given ligand binds to two or more unrelated proteins, or to the same or homologous protein in different binding environments. PDB-Ligand serves as an interactive structural analysis and clustering tool for all the ligand-binding structures in the PDB. PDB-Ligand also provides an easier way to obtain a number of different structure alignments of many related ligand-binding structures based on a simple and flexible ligand clustering method. PDB-Ligand will be a good resource for both a better interpretation of ligand-binding structures and the development of better scoring functions to be used in many drug discovery applications.

Gold-Thiolate Clusters: A Relativistic Density Functional Study of the Model Species Au13(SR)n, R = H, CH3, n = 4, 6, 8

Abstract The binding of sulfanyl and alkylsulfanyl model ligands to gold clusters was studied for the case of Au13(SR)n with R = H, CH3 and n = 4, 6, 8. Accurate all-electron electronic structure calculations and geometry optimizations of these gold-thiolate clusters have been performed with a scalar relativistic Kohn-Sham procedure as implemented in the density functional program PARAGAUSS. In all structures obtained, bridge coordination was preferred for both types of ligands; no higher coordinated sites where occupied. While in many cases ligand decoration did not change the overall structure of the Au13 core, also more open structures with Au-Au distances elongated beyond the bulk value have been obtained. The effects due to increasing ligand decoration were small: a small decrease of the binding energy per ligand does not exclude higher ligand coverages. The differences between the model ligands SH and SCH3 were consistent in all cases considered: SCH3 exhibits weaker binding and a slightly smaller charge separation between cluster core and ligand shell, which amounts up to about 1.5 e for 8 ligands. Overall, the Au13 core of the clusters was found to be quite flexible. This can be rationalized by the fact that the calculated binding energy per ligand is comparable or even exceeds the binding energy per atom in Au13.

How to Hide Zinc in a Small Protein

Small cysteine-rich proteins (metallothioneins) and related domains of some large proteins (e.g., lysine methyltransferases) bind tri- and tetranuclear zinc clusters with topologies resembling fragments of Zn(II) sulfide minerals. These clusters are ubiquitous in animals, plants, and bacteria. Bacterial metallothioneins can also contain histidines as cluster ligands and embed Zn(II) with a "treble-clef"-like finger fold. This unusual embedded Zn(II) is "hidden" and surprisingly inert toward Zn or Cd exchange. Clearly, proteins can exert fine control over both the thermodynamics and kinetics of zinc binding in thiolate clusters. Genome sequences suggest that related zinc-finger sites are common in a variety of bacteria.

Changes in the Functional and Structural Properties of the Mn Cluster Induced by Replacing the Side Group of the C-Terminus of the D1 Protein of Photosystem II

A free alpha-COO(-) in the C-terminal alanine-344 (Ala344) in the D1 protein of photosystem II is thought to be responsible for ligating the Mn cluster. The effects of the side group of the C-terminus of the D1 protein on the functional and structural properties of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) were comprehensively studied by replacing Ala344 with glycine (Gly), valine (Val), aspartate (Asp), or asparagine (Asn). All the mutants grew photoautotrophically under low-light conditions with lower O(2) evolution activity depending on the mutants when compared with the activity of the control wild type. The Gly-, Asp-, and Asn-substituted mutants did not grow under high-light conditions, while the Val-substituted mutant grew even under the high-light conditions. S(2)-state thermoluminescence bands appeared at slightly elevated temperatures when compared with those of the wild type in the Asp- and Gly-substituted mutants, but at almost normal temperatures in the Val- and Asn-substituted mutants. The oxygen-evolving core particles isolated from the mutants showed little change in protein composition. The Gly-, Asp-, and Asn-substituted core particles exhibited low-temperature electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra with reduced S(2) multiline and enhanced g = 4.1 ESR signals, while the Val-substituted particles showed a spectrum similar to that of the control particles. Mid-frequency Fourier transform infrared difference spectra showed distinctive changes in several bands arising from the putative carboxylate ligands for the Mn cluster in all substituted particles, but the bands for the putative C-terminal alpha-carboxylate did not seem to change in the substituted spectra. The changes induced by the Asp and Asn substitution resembled each other except for the amide I region, and showed some similarity to those induced by the Gly substitution in the symmetric carboxylate stretching region. The results were interpreted to mean that similar types of changes of the carboxylate ligands are induced by these substitutions. The band from a putative histidine ligand for the Mn cluster was similarly affected in the Gly-, Asp-, and Asn-substituted spectra, but not in the Val-substituted spectrum. Notably, marked changes in the amide I, amide II, and carboxylate bands were observed in the Val-substituted spectrum, which was different from the Gly-, Asp-, and Asn-substituted spectra. The results indicated that the structural perturbations induced by the Val substitution include large changes of the protein backbone and are considerably different from those induced by the other substitutions. Possible amino acid ligands participating in the changes deduced by Ala344 replacement in the D1 C-terminal and the effects of the changes of the side group on these ligands were considered on the basis of the available X-ray model of the OEC.