Differences In pKa Values Research Articles

Stretching vibrational frequencies and pKa differences in H-bond networks of protein environments

The experimentally measured stretching vibrational frequencies of O–D [νO–D(donor)] and C=O [νC=O(donor)] H-bond donor groups can provide valuable information about the H-bonds in proteins. Here, using a quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical approach, the relationship between these vibrational frequencies and the difference in pKa values between H-bond donor and acceptor groups [ΔpKa(donor … acceptor)] in bacteriorhodopsin and photoactive yellow protein environments was investigated. The results show that νO–D(donor) is correlated with ΔpKa(donor … acceptor), regardless of the specific protein environment. νC=O(donor) is also correlated with ΔpKa(donor … acceptor), although the correlation is weak because the C=O bond does not have a proton. Importantly, the shifts in νO–D(donor) and νC=O(donor) are not caused by changes in pKa(donor) alone, but rather by changes in ΔpKa(donor … acceptor). Specifically, a decrease in ΔpKa(donor … acceptor) can lead to proton release from the H-bond donor group toward the acceptor group, resulting in shifts in the vibrational frequencies of the protein environment. These findings suggest that changes in the stretching vibrational frequencies, in particular νO–D(donor), can be used to monitor proton transfer in protein environments.

Prominent Free Charges Tunneling Through Organic Interlayer of 2D Perovskites.

The diversity of organic cations greatly enriches the species of 2D perovskites; traditional 2D Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) and Dion-Jacobson (DJ) perovskites are synthesized by two different organic amines. Here, according to the difference in pKa values between conjugated acids of monoprotonated and biprotonated 4-(2-Aminoethyl)pyridine (4AEPy) ions, the 2D perovskites of RP (4AEPy)2 PbI4 and DJ (4AEPy)PbI4 from same organic amine is reported, which can realize reversible transformation under the treatment of HI and NH3 , respectively. The interaction of N-H···N hydrogen bond between adjacent organic molecules in (4AEPy)2 PbI4 leads to the bending conformation of ethylamine groups, which results in a 2.4 Å reduction in layer spacing compared to typical phenylethylamine lead iodine ((PEA)2 PbI4 ) 2D perovskite. Besides, the ethylamine groups of organic layers in (4AEPy)PbI4 are deeply inserted into octahedral cavities and directly participate in the construction of the conduction band minimum, which leads to a small exciton binding energy of 27.3 meVtogeneratefreecharges. The stronger coupling between the organic and inorganic layers and the minor exciton binding energy can promote the DJ phase to possess a more stable structure and better optoelectronic properties. Thusthe (4AEPy)PbI4 device displays better light response and X-ray detection capability with a high sensitivity of 5627 µC Gyair -1 cm-2 and the lowest detectable dose rate of 20 nGyair s-1 .

Electron-Induced Proton Transfer.

The pathway of activationless proton transfer induced by an electron-transfer reaction is studied theoretically. Long-range electron transfer produces highly nonequilibrium medium polarization that can drive proton transfer through an activationless transition during the process of thermalization, dynamically altering the screening of the electron-proton Coulomb interaction by the medium. The cross electron-proton reorganization energy is the main energy parameter of the theory, which exceeds in magnitude the proton-transfer reorganization energy roughly by the ratio of the electron-transfer to proton-transfer distance. This parameter, which can be either positive or negative, is related to the difference in pKa values in two electron-transfer states. The relaxation time of the medium is on the (sub)picosecond time scale, which establishes the characteristic time for activationless proton transfer. Microscopic calculations predict substantial retardation of the collective relaxation dynamics compared to the continuum estimates due to the phenomenology analogous to de Gennes narrowing. Nonequilibrium medium configuration promoting proton transfer can be induced by either thermal or photoinduced charge transfer.

Role of water in the determination of protonation states of titratable residues.

Water is the fundamental unit for living being, and its contribution in variety of crucial cellular functions is widely accepted. The presence of water molecules in protein's environment also accounts for structural optimization, in which highly conserved water molecules ensure structural stability of the biomolecule by providing protein-water (solute-solvent) hydrogen-bond interaction networks. Similarly, protonation states and pKa values of individual amino acid residues are also influenced by neighboring water molecules present in the protein's vicinity. In the present study, we have highlighted the role of water molecules in hydrogen-bond optimization, in determining pKa values and protonation states of titratable residues in JH2 domain of JAK2 apo protein. We found that inclusion or exclusion of water molecules while calculating pKa and assigning protonation states to amino acid residues during the molecular system build-up step resulted in slight differences in pKa values of few titratable residues and alternative protonation states of a certain residue. Accordingly, different protonation states of ionizable residues offer differing interaction patterns. Thus, we inferred that the presence of water optimizes the hydrogen-bond interactions by forming direct protein-water interactions and by linking via protein-protein bridging interactions. However, in the absence of water, the interaction pattern is somewhat disrupted. We assume that water molecules could modulate the plausibility of a particular protonation state of titratable residues on the basis of its fit with the local environment, by utilizing some particular hydrogen-bond contacts that would remain unexploited in the absence of water.

Study on Dissociation Equilibria of Eberconazole Nitrate in Micellar Media by Spectrophotometry

The equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) is the basic parameter to evaluate the binding property of the chemical structure of compounds. Thus, a variety of analytical methods have been established to determine the KD values, including radioligand binding assay, surface plasmon resonance method, fluorescence energy resonance transfer method, affinity chromatography, and isothermal titration calorimetry. Here we present a detailed overview of the dissociation equilibria of Eberconazole nitrate (EBZ) in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, focusing primarily on methods that are based on spectrophotometrically of the dissociation reaction. The Dissociation equilibria of Eberconazole nitrate (EBZ) in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems were studied spectrophotometrically in Britton-Robinson’s (BR) buffer at 25°C. Acidity constant of EBZ in BR buffer was found to be 9.5. The effect of anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants applied in the concentration exceeding critical micellar concentration (cmc) on acid – base properties of EBZ were also examined. The results revealed a shift of pKa values in micellar media comparing to the values obtained in BR buffer. These shifts in pKa values are more in cationic and anionic micellar media compared with that of non-ionic. The observed differences in pKa values between micellar media and BR buffer solution ranged between -6.0 to -2.0 units. The micellar-mediated pKa shifts can be attributed to the differences between the mean intrinsic solvent properties of the interfacial and bulk phases, with an additional contribution from the electrostatic micellar surface potential in the case of the charged aqueous micellar solutions.

Sialic acid linkage differentiation of glycopeptides using capillary electrophoresis \u2013 electrospray ionization \u2013 mass spectrometry

Sialylation is a glycosylation feature that occurs in different linkages at the non-reducing end of a glycan moiety, the linkage isomers are often differentially associated with various biological processes. Due to very similar physico-chemical properties, the separation of isomeric sialylated glycopeptides remains challenging but of utmost importance in the biomedicine and biotechnology, including biomarker discovery, glyco-engineering and biopharmaceutical characterization. This study presents the implementation of a high-resolution separation platform based on capillary electrophoresis – mass spectrometry (CE–MS) allowing for the selective analysis of α2,3- and α2,6-sialylated glycopeptides. These differentially linked glycopeptides showed an identical fragmentation pattern (collision induced dissociation) but different electrophoretic mobilities, allowing for baseline separation of the different linkages without the need for an extensive sample preparation. The different migration behavior between the two moieties was found to correlate with differences in pKa values. Using a novel methodology adapted from the so-called internal standard CE approach, a relative difference of 3.4·10−2 in pKa unit was determined. This approach was applied for the analysis of tryptic glycopeptides of prostate specific antigen, which shows highly complex and heterogeneous glycosylation. The developed platform therefore appears attractive for the identification of differentially linked sialic acids that may be related to pathological conditions.

How Do Proximal Hydroxy or Methoxy Groups on the Bidentate Ligand Affect [(2,2′;6′,2"‐Terpyridine)Ru(N,N)X] Water‐Oxidation Catalysts? Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity at Acidic and Near‐Neutral pH

AbstractWater‐oxidation catalysts (WOCs) can potentially be improved by installing pendant electron‐donor groups that may also be proton donors or acceptors. We have modified one of the most well‐studied WOCs with alkoxy or hydroxy substituents on the bidentate bipyridine ligand (N,N), thereby forming [(terpy)RuII(N,N)X] (X = Cl, H2O; terpy = 2,2′;6′,2"‐terpyridine). A combination of NMR spectroscopy (particularly 15N chemical‐shift data), UV/Vis spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and oxygen evolution data point to interesting and beneficial effects of an oxygenated group proximal to X. A methoxy group on the 2,2′‐bipyridyl (bipy) ring cis to X = Cl is shown to facilitate ionization of the chloride ligand in aqueous acetone, perhaps by acceptance of a hydrogen bond from the aquo ligand. Hydrogen‐bond donation of a proximal hydroxy group to a bound aquo ligand is shown by X‐ray diffraction. Distinct differences in pKa values for the 4,4′‐ and 6,6′‐dihydroxy bipy complexes are seen. In water oxidation driven by ceric ammonium nitrate, the 6,6′‐dimethoxy species is somewhat faster and longer‐lived than the analogue that lacks the oxygenated groups [a turnover number (TON) of 215 instead of 138 in 10 h, and a turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.36 min–1 instead of 0.23 over the same time period]. Taken together, oxygenated groups near the WOC active site are promising electron or proton donors and/or hydrogen‐bond acceptors, and are the subject of further scrutiny.

Kinetics of the reaction of phenyl picrates with phenoxide ions in water. Concerted or stepwise?

A kinetic study is reported of the exchange reactions of substituted phenoxide ions with some ring‐substituted 2,4,6‐trinitrophenyl ethers in water. The βrønsted diagrams formed by plotting log k, where k is the second‐order rate constant for reaction, versus pKa show a distinct change in slope when ΔpKa = 0 (ΔpKa being the difference in pKa values of the leaving group and nucleophile). This is consistent with a two‐step process involving a discrete σ‐adduct intermediate rather than a concerted process. From the measured β values for forward and reverse processes, the overall effective charge map has been constructed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Salts and Co-Crystals of Gentisic Acid with Pyridine Derivatives: The Effect of Proton Transfer on the Crystal Packing (and Vice Versa)

A series of 22 salts and co-crystals of gentisic acid and pyridine derivatives were synthesized and their crystal structures were studied by X-ray diffraction. The proton transfer was found to to be absent when the difference in pKa values was below 2, and it always occurred when it was above 2.5. The hydrogen bonds between the carboxylic group and pyridine nitrogen atom were found in all structures but one. These hydrogen bonds are shorter and apparently stronger in co-crystals than in salts. In the structures of salts the most significant intermolecular interaction is hydrogen bonding between anions, usually leading to chains or dimers, whereas in co-crystals the direct bonding between neutral gentisic acid molecules is mostly absent. Using 4,4′-bipyridine, two desmotropes were obtained in which the difference in hydrogen bonding of gentisic acid molecules leads to different protonation in two structures.

The role of proton coupled electron transfer in water oxidation

Water oxidation is a key half reaction in energy conversion schemes based on solar fuels and targets such as light driven water splitting or carbon dioxide reduction into CO, other oxygenates, or hydrocarbons. Carrying out these reactions at rates that exceed the rate of solar insolation for the extended periods of time required for useful applications presents a major challenge. Water oxidation is the key “other” half reaction in these schemes and it is dominated by PCET given its multi-electron, multi-proton character, 2H2O → O2 + 4e− + 4H+. Identification of PCET was an offshoot of experiments designed to investigate energy conversion by electron transfer quenching of molecular excited states. The concepts “redox potential leveling” and concerted electron–proton transfer came from measurements on stepwise oxidation of cis-RuII(bpy)2(py)(OH2)2+ to RuIV(bpy)2(py)(O)2+. The Ru “blue dimer”, cis,cis-(bpy)2(H2O)RuORu(OH2)(bpy)24+, was the first designed catalyst for water oxidation. It undergoes oxidative activation by PCET to give the transient (bpy)2(O)RuVORuV(O)(bpy)24+, O-atom attack on water to give a peroxidic intermediate, and further oxidation and O2 release. More recently, a class of single site water oxidation catalysts has been identified, e.g., Ru(tpy)(bpm)(OH2)2+ (tpy is 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine; bpm is 2,2′-bipyrimidine). They undergo stepwise PCET oxidation to RuIV=O2+ or RuV(O)3+ followed by O-atom transfer with formation of peroxidic intermediates which undergo further oxidation and O2 release. PCET plays a key role in the three zones of water oxidation reactivity: oxidative activation, O⋯O bond formation, oxidation and O2 release from peroxidic intermediates. Similar schemes have been identified for electrocatalytic water oxidation on oxide electrode surfaces based on phosphonated derivatives such as [Ru(Mebimpy)(4,4′-(PO3H2CH2)2bpy)(OH2)]2+. A PCET barrier to RuIII–OH2+ → RuIV=O2+ oxidation arises from the large difference in pKa values between RuIII–OH2+ and RuIV(OH)3+. On oxide surfaces this oxidation occurs by multiple pathways. Kinetic, mechanistic, and DFT results on single site catalysts reveal a new pathway for the O⋯O bond forming step (Atom-Proton Transfer, APT), significant rate enhancements by added proton acceptor bases, and accelerated water oxidation in propylene carbonate as solvent with water added as a stoichiometric reagent. Lessons learned about water oxidation and the role of PCET and concerted pathways appear to have direct relevance for water oxidation in Photosystem II (PSII) with PSII a spectacular example of PCET in action. This includes a key role for Multiple Site-Electron Proton Transfer in oxidative activation of the Oxygen Evolving Complex (OEC) in the S0 → S1 transition in the Kok cycle.

Axial Ligand Effect On The Rate Constant of Aromatic Hydroxylation By Iron(IV)–Oxo Complexes Mimicking Cytochrome P450 Enzymes

The cytochromes P450 are important iron-heme based monoxygenases that catalyze a range of different oxygen atom transfer reactions in nature. One of the key bioprocesses catalyzed by these enzymes is the aromatic hydroxylation of unactivated arenes. To gain insight into axial ligand effects and, in particular, how it affects aromatic hydroxylation processes by P450 model complexes, we studied the effects of the axial ligand on spectroscopic parameters (trans-influence) as well as on aromatic hydroxylation kinetics (trans-effect) using a range of [Fe(IV)(O)(Por(+•))X] oxidants with X = SH(-), Cl(-), F(-), OH(-), acetonitrile, GlyGlyCys(-), CH(3)COO(-), and CF(3)COO(-). These systems give red-shifted Fe-O vibrations that are dependent on the strength of the axial ligand. Despite structural changes, however, the electron affinities of these oxidants are very close in energy, but sharp differences in pK(a) values are found. The aromatic hydroxylation of the para-position of ethylbenzene was tested with these oxidants, and they all show two-state-reactivity patterns although the initial low-spin C-O bond formation barrier is rate determining. We show, for the first time, that the rate determining barrier for aromatic hydroxylation is proportional to the strength of the O-H bond in the corresponding iron(IV)-hydroxo complex, i.e., BDE(OH), hence this thermochemical property of the oxidant drives the reaction and represents the axial ligand effect. We have rationalized our observed barrier heights for these axially ligated systems using thermochemical cycles and a valence bond curve crossing diagram to explain the origins of the rate constants.

Solution versus gas-phase modification of peptide cations with NHS-ester reagents.

A comparison between solution and gas phase modification of primary amine sites in model peptide cations with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester reagents is presented. In all peptides, the site of modification in solution was directed to the N-terminus by conducting reactions at pH=5, whereas for the same peptides, a lysine residue was preferentially modified in the gas phase. The difference in pKa values of the N-terminus and ε-amino group of the lysine allows for a degree of control over sites of protonation of the peptides in aqueous solution. With removal of the dielectric and multiple charging of the peptide ions in the gas phase, the accommodation of excess charge can affect the preferred sites of reaction. Interaction of the lone pair of the primary nitrogen with a proton reduces its nucleophilicity and, as a result, its reactivity towards NHS-esters. While no evidence for reaction of the N-terminus with sulfo-NHS-acetate was noted in the model peptide cations, a charge inversion experiment using bis[sulfosuccinimidyl] suberate, a cross-linking reagent with two sulfo-NHS-ester functionalities, showed modification of the N-terminus. Hence, an unprotonated N-terminus can serve as a nucleophile to displace NHS, which suggests that its lack of reactivity with the peptide cations is likely due to the participation of the N-terminus in solvating excess charge.

Effect of Fluorination on Molecular Conformation in the Solid State: Tuning the Conformation of Cocrystal Formers

We present a detailed analysis of the effect of fluorination on the conformation of perfluorosuccinic acid in the solid state, using database analysis, crystal structure determination, and computational analysis of molecular conformations. Our results indicate that perfluorosuccinic acid exhibits strikingly different conformational preferences to its hydrocarbon analogue despite similarity in molecular size. This difference in conformational behavior also extends to the pair of adipic and perfluoroadipic acids. A search of the Cambridge Structure Database indicates that our analysis is valid for neutral molecules, salts, cocrystals, and metal−organic materials, suggesting fluorination as a general means to modify the shape of a molecular building block without changing its size. The difference in molecular shape between hydrocarbon and perfluorocarbon molecules is expected to lead to significant differences in solid-state structures of the resulting materials. We illustrate this by comparing the structures of new multicomponent crystals involving the model pharmaceutical ingredient caffeine and perfluorosuccinic or perfluoroadipic acid with the structures of analogous crystals based on the hydrocarbon diacids. Unlike hydrocarbon-based succinic and adipic acids which provide structurally similar hydrogen-bonded cocrystals and inclusion hosts with caffeine, perfluorosuccinic acid provides a salt and perfluoroadipic acid yields a cocrystal. Combined crystal structure analysis, solid-state and solution NMR analysis, single molecule conformational analysis, and calculations of acid dissociation energies indicate that the different solid-state behaviors of perfluoro- and hydrocarbon acids toward caffeine should be interpreted as a result of their distinct conformational properties rather than differences in pKa values.

PKa values of the monohydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs), polybrominated biphenyls (OH-PBBs), polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (OH-PCDEs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs)

The SPARC software program aqueous pKa prediction module was validated against corresponding experimental acidity constants for chlorinated and brominated phenols and the limited experimental aqueous pKa data sets for monohydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs), polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (OH-PCDEs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs). pKa values were then estimated for all 837 monohydroxylated mono- through nona-halogenated congeners in each of the OH-PCB, OH-PCDE, and OH-PBDE classes, as well as for the monohydroxylated polybrominated biphenyls (OH-PBBs), giving a total of 3348 compounds. Large intrahomolog pKa variation by up to six units is expected within each contaminant class, with pKa values ranging from about 4 to 11 dependent on the degree and pattern of halogenation. Increasing halogenation generally decreased the average pKa within each homolog group. Significant intrahomolog differences in pKa values exist between OH-PCB, OH-PBB, OH-PCDE, and OH-PBDE congeners, including large acidity constant variation between isomers with equivalent halogenation patterns but varying location of the hydroxy moiety. Congener specific pH dependent investigations into the partitioning and degradation behaviors of these compounds are necessary, including greater consideration of analyte ionization effects during their extraction and analysis.

Effect of Polycarboxylate Blocks on the Amidase Activity of Trypsin through Complexation with PEG/Polycarboxylate Block Ionomers

The amidase reaction of trypsin, which is a member of the serine proteinase family, is accelerated by its complexation with block ionomers containing a polycarboxylate block, such as PEG-PAA, PEG-PGA, or PEG-PMA. PEG-PAA and PEG-PGA had similar effects, causing an increase in the k(cat) value and a shift in the pH profile to a lower pH region. On the other hand, PEG-PMA showed not only an increase in the k(cat) value, but also a decrease in the activation energy; however, there was no shift in the pH dependence of the initial reaction rate. Such differences might be induced by the difference in pK(a) values of the polycarboxylate block in block ionomers.

What is the relationship between polymerase nuclotide incorporation rate and fidelity?

Our laboratory has employed the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase from poliovirus (3Dpol) as a model system to study the chemistry of nucleotidyl transfer. Solvent deuterium kinetic isotope effect and proton inventory studies have shown two proton transfer reactions in the rate-limiting transition state for nucleotidyl transfer. We have identified a lysine residue (Lys-359) in the polymerase active site that protonates the pyrophosphate (PPi) leaving group during nucleotidyl transfer. Because both Lys-359 and PPi have pKa value in the 9–10 regime, proton transfer between these molecules should be maximized. However, nucleotidyl transfer efficiency should be diminished by changing Lys-359 to His, Arg or Leu due to differences in pKa values or the inability to serve as a proton donor. We show that these substitutions reduce elongation rate by 10–50 fold relative to wild-type enzyme. Loss of a proton donor (Leu-359 3Dpol) yields an enzyme that is incapable of nucleotide misincorporation. The fidelity of Arg-359 3Dpol was equivalent to WT 3Dpol; however, the fidelity of His-359 3Dpol was more stringent than WT 3Dpol. These data suggest that polymerase fidelity is not governed by the overall observed rate of nucleotide incorporation. We suggest that the extent to which chemistry contributes to the overall rate of nucleotide incorporation may influence fidelity. This research is supported by a grant (AI45818) from the NIAID/NIH.

Electroreduction of Aromatic Oximes: Diprotonation, Adsorption, Imine Formation, and Substituent Effects

Aromatic oximes are reduced in aqueous solution in a four-electron process. The reducible species in the pH range 5-8 is a diprotonated form of the oxime. This species is generated in the course of electrolysis in the vicinity of the electrode surface from the adsorbed neutral form of the oxime. The reduction is initiated by a cleavage of the N-O bond. The diprotonation facilitates the reduction process by the preformation of OH2+ as a good leaving group and by a positive charge on the azomethine nitrogen. Diprotonation has been proven based on shapes of i = f(pH) plots, by observed shifts of half-wave potentials with pH and by comparison with the reduction of nitrones. Some observed deviations from theoretical i = f(pH) plots were attributed to the role of adsorption on the rate of protonation. Adsorption is also responsible for dips on some of the i-E curves. Adsorption plays a role at concentrations as low as 1 x 10(-5) M, when the electrode surface is still not fully covered. This indicates that catalyzed protonation occurs on islets of adsorbed materials. At pH 2-5 the studied oximes in the vicinity of the electrode are predominately present in a protonated form, which is less strongly adsorbed. In this pH range the protonation takes place in a homogeneous reaction layer of the electrode. It yields a monoprotonated form, which is reduced. The separation of two two-electron waves observed for some oximes in acidic media serves as an experimental proof of the formation of imines as reduction intermediates. This separation is caused by the differences in pKa values of protonated forms of oximes and imines. The effects of substituents in the para position on the benzene ring are characterized by correlation with the Hammett substituent constant sigmax. This has been proven at pH 1.5 for substituted benzaldehyde oximes and at pH 5.0 for substituted acetophenone oximes.

Anhydrous Proton-Conducting Polymeric Electrolytes for Fuel Cells

The need to design proton-conducting electrolytes for fuel cells operating at temperatures of 120 degrees C and above has prompted the investigation of various "water-free" polymeric materials. The present study investigates the properties of "water-free" proton-conducting membranes prepared from high-molecular-weight polymeric organic amine salts. Specifically, the properties of bisulfates and dihydrogenphosphates of poly-2-vinylpyridine (P2VP), poly-4-vinylpyridine (P4VP), and polyvinylimidazoline (PVI) have been investigated over the temperature range of 25-180 degrees C. Nanocomposites of these polymeric organic amine salts and hydroxylated silica have also been investigated in this study. These polymers are found to be stable and proton-conducting at temperatures up to 200 degrees C. In all the polymer examples studied herein, the phosphates are more conducting than the bisulfates. The activation energy for ionic conduction was found to decrease with increasing temperature, and this is associated with the increased polymer mobility and ionization of the proton. This is confirmed by the high degree of motional narrowing that is observed in proton NMR experiments. The measured values of conductivity and the differences in pKa values of the polymeric organic amine and the mineral acid are clearly correlated. This observation provides the basis for the design of other water-free acid-base polymer systems with enhanced proton conductivity. The results presented here suggest that anhydrous polymer systems based on acid-base polymer salts could be combined with short-range proton conductors such as nanoparticulate silica to achieve acceptable conductivity over the entire temperature range.

Monolayer Studies of Single-Chain Polyprenyl Phosphates

The monolayer properties of some single-chain polyprenyl phosphates (phytanyl, phytyl, and geranylgeranyl phosphates), which we regard as hypothetical primitive membrane lipids, were investigated at the air-water interface by surface pressure-area (pi-A) isotherm measurements. The molecular area/ pressure at various pH conditions dependence revealed the acid dissociation constants (pKa values) of the phosphate. The pKa values thus obtained at the air-water interface (pKa1 = 7.1 and pKa2 = 9.4 for phytanyl phosphate) were significantly shifted to higher pH than those observed in the bilayer state in water (pKa1 = 2.9 and pKa2 = 7.8). The difference in pKa values leads to a stability of the phosphate as both monolayer and bilayer states in a pH range of 2-6. In addition, the presence of ions such as sodium, magnesium, calcium, and lanthanum in the subphase significantly altered the stability of the polyprenyl phosphate monolayers, as shown by the determination of monolayer collapse and compression/expansion hysteresis. Although sodium ions in the subphase showed only a weak effect on the stabilization of the monolayer, addition of magnesium ions or of a small amount of calcium ions significantly suppressed the dissolution of the monolayer into the subphase and increased its mechanical stability against collapse. In contrast, the presence of larger amounts of calcium or of lanthanum ions induced collapse of the monolayers. Based on these experimental facts, a plausible scenario for the formation of primitive cell membrane by transformation of a monolayer to vesicle structures is proposed.

Acidity of Secondary Hydroxyls in ATP and Adenosine Analogues and the Question of a 2‘,3‘-Hydrogen Bond in Ribonucleosides

As sugar-modified nucleosides, nucleotides, and oligonucleotides are much used in pharmacology and enzymatic studies, knowledge on the relative pKa values of the secondary hydroxyls can be of great help in design and interpretations. To obtain this, we have determined the acidity constants for ATP, dATP, 2'-F-dATP, 2'-NH2-ATP, and 2'-O-methyl ATP in aqueous solution. The influence of the relative acidities seem to be mainly from inductive effects since a good correlation between pKa values and group electronegativity is found. There is no clear energetic contribution from a much suggested H-bond between the 2'-OH and 3'-oxyanion in adenosine. To clarify if this kind of H-bond would make a more-prominent energetic contribution in less-polar solvents, we also determined the acidity of secondary hydroxyls in adenosine, 2'-O-methyladenosine, and 3'-O-methyladenosine in water, methanol, and DMSO. The relative differences in pKa values were, however, quite similar in all solvents, suggesting that no major energetic contribution is made by an intramolecular H-bond in adenosine.