Heme Analog Research Articles

Heme Induces Neutrophil Migration and Reactive Oxygen Species Generation through Signaling Pathways Characteristic of Chemotactic Receptors

Hemolysis or extensive cell damage can lead to high concentrations of free heme, causing oxidative stress and inflammation. Considering that heme induces neutrophil chemotaxis, we hypothesize that heme activates a G protein-coupled receptor. Here we show that similar to heme, several heme analogs were able to induce neutrophil migration in vitro and in vivo. Mesoporphyrins, molecules lacking the vinyl groups in their rings, were not chemotactic for neutrophils and selectively inhibited heme-induced migration. Moreover, migration of neutrophils induced by heme was abolished by pretreatment with pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of Galpha inhibitory protein, and with inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, phospholipase Cbeta, mitogen-activated protein kinases, or Rho kinase. The induction of reactive oxygen species by heme was dependent of Galpha inhibitory protein and phosphoinositide 3-kinase and partially dependent of phospholipase Cbeta, protein kinase C, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and Rho kinase. Together, our results indicate that heme activates neutrophils through signaling pathways that are characteristic of chemoattractant molecules and suggest that mesoporphyrins might prove valuable in the treatment of the inflammatory consequences of hemorrhagic and hemolytic disorders.

Theoretical study of the structure and stability of the dimers of heme analogues (MC34H32N4O4)2 and their ions (MC34H32N4O4) 2 + with 3d-metal atoms M

The electronic and geometric structures and the energetic characteristics of a series of monomeric MC34H32N4O 4 0,+ and dimeric (MC34H32N4O4) 2 0,+ molecules, heme analogues and their positively charged ions with 3d-metal atoms M = Ti, V, Cr, and Mn, have been calculated by the density functional theory B3LYP method with the Gen−1 = 6−31G*(Fe) + 6−31G(C, H, N, O) and Gen−2 = 6−311+G*(Fe) + 6−31G*(C, H, N, O) basis sets. The computation results are compared with the analogous calculated data on the heme dimers (heme) 2 0,+ . Computations show that for the (MC34H32N4O4) 2 0,+ dimers, high-spin states are preferable. In these dimers, the rings are linked with each other by a pair of M-carbonyl bridges M⋯Ob=C(OH) and a pair of hydrogen bridges OHb⋯N. The calculated energies of dissociation D of the dimers into monomers point to a rather high stability of the dimers at the beginning of the 3d series (D ∼ 2.3–3.6 eV for M = Ti, V), which decreases rapidly as the atomic number of M increases (D ∼ 0.5 eV for M = Cr and ∼0.4 eV for (heme)2). The positive ions (MC34H32N4O4) 2 + are ∼0.8–1.0 eV are more stable to dissociation than their neutral congeners (MC34H32N4O4)2. The trends in the behavior of the energetic and structural characteristics of the dimers (distances R(M—N), displacements of M atoms from the porphyrin ring plane, parameters of the carbonyl and hydrogen bridges, character of ring distortions, etc.), as well as in the spin density distribution between the metal atoms and the rings in the monomers MC34H32N4O4 and dimers (MC34H32N4O4)2 caused by their ionization and going along the 3d series, are examined. In the mixed dimer (FeC34H32N4O4)(VC34H32N4O4), the rings are linked by only one strong carbonyl bridge V⋯Ob=C(OH), with some contribution made by the neighboring hydrogen bridge. The dissociation energy of this mixed dimer into monomers is close to a half of the dissociation energy of the “symmetric” dimer (VC34H32N4O4)2.

Characterization of Heme as Activator of Toll-like Receptor 4

Heme is an ancient and ubiquitous molecule present in organisms of all kingdoms, composed of an atom of iron linked to four ligand groups of porphyrin. A high amount of free heme, a potential amplifier of the inflammatory response, is a characteristic feature of diseases with increased hemolysis or extensive cell damage. Here we demonstrate that heme, but not its analogs/precursors, induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion by macrophages dependently on MyD88, TLR4, and CD14. The activation of TLR4 by heme is exquisitely strict, requiring its coordinated iron and the vinyl groups of the porphyrin ring. Signaling of heme through TLR4 depended on an interaction distinct from the one established between TLR4 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) since anti-TLR4/MD2 antibody or a lipid A antagonist inhibited LPS-induced TNF-alpha secretion but not heme activity. Conversely, protoporphyrin IX antagonized heme without affecting LPS-induced activation. Moreover, heme induced TNF-alpha and keratinocyte chemokine but was ineffective to induce interleukin-6, interleukin-12, and interferon-inducible protein-10 secretion or co-stimulatory molecule expression. These findings support the concept that the broad ligand specificity of TLR4 and the different activation profiles might in part reside in its ability to recognize different ligands in different binding sites. Finally, heme induced oxidative burst, neutrophil recruitment, and heme oxygenase-1 expression independently of TLR4. Thus, our results presented here reveal a previous unrecognized role of heme as an extracellular signaling molecule that affects the innate immune response through a receptor-mediated mechanism.

Interaction of the heme oxygenase system with the renin‐angiotensin system in DOCA‐salt hypertensive rats

Heme analogues are known to lower blood pressure in a variety of hypertensive models, including angiotensin-II-infused-, phenylephrine-induced- and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-induced hypertensive models. In DOCA-salt rats, elevated activity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) leads to oxidative stress, inflammation and hypertrophy. Whether the application of a heme oxygenase inducer like hemin will attenuate RAS activity and suppress kidney hypertrophy needs clarification. Moreover, the interaction of the heme oxygenase system with the RAS in DOCA rats is not fully understood. In this study, the administration of hemin (30 mg/kg daily, i.p.) for four weeks to DOCA-salt, significantly lower blood pressure from 189.9±3.6 vs.136.6±1.3 mmHg (p<0.01, n=6) and attenuated kidney hypertrophy from 7.6 ±0.4 vs. 6.0±0.3 g/kg body weight (p< 0.01, n=6). This was accompanied by significant reduction of plasma angiotensin-II (254.8±66.5 vs. 13.6±1.5 pg/ml/protein; p<0.05, n=4) and aldosterone (16.4±0.75 vs. 10.9±2.9 pg/ml/protein; p <0.05, n=4) as well as reduced inflammatory activity, assessed as NF-κβ expression. In DOCA control rats (sham), blood pressure (118.5±0.2 mmHg) was unaffected by hemin. Similarly, hemin had no effect on normotensive Sprague Dawley rats (123.6±1.6 vs. 123±0.7 mmHg, n=5). Our studies unveils that the heme oxygenase system directly modulates angiotensin-II and aldosterone activities in DOCA rats to suppress hypertension and secondarily-induced damages like hypertrophy and inflammation. (This work is supported by Heart & Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, Canada)

An Escherichia coli expression–based method for heme substitution

Heme reconstitution with porphyrin analogs is a powerful approach toward understanding the molecular function of heme proteins; present methods, however, have not proven to be generally useful. Here we describe the development and application of an expression-based method for introducing modified porphyrins. The approach allows efficient incorporation of heme analogs using a widely available bacterial strain and offers an attractive alternative to present reconstitution methods that subject proteins to harsh, denaturing conditions.

Possible role of creatine concentrations in the brain in regulating appetite and weight

Cobaltic protoporphyrin IX (CoPP) is a synthetic heme analog which can elicit profound and prolonged decreases in appetite and body weight in several different animal species. Intracerebroventricular administration of CoPP in rats was found, by differential display and confirmed by Real-Time PCR, to result in an increase in expression of the creatine transporter when compared to vehicle-treated fed or vehicle-treated fasted control animals. In situ hybridization studies showed that creatine transporter mRNA concentrations were increased in several areas of the brain involved in the regulation of food intake, but creatine concentrations were decreased in hypothalamic homogenates in CoPP-treated animals compared to controls. Intracerebroventricular administration of β-guanidinopropionic acid, a compound known to decrease intracellular creatine concentration by competition for uptake, resulted in decreased food intake and body weight and increased Fos expression in the hypothalamus. Taken together, these findings suggest that creatine concentrations in the brain may play a role in regulating food intake and body weight.

Regulation of CO production by glutamate in cultured astrocytes from the cerebral cortex

Carbon monoxide (CO), a potent dilator in cerebral circulation, is a product of heme degradation by heme oxygenase (HO) that is highly expressed in the brain as a constitutive HO-2 isoform, whereas inducible HO-1 is not detectable. In newborn pigs, brain CO production is increased during glutamatic seizures without HO-1 induction. Astrocytes that account for majority of the cell population in the cerebral cortex may contribute to overall brain CO production. We addressed the hypothesis that glutamate increases CO production in astrocytes via activation of constitutive HO-2. Primary cultures of astrocytes from cerebral cortex of newborn piglets were grown on Costar plates or Cytodex microcarrier beads and were identified by immunostaining for glial fibrillary acidic protein and aquaporin-4. CO production by cultured astrocytes was detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. HO-2 is the major isoform in quiescent astrocytes, although HO-1 is also immunodetectable. Glutamate (100 mkM, 1h) increased basal CO production from 13±2 to 45±8 pmol/mg protein and stimulated HO catalytic activity (astrocyte CO formation from exogenous heme) 2-fold. We upregulated HO-1 expression ~ 10-fold by a heme analog cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP). In CoPP-treated astrocytes, basal CO production was increased to 139±20 pmol CO/mg protein consistent with HO-1 overexpression. In HO-1 overexpressing astrocytes, glutamate did not stimulate HO catalytic activity and only mildly enhanced CO formation. We conclude that glutamate rapidly increases astrocyte CO production via posttranslational activation of HO-2 but not HO-1.

Electronic ménages a trois: A molecular orbital perspective of protonated ferryl intermediates and synthetic models

Presented here is a molecular orbital perspective of various S = 1 iron(IV)-hydroxo compound II intermediates as well as of synthetic heme and nonheme analogues. A key conceptual issue concerns how the iron(IV) center in these species coexists with highly reducing alkoxide, thiolate, phenolate, and hydroperoxide ligands. We suggest that a clue to this conundrum involves a three-way splitting of the spin density among the iron and two π-basic ligands, which effectively delocalizes the high positive charge away from the iron.

Tracing heme in a living cell: hemoglobin degradation and heme traffic in digest cells of the cattle tickBoophilus microplus

Heme is present in all cells, acting as a cofactor in essential metabolic pathways such as respiration and photosynthesis. Moreover, both heme and its degradation products, CO, iron and biliverdin, have been ascribed important signaling roles. However, limited knowledge is available on the intracellular pathways involved in the flux of heme between different cell compartments. The cattle tick Boophilus microplus ingests 100 times its own mass in blood. The digest cells of the midgut endocytose blood components and huge amounts of heme are released during hemoglobin digestion. Most of this heme is detoxified by accumulation into a specialized organelle, the hemosome. We followed the fate of hemoglobin and albumin in primary cultures of digest cells by incubation with hemoglobin and albumin labeled with rhodamine. Uptake of hemoglobin by digest cells was inhibited by unlabeled globin, suggesting the presence of receptor-mediated endocytosis. After endocytosis, hemoglobin was observed inside large digestive vesicles. Albumin was exclusively associated with a population of small acidic vesicles, and an excess of unlabeled albumin did not inhibit its uptake. The intracellular pathway of the heme moiety of hemoglobin was specifically monitored using Palladium-mesoporphyrin IX (Pd-mP) as a fluorescent heme analog. When pulse and chase experiments were performed using digest cells incubated with Pd-mP bound to globin (Pd-mP-globin), strong yellow fluorescence was found in large digestive vesicles 4 h after the pulse. By 8 h, the emission of Pd-mP was red-shifted and more evident in the cytoplasm, and at 12 h most of the fluorescence was concentrated inside the hemosomes and had turned green. After 48 h, the Pd-mP signal was exclusively found in hemosomes. In methanol, Pd-mP showed maximal emission at 550 nm, exhibiting a red-shift to 665 nm when bound to proteins in vitro. The red emission in the cytosol and at the boundary of hemosomes suggests the presence of heme-binding proteins, probably involved in transport of heme to the hemosome. The existence of an intracellular heme shuttle from the digestive vesicle to the hemosome acting as a detoxification mechanism should be regarded as a major adaptation of ticks to a blood-feeding way of life. To our knowledge, this is the first direct observation of intracellular transport of heme in a living eukaryotic cell. A similar approach, using Pd-mP fluorescence, could be applied to study heme intracellular metabolism in other cell types.

Lack of heme synthesis in a free-living eukaryote.

In most free-living eukaryotes studied thus far, heme is synthesized from a series of intermediates through a well defined evolutionarily conserved pathway. We found that free-living worms, including the model genetic organism Caenorhabditis elegans, and parasitic helminths are unable to synthesize heme de novo, even though these animals contain hemoproteins that function in key biological processes. Radioisotope, fluorescence labeling, and heme analog studies suggest that C. elegans acquires heme from exogenous sources. Iron-deprived worms were unable to grow in the presence of adequate heme unless rescued by increasing heme levels in the growth medium. These data indicate that although worms use dietary heme for incorporation into hemoproteins, ingested heme is also used as an iron source when iron is limiting. Our results provide a biochemical basis for the dependence of worm growth and development on heme, and they suggest that pharmacologic targeting of heme transport pathways in worms could be an important control measure for helminthic infections.

Host—Guest Interactions of Cyclodextrins and Metalloporphyrins: Supramolecular Building Blocks Toward Artificial Heme Proteins

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Host-guest interactions of cyclodextrins and metalloporphyrins: supramolecular building blocks toward artificial heme proteins

Cyclodextrins are versatile building blocks for a variety of macromolecules due to the inclusion complexes that are formed with hydrophobic organic molecules. Cyclodextrin-porphyrin interactions are of particular interest since cyclodextrins can serve as a non-covalent binding pocket while metalloporphyrins could serve as the heme analogs in the construction of heme protein model compounds. Various approaches to the design and assembly of biomimetic porphyrin constructs are compared and contrasted in this minireview with a particular emphasis on self-assembled and porphyrin-cyclodextrin systems. Several recent advances from our laboratories are described in this context. A sensitive fluorescent binding probe, 6A-N-dansyl-permethylated-β-cyclodextrin (Dan-NH-TMCD), was found to form 2:1 complexes with the meso-tetraphenylporphyrins Mn(III)TCPP , Mn(III)TPPS and Mn(III)TF 4 TMAP with high binding constants. A perPEGylated cyclodextrin, heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)-β-cyclodextrin (TPCD), has been shown by 1 H NMR spectroscopy to form a 1:1 complex with H 2 TCPP with a binding constant above 108M-1. Such a strong binding constant is the largest found for a 1:1 complex between a monomeric cyclodextrin and a guest. TPCD was also found to bind Mn(III)TCPP with a binding constant of 1.2 × 106 M -1. A novel, self-assembled hemoprotein model, hemodextrin is also described. The molecular design is based on a PEGylated cyclodextrin scaffold that bears both a heme-binding pocket and an axial ligand that binds an iron porphyrin. The binding constant for Fe (III) TPPS (iron(III) meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin) by py-PPCD was determined to be 2 × 106 M -1. The pyridyl nitrogen of py-PPCD was shown to ligate to the iron center by observing signal changes in the Fe(II) -porphyrin 1 H NMR spectrum. This hemodextrin ensemble, a minimalist myoglobin, was shown to bind dioxygen reversibly and to form a stable ferryl species.

Metalloporphyrins for treatment of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in neonates.

Metalloporphyrins are heme analogues that inhibit heme oxygenase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolism of heme to bilirubin. By preventing the formation of bilirubin, they have the potential to reduce the level of unconjugated bilirubin in neonates and thereby reduce the risk of neonatal encephalopathy and long term neurodevelopmental impairment from bilirubin toxicity to the nervous system. 1. To determine the efficacy of metalloporphyrins in reducing bilirubin levels, reducing the need for phototherapy or exchange transfusion and reducing the incidence of bilirubin encephalopathy in neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia when compared to placebo, phototherapy or exchange transfusion. 2. To determine the nature and frequency of side effects of metalloporphyrins when used to treat unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. We searched Medline (1966 - January 2003) and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR) from the Cochrane Library (2003, issue 1). We hand-searched the articles cited in each publication obtained. We hand searched the abstracts of the Society for Pediatric Research (USA) (published in Pediatric Research) for the years 1985 - 2002. We included only randomized controlled studies, in which preterm or term neonates (age 28 days of life or less) with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia due to any cause were randomly allocated to receive a metalloporphyrin in the treatment arm(s), and to receive a placebo or a conventional treatment (phototherapy or exchange transfusion) or no treatment for hyperbilirubinemia in the comparison arm(s). Any preparation of metalloporphyrin could be used, in any form, by any route, at any dose. Two authors extracted data independently. Data were entered into Revman by one author and checked by a second author. Prespecified subgroup analyses were planned in term versus preterm infants, hemolytic versus non-hemolytic causes of jaundice and according to the type of metalloporphyrin used. Three small studies, enrolling a total of 170 infants, were eligible for inclusion in this review. None blinded intervention or outcome assessment. In all three studies some patients were excluded after randomization. Metalloporphyrin-treated infants appeared to have short-term benefits compared to controls, including a lower maximum plasma bilirubin level in one study, a lower frequency of severe hyperbilirubinemia in one study, a decreased need for phototherapy, fewer plasma bilirubin measurements and a shorter duration of hospitalization. None of the enrolled infants required an exchange transfusion in the two studies that described this outcome. None of the studies reported on neonatal kernicterus, death, long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes or iron deficiency anemia. Though a small number of metalloporphyrin-treated as well as control infants developed a photosensitivity rash, the trials were too small to rule out an increase in the risk of photosensitivity or other adverse effects from metalloporphyrin treatment. No subgroup analyses were possible due to the small number of included trials. Treatment of neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia with metalloporphyrins may reduce neonatal bilirubin levels and decrease the need for phototherapy and hospitalization. There is no evidence to support or refute the possibility that treatment with a metalloporphyrin decreases the risk of neonatal kernicterus or of long-term neurodevelopmental impairment due to bilirubin encephalopathy. There is no evidence to support or refute the possibility that cutaneous photosensitivity is increased with metalloporphyrin treatment. Routine treatment of neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia with a metalloporphyrin cannot be recommended at present.

Bidentate ligation of heme analogues; novel biomimetics of peroxidase active site.

The multifunctional nature of proteins that have iron-heme cofactors with noncovalent histidine linkage to the protein is controlled by the heme environment. Previous studies of these active-site structures show that the primary difference is the length of the iron-proximal histidine bond, which can be controlled by the degree of H-bonding to this histidine. Great efforts to mimic these functions with synthetic analogues have been made for more than two decades. The peroxidase models resulted in several catalytic systems capable of a large range of oxidative transformations. Most of these model systems modified the porphyrin ring covalently by directly binding auxiliary elements that control and facilitate reactivity; for example, electron-donating or -withdrawing substituents. A biomimetic approach to enzyme mimicking would have taken a different route, by attempting to keep the porphyrin ring system unaltered, as close as possible to its native form, and introducing all modifications at or close to the axial coordination sites. Such a model system would be less demanding synthetically, would make it easy to study the effect of a single structural modification, and might even provide a way to probe effects resulting from porphyrin exchange. We introduce here an alternative model system based on these principles. It consists of a two component system: a bis-imidazolyl ligand and an iron-porphyrin (readily substituted by a hemin). All modifications were introduced only to the ligand that engulfs the porphyrin and binds to the iron's fifth and sixth coordination sites. We describe the design, synthesis, and characterization of nine different model compounds with increased complexity. The primary tool for characterizing the environment of each complex Fe(III) center was the Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) measurements, supported by UV/Vis, IR, and NMR spectroscopy and by molecular modeling. Introduction of asymmetry, by attaching different imidazoles as head groups, led to the formation of two axial bonds of different length. Addition of H-bonds to one of the imidazoles in an advanced model increased this differentiation and expanded the porphyrin ring. These complexes were found to be almost identical in structure to peroxidase active sites. Similarly to the peroxidases and other synthetic models, these compounds stabilize the green, compound I-like intermediate, and catalyze the oxidation of organic substrates.

Characterization of a human plasma membrane heme transporter in intestinal and hepatocyte cell lines.

Heme is the most bioavailable form of dietary iron and a component of many cellular proteins. Controversy exists as to whether heme uptake occurs via specific transport mechanisms or passive diffusion. The aims of this study were to quantify cellular heme uptake with a fluorescent heme analog and to determine whether heme uptake is mediated by a heme transporter in intestinal and hepatic cell lines. A zinc-substituted porphyrin, zinc mesoporphyrin (ZnMP), was validated as a heme homolog in uptake studies of intestinal (Caco-2, I-407) and hepatic (HepG2) cell lines. Uptake experiments to determine time dependence, heme inhibition, concentration dependence, temperature dependence, and response to the heme synthesis inhibitor succinylacetone were performed. Fluorescence microscope images were used to quantify uptake and determine the cellular localization of ZnMP; ZnMP uptake was seen in intestinal and hepatic cell lines, with cytoplasmic uptake and nuclear sparing. Uptake was dose- and temperature dependent, inhibited by heme competition, and saturated over time. Preincubation with succinylacetone augmented uptake, with an increased initial uptake rate. These findings establish a new method for quantifying heme uptake in individual cells and provide strong evidence that this uptake is a regulated, carrier-mediated process.

Comparative Pharmacology of Zinc Mesoporphyrin and Tin Mesoporphyrin: Toxic Actions of Zinc Mesoporphyrin on Hematopoiesis and Progenitor Cell Mobilization

The effects of two synthetic heme analogues, zinc mesoporphyrin (ZnMP) and tin mesoporphyrin (SnMP), on in vivo hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization and in vitro hematopoiesis were examined in rabbit bone marrow. Rabbits received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) for 7 days in order to mobilize increased numbers of erythroid (BFU-E) and myeloid (CFU-GM) progenitors in peripheral blood. Concurrent treatment of rhG-CSF-treated rabbits with ZnMP reduced mobilization of the numbers of BFU-E (76% inhibition, p < 0.0001) and CFU-GM (70% inhibition, p < 0.005) in peripheral blood. In contrast, SnMP administered at the same concentration had no significant suppressive effect on BFU-E and CFU-GM recruitment. Both metalloporphyrins inhibited bone marrow heme oxygenase activity equally in vivo, thus indicating that both compounds enter bone marrow cells. Direct in vitro addition of ZnMP to normal rabbit bone marrow cultures suppressed BFU-E and CFU-GM growth, whereas SnMP had no such effect. These results confirm, in an in vivo system, our earlier in vitro studies and demonstrate that, at the concentrations studied, ZnMP, in contrast to SnMP, displays toxicity for hematopoietic growth and progenitor cell production.

Evaluation of carborane-containing porphyrins as tumour targeting agents for boron neutron capture therapy.

A number of carborane-containing porphyrins were administered to mice bearing subcutaneously transplanted mammary carcinomas. Administration was via serial intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections to assess their relative toxicities and tumour affinities. Three analogues of the natural porphyrin heme and four tetraphenylporphyrins (TPPs) were given at total doses of 78-245 micrograms g-1 body weight. The water-insoluble TPPs were less toxic to mice, and delivered greater amounts of boron to tumour than did the water-soluble TPPS and the heme analogues. One such compound, NiTCP-H, delivered more than 100 micrograms B g-1 to tumour tissue with a tumour:blood boron concentration ratio greater than 500:1 and a tumour: brain boron concentration ratio greater than 50:1, 4 days after the last of six i.p. injections given over 2 days. Another TPP analogue, NiTCP, delivered approximately 50 micrograms B g-1 to tumour with similar boron concentrations in normal tissues. Neither compound was toxic to mice at total doses of approximately 200 micrograms g-1 body weight. In contrast, the heme analogues were toxic and, with the exception of VCDP, delivered less boron to tumour than NiTCP and NiTCP-H. The two porphyrins with the greatest potential for application to boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), NiTCP and NiTCP-H, yielded higher tumour:blood and tumour:brain boron concentration ratios in mice than could be achieved with p-boronophenylalanine (BPA) and sodium mercaptoundecahydrododecaborate (BSH), the compounds which are currently being used in clinical trials of BNCT in the treatment of glioblastoma. The boron delivered by each of the porphyrins tested remained in tumour tissue longer than did boron delivered by either BPA or BSH. The copper and nickel chelates of these porphyrins behave identically in vivo. The former offer the potential for imaging by 67Cu-mediated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to aid BNCT treatment planning.

A new method for predicting the alignment of flexible molecules and orienting them in a receptor cleft of known structure.

It is not always easy to align flexible compounds with each other or with their binding cleft on a biological macromolecule, and the alignment of nine partly flexible molecules has now been studied. These compounds are heme analogues having either two or three flexible propionate side chains attached to a porphyrin core, and one compound is a close analogue of natural heme. The noncovalent interactions of each compound were predicted using a new version of the program Grid which can take account of the flexibility of the propionate side chains. The Grid results were then analyzed by hierarchical principal component analysis, and this allowed the molecules to be oriented with respect to each other. It also allowed each analogue to be correctly aligned with the receptor cleft for heme in myoglobin, because the alignment of natural heme in that cleft is already known. Factors influencing the predicted alignment are also considered.

Novel Effects of Heme Biological Systemst and Heme-related Compounds in Biological Systems

Abstract: Heme and heme-related compounds such as porphyrins have a variety of biological and clinical activities. This review highlights some of the novel effects of these compounds in medicinal chemistry. Heme which has no photoreactive properties, can serve as the prosthetic group for various hemoproteins, or as a substrate for microsomal heme oxygenase (HO). In contrast, porphyrins have photodynamic activities but usually do not serve as substrates in biological systems. Thus, heme and heme analogues are often used to influence enzyme activities in tissues, while porphyrins by taking advantage of their photoreactive properties are used as drugs in medicine. There are four major applications of these compounds, namely the use of (i) heme in the treatment of porphyrias and hematological disorders, (ii) synthetic metalloporphyrins in the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia, (iii) metal-free porphyrins in photodynamic therapy of malignant tumors, and (iv) porphyrin derivatives as contrast reagents in radiography. Solubility, stability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and analytical techniques are all important considerations in the medicinal chemistry of these compounds. In man and animals in vivo, the rate of synthesis and catabolism of heme, as well as disorders of heme synthesis are important in understanding pathophysiological effects of these compounds.

Inhibition of Hemozoin Formation in Plasmodium falciparum Trophozoite Extracts by Heme Analogs: Possible Implication in the Resistance to Malaria Conferred by the β-Thalassemia Trait

Human falciparum malaria, caused by the intracellular protozoa Plasmodium falciparum, results in 1-2 million deaths per year. P. falciparum digests host erythrocyte hemoglobin within its food vacuole, resulting in the release of potentially toxic free heme. A parasite-specific heme polymerization activity detoxifies the free heme by cross-linking the heme monomers to form hemozoin or malaria pigment. This biochemical process is the target of the widely successful antimalarial drug chloroquine, which is rapidly losing its effectiveness due to the spread of chloroquine resistance. We have shown that chloroquine resistance is not due to changes in the overall catalytic activity of heme polymerization or its chloroquine sensitivity. Therefore, the heme polymerization activity remains a potential target for novel antimalarials. In this study, we investigated the ability of heme analogs to inhibit heme polymerization and parasite growth in erythrocytes. Incorporation of radioactive hemin substrate into an insoluble hemozoin pellet was used to determine heme polymerization. Incorporation of radioactive hypoxanthine into the nucleic acid of dividing parasites was used to determine the effects of heme analogs on parasite growth. Microscopic and biochemical measurements were made to determine the extent of heme analog entry into infected erythrocytes. The heme analogs tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP), zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP), and zinc deuteroporphyrin IX, 2,4 bisglycol (ZnBG) inhibited polymerization at micromolar concentrations (ZnPP << SnPP < ZnBG). However, they did not inhibit parasite growth since they failed to gain access to the site of polymerization, the parasite's food vacuole. Finally, we observed high ZnPP levels in erythrocytes from two patients with beta-thalassemia trait, which may inhibit heme polymerization. The heme analogs tested were able to inhibit hemozoin formation in Plasmodium falciparum trophozite extracts. The increased ZnPP levels found in thalassemic erythrocytes suggest that these may contribute, at least in part, to the observed antimalarial protection conferred by the beta-thalassemia trait. This finding may lead to the development of new forms of antimalarial therapy.