Photo-induced Cleavage Reactions Research Articles

Preparation of photoreactive phospholipid polymer nanoparticles to immobilize and release protein by photoirradiation

Photoreactive and cytocompatible polymer nanoparticles for immobilizing and releasing proteins were prepared. A water-soluble and amphiphilic phospholipid polymer, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-co-n-butyl methacrylate (BMA)-co-4-(4-(1-methacryloyloxyethyl)-2-methoxy-5-nitrophenoxy) butyric acid (PL)) (PMB-PL) was synthesized. The PMB-PL underwent a cleavage reaction at the PL unit with photoirradiation at a wavelength of 365nm. Additionally, the PMB-PL took polymer aggregate in aqueous medium and was used to modify the surface of biodegradable poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticle as an emulsifier. The morphology of the PMB-PL/PLA nanoparticle was spherical and approximately 130nm in diameter. The carboxylic acid group in the PL unit could immobilize proteins by covalent bonding. The bound proteins were released by a photoinduced cleavage reaction. Within 60s, up to 90% of the immobilized proteins was released by photoirradiation. From these results and with an understanding of the fundamental properties of MPC polymers, we concluded that PMB-PL/PLA nanoparticles have the potential to be used as smart carriers to deliver proteins to biological systems, such as the inside of living cells.

Wavelength selective refractive index modulation in a ROMP derived polymer bearing phenyl- and ortho-nitrobenzyl ester groups

Patterning and tuning of the refractive index in polymers by means of UV-light is of great interest for optical applications such as polymeric waveguides or optical data storage devices. In this contribution, we report on the synthesis of a polynorbornene based copolymer bearing ortho-nitrobenzyl and phenyl ester groups capable of undergoing the photo-induced cleavage reaction and in a subsequent step optionally the photo-Fries rearrangement upon irradiation with UV-light. The photoreaction of these aromatic ester groups was investigated by means of FTIR, UV-VIS and spectroscopic ellipsometry. Due to the difference in UV absorption of the photoreactive units, the o-nitrobenzyl ester can be selectively excited by UV-light above 300 nm, while a subsequent illumination with 254 nm induces the photo-Fries rearrangement of the remaining phenyl ester groups. The structural changes in the chemical composition upon UV illumination lead to significant changes in the refractive index of the polymeric materials. Whilst the photo-Fries rearrangement of the phenyl ester groups causes a remarkable increase in the refractive index, it was found that the photo-induced cleavage reaction of ortho-nitrobenzyl ester moieties causes a decrease of the refractive index. This fact enables a selective tailoring of the refractive index by the choice of the applied wavelength. In addition, a two-step irradiation procedure using a sequence of different wavelengths provides the possibility of erasing and even inverting the index contrast.

Co(III) and Ni(II) Complexes Containing Bioactive Ligands: Synthesis, DNA Binding, and Photocleavage Studies

DNA binding and photocleavage characteristics of a series of mixed ligand complexes of the type [M(bpy)2qbdp](PF6)n·xH2O (where M = Co(III) or Ni(II), bpy = 2.2′-bipryidine, qbdp = Quinolino[3,2-b]benzodiazepine, n = 3 or 2 and x = 5 or 2) have been investigated. The DNA binding property of the complexes with calf thymus DNA has been investigated by using absorption spectra, viscosity measurements, as well as thermal denaturation studies. Intrinsic binding constant (K b) has been estimated under similar set of experimental conditions. Absorption spectral studies indicate that the Co(III) and Ni(II) complexes intercalate between the base pairs of the CT-DNA tightly with intrinsic DNA binding constant of 1.3 × 106 and 3.1 × 105 M−1 in Tris-HCl buffer containing 50 mM NaCl, respectively. The proposed DNA binding mode supports the large enhancement in the relative viscosity of DNA on binding to quinolo[3,2-b]benzodiazepine. The oxidative as well as photo-induced cleavage reactions were monitered by gel electrophoresis for both complexes. The photocleavage experiments showed that the cobalt(III) complex can cleave pUC19 DNA effectively in the absence of external additives as an effective inorganic nuclease.

Photoinduced cleavage by a rhodium complex at G·U mismatches and exposed guanines in large and small RNAs

Photoinduced cleavage reactions by the rhodium complex tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)rhodium(III) {Rh(DIP) 3 3+} with three RNA hairpins, r(GGGGU UCGCUC CACCA) (16 nucleotide, tetraloop Ala2), r(GGGGCUAUAGCUCUAGCUC CACCA) (24 nucleotide, microhelix Ala), and r(GGCGGUUAGAUAUCGCC) (17 nucleotide, 790 loop), and full-length (1542 nucleotide) 16S rRNA from Escherichia coli were investigated. The cleavage reactions were monitored by gel electrophoresis and the sites of cleavage by Rh(DIP) 3 3+ were determined by comparisons with chemical or enzymatic sequencing reactions. In general, RNA backbone scission by the metal complex was induced at G ·U mismatches and at exposed G residues. The cleavage activity was observed on the three small RNA hairpins as well as on the isolated 1542-nucleotide ribosomal RNA.