Reductive Activation Process Research Articles

Synergetic Catalysis of Bimetallic CuCo Nanocomposites for Selective Hydrogenation of Bioderived Esters

Bimetallic catalysts based on nonprecious transition metals have attracted increasing attention because of their unique synergistic effects in catalytic reactions, but the understanding of the nature of synergistic effects and their roles in a specific hydrogenation reaction remains lacking. Herein, a series of bimetallic CuxCoy/Al2O3 (x/y = 5:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:5) nanocomposite catalysts were fabricated via the successive calcination and reductive activation process of layered double hydroxide precursors. Their catalytic performance in the selective hydrogenation of bioderived ethyl levulinate to 1,4-pentanediol (1,4-PeD) depended sensitively on the chemical composition of bimetallic CuCo catalysts. The optimal bimetallic Cu2Co1/Al2O3 catalyst exhibited markedly improved catalytic activity and selectivity compared to monometallic Cu/Al2O3, as confirmed by its lower apparent activation energy barrier of 65.1 kJ mol–1 of the rate-determining step and its high selectivity of 93% to 1,4-PeD. Detailed charac...

Functionally Distinct Bacterial Cytochrome c Peroxidases Proceed through a Common (Electro)catalytic Intermediate.

The diheme cytochrome c peroxidase from Shewanella oneidensis (So CcP) requires a single electron reduction to convert the oxidized, as-isolated enzyme to an active conformation. We employ protein film voltammetry to investigate the mechanism of hydrogen peroxide turnover by So CcP. When the enzyme is poised in the active state by incubation with sodium l-ascorbate, the graphite electrode specifically captures a highly active state that turns over peroxide in a high potential regime. This is the first example of an on-pathway catalytic intermediate observed for a bacterial diheme cytochrome c peroxidase that requires reductive activation, consistent with the observed voltammetric response from the diheme cytochrome c peroxidase from Nitrosomonas europaea (Ne), which is constitutively active and does not require the same one electron activation. Mutational analysis at the active site of So CcP confirms that the rate-limiting step involves a proton-coupled single electron reduction of a high valent iron species centered on the low-potential heme, consistent with the same mutation in Ne CcP. The pH dependence of catalysis for wild-type So CcP suggests that reduction shifts the pK(a)'s of at least two amino acids. Mutation of His81 in "loop 1", a surface exposed loop thought to shift conformation during the reductive activation process, eliminated one of the pH dependent features, confirming that the loop 1 shifts, changing the environment of His81 during the rate-limiting step. The observed catalytic intermediate has the same electron stoichiometry and similar pH dependence to that previously reported for Ne CcP, which is constitutively active and therefore hypothesized to follow a different catalytic mechanism. The prominent similarities between the rate-limiting steps of differing mechanistic classes of bCcPs suggest unexpected similarities in the intermediates formed.

Bioreductive Activation‐independent Delivery of Menahydroquinone‐4 via Prodrug and Its Action in Warfarin‐poisoned Rat Liver

The ester prodrugs of menahydroquinone-4 (menahydroquinone), the active form of menaquinone-4 (menaquinone, vitamin K2(20)), were identified in previous reports as prodrugs that could achieve the systemic liver-specific delivery of menahydroquinone. The present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism of the prodrugs for vitamin K-dependent carboxylation and their action in the warfarin-poisoned rat liver. A rat liver microsomal test system for assessing the carboxylation mechanism of the prodrugs was developed. In this system, the pathways for cleavage (hydrolysis) of the prodrug and for the reductive activation of menaquinone can be provided, and the vitamin K-dependent carboxylase can accept the synthetic tripeptide BOC-Glu-Glu-Leu-OMe as substrate. With this system, the carboxylation stimulated with the prodrugs and the enzymatic cleavage of the prodrugs were determined. The prodrug could stimulate the carboxylase activity in the absence of dithiothreitol, an artificial activator of the reductive activation pathway of menaquinone, and the activity order was as follows: 1-monoester > 1,4-bisester > 4-monoester. The carboxylation activities of the prodrugs were in the same order as the liver microsomal enzymatic reconversion characteristics of the prodrugs. The carboxylation activity of the selected prodrug (1-monoester) was strongly inhibited in the presence of eserine, a carboxylesterase inhibitor. The prodrug could also stimulate the carboxylase under warfarin-poisoning conditions, where the vitamin K cycle was strongly inhibited. The results confirmed that the prodrugs could generate menahydroquinone in the active site, and that the resultant menahydroquinone could act as cofactor for the carboxylase without reductive activation processes of menaquinone to menahydroquinone. Such bioreductive activation-independent vitamin K-dependent carboxylation characteristics of the prodrugs leads to enhanced pharmacological efficacy in the treatment of hypoprothrombinaemia induced in patients undergoing coumarin and cephalosporin therapies.

Major Mo(V) EPR Signature of Rhodobacter sphaeroides Periplasmic Nitrate Reductase Arising from a Dead-End Species That Activates upon Reduction. Relation to Other Molybdoenzymes from the DMSO Reductase Family

Enzymes of the DMSO reductase family use a mononuclear Mo-bis(molybdopterin) cofactor (MoCo) to catalyze a variety of oxo-transfer reactions. Much functional information on nitrate reductase, one of the most studied members of this family, has been gained from EPR spectroscopy, but this technique is not always conclusive because the signature of the MoCo is heterogeneous, and which signals correspond to active species is still unsure. We used site-directed mutagenesis, EPR and protein film voltammetry to demonstrate that the MoCo in R. sphaeroides periplasmic nitrate reductase (NapAB) is subject to an irreversible reductive activation process whose kinetics we precisely define. This activation quantitatively correlates with the disappearance of the so-called "Mo(V) high-g" EPR signal, but this reductive process is too slow to be part of the normal catalytic cycle. Therefore, in NapAB, this most intense and most commonly observed signature of the MoCo arises from a dead-end, inactive state that gives a catalytically competent species only after reduction. This activation proceeds, even without substrate, according to a reduction followed by an irreversible nonredox step, both of which are pH independent. An apparently similar process occurs in other nitrate reductases (both assimilatory and membrane bound), and this also recalls the redox cycling procedure, which activates periplasmic DMSO reductases and simplifies their spectroscopic signatures. Hence we propose that heterogeneity at the active site and reductive activation are common properties of enzymes from the DMSO reductase family. Regarding NapAB, the fact that we could detect no Mo EPR signal upon reoxidizing the fully reduced enzyme suggests that the catalytically active form of the Mo(V) is thermodynamically unstable, as is the case for other enzymes of the DMSO reductase family. Our original approach, which combines spectroscopy and protein film voltammetry, proves useful for discriminating the forms of the active site on the basis of their catalytic properties. This could be applied to other enzymes for which the question arises as to the catalytic relevance of certain long-lived, spectroscopically characterized species.

The Mechanism of Activation of a [NiFe]-Hydrogenase by Electrons, Hydrogen, and Carbon Monoxide

Activation of the oxidized inactive state (termed Unready or Ni(u)) of the [NiFe]-hydrogenase from Allochromatium vinosum requires removal of an unidentified oxidizing entity [O], produced by partial reduction of O(2). Dynamic electrochemical kinetic studies, subjecting enzyme molecules on an electrode to sequences of potential steps and gas injections, establish the order of events in an otherwise complex sequence of reactions that involves more than one intermediate retaining [O] or its redox equivalent; fast and reversible electron transfer precedes the rate-determining step which is followed by a reaction with H(2), or the inhibitor CO, that renders the reductive activation process irreversible.

Orthopalladated phosphinite complexes as high-activity catalysts for the Suzuki reaction

The synthesis of a range of phosphinite ligands PR2(OAr) (R = Ph, iPr), their simple complexes with palladium(II) and their palladacyclic complexes has been investigated. The crystal structure of one of the palladacyclic complexes, [{Pd(μ2-Cl){κ2-P,C-PiPr2(OC6H2-2,4-tBu2)}2], has been determined. The palladacyclic complexes show extremely high activity in the Suzuki coupling of aryl bromide substrates with phenylboronic acid and can also be used with alkylboronic acid substrates. A comparison of the phosphinite-based catalysts with equivalent phosphite- and phosphine-based systems highlights their superior activity. The orthometallation of the phosphinite ligand in the pre-catalyst appears to be crucial for optimal activity. While the phosphinite palladacycles are only moderately active in the coupling of activated and non-activated aryl chloride substrates, their tricyclohexylphosphine adducts prove to be highly active in the coupling of the deactivated substrate, 4-chloroanisole. This high activity compared with other palladacyclic systems is explained in terms of catalyst longevity. The orthometallated precatalysts appear to undergo a reductive activation process to generate zerovalent active catalysts via reductive elimination of the orthometallated ring with a phenyl introduced by the boronic acid. This implies that the true active catalysts contain 2-arylated ligands. Catalysts formed with such 2-arylated ligands tend to show markedly higher activity than their parent ligands.

Novel Bifunctional Aluminum for Oxidation of MTBE and TAME

The transformation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) using bifunctional aluminum in the presence of dioxygen (O2) has been examined. Bifunctional aluminum, prepared by sulfating zero-valent aluminum with sulfuric acid, is an innovative extension of zero-valent metal technology. It has a dual functionality of simultaneously decomposing both reductively and oxidatively degradable contaminants. Bifunctional aluminum is capable of utilizing dioxygen through a reductive activation process to degrade oxygenates at ambient temperature and pressure where oxygenates are stable. The reductive activation of dioxygen is a new concept for oxygenate treatments for which most of oxidative technologies require strong oxidants. Results indicate that aluminum serves as a reductant to create favorable reducing conditions while sulfur-containing species, generated by the sulfation of aluminum at the metal surface, are considered to act as active sites. MTBE and TAME underwent similar paralle...

Mössbauer characterization of the iron-sulfur clusters in Desulfovibrio vulgaris hydrogenase.

The periplasmic hydrogenase of Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Hildenbourough) is an all Fe-containing hydrogenase. It contains two ferredoxin type [4Fe-4S] clusters, termed the F clusters, and a catalytic H cluster. Recent X-ray crystallographic studies on two Fe hydrogenases revealed that the H cluster is composed of two sub-clusters, a [4Fe-4S] cluster ([4Fe-4S](H)) and a binuclear Fe cluster ([2Fe](H)), bridged by a cysteine sulfur. The aerobically purified D. vulgaris hydrogenase is stable in air. It is inactive and requires reductive activation. Upon reduction, the enzyme becomes sensitive to O(2), indicating that the reductive activation process is irreversible. Previous EPR investigations showed that upon reoxidation (under argon) the H cluster exhibits a rhombic EPR signal that is not seen in the as-purified enzyme, suggesting a conformational change in association with the reductive activation. For the purpose of gaining more information on the electronic properties of this unique H cluster and to understand further the reductive activation process, variable-temperature and variable-field Mössbauer spectroscopy has been used to characterize the Fe-S clusters in D. vulgaris hydrogenase poised at different redox states generated during a reductive titration, and in the CO-reacted enzyme. The data were successfully decomposed into spectral components corresponding to the F and H clusters, and characteristic parameters describing the electronic and magnetic properties of the F and H clusters were obtained. Consistent with the X-ray crystallographic results, the spectra of the H cluster can be understood as originating from an exchange coupled [4Fe-4S]-[2Fe] system. In particular, detailed analysis of the data reveals that the reductive activation begins with reduction of the [4Fe-4S](H) cluster from the 2+ to the 1+ state, followed by transfer of the reducing equivalent from the [4Fe-4S](H) subcluster to the binuclear [2Fe](H) subcluster. The results also reveal that binding of exogenous CO to the H cluster affects significantly the exchange coupling between the [4Fe-4S](H) and the [2Fe](H) subclusters. Implication of such a CO binding effect is discussed.

Prodrug for Bioreductive Activation-Independent Delivery of Menahydroquinone-4: Human Liver Enzymatic Activation and Its Action in Warfarin-Poisoned Human Liver.

The N,N-dimethylglycine esters of menahydroquinone-4 (1-mono, 1; 4-mono, 2; 1,4-bis, 3) were established in previous reports as prodrugs that could achieve the systemic bioreductive activation-independent delivery of menahydroquinone-4 (MKH), the active form of menaquinone-4 (MK-4), in rat. The present study was undertaken to investigate if the prodrugs could undergo cleavage to parent drug (MKH) by a human tissues enzyme catalyzed hydrolytic pathway, the mechanism of the prodrugs for vitamin K-dependent carboxylation in human liver and their action in the warfarin poisoned human liver. The hydrolysis of the esters was shown to be catalyzed by esterases located in human liver but not in human plasma. The susceptibility of the esters to undergo human liver esterase hydrolysis was affected by the esterified position: 1>2>3. By using a human liver microsomal test system, the stimulation of vitamin K-dependent carboxylation with the prodrugs was determined. The prodrug could stimulate the carboxylation activity in the absence of dithiothreitol, an artificial activator of the reductive activation pathway of MK-4. The carboxylation activity of the prodrug was strongly inhibited in the presence of eserine, an esterase inhibitor. The prodrug could also stimulate the carboxylase under warfarin-poisoned conditions, where the vitamin K cycle was strongly inhibited. The results confirmed that the prodrug could generate MKH in human liver (active site), and that the resultant MKH could act as a cofactor for the carboxylase without reductive activation processes of MK-4 to MKH. Such bioreductive activation-independent vitamin K-dependent carboxylation characteristic of the prodrug leads to enhanced pharmacological efficacy in the treatment of hypoprothrombinaemia induced in patients with coumarin and cephalosporin therapies.

Factors affecting sensitivity to EO9 in rodent and human tumour cells in vitro: DT-diaphorase activity and hypoxia

Twenty-three human tumour cell lines (lung, breast, and colon) and eight rodent cell lines were evaluated for their sensitivity to the quinone-based anticancer drug EO9 [3-hydroxymethyl-5-aziridinyl-1-methyl-2-(1H indole-4,7-dione)prop-β-en-α-o1]. Sensitivity was compared with the intracellular levels of DT-diaphorase, and cell lines showing highest enzyme activity tended to be the most sensitive to EO9. The role of DT-diaphorase in determining drug sensitivity was confirmed by using the enzyme inhibitor dicoumarol, which protects cells containing high levels of DT-diaphorase from the cytotoxic action of EO9. Hypoxia increased the cytotoxicity of cells containing low but not high levels of DT-diaphorase, implying that both 1- and 2-electron reductive activation processes can be important for expression of EO9 toxicity. It is concluded that EO9 is a potentially useful agent in the enzyme directed approach to the use of bioreductive drugs in cancer therapy.

Sodium dithionite-mediated mitomycin C reductive activation processes

Sodium dithionite is the reagent of choice for the reductiue activation of mitomycin C in the presence of DNA. No comprehensive study of this transformation in the absence of DNA has appeared. The major products of this reaction have been determined and the key parameters governing this transformation identified.

7-Aminoaziridinomitosenes: synthesis, structure, and chemistry

7-Aminoleucoaziridinomitosene (2a) has been proposed as a key intermediate in the reductive activation process for the antineoplastic agent, mitomycin C (1a). Little is known about 2a and its oxidized equivalent, 7-aminoaziridinomitosene (3a). An expedient electrochemical procedure for 3a and the corresponding N-methyl analogue 3b has been developed. NMR spectral studies of 3a in DMF-d 7 and DMSO-d 6 provided important information concerning the solution-state structure for this adduct. Factors controlling the aziridine ring-opening process under reductive and nonreductive conditions have been determined, as well as evidence for the intermediacy of 2a in the reductive activation cascade of 1a

Purification and properties of methanol:5-hydroxybenzimidazolylcobamide methyltransferase from Methanosarcina barkeri.

Methanol:5-hydroxybenzimidazolylcobamide methyltransferase from Methanosarcina barkeri has been purified to approximately 90% homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and QAE-A50 Sephadex columns. The molecular weight, estimated by gel electrophoresis, was found to be 122,000, and the enzyme contained two different subunits with molecular weights of 34,000 and 53,000, which indicates an alpha 2 beta structure. The enzyme contains three or four molecules of 5-hydroxybenzimidazolylcobamide, which could be removed by treatment of the enzyme with 2-mercaptoethanol or sodium dodecyl sulfate. In both cases the enzyme dissociated into its subunits. For stability, the enzyme required the presence of divalent cations such as Mg2+, Mn2+, Sr2+, Ca2+, or Ba2+. ATP, GTP, or CTP was needed in a reductive activation process of the enzyme. This activation was brought about by a mixture of H2, ferredoxin, and hydrogenase, but also by CO, which is thought to reduce the corrinoid chemically. The CO dehydrogenase-like activity of the methyltransferase is discussed.