Dendritic receptors designed to bind polyanions in both organic and aqueous media

This paper reports the synthesis of dendrons containing a spermine unit at their focal point. The dendritic branching is based on L-lysine building blocks, and has terminal oligo(ethyleneglycol) units on the surface. As a consequence of the solubilising surface groups, these dendrons have high solubility in solvents with widely different polarities (e.g., dichloromethane and water). The protonated spermine unit at the focal point is an effective anion binding fragment and, as such, these dendrons are able to bind to polyanions. This paper demonstrates that polyanions can be bound in both dichloromethane (using a dye solubilisation assay) and in water (competitive ATP binding assay). In organic media the dendritic branching appears to have a pro-active effect on the solubilisation of the dye, with more dye being solubilised by higher generations of dendron. On the other hand, in water the degree of branching has no impact on the anion binding process. We propose that in this case, the spermine unit is effectively solvated by the bulk solvent and the dendritic branching does not need to play an active role in assisting solubility. Dendritic effects on anion binding have therefore been elucidated in different solvents. The dendritic branching plays a pro-active role in providing the anion binding unit with good solubility in apolar solvent media.

ANTAGONISM OF THE MYOTOXIC EFFECTS OF BOTHROPS-JARARACUSSU VENOM AND BOTHROPSTOXIN BY POLYANIONS

The effects of heparin and other polyanions on the myotoxicity of Bothrops jararacussu venom and purified bothropstoxin (BthTX) were investigated. The release rate of creatine kinase (CK) from isolated extensor digitorum longus muscle and the plasma CK activity of mice were used to quantify the results. The myotoxic effects of B. jararacussu venom or BthTX were inhibited by preincubation of these agents with one of the following: a heterogeneous heparin preparation (designated 'heparin'), low mol. wt heparin (H-4500) or dextran sulfates (DS-8000 and DS-500,000). Non-sulfated dextran (D-40,000) and two chondroitin sulfates were ineffective. The antimyotoxic effects of the polyanions are ascribed to their forming inactive acid-base complexes with the basic myotoxins of Bothrops venoms. Gel-filtration experiments in Sephadex provided direct evidence for complex formation between heparin and BthTX. Intravenous (i.v.) administration of H-4500 or DS-8000 opposed the increase in plasma CK activity induced by a subsequent i.m. injection of venom or BthTX. In contrast, pretreatment with i.v. heparin or DS-500,000 enhanced the venom-induced increase in plasma CK activity. This effect was not observed (1) when the animals were treated with a polyvalent antivenom, which inhibits the coagulation and local stasis induced by Bothrops venoms, and (2) when BthTX, which has no thrombotic or hemorrhagic properties, was the myotoxic agent. The potentiation of the venom-induced increase in plasma CK activity by heparin and DS-500,000 is ascribed to improved washout of the CK released from damaged fibers, because of the anticoagulant properties of the drugs.

Raman spectroscopy of the borate mineral ameghinite NaB3O3(OH)4

The molecular structure of the sodium borate mineral ameghinite NaB3O3(OH)4 has been determined by the use of vibrational spectroscopy. The crystal structure consists of isolated [B3O3(OH)4]- units formed by one tetrahedron and two triangles. H bonds and Na atoms link these polyanions to form a 3-dimensional framework. The Raman spectrum is dominated by an intense band at 1027 cm-1, attributed to BO stretching vibrations of both the trigonal and tetrahedral boron. A series of Raman bands at 1213, 1245 and 1281cm-1 are ascribed to BOH in-plane bending modes. The infrared spectra are characterized by strong overlap of broad multiple bands. An intense Raman band found at 620 cm-1 is attributed to the bending modes of trigonal and tetrahedral boron. Multiple Raman bands in the OH stretching region are observed at 3206, 3249 and 3385 cm-1. Raman spectroscopy coupled with infrared spectroscopy has enabled aspects about the molecular structure of the borate mineral ameghinite to be assessed.

Complement factor H dysfunction in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome

Alternative pathway (AP) of complement can be activated on any surface, self or non-self. In atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) the AP regulation on self surfaces is insufficient and leads to complement attack against self-cells resulting usually in end-stage renal disease. Factor H (FH) is one of the key regulators of AP activation on the self surfaces. The domains 19 and 20 (FH19-20) are critical for the ability of FH to discriminate between C3b-opsonized self and non-self surfaces and are a hot-spot for mutations that have been described from aHUS patients. FH19-20 contains binding sites for both the C3d part of C3b and self surface polyanions that are needed for efficient C3b inactivation. To study the dysfunction of FH19-20, crystallographic structures of FH19-20 and FH19-20 in complex with C3d (FH19-20:C3d) were solved and aHUS-associated and structurally interesting point mutations were induced to FH19-20. Functional defects caused by these mutations were studied by analyzing binding of the FH19-20 mutant proteins to C3d, C3b, heparin, and mouse glomerular endothelial cells (mGEnCs). The results revealed two independent binding interfaces between FH19-20 and C3d - the FH19 site and the FH20 site. Superimposition of the FH19-20:C3d complex on the previously published C3b and FH1-4:C3b structures showed that the FH20 site on C3d is partially occluded, but the FH19 site is fully available. Furthermore, binding of FH19-20 via the FH19 site to C3b did not block binding of the functionally important FH1-4 domains and kept the FH20 site free to bind heparin or an additional C3d. Binding assays were used to show that FH20 domain can bind to heparin while FH19-20 is bound to C3b via the FH19 site, and that both the FH19 site and FH20 are necessary for recognition of non-activator surfaces. Simultaneous binding of FH19 site to C3b and FH20 to anionic self structures are the key interactions in self-surface recognition by FH and thereby enhanced avidity of FH explains how AP discriminates between self and non-self. The aHUS-associated mutations on FH19-20 were found to disrupt binding of the FH19 or FH20 site to C3d/C3b, or to disrupt binding of FH20 to heparin or mGEnC. Any of these dysfunctions leads to loss of FH avidity to C3b bearing self surfaces explaining the molecular pathogenesis of the aHUS-cases where mutations are found within FH19-20.

Swellability properties of polyelectrolyte complexes of polyaniline

Polyelectrolyte complexes of polyaniline with both strong and weak anionic polyelectrolytes have been prepared. It has been found that the swellability of the complexes depends on the charge content of polyaniline, i.e., on the intercrosslinking between polyaniline (which is a polyacation) and polyanions. It has also been observed that polyaniline in the polyaniline-polystresulfonic acid complex exists in the conducting state when equilibrated with basic pH in aqueous media of moderately high ionic strength.

Synthesis, crystal structure, and thermal property of a novel supramolecular assembly: (NH42810424)(CHNO) O-[H(V)O(]2H)4(10)28(2), constructed from decavanadate and caffeine

A novel 3D supramolecular assembly constructed from decavanadate and caffeine building blocks, (NH4)(2)(C8H10N4O2)(4)[H4V10O28].2H(2)O (1), has been synthesized in aqueous solution and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, H-1 NMR, V-51 NMR, TG-DTA, and single crystal X-Ray diffraction. The compound 1 crystallizes in monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, a = 15.801(1) Angstrom, b = 12.914(1) Angstrom, c = 15.913(2) Angstrom, beta = 113.55degrees, V = 2976.4 (5) Angstrom(3), Z = 2, R = 0.0498 with 6818 reflections. Water molecules, ammonium ions, and caffeine act as "cement" linking the polyanions into 1D chain along the c-axis by hydrogen bonding. In compound 1, extensive hydrogen-bond contacts and strong pi-pi interactions lead to an ordered 3D supramolecular framework. TG-DTA curves indicate that the weight loss of the complex can be divided into three stages.

Self-assembled multilayer films of europium-substituted polyoxometalate and their luminescence properties

A new kind of hybrid self-assembled film was obtained by means of alternating deposition of the polyoxometalate (POM), K-13[Eu(SiW11-O-39)(2)], and polyacrylamide (PAA) on the 3-aminopropylsilanized precursor film. The experimental results showed that the polyanions were successfully incorporated into the self-assembled multilayers of the polyacrylamide. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was taken to study the surface morphology of the film. The X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) verified that the polyoxometalates were incorporated into the multilayer films with a certain adsorption interaction. The effects of the polyacrylamide on the luminescence of the polyoxometalate were discussed in detail. The luminescence spectra showed that the energy was transferred from the ligands to the Eu3+ ions in the self-assembled films.

Luminescent hybrid Langmuir-Blodgett films of polyoxometaloeuropate

Luminescent hybrid Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of polyoxometaloeuropate (Na9EuW10O36) were successfully prepared. Low-angle X-ray diffraction data demonstrate that the LB films have a well-defined lamellar structure. The hybrid LB films can exhibit strong luminescence under UV irradiation, which can be observed by the human eye. The effect of the lipid ocradecylamine, on the luminescence of polyoxometaloeuropate was discussed and compared with that of the lipid dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide. It is found that the intensity ratio for the D-5(0) --> F-7(2) transition to the D-5(0) --> F-7(1) transition of europium in two kinds of LB films is quite different. The X-ray photoelectron spectra data verify that there exist different interactions between two lipids and the inorganic polyanions. The different interactions between two lipids and the polyanions may result in the distortion of the site symmetry for europium to a different extent, which may account for the difference in luminescent behavior between the two kinds of LB films.

Micellization and reversible pH-sensitive phase transfer of the hyperbranched multiarm PEI-PBLG copolymer

A novel, hyperbranched, amphiphilic multiarm biodegradable polyethylenimine-poly(gamma-benZyl-L-gluta- mate) (PEI-PBLG) copolymer was prepared by the ring-opening polymerization of gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate-N-car-boxyanhydride (BLG-NCA) with hyperbranched PEI as a macroinitiator. The copolymer could self-assemble into core-shell micelles in aqueous solution with highly hydrophobic micelle cores. As the PBLG content was increased, the size of the micelles increased and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) decreased. The surface of the micelles had a positive potential. The cationic micelles were capable of complexing with plasmid DNA (pDNA), which could be released subsequently by treatment with polyanions. The PEI-PBLG copolymer formed unimolecular micelles in chloroform solution. ne pH-sensitive phase-transfer behavior exhibited two critical pH points for triggering the encapsulation and release of guest molecules. Both the encapsulation and release processes were rapid and reversible. Under strong acidic or alkaline conditions, the release process became partially or completely irreversible.

Study on the difference of photochromic and thermochromic mechanism of ethylenediamine trimolybdate

Ethylenediamine trimolybdate ((C2H10N2)[Mo3O10], denoted as ENTMo) shows unusual photochromic and thermochromic properties. The color of the white ENTMo compounds becomes reddish brown gradually under UV irradiation, and changes gradually to blue-black upon annealing. XRD patterns and FT-IR spectra verify that the crystal structure of the colored samples is almost unchanged except distortion. UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and ESR spectra of the photochromic and the thermochromic samples could confirm that there must exist difference between thermochromic and photochromic mechanism.

Novel polyoxometalate-templated, 3-D supramolecular networks based on lanthanide dimers: Synthesis, structure, and fluorescent properties of [Ln(2)(DNBA)(4)(DMF)(8)][Mo6O19] (DNBA=3,5-dinitrobenzoate)

The spherical Lindquist type polyoxometalate, Mo6O192-, has been used as a noncoordinating anionic template for the construction of novel three-dimensional lanthanide-aromatic monocarboxylate dimer supramolecular networks [Ln(2)(DNBA)(4)(DMF)(8)][Mo6O19] (Ln = La 1, Ce 2, and Eu 3, DNBA = 3,5-dinitrobenzoate, DMF = dimethylformamide). The title compounds are characterized by elemental analyses, IR, and single-crystal X-ray diffractions. X-ray diffraction experiments reveal that two Ln(III) ions are bridged by four 3,5-dinitrobenzoate anions as asymmetrically bridging ligands, leading to dimeric cores, [Ln(2)(DNBA)(4)(DMF)(8)](2+); [Ln(2)(DNBA)(4)(DMF)(8)](2+) groups are joined together by pi-pi stacking interactions between the aromatic groups to form a two-dimensional grid-like network; the 2-D supramolecular layers are further extended into 3-D supramolecular networks with 1-D box-like channels by hydrogen-bonding interactions, in which hexamolybdate polyanions reside. The compounds represent the first examples of 3-D carboxylate-bridged lanthanide dimer supramolecular "host" networks formed by pi-pi stacking and hydrogen-bonding interactions encapsulating noncoordinating "guest" polyoxoanion species. The fluorescent activity of compound 3 is reported.

Luminescence properties of LB films based on heteropolytungstate of rare earth

In this work, the LB films based on heteropolytungstate of Dy and Sm have been prepared. The X-ray diffraction shows the LB films have a highly ordered lamella structure. The luminescence characteristics of the LB films were studied. The charge transfer bands of LB films are in higher energies than those of the corresponding solids. It is noticed that the yellow to blue intensity ratio (Y:B) of Dy3+ in the LB films is different from that of the solid. The differences in the spectra show that the Dy3+ site symmetry in LB film was changed due to the interaction between the surfactant and the polyanions. The differences could also be found in the luminescence spectra of the LB films of Sm complex.

Langmuir-Blodgett films based on europium-substituted heteropolytungstate and their luminescence properties

Several new hybrid organic-inorganic Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films containing europium-substituted hetero-polytungstate Eu (XW11O39)(2)''(-) (X=Ge, Si, B) were successfully obtained using LB technique. When the heteropolytungstate anions are dissolved in the subphase, dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide compression isotherms have been modified, which shows that the polyanions interact with the monolayer. Y-type LB films were obtained from the systems. Low-angle X-ray has shown that these LB films have well-defined lamella. The LB films were characterized by luminescence spectra and the characteristic luminescence behavior for europium-substituted heteropolytungstate complexes and their LB films were discussed. The results of excitation spectra indicate that the energy could be effectively transferred from ligands to the Eu3+ ions in the LB films and the luminescence efficiency could be greatly increased. The results of luminescence spectra indicate that the formations of hybrid organic-inorganic LB films have a great effect on the luminescence of europium-substituted heteropolytungstate. The lifetime shortening was observed in LB films.

Study on highly ordered luminescent Langmuir-Blodgett films of heteropolytung state complexes containing lanthanide

Luminescent thin films of heteropolytungstate complexes containing lanthanide (europium or samarium) were successfully fabricated by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. The pressure-area isotherm of the monolayer of dimethyldioctadecylammonium. bromide (DODA) is modified rather markedly when the subphase contains the complex of Na9EuW10O36 or Na9SmW10O36. The above results indicate that the monolayer of DODA has a strong interaction with the polyanions of EuW10O369-. (or SmW10O369-). X-ray photoelectron spectra and fluorescent spectra verify that europium and tungsten atoms are 36 36 incorporated into the LB films. Ultraviolet (UV), fluorescent spectra and low-angle X-ray diffraction experiments demonstrate that these LB films have a well-defined lamellar structure. The LB film containing EuW10O369- can give off strong fluorescence 16 on UV irradiation. The characteristic emission behaviors of europium ions in LB films and in the powder of Na9EuW10O369- are discussed. It is found that the intensity ratio of the D-5(0)-F-7(2) transition to the D-5(0)-->F-7(1) transition in LB film is quite different from that in the powder of Na9EuW10O36. The difference of the ratio indicates that the site symmetry of europiurn is distorted in LB film, which is probably due to the strong electrostatic interactions between DODA and polyanions.

Effective energy transfer and luminescence of LB films based on europium-substituted heteropolytungstate

The europium-substituted heteropolytungstate K13Eu(SiW11O39)(2) was successfully assembled into two lipids by LB technique for the first time. X-ray diffraction has shown a well defined lamellar for the LB films. The LB films have been characterized by fluorescence spectra and the characteristic luminescence behaviors were discussed. The ligand-metal charge transfer band could be observed in the spectra of the LB films, which could not be found in that of heteropolytungstate solid. The results of fluorescence spectra indicate the energy could be effectively transferred from ligands to the Eu3+ ions in the LB films and the luminescence efficiency was increased greatly. The influences of various lipids on the luminescence of polyoxometalates were investigated. The various interactions between monolayer and polyanions have different effect on the luminescence properties of europium-substituted heteropolytungstate.