Studies of viomycin, an anti-tuberculosis antibiotic: copper(ii) coordination, DNA degradation and the impact on delta ribozyme cleavage activity.

Viomycin is a basic peptide antibiotic, which is among the most effective agents against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. In this paper we provide the characteristics of its acid base properties, coordination preferences towards the Cu(ii) ions, as well as the reactivity of the resulting complexes against plasmid DNA and HDV ribozyme. Careful coordination studies throughout the wide pH range allow for the characterisation of all the Cu(ii)-viomycin complex species.

Impact of Cu(2+) ions on the structure of colistin and cell-free system nucleic acid degradation.

Colistin and transition metal ions are commonly used as feed additives for livestock animals. This work presents the results of an analysis of combined potentiometric and spectroscopic (UV-vis, EPR, CD, NMR) data which lead to conclude that colistin is able to effectively chelate copper(II) ions. In cell-free system the oxidative activity of the complex manifests itself in the plasmid DNA destruction with simultaneous generation of reactive OH species, when accompanied by hydrogen peroxide or ascorbic acid.

Differences in the binding of copper(I) to α- and β-synuclein.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of abnormal α-synuclein (αS) deposits in the brain. Alterations in homeostasis and metal-induced oxidative stress may play a crucial role in the progression of αS amyloid assembly and pathogenesis of PD. Contrary to αS, β-synuclein (βS) is not involved in the PD etiology.

High affinity of copper(II) towards amoxicillin, apramycin and ristomycin. Effect of these complexes on the catalytic activity of HDV ribozyme.

Three representatives of the distinct antibiotics groups: amoxicillin, apramycin and ristomycin A were studied regarding their impact on hepatitis D virus (HDV) ribozyme both in the metal-free form and complexed with copper(II) ions. Hence the Cu(II)-ristomycin A complex has been characterized by means of NMR, EPR, CD and UV-visible spectroscopic techniques and its binding pattern has been compared with the coordination modes estimated previously for Cu(II)-amoxicillin and Cu(II)-apramycin complexes. It has thus been found that all three antibiotics bind the Cu(II) ion in a very similar manner, engaging two nitrogen and two oxygen donors into coordination with the square planar symmetry in physiological conditions.

Conformation propensities of des-acyl-ghrelin as probed by CD and NMR.

Des-acyl-ghrelin is a 28 amino acid peptide secreted by both human and rat stomach. Together with ghrelin and obestatin, it is obtained by post-translational modification of a 117 aminoacid prepropeptide mainly expressed in distinct endocrine cell type in the stomach. Although its receptor has not been unambiguously identified so far, des-acyl-ghrelin is considered one of the strongest antagonists of ghrelin in activating the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R).