N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are shown to be reasonable mimics of imidazole ligands in dinitrosyl iron complexes determined through the synthesis and characterization of a series of {Fe(NO)(2)}(10) and {Fe(NO)(2)}(9) (Enemark-Feltham notation) complexes. Monocarbene complexes (NHC-iPr)(CO)Fe(NO)(2) (1) and (NHC-Me)(CO)Fe(NO)(2) (2) (NHC-iPr = 1,3-diisopropylimidazol-2-ylidene and NHC-Me = 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) are formed from CO/L exchange with Fe(CO)(2)(NO)(2). An additional equivalent of NHC results in the bis-carbene complexes (NHC-iPr)(2)Fe(NO)(2) (3) and (NHC-Me)(2)Fe(NO)(2) (4), which can be oxidized to form the {Fe(NO)(2)}(9) bis-carbene complexes 3(+) and 4(+). Treatment of complexes 1 and 2 with [NO]BF(4) results in the formation of uncommon trinitrosyl iron complexes, (NHC-iPr)Fe(NO)(3)(+) (5(+)) and (NHC-Me)Fe(NO)(3)(+) (6(+)), respectively. Cleavage of the Roussin's Red "ester" (μ-SPh)(2)[Fe(NO)(2)](2) with either NHC or imidazole results in the formation of (NHC-iPr)(PhS)Fe(NO)(2) (7) and (Imid-iPr)(PhS)Fe(NO)(2) (10) (Imid-iPr = 2-isopropylimidazole). The solid-state molecular structures of complexes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5(+), and 7 show that they all have pseudotetrahedral geometry. Infrared spectroscopic data suggest that NHCs are slightly better electron donors than imidazoles; electrochemical data are also consistent with what is expected for typical donor/acceptor abilities of the spectator ligands bound to the Fe(NO)(2) unit. Although the monoimidazole complex (Imid-iPr)(CO)Fe(NO)(2) (8) was observed via IR spectroscopy, attempts to isolate this complex resulted in the formation of a tetrameric {Fe(NO)(2)}(9) species, [(Imid-iPr)Fe(NO)(2)](4) (9), a molecular square analogous to the unsubstituted imidazole reported by Li and Wang et al. Preliminary NO-transfer studies demonstrate that the {Fe(NO)(2)}(9) bis-carbene complexes can serve as a source of NO to a target complex, whereas the {Fe(NO)(2)}(10) bis-carbenes are unreactive in the presence of a NO-trapping agent.

Heterobimetallic complexes comprised of W(CO)4 adducts of (N2S2)M(NO) have been isolated and characterized by nu(CO) and nu(NO)IR spectroscopies and X-ray diffraction. The molecular structures of (N2S2)M(NO) compounds (bme-dach)Co(NO), [(bme-dach)Co(NO)]W(CO)4, and [(bme-dach)Fe(NO)]W(CO)4 [bme-dach = N, N'-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-1,4-diazacycloheptane)] find the square-pyramidal (bme-dach)M(NO) unit to serve as a bidentate ligand via the cis-dithiolato sulfurs, with a hinge angle of the butterfly bimetallic structures of ca. 130 degrees . The W(CO)4 moiety is used as a probe of the electron-donor ability of the nitrosyl complexes through CO stretching frequencies that display a minor increase as compared to analogous [(N2S2)Ni]W(CO)4 complexes. These findings are consistent with the electron-withdrawing influence of the {Co(NO)}(8) and {Fe(NO)}(7) units on the bridging thiolate sulfurs relative to Ni(2+). Also sensitive to derivatization by W(CO)4 is the NO stretch, which blue shifts by ca. 30 and 50 cm(-1) for the Co and Fe complexes, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry studies find similar reduction potentials (-1.08 V vs NHE in N, N-dimethylformamide solvent) of the (bme-dach)Co(NO) and (bme-dach)Fe(NO) free metalloligands, which are positively shifted by ca. 0.61 and 0.48 V, respectively, upon complexation to W(CO)4.

A novel immunoproteomic assay, combining specificity of antibody with precision of mass spectral analysis is described, and a number of practical applications are presented. The assay is carried out in three steps. The first step of the assay involves antibody immobilization, using a bacterial Fc binding support. The second step is antigen capture and washing to remove non-specific binding. The third step involves analysis of the captured antigens by SELDI-TOF. The assay has many advantages in sensitivity, speed, and economy of reagents in detection of specific antigens or antibodies. In addition, under appropriate experimental conditions, semi-quantitative data may be obtained. By combining the increasing range of selective specific antibody reagents available, in part due to advances in antibody engineering technology, and the resolving power available, using mass spectrometry, immunoproteomics is a valuable technique in proteomic analysis. A number of examples of the application of this technique to analysis of biological systems are presented.

Imidazolate-containing {Fe(NO)2}9 molecular squares have been synthesized by oxidative CO displacement from the reduced Fe(CO)2(NO)2 precursor. The structures of complex 1 [(Imidazole)Fe(NO)2]4, (Ford, Li, et al. Chem. Comm. 2005, 477–479), 2 [(2-Isopropylimidazole)Fe(NO)2]4, and 3 [(Benzimidazole)Fe(NO)2]4, as determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, find precise square planes of irons with imidazolates bridging the edges and nitrosyl ligands capping the irons at the corners. The orientation of the imidazolate ligands in each of the complexes results in variations of the overall structures, and molecular recognition features in the available cavities of 1 and 3. Computational studies show multiple low energy structural isomers and confirm that the isomers found in the crystallographic structures arise from intermolecular interactions. EPR and IR spectroscopic studies, and electrochemical results suggest that the tetramers remain intact in solution in the presence of weakly-coordinating (THF) and non-coordinating (CH2Cl2) solvents. Mössbauer spectroscopic data for a set of reference dinitrosyl iron complexes, reduced {Fe(NO)2}10 compounds A ((NHC-iPr)2Fe(NO)2), and C ((NHC-iPr)(CO)Fe(NO)2), and oxidized {Fe(NO)2}9 compounds B ([(NHC-iPr)2Fe(NO)2][BF4]), and D ((NHC-iPr)(SPh)Fe(NO)2) (NHC-iPr = 1,3-diisopropylimidazol-2-ylidene) demonstrate distinct differences of the isomer shifts and quadrupole splittings between the oxidized and reduced forms. The reduced compounds have smaller positive isomer shifts as compared to the oxidized compounds ascribed to the greater π-backbonding to the NO ligands. Mössbauer data for the tetrameric complexes 1, 2, and 3 demonstrate larger isomer shifts, most comparable to compound D; all four complexes contain cationic {Fe(NO)2}9 units bound to one anionic ligand and one neutral ligand. At RT the paramagnetic, S = ½ per iron, centers are not coupled.

The enzyme telomerase is expressed in (85-90)% of all human cancers, but not in normal, non-stem cell somatic tissues. Clinical assays for telomerase in easily obtained body fluids would have great utility as noninvasive, cost-effective methods for the early detection of cancer. The most commonly used method for the detection and quantification of telomerase enzyme activity is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay known as the telomerase repeat amplification protocol or TRAP assay. Most of the TRAP assay systems use a slab-gel based electrophoresis system to size and quantify the PCR-amplified extension products. We are developing high-throughput capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods for the analysis of TRAP/PCR products. The TRAP assay was conducted on lysates of the human lung cancer cell line A-549 in reactions containing 5-100 cells. TRAP/PCR products were generated using a fluorescent 4,7,2'4'5'7',-hexachloro-6-carboxyfluorescein(HEX)-labeled TS primer and analyzed on the Applied Biosystems Model 310 CE system using POP4 polymer. After analysis with GeneScan and Genotyper software, the total peak areas of the TRAP ladder extension products were computed using Microsoft Excel. Results were compared with unlabeled TRAP/PCR products analyzed on the Bio-Rad BioFocus 3000 CE system using 6% high molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone (HMW PVP) polymer and SYBR Green I dye. Both CE systems were able to resolve the TRAP ladder products with high reproducibility and sensitivity (5-15 cells). With the appropriate robotic sample handling system, these CE methods would enable performing the telomerase TRAP assay with increased sensitivity, reproducibility and automation over slab-gel methods.

Background: Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein that maintains chromosomal telomere length. Telomerase is not active in nonmalignant somatic cells, but is activated in most human cancers. Telomerase activity in easily obtainable body fluids that bathe tumors may be a useful cancer marker, especially when used in conjunction with conventional cytology. Approach: Results from studies that assayed telomerase activity in easily obtainable body fluids are reviewed. Content: The telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay has been used to measure telomerase activity in body fluids, including ascites, pleural effusions, pelvic washes, bronchial washings, bronchial lavage, urine, bladder washings, oral rinses, and plasma. Telomerase activity has sensitivities of 60–90% as a tumor marker with clinical specificities for cancer of ∼90%. Telomerase activity is more sensitive than conventional cytology, the sensitivity of which was 40–65% in various studies. Summary: Telomerase activity in body fluids, as measured by the TRAP assay, is a sensitive potential tumor marker that might help increase the cancer detection rate and the cancer treatment success rate when combined with conventional cytology.

The immobilization of synthetic analogues of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase, [FeFe]H(2)ase, enzyme active site on polyethyleneglycol-rich polystyrene beads is described. Using the reactivity of the amine termini of the PEG chains with carboxylates incorporated into (mu-SRS)[Fe(CO)(3)](2) or (mu-SR)(2)[Fe(CO)(3)](2) derivative, nu(CO)IR signatures can be used to interrogate the structure and properties of the diiron carbonyl complexes once incorporated into the PEG environment of the polymer beads. Alternatively, the SRS dithiolate was first attached to the resin and the diiron unit assembled via an in situ process on the bead.

We have compared telomerase activity measurements by slab-gel and capillary electrophoresis in cultured cells (A549 and H125 human cancer cell lines) and in cells isolated from clinical peripheral blood specimens epithelial cells of patients with lung and esophageal cancer. Telomerase activity was determined using the telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay with phosphoimager scanning of slab-gels and by laser-induced fluorescence capillary electrophoresis (LIF-CE). Experiments using A549 and H125 cells were performed to determine the reproducibility of each method and to identify the contribution of each stage of the TRAP/polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to the variability. In these experiments, it was found that more than half of the overall variability (coefficient of variation, CV = 35%) of the slab-gel method and almost all of the overall variability (CV = 20%) of the CE method was due to the PCR stage of the TRAP assay. In the clinical samples, classification as positive or negative was by visual inspection of the slab-gel and CE electropherograms for the presence of the characteristic 6 base-pair TRAP ladder and by GeneScan analysis of the CE. We examined several criteria including the use of 3, 4, or 5 TRAP bands as the definition of a positive test. Using the slab-gel method, the 5-band criterion gave 40% sensitivity with 100% specificity (no false positives in inactive controls). The CE method yielded a comparable 38% sensitivity and 100% specificity using this criterion. These data indicate that detection of telomerase activity in epithelial cells isolated from peripheral blood has a useful level of sensitivity and specificity and may be useful in the detection and monitoring of aerodigestive cancers. However, analysis by slab-gel is cumbersome and the precision is poor (inter-replicate CV = 20%) compared to LIF-CE (CV = 5%). A high-throughput CE-LIF detection platform will be indispensable for validation studies of telomerase activity measurements.