TY - JOUR A1 - Ban, Željka A1 - Karačić, Zrinka A1 - Tomić, Sanja A1 - Amini, Hashem A1 - Marder, Todd B. A1 - Piantanida, Ivo T1 - Triarylborane dyes as a novel non-covalent and non-inhibitive fluorimetric markers for DPP III enzyme JF - Molecules N2 - Novel dyes were prepared by simple “click CuAAC” attachment of a triarylborane–alkyne to the azide side chain of an amino acid yielding triarylborane dye 1 which was conjugated with pyrene (dye 2) forming a triarylborane–pyrene FRET pair. In contrast to previous cationic triarylboranes, the novel neutral dyes interact only with proteins, while their affinity to DNA/RNA is completely abolished. Both the reference triarylborane amino acid and triarylborane–pyrene conjugate bind to BSA and the hDPP III enzyme with high affinities, exhibiting a strong (up to 100-fold) fluorescence increase, whereby the triarylborane–pyrene conjugate additionally retained FRET upon binding to the protein. Furthermore, the triarylborane dyes, upon binding to the hDPP III enzyme, did not impair its enzymatic activity under a wide range of experimental conditions, thus being the first non-covalent fluorimetric markers for hDPP III, also applicable during enzymatic reactions with hDPP III substrates. KW - triarylborane KW - pyrene KW - click CuAAC synthesis KW - DPP III enzyme KW - BSA KW - fluorescence Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-245046 SN - 1420-3049 VL - 26 IS - 16 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Tumir, Lidija-Marija A1 - Pavlović Saftić, Dijana A1 - Crnolatac, Ivo A1 - Ban, Željka A1 - Maslać, Matea A1 - Griesbeck, Stefanie A1 - Marder, Todd B. A1 - Piantanida, Ivo T1 - The nature of the (oligo/hetero)arene linker connecting two triarylborane cations controls fluorimetric and circular dichroism sensing of various ds-DNAs and ds-RNAs JF - Molecules N2 - A series of tetracationic bis-triarylborane dyes, differing in the aromatic linker connecting two dicationic triarylborane moieties, showed very high submicromolar affinities toward ds-DNA and ds-RNA. The linker strongly influenced the emissive properties of triarylborane cations and controlled the fluorimetric response of dyes. The fluorene-analog shows the most selective fluorescence response between AT-DNA, GC-DNA, and AU-RNA, the pyrene-analog’s emission is non-selectively enhanced by all DNA/RNA, and the dithienyl-diketopyrrolopyrrole analog’s emission is strongly quenched upon DNA/RNA binding. The emission properties of the biphenyl-analog were not applicable, but the compound showed specific induced circular dichroism (ICD) signals only for AT-sequence-containing ds-DNAs, whereas the pyrene-analog ICD signals were specific for AT-DNA with respect to GC-DNA, and also recognized AU-RNA by giving a different ICD pattern from that observed upon interaction with AT-DNA. The fluorene- and dithienyl-diketopyrrolopyrrole analogs were ICD-signal silent. Thus, fine-tuning of the aromatic linker properties connecting two triarylborane dications can be used for the dual sensing (fluorimetric and CD) of various ds-DNA/RNA secondary structures, depending on the steric properties of the DNA/RNA grooves. KW - triarylborane KW - fluorescent probe KW - circular dichroism KW - DNA recognition KW - RNA recognition Y1 - 2023 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-319322 SN - 1420-3049 VL - 28 IS - 11 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Košćak, Marta A1 - Pehar, Isabela A1 - Božinović, Ksenija A1 - Kole, Goutam Kumar A1 - Sobočanec, Sandra A1 - Podgorski, Iva I. A1 - Pinterić, Marija A1 - Müller-Buschbaum, Klaus A1 - Majhen, Dragomira A1 - Piantanida, Ivo A1 - Marder, Todd B. T1 - Para-N-methylpyridinium pyrenes: impact of positive charge on ds-DNA/RNA and protein recognition, photo-induced bioactivity, and intracellular localisation JF - Pharmaceutics N2 - The 2- and 2,7- substituted para-N-methylpyridinium pyrene cations show high-affinity intercalation into ds-DNAs, whereas their non-methylated analogues interacted with ds-DNA/RNA only in the protonated form (at pH 5), but not at physiological conditions (pH 7). The fluorescence from non-methylated analogues was strongly dependent on the protonation of the pyridines; consequently, they act as fluorescence ratiometric probes for simultaneous detection of both ds-DNA and BSA at pH 5, relying on the ratio between intensities at 420 nm (BSA specific) and 520 nm (DNA specific), whereby exclusively ds-DNA sensing could be switched-off by adjustment to pH 7. Only methylated, permanently charged pyrenes show photoinduced cleavage of circular DNA, attributed to pyrene-mediated irradiation-induced production of singlet oxygen. Consequently, the moderate toxicity of these cations against human cell lines is strongly increased upon irradiation. Detailed studies revealed increased total ROS production in cells treated by the compounds studied, accompanied by cell swelling and augmentation of cellular complexity. The most photo-active 2-para-N-methylpyridinium pyrene showed significant localization at mitochondria, its photo-bioactivity likely due to mitochondrial DNA damage. Other derivatives were mostly non-selectively distributed between various cytoplasmic organelles, thus being less photoactive. KW - N-methylpyridinium pyrene KW - DNA sensing KW - protein sensing KW - singlet oxygen KW - photodynamic therapy KW - fluorescence KW - theranostics Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-297247 SN - 1999-4923 VL - 14 IS - 11 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kole, Goutam Kumar A1 - Košćak, Marta A1 - Amar, Anissa A1 - Majhen, Dragomira A1 - Božinović, Ksenija A1 - Brkljaca, Zlatko A1 - Ferger, Matthias A1 - Michail, Evripidis A1 - Lorenzen, Sabine A1 - Friedrich, Alexandra A1 - Krummenacher, Ivo A1 - Moos, Michael A1 - Braunschweig, Holger A1 - Boucekkine, Abdou A1 - Lambert, Christoph A1 - Halet, Jean‐François A1 - Piantanida, Ivo A1 - Müller‐Buschbaum, Klaus A1 - Marder, Todd B. T1 - Methyl Viologens of Bis‐(4’‐Pyridylethynyl)Arenes – Structures, Photophysical and Electrochemical Studies, and their Potential Application in Biology JF - Chemistry – A European Journal N2 - A series of bis‐(4’‐pyridylethynyl)arenes (arene=benzene, tetrafluorobenzene, and anthracene) were synthesized and their bis‐N‐methylpyridinium compounds were investigated as a class of π‐extended methyl viologens. Their structures were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, and their photophysical and electrochemical properties (cyclic voltammetry), as well as their interactions with DNA/RNA were investigated. The dications showed bathochromic shifts in emission compared to the neutral compounds. The neutral compounds showed very small Stokes shifts, which are a little larger for the dications. All of the compounds showed very short fluorescence lifetimes (<4 ns). The neutral compound with an anthracene core has a quantum yield of almost unity. With stronger acceptors, the analogous bis‐N‐methylpyridinium compound showed a larger two‐photon absorption cross‐section than its neutral precursor. All of the dicationic compounds interact with DNA/RNA; while the compounds with benzene and tetrafluorobenzene cores bind in the grooves, the one with an anthracene core intercalates as a consequence of its large, condensed aromatic linker moiety, and it aggregates within the polynucleotide when in excess over DNA/RNA. Moreover, all cationic compounds showed highly specific CD spectra upon binding to ds‐DNA/RNA, attributed to the rare case of forcing the planar, achiral molecule into a chiral rotamer, and negligible toxicity toward human cell lines at ≤10 μM concentrations. The anthracene‐analogue exhibited intracellular accumulation within lysosomes, preventing its interaction with cellular DNA/RNA. However, cytotoxicity was evident at 1 μM concentration upon exposure to light, due to singlet oxygen generation within cells. These multi‐faceted features, in combination with its two‐photon absorption properties, suggest it to be a promising lead compound for development of novel light‐activated theranostic agents. KW - cell imaging KW - DNA/RNA binding KW - methyl viologen KW - singlet oxygen KW - two-photon absorption Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-287126 VL - 28 IS - 40 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ferger, Matthias A1 - Roger, Chantal A1 - Köster, Eva A1 - Rauch, Florian A1 - Lorenzen, Sabine A1 - Krummenacher, Ivo A1 - Friedrich, Alexandra A1 - Košćak, Marta A1 - Nestić, Davor A1 - Braunschweig, Holger A1 - Lambert, Christoph A1 - Piantanida, Ivo A1 - Marder, Todd B. T1 - Electron‐Rich EDOT Linkers in Tetracationic bis‐Triarylborane Chromophores: Influence on Water Stability, Biomacromolecule Sensing, and Photoinduced Cytotoxicity JF - Chemistry – A European Journal N2 - Three novel tetracationic bis‐triarylboranes with 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) linkers, and their neutral precursors, showed significant red‐shifted absorption and emission compared to their thiophene‐containing analogues, with one of the EDOT‐derivatives emitting in the NIR region. Only the EDOT‐linked trixylylborane tetracation was stable in aqueous solution, indicating that direct attachment of a thiophene or even 3‐methylthiophene to the boron atom is insufficient to provide hydrolytic stability in aqueous solution. Further comparative analysis of the EDOT‐linked trixylylborane tetracation and its bis‐thiophene analogue revealed efficient photo‐induced singlet oxygen production, with the consequent biological implications. Thus, both analogues bind strongly to ds‐DNA and BSA, very efficiently enter living human cells, accumulate in several different cytoplasmic organelles with no toxic effect but, under intense visible light irradiation, they exhibit almost instantaneous and very strong cytotoxic effects, presumably attributed to singlet oxygen production. Thus, both compounds are intriguing theranostic agents, whose intracellular and probably intra‐tissue location can be monitored by strong fluorescence, allowing switching on of the strong bioactivity by well‐focused visible light. KW - boranes KW - DNA/RNA sensors KW - fluorescent probes KW - singlet oxygen KW - theranostics Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-287241 VL - 28 IS - 48 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Berger, Sarina M. A1 - Rühe, Jessica A1 - Schwarzmann, Johannes A1 - Phillipps, Alexandra A1 - Richard, Ann-Katrin A1 - Ferger, Matthias A1 - Krummenacher, Ivo A1 - Tumir, Lidija-Marija A1 - Ban, Željka A1 - Crnolatac, Ivo A1 - Majhen, Dragomira A1 - Barišić, Ivan A1 - Piantanida, Ivo A1 - Schleier, Domenik A1 - Griesbeck, Stefanie A1 - Friedrich, Alexandra A1 - Braunschweig, Holger A1 - Marder, Todd B. T1 - Bithiophene-Cored, mono-, bis-, and tris-(Trimethylammonium)-Substituted, bis-Triarylborane Chromophores: Effect of the Number and Position of Charges on Cell Imaging and DNA/RNA Sensing JF - Chemistry—A European Journal N2 - The synthesis, photophysical, and electrochemical properties of selectively mono-, bis- and tris-dimethylamino- and trimethylammonium-substituted bis-triarylborane bithiophene chromophores are presented along with the water solubility and singlet oxygen sensitizing efficiency of the cationic compounds Cat\(^{1+}\), Cat\(^{2+}\), Cat(i)\(^{2+}\), and Cat\(^{3+}\). Comparison with the mono-triarylboranes reveals the large influence of the bridging unit on the properties of the bis-triarylboranes, especially those of the cationic compounds. Based on these preliminary investigations, the interactions of Cat\(^{1+}\), Cat\(^{2+}\), Cat(i)\(^{2+}\), and Cat\(^{3+}\) with DNA, RNA, and DNApore were investigated in buffered solutions. The same compounds were investigated for their ability to enter and localize within organelles of human lung carcinoma (A549) and normal lung (WI38) cells showing that not only the number of charges but also their distribution over the chromophore influences interactions and staining properties. KW - singlet oxygen KW - boron KW - bioimaging KW - luminescence KW - nucleic acid Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256963 VL - 27 IS - 56 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ferger, Matthias A1 - Ban, Željka A1 - Krošl, Ivona A1 - Tomić, Sanja A1 - Dietrich, Lena A1 - Lorenzen, Sabine A1 - Rauch, Florian A1 - Sieh, Daniel A1 - Friedrich, Alexandra A1 - Griesbeck, Stefanie A1 - Kenđel, Adriana A1 - Miljanić, Snežana A1 - Piantanida, Ivo A1 - Marder, Todd B. T1 - Bis(phenylethynyl)arene Linkers in Tetracationic Bis-triarylborane Chromophores Control Fluorimetric and Raman Sensing of Various DNAs and RNAs JF - Chemistry-A European Journal N2 - We report four new luminescent tetracationic bis-triarylborane DNA and RNA sensors that show high binding affinities, in several cases even in the nanomolar range. Three of the compounds contain substituted, highly emissive and structurally flexible bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl-4-ethynyl)arene linkers (3: arene=5,5′-2,2′-bithiophene; 4: arene=1,4-benzene; 5: arene=9,10-anthracene) between the two boryl moieties and serve as efficient dual Raman and fluorescence chromophores. The shorter analogue 6 employs 9,10-anthracene as the linker and demonstrates the importance of an adequate linker length with a certain level of flexibility by exhibiting generally lower binding affinities than 3–5. Pronounced aggregation–deaggregation processes are observed in fluorimetric titration experiments with DNA for compounds 3 and 5. Molecular modelling of complexes of 5 with AT-DNA, suggest the minor groove as the dominant binding site for monomeric 5, but demonstrate that dimers of 5 can also be accommodated. Strong SERS responses for 3–5 versus a very weak response for 6, particularly the strong signals from anthracene itself observed for 5 but not for 6, demonstrate the importance of triple bonds for strong Raman activity in molecules of this compound class. The energy of the characteristic stretching vibration of the C≡C bonds is significantly dependent on the aromatic moiety between the triple bonds. The insertion of aromatic moieties between two C≡C bonds thus offers an alternative design for dual Raman and fluorescence chromophores, applicable in multiplex biological Raman imaging. KW - boranes KW - Raman probes KW - molecular modelling KW - fluorescent probes KW - DNA/RNA sensors Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256717 VL - 27 IS - 16 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ban, Željka A1 - Griesbeck, Stefanie A1 - Tomić, Sanja A1 - Nitsch, Jörn A1 - Marder, Todd B. A1 - Piantanida, Ivo T1 - A Quadrupolar Bis-Triarylborane Chromophore as a Fluorimetric and Chirooptic Probe for Simultaneous and Selective Sensing of DNA, RNA and Proteins JF - Chemistry - A European Journal N2 - A water‐soluble tetracationic quadrupolar bis‐triarylborane chromophore showed strong binding to ds‐DNA, ds‐RNA, ss‐RNA, as well as to the naturally most abundant protein, BSA. The novel dye can distinguish between DNA/RNA and BSA by fluorescence emission separated by Δv =3600 cm\(^{-1}\), allowing for the simultaneous quantification of DNA/RNA and protein (BSA) in a mixture. The applicability of such fluorimetric differentiation in vitro was demonstrated, strongly supporting a protein‐like target as a dominant binding site of 1 in cells. Moreover, our dye also bound strongly to ss‐RNA, with the unusual rod‐like structure of the dye, decorated by four positive charges at its termini and having a hydrophobic core, acting as a spindle for wrapping A, C and U ss‐RNAs, but not poly G, the latter preserving its secondary structure. To the best of our knowledge, such unmatched, multifaceted binding activity of a small molecule toward DNA, RNA, and proteins and the selectivity of its fluorimetric and chirooptic response makes the quadrupolar bis‐triarylborane a novel chromophore/fluorophore moiety for biochemical applications. KW - boranes KW - circular dichrosism KW - fluorescent probes KW - luminescence KW - sensors Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-208154 VL - 26 IS - 10 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kole, Goutam Kumar A1 - Merz, Julia A1 - Amar, Anissa A1 - Fontaine, Bruno A1 - Boucekkine, Abdou A1 - Nitsch, Jörn A1 - Lorenzen, Sabine A1 - Friedrich, Alexandra A1 - Krummenacher, Ivo A1 - Košćak, Marta A1 - Braunschweig, Holger A1 - Piantanida, Ivo A1 - Halet, Jean-François A1 - Müller-Buschbaum, Klaus A1 - Marder, Todd B. T1 - 2- and 2,7-substituted para-N-methylpyridinium pyrenes: syntheses, molecular and electronic structures, photophysical, electrochemical, and spectroelectrochemical properties and binding to double-stranded (ds) DNA JF - Chemistry - A European Journal N2 - Two N-methylpyridinium compounds and analogous N-protonated salts of 2- and 2,7-substituted 4-pyridyl-pyrene compounds were synthesised and their crystal structures, photophysical properties both in solution and in the solid state, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties were studied. Upon methylation or protonation, the emission maxima are significantly bathochromically shifted compared to the neutral compounds, although the absorption maxima remain almost unchanged. As a result, the cationic compounds show very large apparent Stokes shifts of up to 7200 cm\(^{-1}\). The N-methylpyridinium compounds have a single reduction at ca. −1.5 V vs. Fc/Fc\(^+\) in MeCN. While the reduction process was reversible for the 2,7-disubstituted compound, it was irreversible for the mono-substituted one. Experimental findings are complemented by DFT and TD-DFT calculations. Furthermore, the N-methylpyridinium compounds show strong interactions with calf thymus (ct)-DNA, presumably by intercalation, which paves the way for further applications of these multi-functional compounds as potential DNA-bioactive agents. KW - inorganic chemistry KW - viologens KW - chromophores KW - luminescent KW - pyrenes KW - pyridinium Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256642 VL - 27 IS - 8 ER -