This research was supported by Cornell University. This work made use of the Cornell Center for Materials Research Shared Facilities, which are supported through the NSF MRSEC program (Grant DMR-1120296). S.R.N. acknowledges support by an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (Grant DGE- 1650441) and Dr. Dave Holowka for assistance with the calcium experiments. Any opinion, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

NOTE: Concentrated acids and bases are used in this synthesis. Use all appropriate safety practices when performing the reaction including the use of engineering controls (fume hood) and personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, gloves, lab coat, full length pants, and closed-toe shoes.
1. Preparation of [(OH2)(NH3)4Ru(&#181;-O)Ru(NH3)4(OH2)]Cl5
<ol>
	<li>Synthesis of [Ru(NH3)5Cl]Cl2 12
	<ol>
		<li>Dissolve 1.00 g of RuCl3&#183;nH2O (40% Ru by weight, 4.1 mmol) in 5 mL of H2O. Cool the dark brown solution to 0 &#176;C in an ice bath. Add 11 mL (0.23 mol) of 80% hydrazine hydrate solution in a dropwise manner. The initial reaction will be vigorous with the evolution gas, resulting in a brown solution. Let the resulting solution stir at room temperature for 16 h; the final solution will be dark red. 
		Caution: Hydrazine is acutely toxic and carcinogenic. Additionally, anhydrous forms of this reagent are explosive. As always, use appropriate PPE and fume hoods when handling. Do not concentrate these solutions to dryness.</li>
		<li>To this solution, add approximately 5-10 mL of concentrated HCl to adjust the pH to 2. At this point, the solution will be yellow-brown in color.</li>
		<li>Heat this solution at 105 &#176;C while stirring for 1-2 h. A yellow solid will precipitate out of solution. When no more precipitate visibly forms, remove from heat.</li>
		<li>Allow the reaction mixture to cool to room temperature, and then place in a 0 &#176;C ice bath for 10 min. Collect the yellow solid by vacuum filtration and wash with 5 mL each of ethanol and diethyl ether.</li>
		<li>Completely dissolve the crude product in 15-25 mL of hot water. Chill 10 mL of a concentrated HCl solution in a filter flask by placing it in an ice bath. Filter the yellow solution into the chilled HCl solution to induce precipitation of a pale yellow pure solid. Filter this precipitate and wash with 5 mL each of 0.5 M HCl, ethanol and ether.</li>
		<li>Characterize the compound using IR spectroscopy. Verify purity by the identification of stretching frequencies at 3226 cm-1, 1604 cm-1, 1297 cm-1, and 801 cm-1. A common minor impurity at 2069 cm-1 is assigned to [Ru(NH3)5N2]Cl3.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Synthesis of [(OH2)(NH3)4Ru(&#181;-O)Ru(NH3)4(OH2)]Cl5
	<ol>
		<li>Dissolve 100 mg (0.34 mmol) [Ru(NH3)5Cl]Cl2 in 50 mL of 1 M NH4OH in a 200 mL heavy wall round-bottomed pressure vessel. Loosely cap the flask with a stopper and heat the reaction mixture at 75 &#176;C for 6 h. Remove from heat and stir at room temperature for 4 days to yield a dark green solution. 
		Caution! Heating a sealed vessel results in a pressure build-up. Make sure to use appropriate pressure-safe glassware. For this reaction, the purpose of sealing the vessel is to minimize loss of gaseous NH3. Therefore, place the stopper loosely to allow for release of excess pressure.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Purification by cation-exchange chromatography
	<ol>
		<li>In a 25 mL beaker, suspend 5 g cation-exchange resin (e.g., Dowex 50WX2 200-400 mesh (H+ form) in 10 mL 0.1 M HCl.</li>
		<li>Load this slurry into a 10 mL column (10 mm diameter, 15 cm height) affixed with a 50 mL solvent reservoir. Wash the resin with approximately 20-30 mL of 0.1 M HCl, until the eluate is colorless.</li>
		<li>Return to the green reaction solution isolated in step 1.2.1. To this solution, add concentrated HCl to adjust the pH to 2, at which point the solution color changes to brown.</li>
		<li>Load this acidified solution to the cation-exchange resin column prepared in step 1.3.2 by gently pipetting it on top of the resin. Let the eluate completely drain, and continue loading the solution. Repeat this process until the entire solution has been added. The top of the resin will be dark brown/black. The resin will decrease in volume slightly.</li>
		<li>Use glass beads to cover the top of the resin. These will prevent the resin from being disturbed when new solutions are added.</li>
		<li>Elute the column with 20 mL of 1 M HCl.</li>
		<li>Elute the column with an increased HCl concentration of 1.5 M (&#8776; 50 mL). A yellow solution will begin to come off the column. Increase the HCl concentration to 2 M and continue eluting until the eluate is colorless or a very pale green-yellow. A total volume of 150-200 mL will be required for this process.</li>
		<li>Increase the HCl concentration to 2.5 M (20-50 mL). Collect the eluate as fractions in test tubes. Increase to 3 M HCl. The product will elute from the column as a green-brown solution. A red-brown fraction may also begin to come off of the column. As these fractions are oxidized ruthenium red impurities, do not pool with the green-brown fractions.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Characterization and verification of purity of [(OH2)(NH3)4Ru(&#181;-O)Ru(NH3)4(OH2)]Cl5
	<ol>
		<li>Test all of the fractions from step 1.3.8. by UV-vis spectroscopy. To accomplish this task, add 100 &#181;L of a given fraction into 2 mL of 3 M NH3 and analyze by UV-vis spectroscopy. Fractions containing pure product will have a large absorbance band at 360 nm and a less intense absorbance at 600 nm. Absorbance at 480 or 533 nm is indicative of oxidized ruthenium red and ruthenium red impurities, respectively.</li>
		<li>Pool fractions containing pure product and evaporate the solution to dryness by rotary evaporation. The product will be isolated as a green-brown solid. Yields are typically on the order of 5-15 mg (10-20% yield). Single-crystals, suitable for X-ray diffraction, can be obtained by the vapor diffusion of ethanol into aqueous solutions of the compound.</li>
		<li>To verify purity, analyze the compound by UV-vis spectroscopy in a solution of pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Purity may be assessed by taking the ratio of intensity of the 360 nm and 600 nm peaks. This ratio is 31 for a pure compound. For impure compounds, the ratio will be smaller.</li>
		<li>Analyze the sample in the solid-state by IR spectroscopy. Diagnostic bands are at 3234 cm-1, 3151 cm-1, 1618 cm-1, 1313 cm-1, and 815 cm-1. Common impurity bands are seen at 1762 cm-1 and 1400 cm-1, characteristic of NH4Cl. Ruthenium red can be identified by bands at 1404 cm-1, 1300 cm-1, 1037 cm-1 and 800 cm-1.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Evaluation of mitochondrial calcium uptake inhibition by fluorescence spectroscopy 
	Caution! The following procedures use mammalian cells. Work should be carried out in appropriate laminar flow hoods that are certified for biological safety level 2 (BSL2) research. 
	&#8203;NOTE: [(OH2)(NH3)4Ru(&#181;-O)Ru(NH3)4(OH2)]Cl5 will be referred to as [Ru] in this section
	<ol>
		<li>Make buffered glucose-containing saline solution (BGSS) as the assay media. BGSS is a solution comprising 110 mM KCl, 1 mM KH2PO4, 1 mM MgCl2, 20 mM 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES), 5 mM sodium succinate, 30 &#181;M ethylene glycol-bis(&#946;-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N&#39;,N&#39;-tetraacetic acid (EGTA). Combine everything except the EGTA, adjust pH to 7.4. Add EGTA and readjust pH to 7.4. For 50 mL of assay media add 0.5 mL of 1 mg/mL glucose.</li>
		<li>Culture HeLa cells in 500 cm2 Petri dishes in Dulbecco&#39;s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) in a humidified incubator with 5% CO2 at 37 &#176;C. Amplify HeLa cells growing in a 100 mm Petri dish by seeding them in a 500 cm2 petri dish. The total media volume in the large dish is 115 mL. Each large dish will yield approximately 18 million cells, enough for two fluorescence spectroscopy experiments.
		<ol>
			<li>Grow the cells until they reach 90-95% confluency. Remove media, and rinse the cells with 15 mL pH 7.4 PBS. Add 15 mL of 1 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in PBS and incubate for 10 min to detach the cells. Transfer the cells to 14 mL round bottom falcon tubes</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Count cells using trypan blue and a hemocytometer with an inverted microscope, and calculate the total number of cells and the volume of media needed to reach 7.5 million cells per 1.8 mL volume of medium. Centrifuge the cells for 10 min at 5310 &#215; g. Decant the supernatant and add the calculated volume of BGSS. Resuspend cells gently.
		<ol>
			<li>For this assay, prepare stock solutions of 40 mM digitonin in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 1 mM Calcium Green-5N in H2O, and 10 mM CaCl2 in H2O. [Ru] stock solutions, prepared in pure water, can range from 1-3 mM. 
			&#8203;NOTE: Calcium Green-5N is light-sensitive. Store in the dark and minimize light exposure.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Setup the fluorimeter to excite at 506 nm and read the emission at 532 nm with the cuvette-holder controlled at 37 &#176;C. Prepare an acrylic cuvette with a stir bar or wheel, 1.8 mL cell suspension from 1.5.2 above, 1.8 &#181;L digitonin solution, 3.6 &#181;L Calcium Green-5N (solution), and 9 &#181;L [Ru] (for 1 mM stock solution, 5 &#181;M final concentration). Incubate cells for 15 min in the fluorimeter.
		<ol>
			<li>Read the data as the excitation/emission ratio instead of the raw absorption. This practice minimizes errors associated with fluctuations in the light source intensity.</li>
			<li>Carry out the first sample analysis in the absence of [Ru] to measure the effect of the addition of CaCl2 on the response of the cells.</li>
			<li>Begin analysis on the fluorimeter with the settings described in 1.5.4. Wait approximately 2 minutes to establish a stable emission baseline, and then add 1.8 &#181;L of CaCl2 (10 &#181;M final concentration). The emission intensity will increase immediately upon the addition of the CaCl2, and will then decay over the course of minutes as the calcium ions enter the mitochondria. Wait until the decay has finished (&#8776;5 min). Add additional calcium boluses to determine the mitochondrial calcium uptake response of cells not treated with [Ru].</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>In another cuvette containing 5 &#181;M [Ru], repeat the experiment as described above in 1.5.4.3. In the presence of the inhibitor, emission intensity will increase, but not decay. This observation signifies blocked mitochondrial calcium uptake.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>De Stefani, D., Rizzuto, R., Pozzan, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Enjoy+the+trip:+Calcium+in+mitochondria+back+and+forth.">Enjoy the trip: Calcium in mitochondria back and forth.</a> Annu. Rev. Biochem. 85, 161-192 (2016).</li><li>Contreras, L., Drago, I., Zampese, E., Pozzan, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mitochondria:+the+calcium+connection.">Mitochondria: the calcium connection.</a> Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1797 (6-7), 607-618 (2010).</li><li>Giorgi, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mitochondrial+calcium+homeostasis+as+potential+target+for+mitochondrial+medicine.">Mitochondrial calcium homeostasis as potential target for mitochondrial medicine.</a> Mitochondrion. 12 (1), 77-85 (2012).</li><li>De Stefani, D., Raffaello, A., Teardo, E., Szab&#242;, I., Rizzuto, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+forty-kilodalton+protein+of+the+inner+membrane+is+the+mitochondrial+calcium+uniporter.">A forty-kilodalton protein of the inner membrane is the mitochondrial calcium uniporter.</a> Nature. 476 (7360), 336-340 (2011).</li><li>Baughman, J. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Integrative+genomics+identifies+MCU+as+an+essential+component+of+the+mitochondrial+calcium+uniporter.">Integrative genomics identifies MCU as an essential component of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter.</a> Nature. 476 (7360), 341-356 (2011).</li><li>Kamer, K. J., Mootha, V. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+molecular+era+of+the+mitochondrial+calcium+uniporter.">The molecular era of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter.</a> Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 16 (9), 545-553 (2015).</li><li>Ying, W. -. L., Emerson, J., Clarke, M. J., Sanadi, D. 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Crystal structure of &#181;-O-[(HCO2)(NH3)4Ru]2Cl3.</a> J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115 (25), 11799-11805 (1993).</li><li>Matlib, M. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oxygen-bridged+Dinuclear+Ruthenium+Amine+Complex+Specifically+Inhibits+Ca2++Uptake+into+Mitochondria+in+Vitro+and+in+Situ+in+Single+Cardiac+Myocytes.">Oxygen-bridged Dinuclear Ruthenium Amine Complex Specifically Inhibits Ca2+ Uptake into Mitochondria in Vitro and in Situ in Single Cardiac Myocytes.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 273 (17), 10223-10231 (1998).</li><li>Oxenoid, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Architecture+of+the+mitochondrial+calcium+uniporter.">Architecture of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter.</a> Nature. 533 (7602), 269-273 (2016).</li><li>Nathan, S. 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The authors have nothing to disclose

The mitochondrial calcium uptake inhibitor [(OH2)(NH3)4Ru(&#181;-O)Ru(NH3)4(OH2)]Cl5 can be synthesized from [Ru(NH3)5Cl]Cl2, a well known ruthenium(III) starting material, as described in this procedure. The synthesis of [Ru(NH3)5Cl]Cl2 is readily achieved with little difficulty. After stirring RuCl3 for 16 h in hydrazine hydrate, the pH of the solution should be adjus...

Mitochondrial calcium is a key regulator for a number of processes that are critical to normal cell function, including energy production and apoptosis.1,2,3 The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), an ion transporter protein that resides on the inner mitochondrial membrane, regulates the influx of calcium ions into the mitochondria.4,5,6 Chemical inhibitors of the MCU are valuable tools for continuing efforts to study the function and cellular roles of this transport protein and mitochondrial calcium. The compound [(HCO2)(NH3)4Ru(&#181;-O)Ru(NH3)4(O2CH)]3+, Ru360, is one of the only known selective inhibitors for the MCU with a reported Kd value of 24 &#181;M.7,8,9,10 This complex is a common impurity found in commercial formulations of ruthenium red (RuRed), a triruthenium di-&#181;-oxo bridged hexacation of the formula [(NH3)5Ru(&#181;-O)Ru(NH3)4(&#181;-O)Ru(NH3)5)]6+, which has also been used as a calcium uptake inhibitor. Although Ru360 is commercially available, it is very costly. Moreover, the synthesis and isolation of Ru360 is challenged by difficult purification procedures and ambiguous characterization methods.
We have recently reported alternative procedures to access a Ru360 analogue, [(OH2)(NH3)4Ru(&#181;-O)Ru(NH3)4(OH2)]Cl5.11 This compound inhibits the MCU with high affinity, similar to Ru360. In this protocol, we will describe our most effective synthesis of this compound, which commences from [Ru(NH3)5Cl]Cl2. Purification of the product using strongly acidic cation-exchange resin is detailed, along with common pitfalls for this procedure. We also present methods for characterization and assessment of compound purity, and delineate a simple approach to test its efficacy in blocking mitochondrial calcium uptake.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Ruthenium Trichloride hydrate</td><td>Pressure Chemical</td><td>3750</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Concentrated hydrochloric acid</td><td>J.T. Baker</td><td>9535</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Concentrated ammonium hydroxide</td><td>Mallinckrodt Chemical Works</td><td>A669C-2 1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dowex 50 WX2 200-400 Mesh</td><td>Alfa Aesar</td><td>13945</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Calcium Green 5N</td><td>Invitrogen</td><td>C3737</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Digitonin</td><td>Aldrich</td><td>260746</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>DMSO</td><td>Aldrich</td><td>471267</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>EGTA</td><td>Aldrich</td><td>E3889</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>KCl</td><td>USB</td><td>20598</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>KH2PO4</td><td>Aldrich</td><td>P3786</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MgCl2</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>M33-500</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>HEPES</td><td>Fluka</td><td>54466</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sodium Succinate</td><td>Alfa Aesar</td><td>33386</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>EDTA</td><td>J.T. Baker</td><td>8993-01</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Glucose</td><td>Aldrich</td><td>G5000</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>200 Round bottom flask</td><td>ChemGlass</td><td>CG-1506-14</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Glass stopper</td><td>ChemGlass</td><td>CG-3000-05</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>10 mm x 15 cm glass column with reservoirs</td><td>Custom - similar to Chemglass columns</td><td>Similar to CG-1203-20</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>DMEM</td><td>Corning</td><td>10-017-CV</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>FBS</td><td>Gibco</td><td>10437028</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>PBS</td><td>Corning</td><td>21-040-CV</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Round bottom Falcon tubes</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>14-959-11B&amp;nbsp;</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>500 cm&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; petri dishes</td><td>Corning</td><td>431110</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Trypan blue</td><td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td><td>15250061</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hemacytometer</td><td>Aldrich</td><td>Z359629</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Acrylic Cuvettes</td><td>VWR&amp;nbsp;</td><td>58017-875</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>UV-Vis spectrometer</td><td>Agilent Model Cary 8454&amp;nbsp;</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Spectrofluorimeter</td><td>SLM Model 8100C</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>IR spectrometer</td><td>Bruker Hyprion FTIR with ATR attachment</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Centrifuge</td><td>ALC Model PM140R</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Inverted light microscope</td><td>VWR&amp;nbsp;</td><td>89404-462</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

synthesis and evaluation of a ruthenium-based mitochondrial calcium uptake inhibitor

We detail the synthesis and purification of a mitochondrial calcium uptake inhibitor, [(OH2)(NH3)4Ru(&#181;-O)Ru(NH3)4(OH2)]5+. The optimized synthesis of this compound commences from [Ru(NH3)5Cl]Cl2 in 1 M NH4OH in a closed container, yielding a green solution. Purification is accomplished with cation-exchange chromatography. This compound is characterized and verified to be pure by UV-vis and IR spectroscopy. The mitochondrial calcium uptake inhibitory properties are assessed in permeabilized HeLa cells by fluorescence spectroscopy.

This method describes a synthesis of the mitochondrial calcium uptake inhibitor [(OH2)(NH3)4Ru(&#181;-O)Ru(NH3)4(OH2)]Cl5 starting from [Ru(NH3)5Cl]Cl2, a well known ruthenium(III) starting material. [Ru(NH3)5Cl]Cl2 is characterized by IR spectroscopy, with vibrational modes at 3200 cm-1, 1608 cm-1, 1298 cm-1, and 7...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor at JoVE.com

Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor

A protocol for the synthesis, purification, and characterization of a ruthenium-based inhibitor of mitochondrial calcium uptake is presented. A procedure to evaluate its efficacy in permeabilized mammalian cells is demonstrated.

We detail the synthesis and purification of a mitochondrial calcium uptake inhibitor, [(OH2)(NH3)4Ru(&#181;-O)Ru(NH3)4(OH2)]5+. The optimized synthesis of ...

synthesis-evaluation-ruthenium-based-mitochondrial-calcium-uptake

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7.8K Views.  Cornell University. A protocol for the synthesis, purification, and characterization of a ruthenium-based inhibitor of mitochondrial calcium uptake is presented. A procedure to evaluate its efficacy in permeabilized mammalian cells is demonstrated.

Video: Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

Herein we report the synthesis of a tridentate phosphine ligand N(CH2PPh2)3 (N-triphosPh) (1) via a phosphorus based Mannich reaction of the hydroxylmethylene phosphine precursor with ammonia in methanol under a nitrogen atmosphere. The N-triphosPh ligand precipitates from the solution after approximately 1 hr of reflux and can be isolated analytically pure via simple cannula filtration procedure under nitrogen. Reaction of the N-triphosPh ligand with [Ru3(CO)12] under reflux affords a deep red solution that show evolution of CO gas on ligand complexation. Orange crystals of the complex [Ru(CO)2{N(CH2PPh2)3}-&#954;3P] (2) were isolated on cooling to RT. The 31P{1H} NMR spectrum showed a characteristic single peak at lower frequency compared to the free ligand. Reaction of a toluene solution of complex 2 with oxygen resulted in the instantaneous precipitation of the carbonate complex [Ru(CO3)(CO){N(CH2PPh2)3}-&#954;3P] (3) as an air stable orange solid. Subsequent hydrogenation of 3 under 15 bar of hydrogen in a high-pressure reactor gave the dihydride complex [RuH2(CO){N(CH2PPh2)3}-&#954;3P] (4), which was fully characterized by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Complexes 3 and 4 are potentially useful catalyst precursors for a range of hydrogenation reactions, including biomass-derived products such as levulinic acid (LA). Complex 4 was found to cleanly react with LA in the presence of the proton source additive NH4PF6 to give [Ru(CO){N(CH2PPh2)3}-&#954;3P{CH3CO(CH2)2CO2H}-&#954;2O](PF6) (6).

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

Ruthenium phosphine complexes are widely used for homogeneous catalytic reactions such as hydrogenations. The synthesis of a series of novel tridentate ruthenium complexes bearing the N-triphos ligand N(CH2PPh2)3 is reported. Additionally, the stoichiometric reaction of a dihydride Ru&#8211;N-triphos complex with levulinic acid is described.

Herein we report the synthesis of a tridentate phosphine ligand N(CH2PPh2)3 (N-triphosPh) (1) via a phosphorus based Mannich reaction of the ...

Analyses of Mitochondrial Calcium Influx in Isolated Mitochondria and Cultured Cells

Ca2+ handling by mitochondria is a critical function regulating both physiological and pathophysiological processes in a broad spectrum of cells. The ability to accurately measure the influx and efflux of Ca2+ from mitochondria is important for determining the role of mitochondrial Ca2+ handling in these processes. In this report, we present two methods for the measurement of mitochondrial Ca2+ handling in both isolated mitochondria and cultured cells. We first detail a plate reader-based platform for measuring mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake using the Ca2+ sensitive dye calcium green-5N. The plate reader-based format circumvents the need for specialized equipment, and the calcium green-5N dye is ideally suited for measuring Ca2+ from isolated tissue mitochondria. For our application, we describe the measurement of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in mitochondria isolated from mouse heart tissue; however, this procedure can be applied to measure mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in mitochondria isolated from other tissues such as liver, skeletal muscle, and brain. Secondly, we describe a confocal microscopy-based assay for measurement of mitochondrial Ca2+ in permeabilized cells using the Ca2+ sensitive dye Rhod-2/AM and imaging using 2-dimensional laser-scanning microscopy. This permeabilization protocol eliminates cytosolic dye contamination, allowing for specific recording of changes in mitochondrial Ca2+. Moreover, laser-scanning microscopy allows for high frame rates to capture rapid changes in mitochondrial Ca2+ in response to various drugs or reagents applied in the external solution. This protocol can be applied to measure mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in many cell types including primary cells such as cardiac myocytes and neurons, and immortalized cell lines.

Here, we present two protocols for the measurement of mitochondrial Ca2+ influx in isolated mitochondria and cultured cells. For isolated mitochondria, we detail a plate reader-based Ca2+ import assay using the Ca2+ sensitive dye calcium green-5N. For cultured cells, we describe a confocal microscopy method using the Ca2+ dye Rhod-2/AM.

Ca2+ handling by mitochondria is a critical function regulating both physiological and pathophysiological processes in a broad spectrum of cells. The ...

Biochemistry

An In Vitro Enzymatic Assay to Measure Transcription Inhibition by Gallium(III) and H3 5,10,15-tris(pentafluorophenyl)corroles

Chemotherapy often involves broad-spectrum cytotoxic agents with many side effects and limited targeting. Corroles are a class of tetrapyrrolic macrocycles that exhibit differential cytostatic and cytotoxic properties in specific cell lines, depending on the identities of the chelated metal and functional groups. The unique behavior of functionalized corroles towards specific cell lines introduces the possibility of targeted chemotherapy.
Many anticancer drugs are evaluated by their ability to inhibit RNA transcription. Here we present a step-by-step protocol for RNA transcription in the presence of known and potential inhibitors. The evaluation of the RNA products of the transcription reaction by gel electrophoresis and UV-Vis spectroscopy provides information on inhibitive properties of potential anticancer drug candidates and, with modifications to the assay, more about their mechanism of action.
Little is known about the molecular mechanism of action of corrole cytotoxicity. In this experiment, we consider two corrole compounds: gallium(III) 5,10,15-(tris)pentafluorophenylcorrole (Ga(tpfc)) and freebase analogue 5,10,15-(tris)pentafluorophenylcorrole (tpfc). An RNA transcription assay was used to examine the inhibitive properties of the corroles. Five transcription reactions were prepared: DNA treated with Actinomycin D, triptolide, Ga(tpfc), tpfc at a [complex]:[template DNA base] ratio of 0.01, respectively, and an untreated control.
The transcription reactions were analyzed after 4 hr using agarose gel electrophoresis and UV-Vis spectroscopy. There is clear inhibition by Ga(tpfc), Actinomycin D, and triptolide.
This RNA transcription assay can be modified to provide more mechanistic detail by varying the concentrations of the anticancer complex, DNA, or polymerase enzyme, or by incubating the DNA or polymerase with the complexes prior to RNA transcription; these modifications would differentiate between an inhibition mechanism involving the DNA or the enzyme. Adding the complex after RNA transcription can be used to test whether the complexes degrade or hydrolyze the RNA. This assay can also be used to study additional anticancer candidates.

An In Vitro Enzymatic Assay to Measure Transcription Inhibition by GalliumIII and H3 5,10,15-trispentafluorophenylcorroles

Gallium(III) 5,10,15-(tris)pentafluorophenylcorrole and its freebase analogue exhibit low micromolar cell cytotoxicity. This manuscript describes an RNA transcription reaction, imaging RNA with an ethidium bromide-stained gel, and quantifying RNA with UV-Vis spectroscopy, in order to assess transcription inhibition by corroles and demonstrates a straightforward method of evaluating anticancer candidate properties.

Chemotherapy often involves broad-spectrum cytotoxic agents with many side effects and limited targeting. Corroles are a class of tetrapyrrolic ...

Bioengineering

Dose Uptake of Platinum- and Ruthenium-based Compound Exposure in Zebrafish by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry with Broader Applications

Metals and metal-based compounds comprise multifarious pharmaco-active and toxicological xenobiotics. From heavy metal toxicity to chemotherapeutics, the toxicokinetics of these compounds have both historical and modern-day relevance. Zebrafish have become an attractive model organism in elucidating pharmaco- and toxicokinetics in environmental exposure and clinical translation studies. Although zebrafish studies have the benefit of being higher-throughput than rodent models, there are several significant constraints to the model.
One such limitation is inherent in the waterborne dosing regimen. Water concentrations from these studies cannot be extrapolated to provide reliable internal dosages. Direct measurements of the metal-based compounds allow for a better correlation with compound-related molecular and biological responses. To overcome this limitation for metals and metal-based compounds, a technique was developed to digest zebrafish larval tissue after exposure and quantify metal concentrations within tissue samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS).
ICPMS methods were used to determine the metal concentrations of platinum (Pt) from cisplatin and ruthenium (Ru) from several novel Ru-based chemotherapeutics in zebrafish tissue. Additionally, this protocol distinguished concentrations of Pt that were sequestered in the chorion of the larval compared with the zebrafish tissue. These results indicate that this method can be applied to quantitate the metal dose present in larval tissues. Further, this method may be adjusted to identify specific metals or metal-based compounds in a broad range of exposure and dosing studies.

The increased rate of pharmaco- and toxicokinetic analyses of metals and metal-based compounds in zebrafish can be advantageous for environmental and clinical translation studies. The limitation of unknown waterborne exposure uptake was overcome by conducting trace metal analysis on digested zebrafish tissue using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Metals and metal-based compounds comprise multifarious pharmaco-active and toxicological xenobiotics. From heavy metal toxicity to chemotherapeutics, the ...

Monitoring Dynamic Changes In Mitochondrial Calcium Levels During Apoptosis Using A Genetically Encoded Calcium Sensor

Dynamic changes in intracellular calcium concentration in response to various stimuli regulates many cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis1. During apoptosis, calcium accumulation in mitochondria promotes the release of pro-apoptotic factors from the mitochondria into the cytosol2. It is therefore of interest to directly measure mitochondrial calcium in living cells in situ during apoptosis. High-resolution fluorescent imaging of cells loaded with dual-excitation ratiometric and non-ratiometric synthetic calcium indicator dyes has been proven to be a reliable and versatile tool to study various aspects of intracellular calcium signaling. Measuring cytosolic calcium fluxes using these techniques is relatively straightforward. However, measuring intramitochondrial calcium levels in intact cells using synthetic calcium indicators such as rhod-2 and rhod-FF is more challenging. Synthetic indicators targeted to mitochondria have blunted responses to repetitive increases in mitochondrial calcium, and disrupt mitochondrial morphology3. Additionally, synthetic indicators tend to leak out of mitochondria over several hours which makes them unsuitable for long-term experiments. Thus, genetically encoded calcium indicators based upon green fluorescent protein (GFP)4 or aequorin5 targeted to mitochondria have greatly facilitated measurement of mitochondrial calcium dynamics. Here, we describe a simple method for real-time measurement of mitochondrial calcium fluxes in response to different stimuli. The method is based on fluorescence microscopy of 'ratiometric-pericam' which is selectively targeted to mitochondria. Ratiometric pericam is a calcium indicator based on a fusion of circularly permuted yellow fluorescent protein and calmodulin4. Binding of calcium to ratiometric pericam causes a shift of its excitation peak from 415 nm to 494 nm, while the emission spectrum, which peaks around 515 nm, remains unchanged. Ratiometric pericam binds a single calcium ion with a dissociation constant in vitro of ~1.7 &mu;M4. These properties of ratiometric pericam allow the quantification of rapid and long-term changes in mitochondrial calcium concentration. Furthermore, we describe adaptation of this methodology to a standard wide-field calcium imaging microscope with commonly available filter sets. Using two distinct agonists, the purinergic agonist ATP and apoptosis-inducing drug staurosporine, we demonstrate that this method is appropriate for monitoring changes in mitochondrial calcium concentration with a temporal resolution of seconds to hours. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that ratiometric pericam is also useful for measuring mitochondrial fission/fragmentation during apoptosis. Thus, ratiometric pericam is particularly well suited for continuous long-term measurement of mitochondrial calcium dynamics during apoptosis.

This protocol describes a method for real-time measurement of mitochondrial calcium fluxes by fluorescent imaging. The method takes advantage of a circularly permutated YFP-based dual-excitation ratiometric calcium sensor (ratiometric pericam-mt) selectively expressed in mitochondria.

Dynamic changes in intracellular calcium concentration in response to various stimuli regulates many cellular processes such as proliferation, ...

Biology

Changing Mitochondrial Function for Therapeutic and Bioinsecticide Applications

Unveiling Xenobiotic Transport and Effects in Isolated Mitochondria: Insights from Respirometric and Enzymatic Assays

Mitochondria are often referred to as the cell's powerhouse due to their crucial role in energy production through the electron transport chain (ETC). However, their significance extends far beyond energy production. Dysregulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics can trigger intracellular cascades that impact health and cellular function. Given their physiological importance, there is growing interest in exploring the pharmacological potential of mitochondrial function for developing new therapies and bioproducts. Modulating mitochondrial bioenergetics could provide innovative approaches to address challenges such as neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic diseases, and cancer, as well as to develop bioproducts for controlling pests and vector-borne diseases.
This work presents a method for assessing the effects of xenobiotics on the electron transport chain (ETC) using various substrates, including glutamate and NADH for complex I, succinate for complex II, and cytochrome c (both oxidized and reduced) for complexes III and IV. This methodology allows the activation or inhibition of electron transport through mitochondrial complexes to be evaluated using a respirometer and spectrophotometer. The mitochondria can be sourced from isolated mitochondria, fragmented cells, or homogenized tissue from various species.
In the laboratory, mitochondrial function has been analyzed in Aedes aegypti and Wistar rats, but this method is also applicable to other species, such as Rhipicephalus microplus and Rhodnius prolixus. This approach provides the basis for theorizing about the existence of uncoupler proteins and species-specific oxidizable substrate preferences influenced by their unique energetic demands. Recent findings offer valuable insights into innovative bioinsecticide design strategies that target mitochondrial function, holding significant potential for effectively controlling vector-borne diseases and pest infestations.

This study introduces a methodology for studying xenobiotic effects on mitochondrial function via respirometric and enzymatic assays. It examines electron transport chain modulation in various species, offering insights for targeted biopesticide development against insect vector-borne diseases.

Mitochondria are often referred to as the cell's powerhouse due to their crucial role in energy production through the electron transport chain (ETC). ...

Mitochondrial Ca2+ Retention Capacity Assay and Ca2+-triggered Mitochondrial Swelling Assay

The production of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation is the primary function of mitochondria. Mitochondria in higher eukaryotes also participate in cytosolic Ca2+ buffering, and the ATP production in mitochondrial can be mediated by intramitochondrial free Ca2+ concentration. Ca2+ retention capacity can be regarded as the capability of mitochondria to retain calcium in the mitochondrial matrix. Accumulated intracellular Ca2+ leads to the permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane, termed the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), which leads to the leakage of molecules with a molecular weight less than 1.5 kDa. Ca2+-triggered mitochondria swelling is used to indicate the mPTP opening. Here, we describe two assays to examine the Ca2+ retention capacity and Ca2+-triggered mitochondrial swelling in isolated mitochondria. After certain amounts of Ca2+ are added, all steps can be completed in one day and recorded by a microplate reader. Thus, these two simple and effective assays can be adopted to assess the Ca2+-related mitochondrial functions.

Mitochondrial Ca2+ Retention Capacity Assay and Ca2+-triggered Mitochondrial Swelling Assay

This protocol aims to describe a method to examine the Ca2+ retention capacity and Ca2+- triggered mitochondrial swelling of isolated mitochondria of SH-SY5Y cells step-by-step.

The production of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation is the primary function of mitochondria. Mitochondria in higher eukaryotes also participate in ...

Neuroscience

Simultaneous Measurement of Mitochondrial Calcium and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Live Cells by Fluorescent Microscopy

Apart from their essential role in generating ATP, mitochondria also act as local calcium (Ca2+) buffers to tightly regulate intracellular Ca2+ concentration. To do this, mitochondria utilize the electrochemical potential across their inner membrane (&#916;&#936;m) to sequester Ca2+. The influx of Ca2+ into the mitochondria stimulates three rate-limiting dehydrogenases of the citric acid cycle, increasing electron transfer through the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes. This stimulation maintains &#916;&#936;m, which is temporarily dissipated as the positive calcium ions cross the mitochondrial inner membrane into the mitochondrial matrix.
We describe here a method for simultaneously measuring mitochondria Ca2+ uptake and &#916;&#936;m in live cells using confocal microscopy. By permeabilizing the cells, mitochondrial Ca2+ can be measured using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator Fluo-4, AM, with measurement of &#916;&#936;m using the fluorescent dye tetramethylrhodamine, methyl ester, perchlorate (TMRM). The benefit of this system is that there is very little spectral overlap between the fluorescent dyes, allowing accurate measurement of mitochondrial Ca2+ and &#916;&#936;m simultaneously. Using the sequential addition of Ca2+ aliquots, mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake can be monitored, and the concentration at which Ca2+ induces mitochondrial membrane permeability transition and the loss of &#916;&#936;m determined.

Mitochondria can utilize the electrochemical potential across their inner membrane (&#916;&#936;m) to sequester calcium (Ca2+), allowing them to shape cytosolic Ca2+ signaling within the cell. We describe a method for simultaneously measuring mitochondria Ca2+ uptake and &#916;&#936;m in live cells using fluorescent dyes and confocal microscopy.

Apart from their essential role in generating ATP, mitochondria also act as local calcium (Ca2+) buffers to tightly regulate intracellular Ca2+ ...

Functionalized Spirocyclic Heterocycle Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Assay

Spirocyclic heterocycles have recently been reported in literature to be potential drugs for cancer therapy. The synthesis of these novel orthogonal ring systems is challenging. An efficient methodology to synthesize these compounds was recently published that described the solid phase synthesis in four steps rather than the previously reported five steps. The advantage of this shorter synthesis is the elimination of the use of toxic reagents. Low-loading Regenerating Michael (REM) linker-based resin was found to be crucial in the synthesis as high-loading versions prevented the addition of reagents containing bulky phenyl and aromatic side chains. The colorimetric 3-(4&#8242;,5&#8242;-dimethylthiazol-2&#8242;-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to examine the cytotoxicity of micromolar concentrations of these novel spirocyclic molecules in vitro. MTT is readily available commercially and produces relatively fast, reliable results, making this assay ideal for these spirocyclic heterocycles. Orthogonal ring structures as well as furfurylamine (a precursor in the synthesis method containing a similar 5-member ring motif) were tested.

Here, we describe a bioassay using 3-(4&#8242;,5&#8242;-dimethylthiazol-2&#8242;-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) to test previously synthesized spirocyclic oximes.

Spirocyclic heterocycles have recently been reported in literature to be potential drugs for cancer therapy. The synthesis of these novel orthogonal ring ...

Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Assay: A Plate Reader-Based Method for Measuring Calcium Uptake in Isolated Mitochondria

Source: Maxwell, J.T., et al., <a href="https://appjove.unicartagenaproxy.elogim.com/v/57225">Analyses of Mitochondrial Calcium Influx in Isolated Mitochondria and Cultured Cells.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (2018).
This video describes a plate reader-based assay to measure mitochondrial calcium uptake in isolated mitochondria. The assay analyzes the fluorescence signal of a calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye to study the kinetics of mitochondrial calcium uptake and calcium overload.

Source: Maxwell, J.T., et al., Analyses of Mitochondrial Calcium Influx in Isolated Mitochondria and Cultured Cells. J. Vis. Exp. (2018).
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Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor

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The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphos^Ph Complexes