Mono- and dinuclear Cu(II) complexes with Ac-PTVHNEYH-NH2 (L1) and Ac-NHHTLND-NH2 (L2) peptides from FomA protein of Fusobacterium nucleatum were studied by potentiometry, spectroscopic methods (UV-Vis, CD, EPR) and MS technique. The dominant mononuclear complexes for L1 ligand are: CuHL (pH range 5.0-6.0) with 2N {2Nim}, CuH-2L (pH range 8.0-8.5) and CuH-3L species (above pH 9.0) with 4N {Nim, 3N-} coordination modes. The complexes: CuH-1L with 3N {2Nim, N-}, CuH-2L with 3N {Nim, 2N-} and CuH-3L with 4N {Nim, 3N-} binding sites are proposed for the L2 ligand. Probably in the CuH-2L complex for CuL2 system the second His residue in His-His sequence is bound to Cu(II) ion, while the first His residue may stabilize this complex by His-His and/or His-Cu(II) interactions. The dominant dinuclear Cu2L1 complexes in the pH range 6.5-10.5 are: the Cu2H-4L and Cu2H-6L species with 3N{Nim, 2N-}4N{Nim, 3N-} and 4N{Nim, 3N-}4N{Nim, 3N-} binding sites, respectively. In the case of the Cu2L2 complex in the pH range 7.2-10.5, the Cu2H-4L and Cu2H-7L species dominate with 2N{Nim, N-}4N{Nim, 3N-} and (Cu(OH)42-4N{Nim, 3N-}) coordination modes, respectively. The ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) by uncomplexed Cu(II) ions, ligands and their complexes at pH 7.4 in the presence of hydrogen peroxide or ascorbic acid was studied. UV-Vis, luminescence, EPR spin trapping and gel electrophoresis methods were used. Both complexes produce higher level of ROS compared to those of their ligands. ROS produced by Cu(II) complexes are hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen, which contribute to oxidative DNA cleavage.
Keywords: Cu(II) complexes; FomA protein fragments; Formation constants; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Oxidative DNA cleavage; Reactive oxygen species.
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