RUI: Rational design of cysteinyl peptide ligands as chelators of mercury (II)

化学系化学合成(SYN)项目的这一奖项支持温斯顿-塞勒姆州立大学的Maria Ngu-Schwemlein、John Merle和Sayo Fakayode教授开展有毒汞(II)离子多肽衍生结合剂的合理设计和合成的基础研究。评价一些半胱氨酸多肽与汞(II)的结合亲和力将揭示选择性和热力学因素，这些因素在评价它们的相互作用模式(S)时是重要的。一些半胱氨酸肽配体的化学结构与它们对汞(II)的结合活性之间的相关性将通过微量热测量来探索，结合专一性的鉴定将通过理论计算和固体研究相结合来进行。此外，这些化合物与一些生物分子的分子相互作用将通过光谱测量进行监测。选择性和有效的汞(II)结合剂对于开发用于螯合治疗汞中毒的汞(II)捕捉剂非常有用。这项跨学科研究将改善温斯顿-塞勒姆州立大学化学系的研究环境，为本科生进入高级学位课程和科学职业生涯做准备，主要是这个历史上黑人学校中代表性较低的群体。这项研究还可为环境和健康科学的后续研究提供基础，例如开发用于监测环境和生物样品中有毒和有害金属离子的微型传感器。此外，这项研究可能会为未来在基因工程植物中的应用提供有用的多肽，这些植物有助于土壤或流域中汞(II)污染的植物修复。

This award in the Chemical Synthesis (SYN) program in the Division of Chemistry supports work by Professors Maria Ngu-Schwemlein, John Merle, and Sayo Fakayode at Winston-Salem State University to carry out fundamental studies on the rational design and synthesis of peptide derived binding agents for the toxic mercury(II) ion. Evaluating the mercury(II) binding affinity of some cysteine-containing peptides will reveal the selectivity and thermodynamic factors that are important in assessing their mode(s) of interaction. Correlations between the chemical structures of some cysteinyl peptide ligands and their binding activity for mercury(II) will be explored by microcalorimetric measurements, and identification of the binding specificity will be conducted by a combination of theoretical calculations and solid state studies. Additionally, the molecular interactions of these compounds with some biological molecules will be monitored by spectroscopic measurements. Selective and effective mercury(II) binding agents are extremely useful for the development of mercury(II) trapping agents for chelation therapy of mercury poisoning.This interdisciplinary research study will enhance the research environment of the chemistry department at Winston-Salem State University in preparing undergraduates, primarily underrepresented groups at this historically black institution, for entry into advanced degree programs and careers in science. This research may also afford a basis for subsequent research in the environmental and health sciences such as the development of microsensors for monitoring toxic and harmful metal ions in environmental and biological samples. Additionally, this research may provide useful peptides for future application in genetically engineered plants that are useful for phytoremediation of mercury(II) pollution in soil or watersheds.