Three‐Coordinate Ligand for Physiological Beryllium Imaging by Fluoresence

Abstract

To Be or not to Be: Be binds strongly to the three‐dentate ligand 2,6‐bis(2‐hydroxyphenyl)pyridine in a 1:1 ratio with no bridging phenolates (see structure; Be green, C gray, H white, O red, N blue). As Be binds and displaces the strong hydrogen bonds, the ligand fluoresces. The fluorescence is very specific for Be and can be used to detect beryllium in cells, as demonstrated with human lung epithelial cells (see picture, right).

Structural Basis of Chronic Beryllium Disease: Linking Allergic Hypersensitivity and Autoimmunity

“…3C). Since there are no published structures of Be 2+ coordinated solely by protein amino acid carboxylates, we cannot say if this type of Be 2+ ligation in a protein is unusual, although small molecules containing a Be 2+ with only three ligands do exist (Diyabalanage et al, 2008) and deviations from ideal ligation have been seen for other cations incorporated into protein structures (Evans, 2007; Harding, 2002). Therefore, this positioning of Be 2+ among these four oxygens was consistent both with its known coordination chemistry and with our data with mutations of β26E β69E, p4D and p7E presented here and previously (Dai et al, 2010; Falta et al, 2013).…”

Recent Contributions to the Coordination Chemistry of Beryllium

“…Beryllium compounds with tripodal chelate ligands. [13,91,92] Figure 13. Beryllium complexes with tetradentate chelate ligands.…”

“…Further examples of beryllium compounds with tripodal ligands are shown in Figure . The tridentate ligand 2,6‐bis(2‐hydroxyphenyl)pyridine strongly coordinates to Be 2+ ions and the formed complex 105 is even stable in water . Substituted β‐diketiminato ligands with an additional N‐donor group have also been shown to form tetrahedral beryllium compound 106 .…”

Electrospray‐Ionisation Mass‐Spectrometric (ESI‐MS) Investigation of Beryllium Hydrolysis in Acidic Solutions of Beryllium Sulfate

“…Despite its toxicity, the production and usage of beryllium components has continued unabated, renewing research interest in the chemistry of beryllium and its interactions with ligands of biological interest over the last decade . Of interest to coordination and materials chemists in this area is beryllium's coordination to uniquely designed ligands with the ability to selectively sequester beryllium for applications such as light‐emitting materials, physiological and environmental detection, and therapies for exposed individuals , . In line with this, research in our groups (which has been geared toward understanding a selective binding pocket for beryllium encapsulation) has led us to explore and optimise various solution‐based analytical techniques for the in situ investigation of beryllium compounds .…”

“…Sadly, the inhalation of beryllium particles sensitises the human lungs by triggering a mediated immune response through a network of interactions yet to be fully understood but culminating in a noncaseating granumalatous disease in some individuals . Despite its toxicity, the production and usage of beryllium components has continued unabated, renewing research interest in the chemistry of beryllium and its interactions with ligands of biological interest over the last decade . Of interest to coordination and materials chemists in this area is beryllium's coordination to uniquely designed ligands with the ability to selectively sequester beryllium for applications such as light‐emitting materials, physiological and environmental detection, and therapies for exposed individuals , .…”