serum, penicillin–streptomycin,
and supplements (glutamine and pyruvate) were purchased from Biological
Industries (Beit-Haémek, Israel). Apo-transferrin and PBS pH
7.2 were from Sigma Aldrich. The materials used for synthesis and
work-up procedures were purchased from Sigma Aldrich, Merck, Fluka,
and Frutarom and used upon arrival unless otherwise stated. Deuterated
solvents (Sigma Aldrich isotopes products) with a 99.5% minimum deuteration
were used upon arrival. Silica gel for column chromatography (Silica
Gel 60, 63–200 μm mesh) was obtained from E. Merck Ltd.
Pyrrole was run through a short basic alumina column, and aldehydes
were purified by vacuum distillation before use. HPLC analysis was
performed on a combination of a JASCO organizer, a diode array detector
MD-4010, an autosampler AS-4050, and an RHPLC pump PU-4180. The silica
gel (230–400 mesh) used for column chromatography was obtained
from E. Merck Ltd. A purity of >95% for
with HPLC and UV detection at their Soret band region; a summary of
HPLC results and the HPLC conditions is shown in the Supporting Information.