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Azizi K, Gori M, Morzan U, Hassanali A, Kurian P. Examining the origins of observed terahertz modes from an optically pumped atomistic model protein in aqueous solution. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad257. [PMID: 37575674 PMCID: PMC10416812 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The microscopic origins of terahertz (THz) vibrational modes in biological systems are an active and open area of current research. Recent experiments [Phys Rev X. 8, 031061 (2018)] have revealed the presence of a pronounced mode at ∼0.3 THz in fluorophore-decorated bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein in aqueous solution under nonequilibrium conditions induced by optical pumping. This result was heuristically interpreted as a collective elastic fluctuation originating from the activation of a low-frequency phonon mode. In this work, we show that the sub-THz spectroscopic response emerges in a statistically significant manner (> 2 σ ) from such collective behavior, illustrating how photoexcitation can alter specific THz vibrational modes. We revisit the theoretical analysis with proof-of-concept molecular dynamics that introduce optical excitations into the simulations. Using information theory techniques, we show that these excitations can give rise to a multiscale response involving two optically excited chromophores (tryptophans), other amino acids in the protein, ions, and water. Our results motivate new experiments and fully nonequilibrium simulations to probe these phenomena, as well as the refinement of atomistic models of Fröhlich condensates that are fundamentally determined by nonlinear interactions in biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khatereh Azizi
- The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Strada Costiera 11, 34151 Trieste, Italy
- Quantum Biology Laboratory, Howard University, Washington, DC 20060, USA
| | - Matteo Gori
- Quantum Biology Laboratory, Howard University, Washington, DC 20060, USA
| | - Uriel Morzan
- The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Strada Costiera 11, 34151 Trieste, Italy
| | - Ali Hassanali
- The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Strada Costiera 11, 34151 Trieste, Italy
| | - Philip Kurian
- Quantum Biology Laboratory, Howard University, Washington, DC 20060, USA
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2
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Schroer MA, Schewa S, Gruzinov AY, Rönnau C, Lahey-Rudolph JM, Blanchet CE, Zickmantel T, Song YH, Svergun DI, Roessle M. Probing the existence of non-thermal Terahertz radiation induced changes of the protein solution structure. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22311. [PMID: 34785744 PMCID: PMC8595702 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01774-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last decades discussions were taking place on the existence of global, non-thermal structural changes in biological macromolecules induced by Terahertz (THz) radiation. Despite numerous studies, a clear experimental proof of this effect for biological particles in solution is still missing. We developed a setup combining THz-irradiation with small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), which is a sensitive method for detecting the expected structural changes. We investigated in detail protein systems with different shape morphologies (bovine serum albumin, microtubules), which have been proposed to be susceptible to THz-radiation, under variable parameters (THz wavelength, THz power densities up to 6.8 mW/cm2, protein concentrations). None of the studied systems and conditions revealed structural changes detectable by SAXS suggesting that the expected non-thermal THz-induced effects do not lead to alterations of the overall structures, which are revealed by scattering from dissolved macromolecules. This leaves us with the conclusion that, if such effects are present, these are either local or outside of the spectrum and power range covered by the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin A. Schroer
- grid.475756.20000 0004 0444 5410European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg Outstation C/O DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany ,grid.5718.b0000 0001 2187 5445Present Address: Nanoparticle Process Technology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Lotharstr. 1, 47057 Duisburg, Germany
| | - Siawosch Schewa
- University of Applied Sciences Luebeck, Moenkhofer Weg 239, 23562 Luebeck, Germany
| | - Andrey Yu. Gruzinov
- grid.475756.20000 0004 0444 5410European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg Outstation C/O DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Rönnau
- grid.4562.50000 0001 0057 2672Institute of Physics, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Luebeck, Germany
| | | | - Clement E. Blanchet
- grid.475756.20000 0004 0444 5410European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg Outstation C/O DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Till Zickmantel
- grid.4562.50000 0001 0057 2672Institute of Physics, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Luebeck, Germany
| | - Young-Hwa Song
- grid.4562.50000 0001 0057 2672Institute of Physics, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Luebeck, Germany
| | - Dmitri I. Svergun
- grid.475756.20000 0004 0444 5410European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg Outstation C/O DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Roessle
- University of Applied Sciences Luebeck, Moenkhofer Weg 239, 23562 Luebeck, Germany
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Cherkasova OP, Serdyukov DS, Nemova EF, Ratushnyak AS, Kucheryavenko AS, Dolganova IN, Xu G, Skorobogatiy M, Reshetov IV, Timashev PS, Spektor IE, Zaytsev KI, Tuchin VV. Cellular effects of terahertz waves. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2021; 26:JBO-210179VR. [PMID: 34595886 PMCID: PMC8483303 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.26.9.090902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE An increasing interest in the area of biological effects at exposure of tissues and cells to the terahertz (THz) radiation is driven by a rapid progress in THz biophotonics, observed during the past decades. Despite the attractiveness of THz technology for medical diagnosis and therapy, there is still quite limited knowledge about safe limits of THz exposure. Different modes of THz exposure of tissues and cells, including continuous-wave versus pulsed radiation, various powers, and number and duration of exposure cycles, ought to be systematically studied. AIM We provide an overview of recent research results in the area of biological effects at exposure of tissues and cells to THz waves. APPROACH We start with a brief overview of general features of the THz-wave-tissue interactions, as well as modern THz emitters, with an emphasis on those that are reliable for studying the biological effects of THz waves. Then, we consider three levels of biological system organization, at which the exposure effects are considered: (i) solutions of biological molecules; (ii) cultures of cells, individual cells, and cell structures; and (iii) entire organs or organisms; special attention is devoted to the cellular level. We distinguish thermal and nonthermal mechanisms of THz-wave-cell interactions and discuss a problem of adequate estimation of the THz biological effects' specificity. The problem of experimental data reproducibility, caused by rareness of the THz experimental setups and an absence of unitary protocols, is also considered. RESULTS The summarized data demonstrate the current stage of the research activity and knowledge about the THz exposure on living objects. CONCLUSIONS This review helps the biomedical optics community to summarize up-to-date knowledge in the area of cell exposure to THz radiation, and paves the ways for the development of THz safety standards and THz therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga P. Cherkasova
- Institute of Laser Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation
- Novosibirsk State Technical University, Russian Federation
| | - Danil S. Serdyukov
- Institute of Laser Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation
| | - Eugenia F. Nemova
- Institute of Laser Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander S. Ratushnyak
- Institute of Computational Technologies of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation
| | - Anna S. Kucheryavenko
- Institute of Solid State Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation
| | - Irina N. Dolganova
- Institute of Solid State Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation
- Sechenov University, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Russian Federation
- Sechenov University, World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare,” Russian Federation
| | - Guofu Xu
- Polytechnique Montreal, Department of Engineering Physics, Canada
| | | | - Igor V. Reshetov
- Sechenov University, Institute for Cluster Oncology, Russian Federation
- Academy of Postgraduate Education FSCC FMBA, Russian Federation
| | - Peter S. Timashev
- Sechenov University, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Russian Federation
- Sechenov University, World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare,” Russian Federation
- N.N. Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics, Department of Polymers and Composites, Russian Federation
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Department of Chemistry, Russian Federation
| | - Igor E. Spektor
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation
| | - Kirill I. Zaytsev
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation
- Sechenov University, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Russian Federation
- Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Russian Federation
| | - Valery V. Tuchin
- Saratov State University, Russian Federation
- Institute of Precision Mechanics and Control of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation
- National Research Tomsk State University, Russian Federation
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Kadantsev VN, Goltsov A. Collective excitations in α-helical protein structures interacting with the water environment. Electromagn Biol Med 2020; 39:419-432. [PMID: 33023315 DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2020.1826961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Low-frequency vibrational excitations of protein macromolecules in the terahertz frequency region are suggested to contribute to many biological processes such as enzymatic catalysis, intra-protein energy/charge transport, recognition, and allostery. To explain high effectiveness of these processes, two possible mechanisms of the long-lived excitation were proposed by H. Fröhlich and A.S. Davydov, which relate to either vibrational modes or solitary waves, respectively. In this paper, we developed a quantum dynamic model of vibrational excitation in α-helical proteins interacting with the aqueous environment. In the model, we distinguished three coupled subsystems, i.e., (i) a chain of hydrogen-bonded peptide groups (PGs), interacting with (ii) the subsystem of the side-chain residuals which in turn interact with (iii) the environment, surrounding water responsible for dissipation and fluctuation in the system. It was shown that the equation of motion for phonon variables of the PG chain can be transformed to nonlinear Schrodinger equation which admits bifurcation into the solution corresponding to the weak-damped vibrational modes (Fröhlich-type regime) and Davydov solitons. A bifurcation parameter is derived through the strength of phonon-phonon interaction between the side-chains and hydration-shell water molecules. As shown, the energy of these excited states is pumped through the interaction of the side-chains with fluctuating water environment of the proteins. The suggested mechanism of the collective vibrational mode excitation is discussed in connection with the recent experiments on the long-lived collective protein excitations in the terahertz frequency region and vibrational energy transport pathways in proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexey Goltsov
- Russian Technological University (MIREA) , Moscow, Russia
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Gagnér VA, Lundholm I, Garcia-Bonete MJ, Rodilla H, Friedman R, Zhaunerchyk V, Bourenkov G, Schneider T, Stake J, Katona G. Clustering of atomic displacement parameters in bovine trypsin reveals a distributed lattice of atoms with shared chemical properties. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19281. [PMID: 31848402 PMCID: PMC6917748 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55777-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-frequency vibrations are crucial for protein structure and function, but only a few experimental techniques can shine light on them. The main challenge when addressing protein dynamics in the terahertz domain is the ubiquitous water that exhibit strong absorption. In this paper, we observe the protein atoms directly using X-ray crystallography in bovine trypsin at 100 K while irradiating the crystals with 0.5 THz radiation alternating on and off states. We observed that the anisotropy of atomic displacements increased upon terahertz irradiation. Atomic displacement similarities developed between chemically related atoms and between atoms of the catalytic machinery. This pattern likely arises from delocalized polar vibrational modes rather than delocalized elastic deformations or rigid-body displacements. The displacement correlation between these atoms were detected by a hierarchical clustering method, which can assist the analysis of other ultra-high resolution crystal structures. These experimental and analytical tools provide a detailed description of protein dynamics to complement the structural information from static diffraction experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Ahlberg Gagnér
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ida Lundholm
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Helena Rodilla
- Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ran Friedman
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | | | - Gleb Bourenkov
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory Hamburg Outstation, EMBL c/o DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22603, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schneider
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory Hamburg Outstation, EMBL c/o DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22603, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Stake
- Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gergely Katona
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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