A spin label ESR and saturation transfer ESR study of alpha-tocopherol containing model membranes

Direct Bactericidal Comparison of Metal Nanoparticles and Their Salts against S. aureus Culture by TEM and FT-IR Spectroscopy

We report the bactericidal effect of Ag and Cu NPs with different concentrations on methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain in comparison to the effect of AgNO₃ and CuCl₂ solutions, characterized by microbiological tests, TEM and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. NPs were produced by nanosecond laser ablation in distilled water and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, UV-vis, energy dispersive X-ray, FT-IR spectroscopy, as well as X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering size and zeta-potential measurements. Microbiological tests showed antibacterial activity of NPs and metal ion-containing salts. Comparative FT-IR spectroscopy of bacteria, treated with metal NPs and salts, showed the broadening of amide I and II bands, a CH₂-related peak and its frequency decrease, indicating the increase of membrane fluidity. The main mechanisms of the antibacterial effect were proposed: Ag and Cu NPs release ions and ROS, which result in lipid peroxidation; AgNO₃ forms precipitates on the cell surface, which lead to the mechanical rupture of the membrane and subsequent possible penetration of the precipitates in the emerged damaged spots, complete destruction of the membrane and bacterial death; Cu ions from the CuCl₂ solution cause damage to phosphorus- and sulfur-containing biomolecules, which leads to disruption of intracellular biochemical processes. The theories were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and TEM.

Vitamin E Derivative with Modified Side Chain Induced Apoptosis by Modulating the Cellular Lipids and Membrane Dynamics in MCF7 Cells

The vitamin E derivative with side chain modification (TC6OAc) has been shown to possess anticancer activity in our earlier in vivo studies. It was hypothesized that, as Vitamin E (VE) and VE derivative are fat soluble lipophilic molecules, they exert their function by modulating the lipid metabolism and related pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the cellular impact of this VE derivative (2,5,7,8-Tetramethyl-2-(4'-Methyl-3'-Pentenyl)-6-Acetoxy Chromane-TC6OH), using α-tocopherol as a reference compound throughout the experiments. Their effects on the cellular metabolism, the biophysical properties of cellular lipids and the functional characteristics of cells were monitored in human estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer cells. It has been documented that TC6OH treatment induces tumor cell apoptosis by dissipating the mitochondrial membrane potential, modulating the lipid, transportation and degradation as well as downregulating certain anti-apoptotic and growth factor related proteins. Due to resistance of ER positive cells to the established therapies, the findings of this study are of translational value.

Acute effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in kidney of rats and preventive role of vitamin E and sodium selenite

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as an endotoxin forms part of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria and is responsible for initiating an acute inflammation after entering the living tissue. In this study, male rats were divided into eight groups: control group, vitamin E (VE) treatment group (200 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)), sodium selenite (SS) treatment (0.35 mg/kg b.w.) group, VE + SS treatment group (200 + 0.35 mg/kg b.w.), LPS treatment group (10 mg/kg b.w.), LPS + VE (10+200 mg/kg b.w.), LPS + SS treatment (10 + 0.35 mg/kg b.w.), and LPS + SS + VE treatment (10 + 0.35 + 200 mg/kg b.w.) group. Oxidative stress parameters, pathological changes, immunohistochemical analyses, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay, and changes in DNA structure with comet assay of the kidney were investigated at the end 6 h comparatively with the control group. When LPS-treated group was compared with the control group, antioxidant enzyme activities were decreased and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, changes in histological and DNA structure and apoptosis were increased significantly at the end of 6 h. However, when LPS + SS and/or VE-treated group were compared with the LPS-treated group, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione- S-transferase activities were increased and MDA levels were decreased significantly at the end of the treatment period. Light investigations figured out pathological changes in kidneys of LPS- and LPS + SS and/or VE-treated groups. There was a decrease in the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells and an increase in the number of TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells in the wall of the distal and proximal tubules. As a result, it was observed that the combined use of antioxidants was more protective than their use alone against LPS.

FTIR spectroscopy offers hints towards widespread molecular changes in cobalt-acclimated freshwater bacteria

High concentrations of heavy metals can be toxic for bacteria. However, after prolonged exposure, bacteria can become acclimated and begin to be able to grow in the presence of heavy metals. Acclimation can involve alterations of metabolism and molecular structures. Our aim was to examine these alterations in cobalt-acclimated bacteria via attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy on viable samples. Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. isolated from a temperate shallow lake and a well-established strain of E. coli were investigated. Our results revealed consistent, wide-spread changes in cell membrane and cell wall dynamics of Bacillus sp. and E. coli, including a decrease in peptidoglycan content of Bacillus sp. and increased lipid ordering of the membrane in both bacteria. Furthermore, a decrease in RNA and protein concentrations of Bacillus sp. was measured. All three bacteria studied showed a decrease in conformational freedom of proteins following cobalt acclimation. Interestingly, both Bacillus sp. and E. coli showed slight but significant alterations in their DNA conformations which might imply a methylation-mediated memory formation leading to epigenetic modulation for cobalt adaptation.

Celecoxib reduces fluidity and decreases metastatic potential of colon cancer cell lines irrespective of COX-2 expression

CLX (celecoxib), a selective COX-2 (cyclo-oxygenase-2) inhibitor, has numerous pleiotropic effects on the body that may be independent of its COX-2 inhibitory activity. The cancer chemopreventive ability of CLX, particularly in CRC (colorectal cancer), has been shown in epidemiological studies. Here we have, for the first time, examined the biophysical effects of CLX on the cellular membranes of COX-2 expressing (HT29) and COX-2 non-expressing (SW620) cell lines using ATR-FTIR (attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform IR) spectroscopy and SL-ESR (spin label–ESR) spectroscopy. Our results show that CLX treatment decreased lipid fluidity in the cancer cell lines irrespective of COX-2 expression status. As metastatic cells have higher membrane fluidity, we examined the effect of CLX on the metastatic potential of these cells. The CLX treatment efficiently decreased the proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, ability to close a scratch wound and migration and invasion of the CRC cell lines through Matrigel. We propose that one of the ways by which CLX exerts its anti-tumorigenic effects is via alterations in cellular membrane fluidity which has a notable impact on the cells' metastatic potential.

Characterization of microRNA-125b expression in MCF7 breast cancer cells by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), are ~22 nucleotides long, non-coding RNAs that control gene expression post-transcriptionally by binding to their target mRNA's 3'UTRs (untranslated regions). Due to their roles in various important regulatory processes and pathways, miRNAs have been implicated in disease mechanisms such as tumorigenesis when their expression is deregulated. To date, a significant number of miRNAs and their target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) have been identified and verified. It is generally accepted that miRNAs can potentially bind to many mRNAs, which brings the requirement of validation of these interactions. While understanding that such individual interactions is crucial to delineate the role of a specific miRNA, we took a holistic approach and analyzed global changes in the cell due to expression of a miRNA in a model cell line system. Our model consisted of MCF7 cells stably transfected with miR-125b (MCF7-125b) and empty vector (MCF7-EV). MiR-125b is one of the known down-regulated miRNAs in breast cancers. In this study we examined the global structural changes in MCF7 cells lacking and expressing miR-125b by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy and investigated the dynamic changes by more sensitive spin-labelling Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Our results revealed less RNA, protein, lipid, and glycogen content in MCF7-125b compared to MCF7-EV cells. Membrane fluidity and proliferation rate were shown to be lower in MCF7-125b cells. Based on these changes, MCF7-125b and MCF7-EV cells were discriminated successfully by cluster analysis. Here, we provide a novel means to understand the global effects of miRNAs in cells. Potential applications of this approach are not only limited to research purposes. Such a strategy is also promising to pioneer the development of future diagnostic tools for deregulated miRNA expression in patient samples.

Competitive effect of vitamin D2 and Ca2+ on phospholipid model membranes: an FTIR study

The interaction of Ca(2+), with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) model membranes was studied in the presence and absence of vitamin D(2) by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Addition of vitamin D(2) and/or Ca(2+) into pure DPPC liposomes shifts the phase transition to higher temperature, orders and decreases the dynamics of the acyl chains in both phases and does not induce hydrogen bond formation in the interfacial region. Moreover, the dynamics of the head group of the phospholipid decreases in both phases. The addition of vitamin D(2) into DPPC liposomes containing Ca(2+), decreases the effect of Ca(2+) at all the functional groups under investigation. Similarly, the effect of vitamin D(2) also decreases in the presence of Ca(2+). This behavior is dominant at high Ca(2+) concentrations. Our results show how simultaneous presence of vitamin D(2) and Ca(2+) alter the behavior of each other, which is reflected as a decrease in the interactions between the ions and vitamin D(2) within the membrane.

IR and turbidity studies of vitamin E-cholesterol-phospholipid membrane interactions

Binary and tertiary mixture of alpha-tocophenol, cholesterol and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine in the form of multilamellar liposomes were investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared and visible spectroscopy. Results of the FTIR and turbidity experiments indicate that alpha T decreases or diminishes the effect of cholesterol on the frequency and the bandwidth of the C-H stretching, CH2 scissoring and C = O stretching bands in FTIR spectra and the turbidity measurements (recorded as absorbance values at 440 nm) in phospholipid model membranes.

Electron spin resonance study of the interaction of alpha-tocopherol with phospholipid model membranes

The effect of up to 20 mol% incorporation of alpha-tocopherol on acyl chain order and dynamics in liquid crystalline phosphatidylcholine (PC) membranes was studied as a function of acyl chain unsaturation by electron spin resonance (ESR) of 5-, 7-, 12- and 16-doxyl spin labelled stearic acids intercalated into the membrane. Order parameters S in the upper portion of the chain (positions 5 and 7) and correlation times tau C in the lower portion (positions 12 and 16) determined from the ESR spectra indicate that in general alpha-tocopherol restricts acyl chain motion within the membrane. The magnitude of the increases in order appears to be dependent upon phospholipid molecular area, being the greatest (up to 15%) in saturated dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (14:0-14:0 PC) which possesses a relatively small area per molecule as opposed to much smaller increases (less than 3%) in unsaturated PC membranes of larger molecular area. This behavior is interpreted as incompatible with the hypothesis of Lucy and coworkers (A.T. Diplock and J.A. Lucy (1973) FEBS Lett. 29, 205-210), who proposed that membranes are structurally stabilized by interactions between the phytyl side chain of alpha-tocopherol and the polyunsaturated chains of phospholipids.

Orientational and motional properties of copper (II) complexes of dibenzotetraaza [14]annulenes in lipid bilayers: an ESR study

ESR studies of two copper(II) complexes of substituted dibenzotetraaza [14]annulenes, CuL and CuLA, in dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EYPC) are reported. Our data show that both complexes partition into the membranes and that the rotational motion of CuL is faster than CuLA. Analysis of the ESR spectra of these complexes in DMPC vesicles indicate that the Cu-motion parameter, which is a measure of the degree of resolution of the nitrogen hyperfine structure, changes abruptly at the main phase transition. At 1 mole %, both complexes lowered the fluid/gel phase transition temperature by 2 degrees C as measured by the Cu-motion parameter. A gradual change of the Cu-motion parameter is observed in EYPC liposomes over the same temperature range. ESR spectra of both CuL and CuLA in oriented membranes reveal that both complexes are well oriented with the plane of the complex perpendicular to the bilayer surface.