Nucleotides and nucleolipids derivatives interaction effects during multi-lamellar vesicles formation

New Trends in Biosurfactants: From Renewable Origin to Green Enhanced Oil Recovery Applications

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes are technologies used in the oil and gas industry to maximize the extraction of residual oil from reservoirs after primary and secondary recovery methods have been carried out. The injection into the reservoir of surface-active substances capable of reducing the surface tension between oil and the rock surface should favor its extraction with significant economic repercussions. However, the most commonly used surfactants in EOR are derived from petroleum, and their use can have negative environmental impacts, such as toxicity and persistence in the environment. Biosurfactants on the other hand, are derived from renewable resources and are biodegradable, making them potentially more sustainable and environmentally friendly. The present review intends to offer an updated overview of the most significant results available in scientific literature on the potential application of biosurfactants in the context of EOR processes. Aspects such as production strategies, techniques for characterizing the mechanisms of action and the pros and cons of the application of biosurfactants as a principal method for EOR will be illustrated and discussed in detail. Optimized concepts such as the HLD in biosurfactant choice and design for EOR are also discussed. The scientific findings that are illustrated and reviewed in this paper show why general emphasis needs to be placed on the development and adoption of biosurfactants in EOR as a substantial contribution to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly oil and gas industry.

Drug induced micelle-to-vesicle transition in aqueous solutions of cationic surfactants

Solubilization of the drug diclofenac sodium (DS) in micellar aggregates of ionic liquid-based surfactants and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide at 25 °C induces changes to worm-like micelles and vesicles, with potential use in drug delivery.

The presence of carbon nanostructures in bakery products induces metabolic stress in human mesenchymal stem cells through CYP1A and p53 gene expression

Ingredients commonly present in processed foods are excellent substrates for chemical reactions during modern thermal cooking or processing, which could possibly result in deteriorative carbonization changes mediated by a variety of thermal reactions. Spontaneous self-assembling complexation or polymerization of partially combusted lipids, proteins, and other food macromolecules with synthetic food additives during high temperature food processing or baking (200-250 °C) would result in the formation of carbon nanostructures (CNs). These unknown nanostructures may produce adverse physiological effects or potential health risks. The present work aimed to identify and characterize the nanostructures from the crusts of bread. Furthermore, a toxicological risk assessment of these nanostructures was conducted using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) as a model for cellular uptake and metabolic oxidative stress, with special reference to induced adipogenesis. CNs isolated from bread crusts were characterized using transmission electron microscopy. The in vitro risk assessment of the CNs was carried out in hMSCs using an MTT assay, cell morphological assessment, a reactive oxygen species assay, a mitochondrial trans-membrane potential assay, cell cycle progression assessment and gene expression analysis. Our results revealed that bread crusts contain CNs, which may form during the bread-making process. The in vitro results indicate that carbon nanostructures have moderately toxic effects in the hMSCs at a high dose (400 μg/mL). The mitochondrial trans-membrane potentials and intracellular ROS levels of the hMSCs were altered at this dose. The levels of the mRNA transcripts of metabolic stress-responsive genes such as CAT, GSR, GSTA4, CYP1A and p53 were significantly altered in response to CNs.

Multilamellar vesicle formation from a planar lamellar phase under shear flow

The formation of multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) from the lamellar phase of nonionic surfactant system C12E5/D2O under shear flow is studied by time-resolved small angle neutron and light scattering during shear flow. A novel small angle neutron scattering sample environment enables the tracking of the lamellae alignment in the velocity-velocity gradient (1-2) plane during MLV formation, which was tracked independently using flow small angle light scattering commensurate with rheology. During the lamellar-to-multilamellar vesicle transition, the primary Bragg peak from the lamellar ordering was observed to tilt, and this gradually increased with time, leading to an anisotropic pattern with a primary axis oriented at ∼25° relative to the flow direction. This distorted pattern persists under flow after MLV formation. A critical strain and critical capillary number based on the MLV viscosity are demonstrated for MLV formation, which is shown to be robust for other systems as well. These novel measurements provide fundamentally new information about the flow orientation of lamellae in the plane of flow that cannot be anticipated from the large body of previous literature showing nearly isotropic orientation in the 2,3 and 1,3 planes of flow. These observations are consistent with models for buckling-induced MLV formation but suggest that the instability is three-dimensional, thereby identifying the mechanism of MLV formation in simple shear flow.

From nucleobases to nucleolipids: an ITC approach on the thermodynamics of their interactions in aqueous solutions

Hybrid constructions based on nucleosides and lipophilic components, known as nucleolipids, have become an extremely interesting class of molecules, especially for their potential biomedical applications. In this matter, it seemed important to define the nature and estimate the strength of their interaction with polynucleotides by different ways. We report in this work a systematic investigation through isothermal titration calorimetry of the thermodynamics of the association and dissociation of adenine and thymine derivatives, not previously performed. Then we use the results obtained on these simple systems as a basis for comparison with the binding of phospholipids functionalized with adenosine and thymidine to polyadenylic or polyuridylic acids applying the same experimental technique.

Templated globules--applications and perspectives

Polyelectrolyte capsules represent a class of particles composed of an internal core and an external polymer matrix shell. In recent years, it has become clear that the manufacture of polyelectrolyte capsule is likely to have a significant role in several areas including medicine and biology. Many distinct methodologies for the fabrications of templated globules have been reported. Despite the huge availability of knowledge used to obtain such globules, the choice of the appropriate technology for the desired applications demands a deeper appreciation of this issue. Furthermore, the extent to which the applications of polyelectrolyte capsule may be actively involved in the practical biomedical field is still a fascinating challenge. Here, we review the recipes for the globule assembly with their own benefits and limitations and how different templates could affect the final globule features, with a particular focus on the Layer by Layer (LbL) procedure. The latest applications in biological, therapeutical and diagnostic areas are also discussed and some outlooks for the strategic development of polymer globule are highlighted.

Oligonucleotides and polynucleotides condensation onto liposome surface: effects of the base and of the nucleotide length

The association behavior of different nucleic acids with cationic liposomes has been monitored, in order to find out how the polymer length, the type of base and the charge density affect the lipoplex formation. In particular the associative features displayed by the homopolymer 20-mer of adenine, Oligo (dA), of timine, Oligo (dT), and of guanine, Oligo (dG), were compared to understand the role of the base. The effects of the nucleic acid length and of the charge density were evaluated taking account of the association of the polyadenylic acid and of the DNA onto the liposomes. The results show that the homopolymer Oligo (dG) is able to interact with the cationic liposomes to the same extent as DNA, in spite of the fact that Oligo (dG) is a short polymer made of 20 residues and DNA is a longer and dual strand polymer having a higher charge density.

Alkylation of complementary ribonucleotides in nanoreactors

The aim of the present study was to provide experimental evidence that base pairing, commonly occurring between nucleic bases in more complex supramolecular arrangements, may affect the reaction pathways associated with the alkylation of bases themselves. In pursuit of this aim, dilute aqueous solutions of Cytidine- (CMP) and Guanosine-Mono-Phosphate (GMP) as single reactants or in an equimolar mixture were treated with the electrophilic alkylating agent 1,2-Dodecyl-Epoxide (DE), which was preventively dispersed into micellar solutions prepared with the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). In the early stage of the reaction, CTAB micelles acted as micro-heterogeneous nanoreactors, but as the reaction progressed the systems evolved toward the formation of polydisperse aggregates, whose size and surface-charge properties were monitored as a function of reaction time. From mass spectrometry analyses, it was found that the deamination of cytosine, a side reaction related to the alkylation of the amino group of CMP, was reduced when both the complementary ribonucleotides were present in the same reaction mixture. The involvement of specific sites able to establish C:G interactions (possibly via H-bonding or π-π stacking) could explain the reduced reactivity occurring at the level of some of the nucleophilic centers responsible for molecular recognition.

Chemical details on nucleolipid supramolecular architecture: molecular modeling and physicochemical studies

Nucleolipids are currently under investigation as vectors for oligonucleotides (ON) delivery thanks to their supramolecular organization properties and their ability to develop specific interactions (i.e., stacking and potential Watson and Crick hydrogen bonds) for lipoplexes formation. To investigate the factors that govern the interaction events at a molecular level and optimize nucleolipid chemical structures, physicochemical experiments (tensiometry, AFM, BAM, and ellipsometry) combined with molecular dynamics simulation were performed on a series of zwitterionic nucleolipids (PUPC, DPUPC, PAPC) featuring a phosphocholine chain (PC). After construction and initial equilibration, simulations of pure nucleolipid bilayers were run for 100 ns at constant temperature and pressure, and their properties were compared to experimental data and to natural dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayers. Nucleolipid-based membranes are significantly more ordered and compact than DPPC bilayers mainly due to the presence of many intermolecular interactions between nucleoside polar heads. The hydrophilic phosphocholine moieties connected to the 5' hydroxyls are located above the bilayers, penalizing nucleic bases accessibility for further interactions with ON. Hence, a neutral nucleolipid (PUOH) without hydrophilic phosphocholine was inserted in the membranes. Simulations and experimental analysis of nucleolipid membranes in interaction with a single strand RNA structure indicate that PUOH interacts with ON in the subphase. This study demonstrates that molecular modeling can be used to determine the interactions between oligonucleotide and nucleolipids.

Fluorescence enhancement effect for the determination of adenosine 5'-monophosphate with 9-anthracene carboxylic acid-cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide system

A fluorimetric method based on fluorescence enhancement effect was developed for the determination of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) with 9-anthracene carboxylic acid (9-ANCA)-cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) system. Fluorescence intensity of 9-ANCA was decreased by the addition of CTAB but addition of AMP again rose the intensity of 9-ANCA gradually. The observed fluorescence enhancement is attributed to the competitive binding reaction of 9-ANCA and adenosine to CTAB. The enhancement in the fluorescence intensity was found proportional to the concentration of AMP over the range 2.0 × 10(-4) to 1.2 × 10(-3) mol dm(-3). The ion pair complex is formed spontaneously between 9-ANCA and CTAB. Since the binding interaction is larger for the adenosine-CTAB pair, the fluorophore 9-ANCA will be released. The quantum yield of free 9-ANCA is higher therefore its fluorescence observed at 417 nm wavelength is enhanced. This mechanism of competitive molecular interaction is further confirmed by conductometric measurements. The method was applied successfully for the determination of AMP from pharmaceutical sample. The method is more selective, sensitive and relatively free from interferences.

Polyadenylic acid binding on cationic liposomes doped with the non-ionic nucleolipid Lauroyl Uridine

In this work unilamellar liposomes doped with a novel non-ionic 5'-Uridine-head nucleolipid, Lauroyl Uridine (LU), were prepared and characterized for their ability to interact with the polynucleotide polyadenylic acid (poly-A). Vesicles, were made up of the cationic lipid DOTAP (1,2-Dioleoyl-3-Trimethylammonium-Propane), the zwitterionic lipid DOPE (1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphoethanolamine), and the novel amphiphile Lauroyl Uridine. The influence of the non-ionic nucleolipid on essential liposomes properties, such as the structure and net charge was first investigated by a comparative analysis performed on the different lipoplex preparations by means of ζ-potential and size measurements. Both structure and net charge of liposomes were shown to be not modified by the presence of the non-ionic nucleolipid. The role of the synthetic lipid inserted as anchor in the liposome bilayer in the condensation process between vesicles and the polynucleotide poly-A was then analyzed by UV-vis, Circular Dichroism (CD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. The data presented comparative UV-vis analyses that evidenced the occurrence of staking interactions in the poly-A only in LU containing lipoplexes. CD and NMR studies indicated the presence of H-bonding interaction between Lauroyl Uridine containing vesicles and the polynucleotide poly-A. The results presented in this work support a role for Lauroyl Uridine in A-U molecular recognition, thus, suggesting that cationic liposomes doped with the non-ionic nucleolipid Lauroyl Uridine could represent a model system to study molecular interactions among single stranded polynucleotides and lipid anchor bearing the complementary bases.

Complementary amphiphilic ribonucleotides confined into nanostructured environments

This article focuses on the physico-chemical investigation of the time evolution of self-assembled structures composed by oppositely charged surfactant monomers. The cationic components were represented by the well known cetyl-trimethyl-ammonium-bromide (CTAB) while the anionic monomers consisted of amphiphilic ribonucleotide derivatives, also called nucleo-lipids (NL). The latter were generated in situ by direct reaction between a hydrophobic precursor, dodecyl epoxide (DE), and a pair of complementary ribonucleotide mono-phosphates: adenosine mono-phosphate (AMP) and uridine mono-phosphate (UMP). Analysis of reaction mixtures by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-single, tandem and sequential mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS, MS/MS and MS(3)) confirmed that the generated NL corresponded to ribonucleotides linked to one, two and even three hydroxy-dodecyl tails on their molecular structures and whose amounts had peculiar time dependences. In the solutions incubated with an equimolar mixture of both types of ribonucleotides, a remarkable positive feedback effect on the reaction products was ascribed to the contemporary presence of AMP and UMP. The variation of aggregate sizes, due to the incorporation process of NL monomers into starting CTAB micelles, was monitored through time-resolved measurements of both dynamic light-scattering (DLS) and electrophoretic mobilities, together with calculated zeta-(zeta)-potential. Finally, a kinetic model based on auto-catalytic mechanisms was outlined to analyze the process of the catanionic vesicles growth observed during the whole reaction time-course. The model was also in good agreement with MS data. The proposed colloidal system may be considered a simplified model whereby to study the potential role of complementary nucleic bases in triggering primitive chemical selections.

Alkylation of complementary ribonucleotides by 1,2-dodecyl-epoxide in a micellar environment: a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-sequential mass spectrometry investigation

Alkylation of a pair of complementary ribonucleotides, adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and uridine monophosphate (UMP), was accomplished by 1,2-dodecyl-epoxide (DE) in a oil-in-water microemulsion based on the cationic surfactant Cetyl-trimethyl-ammonium-bromide, providing a suitable catalytic interface for the reagents. Several, often isomeric, alkylation products, bearing one or two hydroxy-dodecyl moieties on their structures, were identified in the reaction mixtures by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry. In particular, mass spectrometry (MS)/MS spectra, implemented by extracted ion chromatograms obtained for peculiar MS/MS product ions, indicated alkylation to occur on uracil and on uracil/phosphate OH groups in singly and doubly alkylated UMP, respectively. Adenine NH2 group and phosphate or ribose OH groups were found to be involved as such (single alkylation) or in combination, in the case of alkylated derivatives of AMP. The reaction of both endocyclic N and C=O groups (tautomerized to C-OH groups) of uracil and the predominance of nucleophilic attack to the more accessible carbon of the DE epoxydic bridge (the only exception being the reaction by the NH2 group of adenine) were inferred from MS3 spectra with the help of extracted ion chromatograms for specific fragment ions, after their structural characterization. Interestingly, alkylation on one of the uracil C=O groups and, partially, on the adenine NH2 group, both potentially involved in AMP/UMP base pairing in the micellar environment, were found to be hindered when both ribonucleotides were present in the reaction mixtures.

Cationic nucleoside lipids based on a 3-nitropyrrole universal base for siRNA delivery

Cationic nucleoside lipids based on a 3-nitropyrrole universal base were prepared from D-ribose using a straightforward chemical synthesis. Several studies including DLS, TEM, and ethidium bromide (EthBr) assay demonstrated that these amphiphilic molecules form supramolecular organizations of nanometer size in aqueous solutions and are able to bind nucleic acids. siRNA knockdown experiments were performed with these nucleolipids, and we observed protein knockdown activity similar to the siPORT NeoFX positive control. No significant cytotoxicity was found.

Reaction mixtures based on the CTAB-Dodecyl Epoxide-water microemulsion for the synthesis of novel Nucleo-Lipids

Nucleotide-functionalized amphiphiles can be generated in an aqueous microemulsion based on the cationic surfactant CetylTrimethylAmmonium Bromide (CTAB). The lipophilic precursor, Dodecyl Epoxide (DE), was able to hydrophobically modify several types of nucleotides (NMPs) giving rise to the production of novel anionic Nucleo-Lipids (NL), through a ring-opening reaction occurring at level of the CTAB micellar interface. The coexistence of both cationic (CTAB) and NL monomers triggered the spontaneous formation of aqueous suspensions of onion-like aggregates, as confirmed by optical microscopy and spectroturbidimetry. The solubilization process of DE into CTAB micellar phase in the presence of NMPs was first characterised through conductometry. DLS data showed a gradual micellar swelling resulting in a higher oil uptake upon addition of NMPs in the starting liquid L(1) phase. An important result achieved in this study was obtained through the inspection of long-aged suspensions incubated with each of four different types of NMPs, including their binary equimolar combinations. Samples made with the complementary pairs AU and CG showed up very stable vesicular systems, unlike the other random base paired mixtures, where we found a coexistence of liquid crystalline domains in equilibrium with either transparent liquid phases or dense isotropic gel phases. The potential role of the molecular recognition on the self-assembly properties of NL monomers has been discussed.