Biophysical perspective of the binding of ester-functionalized gemini surfactants with catalase

Protein-bound AGEs derived from methylglyoxal induce pro-inflammatory response and barrier integrity damage in epithelial cells by disrupting the retinol metabolism

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are complex and heterogeneous compounds widely present in processed foods. Previous studies evidenced the adverse effects of AGEs on gut homeostasis, but the precise pathological mechanisms and molecular pathways responsible for the disruption of intestinal barrier integrity by AGEs remain incompletely elucidated. In this study, protein-bound AGEs (BSA-MGO), the most common type of dietary AGE, were prepared by methylglyoxal-mediated glycation, and an in vitro human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cell model was employed to evaluate the impact of protein-bound AGEs on gut epithelial function. Results showed that exposure to BSA-MGO significantly increased the permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers as evidenced by the decreased transepithelial electrical resistance value, increased paracellular transport of FITC-dextran, and down-regulated tight-junction proteins. In parallel, BSA-MGO induced pro-inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in the monolayers. Transcriptomic profiling further revealed that BSA-MGO disrupted the retinol metabolism, thereby contributing to the barrier integrity damage in epithelial cells. Overall, these results provide valuable insights into the disrupting effects of dietary AGEs on intestinal barrier function, and the perturbed pathways present potential targets for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms underlying the detrimental effect of processed foods on gut health.

Molecular mechanisms of nano-sized polystyrene plastics induced cytotoxicity and immunotoxicity in Eisenia fetida

Nanoplastics (NPs) are currently everywhere and environmental pollution by NPs is a pressing global problem. Nevertheless, until now, few studies have concentrated on the mechanisms and pathways of cytotoxic effects and immune dysfunction of NPs on soil organisms employing a multidimensional strategy. Hence, earthworm immune cells and immunity protein lysozyme (LZM) were selected as specific receptors to uncover the underlying mechanisms of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and immunotoxicity resulting from exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs), and the binding mechanisms of PS-NPs-LZM interaction. Results on cells indicated that when earthworm immune cells were exposed to high-dose PS-NPs, it caused a notable rise in the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in oxidative stress. PS-NPs exposure significantly decreased the cell viability of earthworm immune cells, inducing cytotoxicity through ROS-mediated oxidative stress pathway, and oxidative injury effects, including reduced antioxidant defenses, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and protein oxidation. Moreover, PS-NPs stress inhibited the intracellular LZM activity in immune cells, resulting in impaired immune function and immunotoxicity by activating the oxidative stress pathway mediated by ROS. The results from molecular studies revealed that PS-NPs binding destroyed the LZM structure and conformation, including secondary structure changes, protein skeleton unfolding/loosening, fluorescence sensitization, microenvironment changes, and particle size changes. Molecular docking suggested that PS-NPs combined with active center of LZM easier and inhibited the protein function more, and formed a hydrophobic interaction with TRP 62, a crucial amino acid residue closely associated with the function and conformation of LZM. This is also responsible for LZM conformational changes and functional inhibition /inactivation. These results of this research offer a fresh outlook on evaluating the detriment of NPs to the immune function of soil organisms using cellular and molecular strategies.

Complexation study of syringaldehyde complexed with serum albumin

As a major flavonoid polyphenolic compound in the stem of Hibiscus taiwanensis, syringaldehyde (SA) has numerous pharmacological effects. Nevertheless, owing to its less in-depth study, its application is limited. Within this work, the interactions between serum albumin and SA were elucidated by multispectral studies. The results of ultraviolet/visible absorption spectroscopy suggest that the conformation of serum albumin can be altered by binding with SA. Fluorescence spectroscopy indicates that SA forms complexes with serum albumin, quenching its fluorescence. This suggests that the fluorescent residues of serum albumin are situated at or near the binding site. Additionally, FT-IR results confirm that SA alters the secondary structure of BSA, specifically affecting the positions of both amide I and amide II bands. Via the computational biology analyses, it was confirmed that SA binds at the active site of serum albumin and nine residues form hydrophobic interactions. In addition, the cytotoxicity of SA to BRL-3A cells was also studied, and SA had almost no toxicity to the growth of BRL-3A cells. The complex has a higher α-amylase inhibition capacity than SA alone. To sum up, this work reveals that the interaction of SA with BSA induces a conformational alteration in BSA. It also proved that SA inhibits α-amylase more significantly and has great potential in hypoglycemia.

Shedding light on the binding mechanism of kinase inhibitors BI-2536, Volasetib and Ro-3280 with their pharmacological target PLK1

In the present work, the interactions of the novel kinase inhibitors BI-2536, Volasetib (BI-6727) and Ro-3280 with the pharmacological target PLK1 have been studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular dynamics calculations. High Stern-Volmer constants were found in fluorescence experiments suggesting the formation of stable protein-ligand complexes. In addition, it was observed that the binding constant between BI-2536 and PLK1 increases about 100-fold in presence of the phosphopeptide Cdc25C-p that docks to the polo box domain of the protein and releases the kinase domain. All the determined binding constants are higher for the kinase inhibitors than for their competitor for the active center (ATP) being BI-2536 and Volasertib the inhibitors that showed more affinity for PLK1. Calculated binding free energies confirmed the higher affinity of PLK1 for BI-2536 and Volasertib than for ATP. The higher affinity of the inhibitors to PLK1 compared to ATP was mainly attributed to stronger van der Waals interactions. Results may help with the challenge of designing and developing new kinase inhibitors more effective in clinical cancer therapy.

Gemini and Bicephalous Surfactants: A Review on Their Synthesis, Micelle Formation, and Uses

The use of surfactants in polymerization reactions is particularly important, mainly in emulsion polymerizations. Further, micelles from biocompatible surfactants find use in pharmaceutical dosage forms. This paper reviews recent developments in the synthesis of novel gemini and bicephalous surfactants, micelle formation, and their applications in polymer and nanoparticle synthesis, oil recovery, catalysis, corrosion, protein binding, and biomedical area, particularly in drug delivery.

Molecular binding interaction of pyridinium based gemini surfactants with bovine serum albumin: Insights from physicochemical, multispectroscopic, and computational analysis

To study the interaction of the series of pyridinium based gemini surfactants (GS) (referred to as m-Py-m, m = 14, 16); 4,4'-(propane-1,3-diyl)bis(1-(2-(tetradecyloxy)-2-oxoethyl) dipyridinium chloride (14-Py-14), and 4,4'-(propane-1,3-diyl) bis(1-(2-(hexadecyloxy)-2-oxoethyl)dipyridinium chloride (16-Py-16) with bovine serum albumin (BSA), various physicochemical and spectroscopic tools such as tensiometry, steady-state fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence, pyrene fluorescence, UV-visible, far-UV circular dichroism (CD) were utilized at physiological pH (7.4) and 298 K in combination with computational molecular modeling analysis. The tensiometric results show significant modifications in interfacial and thermodynamic parameters for m-Py-m GS upon BSA combination, deciphering the gemini surfactant-BSA interaction. Steady-state fluorescence analysis evaluates the structural alterations of BSA with the addition of m-Py-m GS. The plots of Stern-Volmer, modified Stern-Volmer, and thermodynamic parameters were used to determine the binding type of m-Py-m GS to BSA. The synchronous fluorescence spectra state a mild effect of gemini surfactants on the emission intensity of tyrosine (Tyr) residues, on the other hand, tryptophan (Trp) residues showed a significant effect. Post addition of GS, the plot of pyrene fluorescence reveals the mild micropolarity fluctuations via the probe (pyrene) molecules encapsulated in BSA. UV-visible experiments support the complex formation between the BSA and m-Py-m GS. Far-UV CD measurements revealed the modifications in the secondary structure of protein produced by m-Py-m GS. Furthermore, we also used the computational molecular modeling for attaining deep insight into BSA and m-Py-m GS binding and the results are supported with our experimental results.

Surface active ionic liquid induced conformational transition in aqueous medium of hemoglobin

The molecular interactions and effect of SAILs on the conformation of human hemoglobin (Hb) has been studied using various techniques.

Unraveling the interaction of hemoglobin with a biocompatible and cleavable oxy-diester-functionalized gemini surfactant

Surfactant-protein mixtures have attracted considerable research interest in recent years at the interface of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry. Herein, the interaction between a green gemini surfactant (C₁₆-E2O-C₁₆) and a redox protein hemoglobin was examined through a series of in vitro experimental techniques with an attempt to provide a comprehensive knowledge of the surfactant-protein binding interactions. Quantitative appraisal of the fluorescence/CV data showed that the binding of C₁₆-E2O-C₁₆ to Hb leads to the formation of thermodynamically favorable non-covalent adduct with 1:1 stoichiometry. UV-vis spectra demonstrated that the effect of C₁₆-E2O-C₁₆ on Hb is highly concentration dependent. Far-UV and near-UV CD spectra together elucidated the formation of molten globule state of Hb upon C₁₆-E2O-C₁₆ addition. Temperature dependent CD explicated the effect of C₁₆-E2O-C₁₆ on the thermal stability of Hb. Furthermore, the structural investigation of Hb via pyrene/synchronous/three-dimensional fluorescence and FT-IR spectroscopy provided the complementary information related to its microenvironmental and conformational changes. Computational studies delineated that C₁₆-E2O-C₁₆ binds in the vicinity of β-37 Trp at the α₁β₂ interface of Hb. Overall, this study is expected to clarify the binding mechanism between Hb/other congeners and surfactant at the molecular level that are known to have immense potential in biomedical and industrial areas.