Catalytic properties of thioredoxin immobilized on superparamagnetic nanoparticles

Magnetic Nanoparticle Support with an Ultra-Thin Chitosan Layer Preserves the Catalytic Activity of the Immobilized Glucose Oxidase

Here, we developed magnetically recoverable biocatalysts based on magnetite nanoparticles coated with an ultra-thin layer (about 0.9 nm) of chitosan (CS) ionically cross-linked by sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). Excessive CS amounts were removed by multiple washings combined with magnetic separation. Glucose oxidase (GOx) was attached to the magnetic support via the interaction with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) in the presence of carbodiimide (EDC) leading to a covalent amide bond. These steps result in the formation of the biocatalyst for D-glucose oxidation to D-gluconic acid to be used in the preparation of pharmaceuticals due to the benign character of the biocatalyst components. To choose the catalyst with the best catalytic performance, the amounts of CS, TPP, NHS, EDC, and GOx were varied. The optimal biocatalyst allowed for 100% relative catalytic activity. The immobilization of GOx and the magnetic character of the support prevents GOx and biocatalyst loss and allows for repeated use.

Magnetic alignment of rhodamine/magnetite dual-labeled microtubules probed with inverted fluorescence microscopy

Molecular machines, as exemplified by the kinesin and microtubule system, are responsible for molecular transport in cells. The monitoring of the cellular machinery has attracted much attention in recent years, requiring sophisticated techniques such as optical tweezers, and dark field hyperspectral and fluorescence microscopies. It also demands suitable procedures for immobilization and labeling with functional agents such as dyes, plasmonic nanoparticles and quantum dots. In this work, microtubules were co-polymerized by incubating a tubulin mix consisting of 7 biotinylated tubulin to 3 rhodamine tubulin. Rhodamine provided the fluorescent tag, while biotin was the anchoring group for receiving streptavidin containing species. To control the microtubule alignment and consequently, the molecular gliding directions, functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles were employed in the presence of an external magnet field. Such iron oxide nanoparticles, (MagNPs) were previously coated with silica and (3-aminopro-pyl)triethoxysilane (APTS) and then modified with streptavidin (SA) for linking to the biotin-functionalized microtubules. In this way, the binding has been successfully performed, and the magnetic alignment probed by Inverted Fluorescence Microscopy. The proposed strategy has proved promising, as tested with one of the most important biological structures of the cellular machinery.

Bovine glutamate dehydrogenase immobilization on magnetic nanoparticles: conformational changes and catalysis

Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) was immobilized on different supports and systematically investigated in order to provide a better understanding of the immobilization effects on the catalysis of multimeric enzymes.

Association of Pseudomonas putida formaldehyde dehydrogenase with superparamagnetic nanoparticles: an effective way of improving the enzyme stability, performance and recycling

The association of formaldehyde dehydrogenase fromPseudomonas putida(FalDH) with two different magnetic nanoparticles led to distinct enzyme responses depending upon the chemical modification process applied.

Developing nanotechnological strategies for green industrial processes

Nanotechnology and green chemistry can have much in common from the point of view of processes, considering the possibilities of improving efficiency and quality, achieving a better economy of atoms and energy, promoting catalysis under mild and sustainable conditions, and facilitating online monitoring of production lines and environment. Some of these aspects are dealt with in this paper, focusing on selected examples of application of functionalized nanoparticles and -materials in chemistry and industry.

In vivo MRI tracking of iron oxide nanoparticle-labeled human mesenchymal stem cells in limb ischemia

Background

Stem cell transplantation has been investigated for repairing damaged tissues in various injury models. Monitoring the safety and fate of transplanted cells using noninvasive methods is important to advance this technique into clinical applications.

Methods

In this study, lower-limb ischemia models were generated in nude mice by femoral artery ligation. As negative-contrast agents, positively charged magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (aminopropyltriethoxysilane-coated Fe₂O₃) were investigated in terms of in vitro labeling efficiency, effects on human mesenchymal stromal cell (hMSC) proliferation, and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visualization. Ultimately, the mice were sacrificed for histological analysis three weeks after transplantation.

Results

With efficient labeling, aminopropyltriethoxysilane-modified magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (APTS-MNPs) did not significantly affect hMSC proliferation. In vivo, APTS-MNP-labeled hMSCs could be monitored by clinical 3 Tesla MRI for at least three weeks. Histological examination detected numerous migrated Prussian blue-positive cells, which was consistent with the magnetic resonance images. Some migrated Prussian blue-positive cells were positive for mature endothelial cell markers of von Willebrand factor and anti-human proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In the test groups, Prussian blue-positive nanoparticles, which could not be found in other organs, were detected in the spleen.

Conclusion

APTS-MNPs could efficiently label hMSCs, and clinical 3 Tesla MRI could monitor the labeled stem cells in vivo, which may provide a new approach for the in vivo monitoring of implanted cells.

Parameters Affecting the Performance of Immobilized Enzyme

Enzyme immobilization has been investigated to improve lipase properties over the past few decades. Different methods and various carriers have been employed to immobilize enzyme. However, the application of enzymatic technology in large scale is rarely seen during the industrial process. The main obstacles are a high cost of the immobilization and the poor performance of immobilized lipase. This review focuses on the current status of enzyme immobilization, which aims to summarize the latest research on the parameters affecting the performance of immobilized enzyme. Particularly, the effect of immobilization methods, immobilization carriers, and enzyme loading has been discussed.