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Han Q, Veríssimo NVP, Bryant SJ, Martin AV, Huang Y, Pereira JFB, Santos-Ebinuma VC, Zhai J, Bryant G, Drummond CJ, Greaves TL. Scattering approaches to unravel protein solution behaviors in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents: From basic principles to recent developments. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 331:103242. [PMID: 38964196 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Proteins in ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have gained significant attention due to their potential applications in various fields, including biocatalysis, bioseparation, biomolecular delivery, and structural biology. Scattering approaches including dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS and SANS) have been used to understand the solution behavior of proteins at the nanoscale and microscale. This review provides a thorough exploration of the application of these scattering techniques to elucidate protein properties in ILs and DESs. Specifically, the review begins with the theoretical foundations of the relevant scattering approaches and describes the essential solvent properties of ILs and DESs linked to scattering such as refractive index, scattering length density, ion-pairs, liquid nanostructure, solvent aggregation, and specific ion effects. Next, a detailed introduction is provided on protein properties such as type, concentration, size, flexibility and structure as observed through scattering methodologies. This is followed by a review of the literature on the use of scattering for proteins in ILs and DESs. It is highlighted that enhanced data analysis and modeling tools are necessary for assessing protein flexibility and structure, and for understanding protein hydration, aggregation and specific ion effects. It is also noted that complementary approaches are recommended for comprehensively understanding the behavior of proteins in solution due to the complex interplay of factors, including ion-binding, dynamic hydration, intermolecular interactions, and specific ion effects. Finally, the challenges and potential research directions for this field are proposed, including experimental design, data analysis approaches, and supporting methods to obtain fundamental understandings of complex protein behavior and protein systems in solution. We envisage that this review will support further studies of protein interface science, and in particular studies on solvent and ion effects on proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Han
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Nathalia V P Veríssimo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-020, Brazil
| | - Saffron J Bryant
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Andrew V Martin
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Yuhong Huang
- Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jorge F B Pereira
- Univ Coimbra, CERES, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pólo II - Pinhal de Marrocos, Coimbra 3030-790, Portugal
| | - Valéria C Santos-Ebinuma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-020, Brazil
| | - Jiali Zhai
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Gary Bryant
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Calum J Drummond
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Tamar L Greaves
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
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Awad MN, Brown SJ, Abraham AN, Sezer D, Han Q, Wang X, Le TC, Elbourne A, Bryant G, Greaves TL, Bryant SJ. Biophysical Characterization and Cryopreservation of Mammalian Cells Using Ionic Liquids. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:2504-2515. [PMID: 38416751 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c06797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Ionic liquids (ILs) are a diverse class of solvents which can be selected for task-specific properties, making them attractive alternatives to traditional solvents. To tailor ILs for specific biological applications, it is necessary to understand the structure-property relationships of ILs and their interactions with cells. Here, a selection of carboxylate anion-based ILs were investigated as cryoprotectants, which are compounds added to cells before freezing to mitigate lethal freezing damage. The cytotoxicity, cell permeability, thermal behavior, and cryoprotective efficacy of the ILs were assessed with two model mammalian cell lines. We found that the biophysical interactions, including permeability of the ILs, were influenced by considering the IL pair together, rather than as single species acting independently. All of the ILs tested had high cytotoxicity, but ethylammonium acetate demonstrated good cryoprotective efficacy for both cell types tested. These results demonstrate that despite toxicity, ILs may be suitable for certain biological applications. It also demonstrates that more research is required to understand the contribution of ion pairs to structure-property relationships and that knowing the behavior of a single ionic species will not necessarily predict its behavior as part of an IL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyah N Awad
- School of Science, College of STEM, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Stuart J Brown
- School of Science, College of STEM, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Amanda N Abraham
- School of Science, College of STEM, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Dilek Sezer
- School of Science, College of STEM, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Qi Han
- School of Science, College of STEM, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- School of Engineering, College of STEM, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
- Digital Services, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria 3008, Australia
| | - Tu C Le
- School of Engineering, College of STEM, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Aaron Elbourne
- School of Science, College of STEM, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Gary Bryant
- School of Science, College of STEM, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Tamar L Greaves
- School of Science, College of STEM, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Saffron J Bryant
- School of Science, College of STEM, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
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Brown SJ, Ryan TM, Drummond CJ, Greaves TL, Han Q. Lysozyme aggregation and unfolding in ionic liquid solvents: Insights from small angle X-ray scattering and high throughput screening. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 655:133-144. [PMID: 37931553 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.10.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Understanding protein behaviour is crucial for developing functional solvent systems. Ionic liquids (ILs) are designer salts with versatile ion combinations, where some suppress unfavourable protein behaviour. This work utilizes small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to investigate the size and shape changes of model protein hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) in 137 IL and salt solutions. Guinier, Kratky, and pair distance distribution analysis were used to evaluate the protein size, shape, and aggregation changes in these solvents. At low IL and salt concentration (1 mol%), HEWL remained monodispersed and globular. Most ILs increased HEWL size compared to buffer, while the nitrate and mesylate anions induced the most significant size increases. IL cation branching, hydroxyl groups, and longer alkyl chains counteracted this size increase. Common salts exhibited specific ion effects, while the IL effect varied with concentration due to complex ion-pairing. Protein aggregation and unfolding occurred at 10 mol% IL, altering the protein shape, especially for ILs with multiple alkyl chains on the cation, or with a mesylate/nitrate anion. This study highlights the usefulness of adopting a high-throughput SAXS strategy for understanding IL effects on protein behaviour and provides insights on controlling protein aggregation and unfolding with ILs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart J Brown
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Timothy M Ryan
- SAXS/WAXS Beamline, Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Rd, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Calum J Drummond
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Tamar L Greaves
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Qi Han
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
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Han Q, Darmanin C, Rosado CJ, Veríssimo NV, Pereira JFB, Bryant G, Drummond CJ, Greaves TL. Structure, aggregation dynamics and crystallization of superfolder green fluorescent protein: Effect of long alkyl chain imidazolium ionic liquids. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127456. [PMID: 37844813 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its variants are widely used in medical and biological research, especially acting as indicators of protein structural integrity, protein-protein interactions and as biosensors. This study employs superfolder GFP (sfGFP) to investigate the impact of varying alkyl chain length of 1-Cn-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid (IL) series ([Cnmim]Cl, n = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) on the protein fluorescence, structure, hydration, aggregation dynamics and crystallization behaviour. The results revealed a concentration-dependent decrease in the sfGFP chromophore fluorescence, particularly in long alkyl chain ILs ([C10mim]Cl and [C12mim]Cl). Tryptophan (Trp) fluorescence showed the quenching rate increased with longer alkyl chains indicating a nonpolar interaction between Trp57 and the alkyl chain. Secondary structural changes were observed at the high IL concentration of 1.5 M in [C10mim]Cl and [C12mim]Cl. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) indicated relatively stable protein sizes, but with IL aggregates present in [C10mim]Cl and [C12mim]Cl solutions. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) data showed increased protein size and aggregation with longer alkyl chain ILs. Notably, ILs and salts, excluding [C2mim]Cl, promoted sfGFP crystallization. This study emphasizes the influence of the cation alkyl chain length and concentration on protein stability and aggregation, providing insights into utilizing IL solvents for protein stabilization and crystallization purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Han
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Connie Darmanin
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, School of Computing Engineering and Mathematical Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Carlos J Rosado
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Biochemistry, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Nathalia Vieira Veríssimo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo University (USP), Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, no. 580, B16, 05508-000, Cidade de Universitária, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jorge F B Pereira
- University of Coimbra, CIEPQPF, Department of Chemical Engineering, Rua Sílvio Lima, Pólo II - Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Gary Bryant
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Calum J Drummond
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Tamar L Greaves
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
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Han Q, Su Y, Smith KM, Binns J, Drummond CJ, Darmanin C, Greaves TL. Probing ion-binding at a protein interface: Modulation of protein properties by ionic liquids. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 650:1393-1405. [PMID: 37480654 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.07.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Ions are important to modulate protein properties, including solubility and stability, through specific ion effects. Ionic liquids (ILs) are designer salts with versatile ion combinations with great potential to control protein properties. Although protein-ion binding of common metals is well-known, the IL effect on proteins is not well understood. Here, we employ the model protein lysozyme in dilute and concentrated IL solutions to determine the specific ion binding effect on protein phase behaviour, activity, size and conformational change, aggregation and intermolecular interactions. A combination of spectroscopic techniques, activity assays, small-angle X-ray scattering, and crystallography highlights that ILs, particularly their anions, bind to specific sites in the protein hydration layer via polar contacts on charged, polar and aromatic residues. The specific ion binding can induce more flexible loop regions in lysozyme, while the ion binding in the bulk phase can be more dynamic in solution. Overall, the protein behaviour in ILs depends on the net effect of nonspecific interactions and specific ion binding. Compared to formate, the nitrate anion induced high protein solubility, low activity, elongated shape and aggregation, which is largely owing to its higher propensity for ion binding. These findings provide new insights into protein-IL binding interactions and using ILs to modulate protein properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Han
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Yuyu Su
- School of Engineering, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Kate M Smith
- Australian Synchrotron, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, Forschungsstrasse 111, Villigen-PSI, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Jack Binns
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Calum J Drummond
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Connie Darmanin
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, School of Computing Engineering and Mathematical Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia.
| | - Tamar L Greaves
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
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Farrelly MD, Zhai J, Tiong AYJ, van 't Hag L, Yu HH, Li J, Martin LL, Thang SH. Membrane interaction and selectivity of novel alternating cationic lipid-nanodisc assembling polymers. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:5955-5969. [PMID: 37477383 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm00477e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic polymer nanodiscs are self-assembled structures formed from amphipathic copolymers encapsulating membrane proteins and surrounding phospholipids into water soluble discs. These nanostructures have served as an analytical tool for the detergent free solubilisation and structural study of membrane proteins (MPs) in their native lipid environment. We established the polymer-lipid nanodisc forming ability of a novel class of amphipathic copolymer comprised of an alternating sequence of N-alkyl functionalised maleimide (AlkylM) of systematically varied hydrocarbon chain length, and cationic N-methyl-4-vinyl pyridinium iodide (MVP). Using a combination of physicochemical techniques, the solubilisation efficiency, size, structure and shape of DMPC lipid containing poly(MVP-co-AlkylM) nanodiscs were determined. Lipid solubilisation increased with AlkylM hydrocarbon chain length from methyl (MM), ethyl (EtM), n-propyl (PM), iso-butyl (IBM) through to n-butyl (BM) maleimide bearing polymers. More hydrophobic derivatives formed smaller sized nanodiscs and lipid ordering within poly(MVP-co-AlkylM) nanodiscs was affected by nanodisc size. In dye-release assays, shorter N-alkyl substituted polymers, particularly poly(MVP-co-EtM), exhibited low activities against eukaryotic mimetic POPC membrane and increased their liposome disruption as POPC : POPG membrane mixtures increased in their anionic POPG component, resembling the charge profile of bacterial membranes. These trends in membrane selectivity were transferred towards native cell systems in which gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Acenobacter baumannii bacterial strains were relatively susceptible to disruption by hydrophobic n-butyl- and n-propyl-poly(MVP-co-AlkylM) derivatives compared to human red blood cells (HRBCs), with a more pronounced selectivity resulting from poly(MVP-co-PM). Such selective membrane interaction by less hydrophobic polymers provides a framework for polymer design towards applications including selective membrane component solubilisation, biosensing and antimicrobial development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiali Zhai
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Alice Y J Tiong
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Leonie van 't Hag
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Heidi H Yu
- Infection Program and Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Jian Li
- Infection Program and Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Lisandra L Martin
- School of Chemistry, Monash University Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - San H Thang
- School of Chemistry, Monash University Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
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Han Q, El Mohamad M, Brown S, Zhai J, Rosado CJ, Shen Y, Blanch EW, Drummond CJ, Greaves TL. Small angle X-ray scattering investigation of ionic liquid effect on the aggregation behavior of globular proteins. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 648:376-388. [PMID: 37302221 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.05.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Globular proteins are well-folded model proteins, where ions can substantially influence their structure and aggregation. Ionic liquids (ILs) are salts in the liquid state with versatile ion combinations. Understanding the IL effect on protein behavior remains a major challenge. Here, we employed small angle X-ray scattering to investigate the effect of aqueous ILs on the structure and aggregation of globular proteins, namely, hen egg white lysozyme (Lys), human lysozyme (HLys), myoglobin (Mb), β-lactoglobulin (βLg), trypsin (Tryp) and superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP). The ILs contain ammonium-based cations paired with the mesylate, acetate or nitrate anion. Results showed that only Lys was monomeric, whereas the other proteins formed small or large aggregates in buffer. Solutions with over 17 mol% IL resulted in significant changes in the protein structure and aggregation. The Lys structure was expanded at 1 mol% but compact at 17 mol% with structural changes in loop regions. HLys formed small aggregates, with the IL effect similar to Lys. Mb and βLg mostly had distinct monomer and dimer distributions depending on IL type and IL concentration. Complex aggregation was noted for Tryp and sfGFP. While the anion had the largest ion effect, changing the cation also induced the structural expansion and protein aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Han
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Mohamad El Mohamad
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Stuart Brown
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Jiali Zhai
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Carlos J Rosado
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Biochemistry, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Yi Shen
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; The University of Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ewan W Blanch
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Calum J Drummond
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Tamar L Greaves
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
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Biological activity, solvation properties and microstructuring of protic imidazolium ionic liquids. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.120450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Himani, Pratap Singh Raman A, Babu Singh M, Jain P, Chaudhary P, Bahadur I, Lal K, Kumar V, Singh P. An Update on Synthesis, Properties, Applications and Toxicity of the ILs. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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10
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Protic Ionic Liquid Cation Alkyl Chain Length Effect on Lysozyme Structure. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27030984. [PMID: 35164252 PMCID: PMC8839406 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Solvents that stabilize protein structures can improve and expand their biochemical applications, particularly with the growing interest in biocatalytic-based processes. Aiming to select novel solvents for protein stabilization, we explored the effect of alkylammonium nitrate protic ionic liquids (PILs)-water mixtures with increasing cation alkyl chain length on lysozyme conformational stability. Four PILs were studied, that is, ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), butylammonium nitrate (BAN), hexylammonium nitrate (HAN), and octylammonium nitrate (OAN). The surface tension, viscosity, and density of PIL-water mixtures at low to high concentrations were firstly determined, which showed that an increasing cation alkyl chain length caused a decrease in the surface tension and density as well as an increase in viscosity for all PIL solutions. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to investigate the liquid nanostructure of the PIL solutions, as well as the overall size, conformational flexibility and changes to lysozyme structure. The concentrated PILs with longer alkyl chain lengths, i.e., over 10 mol% butyl-, 5 mol% hexyl- and 1 mol% octylammonium cations, possessed liquid nanostructures. This detrimentally interfered with solvent subtraction, and the more structured PIL solutions prevented quantitative SAXS analysis of lysozyme structure. The radius of gyration (Rg) of lysozyme in the less structured aqueous PIL solutions showed little change with up to 10 mol% of PIL. Kratky plots, SREFLEX models, and FTIR data showed that the protein conformation was maintained at a low PIL concentration of 1 mol% and lower when compared with the buffer solution. However, 50 mol% EAN and 5 mol% HAN significantly increased the Rg of lysozyme, indicating unfolding and aggregation of lysozyme. The hydrophobic interaction and liquid nanostructure resulting from the increased cation alkyl chain length in HAN likely becomes critical. The impact of HAN and OAN, particularly at high concentrations, on lysozyme structure was further revealed by FTIR. This work highlights the negative effect of a long alkyl chain length and high concentration of PILs on lysozyme structural stability.
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