Pulse radiolysis studies on histones and serum albumin under different ionic conditions

Influence of Ionizing Radiation on Spontaneously Formed Aggregates in Proteins or Enzymes Solutions

We have shown that many proteins and enzymes (ovalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, lysozyme, insulin, histone, papain) undergo concentration-dependent reversible aggregation as a result of the interaction of the studied biomolecules. Moreover, irradiation of those protein or enzyme solutions under oxidative stress conditions results in the formation of stable soluble protein aggregates. We assume that protein dimers are mainly formed. A pulse radiolysis study has been made to investigate the early stages of protein oxidation by N3• or ^•OH radicals. Reactions of the N3• radical with the studied proteins lead to the generation of aggregates stabilized by covalent bonds between tyrosine residues. The high reactivity of the ^•OH with amino acids contained within proteins is responsible for the formation of various covalent bonds (including C-C or C-O-C) between adjacent protein molecules. In the analysis of the formation of protein aggregates, intramolecular electron transfer from the tyrosine moiety to Trp^• radical should be taken into account. Steady-state spectroscopic measurements with a detection of emission and absorbance, together with measurements of the dynamic scattering of laser light, made it possible to characterize the obtained aggregates. The identification of protein nanostructures generated by ionizing radiation using spectroscopic methods is difficult due to the spontaneous formation of protein aggregates before irradiation. The commonly used fluorescence detection of dityrosyl cross-linking (DT) as a marker of protein modification under the influence of ionizing radiation requires modification in the case of the tested objects. A precise photochemical lifetime measurement of the excited states of radiation-generated aggregates is useful in characterizing their structure. Resonance light scattering (RLS) has proven to be an extremely sensitive and useful technique to detect protein aggregates.

Spontaneous and Ionizing Radiation-Induced Aggregation of Human Serum Albumin: Dityrosine as a Fluorescent Probe

The use of spectroscopic techniques has shown that human serum albumin (HSA) undergoes reversible self-aggregation through protein−protein interactions. It ensures the subsequent overlapping of electron clouds along with the stiffening of the conformation of the interpenetrating network of amino acids of adjacent HSA molecules. The HSA oxidation process related to the transfer of one electron was investigated by pulse radiolysis and photochemical methods. It has been shown that the irradiation of HSA solutions under oxidative stress conditions results in the formation of stable protein aggregates. The HSA aggregates induced by ionizing radiation are characterized by specific fluorescence compared to the emission of non-irradiated solutions. We assume that HSA dimers are mainly responsible for the new emission. Dityrosine produced by the intermolecular recombination of protein tyrosine radicals as a result of radiolysis of an aqueous solution of the protein is the main cause of HSA aggregation by cross-linking. Analysis of the oxidation process of HSA confirmed that the reaction of mild oxidants (Br2•−, N3•, SO4•−) with albumin leads to the formation of covalent bonds between tyrosine residues. In the case of •OH radicals and partly, Cl2•−, species other than DT are formed. The light emission of this species is similar to the emission of self-associated HSA.

Flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis studies on elastin hydrolysates

The formation of reactive species and free radicals in water soluble elastin hydrolysates have been investigated by pulse radiolysis and flash photolysis. Elastin hydrolysates were obtained by hydrolysis of elastin extracted from aorta. An investigation of the photochemical properties of elastin hydrolysates in water was carried out using nanosecond laser irradiation. The transient spectra of elastin hydrolysates solution excited at 266 nm showed two bands. One of them with maximum at 295 nm and the second one with maximum at 400 nm. The reactions of hydrated electrons and ˙OH radicals with elastin have been studied by pulse radiolysis. In the absorption spectra of products resulting from the reaction of elastin with e(aq)(-) small maximum absorption in UV and visible light was observed. In the absorption spectra of products resulting from the reaction of the hydroxyl radicals with elastin two bands were observed. The first one at 320 nm and the second one at 410 nm. Reaction of OH radicals with elastin hydrolysates lead to formation of Tyr phenoxyl radicals with absorption at 410 nm. The influence of the addition of sodium azide NaN3 on the formation of the transients was evaluated.

Inactivation of chosen dehydrogenases by the products of water radiolysis and secondary albumin and haemoglobin radicals

PURPOSE

Inactivation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) by products of water radiolysis and by secondary radicals localized on haemoglobin (Hb) and human albumin (HSA) was studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Aqueous solutions of ADH, GAPDH and LDH were irradiated under air and under nitrous oxide (N2O) in the absence and in the presence of Hb or HSA. In order to determine the effectiveness of inactivation of the enzymes by radicals localized on Hb and HSA, the inactivation efficiency determined experimentally was compared with that calculated under assumption that only hydroxyl radicals are responsible for the enzyme inactivation.

RESULTS

In the absence of other proteins, under air, GAPDH showed the highest radiation sensitivity, followed by ADH and LDH. The sequence was reverse under anaerobic atmosphere. Oxygen increased considerably the inactivation of GAPDH and ADH. Secondary albumin and haemoglobin radicals brought about considerable inactivation of GAPGH and ADH. Albumin radicals (HSA) generated under N2O inactivated GAPDH and ADH more effectively than haemoglobin radicals (Hb). Under air, however, inactivation of GAPDH and ADH by haemoglobin peroxyl radicals was higher than by albumin peroxyl radicals. LDH was resistant to inactivation by haemoglobin and albumin radicals, and peroxides of these proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

In the light of these results and literature data, the observed differences in the effectiveness of inactivation of the dehydrogenases studied by secondary protein radicals depend on the amino acid residues present at the active site and in its close neighborhood and on the number of amino acid residues available on the protein surface.

Flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis studies on collagen Type I in acetic acid solution

An investigation of the photochemical properties of collagen Type I in acetic acid solution was carried out using nanosecond laser irradiation. The transient spectra of collagen solution excited at 266 nm show two bands. One of them with maximum at 295 nm and the second one with maximum at 400 nm. The peak at 400 nm is assigned to tyrosyl radicals. The first peak of the transient absorption spectra at 295 nm is probably due to photoionisation producing collagen radical cation. The transient for collagen solution in acetic acid at 640 nm was not observed. It is evidence that there is no hydrated electron in the irradiated collagen solution. The reactions of hydrated electrons and (*)OH radicals with collagen have been studied by pulse radiolysis. In the absorption spectra of products resulting from the reaction of collagen with e(aq)(-) no characteristic maximum absorption in UV and visible light region has been observed. In the absorption spectra of products resulting from the reaction of the hydroxyl radicals with collagen two bands have been observed. The first one at 320 nm and the second one at 405 nm. Reaction of (*)OH radicals with tyrosine residues in collagen chains gives rise to Tyr phenoxyl radicals (absorption at 400 nm).