1
|
Pasenkiewicz-Gierula M, Hryc J, Markiewicz M. Dynamic and Energetic Aspects of Carotenoids In-and-Around Model Lipid Membranes Revealed in Molecular Modelling. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8217. [PMID: 39125791 PMCID: PMC11312187 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158217] [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: 06/23/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In contrast to plants, humans are unable to synthesise carotenoids and have to obtain them from diet. Carotenoids fulfil several crucial biological functions in the organism; however, due to poor solubility in water, their bioavailability from plant-based food is low. The processes of carotenoid absorption and availability in the human body have been intensively studied. The recent experimental findings concerning these processes are briefly presented in the introductory part of this review, together with a summary of such topics as carotenoid carriers, body transport and tissue delivery, to finally report on molecular-level studies of carotenoid binding by membrane receptors. The main message of the review is contained in the section describing computational investigations of carotenoid intercalation and dynamic behaviour in lipid bilayers. The relevance of these computational studies lies in showing the direct link between the microscopic behaviour of molecules and the characteristics of their macroscopic ensembles. Furthermore, studying the interactions between carotenoids and lipid bilayers, and certainly proteins, on the molecular- and atomic-level using computational methods facilitates the interpretation and explanation of their macroscopic properties and, hopefully, helps to better understand the biological functions of carotenoids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Pasenkiewicz-Gierula
- Department of Computational Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (J.H.); (M.M.)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Andreazzoli M, Longoni B, Angeloni D, Demontis GC. Retinoid Synthesis Regulation by Retinal Cells in Health and Disease. Cells 2024; 13:871. [PMID: 38786093 PMCID: PMC11120330 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100871] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Vision starts in retinal photoreceptors when specialized proteins (opsins) sense photons via their covalently bonded vitamin A derivative 11cis retinaldehyde (11cis-RAL). The reaction of non-enzymatic aldehydes with amino groups lacks specificity, and the reaction products may trigger cell damage. However, the reduced synthesis of 11cis-RAL results in photoreceptor demise and suggests the need for careful control over 11cis-RAL handling by retinal cells. This perspective focuses on retinoid(s) synthesis, their control in the adult retina, and their role during retina development. It also explores the potential importance of 9cis vitamin A derivatives in regulating retinoid synthesis and their impact on photoreceptor development and survival. Additionally, recent advancements suggesting the pivotal nature of retinoid synthesis regulation for cone cell viability are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Biancamaria Longoni
- Department of Translational Medicine and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Debora Angeloni
- The Institute of Biorobotics, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Welc-Stanowska R, Pietras R, Mielecki B, Sarewicz M, Luchowski R, Widomska J, Grudzinski W, Osyczka A, Gruszecki WI. How Do Xanthophylls Protect Lipid Membranes from Oxidative Damage? J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:7440-7444. [PMID: 37578906 PMCID: PMC10461299 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Here, we address the problem of the antioxidant activity of carotenoids in biomembranes. The activity of lutein and zeaxanthin in the quenching of singlet oxygen generated by photosensitization was monitored in lipid vesicles using a singlet oxygen-sensitive fluorescent probe and with the application of fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. The antioxidant activity of xanthophylls was interpreted on the basis of electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry results showing that xanthophylls constitute a barrier to the penetration of molecular oxygen into lipid membranes: to a greater extent in the 13-cis configuration than in all-trans. These results are discussed in relation to the trans-cis photoisomerization of xanthophylls observed in the human retina. It can be concluded that photoisomerization of xanthophylls is a regulatory mechanism that is important for both the modulation of light filtration through the macula and photoprotection by quenching singlet oxygen and creating a barrier to oxygen permeation to membranes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renata Welc-Stanowska
- Department
of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria
Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
- Institute
of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 20-290 Lublin, Poland
| | - Rafal Pietras
- Department
of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Bohun Mielecki
- Department
of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
- Doctoral
School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian
University, Prof. Stanisława
Łojasiewicza Street 11, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marcin Sarewicz
- Department
of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Rafal Luchowski
- Department
of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria
Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Justyna Widomska
- Department
of Biophysics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Wojciech Grudzinski
- Department
of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria
Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Artur Osyczka
- Department
of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Wieslaw I. Gruszecki
- Department
of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria
Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Widomska J, Subczynski WK, Welc-Stanowska R, Luchowski R. An Overview of Lutein in the Lipid Membrane. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12948. [PMID: 37629129 PMCID: PMC10454802 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin (a steroisomer of zeaxanthin) are macular pigments. They modify the physical properties of the lipid bilayers in a manner similar to cholesterol. It is not clear if these pigments are directly present in the lipid phase of the membranes, or if they form complexes with specific membrane proteins that retain them in high amounts in the correct place in the retina. The high content of macular pigments in the Henle fiber layer indicates that a portion of the lutein and zeaxanthin should not only be bound to the specific proteins but also directly dissolved in the lipid membranes. This high concentration in the prereceptoral region of the retina is effective for blue-light filtration. Understanding the basic mechanisms of these actions is necessary to better understand the carotenoid-membrane interaction and how carotenoids affect membrane physical properties-such as fluidity, polarity, and order-in relation to membrane structure and membrane dynamics. This review focuses on the properties of lutein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Widomska
- Department of Biophysics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Witold K. Subczynski
- Department of Biophysics, Medical College on Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA;
| | | | - Rafal Luchowski
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Grudzinski W, Luchowski R, Ostrowski J, Sęk A, Mendes Pinto MM, Welc-Stanowska R, Zubik-Duda M, Teresiński G, Rejdak R, Gruszecki WI. Physiological Significance of the Heterogeneous Distribution of Zeaxanthin and Lutein in the Retina of the Human Eye. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10702. [PMID: 37445880 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Zeaxanthin and lutein are xanthophyll pigments present in the human retina and particularly concentrated in its center referred to as the yellow spot (macula lutea). The fact that zeaxanthin, including its isomer meso-zeaxanthin, is concentrated in the central part of the retina, in contrast to lutein also present in the peripheral regions, raises questions about the possible physiological significance of such a heterogeneous distribution of macular xanthophylls. Here, we attempt to address this problem using resonance Raman spectroscopy and confocal imaging, with different laser lines selected to effectively distinguish the spectral contribution of lutein and zeaxanthin. Additionally, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is used to solve the problem of xanthophyll localization in the axon membranes. The obtained results allow us to conclude that one of the key advantages of a particularly high concentration of zeaxanthin in the central part of the retina is the high efficiency of this pigment in the dynamic filtration of light with excessive intensity, potentially harmful for the photoreceptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Grudzinski
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Rafal Luchowski
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jan Ostrowski
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Alicja Sęk
- The National Institute of Horticultural Research, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland
| | - Maria Manuela Mendes Pinto
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Monika Zubik-Duda
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Teresiński
- Chair of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Robert Rejdak
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Wieslaw I Gruszecki
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Polyunsaturated Lipids in the Light-Exposed and Prooxidant Retinal Environment. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12030617. [PMID: 36978865 PMCID: PMC10044808 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12030617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina is an oxidative stress-prone tissue due to high content of polyunsaturated lipids, exposure to visible light stimuli in the 400–480 nm range, and high oxygen availability provided by choroidal capillaries to support oxidative metabolism. Indeed, lipids’ peroxidation and their conversion into reactive species promoting inflammation have been reported and connected to retinal degenerations. Here, we review recent evidence showing how retinal polyunsaturated lipids, in addition to oxidative stress and damage, may counteract the inflammatory response triggered by blue light-activated carotenoid derivatives, enabling long-term retina operation despite its prooxidant environment. These two aspects of retinal polyunsaturated lipids require tight control over their synthesis to avoid overcoming their protective actions by an increase in lipid peroxidation due to oxidative stress. We review emerging evidence on different transcriptional control mechanisms operating in retinal cells to modulate polyunsaturated lipid synthesis over the life span, from the immature to the ageing retina. Finally, we discuss the antioxidant role of food nutrients such as xanthophylls and carotenoids that have been shown to empower retinal cells’ antioxidant responses and counteract the adverse impact of prooxidant stimuli on sight.
Collapse
|
7
|
Darijani M, Shahraki M, Mostafa Habibi-Khorassani S. Theoretical study on the mechanism and kinetics of the formation β-carotene epoxides from the oxidative degradation of β-carotene. Food Chem 2022; 389:133082. [PMID: 35489266 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Some factors such as oxidation can significantly affect the level of β-carotene after processing and during the storage of foods. Oxidative degradation of β-carotene with the active forms of oxygen produces β-carotene 5,6 and 5,8-epoxides. Two mechanisms involving a direct attack on the double bonds of the β-carotene by 1O2 (a neutral mechanism) and 3O2 (a radical mechanism) oxygen have been proposed and considered kinetically and thermodynamically by the density functional theory method. It concluded that due to the smaller energy barrier in the first step, the neutral mechanism with 1O2 is a more desirable path than the diradical mechanism with 3O2 and this was in complete agreement with the experimental reality of more reactivity of 1O2. The energy barriers of the stepwise manner in the intersystem crossing pathway showed a more favorable pathway in the neutral mechanism. The deviation of spin contamination values was ignorable in the diradical mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahdieh Darijani
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, P .O. Box 98135-674, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Mehdi Shahraki
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, P .O. Box 98135-674, Zahedan, Iran.
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Makuch K, Hryc J, Markiewicz M, Pasenkiewicz-Gierula M. Lutein and Zeaxanthin in the Lipid Bilayer-Similarities and Differences Revealed by Computational Studies. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:768449. [PMID: 34765645 PMCID: PMC8575744 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.768449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lutein and zeaxanthin are two similar carotenoids of the xanthophyll subgroup. Carotenoids are synthesized almost entirely by plants but are also present in significant amounts in animals. They are essential components of the lipid matrix of biomembranes, and one of their functions is to protect cells from light radiation, free radicals and oxidative stress. Carotenoids, depending on their chemical structure, can locate at various positions and in different orientations in the bilayer. Xanthophylls (XAN) are polar and in the bilayer are positionally restricted. In the case of lutein and zeaxanthin, whose both ionone rings are hydroxy-substituted and as such are anchored in the lipid bilayer interfaces, the position is generally transmembrane. However, both experimental and computer modelling studies indicate that lutein can also locate horizontally below the bilayer interface. This location has never been observed for zeaxanthin. To find a molecular-level explanation for the difference in the orientations of the XAN molecules in the bilayer, a number of phosphatidylcholine-XAN bilayers were constructed and molecular dynamics (MD) simulated for 1.1 µs each. The all-trans XAN molecules were initially placed either parallel or perpendicular to the bilayer surface. With the exception of one lutein, the horizontally placed molecules adopted the transmembrane orientation within 100-600 ns. On the basis of detailed analyses of the XAN orientations and the numbers and lifetimes of their interactions in the bilayer, a plausible explanation is offered as to why a lutein molecule may remain in the horizontal orientation while zeaxanthin does not. Contrary to common believe, lutein horizontal orientation is not related to the ε-ring rotation around the C6'-C7' bond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marta Pasenkiewicz-Gierula
- Department of Computational Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|