An Investigation on the Analytical Potential of Polymerized Liposomes Bound to Lanthanide Ions for Protein Analysis

Detection of inorganic phosphor in environmental water samples using a lanthanide and nanoparticle chemosensor based on Fӧrster resonance energy transfer

A novel chemosensor is presented for the detection of inorganic phosphate (Pi) in environmental water samples. The sensing solution is comprised of terbium (Tb³⁺) chelated to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) acid and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-capped gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). Upon mixing, Tb-EDTA and Au NPs undergo Fӧrster resonance energy transfer (FRET) in which the luminescence from the lanthanide ion is quenched. Upon the addition of Pi, Au NPs aggregate and precipitate out of solution. The aggregation of Au NPs results in the restoration of the Tb-EDTA luminescence signal, which correlates linearly to the Pi concentration in the matrix of analysis. The limit of detection (LOD) of the luminescence sensor (83 ng·mL^-1) is within the range of LODs previously reported for on-site monitoring of Pi. Quantitative analysis carried out via the multiple standard additions method provides accurate determination of Pi concentrations in heavily contaminated environmental waters.

Self-assembly of Terbium(III)-based metal-organic complexes with two-photon absorbing active

Hybrid complexes based on D-π-A type dyes p-aminostyryl-pyridinum and Terbium(III) complex anion (1, 2) have been synthesized by ionic exchange reaction. Meanwhile two different alkyl-substituted amino groups were used as electron donors in organic dyes cations. The synthesized complexes were characterized by element analysis. In addition, the structural features of them were systematic studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Their linear properties have been systematically investigated by absorption spectra and fluorescence, the results show that the energy transfer takes place from the trans-4-[4'-(N,N-diethylamino)styryl]-N-methyl pyridinium (2') cation to Tb(III). In addition, complex 2 exhibit a large two-photon absorption coefficient β: 0.044cm/GW at 710nm.

Freeze-drying of aqueous solutions of deep eutectic solvents: a suitable approach to deep eutectic suspensions of self-assembled structures

This work describes how the preparation of deep eutectic solvents (DES) in its pure state can be accomplished through a simple approach based on the freeze-drying of aqueous solutions of the individual counterparts of DES. DES in its pure state obtained via freeze-drying are studied by (1)H NMR, which reveals the formation of halide ion-hydrogen-bond-donor supramolecular complexes (characteristic of DES), and by cryo-etch-SEM, which provides insight about the capability of aqueous solutions of DES to be segregated in DES and ice upon freezing. The paper also explores the suitability of the freeze-drying approach to incorporate organic self-assemblies (in particular, liposomes of ca. 200 nm) in DES with full preservation of their self-assembled structure. This is not a trivial issue given that amphiphilic molecules tend to be readily dissolved (hence, disassembled) in DES. The strategy proposed in this work is based on the freeze-drying of aqueous solutions containing the individual counterparts of DES and the preformed liposomes (also known as large unilamellar vesicles or LUV). The simplicity of the method should also make it suitable for the incorporation of different self-assembled structures (such other types of vesicles and micelles) in DES in its pure state.

Spectroscopic analysis of ligand binding to lanthanide-macrocycle platforms

A high-affinity, binary Eu(3+) receptor site consisting of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-diacetate (DO2A) was constructed with the goal of improving the detection of dipicolinic acid (DPA), a major component of bacterial spores. Ternary Eu(DO2A)(DPA)(-) complex solutions (1.0 microM crystallographically characterized TBA x Eu(DO2A)(DPA)) were titrated with EuCl3 (1.0 nM-1.0 mM); increased Eu(3+) concentration resulted in a shift in equilibrium population from Eu(DO2A)(DPA)(-) to Eu(DO2A)(+) and Eu(DPA)(+), which was monitored via the ligand field sensitive (5)D0 --> (7)F3 transition (lambda(em) = 670-700 nm) using luminescence spectroscopy. A best fit of luminescence intensity titration data to a two-state thermodynamic model yielded the competition equilibrium constant (Kc), which in conjunction with independent measurement of the Eu(DPA)(+) formation constant (Ka) allowed calculation of the ternary complex formation constant (Ka'). With this binding affinity by competition (BAC) assay, we determined that Ka' = 10(8.21) M(-1), which is approximately 1 order of magnitude greater than the formation of Eu(DPA)(+). In general, the BAC assay can be employed to determine ligand binding constants of systems where the lanthanide platform (usually a binary complex) is stable and the ligand bound versus unbound states can be spectroscopically distinguished.

Colloidal nanoparticles of a europium complex with enhanced luminescent properties

We report an alternative approach, that is, forming Eu(tta)3dpbt (dpbt = 2-( N, N-diethylanilin-4-yl)-4,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine, tta = thenoyltrifluoroacetonato) nanoparticles in water/methanol mixtures, to satisfy the combined requirements of good dispersibility in water solutions and efficient long-wavelength sensitization for Eu (III) complexes to be used in biological applications. The size of Eu(tta)3dpbt colloidal particles with very high luminescent capabilities can be modulated to some extent by changing the preparation conditions. The optical excitation window for the Eu (III) luminescence of Eu(tta)3dpbt nanoparticles, extending up to 475 nm, is wider than that of Eu(tta)3dpbt molecules dissolved in toluene. This is the first example for obviously extending the sensitization window of luminescent lanthanide materials to the long-wavelength region by forming nanoparticles of a lanthanide complex. Quantum yields of Eu (III) luminescence of the prepared Eu(tta)3dpbt colloidal particles, with an average diameter of 33.1 nm, are 0.27, 0.27, 0.24, 0.19, 0.14, and 0.01 upon excitation at 402, 420, 430, 440, 450, and 475 nm, respectively. The Eu(tta)3dpbt nanoparticles exhibited excellent two-photon sensitization performance with a highest delta Phi value of 3.2 x 10(5) GM (1 GM = 10(-50) cm4 s photo(-1) particle(-1)) at the excitation wavelength of 832 nm, which is about 7 times higher than the highest value reported for the CdSe/ZnS core-shell quantum dots. The favorable luminescent properties and the good dispersibility in water solutions of the Eu(tta)3dpbt nanoparticles are very promising for the development of new luminescent nanoprobes for bioanalysis.

Cellular internalization and in vivo tracking of thermosensitive luminescent micelles based on luminescent lanthanide chelate

An amphiphilic tris(dibenzoylmethanato)europium(III) (Eu(DBM)(3)) coordinated P(MMA-co-EIPPMMA)-co-P(NIPAAm-co-NDAPM) copolymer was synthesized, which exhibited good biocompatibility and emitted strong red luminescence (MMA, methyl methacrylate; EIPPMMA, 4-(1-ethyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthrolin-2-yl)phenyl methacrylate; NIPAAm, N-isopropylacrylamide; NDAPM, (N-(3-dimethylamino)propyl)methacrylamide). The copolymer could self-assemble into micelles of size around 260 nm, and the micelles were thermosensitive at around body temperature. The drug-loaded micelles showed thermosensitive controlled drug release, and the paclitaxel loaded micelles were capable of being internalized into the tumor cells (A549) and exhibited obvious inhibition to the growth of A549 cells. Importantly, in vivo study showed the self-assembled micelles of Eu(DBM)(3) coordinated P(MMA-co-EIPPMMA)-co-P(NIPAAm-co-NDAPM) copolymer uptaken by the larvae of zebrafish could be easily tracked and be eliminated from the body within several days.

Artificial neural networks for qualitative and quantitative analysis of target proteins with polymerized liposome vesicles

We investigate the feasibility of using the luminescence response of polymerized liposomes incorporating ethylenediaminetetraacetate europium(III) (EDTA-Eu(3+)) for monitoring protein concentrations in aqueous media. Quantitative analysis is based on the linear relationship between the luminescence enhancement of the lanthanide ion and protein concentration. Analytical figures of merit are presented for carbonic anhydrase, human serum albumin, gamma-globulins, and thermolysin. Qualitative analysis is based on the luminescence lifetime of the liposome sensor. This parameter, which follows well-behaved single exponential decays and provides characteristic values for each of the four studied proteins, demonstrates the selective potential for protein identification. Then partial least squares-1 and artificial neural networks are compared toward the quantitative and qualitative analysis of human serum albumin and carbonic anhydrase in binary mixtures without previous separation at the concentration levels found in aqueous humor.

Arginine- and lysine-specific polymers for protein recognition and immobilization

Free radical polymerization of methacrylamide-based bisphosphonates turns weak arginine binders into powerful polymeric protein receptors. Dansyl-labeled homo- and copolymers with excellent water solubility are accessible through a simple copolymerization protocol. Modeling studies point to a striking structural difference between the stiff rodlike densely packed homopolymer 1 and the flexible copolymer 2 with spatially separated bisphosphonate units. Fluorescence titrations in buffered aqueous solution (pH = 7.0) confirm the superior affinity of the homopolymer toward oligoarginine peptides reaching nanomolar K(D) values for the Tat peptide. Basic proteins are bound almost equally well by 1 and 2 with micromolar affinities, with the latter producing much more soluble complexes. The Arg selectivity of the monomer is transferred to the polymer, which binds Arg-rich proteins 1 order of magnitude tighter than lysine-rich pendants of comparable pI, size, and (Arg/Lys vs Glu/Asp) ratio. Noncovalent deposition of both polymers on glass substrates via polyethyleneimine layers results in new materials suitable for peptide and protein immobilization. RIfS measurements allow calculation of association constants K(a) as well as dissociation kinetics k(D). They generally confirm the trends already found in free solution. Close inspection of electrostatic potential surfaces suggest that basic domains favor protein binding on the flat surface. The high specificity of the bisphosphonate polymers toward basic proteins is demonstrated by comparison with polyvinyl sulfate, which has almost no effect in RIfS experiments. Thus, copolymerization of few different comonomer units without cross-linking enables surface recognition of basic proteins in free solution as well as their effective immobilization on surfaces.

Solid-Supported Synthesis of Polymerizable Lanthanide-Ion Chelating Lipids for Protein Detection

Usually, lipids are synthesized employing solution-phase organic synthesis techniques. Though successful, the purifications can be difficult to accomplish due to the amphiphilic nature of the molecules. Herein, we demonstrate the advantages of a solid-phase approach for preparing a variety of metal-chelating lipids. A number of saturated and polymerizable metal-chelating lipids were prepared using this methodology. This approach requires one chromatographic purification after cleaving the lipids from the solid support. We also demonstrate that the resulting polymerized liposomes (containing Eu3+) possess the appropriate luminescence properties for the qualitative and quantitative determination of proteins.