Potential protein toxicity of synthetic pigments: binding of poncean S to human serum albumin

Evaluation Study on Extraction of Anthocyanins from Red Cabbage Using High Pressure CO2 + H2O: A Fuzzy Logic Model and Metabolomic Analysis

In this work, a fuzzy logic model was developed to elucidate the extraction performance of high-pressure CO2 + H2O compared with traditional H2O extraction and aqueous ethanol extraction. The high-pressure CO2 + H2O group acquired the highest comprehensive score considering yield, quality and stability. Both targeted and untargeted metabolomics results proved that the polarity of water was slightly modified; in particular, with the evidence from the untargeted metabolomics data, a higher proportion of water-insoluble compounds (2-methylindole, 3-formylindole, guanine, tyrosine and tryptophan) obtained by high-pressure CO2 + H2O extraction compared with traditional H2O extraction has been reported for the first time. Finally, the “3I” extraction mechanism of high-pressure CO2 + H2O is proposed, which offers an improvement in the solid–liquid mass transfer efficiency of phytochemicals, improving the polarity of solution and the isolation of O2.

Novel remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from contaminated groundwater using Cannabis Sativa L. (hemp) protein powder

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of environmentally persistent, man-made chemicals used in many industrial products and everyday consumer items. Of the plant proteins trialled, those of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) were found to be far superior for PFAS removal than the next best protein, soy. The use of hemp plant proteins as a possible pump-and-treat solution to PFAS remediation from groundwater has been successfully demonstrated with very good removals (>98%) of the main contaminants of PFOS and PFHxS in approximately 1 h of contact time, with salinity enhancing removal of short chain PFAS. Changes to the secondary structure of hemp proteins was found using FTIR spectroscopy analysis and calculated based on the integrated areas of the amide I component bands. The amount of β-turns increased from ∼9.3% (control) to 44.1% (undiluted groundwater); with a decrease in random coils (25.6-8.6%); α-helix (19.3-8.6%) and β-sheets (38.8-23.1%). These changes indicate that hemp proteins partially unfold during the reaction with PFAS with other FTIR evidence suggesting sorption at hydrophobic sites of the protein as well as with the side chains of the amino acids aspartic and glutamic acid. The absence of these side chains in soy protein, as evidenced from FTIR and amino acid analysis, being part of the reason why soy removed less (approx. half) of the Σ(PFHxS + PFOS) load when compared to hemp. The findings reported here will lead to new, environmentally friendly methods for PFAS remediation.

Highly sensitive determination of Cu(II) iron in ng/mL level in natural waters using Sulfochlorophenol S

The highly sensitive complexation of Cu(II) with Sulfochlorophenol S (SCPS) at pH 4.03 was characterized by the spectral correction technique. This reaction was used to determine the Cu(II) content in various sources by the light-absorption ratio variation approach (LARVA). The limit of detection of Cu(II) was only 1.35 ng/mL, thus facilitating the direct monitoring of natural water. The Cu(II) contents in the Huangpu River, Yangtze River, and Taihu Lake of China were determined with satisfactory results, and the recovery rates of Cu(II) using SCPS were between 94.5 and 102.6 %.

Insights into in vitro binding of parecoxib to human serum albumin by spectroscopic methods

Herein, we report the effect of parecoxib on the structure and function of human serum albumin (HSA) by using fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), three-dimensional (3D) fluorescence spectroscopy, and molecular docking techniques. The Stern-Volmer quenching constants K(SV) and the corresponding thermodynamic parameters ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS have been estimated by the fluorescence quenching method. The results indicated that parecoxib binds spontaneously with HSA through van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds with binding constant of 3.45 × 10(4) M(-1) at 298 K. It can be seen from far-UV CD spectra that the α-helical network of HSA is disrupted and its content decreases from 60.5% to 49.6% at drug:protein = 10:1. Protein tertiary structural alterations induced by parecoxib were also confirmed by FTIR and 3D fluorescence spectroscopy. The molecular docking study indicated that parecoxib is embedded into the hydrophobic pocket of HSA.

Characterization of mercury-containing protein in human plasma

Characterization of mercury binding protein in the human body is very important for understanding the metabolism and the mechanism of toxication of ingested mercuric compounds. In this study, mercury-containing protein in human plasma was separated by on-line heart-cutting two-dimensional high performance liquid chromatography (2D-HPLC). This 2D separation system used size exclusion liquid chromatography (SEC) followed by weak anion exchange liquid chromatography (WAX) and the two LC parts were coupled by a six-port valve equipped with a storage loop and controled by the computer. The WAX effluent was determined by both UV detection and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to locate the mercury-containing protein. A unique mercury-containing protein fraction was obtained by 2D-HPLC separation and subsequently identified by HPLC coupled with linear ion trap-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (HPLC-LTQ-FT). The database search confirmed that the mercury-containing protein in the human plasma is human serum albumin (HSA). The stoichiometry and thermodyamics interaction of inorganic mercury (Hg(2+)) with HSA was studied by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and two binding types were observed. Mercury-containing protein in human plasma was separated and identified in the present study and it is important for understanding the metabolism of mercury in the human body.

Interaction of pyrrolizine derivatives with bovine serum albumin by fluorescence and UV-Vis spectroscopy

The interaction between pyrrolizine derivatives (PD) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) under imitated physiological conditions was analyzed by fluorescence and ultraviolet spectra. The experiments were conducted at three different temperatures (302, 306 and 310 K) and the results showed that PD caused the fluorescence quenching of BSA through a combined quenching procedure. The binding constant (K(a)), binding-site number (n) between PD and BSA at different temperatures were obtained. According to Förster non-radiation energy transfer theory, the binding distance (r) between BSA and PD was calculated. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS) were also obtained. The comparison of binding potency of PD and BSA suggested that the substituent on the benzene ring could enhance the binding affinity of PD and BSA. Finally, we investigated the possible sub-domain on BSA where bind PD by displacement experiments.

Potential toxicity of sulfanilamide antibiotic: binding of sulfamethazine to human serum albumin

Antibiotics are widely used in daily life but their abuse has posed a potential threat to human health. The interaction between human serum albumin (HSA) and sulfamethazine (SMZ) was investigated by capillary electrophoresis, fluorescence spectrometry, and circular dichroism. The binding constant and site were determined to be 1.09×10(4) M(-1) and 1.14 at 309.5 K. The thermodynamic determination indicated that the interaction was driven by enthalpy change, where the electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bond were the dominant binding force. The binding distance between SMZ and tryptophan residue of HSA was obtained to be 3.07 nm according to Fǒrster non-radioactive energy transfer theory. The site marker competition revealed that SMZ bound into subdomain IIA of HSA. The binding of SMZ induced the unfolding of the polypeptides of HSA and transferred the secondary conformation of HSA. The equilibrium dialysis showed that only 0.13 mM SMZ decreased vitamin B(2) by 38% transported on the HSA. This work provides a new quantitative evaluation method for antibiotics to cause the protein damage.

Binding of bezafibrate to human serum albumin: insight into the non-covalent interaction of an emerging contaminant with biomacromolecules

In recent years, bezafibrate (BZF) has been frequently detected in environmental media. In order to reveal the toxicity of such an emerging pollutant, its interaction with human serum albumin (HSA) was studied by fluorescence spectrometry, circular dichroism, and equilibrium dialysis. Fluorescence data showed that the fluorescence quenching of HSA by BZF resulted from the formation of HSA-BZF complex. The binding constants were determined to be 3.33 × 10³, 2.84 × 10³ M⁻¹ at 298 and 309.5 K, respectively. The thermodynamic determination indicated that the hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction were the dominant binding force. The conformational investigation showed that the presence of BZF increased the α-helix content of HSA and induced the slight unfolding of the polypeptides of protein. Finally, the equilibrium dialysis showed that 0.56 mM BZF decreased the binding of vitamin B₂ to HSA by 29%.

The regulation of TiO2 nanoparticles on the expression of light-harvesting complex II and photosynthesis of chloroplasts of Arabidopsis thaliana

Recent studies demonstrated that titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) could significantly promote photosynthesis and plant growth, but its mechanism is still unclear. In this article, we studied the mechanism of light absorption and transfer of chloroplasts of Arabidopsis thaliana caused by TiO2 NPs treated. The results showed that TiO2 NPs could induce significant increases of light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) b gene expression and LHCII II content on the thylakoid membrane in A. thaliana, and the increases in LHCII were higher than the non-nano TiO2 (bulk-TiO2) treatment. Meanwhile, spectroscopy assays indicated that TiO2 NPs obviously increased the absorption peak intensity of the chloroplast in red and blue region, the fluorescence quantum yield near 680 nm, the excitation peak intensity near 440 and 480 nm and/or near 650 and 680 nm of the chloroplast. TiO2 NPs treatment could reduce F480/F440 ratio and increase F650/F680 ratio and accelerate the rate of whole chain electron transport and oxygen evolution of the chloroplast. However, the photosynthesis improvement of the non-nanoTiO2 treatment was far less effective than TiO2 NPs treatment. Taken together, TiO2 NPs could promote the light absorption of chloroplast, regulate the distribution of light energy from PS I to PS II by increasing LHCII and accelerate the transformation from light energy to electronic energy, water photolysis, and oxygen evolution.

P38-Nrf-2 signaling pathway of oxidative stress in mice caused by nanoparticulate TiO2

Some recent studies have been previously suggested that nanoparticulate titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) damaged liver function and decreased immunity of mice, but the spleen injury and its oxidative stress mechanism are still unclear. To understand the spleen injury induced by intragastric administration of nanoparticulate anatase TiO(2) for consecutive 30 days, the spleen pathological changes, the oxidative stress, and p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathways, along with nuclear factor-κB and nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2), were investigated as the upstream events of oxidative stress in the mouse spleen from exposure to nanoparticulate TiO(2). The results suggested that nanoparticulate TiO(2) caused congestion and lymph nodule proliferation of spleen tissue, which might exert its toxicity through oxidative stress, as it caused significant increases in the mouse spleen reactive oxygen species accumulations, subsequently leading to the strong lipid peroxidation and the significant expression of heme oxygenase-1 via the p38-Nrf-2 signaling pathway. The studies on the mechanism by which nanoparticulate TiO(2) induced the p38-Nrf-2 signaling pathway are helpful to a better understanding of the nanoparticulate TiO(2)-induced oxidative stress and reduction of immune capacity.

Elimination of endogenous toxin, creatinine from blood plasma depends on albumin conformation: site specific uremic toxicity & impaired drug binding

Uremic syndrome results from malfunctioning of various organ systems due to the retention of uremic toxins which, under normal conditions, would be excreted into the urine and/or metabolized by the kidneys. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the renal elimination of uremic toxin creatinine that accumulate in chronic renal failure. Quantitative investigation of the plausible correlations was performed by spectroscopy, calorimetry, molecular docking and accessibility of surface area. Alkalinization of normal plasma from pH 7.0 to 9.0 modifies the distribution of toxin in the body and therefore may affect both the accumulation and the rate of toxin elimination. The ligand loading of HSA with uremic toxin predicts several key side chain interactions of site I that presumably have the potential to impact the specificity and impaired drug binding. These findings provide useful information for elucidating the complicated mechanism of toxin disposition in renal disease state.

Transmembrane transports of acrylamide and bisphenol A and effects on development of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Acrylamide (AA) and bisphenol A (BPA) are two kinds of pollutants with different structures and polarities. AA found in fried and toasted starchy foods can cause developmental and reproductive toxicity and BPA has neuro-, immuno- and developmental toxicities. Their transports in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were determined and their toxicity characteristics observed. Approximately 70% of AA was concentrated on the outer membrane surface probably via hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces, but only 0.3% of AA entered the cytoplasm. In contrast, over 10% of the BPA adsorbed to the cells entered the cytoplasm via the membrane by lipid-water partition. The hydrophilic AA and hydrophobic BPA used different cell transport pathways; AA accumulated on the outer membrane surface whereas BPA readily reached the cytoplasm. AA caused acute and indirect toxicity in developing cells, including serious malnutrition and axial malformation. BPA caused chemical damage to developing cells by causing pericardial edema. The antagonistic effect of the AA/BPA mixture's combinational toxicity to embryos was found and explained by the accumulation of AA on the out surface of membrane inhibiting the transfer of BPA to the cytoplasm.

Comparative transmembrane transports of four typical lipophilic organic chemicals

Transmembrane transports of four kinds of lipophilic organic chemicals (LOCs) on suspending multilamellar liposomes (SML) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were investigated, where both anthracene and phenanthrene were accorded to the lipid-water partition law and Sudan I and III to the Langmuir isothermal adsorption. Less than half of phenanthrene is transported into E. coli, where more than 60% are located in the cytoplasm. About 60% of anthracene entered the E. coli where only 10% was released into the cytoplasm. The partition coefficients of phenanthrene and anthracene partitioning from the extracellular liquid into membrane are 502 and 1190L/kg but their inverse partition coefficients are only 0.180 and 0.018kg/L. Over 60% of Sudan I and less than 40% of Sudan III accumulated on E. coli where most of them remained on the membrane. The transmembrane impedance effect (TMIE) is proposed for evaluating the cell-transport of polar LOCs.

Binding of bisphenol A and acrylamide to BSA and DNA: insights into the comparative interactions of harmful chemicals with functional biomacromolecules

The interactions between bisphenol A (BPA)/acrylamide (AA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA)/deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was investigated by the equilibrium dialysis, fluorophotometry, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and circular dichroism (CD). The bindings of BPA and AA to BSA and DNA responded to the partition law and Langmuir isothermal model, respectively. The saturation mole number of AA was calculated to be 24 per mol BSA and 0.26 per mol DNA-P. All the reactions were spontaneous driven by entropy change. BPA stacked into the aromatic hydrocarbon groups of BSA and between adjacent basepairs of DNA via the hydrophobic effect. The interactions of AA with BSA and DNA induced the formation of hydrogen bond and caused changes of their secondary structures. At normal physiological condition, 0.100 mmol/l BPA reduced the binding of vitamin B(2) to BSA by more than 70%, and 2.8 mmol/l AA by almost one half. This work provides an insight into non-covalent intermolecular interaction between organic contaminant and biomolecule, helping to elucidate the toxic mechanism of harmful chemicals.

Spectroscopic studies on the interactions between 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones and bovine serum albumin

The interactions between 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones (DHPM) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated by fluorescence and ultraviolet spectroscopy under imitated physiological conditions. The experimental results showed that all DHPM could form complexes with BSA. Static quenching and non-radiation energy transfer are the main reasons leading to the fluorescence quenching. The binding constants (K(A)) and the number of binding sites (n) were calculated. According to Förster theory of non-radiation energy transfer, the binding distances (r) between BSA and DHPM are less than 7 nm. The relationship between different aryl groups in pyrimidine ring and the binding ability of DHPM with BSA is preliminarily discussed. Moreover, the synchronous fluorescence spectra indicated that the conformation of BSA has not been changed.

Interaction between nanoparticulate anatase TiO2 and lactate dehydrogenase

In order to study the mechanisms underlying the effects of TiO(2) nanoparticles on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC1.1.1.27), Institute of Cancer Research region mice were injected with nanoparticulate anatase TiO(2) (5 nm) of various doses into the abdominal cavity daily for 14 days. We then examined LDH activity in vivo and in vitro and direct evident for interaction between nanoparticulate anatase TiO(2) and LDH using spectral methods. The results showed that nanoparticulate anatase TiO(2) could significantly activate LDH in vivo and in vitro; the kinetics constant (Km) and Vmax were 0.006 microM and 1,149 unit mg(-1) protein min(-1), respectively, at a low concentration of nanoparticulate anatase TiO(2), and 3.45 and 0.031 microM and 221 unit mg(-1) protein min(-1), respectively, at a high concentration of nanoparticulate anatase TiO(2). By fluorescence spectral assays, the nanoparticulate anatase TiO(2) was determined to be directly bound to LDH, and the binding constants of the binding site were 1.77 x 10(8) L mol(-1) and 2.15 x 10(7) L mol(-1), respectively, and the binding distance between nanoparticulate anatase TiO(2) and the Trp residue of LDH was 4.18 nm, and nanoparticulate anatase TiO(2) induced the protein unfolding. It was concluded that the binding of nanoparticulate anatase TiO(2) altered LDH structure and function.

Interaction of nano-TiO2 with lysozyme: insights into the enzyme toxicity of nanosized particles

BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE

Nanomaterials have been used increasingly in industrial production and daily life, but their human exposure may cause health risks. The interactions of nanomaterial with functional biomolecules are often applied as a precondition for its cytotoxicity and organ toxicity where various proteins have been investigated in the past years. In the present study, nano-TiO(2) was selected as the representative of nanomaterials and lysozyme as a representative for enzymes. By investigating their interaction by various instrumentations, the objective is to identify the action sites and types, estimate the effect on the enzyme structure and activity, and reveal the toxicity mechanism of nanomaterial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Laboratory-scale experiments were carried out to investigate the interactions of nano-TiO(2) with lysozyme. The interaction of nano-TiO(2) particles with lysozyme has been studied in the analogous physiological media in detail by UV spectrometry, fluorophotometry, circular dichroism (CD), scanning electron microscope, zeta-potential, and laser particle size.

RESULTS

The interaction accorded with the Langmuir isothermal adsorption and the saturation number of lysozyme is determined to be 580 per nano-TiO(2) particle (60 nm of size) with 4.7 x 10(6) M(-1) of the stability constant in the physiological media. The acidity and ion strength of the media obviously affected the binding of lysozyme. The warping and deformation of the lysozyme bridging were demonstrated by the conversion of its spatial structure from alpha-helix into a beta-sheet, measured by CD. In the presence of nano-TiO(2), the bacteriolysis activity of lysozyme was subjected to an obvious inhibition.

DISCUSSION

The two-step binding model of lysozyme was proposed, in which lysozyme was adsorbed on nano-TiO(2) particle surface by electrostatic interaction and then the hydrogen bond (N-H...O and O-H...O) formed between nano-TiO(2) particle and polar side groups of lysozyme. The adsorption of lysozyme obeyed the Langmuir isothermal model. The binding of lysozyme is dependent on the acidity and ion strength of the media. The bigger TiO(2) aggregate was formed in the presence of lysozyme where lysozyme may bridge between nano-TiO(2) particles. The coexistence of nano-TiO(2) particles resulted in the transition of lysozyme conformation from an alpha-helix into a beta-sheet and a substantial inactivation of lysozyme. The beta-sheet can induce the formation of amyloid fibrils, a process which plays a major role in pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

Lysozyme was adsorbed on the nano-TiO(2) particle surface via electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonds, and they also bridged among global nano-TiO(2) particles to form the colloidal particles. As a reasonable deduction of this study, nano-TiO(2) might have some toxic impacts on biomolecules. Our data suggest that careful attention be paid to the interaction of protein and nanomaterials. This could contribute to nanomaterial toxicity assessment.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES

Our results strongly suggest that nano-TiO(2) has an obvious impact on biomolecules. Our data suggest that more attention should be paid to the potential toxicity of nano-TiO(2) on biomolecules. Further research into the toxicity of nanosized particles needs to be carried out prior to their cell toxicity and tissue toxicity. These investigations might serve as the basis for determining the toxicity and application of nanomaterials.

Interaction of perfluorooctanoic acid with human serum albumin

Background

Recently, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has become a significant issue in many aspects of environmental ecology, toxicology, pathology and life sciences because it may have serious effects on the endocrine, immune and nervous systems and can lead to embryonic deformities and other diseases. Human serum albumin (HSA) is the major protein component of blood plasma and is called a multifunctional plasma carrier protein because of its ability to bind an unusually broad spectrum of ligands.

Results

The interaction of PFOA with HSA was investigated in the normal physiological condition by equilibrium dialysis, fluorospectrometry, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and circular dichroism (CD). The non-covalent interaction is resulted from hydrogen bond, van der Waals force and hydrophobic stack. PFOA binding to HSA accorded with two-step binding model with the saturation binding numbers of PFOA, only 1 in the hydrophobic intracavity of HSA and 12 on the exposed outer surface. The interaction of PFOA with HSA is spontaneous and results in change of HSA conformation. The possible binding sites were speculated.

Conclusion

The present work suggested a characterization method for the intermolecular weak interaction. It is potentially useful for elucidating the toxigenicity of perfluorochemicals when combined with biomolecular function effect, transmembrane transport, toxicological testing and the other experiments.

Binding of PFOS to serum albumin and DNA: insight into the molecular toxicity of perfluorochemicals

Background

Health risk from exposure of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) to wildlife and human has been a subject of great interest for understanding their molecular mechanism of toxicity. Although much work has been done, the toxigenicity of PFCs remains largely unknown. In this work, the non-covalent interactions between perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and serum albumin (SA) and DNA were investigated under normal physiological conditions, aiming to elucidate the toxigenicity of PFCs.

Results

In equilibrium dialysis assay, the bindings of PFOS to SA correspond to the Langmuir isothermal model with two-step sequence model. The saturation binding number of PFOS was 45 per molecule of SA and 1 per three base-pairs of DNA, respectively. ITC results showed that all the interactions were spontaneous driven by entropy change. Static quenching of the fluorescence of SA was observed when interacting with PFOS, indicating PFOS bound Trp residue of SA. CD spectra of SA and DNA changed obviously in the presence of PFOS. At normal physiological conditions, 1.2 mmol/l PFOS reduces the binding ratio of Vitamin B₂ to SA by more than 30%.

Conclusion

The ion bond, van der Waals force and hydrophobic interaction contributed to PFOS binding to peptide chain of SA and to the groove bases of DNA duplex. The non-covalent interactions of PFOS with SA and DNA alter their secondary conformations, with the physiological function of SA to transport Vitamin B₂ being inhibited consequently. This work provides a useful experimental method for further studying the toxigenicity of PFCs.