Bioactive Properties of a Novel Antibacterial Dye Obtained from Laccase-Mediated Oxidation of 8-Anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic Acid

Studies of Protein Binding to Biomimetic Membranes Using a Group of Uniform Materials Based on Organic Salts Derived From 8-Anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic Acid

Tuning the 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS) structure usually requires harsh conditions and long reaction times, which can result in low yields. Herein, ANS was modified to form an ANS group of uniform materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS), prepared with simple metathesis reactions and distinct cations, namely tetrabutylammonium (N4444), tetrahexylammonium (N6666), and tetrabutylphosphonium (P4444). These ANS-based GUMBOS were investigated as fluorescent probes for membrane binding studies with four proteins having distinct physicochemical properties. Liposomes of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine were employed as membrane models as a result of their ability to mimic the structure and chemical composition of cell membranes. Changes in fluorescence intensity were used to monitor protein binding to liposomes, and adsorption data were fitted to a Freundlich-like isotherm. It was determined that [N4444][ANS] and [P4444][ANS] GUMBOS have enhanced optical properties and lipophilicity as compared to parent ANS. As a result, these two GUMBOS were selected for subsequent protein-membrane binding studies. Both [N4444][ANS] and [P4444][ANS] GUMBOS and parent ANS independently reached membrane saturation within the same concentration range. Furthermore, distinct fluorescence responses were observed upon the addition of proteins to each probe, which demonstrates the impact of properties such as lipophilicity on the binding process. The relative maintenance of binding cooperativity and maximum fluorescence intensity suggests that proteins compete with ANS-based probes for the same membrane binding sites. Finally, this GUMBOS-based approach is simple, rapid, and involves relatively small amounts of reagents, making it attractive for high-throughput purposes. These results presented herein can also provide relevant information for designing GUMBOS with ameliorated properties.

Association of Metabolites, Nutrients, and Toxins in Maternal and Cord Serum with Asthma, IgE, SPT, FeNO, and Lung Function in Offspring

The role of metabolites, nutrients, and toxins (MNTs) in sera at the end of pregnancy and of their association with offspring respiratory and allergic disorders is underexplored. Untargeted approaches detecting a variety of compounds, known and unknown, are limited. In this cohort study, we first aimed at discovering associations of MNTs in grandmaternal (F0) serum with asthma, immunoglobulin E, skin prick tests, exhaled nitric oxide, and lung function parameters in their parental (F1) offspring. Second, for replication, we tested the identified associations of MNTs with disorders in their grandchildren (F2-offspring) based on F2 cord serum. The statistical analyses were sex-stratified. Using liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry in F0, we detected signals for 2286 negative-ion lipids, 59 positive-ion lipids, and 6331 polar MNTs. Nine MNTs (one unknown MNT) discovered in F0-F1 and replicated in F2 showed higher risks of respiratory/allergic outcomes. Twelve MNTs (four unknowns) constituted a potential protection in F1 and F2. We recognized MNTs not yet considered candidates for respiratory/allergic outcomes: a phthalate plasticizer, an antihistamine, a bile acid metabolite, tryptophan metabolites, a hemiterpenoid glycoside, triacylglycerols, hypoxanthine, and polyphenol syringic acid. The findings suggest that MNTs are aspirants for clinical trials to prevent adverse respiratory/allergic outcomes.