1
|
Notarstefano V, Pepe A, Ripanti F, Piccirilli F, Vaccari L, Mariani P. Guanosine hydrogels in focus: A comprehensive analysis through mid-infrared spectroscopy. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2024; 324:124939. [PMID: 39137710 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.124939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Guanosine nucleosides and nucleotides have the peculiar ability to self-assemble in water to form supramolecular complex architectures from G-quartets to G-quadruplexes. G-quadruplexes exhibit in turn a large liquid crystalline lyotropic polymorphism, but they eventually cross-link or entangle to form a densely connected 3D network (a molecular hydrogel), able to entrap very large amount of water (up to the 99% v/v). This high water content of the hydrogels enables tunable softness, deformability, self-healing, and quasi-liquid properties, making them ideal candidates for different biotechnological and biomedical applications. In order to fully exploit their possible applications, Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform InfraRed (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was used to unravel the vibrational characteristics of supramolecular guanosine structures. First, the characteristic vibrations of the known quadruplex structure of guanosine 5'-monophosphate, potassium salt (GMP/K), were investigated: the identified peaks reflected both the chemical composition of the sample and the formation of quartets, octamers, and quadruplexes. Second, the role of K+ and Na+ cations in promoting the quadruplex formation was assessed: infrared spectra confirmed that both cations induce the formation of G-quadruplexes and that GMP/K is more stable in the G-quadruplex organization. Finally, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was used to investigate binary mixtures of guanosine (Gua) and GMP/K or GMP/Na, both systems forming G-hydrogels. The same G-quadruplex-based structure was found in both mixtures, but the proportion of Gua and GMP affected some features, like sugar puckering, guanine vibrations, and base stacking, reflecting the known side-to-side aggregation and bundle formation occurring in these binary systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Notarstefano
- Università Politecnica delle Marche, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Via Brecce Bianche, Ancona, 60131, Italy.
| | - Alessia Pepe
- Università Politecnica delle Marche, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Via Brecce Bianche, Ancona, 60131, Italy
| | - Francesca Ripanti
- Università Politecnica delle Marche, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Via Brecce Bianche, Ancona, 60131, Italy
| | | | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 - km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149, Italy
| | - Paolo Mariani
- Università Politecnica delle Marche, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Via Brecce Bianche, Ancona, 60131, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Petropoulos V, Martinez-Fernandez L, Uboldi L, Maiuri M, Cerullo G, Balanikas E, Markovitsi D. Real-time observation of sub-100-fs charge and energy transfer processes in DNA dinucleotides. Chem Sci 2024; 15:12098-12107. [PMID: 39092131 PMCID: PMC11290326 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc02514h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Using as showcase the DNA dinucleotide 5'-dTpdG-3', in which the thymine (T) is located at the 5' end with respect to the guanine (G), we study the photoinduced electronic relaxation of coupled chromophores in solution with an unprecedented refinement. On the one hand, transient absorption spectra are recorded from 20 fs to 45 ps over the 330-650 nm range with a temporal resolution of 30 fs; on the other hand, quantum chemistry calculations determine the ground state geometry of the 4 possible conformers with stacked nucleobases, the associated Franck-Condon states, and map the relaxation pathways leading to excited state minima. Important spectral changes occurring before 100 fs are correlated with concomitant G+ → T- charge transfer and T → G energy transfer processes. The lifetime of the excited charge transfer state is only 5 ps and the absorption spectrum of a long-lived nπ*T state is detected. Our experimental results match the transient spectral properties computed for the anti-syn conformer of 5'-dTpdG-3', which is characterized by the lowest ground state energy and differs from that encountered in B-form duplexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vasilis Petropoulos
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 I-20133 Milano Italy
| | - Lara Martinez-Fernandez
- Instituto de Química Física Blas Cabrera, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Calle Serrano 119 Madrid 28006 Spain
| | - Lorenzo Uboldi
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 I-20133 Milano Italy
| | - Margherita Maiuri
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 I-20133 Milano Italy
| | - Giulio Cerullo
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 I-20133 Milano Italy
- Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie-CNR Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 I-20133 Milano Italy
| | - Evangelos Balanikas
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Geneva CH-1211 Geneva-4 Switzerland
| | - Dimitra Markovitsi
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie Physique, UMR8000 91405 Orsay France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Calabria D, Pace A, Lazzarini E, Trozzi I, Zangheri M, Guardigli M, Pieraccini S, Masiero S, Mirasoli M. Smartphone-Based Chemiluminescence Glucose Biosensor Employing a Peroxidase-Mimicking, Guanosine-Based Self-Assembled Hydrogel. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:650. [PMID: 37367015 DOI: 10.3390/bios13060650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Chemiluminescence is widely used for hydrogen peroxide detection, mainly exploiting the highly sensitive peroxidase-luminol-H2O2 system. Hydrogen peroxide plays an important role in several physiological and pathological processes and is produced by oxidases, thus providing a straightforward way to quantify these enzymes and their substrates. Recently, biomolecular self-assembled materials obtained by guanosine and its derivatives and displaying peroxidase enzyme-like catalytic activity have received great interest for hydrogen peroxide biosensing. These soft materials are highly biocompatible and can incorporate foreign substances while preserving a benign environment for biosensing events. In this work, a self-assembled guanosine-derived hydrogel containing a chemiluminescent reagent (luminol) and a catalytic cofactor (hemin) was used as a H2O2-responsive material displaying peroxidase-like activity. Once loaded with glucose oxidase, the hydrogel provided increased enzyme stability and catalytic activity even in alkaline and oxidizing conditions. By exploiting 3D printing technology, a smartphone-based portable chemiluminescence biosensor for glucose was developed. The biosensor allowed the accurate measurement of glucose in serum, including both hypo- and hyperglycemic samples, with a limit of detection of 120 µmol L-1. This approach could be applied for other oxidases, thus enabling the development of bioassays to quantify biomarkers of clinical interest at the point of care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donato Calabria
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 2, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Aerospace Research (CIRI AEROSPACE), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Baldassarre Canaccini 12, I-47121 Forlì, Italy
| | - Andrea Pace
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 2, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Lazzarini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 2, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilaria Trozzi
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 2, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Zangheri
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 2, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Agrofood Research (CIRI AGRO), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Quinto Bucci 336, I-47521 Cesena, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Advanced Mechanical Engineering Applications and Materials Technology (CIRI MAM), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, I-40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Guardigli
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 2, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Aerospace Research (CIRI AEROSPACE), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Baldassarre Canaccini 12, I-47121 Forlì, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Renewable Resources, Environment, Sea and Energy (CIRI FRAME), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Sant'Alberto 163, I-48123 Ravenna, Italy
| | - Silvia Pieraccini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 2, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Masiero
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 2, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Mara Mirasoli
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 2, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Aerospace Research (CIRI AEROSPACE), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Baldassarre Canaccini 12, I-47121 Forlì, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Renewable Resources, Environment, Sea and Energy (CIRI FRAME), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Sant'Alberto 163, I-48123 Ravenna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Godoy-Gallardo M, Merino-Gómez M, Matiz LC, Mateos-Timoneda MA, Gil FJ, Perez RA. Nucleoside-Based Supramolecular Hydrogels: From Synthesis and Structural Properties to Biomedical and Tissue Engineering Applications. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:40-61. [PMID: 36524860 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Supramolecular hydrogels are of great interest in tissue scaffolding, diagnostics, and drug delivery due to their biocompatibility and stimuli-responsive properties. In particular, nucleosides are promising candidates as building blocks due to their manifold noncovalent interactions and ease of chemical modification. Significant progress in the field has been made over recent years to allow the use of nucleoside-based supramolecular hydrogels in the biomedical field, namely drug delivery and 3D bioprinting. For example, their long-term stability, printability, functionality, and bioactivity have been greatly improved by employing more than one gelator, incorporating different cations, including silver for antibacterial activity, or using additives such as boric acid or even biomolecules. This now permits their use as bioinks for 3D printing to produce cell-laden scaffolds with specified geometries and pore sizes as well as a homogeneous distribution of living cells and bioactive molecules. We have summarized the latest advances in nucleoside-based supramolecular hydrogels. Additionally, we discuss their synthesis, structural properties, and potential applications in tissue engineering and provide an outlook and future perspective on ongoing developments in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Godoy-Gallardo
- Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), Department of Basic Science, International University of Catalonia (UIC), Carrer de Josep Trueta, 08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Merino-Gómez
- Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), Department of Basic Science, International University of Catalonia (UIC), Carrer de Josep Trueta, 08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luisamaria C Matiz
- Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), Department of Basic Science, International University of Catalonia (UIC), Carrer de Josep Trueta, 08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel A Mateos-Timoneda
- Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), Department of Basic Science, International University of Catalonia (UIC), Carrer de Josep Trueta, 08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Javier Gil
- Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), Department of Basic Science, International University of Catalonia (UIC), Carrer de Josep Trueta, 08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, International University of Catalonia (UIC), Carrer de Josep Trueta, 08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roman A Perez
- Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), Department of Basic Science, International University of Catalonia (UIC), Carrer de Josep Trueta, 08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yoneda JS, de Araujo DR, Sella F, Liguori GR, Liguori TTA, Moreira LFP, Spinozzi F, Mariani P, Itri R. Self-assembled guanosine-hydrogels for drug-delivery application: Structural and mechanical characterization, methylene blue loading and controlled release. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2020; 121:111834. [PMID: 33579472 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.111834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
It is known that guanosine derivatives (G) self-assemble in water forming long, flexible, and interacting aggregates (the so-called G-quadruplexes): by modulating the quadruplex charges, e.g. simply using a mixture of guanosine 5'-monophosphate (GMP) and guanosine (Gua), multi-responsive, self-healing hydrogels can be obtained. In this paper, the potential application of G-hydrogels as drug delivery systems has been assessed. Hydrogels were prepared at different Gua:GMP molar ratios. The photosensitizer Methylene Blue and the pro-apoptotic protein cytochrome C were used as cargo molecules. Small angle x-ray scattering and atomic force microscopy experiments confirmed the presence of G-quadruplexes disposed in swollen matrices with different mesh-sizes. Rheology measurements showed that the Gua:GMP molar ratio leads to specific drug release mechanisms, as the gel strength is finely tuned by electrostatic repulsion and van der Waals attraction between G-quadruplexes. Noteworthy, the gel cohesion and the drug release were pH responsive. Swelling, self-healing and cell viability features were also investigated: the results qualify the Gua:GMP hydrogel as an excellent biomaterial that can entrap and deliver key biomolecules in a sustained and responsive release manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana S Yoneda
- Instituto de Fisica, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Fiorenza Sella
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Gabriel R Liguori
- Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Tácia T A Liguori
- Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Felipe P Moreira
- Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Francesco Spinozzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Paolo Mariani
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Rosangela Itri
- Instituto de Fisica, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|