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Assi N, Rypar T, Macka M, Adam V, Vaculovicova M. Microfluidic paper-based fluorescence sensor for L-homocysteine using a molecularly imprinted polymer and in situ-formed fluorescent quantum dots. Talanta 2023; 255:124185. [PMID: 36634429 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.124185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices modified with molecularly imprinted polymers (μPADs@MIPs) were developed for fluorescent detection of targeted thiols via in situ UV-induced formation of quantum dots (μPADs@MIPs@QDs). The selectivity enhancement by the MIP layer formed on the filter paper surface was demonstrated for the isolation of L-homocysteine from wine. Followed by the addition of metal precursors solution (Zn/Cd/Cu) and UV irradiation, fluorescent quantum dots were formed thus enabling quantitative detection of the thiol (serving as a QD capping agent). The effect of different semiconductors was investigated to achieve a lower band gap and higher fluorescence intensity. Increasing fluorescence intensity in the presence of thiol groups was obtained for the following precursors mixture composition: ZnCdCu/S > ZnCd/S > ZnCu/S > ZnS. The proposed method has a good relationship between the fluorescence intensity of ZnCdCu/S QDs and L-homocysteine in a linear range from 0.74 to 7.40 μM with a limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 0.51 and 1.71 μM respectively. This method was applied for the determination of L-homocysteine in white wine with RSD under 6.37%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Assi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Rypar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Mirek Macka
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, CZ-612 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Vaculovicova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Nejdl L, Petera L, Šponer J, Zemánková K, Pavelicová K, Knížek A, Adam V, Vaculovičová M, Ivanek O, Ferus M. Quantum Dots in Peroxidase-like Chemistry and Formamide-Based Hot Spring Synthesis of Nucleobases. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:541-551. [PMID: 35333585 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Quantum dots (QDs) are usually seen as artificial semiconductor particles exhibiting optical and electronic properties interesting for nanotechnological applications. However, they may also play a role in prebiotic chemistry. Starting from zinc acetate, cadmium acetate, and mercaptosuccinic acid, we demonstrate the formation of ZnCd QDs upon UV irradiation in prebiotic liquid formamide. We show that ZnCd QDs are able to increase the yield of RNA nucleobase synthesis from formamide up to 300 times, suggesting they might have served as universal catalysts in a primordial milieu. Based on the experimentally observed peroxidase-like activity of ZnCd QDs upon irradiation with visible light, we propose that QDs could be relevant to a broad variety of processes relating to the emergence of terrestrial life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukáš Nejdl
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Petera
- J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Judit Šponer
- Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Zemánková
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Pavelicová
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Antonín Knížek
- J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Vaculovičová
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Ivanek
- J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Ferus
- J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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Guarino F, Cicatelli A, Castiglione S, Agius DR, Orhun GE, Fragkostefanakis S, Leclercq J, Dobránszki J, Kaiserli E, Lieberman-Lazarovich M, Sõmera M, Sarmiento C, Vettori C, Paffetti D, Poma AMG, Moschou PN, Gašparović M, Yousefi S, Vergata C, Berger MMJ, Gallusci P, Miladinović D, Martinelli F. An Epigenetic Alphabet of Crop Adaptation to Climate Change. Front Genet 2022; 13:818727. [PMID: 35251130 PMCID: PMC8888914 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.818727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Crop adaptation to climate change is in a part attributed to epigenetic mechanisms which are related to response to abiotic and biotic stresses. Although recent studies increased our knowledge on the nature of these mechanisms, epigenetics remains under-investigated and still poorly understood in many, especially non-model, plants, Epigenetic modifications are traditionally divided into two main groups, DNA methylation and histone modifications that lead to chromatin remodeling and the regulation of genome functioning. In this review, we outline the most recent and interesting findings on crop epigenetic responses to the environmental cues that are most relevant to climate change. In addition, we discuss a speculative point of view, in which we try to decipher the “epigenetic alphabet” that underlies crop adaptation mechanisms to climate change. The understanding of these mechanisms will pave the way to new strategies to design and implement the next generation of cultivars with a broad range of tolerance/resistance to stresses as well as balanced agronomic traits, with a limited loss of (epi)genetic variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Guarino
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia “A. Zambelli”, Università Degli Studi di Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Angela Cicatelli
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia “A. Zambelli”, Università Degli Studi di Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Stefano Castiglione
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia “A. Zambelli”, Università Degli Studi di Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Dolores R. Agius
- Centre of Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Gul Ebru Orhun
- Bayramic Vocational College, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey
| | | | - Julie Leclercq
- CIRAD, UMR AGAP, Montpellier, France
- AGAP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Institut Agro, Montpellier, France
| | - Judit Dobránszki
- Centre for Agricultural Genomics and Biotechnology, FAFSEM, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Eirini Kaiserli
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Merike Sõmera
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Cecilia Sarmiento
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Cristina Vettori
- Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources (IBBR), National Research Council (CNR), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Donatella Paffetti
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Anna M. G. Poma
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Aquila, Italy
| | - Panagiotis N. Moschou
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mateo Gašparović
- Chair of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Faculty of Geodesy, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sanaz Yousefi
- Department of Horticultural Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Chiara Vergata
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Margot M. J. Berger
- UMR Ecophysiologie et Génomique Fonctionnelle de la Vigne, Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux Science Agro, Bordeaux, France
| | - Philippe Gallusci
- UMR Ecophysiologie et Génomique Fonctionnelle de la Vigne, Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux Science Agro, Bordeaux, France
| | - Dragana Miladinović
- Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, Novi Sad, Serbia
- *Correspondence: Dragana Miladinović, ; Federico Martinelli,
| | - Federico Martinelli
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- *Correspondence: Dragana Miladinović, ; Federico Martinelli,
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Assi N, Nejdl L, Zemankova K, Pavelicova K, Bezdekova J, Macka M, Adam V, Vaculovicova M. UV-induced Zn:Cd/S quantum dots in-situ formed in the presence of thiols for sensitive and selective fluorescence detection of thiols. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13806. [PMID: 34226580 PMCID: PMC8257596 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93137-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we explored a new approach to a simple and sensitive fluorescence detection of thiols. The approach takes advantage of an in-situ formation of UV light-induced fluorescent nanoparticles (ZnCd/S quantum dots), while utilizing the thiol group of the analyte as a capping agent. The selectivity is ensured by the selective isolation of the thiol analyte by a polydopamine molecularly imprinted polymeric (MIP) layer. Based on this approach, a method for determination of thiols was designed. Key experimental parameters were optimized, including those of molecular imprinting and of effective model thiol molecule (L-cysteine) isolation. The relationship between the fluorescence intensity of ZnCd/S quantum dots and the concentration of L-cysteine in the range of 12-150 µg/mL was linear with a detection limit of 3.6 µg/mL. The molecularly imprinted polymer showed high absorption mass capacity (1.73 mg/g) and an excellent selectivity factor for L-cysteine compared to N-acetyl-L-cysteine and L-homocysteine of 63.56 and 87.48, respectively. The proposed method was applied for L-cysteine determination in human urine with satisfactory results. Due to a high variability of molecular imprinting technology and versatility of in-situ probe formation, methods based on this approach can be easily adopted for analysis of any thiol of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Assi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Nejdl
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristyna Zemankova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristyna Pavelicova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslava Bezdekova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Mirek Macka
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Vaculovicova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
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5
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Pavelicova K, Vanickova L, Haddad Y, Nejdl L, Zitka J, Kociova S, Mravec F, Vaculovic T, Macka M, Vaculovicova M, Adam V. Metallothionein dimerization evidenced by QD-based Förster resonance energy transfer and capillary electrophoresis. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 170:53-60. [PMID: 33340626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.12.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we report a new simple and easy-to-use approach for the characterization of protein oligomerization based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and capillary electrophoresis with LED-induced detection. The FRET pair consisted of quantum dots (QDs) used as an emission tunable donor (emission wavelength of 450 nm) and a cyanine dye (Cy3), providing optimal optical properties as an acceptor. Nonoxidative dimerization of mammalian metallothionein (MT) was investigated using the donor and acceptor covalently conjugated to MT. The main functions of MTs within an organism include the transport and storage of essential metal ions and detoxification of toxic ions. Upon storage under aerobic conditions, MTs form dimers (as well as higher oligomers), which may play an essential role as mediators in oxidoreduction signaling pathways. Due to metal bridging by Cd2+ ions between molecules of metallothionein, the QDs and Cy3 were close enough, enabling a FRET signal. The FRET efficiency was calculated to be in the range of 11-77%. The formation of MT dimers in the presence of Cd2+ ions was confirmed by MALDI-MS analyses. Finally, the process of oligomerization resulting in FRET was monitored by CE, and oligomerization of MT was confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristyna Pavelicova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, CZ-612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Vanickova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, CZ-612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Yazan Haddad
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, CZ-612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Nejdl
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, CZ-612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Zitka
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, CZ-612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Silvia Kociova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, CZ-612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Mravec
- Materials Research Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 118, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Vaculovic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Mirek Macka
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, CZ-612 00 Brno, Czech Republic; School of Natural Sciences, Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), University of Tasmania, Private Bag 75, Hobart 7001, Australia
| | - Marketa Vaculovicova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, CZ-612 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Vojtech Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, CZ-612 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
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