Glycated albumin precipitation using aptamer conjugated magnetic nanoparticles

To develop a strategy for the elimination of prefibrillar amyloid aggregates, a three-step non-modified DNA aptamer conjugation on silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles was carried out to achieve aptamer conjugated on MNP (Ap-SiMNP). Prefibrillar amyloid aggregates are generated under a diabetic condition which are prominently participated in developing diabetic complications. The binding properties of candidate DNA aptamer against serum albumin prefibrillar amyloid aggregates (AA20) were verified using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR) analysis. The chloro-functionalized silica-coated MNPs were synthesized then a nano-targeting structure as aptamer conjugated on MNP (Ap-SiMNP) was constructed. Finally, Ap-SiMNP was verified for specific binding efficiency and AA20 removal using an external magnetic field. The candidate aptamer showed a high binding capacity at EMSA and SPR analysis (KD = 3.4 × 10─9 M) and successfully used to construct Ap-SiMNP. Here, we show a proof of concept for an efficient bio-scavenger as Ap-SiMNP to provide a promising opportunity to consider as a possible strategy to overcome some diabetic complications through specific binding/removal of toxic AA20 species.

Intensification of serum albumin amyloidogenesis by a glycation-peroxidation loop (GPL)

The interaction of reducing sugars with proteins leads to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGE) and reactive oxidative species (ROS). ROS peroxidise free or membrane included unsaturated fatty acids, leading to generate reactive aldehydes as advanced lipid peroxidation end products (ALE). Aldehydes from lipid peroxidation (LPO) react with proteins to cause alteration of protein structure to exacerbate complication of diseases. Here we studied serum albumin glycation in the presence and absence of liposomes as a bio-membrane model to investigate protein structural changes using various techniques including intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence spectroscopies and electron microscopy analysis. Accordingly, serum albumin glycation and fibrillation were accelerated and intensified in the presence of liposomes through a hypothesized glycation-peroxidation loop (GPL). Together, our results shed light on the necessity of reconsidering diabetic protein glycation to make it close to physiological conditions mimicry, more importantly, proteins structural change due to diabetic glycation is intensified in the proximity of cell membranes which probably potentiates programmed cell death distinct from apoptosis.

The ambivalent effect of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on the urea-induced unfolding and dilution-based refolding of lysozyme

Due to the numerous biological applications of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (MNPs), it is essential to identify the influence of these nanoparticles on basic biological processes. Therefore, in this research, the effect of MNPs on the structure and activity of hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) (EC 3.2.1.1) as a model protein was examined using tryptophan intrinsic fluorescence, UV/Vis, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Moreover, enzyme activities were analyzed by a turbidometric approach in the presence of MNPs at concentrations providing MNPs/HEWL ratios in the range of 0.04-1.25. As-synthesized MNPS were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and the zeta potential of MNPs was measured to be -29 mV. The goal of this work was investigating the ordering or disordering effect of MNPs on protein structure at ratios lower or higher than 0.918 as concentration ratio of threshold (CRT), respectively, in order to answer the question: 'How can the denaturation and refolding of a model protein (HEWL) be affected by MNPs?' As has been reported recently, the protein folding, helicity, and half-life were improved at <CRT to make the protein more ordered and conversely, HEWL was unfolded, and the helicity and half-life were decreased at >CRT to make the protein more disordered upon interaction with MNPs. The disordering effect of urea at >CRT and even at <CRT in the denaturation buffer (urea 6 M) increased and at <CRT the MNPs can provide a significant improvement in the refolding of the unfolded urea treated protein. These observations provide a new perspective on the growing applications of MNPs in biotechnology and biomedicine.

Modeling, simulation, and employing dilution-dialysis microfluidic chip (DDMC) for heightening proteins refolding efficiency

Miniaturized systems based on the principles of microfluidics are widely used in various fields, such as biochemical and biomedical applications. Systematic design processes are demanded the proper use of these microfluidic devices based on mathematical simulations. Aggregated proteins (e.g., inclusion bodies) in solution with chaotropic agents (such as urea) at high concentration in combination with reducing agents are denatured. Refolding methods to achieve the native proteins from inclusion bodies of recombinant protein relying on denaturant dilution or dialysis approaches for suppressing protein aggregation is very important in the industrial field. In this paper, a modeling approach is introduced and employed that enables a compact and cost-effective method for on-chip refolding process. The innovative aspect of the presented refolding method is incorporation dialysis and dilution. Dilution-dialysis microfluidic chip (DDMC) increases productivity folding of proteins with the gradual reduction of the amount of urea. It has shown the potential of DDMC for performing refolding of protein trials. The principles of the microfluidic device detailed in this paper are to produce protein on the dilution with slow mixing through diffusion of a denatured protein solution and stepwise dialysis of a refolding buffer flowing together and the flow regime is creeping flow. The operation of DDMC was modeled in two dimensions. This system simulated by COMSOL Multiphysics Modeling Software. The simulation results for a microfluidic refolding chip showed that DDMC was deemed to be perfectly suitable for control decreasing urea in the fluid model. The DDMC was validated through an experimental study. According to the results, refolding efficiency of denaturant Hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) (EC 3.2.1.17) used as a model protein was improved. Regard to the remaining activity test, it was increased from 42.6 in simple dilution to 93.7 using DDMC.

L-arginine modified magnetic nanoparticles: green synthesis and characterization

In recent years, there has been considerable interest in Arg which is a unique, nontoxic, and biocompatible biomolecule since it can be utilized as an agent for the functionalization and subsequent stabilization of MNPs against oxidation and aggregation, during or after a synthesis procedure. Our studies demonstrate that Arg has great impacts on MNPs with the decreasing size of the particle. Also, saturation magnetization and electrostatic interactions of RMNPs have a direct impact on biological molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. By controlling the concentration of Arg, it is possible to accurately control the above-mentioned characteristics, which are useful tools for applications such as connecting to antibodies, catalysis, drug loading, and modification of MNP stability. In the current study, three RMNPs with different Arg densities, i.e. 0.42, 1.62, and 2.29 μg per mg were successfully synthesized through a simple co-precipitation method (named p _0.5, p ₁, and p _1.5, respectively) and verified by colorimetric determination. Also, the as-synthesized RMNP powders were characterized by XRD, SEM/EDAX, FTIR, VSM, and zeta potential analysis. The presence of a magnetic core was proved by XRD, FTIR, and EDAX. Colorimetric analysis showed the existence of Arg in the synthesized samples. According to the zeta potential and VSM results, increasing the cap of Arg on the MNP surface leads to an increase in the surface charge and decrease in the magnetization of the RMNPs, respectively.

Magnetic nanoparticles as double-edged swords: concentration-dependent ordering or disordering effects on lysozyme

The study of the interaction of nanoparticles (NPs) with proteins is of great importance due to its relevance in several fields including nano-biosafety, nano-bioscience, nano-biomedicine, and nano-biotechnology.

Autolysis control and structural changes of purified ficin from Iranian fig latex with synthetic inhibitors

The fig's ficin is a cysteine endoproteolytic enzyme, which plays fundamental roles in many plant physiological processes, and has many applications in different industries such as pharmaceutical and food. In this work, we report the inhibition and activation of autolysis and structural changes associated with reaction of ficin with iodoacetamide and tetrathionate using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultra filtration membrane, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods. The ficin structural changes were also determined using UV-absorption, circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. These techniques demonstrated that iodoacetamide completely inhibited ficin autolysis, which was irreversible. However, tetrathionate partially and reversibility inhibited its autolysis. The ficin structural changes with two synthetic inhibitors were associated with secondary structural changes related to decreased alpha-helix and increased beta sheet and random coil conformations, contributing to its aggregation.

Hemoglobin fructation promotes heme degradation through the generation of endogenous reactive oxygen species

Protein glycation is a cascade of nonenzymatic reactions between reducing sugars and amino groups of proteins. It is referred to as fructation when the reducing monosaccharide is fructose. Some potential mechanisms have been suggested for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by protein glycation reactions in the presence of glucose. In this state, glucose autoxidation, ketoamine, and oxidative advance glycation end products (AGEs) formation are considered as major sources of ROS and perhaps heme degradation during hemoglobin glycation. However, whether fructose mediated glycation produces ROS and heme degradation is unknown. Here we report that ROS (H2O2) production occurred during hemoglobin fructation in vitro using chemiluminescence methods. The enhanced heme exposure and degradation were determined using UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrophotometry. Following accumulation of ROS, heme degradation products were accumulated reaching a plateau along with the detected ROS. Thus, fructose may make a significant contribution to the production of ROS, glycation of proteins, and heme degradation during diabetes.

Heme degradation upon production of endogenous hydrogen peroxide via interaction of hemoglobin with sodium dodecyl sulfate

In this study the hemoglobin heme degradation upon interaction with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was investigated using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, multivariate curve resolution analysis, and chemiluminescence method. Our results showed that heme degradation occurred during interaction of hemoglobin with SDS producing three fluorescent components. We showed that the hydrogen peroxide, produced during this interaction, caused heme degradation. In addition, the endogenous hydrogen peroxide was more effective in hemoglobin heme degradation compared to exogenously added hydrogen peroxide. The endogenous form of hydrogen peroxide altered oxyHb to aquamethemoglobin and hemichrome at low concentration. In contrast, the exogenous hydrogen peroxide lacked this ability under same conditions.

Energetic domains and conformational analysis of human serum albumin upon co-incubation with sodium benzoate and glucose

Sodium benzoate (SB), a powerful inhibitor of microbial growth, is one of the most commonly used food preservative. Here, we determined the effects of SB on human serum albumin (HSA) structure in the presence or absence of glucose after 35 days of incubation under physiological conditions. The biochemical, biophysical, and molecular approaches including free amine content assay (TNBSA assay), fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and molecular docking and LIGPLOT studies were utilized for structural studies. The TNBSA results indicated that SB has the ability to bind Lys residues in HSA through covalent bonds. The docking and LIGPLOT studies also determined another specific site via hydrophobic interactions. The CD results showed more structural helicity for HSA incubated with SB, while HSA incubated with glucose had the least, and HSA incubated with glucose + SB had medium helicity. Fluorescence spectrophotometry results demonstrated partial unfolding of HSA incubated with SB in the presence or absence of glucose, while maximum partial unfolding was observed in HSA incubated with glucose. These results were confirmed by DSC and its deconvoluted thermograms. The DSC results also showed significant changes in HSA energetic structural domains due to HSA incubation with SB in the presence or absence of glucose. Together, our studies showed the formation of three different intermediates and indicate that biomolecular investigation are effective in providing new insight into safety determinations especially in health-related conditions including diabetes.

Effects of dichlorvos and carbaryl on the activity of free and immobilized acetylcholinesterase

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is responsible for the rapid hydrolytic degradation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine into inactive products choline and acetic acid. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of carbaryl and dichlorvos on the activity of AChE. In this experimental study, 60 samples of free and immobilized form of AChE were prepared. Determination of AChE activity followed the Ellman’s method with modifications. Briefly, 200 µl of the enzyme solution was combined with 400 µl of 25 mM phosphate-buffered saline, 200 µl of DTNB [5,5′-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)], and 200 µl of 300 μM acetylthiocholine iodide. Triplicate (1000 µl) samples were transferred to clean 1.5-ml centrifuge tubes, mixed, and held on ice until analysed and the change in absorbance was measured. For inhibition studies, substrate solutions were pre-incubated with dichlorvos and/or carbaryl. Dichlorvos and carbaryl were used at the concentrations of 100 and 500 μM. The activity was evaluated at 412 nm using Ceceil, CE 1020 spectrophotometer. Phosphate buffer (pH 7.35) was used for blanks. AChE activity was quantified as mM/ml/min. AChE activity of free form is more affected by Dichlorvos (0.09 ± 0.03 mM/ml/min) than immobilized form (0.19 ± 0.02 mM/ml/min). AChE activity of free form is more affected by carbaryl (0.11 ± 0.01 mM/ml/min) than immobilized form (0.1 ± 0.04 mM/ml/min). Comparison of mean AChE activity showed that the activity of the enzyme in presence of dichlorvos and carbaryl was significantly lower compared to controls. To calculate the significance of the difference, the t-test for paired values was applied. The results of our study indicate that dichlorvos and carbaryl cause decrease in AChE activity for both free and immobilization form of enzyme. It is therefore concluded that measuring AChE activity is a way to evaluate poisoning with carbaryl and dichlorvos.

Subcellular fractionation of midgut cells of the sunn pest Eurygaster integriceps (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae): enzyme markers of microvillar and perimicrovillar membranes

The subcellular distributions of six digestive and non-digestive enzymes (alpha-glucosidase, beta-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, aminopeptidase and lactate dehydrogenase) of Eurygaster integriceps have been studied. The subcellular distributions of acid phosphatase and alpha-glucosidase are similar and the gradient ultracentrifugation profiles of these two enzymes overlap. Two partially membrane-bound enzymes, alkaline phosphatase and beta-glucosidase have similar distributions in differential centrifugation fractions, which are different from that of alpha-glucosidase. Sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation of membranes from luminal contents showed that beta-glucosidase carrying membranes are heavier. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed that the profile of proteins extracted from beta-glucosidase carrying membranes is different from that of alpha-glucosidase carrying membranes. We conclude that beta-glucosidase and aminopeptidase are markers of microvillar membrane (MM) and perimicrovillar space, respectively, while alpha-glucosidase and acid phosphatase are perimicrovillar markers. In E. integriceps V1 luminal content is a rich source of PMM and MM and that is used to resolve these membranes.

Soil decontamination of 2,4,6- trinitrotoluene by alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Present study investigate the toxicity effect of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) on a terrestrial plant, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in artificial soils. In this study, TNT toxicity assessment was performed on spiked silica with this nitroaromatic compound by determination of the percent of emergence and shoots and roots biomasses at the concentration range of 3.2-10000 mg kg(-1) Dry Weight (DW). The emergence was reduced by 22-32% after 5 days of exposure at TNT concentrations up to 100 mg kg(-1) DW; shoot and root biomasses were reduced by 48-50 and 63-74%, respectively after 30 days exposure at TNT concentrations < or = 32 mg kg(-1) DW. Concentrations higher than 100 mg kg(-1) DW can not be tolerated at all. Concentrations of TNT and its metabolites in silica, root and shoot were measured by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Analyses of TNT spiked soil extracts reveal hat during alfalfa cultivation for 30 days, TNT was partially transformed at the extent of 15-27%. This transformation decreased at higher TNT soil concentrations. TNT is taken up and metabolized by plants to its downstream derivatives.

Consequential Alterations in Haemoglobin Structure upon Glycation with Fructose: Prevention by Acetylsalicylic Acid

Increased fructose concentration in erythrocytes of diabetic patients subject haemoglobin (Hb) to be glycated by fructose. Haemoglobin glycation results in early and advanced glycation end products which are known as HbA(1c) and Hb-AGE, respectively. In diabetics the Hb-AGE content raises and the mean parameter multiplication value (PMV) for Hb-AGE has been calculated at 6 against non-diabetics. We are emphasizing on fluorescence descriptive pairs especially of 370/440 nm (lambda(ex)/lambda(em)) and thioflavin T binding process to characterize short-term Hb-AGE formation upon glycation with fructose or fructation. Secondary structure elements were estimated after far-UV circular dichroism spectropolarimetery which reveals up to 11.3% beta-content attainment for 20 days incubated Hb with fructose which is concurred with enhanced hydrophobicity of the protein. The later is described through enhanced 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulphonate (ANS) binding to fructated protein. The preventive effect of acetylsalicylic acid on glycation of methemoglobin and consequently, Hb-AGE formation also has been included.

A distinct intermediate of RNase A is induced by sodium dodecyl sulfate at its pKa

The chemical denaturation of RNase A was found to be mediated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at various pH. The characterization of the unfolding pathway was investigated by spectrophotometry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and was analyzed by multivariate curve resolution (MCR) as a chemometric method. The spectrophotometric titration curve of RNase A upon interaction with SDS indicated a distinct complex intermediate in glycine buffer at pH 3.3. This was accompanied with the catalytic activation of the enzyme and was concurrent with maximum population of the intermediate, determined by MCR. This was confirmed by the DSC profile of RNase A in the presence of SDS, indicated by two transitions in thermal unfolding. The kinetic data on the unfolding process of RNase A upon addition of SDS showed a two-phase pathway under the same conditions. The intermediate appeared at low pH especially at the pK(a) of SDS (pH 3.3). These results provide strong evidence of the influence of low pH (around the pK(a) of SDS) on the existence of an intermediate upon interaction of RNase A with SDS.

Monitoring motility, spreading, and mortality of adherent insect cells using an impedance sensor

An emerging sensor technology referred to as electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) has been extended for monitoring the behavior of insect cells including attachment, motility, and mortality. In ECIS, adherent cells were cultured on an array of eight small gold electrodes deposited on the bottom of tissue culture wells and immersed in a culture medium. Upon the attachment and spreading of cells on the gold electrode, the impedance increased because the cells acted as insulating particles to restrict the current flow. Experimental data revealed that insect cells interacted differently with various proteins used to precoat the gold electrode with concanavalin A as the best promoter to accelerate the rate of cell attachment. After the cells were fully spread, the measured impedance continued to fluctuate to reflect the constant motion and metabolic activity of the cells. As the cell behavior was sensitive to external chemicals, the applicability of ECIS for inhibition assays was demonstrated with HgCl2, trinitrotoluene, trinitrobenzene (TNB), and 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene as model systems. Unlike conventional assays, the quantitative data obtained in this study are taken in real time and in a continuous fashion to depict cell motility and mortality.

Adsorptive immobilization of submitochondrial particles on Fractosil

(1) Submitochondrial particles prepared from beef liver mitochondria were immobilized on Fractosil, a porous form of silica, in order to stabilize their enzymatic activity. (2) The catalytic activity of succinate-cytochrome c reductase, an enzyme complex of the inner mitochondrial membrane, was followed in this study. Adsorption resulted in significant stabilization with a lowering of K(m) (app.) for succinate, in spite of mass transfer and diffusion limitations expected to occur in such a complex and heterogeneous system. An increase in catalytic potential was also observed upon immobilization. These observations, taken together, suggest that substantial degree of conversation of substrates to their respective products may be achieved by such immobilized preparations. (3) Positive cooperative interactions for binding of submitochondrial particles to the matrix was observed, apparently with two sets of sites, the second set indicating a much greater hill coefficient. (4) The present report indicates that adsorption with the use of a porous inorganic support such as Fractosil may provide a simple and efficient method of immobilization. Such preparations containing membrane enzymes in their native microenvironments would be useful for continuous catalytic transformations and also for construction of biosensors.

Adsorptive immobilization of submitochondrial particles on concanavalin A Sepharose-4B

Submitochondrial particles (SMPs) prepared from beef liver mitochondria were immobilized on concanavalin A Sepharose-4B (Con A-Sepharose). The process of immobilization was optimized by choosing an appropriate buffer system containing Mn2+ and Ca2+. Adsorption of SMPs on Con A-Sepharose was found to be reversible process, nonelectrostatic in nature, and responsive to the presence of methyl alpha-d-glucopyranose and alpha-d-mannose. The involvement of membrane glycoproteins in the adsorption process was thus demonstrated. Further analysis of the data obtained on competition of binding by sugar molecules provided competition constants reflecting the potency of inhibition by each individual carbohydrate. Positive-cooperative interactions for binding to the matrix were observed especially at high concentrations of SMPs. The immobilized preparations were used successfully in continuous catalytic transformations involving succinate-cytochrome c reductase (SCR) and enzyme complex of the inner-mitochondrial membrane. Best results were obtained when such operations were carried out at 37 degrees C.