Structural and conformational stability of hemocyanin from the garden snail Cornu aspersum

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 113-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Dolashki ◽  
Lyudmila Velkova ◽  
Wolfgang Voelter ◽  
Pavlina Dolashka
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Quaternary Structure ◽  
Conformational Stability ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Cornu Aspersum ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Immunogenic Properties ◽  
First Time ◽  
Secondary Structural Elements

Abstract Various aspects of biomedical applications of molluscan hemocyanins, associated with their immunogenic properties and antitumor activity, promoted us to perform structural studies on these glycoproteins. The stability and reassociation behavior of native Cornu aspersum hemocyanin (CaH) are studied in the presence of different concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions and pH values using electron microscopy. Higher concentrations of those ions led to a more rapid reassociation of CaH, resulting in stable multidecamers with different lengths. The conformational changes of native CaH are investigated within a wide pH-temperature range by UV circular dichroism. The relatively small changes of initial [θ]λ indicated that many secondary structural elements are preserved, even at high temperatures above 80°C, especially at neutral pH. The mechanism of thermal unfolding of CaH has a complicated character, and the process is irreversible. The conformational stability of the native didecameric aggregates of CaH toward various denaturants indicates that hydrophilic and polar forces stabilize the quaternary structure. For the first time, the unfolding of native CaH in water solutions in the presence of four different denaturants is investigated. The free energy of stabilization in water, ∆GDH2O, was calculated in the range of 15.48–16.95 kJ mol−1. The presented results will facilitate the further investigation of the properties and potential applications of CaH.

Electron Microscopy and image reconstruction reveal the structural basis for spectrin's elastic properties

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 510-511
Author(s):  
Amy M. McGough ◽  
Robert Josephs
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Elastic Properties ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Quaternary Structure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Membrane Skeleton ◽  
Projection Algorithm ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Iterative Approximation ◽  
Membrane Skeletons

The remarkable deformability of the erythrocyte derives in large part from the elastic properties of spectrin, the major component of the membrane skeleton. It is generally accepted that spectrin's elasticity arises from marked conformational changes which include variations in its overall length (1). In this work the structure of spectrin in partially expanded membrane skeletons was studied by electron microscopy to determine the molecular basis for spectrin's elastic properties. Spectrin molecules were analysed with respect to three features: length, conformation, and quaternary structure. The results of these studies lead to a model of how spectrin mediates the elastic deformation of the erythrocyte.Membrane skeletons were isolated from erythrocyte membrane ghosts, negatively stained, and examined by transmission electron microscopy (2). Particle lengths and end-to-end distances were measured from enlarged prints using the computer program MACMEASURE. Spectrin conformation (straightness) was assessed by calculating the particles’ correlation length by iterative approximation (3). Digitised spectrin images were correlation averaged or Fourier filtered to improve their signal-to-noise ratios. Three-dimensional reconstructions were performed using a suite of programs which were based on the filtered back-projection algorithm and executed on a cluster of Microvax 3200 workstations (4).

scholarly journals Parametric Analysis of the Shear Lag Effect in Tube Structural Systems of Tall Buildings

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 278
Author(s):  
Ivan Hafner ◽  
Anđelko Vlašić ◽  
Tomislav Kišiček ◽  
Tvrtko Renić
Keyword(s):  
Parametric Analysis ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Tall Buildings ◽  
Structural Systems ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Structural System ◽  
Shear Lag ◽  
Shear Lag Effect ◽  
Lag Effect ◽  
Secondary Structural Elements

Horizontal loads such as earthquake and wind are considered dominant loads for the design of tall buildings. One of the most efficient structural systems in this regard is the tube structural system. Even though such systems have a high resistance when it comes to horizontal loads, the shear lag effect that is characterized by an incomplete and uneven activation of vertical elements may cause a series of problems such as the deformation of internal panels and secondary structural elements, which cumulatively grow with the height of the building. In this paper, the shear lag effect in a typical tube structure will be observed and analyzed on a series of different numerical models. A parametric analysis will be conducted with a great number of variations in the structural elements and building layout, for the purpose of giving recommendations for an optimal design of a tube structural system.

scholarly journals A pH-Responsive Foam Formulated with PAA/Gemini 12-2-12 Complexes

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Hernán Martinelli ◽  
Claudia Domínguez ◽  
Marcos Fernández Leyes ◽  
Sergio Moya ◽  
Hernán Ritacco
Keyword(s):  
Surface Tension ◽  
Dynamic Surface Tension ◽  
Foam Formation ◽  
Ph Responsive ◽  
Dynamic Surface ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Equilibrium Surface Tension ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Air Interfaces

In the search for responsive complexes with potential applications in the formulation of smart dispersed systems such as foams, we hypothesized that a pH-responsive system could be formulated with polyacrylic acid (PAA) mixed with a cationic surfactant, Gemini 12-2-12 (G12). We studied PAA-G12 complexes at liquid–air interfaces by equilibrium and dynamic surface tension, surface rheology, and X-ray reflectometry (XRR). We found that complexes adsorb at the interfaces synergistically, lowering the equilibrium surface tension at surfactant concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration (cmc) of the surfactant. We studied the stability of foams formulated with the complexes as a function of pH. The foams respond reversibly to pH changes: at pH 3.5, they are very stable; at pH > 6, the complexes do not form foams at all. The data presented here demonstrate that foam formation and its pH responsiveness are due to interfacial dynamics.

scholarly journals Stability charts based on the finite element method for underground cavities in soft carbonate rocks: validation through case-study applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 2079-2095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Perrotti ◽  
Piernicola Lollino ◽  
Nunzio Luciano Fazio ◽  
Mario Parise
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Safety Margin ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
The Finite Element Method ◽  
Geometrical Features ◽  
Overall Stability ◽  
Underground Cavities ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Rock Mechanical Properties

Abstract. The stability of man-made underground cavities in soft rocks interacting with overlying structures and infrastructures represents a challenging problem to be faced. Based upon the results of a large number of parametric two-dimensional (2-D) finite-element analyses of ideal cases of underground cavities, accounting for the variability both cave geometrical features and rock mechanical properties, specific charts have been recently proposed in the literature to assess at a preliminary stage the stability of the cavities. The purpose of the present paper is to validate the efficacy of the stability charts through the application to several case studies of underground cavities, considering both quarries collapsed in the past and quarries still stable. The stability graphs proposed by Perrotti et al. (2018) can be useful to evaluate, in a preliminary way, a safety margin for cavities that have not reached failure and to detect indications of predisposition to local or general instability phenomena. Alternatively, for sinkholes that already occurred, the graphs may be useful in identifying the conditions that led to the collapse, highlighting the importance of some structural elements (as pillars and internal walls) on the overall stability of the quarry system.

scholarly journals A Novel Approach to Fabricate Foam Ceramics from Steel Slag

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Yu Zheng ◽  
Xudong Luo ◽  
Jinlong Yang ◽  
Wenlong Huo ◽  
Chi Kang
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Ph Value ◽  
Steel Slag ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Solid Loading ◽  
Insulation Material ◽  
Ceramic Foams ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
The Stability ◽  
First Time

A novel approach is used for fabricating steel slag foam ceramics based on the particle-stabilized foaming method. In this work, steel slag was used as the raw material and propyl gallate (PG) was used as the surface modifier. For the first time, steel slag ceramic foams were successfully fabricated based on particle-stabilized foams. The results show that the stability of the ceramic foams was closely related to the pH value and PG concentration. The porosity and compressive strength could be controlled by changing the solid loading of steel slag and sintering temperature. The porosity of steel slag foam ceramics ranged from 85.6% to 62.53%, and the compressive strength was from 1.74 MPa to 10.42 MPa. The thermal conductivity of steel slag foam ceramics was only 0.067 W (m·K)−1, which shows that it could be used as a thermal insulation material.

scholarly journals Temporal Stability and Biodiversity of Two Complex Antilisterial Cheese-Ripening Microbial Consortia

2003 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 4012-4018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariel Maoz ◽  
Ralf Mayr ◽  
Siegfried Scherer
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Microbial Consortia ◽  
Cheese Ripening ◽  
Safe Food ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Individual ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACT The temporal stability and diversity of bacterial species composition as well as the antilisterial potential of two different, complex, and undefined microbial consortia from red-smear soft cheeses were investigated. Samples were collected twice, at 6-month intervals, from each of two food producers, and a total of 400 bacterial isolates were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis. Coryneform bacteria represented the majority of the isolates, with certain species being predominant. In addition, Marinolactobacillus psychrotolerans, Halomonas venusta, Halomonas variabilis, Halomonas sp. (106 to 107 CFU per g of smear), and an unknown, gram-positive bacterium (107 to 108 CFU per g of smear) are described for the first time in such a consortium. The species composition of one consortium was quite stable over 6 months, but the other consortium revealed less diversity of coryneform species as well as less stability. While the first consortium had a stable, extraordinarily high antilisterial potential in situ, the antilisterial activity of the second consortium was lower and decreased with time. The cause for the antilisterial activity of the two consortia remained unknown but is not due to the secretion of soluble, inhibitory substances by the individual components of the consortium. Our data indicate that the stability over time and a potential antilisterial activity are individual characteristics of the ripening consortia which can be monitored and used for safe food production without artificial preservatives.

In Silico Genetic Robustness Analysis of Secondary Structural Elements in the miRNA Gene

2008 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 560-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjie Shu ◽  
Ming Ni ◽  
Xiaochen Bo ◽  
Zhiqiang Zheng ◽  
Shengqi Wang
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Mirna Gene ◽  
Robustness Analysis ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Genetic Robustness ◽  
Secondary Structural Elements

Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan-Casein Phosphopeptides Biocomposite Coatings on the Medical Titanium Alloy

2011 ◽  
Vol 480-481 ◽  
pp. 1065-1069
Author(s):  
Bin Liu ◽  
Lin Wang ◽  
Yin Zhong Bu ◽  
Sheng Rong Yang ◽  
Jin Qing Wang
Keyword(s):  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Attenuated Total Reflectance ◽  
Ti Alloy ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Implant Materials ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Casein Phosphopeptides ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
First Time

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys have been applied in orthopedics as one of the most popular biomedical metallic implant materials. In this work, to enhance the bioactivity, the surface of Ti alloy pre-modified by silane coupling agent and glutaraldehyde was covalently grafted with chitosan (CS) via biochemical multistep self-assembled method. Then, for the first time, the achieved surface was further immobilized with casein phosphopeptides (CPP), which are one group of bioactive peptides released from caseins in the digestive tract and can facilitate the calcium adsorption and usage, to form CS-CPP biocomposite coatings. The structure and composition of the fabricated coatings were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). As the experimental results indicated, multi-step assembly was successfully performed, and the CS and CPP were assembled onto the Ti alloy surface orderly. It is anticipated that the Ti alloys modified by CS-CPP biocomposite coatings will find potential applications as implant materials in biomedical fields.

scholarly journals Fabrication and Characterization of Lignin/Dendrimer Electrospun Blended Fiber Mats

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 518
Author(s):  
Somaye Akbari ◽  
Addie Bahi ◽  
Ali Farahani ◽  
Abbas S. Milani ◽  
Frank Ko
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Characteristics ◽  
Dendritic Polymers ◽  
Amino Groups ◽  
Fiber Mats ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Solution Electrospinning ◽  
Nanofiber Mats ◽  
Softwood Kraft Lignin ◽  
First Time

Blending lignin as the second most abundant polymer in Nature with nanostructured compounds such as dendritic polymers can not only add value to lignin, but also increase its application in various fields. In this study, softwood Kraft lignin/polyamidoamine dendritic polymer (PAMAM) blends were fabricated by the solution electrospinning to produce bead-free nanofiber mats for the first time. The mats were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, zeta potential, and thermogravimetry analyses. The chemical intermolecular interactions between the lignin functional groups and abundant amino groups in the PAMAM were verified by FTIR and viscosity measurements. These interactions proved to enhance the mechanical and thermal characteristics of the lignin/PAMAM mats, suggesting their potential applications e.g. in membranes, filtration, controlled release drug delivery, among others.

In silico identification and characterization of sensory motifs in the transcriptional regulators of the ArsR-SmtB family

Metallomics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1476-1500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rima Roy ◽  
Saikat Samanta ◽  
Surajit Patra ◽  
Nav Kumar Mahato ◽  
Rudra P. Saha
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Transcriptional Regulators ◽  
Transcriptional Repressors ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
In Silico Identification ◽  
Metal Efflux ◽  
Identification And Characterization ◽  
Secondary Structural Elements ◽  
Efflux Proteins

The ArsR-SmtB family of transcriptional repressors regulates the transcription of metal-efflux proteins by binding specific metals at a variety of secondary structural elements, called motifs, on the surface of the proteins.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document