scholarly journals Do carbon nanotubes inhibit or promote amyloid fibrils formation?

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Conformational Analysis ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Egg White Lysozyme ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
Α Helix

Objectives: The purpose of the work was to study the effect of carbon nanotubes on the formation of fibril structures in lysozyme at room temperature under different pH values. Materials and methods: For the preparation of the samples, hen egg-white lysozyme protein (HEWL, Fluka), as well as single-walled (SWCNT, Sigma-Aldrich) and multi-walled (MWCNT, OOO TM “Spetsmash”, Kyiv, Ukraine) carbon nanotubes were used. Used techniques: IR-Fourier Absorption Spectroscopy; confocal microscopy. Results: In this paper, the study of molecular mechanisms of interaction of lysozyme with carbon nanotubes by vibrational spectroscopy was carried out and a conformational analysis of the formed complexes was performed. It is shown that carbon nanotubes can affect the structure of lysozyme even at room temperature and normal pH values, as evidenced by conformational changes in lysozyme due to interaction with carbon nanotubes. Complexes which are formed as a result of such interaction, have characteristic features of amyloid fibrillar structures. It reveals one of possible mechanisms of carbon nanotubes cytotoxicity. On the other hand, such a technique can be introduced to obtain model amyloid fibrils for further study. Conclusion: The method of vibtarional spectroscopy has shown that carbon nanotubes can influence the structure of lysozyme, as it is shown by the conformational analysis of the absorption band Amide I. After the interaction of lysozyme with CNT, an increase in the contribution of antiparallel β-conformation in the structure of lysozyme is observed, and the contribution of the α-helix conformation is reduced, which are characteristic features in the formation of fibrillar structures. The possibility of amyloid fibril formation without the use of high temperatures at different pH values with the interaction of lysozyme and carbon nanotubes, which can be applied as a method for obtaining the model amyloid fibrils, is shown.

Orthorhombic lysozyme crystallization at acidic pH values driven by phosphate binding

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 480-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Plaza-Garrido ◽  
M. Carmen Salinas-Garcia ◽  
Ana Camara-Artigas
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Protein Crystallization ◽  
Amyloid Formation ◽  
Acidic Ph ◽  
Phosphate Binding ◽  
Cell Parameters ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Phosphate Ion ◽  
Α Helix

The structure of orthorhombic lysozyme has been obtained at 298 K and pH 4.5 using sodium chloride as the precipitant and in the presence of sodium phosphate at a concentration as low as 5 mM. Crystals belonging to space groupP212121(unit-cell parametersa= 30,b= 56,c= 73 Å, α = β = γ = 90.00°) diffracted to a resolution higher than 1 Å, and the high quality of these crystals permitted the identification of a phosphate ion bound to Arg14 and His15. The binding of this ion produces long-range conformational changes affecting the loop containing Ser60–Asn74. The negatively charged phosphate ion shields the electrostatic repulsion of the positively charged arginine and histidine residues, resulting in higher stability of the phosphate-bound lysozyme. Additionally, a low-humidity orthorhombic variant was obtained at pH 4.5, and comparison with those previously obtained at pH 6.5 and 9.5 shows a 1.5 Å displacement of the fifth α-helix towards the active-site cavity, which might be relevant to protein function. Since lysozyme is broadly used as a model protein in studies related to protein crystallization and amyloid formation, these results indicate that the interaction of some anions must be considered when analysing experiments performed at acidic pH values.

scholarly journals Molecular insights into amyloid regulation by membrane cholesterol and sphingolipids: common mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Fantini ◽  
Nouara Yahi
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Neural Cells ◽  
Amyloidogenic Proteins ◽  
Innovative Therapies ◽  
Conformational Plasticity ◽  
Direct Binding ◽  
Α Helix

Alzheimer, Parkinson and other neurodegenerative diseases involve a series of brain proteins, referred to as ‘amyloidogenic proteins’, with exceptional conformational plasticity and a high propensity for self-aggregation. Although the mechanisms by which amyloidogenic proteins kill neural cells are not fully understood, a common feature is the concentration of unstructured amyloidogenic monomers on bidimensional membrane lattices. Membrane-bound monomers undergo a series of lipid-dependent conformational changes, leading to the formation of oligomers of varying toxicity rich in β-sheet structures (annular pores, amyloid fibrils) or in α-helix structures (transmembrane channels). Condensed membrane nano- or microdomains formed by sphingolipids and cholesterol are privileged sites for the binding and oligomerisation of amyloidogenic proteins. By controlling the balance between unstructured monomers and α or β conformers (the chaperone effect), sphingolipids can either inhibit or stimulate the oligomerisation of amyloidogenic proteins. Cholesterol has a dual role: regulation of protein–sphingolipid interactions through a fine tuning of sphingolipid conformation (indirect effect), and facilitation of pore (or channel) formation through direct binding to amyloidogenic proteins. Deciphering this complex network of molecular interactions in the context of age- and disease-related evolution of brain lipid expression will help understanding of how amyloidogenic proteins induce neural toxicity and will stimulate the development of innovative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Conformational Changes of the Wild-Type hIAPP and the S20P Mutant in Water Revealed by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

2011 ◽  
Vol 396-398 ◽  
pp. 1554-1557
Author(s):  
Mian Wang ◽  
Jian Yi Wang
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Hydrogen Bond ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Helical Structure ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Hydrogen Bond Interaction ◽  
Hydrogen Bond Networks ◽  
Α Helix ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Conformational changes of wild-type (WT) hIAPP and the S20P mutant in explicit water are investigated using molecular dynamics. In the whole simulation, WT shows compacter structure and has more hydrogen-bond networks than S20P. The residues 14-18 in WT is always maintained as a helical structure which is stabilized by the hydrogen bond between Ser20 and NH group of His18, and the other regions in WT partially loosen from α-helix structures into the coil structures. The S20P mutant in a shortage of hydrogen-bond interaction unfolds faster than WT. This work provides insight into the specific conformation of IAPP which is associated with the generation of amyloid fibrils.

Infrared spectra of N-acetyl-L-α-amino-acid N'-methylamides with aliphatic side chains in non-polar solvents

1981 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 772-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorga Smolíková ◽  
Jan Pospíšek ◽  
Karel Bláha
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Infrared Spectra ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Side Chains ◽  
Polar Solvents

Infrared spectra of the L-alanine (I), L-leucine (II), L-valine (III) and L-tert-leucine (IV) N-acetyl N'-methylamides were measured. Amides I-IV are not self associated in tetrachlormethane in the concentration 2 . 10-5 mol l-1 at room temperature and in tetrachloroethylene in the concentration 1.5 . 10-4 mol l-1 at temperatures above 65° C. True conformational changes are observable only with the least flexible amide IV which exists at room temperature in a C5 conformation. This conformational type is also highly populated in the valine derivative III, but is less important in the alanine and leucine derivatives I and II in which the intramolecularly bonded C7 and the distorted hydrogen-nonbonded conformations contribute seriously.

scholarly journals A Facile and Efficient Bromination of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3161
Author(s):  
Sandra Zarska ◽  
Damian Kulawik ◽  
Volodymyr Pavlyuk ◽  
Piotr Tomasik ◽  
Alicja Bachmatiuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Covalent Attachment ◽  
Closed Vessel ◽  
Dangling Bonds ◽  
Magnetic Stirrer ◽  
Defect Sites ◽  
Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Covalently Bound

The bromination of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was performed with vapor bromine in a closed vessel, and they were subjected to intensive stirring with a magnetic stirrer for up to 14 days. The efficiency of bromination was compared depending upon duration. The structure and surface of the crude and purified products were characterized by detailed physicochemical analyses, such as SEM/EDS, TEM, XRD, TGA, Raman, and XPS spectroscopies. The studies confirmed the presence of bromine covalently bound with nanotubes as well as the formation of inclusion MWCNT–Br2 complexes. It was confirmed that Br2 molecules are absorbed on the surface of nanotubes (forming the CNT-Br2 complex), while they can dissociate close to dangling bonds at CNT defect sites with the formation of covalent C−Br bonds. Thus, any covalent attachment of bromine to the graphitic surface achieved around room temperature is likely related to the defects in the MWCNTs. The best results, i.e., the highest amount of attached Br2, were obtained for brominated nanotubes brominated for 10 days, with the content of covalently bound bromine being 0.68 at% (by XPS).

scholarly journals Enhanced Oil Removal by a Non-Toxic Biosurfactant Formulation

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 467
Author(s):  
Emília Mendes da Silva Santos ◽  
Isabela Regina Alvares da Silva Lira ◽  
Hugo Moraes Meira ◽  
Jaciana dos Santos Aguiar ◽  
Raquel Diniz Rufino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Room Temperature ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Aeration Rate ◽  
Oil Removal ◽  
Central Composite Rotatable Design ◽  
Chemical Methods ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Spectroscopic Analyses ◽  
New Formulation ◽  
Central Composite

In this study, a new formulation of low-cost, biodegradable, and non-toxic biosurfactant by Candida sphaerica UCP 0995 was investigated. The study was conducted in a bioreactor on an industrial waste-based medium, and a central composite rotatable design was used for optimization. The best results, namely a 25.22 mN/m reduction in surface tension, a biosurfactant yield of 10.0 g/L, and a critical micelle concentration of 0.2 g/L, were achieved in 132 h at an agitation speed of 175 rpm and an aeration rate of 1.5 vvm. Compositional and spectroscopic analyses of the purified biosurfactant by chemical methods, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance suggested that it is a glycolipid-type biosurfactant, and it showed no cytotoxicity in the MTT assay. The biosurfactant, submitted to different formulation methods as a commercial additive, remained stable for 120 days at room temperature. Tensioactive properties and stability were evaluated at different pH values, temperatures, and salt concentrations. The biosurfactant obtained with all formulation methods demonstrated good stability, with tolerance to wide ranges of pH, temperature and salinity, enabling application under extreme environmental conditions. Bioremediation tests were performed to check the efficacy of the isolated biosurfactant and the selected microbial species in removing oil from soil. The results demonstrated that the biosurfactant produced has promising properties as an agent for the bioremediation of contaminated soil.

scholarly journals The key amino acids of E protein involved in early flavivirus infection: viral entry

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Hu ◽  
Zhen Wu ◽  
Shaoxiong Wu ◽  
Shun Chen ◽  
Anchun Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Envelope Protein ◽  
Cell Attachment ◽  
Envelope Proteins ◽  
Infection Process ◽  
Early Infection ◽  
Protein Amino Acids ◽  
Α Helix

AbstractFlaviviruses are enveloped viruses that infect multiple hosts. Envelope proteins are the outermost proteins in the structure of flaviviruses and mediate viral infection. Studies indicate that flaviviruses mainly use envelope proteins to bind to cell attachment receptors and endocytic receptors for the entry step. Here, we present current findings regarding key envelope protein amino acids that participate in the flavivirus early infection process. Among these sites, most are located in special positions of the protein structure, such as the α-helix in the stem region and the hinge region between domains I and II, motifs that potentially affect the interaction between different domains. Some of these sites are located in positions involved in conformational changes in envelope proteins. In summary, we summarize and discuss the key envelope protein residues that affect the entry process of flaviviruses, including the process of their discovery and the mechanisms that affect early infection.

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