scholarly journals Seeking Solvation: Exploring the Role of Protein Hydration in Silk Gelation

Molecules ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 551
Author(s):  
Peter R. Laity ◽  
Chris Holland
Keyword(s):  
Hydration Shell ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Protein Hydration ◽  
Radius Of Gyration ◽  
Strength Of Interaction ◽  
Aqueous Salt Solutions ◽  
Dilute Aqueous Solution ◽  
The Stability

The mechanism by which arthropods (e.g., spiders and many insects) can produce silk fibres from an aqueous protein (fibroin) solution has remained elusive, despite much scientific investigation. In this work, we used several techniques to explore the role of a hydration shell bound to the fibroin in native silk feedstock (NSF) from Bombyx mori silkworms. Small angle X-ray and dynamic light scattering (SAXS and DLS) revealed a coil size (radius of gyration or hydrodynamic radius) around 12 nm, providing considerable scope for hydration. Aggregation in dilute aqueous solution was observed above 65 °C, matching the gelation temperature of more concentrated solutions and suggesting that the strength of interaction with the solvent (i.e., water) was the dominant factor. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy indicated decreasing hydration as the temperature was raised, with similar changes in hydration following gelation by freezing or heating. It was found that the solubility of fibroin in water or aqueous salt solutions could be described well by a relatively simple thermodynamic model for the stability of the protein hydration shell, which suggests that the affected water is enthalpically favoured but entropically penalised, due to its reduced (vibrational or translational) dynamics. Moreover, while the majority of this investigation used fibroin from B. mori, comparisons with published work on silk proteins from other silkworms and spiders, globular proteins and peptide model systems suggest that our findings may be of much wider significance.

On the Structure of Lead(II) Complexes in Aqueous Solutions. I. Trinuclear Clusters

1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Breza ◽  
Alena Manová
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Chemistry ◽  
Aqueous Solutions ◽  
Electronic Structures ◽  
Mndo Method ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Trinuclear Clusters ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Semiempirical Mndo

Using semiempirical MNDO method of quantum chemistry the optimal geometries and corresponding electronic structures of [Pb3(OH)n]6-n model systems as well as of their hydrated [Pb3(OH)n(H2O)8-n]6-n analogues (n = 4, 5) are investigated. The most stable trinuclear lead(II) complexes present in aqueous solutions correspond to cyclo-(μ3-OH)(μ2-OH)3Pb32+, Pb(μ-OH)2Pb(μ-OH)2Pb2+, cyclo-(μ3-OH)2(μ2-OH)3Pb3+, Pb(OH)(μ-OH)2Pb(μ-OH)Pb(OH)+ and Pb(OH)(μ-OH)2Pb(μ-OH)2Pb+ systems. The key role of OH bridges (by vanishing direct Pb-Pb bonds) on the stability of individual isomers is discussed.

Origin and stability

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted Janssen ◽  
Gervais Chapuis ◽  
Marc de Boissieu
Keyword(s):  
Landau Theory ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Zone Boundary ◽  
Brillouin Zone Boundary ◽  
Fermi Surfaces ◽  
Composite Systems ◽  
Microscopic Models ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Competitive Forces

The origin of the stability of aperiodic systems is very difficult to answer. Often the terms ‘competitive forces’ or ‘frustration’ have been proposed as the origin of stability. The role of Fermi surfaces and Brillouin zone boundary have also been invoked. This chapter deals with the numerous attempts which have been proposed for a better understanding. First, the Landau theory of phase transition, which has often been applied to understand the stability of incommensurate and composite systems, is presented here. Various semi-microscopic models are also proposed, in particular the Frenkel–Kontorova and Frank–Van der Merwe models, as well as spin models. Phase diagrams have been calculated with some success with the ANNI and DIFFOUR models. For quasicrystals, only the simplest general features are found in model systems. For a better understanding, more complex calculations are required, using, for example, ab initio methods. The chapter also discusses electronic instabilities, charge-density systems, Hume–Rothery compounds, and the growth of quasicrystals.

The Role of Surface Transport in the Stability and Breakdown of Foams

1952 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 697 ◽  
Author(s):  
WE Ewers ◽  
KL Sutherland
Keyword(s):  
Surface Tension ◽  
Foam Stability ◽  
Surface Film ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Active Material ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Surface Transport ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Surface Active Material

A new theory of foam stability is proposed which demonstrates that the transport of substrate. accompanying a movement of the surface of the bubble film, is a dominant factor in the stability of foams and in the action of foam breakers. The surface moves from a region of low surface tension (high surface pressure) to a region of high surface tension. The surface tension gradients arise from disturbances which may be caused by mechanical or thermal shocks, or by the addition to the surface of particles, droplets, or vapour of a surface-active material. When the surface tension is highest at the centre of disturbance the film mill be stable ; when the surface tension is lowest at this point the surface film and hence the substrate will be moved away from this point and the film will rupture.

A Statistical Study of Process Variables to Optimize a High Speed Curtain Coater: Part I

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
PEEYUSH TRIPATHI ◽  
MARGARET JOYCE ◽  
PAUL D. FLEMING ◽  
MASAHIRO SUGIHARA
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Statistical Study ◽  
Process Variables ◽  
High Speeds ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Air Removal ◽  
Removal System

Using an experimental design approach, researchers altered process parameters and material prop-erties to stabilize the curtain of a pilot curtain coater at high speeds. Part I of this paper identifies the four significant variables that influence curtain stability. The boundary layer air removal system was critical to the stability of the curtain and base sheet roughness was found to be very important. A shear thinning coating rheology and higher curtain heights improved the curtain stability at high speeds. The sizing of the base sheet affected coverage and cur-tain stability because of its effect on base sheet wettability. The role of surfactant was inconclusive. Part II of this paper will report on further optimization of curtain stability with these four variables using a D-optimal partial-facto-rial design.

The Role of Hydrophobicity in the Stability and pH-Switchability of (RXDX)4 and Coumarin-RXDX Conjugate β-Sheets

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Weber ◽  
Martin McCullagh
Keyword(s):  
Biological Imaging ◽  
Ph Sensing ◽  
Hydrophobic Residue ◽  
Ideal Candidate ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Sensing Applications ◽  
Β Sheets ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

<p>pH-switchable, self-assembling materials are of interest in biological imaging and sensing applications. Here we propose that combining the pH-switchability of RXDX (X=Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Phe) peptides and the optical properties of coumarin creates an ideal candidate for these materials. This suggestion is tested with a thorough set of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. We first investigate the dependence of pH-switchabiliy on the identity of the hydrophobic residue, X, in the bare (RXDX)<sub>4</sub> systems. Increasing the hydrophobicity stabilizes the fiber which, in turn, reduces the pH-switchabilty of the system. This behavior is found to be somewhat transferable to systems in which a single hydrophobic residue is replaced with a coumarin containing amino acid. In this case, conjugates with X=Ala are found to be unstable and both pHs while conjugates with X=Val, Leu, Ile and Phe are found to form stable β-sheets at least at neutral pH. The (RFDF)<sub>4</sub>-coumarin conjugate is found to have the largest relative entropy value of 0.884 +/- 0.001 between neutral and acidic coumarin ordering distributions. Thus, we posit that coumarin-(RFDF)<sub>4</sub> containing peptide sequences are ideal candidates for pH-sensing bioelectronic materials.</p>

Metal-Metal Cooperative Bond Activation by Heterobimetallic Alkyl, Aryl, and Acetylide PtII/CuI Complexes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shubham Deolka ◽  
Orestes Rivada Wheelaghan ◽  
Sandra Aristizábal ◽  
Robert Fayzullin ◽  
Shrinwantu Pal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alkyl Group ◽  
Bond Activation ◽  
Bond Cleavage ◽  
Terminal Alkyne ◽  
Alkyl Aryl ◽  
Metal Metal ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Selective Formation ◽  
Organoplatinum Compounds

We report selective formation of heterobimetallic PtII/CuI complexes that demonstrate how facile bond activation processes can be achieved by altering reactivity of common organoplatinum compounds through their interaction with another metal center. The interaction of the Cu center with Pt center and with a Pt-bound alkyl group increases the stability of PtMe2 towards undesired rollover cyclometalation. The presence of the CuI center also enables facile transmetalation from electron-deficient tetraarylborate [B(ArF)4]- anion and mild C-H bond cleavage of a terminal alkyne, which was not observed in the absence of an electrophilic Cu center. The DFT study indicates that the role of Cu center acts as a binding site for alkyne substrate, while activating its terminal C-H bond.

LANDSLIDE RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE COASTAL ZONE OF THE KUIBYSHEV RESERVOIR DUE THE DESIGN OF HIGH-SPEED LINE "MOSCOW-KAZAN"

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolai Petrov ◽  
Nikolai Petrov ◽  
Inna Nikonorova ◽  
Inna Nikonorova ◽  
Vladimir Mashin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Stable State ◽  
Landslide Risk ◽  
Kuibyshev Reservoir ◽  
Stepped Surface ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Landslide Slope ◽  
The Village

High-speed railway "Moscow-Kazan" by the draft crosses the Volga (Kuibyshev reservoir) in Chuvashia region 500 m below the village of New Kushnikovo. The crossing plot is a right-bank landslide slope with a stepped surface. Its height is 80 m; the slope steepness -15-16o. The authors should assess the risk of landslides and recommend anti-landslide measures to ensure the safety of the future bridge. For this landslide factors have been analyzed, slope stability assessment has been performed and recommendations have been suggested. The role of the following factors have been analyzed: 1) hydrologic - erosion and abrasion reservoir and runoff role; 2) lithologyc (the presence of Urzhum and Northern Dvina horizons of plastically deformable rocks, displacement areas); 3) hydrogeological (the role of perched, ground and interstratal water); 4) geomorphological (presence of the elemental composition of sliding systems and their structure in the relief); 5) exogeodynamic (cycles and stages of landslide systems development, mechanisms and relationship between landslide tiers of different generations and blocks contained in tiers). As a result 6-7 computational models at each of the three engineering-geological sections were made. The stability was evaluated by the method “of the leaning slope”. It is proved that the slope is in a very stable state and requires the following measures: 1) unloading (truncation) of active heads blocks of landslide tiers) and the edge of the plateau, 2) regulation of the surface and groundwater flow, 3) concrete dam, if necessary.

Short-Term Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide Therapy in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis: a Pilot Study to Possible Future Implications of Treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuela Onesti ◽  
Vittorio Frasca ◽  
Marco Ceccanti ◽  
Giorgio Tartaglia ◽  
Maria Cristina Gori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Myasthenia Gravis ◽  
Repetitive Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide ◽  
Open Pilot

Background: The cannabinoid system may be involved in the humoral mechanisms at the neuromuscular junction. Ultramicronized-palmitoylethanolamide (μm-PEA) has recently been shown to reduce the desensitization of Acetylcholine (ACh)-evoked currents in denervated patients modifying the stability of ACh receptor (AChR) function. <p> Objective: To analyze the possible beneficial effects of μm-PEA in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) on muscular fatigue and neurophysiological changes. <p> Method: The duration of this open pilot study, which included an intra-individual control, was three weeks. Each patient was assigned to a 1-week treatment period with μm-PEA 600 mg twice a day. A neurophysiological examination based on repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) of the masseteric and the axillary nerves was performed, and the quantitative MG (QMG) score was calculated in 22 MG patients every week in a three-week follow-up period. AChR antibody titer was investigated to analyze a possible immunomodulatory effect of PEA in MG patients. <p> Results: PEA had a significant effect on the QMG score (p=0.03418) and on RNS of the masseteric nerve (p=0.01763), thus indicating that PEA reduces the level of disability and decremental muscle response. Antibody titers did not change significantly after treatment. <p> Conclusion: According to our observations, μm-PEA as an add-on therapy could improve muscular response to fatigue in MG. The possible modulation of AChR currents as a means of eliciting a direct effect from PEA on the conformation of ACh receptors should be investigated. The co-role of cytokines also warrants an analysis. Given the rapidity and reversibility of the response, we suppose that PEA acts directly on AChR, though further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Regulation of microRNAs in Inflammation-Associated Colorectal Cancer: A Mechanistic Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sridhar Muthusami ◽  
Ilangovan Ramachandran ◽  
Sneha Krishnamoorthy ◽  
Yuvaraj Sambandam ◽  
Satish Ramalingam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Colorectal Carcinogenesis ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Mechanistic Approach ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Factor Alpha

: The development of colorectal cancer (CRC) is a multi-stage process. The inflammation of the colon as in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) is often regarded as the initial trigger for the development of CRC. Many cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and several interleukins (ILs) are known to exert proinflammatory actions, and inflammation initiates or promotes tumorigenesis of various cancers, including CRC through differential regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs). miRNAs can be oncogenic miRNAs (oncomiRs) or anti-oncomiRs/tumor suppressor miRNAs, and they play key roles during colorectal carcinogenesis. However, the functions and molecular mechanisms of regulation of miRNAs involved in inflammation-associated CRC are still anecdotal and largely unknown. Consolidating the published results and offering perspective solutions to circumvent CRC, the current review is focused on the role of miRNAs and their regulation in the development of CRC. We have also discussed the model systems adapted by researchers to delineate the role of miRNAs in inflammation-associated CRC.

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