Porphyrin Photoabsorption and Fluorescence Variation with Adsorptive Loading on Gold Nanoparticles

Here, we report the photophysical structure–property relationship of porphyrins adsorbed on gold nanoparticles. The number of porphyrin–alkanethiolate adsorbates per particle was adjusted by a post-synthetic thiol/thiolate exchange reaction on 1-dodecanethiolate–protected gold nanoparticles. Even with a low loading level of adsorbates (<10% of all thiolate sites on gold nanoparticles), the shoulder absorption at the Soret band was intensified, indicating the formation of aggregates of porphyrin adsorbates on the nanoparticles. Steady-state fluorescence quantum yields could be adjusted by the bulkiness of substituents at the meso-positions of the porphyrin or the methylene linker chain length, regardless of the porphyrin loading level and the nanoparticle diameter.

Interaction Study between ESIPT Fluorescent Lipophile-Based Benzazoles and BSA

In this study, the interactions of ESIPT fluorescent lipophile-based benzazoles with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied and their binding affinity was evaluated. In phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution these compounds produce absorption maxima in the UV region and a main fluorescence emission with a large Stokes shift in the blue–green regions due to a proton transfer process in the excited state. The interactions of the benzazoles with BSA were studied using UV-Vis absorption and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. The observed spectral quenching of BSA indicates that these compounds could bind to BSA through a strong binding affinity afforded by a static quenching mechanism (Kq~1012 L·mol−1·s−1). The docking simulations indicate that compounds 13 and 16 bind closely to Trp134 in domain I, adopting similar binding poses and interactions. On the other hand, compounds 12, 14, 15, and 17 were bound between domains I and III and did not directly interact with Trp134.

Characterization of Two NMN Deamidase Mutants as Possible Probes for an NMN Biosensor

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a key intermediate in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) biosynthesis. Its supplementation has demonstrated beneficial effects on several diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize NMN deamidase (PncC) inactive mutants to use as possible molecular recognition elements (MREs) for an NMN-specific biosensor. Thermal stability assays and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy measurements were used to study the binding of NMN and related metabolites (NaMN, Na, Nam, NR, NAD, NADP, and NaAD) to the PncC mutated variants. In particular, the S29A PncC and K61Q PncC variant forms were selected since they still preserve the ability to bind NMN in the micromolar range, but they are not able to catalyze the enzymatic reaction. While S29A PncC shows a similar affinity also for NaMN (the product of the PncC catalyzed reaction), K61Q PncC does not interact significantly with it. Thus, PncC K61Q mutant seems to be a promising candidate to use as specific probe for an NMN biosensor.

Synthesis of Dense 1,2,3-Triazole Polymers Soluble in Common Organic Solvents

Aiming at synthesis of dense 1,2,3-triazole polymers soluble in common organic solvents, a new 3-azido-1-propyne derivative, i.e., t-butyl 4-azido-5-hexynoate (tBuAH), was synthesized and polymerized by copper(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) and Huisgen cycloaddition (HC). CuAAC polymerization produced poly(tBuAH) composed of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole units (1,4-units), whereas HC polymerization gave poly(tBuAH) composed of 1,4- and 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole units (1,4- and 1,5-units). In HC polymerization, the fraction of 1,4-unit (f1,4) decreased with the permittivity of solvent used. Differential scanning calorimetry data indicated that the melting point of poly(tBuAH) increased from 61 to 89 °C with increasing f1,4 from 0.38 to 1.0, indicative of higher crystallinity of poly(tBuAH) composed of 1,4-unit. Preliminary steady-state fluorescence study indicated that all the poly(tBuAH) samples of different f1,4 emitted weak but significant fluorescence in DMF. The maximum of fluorescence band shifted from ca. 350 to ca. 450 nm with varying the excitation wavelength from 300 to 400 nm.

Mechanism of a Disassembly Driven Sensing System Studied by Stopped-Flow Kinetics

<div> Mechanistic studies were carried out on the kinetics for the assembly of a DimerDye (DD12) and the binding of the monomeric DimerDye (DD1) with nicotine in aqueous buffer and artificial saliva. DD12 is non-fluorescent, while monomeric DD1 and DD1-nicotine fluoresce. Binding isotherms were determined from steady-state fluorescence experiments. The report includes measurements of the steady-state fluorescence at pHs 2.2, 6.3 and 12.1, and stopped-flow kinetic data for the homodimerization forming DD12 and DD1-nicotine formation in buffer and artificial saliva. Analysis of the homodimerization kinetics led to the recovery of the association and dissociation rate constants for DD12. These rate constants were used in the global analysis for the coupled kinetics for DD1-nicotine formation, which led to the determination of the association and dissociation rate constants for nicotine binding to DD1.</div>

Mechanism of a Disassembly Driven Sensing System Studied by Stopped-Flow Kinetics

<div> Mechanistic studies were carried out on the kinetics for the assembly of a DimerDye (DD12) and the binding of the monomeric DimerDye (DD1) with nicotine in aqueous buffer and artificial saliva. DD12 is non-fluorescent, while monomeric DD1 and DD1-nicotine fluoresce. Binding isotherms were determined from steady-state fluorescence experiments. The report includes measurements of the steady-state fluorescence at pHs 2.2, 6.3 and 12.1, and stopped-flow kinetic data for the homodimerization forming DD12 and DD1-nicotine formation in buffer and artificial saliva. Analysis of the homodimerization kinetics led to the recovery of the association and dissociation rate constants for DD12. These rate constants were used in the global analysis for the coupled kinetics for DD1-nicotine formation, which led to the determination of the association and dissociation rate constants for nicotine binding to DD1.</div>

Photophysical, NMR studies of encapsulation of 2-cyano-6-hydroxy benzothiazole in p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene and its biological applications

This work deals with the study of interaction between 2-cyano-6-hydroxy benzothiazole (CHBT) and p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene (SCX6) at different pHs in aqueous medium by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. The...