Structure, function, and stability of enzymes covalently attached to single-walled carbon nanotubes

We describe the structure, activity, and stability of enzymes covalently attached to single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Conjugates of SWNTs with three functionally unrelated enzymes-horseradish peroxidase, subtilisin Carlsberg, and chicken egg white lysozyme-were found to be soluble in aqueous solutions. Furthermore, characterization of the secondary and tertiary structure of the immobilized proteins by circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopies, respectively, and determination of enzyme kinetics revealed that the enzymes retained a high fraction of their native structure and activity upon attachment to SWNTs. The SWNT-enzyme conjugates were also more stable in guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl) and at elevated temperatures relative to their solution counterparts. Thus, these protein conjugates represent novel preparations that possess the attributes of both soluble enzymes-high activity and low diffusional resistance-and immobilized enzymes-high stability-making them attractive choices for applications ranging from diagnostics and sensing to drug delivery.     

Supramolecular microporous structures based on carbon nanotubes and coordinating cumene (C<Subscript>9</Subscript>H<Subscript>12</Subscript>) molecules

A method has been proposed for the formation of self-organized ensembles of carbon nanotubes with the use of coordinating cumene molecules and the development of secondary porosity in the obtained structures. It has been shown that the fraction of nanotubes coordinated into an array grows with increasing molar ratio between cumene molecules and carbon nanotubes upon the synthesis of the supramolecular structures. The secondary porosity develops due to partial desorption of the coordinating molecules from the obtained structure. A supramolecular structure with a residual cumene content of 50 wt % possesses the best adsorption characteristics for the described system. Specific adsorption of nitrogen on the “carbon nanotubes–cumene (50 wt %)” supramolecular structure at 293 K is more than an order of magnitude higher than that on the initial nanotubes. The structure-related energy parameters of the experimentally obtained supramolecular systems have been determined by molecular dynamics methods. The calculation in terms of the theory of volume filling of micropores has shown that the secondary pores of the obtained structures can accumulate methane and hydrogen in amounts as large as 213 nm³/m³ and 4 wt %, respectively.     

Mechanism of the dimerization of enzymes upon adsorption on silicate adsorbents using the example of lysozyme and β-galactosidase

It is shown by the kinetic analysis of lysozyme and β-galactosidase adsorption on silochrome, silica gel, and mesoporous silica that the adsorption follows a two-stage scheme, including reversible pre-adsorption and the irreversible binding of dimmers. The corresponding rate constants of adsorption, desorption, and dimerization were calculated. It was found that β-galoctosidase adsorbed on silica gel and mesoporous silica retained ∼20% of its activity, while β-galoctosidase adsorbed on silochrome retained more than 30% of its activity.     

Conformational changes of α-lactalbumin adsorbed at oil-water interfaces: interplay between protein structure and emulsion stability

The conformation and structural dimensions of α-lactalbumin (α-La) both in solution and adsorbed at oil-water interfaces of emulsions were investigated using synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD) spectroscopy, front-face tryptophan fluorescence (FFTF) spectroscopy, and dual polarization interferometry (DPI). The near-UV SRCD and the FFTF results demonstrated that the hydrophobic environment of the aromatic residues located in the hydrophobic core of native α-La was significantly altered upon adsorption, indicating the unfolding of the hydrophobic core of α-La upon adsorption. The far-UV SRCD results showed that adsorption of α-La at oil-water interfaces created a new non-native secondary structure that was more stable to thermally induced conformational changes. Specifically, the α-helical conformation increased from 29.9% in solution to 45.8% at the tricaprylin-water interface and to 58.5% at the hexadecane-water interface. However, the β-sheet structure decreased from 18.0% in solution to less than 10% at both oil-water interfaces. The DPI study showed that adsorption of α-La to a hydrophobic C18-water surface caused a change in the dimensions of α-La from the native globule-like shape (2.5-3.7 nm) to a compact/dense layer approximately 1.1 nm thick. Analysis of the colloidal stability of α-La stabilized emulsions showed that these emulsions were physically stable against droplet flocculation at elevated temperatures both in the absence and in the presence of 120 mM NaCl. In the absence of salt, the thermal stability of emulsions was due to the strong electrostatic repulsion provided by the adsorbed α-La layer, which was formed after the adsorption and structural rearrangement. In the presence of salt, although the electrostatic repulsion was reduced via electrostatic screening, heating did not induce strong and permanent droplet flocculation. The thermal stability of α-La stabilized emulsions in the presence of salt is a combined effect of the electrostatic repulsion and the lack of covalent disulfide interchange reactions. This study reports new information on the secondary and tertiary structural changes of α-La upon adsorption to oil-water interfaces. It also presents new results on the physical stability of α-La stabilized emulsions during heating and at moderate ionic strength (120 mM NaCl). The results broaden our understanding of the factors controlling protein structural change at emulsion interfaces and how this affects emulsion stability.     

The Adsorption-Desorption Cycle. Reversibility of the BSA-Silica System

The reversibility of the adsorption-desorption cycle was established by comparing the thermostability (determined by differential scanning calorimetry) and secondary structure (obtained by circular dichroism spectroscopy) of BSA before adsorption, adsorbed on, and exchanged from silica particles. Circular dichroism was also measured as a function of temperature at a given wavelength. Adsorbed BSA presents a higher thermostability and a lower alpha-helix content than the native protein while it regains its conformation when released from the surface back into the solution; the homomolecular exchange is reversible.The changes in ellipticity (at a given wavelength) as a function of the temperature show that the thermal denaturation of native, adsorbed, and exchanged BSA proceeds in two steps. For the dissolved protein, the first step up to 50 degrees C involves a slight change in the structure while in the 50-90 degrees C temperature range the actual unfolding takes place. For the adsorbed BSA, the first step proceeds up to 60 degrees C and includes some intermolecular association between the adsorbed protein molecules, which may be responsible for the increased thermostability. The unfolding occurs in the 60-90 degrees C range; it is less cooperative and involves a lower enthalpy change than the native protein. Adsorbed BSA presents the same secondary structure as that observed for dissolved BSA that has passed a heating-cooling cycle. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

细胞色素c在单壁碳纳米管表面的固定、直接电子转移及电催化

应用吸附法将细胞色素c(Cytoc)固定在单壁碳纳米管(SWNT)表面.红外光谱(IR)显示被固定的Cytoc能保持原有的空间结构,没有发生变性.循环伏安测试表明,Cytoc在SWNT表面能发生稳定的直接电子转移,其i~E曲线上出现一对良好的、几乎对称的氧化还原峰.式量电位E0’基本不随扫速的增加而变化(在20 mV~120 mV/s的扫速范围内,E0’平均值为0.165±0.001V).实验同时给出,吸附在SWNT表面的Cytoc仍能保持其对H2O2电化学还原的生物电催化活性.     

活性炭表面固载十二硅钨酸的表征

活性炭表面固载十二硅钨酸的表征王新平，叶兴凯，吴越（中国科学院长春应用化学研究所，长春１３００２２）关键词硅钨酸，杂多酸，活性炭，负载型催化剂，表征由于杂多酸的优异催化性能，近年来其固载化的研究深受人们的关注［１］．活性炭是固载杂多酸较好的载体之一［...     

Structure, stability, and orientation of BSA adsorbed to silica

In this investigation, the structure, stability, and orientation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorbed onto silica particles were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and limited proteolysis in combination with mass spectrometry (MS). DSC gave information on the overall structural stability of BSA while limited proteolysis was used to probe the accessibility of enzymatic cleavage sites, thereby yielding information on the orientation and structure of BSA adsorbed to silica surfaces. Thermal investigation of BSA in various buffers, both free in solution and in the adsorbed state, showed that solutes that surround the protein played an important role with respect to the overall structural stability and the structural heterogeneity of BSA. Limited proteolysis with trypsin and chymotrypsin indicated that BSA in the adsorbed state is oriented with domain 2 facing the silica surface. Also, upon adsorption, no additional cleavage sites were exposed. The combination of the results presented in this study implied that BSA molecules adsorbed onto silica particles were significantly reduced in their structural stability, but not to an extent that internal residues within the native structure became fully exposed to the solution.     

Adsorption-induced conformational changes of proteins onto ceramic particles: differential scanning calorimetry and FTIR analysis

Three model proteins, bovine serum albumin, hen's egg lysozyme and bovine serum fibrinogen, were adsorbed from aqueous solution onto finely dispersed ceramic particles, namely different kinds of alumina and hydroxyapatite particles. The influence of adsorption on protein secondary structure was investigated. The FTIR spectroscopic findings were compared with the results of DSC measurements. In almost all cases it was found that adsorption results in destabilisation and structural loss of the bound protein. A decrease in transition enthalpy is correlated with a loss in alpha-helical structure, which seems to be the most sensitive structure on adsorption-induced rearrangements. A total collapse of structure in the adsorbed proteins was not determined on any ceramic surface. Some residual structure is always retained. Structural changes in the D- or E-domains of fibrinogen could be independently observed by two different calorimetric signals. The two techniques applied in the present study -- micro-DSC and FTIR spectroscopy -- can be concluded to provide complementary information on adsorption-induced structural changes on both the molecular (thermal stability, overall structure) and the sub-molecular level (secondary structure).     

单壁碳纳米管对C-C键水解酶BphD的固定化性能

采用修饰与未修饰单壁碳纳米管固定C-C键水解酶BphD,并对固定化酶的相对活性、稳定性、重复使用性进行了考察.结果表明,未修饰单壁碳纳米管固定的BphD相对活性为游离态的52.5%,其热稳定性和在变性剂中的稳定性均有所提高,且重复使用10次仍可保持初始活力的90%.修饰单壁碳纳米管固定的BphD相对活性可达99.7%,但其稳定性没有明显提高.同源模建及分子对接分析结果显示,未修饰的单壁碳纳米管对BphD亚基之间的联系可能存在干扰作用,从而对其活性产生影响.     

The adsorbed conformation of globular proteins at the air/water interface

External reflection FTIR spectroscopy and surface pressure measurements were used to compare conformational changes in the adsorbed structures of three globular proteins at the air/water interface. Of the three proteins studied, lysozyme, bovine serum albumin and beta-lactoglobulin, lysozyme was unique in its behaviour. Lysozyme adsorption was slow, taking approximately 2.5 h to reach a surface pressure plateau (from a 0.07 mM solution), and led to significant structural change. The FTIR spectra revealed that lysozyme formed a highly networked adsorbed layer of unfolded protein with high antiparallel beta-sheet content and that these changes occurred rapidly (within 10 min). This non-native secondary structure is analogous to that of a 3D heat-set protein gel, suggesting that the adsorbed protein formed a highly networked interfacial layer. Albumin and beta-lactoglobulin adsorbed rapidly (reaching a plateau within 10 min) and with little change to their native secondary structure.     

Interaction of water with single-walled carbon nanotubes: reaction and adsorption

The interaction of water vapor with carbon nanotubes at room temperature has been investigated using Fourier transform (FT) IR spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. FTIR data indicate that water molecules adsorb on single-walled carbon nanotubes at room temperature. Comparison to previous studies suggests that the water forms hydrogen-bonded structures inside the nanotubes. Analysis of the FTIR data demonstrates that a small number of water molecules react with the nanotubes, forming C-O bonds, whereas a majority of the water molecules adsorb intact. The DFT calculations show that cleavage of an O-H bond upon adsorption to form adsorbed -H and -OH groups is energetically favorable at defect sites on nanotubes.     

聚乙烯链在碳纳米管侧壁吸附的动力学模拟研究

利用经典的分子动力学模拟方法对聚乙烯(PE)分子在两种不同类型的碳纳米管(CNT)中的吸附进行了研究. 计算了两者之间的扩散系数和相互作用能; 利用PE链自身的扭转角分布和取向参数对PE链构象进行了分析. 结果表明, PE链可以在CNT上很好的吸附, 且PE的构象和吸附位置主要与温度和CNT的半径有关, 与管的类型关系不大.     

Can chiral single walled carbon nanotubes be used as enantiospecific adsorbents?

Single-walled carbon nanotubes can exist in chiral forms and can adsorb a range of molecules. We use atomistic simulations to consider whether enantiopure carbon nanotubes might be effective enantiospecific adsorbents for chiral molecules. We examine the adsorption of both enantiomers of trans-1,2-dimethylcyclopropane and trans-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane in a range of chiral nanotubes. Our simulations indicate that these molecules are strongly adsorbed in nanotubes, that is, they have large heats of adsorption, but the energy differences between adsorbed enantiomers are negligible. We argue that this result is generic for chiral organic molecules adsorbed in carbon nanotubes, suggesting that these materials will not be effective enantiospecific adsorbents.     

Characterizing protein activities on the lysozyme and nanodiamond complex prepared for bio applications

Recently, nanodiamond particles have attracted increasing attention as a promising nanomaterial for its biocompatibility, easy functionalization and conjugation with biomolecules, and its superb physical/chemical properties. Nanodiamonds are mainly used as markers for cell imaging, using its fluorescence or Raman signals for detection, and as carriers for drug delivery. For the success of these applications, the biomolecule associated with the nanodiamond has to retain its functionality. In this work, the protein activities of egg white lysozyme adsorbed on nanodiamond particles of different sizes is investigated. The lysozyme nanodiamond complex is used here as a protein model for analyzing its structural conformation changes and, correspondingly, its enzymatic activity after the adsorption. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is used for the analysis of the sensitive protein secondary structure. To access the activities of the adsorbed lysozyme, a fluorescence-based assay is used. The process of adsorption is also analyzed using UV-visible spectroscopic measurements in combination with analysis of nanodiamond properties with FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and ζ-potential measurements. It is found that the activity of lysozyme upon adsorption depends on the nanodiamond's size and surface properties, and that the nanodiamond particles can be selected and treated, which do not alter the lysozyme functional properties. Such nanodiamonds can be considered convenient nanoparticles for various bioapplications.     

A differential microcalorimetric study of whey proteins and their behaviour in oil-in-water emulsions

Oil-in-water emulsions (20% soya oil, 1% protein) have been prepared containing lysozyme or isolates of -lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin from whey protein. The structural characteristics of these proteins adsorbed at an oil/water interface were determined by following their thermal transitions using differential scanning microcalorimetry. Thermograms of the proteins in the adsorbed state differed markedly from the corresponding transitions seen for the proteins in solution. This suggests that the proteins underwent substantial changes in secondary and tertiary structure upon adsorption. In general, for all the proteins studied, a net decrease in the total energy absorbed during denaturation was found when the proteins were in an adsorbed state. Both lysozyme and -lactalbumin were in part “surface denatured”, and they showed a certain degree of reversibility between solution and the adsorbed state. β-Lactoglobulin showed the highest degree of denaturation upon adsorption and the conformational change was irreversible.     

"Sliding kinetics" of single-walled carbon nanotubes on self-assembled monolayer patterns: beyond random adsorption

We present the experimental results and theoretical model describing new adsorption kinetics of single-walled carbon nanotubes (swCNTs) onto self-assembled monolayer (SAM) including their sliding motion. The adsorption behavior of swCNTs on large-size SAM patterns is similar to the Langmuir isotherm, while that on nanoscale patterns shows a significant deviation which can be explained by the sliding motion of adsorbed nanotubes. The "sliding chamber" experiment confirms that swCNTs can align along the SAM patterns by sliding motion right above the SAM surfaces. This result provides new scientific insights regarding the adsorption kinetics of one-dimensional nanostructures, and, from a practical point of view, it can be an important guideline to design SAM patterns to assemble carbon nanotubes and nanowires into desired device structures.     

Protein-associated water and secondary structure effect removal of blood proteins from metallic substrates

Removing adsorbed protein from metals has significant health and industrial consequences. There are numerous protein-adsorption studies using model self-assembled monolayers or polymeric substrates but hardly any high-resolution measurements of adsorption and removal of proteins on industrially relevant transition metals. Surgeons and ship owners desire clean metal surfaces to reduce transmission of disease via surgical instruments and minimize surface fouling (to reduce friction and corrosion), respectively. A major finding of this work is that, besides hydrophobic interaction adhesion energy, water content in an adsorbed protein layer and secondary structure of proteins determined the access and hence ability to remove adsorbed proteins from metal surfaces with a strong alkaline-surfactant solution (NaOH and 5 mg/mL SDS in PBS at pH 11). This is demonstrated with three blood proteins (bovine serum albumin, immunoglobulin, and fibrinogen) and four transition metal substrates and stainless steel (platinum (Pt), gold (Au), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), and 316 grade stainless steel (SS)). All the metallic substrates were checked for chemical contaminations like carbon and sulfur and were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). While Pt and Au surfaces were oxide-free (fairly inert elements), W, Ti, and SS substrates were associated with native oxide. Difference measurements between a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR) provided a measure of the water content in the protein-adsorbed layers. Hydrophobic adhesion forces, obtained with atomic force microscopy, between the proteins and the metals correlated with the amount of the adsorbed protein-water complex. Thus, the amount of protein adsorbed decreased with Pt, Au, W, Ti and SS, in this order. Neither sessile contact angle nor surface roughness of the metal substrates was useful as predictors here. All three globular proteins behaved similarly on addition of the alkaline-surfactant cleaning solution, in that platinum and gold exhibited an increase, while tungsten, titanium, and stainless steel showed a decrease in weight. According to dissipation measurements with the QCM-D, the adsorbed layer for platinum and gold was rigid, while that for the tungsten, titanium, and stainless steel was much more flexible. The removal efficiency of adsorbed-protein by alkaline solution of SDS depended on the water content of the adsorbed layers for W, Ti, and SS, while for Pt and Au, it depended on secondary structural content. When protein adsorption was high (Pt, Au), protein-protein interactions and protein-surface interactions were dominant and the removal of protein layers was limited. Water content of the adsorbed protein layer was the determining factor for how efficiently the layer was removed by alkaline SDS when protein adsorption was low. Hence, protein-protein and protein-surface interactions were minimal and protein structure was less perturbed in comparison with those for high protein adsorption. Secondary structural content determined the efficient removal of adsorbed protein for high adsorbed amount.     

Influence of quantum effects on the mechanism of adsorption and phase diagram of rare gases in carbon nanotubes

We present results of grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations of rare gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe) adsorption in carbon nanotubes. The interaction model includes both quantum effects (via effective Feymann-Hibbs potential) and the atomic roughness of the tube. We show that the quantum contribution to interactions does not suppress the energetic corrugation of carbon nanotube but decreases only its average strength. In the case of Ne, the phase diagram and, in particular, the melting temperature for layers adsorbed on and within an individual tube does not depend on tube chirality. However, the structure of layers adsorbed on outer surface of the tube is strongly related to the atomic structure of the underlying tube.