Effect of buffer on heparin binding and sensing in competitive aqueous media

Abstract

Although buffer-specific effects on molecular recognition are known in biological science, they remain rare in supramolecular chemistry. The binding between a cationic dye, mallard blue (MalB) and polyanionic heparin in aqueous NaCl (150 mM) is studied in three commonly used buffers (Tris-HCl, HEPES, Phosphate, each 10 mM). Although MalB has a very similar UV–visible spectrum in each buffer, the sensory response towards heparin was different in each case. This can be ascribed to differences in the complex formed. In Tris-HCl which has the least competitive chloride counter-anions, MalB exhibits a hypsochromic shift of 25 nm, assigned to strong binding and aggregation of the dye on heparin. In more competitive HEPES, containing a sulfonate anion, there is weaker binding and less aggregation of MalB along the heparin; the hypsochromic shift is only 15 nm. In phosphate buffer, MalB can interact quite strongly with buffer phosphate anions; although heparin binding is still observed, the hypsochromic shift associated with dye aggregation is only 5 nm. As such, specific buffer interactions with the MalB–heparin complex mediate host–guest binding and sensing. Buffer choice must be made carefully in studies of molecular recognition – we would caution against using phosphate and sulfonate containing buffers when studying electrostatic binding.     

Migration behavior and separation of active components in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch and its commercial extract by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

1-Anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid (1,8-ANS), 4,4'-dianilino-1,1'-binaphthyl-5,5'-disulfonic acid (bis-ANS) and 2-(p-toluidino)naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid (2,6-TNS) were evaluated as additives in different buffers for the detection of bovine whey proteins using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) monitoring in capillary electrophoresis (CE). These N-arylaminonaphthalene sulfonates furnish a large fluorescence emission when associated to some proteins whereas their emission in aqueous buffers, such as those used in CE separations, is very small. To select the best detection conditions, the fluorescence of these probes was first compared using experiments carried out in a fluorescence spectrophotometer. Using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein, it was demonstrated that 2-(N-cyclohexylamino)ethanesulfonic acid (CHES) buffer (pH 8 and pH 10.2) and the fluorescent probe 2,6-TNS gave rise to the highest increase in fluorescence for BSA. When the composition of these separation buffers was optimized for the electrophoretic separations, CHES buffer, pH 10.2 was chosen as the most suitable buffer to detect bovine whey proteins. The limit of detection obtained for some whey proteins in CE separations was about 6.10(-8) M for BSA, 3.10(-7) M for beta-lactoglobulin A (beta-LGA), 3.10(-7) M for beta-lactoglobulin B (beta-LGB), and 3.10(-6) M for alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA). These detection limits were compared to those achieved using UV detection under the same separation conditions. The results showed that the detection limits of BSA, beta-LGA and beta-LGB were twice as good using LIF than with UV detection. However, the limit of detection for alpha-LA was better when UV was used. The applicability of LIF detection to CE separation of whey proteins in bovine milk samples was also demonstrated.     

Spectroscopic studies,structural characterization and electrochemical studies of two cobalt (III) complexes with tridentate hydrazone Schiff base ligands: Evaluation of antibacterial activities,DNA‐binding,BSA interaction and molecular docking

Co(III) complexes of tridentate Schiff base ligands derived from N‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneamino)benzamide (H ₂ L ¹ ) and 2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazine‐1‐carboxamide ( H ₂ L ² ) were synthesized and characterized using IR, Raman, ¹H–NMR and UV–Vis spectroscopies. X‐ray single crystal structures of complexes 1 and 2 have also been determined, and it was indicated that these Co(III) complexes are in a distorted octahedral geometry. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) of the complexes indicates an irreversible redox behavior for both complexes 1 and 2 . The antibacterial effects of the synthesized compounds have been tested by minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration methods, which suggested that the metal complexes exhibit better antibacterial effects than the ligands against Gram‐positive bacteria. The effects of the drug (drug  =  ligands and complexes) on bovine serum albumin (BSA) were examined using circular dichroism (CD) spectropolarimetry, and it was revealed that the BSA (BSA, as a carrier protein) secondary structure changed in the presence of the drug. Interaction of the drug with calf‐thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) was investigated by UV–Vis absorption, fluorescence emission, CV and CD spectroscopy. Binding constants were determined using UV–Vis absorption. The results indicated that the studied Schiff bases bind to DNA, with the hyperchromic effect and non‐intercalative mode in which the metal complexes are more effective than ligands. Furthermore, molecular docking simulation was used to obtain the energetic and binding sites for the interaction of the complexes with Mycobacterium tuberculosis enoyl‐acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA), and results showed that complex 1 has more binding energy.     

Spectroscopic studies on in vitro binding of cefixime and tolcapone drugs with serum albumin

The interaction between cefixime (antibacterial) and tolcapone (Parkinson’s disease) drugs with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated using several spectroscopic techniques viz. UV–Vis, fluorescence and circular dichroism. The thermodynamic parameters of the interactions were calculated, which indicated that the binding processes are spontaneous and H-bonding and van der Waals forces play a major role in BSA–cefixime interaction and hydrophobic interactions dominate BSA–tolcapone complexation. Cefixime quenches the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA by dynamic process while tolcapone through static process. The binding constant of the BSA–tolcapone complex (10⁷ L mol^?1) is found to be relatively higher than that of BSA–cefixime complex (10⁴ L mol^?1). The binding distance between BSA and cefixime and tolcapone is calculated to be 3.3 and 4.2 nm, respectively. Both fluorescence and circular dichrosim spectral studies confirmed conformational changes in BSA upon binding with these drugs. Molecular docking studies suggest the possible binding sites in the protein molecule.'     

More than Meets the Eye: Conformational Switching of a Stacked Dialkoxynaphthalene–Naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide (DAN–NDI) Foldamer to an NDI–NDI Fibril Aggregate

The thermally induced conformational switching of a stacked dialkxoynaphthalene–naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide (DAN–NDI) amphiphilic foldamer to an NDI–NDI fibril aggregate is described. The aggregated fibril structures were explored by UV/Vis, circular dichroism (CD), atomic‐force microscopy (AFM), and TEM techniques. Our findings indicate that the aromatic DAN–NDI interactions of the original foldamer undergoes transformation to a fibrillar assembly with aromatic NDI–NDI stacked interactions. These structural insights could help inform new molecular designs and increase our understanding of fibrillar assembly and aggregation process in aqueous solution.     

Interaction Between Toddalolatone and Human Serum Albumin

A combination of fluorescence, UV–Vis absorption, circular dichroism (CD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic and molecular modeling approaches was employed to investigate the interaction between toddalolactone (TDT) and human serum albumin (HSA) at physiological buffer conditions (pH 7.4). Fluorescence titration suggests that the mechanism of the fluorescence quenching of HSA is static, resulting from the formation of a TDT–HSA complex. Binding parameters calculated from the modified Stern–Volmer equation show that TDT binds to HSA with high affinity. Negative enthalpy change and positive entropy change values suggest that the binding process is primarily driven by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. The binding of TDT to HSA results in an increase in the surface hydrophobicity of HSA. The binding distance between the Trp-214 residue (donor) and TDT (acceptor) was determined to be 4.18 nm based on the Förster theory of non-radioactive energy transfer. Displacement studies of site markers reveal that the binding site of TDT to HSA is located in the subdomain IIA (Sudlow’s site I). Furthermore, the molecular docking results corroborate and illustrate the specific binding mode and binding site. Analysis of UV–Vis absorption, CD and FT-IR spectra demonstrated that TDT induced a small alteration of the protein’s conformation.     

Reading of Protein Surfaces in the Native State at Micromolar Concentrations by a Chirogenetic Porphyrin Probe

The recognition of some globular proteins was carried out in aqueous solution, at micromolar concentrations, by using an uncharged symmetrical cobalt–porphyrin (Co–P). By means of UV/Vis, induced circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques, it was ascertained that the interactions between specific amino acid residues and Co–P occurred on the protein surface. In particular, spectroscopic evidence showed the formation of supramolecular complexes without disruption of the native structure of the proteins and, furthermore, that signal changes were characteristic of each Co–P/protein system, so that they could be used as a highly sensitive analytical tool for protein recognition. The relative association constants were proportional to the protein molecular masses (and then to the number of amino acid residues).     

桔皮苷与牛血清白蛋白相互作用的研究

运用荧光光谱、紫外光谱法研究了桔皮苷与牛血清白蛋白(BSA)的相互作用。桔皮苷分子与BSA作用导致BSA内源荧光猝灭,猝灭机理主要为静态猝灭,并存在非辐射能量转移。测定了不同温度下该反应的结合常数、结合位点数及结合热力学参数。结果表明:桔皮苷与BSA之间主要为氢键或范德华作用力,作用过程是一个熵增加、自由能降低的自发分子间作用过程;测得了供体与受体间结合距离r和能量转移效率E;并用同步荧光技术考察了桔皮苷对BSA构象的影响。     

Preparation of albumin—PAA nanocapsules and their controlled release behavior for drugs

New kinds of narrowly distributed protein‐based nanoparticles, bovine serum albumin‐Poly (acrylic acid) (BSA/PAA) nanospheres, and nanocapsules were prepared via in situ polymerization, swelling, and re‐aggregation. The structure and morphology of the nanospheres were characterized by UV‐Vis, FT‐IR, DLS, and TEM. The stability of the BSA/PAA nanospheres and nanocapsules was increased when their skeletons were fixed by cross‐linked agents. The nanospheres carried a positive charge and their size was about 80–110 nm. The protein‐based nanocapsules were stimuli‐responsive with pH value and their hydrodynamic diameter varied from 70 to 230 nm with changes of pH. In vitro release experiments of Rhodamine B and Doxorubicin hydrochloride showed that these biopolymer nanoparticles provided a controlled release of the entrapped drugs for 300 hr. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cationic poly(amidoamine) dendrimers as additives for capillary electroseparation and detection of proteins

We examine the influence of cationic poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers on capillary electroseparation–UV analysis of proteins. PAMAMs adsorbing to the capillary surface suppressed the wall‐adsorption of proteins; meanwhile, PAMAMs added to the buffer exhibited selectivity toward proteins. Presence of 3×10^?4 g/mL PAMAM generation one (G 1.0) in 30 mM phosphate, at pH 2.6, rendered significant enhancement in separation efficiency; the merged peaks of myoglobin and trypsin inhibitor were separated. Moreover, the protein–dendrimer interactions changed the inherent UV absorbance profiles of proteins. UV–Vis study showed that the absorbance of cytochrome C and transferrin increased at the detection wavelength of 214 nm; their detection sensitivity enhanced by 2.44 and 2.01‐folds, respectively, with addition of 5×10^?4 g/mL PAMAM G 1.0.     

Investigation of the Interaction between Nitrite Ion and Bovine Serum Albumin Using Spectroscopic and Molecular Docking Techniques

The interaction between nitrite ion and bovine serum albumin (BSA), in an aqueous environment, was studied using spectroscopic methods, including fluorescence quenching technique, synchronous fluorescence, UV? Vis spectrophotometry and Resonance Rayleigh Scattering (RRS), and molecular docking technique. The experimental results showed that nitrite ion effectively quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA with the static quenching. The ion‐BSA binding constant was determined to be 3.69×10³ L mol^?1. As the results showed the stoichiometry of binding nitrite ion to BSA was 1 : 1. Furthermore the thermodynamic parameters and nature of the binding force were calculated. The negative ΔH^o and ΔS^o values of reaction between nitrite ion and BSA indicated the predominant forces in the ion‐BSA interactions are hydrogen bonding interactions. Based on the Förster’s theory of non‐radiative energy transfer, the binding distance between nitrite ion and the inner tyrosine and tryptophan residue of BSA were determined to be 2.16 nm. Furthermore binding site of this ion on BSA was carried out by molecular docking technique.     

Studies of curcumin and curcuminoids. XXXVI. The stoichiometry and complexation constants of cyclodextrin complexes as determined by the phase-solubility method and UV–Vis titration

Cyclodextrin (CD) complex stoichiometry and complexation constant with two symmetric curcuminoids and two unsymmetric curcuminoid-like compounds were investigated and compared by two independent methods, the phase-solubility method and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–Vis) titration. Two different methods were applied in an effort to increase the apparent intrinsic solubility of the compounds and make the investigation of stoichiometry and complexation constants possible. The intrinsic solubility could be determined for all four compounds in aqueous 10% (v/v) ethanolic solutions. Higher order complexation or solubilization through complex aggregation was observed for the symmetric molecules, while 1:1 complexation was observed for the unsymmetric molecules in the phase-solubility diagram. The UV–Vis investigation showed 1:1 complexation for all compounds, with some indication of higher order complexation for the symmetric molecules. Thus the stoichiometry found with the two methods correlated well for the unsymmetric, but not for the symmetric compounds where the phase-solubility investigations clearly indicated higher order complexation and possible aggregation of complexes. There was also a difference between the 1:1 complexation constants found with the two methods, especially for the compounds with low intrinsic solubility (i.e. the symmetric curcuminoids). However, they agree in the ranking of complexes according to the strength of the association. The 1:2 complexation constant observed with the phase-solubility method was more than 100 times the complexation constant found with the UV–Vis method, which explains why solubility is poorly predicted from the UV–Vis data. This discrepancy may be explained by solubilization by aggregation of complexes or some phenomena other than inclusion complexation.     

Synthesis and characterization of carbon nanotubes covalently functionalized with amphiphilic polymer coated superparamagnetic nanocrystals

The kinetic investigations of oxidation of tris(1,10-phenanthroline)iron(II) by oxone have been studied spectrophotometrically in phosphate buffer medium of pH 6.8, temperature 308 K, and ionic strength 0.25 mol L(-1). The reactions were also carried out in presence of globular transport protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA) having isoelectric point 4.9, anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and their mixtures. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) and critical micelle concentration (CMC) of SDS in presence of BSA have been determined using conductivity and kinetic measurement techniques. The secondary structure of BSA was examined by Circular Dichroism (CD) measurement at 308 K. The helix nature of BSA decreases with increase of SDS concentration. The effect of pH on rate in presence of BSA is opposite to its absence, and the effect of urea on rate in presence of BSA indicates the denaturation of BSA. The results depict that amphiphile SDS interacts with BSA and different molecular events, for example, specific binding, cooperative binding, protein unfolding, and micelle formation act. Activation parameters of the reaction in different environments have been determined.     

Spectrophotometric and physicochemical investigations of Congo,alizarin red dyes and BSA interactions with Au,Ag and Au/Ag mix nanoparticles,and their antimicrobial activities

Individual and mix metal nanoparticles of Ag and Au have been prepared by the reducing method where citrate was used as reducing/stabilizing agent. The prepared NPs were characterized with UV/Visible and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) tools. The characteristic peak in UV/Visible at 525, 444 and 531 nm for Au, Ag and Ag/Au mix NPs respectively, gave primary confirmation of prepared NPs. TEM analysis showed the size of nanoparticles as 44.04, 19.78 and 30.93 nm for Ag, Au and Ag/Au mix NPs respectively. Congo and alizarin red dye interactions studies have been performed with prepared NPs to see the removal of the pollutants from water. Congo dye has shown weaker interaction as compared to alizarin due to structural symmetry. Amongst all, the AgNPs have shown maximum 67% and 75% interactions with Congo red and alizarin respectively due to high negative charges on the surface. The Au, Ag and Au/Ag mix NPs have shown stronger interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein up to 51, 59, 55% respectively, estimated through UV/Vis and physicochemical analysis. The biological evaluations of the prepared NPs have shown their antibacterial activity against Gram + ve and –ve species showing up to 9 cm zone of inhibition. The BSA interaction and antibacterial activity of NPs reveal the importance of NPs in medicinal field.     

Cadmium determination based on silver nanoparticles modified with 1,13-bis(8-quinolyl)-1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxatridecane

We propose a simple, fast and sensitive colorimetric method for the determination of Cd²⁺ using 1,13-bis(8-quinolyl)-1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxatridecane modified silver nanoparticles. The addition of Cd²⁺ causes the aggregation of AgNPs, while other ions do not have such effect. As a result, the color of the solution changes from yellow to red which can be detected using naked eye or by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The aggregation of the AgNPs is confirmed by UV–Vis and transmission electron microscopy. Limit of detection is found to be 0.016 µM for Cd²⁺ ions. A linear calibration plot is correlated to the concentration of cadmium ion in the 0.5–6.0 μM range with the naked-eye detection limit of 2.0 µM. The method was successfully applied to determine Cd²⁺ in water and urine samples and gave recoveries that ranged from 93.3 to 98.6%.     

Temperature‐responsive “tadpole‐shaped” protein–polymer hybrids and their self‐assembly behavior

The temperature‐responsive poly (N, N‐diethylacrylamide) (pDEAAm) with narrower molecular weight distribution was prepared by the atom transfer radical polymerization and characterized by ¹HNMR and gel permeation chromatography. The temperature‐responsive “tadpole‐shaped” BSA–pDEAAm hybrids were fabricated via a free Cys‐34 residue of bovine serum albumin (BSA) site specifically binding to the end group disulfide bonds of pDEAAm and characterized by native‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Native‐PAGE) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Their temperature‐responsive behaviors were measured by ultraviolet‐visible spectra (UV‐Vis). The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the pDEAAm was identified as 28°C, and the LCST of BSA–pDEAAm hybrids was identified as 31°C. The morphologies of BSA–pDEAAm hybrids self‐assembled in the aqueous solutions with two different temperatures at 25 °C and 40°C were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Below the LCST of BSA–pDEAAm hybrids, the separate spherical nanoparticles were observed. In contrast, bundles and clusters were observed above the LCST of BSA–pDEAAm hybrids. The results suggested that the self‐assembly morphology of BSA–pDEAAm hybrids depended upon the pDEAAm block in BSA–pDEAAm hybrids, and the morphology transitions were effected by the LCST of BSA–pDEAAm hybrids. It would be expected to be used in biomedicine and materials science. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Highly selective fluorescent calix[4]arene chemosensor for acidic amino acids in pure aqueous media

A fluorescent chemosensor based on a calix[4]arene derivative conjugated with four thiophene-cyanoarylic acid groups at the upper rim displays high selectivity toward acidic amino acids in pure aqueous media through multiple H-bond interactions. The interactions of Asp/Glu with the chemosensor have been investigated by fluorescence and UV–Vis titrations, ESI-MS assay, ¹H NMR spectra, and molecular modeling method.     

Evaluation of agarose gel electrophoresis for characterization of silver nanoparticles in industrial products

Agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) has been used extensively for characterization of pure nanomaterials or mixtures of pure nanomaterials. We have evaluated the use of AGE for characterization of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) in an industrial product (described as strong antiseptic). Influence of different stabilizing agents (PEG, SDS, and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate), buffers (TBE and Tris Glycine), and functionalizing agents (mercaptosuccinic acid (TMA) and proteins) has been investigated for the characterization of AgNPs in the industrial product using different sizes‐AgNPs standards. The use of 1% SDS, 0.1% TMA, and Tris Glycine in gel, electrophoresis buffer and loading buffer led to the different sizes‐AgNPs standards moved according to their size/charge ratio (obtaining a linear relationship between apparent mobility and mean diameter). After using SDS and TMA, the behavior of the AgNPs in the industrial product (containing a casein matrix) was completely different, being not possible their size characterization. However we demonstrated that AGE with LA‐ICP‐MS detection is an alternative method to confirm the protein corona formation between the industrial product and two proteins (BSA and transferrin) maintaining NPs‐protein binding (what is not possible using SDS‐PAGE).     

Cr(Ⅵ)与牛血清白蛋白的相互作用

采用荧光光谱、紫外光谱、CD光谱法研究了K2Cr2O7与牛血清白蛋白(BSA)的相互作用。实验结果表明,铬(Ⅵ)使BSA的紫外吸收降低,峰位红移,表明铬(Ⅵ)与BSA发生较强的相互作用;铬(Ⅵ)酸根离子与BSA形成基态复合物导致BSA内源荧光猝灭,猝灭机理主要为静态猝灭。测定了不同温度下该反应的热力学参数,ΔGθ0,ΔHθ和ΔSθ分别为-12.60kJ/mol和56.60J/(mol.k),表明上述作用过程是一个熵增加、自由能降低的自发分子间作用过程,铬(Ⅵ)酸根离子与BSA之间以静电作用力为主;非辐射能量转移机理确定了铬(Ⅵ)与牛血清白蛋白中色氨酸残基之间的距离r=2.85nm;同步荧光和CD光谱研究表明,铬(Ⅵ)使BSA的二级结构发生改变,α-螺旋含量降低,色氨酸残基所处微环境的极性减小。     

pH对氟喹诺酮药物与BSA之间相互作用影响的研究

采用毛细管区带电泳法,通过测定在不同pH值、不同牛血清白蛋白(BSA)浓度缓冲溶液的条件下药物迁移时间的变化,并分别计算出了pH为6.8、7.4和8.0时培氟沙星、左氧氟沙星、氧氟沙星、环丙沙星等四种氟喹诺酮类药物与BSA相互作用的结合常数.结果表明:pH对结合常数有较大影响,四种药物分子结合常数的最大值均出现在pH=6.8时,并随着pH的增大,结合常数值明显下降.根据实验结果,还对四种氟喹诺酮类药物与BSA之间相互作用的类型、作用位置进行了分析探讨.研究结果对于进一步阐明药用机理并迅速开发出更高效的广谱抗菌药物具有较强的理论意义.