仿生信号转导体系的构建:囊泡表面磷脂信号分子诱发的乳酸脱氢酶的激活

以细胞肌醇磷脂信号转导途径为原型，在合成肽脂囊泡(人工细胞膜模型)上，利用天然磷脂为信号分子，成功地激活了处于囊泡表面的乳酸脱氢酶．为此，将1，2-二-十四烷基磷脂酰乙醇胺等天然磷脂嵌入合成肽脂N，N-二-十六烷基-N^a-6-三甲胺基己酰基-L-甘氨酰胺囊泡中，制备了稳定的混合双层膜囊泡，用透射电子显微照相、动态光散射及差示扫描量热等手段确认了混合囊泡的形态及粒径分布．以磷酸吡哆醛等维生素B6类化合物为信号分子激活剂，利用它们与天然磷脂形成复合体，进而与Cu^2 形成强的金属配合物的性质，实现了对处于囊泡表面、被Cu^2 抑制的乳酸脱氢酶的激活，构建了一个新的仿生信号转导体系．紫外一可见光谱实验证实了以上结果．此外，结果还表明囊泡表面的疏水作用和静电引力是促进天然磷脂一磷酸吡哆醛复合体形成的主要因素．囊泡表面的疏水微环境作为反应场是构建此仿生信号转导体系不可缺少的要素．     

全合成双分子膜分子激发态能量转移的研究

研究了全合成双分子膜内的分子激发态能量转移行为,给体为囊泡双亲分子上的联苯生色基,受体是通过静电相互作用结合在囊泡表面上的荧光黄阴离子.荧光黄猝灭联苯的荧光强度符合Sern-Volmer猝灭定律.探讨了囊泡在能量转移过程中的组织作用、转移效率与机制.通过研究由静电作用结合在囊泡表面上的荧光黄给体和四苯基卟啉受体间的能量转移,改善了光的输出,扩展了光波的覆盖范围.全合成双分子膜是能量转移的有效介质和良好的膜模拟剂.     

烷基氯化铵体系中分子有序组合体的转化

采用动态光散射、吸收光谱、粘度及电镜透射等方法研究了烷基氯化铵在弱碱性条件下溶液浓度变化对分子有序组合体结构的影响.当表面活性剂浓度大于cmc时,分子有序组合体的形态随表面活性剂浓度的增加出现胶团-囊泡-球状胶团的转化过程,这与水解产生的极性有机物烷基胺量的变化密切相关.     

合成双分子膜多元体系的激发态能量转移

发现在４－（４－癸氧基联苯－４－氧基三甲基）溴化铵双分子膜体系内，从联苯给体通过结合在膜表面上的达旦黄传递到罗丹明Ｂ受体的三元激发态的能量转移效率较高．探讨了囊泡在此能量转移过程中的特殊功能作用和能量转移的机制．同时还观察到了在此体系内通过静电相互作用，组织在囊泡表面上的达旦黄、荧光黄、罗丹明Ｂ和四苯基卟啉间的多元能量转移，这种能量转移可改善光的输出，扩展光波的覆盖范围．     

基于超分子环糊精两亲分子的敏感型囊泡体系

敏感型囊泡可初步概括为由两亲分子通过非共价键构筑的、对外界的刺激具有特色响应性的一类新型囊泡体系。由"超分子环糊精两亲分子"自组装形成的囊泡体系是该类体系中重要的一类。本文重点介绍了环糊精参与的"超分子环糊精两亲分子"囊泡体系的研究进展。以与环糊精复合的化合物结构类型不同进行分类,介绍了该类囊泡体系的制备以及该体系在医药工程、新型"智能"材料以及生物模拟等方面的潜在应用;结合现阶段的研究状况,对该类囊泡体系的发展前景进行了展望。     

新型鹅去氧胆酸分子裂缝的设计合成

分子识别是生物体系的基本特征,并在生命活动中起中心作用。生物酶高效专一地催化生化反应,抗体与抗原的结合,蛋白质分子与DNA序列的相互作用等都源于精确的分子识别[1,2]。利用合成的人工受体与适当底物之间的分子识别以建立仿生仿酶模型的研究,已成为生物有机化学前沿富有挑战性的领域。分子裂缝作为一类新型的人工受体,以其灵活的结构以及易于将功能团聚集在受体与底物结合的活性部位上等优点,引起了人们的广泛关注[3-5]。胆甾因其具有刚性的凹面结构和天然的手性,是构筑分子裂缝人工受体的理想结构单元。我们曾报道3α-OH和7α-OH同…     

硫化氢信号分子与L-乳酸脱氢酶蛋白相互作用机制的研究

硫化氢(H_2S)作为信号分子与目标蛋白相互作用而实现信号传导机制的研究一直是研究热点。本研究以L-乳酸脱氢酶为目标蛋白,选用3种H_2S供体试剂(NaHS、Na_2S、PS),采用分子荧光实时监测L-乳酸脱氢酶活性变化,研究H_2S与目标蛋白的相互作用。SDS-PAGE电泳结果显示,H_2S不是通过形成二硫键/三硫键的方式与L-乳酸脱氢酶蛋白相互作用;圆二色谱结果表明,L-乳酸脱氢酶的二级结构发生变化,提示H_2S可能存在半胱氨酸巯基衍生能力,以硫烷硫存在的PS具有最强的巯基作用力;MALDI-TOF-MS/MS分析结果表明,L-乳酸脱氢酶蛋白中部分半胱氨酸巯基位点发生了硫烷化,进一步揭示了H_2S是通过与活性半胱氨酸巯基位点硫烷化的方式与L-乳酸脱氢酶发生作用。     

分子钳人工受体研究进展

分子识别是生物体系的基本特征, 并在生命活动中起中心作用. 利用合成的人工受体与适当底物间的分子识别以建立化学模型或化学仿生体系对生命过程中的分子识别现象进行模拟研究是生物有机化学和超分子化学前沿富于挑战的课题之一. 按照不同的隔离基, 综述了分子钳人工受体的研究进展.     

微波促进一锅法合成氨基甲酸酯型α-猪去氧胆酸分子钳

在微波辐射条件下, 以α-猪去氧胆酸为隔离基, 通过三光气桥连各种芳香胺, 以很好的产率合成了一系列新的手性分子钳, 其结构经¹H NMR, IR, MS和元素分析确证, 并且考察了其对中性分子和D/L-氨基酸甲酯的识别性能. 实验结果表明, 这类分子钳人工受体不仅对中性有机小分子具有优良的识别性能, 而且对D/L-氨基酸甲酯亦具有良好的对映选择性识别能力.     

含Schiff碱基囊泡双分子膜的聚集结构与相变

研究表面活性剂分子在水溶液中的聚集行为对模拟生物膜功能和研究分子间相互作用具有重要意义"'．用于形成囊泡双分子层的表面活性剂主要是类似天然磷脂的双烷基链两亲分子,单烷基链两亲分子在引人刚性基团时亦可形成双分子膜k'．含SChiff碱基两亲分子在水溶液中的聚集性质及间、尾链长度对SChiff碱基构象的影响已有报道"'．本文报道了这类分子的另一种重要成膜性质,即改变制备条件,可选择性地得到不同聚集结构和相变温度的双分子膜·实验中所用成膜分子为：CH。（CH。）。;OPh-N-CH－PhO（CH;）n;N"（CH。）。Br－（m-4;n-…     

Switching of the enzymatic activity synchronized with signal recognition by an artificial DNA receptor on a liposomal membrane

We constructed a supramolecular system on a liposomal membrane that is capable of activating an enzyme via DNA hybridization. The design of the system was inspired by natural signal transduction systems, in which enzymes amplify external signals to control signal transduction pathways. The liposomal membrane, providing a platform for the system, was prepared by the self-assembly of an oligonucleotide lipid, a phospholipid and a cationic synthetic lipid. The enzyme was immobilized on the liposomal surface through electrostatic interactions. Selective recognition of DNA signals was achieved by hybridizing the DNA signals with the oligonucleotide lipid embedded in the liposome. The hybridized DNA signal was sent to the enzyme by a copper ion acting as a mediator species. The enzyme then amplified the event by the catalytic reaction to generate the output signal. In addition, our system demonstrated potential for the discrimination of single nucleotide polymorphisms.     

Intermolecular Communication on a Liposomal Membrane: Enzymatic Amplification of a Photonic Signal with a Gemini Peptide Lipid as a Membrane‐Bound Artificial Receptor

A supramolecular system that can activate an enzyme through photo‐isomerization was constructed by using a liposomal membrane scaffold. The design of the system was inspired by natural signal transduction systems, in which enzymes amplify external signals to control signal transduction pathways. The liposomal membrane, which provided a scaffold for the system, was prepared by self‐assembly of a photoresponsive receptor and a cationic synthetic lipid. NADH‐dependent L ‐lactate dehydrogenase, the signal amplifier, was immobilized on the liposomal surface by electrostatic interactions. Recognition of photonic signals by the membrane‐bound receptor induced photo‐isomerization, which significantly altered the receptor’s metal‐binding affinity. The response to the photonic signal was transmitted to the enzyme by Cu²⁺ ions. The enzyme amplified the chemical information through a catalytic reaction to generate the intended output signal.     

Intermolecular communication on a liposomal membrane: enzymatic amplification of a photonic signal with a gemini peptide lipid as a membrane-bound artificial receptor

A supramolecular system that can activate an enzyme through photo-isomerization was constructed by using a liposomal membrane scaffold. The design of the system was inspired by natural signal transduction systems, in which enzymes amplify external signals to control signal transduction pathways. The liposomal membrane, which provided a scaffold for the system, was prepared by self-assembly of a photoresponsive receptor and a cationic synthetic lipid. NADH-dependent L-lactate dehydrogenase, the signal amplifier, was immobilized on the liposomal surface by electrostatic interactions. Recognition of photonic signals by the membrane-bound receptor induced photo-isomerization, which significantly altered the receptor's metal-binding affinity. The response to the photonic signal was transmitted to the enzyme by Cu(2+) ions. The enzyme amplified the chemical information through a catalytic reaction to generate the intended output signal.     

Efficient delivery of streptavidin to mammalian cells: clathrin-mediated endocytosis regulated by a synthetic ligand

The efficient delivery of macromolecules to living cells presents a formidable challenge to the development of effective macromolecular therapeutics and cellular probes. We describe herein a novel synthetic ligand termed "Streptaphage" that enables efficient cellular uptake of the bacterial protein streptavidin by promoting noncovalent interactions with cholesterol and sphingolipid-rich lipid raft subdomains of cellular plasma membranes. The Streptaphage ligand comprises an N-alkyl derivative of 3 beta-cholesterylamine linked to the carboxylate of biotin through an 11-atom tether. Molecular recognition between streptavidin and this membrane-bound ligand promotes clathrin-mediated endocytosis, which renders streptavidin partially intracellular within 10 min and completely internalized within 4 h of protein addition. Analysis of protein uptake in Jurkat lymphocytes by epifluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry revealed intracellular fluorescence enhancements of over 300-fold (10 microM ligand) with >99% efficiency and low toxicity. Other mammalian cell lines including THP-1 macrophages, MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and CHO cells were similarly affected. Structurally related ligands bearing a shorter linker or substituting the protonated steroidal amine with an isosteric amide were ineffective molecular transporters. Confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed that Streptaphage-induced uptake of streptavidin functionally mimics the initial cellular penetration steps of Cholera toxin, which undergoes clathrin-mediated endocytosis upon binding to the lipid raft-associated natural product ganglioside GM1. The synthetic ligand described herein represents a designed cell surface receptor capable of targeting streptavidin conjugates into diverse mammalian cells by hijacking the molecular machinery used to organize cellular membranes. This technology has potential applications in DNA delivery, tumor therapy, and stimulation of immune responses.     

Chiral recognition by resorcin[4]arene receptors: intrinsic kinetics and dynamics

Molecular recognition of representative amino acids (A) by a chiral amido[4]resorcinarene receptor (1(L)) was investigated in the gas phase by ESI-FT-ICR mass spectrometry. The ligand displacement reaction between noncovalent diastereomeric [1(L).H.A](+) complexes and the 2-aminobutane enantiomers (B) exhibits a distinct enantioselectivity with regard to both the leaving amino acid A and the amine reactant B. The emerging selectivity picture, discussed in the light of molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics calculations, points to chiral recognition by 1(L), as determined by the effects of the host asymmetric frame on the structure, stability, and rearrangement dynamics of the diastereomeric [1(L).H.A](+) complexes and the orientation of the amine reactant B in encounters with [1(L).H.A](+). The results contribute to the development of a dynamic model of chiral recognition of biomolecules by enzyme mimics in the unsolvated state.     

Functional immobilization of biomembrane fragments on planar waveguides for the investigation of side-directed ligand binding by surface-confined fluorescence

A method for the functional immobilization of Na,K-ATPase-rich membrane fragments on planar metal oxide waveguides has been developed. A novel optical technique based on the highly sensitive detection of surface-confined fluorescence in the evanescent field of the waveguide allowed us to investigate the interactions of the immobilized protein with cations and ligands. For specific binding studies, a FITC-Na,K-ATPase was used, which had been labelled covalently within the ATP-binding domain of the protein. Fluorophore labels of the surface-bound enzyme can be selectively excited in the evanescent field. A preserved functional activity of the immobilized enzyme was only found when a phospholipid monolayer was preassembled onto the hydrophobic chip surface to form a gentle, biocompatible interface. In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to examine and optimize the conditions for the lipid and membrane fragment assembly and the quality of the formed layers. The enzyme's functional activity was tested by selective K+ cation binding, interaction with anti-fluorescein antibody 4-4-20, phosphorylation of the protein and binding of inhibitory ligand ouabain. The comparison with corresponding fluorescence intensity changes found in bulk solution provides information about the side-directed surface binding of the Na,K-ATPase membrane fragments. The affinity constants of K+ ions to the Na,K-ATPase was the same for the immobilized and the non-immobilized enzyme, providing evidence for the highly native environment on the surface. The method for the functional immobilization of membrane fragments on waveguide surfaces will be the basis for future applications in pharmaceutical research where advanced methods for exploring the molecular mechanisms of membrane receptor targets and drug screening are required.     

Monitoring the dynamics of ligand-receptor complexes on model membranes

Ligand-induced cross-linking of cell surface receptors is a basic paradigm of signal activation by many transmembrane receptors. After ligand binding, the receptor complexes formed on the membrane are dynamically maintained by two-dimensional protein-protein interactions on the membrane. The biophysical principles governing the dynamics of such interactions have not been understood, mainly because the measurement of lateral interactions on membranes so far has not been experimentally addressed. Here, we describe a generic approach for measuring two-dimensional dissociation rate constants in vitro using a novel high-affinity chelator lipid for reconstituting a ternary cytokine-receptor complex on solid-supported membranes. While monitoring the interaction between the ligand and one of the receptor subunits on the membrane by fluorescence resonance energy transfer, the equilibrium on the surface was perturbed by rapidly tethering a large excess of the unlabeled receptor subunit. Displacement of labeled by unlabeled protein in the ternary complex was detected as a recovery of the donor quenching. Since the dissociation of the ligand-receptor complex in plane of the membrane was the rate-limiting step under these conditions, the two-dimensional rate constant of this process was determined. Strikingly, the two-dimensional dissociation was much slower than ligand dissociation into solution, suggesting that membrane tethering significantly affects the dissociation process. This result highlights the importance of studying ligand-receptor complexes tethered to membranes for understanding the principles governing signal activation by ligand-induced receptor assembling.     

Covalent immobilization of an enzyme (glucose oxidase) onto a carbon sol-gel silicate composite surface as a biosensing platform

A porous organic-inorganic hybrid sol-gel carbon composite has been developed and used for surface covalent bonding of an enzyme for biosensing applications, illustrated by glucose oxidase (GOD). The composite comprises graphite powder, ferrocene, and an amino- and methyl-silicate backbone. The graphite powder provides the conductivity for the electrode and ferrocene acts as the mediator for signal transduction from the active center of the enzyme to the electron conductive surface. The presence of amine groups in the sol-gel silicate network allows for the covalent bonding sites for the enzyme via the carbodiimide reaction. The hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity properties of the electrode surface are controlled by the amine and methyl groups of the silicate network. Systematic optimization of the composite composition has been carried out and the performance of the glucose biosensor has been investigated. The optimal electrode gives a linear response range of 0.1-27 mM glucose with a sensitivity of 1.30 μA mM⁻¹ and detection limit (S/N = 3) of 26 μM.     

Analysis of hydrophobic interactions of antagonists with the beta2-adrenergic receptor

The adrenergic receptors mediate a wide variety of physiological responses, including vasodilatation and vasoconstriction, heart rate modulation, and others. Beta-adrenergic antagonists (‘beta-blockers’) thus constitute a widely used class of drugs in cardiovascular medicine as well as in management of anxiety, migraine, and glaucoma. The importance of the hydrophobic effect has been evidenced for a wide range of beta-blocker properties. To better understand the role of the hydrophobic effect in recognition of beta-blockers by their receptor, we carried out a molecular docking study combined with an original approach to estimate receptor–ligand hydrophobic interactions. The proposed method is based on automatic detection of molecular fragments in ligands and the analysis of their interactions with receptors separately. A series of beta-blockers, based on phenylethanolamines and phenoxypropanolamines, were docked to the beta2-adrenoceptor binding site in the crystal structure. Hydrophobic complementarity between the ligand and the receptor was calculated using the PLATINUM web-server (http://model.nmr.ru/platinum). Based on the analysis of the hydrophobic match for molecular fragments of beta-blockers, we have developed a new scoring function which efficiently predicts dissociation constant (pKd) with strong correlations (r ²～ 0.8) with experimental data.     

Steroid Cyclophanes as Artificial Cell-surface Receptors. Molecular Recognition and its Consequence in Signal Transduction Behavior

Steroid cyclophanes, bearing four bile acid moieties covalently placed on a tetraazaparacyclophane skeleton, were designed and synthesized as artificial cell-surface receptors. Guest-binding behavior of the steroid cyclophanes embedded in a bilayer membrane formed with a synthetic peptide lipid was clarified by means of fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy. We found that the steroid cyclophane effectively bound aromatic guests in both bilayer membranes and aqueous solution. In addition, copper(II) ions acted as a guest species for the steroid cyclophane and a competitive inhibitor toward a NADH-dependent lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). On these grounds, we constituted a supramolecular assembly as an artificial signaling system in combination with the steroid cyclophane, a cationic peptide lipid, and LDH. As a consequence, the steroid cyclophane acted as an effective artificial cell-surface receptor being capable of transmitting an external signal to the enzyme in collaboration with copper(II) ions as a signal transmitter.