Origins of the differences in solvation by alkanes and perfluoroalkanes Evidence from the S2-S0 spectra of jet-cooled van der Waals complexes of xanthione and azulene

The S₂-S₀ fluorescence excitation spectra ofxanthione (XT) and azulene (AZ) complexed with 1 or 2 molecules of the C₁ to C₁₀ n-alkanes and the C₁ to C₆ perfluoro-n-alkanes have been measured. The 1:1 complexes exhibit microscopic solvent shifts, Δ gn, which are larger for the alkanes than the corresponding perfluoroalkanes, despite the larger molecular polarizability of the latter. The values of Δ gn increase monotonically with carbon number of the adduct to C₁₀ in 1:1 n-alkane complexes with XT and to C₅ in 1:1 n-alkane complexes with AZ. However, Δ gn exhibits no further increase beyond C₂ in 1:1 perfluoro-n-alkane complexes with XT and beyond C₃ in 1:1 perfluoro-n-alkane complexes with AZ. The results are interpreted in terms of a model in which the n-alkanes stretch out along the long axis of the chromophore and ‘wet’ its surface whereas the perfluoro-n-alkanes with carbon numbers 3 away from the surface of the chromophore and are ‘non-wetting’.     

Investigating 2,2'-bipyridine-3,3'-diol as a microenvironment-sensitive probe: its binding to cyclodextrins and human serum albumin

The 2,2'-bipyridine-3,3'-diol molecule (BP(OH)2) was investigated as a potential photophysical probe in inclusion and biological studies. Binding of BP(OH)2 to cyclodextrins (CDs) and human serum albumin (HSA) was studied by following the changes in its absorption and fluorescence spectra. The stoichiometric ratios and binding constants of the complexes were deduced by fitting the changes in the spectral intensity to binding isotherms. The stoichiometric ratio in the BP(OH)2/(alpha-CD) complex is dominated by 1:2, whereas in all other CDs and in HSA this ratio is 1:1. The structure of the BP(OH)2:(alpha-CD)2 complex, calculated using ab initio methods, indicates that the inclusion of the BP(OH)2 molecule is axial and centered between the two cavities of alpha-CD with van der Waals and electrostatic interactions dominating the binding. Analysis of these results along with the inclusion results of BP(OH)2 in beta-CD, methyl-beta-CD, 2,6-di-O-methyl-beta-CD, and gamma-CD shows that absorption and fluorescence of BP(OH)2 are very sensitive to the change in the cavity size of CD and its hydrophobicity. This change is reflected in the form of a decrease in the intensity of the absorption peaks of the BP(OH)2/water complex in the region 400-450 nm and a red shift in the fluorescence peak as the cavity size decreases and its hydrophobicity increases. Binding of BP(OH)2 as a probe ligand to HSA, a prototype protein, reflects the hydrophobic interior of HSA in a similar manner. The spectral changes indicate that BP(OH)2 binds in the hydrophobic cavity of HSA's subdomain IIA. The results presented here show that BP(OH)2 can be used in binding sites and biological systems as a microenvironment-sensitive probe.     

Fluorescence probing of the temperature-induced phase transition in a glycolipid self-assembly: hexagonal ↔ micellar and cubic ↔ lamellar

Water-driven self-assembly of lipids displays a variety of liquid crystalline phases that are crucial for membrane functions. Herein, we characterize the temperature-induced phase transitions in two compositions of an aqueous self-assembly system of the octyl β-D-glucoside (βGlcOC(8)) system, using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The phase transitions hexagonal ? micellar and cubic ? lamellar were investigated using tryptophan (Trp) and two of its ester derivatives (Trp-C(4) and Trp-C(8)) to probe the polar headgroup region and pyrene to probe the hydrophobic tail region. The polarity of the headgroup region was estimated to be close to that of simple alcohols (methanol and ethanol) for all phases. The pyrene fluorescence indicates that the pyrene molecules are dispersed among the tails of the hydrophobic region, yet remain in close proximity to the polar head groups. Comparing the present results with our previously reported one for βMaltoOC(12), increasing the tail length of the hexagonal phase from C(8) to C(12) leads to less interaction with pyrene, which is attributed to the more random and wobbling motion of the longer alkyl tail. We measured a reduction (more hydrophobic) in the ratio of the vibronic peak intensities of pyrene (I(1)/I(3)) for the lamellar phase compared to that of the cubic phase. The higher polarity in the cubic phase can be correlated to the nature of its interface, which curves toward the bulk water. This geometry also explains the slight reduction in polarity of the headgroup region compared to the other phases. Upon the addition of Trp-C(8), the fluorescence lifetime of pyrene is reduced by 28% in the lamellar and cubic phases, whereas the I(1)/I(3) value is only slightly reduced. The results reflect the dominant role of dynamic interaction mechanism between the C(8) chain of Trp-C(8) and pyrene. This mechanism may be important for these two phases since they participate in the process of membrane fusion. Both lipid compositions show completely reversible temperature-induced phase transitions, reflecting the thermodynamic equilibrium structures of their mesophases. Probing both regions of the different lipid phases reveals a large degree of heterogeneity and flexibility of the lipid self-assembly. These properties are crucial for carrying out different biological functions such as the ability to accommodate various molecular sizes.     

Revealing the ionization ability of binding site I of human serum albumin using 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole as a pH sensitive probe

The ability of site I of human serum albumin (HSA) to bind medium sized molecules is important for the distribution, metabolism, and efficacy of many drugs. Herein, we show that this binding site has the ionization ability that may alter the drug structure during the process of its delivery. We reveal this ability by employing 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HBO) as a pH sensitive probe. Binding of HBO in site I is studied here at physiological pH 7.2 using steady-state and lifetime spectroscopic measurements, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methods. The complex photophysics of HBO and the unique fluorescence signature of its anionic form indicate that, upon binding with HSA, the molecule exists in equilibrium between the anionic and the syn-keto forms. The position of HBO inside the binding site was determined experimentally by measuring the fluorescence quenching of W214, the sole tryptophan residue in HSA. The ionization degree of HBO inside the binding site was estimated to be close to the ionization degree of HBO in an aqueous solution of pH 10. This was concluded by comparing the fluorescence behavior of bound HBO to that of HBO in different solvents and in aqueous solutions of different pH values. Molecular docking and MD simulations show that HBO binds in site I close to W214, confirming the experimental results, and pinpoint the dominant role of hydrophobic interactions in the binding site. The formation of the anionic form is proposed to be due to through-space interaction between the OH group of HBO and both R222 and I290 with a binding mode similar to that of warfarin in site I. Comparison of the results with those of HBO mixed with key amino acids in solution indicates the importance of through-space interaction in the formation of the anion, similar to enzymatic reactions.     

Intrinsic equations for a generalized relaxed elastic line on an oriented surface in the galilean space

In this article, we derive the intrinsic equations for a generalized relaxed elastic line on an oriented surface in the Galilean 3-dimensional space G₃. These equations will give direct and more geometric approach to questions concerning about generalized relaxed elastic lines on an oriented surface in G₃.     

Lentivirus-mediated transgene delivery to the hippocampus reveals sub-field specific differences in expression

Background  

In the adult hippocampus, the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus is a heterogeneous structure formed by neurons of different ages, morphologies and electrophysiological properties. Retroviral vectors have been extensively used to transduce cells of the granule cell layer and study their inherent properties in an intact brain environment. In addition, lentivirus-based vectors have been used to deliver transgenes to replicative and non-replicative cells as well, such as post mitotic neurons of the CNS. However, only few studies have been dedicated to address the applicability of these widespread used vectors to hippocampal cells in vivo. Therefore, the aim of this study was to extensively characterize the cell types that are effectively transduced in vivo by VSVg-pseudotyped lentivirus-based vectors in the hippocampus dentate gyrus.