Polysorbate 80 and histidine quantitative analysis by NMR in the presence of virus-like particles

Polysorbate-80 (PS80) and histidine are common excipients in vaccine and therapeutic protein formulation. A simple quantitative NMR method to measure both PS80 and histidine in human papillomavirus (HPV) virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine for aqueous and alum-containing samples is described. The new NMR method is compared to current colorimetric methods for PS80 and RP HPLC for histidine. The new NMR method is comparable to current assays with an advantage of a simpler sample treatment for PS80. The efficiency is also increased because one method can now provide two assay results instead of two separate methods. Furthermore, the NMR method can detect PS80 stability due to hydrolysis and oxidation when PS80 is stored in a stainless steel container by observing a change of its NMR line shape profile.     

Polyvalent Catalysts Operating on Polyvalent Substrates: A Model for Surface‐Controlled Reactivity

Unusually fast rates of nucleophilic catalysis of hydrazone ligation were observed when polyvalent anthranilic acid catalysts operating on polyvalent aldehyde substrates were used with PAMAM dendrimers as the common platform. When presented in this way, the catalyst has a strong accelerating effect at concentrations 40–400 times lower than those required for similar monovalent catalysts and displays unique kinetic parameters. We attribute these properties to polyvalent engagement between the dendrimer surface groups, and a potential “rolling” effect leading to fast interparticle kinetic turnover. The phenomenon is sensitive to the density of functional groups on each dendrimer, and insensitive to factors that promote or inhibit nonspecific particle aggregation. These findings constitute a rare experimental example of an underappreciated phenomenon in biological and chemical systems that are organized on interacting surfaces.     

Monomeric inhibitors of influenza neuraminidase enhance the hemagglutination inhibition activities of polyacrylamides presenting multiple C-sialoside groups

Background: Influenza viruses use hemagglutinin (HA) arrays to bind to sialic acid moieties on the surface of cells; crosslinking of erythrocytes by this mechanism leads to hemagglutination. A number of synthetic polymers containing multiple sialic acid (Neu5Ac) groups as side chains are potent inhibitors of this process. Inhibition may be due to two mechanisms: polyvalent binding of the inhibitor's multiple Neu5Ac side chains to multiple HA sites on the viral surface, or steric stabilization of the viral particle by a layer of the adsorbed, water-swollen polymer, which prevents adhesion to the erythrocyte. The balance between these two effects is not yet known.Results: Polyacrylamides with multiple C-sialosides (PA(Neu5Ac)) were 2–20 fold more effective as inhibitors of virally mediated hemagglutination when assayed in the presence of Neu2en-NH₂, a potent monomeric inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase (NA). The ability of monomeric inhibitors of NA to enhance the inhibition of hemagglutination in this assay correlated with the affinity of the monomer for NA.Conclusions: We propose that inhibitors of NA act by competing with the C-sialosides of PA(Neu5Ac) for binding to the active sites of the NA. Competitive displacement of Neu5Ac causes an expansion of the layer of polymeric gel adsorbed to the virus, enhancing its inhibitory effect. This study provides an example of synergy between two ligands directed toward the active sites of two different proteins, and reinforces the conclusion that steric stabilization is important for the activity of polyvalent inhibitors.     

Pre-resonance Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy study of the complex of the antiviral and antiparkinsonian drug amantadine with histidine

UV-pre-resonance Raman spectroscopy (PRS) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) were applied to study the interaction of the antiviral and antiparkinsonian agent amantadine with histidine. The binding sites of amantadine and histidine molecules were identified in the complex. In this model, (i) the amino group of amantadine and the N1H group of histidine are included in the complex formation, (ii) the creation of the complex is mediated via formation of an H-bond between the nitrogen of the amantadine amino group and the hydrogen of the histidine N1H group. This model of the amantadine–histidine complex formation is discussed in the relation to a possible mode of interaction of the M2 protein transmembrane region with amantadine.     

Prototype protein assembly as scaffold for time-resolved fluoroimmuno assays

Turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) is an icosahedral plant virus with an average diameter of 28 nm and can be isolated in gram quantities from turnip or Chinese cabbage inexpensively. In this study, it was selected as a prototype bionanoparticle for time-resolved fluoroimmuno assay (TRFIA). Two types of reactive amino acid residues were employed to anchor luminescent terbium complexes and biotin groups based on orthogonal chemical reactions. While terbium complexes were used as luminescent signaling groups, biotin motifs acted as a model ligand for protein binding. The bioconjugation results were confirmed by MS and Western blot analysis. Steady-state and time-resolved luminescence study of the dual-modified viruses demonstrated that the spectroscopic properties of the Tb complex are unperturbed by the labeling procedure. The dual-modified particle was probed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments using avidin labeled with an Alexa488 fluorophore, which bound to the biotin on the surface of the particle, as an energy acceptor, and terbium complexes as an energy donor. The emission and excitation spectra of the dual-labeled TYMV particle displayed residual virus fluorescence and Tb luminescence upon ligand-centered excitation. The Tb luminescence lifetime was 1.62 ms and could be effectively fitted with a single-exponential behavior. In the TRFIA, an efficient transfer of 66% was observed, and the calculation using the F?rster radius of 41 A allowed for an estimation of the average donor-acceptor distance of 36 A. Our studies show that the two reactive sites can communicate with each other on the surface of a nanoscale biological assembly. In particular, the ligand-receptor binding (biotin and avidin in this paper) was not interfered with when anchored to the surface of TYMV. Therefore, as a prototype of polyvalent bionanoparticles, TYMV can be used as scaffold for sensor development with TRFIA.     

Polyvalent interactions in unnatural recognition processes

The synthesis of two cluster compounds, one containing six secondary dialkylammonium ion centers and the other possessing six benzo-m-phenylene[25]crown-8 (BMP25C8) macrocycles, both appended to hexakis(thiophenyl)benzene cores, is described. The binding of these clusters with complementary mono- and divalent ligands is investigated with NMR spectroscopy to probe polyvalency in these unnatural recognition systems. The ability of the two different families of clusters to bind complementary monovalent ligands is compared with that of the monovalent receptor pair, namely the dibenzylammonium ion and BMP25C8. This comparison is made possible by determining an average association constant (K(AVE)) for the binding of each recognition site on the cluster with the corresponding monovalent ligand. We have found that the clustering of recognition sites together in one molecule is detrimental to their individual abilities to bind monovalent ligands. In the case of the polyvalent interaction between the hexakisBMP25C8 cluster and divalent dialkylammonium ions, an association constant, K(POLY), was calculated from the value of K(AVE) determined for the complexation of the individual component recognition sites. This polyvalent interaction is significantly stronger than that associated with the averaged monovalent interactions.     

N(epsilon) functionalization of metal and organic protected L-histidine for a highly efficient,direct labeling of biomolecules with [Tc(OH2)3(CO)3]+

Two different pathways for the introduction of an acetyl group at N(epsilon ) in a N(alpha), N(delta), and -COO protected histidine to afford N(epsilon)-(CH(2)COOH)-histidine derivative 7 b are presented. The purpose of this study is the coupling of 7 b to amino groups in bioactive molecules such as peptides. After full deprotection of such a bioconjugate, histidine provides three coordination sites which efficiently coordinate to [(99m)Tc(OH(2))(3)(CO)(3)](+) or [Re(OH(2))(3)(CO)(3)](+) in a facial geometry. This allows the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals. Selective derivatization at the N(epsilon) position has conveniently been achieved by concomitant protection of N(alpha) and N(delta) with a carbonyl group forming a six-membered urea. Cyclic urea ring opening with Fm-OH, coupling of phenylalanine as a model to 7 b through its primary amine and removing of all protecting groups in one step gave a histidine derivative of phenylalanine which could be labeled at 10(-5) M with (99m)Tc in very high yield and even in about 50 % yield at 10(-6) M. The Xray structure of a complex with [Re(CO)(3)](+) in which anilin is coupled to 7 b confirms the facial arrangement of histidine. A second pathway applies directly the [Re(CO)(3)](+) moiety as a protecting group. This is one of the rare examples in which a metal fragment is used as a protecting group for organic functionalities. The coordination to histidine protects the N(alpha), N(delta) and COO group in one single step, subsequent alkylation with BrCH(2)COOH(R) at N(epsilon), coupling to phenylalanine and oxidative deprotection of [Re(CO)(3)](+) to [ReO(4)](-) gave the corresponding bioconjugate in which histidine is coupled to phenylalanine through an acetylamide at N(epsilon). Both methods offer convenient pathways to introduce histidine in a biomolecule under retention of its three coordination sites. The procedures are adaptable to any biomolecule with pendant amines and allow the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals or inversed peptides.     

Design of Monodisperse and Well‐Defined Polypeptide‐Based Polyvalent Inhibitors of Anthrax Toxin

The design of polyvalent molecules, presenting multiple copies of a specific ligand, represents a promising strategy to inhibit pathogens and toxins. The ability to control independently the valency and the spacing between ligands would be valuable for elucidating structure–activity relationships and for designing potent polyvalent molecules. To that end, we designed monodisperse polypeptide‐based polyvalent inhibitors of anthrax toxin in which multiple copies of an inhibitory toxin‐binding peptide were separated by flexible peptide linkers. By tuning the valency and linker length, we designed polyvalent inhibitors that were over four orders of magnitude more potent than the corresponding monovalent ligands. This strategy for the rational design of monodisperse polyvalent molecules may not only be broadly applicable for the inhibition of toxins and pathogens, but also for controlling the nanoscale organization of cellular receptors to regulate signaling and the fate of stem cells.     

Non-covalent polyvalent ligands by self-assembly of small glycodendrimers: a novel concept for the inhibition of polyvalent carbohydrate-protein interactions in vitro and in vivo

Polyvalent carbohydrate-protein interactions occur frequently in biology, particularly in recognition events on cellular membranes. Collectively, they can be much stronger than corresponding monovalent interactions, rendering it difficult to control them with individual small molecules. Artificial macromolecules have been used as polyvalent ligands to inhibit polyvalent processes; however, both reproducible synthesis and appropriate characterization of such complex entities is demanding. Herein, we present an alternative concept avoiding conventional macromolecules. Small glycodendrimers which fulfill single molecule entity criteria self-assemble to form non-covalent nanoparticles. These particles-not the individual molecules-function as polyvalent ligands, efficiently inhibiting polyvalent processes both in vitro and in vivo. The synthesis and characterization of these glycodendrimers is described in detail. Furthermore, we report on the characterization of the non-covalent nanoparticles formed and on their biological evaluation.     

Peptide amphiphile nanofibers template and catalyze silica nanotube formation

Hollow silica nanotubes with tunable dimensions have been synthesized by condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) on peptide-amphiphile nanofiber templates followed by calcination. Peptide-amphiphile nanofibers direct silica mineralization by providing nucleation sites and catalyze silica polymerization at their surface. The catalytic activities of peptide-amphiphiles containing lysine, histidine, or glutamic acid were compared and only peptide amphiphiles containing lysine or histidine were found to be good catalytic templates. Depending on the reaction conditions, and the size of the PA assembler, the nanotube wall thickness could be varied between 5 and 9 nm.     

Aromaticity of Heterofullerenes C18BxNy (x+y=2) and Their Molecular Ions

The aromaticity of all possible substituted fullerene isomers of C18N2, C18B2, C18BN, and their molecularions which originate from the C20 (Ih) cage were studied by the topological resonance energy (TRE) and the percentage topological resonance energy methods. The relationship between the aromaticity of C18BxNy isomers and the sites where the heteroatoms dope at the C20 (Ih) cage is discussed. Calculation results show that at the neutral and cationic states all the isomers are predicted to be antiaromatic with negative TREs, but their polyvalent anions are predicted to be aromatic with positive TREs. The most stable isomer is formed by heteroatom doping at the 1,11-sites in C18N2, C18B2, and C18BN. Heterofullerenes are more aromatic than C20. The stability order in the neutral states is C18N2>C18BN>C18B2>C20. The stability order in closed-shell is C18B2 8->C20 6->C18BN6->C18N2 4-. This predicts theoretically that their polyvalent anions have high aromaticity.     

Non‐Covalent Polyvalent Ligands by Self‐Assembly of Small Glycodendrimers: A Novel Concept for the Inhibition of Polyvalent Carbohydrate–Protein Interactions In Vitro and In Vivo

Polyvalent carbohydrate–protein interactions occur frequently in biology, particularly in recognition events on cellular membranes. Collectively, they can be much stronger than corresponding monovalent interactions, rendering it difficult to control them with individual small molecules. Artificial macromolecules have been used as polyvalent ligands to inhibit polyvalent processes; however, both reproducible synthesis and appropriate characterization of such complex entities is demanding. Herein, we present an alternative concept avoiding conventional macromolecules. Small glycodendrimers which fulfill single molecule entity criteria self‐assemble to form non‐covalent nanoparticles. These particles—not the individual molecules—function as polyvalent ligands, efficiently inhibiting polyvalent processes both in vitro and in vivo. The synthesis and characterization of these glycodendrimers is described in detail. Furthermore, we report on the characterization of the non‐covalent nanoparticles formed and on their biological evaluation.     

Multivalency and the mode of action of bacterial sialidases

Although complex modular proteins are encountered frequently in a variety of biological systems, their occurrence in biocatalysis has not been widely appreciated. Here, we describe that bacterial sialidases, which have both a catalytic and carbohydrate-binding domain, can hydrolyze polyvalent substrates with much greater catalytic efficiency than their monovalent counterparts. The enhancement of catalytic efficiency was due to a much smaller Michaelis constant and rationalized by a model in which the catalytic and lectin domains interact simultaneously with the polyvalent substrate, leading to an enhancement of affinity. Inhibition studies have shown that galactosides released by the action of the sialidase can act as the ligand for the lectin domain. This knowledge has been exploited in the design of a potent polyvalent inhibitor of the sialidase of Vibrio cholerae, which displayed exquisite selectivities for sialidases that have a lectin domain.     

Atomic Insights into Aluminium-Ion Insertion in Defective Anatase for Batteries

Aluminium batteries constitute a safe and sustainable high-energy-density electrochemical energy-storage solution. Viable Al-ion batteries require suitable electrode materials that can readily intercalate high-charge Al³⁺ ions. Here, we investigate the Al³⁺ intercalation chemistry of anatase TiO₂ and how chemical modifications influence the accommodation of Al³⁺ ions. We use fluoride- and hydroxide-doping to generate high concentrations of titanium vacancies. The coexistence of these hetero-anions and titanium vacancies leads to a complex insertion mechanism, attributed to three distinct types of host sites: native interstitial sites, single vacancy sites, and paired vacancy sites. We demonstrate that Al³⁺ induces a strong local distortion within the modified TiO₂ structure, which affects the insertion properties of the neighbouring host sites. Overall, specific structural features induced by the intercalation of highly polarising Al³⁺ ions should be considered when designing new electrode materials for polyvalent batteries.     

Application of Acoustic Spectroscopy to Investigation of Microinhomogeneous Media

Main mechanisms of absorption and dispersion of sound velocity in microinhomogeneous media are considered. Existing formulas for the velocity and absorption of sound in dispersion media is generalized to the case of continuos dispersed phase particle size distribution. The obtained relations were used for the analysis of the acoustic spectra of dodecane-based magnetic fluid measured in the 12–2000 MHz frequency range at temperatures varied from 0 to 80°C. The distribution of the volume fraction over particle sites in the examined magnetic fluid was described by a lognormal function. Parameters characterizing particle size distribution were determined. The analysis of the results of processing of the acoustic spectra of magnetic fluid indicated that the main contribution to the additional absorption (compared to absorption in the dispersion medium) originates from the friction and heat exchange between the particles and dispersion liquid. Absorption of sound due to scattering by the particles was negligibly small.     

Accelerated exchange in polyelectrolyte multilayers by "catalytic" polyvalent ion pairing

Self-exchange of isotopically labeled polycarboxylic acid within a polyelectrolyte multilayer proceeds to completion and is reversible. Similar exchange with poly(styrene sulfonate), which forms nonlabile polyelectrolyte complexes, is slow and irreversible but is facilitated by polyvalent ion pairing interventions of a third polyelectrolyte. This is an example of accelerated kinetics in "sticky" synthetic systems associated by nonspecific polyvalent interactions.     

TIME-RESOLVED STUDIES OF SINGLET-OXYGEN EMISSION FROM L1210 LEUKEMIA CELLS LABELED WITH 5-(N-HEXADECANOYL)AMINO EOSIN. A COMPARISON WITH A ONE-DIMENSIONAL MODEL OF SINGLET-OXYGEN DIFFUSION AND QUENCHING

Abstract— Time-resolved measurements were made of near-infrared emission from 5-( N -hexadecanoyl)amino-eosinlabeled L1210 leukemia cells following pulsed-laser excitation. The cells were suspended in phosphate-buffered saline made with deuterium oxide solvent. A significant fraction of the emission occuring10–80 μs after the laser pulse was due to singlet oxygen. This singlet-oxygen emission is believed to result from singlet oxygen generated near the cell-membrane surface, where 5-( N -hexadecanoyl)amino eosin is known to concentrate, and then diffusing out into the buffer. The intensity and the kinetics of the experimentally observed singlet-oxygen emission were in excellent agreement with the predictions of a theoretical one-dimensional model of singlet-oxygen diffusion and quenching.
During the10–80 μs time period studied, most of the singlet oxygen was located in the buffer. Thus, the use of water-soluble singlet-oxygen quenchers, such as histidine, provide one means of separating the singlet-oxygen emission quenchers, such as histidine, provide one means of separating the singlet-oxygen emission from other sources of light during this time interval.     

Valence stabilization of polyvalent ions during gamma irradiation of their aqueous solutions by sacrificial protection. III-Valence stabilization of Fe(II) ions by organic additives

Valence stabilization of polyvalent ions in gamma irradiated aqueous solutions is sometimes necessary in some chemical operations. In previous publications, valence stabilization of some polyvalent ions in solution upon gamma irradiation was achieved by using inorganic additives capable of interacting with the oxidizing or reducing species formed during water radiolysis. The results showed that the nature and duration of valence stabilization of Fe(II) depend on the concentration of the inorganic additives used. In the present work, a series of some organic additives has been used to investigate their capability in inducing valence stabilization of polyvalent iron ions, taken as an indicator, in aqueous acidic solutions when subjected to extended gamma irradiation. The results showed that the efficiency of valence stabilization depends on the amount and chemical structure of the organic additive used.     

Study of support effects on the reduction of Ni2+ ions in aqueous hydrazine

We have studied the effect of silica of quartz-type on the reducibility of nickel acetate in aqueous hydrazine (80 degrees C, pH = 10-12) and metal particle formation. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and thermodesorption experiments. With nickel acetate alone, the reduction was partial (45%) and a metal film at the liquid-gas interface or a powdered metal precipitate with an average particle size of 120 nm was obtained. In the presence of silica as the surfactant, the reduction of nickel acetate was total and the nickel phase deposited as a film on the support with an average particle size of 25 nm. Supported nickel acetate was also totally reduced. Crystallites of a mean particle size of about 3 nm were obtained. Decreasing the nickel content or increasing the hydrazine/nickel ratio decreased the metal particle size. Whiskers were formed for low nickel loadings. Hydrogen thermal treatment of the reduced phase showed that the organic acetate fragment, belonging to the precursor salt, still remained strongly attached to the nickel phase. The amount of the retained organic matrix depended on the metal particle size. Surface defects are suggested as active sites, which enhanced nickel ion reduction in the presence of silica as the surfactant or support. Metal-support interactions and the nucleation/ growth rate were the main factors determining the size and morphology of the supported metal particles formed. The organic matrix covered the reduced nickel phase.