pH-Induced conformational changes of BSA in fluorescent AuNCs@BSA and its effects on NCs emission

We investigated the pH-induced fluorescence changes of BSA-protected gold nanoclusters, Au₁₆NCs@BSA, and the corresponding conformational changes of ligand protein by fluorescence, circular dichrosim (CD) and IR spectral measurements. The studies presented here demonstrated that BSA in AuNCs@BSA underwent identifiable conformational changes on both the secondary and the tertiary structure levels. The results of CD and IR interpreted the significant change of second structures at extreme acidity and alkaline, where more unordered structures were gained. Of note was that the extreme alkaline (pH = 11.43) induced the changes from exposed to buried α-helices, which was different from the pH-induced structural changes of BSA. In addition, the large fluorescence intensity gap of tryptophan between AuNCs@BSA and native BSA indicated efficient energy transfer took place between BSA and AuNCs, implying that the gold core resided near tryptophan in BSA.     

In situ measurement of conformational changes in proteins at liquid interfaces by circular dichroism spectroscopy

A new circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy technique for studying conformational changes in proteins in situ at the air-water interface is described. By using this technique, conformations of four proteins, viz., beta-casein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), lysozyme, and fibrinogen in the adsorbed state at the air-water interface have been studied. beta-Casein, which is predominantly in a disordered state in solution, assumes a beta-sheet conformation at the air-water interface. On the other hand, lysozyme and fibrinogen, which are alpha+beta-type proteins in solution, become beta-type proteins by completely transforming their alpha-helix structure into beta-sheets. Bovine serum albumin, which is an alpha-type protein in solution, loses its alpha-helix and becomes a disordered protein at the air-water interface. The results indicated that during unfolding and film formation at the interface, structural changes in proteins, regardless of their initial native state, follow the course of increasing beta-sheet and disordered structure and decreasing alpha-helix content. Although this seems to be the general trend, the exceptional case of BSA suggests, however, that this is not universal.     

Characterization of secondary and tertiary conformational changes of beta-lactoglobulin adsorbed on silica nanoparticle surfaces

Nanoparticles possess unique properties as a result of their large surface area per unit volume and therefore can be functionalized by the immobilization of enzymes for a variety of biosensing applications. Changes in the tertiary conformation of beta-lactoglobulin adsorbed on 90 nm silica nanoparticles with time were inferred using tryptophan fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for different surface concentrations, temperature, pH, ionic strength, and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) and dithiothreitol (DTT) concentrations. Rapid initial unfolding followed by a much slower rate at longer times was observed, with the extent of unfolding being higher at lower surface concentrations, higher ionic strengths, higher temperature, higher TFE and DTT concentrations, and pI. The effect of temperature on the unfolding of adsorbed protein on the nanoparticle surface was similar to that in the bulk even though the extent of unfolding was higher for adsorbed protein molecules. The results of the extent of change in tertiary conformation using FTIR as indicated by the change in the ratio of amide II'/amide I were consistent with those obtained by tryptophan fluorescence whereas the rates of conformational changes given by FTIR were found to be much faster. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra showed that altering the surface concentration by itself did not change the secondary structure of beta-lactoglobulin on the surface. TFE was found to increase the alpha helix content at the expense of the fraction of the beta sheet, whereas the beta sheet was converted to an unordered conformation in the presence of DTT.     

Contrasting effect of gold nanoparticles and nanorods with different surface modifications on the structure and activity of bovine serum albumin

Nanoparticles exposed to biofluids become coated with proteins, thus making protein-nanoparticle interactions of particular interest. The consequence on protein conformation and activity depends upon the extent of protein adsorption on the nanoparticle surface. We report the interaction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with gold nanostructures, particularly gold nanoparticles (GNP) and gold nanorods (GNR). The difference in the geometry and surface properties of nanoparticles is manifested during complexation in terms of different binding modes, structural changes, thermodynamic parameters, and the activity of proteins. BSA is found to retain native-like structure and properties upon enthalpy-driven BSA-GNP complexation. On the contrary, the entropically favored BSA-GNR complexation leads to substantial loss in protein secondary and tertiary structures with the release of a large amount of bound water, as indicated by isothermal calorimetry (ITC), circular dichroism (CD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and fluorescence spectroscopies. The esterase activity assay demonstrated a greater loss in BSA activity after complexation with GNR, whereas the original activity is retained in the presence of GNP. The formation of large assemblies (aggregates) and reduced average lifetime, as evidenced from dynamic light scattering and fluorescence decay measurements, respectively, suggest that GNR induces protein unfolding at its surface. The effect of temperature on the CD spectra of BSA-GNP was found to be similar to that of pristine BSA, whereas BSA-GNR shows distortion in CD spectra at lower wavelengths, strengthening the perception of protein unfolding. High binding constant and entropy change for BSA-GNR complexation determined by ITC are consistent with large surfacial interaction that may lead to protein unfolding. The present work highlights the differential response of a protein depending on the nature of the nanostructure and its surface chemistry, which need to be modulated for controlling the biological responses of nanostructures for their potential biomedical applications.     

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.     

三七总皂甙对牛血清白蛋白溶液构象的影响

应用衰减全反射傅立叶变换红外光谱结合荧光光谱和紫外光谱研究了中药三七 的有效成分三七总皂甙与牛血清白蛋白（BSA）的相互作用，采用对蛋白质红外光 谱酰氨Ⅰ带和酰氨Ⅲ带进行曲线拟合的方法，定量分析了不同浓度三七总皂甙对 BSA二级结构的影响，发现随着三七总皂甙浓度的增加，蛋白分子结构逐渐发生了 由螺旋向折叠的转化。a-螺旋结构减少了3%，β-折叠结构增加了约5%，其它二级 结构没有明显的变化，红外差谱和荧光光谱的结果为药物与蛋白质的作用引起牛血 清白蛋白溶液构象的变化提供了佐证，紫外光谱反映了单体皂甙与蛋白质的结合常 数的差异。     

Optically Controlled Construction of Three-Dimensional Protein Arrays

Protein crystallization is an important tool for structural biology and nanostructure preparation. Here, we report on kinetic pathway-dependent protein crystals that are controlled by light. Photo-responsive crystallites are obtained by complexing the model proteins with cationic azobenzene dyes. The crystalline state is readily switched to a dispersed phase under ultraviolet light and restored by subsequent visible-light illumination. The switching can be reversibly repeated for multiple cycles without noticeable structure deterioration. Importantly, the photo-treatment not only significantly increases the crystallinity, but creates crystallites at conditions where no ordered lattices are observed upon directly mixing the components. Further control over the azobenzene isomerization kinetics produces protein single crystals of up to ≈50 μm. This approach offers an intriguing method to fabricate metamaterials and study optically controlled crystallization.     

An FT-IR study of sarcoplasmic reticulum solubilization by triton X-100

Low concentrations of the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100 increase the activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca⁺⁺-ATPase without major changes in protein conformation, according to FT-IR spectroscopy in H₂O and D₂O. At higher surfactant concentrations the enzyme activity is inhibited, while changes in protein conformation are seen: The proportion of unordered structure increases at the expenses of-turns and parallel-sheet.     

Gap-mode SERS studies of azobenzene-containing self-assembled monolayers on Au(1 1 1)

Self-assembled monolayers of azobenzene-containing thiols on smooth Au(1 1 1) surfaces were studied by gap-mode surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (gap-mode SERS). By adsorption of colloidal Au nanoparticles on top of the organic adlayer highly reproducible spectra with strongly enhanced intensities are obtained. The observed bands indicate a trans conformation of the azobenzene moieties and are in agreement with structural data for the molecular layer. A characteristic dependency on the terminal and the spacer groups of the molecules is found. Samples prepared during illumination with UV light show pronounced spectral differences that can be attributed to azobenzene in cis conformation.     

UV-B-induced secondary conformational changes in lens alpha-crystallin.

The changes in turbidity and protein secondary structure of alpha-crystallin after a 72 h UV-B (302 nm) irradiation in aqueous solution have been determined by UV spectrophotometry and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy with reflection mode. The relative transmission of alpha-crystallin aqueous solution gradually decreases with the exposure time, indicating that the transparent alpha-crystallin aqueous solution becomes opaque with prolonged UV-B irradiation. The turbidity induced by UV-B shows first-order kinetics due to the photo-induced aggregation. The modification of the secondary structure of the alpha-crystallin molecule in aqueous solution caused by this aggregation might enhance the alpha-helix and beta-turn structures from 8.14 to 14.92% and from 24.46 to 35.54%, respectively; reduce the beta-sheet structure from 60.20% to 43.77%; and leave the random coil structure almost unaltered. The secondary conformation of alpha-crystallin changes gradually but evidently with its increase of turbidity during UV-B exposure.     

Effects of acetonitrile on adsorption behavior of bovine serum albumin onto synthetic calcium hydroxyapatite particles

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of acetonitrile (AN) on the adsorption behavior of bovine serum albumin (BSA) onto calcium hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 Ca10, Hap] materials by combining the ultraviolet (UV) and circular dichroism (CD) measurements of BSA solution. The structural change of BSA molecules with addition of AN was investigated by UV and CD spectroscopy measurements prior to studying adsorption behavior of BSA onto Hap. The CD spectra revealed that the fraction of alpha-helical content of BSA is remarkably decreased at AN concentrations above 30 vol.%, while beta-sheet content is increased. On the other hand, the percentages of random coil and turn contents were decreased only slightly. In addition to this secondary structural change of BSA, the UV spectra suggested that the tertiary structure of protein molecules was also changed by the addition of large amounts of AN; BSA molecules associate to form molecular aggregates at [AN]> or =40 vol.%. From the adsorption of BSA onto Hap particles (ca. 30 nm in the particle length) from a water-AN mixed solution, it was revealed that the adsorption behavior of BSA strongly depends on the change of secondary and tertiary structures of BSA by addition of AN. The contraction of BSA molecules at low AN concentrations (10-20 vol.%) gave their small cross-sectional area, providing a large amount of adsorption (n(BSA)), although n(BSA) was decreased above 30 vol.% AN by enlargement of BSA molecules with solvation and unfolding some alpha-helix domains. The n(BSA) values of the systems with AN exhibited a maximum; n(BSA) was increased at a lower BSA concentration region, although it was decreased at a higher BSA concentration due to self-association. Accompanying the change of n(BSA) with AN addition, the maxima of electrophoretic mobility (em) of the Hap particles were observed for the systems with AN, although the em of Hap particles was normally increased and saturated with increase in protein coverage for the native structure on the system without AN. On the other hand, because the aggregated BSA molecules could be cooperatively bound, the adsorption of BSA onto the Hap particles with large size (108 nm in the particle length) was enhanced in the presence of AN.     

Interaction of a Rhodococcus sp. trehalose lipid biosurfactant with model proteins: thermodynamic and structural changes

One major application of surfactants is to prevent aggregation during various processes of protein manipulation. In this work, a bacterial trehalose lipid (TL) with biosurfactant activity, secreted by Rhodococcus sp., has been identified and purified. The interactions of this glycolipid with selected model proteins have been studied by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and fluorescence spectroscopy. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and cytochrome c (Cyt-c) have been chosen because of their quite different secondary structures: BSA contains essentially no β-sheets and an average 66% α-helix, whereas Cyt-c possesses up to 25% β-sheets and up to 45% α-helical structure. Differential scanning calorimetry shows that addition of TL to BSA at concentrations below the critical micelle concentration (cmc) shifts the thermal unfolding temperature to higher values. FTIR indicates that TL does not alter the secondary structure of native BSA, but the presence of TL protects the protein toward thermal denaturation, mainly by avoiding formation of β-aggregates. Studies on the intrinsic Trp fluorescence of BSA show that addition of TL to the native protein results in conformational changes. BSA unfolding upon thermal denaturation in the absence of TL makes the Trp residues less accessible to the quencher, as shown by a decrease in the value of Stern-Volmer dynamic quenching constant, whereas denaturation in the presence of the biosurfactant prevents unfolding, in agreement with FTIR results. In the case of Cyt-c, interaction with TL gives rise to a new thermal denaturation transition, as observed by DSC, at temperatures below that of the native protein, therefore facilitating thermal unfolding. Binding of TL to native BSA and Cyt-c, as determined by ITC, suggests a rather nonspecific interaction of the biosurfactant with both proteins. FTIR indicates that TL slightly modifies the secondary structure of native Cyt-c, but protein denaturation in the presence of TL results in a higher proportion of β-aggregates than in its absence (20% vs 3.9%). The study of Trp fluorescence upon TL addition to Cyt-c results in a completely opposite scenario to that described above for BSA. In this case, addition of TL considerably increases the value of the dynamic quenching constant, both in native and denatured protein; that is, the interaction with the glycolipid induces conformational changes which facilitate the exposure of Trp residues to the quencher. Considering the structures of both proteins, it could be derived that the characteristics of TL interactions, either promoting or avoiding thermal unfolding, are highly dependent on the protein secondary structure. Our results also suggest the rather unspecific nature of these interactions. These might well involve protein hydrophobic domains which, being buried into the protein native structures, become exposed upon thermal unfolding.     

Computational modeling of acrylodan-labeled cAMP dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit unfolding

Structure of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit, where the asparagine residue 326 was replaced with acrylodan-cystein conjugate to implement this fluorescence reporter group into the enzyme, was modeled by molecular dynamics (MD) method and the positioning of the dye molecule in protein structure was characterized at temperatures 300 K, 500 K and 700 K. It was found that the acrylodan moiety, which fluorescence is very sensitive to solvating properties of its microenvironment, was located on the surface of the native protein at 300 K that enabled its partial solvation with water. At high temperatures the protein structure significantly changed, as the secondary and tertiary structure elements were unfolded and these changes were sensitively reflected in positioning of the dye molecule. At 700 K complete unfolding of the protein occurred and the reporter group was entirely expelled into water. However, at 500 K an intermediate of the protein unfolding process was formed, where the fluorescence reporter group was directed towards the protein interior and buried in the core of the formed molten globule state. This different positioning of the reporter group was in agreement with the two different shifts of emission spectrum of the covalently bound acrylodan, observed in the unfolding process of the protein.     

Infrared and circular dichroism spectroscopic characterisation of secondary structure components of a water treatment coagulant protein extracted from Moringa oleifera seeds

The secondary structure of a water treatment coagulant protein extracted from Moringa oleifera (MO) seeds has been investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in the dried state, and by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The FTIR and CD spectra indicate that the secondary structure of the protein is dominated by alpha-helix. The FTIR spectrum recorded two distinct and strong absorption bands at 1656 cm(-1) and 1542 cm(-1), in the usual range of absorption of helices of proteins. The CD spectrum showed the shape of mainly alpha-helical secondary structure (estimated to be 58+/-4%) characteristic of negative ellipticity bands near 222 nm and 208 nm and a positive band at 192 nm. The beta-sheet structure composition was estimated to be 10+/-3% whereas unordered structures were around 33%. Changes in solution pH affected the protein secondary structure significantly only at pH values above 10, as indicated by CD spectra, whereas ionic strength had minimal effect. CD data also showed that sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) interacts with the coagulant protein and modifies the protein conformation. The surfactant-induced conformational change of the coagulant protein was confirmed by quenching of tryptophan fluorescence of the protein.     

Unfolding of proteins monitored by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: a comparison of positive and negative ion modes

Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS) in both the positive and negative ion mode has been used to study protein unfolding transitions of lysozyme, cytochrome c (cyt c), and ubiquitin in solution. As expected, ESI of unfolded lysozyme leads to the formation of substantially higher charge states than the tightly folded protein in both modes of operation. Surprisingly, the acid-induced unfolding of cyt c as well as the acid and the base-induced unfolding of ubiquitin show different behavior: In these three cases protein unfolding only leads to marginal changes in the negative ion charge state distributions, whereas in the positive ion mode pronounced shifts to higher charge states are observed. This shows that ESI MS in the negative ion mode as a method for probing conformational changes of proteins in solution should be treated with caution. The data presented in this work provide further evidence that the conformation of a protein in solution not its charge state is the predominant factor for determining the ESI charge state distribution in the positive ion mode. Furthermore, these data support the hypothesis of a recent study (Konermann and Douglas, Biochemistry 1997, 36, 12296–12302) which suggested that ESI in the positive ion mode is not sensitive to changes in the secondary structure of proteins but only to changes in the tertiary structure.     

Structural study of BSA/poly(ethylene glycol) lipid conjugate complexes

In this work we report the structural characteristics of bovine serum albumin/poly(ethylene glycol) lipid conjugate (BSA/PEG(2000)-PE) complexes under physiological conditions (37 degrees C and pH 7.4) for particular fractions of BSA to PEG-lipid concentration, c(BSA)/c(PEG)(2000)-PE. Ultraviolet fluorescence spectroscopy (UV) results shown that PEG(2000)-PE is associated to BSA, leading to protein unfolding for fixed c(BSA) = 0.01 wt % and variable c(PEG)(2000)-PE = 0.0015-0.6 wt %. Tryptophan groups on the BSA surface are in contact with the PEG-lipid at c(PEG)(2000)-PE = 0.0015 wt %, while they are exposed to water at c(PEG)(2000)-PE > 0.0015 wt %. Dynamic and static light scattering (DLS and SLS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) point out the existence of individual BSA/PEG-lipid complexes in the system for fixed c(BSA) = 1 wt % and variable c(PEG)(2000)-PE = 0.15-2 wt %. DLS shows that there is only one BSA molecule per protein/PEG-lipid complex, while SLS shows that the PEG-lipid associates to the BSA without promoting aggregation between adjacent protein/polymer-lipid conjugate complexes. SANS was used to show that BSA/PEG(2000)-PE complexes adopt an oblate ellipsoidal shape. Partially unfolded BSA is contained in the core of the oblate ellipsoid, which is surrounded by an external shell containing the PEG(2000)-PE.     

Self-assembly of a nonionic photoresponsive surfactant under varying irradiation conditions: a small-angle neutron scattering and cryo-TEM study

We have used small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) to determine the structure of aggregates formed by the photoresponsive surfactants diethylene glycol mono(4',4-butyloxy, butyl-azobenzene) (C4AzoOC4E2) and diethylene glycol mono(4',4-hexyloxy, butyl-azobenzene) (C4AzoOC6E2) under different illumination conditions. At high concentrations, the self-assembly behavior of these surfactants changes remarkably in response to different radiation conditions. The trans isomers assemble into bilamellar (C4AzoOC4E2) and unilamellar (C4AzoOC6E2) vesicles, while the cis isomers (under UV light) form bicontinuous phases. These light-induced structural changes are attributed to a change in the sign of the Gaussian rigidity, which is the direct result of azobenzene photoisomerization.     

外端为偶氮苯基团的聚酰胺-胺树枝状分子对光和H~+的响应行为

合成了1到5代外端修饰有偶氮苯基团的聚酰胺-胺(PAMAM)树枝状分子.H-NMR、FTIR和元素分析等表明得到了目标产物,外端接枝率在70%~90%.结构分析表明经修饰的PAMAM分子在3代和4代之间存在一个结构转变.UV-Vis和H-NMR分析结构显示,在中性条件下,Gn-azo表现出类似于小分子偶氮苯基团的光响应行为.而在酸性条件下,偶氮苯基团的顺反异构转化率较质子化前低.包裹及释放实验表明,虽然G4-azo包裹水杨酸分子的能力弱于G4PAMAM,但它对于客体小分子具有缓释作用,光照使偶氮苯基团发生由反式到顺式的异构转化之后,缓释效应更明显.     

Effect of added alpha-lactalbumin protein on the phase behavior of AOT-brine-isooctane systems

We have found that the presence of <1 wt% of the globular protein alpha-lactalbumin has a significant impact on the equilibrium phase behavior of dilute sodium bis(ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT)/brine/isooctane systems. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Karl Fischer titration, and ultraviolet spectroscopy were used to determine the surfactant, oil, water, and protein content of the organic and aqueous phases as a function of the total surfactant and protein present. As a small amount of alpha-lactalbumin is added to the mixture, there is a substantial increase (up to 80%) in the maximum water solubility in the water-in-oil microemulsion phase. Dynamic light scattering measurements indicate that this increase is due to a decrease in the magnitude of the (negative) spontaneous curvature of the surfactant monolayer, as droplets swell in size. As the molar ratio of alpha-lactalbumin to AOT surpasses approximately 1:300, the partitioning of water, protein, and surfactant shifts to the excess aqueous phase, where soluble assemblies with positive curvature are detected by dynamic light scattering. Significant amounts of isooctane are solubilized in these aggregates, consistent with the formation of oil-in-water microemulsion droplets. Circular dichroism studies showed that the tertiary structure of the protein in the microemulsion is disrupted while the secondary structure is increased. In light of these findings, the protein most likely expands to a molten-globule type conformation in the AOT interfacial environment, but does not substantially unfold to become an extended chain.     

Changes in plasma membrane protein structure after photodynamic action in freshly isolated rat pancreatic acini. An FTIR study

Photodynamic action of a plasma membrane-specific photosensitizer sulphonated aluminium phthalocyanine (SALPC) has been found to regulate cellular signalling pathways. The present study aimed to investigate whether SALPC photodynamic action modulates the structure of plasma membrane proteins, and as control, of model proteins. To check the photodynamic effect, intrinsic fluorescence of model proteins bovine serum albumin (BSA), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and calmodulin were monitored continuously during photodynamic action (SALPC 1 microM, light 14,000 1x at > 580 nm). Significant decrease in fluorescence intensity was observed in BSA and PLA2, whereas the fluorescence of calmodulin was not affected. Confirming a major change in protein structure, difference IR spectrum revealed a significant downward deflection after photodynamic action in both BSA and in pancreatic acinar cells, whereas SALPC alone or light illumination alone resulted in no major deflection. Quantitative FTIR analysis indicated that in BSA, photodynamic action decreased the content of alpha-helix, increased the content of beta-turn and random structures, whereas beta-sheet remained the same; in freshly isolated rat pancreatic acini, photodynamic action decreased the content of alpha-helix and beta-sheet, increased the content of 1-turn and random structures. Taken together the fact that under the present experimental conditions SALPC mainly localized at the plasma membrane, it is concluded that SALPC photodynamic action directly modulates plasma membrane protein structure.