Study of the disulfide reduction of denatured proteins by liquid chromatography coupled with on-line cold-vapor-generation atomic-fluorescence spectrometry (LC–CVGAFS)

Hydrophobic-interaction chromatography coupled on-line with chemical-vapor-generation atomic-fluorescence spectrometry (HIC–CVGAFS), optimized recently for the analysis of thiol-containing proteins under denaturing conditions, has been used to study the chemical reduction of denatured proteins. Four proteins chosen as models (human serum albumin (HSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA), -lactalbumin (-Lac) from bovine milk, and lysozyme from chicken egg (Lys)) were denatured with urea and reduced with dithiothreitol (DTT), with selenol as catalyst. The method is based on derivatization of the –SH groups of proteins with p-hydroxymercurybenzoate (PHMB), followed by HIC separation and post-column on-line reaction of the derivatized reduced, denatured proteins with bromine generated in situ. Hg^II, derived from rapid conversion of uncomplexed and protein-complexed PHMB, is selectively detected by AFS in an Ar/H₂ miniaturized flame after sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) reduction to Hg°. The yield of the reduction was studied as a function of reductant concentration, reduction time (t_red), and urea concentration. Results showed that the optimum values for DTT and selenol concentrations and for t_red were between 1 and 100 mmol L^–1 and between 1 and 20 min, respectively, depending on the protein studied. The percentage disulfide bond reduction increases as the urea concentration used for protein denaturation increases, giving a single-step sigmoid increment for single-domain, low-MW proteins (-Lac and Lys), and a two-step sigmoid increment for multi-domain, high MW proteins (HSA and BSA). The shapes of plots of percentage reduced disulfide against urea concentration are characteristic of each protein and are correlated with the location of S–S in the protein. Under the adopted conditions complete protein denaturation is the conditio sine qua non for obtaining 100% S–S reduction. The detection limit for denatured, reduced proteins examined under the optimized conditions was found to be in the range 1–5×10^–12 mol L^–1 (10–30 pg), depending on the protein considered.     

Application of the sum peak method to study changes in the K-capture probability to the 1086 keV level and perturbed angular correlation parameters in the decay of152Eu

The sum peak method has been applied to electron capture probability changes to the 1086 keV level in the decay of¹⁵²Eu in the different environments, e.g. ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and hydrochloric acid (HCl). An attempt is also made to determine the effect of chemical environment on the directional correlation coefficient of the 1409–122 keV - cascade in¹⁵²Eu ¹⁵²Sm decay. A change of G₂₂ is found in the different chemical forms.     

Adsorption of acidic, basic, and neutral proteins from aqueous samples using Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles modified with an ionic liquid

We have prepared and characterized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and their binary mixtures (IL-Fe₃O₄) with 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide as ionic liquid for use in the adsorption of lysozyme (LYS), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and myoglobin (MYO). The optimum operational conditions for the adsorption of proteins (at 0.05–2.0 mg?mL^?1) were 4.0 mg?mL^?1 of nanoparticles and a contact time of 10 min. The maximum adsorption capacities are 455, 182 and 143 mg for LYS, BSA, and MYO per gram of adsorbent, respectively. The Langmuir model better fits the adsorption isotherms, with adsorption constants of 0.003, 0.015 and 0.008 L?mg^?1, in order, for LYS, BSA, MYO. The applicability of two kinetic models including pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order model was estimated on the basis of comparative analysis of the corresponding rate parameters, equilibrium adsorption capacity and correlation coefficients. The adsorption processes are endothermic. The proteins can be desorbed from the nanoparticles by using NaCl solution at pH 9.5, and the nanoparticles thus can be recycled.

Reduction reactions of bovine serum albumin and lysozyme by CO- .2 radical in polyvinyl alcohol solution: a pulse radiolysis study

Pulse radiolytic reduction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme by CO^⨪₂ radical in presence of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has been studied. At pH 6.8 in presence of 2% (w/v) PVA, reduction of BSA and lysozyme (both at 1×10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³) give an additional transient peak at 390 nm along with the usual 420 nm peak. The bimolecular rate constants for the reaction of CO^⨪₂ radical at pH 6.8±0.2 with BSA are 2.7×10⁸ and 7.13×10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 420 nm and 390 nm respectively. The same for lysozyme are 3.2×10⁸ and 5.6×10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 420 nm and 390 nm, respectively. Dimethyl disulfide also gives 390 nm and 420 nm peaks in this system upon reduction with CO^⨪₂ radical. The 390 nm peak is ascribed to the sulfenium radical (RSS(H)R). Studies on the variation of pH suggests the protonation of RSSR^⨪ radical (420 nm) to form RSS(H)R radical (390 nm) in this viscous media. The decay of RSS(H)R radical occurs via formation of RS radical and RS(H)S(H)R, the final product being RSH in both cases.     

The effect of complexing agents on the DMF–chromium(VI) reaction. A kinetic study

The kinetics of the reduction of chromium(VI) by dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 2,2-bipyridyl (bpy) was investigated in aqueous HClO₄ acid solutions spectrophotometrically. The experimental findings, that the reaction has an induction period followed by autoacceleration, is explained. After the reduction, chromium(III) is present as the EDTA- and bpy-complexes, although such complexes form very slowly under the same experimental conditions from chromium(III) and the EDTA and bpy, respectively. Increases in the reaction rate with increasing [EDTA] were observed, while added bpy had negligible effect on the reaction rate. The reaction is first-order each in [Cr^VI] and [H⁺]. The first-order kinetics with respect to EDTA at low concentrations shift to zero-order at higher concentrations. The reaction is considered to proceed through the formation of a very stable chromium(VI)–DMF–EDTA complex. The suggested mechanism refers only to the induction period of the reaction. The net rate of oxidation of DMF, as measured by the consumption of chromium (VI), is given by: –d[Cr^VI]/dt = kK ₁ K _b[H⁺][DMF]_T[EDTA][Cr^VI]_T/(1 + K ₁[EDTA])(1 + K _b[H⁺])     

Aptamer based lysozyme assay using fluorescent CuInS<Subscript>2</Subscript> quantum dots and graphene oxide,and its application to inhibitor screening

We report on a widely applicable approach for protein detection by using triple-helix DNA mediated CuInS₂ quantum dot (QD) and graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposite. The CuInS₂ QDs were coated with mercaptopropionic acid and then covalently linked to a hairpin aptamer against lysozyme (HLA). Single-stranded DNA (triple helix-forming oligonucleotide; THFO) readily absorbs on the surface of GO via π-stacking interaction, and this results in the formation of THFO-GO. If HLA-CuInS₂ QDs are added to the THFO-GO system, the fluorescence of HLA-CuInS₂ QDs (at excitation/emission wavelengths of 590/665 nm) is quenched. Lysozyme has a higher affinity for HLA than THFO. Therefore, in the presence of lysozyme, it will bind to the HLA-CuInS₂ QD and displace the THFO-GO. This results in the restoration of fluorescence that is related to the concentration of lysozyme. The fluorescence of the QDs is turned on. The calibration plot is linear in the 0.01 to 1.8 ng·mL￣¹ concentration range, with a 3 pg·mL￣¹ detection limit (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3). The method was also applied to study the inhibition of lysozyme by Ivy _Ec . In our perception, this method has a wide scope in that it may become applicable to any protein for which an appropriate aptamer is available.

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Graphical abstract A novel convenient and universal fluorescence nanoprobe for sensitive and selective detection of lysozyme and inhibitor screening was established using triple-helix DNA mediated CuInS₂ QDs and GO nanocomposites

     

Micro-Determination of Protein Containing SH– and –S–S– Groups Based on the Polarographic wave of an Electroactive Derivative

This paper presents a new simple and sensitive method for the micro-determination of protein containing SH– and –S–S– groups based on the single sweep polarographic wave of an electroactive derivative. In 0.04molL^–1 Na₃PO₄ and 0.2% ascorbic acid solution, protein is heated in a boiling water bath for 15min, the reaction product giving a sensitive reduction wave at –0.70V (vs. SCE). The wave height is linearly proportional to the concentration of protein. The calibration curves of bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA), ovalbumin (OVA) and lysozyme (Lyso) are constructed under the optimal conditions. For BSA and HSA, the linear ranges and detection limits are 0.05–24mgL^–1 and 0.02mgL^–1, respectively. The method has been applied to the determination of protein in human serum samples with satisfactory results. The mechanism of the polarographic wave was also studied, and the results show that S^2– ion is released from the protein molecule during the derivatization reaction, the wave being attributed to the reduction of HgS.     

Kinetics and mechanism of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-, 2,2′-bipyridyl-, and 1,10-phenanthroline-assisted chromium(VI) oxidation of 2-propanol

Complexing agents ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 2,2-bipyridyl (bpy), and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) influence the rate of chromic acid oxidation of 2-propanol in aqueous HClO₄ solutions. EDTA and bpy catalyse the oxidation rate, whereas phen has no effect, but at higher concentration it acts as an inhibitor. Dependent on conditions, the reactions follow differing order kinetics. In the presence of EDTA and bpy, at the end of the reaction, chromium(III) is present as the EDTA–Cr^III and bpy–Cr^III complexes. Probable mechanisms are proposed involving a negatively charged termolecular intermediate complex formed from chromic acid, complexing agent, and 2-propanol.     

Kinetic exchange studies of metal ion substitution in EDTA chelates Fe(III)- UO2 EDTA exchange

A kinetic study of the exchange reaction between UO₂EDTA complex and Fe(III), at a constant ionic strength of 0.1, over the concentration range of 5×10^–3–1×10^–2 M of each reactant and pH 4.5–5.5 has been carried out radiometrically. The rate of the exchange process can be expressed by the equation: R=k₁[UO₂EDTA][Fe]+k₂[EDTA][H⁺]^–1. The activation parameters calculated were H^*=25.95 kJ mol^–1 and S^*=0.67 kJ mol^–1 K^–1.     

Brillouin light scattering from a biopolymer gel: hypersonic sound waves in gelatin

Rayleigh-Brillouin light scattering experiments were performed on gelatin gels in order to obtain the (hypersonic) sound velocity and sound attenuation as a function of gelatin concentration. The results show that in the high frequency regime there is a strong coupling in the gel between the dynamics of the network and that of the fluid. The network sound velocity varies with ^1/2. Sound attenuation increases with increasing gelatin concentration.     

Fluorescence resonance energy-transfer affects the determination of the affinity between ligand and proteins obtained by fluorescence quenching method

The interaction between esculin and serum albumins was investigated to illustrate that the fluorescence resonance energy-transfer (FRET) affects the determination of the binding constants obtained by fluorescence quenching method. The binding constants (K_a) obtained by the double-logarithm curve for esculin–BSA and esculin–HSA were 1.02 × 10⁷ and 2.07 × 10⁴ L/mol, respectively. These results from synchronous fluorescence showed that the Tyr and Trp residues of HSA were affected more deeply than those in BSA. The excitation profile of esculin showed that in the presence of BSA and HSA, the S₀ → S₁ transition of esculin () appears, which is similar to the of BSA and HSA. The critical distance (R₀) between BSA and esculin is higher than that of HSA, which showed that the affinity of esculin and HSA should be higher than that of BSA. After centrifugation, the concentrations of esculin bound to albumins were determined by means of the fluorescence of esculin. It was found that much more esculin was bound to HSA than to BSA. However, the bound models for BSA and HSA are almost the same. The concentration of esculin bound to serum albumin at first decreased with the addition of esculin and then increased. From above results, it can be concluded that the affinity of esculin and HSA should be higher than that of esculin and BSA. This example showed that in the presence of FRET, the binding constants between ligands and proteins based on fluorescence quenching might be deviated.     

Adsorption of zinc(II) on hydrous iron oxides

The adsorption of Zn²⁺ ions on amorphous Fe(OH)₃ and -Fe₂O₃, as a function of pH, has been investigated. In the pH region corresponding to the formation of positively charged Zn-hydroxy complexes, an abrupt increase in adsorption was observed. The influence of EDTA and glycine on the adsorption of Zn²⁺ by -Fe₂O₃ has also been investigated. Strong suppression of the adsorption of Zn²⁺ was observed for high [EDTA or Gly]/[Zn²⁺] concentration ratios. The results of the adsorption of Zn²⁺ in the presence of an organic ligand were explained by the formation of Zn-EDTA or Zn-glycine complexes and also by the occupation of adsorption sites by the free organic ligand.     

Enantioselective recognition of penicillamine enantiomers on bovine serum albumin-modified glassy carbon electrode

As a natural chiral selector, bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been used to recognize penicillamine (Pen) enantiomers through electrochemical methods. The recognition and assay rely on the stereoselectivity of BSA embedded in ultrathin Al₂O₃ sol–gel film coated on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (BSA/GCE). The enantioselective interaction between Pen enantiomers and BSA was monitored by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, from which larger response signals were obtained from d-Pen. The factors influencing the performance of the modified biosensor were also investigated. The association constant (K) was calculated to be 1.93?×?10⁴?L?mol^?1 for d-Pen and 1.20?×?10³?L?mol^?1 for l-Pen. A good linear response was exhibited with the concentration of Pen enantiomers by BSA/GCE over the range of 1?×?10^?8–1?×?10^?1?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 3.31?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1.     

Energies of the gas-phase deprotonation of nitro-substituted benzenesulfonic and benzoic acids: The role of the conformation isomerism of sulfonic acids

The Gibbs energies of deprotonation Δ_r G ₂₉₈ ^○ of gaseous benzoic acid (BA), benzenesulfonic acid (BSA) and their six mono-, di-, and trinitro-substituted derivatives are calculated by means of B3LYP/cc-pVTZ and MP2/6-311++G**. The dependences of Δ_r G ₂₉₈ ^○ on the number and the position of nitro groups in an aromatic ring are revealed, as is the possibility of intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB) formation in ortho-substituted acids. It is found that the deprotonation of conformers of ortho-nitro-substituted BSA without IHBs requires less energy (by 4–5 kcal/mol) than for conformers with IHBs. It is shown that the Δ_r G ₂₉₈ ^○ values for substituted BA are ～22 kcal/mol higher than the corresponding values for substituted BSA. A trend of diminishing Δ_r G ₂₉₈ ^○ for nitro-substituted acids is observed when the number of nitro groups is increased, and di- and trinitro-substituted BSA may therefore be considered superstrong acids.     

Total protein determinations by particle beam/hollow cathode optical emission spectroscopy (PB/HC-OES) system III: Investigation of carrier salts for enhanced particle transport

Particle beam hollow cathode optical emission spectroscopy (PB/HC-OES) is evaluated as a generic tool for total protein determinations by monitoring the carbon atomic emission (C (I) 193.0 nm) resultant from dissociated analyte species. Previous studies demonstrated the capability of the PB/HC-OES system for total protein determinations with limits of detection for bovine serum albumin (BSA) samples being at the single-nanogram level for 200 l injections. Non-linear behavior across the concentration range in the calibration curve was observed due to the poor transport of small particles (owing to low analyte concentrations) through the PB interface. The potential use of non-volatile salts as carrier agents is investigated in the determination of protein samples by PB/HC-OES. A range of chloride salts (different cations), potassium salts (different anions), and an organic modifier (ammonium acetate) is investigated here for possible use as carriers upon addition as sample injection matrices for protein samples. The analyte response curves of BSA samples with KCl added as the sample injection matrix show higher sensitivity, better linearity (R²) and subsequently lower detection limits in comparison to those obtained with water, HCl, KNO₃ or ammonium acetate as carrier matrices.     

Interaction Between Surfactin and Bovine Serum Albumin

The interaction of surfactin, a typical biosurfactant, with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by surface tension, fluorescence, freeze-fractured transmission electron microscopy (FF-TEM) and circular dichroism (CD) measurements. The surface tension curves of pure surfactin solution and surfactin/BSA solutions have different phenomena, where two obvious inflections determined as the critical aggregation concentration (cac) and the critical micelle concentration (cmc) appear for surfactin/BSA solutions. The higher BSA concentration, the higher cac and cmc values for surfactin/BSA solution. Fluorescence spectra show that the structure change of BSA is dependent on both surfactin and BSA concentration. The micropolarity, FF-TEM and CD results further demonstrate the interaction between BSA and surfactin. The excess free energy (ΔG⁰) of surfactin/BSA interactions have been obtained as ?6.13 and 5.32 kJ/mol for 1.0 × 10^?6 and 3.8 × 10^?6 mol/L BSA concentration, respectively. The binding ratio (R) determined for surfactin/BSA systems are higher than that reported for dirhamnolipid to BSA. Above all, it can be concluded that the hydrophobic interaction and the hydrogen bonds between surfactin and BSA play the key role for the high binding ratio for surfactin to BAS.     

The removal of endotoxins from protein solutions using column packings with aminated poly (γ-methyl L-glutamate) spheres

Summary A method is described for the selective removal of endotoxins from various protein solutions using columns packed with aminated poly (-methyl L-glutamate) (PMLG-NH₂) spheres. The PMLG-NH₂ adsorbents showed a high adsorbing activity for endotoxins which had an ionic strength of =0.05–1.0 and pH 5.0–9.0. The endotoxin-adsorbing capacity per millitre of the wet adsorbent increased from 0.40 to 1.35 mg (E. coli O111: B4 LPS) at =0.2 and pH 7.0 while the aminogroup content of the adsorbent increased from 0.8 to 3.5 meq g^–1. The PMLG-NH₂-3.5 has an amino-group content of 3.5 meq g^–1. This column packing selectively adsorbed endotoxins, without loss of the protein, from a -globulin or cytochromec solution which contained endotoxins at =0.05 and pH 7.0. On the other hand, when bovine serum albumin (BSA) was present in solution with endotoxins, both the endotoxins and the BSA were adsorbed by the column. The BSA-adsorbing activity increased with increasing amino-group content of the adsorbent. However, this undesirable adsorption was suppressed with increasing ionic strength of the buffer. As a result, when the packing which had an amino-group content of 1.5 meg g^–1 was used in conditions of =0.2 and pH 7.0, the endotoxins were removed from a BSA-containing solution without affecting the recovery of the BSA.     

Kinetic studies on the formation of metal chelates. IV. Formation of chromium(III)-ethylenediaminetetraacetate complexes from tris (oxalato)chromate(III) and ethylenediaminetetraacetate in alkaline media

The rate of formation of Cr(III)-EDTA complexes from Cr(C₂O₄) and EDTA at pH ca. 8–9.5 has been determined spectrophotometrically. From the observed dependence of the rate on pH and EDTA concentration a probable mechanism has been suggested for the overall change involving two concurrent paths; corresponding δH^≠ and δS^≠ values have also been determined. An increase in ionic strength has been found to increase the overall rate as well as that of each individual path as is expected in a reaction between ions of the same charge type.     

Surface structures of adsorption layers of sodium hyaluronate and bovine serum albumin complexes on poly(γ-methyl-l-glutamate) film and their surface properties

Two-dimensional structures and characteristics of the complexes between sodium hyaluronate (NaHA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied by using a quartz crystal microbalance method and an atomic force microscope (AFM). NaHA did not adsorb on poly(-methyl-l-glutamate) (PMLG) film. On the other hand, the complexes adsorbed on it and the adsorption behaviors were found to be Langmuir types. With increasing weight ratio of BSA to NaHA, W _BSA, the adsorption constants K decreased and the saturated adsorption masses increased. The adsorbed complexes were spherical particles and at saturated adsorption states they covered compactly on the PMLG film. The mean diameters d _AFM estimated from the topographic images decreased from 70 to 54 nm with increasing W _BSA. The adhesion force F _ad and the frictional force F _f between the complex layers and the AFM tip were obtained by using the contact mode of the AFM. With increasing W _BSA, the values of F _ad decreased and the values of F _f increased. Compared with the frictional coefficient of the NaHA adsorption layer on the BSA monolayer, the values for the NaHA–BSA complex layer were found to be much higher.     

Sensitive determination of lysozyme by using a luminescent and colorimetric probe based on the aggregation of gold nanoparticles induced by an anionic ruthenate(II) complex

The negatively charged ruthenate(II) complex [Ru(bpy)(PPh₃)(CN)₃]^? and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were used for detecting lysozyme (LYS). The luminescence of the ruthenate(II) complex is quenched by AuNPs, and this induces the aggregation of AuNPs and a color change from red to blue. After addition of lysozyme, the positively charged lysozyme and the negatively charged ruthenate(II) complex bind each other by electrostatic interaction firstly. This prevents AuNPs from aggregation and quenches the emission of the ruthenate(II) complex. Its luminescence and the degree of aggregation of the AuNPs can be used to quantify LYS. The fluorometric calibration plot is linear in the 0.01 to 0.20 μM LYS concentration range, and the calibration plot is linear between 0.02 and 0.20 μM of LYS. The color of the solution can be easily distinguished by bare eyes at 0.08 μM or higher concentration of LYS. The applicability of the method was verified by the correct analysis of LYS in chicken egg white.

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Graphical abstract Schematic of a luminometric and colorimetric probe based on the induced aggregation of gold nanoparticles by an anionic luminescent ruthenate(II) complex or sensitive lysozyme detection.