Glycosyl‐Substituted Dicarboxylates as Detergents for the Extraction,Overstabilization, and Crystallization of Membrane Proteins

To tackle the problems associated with membrane protein (MP) instability in detergent solutions, we designed a series of glycosyl‐substituted dicarboxylate detergents (DCODs) in which we optimized the polar head to clamp the membrane domain by including, on one side, two carboxyl groups that form salt bridges with basic residues abundant at the membrane–cytoplasm interface of MPs and, on the other side, a sugar to form hydrogen bonds. Upon extraction, the DCODs 8 b , 8 c , and 9 b preserved the ATPase function of BmrA, an ATP‐binding cassette pump, much more efficiently than reference or recently designed detergents. The DCODs 8 a , 8 b , 8 f , 9 a , and 9 b induced thermal shifts of 20 to 29 °C for BmrA and of 13 to 21 °C for the native version of the G‐protein‐coupled adenosine receptor A_2AR. Compounds 8 f and 8 g improved the diffraction resolution of BmrA crystals from 6 to 4 Å. DCODs are therefore considered to be promising and powerful tools for the structural biology of MPs.     

Glycosyl‐Substituted Dicarboxylates as Detergents for the Extraction,Overstabilization, and Crystallization of Membrane Proteins

To tackle the problems associated with membrane protein (MP) instability in detergent solutions, we designed a series of glycosyl‐substituted dicarboxylate detergents (DCODs) in which we optimized the polar head to clamp the membrane domain by including, on one side, two carboxyl groups that form salt bridges with basic residues abundant at the membrane–cytoplasm interface of MPs and, on the other side, a sugar to form hydrogen bonds. Upon extraction, the DCODs 8 b , 8 c , and 9 b preserved the ATPase function of BmrA, an ATP‐binding cassette pump, much more efficiently than reference or recently designed detergents. The DCODs 8 a , 8 b , 8 f , 9 a , and 9 b induced thermal shifts of 20 to 29 °C for BmrA and of 13 to 21 °C for the native version of the G‐protein‐coupled adenosine receptor A_2AR. Compounds 8 f and 8 g improved the diffraction resolution of BmrA crystals from 6 to 4 Å. DCODs are therefore considered to be promising and powerful tools for the structural biology of MPs.     

Transition-Linker Containing Detergents for Membrane Protein Studies

It is a pressing need, but still challenging to explore the structure and function of membrane proteins (MPs). One of the main obstacles is the limited availability of matched detergents for the handling of specific MPs. We describe herein the design of new detergents by incorporation of a transition linker between the hydrophilic head and the hydrophobic tail. This design allows a gradual change of hydrophobicity between the outside and inside of micelles, in contrast to the abrupt switch in conventional detergents. Notably, many of these detergents assembled into micelles in while retaining low critical micelle concentrations. Meanwhile, thermal stabilizing evaluation identified superior detergents for representative MPs, including G protein-coupled receptors and a transporter protein. Among them, further improved the NMR study of MPs. We anticipate these that results will encourage future detergent expansion through new remodeling on the traditional detergent scaffold.     

Self-Assembly Behavior and Application of Terphenyl-Cored Trimaltosides for Membrane-Protein Studies: Impact of Detergent Hydrophobic Group Geometry on Protein Stability

Amphipathic agents are widely used in various fields including biomedical sciences. Micelle-forming detergents are particularly useful for in vitro membrane-protein characterization. As many conventional detergents are limited in their ability to stabilize membrane proteins, it is necessary to develop novel detergents to facilitate membrane-protein research. In the current study, we developed novel trimaltoside detergents with an alkyl pendant-bearing terphenyl unit as a hydrophobic group, designated terphenyl-cored maltosides (TPMs). We found that the geometry of the detergent hydrophobic group substantially impacts detergent self-assembly behavior, as well as detergent efficacy for membrane-protein stabilization. TPM-Vs, with a bent terphenyl group, were superior to the linear counterparts (TPM-Ls) at stabilizing multiple membrane proteins. The favorable protein stabilization efficacy of these bent TPMs is likely associated with a binding mode with membrane proteins distinct from conventional detergents and facial amphiphiles. When compared to n-dodecyl-β-d -maltoside (DDM), most TPMs were superior or comparable to this gold standard detergent at stabilizing membrane proteins. Notably, TPM-L3 was particularly effective at stabilizing the human β₂ adrenergic receptor (β₂AR), a G-protein coupled receptor, and its complex with G_s protein. Thus, the current study not only provides novel detergent tools that are useful for membrane-protein study, but also suggests a critical role for detergent hydrophobic group geometry in governing detergent efficacy.     

Disulfide-Containing Detergents (DCDs) for the Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins

Disulfide-containing detergents (DCDs) are introduced, which contain a disulfide bond in the hydrophobic tail. DCDs form smaller micelles than corresponding detergents with linear hydrocarbon chains, while providing good solubilization and reconstitution of membrane proteins. The use of this new class of detergents in structural biology is illustrated with solution NMR spectra of the human G protein-coupled receptor A_2AAR, which is an α-helical protein, and the β-barrel protein OmpX from E. coli.     

Allosteric conformational changes of G proteins upon its interaction with membrane and GPCR

Current resolved structures of GPCRs and G protein complexes provided important insights into G protein activation. However, the binding or dissociation of GPCRs with G protein is instantaneous and highly dynamic in the intracellular environment. The conformational dynamic of G protein still needs to be addressed. In this study, we applied19 F solution NMR spectroscopy to monitor the conformational changes of G protein upon interact with detergent mimicking membrane and receptor. Our results sho...     

Mesitylene‐Cored Glucoside Amphiphiles (MGAs) for Membrane Protein Studies: Importance of Alkyl Chain Density in Detergent Efficacy

Detergents serve as useful tools for membrane protein structural and functional studies. Their amphipathic nature allows detergents to associate with the hydrophobic regions of membrane proteins whilst maintaining the proteins in aqueous solution. However, widely used conventional detergents are limited in their ability to maintain the structural integrity of membrane proteins and thus there are major efforts underway to develop novel agents with improved properties. We prepared mesitylene‐cored glucoside amphiphiles (MGAs) with three alkyl chains and compared these agents with previously developed xylene‐linked maltoside agents (XMAs) with two alkyl chains and a conventional detergent (DDM). When these agents were evaluated for four membrane proteins including a G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR), some agents such as MGA‐C13 and MGA‐C14 resulted in markedly enhanced stability of membrane proteins compared to both DDM and the XMAs. This favourable behaviour is due likely to the increased hydrophobic density provided by the extra alkyl chain. Thus, this study not only describes new glucoside agents with potential for membrane protein research, but also introduces a new detergent design principle for future development.     

Density functional theory study on the interaction between metalloporphyrins and NH3

The binding behaviors of eight bivalent metalloporphyrins (MPs) (M?Zn, Mg, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cd) with NH₃ were investigated by density functional theory. For both MPs and corresponding complexes MPs‐NH₃, good linear correlations are found between the partial charge on metal M and that on atom N (nitrogen of porphyrin) as well as the M? N bond length. Natural population and frontier orbital analysis demonstrate that charge transfer in CoP‐NH₃ is much easier and greater. As a consequence of the charge transfer and the hybridization of molecular energy levels, striking disparities of electronic properties of MPs‐NH₃ are observed. Particularly, a modest linear relationship is obtained between the magnitude of charge transfer and the binding energy. The much greater Fukui functions of CoP, together with its larger binding strength, suggest that CoP is more favorable to the interaction with NH₃, which might be a promising sensing material to response NH₃. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Dissipative structures formed in the course of drying the aqueous solution of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> n</Emphasis>-dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride on a cover glass

Macroscopic and microscopic dissipative structural patterns are formed in the course of drying an aqueous solution of n-dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride on a cover glass. Broad ring patterns of the hill accumulate with detergent molecules to form around the outside edges of the film solution in the macroscopic scale. The drying time (T) and the pattern area (S) decrease and increase respectively, as the detergent concentration increases. T decreases significantly as the ethanol fraction increases in the aqueous ethanol mixtures, whereas S increases as the fraction increases. Both T and S decrease as the concentrations of KCl, CaCl₂ or LaCl₃ increase. Cross-, branch-, and arc-like microscopic patterns are observed in the separated block regions. The convection of water and detergents at different rates under gravity and the translational and rotational Brownian movement of the latter are important for macroscopic pattern formation. Microscopic patterns are determined by the translational Brownian diffusion of the detergent molecules and the electrostatic and the hydrophobic interactions between the detergents and/or between the detergent and cell wall in the course of the solidification.     

Magnetic particles functionalized with PAMAM-dendrimers and antibodies: a new system for an ELISA method able to detect Ara h3/4 peanut allergen in foods

An innovative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) format based on antibody-coated magnetic micro-particles (MPs) for the sensitive detection of Ara h3/4 allergen in food is described. The immunosupport is suspended in the incubation solutions and the MPs with the captured allergen can be easily harvested on a magnet, separated from the solutions, and washed using an easy-to-use, fast and selective approach that allows its detection and quantification. Two differently coated MPs, ProteinA-Pn-b and MP-NH₂-PAMAM G 1.5 -Pn-b immunosupports, were tested. The functionalization of the MPs with PAMAM-sodium carboxylate dendrimers elicits a major stability on the immunoglobulin activity resulting in a threefold enhancement of the analytical sensitivity for the assay with respect to a ProteinA immobilization. Validation was carried out on two different matrices: corn flakes and biscuits. In the case of MP-NH₂-PAMAM G 1.5 -Pn-b immunosupport, limit of detection was found to be 0.2 mg peanuts/kg matrix in both matrices; the linear response range was demonstrated from 2.5 to 15 mg peanuts/kg matrix by performing statistical tests (homoscedasticity and Mandel fitting tests). Good accuracy and recovery (>80 ± 2%) were obtained. Different food samples were tested and the results were compared with those obtained with a commercially available ELISA kit. The results obtained in this work demonstrated the applicability of the immunomagnetic ELISA methods on real samples and the possibility to perform the assay with significantly reduced reagent and sample consumption.     

A Fluorinated Detergent for Membrane‐Protein Applications

Surfactants carrying fluorocarbon chains hold great promise as gentle alternatives to conventional hydrocarbon‐based detergents for the solubilization and handling of integral membrane proteins. However, their inertness towards lipid bilayer membranes has limited the usefulness of fluorinated surfactants in situations where detergent‐like activity is required. We demonstrate that fluorination does not necessarily preclude detergency, as exemplified by a fluorinated octyl maltoside derivative termed F₆OM. This nonionic compound readily interacts with and completely solubilizes phospholipid vesicles in a manner reminiscent of conventional detergents without, however, compromising membrane order at subsolubilizing concentrations. Owing to this mild and unusual mode of detergency, F₆OM outperforms a lipophobic fluorinated surfactant in chaperoning the functional refolding of an integral membrane enzyme by promoting bilayer insertion in the absence of micelles.     

Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes with “Green” Detergents

Solubilization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a fundamental technique for the use of CNTs and their conjugates as nanodevices and nanobiodevices. In this work, we demonstrate the preparation of CNT suspensions with “green” detergents made from coconuts and bamboo as fundamental research in CNT nanotechnology. Single-walled CNTs (SWNTs) with a few carboxylic acid groups (3–5%) and pristine multi-walled CNTs (MWNTs) were mixed in each detergent solution and sonicated with a bath-type sonicator. The prepared suspensions were characterized using absorbance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Among the eight combinations of CNTs and detergents (two types of CNTs and four detergents, including sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as the standard), SWNTs/MWNTs were well dispersed in all combinations except the combination of the MWNTs and the bamboo detergent. The stability of the suspensions prepared with coconut detergents was better than that prepared with SDS. Because the efficiency of the bamboo detergents against the MWNTs differed significantly from that against the SWNTs, the natural detergent might be useful for separating CNTs. Our results revealed that the use of the “green” detergents had the advantage of dispersing CNTs as well as SDS.     

Biodegradation of a Keratin Waste and the Concomitant Production of Detergent Stable Serine Proteases from Paecilomyces lilacinus

Paecilomyces lilacinus (LPS 876) efficiently degraded keratin in chicken feather during submerged cultivation producing extracellular proteases. Characterization of crude protease activity was done including its compatibility in commercial detergents. Optimum pH and temperature were 10.0 and 60?°C, respectively. Protease activity was enhanced by Ca²⁺ but was strongly inhibited by PMSF and by Hg²⁺ suggesting the presence of thiol-dependent serine proteases. The crude protease showed extreme stability toward non-ionic (Tween 20, Tween 85, and Triton X-100) and anionic (SDS) surfactants, and relative stability toward oxidizing agent (H₂O₂ and sodium perborate). In addition, it showed excellent stability and compatibility with various solid and liquid commercial detergents from 30 to 50?°C. The enzyme preparation retained more than 95% of its initial activity with solid detergents (Ariel? and Drive?) and 97% of its original activity with a liquid detergent (Ace?) after pre-incubation at 40?°C. The protective effect of polyols (propylene glycol, PEG 4000, and glycerol) on the heat inactivation was also examined and the best results were obtained with glycerol from 50 to 60?°C. Considering its promising properties, P. lilacinus enzymatic preparation may be considered as a candidate for use in biotechnological processes (i.e., as detergent additive) and in the processing of keratinous wastes.     

Drying dissipative structures of the aqueous solution of sodium <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkyl sulfates on a cover glass

Macroscopic and microscopic dissipative structural patterns formed in the course of drying a series of the anionic detergents, sodium n-alkyl sulfate (n-alkyl = n-hexyl, n-octyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl, n-hexadecyl, and n-octadecyl), on a cover glass have been observed. The broad ring patterns of the hill accumulated with the detergent molecules are formed around the outside edges in the macroscopic scale. The microscopic patterns of the small blocks, star-like patterns, and branched strings are formed. The pattern area and the time for the dryness have been discussed as a function of detergent concentration and the number of carbons of the detergents. The convection flow of water accompanied by the detergent molecules, change in the contact angles at the drying frontier between the solution and substrate in the course of dryness, and interactions among the detergents and substrate are important for macroscopic pattern formation. Microscopic patterns are determined mainly by the shape and size of molecules, translational Brownian movement of detergent molecules, and the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between detergents and/or between the detergent and substrate in the course of solidification.     

华根霉脂肪酶有机相酯合成活性的重塑

研究了具有较高酯合成活性的华根霉膜相关脂肪酶及其沉淀酶蛋白的重折叠处理过程, 发现膜成分及表面活性剂可能是影响其活性的关键因素. 进一步考察了影响异源表达的可溶性华根霉脂肪酶r27RCL酯合成活性重塑的关键因子及作用阶段. 研究结果表明, 表面活性剂对脂肪酶的酯合成活性具有关键影响, 直接添加表面活性剂可使酯合成活性显著提高. 在7种不同表面活性剂中, 两性离子表面活性剂LPC14将r27RCL的酯合成活性提高了5.75倍. 分子动力学模拟结果表明, 在有机相反应中, 表面活性剂的添加使脂肪酶催化三联体之间的氢键作用力得到加强, 从而提高了脂肪酶的有机相酯合成能力.     

A Mass‐Spectrometry‐Based Approach to Distinguish Annular and Specific Lipid Binding to Membrane Proteins

Membrane proteins engage in a variety of contacts with their surrounding lipids, but distinguishing between specifically bound lipids, and non‐specific, annular interactions is a challenging problem. Applying native mass spectrometry to three membrane protein complexes with different lipid‐binding properties, we explore the ability of detergents to compete with lipids bound in different environments. We show that lipids in annular positions on the presenilin homologue protease are subject to constant exchange with detergent. By contrast, detergent‐resistant lipids bound at the dimer interface in the leucine transporter show decreased k_off rates in molecular dynamics simulations. Turning to the lipid flippase MurJ, we find that addition of the natural substrate lipid‐II results in the formation of a 1:1 protein–lipid complex, where the lipid cannot be displaced by detergent from the highly protected active site. In summary, we distinguish annular from non‐annular lipids based on their exchange rates in solution.     

A liposome-based assay for quantitation of detergents

The amount of enzyme released from liposomes exposed to detergents varies with the amount of detergent present. This fact makes it possible to quantitate the detergent. Multilamellar liposomes containing entrapped peroxidase were adsorbed to paper discs and then exposed to solutions containing detergents. The assay procedure proved useful for assaying detergents down to their critical micelle concentration (CMC), and for an induced leakage of ionic detergents also below their CMCs.     

Production and characterization of surfactant-stable fungal keratinase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gibberella intermedia</Emphasis> CA3-1 with application potential in detergent industry

Surfactant-stable keratinases with good properties are promising candidates for extensive applications in detergent industries. A novel fungal keratinase-producing strain, Gibberella intermedia CA3-1, is described in this study. The keratinase production medium was optimized and composed of 10 g L^?1 of wool powder, 5 g L^?1 of tryptone, 10 g L^?1 of maltodextrin and 0.5 g L^?1 of NaCl. Keratinase activity was increased up to 109 U mL^?1 from 15 U mL^?1 by culture optimization. The optimal reaction pH and temperature of the enzyme were 9.0 and 60°C, respectively. The keratinase activity could be improved by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), and it remained stable in the presence of several surfactants and commercial detergents. G. intermedia keratinase was proved to completely remove blood stains from cotton cloth when combined with detergents. These findings indicate that this fungal keratinase is a promising catalyst for the application in detergent industry. To our knowledge, this is the first report on keratinase production by Gibberella genus.     

Kinetics of the dissociation of nonionic detergent micelles by a temperature-jump technique

The rate of dissociation of a nonionic detergent, octylphenyl polyoxyethylene ether, was studied by a temperature-jump technique. A relaxation process which is concentration-dependent was observed. A linear relation between the reciprocal relaxation time and the detergent concentration above the critical micelle concentration was obtained, from which the rate constant of dissociation k_n,n–1 of one molecule of detergent from the micelle has been determined. Values of k_n,n–1 equal to 0.4 ± 0.05 and 73 ± 5 sec^?1 at 24.8°C were obtained for detergents with 16 and 30 ethylene oxide units per molecule of surfactant, respectively, showing and increase of the rate constant of dissociation with the length of the hydrophilic-head chain.     

A more reliable detergent for constant load experiments on polyethylene

Testing polyethylene materials for stress cracking resistance at elevated temperatures in the presence of a detergent solution is relatively popular. The detergents used for these tests are—to our knowledge—only of the ethoxylated nonylphenol type (trade names: Igepal, Antharox, Arkopal). Extensive investigations of solutions of these nonionic detergents used at 80 °C have shown that they are very susceptible to oxidation. Oxidation has already started after about one day at 80 °C and leads to erroneous failure times of polyethylene test bars exposed to the detergent and to an unacceptably large scatter in the data.

An alternative anionic alkylbenzene sulphonate (ABS) detergent has been tested which, when dissolved in drinking water, produces reproducible failure times of welded polyethylene samples, if the age of the detergent solution does not exceed about 2000 h at 80 °C.