Cholesterol driven alteration of the conformation and dynamics of phospholamban in model membranes

The effects of cholesterol on various membrane proteins are of long-standing interest in membrane biophysics. Here we present systematic molecular dynamics simulations (totaling 1.4 μs) of integral protein phospholamban incorporated in POPC/cholesterol bilayers (containing 0, 11.11, 22.03, 33.33, and 50 mol% of cholesterol). Phospholamban is a key regulator of cardiac contractility and has recently emerged as a potential drug target. In agreement with experiments, our results show that in a cholesterol-free pure POPC bilayer, phospholamban exhibits broad conformational distribution, ranging from the closed T-state to the extended R-state, crucial for its functionality. Increasing cholesterol concentration progressively stabilizes the bent conformers of phospholamban over open structures, and favors extensive interactions of its amphipathic N-terminal helix with the bilayer surface. The interaction energies between the N-terminal helix of PLB and different POPC/cholesterol bilayers quantitatively confirm its stronger interaction with a higher cholesterol-containing membrane. Simulation with 50 mol% of cholesterol further supports the above conclusions, where phospholamban undergoes rapid conformational transition from extended to closed form, which remains stable for the rest of the simulation time and exhibits the strongest interaction with the membrane. Cholesterol participates in hydrogen-bonding and π-stacking interactions with polar and/or aromatic residues and favors membrane association of phospholamban. We observed cholesterol-enrichment in the neighborhood of phospholamban. Moreover, as a modulator of membrane biophysical properties, cholesterol modifies the hydrophobic matching and trans-membrane tilting of phospholamban and also hinders its 2D-lateral mobility. Altogether, our results highlight atomistic details of protein-lipid interplay and provide new insights into the possible effects of cholesterol on conformational dynamics of phospholamban in membrane bilayers.     

Flow-alignment of bicellar lipid mixtures: orientations of probe molecules and membrane-associated biomacromolecules in lipid membranes studied with polarized light

Bicelles are excellent membrane-mimicking hosts for a dynamic and structural study of solutes with NMR, but the magnetic fields required for their alignment are hard to apply to optical conditions. Here we demonstrate that bicellar mixtures can be aligned by shear forces in a Couette flow cell, to provide orientation of membrane-bound retinoic acid, pyrene and cytochrome c (cyt c) protein, conveniently studied with linear dichroism spectroscopy.     

Temperature driven reactant solubilization synthesis of BiCuOSe

Phase-pure BiCuOSe, which is isostructural to the layered p-type transparent conductor LaCuOS, has been synthesized in high yield by a single-step hydrothermal reaction at low temperature (250 degrees C) and pressure (<20 atm). A moderate reaction temperature of 250 degrees C was sufficiently high to solubilize both Bi2O3 and Cu2O and stabilize monovalent copper and low enough to impede the oxidation of dianionic selenium. BiCuOSe exhibits a relatively high electrical conductivity (sigma approximately 3.3 S cm(-1)) and a reduced band gap (E(g) = 0.75 eV), which compare favorably with the optoelectronic properties of BiCuOS and the cerium-based oxysulfides, CeAgOS and CeCuOS.     

Synthesis of platinum nanowheels using a bicellar template

Disk-like surfactant bicelles provide a unique meso-structured reaction environment for templating the wet-chemical reduction of platinum(II) salt by ascorbic acid to produce platinum nanowheels. The Pt wheels are 496 +/-55 nm in diameter and possess thickened centers and radial dendritic nanosheets (about 2-nm in thickness) culminating in flared dendritic rims. The structural features of the platinum wheels arise from confined growth of platinum within the bilayer that is also limited at edges of the bicelles. The size of CTAB/FC7 bicelles is observed to evolve with the addition of Pt(II) complex and ascorbic acid. Synthetic control is demonstrated by varying the reaction parameters including metal salt concentration, temperature, and total surfactant concentration. This study opens up opportunities for the use of other inhomogeneous soft templates for synthesizing metals, metal alloys, and possibly semiconductors with complex nanostructures.     

Effect of crystallization and annealing on polyacrylonitrile membranes for ultrafiltration

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membrane is known as one of the hydrophilic membranes for ultrafiltration. However, the membrane has been preventing from the versatile applications, because the semi-crystalline PAN membranes are so brittle that cannot reuse once the membrane has been dried. The effect of crystalline domains in asymmetric polyacrylonitrile membranes is investigated, when the membranes are annealed in hot water and when the membranes are dried. Asymmetric polyacrylonitrile membranes were prepared via phase inversion process in a water bath and the effect of additive, PVP to the casting solution on the morphology and the water flux and the rejection were investigated. When the membranes were annealed in hot water (80 °C), the size of pores have been reduced and the water flux also decreased. Using wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), the effect of absorbed water on PAN membranes was studied. The absorption of water in PAN membranes mainly occurred through amorphous phase like a plasticizer, and induced the change of crystalline structure. The size of crystallite and the degree of crystallinity have changed when the membrane were annealed in the hot water. When the asymmetric PAN membranes were dried, the moisture also plays a crucial role in transforming the crystalline structures. The kinetics of drying strongly influences the size of crystallite as well as the crystallinity.     

Sulfonated polysulfone-preparative routes and applications in membranes used for pressure driven techniques

There is much enthusiasm now-a-days for efforts to improve membrane performances. Membrane modification is one of the critical approaches needed for the development of membrane science and technology. The beauty of research in this orientation is that it is a dynamic process that moves forward slowly and recommendations are made based on the science available. In this regard sulfonation of polysulfones is an excellent move. The present review demonstrates different sulfonation strategies of polysulfones as well as promoting applications in pressure driven separation sciences (viz. salt, macromolecule, organic separation from water). It shows that marked path is promising one.     

Temperature driven morphological changes of chemically precipitated hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is synthesized by a wet chemical route using calcium hydroxide and ortho-phosphoric acid at various temperatures (40, 80, and 100 degrees C). X-ray diffraction of the precipitate particles revealed HA as the predominant phase (>99%) with a small amount of beta-tricalcium phosphate. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the presence of carbonate substitution, which decreased with increasing temperature. Transmission electron microscopy observations revealed needle-shaped particles with a high aspect ratio at 40 degrees C, which changed to spheroidal when the precipitation temperature was increased to 100 degrees C. The changes in the morphology with temperature were analyzed taking into account the driving force for the HA precipitation and the supersaturation level of Ca2+ and PO4(3-) ions with respect to HA. The analysis indicated that the supersaturation level of the reactants, especially the concentration of Ca2+ ions, played a predominant role on the precipitate morphology for this classical acid-base reaction.     

Studies with model membranes

Summary Thermodynamic effective fixed charge densities of mercuric phosphate and carbonate parchment supported membranes were evaluated by a number of methods particularly those ofTeorell-Meyer-Sievers, Altug andHair andKobatake et al. The value of the permselectivity was obtained for the two membranes based onKobatake et al. procedure. Membrane transport number was calculated using a modified Nernst relation and compared with the values determined by the TMS method. The theoretical predictions for membrane potential usingKobatake et al. equation are borne out quite satisfactorily by our experimental results for both membrane.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden die Dichte der fixierten Ladungen von Quecksilberphosphat und Quecksilberkarbonat-Niederschlagsmembranen nach den Methoden vonTorell-Meyer-Sievers, Altug undHair undKobatake bestimmt. Weiterhin wurden Durchlässigkeit und Transportzahlen ermittelt und mit Werten der TMS-Methode verglichen. Theoretische Voraussagen über das Membranpotential nach den Gleichungen vonKobatake stimmen mit den experimentellen Ergebnissen überein.

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With 8 figures and 3 tables     

Molecular sieve valves driven by adsorbate-adsorbate interactions: hysteresis in permeation of microporous membranes

A recently derived mesoscopic framework describing activated micropore diffusion is employed to explore system criticality in microporous membranes under nonequilibrium conditions. Rapid exploration of parameter space, possible with this continuum framework, elucidates a novel temperature-induced ignition and extinction of the molecular flux under a macroscopic gradient in pressure (chemical potential). Deviation from equilibrium like phase behavior (i.e., shifting and narrowing of phase envelopes and double hysteresis) derives from asymmetry of the coupled boundaries of the nonequilibrium membrane. We confirm this new phase behavior, akin to "opening" and "closing" of a molecular valve, via gradient kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of thin one-dimensional and three-dimensional systems. The heat of adsorption, strength of adsorbate-adsorbate intermolecular forces, and chemical potential gradient are all shown to control 'valve' actuation, suggesting potential implications in chemical sensing and novel diffusion control.     

Temperature driven morphological changes of hydrothermally prepared copper oxide nanoparticles

The size and shape of nanocrystals have a strong effect on the optical, electrical and catalytic properties. Therefore, controlling the size, shape and structure of nanocrystals is technically important. The controlled synthesis of CuO nanostructures was achieved using a hydrothermal process by simply controlling the precipitation reaction temperature between copper nitrate trihydrate and sodium hydroxide. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), EDS, XRD, and FTIR analysis revealed that the synthesized product at 200 °C is of pure copper oxide particles. From Scherrer formula, the prepared CuO particles varied approximately 3–7 nm in size simply by varying the reaction temperature. The synthesized particles exhibited a regular flake like morphology and had a uniform size distribution. The morphology and size depend on the reaction conditions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interfacial tension model for catalytically driven nanorods

We present an analysis of the interfacial tension model for the movement of the catalytically driven nanorod. The model considers the convective reaction-diffusion equation for the production and diffusion of oxygen around the bimetallic nanorod. We solve the equation and find the concentration difference, which drives the nanorod. We use our expression to calculate the force on the nanorod and find that the result is within 20% of the results found earlier [W. Paxton et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128, 14881 (2006)] by an approximate method. Unlike the earlier results, our results are valid from short to long lengths of the nanorod.     

A comparison between chemically and photochemically driven electron transport reactions in immobilized liquid membranes

Electron transport in immobilized liquid membranes using a microporous polypropylene film as the support was studied in the reagent concentration independent regime and was kinetically controlled under the conditions employed in this study. The velocities depended on the concentration of the carrier (Vitamin K₃) in the membrane and varied exponentially with the reciprocal of the absolute temperature. Neither the membrane thickness, concentration of the oxidant (Fe(ophen)₃³⁺) nor the concentration of reductant (S₂O₄^2- or MV⁺ generated photochemically) affect the electron transport rate. Maximum velocities at 25°C (7.8 μmol-cm^-2-hr^-1 and 2.5 μmol-cm^-2-hr^- for the S₂O₄^2- and MV⁺ driven reactions, respectively) were obtained in the pH range of 6-7 for the reductant compartment and in the 0 to - 1 pH range in the oxidant compartment. The respective turnover rates were 2.1 hr^-1 and 0.65 hr^-1 based on 2e^-/Vitamin K₃ for the S₂O₄^2- and MV⁺ driven reactions, respectively. The mechanism of electron transport is best interpreted to involve formation of the hydroquinone in the membrane which then reacts with Fe(o-phen)₃³⁺ in the rate-limiting electron transfer step.     

Electrokinetically driven fluidic transport in integrated three-dimensional microfluidic devices incorporating gold-coated nanocapillary array membranes

Electrokinetically driven fluid transport was evaluated within three-dimensional hybrid nanofluidic-microfluidic devices incorporating Au-coated nanocapillary array membranes (NCAMs). Gold NCAMs, prepared by electroless gold deposition on polymeric track-etched membranes, were susceptible to gas bubble formation if the interfacial potential difference exceeded approximately 2 V along the length of the gold region. Gold membranes were etched to yield 250 mum wide coated regions that overlap the intersection of two orthogonal microfluidic channels in order to minimize gas evolution. The kinetics of electrolysis of water at the opposing ends of the gold region was modeled and found to be in satisfactory agreement with experimental measurements of the onset of gas bubble formation. Conditions to achieve electrokinetic injection across Au-coated NCAMs were identified, with significant reproducible injections being possible for NCAMs modified with this relatively thin gold stripe. Continuous gold films led to suppressed injections and to a variety of ion enrichment/depletion effects in the microfluidic source channel. The suppression of injections was understood through finite element modeling which revealed the presence of a significant electrophoretic velocity component in opposition to electroosmotic flow at the edge of the Au-dielectric regions.     

Ion transfer through solvent polymeric membranes driven by an exponential current flux

General analytical equations which govern ion transfer through liquid membranes with one and two polarized interfaces driven by an exponential current flux are derived. Expressions for the transient and stationary E-t, dt/dE-E and dI/dE-E curves are obtained, and the evolution from transient to steady behaviour has been analyzed in depth. We have also shown mathematically that the voltammetric and stationary chronopotentiometric I(N)-E curves are identical (with E being the applied potential for voltammetric techniques and the measured potential for chronopotentiometric techniques), and hence, their derivatives provide identical information.     

Real-time QCM-D monitoring of electrostatically driven lipid transfer between two lipid bilayer membranes

The lipid exchange/transfer between lipid membranes is important for many biological functions. To learn more about how the dynamics of such processes can be studied, we have investigated the interaction of positively and negatively charged lipid vesicles with supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) of opposite charge. The vesicle-SLB interaction leads initially to adsorption of lipid vesicles on the SLB, as deduced from the mass uptake kinetics and the concerted increase in dissipation, monitored by the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) technique. Eventually, however, vesicles (and possibly other lipid structures) desorb from the SLB surface, as judged from the mass loss and the dissipation decrease. The mass loss is approximately as large as the initial mass increase; i.e., at the end of the process the mass load is that of a SLB. We interpret this interesting kinetics in terms of initial strong electrostatic attraction between the added vesicles and the SLB, forming a structure where lipid transfer between the two bilayers occurs on a time scale of 10-40 min. We suggest that this lipid transfer causes a charge equilibration with an accompanying weakening of the attraction, and eventually repulsion, between the SLB and vesicles, leading to desorption of vesicles from the SLB. The composition of the latter has thus been modified compared to the initial one, although no net mass increase or decrease has occurred. Direct evidence for the lipid exchange was obtained by sequential experiments with alternating positive and negative vesicles, as well as by using fluorescently labeled lipids and FRAP. The above interpretation was further strengthened by combined QCM-D and optical reflectometry measurements.     

Thermodynamic model of gas permeability in polymer membranes

A new molecular thermodynamic model is developed of the gas permeability in polymer membranes on the basis of configurational entropy and Flory‐Huggins theory to predict permeability dependence on the concentration of penetrant. Three kinds of configurational entropy are taken into account by this model; that is, the disorientation entropy of polymer, the mixing entropy, and specific interaction entropy of polymer/gas. The validity of the mathematical model is examined against experimental gas permeability for polymer membranes. Agreement between experimental and predicted permeability is satisfactory. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 661–665, 2007