Abstract
The human sweet taste receptor (T1R2) monomer—a member of the G-protein coupled receptor family that detects a wide variety of chemically and structurally diverse sweet tasting molecules, is known to pose a significant threat to human health. Protein that lack crystal structure is a challenge in structure-based protein design. This study focused on the interaction of the T1R2 monomer with rebaudioside A (Reb-A), a steviol glycoside with potential use as a natural sweetener using in-silico and biosensing methods. Herein, homology modelling, docking studies, and molecular dynamics simulations were applied to elucidate the interaction between Reb-A and the T1R2 monomer. In addition, the electrochemical sensing of the immobilised T1R2-Reb-A complex with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and graphene oxide (GO) were assessed by testing the performance of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) as an adsorbent experimentally. Results indicate a strong interaction between Reb-A and the T1R2 receptor, revealing the stabilizing interaction of the amino acids with the Reb-A by hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups of the glucose moieties, along with a significant amount of hydrophobic interactions. Moreover, the presence of the MWCNT as an anchor confirms the adsorption strength of the T1R2-Reb-A complex onto the GO nanocomposite and supported with electrochemical measurements. Overall, this study could serve as a cornerstone in the development of electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of Reb-A, with applications in the food industry.
Highlights
The two steviol glycosides, rebaudioside A and stevioside, are natural sweeteners extracted from Stevia rebaudiana which belongs to the Asteraceae family[1]
The above analysis serves as a basis that the predicted 3D structure of the human T1R2 monomer is of a good quality and can be used in this study
This study present insights into the interaction between biomolecules at the nanostructure interface by exploring the modification of graphene oxide (GO)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and its application as an adsorbent for the human T1R2-RebA complex from both computational and electrochemical perspectives
Summary
The two steviol glycosides, rebaudioside A and stevioside, are natural sweeteners extracted from Stevia rebaudiana which belongs to the Asteraceae family[1]. Stevia contain steviol glycosides that are approximately 150–300 times sweeter than sugar. This plant-based sweetener is believed to have a positive effect on blood sugar levels, with steviol glycoside as one of the natural sweeteners responsible for the increased blood sugar level in most diabetic patients[2]. The stability of these sweeteners at even higher temperatures have increased their presence in food application. Glucose, sucralose and related sugars were reported to interact with the active sites of the amino terminal domain (ATD) of both T1R2 and T1R3 subunits[8,9]. Neoculin and brazzein are thought to interact with the N-terminal d omain[12] and the cysteine-rich a rea[13] of human T1R3, respectively
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