Analysis Of Compression Isotherms Research Articles

The effects of melatonin, serotonin, tryptophan and NAS on the biophysical properties of DPPC monolayers

Melatonin is a neurohormone that has been shown to be protective in Alzheimer's diseases against amyloid-β (Aβ) toxicity, which involves interaction of Aβ with neuronal membrane. Non-specific interactions of melatonin with cell membrane may play a physiological role in this process by preserving membrane fluidity. In the brain, melatonin is derived from the amino acid tryptophan through a pathway that includes serotonin and N-acetylserotonin (NAS). How these molecules affect the membrane properties is not understood. In this work, we studied interactions of melatonin and its metabolic precursors tryptophan, serotonin and NAS with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) monolayers at the air-water interface using Langmuir monolayer technique. Analysis of compression isotherms, phase transitions and compressibility moduli indicate that all four molecules alter the DPPC monolayer properties in a structure and concentration dependent manner. This effect was most pronounced for melatonin followed by NAS. Melatonin and NAS both decreased the compressibility modulus and shifted the LE/LC phase transition suggesting an increase in the membrane fluidity. Tryptophan and serotonin caused less pronounced effects on the DPPC isotherm. These differences suggest different interaction mechanisms and may be attributed to the interplay between electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions of these molecules with the zwitterionic DPPC headgroups which correlate with water solubility and oil partition coefficients (LogS and LogP) of each the four molecules. The results here demonstrate how the physiochemical properties of indoles can affect lipid membranes which may shed light on the functional significance of these important neurochemicals and the neuroprotective mechanisms of melatonin.

Octadecylamine-based Langmuir-Blodgett films containing iron and copper hexacyanoferrates

Octadecylamine (ODA)-based Langmuir-Blodgett films modified with metal hexacyanoferrates are promising ion-exchange systems. The analysis of compression isotherms has led to the conclusion that iron and copper hexacyanoferrates are embedded into ODA monolayers. Optimal conditions have been determined for transferring these hybrid films onto a solid substrate by the Langmuir-Blodgett method. The optimal time required for the formation of iron and copper hexacyanoferrates in the monolayer has been established with the use of spectrophotometric measurements. The transfer of ODA monolayers modified with iron and copper hexacyanoferrates onto a conducting substrate has been confirmed by atomic force microscopy. The EMF values of galvanic cells developed based on the ODA/Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3-KCl and ODA/Cu3[Fe(CN)6]2-NH4Cl systems have been shown to be close to the theoretical ones.

Water-binding phospholipid nanodomains and phase-separated diacylglycerol nanodomains regulate enzyme reactions in lipid monolayers.

Phospholipid 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) nanodomains covered with bound water as well as diacylglycerol 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol (POG) nanodomains separated from a lipid membrane were studied, using monolayer surfaces of POPC hydrolyzed by phospholipase C (PLC). The investigation was based on the analysis of compression isotherms and on atomic force microscope (AFM) observations of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films and Langmuir-Schaefer (LS) films. The results included reaction rate constants obtained by kinetic analysis of phosphocholine at surface pressures from 0.1 to 31 mN/m and determined by a luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence method. Monolayer elastic modulus values and fluorescence microscopic images confirmed that hydrolysis by PLC progressed in the intermediate monolayer between a liquid-expanded (L1) film and a liquid-condensed (L2) film at 2-17 mN/m. Furthermore, the intermediate film was confirmed to consist of L1 film and the POPC nanodomains in the L2 state are covered with bound water, conclusions based on the following AFM results: (1) nanodomains in POPC LS films were catalyzed by PLC, (2) POG nanodomains extended out from LB films of mixed POPC/POG 9/1 (mol/mol) monolayers, and (3) POPC LS films were covered with bound water, as indicated by cross-sectional analysis. At the optimal surface pressure of 10 mN/m, when POPC nanodomains (L2), with internal diameters of ∼75 nm, were hydrolyzed by PLC, they shrank down into pockets of the same size as those that appeared with POG. The resulting pocket sizes on LS films were in agreement with POG nanodomain sizes on LB films. This study demonstrated that PLC reacted with POPC nanodomains (L2) dispersed in L1/L2 mixed phase monolayers selectively and that POG nanodomains were phase-separated from the monolayer as hydrolysis proceeded.

Formation of two-dimensional (M) and three-dimensional (V) nanoaggregates of substituted cobalt porphyrin in the Langmuir layers and Langmuir-Schaefer films

Floating molecular layers of cobalt tetra(p-metoxyphenyl)porphyrin (CoTMPP) were studied experimentally and theoretically. The structure of the layers was analyzed within the framework of an original model and method for quantitative analysis of compression isotherms of a monolayer comprised of Major nanoaggregates (M-monolayer). The existence regions as well as the structural parameters and properties of monolayers in stable states were determined. These include the size of M-nanoaggregates and the number of molecules in them, the distance between aggregates, the content of bound water and water between aggregates, the compressibility, and the pressure and current surface concentration ranges corresponding to stable states. Quantitative correlations between the fabrication conditions, nanoaggregate size, and properties of M-monolayers were obtained. The state diagrams and M-isotherms were plotted and a passport of CoTMPP floating layers was compiled. A classification of porphyrin M-monolayers including the description of rarefied and condensed M-aggregates in the floating monolayers was proposed; a quantitative model for such monolayers was developed. Constants governing the structure of CoTMPP monolayers and the formation conditions of stable floating layers with 3D nanoaggregates (V-nanoaggregates) were determined. A specific feature of CoTMPP which can discriminate it from azaporphyrins is as follows: the size of M edge-aqua aggregates and the distance between them are independent on the initial surface concentration. CoTMPP thin films on solid substrates were prepared by various methods including the Langmuir-Schaefer technique. A comparison of UV-Vis spectra of the solution, Langmuir-Schaefer films, and spin-cast films suggests different degrees of CoTMPP aggregation in these systems.

Physicochemical characterization of GBV-C E1 peptides as potential inhibitors of HIV-1 fusion peptide: Interaction with model membranes

Four peptide sequences corresponding to the E1 protein of GBV-C: NCCAPEDIGFCLEGGCLV (P7), APEDIGFCLEGGCLVALG (P8), FCLEGGCLVALGCTICTD (P10) and QAGLAVRPGKSAAQLVGE (P18) were studied as they were capable of interfering with the HIV-1 fusion peptide (HIV-1 FP). In this work, the surface properties of the E1 peptide sequences are investigated and their physicochemical characterization is done by studying their interaction with model membranes; moreover, their mixtures with HIV-1 FP were also studied in order to observe whether they are capable to modify the HIV-1 FP interaction with model membranes as liposomes or monolayers. Physicochemical properties of peptides (pI and net charge) were predicted showing similarities between P7 and P8, and P10 and HIV-1 FP, whereas P18 appears to be very different from the rest. Circular dichroism experiments were carried out showing an increase of the percentage of α-helix of P7 and P8 when mixed with HIV-1 FP corroborating a conformational change that could be the cause of their inhibition ability. Penetration experiments show that all the peptides can spontaneously insert into phospholipid membranes. Analysis of compression isotherms indicates that the peptides interact with phospholipids and the E1 peptides modify the compression isotherms of HIV-1 FP, but there is one of the peptides that excelled as the best candidate for inhibiting the activity of HIV-1 FP, P7, and therefore, that could be potentially used in future anti-HIV-1 research.

Orientation-induced redox transformations in Langmuir monolayers of double-decker cerium bis[tetra-(15-crown-5)-phthalocyaninate] and multistability of its Langmuir-Blodgett films

The spectral, electrochemical, and optical properties of Langmuir-Blodgett films (LBFs) and cast films from a solution of new double-decker cerium bis[tetra-(15-crown-5)-phthalocyaninate] (Ce(R4Pc)2) are studied. Based on analysis of compression isotherms and quantum-chemical calculations, schemes of the organization of Ce(R4Pc)2 molecules at different states of its monolayers are proposed. Correlation dependences are determined in order to relate the optical and electrochemical characteristics of monolayers and LBFs of sandwich-type lanthanide phthalocyaninates to the ionic radii of their metal centers. The valent state of Ce ions in a monolayer-forming complex is determined, and a sequence of redox transformations occurring in LBF uppon appliance of a potential is proposed, one of the transformations being associated with the Ce3+/Ce4+ redox transition. Orientation-induced intramolecular electron transfer is revealed in the planar supramolecular system. It is shown that, during the formation of a monolayer from a Ce(R4Pc)2 solution, a tetravalent metal center passes to a trivalent state. Monolayer compression to a high surface pressure reverts the complex to the electronic state typical of the solution. The reversible transformations observed upon the monolayer compression result from intramolecular electron transfer from the 4f-orbital of Ce to the phthalocyanine ring and backwards. The high operation rate and the reversibility of switching between the stable states, which are determined by means of the surface plasmon resonance technique, upon a stepwise change in the electrode potential within the range of 200–850 mV may underlie the development of optoelectronic systems. With a large number of molecules in a stacking aggregate, changes in the distance between the decks of the complex that occur with changes in the oxidation level of the metal center can substantially modulate the sizes of molecular ensembles. A supramolecular device capable of performing mechanical work can be developed based on this effect.

Primary amphipathic cell-penetrating peptides: structural requirements and interactions with model membranes.

To identify rules for the design of efficient cell-penetrating peptides that deliver therapeutic agents into subcellular compartments, we compared the properties of two closely related primary amphipathic peptides that mainly differ by their conformational state. On the basis of a peptide Pbeta that is nonstructured in water and that promotes efficient cellular uptake of nucleic acids through noncovalent association, we have designed a peptide [Palpha] that is predicted to adopt a helical conformation. We show that [Pbeta] undergoes a lipid-induced conformational transition into a sheet structure, while [Palpha] remains helical. Penetration experiments show that both peptides can spontaneously insert into phospholipid membranes. Analysis of compression isotherms indicates that both peptides interact with phospholipids in the liquid expanded and liquid condensed states. AFM observations reveal that the peptides strongly disrupt the lipid organization of the monolayers and that the conformational state can influence the uptake by model membranes.