Changes In Fluorescence Emission Spectra Research Articles

Polythiophene based fluorimetric insight into minute styrene concentration in solution and gas phase

Water immiscible organic solvents dispersed in aqueous phase raise concerns due to persistence in environment and high toxicity. Fast and operation-simple approaches to assess their contents outside specialized laboratories are required. In this work an original approach allowing quantification of minute amounts of styrene present in solution or in gas phase is proposed. Polythiophene - poly[3-(ethyl-6-hexanoate)thiophene-2,5-diyl] (PeHT) - nanoparticles were applied as probes, offering an increase of emission intensity upon the rise of styrene contents in the sample. The response mechanism is based on the interaction of the polymer dye with analyte; at lower concentrations, the increase of emission at wavelengths typical for nanoparticles emission suggests interactions of the analyte with polymer chains in nanostructural form and offers selectivity. On the other hand, with increasing styrene contents in solution, polythiophene tends to form nano-dispersion droplets in the analyte resulting in appearance of emission peak characteristic for solvent dispersed polymer. A linear dependence of emission intensity on styrene concentration in solution was observed within the range from 0 to 200 ppm. The proposed approach benefits from full reversibility of sensors, upon spontaneous evaporation of styrene from solution. Finally, the nanoparticle suspension allows to detect the presence of styrene also in the vapor phase due to its solubilization in water (Henry's Law). Emission changes were observed in case of 0–2100 ppm of styrene vapor in the probe headspace, corresponding to 0–80 ppm styrene in solution. For the sake of comparison another polythiophene derivative, poly(3-octylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (POT), was investigated showing no changes in fluorescence emission spectra in the presence of styrene up to 200 ppm.

Human biliverdin reductase‐based peptides activate and inhibit glucose uptake through direct interaction with the kinase domain of insulin receptor

Insulin binding changes conformation of the insulin receptor kinase (IRK) domain and initiates glucose uptake through the insulin, IGF-1, phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and MAPK pathways; human biliverdin reductase (hBVR) is an IRK substrate and pathway effector. This is the first report on hBVR peptide-mediated IRK activation and conformational change. (290)KYCCSRK, which increased IRK V(max) without changing K(m), stimulated glucose uptake and potentiated insulin and IGF-1 stimulation in 4 cell lines. KYCCSRK in native hBVR was necessary for the hBVR and IRK cross-activation. Peptide treatment also activated PI3K downstream effectors, Akt and ERK, phosphorylation, and Elk transcriptional activity. In cells transfected with CMV-regulated EGFP-VP-peptide plasmid, C(292)→A mutant did not stimulate glucose uptake; K(296)→A decreased uptake and kinase activity. KEDQYMKMTV, corresponding to hBVR's SH2-binding domain, was a potent inhibitor of glucose uptake and IRK. The mechanism of action of peptides was examined using cells expressing IRK (aa 988-1263) activated by coexpressed KYCCSRK. Three active cys-mutants of IRK, with fluorophore coupled to cysteines, C(1056), C(1138), or C(1234), were examined for changes in fluorescence emission spectra in the presence of peptides. KYCCSRK and KEDQYMKMTV bound to different sites in IRK. The findings identify novel agents for activating or inhibiting insulin signaling and offer a new approach for treatment of type 2 diabetes and hypoglycemia.

Anti-Platelet Factor 4/Heparin Antibodies in Patients with Gram Negative Bacteremia

Abstract 3391 IntroductionThe anti-platelet factor 4(PF4)/heparin antibodies, arising as a result of previous heparin exposure, are causally related to the procoagulant state due to platelet and monocyte activation. Formation of these antibodies with subsequent thrombocytopenia or thrombosis has also been described in patients, who have not been previously exposed to heparin. The presence of anti-PF4/heparin antibodies in individuals correlates with the severity of periodontal disease, implying that their occurrence may be triggered by periodontal pathogens. In this study, we determined the presence of anti-PF4/heparin antibodies in gram-negative bacteremic patients in a hospital setting and propose a pathophysiologic mechanism of their presence. MethodWe developed an in house ELISA for quantifying anti-PF4/heparin antibodies using therapeutic heparin and PF4 isolated from platelets. We used serum from a patient with high optical density as a standard and assigned an unit of 100 arbitrarily to construct a standard curve. We tested the sera from gram negative bacteremic patients (n= 34) in the quantitative ELISA along with normal controls (n=10). We also developed an in house ELISA for studying cross reactivity between anti-PF4/heparin antibodies and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/PF4. We tested the sera from patients (n=5) with heparin induced thrombocytopenia in this cross reactivity ELISA. To test the interaction of LPS with PF4, we labeled PF4 with Alexa488 and measured its binding to LPS by monitoring the changes in fluorescence emission spectrum following excitation at λ480. ResultsPatients with bacteremia had higher titers of antiPF4/heparin antibodies compared to normal controls (26.4 ± SD 33 units, N=34 versus 6.3 ± SD 2.38 units, N=10, P=0.032). Bacterial LPS interacted with alexa488-labeled PF4 in a concentration-dependent manner, as measured by the quenching of the excitation spectrum. Patients with ant-PF4/heparin antibodies also reacted with LPS/PF4 complex in ELISA. Prior absorption of serum with PF4/heparin complex coated on ELISA plates decreased the reactivity of the serum towards PF4/LPS complex (19–46%) in two out of the five patients tested suggesting some were cross-reaction between PF4/Heparin and PF4/LPS complex. ConclusionsPF4 forms a complex with lipopolysaccharide and this complex is immunogenic. Antibodies to PF4/LPS complex can cross-react with PF4/heparin complex raising the possibility that these antibodies may be responsible for the detection of PF4/heparin in individuals never been exposed to heparin previously. These antibodies may also be at least partly responsible for increased thrombosis associated with infection. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Comparison and Functionalization Study of Microemulsion-Prepared Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MION) for protein binding and separation were obtained from water-in-oil (w/o) and oil-in-water (o/w) microemulsions. Characterization of the prepared nanoparticles have been performed by TEM, XRD, SQUID magnetometry, and BET. Microemulsion-prepared magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (ME-MION) with sizes ranging from 2 to 10 nm were obtained. Study on the magnetic properties at 300 K shows a large increase of the magnetization ~35 emu/g for w/o-ME-MION with superparamagnetic behavior and nanoscale dimensions in comparison with o/w-ME-MION (10 emu/g) due to larger particle size and anisotropic property. Moringa oleifera coagulation protein (MOCP) bound w/o- and o/w-ME-MION showed an enhanced performance in terms of coagulation activity. A significant interaction between the magnetic nanoparticles and the protein can be described by changes in fluorescence emission spectra. Adsorbed protein from MOCP is still retaining its functionality even after binding to the nanoparticles, thus implying the extension of this technique for various applications.

Dual‐wavelength "color" autofluorescence

AbstractPurpose To distinguish fluorophores at the human ocular fundus by their different emission spectra.Methods Autofluorescence images were taken from 62 eyes (78.3±6.3 years) with age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), 65 eyes (71.2±8.4 years) with diabetic retinopathy (RD), and 19 eyes (60.7±18.3 years) without any ophthalmic or systemic pathology (control group) by a fundus camera. All eyes were pseudophacic. A 3‐chip color CCD camera was used as detector, recording the fluorescence in two separate spectral bands: Upon excitation at 475‐515 nm, fluorescence was observed at 530‐570 nm and 570‐675 nm. For a global estimation of the fluorescence characteristics, the ratio of the green vs. the red emission (g/r) was calculated in a 70 by 70 pixel area temporal to the macula and apart from pathologic lesions and retinal vessels. Local changes of fluorescence emission spectra were assessed.Results An orange fluorescence was found in the control group. Compared to that group (g/r=0.869±0.073), the global fundus fluorescence of AMD‐patients (g/r=0.906±0.105) and diabetics (g/r=0.974±0.119) was green‐shifted. This shift was statistically significant (t‐test, p=0.001) for the RD and the control group. The optic disc, hypo‐fluorescent atrophic areas (geographic atrophy, laser scars), hyper‐fluorescent drusen, and lipid exudates appeared greenish.Conclusion The ocular fundus autofluorescence is dominated by the orange fluorescence of lipofuscin. The green‐shift of the fluorescence in AMD and RD may indicate protein glycation since advanced glycation end products show green fluorescence. Greenish fluorescence of drusen and exudates reveal non‐lipofuscin fluorescence which needs further clarification. Color autofluorescence visualizes different fluorophores and, thus, may be of diagnostic merit.

PsbS-specific zeaxanthin-independent changes in fluorescence emission spectrum as a signature of energy-dependent non-photochemical quenching in higher plants

The PsbS protein of photosystem II is necessary for the development of energy-dependent quenching of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence (qE), and PsbS-deficient Arabidopsis plant leaves failed to show qE-specific changes in the steady-state 77 K fluorescence emission spectra observed in wild-type leaves. The difference spectrum between the quenched and un-quenched states showed a negative peak at 682 nm. Although the level of qE development in the zeaxanthin-less npq1-2 mutant plants, which lacked violaxanthin de-epoxidase enzyme, was only half that of wild type, there were no noticeable changes in this qE-dependent difference spectrum. This zeaxanthin-independent DeltaF682 signal was not dependent on state transition, and the signal was not due to photobleaching of pigments either. These results suggest that DeltaF682 signal is formed due to PsbS-specific conformational changes in the quenching site of qE and is a new signature of qE generation in higher plants.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin A: Partial unfolding caused by high pressure or denaturing agents enhances superantigenicity

The effect of transient exposure of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin A (SEA) to high pressure and/or denaturing agents was examined by assessing the toxin superantigenicity and immunoreactivity, and by monitoring pressure-induced changes in fluorescence emission spectra. Pressurization of SEA at 600 MPa and 45 °C in Tris–HCl buffer (20 mM, pH 7.4) resulted in a marked increase in both T-cell proliferation (superantigenicity) and immunoreactivity. In opposite, pressurization at 20 °C did not change significantly SEA superantigenicity and immunoreactivity, indicating some toxin baro-resistance. Exposure of SEA to 8 M urea at atmospheric pressure or at 600 MPa and 20 °C, also led to a marked increase of superantigenicity (but not of immunoreactivity). In contrast, exposure of SEA to sodium-dodecylsulfate (30 mM) led to an increase of immunoreactivity with some effect on superantigenicity after pressurization at 45 °C only. High pressure up to 600 MPa induced spectral changes which at 20 °C were fully reversible upon decompression. At 45 °C, however, a sharp break of the centre of spectral mass mainly due to tryptophan residues was observed at 300 MPa, and irreversible spectral changes mainly related to tyrosine residues subsisted after pressure release, indicating a marked protein conformational transition. Urea 8 M further increased SEA structural changes at 600 MPa and 20 °C. These results indicate that SEA, under a combination of high pressure and mild temperature, as well as in the presence of urea, partly unfolds to a structure of strongly increased T-cell proliferative ability.

N‐terminal modification increases the stability of the recombinant human endostatinin vitro

Endostar, approved for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer by the State Food and Drug Administration in China, is a derivative of human endostatin that is modified with an additional metal-chelating sequence (MGGSHHHHH) at the N-terminus. This modification contributes to an additional zinc-binding site in the endostatin sequence. In the present study, zinc-binding and zinc-free endostar were compared to further characterize their biochemical and structural properties. Thermally induced denaturation was determined by monitoring changes in fluorescence emission spectra. The data indicated that zinc binding significantly increased the transition temperature of endostar and contributed to a reversible change in protein conformation after recooling. Proteolysis assays demonstrated that the modified protein binding with zinc ions can stabilize the N-terminus and the C-terminus of endostar when treated with trypsin, chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase A and B. Western-blot analyses using anti-His6 antibody confirmed that the major cleaved fragments of endostar were in the N-terminus when treated with trypsin and chymotrypsin. In the proliferation assay with human umbilical-vein endothelial cells, the zinc-binding and zinc-free endostar samples with extra zinc-binding sites displayed similar inhibiting activities.

Strategy for purifying maltose binding protein fusion proteins by affinity precipitation

The maltose binding protein (MBP) affinity tag has been extensively used for protein purification. A commercial grade cationic starch could precipitate MBP or an MBP-tagged protein quantitatively by simultaneous addition of 10% (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG) and 50 mM calcium chloride. The precipitated MBP or MBP-tagged protein could be selectively dissociated by suspending the precipitate in 1 M NaCl. In the case of a soluble MBP fusion with a fragment of human immunodeficiency virus protein gp120, 38% of the contaminating proteins could be removed by precipitation with PEG/CaCl 2 and 100% of the fusion protein was recovered. In all cases, the purified proteins showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the expected changes in fluorescence emission spectra upon binding to maltose.

ATP-induced Opposite Changes in the Local Environments around Cys697 (SH2) and Cys707 (SH1) of the Myosin Motor Domain Revealed by the Prodan Fluorescence

To obtain a consistent view of the nucleotide-induced conformational changes around Cys(697) (SH2) and Cys(707) (SH1) in skeletal myosin subfragment-1 (S-1), the two thiols were labeled with the same environmentally sensitive fluorophore, 6-acyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene group, using 6-acryloyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene (acrylodan, AD) and 6-bromoacetyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene (BD), respectively. The resultant fluorescent derivatives, AD-S-1 and BD-S-1, have the same fluorophore at either SH2 or SH1, which was verified by inspections of changes in the ATPases and the localization of fluorescence after tryptic digestion and CNBr cleavage for the two derivatives. Especially, AD was found to be a very useful fluorescent reagent that readily reacts with only SH2 of S-1. Measurements of the nucleotide-induced changes in fluorescence emission spectra of AD-S-1 and BD-S-1 suggested that during ATP hydrolysis the environment around the fluorophore at SH2 is very distinct from that around the fluorophore at SH1, being defined as that the former has the hydrophobic and closed characteristics, whereas the latter has the hydrophilic and open ones. The KI quenching study of the fluorescence of the two S-1 derivatives confirmed these results. The most straightforward interpretation for the present results is that during ATP hydrolysis, the helix containing SH2 is buried in hydrophobic side chains and rather reinforced, whereas the adjacent helix containing SH1 moves away from its stabilizing tertiary structural environment.

ACCLIMATION OF SYNECHOCOCCUS STRAIN WH7803 TO AMBIENT CO2 CONCENTRATION AND TO ELEVATED LIGHT INTENSITY1

ABSTRACTA CO2 concentrating mechanism has been identified in the phycoerythrin‐possessing Synechococcus sp. WH7803 and has been observed to be severely inhibited by short exposure to elevated light intensities. A light treatment of 300–2000 μmol quanta·m−2·s−1 resulted in a considerable decay in the variable fluorescence of PSII with time, suggesting decreased efficiency of energy transfer from the phycobilisomes, direct damage to the reaction center II, or both. Measurements of the activity of PSII and changes in fluorescence emission spectra during a light treatment of 1000 μmol quanta·m−2·s−1 indicated considerable reduction in the energy flow from the phycocyanin to the phycobilisome terminal acceptor and chlorophyll a. Consequently, whereas the maximal photosynthetic rate, at saturating light and Co2 concentration, was hardly affected by a light treatment of 1000 μmol quanta·m−2·s−1 for 2 h, the light intensity required to reach that maximum increased with the duration of the light treatment.

Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements for studying molecular interactions: interaction of a calcium-binding probe with proteins

The binding of 2-[(2-bis[carboxymethyl]amino-5-methylphenoxy)-methyl]-6-methoxy-8-bis[carboxymethyl] aminoquinoline, the fluorescent calcium probe Quin2, to serum albumin and several other proteins has been investigated. Changes in fluorescence emission spectra and fluorescence anisotropy revealed interactions between Quin2 and several proteins including human serum albumin, bovine serum albumin, aldolase, phosphoglucose isomerase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase. Protein-probe interactions were inhibited by the presence of calcium. Binding was also measured by resonance energy transfer and gel permeation chromatography. Equilibrium binding constants for Quin2 were quantitated by the application of the recently-developed ‘SPECTRABIND’ program to spectroscopic data (D. Toptygin and L. Brand. Anal. Biochem., 224 (1995) 330–338). Binding of Quin2 to human serum albumin is discussed in terms of the published X-ray crystal structure of human serum albumin (X.M. He and D.C. Carter, Nature, 358 (1992) 209–215).

Evidence for an interaction between fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase

Three distinct lines of evidence suggest interaction and possible complex formation between fructose 1,6-biphosphate aldolase (EC 4.1.2.13) and fructose 1,6-biphosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11) from rabbit liver. (1) Fructose 1,6-biphosphatase, which does not contain tryptophan, causes changes in the fluorescence emission spectrum of tryptophan in rabbit liver aldolase. (2) Aldolase reduces the affinity of binding of Zn 2+ to the two high-affinity sites of fructose 1,6-biphosphatase. (3) Gel penetration coefficients are decreased for both enzymes when they are tested together, as compared to the coefficients observed when each is tested separately. These interactions were not observed when either liver enzyme was replaced by the corresponding enzyme purified from rabbit muscle; this specificity for enzymes purified from the same tissue excludes effects attributable to the catalytic activities of the enzyme. Maximum interaction was observed in the pH range between 8.0 and 8.5 and appeared to require the presence of two fructose 1,6-biphosphatase tetramers per tetramer of aldolase. The change in fluorescence emission spectrum was also observed, to a smaller extent, when muscle fructose 1,6-biphosphatase was added to a solution of muscle aldolase.

Metabolically linked changes in fluorescence emission spectra of cortex of rat brain, kidney and adrenal gland.

Metabolically Linked Changes in Fluorescence Emission Spectra of Cortex of Rat Brain, Kidney and Adrenal Gland