Fluorescence In Presence Research Articles

A tetra-nuclear Cu(ii) complex of amide-imine conjugate: highly-selective ESIPT-based probe for OCl−

Single crystal X-ray structurally characterized, tetra-nuclear Cu(ii) complex (C1) experiences turn ON fluorescence in presence of OCl as low as 13.87 nM. The proposed H-bond-assisted inhibition of the ESIPT provides the binding constant, 1.52 × 105 M−1.

Ribose-Binding Protein Mutants With Improved Interaction Towards the Non-natural Ligand 1,3-Cyclohexanediol.

Bioreporters consist of genetically modified living organisms that respond to the presence of target chemical compounds by production of an easily measurable signal. The central element in a bioreporter is a sensory protein or aptamer, which, upon ligand binding, modifies expression of the reporter signal protein. A variety of naturally occurring or modified versions of sensory elements has been exploited, but it has proven to be challenging to generate elements that recognize non-natural ligands. Bacterial periplasmic binding proteins have been proposed as a general scaffold to design receptor proteins for non-natural ligands, but despite various efforts, with only limited success. Here, we show how combinations of randomized mutagenesis and reporter screening improved the performance of a set of mutants in the ribose binding protein (RbsB) of Escherichia coli, which had been designed based on computational simulations to bind the non-natural ligand 1,3-cyclohexanediol (13CHD). Randomized mutant libraries were constructed that used the initially designed mutants as scaffolds, which were cloned in an appropriate E. coli bioreporter system and screened for improved induction of the GFPmut2 reporter fluorescence in presence of 1,3-cyclohexanediol. Multiple rounds of library screening, sorting, renewed mutagenesis and screening resulted in 4.5-fold improvement of the response to 1,3-cyclohexanediol and a lower detection limit of 0.25 mM. All observed mutations except one were located outside the direct ligand-binding pocket, suggesting they were compensatory and helping protein folding or functional behavior other than interaction with the ligand. Our results thus demonstrate that combinations of ligand-binding-pocket redesign and randomized mutagenesis can indeed lead to the selection and recovery of periplasmic-binding protein mutants with non-natural compound recognition. However, current lack of understanding of the intermolecular movement and ligand-binding in periplasmic binding proteins such as RbsB are limiting the rational production of further and better sensory mutants.

Near‐Infrared Fluorescence Hydrogen Peroxide Assay for Versatile Metabolite Biosensing in Whole Blood

In emergency medicine, blood lactate levels are commonly measured to assess the severity and response to treatment of hypoperfusion-related diseases (e.g., sepsis, trauma, cardiac arrest). Clinical blood lactate testing is conducted with laboratory analyzers, leading to a delay of 3 h between triage and lactate result. Here, a fluorescence-based blood lactate assay, which can be utilized for bedside testing, based on measuring the hydrogen peroxide generated by the enzymatic oxidation of lactate is described. To establish a hydrogen peroxide assay, near-infrared cyanine derivatives are screened and sulfo-cyanine 7 is identified as a new horseradish peroxidase (HRP) substrate, which loses its fluorescence in presence of HRP and hydrogen peroxide. As hydrogen peroxide is rapidly cleared by erythrocytic catalase and glutathione peroxidase, sulfo-cyanine 7, HRP, and lactate oxidase are encapsulated in a liposomal reaction compartment. In lactate-spiked bovine whole blood, the newly developed lactate assay exhibits a linear response in a clinically relevant range after 10 min. Substituting lactate oxidase with glucose and alcohol oxidase allows for blood glucose, ethanol, and methanol biosensing, respectively. This easy-to-use, rapid, and versatile assay may be useful for the quantification of a variety of enzymatically oxidizable metabolites, drugs, and toxic substances in blood and potentially other biological fluids.

A simple schiff base as a multi responsive and sequential sensor towards Al3+, F− and Cu2+ ions

A novel and simple Schiff base receptor (AHN) synthesized via single step condensation of 1-Aminoanthracene and 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde has been reported. This receptor provides dual mode selective detection of Al3+ and F− ions through UV–vis., (naked-eye) and ‘off-on’ fluorescence spectral changes, causing 640-folds enhancement in fluorescence in presence of F- ions in CH3CN. The “in-situ” generated AHN:F− complex has been exploited to act as a sequential chemosensor for Cu2+ ions with on-off fluorescence response. The values for limit of detection were found to be 1.48, 1.44 and 2.05 μM for Al3+ F− and Cu2+ ions, respectively.

A red emissive donor-acceptor fluorophore as protein sensor: Synthesis, characterization and binding study

The rational design of environmentally sensitive small molecule fluorophores with superior photophysical properties is critical for fluorimetry based biosensing. Herein, we have developed a new donor-acceptor fluorophore for quantitative detection of Human Serum Albumin (HSA) in aqueous samples. The fluorophore was easily prepared by Knoevenagel condensation, and showed excellent photophysical properties and positive solvatochromism. The design of the fluorophore was based on a nitrogen donor—π-conjugation—nitrile acceptors (D—π—A) to preserve efficient intramolecular charge transfer and long-wavelength emission. The fluorophore showed remarkable “turn-on” fluorescence in presence of HSA, which led to quantitative determination of the protein in aqueous buffer samples. Structure and electronic properties of the fluorophore played important roles on the superior HSA sensing ability. The findings indicate that minor changes in design strategy can be advantageous while developing long-wavelength (far red or near infrared) emitting fluorophores for biosensing and bioimaging.

Abstract 619: Alpha Keto Acids Decompose Peroxides and Prevents Oxidation of Lipoproteins

Background: Alpha keto acids are unstable and decompose rapidly. In this study, we tested the ability of alpha keto acids to reduce peroxides and inhibit oxidation of lipoproteins. Methods: Keto salicylic acid (KSA) and Keto Octanoicacid (KoA) were synthesized and their ability to reduce hydrogen peroxides as well as lipid peroxides (LOOH) was measured using 13-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HPODE). Lipoproteins (LDL and HDL) were isolated from human plasma and oxidation of liporproteins was performed using copper and MPO in the presence or absence of the keto compounds. RAW 264.7 cells and HUVECS were incubated with LPS and mm-LDL respectively either in the presence or absence of the keto compounds. RNA was isolated from treated cells and real time PCR was performed to analyze IL-1α, IL-6, MCP-1 and VCAM1 gene expressions. Reactive oxygen species were evaluated using DCF fluorescence in presence and absence of the keto compounds. Results: KSA reduced both H2O2 and 13-HPODE whereas KoA is able to reduce the former but not the latter. Both compounds inhibited the lipoprotein oxidation in a dose dependent manner and were able to reduce ROS production by H2O2. KSA is able to inhibit both LPS as well as mm-LDL induced inflammation. However, KoA showed a dual effect as it induced inflammatory markers in the presence of LPS, but inhibited the mm-LDL-induced inflammatory gene expressions. Conclusion: The results of our studies suggest that these keto compounds a) inhibit both enzymatic and non enzymatic oxidation of lipoproteins; b) reduce peroxides and ROS and c) have inhibitory and inducing effect on inflammatory cytokine/gene production in presence of mm-LDL and LPS respectively. Based on these results, we predict that these keto compounds could have therapeutic potential in reducing CVD/atherosclerosis-associated inflammation.

Optical and fluorescence properties of MgO nanoparticles in micellar solution of hydroxyethyl laurdimonium chloride

The critical micelle concentration of hydroxyethyl laurdimonium chloride (HY) is estimated in this Letter. MgO exhibited substantial absorbance and fluorescence in presence of HY micelles. The optical properties of MgO were utilized to estimate the critical micelle concentration of a surfactant. The signals of spectra were assigned and explained in terms of electron transitions produced by magnesium and oxygen vacancies of different coordinations. The CMC values of HY evaluated by absorbance, fluorescence and specific conductivity were found to be 9.8, 8.0 and 2.7mM, respectively. The synthesized MgO nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, TEM, UV and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Modeling FRET to investigate the selectivity of lactose permease of Escherichia coli for lipids.

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a photophysical process by which a donor (D) molecule in an electronic excited state transfers its excitation energy to a second species, the acceptor (A). Since FRET efficiency depends on D-A separation, the measurement of donor fluorescence in presence and absence of the acceptor allows determination of this distance, and therefore FRET has been extensively used as a "spectroscopic ruler". In membranes, interpretation of FRET is more complex, since one D may be surrounded by many A molecules. Such is the case encountered with membrane proteins and lipids in the bilayer. This paper reviews the application of a model built to analyze FRET data between a single tryptophan mutant of the transmembrane protein lactose permease (W151/C154G of LacY), the sugar/H(+) symporter from Escherichia coli, and different pyrene-labeled phospholipids. Several variables of the system with biological implication have been investigated: The selectivity of LacY for different species of phospholipids, the enhancement of the sensitivity of the FRET modeling, and the mutation of a particular aminoacid (D68C) of the protein. The results obtained support: (i) Preference of LacY for phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) over phosphatidylglycerol (PG); (ii) affinity of LacY for fluid (L(α)) phases; and (iii) importance of the aspartic acid in position 68 in the sequence of LacY regarding the interaction with the phospholipid environment. Besides, by exploring the enhancement of the sensitivity by using pure lipid matrices with higher mole fractions of labelled-phospholipid, the dependence on acyl chain composition is unveiled.

Interaction of Sulfadiazine with Model Water Soluble Proteins: A Combined Fluorescence Spectroscopic and Molecular Modeling Approach

The binding behavior of antibacterial drug sulfadiazine (SDZ) with water soluble globular proteins like bovine as well as human serum albumin (BSA and HSA, respectively) and lysozyme (LYS) was monitored by fluorescence titration and molecular docking calculations. The experimental data reveal that the quenching of the intrinsic protein fluorescence in presence of SDZ is due to the strong interaction in the drug binding site of the respective proteins. The Stern-Volmer plot shows positive deviation at higher quencher concentration for all the proteins and was explained in terms of a sphere of action model. The calculated fluorophore-quencher distances vary within 4 ~ 11Å in different cases. Fluorescence experiments at different temperature indicate thermodynamically favorable binding of SDZ with the proteins with apparently strong association constant (~10(4)-10(5)M(-1)) and negative free energy of interaction within the range of -26.0 ~ -36.8kJmol(-1). The experimental findings are in good agreement with the respective parameters obtained from best energy ranked molecular docking calculation results of SDZ with all the three proteins.

Study of the interaction between bovine hemoglobin and analogs of biphenyldicarboxylate by spectrofluorimetry

The interaction between bovine hemoglobin and analogs of Biphenyldicarboxylate was investigated by fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence, ultraviolet–vis absorbance, resonance light-scattering spectra and three-dimensional fluorescence spectra at pH 7.40. The quenching mechanism and binding constants were determined by the quenching of bovine hemoglobin fluorescence in presence of analogs. Results showed that the nature of the quenching was of static type. Both the van der Waals and hydrogen bonding played a major role in stabilizing the complex. The distance between donor and acceptors was obtained to be 2.11–2.25nm according to Förster's theory. The influence of analogs on the conformation of bovine hemoglobin was investigated.

Purified Acetaminophen-Glutathione Conjugate Is Able To Induce Oxidative Stress in Rat Liver Mitochondria

Acetaminophen overdose is the most often cause of acute liver injury. The toxic mechanism is linked to formation of an active metabolite that reacts with glutathione generating acetaminophen-glutathione conjugate (APAP-SG). This compound has been recognized to be non-toxic generally. Our preliminary results showed, however, that APAP-SG could possess a toxic effect too. Therefore, the aim of our study was to prepare, purify and to test possible toxicity of APAP-SG. We prepared APAP-SG using organic synthesis. The conjugate was purified by preparative HPLC and its structure was confirmed using mass spectrometry. Final purity of APAP-SG was >98 %. We estimated a toxic effect of APAP-SG in isolated rat liver mitochondria using a fluorescent ROS probe. We assessed ROS production in presence of complex I or complex II substrates. The increase of ROS-dependent fluorescence in presence of glutamate/malate was 104 ± 13 % and 130 ± 10 % in 1 mM and 5 mM APAP-SG, respectively, in comparison with controls. ROS production related to presence of complex II substrate was enhanced 4-times in APAP-SG (5 mM) treated mitochondria (compared to controls). We conclude, we proved our hypothesis that APAP-SG conjugate is able to induce a mitochondrial impairment leading to enhanced ROS production.

Evidence of dual channel electron transfer induced negative magnetic field effect on exciplex emission at very high permittivity of medium

Magnetic field induced change in the pyrene-N,N-dimethylaniline exciplex fluorescence has been studied in condensed phase with very high permittivity. In contrast to the commonly observed enhancement of exciplex fluorescence in presence of magnetic field (for 7<ε<33), the effect shows a complete reversal at low DMA concentration in DMSO which is observed only at the blue end of fluorescence. At high DMA concentration the negative MFE at blue end slowly reverts back to the normal. At the red end of the emission the MFE retains its normal character for all donor concentrations even at very high permittivity.

Investigation of the interaction between chlorophenols and lysozyme in solution

The binding interactions of lysozyme with 2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol were investigated by UV–vis absorption, CD, fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence, and three-dimensional fluorescence spectra techniques under physiological pH 7.40. The binding constants, quenching mechanism, and the number of binding sites were determined by the quenching of lysozyme fluorescence in presence of chlorophenols. H-bonds and hydrophobic interactions played major roles in stabilizing the chlorophenols–lysozyme complex. The distances r between chlorophenols and lysozyme were calculated to be 1.94 nm, 2.75 nm, 3.54 nm, and 3.76 nm for 2-CP, 2,4-DCP, 2,4,6-TCP, and PCP, respectively. The effects of chlorophenols on the conformation of lysozyme were analyzed using CD, synchronous fluorescence and three-dimensional fluorescence spectra.

Localization of lipoxygenase activity on the oil bodies and in protoplasts using a novel fluorescence imaging method

Lipoxygenase (linoleate:oxygen oxidoreductase; EC 1.13.11.12; LOX) catalyzes oxygenation of polyenoic fatty acids, which precedes the degradation of storage lipids during seed germination in sunflower. In the present work, it has been confirmed that 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H(2)DCFDA) produces fluorescence in presence of lipid hydroperoxides (LOX reaction products). This work provides new information on spatial localization of transiently enhanced LOX activity in protoplasts from 5d old seedling cotyledons of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Morden) by exploiting H(2)DCFDA as a probe for fluorescence detection from LOX activity sites. Use of LOX inhibitors [nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and propyl gallate (PG)] confirms oil bodies as LOX activity sites. Oil body surface has been shown to possess LOX activity in 5d old seedling cotyledons.

Study on the interaction between cinnamic acid and lysozyme

The interaction between lysozyme and cinnamic acid was investigated systematically by ultraviolet–vis absorbance, circular dichroism, fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence, and three-dimensional fluorescence spectra techniques at pH 7.40. The binding constants, quenching mechanism, and the number of binding sites were determined by the quenching of lysozyme fluorescence in presence of cinnamic acid. The results showed that the fluorescence quenching of lysozyme by cinnamic acid was a result of the formation of cinnamic acid–lysozyme complex. The hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions played major roles in stabilizing the complex; the distance r between donor and acceptor was obtained to be 2.07 nm according to Förster’s theory; the effect of cinnamic acid on the conformation of lysozyme was analyzed using synchronous fluorescence, circular dichroism and three-dimensional fluorescence spectra.

Investigating Fluorescence Quenching of ZnS Quantum Dots by Silver Nanoparticles

Water dispersible zinc sulfide quantum dots (ZnS QDs) with an average diameter of 2.9 nm were synthesized in an environment friendly method using chitosan as stabilizing agent. These nanocrystals displayed characteristic absorption and emission spectra having an absorbance edge at 300 nm and emission maxima (λ emission) at 427 nm. Citrate-capped silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) of ca. 37-nm diameter were prepared by modified Turkevich process. The fluorescence of ZnS QDs was significantly quenched in presence of Ag NPs in a concentration-dependent manner with K sv value of 9 × 109 M−1. The quenching mechanism was analyzed using Stern–Volmer plot which indicated mixed nature of quenching. Static mechanism was evident from the formation of electrostatic complex between positively charged ZnS QDs and negatively charged Ag NPs as confirmed by absorbance study. Due to excellent overlap between ZnS QDs emission and surface plasmon resonance band of Ag NPs, the role of energy transfer process as an additional quenching mechanism was investigated by time-resolved fluorescence measurements. Time-correlated single-photon counting study demonstrated decrease in average lifetime of ZnS QDs fluorescence in presence of Ag NPs. The corresponding Forster distance for the present QD–NP pair was calculated to be 18.4 nm.

The interaction of C.I. acid red 27 with human hemoglobin in solution

The nature of the interaction between human hemoglobin and C.I. acid red 27 was investigated systematically by ultraviolet–vis absorbance, circular dichroism, fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence, and three-dimensional fluorescence spectra techniques at pH 7.40. The quenching mechanism, binding constants, and the number of binding sites were determined by the quenching of human hemoglobin fluorescence in presence of C.I. acid red 27. The results showed that the nature of the quenching was of static type and the process of binding acid red 27 on human hemoglobin was a spontaneous molecular interaction procedure. The electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions played a major role in stabilizing the complex; The distance r between donor and acceptor was obtained to be 4.40 nm according to Förster’s theory; The effect of acid red 27 on the conformation of human hemoglobin was analyzed using synchronous fluorescence, circular dichroism and three-dimensional fluorescence spectra.

Molecular recognition of 2-alkylbenzimidazole: Photophysical and structural studies

2-Alkylbenzimidazole (L1–3) forms organic salt co-crystals with several electron-deficient aromatic as well as aliphatic polycarboxylic acids. Electron-rich benzimidazole shows dramatic quenching of fluorescence in presence of electron-deficient acidic guest molecules. Higher selectivity was found towards pyromellitic acid. Substituted benzimidazole forms organic salt co-crystals with different acids of general composition [LnH+·A−] (where, A is the acid molecule). The non-covalent interactions between carboxylic acids and L1–3 were investigated by UV–vis, fluorescence and 1H NMR spectroscopic methods in solution and by single crystal X-ray diffraction in solid state.

Planar chromatography for the hydrocarbon group type analysis of petroleum middle distillates and coal-derived products

Different methodologies, based on planar chromatography/detection with densitometry, have been used to analyse compound classes (also known as hydrocarbon group type (HGT)) in samples coming from petroleum and coal conversion. The main problem encountered to analyse these samples is the choice of standard: because of the high variability of the signal that is dependent of molecular structure, one pure hydrocarbon does not reflect the response of a mixture. However, a step based on thin layer chromatography at preparative scale has allowed the fractionation of sample to obtain its derived standards. After this, alkanes have been quantified by fluorescence in presence of berberine sulfate and aromatic compounds have been detected by UV after separation by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) at analytical scale. The feasibility of the planar chromatography has been tested. The quantitative results obtained for different samples are in agreement with those provided using well-established techniques in the petrochemical industry and the coal-derived product (CDP) analysis.

Transition metal cryptate — enhanced fluorescence in a trianthroyl cryptand: effect of spacer on the photoinduced electron transfer process

The three secondary nitrogens in a heteroditopic cryptand are derivatized with anthroyl groups to have a cryptand based system in the ‘(fluorophore) 3-spacer-receptor’ format. This supramolecular system shows enhancement of fluorescence in presence of metal ions like Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II). The quantum yields of fluorescence enhancement as well as the photophysical behavior of this system has been compared with those of a trianthryl cryptand where the spacer is a –CH 2 group. Such studies provide important clues in the development of photodriven molecular devices and sensors and also understanding of the PET process.