Micellar Environment Research Articles

Molecular co-localization of multiple drugs in a nanoscopic delivery vehicle for potential synergistic remediation of multi-drug resistant bacteria

Anti-microbial resistant infection is predicted to be alarming in upcoming years. In the present study, we proposed co-localization of two model drugs viz., rifampicin and benzothiazole used in anti-tuberculosis and anti-fungal agents respectively in a nanoscopic cationic micelle (cetyl triethyl ammonium bromide) with hydrodynamic diameter of 2.69 nm. Sterilization effect of the co-localized micellar formulation against a model multi-drug resistant bacterial strain viz., Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus was also investigated. 99.88% decrease of bacterial growth in terms of colony forming unit was observed using the developed formulation. While Dynamic Light Scattering and Forsters Resonance Energy Transfer between benzothiazole and rifampicin show co-localization of the drugs in the nanoscopic micellar environment, analysis of time-resolved fluorescence decays by Infelta-Tachiya model and the probability distribution of the donor–acceptor distance fluctuations for 5 μM,10 μM and 15 μM acceptor concentrations confirm efficacy of the co-localization. Energy transfer efficiency and the donor acceptor distance are found to be 46% and 20.9 Å respectively. We have also used a detailed computational biology framework to rationalize the sterilization effect of our indigenous formulation. It has to be noted that the drugs used in our studies are not being used for their conventional indication. Rather the co-localization of the drugs in the micellar environment shows a completely different indication of their use in the remediation of multi-drug resistant bacteria revealing the re-purposing of the drugs for potential use in hospital-born multi-drug resistant bacterial infection.

Partition of the Reactive Species of the Suzuki-Miyaura Reaction between Aqueous and Micellar Environments.

The Suzuki-Miyaura reaction between the aryl halide (1) and the phenyl boronic acid (2), in the presence of the palladium(0) complex (3) as catalyst, gives the cross-coupling product (4) in quantitative yield when performed in basic aqueous solution of the nonionic surfactant Kolliphor-EL (K-EL). The partition between the aqueous and micellar environments of the species of this reaction has been investigated by means of Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. Starting from the K-EL molecules dispersed in water, a micelle model has been generated by MD simulations, adopting the 2016H66 force field. Reagent and product species have been described with the same force field, once the reliability of this force field has been tested comparing the n-octanol/water partition free energies calculated from the MD and Free Energy Perturbation (FEP) method with those obtained from the quantum-mechanical SMD method. The potential of mean force for the transfer process between water and the micellar phase of the different species has been calculated by the MD simulations and the Umbrella Sampling (US) method. The overall picture that emerges from these results confirms that the molecular species involved in this reaction prefers the micellar environment and concentrates in different but close zones of the micelle. This supports the experimental evidence that the use of suitable surfactant agents promotes reactivity, allowing micelles to behave as nanoreactors in which reactive species are solubilized and enhance their local concentration.

A meticulous study on the interaction of bile salts with star block copolymeric micelles

Here we report, the interaction of a star block copolymer T1304 and biologically important additive, bile salts (BS) in aqueous condition. Bile salts used for the system are sodium cholate (NaC), sodium taurocholate (NaTC) and sodium deoxycholate (NaDC). Mixed micelles of T1304-BS have been assessed by employing cloud point (CP), scattering [dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS)] and spectral techniques [UV–visible, 1H NMR, and fluorescence spectroscopy]. As the system is comprising of two important bio amphiphiles, so the solubilization of drug Quercetin (QCT) in this mixed micellar environment is also studied to give it a broader spectrum. An increased trend in CP along with a decrease of micellar size is observed with the addition of BSs. With increasing concentration of bile salts, the mixed micellar aggregates are becoming surfactant rich and maximum replacement of T1304 molecule is done by NaDC due to its lower CMC and more hydrophobicity.

Foldable Detergents for Membrane Protein Stability.

Detergents are widely used for membrane protein structural study. Many recently developed detergents contain multiple tail and head groups, which are typically connected via a small and branched linker. Due to their inherent compact structures, with small inter-alkyl chain distances, these detergents form micelles with high alkyl chain density in the interiors, a feature favorably associated with membrane-protein stability. A recent study on tandem triazine maltosides (TZMs) revealed a distinct trend; despite possession of an apparently large inter-alkyl chain distance, the TZM-Es were highly effective at stabilizing membrane proteins. Thanks to the incorporation of a flexible spacer between the two triazine rings in the linker region, these detergents are prone to folding into a compact architecture in micellar environments instead of adopting an extended conformation. Detergent foldability represents a new concept of novel detergent design with significant potential for future detergent development.

MICELLIZATION BEHAVIOUR OF CONVENTIONAL (SDS AND DTAB) AND SYNTHESIZED GEMINI SURFACTANT (12-2-12) IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE AT VARYING TEMPERATURES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

The micellar properties of two common surfactants, namely sodiumdodecyl sulphate (SDS) which is of anionic character and dodecyltriamonium bromide (DTAB) of cationic type alongwith 12-2-12 gemini surfactant which was produced in aqueous solutions of 0.001, 0.005 and 0.01 mol∙kg-1 aqueous solutions of metformin hydrochloride (Mfm-HCl) (antidiabetic drug) at 25, 35 and 45 degree Celsius has been analyzed through conductometry. The obtained conductivity data has been used to determine one of the most important characteristic of surfactants known critical micelle concentration (CMC); the concentration above which micelles are formed. The variation in CMC with content of metformin hydrochloride has been compensated in terms of hydrophobic interactions. The drug has been found to diminish the CMC of both types of surfactants (conventional and synthesized). In terms of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions existing in the system, the effect of temperature on the micellization behaviour of these discussed surfactants has also been studied. Moreover, energetics of micellization has also been discussed by using phsedo-phase separation model for all the studied systems in terms of thermodynamic parameters viz. standard enthalpy, free energy, and entropy, of micellization and viewed in terms of different interactions that may exist in the system. The influence on the micro polarity of micellar environment has been discussed by pyrene probe fluorescence technique and used to determine CMC which has been discovered to have a strong resemblance to conductivity studies.

Improved Enzymatic Assay and Inhibition Analysis of Redox Membranotropic Enzymes, AtGALDH and TcGAL, Using a Reversed Micellar System

Reversed micelles are helpful to solubilize otherwise insoluble membranotropic or membrane-bound enzymes in their functional form, thus enabling activity assay and inhibition analysis. However, in the case of redox enzymes, this task is further complicated by the necessity to select an appropriate electron-acceptor (EA) which, ideally, should be compatible with spectrophotometric measurements in reversed micelles. Here, we have identified such an EA and successfully used it in a reversed micellar environment to assay the activity of two homologous enzymes from mitochondria: l-galactone-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.2.3) from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtGALDH) and galactonolactone oxidase (EC 1.3.3.12) from Trypanosoma cruzi (TcGAL), differing in their membranotropic properties, with TcGAL being almost insoluble in water and particularly difficult to assay. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the possibility to use this assay for inhibition analysis, with an elucidation of the mechanism and inhibition parameters, which otherwise could not be possible. In order to perform inhibition analysis, we improved the approach for the determination of activity of such membrane enzymes based on a reversed micellar system as membrane matrix, necessary for the functioning of membrane enzymes. A number of electron acceptors (EA) were tested for AtGALDH and optimal conditions of activity determination for AtGALDH were found. The suggested method was successfully applied to the study of the inhibition of AtGALDH by lycorine, and the mixed competitive mechanism of inhibition of AtGALDH by lycorine was determined. The developed approach to inhibitor analysis was applied for TcGAL, insoluble in water membrane, and the method provides new opportunities for searching effective inhibitors that may be potential drugs. Indeed, galactonolactone oxidase from Trypanosoma cruzi (TcGAL) and AtGALDH are homologues, and the inhibition of TcGAL stops the vital biosynthesis of vitamin C in parasite Trypanosoma cruzi from causing Chagas disease. The approach proposed can be applied for the screening of inhibitors of AtGALDH and TcGAL, as well as to study properties of other membrane enzymes including determination of the mechanisms of inhibition, structure and catalytic properties, the impact of membrane components (for example lipids), and so on.

Three in One: Stimuli-Responsive Fluorescence, Solid-State Emission, and Dual-Organelle Imaging Using a Pyrene-Benzophenone Derivative.

Small organic luminogens, owing to their contrasting stimuli-responsive fluorescence in solution along with strong emission in aggregated and solidstates, have been employed in optoelectronic devices, sensors, and bioimaging. Pyrene derivatives usually exhibit strong fluorescence and concentration-dependent excimer/aggregate emission in solution. However, the impacts of microenvironments on the monomer and aggregate emission bands and their relative intensities in solution, solid, and supramolecular aggregates are intriguing. The present study delineates a trade-off between the monomer and aggregate emissions of a pyrene-benzophenone derivative (ABzPy) in solution, in the solid-state, and in nanoaggregates through a combined spectroscopic and microscopic approach. The impact of external stimuli (viscosity, pH) on the aggregate emission was demonstrated using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy, including fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and fluorescence anisotropy decay analysis. The aggregate formation was noticed at a higher concentration (>10 μM) in solution, at 77 K (5 μM), and in the solid-state due to the π-π stacking interactions (3.6 Å) between two ABzPy molecules. In contrast, no aggregate formation was observed in the viscous medium as well as in a micellar environment even at a higher concentration of ABzPy (50 μM). The crystal structure analysis further shed light on the intermolecular hydrogen-bonding-assisted solid-state emission, which was found to be highly sensitive toward external stimuli like pH and mechanical forces. The broad emission band comprising both monomer and aggregate in the aqueous dispersion of nanoaggregates was used for the specific cellular imaging of lysosomes and lipid droplets, respectively.

Induced selectivity in the photochemistry of estrone derivatives in sustainable and micellar environment: preparative and mechanistic studies

In this study, we carried out preparative and mechanistic studies on the photochemical reaction of a series of 3-acylestrone derivatives in confined and sustainable micellar environment under steady-state conditions and the results were compared with those obtained in cyclohexane solution. The aim of this work is mainly focused to show whether the nature of the surfactant (cationic, neutral and anionic) leads to noticeable selectivity in the photoproduct formation. The 3-acylestrone derivatives underwent the photo-Fries rearrangement, with concomitant homolytic fragmentation of the ester group and [1;3]-acyl migration. This pathway afforded the ortho-acyl estrone derivatives, the main photoproducts together with estrone. However, epimerization of the ortho regioisomer 2-acetylestrone and estrone through Norrish Type I photoreaction occurred involving the fragmentation of the C-α at the carbonyl group (C-17) of the steroid. UV-visible and 2D-NMR (NOESY) spectroscopies have been employed to measure the binding constant Kb and the location of the steroids within the hydrophobic core of the micelle.

Myristoylation and its effects on the human Golgi Reassembly and Stacking Protein 55

GRASP55 is a myristoylated protein localized in the medial/trans-Golgi faces and involved in the Golgi structure maintenance and the regulation of unconventional secretion pathways. It is believed that GRASP55 achieves its main functionalities in the Golgi organization by acting as a tethering factor. When bound to the lipid bilayer, its orientation relative to the membrane surface is restricted to determine its proper trans-oligomerization. Despite the paramount role of myristoylation in GRASP function, the impact of such protein modification on the membrane-anchoring properties and the structural organization of GRASP remains elusive. Here, an optimized protocol for the myristoylation in E. coli of the membrane-anchoring domain of GRASP55 is presented. The biophysical properties of the myristoylated/non-myristoylated GRASP55 GRASP domain were characterized in a membrane-mimicking micellar environment. Although myristoylation did not cause any impact on the protein's secondary structure, according to our circular dichroism data, it had a significant impact on the protein's thermal stability and solubility. Electrophoresis of negatively charged liposomes incubated with the two GRASP55 constructions showed different electrophoretic mobility for the myristoylated anchored protein only, thus demonstrating that myristoylation is essential for the biological membrane anchoring. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to further explore the anchoring process in determining the restricted orientation of GRASPs in the membrane.

Broad light harvesting under restricted environment: Photophysical understanding leading to enhanced reactive oxygen species generation

Surfactant self-assemblies are of great importance due to their suitable attachment affinity with the hydrophobic organic sensitizers in aqueous media. In this work, the two organic photo-sensitizers protoporphyrin (PPIX) and squaraine (SQ2), absorbing in the visible and near-infrared region of the solar spectrum respectively, have been used simultaneously as dual sensitizers. These two sensitizers behave as donor-acceptor pair for Fo¨rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) in close proximity of restricted micellar environment. This process of dual sensitization on the surface of cationic Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) micelle has been found to generate enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) under white light irradiation due to the resonance energy transfer from donor to an acceptor molecule. The choice of the cationic micellar solution has also been justified on the basis of proper sensitizer attachment position with the micelle due to its suitable electrostatic interaction affinity with the sensitizers. The attachment position of the sensitizers with cationic, anionic and nonionic micellar solutions has been confirmed by picosecond resolve fluorescence transients of the sensitizers in solvents of different polarities. Several control studies have been performed with the respective sensitizers alone in presence of white light irradiation and separately in their own absorption regions to confirm the enhanced ROS generation with dual sensitizers under white light irradiation. This positively charged host micelle and generation of ROS can be useful in potential photo remediation application towards selective anionic pollutant. Some preliminary results are also discussed regarding the possibility of anionic pollutant degradation.

Substituent and Surfactant Effects on the Photochemical Reaction of Some Aryl Benzoates in Micellar Green Environment.

In this study, we carried out preparative and mechanistic studies on the photochemical reaction of a series of p-substituted phenyl benzoates in confined and sustainable micellar environment. The aim of this work is mainly focused to show whether the nature of the surfactant (ionic or nonionic) leads to noticeable selectivity in the photoproduct formation and whether the electronic effects of the substituents affect the chemical yields and the rate of formation of the 5-substituted-2-hydroxybenzophenone derivatives. Application of the Hammett linear free energy relationship (LFER) on the rate of formation of benzophenone derivatives, on the lower energy band of the UV-visible absorption spectra of the aryl benzoates and 5-substituted-2-hydroxybenzophenone derivatives allows a satisfactory quantification of the substituent effects. Furthermore, UV-visible and 2D-NMR (NOESY) spectroscopies have been employed to measure the binding constant Kb and the location of the aryl benzoates within the hydrophobic core of the micelle. Finally, TD-DFT calculations have been carried out to estimate the energies of the absorption bands of p-substituted phenyl benzoates and 5-substituted-2-hydroxybenzophenone derivatives providing good linear correlation with those values measured experimentally.

Insight into Functional Membrane Proteins by Solution NMR: The Human Bcl-2 Protein-A Promising Cancer Drug Target.

Evasion from programmed cell death (apoptosis) is the main hallmark of cancer and a major cause of resistance to therapy. Many tumors simply ensure survival by over-expressing the cell-protecting (anti-apoptotic) Bcl-2 membrane protein involved in apoptotic regulation. However, the molecular mechanism by which Bcl-2 protein in its mitochondrial outer membrane location protects cells remains elusive due to the absence of structural insight; and current strategies to therapeutically interfere with these Bcl-2 sensitive cancers are limited. Here, we present an NMR-based approach to enable structural insight into Bcl-2 function; an approach also ideal as a fragment-based drug discovery platform for further identification and development of promising molecular Bcl-2 inhibitors. By using solution NMR spectroscopy on fully functional intact human Bcl-2 protein in a membrane-mimicking micellar environment, and constructs with specific functions remaining, we present a strategy for structure determination and specific drug screening of functional subunits of the Bcl-2 protein as targets. Using 19F NMR and a specific fragment library (Bionet) with fluorinated compounds we can successfully identify various binders and validate our strategy in the hunt for novel Bcl-2 selective cancer drug strategies to treat currently incurable Bcl-2 sensitive tumors.

Equilibrium Constant, Concentrations Study of <i>p-</i>Aminobenzoic Acid in Anionic, Cationic and Non-ionic Surfactants

p-aminobenzoic acid (pABA) was used as a probe to study the equilibrium constant in ground and excited state and concentrations of anionic surfactant, cationic surfactant and non-ionic surfactant. The absorption and fluorescence spectral characteristics of pABA were reported in aqueous micellar environments (SDS, CTAB and TW 80) at different pHs. The neutral and monoanion form of pABA is present at both pHs 3 and 7 respectively. The blue shifted fluorescence maximum was accompanied by a great raise in intensity at pH 3 whereas at pH 7 the emission intensity a little increase with increasing micelles concentration. In the acidic medium, the CMC value is increased when compared to neutral solution. The strength of interaction between pABA-micelles at both pHs was estimated using Hirose - Sepulveda equation and these calculated values was further used to estimate the free energy change of the interaction from the fluorescence data. These results from the absorption and fluorescence spectra of pABA well explained that the nature of force and location of probe in ionic micelles and non-ionic micelles at different pHs.

Chemical equilibria of Eosin Y and its synthetic ester derivatives in non-ionic and ionic micellar environments

Eosin (EOS) and its synthetic ester derivatives have adequate properties to be employed as histological markers for and as drugs for photodynamic therapy. However, they present a very complex protolytic and tautomeric equilibrium that reflects on their photophysical properties. Hence their biomedical applications are strongly affected by the medium's pH, charge and hydrophobicity. In this study, we evaluated the effects of two neutral (Pluronic® F-127 and P-123) and two ionic (anionic SDS and cationic CTAB) surfactant micelles as a simple membrane model on the protolytic/tautomeric equilibrium of EOS and its ester derivative dyes. Multivariate analysis based on Q-Imbrie's factor and the K-matrix method on the electronic absorption spectroscopy data in different pH conditions allowed for the understanding of the complex protolytic/tautomeric equilibrium, and the influence of medium microenvironment on the EOS dyes at each pH. Our results demonstrated that, when close to physiological pH (~7.4), and electrostatic attraction towards cationic surfaces favor dyes locating close to the micelle's (biomembrane model) interface, where their biomedical applications are favored. Therefore, the analysis in different environments shows that the interactions of EOS and its derivatives with biomembranes can be modulated based on the hydrophobicity of the xanthene derivative and the cell membrane charge.

Naproxen sodium salt photochemistry in aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) ellipsoidal micelles

The photochemistry and other properties of the anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen (NP) in sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS, micellar aqueous solutions at pH = 7 (NP is in anionic form) were studied. The large value of the partition coefficient (P) was obtained, logP = 2.7, showing that the most part of NP is localized in the micellar phase. The solubilization in SDS micelles results in NP fluorescence and photodegradation quantum yields decrease. The photoproducts 6-methoxy-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-naphthalene and 6-methoxy-2-acetyl-naphthalene were found by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Both photoproducts were formed in SDS solution in significantly smaller amounts than in water. Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) showed that the presence of NP has small effect on the micellar structure. Only a slight decrease of the ionization degree of the micelle was observed by SANS, suggesting that NP was localized in the vicinity of micellar surface. The NP triplet excited state, hydrated electron, NP radical cation and some other relatively long lived intermediate were observed by laser flash photolysis of NP in micellar solution. The decay kinetics of these intermediates was different with respect to that in the homogeneous media. The reactivity of NP in SDS micellar environment was compared to that in the homogeneous media and the probable nature of the intermediate precursors of the final photoproducts are under the discussion.

Photochemistry of nabumetone in aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles

The photochemistry, solubility and distribution between two phases of nabumetone (NB) in aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles were studied. The solubility (SNB) of NB was monitored using steady-state UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. The linear relationship of SNB to SDS concentration ([SDS]) gave the large value of partition coefficient, P (logP = 3.5), for NB distribution between the aggregate and the water phase showing the localization of NB in the micellar phase. NB fluorescence (FL) quantum yield increases with [SDS] from 0.03 in water to 0.056 at 0.2 M [SDS]. The dependence of FL intensity at 355 nm (F335) on [SDS] is bell-shaped. The plot of initial F335 increase with [SDS] in the range 0–0.05 M gave the expected value of the critical micelle concentration (cmc = 7.9 mM). Further increase of [SDS] resulted in 10% decrease of F335 demonstrating the variation of the micellar structure. Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and refractometry confirmed this variation. The NB in SDS was protected against photodegradation. High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/MS) detected 2-(but-2-en-1-yl)-6-methoxynaphthalene as NB final photoproducts in SDS solution which was not found in homogeneous media. The hydrated electron localized in water phase, NB radical cation and NB triplet excited state both localized in the micellar phase were observed by laser flash photolysis of NB in micellar solution. The decay kinetics of these intermediates was different with respect to that in the homogeneous media. The reactivity of NB in SDS micellar environment compared to the homogeneous media is under the discussion.

Micelles Embedded in Multiphasic Protein Hydrogel Enable Efficient and Air-Tolerant Triplet Fusion Upconversion with Heavy-Atom and Spin-Orbit Charge-Transfer Sensitizers.

The applications of triplet-triplet annihilation-based photon upconversion (TTA-UC) in solar devices have been limited by the challenges in designing a TTA-UC system that is efficient under aerobic conditions. Efficient TTA-UC under aerobic conditions is typically accomplished by using soft matter or solid-state media, which succeed at protecting the triplet excited states of upconverters (sensitizer and annihilator) from quenching by molecular oxygen but fail at preserving their mobility, thus limiting the TTA-UC efficiency (ΦUC). We showcase a protein/lipid hydrogel that succeeded in doing both of the above due to its unique multiphasic design, with a high ΦUC of 19.0 ± 0.7% using a palladium octaethylporphyrin sensitizer. This hydrogel was made via an industrially compatible method using low-cost and eco-friendly materials: bovine serum albumin (BSA), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and water. A dense BSA network provided oxygen protection while the encapsulation of upconverters within a micellar SDS environment preserved upconverter mobility, ensuring near-unity triplet energy transfer efficiency. In addition to heavy atom-containing sensitizers, several completely organic, spin-orbit charge-transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) Bodipy-based sensitizers were also studied; one of which achieved a ΦUC of 3.5 ± 0.2%, the only reported SOCT-ISC-sensitized ΦUC in soft matter to date. These high efficiencies showed that our multiphasic design was an excellent platform for air-tolerant TTA-UC and that it can be easily adapted to a variety of upconverters.

Promoting crystallization of intrinsic membrane proteins with conjugated micelles

A new technique for promoting nucleation and growth of membrane protein (MP) crystals from micellar environments is reported. It relies on the conjugation of micelles that sequester MPs in protein detergent complexes (PDCs). Conjugation via amphiphilic [metal:chelator] complexes presumably takes place at the micelle/water interface, thereby bringing the PDCs into proximity, promoting crystal nucleation and growth. We have successfully applied this approach to two light-driven proton pumps: bacteriorhodopsin (bR) and the recently discovered King Sejong 1–2 (KS1–2), using the amphiphilic 4,4′-dinonyl-2,2′-dipyridyl (Dinonyl) (0.7 mM) chelator in combination with Zn2+, Fe2+, or Ni2+ (0.1 mM). Crystal growth in the presence of the [metal–chelator] complexes leads to purple, hexagonal crystals (50–75 µm in size) of bR or pink, rectangular/square crystals (5–15 µm) of KS1–2. The effects of divalent cation identity and concentration, chelator structure and concentration, ionic strength and pH on crystal size, morphology and process kinetics, are described.

How Do Branched Detergents Stabilize GPCRs in Micelles?

The structural and functional properties of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are often studied in a detergent micellar environment, but many GPCRs tend to denature or aggregate in short alkyl chain detergents. In our previous work [Lee, S., et al. (2016) J. Am. Chem. Soc.138, 15425–15433], we showed that GPCRs in alkyl glucosides were highly dynamic, resulting in the penetration of detergent molecules between transmembrane α-helices, which is the initial step in receptor denaturation. Although this was not observed for GPCRs in dodecyl maltoside (DDM, also known as lauryl maltoside), even this detergent is not mild enough to preserve the integrity of many GPCRs during purification. Lauryl maltose neopentylglycol (LMNG) detergents have been found to have significant advantages for purifying GPCRs in a native state as they impart more stability to the receptor than DDM. To gain insights into how they stabilize GPCRs, we used atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of wild type adenosine A2A receptor (WT-A2AR), thermostabilized A2AR (tA2AR), and wild type β2-adrenoceptor (β2AR) in a variety of detergents (LMNG, DMNG, OGNG, and DDM). Analysis of molecular dynamics simulations of tA2AR in LMNG, DMNG, and OGNG showed that this series of detergents exhibited behavior very similar to that of an analogous series of detergents DDM, DM, and OG in our previous study. However, there was a striking difference upon comparison of the behavior of LMNG to that of DDM. LMNG showed considerably less motion than DDM, which resulted in the enhanced density of the aliphatic chains around the hydrophobic regions of the receptor and considerably more hydrogen bond formation between the head groups. This contributed to enhanced interaction energies between both detergent molecules and between the receptor and detergent, explaining the enhanced stability of GPCRs purified in this detergent. Branched detergents occlude between transmembrane helices and reduce their flexibility. Our results provide a rational foundation to develop detergent variants for stabilizing membrane proteins.

Monitoring the encapsulation of chlorin e6 derivatives into polymer carriers by NMR spectroscopy

The encapsulation of five derivatives of chlorin e6 with different hydrophobicity and aggregation properties into a series of five poloxamer-type triblock copolymer micelles (BCMs) with varying numbers of polyethylene and polypropylene glycol (PEG, PPG) units was monitored using 1H NMR spectroscopy. NMR chemical shift and line shape analysis, as well as dynamic methods including diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) and T1 and T2 relaxation time measurements of the chlorin and the polymer resonances, proved useful to assess the chlorin–BCM compatibility. The poloxamers had high capability to break up aggregates formed by chlorins up to intermediate hydrophobicity. Physically entrapped chlorins were always localized in the BCM core region. The loading capacity correlated with chlorin polarity for all poloxamers among which those with the lowest number of PPG units were most efficient. DOSY data revealed that relatively weakly aggregating chlorins partition between the aqueous bulk and micellar environment whereas more hydrophobic chlorins are well retained in the BCM core region, rendering these systems more stable. T1 and T2 relaxation time measurements indicated that motional freedom in the BCM core region contributes to encapsulation efficiency. The BCM corona dynamics were rather insensitive towards chlorin entrapment except for the poloxamers with short PEG chains. The presented data demonstrate that 1H NMR spectroscopy is a powerful complementary tool for probing the compatibility of porphyrinic compounds with polymeric carriers such as poloxamer BCMs, which is a prerequisite in the development of stable and highly efficient drug delivery systems suitable for medical applications like photodynamic therapy of tumors.