Shift In Fluorescence Emission Maximum Research Articles

Spectroscopic and thermodynamic characterization of the interaction between sugar-stabilised silver nanoparticles and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), a chitin binding lectin

Nanomaterials have lately been investigated in agriculture as eco-friendly and effective antifungal agents. Many nanomaterials, notably metal nanoparticles, have strong antifungal properties. Among metal nanoparticles, Ag nanoparticles have received the most attention as antifungal agents. Many plant lectins have been identified as antifungal agents. Conjugating AgNPs with antifungal lectins is thus expected to improve Ag nanoparticle antifungal efficacy. Understanding the molecular interactions and physical features of lectin-sugar-stabilised nanoparticle conjugates is critical for future applications. WGA has traditionally been used as an anti-tumor and antifungal agent. To investigate the prospect of developing an effective biocompatible antifungal system with applications in medicine and agriculture, fluorescence spectroscopy was used to investigate the interaction between sugar-stabilised silver nanoparticles and WGA. During the association, protein intrinsic fluorescence emission is suppressed by about ∼15 % at saturation, with no significant shift in fluorescence emission maxima. Binding tests reveal a strong bond. Stern-Volmer analysis of the quenching data indicates that the interaction happens via a static quenching process that induces complex formation. The study of hemagglutination activity and interaction experiments in the presence of particular sugar shows that the lectin's sugar-binding site is separate from the nanoparticle-binding site, and cell recognition is conserved in the lectin-nanoparticle complex. The Van't Hoff plot thermodynamic parameters suggest that the contact is hydrophobic. The fact that ΔGo is negative shows that the binding is a spontaneous process. CD spectroscopy experiments reveal that the lectin's secondary structure is not affected while binding to the nanoparticle. Our findings suggest that a stable WGA-silver nanoparticle combination may emerge for a variety of applications.

Interaction of sugar stabilised silver nanoparticles with Momordica charantia seed lectin, a type II ribosome inactivating protein.

Sugar-stabilised nanomaterials have received a lot of attention in cancer therapy in recent years due to their pronounced application as specific targeting agents and maximizing their therapeutic potential while bypassing off-target effects. Lectins, the carbohydrate-binding proteins, are capable of binding to receptors present on the target cell/tissue and interact with transformed glycans better than normal cells. Besides some of the lectins exhibit anticancer activity. Conjugating sugar-stabilised NPs with lectins there for is expected to multiply the potential for the early diagnosis of cancer cells and the specific release of drugs into the tumor site. Because of the prospective applications of lectin-sugar-stabilised nanoparticle conjugates, it is important to understand their molecular interaction and physicochemical properties. Momordica charantia Seed Lectin (MCL) is a type II RIP and has been known as an anti-tumor agent. Investigation of the interaction between sugar-stabilised silver nanoparticles and MCL has been performed by fluorescence spectroscopy to explore the possibility of creating an effective biocompatible drug delivery system against cancer cells. In this regard interaction between lectin and NPs should be well-preserved, while recognizing the specific cell surface sugar. Therefore experiments were carried out in the presence and absence of specific sugar galactose. Protein intrinsic fluorescence emission is quenched at ~ 20% at saturation during the interaction without any significant shift in fluorescence emission maximum. Binding experiments reveal a good affinity. Tetrameric MCL binds to a single nanoparticle. Stern-Volmer analysis of the quenching data suggests that the interaction is via static quenching leading to complex formation. Hemagglutination experiments together with interaction studies in the presence of specific sugar show that the sugar-binding site of the lectin is distinct from the nanoparticle-binding site and cell recognition is very much intact even after binding to AgNPs. Our results propose the possibility of developing MCL-silver nanoparticle conjugate with high stability and multiple properties in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Photo/Thermal Dual Responses in Aqueous-Soluble Copolymers Containing 1-Naphthyl Methacrylate

Photoresponsive polymers capable of luminescence switching are attracting significant interest due to their potential application in fluorescence patterning, bioimaging, optical data storage, and anti-counterfeiting. In this work, we have developed aqueous-soluble copolymers of 1-naphthyl methacrylate and oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate [P(1-NMA-co-OEGMA)] that undergo a significant shift in fluorescence emission wavelength after UV irradiation. Irradiation of the 1-naphthyl methacrylate moieties results in the photo-Fries rearrangement to form hydroxy aryl ketones, which exhibit strong emission at 475 nm through excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and excited-state proton transfer (ESPT). The resultant shift in fluorescence emission maximum from 338 to 475 nm after rearrangement can potentially be exploited for fluorescence patterning. Furthermore, the copolymers are thermally sensitive in aqueous solutions. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the copolymers depends on the content of hydrophobic 1-naphthyl methacrylate units; the photo-Fries rearrangement results in a more polar structure, shifting the LCST to a higher temperature. Of note, the temperature-triggered volume phase transition of copolymer hydrogels selectively ″switches off″ fluorescence arising from the ESPT mechanism, while the ESIPT emission is unaffected. We also demonstrate that films formed by coating the copolymers onto various substrates can be selectively patterned to form gradients in fluorescence intensity. These versatile P(1-NMA-co-OEGMA) copolymers are simple to prepare at low cost, demonstrate effective photoswitching, and have excellent water solubility, thus ensuring potential applications in a number of important areas.

Analysis of Aged Human Serum Albumin Affinity for Doxazosin

Structural changes of human serum albumin (HSA) caused by old age and coexisting diseases result in differences in the binding of doxazosin (DOX). DOX is a postsynaptic α1- adrenoreceptor antagonist used for treatment of hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia. In elderly people suffering from various renal or hepatic diseases the significant portion of N-form of human serum albumin (normal) is converted to A-form (aged). The differences in binding of doxazosin to N- and Aform of albumin are an important factor, which may determines therapeutic dosage and toxicity of the test drug. To indicate these differences, the technique of fluorescence spectroscopy was used. The association constant (Ka) obtained from fluorescence quenching demonstrated that doxazosin has higher affinity for AHSA than for HSA. In order to describe the cooperativity in binding process, the values of the Hill's coefficient has been analysed. For DOX-HSA system (λex 295 nm) Hill's coefficient is close to 1 and it indicates that there is a single class of binding sites. For DOX-HSA (λex 275 nm) and DOX-AHSA (λex 275 nm and λex 295 nm) systems we observed positive cooperativity (nH>1). A greater red shift of fluorescence emission maximum of AHSA than HSA in the presence of DOX was observed. This suggests that the binding of DOX to AHSA was accompanied by a stronger increase in polarity around the fluorophores in comparison to HSA. The binding interaction between DOX and HSA has been also studied by molecular docking simulation.

Estimation of ground and excited-state dipole moments of synthesized coumarin derivative, (S)-(1-((7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl 2-(((9H-fluoren-9-yl)methoxy)cabonylamino)-3-phenylpropanoate from a solvatochromic shift and theoretical methods

The electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra of coumarin derivative, (S)-(1-((7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl2-(((9H-fluoren-9-yl)methoxy)cabonylamino)-3-phenylpropanoate have been studied in solvents of different polarities, and the data were used to study the solvatochromic properties. The absorption maximum remains almost unchanged with the increase in solvent polarity, whereas a red shift in fluorescence emission maximum was observed. Synthesized compound (S)-(1-((7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl2-(((9H-fluoren-9-yl)methoxy)cabonylamino)-3-phenylpropanoate was characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, and FT-IR spectral studies. The ground and excited state dipole moments of molecule were obtained from Bakshiev's and Bilot–Kawski's equations by means of solvatochromic shift method. High value of dipole moment is observed for excited state as compared to ground state value and this is attributed to more polar excited state of molecule. Also, fluorescence emission peak undergoes a bathochromic shift with increase in the polarity of the solvent, confirming π→π* transition. Numerical calculations are performed using B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory for the ground state using Gaussian 03. Studies in different solvents are also done using IEF-PCM method and UA0 radii. A comparative analysis between the values of dipole moment in gas phase and various solvents is also done for the ground state.

Estimation of ground and excited state dipole moments of synthesized coumarin derivative [N-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)imino]triphenyl-phosphorane

Electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra of coumarin derivative [N-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)imino] triphenyl phosphorane have been recorded at room temperature in wide range of solvents of different polarities. The absorption maximum remains almost unchanged with the increase in solvent polarity, whereas, a red shift in fluorescence emission maximum was observed. Synthesized compound [N-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)imino] triphenyl phosphorane was characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, and FT-IR spectral studies. The ground and excited state dipole moments of molecule were obtained from Bakhshiev's and Bilot–Kawski's equations by means of the solvatochromic shift method. Very high value of dipole moment is observed for excited state as compared to ground state value and this is attributed to more polar excited state of the molecule. Numerical calculations are performed using B3LYP/6-31G+(d) and B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory for ground state in Gaussian 03. Studies in different solvents are also done using the CPCM method and UA0 radii with the same level of theory. A critical analysis between the values of dipole moment in gas phase and various solvents is also carried out for ground state.

Solvatochromatic shift of absorption and fluorescence spectra of 6-methoxyquinoline: Estimation of ground and excited state dipole moments

Electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra of protonated 6-methoxyquinoline (6MQ+) and neutral 6-methoxyquinoline (6MQ) have been recorded at room temperature in wide range of solvents of different polarities. The absorption maximum remains almost unchanged with the increase in solvent polarity, whereas a red shift in fluorescence emission maximum was observed. The ground-state dipole moment and the first excited singlet state dipole moment of 6MQ+ and 6MQ were obtained from Bakhshiev's and Bilot–Kawski's equations by means of solvatochromic shift method. High values of dipole moment are observed for excited state as compared to the corresponding ground state dipole moment values of 6MQ+ and 6MQ and this is attributed to the more polar excited states of 6MQ+ and 6MQ.

Ground and excited state dipole moments of quinine sulfate dication: Solvatochromic shift of absorption and fluorescence spectra

Electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra of quinine sulfate dication (QSD) have been recorded at room temperature in a wide range of solvents of different polarities. The absorption maximum remains almost unchanged with the increase in solvent polarity, whereas a red shift in fluorescence emission maximum was observed. The ground-state dipole moment of QSD was obtained from quantum mechanical calculations and the first excited singlet state dipole moment of QSD was obtained from Bakhshiev's and Bilot–Kawski's equations by means of solvatochromic shift method. Very high value of dipole moment is observed for excited state as compared to the corresponding ground state value and this is attributed to the more polar excited state of QSD. Compared to the dipole moment of quinine sulfate, both the ground and excited state dipole moments of QSD are lower.

Fluorescence properties of a ruthenium complex in silane sols and gels at different pH

Silane gels containing ruthenium Ru(bpy) 3 2+ complex were obtained by the sol–gel method. The gelation of sols at different pH values was monitored by fluorescence stationary and time-resolved measurements. In all tested sols a blue shift of fluorescence emission maximum of the fluorophore was observed during the gelation. Changes in λ max on subsequent days of sol–gel transition depended on starting pH of the sol. An increase of the excited state of fluorophore lifetime in the gelation process was observed. When the gelation was finished the lifetime τ 1 was constant. A strict correlation between the blue shift of fluorophore emission maximum and changes in the lifetime of ruthenium complex in this system on subsequent days of the sol–gel transition was observed. On this basis, changes in the fluorophore microenvironment in the sol induced by different rates of competing hydrolysis and condensation reactions were discussed. All observed effects were attributed to the interaction of molecules of the ruthenium complex with hydroxyl groups in the gel net.

Propofol Activates and Allosterically Modulates Recombinant Protein Kinase Cϵ

Myocardial protection by anesthetics is known to involve activation of protein kinase C epsilon (PKC epsilon). A key step in the activation process is autophosphorylation of the enzyme at serine 729. This study's objectives were to identify the extent to which propofol interacts with PKC epsilon and to identify the molecular mechanism(s) of interaction. Immunoblot analysis of recombinant PKC epsilon was used to assess autophosphorylation of PKC epsilon at serine 729 before and after exposure to propofol. An enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay kit was used for measuring PKC epsilon activity. Spectral shifts in fluorescence emission maxima of the C1B subdomain of PKC epsilon in combination with the fluorescent phorbol ester, sapintoxin D, was used to identify molecular interactions between propofol and the phorbol ester/diacylglycerol binding site on the enzyme. Propofol (1 microM) caused a sixfold increase in immunodetectable serine 729 phosphorylated PKC epsilon and increased catalytic activity of the enzyme in a dose-dependent manner. Dioctanoylglycerol-induced or phorbol myristic acetate-induced activation of recombinant PKC epsilon activity was enhanced by preincubation with propofol. Both propofol and phorbol myristic acetate quenched the intrinsic fluorescence spectra of the PKC epsilon C1B subdomain in a dose-dependent manner, and propofol caused a further leftward-shift in the fluorescence emission maxima of sapintoxin D after addition of the C1B subdomain. These results demonstrate that propofol interacts with recombinant PKC epsilon causing autophosphorylation and activation of the enzyme. Moreover, propofol enhances phorbol ester-induced catalytic activity, suggesting that propofol binds to a region near the phorbol ester binding site allowing for allosteric modulation of PKC epsilon catalytic activity.

Hoechst 33258 binds to G-quadruplex in the promoter region of human c-myc

In vitro binding of Hoechst 33258 to the promoter region of human c-myc, d(GG GGAGGG TGG GGA GGG TGG GGA AGG TGG GG) which forms G-quadruplex, both in vitro and in vivo in the presence of metal ions, was investigated by equilibrium absorption, fluorescence, and kinetic surface plasmon resonance methods. Hypochromic effect in UV absorption spectra and blue shift in fluorescence emission maxima of Hoechst in the presence of quadruplex revealed that Hoechst binds to the quadruplex. Analysis of UV and fluorescence titration data revealed that Hoechst binds to quadruplex with binding affinity of the order of 10 6. Anisotropy measurements and higher lifetime obtained from time-resolved decay experiments revealed that quadruplex-bound Hoechst is rotationally restricted in a less polar environment than the bulk buffer medium. From surface plasmon resonance studies, we obtained kinetic association ( k a) and dissociation ( k d) of 1.23 ± 0.04 × 10 5 M −1 s −1 and 0.686 ± 0.009 s −1, respectively. As Hoechst is known to bind A–T-rich region of duplex DNA, here we propose the likelihood of Hoechst interacting with the AAGGT loop of the quadruplex.

Guanidine hydrochloride-induced denaturation of the colicin E1 channel peptide: unfolding of local segments using genetically substituted tryptophan residues.

The soluble colicin E1 channel peptide has a roughly spherical, highly alpha-helical, compact structure. The structural unfolding properties of the colicin E1 channel peptide were analyzed using fluorescence techniques. The guanidine hydrochloride-induced unfolding pattern of the wild-type channel peptide was examined by monitoring intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence. Additionally, peptide unfolding was examined with the fluorophore, 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid. In order to probe the unfolding of local segments, single-tryptophan channel peptides were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis. Shifts in fluorescence emission maxima of the single tryptophan residues were used to monitor site-specific unfolding events, in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride. The unfolding patterns reported by tryptophans in different regions of the peptide were diverse. The concentration of guanidine hydrochloride at the unfolding transition midpoint for each mutant peptide and the free energy of unfolding were calculated in order to estimate local segment stabilities. Also, secondary structure unfolding was monitored using circular dichroism spectroscopy. The results of unfolding analysis showed that the channel peptide's unfolding mechanism involves an intermediate structure stabilized by the C-terminal hydrophobic core of the peptide. Knowledge of the unfolding pattern of the soluble channel peptide will aid in the understanding of the secondary and tertiary structural interactions within the channel peptide and the mechanism of colicin E1 activation.

The effect of high pH upon diphtheria toxin conformation and model membrane association: Role of partial unfolding

Penetration of membranes by diphtheria toxin in vivo is at least partially triggered by a low pH-induced conformational change occurring within the lumen of an acidic organelle. In order to gain insight into the nature of this change the behavior of the toxin at high pH was characterized and compared to that previously determined at low pH. We find that near pH 10.5 a major conformational change occurs. This change is accompanied by a marked decrease in fluorescence intensity, a red shift in fluorescence emission maximum, and increased suseptibility of protein fluorescence to acrylamide quenching. Differential scanning calorimetry shows that the high pH conformational change involves a cooperative endothermic unfolding transition. These changes at high pH are very similar to those induced by low pH, supporting the conclusion that the changes at low pH also involve a denaturation-like process. In addition, at high pH the toxin gains the ability to bind to model membranes, again similar to its behavior at low pH. On the basis of these studies we conclude that exposure of hydrophobic sequences due to partial unfolding is one dominating component in inducing hydrophobic behavior at both high and low pH, but that at low pH Asp/Glu protonation also contributes to hydrophobicity.

Cyanobacterial phycobilisomes. Characterization of the phycobilisomes of Synechococcus sp. 6301.

A procedure is described for the preparation of stable phycobilisomes from the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. 6301 (also known as Anacystis nidulans). Excitation of the phycocyanin in these particles at 580 nm leads to maximum fluorescence emission, from allophycocyanin and allophycocyanin B, at 673 nm. Electron microscopy shows that the phycobilisomes are clusters of rods. The rods are made up of stacks of discs which exhibit the dimensions of short stacks made up primarily of phycocyanin (Eiserling, F. A., and Glazer, A. N. (1974) J. Ultrastruct. Res. 47, 16-25). Loss of the clusters, by dissociation into rods under suitable conditions, is associated with loss of energy transfer as shown by a shift in fluorescence emission maximum to 652 nm. Synechococcus sp. 6301 phycobilisomes were shown to contain five nonpigmented polypeptides in addition to the colored subunits (which carry the covalently bound tetrapyrrole prosthetic groups) of the phycobiliproteins. Evidence is presented to demonstrate that these colorless polypeptides are genuine components of the phycobilisome. The nonpigmented polypeptides represent approximately 12% of the protein of the phycobilisomes; phycocyanin, approximately 75%, and allophycocyanin, approximately 12%. Spectroscopic studies that phycocyanin is in the hexamer form, (alpha beta)6, in intact phycobilisomes, and that the circular dichroism and absorbance of this aggregate are little affected by incorporation into the phycobilisome structure.

Fluorometric study of tetracycline-bovine serum albumin interaction: The tetracyclines—A new class of fluorescent probes

The interaction of four tetracyclines (tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and methacycline) with bovine serum albumin is studied fluorometrically. It is demonstrated that these tetracyclines exhibit the main features of fluorescent probes; increase of their fluorescence and quantum yield both in mixtures with bovine serum albumin and in non-polar, organic solvents, accompanied by blue shift of fluorescence emission maximum. The thermodynamic values ΔH and ΔS of the reaction of binding of tetracyclines to bovine serum albumin have been determined fluorometrically. The results reveal that the binding of tetracyclines to bovine serum albumin is due mainly to non-polar (hydrophobic) interactions. It has been found that the divalent metal ions are not involved in the binding of tetracyclines to bovine serum albumin at least at pH 10·5.