Photoinduced behaviour of N,N-bidentate manganese(I) and rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes for singlet oxygen generation and CO release.

The combined action of singlet oxygen (1O2) and photoinduced carbon monoxide (CO) released by tricarbonyl metal complexes is a promising synergic treatment against multi-resistant bacterial infections. In this work, we explore the use of a polydentate ligand (bpm = 2,2-bipyrimidine) that offers the opportunity to accommodate two metal centers exhibiting both singlet oxygen generation and carbon monoxide releasing properties in a single molecule. A series of monometallic ([(bpm)M(CO)3Br]; M = Mn, Re) and homo or hetero bimetallic ([Br(CO)3M(bpm)M'(CO)3Br]; M = Mn, Re) compounds were synthesized in moderate to good yields by modulating the metal precursor or the stoichiometry, also the syn:anti isomers ratio for the bimetallic complexes was dependent on the experimental conditions used. DFT modelling shows the anti-isomer is more stable than the syn-isomer by less than 8 kJ mol-1, which is consistent with those experimentally observed in terms of majority product and the effect of experimental conditions over the anti-syn ratio. The HOMO-LUMO gap is lower for the mono and bimetallic rhenium(I) compounds compared to the values for the manganese(I) analogues, while the heterometallic complex shows intermediate values for the anti-isomer. The photophysical characterization shows typical absorption and emission bands with MLCT character. In addition, CO-release and 1O2 generation quantum yields were evaluated for the monometallic Mnbpm and Rebpm homologues and compared with values obtained for the homo- and hetero-bimetallic complexes. Interestingly the replacement of a Mn(CO)3Br moiety in MnbpmMn by a Re(CO)3Br one makes the heterometallic MnbpmRe molecule a molecular oxygen sensitizer and partially retaining its carbon monoxide releasing ability.

LAURDAN since Weber: The Quest for Visualizing Membrane Heterogeneity.

Any chemist studying the interaction of molecules with lipid assemblies will eventually be confronted by the topic of membrane bilayer heterogeneity and may ultimately encounter the heterogeneity of natural membranes. In artificial bilayers, heterogeneity is defined by phase segregation that can be in the nano- and micrometer range. In biological bilayers, heterogeneity is considered in the context of small (10-200 nm) sterol and sphingolipid-enriched heterogeneous and highly dynamic domains. Several techniques can be used to assess membrane heterogeneity in living systems. Our approach is to use a fluorescent reporter molecule immersed in the bilayer, which, by changes in its spectroscopic properties, senses physical-chemistry aspects of the membrane. This dye in combination with microscopy and fluctuation techniques can give information about membrane heterogeneity at different temporal and spatial levels: going from average fluidity to number and diffusion coefficient of nanodomains. LAURDAN (6-dodecanoyl-2-(dimethylamino) naphthalene), is a fluorescent probe designed and synthesized in 1979 by Gregorio Weber with the purpose to study the phenomenon of dipolar relaxation. The spectral displacement observed when LAURDAN is either in fluid or gel phase permitted the use of the technique in the field of membrane dynamics. The quantitation of the spectral displacement was first addressed by the generalized polarization (GP) function in the cuvette, a ratio of the difference in intensity at two wavelengths divided by their sum. In 1997, GP measurements were done for the first time in the microscope, adding to the technique the spatial resolution and allowing the visualization of lipid segregation both in liposomes and cells. A new prospective to the membrane heterogeneity was obtained when LAURDAN fluorescent lifetime measurements were done in the microscope. Two channel lifetime imaging provides information on membrane polarity and dipole relaxation (the two parameters responsible for the spectral shift of LAURDAN), and the application of phasor analysis allows pixel by pixel understanding of these two parameters in the membrane. To increase temporal resolution, LAURDAN GP was combined with fluctuation correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and the motility of nanometric highly packed structures in biological membranes was registered. Lately the application of phasor analysis to spectral images from membranes labeled with LAURDAN allows us to study the full spectra pixel by pixel in an image. All these methodologies, using LAURDAN, offer the possibility to address different properties of membranes depending on the question being asked. In this Account, we will focus on the principles, advantages, and limitations of different approaches to orient the reader to select the most appropriate technique for their research.

Unusual Oxidative Dealkylation Strategy toward Functionalized Phenalenones as Singlet Oxygen Photosensitizers and Photophysical Studies.

A series of functionalized 6-alkoxy phenalenones was prepared through an unprecedented oxidative dealkylation of readily available phenalene precursors. The starting phenalenes were efficiently synthesized via an aminocatalyzed annulation/O-alkylation strategy starting from simple substrates. The spectroscopic properties of some phenalenones were investigated in different solvents. Introducing an alkoxy substituent at the 6-position onto the phenalenone framework results in a red shift of the absorption. The synthesized phenalenones exhibit low fluorescence quantum yields, and the fluorescence decay was studied in different solvents, highlighting the presence of several lifetimes. The singlet oxygen (1O2) photosensitizing propensity of some phenalenones was investigated, and the results showed the striking importance of the phenalenone molecular structure in generating singlet oxygen with high yields. The ability of phenalenones to generate singlet oxygen was then harnessed in three photooxygenation reactions: anthracene oxidation, oxy-functionalization of citronellol through the Schenck-ene reaction, and photooxidation of a diene.

Scanning fluorescence correlation spectroscopy comes full circle.

In this article, we review the application of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) methods to studies on live cells. We begin with a brief overview of the theory underlying FCS, highlighting the type of information obtainable. We then focus on circular scanning FCS. Specifically, we discuss instrumentation and data analysis and offer some considerations regarding sample preparation. Two examples from the literature are discussed in detail. First, we show how this method, coupled with the photon counting histogram analysis, can provide information on yeast ribosomal structures in live cells. The combination of scanning FCS with dual channel detection in the study of lipid domains in live cells is also illustrated.

Mechanism of Visible-Light Photooxidative Demethylation of Toluidine Blue O.

Experiments and theoretical calculations by density functional theory (DFT) have been carried out to examine a self-sensitized type I photooxidation of toluidine blue O (TBO+). This study attempts to build a connection between visible-light photolysis and demethylation processes of methylamine compounds, such as TBO+. We show that controlled photoinduced mono- and double-demethylation of TBO+ can be achieved. The kinetics for the appearance rate of the mono-demethylated TBO+ and the double-demethylated TBO+ were found to fit pseudo-first-order kinetics. DFT calculations have been used to examine the demethylation of TBO+ and included N, N-dimethylaniline as a model compound for TBO+. The results show an oxygen-dependent demethylation process. The mechanism for the sequential methyl loss is proposed to be due to H• or e-/H+ transfer to 3TBO+* followed by a reaction of TBO+• with O2, yielding a C-peroxyTBO+• intermediate. Instead of aminyl radical peroxyl formation, i.e., N-peroxyTBO+•, the C-centered peroxyTBO+• is favored, that upon dimerization (Russell mechanism) leads to dissociation of formaldehyde from the methylamine site.

Development and Characterization of Florfenicol-Loaded BSA Nanoparticles as Controlled Release Carrier.

Florfenicol (FLO) is a broad-spectrum fluorinated antibiotic used for the treatment of bacterial diseases such as bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in cattle. FLO is a poorly soluble drug in aqueous solution, and its encapsulation in various nanovehicles has been reported to be less than 30%. In this context, the use of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a nanocarrier for FLO is an interesting approach. BSA is a biocompatible, biodegradable, nontoxic, and nonimmunogenic natural protein, allowing the vehiculization of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs with a well-tolerated administration. The present work focuses on the fabrication and characterization of florfenicol-loaded BSA (FLO-BSA NPs), incorporation efficiency, and in vitro release pattern. FLO-BSA NPs nanoparticles were successfully obtained by a simple, low-cost and in a few steps method. The physicochemical properties of the obtained nanoparticles such as size (~ 120 nm), polydispersity index (0.04), and zeta potential (approximately - 40 mV) suggest a high colloidal stability and suitable characteristics for drug delivery. The drug loading reveals a high incorporation of florfenicol in the nanoparticles, in which 33.6 molecules of FLO are encapsulated per each molecule of BSA. The in vitro release profile exhibits an initial stage characterized by the burst effect and then a prolonged release of FLO from the albumin matrix, which is compatible with the Higuchi model and which follows a Fickian diffusion. The results together suggest a suitable tool for future investigations in drug delivery field in order to use this nanomaterial in food, pharmaceutical, and veterinary industry.

Dual Emission of a Novel (P,N) Re(I) Complex: A Computational and Experimental Study on [P,N-{(C6H5)2(C5H4N)P}Re(CO)3Br].

The spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photophysical properties of the new complex [P,N-{(C6H5)2(C5H4N)P}Re(CO)3Br] are reported. The UV-vis spectrum in dichloromethane shows an absorption maximum centered at 315 nm and a shoulder at 350 nm. These absorption bands have been characterized to have MLCT character. Excitation at both wavelengths (maximum and shoulder) leads to an emission band centered at 550 nm. Cyclic voltammetry experiments show two ill-defined irreversible oxidation waves around +1.50 and 1.80 V that are assigned to Re(I)/Re(II) and Re(II)/Re(III) couples whereas an irreversible reduction signal centered at -1.80 V is likewise assigned to a ligand reduction process. These results support the proposal of the MLCT nature of the states implied by the emission of the complex. The luminescent decay fits to a biexponential function, where the lifetimes and emission quantum yields are dependent on the solvent polarity. DFT calculations suggest that dπ → π*pyridine and dπ → π*phenyl excited states may account for the existence of two decay lifetimes.

Cells immersed in collagen matrices show a decrease in plasma membrane fluidity as the matrix stiffness increases.

Cells are constantly adapting to maintain their identity in response to the surrounding media's temporal and spatial heterogeneity. The plasma membrane, which participates in the transduction of external signals, plays a crucial role in this adaptation. Studies suggest that nano and micrometer areas with different fluidities at the plasma membrane change their distribution in response to external mechanical signals. However, investigations linking fluidity domains with mechanical stimuli, specifically matrix stiffness, are still in progress. This report tests the hypothesis that the stiffness of the extracellular matrix can modify the equilibrium of areas with different order in the plasma membrane, resulting in changes in overall membrane fluidity distribution. We studied the effect of matrix stiffness on the distribution of membrane lipid domains in NIH-3 T3 cells immersed in matrices of varying concentrations of collagen type I, for 24 or 72 h. The stiffness and viscoelastic properties of the collagen matrices were characterized by rheometry, fiber sizes were measured by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the volume occupied by the fibers by second harmonic generation imaging (SHG). Membrane fluidity was measured using the fluorescent dye LAURDAN and spectral phasor analysis. The results demonstrate that an increase in collagen stiffness alters the distribution of membrane fluidity, leading to an increasing amount of the LAURDAN fraction with a high degree of packing. These findings suggest that changes in the equilibrium of fluidity domains could represent a versatile and refined component of the signal transduction mechanism for cells to respond to the highly heterogeneous matrix structural composition. Overall, this study sheds light on the importance of the plasma membrane's role in adapting to the extracellular matrix's mechanical cues.

Synthesis and Photophysical Characterizations of Pyrroloquinolone Photosensitizers for Singlet Oxygen Production†.

A series of pyrroloquinolone photosensitizers bearing different halogen substituents (Cl, Br, I) on the heterocyclic framework was studied. These structures were readily prepared through a multi-step synthetic sequence involving an oxidative protocol as an important step to access the quinolone framework. Spectroscopic characterizations and computational investigations were carried out to study the dyes before and after the oxidative step. Interestingly, the fluorescence emission was significantly reduced upon oxidation. In spite of a low photostability under UV light, the pyrroloquinolone photosensitizers proved effective to produce singlet oxygen. Higher singlet oxygen quantum yields were obtained with photosensitizers bearing halogen atoms with a higher atomic number.

Methyl-ß-cyclodextrins preferentially remove cholesterol from the liquid disordered phase in giant unilamellar vesicles.

Methyl-ß-cyclodextrins (MßCDs) are molecules that are extensively used to remove and to load cholesterol (Chol) from artificial and natural membranes; however, the mechanism of Chol extraction by MßCD from pure lipids or from complex mixtures is not fully understood. One of the outstanding questions in this field is the capability of MßCD to remove Chol from lipid domains having different packing. Here, we investigated the specificity of MßCD to remove Chol from coexisting macrodomains with different lipid packing. We used giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) made of 1,2-dioleoylphosphatidylcholine:1,2-dipalmitoylphatidylcholine:free cholesterol, 1:1:1 molar ratio at 27°C. Under these conditions, individual GUVs present Chol distributed into lo and ld phases. The two phases can be distinguished and visualized using Laurdan generalized polarization and two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy. Our data indicate that MßCD removes Chol preferentially from the more disordered phase. The process of selective Chol removal is dependent on the MßCD concentration. At high concentrations, MßCD also removes phospholipids.

Fatty Acid Conjugates of Toluidine Blue O as Amphiphilic Photosensitizers: Synthesis, Solubility, Photophysics and Photochemical Properties†.

Toluidine blue O (TBO) is a water-soluble photosensitizer that has been used in photodynamic antimicrobial and anticancer treatments, but suffers from limited solubility in hydrophobic media. In an effort to incrementally increase TBO's hydrophobicity, we describe the synthesis of hexanoic (TBOC6) and myristic (TBOC14) fatty acid derivatives of TBO formed in low to moderate percent yields by condensation with the free amine site. Covalently linking 6 and 14 carbon chains led to modifications of not only TBO's solubility, but also its photophysical and photochemical properties. TBOC6 and TBOC14 derivatives were more soluble in organic solvents and showed hypsochromic shifts in their absorption and emission bands. The solubility in phosphate buffer solution was low for both TBOC6 and TBOC14, but unexpectedly slightly greater in the latter. Both TBOC6 and TBOC14 showed decreased triplet excited-state lifetimes and singlet oxygen quantum yields in acetonitrile, which was attributed to heightened aggregation of these conjugates particularly at high concentrations due to the hydrophobic "tails." While in diluted aqueous buffer solution, indirect measurements showed similar efficiency in singlet oxygen generation for TBOC14 compared to TBO. This work demonstrates a facile synthesis of fatty acid TBO derivatives leading to amphiphilic compounds with a delocalized cationic "head" group and hydrophobic "tails" for potential to accumulate into biological membranes or membrane/aqueous interfaces in PDT applications.

Photochemistry of P,N-bidentate rhenium(i) tricarbonyl complexes: reactive species generation and potential application for antibacterial photodynamic therapy.

In this work, we describe the photoisomerization of facial rhenium(i) tricarbonyl complexes bearing P,N-bidentate pyridyl/phosphine ligands with different chelating rings and anions: RePNBr, RePNTfO, and RePNNBr, which are triggered under irradiation at 365 nm in solutions. The apparent photodegradation rate constants (k app) depend on the coordinating ability of the solvent, being lowest in acetonitrile. The k app value increases as the temperature rises, suggesting a reactive IL excited state thermally populated from the MLCT excited state involved. Using the Eyring equation, positive activation enthalpies (ΔH ≠) accompanied by high negative values for the activation entropy (ΔS ≠) were obtained. These results suggest whatever the P,N-ligand or anion, the reaction proceeds through a strongly solvated or a compact transition state, which is compatible with an associative mechanism for the photoisomerization. A 100-fold decrease in the log10 CFU value is observed for E. coli and S. aureus in irradiated solutions of the compounds, which follows the same tendency as their singlet oxygen generation quantum yield: RePNBr > RePNTfO > RePNNBr, while no antibacterial activity is observed in the darkness. This result indicates that the generation of singlet oxygen plays a key role in the antibacterial capacity of these complexes.

Nanoantioxidant-Based Silica Particles as Flavonoid Carrier for Drug Delivery Applications.

Nanosystems used in pharmaceutical formulations have shown promising results in enhancing the administration of drugs of difficult formulations. In particular, porous silica nanoparticles have demonstrated excellent properties for application in biological systems; however, there are still several challenges related to the development of more effective and biocompatible materials. An interesting approach to enhance these nanomaterials has been the development of nanoantioxidant carriers. In this work, a hybrid nanoantioxidant carrier based on porous silica nanoplatform with rosmarinic acid antioxidant immobilized on its surface were developed and characterized. Techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption-desorption measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH●) assay were used to characterize and evaluate the antioxidant activity of nanocarriers. In addition, drug release profile was evaluated using two biorelevant media. The antioxidant activity of rosmarinic acid was maintained, suggesting the correct disposition of the moiety. Kinetic studies reveal that more morin is released in the simulated intestinal fluid than in the gastric one, while an anomalous non-Fickian release mechanism was observed. These results suggest a promising antioxidant nanocarrier suitable for future application in drug delivery.

Carminic Acid Linked to Silica Nanoparticles as Pigment/Antioxidant Bifunctional Excipient for Pharmaceutical Emulsions.

The incorporation of pigments and natural polyphenols into inorganic matrices, resulting in a hybrid material that improves the resistance and chemical stability of the pigments and the antioxidant capacity of the materials, has been of great interest to the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries. The aim of this work was to prepare and characterize a bifunctional pigment-antioxidant nanomaterial-based carminic acid-decorated solid core-mesoporous shell silica nanoparticles, evaluating its properties as a pigment, its antioxidant capacity and its properties as a chemical stabilizer of emulsions. The chemical stability of oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsions was evaluated determining the stability of vitamin E solubilized in the oil phase. Carminic acid was attached through the action of coupling ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) agents, and the resulting spherical and homogeneous nanoparticles showed a diameter close to 175 nm. A notorious change of emulsion color was observed by the addition of the nanomaterial. Emulsions showed an attractive pink color, and when the pH was adjusted to pH 3 and pH 9, a change in color was observed, analogous to carminic acid in solution. The nanomaterial incorporation also improved chemical stability, decreasing vitamin E consumption to 9.26% of the initial value, demonstrating an important antioxidant effect of the developed nanomaterial.

CAPRYDAA, an anthracene dye analog to LAURDAN: a comparative study using cuvette and microscopy.

We synthesized an anthracene derivative with solvatochromic properties to be used as a molecular probe for membrane dynamics and supramolecular organization. A nine carbon atom acyl chain and a dimethylamino substitution were introduced at positions 2 and 6 of the anthracene ring, respectively. This derivative, 2-nonanoyl-6-(dimethylamino)anthracene (termed CAPRYDAA), is a molecular probe designed to mimic the well-known membrane probe LAURDAN's location and response in the lipid membranes. Due to the larger distance between the electron donor and acceptor groups, its absorption and emission bands are red-shifted according to the polarity of the media. The photophysical behavior of CAPRYDAA was measured in homogeneous media, synthetic bilayer and cells, both in a cuvette and in a fluorescence microscope, using one and two-photon excitation. Our results show a comparable physicochemical behavior of CAPRYDAA with LAURDAN, but with the advantage of using visible light (488 nm) as an excitation source. CAPRYDAA was also excitable by two-photon laser sources, making it easy to combine CAPRYDAA with either blue or red emission probes. In GUVs or cells, CAPRYDAA can discriminate the lipid phases and liquid-liquid phase heterogeneity. This new membrane probe shows the bathochromic properties of the PRODAN-based probes designed by Weber, overcoming the need for UV or two-photon excitation and facilitating the studies on the membrane properties using regular confocal microscopes.

Phytoestrogen coumestrol: Antioxidant capacity and its loading in albumin nanoparticles.

Coumestrol is a polyphenol with promising therapeutic applications as phytoestrogen, antioxidant and potential cancer chemoprevention agent. The presence of two hydroxyl groups on its chemical structure, with orientation analogous to estradiol, is responsible of both, its antioxidant capacity and its estrogenic activity. However, several studies show that the interaction of polyphenols with food and plasma proteins reduces their antioxidant efficacy. We studied the interaction of coumestrol with bovine serum albumin protein (BSA) by fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism techniques, and the effect of this interaction on its antioxidant activity as a hydroxyl radical scavenger. In addition, coumestrol antioxidant capacity profile using different assays (DPPH, ORAC-FL and ORAC-EPR) was studied. To explain its reactivity we used several methodologies, including DFT calculations, to define its antioxidant mechanism. Coumestrol antioxidant activity unveiled interesting antioxidant properties. BSA interaction with coumestrol reduces significantly photolytic degradation in several media thus preserving its antioxidant properties. Results suggest no significant changes in BSA structure and activity when interacting with coumestrol. Furthermore, this interaction is stronger than for other phytoestrogens such as daidzein and genistein. Considering our promising results, we reported for the first time the fabrication and characterization of coumestrol-loaded albumin nanoparticles. The resulting spherical and homogeneous nanoparticles showed a diameter close to 96 nm. The coumestrol incorporation efficiency in BSA NPs was 22.4%, which is equivalent to 3 molecules of coumestrol for every 10 molecules of BSA.

Antioxidant Nanomaterial Based on Core⁻Shell Silica Nanospheres with Surface-Bound Caffeic Acid: A Promising Vehicle for Oxidation-Sensitive Drugs.

The design of efficient, biocompatible, and easily prepared vehicles for drug delivery is a subject of great interest for medicine and pharmaceutical sciences. To achieve the above goals, surface functionalization is critical. Here, we report a hybrid nanocarrier consisting of core⁻shell silica nanospheres and the antioxidant caffeic acid linked to the surface, to evaluate their in vitro antioxidant capacity, their capability to protect oxidation-sensitive compounds incorporated in nanoparticles, and to study the interaction with bovine serum albumin protein. The results show that the radical-scavenging activity of immobilized caffeic acid is attenuated in the silica nanospheres; however, other antioxidant properties such as Fe2+-chelating activity and singlet oxygen quenching are enhanced. In addition, caffeic acid is protected from binding to proteins by the nanoparticle, suggesting that this nanosystem is more likely to maintain the antioxidant activity of caffeic acid in biological media. Finally, the natural antioxidant barrier on the nanocarrier is able to delay the degradation of a compound incorporated into this nanovehicle. Considering all findings, this work proposes a suitable tool for pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries as an antioxidant nanocarrier for oxidation-sensitive drugs.

Spectral and Kinetic Study of 3-Styrylquinoxalin-2(1 H)-ones Photoreduced by N-Phenylglycine and Amines.

The photoreduction by amines and N-phenylglycine, NPG, of six styrylquinoxalin-2(1 H)-ones derivatives substituted in the styryl moiety, R-SQ, was studied by using flash photolysis. The photoreaction is initiated via a single electron transfer from the electron donor (amines or NPG) to R-SQ excited triplet state, 3R-SQ*, with the formation of a triplet state radical ion pair or a charge transfer exciplex, 3[CRIP/CTE]. These species live longer than the respective 3R-SQ* and have very similar transient spectra. In the presence of NPG, these 3[CRIP/CTE] evolve on µs time scale to the respective hydrogenated radicals, R-SQH•, whose transient spectra and reaction rate constants with NPG are reported. The identity of these hydrogenated radicals was supported by the spectra obtained with the α-H donor triethylamine and previous pulse radiolysis studies in 2-propanol. Our findings allow proposing a radical chain reaction mechanism that explains the observed spectral behavior and rationalizes formation of the main product formed by binding of four PhNHCH2• derived from NPG decarboxylation.

Photophysics and photochemistry of naphthoxazinone derivatives.

The photophysics and photochemistry of a series of naphthoxazinones have been studied using a combination of methods ranging from steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques to product analysis. The photophysics of naphthoxazinone derivatives is very dependent on the structure: phenanthrene-like compounds exhibit higher fluorescence quantum yield than the less aromatic anthracene-like homologous. The latter, exhibit a substantial degree of charge transfer in the excited singlet state. These compounds are fairly photostable in the absence of additives, yielding a single photoproduct arising from the triplet state. The presence of electron donors such as amines increases the photoconsumption quantum yield and changes the product distribution, the primary photoproduct being a dihydronaphthoxazinone that photoreacts further yielding ultimately an oxazoline derivative.

Distribution of urocanic acid isomers between aqueous solutions and n-octanol, liposomes or bovine serum albumin.

The distribution of urocanic acid (UCA) isomers between aqueous solutions and n-octanol, egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (eggPC) liposomes or bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been evaluated. Regarding its partitioning between water and n-octanol, the behaviour of both isomers is very similar, and the amount incorporated to the organic solvent is mostly determined by the fraction of the compound that, in the aqueous phase, is present as uncharged species. This implies that the highest hydrophobicity occurs near the isoelectric point. cis- and trans-UCA are readily incorporated into eggPC unilamellar liposomes. A simple pseudophase treatment of ultrafiltration data renders a binding constant of 0.20+/-0.04mL/mg for the trans isomer at pH 7.4. The binding constant decreases, by a factor two, at pH 5.0, suggesting that the negatively charged species is more favourably bound to the liposomes than the neutral species, which is mostly present as zwitterions. The cis-isomer, at both pHs, is less incorporated to the bilayers. trans-UCA and cis-UCA readily bind to BSA at pH 7.4, with binding constants of 3400M(-1) and 6900M(-1), respectively. This result suggests that, as in the octanol/water partitioning, hydrophobic interactions predominate and the degree of binding is determined by the fraction present as uncharged species. A smaller binding constant at pH 5.0 indicates that the charge of the protein is also plying a relevant role.