Monolayer kinetic model of formation of ß-cyclodextrin-ß-carotene inclusion complex.

The carotenoids are sensitive molecules and their chemical integrity must be preserved from pro-oxidant elements which could affect and decrease their physiological benefits. The encapsulation based on the inclusion of the carotenoids into cage molecules is a promising approach for preserving over time of the intrinsic properties of the carotenoids. It is well known that cyclic oligosaccharide ß-cyclodextrin (CD) as a cage molecule possesses strong inclusion ability to ß-carotene (C) and as a result of the hydrophobic interactions forms an inclusion complex. In the present paper a monolayer kinetic model was established with the notion to extract more information about the influence of the molecular structure and organization to the interfacial interactions between the interacting species as well as about the role of the specific areas, which are often underestimated in previously studied dispersed systems. We developed the monolayer kinetic model for the formation of the inclusion CD-C complex by applying an experimental approach for following the kinetics by means of measuring the decrease of the surface area (ΔA) versus time (t) at constant surface pressure (π) and the decrease of surface pressure (π) versus time (t) at constant surface area (A). We also visualized by AFM the state of the monolayers at the initial and end points of the kinetic process. The values for the degree (d) and constant (Ka) of the association were estimated and compared with those from the studies of dispersed systems.

Brassinosteroids regulate the thylakoid membrane architecture and the photosystem II function.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are plant steroid hormones known to positively affect photosynthesis. In this work we investigated the architecture and function of photosynthetic membranes in mature Arabidopsis rosettes of BR gain-of-function (overexpressing the BR receptor BR INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1), BRI1OE) and loss-of-function (bri1-116 with inactive BRI1 receptor, and constitutive photomorphogenesis and dwarfism (cpd) deficient in BR biosynthesis) mutants. Data from atomic force microscopy, circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy and polarographic determination of oxygen yields revealed major structural (enlarged thylakoids, smaller photosystem II supercomplexes) and functional (strongly inhibited oxygen evolution, reduced photosystem II quantum yield) changes in all the mutants with altered BR response compared to the wild type plants. The recorded thermal dependences showed severe thermal instability of the oxygen yields in the BR mutant plants. Our results suggest that an optimal BR level is required for the normal thylakoid structure and function.

Vipoxin and its components: structure-function relationship.

The neurotoxin Vipoxin has been of growing research interest since the time of its isolation from the venom of the Bulgarian viper Vipera ammodytes meridionalis. Vipoxin is a heterodimeric postsynaptic ionic complex composed of two protein subunits-a basic and strongly toxic His48 secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) enzyme and an acidic, enzymatically inactive and nontoxic component, originally named Inhibitor. When separated, sPLA(2) enzyme loses its toxicity in 3-4 days and catalytic activity in 2 weeks. After the establishment of the high degree of sequence homology (62%) and crystal structure of the subunits, Vipoxin was served as an example of molecular evolution of a toxic but unstable sPLA(2) into an inhibitor subunit which stabilizes the enzyme and preserves its pharmacological activity. Beginning our research on Vipoxin, intrigued by the unique relationship-structure-function and based on the previous experience, we were more than surprised to establish the lack of so-called inhibitory function of the acidic subunit on the toxicity and catalytic activity of basic sPLA(2). On the contrary, the acidic subunit activated the sPLA(2) enzyme in vitro. Our studies undoubtedly proved that is more correctly to present Vipoxin as a heterodimeric complex composed of one basic catalytic subunit and one acidic regulatory subunit. Their interaction in a common quaternary protein structure is more than a noncovalent association between the two subunits. It allows pharmacological sites to be targeted and biological functions to be potentiated. We attempt to present the previous studies and new findings on Vipoxin and its components.

Savinase proteolysis of insulin Langmuir monolayers studied by surface pressure and surface potential measurements accompanied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging.

The mechanism of the enzymatic action of Savinase on an insulin substrate organized in a monolayer at the air-water interface was studied. We followed two steps experimental approach classical surface pressure and surface potential measurements in combination with atomic force microscopy imaging. Utilizing the barostat surface balance, the hydrolysis kinetic was followed by measuring simultaneously the decrease in the surface area and the change of the surface potential versus time. The decrease in the surface area is a result of the random scission of the peptide bonds of polypeptide chain, progressively appearance of amino acid residues, and their solubilization in the aqueous subphase. The interpretation of the surface potential data was based on the contribution of the dipole moments of the intact and broken peptide groups which remain at the interface during the proteolysis. An appropriate kinetic model for the Savinase action was applied, and the global kinetic constant was obtained. The application of the AFM revealed the state of the insulin monolayers before and after the Savinase action. The comparison of the topography of the films and the roughness analysis showed that insulin Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films transferred before the enzyme action were flat, while at the end of hydrolysis, roughness of films has increased and the appearance of 3D structures was observed.

Novel methods for studying lipids and lipases and their mutual interaction at interfaces. Part I. Atomic force microscopy.

Mono-layers of lipids and their interaction with surface active enzymes (lipases) have been studied for more than a century. During the past decade new insight into this area has been obtained due to the development of scanning probe microscopy. This novel method provides direct microscopic information about the system in question and allows in situ investigations under near physiological conditions. In the present review the theory, experimental set-up and sample requirements of atomic force microscopy (AFM) are described. An overview of recent results is also presented with special emphasis on lipase hydrolysis and kinetics investigated in situ using AFM.

Novel methods for studying lipids and lipases and their mutual interaction at interfaces. Part II. Surface sensitive synchrotron X-ray scattering.

Monolayers of lipids have been studied for more than a century. During the past decade new insight into the field has resulted from the development of surface sensitive X-ray scattering methods utilizing synchrotron radiation: grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) and specular X-ray reflectivity (XR). These novel methods provide direct microscopic information about the systems in question and allow in situ investigations under near physiological conditions. GIXD gives information about the in-plane molecular structure, e.g., lattice symmetry and structural parameters; XR provides the electron density profile across the interface. The present review describes the theory, experimental procedures and sample requirements for surface sensitive X-ray scattering. An overview of recent results is presented as well, with special emphasis on biologically important systems, e.g., investigations by GIXD and/or XR of lipid and protein structures at interfaces and of lipid/protein interactions.

Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of amphiphilic hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene: new phase transitions and electronic properties controlled by pressure.

We present the synthesis as well as the structural and electronic properties of an amphiphilic derivative of hexaalkylhexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC), which contains one alkyl substituent that is terminated with a carboxylic acid group. The molecules form well-defined Langmuir films when spread from a solution at the air-water interface. Grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) and X-ray reflectivity studies of the Langmuir monolayer reveal two crystallographic phases at room temperature which depend on the surface pressure applied to the film. Scattering from very well-ordered (zeta = 200-400 A) pi-stacked lamellae of HBC molecules tilted approximately 45 degrees relative to the surface normal is observed in the low-pressure phase. In this phase, the HBC molecules pack in a rectangular two-dimensional unit cell with a = 22.95 A and b = 4.94 A. In the high-pressure phase, coherence from the pi stack is lost. This is a consequence of stress induced by the crystallization of the substituent alkyl chains into a hexagonal lattice, which has a trimerized superstructure in one direction: a = 3 x b = 15.78 A, b = 5.26 A, gamma = 120 degrees, A = 71.9 A2 = 3 x 23.9 A2. Thin monolayer films can be transferred to solid supports by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) with atomic resolution reveals the crystalline packing of alkyl chains in the high-pressure phase. Kelvin force microscopy (KFM) shows a clear potential difference between the high- and low-pressure phases. This is discussed in terms of orbital delocalization (band formation) in the highly coherent low-pressure phase, which is in contrast to the localized molecular orbitals present in the high-pressure phase. The highly coherent pi stack is expected to sustain a very high charge-carrier mobility.