Association models for binding of molecules to nanostructures.

The interaction between nanoparticles and molecules plays a key role in determining the activity and performance of a given nanostructure. These interactions are pivotal for a variety of applications including drug delivery, surface manipulation for targeted therapies, and catalysis. However, to this day, gathering precise association parameters for the interaction of the molecules with nanostructures remains elusive and mostly imprecise. In this review, we present a critical discussion of the most commonly used techniques and models intended for determining the association of molecules with nanoparticles. Particular emphasis has been put on discussing the limitations and pitfalls related to determining association constants in this tutorial review.

Kinetics of the Reaction of Pyrogallol Red, a Polyphenolic Dye, with Nitrous Acid: Role of ŸNO and ŸNO2.

In the present work we studied the reaction under gastric conditions of pyrogallol red (PGR), a polyphenolic dye, with nitrous acid (HONO). PGR has been used as a model polyphenol due to its strong UV-visible absorption and its high reactivity towards reactive species (radicals and non-radicals, RS). The reaction was followed by UV-visible spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A clear decrease of the PGR absorbance at 465 nm was observed, evidencing an efficient bleaching of PGR by HONO. In the initial stages of the reaction, each HONO molecule nearly consumed 2.6 PGR molecules while, at long reaction times, ca. 7.0 dye molecules were consumed per each reacted HONO. This result is interpreted in terms of HONO recycling. During the PGR-HONO reaction, nitric oxide was generated in the micromolar range. In addition, the rate of PGR consumption induced by HONO was almost totally abated by argon bubbling, emphasising the role that critical volatile intermediates, such as ŸNO and/or nitrogen dioxide (ŸNO2), play in the bleaching of this phenolic compound.

Chemical modification of lysozyme, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and bovine eye lens proteins induced by peroxyl radicals: role of oxidizable amino acid residues.

Chemical and structural alterations to lysozyme (LYSO), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), and bovine eye lens proteins (BLP) promoted by peroxyl radicals generated by the thermal decomposition of 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH) under aerobic conditions were investigated. SDS-PAGE analysis of the AAPH-treated proteins revealed the occurrence of protein aggregation, cross-linking, and fragmentation; BLP, which are naturally organized in globular assemblies, were the most affected proteins. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of BLP shows the formation of complex protein aggregates after treatment with AAPH. These structural modifications were accompanied by the formation of protein carbonyl groups and protein hydroperoxides. The yield of carbonyls was lower than that for protein hydroperoxide generation and was unrelated to protein fragmentation. The oxidized proteins were also characterized by significant oxidation of Met, Trp, and Tyr (but not other) residues, and low levels of dityrosine. As the dityrosine yield is too low to account for the observed cross-linking, we propose that aggregation is associated with tryptophan oxidation and Trp-derived cross-links. It is also proposed that Trp oxidation products play a fundamental role in nonrandom fragmentation and carbonyl group formation particularly for LYSO and G6PD. These data point to a complex mechanism of peroxyl-radical mediated modification of proteins with monomeric (LYSO), dimeric (G6PD), and multimeric (BLP) structural organization, which not only results in oxidation of protein side chains but also gives rise to radical-mediated protein cross-links and fragmentation, with Trp species being critical intermediates.

Anti-peroxyl radical quality and antibacterial properties of rooibos infusions and their pure glycosylated polyphenolic constituents.

The anti-peroxyl radical quality of two aqueous rooibos infusions and solutions of their most abundant glycosylated polyphenols was evaluated using pyrogallol red and fluorescein-based oxygen radical absorbance ratios. It was observed that the artificial infusions, prepared using only the most abundant polyphenols present in rooibos and at concentrations similar to those found in the natural infusions, showed greater antioxidant quality than the latter infusions, reaching values close to those reported for tea infusions. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of the natural and artificial infusions was assessed against three species of bacteria: Gram (+) Staphylococus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus and Gram (-) Escherichia coli. When compared to the natural infusions the artificial beverages did not demonstrate any bacterostatic/cidal activity, suggesting that the antibacterial activity of rooibos is related to compounds other than the glycosylated polyphenols employed in our study.

Use of pyrogallol red and pyranine as probes to evaluate antioxidant capacities towards hypochlorite.

Hypochlorite is a strong oxidant able to induce deleterious effects in biological systems. The goal of this work was to investigate the use of PGR and PYR as probes in assays aimed at evaluating antioxidant activities towards hypochorite and apply it to plant extracts employed in Chilean folk medicine. The consumption of PGR and PYR was evaluated from the decrease in the visible absorbance and fluorescence intensity, respectively. Total phenolic content was determined by the Folin Ciocalteau assay. PGR and PYR react with hypochlorite with different kinetics, being considerably faster the consumption of PGR. Different stoichiometric values were also determined: 0.7 molecules of PGR and 0.33 molecules of PYR were bleached per each molecule of added hypochlorite. Both probes were protected by antioxidants, but the rate of PGR bleaching was too fast to perform a kinetic analysis. For PYR, the protection took place without changes in its initial consumption rate, suggesting a competition between the dye and the antioxidant for hypochlorite. Plant extracts protected PYR giving a PYR-HOCl index that follows the order: Fuchsia magellanica ≈ Marrubium vulgare ≈ Tagetes minuta > Chenopodium ambrosoides ≈ Satureja montana > Thymus praecox. Based on both the kinetic data and the protection afforded by pure antioxidants, we selected PYR as the best probe. The proposed methodology allows evaluating an antioxidant capacity index of plant extracts related to the reactivity of the samples towards hypochlorite.

Unexpected solvent isotope effect on the triplet lifetime of methylene blue associated to cucurbit[7]uril.

Methylene blue shows an isotope dependent triplet lifetime that is 50% longer in D(2)O compared with H(2)O as a result of electronic-to-vibrational relaxation. The effect is enhanced when the dye is bound to curcubit[7]uril due to a combination of restricted mobility and a unfavorable vibrational coupling.

Photophysical behaviour and photodynamic activity of zinc phthalocyanines associated to liposomes.

Phthalocyanines are macrocyclic compounds that can be employed as photosensitizers in the treatment of various infections and diseases, as well as in photodynamic therapy. Nevertheless, a disadvantage for the clinical application of these compounds is their strong tendency to form oligomers (especially dimers), a phenomenon that reduces their efficiency as photosensitizers. In the present contribution, we have studied the photophysical and photochemical properties of ZnPc and ZnF(16)Pc in an organic solvent (THF) and liposomal formulations (DMPC, DPPC and DSPC). Our results show that dye incorporation into liposomes decreases its aggregation degree, as revealed by absorption spectra, triplet quantum yield, and singlet oxygen quantum yield measurements. Additionally, we studied the photodynamic activity of both phthalocyanines in liposomal formulation on human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells. For ZnF(16)Pc the photophysical behavior and phototoxicity in vitro correlate with the aggregation degree. The dimers are not photoactive and the photochemistry of ZnF(16)Pc depends of the fraction present as monomer. On the other hand, ZnPc aggregation is minimal and its photophysical and photochemical properties are similar in the three liposomes studied. Nevertheless, its phototoxicity in vitro is liposome dependent.

On the evaluation of the number of binding sites in proteins from steady state fluorescence measurements.

The number of binding sites for a given solute in a protein is a most relevant parameter. This number can be derived from fluorescence quenching data which provides the fraction of sites occupied at a given free solute concentration. Data are generally treated according to Scatchard´s or Ward´s equations. Lately, a double logarithmic plot of the data has been extensively used with this purpose. The present communication discus the validity of this procedure. It is concluded that this type of plot provides an evaluation of the stoichiometry (molecularity) of the binding process but not the number of equivalent binding sites per protein.

Reaction of diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with antioxidants in presence of poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/ poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) block copolymer nanoaggregates.

The reaction of antioxidants with 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) has been studied employing both, ethanol and nano aggregates biodegradable block copolymers (BBC) in aqueous solution, as reaction media. Gallate derivatives with different chain lengths (gallic acid, methyl, propyl and octyl gallate) were used as antioxidants model, and BBC containing a central section of poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) and three arms of poly-vinylpirrolidone (PVP) were used to originate nano aggregates in aqueous solution. The course of the reaction was followed by the changes of the DPPH absorption band at 517 nm. In ethanol, using an excess of antioxidants, DPPH was consumed completely by all gallate derivatives. Nevertheless, when the same reaction was carried out in aqueous nano aggregates of BBC, only a partial consumption of DPPH was observed, suggesting the occurrence of a complex reaction mechanism.

Photophysics and photochemistry of dyes bound to human serum albumin are determined by the dye localization.

The photophysics and photochemistry of rose bengal (RB) and methylene blue (MB) bound to human serum albumin (HSA) have been investigated under a variety of experimental conditions. Distribution of the dyes between the external solvent and the protein has been estimated by physical separation and fluorescence measurements. The main localization of protein-bound dye molecules was estimated by the intrinsic fluorescence quenching, displacement of fluorescent probes bound to specific protein sites, and by docking modelling. All the data indicate that, at low occupation numbers, RB binds strongly to the HSA site I, while MB localizes predominantly in the protein binding site II. This different localization explains the observed differences in the dyes' photochemical behaviour. In particular, the environment provided by site I is less polar and considerably less accessible to oxygen. The localization of RB in site I also leads to an efficient quenching of the intrinsic protein fluorescence (ascribed to the nearby Trp residue) and the generation of intra-protein singlet oxygen, whose behaviour is different to that observed in the external solvent or when it is generated by bound MB.

Antioxidant capacity of pure compounds and complex mixtures evaluated by the ORAC-pyrogallol red assay in the presence of Triton X-100 micelles.

The protective effect of different antioxidants and complex mixtures on the consumption of pyrogallol red (PGR) induced by peroxyl radicals was studied in the absence and presence of Triton X-100 micelles. The presence of micelles decreased significantly the protection of PGR afforded by lipophilic antioxidants (ß-carotene, octyl gallate), while no effect of micelles was observed for hydrophilic antioxidants such as Trolox, caffeic acid, gallic acid, and ascorbic acid. In the presence of complex mixtures a clear effect of Triton X-100 micelles was also observed in the protection afforded by wines, tea infusions, and seed extracts of Eugenia jambolana and Myrciaria cauliflora. On the other hand, no effect of micelles was observed for orange juice and pulp fruit extracts. The ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) index was evaluated in the absence (ORAC-PGR) and presence of Triton X-100 micelles (ORAC-PGR(MIC)). Triton X-100 micelles affect ORAC-PGR values of antioxidants in a lipophilicity-dependent way. From the obtained results, we conclude that ORAC-PGR and ORAC-PGR(MIC) assays could be considered as an alternative to estimate the antioxidant ability (ORAC-PGR) and to infer the association to Triton X-100 micelles (ORAC-PGR/ORAC-PGR(MIC)) of pure antioxidants and their complex mixtures.

Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide concentrations in Santiago de Chile associated with traffic emissions.

CO/CO(2) ratios have been measured in different locations of Santiago de Chile city. Measurements were carried out in a tunnel (prevailing emissions from cars with catalytic converter) and close to heavy traffic streets. Concentrations measured along the city traffic tunnel or temporal profiles of concentrations measured near heavy traffic streets allow an estimation of CO/CO(2) ratios emitted from mobile sources. Values obtained range from 0.0045 +/- 0.0006 to 0.0100 +/- 0.0004 and depend on the prevailing type of mobile sources. In particular, lowest values were found close to a street with heavy traffic dominated by diesel-powered public transportation, while the highest values were found at the city tunnel. Places located near streets of mixed mobile sources (public buses and cars) showed intermediate values. Average CO/CO(2) ratios are compatible with emission factors proposed for Santiago's main mobile sources.

A fluorescence study of human serum albumin binding sites modification by hypochlorite.

A study has been made on the properties of human serum albumin (HSA) binding sites and how they are modified by pre-oxidation of the protein with hypochlorite. The oxidation extent was assessed from changes in the protein intrinsic fluorescence and production of carbonyl groups. HSA retains its solute binding capacity even after exposure to relatively large amounts of hypochlorite (up to 40 oxidant molecules per protein). From an analysis of the binding isotherms of dansyl sarcosine (DS) and dansyl-1-sulfonamide (DNSA) to native and hypochlorite treated albumin it is concluded that pre-oxidation of the protein reduces the number of active sites without affecting the binding capacity of the remaining binding sites. From DS and DNSA fluorescence anisotropy, Laurdan anisotropy and generalized polarization measurements, it is concluded that both Sites I and II in the native protein provide very rigid environments to the bound probes. These characteristics of the sites remain even after extensive treatment with hypochlorite. This stubbornness of HSA could allow the protein to maintain its function along its in vivo lifetime.

Stycholysin II, a cytolysin from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus promotes higher hemolysis in aged red blood cells.

We have investigated the relationship between the status of red blood cells (RBCs) and their susceptibility to toxin sticholysin II (StII) hemolytic activity; we have evaluated this effect in different RBC ensembles, comprising young and old cells, and in cells partially damaged by their pre-exposition to a free radical source. Upon action of StII, young cell populations are less prone to hemolysis than the whole population, while old cell populations and peroxyl-oxidized red cells are lysed faster than the whole population. Cell K(+) content was higher in young cells and lower in both senescent cells and in peroxyl-damaged cells relative to whole cell population. The relevance of cell K(+) content in St II-induced lysis was shown when external Na(+) was partially replaced by K(+); under this condition, RBC lysed faster in the presence of St II but no difference was observed among young cells, whole cells population and peroxyl-damaged cells; only old cells lysed faster that the whole population, response that can be due to an enhanced St II-induced pore formation as supported by evaluation of St II irreversible binding to RBC. It is concluded that this factor and the amount of intracellular K(+) are the dominant parameters that modulate the resistance of RBC to St II-induced lysis.

Kinetics of reactions catalyzed by enzymes in solutions of surfactants.

The effect of surfactants, both in water-in-oil microemulsions (hydrated reverse micelles) and aqueous solutions upon enzymatic processes is reviewed, with special emphasis on the effect of the surfactant upon the kinetic parameters of the process. Differences and similarities between processes taking place in aqueous and organic solvents are highlighted, and the main models currently employed to interpret the results are briefly discussed.

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.

Kinetics of ethanol oxidation catalyzed by yeast alcohol dehydrogenase in aqueous solutions of sodium dodecylsulfate.

A study has been made of the effect of sodium dodecylsufate (SDS) addition on the oxidation of ethanol catalyzed by yeast alcohol dehydrogenase. Experiments were performed at pH = 8.1 and SDS concentrations employed were below and above the surfactant critical micelle concentration (CMC). The double reciprocal plots obtained in the absence and in the presence of the surfactant were compatible with a sequential bi-bi ordered mechanism. In the presence of the surfactant the initial reaction rates were consistently lower than in pure buffer at all the surfactant concentrations considered (0.5-50 mM). This effect is mainly due to an increase in the dissociation constant of beta-NAD(+) which reaches its maximum value (7,100 +/- 1,700 microM) at the CMC. Above the CMC the effect of the surfactant is mainly due to an increase in the Michaels constants of the alcohol, with values of 41 +/- 1 mM for 15 mM SDS and 50 +/- 1 mM for 50 mM SDS. The catalytic rate constant was found to be practically independent of the presence of the surfactant in the range of concentrations considered (up to 50 mM).

Competitive kinetics in free radical reactions of cinnamic acid derivatives. Influence of phenoxyl radicals reactions.

Relative rates of consumption of caffeic, ferulic and sinapic acids by 2,2'-azobis(2-amidine propane) derived peroxyl radicals has been measured in parallel experiments employing a single substrate and in competitive experiments. Rates of consumption measured in independent experiments at low substrate concentrations (first order limit) follow the order: sinapic > ferulic > caffeic. In agreement with this, in competitive experiments employing simultaneously sinapic and caffeic acid the former compound is consumed considerably faster. On the other hand, in competitive experiments employing ferulic and caffeic acids over a wide range of experimental conditions, caffeic acid is consumed considerably faster than ferulic acid, a result that contrasts with that obtained when both compounds are reacted independently. These apparently anomalous results are interpreted in terms of secondary reactions of the phenol-derived radicals. In particular, hydrogen transfer among phenoxyl radicals and the phenols and fast reactions (disproportionation) of caffeic acid derived radicals could explain these discrepancies.

Peroxynitrite oxidizes erythrocyte membrane band 3 protein and diminishes its anion transport capacity.

We describe an altered membrane band 3 protein-mediated anion transport in erythrocytes exposed to peroxynitrite, and relate the loss of anion transport to cell damage and to band 3 oxidative modifications. We found that peroxynitrite down-regulate anion transport in a dose dependent relation (100-300 micromoles/l). Hemoglobin oxidation was found at all peroxynitrite concentrations studied. A dose-dependent band 3 protein crosslinking and tyrosine nitration were also observed. Band 3 protein modifications were concomitant with a decrease in transport activity. ( - )-Epicatechin avoids band 3 protein nitration but barely affects its transport capacity, suggesting that both processes are unrelated. N-acetyl cysteine partially reverted the loss of band 3 transport capacity. It is concluded that peroxynitrite promotes a decrease in anion transport that is partially due to the reversible oxidation of band 3 cysteine residues. Additionally, band 3 tyrosine nitration seems not to be relevant for the loss of its anion transport capacity.

Sticholysins I and II interaction with cationic micelles promotes toxins' conformational changes and enhanced hemolytic activity.

The effect of three cationic surfactants bearing the same polar head group and different chain length (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB); tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB); dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB)) on the conformation and function of the sea anemone pore-forming toxins sticholysins I and II (St I and St II) was studied by fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy and evaluation of hemolytic activity (HA). Preincubation of the toxins with the longer chain surfactants CTAB and TTAB at concentrations slightly above their critical micelle concentration (CMC) leads to an enhancement of their HA. Significant increases in the fluorescence intensity with a slightly red shift in lambda(max) were observed at concentrations close to the surfactants' CMC, suggesting changes in the environment of the tryptophan residues. The changes in the fluorescence intensity are more noticeable and take place at lower surfactant concentrations for St I, irrespective of the surfactant alkyl chain length, although the differences between St I and St II increase as the surfactant alkyl chain length increases. This is evinced not only by the higher fluorescence intensity values and the lower surfactant concentrations required to reach them, but also by the higher acrylamide-quenching constant values (Ksv) for St I. However, the surfactant's effects on the toxins' HA were not found to be directly related to the observed changes in fluorescence intensity, as well as near- and far-UV-CD spectra. In particular, the latter spectra indicate that changes in HA and in fluorescence behavior take place without noticeable modifications in St I and St II secondary and tertiary structures. The results suggest that the interaction with the surfactants induces only subtle conformational changes in the toxins that favor the formation of lytic competent structures.