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Sequence-specific liquid crystallinity of collagen model peptides. I. Transmission electron microscopy studies of interfacial collagen gels.

The conformation, crystal structure and self-assembly behavior of three peptides with collagen-like repetitive sequences [(1) peptide GAPGPP: (Glu)(5)(Gly-Ala-Pro-Gly-Pro-Pro)(6)(Glu)(5); (2) peptide GVPGPP: (Glu)(5)(Gly-Val-Pro-Gly-Pro-Pro)(6)(Glu)(5); and (3) peptide GAPGPA: (Glu)(5)(Gly-Ala-Pro-Gly-Pro-Ala)(6)(Glu)(5)] were compared. The peptides were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, environmental scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform ir spectroscopy in order to determine how the molecular geometry dictated by each sequence affects the spontaneous generation of long-range ordered structures. Samples of each peptide, at ambient temperature and at 5 degrees C, were examined as films dried from aqueous solution, air-water interfacial films, and chloroform-water interfacial films. Peptide GAPGPP prepared at 5 degrees C and dried from bulk solution was found to have a collagen-like triple-helical structure. A sinusoidally textured gel, suggestive of cholesteric behavior was observed for peptides GAPGPP and GVPGPP at the aqueous chloroform interface at 5 degrees C. Peptide GAPGPA also formed a gel, but less reproducibly and the sinusoidal texture was not as well defined. The periodicities of the sinusoidal textures were reproducibly 10 microm for peptide GAPGPP, 7 microm for peptide GVPGPP, and 6 microm for peptide GAPGPA. The differences in the periodicity of the banded structure and in the crystallization behavior of the three peptides is attributed to differences in the symmetry of the preferred packing arrangement for each peptide, as evidenced by electron diffraction from crystallites that coexist with the sinusoidal gel. These differences are believed to be a measure of the effective symmetry and shape of the molecular cross section.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Direct imaging by cryo-TEM shows membrane break-up by phospholipase A2 enzymatic activity.

Phospholipid hydrolysis to free fatty acid and 1-lyso-phospholipid by water-soluble phospholipase A2 (PLA2) at the surface of lipid membranes exhibits a poorly understood transition from a low-activity lag phase to a burst regime of rapid hydrolysis. Understanding this kinetic phenomenon may increase our insight into the function of PLA2 under physiological conditions as well as into general interfacial catalysis. In the present study we apply for the first time cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to characterize the PLA2 hydrolysis of phospholipid vesicles with respect to changes in lipid composition and morphology. Our direct experimental results show that the initial reaction conditions are strongly perturbed during the course of hydrolysis. Most strikingly, cryo-TEM reveals that starting in the lag phase, vesicles become perforated and degrade into open vesicles, bilayer fragments, and micelles. This structural instability extends throughout the system in the activity burst regime. In agreement with earlier reported correlations between initial phospholipase activity and substrate morphology, our results suggest that the lag-burst phenomenon reflects a cascade process. The PLA2-induced changes in lipid composition transform the morphology which in turn results in an acceleration of the rate of hydrolysis because of a strong coupling between the PLA2 activity and the morphology of the lipid suspension.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

Three-channel transmission line impedance model for mesoscopic oxide electrodes functionalized with a conductive coating.

A three-channel transmission line (TL) impedance model is proposed to address the charge transport behavior of molecular functionalized mesoscopic oxide electrodes at different bias conditions. A full general solution of the three-channel TL for the system is provided in this paper. Selected experimental results of impedance spectroscopy of mesoscopic Al2O3 and TiO2 networks, covered with a monolayer of Ru complex cis-RuLL'(NCS)2 (L = 2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid, L' = 4,4'-dinonyl-2,2'-bipyridyl) (Z907), are briefly discussed. It shows that the model constitutes a useful tool for characterizing nanoporous electrodes functionalized with organic conducting layers in the surface. The model makes it possible to determine the separate conductivity of substrate oxide and molecular layer, and interfacial charge transfer, in the functionalized nanostructured electrodes.

Journal Article↗

The nature of the bone-implant interface. The lessons learned from implant retrieval and analysis in man and experimental animal.

The morphological appearances of the interface between the bone and the components of arthroplasties depend on multiple factors. Present-day biomaterials being biocompatible when in bulk form, a host reaction consequent upon untoward effects of the implants as such is not expected. Thus, osseointegration, i.e., the direct apposition of bone to the surface of a foreign material at the light microscopical level, occurs, under favorable biomechanical circumstances, irrespective of the chemical composition of the implant. Osseointegration is a multifaceted phenomenon. First and foremost, it evolves when an initially rigid fixation of the component is surgically attained. Interfacial motions are associated with resorption of the bony bed, macrophagic activation and production of wear particles, the close bone-implant apposition is lost and the formation of an interfacial membrane (IM) ensues. The histological features of the IM coincide with the context of its formation and evolution. The quiescent IM is composed of a thin layer of fibrous tissue and its occurrence is compatible with the biofunctionality of the implant. The aggressive or lytic IM (LIM) develops when tissue-irritating, small, irregularly shaped and edgy breakdown products are deposited at the interface. The thick LIM consists of an inflamed fibrous tissue, scattered within which are myriad granulomas, and its surface facing the implant displays a synovial-like aspect. The mono- and polykaryonic macrophages, constituting the granulomatous response, ingest and abut on the wear particles. Amongst the intermediary substances of inflammation elaborated by the lymphocytes and macrophages of the LIM, factors which stimulate the osteoclasts play the pivotal role in as much as progressive bone resorption is associated with progressive growth of the IM and, hence, with incremental interfacial motion, interfacial deposition of wear particles and inflammatory-granulomatous response. The ensuing vicious circle culminates in aseptic loosening of the arthroplasty. The morphological features of the LIM, though characterized by a stereotypical reaction pattern, are, in their details, closely linked with the nature of the diverse components of the composite joint replacement. The histological appearances of the bone-implant interface of stable and loose arthroplasties, the tissular reactions to polymethylmethacrylate, polyethylene, polyacetal, metals and hydroxyapatite as well as the characteristics of cemented and cementless porous-coated, press-fit and hydroxyapatite-coated prostheses are described.

Animals↗

Evidence that collagen and tendon have monolayer water coverage in the native state.

This paper investigates an alternative explanation for widely reported paradoxical intracellular water properties. The most frequent biological explanation assumes water structure extending multiple layers from surfaces of compactly folded macromolecules to explain large amounts of perturbed water. Long range water structuring, however, contradicts molecular models widely accepted by the scientific majority. This study questions whether the paradoxical cell water could result from larger than expected amounts of first layer interfacial water on internal protein surfaces rather than structured multilayers. Native mammalian tendon is selected for the study because (1) the organ consists of highly compact structures of a single macromolecular protein--collagen, (2) molecular structure and geometry of collagen is well characterized by X-ray diffraction, (3) molecular structure extends to the macroscopic tendon level and (4) perturbed water behavior similar to cellular water is reported on tendon. Native tendon holds 1.6 g water/g dry mass. The 62% native water content simulates the water content of many cell types. MicroCT studies of tendon dilatometry as a function of hydration are measured and correlated to X-ray diffraction measurements of interaxial separation. Correlations show that native tendon has sufficient water for only a single monolayer of interfacial water. Thus the paradoxical properties of water in native tendon are first-layer interfacial water properties. Similar water behavior on globular proteins suggests that paradoxical cell water behavior could be caused by larger than expected amounts of first layer interfacial water on internal and external macromolecular surfaces of cell components.

Animals↗

Dual specificity of the interfacial inhibitor brefeldin a for arf proteins and sec7 domains.

Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), which activate small GTP-binding proteins (SMG) by stimulating their GDP/GTP exchange, are emerging as candidate targets for the inhibition of cellular pathways involved in diseases. However, their specific inhibition by competitive inhibitors is challenging, because GEF and SMG families comprise highly similar members. Nature shows us an alternative strategy called interfacial inhibition, exemplified by Brefeldin A (BFA). BFA inhibits the activation of Arf1 by its GEFs in vivo by stabilizing an abortive complex between Arf-GDP and the catalytic Sec7 domain of some of its GEFs. Here we characterize the specificity of BFA toward wild-type (ARNO and BIG1) and mutant Sec7 domains and toward class I, II, and III Arfs. We find that BFA sensitivity of the exchange reaction depends on the nature of both the Sec7 domain and the Arf protein. A single Phe/Tyr substitution is sufficient to achieve BFA sensitivity of the Sec7 domain, which is supported by our characterization of brefeldin C (BFC), a BFA analog that cannot interact with the Tyr residue, and by free energy computations. We further show that Arf1 and Arf5, but not Arf6, are BFA-sensitive, despite their having every BFA-interacting residue in common. Analysis of Arf6 mutants points to the dynamics of the interswitch, which is involved in membrane-to-nucleotide signal propagation, as contributing to, although not sufficient for, BFA sensitivity. Altogether, our results reveal the Tyr/Phe substitution as a novel tool for monitoring BFA sensitivity of cellular ArfGEFs and document the exquisite and dual specificity that can be achieved by an interfacial inhibitor.

ADP-Ribosylation Factors↗

Finite-size thermomechanical effects in smectic liquid crystals: The vapor pressure paradox as an anharmonic phenomenon.

We pursue a systematic statistical mechanics study of finite smectic stacks of semiflexible manifolds bounded by interfaces under tension. We address, by analytic calculations and Monte Carlo simulations, the effects of the surface tension on smectic interlayer distances. We use our theoretical results to elucidate the so called vapor pressure paradox (VPP) in multilamellar membrane phases and explain the experiments of Katsaras [Biophys. J. 73, 2924 (1997); 75, 2157 (1998)]. We show that the effects of the interfacial tension are substantially weaker than suggested by the previous theoretical discussion of the VPP effects [R. Podgornik and V. A. Parsegian, Biophys. J. 72, 942 (1997)]. By consistently taking into account the discrete, layered character of smectic liquid crystals, and anharmonic phonon effects, we show that the essence of VPP effects is in spatially nonuniform thermal expansion of smectic interlayer separations. We find that the average period of the whole finite stack can be both smaller (ordinary VPP effect at high enough interfacial tensions) or bigger (a reverse VPP effect at low interfacial tensions, overlooked in previous studies), relative to the average period of the corresponding infinite smectic stack. Looking at stacks from outside, these two effects show up as if there is an attractive (for the ordinary VPP effect), or repulsive (for the reverse VPP effect) pseudo-Casimir force acting between the two stack interfaces. We show however that the physics of VPP effects is obscured by schematically invoking Casimir-like forces. Rather, the ordinary and the reverse VPP effects are to be both characterized as thermomechanical anharmonic effects caused by a spatially nonuniform thermal expansion of smectic interlayer distances. Interlayer distances close to stack surfaces expand less (more) for the ordinary (reverse) VPP effect than those deep in the stack. The reverse VPP prevails at low interfacial tensions, simply because the membrane at the top of the stack is more free to fluctuate than membranes in the bulk. By increasing interfacial tension above a threshold value, fluctuations of the membrane at the stack top become suppressed, and the ordinary VPP effect prevails. In this study, we demonstrate that finite-size VPP effects in a strongly entropic system, such as the sterically stabilized lamellar phases, can be described quantitatively well by a simple analytic approach.

Cell Membrane↗

Development and characterization of different low methoxy pectin microcapsules by an emulsion-interface reaction technique.

In the controlled release area, biodegradable microcapsules are one of the most useful devices to deliver materials in an effective, prolonged and safe manner. A new charged film microcapsular carrier system, using three different pectins, is described. The study utilized pectin microcapsules prepared by two encapsulation mechanisms of interfacial reaction explored through interaction of charged droplet-oil-anionic surfactant-calcium or oil-cationic surfactant with negatively charged pectin. A method for drug encapsulation was developed based on the type of pectin, surfactants and emulsification technique. Both types of surfactant, anionic sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and cationic benzalkonium chloride (BzACl) promoted polymer film formation on the oil droplet surfaces, probably through cross-linking and electrostatic interaction, respectively. Microcapsules consisting of pectin as shell and hydrophobic oil as core were characterized. The resulting microcapsules were relatively small particles (d< 3 microm), had high total particle number, specific surface area and drug encapsulation efficiency. They also demonstrated good stability with minimum particle aggregation. Correlation between physicochemical and drug release kinetic parameters were investigated with regard to the effect of pectin macromolecular structure and nature of surfactant used as a counterion in the manufacturing of microcapsules. The release rate of the encapsulated material (prednisolone) in three microcapsules can be controlled by manipulating the conformational flexibility of pectins in the presence of different counterions. As a result, biodegradable pectin microcapsules offer a novel approach for developing sustained release drug delivery systems that have potential for colonic drug delivery.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Interfacial enzymology of parvovirus phospholipases A2.

The capsid of parvoviruses proteins were recently shown to contain secreted phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2))-like activity that is required during host cell entry. Parvoviral PLA(2) domains have little sequence identity with sPLA(2)s and lack disulfide bonds. In the present study, after bacterial expression and purification, the biochemical characterizations of these first PLA(2)s identified in viruses have been investigated, and a comparison has been made with other known PLA(2)s. The specific activities of three viral PLA(2)s differed by 3 orders of magnitude, with porcine parvovirus PLA(2) displaying a specific activity similar to that of the most active sPLA(2)s (e.g. human group IIA) and the human AAV2 and B19 parvoviral enzymes displaying approximately 10(3) lower specific activities (similar to human sPLA(2) groups IIE and XIIA). These differences were not caused by weaker Ca(2+) or interfacial binding. The specific activities of the viral PLA(2)s on zwitterionic or anionic phospholipid vesicles were comparable. The viral PLA(2)s did not display a preference for unsaturated versus saturated sn-2 fatty acyl chains and hydrolyzed all major classes of glycero-phospholipids except phosphatidylinositol. Incubation of mammalian cells with porcine parvovirus PLA(2) led to the release of arachidonic acid into the culture medium. Interestingly, among nine previously known sPLA(2) inhibitors, only a subset showed inhibition of the viral PLA(2)s and with weak potency, indicating that the active sites of these new enzymes are structurally distinct from those of sPLA(2)s. Based on these distinct enzymatic and structural properties, we propose to classify the parvovirus PLA(2)s within the PLA(2) superfamily as group XIII enzymes.

Animals↗

Nanostructured hybrid materials from aqueous polymer dispersions.

Organic-inorganic (O-I) hybrids with well-defined morphology and structure controlled at the nanometric scale represent a very interesting class of materials both for their use as biomimetic composites and because of their potential use in a wide range of technologically advanced as well as more conventional application fields. Their unique features can be exploited or their role envisaged as components of electronic and optoelectronic devices, in controlled release and bioencapsulation, as active substrates for chromatographic separation and catalysis, as nanofillers for composite films in packaging and coating, in nanowriting and nanolithography, etc. A synergistic combination or totally new properties with respect to the two components of the hybrid can arise from nanostructuration, achieved by surface modification of nanostructures, self-assembling or simply heterophase dispersion. In fact, owing to the extremely large total surface area associated with the resulting morphologies, the interfacial interactions can deeply modify the bulk properties of each component. A wide range of starting materials and of production processes have been studied in recent years for the controlled synthesis and characterization of hybrid nanostructures, from nanoparticle or lamellar dispersions to mesoporous materials obtained from templating nanoparticle dispersions in a continuous, e.g. ceramic precursor, matrix. This review is aimed at giving some basic definitions of what is intended as a hybrid (O-I) material and what are the main synthetic routes available. The various methods for preparing hybrid nanostructures and, among them, inorganic-organic or O-I core-shell nanoparticles, are critically analyzed and classified based on the reaction medium (aqueous, non-aqueous), and on the role it plays in directing the final morphology. Particular attention is devoted to aqueous systems and water-borne dispersions which, in addition to being environmentally more acceptable or even a mandatory choice for any future development of large output applications (e.g. in paint, ink and coating industry), can provide the thermodynamic drive for self-assembling of amphiphilics, adsorption onto colloidal particles or partitioning of the hybrid's precursors between dispersed nanosized reaction loci, as in emulsion or miniemulsion free-radical polymerization. While nanoencapsulation and self-assembling processes are already exploited as commercially viable fabrication methods, a newly developed technique based on two-stage sol-gel and free-radical emulsion polymerization is described, which can grant a versatile synthetic approach to hybrid O-I nanoparticles with tailor-made composition of both the organic core and the silica or organosilica shell, and good control on morphology, size and heterophase structure in the 50-500 nm range. Styrene or acrylate homo- and copolymer core latex particles need to be modified with a reactive comonomer, such as trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate, to achieve efficient interfacial coupling with the inorganic shell. Accurate control over pH and process conditions is required to avoid latex coagulation or, in case of organic particles with uniform composition, incipient intraparticle crosslinking.

Journal Article↗

Periodic arrays of interfacial cylindrical reverse micelles.

We report an approach for the fabrication of periodic molecular nanostructures on surfaces. The approach involves biomimetic self-organization of synthetic wedge-shaped amphiphilic molecules into multilayer arrays of cylindrical reverse micelles. The films were characterized by atomic force microscopy and X-ray reflectivity. These nanostructured films self-assemble in solution but remain stable upon removal and exposure to ambient conditions, making them potentially suitable for a variety of dry pattern transfer methods. We illustrate the generality of this approach by using two distinct molecular systems that vary in size by a factor of 2.

Letter↗

The interaction of fetuin with phosphatidylcholine monolayers. Characterization of a lipoprotein membrane system suitable for the attachment of myxoviruses.

1. An artificial membrane system was formed by spreading at air/water and oil/water interfaces, by using phosphatidylcholine and the glycoprotein fetuin (mol.wt. 48400). 2. The plot of increase of interfacial pressure against amount of protein added beneath a monomolecular film of phosphatidylcholine showed two discontinuities, corresponding to the completion of two distinct layers of protein: (a) largely denatured and closely associated with the polar head groups of phosphatidylcholine, possibly with penetration of non-polar protein groups between the phosphatidylcholine molecules and (b) an additional adsorbed layer of substantially native fetuin in either a close-packed or open-lattice array. A more compactly organized membrane was apparently formed at pH7.4 with 1mm-Mg(2+) in the aqueous phase than without Mg(2+); at 15mm-Mg(2+), more random adsorption of protein appeared to take place. Qualitatively similar results were obtained at pH5.1 with 1mm-Mg(2+). Closer initial packing of the phosphatidylcholine layer decreased both the magnitude of the interfacial pressure change and the amounts of protein bound in the two layers. 3. The amount of N-acetylneuraminic acid released by neuraminidase (EC 3.2.1.18) in the subphase was measured at pH5.1; a mean distribution of 9.7x10(13) residues/cm(2) was calculated for the completed second protein layer.

Adsorption↗

Experiments of interfacial roughening in Hele-Shaw flows with weak quenched disorder.

We have studied the kinetic roughening of an oil-air interface in a forced imbibition experiment in a horizontal Hele-Shaw cell with quenched disorder. Different disorder configurations, characterized by their persistence length in the direction of growth, have been explored by varying the average interface velocity v and the gap spacing b. Through the analysis of the rms width as a function of time, we have measured a growth exponent beta approximately 0.5 that is almost independent of the experimental parameters. The analysis of the roughness exponent alpha through the power spectrum has shown different behaviors at short (alpha(1)) and long (alpha(2)) length scales, separated by a crossover wave number q(c). The values of the measured roughness exponents depend on experimental parameters, but at large velocities we obtain alpha(1) approximately 1.3 independently of the disorder configuration. The dependence of the crossover wave number with the experimental parameters has also been investigated, measuring q(c) approximately v(0.47) for the shortest persistence length, in agreement with theoretical predictions.

Journal Article↗

Actinide sequestration using self-assembled monolayers on mesoporous supports.

Surfactant templated synthesis of mesoporous ceramics provides a versatile foundation upon which to create high efficiency environmental sorbents. These nanoporous ceramic oxides condense a huge amount of surface area into a very small volume. The ceramic oxide interface is receptive to surface functionalization through molecular self-assembly. The marriage of mesoporous ceramics with self-assembled monolayer chemistry creates a powerful new class of environmental sorbent materials called self-assembled monolayers on mesoporous supports (SAMMS). These SAMMS materials are highly efficient sorbents whose interfacial chemistry can be fine-tuned to selectively sequester a specific target species, such as heavy metals, tetrahedral oxometalate anions, and radionuclides. Details addressing the design, synthesis, and characterization of SAMMS materials specifically designed to sequester actinides, of central importance to the environmental cleanup necessary after 40 years of weapons-grade plutonium production, as well as evaluation of their binding affinities and kinetics are presented.

Actinoid Series Elements↗

Quasi-reversible faradaic depolarization processes in the electrokinetics of the metal/solution interface.

Bipolar faradaic depolarization of the metal/solution interface is quantitatively analyzed for the case where the solution is subject to lateral flow and contains a quasi-reversible redox couple. Transversal convective diffusion of the electroactive species and a position-dependent degree of reversibility of the interfacial electron-transfer (e.t.) reaction are among the primary features that govern depolarization. The spatial distributions of species concentrations and electric potential are numerically simulated. The system is characterized by nonlinear coupling between the transport (diffusion and flow) and the electric potential distribution under conditions of finite local currents. The resulting picture is that the reversibility of the e.t. reaction varies with position on the surface, with the highest reversibility downstream. This, in itself, generally leads to strongly asymmetric profiles of the faradaic current density along the surface. The impact on the electrokinetic properties of the interface is huge. For example, the steady-state streaming potential is depressed by the contribution from the bipolar faradaic process to the back current to an extent that varies from insignificant to complete, depending on the e.t. rate constant and concentrations of the electroactive species.

Journal Article↗

Interfacial indazolization: novel chemical evidence for remarkably high exo-surface pH of cationic liposomes used in gene transfection.

Cationic liposomes are used as the carriers of polyanionic genes for combating against hereditary diseases in gene therapy. Studies directed to careful biophysical characterizations of the cationic liposomes commonly used in gene delivery have just begun. Herein, we report on a novel liposomal exo-surface bound indazolization reaction of an amphiphilic arenediazonium salt as evidence for the existence of remarkably alkaline exo-surface of cationic liposomes commonly used in gene transfection. Our results demonstrate that formation of 5-hexadecyl-7-methylindazole in thermal indazolization of 2,6-dimethyl-4-hexadecylbenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate bound to liposome surface is a strong indication for the existence of significantly high exo-surface pH for cationic liposomes commonly used in gene delivery. The present method can be used in determining the relative exo-surface basicities of various cationic liposomes used in gene transfection and subsequently to find any possible correlation between the transfection efficiencies of these liposomes and their exo-surface basicities.

Azo Compounds↗

Hierarchical assembly of SnO2 nanorod arrays on alpha-Fe2O3 nanotubes: a case of interfacial lattice compatibility.

SnO2 nanorod arrays were hierarchically assembled onto the surface of alpha-Fe2O3 nanotubes via a facile solution method. Determined by the hexagonal geometrical nature of the alpha-Fe2O3 nanotubes, the heterostructures were of 6-fold symmetry. HRTEM characterizations demonstrated that the lattice mismatch at the interface was an important factor in determining the growth direction of the secondary nanorod arrays.

Journal Article↗

Interfacial oxidations of pure titanium and titanium alloys with investments.

External oxides of a commercially pure titanium (cpTi), Ti6Al4V alloy, and an experimental beta-type titanium alloy (Ti 53.4 wt%, Nb 29 wt%, Ta 13 wt%, and Zr 4.6 wt%) were characterized after heating to 600, 900, 1150, and 1400 degrees C in contact with three types of investments (alumina cement, magnesia cement, and phosphate-bonded) in air. XRD studies demonstrated that MgO, Li2TiO3 and/or Li2Ti3O7 were formed through reactions with the metal and the constituents in the magnesia cement-investment after heating to 900, 1150, and 1400 degrees C. Except for these conditions, TiO2 (rutile) was only formed on cpTi. For titanium alloys, the other components apart from Ti also formed simple and complex oxides such as Al2O3 and Al2TiO5 on Ti6Al4V, and Zr0.25Ti0.75Nb2O7 on the beta-type titanium alloy. However, no oxides containing V or Ta were formed. These results suggest that the constituents of titanium alloys reacted with the investment oxides and atmospheric oxygen to form external oxides due to the free energy of oxide formation and the concentration of each element on the metal surface.

Alloys↗