The thermodynamics and the driving forces of the adsorption of beta-lactoglobulin on spherical polyelectrolyte brushes (SPB) are investigated by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The SPB consist of a polystyrene core onto which long chains of poly(styrene sulfonate) are grafted. Adsorption isotherms are obtained from measurements by ITC. The analysis by ITC shows clearly that the adsorption process is solely driven by entropy while DeltaH > 0. This finding is in accordance with the proposed mechanism of counterion release: Patches of positive charges on the surface of the proteins become multivalent counterions of the polyelectrolyte chains, thereby releasing the counterions of the protein and the polyelectrolyte. A simple statistical-mechanical model fully corroborates the proposed mechanism. The present analysis shows clearly the fundamental importance of counterion release for protein adsorption on charged interfaces and charged polymeric layers.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ja909938c | DOI Listing |
J Chem Phys
December 2024
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
We theoretically investigate how the intranuclear environment influences the charge of a nucleosome core particle (NCP)-the fundamental unit of chromatin consisting of DNA wrapped around a core of histone proteins. The molecular-based theory explicitly considers the size, shape, conformation, charge, and chemical state of all molecular species-thereby linking the structural state with the chemical/charged state of the system. We investigate how variations in monovalent and divalent salt concentrations, as well as pH, affect the charge distribution across different regions of an NCP and quantify the impact of charge regulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Physiol
December 2024
Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Introduction: Intracellular Ca signalling regulates membrane permeabilities, enzyme activity, and gene transcription amongst other functions. Large transmembrane Ca electrochemical gradients and low diffusibility between cell compartments potentially generate short-lived, localised, high-[Ca] microdomains. The highest concentration domains likely form between closely apposed membranes, as at amphibian skeletal muscle transverse tubule-sarcoplasmic reticular (T-SR, triad) junctions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDrug Deliv Transl Res
December 2024
Thiomatrix Forschungs- Und Beratungs GmbH, Trientlgasse 65, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
The aim of this study was to develop an alternative strategy to sufficiently increase the lipophilicity of anionic model macromolecules (MM) without the use of cationic counterions. Enoxaparin (ENO), insulin (INS) and poly-L-glutamic acid (PLG) were ion paired with anionic surfactants (sodium decanoate (DEC), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium stearate (SS) and sodium octadecyl sulfate (SOS)), mediated by divalent cations such as magnesium, calcium and zinc. Complexes were evaluated regarding their precipitation efficiency and logD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Phys Chem B
December 2024
Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin 14195, Germany.
The interaction of unfractionated heparin (UFH) with universal heparin reversal agent 7 (UHRA-7) is investigated. UHRA-7 is composed of a hyperbranched polyglycerol core onto which an array of methylated tris(2-aminoethylamine) (Me-TREN) charged groups is grafted, which in turn are shielded with a layer of small chain poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (mPEG) chains. This system has previously been shown to be biocompatible and to be effective at neutralizing heparin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomacromolecules
December 2024
Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
Polyelectrolytes offer unique properties for biological applications due to their charged nature and high water solubility. Here, the challenges in their synthesis and characterization techniques are reviewed, emphasizing that their strong interactions with the surrounding media and counterions must be considered when working with this interesting class of materials. Their potential in complexation for gene delivery, their unique stealth and anti-fouling properties, and their more specific interactions with amino acid transporters for cancer therapy are highlighted.
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