Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zigmantas Toleikis, Mantas Ziaunys, Lina Baranauskiene, Vytautas Petrauskas, Kristaps Jaudzems, Vytautas Smirnovas
Summary: The presence of S100A9 alters the aggregation kinetics of alpha-synuclein and stabilizes a specific amyloid fibril structure. The ionic strength of the solution influences the interaction between S100A9 and alpha-synuclein, stabilizing a different structure of alpha-synuclein fibrils.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mian Zhong, Xin Dai, Hongxing Xiang, Bingwei Liu, Xin Zhao, Dongshan Wei, Xiaoguang Tu, Zhihao Wang, Yan Gong, Yajun Xu, Mingxia He
Summary: By doping reduced graphene oxide into epoxy resin, a composite coating with excellent mechanical and electrical properties can be obtained. Characterization techniques such as Raman spectrum testing and X-ray diffractometer can effectively confirm the physical properties of the composite coating, while terahertz spectroscopy analysis reveals the spectral characteristics of the composite coating.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthew D. Watson, Jennifer C. Lee
Summary: Vibrational spectroscopies have become important methods for studying amyloid diseases due to their ability to extract rich structural information without large probes. The incorporation of unnatural vibrational probes can enhance sensitivity for secondary structure determination and provide additional information for cellular studies.
CURRENT OPINION IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wujoon Cha, Chaejeong Heo, Sanghyub Lee, Seok Joon Yun, Byeong Wook Cho, Taewoo Ha, Young Hee Lee
Summary: Charge transfer during the fibrillization of A ss proteins was investigated using Raman spectroscopy. The study revealed that small A ss monomers withdraw electrons, while fibrils donate electrons to graphene and molybdenum disulfide. Oligomers undergo transient charge states near the neutrality point.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mikhail Matveyenka, Stanislav Rizevsky, Dmitry Kurouski
Summary: Lipid bilayers play a crucial role in the pathological assembly of amyloidogenic proteins and peptides, and unsaturated phospholipids catalyze the formation of more toxic amyloid aggregates.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Laura Kronlachner, Johannes Frank, Erwin Rosenberg, Andreas Limbeck
Summary: Polymeric composite materials are increasingly important due to their versatility and adaptability. Current analysis methods cannot provide the necessary information on both organic and elemental constituents. This study presents a novel approach using laser ablation and concurrent measurements with EI-MS and ICP-OES to directly characterize the main components of solid polymer samples.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Mohamed O. Amin, Entesar Al-Hetlani, Igor K. Lednev
Summary: Fingermark analysis is a key tool in criminal investigation, and the biochemical composition of FMs has attracted considerable attention as a vital source of forensic evidence. Vibrational spectroscopy is used to better understand the chemistry of latent FMs and improve detection methods. The article critically reviews the advances in FM analysis using vibrational spectroscopic techniques over the past 10 years, highlighting current limitations and discussing ways to overcome them to support the development of FM analysis techniques meeting modern forensic science requirements.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Angela Capocefalo, Tanja Deckert-Gaudig, Francesco Brasili, Paolo Postorino, Volker Deckert
Summary: This study investigates the role of gold nanoparticles in degrading amyloid fibrils and reveals molecular mechanisms using high-resolution Raman spectroscopy, providing important insights for understanding amyloid fibrils and potential implications for developing strategies to prevent and treat amyloid-related diseases.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ana Borba, Andrea Gomez-Zavaglia
Summary: Infrared spectroscopy is a powerful yet underutilized technique in the field of Food Science and Technology. This review highlights the available approaches for analyzing the physical and chemical properties of food products and ingredients using infrared spectroscopy, including macromolecules and changes resulting from processing and storage. The use of infrared spectroscopy should be encouraged for rapid and accurate determinations in both academic and industrial contexts.
CURRENT OPINION IN FOOD SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Faisal Mustafa Mir, Bilqees Bano
Summary: This study demonstrates that the conformation, activity, and fibril formation of the cysteine protease inhibitor from buffalo liver are affected by the presence of TFE under low pH conditions. TFE stabilizes the acid-induced intermediates and accelerates fibril formation, highlighting the significant impact of solvent conditions on the tendency of liver cystatin to produce fibrils and aggregation.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Walker Peterson, Julia Gala de Pablo, Matthew Lindley, Kotaro Hiramatsu, Keisuke Goda
Summary: Broadband Raman spectroscopy is a valuable tool for understanding samples via label-free measurements of their molecular vibrations. The chemically specific fingerprint and low-frequency or terahertz regions are highly complementary, and simultaneous measurement of both regions provides comprehensive information about molecular structures and interactions. By using Sagnac-enhanced impulsive stimulated Raman scattering and Fourier-transform coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering for dual-detection, we have achieved ultrafast broadband Raman spectroscopy covering both THz and fingerprint regions.
ADVANCED PHOTONICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Xing, Jing Li, Jingjing Yang, Junyi Li, Weiyi Pang, Francis L. Martin, Li Xu
Summary: This study used spectrochemical techniques to investigate the cytotoxicity of nanoplastics with different surface charges in HepG2 cells. The results showed that all three types of nanoplastics caused biomolecular alterations in cells, affecting cellular lipids, proteins, amino acids, and genetic material. Surface modifications were found to lead to cellular biochemical changes and adverse biological effects, with PS-NH2 exhibiting higher toxicity compared to PS or PS-COOH.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mirjam Hofmaier, Mikhail Malanin, Eva Bittrich, Sarah Lentz, Birgit Urban, Thomas Scheibel, Andreas Fery, Martin Mueller
Summary: By studying blend films of silk proteins, researchers investigated the molecular folding process and revealed the formation and orientation of filament-like structures in these films. They also compared the similarities between silk proteins and spider silk proteins.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Han-Zhang Mou, Cong-Lin Zhao, Juan Song, Lei Xing, Hong-Yuan Chen, Jing-Juan Xu
Summary: In this study, the effect of ambient temperature on the in vitro self-assembly of a globular protein was investigated. The kinetics of protein aggregation and the conformational changes of the protein structure with different ambient temperatures were described. The results suggest that the ambient temperature should be considered in mechanism research on protein fibrillation for accurate comparative analysis.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qiuqi Zhang, Lei Zhao, Guoliang Qi, Xiaoru Zhang, Cheng Tian
Summary: The coronavirus pandemic poses a significant threat to human health, and early detection and prevention of further escalation are of utmost importance. The current method of sample collection and RNA testing using the nasopharyngeal swab method and real-time polymerase chain reaction has limitations. Optical techniques, such as optical sensing, spectroscopy, and imaging, show promise in virus detection due to their speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. This mini review summarizes the development of vibrational spectroscopy techniques for the detection of the SARS-CoV family, highlighting their advantages and future possibilities in the field of photonics-based devices for COVID-19 detection.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sara Anselmo, Salvatore Cataldo, Tiziana Avola, Giuseppe Sancataldo, Maria Cristina D'Oca, Tiziana Fiore, Nicola Muratore, Michelangelo Scopelliti, Alberto Pettignano, Valeria Vetri
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of protein particulates as adsorbents for removing Pb2+ ions from aqueous solution. The research reveals the complexity of adsorption mechanisms, influenced by factors such as pH, ionic medium, ionic strength, and temperature.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mai Bay Stie, Kleopatra Kalouta, Valeria Vetri, Vito Fodera
Summary: Protein-based materials are widely used in biomedical fields due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and versatility. This review provides an overview of the current scientific knowledge on protein-based materials and reviews selected preclinical and clinical studies, focusing on non-invasive and minimally invasive strategies for topical application.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sara Anselmo, Giuseppe De Luca, Vittorio Ferrara, Bruno Pignataro, Giuseppe Sancataldo, Valeria Vetri
Summary: Creatinine level is an important indicator for monitoring vital functions and evaluating dysfunctions in the human body. Fluorescence-based and colorimetric sensors are affordable, sensitive, and easy to read, making them the best alternatives for creatinine detection. The fluorescein-Au3+ complex has been shown to be a rapid, selective, and sensitive tool for quantifying creatinine concentrations in sweat and urine.
METHODS AND APPLICATIONS IN FLUORESCENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Maria Agnese Morando, Francesca Venturella, Martina Sollazzo, Elisa Monaca, Raffaele Sabbatella, Valeria Vetri, Rosa Passantino, Annalisa Pastore, Caterina Alfano
Summary: The solution structure of Pvfp-5 beta provides molecular insights into the adhesion of Asian green mussels on wet surfaces, which has potential applications in medicine, biomaterials, and tissue engineering. The Pvfp-5 beta protein has a stable folded structure with EGF motifs and differs from computational models for the relative orientation of the EGF modules. The ability of Pvfp-5 beta to coacervate even without DOPA modification contributes to the understanding of adhesive mussel proteins and biomaterial development.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Veronica Stopponi, Federica Piccirilli, Annalisa D'Arco, Rostislav Hrubiak, Stefano Lupi, Vincenzo Stagno
Summary: The vibrational properties of CO2-H2O-bearing and dry synthetic K-rich basaltic glasses were investigated using in-situ reflectance and transmittance Fourier Transform infrared micro-spectroscopy under different pressures. The results show that the glasses are mainly composed of Q2 aluminosilicate units, followed by Q1 and Q3. The concentration of Qn units changes with pressure, indicating polymerization of the glasses. The presence of CO2 and H2O prevents the formation of fully polymerized connections during compression.
JOURNAL OF NON-CRYSTALLINE SOLIDS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luisa Affatigato, Mariano Licciardi, Alessandra Bonamore, Annalisa Martorana, Alessio Incocciati, Alberto Boffi, Valeria Militello
Summary: In this study, HumAfFt was successfully used as a coating material for SPIONs to create a new magnetic nanocarrier capable of distinguishing cancer cells from normal cells. The preferential uptake capacity of cancer cells towards HumAfFt-SPIONs was demonstrated in vitro.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luisa Affatigato, Alice Sciortino, Giuseppe Sancataldo, Alessio Incocciati, Roberta Piacentini, Alessandra Bonamore, Marco Cannas, Fabrizio Messina, Mariano Licciardi, Valeria Militello
Summary: Ferritin nanoparticles modified with a lanthanide binding tag (LBT) have the potential to be used for targeted drug delivery due to their ability to specifically bind the transferrin receptor (TfR1, or CD71). In this study, the interaction between the engineered ferritin nanoparticle (HFt-LBT) and Eu3+ ions was investigated, revealing the Eu3+ energy states involved in the process. This provides valuable information for the future use of HFt-LBT Eu3+ complex in theranostics.
PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Spectroscopy
Asmaa Salman, Stefano Lupi, Lisa Vaccari, Federica Piccirilli, May M. Eid
Summary: Core-shell nanoparticles, particularly as multimodal for medical applications, have been extensively studied due to their combined optical and magnetic properties. Tuning the shape and size of the nanoparticles greatly affects their properties and applications. In a previous study, the toxicity of a specific core-shell nano-composite was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo, and the results showed a safe dose. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the nanoparticles at sub-cytotoxic concentrations on the biochemical profile of immune organs.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Andolfi, Roberta Meschini, Silvia Filippi, Diana E. Bedolla, Federica Piccirilli, Maria Lepore, Ines Delfino
Summary: The study examined the biomechanical and biochemical properties of hydrated fixed nuclei isolated from neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells irradiated by 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy X-ray doses using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and micro-FTIR. The results showed that even at a 2 Gy radiation dose, the nuclei exhibited DNA damage, alterations in lipid saturation, protein secondary structure arrangement, and a significant decrease in nuclear stiffness, indicating chromatin decondensation. The use of a multi-technique approach was helpful in understanding the effects of X-ray irradiation on nuclear components.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENERAL SUBJECTS
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Krzysztof Szymonski, Ewelina Lipiec, Kamila Sofinska, Katarzyna Skirlinska-Nosek, Michal Czaja, Sara Seweryn, Natalia Wilkosz, Giovanni Birarda, Federica Piccirilli, Lisa Vaccari, Lukasz Chmura, Joanna Szpor, Dariusz Adamek, Marek Szymonski
Summary: Knowledge about the biology of pancreatic cancer has been growing, but the survival rate of patients has not greatly improved. This study used molecular imaging techniques and a convolutional neural network (CNN) to investigate the biochemical composition of pancreatic cancer tissue and successfully differentiate different groups of pancreatic tumors.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vittorio Ferrara, Marco Marchetti, Domenico Alfieri, Lorenzo Targetti, Michelangelo Scopelliti, Bruno Pignataro, Francesco Pavone, Valeria Vetri, Giuseppe Sancataldo
Summary: The use of photocatalysis activated by titanium dioxide nanostructured materials has great potential in various biomedical applications. This study investigated the effects of nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide dispersed in a biocompatible chitosan/PEG hydrogel on protein structures. The results showed the composite material's efficiency in inducing damages on biomolecules under blue light illumination.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Anselmo, Giuseppe Sancataldo, Concetta Baiamonte, Giuseppe Pizzolanti, Valeria Vetri
Summary: Continuous progress has been made in the development of new molecules for therapeutic purposes, driven by the need to overcome challenges in molecular stability, biocompatibility, and cellular uptake. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have emerged as promising tools for drug delivery and antimicrobial/anticancer activity. This study focuses on the analysis of the interactions between the peptide Transportan 10 (TP10) and cancer cell-derived giant plasma membrane vesicles (GPMVs) to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in cellular uptake and cytotoxic effects.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ragna Guldsmed Diedrichsen, Valeria Vetri, Sylvain Prevost, Vito Fodera, Hanne Morck Nielsen
Summary: The cell-penetrating peptide penetratin and its analogues shuffle and penetramax have been investigated for their potential as carrier peptides for oral drug delivery. Through advanced biophysical techniques, it was found that these peptides induced liposome clustering, with distinctively different types of membrane interactions observed. Furthermore, these interactions did not disrupt the liposomes, making them advantageous for drug delivery applications. This detailed insight into peptide-membrane interactions is crucial for understanding the mechanism of peptide-based excipients and the influence of peptide sequence modifications.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Miriam Marchi, Edoardo Raciti, Sai Manoj Gali, Federica Piccirilli, Hendrik Vondracek, Arianna Actis, Enrico Salvadori, Cristian Rosso, Alejandro Criado, Carmine D'Agostino, Luke Forster, Daniel Lee, Alexandre C. Foucher, Rajeev Kumar Rai, David Beljonne, Eric A. Stach, Mario Chiesa, Roberto Lazzaroni, Giacomo Filippini, Maurizio Prato, Michele Melchionna, Paolo Fornasiero
Summary: The manipulation of carbon nitride (CN) structures through microwave treatment enhances the activity of CN-based photocatalysts for Ni dual photocatalysis. This approach improves the efficiency of C-X (X = N, S, O) couplings in organic synthesis reactions. The formation of carbon vacancies and subsequent evolution into triazole and imine N species play a crucial role in the enhanced reactivity of the material.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Alice Caldiroli, Sara Cappelletti, Giovanni Birarda, Alberto Redaelli, Stefania Adele Riboldi, Chiaramaria Stani, Lisa Vaccari, Federica Piccirilli
Summary: In this study, infrared scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (IR s-SNOM) and imaging, attenuated total reflection (ATR) IR imaging, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to analyze the chemical composition of fibers in hybrid electrospun meshes. The research focused on a bio-hybrid material named Silkothane®, which is a nanofibrous matrix produced from a silk fibroin-polyurethane (SFPU) blend through electrospinning for vascular tissue engineering applications. The nanoscale resolution of IR s-SNOM allowed for successful characterization of the morphology and chemistry of single fibers at both surface and subsurface levels. The findings revealed that SF and PU do not co-aggregate to form hybrid fibers at the length scale of hundreds of nanometers and suggested the presence of subdomains other than fibrillar structures. This study demonstrated the potential of IR s-SNOM as a valuable technique for understanding the chemistry of nanostructured materials and supporting their production and engineering.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hsiao-Chieh Tsai, Ching-Hong Huang, Ling-Hsien Tu
Summary: Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is a polypeptide hormone co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta-cells. It tends to aggregate into soluble oligomers, which are considered one of the hallmarks of type II diabetes. This study successfully grafted the aggregation-induced emission molecule TPE onto IAPP, allowing real-time monitoring of IAPP oligomer formation and potential application in the diagnosis of T2D.
BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aristeidis Papagiannopoulos, Aggeliki Sklapani, Nikolaos Spiliopoulos
Summary: This study presents a method for preparing Hb-based nanoparticles (NPs) using a fully biocompatible approach. These NPs have a spherical structure with a diameter ranging from 50 to 100 nm, and can form electrostatic complexes with CS at pH 4. The NPs can be pH-tunable and stable in solutions with high salt content, making them suitable for nanodelivery of nutrients and drugs.
BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrey V. Struts, Alexander V. Barmasov, Steven D. E. Fried, Kushani S. K. Hewage, Suchithranga M. D. C. Perera, Michael F. Brown
Summary: This article summarizes and reviews the osmotic stress studies of G-protein-coupled receptor rhodopsin. It is found that water plays an important role in the activation of the receptor, with at least 80 water molecules entering the receptor in the transition to the active state. If water influx is prevented, the functional transition of the receptor is reversed. These findings reveal the phenomenon of solvent swelling in the activation mechanism of rhodopsin, with water acting as an allosteric modulator of function for rhodopsin-like receptors in lipid membranes.
BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Chiara Saija, Adela Melcrova, Wojciech Pajerski, Itay Schachter, Matti Javanainen, Marek Cebecauer, Lukasz Cwiklik
Summary: We used molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the effects of palmitoylation on a transmembrane peptide in different lipid environments. The study found that palmitoylation reduces the peptide's impact on membrane thickness, particularly in lipid-ordered and boundary environments. The hydrophobic palmitoyl chains on the peptide did not significantly affect membrane hydration. Interestingly, the boundary membrane environment was found to be highly compatible with the palmitoylated peptide. These findings have important implications for understanding cell signaling, membrane organization, and optimizing lipid membrane-based drug delivery systems.
BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Achanta Rishisree, Brayer Mallory, Karnaukhova Elena, Jankovic Teodora, Zdunic Gordana, Savikin Katarina, Jeremic Aleksandar
Summary: Pomegranate peel, ironwort, and chokeberry leaf extracts exhibit anti-aggregative and antitoxic properties against human amylin. They can prevent amyloidosis and cell loss in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
(2024)