Interaction of albumins and hemin with aromatic antioxidants: A spectrophotometric and fluorometric study

Difference spectrophotometry and fluorescence quenching of human and bovine serum albumins were used to determine their association constants(K _a) with hemin in buffered physiological saline (pH 7.4) supplemented with 2% dimethylsulfoxide or in 40% aqueous dimethylformamide (pH 7.4).K _a values depended on the medium, the extent of albumin delipidation, and on the method of determination. The formation of hemin complexes witho-phenylenediamine, tetramethylbenzidine, gallic acid, its polydisulfide, and two substituted di-tert-butyl pyrocatechols was studied by difference spectrophotometry in the same media;K _a values for the complexes were calculated and compared to each other. The formation of complexes of these aromatic ligands with albumins was studied fluorometrically;K _a values were of order of ∼10⁵ M⁻¹ and decreased with the ligand hydrophobicity.     

Determining role of media in peroxide oxidation of aromatic type antioxidants with participation of methemalbumins

Participation of the complexes of hemin and albumins (or delipidated albumins) in peroxidation of aromatic free radical scavengers and antioxidants was studied at varying hemin/albumin ratios. The radical-scavenging amines included o-phenylenediamine (OPD) and tetramethylbenzidine (TMB); the antioxidants, gallic acid (GA) and GA polydisulfide (GAPD). Peroxidation reactions were carried out in buffered physiological saline (BPS) supplemented with 2% dimethylsulfoxide(DMSO), pH 7.4 (medium A), or in 40% aqueous dimethylformamide (DMF), pH 7.4 (medium B). In all systems involving methemalbumins, kinetic constants (kcat), Michaelis constants (kM), and the ratios thereof (kcat/kM) were determined for OPD oxidation in medium A and TMB oxidation in medium B. Oxidation of OPD, GA, and GAPD in medium A was characterized by a decrease in the catalytic activity of hemin after the formation of hemin-albumin complexes. Conversely, oxidation of TMB and OPD in medium B was distinguished by pronounced activation of hemin present within methemalbumins.     

Key role of the medium in methemalbumin-catalyzed peroxidation of aromatic free radical scavengers and antioxidants

Participation of the complexes of hemin and albumins (or delipidated albumins) in peroxidation of aromatic free radical scavengers and antioxidants was studied at varying hemin/albumin ratios. The radicalscavenging amines includedo-phenylenediamine (OPD) and tetramethylbenzidine (TMB); the antioxidants were gallic acid (GA) and GA polydisulfide (GAPD). Peroxidation reactions were carried out in buffered physiological saline (BPS) supplemented with 2% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), pH 7.4 (medium A), or in 40% aqueous dimethylformamide (DMF), pH 7.4 (medium B). In all systems involving methemalbumins, kinetic constants (k_cat), Michaelis constants(K _M), and the ratios thereof(k _cat/K_M) were determined for OPD oxidation in medium A and TMB oxidation in medium B. Oxidation of OPD, GA, and GAPD in medium A was characterized by a decrease in the catalytic activity of hemin after the formation of hemin-albumin complexes. Conversely, oxidation of TMB and OPD in medium B was distinguished by pronounced activation of hemin present within methemalbumins.     

Interaction of SV40 T-antigen with homologous and heterologous DNA

Using the DNA filter binding assay, the effects of ionic strength and pH on SV40 T-antigen interaction with viral DNA were studied. The apparent association constants for T-antigen binding to SV40 DNA in Scatchard coordinates in the presence of 40 mM NaCl are equal to 0.67 . 10(6) M-1 (pH 6.0) and 0.86 x 10(7) M-1 (pH 7.4). These data indicate that the interaction between T-antigen and SV40 DNA is more specific at pH 7.4. The coincident values of association constants for T-antigen binding to viral and cellular DNAs (Ka = 0.9 x 10(7) M-1 for cellular DNA) at pH 7.4 and the absence of competition between the two DNA species upon binding with T-antigen suggest that viral and cellular DNAs possess similar sites for T-antigen binding. Denatured DNA competes with viral DNA only at pH 6.0, when the T-antigen--SV40 DNA interaction is less specific.     

Interaction of gangliosides with proteins depending on oligosaccharide chain and protein surface modification.

By using neutron and synchrotron x-ray small-angle scattering techniques, we investigated the process of the complexation of gangliosides with proteins. We treated monosialoganglioside (G(M1)), disialoganglioside (G(D1a)), and a mixture of G(M1)/G(D1a). Proteins used were bovine serum albumins whose surfaces were modified with different sugars (deoxy-D-galactose, deoxy-L-fucose, deoxymaltitol, and deoxycellobiitol), which were used as model glycoproteins in a membrane. We found that the complexation of gangliosides with albumins greatly depends on the combination of ganglioside species and protein surface modification. With a varying protein/ganglioside ratio in a buffer solution at pH 7, the complexation of G(M1) or G(D1a) with albumins modified by monosaccharides appears to be less destructive for ganglioside aggregate structures in forming large complexes; the complexation of G(D1a) with the albumins modified by disaccharides induces the formation of complexes with a dimeric structure; and the complexation of G(M1) with albumins modified by disaccharides, to form small complexes, is very destructive. The present results show a strong dependence of the interaction between ganglioside and protein on the characteristics of the ganglioside and protein surface, which would relate to a physiological function of gangliosides, such as a function regulating the receptor activity of glycoproteins in a cell membrane.     

Properties and reaction mechanism of C4 leaf pyruvate,Pi dikinase

The properties and reaction mechanism of maize leaf pyruvate,Pi dikinase are described. Km values were determined for the forward reaction substrates, pyruvate, ATP, and Pi, at pH 7.4 and 8.0 and for reverse reaction substrates at pH 7.4. Enzyme activity was almost totally dependent on added monovalent cations in both directions. NH+4 was most effective, with Ka values of about 0.38 mM for the forward reaction and 2 mM for the reverse reaction. K+ also completely activated the enzyme in the forward direction (Ka = 8 mM) but only partially activated in the reverse direction. Na+ had little effect on either reaction. The pH optimum for the forward reaction was about 8.2; the reverse reaction optimum was about 6.9. Maximum activity for the reverse direction was about twice the maximum forward direction rate. From data on the requirements for the ATP-AMP exchange reaction, on the mechanism of inhibition of the forward reaction by PEP, AMP, and PPi, and from the kinetics of the interaction of varying certain substrate pairs, it was concluded that the maize leaf pyruvate,Pi dikinase reaction proceeded by the two-step Bi Bi Uni Uni mechanism. This differs from the mechanism of catalysis by the bacterial enzyme.     

Thermodynamics of lipid protein associations. Thermodynamics of helix formation in the association of high density apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) to dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine.

The structure and phospholipid-binding properties of human plasma high density apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) has been studied at pH 7.4 and 3.1 by microcalorimetry, circular dichroism and density gradient ultracentrifugation. At pH values of 7.4 and 3.1, apoA-I binds to dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) to form complexes of similar composition (molar ratio of DMPC/apoA-I of 100) and helical content (67%). At pH 7.4, the lipid-protein association is accompanied by an increase in helical content from 58 to 67% and an exothermic enthalpy of binding (deltaHB) of -90 kcal/mol apoA-I. At pH 3.1, the helical content of apoA-I is increased from 48 to 67% on binding to DMPC and the enthalpy of binding was -170 kcal/mol. We suggest that the difference in the enthalpies of binding (-80 kcal/mol) at pH 3.1 compared to 7.4 is due to the greater coil leads to helix transition at the lower pH.     

The effect of medium pH on rate of growth, neurite formation and acetylcholinesterase activity in mouse neuroblastoma cells in culture.

Cell division, neurite formation and acetylcholinesterase activity were examined in a clone (NBA2) of mouse neuroblastoma cells maintained for up to 120 hours in medium with pH values between 6.6 and 8.0. Growth rate decreased as pH was reduced from 7.8 to 6.6. Generation time at pH 7.4 was 25 hours, while the rate of cell division was negligible at pH 6.6. The total number of cells at stationary phase was less at the lower pH values. Neurite formation was enhanced markedly as the pH was reduced from 7.4 to 6.6. Acetylcholinesterase activity was 5- to 8-fold greater in cells exposed to medium at pH 6.6 than in cells maintained in medium at pH 7.4. The reduction in the rate of cell division and increases in neurite formation and acetylcholinesterase activity at pH 6.6 were reversible upon exposure of the cells to pH 7.4 medium. Cell viability was greater than 90% at all medium pH values over a period of 120 hours. Uncloned T-59 mouse neuroblastoma cells were affected similarly by changes in pH. These results show that manipulation of the environmental pH can reversibly alter growth, neurite formation, and acetylcholinesterase activity of mouse neuroblastoma cells in culture.     

Binding of the bovine and porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (Kazal) to human leukocyte elastase: a thermodynamic study.

The effect of pH and temperature on the apparent association equilibrium constant (Ka) for the binding of the bovine and porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (Kazal-type inhibitor, PSTI) to human leukocyte elastase has been investigated. At pH 8.0, values of the apparent thermodynamic parameters for human leukocyte elastase: Kazal-type inhibitor complex formation are: bovine PSTI--Ka = 6.3 x 10(4) M-1, delta G degree = -26.9 kJ/mol, delta H degree = +11.7 kJ/mol, and delta S degree = +1.3 x 10(2) entropy units; porcine PSTI--Ka = 7.0 x 10(3) M-1, delta G degree = -21.5 kJ/mol, delta H degree = +13.0 kJ/mol, and delta S degree = +1.2 x 10(2) entropy units (values of Ka, delta G degree and delta S degree were obtained at 21.0 degrees C; values of delta H degree were temperature independent over the range (between 5.0 degrees C and 45.0 degrees C) explored). On increasing the pH from 4.5 to 9.5, values of Ka for bovine and porcine PSTI binding to human leukocyte elastase increase thus reflecting the acidic pK-shift of the His57 catalytic residue from congruent to 7.0, in the free enzyme, to congruent to 5.1, in the serine proteinase: inhibitor complexes. Thermodynamics of bovine and porcine PSTI binding to human leukocyte elastase has been analyzed in parallel with that of related serine (pro)enzyme/Kazal-type inhibitor systems. Considering the known molecular models, the observed binding behaviour of bovine and porcine PSTI to human leukocyte elastase was related to the inferred stereochemistry of the serine proteinase/inhibitor contact region(s).     

Spectral parameters of the cytochrome c and hemoglobin interaction with methanol and aniline]

At 20 degrees C, in a phosphate buffer, pH 5,8--8,0, methanol and aniline interactions with hemoglobin and cytochrome c were studied using the difference spectrophotometry method. The difference absorption spectra are characterized by following values of lambdamax and lambdamin (nm): I--MeOH--hemoglobin (405 and 420), II-MeOH--cytochrome c (405--406 and 419--422), III--aniline--cytochrome c (421--410 and 401--396). The values of lambdamax and lambdamin for system III are shifted in the region of shorter wavelengths from 421 to 410 nm and from 401 to 396 nm, respectively within the pH range of 5,8--7,95. From difference spectra for systems I, II, III the dissociation constants of complexes obtained, Ks were calculated. Log Ks is linearly dependent on pH. System I is characterized by two values of Ks at all pH. The Ks values were calculated in general form from the dependences obtained. The nature of the complexes is discussed.     

Structure of the histone tetramer (H3-H4)2: 1. Peculiarities of optical absorption,fluorescence and light scattering in response to changes in ionic strength and pH of the medium

Using the methods of spectrophotometry, spectrofluorimetry, light scattering and gel filtration, it was shown that, at pH 5.6 and 7.4 and various ionic strengths, the histone tetramer (H3-H4)₂ may have several structural states with different packing of the polypeptide chains of histones H3 and H4. Two structural changes of the tetramer (H3-H4)₂ at pH 7.4 in the ranges 0.1–0.3 m and 0.7–0.9 m NaCl were observed. In the high ionic strength solution, the tetramer (H3-H4)₂ had a more compact structure at pH 7.4 than at pH 5.6. At pH 3.0 destruction of the histone tetramer (H3-H4)₂ and formation of non-specific aggregates took place.     

Electrophoretic investigation of interactions of sanguinarine and chelerythrine with molecules containing mercapto group

Using mercaptoethanol and (L)-cysteine as representatives of mercapto compounds and capillary zone electrophoresis as experimental technique, it was evidenced that sanguinarine and chelerythrine do not react with the mercapto group of organic compounds at pH 7.4. Their interaction is fast and reversible complexation based on non-bonding intermolecular interaction in which enter uncharged forms of sanguinarine or chelerythrine. A negatively charged group, either bound to the mercapto ligand or supplied from solution, participates in the complexation. Simple 1:1 interaction scheme reported in literature holds therefore only for mercapto compounds bearing anionic group. Stoichiometric binding constants corrected for the abundance of the uncharged alkaloid form at pH 7.4 are of the order of magnitude of 10(4) l/mol and depend on both cations and anions of the background electrolyte. Interaction of sanguinarine and chelerythrine with human or bovine serum albumins does not qualitatively differ from their interaction with simple mercapto compounds. Stoichiometric binding constants for the binding of sanguinarine with human and bovine serum albumins in sodium phosphate buffer pH 7.4, corrected for the abundance of the interacting uncharged form, are 332,000+/-38,400 and 141,000+/-14,400 l/mol, respectively. The former agrees well with the value K=385,000 (or log K=5.59) from static photometric experiments. Constants for the complexation of uncharged chelerythrine with human and bovine serum albumins are 2,970,000+/-360,000 and 1,380,000+/-22,600 l/mol, respectively.     

Copper complexes of glycyl-histidyl-lysine and two of its synthetic analogues: chemical behaviour and biological activity

Copper complex formation equilibria of glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (Gly-His-Lys, GHK) and of two synthetic analogues, where the histidine residue was replaced with a synthetic amino acid (L-spinacine or L-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid), have been carefully investigated using different experimental techniques: potentiometry, solution calorimetry, UV-VIS spectrophotometry, circular dichroism and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies. All the ligands formed complexes having different stoichiometries and stabilities; evidence for the formation of binuclear species is also shown. The structures of the main complexes are discussed. It is suggested that the lateral lysine amino group participates in complex formation, but only at alkaline pH values: at physiological pH this group is protonated and available for possible interactions with cellular receptors. The above tripeptides have been tested for their enzymatic stability in human serum: the synthetic compounds showed no significant degradation for at least 3 h. Finally, their activity as growth factor has been studied in vitro. The two synthetic analogues showed an activity comparable to or even higher than that of GHK, thus suggesting their possible use as additives in cell culture media, even in the presence of serum. Relevant information on the GHK action mechanism as cell growth factor has been obtained: the formation of copper complexes, driven by the first (Gly) residue, appears necessary while the second residue (His) does not appear to play a specific role; the presence of the free side chain of the third residue (Lys) appears to be of fundamental importance.     

Synthesis, physicochemical and spectroscopic characterization of copper(II)-polysaccharide pullulan complexes by UV-vis, ATR-FTIR, and EPR

Bioactive copper(II) complexes with polysaccharides, like pullulan and dextran, are important in both veterinary and human medicine for the treatment of hypochromic microcitary anemia and hypocupremia. In aqueous alkaline solutions, Cu(II) ion forms complexes with the exopolysaccharide pullulan and its reduced low-molecular derivative. The metal content and the solution composition depend on pH, temperature, and time of the reaction. The complexing process begins in a weak alkali solution (pH >7) and involves OH groups of pullulan monomer (glucopyranose) units. Complexes of Cu(II) ion with reduced low-molecular pullulan (RLMP, M_w 6000 g mol⁻¹) were synthesized in water solutions, at the boiling temperature and at different pH values ranging from 7.5 to 12. The Cu(II) complex formation with RLMP was analyzed by UV–vis spectrophotometry and other physicochemical methods. Spectroscopic characterizations (ATR-FTIR, FT-IRIS, and EPR) and spectra–structure correlation of Cu(II)–RLMP complexes were also carried out.     

Association of iron-protoporphyrin-IX (hemin) with myosins

Addition of myosins isolated from guinea pig heart and rabbit skeletal muscle to hemin solutions resulted in the appearance of new absorption spectra indicating association of hemin and the myosins. Binding stoichiometry based on absorption changes was found to be two hemin sites per myosin molecule. The binding constants calculated from quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence of the myosins by hemin are Ka = 7 (+/- 2) 10(6) M-1 for skeletal muscle myosin, and Ka = 3 (+/- 1) x 10(7) M-1 for heart muscle myosin. Based on these findings, myosins are suggested as potential transporters of free hemin between cell organelles.     

Integration of human plasminogen or streptokinase into stable complexes with oxidoreductases and pyruvate kinase

Summary The formation of stable equimolar complexes of streptokinase or plasminogen with muscle lactate dehydrogenase or pyruvate kinase, heart mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase and hepatic catalase at pH 7.4, 3.0 and 10.0 was first detected by differential spectroscopy methods. All complexes, except those of plasminogen with dehydrogenases, were resistant to 6 M urea. Judging from circular dichroism spectra, tertiary and secondary structures were considerably changed in the complexes. These changes were significantly dependent upon the nature of interacting proteins; in some cases their structures were more ordered. NAD (but not NADH) hampered the formation of streptokinase complexes with dehydrogenases. The plasminogen-activating function of streptokinase and the ability of plasminogen to be activated by streptokinase in the complexes with oxidoreductases were essentially unchanged. Pyruvate kinase induced a moderate (by 35%) increase in the streptokinase activating function. It is assumed that the formation of complexes of streptokinase or plasminogen with enzymes may serve as a link in metabolic regulation and/or intercellular interactions.     

Interactions of urocanic acid with bovine serum albumin and the influence of pH on binding affinities: a docking simulation study

In the present study, the interactions of urocanic acid (UA) with bovine serum albumins (BSA) at pH 5.0 and 7.4 were investigated by means of docking simulations. The binding modes of trans- and cis-UA to BSA at pH 5.0 and 7.4 were analysed. In addition, the theoretically predicted binding abilities of zwitterion and anion of UA with BSA are in good agreement with the experimental results. Through comparison with the binding patterns, we revealed that the stronger interactions of UA anion with BSA relative to the zwitterion primarily result from: (1) the increased number of hydrogen bonds between UA anion and BSA; (2) the attractive electrostatic interaction between the deprotoned carboxyl group in UA anion and Arg433 in comparison with the repulsion between the imidazole moiety in zwitterion and the same residue in BSA. This provides a rational explanation for the experimental finding that the binding of UA to BSA at pH 7.4 is much stronger than at pH 5.0.     

The effects of Ca2+ and guanylnucleotides on isoprenaline-stimulated cyclic AMP formation in rat reticulocyte ghosts

We have studied beta-adrenergic stimulation of cyclic AMP formation in fragmented membranes and in unsealed or resealed ghosts prepared from rat reticulocytes. The maximal rate of isoprenaline-stimulated cyclic AMP formation with saturating MgATP concentrations and in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine was 5-8 nmol/min per ml ghosts and remained constant for at least 15 min. Transition from resealed ghosts to fragmented membranes was associated with a shift of the activation constant (Ka) for (+/-)-isoprenaline from 0.1 to 0.6 microM. THe apparent dissociation constant for propranolol (0.01 microM) remained unchanged. The Ka values for isoprenaline in native reticulocytes and in resealed ghosts were identical. The stimulating effect of NaF on cyclic AMP formation in resealed ghosts reached 15% of maximal beta-adrenergic stimulation. Cyclic AMP formation, both in fragmented membranes and in ghosts, was half-maximally inhibited with Ca2+ concentrations ranging between 0.1 and 1 microM. GTP stimulated isoprenaline-dependent cyclic AMP formation in unsealed ghosts and in fragmented reticulocyte membranes by a factor of 3-5 but did not change the Ka value for isoprenaline. Ka values for the guanylnucleotides in different experiments varied between 0.3 and 2 microM. Ca2+ concentrations up to 4.6 microM reduced the maximal activation by GTP and Gpp(NH)p but did not affect their Ka values. Compared to GTP, maximal activation by Gpp(NH)p was higher in fragmented membranes, but much lower in ghosts. Our results suggest that the native beta-receptor adenylate cyclase system of reticulocytes is more closely approximated in the ghost model than in fragmented membrane preparations. Membrane properties seem to modulate the actions of guanylnucleotides on isoprenaline-dependent cyclic AMP formation in ghosts. Some of these effects are not observed in isolated membranes.     

Use of fluorescence enhancement technique to study bilirubin–albumin interaction

Bilirubin–albumin solution gave an emission spectrum in the wavelength range 500–600 nm with emission maxima at 528 nm when excited at 487 nm. The magnitude of fluorescence intensity increased on increasing bilirubin/albumin molar ratio. At three different albumin concentrations, namely, 1.0, 2.5 and 10.0 μM, there was an initial linear increase in fluorescence up to a molar ratio 1.0 in all cases beyond which it sloped off or decreased. This fluorescence enhancement was used to calculate the binding parameters of bilirubin–albumin interaction and the value of binding constant was found to be 1.72×10⁷ l/mol similar to the published values obtained with other methods. Different serum albumins, namely, human (HSA), goat (GSA), pig (PSA) and dog serum albumins (DSA) bound bilirubin with almost the same affinity when studied by the technique of fluorescence enhancement. Bilirubin–albumin interaction was also studied at different pH and ionic strengths. There was a decrease in bilirubin–albumin complex formation on either decreasing the pH from 9.0 to 7.0 or increasing the ionic strength from 0.15 to 1.0. These results suggest that the technique of fluorescence enhancement can be used successfully to study the bilirubin–albumin interaction.     

Oxidation of ethanol by cumene hydroperoxide in the presence of cytochrome P-450 LM2 and hemoglobin

Ethanol oxidation by cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) with participation of cytochrome P-450 LM-2 (pH 7.4) and hemoglobin (pH 7.0) was studied at 37 degrees C in phosphate buffer. Both hemoproteins form complexes with CHP that are decomposed with the liberation of the RO2., RO. and HO. radicals, thus initiating the chain oxidation of ethanol. Ethanol oxidation catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 LM-2 and hemoglobin occurs only through a radical formation and is competitively inhibited by the radical scavenging agents, e.g., 1-naphthol, thiourea, mannitol and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The values of effective inhibition constants were determined for all antioxidants whose activity decreases in the following order: 1-naphthol greater than thiourea greater than mannitol greater than DMSO. The non-inhibited oxidation of ethanol in "CHP-hemoproteins" systems is characterized by low ethanol conversion because of bimolecular termination of radicals and biocatalyst destruction.