Polyene antibiotics in the membrane environment.

The cytotoxic activity of the polyene antibiotics mainly depends on the appearance of the drug species which arises from drug-sterol complexation. The unsaturation and intact macrolide ring of the polyenes are the requirements for the biological activity. All the polyene antibiotics can form the complex with the sterol having 3 beta-OH group, and planar ring and a hydrophobic side chain. Aromatic polyene antibiotics with positively charged head group have been considered as most potential antifungal agents.     

Studies on chitosan: 2. Solution stability and reactivity of partially N-acetylated chitosan derivatives in aqueous media

The stability of the solutions of partially N-acetylated chitosans was studied by two methods: (1) 1% solutions of the chitosan derivatives in 0.1 M aqueous acetic acid were added dropwise to buffer solutions with pH from 8.6 to 12 and to a 0.1 M NaOH solution; (2) to each 0.5% solution of the derivatives in 0.1 M acetic acid was added the desired amount of a 1 M NaOH solution. The stability data obtained were summarized with respect to the degree of N-acetylation. It was found that the solutions of the derivatives with more than 50% acetyl content were stable even in alkaline conditions and the gelation and precipitation of the solutions did not occur. The reactivity of the derivatives with the degree of N-acetylation of more than 50% was studied using methyl 4-azidobenzoimidate (MABI) and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether in homogeneous states. It was found that MABI reacted with amino groups of the chitosans only at neutral pH and glycidyl groups reacted at neutral and alkaline pH. It seems that these unique properties of chitosans with a degree of N-acetylation of more than 50% will enable us to prepare new chitosan derivatives.     

Molecular properties of a major cell surface protein from chick embryo fibroblasts.

The molecular structure of chick embryo fibroblast cell surface protein has been investigated by ultracentrifugation, circular dichroism, and fluorescence. Most measurements were restricted to alkaline solutions because of the limited solubility of this protein at more neutral pH values. A very high frictional ratio for the protein suggests an asymmetric structure. However, there are elements of organized structure since typical thermal transition curves were found by several methods. Consequently, a model in which ordered domains are connected by flexible polypeptide chains seems to account for all the hydrodynamic and optical data.     

Biosynthesis of an amphiphilic silk-like polymer

An amphiphilic silk-like protein polymer was efficiently produced in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The secreted product was fully intact and was purified by solubilization in formic acid and subsequent precipitation of denatured host proteins upon dilution with water. In aqueous alkaline solution, the negatively charged acidic polymer assumed extended helical (silk III-like) and unordered conformations. Upon subsequent drying, it assumed a conformation rich in beta-turns. In water at low pH, the uncharged polymer aggregated and the solution became turbid. Concentrated solutions in 70% (v/v) formic acid slowly formed gels. Replacement of the formic acid-water mixture with methanol and subsequent drying resulted in beta-sheets, which stacked into fibril-like structures. The novel polymer instantaneously lowered the air-water interfacial tension under neutral to alkaline conditions and reversed the polarity of hydrophobic and hydrophilic solid surfaces upon adsorption.     

Determination of molecular size and shape of hyperbranched polysaccharide in solution

The chemical structure of a water-soluble polysaccharide, coded as TM3b, extracted from sclerotia of Pleurotus tuber-rigium was analyzed to be a hyperbranched beta-D-glucan with beta-(1-->6), beta-(1-->4), and beta-(1-->3)-linked residues, with degree of branching (DB) of 57.6%. The results from size-exclusion chromatography combined with laser light scattering (SEC-LLS) revealed that the hyperbranched polysaccharide easily aggregated in 0.15 M aqueous NaCl, whereas it dispersed as individual chains in DMSO. The weight-average molecular weight (M(w)), radius of gyration, intrinsic viscosity, and chain density of TM3b in DMSO and in 0.15 M aqueous NaCl were measured with SEC-LLS, LLS, and viscometry. The results indicated that single chains and aggregates with aggregation number of 12 coexisted in the aqueous solution, whereas individual molecules of TM3b occurred in DMSO. In view of the molecular parameters, the aggregates in aqueous solution exhibited more compact chain structure than the individual molecules in DMSO. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed that all of the aggregates and individual molecules exhibited spherical particles in the solutions. This work provided the valuable information of chain conformation and molecular morphology of the hyperbranched polysaccharide in different solvents.     

Amphiphilic poly(vinyl alcohol) derivatives as complexing agents for fenretinide

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) substituted with oleyl chains and tetraethyleneglycol monoethyl ether chains (TEGMEE) at 1.5% and 1% degrees of substitution respectively (mol of substituent to mol of hydroxyvinyl monomer) has previously been shown to self-assemble in water, providing aggregates selectively cytotoxic toward tumor cells vs normal cells. These polymers have also been shown to increase the long-term survival of nude mice injected with both human and murine neuroblastoma cell lines. In the present work, we changed the substitution degree of the oleyl chains on the poly(vinyl alcohol) backbone and maintained constant at 1% the degree of TEGMEE substitution. We evaluated the main physicochemical characteristics of the final polymers, their cytotoxicity toward tumor cells, and their complexing ability for hydrophobic molecules. The aim was to investigate the possibility of improving intrinsic antitumor efficacy of the polymer by changing the degree of oleyl chain substitution and further increase activity by complexation with antitumor drugs. The polymers were prepared at oleyl chain substitution degrees ranging from 0.5 to 3% (mol of substituent to mol of hydroxyvinyl monomer). The most active was again the 1.5% substituted polymer. It was further characterized by exhibiting the highest complexing ability toward hydrophobic molecules allowing the formation of a complex with fenretinide (HPR). The polymer-HPR complex was stable in aqueous environment and released the free drug prevalently in the presence of fluid hydrophobic phases. It was cytotoxic toward tumor cells with minimal activity toward normal cells. Antitumor activity exceeded that of the separate complex components resulting from the concomitant effect of the polymer and the HPR solubilized by complexation.     

Absorption and fluorescence spectra of polyene antibiotics in the presence of cholesterol.

The alterations in the absorption and fluorescence spectra observed for the polyene antibiotics filipin and nystatin in the presence of cholesterol are due to an exciton interaction (polyene aggregates) and cannot be attributed to a specific sterol-antibiotic complex. Filipin and nystatin molecules partition into the sterol aggregates, these structures being very efficient to induce exciton interaction; the observed splitting profile indicates that the chromophores are in a stacked arrangement (parallel transition dipoles). For filipin incorporated in lipid bilayers, the sterol is able to induce the same type of aggregate, at variance with nystatin.     

Natamycin sequesters ergosterol and interferes with substrate transport by the lysine transporter Lyp1 from yeast

Natamycin is a polyene macrolide, widely employed to treat fungal keratitis and other yeast infections as well as to protect food products against fungal molds. In contrast to other polyene macrolides, such as nystatin or amphotericin B, natamycin does not form pores in yeast membranes, and its mode of action is not well understood. Here, we have employed a variety of spectroscopic methods, computational modeling, and membrane reconstitution to study the molecular interactions of natamycin underlying its antifungal activity. We find that natamycin forms aggregates in an aqueous solution with strongly altered optical properties compared to monomeric natamycin. Interaction of natamycin with model membranes results in a concentration-dependent fluorescence increase which is more pronounced for ergosterol- compared to cholesterol-containing membranes up to 20 mol% sterol. Evidence for formation of specific ergosterol-natamycin complexes in the bilayer is provided. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, we find that natamycin sequesters sterols, thereby interfering with their well-known ability to order acyl chains in lipid bilayers. This effect is more pronounced for membranes containing the sterol of fungi, ergosterol, compared to those containing mammalian cholesterol. Natamycin interferes with ergosterol-dependent transport of lysine by the yeast transporter Lyp1, which we propose to be due to the sequestering of ergosterol, a mechanism that also affects other plasma membrane proteins. Our results provide a mechanistic explanation for the selective antifungal activity of natamycin, which can set the stage for rational design of novel polyenes in the future.     

Deciphering the factors responsible for the stability of a GFP variant resistant to alkaline pH using molecular dynamics simulations

Charged amino acids having ionizable side chains play crucial roles in maintaining the solubility and stability of a protein. These charged amino acids are mostly exposed on protein surface and participate in electrostatic interactions with neighboring charged amino acids as well as with solvent. Therefore, the change in the solvent pH affects the protein stability in most cases. Previously, we reported a GFP variant, GFP14R having 14 surface lysines replaced with arginines, that showed enhanced stability under alkaline pH. Here, we analyzed the factors that contribute to the stability of the GFP14R under alkaline pH quantitatively using molecular dynamics simulations. Protonation state of the charged amino acids of GFP14R and control GFP under neutral pH and alkaline pH were modeled, and molecular dynamics simulations were performed. This comparative analysis revealed that the GFP14R with more arginine frequency on the surface maintained the stability under both pH conditions without much change in their salt-bridge interactions as well as the hydrogen bond interactions with solvent. On the other hand, these interactions were significantly reduced for the control GFP under alkaline pH due to the deprotonated lysine side chains. These results suggest that the advantageous property of arginine over lysine can be considered one of the parameter for the protein stability engineering under alkaline pH conditions.     

Characterization of protein aggregation: the case of a therapeutic immunoglobulin

In this paper, a therapeutic immunoglobulin (Antibody A) has been characterized in two solutions: (1) 0.1% acetic acid containing 50 mM magnesium chloride, a solution in which the immunoglobulin is stable, and (2) 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer pH approximately 7. The protein solutions were characterized by microscopy, asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (FFF), light scattering, circular dichroism, fluorescence and fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy. The results show that Antibody A dissolved in 0.1% acetic acid containing 50 mM magnesium chloride exists as 88% monomer, 2% low molecular weight aggregates and 10% high molecular weight aggregates (>1 million Dalton). In phosphate buffer, Antibody A formed micrometre-sized aggregates that were best characterized by fluorescence microscopy. The aggregation of Antibody A in phosphate buffer was shown to be concomitant with conformational changes in amino acid residue side chains. The aggregates formed in phosphate buffer were easily disrupted during FFF analysis, indicating that they are formed by weak interactions. The combination of microscopy, asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (FFF) and spectroscopy allowed a reliable assessment of protein self association and aggregation.     

Intermolecular complexation and phase separation in aqueous solutions of oppositely charged biopolymers

Turbidity measurements performed at 450nm were used to follow the process of complex formation, and phase separation in gelatin-agar aqueous solutions. Acid (Type-A) and alkali (Type-B) processed gelatin (polyampholyte) and agar (anionic polyelectrolyte) solutions, both having concentration of 0.1% (w/v) were mixed in various proportions, and the mixture was titrated (with 0.01 M HCl or NaOH) to initiate associative complexation that led to coacervation. The titration profiles clearly established observable transitions in terms of the solution pH corresponding to the first occurrence of turbidity (pH(C), formation of soluble complexes), and a point of turbidity maximum (pH(phi), formation of insoluble complexes). Decreasing the pH beyond pH(phi) drove the system towards precipitation. The values of pH(C) and pH(phi) characterized the initiation of the formation of intermolecular charge neutralized soluble aggregates, and the subsequent formation of microscopic coacervate droplets. These aggregates were characterized by dynamic light scattering. It was found that Type-A and -B gelatin samples formed soluble intermolecular complexes (and coacervates) with agar molecules through electrostatic and patch-binding interactions, respectively.     

Studies on trimethoprim:hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin: aggregate and complex formation

The present study is focused on the characterization of the interaction between trimethoprim, a dihydropteroate synthesase inhibitor, and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) in aqueous solution and solid state. The freeze-drying method was used to prepare solid complexes, while simple blending was employed to obtain physical mixtures. The phase solubility was AN type, and demonstrated that trimethoprim solubility was significantly increased upon complexation with HP-β-CD. Conductivity experiments showed the presence of aggregates that explains the type profile for the solubility isotherm. The critical concentration for the aggregate formation was determined to be 69.3 mg/ml for pure HP-β-CD and 117.7 mg/ml in the presence of trimethoprim. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy provided evidence of trimethoprim:HP-β-CD molecular interaction in solution. Moreover, the complex was characterized in solid stated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the thermal stability of the drug is enhanced in the presence of HP-β-CD.     

Chlorazol Black E in Aqueous Alkaline Solution

Chlorazol black E has a greater solubility in alkaline than in neutral aqueous solution. A method of preparing an alkaline solution (a 1% aqueous solution, heated 5 minutes at 70° C. with 0.2% concentrated ammonia water) for general tissue staining is described, together with notes on its use. The solution was unsatisfactory as a negative stain for bacteria.     

The solubility of fibrinogen in dilute salt solutions

Highly purified human fibrinogen was dialyzed versus eleven different sodium salts at ionic strengths of 0.005–0.3 and pH values of 4.5–8.0. After equilibration and centrifugation of the protein solutions, fibrinogen solubilities were determined spectrophotometrically and were analyzed as functions of pH, ionic strength, and specific anion. Bell-shaped curves are obtained when fibrinogen solubility is plotted as a function of pH. The solubility exhibits a minimum at a given pH and rises at acid and alkaline values. As the ionic strength is increased, the solubility curves shift toward more acid pH values. At constant pH values between 6 and 7, fibrinogen solubility increases with an increase in ionic strength. At constant pH values below pH 6, a decrease in solubility occurs as the ionic strength is increased. The isoionic pH of a saturated aqueous fibrinogen solution has been determined to be 6.25, meaning that fibrinogen in pure water behaves as a weak acid with a mean net charge of ?0.9. At pH values acid to 6.25, the anions solubilize fibrinogen in the following order of increasing efficacy: thiocyanate, perchlorate, sulfate, citrate, bromide, nitrate, phosphate, chloride, acetate, fluoride, and formate. This order is reversed at pH values alkaline to 6.25. Anion binding parameters calculated from the solubility data indicate that those anions which most effectively solubilize fibrinogen at alkaline pH and precipitate it at acid pH have the highest apparent binding affinities for the protein. Anions with less pronounced solubility effects have lower binding affinities.     

Flocculation performance of a cationic biopolymer derived from a cellulosic source in mild aqueous solution

The flocculation behavior of cationic, quaternary ammonium groups containing cellulosic biopolymers, CDACs, synthesized by cationizing dialdehyde cellulose in mild aqueous solution was studied in a kaolin suspension. In particular, the role of CDAC dosage and solution pH, NaCl concentration, and temperature were clarified. In addition, the initial apparent charge densities (CDs), particle sizes, ζ-potential, and stability of CDs were determined. CDACs possessed a high flocculation activity in neutral and acidic solutions, but a significant decrease was observed in alkaline solutions (pH >9). This was also seen as a decline in the apparent CD and particle size of the CDACs in alkaline conditions. The measurements also indicated that the apparent CD decreased to a constant level of 3 mmol/g in aqueous solutions. However, no notable decrease in flocculation performance was obtained after several days of storage. Moreover, the variation of NaCl concentration and temperature did not affect the flocculation activity.     

Molecular probe for selective detection of thiols in water of neutral pH

The ternary complex, [Zn(cyclen)(lumazine)](+) that can be readily obtained by mixing cyclen, zinc perchlorate, and lumazine in water in a 1:1:1 molar ratio serves as a molecular probe that detects selectively thiols in an aqueous solution of neutral pH. Thiols successfully displace the lumazine in the molecular probe, which is accompanied by a decrease of the fluorescence. The molecular probe is useful for identification of cysteine among essential amino acids and detection of glutathione in aqueous solution of neutral pH.     

Studies on 6-chloro-5-(1-naphthyloxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole/2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin association: Characterization, molecular modeling studies, and in vivo anthelminthic activity

The purpose of this work is to study the molecular association that occurs between 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) and 6-chloro-5-(1-naphthyloxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (RCB20), an antiparasitic compound recently found by our research group, with poor aqueous solubility. The complex stability constant and stoichiometric ratio determined by phase-solubility diagram and Job's plot provided evidence that HPβCD enhanced water solubility of RCB20 through inclusion complex formation. Two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy is used to study the molecular arrangement of inclusion complex in solution. These results are further supported using molecular modeling studies. In the solid state, the complexation is confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Finally, RCB20/HPβCD complex has better activity than RCB20 against the adult and muscle larvae phase of Trichinella spiralis.     

Physicochemical Characterization of Berberine Chloride: A Perspective in the Development of a Solution Dosage Form for Oral Delivery

The objective of the present research was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of berberine chloride and to assess the complexation of drug with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), a first step towards solution dosage form development. The parameters such as log P value were determined experimentally and compared with predicted values. The pH-dependent aqueous solubility and stability were investigated following standard protocols at 25°C and 37°C. Drug solubility enhancement was attempted utilizing both surfactants and cyclodextrins (CDs), and the drug/CD complexation was studied employing various techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental log P value suggested that the compound is fairly hydrophilic. Berberine chloride was found to be very stable up to 6 months at all pH and temperature conditions tested. Aqueous solubility of the drug was temperature dependent and exhibited highest solubility of 4.05 ± 0.09 mM in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) at 25°C, demonstrating the effect of buffer salts on drug solubility. Decreased drug solubility was observed with increasing concentrations of ionic surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide. Phase solubility studies demonstrated the formation of berberine chloride–HPβCD inclusion complex with 1:1 stoichiometry, and the aqueous solubility of the drug improved almost 4.5-fold in the presence of 20% HPβCD. The complexation efficiency values indicated that the drug has at least threefold greater affinity for hydroxypropyl-β-CD compared to randomly methylated-β-CD. The characterization techniques confirmed inclusion complex formation between berberine chloride and HPβCD and demonstrated the feasibility of developing an oral solution dosage form of the drug.KEY WORDS: berberine chloride, complexation, cyclodextrin, solubility, surfactants     

The conformation of amylose in alkaline salt solution

The conformation of amylose in various solvents is discussed. It is shown that the changes in molecular volume of the polysaccharide (measured by viscosity) as potassium chloride is added to a solution of amylose at pH 12 are similar to those obtained on adding butan-1-ol to the solution. The viscosity number in both cases decreases to values less than that observed for amylose in water, in which Flory theta-conditions are approximated. The minimum value of the viscosity number, in fact, is identical to that observed on the addition of butan-1-ol and iodine to neutral aqueous solution of amylose—conditions known to result in a helical complex. It is concluded that amylose undergoes a coil-to-helix transition as potassium chloride is dadde to solutions of the polysaccharide at pH 12.     

Catalytic and structural properties of surfactant-horseradish peroxidase complex in organic media

A surfactant-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) complex that is catalytically active in organic media has been successfully prepared by a method utilizing water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. To optimize conditions for preparation of the HRP complex, the effects of some key parameters in the aqueous phase of W/O emulsions were investigated. The surfactant-HRP complex prepared with a nonionic surfactant exhibited a high catalytic activity compared to those with a cationic or anionic surfactant in anhydrous benzene. At the preparation step, the pH of the aqueous solution had a prominent effect on the enzymatic activity of the HRP complex in organic media. Several kinds of salts present in the HRP complex could be employed to enhance the catalytic performance in organic media. However, anionic ions present in the preparation process appeared to lower the catalytic activity owing to the complexation with heme iron. UV-visible absorption spectra of the HRP complex in benzene, which were prepared from a KCN solution (pH 7.0) or an alkaline solution (pH 12), were comparable with those of native HRP in aqueous solution under the same conditions. Resonance Raman spectroscopic studies also revealed that no significant change in the coordination state of the heme iron occurred even after coating the enzyme with surfactant molecules, lyophilization, and solubilization in nonaqueous media.