Akhilesh Bhambhani

Spectroscopic identification of binding modes of anthracene probes and DNA sequence recognition.

Abstract The binding properties of two anthracene derivatives with calf thymus DNA (CT DNA), poly(dA-dT), and poly(dG)·poly(dC) are reported. One contained bulky, cyclic cationic substituents at the 9 and 10 positions, and the other carried acylic, branched, cationic substituents. Binding of the probes to the DNA was examined by calorimetry, spectroscopy and helix melting studies. The cyclic derivative indicated exothermic binding, strong hypochromism, bathochromism, positive induced circular dichroism (CD, 300–400 nm), significant unwinding of the helix, large increases in the helix melting temperature, strong but negative linear dichroism (LD, 300–400 nm) and considerable stabilization of the helix. In contrast, the acyclic analog indicated thermoneutral binding, smaller hypochromism, no bathochromism, very weak induced CD, and no change in the helix melting temperature with any of the DNA polymers. A sharp distinction between the binding properties of the two probes is indicated, and both have intrinsic binding constants of ∼106 M−1 for the three polymers. However, when the ionic strength of the medium was lowered (10 mM NaCl), the absorption as well as CD spectral changes associated with the binding of the acyclic derivative corresponded with those of the cyclic derivative. The acyclic derivative showed large preference (10-fold) for poly(dG)·poly(dC) over poly(dA-dT), whereas the cyclic analog showed no preference. The characteristic spectroscopic signatures of the two distinct binding modes of these probes will be helpful in deciphering the interaction of other anthracene derivatives with DNA.

Novel enzyme/DNA/inorganic nanomaterials: a new generation of biocatalysts

The design, synthesis and properties of a new class of enzyme/DNA/inorganic nanobiomaterials are described here. DNA has been used to stabilize the enzymes intercalated in the galleries of the inorganic solid, alpha-Zr(iv) phosphate (alpha-Zr(HPO(4))(2).H(2)O, abbreviated as alpha-ZrP). Interestingly, the presence of DNA improved the activity and stability of the bound enzymes. Key studies leading to the current strategy are presented initially, and these are followed by more recent developments. Several enzymes and proteins, including horseradish peroxidase, lysozyme, glucose oxidase, chymotrypsin, bovine serum albumin, cytochrome c, met-hemoglobin and met-myoglobin are successfully intercalated in the galleries of alpha-ZrP, under benign ambient conditions (aqueous buffered solutions, at room temperature and neutral pH). These novel materials are characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM as well as by biochemical, calorimetric and spectroscopic methods. Spectroscopic studies (circular dichroism, CD), for example, indicated that co-intercalation of DNA improved the retention of bound enzyme structure. The activity was enhanced markedly (five-fold) when DNA is co-intercalated, when compared to the activity in the absence of DNA. Addition of DNA to the sample, after enzyme intercalation, did not make any improvements. Our hypothesis is that enzyme-DNA supramolecular complex binds to the solid and the unfavorable interactions between the enzyme and the solid are minimized. These novel nanobiocomposite materials provide a simple method for packaging DNA and aid in engineering more effective synthetic materials for gene/RNA-delivery and drug delivery applications.

Folding Control and Unfolding Free Energy of Yeast Iso-1-cytochrome c Bound to Layered Zirconium Phosphate Materials Monitored by Surface Plasmon Resonance

The free energy change (Delta G degrees ) for the unfolding of immobilized yeast iso-1-cytochrome c (Cyt c) at nanoassemblies was measured by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. Data show that SPR is sensitive to protein conformational changes, and protein solid interface exerts a major influence on bound protein stability. First, Cyt c was self-assembled on the Au film via the single thiol of Cys-102. Then, crystalline sheets of layered alpha-Zr(O(3)POH)(2).H(2)O (alpha-ZrP) or Zr(O(3)PCH(2)CH(2)COOH)(2).xH(2)O (alpha-ZrCEP) were adsorbed to construct alpha-ZrP/Cyt c/Au or alpha-ZrCEP/Cyt c/Au nanoassemblies. The construction of each layer was monitored by SPR, in real time, and the assemblies were further characterized by atomic force microscopy and electrochemical studies. Thermodynamic stability of the protein nanoassembly was assessed by urea-induced unfolding. Surprisingly, unfolding is reversible in all cases studied here. Stability of Cyt c in alpha-ZrP/Cyt c/Au increased by approximately 4.3 kJ/mol when compared to the unfolding free energy of Cyt c/Au assembly. In contrast, the protein stability decreased by approximately 1.5 kJ/mol for alpha-ZrCEP/Cyt c/Au layer. Thus, OH-decorated surfaces stabilized the protein whereas COOH-decorated surfaces destabilized it. These data quantitate the role of specific functional groups of the inorganic layers in controlling bound protein stability.