Gajalakshmi Sekar

Binding studies of hydroxylated Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes to hemoglobin, gamma globulin and transferrin.

Biocompatibility of nanoparticles depends on their binding behavior with biomolecules. Herein, we have reported the interaction of three different biological macromolecules such as hemoglobin, gamma globulin and transferrin with hydroxyl group functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (OH-MWCNTs). Multiple spectroscopic methods were utilized to identify the binding cum structural changes in biomolecules upon their interaction. Hyperchromic effect observed in the UV-visible spectra, and the quenching behavior from fluorescence emission evidences the existence of bio-nanotube complex formation. Synchronous and three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of biomolecules, in correspondence with Trp and Tyr residues showed the possible disturbance towards their aromatic micro-environment. Changes observed in the FTIR and FT-Raman amide bands, and amino acid residue position of biomolecules upon interaction with CNTs showed the possible effect towards their secondary structure. Further studies with CD spectroscopy indicated the loss of alpha-helical structures quantitatively. The study remains significant in evaluating the biosafety profile of functionalized MWCNTs for their in vivo biomedical applications.

Comprehensive spectroscopic studies on the interaction of biomolecules with surfactant detached multi-walled carbon nanotubes

This paper investigates the interaction of ten diverse biomolecules with surfactant detached Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) using multiple spectroscopic methods. Declining fluorescence intensity of biomolecules in combination with the hyperchromic effect in UV-Visible spectra confirmed the existence of the ground state complex formation. Quenching mechanism remains static and non-fluorescent. 3D spectral data of biomolecules suggested the possibilities of disturbances to the aromatic microenvironment of tryptophan and tyrosine residues arising out of CNTs interaction. Amide band Shifts corresponding to the secondary structure of biomolecules were observed in the of FTIR and FT-Raman spectra. In addition, there exists an increased Raman intensity of tryptophan residues of biomolecules upon interaction with CNTs. Hence, the binding of the aromatic structures of CNTs with the aromatic amino acid residues, in a particular, tryptophan was evidenced. Far UV Circular spectra have showed the loss of alpha-helical contents in biomolecules upon interaction with CNTs. Near UV CD spectra confirmed the alterations in the tryptophan positions of the peptide backbone. Hence, our results have demonstrated that the interaction of biomolecules with OH-MWCNTs would involve binding cum structural changes and alteration to their aromatic micro-environment.

Role of PAMAM-OH dendrimers against the fibrillation pathway of biomolecules

The binding behavior of nanoparticle with proteins determines its biocompatibility. This study reports the interaction of ten different biomolecules (proteins-BSA, HSA, haemoglobin, gamma globulin, transferrin and enzymes-hog and bacillus amylase, lysozyme from chicken and human and laccases from Tramates versicolor) with a surface group hydroxylated Poly AMido AMide dendrimer (PAMAM) of generation 5. The study has utilized various spectroscopic methods like UV-vis spectroscopy, Fluorescence emission, Synchronous, 3-D spectroscopy and Circular Dichroism to detect the binding induced structural changes in biomolecules that occur upon interaction with mounting concentration of the dendrimers. Aggregation of proteins results in the formation of amyloid fibrils causing several human diseases. In this study, fibrillar samples of all ten biomolecules formed in the absence and the presence of dendrimers were investigated with Congo Red absorbance and ThT Assay to detect fibril formation, Trp Emission and 3-D scan to evaluate the effect of fibrillation on aromatic environment of biomolecules, and CD spectroscopy to measure the conformational changes in a quantitative manner. These assays have generated useful information on the role of dendrimers in amyloid fibril formation of biomolecules. The outcomes of the study remain valuable in evaluating the biological safety of PAMAM-OH dendrimers for their biomedical application in vivo.

Existence of hydroxylated MWCNTs demotes the catalysis effect of amylases against starch degradation.

Possible interaction between amylase and Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been elucidated with spectroscopic methods. Hyperchromism of the UV-visible spectra of amylase-CNT conjugates suggested ground state complex formation between them. On contrary, the decreasing fluorescence emission spectra revealed the fate of quenching mechanism to be static. Stoke shift observed from the synchronous and 3D spectra suggested the possibilities of disturbances to the aromatic micro-environment of amylases by OH-MWCNTS. FTIR and FT-Raman spectra showed alteration in the amide I band, that corresponds to their effect on alpha-helical structures. Loss of alpha-helical structures and alteration in the dichroic band again revealed possible conformational change and effect towards the stability of polypeptide backbone structures. In addition, the shift observed in the SPR band and FTIR peaks of CNTs-amylase conjugates suggested possible alteration in their optical and structural properties. On the functional aspect, amylase activity on starch degradation and hydrolysis were found to be decreased in the presence of CNTs.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles promote HSA fibrillation in vitro

Physicochemical characterization of CeO2NPs using UV-vis, FTIR and XRD have confirmed the characteristic identity and fluorite phase of their crystalline nature. The interaction studies between cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPs) and HSA were investigated using fluorescence emission and synchronous spectra, UV-vis absorbance, FTIR, FT-Raman and Circular Dichroism spectroscopy. Thermodynamic parameters and Stern-Volmer plot has conveyed the existence of the ground state complex raised due to static quenching. Synchronous and Three-Dimensional fluorescence spectra have conveyed the affinity of CeO2NPs towards Trp and Tyr residues. Results obtained from the FTIR and FT-Raman studies have evidenced minor changes in the amide and amino acid residues band position. Circular Dichroism studies have quantified the conformational changes due to the loss in their alpha helical contents of the secondary structures. Fibrillation studies using Congo red (CR), Thioflavin T (ThT) and Tryptophan emission (Trp) assay have suggested the promoting role of CeO2NPs against HSA fibrillation. CD studies have shown the enhanced percentage of beta sheet structures in the fibrillar samples that reconfirm the increased effect of CeO2NPs during the fibrillation process.

Prion like behavior of HSA-hydroxylated MWCNT interface

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with unique and outstanding properties were expected to revolutionize various aspects of the biomedical sector. Interaction studies of proteins with functionalized CNTs would shed light on their toxicological aspects upon entering the human body. Hyperchromicity of the UV-Visible spectra and declining fluorescence potential of HSA on interaction with CNTs suggested ground state complex to exist between them. Synchronous and 3D spectral features of CNT-HSA system proposed their possible binding site to occur nearby Trp and Tyr residues. FTIR and FT-Raman spectra showed a shift in the amide band region that proportionate the possible alteration to occur in the alpha-helical structures. CD far and near spectra showed loss of alpha-helical structures and shift in the Trp position of the polypeptide backbone. CNTs UV and FTIR band showed shift on interaction with HSA, which conveys the possible aggregation of CNTs in the presence of protein. The promoting role of CNTs against HSA fibril formation has been confirmed by spectroscopic and microscopic evaluations. Secondary conformational changes, besides the existence of increased beta-sheet structures of HSA amyloid fibrils, remain similar to the amyloid behavior of Prion protein. Hence, HSA fibril-CNT interface predominates the possible mechanism for several amyloid-related disorders concerning their toxic accumulations in the body.