Natalia L. Klyachko

Engineering biocatalytic systems in organic media with low water content

Abstract The use of organic media in biocatalysis stems from the fact that in many cases biocatalytic processes can hardly be conducted (if at all) in aqueous solutions because of extremely low solubilities of substrates and/or unfavorable shift of the reaction equilibrium in water. The growing interest in this biotechnological area that has sprung up over the past few years has resulted in various approaches to enzyme stabilization against organic solvents. Thus, the main goal of the present review is to formulate a comprehensive classification of numerous successful nonaqueous biocatalytic systems based on a few fundamental principles. Typical examples are considered, along with the advantages and drawbacks inherent in each of the approaches discussed.

Micellar enzymology: its relation to membranology

Micellar enzymology, a new trend in molecular biology, studies catalysis by enzymes entrapped in hydrated reversed micelles composed of surfactants (phospholipids, detergents) in organic solvents. The key research problems of micellar enzymology and its relation to enzyme membranology are discussed.

Exosomes as drug delivery vehicles for Parkinson's disease therapy

Exosomes are naturally occurring nanosized vesicles that have attracted considerable attention as drug delivery vehicles in the past few years. Exosomes are comprised of natural lipid bilayers with the abundance of adhesive proteins that readily interact with cellular membranes. We posit that exosomes secreted by monocytes and macrophages can provide an unprecedented opportunity to avoid entrapment in mononuclear phagocytes (as a part of the host immune system), and at the same time enhance delivery of incorporated drugs to target cells ultimately increasing drug therapeutic efficacy. In light of this, we developed a new exosomal-based delivery system for a potent antioxidant, catalase, to treat Parkinsons disease (PD). Catalase was loaded into exosomes ex vivo using different methods: the incubation at room temperature, permeabilization with saponin, freeze-thaw cycles, sonication, or extrusion. The size of the obtained catalase-loaded exosomes (exoCAT) was in the range of 100-200nm. A reformation of exosomes upon sonication and extrusion, or permeabilization with saponin resulted in high loading efficiency, sustained release, and catalase preservation against proteases degradation. Exosomes were readily taken up by neuronal cells in vitro. A considerable amount of exosomes was detected in PD mouse brain following intranasal administration. ExoCAT provided significant neuroprotective effects in in vitro and in vivo models of PD. Overall, exosome-based catalase formulations have a potential to be a versatile strategy to treat inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders.

Enzymes entrapped in reversed micelles of surfactants in organic solvents: A theoretical treatment of the catalytic activity regulation

General regularities of catalysis by enzymes solubilized in reversed micelles of surfactants in organic solvents are discussed. The kinetic scheme describing the observed dependency of catalytic activity on surfactant hydration and concentration is presented, and a computer simulation is performed of the theoretical equations. Finally, possible mechanisms and the range of enzyme activity regulation in reversed micellar systems are qualitatively analysed.

Macrophage delivery of therapeutic nanozymes in a murine model of Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND Parkinsons disease is a common progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with profound nigrostriatal degeneration. Regrettably, no therapies are currently available that can attenuate disease progression. To this end, we developed a cell-based nanoformulation delivery system using the antioxidant enzyme catalase to attenuate neuroinflammatory processes linked to neuronal death. METHODS Nanoformulated catalase was obtained by coupling catalase to a synthetic polyelectrolyte of opposite charge, leading to the formation of a polyion complex micelle. The nanozyme was loaded into bone marrow macrophages and its transport to the substantia nigra pars compacta was evaluated in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-intoxicated mice. RESULTS Therapeutic efficacy of bone marrow macrophages loaded with nanozyme was confirmed by twofold reductions in microgliosis as measured by CD11b expression. A twofold increase in tyrosine hydroxylase-expressing dopaminergic neurons was detected in nanozyme-treated compared with untreated MPTP-intoxicated mice. Neuronal survival was confirmed by magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging. Bone marrow macrophage-loaded catalase showed sustained release of the enzyme in plasma. CONCLUSION These data support the importance of macrophage-based nanozyme carriage for Parkinsons disease therapies.

Bioorganic synthesis in reverse micelles and related systems

Abstract Reverse micelles (or w/o microemulsions) have found wide applications in enzymology, protein chemistry and other areas assisting in a variety of biotransformations. Being considered as an individual ‘nanobioreactors’ these systems allow one to reveal or to add new properties to biocatalysts.

Specific transfection of inflamed brain by macrophages: a new therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.

The ability to precisely upregulate genes in inflamed brain holds great therapeutic promise. Here we report a novel class of vectors, genetically modified macrophages that carry reporter and therapeutic genes to neural cells. Systemic administration of macrophages transfected ex vivo with a plasmid DNA (pDNA) encoding a potent antioxidant enzyme, catalase, produced month-long expression levels of catalase in the brain resulting in three-fold reductions in inflammation and complete neuroprotection in mouse models of Parkinsons disease (PD). This resulted in significant improvements in motor functions in PD mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that transfected macrophages secreted extracellular vesicles, exosomes, packed with catalase genetic material, pDNA and mRNA, active catalase, and NF-κb, a transcription factor involved in the encoded gene expression. Exosomes efficiently transfer their contents to contiguous neurons resulting in de novo protein synthesis in target cells. Thus, genetically modified macrophages serve as a highly efficient system for reproduction, packaging, and targeted gene and drug delivery to treat inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders.

Towards nanomedicines of the future: Remote magneto-mechanical actuation of nanomedicines by alternating magnetic fields

The paper describes the concept of magneto-mechanical actuation of single-domain magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in super-low and low frequency alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) and its possible use for remote control of nanomedicines and drug delivery systems. The applications of this approach for remote actuation of drug release as well as effects on biomacromolecules, biomembranes, subcellular structures and cells are discussed in comparison to conventional strategies employing magnetic hyperthermia in a radio frequency (RF) AMF. Several quantitative models describing interaction of functionalized MNPs with single macromolecules, lipid membranes, and proteins (e.g. cell membrane receptors, ion channels) are presented. The optimal characteristics of the MNPs and an AMF for effective magneto-mechanical actuation of single molecule responses in biological and bio-inspired systems are discussed. Altogether, the described studies and phenomena offer opportunities for the development of novel therapeutics both alone and in combination with magnetic hyperthermia.

Fluorescence dynamics of green fluorescent protein in AOT reversed micelles

We have used the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) to investigate the properties of surfactant-entrapped water pools in organic solvents (reversed micelles) with steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence methods. The surfactant used was sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) and the organic solvents were isooctane and (the more viscous) dodecane, respectively. The water content of the water pools could be controlled through the parameter w0, which is the water-to-surfactant molar ratio. With steady-state fluorescence, it was observed that subtle fluorescence changes could be noted in reversed micelles of different water contents. EGFP can be used as a pH-indicator of the water droplets in reversed micelles. Time-resolved fluorescence methods also revealed subtle changes in fluorescence decay times when the results in bulk water were compared with those in reversed micelles. The average fluorescence lifetimes of EGFP scaled with the relative fluorescence intensities. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy of EGFP in aqueous solution and reversed micelles yielded single rotational correlation times. Geometrical considerations could assign the observed correlation times to dehydrated protein at low w0 and internal EGFP rotation within the droplet at the highest w0.

Oxidation of dibenzothiophene catalyzed by hemoglobin and other hemoproteins in various aqueous-organic media

Biocatalytic oxidation of dibenzothiophene (a model of organic sulfur in coal) with hydrogen peroxide was investigated. It was found that various hemoproteins, both enzymic (e.g., horseradish peroxidase) and nonenzymic (e.g., bovine blood hemoglobin), readily oxidized dibensothiophene to its S-oxide and, to a minor extent, further to its S-dioxide (sulfone). This process catalyzed by hemoglobin (a slaughterhouse waste protein) was studied in a number of monophasic aqueousorganic mixtures. Although hemoglobin was competent as an oxidation catalyst even in nearly dry organic solvents (with protic, acidic solvents being optimal), the highest conversions were observed in predominantly aqueous media. The hemoglobin-catalyzed oxidation of dibenzothiophene at low concentrations of the protein stopped long before all the substrate was oxidized. This phenomenon was caused by inactivation of hemoglobin by hydrogen peroxide that destroyed the heme moiety. The maximal degree of the hemoglobin-catalyzed dibenzothiophene oxidation was predicted, and found, to be strongly dependent on the reaction medium composition.