Teresa Matamá

Engineered Thermobifida fusca cutinase with increased activity on polyester substrates

A bacterial cutinase from Thermobifida fusca, named Tfu_0883, was genetically modified by site-directed mutagenesis to enhance its activity on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The new mutations tailored the catalytic site for PET, increasing the affinity of cutinase to this hydrophobic substrate and the ability to hydrolyze it. The mutation I218A was designed to create space and the double mutation Q132A/T101A was designed both to create space and to increase hydrophobicity. The activity of the double mutant on the soluble substrate p-nitrophenyl butyrate increased two-fold compared to wild-type cutinase, while on PET both single and double mutants exhibited considerably higher hydrolysis efficiency. The replacement of specific amino acids at the active site was an effective approach for the improvement of the Tfu_0883 cutinase capacity to hydrolyze polyester surfaces. Thus, this study provides valuable insight on how the function and stability of enzymes can be improved by molecular engineering for their application in synthetic fiber biotransformation.

Portuguese families with dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) share a common haplotype of Asian origin

Dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a variable combination of progressive ataxia, epilepsy, myoclonus, choreoathetosis and dementia. This disease is caused by a (CAG)n expansion in the DRPLA gene, on chromosome 12p13. DRPLA is prevalent in Japan, but several families of non-Japanese ancestry have already been published. To identify the origin of expanded alleles in Portuguese families with DRPLA, we studied two previously reported intragenic SNPs in introns 1 and 3, in addition to the CAG repeat of the DRPLA gene. The results showed that all four Portuguese DRPLA families shared the same haplotype, which is also common to that reported for Japanese DRPLA chromosomes. This haplotype is also the most frequent in Japanese normal alleles, whereas it was rare in Portuguese control chromosomes. Thus, our findings support that a founder DRPLA haplotype of Asian origin was introduced in Portugal, being responsible for the frequency of the disease in this country.

Functionalization of cellulose acetate fibers with engineered cutinases

In the present work, we describe for the first time the specific role of cutinase on surface modification of cellulose acetate fibers. Cutinase exhibits acetyl esterase activity on diacetate and triacetate of 0.010 U and 0.007 U, respectively. An increase on the hydroxyl groups at the fiber surface of 25% for diacetate and 317% for triacetate, after a 24 h treatment, is estimated by an indirect assay. Aiming at further improvement of cutinase affinity toward cellulose acetate, chimeric cutinases are genetically engineered by fusing the 3′‐end coding sequence with a bacterial or a fungal carbohydrate‐binding module and varying the linker DNA sequence. A comparative analysis of these genetic constructions is presented showing that, the superficial regeneration of cellulose hydrophilicity and reactivity on highly substituted cellulose acetates is achieved by chimeric cutinases.

Chitosan–lignosulfonates sono-chemically prepared nanoparticles : characterisation and potential applications

Due to their recognised properties of biocompatibility, biodegradability and sustainability, chitosan nanocarriers have been successfully used as new delivery systems. In this work, nanoparticles combining chitosan and lignosulfonates were developed for the first time for cosmetic and biomedical applications. The ability of lignosulfonates to act as a counter polyion for stabilisation of chitosan particles, generated using high intensity ultrasound, was investigated. Several conditions for particles preparation were tested and optimised and the resulting nanoparticles were comprehensively characterised by measuring particle size, zeta potential and polydispersity index. The pH of chitosan solution, sonication time and the presence of an adequate surfactant, poloxamer 407, were determinant factors on the development of smaller particles with low polydispersity index (an average particle size of 230 nm was obtained at pH 5 after 8 min of sonication). The beneficial effects of lignosulfonates complex on chitosan nanoparticles were further characterised. Greater stability to lysozyme degradation, biocompatibility with human cells and antimicrobial activity was found upon lignosulfonates incorporation into chitosan nanoparticles. Furthermore, these particles were able to incorporate a hydrophilic model protein - RNase A. A burst release was observed when nanoparticles were loaded with low amount of protein while with high protein content, a sustained release was found, suggesting that the protein cargo maybe loaded both at the surface as in the bulk of the particle, depending on the concentration of drug incorporated.

Design of novel BSA/hyaluronic acid nanodispersions for transdermal pharma purposes.

A novel transdermal hyaluronic acid (HA) conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was developed in the form of solid-in-oil (S/O) nanodispersion (129.7 nm mean diameter). Ex vivo skin penetration analysis by fluorescence and confocal observation of histological skin sections revealed the ability of BSA/HA nanodispersions to cross the stratum corneum and penetrate into the dermis. Furthermore, no significant toxicity was found in fibroblast and keratinocyte cells in vitro. These results proved the potential of the developed nanodispersion for transdermal delivery of hyaluronic acid constituting a high value to biopharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

Potential of human γD-crystallin for hair damage repair : insights into the mechanical properties and biocompatibility

The objective of this work was to develop a new strategy to physically ‘repair’ chemically damaged hair. Hence the human eye γD‐crystallin, a protein from the superfamily characterized structurally by the Greek key motif, was studied. The human γD‐crystallin was chosen based on the ability of proteins belonging to this superfamily to be involved in the coating of specific structures. Two crystallins were used on the study, the wild type (Protein Data Bank ID: 1HK0) and the mutant protein. The mutant form was intended to induce a strong and quick protein polymerization as well to have new possible points of anchorage to hair.

Laccase coating of catheters with poly(catechin) for biofilm reduction

Abstract Urinary polyurethane (PU) and silicone (SI) catheters were coated with poly(catechin) to reduce bacterial adhesion. Laccase was used as a biocatalyst to oxidize the catechin monomer and produce the polymer. Optimization of the catheter surface functionalization followed two different approaches: with or without previous alkali treatment. The results indicated higher levels of polymer attachment for the alkali-treated catheters (+ 18% for PU and + 33% for SI catheters). The reduction of biofilm formation on the catheter surface was quantitatively evaluated under static adhesion conditions against Escherichia coli (96% reduction on PU) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (81% reduction on SI). The type of catheter material greatly influenced bacterial adhesion, though alkali treatment was consistently beneficial for poly(catechin) attachment and consequently for biofilm reduction.

Lipases efficiently stearate and cutinases acetylate the surface of arabinoxylan films.

This is the first report on successful enzyme catalyzed surface esterification of hemicellulose films. Enzyme catalyzed surface acetylation with vinyl acetate and stearation with vinyl stearate were studied on rye arabinoxylan (AX) films. Different surface analytical techniques (FT-IR, TOF-SIMS, ESCA, CA) show that lipases from Mucor javanicus, Rhizopus oryzae and Candida rugosa successfully surface stearate AX films and that a cutinase from Fusarium solani pisi surface acetylates these films. The specificities of cutinase and lipases were also compared, and higher activity was observed for lipases utilizing long alkyl chain substrates while higher activity was observed for cutinase utilizing shorter alkyl chain substrates. The contact angle analysis showed films with increased initial hydrophobicity on the surfaces.

The activity of LE10 peptide on biological membranes using molecular dynamics, in vitro and in vivo studies

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are generally defined as small cationic peptides with the ability to interact with lipidic membranes, in a process driven by electrostatic and hydrophobic processes. The interaction with CPPs is known to lead to its translocation across the membrane, while with AMPs lead to membrane damage. Here we present one synthetic anionic peptide, LE10 (LELELELELELELELELELE), which strongly interacts with model membranes, showing properties of CPPs (translocation through lipidic membranes on a mechanism usually described for cationic CPPs) and AMPs (membrane disruption) in molecular dynamic studies, experimental studies with liposomes and mammalian cells in vitro. Based on the LE10 properties here demonstrated, small modifications in its structure could make it a very promising tool for drug delivery.

Direct enzymatic esterification of cotton and Avicel with wild-type and engineered cutinases

In this work, the surface of cellulose, either Avicel or cotton fabric, was modified using cutinases without any previous treatment to swell or to solubilise the polymer. Aiming further improvement of cutinase ester synthase activity on cellulose, an engineered cutinase was investigated. Wild-type cutinase from Fusarium solani and its fusion with the carbohydrate-binding module N1 from Cellulomonas fimi were able to esterify the hydroxyl groups of cellulose with distinct efficiencies depending on the acid substrate/solvent system used, as shown by titration and by ATR-FTIR. The carbonyl stretching peak area increased significantly after enzymatic treatment during 72 h at 30 °C. Cutinase treatment resulted in relative increases of 31 and 9 % when octanoic acid and vegetable oil were used as substrates, respectively. Cutinase-N1 treatment resulted in relative increases of 11 and 29 % in the peak area when octanoic acid and vegetable oil were used as substrates, respectively. The production and application of cutinase fused with the domain N1 as a cellulose ester synthase, here reported for the first time, is therefore an interesting strategy to pursuit.