			Home About us Contact

Globular Structures (globular + structure)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	60%

Selected Abstracts

Molecular Recognition in Partially Folded States of a Transporter Protein: Temperature-dependent Specificity of Bovine Serum Albumin

PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2008
Debapriya Banerjee
The specificity of molecular recognition of a transporter protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) in its different partially folded states has been studied. In order to avoid complications due to chemical denaturation, we have prepared thermally induced partially folded states of the protein. The partially folded states have been structurally characterized by circular dichroism and differential thermal analysis techniques. The change in the globular structure of the protein as a consequence of thermal unfolding has also been characterized by dynamic light scattering. Steady state, picosecond-resolved fluorescence and polarization gated spectroscopies on the ligands (DCM, LDS 750) in the protein reveal the dynamics of the binding sites and the specificity of ligand binding of BSA. Picosecond resolved Förster resonance energy transfer studies on the donor DCM and acceptor LDS 750 confirm that the specificity of ligand binding in the binding site is maintained up to 70°C. At 75°C, the protein loses its specificity of recognition at the aforesaid site. [source]

The Influence of the Cathodic Pretreatment on the Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine by Poly(1-aminoanthracene) Modified Electrode

ELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 19 2010
Estela de Pieri Troiani
Abstract In this study we demonstrated the influence of the cathodic pretreatment of poly(1-aminoanthracene) (PAA) electropolymerized on a platinum electrode for determination of dopamine (DA). The DA electrochemical response was obtained after a cathodic pretreatment of the PAA electrode which consisted of applying a potential of ,0.7,V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for 3,s before each measurement. The pretreatment of the electrode changed the PAA electrocatalytic properties so that the electrode began to present electrochemical response to DA without interference of ascorbic acid (AA). The anodic peak currents determined by differential pulse voltammetry using pretreated PAA showed a linear dependence on the DA concentration from 0.56 to 100,µM with a detection limit of 0.13,µM and a correlation coefficient of 0.9986. The electrode exhibits a relative standard deviation of 1.2,% for ten successive measurements of a 0.5,mM DA solution. The analysis by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy show a homogeneous and nanostructured film with globular structures with diameter of about 20,nm. The analytical results obtained for DA determination at a pretreated PAA electrode in pharmaceutical formulation sample were in good agreement with those obtained by a comparative procedure at a 95,% confidence level. PAA electrode after the pretreatment showed electrochemical responses to DA with excellent selectivity, sensitivity, and high stability without interference of AA. [source]

Aligning Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes By Means Of Langmuir,Blodgett Film Deposition: Optical, Morphological, and Photo-electrochemical Studies

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 15 2010
Gabriele Giancane
Abstract An alkoxy-substituted poly(phenylene thiophene) is used in order to suspend single-walled carbon nanotubes in an organic solvent. The suspension is spread on the air,water interface of a Langmuir trough and the floating film is characterized by means of Brewster angle microscopy and UV-visible reflection spectroscopy and the compression isotherm is recorded. The polymer/carbon-nanotube blend is transferred onto different substrates using the Langmuir,Blodgett technique. AFM measurements indicate the formation of globular structures for the samples transferred at low surface-pressure values and a tubular morphology for high-pressure-deposited samples. AFM analysis is repeated on a sample exposed to soft X-rays for about 5,h and a highly organized structure of bundles of carbon nanotubes rises up. Samples with different numbers of layers are transferred onto ITO substrates by means of the Langmuir,Blodgett method and are tested as photocathodes in a photo-electrochemical cell. A Voc of 0.18,V, an Isc of 85.8,mA, FF of 40.0%, and , of (6.23,×,10,3)% are obtained. [source]

Mineralized dermal layer of the Brazilian tree-frog Corythomantis greeningi

JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 1 2001
E. Katchburian
Abstract Some species of anuran amphibians possess a calcified dermal layer (the Eberth-Kastschenko layer) located between the "stratum spongiosum" and the "stratum compactum." This layer consists of calcium phosphate deposits, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans. Although regarded as a protective layer against desiccation, a calcium reservoir, or possibly a remnant of a dermal skeleton present in anuran ancestors, very little is known about its origin, structure, and function. Thus, we studied the structure and composition of the mineralized dermal layer of Corythomantis greeningi, a peculiar hylid from the Brazilian semiarid region (caatinga), using conventional and cryosubstitution methods combined with transmission, scanning, and analytical electron microscopy. Results show that the dermal layer consists of dense, closely juxtaposed, globular structures. Although the electron opacity of the globules was variable, depending on the type of preparation, crystal-like inclusions were present in all of them, as confirmed by dark field microscopy. Electron probe X-ray microanalysis showed calcium, phosphorus, and oxygen, and electron diffraction revealed a crystalline structure comparable to that of a hydroxyapatite. J. Morphol. 248:56,63, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Scanning Electron Microscopy of the Orbital Harderian Gland in the Male Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

ANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 4 2009
G. G. Ortiz
Summary The ultrastructure of the Harderian gland of Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We found the following surface features: the typical round appearance of the ascinar glandular unit with a finely granular surface, a thin cortex and immediately below two types of cells: type I cells (characterized by small lipid vacuoles) and type II cells (characterized by large lipid vacuoles). It has been suggested that different cells forms represent a single cell type in varying activity states. Additionally, a coalescent tubular complex, a small balloon-like structures and large globular structures were observed. These structures may be reservoirs of secretion products. [source]