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Lipid Molecules (lipid + molecule)
Selected AbstractsMesoporous Silicas by Self-Assembly of Lipid Molecules: Ribbon, Hollow Sphere, and Chiral MaterialsCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 21 2008Haiying Jin Abstract Using lipids (N -acyl amino acids) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as structure- and co-structure-directing agents, mesoporous silicas with four different morphologies, that is, helical ribbon (HR), hollow sphere, circular disk, and helical hexagonal rod, were synthesized just by changing the synthesis temperature from 0,°C to 10, 15, or 20,°C. The structures were studied by electron microscopy. It was found that 1),the structures have double-layer disordered mesopores in the HR, radially oriented mesopores in the hollow sphere, and highly ordered straight and chiral 2D-hexagonal mesopores in the disklike structure and helical rod, respectively; 2),these four types of mesoporous silica were transformed from the flat bilayered lipid ribbon with a chain-interdigitated layer phase through a solid,solid transformation for HR formation and a dissolving procedure transformation for the synthesis of the hollow sphere, circular disk, and twisted morphologies; 3),the mesoporous silica helical ribbon was exclusively right-handed and the 2D-hexagonal chiral mesoporous silica was excessively left-handed when the L -form N -acyl amino acid was used as the lipid template; 4),the HR was formed only by the chiral lipid molecules, whereas the 2D-hexagonal chiral mesoporous silicas were formed by chiral, achiral, and racemic lipids. Our findings give important information for the understanding of the formation of chiral materials at the molecular level and will facilitate a more efficient and systematic approach to the generation of rationalized chiral libraries. [source] Liquid Crystal Emulsions as the Basis of Biological Sensors for the Optical Detection of Bacteria and VirusesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 14 2009Sri Sivakumar Abstract A versatile sensing method based on monodisperse liquid crystal (LC) emulsion droplets detects and distinguishes between different types of bacteria (Gram +ve and ,ve) and viruses (enveloped and non-enveloped). LCs of 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl transition from a bipolar to radial configuration when in contact with Gram ,ve bacteria (E. coli) and lipid-enveloped viruses (A/NWS/Tokyo/67). This transition is consistent with the transfer of lipid from the organisms to the interfaces of the micrometer-sized LC droplets. In contrast, a transition to the radial configuration is not observed in the presence of Gram +ve bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus) and non-enveloped viruses (M13 helper phage). The LC droplets can detect small numbers of E. coli bacteria (1,5) and low concentrations (104,pfu mL,1) of A/NWS/Tokyo/67 virus. Monodisperse LC emulsions incubated with phosholipid liposomes (similar to the E. coli cell wall lipid) reveal that the orientational change is triggered at an area per lipid molecule of ,46,Å2 on an LC droplet (,1.6,×,108 lipid molecules per droplet). This approach represents a novel means to sense and differentiate between types of bacteria and viruses based on their cell-wall/envelope structure, paving the way for the development of a new class of LC microdroplet-based biological sensors. [source] Ab initio computational study of positron emission tomography ligands interacting with lipid molecule for the prediction of nonspecific bindingJOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 14 2008Lula Rosso Abstract Nonspecific binding is a poorly understood biological phenomenon of relevance in the study of small molecules interactions in vivo and in drug development. Nonspecific binding is thought to be correlated in part to a molecule's lipophilicity, typically estimated by measuring (or calculating) octanol,water partition coefficient. This is, however, a gross simplification of a complex phenomenon. In this article, we present a computational method whose aim is to help identify positron emission tomography (PET) ligands with low nonspecific binding characteristics by investigating the molecular basis of ligand,membrane interaction. We considered a set consisting of 10 well-studied central nervous system PET radiotracers acting on a variety of molecular targets. Quantum mechanical calculations were used to estimate the strength of the interaction between each drug molecule and one phospholipid molecule commonly present in mammalian membranes. The results indicate a correlation between the computed drug,lipid interaction energy and the in vivo nonspecific distribution volume relative to the free tracer plasma concentration, calculated using standard compartmental modeling for the analysis of PET data. Significantly, the drugs whose interaction with the lipid molecule more favorably possessed, in general, a higher nonspecific binding value, whereas for the drugs taken in consideration in this study, the water-octanol partition coefficient, log P, did not show good predictive power of the nonspecific binding. This study also illustrates how ab initio chemical methods may offer meaningful and unbiased insights for the understanding of the underlying chemical mechanisms in biological systems. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008 [source] Arthritis develops but fails to resolve during inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 in a murine model of lyme diseaseARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 5 2008Victoria A. Blaho Objective Recent studies have implicated products of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in not only induction but also resolution of the inflammatory response; however, the contribution of COX-2 products to the in vivo response to infection is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of COX-2 to temporal regulation of the inflammatory response to infection in a murine model of Lyme arthritis. Methods Experimental Lyme disease was induced in both arthritis-resistant DBA/2J and arthritis-susceptible C3H/HeJ mice by inoculation in the hind footpads with Borrelia burgdorferi. COX-2 inhibitors were administered daily, and their effect on arthritis pathology was assessed at various time points postinfection. The COX-2 deficiency was also backcrossed onto both DBA and C3H backgrounds to confirm the findings from COX-2 inhibitor,treated mice. Results In COX-2 inhibitor,treated or COX-2,/, C3H mice, arthritis developed normally but did not resolve. Cessation of COX-2 inhibitor treatment on day 14 postinfection did not induce resolution of arthritis, indicating an early onset for the molecular mechanisms governing resolution. The lack of resolution of arthritis correlated with altered COX-2 and cytosolic phospholipase A2 messenger RNA levels in the joints of C3H mice. In addition, the proresolution lipid molecule 15-deoxy-,12,14 -prostaglandin J2 was produced in response to B burgdorferi infection, and its production was attenuated by the inhibition of COX-2. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that early production of COX-2 products is necessary for resolution of the inflammatory arthritis induced by Borrelia infection, and that COX-2 inhibition may result in prolonged inflammatory states, possibly by inhibition of proresolution eicosanoids. [source] Resolvin D1 attenuates activation of sensory transient receptor potential channels leading to multiple anti-nociceptionBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 3 2010S Bang BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential ion channels (thermoTRPs) expressed in primary sensory neurons and skin keratinocytes play a crucial role as peripheral pain detectors. Many natural and synthetic ligands have been found to act on thermoTRPs, but little is known about endogenous compounds that inhibit these TRPs. Here, we asked whether resolvin D1 (RvD1), a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipid molecule is able to affect the TRP channel activation. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We examined the effect of RvD1 on the six thermoTRPs using Ca2+ imaging and whole cell electrophysiology experiments using the HEK cell heterologous expression system, cultured sensory neurons and HaCaT keratinocytes. We also checked changes in agonist-specific acute licking/flicking or flinching behaviours and TRP-related mechanical and thermal pain behaviours using Hargreaves, Randall-Selitto and von Frey assay systems with or without inflammation. KEY RESULTS RvD1 inhibited the activities of TRPA1, TRPV3 and TRPV4 at nanomolar and micromolar levels. Consistent attenuations in agonist-specific acute pain behaviours by immediate peripheral administration with RvD1 were also observed. Furthermore, local pretreatment with RvD1 significantly reversed mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity in inflamed tissues. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS RvD1 was a novel endogenous inhibitor for several sensory TRPs. The results of our behavioural studies suggest that RvD1 has an analgesic potential via these TRP-related mechanisms. [source] The Role of One-Electron Reduction of Lipid Hydroperoxides in Causing DNA DamageCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 40 2009Conor Crean Dr. Abstract The in vivo metabolism of plasma lipids generates lipid hydroperoxides that, upon one-electron reduction, give rise to a wide spectrum of genotoxic unsaturated aldehydes and epoxides. These metabolites react with cellular DNA to form a variety of pre-mutagenic DNA lesions. The mechanisms of action of the radical precursors of these genotoxic electrophiles are poorly understood. In this work we investigated the nature of DNA products formed by a one-electron reduction of (13S)-hydroperoxy-(9Z,11E)-octadecadienoic acid (13S -HPODE), a typical lipid molecule, and the reactions of the free radicals thus generated with neutral guanine radicals, G(,H).. A novel approach was devised to generate these intermediates in solution. The two-photon-induced ionization of 2-aminopurine (2AP) within the 2,-deoxyoligonucleotide 5,-d(CC[2AP]TCGCTACC) by intense nanosecond 308,nm excimer laser pulses was employed to simultaneously generate hydrated electrons and radical cations 2AP.+. The latter radicals either in cationic or neutral forms, rapidly oxidize the nearby G base to form G(,H).. In deoxygenated buffer solutions (pH,7.5), the hydrated electrons rapidly reduce 13S -HPODE and the highly unstable alkoxyl radicals formed undergo a prompt ,-scission to pentyl radicals that readily combine with G(,H).. Two novel guanine products in these oligonucleotides, 8-pentyl- and N2 -pentylguanine, were identified. It is shown that the DNA secondary structure significantly affects the ratio of 8-pentyl- and N2 -pentylguanine lesions that changes from 0.9:1 in single-stranded, to 1:0.2 in double-stranded oligonucleotides. The alkylation of guanine by alkyl radicals derived from lipid hydroperoxides might contribute to the genotoxic modification of cellular DNA under hypoxic conditions. Thus, further research is warranted on the detection of pentylguanine lesions and other alkylguanines in vivo. [source] Liquid Crystal Emulsions as the Basis of Biological Sensors for the Optical Detection of Bacteria and VirusesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 14 2009Sri Sivakumar Abstract A versatile sensing method based on monodisperse liquid crystal (LC) emulsion droplets detects and distinguishes between different types of bacteria (Gram +ve and ,ve) and viruses (enveloped and non-enveloped). LCs of 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl transition from a bipolar to radial configuration when in contact with Gram ,ve bacteria (E. coli) and lipid-enveloped viruses (A/NWS/Tokyo/67). This transition is consistent with the transfer of lipid from the organisms to the interfaces of the micrometer-sized LC droplets. In contrast, a transition to the radial configuration is not observed in the presence of Gram +ve bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus) and non-enveloped viruses (M13 helper phage). The LC droplets can detect small numbers of E. coli bacteria (1,5) and low concentrations (104,pfu mL,1) of A/NWS/Tokyo/67 virus. Monodisperse LC emulsions incubated with phosholipid liposomes (similar to the E. coli cell wall lipid) reveal that the orientational change is triggered at an area per lipid molecule of ,46,Å2 on an LC droplet (,1.6,×,108 lipid molecules per droplet). This approach represents a novel means to sense and differentiate between types of bacteria and viruses based on their cell-wall/envelope structure, paving the way for the development of a new class of LC microdroplet-based biological sensors. [source] Formation of Chiral Mesopores in Conducting Polymers by Chiral-Lipid-Ribbon Templating and "Seeding" Route,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2008Chaxing Fan Abstract Conducting polymer nanofibers with controllable chiral mesopores in the size, the shape, and handedness have been synthesized by chiral lipid ribbon templating and "seeding" route. Chiral mesoporous conducting poly(pyrrole) (CMPP) synthesized with very small amount of chiral amphiphilic molecules (usually,<,3%) has helically twisted channels with well-defined controllable pore size of 5,20,nm in central axis of the twisted fibers. The structure and chirality of helical mesopores have been characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron tomography. The average pore diameters of chiral mesopores were approximately estimated from the N2 adsorption,desorption data and calculated by the conversion calculation from helical ribbons to a rectangular straight tape. The pore size of CMPP has been controlled by choosing different alkyl chain lengths of chiral lipid molecules or precisely adjusting the H2O/EtOH volume ratio. [source] Quantitative Determination of Surface Concentration of Human Apolipoprotein H with Capillary ElectrophoresisIUBMB LIFE, Issue 5 2000Shao-xiong Wang Abstract The phospholipid monolayer at an air/water interface is widely used to mimic the biological membrane. The dynamic process of the protein or peptide interacting with lipid molecules can be reflected in the change in surface pressure of the monolayer. But the conventional method used to measure the surface pressure change gives results that cannot easily be correlated with the contribution of a single protein molecule. Previously, measuring the surface concentration of the protein molecules at the air/water interface has required the protein to be labeled with radioactivity or fluorescence. Here, a new method using capillary electrophoresis is introduced to measure the surface concentration of the protein. The results show at least two advantages of the new method: The numerical results of protein concentration can be obtained in a more precise and rapid way; and there is no need to label the protein sample or to build a special monolayer setup. [source] In vitro1H NMR studies of RD human cell infection with echovirus 11NMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 4 2007S. Naved Akhtar Abstract The effects of echovirus 11 infection on RD human cell line (derived from rhabdomyosarcoma) were studied using 1H NMR spectroscopy and optical microscopy. Both uninfected and infected cells consumed glucose and produced lactate, acetate and formate as extracellular metabolites. In infected whole cells, phosphocholine and uridine-sugar were observed in addition to the metabolites observed in uninfected cells. Water-soluble intracellular metabolites of infected cells showed glutamine, phosphocholine and glycine which were not observed in uninfected cells. Cellular metabolites except lipid components gradually decreased and disappeared during 24,48,h of viral infection. The quantity of lipid components in infected cells was comparable with that in uninfected cells, indicating that echovirus 11 does not utilize cell lipid molecules. Unlike optical microscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy identified early stages of infection through metabolic changes. These results may have potential implications in probing virus,cell interactions using NMR-based metabolomics. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Two-dimensional crystals of carboxysome shell proteins recapitulate the hexagonal packing of three-dimensional crystalsPROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 12 2009Kelly A. Dryden Abstract Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are large intracellular bodies that serve as simple organelles in many bacteria. They are proteinaceous structures composed of key enzymes encapsulated by a polyhedral protein shell. In previous studies, the organization of these large shells has been inferred from the conserved packing of the component shell proteins in two-dimensional (2D) layers within the context of three-dimensional (3D) crystals. Here, we show that well-ordered, 2D crystals of carboxysome shell proteins assemble spontaneously when His-tagged proteins bind to a monolayer of nickelated lipid molecules at an air,water interface. The molecular packing within the 2D crystals recapitulates the layered hexagonal sheets observed in 3D crystals. The results reinforce current models for the molecular design of BMC shells. [source] Mesoporous Silicas by Self-Assembly of Lipid Molecules: Ribbon, Hollow Sphere, and Chiral MaterialsCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 21 2008Haiying Jin Abstract Using lipids (N -acyl amino acids) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as structure- and co-structure-directing agents, mesoporous silicas with four different morphologies, that is, helical ribbon (HR), hollow sphere, circular disk, and helical hexagonal rod, were synthesized just by changing the synthesis temperature from 0,°C to 10, 15, or 20,°C. The structures were studied by electron microscopy. It was found that 1),the structures have double-layer disordered mesopores in the HR, radially oriented mesopores in the hollow sphere, and highly ordered straight and chiral 2D-hexagonal mesopores in the disklike structure and helical rod, respectively; 2),these four types of mesoporous silica were transformed from the flat bilayered lipid ribbon with a chain-interdigitated layer phase through a solid,solid transformation for HR formation and a dissolving procedure transformation for the synthesis of the hollow sphere, circular disk, and twisted morphologies; 3),the mesoporous silica helical ribbon was exclusively right-handed and the 2D-hexagonal chiral mesoporous silica was excessively left-handed when the L -form N -acyl amino acid was used as the lipid template; 4),the HR was formed only by the chiral lipid molecules, whereas the 2D-hexagonal chiral mesoporous silicas were formed by chiral, achiral, and racemic lipids. Our findings give important information for the understanding of the formation of chiral materials at the molecular level and will facilitate a more efficient and systematic approach to the generation of rationalized chiral libraries. [source] Thermotropic Lipid Phase Transition and the Behavior of Hydrolytic Enzymes in the Kidney Cortex Brush Border MembraneCHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY, Issue 10 2006Sankar Abstract Functional interactions of lipids and proteins were examined in brush-border membranes isolated from the kidney cortex by studying the temperature dependence of the hydrolytic enzyme activities. A close relationship was observed for the membrane proteins and the thermotropic lipid phase transitions. Three lines of evidences were provided for such dependence: a) Arrhenius relationship of the membrane-bound enzyme activities, and the effect of temperature in native and partially delipidated membranes, b) differential scanning calorimetric study of the membrane lipid phase transitions in the native and delipidated membranes, multilamellar vesicles prepared from the membrane extracted lipids, and in vesicles from dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine, and c) the excimer (dimer)-formation studies of the membrane extrinsic fluorescent probe, pyrene, and the resultant membrane microviscosity. The brush-border membranes were partially delipidated with BuOH and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol. The functional interactions of the delipidated membranes, which were greatly lost on lipid removal, were largely restored by the addition of exogenous lipids in the reconstitution process, which indicate the critical dependence of the membrane integral proteins on the neighboring lipid molecules in the bulk lipid phase. [source] | |||||||||||||