Thylakoid membrane reorganizations revealed by small-angle neutron scattering of Monstera deliciosa leaves associated with non-photochemical quenching.

Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) is an important photoprotective mechanism in plants and algae. Although the process is extensively studied, little is known about its relationship with ultrastructural changes of the thylakoid membranes. In order to better understand this relationship, we studied the effects of illumination on the organization of thylakoid membranes in Monstera deliciosa leaves. This evergreen species is known to exhibit very large NPQ and to possess giant grana with dozens of stacked thylakoids. It is thus ideally suited for small-angle neutron scattering measurements (SANS)-a non-invasive technique, which is capable of providing spatially and statistically averaged information on the periodicity of the thylakoid membranes and their rapid reorganizations in vivo. We show that NPQ-inducing illumination causes a strong decrease in the periodic order of granum thylakoid membranes. Development of NPQ and light-induced ultrastructural changes, as well as the relaxation processes, follow similar kinetic patterns. Surprisingly, whereas NPQ is suppressed by diuron, it impedes only the relaxation of the structural changes and not its formation, suggesting that structural changes do not cause but enable NPQ. We also demonstrate that the diminishment of SANS peak does not originate from light-induced redistribution and reorientation of chloroplasts inside the cells.

Role of Protein-Water Interface in the Stacking Interactions of Granum Thylakoid Membranes-As Revealed by the Effects of Hofmeister Salts.

The thylakoid membranes of vascular plants are differentiated into stacked granum and unstacked stroma regions. The formation of grana is triggered by the macrodomain formation of photosystem II and light-harvesting complex II (PSII-LHCII) and thus their lateral segregation from the photosystem I-light-harvesting complex I (PSI-LHCI) super-complexes and the ATP-synthase; which is then stabilized by stacking interactions of the adjacent PSII-LHCII enriched regions of the thylakoid membranes. The self-assembly and dynamics of this highly organized membrane system and the nature of forces acting between the PSII-LHCII macrodomains are not well understood. By using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we investigated the effects of Hofmeister salts on the organization of pigment-protein complexes and on the ultrastructure of thylakoid membranes. We found that the kosmotropic agent (NH4)2SO4 and the Hofmeister-neutral NaCl, up to 2 M concentrations, hardly affected the macro-organization of the protein complexes and the membrane ultrastructure. In contrast, chaotropic salts, NaClO4, and NaSCN destroyed the mesoscopic structures, the multilamellar organization of the thylakoid membranes and the chiral macrodomains of the protein complexes but without noticeably affecting the short-range, pigment-pigment excitonic interactions. Comparison of the concentration- and time-dependences of SANS, TEM and CD parameters revealed the main steps of the disassembly of grana in the presence of chaotropes. It begins with a rapid diminishment of the long-range periodic order of the grana membranes, apparently due to an increased stacking disorder of the thylakoid membranes, as reflected by SANS experiments. SANS measurements also allowed discrimination between the cationic and anionic effects-in stacking and disorder, respectively. This step is followed by a somewhat slower disorganization of the TEM ultrastructure, due to the gradual loss of stacked membrane pairs. Occurring last is the stepwise decrease and disappearance of the long-range chiral order of the protein complexes, the rate of which was faster in LHCII-deficient membranes. These data are interpreted in terms of a theory, from our laboratory, according to which Hofmeister salts primarily affect the hydrophylic-hydrophobic interactions of proteins, and the stroma-exposed regions of the intrinsic membrane proteins, in particular-pointing to the role of protein-water interface in the stacking interactions of granum thylakoid membranes.

Successful reprogramming of cellular protein production through mRNA delivered by functionalized lipid nanoparticles.

The development of safe and efficacious gene vectors has limited greatly the potential for therapeutic treatments based on messenger RNA (mRNA). Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) formed by an ionizable cationic lipid (here DLin-MC3-DMA), helper lipids (distearoylphosphatidylcholine, DSPC, and cholesterol), and a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) lipid have been identified as very promising delivery vectors of short interfering RNA (siRNA) in different clinical phases; however, delivery of high-molecular weight RNA has been proven much more demanding. Herein we elucidate the structure of hEPO modified mRNA-containing LNPs of different sizes and show how structural differences affect transfection of human adipocytes and hepatocytes, two clinically relevant cell types. Employing small-angle scattering, we demonstrate that LNPs have a disordered inverse hexagonal internal structure with a characteristic distance around 6 nm in presence of mRNA, whereas LNPs containing no mRNA do not display this structure. Furthermore, using contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering, we show that one of the lipid components, DSPC, is localized mainly at the surface of mRNA-containing LNPs. By varying LNP size and surface composition we demonstrate that both size and structure have significant influence on intracellular protein production. As an example, in both human adipocytes and hepatocytes, protein expression levels for 130 nm LNPs can differ as much as 50-fold depending on their surface characteristics, likely due to a difference in the ability of LNP fusion with the early endosome membrane. We consider these discoveries to be fundamental and opening up new possibilities for rational design of synthetic nanoscopic vehicles for mRNA delivery.

Structural Evolution of Metastable Protein Aggregates in the Presence of Trivalent Salt Studied by (V)SANS and SAXS.

We present a study of the structural evolution of protein aggregates formed in solutions of a globular protein, ß-lactoglobulin (BLG), in the presence of YCl3. These aggregates are often observed before crystallization starts and they are metastable with respect to the crystalline phase. Here we focus on the characterization of the hierarchical structure of this intermediate phase and its temperature dependent structure evolution using a combination of (very) small angle neutron and X-ray scattering (VSANS, SANS, and SAXS). Results show that the hierarchical structure ranges from nanometer scale protein monomer, dimer and compact protein clusters to micrometer scale fractal protein aggregates. Upon cooling, the overall hierarchical structure is preserved, but the evolution of the internal structure within the aggregates is clearly visible: the monomer-monomer correlation peak reduces its intensity and disappears completely at lower temperatures, whereas the cluster-cluster correlation is enhanced. At a larger length scale, the fractal dimension of protein aggregates increases. The kinetics of the structure change during a temperature ramp was further investigated using time-resolved SAXS. The time dependent SAXS profiles show clear isosbestic points and the kinetics of the structural evolution can be well described using a two-state model. These dynamic properties of protein aggregates on a broad length scale may be essential for being the precursors of nucleation.

Small angle neutron scattering data of polymer electrolyte membranes partially swollen in water.

In this article, we show the small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data obtained from the polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) equilibrated at a given relative humidity. We apply Hard-Sphere (HS) structure model with Percus-Yervick interference interactions to analyze the dataset. The molecular structure of these PEMs and the morphologies of the fully water-swollen membranes have been elucidated by Zhao et al. "Elucidation of the morphology of the hydrocarbon multi-block copolymer electrolyte membranes for proton exchange fuel cells" [1].

Multi-scale processes of beech wood disintegration and pretreatment with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate/water mixtures.

BACKGROUND: The valorization of biomass for chemicals and fuels requires efficient pretreatment. One effective strategy involves the pretreatment with ionic liquids which enables enzymatic saccharification of wood within a few hours under mild conditions. This pretreatment strategy is, however, limited by water and the ionic liquids are rather expensive. The scarce understanding of the involved effects, however, challenges the design of alternative pretreatment concepts. This work investigates the multi length-scale effects of pretreatment of wood in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMIMAc) in mixtures with water using spectroscopy, X-ray and neutron scattering. RESULTS: The structure of beech wood is disintegrated in EMIMAc/water mixtures with a water content up to 8.6 wt%. Above 10.7 wt%, the pretreated wood is not disintegrated, but still much better digested enzymatically compared to native wood. In both regimes, component analysis of the solid after pretreatment shows an extraction of few percent of lignin and hemicellulose. In concentrated EMIMAc, xylan is extracted more efficiently and lignin is defunctionalized. Corresponding to the disintegration at macroscopic scale, SANS and XRD show isotropy and a loss of crystallinity in the pretreated wood, but without distinct reflections of type II cellulose. Hence, the microfibril assembly is decrystallized into rather amorphous cellulose within the cell wall. CONCLUSIONS: The molecular and structural changes elucidate the processes of wood pretreatment in EMIMAc/water mixtures. In the aqueous regime with >10.7 wt% water in EMIMAc, xyloglucan and lignin moieties are extracted, which leads to coalescence of fibrillary cellulose structures. Dilute EMIMAc/water mixtures thus resemble established aqueous pretreatment concepts. In concentrated EMIMAc, the swelling due to decrystallinization of cellulose, dissolution of cross-linking xylan, and defunctionalization of lignin releases the mechanical stress to result in macroscopic disintegration of cells. The remaining cell wall constituents of lignin and hemicellulose, however, limit a recrystallization of the solvated cellulose. These pretreatment mechanisms are beyond common pretreatment concepts and pave the way for a formulation of mechanistic requirements of pretreatment with simpler pretreatment liquors.

Phosphocholine-decorated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: defining the structure and probing in vivo applications.

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) are performing contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). A functionalization strategy for SPIONs based on hydrophobic interactions is a versatile approach easily extendable to several kinds of inorganic nanoparticles and suitable for obtaining stable and biocompatible systems. Here we report on the original preparation of functionalized SPIONs with an 8 nm radius exploiting the hydrophobic interaction between a phosphocholine and an inner amphiphilic. With respect to other similarly functionalized SPIONs, characterized by the typical nanoparticle clustering that leads to large aggregates, our phosphocholine-decorated SPIONs are demonstrated to be monodisperse. We report the in vitro and in vivo study that proves the effective applicability of phosphocholine-decorated SPIONs as MRI contrast agents. The versatility of this functionalization approach is highlighted by introducing on the SPION surface a ruthenium-based potential antitumoral drug, named ToThyCholRu. Even if in this case we observed the formation of SPION clusters, ascribable to the presence of the amphiphilic ruthenium complex, interesting and promising antiproliferative activity points at the ToThyCholRu-decorated SPIONs as potential theranostic agents.

Studying Soft-matter and Biological Systems over a Wide Length-scale from Nanometer and Micrometer Sizes at the Small-angle Neutron Diffractometer KWS-2.

The KWS-2 SANS diffractometer is dedicated to the investigation of soft matter and biophysical systems covering a wide length scale, from nm to µm. The instrument is optimized for the exploration of the wide momentum transfer Q range between 1x10-4 and 0.5 Å-1 by combining classical pinhole, focusing (with lenses), and time-of-flight (with chopper) methods, while simultaneously providing high-neutron intensities with an adjustable resolution. Because of its ability to adjust the intensity and the resolution within wide limits during the experiment, combined with the possibility to equip specific sample environments and ancillary devices, the KWS-2 shows a high versatility in addressing the broad range of structural and morphological studies in the field. Equilibrium structures can be studied in static measurements, while dynamic and kinetic processes can be investigated over time scales between minutes to tens of milliseconds with time-resolved approaches. Typical systems that are investigated with the KWS-2 cover the range from complex, hierarchical systems that exhibit multiple structural levels (e.g., gels, networks, or macro-aggregates) to small and poorly-scattering systems (e.g., single polymers or proteins in solution). The recent upgrade of the detection system, which enables the detection of count rates in the MHz range, opens new opportunities to study even very small biological morphologies in buffer solution with weak scattering signals close to the buffer scattering level at high Q. In this paper, we provide a protocol to investigate samples with characteristic size levels spanning a wide length scale and exhibiting ordering in the mesoscale structure using KWS-2. We present in detail how to use the multiple working modes that are offered by the instrument and the level of performance that is achieved.

Imidazolium-based anion exchange membranes for alkaline anion fuel cells: elucidation of the morphology and the interplay between the morphology and properties.

We investigated the morphology and swelling behavior of a new graft-type of anion exchange membrane (AEM) containing 2-methylimidazolium groups by using a contrast variation small angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique. These AEMs were prepared by radiation-induced grafting of 2-methyl-1-vinylimidazole and styrene into poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) films and subsequent N-alkylation with methyliodide, and possessed both high alkaline durability and high conductivity. Our results showed that the crystalline lamellar and crystallite structures originating from the pristine ETFE films were more or less conserved in these AEMs, but the lamellar d-spacing in both dry and wet membranes was enlarged, indicating an expansion of the amorphous lamellae due to the graft chains introduced in the grafting process and the water incorporated in the swelling process. For the first time, the swelling behavior of the AEMs was studied quantitatively in various water mixtures of water and deuterated water with different volume ratios (contrast variation method), and the morphology of these membranes was elucidated by three phases: phase (1) crystalline ETFE domains, which offer good mechanical properties; phase (2) hydrophobic amorphous domains, which are made up of amorphous ETFE chains and offer a matrix to create conducting regions; phase (3) interconnected hydrated domains, which are composed of the entire graft chains and water and play a key role in promoting the conductivity.

Tuning the instrument resolution using chopper and time of flight at the small-angle neutron scattering diffractometer KWS-2.

Following demand from the user community regarding the possibility of improving the experimental resolution, the dedicated high-intensity/extended Q-range SANS diffractometer KWS-2 of the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Center in Garching was equipped with a double-disc chopper with a variable opening slit window and time-of-flight (TOF) data acquisition option. The chopper used in concert with a dedicated high-intensity velocity selector enables the tuning at will of the wavelength resolution Δλ/λ within a broad range, from 20% (standard) down to 2%, in a convenient and safe manner following pre-planned or spontaneous decisions during the experiment. The new working mode is described in detail, and its efficiency is demonstrated on several standard samples with known properties and on a completely new crystallizable copolymer system, which were investigated using both the conventional (static) and TOF modes.

Fasted-state simulated intestinal fluid "FaSSIF-C", a cholesterol containing intestinal model medium for in vitro drug delivery development.

A set of biorelevant media "fasted-state simulated intestinal fluid with cholesterol (FaSSIF-C)" for the in vitro study of intestinal drug dissolution in the duodenum was developed. These contain cholesterol at the same levels as in human bile: the cholesterol content of FaSSIF-7C is equivalent to healthy female, FaSSIF-10C to healthy male persons, and FaSSIF-13C to several disease cases that lead to gallstones. The fluids were studied in three aspects: biocompatibility, intestinal nanostructure, and solubilizing power of hydrophobic drugs of the BCS class II. The biocompatibility study showed no toxic effects in a Caco-2 cell system. The drug-solubilizing capacity toward Fenofibrate, Danazol, Griseofulvin, and Carbamazepine was assessed as example. It varied with the cholesterol content widely from a fourfold improvement to a twofold reduction. The nanostructure study by dynamic light scattering and small-angle neutron scattering indicated vesicles as the main component of FaSSIF-C in equilibrium (>1 h), but at high cholesterol content, larger particles were observed as a minor contribution. The neutron experiments indicated the presence of complex micelle-vesicle mixtures, even after 1 h development of fed-state bile model to FaSSIF. The results indicate that cholesterol affects some drugs in solubilization and particle size in intestinal model fluids.

True molecular solutions of natural cellulose in the binary ionic liquid-containing solvent mixtures.

Evidence is presented for the first time of true molecular dissolution of cellulose in binary mixtures of common polar organic solvents with ionic liquid. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, small-angle neutron-, X-ray- and static light scattering were used to investigate the structure of cellulose solutions in mixture of dimethyl formamide and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate. Structural information on the dissolved chains (average molecular weight ∼ 5 × 10(4)g/mol; gyration radius ∼ 36 nm, persistence length ∼ 4.5 nm), indicate the absence of significant aggregation of the dissolved chains and the calculated value of the second virial coefficient ∼ 2.45 × 10(-2)mol ml/g(2) indicates that this solvent system is a good solvent for cellulose. More facile dissolution of cellulose could be achieved in solvent mixtures that exhibit the highest electrical conductivity. Highly concentrated cellulose solution in pure ionic liquid (27 wt.%) prepared according to novel method, utilizing the rapid evaporation of a volatile co-solvent in binary solvent mixtures at superheated conditions, shows insignificant cellulose molecular aggregation.

Tris buffer modulates polydopamine growth, aggregation, and paramagnetic properties.

Despite the growing technological interest of polydopamine (dopamine melanin)-based coatings for a broad variety of applications, the factors governing particle size, shape, and electronic properties of this bioinspired multifunctional material have remained little understood. Herein, we report a detailed characterization of polydopamine growth, particle morphology, and paramagnetic properties as a function of dopamine concentration and nature of the buffer (pH 8.5). Dynamic Light Scattering data revealed an increase in the hydrodynamic radii (Rh) of melanin particles with increasing dopamine concentration in all buffers examined, especially in phosphate buffer. Conversely, a marked inhibition of particle growth was apparent in Tris buffer, with Rh remaining as low as <100 nm during polymerization of 0.5 mM dopamine. Small angle neutron scattering data suggested formation of bidimensional structures in phosphate or bicarbonate buffers, while apparently three-dimensional fractal objects prevailed in Tris buffer. Finally, electron paramagnetic resonance spectra revealed a broader signal amplitude with a peculiar power saturation decay profile for polydopamine samples prepared in Tris buffer, denoting more homogeneous paramagnetic centers with respect to similar samples obtained in phosphate and bicarbonate buffers. Overall, these results disclose Tris buffer as an efficient modulator of polydopamine buildup and properties for the rational control and fine-tuning of melanin aggregate size, morphology, and free radical behavior.

Structure and dynamics of a compact state of a multidomain protein, the mercuric ion reductase.

The functional efficacy of colocalized, linked protein domains is dependent on linker flexibility and system compaction. However, the detailed characterization of these properties in aqueous solution presents an enduring challenge. Here, we employ a novel, to our knowledge, combination of complementary techniques, including small-angle neutron scattering, neutron spin-echo spectroscopy, and all-atom molecular dynamics and coarse-grained simulation, to identify and characterize in detail the structure and dynamics of a compact form of mercuric ion reductase (MerA), an enzyme central to bacterial mercury resistance. MerA possesses metallochaperone-like N-terminal domains (NmerA) tethered to its catalytic core domain by linkers. The NmerA domains are found to interact principally through electrostatic interactions with the core, leashed by the linkers so as to subdiffuse on the surface over an area close to the core C-terminal Hg(II)-binding cysteines. How this compact, dynamical arrangement may facilitate delivery of Hg(II) from NmerA to the core domain is discussed.

Structure and "surfactochromic" properties of conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE): surfactant complexes between a cationic polythiophene and SDS in water.

We report on the phase transitions, solution structure, and consequent effect on the photophysical properties of poly[3-(6-trimethylammoniumhexyl)thiophene] bromide (P3TMAHT) in aqueous sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). Polythiophene was mixed with SDS or deuterated SDS to form P3TMAHT(SDS)(x) complex (x = the molar ratio of surfactant over monomer units) in D(2)O and studied by small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering (SANS/SAXS) and optical spectroscopy. At room temperature, P3TMAHT forms charged aggregates with interparticle order. The addition of SDS eliminates the interparticle order and leads to rod-like (x = 1/5) or sheet-like polymer-SDS aggregates (x = 1/2 to 1) containing rod-like (x = 1/5 to 1/2) or sheet-like (x = 1/2 to 1) polymer associations. Partial precipitation occurs at the charge compensation point (x = 1). Ellipsoidal particles without interparticle order, reminiscent of SDS micelles modified by separated polymer chains, occur for x = 2 to 5. Free SDS micelles dominate for x = 20. Structural transitions lead to a concomitant variation in the solution color from red (P3TMAHT) to violet (x = 1/5 to 1) to yellow (x > 2). The photoluminescence fingerprint changes progressively from a broad featureless band (x = 0) through the band narrowing and appearance of vibronic structure (x = 1/5 to 1) to the return to a blue-shifted broad emission band (x = 5). The polymer stiffness reaches a maximum for x = 1, which leads to minimization of the Stokes shift (0.08 eV). This work gives fundamental information upon how surfactant complexation can influence both the solution structure and photophysical properties of a water-soluble polythiophene.

Small-angle neutron scattering and volumetric studies of dilute solutions of N,N'-dimethylpropyleneurea in heavy water.

Small-angle neutron scattering experiments and density measurements were performed on dilute solutions of N,N'-dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU) in heavy water in the mole fraction range 0.005(0.0025)-0.05 at 288.15, 298.15 and 313.15 K. From the experimental results values of the radius of gyration, second osmotic as well as second and third molal volume virial coefficients, and Kirkwood-Buff integrals were calculated. The results led to the conclusions that DMPU has a structure-making effect on water and the pairwise solute-solute interactions exhibit no temperature dependence and are less attractive in DMPU solutions than in N,N'-dimethylethyleneurea and tetramethylurea solutions.

Effect of phosphorylation on the thermal and light stability of the thylakoid membranes.

Higher plant thylakoid membranes contain a protein kinase that phosphorylates certain threonine residues of light-harvesting complex II (LHCII), the main light-harvesting antenna complexes of photosystem II (PSII) and some other phosphoproteins (Allen, Biochim Biophys Acta 1098:275, 1992). While it has been established that phosphorylation induces a conformational change of LHCII and also brings about changes in the lateral organization of the thylakoid membrane, it is not clear how phosphorylation affects the dynamic architecture of the thylakoid membranes. In order to contribute to the elucidation of this complex question, we have investigated the effect of duroquinol-induced phosphorylation on the membrane ultrastructure and the thermal and light stability of the chiral macrodomains and of the trimeric organization of LHCII. As shown by small angle neutron scattering on thylakoid membranes, duroquinol treatment induced a moderate (~10%) increase in the repeat distance of stroma membranes, and phosphorylation caused an additional loss of the scattering intensity, which is probably associated with the partial unstacking of the granum membranes. Circular dichroism (CD) measurements also revealed only minor changes in the chiral macro-organization of the complexes and in the oligomerization state of LHCII. However, temperature dependences of characteristic CD bands showed that phosphorylation significantly decreased the thermal stability of the chiral macrodomains in phosphorylated compared to the non-phosphorylated samples (in leaves and isolated thylakoid membranes, from 48.3 degrees C to 42.6 degrees C and from 47.5 degrees C to 44.3 degrees C, respectively). As shown by non-denaturing PAGE of thylakoid membranes and CD spectroscopy on EDTA washed membranes, phosphorylation decreased by about 5 degrees C, the trimer-to-monomer transition temperature of LHCII. It also enhanced the light-induced disassembly of the chiral macrodomains and the monomerization of the LHCII trimers at 25 degrees C. These data strongly suggest that phosphorylation of the membranes considerably facilitates the heat- and light-inducible reorganizations in the thylakoid membranes and thus enhances the structural flexibility of the membrane architecture.