Two separate mechanisms are involved in membrane permeabilization during lipid oxidation.

Lipid oxidation is a universal degradative process of cell membrane lipids that is induced by oxidative stress and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in multiple pathophysiological situations. It has been shown that certain oxidized lipids alter membrane properties, leading to a loss of membrane function. Alteration of membrane properties is thought to depend on the initial membrane lipid composition, such as the number of acyl chain unsaturations. However, it is unclear how oxidative damage is related to biophysical properties of membranes. We therefore set out to quantify lipid oxidation through various analytical methods and determine key biophysical membrane parameters using model membranes containing lipids with different degrees of lipid unsaturation. As source for RONS, we used cold plasma, which is currently developed as treatment for infections and cancer. Our data revealed complex lipid oxidation that can lead to two main permeabilization mechanisms. The first one appears upon direct contact of membranes with RONS and depends on the formation of truncated oxidized phospholipids. These lipids seem to be partly released from the bilayer, implying that they are likely to interact with other membranes and potentially act as signaling molecules. This mechanism is independent of lipid unsaturation, does not rely on large variations in lipid packing, and is most probably mediated via short-living RONS. The second mechanism takes over after longer incubation periods and probably depends on the continued formation of lipid oxygen adducts such as lipid hydroperoxides or ketones. This mechanism depends on lipid unsaturation and involves large variations in lipid packing. This study indicates that polyunsaturated lipids, which are present in mammalian membranes rather than in bacteria, do not sensitize membranes to instant permeabilization by RONS but could promote long-term damage.

Synthesis and Evaluation of a Library of Alternating Amphipathic Copolymers to Solubilize and Study Membrane Proteins.

Amphipathic copolymers such as poly(styrene-maleic acid) (SMA) are promising tools for the facile extraction of membrane proteins (MPs) into native nanodiscs. Here, we designed and synthesized a library of well-defined alternating copolymers of SMA analogues in order to elucidate polymer properties that are important for MP solubilization and stability. MP extraction efficiency was determined using KcsA from E. coli membranes, and general solubilization efficiency was investigated via turbidimetry experiments on membranes of E. coli, yeast mitochondria, and synthetic lipids. Remarkably, halogenation of SMA copolymers dramatically improved solubilization efficiency in all systems, while substituents on the copolymer backbone improved resistance to Ca2+. Relevant polymer properties were found to include hydrophobic balance, size and positioning of substituents, rigidity, and electronic effects. The library thus contributes to the rational design of copolymers for the study of MPs.

A simple and convenient method for the hydrolysis of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers to styrene-maleic acid copolymers.

Styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymers are increasingly gaining attention in the membrane protein field due to their ability to solubilize lipid membranes into discoidal nanoparticles. The copolymers are synthesized as styrene-maleic anhydride (SMAnh), and need to be converted to the free acid form (SMA) before they are capable of solubilizing membranes. This hydrolysis reaction is traditionally performed under rather cumbersome reflux conditions. Here we report an alternative method for the hydrolysis reaction using simple and readily available equipment found in virtually all biochemical laboratories, namely an autoclave. Based on the results we propose an optimum set of standard conditions for the hydrolysis reaction, that should make the method easily accessible to a wide scope of researchers.

Membrane Solubilization by Styrene-Maleic Acid Copolymers: Delineating the Role of Polymer Length.

Styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymers have attracted interest in membrane research because they allow the solubilization and purification of membrane-spanning proteins from biological membranes in the form of native-like nanodisks. However, our understanding of the underlying SMA-lipid interactions is hampered by the fact that SMA preparations are very polydisperse. Here, we obtained fractions of the two most commonly used SMA preparations: SMA 2:1 and SMA 3:1 (both with specified Mw ∼10 kD), with different number-average molecular weight (Mn) and styrene content. The fractionation is based on the differential solubility of styrene-maleic anhydride (SMAnh) in hexane and acetone mixtures. SMAnh fractions were hydrolyzed to SMA and added to lipid self-assemblies. It was found that SMA fractions inserted in monolayers and solubilized vesicles to a different extent, with the highest efficiency being observed for low-Mn SMA polymers. Electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering size analyses confirmed the presence of nanodisks independent of the Mn of the SMA polymers forming the belt, and it was shown that the nanodisks all have approximately the same size. However, nanodisks bounded by high-Mn SMA polymers were more stable than those bounded by low-Mn polymers, as indicated by a better retention of the native lipid thermotropic properties and by slower exchange rates of lipids between nanodisks. In conclusion, we here present a simple method to separate SMAnh molecules based on their Mn from commercial SMAnh blends, which allowed us to obtain insights into the importance of SMA length for polymer-lipid interactions.

The styrene-maleic acid copolymer: a versatile tool in membrane research.

A new and promising tool in membrane research is the detergent-free solubilization of membrane proteins by styrene-maleic acid copolymers (SMAs). These amphipathic molecules are able to solubilize lipid bilayers in the form of nanodiscs that are bounded by the polymer. Thus, membrane proteins can be directly extracted from cells in a water-soluble form while conserving a patch of native membrane around them. In this review article, we briefly discuss current methods of membrane protein solubilization and stabilization. We then zoom in on SMAs, describe their physico-chemical properties, and discuss their membrane-solubilizing effect. This is followed by an overview of studies in which SMA has been used to isolate and investigate membrane proteins. Finally, potential future applications of the methodology are discussed for structural and functional studies on membrane proteins in a near-native environment and for characterizing protein-lipid and protein-protein interactions.

Lanthanide-doped CaS and SrS luminescent nanocrystals: a single-source precursor approach for doping.

The incorporation of dopants with optical or magnetic functionalities into colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) has been a longstanding challenge for nanomaterial research. A deeper understanding of the doping kinetics will aid a better control of the doping process. In particular, alkaline-earth sulfides are an important class of host materials for a range of luminescent dopants, including transition-metal and lanthanide ions. Their nanocrystalline analogues have many potential applications. However, the lack of synthetic methodologies hampers their development. Here we introduce a single-source precursor approach that successfully leads to Ce(3+)- and Eu(2+)-doped CaS and SrS luminescent NCs with diameters of ∼10 nm and with luminescent properties similar to those of the bulk analogues. The characteristic absorption and luminescence of Ce(3+) and Eu(2+) depend on the local coordination and are applied to probe dopant ion internalization. We demonstrate that controlling the reactivity of the precursors is crucial for achieving effective doping. By designing the chemical structure of the dopant precursor to vary the reactivity relative to that of the host precursor, the doping efficiency can be controlled. In addition, we have applied a growth doping strategy to further improve internalization of the dopants. Finally, we demonstrate nucleation doping as an alternative method to achieve lanthanide NC doping for dopant and host precursors with strongly different reactivities. The single-source precursor approaches proposed here allow for a flexible design of synthesis strategies and have the potential to be widely applicable to the doping of colloidal chalcogenide NCs with transition-metal and lanthanide dopant ions.

Organometallic benzylidene anilines: donor-acceptor features in NCN-pincer Pt(ii) complexes with a 4-(E)-[(4-R-phenyl)imino]methyl substituent.

A series of organometallic 4,4'-substituted benzylidene aniline complexes 4-ClPt-3,5-(CH2NMe2)2C6H2CH[double bond, length as m-dash]NC6H4R'-4', abbreviated as PtCl[NCN(CH[double bond, length as m-dash]NC6H4R'-4')-4], with R' = NMe2, Me, H, Cl, CN (, respectively), was synthesized via a Schiff-base condensation reaction involving reaction of PtCl[NCN(CH[double bond, length as m-dash]O)-4] () with the appropriate 4-R'-substituted aniline derivative () in toluene. The resulting arylplatinum(ii) products were obtained in 75-88% yield. Notably, product was also obtained in 68% yield from a reaction in the solid state by grinding solid with aniline . The structures of , , and in the solid state (single crystal X-ray diffraction) showed a non-planar geometry, in particular for compound . The electronic interaction between the donor benzylidene fragment PtCl(NCN-CH) and the para-R' aniline substituent through the azomethine bridge was studied with NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Linear correlations were found between the azomethine (1)H, the (195)Pt NMR and various (13)C NMR chemical shifts, and the substituent parameters σF and σR of R' at the aniline site. In common with organic benzylidene anilines, the azomethine (1)H NMR chemical shift showed anomalous substituent behavior. The (195)Pt NMR chemical shift of the platinum center can be used as a probe for the electronic properties of the delocalized π-system of the benzylidene aniline framework, to which it is connected. The dual substituent parameter treatment of the azomethine (13)C NMR shift gave important insight into the unique behaviour of the Pt-pincer group as a substituent. Inductively, it is a very strong electron-withdrawing group, whereas mesomerically it behaves like a very strong electron donating group.

Photoinduced charge transport over branched conjugation pathways: donor-acceptor substituted 1,1-diphenylethene and 2,3-diphenylbutadiene.

Photoinduced charge transport in 1,1-diphenylethene and 2,3-diphenylbutadiene functionalized with an electron donating dimethylamino group and an electron accepting cyano group is reported. UV-spectroscopy reveals that in these compounds, which incorporate a cross-conjugated spacer, a direct charge transfer transition is possible. It is shown by application of the generalized Mulliken-Hush approach that introduction of an additional branching point in the π-electron spacer (i.e., when going from the 1,1-diphenylethene to the 2,3-diphenylbutadiene) leads to only a moderate reduction (68-92%) of the electronic coupling between the ground and the charge separated state. The σ-electron system is however likely to be dominant in the photoinduced charge separation process.

High-resolution spectroscopy of jet-cooled 1,1'-diphenylethylene: electronically excited and ionic states of a prototypical cross-conjugated system.

The photophysics of a prototypical cross-conjugated π-system, 1,1'-diphenylethylene, have been studied using high-resolution resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization excitation spectroscopy and zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy, in combination with advanced ab initio calculations. We find that the excitation spectrum of S(1) displays extensive vibrational progressions that we identify to arise from large changes in the torsional angles of the phenyl rings upon electronic excitation. The extensive activity of the antisymmetric inter-ring torsional vibration provides conclusive evidence for a loss of symmetry upon excitation, leading to an inequivalence of the two phenyl rings. Nonresonant zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy from the ground state of the neutral molecule to the ground state of the radical cation, on the other hand, demonstrates that upon ionization symmetry is retained, and that the geometry changes are considerably smaller. Apart from elucidating how removal of an electron affects the structure of the molecule, these measurements provide an accurate value for the adiabatic ionization energy (65274 ± 1 cm(-1) (8.093 eV)). Zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectra obtained after excitation of vibronic levels in S(1) confirm these conclusions and provide us with an extensive atlas of ionic vibronic energy levels. For higher excitation energies the excitation spectrum of S(1) becomes quite congested and shows unexpected large intensities. Ab initio calculations strongly suggest that this is caused by a conical intersection between S(1) and S(2).

Enzymatic immobilization of organometallic species: biosilification of NCN- and PCP-pincer metal species using demosponge axial filaments.

Silicatein protein filaments isolated from marine demosponges have been used to influence the condensation of siloxanes bearing organometallic pincer complexes. The siliceous material is formed under remarkably mild conditions and the organometallic pincer becomes an intrinsic part of the silica. The immobilisation of a metal pincer, which acts as a sensor and initial results on the immobilisation of a pre-catalytic pincer species are reported.

Weak distance dependence of through-bond interactions in tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran-4-ylidene end-capped oligo(cyclohexylidenes); a computational survey.

Calculations on members of the oligo(cyclohexylidene) series [(n), n = 1-5)] and related tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran end-capped analogues [(n), n = 1-4)] show a strong through-bond coupling between their pi bonds and sulfur lone pairs (Lp(pi)S). This coupling is mediated by an interaction between the H(ax)-C-C-H(ax) structural sub-units and the pi bonds connecting the cyclohexyl moieties. A comparison of the length dependency of the through-bond coupling via an oligo(cyclohexylidene) and an alkane bridge [divinyl alkanes (n)] shows that oligo(cyclohexylidenes) are more efficient in mediating through-bond couplings over large distances. Oligo(cyclohexylidene) bridges exhibit molecular wire characteristics.

Side chain mediated electronic contact between a tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran-4-ylidene-appended polythiophene and CdTe quantum dots.

The properties of a mixed CdTe quantum dot/tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran-4-ylidene-functionalized polythiophene system are reported. This system was prepared by exposing trioctylphosphine (TOP)-capped CdTe quantum dots to the polythiophene in solution. Strong fluorescence emission quenching and shortening of the fluorescence emission lifetimes of both the polythiophene and the quantum dots occur when they are mixed, indicating the occurrence of photoinduced charge separation. Photoinduced absorption spectroscopy reveals a considerable decrease in the population of the polythiophene triplet excited state in the mixed system. These results demonstrate that between the quantum dots and the polythiophene there is both physical and electronic contact, which is mediated by the tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran-4-ylidene side chains.

Deformable hollow hybrid silica/siloxane colloids by emulsion templating.

A procedure to obtain hollow colloidal particles has been developed using an emulsion templating technique. Monodisperse silicone oil droplets were prepared by hydrolysis and polymerization of dimethyldiethoxysilane monomer and incorporated in a solid shell using tetraethoxysilane. Hollow shells were obtained by exchange of the core. The formation of the oil droplets was investigated using static light scattering and 29Si solution NMR, and the hollow shells were characterized by electron microscopy and static light scattering. Details on the composition of the shell material were obtained from energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and 29Si solid state NMR, revealing that the shells consist of a hybrid cross-linked network of silica and siloxane units. Confocal microscopy was used to show that the shells are permeable to small dye molecules. The thickness of the coating can be easily varied from a few nanometers upward. Depending on the ratio of shell thickness to particle radius, three types of hollow shells can be distinguished depending on the way in which they buckle upon drying. We designate them as microspheres, microcapsules, and microballoons. As a result of their monodispersity, these particles can be used for making 3D-ordered materials.

Molecular three-terminal devices: fabrication and measurements.

Incorporation of a third, gate electrode in the device geometry of molecular junctions necessary to identify the transport mechanism. At present, the most popular technique fabricate three-terminal molecular devices makes use of electromigration. Although it statistical process, we show that control over the gap resistance can be obtained. A detailed analysis of the current-voltage characteristics of gaps without molecules, however, shows that they reveal features that can mistakenly be attributed to molecular transport. This observation raises questions about which gaps with molecules can be disregarded which not. We show that electrical characteristics can be controlled by the rational design of the molecular bridge and that vibrational modes probed by electrical transport are potential interest as molecular fingerprints.

Mixed self-assembled monolayers of semirigid tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran end-capped oligo(cyclohexylidenes).

Single-component and mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of one- and three-ring semirigid tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran end-capped oligo(cyclohexylidenes)-that is, thiopyran (1), 4-(4-cyclohexylidene-cyclohexylidene)tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran (2), and 4-(tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran-4-cyclohexylidene-4'-ylidene)tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran (3)--on Au(111) substrates have been prepared and studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). It was found that the shortest adsorbate 1 more readily forms a SAM than 2 or 3. Notwithstanding, the SAMs of 2 or 3 are thermodynamically more stable due to favorable intermolecular attractions. Holes were made with the AFM tip establishing tilt angles of 30-50 degrees with respect to the surface normal for all SAMs. STM imaging showed well-ordered, line-shaped packing patterns with molecular resolution for the SAM of 2. Similar patterned structures were not observed for 1 and 3. Mixed SAMs were prepared by exposing a SAM of 1 to ethanol solutions of either 2 or 3. STM imaging revealed that domains of molecules of 2 or 3 amidst a monolayer of 1 are formed in both cases. Whereas in the mixed SAM of 1 and 2 the domains are irregularly shaped, circular islands of uniform size are found in the mixed SAM of 1 and 3.

Pseudomerohedrally twinned crystal structure of 2,3-diphenylbuta-1,3-diene.

The title compound, C16H14, is twinned by reticular pseudomerohedry of twin index 2. The primitive monoclinic cell of the single crystal can be transformed into a B-centred pseudo-orthorhombic supercell with a fourfold volume. The twofold twin operation about the reciprocal a* axis of the primitive monoclinic cell is co-directional with the approximate C2 axis of the molecule and a symmetry element of the orthorhombic supercell. A tentative twin domain model is proposed.

Photoinduced charge separation in a donor-acceptor functionalized 2,3-diphenylbutadiene: charge transport over a doubly bifurcated pi-spacer.

By studying photoinduced charge transfer processes in 2-(4-cyanophenyl)-3-(4-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)-1,3-butadiene it is shown that insertion of branching points in a pi-conjugated pathway has a relatively small effect on the donor-acceptor interaction.

Twinning by merohedry in cyclohexanone oxime: a revised structure.

The crystal structure of cyclohexanone oxime, C(6)H(11)NO, was reported as severely disordered in the trigonal non-centrosymmetric space group P3 [Olivato, Ribeiro, Zukerman-Schpector & Bombieri (2001). Acta Cryst. B57, 705-713]. Re-investigation of the crystal structure as twinned by merohedry in the trigonal centrosymmetric space group P-3, with a twofold rotation about [001] as twin law, resulted in a well ordered structure and low R values. The asymmetric unit contains three independent molecules, existing as a hydrogen-bonded trimer, having an R(3)(3)(9) graph set.

Electron delocalization in cross-conjugated p-phenylenevinylidene oligomers.

The synthesis, structure, and electronic properties of a series of cross-conjugated p-phenylenevinylidene oligomers with one to four double bonds are reported. The X-ray crystal structure of the compound with two double bonds reveals a nonplanar conformation with torsion angles about the C(phenylene)-C(vinylidene) and C(phenyl)-C(vinylidene) formal single bonds of 39.5(2) degrees and 30.5(2) degrees, respectively. Admixture of quinoid character in the ground state is observed. Infrared and Raman spectroscopy do not provide a clear picture of the degree of electron delocalization in the series, since the C=C stretching mode does not adequately reflect the C=C bond order and has a local nature. In contrast, electronic spectra and electrochemical data, as well as AM1 and PPP/SCF calculations, reveal that the cross-conjugated compounds basically behave as linearly pi-conjugated systems in the sense that molecular orbitals are delocalized over the entire structure and systematically change in energy. The electronic interaction between the repeating units is, however, not very strong, which has the consequence that spatial extension of the molecular orbitals does not lead to a red shift of the highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) electronic transition. This is related to the feature that the modest narrowing of the HOMO-LUMO gap with the chain length is accompanied by a relatively large reduction of electron repulsion. This finding implies that care should be taken in the use of electronic spectra for the evaluation of conjugation phenomena.