Biomedical subjects

R B Leslie

Publications and source records attributed to R B Leslie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1991

Water diffusivity in starch-based systems.

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of structure, and component interactions, on the sorption and transport properties of water in starch-based systems. We compared the effective diffusivity (Deff) of water in two starches, with differing amylose-amylopectin ratios, using either kinetics of water adsorption or analysis of drying curves (water desorption) to estimate Deff. The effect of incorporating small sugar molecules into the granular or gelatinized starch matrices on Deff was measured by drying curve analysis. To investigate the possible mechanisms of water transport, the porosity and microscopic appearance of the samples at different stages of drying were determined. In a complementary study, sorption isotherms and the number of accessible "binding" sites in the starch and starch-sugar systems were determined using gravimetric analysis and inverse gas chromatography (IGC) 'probe analysis'. In the case of the starch-sugar systems, the measurements were made after the components had been 'mechanically mixed', or after more intimate mixing had been achieved by a co-freeze-drying process. The Deff of the starches was found to depend, in a complex way, on the moisture content of the samples. At relatively high moisture contents, the predominant mode of water transport was by liquid diffusion. As the samples became drier, their porosity increased, and the predominant mode of moisture transport was by vapor phase diffusion. As the samples became very dry (less than 10% water content), Deff fell significantly. Incorporation of sugars, in general, led to a reduction of Deff, which was correlated with a corresponding fall in porosity. In agreement with the findings of other workers, for the starches studied, the value of Deff determined from water adsorption measurements was significantly less than Deff determined from water desorption (drying curve analysis). The form of the Deff versus moisture content relationship was, however, independent of the method of measurement (adsorption or desorption). The water sorption and IGC probe analysis results indicated that some physicochemical interaction was expedited by the freeze-drying process. This interaction was manifested by a reduction in water sorption at a given relative vapor pressure, and by major changes in the accessibility of the co-freeze-dried samples to organic probe molecules. Taken together, the results indicate that water transport (diffusion) in starches and in starch-sugar mixtures is dependent significantly on gross structural features (development of porosity during drying), but that specific molecular, physico-chemical interactions must also be considered.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1976

Interaction of apoprotein from porcine high-density lipoprotein with dimyristoly lecithin. 2. Nature of lipid-protein interaction.

The detailed molecular structure of the complex formed by the apoprotein from porcine high density lipoprotein and dimyristoly phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) has been investigated by a range of physical techniques. The complex, an oblate ellipsoid with major axis 11.0 nm and minor axis 5.5 nm (see the accompanying paper), is comprised of a section of lecithin bilayer with apoprotein at the surface. The main site of interaction between protein and lipid is in the lipid glycerophosphorylcholine group region; as with native high density lipoprotein the surface of the particle consists of a mosaic of lecithin polar groups and protein. The formation of this mosaic reduces the cooperativity of the lecithin chain motions and changes the curvature of the lipid-water interface, as compared to a bilayer. Otherwise, there are no major changes in lecithin motions indicating that no strong binding of lipid to protein occurs. The interaction involves the intercalation of amphipathic, 60% alpha-helical, apoprotein molecules among the lecithin molecules so that the protein residues at the lipid-water interface. The apoprotein has a high affinity for the lipid-water interface but specific lipid-protein interactions are not involved.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1975

A comparison of the interfacial interactions of the apoprotein from high density lipoprotein and beta-casein with phospholipids.

The conformations adopted by beta-casein and the total apoprotein from serum high density lipoprotein when spread at the air-water interface are compared; the monolayer data are consistent with the apoprotein being alpha-helical and the beta-casein being disordered with segments distributed in loops and trains. The penetration of these hydrophobic proteins into phosphatidylcholine monolayers in different physical states was investigated. More protein can penetrate into monolayers when they are in the liquid-expanded state; for penetration at constant total surface area the lateral compressibility of the lipid is an important factor. The charge and conformation of the polar group of the phospholipid does not have a major influence on the interaction. The mixed films of lipid and protein have a mosaic structure; probably the beta-casein is in a compressed state whereas the apoprotein is extended as alpha-helices in the plane of the interface. The chain-length depedences of the interaction of the apoprotein with phosphatidylcholine monolayers and bilayers are different; when the apoprotein binds to bilayers of shorter-chain phosphatidylcholines it alters the shape of the lipid-water interface whereas with monolayers the interface remains planar throughout.

Apoproteins↗

PubMed1975

NMR studies of pig low- and high-density serum lipoproteins. Molecular motions and morphology.

1. NMR spectra of porcine high- and low density lipoproteins (d 1.120--1.210 and 1.019--1.070, respectively) and their extracted lipids were obtained as functions of temperature, frequency and solution viscosity, and from solutions to which paramagnetic species had been added. 2. About one-third of the N(CH3)3 groups in low-density lipoproteins are so immobile that they do not give a sharp resonance at any temperature up to 65 degrees C, unless the particles are disrupted with sodium dodecylsulphate. Most of the protein residues also undergo little segmental motion. 3. A marked restriction of motion of acyl chain terminal CH3 groups suggests that chain interdigitation occurs in low-density lipoprotein. Apart from this, there is a general ordering of the lipids without a decrease in the rate of rotation about bonds, suggesting that the protein organizes the lipids by controlling the molecular packing rather than by direct strong interactions. The lipids are more ordered in low-density than in high-density lipoprotein. 4. All phospholipids with mobile N(CH3)3 groups are at the particle surfaces, in patches separated by protein. In low-density lipoprotein the patches are raised proud of the protein, whereas in high-density lipoproteins the protein and lipid polar groups are coplanar. 5. The high-density lipoprotein results are consistent with literature models for the structure. The low-density lipoprotein results suggest a new model, which is basically a trilayer. The centre consists of a monolayer of phospholipid with tightly-packed polar groups in contact with a protein core. The outer monolayer of phospholipid contains the rest (most) of the protein; the central layer contains the neutral lipid (cholesterol esters and triglycerides), interdigitated into both the inner and outer monolayers. Unesterified cholesterol is distributed through all three layers.

Animals↗

PubMed1974