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At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

alpha 1 acid glycoprotein: a small-angle neutron scattering study of a human plasma glycoprotein.

Small-angle neutron scattering experiments on alpha 1 acid glycoprotein showed that it has a molecular weight of 37000 and a matchpoint of 44.7% 2H2O. The molecular weight, the matchpoint and a v of 0.704 ml/g are in agreement with the primary sequence and standard residue volumes for amino acids and carbohydrates. The radius of gyration RG of alpha 1 acid glycoprotein was found to be independent of concentration in the range 2-11 mg/ml, but increases on going from a buffer containing 0.2 M NaCl to one containing 1 M NaCl. A contrast variation study showed that the RG at infinite contrast is 2.47 nm for the expanded form and 2.19 nm for the contracted form, and that the two Stuhrmann alpha values are similar at 27 X 10(-5). The latter is greater than that expected for globular proteins and are explained by the surface disposition of the five glycan chains on a core of protein in alpha 1 acid glycoprotein. Modelling calculations account for the two RG values in which for the expanded form the glycan chains extend out into the solvent and for the contracted form they either fold back or are splayed out such that they are able to interact with the surface of the protein core.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

Small-angle neutron scattering study of the structure of protein/detergent complexes.

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) was used to study the structure of protein/sodium dodecylsulfate complexes. Two water soluble proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and ovalbumin (OVA), were used. The protein concentration was kept constant at 1 wt %, and protein/detergent wt ratio varied between 1/1, 1/1.5, 1/2 and 1/3. Absolute intensities of SANS distributions were analyzed by a fractal model. Analyses of large Q portions of SANS distributions established that sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) molecules bound to a protein/SDS complex form micelle-like clusters. On the other hand, analyses of small Q portions of SANS distributions clearly showed that the arrangement of micelle-like clusters resembles a fractal packing of spheres. We showed that a protein/SDS complex can be characterized by four parameters extracted from the scattering experiment, namely, the average micelle size and its aggregation number, the fractal dimension characterizing the conformation of the micellar chains, the correlation length giving the extent of the unfolded polypeptide chains, and the numbers of micelle-like clusters in the complex.

Animals↗

"Delayed" phase separation in a gelatin/dextran mixture studied by small-angle light scattering, turbidity, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and polarimetry.

Small-angle light scattering, turbidity, and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to study microstructure formation and evolution in a gelatin/dextran mixture. There was a time-delay of up to tens of minutes between reaching the quench temperature and the onset of phase separation, because demixing only occurred once a certain amount of ordering of the gelatin molecules, measured by polarimetry, was attained. The accompanying phenomenon of gelation retarded the development of the microstructure to different extents, depending on the quench temperature. At low temperatures, the structure was rapidly trapped in a nonequilibrium state with diffuse interfaces, characteristic of the early and intermediate stages of phase separation. At higher temperatures, coarsening continued for a certain amount of time before the structure was trapped. The duration of the coarsening period increased with increasing temperature and the interface between the phases became sharp, characteristic of the late stages of phase separation. Because the ordering process continued after the target quench temperature was reached, the effective quench depth continued to increase after the initial phase separation. At high quench temperatures, the system was able to respond to the thermodynamic requirements of the increasing effective quench depth by undergoing secondary phase separation to form a droplet morphology within the preexisting bicontinuous one.

Dextrans↗

[Changes in small-angle light scattering by platelets during their activation and aggregation].

Small-angle light scattering (0.5-7 degrees) platelets is enhanced upon the adenosine-5'-diphosphate-induced formation of microaggregates of platelets. The intensity of the scattered light, measured within a short period of time after stimulation of platelets, may by used as a nephelometric quantitative index of their initial aggregation. The light transmittance of platelet suspensions decreases after stimulation due to both the rounding of cell body and the initial aggregation of cells. Sodium hypochlorite at concentrations corresponding to its content in tap water inhibits the Ca(2+)-induced aggregation of isolated rabbit platelets. The tap water causes the transition of platelets to a state that is refractory with respect to CaCl2.

Animals↗

Complexes of RecA protein in solution. A study by small angle neutron scattering.

RecA complexes on DNA and self-polymers were analysed by small-angle neutron scattering in solution. By Guinier analysis at small angles and by model analysis of a subsidiary peak at wider angles, we find that the filaments fall into two groups: the DNA complex in the presence of ATP gamma S, an open helix with pitch 95 A, a cross-sectional radius of gyration of 33 A and a mass per length of about six RecA units per turn, which corresponds to the state of active enzyme; and the compact form (bound to single-stranded DNA in the absence of ATP, or binding ATP gamma S in the absence of DNA, or just the protein on its own), a helical structure with pitch 70 A, cross-sectional radius of gyration 40 A and mass per length about five RecA units per turn, which corresponds to the conditions of inactive enzyme. The results are discussed in the perspective of unifying previous conflicting structural results obtained by electron microscopy.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The distribution of counterions around synthetic rod-like polyelectrolytes in solution: a study by small-angle X-ray scattering and by anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering.

An investigation of the radial distribution of the counterions of a synthetic rodlike polyelectrolyte in aqueous solution is presented. The cationic polyelectrolyte used here has a poly(p-phenylene) backbone. For typical molecular weights the macroion comprises approximately one persistence length (ca. 20 nm) and effects of finite stiffness may be disregarded. Each repeating unit bears four charges which leads to a charge parameter of xi = 6.65. The distribution of the iodide counterions around this highly charged macroion is studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) in dilute aqueous solution. These investigations are supplemented by measurements using anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering (ASAXS) that furnishes additional information about the contrast of the macroion. Data taken at high scattering angles give indication for contributions caused by the longitudinal fluctuations of the counterions. After correction for this effect the experimental results are compared to intensities calculated by use of the Poisson-Boltzmann (PB)-cell model. It is found that the PB-cell model describes the corrected data at intermediate and high scattering angles. Deviations at low scattering angle are attributed to the mutual interaction of the rod-like polyelectrolyte that can be described in terms of an effective structure factor. Data taken at lowest scattering angles point to a weak attraction between the rod-like macroions.

Journal Article↗

Small angle neutron scattering measurements of synthetic polymer dispersions in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization matrixes.

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) is used to measure the size and the dispersion of synthetic polymers in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) matrixes. Deuterated polystyrene (DPS) and dithranol in tetrahydrofuran were deposited by electrospray onto a substrate for small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements. DPS with 6050 and 27,000 g mol(-1) molecular masses were prepared at mass fractions between 0.2 and 6%. All samples contained large aggregates of DPS with characteristic sizes >200 A that represent hundreds of aggregated chains. Samples of mass fraction 1% DPS (6050 g mol(-1)) in 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, all-trans-retinoic acid, and sinapinic acid also have large zero angle scattering characteristic of large aggregates. The morphological trend obtained from the SANS measurements of the DPS aggregate size in the four matrixes is dithranol > 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid > all-trans-retinoic acid > sinapinic acid. These measurements indicate that DPS in dithranol exhibits the most strong phase separation, while DPS in sinapinic acid shows considerable domain mixing. All of these matrixes produce MALDI signal strength under appropriate conditions, suggesting that strong phase separation does not diminish the signal-to-noise ratio. DPS (188,000 g mol(-1)) in biphenyl was used as a model system of a matrix that can be either crystalline or amorphous. SANS data shows that above the biphenyl melting point, a conventional solution is formed that has molecularly dispersed polymers. Upon crystallization, there is strong aggregation of the DPS into large domains. Therefore, the crystalline matrixes commonly used in MALDI measurements probably cause large aggregations of polymers to be present during the MALDI process.

Journal Article↗

Structure and composition of influenza virus. A small-angle neutron scattering study.

A detailed analysis is presented of the small-angle neutron scattering curves of homogeneous solutions of influenza B virus, both intact and after treatment with bromelain, which removes the external glycoprotein spikes. The two sets of data are consistent with the following low-resolution structure: the virus particles are spherical, about 1200 A in diameter and of Mr about 180 X 10(6). The lipid bilayer is centred at a radius of 425 A, is 40 A to 50 A thick and constitutes 25% to 28% of the virus mass. The surface glycoproteins, predominantly haemagglutinin, contribute 40% to 46% of the total mass. Surprisingly little protein is found in the interior of the virus. It is suggested that the reason for this is that many particles do not contain the full complement of ribonucleoprotein complexes. These results are in good agreement with recent scanning transmission electron microscopic measurements of molecular mass and cryo-electron microscopic observations of the same preparations. Appendix 1 describes a new method of deriving spherical shell models from contrast variation neutron scattering data on viruses, in which scattering curves from all measured contrasts are used simultaneously. There is also a discussion of the assumptions and limitations implicit in the structural interpretation of such models, with emphasis on viruses containing lipid bilayers. Appendix 2 examines the effect on the scattering curves of various arrangements of the surface glycoproteins.

Bromelains↗

Mechanism and kinetics of phase separation in a gelatin/maltodextrin mixture studied by small-angle light scattering.

Phase separation mechanisms and kinetics were studied using small-angle light scattering in a gelatin/maltodextrin system where phase separation could be studied in both liquid and gelled states. Nucleation and growth or spinodal decomposition occurred, depending on the quench depth. The transition between the two mechanisms occurred relatively sharply. The different mechanisms were distinguishable by the different behavior of the scattering function even though a peak was observed in both cases. Particular differences were the different evolution of the peak intensity and position, the absence of dynamic scaling of the nucleation and growth scattering function, and the final coarsening exponent of 1/3 that was measured when spinodal decomposition occurred but not for nucleation and growth. Gelation severely reduced the coarsening rate and initially placed the phase compositions far from their equilibrium values. Despite the loss of molecular mobility caused by gelation, the gelled systems did continue to evolve, albeit much more slowly than in the liquid case. Multiple coarsening rates were observed for some of the gelled samples, which were ascribed to the gradual movement of these systems toward the equilibrium compositions.

Gelatin↗

A small-angle neutron scattering study of cholic acid-based organogel systems.

Small-angle neutron scattering measurements were performed on some cholic acid-based gel systems in order to gain detailed information about the network structure. The presence of thin fibers with a radius of about 10-20 A was found for various gelators. Two types of interaction between different sorts of fibers were demonstrated, depending on the molecular structure of the gelator. The first type involves the presence of microcrystalline knots with a dimension of about 100-200 A between the fibers. Upon heating, this network gradually disintegrates. The second type involves loose entanglements between flattened fibers. The occurrence of these types of interaction is related to the length of the alkyl tail attached to cholic acid.

Cholic Acids↗

Self-assembly of a nonionic photoresponsive surfactant under varying irradiation conditions: a small-angle neutron scattering and cryo-TEM study.

We have used small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) to determine the structure of aggregates formed by the photoresponsive surfactants diethylene glycol mono(4',4-butyloxy, butyl-azobenzene) (C4AzoOC4E2) and diethylene glycol mono(4',4-hexyloxy, butyl-azobenzene) (C4AzoOC6E2) under different illumination conditions. At high concentrations, the self-assembly behavior of these surfactants changes remarkably in response to different radiation conditions. The trans isomers assemble into bilamellar (C4AzoOC4E2) and unilamellar (C4AzoOC6E2) vesicles, while the cis isomers (under UV light) form bicontinuous phases. These light-induced structural changes are attributed to a change in the sign of the Gaussian rigidity, which is the direct result of azobenzene photoisomerization.

Journal Article↗

The effect of organic cryosolvents on actin structure: studies by small angle X-ray scattering.

Small-angle X-ray scattering was used to probe the structure of actin in the presence of cryosolvents: 1,2-propanediol, glycerol, or a mixture of both solvents. In media devoid of polymerizing salts, a radius of gyration of 23 A is measured, as expected from the literature. In the presence of 1,2-propanediol alone, the scattering pattern begins to exhibit the characteristic slope of elongated objects with a non-negligible thickness, such as actin filaments polymerized in 40 mM KCl and 1 mM MgCl2. However, only short fragments (radius of gyration 40 A) are generated. We infer that in a medium of low ionic strength containing 15% 1,2-propanediol, actin assumes a structure closer to that of filamentous actin. 1,2-propanediol apparently induces nucleation of oligomers, as with polymerizing salts, but no propagation occurs. Glycerol and/or propanediol induce no alteration in the structure of individual salt-polymerized actin filaments. Aggregation occurs with propanediol, even in the presence of glycerol. Glycerol alone has no such effect. No shortening is detected within the scale covered, with either solvent, although 1,2-propanediol is known to shorten actin filaments. We suggest that in the absence of salts, 1,2-propanediol induces a conformational change in monomeric actin that is necessary for nucleation. This could correlate with a conformational change of actin promoters within microfilaments observed in the presence of 1,2-propanediol by other authors using different techniques.

Actins↗

The subdomain structure of human serum albumin in solution under different pH conditions studied by small angle X-ray scattering.

Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to study structural characteristics of human serum albumin (HSA) in solution under different pH conditions. Guinier analysis of SAXS results yielded values of the molecular radius of gyration ranging from 26.7 A to 34.5 A for pH varying from 2.5 to 7.0. This suggests the existence of significant differences in the overall shape of the molecule at different pH. Molecular models based on subdomains with different spatial configurations were proposed. The distance distribution functions associated with these models were calculated and compared with those determined from the experimental SAXS intensity functions. The conclusion of this SAXS study is that the arrangement of molecular subdomains is clearly pH dependent; the molecule adopting more or less compact configuration for different pH conditions. The conclusions of this systematic study on the modification in molecular shape of HSA as a response to pH changes is consistent with those of previous investigations performed for particular pH conditions.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Uncoupled-induced changes in mitochondrial structure detected by small-angle x-ray scattering.

Small-angle X-ray scattering data suggest that major but reversible rearrangements of mitochondrial inner membrane structure are induced by uncouplers. Low levels of 2,4-dinitrophenol (10 micronM) cause a perceptible wide-angle shift of the 20 mrad X-ray scattering maximum characteristic of intact liver mitochondria. Higher dinitrophenol concentrations (greater than 25 micronM) reduce this scattering maximum to one-third its initial intensity. In terms of mitochondrial function, the former scattering change appears to correlate with the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation while the latter occurs in the course of dinitrophenol stimulation of mitochondrial ATPase activity.

Animals↗

Conformation of thermally denatured RNase T1 with intact disulfide bonds: a study by small-angle X-ray scattering.

Small-angle X-ray scattering of RNase T1 with intact disulfide bonds was measured at 20 degrees and 60 degrees C in order to get insight into the structural changes of the protein caused by thermal denaturation. The radius of gyration increases from R(G)= 1.43 nm to R(G) = 2.21 nm. The conformations of the molecules at 60 degrees C are similar to those of ring-shaped random walk chains. However, the molecules are more compact than one would expect under theta conditions due to attractive interactions between the chain segments. The volume needed for free rotation of the thermally unfolded protein molecules about any axis in solution is five times greater than in the native state whereas the hydrodynamic effective volume is increasing only two times.

Disulfides↗

Structural studies of bleached melanin by synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering.

Small-angle X-ray scattering was used to measure the effects of chemical bleaching on the size and morphology of tyrosine-derived synthetic melanin dispersed in aqueous media. The average size as measured by the radius of gyration of the melanin particles in solution, at neutral to mildly basic pH, decreases from 16.5 to 12.5 angstroms with increased bleaching. The melanin particles exhibit scattering characteristic of sheet-like structures with a thickness of approximately 11 angstroms at all but the highest levels of bleaching. The scattering data are well described by the form factor for scattering from a pancake-like circular cylinder. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that unbleached melanin, at neutral to mildly basic pH, is a planar aggregate of 6- to 10-nm-sized melanin protomolecules, hydrogen bonded through their quinone and phenolic perimeters. The observed decrease in melanin particle size with increased bleaching is interpreted as evidence for deaggregation, most probably the result of oxidative disruption of hydrogen bonds and an increase in the number of charged, carboxylic acid groups, whereby the melanin aggregates disassociate into units composed of decreasing numbers of protomolecules.

Melanins↗

Bone mineralization as studied by small-angle x-ray scattering.

Small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) can provide information on mean size, predominant orientation and typical shape of mineral crystals in bone. In this paper, recent developments of this technique for application in bone research are reviewed. Then the structure of the collagen/mineral composite in bone, as determined by SAXS, is compared for a number of species. The thickness of the mineral crystals was found to increase with age up to a value around 3 to 4 nanometers in adult animals, depending on the species. The SAXS results also suggest the existence of needle-shaped mineral crystals in mouse or rat bone and more plate-shaped crystals in other tissues like adult human bone or mineralized turkey leg tendon.

Animals↗

Micellization of non-surface-active diblock copolymers in water. Special characteristics of poly(styrene)-block-poly(styrenesulfonate).

Strongly ionized amphiphilic diblock copolymers of poly(styrene)-b-poly(styrenesulfonate) with various hydrophilic and hydrophobic chain lengths were synthesized by living radical polymerization, and their properties and self-assembling behavior were systematically investigated by surface tension measurement, foam formation, hydrophobic dye solubilization, X-ray reflectivity, dynamic light scattering, small-angle neutron scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering, and atomic force microscope techniques. These copolymer solutions in pure water did not show a decrease of surface tension with increasing polymer concentration. The solutions also did not show foam formation, and no adsorption at the air/water interface was confirmed by reflectivity experiments. However, in 0.5 M NaCl aq solutions polymer adsorption and foam formation were observed. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) was observed by the dye solubilization experiment in both the solutions with and without added salt, and by dynamic light scattering we confirmed the existence of polymer micelles in solution, even though there was no adsorption of polymer molecules at the water surface in the solution without salt. By the small-angle scattering technique, we confirmed that the micelles have a well-defined core-shell structure and their sizes were 100-150 A depending on the hydrophobic and hydrophilic chain length ratio. The micelle size and shape were unaffected by addition of up to 0.5 M salt. The absence of polymer adsorption at the water surface with micelle formation in a bulk solution, which is now known as a universal characteristic for strongly ionized amphiphilic block copolymers, was attributed to the image charge effect at the air/water interface due to the many charges on the hydrophilic segment.

Journal Article↗