Effect of ethyleneoxide groups of anionic surfactants on lipase activity

How do surfactants unfold and refold proteins?

Although the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS, has been used for more than half a century as a versatile and efficient protein denaturant for protein separation and size estimation, there is still controversy about its mode of interaction with proteins. The term "rod-like" structures for the complexes that form between SDS and protein, originally introduced by Tanford, is not sufficiently descriptive and does not distinguish between the two current vying models, namely protein-decorated micelles a.k.a. the core-shell model (in which denatured protein covers the surface of micelles) versus beads-on-a-string model (where unfolded proteins are surrounded by surfactant micelles). Thanks to a combination of structural, kinetic and computational work particularly within the last 5-10 years, it is now possible to rule decisively in favor of the core-shell model. This is supported unambiguously by a combination of calorimetric and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques and confirmed by increasingly sophisticated molecular dynamics simulations. Depending on the SDS:protein ratio and the protein molecular mass, the formed structures can range from multiple partly unfolded protein molecules surrounding a single shared micelle to a single polypeptide chain decorating multiple micelles. We also have much new insight into how this species forms. It is preceded by the binding of small numbers of SDS molecules which subsequently grow by accretion. Time-resolved SAXS analysis reveals an asymmetric attack by SDS micelles followed by distribution of the increasingly unfolded protein around the micelle. The compactness of the protein chain continues to evolve at higher SDS concentrations according to single-molecule studies, though the protein remains completely denatured on the tertiary structural level. SDS denaturation can be reversed by addition of nonionic surfactants that absorb SDS forming mixed micelles, leaving the protein free to refold. Refolding can occur in parallel tracks if only a fraction of the protein is initially stripped of SDS. SDS unfolding is nearly always reversible unless carried out at low pH, where charge neutralization can lead to superclusters of protein-surfactant complexes. With the general mechanism of SDS denaturation now firmly established, it largely remains to explore how other ionic surfactants (including biosurfactants) may diverge from this path.

Enhancing Soluble Expression of Phospholipase B for Efficient Catalytic Synthesis of L-Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine

Phospholipase B (PLB) harbors three distinct activities with broad substrate specificities and application fields. Its hydrolyzing of sn-1 and sn-2 acyl ester bonds enables it to catalyze the production of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (L-α-GPC) from phosphatidylcholine (PC) without speed-limiting acyl migration. This work was intended to obtain high-level active PLB and apply it to establish an efficient system for L-α-GPC synthesis. PLB from Pseudomonas fluorescens was co-expressed with five different molecular chaperones, including trigger factor (Tf), GroEL-GroES (GroELS), DnaK-DnaJ-GrpE (DnaKJE), GroELS and DnaKJE, or GroELS and Tf or fused with maltose binding protein (MBP) in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) to improve PLB expression. PLB with DnaKJE-assisted expression exhibited the highest catalytic activity. Further optimization of the expression conditions identified an optimal induction OD600 of 0.8, IPTG concentration of 0.3 mmol/L, induction time of 9 h, and temperature of 25 °C. The PLB activity reached a maximum of 524.64 ± 3.28 U/mg under optimal conditions. Subsequently, to establish an efficient PLB-catalyzed system for L-α-GPC synthesis, a series of organic-aqueous mixed systems and surfactant-supplemented aqueous systems were designed and constructed. Furthermore, the factors of temperature, reaction pH, metal ions, and substrate concentration were further systematically identified. Finally, a high yield of 90.50 ± 2.21% was obtained in a Span 60-supplemented aqueous system at 40 °C and pH 6.0 with 0.1 mmol/L of Mg2+. The proposed cost-effective PLB production and an environmentally friendly PLB-catalyzed system offer a candidate strategy for the industrial production of L-α-GPC.

Physiological fluid interfaces: Functional microenvironments, drug delivery targets, and first line of defense

Fluid interfaces, i.e. the boundary layer of two liquids or a liquid and a gas, play a vital role in physiological processes as diverse as visual perception, oral health and taste, lipid metabolism, and pulmonary breathing. These fluid interfaces exhibit a complex composition, structure, and rheology tailored to their individual physiological functions. Advances in interfacial thin film techniques have facilitated the analysis of such complex interfaces under physiologically relevant conditions. This allowed new insights on the origin of their physiological functionality, how deviations may cause disease, and has revealed new therapy strategies. Furthermore, the interactions of physiological fluid interfaces with exogenous substances is crucial for understanding certain disorders and exploiting drug delivery routes to or across fluid interfaces. Here, we provide an overview on fluid interfaces with physiological relevance, namely tear films, interfacial aspects of saliva, lipid droplet digestion and storage in the cell, and the functioning of lung surfactant. We elucidate their structure-function relationship, discuss diseases associated with interfacial composition, and describe therapies and drug delivery approaches targeted at fluid interfaces. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Fluid interfaces are inherent to all living organisms and play a vital role in various physiological processes. Examples are the eye tear film, saliva, lipid digestion & storage in cells, and pulmonary breathing. These fluid interfaces exhibit complex interfacial compositions and structures to meet their specific physiological function. We provide an overview on physiological fluid interfaces with a focus on interfacial phenomena. We elucidate their structure-function relationship, discuss diseases associated with interfacial composition, and describe novel therapies and drug delivery approaches targeted at fluid interfaces. This sets the scene for ocular, oral, or pulmonary surface engineering and drug delivery approaches.

Dynamics of Competitive Adsorption of Lipase and Ionic Surfactants at the Water-Air Interface

Lipase is one of the most important enzymes playing a key role in many biological and chemical processes, in particular for fat hydrolysis in living systems and technological applications such as food production, medicine, and biodiesel production. As lipase is soluble in water, the major hydrolysis process occurs at the water-oil interface, where lipase can get in contact with the oil. To provide optimum conditions, the emulsification of the oil is essential to provide a large interfacial area which is generally done by adding surfactants. However, the presence of surfactants can influence the lipase activity and also cause competitive adsorption, resulting in a removal of lipase from the interface or its conformational changes in the solution bulk. Here we have studied the dynamics of competitive adsorption and interfacial elasticity of mixed solutions containing lipase and the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), respectively, at the water-air interface. The experiments were performed with a special coaxial double capillary setup for drop bulk-interface exchange developed for the drop profile analysis tensiometer PAT with two protocols: sequential and simultaneous adsorption of single components and mixed systems. The results in terms of dynamic surface tension and dilational viscoelasticity illustrate fast and complete desorption of a preadsorbed CTAB and SDS layers via subphase exchange with a buffer solution. In contrast, the preadsorbed lipase layer cannot be removed either by SDS or CTAB from the interface during drop bulk exchange with a buffer solution due to the unfolding process and conformation evolution of the protein molecules at the interface. In the opposite case, lipase can remove preadsorbed SDS and CTAB. The dynamic surface tension and viscoelasticity data measured before and after subphase exchange show joint adsorption of lipase and CTAB in the form of complexes, while SDS is adsorbed in competition with lipase. The results are in good correlation with the determined surface charges of the lipase gained by computational simulations which show a dominant negatively charged surface for lipase that can interact with the cationic CTAB while partial positively charged regions are observed for the interaction with the anionic SDS.

Studying the toxicity of SLEnS-LAS micelles to collembolans and plants: Influence of ethylene oxide units in the head groups

Mixed micelles of linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LAS) and ether sulfate-based surfactants (SLE_nS) can be added in household products and cleaning agents. SLE_nS with higher ethylene oxide (EO) units in the head groups have economic and environmental advantages. This work aims to assess the influence of the number of EO units in the ecotoxicity of seven variants of SLE_nS-LAS micelles (0-50 EO units) in soils. Ecotoxicological tests were carried out to assess emergence and growth of four plants species and reproduction of collembolans. Most of the variants inhibited plants growth at the highest concentrations (1237.5 μg SLE_nS kg^-1 of soil_dw). For reproduction, lower number of EO units resulted in EC₅₀ from 924.2 (95 % CL: 760.7-1063.4) to 963.2 (95 % CL: 676.9-1249.6) μg SLE_nS kg^-1 of soil_dw, whereas for higher number of EO units (50 and 30) no inhibition was reported. Based on these results, we suggest that a higher number of EO units contribute to less hazardous formulations, confirming that different designs of surfactants may contribute to changes in the responses of terrestrial organisms. Therefore, we demonstrate that standardized ecotoxicological assays may contribute to more sustainable and effective formulations, when used upstream, prior to manufacture and marketing.

Decellularized liver transplant could be recellularized in rat partial hepatectomy model

In situ recellularization of the liver decellularized scaffold is a potential therapeutic alternative for liver transplantation. We aimed to develop an in situ procedure for recellularization of the rat liver using sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) compared with Triton X-100/SDS. Rat liver specimens were rinsed with PBS, decellularized with either Triton X-100/SDS or SLES, and finally rinsed by distilled water. The efficiency of decellularized liver scaffolds was evaluated by histological, confocal Raman microscopy, histochemical staining, and DNA quantification assessments. Finally, in vivo studies were done to assess the biocompatibility of the liver scaffold by serum biochemical parameters and the recellularization capacity by histological and immunohistochemistry staining. Findings confirmed the preservation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as reticular, collagen, glycosaminoglycans, and neutral carbohydrates in both Triton X-100/SDS- and SLES-treated livers. Hoechst, feulgen, Hematoxylin and eosin, and DNA quantification assessments confirmed complete genetic content removal. The serological parameters showed no adverse impact on the liver functions. Transplantation of SLES-treated cell-free decellularized liver showed extensive neovascularization along with migration of the fibrocytes and adipocytes and some immune cells. Also, immunohistochemical staining showed that the oval cells, stellate cells, cholangiocytes and hepatocytes invaded extensively into the graft. It is concluded that SLES can be considered as a promising alternative in the liver decellularization process, and the transplanted decellularized liver can appropriately be revascularized and regenerated.

Phospholipase D encapsulated into metal-surfactant nanocapsules for enhancing biocatalysis in a two-phase system

Methods for enhancing enzyme activities in two-phase systems are getting more attention. Phospholipase D (PLD) was successfully encapsulated into metal-surfactant nanocapsules (MSNCs) using a one-pot self-assembly technique in an aqueous solution. The highest yield for the production of high-value phosphatidylserine (PS) from low-value phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the two-phase system was achieved by encapsulating PLD into MSNCs formed from Ca²⁺ which gave an enzyme activity that was 133.6% of that of free PLD. The PLD@MSNC transformed the two-phase system into an emulsion phase system and improved the organic solvent tolerance, pH and thermal stabilities as well as the storage stability and reusability of the enzyme. Under optimal conditions, PLD@MSNC generated 91.9% PS over 8 h in the two-phase system, while free PLD generated only 77.5%.

PLD@MSNC transforms a two-phase system into an emulsion phase, and enhances transphosphatidylation.

Role of surfactant headgroups on the toxicity of SLEnS-LAS mixed micelles: A case study using microtox test

Mixtures containing ether sulfate based surfactants (SLE_nS) and linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LAS) are relatively common in personal care and household products. When in mixture, they form mixed micelles, which act as reservoirs for the cleaning process. The increase of ethylene oxide (EO) units in the head of SLE_nS lowers the critical micelle concentration, meaning that less quantity of each surfactant is needed to form the micelles. Within an eco-friendly perspective this is advantageous since less chemicals are expected to be released into the environment. But, this advantage will only be effective if variations with the higher number of EO units exhibit a lower toxicity as well. Despite its wide use in commercial products, the ecotoxicity of these micelles and the influence of the EO units on their toxicity still did not receive the necessary attention. In this context, the present study aimed at assessing the influence of the number of ethylene oxide (EO) units in the head groups of SLE_nS on the toxicity of the SLE_nS-LAS mixed micelles to the bacterium Vibrio fischeri (Microtox® assay, here used as a fast and preliminary ecotoxicological indicator). The SLE_nS variants with fewer EO units showed higher toxicity relatively to those with more EO units - EC₅₀ range (0-50 EO units): 0.56-8.59 mg L^-1, thus they can be suggested as environmentally safer variants to be used in personal care and household products. Provided the consistency of Microtox® results as obtained here, this quick and cost-effective procedure can be an important tool towards the development of eco-friendlier surfactant-based formulations.

Interactions between surfactants and hydrolytic enzymes

Hydrolytic enzymes are combined with surfactants in many types of formulations, for instance detergents and personal care products. If the surfactant interacts with the enzyme there may be conformational changes that eventually lead to loss of the enzymatic activity. From a practical point of view it is important to understand the nature and magnitude of these interactions. After an introduction of the topic the review briefly discusses enzyme catalyzed reactions where surfactants are substrates for the enzyme. The rest of the review relates to associations between surfactants and hydrolytic enzymes without the surfactant being a substrate in the reaction. A discussion about general principles for such interactions is followed by a survey of the relevant literature related to four important types of hydrolytic enzymes: lipases, proteases, amylases and cellulases. It is shown in the review that the effect exerted by the surfactant differs between the different types of enzymes; it is therefore difficult to make general statements about which surfactants are most detrimental to the activity of hydrolytic enzymes. However, as a general rule nonionic surfactants can be regarded as more benign to an enzyme than anionic and cationic surfactants. This difference can be ascribed to the difference in binding mode. Whereas a nonionic surfactant only binds to the enzyme through hydrophobic interactions, an ionic surfactant can bind by a combination of electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic interaction. This latter type of binding can be strong and lead to conformational changes already at very low surfactant concentration, often far below its critical micelle concentration.