pH-dependent secondary conformation of the peptide hormone leptin in different buffer solutions

PH-dependent coordination of metal-lisinopril complex investigated by attenuated total reflection/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

In order to simulate the in vivo binding behavior of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to the zinc-containing active center of ACE, the in vitro interaction between lisinopril and zinc or nickel ions was investigated in aqueous solutions of different pH by using attenuated total reflection (ATR)/Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy with second-derivative IR spectral analysis. The results indicated that the lisinopril dissociation process occurred in a stepwise fashion during increase in pH. The IR peaks at 1642 cm(-1) (carbonyl stretching of tertiary amide) and at 1582 cm(-1) (asymmetric COO- stretching) for lisinopril in solution at pH 3.5 shifted to 1606 and 1586 cm(-1) after addition of Ni2+ ions, respectively, but there was no marked changes in IR spectra of lisinopril after addition of Zn2+ ions. When the Zn2+ ions were added to lisinopril solution at pH 5.0, the peak at 1642 cm(-1) also shifted to 1604 cm(-1) and the peak at 1582 cm(-1) shifted to 1586 cm(-1), similar to the changes at pH 3.5 after adding Ni2+ ions. However, the peaks at 1582 and 1642 cm(-1) both shifted to 1599 cm(-1) after addition of Ni2+ ions at pH 5.0 or at pH 7.3. The peak at 1576 cm(-1) also shifted to 1599 cm(-1) after addition of Zn2+ ions to lisinopril solution at pH 7.3. Different coordination sites or types (chelating, bridging or pseudounidentate complex) between lisinopril and Zn2+ or Ni2+ ions were proposed, based on the separation value between v(as) (COO-) and v(s) (COO-), and the shifting of carbonyl groups. Coordination of the secondary amine in lisinopril to metal ions was also evidenced.

Effect of cyanide concentrations on the secondary structures of protein in the crude homogenates of the fish gill tissue

The effect of cyanide concentrations on the secondary conformation of protein in the fish gill homogenate was determined using an attenuated total reflectance (ATR)/Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy. Gills from male Tilapia zillii were isolated and homogenized in pH 8.0 Tris buffer solution and subjected to FT-IR study. The results indicate that the amide I and III bands of protein in fish gill homogenate deformed markedly with the increase of cyanide concentration. The fish gill homogenate shows a maximum peak at 1650 cm(-1) in amide I band, suggesting the predominant proportion of alpha-helical conformation. Once the KCN was added into the gill homogenate, the maximum peak shifted gradually from 1650 to 1643 cm(-1) due to the random coil structure, with the increase of cyanide concentration used. Two additional shoulders at 1657 (alpha-helix) and 1627 (beta-sheet) cm(-1) also appeared gradually, implying that the cyanide can in part induce changes in protein conformation of fish gill homogenate from alpha-helix to random coil and beta-sheet conformations.