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Rad-Faraji M, Mousazadeh M, Nikkhah M, Rezaei A, Moradi S, Hosseinkhani S. A comparative study of structural and catalytic activity alterations in firefly luciferase induced by carbon quantum dots containing amine and carboxyl functional groups. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:129503. [PMID: 38244744 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Despite of growing interest in use of carbon-based nanomaterials as carriers of functional proteins, less attention has been paid to the effects of these nanomaterials on the structure and function of the proteins. In this study, with the aim of shedding light on the mechanisms of interaction between carbon-based nanomaterials and proteins, the interactions of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) containing amine (CQD-NH2) or carboxyl groups (CQD-COOH) with Photinus pyralis firefly luciferase enzyme were investigated by experimental and computational approaches. The structural changes and reduction in activity of the luciferase upon treatment with CQDs were experimentally proved. CQD-NH2 induced more reduction in enzyme activity (15 %) compared to CQD-COOH (7.4 %). The interactions CQD-NH2 with luciferase led to higher affinity of the enzyme for its substrate. It was found by molecular dynamic simulations that CQD-NH2 binds to multiple regions on the surface of luciferase. Secondary structure analysis showed that CQD-NH2 had more profound effects on the active site amino acids, the adjacent amino acids to the active site and the residues involved in ATP binding site. In addition, CQD-NH2 interactions with luciferase were suggested to be stronger than CQD-COOH based on the number of hydrogen bonds and the binding energies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrnaz Rad-Faraji
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P. O. Box: 14115-154, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Mousazadeh
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P. O. Box: 14115-154, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Nikkhah
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P. O. Box: 14115-154, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Aram Rezaei
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Sajad Moradi
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Saman Hosseinkhani
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P. O. Box: 14115-154, Tehran, Iran
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Targhan H, Rezaei A, Aliabadi A, Ramazani A, Zhao Z, Shen X, Zheng H. Photocatalytic removal of imidacloprid pesticide from wastewater using CdS QDs passivated by CQDs containing thiol groups. Sci Rep 2024; 14:530. [PMID: 38177240 PMCID: PMC10766997 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49972-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, CdS QDs have become versatile semiconductors. Surface modification of CdS QDs has become an interesting case study, as it can eliminate surface defects and improve their photochemical properties. In this study, we report a new strategy of using carbon quantum dots containing a large number of thiol groups (CQDs-SH) as a passivating agent for the stabilization of CdS quantum dots (QDs). Various characterization techniques have clearly revealed that the CdS QDs have been successfully passivated by CQDs-SH. The photocatalytic performance of CQDs-SH/CdS QDs was investigated for the degradation of the insecticide imidacloprid from an aqueous solution. Parameters affecting the photodegradation process, including the light source, photocatalyst amount, initial concentration of the pollutant, radiation time, pH, oxidizing agent, and temperature, were investigated. Furthermore, the HPLC technique was applied to quantitatively analyze imidacloprid and its degradation products. The results of the HPLC analysis revealed that under simulated visible light at pH 9, imidacloprid scarcely existed after 90 min of irradiation (90.13% degradation). The LC-MS method was also used to detect the degradation products and investigate the mechanism of photodegradation of the pesticide. The results showed that the CQDs-SH/CdS QDs composite was a promising photocatalyst for the degradation of imidacloprid in wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Homa Targhan
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Aram Rezaei
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Alireza Aliabadi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, School of Pharmacy, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Ali Ramazani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, 45371-38791, Iran.
| | - Zhefei Zhao
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China
| | - Xinyi Shen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China
| | - Huajun Zheng
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China.
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Targhan H, Rezaei A, Aliabadi A, Ramazani A, Zhao Z, Zheng H. Palladium-based pseudohomogeneous catalyst for highly selective aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols to aldehydes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:536. [PMID: 38177209 PMCID: PMC10766977 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49526-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
This study presents a novel class of pseudohomogeneous catalysts (PHC) based on carbon quantum dots functionalized with terpyridine ligands (CQDs-Tpy) to immobilize and stabilize palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs). Extensive characterization techniques clearly confirmed the successful stabilization of Pd NPs on CQDs-Tpy. The effectiveness of the catalyst was demonstrated in the selective aerobic oxidation of primary and secondary of benzylic alcohols to aldehydes in the absence of additives and phase transfer catalyst (PTC). Remarkably, the reactions predominantly yielded aldehydes without further oxidation to carboxylic acids. By employing low catalyst loadings (0.13 mol%), high conversions (up to 89%) and excellent selectivity (> 99%) of the aldehyde derivatives were achieved. Moreover, the CQDs-Tpy/Pd NPs catalyst displayed suitable catalytic activity and recyclability, offering potential economic advantages. This promising approach opens up new opportunities in the field of catalysis for designing subnanometric metal-based PHCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Homa Targhan
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Aram Rezaei
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Alireza Aliabadi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Ali Ramazani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, 45371-38791, Iran.
| | - Zhefei Zhao
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China
| | - Huajun Zheng
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China.
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Rezaei A, Zheng H, Majidian S, Samadi S, Ramazani A. Chiral Pseudohomogeneous Catalyst Based on Amphiphilic Carbon Quantum Dots for the Enantioselective Kharasch-Sosnovsky Reaction. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:54373-54385. [PMID: 37963325 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c10756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
The term "chiral pseudohomogeneous catalyst (PHC)" denotes a novel concept that characterizes subnanometric particles exhibiting atomic-level chirality. The PHC based on chiral amphiphilic carbon quantum dots possesses distinctive features that combine the strengths of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, thereby heralding a significant breakthrough in the fields of asymmetric synthesis and medicinal chemistry. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first and the only reported research of a chiral PHC that demonstrates exceptional performance in controlling the enantioselectivity of the Kharasch-Sosnovsky reaction, yielding the corresponding products in high conversion (95%) with a moderate enantiomeric excess (75%). Notably, the chiral information on l-tryptophan can be effectively transferred from the outer shell of the nanosized catalyst, thereby inducing enantioselectivity in C-H activation and subsequent C-O forming events. Additionally, we have investigated the impact of various factors on the allylic oxidation reaction, including the amount, diversity, and hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature of the catalyst, as well as the influence of the solvent, Cu salts, temperature, and the type of alkene and perester, in order to comprehensively explore the reaction conditions. Furthermore, the catalyst can be readily recycled from the reaction medium, making this PHC a promising innovation that can significantly impact practical applications. In summary, this breakthrough can be aptly described as a "Golden Gate" due to its unparalleled potential to open up novel avenues for research and innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aram Rezaei
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6714415153, Iran
| | - Huajun Zheng
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Shiva Majidian
- Laboratory of Asymmetric Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj 66177-15175, Iran
| | - Saadi Samadi
- Laboratory of Asymmetric Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj 66177-15175, Iran
| | - Ali Ramazani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zanjan, Zanjan 45371-38791, Iran
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