1
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Niyonkuru D, Camus A, Reali M, Gao Z, Shadrack DM, Butyaev O, Surtchev M, Santato C. A nanoscale study of the structure and electrical response of Sepia eumelanin. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:5295-5300. [PMID: 37767035 PMCID: PMC10521209 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00355h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Eumelanin, the brown-black member of the melanin biopigment family, is a prototype material for sustainable (green) organic electronics. Sepia eumelanin (Sepia) is a type of biosourced eumelanin extracted from the ink sac of cuttlefish. Electron microscopy and scanning probe microscopy images of Sepia show distinguishable near spherical granules with diameters of about 150-200 nm. We have recently reported on predominant electronic transport in printed films of Sepia formulated inks including the (insulating) binder Polyvinyl-butyral (PVB). In that work, we proposed that inter-granular percolative transport, observed for micrometric interelectrode distances, is promoted by the confining action of the PVB binder on the Sepia granules. Considering that inter-granular transport implies intra-granular transport, in this work we proceeded to a nanoscale study of Sepia granules by High Resolution Atomic Force Microscopy (HR-AFM) and Conductive-AFM (c-AFM). We have observed protrusions on the surface of the Sepia granules, suggesting sub-granular structures compatible with the hierarchical development of Sepia, as proposed elsewhere. For films of Sepia formulated inks deposited on gold-coated substrates, c-AFM revealed, for the very first time, a nanoscale electrical response. Nanoscale studies provide the key to structure-property relationships in biosourced materials strategic for sustainable organic electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieudonné Niyonkuru
- Department of Engineering Physics, Polytechnique Montréal C.P. 6079, Succ. Centre-Ville Montréal QC H3C3A7 Canada
| | - Anthony Camus
- Department of Engineering Physics, Polytechnique Montréal C.P. 6079, Succ. Centre-Ville Montréal QC H3C3A7 Canada
| | - Manuel Reali
- Department of Engineering Physics, Polytechnique Montréal C.P. 6079, Succ. Centre-Ville Montréal QC H3C3A7 Canada
| | - Zhaojing Gao
- Department of Engineering Physics, Polytechnique Montréal C.P. 6079, Succ. Centre-Ville Montréal QC H3C3A7 Canada
| | - Daniel M Shadrack
- Department of Chemistry, St. John's University of Tanzania P.O. Box 47 Dodoma Tanzania
| | - Oleg Butyaev
- NT-MTD Spectrum Instruments 5861 S Kyrene Rd#19 Tempe AZ 85283 USA
| | - Marko Surtchev
- NT-MTD Spectrum Instruments 5861 S Kyrene Rd#19 Tempe AZ 85283 USA
| | - Clara Santato
- Department of Engineering Physics, Polytechnique Montréal C.P. 6079, Succ. Centre-Ville Montréal QC H3C3A7 Canada
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2
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Terranova ML. Prominent Roles and Conflicted Attitudes of Eumelanin in the Living World. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097783. [PMID: 37175490 PMCID: PMC10178024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Eumelanin, a macromolecule widespread in all the living world and long appreciated for its protective action against harmful UV radiation, is considered the beneficial component of the melanin family (ευ means good in ancient Greek). This initially limited picture has been rather recently extended and now includes a variety of key functions performed by eumelanin in order to support life also under extreme conditions. A lot of still unexplained aspects characterize this molecule that, in an evolutionary context, survived natural selection. This paper aims to emphasize the unique characteristics and the consequent unusual behaviors of a molecule that still holds the main chemical/physical features detected in fossils dating to the late Carboniferous. In this context, attention is drawn to the duality of roles played by eumelanin, which occasionally reverses its functional processes, switching from an anti-oxidant to a pro-oxidant behavior and implementing therefore harmful effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Letizia Terranova
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata", Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Roma, Italy
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3
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Multiphoton FLIM Analyses of Native and UVA-Modified Synthetic Melanins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054517. [PMID: 36901948 PMCID: PMC10002570 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
To better understand the impact of solar light exposure on human skin, the chemical characterization of native melanins and their structural photo-modifications is of central interest. As the methods used today are invasive, we investigated the possibility of using multiphoton fluorescence lifetime (FLIM) imaging, along with phasor and bi-exponential fitting analyses, as a non-invasive alternative method for the chemical analysis of native and UVA-exposed melanins. We demonstrated that multiphoton FLIM allows the discrimination between native DHI, DHICA, Dopa eumelanins, pheomelanin, and mixed eu-/pheo-melanin polymers. We exposed melanin samples to high UVA doses to maximize their structural modifications. The UVA-induced oxidative, photo-degradation, and crosslinking changes were evidenced via an increase in fluorescence lifetimes along with a decrease in their relative contributions. Moreover, we introduced a new phasor parameter of a relative fraction of a UVA-modified species and provided evidence for its sensitivity in assessing the UVA effects. Globally, the fluorescence lifetime properties were modulated in a melanin-dependent and UVA dose-dependent manner, with the strongest modifications being observed for DHICA eumelanin and the weakest for pheomelanin. Multiphoton FLIM phasor and bi-exponential analyses hold promising perspectives for in vivo human skin mixed melanins characterization under UVA or other sunlight exposure conditions.
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4
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Cao W, Mao H, McCallum NC, Zhou X, Sun H, Sharpe C, Korpanty J, Hu Z, Ni QZ, Burkart MD, Shawkey MD, Wasielewski MR, Gianneschi NC. Biomimetic pheomelanin to unravel the electronic, molecular and supramolecular structure of the natural product. Chem Sci 2023; 14:4183-4192. [PMID: 37063797 PMCID: PMC10094096 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc06418a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A robust route to synthetic pheomelanin gives insight into the electronic, molecular and supramolecular structure of the natural product, further advancing our understanding of this important subfamily of melanin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Cao
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson-Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
| | - Haochuan Mao
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
- Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
| | - Naneki C. McCallum
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
| | - Xuhao Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
| | - Hao Sun
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson-Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, Tagliatela College of Engineering, University of New Haven, West Haven, Connecticut, 06516, USA
| | - Christopher Sharpe
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
| | - Joanna Korpanty
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
| | - Ziying Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
| | - Qing Zhe Ni
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093, USA
| | - Michael D. Burkart
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093, USA
| | - Matthew D. Shawkey
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Department of Biology, The University of Ghent, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michael R. Wasielewski
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
- Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
| | - Nathan C. Gianneschi
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson-Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093, USA
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5
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The photoprotection mechanism in the black-brown pigment eumelanin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2212343119. [PMID: 36227945 PMCID: PMC9618045 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2212343119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural black-brown pigment eumelanin protects humans from high-energy UV photons by absorbing and rapidly dissipating their energy before proteins and DNA are damaged. The extremely weak fluorescence of eumelanin points toward nonradiative relaxation on the timescale of picoseconds or shorter. However, the extreme chemical and physical complexity of eumelanin masks its photoprotection mechanism. We sought to determine the electronic and structural relaxation pathways in eumelanin using three complementary ultrafast optical spectroscopy methods: fluorescence, transient absorption, and stimulated Raman spectroscopies. We show that photoexcitation of chromophores across the UV-visible spectrum rapidly generates a distribution of visible excitation energies via ultrafast internal conversion among neighboring coupled chromophores, and then all these excitations relax on a timescale of ∼4 ps without transferring their energy to other chromophores. Moreover, these picosecond dynamics are shared by the monomeric building block, 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid. Through a series of solvent and pH-dependent measurements complemented by quantum chemical modeling, we show that these ultrafast dynamics are consistent with the partial excited-state proton transfer from the catechol hydroxy groups to the solvent. The use of this multispectroscopic approach allows the minimal functional unit in eumelanin and the role of exciton coupling and excited-state proton transfer to be determined, and ultimately reveals the mechanism of photoprotection in eumelanin. This knowledge has potential for use in the design of new soft optical components and organic sunscreens.
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6
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High conductivity Sepia melanin ink films for environmentally benign printed electronics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2200058119. [PMID: 35914170 PMCID: PMC9371694 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2200058119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanins (from the Greek μέλας, mélas, black) are bio-pigments ubiquitous in flora and fauna. Eumelanin is an insoluble brown-black type of melanin, found in vertebrates and invertebrates alike, among which Sepia (cuttlefish) is noteworthy. Sepia melanin is a type of bio-sourced eumelanin that can readily be extracted from the ink sac of cuttlefish. Eumelanin features broadband optical absorption, metal-binding affinity and antioxidative and radical-scavenging properties. It is a prototype of benign material for sustainable organic electronics technologies. Here, we report on an electronic conductivity as high as 10-3 S cm-1 in flexographically printed Sepia melanin films; such values for the conductivity are typical for well-established high-performance organic electronic polymers but quite uncommon for bio-sourced organic materials. Our studies show the potential of bio-sourced materials for emerging electronic technologies with low human- and eco-toxicity.
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7
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Galeb HA, Lamantia A, Robson A, König K, Eichhorn J, Baldock SJ, Ashton MD, Baum JV, Mort RL, Robinson BJ, Schacher FH, Chechik V, Taylor AM, Hardy JG. The Polymerization of Homogentisic Acid in Vitro as a Model for Pyomelanin Formation. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.202100489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hanaa A. Galeb
- Department of Chemistry Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry Science and Arts College, Rabigh Campus King Abdulaziz University Jeddah 21577 Saudi Arabia
| | - Angelo Lamantia
- Department of Physics Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YW United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Robson
- Department of Chemistry Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
| | - Katja König
- Institut für Organische und Makromolekulare Chemie Friedrich‐Schiller‐Universität Jena Lessingstraße 8 Jena 07743 Germany
| | - Jonas Eichhorn
- Institut für Organische und Makromolekulare Chemie Friedrich‐Schiller‐Universität Jena Lessingstraße 8 Jena 07743 Germany
| | - Sara J. Baldock
- Department of Chemistry Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
| | - Mark D. Ashton
- Department of Chemistry Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
| | - John V. Baum
- Department of Chemistry Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
| | - Richard L. Mort
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YG United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin J. Robinson
- Department of Physics Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YW United Kingdom
- Materials Science Institute Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
| | - Felix H. Schacher
- Institut für Organische und Makromolekulare Chemie Friedrich‐Schiller‐Universität Jena Lessingstraße 8 Jena 07743 Germany
| | - Victor Chechik
- Department of Chemistry University of York Heslington, York YO10 5DD United Kingdom
| | - Adam M. Taylor
- Lancaster Medical School Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YW United Kingdom
| | - John G. Hardy
- Department of Chemistry Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
- Materials Science Institute Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
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8
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Büngeler A, Kollmann F, Huber K, Strube OI. Targeted Synthesis of the Type-A Particle Substructure from Enzymatically Produced Eumelanin. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:1020-1029. [PMID: 34982545 PMCID: PMC8924864 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c01390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Eumelanin exhibits a defined supramolecular buildup that is deprived of at least three distinct particle species. To enable the full potential of its promising material properties, access to all particle types is crucial. In this work, the first protocol for the synthesis of the intermediate type-A particles in pure and stable dispersion form is described. It is found that aggregation of type-A particles into the larger type-B variant can be inhibited by a strict pH control during the synthesis. The exact influence of pH on the supramolecular buildup is investigated via a combination of time-resolved light scattering, electron microscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy. It is observed that a rapid buildup of type-B particles occurs without pH control and is generally dominant at lower pH values. At pH values above 6.2 however, type-A particles are gained, and no further aggregation occurs. Even more, lowering the pH of such a stable type-A dispersion at a later stage lifts the inhibition and again leads to the formation of larger particle species. The results confirm that it is easily possible to halt the aggregation of eumelanin substructures and to access them in the form of a stable dispersion. Moreover, a profound additional understanding of the supramolecular buildup is gained by the in-depth investigation of the pH influence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Büngeler
- Institute for Chemical Engineering, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.,Biobased and Bioinspired Materials, Paderborn University, 33098 Paderborn, Germany
| | - Fabian Kollmann
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Paderborn University, 33098 Paderborn, Germany
| | - Klaus Huber
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Paderborn University, 33098 Paderborn, Germany
| | - Oliver I Strube
- Institute for Chemical Engineering, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.,Biobased and Bioinspired Materials, Paderborn University, 33098 Paderborn, Germany
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9
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Meyer CE, Schoenenberger CA, Wehr RP, Wu D, Palivan CG. Artificial Melanogenesis by Confining Melanin/Polydopamine Production inside Polymersomes. Macromol Biosci 2021; 21:e2100249. [PMID: 34510748 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202100249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Melanin and polydopamine are potent biopolymers for the development of biomedical nanosystems. However, applications of melanin or polydopamine-based nanoparticles are limited by drawbacks related to a compromised colloidal stability over long time periods and associated cytotoxicity. To overcome these hurdles, a novel strategy is proposed that mimics the confinement of natural melanin in melanosomes. Melanosome mimics are developed by co-encapsulating the melanin/polydopamine precursors L-DOPA/dopamine with melanogenic enzyme Tyrosinase within polymersomes. The conditions of polymersome formation are optimized to obtain melanin/polydopamine polymerization within the cavity of the polymersomes. Similar to native melanosomes, polymersomes containing melanin/polydopamine show long-term colloidal stability, cell-compatibility, and potential for cell photoprotection. This novel kind of artificial melanogenesis is expected to inspire new applications of the confined melanin/polydopamine biopolymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Meyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4002, Switzerland
| | - Cora-Ann Schoenenberger
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4002, Switzerland.,NCCR-Molecular Systems Engineering, BPR1095, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
| | - Riccardo P Wehr
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4002, Switzerland
| | - Dalin Wu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4002, Switzerland.,NCCR-Molecular Systems Engineering, BPR1095, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia G Palivan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, Basel, 4002, Switzerland.,NCCR-Molecular Systems Engineering, BPR1095, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
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10
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Mavridi-Printezi A, Menichetti A, Guernelli M, Montalti M. The Photophysics and Photochemistry of Melanin- Like Nanomaterials Depend on Morphology and Structure. Chemistry 2021; 27:16309-16319. [PMID: 34505731 PMCID: PMC9291563 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202102479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Melanin‐like nanomaterials have found application in a large variety of high economic and social impact fields as medicine, energy conversion and storage, photothermal catalysis and environmental remediation. These materials have been used mostly for their optical and electronic properties, but also for their high biocompatibility and simplicity and versatility of preparation. Beside this, their chemistry is complex and it yields structures with different molecular weight and composition ranging from oligomers, to polymers as well as nanoparticles (NP). The comprehension of the correlation of the different compositions and morphologies to the optical properties of melanin is still incomplete and challenging, even if it is fundamental also from a technological point of view. In this minireview we focus on scientific papers, mostly recent ones, that indeed examine the link between composition and structural feature and photophysical and photochemical properties proposing this approach as a general one for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arianna Menichetti
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Moreno Guernelli
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Montalti
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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11
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Understanding the way eumelanin works: A unique example of properties and skills driven by molecular heterogeneity. POLYMER 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.123952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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12
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Coy E, Iatsunskyi I, Colmenares JC, Kim Y, Mrówczyński R. Polydopamine Films with 2D-like Layered Structure and High Mechanical Resilience. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:23113-23120. [PMID: 33969981 PMCID: PMC8289185 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c02483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Highly oriented, layered, and mechanically resilient films of polydopamine (PDA) have been synthesized from the air/water interface. The films show a unique layered structure, as shown by scanning and transmission electron studies (SEM/TEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), which resemble that of 2D layered materials. The films exhibit a composition typical of PDA-based materials, as evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); moreover, the samples present the distinctive resonance modes of PDA-based nanomaterials in Raman and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) experiments. The presence of highly ordinated 3-4 protomolecule stacking, taking place at the air/water interface, with a unique eumelanin-like supramolecular arrangement is presented. Moreover, the films show superior mechanical resilience with E = 13 ± 4 GPa and H = 0.21 ± 0.03 GPa, as revealed by nanoindentation experiments, making them highly resilient and easily transferable. Finally, the ordering induced by the interface opens many possibilities for further studies, including those regarding the supramolecular structure on PDA due to their similarity to 2D layered materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emerson Coy
- NanoBioMedical
Centre, Adam Mickiewicz University, Wszechnicy Piastowskiej 3, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Igor Iatsunskyi
- NanoBioMedical
Centre, Adam Mickiewicz University, Wszechnicy Piastowskiej 3, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Juan Carlos Colmenares
- Institute
of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of
Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Yeonho Kim
- Research
Institute of Basic Sciences, Incheon National
University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Radosław Mrówczyński
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Uniwersytet Poznańskiego
8, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
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13
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Galeb HA, Wilkinson EL, Stowell AF, Lin H, Murphy ST, Martin‐Hirsch PL, Mort RL, Taylor AM, Hardy JG. Melanins as Sustainable Resources for Advanced Biotechnological Applications. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2021; 5:2000102. [PMID: 33552556 PMCID: PMC7857133 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202000102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Melanins are a class of biopolymers that are widespread in nature and have diverse origins, chemical compositions, and functions. Their chemical, electrical, optical, and paramagnetic properties offer opportunities for applications in materials science, particularly for medical and technical uses. This review focuses on the application of analytical techniques to study melanins in multidisciplinary contexts with a view to their use as sustainable resources for advanced biotechnological applications, and how these may facilitate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanaa A. Galeb
- Department of ChemistryLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
- Department of ChemistryScience and Arts CollegeRabigh CampusKing Abdulaziz UniversityJeddah21577Saudi Arabia
| | - Emma L. Wilkinson
- Department of Biomedical and Life SciencesLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YGUK
| | - Alison F. Stowell
- Department of Organisation, Work and TechnologyLancaster University Management SchoolLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YXUK
| | - Hungyen Lin
- Department of EngineeringLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YWUK
| | - Samuel T. Murphy
- Department of EngineeringLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YWUK
- Materials Science InstituteLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
| | - Pierre L. Martin‐Hirsch
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustRoyal Preston HospitalSharoe Green LanePrestonPR2 9HTUK
| | - Richard L. Mort
- Department of Biomedical and Life SciencesLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YGUK
| | - Adam M. Taylor
- Lancaster Medical SchoolLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YWUK
| | - John G. Hardy
- Department of ChemistryLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
- Materials Science InstituteLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
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14
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Caldas M, Santos AC, Rebelo R, Pereira I, Veiga F, Reis RL, Correlo VM. Electro-responsive controlled drug delivery from melanin nanoparticles. Int J Pharm 2020; 588:119773. [PMID: 32805382 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Electro-responsive controlled drug delivery has been receiving an increasing interest as one of the on-demand drug delivery systems, aiming the improvement of the therapeutics efficacy by controlling the amount of drug release at a specific time and target site. Herein, we report a simple method to develop an electro-responsive controlled drug delivery system using functionalized melanin nanoparticles (FMNPs) with polydopamine and polypyrrole to precisely control the release of dexamethasone (Dex). Optimized FMNPs showed 376.77 ± 62.05 nm of particle size, a polydispersity index of 0.26 ± 0.09 and a zeta-potential (ZP) of -32.59 ± 3.61 mV. FMNPs evidenced a spherical shape, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry analysis confirmed the deposition of the polymers on the FMNPs' surface. The incorporation efficiency of the optimized Dex-loaded FMNPs was 94.45 ± 0.63% and the increase of ZP to -40.34 ± 4.65 mV was attributed to the anionic nature of Dex. In vitro Dex release studies without stimuli revealed a maximum Dex release below 10%. Applying electrical stimulation, Dex release was augmented, with a maximum of ca. 32% after 24 h. The designed FMNPs provide a powerful biomaterial-based technological tool for electro-responsive controlled drug delivery, capable of surpassing the associated lack of efficiency and stability of current carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Caldas
- I3B's Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Universidade do Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associated Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Cláudia Santos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Rita Rebelo
- I3B's Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Universidade do Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associated Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Irina Pereira
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisco Veiga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- I3B's Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Universidade do Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associated Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal; The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, Headquarters at University of Minho, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Vitor M Correlo
- I3B's Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Universidade do Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associated Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal; The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, Headquarters at University of Minho, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
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15
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Chen YC, Kendall T, Yip P, Davy A, Sefcik J, Sutter JU. Influence of Ions and pH on the Formation of Solid- and Liquid-like Melanin. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:25059-25068. [PMID: 33043184 PMCID: PMC7542583 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c01953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Melanin is a natural pigment with broadband absorption and effective ability to dissipate the energy absorbed. The macromolecular structure of melanin shows a delicate balance between short-range ordered and disordered structures without being a random aggregate. The presence of ions or the variation in pH or ionic strength can alter the self-assembly process which subsequently changes the structure of melanin. To understand these relationships, this study investigates the influence of ions and pH in melanin formation. The types of ions present and pH have a profound influence on the formation and structure of melanin particles, while only minor changes are observed in the absorption and excitation-emission analysis. In some conditions, the formation of discernible particles with significant refractive index contrast is avoided while retaining the spectroscopic characteristics of melanin, leading to liquid-like melanin. These findings identify potential pathways which can be used to manipulate the melanin macromolecular structure while providing the desired spectral properties to enable novel bio-engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-chieh Chen
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, James Weir Building, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow G1 1XJ, U.K.
| | - Thomas Kendall
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, James Weir Building, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow G1 1XJ, U.K.
| | - Philip Yip
- Horiba IBH Ltd., 133 Finnieston Street, Glasgow G3 8HB, Scotland, U.K.
- Photophysics Group, Centre for Molecular Nanometrology, Department
of Physics, The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance, University of Strathclyde, John Anderson Building, 107 Rottenrow, Glasgow G4 0NG, U.K.
| | - Alastair Davy
- Photophysics Group, Centre for Molecular Nanometrology, Department
of Physics, The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance, University of Strathclyde, John Anderson Building, 107 Rottenrow, Glasgow G4 0NG, U.K.
| | - Jan Sefcik
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, James Weir Building, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow G1 1XJ, U.K.
| | - Jens U. Sutter
- Photophysics Group, Centre for Molecular Nanometrology, Department
of Physics, The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance, University of Strathclyde, John Anderson Building, 107 Rottenrow, Glasgow G4 0NG, U.K.
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16
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Cavallini C, Vitiello G, Adinolfi B, Silvestri B, Armanetti P, Manini P, Pezzella A, d’Ischia M, Luciani G, Menichetti L. Melanin and Melanin-Like Hybrid Materials in Regenerative Medicine. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E1518. [PMID: 32756369 PMCID: PMC7466405 DOI: 10.3390/nano10081518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Melanins are a group of dark insoluble pigments found widespread in nature. In mammals, the brown-black eumelanins and the reddish-yellow pheomelanins are the main determinants of skin, hair, and eye pigmentation and play a significant role in photoprotection as well as in many biological functions ensuring homeostasis. Due to their broad-spectrum light absorption, radical scavenging, electric conductivity, and paramagnetic behavior, eumelanins are widely studied in the biomedical field. The continuing advancements in the development of biomimetic design strategies offer novel opportunities toward specifically engineered multifunctional biomaterials for regenerative medicine. Melanin and melanin-like coatings have been shown to increase cell attachment and proliferation on different substrates and to promote and ameliorate skin, bone, and nerve defect healing in several in vivo models. Herein, the state of the art and future perspectives of melanins as promising bioinspired platforms for natural regeneration processes are highlighted and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cavallini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (P.A.); (L.M.)
| | - Giuseppe Vitiello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (G.V.); (B.S.)
| | - Barbara Adinolfi
- Institute of Applied Physics “Nello Carrara”, National Research Council, via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy;
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (G.V.); (B.S.)
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (P.A.); (L.M.)
| | - Paola Manini
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.M.); (A.P.); (M.d.)
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.M.); (A.P.); (M.d.)
| | - Marco d’Ischia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.M.); (A.P.); (M.d.)
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (G.V.); (B.S.)
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (P.A.); (L.M.)
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17
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Ni QZ, Sierra BN, La Clair JJ, Burkart MD. Chemoenzymatic elaboration of the Raper-Mason pathway unravels the structural diversity within eumelanin pigments. Chem Sci 2020; 11:7836-7841. [PMID: 34123072 PMCID: PMC8163323 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc02262d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanin is a central polymer in living organisms, yet our understanding of its molecular structure remains unresolved. Here, we apply a biosynthetic approach to explore the composite structures accessible in one type of melanin, eumelanin. Using a combination of solid-state NMR, dynamic nuclear polarization, and electron microscopy, we reveal how a variety of monomers are enzymatically polymerized into their corresponding eumelanin pigments. We demonstrate how this approach can be used to unite structure with an understanding of enzymatic activity, substrate scope, and the regulation of nanostructural features. Overall, this data reveals how intermediate metabolites of the Raper–Mason metabolic pathway contribute to polymerization, allowing us to revisit the original proposal of how eumelanin is biosynthesized. Melanin is a central polymer in living organisms, yet our understanding of its molecular structure remains unresolved.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhe Ni
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla CA 92093-0358 USA
| | - Brianna N Sierra
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla CA 92093-0358 USA
| | - James J La Clair
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla CA 92093-0358 USA
| | - Michael D Burkart
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla CA 92093-0358 USA
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18
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d'Ischia M, Napolitano A, Pezzella A, Meredith P, Buehler M. Melanin Biopolymers: Tailoring Chemical Complexity for Materials Design. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201914276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco d'Ischia
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Naples “Federico II” Via Cintia 4 80126 Naples Italy
| | - Alessandra Napolitano
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Naples “Federico II” Via Cintia 4 80126 Naples Italy
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Naples “Federico II” Via Cintia 4 80126 Naples Italy
| | - Paul Meredith
- Department of Physics Swansea University Vivian Building, Singleton Campus SA2 8PP Swansea UK
| | - Markus Buehler
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics School of Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge MA 02139 USA
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19
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Melanin Biopolymers: Tailoring Chemical Complexity for Materials Design. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:11196-11205. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201914276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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20
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Caldas M, Santos AC, Veiga F, Rebelo R, Reis RL, Correlo VM. Melanin nanoparticles as a promising tool for biomedical applications - a review. Acta Biomater 2020; 105:26-43. [PMID: 32014585 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Melanin is a biopolymer of easy and cheap availability that can be found among the living organisms and excels for its biocompatibility and biodegradability properties, along with scavenging abilities, metal chelation and electronic conductance. This biomaterial can act as a nanocarrier or agent itself to be used in diverse biomedical applications, such as imaging, controlled drug release, bioengineering and bioelectronics, antioxidant applications and theranostics. In this review, the melanin source and structure, its physicochemical properties, melanin-like polymers as well as the differences among those will be elucidated. The focus will be the discussion of the current approaches that apply melanin nanoparticles (MNPs) and melanin-like nanoparticles (MLNPs) in the biomedical field, to which promising capabilities have been attributed, regarding optoelectronic, photoconductivity and photoacoustic. The use of these nanoparticles, in the last 10 years, in topics as drug delivery or theranostics will be detailed and the major achievements will be discussed. Overall, we anticipate that melanin can drive us toward a new paradigm in medical diagnostics and treatments, since applying melanin features possibly its use as a theranostics nanocarrier agent, not only for diagnostics, but also for photothermal therapy and controlled drug release through chemotherapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We present here a timely and opportune review article focusing the significant potential of melanin nanoparticles in biomedical applications, which will be discussed thoroughly. This biomaterial presents multiple capabilities that may be taken into consideration towards cancer theranostics, expecting a high future impact in the nanosized-platforms design and performance.
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21
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Turner MAP, Turner RJ, Horbury MD, Hine NDM, Stavros VG. Examining solvent effects on the ultrafast dynamics of catechol. J Chem Phys 2019; 151:084305. [PMID: 31470726 DOI: 10.1063/1.5116312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We consider the effect of a polar, hydrogen bond accepting, solvent environment on the excited state decay of catechol following excitation to its first excited singlet state (S1). A comparison of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and explicit-solvent ab initio frequency prediction suggests that 5 mM catechol in acetonitrile is both nonaggregated and in its "closed" conformation, contrary to what has been previously proposed. Using ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, we then demonstrate the effects of aggregation on the photoexcited S1 lifetime: at 5 mM catechol (nonaggregated) in acetonitrile, the S1 lifetime is 713 ps. In contrast at 75 mM catechol in acetonitrile, the S1 lifetime increases to 1700 ps. We attribute this difference to aggregation effects on the excited-state landscape. This work has shown that explicit-solvent methodology is key when calculating the vibrational frequencies of molecules in a strongly interacting solvent. Combining this with highly complementary steady-state and transient absorption spectroscopy enables us to gain key dynamical insights into how a prominent eumelanin building block behaves when in polar, hydrogen bond accepting solvents both as a monomer and as an aggregated species.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A P Turner
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV47AL, United Kingdom
| | - R J Turner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV47AL, United Kingdom
| | - M D Horbury
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV47AL, United Kingdom
| | - N D M Hine
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV47AL, United Kingdom
| | - V G Stavros
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV47AL, United Kingdom
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22
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Pralea IE, Moldovan RC, Petrache AM, Ilieș M, Hegheș SC, Ielciu I, Nicoară R, Moldovan M, Ene M, Radu M, Uifălean A, Iuga CA. From Extraction to Advanced Analytical Methods: The Challenges of Melanin Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3943. [PMID: 31412656 PMCID: PMC6719904 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The generic term "melanin" describes a black pigment of biological origin, although some melanins can be brown or even yellow. The pigment is characterized as a heterogenic polymer of phenolic or indolic nature, and the classification of eu-, pheo- and allo- melanin is broadly accepted. This classification is based on the chemical composition of the monomer subunit structure of the pigment. Due to the high heterogeneity of melanins, their analytical characterization can be a challenging task. In the present work, we synthesized the current information about the analytical methods which can be applied in melanin analysis workflow, from extraction and purification to high-throughput methods, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass-spectrometry or pyrolysis gas chromatography. Our thorough comparative evaluation of analytical data published so far on melanin analysis has proven to be a difficult task in terms of finding equivalent results, even when the same matrix was used. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of prior knowledge of melanin types and properties in order to select a valid experimental design using analytical methods that are able to deliver reliable results and draw consistent conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana-Ecaterina Pralea
- MedFuture - Research Center for Advanced Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Street 4-6, Gh. Marinescu Street 23, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Radu-Cristian Moldovan
- MedFuture - Research Center for Advanced Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Street 4-6, Gh. Marinescu Street 23, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alina-Maria Petrache
- MedFuture - Research Center for Advanced Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Street 4-6, Gh. Marinescu Street 23, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Maria Ilieș
- MedFuture - Research Center for Advanced Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Street 4-6, Gh. Marinescu Street 23, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Simona-Codruța Hegheș
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Street 6, 400349Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Irina Ielciu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Street 6, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Raul Nicoară
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Street 6, 400349Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mirela Moldovan
- Department of Dermopharmacy and Cosmetics, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ion Creangă Street 12, 400010 Cluj-Napoca, , Romania
| | - Mihaela Ene
- Horia Hulubei National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Reactorului Street 30, 077125 Măgurele, Romania
| | - Mihai Radu
- Horia Hulubei National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Reactorului Street 30, 077125 Măgurele, Romania
| | - Alina Uifălean
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Street 6, 400349Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Cristina-Adela Iuga
- MedFuture - Research Center for Advanced Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Street 4-6, Gh. Marinescu Street 23, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Street 6, 400349Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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23
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Camacho E, Vij R, Chrissian C, Prados-Rosales R, Gil D, O'Meally RN, Cordero RJB, Cole RN, McCaffery JM, Stark RE, Casadevall A. The structural unit of melanin in the cell wall of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:10471-10489. [PMID: 31118223 PMCID: PMC6615676 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.008684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanins are synthesized macromolecules that are found in all biological kingdoms. These pigments have a myriad of roles that range from microbial virulence to key components of the innate immune response in invertebrates. Melanins also exhibit unique properties with potential applications in physics and material sciences, ranging from electrical batteries to novel therapeutics. In the fungi, melanins, such as eumelanins, are components of the cell wall that provide protection against biotic and abiotic elements. Elucidation of the smallest fungal cell wall-associated melanin unit that serves as a building block is critical to understand the architecture of these polymers, its interaction with surrounding components, and their functional versatility. In this study, we used isopycnic gradient sedimentation, NMR, EPR, high-resolution microscopy, and proteomics to analyze the melanin in the cell wall of the human pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans We observed that melanin is assembled into the cryptococcal cell wall in spherical structures ∼200 nm in diameter, termed melanin granules, which are in turn composed of nanospheres ∼30 nm in diameter, termed fungal melanosomes. We noted that melanin granules are closely associated with proteins that may play critical roles in the fungal melanogenesis and the supramolecular structure of this polymer. Using this structural information, we propose a model for C. neoformans' melanization that is similar to the process used in animal melanization and is consistent with the phylogenetic relatedness of the fungal and animal kingdoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Camacho
- From the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Raghav Vij
- From the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Christine Chrissian
- the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, City College of New York and CUNY Institute for Macromolecular Assemblies, New York, New York 10031, the City University of New York
- Ph.D. Programs in Biochemistry and
| | - Rafael Prados-Rosales
- the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York 10461
- the CIC bioGUNE, 48160 Derio, Vizcaya, Spain
- the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health and Microbiology, Autonoma University of Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Gil
- the CIC bioGUNE, 48160 Derio, Vizcaya, Spain
| | - Robert N O'Meally
- the Johns Hopkins Mass Spectrometry and Proteomic Facility, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, and
| | - Radames J B Cordero
- From the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Robert N Cole
- the Johns Hopkins Mass Spectrometry and Proteomic Facility, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, and
| | - J Michael McCaffery
- the Integrated Imaging Center, Department of Biology, Engineering in Oncology Center, and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
| | - Ruth E Stark
- the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, City College of New York and CUNY Institute for Macromolecular Assemblies, New York, New York 10031, the City University of New York
- Ph.D. Programs in Biochemistry and
- Chemistry, New York, New York 10016
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- From the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205,
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24
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Characterization of the binding of tau imaging ligands to melanin-containing cells: putative off-target-binding site. Ann Nucl Med 2019; 33:375-382. [PMID: 30796626 DOI: 10.1007/s12149-019-01344-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein are the neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. In recent years, marked progress has been made in Alzheimer's disease research using tau ligands for positron emission tomography (PET). However, the issue of off-target binding, that is, the binding of ligands to regions without tau pathology, remains unresolved. Tissues with melanin-containing cells (MCCs) have been suggested as binding targets for tau ligands. In the present study, we characterized the MCC-binding properties of representative tau PET ligands. METHODS Autoradiographic studies of [18F]AV-1451 and [18F]THK5351 were conducted using postmortem human midbrain sections. Saturation-binding assays of [18F]AV-1451 and [18F]THK5351 were performed with B16F10 melanoma cells. The blocking effects of 25 compounds against [18F]THK5351 binding to B16F10 cells were used to investigate the relationship between chemical structure and MCC binding. RESULTS Autoradiography demonstrated specific binding of the radioligands in the substantia nigra. [18F]AV-1451 and [18F]THK5351 exhibited saturable binding to melanoma cells ([18F]AV-1451: Kd = 669 ± 196 nM, Bmax = 622 ± 269 pmol/mg protein; [18F]THK5351: Kd = 441 ± 126 nM, Bmax = 559 ± 75.5 pmol/mg protein). In blocking studies with melanoma cells, compounds bearing multiple aromatic rings and an aminopyridine group, including tau ligands such as AV-1451, PBB3, and a lead compound of MK-6240, exhibited the inhibition of [18F]THK5351 binding comparable to self-blocking by THK5351 (> 70% at 10 µM). CONCLUSIONS These studies suggest that the binding properties of [18F]AV-1451 and [18F]THK5351 are sufficient to expect highlighting of tissues with a high density of MCCs. The findings of the present study should aid the development of neuroimaging ligands that do not bind to MCC.
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25
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d'Ischia M. Melanin-Based Functional Materials. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19010228. [PMID: 29329224 PMCID: PMC5796177 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanin biopolymers are currently the focus of growing interest for a broad range of applications at the cutting edge of biomedical research and technology. This Special Issue presents a collection of papers dealing with melanin-type materials, e.g., polydopamine, for classic and innovative applications, offering a stimulating perspective of current trends in the field. Besides basic scientists, the Special Issue is directed to researchers from industries and companies that are willing to invest in melanin research for innovative and inspiring solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco d'Ischia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia 4, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
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