Search results for "MACRO"

A facile way to build up branched high functional polyaminoacids with tunable physicochemical and biological properties

2016

Abstract Here, for the first time, branched polyaminoacids bearing α-amino acids as side functions, namely PAA-co-AA and PGA-co-AA, are prepared by heterophase ring opening of polysuccinimide (PSI) with l -arginine or glycine in aqueous environment and at controlled pH. The modulation of the pH of the reaction leads to high-molecular-weight copolymers with tunable functionalization and, as consequence, with tailor-made physicochemical properties. Furthermore, a branched polyaminoacid carrying a preformed bioactive peptide ( l -trileucine) and l -arginine as side pendants, named PATA-co-AA, was synthesized via a similar pathway thus leading to complex biomimetic materials potentially exploit…

Dynamic Light Scattering Investigation of the Kinetics and Fidelity of Supramolecular Copolymerizations in Water

2017

The self-assembly of supramolecular copolymers facilitates the preparation of multifunctional materials, with tunable mechanical, electronic, or bioactive properties. Compared to covalent copolymerization protocols, controlling the molecular weight, stability, and monomer sequence of a multicomponent supramolecular copolymer remains limited. Here, we report a light scattering investigation of the charge-regulated supramolecular copolymerization in neutral buffer of physiological ionic strength, supported with electron microscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy experiments. Dendritic anionic and cationic peptide comonomers self-assemble into AB-type heterocopolymers with a nanorod-like m…

Characterization of the interaction between Actinin-Associated LIM Protein (ALP) and the rod domain of α-actinin

2009

Abstract Background The PDZ-LIM proteins are a family of signalling adaptors that interact with the actin cross-linking protein, α-actinin, via their PDZ domains or via internal regions between the PDZ and LIM domains. Three of the PDZ-LIM proteins have a conserved 26-residue ZM motif in the internal region, but the structure of the internal region is unknown. Results In this study, using circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), we showed that the ALP internal region (residues 107–273) was largely unfolded in solution, but was able to interact with the α-actinin rod domain in vitro, and to co-localize with α-actinin on stress fibres in vivo. NMR analysis revealed that the ti…

Calorimetric and structural investigation of the interaction between bovine serum albumin and high molecular weight dextran in water.

2005

This work studies specific interactions between a small globular protein and a highly flexible, branched polysaccharide using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence, and turbidimetry measurements. It uses the system water/bovine serum albumin (BSA)/dextran (D 2000) as a model. Dextran molecules are able to form interpolymeric complexes with BSA in water at both low and high temperatures if the polysaccharide is in excess and if the protein exists in its associated state. It leads to a partial destabilization of the secondary and tertiary structures of the protein and an additional exposure of the hydrophobic tryptophan residues to the surface of globu…

Supramolecular polymerization of sulfated dendritic peptide amphiphiles into multivalent L-selectin binders

2021

The synthesis of a sulfate-modified dendritic peptide amphiphile and its self-assembly into one-dimensional rod-like architectures in aqueous medium is reported. The influence of the ionic strength on the supramolecular polymerization was probed via circular dichroism spectroscopy and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. Physiological salt concentrations efficiently screen the charges of the dendritic building block equipped with eight sulfate groups and trigger the formation of rigid supramolecular polymers. Since multivalent sulfated supramolecular structures mimic naturally occurring L-selectin ligands, the corresponding affinity was evaluated using a competitive SPR binding assay…

Citizen science projects for monitoring alien macrophytes

2016

To understand the invasive potential and the spread dynamics of an alien species, any newly colonized area needs to be quickly detected. Therefore, regular monitoring programs and public awareness campaigns are essential. Since intensive monitoring activities involving scientists are expensive, the occurrence and spread of marine species could remain undetected or could be detected only years after the initial colonization. Citizen Science initiatives, a potential solution to this problem providing supplemental information that would otherwise be lost, are able to involve different groups of volunteers: students, tourists, divers, underwater photographers, amateurs and fishermen. Volunteers…

On some cladocerans new to Sicily (Southern Italy) (Crustacea, Branchiopoda)

2003

A new Co(II) coordination solid with mixed oxygen, carboxylate, pyridine and thiolate donors exhibiting canted antiferromagnetism with TC ≈ K

2006

Reaction of Co(II) chloride with the sodium salt of 2-mercaptonicotinic acid in water at 200 ºC results in the formation of Co4(2-mna)4(H2O), which orders as a canted antiferromagnet at 68 K. Gomez Garcia, Carlos Jose, Carlos.Gomez@uv.es

Heat shock and Cd2+ exposure regulate PML and Daxx release from ND10 by independent mechanisms that modify the induction of heat-shock proteins 70 an…

2003

Nuclear domains called ND10 or PML bodies might function as nuclear depots by recruiting or releasing certain proteins. Although recruitment of proteins through interferon-induced upregulation and SUMO-1 modification level of PML had been defined, it is not known whether release of proteins is regulated and has physiological consequences. Exposure to sublethal environmental stress revealed a sequential release of ND10-associated proteins. Upon heat shock Daxx and Sp100 were released but PML remained, whereas exposure to subtoxic concentrations of CdCl2 induced the release of ND10-associated proteins, including PML, with Sp100 remaining in a few sites. In both cases,recovery times were simil…

Phytoplankton dynamics in permanent and temporary Mediterranean waters: is the game hard to play because of hydrological disturbance?

2012

Only few scientific investigations have been carried out, to our knowledge, on phytoplankton in Mediterranean temporary ponds. To test the hypothesis that climate forcing is the main factor affecting dynamics and structure of planktic algae in these peculiar ecosystems, and to assess the importance of human impacts on this basic component of the aquatic biota, phytoplankton structure and dynamics were analysed in two temporary, long lasting (9 months), ponds, and in a permanent one. The three studied water bodies can be classified as mesoeutrophic, which show extended macrophyte beds and are subjected to one or more human impacts, such as eutrophication, fish and plant introduction, and gar…