Search results for "Macromolecule"
showing 10 items of 235 documents
Introduction: Protein Oligomerization and the Formation of Macromolecular Assemblies
2019
The ability of biomolecules to link together to form higher order assemblies underlies much of cellular structure and function. Here we emphasise protein oligomerisation and discuss some of the principles of molecular interaction, from early considerations through to the present day. A few protein examples are presented, selected from our research interests, to highlight assembly features, ranging from the hemoglobins, the hemocyanins to the peroxiredoxins, collagen, the encapsulins and ferritins.
Macromolecules in ordered media: 5. Poly(4-vinyl pyridine)—liposome association induced by electrostatic interactions
1997
Abstract The association of water-soluble vinyl polymers to dimyristoyl phosphatidic acid unilamellar vesicles as a function of pH, temperature and salt content using steady-state fluorescence and viscometry has been investigated. Poly(4-vinyl pyridine) fluorescence data were converted to association isotherms and discussed in terms of binding and partition models. The results of this report support previous suggestions: (1) in the case of polyions the inclusion of the activity coefficient in both models is essential; (2) the parameters calculated using the two different theoretical approaches can be directly compared by the relating equation proposed for us. Finally, the excellent agreemen…
Glycidyl methacrylate derivatization of α,β-poly(N-hydroxyethyl)-dl-aspartamide and α,β-polyasparthydrazide
1997
Abstract α,β-Poly(N-hydroxyethyl)- dl -aspartamide (PHEA) and α,β-polyasparthydrazide (PAHy) are two synthetic macromolecules having many potential applications in the field of biomedical sciences. This paper describes the functionalization of PHEA and PAHy with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), in order to introduce pendant double bonds in their chains. Derivatized PHEA and PAHy (samples PHG and PAG, respectively) at various GMA content have been obtained and characterized. It has been shown that the derivatization reaction can be controlled by varying some parameters as solvent, catalyst, pH, GMA concentration and reaction time. As expected, PAHy reacted more rapidly and more extensively than …
Étude thermodynamique du polymère super absorbant X10 vis–à–vis de l’eau vapeur
2004
The organic polymers super absorbents present values of specific surface lower than 2m 2 /g. The isobars of adsorption of water vapor on studied polymer are of type III at ambient temperature with the hysterisis phenomena.For temperatures lower than ambient, the isobars become deformed because of an effect of chains. This type of polymer is characterized by a multi-layer adsorption which occurs before the full-course one is complete. During reactions of adsorption, the polymer undergoes rearrangement polymeric network which results from a co-operative diffusion of the water molecules and from a spacing of chain followed by an expansion of the polymeric network. Three types of water molecule…
Amphiphilic Polyethers of Controlled Chain Architecture
2003
The amphiphilic polymers, polymers which contain in their macromolecules both hydrophilic and hydrophobic units1, are the base for valuable materials due to their diversified interaction with liquids. So they may act as emulsifiers, compatibilizers, “smart” materials (responding to external stimuli)2 and many others. In order to control their properties, the hydrophilic — hydrophobic balance in the macromolecules has to be controlled. This balance depends not only upon the constitution of the chain repeating units, but also upon the art of their distribution in the chains (copolymers of controlled unit sequences), the chain topology, the size of the chains and many others. So a careful engi…
Function of biomolecules as a probe for studying the effects of organic co-solvents on their conformations
1980
Abstract Conformation changes associated with the function of biomolecules can bring out variations of the extent and specific structure of their hydrophobic areas exposed to solvent, with consequent local rearrangements of the solvent. This is one of the channels through which the solvent exerts its role in the functional equilibria of biomolecules. The function of biological macromolecules in perturbed aqueous solvent can therefore be a suitable probe for studying the response of macromolecule-solvent systems to perturbations caused by organic co-solvents. We shall discussed the effects that the presence of some monohydric alcohols and some amides in the aqueous medium have on some thermo…
Copolymers sensitive to temperature and pH in water and in water+oil mixtures: A DSC, ITC and volumetric study
2011
Block copolymer micelles are receiving an increasing interest because of the variety of structures and the possibilities to tune them by changing external and internal parameters achieving the desired properties for a specific purpose. We have investigated the acid/base behavior, self-assembling and solubilization ability towards polar oils of star-like copolymers named Tetronics. They are composed of branched four-arms each one consisting of two blocks made of EO and PO units linked to the diethylenediamine group, which confers pH response ability. The copolymers T1107 and T90R4 were studied with a sequential and reverse architecture. The thermodynamics of the acid/base equilibrium was stu…
Introduction to the microsymposium and on the modulation of thermodynamic parameters relative to biomolecule-solvent interactions
1980
Abstract As a result of introducing a macromolecule in a solvent, changes in the structures of both solute and solvent are generally found. In this specific meaning we refer here to ‘relaxation phenomena’. The discussion will either concern or keep in a view the case of biomolecules and to which extent these changes are involved in their thermodynamic stability or functional structure: Dr. Ben-Naim will discuss hydrophobic interactions and structural changes in the solvent; Dr. Wen will focus on thermodynamic properties of aqueous solutions on hydrophobic solutes; Dr. Cordone, Dr. Fornili and myself shall discuss results of experiments concerning solutes on several types(proteins, polynucle…
Viscosimetric investigation of the interaction between sodium dodecylsulfate micelles and a polymer drug carrier
1993
Abstract The viscosities of aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate solutions with and without α,β-poly( N -hydroxyethyl)- dl -aspartamide (PHEA), at 15, 25 and 35°C are reported. The viscosities of SDS and of PHEA aqueous solutions are discussed in terms of the parameter D [D = ( η η 0 − 1)/φ] describing the non-ideal behavior of SDS micelles and of PHEA macromolecules. The viscosities of SDS plus PHEA aqueous solutions, discussed in terms of the parameter F [ F = η rel ( PHEA ) + η rel ( SDS ) − η rel ( SDS + PHEA )] M , demonstrate the occurrence of interactions between SDS micelles and the PHEA macromolecule. Both D and F are scarcely influenced by temperature variation.
Conformational analysis of α,β-poly(N-hydroxyethyl)-dl-aspartamide (PHEA) and α,β-polyasparthydrazide (PAHy) polymers in aqueous solution
1998
Abstract α,β-Poly(N-hydroxyethyl)- dl -aspartamide (PHEA) and α,β-polyasparthydrazide (PAHy) are synthetic polymers previously studied for biomedical applications. We report here the results of a small-angle X-ray scattering analysis carried out on these two macromolecules in aqueous solution. The data obtained indicate that the two polymers assume remarkably different conformations in aqueous solution, although the backbone is supposed to be the same for the two chains. PHEA can be represented by a random coil conformation, whereas PAHy can be described in terms of an elliptical cylinder characterized by an almost planar structural arrangement with the backbone refolded on itself in a fash…