Biophysical characterization of Amynthas gracilis hemoprotein and its potential use as biosensor of environmental contamination

• Grant number: 15/11447-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2015
• End date: February 28, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Molecular Biophysics
• Principal Investigator: Patrícia Soares Santiago
• Grantee: Patrícia Soares Santiago
• Host Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Registro. Registro , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Francisco Adriano de Oliveira Carvalho ; Giovana Bertini ; Janaina de Souza Garcia ; José Wilson Pires Carvalho ; Marcel Tabak ; Marli Leite de Moraes ; Patrícia Gleydes Morgante
• Associated scholarship(s): 18/25632-3 - Oxidation kinetics of the giant extracellular hemoglobin of A. gracilis (HbAg) as a function of temperature and presence of chaotropic agents, BP.TT; 16/21022-0 - Interaction of extracellular hemoglobin Amynthas gracilis (HbAg) with heavy metal, BP.IC; 16/10884-1 - Structural characterization of the extracellular hemoglobin Amynthas gracilis (HbAg) by various biophysics techniques, BP.MS

Abstract

The hemoproteins are a class of proteins that play a vital role in organisms. Within this class we can mention myoglobin, intracellular hemoglobin and cytochrome c, which are intensively studied for many years. The interest of several research groups in extracellular hemoglobins is relatively recent. A strong motivation to study these giant hemoglobins is due to their high oligomeric stability, oxidation resistance, high cooperativity and a high affinity to bind oxygen, in addition to their potential use in biomedical applications such as, for example, blood substitute. These properties make the extracellular hemoglobins quite unique and interesting for studies with biotechnological applications. This research project aims to perform structural characterization and stability of a giant extracellular hemoglobin extracted from the annelid Amynthas gracilis (HbAg). In addition, to evaluate its potential use as biosensor for environmental contamination. Initially HbAg biophysical properties, such as thermal stability, dissociation and / or denaturation, at different pH values, structural changes in the presence of chaotropic agents, and the interactions of HbAg with metals and pesticides, will be evaluated. Several spectroscopic techniques, such as, optical absorption, static fluorescence, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and circular dichroism (CD), as well as, some structural techniques, namely small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), mass spectrometry MALDI-TOF-MS and atomic absorption, are proposed. In addition, the HbAg will be immobilized on solid surfaces by preparing self-assembled films and its potential as biosensors for the detection of metals / pesticides that contaminate the soil will be explored. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

OLIVEIRA, J. B. S.; RAMOS, L.; SOUZA, C. O.; SEBASTIAO, I; CARUSO, C.; CARVALHO, F. A. O.; CARVALHO, J. W. P.; MORGANTE, P. G.; SANTIAGO, P. S.. Initial biophysical characterization ofAmynthas gracilisgiant extracellular hemoglobin (HbAg). EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL WITH BIOPHYSICS LETTERS, v. 49, n. 6, AUG 2020. (16/10884-1, 15/11447-1)

DOS SANTOS, SINARA F. F.; OLIVEIRA, ALINE A.; SANTOS, GENISSON R.; MAHMOUDI, GHODRAT; AFKHAMI, FARHAD A.; SANTIAGO, PATRICIA S.; VIANA, ROMMEL B.; DA SILVA, ALBERICO B. F.; SANTOS, REGINA H. A.. Crystal packing of a zinc(II)-azide complex with a N,N,S-tridentate thiosemicarbazone ligand: An experimental and computational study. Journal of Molecular Structure, v. 1197, p. 393-400, DEC 5 2019. (15/11447-1)