Bovine serum albumin as a platform for designing biologically active nanocarriers : experimental and computational studies

Due to the specificity of their structure, protein systems are adapted to carry various ligands. The structure of many proteins potentially allows for two types of immobilization of a therapeutic agent, either on the outer surface of the protein or within the protein structure. The existence of two active sites in BSA’s structure, the so-called Sudlow I and II, was confirmed. The conducted research involved determining the effectiveness of BSA as a potential carrier of 5-fluorouracil (5FU). 5-fluorouracil is a broad-spectrum anticancer drug targeting solid tumors. The research was carried out to estimate the physicochemical properties of the system using complementary measurement techniques. The optimization of the complex formation conditions made it possible to obtain significant correlations between the form of the drug and the effective localization of the active substance in the structure of the protein molecule. The presence of two amino groups in the 5FU structure contributes to the deprotonation of the molecule at high pH values (pH > 8) and the transition to the anionic form (AN1 and AN3). To investigate the binding affinity of the tautomeric form with BSA, UV-vis absorption, fluorescence quenching, zeta potential, QCM-D, and CD spectroscopic studies were performed. The experimental research was supported by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and molecular docking. The simulations confirm the potential location of 5FU tautomers inside the BSA structure and on its surface

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery