Electron paramagnetic resonance study of amphiphiles partitioning behavior in desiccation-tolerant moss during dehydration

Desiccation tolerance is a crucial characteristic for desert moss surviving in arid regions. Desiccation procedure always induces amphiphiles transferring from the polar cytoplasm into lipid bodies. The behavior of amphiphiles transferring can contribute to the enhancement of desiccation tolerance and the reduction of plasma membrane integrity simultaneously. The effects of amphiphiles partitioning into the lipid phase during water loss has been studied for pollen and seeds using electron paramagnetic resonance （EPR） spectroscopy. However, desiccation-tolerant high plants occur among mosses, several angiosperms and higher plants seeds or pollens. They have different strategies for survival in dehydration and rehydration. A desiccation-tolerant moss Tortula desertorurn was used to investigate the behaviors of amphiphilic molecules during drying by spin label technology. There are small amount of amphiphilic probes partitioning into membrane during moss leaves dehydration, comparing with that in higher plants. Cytoplasm viscosity changed from 1.14 into glass state only dehydration less than 60 min. Moss leaves lost plasma membrane integrity slightly,from 0.115 to 0.237, occurred simultaneously with amphiphiles partition. The results showed the more advantages of mosses than higher plants in adapting fast dehydration. We propose that EPR spin label is feasible for studying the amphiphiles partitioning mechanisms in membrane protection and damage for desiccation-tolerant mosses.

Preparation of Nano-porous Materials(Ⅰ) by Polymerization of Amphiphile Self-assemblies

The polymerization of amphiphilic self assemblies is a promising method to synthesize nano structured materials with novel properties. These materials have many attractive features for their application in biomedical area and materials science, such as catalysis, separation, surface modification, and therapeutics areas. A general review on the polymerization of lipids and surfactant self assemblies to amphiphilic self assemblies is given in this paper with 49 references. The polymerization and the subsequently resulted structure of lipids in different morphologies are summarized. The polymerization of polymerizable surfactants(surfmers) in emulsion and liquid crystalline phases are also discussed. The potential application of new nano porous materials is briefly described.

The Behavior of Amphiphile at Oil-Water Interface by Monte Carlo Simulation

A novel simple two-dimensional square-lattice model of amphiphile at oil-water interface is developed,in which oil and water act as solvent and occupy empty sites and amphiphile occupies chains of sites. In this model, the oil-water interface is fixed, And amphiphile molecules will be enriched at the oil-water interface. The interfacial concentration of amphiphile calculated by Monte Carlo method shows that it is easier for the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balanced amphiphile to stay at the interface. And the adsorption of amphiphile increases with the increase of amphiphile concentration and the decrease with temperature.

Investigation of Spontaneous Condensation of an Amino Acid Based Amphiphile on Cast Film by in situ Transmission FT-IR Spectroscopy

The spontaneous condensation of the amphiphilic N-（O,O-dihexadecyl）phosphorylalanine on the cast film was observed by in situ investigation of transmission infrared spectroscopy The particular orientation and ordered packing of the monomers within the multilayers of the cast film is concluded to attribute to the spontaneous condensation between the monomers.

Synergistic Effect of Amphiphiles at Oil-Water Interface: By Monte Carlo Simulation

Amphiphile-oil-water system is complicated. The real behavior of amphiphile in the interface is still undnown despite that this behavior is very important in determining the stability of emulsion system. In this paper, the interface properties of amphiphile at oil-water interface were investigated by a square-lattice model Monte Carlo simulation method. The synergistic effect was found for hydrophobic and hydrophilic amphiphile mixture systems; and the synergistic effect disappears or was weakened as the amphiphile at the interface region became dilute with the increasing of temperature.

Molecular Recognition Based on Hydrogen-bonding in the Coliposomes of Phosphatidylcholine and Amphiphiles Using Nucleobases

A functional amphiphile, N^6 -myristoyl-9-[ 8-（ 1-trimethylamino） octyl ] adenine bromide （MTOAB）, was used to form coliposomes of phosphatidyleholine（PC）, PC/thymine, and PC/TOTB using sonication . The morphologies of the coliposomes were characterized using TEM （transmission electron microscopy）. The UV-Vis spectroscopic behavior of PC/MTOAB/thymine （molar ratio = 5： 1： 1 ） and PC/MTOAB/TOTB （molar ratio = 5： 1： 1 ） of coliposomal solutions showed that as a result of base pairing, absorption intensity showed a decrease at 263 nm with increase of time. The decrease of absorption intensity is ascribed to the hypochromic effect, which is because of the formation of hydrogen bonds between adenine and thymine in the coliposomes. The same effect was also observed for the mixture of aqueous PC/MTOAB liposomes and PC/TOTB liposomes after fusion, whereas the nocomplementary coliposomcs formed from PC/MTOAB and PC/TOTB did not show these spectroscopic changes. The molecular recognition through hydrogen interactions between adenine and thymine is very slow because of the possible occurrence of molecular lateral diffusion and exchange of amphiphile before recognition progresses in coliposomes. These results provide useful information for the design of supramolecular devices such as vesicles and liposomes,which can be used to mimic primitive recognition processes observed in biological systems.

SYNTHESIS OF A NOVEL AMPHIPHILE, 4-[4-(4-DECYLOXYPHENYLAZO) NAPHTHYLOXY] BUTYL TRIMETHYLAMMONIUM BROMIDE, AND ITS SELF-ASSEMBLING BEHAVIOR IN DILUTE AQUEOUS SOLUTION

A novel amphiphile of 4-[4-(4-decyloxyphenylazo) naphthyloxy] butyl trimethylammonium bromide has been synthesized. It can form the stable bilayer in dilute aqueous solution.

CATIONIC AMPHIPHILE-MEDIATED TRANSFER OF THEENZYME/PRODRUG GENE INTO C_6 GLIOMA CELLS-AN EFFECTIVE IN VITRO CHEMOSENSITIVITY SYSTEM

Objectivs Enzyme/prodrug gene therapy provides a potential strategy for the treatment of glioma.Because of the limitations of using viral vectors for clinical application, we investigated the feasibility of cationicamphiphile-mediated enzyme/prodrug gene transfer into C6 glioma cells. Methods Rat C6 glioma cells weretransfected with pUT599plasmid encoding the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene via DOTAPand tested for chemosensitivity of prodrug ganciclovir (GCV). To demonstrate in vitro bystander effect, HSV-tkpositive cells were co-cultured with HSV-tk negative cells at varying proportions. Results DOTAP mediatedHSV-tk gene transfer into C6 cells showed 30%-40% of transfection efficiency. HSV-tk infected C6 glioma cellswere rendered sensitive to concentrations of GCV that were 3-4 logs lower than uninfected cells, with an IC05 of0.087μmol/L. In terms of the bystander effect, the viability of co-cultured cells decreased with increasingpopulations of HSV-tk positive cells after GCV treatment. Conclusion C6 cells were successfully transfected withthe HSV-tk gene via cationic amphiphile and displayed a strong bystander effect after GCV treatment. Cationicamphiphile - mediated HSV- tk/GCV chemosensitivity System may have promise as an intratumoral treatment forglioma.

Synthesis of Sulfated Cyclodextrin Amphiphiles with Liposomal Encapsulation Properties

A novel class of amphiphiles with sulfate groups at the C-6 position and palmitoyl groups at the C-2, 3 positions of α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrin (CD) were efficiently synthesized. These compounds formed stable monolayers with high collapse pressures at the air-water interface. The mixed monolayer behaviors of the 6-O-sulfated CD amphiphiles (SO3-CDC16) in the presence of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and cholesterol were discussed using the surface pressure-molecular area (π-A) isotherms. The collapse pressures showed maxima at molar ratios of SO3-CDC16 lower than 10 mol%. A morphological analysis of the liposomes containing DPPC and 4 mol% SO3-CDC16 formed in PBS was carried out using transmission electron microscopy with negative staining, and vesicles with maximum diameters of 350-500 nm were observed. Moreover, the releasing ability of these liposomes was examined using a fluorescent compound, calcein. It was clearly shown that liposomes containing SO3-CDC16 could release encapsulated calcein more easily than liposomes consisting only of DPPC, and that the release rate depended on the phase transition temperature of the SO3-CDC16 included in the liposome membrane.

Atom-economic macrocyclic amphiphile based on guanidinium-functionalized selenacrown ether acting as redox-responsive nanozyme

Control of self-assembly is significant to the preparation of supramolecular materials, but the control of hydration, responsiveness, dimension, catalysis of macrocyclic amphiphiles in an atom-economic manner is still a great challenge. The herein presented 527 Da low-molecular-weight macrocyclic amphiphile was fabricated by utilizing the selenium-containing crown ether as a hydrophobic motif together with guanidinium group as the hydrophilic moiety. The resulting benzo[21]crown-7 based macrocyclic amphiphile readily forms a redox-responsive solid nanoparticles in water, which can further interconnect into wrinkled pattern on-surface, as well as exhibits as a nanozyme for catalyzing disulfid bond formation. The present work highlights the great potential of guanidinium-and selenium-containing crown ethers for the control of functional assemblies.

Pillar[5]arene-modified peptide-guanidiniocarbonylpyrrol amphiphiles with gene transfection properties

Pillar[5]arene-modified amphiphilic peptides with varying numbers of guanidiniocarbonylpyrrol(GCP)moieties have been successfully synthesized,which can self-assemble to multivalent cationic superstructures in aqueous solutions.These assembled peptides can condense DNA into various compact multimolecular aggregates to achieve successful intracellular DNA delivery and demonstrate great potential for gene transfection.Transfection efficiencies of the self-assembled superstructures have been evaluated in vitro with He La and HEK 293T cells.We demonstrate that GCP moiety could enhance the cell transfection ability,owing to its excellent binding towards cytomembrane.It was also found that subtle structure difference in peptides 2 and 3 could result in distinct transfection efficacy,which makes it possible to gain an in-depth understanding of their structure-activity relationship.This work presents a good example of rational structural design in achieving effective gene transfection vectors.

Self-reporting fluorescence deciphers the antibacterial nature of cationic amphiphiles:Monomer or aggregate?

Cationic amphiphile aggregates exhibit superior antibacterial activity than monomers.However,the antimicrobial mechanism of aggregates has not been well understood because it is difficult to distinguish and monitor aggregate and monomer in antimicrobial process.Herein,three bola-type cationic amphiphiles with aggregation-induced emission property have been developed to show distinguishable fluorescence in their monomer and aggregate.The hydrophilicity of monomer and the stability of aggregate are finely tuned by tailoring the linkers between two quaternary ammonium end groups and tetraphenylethylene skeleton.The sensitive fluorescence switching of monomer and aggregate achieves the quantitative monitoring of dynamic interaction of three amphiphiles with bacteria.The aggregates with cationic charges first attach to bacterial surface,and the monomers subsequently dissociate from aggregates to penetrate bacterial membrane.Further,our results reveal the vital role of stability of aggregates during antimicrobial process,shedding light on the rational design of high-efficient antimicrobials.

Mesomorphous structure change by tail chain number in ionic liquid crystalline complexes of linear polymer and amphiphiles

Three polymer-amphiphile complexes were prepared by combining poly（allylamine hydrochloride）（PAH） with the potassium salt of mono-,di-,and trisubstituted benzoic acid dendrons（4-octyloxybenzoic acid,3,5-dioctyloxybenzoic acid,and 3,4,5- trioctyloxybenzoic acid）.The solid structure and properties were monitored with FT-IR,XRD,TG,DSC,and polarized optical microscope（POM）.Difference in the tail chain number of the dendritic amphiphile induced two different mesomorphous structures： lamella for the mono-,disubstituted dendron containing complexes and hexagonal column for the trisubstituted dendron containing complexes.These corresponded to the ionic thermotropic liquid crystal SmA andΦ_h phases,respectively.This finding is significant for design of functional nanostructures based on the ionic complexation of polymers and amphiphiles.

Functionalization of Single- and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Cationic Amphiphiles for Plasmid DNA Complexation and Transfection

The possibility of delivering DNA effi ciently to cells represents a crucial issue for the treatment of both genetic and acquired diseases.However,even although the effi ciency of non-viral transfection systems has improved in the last decade,none have yet proven to be suffi ciently effective in vivo.We report herein our results on the functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes(SWNT)and multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWNT)by two cationic amphiphiles(lipid RPR120535 and pyrenyl polyamine),their use for the complexation of plasmid DNA,and their efficiency in transfecting cells in vitro.The experiments have shown that the efficiency of transfection is higher when using SWNT instead of MWNT,and that transfection effi ciency is similar or slightly higher when using nanoplexes(SWNT/lipid RPR120535/DNA)instead of lipoplexes(lipid RPR120535/DNA)and several orders of magnitude higher than that of naked DNA.This study therefore shows both that the transfection is better when using SWNTs and that it is dependent on the nature of the amphiphilic molecules adsorbed on the nanotubes.

Synthesis and self-assembly of novel oxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine amphiphiles

Heteracalixaromatics are an emerging generation of macrocyclic host molecules in supramolecular chemistry. As a typical example of heteracalixaromatics, oxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine adopts a shape-persistent 1,3-alternate conformation and can be easily functionalized. Taking it as a platform, a series of oxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine-based amphiphiles bearing long alkyl chains were synthesized through post-macrocyclization functionalization or 3＋1 fragment coupling protocols. The self-assembly behavior of these arnphiphiles in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran （THF） and water was investigated. Dynamic light scattering （DLS） measurements revealed that the size of the self-assembled aggregates is dependent on the structure of the amphiphiles. The long alkyl chain substituents and/or interrnolecular hydrogen bonds were found to promote the self-assembly.

Design,Synthesis,and Optical/Electronic Properties of a Series of Sphere-Rod Shape Amphiphiles Based on the C60-oligofluorene Conjugates

A series of sphere-rod shape amphiphiles were designed and synthesized by connecting the rod-like oligofluorenes with different lengths （OF,） to the different positions of the spherical [60]fullerene （C60） through a rigid linkage. The conjugates were characterized by IH-NMR, 13C-NMR, FTIR, EA and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The optical and electronic properties of the conjugates were studied by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectrometry, and cyclic voltammetry. The results from UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry indicated that the energy profiles of C60 and OFn remained unchanged when different lengths of OFn were attached to C60. The electron affinities of the OFn-C60 conjugates were close to that of C60, while slight electronic interaction was found between the two individual chromophores （C60 and OFn） in their ground states. The fluorescence spectra exhibited a complete fluorescence quenching in the toluene solution, suggesting an effective energy transfer from OFn to C60. It presents a systematic study on the self- assembly, structure-property relationship, and potential technical applications of the conjugates.

Cucurbit[7]uriI-Based Vesicles Formed by Self-assembly of Supramolecular Amphiphiles

Cucurbituril （CB）, a well-known macrocyclic cavitand, has been used extensively to construct supramolecular aggregates. Based on host-guest intertactions, an adamantanyl derivative guest molecule was designed and syn- thesized to prepare a supramolecular amphiphile with cucurbit[7]uril. In aqueous solution, the cucurbit[7]uril based supramolecular amphiphiles self-assemble into well-defined vesicles, and their disassembly can be achieved by addition of excess competitive agent 1-adamantanamine hydrochloride. This vesicle functions as a new nanocapsule to encapsulate molecules within its hollow cavity. Through competitive disassembly of supramolecular amphiphiles, the vesicles behave as a novel drug delivery carrier.

Enhanced stability of nitrogen-doped carbon-supported palladium catalyst for oxidative carbonylation of phenol

Enhancing the stability of supported noble metal catalysts emerges is a major challenge in both science and industry.Herein,a heterogeneous Pd catalyst(Pd/NCF)was prepared by supporting Pd ultrafine metal nanoparticles(NPs)on nitrogen-doped carbon;synthesized by using F127 as a stabilizer,as well as chitosan as a carbon and nitrogen source.The Pd/NCF catalyst was efficient and recyclable for oxidative carbonylation of phenol to diphenyl carbonate,exhibiting higher stability than Pd/NC prepared without F127 addition.The hydrogen bond between chitosan(CTS)and F127 was enhanced by F127,which anchored the N in the free amino group,increasing the N content of the carbon material and ensuring that the support could provide sufficient N sites for the deposition of Pd NPs.This process helped to improve metal dispersion.The increased metal-support interaction,which limits the leaching and coarsening of Pd NPs,improves the stability of the Pd/NCF catalyst.Furthermore,density functional theory calculations indicated that pyridine N stabilized the Pd^(2+)species,significantly inhibiting the loss of Pd^(2+)in Pd/NCF during the reaction process.This work provides a promising avenue towards enhancing the stability of nitrogen-doped carbon-supported metal catalysts.

Coassembly of Macrocyclic Amphiphiles for Anti-β-Amyloid Therapy of Alzheimer’s Disease

Based on the amyloid hypothesis,anti-β-amyloid(Aβ)therapy has dominated clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease(AD)in recent years.A key element of this strategy is the interaction between therapeutic agents and Aβ.However,the design and development of artificial receptors that may render selective and strong recognition toward Aβremains a huge challenge because of the complexity and size of peptide guests and their flexible conformation.

DNA-organic molecular amphiphiles:Synthesis,self-assembly,and hierarchical aggregates

With the development of deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA)nanotechnology,various DNA nanostructures and DNA devices have been constructed,which exhibit potential applications in material science and biomedicine.Taking advantage of the programmability and biocompatibility of DNA,novel building block to chemically functionalize DNA with hydrophobic organic molecules has attracted more and more attention.Driving by amphiphilicity,DNA-organic molecular amphiphiles have been demonstrated to self-assemble or further induce hierarchically assemblies,providing novel-specific properties.In this minireview,we summarize the recent progress of DNA organic molecular amphiphiles including their synthesis,self-assembly behavior in aqueous solution,and the amphiphilic self-assembly based on hierarchical DNA nano-structures.We further briefly discuss the perspective of the application of the DNA-organic molecular amphiphiles.