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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

A physical/psychological and biological stress combine to enhance endoplasmic reticulum stress

The generation of an immune response against infectious and other foreign agents is substantially modified by allostatic load, which is increased with chemical, physical and/or psychological stressors. The physical/psychological stress from cold-restraint (CR) inhibits host defense against Listeria monocytogenes (LM), due to early effects of the catecholamine norepinephrine (NE) from sympathetic nerves on β1-adrenoceptors (β1AR) of immune cells. Although CR activates innate immunity within 2 h, host defenses against bacterial growth are suppressed 2–3 days after infection (Cao and Lawrence 2002). CR enhances inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and NO production. The early innate activation leads to cellular reduction-oxidation (redox) changes of immune cells. Lymphocytes from CR-treated mice express fewer surface thiols. Splenic and hepatic immune cells also have fewer proteins with free thiols after CR and/or LM, and macrophages have less glutathione after the in vivo CR exposure or exposure to NE in vitro. The early induction of CR-induced oxidative stress elevates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which could interfere with keeping phagocytized LM within the phagosome or re-encapsuling LM by autophagy once they escape from the phagosome. ER stress-related proteins, such as glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), have elevated expression with CR and LM. The results indicate that CR enhances the unfolded protein response (UPR), which interferes with host defenses against LM. Thus, it is postulated that increased stress, as exists with living conditions at low socioeconomic conditions, can lower host defenses against pathogens because of oxidative and ER stress processes. - Highlights: • Cold-restraint (physical/psychological stress) induces early oxidative stress. • The oxidative stress relates to catecholamine signaling beta-adrenoceptors. • Physical/psychological stress combines infection enhancing inflammation. • Endoplasmic reticulum stress interferes with host defenses and autophagy.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Aluminum exposure for one hour decreases vascular reactivity in conductance and resistance arteries in rats

Aims: Aluminum (Al) is an important environmental contaminant; however, there are not enough evidences of Al-induced cardiovascular dysfunction. We investigated the effects of acute exposure to aluminum chloride (AlCl{sub 3}) on blood pressure, vascular reactivity and oxidative stress. Methods and results: Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: Untreated: vehicle (ultrapure water, ip) and AlCl{sub 3}: single dose of AlCl{sub 3} (100 mg/kg,ip). Concentration-response curves to phenylephrine in the absence and presence of endothelium, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME, the potassium channel blocker tetraethylammonium, and the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin were performed in segments from aortic and mesenteric resistance arteries. NO released was assessed in aorta and reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde, non-protein thiol levels, antioxidant capacity and enzymatic antioxidant activities were investigated in plasma, aorta and/or mesenteric arteries. After one hour of AlCl{sub 3} exposure serum Al levels attained 147.7 ± 25.0 μg/L. Al treatment: 1) did not affect blood pressure, heart rate and vasodilator responses induced by acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside; 2) decreased phenylephrine-induced vasoconstrictor responses; 3) increased endothelial modulation of contractile responses, NO release and vascular ROS production from NADPH oxidase; 4) increased plasmatic, aortic and mesenteric malondialdehyde and ROS production, and 5) decreased antioxidant capacity and affected the antioxidant biomarkers non-protein thiol levels, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymatic activities. Conclusion: AlCl{sub 3}-acute exposure reduces vascular reactivity. This effect is associated with increased NO production, probably acting on K{sup +} channels, which seems to occur as a compensatory mechanism against Al-induced oxidative stress. Our results suggest that Al exerts toxic effects to the vascular system. - Highlights: • One hour of aluminum exposure decreases vascular reactivity. • Vascular imbalance after aluminum exposure is related to increased oxidative stress. • Enhanced NO release is the first step against the effects of Al at vascular system.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Efficient Electrosteric Assembly of Nanoparticle Heterodimers and Linear Heteroassemblies

Bottom-up approaches to the synthesis of nanostructures are of particular interest because they offer several advantages over the traditional top-down approaches. In this work, we present a new method to self-assemble nanoparticles into controlled heteroaggregates. The technique relies on carefully balancing attractive electrostatic forces with repulsive steric hindrance that is provided by surface-grafted polyethylene glycol (PEG). Two different-sized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were used as a model system: 13 nm GNPs were functionalized with PEG-thiol and mercapto dodecanoic acid, while 7 nm GNPs were functionalized with PEG-thiol and (11- Mercaptoundecyl)trimethylammonium bromide. When mixed together, these oppositely charged particles self-assemble into stable colloidal structures (i.e., nanoclusters) whose structure depends strongly on the surface concentration of PEG. Smaller structures are obtained as the PEG surface concentration increases because steric hindrance dominates and prevents uncontrolled aggregation. In particular, under the right conditions, we were able to selectively synthesize heterodimers (which are effectively Janus particles) and linear heteroassemblies. In conclusion, this method is scalable, and it provides a step forward in bottom-up synthesis of nanomaterials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Characterization of the N-Acetyl-[alpha]-d-glucosaminyl l-Malate Synthase and Deacetylase Functions for Bacillithiol Biosynthesis in Bacillus anthracis

Bacillithiol (Cys-GlcN-malate, BSH) has recently been identified as a novel low-molecular weight thiol in Bacillus anthracis, Staphylococcus aureus, and several other Gram-positive bacteria lacking glutathione and mycothiol. We have now characterized the first two enzymes for the BSH biosynthetic pathway in B. anthracis, which combine to produce {alpha}-D-glucosaminyl L-malate (GlcN-malate) from UDP-GlcNAc and L-malate. The structure of the GlcNAc-malate intermediate has been determined, as have the kinetic parameters for the BaBshA glycosyltransferase ({yields}GlcNAc-malate) and the BaBshB deacetylase ({yields}GlcN-malate). BSH is one of only two natural products reported to contain a malyl glycoside, and the crystal structure of the BaBshA-UDP-malate ternary complex, determined in this work at 3.3 {angstrom} resolution, identifies several active-site interactions important for the specific recognition of L-malate, but not other {alpha}-hydroxy acids, as the acceptor substrate. In sharp contrast to the structures reported for the GlcNAc-1-D-myo-inositol-3-phosphate synthase (MshA) apo and ternary complex forms, there is no major conformational change observed in the structures of the corresponding BaBshA forms. A mutant strain of B. anthracis deficient in the BshA glycosyltransferase fails to produce BSH, as predicted. This B. anthracis bshA locus (BA1558) has been identified in a transposon-site hybridization study as required for growth, sporulation, or germination [Day, W. A., Jr., Rasmussen, S. L., Carpenter, B. M., Peterson, S. N., and Friedlander, A. M. (2007) J. Bacteriol. 189, 3296-3301], suggesting that the biosynthesis of BSH could represent a target for the development of novel antimicrobials with broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive pathogens like B. anthracis. The metabolites that function in thiol redox buffering and homeostasis in Bacillus are not well understood, and we present a composite picture based on this and other recent work.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Non-covalent functionalization of high-surface area nanomaterials: a new class of sorbent materials

non-covalent approach to functionalizing nanostructured materials with high-specificity ligands is described. In this work a variety of thiol ligands were non-covalently attached to self-assembled phenyl monolayers on nanostructured materials by taking advantage of favorable aromatic interactions. The resulting sorbent materials, both mesoporous silica and magnetic nanoparticles, were found to be very effective at scavenging soft heavy metal cations, Cd(II), Hg(II), Pb(II) and Ag(I), from aqueous matrices, performing better than commercial sorbents and comparably to the best covalently functionalized thiol sorbents available. This approach can be extended to a variety of surface chemistries and has application to chemical functionalization of a broad range of support structures used for chemical separations and processing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Quantitative proteomic characterization of redox-dependent post-translational modifications on protein cysteines

Protein cysteine thiols play a crucial role in redox signaling, regulation of enzymatic activity and protein function, and maintaining redox homeostasis in living systems. The unique chemical reactivity of thiol groups makes cysteine susceptible to oxidative modifications by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species to form a broad array of reversible and irreversible protein post-translational modifications (PTMs). The reversible modifications in particular are one of the major components of redox signaling and are involved in regulation of various cellular processes under physiological and pathological conditions. The biological significance of these redox PTMs in health and diseases has been increasingly recognized. Herein, we review the recent advances of quantitative proteomic approaches for investigating redox PTMs in complex biological systems, including the general considerations of sample processing, various chemical or affinity enrichment strategies, and quantitative approaches. We also highlight a number of redox proteomic approaches that enable effective profiling of redox PTMs for addressing specific biological questions. Although some technological limitations remain, redox proteomics is paving the way towards a better understanding of redox signaling and regulation in human health and diseases.

Cysteine↗
DOE OSTI2012

A surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy study of aminothiophenol and aminothiophenol-C{sub 60} self-assembled monolayers: Evolution of Raman modes with experimental parameters

P-aminothiophenol (PATP) is a well-known molecule for the preparation of self-assembled monolayers on gold via its thiol functional group. After adsorption, it has been demonstrated that this molecule is anchored to gold through its thiol group, and standing nearly upright at the surface with the amino functional group on top. This molecule has been extensively studied by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy but its exact SERS spectrum remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that it can be strongly affected by at least two experimental parameters: laser power and layer density. Those features are discussed in terms of a dimerization of the PATP molecules. The free amino group affords the adsorption of other molecules such as C{sub 60}. In this case, a complex multilayer system is formed and the question of its precise characterisation remains a key point. In this article, we demonstrate that surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy combined with x ray photoelectron spectroscopy can bring very important information about the organization of such a self-assembled multilayer on gold. In our study, the strong evolution of Raman modes after C{sub 60} adsorption suggests a change in the organization of aminothiophenol molecules during C{sub 60} adsorption. These changes, also observed when the aminothiophenol layer is annealed in toluene, do not prevent the adsorption of C{sub 60} molecules.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Hydrogen evolution from water through metal sulfide reactions

Transition metal sulfides play an important catalytic role in many chemical reactions. In this work, we have conducted a careful computational study of the structures, electronic states, and reactivity of metal sulfide cluster anions M{sub 2}S{sub X}{sup −} (M = Mo and W, X = 4–6) using density functional theory. Detailed structural analysis shows that these metal sulfide anions have ground state isomers with two bridging sulfide bonds, notably different in some cases from the corresponding oxides with the same stoichiometry. The chemical reactivity of these metal sulfide anions with water has also been carried out. After a thorough search on the reactive potential energy surface, we propose several competitive, energetically favorable, reaction pathways that lead to the evolution of hydrogen. Selectivity in the initial water addition and subsequent hydrogen migration are found to be the key steps in all the proposed reaction channels. Initial adsorption of water is most favored involving a terminal metal sulfur bond in Mo{sub 2}S{sub 4}{sup −} isomers whereas the most preferred orientation for water addition involves a bridging metal sulfur bond in the case of W{sub 2}S{sub 4}{sup −} and M{sub 2}S{sub 5}{sup −} isomers. In all the lowest energy H{sub 2} elimination steps, the interacting hydrogen atoms involve a metal hydride and a metal hydroxide (or thiol) group. We have also observed a higher energy reaction channel where the interacting hydrogen atoms in the H{sub 2} elimination step involve a thiol (–SH) and a hydroxyl (–OH) group. For all the reaction pathways, the Mo sulfide reactions involve a higher barrier than the corresponding W analogues. We observe for both metals that reactions of M{sub 2}S{sub 4}{sup −} and M{sub 2}S{sub 5}{sup −} clusters with water to liberate H{sub 2} are exothermic and involve modest free energy barriers. However, the reaction of water with M{sub 2}S{sub 6}{sup −} is highly endothermic with a considerable barrier due to saturation of the local bonding environment.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Surface‐Enforced Alignment of Reprogrammable Liquid Crystalline Elastomers

Abstract Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are stimuli‐responsive materials capable of undergoing large deformations. The thermomechanical response of LCEs is attributable to the coupling of polymer network properties and disruption of order between liquid crystalline mesogens. Complex deformations have been realized in LCEs by either programming the nematic director via surface‐enforced alignment or localized mechanical deformation in materials incorporating dynamic covalent chemistries. Here, the preparation of LCEs via thiol‐Michael addition reaction is reported that are amenable to surface‐enforced alignment. Afforded by the thiol‐Michael addition reaction, dynamic covalent bonds are uniquely incorporated in chemistries subject to surface‐enforce alignment. Accordingly, LCEs prepared with complex director profiles are able to be programmed and reprogrammed by (re)activating the dynamic covalent chemistry to realize distinctive shape transformations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

2‐Aminobenzenethiol‐Functionalized Silver‐Decorated Nanoporous Silicon Photoelectrodes for Selective CO 2 Reduction

Abstract A molecularly thin layer of 2‐aminobenzenethiol (2‐ABT) was adsorbed onto nanoporous p‐type silicon (b‐Si) photocathodes decorated with Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The addition of 2‐ABT alters the balance of the CO 2 reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions, resulting in more selective and efficient reduction of CO 2 to CO. The 2‐ABT adsorbate layer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and modeled by density functional theory calculations. Ex situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the 2‐ABT modified electrodes suggests that surface Ag atoms are in the +1 oxidation state and coordinated to 2‐ABT via Ag−S bonds. Under visible light illumination, the onset potential for CO 2 reduction was −50 mV vs. RHE, an anodic shift of about 150 mV relative to a sample without 2‐ABT. The adsorption of 2‐ABT lowers the overpotentials for both CO 2 reduction and hydrogen evolution. A comparison of electrodes functionalized with different aromatic thiols and amines suggests that the primary role of the thiol group in 2‐ABT is to anchor the NH 2 group near the Ag surface, where it serves to bind CO 2 and also to assist in proton transfer.

Kan, Miao↗
DOE OSTI2019

3D Printing Amorphous Polysiloxane Terpolymers via Vat Photopolymerization

Abstract Photocuring and vat photopolymerization (VP) additive manufacturing (AM) is reported for two families of fully amorphous poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) terpolymers containing either diphenylsiloxy (DiPhS) or diethylsiloxy (DiEtS) repeating units. A thiol‐functionalized PDMS crosslinker enables rapid crosslinking in air using efficient thiol–ene addition. Differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) confirm the absence of crystallinity for the DiPhS‐containing systems, while DMA shows a rubbery plateau extending to greater than 200 °C for the DiEtS‐containing system. VP‐AM of both photopolymer systems afford well‐defined 3D geometries, including high aspect ratio structures, which demonstrate feasibility of these photopolymers for the 3D printing of unique geometric objects that require elastomeric performance to temperatures as low as −120 °C.

Sirrine, Justin M.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Zinc Thiolate Enables Bright Cu‐Deficient Cu‐In‐S/ZnS Quantum Dots

Abstract Copper indium sulfide (CIS) colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are a promising candidate for commercially viable QD‐based optical applications, for example as colloidal photocatalysts or in luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). CIS QDs with good photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) and tunable emission wavelength via size and composition control are previously reported. However, developing an understanding and control over the growth of electronically passivating inorganic shells would enable further improvements of the photophysical properties of CIS QDs. To improve the optical properties of CIS QDs, the focus is on the growth of inorganic shells via the popular metal‐carboxylate/alkane thiol decomposition reaction. 1) The role of Zn‐carboxylate and Zn‐thiolate on the formation of ZnS shells on Cu‐deficient CIS (CDCIS) QDs is studied, 2) this knowledge is leveraged to yield >90% PLQY CDCIS/ZnS core/shell QDs, and 3) a mechanism for ZnS shells grown from zinc‐carboxylate/alkane thiol decomposition is proposed.

Hansen, Eric C.↗
DOE OSTI2021

The role of cysteine in tellurate reduction and toxicity

The tellurium oxyanion tellurate is toxic to living organisms even at low concentrations; however, its mechanism of toxicity is poorly understood. Here, we show that exposure of Escherichia coli K-12 to tellurate results in reduction to elemental tellurium (Te[0]) and the formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Toxicity assays performed with E. coli indicated that pre-oxidation of the intracellular thiol pools increases cellular resistance to tellurate-suggesting that intracellular thiols are important in tellurate toxicity. X-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments demonstrated that cysteine reduces tellurate to elemental tellurium. This redox reaction was found to generate superoxide anions. These results indicate that tellurate reduction to Te(0) by cysteine is a source of ROS in the cytoplasm of tellurate-exposed cells.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Selenium utilization in thioredoxin and catalytic advantage provided by selenocysteine

Thioredoxin (Trx) is a major thiol-disulfide reductase that plays a role in many biological processes, including DNA replication and redox signaling. Although selenocysteine (Sec)-containing Trxs have been identified in certain bacteria, their enzymatic properties have not been characterized. In this study, we expressed a selenoprotein Trx from Treponema denticola, an oral spirochete, in Escherichia coli and characterized this selenoenzyme and its natural cysteine (Cys) homologue using E. coli Trx1 as a positive control. {sup 75}Se metabolic labeling and mutation analyses showed that the SECIS (Sec insertion sequence) of T. denticola selenoprotein Trx is functional in the E. coli Sec insertion system with specific selenium incorporation into the Sec residue. The selenoprotein Trx exhibited approximately 10-fold higher catalytic activity than the Sec-to-Cys version and natural Cys homologue and E. coli Trx1, suggesting that Sec confers higher catalytic activity on this thiol-disulfide reductase. Kinetic analysis also showed that the selenoprotein Trx had a 30-fold higher K{sub m} than Cys-containing homologues, suggesting that this selenoenzyme is adapted to work efficiently with high concentrations of substrate. Collectively, the results of this study support the hypothesis that selenium utilization in oxidoreductase systems is primarily due to the catalytic advantage provided by the rare amino acid, Sec. - Highlights: • The first characterization of a selenoprotein Trx is presented. • The selenoenzyme Trx exhibits 10-fold higher catalytic activity than Cys homologues. • Se utilization in Trx is primarily due to the catalytic advantage provided by Sec residue.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Redox regulation of plant S-nitrosoglutathione reductase activity through post-translational modifications of cysteine residues

Highlights: • Plant GSNORs are inhibited by cysteine oxidative modification by H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. • GSNORs are inhibited by NO and nitroxyl though reversible cysteine modifications. • Oxidative and nitrosative inhibition of GSNOR can be reversed by reducing agents. • S-nitrosation of conserved cysteine 271 was confirmed in inhibited GSNOR enzyme. Nitric oxide (NO) is considered as a signalling molecule involved in a variety of important physiological and pathological processes in plant and animal systems. The major pathway of NO reactions in vivo represents S-nitrosation of thiols to form S-nitrosothiols. S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) is the key enzyme in the degradation pathway of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), a low-molecular weight adduct of NO and glutathione. GSNOR indirectly regulates the level of protein S-nitrosothiol in the cells. This study was focused on the dynamic regulation of the activity of plant GSNORs through reversible S-nitrosation and/or oxidative modifications of target cysteine residues. Pre-incubation with NO/NO{sup −} donors or hydrogen peroxide resulted in a decreased reductase and dehydrogenase activity of all studied plant GSNORs. Incubation with thiol reducing agent completely reversed inhibitory effects of nitrosative modifications and partially also oxidative inhibition. In biotin-labelled samples, S-nitrosation of plant GSNORs was confirmed after immunodetection and using mass spectrometry S-nitrosation of conserved Cys271 was identified in tomato GSNOR. Negative regulation of constitutive GSNOR activity in vivo by nitrosative or oxidative modifications might present an important mechanism to control GSNO levels, a critical mediator of the downstream signalling effects of NO, as well as for formaldehyde detoxification in dehydrogenase reaction mode.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Structure of 3-mercaptopropionic acid dioxygenase with a substrate analog reveals bidentate substrate binding at the iron center

Thiol dioxygenases are a subset of nonheme iron oxygenases that catalyze the formation of sulfinic acids from sulfhydryl-containing substrates and dioxygen. Among this class, cysteine dioxygenases (CDOs) and 3-mercaptopropionic acid dioxygenases (3MDOs) are the best characterized, and the mode of substrate binding for CDOs is well understood. However, the manner in which 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3MPA) coordinates to the nonheme iron site in 3MDO remains a matter of debate. A model for bidentate 3MPA coordination at the 3MDO Fe-site has been proposed on the basis of computational docking, whereas steady-state kinetics and EPR spectroscopic measurements suggest a thiolate-only coordination of the substrate. To address this gap in knowledge, we determined the structure of Azobacter vinelandii 3MDO (Av3MDO) in complex with the substrate analog and competitive inhibitor, 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3HPA). The structure together with DFT computational modeling demonstrates that 3HPA and 3MPA associate with iron as chelate complexes with the substrate-carboxylate group forming an additional interaction with Arg168 and the thiol bound at the same position as in CDO. A chloride ligand was bound to iron in the coordination site assigned as the O 2 -binding site. Supporting HYSCORE spectroscopic experiments were performed on the (3MPA/NO)-bound Av3MDO iron nitrosyl (S = 3/2) site. In combination with spectroscopic simulations and optimized DFT models, this work provides an experimentally verified model of the Av3MDO enzyme–substrate complex, effectively resolving a debate in the literature regarding the preferred substrate-binding denticity. These results elegantly explain the observed 3MDO substrate specificity, but leave unanswered questions regarding the mechanism of substrate-gated reactivity with dioxygen.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗