title: Molecular properties of lysozyme-microbubbles: towards the protein and nucleic acid delivery.
abstract: Microbubbles (MBs) have specific acoustic properties that make them useful as contrast agents in ultrasound imaging. The use of the MBs in clinical practice led to the development of more sensitive imaging techniques both in cardiology and radiology. Protein-MBs are typically obtained by dispersing a gas phase in the protein solution and the protein deposited/cross-linked on the gas-liquid interface stabilizes the gas core. Innovative applications of protein-MBs prompt the investigation on the properties of MBs obtained using different proteins that are able to confer them specific properties and functionality. Recently, we have synthesized stable air-filled lysozyme-MBs (LysMBs) using high-intensity ultrasound-induced emulsification of a partly reduced lysozyme in aqueous solutions. The stability of LysMBs suspension allows for post-synthetic modification of MBs surface. In the present work, the protein folded state and the biodegradability property of LysMBs were investigated by limited proteolysis. Moreover, LysMBs were coated and functionalized with a number of biomacromolecules (proteins, polysaccharides, nucleic acids). Remarkably, LysMBs show a high DNA-binding ability and protective effects of the nucleic acids from nucleases and, further, the ability to transform the bacteria cells. These results highlight on the possibility of using LysMBs for delivery of proteins and nucleic acids in prophylactic and therapeutic applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences and Chemical Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy. melinos@uniroma2.it
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Melino
authors.forename: Meifang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Mariarosaria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tortora
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paci
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cavalieri
authors.forename: Muthupandian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ashokkumar
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D003102:Colloids; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D053837:DNA Cleavage; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000737:chemistry; D003911:Dextrans / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D004795:Enzyme Stability; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000737:chemistry; D045423:Microbubbles; D009113:Muramidase / Q000737:chemistry*; D011485:Protein Binding; D059748:Proteolysis; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D014357:Trypsin / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D003911:Dextrans; D004337:Drug Carriers; C082171:lactoferricin B; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D004247:DNA; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I; D009113:Muramidase; D007781:Lactoferrin; D014357:Trypsin