title: In-situ spectroscopic investigation of ultrasonic assisted unfolding and aggregation of insulin.
abstract: It is well-known that fibrillogenesis of proteins can be influenced by diverse external parameters, such as temperature, pressure, agitation or chemical agents. The present preliminary study suggests that ultrasonic excitation at moderate intensities has a significant influence on the unfolding and aggregation behaviour of insulin. Irradiation with an average sound intensity of even as low as 70mW/cm(2) leads to a lowering of the unfolding and aggregation temperature up to 7K. The effect could be explained by an increase of the aggregation kinetics due to ultrasonically induced acoustic micro-streaming in the insulin solution that most probably enhances the aggregation rate. The clear and remarkable effect at relatively low sound intensities offers interesting options for further applications of ultrasound in biophysics and biochemistry. On the other hand, a process that causes a change of kinetics equivalent to 7K also gives a warning signal concerning the safety of those medical ultrasonic devices that work in this intensity range.
authors.affiliation: Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Group Material Performance and Non-destructive Testing, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. Helge.Pfeiffer@mtm.kuleuven.be
authors.forename: Helge
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chatziathanasiou
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Verstraeten
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meersman
authors.forename: Christ
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Glorieux
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heremans
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wevers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D007328:Insulin / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D017510:Protein Folding; D013016:Sound; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin