Understanding the nano colloid-protein interaction in crowded milieu

Unique properties of nano colloids make them diverse molecules of biological applications. The antimi-crobial activity of nano colloids prepared from Cymbopogon citratus extract has been well documented. However, for the development of nano colloid-based products for human use, in-depth knowledge of the interactions between proteins and nano colloids is essential. Therefore, in this study, the interactions between the nano colloid synthesized using Cymbopogon citrates extract and holo alpha-lactalbumin (h-alpha-LA) in a crowded milieu was investigated using several techniques. Trp-fluorescence and far-UV CD measurements were carried out under different pH conditions, which showed significant perturba-tions in the tertiary and alpha-helical and b-sheet structural content of h-alpha-LA in the presence of nano colloid, P10. Presence of nano colloid in crowded milieu destabilized the protein in terms of midpoint of thermal denaturation (T-m) and Gibbs free energy (delta G(D)(o)). In this manuscript, the effect of nano colloids on protein structure and stability under crowded cellular conditions was investigated. The CcNc in the presence of P10 has significant detrimental effect on protein's native conformation which leads to decrease in its stability. This study hypothesised that P10 can be used for improving the efficacy of CcNc as antimicrobial agent. (C) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The interactions between nano colloids synthesized from Cymbopogon citratus extract and holo alpha-lactalbumin (h-alpha-LA) were investigated in this study. The results showed significant perturbations in the protein's structure and stability in the presence of nano colloid. This study provides important insights for the development of nano colloid-based products for human use.