High Affinity Electrostatic Interactions Support the Formation of CdS Quantum Dot:Nitrogenase MoFe Protein Complexes

Pellows, Lauren M.; Willis, Mark A.; Ruzicka, Jesse L.; Jagilinki, Bhanu P.; Mulder, David W.; Yang, Zhi-Yong; Seefeldt, Lance C.; King, Paul W.; Dukovic, Gordana; Peters, John W.

doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03205

Cited by 8 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 48 publications

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“…Hydrogen bonds dominate the interaction between GQDs and DNMT1. The strength of this electrostatic interaction depends on the magnitude of the charges, the number of binding sites, and the distance between them. − Earlier studies on the structural effects of quantum dot pollutants indicated that excess binding sites enhance electrostatic interaction and a high binding affinity is associated with low binding energy . Binding sites and binding energies are listed in Table S4.…”

Section: Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retinal Degeneration Response to Graphene Quantum Dots: Disruption of the Blood–Retina Barrier Modulated by Surface Modification-Dependent DNA Methylation

Liu,

Tan,

Wang

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are used in diverse fields from chemistry-related materials to biomedicines, thus causing their substantial release into the environment. Appropriate visual function is crucial for facilitating the decisionmaking process within the nervous system. Given the direct interaction of eyes with the environment and even nanoparticles, herein, GQDs, sulfonic acid−doped GQDs (S-GQDs), and aminofunctionalized GQDs (A-GQDs) were employed to understand the potential optic neurotoxicity disruption mechanism by GQDs. The negatively charged GQDs and S-GQDs disturbed the response to light stimulation and impaired the structure of the retinal nuclear layer of zebrafish larvae, causing vision disorder and retinal degeneration. Albeit with sublethal concentrations, a considerably reduced expression of the retinal vascular sprouting factor sirt1 through increased DNA methylation damaged the blood−retina barrier. Importantly, the regulatory effect on vision function was influenced by negatively charged GQDs and S-GQDs but not positively charged A-GQDs. Moreover, cluster analysis and computational simulation studies indicated that binding affinities between GQDs and the DNMT1−ligand binding might be the dominant determinant of the vision function response. The previously unknown pathway of blood−retinal barrier interference offers opportunities to investigate the biological consequences of GQD-based nanomaterials, guiding innovation in the industry toward environmental sustainability.

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Section: Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retinal Degeneration Response to Graphene Quantum Dots: Disruption of the Blood–Retina Barrier Modulated by Surface Modification-Dependent DNA Methylation

Liu,

Tan,

Wang

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Scalable Ammonia Synthesis in Fermentors Using Quantum Dot-Azotobacter vinelandii Hybrids

Kim,

Lee,

Kim

et al. 2024

Korean J. Chem. Eng.

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This study introduces a scalable synthesis of ammonia through photochemical reactions, wherein nitrogen-fixing bacterial cells, Azotobacter vinelandii (A. vinelandii), form hybrids with colloidal quantum dots (QDs). Irradiation of the QD-A. vinelandii hybrids with visible light is found to significantly enhance ammonia production efficiency. The inherently low ammonia conversion rate of wild-type A. vinelandii is substantially increased upon incorporation of QDs. This increase is attributed to the electron transfer from QDs within the bacterial cells to intracellular bio-components. Transferring this chemistry to a large-scale reaction presents a tremendous challenge, as it requires precise control over the growth conditions. We explore the scalability of the QD-A. vinelandii hybrids by conducting the photochemical reaction in a 5-L fermentor under various parameters, such as dissolved oxygen, nutrient supply, and pH. Interestingly, ammonia was produced in media depleted of carbon sources. Consequently, a two-step fermentation process was designed, enabling effective ammonia production. Our findings demonstrate that the QD-A. vinelandii hybrid system in a bioreactor setup achieves an ammonia turnover frequency of 11.96 s−1, marking a more than sixfold increase in efficiency over that of nitrogenase enzymes alone. This advancement highlights the potential of integrating biological and nanotechnological elements for scalable ammonia production processes.

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Engineered self-assembled protein nanosheets for in situ biosynthesis of peptide anchored protein-semiconductor hybrids for efficient hydrogen production

Li,

Tian,

et al. 2025

Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy

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High Affinity Electrostatic Interactions Support the Formation of CdS Quantum Dot:Nitrogenase MoFe Protein Complexes

Cited by 8 publications

References 48 publications

Retinal Degeneration Response to Graphene Quantum Dots: Disruption of the Blood–Retina Barrier Modulated by Surface Modification-Dependent DNA Methylation

Retinal Degeneration Response to Graphene Quantum Dots: Disruption of the Blood–Retina Barrier Modulated by Surface Modification-Dependent DNA Methylation

Scalable Ammonia Synthesis in Fermentors Using Quantum Dot-Azotobacter vinelandii Hybrids

Engineered self-assembled protein nanosheets for in situ biosynthesis of peptide anchored protein-semiconductor hybrids for efficient hydrogen production

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