The role of glycerol and phosphatidylcholine in solubilizing and enhancing insulin stability in reverse hexagonal mesophases

Idit Amar-Yuli, Doron Azulay, Tehila Mishraki, Abraham Aserin, Nissim Garti*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

The potential of reverse hexagonal mesophases based on monoolein (GMO) and glycerol (as cosolvent) to facilitate the solubilization of proteins, such as insulin was explored. H II mesophases composed of GMO/decane/water were compared to GMO/decane/glycerol/water and GMO/phosphatidylcholine (PC)/decane/glycerol/water systems. The stability of insulin was tested, applying external physical modifications such as low pH and heat treatment (up to 70°C), in which insulin is known to form ordered amyloid-like aggregates (that are associated with several neurodegenerative diseases) with a characteristic cross β-pleated sheet structure.The impact of insulin confinement within these carriers on its stability, unfolding, and aggregation pathways was studied by combining SAXS, FTIR, and AFM techniques. These techniques provided a better insight into the molecular level of the " component interplay" in solubilizing and stabilizing insulin and its conformational modifications that dictate its final aggregate morphology.PC enlarged the water channels while glycerol shrank them, yet both facilitated insulin solubilization within the channels.The presence of glycerol within the mesophase water channels led to the formation of stronger hydrogen bonds with the hosting medium that enhanced the thermal stability of the protein and remarkably affected the unfolding process even after heat treatment (at 70°C for 60 min).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)379-387
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Colloid and Interface Science
Volume364
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Dec 2011

Keywords

  • AFM
  • FTIR
  • Liquid crystals
  • Monoolein
  • Proteins
  • SAXS

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