| AVS 65th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Biomaterial Interfaces Division | Monday Sessions |
| Session BI+AS+IPF+MN-MoA |
| Session: | Advanced Imaging and Structure Determination of Biomaterials Research |
| Presenter: | Patrik K. Johansson, University of Washington |
| Authors: | P.K. Johansson, University of Washington D.G. Castner, University of Washington |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Biological processes are typically regulated by interactions at the interface of 3D structures, such as the membrane of cells or protein fiber surfaces. Collagen (the most common protein in mammals) forms large fibers that are responsible for the structural integrity of tissues. The structure, organization and interactions of these fibers are furthermore important for the survival, communication, migration, and proliferation of cells.
Investigating protein fiber interactions is challenging, particularly under biological conditions where the fibers exist in a 3D aqueous environment. Many techniques cannot interrogate interfaces buried in the bulk of a solvent and therefore require 2D surface models, while others need extensive purification and sample preparation. These approaches may not capture all key characteristics of the fiber surface structure and interactions in the real sample. However, vibrational sum-frequency scattering (SFS) spectroscopy, with inherent contrast for local molecular ordering, can be utilized towards these important goals.
As a first demonstration, we have applied SFS to protein fibers in aqueous environments, self-assembled from collagen type I. We detected signals from the amide I band and the N-H stretching vibrations, both of which are related to the specific protein backbone structure. Signals from the C-H stretching and bending vibrations were also identified, which are more associated with the side-chains in the fibers. The angular scattering patterns for the backbone (amide I) and side-chain (C-H stretches and bends) signals are different, making the spectra dependent on the angle of detection. While the backbone signals are dominant in the phase-matched direction, the side-chain signals remain high also at large scattering angles. Distinctions in the organizational symmetry and the relative fiber surface contribution to the overall signal are hypothesized as reasons for this observation.
Finally, we are investigating the impact of changes to the environment (e.g. ionic strength, pH, surfactants) on the shape of spectra and scattering patterns for the detected SFS signals. This could yield new insights to the structure and dynamics of collagen fibers in biological settings. The relevance of such investigations is enhanced by the fact that detection of vibrations from the surrounding molecules is a direct observation of their interactions with the collagen fiber surface, which thus can be correlated with the fiber structure. The relative orientations for the detected groups can also be obtained via vibrational SFS polarization analysis, for a deeper understanding of biomolecular interactions in biological processes.