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Benzo(a)pyrene induced structural and functional modifications in lung cystatin.

Mohd Shahnawaz Khan1, Medha Priyadarshini, Aaliya Shah

  • 1Protein Research Chair, Department of Biochemistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
|March 19, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Environmental pollutant benzo(a)pyrene damages lung cystatin structure and function. This thiol protease inhibitor inactivation by benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) suggests potential lung injury risks for smokers and polluted environments.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cystatins are vital thiol proteinase inhibitors in mammals, protecting against uncontrolled proteolysis.
  • Environmental pollutants can disrupt protein structure and function, leading to cellular damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) on the structural and functional integrity of lung cystatin.
  • To understand the hazardous effects of this environmental pollutant on a key protective protein.

Main Methods:

  • UV-absorption, FT-IR, and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to study BaP-cystatin binding interactions.
  • ANS binding assays were employed to assess protein unfolding.
  • Papain inhibitory activity assays were conducted to evaluate functional inactivation.

Main Results:

  • BaP induced structural changes in lung cystatin, evidenced by fluorescence enhancement and a red shift, indicating protein unfolding.
  • FT-IR spectroscopy revealed a conformational shift from alpha-helix to beta-sheet structures upon BaP interaction.
  • Functional assays demonstrated complete inactivation of goat lung cystatin's papain inhibitory activity at 10 μM BaP concentration.

Conclusions:

  • Benzo(a)pyrene significantly alters the structure and function of lung cystatin, leading to its inactivation.
  • The findings highlight the potential for environmental pollutants like BaP to cause lung injury.
  • This study underscores the risks associated with exposure to pollutants for smokers and individuals in polluted environments.