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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
In-vivo Detection of Protein-protein Interactions on Micro-patterned Surfaces
Published on: March 19, 2010
Fluorescence detection of protein content in house dust: the possible role of keratin
O V Voloshina1, E A Shirshin1, J Lademann2
1Faculty of Physics, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
Abstract:
We propose a fluorescence method for protein content assessment in fine house dust, which can be used as an indicator of the hygienic state of occupied rooms. The results of the measurements performed with 30 house dust samples, including ultrafiltration experiments, strongly suggest that the fluorescence emission of house dust extracts excited at 350 nm is mainly due to protein fragments, which are presumably keratin hydrolysates. This suggestion is supported by several facts: (i) Spectral band shapes for all the samples under investigation are close and correspond to that of keratin; (ii) fluorescence intensity correlates with the total protein content as provided by Lowry assay; (iii) treatment of the samples with proteinase K, which induces keratin hydrolysis, results in fluorescence enhancement without changing fluorescence band shape; and (iv) Raman spectra of keratin and fine house dust samples exhibit a very similar structure. Based on the obtained results and literature data, we propose a hypothesis that keratin is a major substrate for fluorescence species in fine house dust, which are responsible for emission at 350-nm excitation.
Insights
We developed a fluorescence method to measure protein content in house dust, indicating room hygiene. This method identifies keratin protein fragments as the primary source of fluorescence in dust samples.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- House dust contains various biological materials.
- Assessing indoor room hygiene is crucial for public health.
- Protein content in dust can serve as a hygiene indicator.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a fluorescence-based method for protein content assessment in fine house dust.
- To identify the source of fluorescence in house dust extracts.
- To establish house dust protein as an indicator of indoor room hygiene.
Main Methods:
- Fluorescence spectroscopy of house dust extracts (excitation at 350 nm).
- Ultrafiltration experiments.
- Protein quantification using Lowry assay.
- Enzymatic treatment with proteinase K.
- Raman spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Fluorescence emission spectra of house dust extracts closely matched keratin.
- Fluorescence intensity showed a strong correlation with total protein content.
- Proteinase K treatment enhanced fluorescence intensity without altering spectral shape.
- Raman spectra of house dust and keratin were highly similar.
Conclusions:
- Fluorescence in house dust extracts (excited at 350 nm) is primarily attributed to protein fragments, likely keratin hydrolysates.
- Keratin is hypothesized as the major substrate responsible for fluorescence in fine house dust.
- The developed fluorescence method can effectively assess protein content and indicate room hygiene.
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