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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Physical Chemistry

Background:

  • Cells use zwitterionic osmolytes to manage osmotic stress from salt.
  • These compounds stabilize proteins and enzyme activity in high ionic strength environments.
  • The electrostatic influence of osmolytes, however, remains under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate how zwitterionic osmolytes affect electrostatic interactions in saline solutions.
  • Determine the role of osmolytes in modulating salt's screening effect on charged surfaces.
  • Explore the combined impact of various salts and osmolytes on electrostatic forces.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized atomic force microscopy to probe interactions between negatively charged silica surfaces.
  • Examined mixtures of five different salts (NaCl, KCl, CsCl, MgCl2, CaCl2) and five zwitterionic osmolytes (betaine, proline, trimethylamine N-oxide, glycine, sarcosine).
  • Varied solute concentrations and pH to analyze effects on electrostatic forces.

Main Results:

  • All tested osmolytes reduced the screening effect of salts on electrostatic repulsion.
  • Osmolytes increased solution screening length and enhanced negative surface charge by desorbing protons and cations.
  • These effects are linked to osmolytes' higher molecular polarizability than water.
  • An osmolytic Hofmeister effect was observed, dependent on osmolyte hydrophobicity and cation hydration.

Conclusions:

  • Zwitterionic osmolytes significantly alter electrostatic interactions in biologically relevant saline solutions.
  • Osmolytes enhance electrostatic repulsion by modifying solution properties and surface charge.
  • Findings provide a more realistic model of cytosolic Coulomb interactions, highlighting an understudied area.