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Published on: April 28, 2022
Resolving Atomic-Level Dynamics and Interactions of High-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic Acid by Multidimensional
Pushpa Rampratap1, Alessia Lasorsa1, Abinaya Arunachalam1
1Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands.
High-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HA) conformations and dynamics were revealed using advanced NMR spectroscopy. This study uncovers how HA interacts with the extracellular matrix, offering insights into tumor biology and biomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
Background:
- High-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA) is crucial in tissue structure and is upregulated in tumors.
- Understanding HMW-HA's molecular dynamics and interactions within the extracellular matrix (ECM) is vital but challenging.
- Current knowledge of HMW-HA's conformational dynamics in physiological conditions is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular structure and dynamics of HMW-HA in hydrated, physiological-like environments.
- To explore how HMW-HA interacts with ECM components at a molecular level.
- To provide insights into HMW-HA's role in tumor biology and its applications in biomedical materials.
Main Methods:
- Utilized advanced magic-angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR spectroscopy.
- Employed isotopic enrichment (13C-labeled HA) for detailed analysis.
- Combined labeled HA with unlabeled ECM components to study interactions.
Main Results:
- Resolved multiple coexisting HA conformations and dynamics influenced by environmental conditions.
- Detected HA-specific changes in global and local conformational dynamics upon hydration and ECM interaction.
- Revealed atom-specific variations in the dynamics and structure of the N-acetylglucosamine moiety of HA.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a molecular-level understanding of HMW-HA structure and dynamics.
- Findings suggest implications for HA-protein interactions and structural stabilization.
- The methods are applicable to studying HA in tumors, tissues, hydrogels, and nanoparticles.
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