Browsing by Author "Borquez, Rodrigo"

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    Fabrication and Filtration Performance of Aquaporin Biomimetic Membranes for Water Treatment
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC, 2021) Beratto Ramos, Angelo; Dagnino Leone, Jorge; Martinez Oyanedel, Jose; Aranda, Mario; Borquez, Rodrigo
    Desalination is considered one of the strongest alternatives to face global water scarcity. Since conventional reverse osmosis is an energy-intensive process, Aquaporin biomimetic membranes (ABM) emerge as an effective alternative to increase productivity and reduce energy consumption. Despite the highly theoretical water permeability and selectivity of aquaporins (Aqps), in practice, ABM did not achieve the expected performance. This review is focused on each step of the ABM fabrication process in order to find critical points where efforts should be made for future studies. Fabrication procedures include Aqp production, reconstitution into vesicles, immobilization in porous substrates and filtration performance. The principal identified challenge is the need for implementing monitoring and optimization techniques. Also, new strategies for protein production, stabilization, reconstitution, and support affinity could offer significant breakthroughs for developing ABMs as a viable emerging technology.
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    Optimization of detergents in solubilization and reconstitution of Aquaporin Z: A structural approach
    (2023) Beratto-Ramos, Angelo; Dagnino-Leone, Jorge; Martinez-Oyanedel, Jose; Fernandez, Marcos; Aranda, Mario; Borquez, Rodrigo
    Background: The exceptional capacities of aquaporins in terms of water permeation and selectivity have made them an interesting system for membrane applications. Despite the multiple attempts for immobilizing the aquaporins over a porous substrate, there is a lack of studies related to the purification and reconstitution steps, principally associated with the use of detergents in solubilization and destabilization steps. This study analyzed the effect of detergents in Aquaporin Z solubilization, considering the purity and structural homogeneity of the protein.Methods: The extraction process was optimized by the addition of detergent at the sonication step, which enabled the omission of the ultracentrifugation and resuspension steps. Two detergents, Triton X-100, and octyl-glucoside were also evaluated. Destabilization mediated by detergents was used as reconstitution method. Saturation and solubilization points were defined by detergent concentration and both, liposomes and proteoliposomes, were analyzed by size distribution and permeability assays. Detergent removal with Bio-beads was also analyzed.Results: Octyl glucoside ensures structural stability and homogeneity of Aquaporin Z. However, high concen-trations of detergents induce the presence of defects in proteoliposomes. While saturated liposomes create ho-mogeneous and functional structures, solubilized liposomes get affected by a reassembly process, creating vesicle defects with anomalous permeability profiles.Conclusions: Detergent concentration affects the structural conformation of proteoliposomes in the reconstitution process. General significance: Since the destabilization process is dependent on vesicle, detergent, and buffer composition, optimization of this process should be mandatory for further studies. All these considerations will allow achieving the potential of Aquaporins and any other integral membrane protein in their applications for in-dustrial purposes.