According to scientists from the Russian Siberian Federal University, proteins are large molecules chemically composed of a series of amino acids. Their biological properties depend on the arrangement of this series, with the activity level of proteins within a cell being determined by the physical properties of the molecule’s surface and cavities, such as electrical charge.
In the same context, university specialists have developed a system that allows the detection of these damaged molecules in drugs and cosmetics using a ‘spy molecule’ that binds to the protein and emits different light based on changes in the protein’s properties.
Slyusariva explained: ‘We have developed a reliable method to attach this marker to the surface of various proteins, including transport proteins, antibacterial proteins, and even those responsible for the luminescence of certain bacteria. When it starts, the way the marker glows changes, indicating that using this drug may not only fail to “open the door” but also “break the keyhole”.’
She added: ‘Fluorescein does not just stick to the surface of the protein but firmly attaches like a button on a coat. Our system allows the attachment of this “button” to proteins of different sizes without affecting their natural structure.’
Specialists plan to learn how to implant the ‘spy molecule’ onto other biological molecules and larger structural formations, such as cancer cells, which could open new horizons in the field of diagnosis and treatment.
