Hofmeister Series: From Aqueous Solution of Biomolecules to Single Cells and Nanovesicles

Abstract

Hofmeister effects play a critical role in numerous physicochemical and biological phenomena, including the solubility and/or accumulation of proteins, the activities of enzymes, ion transport in biochannels, the structure of lipid bilayers, and the dynamics of vesicle opening and exocytosis. This minireview focuses on how ionic specificity affects the physicochemical properties of biomolecules to regulate cellular exocytosis, vesicular content, and nanovesicle opening. We summarize recent progress in further understanding Hofmeister effects on biomacromolecules and their applications in biological systems. These important steps have increased our understanding of the Hofmeister effects on cellular exocytosis, vesicular content, and nanovesicle opening. Increasing evidence is firmly establishing that the ions along the Hofmeister series play an important role in living organisms that has often been ignored.

Beta-Barrel Channel Response to High Electric Fields: Functional Gating or Reversible Denaturation?

“…Figure 5 shows both raw data (Figure 5D,F) and the areas encircled by the hysteresis curves (Figure 5E,G). Historically, the Hofmeister effect has been associated with protein stability and denaturation phenomena [50][51][52]. While the effect has been demonstrated in the context of channel-facilitated transport, to the best of our knowledge, it has not previously been linked to changes in channel We observed that the rate of the voltage-induced transition to the closed state is contingent on the ion species and follows the Hofmeister series [50,51] (Figure 5).…”

“…We observed that the rate of the voltage-induced transition to the closed state is contingent on the ion species and follows the Hofmeister series [50,51] (Figure 5). In our experimental approach, we applied a 150 mV potential to a single OmpF channel and measured the time spent in its fully open conformation [19].…”

Anionic starch-based hybrid cryogel-embedded ZnO nanoparticles: tuning the elasticity and pH-functionality of biocomposites with dicarboxylic acid units

“…The ability to reduce the degree of swelling and solubility of ST was Br − > Cl − > NO 3 − > SO 4 2− for anions and this order was consistent with the Hofmeister series. 9,10 In contrast to the structure-breaking ions, the structure-making ion; cosmotropic SO 4 2− anion led to a gradual decrease in the swelling at most with increasing Na 2 SO 4 salt concentration. The water losses increased with increasing anion valence, as larger anions promoted shrinkage.…”

“…Salt-induced swelling results of biocomposites with various starch content in sodium salts: NaBr, NaCl, NaNO 3 and Na 2 SO 4 showed that the anions reduced the swelling degree of semi-IPN biocomposites in the order of Br − > Cl − > NO 3 − > SO 4 2− , consistent with the Hofmeister series. 9,10 The effect of contact time and dye concentration on the adsorption process efficiency was investigated. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) and Temkin isotherm models were used to describe the equilibrium behavior of the adsorption process.…”

Deciphering the Role of Anions of Ionic Liquids in Modulating the Structure and Stability of ct-DNA in Aqueous Solutions

“…It is evident from this discussion that while some information on the influence of anions on the structural integrity of DNA in aqueous solutions is available, the implications of the chemical structure of anions of ILs are rather poorly understood. It is important to mention that the Hofmeister series encompasses a diverse range of anions characterized by variations in charge, shape, size, and hydrophobicity. − These specific attributes of the anions can impact the interactions between ILs and DNA molecules. ,− For instance, hydrophobic anions exhibit an inclination to interact with the hydrophobic regions of DNA bases, thereby establishing significant associations. Conversely, the hydrophilic anions can facilitate the electrostatic interactions that take place between ILs and DNA.…”