Photosensitizer Induced Oxidation of Protein via Common Sunscreen Ingredients

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

10-4-2018 10:00 AM

End Date

10-4-2018 11:30 AM

Student's Major

Chemistry and Geology

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

John Theomke

Mentor's Department

Chemistry and Geology

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

Sunscreen use has become quite ubiquitous across the developed world. It provides protection from harmful Ultraviolet (UV) radiation that causes mutations that lead to specific cancers like melanoma. With this widespread use of sunscreen, cancer rates have not decreased. Unfortunately, the exact opposite has occurred. Some sunscreen ingredients approved for use in the United States can act as photosensitizers to create reactive oxygen species. Singlet oxygen is a highly reactive molecule that can damage proteins important for life and protection of nucleic acids inside cells. If use of these ingredients creates singlet oxygen, by oxidizing the protein sidechains of amino acids like tryptophan, tyrosine, and histidine, damaging changes to the functional conformations of the protein are a likely unintended consequence. The aim of this research is to elucidate the extent of oxidation from singlet oxygen in mixtures of a potential sunscreen photosensitizer and model protein. This was accomplished by irradiation of samples with UV light and measurement of samples with the aid of furfuryl alcohol, a molecular probe (norharmane) to determine changes to protein conformation, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Reactive oxygen species generated by photoirradiation of several UV blocking ingredients, and damage to collagen protein types I and IV was found to be a time dependent process. Findings from this research indicate that the longer these UV blockers are exposed to UV light while maintaining contact to skin, risks increase for formation of singlet oxygen can in turn cause significant damage to protective proteins.

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Apr 10th, 10:00 AM Apr 10th, 11:30 AM

Photosensitizer Induced Oxidation of Protein via Common Sunscreen Ingredients

CSU Ballroom

Sunscreen use has become quite ubiquitous across the developed world. It provides protection from harmful Ultraviolet (UV) radiation that causes mutations that lead to specific cancers like melanoma. With this widespread use of sunscreen, cancer rates have not decreased. Unfortunately, the exact opposite has occurred. Some sunscreen ingredients approved for use in the United States can act as photosensitizers to create reactive oxygen species. Singlet oxygen is a highly reactive molecule that can damage proteins important for life and protection of nucleic acids inside cells. If use of these ingredients creates singlet oxygen, by oxidizing the protein sidechains of amino acids like tryptophan, tyrosine, and histidine, damaging changes to the functional conformations of the protein are a likely unintended consequence. The aim of this research is to elucidate the extent of oxidation from singlet oxygen in mixtures of a potential sunscreen photosensitizer and model protein. This was accomplished by irradiation of samples with UV light and measurement of samples with the aid of furfuryl alcohol, a molecular probe (norharmane) to determine changes to protein conformation, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Reactive oxygen species generated by photoirradiation of several UV blocking ingredients, and damage to collagen protein types I and IV was found to be a time dependent process. Findings from this research indicate that the longer these UV blockers are exposed to UV light while maintaining contact to skin, risks increase for formation of singlet oxygen can in turn cause significant damage to protective proteins.

Recommended Citation

Berkebile, Zachary. "Photosensitizer Induced Oxidation of Protein via Common Sunscreen Ingredients." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 10, 2018.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2018/poster-session-A/24