Event Title
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.
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
