Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Li-Bo Huang, Maria Di Vincenzo, M. Goktug Ahunbay, Arie van der Lee, Didier Cot, Sophie Cerneaux, Guillaume Maurin, Mihail Barboiu
Summary: The study explores the impact of structural details on the performance of biomimetic membranes inspired by artificial water channels and natural aquaporin counterparts. It highlights the essential role of hydrophobicity in increasing water permeability and the importance of optimal solubility for breakthrough membrane performance, showcasing the significant improvement in single-channel water permeability by increasing the alkyl tail size. Additionally, quantitative assessment demonstrates that solubility plays a crucial role in maximizing stability and achieving effective particle distribution in hybrid polyamide membranes.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Laura E. Bickerton, Toby G. Johnson, Aidan Kerckhoffs, Matthew J. Langton
Summary: Lipid bilayer membranes are essential compartments for life, and their function can be controlled by interfacing with supramolecular systems. This rapidly expanding field holds great prospects for applications in biology and medicine in the future.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuefeng Li, Yixin Wang, Qiang Yan
Summary: Fabricating nanoscale assemblies that respond to gas signaling molecules, this study presents a SO2-responsive polymersome system that can be transformed into long nanotubes upon intake of SO2 gas. The membrane of the polymersomes exhibits dose-dependent permselectivity to SO2, enabling selective transfer of cargos across the bilayers. These findings provide insights into the understanding and mimicking of gas signaling molecules in shaping biomembranes and managing transmembrane traffic.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Matthew J. Langton
Summary: This review discusses the development of stimuli-responsive supramolecular systems for controlling ion transport, signal transduction, and catalysis in lipid bilayer membrane systems. Recent progress in achieving spatio-temporal control over activity in artificial and living cells is highlighted in the article. Challenges, scope, limitations, and future potential for using supramolecular systems to engineer stimuli-responsive lipid bilayer membranes are also discussed.
NATURE REVIEWS CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Curran G. Gahan, Reid C. Van Lehn, Helen E. Blackwell, David M. Lynn
Summary: This study found that the length and oxidation state of AHL acyl tail groups influence their interactions with model lipid membranes, with the presence of a 3-oxo group impacting membrane remodeling. AHLs with 3-oxo groups generally promote microtubule formation, while AHLs without 3-oxo groups tend to form hemispherical caps on lipid bilayers. Additionally, 3-oxo AHLs showed greater association with lipid bilayers and facilitated greater transport or leakage of cargo molecules across membranes compared to non-3-oxo AHLs, indicating increased bilayer disruption and destabilization.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Binhan Hao, Wenjie Zhou, Steven M. Theg
Summary: The TMH lengths of TatA and TatB are evolutionarily tuned to 15 amino acids, with activity dropping off following any modification of this length. Even with as few as 11 residues, TatA and TatB can still insert into the membrane bilayer, albeit with a decline in membrane integrity. These findings support a model of Tat transport utilizing toroidal pores formed when the membrane bilayer reaches a critical threshold.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zachary A. Manzer, Surajit Ghosh, Miranda L. Jacobs, Srinivasan Krishnan, Warren R. Zipfel, Miguel Pineros, Neha P. Kamat, Susan Daniel
Summary: This study introduces a new approach to integrate membrane proteins into hybrid-supported lipid bilayers using a cell-free expression system, allowing for the interface between cellular mimetic structures and analytical tools. Different methods are demonstrated to successfully integrate proteins into hybrid-supported lipid bilayers, leading to oriented protein assembly, with diblock copolymers facilitating protein mobility within the bilayers.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bappa Maiti, Krishan Kumar, Subhasis Datta, Santanu Bhattacharya
Summary: The membrane formation and aggregation properties of α-tocopherol-based cationic gemini lipids were extensively studied with varying polymethylene spacer lengths and the presence of hydroxyl functionalities at the headgroup region. The interaction of these lipids with model phospholipids and plasmid DNA showed that the aggregation behavior is strongly influenced by the length of the spacer and the presence of hydroxyl groups. The study provided a detailed characterization of the membranes formed from these lipids and highlighted the importance of inserting -OH groups at the headgroup region.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Krisanova, Natalia Pozdnyakova, Artem Pastukhov, Marina Dudarenko, Oleg Shatursky, Olena Gnatyuk, Uliana Afonina, Kyrylo Pyrshev, Galina Dovbeshko, Semen Yesylevskyy, Tatiana Borisova
Summary: A study has found that Remdesivir has diverse and pronounced effects on transportation and release of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in rat cortex nerve terminals in vitro. The study also showed that Remdesivir can directly incorporate into cellular membranes and decrease the release and uptake of neurotransmitters in a dose-dependent manner.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jesus Sot, Aritz B. Garcia-Arribas, Beatriz Abad, Sara Arranz, Kevin Portune, Fernando Andrade, Alicia Martin-Nieto, Olaia Velasco, Eunate Arana, Itziar Tueros, Carla Ferreri, Sonia Gaztambide, Felix M. Goni, Luis Castano, Alicia Alonso
Summary: This study explores the physical properties of red blood cell membranes in obese adults, revealing increased fluidity in the membrane interface related to changes in lipid composition. Lipidomic data demonstrate an increase in the cholesterol/phospholipid mole ratio and a decrease in sphingomyelin contents in obese membranes. Omega-3 fatty acids are less prevalent in obese patient RBCs, while omega-6 fatty acids are increased.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bingen G. Monasterio, Noemi Jimenez-Rojo, Aritz B. Garcia-Arribas, Howard Riezman, Felix M. Goni, Alicia Alonso
Summary: The present study demonstrates that both genetic and chemical methods can effectively suppress the specific gene effect in CHO cells. The inhibition of sphingolipid synthesis in these cells led to biophysical changes in their plasma membranes, as observed through decreased sphingomyelin values and altered membrane molecular order and mechanical resistance. The agreement between results obtained with genetically modified cells and chemically treated cells reinforces the validity of both methods and their suitability for specific purposes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Marina N. Iriondo, Asier Etxaniz, Yaiza R. Varela, Uxue Ballesteros, Javier H. Hervas, L. Ruth Montes, Felix M. Goni, Alicia Alonso
Summary: Externalization of cardiolipin acts as a trigger for mitophagy, and LC3A and LC3B bind to cardiolipin with different strengths. LC3A is involved in the recognition of damaged mitochondria, while LC3C does not participate in cargo recognition. LC3A may play a role in the recognition of oxidized cardiolipin as a counterbalance to excessive apoptosis activation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Uxue Ballesteros, Asier Etxaniz, Marina N. Iriondo, Yaiza R. Varela, Melisa Lazaro, Ana R. Viguera, L. Ruth Montes, Mikel Valle, Felix M. Goni, Alicia Alonso
Summary: This study explores the binding of LC3C to lipid vesicles, bilayers, and monolayers, as well as the protein-dependent perturbing effects, in the absence of mitochondrial lipid cardiolipin. The results suggest that lipidated LC3C can induce vesicle aggregation, lipid mixing, and release of vesicular aqueous contents, supporting its role in autophagosome elongation and fusion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Yaiza R. Varela, Alicia Alonso
Summary: The interaction between LC3/GABARAP proteins and specific lipids plays a crucial role in their function. Cardiolipin and ceramide have been found to be essential for the protein-bilayer interaction.
Article
Biophysics
Emilio J. Gonzalez-Ramirez, Asier Etxaniz, Alicia Alonso, Felix M. Goni
Summary: Lipidomic analysis revealed differences in the N-acyl components of sphingolipids between brain tissue and other mammalian tissues. The high levels of C18:0 and C16:0 in brain and non-brain sphingomyelin (SM) were important due to the abundance of SM in the plasma membrane. This study investigated the properties of C16:0 and C18:0 sphingolipids and their impact on membrane rigidity using various experimental techniques.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jesus Sot, Leire Gartzia-Rivero, Jorge Banuelos, Felix M. Goni, Alicia Alonso
Summary: The basic structure of cellular membranes is a double layer of phospholipids. In this study, the fluorescent probe Nile red was used to examine the physical state of lipid bilayers with different compositions at different temperatures. Nile red allows clear observation of the rippled-to-liquid crystalline phase transition in saturated phospholipids.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan C. Gomez-Fernandez, Felix M. Goni
Summary: In the early 1970s, the idea of a lipid annulus surrounding intrinsic protein molecules was proposed but later proven incorrect.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marina N. N. Iriondo, Asier Etxaniz, Yaiza R. R. Varela, Uxue Ballesteros, Melisa Lazaro, Mikel Valle, Dorotea Fracchiolla, Sascha Martens, L. Ruth Montes, Felix M. Goni, Alicia Alonso
Summary: In macroautophagy, the ATG12-ATG5-ATG16L1 or E3-like complex plays a crucial role in AP formation by promoting LC3/GABARAP proteins anchoring to the AP membrane. However, E3 inhibits LC3/GABARAP capacity to induce inter-vesicular lipid mixing or subsequent fusion. Our results suggest a model of AP expansion in which the LC3/GABARAP proteins involved should be susceptible to lipidation in the absence of E3, or else a regulatory mechanism would allow vesicle incorporation and phagophore growth when E3 is present.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yaiza R. Varela, Emilio J. Gonzalez-Ramirez, Marina N. Iriondo, Uxue Ballesteros, Asier Etxaniz, Lidia Ruth Montes, Felix M. Goni, Alicia Alonso
Summary: Cardiolipin (CL) is an important lipid for damaged mitochondrial recognition by the LC3/GABARAP autophagy proteins. The role of ceramide (Cer) is uncertain, but it has been proposed that CL and Cer may coexist in mitochondria. This study examined the interaction of LC3/GABARAP proteins with model membranes containing eSM, DOPE, CL, and/or Cer. The results suggest that Cer-enriched rigid nanodomains within the fluid phase may facilitate LC3/GABARAP protein interaction by creating structural defects at the nanointerfaces.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yaiza R. Varela, Marina N. Iriondo, Asier Etxaniz, Uxue Ballesteros, L. Ruth Montes, Felix M. Goni, Alicia Alonso
Summary: This study explores the interaction of LC3/GABARAP proteins with phospholipid monolayers and bilayers. It finds that cardiolipin is essential for the protein interaction with bilayers, while ceramide markedly increases binding. Confocal fluorescence microscopy experiments reveal the arrangement of ceramide in the phospholipid bilayers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)