Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qianqian Shao, Irina Agarkova, Eric A. Noel, David D. Dunigan, Yunshu Liu, Aohan Wang, Mingcheng Guo, Linlin Xie, Xinyue Zhao, Michael G. Rossmann, James L. Van Etten, Thomas Klose, Qianglin Fang
Summary: This study presents a near-atomic resolution analysis of the capsid of a giant virus, revealing multiple protein variants that do not follow overall symmetry and providing insights into the assembly mechanism of giant virus capsids.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuuki Kodama, Masahiro Fujishima
Summary: Research shows that the presence of endosymbiotic algae significantly reduces the number of mitochondria in host Paramecium cells, possibly due to changes in mitochondrial density and protein content caused by the symbiotic relationship.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Bingyu Tan, Yiwen Wang, Zhiwei Gong, Xinpeng Fan, Bing Ni
Summary: This study assessed the toxic effects of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) on the Paramecium bursaria-Chlorella symbiotic system. The results showed that CuNP exposure led to high levels of reactive oxygen species, oxidative damage, and energy metabolism disorder in both the host and symbiotic algae. Transmission electron micrographs revealed that the symbiotic algae were digested in the cytoplasm of P. bursaria, indicating a disruption in the stability of the symbiotic system. The increased energy demand and oxidative stress resulted in decreased photosynthetic products provided to the host, digestion of the symbiont, and destruction of the stable symbiotic relationship.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yuuki Kodama, Shoya Miyazaki
Summary: The endosymbiosis between Paramecium bursaria and Chlorella spp. is mutualistic, with symbiotic algae potentially promoting host cell survival under starvation conditions.
CURRENT MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Immacolata Speciale, Flaviana Di Lorenzo, Anna Notaro, Eric Noel, Irina Agarkova, Antonio Molinaro, James L. Van Etten, Cristina De Castro
Summary: This study analyzed the N-glycans of Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus MA-1D and found that they share similarities with other chloroviruses, but lack a xylose unit believed to be part of a conserved core region. The study also discovered a gene with strong homology to a putative xylosyltransferase in reference chloroviruses, but with a premature stop codon mutation.
Article
Microbiology
Yuuki Kodama, Masahiro Fujishima
Summary: The symbiotic Chlorella variabilis is able to reattach within the cells of the ciliate Paramecium bursaria primarily through adhesion to host mitochondria, which are stably anchored beneath the host cell cortex. The presence of defensive organelles called trichocysts in the vicinity of the mitochondria and PV membrane does not seem to be necessary for algal relocalization. There is a bias in the localization of the algae within the host cell, as not all areas with mitochondria contain algae.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ippei Maeda, Shou Kudou, Sosuke Iwai
Summary: This study introduces a simple agar plate method for efficiently isolating and culturing endosymbiotic algae Chlorella variabilis, with the aid of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The co-culture with yeast significantly improves the colony-forming efficiency of the algae on agar, mainly by protecting them from environmental stresses rather than providing nutrients. These methods may serve as a useful tool for studying endosymbiotic Chlorella species within Paramecium bursaria and other protists.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGICAL METHODS
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Aika Shibata, Fumio Takahashi, Nobutaka Imamura, Masahiro Kasahara
Summary: Paramecium bursaria has hundreds of chlorella cells in the cell, which provide maltose to the host. Symbiotic chlorella is able to release maltose to the extracellular space, while free-living chlorella cannot. The maltose transporter is likely a unidirectional and active transporter that uses a proton gradient across the plasma membrane as its energy source.
PHYCOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yuuki Kodama, Haruka Sumita
Summary: During algal re-endosymbiosis in the ciliate Paramecium bursaria, algae avoid digestion by the host lysosomal enzymes and escape into the cytoplasm by budding off of the DV membrane. The process requires close contact between the DV membrane and the algal cell wall, allowing for the recognition and encapsulation of the symbiotic algae.
Review
Acoustics
Christopher L. Moore, Jing Wang, Anthony J. Battisti, Alvin Chen, Jonathan Fincke, Anita Wang, Michael Wagner, Balasundar Raju, Cristiana Baloescu
Summary: This study shows a high correlation between point-of-care ultrasound experts and an automated algorithm in identifying and quantifying B-lines using an HHUD. Future research may incorporate this handheld ultrasound device in clinical studies across various settings and user experience levels.
JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mickael Cherrier, Xavier Vernede, Daphna Fenel, Lydie Martin, Benoit Arragain, Emmanuelle Neumann, Juan C. Fontecilla-Camps, Guy Schoehn, Yvain Nicolet
Summary: This paragraph introduces the role of metalloproteins in key cell processes and their sensitivity to oxygen-induced degradation. It also proposes a method using electron microscopy to solve the structures of these oxygen-sensitive metalloproteins in anaerobic conditions and validates its effectiveness.
Article
Virology
Antonette Bennett, Joseph Gargas, Austin Kansol, Jordyn Lewis, Jane Hsi, Joshua Hull, Mario Mietzsch, Lawrence Tartaglia, Nicholas Muzyczka, Nilakshee Bhattacharya, Paul Chipman, Mavis Agbandje-McKenna, Robert McKenna
Summary: This study investigates the role of viral protein symmetry interactions on capsid assembly, genome packaging, stability, and infectivity in AAV gene delivery system. The results demonstrate the importance of viral protein in assembly and stability, and some variants show defects in genome packaging and infectivity.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Grant J. Logan, Mario Mietzsch, Neeta Khandekar, Arlene D'Silva, Daniel Anderson, Mawj Mandwie, Jane Hsi, Austin R. Nelson, Paul Chipman, Jennifer Jackson, Peter Schofield, Daniel Christ, Christopher C. Goodnow, Joanne H. Reed, Michelle A. Farrar, Robert McKenna, Ian E. Alexander
Summary: The study found that infants developed anti-capsid antibodies following AAV9-mediated gene therapy for SMA. Functional and structural analysis of these antibodies revealed similarities in neutralization, affinities, and binding patterns with mouse-derived monoclonal antibodies, but also showed some differences in binding pattern preferences and molecular interactions. These antibodies will be powerful tools for basic discovery and applied purposes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Judit J. Penzes, Hanh T. Pham, Paul Chipman, Emmanuel W. Smith, Robert McKenna, Peter Tijssen
Summary: In this study, a parvovirus with a bipartite genome was isolated from house crickets, which showed distinct genome packaging strategy compared to other parvoviruses. The NS and VP cassettes of this virus were located on two separate genome segments, and the genome was pinned to the capsid interior by an elongated C-terminal tail of the VP.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Mario Mietzsch, Weijing Liu, Ke Ma, Antonette Bennett, Austin R. Nelson, Keely Gliwa, Paul Chipman, Xiaofeng Fu, Shane Bechler, Robert McKenna, Rosa Viner
Summary: Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are non-enveloped ssDNA icosahedral T=1 viruses used as vectors for clinical gene delivery. Currently, there are over 200 AAV-related clinical trials and six approved biologics on the market. New analytical methods, including ion-exchange chromatography and Direct Mass Technology, are being developed to characterize and monitor the quality and purity of manufactured AAV vectors. This study describes the design, production, purification, characterization, and cryo-electron microscopy structure of an AAV1-VP3-only capsid that can be used as a calibrant to determine capsid mass, charge, homogeneity, and transgene packaging characteristics.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Virology
Jane Hsi, Mario Mietzsch, Paul Chipman, Sandra Afione, Allison Zeher, Rick Huang, John Chiorini, Robert Mckenna
Summary: The avian adeno-associated virus (AAAV) has low sequence identities to other AAV serotypes and utilizes galactose for cell attachment. However, approximately 30% of human sera tested were able to neutralize the transduction effect of AAAV, possibly due to the presence of conserved epitopes in the capsid's fivefold region. These findings are important for the further development of AAV vectors in gene therapy.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Michael Velez, Mario Mietzsch, Jane Hsi, Logan Bell, Paul Chipman, Xiaofeng Fu, Robert Mckenna
Summary: This study investigated the capsid structures of Canine minute virus, Rat bocavirus, and Porcine bocavirus 1 and found conserved features but differences at two- and threefold axes. These results will contribute to future characterization of these viruses.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ming-Zher Poh, Anthony J. Battisti, Li-Fang Cheng, Janice Lin, Anil Patwardhan, Ganesh S. Venkataraman, Charles A. Athill, Nimesh S. Patel, Chinmay P. Patel, Christian E. Machado, Jeffrey T. Ellis, Lori A. Crosson, Yuriko Tamura, R. Scooter Plowman, Mintu P. Turakhia, Hamid Ghanbari
Summary: A wrist-worn device with ECG and continuous photoplethysmography was evaluated for its performance in detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) and estimating burden. The device showed clinical-grade performance and can be used for the diagnosis and clinical management of AF.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mario Mietzsch, Jane Hsi, Austin Nelson, Paul Chipman, Jenny Jackson, Peter Schofield, Daniel Christ, Joanne Reed, Neeta Khandekar, Grant Logan, Ian E. Alexander, Robert McKenna
Meeting Abstract
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Antonette Bennett, Austin Kansol, Stephanie Katircioglu, Mitchell Brun, Xiaofeng Fu, Paul Chipman, Junghae Suh, Mavis Agbandje-McKenna, Robert McKenna
Meeting Abstract
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Keely Gliwa, Antonette Bennett, Austin Kansol, Joshua Hull, Courtnee Eddington, Paul Chipman, Hazel Levy, Mavis Agbandje-McKenna, Robert McKenna
Meeting Abstract
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jane Hsi, Mario Mietzsch, Paul Chipman, Sandra Afione, John Chiorini, Robert McKenna
Meeting Abstract
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Joshua A. Hull, Mario Mietzsch, Yong Z. Tan, Sriram Aiyer, Antonette Bennett, Renuk Lakshman, Paul Chipman, David Strugatsky, Richard Jude Samulski, Dmitry Lyumkis, Robert McKenna, Aravind Asokan
Article
Virology
Shanan N. Emmanuel, J. Kennon Smith, Jane Hsi, Yu-Shan Tseng, Matias Kaplan, Mario Mietzsch, Paul Chipman, Aravind Asokan, Robert McKenna, Mavis Agbandje-McKenna
Summary: This study mapped the antigenic epitopes of five monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) on AAV9, providing a foundation for the engineering of AAV variant vectors that can bypass preexisting neutralizing antibodies. These engineered AAV9 variants can expand the patient cohort eligible for gene delivery.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
