Article
Biology
Danyang Zhang, Yan Zhang, Jun Ma, Chunmei Zhu, Tongxin Niu, Wenbo Chen, Xiaoyun Pang, Yujia Zhai, Fei Sun
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yan Zhang, Xiaoyun Pang, Jian Li, Jiashu Xu, Victor W. Hsu, Fei Sun
Summary: By using cryoelectron microscopy, researchers have revealed the protein lattice formed by SNX1, which helps to understand how it functions in generating transport carriers. Comparing the structure of SNX1 with that of an endosomal coat complex formed by retromer coupled to a SNX provides insights into the molecular organization of SNX and the intermediary stages of assembly leading to the formation of the complex on the membrane.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaojun Huang, Lei Zhang, Zuoling Wen, Hui Chen, Shuoguo Li, Gang Ji, Chang-Cheng Yin, Fei Sun
Summary: Cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) has become a key method in structural biology. This study introduced a new supporting substrate, the amorphous nickel-titanium alloy (ANTA) film, for cryoEM sample preparation, which showed advantages in electron conductivity and interaction with proteins compared to conventional carbon film, leading to improved particle distribution and reconstruction resolution in experiments.
PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Veronica Calvo, David Surguladze, An-Hu Li, Matthew D. Surman, Srikanth Malibhatla, Madhavarao Bandaru, Suresh Krishna Jonnalagadda, Ravi Adarasandi, Madhusudhan Velmala, Durga Rama Prasad Singireddi, Mahendar Velpuri, Bhaskar Reddy Nareddy, Visweswara Sastry, Chiranjeevi Mandati, Rambabu Guguloth, Shapi Siddiqui, Basanagoud S. Patil, Elena Chad, Jennifer Wolfley, Jennifer Gasparek, Kirsten Feldman, Matthew Betzenhauser, Brent Wiens, Mary Koszelak-Rosenblum, Guangyu Zhu, Hongwen Du, Alan C. Rigby, Mark J. Mulvihill
Summary: In this study, a series of potent, selective, and orally bioavailable PERK inhibitors were identified, with compound (28) showing robust pharmacokinetics and significant tumor growth inhibition in a renal cell carcinoma xenograft model. This compound warrants further investigation as a tool compound for mechanistic studies.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Nick Y. Larsen, Xixia Li, Xueke Tan, Gang Ji, Jing Lin, Grazyna Rajkowska, Jesper Moller, Ninna Vihrs, Jon Sporring, Fei Sun, Jens R. Nyengaard
Summary: The study utilized deep learning and 3D reconstruction techniques to reveal the columnar organization of cortical pyramidal cells, showcasing the potential of this method for characterizing cells in various tissues.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hongcheng Fan, Bo Wang, Yan Zhang, Yun Zhu, Bo Song, Haijin Xu, Yujia Zhai, Mingqiang Qiao, Fei Sun
Summary: The amphiphilic low-molecular-weight protein hydrophobin (HFBI) can self-assemble into a crystalline monolayer film, which is used as a support film in cryo-EM to protect specimens and overcome the preferred orientation problem. By adjusting the buffer pH, the distribution of particle orientations can be regulated. This support film has been successfully applied to determine high-resolution structures of various specimens in cryo-EM.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Linhua Tai, Yun Zhu, He Ren, Xiaojun Huang, Chuanmao Zhang, Fei Sun
Summary: The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a large protein complex in eukaryotes that regulates the transport of molecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm. By using cryo-electron microscopy and AlphaFold2, researchers determined the structure of the outer rings of the Xenopus laevis NPC and identified the composition and interactions of its components. This detailed structural information represents a significant advancement in understanding the assembly of the NPC.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James B. Pace, Nian N. Huang, Jacqueline P. Seguin, Candi Esquina, Erin Olin, Guangyu Zhu, Grant Carr
Summary: This study presents a robust method for low-milligram quantity production of FL HTT and its variants from codon-optimized plasmids by transient transfection using PEI, resulting in highly purified protein. The purified solution state of FL HTT was found to be highly dynamic, with a propensity to form dimers and high-order oligomers. The exon1-deleted construct showed comparable oligomerization propensity to FL HTT.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Li Qin, Ling-hui Tang, Jia-shu Xu, Xian-hui Zhang, Yun Zhu, Chun-rui Zhang, Mei-hua Wang, Xue-lei Liu, Fei Li, Fei Sun, Min Su, Yujia Zhai, Yu-hang Chen
Summary: This study describes the structure of ALMT12/QUAC1 in soybeans, revealing it to be a symmetrical dimer that forms a T-shaped pore across the membrane. The currents mediated by ALMT12/QUAC1 display rapid activation/deactivation kinetics and a bell-shaped voltage dependency. The study uncovers a domain-twisting mechanism for malate-mediated activation.
Article
Cell Biology
Chao Zhai, Nan Zhang, Xi-Xia Li, Xi Chen, Fei Sun, Meng-Qiu Dong
Summary: This study investigated the changes in distribution of vitellogenins (Vtg) in C. elegans as it ages. The levels of Vtg increase significantly with age, and inhibiting their production extends lifespan. Additionally, the study found that mislocalized yolk organelles in post-reproductive worms also increase in size, potentially worsening aging pathologies.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Michael E. Stokes, Matthew D. Surman, Veronica Calvo, David Surguladze, An-Hu Li, Jennifer Gasparek, Matthew Betzenhauser, Guangyu Zhu, Hongwen Du, Alan C. Rigby, Mark J. Mulvihill
Summary: This study presents the design and optimization of a novel PERK inhibitor that can effectively block the PERK pathway, showing potential applications in anti-tumor and anti-diabetes therapy.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Shuoguo Li, Ziyan Wang, Xing Jia, Tongxin Niu, Jianguo Zhang, Guoliang Yin, Xiaoyun Zhang, Yun Zhu, Gang Ji, Fei Sun
Summary: This study presents a precise cryogenic fabrication system, ELI-TriScope, which accurately and efficiently prepares target cryo-lamellae for cryo-electron tomography. It enables the discovery of new in situ structural features of cellular macromolecular machines.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Linhua Tai, Guoliang Yin, Fei Sun, Yun Zhu
Summary: The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a large protein assembly that penetrates the nuclear membrane. Recent breakthroughs in cryo-EM and artificial intelligence-based modeling have allowed for improved understanding of the complex structure of the NPC. This review article summarizes the history and latest advancements in studying the architecture of the NPC, as well as future directions for research.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Biochemical Research Methods
Shuoguo Li, Ziyan Wang, Xing Jia, Tongxin Niu, Jianguo Zhang, Guoliang Yin, Xiaoyun Zhang, Yun Zhu, Gang Ji, Fei Sun
Article
Biology
Shuoguo Li, Xing Jia, Tongxin Niu, Xiaoyun Zhang, Chen Qi, Wei Xu, Hongyu Deng, Fei Sun, Gang Ji
Summary: A cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy (cryo-CLEM) system named HOPE-SIM has been developed to efficiently target cryo-FIB for cryo-ET studies by incorporating a 3D structured illumination fluorescence microscopy (SIM) system and an upgraded high-vacuum stage. With the 3D super resolution of cryo-SIM and cryo-CLEM software 3D-View, the correlation precision of the targeting region of interest can reach 110 nm, sufficient for subsequent cryo-lamella fabrication. The HOPE-SIM system has been successfully utilized to prepare cryo-lamellae targeting mitochondria, centrosomes of HeLa cells, and herpesvirus assembly compartments of infected BHK-21 cells, demonstrating its high potential for future in situ cryo-ET workflows.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)