Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julia Bruggisser, Ioan Iacovache, Samuel C. Musson, Matteo T. Degiacomi, Horst Posthaus, Benoit Zuber
Summary: This study describes the structure of Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin (CPB) and its formation of an octameric pore complex with unique structural features. The research also identifies CPB as a member of a new subclass of the hemolysin-like family. Additionally, the study demonstrates that the structure of the pore can be modified without affecting its pore-forming ability, making it attractive for macromolecule sensing and nanotechnology. The cryo-electron microscopy structure of the CPB octameric pore will contribute to future developments in nanotechnology and basic research.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anish Kumar Mondal, Kusum Lata, Mahendra Singh, Shamaita Chatterjee, Aakanksha Chauhan, Sindhoora Puravankara, Kausik Chattopadhyay
Summary: This article discusses the mechanism of pore formation by pore-forming toxins (PFTs), with a particular focus on the mechanistic details contributed by cryo-EM-based structural studies.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pratima Verma, Kausik Chattopadhyay
Summary: Thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) is the major virulence determinant of the gastroenteric bacterial pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus. TDH is a unique tetrameric pore-forming toxin with structural similarity to eukaryotic PFTs produced by sea anemones. The specific membrane pore structure and interaction mechanisms of TDH remain unclear.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Basma Tarek, Julia Bruggisser, Filippo Cattalani, Horst Posthaus
Summary: Beta toxin (CPB) is a toxin produced by Clostridium perfringens type C that targets intestinal endothelial cells by interacting with the membrane protein CD31. This study confirms CD31 as the receptor of CPB on human endothelial and monocytic cells, explaining the cell type specificity of CPB observed in vitro and in vivo.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anish Kumar Mondal, Paras Verma, Nayanika Sengupta, Somnath Dutta, Shashi Bhushan Pandit, Kausik Chattopadhyay
Summary: This study demonstrates the crucial role of a key tyrosine residue (Y321) in the hinge region of the pore-forming motif of Vibrio cholerae cytolysin in regulating membrane binding, structural rearrangements, oligomerization, and pore-formation, providing insights into the molecular mechanism of beta-barrel pore-forming toxins.
MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Masahiro Nagahama, Keiko Kobayashi, Masaya Takehara
Summary: The study found that lysosomal proteases cathepsin B and L facilitate the internalization of iota-toxin by activating ASMase, indicating their role in the cytotoxicity caused by the toxin.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nathalia Nocchi, Alejandro Gonzalez-Orive, Alberto Hernandez-Creus, Jacob Lorenzo-Morales, Adriana Rodriguez, Rodrigo Morchon, Ana R. Diaz-Marrero, Jose J. Fernandez
Summary: Millepora alcicornis, also known as fire coral, is a tropical hydrozoa species that produces thermolabile proteins, including phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and alciporin, a pore-forming protein (PFP). The venom contained in the nematocysts of this species displays hemolytic activity primarily through the action of alciporin, which targets sphingomyelin. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the evolution of hemolytic damage at the nanoscale.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Siyu Zhang, Lingling Ma, Fuyang Song, Dong Wang, Kesong Shi, Yong Li, Jin Zeng, Yujiong Wang
Summary: This study found that Clostridium perfringens toxin CPB-1 induces macrophage and endothelial cell pyroptosis through the NLRP3 inflammasome and Caspase-1 pathway. The results suggest that NLRP3 may be a potential therapeutic target for Clostridium perfringens disease.
Article
Biology
Adishesh K. Narahari, Alex J. B. Kreutzberger, Pablo S. Gaete, Yu-Hsin Chiu, Susan A. Leonhardt, Christopher B. Medina, Xueyao Jin, Patrycja W. Oleniacz, Volker Kiessling, Paula Q. Barrett, Kodi S. Ravichandran, Mark Yeager, Jorge E. Contreras, Lukas K. Tamm, Douglas A. Bayliss
Summary: The study demonstrated that Panx1 channels activated by caspase allow large molecule permeation, including anionic and large-molecule permeants, while also allowing large cationic molecules to permeate at a slower rate. Additionally, Panx1 channels provide a pathway for the flux of ATP and other signaling metabolites, both anionic (glutamate) and cationic (spermidine).
Review
Food Science & Technology
Yajuan Li, Yuelong Li, Hylemariam Mihiretie Mengist, Cuixiao Shi, Caiying Zhang, Bo Wang, Tingting Li, Ying Huang, Yuanhong Xu, Tengchuan Jin
Summary: Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are a major virulence factor of many pathogenic bacteria, with well-characterized structural basis and interactions with host cell membranes. Understanding the mechanisms of PFTs can contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies and combat bacterial antibiotic resistance.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Vincent Deruelle, Alice Berry, Stephanie Bouillot, Viviana Job, Antoine P. Maillard, Sylvie Elsen, Philippe Huber
Summary: ExlA is a highly virulent pore-forming toxin secreted by outlier strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, accumulating at specific points of the outer membrane when intracellular levels of c-di-GMP are high. Research shows that ExlA is poorly secreted in liquid culture, but highly detectable in mice infected with an exlA+ strain.
Article
Biology
Simona Notova, Francois Bonnardel, Francesca Rosato, Lina Siukstaite, Jessica Schwaiger, Jia Hui Lim, Nicolai Bovin, Annabelle Varrot, Yu Ogawa, Winfried Roemer, Frederique Lisacek, Anne Imberty
Summary: Curated lectin database, structural characterization, and in vitro assays demonstrate the toxic effect of choanoflagellate lectin SaroL-1 on cancer cells through carbohydrate-dependent pore-formation.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deepinder Kaur, Pratima Verma, Mahendra Singh, Arpita Sharma, Kusum Lata, Arunika Mukhopadhaya, Kausik Chattopadhyay
Summary: This study reveals that VCC can induce apoptotic cell death and cytotoxicity, even without its pore-forming ability. These findings have significant implications for understanding the pathogenicity and functionality of VCC.
Article
Microbiology
Mahendra Singh, N. Rupesh, Shashi Bhushan Pandit, Kausik Chattopadhyay
Summary: In this study, it was found that curcumin can neutralize the membrane-damaging activity of VCC, making it a potential inhibitor of this powerful bacterial toxin. Curcumin binds to VCC and reduces its ability to attack cell membranes, while the soluble extract of curcumin generated by heat treatment weakens the pore-forming activity of VCC.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Zhe Chen, Yiting Shi, Dongdong Wang, Xiaoyu Liu, Xuyao Jiao, Xiang Gao, Kun Jiang
Summary: This study elucidated the structure of monomeric Sip1Ab using X-ray crystallography. The results revealed that Sip1Ab has the three domains and conserved fold characteristic of other aerolysin-like beta-pore-forming toxins. Based on the sequence and structural similarities, the mechanism of these proteins was proposed to be common.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Masaya Takehara, Teruhisa Takagishi, Soshi Seike, Kyohei Oishi, Yoshino Fujihara, Kazuaki Miyamoto, Keiko Kobayashi, Masahiro Nagahama
BIOLOGICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN
(2016)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Masaya Takehara, Teruhisa Takagishi, Soshi Seike, Masataka Oda, Yoshihiko Sakaguchi, Junzo Hisatsune, Sadayuki Ochi, Keiko Kobayashi, Masahiro Nagahama
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Soshi Seike, Masaya Takehara, Teruhisa Takagishi, Kazuaki Miyamoto, Keiko Kobayashi, Masahiro Nagahama
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Soshi Seike, Kazuaki Miyamoto, Keiko Kobayashi, Masaya Takehara, Masahiro Nagahama
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hidetomo Kobayashi, Tadamune Otsubo, Fumiteru Teraoka, Kiyoshi Ikeda, Soshi Seike, Eizo Takahashi, Keinosuke Okamoto, Toru Yoshida, Hideaki Tsuge, Hiroyasu Yamanaka
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Teruhisa Takagishi, Masaya Takehara, Soshi Seike, Kazuaki Miyamoto, Keiko Kobayashi, Masahiro Nagahama
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2017)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Soshi Seike, Masaya Takehara, Keiko Kobayashi, Masahiro Nagahama
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hidetomo Kobayashi, Soshi Seike, Masafumi Yamaguchi, Mitsunobu Ueda, Eizo Takahashi, Keinosuke Okamoto, Hiroyasu Yamanaka
Article
Food Science & Technology
Masahiro Nagahama, Soshi Seike, Sadayuki Ochi, Keiko Kobayashi, Masaya Takehara
Article
Microbiology
Soshi Seike, Hidetomo Kobayashi, Mitsunobu Ueda, Eizo Takahashi, Keinosuke Okamoto, Hiroyasu Yamanaka
Summary: This study is the first to examine the in vitro formation and components of the biofilm of several Aeromonas clinical and environmental strains, revealing that the biofilms contain polysaccharides, extracellular nucleic acids, and proteins. Among these components, some proteins in the Aeromonas biofilms may affect biofilm formation. Furthermore, the release of outer membrane vesicles by Aeromonas strains was found to be closely related to biofilm formation.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Mitsunobu Ueda, Hidetomo Kobayashi, Soshi Seike, Eizo Takahashi, Keinosuke Okamoto, Hiroyasu Yamanaka
Summary: Aeromonas sobria, a Gram-negative pathogen causing food-borne illness, opportunistically leads to severe extraintestinal diseases in immunocompromised patients and the elderly. It can disrupt the barrier function of the intestinal epithelium by destroying tight junctions, potentially aiding the invasion of pathogens into deep sites in the human body.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Masaya Takehara, Soshi Seike, Yuuta Sonobe, Hiroto Bandou, Saki Yokoyama, Teruhisa Takagishi, Kazuaki Miyamoto, Keiko Kobayashi, Masahiro Nagahama
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Masaya Takehara, Soshi Seike, Teruhisa Takagishi, Keiko Kobayashi, Masahiro Nagahama
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2017)
Article
Immunology
Masahiro Nagahama, Masaya Takehara, Teruhisa Takagishi, Soshi Seike, Kazuaki Miyamoto, Keiko Kobayashi
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2017)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Philipp Grad, Katarina Edwards, Lars Gedda, Victor Agmo Hernandez
Summary: This study investigates the effects of polyethylene glycol-(PEG) modified lipids and gangliosides on the Ca2+ induced interaction between liposomes composed of palmitoyl-oleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE) and palmitoyl-oleoyl phosphatidylserine (POPS) at physiological ionic strength. The results show that naked liposomes tend to adhere, rupture, and collapse on each other's surfaces upon addition of Ca2+, eventually resulting in the formation of large multilamellar aggregates and bilayer sheets. However, the presence of gangliosides or PEGylated lipids leads to the formation of small, long-lived bilayer fragments/disks. PEGylated lipids seem to be more effective than gangliosides at stabilizing these structures. The study suggests that direct liposome-liposome fusion is not the dominating process triggered by Ca2+ in the systems studied.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saurabh Saraswat, Archana Chugh
Summary: Cell penetrating peptides (CPP) are important tools for intracellular delivery of molecules. In this study, a novel marine-derived CPP from Engraulis japonicus, called Engraulisin, was reported. Engraulisin demonstrated successful cellular uptake and selective antimicrobial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), making it a potential candidate for drug delivery.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emanuela Efodili, Ashlynn Knight, Maryem Mirza, Cedric Briones, Il-Hyung Lee
Summary: This study demonstrates the spontaneous transfer of small membrane-bound peptides between a supported lipid bilayer and giant unilamellar vesicles in vitro. The transfer occurs through the formation of hemi-fusion stalks and is limited to small peptides due to the highly curved structure of the stalk. This system provides a synthetic platform for studying peptide trafficking between synthetic membranes.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yueqi Niu, Si Jia Chen, Jeffery B. Klauda
Summary: Macrophage membranes in the activated state are more tightly packed, exhibit increased chain order across lipid species, and form specific lipid clusters. These findings provide physiologically accurate models for future computational studies of macrophage membranes and their proteins.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Niki Baccile, Vincent Chaleix, Ingo Hoffmann
Summary: This study measured the bending rigidity of self-assembled structures formed by a new biobased glucolipid bioamphiphile using neutron spin-echo (NSE) technology. The results showed that the bending rigidity of these structures is lower or higher compared to phospholipid membranes, providing a new theoretical basis for the application of these new molecular systems.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alain Bolano Alvares, Pablo E. A. Rodriguez, Gerardo D. Fidelio
Summary: The behavior of amphiphilic molecules at the air/water interface was studied to evaluate the arrangement formed in a confined area. The surface properties of zwitterionic DPPC lipid and A beta(1-40) amyloid peptide in mixed films were investigated at different temperatures. DPPC undergoes a phase transition depending on temperature and lateral pressure, which allows for the study of its influence on amyloid structure formation.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lukasz Plachta, Marzena Mach, Magdalena Kowalska, Pawel Wydro
Summary: Resveratrol, a popular phytoalexin found in grapes and red wine, has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, exhibits antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, and may have therapeutic effects against cancer. This study investigates the interaction of resveratrol with model cell membranes, demonstrating changes in their physicochemical parameters and highlighting the role of cholesterol content in resveratrol incorporation. The findings suggest that the molecular mechanism of action of resveratrol may involve interactions with lipid rafts.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edurne Rujas, Beatriz Apellaniz, Johana Torralba, David Andreu, Jose M. M. Caaveiro, Shixia Wang, Shan Lu, Jose L. Nieva
Summary: This study investigates the role of fusion peptide and Trp-rich membrane proximal external region in HIV-1 fusion and demonstrates that liposome-based formulations containing FP-MPER hybrid peptides can induce the production of specific neutralizing antibodies in rabbits. The results support the use of liposomes as vaccine carriers and the inclusion of lipid membranes in immunogens to elicit specific humoral responses.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dailin Li, Dingyuan Shi, Lei Wang
Summary: G protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels play a significant role in regulating cell excitability. This study investigated the ion permeation mechanism in GIRK2 mutants using molecular dynamic simulations and QM/MM methods. The results revealed the importance of a multi-ion distribution for ion conduction.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Max J. den Uijl, Arnold J. M. Driessen
Summary: Membrane protein insertion into and translocation across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane are essential processes facilitated by the Sec translocon. The phospholipid dependence of membrane protein insertion has remained mostly unknown. This study reveals that the insertion of the mannitol permease MtlA into the membrane depends on the presence of phosphatidylglycerol and is stimulated by phosphatidylethanolamine.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patrick Allen, Adam C. Smith, Vernon Benedicto, Abbas Abdulhasan, Vasanthy Narayanaswami, Enrico Tapavicza
Summary: We explore the stability, size, and structure of nanodiscs formed by the N-terminal domain of apolipoprotein E3 and a variable number of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine molecules. Our simulations suggest that nanodiscs containing 240 to 420 DMPC molecules are stable. The antiparallel configuration shows more protein-protein interactions and ionic contacts, as well as greater stability and rigidity compared to the parallel configuration.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patrick M. Keating, Nicholas P. Schifano, Xinrui Wei, Matthew Y. Kong, Jinwoo Lee
Summary: Lassa virus (LASV) infection is dependent on the fusion of its viral membrane with the host cell membrane, and our study reveals that this fusion process involves pH-dependent conformational changes in the transmembrane domain of LASV. These findings provide valuable insights into the fusion mechanism of LASV and can be utilized in the design of therapeutics to combat Lassa virus infections and prevent its potential spread.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ashley L. Bennett, Kristen N. Cranford, Austin L. Bates, Christopher R. Sabatini, Hee-Seung Lee
Summary: This study employed molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the binding, folding, and insertion details of TP10W in the cell membrane. The simulations revealed that TP10W can translocate across the lipid membrane as a monomer, and the charged amino acid side chains can move between lipid leaflets. Comparison with point mutated variants demonstrated significant conformational changes due to charge distribution.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica H. van Wonderen, Jason C. Crack, Marcus J. Edwards, Thomas A. Clarke, Gerhard Saalbach, Carlo Martins, Julea N. Butt
Summary: Electrogenic bacteria transfer excess respiratory electrons to metal oxide particles and electrodes through the MtrCAB complex. The crystal structure of MtrCAB from S. baltica OS185 was resolved, and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was used to determine the mass values of the three proteins in purified MtrCAB complexes.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi-Ming Chen, Ching-Tai Lu, Chia-Wen Wang, Wolfgang B. Fischer
Summary: A series of dye ligands were ranked based on docking experiments, selecting the most suitable ligands for binding with different proteins. Additionally, a comparison study was conducted on a series of repurposing drugs and known antivirals.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)