Article
Biophysics
Hiroyuki Nakao, Michihiro Nagao, Takeshi Yamada, Koki Imamura, Koichi Nozaki, Keisuke Ikeda, Minoru Nakano
Summary: The fluid nature of lipid bilayers is crucial for regulating protein function and membrane morphology. This study investigates the effects of transmembrane peptides on the dynamics and physical properties of lipid bilayers. The inclusion of rigid transmembrane structures hinders lipid diffusion and increases interleaflet coupling, affecting the collective dynamics and function of biological membranes.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Kaizhu Guo, Zongbo Li, Allison Win, Roxana Coreas, Gary Brent Adkins, Xinping Cui, Dong Yan, Minghui Cao, Shizhen Emily Wang, Wenwan Zhong
Summary: The ultrasensitive method reported in this study can detect single EVs with an input as low as 100 vesicles/µL by using DNA nanostructure labeling and EV membrane staining. It allows calibration-free analysis of protein profiles among different EV samples, differentiation of EVs by their cell of origin, and co-localization of dual protein markers on the same EV. The method shows great potential for non-invasive detection of EV-based protein biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Rui Liu, Meng Shao, Zeyu Ke, Changxu Li, Fengya Lu, Min-cheng Zhong, Yuxin Mao, Xunbin Wei, Zhensheng Zhong, Jinhua Zhou
Summary: Measuring the deformability of RBCs is crucial for transfusion and gas transport ability of RBCs during storage. However, traditional methods have low efficiency in measuring the deformability of RBCs with different morphologies. This study developed a cost-effective device and successfully measured the deformability of RBCs with different morphologies.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jeel Raval, Ales Iglic, Wojciech Gozdz
Summary: The study investigates the adhesion of lipid vesicles to a rigid flat surface and examines the influence of membrane curvature, adhesion strength, and reduced volume on stability and shape transformations. It determines the minimum adhesion strength needed to stabilize adhered vesicle shapes and discusses how changes in adhesion strength can induce vesicle budding. The importance of free vesicle shape for adhesion susceptibility is also highlighted.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Misako Nishigami, Yuki Uno, Kanta Tsumoto
Summary: In this study, the activation of GP64 and membrane fusion on giant liposomes were triggered using NPE-caged-proton. It was found that BVs prefer phosphatidylserine as they accumulated around GUVs with DOPS before the fusion reaction. This research provides valuable insights into the behavior of viruses under different chemical and biochemical environments.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Keli Ren, Jiantao Feng, Hai Bi, Quanmei Sun, Xiang Li, Dong Han
Summary: Cell mechanics is an emerging field of translational medicine where the mechanical behavior of cells is characterized using atomic force microscopy and a poroelastic@membrane model. Analysis of breast and urothelial cells shows that non-cancer cells and cancer cells have different mechanical properties, and urothelial carcinoma can be detected non-invasively by analyzing urothelial cells from urine.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jaehyung Yu, Edmund Han, M. Abir Hossain, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Elif Ertekin, Arend M. van der Zande, Pinshane Y. Huang
Summary: By introducing low-friction twisted or heterointerfaces, the bending stiffness of 2D heterostructures can be tailored, making them more deformable than conventional thin-film electronic devices. Research shows that when each atomic layer is separated by heterointerfaces, the total bending stiffness reaches a theoretical minimum, transferring the extreme deformability of 2D monolayers to device-compatible multilayers.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
R. Pinto-Camara, A. Linares, D. S. Moreno-Gutierrez, H. O. Hernandez, J. D. Martinez-Reyes, J. M. Rendon-Mancha, C. D. Wood, A. Guerrero
Summary: FCSlib is an open-source R tool specially designed for analyzing fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy data, covering various techniques.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Steven D. Quinn, Lara Dresser, Sarah Graham, Donato Conteduca, Jack Shepherd, Mark C. Leake
Summary: Using biocompatible polymers to simulate molecular crowding in vitro, this study investigates how crowding affects the morphology of lipid vesicles. The results show that moderate concentrations of sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, and Ficoll lead to the compaction of both freely diffusing and surface-tethered vesicles. Notably, the compaction caused by sorbitol is irreversible, while the effect of high molecular weight PEG-based crowders is reversible. This regulation of molecular crowding allows for precise control of vesicle architecture, with significant implications for drug delivery and vesicle trafficking systems.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Nishant Kumar Shakya, Srikant Sekhar Padhee
Summary: This paper investigates the elastic coupling characteristics in a homogeneous-anisotropic beam with an elliptical cross section using the variational asymptotic method (VAM). It is found that introducing anisotropy alone does not fully couple the system, and the degree of coupling can be tuned and tailored by material properties, spatial distribution (homogeneity/inhomogeneity), and geometrical parameters of the beam.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MECHANICS-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME
(2023)
Article
Optics
Ida S. Opstad, Daniel H. Hansen, Sebastian Acuna, Florian Strohl, Anish Priyadarshi, Jean-Claude Tinguely, Firehun T. Dullo, Roy A. Dalmo, Tore Seternes, Balpreet S. Ahluwalia, Krishna Agarwal
Summary: Photon chip-based total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (c-TIRFM) is a new technology that allows for the introduction of temporal fluctuations in the illumination pattern in wide waveguides, exploiting the multimodal nature for super-resolution imaging using the multiple signal classification algorithm. The resolution improvement compared to conventional images was measured to be 2.2-3.6-fold.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Takayuki Ariga, Keito Tateishi, Michio Tomishige, Daisuke Mizuno
Summary: The study showed that noisy external forces can accelerate the movement of kinesin molecules, especially under large hindering loads. This behavior is consistent with a theoretical model of two-state reactions, suggesting a universal noise-induced acceleration mechanism in intracellular enzymes. This indicates that active fluctuations in cells are utilized to promote various physiological processes, rather than just being considered as noise.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Joanna Doskocz, Paulina Dalek, Magdalena Przybylo, Barbara Trzebicka, Aleksander Forys, Anastasiia Kobyliukh, Ales Iglic, Marek Langner
Summary: Extrusion is a popular method for producing homogenous population of unilamellar liposomes, involving forcing a lipid suspension through cylindrical pores in a polycarbonate membrane for quantification of experimental data correlated with the mechanical properties of the lipid bilayer. The correlation between lipid bilayer bending rigidity and extrusion force was derived from measurements using a dedicated device, demonstrating no lipid exchange between vesicles during the extrusion process.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Robert A. Gutierrez, Wenqiang Fang, Haneesh Kesari, Eric M. Darling
Summary: This study presents a versatile approach to measure cellular forces during mesenchymal condensation using hyper-compliant microparticles, revealing a wide range of tensile and compressive forces exerted by cells during tissue formation. Results show a period of relative equilibrium following an initial phase of diverse forces. Applying collagen coating enhances the forces exerted by cells, and the sensitivity of the force sensors allows for the detection of small changes in the microenvironment even at the earliest stages of development and morphogenesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Per Niklas Hedde, Leonel Malacrida, Barbara Barylko, Derk D. Binns, Joseph P. Albanesi, David M. Jameson
Summary: Arc is a protein induced by activity/experience and necessary for various modes of synaptic plasticity, with its main cellular function being the enhancement of AMPA receptor internalization. Studies have shown that Arc can form viral capsid-like structures and be internalized by neighboring cells, participating in plasma membrane budding both into and out of the cell.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Kaja Fraczkowska, Marcin Bacia, Magda Przybylo, Dominik Drabik, Aleksandra Kaczorowska, Justyna Rybka, Ewa Stefanko, Slawomir Drobczynski, Jan Masajada, Halina Podbielska, Tomasz Wrobel, Marta Kopaczynska
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dominik Drabik, Joanna Doskocz, Magda Przybylo
CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS OF LIPIDS
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joanna Doskocz, Dominik Drabik, Grzegorz Chodaczek, Magdalena Przybylo, Marek Langner
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE BIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dominik Drabik, Grzegorz Chodaczek, Sebastian Kraszewski, Marek Langner
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dominik Drabik, Grzegorz Chodaczek, Sebastian Kraszewski
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and cognitive impairment. The exact mechanism of A beta in neurodegeneration remains complex and is not fully understood. This paper proposes an alternative hypothesis based on maintaining the mechanical balance of neuron membranes, where the incorporation of A beta affects membrane properties and disrupts normal neuronal function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Mateusz Rzycki, Dominik Drabik, Kamila Szostak-Paluch, Beata Hanus-Lorenz, Sebastian Kraszewski
Summary: This study investigated the mechanism of action of antimicrobial agents octenidine dichloride and chlorhexidine digluconate, revealing that their selectivity is not solely based on electrostatic interactions, but is also related to the mechanical properties of the cell membrane. Chlorhexidine did not disrupt membranes primarily or show electrostatic selectivity towards negatively charged membranes, suggesting a more complex relationship with discrete membrane properties.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Agnieszka Biernatowska, Paulina Olszewska, Krzysztof Grzymajlo, Dominik Drabik, Sebastian Kraszewski, Aleksander F. Sikorski, Aleksander Czogalla
Summary: Research has found that high-affinity complexes of MPP1 and flotillins are formed in erythroid cells, while overexpression of peptides containing a specific flotillin binding motif leads to disorganization of raft domains in erythroid precursor cells. This discovery highlights new molecular details concerning the mechanism whereby MPP1 functionally links flotillins to exert their physiological role in raft domain formation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dominik Drabik, Aleksander Czogalla
Summary: Phosphatidic acid (PA) is a crucial membrane phospholipid in cells, with its generation potentially triggered by various antagonistic factors causing uncertainty in driving physiological responses. Different PA species have varying impacts on lipid mono- and bilayers, and membrane composition/properties, particularly those related to the presence of cholesterol, strongly modulate PA behavior.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magdalena Przybylo, Dominik Drabik, Joanna Doskocz, Ales Iglic, Marek Langner
Summary: The study found that the spontaneous formation of lipid pores is correlated with the mechanical properties of the membrane, depending on the composition of the lipid bilayer and the concentration of osmotically active compounds. Using liposomes as a model, it was demonstrated that the probability of lipid pores opening is correlated with membrane bending rigidity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mateusz Rzycki, Aleksandra Kaczorowska, Sebastian Kraszewski, Dominik Drabik
Summary: This study proposed a computational approach to compare the antimicrobial effects of different Gemini surfactants by designing a comprehensive database. Results showed that certain types of Gemini spacers may have a particularly strong impact on bacterial membranes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Paulina Dalek, Dominik Drabik, Halina Wolczanska, Aleksander Forys, Malgorzata Jagas, Natalia Jedruchniewicz, Magdalena Przybylo, Wojciech Witkiewicz, Marek Langner
Summary: Vitamin D-3 deficiency has significant health consequences and affects the severity and recovery of COVID-19 infection. Absorption and distribution of vitamin D-3 in the body depend on accompanying lipids and/or proteins due to its high hydrophobicity. Clinical experiments comparing liposomal and oily formulations of vitamin D-3 showed that liposomal vitamin D-3 caused a rapid increase in plasma calcidiol concentration, particularly in individuals with severe vitamin D-3 deficiency.
NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dominik Drabik, Mitja Drab, Samo Penic, Ales Iglic, Aleksander Czogalla
Summary: Biological membranes are complex and the formation of membrane domains is crucial for cellular processes, but often understudied due to their nanoscale characteristics. A new method was used to examine the lipid-segregation behavior of C1P molecules in lipid membranes, revealing the coexistence of nano- and microdomains.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dominik Drabik, Martynas Gavutis, Ramunas Valiokas, Arturas Ulcinas
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)