Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dominika Luptakova, Theodosia Vallianatou, Anna Nilsson, Reza Shariatgorji, Margareta Hammarlund-Udenaes, Irena Loryan, Per E. Andren
Summary: This study presents a new approach that combines in vivo and in vitro neuropharmacokinetic investigations with mass spectrometry imaging to quantify and visualize the extent of unbound drug transport across the blood-brain barrier, as well as the post-BBB distribution of drugs at regional and subregional levels. The approach allows differentiation of regional and subregional BBB transport characteristics of antipsychotic drugs, providing a new tool for investigating heterogeneity in BBB transport and facilitating interpretation of regional target-site exposure results for molecular psychiatrists.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Robert L. Shoeman, Elisabeth Hartmann, Ilme Schlichting
Summary: Recent technological advances have allowed for the use of much smaller crystals to obtain structural information. Microcrystals are particularly useful for structure determination using serial data collection approaches and time-resolved crystallography. This article describes milling and seeding techniques, as well as filtration approaches, for the reproducible and size-adjustable preparation of homogeneous nano- and microcrystals.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sen Yang, Yinghao Wei, Qi Wang, Zhijun Sun, Ai-Hua Li
Summary: In this study, a high-performance microcrystal based on heavily doped Tm3+ was designed to achieve self-trapped excitons and Tm3+ near-infrared emission. The application of its luminescent properties in temperature sensing was also investigated.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Won Jin Choi, Keiichi Yano, Minjeong Cha, Felippe M. Colombari, Ji-Young Kim, Yichun Wang, Sang Hyun Lee, Kai Sun, John M. Kruger, Andre F. de Moura, Nicholas A. Kotov
Summary: Chiral phonons in biocrystals have been observed by terahertz chiroptical spectroscopy, providing insights into the structure and properties of biomolecules and the ability to identify differences in formulations.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marie-Ingrid Richard, Stephane Labat, Maxime Dupraz, Jerome Carnis, Lu Gao, Michael Texier, Ni Li, Longfei Wu, Jan P. Hofmann, Mor Levi, Steven J. Leake, Sergey Lazarev, Michael Sprung, Emiel J. M. Hensen, Eugen Rabkin, Olivier Thomas
Summary: An unexpected anomalous glide plane in two Pt submicrometer crystals is observed using Bragg coherent diffraction imaging. The structure of the defects can be imaged in these faceted Pt crystals, allowing the probing of plasticity and unusual defect behavior at the nanoscale.
Article
Spectroscopy
J. V. B. Moura, C. D. de Abreu Lima, E. A. O. Melo, V. E. Santos, W. C. Ferreira, P. T. C. Freire, C. Luz-Lima
Summary: In this study, the temperature-dependent behavior of as-synthesized silver orthophosphate microcrystals was investigated using various characterization techniques, revealing a first-order phase transition in the temperature range of 500-515 degrees C. The reversible phase transition was found to be related to the distortion of the tetrahedral symmetry of PO4 and confirmed by DSC analysis.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Adam Institoris, Grant R. Gordon
Summary: The study shows that capillary pericytes in the cerebral microcirculation exert static and slow regulation on capillary diameter to affect blood flow, distinct from canonical rapid regulation by arteriole smooth muscle.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Peng Liu, Qi Wang, Dongshan Wang, Xin Kang, Jingye Niu
Summary: The study investigated the electrochemical capacitive property of tetraaniline (TA) microcrystals for the first time, and optimized a TA/rGO composite film with high specific capacitance, excellent cyclic stability, and outstanding flexibility for potential application in solid-state supercapacitors.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ivan S. Pavlov, Anna G. Ivanova, Vladimir P. Filonenko, Igor P. Zibrov, Alexei E. Voloshin, Pavel V. Zinin, Alexander L. Vasiliev
Summary: This study investigates the formation of boron carbide superhard particles through a liquid-phase reaction at high pressure and high temperature. The synthesized particles exhibit a rhombic hexecontahedron morphology with twelve five-vertex stars. Electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze the crystal structure of these particles, revealing multiple cycling twinning rather than quasi-crystalline symptoms. The specific shape of the particles is explained by the decrease of surface energy during formation at high pressure and high temperature.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tongjin Zhang, Zhonghao Zhou, Xiaolong Liu, Kang Wang, Yuqing Fan, Chuang Zhang, Jiannian Yao, Yongli Yan, Yong Sheng Zhao
Summary: This work demonstrates thermally activated lasing in coassembled microcrystals where TADF dyes are uniformly dispersed in crystalline matrices for efficient reverse intersystem crossing (RISC). The dark-state triplet excitons are effectively converted into radiative singlet excitons through RISC, leading to population inversion and boosting lasing with an unusual temperature dependence. The lasing wavelength can be tuned over the full visible spectrum by doping various TADF laser dyes, and trichromatic TADF microlasers can be precisely patterned into periodic pixelated arrays.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Valerie Derpmann, David Mueller, Alexander Haack, Walter Wissdorf, Hendrik Kersten, Thorsten Benter
Summary: Glass or metal inlet capillaries are commonly used for flow restriction in atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometers due to their high ion transmission rate and stability. However, signal dropouts or drifts can occur when transferring ions through the capillaries, especially when different conductivity materials are in contact. Surface layers and charging effects on the capillary walls play a major role in ion transmission and can hinder ion transport.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Taija Makinen, Laurence M. Boon, Miikka Vikkula, Kari Alitalo
Summary: Lymphatic vessels play a crucial role in maintaining tissue fluid homeostasis and immune surveillance. Developmental or functional defects in lymphatic vessels can lead to lymphedema. Recent advancements have identified genetic causes and molecular pathways underlying lymphatic malformations and complex lymphatic anomalies, paving the way for targeted therapies.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Weiqing Yang, Meilian Li, Mingyi Xie, Yuxi Tian
Summary: The photoluminescence (PL) and photothermal (PT) properties of CH3NH3PbBr3 (MAPbBr3) microcrystals (MCs) were simultaneously investigated using a home-built PL and PT microscope. The heterogeneity of PL and PT images and kinetics of different MCs were observed, and the variation in the absorption and dissipation of energy from the nonradiative channel was demonstrated. This study provides insights into the charge carrier behaviors of optoelectronic materials at the single particle level.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ran Jing, Rocco A. Vitalone, Suheng Xu, Chiu Fan Bowen Lo, Zaiyao Fei, Elliott Runburg, Yinming Shao, Xinzhong Chen, Fabian Mooshammer, Alexander S. Mcleod, Mengkun Liu, Michael M. Fogler, David H. Cobden, Xiaodong Xu, D. N. Basov
Summary: In this study, the real-space features of the plasmonic response of few-layer WTe2 were visualized and evaluated using time-domain THz nanoimaging technique combined with scattering amplitude experiments.
Article
Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
A. Zotov, V. V. Sirotkin, A. I. Il'in, O. Trofimov, D. N. Borisenko, N. N. Kolesnikov, V. A. Tulin
Summary: The multilevel nature and plasticity of memristor structures based on bismuth selenide microcrystals are investigated in terms of rewriting voltages Vset/Vreset. Numerical simulations show that the switching is attributed to barrier properties of the defective layer, overheating phenomena are also taken into account. The resistive switching in bismuth selenide-based structures is most likely modulated by the barrier formed at the interface between a metal and a strongly doped semiconductor.
CHAOS SOLITONS & FRACTALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samuel L. Rose, Svetlana Antonyuk, Daisuke Sasaki, Keitaro Yamashita, Kunio Hirata, Go Ueno, Hideo Ago, Robert R. Eady, Takehiko Tosha, Masaki Yamamoto, S. Samar Hasnain
Summary: Two copies of nirK genes were identified in several rhizobia, including Bradyrhizobium sp. ORS 375, which encode a four-domain heme-CuNiR and a two-domain CuNiR. Despite a 70% sequence identity, the blue CuNiR showed substantially lower catalytic efficiency compared to other well-studied CuNiRs. Advanced synchrotron radiation and x-ray free-electron laser techniques were used to reveal the difference in catalytic efficiency among CuNiRs.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ryo Suzuki, Seiki Baba, Nobuhiro Mizuno, Kazuya Hasegawa, Haruhiko Koizumi, Kenichi Kojima, Takashi Kumasaka, Masaru Tachibana
Summary: This study reports the direct observation of specific crystal defects, such as dislocations, induced by X-ray irradiation of protein crystals at room temperature. It was found that even low absorbed doses of X-ray irradiation can induce the formation of dislocations, and the formation of defects appears to critically depend on the dose rate. The relationship between dislocation energy and dose energy was analyzed based on dislocation theory and elasticity theory for crystalline materials. This demonstration of crystal defects induced by X-ray irradiation contributes to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of X-ray-induced radiation damage.
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yoshiaki Kawano, Masahide Hikita, Naohiro Matsugaki, Masaki Yamamoto, Toshiya Senda
Summary: Native SAD phasing is a promising method for next-generation crystallography, but it requires high-quality diffraction data using long-wavelength X-rays. Optimizing crystal size and shape, as well as removing noncrystalline sample portions, can improve data quality. A crystal-processing machine using a deep-UV laser has been developed and significantly improved diffraction data quality and the success rate of experimental phasing.
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Correction
Instruments & Instrumentation
Seiki Baba, Hiroaki Matsuura, Takashi Kawamura, Naoki Sakai, Yuki Nakamura, Yoshiaki Kawano, Nobuhiro Mizuno, Takashi Kumasaka, Masaki Yamamoto, Kunio Hirata
JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kenji Fukui, Masao Inoue, Takeshi Murakawa, Seiki Baba, Takashi Kumasaka, Takato Yano
Summary: This study reveals the crystal structures of bacterial MutS2 belonging to MutS-II, showing that it has a larger clamp-like inner hole compared to MutS-I and DNA-binding sites at the inner hole are determined by mutagenesis analysis. A model is proposed to describe how MutS2 recognizes DNA junctions.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Hideo Okumura, Naoki Sakai, Hironori Murakami, Nobuhiro Mizuno, Yuki Nakamura, Go Ueno, Takuya Masunaga, Takashi Kawamura, Seiki Baba, Kazuya Hasegawa, Masaki Yamamoto, Takashi Kumasaka
Summary: In situ diffraction data collection using crystallization plates is a useful method for evaluating crystal quality without additional sample treatment. Recent advances in data collection methods have overcome the limitation of crystal rotation. In this study, a system consisting of a goniometer, a robot, and plate storage was used to obtain complete data sets. Combined with an acoustic liquid handler, this system successfully facilitated structural analysis and ligand screening for protein-ligand complex crystals.
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Migiwa Takeda, Seiki Baba, Jiro Okuma, Yoshitsugu Hirose, Asuka Nishimura, Masaki Takata, Kohei Oda, Daisuke Shibata, Takashi Kumasaka, Yasuhiro Kondo
Summary: A thermostable cellobiohydrolase, HmCel6A and its variant HmCel6A-3SNP, isolated from hot spring sediments, showed high thermostability with optimum temperatures at 75℃ and 95℃ respectively. Structural features, including hydrophobic and charge-charge interactions, metal bindings, disulphide bonds, and an additional tryptophan at the tunnel entrance, contributed to the high thermostability of the enzyme. These findings may contribute to the development of efficient enzymes and saccharification methods for cellulose working at high temperatures.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samuel L. Rose, Seiki Baba, Hideo Okumura, Svetlana Antonyuk, Daisuke Sasaki, Tobias M. Hedison, Muralidharan Shanmugam, Derren J. Heyes, Nigel S. Scrutton, Takashi Kumasaka, Takehiko Tosha, Robert R. Eady, Masaki Yamamoto, S. Samar Hasnain
Summary: Redox reactions play a crucial role in substrate binding and utilization in enzyme catalysis. A recent study found that a CuNiR with lower catalytic activity had its catalytic site occupied by water molecules. The study showed that there was less inter-Cu electron transfer in the presence of nitrite, which may explain the lower activity.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuki Imaizumi, Kazunori Takanuki, Takuya Miyake, Mizuki Takemoto, Kunio Hirata, Mika Hirose, Rika Oi, Tatsuya Kobayashi, Kenichi Miyoshi, Rie Aruga, Tatsuhiko Yokoyama, Shizuka Katagiri, Hiroaki Matsuura, Kenji Iwasaki, Takayuki Kato, Mika K. Kaneko, Yukinari Kato, Michiko Tajiri, Satoko Akashi, Osamu Nureki, Yohei Hizukuri, Yoshinori Akiyama, Terukazu Nogi
Summary: Site-2 proteases are a conserved family of intramembrane proteases that regulate signal transduction and maintain proteostasis by cleaving transmembrane substrates. The crystal structures of inhibitor-bound forms of bacterial site-2 proteases were determined, revealing that conformational changes in the RseP domains expose the substrate-binding site. Mutational analysis showed that the conformational changes are mediated by a conserved electrostatic linkage between transmembrane and peripheral membrane-associated domains. In vivo cleavage assays supported the model that the substrate transmembrane helix is unwound and clamped by the active center of RseP for efficient cleavage.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maya Nakatani, Shun-ya Nakahara, Kenji Fukui, Momoka Urano, Yuki Fujii, Takeshi Murakawa, Seiki Baba, Takashi Kumasaka, Hiroki Okanishi, Yoshikatsu Kanai, Takato Yano, Ryoji Masui
Summary: This study determined the crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of FakA bound to ADP and constructed a model of the complex of T. thermophilus FakB and the N-terminal domain of FakA. The results provide insights into the composite active site of the Fatty acid kinase complex.
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Hiroaki Matsuura, Naoki Sakai, Sachiko Toma-Fukai, Norifumi Muraki, Koki Hayama, Hironari Kamikubo, Shigetoshi Aono, Yoshiaki Kawano, Masaki Yamamoto, Kunio Hirata
Summary: In macromolecular structure determination using X-ray diffraction from multiple crystals, hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) has been effective in classifying polymorphous data sets with a certain threshold, allowing for the identification of polymorphs in data sets with unknown structural heterogeneity. Additionally, polymorphs can also be detected in single crystals using the continuous helical scheme.
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Kenji Fukui, Tatsuya Yamamoto, Takeshi Murakawa, Seiki Baba, Takashi Kumasaka, Takato Yano
Summary: The endonuclease activity of MutL, a DNA mismatch repair enzyme, is enhanced by other divalent metals such as manganese, suggesting the presence of another catalytic metal. The crystal structure of Aquifex aeolicus MutL revealed that manganese and cadmium compete with zinc for binding at the same sites. Mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of two-metal-ion mechanism and site-directed mutagenesis highlighted the importance of a conserved arginine residue for catalysis. These findings shed light on the role of zinc ions and the inhibitory effect of cadmium on MutL.
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2023)
