Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Noemi Zimmermann, Akira Noga, Jagan Mohan Obbineni, Takashi Ishikawa
Summary: Using in situ cryo-electron tomography, subtomogram averaging, and classification, we analyzed three states of the axonemal outer dynein arm (ODA) during the power stroke cycle, which include the prepower stroke, postpower stroke, and intermediate state conformations. Our analysis revealed differences in the orientation and position of the dynein head compared to published in vitro atomic structures. Additionally, we found that in the absence of ATP, dynein linkers interact with the AAA3/AAA4 domains, suggesting that they are directed by interactions with the adjacent microtubule doublet B-tubule. Our findings provide insight into the conformational changes of ODA during force generation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guillermo S. Moreno-Pescador, Dunya S. Aswad, Christoffer D. Florentsen, Azra Bahadori, Mohammad R. Arastoo, Helena Maria D. Danielsen, Anne Sofie B. Heitmann, Theresa L. Boye, Jesper Nylandsted, Lene B. Oddershede, Poul Martin Bendix
Summary: A study demonstrates the creation of nanoscopic holes in the cell plasma membrane using laser-induced heating of gold nanostructures, which allows for the identification of molecular components involved in membrane repair. Annexin V is found to reshape the edges surrounding the membrane holes, as evidenced by experiments using model membranes. The thermoplasmonic method provides new insights into how cells respond to photothermal treatment.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Danielle L. Sexton, Gao Chen, Fadime Kara Murdoch, Ameena Hashimi, Frank E. Loffler, Elitza Tocheva
Summary: In this study, the morphological and ultrastructural features of Dehalococcoides mccartyi (Dhc) and Dehalogenimonas spp. (Dhgm) bacteria, which respire organohalogen compounds, were revealed using cryo-electron tomography. The results provided insights into the overall cellular shape, cell envelope architecture, cytoskeletal filaments, enzymatic complexes involved in reductive dehalogenation, and the structure of extracellular vesicles.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eeva-Liisa Eskelinen
Summary: The generation of autophagosomes is a long-standing question in the field of autophagy. Recent studies using cryo-electron tomography and detailed analysis of image data have revealed new information on the membrane dynamics of autophagosome biogenesis, including the shape and dimensions of omegasomes, phagophores, and autophagosomes, and their relationships with surrounding organelles. An important prediction from these findings is that 60-80% of the autophagosome membrane area is obtained through direct lipid transfer or lipid synthesis. Cryo-electron tomography is expected to provide new directions for autophagy research in the future.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miguel Ricardo Leung, Tzviya Zeev-Ben-Mordehai
Summary: The different oligomeric forms of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) have defined cellular and subcellular distributions. While crystal structures of AChE and BChE have been available for many years, structures of the physiologically relevant cholinesterase tetramer were only recently solved by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The next frontier in cholinesterase structural biology is to image membrane-anchored ChE oligomers directly in their native environment - the cell.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Zhuoyang Lu, Yachong Hu, Yongyao Wang, Tiantian Zhang, Jiangang Long, Jiankang Liu
Summary: Sleep deprivation affects the structure and respiratory function of mitochondria, with more significant changes observed in the hippocampus. Quantifying these structural reorganizations using morphometric parameters can provide insights into the effects of sleep deprivation on mitochondrial inner membrane architecture and respiratory functions in different brain regions.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Domenica Farci, Patrycja Haniewicz, Dario Piano
Summary: The study found that the S-layer in Deinococcus radiodurans has crystalline regularity in all layers of the cell envelope, indicating its importance as a structural and functional scaffold.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miguel Ricardo Leung, Marc C. Roelofs, Ravi Teja Ravi, Paula Maitan, Heiko Henning, Min Zhang, Elizabeth G. Bromfield, Stuart C. Howes, Bart M. Gadella, Hermes Bloomfield-Gadelha, Tzviya Zeev-Ben-Mordehai
Summary: This study utilized advanced cryo-imaging techniques to analyze the internal structures of sperm flagella from three mammalian species, revealing novel ways in which microtubule inner proteins are connected. The importance of the base structure for flagellar beating, as well as the coupling of outer dense fibers to microtubules, was demonstrated. Mammalian sperm flagella are decorated at multiple scales, with key structures at the nano- and micrometer levels.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
E. Lavagna, Z. P. Gueven, D. Bochicchio, F. Olgiati, F. Stellacci, G. Rossi
Summary: Research has shown that amphiphilic Au nanoparticles with a diameter of 4 nm can induce curvature in phosphatidylcholine lipid membranes, affecting the membrane structure. By investigating the behavior of NPs on the membrane surface and within the membrane core, different curvature generation processes can be observed.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meijing Li, Ishita Tripathi-Giesgen, Brenda A. Schulman, Wolfgang Baumeister, Florian Wilfling
Summary: Selective macroautophagy is a process in which cytosolic material is enclosed in a double membrane organelle and transported to a lytic compartment for degradation. This study used cryo-electron tomography to observe the formation of phagophores around damaged Salmonella-containing vacuoles (SCVs). Host cells generated multiple phagophores at the site of SCVs and established contact with the endoplasmic reticulum for membrane formation and expansion.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dou Wu, Jingying Huang, Hao Zhu, Zhe Chen, Yongping Chai, Jingyi Ke, Kexin Lei, Zhao Peng, Ranhao Zhang, Xueming Li, Kaiyao Huang, Wei Li, Chengtian Zhao, Guangshuo Ou
Summary: The formation and regeneration of cilia require new protein synthesis. The study found that flagellar genes are transcriptionally activated early but translationally repressed late in the process. Additionally, sphingolipid metabolism enzymes were identified as essential regulators for ciliogenesis, and their interaction with the ciliary membrane and axoneme was suggested to be crucial for cilium formation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
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)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zohar Eyal, Leilah Krounbi, Oz Ben Joseph, Emanuel M. Avrahami, Iddo Pinkas, Hadas Peled-Zehavi, Assaf Gal
Summary: Biomineralization processes exhibit varying levels of control over crystallization. Coccoliths, calcified scales formed by unicellular algae, are a model for highly controlled crystallization. This study explores the relationship between base plate and coccolith properties and reveals that the combination of base plate and the chemical environment inside the cell plays a pivotal role in the exquisite control over the crystallization process.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julika Radecke, Raphaela Seeger, Anna Kadkova, Ulrike Laugks, Amin Khosrozadeh, Kenneth N. Goldie, Vladan Lucic, Jakob B. Sorensen, Benoit Zuber
Summary: This study used cryo-electron tomography to observe the intermediate steps following synaptic stimulation, and found that during the early fusion stage after stimulation, synaptic vesicles undergo morphological changes to establish contact with the plasma membrane. The subsequent late fusion stage results in fusion pore opening and collapse of the synaptic vesicles. These morphological observations likely correspond to the transition of synaptic vesicles from one functional pool to another.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aaron Tan, Alexander J. Pak, Dustin R. Morado, Gregory A. Voth, John A. G. Briggs
Summary: This study elucidates the crucial role of HIV-1 Gag in viral assembly and the structural features of partial CA hexamers at lattice edges. Molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations reveal that partial hexamers are more prone to helix-to-coil transitions compared to complete six-helix bundles.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Correction
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Nuseibah AL Qtaish, Idoia Gallego, Alejandro J. Paredes, Ilia Villate-Beitia, Cristina Soto-Sanchez, Gema Martinez-Navarrete, Myriam Sainz-Ramos, Tania B. Lopez-Mendez, Francisco Javier Chichon, Noelia Zamarren, Eduardo Fernandez, Gustavo Puras, Jose Luis Pedraz
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jesus G. Ovejero, Maria del Puerto Morales, Sabino Veintemillas-Verdaguer
Summary: The search for competitive processes and products using environmentally friendly chemistry is a significant challenge in materials science. This study explores the influence of magnetic inductive heating on the synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in water. The findings suggest that the heating method affects the growth and formation of the nanoparticles, and indicate the possibility of expanding the size range of nanomaterials.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Arranz, Rosa Weigand, Patricia de la Presa
Summary: A systematic study on laser-induced heating was conducted on Fe3O4 nanoparticles in water suspension in two biological windows (800 nm and 1053 nm). It was found that the specific absorption rate (SAR) strongly depends on extrinsic parameters such as vessel volume or laser spot size. Utilizing solutions of IRA 980B as a standard probe for SAR measurements and comparing different measurements in different laboratories using the ratio SAR(iron oxide)/SAR(IRA 980B) allows for more accurate evaluation of the heating performance of different nanoparticles.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Esther Benayas, Ana Espinosa, M. Teresa Portoles, Virginia Vila-del Sol, M. Puerto Morales, Maria C. Serrano
Summary: In this study, two different superparamagnetic iron oxide multicore nanoparticles (SPIONs) with slightly different physicochemical properties were used to investigate their interaction with primary neural cells. The results showed that the minor differences in surface charge, magnetic properties, and structure of the SPIONs had a significant impact on cell uptake, viability, lipid composition, and membrane fluidity. These findings highlight the importance of considering even minor physicochemical differences in nanomaterials for specific cellular and molecular targeting.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Vanesa Soto-Leon, Eva Diez-Rodriguez, Salvador Herrera-Perez, Juliana M. Rosa, Juan Aguilar, Antonio Hernando, Carlota Bravo-Sanchez, Veronica Lopez-Gonzalez, Yolanda Perez-Borrego, Sven Bestmann, Antonio Oliviero
Summary: This study investigated the effects of transcranial static magnetic field stimulation (tSMS) on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) function. It found that tSMS can transiently modulate DLPFC function, specifically affecting inhibitory control and response selection. These findings suggest the potential use of tSMS for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nuseibah H. AL Qtaish, Ilia Villate-Beitia, Idoia Gallego, Gema Martinez-Navarrete, Cristina Soto-Sanchez, Myriam Sainz-Ramos, Tania B. Lopez-Mendez, Alejandro J. Paredes, Francisco Javier Chichon, Noelia Zamarreno, Eduardo Fernandez, Gustavo Puras, Jose Luis Pedraz
Summary: Nanodiamonds were combined with niosome to form nanodiasomes, which were evaluated for their physicochemical features, cellular internalization, cell viability, and transfection efficiency. The parameters were analyzed at different time points and temperatures. Nanodiasomes showed a stable particle size of 128 nm, except after 30 days of storage at 25 degrees C. The incorporation of nanodiamonds into niosomes resulted in a 4-fold increase in transfection efficiency, maintained over time at different temperatures. In vivo studies showed high transgene expression of nanodiasomes after subretinal and intravitreal administration in mice, both freshly prepared and after 30 days of storage at 4 degrees C.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Laura Otero, Antonio C. Rodriguez, Irene Morales, Rocio Costo, Patricia de la Presa, Pedro D. Sanz
Summary: Several studies suggest that single-domain biogenic magnetic nanoparticles may play a significant role in the effectiveness of oscillating magnetic fields (OMFs) in improving food freezing. However, freezing experiments on superparamagnetic biogenic particles showed no significant rotation or disturbance in water molecule ordering during OMF experiments. These findings suggest that weak OMFs typically used in commercial freezers may not have a significant effect on the freezing process of superparamagnetic nanoparticles in food.
JOURNAL OF FOOD ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alvaro Delgado, Alvaro Gallo-Cordova, Carlos Diaz-Ufano, Enrique Martin, Veronica Blanco-Gutierrez, M. Puerto Morales, Maria J. Torralvo, Regino Saez
Summary: Assembled magnetite nanoparticles with oriented attachment were prepared to study the effect of autoassembling on their heating efficiency. Their magnetic properties were compared with those single-core particles and it was found that both particle size and interparticle interactions determine the magnetic behavior. The samples with high superparamagnetic moment and large anisotropy barriers showed the largest specific absorption rate (SAR), indicating the importance of superparamagnetic behavior and magnetic hardness for heat generation.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Review
Virology
Andrea Modrego, Diego Carlero, Rocio Arranz, Jaime Martin-Benito
Summary: Single-stranded RNA viruses (ssRNAv) pose a major threat to human health due to their biological diversity and adaptability to different hosts. Understanding the mechanisms of viral proliferation is crucial to address the challenges they bring. Ribonucleoproteins (RNPs), which carry out viral transcription and replication, play a key role in these processes. Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) has revolutionized the study of RNP and nucleocapsid structures in lipid-enveloped ssRNAv, providing valuable insights into their organization and functional implications.
Article
Microbiology
Gabriela Llauger, Roberto Melero, Demian Monti, Gabriela Sycz, Cristian Huck-Iriart, Maria L. Cerutti, Sebastian Klinke, Evelyn Mikkelsen, Ariel Tijman, Rocio Arranz, Victoria Alfonso, Sofia M. Arellano, Fernando A. Goldbaum, Yann G. J. Sterckx, Jose-Maria Carazo, Sergio B. Kaufman, Pablo D. Dans, Mariana del Vas, Lisandro H. Otero
Summary: The mal de Rio Cuarto virus (MRCV) is a major cause of maize disease in Argentina, replicating in various plants and insects. The C-arm region of the major viroplasm protein P9-1 is essential for the formation of viroplasm-like structures and RNA binding. The study uncovers the structural versatility of a fijivirus major viroplasm protein and provides insights into its mechanism of action.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Feriel Zdiri, Jose Maria Alonso, Taoufik Mnasri, Patricia de la Presa, Irene Morales, Jose Luis Martinez, Rached Ben Younes, Pilar Marin
Summary: We investigated the properties of Pr-0.7 Sr-0.3 Mn(1-x)Cox O-3 nanopowders synthesized using the Pechini Sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction revealed an orthorhombic crystal structure for all samples. Magnetic measurements showed a transition from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic with increasing temperature, and the Curie temperature decreased with increasing Co concentration. Electrical resistivity measurements indicated metallic behavior at low temperature and semiconductor behavior above a certain temperature, with significant magnetoresistance values for all samples.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fatma Mbarek, Ichraf Cherif, Amira Cherif, Jose Maria Alonso, Irene Morales, Patricia de la Presa, Salah Ammar
Summary: The present study focuses on integrating the oxalic conversion route into green chemistry to synthesize copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) with controllable structural, morphological, and magnetic properties. Two oxalate-containing precursors and different solvent ratios were tested. The obtained CuO-NPs exhibit oval-shaped morphology and show both dominant antiferromagnetic and weak ferromagnetic behavior.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dhoha Alshalawi, Jose Maria Alonso, Angel R. Landa-Canovas, Patricia de la Presa
Summary: In this study, the structural and magnetic properties of LaFeO3 were investigated as a function of particle size ranging from bulk to nanoscale. It was found that the presence of twins decreased as the particle size decreased, which could be attributed to the softening of FeO6 distortion. The spin canting observed in the bulk sample disappeared for smaller particle sizes, possibly due to the reduction in orthorhombic distortion. Additionally, when the particle size was less than 60 nm, a significant exchange effect bias appeared, resulting from the combination of spin glass and antiferromagnetism.
Article
Cell Biology
Amelia Rojas-Gomez, Sara G. Dosil, Francisco J. Chichon, Nieves Fernandez-Gallego, Alessia Ferrarini, Enrique Calvo, Diego Calzada-Fraile, Silvia Requena, Joaquin Oton, Alvaro Serrano, Rocio Tarifa, Montserrat Arroyo, Andrea Sorrentino, Eva Pereiro, Jesus Vazquez, Jose M. Valpuesta, Francisco Sanchez-Madrid, Noa B. Martin-Cofreces
Summary: Cell proteostasis includes various processes such as gene transcription, protein folding, and degradation. By analyzing the proteome of T cell-secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs), researchers have found that the chaperonin complex CCT plays a role in the correct folding of specific proteins. When CCT is limited by siRNA, cells undergo changes in lipid composition and metabolic rewiring towards a lipid-dependent metabolism, resulting in increased activity of peroxisomes and mitochondria. This is due to dysregulation of interorganelle contacts between lipid droplets, mitochondria, peroxisomes, and the endolysosomal system. These findings connect proteostasis with lipid metabolism through an unexpected role of CCT.
JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
David Egea-Benavente, Carlos Diaz-Ufano, Alvaro Gallo-Cordova, Francisco Javier Palomares, Jhon Lehman Cuya Huaman, Domingo F. Barber, Maria del Puerto Morales, Jeyadevan Balachandran
Summary: This work analyzes the formation mechanism of cubic magnetic iron oxide mesocrystals by thermal decomposition in organic media, finding a nonclassical pathway via the attachment of crystallographically aligned primary cubic particles and sintering to achieve a sizable single crystal. The solvent 1-octadecene and the surfactant agent biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid are key parameters. The degree of aggregation of the cores forming the final particle strongly affects the magnetic properties and hyperthermia efficiency.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
