Article
Immunology
Francisco Callejas-Hernandez, Alfonso Herreros-Cabello, Javier del Moral-Salmoral, Manuel Fresno, Nuria Girones
Summary: This study analyzed the complete repertoire of maxicircle and minicircle sequences of different T. cruzi strains, revealing structural differences in minicircles and maxicircles among strains. Understanding the mitochondrial genome of Trypanosomatids is crucial for coordinating the expression of nuclear and mitochondrial genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, and the heterogeneity observed in minicircles and maxicircles suggests a more complex organization than previously described.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexa Prescilla-Ledezma, Fatima Linares, Mariano Ortega-Munoz, Lissette Retana Moreira, Ana Belen Jodar-Reyes, Fernando Hernandez-Mateo, Francisco Santoyo-Gonzalez, Antonio Osuna
Summary: This study utilizes AFM-based single molecule-force spectroscopy to detect and locate functional trans-sialidases on the surface of extracellular vesicles released by tissue-culture cell-derived trypomastigotes. By engineering AFM cantilevers with functionalized tips bearing anti-TS antibodies, molecular recognition of trans-sialidases using antibody-antigen interaction is achieved. The results demonstrate that the extracellular vesicles isolated from tissue-culture cell-derived trypomastigotes are enriched in trans-sialidases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Edio Maldonado, Sebastian Morales-Pison, Fabiola Urbina, Aldo Solari
Summary: Trypanosomatids are primitive unicellular eukaryotes that can cause diseases in various organisms, with the integrity of their kinetoplast genome being crucial for cell survival. Base excision repair is a well-conserved pathway for DNA repair after oxidatively generated lesions, enabling cells to repair damage and proliferate. Pol beta and Pol beta-PAK are key enzymes involved in BER in trypanosomatids, with Pol beta-PAK showing additional trans-lesion synthesis capability across specific DNA lesions.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lissette Retana Moreira, Alexa Prescilla-Ledezma, Alberto Cornet-Gomez, Fatima Linares, Ana Belen Jodar-Reyes, Jorge Fernandez, Ana Karina Ibarrola Vannucci, Luis Miguel De Pablos, Antonio Osuna
Summary: This study characterized the proteomes and nanomechanical properties of extracellular vesicles released by different life stages of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. The findings revealed significant differences in surface molecular cargos of vesicles between trypomastigotes and epimastigotes, with trypomastigotes exhibiting higher adhesion properties. This suggests a remarkable surface remodeling throughout the parasite's life cycle, potentially impacting the ability of extracellular vesicles to participate in cell communication in diverse infection niches.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yunfei Wan, Yongfang Gao, Jianhang Shao, Aidana Tumarbekova, Dequan Zhang, Jie Zhu
Summary: This study investigated the ultrastructure and mechanical characteristics of collagen fibers in tendons, revealing that collagen fibers extracted from acetic acid are more unstable compared to homogenized collagen fibers. Acetic acid was found to disassemble salt bonds and Schiff-base in collagen, resulting in looser collagen fibers while maintaining the integrity of the triple helix structure.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Keivan Asadi, Junghoon Yeom, Hanna Cho
Summary: Investigating internal resonance (IR) mechanisms in micro/nanoresonators reveals that intermodal coupling between second and third flexural modes in asymmetric structures provides an optimal condition for strong IR, with high energy transfer to the resonated mode. This study introduces design strategies that can be easily integrated into typical micro/nanoelectromechanical systems, offering potential for paradigm-shifting applications in micro/nanosystems.
MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING
(2021)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Telmo O. Paiva, Albertus Viljoen, Yves F. Dufrene
Summary: Advancements in atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques and methodologies in microbiology have enhanced our understanding of microbial cell surfaces. Recent studies have shown that AFM imaging of cells and membranes at or near molecular resolution enables detailed visualization of membrane-drug interactions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Aline A. Zuma, Emile dos Santos Barrias, Wanderley de Souza
Summary: This review discusses the basic biology of the pathogenic protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei, highlighting their developmental stages and unique structural characteristics, which can potentially serve as chemotherapeutic targets. Understanding these aspects contributes to drug development for chemotherapy.
CURRENT PHARMACEUTICAL DESIGN
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yunpeng Hu, Lan Zhang, Yuwen Yi, Iftikhar Solangi, Linsen Zan, Jie Zhu
Summary: The study investigated the effects of three phosphates (SHMP, TSPP, STPP) on myofibrillar protein from beef muscles, showing significant changes in protein solubility, surface hydrophobicity, and reactive sulfhydryl groups. Phosphate addition led to structural alterations in myofibrillar protein, increasing solubility and surface hydrophobicity while reducing diameter. The phosphates helped construct a more ordered and smoother gel microcosmic surface, resulting in increased gel complexity and decreased roughness.
Article
Physics, Applied
Shiquan Lin, Zhong Lin Wang
Summary: Inspired by TENG, scanning TENG is proposed for local surface charge density measurement using atomic force microscopy. The technique taps a conductive tip above a charged dielectric surface to induce an AC, with Fourier analysis showing a linear relation to surface charge density. Results demonstrate its power in probing nanoscale charge transfer in contact-electrification.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Miles F. Beaux, Reuben J. Peterson, Igor O. Usov
Summary: Atomic force microscopy was used to map the topography and qualitative mechanical characteristics of gallium-stabilized delta-phase plutonium coupons. The initial rough and heterogeneous surface of plutonium was observed, along with distinct striation patterns in qualitative nanomechanical mapping. Investigation suggested that the striations were not measurement artifacts or plutonium-specific features, and were influenced by mechanical working of the surface.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Francisco J. Solis, Monica Olvera de la Cruz
Summary: This article discusses the interactions between charged particles and induced polarization charge on solid-liquid or liquid-liquid interfaces with dielectric contrast, as well as the self-energy of charged particles near rough surfaces. Results show that the local convexity and concavity of the surface affect the repulsion of ions.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Elma Sakinatus Sajidah, Keesiang Lim, Tomoyoshi Yamano, Goro Nishide, Yujia Qiu, Takeshi Yoshida, Hanbo Wang, Akiko Kobayashi, Masaharu Hazawa, Firli R. P. Dewi, Rikinari Hanayama, Toshio Ando, Richard W. Wong
Summary: Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) play a crucial role in cell communication and can be used for drug delivery and structural characterization of nanoparticles. The high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) can evaluate the structural changes of sEVs under different physicochemical stresses.
JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Camila Silva Goncalves, Carolina Moura Costa Catta-Preta, Bruno Repoles, Jeremy C. Mottram, Wanderley De Souza, Carlos Renato Machado, Maria Cristina M. Motta
Summary: Angomonas deanei coevolves in a mutualistic relationship with a symbiotic bacterium that divides in synchronicity with other host cell structures. The deletion of the KAP4 gene affects kDNA arrangement and replication, as well as the maintenance of symbiosis. Mutants lacking KAP4 show atypical phenotypes but are not more sensitive to DNA damage and repair, indicating unique repair mechanisms for kDNA in trypanosomatids.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Abbasali Abouei Mehrizi, Qiao Liu, Hao Wang
Summary: The extended thin-film region adjacent to the contact line plays a crucial role in heat transfer and wetting dynamics by enhancing heat transfer and influencing contact line morphology. The study focused on advancing contact line morphology induced by water vapor condensation at low rates. Results showed that the morphology of the liquid film in this process differs from nonvolatile cases, with a precursor nanofilm and nanodroplets detected beyond the contact line.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Youssef Bacila Sade, Camila Silva Goncalves, Sandra Mara Naressi Scapin, Guilherme Luiz Pinheiro, Roberto Becht Flatschart, Wanderley de Souza, Norton Heise, Ednildo de Alcantara Machado
Summary: This study reports the identification and characterization of a novel endoglucanase AfEG66 from the snail Achatina fulica, which shows high activity and stability against polysaccharide substrates, contributing to the improvement of production efficiency of green fuels.
BIOENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Paula Terra Bandeira, Wanderley de Souza
Summary: The study identified a prevalent protein in the costa of Tritrichomonas foetus, which sheds light on the biological and evolutionary significance of this unique structure and its potential as a target for chemotherapy, immunodiagnosis, and vaccine development.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ana Paula Rocha Gadelha, Marlene Benchimol, Wanderley de Souza
Summary: This study examined the organization of the cytoskeleton in the ventral disc of Giardia intestinalis trophozoites using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy or helium ion microscopy. The results revealed that the ventral disc is a non-uniformly organized structure and has specific domains. Microtubules in the disc originate from the boundary region of the banded collar and merge with microtubules formed at the perinuclear region.
HISTOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Marlene Benchimol, Wanderley de Souza
Summary: Giardia intestinalis, a parasitic organism, possesses unique characteristics such as the absence of Golgi and mitochondria, but presence of peripheral vacuoles and mitosomes. The peripheral vacuole system serves multiple functions, including endocytic activity, early/late endosome features, and lysosome characteristics. Mitosomes lack DNA, enzymes involved in energy synthesis, but contain iron-sulfur complex and transporters. During encystation, larger cytoplasmic vesicles release cyst wall proteins and carbohydrates to form the cell wall.
JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Juliana C. Vidal, Wanderley De Souza
Summary: In this study, we used FIB-SEM to analyze the three-dimensional organization of epimastigotes SPMT and found that certain microtubules end earlier than their neighboring ones. This suggests the presence of treadmill/catastrophe events that have not yet been described in trypanosomatids.
BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Luana P. Borba-Santos, Caroline Deckmann Nicoletti, Taissa Vila, Patricia Garcia Ferreira, Carlos Fernando Araujo-Lima, Barbara Verena Dias Galvao, Israel Felzenszwalb, Wanderley de Souza, Fernando de Carvalho da Silva, Vitor Francisco Ferreira, Debora Omena Futuro, Sonia Rozental
Summary: The silver salt of naphthoquinone 5 was found to possess potent antifungal activity against the main agents of sporotrichosis, inhibiting biofilm formation and causing mitochondrial and plasma membrane damage in fungal cells. Combination with itraconazole enhanced its inhibitory activity, and it showed a high selectivity towards fungal cells. These findings suggest that naphthoquinone 5 is a promising candidate for the development of new antifungal agents.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Duclecio Mendonca Lopes, Aluizio Fonseca Provencano, Cicero Brasileiro Mello, Denise Feder, Jose Mauricio Albuquerque Albuquerque Cunha, Nadir Francisca Sant'Anna, Guilherme Curty Lechuga, Saulo Cabral Bourguignon, Wanderley de Souza, Eloi de Souza Garcia, Evelize Folly, Patricia Azambuja, Marcelo Salabert Gonzalez
Summary: This study investigated the effects of azadirachtin treatment, ecdysone supplementation, and ecdysone therapy on the ultrastructural organization of the rectum in Rhodnius prolixus nymphs and the attachment behavior of Trypanosoma cruzi. The results suggest that ecdysone may play a significant role in the modulation of rectal ultrastructural arrangement and parasite attachment.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Tatiana Guinancio de Souza, Gustavo Benaim, Wanderley de Souza, Marlene Benchimol
Summary: Trichomonas vaginalis is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects millions of people worldwide. The current treatment, metronidazole, can have severe side effects and is not recommended for pregnant women. This study found that amiodarone and related compounds have anti-parasite activity against T. vaginalis, suggesting their potential as alternative drugs. The compounds induced cell death and morphological changes in the parasites.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Roberta Verissimo F. Oliveira, Wanderley de Souza, Katharina Voegerl, Franz Bracher, Marlene Benchimol, Ana Paula R. Gadelha
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of a new KDAC inhibitor on G. intestinalis growth, cytoskeleton, and ultrastructure organization, showing that the compound decreased parasite proliferation and viability. The results suggest that the compound has potential as a new therapeutic option for treating giardiasis.
Article
Oncology
Carolina Moura Costa Catta-Preta, Allan Cezar de Azevedo-Martins, Wanderley de Souza, Maria Cristina Machado Motta
Summary: This study investigated the effects of the antibiotic tunicamycin on the association between Angomonas deanei and its symbiotic bacterium. The cells treated with tunicamycin showed decreased proliferation, enlargement of the ER and Golgi cisternae, and increased distance between the symbiont and the ER. Changes in protein composition, particularly the increased expression of the Hsp90 chaperone, were observed in the host protozoan. These findings highlight the importance of the ER in the adaptation and maintenance of symbiotic associations between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose Aleixo De Azevedo-Franca, Emile Barrias, Chris Hebert Jesus Franco, Wilmer Villarreal, Eduardo Guimaraes Vieira, Ana Maria Da Costa Ferreira, Wanderley de Souza, Maribel Navarro
Summary: A series of new transition metal coordination polymers were synthesized and their structures were elucidated. These coordination polymers exhibited promising anti-parasitic activity, surpassing the free azole drug. Therefore, they are potential candidates for the treatment of Chagas disease.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sara Teixeira de Macedo-Silva, Gonzalo Visbal, Gabrielle Frizzo Souza, Mayara Roncaglia dos Santos, Simon B. Cammerer, Wanderley de Souza, Juliany Cola Fernandes Rodrigues
Summary: This study found that benzylamines have anti-parasitic activity against Leishmania amazonensis and affect the structure of the cell membrane and mitochondria by blocking the sterol synthesis pathway. These results suggest that benzylamines may be promising pharmaceutical leads for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Michele S. Lima, Lidilhone Hamerski, Tatiana A. Silva, Maria Luiza R. da Cruz, Tooba Varasteh, Diogo A. Tschoeke, Georgia C. Atella, Wanderley de Souza, Fabiano L. Thompson, Cristiane C. Thompson
Summary: Corals are threatened by global warming, resulting in bleaching. Understanding the association between host and symbionts is crucial for assessing coral's habitat requirements and response to environmental changes. This study found that temperature has an impact on the biochemical and cellular features of Cladocopium, the dominant endosymbiont in the reef-building coral Mussismilia braziliensis. Thermal stress leads to increased oxygen levels, decreased proteins and pigments, and changes in cell morphology and lipid droplets.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Immunology
S. I. Cazorla, Alonso-Padilla Julio, W. De Souza, A. M. Padilla
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cassiano Cunha de Souza, Jose Aleixo de Azevedo-Franca, Emile Barrias, Stephany C. F. Cavalcante, Eduardo Guimaraes Vieira, Ana Maria Da Costa Ferreira, Wanderley de Souza, Maribel Navarro
Summary: Four novel metal-BZN complexes were synthesized and characterized in this study. The IC50 values of these complexes in inhibiting parasite proliferation stages are five to ten times lower than benznidazole itself. The cytotoxicity in human cells is lower for these complexes compared to BZN, indicating higher selectivity.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)