Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Heejin Lim, Sun Young Lee, Yereum Park, Hyeonggyu Jin, Daeha Seo, Yun Hee Jang, Dae Won Moon
Summary: This study demonstrates a method for sputtering atomic and molecular secondary ions through single-layer graphene to enable SIMS imaging of untreated wet cell membranes at subcellular resolution. The findings show that the method allows observation of lipid distribution in cell membranes without labeling, and that cells remain intact during imaging. Additionally, molecular dynamics calculations and ion dose-dependence studies suggest that sputtering through graphene occurs through a transient hole in the graphene layer.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Xixiang Shuai, Lizhi Gao, Qin Geng, Ti Li, Xuemei He, Jun Chen, Chengmei Liu, Taotao Dai
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different proteolytic enzymes and degrees of hydrolysis on the structural and functional properties of pea protein. The results showed that enzymatic treatment significantly increased the solubility of pea protein and improved its foaming and emulsification properties. The degree of hydrolysis also affected the protein's structure and functionality, with trypsin having the greatest impact.
Article
Polymer Science
Luca Pasquini, Botagoz Zhakisheva, Emanuela Sgreccia, Riccardo Narducci, Maria Luisa Di Vona, Philippe Knauth
Summary: Proton-conducting ionomers are widely used in electrochemical energy storage devices, and their properties are influenced by operating conditions. This study examined the hydrolytic stability, conductivity, and mechanical behavior of different proton exchange membranes in phosphate buffer solution. The results indicate that membrane stability can be adjusted by altering casting solvent or procedures, and NafionTM membranes exhibit different behavior compared to SPEEK membranes.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Teng-Gen Hu, Yu-Xiao Zou, Er-Na Li, Sen-Tai Liao, Hong Wu, Peng Wen
Summary: The enzymatic hydrolysis of mulberry leaf polysaccharide (MLP) resulted in an increase in carbonyl, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups, as well as improved thixotropic performance, antioxidant activity, and promotion of beneficial bacteria growth and acid production. However, it also led to a decrease in molecular weight and thermal stability.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Florencia Orrico, Ana C. Lopez, Daniela Saliwonczyk, Cecilia Acosta, Ismael Rodriguez-Grecco, Isabelle Mouro-Chanteloup, Mariano A. Ostuni, Ana Denicola, Leonor Thomson, Matias N. Moller
Summary: Hydrogen peroxide plays an important role in vascular biology, but its permeation mechanism in human red blood cells is not well understood. This study found that hydrogen peroxide does not enter red blood cells through aquaporins, but rather through the lipid fraction or an unidentified membrane protein.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Dominika Kulig, Zaneta Krol-Kilinska, Lukasz Bobak, Barbara Zarowska, Andrzej Jarmoluk, Anna Zimoch-Korzycka
Summary: This study aimed to obtain chitooligosaccharides (COS) from chitosan (CH) with improved functional properties. Two different enzymes, commercial cellulase (CL) and the dedicated enzyme chitosanase (CS), were used for comparison. Results showed that the enzymes had different cleavage mechanisms. The fractions LMF and NF had improved solubility compared to HMF and CH samples, and LMF was sensitive to high temperatures. COS were a mixture of oligomers with different degrees of polymerisation. LMF had lower DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to HMF and NF.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Lenka Benesova, Jan Klouda, Eva Blahova, Karel Nesmerak, Pavel Kocovsky, Jana Nadvornikova, Petr Bartak, Jana Skopalova, Karolina Schwarzova-Peckova
Summary: A simple electrochemical method for quantifying cholesterol in dairy products was evaluated in this study. The method showed close agreement with GC-MS and outperformed HPLC-UV in terms of performance.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Susanne Naumann, Ute Schweiggert-Weisz, Anna Martin, Melanie Schuster, Peter Eisner
Summary: Extrusion technology was used to convert lupin kernel fibre rich in insoluble dietary fibre into soluble fibre, which has the most health benefits. The soluble dietary fibre content increased significantly, while water binding capacity increased and oil binding capacity decreased. Moisture content and barrel temperature were identified as key extrusion parameters influencing the physiochemical properties of the fibre.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lingge Sun, Qingzhi Wu, Xiaoying Mao
Summary: This study investigated the effects of protein oxidation on the structure and functional properties of walnut protein. The results showed that protein oxidation modified the structure of walnut protein and further affected its function.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu-Shiuan Cheng, Tianyi Zhang, Xiang Ma, Sarida Pratuangtham, Grace C. Zhang, Alexander A. Ondrus, Amirhossein Mafi, Brett Lomenick, Jeffrey J. Jones, Alison E. Ondrus
Summary: Oxysterols, hydroxylated cholesterol metabolites, have important roles in health and disease. The chemoproteomics probe for 20(S)-hydroxycholesterol identified specific interactions with proteins involved in immune response and cancer. 20(S)-OHC was found to be a highly selective ligand for the protein transmembrane protein 97, providing insights into its biological activity and potential therapeutic targets.
NATURE CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Tianzi Xia, Guangyan Liu, Junjie Wang, Shili Hou, Shifeng Hou
Summary: The synthesized MXene exhibited biocompatibility, excellent electronic conductivity, and good dispersion in aqueous phase. The Chit/ChOx/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposite was prepared and characterized using SEM, CV, EIS, and DPV. The biosensor for cholesterol detection showed a good linear relationship with low detection limit and high sensitivity, demonstrating practicality in real samples.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
I Sapna, A. Jayadeep
Summary: This study investigated the impact of Viscozyme and Fiberzyme at different concentrations on the release and bioactivities of nutraceuticals in red rice bran. The results showed that optimizing enzymatic processing can enhance the biological activity of red rice bran.
Article
Electrochemistry
Navaneeth Punnakkal, Jeethu Raveendran, Suneesh Punathil Vasu, Bipin G. Nair, T. G. Satheesh Babu
Summary: The electrochemical detection of cholesterol was carried out using pencil lead electrode in acetonitrile and acetone solution with lithium perchlorate. The PLE exhibited a wide linear detection range and high sensitivity, with high specificity to cholesterol in the presence of interfering biomolecules. Calibration plots for real samples showed a highly linear response in both serum and skin cholesterol samples.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuyan Wang, Mingxuan Kai, Yaou Duan, Zhidong Zhou, Ronnie H. Fang, Weiwei Gao, Liangfang Zhang
Summary: This study discovers that the enzymatic activity of cell-membrane-coated MOF nanoparticles (MOF NPs) can be significantly enhanced by reducing membrane cholesterol content. The researchers find that reducing cholesterol levels effectively enhances membrane permeability, which is likely responsible for the increased enzymatic activity. This finding provides a facile approach to tailor the enzymatic activity of cell-membrane-coated MOF NPs by simply tuning the membrane cholesterol level.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Papada Natsathaporn, Gordon Herwig, Stefanie Altenried, Qun Ren, Rene M. Rossi, Daniel Crespy, Fabian Itel
Summary: Reusable face masks are a cost-effective alternative to disposable and surgical face masks during pandemics. This study demonstrates the development of self-cleaning fibers by incorporating a photocatalyst onto silicone-based fibrous membranes. The functionalized fibers exhibit degradation of photo-sensitive dye, antibacterial properties, as well as good air permeability and filtration efficiency.
ADVANCED FIBER MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vesa M. Olkkonen, Elina Ikonen
Summary: This review summarizes the role of OSBP family members in facilitating cholesterol trafficking within the endocytic pathway, particularly at membrane contact sites within the cell. ORP1 isoforms have been shown to mediate cholesterol transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and late endosomes/lysosomes, while ORP2 plays a role in transferring cholesterol between late endosomes and recycling endosomes. These processes involve lipid exchange and contribute to regulating cellular signaling pathways.
JOURNAL OF STEROID BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Yoann Combot, Veijo T. Salo, Gilliane Chadeuf, Maarit Holtta, Katharina Ven, Ilari Pulli, Simon Ducheix, Claire Pecqueur, Ophelie Renoult, Behnam Lak, Shiqian Li, Leena Karhinen, Ilya Belevich, Cedric Le May, Jennifer Rieusset, Soazig Le Lay, Mikael Croyal, Karim Si Tayeb, Helena Vihinen, Eija Jokitalo, Kid Tornquist, Corinne Vigouroux, Bertrand Cariou, Jocelyne Magre, Abdelhalim Larhlimi, Elina Ikonen, Xavier Prieur
Summary: Deficiency of seipin, an ER protein, leads to mitochondrial abnormalities and dysfunctions in adipose tissue. Seipin controls mitochondrial energy metabolism by regulating mitochondrial calcium influx at ER-mitochondria contact sites (MAMs). Reduced ATP production in seipin-deficient adipose tissue contributes to the development of lipodystrophy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maeve Long, Alvaro Sanchez-Martinez, Marianna Longo, Fumi Suomi, Hans Stenlund, Annika Johansson, Homa Ehsan, Veijo T. Salo, Lambert Montava-Garriga, Seyedehshima Naddafi, Elina Ikonen, Ian G. Ganley, Alexander J. Whitworth, Thomas G. McWilliams
Summary: Mitophagy removes defective mitochondria through lysosomal elimination. Iron depletion triggers lipid metabolism remodeling and lipid droplets bordering mitochondria. Inhibiting DGAT1 restricts mitophagy and leads to cell death.
Article
Biophysics
Xinxin Woodward, Matti Javanainen, Balazs Fabian, Christopher Kelly
Summary: Through single-molecule localization microscopy and computational simulations, we observed the diffusion and sorting of single lipids in model membranes. We found that curvature induces sorting and faster diffusion of lipids, which are critical for membrane functionality.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Larisa Chernyaeva, Giorgio Ratti, Laura Teirila, Satoshi Fudo, Uni Rankka, Anssi Pelkonen, Paula Korhonen, Katarzyna Leskinen, Salla Keskitalo, Kari Salokas, Christina Gkolfinopoulou, Katrina E. Crompton, Matti Javanainen, Lotta Happonen, Markku Varjosalo, Tarja Malm, Ville Leinonen, Angeliki Chroni, Paivi Saavalainen, Seppo Meri, Tommi Kajander, Adam J. M. Wollman, Eija Nissila, Karita Haapasalo
Summary: By studying the interaction between apoE4 and FH, it was found that this interaction affects the neurotoxicity and clearance of A beta 1-42, which is related to AD pathogenesis. ApoE and FH reduce the binding of A beta 1-42 to CR3 and the subsequent phagocytosis by microglia, leading to changes in gene expression related to AD. FH forms complement-resistant oligomers with apoE/A beta 1-42 complexes, and the formation of these complexes is isoform specific, with apoE2 and apoE3 having higher affinity to FH than apoE4. These complexes reduce A beta 1-42 oligomerization and toxicity, and colocalize with C1q on A beta plaques in the brain, providing important insights into AD pathogenesis and how the strongest genetic risk factor for AD predisposes to neuroinflammation in the early stages of the disease pathology.
Article
Cell Biology
Katariina Maaninka, Maarit Neuvonen, Erja Kerkela, Kati Hyvarinen, Mari Palviainen, Masood Kamali-Moghaddam, Antonio Federico, Dario Greco, Saara Laitinen, Katariina Oorni, Pia R. M. Siljander
Summary: Platelet extracellular vesicles (PEVs) generated upon platelet activation, particularly in the presence of oxLDL, contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by promoting inflammation and macrophage dysfunction. The combination of thrombin, collagen, and oxLDL induces the formation of PEVs that contain inflammatory proteins and alter macrophage gene expression. Scavenger receptor CD36 plays a significant role in oxLDL-induced PEV formation, while HDL has a slight suppressive effect. Pathways related to cell cycle, gene expression regulation, and immune system signaling are affected in macrophages treated with oxLDL-induced PEVs.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Arun K. Rathod, Dhruvil Chavda, Moutusi Manna
Summary: Using atomistic simulations, we observe the phase transition and coexistence of domains in a model membrane composed of thylakoid lipids of the commercially important red alga Gracilaria corticata between 10 and 40 degrees C. Our simulations reveal that the algal thylakoid membrane undergoes a transition from a gel-like phase at low temperatures to a liquid-crystalline phase at high temperatures. At intermediate temperatures, a stable ripple phase is formed, with distinct regions of gel-like and fluid-like domains. Cholesterol inhibits phase transition and domain formation in the membrane. This study improves our understanding of lipid properties and organization in thylakoid membranes in response to temperature variation.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Balazs Fabian, Ilpo Vattulainen, Matti Javanainen
Summary: The shear viscosity of lipid membranes is crucial for determining the rates of diffusion-limited reactions and the movement of lipids, proteins, and other membrane constituents. This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to extract the shear viscosities of lipid membranes under various conditions. The results demonstrate the significant effects of protein concentration, cholesterol concentration, and temperature on membrane viscosity.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL THEORY AND COMPUTATION
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Elina Ikonen, Vesa M. Olkkonen
Summary: Cholesterol is acquired by cells through synthesis in the ER and uptake from lipoproteins. It is distributed to various organelles through lipid-binding proteins at MCSs, and is also transported through vesicle/tubule-mediated transport. This review provides an overview of intracellular cholesterol trafficking pathways, as well as the diseases and therapeutic strategies associated with defects in these processes.
COLD SPRING HARBOR PERSPECTIVES IN BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Calvin Dumesnil, Lauri Vanharanta, Xavier Prasanna, Mohyeddine Omrane, Maxime Carpentier, Apoorva Bhapkar, Giray Enkavi, Veijo T. T. Salo, Ilpo Vattulainen, Elina Ikonen, Abdou Rachid Thiam
Summary: Cellular cholesterol can be metabolized into cholesteryl esters (CEs) and stored in lipid droplets (LDs). The formation of CE-rich LDs in cells is achieved through supercooled droplets and liquid-crystalline phases, which are influenced by the concentration of CEs and the presence of triacylglycerols (TGs).
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Minna Lehtisalo, E. Katriina Tarkiainen, Mikko Neuvonen, Mikko Holmberg, Johanna I. Kiiski, Outi Lapatto-Reiniluoto, Anne M. Filppula, Mika Kurkela, Janne T. Backman, Mikko Niemi
Summary: Ticagrelor increases the plasma concentration of rosuvastatin in humans, most likely by inhibiting intestinal BCRP. Therefore, concurrent use of ticagrelor and high doses of rosuvastatin should be avoided.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Denys Biriukov, Matti Javanainen
Summary: The routinely used periodic boundary conditions for molecular simulations of asymmetric lipid membranes and solvent environments are complicated. This study presents a method to efficiently model lipid membrane and solvent asymmetry using a single lipid bilayer and an inverted flat-bottom potential to restrain ions and solutes to only interact with the relevant leaflet. The method is validated and discussed in terms of limitations, computational efficiency, and a step-by-step guide for simulation setup.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL THEORY AND COMPUTATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Matti Javanainen, Peter Heftberger, Jesper J. Madsen, Markus S. Miettinen, Georg Pabst, O. H. Samuli Ollila
Summary: Cholesterol plays a critical role in biomembranes, affecting their structure and dynamics. Molecular dynamics simulations are important tools for studying these effects; however, different force fields yield different predictions. In this study, we systematically evaluated the performance of commonly used force fields in describing the structure and dynamics of binary mixtures of palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) and cholesterol, using quantitative quality measures.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL THEORY AND COMPUTATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Viola Nahse, Camilla Raiborg, Kia Wee Tan, Sissel Mork, Maria Lyngaas Torgersen, Eva Maria Wenzel, Mireia Nager, Veijo T. T. Salo, Terje Johansen, Elina Ikonen, Kay Oliver Schink, Harald Stenmark
Summary: DFCP1 is an ATPase located on omegasomes and plays a crucial role in selective autophagy by promoting the constriction of large omegasomes. It is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis by removing damaged organelles and protein aggregates.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sudeep Karki, Matti Javanainen, Shahid Rehan, Dale Tranter, Juho Kellosalo, Juha Huiskonen, Lotta Happonen, Ville Paavilainen
Summary: This study reveals the mechanism by which TRAP assists in polypeptide translocation by presenting the structure of the core Sec61/TRAP complex bound to a mammalian ribosome using cryo-EM.