Article
Cell Biology
Filomena Broeskamp, Elizabeth S. M. Edrich, Oskar Knittelfelder, Lisa Neuhaus, Thorsten Meyer, Jonas Heyden, Lukas Habernig, Florian Kreppel, Campbell W. Gourlay, Patrick Rockenfeller
Summary: This study investigated the impact of mitochondrial outer membrane protein Por1 on yeast autophagy, showing that POR1 deficiency reduces autophagic capacity and alters organelle and lipid homeostasis. It was found that the reduced autophagy caused by POR1 deficiency could be circumvented by overexpression of Psd1, suggesting a role for Por1 in Psd1-mediated autophagy regulation.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Tibor G. Szanto, Adam Feher, Eva Korpos, Adrienn Gyongyosi, Judit Kallai, Beata Meszaros, Krisztian Ovari, Arpad Lanyi, Gyorgy Panyi, Zoltan Varga
Summary: 5-chloro-2-guanidinobenzimidazole (ClGBI) is a small-molecule guanidine derivative that is an effective inhibitor of the voltage-gated proton (H+) channel (H(V)1) and is widely used in ion channel research and functional biological assays. However, the selectivity of ClGBI on ion channels has not been comprehensively studied using electrophysiological methods. Our research shows that ClGBI inhibits lymphocyte proliferation by targeting the K(V)1.3 channel and it also inhibits other off-target channels. Based on our findings, ClGBI is considered a non-selective hH(V)1 inhibitor, requiring caution in interpreting the role of these channels in physiological responses.
Article
Neurosciences
Dina V. Popovkina, Anitha Pasupathy
Summary: The study finds that task engagement can modulate the neuronal tuning of primate visual cortical area V4, with different stimuli leading to different response changes. This suggests that selectivity can be influenced by cognitive factors and vary under active task contexts.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Tatiana A. Tarasenko, Ekaterina S. Klimenko, Vladislav Tarasenko, Milana Koulintchenko, Andre Dietrich, Frederique Weber-Lotfi, Yuri M. Konstantinov
Summary: Mitochondria can import RNA and DNA fragments through distinct channels, which may be activated based on the size of the DNA substrate. Analysis of knockout lines in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed different VDAC isoforms' involvement in alternative channel formation. Several outer and inner membrane proteins are proposed as partners of VDAC in these pathways.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Kentaro Watanabe, Tatsukichi Watanabe, Shunsuke Kimura, Hidekazu Ikezaki, Kiyoshi Toko
Summary: This study investigates the characteristics of lipid polymer membranes and sensors in solutions with different anions. The results show that the size and hydration energy of the ions affect the positive charge and membrane potential. Different lipid compositions of the sensors result in different ion selectivity. Furthermore, the lipid concentration also influences the ion selectivity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wen-Long Huang, Xu-Dong Wang, Yu-Fei Ao, Qi-Qiang Wang, De-Xian Wang
Summary: Based on the structure and function of natural ClC selectivity filter, a ClC-type single channel molecule with high ion transport activity and excellent Cl-/K+ selectivity was designed. It exhibited a permeability ratio of P Cl /PKthorn up to 12.31, comparable to natural ClC proteins, and showed high anion/anion selectivity and pH-dependent conductance and ion selectivity. The ClC-like transport behavior was achieved through hydrogen bonding, anion-pi interactions, and pH-responsive terminal phenylalanine residues in the central macrocyclic skeleton.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paul Linsdell, Christina L. Irving, Elizabeth A. Cowley, Yassine El Hiani
Summary: Positively charged amino acid side-chains are important for anion binding and permeation through the CFTR chloride channel. The lysine residue K95 and arginine residue R134 within the pore play crucial roles in anion binding and conductance properties. Despite the importance of specific positive charges, it is the overall number of charges rather than their exact locations that control pore function.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Qing Zhu, Yahua Liu, Peipei Zuo, Yu Dong, Zhengjin Yang, Tongwen Xu
Summary: Researchers have developed a sodium selective isoporous membrane derived from lyotropic liquid crystals, which exhibits excellent Na+ selectivity and ion transport properties. This highly selective membrane could play a crucial role in high precision separation and the design of new generation ion selective membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huarui Cui, Anand Divakaran, Anil K. Pandey, Jorden A. Johnson, Huda Zahid, Zachariah J. Hoell, Mikael O. Ellingson, Ke Shi, Hideki Aihara, Daniel A. Harki, William C. K. Pomerantz
Summary: The study developed selective BET D1 inhibitors with higher selectivity for BRD4 D1, but BRD4 D1 inhibition may not be sufficient to stop Myc expression and could even lead to its upregulation. Future analysis of BRD4 D1 gene regulation may shed light on the differential functions of BET bromodomains.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nara L. Chon, Adam W. Duster, Baris Aydintug, Hai Lin
Summary: The study reported the anion pathways in the prototypical CLCF antiporter from Enterococci casseliflavus and proposed a mechanism to explain the unexpected reversal in the F--over-Cl- selectivity in mutants.
CHEMICAL PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
M. Zafari, T. Kikhavani, S. N. Ashrafizadeh
Summary: In this study, the selectivity of an anion exchange membrane for formate anions was improved in electrodialysis by carrying out a hybrid surface modification. The modified membrane showed a decrease in water content and an increase in selectivity towards formate ions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Shi-Nan Wei, Hao Zhang, Yan Lu, Hui-Jie Yu, Tao Ma, Si-Nian Wang, Kun Yang, Mou-Li Tian, Ai-Hua Huang, Wei Wang, Feng-Sheng Li, Yong-Wang Li
Summary: This study confirmed that sleep deprivation before and after surgery increases the risk of chronic pain and explored the role of microglial VDAC1 signaling in this process.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lin Yuan, Peng Jiang, Jingliang Hu, Huan Zeng, Yanping Huo, Zhongyan Li, Huaqiang Zeng
Summary: This study reports a novel monopeptide-based transporter system that utilizes chalcogen bonds to efficiently transport anions and exhibits high selectivity towards perchlorate anions. The monopeptide molecules associate with each other via H-bonds to form a 1D stack, aligning the terminal bicyclic thiophene motifs in the same direction. The well-aligned thiophenes create a sulfur-rich transmembrane pathway for anions to cross the membrane through chalcogen bonds.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lei Jin, Chang Sun, Zhongyan Li, Jie Shen, Huaqiang Zeng
Summary: By modifying compounds containing a phenylalanine moiety to form amide compounds at both ends, and adding a 15-crown-5 unit and an alkyl chain, a potassium-selective channel with a record-high K+/Na+ selectivity of 20.1 was obtained by simply adjusting the length of the alkyl chain.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jordane Preto, Hubert Gorny, Isabelle Krimm
Summary: In this study, we used accelerated molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the closed states of VDAC1. Our results suggest that the low-conducting states of VDAC1 are primarily caused by the positioning of an unfolded part of the N-terminus, rather than a displacement of the voltage sensor or a significant change in the pore. Our findings are consistent with experimental evidence and support the idea that entropy plays a key role in VDAC gating.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Physics, Multidisciplinary
C. Guardiani, F. Cecconi, L. Chiodo, G. Cottone, P. Malgaretti, L. Maragliano, M. L. Barabash, G. Camisasca, M. Ceccarelli, B. Corry, R. Roth, A. Giacomello, B. Roux
Summary: Ion channels act as gates on cellular membranes to ensure selective ion transport, serving as the molecular mechanism for basic biological functions like nerve signal transmission and muscle contraction. Recent computational research on ion channels reviews theoretical advances, simulation approaches, and modeling techniques, including applications to understand permeation, selectivity, and gating mechanisms in biological and model channels.
ADVANCES IN PHYSICS-X
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gian Marco Tuveri, Matteo Ceccarelli, Alessandro Pira, Igor Bodrenko
Summary: This study investigated the diffusion mechanism of three cyclic boronate molecules through the OmpF porin structure and found that they share a similar diffusion mechanism with beta-lactam molecules and diazobicyclooctan derivatives. Additionally, the cyclic boronate molecules do not encounter any particular difficulties when diffusing through enterobacter porins, making them a promising scaffold in the research of new anti-infectives targeting Gram-negative bacteria.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paola Foti, Stefano Conti-Nibali, Cinzia L. Randazzo, Simona Reina, Flora V. Romeo, Cinzia Caggia, Vito De Pinto
Summary: Olive mill wastewater, a by-product of the olive oil industry, contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity. This study used two strategies, membrane filtration and resin extraction, to concentrate the bioactive components. The concentrates exhibited physico-chemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial effects, and an impact on mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion selective channel 1. The results showed that both valorization techniques provided phenolic concentrates with useful properties for various applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Magri, Salvatore Antonio Maria Cubisino, Giuseppe Battiato, Cristiana Lucia Rita Lipari, Stefano Conti Nibali, Miriam Wissam Saab, Alessandra Pittala, Angela Maria Amorini, Vito De Pinto, Angela Messina
Summary: Voltage-Dependent Anion-selective Channel isoform 1 (VDAC1) is the most abundant isoform of outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) porins and has various functions, including regulating apoptosis. Despite its lack of direct involvement in mitochondrial respiration, deletion of VDAC1 significantly impacts cell metabolism. In this study, VDAC1 knockout in human cell line HAP1 led to impaired oxygen consumption and reorganization of electron transport chain enzymes, indicating the key role of VDAC1 in regulating mitochondrial metabolism.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hanna Kmita, Angela Anna Messina, Vito De Pinto
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Andrea Magri, Cristiana Lucia Rita Lipari, Pierpaolo Risiglione, Stefania Zimbone, Francesca Guarino, Antonella Caccamo, Angela Messina
Summary: Mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired mitophagy contribute to the onset of ALS. We found that reduced mitochondrial respiration, driven by complex I and II inhibition, is correlated with ALS motor symptoms. Additionally, we observed increased levels of TSPO and decreased expression of Atg12, suggesting impairments in mitophagy activation.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Igor Bodrenko, Alessandra Satta, Claudia Caddeo, Giacomo Cozzolino, Stefan Milenkovic, Matteo Ceccarelli, Alessandro Mattoni
Summary: The possibility of using fullerenes as containers for toxic beryllium atoms is explored through a multi-scale approach combining first-principles calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. It is concluded that Be endohedral complexes can be obtained by implanting Be atoms at energies >2.3 eV, suggesting the potential use of laser implantation technologies. Optical absorption can be used as a non-destructive technique to distinguish stable endohedral complexes from metastable exohedral ones. The results also indicate the long-term thermodynamic stability and confinement ability of Be-endohedral complexes in both vacuum and aqueous solution, highlighting their potential applications in nanotechnology and nanomedicine.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Paola Carta, Mariano Andrea Scorciapino
Summary: Mesoporous silica-based materials are widely used in various fields as sorbents and supports. MCM-41 with ordered pore architecture and no interconnections is considered as a model system. The presence of silanol groups on the surface enables direct interaction with target species or incorporation of additional functional groups. Silanol arrangement plays a crucial role in material performance, affecting both chemisorption and physisorption. This study employs computer models to investigate the adsorption capacity and selectivity of bare mesostructured silica, highlighting the impact of silanol surface density and pore curvature on adsorption behavior.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Xena Giada Pappalardo, Pierpaolo Risiglione, Federica Zinghirino, Angela Ostuni, Daniela Luciano, Faustino Bisaccia, Vito De Pinto, Francesca Guarino, Angela Messina
Summary: This study found that pseudogenes of human VDAC genes are transcribed in specific tissues and pathological contexts. Experimental data confirmed the association of the VDAC1P8 pseudogene with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its downregulation of the parental VDAC1 gene.
BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Stefan Milenkovic, Jiajun Wang, Silvia Acosta-Gutierrez, Mathias Winterhalter, Matteo Ceccarelli, Igor V. Bodrenko
Summary: Transmembrane beta-barrel proteins are versatile candidates for various technological applications and their behavior is influenced by environmental conditions. Comparing two highly homologous porins, OmpF and OmpC, we observed subtle amino acid substitutions that can modulate mass transport properties. These differences can be attributed to the disparities in the environmental conditions under which the porins are expressed. Our analysis not only highlights the advantages of enhanced sampling methods, but also provides valuable insights into the biological function and technical applications of these proteins.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Igor Bodrenko, Matteo Ceccarelli, Silvia Acosta-Gutierrez
Summary: General porins are crucial sieving mechanisms in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, with a unique structure that protects the cell while allowing selective entry of molecules. By exploiting electrostatic interactions, the permeability of porins can be finely tuned, enabling control over the transport of molecules.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Igor Bodrenko, Matteo Ceccarelli, Silvia Acosta-Gutierrez
Summary: This study presents a theoretical framework for analyzing the filter of general porins in bacterial outer membranes. The researchers demonstrate that permeability can be finely tuned by exploiting electrostatic interactions between the pore and the translocating molecule. This research contributes to understanding the transport mechanism of general porins in bacterial outer membranes.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Alessandra Garau, Giacomo Picci, Andrea Bencini, Claudia Caltagirone, Luca Conti, Vito Lippolis, Paola Paoli, Giammarco Maria Romano, Patrizia Rossi, Mariano Andrea Scorciapino
Summary: This study describes the binding abilities of Zn(II) complexes of [12]aneN(4)-(L1) and [9]aneN(3)-based receptors (L2, L3) towards the herbicides and their metabolites. The results show that the L2/Zn(II) system exhibits strong coordination ability and high binding affinity for H(3)PMG.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)