Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Clinton K. Lau, Francis J. O'Reilly, Balaji Santhanam, Samuel E. Lacey, Juri Rappsilber, Andrew P. Carter
Summary: Dynactin is a complex that activates dynein for ultra-processive transport along microtubules. Its structure, formed by an actin-related filament, is defined by a flexible shoulder domain. By combining multiple cryo-EM datasets and precise masking strategies, the research overcame domain flexibility and obtained high-resolution maps of the Dynactin structure. The unique architecture of the shoulder securely positions subunits and reveals the molecular basis for cargo adaptor binding at the pointed end.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bojian Ding, Heidy Y. Narvaez-Ortiz, Yuvraj Singh, Glen M. Hocky, Saikat Chowdhury, Brad J. Nolen
Summary: Arp2/3 complex nucleates branched actin filaments and provides pushing forces for cellular processes. This study reveals the contacts between Arp2/3 complex and the mother actin filament, suggesting that actin filaments stimulate subunit flattening for complex activation. However, limited contact between the bottom half of the complex and the mother filament may explain why actin filaments are required but insufficient to trigger nucleation during WASP-mediated activation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Aram Yoon, Antonia Herzog, Philipp Grosse, Daan Hein Alsem, See Wee Chee, Beatriz Roldan Cuenya
Summary: The development of microfabricated liquid cells allows for dynamic imaging of nanostructures in a liquid environment using electron microscopy. A new electrochemical liquid cell SEM platform has been described, demonstrating imaging of copper oxide nanoparticles in solution. The contrast inversion observed in transmitted electron images at liquid layer thicknesses of several hundred nanometers can be used to determine the presence of liquid in the cell.
MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lili Lin, Ibrahim Tijjani, Hengyuan Guo, Qiuli An, Jiaying Cao, Xiaomin Chen, Wende Liu, Zonghua Wang, Justice Norvienyeku
Summary: The study identified the essential role of cytoplasmic dynein 1 intermediate-chain 2 gene (MoDYNC1I2) in the development and pathogenesis of M. oryzae. Deletion of MoDYNC1I2 resulted in growth defects, abolished conidiation, and loss of pathogenicity. The protein was found to localize to microtubules during fungal development and co-localize with the histone protein OsHis1 in the plant nucleus upon infection.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Paul Y. Kim, Yige Gao, Zachary Fink, Alexander E. Ribbe, David A. Hoagland, Thomas P. Russell
Summary: In this study, the structural reorganizations and jamming/unjamming processes of Gibbs monolayers of nanoparticles were observed in real time using in-situ scanning electron microscopy. The findings provide important mechanistic insights into the solidification of nanoparticles under mechanical stress.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vladimir Pimonov, Huy-Nam Tran, Leonard Monniello, Said Tahir, Thierry Michel, Renaud Podor, Michael Odorico, Christophe Bichara, Vincent Jourdain
Summary: In carbon nanotube growth, approximately half of them grow at a constant rate, while the other half exhibit stochastic changes in growth rates or switches between different states. Statistical analysis reveals that the growth rate of a given nanotube essentially varies between two values, regardless of whether the rate change is accompanied by a change in chirality.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meirong Li, Lan Ling
Summary: Visualizing liquid structures and processes at the nanoscale is crucial for understanding environmental research. LP-S/TEM is becoming an increasingly indispensable tool for visualizing dynamic environmental processes.
Review
Physics, Applied
Yuchen Zhu, Haofei Zhao, Yang He, Rongming Wang
Summary: In-situ TEM technology allows researchers to directly conduct experiments in the TEM by introducing various stimuli into the sample chamber, profoundly impacting materials science and engineering.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hugo Wioland, Antoine Jegou, Guillaume Romet-Lemonne
Summary: This article summarizes the experimental method of using optical microscopy to observe individual events on individual actin filaments in real time, and discusses its application in understanding actin assembly dynamics. The article also proposes a set of guidelines in order to better utilize this experimental tool.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Enrica Cappellozza, Serena Zanzoni, Manuela Malatesta, Laura Calderan
Summary: In vitro models are important for the development of transcutaneous drugs, but synthetic membranes or cell cultures cannot fully mimic the properties of the cutaneous barrier. Maintaining explanted skin samples in a fluid dynamic environment significantly improves the preservation of their structural and functional characteristics, providing a reliable system for testing novel therapeutic agents.
MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Curt M. Pueschel
Summary: This study used light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to investigate the relatively understudied process of red algal vegetative cell fusion. The findings revealed that cell fusions in the coralline alga Neopolyporolithon reclinatum were widespread and involved the integration of cells both horizontally and vertically through oblique fusions. The fusion process remodeled the thallus, converting filaments of uninucleate cells into a highly integrated anatomy composed of multinucleate syncytia connected by a shared cytoskeletal network.
Article
Neurosciences
Andreas Hentschel, Nancy Meyer, Nicolai Kohlschmidt, Claudia Gross, Albert Sickmann, Ulrike Schara-Schmidt, Fabian Foerster, Ana Topf, Jon Christiansen, Rita Horvath, Matthias Vorgerd, Rachel Thompson, Kiran Polaparapu, Hanns Lochmuller, Corinna Preusse, Luis Hannappel, Anne Schaenzer, Anika Grueneboom, Andrea Gangfuss, Andreas Roos
Summary: PPP1R21 is a co-factor for PP1 and its mutation leads to a neurodevelopmental disorder with hypotonia, facial dysmorphism, and brain abnormalities. Impaired vesicular transport and activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system were identified as the pathomechanisms. Proteomic analysis revealed dysregulation of proteins related to cellular stress burden and neurological functions in PPP1R21-mutant fibroblasts, which may contribute to the milder phenotype observed in some patients.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jinyeon Kim, Jong Wook Lim, Joon Kon Kim, Do Hyang Kim, Eun Soo Park, Hye Jung Chang
Summary: Using a precession electron diffraction technique, we investigated the irradiation-induced recrystallization and polygonization in a CrFeCoNiCu high-entropy alloy. The results show that the irradiation dose and material entropy have significant effects on recrystallization, with discontinuous dynamic recrystallization preferentially occurring near the surface.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huanyu Ye, Feng Yang, Yinghui Sun, Rongming Wang
Summary: This study visually recorded the complete evolution process of solid-phase chloroplatinic acid during the electron beam irradiation triggered reduction and nucleation of platinum nanocrystals using aberration-corrected environmental transmission electron microscopy. The research found that there is a critical size of approximately 2.0 nm, representing the start of crystallization, during the formation of nanocrystals.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daichi Takahashi, Ikuko Fujiwara, Yuya Sasajima, Akihiro Narita, Katsumi Imada, Makoto Miyata
Summary: MreB is a bacterial protein involved in cell wall synthesis and cell shape determination. This study investigates the structure and dynamics of MreB homologs in Spiroplasma eriocheiris. The results reveal different polymerization behaviors and the importance of a specific amino acid motif in the hydrolysis of ATP.
Article
Cell Biology
Silvia Galderisi, Vittoria Cicaloni, Maria S. Milella, Lia Millucci, Michela Geminiani, Laura Salvini, Laura Tinti, Cristina Tinti, Otilia V. Vieira, Liliana S. Alves, Alvaro H. Crevenna, Ottavia Spiga, Annalisa Santucci
Summary: Alkaptonuria is an ultra-rare disease caused by homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase enzyme deficiency, leading to homogentisic acid accumulation in connective tissues. The alteration in AKU cartilage structure is attributed to the degeneration of the cytoskeletal network in chondrocytes caused by HGA accumulation. Analysis revealed changes in the amount and distribution of three cytoskeletal proteins in AKU chondrocyte model.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stephanie Schumacher, Roberto Vazquez Nunez, Christian Biertumpfel, Naoko Mizuno
Summary: Focal adhesions are large macromolecular assemblies essential for cellular events like migration, polarization, and cancer formation. Hundreds of cellular players gather at FA sites in response to external stimuli, forming a complex network during cell migration. The intricate FA network formation complicates the understanding of individual molecular actions in cellular experiments.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas Litschel, Charlotte F. Kelley, Danielle Holz, Maral Adeli Koudehi, Sven Kenjiro Vogel, Laura Burbaum, Naoko Mizuno, Dimitrios Vavylonis, Petra Schwille
Summary: Researchers have successfully studied bundled actin filaments in Giant Unilamellar Vesicles using advanced encapsulation methods and compared the results with theoretical modeling. By changing key parameters, they were able to simulate actin polymerization to resemble various types of networks in living cells.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stephanie Schumacher, Dirk Dedden, Roberto Vazquez Nunez, Kyoko Matoba, Junichi Takagi, Christian Biertuempfel, Naoko Mizuno
Summary: The interaction mechanism between Integrin alpha(5)beta(1) and fibronectin was studied, revealing significant conformational changes upon complex formation. Additionally, the resting state of the integrin adopts an incompletely bent conformation, challenging the existing model.
Review
Cell Biology
Satish Bodakuntla, Hana Nedozralova, Nirakar Basnet, Naoko Mizuno
Summary: Axon branching is a critical process for neural network formation, requiring a local system to dynamically control and regulate axonal growth. Regulation of axon branching involves coordination of cellular functions such as cytoskeleton and membrane remodeling.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Maria Hoyer, Alvaro H. Crevenna, Jose Rafael Cabral Correia, Andrea G. Quezada, Don C. Lamb
Summary: This study used zero-mode waveguides to directly observe the dynamic nucleation process of actin filaments mediated by gelsolin. The stability of actin dimers determines whether elongation occurs and a conformational change in actin associated with filament formation can prevent elongation.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Anna Onnis, Alvaro H. Crevenna
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas Litschel, Charlotte F. Kelley, Danielle Holz, Maral Adeli Koudehi, Sven K. Vogel, Laura Burbaum, Naoko Mizuno, Dimitrios Vavylonis, Petra Schwille
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Hoyer, Alvaro H. Crevenna, Radoslaw Kitel, Kherim Willems, Miroslawa Czub, Grzegorz Dubin, Pol Van Dorpe, Tad A. Holak, Don C. Lamb
Summary: Protein assembly is crucial for cellular function and has been studied using various experimental methods. This study compared different analysis approaches for single-filament data and applied them to investigate the assembly of actin at the single-molecule level in the presence of specific nucleators.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Viviana Triaca, Elena Fico, Pamela Rosso, Massimo Ralli, Alessandro Corsi, Cinzia Severini, Alvaro Crevenna, Enzo Agostinelli, Emma Rullo, Mara Riminucci, Andrea Colizza, Antonella Polimeni, Antonio Greco, Paola Tirassa
Summary: Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LSCC) is a type of head and neck cancer with high mortality and new diagnosis rates. A study found that p75NTR, a receptor for neurotrophins, is highly expressed in LSCC and may be a promising therapeutic target. Preliminary investigation suggests that p75ICD expression in LSCC may be a feature of tumorigenesis and metastasis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
G. Torromino, V Loffredo, D. Cavezza, G. Sonsini, F. Esposito, A. H. Crevenna, M. Gioffre, M. De Risi, A. Treves, M. Griguoli, E. De Leonibus
Summary: Incidental memory is influenced by retention delay and memory load. This study reveals that female and male mice process high memory load differently, leading to resistance to distraction and memory decay, respectively. The dorsal hippocampus and ventral midline thalamus play important roles in incidental memory, and manipulating the activation of these regions can affect memory differences between sexes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Trisha Gura, Amparo Acker-Palmer, Alex Kolodkin, Rob Meijers, Naoko Mizuno, Elena Seiradake, Marc Tessier-Lavigne
Summary: The Molecular Neurobiology Workshop in Crete brought together an interdisciplinary group of scientists to share data and explore the assembly of the nervous system in response to stimuli.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher Cyrus Kuhn, Nirakar Basnet, Satish Bodakuntla, Pelayo Alvarez-Brecht, Scott Nichols, Antonio Martinez-Sanchez, Lorenzo Agostini, Young-Min Soh, Junichi Takagi, Christian Biertuempfel, Naoko Mizuno
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S protein) interacts with host-cell receptors and activates platelets, potentially contributing to the pathogenesis and coagulopathies in COVID-19. The study demonstrates the direct interaction between S protein and platelets, leading to their irreversible activation and the formation of filopodia. The weak interactions between S protein and integrin receptor in platelets are hypothesized to be the cause of stochastic platelet activation and severe coagulopathies.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
Thomas Litschel, Charlotte F. Kelley, Danielle Holz, Naoko Mizuno, Dimitrios Vavylonis, Petra Schwille
EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL WITH BIOPHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
Kira Bartnik, Anders Barth, Mauricio Pilo-Pais, Alvaro H. Crevenna, Tim Liedl, Don C. Lamb
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2020)