Article
Chemistry, Physical
M. J. Uttinger, D. Jung, N. Dao, H. Canziani, C. Lubbert, N. Vogel, W. Peukert, J. Harting, J. Walter
Summary: Analytical centrifugation is a versatile technique for quantitative characterization of colloidal systems. Recent developments in data acquisition and evaluation enable accurate determination of particle properties and interactions. By combining experimental and simulation methods, the influence of hard-sphere type and electrostatic interactions on sedimentation properties can be quantified.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Olenka Jibaja Valderrama, Ivo Nischang
Summary: The field of analytical ultracentrifugation, which originated approximately a century ago, is focused on the major experimental opportunities for polymers, polymer-drug conjugates, polymer assemblies, and medical nanoparticles. Special focus is on molar mass estimates of polymeric species, self-assemblies in solution, and localization of multicomponent systems in solution, with attention to material-biofluid interactions. The current challenges and future research incentives are also highlighted.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Lena Eismann, Igor Fijalkowski, Carla Veronica Galmozzi, Jiri Koubek, Frank Tippmann, Petra Van Damme, Guenter Kramer
Summary: This study reveals the role of SecB chaperone protein in co-translational translocation, showing that SecB primarily interacts with inner membrane proteins (IMPs) and other nascent cytoplasmic and translocated proteins, regulated by the chaperone trigger factor. The findings suggest an important function of SecB in protein maturation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sefli Sri Wahyu Effendi, Shih- Tan, Wan-Wen Ting, I-Son Ng
Summary: The study found that co-expressing MlCA with protein partners effectively increased the solubility, activity, and turnover rate, while also affecting its stability in temperature, pH range, and presence of metal ions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tzu-Yi Tai, Fanrui Sha, Xiaoliang Wang, Xingjie Wang, Kaikai Ma, Kent O. Kirlikovali, Shengyi Su, Timur Islamoglu, Satoshi Kato, Omar K. Farha
Summary: This study presents the first systematic investigation on the thermodynamics of protein immobilization in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). It demonstrates that MOFs provide a hydrophobic stabilizing microenvironment for proteins, leading to an entropically driven encapsulation process. Among a series of Zr-MOFs, pyrene-based NU-1000 exhibits the most favorable encapsulation process for insulin.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pooja Meena, Nand Kishore
Summary: Gold nanoclusters have useful photophysical properties and are commonly used as fluorescent labels in biomedical applications. The study demonstrates the potential of PCGNCs to interact with antibiotic drugs and DNA, showing promise for drug delivery applications. Results indicate that PCGNCs have improved binding to drugs compared to binding to proteins alone, further exhibiting strong interactions with DNA after drug binding.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patrycja Ambroziak, Iga Rzepka, Joanna Skorko-Glonek
Summary: SecA, a key component of the Sec system, is responsible for transferring preproteins across the cytoplasmic membrane in two major steps, involving binding with partners and utilizing the SecYEG channel for translocation. The structure and function of SecA in these translocation steps, as well as the potential strategy of targeting SecA with inhibitory compounds against pathogenic bacteria, are discussed in this review.
ACTA BIOCHIMICA POLONICA
(2021)
Article
Biology
Tohru Minamino, Miki Kinoshita, Yusuke V. Morimoto, Keiichi Namba
Summary: The bacterial flagellar protein export machinery consists of an export gate complex and ATPase complex, which utilize H+-driven and Na+-driven engines to export flagellar proteins. The FlgN chaperone can activate the Na+-driven engine when the ATPase complex is non-functional, suggesting a backup mechanism to maintain flagellar function. This proposed mechanism helps to explain how bacteria can construct flagella under conditions of restricted proton motive force.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jean Nyoung Yun, Junseock Koh
Summary: Understanding the molecular mechanisms of multi-domain proteins and intrinsically disordered proteins undergoing liquid-liquid phase separation to form membraneless organelles or protein condensates is crucial. However, the regulatory functions of these condensates are still unclear due to limited knowledge about their assembly driving forces. In this study, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is proposed as an efficient analytical tool to explore the thermodynamic parameters of cooperative condensate formations. Systematic simulations demonstrate that the initial heat analysis can quantitatively dissect protein condensates with a broad range of thermodynamic properties. This provides an opportunity to investigate the molecular driving forces of liquid-liquid phase separation by scrutinizing the thermodynamic quantities as functions of solution variables.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose L. Neira, Bruno Rizzuti, David Ortega-Alarcon, A. Marcela Giudici, Olga Abian, Maria Esther Farez-Vidal, Adrian Velazquez-Campoy
Summary: The interaction between SAMp73 and ARM-PKP1 may have potential therapeutic relevance in tumour pathways involving PKP1, especially in conditions where p53 is potentially inactivated.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENERAL SUBJECTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Svyatoslav Nastyshyn, Ognen Pop-Georgievski, Yuriy Stetsyshyn, Andrzej Budkowski, Joanna Raczkowska, Martin Hruby, Volodymyr Lobaz
Summary: The mechanism of protein adsorption on tailored surfaces was studied using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The researchers found that the composition of the polymer brushes and temperature influenced the adsorption strength, and that hydrophobic interactions dominated the adsorption of proteins from blood plasma.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jinwoo Kim, Dabin Ahn, Chin-Ju Park
Summary: Cellular senescence is protective against external oncogenic stress, but its accumulation causes aging-related diseases. This study reveals that the interaction between FOXO4 and p53, as well as the binding sites involved, play a crucial role in regulating cellular senescence. The findings provide important molecular-level structural information for understanding the interplay of these two proteins responsible for cellular senescence.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Lichuang Cao, Zhenyu Wang, Dequan Zhang, Xin Li, Chengli Hou, Chi Ren
Summary: The study reveals that the phosphorylation status of myosin regulatory light chain plays a crucial role in regulating actomyosin dissociation, by reducing kinetic and total energy, stabilizing structure, and facilitating interaction between myosin and actin.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patricia Santofimia-Castano, Bruno Rizzuti, Angel L. Pey, Maria Esther Farez-Vidal, Juan L. Iovanna, Jose L. Neira
Summary: Plakophilin 1 (PKP1) and NUPR1 were found to interact in the nucleus of cells, potentially playing a role in carcinogenesis through modulation of PKP1 function. The binding affinity between PKP1 and NUPR1 was determined to be in the low micromolar range, involving specific typtophan residues of PKP1.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Katerina Radilova, Vaclav Zima, Michal Kral, Ales Machara, Pavel Majer, Jan Hodek, Jan Weber, Jiri Brynda, Timotej Strmen, Jan Konvalinka, Milan Kozisek
Summary: This study identified a modified peptide that interacts with the polymerase subunit PA of influenza virus and optimized its amino acid hotspots to enhance inhibitory potency and peptide solubility. The X-ray structure of the peptide-PA complex provided insights into their interaction. Improved inhibition in cell-based assays was achieved by optimizing intracellular delivery of the peptide using a bicyclic strategy.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2022)