Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Nan Zhang, Yueyang Liu, Xiaoyu Shi, Yuchen Zhang, Wenying Li, Yumeng Yang, Limin Chen, Yanxia Yin, Li Tong, Jingyu Yang, Jing Luo
Summary: This study determined the affinity between calcineurin and peptides using fluorescent labeling and two conserved motifs, showing that MST and FP assays are fast and accurate in determining protein-peptide interactions. Results laid the foundation for future screening of molecules affecting the binding between calcineurin and its substrates.
ANALYTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
P. Wang, F. Hecht, G. Ossato, S. Tille, S. E. Fraser, J. A. Junge
Summary: Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) with phasor analysis allows for easy visualization and analysis of fluorophores' lifetimes, but typically suffers from low photon budgets leading to poor signal to noise ratios. Traditional median filters used in phasor analysis degrade high spatial frequency FLIM information, especially edges and puncta. A new filtering strategy using complex wavelet filtering and Anscombe transform preserves fine structures and accurate lifetimes in photon starved FLIM imaging, outperforming median filters and enabling FLIM imaging with lower laser power and faster imaging speed.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xunlu Zhu, Guoxin Shen, Inosha Wijewardene, Yifan Cai, Nardana Esmaeili, Li Sun, Hong Zhang
Summary: Ethylene is a key plant hormone that regulates growth, development, and defense responses. The study demonstrates that PP2A-B'zeta positively regulates plant germination and seedling development, while also negatively regulating ethylene signaling pathway through interaction with CTR1. Further research is needed to fully understand the role of PP2A in ethylene responses.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel U. Campos-Delgado, Omar Gutierrez-Navarro, Ricardo Salinas-Martinez, Elvis Duran, Aldo R. Mejia-Rodriguez, Miguel J. Velazquez-Duran, Javier A. Jo
Summary: The deconvolution process is crucial for quantitative evaluation of FLIM samples, separating the FluoIRs of the sample from the InstR. Two BDE algorithms are introduced based on linear combinations of multi-exponential functions to model each FluoIR with assumed InstR structure. The local and global perspectives of the methodology show consistent convergence responses with least squares formulation and ALS methodology iteratively solving the estimation problems for FluoIRs and InstR.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert P. Sparks, William Lawless, Andres S. Arango, Emad Tajkhorshid, Rutilio A. Fratti
Summary: Determining the binding affinity of lipids to proteins is crucial for understanding protein-lipid interactions. Traditional methods like SPR and ITC have limitations, such as cost and time consumption. MST offers a fast and cost-effective alternative, using small amounts of sample to obtain binding curves.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Romain Magnez, Christian Bailly, Xavier Thuru
Summary: This review highlights the crucial roles of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) in life processes and their involvement in various human diseases. It introduces Microscale Thermophoresis (MST) as a rapid, robust, and efficient alternative method for detecting therapeutically pertinent proteins. The review summarizes selected case studies and discusses the benefits and limitations of MST in studying PPIs and identifying regulators.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Tanveer Ahmad, Waseem Ashraf, Abdulkhaleg Ibrahim, Liliyana Zaayter, Christian D. Muller, Ali Hamiche, Yves Mely, Christian Bronner, Marc Mousli
Summary: TIP60 plays a tumor suppressor role by regulating UHRF1 expression, decreasing levels of UHRF1 and DNMT1, disrupting the USP7-UHRF1 association, inducing the degradation of UHRF1 in an auto-ubiquitination-dependent manner, and activating the p73-mediated apoptotic pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pawel Mateusz Nowak, Michal Wozniakiewicz
Summary: This study is a proof-of-concept of using MicroScale thermophoresis (MST) for the analysis of acid-base dissociation and pK(a) constant determination. The results show that the obtained pK(a) values are consistent with reference methods, indicating the analytical potential and utility of MST technology. Future development of a new detection system for thermophoretic movement could further enhance its applications.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Rupsa Datta, Amani Gillette, Matthew Stefely, Melissa C. Skala
Summary: Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is a powerful molecular imaging technique that measures the decay rate of fluorophores to provide insights into molecular interactions. Major advances in FLIM instrumentation, analysis, and biological and clinical applications over the last year have contributed to the growing interest in FLIM and continuous technological improvements in biomedical research.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Adrian Monteleone, Folker Wenzel, Heinz Langhals, Daniel Dietrich
Summary: The FLIM method was tested for identification and characterization of six types of plastics, showing significant differentiation in 94.55% of the comparisons. Results suggest that FLIM has the potential for sub-micrometer plastic characterization and allows for visual 3D-sectioning of samples, which could be important for identifying and characterizing plastics in tissue and environmental samples.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah K. Wypysek, Silvia P. Centeno, Till Gronemann, Dominik Woell, Walter Richtering
Summary: Microgels with specific architectural and chemical design can selectively absorb and release small molecules, or protect their cargo from the environment. This study focuses on the synthesis and analysis of hollow anionic p(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-itaconic acid) microgels, as well as investigating their interactions with cytochrome c protein at different pH values. The results reveal that cytochrome c is mainly trapped within the microgel, with pH controlling its localization.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Sami El Deeb, Ahmed Al-Harrasi, Ajmal Khan, Mohammed Al-Broumi, Ghanim Al-Thani, Mohammed Alomairi, Parthasarathy Elumalai, Rania Adel Sayed, Adel Ehab Ibrahim
Summary: This review explores the usefulness of microscale thermophoresis in studying molecular and biomolecular affinity interactions, and provides an overview of its current state and recent developments in the field. It also describes the principle of microscale thermophoresis and discusses its advantages, drawbacks, and application in different fields.
METHODS AND APPLICATIONS IN FLUORESCENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nazar Oleksiievets, Christeena Mathew, Jan Christoph Thiele, Jose Ignacio Gallea, Oleksii Nevskyi, Ingo Gregor, Andre Weber, Roman Tsukanov, Joerg Enderlein
Summary: This study compares the performance of wide-field and confocal FL-SMLM techniques in different spectral regions and provides practical advice.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Mufarreh Asmari, Lenka Michalcova, Adel Ehab Ibrahim, Zdenek Glatz, Hermann Waetzig, Sami El Deeb
Summary: This review evaluates the applications of affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) and microscale thermophoresis (MST) techniques in studying molecular binding from 2016 to 2021. ACE has demonstrated high resolution efficiency for biomolecular characterization, with the potential for significant improvement compared to other analytical techniques. On the other hand, MST has shown higher sensitivity for smaller non-purified biosamples without compromising robustness and provides high throughput. The main motivation for this review is the ability of both techniques to carry out experiments without immobilizing one interacting partner, as well as the flexibility in buffering system usage. The review highlights the importance of these techniques in various areas of life sciences, and discusses recent advances in utilizing ACE and MST in other research interests.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dharshana Nalatamby, Florence Gibouin, Javier Ordonez-Hernandez, Julien Renaudeau, Geirald Clisson, Norberto Farfan, Pierre Lidon, Yaocihuatl Medina-Gonzalez
Summary: Viscosity plays a determinant role in various industrial fluid processes and is especially important at the micro- and nanoscale. This study focuses on the use of fluorescent molecular rotors to quantitatively measure viscosity in confined and complex microfluidic flows. The technique is validated in controlled situations and then applied to passive micromixers to characterize and quantify mixing efficiency. This methodology provides a new approach for viscosity characterization in heterogeneous and complex systems.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tobias Beer, Sebastian Haensch, Klaus Pfeffer, Sander H. J. Smits, Stefanie Weidtkamp-Peters, Lutz Schmitt
Summary: Secretion systems play a vital role in Gram-negative bacteria by allowing communication with the outside world. This study focused on the hemolysin A (HlyA) type I secretion system (T1SS) in Escherichia coli and analyzed its localization and clustering. The results showed that the amount of ToIC, a component of the T1SS, was not affected by overexpression of the HlyBD complex. Superresolution microscopy revealed that the HlyA T1SS did not exhibit polarization and the size of T1SS clusters did not correlate with outer membrane islands.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebecca C. Burkart, Vivien Strotmann, Gwendolyn K. Kirschner, Abdullah Akinci, Laura Czempik, Anika Dolata, Alexis Maizel, Stefanie Weidtkamp-Peters, Yvonne Stahl
Summary: Maintenance and homeostasis of the stem cell niche in Arabidopsis root is crucial for root cell growth and development. The key transcription factors WOX5 and PLTs play important roles in regulating the quiescent center and stem cell fate in the niche. WOX5 and PLTs coordinate their activities through transcriptional and protein interactions. Additionally, PLTs contain PrDs that are required for complex formation with WOX5 and its recruitment to NBs in the CSCs, suggesting the importance of phase separation for CSC fate determination.
Review
Plant Sciences
Vivien Strotmann, Yvonne Stahl
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of techniques used to measure protein-protein interactions in living plants, with a focus on in vivo imaging techniques. By comparing different methods and discussing their benefits and potential pitfalls, it facilitates the selection of appropriate techniques and gives a comprehensive overview of how to measure in vivo protein-protein interactions in plants.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jan Cox, Lea Marie Esser, Maximilian Juedt, Katharina Schmitz, Kaja Reiffert, Matthias Grimmler, Bjorn Stork, Sebastian Wesselborg, Christoph Peter
Summary: Protein-arginine methylation is a common posttranslational modification essential to cellular processes, with PRMT5 playing a central role in mammals. The study explores the specific interaction of NF90 with the PRMT5-WD45-RioK1 complex and reveals the symmetrical dimethylation of NF90 by PRMT5. Understanding PRMT5 function and its modulation by commercial inhibitors in cancer cells could provide insight into its role in cancer.
BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mohanraj Gopalswamy, Tobias Kroeger, David Bickel, Benedikt Frieg, Shahina Akter, Stephan Schott-Verdugo, Aldino Viegas, Thomas Pauly, Manuela Mayer, Julia Przibilla, Jens Reiners, Luitgard Nagel-Steger, Sander H. J. Smits, Georg Groth, Manuel Etzkorn, Holger Gohlke
Summary: This study characterized the interaction between the small-molecule compound 7.44 and the NHR2 domain of the oncogenic fusion protein RUNX1/ETO. The results showed that 7.44 interfered with the stability of NHR2 tetramer and increased the population of NHR2 dimer. The binding mechanism of 7.44 to NHR2 was elucidated through NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. It was also demonstrated that 7.44 had favorable physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological properties. Overall, this compound shows potential as a lead for targeted therapy of t(8;21) AML.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Marco Bauza-Thorbrugge, Elin Banke, Belen Chanclon, Eduard Peris, Yanling Wu, Saliha Musovic, Cecilia Jonsson, Peter Stralfors, Patrik Rorsman, Charlotta S. Olofsson, Ingrid Wernstedt Asterholm
Summary: This study found that SERCA2 expression is downregulated in adipocytes from obese and type-2 diabetes patients, and ablation of SERCA2 leads to disturbed calcium homeostasis, impaired hormone secretion, and abnormal glucose metabolism in adipocytes. Furthermore, adipocyte-specific SERCA2 knockout also affects glucose uptake in white and brown adipose tissue, which is associated with regulated mitochondrial function.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giusy Ferraro, Raffaella Belvedere, Antonello Petrella, Alessandra Tosco, Bjoern Stork, Stefano Salamone, Alberto Minassi, Federica Pollastro, Elva Morretta, Maria Chiara Monti
Summary: Artemetin interacts directly with filamins A and B in HeLa cells, leading to the disruption of the cell cytoskeleton and actin filaments, and ultimately blocking cell migration. This compound has potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jian Lu, Chi-Kuang Wen, Georg Groth
Summary: Recent technological advances have allowed us to study molecular processes in living cells with high resolution. This study focuses on membraneless intracellular condensates, which are reversible functional aggregates formed through phase separation. The research suggests the involvement of EIN2, a central activator of ethylene responses, in these cellular condensates and phase separation processes.
Article
Cell Biology
Fabian Stuhldreier, Laura Schmitt, Thomas Lenz, Ilka Hinxlage, Marcel Zimmermann, Philipp Wollnitzke, Julian Schliehe-Diecks, Yang Liu, Paul Jaeger, Stefanie Geyh, Nicole Teusch, Christoph Peter, Sanil Bhatia, Rainer Haas, Bodo Levkau, Andreas S. Reichert, Kai Stuehler, Peter Proksch, Bjoern Stork, Sebastian Wesselborg
Summary: Viriditoxin (VDT), derived from Cladosporium cladosporioides, shows promising potential as a candidate for leukemia and lymphoma treatment. It exhibits high cytotoxicity in leukemia and lymphoma cells, while having minimal impact on solid tumor cells. Furthermore, VDT does not affect hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, making it a potentially effective and safe therapeutic approach.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rebecca C. Burkart, Ali Eljebbawi, Yvonne Stahl
Summary: Plants, as sessile organisms, must adapt to changing environmental conditions. They respond to these constraints through gene regulation and the formation of biomolecular condensates called bodies. This article summarizes the current knowledge about body-forming transcriptional regulators and discusses their role in plant-environment interactions.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maryna Loewe, Sebastian Haensch, Eymen Hachani, Lutz Schmitt, Stefanie Weidtkamp-Peters, Alexej Kedrov
Summary: Biochemical processes in crowded cellular environments, such as membranes, are affected by macromolecular crowding. Researchers developed a fluorescence-based sensor to quantify macromolecular crowding at membrane interfaces, and validated its dynamics in Escherichia coli inner membrane vesicles.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lea Marie Esser, Katharina Schmitz, Frank Hillebrand, Steffen Erkelenz, Heiner Schaal, Matthias Grimmler, Sebastian Wesselborg, Christoph Peter
Summary: The spliceosome, consisting of UsnRNPs, plays a crucial role in the production of mature protein-coding transcripts of eukaryotic intron-containing genes. The assembly of UsnRNPs depends on the arginine methylation of Sm proteins by the PRMT5 complex and the phosphorylation of the PRMT5 subunit pICln by ULK1. However, the detailed mechanisms of phosphorylation-dependent integrity and UsnRNP assembly of the 6 S complex have not been fully analyzed yet.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anandi Kugele, Buket Uzun, Lena Mueller, Stephan Schott-Verdugo, Holger Gohlke, Georg Groth, Malte Drescher
Summary: The plant ethylene receptor ETR1 is crucial in perception and transmission of ethylene signals, especially in processes like ripening and abscission. However, the structural knowledge about its transmembrane sensor domain (TMD) is limited, leading to a combination of experimental and computational approaches to study and validate its structure.