Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Akkaranunt Supakijsilp, Jing He, Xubo Lin, Jian Ye
Summary: This study investigates the interaction between nanoparticles and the pulmonary surfactant monolayer, focusing on the effects of nanoparticle elasticity on translocation across the monolayer. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that increasing stiffness enhances the penetrability of nanoparticles, while soft nanoparticles remain trapped within the monolayer. Active cellular uptake pathways exhibit longer penetration times, greater penetration distances, and more contacts compared to passive pathways, due to ligand-receptor interactions.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pei Huang, Hongzhang Deng, Changrong Wang, Yongfeng Zhou, Xiaoyuan Chen
Summary: Messenger RNA (mRNA)-based therapy is a powerful, safe, and rapidly scalable therapeutic approach. In this review, therapeutic applications of mRNA are introduced, common types of mRNA cargos and delivery systems are summarized, and strategies to enhance nanotechnology-mediated mRNA delivery efficiency during the cellular trafficking process are highlighted.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Koushik Debnath, Suman Pal, Nikhil R. Jana
Summary: Nanoparticles play a significant role in biomedical applications, where their ability to enter cells, target subcellular compartments, and control intracellular processes depends on appropriate design of size and surface chemistry. There have been great advancements in understanding the principles of cellular uptake of foreign materials, with size-dependent endocytotic uptake being a key factor in nanoparticle interaction with cells.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mai Itagaki, Yoshinori Nasu, Chiaki Sugiyama, Ikuhiko Nakase, Noriyasu Kamei
Summary: The study developed a method to evaluate cellular endocytosis through three main pathways. It was found that common endocytosis inhibitors had no specific inhibitory effect or were cytotoxic. The researchers successfully established alternative methods using RNA interference and rottlerin to specifically analyze clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis, respectively. The proposed methods were validated using biological molecules and carriers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ying Tan, Mengyi Xiong, Qin Liu, Yao Yin, Xia Yin, Shiyi Liao, Youjuan Wang, Ling Hu, Xiao-Bing Zhang
Summary: In this study, DNA-decorated semiconductor polymer nanoparticles (SPN-DNAs) are proposed for the first time, which significantly alleviate the adhesivity to cells by controlling the density and thickness of DNA layers. This property is independent of external conditions and the mechanism behind this phenomenon is discussed. Based on minimized nonspecific adhesivity to cells, a triggered nanoswitch can be constructed to control cellular internalization and drug delivery.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ruyin Chen, Xingqun Pu, Rongrong Liu, Xiaomeng Dai, Fangfu Ye, Chunxia Zhao, Peng Zhao, Jian Ruan, Dong Chen
Summary: Unique-shaped polylactic acid/shellac dimer nanoparticles were designed and prepared as drug carriers to enhance cellular uptake and anti-tumor performance. Snowman-like dimer nanoparticles loaded with drugs exhibited the highest cellular uptake and best cell-killing ability in comparison to traditional spherical nanoparticles and dumbbell-like dimer nanoparticles. This study provides a versatile platform for tuning nanoparticle shape and developing innovative drug nanocarriers with great promise to enhance cellular uptake and therapeutic efficacy.
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Yun Hao Feng, Bo Zhi Chen, Wen Min Fei, Yong Cui, Can Yang Zhang, Xin Dong Guo
Summary: Nanomaterial drug delivery systems are crucial in targeted therapy, with the interaction between nanoparticles and cell membranes being an important consideration. Computer simulations can be applied to visualize nanoparticle internalization within cells, especially given the challenges of experimental methods. Understanding the positive and negative effects of various nanoparticle properties can help researchers optimize nanoparticle structures for improved therapeutic efficiency.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ankan Kumar Sarkar, Koushik Debnath, Himali Arora, Pankaj Seth, Nihar R. Jana, Nikhil R. Jana
Summary: The direct cytosolic delivery of large biomolecules bypassing endocytic pathways is a promising strategy for therapeutic applications. Recent research has shown that surface chemistry of carriers, nanoscale assembly, colloidal stability, and low surface charge are critical for non-endocytic uptake processes. The guanidinium-terminated polyaspartic acid micelle can deliver protein/DNA directly to the cytosol by forming a nano-assembly with <200 nm size and near-zero surface charge, highlighting the importance of size and colloidal properties for efficient cytosolic delivery of large biomolecules.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Michael J. Munson, Gwen O'Driscoll, Andreia M. Silva, Elisa Lazaro-Ibanez, Audrey Gallud, John T. Wilson, Anna Collen, Elin K. Esbjorner, Alan Sabirsh
Summary: RNA-based therapies hold great promise for treating challenging human diseases, but their effectiveness is hindered by issues such as cellular delivery and endosomal escape. A high-throughput imaging-based assay has been developed to probe correlations between nanoparticle-mediated uptake, endosomal escape frequency, and mRNA translation, facilitating optimization of lipid nanoparticle formulations for specific applications.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
A. Jakhmola, S. Krishnan, V. Onesto, F. Gentile, M. Profeta, A. Manikas, E. Battista, R. Vecchione, P. A. Netti
Summary: This study developed a simple method for preparing gold nanoparticles with multimodal properties. The nanoparticles were synthesized using trisodium citrate as a reducing, stabilizing, and shape-modulating agent at room temperature. The resulting gold nanoparticles had diverse shapes, good monodispersity, high surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity, and a wide absorption range. The optical properties and growth characteristics of the nanoparticles were investigated experimentally and numerically. In vitro studies demonstrated the biocompatibility of the nanoparticles with cells.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Nishta Krishnan, Fei-Xing Peng, Animesh Mohapatra, Ronnie H. Fang, Liangfang Zhang
Summary: In recent years, researchers have increasingly explored nanoparticles derived from cellular membranes for disease prevention and treatment. These biomimetic nanoparticles, with their flexible design and effective interaction with the surrounding environment, can outperform traditional synthetic nanoparticles. Genetic manipulation has proven to be a robust and flexible method to generate nanoformulations with augmented functionalities. This review provides an overview of genetic engineering approaches to express novel surface proteins and discusses the various biomedical applications of genetically modified cellular nanoparticles.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alexandros Marios Sofias, Francis Combes, Steffen Koschmieder, Gert Storm, Twan Lammers
Summary: The key is to rebalance the immune system by targeting, attracting, and modulating cancer-related immune cells, and rational design and application of nanomedicines can help achieve this. This not only benefits cancer therapy but also holds potential for treating other diseases.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yuna Nakagawa, Jan Vincent V. Arafiles, Yoshimasa Kawaguchi, Ikuhiko Nakase, Hisaaki Hirose, Shiroh Futaki
Summary: This study modified peptides to induce macropinocytosis in the presence of serum, improving the intracellular delivery efficiency of biofunctional macromolecules and nanoparticles.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Gang Yu, Liu Xian, Haiyan Zhuang, Alberto P. Macho
Summary: The research indicates that SGT1 does not play a significant role in bacterial PAMP-triggered immunity, and is not limiting for early PRR-dependent responses or antibacterial immunity.
MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haibo Chen, Xuewei Dong, Luping Ou, Chiyun Ma, Bing Yuan, Kai Yang
Summary: In this study, the interaction between irradiated nanoparticles (NPs) and lipid bilayer membranes was investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed that the wrapping of membranes around NPs is thermally regulated and dependent on NP properties and lipid species. These findings offer valuable insights for understanding cellular internalization of NPs and developing strategies to modulate NP endocytosis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Christopher T. Jackson, Jeffrey W. Wang, Eduardo Gonzalez-Grandio, Natalie S. Goh, Jaewan Mun, Sejal Krishnan, Markita P. Landry, Florian Ludwig Geyer, Harald Keller, Sophia Ebert, Kian Molawi, Nadine Kaiser
Summary: This study aims to optimize DNA loading on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by developing mechanisms and evaluating polymer-SWNT constructs in a library. It also investigates the hydrolysis of polymers from nanomaterial surfaces depending on their properties and attachment chemistries, proposing mitigation strategies against construct degradation. Additionally, it assesses the stress response of plants to polymer-based nanomaterials and offers recommendations for future design of nanomaterial-based polynucleotide delivery strategies, reflecting the increasing interest in delivery applications in plant systems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicholas Ouassil, Rebecca L. Pinals, Jackson Travis Del Bonis-O'Donnell, Jeffrey W. Wang, Markita P. Landry
Summary: Engineered nanoparticles have advantages for biotechnology applications, but testing their compatibility and function in biological systems requires a heuristic approach. A random forest classifier was developed to identify proteins that adsorb to nanoparticles based solely on the protein sequence, and the relationship between protein features and binding capacity was studied. Experimental validation was performed to evaluate the predictive power of the classifier.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Jihyun Park, Gozde S. Demirer, Lily S. Cheung
Summary: Synthetic biology tool kits combined with -omics techniques can provide new insights into plant growth and development while improving our understanding of systems.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Antonio Del Rio Flores, David W. Kastner, Yongle Du, Maanasa Narayanamoorthy, Yuanbo Shen, Wenlong Cai, Vyshnavi Vennelakanti, Nicholas A. Zill, Luisa B. Dell, Rui Zhai, Heather J. Kulik, Wenjun Zhang
Summary: The isonitrile moiety, a functional group with rich electron density, is commonly found in bioactive natural products. Previous research focused on isonitrile synthases, enzymes that catalyze the condensation reaction between L-Trp/L-Tyr and ribulose-5-phosphate. However, a new pathway mediated by ScoE enzyme for isonitrile installation has been discovered. This study combines in vitro biochemistry, chemical synthesis, spectroscopy techniques, and computational simulations to propose a plausible mechanism for isonitrile formation by ScoE.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonio Del Rio Flores, Maanasa Narayanamoorthy, Wenlong Cai, Rui Zhai, Siyue Yang, Yuanbo Shen, Kaushik Seshadri, Kyle De Matias, Zhaoqiang Xue, Wenjun Zhang
Summary: The biosynthesis of Isonitrile lipopeptides (INLPs) in pathogenic Mycobacterium and environmental Streptomyces is primarily similar, with differences mainly lying in the fatty-acyl chain length. Our detailed study on the dioxygenase Rv0097 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis shows that it recognizes a standalone small molecule substrate, contrary to the previous hypothesis of requiring a carrier protein. A key residue in Rv0097 further dictates the different fatty-acyl chain length specificity between Streptomyces and Mycobacterium.
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mark Legendre, Gozde S. Demirer
Summary: Food security is at risk due to global population growth and climate change. The majority of our dietary needs rely on a limited number of crops that are challenging to enhance. Lowe et al. have introduced a plant transformation approach that allows crop genetic engineering, which could potentially contribute to achieving greater food security in the future.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yunqing Wang, Gozde S. Demirer
Summary: The development of plant synthetic biology is of great significance and can overcome current challenges to unleash the full potential of engineered plants.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kaimin Jia, Jiayu Wang, Rui Zhai, Yongle Du, Jenna Kira, Chuanhai Wu, Pei-Yuan Qian, Wenjun Zhang
Summary: In this study, the prodrug mechanism of Didemnin B was elucidated, confirming the importance of DidA in biosynthesis and identifying a new esterase DidK from the Abi family that is involved in the maturation process of Didemnin B. Furthermore, bioinformatic analysis revealed the presence of multiple similar proteins that may participate in the biosynthesis of natural products.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Minghao W. Rostami, Brittany E. Bannish, Kelsey Gasior, Rebecca L. Pinals, Calina Copos, Adriana T. Dawes
Summary: In this study, the microscale mechanisms that produce different branched actin network structures were investigated using an iterative classification approach. A machine learning framework was established to classify actin networks based on measurable network density and geometry. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the formation mechanisms of actin networks.
JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Jeffrey W. Wang, Henry J. Squire, Natalie S. Goh, Heyuan Michael Ni, Edward Lien, Cerise Wong, Eduardo Gonzalez-Grandio, Markita P. Landry
Summary: This study presents a GFP complementation-based red/green ratiometric sensor called Delivered Complementation in Planta (DCIP) for evaluating the efficiency of peptide-mediated protein delivery in plants. Using a fluorescence complementation assay, the researchers demonstrated the cytosolic delivery of peptides and recombinant proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana mediated by cell-penetrating peptides. The DCIP sensor enables quantitative measurement of protein delivery efficiency and functional screening of cell-penetrating peptides for in-planta protein delivery.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sam W. van Es, Aitor Munoz-Gasca, Francisco J. Romero-Campero, Eduardo Gonzalez-Grandio, Pedro de los Reyes, Carlos Tarancon, Aalt D. J. van Dijk, Wilma van Esse, Alberto Pascual-Garcia, Gerco C. Angenent, Richard G. H. Immink, Pilar Cubas
Summary: The study investigates the regulatory network of the transcription factor BRC1 in controlling shoot branching and promoting bud dormancy in Arabidopsis. The researchers constructed the BRC1 gene regulatory network by integrating multi-omics data and validated the role of a group of transcription factors in modulating the network and promoting bud dormancy.