Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Di Wu, Yong Hou, Zhiqin Chu, Qiang Wei, Wei Hong, Yuan Lin
Summary: Cells rely on receptor-ligand binding to connect and communicate with the external environment. Understanding the interaction between receptors and ligands is crucial for comprehending cellular biology. Recent evidence suggests that the mobility of ligands at the cell-ECM interface affects cell adhesion and spreading, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. This modeling investigation reveals a biphasic relationship between adhesion and ligand diffusivity, with peak spreading observed at intermediate ligand mobility. The aggregation of ligands and the kinetics of bond association/dissociation play a role in determining this peak position.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
Lingyan Zhang, Yingting Wu, Xingling Luo, Tianjiang Jia, Kexin Li, Lihong Zhou, Zhen Mao, Peili Huang
Summary: Quantum dots (QDs) have gained attention for their biomedical and electronic applications, with their interaction with coagulation-related proteins possibly disrupting the balance of coagulation and fibrinolysis. The binding of QDs to proteins like PTM, PLG, and FIB can alter their conformation and interfere with hemostasis processes, indicating the importance of understanding these interactions for evaluating the biological effects of QDs.
PARTICLE AND FIBRE TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jimmie Mitchell, Jeffrey J. Weimer
Summary: By using a controlled spreading rate, researchers were able to create Langmuir films of nanoparticles with more uniform, macroscale packing. Different compositions of water and glycerol led to various spreading rates and consequently different packing arrangements of the films.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuanyuan Mi, Yingchun Niu, Huiqin Ni, Yida Zhang, Lulu Wang, Yinping Liu, Melvin A. Ramos, Travis Shihao Hu, Quan Xu
Summary: A reversible dry adhesive surface has been developed, which reduces adhesion by inducing thermal expansion of the polydimethylsiloxane micropillar arrays. This work demonstrates a new strategy for realizing remote control of smart adhesives or surfaces, with potential applications in various fields.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yang Wang, Jingwen Ai, Xiaolin Nie, Zhuquan Li, Xin Xia, Tanveer Hussain, Qingqing Wang, Qufu Wei
Summary: This study focuses on porphyrin-based metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and their application in photodynamic inactivation. By encapsulating carbon quantum dots (CQDs) into the MOFs, the photodynamic activity is enhanced through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The CQDs@PCN-224 material is embedded into bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibrous membranes using a biosynthetic approach, which prevents material leakage and enhances antibacterial efficiency.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Di Wu, Kenneth M. Yamada, Shaohe Wang
Summary: Multicellular organisms generate diverse tissues through interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix. Cells make decisions based on chemical and mechanical information from their environment, which in turn modifies the tissue morphology.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nan Li, Yan Jiang, Lei Gao, Zhongzhou Yi, Yunlong He, Fengrui Zhai, Kinnor Chattopadhyay
Summary: FeOOH quantum dots (QDs) are emerging as a promising material for the photodegradation of organic pollutants and the removal of dyes from aqueous solution. In this study, a one-pot microemulsion method was successfully developed to efficiently fabricate FeOOH QDs within 30 min. The FeOOH QDs exhibited a high BET surface area and a maximum adsorption capacity for methyl orange (MO), following the Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption performance of FeOOH QDs was found to be better in acidic solution and they showed good stability and reusability.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yan-Fei Li, Rui Jiao, Xiao-Yan Shen, Yi-Han Song, Lei Ding, Guo-Duo Yang, Changlu Shao, Xing-Long Wu, Jing-Ping Zhang, Ming-Xiao Deng, Shao-Lei Wang, Hai-Zhu Sun
Summary: In this study, a new mechanism for the growth of spherical Zn metal anode was proposed using graphene quantum dots (GQDs) through electroplating process. The GQDs formed strong adsorption energy with Zn2+, leading to the nucleation of Zn around the GQDs and ultimately resulting in the homogeneous composite Zn spheres. This work provides a new approach to overcome the drawbacks of traditional hexagon shape Zn and is significant for the practical application of aqueous zinc batteries.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Supritam Dutta, Pragnesh Dave, Kaushik Nath
Summary: Forward osmosis (FO) is a membrane-based separation process that has attracted attention as both a stand-alone system and in combination with other membrane processes. However, its commercial applications are limited due to challenges such as low flux, concentration polarization, energy-intensive draw, and solute recovery. Carbon Quantum dots (CQDs) have shown promise in improving FO performance, but the issue of reverse solute flux remains a concern. The use of CQDs, both in pristine and functionalized forms, shows potential as valuable draw solutes for FO processes.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guodong Zhao, Yao Kou, Nan Song, Xiaohe Wei, Xiaoyong Zhai, Pengfei Feng, Feng Wang, Chun-Hua Yan, Yu Tang
Summary: The spoilage and forgery of perishable products such as food, drugs, and vaccines cause serious health hazards and economic loss every year. Developing highly efficient and convenient time-temperature indicators (TTIs) to realize quality monitoring and anticounterfeiting simultaneously is urgent but remains a challenge. In this work, a colorimetric fluorescent TTI based on CsPbBr3@SiO2 nanoparticles with tunable quenching kinetics is developed. The TTIs show an irreversible dynamic change in fluorescent colors from green to red upon increasing temperature and time, and a locking encryption system with multiple logics is also realized by combining TTIs with different kinetics.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Di Wang, Ying Zhang, Zhuang Cai, Shijie You, Yubo Sun, Ying Dai, Rongyue Wang, Siliang Shao, Jinlong Zou
Summary: This study presents a method to prepare a high chlorine-resistant FO membrane by incorporating N-CQDs into TFC membranes. The membrane exhibits excellent permeability and low salt flux ratio due to enhanced surface hydrophilicity and shortened permeable paths. The superior salt rejection is attributed to the presence of abundant N-H bonds in N-CQDs, which reduces PA layer corrosion and maintains stable structure during chlorination.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Donald F. Ready, Henry C. Chang
Summary: Drosophila compound eye morphogenesis involves sequential assembly and activation of a supramolecular tensile network. This network is formed by the emergence of a new laminin-rich basement membrane, deposition of collagen at fenestrae by interommatidial cells, assembly of stress fibers in the endfeet of interommatidial cells, and contraction of these stress fibers to fold the pliable basement membrane into a hexagonal grid. This process applies essential morphogenetic tension to the rapidly growing rhabdomeres and governs retinal morphogenesis in Drosophila.
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Yagmur Goren, Yasar K. Recepoglu, Vahid Vatanpour, Yeojoon Yoon, Alireza Khataee
Summary: Increased environmental pollution is a critical issue that requires attention. Photocatalytic, adsorption, and membrane filtration methods using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) quantum dots (QDs) show promise in wastewater treatment due to their efficiency, selectivity, low cost, and environmentally friendly nature. This review discusses the synthesis techniques, operating parameters, modification effects, practical applications, and potential of g-C3N4 QDs for the removal of contaminants in wastewater, providing a foundation for future research.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zugui Peng, Kenta Shimba, Yoshitaka Miyamoto, Tohru Yagi
Summary: This study investigated the effect of plasma treatment on self-spreading lipid bilayer formation on PDMS surfaces with different treatment times. The results showed that increasing plasma treatment time accelerates the front-edge velocity of lipid bilayers, and changes in the topography of the PDMS surface due to plasma treatment affect the growth of membrane lobes on the underlying bilayer. It suggests that the growth of self-spreading lipid bilayers can be controlled by adjusting the plasma treatment time.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Janett Goehring, Florian Kellner, Lukas Schrangl, Rene Platzer, Enrico Klotzsch, Hannes Stockinger, Johannes B. Huppa, Gerhard J. Schuetz
Summary: This study introduces a FRET-based sensor that directly measures the magnitude and kinetics of forces imposed by TCR at the single molecule level. Results showed that when T cells were confronted with gel-phase SLBs, there was a single force peak of around 5pN prior and upon activation, with force loading rates around 1.5pN per second on the TCR; while facing fluid-phase SLBs, T cells exerted tensile forces prior to activation but not afterwards, although of reduced magnitude compared to gel-phase SLBs.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
James Carthew, Hazem H. Abdelmaksoud, Karla J. Cowley, Margeaux Hodgson-Garms, Roey Elnathan, Joachim P. Spatz, Juergen Brugger, Helmut Thissen, Kaylene J. Simpson, Nicolas H. Voelcker, Jessica E. Frith, Victor J. Cadarso
Summary: The novel technology developed allows for direct imprint of micro- and nanoscaled topographical features onto the base of conventional cell cultureware, making it compatible with standard biological techniques and methods of analysis. High-throughput screening across five distinct cell types interrogated the effects of 12 surface topographies, demonstrating unique cell specific responses to behavior and cell morphological characteristics. This technology provides new insights into how surface topographies can regulate key image descriptors to drive cell fate determination in various fields in the life sciences.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Dimitris Missirlis, Miguel Banos, Felix Lussier, Joachim P. Spatz
Summary: In this study, a micropatterning strategy was proposed to introduce small molecules and ligands on patterns of arbitrary shapes on the surface of poly(acrylamide)-based hydrogels. The advantages of this approach include easy use, no need for prefabricated photomasks, the use of mild UV light and biocompatible bioconjugation chemistries, and the ability to pattern low-molecular-weight ligands. Cell patterning experiments demonstrated the response of cells to the combination of pattern shape and substrate elasticity.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Christoph A. Spiegel, Maximilian Hackner, Viktoria P. Bothe, Joachim P. Spatz, Eva Blasco
Summary: This paper presents a novel and versatile shape memory ink system that enables 4D printing at both the macroscale and microscale using light. The authors selected digital light processing (DLP) and direct laser writing (DLW) as suitable 3D printing technologies and developed a compatible ink system. They demonstrated the shape memory effect for various complex structures printed using DLP and showed remarkable shape memory properties for microstructures printed using DLW.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Oskar Staufer, Kapil Gupta, Jochen Estebano Hernandez Buecher, Fabian Kohler, Christian Sigl, Gunjita Singh, Kate Vasileiou, Ana Yague Relimpio, Meline Macher, Sebastian Fabritz, Hendrik Dietz, Elisabetta Ada Cavalcanti Adam, Christiane Schaffitzel, Alessia Ruggieri, Ilia Platzman, Imre Berger, Joachim P. Spatz
Summary: This study investigates the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding to fatty acids using synthetic minimal virions. The study reveals that the fatty acid binding pocket of the spike protein can act as an allosteric regulator, allowing the virus to adapt its immunogenicity in response to inflammation. The study also demonstrates that certain FDA-approved drugs can modulate cell binding of the spike protein in a similar manner to the fatty acid binding pocket. The findings provide insights into how SARS-CoV-2 dynamically interacts with the host immune response.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Felix Lussier, Martin Schroeter, Nicolas J. Diercks, Kevin Jahnke, Cornelia Weber, Christoph Frey, Ilia Platzman, Joachim P. Spatz
Summary: This study introduces a method that uses pH as a trigger to self-assemble droplet-stabilized GUVs, which improves the production efficiency of GUVs and allows for the generation of compartmentalized GUVs with flexibility and robustness.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Joseph Ackermann, Philippe J. R. Cohen, Kevin Alessandri, Andrea Leonard, Pierre Nassoy, Jean-Francois Joanny, Martine Ben Amar
Summary: The study shows that human induced pluripotent stem cells can self-organize into cyst-like structures using an encapsulation microfluidic device. This finding may offer new strategies for optimizing the production of medical grade hiPSCs.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yixuan Jia, Christoph A. Spiegel, Alexander Welle, Stefan Heissler, Elaheh Sedghamiz, Modan Liu, Wolfgang Wenzel, Maximilian Hackner, Joachim P. Spatz, Manuel Tsotsalas, Eva Blasco
Summary: This article presents a method for manufacturing programmable materials using alkoxyamines for printing. By investigating different reaction processes, the mechanical properties of the material can be adjusted, and the size of the structure can be changed through polymerization reactions.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kimi Azad, Delphine Guilligay, Cecile Boscheron, Sourav Maity, Nicola De Franceschi, Guidenn Sulbaran, Gregory Effantin, Haiyan Wang, Jean-Philippe Kleman, Patricia Bassereau, Guy Schoehn, Wouter H. Roos, Ambroise Desfosses, Winfried Weissenhorn
Summary: This study presents cryo-EM structures of membrane-coated CHMP2A-CHMP3 filaments from Homo sapiens, which reveal helical filaments assembled by CHMP2A-CHMP3 heterodimers in the open ESCRT-III conformation. Inter-filament interactions are electrostatic, facilitating filament sliding upon VPS4-mediated polymer remodeling. Fluorescence microscopy and high-speed atomic force microscopy imaging confirm that VPS4 can constrict and cleave CHMP2A-CHMP3 membrane tubes. It is concluded that CHMP2A-CHMP3-VPS4 act as a minimal membrane fission machinery.
NATURE STRUCTURAL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Fania Geiger, Tim Wendlandt, Tim Berking, Joachim P. Spatz, Christina Wege
Summary: A simple enzyme-mediated strategy enables site-specific covalent coupling of genetically tagged luciferase molecules to TMV-CoA, both in solution and on solid supports. The use of TMV-CoA for fishing ybbR-tagged proteins from complex mixtures could provide new opportunities for versatile equipment of miniaturized devices with biologically active proteins. The enzymes displayed on the protein coat of TMV nanocarriers exhibited high activity.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Andreas Fink, Charlotte R. Doll, Ana Yague Relimpio, Yannik Dreher, Joachim P. Spatz, Kerstin Goepfrich, Elisabetta Ada Cavalcanti-Adam
Summary: Spontaneous and induced front-rear polarization of cells is crucial for cell migration in various physiological and pathological conditions. The balance between adhesion and cytoskeleton-driven protrusion and retraction is important for adherent cell migration. A minimal model system using synthetic cells resembling giant unilamellar lipid vesicles (GUVs) was created to study the relationship between cytoskeleton organization and cell front-rear polarization. Micropatterned surfaces induced asymmetric deformation and alignment of actin filaments in adherent GUVs depending on their shape and size. This bottom-up approach lays the foundation for further understanding the mechanisms of cell migration.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Sadaf Pashapour, Senne Seneca, Martin Schroeter, Friedrich Frischknecht, Ilia Platzman, Joachim Spatz
Summary: This study developed protein-based microcapsules derived from the extracellular matrix (ECM) to investigate the interactions between ECM components and pathogens and study disease infectivity. The microcapsules were created by using water-in-oil emulsion droplets as templates, allowing for the charge-mediated attraction of ECM proteins to the inner periphery of the droplets. The released ECM-based protein microcapsules containing E. coli showed differences in the behavior of E. coli depending on the surrounding ECM protein matrix.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Sophie L. Preuss, Stephanie Oehrl, Hao Zhang, Thomas Doebel, Ulrike Engel, Jennifer L. Young, Joachim P. Spatz, Knut Schaekel
Summary: Formation and deposition of immune complexes (ICs) is a characteristic feature of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we demonstrated that ICs induce a specific migratory response, haptokinesis, in non-classical monocytes (ncMo) and in a specific subset of monocytes known as 6-sulfo LacNAc(+) monocytes (slanMo), but not in other monocyte subsets. CD16-dependent signaling and the activity of the metalloproteinase ADAM17 were found to mediate this migratory response.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Reinhard Lipowsky, Shreya Pramanik, Amelie S. Benk, Miroslaw Tarnawski, Joachim P. Spatz, Rumiana Dimova
Summary: Artificial or synthetic organelles are a challenge in bottom-up synthetic biology. Synthetic organelles are typically based on spherical membrane compartments for spatially confining chemical reactions. However, cellular organelles, like the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), have more complex architectures. The morphology of ER, including its straight appearance and nanoscopic shapes, as well as the formation and maintenance of its reticular networks, are closely related to the dimerization of membrane proteins and the generation of membrane tension.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana Yagu''e Relimpio, Andreas Fink, Duc Thien Bui, Sebastian Fabritz, Martin Schro''ter, Alessia Ruggieri, Ilia Platzman, Joachim P. Spatz
Summary: This study uses bottom-up assembled synthetic SARS-CoV-2 viruses to investigate the binding properties of the Omicron and Alpha variants. The results reveal a significantly higher affinity of Omicron S towards the lipid membrane and ACE2 receptor.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. Michael Henderson, Nina Ljubojevic, Sevan Belian, Thibault Chaze, Daryl Castaneda, Aude Battistella, Quentin Giai Gianetto, Mariette Matondo, Stephanie Descroix, Patricia Bassereau, Chiara Zurzolo
Summary: Tunnelling nanotubes (TNTs) are specialized actin-based protrusions that bridge distant cells to facilitate direct intercellular communication and cargo transfer in both physiological and pathological contexts. Linear actin filament elongation induced by Eps8 and IRSp53 is shown to promote functional and stable TNT formation. A micropatterning approach shows that TNTs originate via actin polymerization rather than cell dislodgement and exceed the length of conventional filopodia. Inhibition of Arp2/3 activity promotes functional TNT formation due to enhanced actin filament polymerization and elongation, suggesting a shift from branched to linear actin. An interaction between Eps8 and the I-BAR domain protein IRSp53 promotes formation of functional TNTs with an increased lifetime. Arp2/3 inhibition leads to reduction of Eps8 interactions with proteins facilitating actin filament depolymerization and turnover. Inhibition of branched actin networks reveals the role of linear actin filament polymerization in the formation of functional tunnelling nanotubes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Philipp Grad, Katarina Edwards, Lars Gedda, Victor Agmo Hernandez
Summary: This study investigates the effects of polyethylene glycol-(PEG) modified lipids and gangliosides on the Ca2+ induced interaction between liposomes composed of palmitoyl-oleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE) and palmitoyl-oleoyl phosphatidylserine (POPS) at physiological ionic strength. The results show that naked liposomes tend to adhere, rupture, and collapse on each other's surfaces upon addition of Ca2+, eventually resulting in the formation of large multilamellar aggregates and bilayer sheets. However, the presence of gangliosides or PEGylated lipids leads to the formation of small, long-lived bilayer fragments/disks. PEGylated lipids seem to be more effective than gangliosides at stabilizing these structures. The study suggests that direct liposome-liposome fusion is not the dominating process triggered by Ca2+ in the systems studied.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saurabh Saraswat, Archana Chugh
Summary: Cell penetrating peptides (CPP) are important tools for intracellular delivery of molecules. In this study, a novel marine-derived CPP from Engraulis japonicus, called Engraulisin, was reported. Engraulisin demonstrated successful cellular uptake and selective antimicrobial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), making it a potential candidate for drug delivery.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emanuela Efodili, Ashlynn Knight, Maryem Mirza, Cedric Briones, Il-Hyung Lee
Summary: This study demonstrates the spontaneous transfer of small membrane-bound peptides between a supported lipid bilayer and giant unilamellar vesicles in vitro. The transfer occurs through the formation of hemi-fusion stalks and is limited to small peptides due to the highly curved structure of the stalk. This system provides a synthetic platform for studying peptide trafficking between synthetic membranes.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yueqi Niu, Si Jia Chen, Jeffery B. Klauda
Summary: Macrophage membranes in the activated state are more tightly packed, exhibit increased chain order across lipid species, and form specific lipid clusters. These findings provide physiologically accurate models for future computational studies of macrophage membranes and their proteins.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Niki Baccile, Vincent Chaleix, Ingo Hoffmann
Summary: This study measured the bending rigidity of self-assembled structures formed by a new biobased glucolipid bioamphiphile using neutron spin-echo (NSE) technology. The results showed that the bending rigidity of these structures is lower or higher compared to phospholipid membranes, providing a new theoretical basis for the application of these new molecular systems.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alain Bolano Alvares, Pablo E. A. Rodriguez, Gerardo D. Fidelio
Summary: The behavior of amphiphilic molecules at the air/water interface was studied to evaluate the arrangement formed in a confined area. The surface properties of zwitterionic DPPC lipid and A beta(1-40) amyloid peptide in mixed films were investigated at different temperatures. DPPC undergoes a phase transition depending on temperature and lateral pressure, which allows for the study of its influence on amyloid structure formation.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lukasz Plachta, Marzena Mach, Magdalena Kowalska, Pawel Wydro
Summary: Resveratrol, a popular phytoalexin found in grapes and red wine, has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, exhibits antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, and may have therapeutic effects against cancer. This study investigates the interaction of resveratrol with model cell membranes, demonstrating changes in their physicochemical parameters and highlighting the role of cholesterol content in resveratrol incorporation. The findings suggest that the molecular mechanism of action of resveratrol may involve interactions with lipid rafts.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edurne Rujas, Beatriz Apellaniz, Johana Torralba, David Andreu, Jose M. M. Caaveiro, Shixia Wang, Shan Lu, Jose L. Nieva
Summary: This study investigates the role of fusion peptide and Trp-rich membrane proximal external region in HIV-1 fusion and demonstrates that liposome-based formulations containing FP-MPER hybrid peptides can induce the production of specific neutralizing antibodies in rabbits. The results support the use of liposomes as vaccine carriers and the inclusion of lipid membranes in immunogens to elicit specific humoral responses.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dailin Li, Dingyuan Shi, Lei Wang
Summary: G protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels play a significant role in regulating cell excitability. This study investigated the ion permeation mechanism in GIRK2 mutants using molecular dynamic simulations and QM/MM methods. The results revealed the importance of a multi-ion distribution for ion conduction.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Max J. den Uijl, Arnold J. M. Driessen
Summary: Membrane protein insertion into and translocation across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane are essential processes facilitated by the Sec translocon. The phospholipid dependence of membrane protein insertion has remained mostly unknown. This study reveals that the insertion of the mannitol permease MtlA into the membrane depends on the presence of phosphatidylglycerol and is stimulated by phosphatidylethanolamine.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patrick Allen, Adam C. Smith, Vernon Benedicto, Abbas Abdulhasan, Vasanthy Narayanaswami, Enrico Tapavicza
Summary: We explore the stability, size, and structure of nanodiscs formed by the N-terminal domain of apolipoprotein E3 and a variable number of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine molecules. Our simulations suggest that nanodiscs containing 240 to 420 DMPC molecules are stable. The antiparallel configuration shows more protein-protein interactions and ionic contacts, as well as greater stability and rigidity compared to the parallel configuration.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patrick M. Keating, Nicholas P. Schifano, Xinrui Wei, Matthew Y. Kong, Jinwoo Lee
Summary: Lassa virus (LASV) infection is dependent on the fusion of its viral membrane with the host cell membrane, and our study reveals that this fusion process involves pH-dependent conformational changes in the transmembrane domain of LASV. These findings provide valuable insights into the fusion mechanism of LASV and can be utilized in the design of therapeutics to combat Lassa virus infections and prevent its potential spread.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ashley L. Bennett, Kristen N. Cranford, Austin L. Bates, Christopher R. Sabatini, Hee-Seung Lee
Summary: This study employed molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the binding, folding, and insertion details of TP10W in the cell membrane. The simulations revealed that TP10W can translocate across the lipid membrane as a monomer, and the charged amino acid side chains can move between lipid leaflets. Comparison with point mutated variants demonstrated significant conformational changes due to charge distribution.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica H. van Wonderen, Jason C. Crack, Marcus J. Edwards, Thomas A. Clarke, Gerhard Saalbach, Carlo Martins, Julea N. Butt
Summary: Electrogenic bacteria transfer excess respiratory electrons to metal oxide particles and electrodes through the MtrCAB complex. The crystal structure of MtrCAB from S. baltica OS185 was resolved, and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was used to determine the mass values of the three proteins in purified MtrCAB complexes.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi-Ming Chen, Ching-Tai Lu, Chia-Wen Wang, Wolfgang B. Fischer
Summary: A series of dye ligands were ranked based on docking experiments, selecting the most suitable ligands for binding with different proteins. Additionally, a comparison study was conducted on a series of repurposing drugs and known antivirals.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2024)
