Enhancing the Three-Dimensional Structure of Adherent Gingival Fibroblasts and Spheroids via a Fibrous Protein-Based Hydrogel Cover

2016 ◽  
Vol 202 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 343-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gili Kaufman ◽  
Laiz Nunes ◽  
Alex Eftimiades ◽  
Wojtek Tutak
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Sox2 Expression ◽  
Tissue Culture Polystyrene ◽  
Fibrous Protein ◽  
Confocal Scanning ◽  
Fibroblast Spheroids ◽  
And Function

Tissue engineering-based therapies rely on the delivery of monolayered fibroblasts on two-dimensional polystyrene-coated and extracellular matrix (ECM) surfaces to regenerate connective tissues. However, this approach may fail to mimic their three-dimensional (3D) native architecture and function. We hypothesize that ECM fibrous proteins, which direct the migration of cells in vivo, may attach and guide polystyrene- and Matrigel™-ECM (M-ECM)-adherent fibroblasts to rearrangement into large multicellular macrostructures with the ability to proliferate. Gingival monolayered fibroblasts and their derived spheroids were added and adhered to tissue culture polystyrene and M-ECM surfaces. The cells were covered with a layer of collagen1 hydrogel combined with vitronectin, fibronectin or fibrin, or 10% M-ECM. The development of 3D cell constructs was characterized by epifluorescence and confocal scanning microscope image analysis. The ECM turnover and the proliferative capabilities of the fibroblasts were determined via gene expression profiling of collagen1, fibronectin, matrix metalloproteinase/metallopeptidase 2, Nanog, and SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box2 (Sox2). Expression of the Sox2 protein was followed by immunostaining. The collagen1 protein had the strongest effect on monolayered and spheroid cell rearrangements, forming large spherical shapes and fused 3D macroconstructs. The addition of fibrin protein was typically required to achieve a similar effect on M-ECM-adherent monolayered fibroblasts. The spheroid fusion process was followed by an increase in cell density and the formation of tight clusters. The fused spheroids continued to maintain their intracellular ECM turnover and proliferation capacities. Collagen1 is a valuable component in the rearrangement of adherent fibroblast monolayers and spheroids. Fibroblast spheroids should preferably be used as basic building blocks to assemble multicellular connective tissue-like macrostructures.

scholarly journals Determining protein structures using genetics

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörn M. Schmiedel ◽  
Ben Lehner
Keyword(s):  
Structure Determination ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Protein Structures ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
And Function

SummaryDetermining the three dimensional structures of macromolecules is a major goal of biological research because of the close relationship between structure and function. Structure determination usually relies on physical techniques including x-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy. Here we present a method that allows the high-resolution three-dimensional structure of a biological macromolecule to be determined only from measurements of the activity of mutant variants of the molecule. This genetic approach to structure determination relies on the quantification of genetic interactions (epistasis) between mutations and the discrimination of direct from indirect interactions. This provides a new experimental strategy for structure determination, with the potential to reveal functional and in vivo structural conformations at low cost and high throughput.

scholarly journals Purification, characterization and function of bacterioferritin from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis P.C.C. 6803

1992 ◽  
Vol 281 (3) ◽  
pp. 785-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
J P Laulhère ◽  
A M Labouré ◽  
O Van Wuytswinkel ◽  
J Gagnon ◽  
J F Briat
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Iron Concentration ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Cellular Iron ◽  
And Function

Storage and buffering of iron is achieved by a class of proteins, the ferritins, widely distributed throughout the living kingdoms. All ferritins have in common their three-dimensional structure and their ability to store large amounts of iron in their central cavity. However, eukaryotic ferritins from plants and animals and bacterioferritins have no sequence similarity, and besides non-haem iron bacterioferritins contain haem residues whereas eukaryotic ferritins do not. In this paper we report the first purification and characterization of a bacterioferritin from a cyanobacterium. It has a molecular mass of 400 kDa and is built up from 19 kDa subunits. Its N-terminal sequence shows 73% identity with that of the Escherichia coli bacterioferritin subunit. It contains 2300 atoms of iron and 1500 molecules of phosphate per ferritin molecule and 0.25 haem residue per subunit; the alpha-peak of the cytochrome has its maximum at 559 nm. In contrast with what is known for eukaryotic ferritins, we found that bacterioferritin from Synechocystis is not inducible by iron under the conditions that we have tested and that it has a constant concentration whatever the iron status of the cells, even at very low iron concentration. Bacterioferritin from Synechocystis P.C.C. 6803 is fully assembled in vivo and it is shown by labelling with 59Fe that it is able to load iron in vitro as well as in vivo. Bacterioferritin from Synechocystis is shown to have an iron-buffering function while the bulk of cellular iron is found associated with a pool of low-molecular-mass electronegative molecules. The role of Synechocystis bacterioferritin in iron metabolism is discussed.

Conformation of Ribosomes from Escherichia Coli

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 210-211
Author(s):  
M. Boublik ◽  
W. Hellmann ◽  
F. Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Ribosomal Proteins ◽  
Fluorescent Dyes ◽  
Protein Biosynthesis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Complete Understanding ◽  
And Function

The present knowledge of the three-dimensional structure of ribosomes is far too limited to enable a complete understanding of the various roles which ribosomes play in protein biosynthesis. The spatial arrangement of proteins and ribonuclec acids in ribosomes can be analysed in many ways. Determination of binding sites for individual proteins on ribonuclec acid and locations of the mutual positions of proteins on the ribosome using labeling with fluorescent dyes, cross-linking reagents, neutron-diffraction or antibodies against ribosomal proteins seem to be most successful approaches. Structure and function of ribosomes can be correlated be depleting the complete ribosomes of some proteins to the functionally inactive core and by subsequent partial reconstitution in order to regain active ribosomal particles.

Structural Role of rRNAs on the Ribosomal Subunits from E. Coli by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

1981 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 424-425
Author(s):  
M. Boublik ◽  
N. Robakis ◽  
J.S. Wall
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Ribosomal Subunits ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Freeze Dried ◽  
16S Rna ◽  
Scanning Transmission ◽  
And Function

The three-dimensional structure and function of biological supramolecular complexes are, in general, determined and stabilized by conformation and interactions of their macromolecular components. In the case of ribosomes, it has been suggested that one of the functions of ribosomal RNAs is to act as a scaffold maintaining the shape of the ribosomal subunits. In order to investigate this question, we have conducted a comparative TEM and STEM study of the structure of the small 30S subunit of E. coli and its 16S RNA.The conventional electron microscopic imaging of nucleic acids is performed by spreading them in the presence of protein or detergent; the particles are contrasted by electron dense solution (uranyl acetate) or by shadowing with metal (tungsten). By using the STEM on freeze-dried specimens we have avoided the shearing forces of the spreading, and minimized both the collapse of rRNA due to air drying and the loss of resolution due to staining or shadowing. Figure 1, is a conventional (TEM) electron micrograph of 30S E. coli subunits contrasted with uranyl acetate.

scholarly journals Mice with cleavage-resistant N-cadherin exhibit synapse anomaly in the hippocampus and outperformance in spatial learning tasks

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Asada-Utsugi ◽  
K. Uemura ◽  
M. Kubota ◽  
Y. Noda ◽  
Y. Tashiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Memory Function ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Excitatory Synapses ◽  
Missense Mutations ◽  
Glutamatergic Synapses ◽  
Learning Tasks ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Nmdar Activation ◽  
And Function

AbstractN-cadherin is a homophilic cell adhesion molecule that stabilizes excitatory synapses, by connecting pre- and post-synaptic termini. Upon NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activation by glutamate, membrane-proximal domains of N-cadherin are cleaved serially by a-disintegrin-and-metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) and then presenilin 1(PS1, catalytic subunit of the γ-secretase complex). To assess the physiological significance of the initial N-cadherin cleavage, we engineer the mouse genome to create a knock-in allele with tandem missense mutations in the mouse N-cadherin/Cadherin-2 gene (Cdh2R714G, I715D, or GD) that confers resistance on proteolysis by ADAM10 (GD mice). GD mice showed a better performance in the radial maze test, with significantly less revisiting errors after intervals of 30 and 300 s than WT, and a tendency for enhanced freezing in fear conditioning. Interestingly, GD mice reveal higher complexity in the tufts of thorny excrescence in the CA3 region of the hippocampus. Fine morphometry with serial section transmission electron microscopy (ssTEM) and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction reveals significantly higher synaptic density, significantly smaller PSD area, and normal dendritic spine volume in GD mice. This knock-in mouse has provided in vivo evidence that ADAM10-mediated cleavage is a critical step in N-cadherin shedding and degradation and involved in the structure and function of glutamatergic synapses, which affect the memory function.

A new three-dimensional anionic cadmium(II) dicyanamide network

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (11) ◽  
pp. 1054-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Li ◽  
Hui-Ting Wang
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Aqueous Solution ◽  
Unit Cell Volume ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
The Other ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Cadmium Nitrate ◽  
Nitrate Tetrahydrate ◽  
Anionic Framework

A new cadmium dicyanamide complex, poly[tetramethylphosphonium [μ-chlorido-di-μ-dicyanamido-κ4N1:N5-cadmium(II)]], [(CH3)4P][Cd(NCNCN)2Cl], was synthesized by the reaction of tetramethylphosphonium chloride, cadmium nitrate tetrahydrate and sodium dicyanamide in aqueous solution. In the crystal structure, each CdIIatom is octahedrally coordinated by four terminal N atoms from four anionic dicyanamide (dca) ligands and by two chloride ligands. The dicyanamide ligands play two different roles in the building up of the structure; one role results in the formation of [Cd(dca)Cl]2building blocks, while the other links the building blocks into a three-dimensional structure. The anionic framework exhibits a solvent-accessible void of 673.8 Å3, amounting to 47.44% of the total unit-cell volume. The cavities in the network are occupied by pairs of tetramethylphosphonium cations.

scholarly journals Impact of genetic variation on three dimensional structure and function of proteins

PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. e0171355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roshni Bhattacharya ◽  
Peter W. Rose ◽  
Stephen K. Burley ◽  
Andreas Prlić
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Three Dimensional Structure ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals Structure of the Lectin Mannose 6-Phosphate Receptor Homology (MRH) Domain of Glucosidase II, an Enzyme That Regulates Glycoprotein Folding Quality Control in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

2013 ◽  
Vol 288 (23) ◽  
pp. 16460-16475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda J. Olson ◽  
Ramiro Orsi ◽  
Solana G. Alculumbre ◽  
Francis C. Peterson ◽  
Ivan D. Stigliano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Mannose Residue ◽  
Glucosidase Ii ◽  
Mannose 6 Phosphate ◽  
First Time ◽  
Conserved Residue

Here we report for the first time the three-dimensional structure of a mannose 6-phosphate receptor homology (MRH) domain present in a protein with enzymatic activity, glucosidase II (GII). GII is involved in glycoprotein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. GII removes the two innermost glucose residues from the Glc3Man9GlcNAc2 transferred to nascent proteins and the glucose added by UDP-Glc:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase. GII is composed of a catalytic GIIα subunit and a regulatory GIIβ subunit. GIIβ participates in the endoplasmic reticulum localization of GIIα and mediates in vivo enhancement of N-glycan trimming by GII through its C-terminal MRH domain. We determined the structure of a functional GIIβ MRH domain by NMR spectroscopy. It adopts a β-barrel fold similar to that of other MRH domains, but its binding pocket is the most shallow known to date as it accommodates a single mannose residue. In addition, we identified a conserved residue outside the binding pocket (Trp-409) present in GIIβ but not in other MRHs that influences GII glucose trimming activity.

The Study on the Clinical Phenotype and Function of HPRT1 Gene

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miao Guo ◽  
Yucai Chen ◽  
Longlong Lin ◽  
Yilin Wang ◽  
Anqi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Protein Translation ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Normal Individuals ◽  
Second Generation Sequencing ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
And Function ◽  
Neurogenetic Disease ◽  
Generation Sequencing

Abstract Background: Lesch-Nyhan disease (LND) is a rare x-linked purine metabolic neurogenetic disease caused by enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoriribosyltransferase(HGprt) deficiency, also known as self-destructive appearance syndrome. A series of manifestations are caused by abnormal purine metabolism. The typical clinical manifestations are hyperuricemia, growth retardation, mental retardation, short stature, dance-like athetosis, aggressive behavior, and compulsive self-harm.. Results: we identified a point mutation c.151C > T (p. Arg51*) in a pedigree. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of children in a family, and obtained the blood of their parents and siblings for second-generation sequencing. At the same time, we also analyzed and compared the expression of HPRT1 gene and predicted the three-dimensional structure of the protein. And we analyzed the clinical manifestations caused by the defect of the HPRT1 genethe mutation led to the termination of transcription at the 51st arginine, resulting in the production of truncated protein, and the relative expression of HPRT1 gene in patients was significantly lower than other family members and 10 normal individuals. Conclusion: this mutation leads to the early termination of protein translation and the formation of a truncated HPRT protein, which affects the function of the protein and generates corresponding clinical manifestations.

scholarly journals Protein Folding: Search for Basic Physical Models

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 623-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Y. Torshin ◽  
Robert W. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Protein Folding ◽  
Tertiary Structure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Physical Models ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Computational Techniques ◽  
Linear Sequence ◽  
Physical Forces

How a unique three-dimensional structure is rapidly formed from the linear sequence of a polypeptide is one of the important questions in contemporary science. Apart from biological context ofin vivoprotein folding (which has been studied only for a few proteins), the roles of the fundamental physical forces in thein vitrofolding remain largely unstudied. Despite a degree of success in using descriptions based on statistical and/or thermodynamic approaches, few of the current models explicitly include more basic physical forces (such as electrostatics and Van Der Waals forces). Moreover, the present-day models rarely take into account that the protein folding is, essentially, a rapid process that produces a highly specific architecture. This review considers several physical models that may provide more direct links between sequence and tertiary structure in terms of the physical forces. In particular, elaboration of such simple models is likely to produce extremely effective computational techniques with value for modern genomics.

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