scholarly journals Nanosized Particles Assembled by a Recombinant Virus Protein Are Able to Encapsulate Negatively Charged Molecules and Structured RNA

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 858
Author(s):  
Hemalatha Mani ◽  
Yi-Cheng Chen ◽  
Yen-Kai Chen ◽  
Wei-Lin Liu ◽  
Shih-Yen Lo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Core Protein ◽  
Average Diameter ◽  
Virus Protein ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Hcv Core Protein

RNA-based molecules have recently become hot candidates to be developed into therapeutic agents. However, successful applications of RNA-based therapeutics might require suitable carriers to protect the RNA from enzymatic degradation by ubiquitous RNases in vivo. Because of their better biocompatibility and biodegradability, protein-based nanoparticles are considered to be alternatives to their synthetic polymer-based counterparts for drug delivery. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein has been suggested to be able to self-assemble into nucleocapsid-like particles in vitro. In this study, the genomic RNA-binding domain of HCV core protein consisting of 116 amino acids (p116) was overexpressed with E. coli for investigation. The recombinant p116 was able to assemble into particles with an average diameter of approximately 27 nm, as visualized by electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Measurements with fluorescence spectroscopy, flow cytometry, and fluorescence quenching indicated that the p116-assembled nanoparticles were able to encapsulate small anionic molecules and structured RNA. This study demonstrates methods that exploit the self-assembly nature of a virus-derived protein for nanoparticle production. This study also suggests that the virus-derived protein-assembled particles could possibly be developed into potential carriers for anionic molecular drugs and structured RNA-based therapeutics.

Rapid, Refined, and Robust Method for Expression, Purification, and Characterization of Recombinant Human Amyloid-beta M1-42

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Prakash ◽  
Travis Lantz ◽  
Krupal P. Jethava ◽  
Gaurav Chopra
Keyword(s):  
Amyloid Beta ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Short Time

Amyloid plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients primarily consists of amyloid beta 1-42 (Ab42). Commercially, Ab42 is synthetized using peptide synthesizers. We describe a robust methodology for expression of recombinant human Ab(M1-42) in Rosetta(DE3)pLysS and BL21(DE3)pLysS competent E. coli with refined and rapid analytical purification techniques. The peptide is isolated and purified from the transformed cells using an optimized set-up for reverse-phase HPLC protocol, using commonly available C18 columns, yielding high amounts of peptide (~15-20 mg per 1 L culture) in a short time. The recombinant Ab(M1-42) forms characteristic aggregates similar to synthetic Ab42 aggregates as verified by western blots and atomic force microscopy to warrant future biological use. Our rapid, refined, and robust technique to purify human Ab(M1-42) can be used to synthesize chemical probes for several downstream in vitro and in vivo assays to facilitate AD research.

The Influence of the Operating Parameters of Titanium Electropolishing to Obtain Nanostructured Titanium Surfaces

2012 ◽  
Vol 727-728 ◽  
pp. 1638-1642
Author(s):  
Leonardo Marasca Antonini ◽  
Rafael Gomes Mielczarski ◽  
Caroline Pigatto ◽  
Iduvirges Lourdes Müller ◽  
Célia de Fraga Malfatti
Keyword(s):  
Operating Parameters ◽  
Nanostructured Titanium ◽  
Nanostructured Surfaces ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Angle Measurements ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
Titanium Surfaces

Titanium and Ti alloys have been widely used as biomaterial due to their mechanical properties and high in vitro and in vivo cytocompatibility. Studies have showed that the acceleration of the osseointegration process is associated to the modification of the surface morphology. The aim of this work is to study the influence of the operating parameters of titanium electropolishing to obtain nanostructured titanium surfaces. The titanium electropolishing was carried out with different temperatures (7°C, 18°C and 25°C), current density of 0.19 A/cm2 and electropolishing time of 8 minutes. After the electropolishing process the titanium samples were characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy, profilometry (mechanical profilometer) and contact angle measurements. Preliminary results showed that the Ti nanostructured surfaces formation, strongly depends on the control of operating parameters.

scholarly journals E6AP Ubiquitin Ligase Mediates Ubiquitylation and Degradation of Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein

2006 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 1174-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masayuki Shirakura ◽  
Kyoko Murakami ◽  
Tohru Ichimura ◽  
Ryosuke Suzuki ◽  
Tetsu Shimoji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ubiquitin Ligase ◽  
Core Protein ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
The Core ◽  
Hcv Core Protein ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Proteasome Pathway ◽  
Viral Nucleocapsid

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is a major component of viral nucleocapsid and a multifunctional protein involved in viral pathogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis. We previously showed that the HCV core protein is degraded through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. However, the molecular machinery for core ubiquitylation is unknown. Using tandem affinity purification, we identified the ubiquitin ligase E6AP as an HCV core-binding protein. E6AP was found to bind to the core protein in vitro and in vivo and promote its degradation in hepatic and nonhepatic cells. Knockdown of endogenous E6AP by RNA interference increased the HCV core protein level. In vitro and in vivo ubiquitylation assays showed that E6AP promotes ubiquitylation of the core protein. Exogenous expression of E6AP decreased intracellular core protein levels and supernatant HCV infectivity titers in the HCV JFH1-infected Huh-7 cells. Furthermore, knockdown of endogenous E6AP by RNA interference increased intracellular core protein levels and supernatant HCV infectivity titers in the HCV JFH1-infected cells. Taken together, our results provide evidence that E6AP mediates ubiquitylation and degradation of HCV core protein. We propose that the E6AP-mediated ubiquitin-proteasome pathway may affect the production of HCV particles through controlling the amounts of viral nucleocapsid protein.

scholarly journals Ultrafiltration Segregates Tissue Regenerative Stimuli Harboured Within and Independent of Extracellular Vesicles

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
TT Cooper ◽  
SE Sherman ◽  
T Dayarathna ◽  
GI Bell ◽  
Jun Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Limb Ischemia ◽  
Murine Models ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Tubule Formation ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force

AbstractThe release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from human multipotent stromal cells (MSC) has been proposed as a mechanism by which MSC mediate regenerative functions in vivo. Our recent work has characterized MSC derived from human pancreatic tissues (Panc-MSC) that generated a tissue regenerative secretome. Despite these advancements, it remains unknown whether regenerative stimuli are released independent or within extracellular vesicles. Herein, this study demonstrates ultrafiltration is a simple method to enrich for EVs which can be injected in murine models of tissue regeneration. The enrichment of EVs from Panc-MSC conditioned media (CM) was validated using nanoscale flow cytometry and atomic force microscopy; in addition to the exclusive detection of classical EV-markers CD9, CD81, CD63 using label-free mass spectrometry. Additionally, we identified several pro-regenerative stimuli, such as WNT5A or ANGPT1, exclusive to EV-enriched CM. Endothelial cell tubule formation was enhanced in response to both Panc-MSC CM fractions in vitro yet only intramuscular injection of EV-enriched CM demonstrated vascular regenerative functions in NOD/SCID mice with unilateral hind-limb ischemia (*<p<0.05). Furthermore, both EV-depleted and EV-enriched CM reduced hyperglycemia following intrapancreatic injection in hyperglycemic mice (**p<0.01). Collectively, understanding the functional synergy between compartments of the secretome is required to advance cell-free biotherapeutics into applications of regenerative medicine.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein Interacts with 14-3-3 Protein and Activates the Kinase Raf-1

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 1736-1741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Aoki ◽  
Junpei Hayashi ◽  
Mitsuhiko Moriyama ◽  
Yasuyuki Arakawa ◽  
Okio Hino
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Growth Regulation ◽  
Core Protein ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Kinase Activation ◽  
Virus Core ◽  
Hcv Core Protein

ABSTRACT Persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver dysfunction in humans and is epidemiologically closely associated with the development of human hepatocellular carcinoma. Among HCV components, core protein has been reported to be implicated in cell growth regulation both in vitro and in vivo, although mechanisms explaining those effects are still unclear. In the present study, we identified that members of the 14-3-3 protein family associate with HCV core protein. 14-3-3 protein bound to HCV core protein in a phosphoserine-dependent manner. Introduction of HCV core protein caused a substantial increase in Raf-1 kinase activity in HepG2 cells and in a yeast genetic assay. Furthermore, the HCV core–14-3-3 interaction was essential for Raf-1 kinase activation by HCV core protein. These results suggest that HCV core protein may represent a novel type of Raf-1 kinase-activating protein through its interaction with 14-3-3 protein and may contribute to hepatocyte growth regulation.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein Is a Dimeric Alpha-Helical Protein Exhibiting Membrane Protein Features

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (17) ◽  
pp. 11353-11365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steeve Boulant ◽  
Christophe Vanbelle ◽  
Christine Ebel ◽  
François Penin ◽  
Jean-Pierre Lavergne
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Core Protein ◽  
Limited Proteolysis ◽  
Hydrophobic Domain ◽  
Fluorescence Measurements ◽  
Hcv Core Protein ◽  
Core Proteins

ABSTRACT The building block of hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleocapsid, the core protein, together with viral RNA, is composed of different domains involved in RNA binding and homo-oligomerization. The HCV core protein 1-169 (CHCV169) and its N-terminal region from positions 1 to 117 (CHCV117) were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity suitable for biochemical and biophysical characterizations. The overall conformation and the oligomeric properties of the resulting proteins CHCV169 and CHCV117 were investigated by using analytical centrifugation, circular dichroism, intrinsic fluorescence measurements, and limited proteolysis. Altogether, our results show that core protein (CHCV169) behaves as a membranous protein and forms heterogeneous soluble micelle-like aggregates of high molecular weight in the absence of detergent. In contrast, it behaves, in the presence of mild detergent, as a soluble, well-folded, noncovalent dimer. Similar to findings observed for core proteins of HCV-related flaviviruses, the HCV core protein is essentially composed of α-helices (50%). In contrast, CHCV117 is soluble and monodispersed in the absence of detergent but is unfolded. It appears that the folding of the highly basic domain from positions 2 to 117 (2-117 domain) depends on the presence of the 117-169 hydrophobic domain, which contains the structural determinants ensuring the binding of core with cellular membranes. Finally, our findings provide valuable information for further investigations on isolated core protein, as well as for attempts to reconstitute nucleocapsid particles in vitro.

Controlling neuronal growth and connectivity via directed self-assembly of proteins

2013 ◽  
Vol 1498 ◽  
pp. 207-212
Author(s):  
Daniel Rizzo ◽  
Ross Beighley ◽  
James D. White ◽  
Cristian Staii
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Gold Surface ◽  
Nerve Tissue ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Will Self ◽  
Neuron Growth

ABSTRACTMaterials that offer the ability to influence tissue regeneration are of vital importance to the field of Tissue Engineering. Because valid 3-dimensional scaffolds for nerve tissue are still in development, advances with 2-dimensional surfaces in vitro are necessary to provide a complete understanding of controlling regeneration. Here we present a method for controlling nerve cell growth on Au electrodes using Atomic Force Microscopy -aided protein assembly. After coating a gold surface in a self-assembling monolayer of alkanethiols, the Atomic Force Microscope tip can be used to remove regions of the self-assembling monolayer in order to produce well-defined patterns. If this process is then followed by submersion of the sample into a solution containing neuro-compatible proteins, they will self assemble on these exposed regions of gold, creating well-specified regions for promoted neuron growth.

scholarly journals The Inhibitory Effect of Resveratrol on Elastin Amyloidogenesis

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Antonietta Pepe ◽  
Florian Delaunay ◽  
Angelo Bracalello ◽  
Brigida Bochicchio
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Structure ◽  
Atomic Force Microscopy ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Degenerative Diseases ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Circular Dichroïsm

The role of polyphenols in the prevention of degenerative diseases is emerging in the last years. In this report, we will investigate in vitro the inhibitory effect of resveratrol on elastin amyloidogenesis. The effect of resveratrol on molecular structure was investigated by circular dichroism spectroscopy, while the inhibitory effect on self-assembly was evaluated by turbidimetry as a function of temperature and by atomic force microscopy.

scholarly journals Computational model for nanocarrier binding to endothelium validated using in vivo, in vitro, and atomic force microscopy experiments

2010 ◽  
Vol 107 (38) ◽  
pp. 16530-16535 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Liu ◽  
G. E. R. Weller ◽  
B. Zern ◽  
P. S. Ayyaswamy ◽  
D. M. Eckmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Force Microscopy ◽  
Computational Model ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force

scholarly journals Analysis of long dsRNA produced in vitro and in vivo using atomic force microscopy in conjunction with ion-pair reverse-phase HPLC

The Analyst ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 144 (16) ◽  
pp. 4985-4994
Author(s):  
Alison O. Nwokeoji ◽  
Sandip Kumar ◽  
Peter M. Kilby ◽  
David E. Portwood ◽  
Jamie K. Hobbs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Force Microscopy ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Ion Pair ◽  
Reverse Phase Hplc ◽  
Reverse Phase ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Insight Into

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) in conjunction with ion-pair reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (IP-RP-HPLC) provides novel insight into dsRNA for RNAi applications.

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