Project description:It has proven challenging to obtain collagen-mimetic fibrils by protein design. We recently reported the self-assembly of a mini-fibril showing a 35 nm, D-period like, axially repeating structure using the designed triple helix Col108. Peptide Col108 was made by bacterial expression using a synthetic gene; its triple helix domain consists of three pseudo-identical units of amino acid sequence arranged in tandem. It was postulated that the 35 nm d-period of Col108 mini-fibrils originates from the periodicity of the Col108 primary structure. A mutual staggering of one sequence unit of the associating Col108 triple helices can maximize the inter-helical interactions and produce the observed 35 nm d-period. Based on this unit-staggered model, a triple helix consisting of only two sequence units is expected to have the potential to form the same d-periodic mini-fibrils. Indeed, when such a peptide, peptide 2U108, was made it was found to self-assemble into mini-fibrils having the same d-period of 35 nm. In contrast, no d-periodic mini-fibrils were observed for peptide 1U108, which does not have long-range repeating sequences in its primary structure. The findings of the periodic mini-fibrils of Col108 and 2U108 suggest a way forward to create collagen-mimetic fibrils for biomedical and industrial applications.
Project description:Amyloid fibril formation is a central biochemical process in pathology and physiology. Over decades, substantial advances were made in elucidating the mechanisms of amyloidogenesis, its links to disease, and the production of functional supramolecular structures. While the term "amyloid" denotes starch-like features of these assemblies, no evidence of amyloidogenic behavior of polysaccharides has been so far reported. Here, we investigate the potential of amylum (starch) not only to self-assemble into hierarchical fibrillar structures but also to exhibit canonical amyloidogenic properties. Ordered amylum structures were formed through a sigmoidal growth process with characteristic amyloid features including typical nanofibril morphology, binding to indicative dyes, inherent luminescence, apple-green birefringence upon Congo red staining, and notable mechanical rigidity. These findings shed light on polysaccharide self-assembly and expand the generic amyloid phenomenon.
Project description:Amyloid fibrils are a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases and exhibit a conformational diversity that governs their pathological functions. Despite recent findings concerning the pathological role of their conformational diversity, the way in which the heterogeneous conformations of amyloid fibrils can be formed has remained elusive. Here, we show that microwave-assisted chemistry affects the self-assembly process of amyloid fibril formation, which results in their conformational heterogeneity. In particular, microwave-assisted chemistry allows for delicate control of the thermodynamics of the self-assembly process, which enabled us to tune the molecular structure of β-lactoglobulin amyloid fibrils. The heterogeneous conformations of amyloid fibrils, which can be tuned with microwave-assisted chemistry, are attributed to the microwave-driven thermal energy affecting the electrostatic interaction during the self-assembly process. Our study demonstrates how microwave-assisted chemistry can be used to gain insight into the origin of conformational heterogeneity of amyloid fibrils as well as the design principles showing how the molecular structures of amyloid fibrils can be controlled.
Project description:IntroductionRibosome biogenesis is integrated with many cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation and oncogenic events. Chondrogenic proliferation and differentiation require a high cellular translational capacity to facilitate cartilaginous extracellular matrix production. We here investigated the expression dynamics of factors involved in ribosome biogenesis during in vitro chondrogenic differentiation and determined whether protein translation capacity adapts to different phases of chondrogenic differentiation.MaterialsSnoRNA expression during ATDC5 differentiation was analyzed by RNA sequencing of samples acquired from day 0 (progenitor stage), 7 (chondrogenic stage) and day 14 (hypertrophic stage). RT-qPCR was used to determine expression of fibrillarin, dyskerin, UBF-1, Sox9, Col2a1, Runx2, Col10a1 mRNAs and 18S, 5.8S and 28S rRNAs. Protein expression of fibrillarin, dyskerin and UBF-1 was determined by immunoblotting. Ribosomal RNA content per cell was determined by calculating rRNA RT-qPCR signals relative to DNA content (SYBR Green assay). Total protein translational activity was evaluated with a puromycilation assay and polysome profiling.ResultsAs a result of initiation of chondrogenic differentiation (Δt0-t7), 21 snoRNAs were differentially expressed (DE). Hypertrophic differentiation caused DE of 23 snoRNAs (Δt7-t14) and 43 when t0 was compared to t14. DE snoRNAs, amongst others, target nucleotide modifications in the 28S rRNA peptidyl transferase center and the 18S rRNA decoding center. UBF-1, fibrillarin and dyskerin expression increased as function of differentiation and displayed highest fold induction at day 5-6 in differentiation. Ribosomal RNA content per cell was significantly increased at day 7, but not at day 14 in differentiation. Similar dynamics in translational capacity and monosomal ribosome fraction were observed during differentiation.ConclusionThe expression of a great number of ribosome biogenesis factors is altered during chondrogenic differentiation of ATDC5 cells, which is accompanied by significant changes in cellular translational activity. This elucidation of ribosome biogenesis dynamics in chondrogenic differentiation models enables the further understanding of the role of ribosome biogenesis and activity during chondrocyte cell commitment and their roles in human skeletal development diseases.
Project description:The lasting threat of viral pandemics necessitates the development of tailorable first-response antivirals with specific but adaptive architectures for treatment of novel viral infections. Here, such an antiviral platform has been developed based on a mixture of hetero-peptides self-assembled into functionalized β-sheets capable of specific multivalent binding to viral protein complexes. One domain of each hetero-peptide is designed to specifically bind to certain viral proteins, while another domain self-assembles into fibrils with epitope binding characteristics determined by the types of peptides and their molar fractions. The self-assembled fibrils maintain enhanced binding to viral protein complexes and retain high resilience to viral mutations. This method is experimentally and computationally tested using short peptides that specifically bind to Spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2. This platform is efficacious, inexpensive, and stable with excellent tolerability.
Project description:Both the miR-17-92 cluster and autophagy have been suggested as critical regulators of bone development, but the potential correlation between the two factors is largely unknown. Hence, we investigated whether members of this cluster can regulate chondrogenesis through an autophagy-related signalling pathway. In this study, the expression of miR-17-92 cluster members and the level of autophagic activity were investigated during chondrogenic induction in ATDC5 cells. miR-17, miR-18a, miR-20a, and miR-92-1 showed significant changes, and the level of autophagic activity was enhanced. Among the miR-17-92 cluster members, miR-20a showed the most significant change. Histological, cellular and molecular analyses were performed after the regulation of miR-20a and autophagy. miR-20a and autophagy had the opposite effect on chondrogenic differentiation, and there was a negative correlation between them. Moreover, the expression of the autophagy regulatory gene Atg7 was inhibited by miR-20a. siRNA was then used to knock down Atg7, and the results further indicated that Atg7 might be a potential target of miR-20a in chondrogenic differentiation. In conclusion, miR-20a is a critical negative regulator of chondrogenic differentiation because it inhibits autophagy via Atg7. Other members of the miR-17-92 cluster may have a similar effect, but this hypothesis requires further investigation.
Project description:Glycerophospholipids have important structural and functional roles in cells and are the main components of cellular membranes. Glycerophospholipids are formed via the de novo pathway (Kennedy pathway) and are subsequently matured in the remodeling pathway (Lands' cycle). Lands' cycle consists of two steps: deacylation of phospholipids by phospholipases A2 and reacylation of lysophospholipids by lysophospholipid acyltransferases (LPLATs). LPLATs play key roles in the maturation and maintenance of the fatty acid composition of biomembranes, and cell differentiation. We examined whether LPLATs are involved in chondrogenic differentiation of ATDC5 cells, which can differentiate into chondrocytes. Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 4 (LPCAT4) mRNA expression and LPCAT enzymatic activity towards 18:1-, 18:2-, 20:4-, and 22:6-CoA increased in the late stage of chondrogenic differentiation, when mineralization occurred. LPCAT4 knockdown decreased mRNA and protein levels of chondrogenic markers as well as Alcian blue staining intensity and alkaline phosphatase activity in ATDC5 cells. These results suggest that LPCAT4 plays important roles during the transition of chondrocytes into hypertrophic chondrocytes and/or a mineralized phenotype.
Project description:Galactose, an important carbohydrate nutrient, is involved in several types of cellular metabolism, participating in physiological activities such as glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis, glycosylation, and intercellular recognition. The regulatory effects of galactose on osteoarthritis have attracted increased attention. In this study, in vitro cell models of ATDC5 and chondrocytes were prepared and cultured with different concentrations of galactose to evaluate its capacity on chondrogenesis and cartilage matrix formation. The cell proliferation assay demonstrated that galactose was nontoxic to both ATDC5 cells and chondrocytes. RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining indicated that the gene expressions of cartilage matrix type II collagen and aggrecan were significantly upregulated with increasing galactose concentration and the expression and accumulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein. Overall, these results indicated that a galactose concentration below 8 mM exhibited the best effect on promoting chondrogenesis, which entitles galactose as having considerable potential for cartilage repair and regeneration.
Project description:Collagen fibrils form extracellular networks that regulate cell functions and provide mechanical strength to tissues. Collagen fibrillogenesis is an entropy-driven process promoted by warming and reversed by cooling. Here, we investigate the influence of noncovalent interactions mediated by the collagen triple helix on fibril stability. We measure the kinetics of cold-induced disassembly of fibrils formed from purified collagen I using turbimetry, probe the fibril morphology by atomic force microscopy, and measure the network connectivity by confocal microscopy and rheometry. We demonstrate that collagen fibrils disassemble by subunit release from their sides as well as their ends, with complex kinetics involving an initial fast release followed by a slow release. Surprisingly, the fibrils are gradually stabilized over time, leading to thermal memory. This dynamic stabilization may reflect structural plasticity of the collagen fibrils arising from their complex structure. In addition, we propose that the polymeric nature of collagen monomers may lead to slow kinetics of subunit desorption from the fibril surface. Dynamic stabilization of fibrils may be relevant in the initial stages of collagen assembly during embryogenesis, fibrosis, and wound healing. Moreover, our results are relevant for tissue repair and drug delivery applications, where it is crucial to control fibril stability.
Project description:Contact guidance or bidirectional migration along aligned fibers modulates many physiological and pathological processes such as wound healing and cancer invasion. Aligned 2D collagen fibrils epitaxially grown on mica substrates replicate many features of contact guidance seen in aligned 3D collagen fiber networks. However, these 2D collagen self-assembled substrates are difficult to image through, do not have known or tunable mechanical properties and cells degrade and mechanically detach collagen fibrils from the surface, leading to an inability to assess contact guidance over long times. Here, we describe the transfer of aligned collagen fibrils from mica substrates to three different functionalized target substrates: glass, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyacrylamide (PA). Aligned collagen fibrils can be efficiently transferred to all three substrates. This transfer resulted in substrates that were to varying degrees resistant to cell-mediated collagen fibril deformation that resulted in detachment of the collagen fibril field, allowing for contact guidance to be observed over longer time periods. On these transferred substrates, cell speed is lowest on softer contact guidance cues for both MDA-MB-231 and MTLn3 cells. Intermediate stiffness resulted in the fastest migration. MTLn3 cell directionality was low on soft contact guidance cues, whereas MDA-MB-231 cell directionality marginally increased. It appears that the stiffness of the contact guidance cue regulates contact guidance differently between cell types. The development of this collagen fibril transfer method allows for the attachment of aligned collagen fibrils on substrates, particularly flexible substrates, that do not normally promote aligned collagen fibril growth, increasing the utility of this collagen self-assembly system for the fundamental examination of mechanical regulation of contact guidance.