ABSTRACT
Homologous recombination (HR) is essential for error-free repair of DNA double-strand breaks, perturbed replication forks (RFs), and post-replicative single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) gaps. To initiate HR, the recombination mediator and tumor suppressor protein BRCA2 facilitates nucleation of RAD51 on ssDNA prior to stimulation of RAD51 filament growth by RAD51 paralogs. Although ssDNA binding by BRCA2 has been implicated in RAD51 nucleation, the function of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) binding by BRCA2 remains unclear. Here, we exploit single-molecule (SM) imaging to visualize BRCA2-mediated RAD51 nucleation in real time using purified proteins. We report that BRCA2 nucleates and stabilizes RAD51 on ssDNA either directly or through an unappreciated diffusion-assisted delivery mechanism involving binding to and sliding along dsDNA, which requires the cooperative action of multiple dsDNA-binding modules in BRCA2. Collectively, our work reveals two distinct mechanisms of BRCA2-dependent RAD51 loading onto ssDNA, which we propose are critical for its diverse functions in maintaining genome stability and cancer suppression.
Subject(s)
BRCA2 Protein , Rad51 Recombinase , Humans , BRCA2 Protein/genetics , BRCA2 Protein/metabolism , Rad51 Recombinase/genetics , Rad51 Recombinase/metabolism , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , DNA, Single-Stranded/genetics , DNA/metabolism , DNA Repair , Protein BindingABSTRACT
Gene transcription is a fundamental cellular process carried out by RNA polymerase (RNAP). Transcription initiation is highly regulated, and in bacteria, transcription initiation is mediated by sigma (σ) factors. σ recruits RNAP to the promoter DNA region, located upstream of the transcription start site (TSS) and facilitates open complex formation, where double-stranded DNA is opened up into a transcription bubble and template strand DNA is positioned inside RNAP for initial RNA synthesis. During initial transcription, RNAP remains bound to σ and upstream DNA, presumably with an enlarging transcription bubble. The release of RNAP from upstream DNA is required for promoter escape and processive transcription elongation. Bacteria sigma factors can be broadly separated into two classes with the majority belonging to the σ70 class, represented by the σ70 that regulates housekeeping genes. σ54 forms a class on its own and regulates stress response genes. Extensive studies on σ70 have revealed the molecular mechanisms of the σ70 dependent process while how σ54 transitions from initial transcription to elongation is currently unknown. Here, we present a series of cryo-electron microscopy structures of the RNAP-σ54 initial transcribing complexes with progressively longer RNA, which reveal structural changes that lead to promoter escape. Our data show that initially, the transcription bubble enlarges, DNA strands scrunch, reducing the interactions between σ54 and DNA strands in the transcription bubble. RNA extension and further DNA scrunching help to release RNAP from σ54 and upstream DNA, enabling the transition to elongation.
Subject(s)
Escherichia coli , Transcription, Genetic , Cryoelectron Microscopy , Escherichia coli/genetics , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics , DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/metabolism , DNA/metabolism , RNA/metabolism , Bacteria/metabolism , Sigma Factor/metabolism , DNA, Bacterial/metabolismABSTRACT
Small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SK, KCa2) are gated solely by intracellular microdomain Ca2+. The channel has emerged as a therapeutic target for cardiac arrhythmias. Calmodulin (CaM) interacts with the CaM binding domain (CaMBD) of the SK channels, serving as the obligatory Ca2+ sensor to gate the channels. In heterologous expression systems, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) coordinates with CaM in regulating SK channels. However, the roles and mechanisms of PIP2 in regulating SK channels in cardiomyocytes remain unknown. Here, optogenetics, magnetic nanoparticles, combined with Rosetta structural modeling, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed the atomistic mechanisms of how PIP2 works in concert with Ca2+-CaM in the SK channel activation. Our computational study affords evidence for the critical role of the amino acid residue R395 in the S6 transmembrane segment, which is localized in propinquity to the intracellular hydrophobic gate. This residue forms a salt bridge with residue E398 in the S6 transmembrane segment from the adjacent subunit. Both R395 and E398 are conserved in all known isoforms of SK channels. Our findings suggest that the binding of PIP2 to R395 residue disrupts the R395:E398 salt bridge, increasing the flexibility of the transmembrane segment S6 and the activation of the channel. Importantly, our findings serve as a platform for testing of structural-based drug designs for therapeutic inhibitors and activators of the SK channel family. The study is timely since inhibitors of SK channels are currently in clinical trials to treat atrial arrhythmias.
Subject(s)
Calmodulin , Molecular Dynamics Simulation , Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate , Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels , Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate/metabolism , Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels/metabolism , Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels/chemistry , Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels/genetics , Animals , Calmodulin/metabolism , Calmodulin/chemistry , Humans , Ion Channel Gating , Calcium/metabolism , Protein Binding , Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolismABSTRACT
Gene transcription is carried out by multi-subunit RNA polymerases (RNAPs). Transcription initiation is a dynamic multi-step process that involves the opening of the double-stranded DNA to form a transcription bubble and delivery of the template strand deep into the RNAP for RNA synthesis. Applying cryoelectron microscopy to a unique transcription system using σ54 (σN), the major bacterial variant sigma factor, we capture a new intermediate state at 4.1 Å where promoter DNA is caught at the entrance of the RNAP cleft. Combining with new structures of the open promoter complex and an initial de novo transcribing complex at 3.4 and 3.7 Å, respectively, our studies reveal the dynamics of DNA loading and mechanism of transcription bubble stabilization that involves coordinated, large-scale conformational changes of the universally conserved features within RNAP and DNA. In addition, our studies reveal a novel mechanism of strand separation by σ54.
Subject(s)
DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/metabolism , DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/ultrastructure , Transcription Initiation, Genetic/physiology , Bacteria/genetics , Cryoelectron Microscopy/methods , DNA , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , Escherichia coli/genetics , Models, Molecular , Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics , Protein Binding , Protein Conformation , Sigma Factor/genetics , Transcription Initiation Site/physiology , Transcription, Genetic/geneticsABSTRACT
DNA damage that obstructs the replication machinery poses a significant threat to genome stability. Replication-coupled repair mechanisms safeguard stalled replication forks by coordinating proteins involved in the DNA damage response (DDR) and replication. SLF1 (SMC5-SMC6 complex localization factor 1) is crucial for facilitating the recruitment of the SMC5/6 complex to damage sites through interactions with SLF2, RAD18, and nucleosomes. However, the structural mechanisms of SLF1's interactions are unclear. In this study, we determined the crystal structure of SLF1's ankyrin repeat domain bound to an unmethylated histone H4 tail, illustrating how SLF1 reads nascent nucleosomes. Using structure-based mutagenesis, we confirmed a phosphorylation-dependent interaction necessary for a stable complex between SLF1's tandem BRCA1 C-Terminal domain (tBRCT) and the phosphorylated C-terminal region (S442 and S444) of RAD18. We validated a functional role of conserved phosphate-binding residues in SLF1, and hydrophobic residues in RAD18 that are adjacent to phosphorylation sites, both of which contribute to the strong interaction. Interestingly, we discovered a DNA-binding property of this RAD18-binding interface, providing an additional domain of SLF1 to enhance binding to nucleosomes. Our results provide critical structural insights into SLF1's interactions with post-replicative chromatin and phosphorylation-dependent DDR signalling, enhancing our understanding of SMC5/6 recruitment and/or activity during replication-coupled DNA repair.
ABSTRACT
The cell cycle checkpoint kinase Mec1ATR and its integral partner Ddc2ATRIP are vital for the DNA damage and replication stress response. Mec1-Ddc2 "senses" single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) by being recruited to the ssDNA binding Replication Protein A (RPA) via Ddc2. In this study, we show that a DNA damage-induced phosphorylation circuit modulates checkpoint recruitment and function. We demonstrate that Ddc2-RPA interactions modulate the association between RPA and ssDNA and that Rfa1-phosphorylation aids in the further recruitment of Mec1-Ddc2. We also uncover an underappreciated role for Ddc2 phosphorylation that enhances its recruitment to RPA-ssDNA that is important for the DNA damage checkpoint in yeast. The crystal structure of a phosphorylated Ddc2 peptide in complex with its RPA interaction domain provides molecular details of how checkpoint recruitment is enhanced, which involves Zn2+. Using electron microscopy and structural modeling approaches, we propose that Mec1-Ddc2 complexes can form higher order assemblies with RPA when Ddc2 is phosphorylated. Together, our results provide insight into Mec1 recruitment and suggest that formation of supramolecular complexes of RPA and Mec1-Ddc2, modulated by phosphorylation, would allow for rapid clustering of damage foci to promote checkpoint signaling.
Subject(s)
Replication Protein A , Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins , Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics , Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism , DNA Damage , DNA Replication , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Phosphorylation , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Replication Protein A/genetics , Replication Protein A/metabolism , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism , Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/genetics , Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolismABSTRACT
p97ATPase-mediated membrane fusion is required for the biogenesis of the Golgi complex. p97 and its cofactor p47 function in soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein receptor (SNARE) priming, but the tethering complex for p97/p47-mediated membrane fusion remains unknown. In this study, we identified formiminotransferase cyclodeaminase (FTCD) as a novel p47-binding protein. FTCD mainly localizes to the Golgi complex and binds to either p47 or p97 via its association with their polyglutamate motifs. FTCD functions in p97/p47-mediated Golgi reassembly at mitosis in vivo and in vitro via its binding to p47 and to p97. We also showed that FTCD, p47, and p97 form a big FTCD-p97/p47-FTCD tethering complex. In vivo tethering assay revealed that FTCD that was designed to localize to mitochondria caused mitochondria aggregation at mitosis by forming a complex with endogenous p97 and p47, which support a role for FTCD in tethering biological membranes in cooperation with the p97/p47 complex. Therefore, FTCD is thought to act as a tethering factor by forming the FTCD-p97/p47-FTCD complex in p97/p47-mediated Golgi membrane fusion.
Subject(s)
Ammonia-Lyases/metabolism , Glutamate Formimidoyltransferase/metabolism , Golgi Apparatus/metabolism , Multifunctional Enzymes/metabolism , Soluble N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor Attachment Proteins/metabolism , Valosin Containing Protein/metabolism , Ammonia-Lyases/chemistry , Binding Sites , Glutamate Formimidoyltransferase/chemistry , HeLa Cells , Hep G2 Cells , Humans , Membrane Fusion , Mitochondria , Mitosis , Multifunctional Enzymes/chemistry , Multiprotein Complexes/metabolism , Protein BindingABSTRACT
The integrity of genomes is constantly threatened by problems encountered by the replication fork. BRCA1, BRCA2 and a subset of Fanconi anaemia proteins protect stalled replication forks from degradation by nucleases, through pathways that involve RAD51. The contribution and regulation of BRCA1 in replication fork protection, and how this role relates to its role in homologous recombination, is unclear. Here we show that BRCA1 in complex with BARD1, and not the canonical BRCA1-PALB2 interaction, is required for fork protection. BRCA1-BARD1 is regulated by a conformational change mediated by the phosphorylation-directed prolyl isomerase PIN1. PIN1 activity enhances BRCA1-BARD1 interaction with RAD51, thereby increasing the presence of RAD51 at stalled replication structures. We identify genetic variants of BRCA1-BARD1 in patients with cancer that exhibit poor protection of nascent strands but retain homologous recombination proficiency, thus defining domains of BRCA1-BARD1 that are required for fork protection and associated with cancer development. Together, these findings reveal a BRCA1-mediated pathway that governs replication fork protection.
Subject(s)
BRCA1 Protein/chemistry , BRCA1 Protein/metabolism , DNA Replication , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/metabolism , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism , BRCA1 Protein/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , DNA Replication/genetics , Genomic Instability/genetics , Humans , Isomerism , Mutation , NIMA-Interacting Peptidylprolyl Isomerase/metabolism , Phosphorylation , Phosphoserine/metabolism , Protein Binding , Rad51 Recombinase/metabolismABSTRACT
Gene transcription is carried out by RNA polymerases (RNAPs). For transcription to occur, the closed promoter complex (RPc), where DNA is double stranded, must isomerize into an open promoter complex (RPo), where the DNA is melted out into a transcription bubble and the single-stranded template DNA is delivered to the RNAP active site. Using a bacterial RNAP containing the alternative σ54 factor and cryoelectron microscopy, we determined structures of RPc and the activator-bound intermediate complex en route to RPo at 3.8 and 5.8 Å. Our structures show how RNAP-σ54 interacts with promoter DNA to initiate the DNA distortions required for transcription bubble formation, and how the activator interacts with RPc, leading to significant conformational changes in RNAP and σ54 that promote RPo formation. We propose that DNA melting is an active process initiated in RPc and that the RNAP conformations of intermediates are significantly different from that of RPc and RPo.
Subject(s)
DNA, Single-Stranded/metabolism , Escherichia coli/enzymology , Klebsiella pneumoniae/enzymology , Nucleic Acid Denaturation , RNA Polymerase Sigma 54/metabolism , Transcription Initiation, Genetic , Binding Sites , Cryoelectron Microscopy , DNA, Single-Stranded/genetics , DNA, Single-Stranded/ultrastructure , Escherichia coli/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial , Klebsiella pneumoniae/genetics , Molecular Docking Simulation , Nucleic Acid Conformation , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Protein Binding , Protein Conformation , RNA Polymerase Sigma 54/genetics , RNA Polymerase Sigma 54/ultrastructure , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Rosuvastatin and atorvastatin are the most widely prescribed moderate- to high-intensity statins. However, evidence on their efficacy and safety during actual use is limited. OBJECTIVE: To compare the real-world effectiveness and safety of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin. DESIGN: Active comparator cohort study using target trial emulation. SETTING: The China Renal Data System (CRDS) and UK Biobank (UKB) databases. PARTICIPANTS: Adults newly prescribed rosuvastatin or atorvastatin. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Cox proportional hazards regressions were used after 1:1 multilevel propensity score matching. RESULTS: Among the 285 680 eligible participants in both databases, 6-year all-cause mortality was lower for rosuvastatin than for atorvastatin (2.57 vs. 2.83 per 100 person-years in the CRDS database and 0.66 vs. 0.90 per 100 person-years in the UKB database), with differences in cumulative incidence of -1.03% (95% CI, -1.44% to -0.46%) in the CRDS database and -1.38% (CI, -2.50% to -0.21%) in the UKB database. For secondary outcomes in both databases, rosuvastatin conferred lower risks for major adverse cardiovascular events and major adverse liver outcomes. In the UKB database, the risk for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus was higher with rosuvastatin, and the 2 medications carried similar risks for development of chronic kidney disease and other statin-related adverse effects. LIMITATION: Possible residual confounding. CONCLUSION: This study found differences in risks for some important outcomes associated with rosuvastatin and atorvastatin. The differences were relatively small, and many did not meet traditional standards for statistical significance. Further research is needed to understand whether these findings can be used with confidence in clinical practice. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Key R&D Program of China and National Natural Science Foundation of China.
ABSTRACT
The sinoatrial node (SAN), the leading pacemaker region, generates electrical impulses that propagate throughout the heart. SAN dysfunction with bradyarrhythmia is well documented in heart failure (HF). However, the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Mitochondria are critical to cellular processes that determine the life or death of the cell. The release of Ca2+ from the ryanodine receptors 2 (RyR2) on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) at mitochondria-SR microdomains serves as the critical communication to match energy production to meet metabolic demands. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that alterations in the mitochondria-SR connectomics contribute to SAN dysfunction in HF. We took advantage of a mouse model of chronic pressure overload-induced HF by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and a SAN-specific CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockdown of mitofusin-2 (Mfn2), the mitochondria-SR tethering GTPase protein. TAC mice exhibited impaired cardiac function with HF, cardiac fibrosis, and profound SAN dysfunction. Ultrastructural imaging using electron microscope (EM) tomography revealed abnormal mitochondrial structure with increased mitochondria-SR distance. The expression of Mfn2 was significantly down-regulated and showed reduced colocalization with RyR2 in HF SAN cells. Indeed, SAN-specific Mfn2 knockdown led to alterations in the mitochondria-SR microdomains and SAN dysfunction. Finally, disruptions in the mitochondria-SR microdomains resulted in abnormal mitochondrial Ca2+ handling, alterations in localized protein kinase A (PKA) activity, and impaired mitochondrial function in HF SAN cells. The current study provides insights into the role of mitochondria-SR microdomains in SAN automaticity and possible therapeutic targets for SAN dysfunction in HF patients.
Subject(s)
Connectome , Heart Failure , Mitochondria, Heart , Sarcoplasmic Reticulum , Sick Sinus Syndrome , Sinoatrial Node , Animals , Heart Failure/pathology , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Mice , Mitochondria, Heart/ultrastructure , Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism , Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel/genetics , Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel/metabolism , Sarcoplasmic Reticulum/pathology , Sick Sinus Syndrome/pathology , Sick Sinus Syndrome/physiopathology , Sinoatrial Node/physiopathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Follicles are fundamental units of the ovary, regulated intricately during development. Exosomes and ovarian granulosa cells (OGCs) play pivotal roles in follicular development, yet the regulatory mechanisms governing exosomes remain elusive. RESULTS: High-throughput sequencing was employed to evaluate the complete transcript expression profiles of six samples (three porcine ovarian granulosa cells-exosome co-culture samples (GCE) and three porcine ovarian granulosa cells (POGCs) samples). Differential expression analysis revealed 924 lncRNAs, 35 circRNAs, 49 miRNAs, and 9823 mRNAs in the GCE group. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses indicated enrichment of differentially expressed transcripts in pathways related to cell proliferation and apoptosis. Furthermore, a ceRNA regulatory network comprising 43 lncRNAs, 6 circRNAs, 11 miRNAs, and 126 mRNAs was constructed based on intergene co-expression correlations. Seven miRNAs associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis regulation were identified within this network, encompassing 92 subnet pairs as candidate genes for further exploration of exosome regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, preliminary verification at the cellular level demonstrated that exosomal miR-200b enhances the viability of POGCs. CONCLUSIONS: Transcriptome analysis unveiled a pivotal candidate ceRNA network potentially implicated in exosome-mediated regulation of granulosa cell proliferation and apoptosis, thereby influencing porcine follicular development. These findings offer insights into the molecular mechanisms of follicular fluid exosome regulation, encompassing both coding and non-coding RNA perspectives.
Subject(s)
Exosomes , Follicular Fluid , Gene Regulatory Networks , Granulosa Cells , MicroRNAs , Animals , Exosomes/metabolism , Exosomes/genetics , Swine/metabolism , Female , Granulosa Cells/metabolism , Follicular Fluid/metabolism , MicroRNAs/metabolism , MicroRNAs/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Circular/metabolism , RNA, Circular/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism , Transcriptome , Cells, Cultured , Cell Proliferation , Apoptosis , RNA, Competitive EndogenousABSTRACT
Extracting interior photoinduced species to the surface before their recombination is of great importance in pursuing high-efficiency semiconductor-based photocatalysis. Traditional strategies toward charge-carrier extraction, mostly relying on the construction of an electric field gradient, would be invalid toward the neutral-exciton counterpart in low-dimensional systems. In this work, by taking bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) as an example, we manipulate interior exciton extraction to the surface by implementing iodine doping at the edges of BiOBr plates. Spatial- and time-resolved spectroscopic analyses verified the accumulation of excitons and charge carriers at the edges of iodine-doped BiOBr (BiOBr-I) plates. This phenomenon could be associated with interior exciton extraction, driven by an energy-level gradient between interior and edge exciton states, and the following exciton dissociation processes. As such, BiOBr-I shows remarkable performance in photocatalytic C-H fluorination, mediated by both energy- and charge-transfer processes. This work uncovers the importance of spatial regulation of excitonic properties in low-dimensional semiconductor-based photocatalysis.
ABSTRACT
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) that feature uniform metal active sites with symmetry configurations hold great promise in photocatalysis, while their catalytic efficiency is often restricted by the insufficient inherent activity. Drawing inspiration from hard-soft acid-base theory, here we propose that the delocalized electronic state of single-atom centers can be selectively modulated by adjusting their coordination symmetry, thereby optimizing the adsorption and activation of the reactant molecules. By taking ceria-based Ru-SAC (Ru-CeO2) as an example, we show that after introducing symmetry breaking, the Ru-CeO2 with an asymmetric Ru-O4 configuration (named P-Ru-CeO2) exhibits highly delocalized electrons with a soft acidic nature, leading to a much higher photocatalytic performance than for pristine Ru-CeO2 and CeO2 counterparts. The corresponding inherent mechanism was systematically investigated by spectroscopy and theoretical studies. This work provides an effective strategy for the design and controllable modulation of atomically dispersed catalysts with symmetry-broken configurations, thereby advancing applications in photocatalysis.
ABSTRACT
Efficient utilization of solar energy for photocatalytic applications, particularly in the infrared spectrum, is crucial for addressing environmental challenges and energy scarcity. Herein we present a general strategy for constructing efficient infrared-driven photocatalysts in a metal/semiconductor heterojunction with Ohmic contact, where metals with low work function as the infrared-light absorber and semiconductors with electron storage ability can overcome the unfavorable electron flowback. Taking the NixB/MO2 (M = Ce, Ti, Sn, Ge, Zr, etc.) heterojunction as an example, both experimental and theoretical investigations reveal that the formation of an Ohmic contact facilitates the transfer of hot electrons from NixB to MO2, which are stored by the ion redox pairs for the variable valence character of M. As expected, the heterojunction exhibits remarkable photocatalytic activity under infrared light (λ ≥ 800 nm), as evidenced by the efficient photofixation of CO2 to high-value-added cyclic carbonates. This study offers a general platform for designing infrared-light-driven photocatalysts.
ABSTRACT
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common tumor worldwide and requires crucial molecular typing for treatment and prognosis assessment. Currently, approaches like pathological staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) face limitations due to the low signal-to-background ratio (SBR) and high tumor heterogeneity, resulting in a high misdiagnosis rate. Fluorescent assay in the second near-infrared region (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) exhibits ultrahigh SBR owing to diminished scattering and tissue autofluorescence. Here, we present a NIR-II strategy for accurate BC molecular typing and three-dimensional (3D) visualization based on the atomically precise fluorescent Au24Pr1 clusters. Single-atom Pr doping results in 3.9-fold fluorescence enhancement and long-term photostability. The Au24Pr1 clusters possess high fluorescence centered at â¼1100 nm and the SBR on pathological section diagnosis was 4 times higher than that of NIR-I imaging. This enables high spatial resolution 3D visualization of biopsy specimens, which can surmount tissue heterogeneity for clinical diagnosis of BC.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Imaging, Three-Dimensional , Humans , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Female , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Optical Imaging/methods , Gold/chemistry , Fluorescent Dyes/chemistryABSTRACT
Excessive accumulation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) within biological organisms is closely associated with many diseases. It remains a challenge to efficiently convert superfluous and detrimental NADH to NAD+. NADH oxidase (NOX) is a crucial oxidoreductase that catalyzes the oxidation of NADH to NAD+. Herein, M1M2 (Mi=V/Mn/Fe/Co/Cu/Mo/Rh/Ru/Pd, i = 1 or 2) mated-atom nanozymes (MANs) are designed by mimicking natural enzymes with polymetallic active centers. Excitingly, RhCo MAN possesses excellent and sustainable NOX-like activity, with Km-NADH (16.11 µM) being lower than that of NOX-mimics reported so far. Thus, RhCo MAN can significantly promote the regeneration of NAD+ and regulate macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype through down-regulation of TLR4 expression, which may help to recover skin regeneration. However, RhRu MAN with peroxidase-like activity and RhMn MAN with superoxide dismutase-like activity exhibit little modulating effects on eczema. This work provides a new strategy to inhibit skin inflammation and promote skin regeneration.
ABSTRACT
Homologous recombination (HR) is a major pathway for the repair of DNA double-strand breaks, the most severe form of DNA damage. The Rad51 protein is central to HR, but multiple auxiliary factors regulate its activity. The heterodimeric Swi5-Sfr1 complex is one such factor. It was previously shown that two sites within the intrinsically disordered domain of Sfr1 are critical for the interaction with Rad51. Here, we show that phosphorylation of five residues within this domain regulates the interaction of Swi5-Sfr1 with Rad51. Biochemical reconstitutions demonstrated that a phosphomimetic mutant version of Swi5-Sfr1 is defective in both the physical and functional interaction with Rad51. This translated to a defect in DNA repair, with the phosphomimetic mutant yeast strain phenocopying a previously established interaction mutant. Interestingly, a strain in which Sfr1 phosphorylation was blocked also displayed sensitivity to DNA damage. Taken together, we propose that controlled phosphorylation of Sfr1 is important for the role of Swi5-Sfr1 in promoting Rad51-dependent DNA repair.
Subject(s)
DNA Repair , Rad51 Recombinase , Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins , DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded , DNA Damage , Homologous Recombination , Rad51 Recombinase/metabolism , Schizosaccharomyces/enzymology , Schizosaccharomyces/genetics , Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins/genetics , Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins/metabolism , Mutation , PhosphorylationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The health and size of the testes are crucial for boar fertility. Testicular development is tightly regulated by epigenetics. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is a prevalent internal modification on mRNA and plays an important role in development. The mRNA m6A methylation in boar testicular development still needs to be investigated. RESULTS: Using the MeRIP-seq technique, we identify and profile m6A modification in boar testes between piglets and adults. The results showed 7783 distinct m6A peaks in piglets and 6590 distinct m6A peaks in adults, with 2,471 peaks shared between the two groups. Enrichment of GO and KEGG analysis reveal dynamic m6A methylation in various biological processes and signalling pathways. Meanwhile, we conjointly analyzed differentially methylated and expressed genes in boar testes before and after sexual maturity, and reproductive related genes (TLE4, TSSK3, TSSK6, C11ORF94, PATZ1, PHLPP1 and PAQR7) were identified. Functional enrichment analysis showed that differential genes are associated with important biological functions, including regulation of growth and development, regulation of metabolic processes and protein catabolic processes. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that m6A methylation, differential expression and the related signalling pathways are crucial for boar testicular development. These results suggest a role for m6A modification in boar testicular development and provided a resource for future studies on m6A function in boar testicular development.
Subject(s)
Adenosine , Sexual Maturation , Testis , Animals , Male , Testis/metabolism , Testis/growth & development , Adenosine/analogs & derivatives , Adenosine/metabolism , Swine/genetics , Sexual Maturation/genetics , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Methylation , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Signal Transduction , Gene Expression ProfilingABSTRACT
Achieving high guest loading and multiguest-binding capacity holds crucial significance for advancement in separation, catalysis, and drug delivery with synthetic receptors; however, it remains a challenging bottleneck in characterization of high-stoichiometry guest-binding events. Herein, we describe a large-sized coordination cage (MOC-70-Zn8Pd6) possessing 12 peripheral pockets capable of accommodating multiple guests and a high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS)-based method to understand the solution host-guest chemistry. A diverse range of bulky guests, varying from drug molecules to rigid fullerenes as well as flexible host molecules of crown ethers and calixarenes, could be loaded into open pockets with high capacities. Notably, these hollow cage pockets provide multisites to capture different guests, showing heteroguest coloading behavior to capture binary, ternary, or even quaternary guests. Moreover, a pair of commercially applied drugs for the combination therapy of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has been tested, highlighting its potential in multidrug delivery for combined treatment.