DNA-Peptide Interaction-Modulated Charge Reversal in Biomimetic Nanochannels for Simple and Efficient Detection of Histone Deacetylases.

Protein acetylation, a fundamental post-translational modification, plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression and cellular processes. Monitoring histone deacetylases (HDACs) is important for understanding epigenetic dynamics and advancing the early diagnosis of malignancies. Here, we leverage the dynamic characteristics of DNA-peptide interactions in biomimetic nanochannels to develop a HDAC detection method. In specific, the catalysis of peptide deacetylation by HDACs triggers alterations in the charge states of the nanochannel surface to accommodate DNA molecules. Then, the interaction between DNA and peptides shifts the nanochannel surface charge from positive to negative, leading to a reversal of the ion current rectification (ICR). By calculation of the ICR ratio, quantitative detection of HDACs can be efficiently achieved using the nanochannel-based method in an enzyme-free and label-free manner. Our experimental results demonstrate that HDACs can be detected by using this method within a concentration range of 0.5-500 nM. The innate simplicity and efficiency of this strategy may render it a valuable tool for advancing both fundamental research and clinical applications in the realm of epigenetics and personalized medicine.

Graphene Oxide-Mediated Regulation of Volume Exclusion and Wettability in Biomimetic Phosphorylation-Responsive Ionic Gates.

Replicating phosphorylation-responsive ionic gates via artificial fluidic systems is essential for biomolecular detection and cellular communication research. However, current approaches to governing the gates primarily rely on volume exclusion or surface charge modulation. To overcome this limitation and enhance ion transport controllability, we introduce graphene oxide (GO) into nanochannel systems, simultaneously regulating the volume exclusion and wettability. Moreover, inspired by (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA)-regulated L-type Ca2+ channels, we employ peptides for phosphorylation which preserves them as nanoadhesives to coat nanochannels with GO. The coating boosts steric hindrance and diminishes wettability, creating a substantial ion conduction barrier, which represents a significant advancement in achieving precise ion transport regulation in abiotic nanochannels. Leveraging the mechanism, we also fabricated a sensitive biosensor for PKA activity detection and inhibition exploration. The combined regulation of volume exclusion and wettability offers an appealing strategy for controlled nanofluidic manipulation with promising biomedical applications in diagnosis and drug discovery.

Bioprocessing by Decellularized Scaffold Biomaterials in Cultured Meat: A Review.

As novel carrier biomaterials, decellularized scaffolds have promising potential in the development of cellular agriculture and edible cell-cultured meat applications. Decellularized scaffold biomaterials have characteristics of high biocompatibility, bio-degradation, biological safety and various bioactivities, which could potentially compensate for the shortcomings of synthetic bio-scaffold materials. They can provide suitable microstructure and mechanical support for cell adhesion, differentiation and proliferation. To our best knowledge, the preparation and application of plant and animal decellularized scaffolds have not been summarized. Herein, a comprehensive presentation of the principles, preparation methods and application progress of animal-derived and plant-derived decellularized scaffolds has been reported in detail. Additionally, their application in the culture of skeletal muscle, fat and connective tissue, which constitute the main components of edible cultured meat, have also been generally discussed. We also illustrate the potential applications and prospects of decellularized scaffold materials in future foods. This review of cultured meat and decellularized scaffold biomaterials provides new insight and great potential research prospects in food application and cellular agriculture.

Plasma-activated water: A novel frozen meat thawing media for reducing microbial contamination on chicken and improving the characteristics of protein.

To solve the problems of microbial contamination and protein loss caused by the conventional thawing method, plasma-activated water (PAW) and ultrasound were applied. Changes in microorganisms, protein loss, oxidation, degradation, digestion, and lipid oxidation were measured to evaluate the practicability of novel thawing treatments. Compared with the conventional thawing treatment, PAW thawing and ultrasound in combination with PAW thawing resulted in the reduction of the bacterium for 0.62-1.17 log CFU/g. Due to the presence of PAW in the thawing medium, the protein loss was reduced by 17.1-23.1%. NO radicals in the PAW retarded the lipid oxidation rate of chickens during thawing processing. These novel thawing treatments also had no significant effect on the apparent quality and protein compositions of chicken meat, and even improved protein digestion. PAW thawing treatment plays the role of sterilization while minimizing the protein loss, can be further applied to the thawing of poultry meat.