Macropinocytosis inhibits alkaliptosis in pancreatic cancer cells through fatty acid uptake.

Alkaliptosis, a form of regulated cell death, is characterized by lysosomal dysfunction and intracellular pH alkalinization. The pharmacological induction of alkaliptosis using the small molecule compound JTC801 has emerged as a promising anticancer strategy in various types of cancers, particularly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In this study, we investigate a novel mechanism by which macropinocytosis, an endocytic process involving the uptake of extracellular material, promotes resistance to alkaliptosis in human PDAC cells. Through lipid metabolomics analysis and functional studies, we demonstrate that the inhibition of alkaliptosis by fatty acids, such as oleic acid, is not dependent on endogenous synthetic pathways but rather on exogenous uptake facilitated by macropinocytosis. Consequently, targeting macropinocytosis through pharmacological approaches (e.g., using EIPA or EHoP-016) or genetic interventions (e.g., RAC1 knockdown) effectively enhances JTC801-induced alkaliptosis in human PDAC cells. These findings provide compelling evidence that the modulation of macropinocytosis can increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to alkaliptosis inducers.

Regulation of Cellular Signaling with an Aptamer Inhibitor to Impede Cancer Metastasis.

Tumor invasion and metastasis are the main causes of tumor progression and are the leading causes of death among cancer patients. In the present study, we propose a strategy to regulate cellular signaling with a tumor metastasis-relevant cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (CKAP4) specific aptamer for the achievement of tumor metastasis inhibition. The designed aptamer could specifically bind to CKAP4 in the cell membranes and cytoplasm to block the internalization and recycling of α5ß1 integrin, resulting in the disruption of the fibronectin-dependent cell adhesion and the weakening of the cell traction force. Moreover, the aptamer is able to impede the interaction between CKAP4 and Dickkopf1 (DKK1) to further block the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway, which subsequently reduces AKT phosphorylation and inhibits the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in cell migration. The synergetic function of the designed aptamer in inhibiting cancer cell adhesion and blocking the PI3K signaling pathway enables efficient tumor cell metastasis suppression. The aptamer with specific targeting ability in regulating cellular signaling paves the way for cancer treatment and further provides a guiding ideology for inhibiting tumor metastasis.

Single-Molecule Displacement Mapping Unveils Sign-Asymmetric Protein Charge Effects on Intraorganellar Diffusion.

Using single-molecule displacement/diffusivity mapping (SMdM), an emerging super-resolution microscopy method, here we quantify, at nanoscale resolution, the diffusion of a typical fluorescent protein (FP) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrion of living mammalian cells. We thus show that the diffusion coefficients D in both organelles are ∼40% of that in the cytoplasm, with the latter exhibiting higher spatial inhomogeneities. Moreover, we unveil that diffusions in the ER lumen and the mitochondrial matrix are markedly impeded when the FP is given positive, but not negative, net charges. Calculation shows most intraorganellar proteins as negatively charged, hence a mechanism to impede the diffusion of positively charged proteins. However, we further identify the ER protein PPIB as an exception with a positive net charge and experimentally show that the removal of this positive charge elevates its intra-ER diffusivity. We thus unveil a sign-asymmetric protein charge effect on the nanoscale intraorganellar diffusion.

Single-Molecule Displacement Mapping Indicates Unhindered Intracellular Diffusion of Small (≲1 kDa) Solutes.

While fundamentally important, the intracellular diffusion of small (≲1 kDa) solutes has been difficult to elucidate due to challenges in both labeling and measurement. Here we quantify and spatially map the translational diffusion patterns of small solutes in mammalian cells by integrating several recent advances. In particular, by executing tandem stroboscopic illumination pulses down to 400 µs separation, we extend single-molecule displacement/diffusivity mapping (SMdM), a super-resolution diffusion quantification tool, to small solutes with high diffusion coefficients D of >300 µm2/s. We thus show that for multiple water-soluble dyes and dye-tagged nucleotides, intracellular diffusion is dominated by vast regions of high diffusivity ∼60-70% of that in vitro, up to ∼250 µm2/s in the fastest cases. Meanwhile, we also visualize sub-micrometer foci of substantial slowdowns in diffusion, thus underscoring the importance of spatially resolving the local diffusion behavior. Together, these results suggest that the intracellular diffusion of small solutes is only modestly scaled down by the slightly higher viscosity of the cytosol over water but otherwise not further hindered by macromolecular crowding. We thus lift a paradoxically low speed limit for intracellular diffusion suggested by previous experiments.

Single-molecule displacement mapping unveils nanoscale heterogeneities in intracellular diffusivity.

Intracellular diffusion underlies vital cellular processes. However, it remains difficult to elucidate how an unbound protein diffuses inside the cell with good spatial resolution and sensitivity. Here we introduce single-molecule displacement/diffusivity mapping (SMdM), a super-resolution strategy that enables the nanoscale mapping of intracellular diffusivity through local statistics of the instantaneous displacements of freely diffusing single molecules. We thus show that the diffusion of an average-sized protein in the mammalian cytoplasm and nucleus is spatially heterogeneous at the nanoscale, and that variations in local diffusivity correlate with the ultrastructure of the actin cytoskeleton and the organization of the genome, respectively. SMdM of differently charged proteins further unveils that the possession of positive, but not negative, net charges drastically impedes diffusion, and that the rate is determined by the specific subcellular environments. We thus unveil rich heterogeneities and charge effects in intracellular diffusion at the nanoscale.

Total steroidal saponins from black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) overcome tumor multidrug resistance by inducing autophagy-mediated cell death in vivo and in vitro.

Multiple drug resistance (MDR) often occurs after prolonged chemotherapy, leading to refractory tumors and cancer recurrence. In this study, we demonstrated that the total steroidal saponins from Solanum nigrum L. (SN) had broad-spectrum cytotoxic activity against various human leukemia cancer cell lines, especially in adriamycin (ADR)-sensitive and resistant K562 cell lines. Moreover, SN could effectively inhibit the expression of ABC transporter in K562/ADR cells in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, by establishing K562/ADR xenograft tumor model, we demonstrated that SN might overcome drug resistance and inhibit the proliferation of tumors by regulating autophagy. In vitro, the increased LC3 puncta, the expression of LC3-II and Beclin-1, and the decreased expression of p62/SQSTM1 in SN-treated K562/ADR and K562 cells demonstrated autophagy induced by SN. Moreover, using the autophagy inhibitors or transfecting the ATG5 shRNA, we confirmed that autophagy induced by SN was a key factor in overcoming MDR thereby promoting cell death in K562/ADR cells. More importantly, SN-induced autophagy through the mTOR signaling pathway to overcome drug resistance and ultimately induced autophagy-mediated cell death in K562/ADR cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that SN has the potential to treat multidrug-resistant leukemia.

Author Correction: Gate controlling of quantum interference and direct observation of anti-resonances in single molecule charge transport.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Gate controlling of quantum interference and direct observation of anti-resonances in single molecule charge transport.

Quantum interference can profoundly affect charge transport in single molecules, but experiments can usually measure only the conductance at the Fermi energy. Because, in general, the most pronounced features of the quantum interference are not located at the Fermi energy, it is highly desirable to probe charge transport in a broader energy range. Here, by means of electrochemical gating, we measure the conductance and map the transmission functions of single molecules at and around the Fermi energy, and study signatures associated with constructive and destructive interference. With electrochemical gate control, we tune the quantum interference between the highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, and directly observe anti-resonance, a distinct feature of destructive interference. By tuning the molecule in and out of anti-resonance, we achieve continuous control of the conductance over two orders of magnitude with a subthreshold swing of ~17 mV dec-1, features relevant to high-speed and low-power electronics.

A combination of Citrus reticulata peel and black tea inhibits migration and invasion of liver cancer via PI3K/AKT and MMPs signaling pathway.

Liver cancer, one of the most common malignancies, is the second leading cause of cancer death in the world. The citrus reticulate peel and black tea have been studied for their beneficial health effects. In spite of the many studies have been reported, the underlying molecular mechanisms underlying its health benefits are still not fully understood. In present study, we developed a unique citrus reticulate peel black tea (CRPBT) by combined citrus reticulate peel and black tea and assessed its active ingredients, anti-oxidant and anti-liver cancer effects in vitro. The results suggested that CRPBT exhibited antioxidant capacity and effectively inhibited proliferation and migration of liver cancer cells in a dose- and time- dependent manner. Mechanistically, CRPBT significantly down-regulated phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT, and up-regulated the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and suppressed the expression of MMP2/9, N-cadherin and Vimetin proteins in liver cancer cells. Taken together, CRPBT has good effect on inhibiting migration, invasion, proliferation, and inducing apoptosis in liver cancer cells.

New anti-neuroinflammatory steroids against LPS induced NO production in BV2 microglia cells by microbial transformation of isorhodeasapogenin.

Microbial transformation of isorhodeasapogenin (1), the major steroidal sapogenin of Tupistra chinensis, was performed with the fungus Syncephalastrum racemosum (AS 3.264). As a result, nine new biotransformation metabolites (2-10) were isolated and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Hydroxylation, oxidation and glycosylation reactions were observed on the B, C, D and F rings of steroidal skeleton. Substrate (1) and its biotransformed metabolites 2-6, 8-10 were evaluated for their anti-neuroinflammatory effect on the NO accumulation induced by LPS in BV-2 cells. All the tested metabolites were found to have more potential anti-neuroinflammatory activity than the substrate. Especially, metabolites 2, 5 and 6 exhibited significant inhibition on NO production after hydroxylation at C-12 or C-15. Moreover, metabolite 2 dose-dependently reduced the LPS-induced protein expression of iNOS and COX-2.

Black tea affects obesity by reducing nutrient intake and activating AMP-activated protein kinase in mice.

The effects of certain tea components on the prevention of obesity in humans have been reported recently. However, whether Yinghong NO. 9 black tea consumption has beneficial effects on obesity are not known. Here, we obtained a Yinghong NO. 9 black tea infusion (Y9 BTI) and examined the anti-obesity effects of its oral administration. ICR mice were fed a standard diet supplemented with Y9 BTI at 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 g/kg body weight for two weeks, and the body weight were recorded. HE staining was used to evaluate the effect of Y9 BTI on mice liver. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression levels of related proteins in the mice liver and adipose. We found that the body weights of the mice in the control group were significantly higher than those of the mice in the middle and high dose groups. The results of western blot showed that Y9 BTI up-regulated the expression of liver kinase B1 (LKB1) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and also increased in AMPK phosphorylation (p-AMPK) and LKB1 phosphorylation (p-LKB1). Y9 BTI significantly down-regulated Fas Cell Surface Death Receptor(FAS) and activated the phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Furthermore, Y9 BTI (2.0 g/kg BW) down-regulated the expression of three factors (IL-1ß, Cox-2, and iNOS). Altogether, Y9 BTI supplementation reduced the feed intake of mice and may prevent obesity by inhibiting lipid absorption. These results suggest that Y9 BTI may regulate adipogenic processes through the LKB1/AMPK pathway.

Mechanical Stretching-Induced Electron-Transfer Reactions and Conductance Switching in Single Molecules.

A central idea in electron-transfer theories is the coupling of the electronic state of a molecule to its structure. Here we show experimentally that fine changes to molecular structures by mechanically stretching a single metal complex molecule via changing the metal-ligand bond length can shift its electronic energy levels and predictably guide electron-transfer reactions, leading to the changes in redox state. We monitor the redox state of the molecule by tracking its characteristic conductance, determine the shift in the redox potential due to mechanical stretching of the metal-ligand bond, and perform model calculations to provide insights into the observations. The work reveals that a mechanical force can shift the redox potential of a molecule, change its redox state, and thus allow the manipulation of single molecule conductance.

The Orbital Selection Rule for Molecular Conductance as Manifested in Tetraphenyl-Based Molecular Junctions.

Using two tetraphenylbenzene isomers differing only by the anchoring points to the gold electrodes, we investigate the influence of quantum interference on the single molecule charge transport. The distinct anchor points are realized by selective halogen-mediated binding to the electrodes by formation of surface-stabilized isomers after iodine cleavage. Both isomers are essentially chemically identical and only weakly perturbed by the electrodes avoiding largely parasitic effects, which allows us to focus solely on the relation between quantum interference and the intrinsic molecular properties. The conductance of the two isomers differs by over 1 order of magnitude and is attributed to constructive and destructive interference. Our ab initio based transport calculations compare very well with the accompanying scanning tunneling microscope break junction measurements of the conductance. The findings are rationalized using a two level model, which shows that the interorbital coupling plays the decisive role for the interference effects.

Spectrally Resolved, Functional Super-Resolution Microscopy Reveals Nanoscale Compositional Heterogeneity in Live-Cell Membranes.

By recording the full fluorescence spectra and super-resolved positions of ∼106 individual polarity-sensing solvatochromic molecules, we reveal compositional heterogeneity in the membranes of live mammalian cells with single-molecule sensitivity and ∼30 nm spatial resolution. This allowed us to unveil distinct polarity characteristics of the plasma membrane and the membranes of nanoscale intracellular organelles, a result we found to be due to differences in cholesterol levels. Within the plasma membrane, we observed the formation of low-polarity, raft-like nanodomains upon cholesterol addition or cholera-toxin treatment, but found this nanoscale phase separation absent in native cells. The ultimate sensitivity achieved through examining the spectra of individual molecules thus opens the door to functional interrogations of intracellular physicochemical parameters at the nanoscale.

Non-exponential Length Dependence of Conductance in Iodide-Terminated Oligothiophene Single-Molecule Tunneling Junctions.

An exponential decrease of molecular conductance with length has been observed in most molecular systems reported to date, and has been taken as a signature of non-resonant tunneling as the conduction mechanism. Surprisingly, the conductance of iodide-terminated oligothiophene molecules presented herein does not follow the simple exponential length dependence. The lack of temperature dependence in the conductance indicates that tunneling still dominates the conduction mechanism in the molecules. Transition voltage spectroscopy shows that the tunneling barrier of the oligothiophene decreases with length, but the decrease is insufficient to explain the non-exponential length dependence. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, stretching length measurement, and theoretical calculations show that the non-exponential length dependence is due to a transition in the binding geometry of the molecule to the electrodes in the molecular junctions as the length increases.

Tuning the Electromechanical Properties of Single DNA Molecular Junctions.

Understanding the interplay between the electrical and mechanical properties of DNA molecules is important for the design and characterization of molecular electronic devices, as well as understanding the role of charge transport in biological functions. However, to date, force-induced melting has limited our ability to investigate the response of DNA molecular conductance to stretching. Here we present a new molecule-electrode linker based on a hairpin-like design, which prevents force-induced melting at the end of single DNA molecules during stretching by stretching both strands of the duplex evenly. We find that the new linker group gives larger conductance than previously measured DNA-electrode linkers, which attach to the end of one strand of the duplex. In addition to changing the conductance the new linker also stabilizes the molecule during stretching, increasing the length a single DNA molecule can be stretched before an abrupt decrease in conductance. Fitting these electromechanical properties to a spring model, we show that distortion is more evenly distributed across the single DNA molecule during stretching, and thus the electromechanical effects of the π-π coupling between neighboring bases is measured.

Targeting paraptosis in cancer: opportunities and challenges.

Cell death can be classified into two primary categories: accidental cell death and regulated cell death (RCD). Within RCD, there are distinct apoptotic and non-apoptotic cell death pathways. Among the various forms of non-apoptotic RCD, paraptosis stands out as a unique mechanism characterized by distinct morphological changes within cells. These alterations encompass cytoplasmic vacuolization, organelle swelling, notably in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and the absence of typical apoptotic features, such as cell shrinkage and DNA fragmentation. Biochemically, paraptosis distinguishes itself by its independence from caspases, which are conventionally associated with apoptotic death. This intriguing cell death pathway can be initiated by various cellular stressors, including oxidative stress, protein misfolding, and specific chemical compounds. Dysregulated paraptosis plays a pivotal role in several critical cancer-related processes, such as autophagic degradation, drug resistance, and angiogenesis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in our understanding of the mechanisms and regulation of paraptosis. Additionally, it delves into the potential of paraptosis-related compounds for targeted cancer treatment, with the aim of enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing harm to healthy cells.

Predicting the prognosis of glioma patients with TERT promoter mutations and guiding the specific immune profile of immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

The telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERTp) is frequently mutated in gliomas. This study sought to identify immune biomarkers of gliomas with TERTp mutations. Data from TCGA were used to identify and validate survival-associated gene signatures, and immune and stromal scores were calculated using the ESTIMATE algorithm. High stromal or immune scores in patients with TERTp-mutant gliomas correlated with shorter overall survival compared to cases with low stromal or immune scores. Among TERTp-mutant gliomas with both high immune and high stromal scores, 213 commonly shared DEGs were identified. Among 71 interacting DEGs representing candidate hub genes in a PPI network, HOXC6, WT1, CD70, and OTP showed significant ability in establishing subgroups of high- and low-risk patients. A risk model based on these 4 genes showed strong prognostic potential for gliomas with mutated TERTp, but was inapplicable for TERTp-wild-type gliomas. TERTp-mutant gliomas with high-risk scores displayed a greater percentage of naïve B cells, plasma cells, naïve CD4 T cells, and activated mast cells than low-risk score gliomas. TIDE analysis indicated that immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy may benefit glioma patients with TERTp mutations. The present risk model can help predict prognosis of glioma patients with TERTp mutations and aid ICB treatment options.

Single-molecule displacement mapping indicates unhindered intracellular diffusion of small (<~1 kDa) solutes.

While fundamentally important, the intracellular diffusion of small (<~1 kDa) solutes has been difficult to elucidate due to challenges in both labeling and measurement. Here we quantify and spatially map the translational diffusion patterns of small solutes in mammalian cells by integrating several recent advances. In particular, by executing tandem stroboscopic illumination pulses down to 400-µs separation, we extend single-molecule displacement/diffusivity mapping (SM d M), a super-resolution diffusion quantification tool, to small solutes with high diffusion coefficients D of >300 µm 2 /s. We thus show that for multiple water-soluble dyes and dye-tagged nucleotides, intracellular diffusion is dominated by vast regions of high diffusivity ~60-70% of that in vitro , up to ~250 µm 2 /s in the fastest cases. Meanwhile, we also visualize sub-micrometer foci of substantial slowdowns in diffusion, thus underscoring the importance of spatially resolving the local diffusion behavior. Together, these results suggest that the intracellular diffusion of small solutes is only modestly scaled down by the slightly higher viscosity of the cytosol over water, but otherwise not further hindered by macromolecular crowding. We thus lift a paradoxically low speed limit for intracellular diffusion suggested by previous experiments.