Mechanical design of the first proximal Ig domain of human cardiac titin revealed by single molecule force spectroscopy

The elastic I-band part of muscle protein titin contains two tandem immunoglobulin (Ig) domain regions of distinct mechanical properties. Until recently, the only known structure was that of the I27 module of the distal region, whose mechanical properties have been reported in detail. Recently, the structure of the first proximal domain, I1, has been resolved at 2.1A. In addition to the characteristic beta-sandwich structure of all titin Ig domains, the crystal structure of I1 showed an internal disulfide bridge that was proposed to modulate its mechanical extensibility in vivo. Here, we use single molecule force spectroscopy and protein engineering to examine the mechanical architecture of this domain. In contrast to the predictions made from the X-ray crystal structure, we find that the formation of a disulfide bridge in I1 is a relatively rare event in solution, even under oxidative conditions. Furthermore, our studies of the mechanical stability of I1 modules engineered with point mutations reveal significant differences between the mechanical unfolding of the I1 and I27 modules. Our study illustrates the varying mechanical architectures of the titin Ig modules.

The mechanical stability of ubiquitin is linkage dependent

Ubiquitin chains are formed through the action of a set of enzymes that covalently link ubiquitin either through peptide bonds or through isopeptide bonds between their C terminus and any of four lysine residues. These naturally occurring polyproteins allow one to study the mechanical stability of a protein, when force is applied through different linkages. Here we used single-molecule force spectroscopy techniques to examine the mechanical stability of N-C-linked and Lys48-C-linked ubiquitin chains. We combined these experiments with steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations and found that the mechanical stability and unfolding pathway of ubiquitin strongly depend on the linkage through which the mechanical force is applied to the protein. Hence, a protein that is otherwise very stable may be easily unfolded by a relatively weak mechanical force applied through the right linkage. This may be a widespread mechanism in biological systems.

Linkage between ATP consumption and mechanical unfolding during the protein processing reactions of an AAA+ degradation machine

Proteolytic machines powered by ATP hydrolysis bind proteins with specific peptide tags, denature these substrates, and translocate them into a sequestered compartment for degradation. To determine how ATP is used during individual reaction steps, we assayed ClpXP degradation of ssrA-tagged titin variants with different stabilities in native and denatured forms. The rate of ATP turnover was 4-fold slower during denaturation than translocation. Importantly, this reduced turnover rate was constant during denaturation of native variants with different stabilities, but total ATP consumption increased with substrate stability, suggesting an iterative application of a uniform, mechanical unfolding force. Destabilization of substrate structure near the degradation tag accelerated degradation and dramatically reduced ATP consumption, revealing an important role for local protein stability in resisting denaturation. The ability to denature more stable proteins simply by using more ATP endows ClpX with a robust unfolding activity required for its biological roles in degradation and complex disassembly.

Cardiac titin: molecular basis of elasticity and cellular contribution to elastic and viscous stiffness components in myocardium

Myocardium resists the inflow of blood during diastole through stretch-dependent generation of passive tension. Earlier we proposed that this tension is mainly due to collagen stiffness at degrees of stretch corresponding to sarcomere lengths (SLS) > or = 2.2 microns, but at shorter lengths, is principally determined by the giant sarcomere protein titin. Myocardial passive force consists of stretch-velocity-sensitive (viscous/viscoelastic) and velocity-insensitive (elastic) components; these force components are seen also in isolated cardiac myofibrils or skinned cells devoid of collagen. Here we examine the cellular/myofibrillar origins of passive force and describe the contribution of titin, or interactions involving titin, to individual passive-force components. We construct force-extension relationships for the four distinct elastic regions of cardiac titin, using results of in situ titin segment-extension studies and force measurements on isolated cardiac myofibrils. Then, we compare these relationships with those calculated for each region with the wormlike-chain (WLC) model of entropic polymer elasticity. Parameters used in the WLC calculations were determined experimentally by single-molecule atomic force-microscopy measurements on engineered titin domains. The WLC modelling faithfully predicts the steady-state-force vs. extension behavior of all cardiac-titin segments over much of the physiological SL range. Thus, the elastic-force component of cardiac myofibrils can be described in terms of the entropic-spring properties of titin segments. In contrast, entropic elasticity cannot account for the passive-force decay of cardiac myofibrils following quick stretch (stress relaxation). Instead, slower (viscoelastic) components of stress relaxation could be simulated by using a Monte-Carlo approach, in which unfolding of a few immunoglobulin domains per titin molecule explains the force decay. Fast components of stress relaxation (viscous drag) result mainly from interaction between actin and titin filaments; actin extraction of cardiac sarcomeres by gelsolin immediately suppressed the quickly decaying force transients. The combined results reveal the sources of velocity sensitive and insensitive force components of cardiomyofibrils stretched in diastole.

Short communication: Practical aspects for the evaluation of skin doses in interventional cardiology using a new slow film

Mapping skin doses in complex fluoroscopy interventions is useful to determine the probability of a possible injury, to detect areas of overlapping irradiation fields and to obtain a permanent register of the most exposed patient skin areas. To fulfil this task, large films with slow X-ray response can be used. Recently, Kodak has introduced a new radiotherapy verification film, named EDR2 (Extended Dose Range). The aim of this paper is to analyse the possibilities of using this new film for estimating skin dose distributions in interventions with potentially higher doses, such as complex percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), intravascular brachytherapy procedures (IVB) or cardiac ablations. The EDR2 film by Kodak is an improved option to be used in interventional cardiology to obtain maps of patient skin doses and to estimate maximum skin doses up to 1400 mGy. Film kVp dependence is negligible and the processor conditions can be standardized to obtain skin dose estimations. The linear range for accurate dose measurements is from 50 mGy to 500 mGy.

Skin dose and dose-area product values in patients undergoing intracoronary brachytherapy

Entrance skin doses, dose-area product (DAP) values, fluoroscopy times and digital cine acquisition data were measured for 86 patients undergoing intracoronary brachytherapy procedures with beta sources, to estimate risk of skin injuries. Interventions were carried out in three dedicated X-ray interventional cardiology rooms equipped with X-ray systems operating in pulsed modes, with high filtration and edge filter options. Skin dose distribution was analysed in detail in 56 patients using slow films and thermoluminescent dosimetry. Digital recording of Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine cine images also allowed analysis of the technical parameters used throughout the procedures. A protocol for clinical follow-up of these patients at the cardiology service is also presented, which prescribes special attention when a threshold dose is reached. Median values for DAP, fluoroscopy time and number of frames were 81.2 Gy cm(2), 17.5 min and 1569 frames, respectively, and maximum values were 323.3 Gy cm(2), 46.2 min and 3213 frames, respectively. In two cases, maximum skin doses in a procedure reached 3.5 Gy and 4.6 Gy. Comparing median values in this study, intracoronary brachytherapy involved approximately two-fold the DAP used in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty procedures performed during the same period in the same catheterization laboratories, as a consequence of the need to monitor the radioactive source location used for the treatment of stenoses and the intravascular ultrasound. Special care must be paid in those cases of high dose in relation to potential patient skin injuries and late effects.

Effects of feeding milk replacer once versus twice daily on glucose metabolism in Holstein and Jersey calves

Eighteen Holstein (experiment 1) and 15 Jersey (experiment 2) heifer calves were fed milk replacer once or twice daily to determine effects of feeding frequency on weight gain, starter intake, and glucose metabolism. Body weights were measured weekly from birth to 8 wk. Blood samples were collected at wk 1 through 6 from all calves before and at 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min after the morning feeding. Plasma was analyzed for glucose, insulin, glucagon, and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). Urine was collected 90 min postfeeding to measure glucose concentration. Treatment did not affect mean starter intake or body weight. In experiments 1 and 2 mean plasma glucagon, glucose, NEFA, and insulin and urinary glucose concentrations were not affected by treatment. There was an interaction of sampling time and treatment for plasma insulin concentrations but not for glucose concentrations in both experiments. Following feeding, calves fed milk replacer once daily had higher insulin concentrations than those fed twice daily. There was an interaction of sampling time and treatment for plasma NEFA concentrations in Jersey calves only. Jersey calves fed milk replacer once daily had higher plasma NEFA concentrations before the morning milk replacer feeding. At wk 3 and 6, frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed to assess glucose effectiveness, insulin sensitivity, and acute insulin response. In experiments 1 and 2 glucose effectiveness and insulin sensitivity were similar regardless of milk replacer feeding frequency. In Holstein and Jersey calves fed milk replacer twice daily, acute insulin response was greater than in calves fed once daily. However, insulin sensitivity decreased with age, while acute insulin response increased with age. These data suggest that feeding calves milk replacer once daily did not deleteriously affect performance or glucose metabolism regardless of breed.

Reverse engineering of the giant muscle protein titin

Through the study of single molecules it has become possible to explain the function of many of the complex molecular assemblies found in cells. The protein titin provides muscle with its passive elasticity. Each titin molecule extends over half a sarcomere, and its extensibility has been studied both in situ and at the level of single molecules. These studies suggested that titin is not a simple entropic spring but has a complex structure-dependent elasticity. Here we use protein engineering and single-molecule atomic force microscopy to examine the mechanical components that form the elastic region of human cardiac titin. We show that when these mechanical elements are combined, they explain the macroscopic behaviour of titin in intact muscle. Our studies show the functional reconstitution of a protein from the sum of its parts.

18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography in the evaluation of nonseminomatous germ cell tumours at relapse

OBJECTIVES

To compare the performance of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and computed tomography (CT) in the follow-up of nonseminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCT) in the retroperitoneum.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

FDG-PET was used 25 times in 15 patients diagnosed with NSGCT. At the time of diagnosis five patients each were in stage I, II and III. Five patients had pure embryonal carcinoma, two had yolk sac tumours, one choriocarcinoma and seven had mixed tumours.

RESULTS

Eleven patients either presented with retroperitoneal disease or this did not disappear after chemotherapy. The results of both examinations coincided in 18 cases and were contradictory in the other seven, the difference being statistically significant (P=0.042).

CONCLUSION

In these patients FDG-PET detected the retroperitoneal relapse of NSGCT, in advanced stages treated with surgery plus chemotherapy, earlier than did CT; it also detected the presence of mature teratoma in residual retroperitoneal masses more accurately than CT. More extensive trials are needed before making conclusions about FDG-PET imaging as a routine method for NSGCT.

The mechanical hierarchies of fibronectin observed with single-molecule AFM

Mechanically induced conformational changes in proteins such as fibronectin are thought to regulate the assembly of the extracellular matrix and underlie its elasticity and extensibility. Fibronectin contains a region of tandem repeats of up to 15 type III domains that play critical roles in cell binding and self-assembly. Here, we use single-molecule force spectroscopy to examine the mechanical properties of fibronectin (FN) and its individual FNIII domains. We found that fibronectin is highly extensible due to the unfolding of its FNIII domains. We found that the native FNIII region displays strong mechanical unfolding hierarchies requiring 80 pN of force to unfold the weakest domain and 200 pN for the most stable domain. In an effort to determine the identity of the weakest/strongest domain, we engineered polyproteins composed of an individual domain and measured their mechanical stability by single-protein atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. In contrast to chemical and thermal measurements of stability, we found that the tenth FNIII domain is mechanically the weakest and that the first and second FNIII domains are the strongest. Moreover, we found that the first FNIII domain can acquire multiple, partially folded conformations, and that their incidence is modulated strongly by its neighbor FNIII domain. The mechanical hierarchies of fibronectin demonstrated here may be important for the activation of fibrillogenesis and matrix assembly.

Chair-boat transitions in single polysaccharide molecules observed with force-ramp AFM

Under a stretching force, the sugar ring of polysaccharide molecules switches from the chair to the boat-like or inverted chair conformation. This conformational change can be observed by stretching single polysaccharide molecules with an atomic force microscope. In those early experiments, the molecules were stretched at a constant rate while the resulting force changed over wide ranges. However, because the rings undergo force-dependent transitions, an experimental arrangement where the force is the free variable introduces an undesirable level of complexity in the results. Here we demonstrate the use of force-ramp atomic force microscopy to capture the conformational changes in single polysaccharide molecules. Force-ramp atomic force microscopy readily captures the ring transitions under conditions where the entropic elasticity of the molecule is separated from its conformational transitions, enabling a quantitative analysis of the data with a simple two-state model. This analysis directly provides the physico-chemical characteristics of the ring transitions such as the width of the energy barrier, the relative energy of the conformers, and their enthalpic elasticity. Our experiments enhance the ability of single-molecule force spectroscopy to make high-resolution measurements of the conformations of single polysaccharide molecules under a stretching force, making an important addition to polysaccharide spectroscopy.

PEVK domain of titin: an entropic spring with actin-binding properties

The PEVK domain of the giant muscle protein titin is a proline-rich sequence with unknown secondary/tertiary structure. Here we compared the force-extension behavior of cloned cardiac PEVK titin measured by single-molecule atomic force spectroscopy with the extensibility of the PEVK domain measured in intact cardiac muscle sarcomeres. The analysis revealed that cardiac PEVK titin acts as an entropic spring with the properties of a random coil exhibiting mechanical conformations of different flexibility. Since in situ, titin is in close proximity to the thin filaments, we also studied whether the PEVK domain of cardiac or skeletal titin may interact with actin filaments. Interaction was indeed found in the in vitro motility assay, in which recombinant PEVK titin constructs slowed down the sliding velocity of actin filaments over myosin. Skeletal PEVK titin affected the actin sliding to a lesser degree than cardiac PEVK titin. The cardiac PEVK effect was partially suppressed by physiological Ca(2+) concentrations, whereas the skeletal PEVK effect was independent of [Ca(2+)]. Cosedimentation assays confirmed the Ca(2+)-modulated actin-binding propensity of cardiac PEVK titin, but did not detect interaction between actin and skeletal PEVK titin. In myofibrils, the relatively weak actin-PEVK interaction gives rise to a viscous force component opposing filament sliding. Thus, the PEVK domain contributes not only to the extensibility of the sarcomere, but also affects contractile properties.

Detection of the 5'-cap structure of messenger RNAs with the use of the cap-jumping approach

An effective procedure for specific determination of the cap structure at the 5'-terminus of mRNA and for isolation of the corresponding full-length cDNA has been developed. The procedure involves covalent attachment of an oligonucleotide template extender to the 5'-cap structure of mRNA followed by RT-PCR using M-MLV SuperScript II reverse transcriptase. In the course of reverse transcription, the enzyme 'jumps over' the cap structure and includes the sequence complementary to the oligonucleotide template extender into the 3'-end of the first cDNA strand. The cap-jumping method was successfully tested using some mammalian cellular mRNAs, genomic RNAs of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) U1 and the recently isolated crucifer-infecting tobamovirus. Moreover, cDNA products corresponding to the genomic tobamovirus RNA were obtained from total RNA extracted from tobacco plants infected by crucifer-infecting tobamovirus or tobacco mosaic virus. Using the cap-jumping method, we have shown for the first time that genomic crucifer-infecting tobamovirus (crTMV) RNA contains a 5'-cap structure. This improved method can be recommended for the construction of full-length and 5'-end enriched cDNA libraries, identification of capped RNAs and determination of their 5'-terminal sequences.

Effect of perezone, aminoperezone and their corresponding isomers isoperezone and isoaminoperezone upon in vitro platelet aggregation

The effect on platelet aggregation of perezone, isoperezone, aminoperezone and isoaminoperezone has been determined in human platelets, using adenosinediphosphate (ADP), epinephrine and collagen as inducers. Perezone inhibited ADP- epinephrine- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation; isoperezone, aminoperezone and isoaminoperezone did not. The difference in biological responses could be the result of their structures. While isoperezone, aminoperezone and isoaminoperezone have carbonyl groups in the vicinity of other functional groups, this is not the case for perezone, in which one of the carbonyl groups has an adjacent free position.

Multiple conformations of PEVK proteins detected by single-molecule techniques

An important component of muscle elasticity is the PEVK region of titin, so named because of the preponderance of these amino acids. However, the PEVK region, similar to other elastomeric proteins, is thought to form a random coil and therefore its structure cannot be determined by standard techniques. Here we combine single-molecule electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy to examine the conformations of the human cardiac titin PEVK region. In contrast to a simple random coil, we have found that cardiac PEVK shows a wide range of elastic conformations with end-to-end distances ranging from 9 to 24 nm and persistence lengths from 0.4 to 2.5 nm. Individual PEVK molecules retained their distinctive elastic conformations through many stretch-relaxation cycles, consistent with the view that these PEVK conformers cannot be interconverted by force. The multiple elastic conformations of cardiac PEVK may result from varying degrees of proline isomerization. The single-molecule techniques demonstrated here may help elucidate the conformation of other proteins that lack a well-defined structure.

BS-SEM evaluation of the tissular interactions between cortical bone and calcium-phosphate covered titanium implants

The improvement of the reliability of the contact between the osseous tissues and the implant materials has been tested by recovering the metallic implants with ceramic materials, usually calcium phosphates. In our study, the calcium phosphate recovering layers were deposited by means of a pulsed-laser deposition technique. Our aim was to to evaluate the tissue interactions established between cortical bone and titanium implants covered by five different layers, ranging from amorphous calcium phosphate to crystalline hydroxyapatite, obtained by altering the parameters of the laser ablation process. The surgical protocol of the study consisted in the simultaneous implantation of the five types of implants in both the tibial dyaphisis of three Beagle dogs, sacrificed respectively one, two and three months after the last surgical procedures. After the sacrifice, the samples were submitted to a scheduled procedure of embedding in plastic polymers without prior decalcification, in order to perform the ultrastructural studies: scanning microscopy with secondary and backscattered electrons (BS-SEM). Our observations show that both in terms of the calcified tissues appearing as a response to the presence of the different coatings and of time of recovering, the implants coated with crystalline calcium phosphate layers by laser ablation present a better result than the amorphous-calcium-phosphate-coated implants. Moreover, the constant presence of chondroid tissue, related with the mechanical induction by forces applied on the recovering area, strongly suggests that the mechanisms implied in osteointegration are related to endomembranous, rather than endochondral ossification processes.

Effect of chromium picolinate and chromium propionate on glucose and insulin kinetics of growing barrows and on growth and carcass traits of growing-finishing barrows

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary Cr tripicolinate (CrPic) or Cr propionate (CrProp) on growth, carcass traits, plasma metabolites, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity in pigs. In Exp. 1, 36 barrows (12 per treatment; initial and final BW were 20 and 38 kg) were allotted to the following treatments: 1) corn-soybean meal basal diet (control), 2) as 1 + 200 ppb Cr as CrPic, or 3) as 1 + 200 ppb Cr as CrProp. Growth performance data were collected for 28 d, and then 23 pigs (seven, eight, and eight pigs for treatments 1, 2, and 3, respectively) were fitted with jugular catheters and a glucose tolerance test (500 mg glucose/kg BW) and an insulin challenge test (0.1 IU of porcine insulin/kg BW) were conducted. Both CrPic and CrProp decreased (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI but did not affect gain:feed (P > 0.10). Fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, urea N, insulin, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol:total cholesterol concentrations were not affected (P > 0.10) by either Cr source. Pigs fed CrPic had lower (P < 0.02) fasting plasma NEFA concentrations than control pigs, but plasma NEFA concentrations of pigs fed CrProp were not affected (P > 0.10). During the glucose tolerance test, glucose and insulin kinetics were not affected by treatment (P > 0.10). During the insulin challenge test, glucose clearance was increased (P < 0.01) in pigs fed CrProp but not affected (P > 0.10) in pigs fed CrPic. Glucose half-life was decreased (P < 0.03) in pigs fed CrPic or CrProp, but insulin kinetics were not affected (P > 0.10). In Exp. 2, 48 barrows (four replicates of four pigs per replicate; initial and final BW were 23 and 115 kg) were allotted to the same dietary treatments in a growing-finishing study. Average daily gain, ADFI, and gain:feed were not affected (P > 0.10) by treatments. Carcass length tended (P = 0.10) to be greater in pigs fed CrPic than in pigs fed CrProp, but other carcass measurements were not affected (P > 0.10). Glucose kinetics from the insulin challenge test indicate that both CrPic and CrProp increase insulin sensitivity and that both Cr sources are bioavailable.

Supplemental dietary protein for grazing dairy cows: effect on pasture intake and lactation performance

One hundred twenty-four cows (92 multiparous and 32 primiparous) were used to evaluate the effect of grain supplements containing high crude protein [(22.8% CP, 5.3% rumen undegradable protein (RUP), dry matter basis], moderate CP (16.6% CP, 6.1% RUP), and moderate CP with supplemental RUP (16.2% CP, 10.8% RUP) on lactation performance of Holstein cows rotationally grazing annual ryegrass-oat pastures. Supplemental protein was provided by solvent extracted soybean meal in the high CP and moderate CP supplements and as a corn gluten meal-blood meal mixture (2.8:1) in the moderate CP, high RUP supplement. Cows were blocked according to previous mature milk equivalent production and calving date (partum group; 0 d in milk or postpartum group; 21 to 65 d in milk) and randomly assigned to dietary treatments. Grain was individually fed, at approximately a 1:3 grain to milk ratio, before a.m. and p.m milkings. The study was replicated during two grazing seasons that averaged 199 d. Cows had ad libitum access to bermudagrass hay while on pasture (dry matter intake = 1.3 kg/d). Protein supplementation had no effect on study long pasture dry matter (12.7 +/- 1.0 kg/d) or total dry matter (23.9 +/- 1.2 kg/d) consumption. Protein concentration did not affect actual milk yield of either calving group (high CP vs. moderate CP); however, postpartum group cows receiving high CP grain supplements maintained greater milk fat concentrations (3.34 vs. 3.11%), which led to higher fat-corrected milk (FCM) yields than control cows receiving moderate CP grain diets (30.3 vs. 28.9 kg/d). Crude protein concentration in milk of high CP-supplemented, postpartum group cows was also higher than moderate CP cows (3.42 vs. 3.27%). Additional RUP did not increase FCM yield above that generated by moderate CP grain diets for partum (34.3 vs. 32.9 kg/d) or postpartum-group cows (28.9 vs. 28.2 kg/d). Increasing CP concentration of grain supplement did not affect milk yield of Holstein cows grazing immature winter annual pastures. Supplementing additional RUP was without benefit, indicating that in this study energy deprivation may have been the major nutritional constraint for high-producing dairy cows grazing lush pastures.

Supplemental Dietary Protein for Grazing Dairy Cows: Reproduction, Condition Loss, Plasma Metabolites, and Insulin

An experiment was conducted over a 2-yr period to investigate the influence of grain crude protein (CP) and rumen undegradable protein (RUP) concentration on reproduction and energy status of dairy cows grazing annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and oats (Avena sativa). Holstein cows (n = 122) were blocked by calving group [partum (0 d postpartum) vs. postpartum (41 +/- 19 d postpartum at study initiation)] and assigned to grain supplements containing high CP [22.8% of dry matter (DM)], moderate CP (16.6%), or moderate CP (16.2%)] supplemented with RUP from blood meal and corn gluten meal. Postpartum condition loss was greater and first-service pregnancy rate was lower for partum-group cows receiving high CP grain supplements compared with control cows receiving moderate CP supplements. The RUP supplements reduced grain consumption, increased days to first estrus, and reduced first-service pregnancy rate of partum-group cows. The reproduction of postpartum group cows was unaffected by protein supplements. Plasma urea nitrogen was higher for cows fed high CP diets, but plasma ammonia nitrogen, glycated hemoglobin, nonesterified fatty acids, beta-hydoxybutyrate, glucose, and insulin concentrations were similar to cows fed moderate CP. Excess postpartum condition loss, coupled with inconsistent protein supplement effects on days to first service and first-service pregnancy rate, suggest that energy deprivation may have contributed to the low fertility experienced by grazing cows in this study.

Mechanical design of proteins studied by single-molecule force spectroscopy and protein engineering

Mechanical unfolding and refolding may regulate the molecular elasticity of modular proteins with mechanical functions. The development of the atomic force microscopy (AFM) has recently enabled the dynamic measurement of these processes at the single-molecule level. Protein engineering techniques allow the construction of homomeric polyproteins for the precise analysis of the mechanical unfolding of single domains. alpha-Helical domains are mechanically compliant, whereas beta-sandwich domains, particularly those that resist unfolding with backbone hydrogen bonds between strands perpendicular to the applied force, are more stable and appear frequently in proteins subject to mechanical forces. The mechanical stability of a domain seems to be determined by its hydrogen bonding pattern and is correlated with its kinetic stability rather than its thermodynamic stability. Force spectroscopy using AFM promises to elucidate the dynamic mechanical properties of a wide variety of proteins at the single molecule level and provide an important complement to other structural and dynamic techniques (e.g., X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, patch-clamp).

Fingerprinting polysaccharides with single-molecule atomic force microscopy

We report the use of an atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based force spectroscopy technique to identify, at the single-molecule level, the components of mixtures of polysaccharides. Previously, we showed that the elasticity of certain types of polysaccharides is governed by force-induced conformational transitions of the pyranose ring. These transitions produce atomic fingerprints in the force-extension spectrum that are characteristic of the ground-energy conformation of the pyranose ring and the type of glycosidic linkages. Using this approach we find that commercially available agarose and lambda-carrageenan contain molecules that, when stretched in an atomic force microscope, produce a force spectrum characteristic of alpha-(1-->4) d-glucans. We have identified these molecules as amylopectin or floridean starch, a storage polysaccharide in algae. Our methodology can identify individual polysaccharide molecules in solution, which is not possible by any other spectroscopic technique, and therefore is an important addition to the arsenal of analytical techniques used in carbohydrate research.

Unfolding of titin domains explains the viscoelastic behavior of skeletal myofibrils

The elastic section of the giant muscle protein titin contains many immunoglobulin-like domains, which have been shown by single-molecule mechanical studies to unfold and refold upon stretch-release. Here we asked whether the mechanical properties of Ig domains and/or other titin regions could be responsible for the viscoelasticity of nonactivated skeletal-muscle sarcomeres, particularly for stress relaxation and force hysteresis. We show that isolated psoas myofibrils respond to a stretch-hold protocol with a characteristic force decay that becomes more pronounced following stretch to above 2.6-microm sarcomere length. The force decay was readily reproducible by a Monte Carlo simulation taking into account both the kinetics of Ig-domain unfolding and the worm-like-chain model of entropic elasticity used to describe titin's elastic behavior. The modeling indicated that the force decay is explainable by the unfolding of only a very small number of Ig domains per titin molecule. The simulation also predicted that a unique sequence in titin, the PEVK domain, may undergo minor structural changes during sarcomere extension. Myofibrils subjected to 1-Hz cycles of stretch-release exhibited distinct hysteresis that persisted during repetitive measurements. Quick stretch-release protocols, in which variable pauses were introduced after the release, revealed a two-exponential time course of hysteresis recovery. The rate constants of recovery compared well with the refolding rates of Ig-like or fibronectin-like domains measured by single-protein mechanical analysis. These findings suggest that in the sarcomere, titin's Ig-domain regions may act as entropic springs capable of adjusting their contour length in response to a stretch.

Peptide YY administration decreases brain aluminum in the Ts65Dn Down syndrome mouse model

We have previously reported the Ts65Dn (Ts) mouse has impaired intestinal absorptive function and amino acid metabolism. Peptide YY (PYY) has enhanced glucose absorption in mice and turkeys. Other studies have reported that persons with Down syndrome have increased intestinal absorption of aluminum. Alzheimer's-like lesions have been reported in Ts mice. Trial 1 of this study examined brain Al concentrations, plasma metabolites and intestinal metabolism of 40 control and 40 Ts mice administered 300microg PYY/kg body weight or 0.9% saline for 3d. Trial 2 examined nutrient digestibility of 12 C and 12 Ts given PYY or saline for 14d. In Trial 1, PYY lowered (p<0.05) the brain Al pool (mg/g FBW) in both C and Ts mice by 80% compared to saline. Ts mice had increased plasma NH3 (329 vs. 269 microM, p<0.05), decreased plasma glucose (7.4 vs. 8.4 mM, p<0.01), elevated apparent energetic efficiency of jejunal glucose uptake (p<0.01) and elevated brain Al pool (0.41 vs. 0.12 microg, p=0.06) compared to C mice. In Trial 2, PYY increased small intestinal density (mg/cm) 12% in both genotypes (p<0.05), but did not alter nutrient digestibility. Brain Al accretion and hyperammonemia are proposed risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ts mice and PYY appear to be suitable models for the study of metabolic and neurological anomalies in Down syndrome and AD.