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Smith JW, Carnevale LN, Das A, Chen Q. Electron videography of a lipid-protein tango. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk0217. [PMID: 38630809 PMCID: PMC11023515 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk0217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Biological phenomena, from enzymatic catalysis to synaptic transmission, originate in the structural transformations of biomolecules and biomolecular assemblies in liquid water. However, directly imaging these nanoscopic dynamics without probes or labels has been a fundamental methodological challenge. Here, we developed an approach for "electron videography"-combining liquid phase electron microscopy with molecular modeling-with which we filmed the nanoscale structural fluctuations of individual, suspended, and unlabeled membrane protein nanodiscs in liquid. Systematic comparisons with biochemical data and simulation indicate the graphene encapsulation involved can afford sufficiently reduced effects of the illuminating electron beam for these observations to yield quantitative fingerprints of nanoscale lipid-protein interactions. Our results suggest that lipid-protein interactions delineate dynamically modified membrane domains across unexpectedly long ranges. Moreover, they contribute to the molecular mechanics of the nanodisc as a whole in a manner specific to the protein within. Overall, this work illustrates an experimental approach to film, quantify, and understand biomolecular dynamics at the nanometer scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W. Smith
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Lauren N. Carnevale
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Aditi Das
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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2
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Huang Y, Chang Z, Gao Y, Ren C, Lin Y, Zhang X, Wu C, Pan X, Huang Z. Overcoming the Low-Stability Bottleneck in the Clinical Translation of Liposomal Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhalers: A Shell Stabilization Strategy Inspired by Biomineralization. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3261. [PMID: 38542235 PMCID: PMC10970625 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, several types of inhalable liposomes have been developed. Among them, liposomal pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) have gained much attention due to their cost-effectiveness, patient compliance, and accurate dosages. However, the clinical application of liposomal pMDIs has been hindered by the low stability, i.e., the tendency of the aggregation of the liposome lipid bilayer in hydrophobic propellant medium and brittleness under high mechanical forces. Biomineralization is an evolutionary mechanism that organisms use to resist harsh external environments in nature, providing mechanical support and protection effects. Inspired by such a concept, this paper proposes a shell stabilization strategy (SSS) to solve the problem of the low stability of liposomal pMDIs. Depending on the shell material used, the SSS can be classified into biomineralization (biomineralized using calcium, silicon, manganese, titanium, gadolinium, etc.) biomineralization-like (composite with protein), and layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly (multiple shells structured with diverse materials). This work evaluated the potential of this strategy by reviewing studies on the formation of shells deposited on liposomes or similar structures. It also covered useful synthesis strategies and active molecules/functional groups for modification. We aimed to put forward new insights to promote the stability of liposomal pMDIs and shed some light on the clinical translation of relevant products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeqi Huang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China; (Y.H.); (Y.G.); (C.R.); (Y.L.); (C.W.)
| | - Ziyao Chang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (Z.C.); (X.P.)
| | - Yue Gao
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China; (Y.H.); (Y.G.); (C.R.); (Y.L.); (C.W.)
| | - Chuanyu Ren
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China; (Y.H.); (Y.G.); (C.R.); (Y.L.); (C.W.)
| | - Yuxin Lin
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China; (Y.H.); (Y.G.); (C.R.); (Y.L.); (C.W.)
| | - Xuejuan Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China; (Y.H.); (Y.G.); (C.R.); (Y.L.); (C.W.)
| | - Chuanbin Wu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China; (Y.H.); (Y.G.); (C.R.); (Y.L.); (C.W.)
| | - Xin Pan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (Z.C.); (X.P.)
| | - Zhengwei Huang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China; (Y.H.); (Y.G.); (C.R.); (Y.L.); (C.W.)
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Zhou YY, Xu YC, Yao ZF, Li JY, Pan CK, Lu Y, Yang CY, Ding L, Xiao BF, Wang XY, Shao Y, Zhang WB, Wang JY, Wang H, Pei J. Visualizing the multi-level assembly structures of conjugated molecular systems with chain-length dependent behavior. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3340. [PMID: 37286537 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39133-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
It remains challenging to understand the structural evolution of conjugated polymers from single chains to solvated aggregates and film microstructures, although it underpins the performance of optoelectrical devices fabricated via the mainstream solution processing method. With several ensemble visual measurements, here we unravel the morphological evolution process of a model system of isoindigo-based conjugated molecules, including the hidden molecular assembly pathways, the mesoscale network formation, and their unorthodox chain dependence. Short chains show rigid chain conformations forming discrete aggregates in solution, which further grow to form a highly ordered film that exhibits poor electrical performance. In contrast, long chains exhibit flexible chain conformations, creating interlinked aggregates networks in solution, which are directly imprinted into films, forming interconnective solid-state microstructure with excellent electrical performance. Visualizing multi-level assembly structures of conjugated molecules provides a deep understanding of the inheritance of assemblies from solution to solid-state, accelerating the optimization of device fabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Yang Zhou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yu-Chun Xu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Ze-Fan Yao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jia-Ye Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chen-Kai Pan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yang Lu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chi-Yuan Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Li Ding
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Bu-Fan Xiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xin-Yi Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yu Shao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Wen-Bin Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jie-Yu Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jian Pei
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center or Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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4
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Vratsanos M, Xue W, Rosenmann ND, Zarzar LD, Gianneschi NC. Ouzo Effect Examined at the Nanoscale via Direct Observation of Droplet Nucleation and Morphology. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:457-465. [PMID: 36968532 PMCID: PMC10037490 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c01194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we present the direct observation via liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LPTEM) of the nucleation and growth pathways of structures formed by the so-called "ouzo effect", which is a classic example of surfactant-free, spontaneous emulsification. Such liquid-liquid phase separation occurs in ternary systems with an appropriate cosolvent such that the addition of the third component extracts the cosolvent and makes the other component insoluble. Such droplets are homogeneously sized, stable, and require minimal energy to disperse compared to conventional emulsification methods. Thus, ouzo precipitation processes are an attractive, straightforward, and energy-efficient technique for preparing dispersions, especially those made on an industrial scale. While this process and the resulting emulsions have been studied by numerous indirect techniques (e.g., X-ray and light scattering), direct observation of such structures and their formation at the nanoscale has remained elusive. Here, we employed the nascent technique of LPTEM to simultaneously evaluate droplet growth and nanostructure. Observation of such emulsification and its rate dependence is a promising indication that similar LPTEM methodologies may be used to investigate emulsion formation and kinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria
A. Vratsanos
- Department
of Materials Science & Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Wangyang Xue
- Department
of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Nathan D. Rosenmann
- Department
of Materials Science & Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Lauren D. Zarzar
- Department
of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, The
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Materials
Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Nathan C. Gianneschi
- Department
of Materials Science & Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International
Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry
of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern
University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United
States
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of
Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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5
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Heredero M, Beloqui A. Enzyme-Polymer Conjugates for Tuning, Enhancing, and Expanding Biocatalytic Activity. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200611. [PMID: 36507915 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Combining polymers with functional proteins is an approach that has brought several successful stories in the field of biomedicine with PEGylated therapeutic proteins. The latest advances in polymer chemistry have facilitated the expansion of protein-polymer hybrids to other research areas such as biocatalysis. Polymers can impart stability and novel functionalities to the enzyme of interest, thereby improving the catalytic performance of a given reaction. In this review, we have revisited the main methodologies currently used for the synthesis of enzyme-polymer hybrids, unveiling the interplay between the configuration and the composition of the assembled structure and the eventual traits of the hybrid. Finally, the latest advances, such as the assembly of polymer-based chemoenzymatic nanoreactors and the use of deep learning methodologies to achieve the most suitable polymer compositions for catalysis, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Heredero
- POLYMAT and Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel Lardizabal 3, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Ana Beloqui
- POLYMAT and Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel Lardizabal 3, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, 48009, Bilbao, Spain
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6
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Cheng B, Ye E, Sun H, Wang H. Deep learning-assisted analysis of single molecule dynamics from liquid-phase electron microscopy. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:1701-1704. [PMID: 36692388 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc05354c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
We apply U-Net and UNet++ to analyze single-molecule movies obtained from liquid-phase electron microscopy. Neural networks allow full automation, and high throughput analysis of these low signal-to-noise ratio images, while achieving higher segmentation accuracy, and avoiding subjective errors as compared to the conventional threshold methods. The analysis enables the quantification of transient dynamics in chemical systems and the capture of rare intermediate states by resolving local conformational changes within a single molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Cheng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Center for Spectroscopy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Enze Ye
- College of Future Technology, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China. .,Department of Electronic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - He Sun
- College of Future Technology, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Huan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Center for Spectroscopy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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7
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Wang H, Xu Z, Mao S, Granick S. Experimental Guidelines to Image Transient Single-Molecule Events Using Graphene Liquid Cell Electron Microscopy. ACS NANO 2022; 16:18526-18537. [PMID: 36256532 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c06766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In quest of the holy grail to "see" how individual molecules interact in liquid environments, single-molecule imaging methods now include liquid-phase electron microscopy, whose resolution can be nanometers in space and several frames per second in time using an ordinary electron microscope that is routinely available to many researchers. However, with the current state of the art, protocols that sound similar to those described in the literature lead to outcomes that can differ. The key challenge is to achieve sample contrast under a safe electron dose within a frame rate adequate to capture the molecular process. Here, we present such examples from different systems─synthetic polymer, lipid assembly, DNA-enzyme─in which we have done this using graphene liquid cells. We describe detailed experimental procedures and share empirical experience for conducting successful experiments, starting from fabrication of a graphene liquid cell, to identification of high-quality liquid pockets from desirable shapes and sizes, to effective searching for target sample pockets under electron microscopy, and to discrimination of sample molecules and molecular processes of interest. These experimental tips can assist others who wish to make use of this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Spectroscopy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhun Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng Mao
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Steve Granick
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science, Ulsan, Korea, 44919
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea 44919
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