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Markert SM. Studying zebrafish nervous system structure and function in health and disease with electron microscopy. Dev Growth Differ 2023; 65:502-516. [PMID: 37740826 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a well-established model for studying the nervous system. Findings in zebrafish often inform studies on human diseases of the nervous system and provide crucial insight into disease mechanisms. The functions of the nervous system often rely on communication between neurons. Signal transduction is achieved via release of signaling molecules in the form of neuropeptides or neurotransmitters at synapses. Snapshots of membrane dynamics of these processes are imaged by electron microscopy. Electron microscopy can reveal ultrastructure and thus synaptic processes. This is crucial both for mapping synaptic connections and for investigating synaptic functions. In addition, via volumetric electron microscopy, the overall architecture of the nervous system becomes accessible, where structure can inform function. Electron microscopy is thus of particular value for studying the nervous system. However, today a plethora of electron microscopy techniques and protocols exist. Which technique is most suitable highly depends on the research question and scope as well as on the type of tissue that is examined. This review gives an overview of the electron microcopy techniques used on the zebrafish nervous system. It aims to give researchers a guide on which techniques are suitable for their specific questions and capabilities as well as an overview of the capabilities of electron microscopy in neurobiological research in the zebrafish model.
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2
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Janda M, Rybak K, Krassini L, Meng C, Feitosa-Junior O, Stigliano E, Szulc B, Sklenar J, Menke FL, Malone JG, Brachmann A, Klingl A, Ludwig C, Robatzek S. Biophysical and proteomic analyses of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 extracellular vesicles suggest adaptive functions during plant infection. mBio 2023; 14:e0358922. [PMID: 37366628 PMCID: PMC10470744 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03589-22] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Vesiculation is a process employed by Gram-negative bacteria to release extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the environment. EVs from pathogenic bacteria play functions in host immune modulation, elimination of host defenses, and acquisition of nutrients from the host. Here, we observed EV production of the bacterial speck disease causal agent, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pto) DC3000, as outer membrane vesicle release. Mass spectrometry identified 369 proteins enriched in Pto DC3000 EVs. The EV samples contained known immunomodulatory proteins and could induce plant immune responses mediated by bacterial flagellin. Having identified two biomarkers for EV detection, we provide evidence for Pto DC3000 releasing EVs during plant infection. Bioinformatic analysis of the EV-enriched proteins suggests a role for EVs in antibiotic defense and iron acquisition. Thus, our data provide insights into the strategies this pathogen may use to develop in a plant environment. IMPORTANCE The release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the environment is ubiquitous among bacteria. Vesiculation has been recognized as an important mechanism of bacterial pathogenesis and human disease but is poorly understood in phytopathogenic bacteria. Our research addresses the role of bacterial EVs in plant infection. In this work, we show that the causal agent of bacterial speck disease, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, produces EVs during plant infection. Our data suggest that EVs may help the bacteria to adapt to environments, e.g., when iron could be limiting such as the plant apoplast, laying the foundation for studying the factors that phytopathogenic bacteria use to thrive in the plant environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Janda
- LMU Munich Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Katarzyna Rybak
- LMU Munich Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Krassini
- LMU Munich Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Chen Meng
- Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry (BayBioMS), Technical University of Munich, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse, Freising, United Kingdom
| | | | - Egidio Stigliano
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Beata Szulc
- LMU Munich Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Sklenar
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Frank L.H. Menke
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Jacob G. Malone
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
- University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Brachmann
- LMU Munich Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Klingl
- LMU Munich Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christina Ludwig
- Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry (BayBioMS), Technical University of Munich, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse, Freising, United Kingdom
| | - Silke Robatzek
- LMU Munich Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
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3
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Marshall AG, Neikirk K, Stephens DC, Vang L, Vue Z, Beasley HK, Crabtree A, Scudese E, Lopez EG, Shao B, Krystofiak E, Rutledge S, Davis J, Murray SA, Damo SM, Katti P, Hinton A. Serial Block Face-Scanning Electron Microscopy as a Burgeoning Technology. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2300139. [PMID: 37246236 PMCID: PMC10950369 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM), also referred to as serial block-face electron microscopy, is an advanced ultrastructural imaging technique that enables three-dimensional visualization that provides largerx- and y-axis ranges than other volumetric EM techniques. While SEM is first introduced in the 1930s, SBF-SEM is developed as a novel method to resolve the 3D architecture of neuronal networks across large volumes with nanometer resolution by Denk and Horstmann in 2004. Here, the authors provide an accessible overview of the advantages and challenges associated with SBF-SEM. Beyond this, the applications of SBF-SEM in biochemical domains as well as potential future clinical applications are briefly reviewed. Finally, the alternative forms of artificial intelligence-based segmentation which may contribute to devising a feasible workflow involving SBF-SEM, are also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea G Marshall
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Kit Neikirk
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Dominique C Stephens
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Larry Vang
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Zer Vue
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Heather K Beasley
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Amber Crabtree
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Estevão Scudese
- Laboratory of Biosciences of Human Motricity (LABIMH) of the Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Sport Sciences and Exercise Laboratory (LaCEE), Catholic University of Petrópolis (UCP), Catholic, 25685-100, Brazil
| | - Edgar Garza Lopez
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Bryanna Shao
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Evan Krystofiak
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Sharifa Rutledge
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA
| | - Jaimaine Davis
- Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Sandra A Murray
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Steven M Damo
- Department of Life and Physical Sciences, Fisk University, Nashville, TN, 37208, USA
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Prasanna Katti
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Antentor Hinton
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
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4
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Actin cytoskeleton and complex cell architecture in an Asgard archaeon. Nature 2023; 613:332-339. [PMID: 36544020 PMCID: PMC9834061 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05550-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Asgard archaea are considered to be the closest known relatives of eukaryotes. Their genomes contain hundreds of eukaryotic signature proteins (ESPs), which inspired hypotheses on the evolution of the eukaryotic cell1-3. A role of ESPs in the formation of an elaborate cytoskeleton and complex cellular structures has been postulated4-6, but never visualized. Here we describe a highly enriched culture of 'Candidatus Lokiarchaeum ossiferum', a member of the Asgard phylum, which thrives anaerobically at 20 °C on organic carbon sources. It divides every 7-14 days, reaches cell densities of up to 5 × 107 cells per ml and has a significantly larger genome compared with the single previously cultivated Asgard strain7. ESPs represent 5% of its protein-coding genes, including four actin homologues. We imaged the enrichment culture using cryo-electron tomography, identifying 'Ca. L. ossiferum' cells on the basis of characteristic expansion segments of their ribosomes. Cells exhibited coccoid cell bodies and a network of branched protrusions with frequent constrictions. The cell envelope consists of a single membrane and complex surface structures. A long-range cytoskeleton extends throughout the cell bodies, protrusions and constrictions. The twisted double-stranded architecture of the filaments is consistent with F-actin. Immunostaining indicates that the filaments comprise Lokiactin-one of the most highly conserved ESPs in Asgard archaea. We propose that a complex actin-based cytoskeleton predated the emergence of the first eukaryotes and was a crucial feature in the evolution of the Asgard phylum by scaffolding elaborate cellular structures.
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Ivanchenko MV, Indzhykulian AA, Corey DP. Electron Microscopy Techniques for Investigating Structure and Composition of Hair-Cell Stereociliary Bundles. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:744248. [PMID: 34746139 PMCID: PMC8569945 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.744248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hair cells—the sensory cells of the vertebrate inner ear—bear at their apical surfaces a bundle of actin-filled protrusions called stereocilia, which mediate the cells’ mechanosensitivity. Hereditary deafness is often associated with morphological disorganization of stereocilia bundles, with the absence or mislocalization within stereocilia of specific proteins. Thus, stereocilia bundles are closely examined to understand most animal models of hereditary hearing loss. Because stereocilia have a diameter less than a wavelength of light, light microscopy is not adequate to reveal subtle changes in morphology or protein localization. Instead, electron microscopy (EM) has proven essential for understanding stereocilia bundle development, maintenance, normal function, and dysfunction in disease. Here we review a set of EM imaging techniques commonly used to study stereocilia, including optimal sample preparation and best imaging practices. These include conventional and immunogold transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as focused-ion-beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), which enables 3-D serial reconstruction of resin-embedded biological structures at a resolution of a few nanometers. Parameters for optimal sample preparation, fixation, immunogold labeling, metal coating and imaging are discussed. Special attention is given to protein localization in stereocilia using immunogold labeling. Finally, we describe the advantages and limitations of these EM techniques and their suitability for different types of studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryna V Ivanchenko
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Artur A Indzhykulian
- Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David P Corey
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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6
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Tran HT, Lucas MS, Ishikawa T, Shahmoradian SH, Padeste C. A Compartmentalized Neuronal Cell-Culture Platform Compatible With Cryo-Fixation by High-Pressure Freezing for Ultrastructural Imaging. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:726763. [PMID: 34566569 PMCID: PMC8455873 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.726763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The human brain contains a wide array of billions of neurons and interconnections, which are often simplified for analysis in vitro using compartmentalized microfluidic devices for neuronal cell culturing, to better understand neuronal development and disease. However, such devices are traditionally incompatible for high-pressure freezing and high-resolution nanoscale imaging and analysis of their sub-cellular processes by methods including electron microscopy. Here we develop a novel compartmentalized neuronal co-culture platform allowing reconstruction of neuronal networks with high variable spatial control, which is uniquely compatible for high-pressure freezing. This cryo-fixation method is well-established to enable high-fidelity preservation of the reconstructed neuronal networks and their sub-cellular processes in a near-native vitreous state without requiring chemical fixatives. To direct the outgrowth of neurites originating from two distinct groups of neurons growing in the two different compartments, polymer microstructures akin to microchannels are fabricated atop of sapphire disks. Two populations of neurons expressing either enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or mCherry were grown in either compartment, facilitating the analysis of the specific interactions between the two separate groups of cells. Neuronally differentiated PC12 cells, murine hippocampal and striatal neurons were successfully used in this context. The design of this device permits direct observation of entire neuritic processes within microchannels by optical microscopy with high spatial and temporal resolution, prior to processing for high-pressure freezing and electron microscopy. Following freeze substitution, we demonstrate that it is possible to process the neuronal networks for ultrastructural imaging by electron microscopy. Several key features of the embedded neuronal networks, including mitochondria, synaptic vesicles, axonal terminals, microtubules, with well-preserved ultrastructures were observed at high resolution using focused ion beam - scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) and serial sectioning - transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These results demonstrate the compatibility of the platform with optical microscopy, high-pressure freezing and electron microscopy. The platform can be extended to neuronal models of brain disease or development in future studies, enabling the investigation of subcellular processes at the nanoscale within two distinct groups of neurons in a functional neuronal pathway, as well as pharmacological testing and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung Tri Tran
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Miriam S. Lucas
- Scientific Center for Optical and Electron Microscopy ScopeM, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Takashi Ishikawa
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | | | - Celestino Padeste
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
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7
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Velamoor S, Mitchell A, Bostina M, Harland D. Processing hair follicles for transmission electron microscopy. Exp Dermatol 2021; 31:110-121. [PMID: 34351648 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has greatly advanced our knowledge of hair growth and follicle morphogenesis, but complex preparations such as fixation, dehydration and embedding compromise ultrastructure. While recent developments with cryofixation have been shown to preserve the ultrastructure of biological materials close to native state, they do have limitations. This review will focus on each stage of the TEM sample preparation process and their effects on the structural integrity of follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sailakshmi Velamoor
- Proteins and Metabolites, AgResearch Limited, Lincoln, New Zealand.,Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Allan Mitchell
- Otago Micro and Nano Imaging, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Mihnea Bostina
- Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Otago Micro and Nano Imaging, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Duane Harland
- Proteins and Metabolites, AgResearch Limited, Lincoln, New Zealand
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8
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Rahlff J, Turzynski V, Esser SP, Monsees I, Bornemann TLV, Figueroa-Gonzalez PA, Schulz F, Woyke T, Klingl A, Moraru C, Probst AJ. Lytic archaeal viruses infect abundant primary producers in Earth's crust. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4642. [PMID: 34330907 PMCID: PMC8324899 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24803-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The continental subsurface houses a major portion of life's abundance and diversity, yet little is known about viruses infecting microbes that reside there. Here, we use a combination of metagenomics and virus-targeted direct-geneFISH (virusFISH) to show that highly abundant carbon-fixing organisms of the uncultivated genus Candidatus Altiarchaeum are frequent targets of previously unrecognized viruses in the deep subsurface. Analysis of CRISPR spacer matches display resistances of Ca. Altiarchaea against eight predicted viral clades, which show genomic relatedness across continents but little similarity to previously identified viruses. Based on metagenomic information, we tag and image a putatively viral genome rich in protospacers using fluorescence microscopy. VirusFISH reveals a lytic lifestyle of the respective virus and challenges previous predictions that lysogeny prevails as the dominant viral lifestyle in the subsurface. CRISPR development over time and imaging of 18 samples from one subsurface ecosystem suggest a sophisticated interplay of viral diversification and adapting CRISPR-mediated resistances of Ca. Altiarchaeum. We conclude that infections of primary producers with lytic viruses followed by cell lysis potentially jump-start heterotrophic carbon cycling in these subsurface ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Rahlff
- Department of Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (EMB), Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMiS), Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Victoria Turzynski
- Department of Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (EMB), Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sarah P Esser
- Department of Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (EMB), Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Indra Monsees
- Department of Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (EMB), Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Till L V Bornemann
- Department of Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (EMB), Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Perla Abigail Figueroa-Gonzalez
- Department of Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (EMB), Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Tanja Woyke
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Andreas Klingl
- Plant Development & Electron Microscopy, Biocenter LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Cristina Moraru
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl-von-Ossietzky-University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Alexander J Probst
- Department of Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (EMB), Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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Functional compartmentalization and metabolic separation in a prokaryotic cell. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2022114118. [PMID: 34161262 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2022114118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The prokaryotic cell is traditionally seen as a "bag of enzymes," yet its organization is much more complex than in this simplified view. By now, various microcompartments encapsulating metabolic enzymes or pathways are known for Bacteria These microcompartments are usually small, encapsulating and concentrating only a few enzymes, thus protecting the cell from toxic intermediates or preventing unwanted side reactions. The hyperthermophilic, strictly anaerobic Crenarchaeon Ignicoccus hospitalis is an extraordinary organism possessing two membranes, an inner and an energized outer membrane. The outer membrane (termed here outer cytoplasmic membrane) harbors enzymes involved in proton gradient generation and ATP synthesis. These two membranes are separated by an intermembrane compartment, whose function is unknown. Major information processes like DNA replication, RNA synthesis, and protein biosynthesis are located inside the "cytoplasm" or central cytoplasmic compartment. Here, we show by immunogold labeling of ultrathin sections that enzymes involved in autotrophic CO2 assimilation are located in the intermembrane compartment that we name (now) a peripheric cytoplasmic compartment. This separation may protect DNA and RNA from reactive aldehydes arising in the I. hospitalis carbon metabolism. This compartmentalization of metabolic pathways and information processes is unprecedented in the prokaryotic world, representing a unique example of spatiofunctional compartmentalization in the second domain of life.
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