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Csányi MC, Sziklai D, Feller T, Hársfalvi J, Kellermayer M. Cryptic Extensibility in von Willebrand Factor Revealed by Molecular Nanodissection. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7296. [PMID: 39000402 PMCID: PMC11242059 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a multimer with a variable number of protomers, each of which is a head-to-head dimer of two multi-domain monomers. VWF responds to shear through the unfolding and extension of distinct domains, thereby mediating platelet adhesion and aggregation to the injured blood vessel wall. VWF's C1-6 segment uncoils and then the A2 domain unfolds and extends in a hierarchical and sequential manner. However, it is unclear whether there is any reservoir of further extensibility. Here, we explored the presence of cryptic extensibility in VWF by nanodissecting individual, pre-stretched multimers with atomic force microscopy (AFM). The AFM cantilever tip was pressed into the surface and moved in a direction perpendicular to the VWF axis. It was possible to pull out protein loops from VWF, which resulted in a mean contour length gain of 217 nm. In some cases, the loop became cleaved, and a gap was present along the contour. Frequently, small nodules appeared in the loops, indicating that parts of the nanodissected VWF segment remained folded. After analyzing the nodal structure, we conclude that the cryptic extensibility lies within the C1-6 and A1-3 regions. Cryptic extensibility may play a role in maintaining VWF's functionality in extreme shear conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mária Csilla Csányi
- Institute of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó u. 37-47, H1094 Budapest, Hungary; (M.C.C.)
| | - Dominik Sziklai
- Institute of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó u. 37-47, H1094 Budapest, Hungary; (M.C.C.)
| | - Tímea Feller
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK
| | - Jolán Hársfalvi
- Institute of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó u. 37-47, H1094 Budapest, Hungary; (M.C.C.)
| | - Miklós Kellermayer
- Institute of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó u. 37-47, H1094 Budapest, Hungary; (M.C.C.)
- HUNREN-SE Biophysical Virology Group, Tűzoltó Str. 37-47, H1094 Budapest, Hungary
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Assessing Collagen D-Band Periodicity with Atomic Force Microscopy. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15041608. [PMID: 35208148 PMCID: PMC8877100 DOI: 10.3390/ma15041608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The collagen superfamily includes more than fifty collagen and/or collagen-like proteins with fibril-forming collagen type I being the most abundant protein within the extracellular matrix. Collagen type I plays a crucial role in a variety of functions, it has been associated with many pathological conditions and it is widely used due to its unique properties. One unique nano-scale characteristic of natural occurring collagen type I fibers is the so-called D-band periodicity, which has been associated with collagen natural structure and properties, while it seems to play a crucial role in the interactions between cells and collagen and in various pathological conditions. An accurate characterization of the surface and structure of collagen fibers, including D-band periodicity, on collagen-based tissues and/or (nano-)biomaterials can be achieved by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). AFM is a scanning probe microscope and is among the few techniques that can assess D-band periodicity. This review covers issues related to collagen and collagen D-band periodicity and the use of AFM for studying them. Through a systematic search in databases (PubMed and Scopus) relevant articles were identified. The study of these articles demonstrated that AFM can offer novel information concerning D-band periodicity. This study highlights the importance of studying collagen D-band periodicity and proves that AFM is a powerful tool for investigating a number of different properties related to collagen D-band periodicity.
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Nanosurgical Manipulation of Titin and Its M-Complex. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12020178. [PMID: 35055197 PMCID: PMC8779236 DOI: 10.3390/nano12020178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Titin is a multifunctional filamentous protein anchored in the M-band, a hexagonally organized supramolecular lattice in the middle of the muscle sarcomere. Functionally, the M-band is a framework that cross-links myosin thick filaments, organizes associated proteins, and maintains sarcomeric symmetry via its structural and putative mechanical properties. Part of the M-band appears at the C-terminal end of isolated titin molecules in the form of a globular head, named here the “M-complex”, which also serves as the point of head-to-head attachment of titin. We used high-resolution atomic force microscopy and nanosurgical manipulation to investigate the topographical and internal structure and local mechanical properties of the M-complex and its associated titin molecules. We find that the M-complex is a stable structure that corresponds to the transverse unit of the M-band organized around the myosin thick filament. M-complexes may be interlinked into an M-complex array that reflects the local structural and mechanical status of the transversal M-band lattice. Local segments of titin and the M-complex could be nanosurgically manipulated to achieve extension and domain unfolding. Long threads could be pulled out of the M-complex, suggesting that it is a compact supramolecular reservoir of extensible filaments. Nanosurgery evoked an unexpected volume increment in the M-complex, which may be related to its function as a mechanical spacer. The M-complex thus displays both elastic and plastic properties which support the idea that the M-band may be involved in mechanical functions within the muscle sarcomere.
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Xu Y, Kirchner M. Segment-Long-Spacing (SLS) and the Polymorphic Structures of Fibrillar Collagen. Subcell Biochem 2022; 99:495-521. [PMID: 36151387 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-00793-4_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The diverse and complex functions of collagen during the development of an organism are closely related to the polymorphism of its supramolecular structures in the extracellular matrix. SLS (segment-long-spacing) is one of the best understood alternative structures of collagen. SLS played an instrumental role in the original studies of collagen more than half a century ago that laid the foundation of nearly everything we know about collagen today. Despite being used mostly under in vitro conditions, the natural occurrence of SLS in tissues has also been reported. Here we will provide a brief overview of the major findings of the SLS and other structures of collagen based on a wealth of work published starting from the 1940s. We will discuss the factors that determine the stability and the structural specificity of the different molecular assemblies of collagen in light of the new studies using designed fibril forming collagen peptides. At the end of the chapter, we will summarize some recent discoveries of the alternative structures of collagen in tissues, especially those involved in pathogenic states. A revisit of SLS will likely inspire new understandings concerning the range of critical roles of fibrillar collagen in terms of its organizational diversity in the extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Michele Kirchner
- Department of Chemistry, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
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Johnson PB, Karvounis A, Singh HJ, Brereton CJ, Bourdakos KN, Lunn K, Roberts JJW, Davies DE, Muskens OL, Jones MG, Mahajan S. Superresolved polarization-enhanced second-harmonic generation for direct imaging of nanoscale changes in collagen architecture. OPTICA 2021; 8:674-685. [PMID: 34239949 PMCID: PMC8237832 DOI: 10.1364/optica.411325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Superresolution (SR) optical microscopy has allowed the investigation of many biological structures below the diffraction limit; however, most of the techniques are hampered by the need for fluorescent labels. Nonlinear label-free techniques such as second-harmonic generation (SHG) provide structurally specific contrast without the addition of exogenous labels, allowing observation of unperturbed biological systems. We use the photonic nanojet (PNJ) phenomena to achieve SR-SHG. A resolution of ∼ λ / 6 with respect to the fundamental wavelength, that is, a ∼ 2.3 -fold improvement over conventional or diffraction-limited SHG under the same imaging conditions is achieved. Crucially we find that the polarization properties of excitation are maintained in a PNJ. This is observed in experiment and simulations. This may have widespread implications to increase sensitivity by detection of polarization-resolved SHG by observing anisotropy in signals. These new, to the best of our knowledge, findings allowed us to visualize biological SHG-active structures such as collagen at an unprecedented and previously unresolvable spatial scale. Moreover, we demonstrate that the use of an array of self-assembled high-index spheres overcomes the issue of a limited field of view for such a method, allowing PNJ-assisted SR-SHG to be used over a large area. Dysregulation of collagen at the nanoscale occurs in many diseases and is an underlying cause in diseases such as lung fibrosis. Here we demonstrate that pSR-SHG allows unprecedented observation of changes at the nanoscale that are invisible by conventional diffraction-limited SHG imaging. The ability to nondestructively image SHG-active biological structures without labels at the nanoscale with a relatively simple optical method heralds the promise of a new tool to understand biological phenomena and drive drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter B. Johnson
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Artemios Karvounis
- Optoelectronics Research Centre and Centre for Photonic Metamaterials, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - H. Johnson Singh
- Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Christopher J. Brereton
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Southampton, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Konstantinos N. Bourdakos
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Kerry Lunn
- Synairgen Research Ltd., Southampton, UK
| | | | - Donna E. Davies
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Southampton, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Otto L. Muskens
- Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Mark G. Jones
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Southampton, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Sumeet Mahajan
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Costa Moura C, Lanham SA, Monfort T, Bourdakos KN, Tare RS, Oreffo ROC, Mahajan S. Quantitative temporal interrogation in 3D of bioengineered human cartilage using multimodal label-free imaging. Integr Biol (Camb) 2019; 10:635-645. [PMID: 30225469 DOI: 10.1039/c8ib00050f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The unique properties of skeletal stem cells have attracted significant attention in the development of strategies for skeletal regeneration. However, there remains a crucial unmet need to develop quantitative tools to elucidate skeletal cell development and monitor the formation of regenerated tissues using non-destructive techniques in 3D. Label-free methods such as coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), second harmonic generation (SHG) and two-photon excited auto-fluorescence (TPEAF) microscopy are minimally invasive, non-destructive, and present new powerful alternatives to conventional imaging techniques. Here we report a combination of these techniques in a single multimodal system for the temporal assessment of cartilage formation by human skeletal cells. The evaluation of bioengineered cartilage, with a new parameter measuring the amount of collagen per cell, collagen fibre structure and chondrocyte distribution, was performed using the 3D non-destructive platform. Such 3D label-free temporal quantification paves the way for tracking skeletal cell development in real-time and offers a paradigm shift in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Costa Moura
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK. and Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
| | - Stuart A Lanham
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
| | - Tual Monfort
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
| | - Konstantinos N Bourdakos
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
| | - Rahul S Tare
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK. and Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Richard O C Oreffo
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
| | - Sumeet Mahajan
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
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Zsila F. Chaperone-like activity of the acute-phase component human serum α1-acid glycoprotein: Inhibition of thermal- and chemical-induced aggregation of various proteins. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2010; 20:1205-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.11.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2009] [Revised: 11/25/2009] [Accepted: 11/30/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Vakonakis I, Campbell ID. Extracellular matrix: from atomic resolution to ultrastructure. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2007; 19:578-83. [PMID: 17942296 PMCID: PMC4827755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2007.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2007] [Accepted: 09/05/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a highly organized multimolecular structure, essential for life in higher organisms. Although substantial high-resolution structural information is available for relatively small fragments of ECM components, the inherent difficulty in preparing and analyzing samples of large, fibrous polymers impedes structural efforts. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the structure of three important ECM components: collagen, fibrillin and fibronectin. Emphasis is placed on the key role of intermolecular interactions in assembling larger, microm scale, structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Vakonakis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
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Strasser S, Zink A, Janko M, Heckl WM, Thalhammer S. Structural investigations on native collagen type I fibrils using AFM. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 354:27-32. [PMID: 17210119 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.12.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2006] [Accepted: 12/12/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This study was carried out to determine the elastic properties of single collagen type I fibrils with the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM). Native collagen fibrils were formed by self-assembly in vitro characterized with the AFM. To confirm the inner assembly of the collagen fibrils, the AFM was used as a microdissection tool. Native collagen type I fibrils were dissected and the inner core uncovered. To determine the elastic properties of collagen fibrils the tip of the AFM was used as a nanoindentor by recording force-displacement curves. Measurements were done on the outer shell and in the core of the fibril. The structural investigations revealed the banding of the shell also in the core of native collagen fibrils. Nanoindentation experiments showed the same Young's modulus on the shell as well as in the core of the investigated native collagen fibrils. In addition, the measurements indicate a higher adhesion in the core of the collagen fibrils compared to the shell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Strasser
- Department of Geo- and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80333 Munich, Germany
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Baer E, Cassidy JJ, Hiltner A. Hierarchical structure of collagen composite systems: lessons from biology. PURE APPL CHEM 1991. [DOI: 10.1351/pac199163070961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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