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Sultana A, Geethakumari AM, Islam Z, Kolatkar PR, Biswas KH. BRET-based biosensors for SARS-CoV-2 oligonucleotide detection. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1353479. [PMID: 38887615 PMCID: PMC11181354 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1353479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The need for the early detection of emerging pathogenic viruses and their newer variants has driven the urgent demand for developing point-of-care diagnostic tools. Although nucleic acid-based methods such as reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) have been developed, a more facile and robust platform is still required. To address this need, as a proof-of-principle study, we engineered a prototype-the versatile, sensitive, rapid, and cost-effective bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based biosensor for oligonucleotide detection (BioOD). Specifically, we designed BioODs against the SARS-CoV-2 parental (Wuhan strain) and B.1.617.2 Delta variant through the conjugation of specific, fluorescently modified molecular beacons (sensor module) through a complementary oligonucleotide handle DNA functionalized with the NanoLuc (NLuc) luciferase protein such that the dissolution of the molecular beacon loop upon the binding of the viral oligonucleotide will result in a decrease in BRET efficiency and, thus, a change in the bioluminescence spectra. Following the assembly of the BioODs, we determined their kinetics response, affinity for variant-specific oligonucleotides, and specificity, and found them to be rapid and highly specific. Furthermore, the decrease in BRET efficiency of the BioODs in the presence of viral oligonucleotides can be detected as a change in color in cell phone camera images. We envisage that the BioODs developed here will find application in detecting viral infections with variant specificity in a point-of-care-testing format, thus aiding in large-scale viral infection surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asfia Sultana
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Anupriya M. Geethakumari
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zeyaul Islam
- Diabetes Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Prasanna R. Kolatkar
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
- Diabetes Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kabir H. Biswas
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
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2
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Ahmed WS, Geethakumari AM, Sultana A, Fatima A, Philip AM, Uddin SMN, Biswas KH. A slow but steady nanoLuc: R162A mutation results in a decreased, but stable, nanoLuc activity. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 269:131864. [PMID: 38692549 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131864] [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] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
NanoLuc (NLuc) luciferase has found extensive application in designing a range of biological assays, including gene expression analysis, protein-protein interaction, and protein conformational changes due to its enhanced brightness and small size. However, questions related to its mechanism of interaction with the substrate, furimazine, as well as bioluminescence activity remain elusive. Here, we combined molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and mutational analysis to show that the R162A mutation results in a decreased but stable bioluminescence activity of NLuc in living cells and in vitro. Specifically, we performed multiple, all-atom, explicit solvent MD simulations of the apo and furimazine-docked (holo) NLuc structures revealing differential dynamics of the protein in the absence and presence of the ligand. Further, analysis of trajectories for hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) formed between NLuc and furimazine revealed substantial H-bond interaction between R162 and Q32 residues. Mutation of the two residues in NLuc revealed a decreased but stable activity of the R162A, but not Q32A, mutant NLuc in live cell and in vitro assays performed using lysates prepared from cells expressing the proteins and with the furimazine substrate. In addition to highlighting the role of the R162 residue in NLuc activity, we believe that the mutant NLuc will find wide application in designing in vitro assays requiring extended monitoring of NLuc bioluminescence activity. SIGNIFICANCE: Bioluminescence has been extensively utilized in developing a variety of biological and biomedical assays. In this regard, engineering of brighter bioluminescent proteins, i.e. luciferases, has played a significant role. This is acutely exemplified by the engineering of the NLuc luciferase, which is small in size and displays much enhanced bioluminescence and thermal stability compared to previously available luciferases. While enhanced bioluminescent activity is desirable in a multitude of biological and biomedical assays, it would also be useful to develop variants of the protein that display a prolonged bioluminescence activity. This is specifically relevant in designing assays that require bioluminescence for extended periods, such as in the case of biosensors designed for monitoring slow enzymatic or cellular signaling reactions, without necessitating multiple rounds of luciferase substrate addition or any specialized reagents that result in increased assay costs. In the current manuscript, we report a mutant NLuc that possesses a stable and prolonged bioluminescence activity, albeit lower than the wild-type NLuc, and envisage a wider application of the mutant NLuc in designing biosensors for monitoring slower biological and biomedical events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesam S Ahmed
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha 34110, Qatar
| | - Anupriya M Geethakumari
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha 34110, Qatar
| | - Asfia Sultana
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha 34110, Qatar
| | - Asma Fatima
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha 34110, Qatar
| | - Angelin M Philip
- Division of Genomics and Translational Biomedicine, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha 34110, Qatar
| | - S M Nasir Uddin
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha 34110, Qatar
| | - Kabir H Biswas
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha 34110, Qatar.
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3
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Geethakumari AM, Ahmed WS, Rasool S, Fatima A, Nasir Uddin SM, Aouida M, Biswas KH. A genetically encoded BRET-based SARS-CoV-2 M pro protease activity sensor. Commun Chem 2022; 5:117. [PMID: 36187754 PMCID: PMC9516532 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-022-00731-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The main protease, Mpro, is critical for SARS-CoV-2 replication and an appealing target for designing anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of improved sensors to monitor its activity. Here, we report a pair of genetically encoded, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based sensors for detecting Mpro proteolytic activity in live cells as well as in vitro. The sensors were generated by sandwiching peptides containing the Mpro N-terminal autocleavage sites, either AVLQSGFR (short) or KTSAVLQSGFRKME (long), in between the mNeonGreen and NanoLuc proteins. Co-expression of the sensors with Mpro in live cells resulted in their cleavage while mutation of the critical C145 residue (C145A) in Mpro completely abrogated their cleavage. Additionally, the sensors recapitulated the inhibition of Mpro by the well-characterized pharmacological agent GC376. Further, in vitro assays with the BRET-based Mpro sensors revealed a molecular crowding-mediated increase in the rate of Mpro activity and a decrease in the inhibitory potential of GC376. The sensors developed here will find direct utility in studies related to drug discovery targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and functional genomics application to determine the effect of sequence variation in Mpro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupriya M. Geethakumari
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, 34110 Qatar
| | - Wesam S. Ahmed
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, 34110 Qatar
| | - Saad Rasool
- Division of Genomics and Precision Medicine, College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, 34110 Qatar
| | - Asma Fatima
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, 34110 Qatar
| | - S. M. Nasir Uddin
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, 34110 Qatar
| | - Mustapha Aouida
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, 34110 Qatar
| | - Kabir H. Biswas
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, 34110 Qatar
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4
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Endothelial cell spreading on lipid bilayers with combined integrin and cadherin binding ligands. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 68:116850. [PMID: 35714536 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116850] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cells play a central role in the vascular system, where their function is tightly regulated by both cell-extracellular matrix (e.g., via integrins) and cell-cell interactions (e.g., via cadherins). In this study, we incorporated cholesterol-modified integrin and N-cadherin peptide binding ligands in fluid supported lipid bilayers. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell adhesion, spreading and vinculin localization in these cells were dependent on ligand density. One composition led to observe a higher extent of cell spreading, where cells exhibited extensive lamellipodia formation and a qualitatively more distinct N-cadherin localization at the cell periphery, which is indicative of N-cadherin clustering and a mimic of cell-cell contact formation. The results can be used to reconstitute the endothelial-pericyte interface on biomedical devices and materials.
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Cometa S, Licini C, Bonifacio M, Mastrorilli P, Mattioli-Belmonte M, De Giglio E. Carboxymethyl cellulose-based hydrogel film combined with berberine as an innovative tool for chronic wound management. Carbohydr Polym 2022; 283:119145. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Oh D, Chen Z, Biswas KH, Bai F, Ong HT, Sheetz MP, Groves JT. Competition for shared downstream signaling molecules establishes indirect negative feedback between EGFR and EphA2. Biophys J 2022; 121:1897-1908. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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7
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Chen Y, Brasch J, Harrison OJ, Bidone TC. Computational model of E-cadherin clustering under force. Biophys J 2021; 120:4944-4954. [PMID: 34687721 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
E-cadherins play a critical role in the formation of cell-cell adhesions for several physiological functions, including tissue development, repair, and homeostasis. The formation of clusters of E-cadherins involves extracellular adhesive (trans-) and lateral (cis-) associations between E-cadherin ectodomains and stabilization through intracellular binding to the actomyosin cytoskeleton. This binding provides force to the adhesion and is required for mechanotransduction. However, the exact role of cytoskeletal force on the clustering of E-cadherins is not well understood. To gain insights into this mechanism, we developed a computational model based on Brownian dynamics. In the model, E-cadherins transit between structural and functional states; they are able to bind and unbind other E-cadherins on the same and/or opposite cell(s) through trans- and cis-interactions while also creating dynamic links with the actomyosin cytoskeleton. Our results show that actomyosin force governs the fraction of E-cadherins in clusters and the size and number of clusters. For low forces (below 10 pN), a large number of small E-cadherin clusters form with less than five E-cadherins each. At higher forces, the probability of forming fewer but larger clusters increases. These findings support the idea that force reinforces cell-cell adhesions, which is consistent with differences in cluster size previously observed between apical and lateral junctions of epithelial tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Julia Brasch
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Oliver J Harrison
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Tamara C Bidone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Chen Z, Oh D, Biswas KH, Zaidel-Bar R, Groves JT. Probing the effect of clustering on EphA2 receptor signaling efficiency by subcellular control of ligand-receptor mobility. eLife 2021; 10:67379. [PMID: 34414885 PMCID: PMC8397371 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Clustering of ligand:receptor complexes on the cell membrane is widely presumed to have functional consequences for subsequent signal transduction. However, it is experimentally challenging to selectively manipulate receptor clustering without altering other biochemical aspects of the cellular system. Here, we develop a microfabrication strategy to produce substrates displaying mobile and immobile ligands that are separated by roughly 1 µm, and thus experience an identical cytoplasmic signaling state, enabling precision comparison of downstream signaling reactions. Applying this approach to characterize the ephrinA1:EphA2 signaling system reveals that EphA2 clustering enhances both receptor phosphorylation and downstream signaling activity. Single-molecule imaging clearly resolves increased molecular binding dwell times at EphA2 clusters for both Grb2:SOS and NCK:N-WASP signaling modules. This type of intracellular comparison enables a substantially higher degree of quantitative analysis than is possible when comparisons must be made between different cells and essentially eliminates the effects of cellular response to ligand manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongwen Chen
- Multiscale Research Institute of Complex Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Dongmyung Oh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, United States.,Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kabir Hassan Biswas
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ronen Zaidel-Bar
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jay T Groves
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
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9
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Intracellular Ionic Strength Sensing Using NanoLuc. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020677. [PMID: 33445497 PMCID: PMC7826950 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular ionic strength regulates myriad cellular processes that are fundamental to cellular survival and proliferation, including protein activity, aggregation, phase separation, and cell volume. It could be altered by changes in the activity of cellular signaling pathways, such as those that impact the activity of membrane-localized ion channels or by alterations in the microenvironmental osmolarity. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of sensitive tools for real-time monitoring of intracellular ionic strength. Here, we developed a bioluminescence-based intracellular ionic strength sensing strategy using the Nano Luciferase (NanoLuc) protein that has gained tremendous utility due to its high, long-lived bioluminescence output and thermal stability. Biochemical experiments using a recombinantly purified protein showed that NanoLuc bioluminescence is dependent on the ionic strength of the reaction buffer for a wide range of ionic strength conditions. Importantly, the decrease in the NanoLuc activity observed at higher ionic strengths could be reversed by decreasing the ionic strength of the reaction, thus making it suitable for sensing intracellular ionic strength alterations. Finally, we used an mNeonGreen–NanoLuc fusion protein to successfully monitor ionic strength alterations in a ratiometric manner through independent fluorescence and bioluminescence measurements in cell lysates and live cells. We envisage that the biosensing strategy developed here for detecting alterations in intracellular ionic strength will be applicable in a wide range of experiments, including high throughput cellular signaling, ion channel functional genomics, and drug discovery.
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10
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Role of Actin Cytoskeleton in E-cadherin-Based Cell–Cell Adhesion Assembly and Maintenance. J Indian Inst Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s41745-020-00214-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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11
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Angulo-Urarte A, van der Wal T, Huveneers S. Cell-cell junctions as sensors and transducers of mechanical forces. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183316. [PMID: 32360073 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial and endothelial monolayers are multicellular sheets that form barriers between the 'outside' and 'inside' of tissues. Cell-cell junctions, made by adherens junctions, tight junctions and desmosomes, hold together these monolayers. They form intercellular contacts by binding their receptor counterparts on neighboring cells and anchoring these structures intracellularly to the cytoskeleton. During tissue development, maintenance and pathogenesis, monolayers encounter a range of mechanical forces from the cells themselves and from external systemic forces, such as blood pressure or tissue stiffness. The molecular landscape of cell-cell junctions is diverse, containing transmembrane proteins that form intercellular bonds and a variety of cytoplasmic proteins that remodel the junctional connection to the cytoskeleton. Many junction-associated proteins participate in mechanotransduction cascades to confer mechanical cues into cellular responses that allow monolayers to maintain their structural integrity. We will discuss force-dependent junctional molecular events and their role in cell-cell contact organization and remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Angulo-Urarte
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Location AMC, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tanne van der Wal
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Location AMC, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stephan Huveneers
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Location AMC, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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12
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Biswas KH. Molecular Mobility-Mediated Regulation of E-Cadherin Adhesion. Trends Biochem Sci 2019; 45:163-173. [PMID: 31810601 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2019.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cells in epithelial tissues utilize homotypic E-cadherin interaction-mediated adhesions to both physically adhere to each other and sense the physical properties of their microenvironment, such as the presence of other cells in close vicinity or an alteration in the mechanical tension of the tissue. These position E-cadherin centrally in organogenesis and other processes, and its function is therefore tightly regulated through a variety of means including endocytosis and gene expression. How does membrane molecular mobility of E-cadherin, and thus membrane physical properties and associated actin cytoskeleton, impinges on the assembly of adhesive clusters and signaling is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabir H Biswas
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha 34110, Qatar.
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13
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Abstract
A wide range of cell–microenvironmental interactions are mediated by membrane-localized receptors that bind ligands present on another cell or the extracellular matrix. This situation introduces a number of physical effects including spatial organization of receptor–ligand complexes and development of mechanical forces in cells. Unlike traditional experimental approaches, hybrid live cell–supported lipid bilayer (SLB) systems, wherein a live cell interacts with a synthetic substrate supported membrane, allow interrogation of these aspects of receptor signaling. The SLB system directly offers facile control over the identity, density, and mobility of ligands used for engaging cellular receptors. Further, application of various nano- and micropatterning techniques allows for spatial patterning of ligands. In this review, we describe the hybrid live cell–SLB system and its application in uncovering a range of spatial and mechanical aspects of receptor signaling. We highlight the T cell immunological synapse, junctions formed between EphA2- and ephrinA1-expressing cells, and adhesions formed by cadherin and integrin receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabir H. Biswas
- NTU Institute for Health Technologies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553
| | - Jay T. Groves
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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14
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Kale GR, Yang X, Philippe JM, Mani M, Lenne PF, Lecuit T. Distinct contributions of tensile and shear stress on E-cadherin levels during morphogenesis. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5021. [PMID: 30479400 PMCID: PMC6258672 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07448-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
During epithelial morphogenesis, cell contacts (junctions) are constantly remodeled by mechanical forces that work against adhesive forces. E-cadherin complexes play a pivotal role in this process by providing persistent cell adhesion and by transmitting mechanical tension. In this context, it is unclear how mechanical forces affect E-cadherin adhesion and junction dynamics. During Drosophila embryo axis elongation, Myosin-II activity in the apico-medial and junctional cortex generates mechanical forces to drive junction remodeling. Here we report that the ratio between Vinculin and E-cadherin intensities acts as a ratiometric readout for these mechanical forces (load) at E-cadherin complexes. Medial Myosin-II loads E-cadherin complexes on all junctions, exerts tensile forces, and increases levels of E-cadherin. Junctional Myosin-II, on the other hand, biases the distribution of load between junctions of the same cell, exerts shear forces, and decreases the levels of E-cadherin. This work suggests distinct effects of tensile versus shear stresses on E-cadherin adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Girish R Kale
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IBDM-UMR7288, Turing Center for Living Systems, 13009, Marseille, France
- National Center for Biological Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Xingbo Yang
- Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Jean-Marc Philippe
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IBDM-UMR7288, Turing Center for Living Systems, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - Madhav Mani
- Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Pierre-François Lenne
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IBDM-UMR7288, Turing Center for Living Systems, 13009, Marseille, France.
| | - Thomas Lecuit
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IBDM-UMR7288, Turing Center for Living Systems, 13009, Marseille, France.
- Collège de France, 11 Place Marcelin Berthelot, 75005, Paris, France.
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Chand S, Beales P, Claeyssens F, Ciani B. Topography design in model membranes: Where biology meets physics. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2018; 244:294-303. [PMID: 30379575 DOI: 10.1177/1535370218809369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPACT STATEMENT Artificial membranes with complex topography aid the understanding of biological processes where membrane geometry plays a key regulatory role. In this review, we highlight how emerging material and engineering technologies have been employed to create minimal models of cell signaling pathways, in vitro. These artificial systems allow life scientists to answer ever more challenging questions with regards to mechanisms in cellular biology. In vitro reconstitution of biology is an area that draws on the expertise and collaboration between biophysicists, material scientists and biologists and has recently generated a number of high impact results, some of which are also discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarina Chand
- 1 Centre for Membrane Structure and Dynamics, Krebs Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HF, UK.,2 The Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HQ, UK
| | - Paul Beales
- 3 School of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Frederik Claeyssens
- 2 The Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HQ, UK
| | - Barbara Ciani
- 1 Centre for Membrane Structure and Dynamics, Krebs Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HF, UK
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16
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Biswas KH, Cho NJ, Groves JT. Fabrication of Multicomponent, Spatially Segregated DNA and Protein-Functionalized Supported Membrane Microarray. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:9781-9788. [PMID: 30032610 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b01364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has been used as a material for a variety of applications, including surface functionalization for cell biological or in vitro reconstitution studies. Use of DNA-based surface functionalization eliminates limitations of multiplexing posed by traditionally used methods in applications requiring spatially segregated surface functionalization. Recently, we have reported a stochastic, membrane fusion-based strategy to fabricate multicomponent membrane array substrates displaying spatially segregated protein ligands using biotin-streptavidin and Ni-NTA-polyhistidine interactions. Here, we report the delivery of DNA oligonucleotide-conjugated lipid molecules to membrane corrals, allowing spatially segregated membrane corral functionalization in a membrane microarray. Incubation of microbeads coated with the supported membrane resulted in an exchange of lipid contents with planar membrane corrals present on a micropatterned substrate. Increases in the system temperature and membrane corral size resulted in alterations in the rate constant of lipid exchange, which are in agreement with our previously developed analytical model and further confirm that lipid exchange is a diffusion-based process that takes place after the formation of a long "fusion-stalk" between the two membranes. We take advantage of the physical dimensions of the fusion-stalk with a large aspect ratio to deliver DNA oligonucleotide-conjugated lipid molecules to membrane corrals. We believe that the ability to functionalize membrane corrals with DNA oligonucleotides significantly increases the utility of the stochastic fusion-mediated lipid delivery strategy in the functionalization of biomolecules such as DNA or DNA-conjugated protein ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabir H Biswas
- Mechanobiology Institute , National University of Singapore , Singapore 117411 , Singapore
- School of Materials Science and Engineering , Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 639798 , Singapore
| | - Nam-Joon Cho
- School of Materials Science and Engineering , Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 639798 , Singapore
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering , Nanyang Technological University , 62 Nanyang Drive , Singapore 637459 , Singapore
| | - Jay T Groves
- School of Materials Science and Engineering , Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 639798 , Singapore
- Department of Chemistry , University of California , Berkeley , California 94720 , United States
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17
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Nicholl ID, Matsui T, Weiss TM, Stanley CB, Heller WT, Martel A, Farago B, Callaway DJE, Bu Z. α-Catenin Structure and Nanoscale Dynamics in Solution and in Complex with F-Actin. Biophys J 2018; 115:642-654. [PMID: 30037495 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
As a core component of the adherens junction, α-catenin stabilizes the cadherin/catenin complexes to the actin cytoskeleton for the mechanical coupling of cell-cell adhesion. α-catenin also modulates actin dynamics, cell polarity, and cell-migration functions that are independent of the adherens junction. We have determined the solution structures of the α-catenin monomer and dimer using in-line size-exclusion chromatography small-angle X-ray scattering, as well as the structure of α-catenin dimer in complex to F-actin filament using selective deuteration and contrast-matching small angle neutron scattering. We further present the first observation, to our knowledge, of the nanoscale dynamics of α-catenin by neutron spin-echo spectroscopy, which explicitly reveals the mobile regions of α-catenin that are crucial for binding to F-actin. In solution, the α-catenin monomer is more expanded than either protomer shown in the crystal structure dimer, with the vinculin-binding M fragment and the actin-binding domain being able to adopt different configurations. The α-catenin dimer in solution is also significantly more expanded than the dimer crystal structure, with fewer interdomain and intersubunit contacts than the crystal structure. When in complex to F-actin, the α-catenin dimer has an even more open and extended conformation than in solution, with the actin-binding domain further separated from the main body of the dimer. The α-catenin-assembled F-actin bundle develops into an ordered filament packing arrangement at increasing α-catenin/F-actin molar ratios. Together, the structural and dynamic studies reveal that α-catenin possesses dynamic molecular conformations that prime this protein to function as a mechanosensor protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain D Nicholl
- Department of Biomedical Science and Physiology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
| | - Tsutomu Matsui
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Light Source, Menlo Park, California
| | - Thomas M Weiss
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Light Source, Menlo Park, California
| | | | - William T Heller
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | | | | | - David J E Callaway
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, New York.
| | - Zimei Bu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, New York.
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18
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Koçer G, Jonkheijm P. About Chemical Strategies to Fabricate Cell-Instructive Biointerfaces with Static and Dynamic Complexity. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1701192. [PMID: 29717821 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201701192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Properly functioning cell-instructive biointerfaces are critical for healthy integration of biomedical devices in the body and serve as decisive tools for the advancement of our understanding of fundamental cell biological phenomena. Studies are reviewed that use covalent chemistries to fabricate cell-instructive biointerfaces. These types of biointerfaces typically result in a static presentation of predefined cell-instructive cues. Chemically defined, but dynamic cell-instructive biointerfaces introduce spatiotemporal control over cell-instructive cues and present another type of biointerface, which promises a more biomimetic way to guide cell behavior. Therefore, strategies that offer control over the lateral sorting of ligands, the availability and molecular structure of bioactive ligands, and strategies that offer the ability to induce physical, chemical and mechanical changes in situ are reviewed. Specific attention is paid to state-of-the-art studies on dynamic, cell-instructive 3D materials. Future work is expected to further deepen our understanding of molecular and cellular biological processes investigating cell-type specific responses and the translational steps toward targeted in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gülistan Koçer
- TechMed Centre and MESA Institute for Nanotechnology; University of Twente; 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering; University of Toronto; Toronto M5S 3G9 Ontario Canada
| | - Pascal Jonkheijm
- TechMed Centre and MESA Institute for Nanotechnology; University of Twente; 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering; University of Toronto; Toronto M5S 3G9 Ontario Canada
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19
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Tunable cell-surface mimetics as engineered cell substrates. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2018; 1860:2076-2093. [PMID: 29935145 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Most recent breakthroughs in understanding cell adhesion, cell migration, and cellular mechanosensitivity have been made possible by the development of engineered cell substrates of well-defined surface properties. Traditionally, these substrates mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) environment by the use of ligand-functionalized polymeric gels of adjustable stiffness. However, such ECM mimetics are limited in their ability to replicate the rich dynamics found at cell-cell contacts. This review focuses on the application of cell surface mimetics, which are better suited for the analysis of cell adhesion, cell migration, and cellular mechanosensitivity across cell-cell interfaces. Functionalized supported lipid bilayer systems were first introduced as biomembrane-mimicking substrates to study processes of adhesion maturation during adhesion of functionalized vesicles (cell-free assay) and plated cells. However, while able to capture adhesion processes, the fluid lipid bilayer of such a relatively simple planar model membrane prevents adhering cells from transducing contractile forces to the underlying solid, making studies of cell migration and cellular mechanosensitivity largely impractical. Therefore, the main focus of this review is on polymer-tethered lipid bilayer architectures as biomembrane-mimicking cell substrate. Unlike supported lipid bilayers, these polymer-lipid composite materials enable the free assembly of linkers into linker clusters at cellular contacts without hindering cell spreading and migration and allow the controlled regulation of mechanical properties, enabling studies of cellular mechanosensitivity. The various polymer-tethered lipid bilayer architectures and their complementary properties as cell substrates are discussed.
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20
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Yang R, Broussard JA, Green KJ, Espinosa HD. Techniques to stimulate and interrogate cell-cell adhesion mechanics. EXTREME MECHANICS LETTERS 2018; 20:125-139. [PMID: 30320194 PMCID: PMC6181239 DOI: 10.1016/j.eml.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cell-cell adhesions maintain the mechanical integrity of multicellular tissues and have recently been found to act as mechanotransducers, translating mechanical cues into biochemical signals. Mechanotransduction studies have primarily focused on focal adhesions, sites of cell-substrate attachment. These studies leverage technical advances in devices and systems interfacing with living cells through cell-extracellular matrix adhesions. As reports of aberrant signal transduction originating from mutations in cell-cell adhesion molecules are being increasingly associated with disease states, growing attention is being paid to this intercellular signaling hub. Along with this renewed focus, new requirements arise for the interrogation and stimulation of cell-cell adhesive junctions. This review covers established experimental techniques for stimulation and interrogation of cell-cell adhesion from cell pairs to monolayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiguo Yang
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States
| | - Joshua A. Broussard
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Kathleen J. Green
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Horacio D. Espinosa
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, United States
- Theoretical and Applied Mechanics Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, United States
- Institute for Cellular Engineering Technologies, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, United States
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21
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Biswas KH, Zhongwen C, Dubey AK, Oh D, Groves JT. Multicomponent Supported Membrane Microarray for Monitoring Spatially Resolved Cellular Signaling Reactions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201800015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kabir H. Biswas
- Mechanobiology Institute; National University of Singapore; Singapore 117411 Singapore
| | - Chen Zhongwen
- Mechanobiology Institute; National University of Singapore; Singapore 117411 Singapore
| | - Alok Kumar Dubey
- Mechanobiology Institute; National University of Singapore; Singapore 117411 Singapore
| | - Dongmyung Oh
- Mechanobiology Institute; National University of Singapore; Singapore 117411 Singapore
| | - Jay T. Groves
- Department of Chemistry; University of California; Berkeley CA 94720 USA
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22
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Barrick S, Li J, Kong X, Ray A, Tajkhorshid E, Leckband D. Salt bridges gate α-catenin activation at intercellular junctions. Mol Biol Cell 2017; 29:111-122. [PMID: 29142072 PMCID: PMC5909925 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e17-03-0168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular dynamics simulations, equilibrium binding measurements, and fluorescence imaging reveal the influence of a key salt bridge in the mechanical activation of α-catenin at intercellular adhesions. Simulations reveal possible α-catenin conformational changes underlying experimental fluorescence and equilibrium binding data. Cadherin complexes transduce force fluctuations at junctions to activate signals that reinforce stressed intercellular contacts. α-Catenin is an identified force transducer within cadherin complexes that is autoinhibited under low tension. Increased force triggers a conformational change that exposes a cryptic site for the actin-binding protein vinculin. This study tested predictions that salt bridges within the force-sensing core modulate α-catenin activation. Studies with a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based α-catenin conformation sensor demonstrated that each of the salt-bridge mutations R551A and D503N enhances α-catenin activation in live cells, but R551A has a greater impact. Under dynamic force loading at reannealing cell–cell junctions, the R551A mutant bound more vinculin than wild-type α-catenin. In vitro binding measurements quantified the impact of the R551A mutation on the free-energy difference between the active and autoinhibited α-catenin conformers. A 2-μs constant-force, steered molecular dynamics simulation of the core force-sensing region suggested how the salt-bridge mutants alter the α-catenin conformation, and identified a novel load-bearing salt bridge. These results reveal key structural features that determine the force-transduction mechanism and the force sensitivity of this crucial nanomachine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Barrick
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Jing Li
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801.,Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Xinyu Kong
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Alokananda Ray
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Emad Tajkhorshid
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801.,Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Deborah Leckband
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801 .,Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801.,Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801
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23
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Glazier R, Salaita K. Supported lipid bilayer platforms to probe cell mechanobiology. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1859:1465-1482. [PMID: 28502789 PMCID: PMC5531615 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian and bacterial cells sense and exert mechanical forces through the process of mechanotransduction, which interconverts biochemical and physical signals. This is especially important in contact-dependent signaling, where ligand-receptor binding occurs at cell-cell or cell-ECM junctions. By virtue of occurring within these specialized junctions, receptors engaged in contact-dependent signaling undergo oligomerization and coupling with the cytoskeleton as part of their signaling mechanisms. While our ability to measure and map biochemical signaling within cell junctions has advanced over the past decades, physical cues remain difficult to map in space and time. Recently, supported lipid bilayer (SLB) technologies have emerged as a flexible platform to mimic and perturb cell-cell and cell-ECM junctions, allowing one to study membrane receptor mechanotransduction. Changing the lipid composition and underlying substrate tunes bilayer fluidity, and lipid and ligand micro- and nano-patterning spatially control positioning and clustering of receptors. Patterning metal gridlines within SLBs confines lipid mobility and introduces mechanical resistance. Here we review fundamental SLB mechanics and how SLBs can be engineered as tunable cell substrates for mechanotransduction studies. Finally, we highlight the impact of this work in understanding the biophysical mechanisms of cell adhesion. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Interactions between membrane receptors in cellular membranes edited by Kalina Hristova.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne Glazier
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States; Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States..
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24
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Broussard JA, Yang R, Huang C, Nathamgari SSP, Beese AM, Godsel LM, Hegazy MH, Lee S, Zhou F, Sniadecki NJ, Green KJ, Espinosa HD. The desmoplakin-intermediate filament linkage regulates cell mechanics. Mol Biol Cell 2017; 28:3156-3164. [PMID: 28495795 PMCID: PMC5687018 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e16-07-0520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Desmoplakin connects desmosomal core components to intermediate filaments at sites of cell–cell adhesion. Modulating the strength of this linkage using desmoplakin mutants led to alterations in cell–substrate and cell–cell forces and cell stiffness as assessed by micropillar arrays and atomic force microscopy. Perturbation of the actin cytoskeleton leads to abrogation of these effects. The translation of mechanical forces into biochemical signals plays a central role in guiding normal physiological processes during tissue development and homeostasis. Interfering with this process contributes to cardiovascular disease, cancer progression, and inherited disorders. The actin-based cytoskeleton and its associated adherens junctions are well-established contributors to mechanosensing and transduction machinery; however, the role of the desmosome–intermediate filament (DSM–IF) network is poorly understood in this context. Because a force balance among different cytoskeletal systems is important to maintain normal tissue function, knowing the relative contributions of these structurally integrated systems to cell mechanics is critical. Here we modulated the interaction between DSMs and IFs using mutant forms of desmoplakin, the protein bridging these structures. Using micropillar arrays and atomic force microscopy, we demonstrate that strengthening the DSM–IF interaction increases cell–substrate and cell–cell forces and cell stiffness both in cell pairs and sheets of cells. In contrast, disrupting the interaction leads to a decrease in these forces. These alterations in cell mechanics are abrogated when the actin cytoskeleton is dismantled. These data suggest that the tissue-specific variability in DSM–IF network composition provides an opportunity to differentially regulate tissue mechanics by balancing and tuning forces among cytoskeletal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Broussard
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611.,Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Ruiguo Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Changjin Huang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - S Shiva P Nathamgari
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Allison M Beese
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Lisa M Godsel
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611.,Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Marihan H Hegazy
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Sherry Lee
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Fan Zhou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Nathan J Sniadecki
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Kathleen J Green
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611 .,Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Horacio D Espinosa
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208 .,Theoretical and Applied Mechanics Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
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25
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Vafaei S, Tabaei SR, Biswas KH, Groves JT, Cho NJ. Dynamic Cellular Interactions with Extracellular Matrix Triggered by Biomechanical Tuning of Low-Rigidity, Supported Lipid Membranes. Adv Healthc Mater 2017; 6. [PMID: 28371558 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201700243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The behavior of cells in a tissue is regulated by chemical as well as physical signals arising from their microenvironment. While gel-based substrates have been widely used for mimicking a range of substrate rigidities, there is a need for the development of low rigidity substrates for mimicking the physical properties of soft tissues. In this study, the authors report the development of a supported lipid bilayer (SLB)-based low rigidity substrate for cell adhesion studies. SLBs are functionalized with either collagen I or fibronectin via covalent, amine coupling to a carboxyl group-modified lipid molecule. While the lipid molecules in the bilayer show long-range lateral mobility, the covalently functionalized extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are immobile on the bilayer surface. Specific adhesion of cells results in an enrichment of the protein on the bilayer and the appearance of a zone of depletion around the cells. Further, the lateral reorganization of the ECM proteins is controlled by altering the fluidity of lipid molecules in the substrate. Thus, the experimental platform developed in this study can be utilized for addressing basic questions related to cell adhesion on low rigidity substrates as well as biomedical applications requiring adhesion of cells to low rigidity substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Setareh Vafaei
- Centre for Biomimetic Sensor Science; Nanyang Technological University; 50 Nanyang Drive 637553 Singapore Singapore
- School of Materials Science and Engineering; Nanyang Technological University; 50 Nanyang Avenue 639798 Singapore Singapore
| | - Seyed R. Tabaei
- Centre for Biomimetic Sensor Science; Nanyang Technological University; 50 Nanyang Drive 637553 Singapore Singapore
- School of Materials Science and Engineering; Nanyang Technological University; 50 Nanyang Avenue 639798 Singapore Singapore
| | - Kabir H. Biswas
- Mechanobiology Institute; National University of Singapore; 117411 Singapore Singapore
| | - Jay T. Groves
- Mechanobiology Institute; National University of Singapore; 117411 Singapore Singapore
- Department of Chemistry; University of California; Berkeley CA 94720 USA
| | - Nam-Joon Cho
- Centre for Biomimetic Sensor Science; Nanyang Technological University; 50 Nanyang Drive 637553 Singapore Singapore
- School of Materials Science and Engineering; Nanyang Technological University; 50 Nanyang Avenue 639798 Singapore Singapore
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering; Nanyang Technological University; 62 Nanyang Drive 637459 Singapore Singapore
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26
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Li N, Jiang D. Jumonji domain containing 2C promotes cell migration and invasion through modulating CUL4A expression in lung cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 89:305-315. [PMID: 28236704 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Jumonji domain containing 2C (JMJD2C), also named as KDM4C, was found to a transcriptional cofactor and enzyme that catalyzes demethylation of histone H3 lysine 9 and 36. Here in this study, we found that the expression of JMJD2C increased in a majority of the human lung cancer tissues examined compared with adjacent tissues. Furthermore, the expression of JMJD2C was found to be higher in metastatic lung cancer tissues than which in non-metastatic lung cancer tissues. Knockdown of JMJD2C inhibited the ability of migration and invasion of lung cancer cells. Moreover, JMJD2C knockdown was proven to inhibit the tumor hepatic metastasis of lung cancer cells in vivo and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro. On the contrary, over-expression of JMJD2C was found to promote the ability of migration, invasion and EMT. As to mechanism, knockdown of JMJD2C was found to inhibit the expression of CUL4A while to promote the expression of p53 and p27. Furthermore, we found that JMJD2C regulated the activities of lung cancer cells by directly controlling the expression of CUL4A in JMJD2C over-expression cell line, and interference of CUL4A was found to reverse the ability of migration, invasion and EMT which JMJD2C over-expression bought to. Together, these results of this study not only enriched the JMJD2C biological function of lung cancer, but also illuminated exploring the prevention and treatment of the invasion and metastasis of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276003, PR China
| | - Dazhi Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276003, PR China.
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27
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Biswas KH, Zaidel-Bar R. Early events in the assembly of E-cadherin adhesions. Exp Cell Res 2017; 358:14-19. [PMID: 28237244 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
E-cadherin is a calcium dependent cell adhesion molecule that is key to the organization of cells in the epithelial tissue. It is a multidomain, trans-membrane protein in which the extracellular domain forms the homotypic, adhesive interaction while the intracellular domain interacts with the actin cytoskeleton through the catenin family of adaptor proteins. A number of recent studies have provided novel insights into the mechanism of adhesion formation by this class of adhesion proteins. Here, we describe an updated view of the process of E-cadherin adhesion formation with an emphasis on the role of molecular mobility, clustering, and active cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabir H Biswas
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Ronen Zaidel-Bar
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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28
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Dustin ML, Peel CG. Force Bistability in Adhesion Switch. Biophys J 2016; 111:900-1. [PMID: 27602717 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2016.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Dustin
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, The Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Christopher G Peel
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, The Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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