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Pradhan SR, Pathinti RS, Kandimalla R, Chithari K, Veeramalla N MR, Vallamkondu J. Label-free detection of Aβ-42: a liquid crystal droplet approach for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. RSC Adv 2024; 14:12107-12118. [PMID: 38628477 PMCID: PMC11019351 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra00615a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
This study introduces a biosensor based on liquid crystals (LC) designed to detect the Aβ-42 biomarker, commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease. The sensor utilizes LC droplets created using a PEI/Tween-20 surfactant mixture, arranged radially in an aqueous solution. These droplets are coated with the Aβ1-16 antibody, enabling the detection of the Aβ1-42 biomarker. The key advantage of this biosensor lies in its ability to directly translate the antigen-antibody interaction into a change in the molecular orientation of the LC droplets, simplifying the detection process by removing additional procedural steps. Specifically, this immunoassay induces a transformation in the nematic droplets orientation from radial to bipolar upon successful antigen binding. When only the Aβ1-16 antibody coated the LC droplets, no change in orientation was detected, confirming the reaction's specificity. The orientation shift in the LC droplets indicates the formation of an immunocomplex between the Aβ1-16 antibody and the Aβ1-42 antigen. The LC droplet immunoassay effectively detected Aβ1-42 antigen concentrations ranging from 45 to 112.5 μM, with the Aβ1-16 antibody immobilized on the droplets at a concentration of 1 μg mL-1. These findings suggest that the LC microdroplets' orientational behavior can be harnessed to develop a biosensor for the in vivo detection of various proteins or pathogens in a PBS aqueous medium. Owing to its label-free nature and distinct optical signaling, this LC droplet-based immunoassay holds promise for further development into a cost-effective, portable diagnostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ramesh Kandimalla
- Department of Biochemistry, Kakatiya Medical College Warangal 506007 India
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2
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Pani I, Sil S, Kaur R, Devi M, Pal SK. Dynamic Microparticle Assembly at the Interface of Chemoresponsive Liquid Crystal Droplets. Anal Chem 2024; 96:3780-3786. [PMID: 38407028 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The confinement of liquid crystals (LCs) in spherical microdroplets results in exotic internal configurations and topological defects in response to physical and chemical stimuli. Recent exploration into the placement of colloids on the surface of LC microdroplets has led to the design of a new class of functional materials with patterned surface properties. It is established that the placement of a colloid on a LC droplet surface can pin the topological defect at the interface, thereby restricting changes in the LC configuration. Herein, we build upon the handful of reports published to provide a fundamental understanding of the colloid positioning in response to external stimuli. Using polystyrene (PS) colloids, we explored the dynamics of particle self-assembly in response to an interfacial enzymatic breakdown of poly-l-lysine by trypsin. We found that for a significant population of droplets, the positioning of the colloid is unaffected by the changes in the internal ordering of LC. Inspired by the new observations, we delved deeper to understand the role of interfacial stabilizers in modulating the preferential alignment of LC and the placement of colloidal microparticles. We also demonstrated that for a certain population of droplets, the positioning of the colloids remains unperturbed in response to multistep reversible adsorption of interfacial amphiphiles. Our findings reveal interesting possibilities of correlating the stimuli-responsive switching of internal configurations of LC with colloid placement on the particle-decorated LC droplets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ipsita Pani
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Soma Sil
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Rajwant Kaur
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Manisha Devi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Santanu Kumar Pal
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
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3
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Gupta T, Arora L, Mukhopadhyay S, Pal SK. Ultrasensitive Detection of Lipid-Induced Misfolding of the Prion Protein at the Aqueous-Liquid Crystal Interface. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:2117-2122. [PMID: 38363235 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The misfolding of the α-helical cellular prion protein into a self-propagating β-rich aggregated form is a key pathogenic event in fatal and transmissible neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as prion diseases. Herein, we utilize the interfacial properties of liquid crystals (LCs) to monitor the lipid-membrane-induced conformational switching of prion protein (PrP) into β-rich amyloid fibrils. The lipid-induced conformational switching resulting in aggregation occurs at the nanomolar protein concentration and is primarily mediated by electrostatic interactions between PrP and lipid headgroups. Our LC-based methodology offers a potent and sensitive tool to detect and delineate molecular mechanisms of PrP misfolding mediated by lipid-protein interactions at the aqueous interface under physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarang Gupta
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Manauli 140306, India
| | - Lisha Arora
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Manauli 140306, India
| | - Samrat Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Manauli 140306, India
| | - Santanu Kumar Pal
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Manauli 140306, India
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Zhang Z, Yang X, Zhao Y, Ye F, Shang L. Liquid Crystal Materials for Biomedical Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2300220. [PMID: 37235719 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202300220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal is a state of matter being intermediate between solid and liquid. Liquid crystal materials exhibit both orientational order and fluidity. While liquid crystals have long been highly recognized in the display industry, in recent decades, liquid crystals provide new opportunities into the cross-field of material science and biomedicine due to their biocompatibility, multifunctionality, and responsiveness. In this review, the latest achievements of liquid crystal materials applied in biomedical fields are summarized. The start is made by introducing the basic concepts of liquid crystals, and then shifting to the components of liquid crystals as well as functional materials derived therefrom. After that, the ongoing and foreseeable applications of liquid crystal materials in the biomedical field with emphasis put on several cutting-edge aspects, including drug delivery, bioimaging, tissue engineering, implantable devices, biosensing, and wearable devices are discussed. It is hoped that this review will stimulate ingenious ideas for the future generation of liquid crystal-based drug development, artificial implants, disease diagnosis, health status monitoring, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuohao Zhang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xinyuan Yang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Fangfu Ye
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China
| | - Luoran Shang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
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Pani I, Sil S, Pal SK. Liquid Crystal Biosensors: A New Therapeutic Window to Point-of-Care Diagnostics. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:909-917. [PMID: 36634050 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
After revolutionizing the field of electro-optic displays, liquid crystals (LCs) are emerging as functional soft materials with wide-ranging biomedical implications. Integrating smart sensor designs with label-free imaging presents exciting opportunities in diagnostics. In this Perspective, we present an elegant collage of the key findings that demonstrate the utility of LC biosensors in diagnosing a disease or infection in clinical samples, cellular microenvironments, or bodily fluids. We emphasize the currently prevalent diagnostic techniques and the advances made using LCs in achieving greater sensitivity, a simplified strategy, multiplexed detection, and so on. We collate the landmark contributions in translational research in LC-based diagnostics. We believe that developing LC-based biosensors presents a new therapeutic window in point-of-care diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ipsita Pani
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Soma Sil
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Santanu Kumar Pal
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
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6
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Yanagisawa M, Watanabe C, Yoshinaga N, Fujiwara K. Cell-Size Space Regulates the Behavior of Confined Polymers: From Nano- and Micromaterials Science to Biology. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:11811-11827. [PMID: 36125172 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Polymer micromaterials in a liquid or gel phase covered with a surfactant membrane are widely used materials in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and foods. In particular, cell-sized micromaterials of biopolymer solutions covered with a lipid membrane have been studied as artificial cells to understand cells from a physicochemical perspective. The characteristics and phase transitions of polymers confined to a microscopic space often differ from those in bulk systems. The effect that causes this difference is referred to as the cell-size space effect (CSE), but the specific physicochemical factors remain unclear. This study introduces the analysis of CSE on molecular diffusion, nanostructure transition, and phase separation and presents their main factors, i.e., short- and long-range interactions with the membrane surface and small volume (finite element nature). This serves as a guide for determining the dominant factors of CSE. Furthermore, we also introduce other factors of CSE such as spatial closure and the relationships among space size, the characteristic length of periodicity, the structure size, and many others produced by biomolecular assemblies through the analysis of protein reaction-diffusion systems and biochemical reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miho Yanagisawa
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Chiho Watanabe
- School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-7-1, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
| | - Natsuhiko Yoshinaga
- Mathematical Science Group, WPI Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), Tohoku University, Katahira 2-1-1, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 9808577, Japan
- MathAM-OIL, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Kei Fujiwara
- Department of Biosciences & Informatics, Keio University, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
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Forloni G, La Vitola P, Balducci C. Oligomeropathies, inflammation and prion protein binding. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:822420. [PMID: 36081661 PMCID: PMC9445368 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.822420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The central role of oligomers, small soluble aggregates of misfolded proteins, in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders is recognized in numerous experimental conditions and is compatible with clinical evidence. To underline this concept, some years ago we coined the term oligomeropathies to define the common mechanism of action of protein misfolding diseases like Alzheimer, Parkinson or prion diseases. Using simple experimental conditions, with direct application of synthetic β amyloid or α-synuclein oligomers intraventricularly at micromolar concentrations, we could detect differences and similarities in the biological consequences. The two oligomer species affected cognitive behavior, neuronal dysfunction and cerebral inflammatory reactions with distinct mechanisms. In these experimental conditions the proposed mediatory role of cellular prion protein in oligomer activities was not confirmed. Together with oligomers, inflammation at different levels can be important early in neurodegenerative disorders; both β amyloid and α-synuclein oligomers induce inflammation and its control strongly affects neuronal dysfunction. This review summarizes our studies with β-amyloid or α-synuclein oligomers, also considering the potential curative role of doxycycline, a well-known antibiotic with anti-amyloidogenic and anti-inflammatory activities. These actions are analyzed in terms of the therapeutic prospects.
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Su Y, Guo X, Zang M, Xie Z, Zhao T, Xu EY. RNA binding protein BOULE forms aggregates in mammalian testis. J Biomed Res 2022; 36:255-268. [PMID: 35965435 PMCID: PMC9376728 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.36.20220072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yujuan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Xinghui Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Min Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Zhengyao Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Tingting Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Eugene Yujun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
- Department of Neurology, and Center for Reproductive Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Eugene Yujun Xu, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China. Tel: +86-25-86869505, E-mail:
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9
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Pal SK, Pani I, Nailwal Y, Dutta S. Tailoring Liquid Crystals as Vehicles for Encapsulation and Enzyme-Triggered Release. J Mater Chem B 2022; 10:3032-3038. [DOI: 10.1039/d2tb00098a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Nanoscale assemblies of amphiphiles have been vividly explored in pharmaceutical formulations as drug nanocarriers. Aqueous interfaces of liquid crystals (LCs) are known to direct the self-assembly of a range of...
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10
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Abstract
Smart soft materials are envisioned to be the building blocks of the next generation of advanced devices and digitally augmented technologies. In this context, liquid crystals (LCs) owing to their responsive and adaptive attributes could serve as promising smart soft materials. LCs played a critical role in revolutionizing the information display industry in the 20th century. However, in the turn of the 21st century, numerous beyond-display applications of LCs have been demonstrated, which elegantly exploit their controllable stimuli-responsive and adaptive characteristics. For these applications, new LC materials have been rationally designed and developed. In this Review, we present the recent developments in light driven chiral LCs, i.e., cholesteric and blue phases, LC based smart windows that control the entrance of heat and light from outdoor to the interior of buildings and built environments depending on the weather conditions, LC elastomers for bioinspired, biological, and actuator applications, LC based biosensors for detection of proteins, nucleic acids, and viruses, LC based porous membranes for the separation of ions, molecules, and microbes, living LCs, and LCs under macro- and nanoscopic confinement. The Review concludes with a summary and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for LCs as smart soft materials. This Review is anticipated to stimulate eclectic ideas toward the implementation of the nature's delicate phase of matter in future generations of smart and augmented devices and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Quan Li
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States.,Institute of Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and Jiangsu Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
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11
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Yang X, Zhao X, Zhao H, Liu F, Zhang S, Zhang CX, Yang Z. Combination of liquid crystal and deep learning reveals distinct signatures of Parkinson's disease-related wild-type α-synuclein and six pathogenic mutants. Chem Asian J 2021; 17:e202101251. [PMID: 34877798 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202101251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein is a central player in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathology. Various point mutations in α-synuclein have been identified to alter the protein-phospholipid binding behavior and cause PD. Therefore, exploration of α-synuclein-phospholipid interaction is important for understanding the PD pathogenesis and helping the early diagnosis of PD. Herein, a phospholipid-decorated liquid crystal (LC)-aqueous interface is constructed to investigate the binding between α-synucleins (wild-type and six familial mutant A30P, E46K, H50Q, G51D, A53E and A53T) and phospholipid. The application of deep learning analyzes and reveals distinct LC signatures generated by the binding of α-synuclein and phospholipid. This system allows for the identification of single point mutant α-synucleins with an average accuracy of 98.3±1.3% in a fast and efficient manner. We propose that this analytical methodology provides a new platform to understand α-synuclein-lipid interactions, and can be potentially developed for easy identification of α-synuclein mutations in common clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuxiu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Xiaofang Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, P. R. China
| | - Hansen Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Fengwei Liu
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, P. R. China
| | - Sichun Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Claire Xi Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, P. R. China
| | - Zhongqiang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
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12
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Madhu P, Mukhopadhyay S. Distinct types of amyloid-β oligomers displaying diverse neurotoxicity mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease. J Cell Biochem 2021; 122:1594-1608. [PMID: 34494298 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Soluble oligomers of amyloid-β (Aβ) are recognized as key pernicious species in Alzheimer's disease (AD) that cause synaptic dysfunction and memory impairments. Numerous studies have identified various types of Aβ oligomers having heterogeneous peptide length, size distribution, structure, appearance, and toxicity. Here, we review the characteristics of soluble Aβ oligomers based on their morphology, size, and structural reactivity toward the conformation-specific antibodies and then describe their formation, localization, and cellular effects in AD brains, in vivo and in vitro. We also summarize the mechanistic pathways by which these soluble Aβ oligomers cause proteasomal impairment, calcium dyshomeostasis, inhibition of long-term potentiation, apoptosis, mitochondrial damage, and cognitive decline. These cellular events include three distinct molecular mechanisms: (i) high-affinity binding with the receptors for Aβ oligomers such as N-methyl- d-aspartate receptors, cellular prion protein, nerve growth factor, insulin receptors, and frizzled receptors; (ii) the interaction of Aβ oligomers with the lipid membranes; (iii) intraneuronal accumulation of Aβ by α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, apolipoprotein E, and receptor for advanced glycation end products. These studies indicate that there is a pressing need to carefully examine the role of size, appearance, and the conformation of oligomers in identifying the specific mechanism of neurotoxicity that may uncover potential targets for designing AD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Madhu
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, India.,Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, India
| | - Samrat Mukhopadhyay
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, India.,Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, India.,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, India
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13
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Pani I, K M FN, Sharma M, Pal SK. Probing Nanoscale Lipid-Protein Interactions at the Interface of Liquid Crystal Droplets. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:4546-4553. [PMID: 34048245 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c05139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous interfaces of liquid crystals (LCs) are widely explored in the design of functional interfaces to recapitulate the key aspects of biomolecular interactions in cellular milieu. Herein, using aqueous LC dispersions, we explore the interactions between mitochondrial cardiolipin and membrane-associated cytochrome c which play a pivotal role in the apoptotic signaling cascade. Conventional techniques used to decipher LC ordering at the droplet interface fail to give information about the interactions at a molecular level. Besides, owing to the complexity of LC systems and multiple determinants driving the LC reorientation, accurate analysis of the underlying mechanism responsible for the LC ordering transition remains challenging. Using a combination of atomistic simulations and microscopic and spectroscopic readouts, for the first time, we unveil the lipid-protein interactions that drive the reorientation at the LC droplet interface. The insights from our work are fundamental to the design of these interfaces for a spectrum of interfacial applications.
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Wang Z, Xu T, Noel A, Chen YC, Liu T. Applications of liquid crystals in biosensing. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:4675-4702. [PMID: 33978639 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm02088e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals (LCs), as a promising branch of highly-sensitive, quick-response, and low-cost materials, are widely applied to the detection of weak external stimuli and have attracted significant attention. Over the past decade, many research groups have been devoted to developing LC-based biosensors due to their self-assembly potential and functional diversity. In this paper, recent investigations on the design and application of LC-based biosensors are reviewed, based on the phenomenon that the orientation of LCs can be directly influenced by the interactions between biomolecules and LC molecules. The sensing principle of LC-based biosensors, as well as their signal detection by probing interfacial interactions, is described to convert, amplify, and quantify the information from targets into optical and electrical parameters. Furthermore, commonly-used LC biosensing targets are introduced, including glucose, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, cells, microorganisms, ions, and other micromolecules that are critical to human health. Due to their self-assembly potential, chemical diversity, and high sensitivity, it has been reported that tunable stimuli-responsive LC biosensors show bright perspectives and high superiorities in biological applications. Finally, challenges and future prospects are discussed for the fabrication and application of LC biosensors to both enhance their performance and to realize their promise in the biosensing industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyihui Wang
- School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
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15
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Yang X, Zhao X, Liu F, Li H, Zhang CX, Yang Z. Simple, rapid and sensitive detection of Parkinson's disease related alpha-synuclein using a DNA aptamer assisted liquid crystal biosensor. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:4842-4847. [PMID: 33889925 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00298h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (αS) has been proposed as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the detection of αS using a simple, rapid and sensitive approach is still challenging. Herein, we construct a new type of biosensor for the detection of αS, combining the stimuli-responsiveness of liquid crystals (LCs) and the specific interaction of a DNA aptamer with proteins. In principle, the positively charged surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) binds with the negatively charged DNA aptamer via electrostatic interactions; in the presence of αS, the DNA aptamer specifically binds with αS and releases CTAB, which is an amphiphilic molecule and subsequently assembles at the LC-aqueous interface, resulting in a homeotropic alignment of LCs with a dark optical signal. In the absence of αS, CTAB binds with the DNA aptamer without affecting the alignment of LCs, which shows planar anchoring with a bright optical signal. The response time of LCs towards αS is rapid and can be down to minutes. The LC biosensor established here has a good specificity for αS and can recognize αS even from a mixture of proteins. The LC biosensor also exhibits high sensitivity with a limit of detection of αS as low as 10 pM, which is comparable to that of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This work provides a new strategy for the detection of αS in a simple, rapid and sensitive manner, possessing promising potentials towards early diagnosis and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuxiu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Xiaofang Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
| | - Fengwei Liu
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
| | - Haiyu Li
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Claire Xi Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
| | - Zhongqiang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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Mukhopadhyay S. The Dynamism of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins: Binding-Induced Folding, Amyloid Formation, and Phase Separation. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:11541-11560. [PMID: 33108190 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c07598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) or natively unfolded proteins do not undergo autonomous folding into a well-defined 3-D structure and challenge the conventional structure-function paradigm. They are involved in a multitude of critical physiological functions by adopting various structural states via order-to-disorder transitions or by maintaining their disordered characteristics in functional complexes. In recent times, there has been a burgeoning interest in the investigation of intriguing behavior of IDPs using highly multidisciplinary and complementary approaches due to the pivotal role of this unique class of protein chameleons in physiology and disease. Over the past decade or so, our laboratory has been actively investigating the unique physicochemical properties of this class of highly dynamic, flexible, rapidly interconverting proteins. We have utilized a diverse array of existing and emerging tools involving steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, circular dichroism, light scattering, fluorescence microscopy, and atomic force microscopy coupled with site-directed mutagenesis and other biochemical and biophysical tools to study a variety of interesting and important aspects of IDPs. In this Feature Article, I describe our work on the conformational characteristics, solvation dynamics, binding-induced folding, amyloid formation, and liquid-liquid phase separation of a number of amyloidogenic IDPs. A series of these studies described here captures the role of conformational plasticity and dynamics in directing binding, folding, assembly, aggregation, and phase transitions implicated in physiology and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samrat Mukhopadhyay
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Department of Biological Sciences, and Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, India
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