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Kumar R, Chakrabarti R, Thaokar RM. Compound giant unilamellar vesicles as a bio-mimetic model for electrohydrodynamics of a nucleate cell. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:6995-7011. [PMID: 39171512 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00633j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
The understanding obtained by studies on the electrohydrodynamics (EHD) of single giant unilamellar vesicles (sGUVs) has contributed significantly towards a better comprehension of the response of biological cells to electric fields. This has subsequently helped in developing technologies such as cell dielectrophoresis and cell electroporation. For nucleate eukaryotic cells though, a vesicle-in-vesicle compound giant unilamellar vesicle (cGUV) is a more appropriate bio-mimic than a sGUV. In this work, we present an improvised method for the formation of cGUVs, wherein the electrical conductivities of the inner, annular and outer regions of the cGUVs can be modified. A comprehensive experimental study is presented on the EHD of these cGUVs under weak AC fields over a wide range of frequencies, and an encouraging agreement is observed between the experiments and earlier published theoretical studies on concentric cGUVs. The spherical, prolate or oblate spheroidal deformations of a cGUV under AC electric fields depend upon the membrane electromechanical properties as well as the magnitude and direction of the electric traction at the membrane produced by the Maxwell stress that varies with the relative timescales associated with the frequency of the applied AC electric field and that of the membrane charging time and the Maxwell-Wagner relaxation time. This work establishes cGUVs as appropriate bio-mimics for conducting EHD studies relevant to eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupesh Kumar
- Centre for Research in Nanotechnology & Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rajarshi Chakrabarti
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rochish M Thaokar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, Maharashtra, India.
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2
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Volovik MV, Denieva ZG, Gifer PK, Rakitina MA, Batishchev OV. Membrane Activity and Viroporin Assembly for the SARS-CoV-2 E Protein Are Regulated by Cholesterol. Biomolecules 2024; 14:1061. [PMID: 39334828 PMCID: PMC11430671 DOI: 10.3390/biom14091061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 E protein is an enigmatic viral structural protein with reported viroporin activity associated with the acute respiratory symptoms of COVID-19, as well as the ability to deform cell membranes for viral budding. Like many viroporins, the E protein is thought to oligomerize with a well-defined stoichiometry. However, attempts to determine the structure of the protein complex have yielded inconclusive results, suggesting several possible oligomers, ranging from dimers to pentamers. Here, we combined patch-clamp, confocal fluorescence microscopy on giant unilamellar vesicles, and atomic force microscopy to show that E protein can exhibit two modes of membrane activity depending on membrane lipid composition. In the absence or the presence of a low content of cholesterol, the protein forms short-living transient pores, which are seen as semi-transmembrane defects in a membrane by atomic force microscopy. Approximately 30 mol% cholesterol is a threshold for the transition to the second mode of conductance, which could be a stable pentameric channel penetrating the entire lipid bilayer. Therefore, the E-protein has at least two different types of activity on membrane permeabilization, which are regulated by the amount of cholesterol in the membrane lipid composition and could be associated with different types of protein oligomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta V Volovik
- Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry, A.N. Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31/4 Leninskiy Prospekt, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Zaret G Denieva
- Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry, A.N. Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31/4 Leninskiy Prospekt, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina K Gifer
- Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry, A.N. Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31/4 Leninskiy Prospekt, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria A Rakitina
- N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 1 Ostrovityanova Street, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Oleg V Batishchev
- Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry, A.N. Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31/4 Leninskiy Prospekt, 119071 Moscow, Russia
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3
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Drabik D, Hinc P, Stephan M, Cavalcanti RRM, Czogalla A, Dimova R. Effect of leaflet asymmetry on the stretching elasticity of lipid bilayers with phosphatidic acid. Biophys J 2024; 123:2406-2421. [PMID: 38822521 PMCID: PMC11365108 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The asymmetry of membranes has a significant impact on their biophysical characteristics and behavior. This study investigates the composition and mechanical properties of symmetric and asymmetric membranes in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) made of palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC) and palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidic acid (POPA). A combination of fluorescence quantification, zeta potential measurements, micropipette aspiration, and bilayer molecular dynamics simulations are used to characterize these membranes. The outer leaflet composition in vesicles is found consistent across the two preparation methods we employed, namely electroformation and inverted emulsion transfer. However, characterizing the inner leaflet poses challenges. Micropipette aspiration of GUVs show that oil residues do not substantially alter membrane elasticity, but simulations reveal increased membrane thickness and decreased interleaflet coupling in the presence of oil. Asymmetric membranes with a POPC:POPA mixture in the outer leaflet and POPC in the inner leaflet display similar stretching elasticity values to symmetric POPC:POPA membranes, suggesting potential POPA insertion into the inner leaflet during vesicle formation and suppressed asymmetry. The inverse compositional asymmetry, with POPC in the outer leaflet and POPC:POPA in the inner one yield less stretchable membranes with higher compressibility modulus compared with their symmetric counterparts. Challenges in achieving and predicting compositional correspondence highlight the limitations of phase-transfer-based methods. In addition, caution is advised when using fluorescently labeled lipids (even at low fractions of 0.5 mol %), as unexpected gel-like domains in symmetric POPC:POPA membranes were observed only with a specific type of labeled DOPE (dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine) and the same fraction of unlabeled DOPE. The latter suggest that such domain formation may result from interactions between lipids and membrane fluorescent probes. Overall, this study underscores the complexity of factors influencing GUV membrane asymmetry, emphasizing the need for further research and improvement of characterization techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Drabik
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland; Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Piotr Hinc
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Mareike Stephan
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Aleksander Czogalla
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Rumiana Dimova
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany.
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4
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Lincoff J, Helsell CVM, Marcoline FV, Natale AM, Grabe M. Membrane curvature sensing and symmetry breaking of the M2 proton channel from Influenza A. eLife 2024; 13:e81571. [PMID: 39150863 PMCID: PMC11383528 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The M2 proton channel aids in the exit of mature influenza viral particles from the host plasma membrane through its ability to stabilize regions of high negative Gaussian curvature (NGC) that occur at the neck of budding virions. The channels are homo-tetramers that contain a cytoplasm-facing amphipathic helix (AH) that is necessary and sufficient for NGC generation; however, constructs containing the transmembrane spanning helix, which facilitates tetramerization, exhibit enhanced curvature generation. Here, we used all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to explore the conformational dynamics of M2 channels in lipid bilayers revealing that the AH is dynamic, quickly breaking the fourfold symmetry observed in most structures. Next, we carried out MD simulations with the protein restrained in four- and twofold symmetric conformations to determine the impact on the membrane shape. While each pattern was distinct, all configurations induced pronounced curvature in the outer leaflet, while conversely, the inner leaflets showed minimal curvature and significant lipid tilt around the AHs. The MD-generated profiles at the protein-membrane interface were then extracted and used as boundary conditions in a continuum elastic membrane model to calculate the membrane-bending energy of each conformation embedded in different membrane surfaces characteristic of a budding virus. The calculations show that all three M2 conformations are stabilized in inward-budding, concave spherical caps and destabilized in outward-budding, convex spherical caps, the latter reminiscent of a budding virus. One of the C2-broken symmetry conformations is stabilized by 4 kT in NGC surfaces with the minimum energy conformation occurring at a curvature corresponding to 33 nm radii. In total, our work provides atomistic insight into the curvature sensing capabilities of M2 channels and how enrichment in the nascent viral particle depends on protein shape and membrane geometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Lincoff
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Cole V M Helsell
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Frank V Marcoline
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Andrew M Natale
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Michael Grabe
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
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Dyba B, Rudolphi-Szydło E, Kreczmer B, Barbasz A, Petrilla V, Petrillova M, Legáth J, Bocian A, Hus KK. Exploring the effects of three-finger toxins from Naja ashei venom on neuronal and immunological cancer cell membranes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18570. [PMID: 39127758 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69459-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Three-finger proteins are the most abundant toxins in the venom of Naja ashei, a snake species from the Elapidae family. This research aimed to describe the effects of varying charges of these proteins, isolated from Naja ashei venom using SEC and IEX chromatography. The study examined how differently charged three-finger toxin fractions interact with and affect neuroblastoma (SK-N-SH) and promyeloblast (HL-60) cells, as well as model Langmuir membranes and liposomes designed to mimic cellular lipid composition. Findings revealed that protein surface charges significantly impact cell survival (MTT assay), membrane damage (lactate dehydrogenase release, malondialdehyde formation), and the structural and electrochemical properties of model membranes (Langmuir membranes and zeta potential for liposomes and cancer cell lines). Results indicated that SK-N-SH cells, characterized by a higher negative charge on their cell membranes, interacted more effectively with positively charged toxins than HL-60 cells. However, the mechanism of these electrostatic interactions is complex. The research demonstrated that electrostatic and mechanical membrane modifications induced by venom proteins can significantly affect cell metabolism. Additionally, the total charge of the membrane, influenced by polar lipid components and phospholipid saturation, plays a decisive role in toxin interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Dyba
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of the National Education Commission, Cracow, Poland.
| | - Elżbieta Rudolphi-Szydło
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of the National Education Commission, Cracow, Poland
| | - Barbara Kreczmer
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of the National Education Commission, Cracow, Poland
| | - Anna Barbasz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of the National Education Commission, Cracow, Poland
| | - Vladimír Petrilla
- Department of Biology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Kosice, Slovakia
- Zoological Department, Zoological Garden Košice, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Monika Petrillova
- Department of General Competencies, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Jaroslav Legáth
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, University of Technology, Rzeszow, Poland
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Aleksandra Bocian
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, University of Technology, Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Konrad Kamil Hus
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, University of Technology, Rzeszow, Poland
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6
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Ng CX, How CW, Lee SH. Precision-engineered PEGylated liposome for dual payload delivery: enhancing efficacy of Doxorubicin hydrochloride and miR-145 mimics in breast cancer cells. J Liposome Res 2024:1-14. [PMID: 39101839 DOI: 10.1080/08982104.2024.2385457] [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: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Micro-145 down-regulation is frequently found in breast cancers, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target. The introduction of exogenous miR-145 directly to the tumor sites has been a hurdle due to limited delivery, low bioavailability, and hence lower therapeutic efficacy. Thus, this study aims to synthesize and characterize PEGylated liposome co-loaded with Dox-HCl and miR-145 mimics to investigate its in-vitro anti-proliferative activity against MDA-MB-231 cells. The formulations were developed using a composite central design to optimize nanoparticle size and encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of Dox-HCl and miR-145 mimics. The optimized formulation exhibited the highest desirability function (D = 0.814) and displayed excellent stability over 60 days at 4 °C, maintaining a stable nanoparticle size and zeta potential, with relative EE% of Dox-HCl and miR-145 mimics on the final incubation day 94.97 ± 0.53% and 51.96 ± 2.67%, respectively. The system displayed a higher rate of drug release within 4 h of incubation at an acidic condition. Additionally, the optimized formulation demonstrated a higher toxicity (IC50 = 0.58 μM) against MDA-MB-231 cells than the free Dox- HCl and miR-145 regimen (IC50 = 1.00 μM). Our findings suggest that PEGylated liposome is tunable for effective concurrent delivery of anticancer drugs and therapeutic miRNAs into tumor cells, necessitating further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu Xin Ng
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Lakeside Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chee Wun How
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sau Har Lee
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Lakeside Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
- Digital Health and Medical Advancements Impact Lab, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
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7
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Macwan M, Paliwal H, Prajapati BG. A novel liposomal formulation for ocular delivery of caspofungin: an experimental study by quality by design-based approach. Ther Deliv 2024; 15:667-683. [PMID: 39101438 DOI: 10.1080/20415990.2024.2379756] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim: This study focuses on the development of a Caspofungin liposome for efficient ocular delivery by enhancing corneal penetration.Method: Quality by design (QbD) approach was adopted to identify critical factors that influence final liposomal formulation. The liposome developed using thin film hydration after optimization was subjected to characterization for physicochemical properties, irritation potential and corneal uptake.Results: The numerical optimization suggests an optimal formulation with a desirability value of 0.706, using CQAs as optimization goals with 95% prediction intervals. The optimized formulation showed no signs of irritation potential along with observation of significant corneal permeation.Conclusion: The liposomal formulation increased the permeability of Caspofungin, which could enhance the efficacy for the treatment of conditions, like fungal keratitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercy Macwan
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, Shree S. K. Patel College of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Ganpat University, Kherva, Gujarat, 384012, India
| | - Himanshu Paliwal
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Sanjivani College of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Kopargaon, Maharashtra , 423603, India
| | - Bhupendra G Prajapati
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, Shree S. K. Patel College of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Ganpat University, Kherva, Gujarat, 384012, India
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, 73000, Thailand
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Kocas M, Comoglu T, Ozkul A. Development and in vitro antiviral activity of ivermectin liposomes as a potential drug carrier system. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024; 357:e2300708. [PMID: 38702288 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess and compare diverse formulations of ivermectin-loaded liposomes, employing lipid film hydration and ethanol injection methods. Three lipids (DOPC, SPC, and DSPC) were used in predetermined molar ratios. A total of 18 formulations were created, and a factorial design determined the optimal formulation based on particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency. The average mean particle size, PDI and zeta potential of the selected formulations (F1, F2, F7, F9, and F11) was, respectively, 196.40 ± 44.60 nm, 0.39 ± 0.09, and -40.24 ± 9.17. The encapsulation efficiency exceeded 80%, with a mean loading capacity of 4.00 ± 1.70%. In vitro studies included transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, drug release, and antiviral activity assessments against SARS-CoV-2. The liposomal formulations demonstrated superior antiviral activity compared to free ivermectin, as indicated by lower IC50 values. The results of this study emphasize the effectiveness of ivermectin-loaded liposomes in inhibiting viral activity, highlighting their potential as promising candidates for antiviral therapy. The findings suggest that the strategic use of liposomes as drug carriers can significantly modulate and improve the antiviral properties of ivermectin, offering a novel approach to harnessing its full therapeutic potential. Collectively, these results provide a robust foundation for further exploration of ivermectin as a viral protection tool and optimization of its delivery mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meryem Kocas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Selcuk University Faculty of Pharmacy, Konya, Turkey
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ankara University Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Tansel Comoglu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ankara University Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Aykut Ozkul
- Department of Virology, Ankara University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Odehnalová K, Balouch M, Storchmannová K, Petrová E, Konefał M, Zadražil A, Berka K, Brus J, Štěpánek F. Liposomal Copermeation Assay Reveals Unexpected Membrane Interactions of Commonly Prescribed Drugs. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:2673-2683. [PMID: 38682796 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The permeation of small molecules across biological membranes is a crucial process that lies at the heart of life. Permeation is involved not only in the maintenance of homeostasis at the cell level but also in the absorption and biodistribution of pharmacologically active substances throughout the human body. Membranes are formed by phospholipid bilayers that represent an energy barrier for permeating molecules. Crossing this energy barrier is assumed to be a singular event, and permeation has traditionally been described as a first-order kinetic process, proportional only to the concentration gradient of the permeating substance. For a given membrane composition, permeability was believed to be a unique property dependent only on the permeating molecule itself. We provide experimental evidence that this long-held view might not be entirely correct. Liposomes were used in copermeation experiments with a fluorescent probe, where simultaneous permeation of two substances occurred over a single phospholipid bilayer. Using an assay of six commonly prescribed drugs, we have found that the presence of a copermeant can either enhance or suppress the permeation rate of the probe molecule, often more than 2-fold in each direction. This can have significant consequences for the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of commonly prescribed drugs when used in combination and provide new insight into so-far unexplained drug-drug interactions as well as changing the perspective on how new drug candidates are evaluated and tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klára Odehnalová
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Balouch
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
- Zentiva, k.s., U Kabelovny 130, Prague 10 102 37, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Storchmannová
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, 17. listopadu 12, Olomouc 771 46, Czech Republic
| | - Eliška Petrová
- Department of Organic Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Magdalena Konefał
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6 162 00, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Zadražil
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Berka
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, 17. listopadu 12, Olomouc 771 46, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Brus
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6 162 00, Czech Republic
| | - František Štěpánek
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
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Rzycki M, Drabik D. Multifaceted Activity of Fabimycin: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Studies on Bacterial Membrane Models. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:4204-4217. [PMID: 38733348 PMCID: PMC11134499 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Membranes─cells' essential scaffolds─are valid molecular targets for substances with an antimicrobial effect. While certain substances, such as octenidine, have been developed to target membranes for antimicrobial purposes, the recently reported molecule, fabimycin (F2B)─a novel agent targeting drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria─has not received adequate attention regarding its activity on membranes in the literature. The following study aims to investigate the effects of F2B on different bacterial membrane models, including simple planar bilayers and more complex bilayer systems that mimic the Escherichia coli shell equipped with double inner and outer bilayers. Our results show that F2B exhibited more pronounced interactions with bacterial membrane systems compared to the control PC system. Furthermore, we observed significant changes in local membrane property homeostasis in both the inner and outer membrane models, specifically in the case of lateral diffusion, membrane thickness, and membrane resilience (compressibility, tilt). Finally, our results showed that the effect of F2B differed in a complex system and a single membrane system. Our study provides new insights into the multifaceted activity of F2B, demonstrating its potential to disrupt bacterial membrane homeostasis, indicating that its activity extends the currently known mechanism of FabI enzyme inhibition. This disruption, coupled with the ability of F2B to penetrate the outer membrane layers, sheds new light on the behavior of this antimicrobial molecule. This highlights the importance of the interaction with the membrane, crucial in combating bacterial infections, particularly those caused by drug-resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Rzycki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw 50-370, Poland
| | - Dominik Drabik
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw 50-370, Poland
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11
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Ortiz J, Aranda FJ, Teruel JA, Ortiz A. Cryptotanshinone-Induced Permeabilization of Model Phospholipid Membranes: A Biophysical Study. MEMBRANES 2024; 14:118. [PMID: 38921485 PMCID: PMC11205401 DOI: 10.3390/membranes14060118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The Danshen terpenoid cryptotanshinone (CPT) is gaining enormous interest in light of its various outstanding biological activities. Among those, CPT has been shown to interact with cell membranes and, for instance, to have antibacterial activity. Several works have shown that CPT alone, or in combination with other drugs, can effectively act as an antibiotic against various infectious bacteria. Some authors have related the mechanism underlying this action to CPT-membrane interaction. This work shows that CPT readily partitions into phosphatidylcholine membranes, but there is a limiting capacity of accommodation of ca. 1 mol CPT to 3 mol phospholipid. The addition of CPT to unilamellar liposomes composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) causes membrane permeabilization, as shown by fluorescent probe leakage. This process has been kinetically studied, as well as its modulation by incorporation of phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylglycerol, as a model for pathogenic cell membranes. The thermotropic behavior of 1,2-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) model membranes is weakly affected by CPT, but the terpenoid causes significant dehydration of the polar region of the bilayer and weak disordering of the acyl chain palisade, as observed in Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) shows that CPT increases DMPC bilayer thickness, which could be due to localization near the phospholipid/water interface. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show that the lateral diffusion coefficient of the phospholipid increases with the presence of CPT. CPT extends from the polar head region to the center of the bilayer, being centered between the carbonyl groups and the unsaturated region of the POPC, where there is greater overlap. Interestingly, the free energy profiles of a water molecule crossing the lipid membrane show that the POPC membrane becomes more permeable in the presence of CPT. In summary, our results show that CPT perturbs the physicochemical properties of the phospholipid membrane and compromises its barrier function, which could be of relevance to explain part of its antimicrobial or anticancer activities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Antonio Ortiz
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular-A, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Espinardo, Universidad de Murcia, E-30100 Murcia, Spain; (J.O.); (F.J.A.); (J.A.T.)
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12
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Majumder S, Deganutti G, Pipitò L, Chaudhuri D, Datta J, Giri K. Computational Insights into the Conformational Dynamics of HIV-1 Vpr in a Lipid Bilayer for Ion Channel Modeling. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:3360-3374. [PMID: 38597744 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01859] [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: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
HIV-1 Vpr is a multifunctional accessory protein consisting of 96 amino acids that play a critical role in viral pathogenesis. Among its diverse range of activities, Vpr can create a cation-selective ion channel within the plasma membrane. However, the oligomeric state of this channel has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the conformational dynamics of Vpr helices to model the ion channel topology. First, we employed a series of multiscale simulations to investigate the specific structure of monomeric Vpr in a membrane model. During the lipid bilayer self-assembly coarse grain simulation, the C-terminal helix (residues 56-77) effectively formed the transmembrane region, while the N-terminal helix exhibited an amphipathic nature by associating horizontally with a single leaflet. All-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of full-length Vpr inside a phospholipid bilayer show that the C-terminal helix remains very stable inside the bilayer core in a vertical orientation. Subsequently, using the predicted C-terminal helix orientation and conformation, various oligomeric states (ranging from tetramer to heptamer) possibly forming the Vpr ion channel were built and further evaluated. Among these models, the pentameric form exhibited consistent stability in MD simulations and displayed a compatible conformation for a water-assisted ion transport mechanism. This study provides structural insights into the ion channel activity of the Vpr protein and the foundation for developing therapeutics against HIV-1 Vpr-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satyabrata Majumder
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073, India
| | - Giuseppe Deganutti
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, U.K
| | - Ludovico Pipitò
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, U.K
| | - Dwaipayan Chaudhuri
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073, India
| | - Joyeeta Datta
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073, India
| | - Kalyan Giri
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073, India
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13
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Qutbuddin Y, Guinart A, Gavrilović S, Al Nahas K, Feringa BL, Schwille P. Light-Activated Synthetic Rotary Motors in Lipid Membranes Induce Shape Changes Through Membrane Expansion. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2311176. [PMID: 38215457 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311176] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Membranes are the key structures to separate and spatially organize cellular systems. Their rich dynamics and transformations during the cell cycle are orchestrated by specific membrane-targeted molecular machineries, many of which operate through energy dissipation. Likewise, man-made light-activated molecular rotary motors have previously shown drastic effects on cellular systems, but their physical roles on and within lipid membranes remain largely unexplored. Here, the impact of rotary motors on well-defined biological membranes is systematically investigated. Notably, dramatic mechanical transformations are observed in these systems upon motor irradiation, indicative of motor-induced membrane expansion. The influence of several factors on this phenomenon is systematically explored, such as motor concentration and membrane composition., Membrane fluidity is found to play a crucial role in motor-induced deformations, while only minor contributions from local heating and singlet oxygen generation are observed. Most remarkably, the membrane area expansion under the influence of the motors continues as long as irradiation is maintained, and the system stays out-of-equilibrium. Overall, this research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of molecular motors interacting with biological membranes, elucidating the multifaceted factors that govern membrane responses and shape transitions in the presence of these remarkable molecular machines, thereby supporting their future applications in chemical biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf Qutbuddin
- Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Ainoa Guinart
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen, 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Svetozar Gavrilović
- Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Kareem Al Nahas
- Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Ben L Feringa
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen, 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Petra Schwille
- Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
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14
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Krishnarjuna B, Sharma G, Im SC, Auchus R, Anantharamaiah GM, Ramamoorthy A. Characterization of nanodisc-forming peptides for membrane protein studies. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 653:1402-1414. [PMID: 37801850 PMCID: PMC10864042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.09.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Lipid-bilayer nanodiscs provide a stable, native-like membrane environment for the functional and structural studies of membrane proteins and other membrane-binding molecules. Peptide-based nanodiscs having unique properties are developed for membrane protein studies and other biological applications. While the self-assembly process rendering the formation of peptide-nanodiscs is attractive, it is important to understand the stability and suitability of these nanodisc systems for membrane protein studies. In this study, we investigated the nanodiscs formation by the anti-inflammatory and tumor-suppressing peptide AEM28. AEM28 is a chimeric peptide containing a cationic-rich heparan sulfate proteoglycan- (HSPG)-binding domain from human apolipoprotein E (hapoE) (141-150) followed by the 18A peptide's amino acid sequence. AEM28-based nanodiscs made with different types of lipids were characterized using various biophysical techniques and compared with the nanodiscs formed using 2F or 4F peptides. Variable temperature dynamic light-scattering and 31P NMR experiments indicated the fusion and size heterogeneity of nanodiscs at high temperatures. The suitability of AEM28 and Ac-18A-NH2- (2F-) based nanodiscs for studying membrane proteins is demonstrated by reconstituting and characterizing a drug-metabolizing enzyme, cytochrome-P450 (CYP450), or the redox complex CYP450-CYP450 reductase. AEM28 and 2F were also tested for their efficacies in solubilizing E. coli membranes to understand the possibility of using them for detergent-free membrane protein isolation. Our experimental results suggest that AEM28 nanodiscs are suitable for studying membrane proteins with a net positive charge, whereas 2F-based nanodiscs are compatible with any membrane proteins and their complexes irrespective of their charge. Furthermore, both peptides solubilized E. coli cell membranes, indicating their use in membrane protein isolation and other applications related to membrane solubilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bankala Krishnarjuna
- Biophysics Program, Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Gaurav Sharma
- Biophysics Program, Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sang-Choul Im
- Department of Pharmacology and Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, & Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Richard Auchus
- Department of Pharmacology and Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, & Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - G M Anantharamaiah
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
- Biophysics Program, Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Arbor, MI 48109, USA; National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA.
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15
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Xu J, Karra V, Large DE, Auguste DT, Hung FR. Understanding the Mechanical Properties of Ultradeformable Liposomes Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:9496-9512. [PMID: 37879075 PMCID: PMC10641833 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c04386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Improving drug delivery efficiency to solid tumor sites is a central challenge in anticancer therapeutic research. Our previous experimental study (Guo et al., Nat. Commun. 2018, 9, 130) showed that soft, elastic liposomes had increased uptake and accumulation in cancer cells and tumors in vitro and in vivo respectively, relative to rigid particles. As a first step toward understanding how liposomes' molecular structure and composition modulates their elasticity, we performed all-atom and coarse-grained classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of lipid bilayers formed by mixing a long-tailed unsaturated phospholipid with a short-tailed saturated lipid with the same headgroup. The former types of phospholipids considered were 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) and 1,2-dipalmitoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (termed here DPMPC). The shorter saturated lipids examined were 1,2-diheptanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DHPC), 1,2-didecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DDPC), 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DLPC), and 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC). Several lipid concentrations and surface tensions were considered. Our results show that DOPC or DPMPC systems having 25-35 mol % of the shortest lipids DHPC or DDPC are the least rigid, having area compressibility moduli KA that are ∼10% smaller than the values observed in pure DOPC or DPMPC bilayers. These results agree with experimental measurements of the stretching modulus and lysis tension in liposomes with the same compositions. These mixed systems also have lower areas per lipid and form more uneven x-y interfaces with water, the tails of both primary and secondary lipids are more disordered, and the terminal methyl groups in the tails of the long lipid DOPC or DPMPC wriggle more in the vertical direction, compared to pure DOPC or DPMPC bilayers or their mixtures with the longer saturated lipid DLPC or DMPC. These observations confirm our hypothesis that adding increasing concentrations of the short unsaturated lipid DHPC or DDPC to DOPC or DPMPC bilayers alters lipid packing and thus makes the resulting liposomes more elastic and less rigid. No formation of lipid nanodomains was noted in our simulations, and no clear trends were observed in the lateral diffusivities of the lipids as the concentration, type of secondary lipid, and surface tension were varied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Xu
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Vyshnavi Karra
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Danielle E. Large
- Department
of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Debra T. Auguste
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department
of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Francisco R. Hung
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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16
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Karal MAS, Billah MM, Ahmed M, Ahamed MK. A review on the measurement of the bending rigidity of lipid membranes. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:8285-8304. [PMID: 37873600 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00882g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
This review provides an overview of the latest developments in both experimental and simulation techniques used to assess the bending rigidity of lipid membranes. It places special emphasis on experimental methods that utilize model vesicles to manipulate lipid compositions and other experimental parameters to determine the bending rigidity of the membrane. It also describes two commonly used simulation methods for estimating bending rigidity. The impact of various factors on membrane bending rigidity is summarized, including cholesterol, lipids, salt concentration, surface charge, membrane phase state, peptides, proteins, and polyethylene glycol. These factors are shown to influence the bending rigidity, contributing to a better understanding of the biophysical properties of membranes and their role in biological processes. Furthermore, the review discusses future directions and potential advancements in this research field, highlighting areas where further investigation is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Abu Sayem Karal
- Department of Physics, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.
| | - Md Masum Billah
- Department of Physics, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh
| | - Marzuk Ahmed
- Integrated Bioscience Section, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
| | - Md Kabir Ahamed
- Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety Division, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, Agargaon, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
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17
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Abdelmessih R, Xu J, Hung FR, Auguste DT. Integration of an LPAR1 Antagonist into Liposomes Enhances Their Internalization and Tumor Accumulation in an Animal Model of Human Metastatic Breast Cancer. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:5500-5514. [PMID: 37844135 PMCID: PMC10631474 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1) is elevated in breast cancer. The deregulation of LPAR1, including the function and level of expression, is linked to cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. LPAR1 antagonists, AM095 or Ki16425, may be effective therapeutic molecules, yet their limited water solubility hinders in vivo delivery. In this study, we report on the synthesis of two liposomal formulations incorporating AM095 or Ki16425, embedded within the lipid bilayer, as targeted nanocarriers for metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The data show that the Ki16425 liposomal formulation exhibited a 50% increase in internalization by MBC mouse epithelial cells (4T1) and a 100% increase in tumor accumulation in a mouse model of MBC compared with that of a blank liposomal formulation (control). At the same time, normal mouse epithelial cells (EpH-4Ev) internalized the Ki16425 liposomal formulation 25% lesser than the control formulation. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the integration of AM095 or Ki16425 modified the physical and mechanical properties of the lipid bilayer, making it more flexible in these liposomal formulations compared with liposomes without drug. The incorporation of an LPAR1 antagonist within a liposomal drug delivery system represents a viable therapeutic approach for targeting the LPA-LPAR1 axis, which may hinder the progression of MBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf
G. Abdelmessih
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Jiaming Xu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Francisco R. Hung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Debra T. Auguste
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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18
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Drabik D, Drab M, Penič S, Iglič A, Czogalla A. Investigation of nano- and microdomains formed by ceramide 1 phosphate in lipid bilayers. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18570. [PMID: 37903839 PMCID: PMC10616280 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45575-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological membranes are renowned for their intricate complexity, with the formation of membrane domains being pivotal to the successful execution of numerous cellular processes. However, due to their nanoscale characteristics, these domains are often understudied, as the experimental techniques required for quantitative investigation present significant challenges. In this study we employ spot-variation z-scan fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (svzFCS) tailored for artificial lipid vesicles of varying composition and combine this approach with high-resolution imaging. This method has been harnessed to examine the lipid-segregation behavior of distinct types of ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), a crucial class of signaling molecules, within these membranes. Moreover, we provide a quantitative portrayal of the lipid membranes studied and the domains induced by C1P at both nano and microscales. Given the lack of definitive conclusions from the experimental data obtained, it was supplemented with comprehensive in silico studies-including the analysis of diffusion coefficient via molecular dynamics and domain populations via Monte Carlo simulations. This approach enhanced our insight into the dynamic behavior of these molecules within model lipid membranes, confirming that nano- and microdomains can co-exist in lipid vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Drabik
- Laboratory of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383, Wrocław, Poland.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Pl. Grunwaldzki 13, 50-377, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Mitja Drab
- Laboratory of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška cesta 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Samo Penič
- Laboratory of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška cesta 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory of Bioelectromagnetics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška cesta 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleš Iglič
- Laboratory of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška cesta 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleksander Czogalla
- Laboratory of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383, Wrocław, Poland.
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19
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Krok E, Stephan M, Dimova R, Piatkowski L. Tunable biomimetic bacterial membranes from binary and ternary lipid mixtures and their application in antimicrobial testing. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2023; 1865:184194. [PMID: 37328023 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2023.184194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The reconstruction of accurate yet simplified mimetic models of cell membranes is a very challenging goal of synthetic biology. To date, most of the research focuses on the development of eukaryotic cell membranes, while reconstitution of their prokaryotic counterparts has not been fully addressed, and the proposed models do not reflect well the complexity of bacterial cell envelopes. Here, we describe the reconstitution of biomimetic bacterial membranes with an increasing level of complexity, developed from binary and ternary lipid mixtures. Giant unilamellar vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE); PC and phosphatidylglycerol (PG); PE and PG; PE, PG and cardiolipin (CA) at varying molar ratios were successfully prepared by the electroformation method. Each of the proposed mimetic models focuses on reproducing specific membrane features such as membrane charge, curvature, leaflets asymmetry, or the presence of phase separation. GUVs were characterized in terms of size distribution, surface charge, and lateral organization. Finally, the developed models were tested against the lipopeptide antibiotic daptomycin. The obtained results showed a clear dependency of daptomycin binding efficiency on the amount of negatively charged lipid species present in the membrane. We anticipate that the models proposed here can be applied not only in antimicrobial testing but also serve as platforms for studying fundamental biological processes in bacteria as well as their interaction with physiologically relevant biomolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Krok
- Poznan University of Technology, Faculty of Materials Engineering and Technical Physics, Institute of Physics, Piotrowo 3, 60-965 Poznan, Poland; Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Mareike Stephan
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Rumiana Dimova
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Lukasz Piatkowski
- Poznan University of Technology, Faculty of Materials Engineering and Technical Physics, Institute of Physics, Piotrowo 3, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
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20
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Hsu TW, Yang CH, Su CJ, Huang YT, Yeh YQ, Liao KF, Lin TC, Shih O, Lee MT, Su AC, Jeng US. Revealing cholesterol effects on PEGylated HSPC liposomes using AF4-MALS and simultaneous small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering. J Appl Crystallogr 2023; 56:988-993. [PMID: 37555211 PMCID: PMC10405602 DOI: 10.1107/s1600576723005393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Liposome development is of great interest owing to increasing requirements for efficient drug carriers. The structural features and thermal stability of such liposomes are crucial in drug transport and delivery. Reported here are the results of the structural characterization of PEGylated liposomes via small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering and an asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) system coupled with differential refractive-index detection, multi-angle light scattering (MALS) and dynamic light scattering. This integrated analysis of the exemplar PEGylated liposome formed from hydrogenated soy phosphatid-yl-choline (HSPC) with the addition of cholesterol reveals an average hydro-dynamic radius (R h) of 52 nm with 10% polydispersity, a comparable radius of gyration (R g) and a major liposome particle mass of 118 kDa. The local bilayer structure of the liposome is found to have asymmetric electronic density profiles in the inner and outer leaflets, sandwiched by two PEGylated outer layers ca 5 nm thick. Cholesterol was found to effectively intervene in lipid chain packing, resulting in the thickening of the liposome bilayer, an increase in the area per lipid and an increase in liposome size, especially in the fluid phase of the liposome. These cholesterol effects show signs of saturation at cholesterol concentrations above ca 1:5 cholesterol:lipid molar ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Wei Hsu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300094, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsun Yang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300094, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Jen Su
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300094, Taiwan
| | - Yin-Tzu Huang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300094, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Qi Yeh
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300094, Taiwan
| | - Kuei-Fen Liao
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300094, Taiwan
| | - Tien-Chang Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan
| | - Orion Shih
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300094, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tao Lee
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300094, Taiwan
- Department of Physics, National Central University, Zhongli 320317, Taiwan
| | - An-Chung Su
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan
| | - U-Ser Jeng
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300094, Taiwan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan
- College of Semiconductor Research, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan
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21
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Rathod AK, Chavda D, Manna M. Phase Transition and Phase Separation in Realistic Thylakoid Lipid Membrane of Marine Algae in All-Atom Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2023. [PMID: 37075469 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Thylakoid membranes are specialized membranes predominantly composed of uncommon galacto- and sulfolipids, having distinct roles in photosynthesis. Large acyl chain variety and richness in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content of thylakoid lipids further add to the compositional complexity. The function of these membrane systems is intimately dependent on the fluidity of its lipid matrix, which is strongly modulated by the lipid composition and temperature. The present work, employing extensive atomistic simulations, provides the first atomistic view of the phase transition and domain coexistence in a model membrane composed of thylakoid lipids of a commercially important red alga Gracilaria corticata between 10 and 40 °C. The growth and photosynthetic activity of marine algae are greatly influenced by the seawater temperature. So far, little is known about the molecular organization of lipids in thylakoid membranes, in particular their adaptive arrangements under temperature stress. Our simulations show that the algal thylakoid membrane undergoes a transition from a gel-like phase at a low temperature, 10-15 °C, to a homogeneous liquid-crystalline phase at a high temperature, 40 °C. Clear evidence of spontaneous phase separation into coexisting nanoscale domains is detected at intermediate temperatures nearing the optimal growth temperature range. Particularly, at 25-30 °C, we identified the formation of a stable ripple phase, where the gel-like domains rich in saturated and nearly hexagonally packed lipids were separated from fluid-like domains enriched in lipids containing PUFA chains. The phase separation is driven by the spontaneous and preferential segregation of lipids into differentially ordered domains, mainly depending on the acyl chain types. Cholesterol impairs the phase transition and the emergence of domains and induces a fairly uniform liquid-ordered phase in the membrane over the temperatures studied. This work improves the understanding of the properties and reorganization of lipids in the thylakoid membrane in response to temperature variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun K Rathod
- Applied Phycology and Biotechnology Division, CSIR Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar 364002, Gujarat, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Dhruvil Chavda
- Applied Phycology and Biotechnology Division, CSIR Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar 364002, Gujarat, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Moutusi Manna
- Applied Phycology and Biotechnology Division, CSIR Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar 364002, Gujarat, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
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22
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Seo H, Jeon L, Kwon J, Lee H. High-Precision Synthesis of RNA-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2203033. [PMID: 36737864 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202203033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The recent development of RNA-based therapeutics in delivering nucleic acids for gene editing and regulating protein translation has led to the effective treatment of various diseases including cancer, inflammatory and genetic disorder, as well as infectious diseases. Among these, lipid nanoparticles (LNP) have emerged as a promising platform for RNA delivery and have shed light by resolving the inherent instability issues of naked RNA and thereby enhancing the therapeutic potency. These LNP consisting of ionizable lipid, helper lipid, cholesterol, and poly(ethylene glycol)-anchored lipid can stably enclose RNA and help them release into the cells' cytosol. Herein, the significant progress made in LNP research starting from the LNP constituents, formulation, and their diverse applications is summarized first. Moreover, the microfluidic methodologies which allow precise assembly of these newly developed constituents to achieve LNP with controllable composition and size, high encapsulation efficiency as well as scalable production are highlighted. Furthermore, a short discussion on current challenges as well as an outlook will be given on emerging approaches to resolving these issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjin Seo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Korea
| | - Leekang Jeon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Korea
| | - Jaeyeong Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Korea
| | - Hyomin Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Korea
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23
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Park S, Kim HK. Development of skin-permeable flexible liposome using ergosterol esters containing unsaturated fatty acids. Chem Phys Lipids 2023; 250:105270. [PMID: 36493880 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2022.105270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ergosterol (Ergo) and cholesterol contribute to performances of liposomes by increasing membrane packing density and physical stability. However, as these sterols can reduce membrane flexibility, they can lower skin permeability of liposomes. We synthesized ergosterol ester (Ergo-Est) containing unsaturated fatty acid different from Ergo in size and physical properties. In this work, we investigated effects of Ergo-Est and Ergo on physical properties of liposomes. We incorporated Ergo, Ergo-oleate (EO18:1), Ergo-linoleate (EL18:2), and Ergo-linolenate (ELn18:3) into the liposomal membrane of egg phosphatidylcholine and soybean lecithin. Ergo-Est did not reduce membrane fluidity as much as Ergo. Nevertheless, Ergo-Est increased membrane packing density and physical stability of liposomes. EL18:2 and ELn18:3 almost maintained membrane flexibility and skin permeability of liposomes, while Ergo significantly reduced them. Skin permeation test demonstrated that EL18:2 and ELn18:3 liposomes permeated to the dermis, whereas Ergo liposome mostly remained in the stratum corneum. This is the first report to show that EL18:2 and ELn18:3 can be efficient sterol compounds for flexible liposome formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sehyeon Park
- Division of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 420-743, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Kwoun Kim
- Division of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 420-743, Republic of Korea.
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24
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Dong Y, Kampf N, Schilt Y, Cao W, Raviv U, Klein J. Dehydration does not affect lipid-based hydration lubrication. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:18241-18252. [PMID: 36468753 PMCID: PMC9753160 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr04799c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) lipid bilayers at surfaces massively reduce sliding friction, via the hydration lubrication mechanism acting at their highly-hydrated phosphocholine headgroups, a central paradigm of biological lubrication, particularly at articular cartilage surfaces where low friction is crucial for joint well-being. Nanotribological measurements probed the effect on such lubrication of dehydration by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), known to strongly dehydrate the phosphocholine headgroups of such PC bilayers, i.e. reduce the thickness of the inter-bilayer water layer, and thus expected to substantially degrade the hydration lubrication. Remarkably, and unexpectedly, we found that the dehydration has little effect on the friction. We used several approaches, including atomic force microscopy, small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate this. Our results show that while DMSO clearly removes hydration water from the lipid head-groups, this is offset by both higher areal head-group density and by rigidity-enhancement of the lipid bilayers, both of which act to reduce frictional dissipation. This sheds strong light on the robustness of lipid-based hydration lubrication in biological systems, despite the ubiquitous presence of bio-osmolytes which compete for hydration water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Dong
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
| | - Nir Kampf
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
| | - Yaelle Schilt
- Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of Physical Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Uri Raviv
- Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Jacob Klein
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
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25
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Multiscale Dynamics of Lipid Vesicles in Polymeric Microenvironment. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12070640. [PMID: 35877843 PMCID: PMC9318666 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12070640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding dynamic and complex interaction of biological membranes with extracellular matrices plays a crucial role in controlling a variety of cell behavior and functions, from cell adhesion and growth to signaling and differentiation. Tremendous interest in tissue engineering has made it possible to design polymeric scaffolds mimicking the topology and mechanical properties of the native extracellular microenvironment; however, a fundamental question remains unanswered: that is, how the viscoelastic extracellular environment modifies the hierarchical dynamics of lipid membranes. In this work, we used aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with different molecular weights to mimic the viscous medium of cells and nearly monodisperse unilamellar DMPC/DMPG liposomes as a membrane model. Using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), dynamic light scattering, temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry, bulk rheology, and fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy, we investigated the structural phase map and multiscale dynamics of the liposome–polymer mixtures. The results suggest an unprecedented dynamic coupling between polymer chains and phospholipid bilayers at different length/time scales. The microviscosity of the lipid bilayers is directly influenced by the relaxation of the whole chain, resulting in accelerated dynamics of lipids within the bilayers in the case of short chains compared to the polymer-free liposome case. At the macroscopic level, the gel-to-fluid transition of the bilayers results in a remarkable thermal-stiffening behavior of polymer–liposome solutions that can be modified by the concentration of the liposomes and the polymer chain length.
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26
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Cai Y. Tilt Modulus of Bilayer Membranes Self-Assembled from Rod-Coil Diblock Copolymers. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:5820-5828. [PMID: 35437996 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Quantitatively understanding membrane fission and fusion requires a mathematical model taking their underlying elastic degrees of freedom, such as the molecule's tilt, into account. Hamm-Kozlov's model is such a framework that includes a tilt modulus along with the bending modulus and Gaussian modulus. This paper investigates the tilt modulus of liquid-crystalline bilayer membranes by applying self-consistent field theory. Unlike the widely used method in molecular dynamics simulation which extracts the tilt modulus by simulating bilayer buckles with various single modes, we introduce a tilt constrain term in the free energy to stabilize bilayers with various tilt angles. Fitting the energy curve as a function of the tilt angle to Hamm-Kozlov's elastic energy allows us to extract the tilt modulus directly. Based on this novel scheme and focused on the bilayers self-assembled from rod-coil diblock copolymers, we carry out a systematic study of the dependence of the tensionless A-phase bilayer's tilt modulus on the microscopic parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqiang Cai
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Laboratory of Mathematics and Complex Systems, MOE, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
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27
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Ángeles-Robles G, Ortiz-Dosal LC, Aranda-Espinoza H, Olivares-Illana V, Arauz-Lara JL, Aranda-Espinoza S. Actin protein inside DMPC GUVs and its mechanical response to AC electric fields. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2022; 1864:183883. [PMID: 35181295 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2022.183883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cells are dynamic systems with complex mechanical properties, regulated by the presence of different species of proteins capable to assemble (and disassemble) into filamentous forms as required by different cells functions. Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) of DMPC (1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) are systems frequently used as a simplified model of cells because they offer the possibility of assaying separately different stimuli, which is no possible in living cells. Here we present a study of the effect of acting protein on mechanical properties of GUVs, when the protein is inside the vesicles in either monomeric G-actin or filamentous F-actin. For this, rabbit skeletal muscle G-actin is introduced inside GUVs by the electroformation method. Protein polymerization inside the GUVs is promoted by adding to the solution MgCl2 and the ion carrier A23187 to allow the transport of Mg+2 ions into the GUVs. To determine how the presence of actin changes the mechanical properties of GUVs, the vesicles are deformed by the application of an AC electric field in both cases with G-actin and with polymerized F-actin. The changes in shape of the vesicles are characterized by optical microscopy and from them the bending stiffness of the membrane are determined. It is found that G-actin has no appreciable effect on the bending stiffness of DMPC GUVs, but the polymerized actin makes the vesicles more rigid and therefore more resistant to deformations. This result is supported by evidence that actin filaments tend to accumulate near the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Ángeles-Robles
- Instituto de Física, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, S. L. P., Mexico
| | - Luis Carlos Ortiz-Dosal
- Unidad Académica de Ingeniería I, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Zac., Mexico
| | - H Aranda-Espinoza
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, United States of America
| | - Vanesa Olivares-Illana
- Instituto de Física, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, S. L. P., Mexico
| | - José Luis Arauz-Lara
- Instituto de Física, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, S. L. P., Mexico
| | - S Aranda-Espinoza
- Instituto de Física, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, S. L. P., Mexico.
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28
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Grava M, Helmy S, Gimona M, Parisse P, Casalis L, Brocca P, Rondelli V. Calorimetry of extracellular vesicles fusion to single phospholipid membrane. Biomol Concepts 2022; 13:148-155. [PMID: 35312244 DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2022-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs)-mediated communication relies not only on the delivery of complex molecular cargoes as lipids, proteins, genetic material, and metabolites to their target cells but also on the modification of the cell surface local properties induced by the eventual fusion of EVs' membranes with the cells' plasma membrane. Here we applied scanning calorimetry to study the phase transition of single phospholipid (DMPC) monolamellar vesicles, investigating the thermodynamical effects caused by the fusion of doping amounts of mesenchymal stem cells-derived EVs. Specifically, we studied EVs-induced consequences on the lipids distributed in the differently curved membrane leaflets, having different density and order. The effect of EV components was found to be not homogeneous in the two leaflets, the inner (more disordered one) being mainly affected. Fusion resulted in phospholipid membrane flattening associated with lipid ordering, while the transition cooperativity, linked to membrane domains' coexistence during the transition process, was decreased. Our results open new horizons for the investigation of the peculiar effects of EVs of different origins on target cell membrane properties and functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Grava
- Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Department of Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Sally Helmy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.,Biophysics Group, Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mario Gimona
- GMP Unit, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), Salzburg, Austria.,Research Program "Nanovesicular Therapies", Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Pietro Parisse
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali, Department of Physical sciences and technologies of matter, Italian National Research Council, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Paola Brocca
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Valeria Rondelli
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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29
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Pruchnik H, Gliszczyńska A, Włoch A. Evaluation of the Physico-Chemical Properties of Liposomes Assembled from Bioconjugates of Anisic Acid with Phosphatidylcholine. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13146. [PMID: 34884953 PMCID: PMC8658227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222313146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work was the evaluation of the physico-chemical properties of a new type of liposomes that are composed of DPPC and bioconjugates of anisic acid with phosphatidylcholine. In particular, the impact of modified anisic acid phospholipids on the thermotropic parameters of liposomes was determined, which is crucial for using them as potential carriers of active substances in cancer therapies. Their properties were determined using three biophysical methods, namely differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), steady-state fluorimetry and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Moreover, temperature studies of liposomes composed of DPPC and bioconjugates of anisic acid with phosphatidylcholine provided information about the phase transition, fluidity regarding chain order, hydration and dynamics. The DSC results show that the main phase transition peak for conjugates of anisic acid with phosphatidylcholine molecules was broadened and shifted to a lower temperature in a concentration- and structure-dependent manner. The ATR-FTIR results and the results of measurements conducted using fluorescent probes located at different regions in the lipid bilayer are in line with DSC. The results show that the new bioconjugates with phosphatidylcholine have a significant impact on the physico-chemical properties of a membrane and cause a decrease in the temperature of the main phase transition. The consequence of this is greater fluidity of the lipid bilayer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Pruchnik
- Department of Physics and Biophysics, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 25, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Anna Gliszczyńska
- Department of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 25, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Włoch
- Department of Physics and Biophysics, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 25, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland;
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30
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Simple Does Not Mean Trivial: Behavior of Phosphatidic Acid in Lipid Mono- and Bilayers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111523. [PMID: 34768953 PMCID: PMC8584262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidic acid (PA) is one of the simplest membrane phospholipids, yet it plays a crucial role in various biologically relevant processes that take place in cells. Since PA generation may be triggered by a variety of factors, very often of antagonistic character, the specific nature of physiological responses driven by PA is not clear. In order to shed more light on these issues, we carried out a systematic characterization of membranes containing one of the three biologically significant PA molecular species. The effect of these molecules on the properties of membranes composed of phosphatidylcholine and/or cholesterol was assessed in a multidisciplinary approach, including molecular dynamic simulations, flicker noise spectroscopy, and Langmuir monolayer isotherms. The first enables the determination of various macroscopic and microscopic parameters such as lateral diffusion, membrane thickness, and defect analysis. The obtained data revealed a strong interaction between unsaturated PA species and phosphatidylcholine. On the other hand, the behavior of saturated PA was greatly influenced by cholesterol. Additionally, a strong effect on mechanical properties was observed in the case of three-component systems, which could not be explained by the simple extrapolation of parameters of the corresponding two-component systems. Our data show that various PA species are not equivalent in terms of their influence on lipid mono- and bilayers and that membrane composition/properties, particularly those related to the presence of cholesterol, may strongly modulate PA behavior.
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31
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Abstract
Cell membranes - primarily composed of lipids, sterols, and proteins - form a dynamic interface between living cells and their environment. They act as a mechanical barrier around the cell while selectively facilitating material transport, signal transduction, and various other functions necessary for the cell viability. The complex functionality of cell membranes and the hierarchical motions and responses they exhibit demand a thorough understanding of the origin of different membrane dynamics and how they are influenced by molecular additives and environmental cues. These dynamic modes include single-molecule diffusion, thermal fluctuations, and large-scale membrane deformations, to name a few. This review highlights advances in investigating structure-driven dynamics associated with model cell membranes, with a particular focus on insights gained from neutron scattering and spectroscopy experiments. We discuss the uniqueness of neutron contrast variation and its remarkable potential in probing selective membrane structure and dynamics on spatial and temporal scales over which key biological functions occur. We also present a summary of current and future opportunities in synergistic combinations of neutron scattering with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to gain further understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying complex membrane functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Gupta
- Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. and Center for Soft Matter and Biological Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Rana Ashkar
- Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. and Center for Soft Matter and Biological Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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32
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Effect of Amyloid-β Monomers on Lipid Membrane Mechanical Parameters-Potential Implications for Mechanically Driven Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010018. [PMID: 33375009 PMCID: PMC7792773 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that results in memory loss and the impairment of cognitive skills. Several mechanisms of AD’s pathogenesis were proposed, such as the progressive accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and τ pathology. Nevertheless, the exact neurodegenerative mechanism of the Aβ remains complex and not fully understood. This paper proposes an alternative hypothesis of the mechanism based on maintaining the neuron membrane’s mechanical balance. The incorporation of Aβ decreases the lipid membrane’s elastic properties, which eventually leads to the impairment of membrane clustering, disruption of mechanical wave propagation, and change in gamma oscillations. The first two disrupt the neuron’s ability to function correctly while the last one decreases sensory encoding and perception enabling. To begin discussing this mechanical-balance hypothesis, we measured the effect of two selected peptides, Aβ-40 and Aβ-42, as well as their fluorescently labeled modification, on membrane mechanical properties. The decrease of bending rigidity, consistent for all investigated peptides, was observed using molecular dynamic studies and experimental flicker-noise techniques. Additionally, wave propagation was investigated with molecular dynamic studies in membranes with and without incorporated neurodegenerative peptides. A change in membrane behavior was observed in the membrane system with incorporated Aβ.
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