1
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Guo QR, Cao YJ. Applications of genetic code expansion technology in eukaryotes. Protein Cell 2024; 15:331-363. [PMID: 37847216 PMCID: PMC11074999 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwad051] [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: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Unnatural amino acids (UAAs) have gained significant attention in protein engineering and drug development owing to their ability to introduce new chemical functionalities to proteins. In eukaryotes, genetic code expansion (GCE) enables the incorporation of UAAs and facilitates posttranscriptional modification (PTM), which is not feasible in prokaryotic systems. GCE is also a powerful tool for cell or animal imaging, the monitoring of protein interactions in target cells, drug development, and switch regulation. Therefore, there is keen interest in utilizing GCE in eukaryotic systems. This review provides an overview of the application of GCE in eukaryotic systems and discusses current challenges that need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-ru Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomic, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yu J Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomic, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
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2
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Li X, Wang Y, Zhang S, Zhang P, Huang S. Nanopore Identification of N-Acetylation by Hydroxylamine Deacetylation (NINAHD). ACS Sens 2024; 9:1359-1371. [PMID: 38449100 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c02350] [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: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
N-Acetyl modification, a chemical modification commonly found on biomacromolecules, plays a crucial role in the regulation of cell activities and is related to a variety of diseases. However, due to the instability of N-acetyl modification, accurate and rapid identification of N-acetyl modification with a low measurement cost is still technically challenging. Here, based on hydroxylamine deacetylation and nanopore single molecule chemistry, a universal sensing strategy for N-acetyl modification has been developed. Acetohydroxamic acid (AHA), which is produced by the hydroxylamine deacetylation reaction and serves as a reporter for N-acetylation identification, is specifically sensed by a phenylboronic acid (PBA)-modified Mycobacterium smegmatis porin A (MspA). With this strategy, N-acetyl modifications on RNA, DNA, proteins, and glycans were identified, demonstrating its generality. Specifically, histones can be treated with hydroxylamine deacetylation, from which the generated AHA can represent the amount of N-acetyl modification detected by a nanopore sensor. The unique event features of AHA also demonstrate the robustness of sensing against other interfering analytes in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023 Nanjing, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, 210023 Nanjing, China
| | - Yuqin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023 Nanjing, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, 210023 Nanjing, China
| | - Shanyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023 Nanjing, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, 210023 Nanjing, China
| | - Panke Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023 Nanjing, China
| | - Shuo Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023 Nanjing, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, 210023 Nanjing, China
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3
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Nelson ZM, Leonard GD, Fehl C. Tools for investigating O-GlcNAc in signaling and other fundamental biological pathways. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105615. [PMID: 38159850 PMCID: PMC10831167 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105615] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Cells continuously fine-tune signaling pathway proteins to match nutrient and stress levels in their local environment by modifying intracellular proteins with O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) sugars, an essential process for cell survival and growth. The small size of these monosaccharide modifications poses a challenge for functional determination, but the chemistry and biology communities have together created a collection of precision tools to study these dynamic sugars. This review presents the major themes by which O-GlcNAc influences signaling pathway proteins, including G-protein coupled receptors, growth factor signaling, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, lipid sensing, and cytokine signaling pathways. Along the way, we describe in detail key chemical biology tools that have been developed and applied to determine specific O-GlcNAc roles in these pathways. These tools include metabolic labeling, O-GlcNAc-enhancing RNA aptamers, fluorescent biosensors, proximity labeling tools, nanobody targeting tools, O-GlcNAc cycling inhibitors, light-activated systems, chemoenzymatic labeling, and nutrient reporter assays. An emergent feature of this signaling pathway meta-analysis is the intricate interplay between O-GlcNAc modifications across different signaling systems, underscoring the importance of O-GlcNAc in regulating cellular processes. We highlight the significance of O-GlcNAc in signaling and the role of chemical and biochemical tools in unraveling distinct glycobiological regulatory mechanisms. Collectively, our field has determined effective strategies to probe O-GlcNAc roles in biology. At the same time, this survey of what we do not yet know presents a clear roadmap for the field to use these powerful chemical tools to explore cross-pathway O-GlcNAc interactions in signaling and other major biological pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary M Nelson
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Garry D Leonard
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Charlie Fehl
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
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4
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Zheng X, Li Y, Cui T, Yang J, Meng X, Wang H, Chen L, He J, Chen N, Meng L, Ding L, Xie R. Traceless Protein-Selective Glycan Labeling and Chemical Modification. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:23670-23680. [PMID: 37857274 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07889] [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: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Executing glycan editing at a molecular level not only is pivotal for the elucidation of complicated mechanisms involved in glycan-relevant biological processes but also provides a promising solution to potentiate disease therapy. However, the precision control of glycan modification or glyco-editing on a selected glycoprotein is by far a grand challenge. Of note is to preserve the intact cellular glycan landscape, which is preserved after editing events are completed. We report herein a versatile, traceless glycan modification methodology for customizing the glycoforms of targeted proteins (subtypes), by orchestrating chemical- and photoregulation in a protein-selective glycoenzymatic system. This method relies on a three-module, ligand-photocleavable linker-glycoenzyme (L-P-G) conjugate. We demonstrated that RGD- or synthetic carbohydrate ligand-containing conjugates (RPG and SPG) would not activate until after the ligand-receptor interaction is accomplished (chemical regulation). RPG and SPG can both release the glycoenzyme upon photoillumination (photoregulation). The adjustable glycoenzyme activity, combined with ligand recognition selectivity, minimizes unnecessary glycan editing perturbation, and photolytic cleavage enables precise temporal control of editing events. An altered target protein turnover and dimerization were observed in our system, emphasizing the significance of preserving the native physiological niche of a particular protein when precise modification on the carbohydrate epitope occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocui Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yiran Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tongxiao Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiangfeng Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haiqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Liusheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jian He
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Nan Chen
- ChinaChomiX Biotech (Nanjing) Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Liying Meng
- Department of Medical Experimental Center, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao 266035, China
| | - Lin Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ran Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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5
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Zhao S, Liu D. Applications of genetic code expansion and photosensitive UAAs in studying membrane proteins. Open Life Sci 2023; 18:20220752. [PMID: 37828978 PMCID: PMC10566474 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0752] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane proteins are the targets for most drugs and play essential roles in many life activities in organisms. In recent years, unnatural amino acids (UAAs) encoded by genetic code expansion (GCE) technology have been widely used, which endow proteins with different biochemical properties. A class of photosensitive UAAs has been widely used to study protein structure and function. Combined with photochemical control with high temporal and spatial resolution, these UAAs have shown broad applicability to solve the problems of natural ion channels and receptor biology. This review will focus on several application examples of light-controlled methods to integrate GCE technology to study membrane protein function in recent years. We will summarize the typical research methods utilizing some photosensitive UAAs to provide common strategies and further new ideas for studying protein function and advancing biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Nantong University, Nantong, 226019, China
| | - Dong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Nantong University, Nantong, 226019, China
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Ben Ahmed A, Lemaire Q, Scache J, Mariller C, Lefebvre T, Vercoutter-Edouart AS. O-GlcNAc Dynamics: The Sweet Side of Protein Trafficking Regulation in Mammalian Cells. Cells 2023; 12:1396. [PMID: 37408229 PMCID: PMC10216988 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The transport of proteins between the different cellular compartments and the cell surface is governed by the secretory pathway. Alternatively, unconventional secretion pathways have been described in mammalian cells, especially through multivesicular bodies and exosomes. These highly sophisticated biological processes rely on a wide variety of signaling and regulatory proteins that act sequentially and in a well-orchestrated manner to ensure the proper delivery of cargoes to their final destination. By modifying numerous proteins involved in the regulation of vesicular trafficking, post-translational modifications (PTMs) participate in the tight regulation of cargo transport in response to extracellular stimuli such as nutrient availability and stress. Among the PTMs, O-GlcNAcylation is the reversible addition of a single N-acetylglucosamine monosaccharide (GlcNAc) on serine or threonine residues of cytosolic, nuclear, and mitochondrial proteins. O-GlcNAc cycling is mediated by a single couple of enzymes: the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) which catalyzes the addition of O-GlcNAc onto proteins, and the O-GlcNAcase (OGA) which hydrolyses it. Here, we review the current knowledge on the emerging role of O-GlcNAc modification in the regulation of protein trafficking in mammalian cells, in classical and unconventional secretory pathways.
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7
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Ge Y, Lu H, Yang B, Woo CM. Small Molecule-Activated O-GlcNAcase for Spatiotemporal Removal of O-GlcNAc in Live Cells. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:193-201. [PMID: 36598936 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The nutrient sensor O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a post-translational modification found on thousands of nucleocytoplasmic proteins. O-GlcNAc levels in cells dynamically respond to environmental cues in a temporal and spatial manner, leading to altered signal transduction and functional effects. The spatiotemporal regulation of O-GlcNAc levels would accelerate functional interrogation of O-GlcNAc and manipulation of cell behaviors for desired outcomes. Here, we report a strategy for spatiotemporal reduction of O-GlcNAc in live cells by designing an O-GlcNAcase (OGA) fused to an intein triggered by 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-HT). After rational protein engineering and optimization, we identified an OGA-intein variant whose deglycosidase activity can be triggered in the desired subcellular compartments by 4-HT in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Finally, we demonstrated that 4-HT activation of the OGA-intein fusion can likewise potentiate inhibitory effects in breast cancer cells by virtue of the reduction of O-GlcNAc. The spatiotemporal control of O-GlcNAc through the chemically activatable OGA-intein fusion will facilitate the manipulation and functional understanding of O-GlcNAc in live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Ge
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States.,Institute of Chemical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Hailin Lu
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Christina M Woo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
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Feng Z, Ducos B, Scerbo P, Aujard I, Jullien L, Bensimon D. The Development and Application of Opto-Chemical Tools in the Zebrafish. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196231. [PMID: 36234767 PMCID: PMC9572478 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish is one of the most widely adopted animal models in both basic and translational research. This popularity of the zebrafish results from several advantages such as a high degree of similarity to the human genome, the ease of genetic and chemical perturbations, external fertilization with high fecundity, transparent and fast-developing embryos, and relatively low cost-effective maintenance. In particular, body translucency is a unique feature of zebrafish that is not adequately obtained with other vertebrate organisms. The animal’s distinctive optical clarity and small size therefore make it a successful model for optical modulation and observation. Furthermore, the convenience of microinjection and high embryonic permeability readily allow for efficient delivery of large and small molecules into live animals. Finally, the numerous number of siblings obtained from a single pair of animals offers large replicates and improved statistical analysis of the results. In this review, we describe the development of opto-chemical tools based on various strategies that control biological activities with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. We also discuss the reported applications of these tools in zebrafish and highlight the current challenges and future possibilities of opto-chemical approaches, particularly at the single cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiping Feng
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Correspondence: (Z.F.); (D.B.)
| | - Bertrand Ducos
- Laboratoire de Physique de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris Sciences Letters University, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 24 Rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
- High Throughput qPCR Core Facility, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris Sciences Letters University, 46 Rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Pierluigi Scerbo
- Laboratoire de Physique de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris Sciences Letters University, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 24 Rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
- Inovarion, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Aujard
- Laboratoire PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris Sciences Letters University, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 24 Rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Ludovic Jullien
- Laboratoire PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris Sciences Letters University, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 24 Rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
| | - David Bensimon
- Laboratoire de Physique de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris Sciences Letters University, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 24 Rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Correspondence: (Z.F.); (D.B.)
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Dupas T, Betus C, Blangy-Letheule A, Pelé T, Persello A, Denis M, Lauzier B. An overview of tools to decipher O-GlcNAcylation from historical approaches to new insights. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2022; 151:106289. [PMID: 36031106 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2022.106289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
O-GlcNAcylation is a post-translational modification which affects approximately 5000 human proteins. Its involvement has been shown in many if not all biological processes. Variations in O-GlcNAcylation levels can be associated with the development of diseases. Deciphering the role of O-GlcNAcylation is an important issue to (i) understand its involvement in pathophysiological development and (ii) develop new therapeutic strategies to modulate O-GlcNAc levels. Over the past 30 years, despite the development of several approaches, knowledge of its role and regulation have remained limited. This review proposes an overview of the currently available tools to study O-GlcNAcylation and identify O-GlcNAcylated proteins. Briefly, we discuss pharmacological modulators, methods to study O-GlcNAcylation levels and approaches for O-GlcNAcylomic profiling. This review aims to contribute to a better understanding of the methods used to study O-GlcNAcylation and to promote efforts in the development of new strategies to explore this promising modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Dupas
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000 Nantes, France.
| | - Charlotte Betus
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000 Nantes, France; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | | | - Thomas Pelé
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Antoine Persello
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Manon Denis
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000 Nantes, France; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Benjamin Lauzier
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000 Nantes, France
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