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Croquette V, Orero JV, Rieu M, Allemand JF. Magnetic tweezers principles and promises. Methods Enzymol 2024; 694:1-49. [PMID: 38492947 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2024.01.026] [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: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Magnetic tweezers have become popular with the outbreak of single molecule micromanipulation: catching a single molecule of DNA, RNA or a single protein and applying mechanical constrains using micron-size magnetic beads and magnets turn out to be easy. Various factors have made this possible: the fact that manufacturers have been preparing these beads to catch various biological entities-the ease of use provided by magnets which apply a force or a torque at a distance thus inside a flow cell-some chance: since the forces so generated are in the right range to stretch a single molecule. This is a little less true for torque. Finally, one feature which also appears very important is the simplicity of their calibration using Brownian motion. Here we start by describing magnetic tweezers used routinely in our laboratory where we have tried to develop a device as simple as possible so that the experimentalist can really focus on the biological aspect of the biomolecules that he/she is interested in. We discuss the implications of the various components and their important features. Next, we summarize what is easy to achieve and what is less easy. Then we refer to contributions by other groups who have brought valuable insights to improve magnetic tweezers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Croquette
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'École normale supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; ESPCI Paris, Université PSL, Paris, France.
| | - Jessica Valle Orero
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'École normale supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; The American University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Martin Rieu
- Department of Physics, New Biochemistry Building, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-François Allemand
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'École normale supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
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Mistry AC, Chowdhury D, Chakraborty S, Haldar S. Elucidating the novel mechanisms of molecular chaperones by single-molecule technologies. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:38-51. [PMID: 37980187 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2023.10.009] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Molecular chaperones play central roles in sustaining protein homeostasis and preventing protein aggregation. Most studies of these systems have been performed in bulk, providing averaged measurements, though recent single-molecule approaches have provided an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of their activities and structural rearrangements during substrate recognition. Chaperone activities have been observed to be substrate specific, with some associated with ATP-dependent structural dynamics and others via interactions with co-chaperones. This Review aims to describe the novel mechanisms of molecular chaperones as revealed by single-molecule approaches, and to provide insights into their functioning and its implications for protein homeostasis and human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayush Chandrakant Mistry
- Department of Biology, Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University, Sonepat, Haryana 131029, India
| | - Debojyoti Chowdhury
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, S.N. Bose National Center for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal 700106, India
| | - Soham Chakraborty
- Department of Biology, Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University, Sonepat, Haryana 131029, India
| | - Shubhasis Haldar
- Department of Biology, Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University, Sonepat, Haryana 131029, India; Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, S.N. Bose National Center for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal 700106, India; Department of Chemistry, Ashoka University, Sonepat, Haryana 131029, India.
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Berezney JP, Valentine MT. A compact rotary magnetic tweezers device for dynamic material analysis. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2022; 93:093701. [PMID: 36182480 DOI: 10.1063/5.0090199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Here we present a new, compact magnetic tweezers design that enables precise application of a wide range of dynamic forces to soft materials without the need to raise or lower the magnet height above the sample. This is achieved through the controlled rotation of the permanent magnet array with respect to the fixed symmetry axis defined by a custom-built iron yoke. These design improvements increase the portability of the device and can be implemented within existing microscope setups without the need for extensive modification of the sample holders or light path. This device is particularly well-suited to active microrheology measurements using either creep analysis, in which a step force is applied to a micron-sized magnetic particle that is embedded in a complex fluid, or oscillatory microrheology, in which the particle is driven with a periodic waveform of controlled amplitude and frequency. In both cases, the motions of the particle are measured and analyzed to determine the local dynamic mechanical properties of the material.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Berezney
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Megan T Valentine
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
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Banerjee S, Chakraborty S, Sreepada A, Banerji D, Goyal S, Khurana Y, Haldar S. Cutting-Edge Single-Molecule Technologies Unveil New Mechanics in Cellular Biochemistry. Annu Rev Biophys 2021; 50:419-445. [PMID: 33646813 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-090420-083836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Single-molecule technologies have expanded our ability to detect biological events individually, in contrast to ensemble biophysical technologies, where the result provides averaged information. Recent developments in atomic force microscopy have not only enabled us to distinguish the heterogeneous phenomena of individual molecules, but also allowed us to view up to the resolution of a single covalent bond. Similarly, optical tweezers, due to their versatility and precision, have emerged as a potent technique to dissect a diverse range of complex biological processes, from the nanomechanics of ClpXP protease-dependent degradation to force-dependent processivity of motor proteins. Despite the advantages of optical tweezers, the time scales used in this technology were inconsistent with physiological scenarios, which led to the development of magnetic tweezers, where proteins are covalently linked with the glass surface, which in turn increases the observation window of a single biomolecule from minutes to weeks. Unlike optical tweezers, magnetic tweezers use magnetic fields to impose torque, which makes them convenient for studying DNA topology and topoisomerase functioning. Using modified magnetic tweezers, researchers were able to discover the mechanical role of chaperones, which support their substrate proteinsby pulling them during translocation and assist their native folding as a mechanical foldase. In this article, we provide a focused review of many of these new roles of single-molecule technologies, ranging from single bond breaking to complex chaperone machinery, along with the potential to design mechanomedicine, which would be a breakthrough in pharmacological interventions against many diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souradeep Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana 131029, India;
| | - Soham Chakraborty
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana 131029, India;
| | - Abhijit Sreepada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana 131029, India;
| | - Devshuvam Banerji
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana 131029, India;
| | - Shashwat Goyal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana 131029, India;
| | - Yajushi Khurana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana 131029, India;
| | - Shubhasis Haldar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana 131029, India;
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Fabian R, Tyson C, Tuma PL, Pegg I, Sarkar A. A Horizontal Magnetic Tweezers and Its Use for Studying Single DNA Molecules. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:mi9040188. [PMID: 30424121 PMCID: PMC6187538 DOI: 10.3390/mi9040188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We report the development of a magnetic tweezers that can be used to micromanipulate single DNA molecules by applying picoNewton (pN)-scale forces in the horizontal plane. The resulting force–extension data from our experiments show high-resolution detection of changes in the DNA tether’s extension: ~0.5 pN in the force and <10 nm change in extension. We calibrate our instrument using multiple orthogonal techniques including the well-characterized DNA overstretching transition. We also quantify the repeatability of force and extension measurements, and present data on the behavior of the overstretching transition under varying salt conditions. The design and experimental protocols are described in detail, which should enable straightforward reproduction of the tweezers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Fabian
- Department of Physics and Vitreous State Laboratory, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
| | - Christopher Tyson
- Biomedical Engineering Department and Vitreous State Laboratory, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
| | - Pamela L Tuma
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
| | - Ian Pegg
- Department of Physics and Vitreous State Laboratory, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
| | - Abhijit Sarkar
- Department of Physics and Vitreous State Laboratory, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
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Simple horizontal magnetic tweezers for micromanipulation of single DNA molecules and DNA-protein complexes. Biotechniques 2016; 60:21-7. [PMID: 26757808 DOI: 10.2144/000114369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the development of a simple-to-implement magnetic force transducer that can apply a wide range of piconewton (pN) scale forces on single DNA molecules and DNA-protein complexes in the horizontal plane. The resulting low-noise force-extension data enable very high-resolution detection of changes in the DNA tether's extension: ~0.05 pN in force and <10 nm change in extension. We have also verified that we can manipulate DNA in near equilibrium conditions through the wide range of forces by ramping the force from low to high and back again, and observing minimal hysteresis in the molecule's force response. Using a calibration technique based on Stokes' drag law, we have confirmed our force measurements from DNA force-extension experiments obtained using the fluctuation-dissipation theorem applied to transverse fluctuations of the magnetic microsphere. We present data on the force-distance characteristics of a DNA molecule complexed with histones. The results illustrate how the tweezers can be used to study DNA binding proteins at the single molecule level.
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