1
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Zhang Y, Jin D, Tivony R, Kampf N, Klein J. Cell-inspired, massive electromodulation of friction via transmembrane fields across lipid bilayers. NATURE MATERIALS 2024:10.1038/s41563-024-01926-9. [PMID: 38914644 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-024-01926-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Transient electric fields across cell bilayer membranes can lead to electroporation and cell fusion, effects crucial to cell viability whose biological implications have been extensively studied. However, little is known about these behaviours in a materials context. Here we find that transmembrane electric fields can lead to a massive, reversible modulation of the sliding friction between surfaces coated with lipid-bilayer membranes-a 200-fold variation, up to two orders of magnitude greater than that achieved to date. Atomistic simulations reveal that the transverse fields, resembling those at cell membranes, lead to fully reversible electroporation of the confined bilayers and the formation of inter-bilayer bridges analogous to the stalks preceding intermembrane fusion. These increase the interfacial dissipation through reduced hydration at the slip plane, forcing it to revert in part from the low-dissipation, hydrated lipid-headgroup plane to the intra-bilayer, high-dissipation acyl tail interface. Our results demonstrate that lipid bilayers under transmembrane electric fields can have striking materials modification properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Di Jin
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Ran Tivony
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Nir Kampf
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jacob Klein
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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2
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Mitra S, Chandersekhar B, Li Y, Coopershlyak M, Mahoney ME, Evans B, Koenig R, Hall SCL, Klösgen B, Heinrich F, Deslouches B, Tristram-Nagle S. Novel non-helical antimicrobial peptides insert into and fuse lipid model membranes. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:4088-4101. [PMID: 38712559 PMCID: PMC11109824 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00220b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
This research addresses the growing menace of antibiotic resistance by exploring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Specifically, we investigate two linear amphipathic AMPs, LE-53 (12-mer) and LE-55 (16-mer), finding that the shorter LE-53 exhibits greater bactericidal activity against both Gram-negative (G(-)) and Gram-positive (G(+)) bacteria. Remarkably, both AMPs are non-toxic to eukaryotic cells. The heightened effectiveness of LE-53 is attributed to its increased hydrophobicity (H) compared to LE-55. Circular dichroism (CD) reveals that LE-53 and LE-55 both adopt β-sheet and random coil structures in lipid model membranes (LMMs) mimicking G(-) and G(+) bacteria, so secondary structure is not the cause of the potency difference. X-ray diffuse scattering (XDS) reveals increased lipid chain order in LE-53, a potential key distinction. Additionally, XDS study uncovers a significant link between LE-53's upper hydrocarbon location in G(-) and G(+) LMMs and its efficacy. Neutron reflectometry (NR) confirms the AMP locations determined using XDS. Solution small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) demonstrates LE-53's ability to induce vesicle fusion in bacterial LMMs without affecting eukaryotic LMMs, offering a promising strategy to combat antibiotic-resistant strains while preserving human cell integrity, whereas LE-55 has a smaller ability to induce fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saheli Mitra
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Bhairavi Chandersekhar
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Yunshu Li
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Mark Coopershlyak
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Margot E Mahoney
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Brandt Evans
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Rachel Koenig
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Stephen C L Hall
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Beate Klösgen
- University of Southern Denmark, Dept. Physics, Chemistry & Pharmacy, PhyLife, Campusvej 55, Odense M5230, Denmark
| | - Frank Heinrich
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
- Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Berthony Deslouches
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Stephanie Tristram-Nagle
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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3
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Di Bartolo AL, Caparotta M, Polo LM, Masone D. Myomerger Induces Membrane Hemifusion and Regulates Fusion Pore Expansion. Biochemistry 2024; 63:815-826. [PMID: 38349279 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00682] [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: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Membrane fusion is a crucial mechanism in a wide variety of important events in cell biology from viral infection to exocytosis. However, despite many efforts and much progress, cell-cell fusion has remained elusive to our understanding. Along the life of the fusion pore, large conformational changes take place from the initial lipid bilayer bending, passing through the hemifusion intermediates, and ending with the formation of the first nascent fusion pore. In this sense, computer simulations are an ideal technique for describing such complex lipid remodeling at the molecular level. In this work, we studied the role played by the muscle-specific membrane protein Myomerger during the formation of the fusion pore. We have conducted μs length atomistic and coarse-grained molecular dynamics, together with free-energy calculations using ad hoc collective variables. Our results show that Myomerger favors the hemifusion diaphragm-stalk transition, reduces the nucleation-expansion energy difference, and promotes the formation of nonenlarging fusion pores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ary Lautaro Di Bartolo
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Caparotta
- Quantum Theory Project, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Luis Mariano Polo
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM)─Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Diego Masone
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM)─Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
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4
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Jahn R, Cafiso DC, Tamm LK. Mechanisms of SNARE proteins in membrane fusion. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:101-118. [PMID: 37848589 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00668-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) are a family of small conserved eukaryotic proteins that mediate membrane fusion between organelles and with the plasma membrane. SNAREs are directly or indirectly anchored to membranes. Prior to fusion, complementary SNAREs assemble between membranes with the aid of accessory proteins that provide a scaffold to initiate SNARE zippering, pulling the membranes together and mediating fusion. Recent advances have enabled the construction of detailed models describing bilayer transitions and energy barriers along the fusion pathway and have elucidated the structures of SNAREs complexed in various states with regulatory proteins. In this Review, we discuss how these advances are yielding an increasingly detailed picture of the SNARE-mediated fusion pathway, leading from first contact between the membranes via metastable non-bilayer intermediates towards the opening and expansion of a fusion pore. We describe how SNARE proteins assemble into complexes, how this assembly is regulated by accessory proteins and how SNARE complexes overcome the free energy barriers that prevent spontaneous membrane fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Jahn
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Max-Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - David C Cafiso
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Lukas K Tamm
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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5
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Bottacchiari M, Gallo M, Bussoletti M, Casciola CM. The local variation of the Gaussian modulus enables different pathways for fluid lipid vesicle fusion. Sci Rep 2024; 14:23. [PMID: 38168475 PMCID: PMC10762093 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50922-7] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral infections, fertilization, neurotransmission, and many other fundamental biological processes rely on membrane fusion. Straightforward calculations based on the celebrated Canham-Helfrich elastic model predict a large topological energy barrier that prevents the fusion process from being thermally activated. While such high energy is in accordance with the physical barrier function of lipid membranes, it is difficult to reconcile with the biological mechanisms involved in fusion processes. In this work, we use a Ginzburg-Landau type of free energy that recovers the Canham-Helfrich model in the limit of small width-to-vesicle-extension ratio, with the additional ability to handle topological transitions. We show that a local modification of the Gaussian modulus in the merging region both dramatically lowers the elastic energy barrier and substantially changes the minimal energy pathway for fusion, in accordance with experimental evidence. Therefore, we discuss biological examples in which such a modification might play a crucial role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Bottacchiari
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirko Gallo
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Bussoletti
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Massimo Casciola
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.
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6
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Punia R, Goel G. Free Energy Surface and Molecular Mechanism of Slow Structural Transitions in Lipid Bilayers. J Chem Theory Comput 2023; 19:8245-8257. [PMID: 37947833 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00856] [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: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Lipid membrane remodeling, crucial for many cellular processes, is governed by the coupling of membrane structure and shape fluctuations. Given the importance of the ∼ nm length scale, details of the transition intermediates for conformational change are not fully captured by a continuum-mechanical description. Slow dynamics and the lack of knowledge of reaction coordinates (RCs) for biasing methods pose a challenge for all-atom (AA) simulations. Here, we map system dynamics on Langevin dynamics in a normal mode space determined from an elastic network model representation for the lipid-water Hamiltonian. AA molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to determine model parameters, and Langevin dynamics predictions for bilayer structural, mechanical, and dynamic properties are validated against MD simulations and experiments. Transferability to describe the dynamics of a larger lipid bilayer and a heterogeneous membrane-protein system is assessed. A set of generic RCs for pore formation in two tensionless bilayers is obtained by coupling Langevin dynamics to the underlying energy landscape for membrane deformations. Structure evolution is carried out by AA MD, wherein the generic RCs are used in a path metadynamics or an umbrella sampling simulation to determine the thermodynamics of pore formation and its molecular determinants, such as the role of distinct bilayer motions, lipid solvation, and lipid packing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajat Punia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Gaurav Goel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
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7
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Borges-Araújo L, Borges-Araújo AC, Ozturk TN, Ramirez-Echemendia DP, Fábián B, Carpenter TS, Thallmair S, Barnoud J, Ingólfsson HI, Hummer G, Tieleman DP, Marrink SJ, Souza PCT, Melo MN. Martini 3 Coarse-Grained Force Field for Cholesterol. J Chem Theory Comput 2023; 19:7387-7404. [PMID: 37796943 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Cholesterol plays a crucial role in biomembranes by regulating various properties, such as fluidity, rigidity, permeability, and organization of lipid bilayers. The latest version of the Martini model, Martini 3, offers significant improvements in interaction balance, molecular packing, and inclusion of new bead types and sizes. However, the release of the new model resulted in the need to reparameterize many core molecules, including cholesterol. Here, we describe the development and validation of a Martini 3 cholesterol model, addressing issues related to its bonded setup, shape, volume, and hydrophobicity. The proposed model mitigates some limitations of its Martini 2 predecessor while maintaining or improving the overall behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Borges-Araújo
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086 CNRS & University of Lyon, 7 Passage du Vercors, Lyon F-69367, France
| | - Ana C Borges-Araújo
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Tugba Nur Ozturk
- Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Daniel P Ramirez-Echemendia
- Centre for Molecular Simulation and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 1N4
| | - Balázs Fábián
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Timothy S Carpenter
- Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Sebastian Thallmair
- Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Ruth-Moufang-Straße 1, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jonathan Barnoud
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K
- CiTIUS Intelligent Technologies Research Centre, University of Santiago de Compostela, Rúa de Jenaro de la Fuente, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Helgi I Ingólfsson
- Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Gerhard Hummer
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Biophysics, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - D Peter Tieleman
- Centre for Molecular Simulation and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 1N4
| | - Siewert J Marrink
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Paulo C T Souza
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086 CNRS & University of Lyon, 7 Passage du Vercors, Lyon F-69367, France
| | - Manuel N Melo
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
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8
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Shendrik P, Golani G, Dharan R, Schwarz US, Sorkin R. Membrane Tension Inhibits Lipid Mixing by Increasing the Hemifusion Stalk Energy. ACS NANO 2023; 17:18942-18951. [PMID: 37669531 PMCID: PMC7615193 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c04293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Fusion of biological membranes is fundamental in various physiological events. The fusion process involves several intermediate stages with energy barriers that are tightly dependent on the mechanical and physical properties of the system, one of which is membrane tension. As previously established, the late stages of fusion, including hemifusion diaphragm and pore expansions, are favored by membrane tension. However, a current understanding of how the energy barrier of earlier fusion stages is affected by membrane tension is lacking. Here, we apply a newly developed experimental approach combining micropipette-aspirated giant unilamellar vesicles and optically trapped membrane-coated beads, revealing that membrane tension inhibits lipid mixing. We show that lipid mixing is 6 times slower under a tension of 0.12 mN/m compared with tension-free membranes. Furthermore, using continuum elastic theory, we calculate the dependence of the hemifusion stalk formation energy on membrane tension and intermembrane distance and find the increase in the corresponding energy barrier to be 1.6 kBT in our setting, which can explain the increase in lipid mixing time delay. Finally, we show that tension can be a significant factor in the stalk energy if the pre-fusion intermembrane distance is on the order of several nanometers, while for membranes that are tightly docked, tension has a negligible effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Shendrik
- School
of Chemistry, Raymond & Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
- Center
of Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Gonen Golani
- Institute
for Theoretical Physics and BioQuant Center for Quantitative Biology, Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Raviv Dharan
- School
of Chemistry, Raymond & Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
- Center
of Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Ulrich S. Schwarz
- Institute
for Theoretical Physics and BioQuant Center for Quantitative Biology, Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Raya Sorkin
- School
of Chemistry, Raymond & Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
- Center
of Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
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9
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Álvarez D, Sapia J, Vanni S. Computational modeling of membrane trafficking processes: From large molecular assemblies to chemical specificity. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2023; 83:102205. [PMID: 37451175 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102205] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have become an essential tool to investigate the molecular properties of membrane trafficking processes, often in conjunction with experimental approaches. The combination of MD simulations with recent developments in structural biology, such as cryo-electron microscopy and artificial intelligence-based structure determination, opens new, exciting possibilities for future investigations. However, the full potential of MD simulations to provide a molecular view of the complex and dynamic processes involving membrane trafficking can only be realized if certain limitations are addressed, and especially those concerning the quality of coarse-grain models, which, despite recent successes in describing large-scale systems, still suffer from far-from-ideal chemical accuracy. In this review, we will highlight recent success stories of MD simulations in the investigation of membrane trafficking processes, their implications for future research, and the challenges that lie ahead in this specific research domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Álvarez
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Switzerland; Departamento de Química Física y Analítica, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jennifer Sapia
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Vanni
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Switzerland; Université Côte d'Azur, Inserm, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France.
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10
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Canepa E, Bochicchio D, Brosio G, Silva PHJ, Stellacci F, Dante S, Rossi G, Relini A. Cholesterol-Containing Liposomes Decorated With Au Nanoparticles as Minimal Tunable Fusion Machinery. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2207125. [PMID: 36899445 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Membrane fusion is essential for the basal functionality of eukaryotic cells. In physiological conditions, fusion events are regulated by a wide range of specialized proteins, operating with finely tuned local lipid composition and ionic environment. Fusogenic proteins, assisted by membrane cholesterol and calcium ions, provide the mechanical energy necessary to achieve vesicle fusion in neuromediator release. Similar cooperative effects must be explored when considering synthetic approaches for controlled membrane fusion. We show that liposomes decorated with amphiphilic Au nanoparticles (AuLips) can act as minimal tunable fusion machinery. AuLips fusion is triggered by divalent ions, while the number of fusion events dramatically changes with, and can be finely tuned by, the liposome cholesterol content. We combine quartz-crystal-microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), fluorescence assays, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) with molecular dynamics (MD) at coarse-grained (CG) resolution, revealing new mechanistic details on the fusogenic activity of amphiphilic Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and demonstrating the ability of these synthetic nanomaterials to induce fusion regardless of the divalent ion used (Ca2+ or Mg2+ ). The results provide a novel contribution to developing new artificial fusogenic agents for next-generation biomedical applications that require tight control of the rate of fusion events (e.g., targeted drug delivery).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Canepa
- Department of Physics, University of Genoa, Genoa, 16146, Italy
- Institute of Materials Science & Engineering, EPFL, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | | | - Giorgia Brosio
- Department of Physics, University of Genoa, Genoa, 16146, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Stellacci
- Materials Characterization Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, 16163, Italy
| | - Silvia Dante
- Institute of Materials Science & Engineering, EPFL, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Rossi
- Department of Physics, University of Genoa, Genoa, 16146, Italy
| | - Annalisa Relini
- Department of Physics, University of Genoa, Genoa, 16146, Italy
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11
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Michalski M, Setny P. Two modes of fusogenic action for influenza virus fusion peptide. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011174. [PMID: 37235589 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The entry of influenza virus into the host cell requires fusion of its lipid envelope with the host membrane. It is catalysed by viral hemagglutinin protein, whose fragments called fusion peptides become inserted into the target bilayer and initiate its merging with the viral membrane. Isolated fusion peptides are already capable of inducing lipid mixing between liposomes. Years of studies indicate that upon membrane binding they form bend helical structure whose degree of opening fluctuates between tightly closed hairpin and an extended boomerang. The actual way in which they initiate fusion remains elusive. In this work we employ atomistic simulations of wild type and fusion inactive W14A mutant of influenza fusion peptides confined between two closely apposed lipid bilayers. We characterise peptide induced membrane perturbation and determine the potential of mean force for the formation of the first fusion intermediate, an interbilayer lipid bridge called stalk. Our results demonstrate two routes through which the peptides can lower free energy barrier towards fusion. The first one assumes peptides capability to adopt transmembrane configuration which subsequently promotes the creation of a stalk-hole complex. The second involves surface bound peptide configuration and proceeds owing to its ability to stabilise stalk by fitting into the region of extreme negative membrane curvature resulting from its formation. In both cases, the active peptide conformation corresponds to tight helical hairpin, whereas extended boomerang geometry appears to be unable to provide favourable thermodynamic effect. The latter observation offers plausible explanation for long known inactivity of boomerang-stabilising W14A mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Michalski
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Setny
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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12
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Di Bartolo AL, Caparotta M, Masone D. Intrinsic Disorder in α-Synuclein Regulates the Exocytotic Fusion Pore Transition. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023. [PMID: 37192400 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Today, it is widely accepted that intrinsic disorder is strongly related to the cell cycle, during mitosis, differentiation, and apoptosis. Of particular interest are hybrid proteins possessing both structured and unstructured domains that are critical in human health and disease, such as α-synuclein. In this work, we describe how α-synuclein interacts with the nascent fusion pore as it evolves toward expansion. We unveil the key role played by its intrinsically disordered region as a thermodynamic regulator of the nucleation-expansion energy barrier. By analyzing a truncated variant of α-synuclein that lacks the disordered region, we find that the landscape of protein interactions with PIP2 and POPS lipids is highly altered, ultimately increasing the energy cost for the fusion pore to transit from nucleation to expansion. We conclude that the intrinsically disordered region in full-length α-synuclein recognizes and allocates pivotal protein:lipid interactions during membrane remodeling in the first stages of the fusion pore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ary Lautaro Di Bartolo
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Caparotta
- Quantum Theory Project, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Diego Masone
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
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13
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Golani G, Schwarz US. High curvature promotes fusion of lipid membranes: Predictions from continuum elastic theory. Biophys J 2023; 122:1868-1882. [PMID: 37077047 PMCID: PMC10209146 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The fusion of lipid membranes progresses through a series of hemifusion intermediates with two significant energy barriers related to the formation of stalk and fusion pore, respectively. These energy barriers determine the speed and success rate of many critical biological processes, including the fusion of highly curved membranes, for example synaptic vesicles and enveloped viruses. Here we use continuum elastic theory of lipid monolayers to determine the relationship between membrane shape and energy barriers to fusion. We find that the stalk formation energy decreases with curvature by up to 31 kBT in a 20-nm-radius vesicle compared with planar membranes and by up to 8 kBT in the fusion of highly curved, long, tubular membranes. In contrast, the fusion pore formation energy barrier shows a more complicated behavior. Immediately after stalk expansion to the hemifusion diaphragm, the fusion pore formation energy barrier is low (15-25 kBT) due to lipid stretching in the distal monolayers and increased tension in highly curved vesicles. Therefore, the opening of the fusion pore is faster. However, these stresses relax over time due to lipid flip-flop from the proximal monolayer, resulting in a larger hemifusion diaphragm and a higher fusion pore formation energy barrier, up to 35 kBT. Therefore, if the fusion pore fails to open before significant lipid flip-flop takes place, the reaction proceeds to an extended hemifusion diaphragm state, which is a dead-end configuration in the fusion process and can be used to prevent viral infections. In contrast, in the fusion of long tubular compartments, the surface tension does not accumulate due to the formation of the diaphragm, and the energy barrier for pore expansion increases with curvature by up to 11 kBT. This suggests that inhibition of polymorphic virus infection could particularly target this feature of the second barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonen Golani
- Institute for Theoretical Physics and BioQuant Center for Quantitative Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrich S Schwarz
- Institute for Theoretical Physics and BioQuant Center for Quantitative Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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14
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Beck K, Nandy J, Hoernke M. Membrane permeabilization can be crucially biased by a fusogenic lipid composition - leaky fusion caused by antimicrobial peptides in model membranes. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:2919-2931. [PMID: 37010846 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01691e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Induced membrane permeabilization or leakage is often taken as an indication for activity of membrane-active molecules, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The exact leakage mechanism is often unknown, but important, because certain mechanisms might actually contribute to microbial killing, while others are unselective, or potentially irrelevant in an in vivo situation. Using an antimicrobial example peptide (cR3W3), we illustrate one of the potentially misleading leakage mechanisms: leaky fusion, where leakage is coupled to membrane fusion. Like many others, we examine peptide-induced leakage in model vesicles consisting of binary mixtures of anionic and zwitterionic phospholipids. In fact, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine (PG/PE) are supposed to reflect bacterial membranes, but exhibit a high propensity for vesicle aggregation and fusion. We describe the implications of this vesicle fusion and aggregation for the reliability of model studies. The ambiguous role of the relatively fusogenic PE-lipids becomes clear as leakage decreases significantly when aggregation and fusion are prevented by sterical shielding. Furthermore, the mechanism of leakage changes if PE is exchanged for phosphatidylcholine (PC). We thus point out that the lipid composition of model membranes can be biased towards leaky fusion. This can lead to discrepancies between model studies and activity in true microbes, because leaky fusion is likely prevented by bacterial peptidoglycan layers. In conclusion, choosing the model membrane might implicate the type of effect (here leakage mechanism) that is observed. In the worst case, as with leaky fusion of PG/PE vesicles, this is not directly relevant for the intended antimicrobial application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Beck
- Chemistry and Pharmacy, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg i. Br., Germany.
| | - Janina Nandy
- Chemistry and Pharmacy, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg i. Br., Germany.
| | - Maria Hoernke
- Chemistry and Pharmacy, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg i. Br., Germany.
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15
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van Tilburg M, Hilbers PAJ, Markvoort AJ. On the role of membrane embedding, protein rigidity and transmembrane length in lipid membrane fusion. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:1791-1802. [PMID: 36786821 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01582j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The fusion of biological membranes is ubiquitous in natural processes like exo- and endocytosis, intracellular trafficking and viral entry. Membrane fusion is also utilized in artificial biomimetic fusion systems, e.g. for drug delivery. Both the natural and the biomimetic fusion systems rely on a wide range of (artificial) proteins mediating the fusion process. Although the exact mechanisms of these proteins differ, clear analogies in their general behavior can be observed in bringing the membranes in close proximity and mediating the fusion reaction. In our study, we use molecular dynamics simulations with coarse grained models, mimicking the general behavior of fusion proteins (spikes), to systematically examine the effects of specific characteristics of these proteins on the fusion process. The protein characteristics considered are (i) the type of membrane embedding, i.e., either transmembrane or not, (ii) the rigidity, and (iii) the transmembrane domain (TMD) length. The results show essential differences in fusion pathway between monotopic and transmembrane spikes, in which transmembrane spikes seem to inhibit the formation of hemifusion diaphragms, leading to a faster fusion development. Furthermore, we observed that an increased rigidity and a decreased TMD length both proved to contribute to a faster fusion development. Finally, we show that a single spike may suffice to successfully induce a fusion reaction, provided that the spike is sufficiently rigid and attractive. Not only does this shed light on biological fusion of membranes, it also provides clear design rules for artificial membrane fusion systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco van Tilburg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Computational Biology Group, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.
| | - Peter A J Hilbers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Computational Biology Group, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.
- Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
| | - Albert J Markvoort
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Computational Biology Group, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.
- Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
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16
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Karmacharya M, Kumar S, Cho YK. Tuning the Extracellular Vesicles Membrane through Fusion for Biomedical Applications. J Funct Biomater 2023; 14:jfb14020117. [PMID: 36826916 PMCID: PMC9960107 DOI: 10.3390/jfb14020117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion is one of the key phenomena in the living cell for maintaining the basic function of life. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have the ability to transfer information between cells through plasma membrane fusion, making them a promising tool in diagnostics and therapeutics. This study explores the potential applications of natural membrane vesicles, EVs, and their fusion with liposomes, EVs, and cells and introduces methodologies for enhancing the fusion process. EVs have a high loading capacity, bio-compatibility, and stability, making them ideal for producing effective drugs and diagnostics. The unique properties of fused EVs and the crucial design and development procedures that are necessary to realize their potential as drug carriers and diagnostic tools are also examined. The promise of EVs in various stages of disease management highlights their potential role in future healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamata Karmacharya
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Sumit Kumar
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (S.K.); (Y.-K.C.)
| | - Yoon-Kyoung Cho
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (S.K.); (Y.-K.C.)
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17
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Xue M, Cao Y, Shen C, Guo W. Computational Advances of Protein/Neurotransmitter-membrane Interactions Involved in Vesicle Fusion and Neurotransmitter Release. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:167818. [PMID: 36089056 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167818] [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: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Vesicle fusion is of crucial importance to neuronal communication at neuron terminals. The exquisite but complex fusion machinery for neurotransmitter release is tightly controlled and regulated by protein/neurotransmitter-membrane interactions. Computational 'microscopies', in particular molecular dynamics simulations and related techniques, have provided notable insight into the physiological process over the past decades, and have made enormous contributions to fields such as neurology, pharmacology and pathophysiology. Here we review the computational advances of protein/neurotransmitter-membrane interactions related to presynaptic vesicle-membrane fusion and neurotransmitter release, and outline the in silico challenges ahead for understanding this important physiological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Xue
- Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, and Institute for Frontier Science, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China
| | - Yuwei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Chun Shen
- Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, and Institute for Frontier Science, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China.
| | - Wanlin Guo
- Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, and Institute for Frontier Science, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China; State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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18
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Shi S, Fan H, Hoernke M. Leaky membrane fusion: an ambivalent effect induced by antimicrobial polycations. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2022; 4:5109-5122. [PMID: 36504745 PMCID: PMC9680940 DOI: 10.1039/d2na00464j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Both antimicrobial peptides and their synthetic mimics are potential alternatives to classical antibiotics. They can induce several membrane perturbations including permeabilization. Especially in model studies, aggregation of vesicles by such polycations is often reported. Here, we show that unintended vesicle aggregation or indeed fusion can cause apparent leakage in model studies that is not possible in most microbes, thus potentially leading to misinterpretations. The interactions of a highly charged and highly selective membrane-active polycation with negatively charged phosphatidylethanolamine/phosphatidylglycerol (PE/PG) vesicles are studied by a combination of biophysical methods. At low polycation concentrations, apparent vesicle aggregation was found to involve exchange of lipids. Upon neutralization of the negatively charged vesicles by the polycation, full fusion and leakage occurred and leaky fusion is suspected. To elucidate the interplay of leakage and fusion, we prevented membrane contacts by decorating the vesicles with PEG-chains. This inhibited fusion and also leakage activity. Leaky fusion is further corroborated by increased leakage with increasing likeliness of vesicle-vesicle contacts. Because of its similar appearance to other leakage mechanisms, leaky fusion is difficult to identify and might be overlooked and more common amongst polycationic membrane-active compounds. Regarding biological activity, leaky fusion needs to be carefully distinguished from other membrane permeabilization mechanisms, as it may be less relevant to bacteria, but potentially relevant for fungi. Furthermore, leaky fusion is an interesting effect that could help in endosomal escape for drug delivery. A comprehensive step-by-step protocol for membrane permeabilization/vesicle leakage using calcein fluorescence lifetime is provided in the ESI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Shi
- Chemistry and Pharmacy, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität 79104 Freiburg i.Br. Germany
| | - Helen Fan
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto Toronto Canada
| | - Maria Hoernke
- Chemistry and Pharmacy, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität 79104 Freiburg i.Br. Germany
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19
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Bottacchiari M, Gallo M, Bussoletti M, Casciola CM. Activation energy and force fields during topological transitions of fluid lipid vesicles. COMMUNICATIONS PHYSICS 2022; 5:283. [PMID: 36405503 PMCID: PMC9660165 DOI: 10.1038/s42005-022-01055-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Topological transitions of fluid lipid membranes are fundamental processes for cell life. For example, they are required for endo- and exocytosis or to enable neurotransmitters to cross the neural synapses. Here, inspired by the idea that fusion and fission proteins could have evolved in Nature in order to carry out a minimal work expenditure, we evaluate the minimal free energy pathway for the transition between two spherical large unilamellar vesicles and a dumbbell-shaped one. To address the problem, we propose and successfully use a Ginzburg-Landau type of free energy, which allows us to uniquely describe without interruption the whole, full-scale topological change. We also compute the force fields needed to overcome the involved energy barriers. The obtained forces are in excellent agreement, in terms of intensity, scale, and spatial localization with experimental data on typical fission protein systems, whereas they suggest the presence of additional features in fusion proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Bottacchiari
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirko Gallo
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
- Present Address: School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Bussoletti
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Massimo Casciola
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
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20
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Singhal A, Sevink GJA. A Core-Shell Approach for Systematically Coarsening Nanoparticle-Membrane Interactions: Application to Silver Nanoparticles. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:3859. [PMID: 36364637 PMCID: PMC9656456 DOI: 10.3390/nano12213859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The continuous release of engineered nanomaterial (ENM) into the environment may bring about health concerns following human exposure. One important source of ENMs are silver nanoparticles (NPs) that are extensively used as anti-bacterial additives. The introduction of ENMs into the human body can occur via ingestion, skin uptake or the respiratory system. Therefore, evaluating how NPs translocate over bio-membranes is essential in assessing their primary toxicity. Unfortunately, data regarding membrane-NP interaction is still scarce, as is theoretical and in silico insight into what governs adhesion and translocation for the most relevant NPs and membranes. Coarse-grained (CG) molecular descriptions have the potential to alleviate this situation, but are hampered by the absence of a direct link to NP materials and membrane adhesion mechanisms. Here, we interrogate the relationship between the most common NP representation at the CG level and the adhesion characteristics of a model lung membrane. We find that this representation for silver NPs is non-transferable, meaning that a proper CG representation for one size is not suited for other sizes. We also identify two basic types of primary adhesion-(partial) NPs wrapping by the membrane and NP insertion into the membrane-that closely relate to the overall NP hydrophobicity and significantly differ in terms of lipid coatings. The proven non-transferability of the standard CG representation with size forms an inspiration for introducing a core-shell model even for bare NPs that are uniform in composition. Using existing all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) data as a reference, we show that this extension does allow us to reproduce size-dependent NP adhesion properties and lipid responses to NP binding at the CG level. The subsequent CGMD evaluation for 10 nm Ag NPs provides new insight into membrane binding for relevant NP sizes and into the role of water in trapping NPs into defected mixed monolayer-bilayer states. This development will be instrumental for simulating NP-membrane adhesion towards more experimentally relevant length and time scales for particular NP materials.
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21
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Di Bartolo AL, Tomes CN, Mayorga LS, Masone D. Enhanced Expansion and Reduced Kiss-and-Run Events in Fusion Pores Steered by Synaptotagmin-1 C2B Domains. J Chem Theory Comput 2022; 18:4544-4554. [PMID: 35759758 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.2c00424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The fusion pore controls the release of exocytotic vesicle contents through a precise orchestration of lipids from the fusing membranes and proteins. There is a major lipid reorganization during the different stages in life of the fusion pore (membrane fusion, nucleation, and expansion) that can be scrutinized thermodynamically. In this work, using umbrella sampling simulations we describe the expansion of the fusion pore. We have calculated free energy profiles to drive a nascent, just nucleated, fusion pore to its expanded configuration. We have quantified the effects on the free energy of one and two Synaptotagmin-1 C2B domains in the cytosolic space. We show that C2B domains cumulatively reduce the cost for expansion, favoring the system to evolve toward full fusion. Finally, by conducting thousands of unbiased molecular dynamics simulations, we show that C2B domains significantly decrease the probability of kiss-and-run events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ary Lautaro Di Bartolo
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500 Mendoza, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Claudia N Tomes
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500 Mendoza, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Luis S Mayorga
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500 Mendoza, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Diego Masone
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500 Mendoza, Argentina.,Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
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22
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Marrink SJ, Monticelli L, Melo MN, Alessandri R, Tieleman DP, Souza PCT. Two decades of Martini: Better beads, broader scope. WIRES COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Siewert J. Marrink
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute & Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials University of Groningen Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Luca Monticelli
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB ‐ UMR 5086) CNRS & University of Lyon Lyon France
| | - Manuel N. Melo
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa Oeiras Portugal
| | - Riccardo Alessandri
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering University of Chicago Chicago Illinois USA
| | - D. Peter Tieleman
- Centre for Molecular Simulation and Department of Biological Sciences University of Calgary Alberta Canada
| | - Paulo C. T. Souza
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB ‐ UMR 5086) CNRS & University of Lyon Lyon France
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23
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Kasson PM. Modeling biomolecular kinetics with large-scale simulation. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 72:95-102. [PMID: 34592698 PMCID: PMC9476681 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.08.009] [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: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The molecular details of biomolecular kinetics present a challenging estimation problem because the identities of relevant intermediates and the rates of exchange between them must be determined. These can be derived from prior knowledge, but in recent years, great advances have been made in the development and application of methods to systematically determine states and rates using biomolecular simulation. Doing this for biological systems of reasonable complexity requires substantial computational power, and contemporary methods leverage distributed computing or leadership-class computing resources to accomplish this. The result has been substantial insight into pressing contemporary problems, including structural activation of pandemic viruses. Here, we highlight recent developments in both methodology and exciting applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M. Kasson
- Departments of Molecular Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University,Correspondence to: Box 800886 Charlottesville VA 22908, Tel 434-924-0174.
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24
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Abstract
In this introductory chapter, we first define cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), give short overview of CPP history and discuss several aspects of CPP classification. Next section is devoted to the mechanism of CPP penetration into the cells, where direct and endocytic internalization of CPP is explained. Kinetics of internalization is discussed more extensively, since this topic is not discussed in other chapters of this book. At the end of this section some features of the thermodynamics of CPP interaction with the membrane is also presented. Finally, we present different cargoes that can be transferred into the cells by CPPs and briefly discuss the effect of cargo on the rate and efficiency of penetration into the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matjaž Zorko
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Ülo Langel
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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25
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Di Bartolo AL, Masone D. Synaptotagmin-1 C2B domains cooperatively stabilize the fusion stalk via a master-servant mechanism. Chem Sci 2022; 13:3437-3446. [PMID: 35432859 PMCID: PMC8943895 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc06711g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptotagmin-1 is a low-affinity Ca2+ sensor that triggers synchronous vesicle fusion. It contains two similar C2 domains (C2A and C2B) that cooperate in membrane binding, being the C2B domain the...
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Affiliation(s)
- Ary Lautaro Di Bartolo
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo) 5500 Mendoza Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo) 5500 Mendoza Argentina
| | - Diego Masone
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo) 5500 Mendoza Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo) 5500 Mendoza Argentina
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26
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Poojari CS, Scherer KC, Hub JS. Free energies of membrane stalk formation from a lipidomics perspective. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6594. [PMID: 34782611 PMCID: PMC8593120 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26924-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Many biological membranes are asymmetric and exhibit complex lipid composition, comprising hundreds of distinct chemical species. Identifying the biological function and advantage of this complexity is a central goal of membrane biology. Here, we study how membrane complexity controls the energetics of the first steps of membrane fusions, that is, the formation of a stalk. We first present a computationally efficient method for simulating thermodynamically reversible pathways of stalk formation at coarse-grained resolution. The method reveals that the inner leaflet of a typical plasma membrane is far more fusogenic than the outer leaflet, which is likely an adaptation to evolutionary pressure. To rationalize these findings by the distinct lipid compositions, we computed ~200 free energies of stalk formation in membranes with different lipid head groups, tail lengths, tail unsaturations, and sterol content. In summary, the simulations reveal a drastic influence of the lipid composition on stalk formation and a comprehensive fusogenicity map of many biologically relevant lipid classes. Fusion of cellular membranes begins with the formation of a stalk. Here, the authors develop a computationally efficient method for coarse-grained simulations of stalk formation and apply this approach to comprehensively analyse how stalk formation is influenced by the membrane lipid composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chetan S Poojari
- Saarland University, Theoretical Physics and Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Katharina C Scherer
- Saarland University, Theoretical Physics and Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Jochen S Hub
- Saarland University, Theoretical Physics and Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany.
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27
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François-Martin C, Bacle A, Rothman JE, Fuchs PFJ, Pincet F. Cooperation of Conical and Polyunsaturated Lipids to Regulate Initiation and Processing of Membrane Fusion. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:763115. [PMID: 34746239 PMCID: PMC8566721 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.763115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The shape of lipids has long been suspected to be a critical determinant for the control of membrane fusion. To experimentally test this assertion, we used conical and malleable lipids and measured their influence on the fusion kinetics. We found that, as previously suspected, both types of lipids accelerate fusion. However, the implicated molecular mechanisms are strikingly different. Malleable lipids, with their ability to change shape with low energy cost, favor fusion by decreasing the overall activation energy. On the other hand, conical lipids, with their small polar head relative to the area occupied by the hydrophobic chains, tend to make fusion less energetically advantageous because they tend to migrate towards the most favorable lipid leaflet, hindering fusion pore opening. They could however facilitate fusion by generating hydrophobic defects on the membranes; this is suggested by the similar trend observed between the experimental rate of fusion nucleation and the surface occupied by hydrophobic defects obtained by molecular simulations. The synergy of dual-process, activation energy and nucleation kinetics, could facilitate membrane fusion regulation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire François-Martin
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure, ENS, CNRS, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Amélie Bacle
- Laboratoire Coopératif "Lipotoxicity and Channelopathies-ConicMeds", Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - James E Rothman
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.,Nanobiology Institute, Yale School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, United States
| | - Patrick F J Fuchs
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), CNRS, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Sorbonne Université, PSL Research University, Paris, France.,UFR Sciences Du Vivant, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Pincet
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure, ENS, CNRS, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
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28
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Caparotta M, Puiatti M, Masone D. Artificial stabilization of the fusion pore by intra-organelle styrene-maleic acid copolymers. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:8314-8321. [PMID: 34550159 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00978h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Styrene-maleic acid copolymers have become an advantageous detergent-free alternative for membrane protein isolation. Since their discovery, experimental membrane protein extraction and purification by keeping intact their lipid environment has become significantly easier. With the aim of identifying new applications of these interesting copolymers, their molecular binding and functioning mechanisms have recently become intense objects of study. In this work, we describe the use of styrene-maleic acid copolymers as an artificial tool to stabilize the fusion pore. We show that when these copolymers circumscribe the water channel that defines the fusion pore, they keep it from shrinking and closing. We describe how only intra-organelle copolymers have stabilizing capabilities while extra-organelle ones have negligible or even contrary effects on the fusion pore life-time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Caparotta
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Puiatti
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-Química de Córdoba (INFIQC) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Diego Masone
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500, Mendoza, Argentina.
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29
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Wei C, Pohorille A. Fast bilayer-micelle fusion mediated by hydrophobic dipeptides. Biophys J 2021; 120:2330-2342. [PMID: 33887225 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
To understand the transition from inanimate matter to life, we studied a process that directly couples simple metabolism to evolution via natural selection, demonstrated experimentally by Adamala and Szostak. In this process, dipeptides synthesized inside precursors of cells promote absorption of fatty acid micelles to vesicles, inducing their preferential growth and division at the expense of other vesicles. The process is explained on the basis of coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, each extending for tens of microseconds, carried out to model fusion between a micelle and a membrane, both made of fatty acids in the absence and presence of hydrophobic dipeptides. In all systems with dipeptides, but not in their absence, fusion events were observed. They involve the formation of a stalk made by hydrophobic chains from the micelle and the membrane, similar to that postulated for vesicle-vesicle fusion. The emergence of a stalk is facilitated by transient clusters of dipeptides, side chains of which form hydrophobic patches at the membrane surface. Committor probability calculations indicate that the size of a patch is a suitable reaction coordinate and allows for identifying the transition state for fusion. Free-energy barrier to fusion is greatly reduced in the presence of dipeptides to only 4-5 kcal/mol, depending on the hydrophobicity of side chains. The mechanism of mediated fusion, which is expected to apply to other small peptides and hydrophobic molecules, provides a robust means by which a nascent metabolism can confer evolutionary advantage to precursors of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Wei
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Andrew Pohorille
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
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30
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Hub JS. Joint Reaction Coordinate for Computing the Free-Energy Landscape of Pore Nucleation and Pore Expansion in Lipid Membranes. J Chem Theory Comput 2021; 17:1229-1239. [PMID: 33427469 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.0c01134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Topological transitions of membranes, such as pore formation or membrane fusion, play key roles in biology, biotechnology, and in medical applications. Calculating the related free-energy landscapes has been complicated by the fact that such processes involve a sequence of transitions along highly distinct directions in conformational space, making it difficult to define good reaction coordinates (RCs) for the overall process. In this study, a new RC capable of driving both pore nucleation and pore expansion in lipid membranes is presented. The potential of mean force (PMF) along the RC computed with molecular dynamics simulations provides a comprehensive view on the free-energy landscape of pore formation, including a barrier for pore nucleation; the size, free energy, and metastability of the open pore; and the energetic cost for further pore expansion against the line tension of the pore rim. The RC is illustrated by quantifying the effects of (i) simulation system size and (ii) the addition of dimethyl sulfoxide on the free-energy landscape of pore formation. PMF calculations along the RC provide mechanistic and energetic understanding of pore formation, hence they will be useful to rationalize the effects of membrane-active peptides, electric fields, and membrane composition on transmembrane pores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen S Hub
- Theoretical Physics and Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken D-66123, Germany
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31
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Smirnova YG, Müller M. How does curvature affect the free-energy barrier of stalk formation? Small vesicles vs apposing, planar membranes. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2021; 50:253-264. [PMID: 33547940 PMCID: PMC8071802 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-020-01494-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Using molecular simulations of POPC lipids in conjunction with the calculation of the Minimum Free-Energy Path (MFEP), we study the effect of strong membrane curvature on the formation of the first fusion intermediate—the stalk between a vesicle and its periodic image. We find that the thermodynamic stability of this hourglass-shaped, hydrophobic connection between two vesicles is largely increased by the strong curvature of small vesicles, whereas the intrinsic barrier to form a stalk, i.e., associated with dimple formation and lipid tails protrusions, is similar to the case of two, apposing, planar membranes. A significant reduction of the barrier of stalk formation, however, stems from the lower dehydration free energy that is required to bring highly curved vesicle into a distance, at which stalk formation may occur, compared to the case of apposing, planar membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y G Smirnova
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg-August University, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - M Müller
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg-August University, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
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32
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Borkotoky S, Dey D, Banerjee M. Computational Insight Into the Mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 Membrane Fusion. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:423-431. [PMID: 33412850 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c01231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Membrane fusion, a key step in the early stages of virus propagation, allows the release of the viral genome in the host cell cytoplasm. The process is initiated by fusion peptides that are small, hydrophobic components of viral membrane-embedded glycoproteins and are typically conserved within virus families. Here, we attempted to identify the correct fusion peptide region in the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 by all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of dual membrane systems with varied oligomeric units of putative candidate peptides. Of all of the systems tested, only a trimeric unit of a 40-amino-acid region (residues 816-855 of SARS-CoV-2 Spike) was effective in triggering the initial stages of membrane fusion, within 200 ns of simulation time. Association of this trimeric unit with dual membranes resulted in the migration of lipids from the upper leaflet of the lower bilayer toward the lower leaflet of the upper bilayer to create a structural unit reminiscent of a fusion bridge. We submit that residues 816-855 of Spike represent the bona fide fusion peptide of SARS-CoV-2 and that computational methods represent an effective way to identify fusion peptides in viral glycoproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhomoi Borkotoky
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Debajit Dey
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Manidipa Banerjee
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
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33
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Risselada HJ, Grubmüller H. How proteins open fusion pores: insights from molecular simulations. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2020; 50:279-293. [PMID: 33340336 PMCID: PMC8071795 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-020-01484-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fusion proteins can play a versatile and involved role during all stages of the fusion reaction. Their roles go far beyond forcing the opposing membranes into close proximity to drive stalk formation and fusion. Molecular simulations have played a central role in providing a molecular understanding of how fusion proteins actively overcome the free energy barriers of the fusion reaction up to the expansion of the fusion pore. Unexpectedly, molecular simulations have revealed a preference of the biological fusion reaction to proceed through asymmetric pathways resulting in the formation of, e.g., a stalk-hole complex, rim-pore, or vertex pore. Force-field based molecular simulations are now able to directly resolve the minimum free-energy path in protein-mediated fusion as well as quantifying the free energies of formed reaction intermediates. Ongoing developments in Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), free energy calculations, and coarse-grained force-fields will soon gain additional insights into the diverse roles of fusion proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Jelger Risselada
- Department of Theoretical Physics, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. .,Leiden University, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Helmut Grubmüller
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Theoretical and Computational Biophysics Department, Göttingen, Germany
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34
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Endter LJ, Risselada HJ. Where are those lipid nano rings? J Colloid Interface Sci 2020; 587:789-796. [PMID: 33246654 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Highly curved toroidal micelles with diameters as small as 100 nm have been successfully constructed by self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers. These structures may have potential applications in gene or drug delivery. Experimental observations suggest that toroidal micelles likely originate from spherical or disc-like micelles which are tricked into forming toroidal micelles upon external stimuli ('smart' materials). Since self-assembly of polymeric and lipid surfactants is guided by the same physical principles, we hypothesize that 'smart' lipid surfactants can be equivalently tricked into forming highly curved toroidal micelles that are tenfold smaller (≃10 nm diameter). Paradoxically, these 'nano rings' have never been observed. Using coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in conjunction with a state-of-the-art free energy calculation method (a string method), we illustrate how a thermo-responsive lipid surfactant is able to form toroidal micelles. These micelles originate from disc-like micelles that are spontaneously perforated upon heat shocking, thereby supporting a longstanding hypothesis on the possible origin of polymeric toroidal micelle phases observed in experiments. We illustrate that kinetically stable 'nano rings' are substantially shorter lived than their tenfold larger polymeric analogs. The estimated life-time (milliseconds) is in fact similar to the characteristic breaking time of the corresponding worm-like micelle. Finally, we resolve the characteristic finger print which 'nano rings' leave in time-resolved X-ray spectra and illustrate how the uptake of small DNA fragments may enhance their stability. Despite a shared kinetics of self-assembly, length scale dependent differences in the life-time of surfactant phases can occur when phases are kinetically rather than thermodynamically stable. This results in the apparent absence or presence of toroidal micelle phases on different length scales. Our theoretical work precisely illustrates that the universality of surfactants nevertheless remains conserved even at different length scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Josefine Endter
- Georg-August University Göttingen, Institute for Theoretical Physics, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Herre Jelger Risselada
- Georg-August University Göttingen, Institute for Theoretical Physics, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Leiden University, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), 2311 Leiden, Netherlands.
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35
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Lousa D, Pinto ART, Campos SRR, Baptista AM, Veiga AS, Castanho MARB, Soares CM. Effect of pH on the influenza fusion peptide properties unveiled by constant-pH molecular dynamics simulations combined with experiment. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20082. [PMID: 33208852 PMCID: PMC7674464 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77040-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The influenza virus fusion process, whereby the virus fuses its envelope with the host endosome membrane to release the genetic material, takes place in the acidic late endosome environment. Acidification triggers a large conformational change in the fusion protein, hemagglutinin (HA), which enables the insertion of the N-terminal region of the HA2 subunit, known as the fusion peptide, into the membrane of the host endosome. However, the mechanism by which pH modulates the molecular properties of the fusion peptide remains unclear. To answer this question, we performed the first constant-pH molecular dynamics simulations of the influenza fusion peptide in a membrane, extending for 40 µs of aggregated time. The simulations were combined with spectroscopic data, which showed that the peptide is twofold more active in promoting lipid mixing of model membranes at pH 5 than at pH 7.4. The realistic treatment of protonation introduced by the constant-pH molecular dynamics simulations revealed that low pH stabilizes a vertical membrane-spanning conformation and leads to more frequent contacts between the fusion peptide and the lipid headgroups, which may explain the increase in activity. The study also revealed that the N-terminal region is determinant for the peptide’s effect on the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Lousa
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal.
| | - Antónia R T Pinto
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara R R Campos
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - António M Baptista
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ana S Veiga
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel A R B Castanho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cláudio M Soares
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal.
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36
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Caparotta M, Tomes CN, Mayorga LS, Masone D. The Synaptotagmin-1 C2B Domain Is a Key Regulator in the Stabilization of the Fusion Pore. J Chem Theory Comput 2020; 16:7840-7851. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.0c00734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Caparotta
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Mendoza 5500, Argentina
| | - Claudia N. Tomes
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Mendoza 5500, Argentina
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Mendoza 5500, Argentina
| | - Luis S. Mayorga
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Mendoza 5500, Argentina
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Mendoza 5500, Argentina
| | - Diego Masone
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Mendoza 5500, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Mendoza 5500, Argentina
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37
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Belardi B, Son S, Felce JH, Dustin ML, Fletcher DA. Cell-cell interfaces as specialized compartments directing cell function. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2020; 21:750-764. [PMID: 33093672 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-00298-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell interfaces are found throughout multicellular organisms, from transient interactions between motile immune cells to long-lived cell-cell contacts in epithelia. Studies of immune cell interactions, epithelial cell barriers, neuronal contacts and sites of cell-cell fusion have identified a core set of features shared by cell-cell interfaces that critically control their function. Data from diverse cell types also show that cells actively and passively regulate the localization, strength, duration and cytoskeletal coupling of receptor interactions governing cell-cell signalling and physical connections between cells, indicating that cell-cell interfaces have a unique membrane organization that emerges from local molecular and cellular mechanics. In this Review, we discuss recent findings that support the emerging view of cell-cell interfaces as specialized compartments that biophysically constrain the arrangement and activity of their protein, lipid and glycan components. We also review how these biophysical features of cell-cell interfaces allow cells to respond with high selectivity and sensitivity to multiple inputs, serving as the basis for wide-ranging cellular functions. Finally, we consider how the unique properties of cell-cell interfaces present opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Belardi
- Department of Bioengineering & Biophysics Program, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sungmin Son
- Department of Bioengineering & Biophysics Program, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel A Fletcher
- Department of Bioengineering & Biophysics Program, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA. .,Division of Biological Systems & Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA. .,Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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38
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Quantitative Synaptic Biology: A Perspective on Techniques, Numbers and Expectations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197298. [PMID: 33023247 PMCID: PMC7582872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapses play a central role for the processing of information in the brain and have been analyzed in countless biochemical, electrophysiological, imaging, and computational studies. The functionality and plasticity of synapses are nevertheless still difficult to predict, and conflicting hypotheses have been proposed for many synaptic processes. In this review, we argue that the cause of these problems is a lack of understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics of key synaptic components. Fortunately, a number of emerging imaging approaches, going beyond super-resolution, should be able to provide required protein positions in space at different points in time. Mathematical models can then integrate the resulting information to allow the prediction of the spatiotemporal dynamics. We argue that these models, to deal with the complexity of synaptic processes, need to be designed in a sufficiently abstract way. Taken together, we suggest that a well-designed combination of imaging and modelling approaches will result in a far more complete understanding of synaptic function than currently possible.
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39
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Endter LJ, Smirnova Y, Risselada HJ. Density Field Thermodynamic Integration (DFTI): A "Soft" Approach to Calculate the Free Energy of Surfactant Self-Assemblies. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:6775-6785. [PMID: 32631061 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c03982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Thermodynamic integration is one of the most established methods to quantify excess free energies between different metastable states. Excess intermolecular interactions in surfactant assemblies are on the scale of the energy of thermal fluctuations. Therefore, these materials can be deformed and topologically altered via relatively small mechanical stresses. It is thus intuitive to design reaction paths and associated order parameters that exploit the "soft" nature of these materials to mechanically rather than alchemically morph surfactant assemblies from state to state. Here, we propose a novel method coined "density field thermodynamic integration" (DFTI) that adopts the universality and transferability of alchemical methods while simultaneously exploiting the soft excess interactions between surfactant molecules. DFTI was designed for a rapid quantification of the free energy differences between different metastable structures in soft fluid materials. The DFTI method uses an external field coupled to the local density to mechanically morph the system between metastable states of interest. Here, we explored the capability of the DFTI method to swiftly and accurately calculate free energy differences between states. To this aim, we studied two different coarse-grained lipidic surfactant systems: (i) a fusion stalk and (ii) a worm-like micelle. Our results illustrate that DFTI can provide an efficient, versatile, and rather reliable method to calculate the free energy differences between surfactant assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Josefine Endter
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg-August University, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yuliya Smirnova
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg-August University, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Herre Jelger Risselada
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg-August University, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.,Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), University of Leiden, 2311 Leiden,The Netherlands.,Chemical Deptartment, Leibniz Institute of Surface Modifications, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
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40
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SNAREs, tethers and SM proteins: how to overcome the final barriers to membrane fusion? Biochem J 2020; 477:243-258. [PMID: 31951000 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20190050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Physiological membrane vesicles are built to separate reaction spaces in a stable manner, even when they accidentally collide or are kept in apposition by spatial constraints in the cell. This requires a natural resistance to fusion and mixing of their content, which originates from substantial energetic barriers to membrane fusion [1]. To facilitate intracellular membrane fusion reactions in a controlled manner, proteinaceous fusion machineries have evolved. An important open question is whether protein fusion machineries actively pull the fusion reaction over the present free energy barriers, or whether they rather catalyze fusion by lowering those barriers. At first sight, fusion proteins such as SNARE complexes and viral fusion proteins appear to act as nano-machines, which mechanically transduce force to the membranes and thereby overcome the free energy barriers [2,3]. Whether fusion proteins additionally alter the free energy landscape of the fusion reaction via catalytic roles is less obvious. This is a question that we shall discuss in this review, with particular focus on the influence of the eukaryotic SNARE-dependent fusion machinery on the final step of the reaction, the formation and expansion of the fusion pore.
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41
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Dhara M, Mantero Martinez M, Makke M, Schwarz Y, Mohrmann R, Bruns D. Synergistic actions of v-SNARE transmembrane domains and membrane-curvature modifying lipids in neurotransmitter release. eLife 2020; 9:e55152. [PMID: 32391794 PMCID: PMC7239655 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Vesicle fusion is mediated by assembly of SNARE proteins between opposing membranes. While previous work suggested an active role of SNARE transmembrane domains (TMDs) in promoting membrane merger (Dhara et al., 2016), the underlying mechanism remained elusive. Here, we show that naturally-occurring v-SNARE TMD variants differentially regulate fusion pore dynamics in mouse chromaffin cells, indicating TMD flexibility as a mechanistic determinant that facilitates transmitter release from differentially-sized vesicles. Membrane curvature-promoting phospholipids like lysophosphatidylcholine or oleic acid profoundly alter pore expansion and fully rescue the decelerated fusion kinetics of TMD-rigidifying VAMP2 mutants. Thus, v-SNARE TMDs and phospholipids cooperate in supporting membrane curvature at the fusion pore neck. Oppositely, slowing of pore kinetics by the SNARE-regulator complexin-2 withstands the curvature-driven speeding of fusion, indicating that pore evolution is tightly coupled to progressive SNARE complex formation. Collectively, TMD-mediated support of membrane curvature and SNARE force-generated membrane bending promote fusion pore formation and expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhurima Dhara
- Institute for Physiology, Center of Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland UniversityHomburgGermany
| | - Maria Mantero Martinez
- Institute for Physiology, Center of Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland UniversityHomburgGermany
| | - Mazen Makke
- Institute for Physiology, Center of Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland UniversityHomburgGermany
| | - Yvonne Schwarz
- Institute for Physiology, Center of Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland UniversityHomburgGermany
| | - Ralf Mohrmann
- Institute for Physiology, Otto-von-Guericke UniversityMagdeburgGermany
| | - Dieter Bruns
- Institute for Physiology, Center of Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland UniversityHomburgGermany
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42
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Bruininks BM, Souza PC, Ingolfsson H, Marrink SJ. A molecular view on the escape of lipoplexed DNA from the endosome. eLife 2020; 9:52012. [PMID: 32297853 PMCID: PMC7170654 DOI: 10.7554/elife.52012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of non-viral vectors for in vivo gene therapy could drastically increase safety, whilst reducing the cost of preparing the vectors. A promising approach to non-viral vectors makes use of DNA/cationic liposome complexes (lipoplexes) to deliver the genetic material. Here we use coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying efficient DNA transfer from lipoplexes. Our computational fusion experiments of lipoplexes with endosomal membrane models show two distinct modes of transfection: parallel and perpendicular. In the parallel fusion pathway, DNA aligns with the membrane surface, showing very quick release of genetic material shortly after the initial fusion pore is formed. The perpendicular pathway also leads to transfection, but release is slower. We further show that the composition and size of the lipoplex, as well as the lipid composition of the endosomal membrane, have a significant impact on fusion efficiency in our models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Mh Bruininks
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh, Netherlands
| | - Paulo Ct Souza
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh, Netherlands
| | - Helgi Ingolfsson
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh, Netherlands
| | - Siewert J Marrink
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh, Netherlands
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43
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van Hilten N, Stroh KS, Risselada HJ. Membrane Thinning Induces Sorting of Lipids and the Amphipathic Lipid Packing Sensor (ALPS) Protein Motif. Front Physiol 2020; 11:250. [PMID: 32372966 PMCID: PMC7177014 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneities (e.g., membrane proteins and lipid domains) and deformations (e.g., highly curved membrane regions) in biological lipid membranes cause lipid packing defects that may trigger functional sorting of lipids and membrane-associated proteins. To study these phenomena in a controlled and efficient way within molecular simulations, we developed an external field protocol that artificially enhances packing defects in lipid membranes by enforcing local thinning of a flat membrane region. For varying lipid compositions, we observed strong thinning-induced depletion or enrichment, depending on the lipid's intrinsic shape and its effect on a membrane's elastic modulus. In particular, polyunsaturated and lysolipids are strongly attracted to regions high in packing defects, whereas phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) lipids and cholesterol are strongly repelled from it. Our results indicate that externally imposed changes in membrane thickness, area, and curvature are underpinned by shared membrane elastic principles. The observed sorting toward the thinner membrane region is in line with the sorting expected for a positively curved membrane region. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the amphipathic lipid packing sensor (ALPS) protein motif, a known curvature and packing defect sensor, is effectively attracted to thinner membrane regions. By extracting the force that drives amphipathic molecules toward the thinner region, our thinning protocol can directly quantify and score the lipid packing sensing of different amphipathic molecules. In this way, our protocol paves the way toward high-throughput exploration of potential defect- and curvature-sensing motifs, making it a valuable addition to the molecular simulation toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niek van Hilten
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Kai Steffen Stroh
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Herre Jelger Risselada
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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44
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Influenza hemagglutinin drives viral entry via two sequential intramembrane mechanisms. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:7200-7207. [PMID: 32188780 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1914188117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Enveloped viruses enter cells via a process of membrane fusion between the viral envelope and a cellular membrane. For influenza virus, mutational data have shown that the membrane-inserted portions of the hemagglutinin protein play a critical role in achieving fusion. In contrast to the relatively well-understood ectodomain, a predictive mechanistic understanding of the intramembrane mechanisms by which influenza hemagglutinin drives fusion has been elusive. We used molecular dynamics simulations of fusion between a full-length hemagglutinin proteoliposome and a lipid bilayer to analyze these mechanisms. In our simulations, hemagglutinin first acts within the membrane to increase lipid tail protrusion and promote stalk formation and then acts to engage the distal leaflets of each membrane and promote stalk widening, curvature, and eventual fusion. These two sequential mechanisms, one occurring before stalk formation and one after, are consistent with our experimental measurements of single-virus fusion kinetics to liposomes of different sizes. The resulting model also helps explain and integrate previous mutational and biophysical data, particularly the mutational sensitivity of the fusion peptide N terminus and the length sensitivity of the transmembrane domain. We hypothesize that entry by other enveloped viruses may also use sequential processes of acyl tail exposure, followed by membrane curvature and distal leaflet engagement.
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45
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Müller M. Process-directed self-assembly of copolymers: Results of and challenges for simulation studies. Prog Polym Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2019.101198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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46
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Han Y, Xu Z, Shi AC, Zhang L. Pathways connecting two opposed bilayers with a fusion pore: a molecularly-informed phase field approach. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:366-374. [PMID: 31799560 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm01983a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A phase field model with two phase fields, representing the concentration and the head-tail separation of amphiphilic molecules, respectively, has been constructed using an extension of the Ohta-Kawasaki model (Macromolecules, 1986, 19, 2621-2632). It is shown that this molecularly-informed phase field model is capable of producing various self-assembled amphiphilic aggregates, such as bilayers, vesicles and micelles. Furthermore, pathways connecting two opposed bilayers with a fusion pore are obtained by using a combination of the phase field model and the string method. Multiple fusion pathways, including a classical pathway and a leaky pathway, have been obtained depending on the initial separation of the two bilayers. The study shed light on the understanding of the membrane fusion pathways and, more importantly, laid a foundation for further investigation of more complex membrane morphologies and transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucen Han
- Beijing International Center for Mathematical Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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47
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Pinto D, Fenwick C, Caillat C, Silacci C, Guseva S, Dehez F, Chipot C, Barbieri S, Minola A, Jarrossay D, Tomaras GD, Shen X, Riva A, Tarkowski M, Schwartz O, Bruel T, Dufloo J, Seaman MS, Montefiori DC, Lanzavecchia A, Corti D, Pantaleo G, Weissenhorn W. Structural Basis for Broad HIV-1 Neutralization by the MPER-Specific Human Broadly Neutralizing Antibody LN01. Cell Host Microbe 2019; 26:623-637.e8. [PMID: 31653484 PMCID: PMC6854463 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2019.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are the hallmark of HIV-1 protection by vaccination. The membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of the HIV-1 gp41 fusion protein is targeted by the most broadly reactive HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies. Here, we examine the structural and molecular mechansims of neutralization by anti-MPER bnAb, LN01, which was isolated from lymph-node-derived germinal center B cells of an elite controller and exhibits broad neutralization breadth. LN01 engages both MPER and the transmembrane (TM) region, which together form a continuous helix in complex with LN01. The tilted TM orientation allows LN01 to interact simultaneously with the peptidic component of the MPER epitope and membrane via two specific lipid binding sites of the antibody paratope. Although LN01 carries a high load of somatic mutations, most key residues interacting with the MPER epitope and lipids are germline encoded, lending support for the LN01 epitope as a candidate for lineage-based vaccine development. bNAb LN01 neutralizes 92% of a 118-strain virus panel LN01 targets the HIV-1 gp41 MPER, the TM region, and lipids LN01-complexed MPER forms a continuous helix with TM Most LN01 paratope residues interacting with MPER-TM and lipids are germline encoded
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Pinto
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona 6500, Ticino, Switzerland
| | - Craig Fenwick
- Swiss Vaccine Research Institute, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Caillat
- Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), University Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Chiara Silacci
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona 6500, Ticino, Switzerland
| | - Serafima Guseva
- Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), University Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - François Dehez
- LPCT, UMR 7019 Université de Lorraine CNRS, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France; Laboratoire International Associé CNRS and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, LPCT, UMR 7019 Universiteé de Lorraine CNRS, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy 54500, France
| | - Christophe Chipot
- LPCT, UMR 7019 Université de Lorraine CNRS, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France; Laboratoire International Associé CNRS and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, LPCT, UMR 7019 Universiteé de Lorraine CNRS, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy 54500, France; Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Sonia Barbieri
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona 6500, Ticino, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Minola
- Humabs Biomed SA, Vir Biotechnology, 6500 Bellinzona, Ticino, Switzerland
| | - David Jarrossay
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona 6500, Ticino, Switzerland
| | - Georgia D Tomaras
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Paris Diderot University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris 75013, France
| | | | - Agostino Riva
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Università di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy; III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Maciej Tarkowski
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Università di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Olivier Schwartz
- Institut Pasteur, Virus & Immunity Unit, CNRS UMR 3569, Paris 75015, France; Vaccine Research Institute, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Timothée Bruel
- Institut Pasteur, Virus & Immunity Unit, CNRS UMR 3569, Paris 75015, France; Vaccine Research Institute, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Jérémy Dufloo
- Institut Pasteur, Virus & Immunity Unit, CNRS UMR 3569, Paris 75015, France; Vaccine Research Institute, 94000 Créteil, France; Paris Diderot University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris 75013, France
| | - Michael S Seaman
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - David C Montefiori
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - Davide Corti
- Humabs Biomed SA, Vir Biotechnology, 6500 Bellinzona, Ticino, Switzerland.
| | - Giuseppe Pantaleo
- Swiss Vaccine Research Institute, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; Service of Immunology and Allergy, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Winfried Weissenhorn
- Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), University Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, 38000 Grenoble, France.
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48
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Fiorin G, Marinelli F, Faraldo-Gómez JD. Direct Derivation of Free Energies of Membrane Deformation and Other Solvent Density Variations From Enhanced Sampling Molecular Dynamics. J Comput Chem 2019; 41:449-459. [PMID: 31602694 DOI: 10.1002/jcc.26075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We report a methodology to calculate the free energy of a shape transformation in a lipid membrane directly from a molecular dynamics simulation. The bilayer need not be homogeneous or symmetric and can be atomically detailed or coarse grained. The method is based on a collective variable that quantifies the similarity between the membrane and a set of predefined density distributions. Enhanced sampling of this "Multi-Map" variable re-shapes the bilayer and permits the derivation of the corresponding potential of mean force. Calculated energies thus reflect the dynamic interplay of atoms and molecules, rather than postulated effects. Evaluation of deformations of different shape, amplitude, and range demonstrates that the macroscopic bending modulus assumed by the Helfrich-Canham model is increasingly unsuitable below the 100-Å scale. In this range of major biological significance, direct free-energy calculations reveal a much greater plasticity. We also quantify the stiffening effect of cholesterol on bilayers of different composition and compare with experiments. Lastly, we illustrate how this approach facilitates analysis of other solvent reorganization processes, such as hydrophobic hydration. Published 2019. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Fiorin
- Theoretical Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814
| | - Fabrizio Marinelli
- Theoretical Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814
| | - José D Faraldo-Gómez
- Theoretical Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814
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49
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Curvature induction and sensing of the F-BAR protein Pacsin1 on lipid membranes via molecular dynamics simulations. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14557. [PMID: 31601944 PMCID: PMC6787258 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51202-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
F-Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (F-BAR) domain proteins play essential roles in biological processes that involve membrane remodelling, such as endocytosis and exocytosis. It has been shown that such proteins transform the lipid membrane into tubes. Notably, Pacsin1 from the Pacsin/Syndapin subfamily has the ability to transform the membrane into various morphologies: striated tubes, featureless wide and thin tubes, and pearling vesicles. The molecular mechanism of this interesting ability remains elusive. In this study, we performed all-atom (AA) and coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the curvature induction and sensing mechanisms of Pacsin1 on a membrane. From AA simulations, we show that Pacsin1 has internal structural flexibility. In CG simulations with parameters tuned from the AA simulations, spontaneous assembly of two Pacsin1 dimers through lateral interaction is observed. Based on the complex structure, we show that the regularly assembled Pacsin1 dimers bend a tensionless membrane. We also show that a single Pacsin1 dimer senses the membrane curvature, binding to a buckled membrane with a preferred curvature. These results provide molecular insights into polymorphic membrane remodelling.
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50
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Zhang S, Fu L, Wan M, Song J, Gao L, Fang W. Peripheral Antimicrobial Peptide Gomesin Induces Membrane Protrusion, Folding, and Laceration. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:13233-13242. [PMID: 31510749 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b02175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Optical microscopy shows that the peripheral antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gomesin does not disrupt the bacterial membrane by forming stable transmembrane pores but induces lipid accumulation domains, which is followed by a sudden burst near the domains. The molecular action mechanisms of gomesin on vesicle and planar bilayer membranes are investigated in this work using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. By comparing the membrane morphology and property changes induced by gomesin and the pore-forming AMP melittin, we determined that the amphiphilic shape of the AMPs is a key factor affecting the mechanism of cell death. The binding of wedge-shaped gomesin, with a small hydrophobic surface, onto the membrane induces protrusion and folding of the outer monolayer followed by sudden membrane lacerations at the axillae of the protuberances. Alternatively, cylinder-shaped melittins with comparable hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces destroy membranes by forming stable pores coexisting with exocytosis-like buddings and endocytosis-like invaginations. The multiple actions of AMPs on the bacterial membrane suggest diverse paradigms for designing molecular carriers for delivering drugs to the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry , Beijing Normal University , 19 Xin-Jie-Kou-Wai Street , Beijing 100875 , China
| | - Lei Fu
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry , Beijing Normal University , 19 Xin-Jie-Kou-Wai Street , Beijing 100875 , China
| | - Mingwei Wan
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry , Beijing Normal University , 19 Xin-Jie-Kou-Wai Street , Beijing 100875 , China
| | - Junjie Song
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry , Beijing Normal University , 19 Xin-Jie-Kou-Wai Street , Beijing 100875 , China
| | - Lianghui Gao
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry , Beijing Normal University , 19 Xin-Jie-Kou-Wai Street , Beijing 100875 , China
| | - Weihai Fang
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry , Beijing Normal University , 19 Xin-Jie-Kou-Wai Street , Beijing 100875 , China
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