1
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Buhrke D, Lahav Y, Rao A, Ruf J, Schapiro I, Hamm P. Transient 2D IR Spectroscopy and Multiscale Simulations Reveal Vibrational Couplings in the Cyanobacteriochrome Slr1393-g3. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37450891 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c00896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes are bistable photoreceptor proteins with desirable photochemical properties for biotechnological applications, such as optogenetics or fluorescence microscopy. Here, we investigate Slr1393-g3, a cyanobacteriochrome that reversibly photoswitches between a red-absorbing (Pr) and green-absorbing (Pg) form. We applied advanced IR spectroscopic methods to track the sequence of intermediates during the photocycle over many orders of magnitude in time. In the conversion from Pg to Pr, we have revealed a new intermediate with distinct spectroscopic features in the IR, which precedes Pr formation using transient IR spectroscopy. In addition, stationary and transient 2D IR experiments measured the vibrational couplings between different groups of the chromophore and the protein in these intermediate states, as well as their structural disorder. Anharmonic QM/MM calculations predict spectra in good agreement with experimental 2D IR spectra of the initial and final states of the photocycle. They facilitate the assignment of the IR spectra that serve as a basis for the interpretation of the spectroscopic results and suggest structural changes of the intermediates along the photocycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Buhrke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Biology, Humboldt University Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Yigal Lahav
- Fritz Haber Center for Molecular Dynamics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401 Jerusalem, Israel
- MIGAL - Galilee Research Institute, 1101602 Kiryat Shmona, Israel
| | - Aditya Rao
- Fritz Haber Center for Molecular Dynamics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Jeannette Ruf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Igor Schapiro
- Fritz Haber Center for Molecular Dynamics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Peter Hamm
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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2
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Hildebrandt P. Vibrational Spectroscopy of Phytochromes. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1007. [PMID: 37371587 DOI: 10.3390/biom13061007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Phytochromes are biological photoswitches that translate light into physiological functions. Spectroscopic techniques are essential tools for molecular research into these photoreceptors. This review is directed at summarizing how resonance Raman and IR spectroscopy contributed to an understanding of the structure, dynamics, and reaction mechanism of phytochromes, outlining the substantial experimental and theoretical challenges and describing the strategies to master them. It is shown that the potential of the various vibrational spectroscopic techniques can be most efficiently exploited using integral approaches via a combination of theoretical methods as well as other experimental techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Hildebrandt
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, Sekr. PC 14, Straße des 17. Juni 135, D-10623 Berlin, Germany
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3
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Temperini ME, Polito R, Intze A, Gillibert R, Berkmann F, Baldassarre L, Giliberti V, Ortolani M. A mid-infrared laser microscope for the time-resolved study of light-induced protein conformational changes. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2023; 94:064102. [PMID: 37862502 DOI: 10.1063/5.0136676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
We have developed a confocal laser microscope operating in the mid-infrared range for the study of light-sensitive proteins, such as rhodopsins. The microscope features a co-aligned infrared and visible illumination path for the selective excitation and probing of proteins located in the IR focus only. An external-cavity tunable quantum cascade laser provides a wavelength tuning range (5.80-6.35 µm or 1570-1724 cm-1) suitable for studying protein conformational changes as a function of time delay after visible light excitation with a pulsed LED. Using cryogen-free detectors, the relative changes in the infrared absorption of rhodopsin thin films around 10-4 have been observed with a time resolution down to 30 ms. The measured full-width at half maximum of the Airy disk at λ = 6.08 µm in transmission mode with a confocal arrangement of apertures is 6.6 µm or 1.1λ. Dark-adapted sample replacement at the beginning of each photocycle is then enabled by exchanging the illuminated thin-film location with the microscope mapping stage synchronized to data acquisition and LED excitation and by averaging hundreds of time traces acquired in different nearby locations within a homogeneous film area. We demonstrate that this instrument provides crucial advantages for time-resolved IR studies of rhodopsin thin films with a slow photocycle. Time-resolved studies of inhomogeneous samples may also be possible with the presented instrument.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eleonora Temperini
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, Rome 00185, Italy
- Center for Life Nano & Neuro Science CL2NS, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Raffaella Polito
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Antonia Intze
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, Rome 00185, Italy
- Center for Life Nano & Neuro Science CL2NS, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Raymond Gillibert
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Fritz Berkmann
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Leonetta Baldassarre
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Valeria Giliberti
- Center for Life Nano & Neuro Science CL2NS, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Michele Ortolani
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, Rome 00185, Italy
- Center for Life Nano & Neuro Science CL2NS, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
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4
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Glotz G, Püschmann S, Haas M, Gescheidt G. Direct detection of photo-induced reactions by IR: from Brook rearrangement to photo-catalysis. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2023:10.1007/s43630-023-00406-4. [PMID: 36933157 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00406-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
In situ IR detection of photoreactions induced by the light of LEDs at appropriate wavelengths provides a simple, cost-effective, and versatile method to get insight into mechanistic details. In particular, conversions of functional groups can be selectively followed. Overlapping UV-Vis bands or fluorescence from the reactants and products and the incident light do not obstruct IR detection. Compared with in situ photo-NMR, our setup does not require tedious sample preparation (optical fibers) and offers a selective detection of reactions, even at positions where 1H-NMR lines overlap or 1H resonances are not clear-cut. We illustrate the applicability of our setup following the photo-Brook rearrangement of (adamant-1-yl-carbonyl)-tris(trimethylsilyl)silane, address photo-induced α-bond cleavage (1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone), study photoreduction using tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II), investigate photo-oxygenation of double bonds with molecular oxygen and the fluorescent 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium photocatalyst, and address photo-polymerization. With the LED/FT-IR combination, reactions can be qualitatively followed in fluid solution, (highly) viscous environments, and in the solid state. Viscosity changes during the reaction (e.g., during a polymerization) do not obstruct the method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Glotz
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9/II, 8010, Graz, Austria.
| | - Sabrina Püschmann
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9/IV, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Michael Haas
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9/IV, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Georg Gescheidt
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9/II, 8010, Graz, Austria
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5
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Zhang L, Wang K, Ning S, Pedersen PA, Duelli AS, Gourdon PE. Isolation and Crystallization of the D156C form of Optogenetic ChR2. Cells 2022; 11:cells11050895. [PMID: 35269517 PMCID: PMC8909857 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Channelrhodopsins (ChRs) are light-gated ion channels that are receiving increasing attention as optogenetic tools. Despite extensive efforts to gain understanding of how these channels function, the molecular events linking light absorption of the retinal cofactor to channel opening remain elusive. While dark-state structures of ChR2 or chimeric proteins have demonstrated the architecture of non-conducting states, there is a need for open- and desensitized-state structures to uncover the mechanistic principles underlying channel activity. To facilitate comprehensive structural studies of ChR2 in non-closed states, we report a production and purification procedure of the D156C form of ChR2, which displays prolonged channel opening compared to the wild type. We demonstrate considerable yields (0.45 mg/g fermenter cell culture) of recombinantly produced protein using S. cerevisiae, which is purified to high homogeneity both as opsin (retinal-free) and as functional ChR2 with added retinal. We also develop conditions that enable the growth of ChR2 crystals that scatter X-rays to 6 Å, and identify a molecular replacement solution that suggests that the packing is different from published structures. Consequently, our cost-effective production and purification pipeline opens the way for downstream structural studies of different ChR2 states, which may provide a foundation for further adaptation of this protein for optogenetic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liying Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.Z.); (K.W.); (A.S.D.)
| | - Kaituo Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.Z.); (K.W.); (A.S.D.)
| | - Shuo Ning
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China;
| | - Per Amstrup Pedersen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Annette Susanne Duelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.Z.); (K.W.); (A.S.D.)
| | - Pontus Emanuel Gourdon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.Z.); (K.W.); (A.S.D.)
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-50339990
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6
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Waeytens J, Turbant F, Arluison V, Raussens V, Wien F. Analysis of Bacterial Amyloid Interaction with Lipidic Membrane by Orientated Circular Dichroism and Infrared Spectroscopies. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2538:217-234. [PMID: 35951303 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2529-3_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), circular dichroism (CD), and orientated circular dichroism (OCD) are complementary spectroscopies widely used for the analysis of protein samples such as the amyloids commonly renowned as neurodegenerative agents. Determining the secondary structure content of proteins, such as aggregated β-sheets inside the amyloids and in various environments, including membranes and lipids, has made these techniques very valuable and complemental to high-resolution techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray crystallography, and cryo-electron microscopy. FTIR and CD are extremely sensitive to structural changes of proteins due to environmental changes. Furthermore, FTIR provides information on lipid modifications upon protein binding, whereas synchrotron radiation CD (SRCD) and OCD are sensitive to the subtle structural changes occurring in β-sheet-rich proteins and their orientation or alignment with lipid bilayers. FTIR and CD techniques allow the identification of parallel and antiparallel β-sheet content and are therefore complementary. In this chapter, we present FTIR and CD/OCD applications to study the interactions of bacterial amyloids with membranes and lipids. Moreover, we show how to decipher the spectroscopic signals to obtain information on the molecular structure of amyloids and their interaction with lipids, addressing potential amyloid insertion into membranes and the lipid bilayer adjustments observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jehan Waeytens
- Centre de Biologie structurale et de Bioinformatique, Structure et Fonction des Membranes Biologiques, Université libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
- Institut de Chimie Physique, CNRS UMR8000, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Florian Turbant
- Laboratoire Léon Brillouin LLB, CEA, CNRS UMR12, Université Paris Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Véronique Arluison
- Laboratoire Léon Brillouin LLB, CEA, CNRS UMR12, Université Paris Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Raussens
- Centre de Biologie structurale et de Bioinformatique, Structure et Fonction des Membranes Biologiques, Université libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium.
| | - Frank Wien
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
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7
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Bozovic O, Jankovic B, Hamm P. Using azobenzene photocontrol to set proteins in motion. Nat Rev Chem 2021; 6:112-124. [PMID: 37117294 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-021-00338-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Controlling the activity of proteins with azobenzene photoswitches is a potent tool for manipulating their biological function. With the help of light, it is possible to change binding affinities, control allostery or manipulate complex biological processes, for example. Additionally, owing to their intrinsically fast photoisomerization, azobenzene photoswitches can serve as triggers that initiate out-of-equilibrium processes. Such switching of the activity initiates a cascade of conformational events that can be accessed with time-resolved methods. In this Review, we show how the potency of azobenzene photoswitching can be combined with transient spectroscopic techniques to disclose the order of events and experimentally observe biomolecular interactions in real time. This strategy will further our understanding of how a protein can accommodate, adapt and readjust its structure to answer an incoming signal, revealing more of the dynamical character of proteins.
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8
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Buhrke D, Ruf J, Heckmeier P, Hamm P. A stop-flow sample delivery system for transient spectroscopy. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2021; 92:123001. [PMID: 34972444 DOI: 10.1063/5.0068227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A stop-flow sample delivery system for transient spectroscopy is presented, which is, in particular, suited for laser-based instruments (quantum-cascade lasers or amplified femtosecond lasers) with excitation pulse repetition rates in the range 10-100 Hz. Two pulsing micro-valves are mounted onto a flow cuvette designed for transient IR spectroscopy, which is integrated into a flow cycle driven by a peristaltic pump. The performance of the system is demonstrated with transient IR experiments of the trans-to-cis photoisomerization of a water-soluble azobenzene derivative. The sample stands still when the micro-valves are closed and is pushed out from the probe beam focus on a 1 ms timescale when opening the micro-valves. The setup is extremely sample efficient. It needs only small sample volumes, and at the same time, it enables excitation of a large fraction of molecules in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Buhrke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jeannette Ruf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Heckmeier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Peter Hamm
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
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9
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Pinto SMV, Tasinato N, Barone V, Zanetti-Polzi L, Daidone I. A computational insight into the relationship between side chain IR line shapes and local environment in fibril-like structures. J Chem Phys 2021; 154:084105. [PMID: 33639764 DOI: 10.1063/5.0038913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Infrared spectroscopy is a widely used technique to characterize protein structures and protein mediated processes. While the amide I band provides information on proteins' secondary structure, amino acid side chains are used as infrared probes for the investigation of protein reactions and local properties. In this paper, we use a hybrid quantum mechanical/classical molecular dynamical approach based on the perturbed matrix method to compute the infrared band due to the C=O stretching mode of amide-containing side chains. We calculate, at first, the infrared band of zwitterionic glutamine in water and obtain results in very good agreement with the experimental data. Then, we compute the signal arising from glutamine side chains in a microcrystal of the yeast prion Sup35-derived peptide, GNNQQNY, with a fibrillar structure. The infrared bands obtained by selective isotopic labeling of the two glutamine residues, Q4 and Q5, of each peptide were experimentally used to investigate the local hydration in the fibrillar microcrystal. The experimental spectra of the two glutamine residues, which experience different hydration environments, feature different spectral signals that are well reproduced by the corresponding calculated spectra. In addition, the analysis of the simulated spectra clarifies the molecular origin of the experimentally observed spectroscopic differences that arise from the different local electric field experienced by the two glutamine residues, which is, in turn, determined by a different hydrogen bonding pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M V Pinto
- Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicola Tasinato
- Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Barone
- Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Isabella Daidone
- Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, I-67100 L'Aquila, Italy
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10
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Poddar H, Heyes DJ, Schirò G, Weik M, Leys D, Scrutton NS. A guide to time-resolved structural analysis of light-activated proteins. FEBS J 2021; 289:576-595. [PMID: 33864718 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Dynamical changes in protein structures are essential for protein function and occur over femtoseconds to seconds timescales. X-ray free electron lasers have facilitated investigations of structural dynamics in proteins with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution. Light-activated proteins are attractive targets for time-resolved structural studies, as the reaction chemistry and associated protein structural changes can be triggered by short laser pulses. Proteins with different light-absorbing centres have evolved to detect light and harness photon energy to bring about downstream chemical and biological output responses. Following light absorption, rapid chemical/small-scale structural changes are typically localised around the chromophore. These localised changes are followed by larger structural changes propagated throughout the photoreceptor/photocatalyst that enables the desired chemical and/or biological output response. Time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) and solution scattering techniques enable direct visualisation of early chemical change in light-activated proteins on timescales previously inaccessible, whereas scattering gives access to slower timescales associated with more global structural change. Here, we review how advances in time-resolved SFX and solution scattering techniques have uncovered mechanisms of photochemistry and its coupling to output responses. We also provide a prospective on how these time-resolved structural approaches might impact on other photoreceptors/photoenzymes that have not yet been studied by these methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshwardhan Poddar
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Derren J Heyes
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Giorgio Schirò
- Institut de Biologie Structurale, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Grenoble, France
| | - Martin Weik
- Institut de Biologie Structurale, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Grenoble, France
| | - David Leys
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Nigel S Scrutton
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, UK
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11
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Hamm
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
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12
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Abstract
Infrared difference spectroscopy probes vibrational changes of proteins upon their perturbation. Compared with other spectroscopic methods, it stands out by its sensitivity to the protonation state, H-bonding, and the conformation of different groups in proteins, including the peptide backbone, amino acid side chains, internal water molecules, or cofactors. In particular, the detection of protonation and H-bonding changes in a time-resolved manner, not easily obtained by other techniques, is one of the most successful applications of IR difference spectroscopy. The present review deals with the use of perturbations designed to specifically change the protein between two (or more) functionally relevant states, a strategy often referred to as reaction-induced IR difference spectroscopy. In the first half of this contribution, I review the technique of reaction-induced IR difference spectroscopy of proteins, with special emphasis given to the preparation of suitable samples and their characterization, strategies for the perturbation of proteins, and methodologies for time-resolved measurements (from nanoseconds to minutes). The second half of this contribution focuses on the spectral interpretation. It starts by reviewing how changes in H-bonding, medium polarity, and vibrational coupling affect vibrational frequencies, intensities, and bandwidths. It is followed by band assignments, a crucial aspect mostly performed with the help of isotopic labeling and site-directed mutagenesis, and complemented by integration and interpretation of the results in the context of the studied protein, an aspect increasingly supported by spectral calculations. Selected examples from the literature, predominately but not exclusively from retinal proteins, are used to illustrate the topics covered in this review.
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13
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Ritter E, Puskar L, Kim SY, Park JH, Hofmann KP, Bartl F, Hegemann P, Schade U. Féry Infrared Spectrometer for Single-Shot Analysis of Protein Dynamics. J Phys Chem Lett 2019; 10:7672-7677. [PMID: 31763851 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b03099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Current submillisecond time-resolved broad-band infrared spectroscopy, one of the most frequently used techniques for studying structure-function relationships in life sciences, is typically limited to fast-cycling reactions that can be repeated thousands of times with high frequency. Notably, a majority of chemical and biological processes do not comply with this requirement. For example, the activation of vertebrate rhodopsin, a prototype of many protein receptors in biological organisms that mediate basic functions of life, including vision, smell, and taste, is irreversible. Here we present a dispersive single-shot Féry spectrometer setup that extends such spectroscopy to irreversible and slow-cycling systems by exploiting the unique properties of brilliant synchrotron infrared light combined with an advanced focal plane detector array embedded in a dispersive optical concept. We demonstrate our single-shot method on microbial actinorhodopsin with a slow photocycle and on vertebrate rhodopsin with irreversible activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eglof Ritter
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , Experimentelle Biophysik , 10115 Berlin , Germany
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , Biophysikalische Chemie , 10115 Berlin , Germany
| | - Ljiljana Puskar
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie , 12498 Berlin , Germany
| | - So Young Kim
- Chonbuk National University , Division of Biotechnology, Advanced Institute of Environment and Bioscience , 54596 Iksan , Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hee Park
- Chonbuk National University , Division of Biotechnology, Advanced Institute of Environment and Bioscience , 54596 Iksan , Republic of Korea
| | | | - Franz Bartl
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , Biophysikalische Chemie , 10115 Berlin , Germany
| | - Peter Hegemann
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , Experimentelle Biophysik , 10115 Berlin , Germany
| | - Ulrich Schade
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie , 12498 Berlin , Germany
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14
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Abbas MA, Pan Q, Mandon J, Cristescu SM, Harren FJM, Khodabakhsh A. Time-resolved mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17247. [PMID: 31754263 PMCID: PMC6872568 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53825-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dual-comb spectroscopy can provide broad spectral bandwidth and high spectral resolution in a short acquisition time, enabling time-resolved measurements. Specifically, spectroscopy in the mid-infrared wavelength range is of particular interest, since most of the molecules have their strongest rotational-vibrational transitions in this "fingerprint" region. Here we report time-resolved mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy, covering ~300 nm bandwidth around 3.3 μm with 6 GHz spectral resolution and 20 μs temporal resolution. As a demonstration, we study a CH4/He gas mixture in an electric discharge, while the discharge is modulated between dark and glow regimes. We simultaneously monitor the production of C2H6 and the vibrational excitation of CH4 molecules, observing the dynamics of both processes. This approach to broadband, high-resolution, and time-resolved mid-infrared spectroscopy provides a new tool for monitoring the kinetics of fast chemical reactions, with potential applications in various fields such as physical chemistry and plasma/combustion analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad A Abbas
- Trace Gas Research Group, Department of Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Qing Pan
- Trace Gas Research Group, Department of Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Julien Mandon
- Trace Gas Research Group, Department of Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Simona M Cristescu
- Trace Gas Research Group, Department of Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Frans J M Harren
- Trace Gas Research Group, Department of Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Amir Khodabakhsh
- Trace Gas Research Group, Department of Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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15
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Giliberti V, Polito R, Ritter E, Broser M, Hegemann P, Puskar L, Schade U, Zanetti-Polzi L, Daidone I, Corni S, Rusconi F, Biagioni P, Baldassarre L, Ortolani M. Tip-Enhanced Infrared Difference-Nanospectroscopy of the Proton Pump Activity of Bacteriorhodopsin in Single Purple Membrane Patches. NANO LETTERS 2019; 19:3104-3114. [PMID: 30950626 PMCID: PMC6745627 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Photosensitive proteins embedded in the cell membrane (about 5 nm thickness) act as photoactivated proton pumps, ion gates, enzymes, or more generally, as initiators of stimuli for the cell activity. They are composed of a protein backbone and a covalently bound cofactor (e.g. the retinal chromophore in bacteriorhodopsin (BR), channelrhodopsin, and other opsins). The light-induced conformational changes of both the cofactor and the protein are at the basis of the physiological functions of photosensitive proteins. Despite the dramatic development of microscopy techniques, investigating conformational changes of proteins at the membrane monolayer level is still a big challenge. Techniques based on atomic force microscopy (AFM) can detect electric currents through protein monolayers and even molecular binding forces in single-protein molecules but not the conformational changes. For the latter, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) using difference-spectroscopy mode is typically employed, but it is performed on macroscopic liquid suspensions or thick films containing large amounts of purified photosensitive proteins. In this work, we develop AFM-assisted, tip-enhanced infrared difference-nanospectroscopy to investigate light-induced conformational changes of the bacteriorhodopsin mutant D96N in single submicrometric native purple membrane patches. We obtain a significant improvement compared with the signal-to-noise ratio of standard IR nanospectroscopy techniques by exploiting the field enhancement in the plasmonic nanogap that forms between a gold-coated AFM probe tip and an ultraflat gold surface, as further supported by electromagnetic and thermal simulations. IR difference-spectra in the 1450-1800 cm-1 range are recorded from individual patches as thin as 10 nm, with a diameter of less than 500 nm, well beyond the diffraction limit for FTIR microspectroscopy. We find clear spectroscopic evidence of a branching of the photocycle for BR molecules in direct contact with the gold surfaces, with equal amounts of proteins either following the standard proton-pump photocycle or being trapped in an intermediate state not directly contributing to light-induced proton transport. Our results are particularly relevant for BR-based optoelectronic and energy-harvesting devices, where BR molecular monolayers are put in contact with metal surfaces, and, more generally, for AFM-based IR spectroscopy studies of conformational changes of proteins embedded in intrinsically heterogeneous native cell membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Giliberti
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Life NanoScience, Viale Regina Elena 291, I-00161 Roma, Italy
- E-mail:
| | - Raffaella Polito
- Department
of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Eglof Ritter
- Humboldt-Universität
zu Berlin, Institut für
Biologie, Invalidenstraße
42, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Broser
- Humboldt-Universität
zu Berlin, Institut für
Biologie, Invalidenstraße
42, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Hegemann
- Humboldt-Universität
zu Berlin, Institut für
Biologie, Invalidenstraße
42, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ljiljana Puskar
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Albert-Einstein-Str. 15, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schade
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Albert-Einstein-Str. 15, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Laura Zanetti-Polzi
- Department
of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University
of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, I-67010 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Isabella Daidone
- Department
of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University
of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, I-67010 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Stefano Corni
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, I-35131 Padova, Italy
- CNR
Institute
of Nanoscience, Via Campi
213/A, I-41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco Rusconi
- Dipartimento
di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Biagioni
- Dipartimento
di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Leonetta Baldassarre
- Department
of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Michele Ortolani
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Life NanoScience, Viale Regina Elena 291, I-00161 Roma, Italy
- Department
of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, I-00185 Roma, Italy
- E-mail:
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16
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Freitas RO, Deneke C, Maia FCB, Medeiros HG, Moreno T, Dumas P, Petroff Y, Westfahl H. Low-aberration beamline optics for synchrotron infrared nanospectroscopy. OPTICS EXPRESS 2018; 26:11238-11249. [PMID: 29716048 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.011238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Synchrotron infrared nanospectroscopy is a recently developed technique that enables new possibilities in the broadband chemical analysis of materials in the nanoscale, far beyond the diffraction limit in this frequency domain. Synchrotron infrared ports have exploited mainly the high brightness advantage provided by electron storage rings across the whole infrared range. However, optical aberrations in the beam produced by the source depth of bending magnet emission at large angles prevent infrared nanospectroscopy to reach its maximum capability. In this work we present a low-aberration optical layout specially designed and constructed for a dedicated synchrotron infrared nanospectroscopy beamline. We report excellent agreement between simulated beam profiles (from standard wave propagation and raytracing optics simulations) with experimental measurements. We report an important improvement in the infrared nanospectroscopy experiment related to the improved beamline optics. Finally, we demonstrate the performance of the nanospectroscopy endstation by measuring a hyperspectral image of a polar material and we evaluate the setup sensitivity by measuring ultra-thin polymer films down to 6 nm thick.
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17
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Guo Y, Wolff FE, Schapiro I, Elstner M, Marazzi M. Different hydrogen bonding environments of the retinal protonated Schiff base control the photoisomerization in channelrhodopsin-2. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:27501-27509. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cp05210g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The first event of the channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) photocycle, i.e. trans-to-cis photoisomerization, is studied by means of quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics, taking into account the flexible retinal environment in the ground state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Guo
- Department of Theoretical Chemical Biology
- Institute of Physical Chemistry
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- 76131 Karlsruhe
- Germany
| | - Franziska E. Wolff
- Department of Theoretical Chemical Biology
- Institute of Physical Chemistry
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- 76131 Karlsruhe
- Germany
| | - Igor Schapiro
- Fritz Haber Center for Molecular Dynamics Research
- Institute of Chemistry
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Jerusalem
- Israel
| | - Marcus Elstner
- Department of Theoretical Chemical Biology
- Institute of Physical Chemistry
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- 76131 Karlsruhe
- Germany
| | - Marco Marazzi
- Department of Theoretical Chemical Biology
- Institute of Physical Chemistry
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- 76131 Karlsruhe
- Germany
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18
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Giliberti V, Badioli M, Nucara A, Calvani P, Ritter E, Puskar L, Aziz EF, Hegemann P, Schade U, Ortolani M, Baldassarre L. Heterogeneity of the Transmembrane Protein Conformation in Purple Membranes Identified by Infrared Nanospectroscopy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2017; 13:1701181. [PMID: 28960799 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201701181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell membranes are intrinsically heterogeneous, as the local protein and lipid distribution is critical to physiological processes. Even in template systems embedding a single protein type, like purple membranes, there can be a different local response to external stimuli or environmental factors, resulting in heterogeneous conformational changes. Despite the dramatic advances of microspectroscopy techniques, the identification of the conformation heterogeneity is still a challenging task. Tip-enhanced infrared nanospectroscopy is here used to identify conformational changes connected to the hydration state of the transmembrane proteins contained in a 50 nm diameter cell membrane area, without the need for fluorescent labels. In dried purple membrane monolayers, areas with fully hydrated proteins are found among large numbers of molecules with randomly distributed hydration states. Infrared nanospectroscopy results are compared to the spectra obtained with diffraction-limited infrared techniques based on the use of synchrotron radiation, in which the diffraction limit still prevents the observation of nanoscale heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Giliberti
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Life NanoScience, Viale Regina Elena 291, I-00161, Roma, Italy
| | - Michela Badioli
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, I-00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessandro Nucara
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, I-00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Paolo Calvani
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, I-00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Eglof Ritter
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Biologie, Invalidenstraße 42, D-10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ljiljana Puskar
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Albert-Einstein-Str. 15, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Emad Flear Aziz
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Albert-Einstein-Str. 15, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Hegemann
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Biologie, Invalidenstraße 42, D-10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schade
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Albert-Einstein-Str. 15, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michele Ortolani
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, I-00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Leonetta Baldassarre
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Life NanoScience, Viale Regina Elena 291, I-00161, Roma, Italy
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, I-00185, Roma, Italy
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19
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Choosing the optimal spectroscopic toolkit to understand protein function. Biosci Rep 2017; 37:BSR20160378. [PMID: 28522552 PMCID: PMC5463260 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20160378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Spectroscopy was one of the earliest methods used to study the properties and reactions of proteins, and remains one of the most powerful and widely used approaches to this day. A sometimes bewildering range of spectroscopies is now available, applicable to different sample states, timescales and indeed biological questions. This editorial describes some of the most relevant spectroscopic methods together with a selection of illustrative examples.
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20
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Mezzetti A, Leibl W. Time-resolved infrared spectroscopy in the study of photosynthetic systems. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2017; 131:121-144. [PMID: 27678250 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-016-0305-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Time-resolved (TR) infrared (IR) spectroscopy in the nanosecond to second timescale has been extensively used, in the last 30 years, in the study of photosynthetic systems. Interesting results have also been obtained at lower time resolution (minutes or even hours). In this review, we first describe the used techniques-dispersive IR, laser diode IR, rapid-scan Fourier transform (FT)IR, step-scan FTIR-underlying the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. Then, the main TR-IR results obtained so far in the investigation of photosynthetic reactions (in reaction centers, in light-harvesting systems, but also in entire membranes or even in living organisms) are presented. Finally, after the general conclusions, the perspectives in the field of TR-IR applied to photosynthesis are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Mezzetti
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR 7197, Laboratoire de Réactivité de Surfaces, 4 Pl. Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France.
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule (I2BC), IBITECS, CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Winfried Leibl
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule (I2BC), IBITECS, CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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