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Stilgoe A, Favre-Bulle IA, Watson ML, Gomez-Godinez V, Berns MW, Preece D, Rubinsztein-Dunlop H. Shining Light in Mechanobiology: Optical Tweezers, Scissors, and Beyond. ACS PHOTONICS 2024; 11:917-940. [PMID: 38523746 PMCID: PMC10958612 DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.4c00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Mechanobiology helps us to decipher cell and tissue functions by looking at changes in their mechanical properties that contribute to development, cell differentiation, physiology, and disease. Mechanobiology sits at the interface of biology, physics and engineering. One of the key technologies that enables characterization of properties of cells and tissue is microscopy. Combining microscopy with other quantitative measurement techniques such as optical tweezers and scissors, gives a very powerful tool for unraveling the intricacies of mechanobiology enabling measurement of forces, torques and displacements at play. We review the field of some light based studies of mechanobiology and optical detection of signal transduction ranging from optical micromanipulation-optical tweezers and scissors, advanced fluorescence techniques and optogenentics. In the current perspective paper, we concentrate our efforts on elucidating interesting measurements of forces, torques, positions, viscoelastic properties, and optogenetics inside and outside a cell attained when using structured light in combination with optical tweezers and scissors. We give perspective on the field concentrating on the use of structured light in imaging in combination with tweezers and scissors pointing out how novel developments in quantum imaging in combination with tweezers and scissors can bring to this fast growing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander
B. Stilgoe
- School of
Mathematics and Physics, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
- ARC
CoE for Engineered Quantum Systems, The
University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
- ARC
CoE in Quantum Biotechnology, The University
of Queensland, 4074, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Itia A. Favre-Bulle
- School of
Mathematics and Physics, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
- Queensland
Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
| | - Mark L. Watson
- School of
Mathematics and Physics, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
- ARC
CoE for Engineered Quantum Systems, The
University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
| | - Veronica Gomez-Godinez
- Institute
of Engineering and Medicine, University
of California San Diego, San Diego, California 92093, United States
| | - Michael W. Berns
- Institute
of Engineering and Medicine, University
of California San Diego, San Diego, California 92093, United States
- Beckman
Laser Institute, University of California
Irvine, Irvine, California 92612, United States
| | - Daryl Preece
- Beckman
Laser Institute, University of California
Irvine, Irvine, California 92612, United States
| | - Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop
- School of
Mathematics and Physics, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
- ARC
CoE for Engineered Quantum Systems, The
University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
- ARC
CoE in Quantum Biotechnology, The University
of Queensland, 4074, Brisbane, Australia
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Forer A, Otsuka S. Structural evidence for elastic tethers connecting separating chromosomes in crane-fly spermatocytes. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202302303. [PMID: 37591724 PMCID: PMC10435969 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Different types of anaphase bridges are reported to form between segregating chromosomes during cell division. Previous studies using laser microsurgery suggested that elastic tethers connect the telomeres of separating anaphase chromosomes in many animal meiotic and mitotic cells. However, structural evidence is lacking for their existence. In this study, by correlating live imaging with electron tomography, we examined whether visible structures connect separating telomeres in meiosis I of crane-fly primary spermatocytes. We found structures extending between separating telomeres in all stages of anaphase. The structures consist of two components: one is darkly stained, looking somewhat like chromatin, whereas the other is more lightly stained, appearing filamentous. Although in early anaphase both structures extend between telomeres, in later anaphase, the darker structure extends shorter distances from the telomeres but the lighter structure still extends between the separating telomeres. From these observations, we deduced that these structures represent the "tethers" inferred from the laser-cutting experiments. Because elastic tethers have been detected in a variety of animal cells, they probably are present during anaphase in all animal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Forer
- Biology Department, York University, North York, Canada
| | - Shotaro Otsuka
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter Campus, Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Biochemistry, Vienna, Austria
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Warecki B, Bast I, Tajima M, Sullivan W. Connections between sister and non-sister telomeres of segregating chromatids maintain euploidy. Curr Biol 2023; 33:58-74.e5. [PMID: 36525974 PMCID: PMC9839490 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.038] [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: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The complete separation of sister chromatids during anaphase is a fundamental requirement for successful mitosis. Therefore, divisions with either persistent DNA-based connections or lagging chromosome fragments threaten aneuploidy if unresolved. Here, we demonstrate the existence of an anaphase mechanism in normally dividing cells in which pervasive connections between telomeres of segregating chromosomes aid in rescuing lagging chromosome fragments. We observe that in a large proportion of Drosophila melanogaster neuronal stem cell divisions, early anaphase sister and non-sister chromatids remain connected by thin telomeric DNA threads. Normally, these threads are resolved in mid-to-late anaphase via a spatial mechanism. However, we find that the presence of a nearby unrepaired DNA break recruits histones, BubR1 kinase, Polo kinase, Aurora B kinase, and BAF to the telomeric thread of the broken chromosome, stabilizing it. Stabilized connections then aid lagging chromosome rescue. These results suggest a model in which pervasive anaphase telomere-telomere connections that are normally resolved quickly can instead be stabilized to retain wayward chromosome fragments. Thus, the liability of persistent anaphase inter-chromosomal connections in normal divisions may be offset by their ability to maintain euploidy in the face of chromosome damage and genome loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandt Warecki
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.
| | - Ian Bast
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Matthew Tajima
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - William Sullivan
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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Forer A, Adil A, Berns MW. Blocking Protein Phosphatase 1 [PP1] Prevents Loss of Tether Elasticity in Anaphase Crane-Fly Spermatocytes. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:636746. [PMID: 34169091 PMCID: PMC8218814 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.636746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In normal anaphase cells, telomeres of each separating chromosome pair are connected to each other by tethers. Tethers are elastic at the start of anaphase: arm fragments cut from anaphase chromosomes in early anaphase move across the equator to the oppositely-moving chromosome, telomere moving toward telomere. Tethers become inelastic later in anaphase as the tethers become longer: arm fragments no longer move to their partners. When early anaphase cells are treated with Calyculin A (CalA), an inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 (PP1) and 2A (PP2A), at the end of anaphase chromosomes move backward from the poles, with telomeres moving toward partner telomeres. Experiments described herein show that in cells treated with CalA, backwards movements are stopped in a variety of ways, by cutting the tethers of backwards moving chromosomes, by severing arms of backwards moving chromosomes, by severing arms before the chromosomes reach the poles, and by cutting the telomere toward which a chromosome is moving backwards. Measurements of arm-fragment velocities show that CalA prevents tethers from becoming inelastic as they lengthen. Since treatment with CalA causes tethers to remain elastic throughout anaphase and since inhibitors of PP2A do not cause the backwards movements, PP1 activity during anaphase causes the tethers to become inelastic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Forer
- Biology Department, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aisha Adil
- Biology Department, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael W Berns
- Beckman Laser Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.,Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.,Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States.,Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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Fegaras-Arch E, Berns M, Forer A. Evidence of Non-microtubule Spindle Forces in Mesostoma ehrenbergii Spermatocytes. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:557990. [PMID: 33330616 PMCID: PMC7711074 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.557990] [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: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We tested conclusions reached in previous experiments in which Mesostoma spermatocyte chromosomes moved rapidly to a pole in the absence of microtubules: after 10 μM nocodazole (NOC) depolymerized metaphase spindle microtubules, kinetochores from each of the 3 bivalents detached from the same pole and rapidly moved to the other pole, at speeds averaging 37.7 μm/min. with some as high as 100 μm/min. We concluded that these very fast movements were due to non-microtubule forces arising from a spindle matrix. However, since the chromosomes stretch out before detaching, there is tension in the chromosomes from the stretch. Thus the movements of detached kinetochores conceivably might be due to recoil from the tension, though we argued against this possibility (Fegaras and Forer, 2018a). In this article we test whether recoil causes the movements. We cut bivalents into 2 pieces, using a femtosecond laser, before addition of NOC. When 1 bivalent was severed, all kinetochores moved to one pole in 12/15 cells; when 2 bivalents were severed, all kinetochores moved to one pole in 4/6 cells; and when all 3 bivalents were severed all kinetochores moved to one pole in 3/9 cells. The bivalent “halves” moved rapidly, with average speeds of 47 μm/min, velocities that are not significantly different from those in cells without any laser-cut bivalents (p > 0.05). Since kinetochores move at the same speeds whether they are part of bivalents or not, NOC-induced chromosome movements are not due to recoil from tension along the full-length bivalent, strongly supporting the idea that non-microtubule forces move chromosomes in Mesostoma spermatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Berns
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Cell Biology, Beckman Laser Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.,Institute for Engineering in Medicine and Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Arthur Forer
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Blázquez-Castro A, Fernández-Piqueras J, Santos J. Genetic Material Manipulation and Modification by Optical Trapping and Nanosurgery-A Perspective. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:580937. [PMID: 33072730 PMCID: PMC7530750 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.580937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Light can be employed as a tool to alter and manipulate matter in many ways. An example has been the implementation of optical trapping, the so called optical tweezers, in which light can hold and move small objects with 3D control. Of interest for the Life Sciences and Biotechnology is the fact that biological objects in the size range from tens of nanometers to hundreds of microns can be precisely manipulated through this technology. In particular, it has been shown possible to optically trap and move genetic material (DNA and chromatin) using optical tweezers. Also, these biological entities can be severed, rearranged and reconstructed by the combined use of laser scissors and optical tweezers. In this review, the background, current state and future possibilities of optical tweezers and laser scissors to manipulate, rearrange and alter genetic material (DNA, chromatin and chromosomes) will be presented. Sources of undesirable effects by the optical procedure and measures to avoid them will be discussed. In addition, first tentative approaches at cellular-level genetic and organelle surgery, in which genetic material or DNA-carrying organelles are extracted out or introduced into cells, will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Blázquez-Castro
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Genome Dynamics and Function Program, Genome Decoding Unit, Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (CBMSO), CSIC-Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Fernández-Piqueras
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Genome Dynamics and Function Program, Genome Decoding Unit, Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (CBMSO), CSIC-Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Institute of Health Research Jiménez Diaz Foundation, Madrid, Spain.,Consortium for Biomedical Research in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Santos
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Genome Dynamics and Function Program, Genome Decoding Unit, Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (CBMSO), CSIC-Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Institute of Health Research Jiménez Diaz Foundation, Madrid, Spain.,Consortium for Biomedical Research in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
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