1
|
Chae SJ, Kim DW, Igoshin OA, Lee S, Kim JK. Beyond microtubules: The cellular environment at the endoplasmic reticulum attracts proteins to the nucleus, enabling nuclear transport. iScience 2024; 27:109235. [PMID: 38439967 PMCID: PMC10909898 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
All proteins are translated in the cytoplasm, yet many, including transcription factors, play vital roles in the nucleus. While previous research has concentrated on molecular motors for the transport of these proteins to the nucleus, recent observations reveal perinuclear accumulation even in the absence of an energy source, hinting at alternative mechanisms. Here, we propose that structural properties of the cellular environment, specifically the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), can promote molecular transport to the perinucleus without requiring additional energy expenditure. Specifically, physical interaction between proteins and the ER impedes their diffusion and leads to their accumulation near the nucleus. This result explains why larger proteins, more frequently interacting with the ER membrane, tend to accumulate at the perinucleus. Interestingly, such diffusion in a heterogeneous environment follows Chapman's law rather than the popular Fick's law. Our findings suggest a novel protein transport mechanism arising solely from characteristics of the intracellular environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seok Joo Chae
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Mathematics Group, Pioneer Research Center for Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Wook Kim
- Department of Mathematics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Oleg A. Igoshin
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Seunggyu Lee
- Biomedical Mathematics Group, Pioneer Research Center for Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
- Division of Applied Mathematical Sciences, Korea University, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Kyoung Kim
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Mathematics Group, Pioneer Research Center for Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Halbi G, Fayer I, Aranovich D, Gat S, Pavan MJ, Nachmias D, Sanchez DS, Brik A, Granek R, Bernheim-Groswasser A. Smart design of universally decorated nanoparticles for drug delivery applications driven by active transport. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2023; 46:74. [PMID: 37653248 DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-023-00331-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Targeting the cell nucleus remains a challenge for drug delivery. Here, we present a universal platform for the smart design of nanoparticle (NP) decoration that is based on: (i) a spacer polymer, commonly biotin-polyethylene-glycol-thiol, whose grafting density and molecular weight can be tuned for optimized performance, and (ii) protein binding peptides, such as cell penetrating peptides (CPPs), cancer-targeting peptides, or nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptides, that are linked to the PEG free-end by universal chemistry. We manifested our platform with two different bromo-acetamide (Br-Ac) modified NLSs. We used cell extract-based and live cell assays to demonstrate the recruitment of dynein motor proteins, which drive the NP active transport toward the nucleus, and the enhancement of cellular and nuclear entry, manifesting the properties of NLS as a CPP. Our control of the NP decoration scheme, and the modularity of our platform, carry great advantages for nano-carrier design for drug delivery applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gal Halbi
- The Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Itay Fayer
- The Stella and Avram Goren-Goldstein Department of Biotechnology Engineering Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Dina Aranovich
- The Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Shachar Gat
- The Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Mariela J Pavan
- The Ilse Katz Institute for Meso and Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Dikla Nachmias
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Daniel Sevilla Sanchez
- The Ilse Katz Institute for Meso and Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Ashraf Brik
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 3200008, Haifa, Israel
| | - Rony Granek
- The Stella and Avram Goren-Goldstein Department of Biotechnology Engineering Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
- The Ilse Katz Institute for Meso and Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Anne Bernheim-Groswasser
- The Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel.
- The Ilse Katz Institute for Meso and Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|