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- Akkuratov, Evgeny E.
(författare)
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The Biophysics of Na+,K+-ATPase in neuronal health and disease
- 2020
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Na+,K+-ATPase is one of the most important proteins in the mammalian cell. It creates sodium and potassium gradients which are fundamental for the membrane potential and sodium-dependent secondary active transport. It has a second role in the cell as a receptor that by binding chemicals from the cardiotonic steroids family, the most knowledgeable of them is ouabain, triggers various signaling pathways in the cell which regulate gene activation, proliferation, apoptosis, etc. It has been shown that several severe neurological diseases are associated with mutations in the Na+,K+-ATPase encoding genes. Although Na+,K+-ATPase was discovered already in 1957 by the Danish scientist Jens Skou, the knowledge about the function of this enzyme is still not complete. In the studies included in the thesis, we have learned more about the function of Na+,K+-ATPase in different aspects of health and disease. In study I we showed a mechanism of ouabain-dependent regulation of the NMDA receptor, one of the most important receptors in the nervous system, via binding with Na+,K+-ATPase. This allows us to look at the Na+,K+-ATPase as regulator via protein-protein interaction. In study II we investigated a different aspect of Na+,K+-ATPase functioning – to look at how binding of ouabain to Na+,K+-ATPase activates a number of signaling cascades by looking at the phosphoproteome status of the cells. This allows us to see the whole picture of ouabain-mediated cascades and further characterize them. In study III we focused on the role of Na+,K+-ATPase in severe epileptic encephalopathy caused by a mutation in the ATP1A1 gene. We performed a molecular and cellular study to describe how mutations affects protein structure and function and found that this mutation converts the ion pump to a nonspecific leak channel. In study IV we performed a translational study of the most common mutation for rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism. We studied how this mutation affects the nervous system on the protein-, cellular-, and organism level and found that the complete absence of ultraslow afterhyperpolarization (usAHP) could explain gait disturbances found in patients. In the on-going study we showed that Na+,K+-ATPase can oligomerize and that this effect is triggered by ouabain binding to the Na+,K+-ATPase. In this study, we utilized a novel fluorescence labelling approach and used biophysical techniques with single molecule sensitivity to track Na+,K+-ATPase interactions. In summary, we applied biophysical and molecular methods to study different aspects of the function of Na+,K+-ATPase, and gained insights that could be helpful not only for answering fundamental questions about Na+,K+-ATPase but also to find a treatment for patients with diseases associated with mutations in this protein.
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- Akpe, Victor
(författare)
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Photophysical and Chemical Approaches to Cellular Biophysics
- 2008
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The central theme in this thesis is reversibility. Two main attempts has been made to approach reversibility in cellular systems from both chemical and physical points of view. Reversibility of immunolabeling of proteins on the cell surface has been adressed by development of new fluorescent substances optimized for CALI (Chromophore-Assisted Laser Inactivation of protein). Aluminum phthalocyanine (AlPc) is here identified to be a good candidate for a new generation of fluorophores for efficient hydroxyl radical generation. It is shown that cells can be reversibly labeled with antibody-AlPc conjugates. In experiments on living cells the AlPcs were not only active as classic fluorophores but also as photocatalytic substances with destaining properties. Reversibility of cell immobilization is also reported, where cells cultured in microstructures were immobilized and 3D supported using hydrogels. Hydrogel formulation and application was optimized to achieve a system where both viability and ease of use was satisfied. Gel reversibility was actualized with pH and enzyme treatment. The developped method offers the possibility of stop flow culturing cells in controlled and reusable 3D environments.
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- Bernhem, Kristoffer
(författare)
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Quantitative bioimaging in single cell signaling
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Imaging of cellular samples has for several hundred years been a way for scientists to investigate biological systems. With the discovery of immunofluorescence labeling in the 1940’s and later genetic fluorescent protein labeling in the 1980’s the most important part in imaging, contrast and specificity, was drastically improved. Eversince, we have seen a increased use of fluorescence imaging in biological research, and the application and tools are constantly being developed further.Specific ion imaging has long been a way to discern signaling events in cell systems. Through use of fluorescent ion reporters, ionic concentrations can be measured inliving cells as result of applied stimuli. Using Ca2+ imaging we have demonstrated that there is a inverse influence by plasma membrane voltage gated calcium channels on angiotensin II type 1 receptor (a protein involved in blood pressure regulation). This has direct implications in treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure),one of the most common serious diseases in the western civilization today with approximately one billion afflicted adults world wide in 2016.Extending from this more lower resolution live cell bioimaging I have moved into super resolution imaging. This thesis includes works on the interpretation of super resolution imaging data of the neuronal Na+, K+ - ATPase α3, a receptor responsible for maintaining cell homeostasis during brain activity. The imaging data is correlated with electrophysiological measurements and computer models to point towards possible artefacts in super resolution imaging that needs to be taken into account when interpreting imaging data. Moreover, I proceeded to develop a software for single-molecule localization microscopy analysis aimed for the wider research community and employ this software to identify expression artifacts in transiently transfected cell systems.In the concluding work super-resultion imaging was used to map out the early steps of the intrinsic apoptotic signaling cascade in space and time. Using superresoultion imaging, I mapped out in intact cells at which time points and at which locations the various proteins involved in apoptotic regulation are activated and interact.
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- Bernhem, Kristoffer, et al.
(författare)
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Super resolution imaging reveals details in hyperglycemic induced apoptosis in kidney cells
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The role of the Bcl-family proteins in the mitochondrial apoptotic process is well described with biochemical and molecular methods in studies of isolated mitochondria and transfected cell lines. There is however little knowledge about the mechanisms for Bcl protein interaction leading to apoptosis in intact cells. In particular, the time sequence and location for Bcl protein interaction has so far only been described in hypothetical models.Here we have used Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy and Single Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM) to study the apoptotic process in immune-stained rat renal epithelia cells exposed to 20 mM glucose (HG) and to study its rescue by ouabain. To assess distance between Bcl-2 proteins, we used the nearest-neighbor algorithm. The anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xLl was predominantly expressed on mitochondria in control cells, and remained so throughout the process, although its abundance decreased. After 2h HG the apoptosis-inducing protein BAD had translocated from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria where it clustered with Bcl-xL. This occurred before an increase in reactive oxygen species and was dependent on activation of the PI3K –AKT pathway. According to current concepts, Bcl-xL interacts with the apoptotic protein Bax on the mitochondria under control conditions to translocate Bax back to the cytosol1. We found that Bax started to accumulate on the mitochondria after 4h HG and, surprisingly, that the interaction between Bcl-xL and Bax became more pronounced during the course of the apoptotic process. After 6h HG Bax also interacted with the non-specific ion transporter VDAC; an interaction described to lead to penetration of the inner mitochondrial membrane and mark the point of no return.
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