| 1. |
- Ch'ng, Jun-Hong, et al.
(författare)
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Epitopes of anti-RIFIN antibodies and characterization of rif-expressing Plasmodium falciparum parasites by RNA sequencing
- 2017
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Variable surface antigens of Plasmodium falciparum have been a major research focus since they facilitate parasite sequestration and give rise to deadly malaria complications. Coupled with its potential use as a vaccine candidate, the recent suggestion that the repetitive interspersed families of polypeptides (RIFINs) mediate blood group A rosetting and influence blood group distribution has raised the research profile of these adhesins. Nevertheless, detailed investigations into the functions of this highly diverse multigene family remain hampered by the limited number of validated reagents. In this study, we assess the specificities of three promising polyclonal anti-RIFIN antibodies that were IgG-purified from sera of immunized animals. Their epitope regions were mapped using a 175,000-peptide microarray holding overlapping peptides of the P. falciparum variable surface antigens. Through immunoblotting and immunofluorescence imaging, we show that different antibodies give varying results in different applications/assays. Finally, we authenticate the antibody-based detection of RIFINs in two previously uncharacterized non-rosetting parasite lines by identifying the dominant rif transcripts using RNA sequencing.
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| 2. |
- Bañó-Polo, Manuel, et al.
(författare)
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Transmembrane but not soluble helices fold inside the ribosome tunnel
- 2018
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Integral membrane proteins are assembled into the ER membrane via a continuous ribosome-translocon channel. The hydrophobicity and thickness of the core of the membrane bilayer leads to the expectation that transmembrane (TM) segments minimize the cost of harbouring polar polypeptide backbones by adopting a regular pattern of hydrogen bonds to form a-helices before integration. Co-translational folding of nascent chains into an a-helical conformation in the ribosomal tunnel has been demonstrated previously, but the features governing this folding are not well understood. In particular, little is known about what features influence the propensity to acquire a-helical structure in the ribosome. Using in vitro translation of truncated nascent chains trapped within the ribosome tunnel and molecular dynamics simulations, we show that folding in the ribosome is attained for TM helices but not for soluble helices, presumably facilitating SRP (signal recognition particle) recognition and/or a favourable conformation for membrane integration upon translocon entry.
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| 3. |
- Cuviello, Flavia, et al.
(författare)
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Membrane insertion and topology of the amino-terminal domain TMD0 of multidrug-resistance associated protein 6 (MRP6)
- 2015
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Ingår i: FEBS Letters. - : Wiley. - 0014-5793 .- 1873-3468. ; 589:24, s. 3921-3928
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The function of the ATP-binding cassette transporter MRP6 is unknown but mutations in its gene cause pseudoxanthoma elasticum. We have investigated the membrane topology of the N-terminal transmembrane domain TMD0 of MRP6 and the membrane integration and orientation propensities of its transmembrane segments (TMs) by glycosylation mapping. Results demonstrate that TMD0 has five TMs, an Nout-Cin topology and that the less hydrophobic TMs have strong preference for their orientation in the membrane that affects the neighboring TMs. Two disease-causing mutations changing the number of positive charges in the loops of TMD0 did not affect the membrane insertion efficiencies of the adjacent TMs.
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| 4. |
- Dowaidar, Moataz
(författare)
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In-silico design of peptide-based transfection systems, in-vitro validation, and up-take pathways investigation
- 2017
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Cell-penetrating peptide-based transfection systems (PBTS) are a promising group of drug delivery vectors. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are short cationic peptides that are able of transporting cell non-permeant cargos into different cell types. Some CPPs can be used to form non-covalent complexes with oligonucleotides for gene delivery applications. For the potential use of CPPs as drug delivery tools, it is important to understand the mechanism of uptake. Here, a fragment quantitative structure–activity relationships (FQSAR) model is generated to predict novel peptides based on approved alpha helical conformers and assisted model construction with energy refinement molecular mechanics simulations of former peptides. The modeled peptides were examined for plasmid transfection efficiency and compared with their predicted biological activity. The best predicted peptides were efficient for plasmid transfection with significant enhancement compared to the former group of peptides. Our results confirm that FQSAR model refinement is an efficient method for optimizing PBTS for improved biological activity. Additionally, using RNA sequencing, we demonstrated the involvement of autophagy pathways in PBTS uptake.
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| 5. |
- Goel, Suchi, et al.
(författare)
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RIFINs are adhesins implicated in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria
- 2015
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Ingår i: Nature Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1078-8956 .- 1546-170X. ; 21:4, s. 314-317
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rosetting is a virulent Plasmodium falciparum phenomenon associated with severe malaria. Here we demonstrate that P. falciparum-encoded repetitive interspersed families of polypeptides (RIFINs) are expressed on the surface of infected red blood cells (iRBCs), bind to RBCs-preferentially of blood group A-to form large rosettes and mediate microvascular binding of iRBCs. We suggest that RIFINs have a fundamental role in the development of severe malaria and thereby contribute to the varying global distribution of ABO blood groups in the human population.
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| 6. |
- Lara, Patricia, et al.
(författare)
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Murine astrotactins 1 and 2 have a similar membrane topology and mature via endoproteolytic cleavage catalyzed by a signal peptidase
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 0021-9258 .- 1083-351X. ; 294:12, s. 4538-4545
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Astrotactin 1 (Astn1) and Astn2 are membrane proteins that function in glial-guided migration, receptor trafficking, and synaptic plasticity in the brain as well as in planar polarity pathways in the skin. Here we used glycosylation mapping and protease protection approaches to map the topologies of mouse Astn1 and Astn2 in rough microsomal membranes and found that Astn2 has a cleaved N-terminal signal peptide, an N-terminal domain located in the lumen of the rough microsomal membranes (topologically equivalent to the extracellular surface in cells), two transmembrane helices, and a large C-terminal lumenal domain. We also found that Astn1 has the same topology as Astn2, but we did not observe any evidence of signal peptide cleavage in Astn1. Both Astn1 and Astn2 mature through endoproteolytic cleavage in the second transmembrane helix; importantly, we identified the endoprotease responsible for the maturation of Astn1 and Astn2 as the endoplasmic reticulum signal peptidase. Differences in the degree of Astn1 and Astn2 maturation possibly contribute to the higher levels of the C-terminal domain of Astn1 detected on neuronal membranes of the central nervous system. These differences may also explain the distinct cellular functions of Astn1 and Astn2, such as in membrane adhesion, receptor trafficking, and planar polarity signaling.
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| 7. |
- Lara, Patricia, et al.
(författare)
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Refined topology model of the STT3/Stt3 protein subunit of the oligosaccharyltransferase complex
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 0021-9258 .- 1083-351X. ; 292:27, s. 11349-11360
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The oligosaccharyltransferase complex, localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of eukaryotic cells, is responsible for the N-linked glycosylation of numerous protein substrates. The membrane protein STT3 is a highly conserved part of the oligosaccharyltransferase and likely contains the active site of the complex. However, understanding the catalytic determinants of this system has been challenging, in part because of a discrepancy in the structural topology of the bacterial versus eukaryotic proteins and incomplete information about the mechanism of membrane integration. Here, we use a glycosylation mapping approach to investigate these questions. We measured the membrane integration efficiency of the mouse STT3-A and yeast Stt3p transmembrane domains (TMDs) and report a refined topology of the N-terminal half of the mouse STT3-A. Our results show that most of the STT3 TMDs are well inserted into the ER membrane on their own or in the presence of the natural flanking residues. However, for the mouse STT3-A hydrophobic domains 4 and 6 and yeast Stt3p domains 2, 3a, 3c, and 6 we measured reduced insertion efficiency into the ER membrane. Furthermore, we mapped the first half of the STT3-A protein, finding two extra hydrophobic domains between the third and the fourthTMD. This result indicates that the eukaryotic STT3 has 13 transmembrane domains, consistent with the structure of the bacterial homolog of STT3 and setting the stage for future combined efforts to interrogate this fascinating system.
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| 8. |
- Lara Vasquez, Patricia, 1982-
(författare)
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Integration and topology of membrane proteins related to diseases
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Membranes are boundaries that separate the cell from the external environment. Membrane proteins can function as e.g. receptors and channels, allowing cells to communicate with the exterior and molecules to pass through the membrane. The biogenesis of membrane proteins involves a protein-conducting channel that aids the hydrophobic segments to partition into the membrane and translocate the hydrophilic loops. Membrane proteins need to fold to its native conformation including post-translational modifications and assembly with other proteins and/or cofactors. If this regulated pathway goes wrong the degradation machinery degrades the protein. If the system is failing can result in serious disorders. The main focus in this thesis is membrane proteins associated to diseases.We have studied mutations in the gene of presenilin 1, which is involved in Alzheimer’s disease. We found that some mutations affect the structure and other the function of the PS1. URG7 is an unknown protein associated with liver cancer. We suggest it is localized and targeted to the ER membrane, having an NoutCin topology. SP-C is important for our lungs to function. Mutations can cause the protein to aggregate. We have studied the highly Val-rich transmembrane segment (poly-Val) and its analogue (poly-Leu) and show that poly-Leu folds into a more compact conformation than poly-Val. We show that the C-terminal chaperon-like BRICHOS domain interacts with the ER membrane, suggesting an involvement in poly-Val folding. We have also confirmed the topology of URG7, MRP6 and SP-C poly-Val/Leu using gGFP that is fused to the C-terminal of the protein.
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| 9. |
- Nilsson, IngMarie, et al.
(författare)
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The Code for Directing Proteins for Trans location across ER Membrane : SRP Cotranslationally Recognizes Specific Features of a Signal Sequence
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of Molecular Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-2836 .- 1089-8638. ; 427:6, s. 1191-1201
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The signal recognition particle (SRP) cotranslationally recognizes signal sequences of secretory proteins and targets ribosome-nascent chain complexes to the SRP receptor in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, initiating translocation of the nascent chain through the Sec61 translocon. Although signal sequences do not have homology, they have similar structural regions: a positively charged N-terminus, a hydrophobic core and a more polar C-terminal region that contains the cleavage site for the signal peptidase. Here, we have used site-specific photocrosslinking to study SRP signal sequence interactions. A photoreactive probe was incorporated into the middle of wild-type or mutated signal sequences of the secretory protein preprolactin by in vitro translation of mRNAs containing an amber-stop codon in the signal peptide in the presence of the N-epsilon-(5-azido-2 nitrobenzoyl)-Lys-tRNA(amb) amber suppressor. A homogeneous population of SRP ribosome-nascent chain complexes was obtained by the use of truncated mRNAs in translations performed in the presence of purified canine SRP. Quantitative analysis of the photoadducts revealed that charged residues at the N-terminus of the signal sequence or in the early part of the mature protein have only a mild effect on the SRP signal sequence association. However, deletions of amino acid residues in the hydrophobic portion of the signal sequence severely affect SRP binding. The photocrosslinking data correlate with targeting efficiency and translocation across the membrane. Thus, the hydrophobic core of the signal sequence is primarily responsible for its recognition and binding by SRP, while positive charges fine-tune the SRP signal sequence affinity and targeting to the translocon.
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| 10. |
- Orrell, Kathleen E., et al.
(författare)
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Direct Detection of Membrane-Inserting Fragments Defines the Translocation Pores of a Family of Pathogenic Toxins
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Molecular Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-2836 .- 1089-8638. ; 430:18, s. 3190-3199
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Large clostridial toxins (LCTs) are a family of homologous proteins toxins that are directly responsible for the symptoms associated with a number of clostridial infections that cause disease in humans and in other animals. LCTs damage tissues by delivering a glucosyltransferase domain, which inactivates small GTPases, across the endosomal membrane and into the cytosol of target cells. Elucidating the mechanism of translocation for LCTs has been hampered by difficulties associated with identifying marginally hydrophobic segments that insert into the bounding membrane to form the translocation pore. Here, we directly measured the membrane-insertion partitioning propensity for segments spanning the putative pore-forming region using a translocon-mediated insertion assay and synthetic peptides. We identified membrane-inserting segments, as well as a conserved and functionally important negatively charged residue that requires protonation for efficient membrane insertion. We provide a model of the LCT pore, which provides insights into translocation for this enigmatic family of a-helical translocases.
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