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- Klionsky, Daniel J., et al.
(author)
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Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
- 2012
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In: Autophagy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1554-8635 .- 1554-8627. ; 8:4, s. 445-544
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
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2. |
- Hara, Kyosuke, et al.
(author)
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In-situ X-ray Transmission Observation of Carbothermic Reduction of Magnetite Powder and Macroscopic Agglomeration of Reduced Iron
- 2013
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In: ISIJ International. - : Iron and Steel Institute of Japan. - 0915-1559 .- 1347-5460. ; 53:6, s. 1010-1019
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The agglomeration behaviour of reduced iron, made from magnetite powder by carbothermic reduction, was observed by using the in-situ X-ray transmission observation technique. The iron particles, above 1 mm, were clearly observed as black points. Further, the reduction speed was examined by using the thermogravimetric analysis. The bulk density of the packed powder layer and the grain size distribution of magnetite powder and carbon black powder were changed and the effects of them on the reduction speed and the agglomeration degree were examined. The agglomeration degree was evaluated with diameter of iron particles on the X-ray photographs, taken during heating, and the weight of collected iron particles after the observation experiments. Neither the bulk density of powder layer nor the grain size distribution of powder mixture affected to the reduction speed. The agglomeration degree decreased when the bulk density of the powder layer was increased by compacting. On the other hand, the agglomeration degree was increased when the grain size distribution of powder mixture was widened. Further, the height change of powder layer was also measured on the X-ray photographs and compared with the iron particles appearing behaviour to estimate the microscopic agglomeration behaviour. The mechanisms that grain size distribution affected the agglomeration degree were discussed.
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3. |
- Kampinga, Harm H., et al.
(author)
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Function, evolution, and structure of J-domain proteins
- 2019
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In: Cell stress & chaperones (Print). - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1355-8145 .- 1466-1268. ; 24:1, s. 7-15
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Hsp70 chaperone systems are very versatile machines present in nearly all living organisms and in nearly all intracellular compartments. They function in many fundamental processes through their facilitation of protein (re)folding, trafficking, remodeling, disaggregation, and degradation. Hsp70 machines are regulated by co-chaperones. J-domain containing proteins (JDPs) are the largest family of Hsp70 co-chaperones and play a determining role functionally specifying and directing Hsp70 functions. Many features of JDPs are not understood; however, a number of JDP experts gathered at a recent CSSI-sponsored workshop in Gdansk (Poland) to discuss various aspects of J-domain protein function, evolution, and structure. In this report, we present the main findings and the consensus reached to help direct future developments in the field of Hsp70 research.
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5. |
- Köhler, Anna, et al.
(author)
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New specific HSP47 functions in collagen subfamily chaperoning
- 2020
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In: FASEB Journal. - 0892-6638. ; 34:9, s. 12040-12052
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Although collagens are the most abundant proteins implicated in various disease pathways, essential mechanisms required for their proper folding and assembly are poorly understood. Heat-shock protein 47 (HSP47), an ER-resident chaperone, was mainly reported to fulfill key functions in folding and secretion of fibrillar collagens by stabilizing pro-collagen triple-helices. In this study, we demonstrate unique functions of HSP47 for different collagen subfamilies. Our results show that HSP47 binds to the N-terminal region of procollagen I and is essential for its secretion. However, HSP47 ablation does not majorly impact collagen VI secretion, but its lateral assembly. Moreover, specific ablation of Hsp47 in murine keratinocytes revealed a new role for the transmembrane collagen XVII triple-helix formation. Incompletely folded collagen XVII C-termini protruding from isolated HSP47 null keratinocyte membrane vesicles could be fully restored upon the application of recombinant HSP47. Thus, our study expands the current view regarding the client repertoire and function of HSP47, as well as emphasizes its importance for transmembrane collagen folding.
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6. |
- Zhang, Zuotai, 1978-
(author)
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Synthesis and Characterization of MgA1ON-BN refractories
- 2006
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In order to meet the need of metallurgical industry in the world, a new MgAlON-BN composite which can be used for example in special refractory nozzles, tubes and break rings for the continuous casting of steel was studied in the present thesis. The aim was to understand the mechanism of synthesis and their physicochemical properties during the application. Thus, the thermodynamic properties, synthesis process, mechanical properties, thermal shock behaviour, thermal diffusivity/conductivity as well as corrosion resistance to molten iron containing oxygen and molten slag of MgAlON and MgAlON-BN composites have been investigated. The Gibbs energy of formation of MgAlON was estimated using the method proposed by Kaufman. The phase stability diagram of Mg-Al-O-N-B was investigated, and consequently the synthesis parameters were determined. MgAlON and MgAlON-BN composites were fabricated by hot-pressing method. The composites obtained this way were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and HREM analyses. A Matrix-flushing method was employed in the quantitative XRD analysis for the multi-component samples to understand the mechanism of synthesis. The relationship between mechanical properties and microstructure of the composites was investigated. The experimental results indicated that BN addition has significant influence on the mechanical properties of the composites. These can be explained by the fact that BN has low Young’s modulus, density and non-reactive nature as well as considerable anisotropy of many properties such as thermal expansion, thermal diffusivity/conductivity. Thus, the addition of BN in MgAlON is likely to lead to the presence of microcracks caused by the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient. The microcracks result in the enhancement of the strength at elevated temperature and thermal shock durability of the composites. Effective thermal conductivities were evaluated from the present experimental results of thermal diffusivities, heat capacity and density. A model suitable for present composites has been derived based on Luo’s model. The predicted lines calculated by the model were in good agreement with experimental results. The reactions between the composites and molten iron as well as the slag were investigated by ‘‘finger’’ experiments and sessile drop experiments. Both experimental results indicated that the BN addition has positive influence on the corrosion resistance. These are attributed to the excellent corrosion resistance of BN to molten iron and slag, such as the higher contact angle between BN substrate and liquid iron and molten slag compared with that obtained for pure MgAlON.
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