scholarly journals Liquid-to-solid phase transition of oskar RNP granules is essential for their function in the Drosophila germline

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mainak Bose ◽  
Julia Mahamid ◽  
Anne Ephrussi
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transition ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Scaffold Proteins ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Fused In Sarcoma ◽  
Specific Proteins ◽  
Solid Phase Transition ◽  
Rnp Granules

SummaryAsymmetric localization of oskar RNP granules to the oocyte posterior is crucial for abdominal patterning and germline formation of the Drosophila embryo. We show that oskar RNP granules in the oocyte are condensates with solid-like physical properties. Using purified oskar RNA and scaffold proteins Bruno and Hrp48, we confirm in vitro that oskar granules undergo a liquid-to-solid phase transition. Whereas the liquid phase allows RNA incorporation, the solid phase precludes incorporation of additional RNA while allowing RNA-dependent partitioning of specific proteins. Genetic modification of scaffold granule proteins, or tethering the intrinsically disordered region of human Fused in Sarcoma to oskar mRNA, allowed modulation of granule material properties in vivo. The resulting liquid-like properties impaired oskar localization and translation with severe consequences on embryonic development. Our study reflects how physiological phase transitions shape RNA-protein condensates to regulate localization and expression of a maternal RNA that instructs germline formation.

scholarly journals Liquid-liquid phase separation of full-length prion protein initiates conformational conversion in vitro

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroya Tange ◽  
Daisuke Ishibashi ◽  
Takehiro Nakagaki ◽  
Yuzuru Taguchi ◽  
Yuji O. Kamatari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transition ◽  
Phase Separation ◽  
Liquid Phase ◽  
Prion Protein ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
Liquid Phase Separation ◽  
Solid Phase Transition ◽  
Liquid Liquid Phase Separation

AbstractPrion diseases are characterized by accumulation of amyloid fibrils. The causative agent is an infectious amyloid that is comprised solely of misfolded prion protein (PrPSc). Prions can convert PrPC to proteinase-resistant PrP (PrP-res) in vitro; however, the intermediate steps involved in the spontaneous conversion remain unknown. We investigated whether recombinant prion protein (rPrP) can directly convert into PrP-res via liquid-liquid phase separation in the absence of PrPSc. We found that rPrP underwent liquid-liquid phase separation at the interface of the aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran, whereas single-phase conditions were not inducible. Fluorescence recovery assay after photobleaching revealed that the liquid-solid phase transition occurred within a short time. The aged rPrP-gel acquired proteinase-resistant amyloid accompanied by β-sheet conversion, as confirmed by western blotting, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Congo red staining. The reactions required both the N-terminal region of rPrP (amino acids 23-89) and kosmotropic salts, suggesting that the kosmotropic anions may interact with the N-terminal region of rPrP to promote liquid-liquid phase separation. Thus, structural conversion via liquid–liquid phase separation and liquid–solid phase transition are intermediate steps in the conversion of prions.

scholarly journals A Liquid-to-Solid Phase Transition Enhances the Catalytic Activity of SARM1

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather S. Loring ◽  
Paul R. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transition ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Wallerian Degeneration ◽  
Axonal Degeneration ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Target ◽  
Solid Phase Transition

ABSTRACTSterile alpha and toll/interleukin receptor (TIR) motif–containing protein 1 (SARM1) is a neuronally expressed NAD+ glycohydrolase whose activity is increased in response to various stressors. The consequent depletion of NAD+ triggers axonal degeneration (i.e., Wallerian degeneration), which is a characteristic feature of neurological diseases, including peripheral neuropathies and traumatic brain injury. Notably, SARM1 knockout mice show minimal degeneration in models of peripheral neuropathy and traumatic brain injury, making SARM1 a promising therapeutic target. However, the development of SARM1 inhibitors has been challenging as the purified enzyme is largely inactive. Herein, we report that SARM1 activity is increased ∼2000–fold by a liquid-to-solid phase transition. These findings provide critical insights into SARM1 biochemistry with important implications for the situation in vivo. Moreover, they will facilitate the discovery of novel SARM1–targeted therapeutics.Graphical Abstract

68Ga-labeled HBED-CC Variant of uPAR Targeting Peptide AE105 Compared with 68Ga-NODAGA-AE105

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 1289-1294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kusum Vats ◽  
Rohit Sharma ◽  
Haladhar D. Sarma ◽  
Drishty Satpati ◽  
Ashutosh Dash
Keyword(s):  
Solid Phase ◽  
Evaluation Studies ◽  
Radiochemical Yield ◽  
In Vivo Evaluation ◽  
Peptide Conjugates ◽  
Biodistribution Studies ◽  
Target Organs ◽  
U87mg Tumor

Aims: The urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptors (uPAR) over-expressed on tumor cells and their invasive microenvironment are clinically significant molecular targets for cancer research. uPARexpressing cancerous lesions can be suitably identified and their progression can be monitored with radiolabeled uPAR targeted imaging probes. Hence this study aimed at preparing and evaluating two 68Ga-labeled AE105 peptide conjugates, 68Ga-NODAGA-AE105 and 68Ga-HBED-CC-AE105 as uPAR PET-probes. Method: The peptide conjugates, HBED-CC-AE105-NH2 and NODAGA-AE105-NH2 were manually synthesized by standard Fmoc solid phase strategy and subsequently radiolabeled with 68Ga eluted from a commercial 68Ge/68Ga generator. In vitro cell studies for the two radiotracers were performed with uPAR positive U87MG cells. Biodistribution studies were carried out in mouse xenografts with the subcutaneously induced U87MG tumor. Results: The two radiotracers, 68Ga-NODAGA-AE105 and 68Ga-HBED-CC-AE105 that were prepared in >95% radiochemical yield and >96% radiochemical purity, exhibited excellent in vitro stability. In vivo evaluation studies revealed higher uptake of 68Ga-HBED-CC-AE105 in U87MG tumor as compared to 68Ga-NODAGAAE105; however, increased lipophilicity of 68Ga-HBED-CC-AE105 resulted in slower clearance from blood and other non-target organs. The uPAR specificity of the two radiotracers was ascertained by significant (p<0.05) reduction in the tumor uptake with a co-injected blocking dose of unlabeled AE-105 peptide. Conclusion: Amongst the two radiotracers studied, the neutral 68Ga-NODAGA-AE105 with more hydrophilic chelator exhibited faster clearance from non-target organs. The conjugation of HBED-CC chelator (less hydrophilic) resulted in negatively charged 68Ga-HBED-CC-AE105 which was observed to have high retention in blood that decreased target to non-target ratios.

Oxytocin analogues with non-coded amino acid residues in position 8: [8-Neopentylglycine]oxytocin and [8-cycloleucine]oxytocin

1987 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 2317-2325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Hlaváček ◽  
Jan Pospíšek ◽  
Jiřina Slaninová ◽  
Walter Y. Chan ◽  
Victor J. Hruby
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Solid Phase Synthesis ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
The Other ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Phase Synthesis ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Fragment Condensation

[8-Neopentylglycine]oxytocin (II) and [8-cycloleucine]oxytocin (III) were prepared by a combination of solid-phase synthesis and fragment condensation. Both analogues exhibited decreased uterotonic potency in vitro, each being about 15-30% that of oxytocin. Analogue II also displayed similarly decreased uterotonic potency in vivo and galactogogic potency. On the other hand, analogue III exhibited almost the same potency as oxytocin in the uterotonic assay in vivo and in the galactogogic assay.

The 1- and 2-Naphthylalanine Analogs of Oxytocin and Vasopressin

1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 2170-2177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zdenko Procházka ◽  
Jiřina Slaninová
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Pressor Test

Solid phase technique on p-methylbenzhydrylamine resin was used for the synthesis of four analogs of oxytocin and four analogs of vasopressin with the non-coded amino acids L- or D- and 1- or 2-naphthylalanine and D-homoarginine. [L-1-Nal2]oxytocin, [D-1-Nal2]oxytocin, [L-2-Nal2]oxytocin, [D-2-Nal2]oxytocin, [L-1-Nal2, D-Har8]vasopressin, [D-1-Nal2, D-Har8]vasopressin, [L-2-Nal2, D-Har8]vasopressin and [D-2-Nal2, D-Har8]vasopressin were synthesized. All eight analogs were found to be uterotonic inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. Analogs with 2-naphthylalanine are stronger inhibitors, particularly in the vasopressin series than the analogs with 1-naphthylalanine. Analogs with 1-naphthylalanine have no activity in the pressor test, analogs with 2-naphthylalanine are weak pressor inhibitors.

scholarly journals 68Ga, 44Sc and 177Lu-labeled AAZTA5-PSMA-617: synthesis, radiolabeling, stability and cell binding compared to DOTA-PSMA-617 analogues

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Philippe Sinnes ◽  
Ulrike Bauder-Wüst ◽  
Martin Schäfer ◽  
Euy Sung Moon ◽  
Klaus Kopka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Serum ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Lncap Cells ◽  
Cell Binding ◽  
Binding Characteristics

Abstract Background The AAZTA chelator and in particular its bifunctional derivative AAZTA5 was recently investigated to demonstrate unique capabilities to complex diagnostic and therapeutic trivalent radiometals under mild conditions. This study presents a comparison of 68Ga, 44Sc and 177Lu-labeled AAZTA5-PSMA-617 with DOTA-PSMA-617 analogues. We evaluated the radiolabeling characteristics, in vitro stability of the radiolabeled compounds and evaluated their binding affinity and internalization behavior on LNCaP tumor cells in direct comparison to the radiolabeled DOTA-conjugated PSMA-617 analogs. Results AAZTA5 was synthesized in a five-step synthesis and coupled to the PSMA-617 backbone on solid phase. Radiochemical evaluation of AAZTA5-PSMA-617 with 68Ga, 44Sc and 177Lu achieved quantitative radiolabeling of > 99% after less than 5 min at room temperature. Stabilities against human serum, PBS buffer and EDTA and DTPA solutions were analyzed. While there was a small degradation of the 68Ga complex over 2 h in human serum, PBS and EDTA/DTPA, the 44Sc and 177Lu complexes were stable at 2 h and remained stable over 8 h and 1 day. For all three compounds, i.e. [natGa]Ga-AAZTA5-PSMA-617, [natSc]Sc-AAZTA5-PSMA-617 and [natLu]Lu-AAZTA5-PSMA-617, in vitro studies on PSMA-positive LNCaP cells were performed in direct comparison to radiolabeled DOTA-PSMA-617 yielding the corresponding inhibition constants (Ki). Ki values were in the range of 8–31 nM values which correspond with those of [natGa]Ga-DOTA-PSMA-617, [natSc]Sc-DOTA-PSMA-617 and [natLu]Lu-DOTA-PSMA-617, i.e. 5–7 nM, respectively. Internalization studies demonstrated cellular membrane to internalization ratios for the radiolabeled 68Ga, 44Sc and 177Lu-AAZTA5-PSMA-617 tracers (13–20%IA/106 cells) in the same range as the ones of the three radiolabeled DOTA-PSMA-617 tracers (17–20%IA/106 cells) in the same assay. Conclusions The AAZTA5-PSMA-617 structure proved fast and quantitative radiolabeling with all three radiometal complexes at room temperature, excellent stability with 44Sc, very high stability with 177Lu and medium stability with 68Ga in human serum, PBS and EDTA/DTPA solutions. All three AAZTA5-PSMA-617 tracers showed binding affinities and internalization ratios in LNCaP cells comparable with that of radiolabeled DOTA-PSMA-617 analogues. Therefore, the exchange of the chelator DOTA with AAZTA5 within the PSMA-617 binding motif has no negative influence on in vitro LNCaP cell binding characteristics. In combination with the faster and milder radiolabeling features, AAZTA5-PSMA-617 thus demonstrates promising potential for in vivo application for theranostics of prostate cancer.

scholarly journals Design of PSMA ligands with modifications at the inhibitor part: an approach to reduce the salivary gland uptake of radiolabeled PSMA inhibitors?

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika Barbara Felber ◽  
Manuel Amando Valentin ◽  
Hans-Jürgen Wester
Keyword(s):  
Salivary Gland ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Tumor Xenograft ◽  
Tumor Uptake ◽  
Lncap Cells ◽  
High Affinity

Abstract Aim To investigate whether modifications of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radiolabeled urea-based inhibitors could reduce salivary gland uptake and thus improve tumor-to-salivary gland ratios, several analogs of a high affinity PSMA ligand were synthesized and evaluated in in vitro and in vivo studies. Methods Binding motifs were synthesized ‘on-resin’ or, when not practicable, in solution. Peptide chain elongations were performed according to optimized standard protocols via solid-phase peptide synthesis. In vitro experiments were performed using PSMA+ LNCaP cells. In vivo studies as well as μSPECT/CT scans were conducted with male LNCaP tumor xenograft-bearing CB17-SCID mice. Results PSMA ligands with A) modifications within the central Zn2+-binding unit, B) proinhibitor motifs and C) substituents & bioisosteres of the P1′-γ-carboxylic acid were synthesized and evaluated. Modifications within the central Zn2+-binding unit of PSMA-10 (Glu-urea-Glu) provided three compounds. Thereof, only natLu-carbamate I (natLu-3) exhibited high affinity (IC50 = 7.1 ± 0.7 nM), but low tumor uptake (5.31 ± 0.94% ID/g, 1 h p.i. and 1.20 ± 0.55% ID/g, 24 h p.i.). All proinhibitor motif-based ligands (three in total) exhibited low binding affinities (> 1 μM), no notable internalization and very low tumor uptake (< 0.50% ID/g). In addition, four compounds with P1′-ɣ-carboxylate substituents were developed and evaluated. Thereof, only tetrazole derivative natLu-11 revealed high affinity (IC50 = 16.4 ± 3.8 nM), but also this inhibitor showed low tumor uptake (3.40 ± 0.63% ID/g, 1 h p.i. and 0.68 ± 0.16% ID/g, 24 h p.i.). Salivary gland uptake in mice remained at an equally low level for all compounds (between 0.02 ± 0.00% ID/g and 0.09 ± 0.03% ID/g), wherefore apparent tumor-to-submandibular gland and tumor-to-parotid gland ratios for the modified peptides were distinctly lower (factor 8–45) than for [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-10 at 24 h p.i. Conclusions The investigated compounds could not compete with the in vivo characteristics of the EuE-based PSMA inhibitor [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-10. Although two derivatives (3 and 11) were found to exhibit high affinities towards LNCaP cells, tumor uptake at 24 h p.i. was considerably low, while uptake in salivary glands remained unaffected. Optimization of the established animal model should be envisaged to enable a clear identification of PSMA-targeting radioligands with improved tumor-to-salivary gland ratios in future studies.

Effect of microbial isolates on microbial yield estimation in RUSITEC system

1998 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 306-308
Author(s):  
M. D. Carro ◽  
E. L. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Liquid Phase ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Liquid Fraction ◽  
Microbial Protein ◽  
Microbial Protein Synthesis ◽  
Continuous Culture System ◽  
The One

The estimation of rumen microbial protein synthesis is one of the main points in the nitrogen (N)-rationing systems for ruminants, as microbial protein provides proportionately 0.4 to 0.9 of amino acids entering the small intestine in ruminants receiving conventional diets (Russell et al., 1992). Methods of estimating microbial protein synthesis rely on marker techniques in which a particular microbial constituent is related to the microbial N content. Marker : N values have generally been established in mixed bacteria isolated from the liquid fraction of rumen digesta and it has been assumed that the same relationship holds in the total population leaving the rumen (Merry and McAllan, 1983). However, several studies have demonstrated differences in composition between solid-associated (SAB) and fluid-associated bacteria in vivo (Legay-Carmier and Bauchart, 1989) and in vitro (Molina Alcaide et al, 1996), as well in marker : N values (Pérez et al., 1996). This problem could be more pronounced in the in vitro semi-continuous culture system RUSITEC, in which there are three well defined components (a free liquid phase, a liquid phase associated with the solid phase and a solid phase), each one having associated microbial populations.The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of using different bacterial isolates (BI) on the estimation of microbial production of four different diets in RUSITEC (Czerkawski and Breckenridge, 1977), using (15NH4)2 SO4 as microbial marker, and to assess what effects any differences would have on the comparison of microbial protein synthesis between diets.This study was conducted in conjunction with an in vitro experiment described by Carro and Miller (1997). Two 14-day incubation trials were carried out with the rumen simulation technique RUSITEC (Czerkawski and Breckenridge, 1977). The general incubation procedure was the one described by Czerkawski and Breckenridge (1977) and more details about the procedures of this experiment are given elsewhere (Carro and Miller, 1997).

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