scholarly journals Self-assembly of multi-component mitochondrial nucleoids via phase separation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Feric ◽  
Tyler G. Demarest ◽  
Jane Tian ◽  
Deborah L. Croteau ◽  
Vilhelm A. Bohr ◽  
...  

SummaryMitochondria contain an autonomous and spatially segregated genome. The organizational unit of their genome is the nucleoid, which consists of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and associated architectural proteins. Here, we show that phase separation is the primary physical mechanism for assembly and size-control of the mitochondrial nucleoid. The major mtDNA-binding protein TFAM spontaneously phase separates in vitro via weak, multivalent interactions into viscoelastic droplets with slow internal dynamics. In combination, TFAM and mtDNA form multiphase, gel-like structures in vitro, which recapitulate the in vivo dynamic behavior of mt-nucleoids. Enlarged, phase-separated, yet transcriptionally active, nucleoids are present in mitochondria from patients with the premature aging disorder Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) and are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. These results point to phase separation as an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of genome organization.HighlightsMitochondrial genomes are organized by phase separation.The main packaging protein TFAM and mtDNA combine to form viscoelastic, multiphase droplets in vitro.Mitochondrial nucleoids exhibit phase behavior in vivo, including dynamic rearrangements and heterogenous organization.Coalescence and enlargement of mt-nucleoids occur upon loss of mitochondrial homeostasis as well as in prematurely aged cells and are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelby L Brown ◽  
Jared P. May

Phase separation concentrates biomolecules, which should benefit RNA viruses that must sequester viral and host factors during an infection. Here, the p26 movement protein from Pea enation mosaic virus 2 (PEMV2) was found to phase separate and partition in nucleoli and G3BP stress granules (SGs) in vivo . Electrostatic interactions drive p26 phase separation as mutation of basic (R/K-G) or acidic (D/E-G) residues either blocked or reduced phase separation, respectively. During infection, p26 must partition inside the nucleolus and interact with fibrillarin (Fib2) as a pre-requisite for systemic trafficking of viral RNAs. Partitioning of p26 in pre-formed Fib2 droplets was dependent on p26 phase separation suggesting that phase separation of viral movement proteins supports nucleolar partitioning and virus movement. Furthermore, viral ribonucleoprotein complexes containing p26, Fib2, and PEMV2 RNA were formed via phase separation in vitro and could provide the basis for self-assembly in planta . Interestingly, both R/K-G and D/E-G p26 mutants failed to support systemic trafficking of a Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) vector in Nicotiana benthamiana suggesting that p26 phase separation, proper nucleolar partitioning, and systemic movement are intertwined. p26 also partitioned in SGs and G3BP over-expression restricted PEMV2 accumulation >20-fold. Expression of phase separation-deficient G3BP only restricted PEMV2 5-fold, demonstrating that G3BP phase separation is critical for maximum antiviral activity.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 1279-1293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Strandgren ◽  
Gwladys Revêchon ◽  
Agustín Sola Carvajal ◽  
Maria Eriksson

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS, progeria) is an extremely rare premature aging disorder affecting children, with a disease incidence of ∼1 in 18 million individuals. HGPS is usually caused by a de novo point mutation in exon 11 of the LMNA gene (c.1824C>T, p.G608G), resulting in the increased usage of a cryptic splice site and production of a truncated unprocessed lamin A protein named progerin. Since the genetic cause for HGPS was published in 2003, numerous potential treatment options have rapidly emerged. Strategies to interfere with the post-translational processing of lamin A, to enhance progerin clearance, or directly target the HGPS mutation to reduce the progerin-producing alternative splicing of the LMNA gene have been developed. Here, we give an up-to-date resume of the contributions made by our and other research groups to the growing list of different candidate treatment strategies that have been tested, both in vitro, in vivo in mouse models for HGPS and in clinical trials in HGPS patients.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew W. Parker ◽  
Jonchee Kao ◽  
Alvin Huang ◽  
James M. Berger ◽  
Michael R. Botchan

ABSTRACTLiquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in proteins can drive the formation of membraneless compartments in cells. Phase-separated structures enrich for specific partner proteins and exclude others. We have shown that the IDRs of metazoan DNA replication initiators drive DNA-dependent phase separationin vitroand chromosome bindingin vivo, and that initiator condensates selectively recruit specific partner proteins. How initiator IDRs facilitate LLPS and maintain compositional specificity is unknown. UsingD. melanogaster (Dm)Cdt1 as a model initiation factor, we show that phase separation results from a synergy between electrostatic DNA-bridging interactions and hydrophobic inter-IDR contacts. Both sets of interactions depend on sequence composition (but not sequence order), are resistant to 1,6- hexanediol, and do not depend on aromaticity. These findings demonstrate that distinct sets of interactions drive self-assembly and condensate specificity across different phase-separating systems and advance efforts to predict IDR LLPS propensity and specificitya priori.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilia Espada ◽  
Alexander Dakhovnik ◽  
Prerana Chaudhari ◽  
Asya Martirosyan ◽  
Laura Miek ◽  
...  

SummaryThe diabetes drug metformin is to be clinically tested in aged humans to achieve health span extension, but little is known about responses of old non-diabetic individuals to this drug. By in vitro and in vivo tests we found that metformin shortens life span and limits cell survival when provided in late life, contrary to its positive early life effects. Mechanistically, metformin exacerbates aging-associated mitochondrial dysfunction towards respiratory failure, aggravated by the inability of old cells to upregulate glycolysis in response to metformin, leading to ATP exhaustion. The beneficial dietary restriction effect of metformin on lipid reserves is abrogated in old animals, contributing to metabolic failure, while ectopic stabilization of cellular ATP levels alleviates late life metformin toxicity in vitro and in vivo. The toxicity is also suspended in nematodes carrying diabetes-like insulin receptor insufficiency and showing prolonged resilience to metabolic stress induced by metformin. In sum, we uncovered an alarming metabolic decay triggered by metformin in late life which may limit its benefits for non-diabetic elderly patients. Novel regulators of life extension by metformin are also presented.HighlightsLate life metformin treatment limits cell survival and shortens lifespan.Metformin exacerbates aging-associated mitochondrial dysfunction causing fatal ATP exhaustion.Old cells fail to upregulate glycolysis as a compensatory response to metformin.The dietary restriction (DR) mimetic response to metformin is abrogated in old animals.PKA and not AMPK pathway instigates the early life DR response to metformin.Stabilization of cellular ATP levels alleviates late life metformin toxicity in vitro and in vivo.


Author(s):  
D. Reis ◽  
B. Vian ◽  
J. C. Roland

Wall morphogenesis in higher plants is a problem still open to controversy. Until now the possibility of a transmembrane control and the involvement of microtubules were mostly envisaged. Self-assembly processes have been observed in the case of walls of Chlamydomonas and bacteria. Spontaneous gelling interactions between xanthan and galactomannan from Ceratonia have been analyzed very recently. The present work provides indications that some processes of spontaneous aggregation could occur in higher plants during the formation and expansion of cell wall.Observations were performed on hypocotyl of mung bean (Phaseolus aureus) for which growth characteristics and wall composition have been previously defined.In situ, the walls of actively growing cells (primary walls) show an ordered three-dimensional organization (fig. 1). The wall is typically polylamellate with multifibrillar layers alternately transverse and longitudinal. Between these layers intermediate strata exist in which the orientation of microfibrils progressively rotates. Thus a progressive change in the morphogenetic activity occurs.


1964 ◽  
Vol 47 (3_Suppl) ◽  
pp. S28-S36
Author(s):  
Kailash N. Agarwal
Keyword(s):  

ABSTRACT Red cells were incubated in vitro with sulfhydryl inhibitors and Rhantibody with and without prior incubation with prednisolone-hemisuccinate. These erythrocytes were labelled with Cr51 and P32 and their disappearance in vivo after autotransfusion was measured. Prior incubation with prednisolone-hemisuccinate had no effect on the rate of red cell disappearance. The disappearance of the cells was shown to take place without appreciable intravascular destruction.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor H. Dashti ◽  
Rufika S. Abidin ◽  
Frank Sainsbury

Bioinspired self-sorting and self-assembling systems using engineered versions of natural protein cages have been developed for biocatalysis and therapeutic delivery. The packaging and intracellular delivery of guest proteins is of particular interest for both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> cell engineering. However, there is a lack of platforms in bionanotechnology that combine programmable guest protein encapsidation with efficient intracellular uptake. We report a minimal peptide anchor for <i>in vivo</i> self-sorting of cargo-linked capsomeres of the Murine polyomavirus (MPyV) major coat protein that enables controlled encapsidation of guest proteins by <i>in vitro</i> self-assembly. Using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) we demonstrate the flexibility in this system to support co-encapsidation of multiple proteins. Complementing these ensemble measurements with single particle analysis by super-resolution microscopy shows that the stochastic nature of co-encapsidation is an overriding principle. This has implications for the design and deployment of both native and engineered self-sorting encapsulation systems and for the assembly of infectious virions. Taking advantage of the encoded affinity for sialic acids ubiquitously displayed on the surface of mammalian cells, we demonstrate the ability of self-assembled MPyV virus-like particles to mediate efficient delivery of guest proteins to the cytosol of primary human cells. This platform for programmable co-encapsidation and efficient cytosolic delivery of complementary biomolecules therefore has enormous potential in cell engineering.


2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling-Ling LIU ◽  
Bai-Yang SHENG ◽  
Kai GONG ◽  
Nan-Ming ZHAO ◽  
Xiu-Fang ZHANG ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
AMOL SHETE ◽  
PRIYANKA THORAT ◽  
RAJENDRA DOIJAD ◽  
SACHIN SAJANE

Objective: The objectives of present investigation were to prepare and evaluate proniosomes of neomycin sulphate (NS) by coacervation phase separation method by using sorbitan monostearate (span 60) and lecithin as a surfactant to increase the penetration through the skin and study the effect of concentration of the same. Methods: Proniosomes of neomycin sulphate (NS) were prepared by coacervation phase separation method by using span 60 and lecithin. The effect of concentration of span 60 and lecithin was studied by factorial design. The prepared proniosomes were converted to gel by using carbopol as a gelling agent. The prepared formulations were evaluated for entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug diffusion, in vitro antibacterial activity and in vivo skin irritation test etc. Results: All Formulation showed the percentage entrapment efficiency in the range 38.31±0.05% to 77.96±0.06%, good homogeneity and gel was easily spreadable with minimal of shear. Optimized formulation showed enhanced rate of diffusion in vitro, increase in zone of inhibition against staphylococcus aureus, no skin irritation and showed good stability. Conclusion: The results of present study indicates that proniosomal gel formulated by using combination of span 60, Lecithin, cholesterol can be used to enhance skin delivery of NS because of excellent permeation of drug. Developed proniosomal gel formulation was promising carrier for NS


Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 915
Author(s):  
Jazelli Mueterthies ◽  
Davit A. Potoyan

Proteins with low complexity, disordered sequences are receiving increasing attention due to their central roles in the biogenesis and regulation of membraneless organelles. In eukaryotic organisms, a substantial fraction of disordered proteins reside in the nucleus, thereby facilitating the formation of nuclear bodies, nucleolus, and chromatin compartmentalization. The heterochromatin family of proteins (HP1) is an important player in driving the formation of gene silenced mesoscopic heterochromatin B compartments and pericentric regions. Recent experiments have shown that the HP1a sequence of Drosophila melanogaster can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation under both in vitro and in vivo conditions, induced by changes of the monovalent salt concentration. While the phase separation of HP1a is thought to be the mechanism underlying chromatin compartmentalization, the molecular level mechanistic picture of salt-driven phase separation of HP1a has remained poorly understood. The disordered hinge region of HP1a is seen as the driver of salt-induced condensation because of its charge enriched sequence and post-translational modifications. Here, we set out to decipher the mechanisms of salt-induced condensation of HP1a through a systematic study of salt-dependent conformations of single chains and fuzzy dimers of disordered HP1a hinge sequences. Using multiple independent all-atom simulations with and without enhanced sampling, we carry out detailed characterization of conformational ensembles of disordered HP1a chains under different ionic conditions using various polymeric and structural measures. We show that the mobile ion release, enhancement of local transient secondary structural elements, and side-chain exposure to solvent are robust trends that accompany fuzzy dimer formation. Furthermore, we find that salt-induced changes in the ensemble of conformations of HP1a disordered hinge sequence fine-tune the inter-chain vs. self-chain interactions in ways that favor fuzzy dimer formation under low salt conditions in the agreement with condensation trends seen in experiments.


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