scholarly journals Metalloprotein catalysis: structural and mechanistic insights into oxidoreductases from neutron protein crystallography

2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela C. Schröder ◽  
Flora Meilleur
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Damage ◽  
Reaction Mechanisms ◽  
Protein Crystallography ◽  
Computational Techniques ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Structural Probe ◽  
Metal Cofactor ◽  
Neutron Protein Crystallography ◽  
Insight Into

Metalloproteins catalyze a range of reactions, with enhanced chemical functionality due to their metal cofactor. The reaction mechanisms of metalloproteins have been experimentally characterized by spectroscopy, macromolecular crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. An important caveat in structural studies of metalloproteins remains the artefacts that can be introduced by radiation damage. Photoreduction, radiolysis and ionization deriving from the electromagnetic beam used to probe the structure complicate structural and mechanistic interpretation. Neutron protein diffraction remains the only structural probe that leaves protein samples devoid of radiation damage, even when data are collected at room temperature. Additionally, neutron protein crystallography provides information on the positions of light atoms such as hydrogen and deuterium, allowing the characterization of protonation states and hydrogen-bonding networks. Neutron protein crystallography has further been used in conjunction with experimental and computational techniques to gain insight into the structures and reaction mechanisms of several transition-state metal oxidoreductases with iron, copper and manganese cofactors. Here, the contribution of neutron protein crystallography towards elucidating the reaction mechanism of metalloproteins is reviewed.

scholarly journals Structural Characterization of Cuta- and Tusavirus: Insight into Protoparvoviruses Capsid Morphology

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 653
Author(s):  
Mario Mietzsch ◽  
Robert McKenna ◽  
Elina Väisänen ◽  
Jennifer C. Yu ◽  
Maria Ilyas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sialic Acid ◽  
Structure Evolution ◽  
Cellular Interactions ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cellular Entry ◽  
Surface Loops ◽  
Antigenic Reactivity ◽  
Insight Into

Several members of the Protoparvovirus genus, capable of infecting humans, have been recently discovered, including cutavirus (CuV) and tusavirus (TuV). To begin the characterization of these viruses, we have used cryo-electron microscopy and image reconstruction to determine their capsid structures to ~2.9 Å resolution, and glycan array and cell-based assays to identify glycans utilized for cellular entry. Structural comparisons show that the CuV and TuV capsids share common features with other parvoviruses, including an eight-stranded anti-parallel β-barrel, depressions at the icosahedral 2-fold and surrounding the 5-fold axes, and a channel at the 5-fold axes. However, the viruses exhibit significant topological differences in their viral protein surface loops. These result in three separated 3-fold protrusions, similar to the bufaviruses also infecting humans, suggesting a host-driven structure evolution. The surface loops contain residues involved in receptor binding, cellular trafficking, and antigenic reactivity in other parvoviruses. In addition, terminal sialic acid was identified as the glycan potentially utilized by both CuV and TuV for cellular entry, with TuV showing additional recognition of poly-sialic acid and sialylated Lewis X (sLeXLeXLeX) motifs reported to be upregulated in neurotropic and cancer cells, respectively. These structures provide a platform for annotating the cellular interactions of these human pathogens.

scholarly journals Formation and characterization of a reactive chromium(v)–oxo complex: mechanistic insight into hydrogen-atom transfer reactions

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 945-955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Kotani ◽  
Suzue Kaida ◽  
Tomoya Ishizuka ◽  
Miyuki Sakaguchi ◽  
Takashi Ogura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Atom ◽  
Reaction Mechanisms ◽  
Hydrogen Atom Transfer ◽  
Transfer Reactions ◽  
Atom Transfer ◽  
Oxidation Potentials ◽  
Mechanistic Insight ◽  
Atom Transfer Reactions ◽  
Insight Into

Mechanistic insights were gained into hydrogen-atom transfer reactions from benzyl alcohol derivatives with different oxidation potentials to a highly reactive Cr(v)–oxo complex to reveal switching of reaction mechanisms.

Skeletal elements of crinoid echinoderms: High-resolution structural and microanalytical results

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 194-195
Author(s):  
D. F. Blake ◽  
L. F. Allard ◽  
D. R. Peacor
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
High Resolution Tem ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insight Into

Echinodermata is a phylum of marine invertebrates which has been extant since Cambrian time (c.a. 500 m.y. before the present). Modern examples of echinoderms include sea urchins, sea stars, and sea lilies (crinoids). The endoskeletons of echinoderms are composed of plates or ossicles (Fig. 1) which are with few exceptions, porous, single crystals of high-magnesian calcite. Despite their single crystal nature, fracture surfaces do not exhibit the near-perfect {10.4} cleavage characteristic of inorganic calcite. This paradoxical mix of biogenic and inorganic features has prompted much recent work on echinoderm skeletal crystallography. Furthermore, fossil echinoderm hard parts comprise a volumetrically significant portion of some marine limestones sequences. The ultrastructural and microchemical characterization of modern skeletal material should lend insight into: 1). The nature of the biogenic processes involved, for example, the relationship of Mg heterogeneity to morphological and structural features in modern echinoderm material, and 2). The nature of the diagenetic changes undergone by their ancient, fossilized counterparts. In this study, high resolution TEM (HRTEM), high voltage TEM (HVTEM), and STEM microanalysis are used to characterize tha ultrastructural and microchemical composition of skeletal elements of the modern crinoid Neocrinus blakei.

Radiation Damage Studies with the HVEM

1972 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 680-681
Author(s):  
J. J. Laidler ◽  
B. Mastel
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Damage ◽  
Stainless Steels ◽  
Volume Expansion ◽  
Austenitic Stainless Steels ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Fast Breeder Reactors ◽  
Breeder Reactors ◽  
Under Construction ◽  
Development Laboratory ◽  
Insight Into

One of the major materials problems encountered in the development of fast breeder reactors for commercial power generation is the phenomenon of swelling in core structural components and fuel cladding. This volume expansion, which is due to the retention of lattice vacancies by agglomeration into large polyhedral clusters (voids), may amount to ten percent or greater at goal fluences in some austenitic stainless steels. From a design standpoint, this is an undesirable situation, and it is necessary to obtain experimental confirmation that such excessive volume expansion will not occur in materials selected for core applications in the Fast Flux Test Facility, the prototypic LMFBR now under construction at the Hanford Engineering Development Laboratory (HEDL). The HEDL JEM-1000 1 MeV electron microscope is being used to provide an insight into trends of radiation damage accumulation in stainless steels, since it is possible to produce atom displacements at an accelerated rate with 1 MeV electrons, while the specimen is under continuous observation.

Cryomicroscopy of multiphase latices

1991 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 1060-1061
Author(s):  
O. L. Shaffer ◽  
M.S. El-Aasser ◽  
C. L. Zhao ◽  
M. A. Winnik ◽  
R. R. Shivers
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Radiation Damage ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Particle Morphology ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Important Approach ◽  
Carbon Coated ◽  
Preparation Techniques

Transmission electron microscopy is an important approach to the characterization of the morphology of multiphase latices. Various sample preparation techniques have been applied to multiphase latices such as OsO4, RuO4 and CsOH stains to distinguish the polymer phases or domains. Radiation damage by an electron beam of latices imbedded in ice has also been used as a technique to study particle morphology. Further studies have been developed in the use of freeze-fracture and the effect of differential radiation damage at liquid nitrogen temperatures of the latex particles embedded in ice and not embedded.Two different series of two-stage latices were prepared with (1) a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) seed and poly(styrene) (PS) second stage; (2) a PS seed and PMMA second stage. Both series have varying amounts of second-stage monomer which was added to the seed latex semicontinuously. A drop of diluted latex was placed on a 200-mesh Formvar-carbon coated copper grid.

Characterization of defects in tabular silver halide grains

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 1046-1047
Author(s):  
C. Goessens ◽  
D. Schryvers ◽  
J. Van Landuyt ◽  
A. Verbeeck ◽  
R. De Keyzer
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Damage ◽  
Silver Halide ◽  
Chemical Characteristics ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Free Region ◽  
Central Defect ◽  
Crystallographic Defects ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
Two Sides

Silver halide grains (AgX, X=Cl,Br,I) are commonly recognized as important entities in photographic applications. Depending on the preparation specifications one can grow cubic, octahedral, tabular a.o. morphologies, each with its own physical and chemical characteristics. In the present study crystallographic defects introduced by the mixing of 5-20% iodide in a growing AgBr tabular grain are investigated. X-ray diffractometry reveals the existence of a homogeneous Ag(Br1-xIx) region, expected to be formed around the AgBr kernel. In fig. 1 a two-beam BF image, taken at T≈100 K to diminish radiation damage, of a triangular tabular grain is presented, clearly showing defect contrast fringes along four of the six directions; the remaining two sides show similar contrast under relevant diffraction conditions. The width of the central defect free region corresponds with the pure AgBr kernel grown before the mixing with I. The thickness of a given grain lies between 0.15 and 0.3 μm: as indicated in fig. 2 triangular (resp. hexagonal) grains exhibit an uneven (resp. even) number of twin interfaces (i.e., between + and - twin variants) parallel with the (111) surfaces. The thickness of the grains and the existence of the twin variants was confirmed from CTEM images of perpendicular cuts.

scholarly journals First Insight into Nutraceutical Properties of Local Salento Cichorium intybus Varieties: NMR-Based Metabolomic Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4057
Author(s):  
Chiara Roberta Girelli ◽  
Francesca Serio ◽  
Rita Accogli ◽  
Federica Angilè ◽  
Antonella De Donno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
1H Nmr ◽  
Cichorium Intybus ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Metabolic Profiles ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Different Content ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Nutraceutical Properties ◽  
Metabolomic Approach

Background: Plants of genus Cichorium are known for their therapeutic and nutraceutical properties determined by a wealth of phytochemical substances contained in the whole plant. The aim of this paper was to characterize the metabolic profiles of local Salento chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) varieties (“Bianca”, “Galatina”, “Leccese”, and “Otranto”) in order to describe their metabolites composition together with possible bioactivity and health beneficial properties. Methods: The investigation was performed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy and Multivariate Analysis (MVA), by which the metabolic profiles of the samples were easily obtained and compared. Results: The supervised Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) analysis showed as “Bianca” and “Galatina” samples grouped together separated by “Leccese” and “Otranto” varieties. A different content of free amino acids and organic acids was observed among the varieties. In particular a high content of cichoric and monocaffeoyl tartaric acid was observed for the “Leccese” variety. The presence of secondary metabolites adds significant interest in the investigation of Cichorium inthybus, as this vegetable may benefit human health when incorporated into the diet. Conclusions: The 1H-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy) based characterization of Salento chicory varieties allowed us to determine the potential usefulness and nutraceutical properties of the product, also providing a method to guarantee its authenticity on a molecular scale.

“Real-World” Microscopy: Understanding Environment-Sensitive Behavior of Ni-Base Welds

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (S2) ◽  
pp. 528-529
Author(s):  
M. G. Burke ◽  
R. J. Wehrer ◽  
C.M. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Base Alloy ◽  
Analytical Electron Microscopy ◽  
Furnace Cool ◽  
Environmental Embrittlement ◽  
Reported Study ◽  
Compositional Changes ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Sensitive Behavior

Ni-base alloy welds such as EN82H weld metal are frequently employed in nuclear power applications where resistance to corrosion is required. Results of a recently reported study of the mechanical properties of EN82H welds show that this alloy is susceptible to low-temperature (∼100°C) environmental embrittlement (LTEE) in hydrogenated water. LTEE is a manifestation of hydrogen embrittlement in these alloys.1 Recent LTEE tests have demonstrated a beneficial effect of a high-temperature (∼1100°C) anneal and furnace-cool in alleviating the material's susceptibility to LTEE. Understanding the reason for the reduction in LTEE susceptibility requires detailed characterization of the microstructure so that the specific structural and compositional changes that have been induced by the solution-anneal can be identified. This study reports the results of light optical and analytical electron microscopy (AEM) characterization of the microstructures of as-fabricated and as-solution-annealed EN82H welds with the objective of providing insight into the observed LTEE behavior.

scholarly journals Specificities and Synergistic Actions of Novel PL8 and PL7 Alginate Lyases from the Marine Fungus Paradendryphiella salina

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Bo Pilgaard ◽  
Marlene Vuillemin ◽  
Jesper Holck ◽  
Casper Wilkens ◽  
Anne S. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Alginate Lyase ◽  
Marine Fungus ◽  
Brown Macroalgae ◽  
Polysaccharide Lyases ◽  
Alginate Lyases ◽  
Encoding Genes ◽  
Substrate Affinities ◽  
Alginate Degradation ◽  
Insight Into

Alginate is an anionic polysaccharide abundantly present in the cell walls of brown macroalgae. The enzymatic depolymerization is performed solely by alginate lyases (EC 4.2.2.x), categorized as polysaccharide lyases (PLs) belonging to 12 different PL families. Until now, the vast majority of the alginate lyases have been found in bacteria. We report here the first extensive characterization of four alginate lyases from a marine fungus, the ascomycete Paradendryphiella salina, a known saprophyte of seaweeds. We have identified four polysaccharide lyase encoding genes bioinformatically in P. salina, one PL8 (PsMan8A), and three PL7 alginate lyases (PsAlg7A, -B, and -C). PsMan8A was demonstrated to exert exo-action on polymannuronic acid, and no action on alginate, indicating that this enzyme is most likely an exo-acting polymannuronic acid specific lyase. This enzyme is the first alginate lyase assigned to PL8 and polymannuronic acid thus represents a new substrate specificity in this family. The PL7 lyases (PsAlg7A, -B, and -C) were found to be endo-acting alginate lyases with different activity optima, substrate affinities, and product profiles. PsAlg7A and PsMan8A showed a clear synergistic action for the complete depolymerization of polyM at pH 5. PsAlg7A depolymerized polyM to mainly DP5 and DP3 oligomers and PsMan8A to dimers and monosaccharides. PsAlg7B and PsAlg7C showed substrate affinities towards both polyM and polyG at pH 8, depolymerizing both substrates to DP9-DP2 oligomers. The findings elucidate how P. salina accomplishes alginate depolymerization and provide insight into an efficient synergistic cooperation that may provide a new foundation for enzyme selection for alginate degradation in seaweed bioprocessing.

scholarly journals Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes: Biological Function and Their Therapeutic Potential in Radiation Damage

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Xiaoyu Pu ◽  
Siyang Ma ◽  
Yan Gao ◽  
Tiankai Xu ◽  
Pengyu Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cell ◽  
Radiation Damage ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Damage Model ◽  
Bioactive Substances ◽  
Radiation Induced ◽  
Insight Into

Radiation-induced damage is a common occurrence in cancer patients who undergo radiotherapy. In this setting, radiation-induced damage can be refractory because the regeneration responses of injured tissues or organs are not well stimulated. Mesenchymal stem cells have become ideal candidates for managing radiation-induced damage. Moreover, accumulating evidence suggests that exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells have a similar effect on repairing tissue damage mainly because these exosomes carry various bioactive substances, such as miRNAs, proteins and lipids, which can affect immunomodulation, angiogenesis, and cell survival and proliferation. Although the mechanisms by which mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes repair radiation damage have not been fully elucidated, we intend to translate their biological features into a radiation damage model and aim to provide new insight into the management of radiation damage.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document