FAST ION BEAM MICROSCOPY OF WHOLE CELLS

COSMOS ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 09 (01) ◽  
pp. 65-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANK WATT ◽  
XIAO CHEN ◽  
CE-BELLE CHEN ◽  
CHAMMIKA NB UDALAGAMA ◽  
MINQIN REN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Nanoparticles ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Cell Interior ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
Fast Ions ◽  
Ion Probe ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Fast Ion ◽  
Extract Information

The way in which biological cells function is of prime importance, and the determination of such knowledge is highly dependent on probes that can extract information from within the cell. Probing deep inside the cell at high resolutions however is not easy: optical microscopy is limited by fundamental diffraction limits, electron microscopy is not able to maintain spatial resolutions inside a whole cell without slicing the cell into thin sections, and many other new and novel high resolution techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and near field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) are essentially surface probes. In this paper we show that microscopy using fast ions has the potential to extract information from inside whole cells in a unique way. This novel fast ion probe utilises the unique characteristic of MeV ion beams, which is the ability to pass through a whole cell while maintaining high spatial resolutions. This paper first addresses the fundamental difference between several types of charged particle probes, more specifically focused beams of electrons and fast ions, as they penetrate organic material. Simulations show that whereas electrons scatter as they penetrate the sample, ions travel in a straight path and therefore maintain spatial resolutions. Also described is a preliminary experiment in which a whole cell is scanned using a low energy (45 keV) helium ion microscope, and the results compared to images obtained using a focused beam of fast (1.2 MeV) helium ions. The results demonstrate the complementarity between imaging using low energy ions, which essentially produce a high resolution image of the cell surface, and high energy ions, which produce an image of the cell interior. The characteristics of the fast ion probe appear to be ideally suited for imaging gold nanoparticles in whole cells. Using scanning transmission ion microscopy (STIM) to image the cell interior, forward scattering transmission ion microscopy (FSTIM) to improve the contrast of the gold nanoparticles, and Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) to determine the depth of the gold nanoparticles in the cell, a 3D visualization of the nanoparticles within the cell can be constructed. Finally a new technique, proton induced fluorescence (PIF), is tested on a cell stained with DAPI, a cell-nucleic acid stain that exhibits a 20-fold increase in fluorescence when binding to DNA. The results indicate that the technique of PIF, although still at an early stage of development, has high potential since there does not seem to be any physical barrier to develop simultaneous structural and fluorescence imaging at sub 10 nm resolutions.

Preincubation with Sn-complexes causes intensive intracellular retention of 99mTc in thyroid cells in vitro

2012 ◽  
Vol 51 (05) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Wendisch ◽  
D. Aurich ◽  
R. Runge ◽  
R. Freudenberg ◽  
J. Kotzerke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Model ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Thyroid Cells ◽  
Low Energy Electrons ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Vitro Model ◽  
Uptake Studies ◽  
Radiobiological Effects ◽  
Radioactivity Retention

SummaryTechnetium radiopharmaceuticals are well established in nuclear medicine. Besides its well-known gamma radiation, 99mTc emits an average of five Auger and internal conversion electrons per decay. The biological toxicity of these low-energy, high-LET (linear energy transfer) emissions is a controversial subject. One aim of this study was to estimate in a cell model how much 99mTc can be present in exposed cells and which radiobiological effects could be estimated in 99mTc-overloaded cells. Methods: Sodium iodine symporter (NIS)- positive thyroid cells were used. 99mTc-uptake studies were performed after preincubation with a non-radioactive (cold) stannous pyro - phosphate kit solution or as a standard 99mTc pyrophosphate kit preparation or with pure pertechnetate solution. Survival curves were analyzed from colony-forming assays. Results: Preincubation with stannous complexes causes irreversible intracellular radioactivity retention of 99mTc and is followed by further pertechnetate influx to an unexpectedly high 99mTc level. The uptake of 99mTc pertechnetate in NIS-positive cells can be modified using stannous pyrophosphate from 3–5% to >80%. The maximum possible cellular uptake of 99mTc was 90 Bq/cell. Compared with nearly pure extracellular irradiation from routine 99mTc complexes, cell survival was reduced by 3–4 orders of magnitude after preincubation with stannous pyrophosphate. Conclusions: Intra cellular 99mTc retention is related to reduced survival, which is most likely mediated by the emission of low-energy electrons. Our findings show that the described experiments constitute a simple and useful in vitro model for radiobiological investigations in a cell model.

scholarly journals Enhanced Extracellular Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by Soluble Extracts from Escherichia coli Transformed with Rhizobium tropici Phytochelatin Synthase Gene

Metals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 472
Author(s):  
Qunying Yuan ◽  
Manjula Bomma ◽  
Zhigang Xiao
Keyword(s):  
Gold Nanoparticles ◽  
Gold Nanoparticle ◽  
Synthesis Method ◽  
Nanoparticle Synthesis ◽  
Morphological Properties ◽  
Phytochelatin Synthase ◽  
Rhizobium Tropici ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Recombinant Cells

Phytochelatins, the enzymatic products of phytochelatin synthase, play a principal role in protecting the plants from heavy metal and metalloid toxicity due to their ability to scavenge metal ions. In the present study, we investigated the capacity of soluble intracellular extracts from E. coli cells expressing R. tropici phytochelatin synthase to synthesize gold nanoparticle. We discovered that the reaction mediated by soluble extracts from the recombinant E. coli cells had a higher yield of gold nanoparticles, compared to that from the control cells. The compositional and morphological properties of the gold nanoparticles synthesized by the intracellular extracts from recombinant cells and control cells were similar. In addition, this extracellular nanoparticle synthesis method produced purer gold nanoparticles, avoiding the isolation of nanoparticles from cellular debris when whole cells are used to synthesize nanoparticles. Our results suggested that phytochelatins can improve the efficiency of gold nanoparticle synthesis mediated by bacterial soluble intracellular extracts, and the potential of extracellular nanoparticle synthesis platform for the production of nanoparticles in large quantity and pure form is worth further investigation.

Computer studies of fast ion trajectories in crystals

1968 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 503-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. V. Morgan ◽  
D. van Vliet
Keyword(s):  
Large Angle ◽  
Classical Dynamics ◽  
Perfect Lattice ◽  
Fast Ions ◽  
Angle Scattering ◽  
Initial Work ◽  
Fast Ion ◽  
Thermal Vibrations ◽  
Computer Studies ◽  
Good Agreement

A computer program has been developed which follows the trajectories of fast ions in crystals, based on the assumption of classical dynamics and binary collisions. Initial work has been directed at various aspects of proton channeling in copper in the energy range 5–500 keV. The critical angle and distance of closest approach in a perfect lattice have been evaluated for both rows and planes and compare well with the predictions of the continuum model as developed by Lindhard (1965). We also discuss the overlap of close-packed rows and planes, and the modifications necessary to the basic theory when thermal vibrations are introduced. Experiments have been simulated directly by obtaining a statistical analysis of the velocity distribution of protons reflected from a (100) face of copper and transmitted through a thin (~1800 Â) crystal. In reflection, distinct minima were obtained along directions corresponding to close-packed rows and planes, in good agreement with experimental "blocking patterns" (Nelson 1967a). Transmission patterns also revealed a lack of large-angle scattering parallel to close-packed planes, analogous to the white arms observed experimentally with thinner crystals.

Formation of the nitrogen-fixing enzyme system in Azotobacter vinelandii

1968 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Strandberg ◽  
P. W. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Color Change ◽  
Azotobacter Vinelandii ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Color Difference ◽  
Potassium Nitrate ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
System A ◽  
Growth System ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Enzyme Formation

The formation and activity of nitrogenase2 in Azotobacter vinelandii OP was examined using a cell-free assay system. A lag period of about 30 min occurred between the exhaustion of the combined nitrogen source and growth on N2. Cells grown on ammonium acetate or potassium nitrate had no detectable nitrogenase activity. Nitrogenase activity appeared in cells, grown under a flowing gas phase of 20% O2 – 60% He, about 45 min after the exhaustion of ammonia. Nitrogenase formation was inhibited in a closed system with an atmosphere containing 40% O2 but not by one containing 20% O2. Hydrogen did not inhibit enzyme formation. The question of whether N2 is required for the formation of the enzyme could not be answered as this gas could not be completely eliminated from the growth system. Chloramphenicol prevented the formation of the enzyme and inhibited nitrogen fixation in whole cells, but had no effect on cell-free enzyme activity. A brief rise in turbidity which occurred during nitrogenase formation appeared to be due to a color change in the cells from reddish brown to dark brown. Spectrophotometric examination of extracts from ammonia- and N2-grown cells did not reveal any components responsible for this color difference, but this result may reflect only the presence of interfering substances in the crude extract.

scholarly journals Cucurbitacins are insect steroid hormone antagonists acting at the ecdysteroid receptor

1997 ◽  
Vol 327 (3) ◽  
pp. 643-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence DINAN ◽  
Pensri WHITING ◽  
Jean-Pierre GIRAULT ◽  
René LAFONT ◽  
S. Tarlochan DHADIALLA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Antagonistic Activity ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Ecdysteroid Receptor ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
Definitive Evidence ◽  
Permanent Cell ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Gel Shift Assay ◽  
Hormone Antagonists

Two triterpenoids, cucurbitacins B and D, have been isolated from seeds of Iberis umbellata (Cruciferae) and shown to be responsible for the antagonistic activity of a methanolic extract of this species in preventing the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E)-induced morphological changes in the Drosophila melanogaster BII permanent cell line. With a 20E concentration of 50 nM, cucurbitacins B and D give 50% responses at 1.5 and 10 μM respectively. Both cucurbitacins are able to displace specifically bound radiolabelled 25-deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone (ponasterone A) from a cell-free preparation of the BII cells containing ecdysteroid receptors. The Kd values for cucurbitacins B and D (5 and 50 μM respectively) are similar to the concentrations required to antagonize 20E activity with whole cells. Cucurbitacin B (cucB) prevents stimulation by 20E of an ecdysteroid-responsive reporter gene in a transfection assay. CucB also prevents the formation of the Drosophila ecdysteroid receptor/Ultraspiracle/20E complex with the hsp27 ecdysteroid response element as demonstrated by gel-shift assay. This is therefore the first definitive evidence for the existence of antagonists acting at the ecdysteroid receptor. Preliminary structure/activity studies indicate the importance of the Δ23-22-oxo functional grouping in the side chain for antagonistic activity. Hexanorcucurbitacin D, which lacks carbon atoms C-22 to C-27, is found to be a weak agonist rather than an antagonist. Moreover, the side chain analogue 5-methylhex-3-en-2-one possesses weak antagonistic activity.

scholarly journals Patterns of organelle ontogeny through a cell cycle revealed by whole-cell reconstructions using 3D electron microscopy

Development ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 144 (4) ◽  
pp. e1.2-e1.2
Author(s):  
Louise Hughes ◽  
Samantha Borrett ◽  
Katie Towers ◽  
Tobias Starborg ◽  
Sue Vaughan
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
3D Electron Microscopy ◽  
A Cell ◽  
3D Electron

scholarly journals Shortening the Lipid A Acyl Chains of Bordetella pertussis Enables Depletion of Lipopolysaccharide Endotoxic Activity

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 594
Author(s):  
Jesús Arenas ◽  
Elder Pupo ◽  
Coen Phielix ◽  
Dionne David ◽  
Afshin Zariri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bordetella Pertussis ◽  
Lipid A ◽  
Whooping Cough ◽  
Acyl Chain ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
Acyl Chain Length ◽  
Acyl Chains

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Whole-cell vaccines, which were introduced in the fifties of the previous century and proved to be effective, showed considerable reactogenicity and were replaced by subunit vaccines around the turn of the century. However, there is a considerable increase in the number of cases in industrialized countries. A possible strategy to improve vaccine-induced protection is the development of new, non-toxic, whole-cell pertussis vaccines. The reactogenicity of whole-cell pertussis vaccines is, to a large extent, derived from the lipid A moiety of the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of the bacteria. Here, we engineered B. pertussis strains with altered lipid A structures by expressing genes for the acyltransferases LpxA, LpxD, and LpxL from other bacteria resulting in altered acyl-chain length at various positions. Whole cells and extracted LPS from the strains with shorter acyl chains showed reduced or no activation of the human Toll-like receptor 4 in HEK-Blue reporter cells, whilst a longer acyl chain increased activation. Pyrogenicity studies in rabbits confirmed the in vitro assays. These findings pave the way for the development of a new generation of whole-cell pertussis vaccines with acceptable side effects.

How penicillin kills bacteria: progress and problems

1971 ◽  
Vol 179 (1057) ◽  
pp. 369-383 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Bacterial Cell ◽  
Crosslinking Reaction ◽  
Free System ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
Uridine Nucleotide ◽  
History Of ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Specific Inhibitors

Penicillins and cephalosporins are specific inhibitors of the biosynthesis of bacterial cell walls. This discovery was first made in 1957 and was based on two observations. First, penicillins induced the formation of protoplasts or spheroplasts in bacteria (organisms in which the cell wall has been lost or weakened) (Lederberg 1957). Secondly, a uridine nucleotide accumulated in Staphylococcus aureus and other bacteria inhibited by penicillin which had a striking relationship to the composition of the cell wall (Park & Strominger 1957). It was therefore suggested that this nucleotide was an activated precursor of the wall. Over the next decade, a great deal of work was carried out in order to elucidate the structure of the bacterial cell wall and the mechanism of its biosynthesis from the uridine nucleotides and other precursors (reviewed by Strominger 1970; Strominger & Ghuysen 1967; Ghuysen 1968). It was demonstrated that interpeptide cross-links were an important structural feature of the wall. Several kinds of experiments carried out with whole cells indicated that the final step in cell wall synthesis, the crosslinking reaction catalysed by a transpeptidase, was the site of action of penicillin (Wise & Park 1965; Tipper & Strominger 1965 a , b , 1968). Finally, in 1966, the transpeptidase catalysing this cross-linking reaction was obtained in a cell-free system and shown to be a penicillin-sensitive enzyme (Izaki, Matsuhashi & Strominger 1966, 1968). The history of these developments has been reviewed elsewhere (Strominger 1970), and in the present paper, attention will be focused on recent studies of the penicillin-sensitive transpeptidase and other penicillinsensitive activities found in bacterial cell membranes. First, however, it is necessary to describe briefly the structure of the cell wall of bacteria and the nature of the inhibited reactions. The walls of bacteria consist of glycan strands in which two sugars, acetylglucosamine (X) and acetylmuramic acid (Y), strictly alternate (figure 1). Four such glycan strands are represented in figure 1. The acetylmuramic acid residues of the polymer are substituted by a tetrapeptide (represented in the figure by open circles). The peptidoglycan strand (i.e., the glycan substituted by the tetrapeptide) are cross-linked to one another by means of an interpeptide bridge which is to some extent a genus-specific character­istic. In the genus Staphylococcus aureus , the interpeptide bridge is a pentaglycine chain (represented in figure 1 by the closed circles) which extends from the carboxyl group on the terminal D-alanine residue of the tetrapeptide to the ∊-amino group of lysine, the third amino acid in the tetrapeptide chain. The wall of S . aureus is a very tightly knit structure in that virtually every peptide subunit is cross-linked to another subunit by means of this interpeptide bridge. Penicillins and cephalosporins are specific inhibitors of the reaction in which the cross-link is actually formed. This step is the last reaction in wall synthesis.

scholarly journals Assimilation of α-glutamyl-peptides by human erythrocytes. A possible means of glutamate supply for glutathione synthesis

1985 ◽  
Vol 227 (3) ◽  
pp. 833-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
G F King ◽  
P W Kuchel
Keyword(s):  
Spin Echo ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Cell Suspensions ◽  
Human Erythrocytes ◽  
Peptide Hydrolysis ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Glutathione Synthesis ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
Transmembrane Flux ◽  
Spin Echo Sequence

Human erythrocytes are essentially impermeable to glutamate and yet there is a continual requirement for the amino acid for glutathione synthesis. In addition, the intracellular glutamate concentration is approximately five times that of plasma. We present evidence that glutamate enters the red cell as small peptides which are rapidly hydrolysed by cytoplasmic peptidase(s) and that with the estimated physiological levels of plasma glutamyl-peptides the rate of inward flux would be adequate to maintain the glutamate pool at its observed level. Experimentally, we used 1H spin-echo n.m.r. spectroscopy to follow peptide hydrolysis, since peptide spectra are different from those of the free amino acids and the spin-echo sequence enables the monitoring of reactions in concentrated lysates and whole cell suspensions. Thus, the system was studied under near-physiological conditions. Weighted non-linear regression analysis of progress curves using the integrated Michaelis-Menten equation was used to obtain estimates of Km and Vmax. for the hydrolysis of alpha-L-glutamyl-L-alanine and L-alanyl-alpha-L-glutamate in lysates and whole cell suspensions; the values for lysates were Km = 3.60 +/- 0.29 and 5.4 +/- 0.4 mmol/l and Vmax. = 120 +/- 4 and 46.7 +/- 1.7 mmol/h per 1 of packed cells respectively. In whole cell suspensions the rate of peptide hydrolysis was much slower and dominated by the transmembrane flux-rate. The estimates of the steady-state kinetic parameters for the transport were Kt = 2.35 +/- 0.41 and 11.2 +/- 1.0 mmol/l and Vmax. = 3.26 +/- 0.13 and 19.7 +/- 0.7 mmol/h per 1 of packed cells respectively for the previously mentioned peptides. Using the n.m.r. procedure we failed to detect any glutaminase activity in whole cells or lysates; thus, we exclude the possibility that glutamate gains entry to the cell as glutamine which is subsequently hydrolysed by glutaminase.

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