Complex Conformational Dynamics of the Heart Failure-Associated Pre-miRNA-377 Hairpin Revealed by Single-Molecule Optical Tweezers

Pre-miRNA-377 is a hairpin-shaped regulatory RNA associated with heart failure. Here, we use single-molecule optical tweezers to unzip pre-miRNA-377 and study its stability and dynamics. We show that magnesium ions have a strong stabilizing effect, and that sodium ions stabilize the hairpin more than potassium ions. The hairpin unfolds in a single step, regardless of buffer composition. Interestingly, hairpin folding occurs either in a single step (type 1) or through the formation of intermediates, in multiple steps (type 2) or gradually (type 3). Type 3 occurs only in the presence of both sodium and magnesium, while type 1 and 2 take place in all buffers, with type 1 being the most prevalent. By reducing the size of the native hairpin loop from fourteen to four nucleotides, we demonstrate that the folding heterogeneity originates from the large size of the hairpin loop. Further, while efficient pre-miRNA-377 binders are lacking, we demonstrate that the recently developed C2 ligand displays bimodal activity: it enhances the mechanical stability of the pre-miRNA-377 hairpin and perturbs its folding. The knowledge regarding pre-miRNA stability and dynamics that we provide is important in understanding its regulatory function and how it can be modulated to achieve a therapeutic effect, e.g., in heart failure treatment.

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From folding to function: complex macromolecular reactions unraveled one-by-one with optical tweezers

Essays in Biochemistry ◽

10.1042/ebc20200024 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Pétur O. Heidarsson ◽

Ciro Cecconi

Keyword(s):

Optical Tweezers ◽

Single Molecule ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Intrinsically Disordered Proteins ◽

Conformational Dynamics ◽

Disordered Proteins ◽

Kinase Activation ◽

Intrinsically Disordered ◽

Complex Protein ◽

Methodological Principles

Abstract Single-molecule manipulation with optical tweezers has uncovered macromolecular behaviour hidden to other experimental techniques. Recent instrumental improvements have made it possible to expand the range of systems accessible to optical tweezers. Beyond focusing on the folding and structural changes of isolated single molecules, optical tweezers studies have evolved into unraveling the basic principles of complex molecular processes such as co-translational folding on the ribosome, kinase activation dynamics, ligand–receptor binding, chaperone-assisted protein folding, and even dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). In this mini-review, we illustrate the methodological principles of optical tweezers before highlighting recent advances in studying complex protein conformational dynamics – from protein synthesis to physiological function – as well as emerging future issues that are beginning to be addressed with novel approaches.

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The regulatory function of the AAA4 ATPase domain of cytoplasmic dynein

10.1101/2020.09.20.305243 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Xinglei Liu ◽

Lu Rao ◽

Arne Gennerich

Keyword(s):

Optical Tweezers ◽

Single Molecule ◽

Essential Role ◽

Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽

Regulatory Function ◽

Atpase Domain ◽

Single Molecule Fluorescence ◽

Mechanochemical Cycle ◽

Aaa Atpases

AbstractCytoplasmic dynein is the primary motor for microtubule minus-end-directed transport and is indispensable to eukaryotic cells. Although each motor domain of dynein contains three active AAA+ ATPases (AAA1, 3, and 4), only the functions of AAA1 and 3 are known. Here, we use single-molecule fluorescence and optical tweezers studies to elucidate the role of AAA4 in dynein’s mechanochemical cycle. We demonstrate that AAA4 controls the priming stroke of the motion-generating linker, which connects the dimerizing tail of the motor to the AAA+ ring. Before ATP binds to AAA4, dynein remains incapable of generating motion. However, when AAA4 is bound to ATP, the gating of AAA1 by AAA3 prevails and dynein motion can occur. Thus, AAA1, 3, and 4 work together to regulate dynein function. Our work elucidates an essential role for AAA4 in dynein’s stepping cycle and underscores the complexity and crosstalk among the motor’s multiple AAA+ domains.

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Nanomechanics and co-transcriptional folding of Spinach and Mango

10.1101/650119 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jaba Mitra ◽

Taekjip Ha

Keyword(s):

Optical Tweezers ◽

Single Molecule ◽

Mechanical Stability ◽

Resonance Energy Transfer ◽

Resonance Energy ◽

Rna Aptamers ◽

Cellular Processes ◽

Force Relaxation ◽

And Function

AbstractRecent advances in fluorogen-binding RNA aptamers known as “light-up” aptamers provide an avenue for protein-free detection of RNA in cells. Crystallographic studies have revealed a G-Quadruplex (GQ) structure at the core of light-up aptamers such as Spinach, Mango and Corn. Detailed biophysical characterization of folding of such aptamers is still lacking despite the potential implications on their in vivo folding and function. We used single-molecule fluorescence-force spectroscopy that combines fluorescence resonance energy transfer with optical tweezers to examine mechanical responses of Spinach2, iMangoIII and MangoIV. Spinach2 unfolded in four discrete steps as force is increased to 7 pN and refolded in reciprocal steps upon force relaxation. Binding of DFHBI-1T fluorogen preserved the step-wise unfolding behavior although at slightly higher forces. In contrast, GQ core unfolding in iMangoIII and MangoIV occurred in one discrete step at forces > 10 pN and refolding occurred at lower forces showing hysteresis. Binding of the cognate fluorogen, TO1, did not significantly alter the mechanical stability of Mangos. In addition to K+, which is needed to stabilize the GQ cores, Mg2+ was needed to obtain full mechanical stability of the aptamers. Co-transcriptional folding analysis using superhelicases showed that co-transcriptional folding reduces misfolding and allows a folding pathway different from refolding. As the fundamental cellular processes like replication, transcription etc. exert pico-Newton levels of force, these aptamers may unfold in vivo and subsequently misfold.

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Characterization of Poliovirus Variants Selected for Resistance to the Antiviral Compound V-073

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.00539-12 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 56 (11) ◽

pp. 5568-5574 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Hong-Mei Liu ◽

Jason A. Roberts ◽

Deborah Moore ◽

Barbara Anderson ◽

Mark A. Pallansch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Single Step ◽

Single Amino Acid ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

Antiviral Compound ◽

Equivalent Position ◽

Single Amino Acid Change ◽

Step Growth ◽

Type 3

ABSTRACTV-073, a small-molecule capsid inhibitor originally developed for nonpolio enterovirus indications is considerably more potent against polioviruses. All poliovirus isolates tested to date (n= 45), including wild, vaccine, vaccine-derived, and laboratory strains, are susceptible to the antiviral capsid inhibitor V-073. We grew poliovirus in the presence of V-073 to allow for the identification of variants with reduced susceptibility to the drug. Sequence analysis of 160 independent resistant variants (80 isolates of poliovirus type 1, 40 isolates each of types 2 and 3) established that V-073 resistance involved a single amino acid change in either of two virus capsid proteins, VP1 (67 of 160 [42%]) or VP3 (93 of 160 [58%]). In resistant variants with a VP1 change, the majority (53 of 67 [79%]) exhibited a substitution of isoleucine at position 194 (equivalent position 192 in type 3) with either methionine or phenylalanine. Of those with a VP3 change, alanine at position 24 was replaced with valine in all variants (n= 93). The resistance phenotype was relatively stable upon passage of viruses in cell culture in the absence of drug. Single-step growth studies showed no substantial differences between drug-resistant variants and the virus stocks from which they were derived, while the resistant viruses were generally more thermally labile than the corresponding drug-susceptible parental viruses. These studies provide a foundation from which to build a greater understanding of resistance to antiviral compound V-073.

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The regulatory function of the AAA4 ATPase domain of cytoplasmic dynein

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-020-19477-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xinglei Liu ◽

Lu Rao ◽

Arne Gennerich

Keyword(s):

Optical Tweezers ◽

Single Molecule ◽

Essential Role ◽

Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽

Regulatory Function ◽

Atpase Domain ◽

Single Molecule Fluorescence ◽

Mechanochemical Cycle ◽

Aaa Atpases

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Monitoring the Structural Dynamics of U2 snRNA Via Single-Molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer

10.31237/osf.io/9j8gq ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Alexander Carl DeHaven

Keyword(s):

Energy Transfer ◽

Structural Dynamics ◽

Single Molecule ◽

Conformational Dynamics ◽

Resonance Energy Transfer ◽

Resonance Energy ◽

Förster Resonance Energy Transfer ◽

U2 Snrna ◽

Folding Dynamics ◽

The Impact

This thesis contains four topic areas: a review of single-molecule microscropy methods and splicing, conformational dynamics of stem II of the U2 snRNA, the impact of post-transcriptional modifications on U2 snRNA folding dynamics, and preliminary findings on Mango aptamer folding dynamics.

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FUNCTIONAL STATUS AND ADAPTIVE POTENTIAL IN FOREIGN STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF VEGETATIVE REGULATION DURING TUITION

Ulyanovsk Medico-biological Journal ◽

10.34014/2227-1848-2020-1-118-126 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 118-126

Author(s):

A.M. Satarkulova

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Foreign Students ◽

Autonomic Regulation ◽

The Body ◽

Functional Changes ◽

Different Types ◽

Type 3 ◽

Adaptive Abilities

The assessment and dynamic control over students’ status is a very important task. It allows timely detection of prenosological status prior to pathology and health maintenance in students. The objective of the paper is to assess the adaptive abilities of the body, to analyze changes in heart rate variability indicators in students with various types of autonomic regulation, to identify prenosological status and precursory pathological symptoms. Materials and Methods. The study enrolled 302 students from India, aged 21.54±1.43. Programming complex «Psychophysiologist» was used to register the main HRV parameters within 5 minutes. Health status was evaluated according to the index of functional changes and the scale of functional states. Results. N.I. Shlyk (2009) distinguished two groups of students with different types of autonomic regulation: type 1 (53 %) with moderate and type 2 (5 %) with marked characteristics of central regulation profile, type 3 (35 %) with moderate and type 4 (7 %) with marked characteristics of autonomous regulation profile. Main parameters of HRV and adaptation potential were defined for each student.All the parameters characterized functional and health status. Conclusions. It was shown that 82 % of trial subjects (type 1), 53 % (type 2), 94 % (type 3) and 95 % (type 4) demonstrated satisfactory adaptation and their physiological processes were at an optimal level. 18 % of students (type 1) demonstrated reduced adaptive abilities of the body. Moreover, they were under moderate stress. 47 % of subjects (type 2) were also under a significant stress, which was proven by excessively high SI, low SDNN and TP, and an increased index of functional changes. 5 % of students (type 4) revealed dysfunctional characteristics in the heart rhythm, peculiar to pathology. Keywords: foreign students, heart rate variability, types of autonomic regulation, adaptation potential, functional status. Оценка состояния студентов и динамический контроль за ним является важной задачей, поскольку позволяет своевременно выявлять у студентов донозологические состояния, предшествующие патологии, и способствовать сохранению здоровья. Цель. Оценка адаптивных возможностей организма, анализ изменений показателей вариабельности сердечного ритма у студентов с различными типами вегетативной регуляции, выявление донозологических состояний и ранних признаков патологии. Материалы и методы. В исследовании участвовало 302 студента в возрасте 21,54+1,43 года из Индии. Регистрировались основные параметры ВСР в течение 5 мин с использованием программно-аппаратного комплекса «Психофизиолог». Состояние и уровень здоровья оценивались по индексу функциональных изменений и шкале функциональных состояний. Результаты. По способу, предложенному Н.И. Шлык, выделены группы студентов с различными типами вегетативной регуляции: I (53 %) и II типы (5 %) – с умеренным и выраженным преобладанием центрального контура регуляции соответственно, III (35 %) и IV типы (7 %) – с умеренным и выраженным преобладанием автономного контура регуляции соответственно. У каждого из студентов определены основные параметры ВСР и адаптационного потенциала, характеризующие функциональное состояние и уровень здоровья. Выводы. Показано, что для 82 % обследуемых с I типом, 53 % со II типом, 94 % c III типом и 95 % с IV типом регуляции характерно состояние удовлетворительной адаптации, физиологические процессы сохраняются на оптимальном уровне. В группе студентов I типа у 18 % студентов адаптивные возможности организма снижены, выявлено состояние умеренного напряжения. У 47 % обследуемых II типа также зафиксировано состояние резко выраженного напряжения, индикатором которого является чрезмерно высокое значение SI, низкие величины SDNN и ТP, повышенное значение индекса функциональных изменений. В группе студентов с IV типом у 5 % учащихсяв регуляции ритма сердца выявлены дисфункциональные признаки, характерные для патологии. Ключевые слова: иностранные студенты, вариабельность сердечного ритма, типы вегетативной регуляции, адаптационный потенциал, функциональное состояние.

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POLIOMYELITIS IN CANADIAN ESKIMOS: LABORATORY STUDIES. V. TYPE 1 AND TYPE 3 POLIOMYELITIS ANTIBODY LEVELS IN BAFFIN ISLAND ESKIMOS

Canadian Journal of Biochemistry and Physiology ◽

10.1139/y54-013 ◽

1954 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 119-125

Author(s):

W. Wood ◽

Eina M. Clark ◽

F. T. Shimada ◽

A. J. Rhodes

Keyword(s):

Medical Records ◽

Baffin Island ◽

Tissue Cultures ◽

Laboratory Studies ◽

Poliomyelitis Virus ◽

Antibody Titers ◽

Antibody Levels ◽

Type 3

Studies on the basic immunology of poliomyelitis in Canadian Eskimos have been continued. Some 87 sera collected from Eskimos at Pangnirtung, Baffin Island, have been examined for the presence of Type 1 and Type 3 poliomyelitis antibody by quantitative tests in tissue cultures. The same sera were previously examined for Type 2 antibody by quantitative tests in mice. The results of the three determinations are now presented together for comparison. These sera came from Eskimos aged 2 to 72 years of age. None of the Eskimos showed any evidence of paralysis. Examination of the medical records did not suggest that any paralytic disease had been present in this part of Baffin Island. Very few of the sera showed the presence of poliomyelitis antibody; thus, Type 1 antibody was demonstrated in the sera of 8%, Type 2 antibody in the sera of 9%, and Type 3 antibody in the sera of 14%. No significant number of Eskimos below the age of 45 years had acquired poliomyelitis antibody. The antibody titers mostly ranged between 10−1.0 and 10−2.0, and were significantly lower than the titers customarily found in recently paralyzed cases. These findings suggest that poliomyelitis infection occurred in Pangnirtung Eskimos many years before the date on which the samples were taken (1951). These results point to the worldwide prevalence of the three types of poliomyelitis virus.

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Toward Personalized Treatment for Patients with Low von Willebrand Factor and Quantitative von Willebrand Disease

Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1722864 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 47 (02) ◽

pp. 192-200

Author(s):

James S. O'Donnell

Keyword(s):

Von Willebrand Factor ◽

Bleeding Risk ◽

Von Willebrand Disease ◽

Personalized Treatment ◽

Treatment Plans ◽

Type 3 ◽

Von Willebrand ◽

Willebrand Factor

AbstractThe biological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 and type 3 von Willebrand disease (VWD) have been studied extensively. In contrast, although accounting for the majority of VWD cases, the pathobiology underlying partial quantitative VWD has remained somewhat elusive. However, important insights have been attained following several recent cohort studies that have investigated mechanisms in patients with type 1 VWD and low von Willebrand factor (VWF), respectively. These studies have demonstrated that reduced plasma VWF levels may result from either (1) decreased VWF biosynthesis and/or secretion in endothelial cells and (2) pathological increased VWF clearance. In addition, it has become clear that some patients with only mild to moderate reductions in plasma VWF levels in the 30 to 50 IU/dL range may have significant bleeding phenotypes. Importantly in these low VWF patients, bleeding risk fails to correlate with plasma VWF levels and inheritance is typically independent of the VWF gene. Although plasma VWF levels may increase to > 50 IU/dL with progressive aging or pregnancy in these subjects, emerging data suggest that this apparent normalization in VWF levels does not necessarily equate to a complete correction in bleeding phenotype in patients with partial quantitative VWD. In this review, these recent advances in our understanding of quantitative VWD pathogenesis are discussed. Furthermore, the translational implications of these emerging findings are considered, particularly with respect to designing personalized treatment plans for VWD patients undergoing elective procedures.

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Circulation and Molecular Epidemiology of Enteroviruses in Paralyzed, Immunodeficient and Healthy Individuals in Tunisia, a Country with a Polio-Free Status for Decades

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13030380 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 380

Author(s):

Anissa Chouikha ◽

Dorra Rezig ◽

Nadia Driss ◽

Ichrak Abdelkhalek ◽

Ahlem Ben Yahia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Detection Rate ◽

Warning System ◽

World Health ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Nucleotide Sequencing ◽

Comprehensive Picture ◽

Set Up ◽

Health Organization ◽

Type 3

This report is an overview of enterovirus (EV) detection in Tunisian polio-suspected paralytic cases (acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases), healthy contacts and patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PID) during an 11-year period. A total of 2735 clinical samples were analyzed for EV isolation and type identification, according to the recommended protocols of the World Health Organization. Three poliovirus (PV) serotypes and 28 different nonpolio enteroviruses (NPEVs) were detected. The NPEV detection rate was 4.3%, 2.8% and 12.4% in AFP cases, healthy contacts and PID patients, respectively. The predominant species was EV-B, and the circulation of viruses from species EV-A was noted since 2011. All PVs detected were of Sabin origin. The PV detection rate was higher in PID patients compared to AFP cases and contacts (6.8%, 1.5% and 1.3% respectively). PV2 was not detected since 2015. Using nucleotide sequencing of the entire VP1 region, 61 strains were characterized as Sabin-like. Among them, six strains of types 1 and 3 PV were identified as pre-vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs). Five type 2 PV, four strains belonging to type 1 PV and two strains belonging to type 3 PV, were classified as iVDPVs. The data presented provide a comprehensive picture of EVs circulating in Tunisia over an 11-year period, reveal changes in their epidemiology as compared to previous studies and highlight the need to set up a warning system to avoid unnoticed PVs.

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