Review of Microfluidic Methods for Cellular Lysis

Cell lysis is a process in which the outer cell membrane is broken to release intracellular constituents in a way that important information about the DNA or RNA of an organism can be obtained. This article is a thorough review of reported methods for the achievement of effective cellular boundaries disintegration, together with their technological peculiarities and instrumental requirements. The different approaches are summarized in six categories: chemical, mechanical, electrical methods, thermal, laser, and other lysis methods. Based on the results derived from each of the investigated reports, we outline the advantages and disadvantages of those techniques. Although the choice of a suitable method is highly dependent on the particular requirements of the specific scientific problem, we conclude with a concise table where the benefits of every approach are compared, based on criteria such as cost, efficiency, and difficulty.

Ice-Binding Proteins Associated with an Antarctic Cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp. HG1

ABSTRACT Ice-binding proteins (IBPs) have been identified in numerous polar algae and bacteria, but so far not in any cyanobacteria, despite the abundance of cyanobacteria in polar regions. We previously reported strong IBP activity associated with an Antarctic Nostoc species. In this study, to identify the proteins responsible, as well as elucidate their origin, we sequenced the DNA of an environmental sample of this species, designated Nostoc sp. HG1, and its bacterial community and attempted to identify IBPs by looking for known IBPs in the metagenome and by looking for novel IBPs by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) proteomics analyses of ice affinity-purified proteins. The metagenome contained over 116 DUF3494-type IBP genes, the most common type of IBP identified so far. One of the IBPs could be confidently assigned to Nostoc, while the others could be attributed to diverse bacteria, which, surprisingly, accounted for the great majority of the metagenome. Recombinant Nostoc IBPs (nIBPs) had strong ice-structuring activities, and their circular dichroism spectra were consistent with the secondary structure of a DUF3494-type IBP. nIBP is unusual in that it is the only IBP identified so far to have a PEP (amino acid motif) C-terminal signal, a signal that has been associated with anchoring to the outer cell membrane. These results suggest that the observed IBP activity of Nostoc sp. HG1 was due to a combination of endogenous and exogenous IBPs. Amino acid and nucleotide sequence analyses of nIBP raise the possibility that it was acquired from a planctomycete. IMPORTANCE The horizontal transfer of genes encoding ice-binding proteins (IBPs), proteins that confer freeze-thaw tolerance, has allowed many microorganisms to expand their ranges into polar regions. One group of microorganisms for which nothing is known about its IBPs is cyanobacteria. In this study, we identified a cyanobacterial IBP and showed that it was likely acquired from another bacterium, probably a planctomycete. We also showed that a consortium of IBP-producing bacteria living with the Nostoc contribute to its IBP activity.

Mechanism and Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinases

Matrix metalloproteinases hydrolyze proteins and glycoproteins forming the extracellular matrix, cytokines and growth factors released in the extracellular space, and membrane-bound receptors on the outer cell membrane. The pathological relevance of MMPs has prompted the structural and functional characterization of these enzymes and the development of synthetic inhibitors as possible drug candidates. Recent studies have provided a better understanding of the substrate preference of the different members of the family, and structural data on the mechanism by which these enzymes hydrolyze the substrates. Here, we report the recent advancements in the understanding of the mechanism of collagenolysis and elastolysis, and we discuss the perspectives of new therapeutic strategies for targeting MMPs.

A Regenerative Immunoaffinity Layer Based on the Outer Membrane of Z-Domains Autodisplaying E. coli for Immunoassays and Immunosensors

Through orientation control of antibodies, Z-domains autodisplaying Escherichia coli outer cell membrane (OM) may be utilized to improve the sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD) of immunoassays and immunosensors. A regenerative immunoaffinity layer based on Z-domains autodisplaying E. coli OM was developed for the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor. Regeneration conditions for the Z-domains autodisplaying E. coli OM-based immunoassays and immunosensors were optimized by varying pH and detergent concentration. An E. coli cell-based HRP immunoassay was tested and validated in three sequential regenerative immunoassays under optimal conditions. The OM of Z-domains autodisplaying E. coli was isolated and coated on the two-dimensional substrate (microplate). The OM-based HRP immunoassay was tested and validated in four regenerative immunoassays. This regenerative OM layer was applied to the SPR biosensor. Z-domains autodisplaying OM layered onto the gold surface of SPR biosensors was developed, and the OM-based regenerative immunoaffinity layer with orientation control was tested using CRP analyte. The SPR biosensor regenerative immunoaffinity layer demonstrated that CRP biosensing was repeated for five regeneration cycles with less than 2% signal difference. Therefore, the newly developed regenerative immunoaffinity layer with antibody orientation control may improve biosensing sensitivity and reduce the cost of medical diagnosis.

Cellular Trafficking of Sn-2 Phosphatidylcholine Prodrugs Studied with Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging and Super-resolution Microscopy

While the in vivoefficacy of Sn-2 phosphatidylcholine prodrugs incorporated into targeted, non-pegylated lipid-encapsulated nanoparticles was demonstrated in prior preclinical studies, the microscopic details of cell prodrug internalization and trafficking events are unknown. Classic fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, and single-molecule super-resolution microscopy were used to investigate the cellular handling of doxorubicin-prodrug and AlexaFluor-488-prodrug. Sn-2 phosphatidylcholine prodrugs delivered by hemifusion of nanoparticle and cell phospholipid membranes functioned as phosphatidylcholine mimics, circumventing the challenges of endosome sequestration and release. Phosphatidylcholine prodrugs in the outer cell membrane leaflet translocated to the inner membrane leaflet by ATP-dependent and ATP-independent mechanisms and distributed broadly within the cytosolic membranes over the next 12 h. A portion of the phosphatidylcholine prodrug populated vesicle membranes trafficked to the perinuclear Golgi/ER region, where the drug was enzymatically liberated and activated. Native doxorubicin entered the cells, passed rapidly to the nucleus, and bound to dsDNA, whereas DOX was first enzymatically liberated from DOX-prodrug within the cytosol,particularly in the perinuclear region, before binding nuclear dsDNA. Much of DOX-prodrug was initially retained within intracellular membranes. In vitroanti-proliferation effectiveness of the two drug delivery approaches was equivalent at 48 h, suggesting that residual intracellular DOX-prodrug may constitute a slow-release drug reservoir that enhances effectiveness. We have demonstrated thatSn-2 phosphatidylcholine prodrugs function as phosphatidylcholine mimics following reported pathways of phosphatidylcholine distribution and metabolism. Drug complexed to the Sn-2 fatty acid is enzymatically liberated and reactivated over many hours, which may enhance efficacy over time.

Regulatory RNAs in cyanobacteria: developmental decisions, stress responses and a plethora of chromosomally encoded cis-antisense RNAs

Cyanobacteria are the only prokaryotes which directly convert solar energy into biomass using oxygenic photosynthesis. Therefore, these bacteria are of interest for the production of biofuels, biotechnology and are of tremendous relevance for primary carbon fixation in many ecosystems. Mechanisms controlling gene expression cannot be understood entirely without information on the numbers and functions of regulatory RNAs. In cyanobacteria, non-coding RNAs have been characterized from simple unicellular species such as Prochlorococcus up to complex species such as Anabaena. Several of these RNAs function in the control of stress responses, photosynthesis, outer cell membrane protein biosynthesis and the differentiation of cells.

β-catenin activation is not involved in sporadic parathyroid carcinomas and adenomas

Aberrant accumulation of β-catenin has been found in various types of human tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Wnt/β-catenin signaling is activated in parathyroid carcinomas and adenomas. We studied 154 parathyroid tumors (18 carcinomas (13 with distant metastases), six atypical adenomas, and 130 adenomas). Three normal parathyroid tissues were used as control. Direct sequencing of exon 3 of the CTNNB1 gene showed absence of stabilizing mutations in all the tumors. Immunostaining of β-catenin was performed in all carcinomas and in 66 adenomas (including three atypical). Normal parathyroid showed a homogeneous distinct outer cell membrane staining in the majority of cells and no nuclear staining. A weak cytoplasmic staining was observed in one case. All tumors showed negative nuclear staining. With the exception of one carcinoma, which had a negative membrane staining, all other samples showed a membrane staining which was similar to that of the normal parathyroid. β-Catenin expression was heterogeneous with a range of positive cells between 5 and 80%, independently of tumor type. Our results suggest that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is not involved in the development of parathyroid carcinomas and adenomas.