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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records

Lysosomal enzyme binding to the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor is regulated allosterically by insulin-like growth factor 2

The cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CI-MPR) is clinically significant in the treatment of patients with lysosomal storage diseases because it functions in the biogenesis of lysosomes by transporting mannose 6-phosphate (M6P)-containing lysosomal enzymes to endosomal compartments. CI-MPR is multifunctional and modulates embryonic growth and fetal size by downregulating circulating levels of the peptide hormone insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2). The extracellular region of CI-MPR comprises 15 homologous domains with binding sites for M6P-containing ligands located in domains 3, 5, 9, and 15, whereas IGF2 interacts with residues in domain 11. How a particular ligand affects the receptor’s conformation or its ability to bind other ligands remains poorly understood. To address these questions, we purified a soluble form of the receptor from newborn calf serum, carried out glycoproteomics to define the N-glycans at its 19 potential glycosylation sites, probed its ability to bind lysosomal enzymes in the presence and absence of IGF2 using surface plasmon resonance, and assessed its conformation in the presence and absence of IGF2 by negative-staining electron microscopy and hydroxyl radical protein footprinting studies. Together, our findings support the hypothesis that IGF2 acts as an allosteric inhibitor of lysosomal enzyme binding by inducing global conformational changes of CI-MPR.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Insights on autophagosome–lysosome tethering from structural and biochemical characterization of human autophagy factor EPG5

Pivotal to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, macroautophagy (hereafter autophagy) is an evolutionarily conserved degradation system that involves sequestration of cytoplasmic material into the double-membrane autophagosome and targeting of this transport vesicle to the lysosome/late endosome for degradation. EPG5 is a large-sized metazoan protein proposed to serve as a tethering factor to enforce autophagosome–lysosome/late endosome fusion specificity, and its deficiency causes a severe multisystem disorder known as Vici syndrome. Here, we show that human EPG5 (hEPG5) adopts an extended “shepherd’s staff” architecture. We find that hEPG5 binds preferentially to members of the GABARAP subfamily of human ATG8 proteins critical to autophagosome–lysosome fusion. The hEPG5–GABARAPs interaction, which is mediated by tandem LIR motifs that exhibit differential affinities, is required for hEPG5 recruitment to mitochondria during PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy. Lastly, we find that the Vici syndrome mutation Gln336Arg does not affect the hEPG5’s overall stability nor its ability to engage in interaction with the GABARAPs. Collectively, results from our studies reveal new insights into how hEPG5 recognizes mature autophagosome and establish a platform for examining the molecular effects of Vici syndrome disease mutations on hEPG5.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Single-cell visualization and quantification of trace metals in Chlamydomonas lysosome-related organelles

Significance Transition metals are of crucial importance for primary productivity; their scarcity limits crop yield in agriculture and carbon sequestration on a global scale. Copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) are among the most important trace elements that enable the redox chemistry in oxygenic photosynthesis. The single-celled, eukaryotic green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a choice experimental system for studying trace metal homeostasis in the context of phototrophy, offering all the advantages of a classical microbial system with a well-characterized photosystem and trace metal metabolism machinery of relevance to plants. This project identifies and differentiates different trace metal storage sites in Chlamydomonas and uncovers the dynamics of trace metal storage and mobilization in situations of fluctuating resources.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

A Bright, Photostable, and Far-Red Dye That Enables Multicolor, Time-Lapse, and Super-Resolution Imaging of Acidic Organelles

Lysosomes have long been known for their acidic lumens and efficient degradation of cellular byproducts. In recent years, it has become clear that their function is far more sophisticated, involving multiple cell signaling pathways and interactions with other organelles. Unfortunately, their acidic interior, fast dynamics, and small size make lysosomes difficult to image with fluorescence microscopy. Here we report a far-red small molecule, HMSiR 680 -Me, that fluoresces only under acidic conditions, causing selective labeling of acidic organelles in live cells. HMSiR 680 -Me can be used alongside other far-red dyes in multicolor imaging experiments and is superior to existing lysosome probes in terms of photostability and maintaining cell health and lysosome motility. We demonstrate that HMSiR 680 -Me is compatible with overnight time-lapse experiments as well as time-lapse super-resolution microscopy with a frame rate of 1.5 fps for at least 1000 frames. HMSiR 680 -Me can also be used alongside silicon rhodamine dyes in a multiplexed super-resolution microscopy experiment to visualize interactions between mitochondria and lysosomes with only a single excitation laser and simultaneous depletion. We envision this dye permitting a more detailed study of the role of lysosomes in dynamic cellular processes and disease.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Disease modeling for Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB using patient derived induced pluripotent stem cells

Highlights: • Establishment of a patient-specific neuronal model for Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB using iPSCs. • Lysosomes enlarged and secondary lipid accumulated in Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB iPSC-derived neuronal cells. • Recombinant NAGLU, δ-tocopherol, and HPBCD reduced the disease phenotypes in MPS IIIB iPSC-derived neuronal cells. Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB) is a lysosomal disease caused by mutations in the NAGLU gene encoding α-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU) which degrades heparan sulfate in lysosomes. Deficiency in NAGLU results in lysosomal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and neurological symptoms. Currently, there is no effective treatment or cure for this disease. In this study, induced pluripotent stem cell lines were established from two MPS IIIB patient fibroblast lines and differentiated into neural stem cells and neurons. MPS IIIB neural stem cells exhibited NAGLU deficiency accompanied with GAG accumulation, as well as lysosomal enlargement and secondary lipid accumulation. Treatments with recombinant NAGLU, δ-tocopherol, and 2-hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin significantly reduced the disease phenotypes in these cells. These results indicate the MPS IIIB neural stem cells and neurons have the disease relevant phenotype and can be used as a cell-based disease model system for evaluation of drug efficacy and compound screening for drug development.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Endothelial surface translocation of mitochondrial PDCE2 involves the non-canonical secretory autophagy pathway: Putative molecular target for radiation-guided drug delivery

Highlights: • Radiation induces ectopic endothelial surface exposure of mitochondrial PDCE2. • PDCE2 translocation is associated with late-stage inhibition of autophagic flux. • Radiation damage overloads the degradative lysosomal pathway of autophagy. • PDCE2 trafficking occurs via autophagosomes and non-canonical secretory autophagy. • Surface PDCE2 provides a novel target for radiation-guided vascular drug delivery. Radiation has been proposed as a priming agent to induce discriminatory luminal biomarkers for vascular targeting and drug delivery in disorders such as brain arteriovenous malformations and cancers. We previously observed ectopic expression of intracellular proteins such as mitochondrial PDCE2 on irradiated endothelium in animal models. In this study we examined the mechanism of PDCE2 trafficking in human endothelial cells to better understand its suitability as a vascular target. Ionizing radiation induced PDCE2 surface localization in association with accumulation of autophagosome markers (L3CB and p62) indicative of late-stage inhibition of autophagic flux. This effect was abolished in the presence of Rapamycin, an autophagy-inducer, but replicated in the presence of Bafilomycin A, an autophagy blocker. PDCE2 co-localized with lysosomal markers of the canonical degradative autophagy pathway in response to radiation but also with recycling endosomes and SNARE proteins responsible for autophagosome-plasma membrane fusion. These findings demonstrate that radiation-induced blockade of autophagic flux stimulates redirection of intracellular molecules such as PDCE2 to the cell surface via a non-canonical secretory autophagy pathway. Intracellular membrane proteins trafficked in this way could provide a unique pool of radiation biomarkers for therapeutic drug delivery.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

The cholesterol transporter NPC1 is essential for epigenetic regulation and maturation of oligodendrocyte lineage cells

The intracellular cholesterol transporter NPC1 functions in late endosomes and lysosomes to efflux unesterified cholesterol, and its deficiency causes Niemann–Pick disease Type C, an autosomal recessive lysosomal disorder characterized by progressive neurodegeneration and early death. Here, we use single-nucleus RNA-seq on the forebrain of Npc1 –/– mice at P16 to identify cell types and pathways affected early in pathogenesis. Our analysis uncovers significant transcriptional changes in the oligodendrocyte lineage during developmental myelination, accompanied by diminished maturation of myelinating oligodendrocytes. We identify upregulation of genes associated with neurogenesis and synapse formation in Npc1 –/– oligodendrocyte lineage cells, reflecting diminished gene silencing by H3K27me3. Npc1 –/ – oligodendrocyte progenitor cells reproduce impaired maturation in vitro, and this phenotype is rescued by treatment with GSK-J4, a small molecule inhibitor of H3K27 demethylases. Moreover, mobilizing stored cholesterol in Npc1 –/– mice by a single administration of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin at P7 rescues myelination, epigenetic marks, and oligodendrocyte gene expression. Our findings highlight an important role for NPC1 in oligodendrocyte lineage maturation and epigenetic regulation, and identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Multicolor polymeric carbon dots: synthesis, separation and polyamide-supported molecular fluorescence

Multicolor carbon dots (CDs) have been developed recently and demonstrate great potential in bio-imaging, sensing, and LEDs. However, the fluorescence mechanism of their tunable colors is still under debate, and efficient separation methods are still challenging. Herein, we synthesized multicolor polymeric CDs through solvothermal treatment of citric acid and urea in formamide. Automated reversed-phase column separation was used to achieve fractions with distinct colors, including blue, cyan, green, yellow, orange and red. This work explores the physicochemical properties and fluorescence origins of the red, green, and blue fractions in depth with combined experimental and computational methods. Three dominant fluorescence mechanism hypotheses were evaluated by comparing time-dependent density functional theory and molecular dynamics calculation results to measured characteristics. We find that blue fluorescence likely comes from embedded small molecules trapped in carbonaceous cages, while pyrene analogs are the most likely origin for emission at other wavelengths, especially in the red. Also important, upon interaction with live cells, different CD color fractions are trafficked to different sub-cellular locations. Super-resolution imaging shows that the blue CDs were found in a variety of organelles, such as mitochondria and lysosomes, while the red CDs were primarily localized in lysosomes. These findings significantly advance our understanding of the photoluminescence mechanism of multicolor CDs and help to guide future design and applications of these promising nanomaterials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Neutral rhenium( i ) tricarbonyl complexes with sulfur-donor ligands: anti-proliferative activity and cellular localization

Rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes are widely studied for their cell imaging properties and anti-cancer and anti-microbial activities, but the complexes with S-donor ligands remain relatively unexplored. A series of six fac-[Re(NN)(CO) 3 (SR)] complexes, where (NN) is 2,2'-bipyridyl (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), and RSH is a series of thiocarboxylic acid methyl esters, have been synthesized and characterized. Cellular uptake and anti-proliferative activities of these complexes in human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) were generally lower than those of the previously described fac-[Re(NN)(CO) 3 (OH 2 )]+ complexes; however, one of the complexes, fac-[Re(CO) 3 (phen)(SC(Ph)CH 2 C(O)OMe)] (3b), was active (IC 50 ~ 10 μM at 72 h treatment) in thiol-depleted MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, unlike fac-[Re(CO) 3 (phen)(OH 2 )]+, this complex did not lose activity in the presence of extracellular glutathione. Taken together these properties show promise for further development of 3b and its analogues as potential anti-cancer drugs for co-treatment with thiol-depleting agents. Conversely, the stable and non-toxic complex, fac-[Re(bipy)(CO) 3 (SC(Me)C(O)OMe)] (1a), predominantly localized in the lysosomes of MDA-MB-231 cells, as shown by live cell confocal microscopy (λ ex = 405 nm, λ em = 470–570 nm). It is strongly localized in a subset of lysosomes (25 μM Re, 4 h treatment), as shown by co-localization with a Lysotracker dye. Longer treatment times with 1a (25 μM Re for 48 h) resulted in partial migration of the probe into the mitochondria, as shown by co-localization with a Mitotracker dye. These properties make complex 1a an attractive target for further development as an organelle probe for multimodal imaging, including phosphorescence, carbonyl tag for vibrational spectroscopy, and Re tag for X-ray fluorescence microscopy.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Mechanism of endosomal escape by p H -responsive nucleic-acid vectors

Successful intracellular delivery of nucleic acids (NAs) hinges on many factors, one of them being NAs’ efficacious escape from endosomes. As competent NA vectors, pH-responsive gemini surfactants (GSs) might achieve high efficacy by facilitating endosomal escape. However, how the GSs assist the escape remains debated as many proposed mechanisms still lack experimental support, which hinders replication and further improvement of the efficient delivery. Here, via UV, fluorescence spectroscopy, and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), we examined a pH-responsive GS's and a pH-unresponsive GS's capabilities to compact DNA and withstand binding competition, and their interactions with model endosomal and lysosomal membranes, at varied pHs. Acidification-driven enhancement of DNA-compaction capability and of stability against binding competition were found specific to the pH-responsive GS. Alongside the pH-responsive GS's structural perturbation to the membranes as observed with SANS, the features suggest that pH-responsive GSs facilitate endosomal escape by releasing excess GS molecules from DNA-GS complexes upon acidification in endosome maturation, with the released GS molecules disrupting endosomal and lysosomal membranes and thereby assisting the escape. Here a general design principle for NA vectors is proposed on the basis of this experimental finding.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Structure of the immunoregulatory sialidase NEU1

Sialic acids linked to glycoproteins and glycolipids are important mediators of cell and protein recognition events. These sugar residues are removed by neuraminidases (sialidases). Neuraminidase-1 (sialidase-1 or NEU1) is a ubiquitously expressed mammalian sialidase located in lysosomes and on the cell membrane. Because of its modulation of multiple signaling processes, it is a potential therapeutic target for cancers and immune disorders. Genetic defects in NEU1 or in its protective protein cathepsin A (PPCA, CTSA) cause the lysosomal storage diseases sialidosis and galactosialidosis. To further our understanding of this enzyme’s function at the molecular level, we determined the three-dimensional structure of murine NEU1. The enzyme oligomerizes through two self-association interfaces and displays a wide substrate-binding cavity. A catalytic loop adopts an inactive conformation. We propose a mechanism of activation involving a conformational change in this loop upon binding to its protective protein. These findings may facilitate the development of selective inhibitor and agonist therapies.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Protective Effect of Phloretin against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Damage by Enhancing Autophagic Flux in DF-1 Cells

Phloretin (PHL) is a dihydrochalcone flavonoid isolated from the peel and root bark of apples, strawberries, and other plants with antioxidative characteristic. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect and the potential mechanism of PHL on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative damage in DF-1 cells. The results showed that PHL exhibited no cytotoxic effect on DF-1 cells at concentration below 20 μM. PHL markedly increased H2O2-reduced cell viability, decreased H2O2-induced apoptosis, as evidenced by reduced apoptosis rate, the upregulation of gene and protein level of Bcl-2, and the downregulation of gene and protein level of Bax and Cleaved caspase3. In addition, PHL reduced H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and restored antioxidant enzymes activities as well as mitochondrial membrane potential in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, PHL prior to H2O2 further increased LC3-II level, promoted p62 turnover and improved lysosomal function. Importantly, autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) reversed the protective effect of PHL, and increased H2O2-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, PHL inhibited the phosphorylation levels of ERK, p38, and JNK. Collectively, these results indicate that PHL could attenuate H2O2-induced oxidative injury and apoptosis by maintaining lysosomal function and promoting autophagic flux, and MAPKs pathway may be involved in this process. Our study provides evidence that PHL could as a new strategy to against oxidative damage in poultry industry.

Song, Dan↗

Neutral rhenium(i) tricarbonyl complexes with sulfur-donor ligands: anti-proliferative activity and cellular localization

Rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes are widely studied for their cell imaging properties and anticancer and anti-microbial activities, but the complexes with S-donor ligands remain relatively unexplored. A series of six fac-[Re(NN)(CO) 3 (SR)] complexes, where (NN) is 2,2'-bipyridyl (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), and RSH is a series of thiocarboxylic acid methyl esters, have been synthesized and characterized. Cellular uptake and anti-proliferative activities of these complexes in human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) were generally lower than those of the previously described fac-[Re(NN)(CO) 3 (OH 2 )] + complexes; however, one of the complexes, fac-[Re(CO) 3 (phen)(SC(Ph)CH 2 C(O)OMe))] (3b), was active (IC 50 ~ 10 μM at 72 h treatment) in thiol-depleted MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, unlike fac- [Re(CO) 3 (phen)(OH 2 )] + , this complex did not lose activity in the presence of extracellular glutathione. Taken together these properties show promise for further development of 3b and its analogues as potential anti-cancer drugs for co-treatment with thiol-depleting agents. Conversely, the stable and non-toxic complex, fac-[Re(bipy)(CO) 3 (SC(Me)C(O)OMe)] (1a), predominantly localized in the lysosomes of MDA-MB-231 cells, as shown by live cell confocal microscopy (λ ex = 405 nm, λ em = 470-570 nm). It is strongly localized in a subset of lysosomes (25 μM Re, 4 h treatment), as shown by co-localization with a Lysotracker dye. Longer treatment times with 1a (25 μM Re for 48 h) resulted in partial migration of the probe into the mitochondria, as shown by co-localization with a Mitotracker dye. These properties make complex 1a an attractive target for further development as an organelle probe for multimodal imaging, including phosphorescence, carbonyl tag for vibrational spectroscopy, and Re tag for X-ray fluorescence microscopy.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Keratin Promotes Differentiation of Keratinocytes Seeded on Collagen/Keratin Hydrogels

Keratinocytes undergo a complex process of differentiation to form the stratified stratum corneum layer of the skin. In most biomimetic skin models, a 3D hydrogel fabricated out of collagen type I is used to mimic human skin. However, native skin also contains keratin, which makes up 90% of the epidermis and is produced by the keratinocytes present. We hypothesized that the addition of keratin (KTN) in our collagen hydrogel may aid in the process of keratinocyte differentiation compared to a pure collagen hydrogel. Keratinocytes were seeded on top of a 100% collagen or 50/50 C/KTN hydrogel cultured in either calcium-free (Ca-free) or calcium+ (Ca+) media. Our study demonstrates that the addition of keratin and calcium in the media increased lysosomal activity by measuring the glucocerebrosidase (GBA) activity and lysosomal distribution length, an indication of greater keratinocyte differentiation. We also found that the presence of KTN in the hydrogel also increased the expression of involucrin, a differentiation marker, compared to a pure collagen hydrogel. We demonstrate that a combination (i.e., containing both collagen and kerateine or “C/KTN”) hydrogel was able to increase keratinocyte differentiation compared to a pure collagen hydrogel, and the addition of calcium further increased the differentiation of keratinocytes. This multi-protein hydrogel shows promise in future models or treatments to increase keratinocyte differentiation into the stratum corneum.

Zuniga, Kameel (ORCID:0000000196674007)↗