Dynamic response of HPV16/anti-HPV16 pairs with unbinding events studied by atomic force microscopy

This paper proposes an effective approach to distinguish whether samples include Human Papilloma virus type-16 (HPV16) by Atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM is an important instrument in nanobiotechnology field. At first we identified the HPV16 by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and Western blotting from specimen of the HPV patient (E12) and the normal (C2), and then we used an AFM to observe the surface ultrastructure by tapping mode and to measure the unbinding force between HPV16 coupled to an AFM tip and anti-HPV16 L1 coated on the substrate surface by contact mode. The experimental results by tapping mode show that the size of a single HPV viron was similar to its SEM image from the previous literatures; moreover, based on the purposed methods and the analysis, two obvious findings that we can determine whether or not the subject is a HPV patient can be derived from the results; one is based on the distribution of unbinding forces, and the other is based on the distribution of the stiffness. Furthermore, the proposed method could be a useful technique for further investigating the potential role among subtypes of HPVs in the oncogenesis of human cervical cancer.     

A protein-protein interaction in magnetosomes: TPR protein MamA interacts with an Mms6 protein

Magnetosomes are membrane-enveloped bacterial organelles containing nano-sized magnetic particles, and function as a cellular magnetic sensor, which assist the cells to navigate and swim along the geomagnetic field. Localized with each magnetosome is a suite of proteins involved in the synthesis, maintenance and functionalization of the organelle, however the detailed molecular organization of the proteins in magnetosomes is unresolved. MamA is one of the most abundant magnetosome-associated proteins and is anchored to the magnetosome vesicles through protein-protein interactions, but the identity of the protein that interacts with MamA is undetermined. In this study, we found that MamA binds to a magnetosome membrane protein Mms6. Two different molecular masses of Mms6, 14.5-kDa and 6.0-kDa, were associated with the magnetosomes. Using affinity chromatography, we identified that the 14.5-kDa Mms6 interacts with MamA, and the interaction was further confirmed by pull-down, immunoprecipitation and size-exclusion chromatography assays. Prior to this, Mms6 was assumed to be strictly involved with biomineralizing magnetite; however, these results suggest that Mms6 has an additional responsibility, binding to MamA.     

Oncogenic K-Ras Binds to an Anionic Membrane in Two Distinct Orientations: A Molecular Dynamics Analysis

K-Ras is a membrane-associated GTPase that cycles between active and inactive conformational states to regulate a variety of cell signaling pathways. Somatic mutations in K-Ras are linked to 15–20% of all human tumors. K-Ras attaches to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane via a farnesylated polybasic domain; however, the structural details of the complex remain poorly understood. Based on extensive (7.5 μs total) atomistic molecular dynamics simulations here we show that oncogenic mutant K-Ras interacts with a negatively charged lipid bilayer membrane in multiple orientations. Of these, two highly populated orientations account for ∼54% of the conformers whose catalytic domain directly interacts with the bilayer. In one of these orientation states, membrane binding involves helices 3 and 4 of the catalytic domain in addition to the farnesyl and polybasic motifs. In the other orientation, β-strands 1–3 and helix 2 on the opposite face of the catalytic domain contribute to membrane binding. Flexibility of the linker region was found to be important for the reorientation. The biological significance of these observations was evaluated by initial experiments in cells overexpressing mutant K-Ras as well as by an analysis of Ras-effector complex structures. The results suggest that only one of the two major orientation states is capable of effector binding. We propose that the different modes of membrane binding may be exploited in structure-based drug design efforts for cancer therapy.     

Graphene oxide supported rhombic dodecahedral Cu2O nanocrystals for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen

In this work, a simple electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) based on rhombic dodecahedral Cu₂O nanocrystals–graphene oxide–gold nanoparticles (rCu₂O–GO–AuNPs). GO as the template and surfactant resulting in rCu₂O exhibit improved rhombic dodecahedral structure uniformity and excellent electrochemical performance. Moreover, GO was found to be able to effectively improve the long stability of rCu₂O on the electrode response. Under optimal conditions, the immunosensor showed a low limit of detection (0.004 ng ml⁻¹) and a large linear range (0.01–120 ng ml⁻¹). This work presents a potential alternative for the diagnostic applications of GO-supported special morphology materials in biomedicine and biosensors.     

Genomic constitution and taxonomy of the Chinese hexaploids Elymus cylindricus and E. breviaristatus (Poaceae: Triticeae)

Elymus cylindricus (2n = 6x = 42) and E. breviaristatus (2n = 6x = 42) are distributed in grasslands and deserts of northern and north‐western China. Their genomic constitution and taxonomic status are unclear. Elymus cylindricus was crossed with E. wawawaiensis J.R.Carlson & Barkworth ( StH ), Roegneria grandis Keng ( StY ) and Campeiostachys dahurica (Turcz. ex Griseb.) B.R.Baum, J.L. Y ang & C. Y en var. dahurica ( StYH ). Meiotic pairing in the hybrids E. cylindricus × E. wawawaiensis ( StH ), E. cylindricus × R. grandis ( StY ) and E. cylindricus × C. dahurica var. dahurica ( StYH ) showed on average 10.00, 11.30 and 20.92 bivalents per cell, respectively. Elymus breviaristatus was crossed with C. dahurica var. dahurica ( StYH ) and E. cylindricus. Chromosome pairing in the hybrids of E. breviaristatus × C. dahurica var. dahurica and E. breviaristatus × E. cylindricus showed on average 19.60 and 19.27 bivalents, respectively. Genomic in situ hybridization (GI SH ) revealed the presence of St , Y and H genomes in E. cylindricus and E. breviaristatus. An intergenomic rearrangement was observed in E. cylindricus using GI SH . Meiotic pairing data and GI SH indicated that both E. cylindricus and E. breviaristatus are allohexaploids containing the StYH genomes. Elymus cylindricus and E. breviaristatus should be treated as Campeiostachys dahurica var. cylindrica and Campeiostachys breviaristata, respectively.