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PubMed2001

Interaction between the Drosophila CAF-1 and ASF1 chromatin assembly factors.

The assembly of newly synthesized DNA into chromatin is essential for normal growth, development, and differentiation. To gain a better understanding of the assembly of chromatin during DNA synthesis, we identified, cloned, and characterized the 180- and 105-kDa polypeptides of Drosophila chromatin assembly factor 1 (dCAF-1). The purified recombinant p180+p105+p55 dCAF-1 complex is active for DNA replication-coupled chromatin assembly. Furthermore, we have established that the putative 75-kDa polypeptide of dCAF-1 is a C-terminally truncated form of p105 that does not coexist in dCAF-1 complexes containing the p105 subunit. The analysis of native and recombinant dCAF-1 revealed an interaction between dCAF-1 and the Drosophila anti-silencing function 1 (dASF1) component of replication-coupling assembly factor (RCAF). The binding of dASF1 to dCAF-1 is mediated through the p105 subunit of dCAF-1. Consistent with the interaction between dCAF-1 p105 and dASF1 in vitro, we observed that dASF1 and dCAF-1 p105 colocalized in vivo in Drosophila polytene chromosomes. This interaction between dCAF-1 and dASF1 may be a key component of the functional synergy observed between RCAF and dCAF-1 during the assembly of newly synthesized DNA into chromatin.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Virus-like particles of the Ty3 retrotransposon assemble in association with P-body components.

Retroviruses and retrotransposons assemble intracellular immature core particles around a RNA genome, and nascent particles collect in association with membranes or as intracellular clusters. How and where genomic RNA are identified for retrovirus and retrotransposon assembly, and how translation and assembly processes are coordinated is poorly understood. To understand this process, the subcellular localization of Ty3 RNA and capsid proteins and virus-like particles was investigated. We demonstrate that mRNAs, proteins, and virus-like particles of the yeast Ty3 retrotransposon accumulate in association with cytoplasmic P-bodies, which are sites of mRNA translation repression, storage, and degradation. Deletions of genes encoding P-body proteins decreased Ty3 transposition and caused changes in the pattern of Ty3 foci, underscoring the biological significance of the association of Ty3 virus-like protein components and P-bodies. These results suggest the hypothesis that P-bodies may serve to segregate translation and assembly functions of the Ty3 genomic RNA to promote assembly of virus-like particles. Because Ty3 has features of a simple retrovirus and P-body functions are conserved between yeast and metazoan organisms, these findings may provide insights into host factors that facilitate retrovirus assembly.

Inclusion Bodies↗
PubMed1996

Assembly of nebulin into the sarcomeres of avian skeletal muscle.

In developing muscle, relatively little is known about the synthesis and incorporation of the large actin binding protein, nebulin, into the sarcomere. To determine the temporal pattern of nebulin assembly into the myofibrils of differentiating skeletal muscle cells, myofibril assembly was examined by immunofluorescence microscopy. The distribution of nebulin was compared to other myofibrillar and cytoskeletal proteins (myosin, titin, actin, desmin, tubulin). At the onset of differentiation, we observed that nebulin is first seen in a diffuse distribution throughout the cytoplasm. At this time, muscle specific myosin and titin are also distributed in this manner. Myosin and titin become associated with the nascent myofibrils prior to the addition of nebulin. The mature striated pattern of myosin and titin also preceded the development of striations with nebulin. After nebulin becomes organized into a striated pattern, actin filaments separate across the A-band and form thin filaments of uniform length. These patterns of assembly suggest that nebulin is required for restricting the lengths of the thin filaments. We have employed the strategy of using ethyl methane sulfonate and taxol to perturb myofibril assembly to examine interactions critical for the addition of nebulin to the developing sarcomeres. The same temporal pattern of assembly seen in the normal cultures was observed in the ethyl methane sulfonate treated cultures, but at a much slower rate. In cultures treated with the microtubule stabilizing drug taxol, the amount of stress fibers and nascent I-bands was greatly diminished as previously reported by others; however, nebulin was found associated with myofibrils in a mature striated distribution. In addition, our results indicate that the taxol treated cultures contain remnants of the Z-line. These results suggest that nebulin assembly into the myofibril requires interactions or anchorage at the Z-line and within the A-band.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Coassembly of bovine and cod microtubule proteins: the ratio of the different tubulins within hybrid microtubules determines the ability to assemble at low temperatures, MAPs dependency and effects of Ca2+.

Cod and bovine microtubule proteins (MTP) differ from each other in many respects, e.g., tubulin isoforms and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) but only cod MTP are cold-adapted. We used these differences to determine how tubulin isoform composition affects microtubule properties. Mixtures of cod and bovine MTP coassembled at 30 degrees C as shown by light scattering and immunoelectron microscopy, with no apparent preference for one set of MAPs over the other. Bovine tubulin was, in contrast to cod tubulin, unable to assemble in the absence of MAPs, while 50%/50% mixtures of bovine and cod tubulin, respectively, coassembled readily without exclusion of cod or bovine tubulin isoforms in the hybrids, as shown by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Alteration in MAPs dependency was also confirmed by the use of the MAPs-binding microtubule inhibitor estramustine phosphate. Addition of 10 mM Ca2+ to microtubules induced formation of spirals or rings depending on the ratio of the cod and bovine MTP, respectively. Bovine MTP were unable to assemble at low temperatures, while cod MTP are cold-adapted and assembled efficiently at 14 degrees C in the presence of MAPs. Amounts of cod MTP as low as 33% were enough to induce assembly of bovine/cod MTP hybrids. The critical concentration for assembly of a 50%/50% mixture was similar to that of 100% cod MTP. Taken together, the results show that the divergent cod and bovine MTP can coassemble, and that alterations in tubulin isotype/isoform composition above certain thresholds significantly modulate microtubule properties such as MAPs dependency, effects of Ca2+, and ability to assemble at low temperatures.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2002

Synthesis and NaOTf mediated self-assembly of monodendritic crown ethers.

The synthesis of ten benzyl ether based self-assembling monodendrons containing benzo[15]crown-5 at their focal point is presented. These dendritic building blocks self-assemble either directly or via complexation with NaOTf in two-dimensional smectic B, smectic A, and p6mm hexagonal columnar (Phi(h)) and three-dimensional Pm3n cubic lattices. Retrostructural analysis of these lattices and of the lattices generated from the same monodendrons containing various other functional groups at their focal point by X-ray diffraction experiments provided for the first time a correlation between the molecular structure and the shape of the monodendron, the shape of the supramolecular dendrimer and the symmetry of the lattice. It has been shown that complexation with NaOTf provides the following five different trends: a) stabilization of the three-dimensional Pm3n cubic lattice self-organized from spherical dendrimers that are self-assembled from conic monodendrons; b) stabilization of the two-dimensional S(A) phase generated from parallel-piped monodendrons; c) no effect on the stability of the two-dimensional S(B) phase generated from parallel-piped monodendrons; d) stabilization of the two-dimensional p6mm hexagonal columnar phase self-organized from cylindrical supramolecular dendrimers that are self-assembled from tapered monodendrons; and e) destabilization of the two-dimensional p6mm hexagonal columnar phase self-organized from cylindrical supramolecular dendrimers self-assembled from half-disc monodendrons. Mechanisms of NaOTf mediated self-assembly processes were suggested. These monodendritic crown ethers and their NaOTf complexes provide the largest diversity of liquid crystalline phases encountered so far in any library of supramolecular dendrimers.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Enantioselective noncovalent synthesis of hydrogen-bonded double-rosette assemblies.

The noncovalent synthesis of enantiomerically pure hydrogen-bonded assemblies (M)- and (P)-1(3).(CA)(6) is described. These dynamic assemblies are of one single handedness (M or P), but do not contain any chiral components. They are prepared by using the "chiral memory" concept: the induction of supramolecular chirality is achieved through initial assembly with chiral barbiturates, which are subsequently replaced by achiral cyanurates. This exchange process occurs quantitatively and without loss of the M or P handedness of the assemblies. Racemization studies have been used to determine an activation energy for racemization of 105.9+/-6.4 kJ mol(-1) and a half-life time to racemization of 4.5 days in benzene at 18 degrees C. Kinetic studies have provided strong evidence that the rate-determining step in the racemization process is the dissociation of the first dimelamine component 1 from the assembly 1(3).(CA)(6). In addition to this, it was found that the expelled chiral barbiturate (RBAR or SBAR) acts as a catalyst in the racemization process. Blocking the dissociation process of dimelamines 1 from assembly 1(3).(CA)(6) by covalent capture through a ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction produces an increase of more than two orders of magnitude in the half-life time to racemization.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Supramolecular assembly of collagen triblock peptides.

The relationship between primary sequence and collagen triple-helix formation is relatively well characterized, while higher levels of structural assembly from these sequences is poorly understood. To address this gap, a new collagen-like triblock peptide design was used to study the relationship between amino acid sequence and supramolecular assembly. Four collagen-like peptides with the sequence (Glu)(5)(Gly-Xaa-Hyp-Gly-Pro-Hyp)(6)(Glu)(5) and corresponding to Xaa = alanine, proline, serine, or valine, and an analogous peptide without the glutamic acid end blocks, were solubilized in water at high concentrations (20-150 mg/mL) and analyzed in optical polarizing microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Some of the peptides self-assembled into supramolecular structures, the nature of which was determined by the core collagen-like sequence. The globular end blocks appeared necessary for these short triple-helix-forming peptides to spontaneously organize into supramolecular structures in solution and also provided enhanced thermal stability based on CD analysis. The results indicate a strong dependence of the peptide triblock assembly behavior on the identity of the guest residue Xaa; nematic order when Xaa was valine, no organization when Xaa was serine, and banded spherulites displaying a cholesteric-like twist when Xaa was proline or alanine. According to these results, the identity of the amino acid in position Xaa of the triplet Gly-Xaa-Yaa dramatically determined the type of supramolecular assembly formed by short triple helices based on collagen-triblock like sequences. Moreover, the structural organization observed for these collagen-triblock peptides was analogous to some assemblies observed for native collagen in vivo and in vitro. The amino acid sequence in the native collagen proteins may therefore be a direct determinant of the different supramolecular architectures found in connective tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Supramolecular assemblies of a series of 2-arylbenzimidazoles at the air/water interface: in situ coordination, surface architecture and supramolecular chirality.

The spreading behavior and supramolecular assemblies of some arylbenzimidazoles with 2-substituted aromatic groups such as phenyl, naphthyl, anthryl and pyrenyl on water surface and the subphase containing AgNO3 were investigated. It was observed that although these compounds lack long alkyl chains, they showed surface activity when spread from chloroform solution on water surface and formed the supramolecular assemblies. When AgNO3 was present in the subphase, a coordination between the imidazole group of the compounds and Ag(I) occurred in situ in the spreading film, which was verified by the surface pressure/area (pi-A) isotherms and UV/Vis absorption spectra. Both the spreading films from water and the aqueous AgNO3 subphase were transferred onto solid substrates and their surface morphologies as well as properties were characterized by AFM, UV/Vis absorption and CD spectra. Various surface morphologies such as nanoparticles, block domains and nanoutensils were observed depending on the substituted aromatic groups. Interestingly, although all of these compounds were achiral, supramolecular chirality was obtained for some of the arylbenzimidazole films assembled from either the water surface or the subphase containing AgNO3. It was revealed that chiral assemblies could be obtained from water surface for the benzimidazoles which have pyrenyl or alpha-naphthyl groups. For benzimidazole derivative with anthryl group, chiral assemblies could be obtained when spreading on the aqueous AgNO3 subphase. For the benzimidazoles with phenyl or beta-naphthyl groups, no chirality was obtained. It was suggested that both the overcrowded stacking of the aromatic groups and the cooperative arrangement of the molecules on water surface or aqueous AgNO3 subphase play a crucial role in forming the chiral supramolecular assemblies.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Preparing to move: assembly of the MSP amoeboid motility apparatus during spermiogenesis in Ascaris.

We exploited the rapid, inducible conversion of non-motile Ascaris spermatids into crawling spermatozoa to examine the pattern of assembly of the MSP motility apparatus that powers sperm locomotion. In live sperm, the first detectable motile activity is the extension of spikes and, later, blebs from the cell surface. However, examination of cells by EM revealed that the formation of surface protrusions is preceded by assembly of MSP filament tails on the membranous organelles in the peripheral cytoplasm. These organelle-associated filament meshworks assemble within 30 sec after induction of spermiogenesis and persist until the membranous organelles are sequestered into the cell body when the lamellipod extends. The filopodia-like spikes, which are packed with bundles of filaments, extend and retract rapidly but last only a few seconds before giving way to, or converting into, blebs. Coalescence of these blebs, each supported by a dense mesh of filaments, often initiates lamellipod extension, which culminates in the formation of the robust, dynamic MSP fiber complexes that generate sperm motility. The same membrane phosphoprotein that orchestrates assembly of the fiber complexes at the leading edge of the lamellipod of mature sperm is also found at all sites of filament assembly during spermiogenesis. The orderly progression of steps that leads to construction of a functional motility apparatus illustrates the precise spatio-temporal control of MSP filament assembly in the developing cell and highlights the remarkable similarity in organization and plasticity shared by the MSP cytoskeleton and the actin filament arrays in conventional crawling cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Disorganization of microfilaments and intermediate filaments interferes with the assembly and stability of desmosomes in MDCK epithelial cells.

To investigate the possible role(s) of cytoskeletal elements in desmosome assembly we have studied the effects of cytostatic drugs on the assembly of desmosomes in MDCK epithelial cells. We showed previously [Pasdar et al.: Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 23:201-213, 1992] that selective disruption of microtubules has no effect on desmosome assembly. Here, we have treated MDCK cells with cytochalasin B and a combination of cytochalasin B and nocodazole and analysed the effects of desmosome assembly. Immunofluorescence analysis of MDCK cultures following drug treatment indicated complete disruption of actin microfilaments and disorganization of cytokeratin intermediate filaments. Biochemical analysis of newly synthesized desmosomal membrane core glycoproteins as well as the cell adhesion protein E-cadherin revealed no effect of these drugs on the kinetics of synthesis, intracellular processing, or transport to the plasma membrane either in the presence or absence of cell-cell contact. However, morphological analyses revealed a significant disruption in the spatial organization of desmosomal proteins and E-cadherin. Drug treatment in the absence of cell-cell contact resulted in the disruption of the normally observed homogeneous punctate staining pattern and appearance of aggregate staining. Induction of cell-cell contact in these cultures resulted in redistribution of some of the aggregate staining to the plasma membrane. In contrast to control cultures, significant amount of intracellular staining was retained for all desmosomal proteins. Biochemical analyses of turnover rates of newly synthesized desmosomal proteins indicated a significant decrease in metabolic stability of these proteins while the turnover rate of E-cadherin was not significantly different among control and drug-treated cultures. Taken together, these results suggest that intact actin and cytokeratin filaments are necessary for the stability, efficient assembly, and spatial organization of the junctional components at the membrane. The regulatory role of cytokeratins and actin filaments in assembly and stability of desmosomes on the plasma membrane is discussed.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed1994

A conserved region in the tail domain of vimentin is involved in its assembly into intermediate filaments.

Although the head and rod domains of intermediate filament (IF) proteins are known to play significant roles in filament assembly, the role of the tail domain in this function is unclear and the available information supports contradictory conclusions. We examined this question by comparing transfection of the same cDNA constructs, encoding vimentins with modified tail domains, into cell lines that do and do not contain endogenous IF proteins. By this approach, we were able to distinguish between the ability of a mutant IF protein to initiate assembly de novo, from that of incorporating into existing filament networks. Vimentins with modifications at or near a highly conserved tripeptide, arg-asp-gly (RDG), of the tail domain incorporated into existing IF networks in vimentin-expressing (vim+) cells, but were assembly-incompetent in cells that did not express IF proteins (vim-). The failure of the RDG mutant vimentins to assemble into filament arrays in vim- cells was reversible by re-introducing a wild-type vimentin cDNA, whereupon both wild-type and mutant vimentins coassembled into one and the same IF network. We conclude that the function of the tail domain of type III IF proteins, and possibly of keratins K8 and K18, in IF assembly is distinct from those of other domains; a region encompassing the RDG tripeptide appears to be important in the assembly process.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2003

Long-range transport in an assembly of ZnO quantum dots: the effects of quantum confinement, Coulomb repulsion and structural disorder.

We have studied the storage and long-range transport of electrons in a porous assembly of weakly coupled ZnO quantum dots permeated with an aqueous and a propylene carbonate electrolyte solution. The number of electrons per ZnO quantum dot is controlled by the electrochemical potential of the assembly; the charge of the electrons is compensated by ions present in the pores. We show with optical and electrical measurements that the injected electrons occupy the S, P, and D type conduction electron levels of the quantum dots; electron storage in surface states is not important. With this method of three-dimensional charge compensation, up to ten electrons per quantum-dot can be stored if the assembly is permeated with an aqueous electrolyte. The screening of the electron charge is less effective in the case of an assembly permeated with a propylene carbonate electrolyte solution. Long-range electron transport is studied with a transistor set-up. In the case of ZnO assemblies permeated with an aqueous electrolyte, two quantum regimes are observed corresponding to multiple tunnelling between the S orbitals (at a low occupation) and P orbitals (at a higher occupation). In a ZnO quantum-dot assembly permeated with a propylene carbonate electrolyte solution, there is a strong overlap between these two regimes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

Nucleosome assembly in mammalian cell extracts before and after DNA replication.

Protein-free DNA in a cytosolic extract supplemented with SV40 large T-antigen (T-Ag), is assembled into chromatin structure when nuclear extract is added. This assembly was monitored by topoisomer formation, micrococcal nuclease digestion and psoralen crosslinking of the DNA. Plasmids containing SV40 sequences (ori- and ori+) were assembled into chromatin with similar efficiencies whether T-Ag was present or not. Approximately 50-80% of the number of nucleosomes in vivo could be assembled in vitro; however, the kinetics of assembly differed on replicated and unreplicated molecules. In replicative intermediates, nucleosomes were observed on both the pre-replicated and post-replicated portions. We conclude that the extent of nucleosome assembly in mammalian cell extracts is not dependent upon DNA replication, in contrast to previous suggestions. However, the highly sensitive psoralen assay revealed that DNA replication appears to facilitate precise folding of DNA in the nucleosome.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Pairwise, cooperative and inhibitory interactions describe the assembly and probable structure of the T-cell antigen receptor.

The T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) is a multi-subunit complex consisting of clonotypic heterodimers (TCR-alpha beta or TCR-gamma delta) that are non-covalently linked to at least four invariant chains (CD3-delta, -epsilon, -gamma; and zeta or eta). The ordered process of assembly and the final number of individual chains that comprise the TCR is unclear. In this study, we examined the molecular basis of subunit interactions and the component requirements leading to the formation of a complete TCR. Analysis of transient cotransfections in monkey kidney fibroblasts (COS cells) showed assembly between selective chain pairs. Multiple chain cotransfections demonstrated the formation of stable higher order partial complexes. Assembly of such subcomplexes was facilitated by cooperative interactions between clonotypic and invariant CD3 chains. When zeta was cotransfected with any TCR component, no pairwise interaction was detected. Only when there was coexpression of all of the other TCR chains (TCR-alpha, -beta, CD3- epsilon, -gamma, -delta) did zeta assemble with the TCR complex. Not all chain pairs formed stable heterodimers. For one such pair, lack of assembly is due to the inhibitory effects of negatively charged residues within their transmembrane domains. The combined effects of these interactions probably determine the assembly and the quaternary structure of the TCR complex.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Assembly of bone marrow stromal cell sheets with knitted poly (L-lactide) scaffold for engineering ligament analogs.

The current cell seeding technique has several disadvantages, such as low efficiency of cell attachment to scaffolds and the limited strength of cell-gel composite adhesion to scaffold. These problems warrant further study to improve the assembly of cell to scaffold. Therefore this study aims to fabricate a bone marrow stromal cells (bMSCs) sheet and assemble it on a knitted poly (L-lactide) (PLLA) scaffold for engineering ligament analogs. bMSCs were cultured to form a cell sheet in the presence of ascorbic acid. Once a sheet of bMSCs was obtained, it was assembled onto the knitted scaffold by a wrapping technique. Then the assembled structure was held in place in a spinner flask for 4 weeks. The macromorphology, histology, and biomechanics of the grafts were evaluated. The composite of cell sheet/PLLA scaffold constructs had transformed into tissuelike ligament analogs. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the components of the analogs were similar to that of ligament tissues, consisting primarily of collagen type I and small amount of collagen type III and tenascin. The failure force of the cell/scaffold assembly under tension (46.68+/-2.29 N) was higher than that of the scaffold group (43.58+/-2.41 N; p<0.05), but tensile stiffness of the cell/scaffold group (20.6+/-1.417 N/mm) was significantly lower than that of the scaffold group (27.6+/-1.449 N/mm; p<0.05). These data showed that the incorporation of bMSCs sheet onto the PLLA scaffold could make the analog stronger and more stretchable. Therefore the approach of assembling bMSCs sheet onto knitted PLLA scaffold is promising for producing tissuelike and functional ligament analogs under dynamic fluid situation for the purpose of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Okadaic acid-induced actin assembly in neutrophils: role of protein phosphatases.

Activation of neutrophils results in morphological and functional alterations including changes in cell shape and initiation of motile behavior that depend on assembly and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Phosphoproteins are thought to be key intermediates in the regulation of cytoskeletal alterations and whereas much attention has been directed at the role of protein kinases, relatively little information is available on the importance of phosphatases. To elucidate the role of protein phosphatases, we studied the effects of the phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid and calyculin A on the actin cytoskeleton of human neutrophils. Exposure of cells to okadaic acid resulted in assembly and spatial redistribution of actin, which peaked at 25 min and returned to baseline levels by 45 min, as assessed by flow cytometric analysis of NBD-phallacidin stained cells and confocal fluorescence microscopy, respectively. These effects correlated with an increase in protein phosphorylation, determined by incorporation of 32P into cellular proteins using SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. Similar but more rapid responses were observed in electropermeabilized cells treated with okadaic acid or calyculin A. The dose dependence of these effects was compatible with a role for phosphatase type 1 as the target enzyme. These findings also suggested the presence of constitutively active protein kinases capable of effecting actin polymerization. Phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) has been postulated to promote actin assembly, but myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) appeared not to be involved because: (1) the effect of okadaic acid was not inhibited by the MLCK inhibitor KT5926 and (2) in permeabilized cells suspended in medium with free calcium [Ca2+] < 10 nM (conditions under which MLCK is inactive), the effect of okadaic acid persisted. The role of phosphatases in stimulus-induced actin assembly was assessed in cells preincubated with okadaic acid for 45 min, after F-actin levels had returned to baseline. Under these conditions, okadaic acid completely abrogated actin assembly induced by phorbol myristate acetate, platelet activating factor, and leukotriene B4, whereas the effects of the chemotactic peptide fMLP and opsonized zymosan (OpZ) were unaffected. We conclude that serine and threonine phosphatases exert a tonic negative influence on actin assembly and organization. Furthermore, divergent pathways seem to mediate the response to lipidic stimuli, on one hand, and fMLP and OpZ, on the other, as evidenced by the differential susceptibility to inhibition by okadaic acid.

Actins↗
PubMed2005

New enantiomeric polylactide-block-poly(butylene succinate)-block-polylactides: syntheses, characterization and in situ self-assembly.

In situ self-assemblies of new biodegradable triblock PLLA-b-PBS-b-PLLA and PDLA-b-PBS-b-PDLA have been investigated in acetonitrile solution. At first, two series of PLLA-b-PBS-b-PLLA and PDLA-b-PBS-b-PDLA, respectively denoted as the P and Q triblock copolyester series, were prepared with fixed PBS block ((overline) M(n,NMR) = 6.9 kDa) and diverse enantiomeric PLLA/PDLA blocks. Further, their chemical structures and thermal properties were characterized by means of titration, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), polarimeter, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and thermal analytical instruments. When mixing the synthesized enantiomeric copolyester pairs denoted as P(1)/Q(1) - P(8)/Q(8) in acetonitrile solution at 60 degrees C, in situ self-assemblies were found to happen for the P(4)/Q(4) to P(8)/Q(8) pairs, bearing longer enantiomeric PLA block lengths. DSC and WAXD analysis of the self-assembled microparticles demonstrated that PLLA/PDLA racemic crystals were formed for the P(5)/Q(5) - P(8)/Q(8) systems, as evidenced by their melting points over 200 degrees C, and a new X-ray diffraction peak detected at 2theta = 11.8 degrees . Moreover, morphological studies by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated the formation of disk- or platelet-like microparticles. It was noted that the diameters of the microparticles self-assembled in situ decreased from 1.28-1.50 mum down to 480-660 nm, through tailoring the enantiomeric PLA block length. Other factors, such as a central PBS block, the enantiomeric block length and the preparation conditions were suggested to play important roles in the in situ self-assembly of these enantiomeric triblock copolyesters. These results provide a facile way to self-assemble hydrophobic, biodegradable microparticles, through tuning the important van der Waals stereocomplexation interactions between two enantiomeric blocks in solution.

Acetonitriles↗
PubMed2005

Deuterium oxide promotes assembly and bundling of FtsZ protofilaments.

The assembly and bundling of FtsZ protofilaments play an important role during bacterial cell division. Deuterium oxide (D2O) is known to have strong stabilization effects on the assembly dynamics of several proteins including tubulin, a homologue of FtsZ. Here, we found that D2O enhanced the light-scattering intensity of the assembly reaction, increased sedimentable polymer mass, and induced bundling of FtsZ protofilaments. D2O also increased the stability of FtsZ polymers under challenged GTP conditions and suppressed dilution-induced disassembly of protofilaments. D2O enhances the assembly parameters of FtsZ and microtubules albeit differently. For example, D2O induced bundling of FtsZ protofilaments, whereas it did not induce bundling of microtubules in vitro. In addition, D2O strongly suppressed the GTP hydrolysis rate of microtubules, but it had no effect on the initial rate of GTP hydrolysis of the FtsZ assembly. D2O (80%) also increased the helical content of FtsZ by 25% compared to the helical content of FtsZ in aqueous buffer. D2O was shown to reduce the binding of 4,4'-dianilino-1,1'-binaphthyl-5,5'-disulfonic acid (bis-ANS) to tubulin. In contrast, we found that D2O strongly enhanced the binding of bis-ANS to FtsZ. The results indicated that D2O promotes assembly and bundling of FtsZ protofilaments by increasing hydrophobic interactions between the protofilaments. The results also suggest that the phosphate release rather than the on-site GTP hydrolysis is the rate-limiting step of the GTP turnover reaction.

Circular Dichroism↗