Self-Assembling Proteins as High-Performance Substrates for Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal

The development of extracellular matrix mimetics that imitate niche stem cell microenvironments and support cell growth for technological applications is intensely pursued. Specifically, mimetics are sought that can enact control over the self-renewal and directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) for clinical use. Despite considerable progress in the field, a major impediment to the clinical translation of hPSCs is the difficulty and high cost of large-scale cell production under xeno-free culture conditions using current matrices. Here, a bioactive, recombinant, protein-based polymer, termed ZT Fn , is presented that closely mimics human plasma fibronectin and serves as an economical, xeno-free, biodegradable, and functionally adaptable cell substrate. The ZT Fn substrate supports with high performance the propagation and long-term self-renewal of human embryonic stem cells while preserving their pluripotency. The ZT Fn polymer can, therefore, be proposed as an efficient and affordable replacement for fibronectin in clinical grade cell culturing. Further, it can be postulated that the ZT polymer has significant engineering potential for further orthogonal functionalization in complex cell applications

Formation of Very Large Conductance Channels by Bacillus cereus Nhe in Vero and GH4 Cells Identifies NheA + B as the Inherent Pore-Forming Structure

The nonhemolytic enterotoxin (Nhe) produced by Bacillus cereus is a pore-forming toxin consisting of three components, NheA, -B and -C. We have studied effects of Nhe on primate epithelial cells (Vero) and rodent pituitary cells (GH4) by measuring release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), K+ efflux and the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Plasma membrane channel events were monitored by patch-clamp recordings. Using strains of B. cereus lacking either NheA or -C, we examined the functional role of the various components. In both cell types, NheA + B + C induced release of LDH and K+ as well as Ca2+ influx. A specific monoclonal antibody against NheB abolished LDH release and elevation of [Ca2+]i. Exposure to NheA + B caused a similar K+ efflux and elevation of [Ca2+]i as NheA + B + C in GH4 cells, whereas in Vero cells the rate of K+ efflux was reduced by 50% and [Ca2+]i was unaffected. NheB + C had no effect on either cell type. Exposure to NheA + B + C induced large-conductance steps in both cell types, and similar channel insertions were observed in GH4 cells exposed to NheA + B. In Vero cells, NheA + B induced channels of much smaller conductance. NheB + C failed to insert membrane channels. The conductance of the large channels in GH4 cells was about 10 nS. This is the largest channel conductance reported in cell membranes under quasi-physiological conditions. In conclusion, NheA and NheB are necessary and sufficient for formation of large-conductance channels in GH4 cells, whereas in Vero cells such large-conductance channels are in addition dependent on NheC

Identification and structural analysis of the tripartite α-pore forming toxin of Aeromonas hydrophila

The alpha helical CytolysinA family of pore forming toxins (α-PFT) contains single, two, and three component members. Structures of the single component Eschericia coli ClyA and the two component Yersinia enterolytica YaxAB show both undergo conformational changes from soluble to pore forms, and oligomerization to produce the active pore. Here we identify tripartite α-PFTs in pathogenic Gram negative bacteria, including Aeromonas hydrophila (AhlABC). We show that the AhlABC toxin requires all three components for maximal cell lysis. We present structures of pore components which describe a bi-fold hinge mechanism for soluble to pore transition in AhlB and a contrasting tetrameric assembly employed by soluble AhlC to hide their hydrophobic membrane associated residues. We propose a model of pore assembly where the AhlC tetramer dissociates, binds a single membrane leaflet, recruits AhlB promoting soluble to pore transition, prior to AhlA binding to form the active hydrophilic lined pore

The structure of the bacterial DNA segregation ATPase filament reveals the conformational plasticity of ParA upon DNA binding

The efficient segregation of replicated genetic material is an essential step for cell division.Bacterial cells use several evolutionarily-distinct genome segregation systems, the mostcommon of which is the type I Par system. It consists of an adapter protein, ParB, that bindsto the DNA cargo via interaction with the parS DNA sequence; and an ATPase, ParA, thatbinds nonspecific DNA and mediates cargo transport. However, the molecular details of howthis system functions are not well understood. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of theVibrio cholerae ParA2 filament bound to DNA, as well as the crystal structures of this proteinin various nucleotide states. These structures show that ParA forms a left-handed filament onDNA, stabilized by nucleotide binding, and that ParA undergoes profound structural rear-rangements upon DNA binding and filament assembly. Collectively, our data suggest thestructural basis for ParA’s cooperative binding to DNA and the formation of high ParA densityregions on the nucleoid

The cryo-EM structure of the bacterial type I DNA segregation ATPase filament reveals its conformational plasticity upon DNA binding

Abstract The efficient segregation of replicated genetic material is an essential step for cell division. In eukaryotic cells, sister chromatids are separated via the mitotic spindles. In contrast, bacterial cells use several evolutionarily-distinct genome segregation systems. The most common of these is the Type I Par system. It consists of an adapter protein, ParB, that binds to the DNA cargo via interaction with the parS DNA sequence; and an ATPase, ParA, that binds nonspecific DNA and mediates cargo transport. However, the molecular details of how this system functions are not well understood. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of a ParA filament bound to its DNA template, using the chromosome 2 (Chr2) of Vibrio cholerae as a model system. We also report the crystal structures of this protein in various nucleotide states, which collectively offer insight into its conformational changes from dimerization through to DNA binding and filament assembly. Specifically, we show that the ParA dimer is stabilized by nucleotide binding, and forms a left-handed filament using DNA as a scaffold. Our structural analyses also reveal dramatic structural rearrangements upon DNA binding and filament assembly. Finally, we show that filament formation is controlled by nucleotide hydrolysis. Collectively, our data provide the structural basis for ParA’s cooperative binding to DNA and the formation of high ParA density regions on the nucleoid, and suggest a role for its filament formation