Cell-surface sensors for real-time probing of cellular environments

Author Manuscript 2012 August 1.The ability to explore cell signalling and cell-to-cell communication is essential for understanding cell biology and developing effective therapeutics. However, it is not yet possible to monitor the interaction of cells with their environments in real time. Here, we show that a fluorescent sensor attached to a cell membrane can detect signalling molecules in the cellular environment. The sensor is an aptamer (a short length of single-stranded DNA) that binds to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and contains a pair of fluorescent dyes. When bound to PDGF, the aptamer changes conformation and the dyes come closer to each other, producing a signal. The sensor, which is covalently attached to the membranes of mesenchymal stem cells, can quantitatively detect with high spatial and temporal resolution PDGF that is added in cell culture medium or secreted by neighbouring cells. The engineered stem cells retain their ability to find their way to the bone marrow and can be monitored in vivo at the single-cell level using intravital microscopy.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant HL097172)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant HL095722)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant DE019191)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant NIAID 5RC1AI086152)Charles A. Dana FoundationAmerican Heart Association (Grant 0970178N)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Graduate Fellowship

Mitochondrial respiratory states and rate

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to human health expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminologyconcerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. Thechemiosmotic theoryestablishes the mechanism of energy transformationandcoupling in oxidative phosphorylation. Theunifying concept of the protonmotive force providestheframeworkfordeveloping a consistent theoretical foundation ofmitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics.We followguidelines of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry(IUPAC)onterminology inphysical chemistry, extended by considerationsofopen systems and thermodynamicsof irreversible processes.Theconcept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and alignsconcepts and symbols withthe nomenclature of classicalbioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view ofmitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes.Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimatelycontribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thussupport the development of databases of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells.Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Vaccinia Virus Interactions with the Cell Membrane Studied by New Chromatic Vesicle and Cell Sensor Assays

The potential danger of cross-species viral infection points to the significance of understanding the contributions of nonspecific membrane interactions with the viral envelope compared to receptor-mediated uptake as a factor in virus internalization and infection. We present a detailed investigation of the interactions of vaccinia virus particles with lipid bilayers and with epithelial cell membranes using newly developed chromatic biomimetic membrane assays. This analytical platform comprises vesicular particles containing lipids interspersed within reporter polymer units that emit intense fluorescence following viral interactions with the lipid domains. The chromatic vesicles were employed as membrane models in cell-free solutions and were also incorporated into the membranes of epithelial cells, thereby functioning as localized membrane sensors on the cell surface. These experiments provide important insight into membrane interactions with and fusion of virions and the kinetic profiles of these processes. In particular, the data emphasize the significance of cholesterol/sphingomyelin domains (lipid rafts) as a crucial factor promoting bilayer insertion of the viral particles. Our analysis of virus interactions with polymer-labeled living cells exposed the significant role of the epidermal growth factor receptor in vaccinia virus infectivity; however, the data also demonstrated the existence of additional non-receptor-mediated mechanisms contributing to attachment of the virus to the cell surface and its internalization

Mitochondrial respiratory states and rates: Building blocks of mitochondrial physiology (Part 1)

Supporting co-authors: Bakker BM, Bernardi P, Boetker HE, Borsheim E, Borutaitė V, Bouitbir J, Calbet JA, Calzia E, Chaurasia B, Clementi E, Coker RH, Collin A, Das AM, De Palma C, Dubouchaud H, Durham WJ, Dyrstad SE, Engin AB, Fornaro M, Gan Z, Garlid KD, Garten A, Gourlay CW, Granata C, Haas CB, Haavik J, Haendeler J, Hand SC, Hepple RT, Hickey AJ, Hoel F, Jang DH, Kainulainen H, Khamoui AV, Klingenspor M, Koopman WJH, Kowaltowski AJ, Krajcova A, Lane N, Lenaz G, Malik A, Markova M, Mazat JP, Menze MA, Methner A, Neuzil J, Oliveira MT, Pallotta ML, Parajuli N, Pettersen IKN, Porter C, Pulinilkunnil T, Ropelle ER, Salin K, Sandi C, Sazanov LA, Silber AM, Skolik R, Smenes BT, Soares FAA, Sokolova I, Sonkar VK, Swerdlow RH, Szabo I, Trifunovic A, Thyfault JP, Valentine JM, Vieyra A, Votion DM, Williams C, Zischka HAs the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to human health expand, the necessity for harmonizing nomenclature concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature are key trademarks of a research field. These trademarks facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery. Peter Mitchell’s chemiosmotic theory establishes the link between vectorial and scalar energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theory and nomenclature for mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. Herein, we follow IUPAC guidelines on general terms of physical chemistry, extended by considerations on open systems and irreversible thermodynamics. We align the nomenclature and symbols of classical bioenergetics with a concept-driven constructive terminology to express the meaning of each quantity clearly and consistently. In this position statement, in the frame of COST Action MitoEAGLE, we endeavour to provide a balanced view on mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately support the development of databases of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells.We thank M. Beno for management assistance. Supported by COST Action CA15203 MitoEAGLE and K-Regio project MitoFit (E.G.).N