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1.
J Photochem Photobiol B ; 258: 112979, 2024 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39003970

RESUMO

Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer photodynamic therapy, which uses light generated by bioluminescent proteins to activate photosensitizers and produce reactive oxygen species without the need for external irradiation, has shown promising results in cancer models. However, the characterization of delivery systems that can incorporate the components of this therapy for preferential delivery to the tumor remains necessary. In this work, we have characterized parvovirus B19-like particles (B19V-VLPs) as a platform for a photosensitizer and a bioluminescent protein. By chemical and biorthogonal conjugation, we conjugated rose Bengal photosensitizer and firefly luciferase to B19V-VLPs and a protein for added specificity. The results showed that B19V-VLPs can withstand decoration with all three components without affecting its structure or stability. The conjugated luciferase showed activity and was able to activate rose Bengal to produce singlet oxygen without the need for external light. The photodynamic reaction generated by the functionalized VLPs-B19 can decrease the viability of tumor cells in vitro and affect tumor growth and metastasis in the 4 T1 model. Treatment with functionalized VLPs-B19 also increased the percentage of CD4 and CD8 cell populations in the spleen and in inguinal lymph nodes compared to vehicle-treated mice. Our results support B19V-VLPs as a delivery platform for bioluminescent photodynamic therapy components to solid tumors.


Assuntos
Fotoquimioterapia , Fármacos Fotossensibilizantes , Rosa Bengala , Animais , Fármacos Fotossensibilizantes/química , Fármacos Fotossensibilizantes/farmacologia , Fármacos Fotossensibilizantes/uso terapêutico , Camundongos , Rosa Bengala/química , Rosa Bengala/farmacologia , Rosa Bengala/uso terapêutico , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Humanos , Oxigênio Singlete/metabolismo , Parvovirus B19 Humano/efeitos dos fármacos , Parvovirus B19 Humano/química , Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico , Luciferases de Vaga-Lume/metabolismo , Feminino
2.
Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc ; 317: 124409, 2024 Sep 05.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38733912

RESUMO

Rhodamines constitute a class of dyes extensively investigated and applied in various contexts, primarily attributed to their high luminescence quantum yield. This study delves into the impact of aggregation on the thermal and optical properties of Rhodamine 6G (R-6G) solutions in distilled water. Examined properties encompass thermal diffusivity (D), temperature coefficient of the refractive index (dn/dT), fluorescence quantum efficiency (η), and energy transfer (ET). These parameters were assessed through thermal lens (TL) and conventional absorption and emission spectroscopic techniques. The dimerization of R-6G solutions was revisited, revealing that an increase in R-6G concentration alters the features of absorption and emission spectra due to dimer formation, resulting in unexpected behavior of η. Consequently, we introduce a novel model for the fraction of absorbed energy converted into heat (φ), which accounts for emissions from both monomers and dimers. Employing this model, we investigate and discuss the concentration-dependent behaviors of η for monomers (ηm) and dimers (ηd). Notably, our findings demonstrate that ηm values necessitate ηd = 0.2, a relatively substantial value that cannot be disregarded. Additionally, applying the Förster theory for dipole-dipole electric ET, we calculate microparameters for ET between monomers (CDD) and monomer-dimer (CDA). Critical ranges for ET in each case are quantified. Microparameter analysis indicates that ET between monomer-monomer and monomer-dimer species of R-6G dissolved in distilled water holds significance, particularly in determining ηm. These results bear significance, especially in scenarios involving high dye concentrations. While applicable to R-6G in water, similar assessments in other media featuring aggregates are encouraged.

3.
Molecules ; 29(4)2024 Feb 10.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38398572

RESUMO

Professor Carlos Gutiérrez-Merino, a prominent scientist working in the complex realm of biological membranes, has made significant theoretical and experimental contributions to the field. Contemporaneous with the development of the fluid-mosaic model of Singer and Nicolson, the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) approach has become an invaluable tool for studying molecular interactions in membranes, providing structural insights on a scale of 1-10 nm and remaining important alongside evolving perspectives on membrane structures. In the last few decades, Gutiérrez-Merino's work has covered multiple facets in the field of FRET, with his contributions producing significant advances in quantitative membrane biology. His more recent experimental work expanded the ground concepts of FRET to high-resolution cell imaging. Commencing in the late 1980s, a series of collaborations between Gutiérrez-Merino and the authors involved research visits and joint investigations focused on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and its relation to membrane lipids, fostering a lasting friendship.


Assuntos
Lipídeos de Membrana , Receptores Nicotínicos , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Lipídeos de Membrana/química , Transferência Ressonante de Energia de Fluorescência , Membranas/metabolismo , Receptores Nicotínicos/metabolismo
4.
Free Radic Biol Med ; 216: 50-59, 2024 Apr.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38272325

RESUMO

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene, RSV) is a natural stilbene synthetized as trans-isomer in plants exposed to oxidative stress. In order to understand the mechanism involved during photosensitized degradation of trans-resveratrol, steady-state and time-resolved experiments were performed and compared with quantum-chemical calculations using density functional theory (DFT). Pterin (Ptr), a well-known photosensitizer, under UV-A radiation induces the oxidation of several biomolecules mainly through electron-transfer mechanisms. On the one hand, it was observed that trans-RSV participates in an energy-transfer pathway with Ptr triplet excited state (3Ptr*) forming 3trans-RSV*, which dissipates the energy by isomerization to cis-RSV. On the other hand, RSV neutral radical (trans-RSV(-H)•) was detected in laser flash photolysis experiments, evidencing an electron-transfer mechanism. The electron-transfer from 3Ptr* to trans-RSV is a barely feasible reaction, however, more favorable is the formation of trans-RSV(-H)• in a reaction between trans-RSV and Ptr radical cation (Ptr•+), which is produced during irradiation. The combination of experimental and theoretical approaches evidences the capability of trans-RSV to undergo energy-transfer (feasible by DFT calculations) and/or one-electron transfer pathways with 3Ptr*. These findings reveal the mechanisms involved in the interaction of trans-RSV and pterin excited states and provide information on the antioxidant action of resveratrol during photosensitized oxidation of biomolecules.


Assuntos
Antioxidantes , Elétrons , Resveratrol , Isomerismo , Antioxidantes/química , Pterinas/farmacologia
5.
Bioorg Med Chem ; 98: 117561, 2024 Jan 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38157838

RESUMO

The dual-specificity protein kinase MKK3 has been implicated in tumor cell proliferation and survival, yet its precise role in cancer remains inconclusive. A critical step in elucidating the kinase's involvement in disease biology is the identification of potent, cell-permeable kinase inhibitors. Presently, MKK3 lacks a dedicated tool compound for these purposes, along with validated methods for the facile screening, identification, and optimization of inhibitors. In this study, we have developed a TR-FRET-based enzymatic assay for the detection of MKK3 activity in vitro and a BRET-based assay to assess ligand binding to this enzyme within intact human cells. These assays were instrumental in identifying hit compounds against MKK3 that share a common chemical scaffold, sourced from a library of bioactive kinase inhibitors. Initial hits were subsequently expanded through the synthesis of novel analogs. The resulting structure-activity relationship (SAR) was rationalized using molecular dynamics simulations against a homology model of MKK3. We expect our findings to expedite the development of novel, potent, selective, and bioactive inhibitors, thus facilitating investigations into MKK3's role in various cancers.


Assuntos
Neoplasias , Pirimidinas , Humanos , MAP Quinase Quinase 3 , Pirimidinas/química , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Fosforilação , Proliferação de Células , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/química
7.
Molecules ; 28(20)2023 Oct 17.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37894616

RESUMO

Amyloid ß (Aß) oligomers are the most neurotoxic forms of Aß, and Aß(1-42) is the prevalent Aß peptide found in the amyloid plaques of Alzheimer's disease patients. Aß(25-35) is the shortest peptide that retains the toxicity of Aß(1-42). Aß oligomers bind to calmodulin (CaM) and calbindin-D28k with dissociation constants in the nanomolar Aß(1-42) concentration range. Aß and histidine-rich proteins have a high affinity for transition metal ions Cu2+, Fe3+ and Zn2+. In this work, we show that the fluorescence of Aß(1-42) HiLyteTM-Fluor555 can be used to monitor hexa-histidine peptide (His6) interaction with Aß(1-42). The formation of His6/Aß(1-42) complexes is also supported by docking results yielded by the MDockPeP Server. Also, we found that micromolar concentrations of His6 block the increase in the fluorescence of Aß(1-42) HiLyteTM-Fluor555 produced by its interaction with the proteins CaM and calbindin-D28k. In addition, we found that the His6-tag provides a high-affinity site for the binding of Aß(1-42) and Aß(25-35) peptides to the human recombinant cytochrome b5 reductase, and sensitizes this enzyme to inhibition by these peptides. In conclusion, our results suggest that a His6-tag could provide a valuable new tool to experimentally direct the action of neurotoxic Aß peptides toward selected cellular targets.


Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer , Peptídeos beta-Amiloides , Humanos , Peptídeos beta-Amiloides/metabolismo , Histidina/química , Hexosaminidase A , Calbindina 1 , Cobre/química , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/química , Doença de Alzheimer/metabolismo
8.
Glob Chang Biol ; 29(14): 4094-4106, 2023 07.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37059700

RESUMO

Land-use and land-cover transitions can affect biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in a myriad of ways, including how energy is transferred within food-webs. Size spectra (i.e. relationships between body size and biomass or abundance) provide a means to assess how food-webs respond to environmental stressors by depicting how energy is transferred from small to larger organisms. Here, we investigated changes in the size spectrum of aquatic macroinvertebrates along a broad land-use intensification gradient (from Atlantic Forest to mechanized agriculture) in 30 Brazilian streams. We expected to find a steeper size spectrum slope and lower total biomass in more disturbed streams due to higher energetic expenditure in physiologically stressful conditions, which has a disproportionate impact on large individuals. As expected, we found that more disturbed streams had fewer small organisms than pristine forest streams, but, surprisingly, they had shallower size spectrum slopes, which indicates that energy might be transferred more efficiently in disturbed streams. Disturbed streams were also less taxonomically diverse, suggesting that the potentially higher energy transfer in these webs might be channelled via a few efficient trophic links. However, because total biomass was higher in pristine streams, these sites still supported a greater number of larger organisms and longer food chains (i.e. larger size range). Our results indicate that land-use intensification decreases ecosystem stability and enhances vulnerability to population extinctions by reducing the possible energetic pathways while enhancing efficiency between the remaining food-web linkages. Our study represents a step forward in understanding how land-use intensification affects trophic interactions and ecosystem functioning in aquatic systems.


Assuntos
Biodiversidade , Ecossistema , Humanos , Animais , Cadeia Alimentar , Florestas , Biomassa , Rios/química , Invertebrados
9.
J Photochem Photobiol B ; 242: 112693, 2023 May.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36947916

RESUMO

Due to its primordial function as a drug carrier, human serum albumin (HSA) is extensively studied regarding its binding affinity with developing drugs. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is frequently applied as a spectroscopic molecular ruler to measure the distance between the binding site and the ligand. In this work, we have shown that most of the published results that use the FRET technique to estimate the distance from ligands to the binding sites do not corroborate the crystallography data. By comparing the binding affinity of dansyl-proline with HSA and ovotransferrin, we demonstrated that FRET explains the quenching provoked by the interaction of ligands in albumin. So, why does the distance calculation via FRET not corroborate the crystallography data? We have shown that this inconsistency is related to the fact that a one-to-one relationship between donor and acceptor is not present in most experiments. Hence, the quenching efficiency used for calculating energy transfer depends on distance and binding constant, which is inconsistent with the correct application of FRET as a molecular ruler. We have also shown that the indiscriminate attribution of 2/3 to the relative orientation of transition dipoles of the acceptor and donor (κ2) generates inconsistencies. We proposed corrections based on the experimental equilibrium constant and theoretical orientation of transition dipoles to correct the FRET results.


Assuntos
Transferência Ressonante de Energia de Fluorescência , Albumina Sérica Humana , Humanos , Transferência Ressonante de Energia de Fluorescência/métodos , Albumina Sérica Humana/química , Triptofano/metabolismo , Ligantes , Sítios de Ligação , Ligação Proteica
10.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces ; 14(42): 47902-47912, 2022 Oct 26.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36254393

RESUMO

This work presents an innovative approach to obtain a multifunctional hybrid material operating via combined anti-Stokes (upconversion) and Stokes (downshifting) emissions for oxygen gas sensing and related functionalities. The material is based on a Cu(I) complex exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence emission (TADF) and infrared-to-visible upconverting Tm3+/Yb3+-doped NaYF4 nanoparticles supported in a polystyrene (PS) matrix. Excitation of the hybrid material at 980 nm leads to efficient transfer of Tm3+ emission in the ultraviolet/blue region to the Cu(I) complex and consequently intense green emission (560 nm) of the latter. Additionally, the green emission of the complex can also be directly generated with excitation at 360 nm. Independently of the excitation wavelength, the emission intensity is efficiently suppressed by the presence of molecular oxygen and the quenching rate is properly characterized by the Stern-Volmer plots. The results indicate that the biocompatible hybrid material can be applied as an efficient O2 sensor operating via near-infrared or ultraviolet excitation, unlike most optical oxygen sensors currently available which only work in downshifting mode.

11.
Methods Mol Biol ; 2525: 173-183, 2022.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35836067

RESUMO

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) play central roles in most molecular mechanisms underlying cellular and biological processes. Within the methods developed to study PPIs is bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). Taking advantage of this technique, we have set a BRET-based assay that enables the screening of modulators of essential PPIs for Trypanosoma cruzi survival. Considering the complexity of the evaluated mixture, pure chemical compounds or natural extracts, two approaches are described, BRET in living cells or from lysates.


Assuntos
Técnicas de Transferência de Energia por Ressonância de Bioluminescência , Trypanosoma cruzi , Bioensaio , Técnicas de Transferência de Energia por Ressonância de Bioluminescência/métodos , Transferência de Energia , Medições Luminescentes/métodos , Tecnologia
12.
Methods Appl Fluoresc ; 10(2)2022 Feb 23.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35139496

RESUMO

The use of phasors to analyze fluorescence data was first introduced for time-resolved studies for a simpler mathematical analysis of the fluorescence-decay curves. Recently, this approach was extended to steady-state experiments with the introduction of the spectral phasors (SP), derived from the Fourier transform of the fluorescence emission spectrum. In this work, we revise key mathematical aspects that lead to an interpretation of SP as the characteristic function of a probability distribution. This formalism allows us to introduce a new tool, called multi-dimensional spectral phasor (MdSP) that seize, not only the information from the emission spectrum, but from the full excitation-emission matrix (EEM). In addition, we developed a homemade open-source Java software to facilitate the MdSP data processing. Due to this mathematical conceptualization, we settled a mechanism for the use of MdSP as a tool to tackle spectral signal unmixing problems in a more accurate way than SP. As a proof of principle, with the use of MdSP we approach two important biophysical questions: protein conformational changes and protein-ligand interactions. Specifically, we experimentally measure the EEM changes upon denaturation of human serum albumin (HSA) or during its association with the fluorescence dye 1,8-anilinonaphtalene sulphate (ANS) detected via tryptophan-ANS Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). In this sense, MdSP allows us to obtain information of the system in a simpler and finer way than the traditional SP. Specifically, understanding a protein's EEM as a molecular fingerprint opens new doors for the use of MdSP as a tool to analyze and comprehend protein conformational changes and interactions.


Assuntos
Transferência Ressonante de Energia de Fluorescência , Corantes Fluorescentes , Transferência Ressonante de Energia de Fluorescência/métodos , Análise de Fourier , Humanos , Albumina Sérica Humana , Espectrometria de Fluorescência/métodos
13.
Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc ; 271: 120920, 2022 Apr 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35085997

RESUMO

Detection of copper plays a prominent role in the environmental protection and human health. Herein, we firstly design and construct an "off-on" upconversion fluorescence resonance energy transfer (UFRET) probe with low toxicity for the Cu2+ determination by using NaYF4: Yb3+, Er3+ upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and Au NPs. UCNPs with positive charge and Au NPs with negative charge are respectively employed as the donor and acceptor, and bound together to form UFRET probe. The upconversion fluorescence quenching of UCNPs occurs by Au NPs through FRET (defined as "off" state). When Cu2+ exists in samples, Cu2+ reacts with 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) capped on the surface of Au NPs to make Au NPs detach from UCNPs, leading to the termination of FRET and the recovery of upconversion fluorescence (defined as "on" state). "Off-on" typed UFRET probe has excellent sensing performances, including linear range of 0.02-1 µM Cu2+ concentration, the limit of detection of 18.2 nM, high selectivity to Cu2+ and good recovery. The probe has been successfully used to determine Cu2+ in spiked tap water with satisfactory results. The probe will provide theoretical and technical support for the design of new sensitive heavy metal ion detection probe.


Assuntos
Transferência Ressonante de Energia de Fluorescência , Nanopartículas , Cobre , Transferência Ressonante de Energia de Fluorescência/métodos , Ouro , Humanos , Água
14.
J Mol Model ; 27(10): 293, 2021 Sep 22.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34549346

RESUMO

The preparation and photoluminescent properties of the new [Eu(FOD)3(2-Pyr)2] complex (FOD = 6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octadionate; 2-Pyr = 2-pyrrolidone) are reported. The obtained complex was characterized by elemental analysis, complexometric titration using EDTA, infrared spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The coordination polyhedron of the complex is described as a distorted square antiprismatic with both 2-Pyr monodentate ligands coordinated to Eu(III) via the oxygen atoms, in neutral form, while the three FOD molecules are coordinated in the anionic form. Structural modeling at the PBE1PBE/SVP/MWB52 level of theory provided a geometry in excellent agreement with the one obtained experimentally. Spectroscopy properties such as intensity parameters (Ω2 and Ω4), radiative emission rate (Arad), and chemical partition of Arad for [Eu(FOD)3(2-Pyr)2] and [Eu(FOD)3(H2O)2] were calculated by using the QDC model with help of the semiempirical wavefunctions. The modeling of the ligand-to-metal energy transfer for both complexes was performed, allowing to obtain the theoretical emission quantum yield and to characterize the most relevant molecular orbitals involved.

15.
Nano Lett ; 21(5): 2296-2303, 2021 03 10.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33621102

RESUMO

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging methods provide unique insight into the spatial distribution of energy transfer and (bio)molecular interaction events, though they deliver average information for an ensemble of events included in a diffraction-limited volume. Coupling super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and FRET has been a challenging and elusive task. Here, we present STED-FRET, a method of general applicability to obtain super-resolved energy transfer images. In addition to higher spatial resolution, STED-FRET provides a more accurate quantification of interaction and has the capacity of suppressing contributions of noninteracting partners, which are otherwise masked by averaging in conventional imaging. The method capabilities were first demonstrated on DNA-origami model systems, verified on uniformly double-labeled microtubules, and then utilized to image biomolecular interactions in the membrane-associated periodic skeleton (MPS) of neurons.

16.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 118(4)2021 01 26.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33468650

RESUMO

This work explores the concept that differential wave function overlap between excited states can be engineered within a molecular chromophore. The aim is to control excited state wave function symmetries, so that symmetry matches or mismatches result in differential orbital overlap and define low-energy trajectories or kinetic barriers within the excited state surface, that drive excited state population toward different reaction pathways. Two donor-acceptor assemblies were explored, where visible light absorption prepares excited states of different wave function symmetry. These states could be resolved using transient absorption spectroscopy, thanks to wave function symmetry-specific photoinduced optical transitions. One of these excited states undergoes energy transfer to the acceptor, while another undertakes a back-electron transfer to restate the ground state. This differential behavior is possible thanks to the presence of kinetic barriers that prevent excited state equilibration. This strategy can be exploited to avoid energy dissipation in energy conversion or photoredox catalytic schemes.

17.
Chemistry ; 27(11): 3722-3728, 2021 Feb 19.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32955792

RESUMO

N-Alkyl-N-(2-(1-arylvinyl)aryl)cinnamamides are converted into natural product inspired scaffolds via iridium photocatalyzed intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition. The protocol has a broad substrate scope, whilst operating under mild reaction conditions. Tethering four components forming a trisubstituted cyclobutane core builds rapidly high molecular complexity. Our approach allows the design and synthesis of a variety of tetrahydrocyclobuta[c]quinolin-3(1H)-ones, in yields ranging between 20-99 %, and with excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the intramolecular [2+2]-cycloaddition of 1,7-enynes-after fragmentation of the cyclobutane ring-leads to enyne-metathesis-like products.

18.
Toxins (Basel) ; 12(10)2020 10 08.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33049917

RESUMO

Cry proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis are pore-forming toxins that disrupt the membrane integrity of insect midgut cells. The structure of such pore is unknown, but it has been shown that domain I is responsible for oligomerization, membrane insertion and pore formation activity. Specifically, it was proposed that some N-terminal α-helices are lost, leading to conformational changes that trigger oligomerization. We designed a series of mutants to further analyze the molecular rearrangements at the N-terminal region of Cry1Ab toxin that lead to oligomer assembly. For this purpose, we introduced Cys residues at specific positions within α-helices of domain I for their specific labeling with extrinsic fluorophores to perform Föster resonance energy transfer analysis to fluorescent labeled Lys residues located in Domains II-III, or for disulfide bridges formation to restrict mobility of conformational changes. Our data support that helix α-1 of domain I is cleaved out and swings away from the toxin core upon binding with Manduca sexta brush border membrane vesicles. That movement of helix α-2b is also required for the conformational changes involved in oligomerization. These observations are consistent with a model proposing that helices α-2b and α-3 form an extended helix α-3 necessary for oligomer assembly of Cry toxins.


Assuntos
Bacillus cereus/metabolismo , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis/farmacologia , Endotoxinas/farmacologia , Proteínas Hemolisinas/farmacologia , Manduca/efeitos dos fármacos , Controle Biológico de Vetores , Animais , Bacillus cereus/genética , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis/química , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis/genética , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis/metabolismo , Endotoxinas/química , Endotoxinas/genética , Endotoxinas/metabolismo , Proteínas Hemolisinas/química , Proteínas Hemolisinas/genética , Proteínas Hemolisinas/metabolismo , Manduca/metabolismo , Microvilosidades/efeitos dos fármacos , Microvilosidades/metabolismo , Mutação , Conformação Proteica em alfa-Hélice , Multimerização Proteica , Relação Estrutura-Atividade
19.
J Mol Biol ; 432(19): 5411-5429, 2020 09 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32735805

RESUMO

Forkhead box P (FoxP) proteins are unique transcription factors that spatiotemporally regulate gene expression by tethering two chromosome loci together via functional domain-swapped dimers formed through their DNA-binding domains. Further, the differential kinetics on this dimerization mechanism underlie an intricate gene regulation network at physiological conditions. Nonetheless, poor understanding of the structural dynamics and steps of the association process impedes to link the functional domain swapping to human-associated diseases. Here, we have characterized the DNA-binding domain of human FoxP1 by integrating single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry data with molecular dynamics simulations. Our results confirm the formation of a previously postulated domain-swapped (DS) FoxP1 dimer in solution and reveal the presence of highly populated, heterogeneous, and locally disordered dimeric intermediates along the dimer dissociation pathway. The unique features of FoxP1 provide a glimpse of how intrinsically disordered regions can facilitate domain swapping oligomerization and other tightly regulated association mechanisms relevant in biological processes.


Assuntos
DNA/metabolismo , Fatores de Transcrição Forkhead/química , Proteínas Intrinsicamente Desordenadas/química , Proteínas Repressoras/química , Sítios de Ligação , Fatores de Transcrição Forkhead/metabolismo , Humanos , Proteínas Intrinsicamente Desordenadas/metabolismo , Simulação de Dinâmica Molecular , Ligação Proteica , Domínios Proteicos , Dobramento de Proteína , Multimerização Proteica , Proteínas Repressoras/metabolismo
20.
J Fluoresc ; 30(4): 827-837, 2020 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32435971

RESUMO

The spectroscopic properties of lanthanide ions stem from absorption and emission radiation in the solar spectrum range, which promotes numerous applications in areas such as white light emission, bio-imaging, biological markers, and photovoltaic cells, among others. To intensify these properties, several matrixes have been studied, particularly the yttrium vanadate matrix due to its structural, mechanic, and physicochemical properties. The non-hydrolytic sol-gel process is a versatile way to prepare inorganic oxides doped with lanthanide ions. In this work, we describe the synthesis of yttrium vanadate matrixes doped with Eu3+, Er3+, and/or Yb3+ ions (containing 1% lanthanide ions with respect to Y3+ (molar ratio)) by the non-hydrolytic sol-gel, annealed at 800 °C for 4 h, and their characterization by X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction patterns display the peaks corresponding to the yttrium vanadate tetragonal phase. Laser excitation at 980 nm elicits Er3+ emission bands in the green and red regions and Eu3+ emission at 620 nm. Laser excitation at 322 nm; i.e., the charge transfer band, provides emission in the same regions, as well as infrared emission. This system is a promising candidate for applications in solar cells, optical amplifiers, and biomarkers because it can be excited at different wavelengths. Graphical Abstract Schematic diagram of the energy level of lanthanides and vanadate ions, and energy transfer.

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