Tag Archive for: AWSensors X4

Publication on AWSensors technology

C60-based Multivalent Glycoporphyrins Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Specific Interaction with the DC-SIGN Transmembrane Receptor

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Authors: Jennifer Patino-Alonso, Justo Cabrera-González, Javier Merino, Gema Nieto-Ortiz, Fátima Lasala, Jouma Katati, Carlos H. Bezerra da Cruz, Ajay K. Monnappa, Pablo Mateos-Gil, Ángeles Canales, Iván López-Montero, Beatriz M. Illescas, Rafael Delgado, and Nazario Martín

Journal: Small (2023)

 

Abstract

Since WHO has declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, nearly seven million deaths have been reported. This efficient spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is facilitated by the ability of the spike glycoprotein to bind multiple cell membrane receptors. Although ACE2 is identified as the main receptor for SARS-CoV-2, other receptors could play a role in viral entry. Among others, C-type lectins such as DC-SIGN are identified as efficient trans-receptor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, so the use of glycomimetics to inhibit the infection through the DC-SIGN blockade is an encouraging approach. In this regard, multivalent nanostructures based on glycosylated [60]fullerenes linked to a central porphyrin scaffold have been designed and tested against DC-SIGN-mediated SARS-CoV-2 infection. First results show an outstanding inhibition of the trans-infection up to 90%. In addition, a deeper understanding of nanostructure-receptor binding is achieved through microscopy techniques, high-resolution NMR experiments, Quartz Crystal Microbalance experiments, and molecular dynamic simulations.

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Publication on AWSensors technology

Comparison of Thin-Film Capacitor Geometries for the Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds Using a ZIF-8 Affinity Layer

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Authors: Aleksander Matavž, Margot F. K. Verstreken, Jorid Smets, Max L. Tietze, and Rob Ameloot

Journal: ACS Sensors (2023)

 

Abstract

Their chemical diversity, uniform pore sizes, and large internal surface areas make metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) highly suitable for volatile organic compound (VOC) adsorption. This work compares two geometries of capacitive VOC sensors that use the MOF material ZIF-8 as an affinity layer. When using a permeable top electrode (thickness < 25 nm), the metal–insulator–metal (MIM) sandwich configuration exhibits superior sensitivity, an improved detection limit, and a smaller footprint than the conventional interdigitated electrode layout. Moreover, the transduction of VOC adsorption in ZIF-8 via MIM capacitors is more sensitive to polar VOCs and provides better selectivity at high loadings than gravimetric and optical transductions.

 

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Publication on AWSensors technology

Nanoporous Metal–Organic Framework Thin Films Prepared Directly from Gaseous Precursors by Atomic and Molecular Layer Deposition: Implications for Microelectronics

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Authors: Jenna Multia, Dmitry E. Kravchenko, Víctor Rubio-Giménez, Anish Philip, Rob Ameloot, and Maarit Karppinen

Journal: ACS Appl. Nano Mater. (2023)

 

Abstract

Atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) allows for the direct gas-phase synthesis of crystalline metal–organic framework (MOF) thin films. Here, we show for the first time using krypton and methanol physisorption measurements that ALD/MLD-fabricated copper 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (Cu-BDC) ultrathin films possess accessible porosity matching that of the corresponding bulk MOF.

 

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Publication on AWSensors technology

V. cholerae MakA is a cholesterol-binding pore-forming toxin that induces non-canonical autophagy

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Authors: Xiaotong Jia, Anastasia Knyazeva, Yu Zhang, Sergio Castro-Gonzalez, Shuhei Nakamura, Lars-Anders Carlson, Tamotsu Yoshimori, Dale P. Corkery, Yao-Wen Wu

Journal: J Cell Biol (2022)

 

Abstract

Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are important virulence factors produced by many pathogenic bacteria. Here, we show that the Vibrio cholerae toxin MakA is a novel cholesterol-binding PFT that induces non-canonical autophagy in a pH-dependent manner. MakA specifically binds to cholesterol on the membrane at pH < 7. Cholesterol-binding leads to oligomerization of MakA on the membrane and pore formation at pH 5.5. Unlike other cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) which bind cholesterol through a conserved cholesterol-binding motif (Thr-Leu pair), MakA contains an Ile-Ile pair that is essential for MakA-cholesterol interaction. Following internalization, endosomal acidification triggers MakA pore-assembly followed by ESCRT-mediated membrane repair and V-ATPase-dependent unconventional LC3 lipidation on the damaged endolysosomal membranes. These findings characterize a new cholesterol-binding toxin that forms pores in a pH-dependent manner and reveals the molecular mechanism of host autophagy manipulation.

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Publication on AWSensors technology

Aerosol Jet Printing of the Ultramicroporous Calcium Squarate Metal–Organic Framework

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Authors: Dmitry E. Kravchenko, Aleksander Matavž, Víctor Rubio-Giménez, Hanne Vanduffel, Margot Verstreken, Rob Ameloot

Journal: Chem. Mater. (2022)

 

Abstract

Efficient methods to deposit thin layers of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are needed to integrate these microporous materials into microelectronics, sensing devices, and membranes. Herein, we report for the first time the direct aerosol jet printing of a MOF material. The ultramicroporous MOF [Ca(C4O4) (H2O)] (UTSA-280) was deposited from an aqueous precursor solution. In addition to blanket coatings, aerosol jet printing provides direct access to patterned coatings with a resolution of 100 μm via a digital, maskless approach. Moreover, by enabling spatial control over the layer thickness via the number of passes of the nozzle, this direct-write approach presents a more accessible alternative to advanced patterning techniques such as grayscale lithography.

 

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Publication on AWSensors technology

Membrane insertion mechanism of the caveola coat protein Cavin1

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Authors: Liu, K.-C., Pace, H., Larsson, E., Hossain, S., Kabedev, A., Shukla, A., Jerschabek, V., Mohan, J., Bergström, C. A. S., Bally, M., Schwieger, C., Hubert, M., & Lundmark, R.

Journal: PNAS (2022)

 

Abstract

Caveolae are small plasma membrane invaginations, important for control of membrane tension, signaling cascades, and lipid sorting. The caveola coat protein Cavin1 is essential for shaping such high curvature membrane structures. Yet, a mechanistic understanding of how Cavin1 assembles at the membrane interface is lacking. Here, we used model membranes combined with biophysical dissection and computational modeling to show that Cavin1 inserts into membranes. We establish that initial phosphatidylinositol (4, 5) bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2]–dependent membrane adsorption of the trimeric helical region 1 (HR1) of Cavin1 mediates the subsequent partial separation and membrane insertion of the individual helices. Insertion kinetics of HR1 is further enhanced by the presence of flanking negatively charged disordered regions, which was found important for the coassembly of Cavin1 with Caveolin1 in living cells. We propose that this intricate mechanism potentiates membrane curvature generation and facilitates dynamic rounds of assembly and disassembly of Cavin1 at the membrane.

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