1
|
Wehrum S, Siukstaite L, Williamson DJ, Branson TR, Sych T, Madl J, Wildsmith GC, Dai W, Kempmann E, Ross JF, Thomsen M, Webb ME, Römer W, Turnbull WB. Membrane Fusion Mediated by Non-covalent Binding of Re-engineered Cholera Toxin Assemblies to Glycolipids. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:3929-3938. [PMID: 36367814 PMCID: PMC9764410 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Membrane fusion is essential for the transport of macromolecules and viruses across membranes. While glycan-binding proteins (lectins) often initiate cellular adhesion, subsequent fusion events require additional protein machinery. No mechanism for membrane fusion arising from simply a protein binding to membrane glycolipids has been described thus far. Herein, we report that a biotinylated protein derived from cholera toxin becomes a fusogenic lectin upon cross-linking with streptavidin. This novel reengineered protein brings about hemifusion and fusion of vesicles as demonstrated by mixing of fluorescently labeled lipids between vesicles as well as content mixing of liposomes filled with fluorescently labeled dextran. Exclusion of the complex at vesicle-vesicle interfaces could also be observed, indicating the formation of hemifusion diaphragms. Discovery of this fusogenic lectin complex demonstrates that new emergent properties can arise from simple changes in protein architecture and provides insights into new mechanisms of lipid-driven fusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Wehrum
- Faculty
of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany,Bioss-Centre
for Biological Signalling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University
Freiburg, Schänzlestraße
18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lina Siukstaite
- Faculty
of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany,Bioss-Centre
for Biological Signalling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University
Freiburg, Schänzlestraße
18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daniel J. Williamson
- School
of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT Leeds, U.K..
| | - Thomas R. Branson
- School
of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT Leeds, U.K..
| | - Taras Sych
- Faculty
of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany,Bioss-Centre
for Biological Signalling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University
Freiburg, Schänzlestraße
18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany,Freiburg
Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technology (FIT), Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany,Science
for Life Laboratory, Department of Women’s and Children’s
Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Solna, Sweden
| | - Josef Madl
- Faculty
of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany,Bioss-Centre
for Biological Signalling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University
Freiburg, Schänzlestraße
18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany,Freiburg
Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technology (FIT), Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gemma C. Wildsmith
- School
of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT Leeds, U.K..
| | - Wenyue Dai
- School
of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT Leeds, U.K..
| | - Erik Kempmann
- Faculty
of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany,Bioss-Centre
for Biological Signalling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University
Freiburg, Schänzlestraße
18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - James F. Ross
- School
of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT Leeds, U.K..
| | - Maren Thomsen
- School of
Biomedical Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT Leeds, U.K..
| | - Michael E. Webb
- School
of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT Leeds, U.K..
| | - Winfried Römer
- Faculty
of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany,Bioss-Centre
for Biological Signalling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University
Freiburg, Schänzlestraße
18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany,Freiburg
Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technology (FIT), Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany,
| | - W. Bruce Turnbull
- School
of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT Leeds, U.K..,
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
van Buren L, Koenderink GH, Martinez-Torres C. DisGUVery: A Versatile Open-Source Software for High-Throughput Image Analysis of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 12:120-135. [PMID: 36508359 PMCID: PMC9872171 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are cell-sized aqueous compartments enclosed by a phospholipid bilayer. Due to their cell-mimicking properties, GUVs have become a widespread experimental tool in synthetic biology to study membrane properties and cellular processes. In stark contrast to the experimental progress, quantitative analysis of GUV microscopy images has received much less attention. Currently, most analysis is performed either manually or with custom-made scripts, which makes analysis time-consuming and results difficult to compare across studies. To make quantitative GUV analysis accessible and fast, we present DisGUVery, an open-source, versatile software that encapsulates multiple algorithms for automated detection and analysis of GUVs in microscopy images. With a performance analysis, we demonstrate that DisGUVery's three vesicle detection modules successfully identify GUVs in images obtained with a wide range of imaging sources, in various typical GUV experiments. Multiple predefined analysis modules allow the user to extract properties such as membrane fluorescence, vesicle shape, and internal fluorescence from large populations. A new membrane segmentation algorithm facilitates spatial fluorescence analysis of nonspherical vesicles. Altogether, DisGUVery provides an accessible tool to enable high-throughput automated analysis of GUVs, and thereby to promote quantitative data analysis in synthetic cell research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lennard van Buren
- Department
of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZDelft, The Netherlands
| | - Gijsje Hendrika Koenderink
- Department
of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZDelft, The Netherlands,
| | - Cristina Martinez-Torres
- Department
of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZDelft, The Netherlands,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Boban Z, Mardešić I, Subczynski WK, Raguz M. Giant Unilamellar Vesicle Electroformation: What to Use, What to Avoid, and How to Quantify the Results. Membranes (Basel) 2021; 11:membranes11110860. [PMID: 34832088 PMCID: PMC8622294 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11110860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Since its inception more than thirty years ago, electroformation has become the most commonly used method for growing giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Although the method seems quite straightforward at first, researchers must consider the interplay of a large number of parameters, different lipid compositions, and internal solutions in order to avoid artifactual results or reproducibility problems. These issues motivated us to write a short review of the most recent methodological developments and possible pitfalls. Additionally, since traditional manual analysis can lead to biased results, we have included a discussion on methods for automatic analysis of GUVs. Finally, we discuss possible improvements in the preparation of GUVs containing high cholesterol contents in order to avoid the formation of artifactual cholesterol crystals. We intend this review to be a reference for those trying to decide what parameters to use as well as an overview providing insight into problems not yet addressed or solved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zvonimir Boban
- Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia; (Z.B.); (I.M.)
- Doctoral Study of Biophysics, Faculty of Science, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Ivan Mardešić
- Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia; (Z.B.); (I.M.)
- Doctoral Study of Biophysics, Faculty of Science, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | | | - Marija Raguz
- Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia; (Z.B.); (I.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-98-768-819
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Schubert T, Sych T, Madl J, Xu M, Omidvar R, Patalag LJ, Ries A, Kettelhoit K, Brandel A, Mely Y, Steinem C, Werz DB, Thuenauer R, Römer W. Differential recognition of lipid domains by two Gb3-binding lectins. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9752. [PMID: 32546842 PMCID: PMC7297801 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66522-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The two lectins LecA from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the B-subunit of Shiga toxin from Shigella dysenteriae (StxB) share the glycosphingolipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) as receptor. Counterintuitively, we found that LecA and StxB segregated into different domains after recognizing Gb3 at the plasma membrane of cells. We hypothesized that the orientation of the carbohydrate head group of Gb3 embedded in the lipid bilayer differentially influences LecA and StxB binding. To test this hypothesis, we reconstituted lectin-Gb3 interaction using giant unilamellar vesicles and were indeed able to rebuild LecA and StxB segregation. Both, the Gb3 fatty acyl chain structure and the local membrane environment, modulated Gb3 recognition by LecA and StxB. Specifically, StxB preferred more ordered membranes compared to LecA. Based on our findings, we propose comparing staining patterns of LecA and StxB as an alternative method to assess membrane order in cells. To verify this approach, we re-established that the apical plasma membrane of epithelial cells is more ordered than the basolateral plasma membrane. Additionally, we found that StxB recognized Gb3 at the primary cilium and the periciliary membrane, whereas LecA only bound periciliary Gb3. This suggests that the ciliary membrane is of higher order than the surrounding periciliary membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schubert
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Synthetic Biology of Signalling Processes, Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Toolbox, BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Taras Sych
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Synthetic Biology of Signalling Processes, Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Josef Madl
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Synthetic Biology of Signalling Processes, Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maokai Xu
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Synthetic Biology of Signalling Processes, Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ramin Omidvar
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Synthetic Biology of Signalling Processes, Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lukas J Patalag
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Organische Chemie, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Annika Ries
- Institut für Organische und Biomolekulare Chemie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Kettelhoit
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Organische Chemie, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Annette Brandel
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Synthetic Biology of Signalling Processes, Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Yves Mely
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Claudia Steinem
- Institut für Organische und Biomolekulare Chemie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniel B Werz
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Organische Chemie, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Roland Thuenauer
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. .,Synthetic Biology of Signalling Processes, Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. .,Advanced Light and Fluorescence Microscopy Facility, Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) and University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Winfried Römer
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. .,Synthetic Biology of Signalling Processes, Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
In synthetic biology approaches, lipid vesicles are widely used as protocell models. While many compounds have been encapsulated in vesicles (e.g. DNA, cytoskeleton and enzymes), the incorporation of glycocalyx components in the lipid bilayer has attracted much less attention so far. In recent years, glycoconjugates have been integrated in the membrane of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). These minimal membrane systems have largely contributed to shed light on the molecular mechanisms of cellular processes. In this review, we first introduce several preparation and biophysical characterization methods of GUVs. Then, we highlight specific applications of protocells investigating glycolipid-mediated endocytosis of toxins, viruses and bacteria. In addition, we delineate how prototissues have been assembled from glycan-decorated protocells by using lectin-mediated cross-linking of opposed glycoreceptors (e.g. glycolipids and glycopeptides). In future applications, glycan-decorated protocells might be useful for investigating cell-cell interactions (e.g. adhesion and communication). We also speculate about the implication of lectin-glycoreceptor interactions in membrane fusion processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramin Omidvar
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.,Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technology (FIT), Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Römer
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.,Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technology (FIT), Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|