IK Channel-Independent Effects of Clotrimazole and Senicapoc on Cancer Cells Viability and Migration

Many studies highlighted the importance of the IK channel for the proliferation and the migration of different types of cancer cells, showing how IK blockers could slow down cancer growth. Based on these data, we wanted to characterize the effects of IK blockers on melanoma metastatic cells and to understand if such effects were exclusively IK-dependent. For this purpose, we employed two different blockers, namely clotrimazole and senicapoc, and two cell lines: metastatic melanoma WM266-4 and pancreatic cancer Panc-1, which is reported to have little or no IK expression. Clotrimazole and senicapoc induced a decrease in viability and the migration of both WM266-4 and Panc-1 cells irrespective of IK expression levels. Patch-clamp experiments on WM266-4 cells revealed Ca2+-dependent, IK-like, clotrimazole- and senicapoc-sensitive currents, which could not be detected in Panc-1 cells. Neither clotrimazole nor senicapoc altered the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. These results suggest that the effects of IK blockers on cancer cells are not strictly dependent on a robust presence of the channel in the plasma membrane, but they might be due to off-target effects on other cellular targets or to the blockade of IK channels localized in intracellular organelles.

Assessing the toxicity of aegerolysin-based bioinsecticidal complexes using the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus as model organism

The use of alternative solutions for pest management to replace pesticides in agriculture is of great interest. Proteinaceous complexes deriving from edible oyster mushrooms were recently proposed as environmentally friendly bioinsecticides. Such complexes, composed of ostreolysin A6 (OlyA6) and pleurotolysin B (PlyB), target invertebrate-specific membrane sphingolipids in insect's midgut, causing death through the formation of transmembrane pores. In this work, the potential impact of OlyA6/PlyB complexes was tested in the Mediterranean sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, as an indicator of environmental quality. The ability of the fluorescently tagged OlyA6 to bind sea urchin gametes (sperm, eggs), the lipidome of sea urchin gametes, and the potential toxic effects and developmental anomalies caused by OlyA6/PlyB complexes on P. lividus early development (embryo, larvae) were investigated. The binding of the fluorescently tagged OlyA6 could be observed only in sea urchin eggs, which harbor OlyA6 sphingolipid membrane receptors, conversely to sperm. High protein concentrations affected sea urchin fertilization (>750 µg/L) and early development (> 375 µg/L in embryos; >100 µg/L in larvae), by causing toxicity and morphological anomalies in embryos and larvae. The main anomalies consisted in delayed embryos and incorrect migration of the primary mesenchyme cells that caused larval skeletal anomalies. The classification of these anomalies indicated a slight environmental impact of OlyA6/PlyB complexes at concentrations higher than 750 µg/L. Such impact should not persist in the marine environment, due to the reversible anomalies observed in sea urchin embryos and larvae that may promote defense strategies. However, before promoting the use of OlyA6/PlyB complexes as bio-pesticides at low concentrations, further studies on other marine coastal species are needed.

Advanced Microscopy Techniques for Molecular Biophysics

Though microscopy is most often intended as a technique for providing qualitative assessment of cellular and subcellular properties, when coupled with other instruments such as wavelength selectors, lasers, photoelectric devices and computers, it can perform a wide variety of quantitative measurements, which are demanding in establishing relationships between the properties and structures of biological material in all their spatial and temporal complexities. These combinations of instruments are a powerful approach to improve non-destructive investigations of cellular and subcellular properties (both physical and chemical) at a macromolecular scale resolution. Since many subcellular compartments in living cells are characterized by structurally organized molecules, this review deals with three advanced microscopy techniques well-suited for these kind of investigations, i.e., microspectrophotometry (MSP), super-resolution localization microscopy (SRLM) and holotomographic microscopy (HTM). These techniques can achieve an insight view into the role intracellular molecular organizations such as photoreceptive and photosynthetic structures and lipid bodies play in many cellular processes as well as their biophysical properties. Microspectrophotometry uses a set-up based on the combination of a wide-field microscope and a polychromator, which allows the measurement of spectroscopic features such as absorption spectra. Super resolution localization microscopy combines dedicated optics and sophisticated software algorithms to overcome the diffraction limit of light and allow the visualization of subcellular structures and dynamics in greater detail with respect to conventional optical microscopy. Holotomographic microscopy combines holography and tomography techniques into a single microscopy set-up, and allows 3D reconstruction by means of the phase separation of biomolecule condensates. This review is organized in sections, which for each technique describe some general aspects, a peculiar theoretical aspect, a specific experimental configuration and examples of applications (fish and algae photoreceptors, single labeled proteins and endocellular aggregates of lipids).

Nanoplastic uptake temporarily affects the pulsing behavior in ephyrae of the moon jellyfish Aurelia sp

The aim of this study is to investigate for the first time the uptake and ecotoxicological effects of nanoplastics (NPs) in a marine cnidarian. Ephyrae of the moon jellyfish Aurelia sp. of different ages (0 and 7 days old) were exposed to negatively charged polystyrene NPs for 24 h; then, the uptake was assessed through traditional and novel techniques, namely microscopy and three-dimensional (3D) holotomography. Immobility and behavioral responses (frequency of pulsations) of ephyrae were also investigated to clarify if NP toxicity differed along the first life stages. NP uptake was observed in ephyrae thanks to the 3D technique. Such internalization did not affect survival, but it temporarily impaired the pulsation mode only in 0 day old ephyrae. This may be ascribed to the negative charged NPs, contributing to jellyfish behavioral alteration. These findings promote 3D holotomography as a suitable tool to detect NPs in marine organisms. Moreover, this study recommends the use of cnidarians of different ages to better assess NP ecotoxicological effects in these organisms, key components of the marine food web.

Ecotoxicity of Polyvinylidene Difluoride (PVDF) and Polylactic Acid (PLA) Microplastics in Marine Zooplankton

The aim of this study was to investigate the ecotoxicity of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics (MPs) in two marine zooplankton: the crustacean Artemia franciscana and the cnidarian Aurelia sp. (common jellyfish). To achieve this goal, (i) MP uptake, (ii) immobility, and (iii) behavior (swimming speed, pulsation mode) of crustacean larval stages and jellyfish ephyrae exposed to MPs concentrations (1, 10, 100 mg/L) were assessed for 24 h. Using traditional and novel techniques, i.e., epifluorescence microscopy and 3D holotomography (HT), PVDF and PLA MPs were found in the digestive systems of the crustaceans and in the gelatinous tissue of jellyfish. Immobility was not affected in either organism, while a significant behavioral alteration in terms of pulsation mode was found in jellyfish after exposure to both PVDF and PLA MPs. Moreover, PLA MPs exposure in jellyfish induced a toxic effect (EC50: 77.43 mg/L) on the behavioral response. This study provides new insights into PLA and PVDF toxicity with the potential for a large impact on the marine ecosystem, since jellyfish play a key role in the marine food chain. However, further investigations incorporating additional species belonging to other trophic levels are paramount to better understand and clarify the impact of such polymers at micro scale in the marine environment. These findings suggest that although PVDF and PLA have been recently proposed as innovative and, in the case of PLA, biodegradable polymers, their effects on marine biota should not be underestimated.

A novel phage display based platform for exosome diversity characterization

We present an innovative approach allowing the identification, isolation, and molecular characterization of disease-related exosomes based on their different antigenic reactivities. The designed strategy could be immediately translated into any disease in which exosomes are involved. The identification of specific markers and their subsequent association with exosome subtypes, together with the possibility to engineer target-guided exosome-like particles, could represent the key for the effective adoption of exosomes in clinical practice.

Holotomographic microscopy: A new approach to detect apoptotic cell features

Holotomographic (HT) microscopy, combines two techniques, holography and tomography, and, in this way, it allows to quantitatively and noninvasively investigate cells and thin tissue slices, by obtaining three-dimensional (3D) images and by monitoring inner morphological changes. HT has indeed two significant advantages: it is label-free and low-energy light passes through the specimen with minimal perturbation. Using quantitative phase imaging with optical diffraction tomography, it can produce 3D images by measuring the refraction index (RI). Therefore, based on RI values, HT can provide structural and chemical cell information, such as dry mass values, morphological changes, or cellular membrane dynamics. In this study, suspended and adherent culture cells have been processed for HT analyses. Some of them have been treated with known apoptotic drugs or pro-oxidant agents and cell response has been investigated both by conventional microscopic approaches and by HT. The ultrastructural and fluorescence images have been compared to those obtained by HT and their congruence has been discussed, with particular attention to apoptotic cell death and on correlated plasma membrane changes. HT appears a valid approach to further characterize well-known apoptotic features such as cell blebbing, chromatin condensation, micronuclei, and apoptotic bodies. Taken together, our data demonstrate that HT appears suitable to highlight suspended or adherent cell behavior under different conditions. In particular, this technique appears an important new tool to distinguish healthy cells from the apoptotic ones, as well as to monitor outer and inner cell changes in a rapid way and with a noninvasive, label-free, approach.

Microplastics ingestion in the ephyra stage of Aurelia sp. triggers acute and behavioral responses

For the first time, we report a correspondence between microplastics (MP) ingestion and ecotoxicological effects in gelatinous zooplankton (Cnidarian jellyfish). The ephyra stage of the jellyfish Aurelia sp. was exposed to both environmental and high concentrations of fluorescent 1-4 μm polyethylene MP (0.01-10 mg/L). After 24 and 48 h, MP accumulation, acute (Immobility) and behavioral (Frequency pulsation) endpoints were investigated. MP were detected by confocal and tomographic investigations on gelatinous body and mouth, either attached on the surface or ingested. This interaction was responsible for impairing ephyrae survival and behavior at all tested concentrations after 24 h. Acute and behavioral effects were also related to mechanical disturbance, caused by MP, triggering a loss of radial symmetry. Contaminated ephyrae exposed to clean seawater showed full recovery after 72 h highlighting the organisms without the microspheres, attached on body jellyfish surface around the mouth and lappets. In conclusion, short-term exposure to MP affects ephyrae jellyfish health, impairing both their survival and behavior. Polyethylene MP temporarily affect both Immobility and Frequency of pulsation of Aurelia sp. jellyfish. This study provides a first step towards understanding and clarifying the potential impacts of MP contamination in gelatinous zooplankton.

Development of label-free biophysical markers in osteogenic maturation

The spatial and temporal changes of morphological and mechanical properties of living cells reflect complex functionally-associated processes. Monitoring these modifications could provide a direct information on the cellular functional state. Here we present an integrated biophysical approach to the quantification of the morphological and mechanical phenotype of single cells along a maturation pathway. Specifically, quantitative phase microscopy and single cell biomechanical testing were applied to the characterization of the maturation of human foetal osteoblasts, demonstrating the ability to identify effective label-free biomarkers along this fundamental biological process.

"Green-reduced" graphene oxide induces in vitro an enhanced biomimetic mineralization of polycaprolactone electrospun meshes

A novel green method for graphene oxide (GO) reduction via ascorbic acid has been adopted to realize bio-friendly reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous meshes, as substrates for bone tissue engineering applications. PCL fibrous mats enriched with either RGO or GO (0.25 wt%) were fabricated to recapitulate the fibrillar structure of the bone extracellular matrix (ECM) and the effects of RGO incorporation on the structural proprieties, biomechanics and bioactivity of the nano-composites meshes were evaluated. RGO/PCL fibrous meshes displayed superior mechanical properties (i.e. Young's Modulus and ultimate tensile strength) besides supporting noticeably improved cell adhesion, spreading and proliferation of fibroblasts and osteoblast-like cell lines. Furthermore, RGO-based electrospun substrates enhanced in vitro calcium deposition in the ECM produced by osteoblast-like cells, which was paralleled, in human mesenchymal stem cells grown onto the same substrates, by an increased expression of the osteogenic markers mandatory for mineralization. In this respect, the capability of graphene-based materials to adsorb osteogenic factors cooperates synergically with the rougher surface of RGO/PCL-based materials, evidenced by AFM analysis, to ignite mineralization of the neodeposited matrix and to promote the osteogenic commitment of the cultured cell in the surrounding microenvironment.

Osmoregulated Chloride Currents in Hemocytes from Mytilus galloprovincialis

We investigated the biophysical properties of the transport mediated by ion channels in hemocytes from the hemolymph of the bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis. Besides other transporters, mytilus hemocytes possess a specialized channel sensitive to the osmotic pressure with functional properties similar to those of other transport proteins present in vertebrates. As chloride fluxes may play an important role in the regulation of cell volume in case of modifications of the ionic composition of the external medium, we focused our attention on an inwardly-rectifying voltage-dependent, chloride-selective channel activated by negative membrane potentials and potentiated by the low osmolality of the external solution. The chloride channel was slightly inhibited by micromolar concentrations of zinc chloride in the bath solution, while the antifouling agent zinc pyrithione did not affect the channel conductance at all. This is the first direct electrophysiological characterization of a functional ion channel in ancestral immunocytes of mytilus, which may bring a contribution to the understanding of the response of bivalves to salt and contaminant stresses.

DNA-HMGB1 interaction: The nuclear aggregates of polyamine mediation

Nuclear aggregates of polyamines (NAPs) are supramolecular compounds generated by the self-assembly of protonated nuclear polyamines (spermine, spermidine and putrescine) and phosphate ions. In the presence of genomic DNA, the hierarchical process of self-structuring ultimately produces nanotube-like polymers that envelop the double helix. Because of their modular nature and their aggregation-disaggregation dynamics, NAPs confer plasticity and flexibility to DNA. Through the disposition of charges, NAPs also enable a bidirectional stream of information between the genome and interacting moieties. High mobility group (HMG) B1 is a non-histone chromosomal protein that binds to DNA and that influences multiple nuclear processes. Because genomic DNA binds to either NAPs or HMGB1 protein, we explored the ability of in vitro self-assembled NAPs (ivNAPs) to mediate the DNA-HMGB1 interaction. To this end, we structured DNA-NAPs-HMGB1 and DNA-HMGB1-NAPs ternary complexes in vitro through opportune sequential incubations. Mobility shift electrophoresis and atomic force microscopy showed that the DNA-ivNAPs-HGMB1 complex had conformational assets supposedly more suitable those of the DNA-HGMB1-ivNAPs to comply with the physiological and functional requirements of DNA. Our findings indicated that ivNAPs act as mediators of the DNA-HMGB1 interaction.

Chronic skin lichenification as unusual presentation of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangitis: case report and literature review

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangitis (EGPA) is an uncommon ANCA-associated systemic small-vessel necrotizing vasculitis. At times, EGPA presenting manifestations can be very different from the usually recognized disease patterns. We report a 52-year-old female patient with 3 years history of itching. During the time occurred a chronic skin lichenification on her legs and gradually developed a full-blown ANCA-MPO positive EGPA in combination with blood hypereosinophilia, eosinophilic vasculitis at skin biopsy, subclinical asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis.

Electro-magnetic field promotes osteogenic differentiation of BM-hMSCs through a selective action on Ca(2+)-related mechanisms

Exposure to Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) has been shown to affect proliferation and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow stroma (BM-hMSC). These cells offer considerable promise in the field of regenerative medicine, but their clinical application is hampered by major limitations such as poor availability and the time required to differentiate up to a stage suitable for implantation. For this reason, several research efforts are focusing on identifying strategies to speed up the differentiation process. In this work we investigated the in vitro effect of PEMF on Ca²⁺-related mechanisms promoting the osteogenic differentiation of BM-hMSC. Cells were daily exposed to PEMF while subjected to osteogenic differentiation and various Ca²⁺-related mechanisms were monitored using multiple approaches for identifying functional and structural modifications related to this process. The results indicate that PEMF exposure promotes chemically induced osteogenesis by mechanisms that mainly interfere with some of the calcium-related osteogenic pathways, such as permeation and regulation of cytosolic concentration, leaving others, such as extracellular deposition, unaffected. The PEMF effect is primarily associated to early enhancement of intracellular calcium concentration, which is proposed here as a reliable hallmark of the osteogenic developmental stage.

Biological and structural characterization of a naturally inspired material engineered from elastin as a candidate for tissue engineering applications

The adoption of a biomimetic approach in the design and fabrication of innovative materials for biomedical applications is encountering a growing interest. In particular, new molecules are being engineered on the basis of proteins present in the extracellular matrix, such as fibronectin, collagen, or elastin. Following this approach scientists expect to be able not only to obtain materials with tailored mechanical properties but also to elicit specific biological responses inherited by the mimicked tissue. In the present work, a novel peptide, engineered starting from the sequence encoded by exon 28 of human tropoelastin, was characterized from a chemical, physical, and biological point of view. The obtained molecule was observed to aggregate at high temperatures, forming a material able to induce a biological effect similar to what elastin does in the physiological context. This material seems to be a good candidate to play a relevant role in future biomedical applications with special reference to vascular surgery.

Oriented collagen nanocoatings for tissue engineering

Collagens are among the most widely present and important proteins composing the human total body, providing strength and structural stability to various tissues, from skin to bone. In this paper, we report an innovative approach to bioactivate planar surfaces with oriented collagen molecules to promote cells proliferation and alignment. The Langmuir-Blodgett technique was used to form a stable collagen film at the air-water interface and the Langmuir-Schaefer deposition was adopted to transfer it to the support surface. The deposition process was monitored by estimating the mass of the protein layers after each deposition step. Collagen films were then structurally characterized by atomic force, scanning electron and fluorescent microscopies. Finally, collagen films were functionally tested in vitro. To this aim, 3T3 cells were seeded onto the silicon supports either modified or not (control) by collagen film deposition. Cells adhesion and proliferation on collagen films were found to be greater than those on control both after 1 (p<0.05) and 7 days culture. Moreover, the functionalization of the substrate surface triggered a parallel orientation of cells when cultured on it. In conclusion, these data demonstrated that the Langmuir-Schaefer technique can be successfully used for the deposition of oriented collagen films for tissue engineering applications.

Multiscale characterization of a chimeric biomimetic polypeptide for stem cell culture

Mesenchymal stem cells have attracted great interest in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine because of their multipotentiality and relative ease of isolation from adult tissues. The medical application of this cellular system requires the inclusion in a growth and delivery scaffold that is crucial for the clinical effectiveness of the therapy. In particular, the ideal scaffolding material should have the needed porosity and mechanical strength to allow a good integration with the surrounding tissues, but it should also assure high biocompatibility and full resorbability. For such a purpose, protein-inspired biomaterials and, in particular, elastomeric-derived polypeptides are playing a major role, in which they are expected to fulfil many of the biological and mechanical requirements. A specific chimeric protein, designed starting from elastin, resilin and collagen sequences, was characterized over different length scales. Single-molecule mechanics, aggregation properties and compatibility with human mesenchymal stem cells were tested, showing that the engineered compound is a good candidate as a stem cell scaffold to be used in tissue engineering applications.

Differential toxicity, conformation and morphology of typical initial aggregation states of Aβ1-42 and Aβpy3-42 beta-amyloids

Among the different species of water-soluble β-peptides (Aβ1-42, Aβ1-40 and N-terminal truncated Aβ-peptides), Aβpy3-42 is thought to play a relevant role in Alzheimer's pathogenesis due to its abundance, resistance to proteolysis, fast aggregation kinetics, dynamic structure and high neurotoxicity. To evaluate the specific structural characteristics and neurotoxicity of Aβpy3-42, we separated different aggregation states of Aβ1-42 and Aβpy3-42 using fast protein liquid chromatography, isolating in both cases three peaks that corresponded to sa (small), ma (medium) and la (large) aggregates. Conformational analysis, by circular dichroism showed a prevailing random coil conformation for sa and ma, and typical β-sheet conformation for la. AFM and TEM show differential structural features between the three aggregates of a given β-peptide and among the aggregate of the two β-peptides. The potential toxic effects of the different aggregates were evaluated using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells in the MTT reduction, in the xCELLigence System, and in the Annexin V binding experiments. In the case of Aβ1-42 the most toxic aggregate is la, while in the case of Aβpy3-42 both sa and la are equally toxic. Aβ aggregates were found to be internalized in the cells, as estimated by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, with a higher effect observed for Aβpy3-42, showing a good correlation with the toxic effects. Together these experiments allowed the discrimination of the intermediate states more responsible of oligomer toxicity, providing new insights on the correlation between the aggregation process and the toxicity and confirming the peculiar role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease of Aβpy3-42 peptide.

Microtubules underlie dysfunction in duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal X-linked degenerative muscle disease caused by the absence of the microtubule-associated protein dystrophin, which results in a disorganized and denser microtubule cytoskeleton. In addition, mechanotransduction-dependent activation of calcium (Ca(2+)) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling underpins muscle degeneration in DMD. We show that in muscle from adult mdx mice, a model of DMD, a brief physiologic stretch elicited microtubule-dependent activation of NADPH (reduced-form nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) oxidase-dependent production of ROS, termed X-ROS. Further, X-ROS amplified Ca(2+) influx through stretch-activated channels in mdx muscle. Consistent with the importance of the microtubules to the dysfunction in mdx muscle, muscle cells with dense microtubule structure, such as those from adult mdx mice or from young wild-type mice treated with Taxol, showed increased X-ROS production and Ca(2+) influx, whereas cells with a less dense microtubule network, such as young mdx or adult mdx muscle treated with colchicine or nocodazole, showed little ROS production or Ca(2+) influx. In vivo treatments that disrupted the microtubule network or inhibited NADPH oxidase 2 reduced contraction-induced injury in adult mdx mice. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis identified increased expression of X-ROS-related genes in human DMD skeletal muscle. Together, these data show that microtubules are the proximate element responsible for the dysfunction in Ca(2+) and ROS signaling in DMD and could be effective therapeutic targets for intervention.

Cellular cholesterol efflux and cholesterol loading capacity of serum: effects of LDL-apheresis

High LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) characterizes familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH). LDL-apheresis, used in these patients to reduce LDL-C levels, has been shown to also affect HDL levels and composition. We studied LDL-apheresis effects on six FH and nine FCH subjects' serum capacity to modulate cellular cholesterol efflux, an index of HDL functionality, and to load macrophages with cholesterol. Serum cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) and macrophage cholesterol loading capacity (CLC) were measured before, immediately after, and two days after LDL-apheresis. The procedure reduced total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, and apoB plasma levels (-69%, -80% and -74%, respectively), parameters only partially restored two days later. HDL-C and apoA-I plasma levels, reduced after LDL-apheresis (-27% and -16%, respectively), were restored to almost normal levels two days later. LDL-apheresis reduced serum aqueous diffusion (AD) CEC, SR-BI-CEC, and ABCA1-CEC. AD and SR-BI were fully restored whereas ABCA1-CEC remained low two days later. Sera immediately and two days after LDL-apheresis had a lower CLC than pre-LDL-apheresis sera. In conclusion, LDL-apheresis transiently reduces HDL-C levels and serum CEC, but it also reduces also serum capacity to deliver cholesterol to macrophages. Despite a potentially negative effect on HDL levels and composition, LDL-apheresis may counteract foam cells formation.

Effect of chemical cross-linking on the mechanical properties of elastomeric peptides studied by single molecule force spectroscopy

Mechanical properties of animal tissues are mainly provided by the assembly of single elastomeric proteins into a complex network of filaments. Even if the overall elastic properties of such a reticulated structure depend on the mechanical characteristics of the constituents, it is not the only aspect to be considered. In addition, the aggregation mechanism has to be clarified to attain a full knowledge of the molecular basis of the elastic properties of natural nanostructured materials. This aim is even more crucial in the process of rational design of biomaterials with selected mechanical properties, in which not only the mechanics of single molecules but also of their assemblies has to be cared of. In this study, this aspect was approached by means of single molecule stretching experiments. In particular, the effect of chemical cross-linking on the mechanical properties of a naturally inspired elastomeric peptide was investigated. Accordingly, we observed that, in order to preserve the elastic properties of the single filament, the two strands of the dimer have to interact with each other. The results thus confirm that the influence of the aggregation process on the mechanical properties of a molecular assembly cannot be neglected.

β-Connectin studies by small-angle x-ray scattering and single-molecule force spectroscopy by atomic force microscopy

The three-dimensional structure and the mechanical properties of a β-connectin fragment from human cardiac muscle, belonging to the I band, from I(27) to I(34), were investigated by small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS). This molecule presents an entropic elasticity behavior, associated to globular domain unfolding, that has been widely studied in the last 10 years. In addition, atomic force microscopy based SMFS experiments suggest that this molecule has an additional elastic regime, for low forces, probably associated to tertiary structure remodeling. From a structural point of view, this behavior is a mark of the fact that the eight domains in the I(27)-I(34) fragment are not independent and they organize in solution, assuming a well-defined three-dimensional structure. This hypothesis has been confirmed by SAXS scattering, both on a diluted and a concentrated sample. Two different models were used to fit the SAXS curves: one assuming a globular shape and one corresponding to an elongated conformation, both coupled with a Coulomb repulsion potential to take into account the protein-protein interaction. Due to the predominance of the structure factor, the effective shape of the protein in solution could not be clearly disclosed. By performing SMFS by atomic force microscopy, mechanical unfolding properties were investigated. Typical sawtooth profiles were obtained and the rupture force of each unfolding domain was estimated. By fitting a wormlike chain model to each peak of the sawtooth profile, the entropic elasticity of octamer was described.