Supramolecular Nanofibers Block SARS-CoV-2 Entry into Human Host Cells

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection relies on its spike protein binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on host cells to initiate cellular entry. Blocking the interactions between the spike protein and ACE2 offers promising therapeutic opportunities to prevent infection. We report here on peptide amphiphile supramolecular nanofibers that display a sequence from ACE2 in order to promote interactions with the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain. We demonstrate that displaying this sequence on the surface of supramolecular assemblies preserves its α-helical conformation and blocks the entry of a pseudovirus and its two variants into human host cells. We also found that the chemical stability of the bioactive structures was enhanced in the supramolecular environment relative to the unassembled peptide molecules. These findings reveal unique advantages of supramolecular peptide therapies to prevent viral infections and more broadly for other targets as well.

Programming Nucleation and Growth in Colloidal Crystals Using DNA

Colloidal crystal engineering with DNA has advanced beyond controlling the lattice symmetry and parameters of ordered crystals to now tuning crystal habit and size. However, the predominately used slow-cooling procedure that enables faceted crystal habits also limits control over crystal size and uniformity because nucleation and growth cannot be separated. Here, we explore how DNA sequence design can be used to deliberately separate nucleation and growth in a given crystallization process. Specifically, two batches of complementary particles are created with one batch exhibiting perfectly complementary base pairs while the other has a strategically introduced mismatch. This design enables the weaker binding "growth" particles to participate in heterogeneous growth on the nucleates formed from the stronger binding "seed" particles, effectively eliminating secondary nucleation pathways. By eliminating secondary nucleation events, this approach improves crystal uniformity, as measured by polydispersity (from PDI = 0.201 to 0.091). By using this approach with two different particle cores (gold and silver), we show how core-shell colloidal crystals can be synthesized in a one-pot fashion. This work shows how tuning DNA interaction strength can profoundly impact crystal size, uniformity, and structure, parameters central to using such materials as device components.

Symmetry-Breaking Dendrimer Synthons in Colloidal Crystal Engineering with DNA

Breaking symmetry in colloidal crystals is challenging due to the inherent chemical and structural isotropy of many nanoscale building blocks. If a non-particle component could be used to anisotropically encode such building blocks with orthogonal recognition properties, one could expand the scope of structural and compositional possibilities of colloidal crystals beyond what is thus far possible with purely particle-based systems. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of novel DNA dendrimers that function as symmetry-breaking synthons, capable of programming anisotropic and orthogonal interactions within colloidal crystals. When the DNA dendrimers have identical sticky ends, they hybridize with DNA-functionalized nanoparticles to yield three distinct colloidal crystals, dictated by dendrimer size, including a structure not previously reported in the field of colloidal crystal engineering, Si₂Sr. When used as symmetry-breaking synthons (when the sticky ends deliberately consist of orthogonal sequences), the synthesis of binary and ternary colloidal alloys with structures that can only be realized through directional interactions is possible. Furthermore, by modulating the extent of shape anisotropy within the DNA dendrimers, the local distribution of the nanoparticles within the crystals can be directed.

Gummy Nanoparticles with Glassy Shells in Electrostatic Nanocomposites

Nanocomposites with unusual and superior properties often contain well-dispersed nanoparticles. Polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS, offers a fluidlike or rubbery (when cross-linked) response, which complements the high-modulus nature of inorganic nanofillers. Systems using PDMS as the nanoparticulate, rather than the continuous, phase are rare because it is difficult to make PDMS nanoparticles. Aqueous dispersions of hydrophobic polymer nanoparticles must survive the considerable contrast in hydrophobicity between water and the polymer component. This challenge is often met with a shell of hydrophilic polymer or by adding surfactant. In the present work, two critical advances for making and using aqueous colloidal dispersions of PDMS are reported. First, PDMS nanoparticles with charged amino end groups were prepared by flash nanoprecipitation in aqueous solutions. Adding a negative polyelectrolyte, poly(styrene sulfonate), PSS, endowed the nanoparticles with a glassy shell, stabilizing them against aggregation. Second, when compressed into a nanocomposite, the small amount of PSS leads to a large increase in bulk modulus. X-ray scattering studies revealed the hierarchical nanostructuring within the composite, with a 4 nm PDMS micelle as the smallest unit. This class of nanoparticle and nanocomposite presents a new paradigm for stabilizing liquidlike building blocks for nanomaterials.

Programming "Atomic Substitution" in Alloy Colloidal Crystals Using DNA

Although examples of colloidal crystal analogues to metal alloys have been reported, general routes for preparing 3D analogues to random substitutional alloys do not exist. Here, we use the programmability of DNA (length and sequence) to match nanoparticle component sizes, define parent lattice symmetry and substitutional order, and achieve faceted crystal habits. We synthesized substitutional alloy colloidal crystals with either ordered or random arrangements of two components (Au and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles) within an otherwise identical parent lattice and crystal habit, confirmed via scanning electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy reveals information regarding composition and local order, while the magnetic properties of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles can direct different structural outcomes for different alloys in an applied magnetic field. This work constitutes a platform for independently defining substitution within multicomponent colloidal crystals, a capability that will expand the scope of functional materials that can be realized through programmable assembly.

Origin of Proteolytic Stability of Peptide-Brush Polymers as Globular Proteomimetics

Peptide-brush polymers (PBPs), wherein every side-chain of the polymers is peptidic, represent a new class of proteomimetic with unusually high proteolytic resistance while maintaining bioactivity. Here, we sought to determine the origin of this behavior and to assess its generality via a combined theory and experimental approach. A series of PBPs with various polymer backbone structures were prepared and examined for their proteolytic stability and bioactivity. We discovered that an increase in the hydrophobicity of the polymer backbones is predictive of an elevation in proteolytic stability of the side-chain peptides. Computer simulations, together with small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis, revealed globular morphologies for these polymers, in which pendant peptides condense around hydrophobic synthetic polymer backbones driven by the hydrophobic effect. As the hydrophobicity of the polymer backbones increases, the extent of solvent exposure of peptide cleavage sites decreases, reducing their accessibility to proteolytic enzymes. This study provides insight into the important factors driving PBP aqueous-phase structures to behave as globular, synthetic polymer-based proteomimetics.

Thermoresponsive polymer assemblies via variable temperature liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering

Herein, phase transitions of a class of thermally-responsive polymers, namely a homopolymer, diblock, and triblock copolymer, were studied to gain mechanistic insight into nanoscale assembly dynamics via variable temperature liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy (VT-LCTEM) correlated with variable temperature small angle X-ray scattering (VT-SAXS). We study thermoresponsive poly(diethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate) (PDEGMA)-based block copolymers and mitigate sample damage by screening electron flux and solvent conditions during LCTEM and by evaluating polymer survival via post-mortem matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS). Our multimodal approach, utilizing VT-LCTEM with MS validation and VT-SAXS, is generalizable across polymeric systems and can be used to directly image solvated nanoscale structures and thermally-induced transitions. Our strategy of correlating VT-SAXS with VT-LCTEM provided direct insight into transient nanoscale intermediates formed during the thermally-triggered morphological transformation of a PDEGMA-based triblock. Notably, we observed the temperature-triggered formation and slow relaxation of core-shell particles with complex microphase separation in the core by both VT-SAXS and VT-LCTEM.

Bioactive scaffolds with enhanced supramolecular motion promote recovery from spinal cord injury

[Figure: see text].

Nanoparticle Superlattices through Template-Encoded DNA Dendrimers

The chemical interactions that lead to the emergence of hierarchical structures are often highly complex and difficult to program. Herein, the synthesis of a series of superlattices based upon 30 different structurally reconfigurable DNA dendrimers is reported, each of which presents a well-defined number of single-stranded oligonucleotides (i.e., sticky ends) on its surface. Such building blocks assemble with complementary DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to yield five distinct crystal structures, depending upon choice of dendrimer and defined by phase symmetry. These DNA dendrimers can associate to form micelle-dendrimers, whereby the extent of association can be modulated based upon surfactant concentration and dendrimer length to produce a low-symmetry Ti₅Ga₄-type phase that has yet to be reported in the field of colloidal crystal engineering. Taken together, colloidal crystals that feature three different types of particle bonding interactions-template-dendron, dendrimer-dendrimer, and DNA-modified AuNP-dendrimer-are reported, illustrating how sequence-defined recognition and dynamic association can be combined to yield complex hierarchical materials.

Reevaluation of Poly(ethylene-alt-propylene)-block-Polydimethylsiloxane Phase Behavior Uncovers Topological Close-Packing and Epitaxial Quasicrystal Growth

Reanalysis of an asymmetric poly(ethylene-alt-propylene)-block-polydimethylsiloxane (PEP-PDMS) diblock copolymer first investigated in 1999 has revealed a rich phase behavior including a dodecagonal quasicrystal (DDQC), a Frank-Kasper σ phase, and a body-centered cubic (BCC) packing at high temperature adjacent to the disordered state. On subjecting the sample to large amplitude oscillatory shear well below the σ-BCC order-order transition temperature (T_OOT), small-angle X-ray scattering evidenced the emergence of a twinned BCC phase that, on heating, underwent a phase transition to an unusually anisotropic DDQC state. Surprisingly, we observe no evidence of this apparent epitaxy on heating or cooling through the equilibrium σ-BCC transition. We rationalize these results in terms of a shear-induced order-order transition and an apparent BCC-DDQC epitaxy favored by micelle translation-mediated ordering dynamics far below T_OOT.

Polyolefin graft copolymers through a ring-opening metathesis grafting through approach

A series of polyethylene-g-atactic polypropylene graft copolymers were synthesized by grafting through copolymerization of a cyclooctene terminated aPP macromonomer with cyclooctene monomer and subsequent hydrogenation.

Analysis of crystalline and solution states of ligand-free spermidine N-acetyltransferase (SpeG) from Escherichia coli

Spermidine N-acetyltransferase (SpeG) transfers an acetyl group from acetyl-coenzyme A to an N-terminal amino group of intracellular spermidine. This acetylation inactivates spermidine, reducing the polyamine toxicity that tends to occur under certain chemical and physical stresses. The structure of the SpeG protein from Vibrio cholerae has been characterized: while the monomer possesses a structural fold similar to those of other Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase superfamily members, its dodecameric structure remains exceptional. In this paper, structural analyses of SpeG isolated from Escherichia coli are described. Like V. cholerae SpeG, E. coli SpeG forms dodecamers, as revealed by two crystal structures of the ligand-free E. coli SpeG dodecamer determined at 1.75 and 2.9 Å resolution. Although both V. cholerae SpeG and E. coli SpeG can adopt an asymmetric open dodecameric state, solution analysis showed that the oligomeric composition of ligand-free E. coli SpeG differs from that of ligand-free V. cholerae SpeG. Based on these data, it is proposed that the equilibrium balance of SpeG oligomers in the absence of ligands differs from one species to another and thus might be important for SpeG function.

High-Modulus Low-Cost Carbon Fibers from Polyethylene Enabled by Boron Catalyzed Graphitization

Currently, carbon fibers (CFs) from the solution spinning, air oxidation, and carbonization of polyacrylonitrile impose a lower price limit of ≈$10 per lb, limiting the growth in industrial and automotive markets. Polyethylene is a promising precursor to enable a high-volume industrial grade CF as it is low cost, melt spinnable and has high carbon content. However, sulfonated polyethylene (SPE)-derived CFs have thus far fallen short of the 200 GPa tensile modulus threshold for industrial applicability. Here, a graphitization process is presented catalyzed by the addition of boron that produces carbon fiber with >400 GPa tensile modulus at 2400 °C. Wide angle X-ray diffraction collected during carbonization reveals that the presence of boron reduces the onset of graphitization by nearly 400 °C, beginning around 1200 °C. The B-doped SPE-CFs herein attain 200 GPa tensile modulus and 2.4 GPa tensile strength at the practical carbonization temperature of 1800 °C.

High-temperature tensile cell for in situ real-time investigation of carbon fibre carbonization and graphitization processes

A new high-temperature fibre tensile cell is described, developed for use at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory to enable the investigation of the carbonization and graphitization processes during carbon fibre production. This cell is used to heat precursor fibre bundles to temperatures up to ∼2300°C in a controlled inert atmosphere, while applying tensile stress to facilitate formation of highly oriented graphitic microstructure; evolution of the microstructure as a function of temperature and time during the carbonization and higher-temperature graphitization processes can then be monitored by collecting real-time wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns. As an example, the carbonization and graphitization behaviour of an oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibre was studied up to a temperature of ∼1750°C. Real-time WAXD revealed the gradual increase in microstructure alignment with the fibre axis with increasing temperature over the temperature range 600-1100°C. Above 1100°C, no further changes in orientation were observed. The overall magnitude of change increased with increasing applied tensile stress during carbonization. As a second example, the high-temperature graphitizability of PAN- and pitch-derived commercial carbon fibres was studied. Here, the magnitude of graphitic microstructure evolution of the pitch-derived fibre far exceeded that of the PAN-derived fibres at temperatures up to ∼2300°C, indicating its facile graphitizability.

Small angle X-ray scattering data and structure factor fitting for the study of the quaternary structure of the spermidine N-acetyltransferase SpeG

Here we describe the treatment of the small-angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) data used during SpeG quaternary structure study as part of the research article "Substrate induced allosteric change in the quaternary structure of the spermidine N-acetyltransferase SpeG" published in Journal of Molecular Biology [1]. These data were collected on two separate area detectors as separate dilution series of the SpeG and the SpeG with spermine samples along with data from their companion buffers. The data were radially integrated, corrected for incident beam variation, and scaled to absolute units. After subtraction of volume-fraction scaled buffer scattering and division by the SpeG concentration, multiple scattering curves free of an inter-molecular structure factor were derived from the dilution series. Rather than extrapolating to infinite dilution, the structure factor contribution was estimated by fitting to the full set of data provided by dividing the scattering curves of a dilution series by the curve from the most dilute sample in that series.

Substrate-Induced Allosteric Change in the Quaternary Structure of the Spermidine N-Acetyltransferase SpeG

The spermidine N-acetyltransferase SpeG is a dodecameric enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl coenzyme A to polyamines such as spermidine and spermine. SpeG has an allosteric polyamine-binding site and acetylating polyamines regulate their intracellular concentrations. The structures of SpeG from Vibrio cholerae in complexes with polyamines and cofactor have been characterized earlier. Here, we present the dodecameric structure of SpeG from V. cholerae in a ligand-free form in three different conformational states: open, intermediate and closed. All structures were crystallized in C2 space group symmetry and contain six monomers in the asymmetric unit cell. Two hexamers related by crystallographic 2-fold symmetry form the SpeG dodecamer. The open and intermediate states have a unique open dodecameric ring. This SpeG dodecamer is asymmetric except for the one 2-fold axis and is unlike any known dodecameric structure. Using a fluorescence thermal shift assay, size-exclusion chromatography with multi-angle light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering analysis, negative-stain electron microscopy and structural analysis, we demonstrate that this unique open dodecameric state exists in solution. Our combined results indicate that polyamines trigger conformational changes and induce the symmetric closed dodecameric state of the protein when they bind to their allosteric sites.

Evolution of Carbon Fiber Microstructure During Carbonization and High-Temperature Graphitization Measured In Situ Using Synchrotron Wide-Angle X-ray Diffraction

This paper will discuss the structure-property model developed that correlates the tensile modulus to the elastic properties and angular distribution of constituent graphitic layers for carbon fiber derived from a polyethylene precursor. In addition, a high-temperature fiber tensile device was built to enable heating of carbon fiber bundles at a variable rate from 25 °C to greater than ∼2300 °C, while simultaneously applying a tensile stress. This capability combined with synchrotron wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD), enabled observation in situ and in real time of the microstructural transformation from different carbon fiber precursors to high-modulus carbon fiber. Experiments conducted using PAN- and PE-derived fiber precursors reveal stark differences in their carbonization and high-temperature graphitization behavior.

Facile directed assembly of hollow polymer nanocapsules within spontaneously formed catanionic surfactant vesicles

Surfactant vesicles containing monomers in the interior of the bilayer were used to template hollow polymer nanocapsules. This study investigated the formation of surfactant/monomer assemblies by two loading methods, concurrent loading and diffusion loading. The assembly process and the resulting aggregates were investigated with dynamic light scattering, small angle neutron scattering, and small-angle X-ray scattering. Acrylic monomers formed vesicles with a mixture of cationic and anionic surfactants in a broad range of surfactant ratios. Regions with predominant formation of vesicles were broader for compositions containing acrylic monomers compared with blank surfactants. This observation supports the stabilization of the vesicular structure by acrylic monomers. Diffusion loading produced monomer-loaded vesicles unless vesicles were composed from surfactants at the ratios close to the boundary of a vesicular phase region on a phase diagram. Both concurrent-loaded and diffusion-loaded surfactant/monomer vesicles produced hollow polymer nanocapsules upon the polymerization of monomers in the bilayer followed by removal of surfactant scaffolds.

CD4+ immune response as a potential biomarker of patient reported inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) activity

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) which are characterized by dysfunctional regulation of the immune system. A number of immune modifying drugs are used to treat CD and UC. Therapy is adjusted largely on the bases of subjective reports of disease activity and non-specific laboratory tests. Identification of a single or combination of immune markers of disease activity could be useful to select and monitor therapeutic responses. However, to date no reliable quantitative associations between IBD activity and laboratory measures of immune function have been identified. This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of a commercially available laboratory measure of CD4(+) immune function, the Cylex® ImmuKnow®, as a surrogate marker of IBD activity.

METHODS

Adult IBD patients with either CD (N=55, 27 males, mean, SD age=38.5, 11.5 years) or UC (N=45, 24 males, mean, SD age=41.7, 15.4 years) were enrolled. Patients both in clinical remission and with active disease provided responses to structured, validated questionnaires (CDAI and HBI for CD patients and SCCAI for UC patients) used to monitor IBD activity. Whole blood and plasma samples were collected to quantify various markers of disease status including routine cell counts and differentials (CBCs), CRP, and albumin (Alb), as well as CD4(+) immune response (Cylex® ImmuKnow®, N=98). Results were compared between all IBD patients as well as between CD and UC subgroups.

RESULTS

There was a good correlation between the results of CDAI and HBI scores (r=0.811, p<0.01, Spearman-Rho) but HBI scores correlated slightly better (r=0.575, p<0.001) than the CDAI's (r=0.449, p=0.001) with CD patients' reported perception of their general condition. CDAI and HBI scores categorized 12/55 versus 36/55 of CD patients respectively as having active disease. SCCAI scores indicated that 25/45 of UC patients had active disease. Cylex® results (in ng/mL of ATP) were increased in 74/98 IBD subjects (≥525 ng/mL) but were influenced by the use of systemic corticosteroids (SCS) and infliximab. There were weak but statistically significant Spearman-Rho correlations between Alb concentrations and both CDAI (r=0.413, p=0.002) and HBI (r=0.325, p=0.017) scores as well as between CRP values and HBI scores (r=0.331, p=0.016). Correlations between CRP and both CDAI and SCCAI scores and between Alb and SCCAI scores were not significant and there were no significant positive associations between any of the three clinical scores and Cylex® results.

CONCLUSIONS

CD4(+) immune responses were significantly elevated in IBD patients whether or not they were in clinical remission but were influenced by treatment. There were some significant correlations between the clinical scores and CRP or Alb but not with the CD4(+) results. Both other clinical scoring systems, other measures of immune function, and CD4(+) immune response changes over time should be examined to see if this or other laboratory measures of immune response are predictive of actual disease activity or symptoms in CD or UC patients.

Architecture and assembly of HIV integrase multimers in the absence of DNA substrates

We have applied small angle x-ray scattering and protein cross-linking coupled with mass spectrometry to determine the architectures of full-length HIV integrase (IN) dimers in solution. By blocking interactions that stabilize either a core-core domain interface or N-terminal domain intermolecular contacts, we show that full-length HIV IN can form two dimer types. One is an expected dimer, characterized by interactions between two catalytic core domains. The other dimer is stabilized by interactions of the N-terminal domain of one monomer with the C-terminal domain and catalytic core domain of the second monomer as well as direct interactions between the two C-terminal domains. This organization is similar to the "reaching dimer" previously described for wild type ASV apoIN and resembles the inner, substrate binding dimer in the crystal structure of the PFV intasome. Results from our small angle x-ray scattering and modeling studies indicate that in the absence of its DNA substrate, the HIV IN tetramer assembles as two stacked reaching dimers that are stabilized by core-core interactions. These models of full-length HIV IN provide new insight into multimer assembly and suggest additional approaches for enzyme inhibition.

Combined SAXS/EM based models of the S. elongatus post-translational circadian oscillator and its interactions with the output His-kinase SasA

The circadian clock in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus is composed of a post-translational oscillator (PTO) that can be reconstituted in vitro from three different proteins in the presence of ATP and a transcription-translation feedback loop (TTFL). The homo-hexameric KaiC kinase, phosphatase and ATPase alternates between hypo- and hyper-phosphorylated states over the 24-h cycle, with KaiA enhancing phosphorylation, and KaiB antagonizing KaiA and promoting KaiC subunit exchange. SasA is a His kinase that relays output signals from the PTO formed by the three Kai proteins to the TTFL. Although the crystal structures for all three Kai proteins are known, atomic resolution structures of Kai and Kai/SasA protein complexes have remained elusive. Here, we present models of the KaiAC and KaiBC complexes derived from solution small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), which are consistent with previous EM based models. We also present a combined SAXS/EM model of the KaiC/SasA complex, which has two N-terminal SasA sensory domains occupying positions on the C-terminal KaiC ring reminiscent of the orientations adopted by KaiB dimers. Using EM we demonstrate that KaiB and SasA compete for similar binding sites on KaiC. We also propose an EM based model of the ternary KaiABC complex that is consistent with the sequestering of KaiA by KaiB on KaiC during the PTO dephosphorylation phase. This work provides the first 3D-catalogue of protein-protein interactions in the KaiABC PTO and the output pathway mediated by SasA.

Architecture of a full-length retroviral integrase monomer and dimer, revealed by small angle X-ray scattering and chemical cross-linking

We determined the size and shape of full-length avian sarcoma virus (ASV) integrase (IN) monomers and dimers in solution using small angle x-ray scattering. The low resolution data obtained establish constraints for the relative arrangements of the three component domains in both forms. Domain organization within the small angle x-ray envelopes was determined by combining available atomic resolution data for individual domains with results from cross-linking coupled with mass spectrometry. The full-length dimer architecture so revealed is unequivocally different from that proposed from x-ray crystallographic analyses of two-domain fragments, in which interactions between the catalytic core domains play a prominent role. Core-core interactions are detected only in cross-linked IN tetramers and are required for concerted integration. The solution dimer is stabilized by C-terminal domain (CTD-CTD) interactions and by interactions of the N-terminal domain in one subunit with the core and CTD in the second subunit. These results suggest a pathway for formation of functional IN-DNA complexes that has not previously been considered and possible strategies for preventing such assembly.

Solution structures of DNA-bound gyrase

The DNA gyrase negative supercoiling mechanism involves the assembly of a large gyrase/DNA complex and conformational rearrangements coupled to ATP hydrolysis. To establish the complex arrangement that directs the reaction towards negative supercoiling, bacterial gyrase complexes bound to 137- or 217-bp DNA fragments representing the starting conformational state of the catalytic cycle were characterized by sedimentation velocity and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments. The experiments revealed elongated complexes with hydrodynamic radii of 70-80 Å. Molecular envelopes calculated from these SAXS data show 2-fold symmetric molecules with the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the A subunit and the ATPase domain of the B subunit at opposite ends of the complexes. The proposed gyrase model, with the DNA binding along the sides of the molecule and wrapping around the CTDs located near the exit gate of the protein, adds new information on the mechanism of DNA negative supercoiling.

Clinical and radiographic spectrum of pathologically confirmed tumefactive multiple sclerosis

Atypical imaging features of multiple sclerosis lesions include size >2 cm, mass effect, oedema and/or ring enhancement. This constellation is often referred to as ‘tumefactive multiple sclerosis’. Previous series emphasize their unifocal and clinically isolated nature, however, evolution of these lesions is not well defined. Biopsy may be required for diagnosis. We describe clinical and radiographic features in 168 patients with biopsy confirmed CNS inflammatory demyelinating disease (IDD). Lesions were analysed on pre- and post-biopsy magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for location, size, mass effect/oedema, enhancement, multifocality and fulfilment of Barkhof criteria. Clinical data were correlated to MRI. Female to male ratio was 1.2 : 1, median age at onset, 37 years, duration between symptom onset and biopsy, 7.1 weeks and total disease duration, 3.9 years. Clinical course prior to biopsy was a first neurological event in 61%, relapsing–remitting in 29% and progressive in 4%. Presentations were typically polysymptomatic, with motor, cognitive and sensory symptoms predominating. Aphasia, agnosia, seizures and visual field defects were observed. At follow-up, 70% developed definite multiple sclerosis, and 14% had an isolated demyelinating syndrome. Median time to second attack was 4.8 years, and median EDSS at follow-up was 3.0. Multiple lesions were present in 70% on pre-biopsy MRI, and in 83% by last MRI, with Barkhof criteria fulfilled in 46% prior to biopsy and 55% by follow-up. Only 17% of cases remained unifocal. Median largest lesion size on T2-weighted images was 4 cm (range 0.5–12), with a discernible size of 2.1 cm (range 0.5–7.5). Biopsied lesions demonstrated mass effect in 45% and oedema in 77%. A strong association was found between lesion size, and presence of mass effect and/or oedema (P< 0.001). Ring enhancement was frequent. Most tumefactive features did not correlate with gender, course or diagnosis. Although lesion size >5 cm was associated with a slightly higher EDSS at last follow-up, long-term prognosis in patients with disease duration >10 years was better (EDSS 1.5) compared with a population-based multiple sclerosis cohort matched for disease duration (EDSS 3.5; P< 0.001). Given the retrospective nature of the study, the precise reason for biopsy could not always be determined. This study underscores the diagnostically challenging nature of CNS IDDs that present with atypical clinical or radiographic features. Most have multifocal disease at onset, and develop RRMS by follow-up. Although increased awareness of this broad spectrum may obviate need for biopsy in many circumstances, an important role for diagnostic brain biopsy may be required in some cases.

Seizure outcomes after stereotactic radiosurgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformations

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of stereotactic radiosurgery on seizure outcomes for patients with intracerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM).

METHODS

Between May 1990 and December 1998, 65 patients with a history of single or recurrent seizures underwent AVM radiosurgery, had more than 1 year of follow-up, and sufficient data to record an Engel seizure frequency score. The authors reviewed their records and updated clinical information when necessary with direct patient contact. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 144 months (median, 48 months). Seizure frequency was compared before and after radiosurgery with the Engel Seizure Frequency Scoring System.

RESULTS

Overall, 26 patients (51%) were seizure-free (aura-free) after radiosurgery at 3-year follow-up; 40 patients (78%) had an excellent outcome (non-disabling simple partial seizures only) at 3-year follow-up. Factors associated with seizure-free or excellent outcomes include a low seizure frequency score (<4) before radiosurgery and smaller size and diameter AVM. Twenty-three patients had intractable partial epilepsy prior to treatment. Twelve (52%) of 23 and 11 of 18 (61%) patients with medically intractable partial epilepsy had excellent outcomes at years 1 and 3.

CONCLUSION

Overall, stereotactic radiosurgery improves seizure outcomes in the majority of patients and more than half of the patients with medically intractable partial epilepsy had an excellent seizure outcome after radiosurgery.

Analysis of the functional coupling between calmodulin's calcium binding and peptide recognition properties

The enhancement of calmodulin's (CaM) calcium binding activity by an enzyme or a recognition site peptide and its diminution by key point mutations at the protein recognition interface (e.g., E84K-CaM), which is more than 20 A away from the nearest calcium ligation structure, can be described by an expanded version of the Adair-Klotz equation for multiligand binding. The expanded equation can accurately describe the calcium binding events and their variable linkage to protein recognition events can be extended to other CaM-regulated enzymes and can potentially be applied to a diverse array of ligand binding systems with allosteric regulation of ligand binding, whether by other ligands or protein interaction. The 1.9 A resolution X-ray crystallographic structure of the complex between E84K-CaM and RS20 peptide, the CaM recognition site peptide from vertebrate smooth muscle and nonmuscle forms of myosin light chain kinase, provides insight into the structural basis of the functional communication between CaM's calcium ligation structures and protein recognition surfaces. The structure reveals that the complex adapts to the effect of the functional mutation by discrete adjustments in the helix that contains E84. This helix is on the amino-terminal side of the helix-loop-helix structural motif that is the first to be occupied in CaM's calcium binding mechanism. The results reported here are consistent with a sequential and cooperative model of CaM's calcium binding activity in which the two globular and flexible central helix domains are functionally linked, and provide insight into how CaM's calcium binding activity and peptide recognition properties are functionally coupled.