ROS-producing nanomaterial engineered from Cu(I) complexes with PN-ligands for cancer cells treating.

The work presents core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) built from the novel Cu(I) complexes with cyclic PN-ligands (1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctanes) that can visualize their entry into cancer and normal cells using a luminescent signal and treat cells by self-enhancing generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Variation of P- and N-substituents in the series of PN-ligands allows structure optimization of the Cu(I) complexes for the formation of the luminescent NPs with high chemical stability. The non-covalent modification of the NPs with triblock copolymer F-127 provides their high colloidal stability, followed by efficient cell internalization of the NPs visualized by their blue (⁓450 nm) luminescence.

Activation of TRPV1 Channels Inhibits the Release of Acetylcholine and Improves Muscle Contractility in Mice.

TRPV1 represents a non-selective transient receptor potential cation channel found not only in sensory neurons, but also in motor nerve endings and in skeletal muscle fibers. However, the role of TRPV1 in the functioning of the neuromuscular junction has not yet been fully established. In this study, the Levator Auris Longus muscle preparations were used to assess the effect of pharmacological activation of TRPV1 channels on neuromuscular transmission.

Early Alterations in Structural and Functional Properties in the Neuromuscular Junctions of Mutant FUS Mice.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is manifested as skeletal muscle denervation, loss of motor neurons and finally severe respiratory failure. Mutations of RNA-binding protein FUS are one of the common genetic reasons of ALS accompanied by a 'dying back' type of degeneration. Using fluorescent approaches and microelectrode recordings, the early structural and functional alterations in diaphragm neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) were studied in mutant FUS mice at the pre-onset stage.

Presynaptic Acetylcholine Receptors Modulate the Time Course of Action Potential-Evoked Acetylcholine Quanta Secretion at Neuromuscular Junctions.

For effective transmission of excitation in neuromuscular junctions, the postsynaptic response amplitude must exceed a critical level of depolarization to trigger action potential spreading along the muscle-fiber membrane. At the presynaptic level, the end-plate potential amplitude depends not only on the acetylcholine quanta number released from the nerve terminals in response to the nerve impulse but also on a degree of synchronicity of quanta releases. The time course of stimulus-phasic synchronous quanta secretion is modulated by many extra- and intracellular factors.

Registration of Calcium Transients in Mouse Neuromuscular Junction with High Temporal Resolution using Confocal Microscopy.

Estimation of the presynaptic calcium level is a key task in studying synaptic transmission since calcium entry into the presynaptic cell triggers a cascade of events leading to neurotransmitter release. Moreover, changes in presynaptic calcium levels mediate the activity of many intracellular proteins and play an important role in synaptic plasticity. Studying calcium signaling is also important for finding ways to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Structure impact on photodynamic therapy and cellular contrasting functions of colloids constructed from dimeric Au(I) complex and hexamolybdenum clusters.

Electrostatically driven self-assembly of [AuL] (L is cyclic PNNP ligand) with [{MoI}(L')] (L' = I, CHCOO) in aqueous solutions is introduced as facile route for combination of therapeutic and cellular contrasting functions within heterometallic colloids (Mo-Au). The nature of L' affects the size and aggregation behavior of crystalline Mo-Au aggregates, which in turn affect the luminescence of the cluster units incorporated into Mo-Au colloids. The spin trap facilitated electron spin resonance spectroscopy technique indicates that the level of ROS generated by Mo-Au colloids is also affected by their size.

Mitochondria-targeted mesoporous silica nanoparticles noncovalently modified with triphenylphosphonium cation: Physicochemical characteristics, cytotoxicity and intracellular uptake.

Novel nanocomposite system based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) noncovalently modified with hexadecyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (HTPPB) has been prepared, thoroughly characterized and used for encapsulation of model cargo Rhodamine B (RhB). The high encapsulation efficacy of this dye by HTPPB-modified mesoporous particles was demonstrated by spectrophotometry and thermography techniques. The bioavailability of MSN@HTPPB was testified.

Enhancement of the Temporal Resolution of Fluorescent Signals Acquired by the Confocal Microscope.

Here, we describe a method of acquisition of fast fluorescent signals with the help of the laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). Our method permits an increase in the temporal resolution of acquired signals. The method is based on LSCM recordings of fast fluorescent signals with the shortest achievable time sweep, which are performed with the help of a proprietary algorithm.

Mitochondria-targeted cationic liposomes modified with alkyltriphenylphosphonium bromides loaded with hydrophilic drugs: preparation, cytotoxicity and colocalization assay.

The purpose of this work was to obtain cationic liposomes based on 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine noncovalently modified using alkyltriphenylphosphonium bromides (TPPB-n) with different lengths of hydrocarbon tail for targeted delivery to mitochondria. The hydrodynamic diameter and electrokinetic potential of hybrid liposomes depending on the lipid/surfactant ratio were monitored in time with the aim to optimize the composition with sufficient stability and positive charge for mitochondria-targeted delivery. It was found that increasing the alkyl tail length of the surfactant (up to TPPB-14) leads to an increase in the positive charge of the liposomes.

CLARITY analysis of the Cl/pH sensor expression in the brain of transgenic mice.

Genetically encoded biosensors are widely used in cell biology for the non-invasive imaging of concentrations of ions or the activity of enzymes, to evaluate the distribution of small molecules, proteins and organelles, and to image protein interactions in living cells. These fluorescent molecules can be used either by transient expression in cultured cells or in entire organisms or through stable expression by producing transgenic animals characterized by genetically encoded and heritable biosensors. Using the mouse Thy1 mini-promoter, we generated a line of transgenic mice expressing a genetically encoded sensor for the simultaneous measurements of intracellular Cl and pH.

Reorganization of Septins Modulates Synaptic Transmission at Neuromuscular Junctions.

Septins (Sept) are highly conserved Guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP)-binding cytoskeletal proteins involved in neuronal signaling in the central nervous system but their involvement in signal transmission in peripheral synapses remains unclear. Sept5 and Sept9 proteins were detected in mouse peripheral neuromuscular junctions by immunofluorescence with a greater degree of co-localization with presynaptic than postsynaptic membranes. Preincubation of neuromuscular junction preparations with the inhibitor of Sept dynamics, forchlorfenuron (FCF), decreased co-localization of Sept with presynaptic membranes.

Loading a Calcium Dye into Frog Nerve Endings Through the Nerve Stump: Calcium Transient Registration in the Frog Neuromuscular Junction.

One of the most feasible methods of measuring presynaptic calcium levels in presynaptic nerve terminals is optical recording. It is based on using calcium-sensitive fluorescent dyes that change their emission intensity or wavelength depending on the concentration of free calcium in the cell. There are several methods used to stain cells with calcium dyes.

Modeling of quantal neurotransmitter release kinetics in the presence of fixed and mobile calcium buffers.

The local calcium concentration in the active zone of secretion determines the number and kinetics of neurotransmitter quanta released after the arrival of a nerve action potential in chemical synapses. The small size of mammalian neuromuscular junctions does not allow direct measurement of the correlation between calcium influx, the state of endogenous calcium buffers determining the local concentration of calcium and the time course of quanta exocytosis. In this work, we used computer modeling of quanta release kinetics with various levels of calcium influx and in the presence of endogenous calcium buffers with varying mobilities.