Probing phosphorylation events in biological membranes: The transducer function.

The extracellular environment is sensed by receptors in the plasma membrane. Some of these receptors initiate cytoplasmic signaling cascades involving phosphorylation: the addition of a phosphate group to a specific amino acid, such as tyrosine, in a protein. Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) are one large class of membrane receptors that can directly initiate signaling cascades through their intracellular kinase domains, which both catalyze tyrosine phosphorylation and get phosphorylated.

Transmembrane helix interactions regulate oligomerization of the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2.

The transmembrane helices of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) have been proposed to switch between two different dimeric conformations, one associated with the inactive RTK and the other with the active RTK. Furthermore, recent work has demonstrated that some full-length RTKs are associated into oligomers that are larger than dimers, raising questions about the roles of the TM helices in the assembly and function of these oligomers. Here we probe the roles of the TM helices in the assembly of EphA2 RTK oligomers in the plasma membrane.

Investigations of membrane protein interactions in cells using fluorescence microscopy.

The interactions between proteins in membranes govern many cellular functions. Our ability to probe for such interactions has greatly evolved in recent years due to the introduction of new fluorescence techniques. As a result, we currently have a choice of methods that can be used to assess the spatial distribution of a membrane protein, its association state, and the thermodynamic stability of the oligomers in the native milieu.

Quantification of ligand and mutation-induced bias in EGFR phosphorylation in direct response to ligand binding.

Signaling bias is the ability of a receptor to differentially activate downstream signaling pathways in response to different ligands. Bias investigations have been hindered by inconsistent results in different cellular contexts. Here we introduce a methodology to identify and quantify bias in signal transduction across the plasma membrane without contributions from feedback loops and system bias.

Quantitative characterization of tetraspanin 8 homointeractions in the plasma membrane.

The spatial distribution of proteins in cell membranes is crucial for signal transduction, cell communication and membrane trafficking. Members of the Tetraspanin family organize functional protein clusters within the plasma membrane into so-called Tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs). Direct interactions between Tetraspanins are believed to be important for this organization.

Electrospun Nanofibers With pH-Responsive Coatings for Control of Release Kinetics.

Functional and stimuli-responsive nanofibers with an enhanced surface area/volume ratio provide controlled and triggered drug release with higher efficacy. In this study, chemotherapeutic agent Rose Bengal (RB) (4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-2', 4',5',7'-tetraiodofluoresceindisodium)-loaded water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers were synthesized by using the electrospinning method. A thin layer of poly(4-vinylpyridine--ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) p(4VP--EGDMA) was deposited on the RB-loaded nanofibers (PVA-RB) via initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD), coating the fiber surfaces to provide controllable solubility and pH response to the nanofibers.

Multifunctional one-dimensional polymeric nanostructures for drug delivery and biosensor applications.

Advances in nanotechnology in the last decades have paved the way for significant achievements in diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. Different types of functional nanostructures have been explored and utilized as tools for addressing the challenges in detection or treatment of diseases. In particular, one-dimensional nanostructures hold great promise in theranostic applications due to their increased surface area-to-volume ratios, which allow better targeting, increased loading capacity and improved sensitivity to biomolecules.

RECURRENT OPENING AND CLOSURE OF MACULAR HOLE AFTER PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY FOR RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT.

Purpose: To report a case of full-thickness macular hole formation and closure twice after pars plana vitrectomy for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 45-year-old woman with a macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment underwent uncomplicated pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade, which was removed 3 months postoperatively.