The Adsorption of P2X2 Receptors Interacting with IgG Antibodies Revealed by Combined AFM Imaging and Mechanical Simulation.

The adsorption of proteins onto surfaces significantly impacts biomaterials, medical devices, and biological processes. This study aims to provide insights into the irreversible adsorption process of multiprotein complexes, particularly focusing on the interaction between anti-His6 IgG antibodies and the His6-tagged P2X2 receptor. Traditional approaches to understanding protein adsorption have centered around kinetic and thermodynamic models, often examining individual proteins and surface coverage, typically through Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations.

Polydisperse molecular architecture of connexin 26/30 heteromeric hemichannels revealed by atomic force microscopy imaging.

Connexin (Cx) protein forms hemichannels and gap junctional channels, which play diverse and profound roles in human physiology and diseases. Gap junctions are arrays of intercellular channels formed by the docking of two hemichannels from adjacent cells. Each hexameric hemichannel contains the same or different Cx isoform.

Live endothelial cells on plasma-nitrided and oxidized titanium: An approach for evaluating biocompatibility.

We evaluated the effects of titanium plasma nitriding and oxidation on live endothelial cell viscoelasticity. For this, mechanically polished titanium surfaces and two surfaces treated by planar cathode discharge in nitriding (36N and 24H) and oxidant (36O and 24H). Surfaces were characterized regarding wettability, roughness and chemical composition.

Function of P2X4 Receptors Is Directly Modulated by a 1:1 Stoichiometric Interaction With 5-HTA Receptors.

Interacting receptors at the neuronal plasma membrane represent an additional regulatory mode for intracellular transduction pathways. P2X4 receptor triggers fast neurotransmission responses a transient increase in intracellular Ca levels. It has been proposed that the P2X4 receptor interacts with the 5-HTA receptor in hippocampal neurons, but their binding stoichiometry and the role of P2X4 receptor activation by ATP on this crosstalking system remains unknown.

Nitrate Induction of Primary Root Growth Requires Cytokinin Signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Nitrate can act as a potent signal to control growth and development in plants. In this study, we show that nitrate is able to stimulate primary root growth via increased meristem activity and cytokinin signaling. Cytokinin perception and biosynthesis mutants displayed shorter roots as compared with wild-type plants when grown with nitrate as the only nitrogen source.

Inhibition of Wild Biofilm Formation by Nanostructured Graphene- and Hexagonal Boron Nitride-Coated Surfaces.

Although biofilm formation is a very effective mechanism to sustain bacterial life, it is detrimental in medical and industrial sectors. Current strategies to control biofilm proliferation are typically based on biocides, which exhibit a negative environmental impact. In the search for environmentally friendly solutions, nanotechnology opens the possibility to control the interaction between biological systems and colonized surfaces by introducing nanostructured coatings that have the potential to affect bacterial adhesion by modifying surface properties at the same scale.

Toward atomic force microscopy and mass spectrometry to visualize and identify lipid rafts in plasmodesmata.

Plant cell-to-cell communication is mediated by nanopores called plasmodesmata (PDs) which are complex structures comprising plasma membrane (PM), highly packed endoplasmic reticulum and numerous membrane proteins. Although recent advances on proteomics have led to insights into mechanisms of transport, there is still an inadequate characterization of the lipidic composition of the PM where membrane proteins are inserted. It has been postulated that PDs could be formed by lipid rafts, however no structural evidence has shown to visualize and analyse their lipid components.