Vibrio vulnificus cytolysin (VVC) forms a pore in the plasma membrane and induces cytolysis of various cells including erythrocytes, neutrophil and endothelial cells. The cytolytic activity of VVC is inhibited by exogenously added cholesterol, suggesting that membrane cholesterol might be required for VVC cytolytic activity. However, there is no direct evidence that membrane cholesterol is involved in VVC-induced cytolysis. Herein we demonstrate that membrane cholesterol is required for binding of VVC to the plasma membrane. Membrane cholesterol depletion with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin inhibited VVC-induced K(+) release, 2-deoxy glucose release and Ca(2+) influx, which are indicators of VVC pore formation. The cholesterol depletion-induced blockage of VVC cytolysis was due to the inhibition of VVC binding to membrane. These findings suggest that interaction with cholesterol is required for activity of VVC.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00203-007-0214-0 | DOI Listing |
J Am Chem Soc
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 170 Albany Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States.
The tau protein misfolds in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). These pathological tau aggregates are associated with neuronal membranes, but molecular structural information about how disease-like tau fibrils interact with the lipid membrane is scarce. Here, we use solid-state NMR to investigate the structure of a tau construct bearing four AD-relevant phospho-mimetic mutations (4E tau) with cholesterol-containing high-curvature lipid membranes, which mimic the membrane of synaptic vesicles in neurons.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFToxicol Res (Camb)
January 2025
Biochemistry Science and Technology, Gaziantep University, 27310, Sehitkamil, Gaziantep, Türkiye.
Aclonifen is a diphenyl ether herbicide being included in the list of priority substances. Nevertheless, the data related to its sublethal effects on fish are limited. Therefore, the present study has been carried out to investigate the toxic effects of aclonifen in juvenile following 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of application to sublethal concentrations of 12.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomacromolecules
January 2025
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, CAS, Heyrovského nám. 2, Praha 6 162 06, Czech Republic.
Multifunctional polymers are interesting substances for the formulation of drug molecules that cannot be administered in their pure form due to their pharmacokinetic profiles or side effects. Polymer-drug formulations can enhance pharmacological properties or create tissue specificity by encapsulating the drug into nanocontainers, or stabilizing nanoparticles for drug transport. We present the synthesis of multifunctional poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline--2-glyco-2-oxazoline)s containing two reactive end groups, and an additional hydrophobic anchor at one end of the molecule.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Chem Inf Model
January 2025
CEITEC─Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
All-atom molecular dynamics simulations are powerful tools for studying cell membranes and their interactions with proteins and other molecules. However, these processes occur on time scales determined by the diffusion rate of phospholipids, which are challenging to achieve in all-atom models. Here, we present a new all-atom model that accelerates lipid diffusion by splitting phospholipid molecules into head and tail groups.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCarbohydr Polym
March 2025
College of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610225, China; Key Laboratory of Fundamental Chemistry of the State Ethnic Commission, College of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610225, China. Electronic address:
Cholesterol (CHO) is an essential lipid in cell membranes and a precursor for vital living substances. Abnormal CHO levels can cause cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, simple and accurate monitoring of CHO levels is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management of cardiovascular diseases.
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