Probiotic bacteria have a strong potential in biomedicine owing to their ability to induce various beneficial health effects. Bacterial cell surface constituents play a key role in establishing tight interactions between probiotics and their host. Yet, little is known about the spatial organization and biophysical properties of the individual molecules. In this paper, we discuss how we have been using atomic force microscopy imaging and force spectroscopy to probe the nanoscale surface properties of gram-positive lactic acid bacteria, with an emphasis on probiotic strains. Topographic imaging has enabled us to visualize bacterial cell surface structures (peptidoglycan, teichoic acids, pili, polysaccharides) under physiological conditions and with unprecedented resolution. In parallel, single-molecule force spectroscopy has been used to localize and force probe single cell surface constituents, providing novel insights into their spatial distribution and molecular elasticity.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.micron.2012.01.001 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Squamocin Suppresses Tumor Growth through Triggering an Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Associated Degradation of EZH2/MYC Axis.
Adv Sci (Weinh)
January 2025
School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
Despite substantial advances in the antitumor effects of annonaceous acetogenins (ACGs), the absence of a defined biological action mechanism remains a major barrier to their clinical application. Here, it is found that squamocin effectively depletes both EZH2 and MYC in multiple cancer cell lines, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and gastric and colorectal cancer, demonstrating potent efficacy in suppressing these in vivo tumor models. Through the combination of surface plasmon resonance (SPR), differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF), and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), heat shock protein 90α (HSP90α) is identified as the direct binding target of squamocin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn evolutionarily conserved cation channel tunes the sensitivity of gustatory neurons to ephaptic inhibition in .
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
January 2025
Neurovascular Unit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea.
In ephaptic coupling, physically adjacent neurons influence one another's activity via the electric fields they generate. To date, the molecular mechanisms that mediate and modulate ephaptic coupling's effects remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channel lateralizes the potentially mutual ephaptic inhibition between gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTear neuropeptides are associated with clinical symptoms and signs of dry eye patients.
Ann Med
December 2025
Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Purpose: To evaluate levels of 3 tear-soluble neuropeptides in dry eye patients and to identify the correlations with clinical signs and symptoms.
Methods: A total of 16 dry eye patients and 12 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Dry eye disease (DED) diagnosis was based on the 2017 Report of the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society International Dry Eye Workshop (TFOS DEWS II).
Reduction of elevated Gli3 does not alter the progression of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease.
Physiol Rep
January 2025
Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
Polycystic kidney diseases (PKD) are genetic disorders which disrupt kidney architecture and function. Autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD) is a rare form of PKD, caused by mutations in PKHD1, and clinically more severe than the more common autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD). Prior studies have implicated Hedgehog (Hh) signaling in ADPKD, with increased levels of Hh components in experimental ADPKD and reduced cystogenesis following pharmacological Hh inhibition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe MIR181A2HG/miR-5680/VCAN-CD44 Axis Regulates Gastric Cancer Lymph Node Metastasis by Promoting M2 Macrophage Polarization.
Cancer Med
January 2025
Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital and Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China.
Background: Lymphatic metastasis in gastric cancer (GC) profoundly influences its prognosis, but the precise mechanism remains elusive. In this study, we identified the long noncoding RNA MIR181A2HG as being upregulated in GC and associated with LNs metastasis and prognosis.
Methods: The expression of MIR181A2HG in GC was identified through bioinformatics screening analysis and qRT-PCR validation.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!