Self-assembling proteins can form porous compartments that adopt well-defined architectures at the nanoscale. In nature, protein compartments act as semipermeable barriers to enable spatial separation and organization of complex biochemical processes. The compartment pores play a key role in their overall function by selectively controlling the influx and efflux of important biomolecular species. By engineering the pores, the functionality of compartments can be tuned to facilitate non-native applications, such as artificial nanoreactors for catalysis. In this review, we analyze how protein structure determines the porosity and impacts the function of both native and engineered compartments, highlighting the wealth of structural data recently obtained by cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography. Through this analysis, we offer perspectives on how current structural insights can inform future studies into the design of artificial protein compartments as nanoreactors with tunable porosity and function.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.2c02178 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Multiple regulators constrain the abundance of C. elegans DLK-1 in ciliated sensory neurons.
G3 (Bethesda)
January 2025
Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093.
The conserved MAP3K DLKs are widely known for their functions in synapse formation, axonal regeneration and degeneration, and neuronal survival, notably under traumatic injury and chronic disease conditions. In contrast, their roles in other neuronal compartments are much less explored. Through an unbiased forward genetic screening in C.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEndoplasmic Reticulum-Targeted Polymer-Manganese Nanocomplexes for Tumor Immunotherapy.
ACS Nano
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310006, China.
Manganese ions (Mn) are an immune activator that enhances the activation of both cGAS and STING proteins. The STING signaling activation and subsequential immune responses are predominantly associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Therefore, ER targeting of Mn in the subcellular compartments would promote the activation of STING signaling pathways.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTargeting breast cancer stem cells in ER-positive breast cancer by repurposing the benzoporphyrin derivative verteporfin as a YAP/TAZ small molecule inhibitor.
Mol Biol Rep
January 2025
Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700019, India.
Background: Current treatment strategies for hormone-dependent breast cancers, including adjuvant endocrine therapy, often fail due to persistence of breast cancer stem cells (brCSCs), which are significant contributors to tumor recurrence and treatment resistance. Therefore, gaining deeper insights into the molecular regulators driving breast cancer aggressiveness is important. Moreover, given the complexities and expenses involved in developing new pharmacological agents, the strategic repurposing of existing FDA-approved drugs to target these key molecular pathways presents a compelling approach for identifying novel therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating tumor refractoriness.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClinical Characteristics of Snakebite Envenomings in Taiwan.
Toxins (Basel)
December 2024
Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Rd., South Dist., Taichung 402202, Taiwan.
Snakebite envenomings continue to represent a major public health concern in Taiwan because of the presence of various venomous snakes whose habitats intersect with human activities. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the clinical characteristics, complications, and management strategies associated with snakebite envenomings in Taiwan. Taiwan is inhabited by six principal venomous snakes: , , , , , and , each presenting distinct clinical challenges.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntracellular Membrane Contact Sites in Skeletal Muscle Cells.
Membranes (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
Intracellular organelles are common to eukaryotic cells and provide physical support for the assembly of specialized compartments. In skeletal muscle fibers, the largest intracellular organelle is the sarcoplasmic reticulum, a specialized form of the endoplasmic reticulum primarily devoted to Ca storage and release for muscle contraction. Occupying about 10% of the total cell volume, the sarcoplasmic reticulum forms multiple membrane contact sites, some of which are unique to skeletal muscle.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant 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!