Exploring the mechanisms underlying the permeation of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) through different cell membranes is key for the practical application of GQDs in medicine. Here, the permeation process of GQDs through different lipid membranes was evaluated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Our results showed that GQDs can easily permeate into 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) lipid membranes with low phospholipid molecule densities but cannot permeate into 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE) lipid membranes with high phospholipid densities. Free energy calculation showed that a high-energy barrier exists on the surface of the POPE lipid membrane, which prevents GQDs from entering the cell membrane interior. Further analysis of the POPE membrane structure showed that sparsely arranged phospholipid molecules of the low-density lipid membrane facilitated the entry of GQDs into the interior of the membrane, compared to compactly arranged molecules in the high-density lipid membrane. Our simulation study provides new insights into the transmembrane transport of GQDs.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/membranes12080753 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
December 2024
College of Physical Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China.
Nanomaterial-biomembrane interactions constitute a critical biological process in assessing the toxicity of such materials in theoretical studies. However, many investigations simplify these interactions by using membrane models containing only one or a few lipid types, deviating significantly from the complexity of real membrane compositions. In particular, cholesterol, a ubiquitous lipid essential for regulating membrane fluidity and closely linked to various diseases, is often overlooked.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Microbiol
December 2024
Jiang Xi Hospital of China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330052, P.R. China.
Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a crucial role in intraspecies and interspecies communication, significantly influencing physiological and pathological processes. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) secreted by Gram-negative bacteria are rich in components from the parent cells and are important for bacterial communication, immune evasion, and pathogenic mechanisms. However, the extraction and purification of OMVs face numerous challenges due to their small size and heterogeneity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
December 2024
State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing and Safety Control, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, Liaoning, China; Academy of Food Interdisciplinary Science, School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, Liaoning, China; National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, Liaoning, China. Electronic address:
The present study was to investigate the effect of the astaxanthin high internal phase Pickering emulsion (H-AXT) on DEHP-induced liver lipid metabolism disorder and to demonstrate its possible protective mechanism. We have developed an antioxidant activity emulsion system to deliver astaxanthin into the liver to maximize its ability to protect the liver. In vitro, H-AXT intervention inhibited oxidative stress restored the level of mitochondrial membrane potential to 90 % of that of normal LO2 cells, and alleviated the imbalance of energy metabolism by protecting mitochondrial structure and function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Lipid Res
December 2024
Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky School of Medicine, Lexington, KY. Electronic address:
J Biol Chem
December 2024
Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, Michigan 48128, USA. Electronic address:
Endocytosis is a prominent mechanism for SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells. Upon internalization into early endosomes (EEs), the virus is transported to late endosomes (LEs), where acidic conditions facilitate spike protein processing and viral genome release. Dynein and kinesin motors drive EE transport along microtubules; dynein moves EEs to the perinuclear region, while kinesins direct them towards the plasma membrane, creating a tug-of-war over the direction of transport.
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