The tenth domain of type III fibronectin (FNIII_{10}) mediates cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix. Despite its structural similarity to immunoglobulin domains, FNIII_{10} exhibits unique unfolding behaviors. We employed magnetic tweezers to investigate the unfolding and folding dynamics of FNIII_{10} under physiological forces (4-50 pN). Our results showed that FNIII_{10} follows a consistent transition pathway with an intermediate state characterized by detached A and G β strands. We determined the folding free energies and all force-dependent transition rates of FNIII_{10} and found that both unfolding rates from the native state to the intermediate state and from the intermediate state to the unfolded state deviate from Bell's model. We constructed a quantitative free energy landscape with well-defined traps and barriers that exhibits a hierarchical symmetrical pattern. Our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of FNIII_{10} conformational dynamics and demonstrate how free energy landscape of multistate biomolecules can be precisely mapped, illuminating the relationship between thermal stability, intermediate states, and folding rates in protein folding.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.131.218402 | DOI Listing |
ACS Nano
January 2025
Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, United States.
The recent development of modular universal chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell platforms that use bifunctional adaptor intermediates to redirect engineered T-cell effector function has greatly expanded the capabilities of adoptive T-cell therapy, enabling safer and more comprehensive cancer treatment. However, universal CAR receptor systems rely on unstable transient recognition of tag-coupled intermediates for T-cell activation, and the array of targeting intermediates has been limited to antibodies and small molecules. Addressing these shortcomings, we engineered universal CAR T-cell receptors that can be covalently modified with synthetic biomaterials by accelerated SpyCatcher003-SpyTag003 chemistry for cancer-cell targeting.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Am Chem Soc
January 2025
Molecular Synthesis Center, Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Glycoscience and Glycotherapeutics, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
2-Deoxy-β-glycosides are essential components of natural products and pharmaceuticals; however, the corresponding 2-deoxy-β-glycosidic bonds are challenging to chemically construct. Herein, we describe an efficient catalytic protocol for synthesizing 2-deoxy-β-glycosides via either IPrAuNTf-catalyzed activation of a unique 1,2--positioned C2--propargyl xanthate (OSPX) leaving group or (PhO)PAuNTf-catalyzed activation of a 1,2--C2--alkynylbenzoate (OABz) substituent of the corresponding thioglycosides. These activation processes trigger 1,2-alkyl/arylthio-migration glycosylation, enabling the synthesis of structurally diverse 2-deoxy-β-glycosides under mild reaction conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Pathog
January 2025
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America.
Lenacapavir (LEN) is a highly potent, long-acting antiretroviral medication for treating people infected with muti-drug-resistant HIV-1 phenotypes. The inhibitor targets multifaceted functions of the viral capsid protein (CA) during HIV-1 replication. Previous studies have mainly focused on elucidating LEN's mode of action during viral ingress.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAngew Chem Int Ed Engl
January 2025
TU Dortmund: Technische Universitat Dortmund, Fakultät für Chemie und Chemische Biologie, Otto-Hahn Str.6, 44227, Dortmund, GERMANY.
This study introduces a novel class of carbon-centered diradicals: a monosubstituted C-atom stabilized by a phosphine. The diradical Ph3P→C was photochemically generated from a diazophosphorus ylide precursor (Ph3PCN2) and characterized by EPR and isotope-sensitive ENDOR spectroscopy at low temperatures. Ph3P→C features an axial zero-field splitting parameter D = 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Phys Chem B
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan 333031, India.
The behavior of water in concentrated ionic solutions, including supersaturated conditions, is crucial for numerous material and energy conversion processes and fundamental research. All electrolytes whether they "structure-make" or "structure-break" the water structure lead to slower water motion. This study investigates the structure and dynamics of aqueous NaCl solutions across a wide range of concentrations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!