Selective Protein of Interest Degradation through the Split-and-Mix Liposome Proteolysis Targeting Chimera Approach

2023-09-18

Selective Protein of Interest Degradation through the Split-and-Mix Liposome Proteolysis Targeting Chimera Approach

Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) technology represents a promising new approach for target protein degradation using a cellular ubiquitin-proteasome system. Recently, we developed a split-and-mix nanoplatform based on peptide self-assembly, which could serve as a self-adjustable platform for multifunctional applications. However, the lower drug efficacy limits further biomedical applications of peptide-based SM-PROTAC. In this study, we develop a novel split-and-mix PROTAC system based on liposome self-assembly (LipoSM-PROTAC)

Cryo-EM structures of LHCII in photo-active and photo-protecting states reveal allosteric regulation of light harvesting and excess energy dissipation

2023-09-04

Cryo-EM structures of LHCII in photo-active and photo-protecting states reveal allosteric regulation of light harvesting and excess energy dissipation

The major light-harvesting complex of photosystem II (LHCII) has a dual regulatory function in a process called non-photochemical quenching to avoid the formation of reactive oxygen. LHCII undergoes reversible conformation transitions to switch between a light-harvesting state for excited-state energy transfer and an energy-quenching state for dissipating excess energy under full sunshine. Here we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of LHCII in membrane nanodiscs, which mimic in vivo LHCII, and in detergent solution at pH 7.8 and 5.4,

Inhalation delivery of dexamethasone with iSEND nanoparticles attenuates the COVID-19 cytokine storm in mice and nonhuman primates

2023-06-28

Inhalation delivery of dexamethasone with iSEND nanoparticles attenuates the COVID-19 cytokine storm in mice and nonhuman primates

Dexamethasone (DEX) is the first drug to show life-saving efficacy in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), while DEX is associated with serious adverse effects. Here, we report an inhaled, Self-immunoregulatory, Extracellular Nanovesicle-based Delivery (iSEND) system by engineering neutrophil nanovesicles with cholesterols to deliver DEX for enhanced treatment of COVID-19. Relying on surface chemokine and cytokine receptors, the iSEND showed improved targeting to macrophages and neutralized broad-spectrum cytokines.

Dietary cysteine drives body fat loss via FMRFamide signaling in Drosophila and mouse

2023-04-17

Dietary cysteine drives body fat loss via FMRFamide signaling in Drosophila and mouse

Obesity imposes a global health threat and calls for safe and effective therapeutic options. Here, we found that protein-rich diet significantly reduced body fat storage in fruit flies, which was largely attributed to dietary cysteine intake.

Linking chromatin acylation mark-defined proteome and genome in living cells

2023-03-07

Linking chromatin acylation mark-defined proteome and genome in living cells

A generalizable strategy with programmable site specificity for in situ profiling of histone modifications on unperturbed chromatin remains highly desirable but challenging. We herein developed a single-site-resolved multi-omics (SiTomics) strategy for systematic mapping of dynamic modifications and subsequent profiling of chromatinized proteome and genome defined by specific chromatin acylations in living cells. By leveraging the genetic code expansion strategy, our SiTomics toolkit revealed distinct crotonylation (e.g., H3K56cr) and β-hydroxybutyrylation (e.g., H3K56bhb) upon short chain fatty acids stimulation and established linkages for chromatin acylation mark-defined proteome, genome, and functions.

Menin “reads” H3K79me2 mark in a nucleosomal context

2023-02-25

Menin “reads” H3K79me2 mark in a nucleosomal context

A cryo–electron microscopy structure of menin bound to an H3K79me2 nucleosome revealed that menin engages with the nucleosome using its fingers and palm domains and recognizes the methylation mark through a π-cation interaction. In cells, menin is selectively associated with H3K79me2 on chromatin, particularly in gene bodies.