A comparative analysis of lipoprotein transport proteins: LolA and LolB from Vibrio cholerae and LolA from Porphyromonas gingivalis.

In Gram-negative bacteria, N-terminal lipidation is a signal for protein trafficking from the inner membrane (IM) to the outer membrane (OM). The IM complex LolCDE extracts lipoproteins from the membrane and moves them to the chaperone LolA. The LolA-lipoprotein complex crosses the periplasm after which the lipoprotein is anchored to the OM. In γ-proteobacteria anchoring is assisted by the receptor LolB, while a corresponding protein has not been identified in other phyla. In light of the low sequence similarity between Lol-systems from different phyla and that they may use different Lol components, it is crucial to compare representative proteins from several species. Here we present a structure-function study of LolA and LolB from two phyla: LolA from Porphyromonas gingivalis (phylum bacteroidota), and LolA and LolB from Vibrio cholerae (phylum proteobacteria). Despite large sequence differences, the LolA structures are very similar, hence structure and function have been conserved throughout evolution. However, an Arg-Pro motif crucial for function in γ-proteobacteria has no counterpart in bacteroidota. We also show that LolA from both phyla bind the antibiotic polymyxin B whereas LolB does not. Collectively, these studies will facilitate the development of antibiotics as they provide awareness of both differences and similarities across phyla.

Exosome-Functionalized Ceramic Bone Substitute Promotes Critical-Sized Bone Defect Repair in Rats.

Ceramic biomaterials are promising alternatives to bone autografts. However, limited bioactivity affects their performance. Therefore, bioactive molecules and cells are often added to enhance their performance. Exosomes have emerged as cell-secreted vesicles, delivering proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids in a paracrine/endocrine fashion. We studied two complementary aspects required for exosome activity/therapy using purified exosomes: first, the intracellular uptake of labeled exosomes and second, the influence of delivered exosomes on cell behavior. Origin-specific differences in the characteristics of purified exosomes, quantification of time-dependent intracellular uptake of PKH-26-labeled exosomes by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and preosteoblasts, and influence on cell behavior were evaluated. Furthermore, exosomes from osteoblasts and MSCs cultured under normal and osteogenic environments were isolated. There is little data available on the concentration and dose of exosomes required for bone regeneration. Therefore, equal amounts of quantified exosomes were implanted in vivo in rat tibia critical defects using a calcium sulfate-nano-hydroxyapatite nanocement (NC) bone filler as the carrier. Bone regeneration was quantified using micro-computed tomography and histology. Along with inducing early maturation and mineral deposition by primary preosteoblasts in vitro, exosome treatment also demonstrated a positive effect on bone mineralization in vivo. Our study concludes that providing a local delivery of exosomes loaded onto a slowly resorbing NC bone filler can provide a potential alternate to autografts as a bone substitute.

Mesenchymal stromal cell-derived exosome-rich fractionated secretome confers a hepatoprotective effect in liver injury.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are an attractive therapeutic agent in regenerative medicine. Recently, there has been a paradigm shift from differentiation of MSCs to their paracrine effects at the injury site. Several reports elucidate the role of trophic factors secreted by MSCs toward the repair of injured tissues. We hypothesize that fractionating the MSC secretome will enrich exosomes containing soluble bioactive molecules, improving its therapeutic potential for liver failure. METHODS: Rat bone marrow MSCs were isolated and the conditioned media filtered, concentrated and ultracentrifuged to generate fractionated secretome. This secretome was characterized for the presence of exosomes and recovery from liver injury assessed in in-vitro liver injury models. The results were further validated in vivo. RESULTS: Studies on in-vitro liver injury models using acetaminophen and hydrogen peroxide show better cell recovery and reduced cytotoxicity in the presence of fractionated as opposed to unfractionated secretome. Further, the cells showed reduced oxidative stress in the presence of fractionated secretome, suggesting a potential antioxidative effect. These results were further validated in vivo in liver failure models, wherein improved liver regeneration in the presence of fractionated secretome (0.819 ± 0.035) was observed as compared to unfractionated secretome (0.718 ± 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: The work presented is a proof of concept that fractionating the secretome enriches certain bioactive molecules involved in the repair and recovery of injured liver tissue. Exosome enriched mesenchymal stromal cell-derived fractionated secretome potentiates recovery upon injection in injured liver.

Functional competence of a partially engaged GPCR-ß-arrestin complex.

G Protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest family of cell surface receptors and drug targets. GPCR signalling and desensitization is critically regulated by ß-arrestins (ßarr). GPCR-ßarr interaction is biphasic where the phosphorylated carboxyl terminus of GPCRs docks to the N-domain of ßarr first and then seven transmembrane core of the receptor engages with ßarr. It is currently unknown whether fully engaged GPCR-ßarr complex is essential for functional outcomes or partially engaged complex can also be functionally competent. Here we assemble partially and fully engaged complexes of a chimeric ß2V2R with ßarr1, and discover that the core interaction is dispensable for receptor endocytosis, ERK MAP kinase binding and activation. Furthermore, we observe that carvedilol, a ßarr biased ligand, does not promote detectable engagement between ßarr1 and the receptor core. These findings uncover a previously unknown aspect of GPCR-ßarr interaction and provide novel insights into GPCR signalling and regulatory paradigms.

Antibody fragments for stabilization and crystallization of G protein-coupled receptors and their signaling complexes.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are one of the key players in extracellular signal recognition and their subsequent communications with cellular signaling machinery. Crystallization and high-resolution structure determination of GPCRs has been one of the major advances in the area of GPCR biology over the last 7-8 years. There have primarily been three approaches to GPCR crystallization till date. These are fusion protein strategy, thermostabilization, and antibody fragment-mediated crystallization. Of these, antibody fragment-mediated crystallization has not only provided the first breakthrough in structure determination of a non-rhodopsin GPCR but it has also assisted in obtaining structures of fully active conformations of GPCRs. Antibody fragment approach has also been crucial in obtaining structural information on GPCR signaling complexes. Here, we highlight the specific examples of GPCR crystal structures that have utilized antibody fragments for promoting crystallogenesis and structure solution. We also discuss emerging powerful technologies such as the nanobody technology and the synthetic phage display libraries in the context of GPCR crystallization and underline how these tools are likely to propel key GPCR structural studies in future.

Methodological advances: the unsung heroes of the GPCR structural revolution.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are intricately involved in a diverse array of physiological processes and pathophysiological conditions. They constitute the largest class of drug target in the human genome, which highlights the importance of understanding the molecular basis of their activation, downstream signalling and regulation. In the past few years, considerable progress has been made in our ability to visualize GPCRs and their signalling complexes at the structural level. This is due to a series of methodological developments, improvements in technology and the use of highly innovative approaches, such as protein engineering, new detergents, lipidic cubic phase-based crystallization and microfocus synchrotron beamlines. These advances suggest that an unprecedented amount of structural information will become available in the field of GPCR biology in the coming years.