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  • 1.
    Abdelhamid, Hani Nasser
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK). Assiut University, Egypt.
    Dowaidar, Moataz
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Hällbrink, Mattias
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Langel, Ülo
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Gene delivery using cell penetrating peptides-zeolitic imidazolate frameworks2020In: Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, ISSN 1387-1811, E-ISSN 1873-3093, Vol. 300, article id 110173Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising as next-generation for the delivery of gene-based therapeutic agents. Oligonucleotide (ON)-mediated assembly of nanostructures composed of hierarchical porous zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8), and nanoparticles such as graphene oxide (GO), and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for gene therapy are reported. Five different types of non-viral vectors (ZIF-8, RhB@ZIF-8, BSA@ZIF-8, MNPs@ZIF-8, and GO@ZIF-8), and three gene therapeutic agents (plasmid, splice correction oligonucleotides (SCO), and small interfering RNA (siRNA)) were investigated. The polyplexes were characterized and applied for gene transfection. The materials show very low toxicity with high efficiency for luciferase transfection. ZIF-8 enhances the transfection of plasmid, SCO, siRNA of CPPs by 2-8 folds. The mechanism of the cell uptakes was also highlighted. Data reveal cell internalization via scavenger class A (SCARA).

  • 2.
    Abdelhamid, Hani Nasser
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK). Assiut University, Egypt.
    Dowaidar, Moataz
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Langel, Ülo
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Carbonized chitosan encapsulated hierarchical porous zeolitic imidazolate frameworks nanoparticles for gene delivery2020In: Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, ISSN 1387-1811, E-ISSN 1873-3093, Vol. 302, article id 110200Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Hierarchical mesoporous carbon (MPC) nanomaterials derived from the carbonized chitosan (CTS) encapsulated zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8) is synthesized and applied for gene delivery. The synthesis of ZIF-8 is achieved at room temperature using water as a solvent in the presence of CTS within 60 min. The synthesis method offered a hierarchical porous structure of ZIF-8. The carbonization of the prepared materials leads to the formation of MPC nanomaterials. MPC materials were applied as a non-viral vectors for gene delivery using two oligonucleotides (ONs) called Luciferase-expressing plasmid (pGL3), and splice correction oligonucleotides (SCO). The materials are biocompatible and showed insignificant toxicity. The transfection using MPC with and without cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) was reported. MPC improved the transfection efficiency of CPPs (PepFect 14 (PF-14), and PF-221) by 10 fold due to the synergistic effect of MCP and CPPs. The reasonable mechanism for the cell transfection using these new vectors was also highlighted.

  • 3.
    Abedi-Valugerdi, Manuchehr
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Mercury and silver induce B cell activation and anti-nucleolar autoantibody production in outbred mouse stocks: are environmental factors more important than the susceptibility genes in connection with autoimmunity?2009In: Clinical and Experimental Immunology, ISSN 0009-9104, E-ISSN 1365-2249, Vol. 155, no 1, p. 117-124Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Environmental and predisposing genetic factors are known to play a crucial role in the development of systemic autoimmune diseases. With respect to the role of environmental factors, it is not known how and to what extent they contribute to the initiation and exacerbation of systemic autoimmunity. In the present study, I considered this issue and asked if environmental factors can induce autoimmunity in the absence of specific susceptible genes. The development of genetically controlled mercury- and silver-induced B cell activation and anti-nucleolar autoantibodies (ANolA) production in genetically heterozygous outbred Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) and Black Swiss mouse stocks were analysed. Four weeks of treatment with both mercury and silver induced a strong B cell activation characterized by increased numbers of splenic antibody-secreting cells of at least one or more immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype(s) in all treated stocks. The three stocks also exhibited a marked increase in the serum IgE levels in response to mercury, but not silver. More importantly, in response to mercury a large numbers of ICR (88%), NMRI (96%) and Black Swiss (100%) mice produced different levels of IgG1 and IgG2a ANolA (a characteristic which is linked strictly to the H-2 genes). Similarly, but at lower magnitudes, treatment with silver also induced the production of IgG1 and IgG2a ANolA in 60% of ICR, 75% of NMRI and 100% of Black Swiss mice. Thus, the findings of this study suggest that long-term exposure to certain environmental factors can activate the immune system to produce autoimmunity per se, without requiring specific susceptible genes.

  • 4.
    Abelein, Axel
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Modulation of Alzheimer's amyloid β peptide self-assembly: Insights into molecular mechanisms of peptide aggregation associated with Alzheimer's disease2015Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Misfolding of proteins and peptides is closely linked to several neurodegenerative disorders, among them Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prominent example of brain diseases. The self-assembly of the amyloid β peptide (Aβ) into amyloid fibrils is one histologic hallmark of AD. A detailed knowledge about the underlying mechanism(s) of Aβ aggregation is crucial for advances toward a fundamental understanding of the disease, which may promote the search for and design of efficient therapeutics. The work presented in this thesis deals with modulation of the aggregation process by various compounds, i.e. small organic molecules (e.g. lacmoid and Congo red), surfactants and metal ions. These results provide insight into the molecular mechanism of modulator interactions and interference with Aβ and its aggregation pathways. Applying a combination of kinetic and dynamic studies as well as structural investigations we characterized the molecular interactions between Aβ and aggregation modulators in terms of microscopic rate constants, conformational preferences and thermodynamics. An important conclusion is that these modulators form highly dynamic complexes with Aβ, with life-times on the timescale of milliseconds. Despite the similar exchange dynamics, the effect on peptide aggregation is modulator-specific and fibril formation can be accelerated, retarded or inhibited by their interactions. In summary, Aβ self-assembly is governed by microscopic kinetic and dynamic processes that can be altered by aggregation modulators. Further elucidation of these mechanisms is beneficial for the understanding and therapeutic intervention of amyloid diseases.

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  • 5.
    Abelein, Axel
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Modulation of amyloid β peptide self-assembly: Aggregation mechanisms associated with Alzheimer's disease2013Licentiate thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
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  • 6.
    Abelein, Axel
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Abrahams, Jan Pieter
    Danielsson, Jens
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Gräslund, Astrid
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Jarvet, Juri
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Estonia.
    Luo, Jinghui
    Tiiman, Ann
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Wärmländer, Sebastian K. T. S.
    The hairpin conformation of the amyloid beta peptide is an important structural motif along the aggregation pathway2014In: Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, ISSN 0949-8257, E-ISSN 1432-1327, Vol. 19, no 4-5, p. 623-634Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The amyloid beta (A beta) peptides are 39-42 residue-long peptides found in the senile plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. These peptides self-aggregate in aqueous solution, going from soluble and mainly unstructured monomers to insoluble ordered fibrils. The aggregation process(es) are strongly influenced by environmental conditions. Several lines of evidence indicate that the neurotoxic species are the intermediate oligomeric states appearing along the aggregation pathways. This minireview summarizes recent findings, mainly based on solution and solid-state NMR experiments and electron microscopy, which investigate the molecular structures and characteristics of the A beta peptides at different stages along the aggregation pathways. We conclude that a hairpin-like conformation constitutes a common motif for the A beta peptides in most of the described structures. There are certain variations in different hairpin conformations, for example regarding H-bonding partners, which could be one reason for the molecular heterogeneity observed in the aggregated systems. Interacting hairpins are the building blocks of the insoluble fibrils, again with variations in how hairpins are organized in the cross-section of the fibril, perpendicular to the fibril axis. The secondary structure propensities can be seen already in peptide monomers in solution. Unfortunately, detailed structural information about the intermediate oligomeric states is presently not available. In the review, special attention is given to metal ion interactions, particularly the binding constants and ligand structures of A beta complexes with Cu(II) and Zn(II), since these ions affect the aggregation process(es) and are considered to be involved in the molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathology.

  • 7.
    Abelein, Axel
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Bolognesi, Benedetta
    Dobson, Christopher M.
    Gräslund, Astrid
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Lendel, Christofer
    Hydrophobicity and conformational change as mechanistic determinants for nonspecific modulators of amyloid β self-assembly2012In: Biochemistry, ISSN 0006-2960, E-ISSN 1520-4995, Vol. 51, no 1, p. 126-137Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The link between many neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and the aberrant folding and aggregation of proteins has prompted a comprehensive search for small organic molecules that have the potential to inhibit such processes. Although many compounds have been reported to affect the formation of amyloid fibrils and/or other types of protein aggregates, the mechanisms by which they act are not well understood. A large number of compounds appear to act in a nonspecific way affecting several different amyloidogenic proteins. We describe here a detailed study of the mechanism of action of one representative compound, lacmoid, in the context of the inhibition of the aggregation of the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) associated with Alzheimer's disease. We show that lacmoid binds Aβ(1-40) in a surfactant-like manner and counteracts the formation of all types of Aβ(1-40) and Aβ(1-42) aggregates. On the basis of these and previous findings, we are able to rationalize the molecular mechanisms of action of nonspecific modulators of protein self-assembly in terms of hydrophobic attraction and the conformational preferences of the polypeptide.

  • 8. Abelein, Axel
    et al.
    Ciofi-Baffoni, Simone
    Mörman, Cecilia
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
    Kumar, Rakesh
    Giachetti, Andrea
    Piccioli, Mario
    Biverstål, Henrik
    Molecular Structure of Cu(II)-Bound Amyloid-β Monomer Implicated in Inhibition of Peptide Self-Assembly in Alzheimer’s Disease2022In: JACS Au, E-ISSN 2691-3704, Vol. 2, no 11, p. 2571-2584Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Metal ions, such as copper and zinc ions, have been shown to strongly modulate the self-assembly of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide into insoluble fibrils, and elevated concentrations of metal ions have been found in amyloid plaques of Alzheimer’s patients. Among the physiological transition metal ions, Cu(II) ions play an outstanding role since they can trigger production of neurotoxic reactive oxygen species. In contrast, structural insights into Cu(II) coordination of Aβ have been challenging due to the paramagnetic nature of Cu(II). Here, we employed specifically tailored paramagnetic NMR experiments to determine NMR structures of Cu(II) bound to monomeric Aβ. We found that monomeric Aβ binds Cu(II) in the N-terminus and combined with molecular dynamics simulations, we could identify two prevalent coordination modes of Cu(II). For these, we report here the NMR structures of the Cu(II)–bound Aβ complex, exhibiting heavy backbone RMSD values of 1.9 and 2.1 Å, respectively. Further, applying aggregation kinetics assays, we identified the specific effect of Cu(II) binding on the Aβ nucleation process. Our results show that Cu(II) efficiently retards Aβ fibrillization by predominately reducing the rate of fibril-end elongation at substoichiometric ratios. A detailed kinetic analysis suggests that this specific effect results in enhanced Aβ oligomer generation promoted by Cu(II). These results can quantitatively be understood by Cu(II) interaction with the Aβ monomer, forming an aggregation inert complex. In fact, this mechanism is strikingly similar to other transition metal ions, suggesting a common mechanism of action of retarding Aβ self-assembly, where the metal ion binding to monomeric Aβ is a key determinant. 

  • 9.
    Abelein, Axel
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Gräslund, Astrid
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Danielsson, Jens
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    The zinc ion – a minimal chaperone mimicking agent forretardation of amyloid β peptide fibril formationManuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
  • 10.
    Abelein, Axel
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Gräslund, Astrid
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Danielsson, Jens
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Zinc as chaperone-mimicking agent for retardation of amyloid beta peptide fibril formation2015In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, ISSN 0027-8424, E-ISSN 1091-6490, Vol. 112, no 17, p. 5407-5412Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Metal ions have emerged to play a key role in the aggregation process of amyloid beta (A beta) peptide that is closely related to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. A detailed understanding of the underlying mechanistic process of peptide-metal interactions, however, has been challenging to obtain. By applying a combination of NMR relaxation dispersion and fluorescence kinetics methods we have investigated quantitatively the thermodynamic A beta-Zn2+ binding features as well as how Zn2+ modulates the nucleation mechanism of the aggregation process. Our results show that, under near-physiological conditions, substoichiometric amounts of Zn2+ effectively retard the generation of amyloid fibrils. A global kinetic profile analysis reveals that in the absence of zinc A beta(40) aggregation is driven by a monomer-dependent secondary nucleation process in addition to fibril-end elongation. In the presence of Zn2+, the elongation rate is reduced, resulting in reduction of the aggregation rate, but not a complete inhibition of amyloid formation. We show that Zn2+ transiently binds to residues in the N terminus of the monomeric peptide. A thermodynamic analysis supports a model where the N terminus is folded around the Zn2+ ion, forming a marginally stable, short-lived folded A beta(40) species. This conformation is highly dynamic and only a few percent of the peptide molecules adopt this structure at any given time point. Our findings suggest that the folded A beta(40)-Zn2+ complex modulates the fibril ends, where elongation takes place, which efficiently retards fibril formation. In this conceptual framework we propose that zinc adopts the role of a minimal antiaggregation chaperone for A beta(40).

  • 11.
    Abelein, Axel
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Jarvet, Jüri
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. The National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Estonia.
    Barth, Andreas
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Gräslund, Astrid
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Danielsson, Jens
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Ionic Strength Modulation of the Free Energy Landscape of A beta(40) Peptide Fibril Formation2016In: Journal of the American Chemical Society, ISSN 0002-7863, E-ISSN 1520-5126, Vol. 138, no 21, p. 6893-6902Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Protein misfolding and formation of cross-beta structured amyloid fibrils are linked to, many neurodegenerative disorders. Although recently developed,quantitative approaches have started to reveal the molecular nature of self-assembly and fibril formation of proteins and peptides, it is yet unclear how these self-organization events are precisely modulated by microenvironmental factors, which are known to strongly affect the macroscopic aggregation properties. Here, we characterize the explicit effect of ionic strength on the microscopic aggregation rates of amyloid beta peptide (A beta 40) self-association, implicated in Alzheimer's disease. We found that physiological ionic strength accelerates A beta 40 aggregation kinetics by promoting surface-catalyzed secondary nucleation reactions. This promoted catalytic effect can be assigned to shielding of electrostatic repulsion between Monomers on the fibril surface or between the fibril surface itself and monomeric peptides. Furthermore, we observe the formation of two different beta-structured states with =similar but distinct spectroscopic features, which can be assigned to an off-pathway immature state (F-beta*) and a mature stable State (F-beta), where salt favors formation of the F-beta fibril morphology. Addition of salt to preformed F-beta* accelerates transition to F-beta, underlining the dynamic nature of A beta 40 fibrils in solution. On the basis of,these results we suggest a model where salt decreases the free-energy barrier for A beta 40 folding to the F-beta state, favoring the buildup of the mature fibril morphology while omitting competing, energetically less favorable structural states.

  • 12.
    Abelein, Axel
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Kaspersen, Jørn Døvling
    Nielsen, Søren Bang
    Jensen, Grethe Vestergaard
    Christiansen, Gunna
    Pedersen, Jan Skov
    Danielsson, Jens
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Otzen, Daniel E.
    Gräslund, Astrid
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Formation of dynamic soluble surfactant-induced amyloid β peptide aggregation intermediates2013In: Journal of Biological Chemistry, ISSN 0021-9258, E-ISSN 1083-351X, Vol. 288, no 32, p. 23518-23528Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Intermediate amyloidogenic states along the amyloid β peptide (Aβ) aggregation pathway have been shown to be linked to neurotoxicity. To shed more light on the different structures that may arise during Aβ aggregation, we here investigate surfactant-induced Aβ aggregation. This process leads to co-aggregates featuring a β-structure motif that is characteristic for mature amyloid-like structures. Surfactants induce secondary structure in Aβ in a concentration-dependent manner, from predominantly random coil at low surfactant concentration, via β-structure to the fully formed α-helical state at high surfactant concentration. The β-rich state is the most aggregation-prone as monitored by thioflavin T fluorescence. Small angle x-ray scattering reveals initial globular structures of surfactant-Aβ co-aggregated oligomers and formation of elongated fibrils during a slow aggregation process. Alongside this slow (minutes to hours time scale) fibrillation process, much faster dynamic exchange (k(ex) ∼1100 s(-1)) takes place between free and co-aggregate-bound peptide. The two hydrophobic segments of the peptide are directly involved in the chemical exchange and interact with the hydrophobic part of the co-aggregates. Our findings suggest a model for surfactant-induced aggregation where free peptide and surfactant initially co-aggregate to dynamic globular oligomers and eventually form elongated fibrils. When interacting with β-structure promoting substances, such as surfactants, Aβ is kinetically driven toward an aggregation-prone state.

  • 13.
    Abelein, Axel
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Lang, Lisa
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Lendel, Christofer
    Gräslund, Astrid
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Danielsson, Jens
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Corrigendum to “Transient small molecule interactions kinetically modulate amyloid β peptide self-assembly” [FEBS Lett. 586 (2012) 3991–3995]2013In: FEBS Letters, ISSN 0014-5793, E-ISSN 1873-3468, Vol. 587, no 9, p. 1452-1452Article in journal (Other academic)
  • 14.
    Abelein, Axel
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Lang, Lisa
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Lendel, Christofer
    Gräslund, Astrid
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Danielsson, Jens
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Transient small molecule interactions kinetically modulate amyloid beta peptide self-assembly2012In: FEBS Letters, ISSN 0014-5793, E-ISSN 1873-3468, Vol. 586, no 22, p. 3991-3995Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Small organic molecules, like Congo red and lacmoid, have been shown to modulate the self-assembly of the amyloid beta peptide (A beta). Here, we show that A beta forms NMR invisible non-toxic co-aggregates together with lacmoid as well as Congo red. We find that the interaction involves two distinct kinetic processes and at every given time point only a small fraction of A beta is in the co-aggregate. These weak transient interactions kinetically redirect the aggregation prone A beta from self-assembling into amyloid fibrils. These findings suggest that even such weak binders might be effective as therapeutics against pathogenic protein aggregation.

  • 15. Abhiman, Saraswathi
    et al.
    Daub, Carsten O
    Sonnhammer, Erik L L
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Prediction of function divergence in protein families using the substitution rate variation parameter alpha.2006In: Mol Biol Evol, ISSN 0737-4038, Vol. 23, no 7, p. 1406-13Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 16. Abhiman, Saraswathi
    et al.
    Sonnhammer, Erik L L
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Large-scale prediction of function shift in protein families with a focus on enzymatic function.2005In: Proteins, ISSN 1097-0134, Vol. 60, no 4, p. 758-68Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 17. Abou-Hamdan, Abbas
    et al.
    Mahler, Roman
    Grossenbacher, Philipp
    Biner, Olivier
    Sjöstrand, Dan
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Lochner, Martin
    Högbom, Martin
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    von Ballmoos, Christoph
    Functional design of bacterial superoxide: quinone oxidoreductase2022In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Bioenergetics, ISSN 0005-2728, E-ISSN 1879-2650, Vol. 1863, no 7, article id 148583Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The superoxide anion - molecular oxygen reduced by a single electron - is produced in large amounts by enzymatic and adventitious reactions. It can perform a range of cellular functions, including bacterial warfare and iron uptake, signalling and host immune response in eukaryotes. However, it also serves as precursor for more deleterious species such as the hydroxyl anion or peroxynitrite and defense mechanisms to neutralize superoxide are important for cellular health. In addition to the soluble proteins superoxide dismutase and superoxide reductase, recently the membrane embedded diheme cytochrome b561 (CybB) from E. coli has been proposed to act as a superoxide:quinone oxidoreductase. Here, we confirm superoxide and cellular ubiquinones or menaquinones as natural substrates and show that quinone binding to the enzyme accelerates the reaction with superoxide. The reactivity of the substrates is in accordance with the here determined midpoint potentials of the two b hemes (+48 and -23 mV / NHE). Our data suggest that the enzyme can work near the diffusion limit in the forward direction and can also catalyse the reverse reaction efficiently under physiological conditions. The data is discussed in the context of described cytochrome b561 proteins and potential physiological roles of CybB.

  • 18. Abraham, Mark
    et al.
    Apostolov, Rossen
    Barnoud, Jonathan
    Bauer, Paul
    Blau, Christian
    Bonvin, Alexandre M. J. J.
    Chavent, Matthieu
    Chodera, John
    Condic-Jurkic, Karmen
    Delemotte, Lucie
    Grubmueller, Helmut
    Howard, Rebecca J.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Jordan, E. Joseph
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Lindahl, Erik
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab). KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden.
    Ollila, O. H. Samuli
    Selent, Jana
    Smith, Daniel G. A.
    Stansfeld, Phillip J.
    Tiemann, Johanna K. S.
    Trellet, Mikael
    Woods, Christopher
    Zhmurov, Artem
    Sharing Data from Molecular Simulations2019In: Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling, ISSN 1549-9596, E-ISSN 1549-960X, Vol. 59, no 10, p. 4093-4099Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Given the need for modern researchers to produce open, reproducible scientific output, the lack of standards and best practices for sharing data and workflows used to produce and analyze molecular dynamics (MD) simulations has become an important issue in the field. There are now multiple well-established packages to perform molecular dynamics simulations, often highly tuned for exploiting specific classes of hardware, each with strong communities surrounding them, but with very limited interoperability/transferability options. Thus, the choice of the software package often dictates the workflow for both simulation production and analysis. The level of detail in documenting the workflows and analysis code varies greatly in published work, hindering reproducibility of the reported results and the ability for other researchers to build on these studies. An increasing number of researchers are motivated to make their data available, but many challenges remain in order to effectively share and reuse simulation data. To discuss these and other issues related to best practices in the field in general, we organized a workshop in November 2018 (https://bioexcel.eu/events/workshop-on-sharing-data-from-molecular-simulations/). Here, we present a brief overview of this workshop and topics discussed. We hope this effort will spark further conversation in the MD community to pave the way toward more open, interoperable, and reproducible outputs coming from research studies using MD simulations.

  • 19. Abramsson, Mia L.
    et al.
    Sahin, Cagla
    Hopper, Jonathan T. S.
    Branca, Rui M. M.
    Danielsson, Jens
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Xu, Mingming
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Chandler, Shane A.
    Österlund, Nicklas
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Ilag, Leopold L.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK).
    Leppert, Axel
    Costeira-Paulo, Joana
    Lang, Lisa
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Teilum, Kaare
    Laganowsky, Arthur
    Benesch, Justin L. P.
    Oliveberg, Mikael
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Robinson, Carol V.
    Marklund, Erik G.
    Allison, Timothy M.
    Winther, Jakob R.
    Landreh, Michael
    Charge Engineering Reveals the Roles of Ionizable Side Chains in Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry2021In: JACS Au, E-ISSN 2691-3704, Vol. 1, no 12, p. 2385-2393Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In solution, the charge of a protein is intricately linked to its stability, but electrospray ionization distorts this connection, potentially limiting the ability of native mass spectrometry to inform about protein structure and dynamics. How the behavior of intact proteins in the gas phase depends on the presence and distribution of ionizable surface residues has been difficult to answer because multiple chargeable sites are present in virtually all proteins. Turning to protein engineering, we show that ionizable side chains are completely dispensable for charging under native conditions, but if present, they are preferential protonation sites. The absence of ionizable side chains results in identical charge state distributions under native-like and denaturing conditions, while coexisting conformers can be distinguished using ion mobility separation. An excess of ionizable side chains, on the other hand, effectively modulates protein ion stability. In fact, moving a single ionizable group can dramatically alter the gas-phase conformation of a protein ion. We conclude that although the sum of the charges is governed solely by Coulombic terms, their locations affect the stability of the protein in the gas phase.

  • 20. Abrishami, Vahid
    et al.
    Ilca, Serban L.
    Gomez-Blanco, Josue
    Rissanen, Ilona
    de La Rosa-Trevin, José Miguel
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Reddy, Vijay S.
    Carazo, Jose-Maria
    Huiskonen, Juha T.
    Localized reconstruction in Scipion expedites the analysis of symmetry mismatches in cryo-EM data2021In: Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology, ISSN 0079-6107, E-ISSN 1873-1732, Vol. 160, p. 43-52Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Technological advances in transmission electron microscopes and detectors have turned cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) into an essential tool for structural biology. A commonly used cryo-EM data analysis method, single particle analysis, averages hundreds of thousands of low-dose images of individual macromolecular complexes to determine a density map of the complex. The presence of symmetry in the complex is beneficial since each projection image can be assigned to multiple views of the complex. However, data processing that applies symmetry can average out asymmetric features and consequently data analysis methods are required to resolve asymmetric structural features. Scipion is a cryo-EM image processing framework that integrates functions from different image processing packages as plugins. To extend its functionality for handling symmetry mismatches, we present here a Scipion plugin termed LocalRec implementing the localized reconstruction method. When tested on an adenovirus data set, the plugin enables resolving the symmetry-mismatched trimeric fibre bound to the five-fold vertices of the capsid. Furthermore, it improves the structure determination of the icosahedral capsid by dealing with the defocus gradient across the particle. LocalRec is expected to be widely applicable in a range of cryo-EM investigations of flexible and symmetry mismatched complexes.

  • 21. Acevedo, Nathalie
    et al.
    Benfeitas, Rui
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Katayama, Shintaro
    Bruhn, Sören
    Andersson, Anna
    Wikberg, Gustav
    Lundeberg, Lena
    Lindvall, Jessica M.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Greco, Dario
    Kere, Juha
    Söderhäll, Cilla
    Scheynius, Annika
    Epigenetic alterations in skin homing CD4(+)CLA(+) T cells of atopic dermatitis patients2020In: Scientific Reports, E-ISSN 2045-2322, Vol. 10, no 1, article id 18020Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    T cells expressing the cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) mediate pathogenic inflammation in atopic dermatitis (AD). The molecular alterations contributing to their dysregulation remain unclear. With the aim to elucidate putative altered pathways in AD we profiled DNA methylation levels and miRNA expression in sorted T cell populations -(CD4(+), -CD4(+)CD45RA(+) naive, -CD4(+)CLA(+), and -CD8(+)) from adult AD patients and healthy controls (HC). Skin homing -CD4(+)CLA(+) T cells from AD patients showed significant differences in DNA methylation in 40 genes compared to HC (p < 0.05). Reduced DNA methylation levels in the upstream region of the interleukin-13 gene (IL13) in -CD4(+)CLA(+) T cells from AD patients correlated with increased IL13 mRNA expression in these cells. Sixteen miRNAs showed differential expression in -CD4(+)CLA(+) T cells from AD patients targeting genes in 202 biological processes (p < 0.05). An integrated network analysis of miRNAs and CpG sites identified two communities of strongly interconnected regulatory elements with strong antagonistic behaviours that recapitulated the differences between AD patients and HC. Functional analysis of the genes linked to these communities revealed their association with key cytokine signaling pathways, MAP kinase signaling and protein ubiquitination. Our findings support that epigenetic mechanisms play a role in the pathogenesis of AD by affecting inflammatory signaling molecules in skin homing -CD4(+)CLA(+) T cells and uncover putative molecules participating in AD pathways.

  • 22. Acevedo, Nathalie
    et al.
    Bornacelly, Adriana
    Mercado, Dilia
    Unneberg, Per
    Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab). Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Mittermann, Irene
    Valenta, Rudolf
    Kennedy, Malcolm
    Scheynius, Annika
    Caraballo, Luis
    Genetic Variants in CHIA and CHI3L1 Are Associated with the IgE Response to the Ascaris Resistance Marker ABA-1 and the Birch Pollen Allergen Bet v 12016In: plos one, ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 11, no 12, article id e0167453Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Helminth infections and allergic diseases are associated with IgE hyperresponsiveness but the genetics of this phenotype remain to be defined. Susceptibility to Ascaris lumbricoides infection and antibody levels to this helminth are associated with polymorphisms in locus 13q33-34. We aimed to explore this and other genomic regions to identify genetic variants associated with the IgE responsiveness in humans. Forty-eight subjects from Cartagena, Colombia, with extreme values of specific IgE to Ascaris and ABA-1, a resistance marker of this nematode, were selected for targeted resequencing. Burden analyses were done comparing extreme groups for IgE values. One-hundred one SNPs were genotyped in 1258 individuals of two well-characterized populations from Colombia and Sweden. Two low-frequency coding variants in the gene encoding the Acidic Mammalian Chitinase (CHIA rs79500525, rs139812869, tagged by rs10494133) were found enriched in high IgE responders to ABA-1 and confirmed by genetic association analyses. The SNP rs4950928 in the Chitinase 3 Like 1 gene (CHI3L1) was associated with high IgE to ABA-1 in Colombians and with high IgE to Bet v 1 in the Swedish population. CHIA rs10494133 and ABDH13 rs3783118 were associated with IgE responses to Ascaris. SNPs in the Tumor Necrosis Factor Superfamily Member 13b gene (TNFSF13B) encoding the cytokine B cell activating Factor were associated with high levels of total IgE in both populations. This is the first report on the association between low-frequency and common variants in the chitinases- related genes CHIA and CHI3L1 with the intensity of specific IgE to ABA-1 in a population naturally exposed to Ascaris and with Bet v 1 in a Swedish population. Our results add new information about the genetic influences of human IgE responsiveness; since the genes encode for enzymes involved in the immune response to parasitic infections, they could be helpful for understanding helminth immunity and allergic responses. We also confirmed that TNFSF13B has an important and conserved role in the regulation of total IgE levels, which supports potential evolutionary links between helminth immunity and allergic response.

  • 23. Acevedo, Nathalie
    et al.
    Scala, Giovanni
    Kebede Merid, Simon
    Frumento, Paolo
    Bruhn, Sören
    Andersson, Anna
    Ogris, Christoph
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab). Helmholtz Center Munich, Germany.
    Bottai, Matteo
    Pershagen, Göran
    Koppelman, Gerard H.
    Melén, Erik
    Sonnhammer, Erik
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Alm, Johan
    Söderhäll, Cilla
    Kere, Juha
    Greco, Dario
    Scheynius, Annika
    DNA Methylation Levels in Mononuclear Leukocytes from the Mother and Her Child Are Associated with IgE Sensitization to Allergens in Early Life2021In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, ISSN 1661-6596, E-ISSN 1422-0067, Vol. 22, no 2, article id 801Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    DNA methylation changes may predispose becoming IgE-sensitized to allergens. We analyzed whether DNA methylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is associated with IgE sensitization at 5 years of age (5Y). DNA methylation was measured in 288 PBMC samples from 74 mother/child pairs from the birth cohort ALADDIN (Assessment of Lifestyle and Allergic Disease During INfancy) using the HumanMethylation450BeadChip (Illumina). PBMCs were obtained from the mothers during pregnancy and from their children in cord blood, at 2 years and 5Y. DNA methylation levels at each time point were compared between children with and without IgE sensitization to allergens at 5Y. For replication, CpG sites associated with IgE sensitization in ALADDIN were evaluated in whole blood DNA of 256 children, 4 years old, from the BAMSE (Swedish abbreviation for Children, Allergy, Milieu, Stockholm, Epidemiology) cohort. We found 34 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with IgE sensitization to airborne allergens and 38 DMRs associated with sensitization to food allergens in children at 5Y (Sidak p <= 0.05). Genes associated with airborne sensitization were enriched in the pathway of endocytosis, while genes associated with food sensitization were enriched in focal adhesion, the bacterial invasion of epithelial cells, and leukocyte migration. Furthermore, 25 DMRs in maternal PBMCs were associated with IgE sensitization to airborne allergens in their children at 5Y, which were functionally annotated to the mTOR (mammalian Target of Rapamycin) signaling pathway. This study supports that DNA methylation is associated with IgE sensitization early in life and revealed new candidate genes for atopy. Moreover, our study provides evidence that maternal DNA methylation levels are associated with IgE sensitization in the child supporting early in utero effects on atopy predisposition.

  • 24. Adase, Christopher A.
    et al.
    Draheim, Roger R.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Manson, Michael D.
    The Residue Composition of the Aromatic Anchor of the Second Transmembrane Helix Determines the Signaling Properties of the Aspartate/Maltose Chemoreceptor Tar of Escherichia coli2012In: Biochemistry, ISSN 0006-2960, E-ISSN 1520-4995, Vol. 51, no 9, p. 1925-1932Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Repositioning of the tandem aromatic residues (Trp-209 and Tyr-210) at the cytoplasmic end of the second transmembrane helix (TM2) modulates the signal output of the aspartate/maltose chemoreceptor of Escherichia coli (Tar(Ec)). Here, we directly assessed the effect of the residue composition of the aromatic anchor by studying the function of a library of Tar(Ec) variants that possess all possible combinations of Ala, Phe, Tyr, and Trp at positions 209 and 210. We identified three important properties of the aromatic anchor. First, a Trp residue at position 209 was required to maintain clockwise (CW) signal output in the absence of adaptive methylation, but adaptive methylation restored the ability of all of the mutant receptors to generate CW rotation. Second, when the aromatic anchor was replaced with tandem Ala residues, signaling was less compromised than when an Ala residue occupied position 209 and an aromatic residue occupied position 210. Finally, when Trp was: present at position 209, the identity of the residue at position 210 had little effect on baseline signal output or aspartate chemotaxis, although maltose taxis was significantly affected by some substitutions at position 210. All of the mutant receptors we constructed supported some level of aspartate and maltose taxis in semisolid agar swim plates, but those without Trp at position 209 were overmethylated in their baseline signaling state. These results show the importance of the cytoplasmic aromatic anchor of TM2 in maintaining the baseline Tar(Ec) signal output and responsiveness to attractant signaling.

  • 25. Adase, Christopher A.
    et al.
    Draheim, Roger R.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Goethe University .
    Rueda, Garrett
    Desai, Raj
    Manson, Michael D.
    Residues at the Cytoplasmic End of Transmembrane Helix 2 Determine the Signal Output of the Tar(Ec) Chemoreceptor2013In: Biochemistry, ISSN 0006-2960, E-ISSN 1520-4995, Vol. 52, no 16, p. 2729-2738Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Baseline signal output and communication between the periplasmic and cytoplasmic domains of the Escherichia colt aspartate chemoreceptor Tar(Ec) are both strongly influenced by residues at the C-terminus of transmembrane helix 2 (TM2). In particular, the cytoplasmic aromatic anchor, composed of residues Trp-209 and Tyr-210 in wild type Tar(Ec) is important for determining the CheA kinase-stimulating activity of the receptor and its ability to respond to chemoeffector-induced stimuli. Here, we have studied the effect on Tar(Ec) function of the six residue sequence at positions 207-212 Moving various combinations of aromatic residues among these positions generates substantial changes M receptor activity. Trp has the largest effect on function, both in maintaining normal activity and in altering activity when it is moved. Tyr has a weaker effect, and Phe has the weakest; however, all three aromatic residues can alter signal output when they are placed in novel positions. We also find that Gly-211 plays an important role in receptor function, perhaps because of the flexibility it introduces into the TM2-HAMP domain connector. The conservation of this Gly residue in the high-abundance chemoreceptors of E. coli and Salmonella enterica suggests that it may be important for the nuanced, bidirectional transmembrane signaling that occurs in these proteins.

  • 26.
    Adrait, Annie
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Öhrström, Maria
    Barra, Anne-Laure
    The High Field Laboratory, CNRS/MPI, Grenoble, France.
    Thelander, Lars
    Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysicis, Umeå University.
    Gräslund, Astrid
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    EPR studies on a stable sulfinyl radical observed in the iron-oxygen reconstituted Y177F/I263C protein double mutant of ribonucleotide reductase from mouse2002In: Biochemistry, ISSN 0006-2960, E-ISSN 1520-4995, Vol. 41, no 20, p. 6510-6516Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) catalyzes the biosynthesis of deoxyribonucleotides. The active enzyme contains a diiron center and a tyrosyl free radical required for enzyme activity. The radical is located at Y177 in the R2 protein of mouse RNR. The radical is formed concomitantly with the μ-oxo-bridged diferric center in a reconstitution reaction between ferrous iron and molecular oxygen in the protein. EPR at 9.6 and 285 GHz was used to investigate the reconstitution reaction in the double-mutant Y177F/I263C of mouse protein R2. The aim was to produce a protein-linked radical derived from the Cys residue in the mutant protein to investigate its formation and characteristics. The mutation Y177F hinders normal radical formation at Y177, and the I263C mutation places a Cys residue at the same distance from the iron center as Y177 in the native protein. In the reconstitution reaction, we observed small amounts of a transient radical with a probable assignment to a peroxy radical, followed by a stable sulfinyl radical, most likely located on C263. The unusual radical stability may be explained by the hydrophobic surroundings of C263, which resemble the hydrophobic pocket surrounding Y177 in native protein R2. The observation of a sulfinyl radical in RNR strengthens the relationship between RNR and another free radical enzyme, pyruvate formate-lyase, where a similar relatively stable sulfinyl radical has been observed in a mutant. Sulfinyl radicals may possibly be considered as stabilized forms of very short-lived thiyl radicals, proposed to be important intermediates in the radical chemistry of RNR.

  • 27. Aguila, Julio
    et al.
    Cheng, Shangli
    Kee, Nigel
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
    Cao, Ming
    Wang, Menghan
    Deng, Qiaolin
    Hedlund, Eva
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
    Spatial RNA Sequencing Identifies Robust Markers of Vulnerable and Resistant Human Midbrain Dopamine Neurons and Their Expression in Parkinson's Disease2021In: Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, ISSN 1662-5099, Vol. 14, article id 699562Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Defining transcriptional profiles of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons is critical to understanding their differential vulnerability in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Here, we determine transcriptomes of human SNc and VTA dopamine neurons using LCM-seq on a large sample cohort. We apply a bootstrapping strategy as sample input to DESeq2 and identify 33 stably differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these two subpopulations. We also compute a minimal sample size for identification of stable DEGs, which highlights why previous reported profiles from small sample sizes display extensive variability. Network analysis reveal gene interactions unique to each subpopulation and highlight differences in regulation of mitochondrial stability, apoptosis, neuronal survival, cytoskeleton regulation, extracellular matrix modulation as well as synapse integrity, which could explain the relative resilience of VTA dopamine neurons. Analysis of PD tissues showed that while identified stable DEGs can distinguish the subpopulations also in disease, the SNc markers SLIT1 and ATP2A3 were down-regulated and thus appears to be biomarkers of disease. In summary, our study identifies human SNc and VTA marker profiles, which will be instrumental for studies aiming to modulate dopamine neuron resilience and to validate cell identity of stem cell-derived dopamine neurons.

  • 28.
    Ahlford, Katrin
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Organic Chemistry.
    Lind, Jesper
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Mäler, Lena
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Adolfsson, Hans
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Organic Chemistry.
    Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of alkyl and aryl ketones in aqueous media2008In: Green Chemistry, ISSN 1463-9262, E-ISSN 1463-9270, Vol. 10, no 8, p. 832-835Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    A novel lipophilic rhodium catalyst was evaluated in the enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of ketones in water using sodium formate as the hydride donor, and in the presence of sodium docecylsulfonate. Alkyl alkyl ketones were reduced in good yields and in moderate to good enantioselectivities, and the reduction of aryl alkyl ketones proceeded with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97% ee).

  • 29. Ahlstrand, Tuuli
    et al.
    Torittu, Annamari
    Elovaara, Heli
    Välimaa, Hannamari
    Pöllänen, Marja T.
    Kasvandik, Sergo
    Högbom, Martin
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Ihalin, Riikka
    Interactions between the Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans secretin HofQ and host cytokines indicate a link between natural competence and interleukin-8 uptake2018In: Virulence, ISSN 2150-5594, E-ISSN 2150-5608, Vol. 9, no 1, p. 1205-1223Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Naturally competent bacteria acquire DNA from their surroundings to survive in nutrient-poor environments and incorporate DNA into their genomes as new genes for improved survival. The secretin HofQ from the oral pathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans has been associated with DNA uptake. Cytokine sequestering is a potential virulence mechanism in various bacteria and may modulate both host defense and bacterial physiology. The objective of this study was to elucidate a possible connection between natural competence and cytokine uptake in A. actinomycetemcomitans. The extramembranous domain of HofQ (emHofQ) was shown to interact with various cytokines, of which IL-8 exhibited the strongest interaction. The dissociation constant between emHofQ and IL-8 was 43nM in static settings and 2.4M in dynamic settings. The moderate binding affinity is consistent with the hypothesis that emHofQ recognizes cytokines before transporting them into the cells. The interaction site was identified via crosslinking and mutational analysis. By structural comparison, relateda type I KH domain with a similar interaction site was detected in the Neisseria meningitidis secretin PilQ, which has been shown to participate in IL-8 uptake. Deletion of hofQ from the A. actinomycetemcomitans genome decreased the overall biofilm formation of this organism, abolished the response to cytokines, i.e., decreased eDNA levels in the presence of cytokines, and increased the susceptibility of the biofilm to tested -lactams. Moreover, we showed that recombinant IL-8 interacted with DNA. These results can be used in further studies on the specific role of cytokine uptake in bacterial virulence without interfering with natural-competence-related DNA uptake.

  • 30. Ahmad, Shabbir
    et al.
    Thulasingam, Madhuranayaki
    Palombo, Isolde
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Daley, Daniel O.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Johnson, Kenneth A.
    Morgenstern, Ralf
    Haeggström, Jesper Z.
    Rinaldo-Matthis, Agnes
    Trimeric microsomal glutathione transferase 2 displays one third of the sites reactivity2015In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Proteins and Proteomics, ISSN 1570-9639, E-ISSN 1878-1454, Vol. 1854, no 10, p. 1365-1371Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Human microsomal glutathione transferase 2 (MGST2) is a trimeric integral membrane protein that belongs to the membrane-associated proteins in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism (MAPEG) family. The mammalian MAPEG family consists of six members where four have been structurally determined. MGST2 activates glutathione to form a thiolate that is crucial for GSH peroxidase activity and GSH conjugation reactions with electrophilic substrates, such as 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). Several studies have shown that MGST2 is able to catalyze a GSH conjugation reaction with the epoxide LTA(4) forming the pro-inflammatory LTC4. Unlike its closest homologue leukotriene C-4 synthase (LTC4S), MGST2 appears to activate its substrate GSH using only one of the three potential active sites [Ahmad S, et al. (2013) Biochemistry. 52, 1755-1764]. In order to demonstrate and detail the mechanism of one-third of the sites reactivity of MGST2, we have determined the enzyme oligomeric state, by Blue native PAGE and Differential Scanning Calorimetry, as well as the stoichiometty of substrate and substrate analog inhibitor binding to MGST2, using equilibrium dialysis and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry, respectively. Global simulations were used to fit kinetic data to determine the catalytic mechanism of MGST2 with GSH and CDNB (1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene) as substrates. The best fit was observed with 1/3 of the sites catalysis as compared with a simulation where all three sites were active. In contrast to LTC4S, MGST2 displays a 1/3 the sites reactivity, a mechanism shared with the more distant family member MGST1 and recently suggested also for microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1.

  • 31. Ahmadi-Afzadi, Masoud
    et al.
    Orsel, Mathilde
    Pelletier, Sandra
    Bruneau, Maryline
    Proux-Wéra, Estelle
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab). Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden.
    Nybom, Hilde
    Renou, Jean-Pierre
    Genome-wide expression analysis suggests a role for jasmonates in the resistance to blue mold in apple2018In: Plant growth regulation (Print), ISSN 0167-6903, E-ISSN 1573-5087, Vol. 85, no 3, p. 375-387Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Blue mold, caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Penicillium expansum, causes serious postharvest losses in apple, and threatens human health through production of the potent mycotoxin patulin. Recent studies indicate a quantitative control of resistance against this disease in apple cultivars. A whole genome apple microarray covering 60k transcripts was used to identify gene(s) that appear to be differentially regulated between resistant and susceptible cultivars in P. expansum-infected fruits. A number of potential candidates was encountered among defense- and oxidative stress-related genes, cell wall modification and lignification genes, and genes related to localization and transport. Induction of one cell wall-related gene and three genes involved in the 'down-stream' flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, demonstrates the fundamental role of the cell wall as an important barrier, and suggests that fruit flavonoids are involved in the resistance to blue mold. Moreover, exogenous application of the plant hormone methyl jasmonate (MeJA) reduced the symptoms resulting from inoculating apples with P. expansum. This is the first report linking MeJA and activation of cell wall and flavonoid pathway genes to resistance against blue mold in a study comparing different cultivars of domesticated apple. Our results provide an initial categorization of genes that are potentially involved in the resistance mechanism, and should be useful for developing tools for gene marker-assisted breeding of apple cultivars with an improved resistance to blue mold.

  • 32.
    Ahn, Young O.
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.
    Albertsson, Ingrid
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Gennis, Robert B.
    Ädelroth, Pia
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Mechanism of proton transfer through the K-C proton pathway in the Vibrio cholerae cbb(3) terminal oxidase2018In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Bioenergetics, ISSN 0005-2728, E-ISSN 1879-2650, Vol. 1859, no 11, p. 1191-1198Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The heme-copper oxidases (HCuOs) are terminal components of the respiratory chain, catalyzing oxygen reduction coupled to the generation of a proton motive force. The C-family HCuOs, found in many pathogenic bacteria under low oxygen tension, utilize a single proton uptake pathway to deliver protons both for O-2 reduction and for proton pumping. This pathway, called the K-C-pathway, starts at Glu-49(P) in the accessory subunit CcoP, and connects into the catalytic subunit CcoN via the polar residues Tyr-(Y)-227, Asn (N)-293, Ser (S)-244, Tyr (Y)-321 and internal water molecules, and continues to the active site. However, although the residues are known to be functionally important, little is known about the mechanism and dynamics of proton transfer in the Kc-pathway. Here, we studied variants of Y227, N293 and Y321. Our results show that in the N293L variant, proton-coupled electron transfer is slowed during single-turnover oxygen reduction, and moreover it shows a pH dependence that is not observed in wildtype. This suggests that there is a shift in the plc, of an internal proton donor into an experimentally accessible range, from > 10 in wildtype to similar to 8.8 in N293L. Furthermore, we show that there are distinct roles for the conserved Y321 and Y227. In Y321F, proton uptake from bulk solution is greatly impaired, whereas Y227F shows wildtype-like rates and retains similar to 50% turnover activity. These tyrosines have evolutionary counterparts in the K-pathway of B-family HCuOs, but they do not have the same roles, indicating diversity in the proton transfer dynamics in the HCuO superfamily.

  • 33. Ahn, Young O.
    et al.
    Lee, Hyun Ju
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Kaluka, Daniel
    Yeh, Syun-Ru
    Rousseau, Denis L.
    Ädelroth, Pia
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Gennis, Robert B.
    The two transmembrane helices of CcoP are sufficient for assembly of the cbb(3)-type heme-copper oxygen reductase from Vibrio cholerae2015In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Bioenergetics, ISSN 0005-2728, E-ISSN 1879-2650, Vol. 1847, no 10, p. 1231-1239Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The C-family (cbb(3)) of heme-copper oxygen reductases are proton-pumping enzymes terminating the aerobic respiratory chains of many bacteria, including a number of human pathogens. The most common form of these enzymes contains one copy each of 4 subunits encoded by the ccoNOQP operon. In the cbb3 from Rhodobacter capsulatus, the enzyme is assembled in a stepwise manner, with an essential role played by an assembly protein CcoH. Importantly, it has been proposed that a transient interaction between the transmembrane domains of CcoP and CcoH is essential for assembly. Here, we test this proposal by showing that a genetically engineered form of cbb(3) from Vibrio cholerae (CcoNOQP(X)) that lacks the hydrophilic domain of CcoP, where the two heme c moieties are present, is fully assembled and stable. Single-turnover kinetics of the reaction between the fully reduced CcoNOQP(X) and O-2 are essentially the same as the wild type enzyme in oxidizing the 4 remaining redox-active sites. The enzyme retains approximately 10% of the steady state oxidase activity using the artificial electron donor TMPD, but has no activity using the physiological electron donor cytochrome c(4), since the docking site for this cytochrome is presumably located on the absent domain of CcoP. Residue E49 in the hydrophobic domain of CcoP is the entrance of the K-C-channel for proton input, and the E49A mutation in the truncated enzyme further reduces the steady state activity to less than 3%. Hence, the same proton channel is used by both the wild type and truncated enzymes.

  • 34. Ahn, Young O.
    et al.
    Mahinthichaichan, Paween
    Lee, Hyun Ju
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Ouyang, Hanlin
    Kaluka, Daniel
    Yeh, Syun-Ru
    Arjona, Davinia
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Rousseau, Denis L.
    Tajkhorshid, Emad
    Ädelroth, Pia
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Gennis, Robert B.
    Conformational coupling between the active site and residues within the K-C-channel of the Vibrio cholerae cbb(3)-type (C-family) oxygen reductase2014In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, ISSN 0027-8424, E-ISSN 1091-6490, Vol. 111, no 42, p. E4419-E4428Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The respiratory chains of nearly all aerobic organisms are terminated by proton-pumping heme-copper oxygen reductases (HCOs). Previous studies have established that C-family HCOs contain a single channel for uptake from the bacterial cytoplasm of all chemical and pumped protons, and that the entrance of the K-C-channel is a conserved glutamate in subunit III. However, the majority of the K-C-channel is within subunit I, and the pathway from this conserved glutamate to subunit I is not evident. In the present study, molecular dynamics simulations were used to characterize a chain of water molecules leading from the cytoplasmic solution, passing the conserved glutamate in subunit III and extending into subunit I. Formation of the water chain, which controls the delivery of protons to the K-C-channel, was found to depend on the conformation of Y241(Vc), located in subunit I at the interface with subunit III. Mutations of Y241(Vc) (to A/F/H/S) in the Vibrio cholerae cbb(3) eliminate catalytic activity, but also cause perturbations that propagate over a 28-angstrom distance to the active site heme b(3). The data suggest a linkage between residues lining the KC-channel and the active site of the enzyme, possibly mediated by transmembrane helix alpha 7, which contains both Y241(Vc) and the active site crosslinked Y255(Vc), as well as two Cu-B histidine ligands. Other mutations of residues within or near helix alpha 7 also perturb the active site, indicating that this helix is involved in modulation of the active site of the enzyme.

  • 35. Ahrentorp, Fredrik
    et al.
    Blomgren, Jakob
    Jonasson, Christian
    Sarwe, Anna
    Sepehri, Sobhan
    Eriksson, Emil
    Kalaboukhov, Alexei
    Jesorka, Aldo
    Winkler, Dag
    Schneiderman, Justin F.
    Nilsson, Mats
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Albert, Jan
    Gómez de la Torre, Teresa Zardán
    Strømme, Maria
    Johansson, Christer
    Sensitive magnetic biodetection using magnetic multi-core nanoparticles and RCA coils2017In: Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, ISSN 0304-8853, E-ISSN 1873-4766, Vol. 427, p. 14-18Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    We use functionalized iron oxide magnetic multi-core particles of 100 nm in size (hydrodynamic particle diameter) and AC susceptometry (ACS) methods to measure the binding reactions between the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and bio-analyte products produced from DNA segments using the rolling circle amplification (RCA) method. We use sensitive induction detection techniques in order to measure the ACS response. The DNA is amplified via RCA to generate RCA coils with a specific size that is dependent on the amplification time. After about 75 min of amplification we obtain an average RCA coil diameter of about 1 mu m. We determine a theoretical limit of detection (LOD) in the range of 11 attomole (corresponding to an analyte concentration of 55 fM for a sample volume of 200 mu L) from the ACS dynamic response after the MNPs have bound to the RCA coils and the measured ACS readout noise. We also discuss further possible improvements of the LOD.

  • 36.
    Aibara, Shintaro
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Andréll, Juni
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Singh, Vivek
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Amunts, Alexey
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Rapid Isolation of the Mitoribosome from HEK Cells2018In: Journal of Visualized Experiments, E-ISSN 1940-087X, no 140, article id e57877Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The human mitochondria possess a dedicated set of ribosomes (mitoribosomes) that translate 13 essential protein components of the oxidative phosphorylation complexes encoded by the mitochondria! genome. Since all proteins synthesized by human mitoribosomes are integral membrane proteins, human mitoribosomes are tethered to the mitochondrial inner membrane during translation. Compared to the cytosolic ribosome the mitoribosome has a sedimentation coefficient of 55S, half the rRNA content, no 5S rRNA and 36 additional proteins. Therefore, a higher protein-to-RNA ratio and an atypical structure make the human mitoribosome substantially distinct from its cytosolic counterpart. Despite the central importance of the mitoribosome to life, no protocols were available to purify the intact complex from human cell lines. Traditionally, mitoribosomes were isolated from mitochondria-rich animal tissues that required kilograms of starting material. We reasoned that mitochondria in dividing HEK293-derived human cells grown in nutrient-rich expression medium would have an active mitochondrial translation, and, therefore, could be a suitable source of material for the structural and biochemical studies of the mitoribosome. To investigate its structure, we developed a protocol for large-scale purification of intact mitoribosomes from HEK cells. Herein, we introduce nitrogen cavitation method as a faster, less labor-intensive and more efficient alternative to traditional mechanical shear-based methods for cell lysis. This resulted in preparations of the mitoribosome that allowed for its structural determination to high resolution, revealing the composition of the intact human mitoribosome and its assembly intermediates. Here, we follow up on this work and present an optimized and more cost-effective method requiring only similar to 10(10) cultured HEK cells. The method can be employed to purify human mitoribosomal translating complexes, mutants, quality control assemblies and mitoribosomal subunits intermediates. The purification can be linearly scaled up tenfold if needed, and also applied to other types of cells.

  • 37.
    Aibara, Shintaro
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Singh, Vivek
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab). Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
    Modelska, Angelika
    Amunts, Alexey
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab). Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
    Structural basis of mitochondrial translation2020In: eLIFE, E-ISSN 2050-084X, Vol. 9, article id e58362Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Translation of mitochondrial messenger RNA (mt-mRNA) is performed by distinct mitoribosomes comprising at least 36 mitochondria-specific proteins. How these mitoribosomal proteins assist in the binding of mt-mRNA and to what extent they are involved in the translocation of transfer RNA (mt-tRNA) is unclear. To visualize the process of translation in human mitochondria, we report similar to 3.0 angstrom resolution structure of the human mitoribosome, including the L7/L12 stalk, and eight structures of its functional complexes with mt-mRNA, mt-tRNAs, recycling factor and additional trans factors. The study reveals a transacting protein module LRPPRC-SLIRP that delivers mt-mRNA to the mitoribosomal small subunit through a dedicated platform formed by the mitochondria-specific protein mS39. Mitoribosomal proteins of the large subunit mL40, mL48, and mL64 coordinate translocation of mt-tRNA. The comparison between those structures shows dynamic interactions between the mitoribosome and its ligands, suggesting a sequential mechanism of conformational changes.

  • 38. Akishiba, Misao
    et al.
    Takeuchi, Toshihide
    Kawaguchi, Yoshimasa
    Sakamoto, Kentarou
    Yu, Hao-Hsin
    Nakase, Ikuhiko
    Takatani-Nakase, Tomoka
    Madani, Fatemeh
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Gräslund, Astrid
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Futaki, Shiroh
    Cytosolic antibody delivery by lipid-sensitive endosomolytic peptide2017In: Nature Chemistry, ISSN 1755-4330, E-ISSN 1755-4349, Vol. 9, no 8, p. 751-761Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    One of the major obstacles in intracellular targeting using antibodies is their limited release from endosomes into the cytosol. Here we report an approach to deliver proteins, which include antibodies, into cells by using endosomolytic peptides derived from the cationic and membrane-lytic spider venom peptide M-lycotoxin. The delivery peptides were developed by introducing one or two glutamic acid residues into the hydrophobic face. One peptide with the substitution of leucine by glutamic acid (L17E) was shown to enable a marked cytosolic liberation of antibodies (immunoglobulins G (IgGs)) from endosomes. The predominant membrane-perturbation mechanism of this peptide is the preferential disruption of negatively charged membranes (endosomal membranes) over neutral membranes (plasma membranes), and the endosomolytic peptide promotes the uptake by inducing macropinocytosis. The fidelity of this approach was confirmed through the intracellular delivery of a ribosome-inactivation protein (saporin), Cre recombinase and IgG delivery, which resulted in a specific labelling of the cytosolic proteins and subsequent suppression of the glucocorticoid receptor-mediated transcription. We also demonstrate the L17E-mediated cytosolic delivery of exosome-encapsulated proteins.

  • 39. Al Adwani, Salma
    et al.
    Padhi, Avinash
    Karadottir, Harpa
    Mörman, Cecilia
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Gräslund, Astrid
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Végvári, Ákos
    Johansson, Jan
    Rising, Anna
    Agerberth, Birgitta
    Bergman, Peter
    Citrullination Alters the Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Functions of the Host Defense Peptide Canine Cathelicidin K9CATH In Vitro2021In: Journal of Immunology, ISSN 0022-1767, E-ISSN 1550-6606, Vol. 207, no 3, p. 974-984Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    K9CATH is the sole cathelicidin in canines (dogs) and exhibits broad antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. K9CATH also modulates inflammatory responses and binds to LPS. These activities depend on the secondary structure and a net-positive charge of the peptide. Peptidylarginine deiminases (PAD) convert cationic peptidyl arginine to neutral citrulline. Thus, we hypothesized that citrullination is a biologically relevant modification of the peptide that would reduce the antibacterial and LPS-binding activities of K9CATH. Recombinant PAD2 and PAD4 citrullinated K9CATH to various extents and circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed that both native and citrullinated K9CATH exhibited similar α-helical secondary structures. Notably, citrullination of K9CATH reduced its bactericidal activity, abolished its ability to permeabilize the membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and reduced the hemolytic capacity. Electron microscopy showed that citrullinated K9CATH did not cause any morphological changes of Gram-negative bacteria, whereas the native peptide caused clear alterations of membrane integrity, concordant with a rapid bactericidal effect. Finally, citrullination of K9CATH impaired its capacity to inhibit LPS-mediated release of proinflammatory molecules from mouse and canine macrophages. In conclusion, citrullination attenuates the antibacterial and the LPS-binding properties of K9CATH, demonstrating the importance of a net positive charge for antibacterial lysis of bacteria and LPS-binding effects and suggests that citrullination is a means to regulate cathelicidin activities.

  • 40. Al-Adwani, Salma
    et al.
    Wallin, Cecilia
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Balhuizen, Melanie D.
    Veldhuizen, Edwin J. A.
    Coorens, Maarten
    Landreh, Michael
    Végvári, Ákos
    Smith, Margaretha E.
    Qvarfordt, Ingemar
    Lindén, Anders
    Gräslund, Astrid
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Agerberth, Birgitta
    Bergman, Peter
    Studies on citrullinated LL-37: detection in human airways, antibacterial effects and biophysical properties2020In: Scientific Reports, E-ISSN 2045-2322, Vol. 10, no 1, article id 2376Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Arginine residues of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 can be citrullinated by peptidyl arginine deiminases, which reduce the positive charge of the peptide. Notably, citrullinated LL-37 has not yet been detected in human samples. In addition, functional and biophysical properties of citrullinated LL-37 are not fully explored. The aim of this study was to detect citrullinated LL-37 in human bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and to determine antibacterial and biophysical properties of citrullinated LL-37. BAL fluid was obtained from healthy human volunteers after intra-bronchial exposure to lipopolysaccharide. Synthetic peptides were used for bacterial killing assays, transmission electron microscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry, mass-spectrometry and circular dichroism. Using targeted proteomics, we were able to detect both native and citrullinated LL-37 in BAL fluid. The citrullinated peptide did not kill Escherichia coli nor lysed human red blood cells. Both peptides had similar α-helical secondary structures but citrullinated LL-37 was more stable at higher temperatures, as shown by circular dichroism. In conclusion, citrullinated LL-37 is present in the human airways and citrullination impaired bacterial killing, indicating that a net positive charge is important for antibacterial and membrane lysing effects. It is possible that citrullination serves as a homeostatic regulator of AMP-function by alteration of key functions.

  • 41.
    Albertsson, Ingrid
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Heme-copper oxidases and nitric oxide: Reaction mechanisms and supercomplex formation2020Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    In the denitrification process where nitrate is stepwise reduced to nitrogen gas, the toxic molecule nitric oxide (NO) is formed as an intermediate. Nitric oxide is produced by the enzyme cd1 Nitrite reductase (cd1NiR) by reduction of nitrite and is later reduced to nitrous oxide by nitric oxide reductase (cNOR).

    We have investigated if a complex, with the role to facilitate rapid removal of NO, is formed between the two enzymes cd1NiR and cNOR in the bacterium P. denitrificans. Using activity measurements, we found transient interactions between the two enzymes influencing enzymatic activity of cNOR and dimerization of cd1NiR. This complex formation may be important in the transition between aerobic and anaerobic respiration of the bacteria.

    Heme-copper oxidases are terminal components of the respiratory chain, catalysing the reduction of oxygen to water. We have investigated possible supercomplex formation between the bc1-complex and the heme-copper oxidase of either the aa3 or cbb3 type, in the respiratory chain of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. We found evidence for a functional supercomplex between bc1-aa3, but not between bc1-cbb3.

    The C-type (cbb3) oxidase from Vibrio cholerae has one proton transfer pathway for delivering protons both to the catalytic site and for protons being pumped. We identified an internal proton donor (XH), which could act as a branching point in the pathway. We also suggest which residues may function as this branching point; Y321 or Y321 and N293 together with water molecules. We were also interested in the C-type oxidase from Helicobacter pylori and its interaction with NO. We successfully expressed and purified an active H. pylori cbb3 in V. cholerae. We found that this cbb3 was reversibly inhibited by nitric oxide similar to other oxidases, and that it also displayed a nitric oxide reductase activity.

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  • 42.
    Albertsson, Ingrid
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    König, Finja
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Andersson, Davinia
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Ädelroth, Pia
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Ok Ahn, Young
    Gennis, Robert B
    Characterization of the cbb3 terminal oxidase from Helicobacter pyloriManuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
  • 43.
    Albertsson, Ingrid
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Sjöholm, Johannes
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden.
    ter Beek, Josy
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Watmough, Nicholas J.
    Widengren, Jerker
    Ädelroth, Pia
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Functional interactions between nitrite reductase and nitric oxide reductase from Paracoccus denitrificans2019In: Scientific Reports, E-ISSN 2045-2322, Vol. 9, article id 17234Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Denitrification is a microbial pathway that constitutes an important part of the nitrogen cycle on earth. Denitrifying organisms use nitrate as a terminal electron acceptor and reduce it stepwise to nitrogen gas, a process that produces the toxic nitric oxide (NO) molecule as an intermediate. In this work, we have investigated the possible functional interaction between the enzyme that produces NO; the cd(1) nitrite reductase (cd(1)NiR) and the enzyme that reduces NO; the c-type nitric oxide reductase (cNOR), from the model soil bacterium P. denitrificans. Such an interaction was observed previously between purified components from P. aeruginosa and could help channeling the NO (directly from the site of formation to the side of reduction), in order to protect the cell from this toxic intermediate. We find that electron donation to cNOR is inhibited in the presence of cd(1)NiR, presumably because cd(1)NiR binds cNOR at the same location as the electron donor. We further find that the presence of cNOR influences the dimerization of cd(1)NiR. Overall, although we find no evidence for a high-affinity, constant interaction between the two enzymes, our data supports transient interactions between cd(1)NiR and cNOR that influence enzymatic properties of cNOR and oligomerization properties of cd(1)NiR. We speculate that this could be of particular importance in vivo during metabolic switches between aerobic and denitrifying conditions.

  • 44. Alekseenko, Alisa
    et al.
    Barrett, Donal
    Pareja-Sanchez, Yerma
    Howard, Rebecca J.
    Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab). Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Strandback, Emilia
    Ampah-Korsah, Henry
    Rovšnik, Urška
    Stockholm Univ, Dept Biochem & Biophys, SciLifeLab, S-17121 Solna, Sweden.
    Zuniga-Veliz, Silvia
    Klenov, Alexander
    Malloo, Jayshna
    Ye, Shenglong
    Liu, Xiyang
    Reinius, Björn
    Elsässer, Simon J.
    Nyman, Tomas
    Sandh, Gustaf
    Yin, Xiushan
    Pelechano, Vicent
    Direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 using non-commercial RT-LAMP reagents on heat-inactivated samples2021In: Scientific Reports, E-ISSN 2045-2322, Vol. 11, no 1, article id 1820Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    RT-LAMP detection of SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to be a valuable approach to scale up COVID-19 diagnostics and thus contribute to limiting the spread of the disease. Here we present the optimization of highly cost-effective in-house produced enzymes, and we benchmark their performance against commercial alternatives. We explore the compatibility between multiple DNA polymerases with high strand-displacement activity and thermostable reverse transcriptases required for RT-LAMP. We optimize reaction conditions and demonstrate their applicability using both synthetic RNA and clinical patient samples. Finally, we validate the optimized RT-LAMP assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in unextracted heat-inactivated nasopharyngeal samples from 184 patients. We anticipate that optimized and affordable reagents for RT-LAMP will facilitate the expansion of SARS-CoV-2 testing globally, especially in sites and settings where the need for large scale testing cannot be met by commercial alternatives.

  • 45.
    Alexeyenko, Andrey
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Millar, A Harvey
    Whelan, James
    Sonnhammer, Erik L L
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Chromosomal clustering of nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial and chloroplast proteins in Arabidopsis.2006In: Trends Genet, ISSN 0168-9525, Vol. 22, no 11, p. 589-93Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 46. Alexeyenko, Andrey
    et al.
    Nystedt, Björn
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Vezzi, Francesco
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Sherwood, Ellen
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Ye, Rosa
    Knudsen, Bjarne
    Simonsen, Martin
    Turner, Benjamin
    de Jong, Pieter
    Wu, Cheng-Cang
    Lundeberg, Joakim
    Efficient de novo assembly of large and complex genomes by massively parallel sequencing of Fosmid pools2014In: BMC Genomics, E-ISSN 1471-2164, Vol. 15, p. 439-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Sampling genomes with Fosmid vectors and sequencing of pooled Fosmid libraries on the Illumina platform for massive parallel sequencing is a novel and promising approach to optimizing the trade-off between sequencing costs and assembly quality. Results: In order to sequence the genome of Norway spruce, which is of great size and complexity, we developed and applied a new technology based on the massive production, sequencing, and assembly of Fosmid pools (FP). The spruce chromosomes were sampled with similar to 40,000 bp Fosmid inserts to obtain around two-fold genome coverage, in parallel with traditional whole genome shotgun sequencing (WGS) of haploid and diploid genomes. Compared to the WGS results, the contiguity and quality of the FP assemblies were high, and they allowed us to fill WGS gaps resulting from repeats, low coverage, and allelic differences. The FP contig sets were further merged with WGS data using a novel software package GAM-NGS. Conclusions: By exploiting FP technology, the first published assembly of a conifer genome was sequenced entirely with massively parallel sequencing. Here we provide a comprehensive report on the different features of the approach and the optimization of the process. We have made public the input data (FASTQ format) for the set of pools used in this study: ftp://congenie.org/congenie/Nystedt_2013/Assembly/ProcessedData/FosmidPools/.(alternatively accessible via http://congenie.org/downloads).The software used for running the assembly process is available at http://research.scilifelab.se/andrej_alexeyenko/downloads/fpools/.

  • 47.
    Alexeyenko, Andrey
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Schmitt, Thomas
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Tjärnberg, Andreas
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Guala, Dmitri
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Frings, Oliver
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Sonnhammer, Erik L. L.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
    Comparative interactomics with Funcoup 2.02012In: Nucleic Acids Research, ISSN 0305-1048, E-ISSN 1362-4962, Vol. 40, no D1, p. D821-D828Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    FunCoup (http://FunCoup.sbc.su.se) is a database that maintains and visualizes global gene/protein networks of functional coupling that have been constructed by Bayesian integration of diverse high-throughput data. FunCoup achieves high coverage by orthology-based integration of data sources from different model organisms and from different platforms. We here present release 2.0 in which the data sources have been updated and the methodology has been refined. It contains a new data type Genetic Interaction, and three new species: chicken, dog and zebra fish. As FunCoup extensively transfers functional coupling information between species, the new input datasets have considerably improved both coverage and quality of the networks. The number of high-confidence network links has increased dramatically. For instance, the human network has more than eight times as many links above confidence 0.5 as the previous release. FunCoup provides facilities for analysing the conservation of subnetworks in multiple species. We here explain how to do comparative interactomics on the FunCoup website.

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  • 48.
    Alexeyenko, Andrey
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Sonnhammer, Erik L L
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Global networks of functional coupling in eukaryotes from comprehensive data integration2009In: Genome Research, ISSN 1088-9051, E-ISSN 1549-5469, Vol. 19, no 6, p. 1107-16Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    No single experimental method can discover all connections in the interactome. A computational approach can help by integrating data from multiple, often unrelated, proteomics and genomics pipelines. Reconstructing global networks of functional coupling (FC) faces the challenges of scale and heterogeneity--how to efficiently integrate huge amounts of diverse data from multiple organisms, yet ensuring high accuracy. We developed FunCoup, an optimized Bayesian framework, to resolve these issues. Because interactomes comprise functional coupling of many types, FunCoup annotates network edges with confidence scores in support of different kinds of interactions: physical interaction, protein complex member, metabolic, or signaling link. This capability boosted overall accuracy. On the whole, the constructed framework was comprehensively tested to optimize the overall confidence and ensure seamless, automated incorporation of new data sets of heterogeneous types. Using over 50 data sets in seven organisms and extensively transferring information between orthologs, FunCoup predicted global networks in eight eukaryotes. For the Ciona intestinalis network, only orthologous information was used, and it recovered a significant number of experimental facts. FunCoup predictions were validated on independent cancer mutation data. We show how FunCoup can be used for discovering candidate members of the Parkinson and Alzheimer pathways. Cross-species pathway conservation analysis provided further support to these observations.

  • 49.
    Alexeyenko, Andrey
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Tamas, Ivica
    Liu, Gang
    Sonnhammer, Erik L L
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Automatic clustering of orthologs and inparalogs shared by multiple proteomes.2006In: Bioinformatics, ISSN 1460-2059, Vol. 22, no 14, p. e9-15Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 50.
    Alexeyenko, Andrey
    et al.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Wassenberg, Deena M.
    Lobenhofer, Edward K.
    Yen, Jerry
    Linney, Elwood
    Sonnhammer, Erik L. L.
    Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Meyer, Joel N.
    Dynamic Zebrafish Interactome Reveals Transcriptional Mechanisms of Dioxin Toxicity2010In: PLOS ONE, ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 5, no 5, p. e10465-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: In order to generate hypotheses regarding the mechanisms by which 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (dioxin) causes toxicity, we analyzed global gene expression changes in developing zebrafish embryos exposed to this potent toxicant in the context of a dynamic gene network. For this purpose, we also computationally inferred a zebrafish (Danio rerio) interactome based on orthologs and interaction data from other eukaryotes. Methodology/Principal Findings: Using novel computational tools to analyze this interactome, we distinguished between dioxin-dependent and dioxin-independent interactions between proteins, and tracked the temporal propagation of dioxin-dependent transcriptional changes from a few genes that were altered initially, to large groups of biologically coherent genes at later times. The most notable processes altered at later developmental stages were calcium and iron metabolism, embryonic morphogenesis including neuronal and retinal development, a variety of mitochondria-related functions, and generalized stress response (not including induction of antioxidant genes). Within the interactome, many of these responses were connected to cytochrome P4501A (cyp1a) as well as other genes that were dioxin-regulated one day after exposure. This suggests that cyp1a may play a key role initiating the toxic dysregulation of those processes, rather than serving simply as a passive marker of dioxin exposure, as suggested by earlier research. Conclusions/Significance: Thus, a powerful microarray experiment coupled with a flexible interactome and multi-pronged interactome tools (which are now made publicly available for microarray analysis and related work) suggest the hypothesis that dioxin, best known in fish as a potent cardioteratogen, has many other targets. Many of these types of toxicity have been observed in mammalian species and are potentially caused by alterations to cyp1a.

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