1.Recent progress and challenges in the treatment of spinal cord injury.
Ting TIAN ; Sensen ZHANG ; Maojun YANG
Protein & Cell 2023;14(9):635-652
Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts the structural and functional connectivity between the higher center and the spinal cord, resulting in severe motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction with a variety of complications. The pathophysiology of SCI is complicated and multifaceted, and thus individual treatments acting on a specific aspect or process are inadequate to elicit neuronal regeneration and functional recovery after SCI. Combinatory strategies targeting multiple aspects of SCI pathology have achieved greater beneficial effects than individual therapy alone. Although many problems and challenges remain, the encouraging outcomes that have been achieved in preclinical models offer a promising foothold for the development of novel clinical strategies to treat SCI. In this review, we characterize the mechanisms underlying axon regeneration of adult neurons and summarize recent advances in facilitating functional recovery following SCI at both the acute and chronic stages. In addition, we analyze the current status, remaining problems, and realistic challenges towards clinical translation. Finally, we consider the future of SCI treatment and provide insights into how to narrow the translational gap that currently exists between preclinical studies and clinical practice. Going forward, clinical trials should emphasize multidisciplinary conversation and cooperation to identify optimal combinatorial approaches to maximize therapeutic benefit in humans with SCI.
Humans
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Axons/pathology*
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Nerve Regeneration/physiology*
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Spinal Cord Injuries/therapy*
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Neurons/pathology*
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Recovery of Function
2.A highly sensitive bio-barcode immunoassay for multi-residue detection of organophosphate pesticides based on fluorescence anti-quenching
Xu LINGYUAN ; Zhang XIUYUAN ; El-Aty A.M.ABD ; Wang YUANSHANG ; Cao ZHEN ; Jia HUIYAN ; Salvador J.-PABLO ; Hacimuftuoglu AHMET ; Cui XUEYAN ; Zhang YUDAN ; Wang KUN ; She YONGXIN ; Jin FEN ; Zheng LUFEI ; Pujia BAIMA ; Wang JING ; Jin MAOJUN ; D.Hammock BRUCE
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2022;12(4):637-644
Balancing the risks and benefits of organophosphate pesticides(OPs)on human and environmental health relies partly on their accurate measurement.A highly sensitive fluorescence anti-quenching multi-residue bio-barcode immunoassay was developed to detect OPs(triazophos,parathion,and chlorpyrifos)in apples,turnips,cabbages,and rice.Gold nanoparticles were functionalized with monoclonal antibodies against the tested OPs.DNA oligonucleotides were complementarily hybridized with an RNA fluorescent label for signal amplification.The detection signals were generated by DNA-RNA hybridization and ribonuclease H dissociation of the fluorophore.The resulting fluorescence signal en-ables multiplexed quantification of triazophos,parathion,and chlorpyrifos residues over the concen-tration range of 0.01-25,0.01-50,and 0.1-50 ng/mL with limits of detection of 0.014,0.011,and 0.126 ng/mL,respectively.The mean recovery ranged between 80.3%and 110.8%with relative standard deviations of 7.3%-17.6%,which correlate well with results obtained by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS).The proposed bio-barcode immunoassay is stable,reproducible and reliable,and is able to detect low residual levels of multi-residue OPs in agricultural products.
3.Structure of intact human MCU supercomplex with the auxiliary MICU subunits.
Wei ZHUO ; Heng ZHOU ; Runyu GUO ; Jingbo YI ; Laixing ZHANG ; Lei YU ; Yinqiang SUI ; Wenwen ZENG ; Peiyi WANG ; Maojun YANG
Protein & Cell 2021;12(3):220-229
4.Laboratory investigation for one gastroenteritis outbreak caused by Campylobacter jejuni
Lin ZOU ; Ying LI ; Guilan ZHOU ; Bojun ZHEN ; Ping ZHANG ; Nan JIANG ; Fengling ZHAO ; Jianguo WANG ; Hongjun LI ; Yanchun WANG ; Guofeng ZHANG ; Maojun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2020;41(10):1692-1696
Objective:To understand the etiological characteristics of an acute gastroenteritis outbreak.Methods:Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacteria cultures were performed for the samples, including stool samples from patients and cooks, environmental swabs, raw food material (chicken meat), collected during the outbreak. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, antibiotics susceptibility test and whole-genome sequencing were performed for the Campylobacter jejuni isolates. Results:Four stool samples from patients were positive for Campylobacter jejuni by real-time PCR, in which 1 Campylobacter jejuni strain was isolated from a case who had no antibiotic treatment. Twelve Campylobacter jejuni and 7 Campylobacter coli isolates were obtained from 4 raw chicken meat samples. The Campylobacter jejuni strain isolated from the case was resistant to nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, florfenicol and tetracycline. The MLST analysis with the whole-genome sequences confirmed that the Campylobacter jejuni isolate from the case belonged to ST10075. Antimicrobial resistance genes cmeABCR, tetO/M and blaOXA-61 were found in the genome of the isolate from the patient by the whole-genome sequencing. No mutation in 23S rRNA was found and the C257T mutation in gyrA was identified in this isolate. Conclusion:Laboratory analysis indicated that Campylobacter jejuni infection might be the major cause of this gastroenteritis outbreak.
5. Application of NASBA and RPA in detection of pathogenic bacteria
Yuan YUE ; Jianzhong ZHANG ; Maojun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2019;40(8):1018-1022
Nucleic acid sequence-based amplification and recombinase polymerase amplification are the recently developed thermostatic amplification techniques based on PCR. This paper briefly summarizes the principle of reaction, design principle of primer and probe, advantage of these two techniques (simple, accurate, highly sensitive and rapid) and introduces the application of the techniques in the detection of pathogenic bacteria.
6. Interpretation for the group standards of the Isolation and Identification of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli
Maojun ZHANG ; Yixin GU ; Ying LI ; Changyan JU ; Guilan ZHOU ; Yunchang GUO ; Xiaojie YU ; Yongxiang DUAN ; Jianzhong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2019;40(9):1052-1054
Foodborne
7.Correction to: A binding-block ion selective mechanism revealed by a Na/K selective channel.
Jie YU ; Bing ZHANG ; Yixiao ZHANG ; Cong-Qiao XU ; Wei ZHUO ; Jingpeng GE ; Jun LI ; Ning GAO ; Yang LI ; Maojun YANG
Protein & Cell 2019;10(7):543-543
In the original publication the PDB numbers were not cited.
8.A binding-block ion selective mechanism revealed by a Na/K selective channel.
Jie YU ; Bing ZHANG ; Yixiao ZHANG ; Cong-Qiao XU ; Wei ZHUO ; Jingpeng GE ; Jun LI ; Ning GAO ; Yang LI ; Maojun YANG
Protein & Cell 2018;9(7):629-639
Mechanosensitive (MS) channels are extensively studied membrane protein for maintaining intracellular homeostasis through translocating solutes and ions across the membrane, but its mechanisms of channel gating and ion selectivity are largely unknown. Here, we identified the YnaI channel as the Na/K cation-selective MS channel and solved its structure at 3.8 Å by cryo-EM single-particle method. YnaI exhibits low conductance among the family of MS channels in E. coli, and shares a similar overall heptamer structure fold with previously studied MscS channels. By combining structural based mutagenesis, quantum mechanical and electrophysiological characterizations, we revealed that ion selective filter formed by seven hydrophobic methionine (YnaI) in the transmembrane pore determined ion selectivity, and both ion selectivity and gating of YnaI channel were affected by accompanying anions in solution. Further quantum simulation and functional validation support that the distinct binding energies with various anions to YnaI facilitate Na/K pass through, which was defined as binding-block mechanism. Our structural and functional studies provided a new perspective for understanding the mechanism of how MS channels select ions driven by mechanical force.
Cryoelectron Microscopy
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Escherichia coli Proteins
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chemistry
;
isolation & purification
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metabolism
;
ultrastructure
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Ion Channels
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chemistry
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isolation & purification
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metabolism
;
ultrastructure
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Mechanotransduction, Cellular
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Models, Molecular
;
Quantum Theory
9.Cryo-EM structures of the mammalian endo-lysosomal TRPML1 channel elucidate the combined regulation mechanism.
Sensen ZHANG ; Ningning LI ; Wenwen ZENG ; Ning GAO ; Maojun YANG
Protein & Cell 2017;8(11):834-847
TRPML1 channel is a non-selective group-2 transient receptor potential (TRP) channel with Ca permeability. Located mainly in late endosome and lysosome of all mammalian cell types, TRPML1 is indispensable in the processes of endocytosis, membrane trafficking, and lysosome biogenesis. Mutations of TRPML1 cause a severe lysosomal storage disorder called mucolipidosis type IV (MLIV). In the present study, we determined the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of Mus musculus TRPML1 (mTRPML1) in lipid nanodiscs and Amphipols. Two distinct states of mTRPML1 in Amphipols are added to the closed state, on which could represent two different confirmations upon activation and regulation. The polycystin-mucolipin domain (PMD) may sense the luminal/extracellular stimuli and undergo a "move upward" motion during endocytosis, thus triggering the overall conformational change in TRPML1. Based on the structural comparisons, we propose TRPML1 is regulated by pH, Ca, and phosphoinositides in a combined manner so as to accommodate the dynamic endocytosis process.
Animals
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Calcium
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metabolism
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Cryoelectron Microscopy
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Endocytosis
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Endosomes
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metabolism
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Gene Expression
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HEK293 Cells
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Humans
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Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
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Lysosomes
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metabolism
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Mice
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Models, Biological
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Mucolipidoses
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genetics
;
metabolism
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pathology
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Nanostructures
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chemistry
;
ultrastructure
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Phosphatidylinositols
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metabolism
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Transgenes
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Transient Receptor Potential Channels
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chemistry
;
genetics
;
metabolism
10.Crystal structures of Bbp from Staphylococcus aureus reveal the ligand binding mechanism with Fibrinogen α.
Xinyue ZHANG ; Meng WU ; Wei ZHUO ; Jinke GU ; Sensen ZHANG ; Jingpeng GE ; Maojun YANG
Protein & Cell 2015;6(10):757-766
Bone sialoprotein-binding protein (Bbp), a MSCRAMMs (Microbial Surface Components Recognizing Adhesive Matrix Molecules) family protein expressed on the surface of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), mediates adherence to fibrinogen α (Fg α), a component in the extracellular matrix of the host cell and is important for infection and pathogenesis. In this study, we solved the crystal structures of apo-Bbp(273-598) and Bbp(273-598)-Fg α(561-575) complex at a resolution of 2.03 Å and 1.45 Å, respectively. Apo-Bbp(273-598) contained the ligand binding region N2 and N3 domains, both of which followed a DE variant IgG fold characterized by an additional D1 strand in N2 domain and D1' and D2' strands in N3 domain. The peptide mapped to the Fg α(561-575) bond to Bbp(273-598) on the open groove between the N2 and N3 domains. Strikingly, the disordered C-terminus in the apo-form reorganized into a highly-ordered loop and a β-strand G'' covering the ligand upon ligand binding. Bbp(Ala298-Gly301) in the N2 domain of the Bbp(273-598)-Fg α(561-575) complex, which is a loop in the apo-form, formed a short α-helix to interact tightly with the peptide. In addition, Bbp(Ser547-Gln561) in the N3 domain moved toward the binding groove to make contact directly with the peptide, while Bbp(Asp338-Gly355) and Bbp(Thr365-Tyr387) in N2 domain shifted their configurations to stabilize the reorganized C-terminus mainly through strong hydrogen bonds. Altogether, our results revealed the molecular basis for Bbp-ligand interaction and advanced our understanding of S. aureus infection process.
Bacterial Proteins
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chemistry
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genetics
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metabolism
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Carrier Proteins
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chemistry
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genetics
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metabolism
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Crystallography, X-Ray
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Fibrinogen
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metabolism
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Ligands
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Models, Molecular
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Mutation
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Peptide Fragments
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chemistry
;
metabolism
;
Protein Binding
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Protein Structure, Tertiary
;
Staphylococcus aureus

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