In the paper, we investigate two motor proteins moving along the sidesteps: a motor protein moving along a two- dimensional sidestep and another protein moving along a three-dimensional sidestep. The drift coefficien...In the paper, we investigate two motor proteins moving along the sidesteps: a motor protein moving along a two- dimensional sidestep and another protein moving along a three-dimensional sidestep. The drift coefficients (or stationary average velocities) of these two motor proteins are calculated. We believe that our investigation of the motor proteins moving along the sidesteps in the present paper can benefit the investigation of the transport of the motor proteins to some extent.展开更多
Subcellular organelles in eukaryotes are surrounded by lipid membranes.In an endomembrane system,vesicle trafficking is the primary mechanism for the delivery of organellar proteins to specific organelles.However,orga...Subcellular organelles in eukaryotes are surrounded by lipid membranes.In an endomembrane system,vesicle trafficking is the primary mechanism for the delivery of organellar proteins to specific organelles.However,organellar proteins for chloroplasts,mitochondria,the nucleus,and peroxisomes that are translated in the cytosol are directly imported into their target organelles.Chloroplasts are a plant-specific organelle with outer and inner envelope membranes,a dual-membrane structure that is similar to mitochondria.Interior chloroplast proteins translated by cytosolic ribosomes are thus translocated through TOC and TIC complexes(translocons in the outer and inner envelope of chloroplasts,respectively),with stromal ATPase motor proteins playing a critical role in pulling pre-proteins through these import channels.Over the last three decades,the identity and function of TOC/TIC components and stromal motor proteins have been actively investigated,which has shed light on the action mechanisms at a molecular level.However,there remains some disagreement over the exact composition of TIC complexes and genuine stromal motor proteins.In this review,we discuss recent findings on the mechanisms by which proteins are translocated through TOC/TIC complexes and discuss future prospects for this field of research.展开更多
Kinesin-1 motor protein is a homodimer containing two identical motor domains connected by a common long coiledcoil stalk via two flexible neck linkers. The motor can step on a microtubule with a velocity of about 1 ...Kinesin-1 motor protein is a homodimer containing two identical motor domains connected by a common long coiledcoil stalk via two flexible neck linkers. The motor can step on a microtubule with a velocity of about 1 μm·s-1and an attachment duration of about 1 s under physiological conditions. The available experimental data indicate a tradeoff between velocity and attachment duration under various experimental conditions, such as variation of the solution temperature,variation of the strain between the two motor domains, and so on. However, the underlying mechanism of the tradeoff is unknown. Here, the mechanism is explained by a theoretical study of the dynamics of the motor under various experimental conditions, reproducing quantitatively the available experimental data and providing additional predictions. How the various experimental conditions lead to different decreasing rates of attachment duration versus velocity is also explained.展开更多
A single (independent of each other) protein motor system with fluctuating potential barrier and subject to sine electric field is investigated. We first derive the approximate Langevin equation of this system with ...A single (independent of each other) protein motor system with fluctuating potential barrier and subject to sine electric field is investigated. We first derive the approximate Langevin equation of this system with fluctuating potential barrier. Then from this approximate Langevin equation, we calculate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the adiabatic limit. The phenomenon of stochastic resonance is found for this protein motor system with fluctuating potential barrier.展开更多
A protein motor system driven by sine electric field is investigated. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is derived in the adiabatic limit. The phenomenon of stochastic resonance is found for this protein motor system.
The present study utilized samples from bilateral motor branches of the femoral nerve, as well as saphenous nerves, ventral roots, and dorsal roots of the spinal cord, to detect differential protein expression using t...The present study utilized samples from bilateral motor branches of the femoral nerve, as well as saphenous nerves, ventral roots, and dorsal roots of the spinal cord, to detect differential protein expression using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and nano ultra-high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry tandem mass spectrometry techniques. A mass spectrum was identified using the Mascot search. Results revealed differential expression of 11 proteins, including transgelin, Ig kappa chain precursor, plasma glutathione peroxidase precursor, an unnamed protein product (gil55628), gfyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-like protein, lactoylgfutathione lyase, adenyfate kinase isozyme 1, two unnamed proteins products (gil55628 and gi11334163), and poly(rC)-binding protein 1 in motor and sensory nerves. Results suggested that these proteins played roles in specific nerve regeneration following peripheral nerve injury and served as specific markers for motor and sensory nerves.展开更多
After spinal cord injury,the number of glial cells and motor neurons expressing bone morphogenetic protein 7(BMP7)increases,indicating that upregulation of BMP7 can promote nerve repair.We,therefore,tested whether d...After spinal cord injury,the number of glial cells and motor neurons expressing bone morphogenetic protein 7(BMP7)increases,indicating that upregulation of BMP7 can promote nerve repair.We,therefore,tested whether direct injection of BMP7 into acutely injured ratalalo createrywith 50 ng BMP7(BMP7 group)or physiological saline(control group)for 7 consecutive days.Electrophysiological examination showed that the amplitude of N1 in motor evoked potentials(MEP)decreased after spinal cord injury.At 8 weeks post-operation,the amplitude of N1 in the BMP7 group was remarkably higher than that at 1 week post-operation and was higher than that of the control group.Basso,Beattie,Bresnahan scale(BBB)scores,hematoxylin-eosin staining,and western blot assay showed that at 1,2,4 and 8 weeks post-operation,BBB scores were increased;Nissl body staining was stronger;the number of Nissl-stained bodies was increased;the number of vacuoles gradually decreased;the number of synapses was increased;and the expression of neuronal marker,neurofilament protein 200,was increased in the hind limbs of the BMP7 group compared with the control group.Western blot assay showed that the expression of GFAP protein in BMP7 group and control group did not change significantly and there was no significant difference between the BMP7 and control groups.These data confirmed that local injection of BMP7 can promote neuronal regeneration after spinal cord injury and promote recovery of motor function in rats.展开更多
The origin of cytoskeleton and the origin of relevant intracellular transportation system are big problems for understanding the emergence of eukaryotic cells. The present article summarized relevant information of ev...The origin of cytoskeleton and the origin of relevant intracellular transportation system are big problems for understanding the emergence of eukaryotic cells. The present article summarized relevant information of evidences and molecular traces on the origin of actin, tubulin, the chaperonin system for folding them, myosins, kinesins, axonemal dyneins and cytoplasmic dyneins. On this basis the authors proposed a series of works, which should be done in the future, and indicated the ways for reaching the targets. These targets are mainly: 1) the reconstruction of evolutionary path from MreB protein of archaeal ancestor of eukaryotic cells to typical actin; 2) the finding of the MreB or MreB-related proteins in crenarchaea and using them to examine J. A. Lake's hypothesis on the origin of eukaryote from "eocytes" (crenarchaea); 3) the examinations of the existence and distribution of cytoskeleton made of MreB-related protein within coccoid archaea, especially in amoeboid archaeon Thermoplasm acidophilum; 4) using Thermoplasma as a model of archaeal ancestor of eukaryotic cells; 5) the searching for the homolog of ancestral dynein in present-day living archaea. During the writing of this article, Margulis' famous spirochaete hypothesis on the origin of flagella and cilia was unexpectedly involved and analyzed from aspects of tubulins, dyneins and spirochaetes. Actually, spirochaete cannot be reasonably assumed as the ectosymbiotic ancestor of eukaryotic flagella and cilia, since their swing depends upon large amount of bacterial flagella beneath the flexible outer wall, but not depends upon their intracellular tubules and the assumed dyneins. In this case, if they had "evolved" into cilia and lost their bacterial flagella, they would immediately become immobile! In fact, tubulin and dynein-like proteins have not been found in any spirochaete.展开更多
We use the Brownian dynamics with hydrodynamic interactions simulation in order to describe the movement of an elastically coupled dimer Brownian motor in a ratchet potential. The only external forces considered in ou...We use the Brownian dynamics with hydrodynamic interactions simulation in order to describe the movement of an elastically coupled dimer Brownian motor in a ratchet potential. The only external forces considered in our system were the load, the random thermal noise and an unbiased thermal fluctuation. We observe differences in the dynamic behaviour if hydrodynamic interactions are considered as compared with the case without them. In conclusion, hydrodynamic interactions influence substantially the dynamics of a ratchet dimer Brownian motor;consequently they have to be considered in any theory where the molecular motors are in a liquid medium.展开更多
Biomolecular motors are tiny engines that transport materials at the microscopic level within biological cells. In recent years, Elston and Peskin et al have investigated the effect of the elastic properties of the te...Biomolecular motors are tiny engines that transport materials at the microscopic level within biological cells. In recent years, Elston and Peskin et al have investigated the effect of the elastic properties of the tether that connects the motor to its cargo at the speed of the motor. In this paper we extend their work and present a tether in the form of symmetric linear potential. Our results show that when the driving mechanism is an imperfect Brownian ratchet, the average speed decreases as the stiffness of the tether increases in the limit of large motor diffusion coefficient, which is similar to the results of Elston and Peskin. However, a threshold for the stiffness of the tether connecting the motor to its cargo is found in our model. Only when the tether is stiffer than the threshold can the motor and its cargo function co-operatively, otherwise, the motor and its cargo depart from each other. This result is more realistic than that of the spring model of Elston and Peskin.展开更多
A previous study by our group found that inhibition of nischarin promotes neurite outgrowth and neuronal regeneration in Neuro-2 a cells and primary cortical neurons.In recent years,more and more studies have shown th...A previous study by our group found that inhibition of nischarin promotes neurite outgrowth and neuronal regeneration in Neuro-2 a cells and primary cortical neurons.In recent years,more and more studies have shown that nanomaterials have good prospects in treatment of spinal cord injury.We proposed that small interfering RNA targeting nischarin(Nis-si RNA) delivered by polyethyleneimine-alginate(PEIALG) nanoparticles promoted motor function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury.Direct microinjection of 5 μL PEI-ALG/Nis-si RNA into the spinal cord lesion area of spinal cord injury rats was performed.From day 7 after surgery,Basso,Beattie and Bresnahan score was significantly higher in rats from the PEI-ALG/Nis-si RNA group compared with the spinal cord injury group and PEI-ALG/Control-si RNA group.On day 21 after injection,hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the necrotic area was reduced in the PEI-ALG/Nis-si RNA group.Immunohistochemistry and western blot assay results confirmed successful inhibition of nischarin expression and increased protein expression of growth-associated protein-43 in the PEI-ALG/Nis-si RNA group.These findings suggest that a complex of PEI-ALG nanoparticles and Nis-si RNA effectively suppresses nischarin expression,induces expression of growth-associated protein-43,and accelerates motor function recovery after spinal cord injury.展开更多
In a previous study, heat shock protein 27 was persistently upregulated in ventral motor neurons following nerve root avulsion or crush. Here, we examined whether the upregulation of heat shock protein 27 would increa...In a previous study, heat shock protein 27 was persistently upregulated in ventral motor neurons following nerve root avulsion or crush. Here, we examined whether the upregulation of heat shock protein 27 would increase the survival rate of motor neurons. Rats were divided into two groups: an avulsion-only group (avtflsion of the L4 lumbar nerve root only) and a crush-avulsion group (the L4 lumbar nerve root was crushed 1 week prior to the avulsion). Immunofluores- cent staining revealed that the survival rate of motor neurons was significantly greater in the crush-avulsion group than in the avulsion-only group, and this difference remained for at least 5 weeks after avulsion. The higher neuronal survival rate may be explained by the upregulation of heat shock protein 27 expression in motor neurons in the crush-avulsion group. Further- more, preconditioning crush greatly attenuated the expression of nitric oxide synthase in the motor neurons. Our findings indicate that the neuroprotective action of preconditioning crush is mediated through the upregulation of heat shock protein 27 expression and the attenuation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase upregulation following avulsion.展开更多
基金Project supported by K.C.Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University of China
文摘In the paper, we investigate two motor proteins moving along the sidesteps: a motor protein moving along a two- dimensional sidestep and another protein moving along a three-dimensional sidestep. The drift coefficients (or stationary average velocities) of these two motor proteins are calculated. We believe that our investigation of the motor proteins moving along the sidesteps in the present paper can benefit the investigation of the transport of the motor proteins to some extent.
基金supported by an NRF grant funded by the MSIT(grant NRF-2020R1A2C4002294)supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Korean government(MSIT)(No.2019R1A2B5B03099982)。
文摘Subcellular organelles in eukaryotes are surrounded by lipid membranes.In an endomembrane system,vesicle trafficking is the primary mechanism for the delivery of organellar proteins to specific organelles.However,organellar proteins for chloroplasts,mitochondria,the nucleus,and peroxisomes that are translated in the cytosol are directly imported into their target organelles.Chloroplasts are a plant-specific organelle with outer and inner envelope membranes,a dual-membrane structure that is similar to mitochondria.Interior chloroplast proteins translated by cytosolic ribosomes are thus translocated through TOC and TIC complexes(translocons in the outer and inner envelope of chloroplasts,respectively),with stromal ATPase motor proteins playing a critical role in pulling pre-proteins through these import channels.Over the last three decades,the identity and function of TOC/TIC components and stromal motor proteins have been actively investigated,which has shed light on the action mechanisms at a molecular level.However,there remains some disagreement over the exact composition of TIC complexes and genuine stromal motor proteins.In this review,we discuss recent findings on the mechanisms by which proteins are translocated through TOC/TIC complexes and discuss future prospects for this field of research.
文摘Kinesin-1 motor protein is a homodimer containing two identical motor domains connected by a common long coiledcoil stalk via two flexible neck linkers. The motor can step on a microtubule with a velocity of about 1 μm·s-1and an attachment duration of about 1 s under physiological conditions. The available experimental data indicate a tradeoff between velocity and attachment duration under various experimental conditions, such as variation of the solution temperature,variation of the strain between the two motor domains, and so on. However, the underlying mechanism of the tradeoff is unknown. Here, the mechanism is explained by a theoretical study of the dynamics of the motor under various experimental conditions, reproducing quantitatively the available experimental data and providing additional predictions. How the various experimental conditions lead to different decreasing rates of attachment duration versus velocity is also explained.
基金The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.10375009by SRF for ROCS,SEM,and by K.C.Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University of China
文摘A single (independent of each other) protein motor system with fluctuating potential barrier and subject to sine electric field is investigated. We first derive the approximate Langevin equation of this system with fluctuating potential barrier. Then from this approximate Langevin equation, we calculate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the adiabatic limit. The phenomenon of stochastic resonance is found for this protein motor system with fluctuating potential barrier.
基金The project supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 10375009, SRF for R0CS, SEM, and K.C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University of China
文摘A protein motor system driven by sine electric field is investigated. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is derived in the adiabatic limit. The phenomenon of stochastic resonance is found for this protein motor system.
基金supported by the Key Projects in the National Science & Technology Pillar Program, No.2009BAI87B02the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 31100696the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program), No. 2012CB518106
文摘The present study utilized samples from bilateral motor branches of the femoral nerve, as well as saphenous nerves, ventral roots, and dorsal roots of the spinal cord, to detect differential protein expression using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and nano ultra-high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry tandem mass spectrometry techniques. A mass spectrum was identified using the Mascot search. Results revealed differential expression of 11 proteins, including transgelin, Ig kappa chain precursor, plasma glutathione peroxidase precursor, an unnamed protein product (gil55628), gfyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-like protein, lactoylgfutathione lyase, adenyfate kinase isozyme 1, two unnamed proteins products (gil55628 and gi11334163), and poly(rC)-binding protein 1 in motor and sensory nerves. Results suggested that these proteins played roles in specific nerve regeneration following peripheral nerve injury and served as specific markers for motor and sensory nerves.
基金supported by the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Doctoral Fund of China,No.2014BB020
文摘After spinal cord injury,the number of glial cells and motor neurons expressing bone morphogenetic protein 7(BMP7)increases,indicating that upregulation of BMP7 can promote nerve repair.We,therefore,tested whether direct injection of BMP7 into acutely injured ratalalo createrywith 50 ng BMP7(BMP7 group)or physiological saline(control group)for 7 consecutive days.Electrophysiological examination showed that the amplitude of N1 in motor evoked potentials(MEP)decreased after spinal cord injury.At 8 weeks post-operation,the amplitude of N1 in the BMP7 group was remarkably higher than that at 1 week post-operation and was higher than that of the control group.Basso,Beattie,Bresnahan scale(BBB)scores,hematoxylin-eosin staining,and western blot assay showed that at 1,2,4 and 8 weeks post-operation,BBB scores were increased;Nissl body staining was stronger;the number of Nissl-stained bodies was increased;the number of vacuoles gradually decreased;the number of synapses was increased;and the expression of neuronal marker,neurofilament protein 200,was increased in the hind limbs of the BMP7 group compared with the control group.Western blot assay showed that the expression of GFAP protein in BMP7 group and control group did not change significantly and there was no significant difference between the BMP7 and control groups.These data confirmed that local injection of BMP7 can promote neuronal regeneration after spinal cord injury and promote recovery of motor function in rats.
文摘The origin of cytoskeleton and the origin of relevant intracellular transportation system are big problems for understanding the emergence of eukaryotic cells. The present article summarized relevant information of evidences and molecular traces on the origin of actin, tubulin, the chaperonin system for folding them, myosins, kinesins, axonemal dyneins and cytoplasmic dyneins. On this basis the authors proposed a series of works, which should be done in the future, and indicated the ways for reaching the targets. These targets are mainly: 1) the reconstruction of evolutionary path from MreB protein of archaeal ancestor of eukaryotic cells to typical actin; 2) the finding of the MreB or MreB-related proteins in crenarchaea and using them to examine J. A. Lake's hypothesis on the origin of eukaryote from "eocytes" (crenarchaea); 3) the examinations of the existence and distribution of cytoskeleton made of MreB-related protein within coccoid archaea, especially in amoeboid archaeon Thermoplasm acidophilum; 4) using Thermoplasma as a model of archaeal ancestor of eukaryotic cells; 5) the searching for the homolog of ancestral dynein in present-day living archaea. During the writing of this article, Margulis' famous spirochaete hypothesis on the origin of flagella and cilia was unexpectedly involved and analyzed from aspects of tubulins, dyneins and spirochaetes. Actually, spirochaete cannot be reasonably assumed as the ectosymbiotic ancestor of eukaryotic flagella and cilia, since their swing depends upon large amount of bacterial flagella beneath the flexible outer wall, but not depends upon their intracellular tubules and the assumed dyneins. In this case, if they had "evolved" into cilia and lost their bacterial flagella, they would immediately become immobile! In fact, tubulin and dynein-like proteins have not been found in any spirochaete.
文摘We use the Brownian dynamics with hydrodynamic interactions simulation in order to describe the movement of an elastically coupled dimer Brownian motor in a ratchet potential. The only external forces considered in our system were the load, the random thermal noise and an unbiased thermal fluctuation. We observe differences in the dynamic behaviour if hydrodynamic interactions are considered as compared with the case without them. In conclusion, hydrodynamic interactions influence substantially the dynamics of a ratchet dimer Brownian motor;consequently they have to be considered in any theory where the molecular motors are in a liquid medium.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No 39970217).
文摘Biomolecular motors are tiny engines that transport materials at the microscopic level within biological cells. In recent years, Elston and Peskin et al have investigated the effect of the elastic properties of the tether that connects the motor to its cargo at the speed of the motor. In this paper we extend their work and present a tether in the form of symmetric linear potential. Our results show that when the driving mechanism is an imperfect Brownian ratchet, the average speed decreases as the stiffness of the tether increases in the limit of large motor diffusion coefficient, which is similar to the results of Elston and Peskin. However, a threshold for the stiffness of the tether connecting the motor to its cargo is found in our model. Only when the tether is stiffer than the threshold can the motor and its cargo function co-operatively, otherwise, the motor and its cargo depart from each other. This result is more realistic than that of the spring model of Elston and Peskin.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province of China,No.LY15H250001 and LY14H090002the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81000535 and 81402872+1 种基金the Medical Science and Technology Project Foundation of Zhejiang Province of China,No.2014KYA166the Science and Technology Innovation Talents Development Plan Foundation for High School Students in Zhejiang Province of China,No.2014R401186
文摘A previous study by our group found that inhibition of nischarin promotes neurite outgrowth and neuronal regeneration in Neuro-2 a cells and primary cortical neurons.In recent years,more and more studies have shown that nanomaterials have good prospects in treatment of spinal cord injury.We proposed that small interfering RNA targeting nischarin(Nis-si RNA) delivered by polyethyleneimine-alginate(PEIALG) nanoparticles promoted motor function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury.Direct microinjection of 5 μL PEI-ALG/Nis-si RNA into the spinal cord lesion area of spinal cord injury rats was performed.From day 7 after surgery,Basso,Beattie and Bresnahan score was significantly higher in rats from the PEI-ALG/Nis-si RNA group compared with the spinal cord injury group and PEI-ALG/Control-si RNA group.On day 21 after injection,hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the necrotic area was reduced in the PEI-ALG/Nis-si RNA group.Immunohistochemistry and western blot assay results confirmed successful inhibition of nischarin expression and increased protein expression of growth-associated protein-43 in the PEI-ALG/Nis-si RNA group.These findings suggest that a complex of PEI-ALG nanoparticles and Nis-si RNA effectively suppresses nischarin expression,induces expression of growth-associated protein-43,and accelerates motor function recovery after spinal cord injury.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32000882)the USTC Research Funds of the Double First-Class Initiative(YD2030002006).
基金supported by a grant from Education Ministry of Jiangsu Province,No.08KJB310002Excellent Discipline of Jiangsu Province,No.JX10131801096
文摘In a previous study, heat shock protein 27 was persistently upregulated in ventral motor neurons following nerve root avulsion or crush. Here, we examined whether the upregulation of heat shock protein 27 would increase the survival rate of motor neurons. Rats were divided into two groups: an avulsion-only group (avtflsion of the L4 lumbar nerve root only) and a crush-avulsion group (the L4 lumbar nerve root was crushed 1 week prior to the avulsion). Immunofluores- cent staining revealed that the survival rate of motor neurons was significantly greater in the crush-avulsion group than in the avulsion-only group, and this difference remained for at least 5 weeks after avulsion. The higher neuronal survival rate may be explained by the upregulation of heat shock protein 27 expression in motor neurons in the crush-avulsion group. Further- more, preconditioning crush greatly attenuated the expression of nitric oxide synthase in the motor neurons. Our findings indicate that the neuroprotective action of preconditioning crush is mediated through the upregulation of heat shock protein 27 expression and the attenuation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase upregulation following avulsion.