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| Open AccessLptM promotes oxidative maturation of the lipopolysaccharide translocon by substrate binding mimicry
Here, the authors identify a third component of the outer membrane LPS translocon in Escherichia coli called LptM. Biochemical analysis and structural modelling reveal that LptM binds the LPS translocon by mimicking its native substrate, so stabilising an active conformation of the complex.
- Yiying Yang
- , Haoxiang Chen
- & Raffaele Ieva
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Article
| Open AccessMembrane manipulation by free fatty acids improves microbial plant polyphenol synthesis
The inherent toxicity of the aromatic compounds to the chassis strain hampers further improvement of bioproduction. Here, the authors show that membrane rigidifying effect of resveratrol can be attenuated by exogenous supplementation of palmitelaidic acid or linoleic acid in fermentation of Corynebacterium glutamicum.
- Apilaasha Tharmasothirajan
- , Josef Melcr
- & Jan Marienhagen
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Article
| Open AccessDNA nanopores as artificial membrane channels for bioprotonics
Synthetic membrane channels have many potential applications, but interfacing membrane channels with electronic devices for efficient information transfer is challenging. Here the authors integrate membrane spanning DNA nanopores with bioprotonic contacts to create programmable, modular, and efficient artificial ion-channel interfaces.
- Le Luo
- , Swathi Manda
- & Marco Rolandi
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| Open AccessMembranes prime the RapGEF EPAC1 to transduce cAMP signaling
EPAC1 is a cAMP-activated guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rap GTPases and a major transducer of cAMP signaling. Here, the authors show anionic membranes can activate EPAC1 independently of cAMP, increase its affinity for cAMP by two orders of magnitude, and synergize with cAMP to yield maximal GEF activity.
- Candice Sartre
- , François Peurois
- & Jacqueline Cherfils
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| Open AccessDigital nanoreactors to control absolute stoichiometry and spatiotemporal behavior of DNA receptors within lipid bilayers
Resolving the stoichiometry of membrane protein interactions is challenging but is vital to understand cell signalling. Using lipid-bound DNA receptors as a model for membrane proteins, the authors present a platform to achieve stoichiometric, spatial and temporal control over their interactions.
- Vishal Maingi
- , Zhao Zhang
- & Paul W. K. Rothemund
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| Open AccessInsights into membrane association of the SMP domain of extended synaptotagmin
The SMP domain of E-Syts is a newly identified lipid transfer module with unclear mechanisms. Here, authors show that it uses its tip region to associate with the extremely curved or negatively charged membranes to extract and unload lipids.
- Yunyun Wang
- , Zhenni Li
- & Xin Bian
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| Open AccessPlasma membrane phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate is critical for determination of epithelial characteristics
Epithelial cells provide cell-cell adhesion to maintain the integrity of multicellular organisms. Here the authors show that phospholipid phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate is critical for the maintenance of epithelial characteristics.
- Kaori Kanemaru
- , Makoto Shimozawa
- & Yoshikazu Nakamura
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| Open AccessMembrane thickness, lipid phase and sterol type are determining factors in the permeability of membranes to small solutes
Membrane permeability of small molecules depends on the composition of the lipid bilayer. Here, authors compare permeability measured on membranes in different physical states and conclude that the yeast membrane exists in a highly ordered phase.
- Jacopo Frallicciardi
- , Josef Melcr
- & Bert Poolman
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| Open AccessImproving cell-free glycoprotein synthesis by characterizing and enriching native membrane vesicles
Cell-free gene expression systems are an attractive platform for biomanufacturing and synthetic biology. Here the authors characterize native membrane vesicles in E. coli extracts for improved glycoengineering.
- Jasmine M. Hershewe
- , Katherine F. Warfel
- & Michael C. Jewett
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| Open AccessGenetically controlled membrane synthesis in liposomes
Controlled membrane synthesis in liposomes is a prerequisite for synthetic systems emulating the fundamental properties of living cells. Here authors present that a de novo synthesized metabolic pathway converts precursors into a variety of lipids, including the constituents of the parental liposome.
- Duco Blanken
- , David Foschepoth
- & Christophe Danelon
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| Open AccessA synthetic ion channel with anisotropic ligand response
Transmembrane proteins are important for cellular functions and synthetic analogues are of interest. Here the authors report on the design and testing of a synthetic multipass transmembrane channel which shows anisotropic responses to agonistic and antagonistic ligands.
- Takahiro Muraoka
- , Daiki Noguchi
- & Kazushi Kinbara
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| Open AccessPhosphorylated lipid-conjugated oligonucleotide selectively anchors on cell membranes with high alkaline phosphatase expression
Membrane-anchored DNA probes have been used to study molecular interactions and control cell assembly, but are not selective for different cell membranes. Here the authors develop a lipid-conjugated oligonucleotide for alkaline phosphatase-dependent cell membrane anchorage and use it to distinguish different cancer cells.
- Cheng Jin
- , Jiaxuan He
- & Weihong Tan
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Article
| Open AccessA minimal biochemical route towards de novo formation of synthetic phospholipid membranes
The origin of phospholipids, the primary constituents of cell membranes, is uncertain. Here, the authors develop an in vitro system to synthesize phospholipid molecules from water-soluble single-chain amphiphilic precursors via a reaction catalysed by the mycobacterial ligase FadD10.
- Ahanjit Bhattacharya
- , Roberto J. Brea
- & Neal K. Devaraj
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| Open AccessSculpting and fusing biomimetic vesicle networks using optical tweezers
Assembly of higher-order artificial vesicles can unlock new applications. Here, the authors use optical tweezers to construct user-defined 2D and 3D architectures of chemically distinct vesicles and demonstrate inter-vesicle communication and light-enabled compartment merging.
- Guido Bolognesi
- , Mark S. Friddin
- & Yuval Elani
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| Open AccessDynamic tuneable G protein-coupled receptor monomer-dimer populations
Evidence suggests oligomerisation of G protein-coupled receptors in membranes, but this is controversial. Here, authors use single-molecule and ensemble FRET, and spectroscopy to show that the neurotensin receptor 1 forms multiple dimer conformations that interconvert - “rolling” interfaces.
- Patricia M. Dijkman
- , Oliver K. Castell
- & Anthony Watts
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| Open AccessLight-triggered enzymatic reactions in nested vesicle reactors
Matryoshka doll-like, nested vesicles, each containing a different ingredient to a chemical reaction, can serve as microreactors. Here, the authors developed a system in which mixing of the ingredients can be induced by irradiation with ultraviolet light.
- James W. Hindley
- , Yuval Elani
- & Oscar Ces
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| Open AccessIon selectivity of graphene nanopores
Sub-nanometer graphene nanopores are usually required to create graphene-based reverse osmosis membranes. Here, Rollings et al.show that membranes with larger pores are highly ion selective and a hundred times more permeable to potassium ions than to chloride ions, making them useful for electrodialysis.
- Ryan C. Rollings
- , Aaron T. Kuan
- & Jene A. Golovchenko
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| Open AccessTransformation of metal-organic frameworks for molecular sieving membranes
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are attracting increasing attention as membrane components for molecular sieving due to the range of desirable properties they exhibit. Here, the authors employ in situ cation substitution to transform MOF topologies, and endow the membranes with improved separation capabilities.
- Wanbin Li
- , Yufan Zhang
- & Guoliang Zhang
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| Open AccessFlexible single-layer ionic organic–inorganic frameworks towards precise nano-size separation
Membranes composed of ionic frameworks offer applications in nano-size separation thanks to their highly regular pores. Here, the authors devise such a system composed of polyoxometalates and organic pseudorotaxanes, and demonstrate their ability to separate mixed sized CdTe quantum dots.
- Liang Yue
- , Shan Wang
- & Lixin Wu
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| Open AccessExclusive photorelease of signalling lipids at the plasma membrane
Caged signalling intermediates are powerful cell biological tools, however it can be challenging to precisely control where activation occurs. Nadler et al. develop a caging group that specifically targets the plasma membrane, and demonstrate spatially controlled activation of arachidonic acid signalling.
- André Nadler
- , Dmytro A. Yushchenko
- & Carsten Schultz
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Article |
A carbon nanotube wall membrane for water treatment
Carbon nanotubes have been proposed for many forms of water treatment, although ultrafiltration nanotube-based membranes with very high flow rates remain rare. Here, the authors fabricate a membrane delivering water permeability close to 30,000 litres per square meter per hour at 1 bar.
- Byeongho Lee
- , Youngbin Baek
- & Yong Hyup Kim
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| Open AccessSuper liquid-repellent gas membranes for carbon dioxide capture and heart–lung machines
Membranes allowing transfer of a gas between a liquid and gas layer have applications in areas such as blood oxygenation and carbon dioxide capture. Here, a super liquid repellent membrane is fabricated, allowing high gas transfer and also avoiding wetting and clogging of the membrane pores.
- Maxime Paven
- , Periklis Papadopoulos
- & Hans-Jürgen Butt