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Open Access
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| Open AccessTemplated folding of the RTX domain of the bacterial toxin adenylate cyclase revealed by single molecule force spectroscopy
The authors use optical tweezers to show that the folding of repeats-in-toxin (RTX) block-iv in adenylate cyclase is templated by the folded RTX block-v. The findings suggest a possible mechanism for transmitting the folding signal in the RTX domain.
- Han Wang
- , Guojun Chen
- & Hongbin Li
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Article
| Open AccessAuxiliary ATP binding sites support DNA unwinding by RecBCD
RecBCD is a remarkably fast DNA helicase. Using a battery of biophysical methods, Zananiri et. al reveal additional, non-catalytic ATP binding sites that increase the ATP flux to the catalytic sites that allows fast unwinding when ATP is scarce.
- Rani Zananiri
- , Sivasubramanyan Mangapuram Venkata
- & Arnon Henn
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Article
| Open Accessα-catenin switches between a slip and an asymmetric catch bond with F-actin to cooperatively regulate cell junction fluidity
By using laser tweezers, the authors show that a single α-catenin molecule does not resist force on F-actin. However, clustering of multiple molecules and force applied toward F-actin pointed end engage a molecular switch in α-catenin, which unfolds and strongly binds F-actin.
- C. Arbore
- , M. Sergides
- & M. Capitanio
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Article
| Open AccessDuplex DNA and BLM regulate gate opening by the human TopoIIIα-RMI1-RMI2 complex
Here the authors probe the cleavage and gate opening of single-stranded DNA by the human topoisomerase TRR using a unique single-molecule strategy to reveal structural plasticity in response to both double-stranded DNA and the helicase BLM.
- Julia A. M. Bakx
- , Andreas S. Biebricher
- & Erwin J. G. Peterman
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Article
| Open AccessResonator nanophotonic standing-wave array trap for single-molecule manipulation and measurement
Applications of nanophotonic tweezers have been limited by the low trapping force. Here, the authors present enhanced force generation in a nanophotonic standing-wave array trap by integrating a critically-coupled resonator design and demonstrate common single-molecule experiments.
- Fan Ye
- , James T. Inman
- & Michelle D. Wang
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Article
| Open AccessKinetic and structural mechanism for DNA unwinding by a non-hexameric helicase
UvrD is a model helicase from the non-hexameric Superfamily 1. Here, the authors use optical tweezers to measure directly the stepwise translocation of UvrD along a DNA hairpin, and propose a mechanism in which UvrD moves one base pair at a time, but sequesters the nascent single strands, releasing them after a variable number of ATP hydrolysis cycles.
- Sean P. Carney
- , Wen Ma
- & Yann R. Chemla
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Article
| Open AccessReconfigurable multi-component micromachines driven by optoelectronic tweezers
Light-driven micromotors can convert energy to motion in sub-millimeter dimensions. Here, the authors extend this concept and introduce reconfigurable micromachines with multiple components, driven by optoelectronic tweezers, and demonstrate new functionalities.
- Shuailong Zhang
- , Mohamed Elsayed
- & Aaron R. Wheeler
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Article
| Open AccessSound generation in zebrafish with Bio-Opto-Acoustics
Existing tools to study hearing are limited. Here the authors report Bio-OptoAcoustic (BOA) stimulation wherein they use optical forces to generate localised sound and activate the auditory system of zebrafish larvae.
- Itia A. Favre-Bulle
- , Michael A. Taylor
- & Ethan K. Scott
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Article
| Open AccessDynamic constriction and fission of endoplasmic reticulum membranes by reticulon
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an intracellular network characterized by highly dynamic behavior whose control mechanisms are unclear. Here, the authors show that the ER-membrane protein Reticulon (Rtnl1) can constrict ER bilayers and lead to ER fission.
- Javier Espadas
- , Diana Pendin
- & Andrea Daga
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Article
| Open AccessMechanochemical feedback control of dynamin independent endocytosis modulates membrane tension in adherent cells
Plasma membrane tension is an important factor that regulates many key cellular processes. Here authors show that a specific dynamin-independent endocytic pathway is modulated by changes in tension via the mechano-transducer vinculin.
- Joseph Jose Thottacherry
- , Anita Joanna Kosmalska
- & Satyajit Mayor
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Article
| Open AccessDissecting myosin-5B mechanosensitivity and calcium regulation at the single molecule level
Myosin-5B is an actin-based motor important for endosome recycling, but the molecular mechanism underlying its motility remains unknown. Here authors use single molecule imaging and high-speed laser tweezers to dissect the mechanoenzymatic properties of myosin-5B, which shows processive motility with peculiar mechanosensitivity.
- Lucia Gardini
- , Sarah M. Heissler
- & Marco Capitanio
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Article
| Open AccessOptical trapping of otoliths drives vestibular behaviours in larval zebrafish
The neural circuits of the vestibular system, which detects gravity and motion, remain incompletely characterised. Here the authors use an optical trap to manipulate otoliths (ear stones) in zebrafish larvae, and elicit corrective tail movements and eye rolling, thus establishing a method for mapping vestibular processing.
- Itia A. Favre-Bulle
- , Alexander B. Stilgoe
- & Ethan K. Scott
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Article
| Open AccessVector assembly of colloids on monolayer substrates
Precise assembly of undecorated colloids demands a clever approach. Here, the authors draw unlikely inspiration from vector graphics to direct colloids into 2D structures, pinning the ends and corners of assembled patterns with optical tweezers and manipulating the segments like vectors.
- Lingxiang Jiang
- , Shenyu Yang
- & Steve Granick
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Article
| Open AccessNanoscopy of bacterial cells immobilized by holographic optical tweezers
Nanoscopy of non-adherent cells is currently not possible, due to their movement in solution. Here the authors immobilize and manipulate fixedE. coli by multiple optical traps; their holographic optical tweezers enable dSTORM imaging of orthogonal planes via 3D realignment of the sample.
- Robin Diekmann
- , Deanna L. Wolfson
- & Thomas Huser
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Camera-based three-dimensional real-time particle tracking at kHz rates and Ångström accuracy
Particle tracking with ultra-high resolution in optical and magnetic tweezers has so far relied on laser detection through photodiodes. Here, Huhle et al. demonstrate three-dimensional particle tracking with Ångström accuracy and real-time GPU-accelerated data processing at kHz rates using camera-based imaging.
- Alexander Huhle
- , Daniel Klaue
- & Ralf Seidel
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Trapping red blood cells in living animals using optical tweezers
Optical tweezers based on focused laser beams are widely used for biophysical measurements of single molecules in vitro. Here Zhong et al. use infrared optical tweezers to trap and manipulate red blood cells within subdermal capillaries in living mice.
- Min-Cheng Zhong
- , Xun-Bin Wei
- & Yin-Mei Li