资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

Microtubules are dynamic polymers of alpha- and beta-tubulin and have crucial roles in cell signalling, cell migration, intracellular transport and chromosome segregation(1). They assemble de novo from alpha beta-tubulin dimers in an essential process termed microtubule nucleation. Complexes that contain the protein gamma-tubulin serve as structural templates for the microtubule nucleation reaction(2). In vertebrates, microtubules are nucleated by the 2.2-megadalton gamma-tubulin ring complex (gamma-TuRC), which comprises gamma-tubulin, five related gamma-tubulin complex proteins (GCP2-GCP6) and additional factors(3). GCP6 is unique among the GCP proteins because it carries an extended insertion domain of unknown function. Our understanding of microtubule formation in cells and tissues is limited by a lack of high-resolution structural information on the gamma-TuRC. Here we present the cryo-electron microscopy structure of gamma-TuRC from Xenopus laevis at 4.8 angstrom global resolution, and identify a 14-spoked arrangement of GCP proteins and gamma-tubulins in a partially flexible open left-handed spiral with a uniform sequence of GCP variants. By forming specific interactions with other GCP proteins, the GCP6-specific insertion domain acts as a scaffold for the assembly of the gamma-TuRC. Unexpectedly, we identify actin as a bona fide structural component of the gamma-TuRC with functional relevance in microtubule nucleation. The spiral geometry of gamma-TuRC is suboptimal for microtubule nucleation and a controlled conformational rearrangement of the gamma-TuRC is required for its activation. Collectively, our cryo-electron microscopy reconstructions provide detailed insights into the molecular organization, assembly and activation mechanism of vertebrate gamma-TuRC, and will serve as a framework for the mechanistic understanding of fundamental biological processes associated with microtubule nucleation, such as meiotic and mitotic spindle formation and centriole biogenesis(4).

The cryo-EM structure of the gamma-tubulin ring complex (gamma-TuRC) from Xenopus laevis provides insights into the molecular organization of the complex, and shows that actin is a structural component that is functionally relevant to microtubule nucleation.

Cellular senescence is characterized by stable cell-cycle arrest and a secretory program that modulates the tissue microenvironment(1,2). Physiologically, senescence serves as a tumour-suppressive mechanism that prevents the expansion of premalignant cells(3,4)and has a beneficial role in wound-healing responses(5,6). Pathologically, the aberrant accumulation of senescent cells generates an inflammatory milieu that leads to chronic tissue damage and contributes to diseases such as liver and lung fibrosis, atherosclerosis, diabetes and osteoarthritis(1,7). Accordingly, eliminating senescent cells from damaged tissues in mice ameliorates the symptoms of these pathologies and even promotes longevity(1,2,8-10). Here we test the therapeutic concept that chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells that target senescent cells can be effective senolytic agents. We identify the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR)(11)as a cell-surface protein that is broadly induced during senescence and show that uPAR-specific CAR T cells efficiently ablate senescent cells in vitro and in vivo. CAR T cells that target uPAR extend the survival of mice with lung adenocarcinoma that are treated with a senescence-inducing combination of drugs, and restore tissue homeostasis in mice in which liver fibrosis is induced chemically or by diet. These results establish the therapeutic potential of senolytic CAR T cells for senescence-associated diseases.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting uPAR, a cell-surface protein that is upregulated on senescent cells, eliminate senescent cells in vitro and in vivo and reduce liver fibrosis in mice.

Following cell division, phase separation of the transmembrane adaptor LEM2 ensures that the ESCRT machinery remodels microtubules and seals the nuclear envelope.

During cell division, remodelling of the nuclear envelope enables chromosome segregation by the mitotic spindle(1). The reformation of sealed nuclei requires ESCRTs (endosomal sorting complexes required for transport) and LEM2, a transmembrane ESCRT adaptor(2-4). Here we show how the ability of LEM2 to condense on microtubules governs the activation of ESCRTs and coordinated spindle disassembly. The LEM motif of LEM2 binds BAF, conferring on LEM2 an affinity for chromatin(5,6), while an adjacent low-complexity domain (LCD) promotes LEM2 phase separation. A proline-arginine-rich sequence within the LCD binds to microtubules and targets condensation of LEM2 to spindle microtubules that traverse the nascent nuclear envelope. Furthermore, the winged-helix domain of LEM2 activates the ESCRT-II/ESCRT-III hybrid protein CHMP7 to form co-oligomeric rings. Disruption of these events in human cells prevented the recruitment of downstream ESCRTs, compromised spindle disassembly, and led to defects in nuclear integrity and DNA damage. We propose that during nuclear reassembly LEM2 condenses into a liquid-like phase and coassembles with CHMP7 to form a macromolecular O-ring seal at the confluence between membranes, chromatin and the spindle. The properties of LEM2 described here, and the homologous architectures of related inner nuclear membrane proteins(7,8), suggest that phase separation may contribute to other critical envelope functions, including interphase repair(8-13) and chromatin organization(14-17).

Wall-free liquid channels surrounded by an immiscible magnetic liquid can be used to create liquid circuitry or to transport human blood without damaging the blood cells by moving permanent magnets.

When miniaturizing fluidic circuitry, the solid walls of the fluid channels become increasingly important(1) because they limit the flow rates achievable for a given pressure drop, and they are prone to fouling(2). Approaches for reducing the wall interactions include hydrophobic coatings(3), liquid-infused porous surfaces(4-6), nanoparticle surfactant jamming(7), changes to surface electronic structure(8), electrowetting(9,10), surface tension pinning(11,12) and use of atomically flat channels(13). A better solution may be to avoid the solid walls altogether. Droplet microfluidics and sheath flow achieve this but require continuous flow of the central liquid and the surrounding liquid(1,14). Here we demonstrate an approach in which aqueous liquid channels are surrounded by an immiscible magnetic liquid, both of which are stabilized by a quadrupolar magnetic field. This creates self-healing, non-clogging, anti-fouling and near-frictionless liquid-in-liquid fluidic channels. Manipulation of the field provides flow control, such as valving, splitting, merging and pumping. The latter is achieved by moving permanent magnets that have no physical contact with the liquid channel. We show that this magnetostaltic pumping method can be used to transport whole human blood with very little damage due to shear forces. Haemolysis (rupture of blood cells) is reduced by an order of magnitude compared with traditional peristaltic pumping, in which blood is mechanically squeezed through a plastic tube. Our liquid-in-liquid approach provides new ways to transport delicate liquids, particularly when scaling channels down to the micrometre scale, with no need for high pressures, and could also be used for microfluidic circuitry.