Project description:In this project, we developed electrophoresis-correlative (Eco) data-independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry (MS). We recognized a correlation between the measured mass-to-charge (m/z) and migration time (MT) for peptides during capillary electrophoresis (CE) electrospray ionization (ESI) MS. We leveraged this relationship to dynamically tailor the experimental settings of DIA on an orbitrap mass spectrometer. This approach substantially improved utilization of the limited duty cycle during tandem MS and detection sensitivity compared to the classical DIA. From 1 ng of the standard HeLa proteome digest, Eco-DIA identified ~38% more proteins than conventional DIA, without the assistance of a project-specific spectral library. Proteins that were quantified exclusively by Eco-DIA were in the lower abundance range. Eco-DIA improved the sensitivity of detection from limited amounts of proteomes using CE-ESI-MS.
Project description:This study focuses on the hair-growing effects of a cell extract (CE) obtained from the cactus Notocactus ottonis by a cold vacuum extraction protocol, with the aim of investigating its hair-growing effects and relevant mechanisms and potential factors therein. In an experiment using male C57BL/6 mice, a vehicle control group (VC: propylene glycol : ethanol : water), a positive control group (MXD : 3% minoxidil), and an experimental group (N-CE: 10% N. ottonis CE) were applied topically to the backs of mice. Results showed that 3% MXD and 10% N-CE were more effective in promoting hair growth than the VC. Furthermore, an increase in the number of hair follicles was observed with 10% N-CE in hematoxylin-eosin-stained skin tissue.
Project description:The samples were analyzed by Dr. Ernest Oppong-Danquah, while molecular newtorking and chemoinformatic analysis were operated by Dr. Giovanni Andrea Vitale. The sample runs were executed in positive mode with the following conditions: capillary voltage: 3.0 kV, sample cone voltage: 30 V, source temperature: 150 C. A scan range from 50 to 1200 Da was used, MS2 fragmentation was achieved in DDA mode, with ramp collision energy: Low CE from 20_60 eV and a high CE of 40_80 eV.
Project description:Early-life adversities increase vulnerability to substance use disorders, which are characterized by persistent, uncontrollable drive to seek drugs, often leading to relapse. Previously, we reported that early social isolation (ESI) during adolescence potentiates heroin-seeking in mice. However, the underlying neurobiology remains unknown. Here, we found that ESI aggravated heroin-induced neuronal dysfunction in prelimbic cortex (PrL) to ventral tegmental area (VTA) projecting neurons. Activating PrL->VTA projection attenuated ESI-potentiated heroin seeking, alongside normalized neuronal function. RNA-seq revealed that ESI and heroin convergently altered genes regulating morphogenesis and metabolism, with Tmsb4x (thymosin β4) as a key gene. ESI and heroin interaction affected genes regulating cell cycle and DNA damage response, with Mcm3 and Mcm7 (minichromosome maintenance proteins 3/7) as hubs. PrL thymosin β4 infusion or CRISPR-Cas9-mediated PrL->VTA projection-specific Mcm3/7 knockdown attenuated ESI-potentiated heroin-seeking and neuronal hypofunction. Our study suggests that ESI-potentiated heroin relapse is associated with neuronal and transcriptional alterations in PrL->VTA projection.
Project description:This project employed ultrasensitive proteomics in the discovery setting utilizing microanalytical capillary electrophoresis electrospray ionization (CE-ESI) and trapped ion mobility high-resolution mass spectrometry (TimsTOF HRMS) to quantify proteomic changes during development in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), before and after the onset of photoreceptor-dependent visual function. Results from this work highlight the maturation of oligodendrocyte myelination as well as extracellular matrix proteins with implications for critical-period plasticity. This work marks the first integration of ultrasensitive proteomics by CE-ESI TimsTOF HRMS with super-resolution STORM microscopy provide, expanding analytical resources to help better understand the brain and vision.
Project description:This project integrated data-independent acquisition (DIA) with capillary electrophoresis electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (CE-ESI-MS) to enable fast single-cell proteomics. With <15 min of effective separation time in a bottom-up proteomics setting, this technology returned ~1,200 proteins from a single HeLa-cell-equivalent proteome amount. Furthermore, using capillary microsampling to collect the proteome from identified cells in a cleavage-stage embryo of the vertebrate Xenopus laevis (frog) embryo, ~1,400 proteins were identified by measuring ~5 ng of the subcellular proteome content aspirated from live Xenopus embryos. CE-ESI-MS with DIA enhanced proteome detection sensitivity and improved analytical throughput.
Project description:Serine proteases has been vastly reported to be found (and identified) only in seed extracts of Canavalia ensiformis (C. ensiformis), however, our group observed expressive serine protease activities in aqueous extracts from leaves, seeds, roots, and stem, especially in a leaf extract obtained with distillated water (CE-A). Additionally, this extract demonstrated very good stability in high temperatures and in the presence of chemical agents. In order to study the serine protease activity in leaves, CE-A was submitted to benzamidine-sepharose affinity column and an enriched fraction of serine proteases, named CE-ABza was purified 1.65 fold, yielding a total recovery of about 62%. Based upon zymographic analysis in a gelatin-SDS-PAGE-, the CE-ABza fraction presented an enzymatic activity band at approximately 90 kDa molecular mass region under non-reducing conditions and three bands at 17, 32 and also at 90 kDa under reducing condition. This fraction was able to hydrolyze, in a different way, peptidomimetic and protein substrates. The maximal activity was observed at basic pH values (8.0 to 9.5) and temperature about 40°C. These enzymes exhibited important thermal stability and were significantly inhibited by serine protease inhibitors, such as benzamidine and TPCK. Calcium, magnesium, manganese and zinc ions had a negative modulation on the CE-ABza activity. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach identified showed homology with 11 plant proteases from different legumes species, indicating their presence or demonstrating that CE-Bza proteases share specific region of the primary structure of theses enzyme, although the C. ensiformis genome and protein databases are yet to be publicly available. These results demonstrated that these molecules found in both the CE-A extract and the CE-ABza fraction presented important properties that could be used as potential pharmacological and biotechnological targets as therapeutic option. Besides, identification and characterization of C. ensiformis proteases contribute to the studies of plant enzymes.
Project description:The biological and psychological importance of hair is recognized worldwide. Molecules that can promote the activation of hair follicle stem cells and initiation of the growth phase have been the subject of much research. Clarifying how hair regeneration is regulated may help to provide hair loss treatments, including cosmetic and even psychological interventions. This study focuses on the hair-growing effects of a cell extract (CE) obtained from the cactus Notocactus ottonis by a cold vacuum extraction protocol, with the aim of investigating its hair-growing effects and relevant mechanisms and potential factors therein. In an experiment using female C57BL/6 mice, a vehicle control group (VC: propylene glycol : ethanol : water), a positive control group (MXD : 3% minoxidil), and an experimental group (N-CE: 10% Notocactus ottonis CE) were applied topically to the backs of mice. Results showed that 3% MXD and 10% N-CE were more effective in promoting hair growth than the VC. Furthermore, an increase in the number of hair follicles was observed with 10% N-CE CE in hematoxylin-eosin-stained skin tissue. We also examined the metabolite composition of the N-CE. Additionally, the whole genome DNA microarray and total protein profiling was carried out on the skin samples to suggest molecular factors underlying the hair-promoting effects of N-CE. This study raises the possibility of using the newly described Notocactus ottonis cell extract as a hair-growth promoting agent.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of pre-adipocytes 3T3-L1 reveals anti-adipogenic potential to metabolic associated diseases through whole transcriptomic analysis. We evaluated the effects of Tsuruazuki extract on pre-adipocytes 3T3-L1. We performed an untargeted whole-genome transcriptome analysis to explore functionality of Tsuru on 3T3-L1 cells.