Publications

2023

• A sodium / potassium switch for G4-prone G / C-rich sequences
  
  • Luo Yu
  • Živković Martina Lenarčič
  • Wang Jiawei
  • Ryneš Jan
  • Foldynová-Trantírková Silvie
  • Trantírek Lukáš
  • Verga Daniela
  • Mergny Jean-Louis
  Nucleic Acids Research, Oxford University Press, 2023, 52 (1), pp.448-461. Metal ions are essential components for the survival of living organisms. For most species, intracellular and extracellular ionic conditions differ significantly. As G-quadruple x es (G4s) are ion-dependent structures, changes in the [Na+]/[K+] ratio may affect the folding of genomic G4s. More than 11000 putative G4 sequences in the human genome (hg19) contain at least two runs of three continuous cytosines, and these mixed G/C-rich sequences may form a quadruplex or a competing hairpin structure based on G-C base pairing. In this study, we examine how the [Na+]/[K+] ratio influences the structures of G/C-rich sequences. The natural G4 structure with a 9-nt long central loop, CEBwt, was chosen as a model sequence, and the loop bases were gradually replaced by cytosines. The series of CEB mutations revealed that the presence of cytosines in G4 loops does not prevent G4 f olding or decrease G4 stability but increases the probability of forming a competing structure, either a hairpin or an intermolecular duplex. Slow conversion to the quadruplex in vitro (in a potassium-rich buffer) and cells was demonstrated by NMR. 'Shape-shifting' sequences may respond to [Na+]/[K+] changes with delayed kinetics. (10.1093/nar/gkad1073)
  DOI : 10.1093/nar/gkad1073
• Label-free single-cell live imaging reveals fast metabolic switch in T lymphocytes
  
  • Paillon Noémie
  • Ung Thi Phuong Lien
  • Dogniaux Stéphanie
  • Stringari Chiara
  • Hivroz Claire
  Molecular Biology of the Cell, American Society for Cell Biology, 2023. T cell activation induces a metabolic switch generating energy for proliferation, survival, and functions. We used non-invasive label-free two-photon fluorescence lifetime microscopy (2P-FLIM) to map the spatial and temporal dynamics of the metabolic NAD(P)H co-enzyme during T lymphocyte activation. This provides a readout of the OXPHOS and glycolysis rates at a single cell level. Analyzes were performed in the CD4+ leukemic T cell line Jurkat, and in human CD4+ primary T cells. Cells were activated on glass surfaces coated with activating antibodies mimicking immune synapse formation. Comparing the fraction of bound NAD(P)H between resting and activated T cells, we show that T cell activation induces a rapid switch toward glycolysis. This occurs after 10 minutes and remains stable for one hour. Three-dimensional analyzes revealed that the intracellular distribution of fraction of bound NAD(P)H increases at the immune synapse in activated cells. Finally, we show that fraction of bound NAD(P)H tends to negatively correlate with spreading of activated T cells, suggesting a link between actin remodeling and metabolic changes. This study highlights that 2P-FLIM measurement of fraction of bound NAD(P)H is well suited to follow a fast metabolic switch in 3D, in single T lymphocytes with subcellular resolution. (10.1091/mbc.E23-01-0009)
  DOI : 10.1091/mbc.E23-01-0009
• Simple Postsynthesis Thermal Treatment toward High Luminescence Performance of Rare Earth Vanadate Nanoparticles
  
  • Perrella Rafael Vieira
  • Mohammedi Rabei
  • Kuhner Robin
  • Cardone Christophe
  • Larquet Eric
  • Alexandrou Antigoni
  • de Sousa Filho Paulo Cesar
  • Gacoin Thierry
  Crystal Growth & Design, American Chemical Society, 2023, 23 (8), pp.5389-5396. Optical applications of colloidal oxide nanoparticles are often limited by low luminescence efficiencies caused by poor crystallinity and surface quenching. Bulk oxides prepared via conventional high-temperature annealing offer intense luminescence but commonly fail to yield stable colloidal dispersions. Coupling the best of these two situations to afford highly crystalline, dispersible nanoparticles with luminescence performance exceeding bulk solids is still challenging, thus requiring new safe, scalable, and reproducible methodologies. Herein we report a silicate-coating strategy followed by aggregate elimination to recover stable colloids of 40-150 nm single crystalline rare earth vanadates after unprotected annealing (800-1000 °C). Eu3+-doped nanoparticles showed enhanced photostability and ~50% emission quantum yields in water (λexc=280 nm), while Dy3+-, Tm3+-, and Yb3+/Er3+-doped vanadates provided remarkably intense multicolour emissions via downshift or upconversion luminescence. We correlated spectroscopic properties of pristine and annealed solids to microstructural characteristics to explain the superior emission features, opening new perspectives for sensing applications. (10.1021/acs.cgd.3c00308)
  DOI : 10.1021/acs.cgd.3c00308