Annual Review of Biophysics,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
53(1), P. 397 - 426
Published: Feb. 21, 2024
Dendritic
spines
are
small,
bulbous
compartments
that
function
as
postsynaptic
sites
and
undergo
intense
biochemical
biophysical
activity.
The
role
of
the
myriad
signaling
pathways
implicated
in
synaptic
plasticity
is
well
studied.
A
recent
abundance
quantitative
experimental
data
has
made
events
associated
with
amenable
to
modeling.
Spines
also
fascinating
computational
units
because
spine
geometry,
signal
transduction,
mechanics
work
a
complex
feedback
loop
tune
plasticity.
In
this
sense,
ideas
from
modeling
cell
motility
can
inspire
us
develop
multiscale
approaches
for
predictive
article,
we
review
key
steps
specific
focus
on
impact
geometry
signaling,
cytoskeleton
rearrangement,
membrane
mechanics.
We
summarize
main
observations
highlight
how
theory
computation
aid
our
understanding
these
processes.
Annual Review of Biophysics,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
52(1), P. 573 - 595
Published: May 9, 2023
Recent
advances
in
cryo-electron
microscopy
have
marked
only
the
beginning
of
potential
this
technique.
To
bring
structure
into
cell
biology,
modality
tomography
has
fast
developed
a
bona
fide
situ
structural
biology
technique
where
structures
are
determined
their
native
environment,
cell.
Nearly
every
step
cryo-focused
ion
beam-assisted
electron
(cryo-FIB-ET)
workflow
been
improved
upon
past
decade,
since
first
windows
were
carved
cells,
unveiling
macromolecular
networks
near-native
conditions.
By
bridging
and
cryo-FIB-ET
is
advancing
our
understanding
structure–function
relationships
environment
becoming
tool
for
discovering
new
biology.
Cell,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
187(2), P. 257 - 270
Published: Jan. 1, 2024
The
view
of
organelles
and
how
they
operate
together
has
changed
dramatically
over
the
last
two
decades.
textbook
was
that
operated
largely
independently
were
connected
by
vesicular
trafficking
diffusion
signals
through
cytoplasm.
We
now
know
all
make
functional
close
contacts
with
one
another,
often
called
membrane
contact
sites.
study
these
sites
moved
to
center
stage
in
cell
biology
as
it
become
clear
play
critical
roles
healthy
developing
cells
during
stress
disease
states.
Contact
have
important
intracellular
signaling,
lipid
metabolism,
motor-protein-mediated
dynamics,
organelle
division,
biogenesis.
Here,
we
summarize
major
conceptual
changes
occurred
come
appreciate
integrate
activities
organelles.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 5, 2024
A
bstract
MemBrain
v2
is
a
deep
learning-enabled
program
aimed
at
the
efficient
analysis
of
membranes
in
cryo-electron
tomography
(cryo-ET).
The
final
release
will
comprise
three
main
modules:
1)
MemBrain-seg,
which
provides
automated
membrane
segmentation,
2)
MemBrain-pick,
picking
particles
along
segmented
membranes,
and
3)
MemBrain-stats,
quantitative
statistics
particle
distributions
morphometrics.
This
initial
version
manuscript
focused
on
beta
combines
iterative
training
with
diverse
data
specialized
Fourier-based
augmentations.
These
augmentations
are
specifically
designed
to
enhance
tool’s
adaptability
variety
tomographic
address
common
challenges
cryo-ET
analysis.
key
feature
MemBrain-seg
implementation
Surface-Dice
loss
function,
improves
network’s
focus
connectivity
allows
for
effective
incorporation
manual
annotations
from
different
sources.
function
beneficial
handling
variability
inherent
structures
annotations.
Our
ongoing
collaboration
community
plays
an
important
role
continually
improving
wide
array
data.
collaborative
approach
ensures
that
remains
attuned
field’s
needs,
enhancing
its
robustness
generalizability
across
types
current
available
https://github.com/teamtomo/membrain-seg
,
predecessor
MemBrain-pick
(also
called
v1)
deposited
https://github.com/CellArchLab/MemBrain
.
preprint
be
updated
concomitantly
code
until
integrated
modules
complete.
Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
39(1), P. 409 - 434
Published: July 5, 2023
The
life
of
eukaryotic
cells
requires
the
transport
lipids
between
membranes,
which
are
separated
by
aqueous
environment
cytosol.
Vesicle-mediated
traffic
along
secretory
and
endocytic
pathways
lipid
transfer
proteins
(LTPs)
cooperate
in
this
transport.
Until
recently,
known
LTPs
were
shown
to
carry
one
or
a
few
at
time
thought
mediate
shuttle-like
mechanisms.
Over
last
years,
new
family
has
been
discovered
that
is
defined
repeating
β-groove
(RBG)
rod-like
structure
with
hydrophobic
channel
running
their
entire
length.
This
localization
these
membrane
contact
sites
suggest
bridge-like
mechanism
Mutations
some
result
neurodegenerative
developmental
disorders.
Here
we
review
properties
well-established
putative
physiological
roles
proteins,
highlight
many
questions
remain
open
about
functions.
Cell,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
187(3), P. 563 - 584
Published: Feb. 1, 2024
Biology
spans
a
continuum
of
length
and
time
scales.
Individual
experimental
methods
only
glimpse
discrete
pieces
this
spectrum
but
can
be
combined
to
construct
more
holistic
view.
In
Review,
we
detail
the
latest
advancements
in
volume
electron
microscopy
(vEM)
cryo-electron
tomography
(cryo-ET),
which
together
visualize
biological
complexity
across
scales
from
organization
cells
large
tissues
molecular
details
inside
native
cellular
environments.
addition,
discuss
emerging
methodologies
for
integrating
three-dimensional
(3DEM)
imaging
with
multimodal
data,
including
fluorescence
microscopy,
mass
spectrometry,
single-particle
analysis,
AI-based
structure
prediction.
This
multifaceted
approach
fills
gaps
continuum,
providing
functional
context,
spatial
organization,
identity,
interactions.
We
conclude
perspective
on
incorporating
diverse
data
into
computational
simulations
that
further
bridge
extend
while
dimension
time.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(1)
Published: May 11, 2024
Abstract
Visual
proteomics
attempts
to
build
atlases
of
the
molecular
content
cells
but
automated
annotation
cryo
electron
tomograms
remains
challenging.
Template
matching
(TM)
and
methods
based
on
machine
learning
detect
structural
signatures
macromolecules.
However,
their
applicability
limited
in
terms
both
abundance
size
targets.
Here
we
show
that
performance
TM
is
greatly
improved
by
using
template-specific
search
parameter
optimization
including
higher-resolution
information.
We
establish
a
pipeline
with
systematically
tuned
parameters
for
automated,
objective
comprehensive
identification
structures
confidence
10
100-fold
above
noise
level.
demonstrate
high-fidelity
high-confidence
localizations
nuclear
pore
complexes,
vaults,
ribosomes,
proteasomes,
fatty
acid
synthases,
lipid
membranes
microtubules,
individual
subunits
inside
crowded
eukaryotic
cells.
provide
software
tools
generic
implementation
our
method
broadly
applicable
towards
realizing
visual
proteomics.
EMBO Reports,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
25(4), P. 2071 - 2096
Published: April 2, 2024
Most
mitochondrial
proteins
are
synthesized
on
cytosolic
ribosomes
and
imported
into
mitochondria
in
a
post-translational
reaction.
Mitochondrial
precursor
which
use
the
ER-SURF
pathway
employ
surface
of
endoplasmic
reticulum
(ER)
as
an
important
sorting
platform.
How
they
reach
import
machinery
from
ER
is
not
known.
Here
we
show
that
contact
sites
play
crucial
role
ER-to-mitochondria
transfer
proteins.
The
encounter
structure
(ERMES)
Tom70,
together
with
Djp1
Lam6,
part
two
parallel
partially
redundant
delivery
routes.
When
prevented
by
loss
these
sites,
many
precursors
inner
membrane
left
stranded
membrane,
resulting
dysfunction.
Our
observations
support
active
protein
biogenesis.
Nature Cell Biology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 21, 2025
Abstract
Prohibitins
are
a
highly
conserved
family
of
proteins
that
have
been
implicated
in
variety
functions
including
mitochondrial
stress
signalling
and
housekeeping,
cell
cycle
progression,
apoptosis,
lifespan
regulation
many
others.
The
human
prohibitins
prohibitin
1
2
proposed
to
act
as
scaffolds
within
the
inner
membrane,
but
their
molecular
organization
has
remained
elusive.
Here
we
determined
complex
membrane
using
an
integrative
structural
biology
approach
combining
quantitative
western
blotting,
cryo-electron
tomography,
subtomogram
averaging
modelling.
bell-shaped
structure
consists
11
alternating
molecules.
This
study
reveals
average
about
43
complexes
per
crista,
covering
1–3%
crista
area.
These
findings
provide
basis
for
understanding
functional
contributions
integrity
spatial
membrane.
Nature Methods,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
20(12), P. 1900 - 1908
Published: Nov. 6, 2023
Abstract
Cryo-electron
tomography
(cryo-ET)
allows
for
label-free
high-resolution
imaging
of
macromolecular
assemblies
in
their
native
cellular
context.
However,
the
localization
macromolecules
interest
tomographic
volumes
can
be
challenging.
Here
we
present
a
ligand-inducible
labeling
strategy
intracellular
proteins
based
on
fluorescent,
25-nm-sized,
genetically
encoded
multimeric
particles
(GEMs).
The
exhibit
recognizable
structural
signatures,
enabling
automated
detection
cryo-ET
data
by
convolutional
neural
networks.
coupling
GEMs
to
green
fluorescent
protein-tagged
is
triggered
addition
small-molecule
ligand,
allowing
time-controlled
minimize
disturbance
protein
function.
We
demonstrate
applicability
subcellular-level
endogenous
and
overexpressed
across
different
organelles
human
cells
using
cryo-correlative
fluorescence
imaging.
describe
means
quantifying
specificity
efficiency,
systematic
optimization
rare
abundant
targets,
with
emphasis
assessing
potential
effects