Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors
Heifer International



Home > Press > Giant nanomachine aids the immune system: Theoretical chemistry

Lars Schäfer and his team use simulations to clarify the structure and dynamics of proteins. © RUB, Kramer
Lars Schäfer and his team use simulations to clarify the structure and dynamics of proteins. © RUB, Kramer

Abstract:
Cells that are infected by a virus or carry a carcinogenic mutation, for example, produce proteins foreign to the body. Antigenic peptides resulting from the degradation of these exogenous proteins inside the cell are loaded by the peptide-loading complex onto so-called major histocompatibility complex molecules (MHC for short) and presented on the cell surface. There, they are specifically identified by T-killer cells, which ultimately leads to the elimination of the infected cells. This is how our immune system defends us against pathogens.

Giant nanomachine aids the immune system: Theoretical chemistry

Bochum, Germany | Posted on August 28th, 2020

Machine operates with atomic precision

The peptide-loading complex ensures that the MHC molecules are correctly loaded with antigens. "The peptide-loading complex is a biological nanomachine that has to work with atomic precision in order to efficiently protect us against pathogens that cause disease," says Professor Lars Schäfer, Head of the Molecular Simulation research group at the Centre for Theoretical Chemistry at RUB.

In previous studies, other teams successfully determined the structure of the peptide-loading complex using cryo-electron microscopy, but only with a resolution of about 0.6 to 1.0 nanometres, i.e. not in atomic detail. Based on these experimental data, Schäfer's research team in collaboration with Professor Gunnar Schröder from Forschungszentrum Jülich has now succeeded in creating an atomic structure of the peptide-loading complex.

Exploring structure and dynamics

"The experimental structure is impressive. But only with our computer-based methods were we able to extract the maximum information content contained in the experimental data," explains Schröder. The atomic model enabled the researchers to perform detailed molecular dynamics computer simulations of the peptide-loading complex and thus to study not only the structure but also the dynamics of the biological nanomachine.

Since the simulated system is extremely large with its 1.6 million atoms, the computing time at the Leibnitz Supercomputing Centre in Munich aided this task considerably. "Using the high-performance computer, we were able to push into the microsecond time scale in our simulations. This revealed the role of sugar groups bound to the protein for the mechanism of peptide loading, which had previously only been incompletely understood," outlines Dr. Olivier Fisette, postdoc researcher at the Molecular Simulation research group.

Direct intervention in immune processes

The atomic model of the peptide-loading complex now facilitates further studies. For example, some viruses try to cheat our immune system by selectively switching off certain elements of the peptide-loading complex. "One feasible objective we'd like to pursue is the targeted intervention in these processes," concludes Schäfer.

###

Funding

The research was funded by the German Research Foundation as part of the Cluster of Excellence Ruhr Explores Solvation Resolv (EXC 2033).

####

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Lars Schäfer

49-234-322-1582

@ruhrunibochum

Copyright © Ruhr-Universität Bochum

If you have a comment, please Contact us.

Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Bookmark:
Delicious Digg Newsvine Google Yahoo Reddit Magnoliacom Furl Facebook

Related Links

Original publication

Related News Press

News and information

Chung-Ang University researchers develop novel DNA biosensor for early diagnosis of cervical cancer: The electrochemical sensor, made of a graphitic nano-onion/molybdenum disulfide nanosheet composite, detects human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 and HPV-18, with high specificity September 8th, 2023

New compound unleashes the immune system on metastases September 8th, 2023

Machine learning contributes to better quantum error correction September 8th, 2023

Tests find no free-standing nanotubes released from tire tread wear September 8th, 2023

Possible Futures

Chung-Ang University researchers develop novel DNA biosensor for early diagnosis of cervical cancer: The electrochemical sensor, made of a graphitic nano-onion/molybdenum disulfide nanosheet composite, detects human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 and HPV-18, with high specificity September 8th, 2023

New compound unleashes the immune system on metastases September 8th, 2023

Machine learning contributes to better quantum error correction September 8th, 2023

Tests find no free-standing nanotubes released from tire tread wear September 8th, 2023

Molecular Machines

First electric nanomotor made from DNA material: Synthetic rotary motors at the nanoscale perform mechanical work July 22nd, 2022

Nanotech scientists create world's smallest origami bird March 17th, 2021

Controlling the speed of enzyme motors brings biomedical applications of nanorobots closer: Recent advances in this field have made micro- and nanomotors promising devices for solving many biomedical problems October 13th, 2020

Kavli Lectures: The art of building small and innovating for industrial impact August 7th, 2020

Nanomedicine

Electronic detection of DNA nanoballs enables simple pathogen detection Peer-Reviewed Publication September 8th, 2023

Chung-Ang University researchers develop novel DNA biosensor for early diagnosis of cervical cancer: The electrochemical sensor, made of a graphitic nano-onion/molybdenum disulfide nanosheet composite, detects human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 and HPV-18, with high specificity September 8th, 2023

New compound unleashes the immune system on metastases September 8th, 2023

Tattoo technique transfers gold nanopatterns onto live cells August 11th, 2023

Discoveries

Electronic detection of DNA nanoballs enables simple pathogen detection Peer-Reviewed Publication September 8th, 2023

Training quantum computers: physicists win prestigious IBM Award September 8th, 2023

Unlocking quantum potential: Harnessing high-dimensional quantum states with QDs and OAM: Generation of nearly deterministic OAM-based entangled states offers a bridge between photonic technologies for quantum advancements September 8th, 2023

Tests find no free-standing nanotubes released from tire tread wear September 8th, 2023

Announcements

Electronic detection of DNA nanoballs enables simple pathogen detection Peer-Reviewed Publication September 8th, 2023

Training quantum computers: physicists win prestigious IBM Award September 8th, 2023

Machine learning contributes to better quantum error correction September 8th, 2023

Tests find no free-standing nanotubes released from tire tread wear September 8th, 2023

Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals/White papers/Posters

Electronic detection of DNA nanoballs enables simple pathogen detection Peer-Reviewed Publication September 8th, 2023

Unlocking quantum potential: Harnessing high-dimensional quantum states with QDs and OAM: Generation of nearly deterministic OAM-based entangled states offers a bridge between photonic technologies for quantum advancements September 8th, 2023

Chung-Ang University researchers develop novel DNA biosensor for early diagnosis of cervical cancer: The electrochemical sensor, made of a graphitic nano-onion/molybdenum disulfide nanosheet composite, detects human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 and HPV-18, with high specificity September 8th, 2023

New compound unleashes the immune system on metastases September 8th, 2023

Nanobiotechnology

Electronic detection of DNA nanoballs enables simple pathogen detection Peer-Reviewed Publication September 8th, 2023

Chung-Ang University researchers develop novel DNA biosensor for early diagnosis of cervical cancer: The electrochemical sensor, made of a graphitic nano-onion/molybdenum disulfide nanosheet composite, detects human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 and HPV-18, with high specificity September 8th, 2023

New compound unleashes the immune system on metastases September 8th, 2023

Tattoo technique transfers gold nanopatterns onto live cells August 11th, 2023

NanoNews-Digest
The latest news from around the world, FREE




  Premium Products
NanoNews-Custom
Only the news you want to read!
 Learn More
NanoStrategies
Full-service, expert consulting
 Learn More











ASP
Nanotechnology Now Featured Books




NNN

The Hunger Project