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Biophysica, Volume 5, Issue 3 (September 2025) – 3 articles

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10 pages, 693 KiB  
Article
An Engineered Cargo-Transport Molecular Motor Composed of a Kinesin Monomer and a Diffusing Microtubule-Associated Protein
by Ping Xie
Biophysica 2025, 5(3), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/biophysica5030026 - 2 Jul 2025
Viewed by 113
Abstract
An engineered molecular motor composed of an ATP-dependent kinesin-1 monomer and an ATP-independent diffusing microtubule-associated protein is proposed, and its dynamics are studied theoretically. It is shown that the engineered motor can move directionally on microtubules towards the plus end, bearing great potential [...] Read more.
An engineered molecular motor composed of an ATP-dependent kinesin-1 monomer and an ATP-independent diffusing microtubule-associated protein is proposed, and its dynamics are studied theoretically. It is shown that the engineered motor can move directionally on microtubules towards the plus end, bearing great potential for applications in therapeutics or nanorobotics. The engineered motor can have an unloaded velocity similar to the wild-type kinesin-1 dimer, can take a mechanical (either forward or backward) step by hydrolyzing an ATP molecule under any load, and can generate the maximum force that is about half of that generated by the wild-type kinesin-1 dimer. Full article
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20 pages, 3040 KiB  
Review
Quantitative Characterization of Nonspecific Interactions Between Macromolecules in Complex Media: Comparison of Experiment, Theory, and Simulation
by Allen P. Minton
Biophysica 2025, 5(3), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/biophysica5030025 - 24 Jun 2025
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Abstract
A brief summary of the effect of nonspecific interactions upon chemical equilibria in solutions containing a high total concentration of macromolecular solutes comparable to that found in biological fluid media is presented. Analyses of experimental measurements permitting relatively direct quantitation of the free [...] Read more.
A brief summary of the effect of nonspecific interactions upon chemical equilibria in solutions containing a high total concentration of macromolecular solutes comparable to that found in biological fluid media is presented. Analyses of experimental measurements permitting relatively direct quantitation of the free energy of nonspecific intermolecular interaction in solutions of one or two macrosolutes are described, and a table listing published experimental studies of both homo- and hetero-interactions is provided. Methods for calculating the free energy of nonspecific interaction via theory and computer simulation are described. Recommendations for further progress in both measurement and calculation of interaction free energies are presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Investigations into Protein Structure)
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16 pages, 2830 KiB  
Article
Detecting Early Changes in Cartilage Collagen and Proteoglycans Distribution Gradients in Mice Harboring the R992C Collagen II Mutant Using 2D Correlation Infrared Spectroscopy
by Jolanta Fertala, Andrzej Steplewski and Andrzej Fertala
Biophysica 2025, 5(3), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/biophysica5030024 - 22 Jun 2025
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Abstract
Collagen II is a vital structural component in developing bones and mature cartilage. Mutations in this protein cause spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, a disease characterized primarily by altered skeletal growth and manifesting with a range of phenotypes, from lethal to mild. This study examined transgenic [...] Read more.
Collagen II is a vital structural component in developing bones and mature cartilage. Mutations in this protein cause spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, a disease characterized primarily by altered skeletal growth and manifesting with a range of phenotypes, from lethal to mild. This study examined transgenic mice harboring the R992C (p.R1124C) substitution in collagen II. Previous research demonstrated significant growth abnormalities and disorganized growth plate structure in these mice, and histological signs of osteoarthritic changes in the knee joints of 9-month-old mice with the R992C mutation. Our study focuses on detecting early structural changes in the articular cartilage that occur before histological signs become apparent. Through microscopic and spectroscopic analyses, we observed significant alterations in the distribution gradients of collagenous proteins and proteoglycans in the cartilage of R992C mutant mice. We propose that these early changes, eventually leading to articular cartilage degeneration in older mice, underscore the progressive nature of osteoarthritic changes linked to collagen II mutations. By identifying these early structural aberrations, our findings emphasize the importance of early detection of osteoarthritic changes, potentially facilitating timely, non-surgical interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Biophysics)
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