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    Experimental validation of computerised models of clustering of platelet glycoprotein receptors that signal via tandem SH2 domain proteins
    (San Francisco, Calif. : Public Library of Science, 2022) Maqsood, Zahra; Clark, Joanne C.; Martin, Eleyna M.; Cheung, Yam Fung Hilaire; Morán, Luis A.; Watson, Sean E. T.; Pike, Jeremy A.; Di, Ying; Poulter, Natalie S.; Slater, Alexandre; Lange, Bodo M. H.; Nieswandt, Bernhard; Eble, Johannes A.; Tomlinson, Mike G.; Owen, Dylan M.; Stegner, David; Bridge, Lloyd J.; Wierling, Christoph; Watson, Steve P.
    The clustering of platelet glycoprotein receptors with cytosolic YxxL and YxxM motifs, including GPVI, CLEC-2 and PEAR1, triggers activation via phosphorylation of the conserved tyrosine residues and recruitment of the tandem SH2 (Src homology 2) domain effector proteins, Syk and PI 3-kinase. We have modelled the clustering of these receptors with monovalent, divalent and tetravalent soluble ligands and with transmembrane ligands based on the law of mass action using ordinary differential equations and agent-based modelling. The models were experimentally evaluated in platelets and transfected cell lines using monovalent and multivalent ligands, including novel nanobody-based divalent and tetravalent ligands, by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Ligand valency, receptor number, receptor dimerisation, receptor phosphorylation and a cytosolic tandem SH2 domain protein act in synergy to drive receptor clustering. Threshold concentrations of a CLEC-2-blocking antibody and Syk inhibitor act in synergy to block platelet aggregation. This offers a strategy for countering the effect of avidity of multivalent ligands and in limiting off-target effects.
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    Local variations of HER2 dimerization in breast cancer cells discovered by correlative fluorescence and liquid electron microscopy
    (Washington, DC [u.a.] : Assoc., 2015) Peckys, Diana B.; Korf, Ulrike; de Jonge, Niels
    The formation of HER2 homodimers plays an important role in breast cancer aggressiveness and progression; however, little is known about its localization. We have studied the intra- and intercellular variation of HER2 at the single-molecule level in intact SKBR3 breast cancer cells. Whole cells were visualized in hydrated state with correlative fluorescence microscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The locations of individual HER2 receptors were detected using an anti-HER2 affibody in combination with a quantum dot (QD), a fluorescent nanoparticle. Fluorescence microscopy revealed considerable differences of HER2 membrane expression between individual cells and between different membrane regions of the same cell (that is, membrane ruffles and flat areas). Subsequent ESEM of the corresponding cellular regions provided images of individually labeled HER2 receptors. The high spatial resolution of 3 nm and the close proximity between the QD and the receptor allowed quantifying the stoichiometry of HER2 complexes, distinguishing between monomers, dimers, and higher-order clusters. Downstream data analysis based on calculating the pair correlation function from receptor positions showed that cellular regions exhibiting membrane ruffles contained a substantial fraction of HER2 in homodimeric state. Larger-order clusters were also present. Membrane areas with homogeneous membrane topography, on the contrary, displayed HER2 in random distribution. Second, HER2 homodimers appeared to be absent from a small subpopulation of cells exhibiting a flat membrane topography, possibly resting cells. Local differences in homodimer presence may point toward functional differences with possible relevance for studying metastasis and drug response.
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    Resonant inelastic x-ray incarnation of Young’s double-slit experiment
    (Washington : American Association for the Advancement of Science (A A A S), 2019) Revelli, A.; Moretti, Sala, M.; Monaco, G.; Becker, P.; Bohatý, L.; Hermanns, M.; Koethe, T.C.; Fröhlich, T.; Warzanowski, P.; Lorenz, T.; Streltsov, S.V.; van Loosdrecht, P.H.M.; Khomskii, D.I.; van den Brink, J.; Grüninger, M.
    Young’s archetypal double-slit experiment forms the basis for modern diffraction techniques: The elastic scattering of waves yields an interference pattern that captures the real-space structure. Here, we report on an inelastic incarnation of Young’s experiment and demonstrate that resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) measures interference patterns, which reveal the symmetry and character of electronic excited states in the same way as elastic scattering does for the ground state. A prototypical example is provided by the quasi-molecular electronic structure of insulating Ba 3 CeIr 2 O 9 with structural Ir dimers and strong spin-orbit coupling. The double “slits” in this resonant experiment are the highly localized core levels of the two Ir atoms within a dimer. The clear double-slit-type sinusoidal interference patterns that we observe allow us to characterize the electronic excitations, demonstrating the power of RIXS interferometry to unravel the electronic structure of solids containing, e.g., dimers, trimers, ladders, or other superstructures.