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ASIA Platform: Functional and Structural Approaches to Cellular Interactions

News

22 October 2024

Quality of life and working conditions

Fleece jackets for the ASIA team, thanks to the A2F cluster

Facing winter in Nancy is a bit like preparing for a polar expedition… But this year, the ASIA platform team is ready! Thanks to funding from the A2F scientific cluster, the five members of the team have been equipped with fleece jackets, as part of the initiative to improve the quality of life and working conditions initiated by the cluster.
These jackets, embroidered with the ASIA platform logo, are not just a bulwark against the cold in unheated workspaces. They are also a real asset in terms of visual communication, enabling team members to wear the platform’s colours with pride. By combining functionality and visual identity, they strengthen team cohesion.
This acquisition demonstrates A2F’s commitment to improving employee well-being. As well as ensuring their day-to-day comfort, the initiative enhances the hub’s professional image. The ASIA team warmly welcomed this initiative.

12 September 2024

Acquisition

Installing the latest-generation heliX+ device

In June 2024, the ASIA platform will take a new step forward in scientific innovation by integrating the brand new heliX+ device, a cutting-edge technology dedicated to the study of biological interactions in real time. This latest-generation equipment, which uses the switchSENSE technology already present on the platform since 2017, puts ASIA at the forefront of French research. The platform becomes the first scientific structure in France to master this instrument.
The switchSENSE technology, developed by the German company Dynamic Biosensors (DBS; Munich), is an innovative biosensor technology that uses nanometric DNA probes attached to the surface of a chip. Once functionalised with a fluorophore, these probes enable the precise measurement of interactions between biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids or small molecules. This unique technology provides crucial information about molecular recognition mechanisms. The installation of the DRX in 2017, a first-generation device, marked a turning point in the analysis of biomolecular interactions within the Lorraine university community thanks to its ability to follow binding and dissociation kinetics based on the innovative switchSENSE technology. It has provided rich and comprehensive data on the molecular mechanisms that regulate cell function, making it an essential tool.
heliX+, the second-generation instrument, goes even further by incorporating significant technological advances that improve the sensitivity, temporal resolution and versatility of measurements. In particular, heliX+ uses robust DNA probes constructed using the DNA origami technique, enabling even more complex interactions to be studied under conditions that are closer to physiological conditions.
The installation of heliX+ on the ASIA platform is part of a continuing effort to provide researchers with state-of-the-art tools. Since acquiring the switchSENSE technology in 2017, ASIA has developed recognised expertise in the analysis of biological interactions, contributing to several national and international research projects. With the arrival of heliX+, the platform strengthens its leading position in the field and confirms its commitment to supporting scientific innovation.
The ASIA platform is delighted to make this new tool available to the university scientific community, which will also benefit all of the platform’s academic and industrial partners, thereby consolidating its mission to support research and technological development.
For more information or to discuss a collaboration, please do not hesitate to contact the ASIA team.

11 July 2024

Communication

Presentation of the platform at the A2F Village

On 10 June, the ASIA platform took part in the A2F village under the yurt in the Kèpos garden at Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, in the presence of Hélène Boulanger, President of the Université de Lorraine. Organised by the Agronomy, Agri-food and Forestry cluster of the Université de Lorraine, the event aims to improve cross-disciplinary exchanges within the cluster, and was attended by nearly 120 people who presented and discovered the posters displayed for the occasion.

21 May 2024

Mediation

High school students visit the ASIA platform

The Biology Olympics is a national competition designed to stimulate interest in life and earth sciences among high school students. Each year, teams of enthusiastic young people from a variety of schools compete in practical team events, demonstrating their in-depth knowledge and innovative spirit. These Olympiads are not only an academic challenge, but also an opportunity to distinguish themselves and prepare for scientific careers. This year’s theme: Biodiversity in ecosystems: from micro to macro, from abyss to summit.
On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, this year’s winners had the honor of visiting the ASIA technology platform and other research laboratories at Nancy’s Faculty of Science and Technology. The visit enabled high school students to plunge right into the heart of scientific research. Guided by researchers and accompanied by teachers, they explored state-of-the-art laboratories and took part in interactive workshops, discovering the latest advances in biotechnology. This inspiring visit not only rewarded their academic efforts, but may also have sparked scientific vocations, encouraging these young people to consider careers in science and research. A memorable day for these future scientists!

Find out more about the Biology Olympics here: https://www.education.gouv.fr/olympiades-nationales-de-biologie-303345

16 February 2024

Video

Filming of a video presenting the ASIA platform

A video presenting the ASIA platform was filmed on 19 and 20 October. The operational manager and functional manager warmly invite you to watch this video in the presentation section of the ASIA platform website or on ULTV :

https://ultv.univ-lorraine.fr/video/16806-introducing-the-platform-approches-fonctionnelles-et-structurales-des-interactions-cellulaires-asia/

 

October 06, 2023

ORION

We're the talk of the town!

As part of Research Week and the ORION program, the A2F cluster’s various research support structures, including the ASIA platform, organized a presentation and round table discussion on research careers. A number of interested students attended a presentation of the platforms and the various associated professions (mainly ITRF). They were also able to talk to the speakers and visit ASIA.

https://factuel.univ-lorraine.fr/node/23303

22 May 2023

Publication

Degradation of vine wood by Fomitiporia mediterranea

PUBLICATION: Grapevine wood rot by Fomitiporia mediterranea.

Tinder or white rot sometimes observed in grapevine wood is a characteristic symptom of Esca, one of the major wood diseases of grapevines. The fungus Fomitiporia mediterranea is the major fungal species in Europe involved in this rot.

Researchers from UMR 1136 IAM in Nancy, in collaboration with UMR-A 1131 SVQV and UPR-3991 LVBE in Colmar, have attempted to understand the mechanisms that allow Fomitiporia mediterranea to degrade wood, and in particular vine wood. They highlighted a simultaneous degradation pattern of grapevine wood by the fungus and of beech wood used as a reference. Concerning the specific degradation of vine wood, the study showed a relative overproduction of oxidoreductases by Fomitiporia mediterranea. These enzymes are notably involved in the degradation of lignin. Only a few differences in the enzymes active on carbohydrates could be identified.

These results could partially explain the adaptation of Fomitiporia mediterranea to the structural composition of grapevine wood compared to other wood species, and suggest that other biotic and abiotic factors should be taken into account to fully understand the potential adaptation of this fungus to its ecological niche.

The Fibrebag technology available on the ASIA platform was used to determine the polymer content of the wood structure as well as the proportion of extractives in the different samples.

The results were published in Frontiers in Plant Science [Schilling, M., Maia-Grondard, A., Baltenweck, R., Robert, E., Hugueney, P., Bertsch, C., Farine, S., & Gelhaye, E. (2022). Wood degradation by Fomitiporia mediterranea M. Fischer: Physiologic, metabolomic and proteomic approaches. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, 988709. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.988709].

12 May 2023

Publication

Plant polygalacturonases to adjust cell wall pectins

PUBLICATION: PLANT POLYGALACTURONASES TO ADJUST CELL WALL PECTINS

Plant cell walls are composed of a network of pectins whose fine tuning by polygalacturonases plays a key role in modulating the chemistry and mechanics of the cell wall, which has an impact on plant development.
Researchers from UMRT INRAE 1158 BioEcoAgro – BIOPI Biologie des Plantes et Innovation, University of Picardie (Amiens), in collaboration with numerous research teams, present the first two crystal structures of Arabidopsis thaliana polygalacturonases, PGLR and ADPG2, which are co-expressed during root development.
The UMR 1136 IAM (University of Lorraine) collaborated in this work and used the switchSENSE technology available on the ASIA platform to determine the enzyme-substrate dynamics.
The results have just been published in The Plant Cell [Safran J., Tabi W., Ung V., Lemaire A., Habrylo O., Bouckaert J., Rouffle M., Voxeur A., Pongrac P., Bassard S., Molinié R., Fontaine J.-X., Pilard S., Pau-Roblot C., Bonnin E., Larsen D.S., Morel-Rouhier M., Girardet J.M., Lefebvre V., Sénéchal F., Mercadante D., & Pelloux J. (2023). Differences in the crystal structure of plant polygalacturonases specify enzymes’ dynamics and processivities to fine-tune cell wall pectins. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.06.22.497136].

September 05, 2022

Partnership

ASIA partner of the ORION program

Since November 25, 2021, the ORION program has launched a call for applications to fund TPs of excellence with the aim of facilitating access to cutting-edge experimental platforms for Master’s students on Lorraine campuses and engineering students. Interview with Céline Cakir-Kiefer : http://factuel.univ-lorraine.fr/node/20025

May 11, 2022

Publication

Antioxidant properties of mare lactoferrin from Kazakhstan

PUBLICATION: Antioxidant properties of mare lactoferrin from Kazakhstan

Lactoferrin is a soluble protein present in milk and is known for its antimicrobial properties (antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, etc.) as well as for its role in immune defence. In collaboration with researchers from the UR AFPA and researchers from the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology in Almaty (Kazakhstan), we explored the antioxidant properties of lactoferrin purified from Kazakh mares’ milk by determining its ability to chelate oxidising metal ions such as zinc, iron and copper using the switchSENSE® technology available on the ASIA platform.

The results have just been published in LWT Food Science and Technology :

Narmuratova Z., Hentati F., Girardet J.M., Narmuratova M., & Cakir-Kiefer C. (2022). Equine lactoferrin: Antioxidant properties related to divalent metal chelation. LWT Food Science and Technology, 161, 113426 [doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2022.113426].

January 19, 2022

Seminar

switchSENSE seminar announcement: new HELIX

You will find attached the announcement of a seminar on March 8 by Amandine Gontier from Dynamic Biosensors (Munich) who will present the new HELIX equipment based on the original switchSENSE technology for the study of biomolecular interactions in real time and the conformation of proteins.

DBS_Seminar_heliX_March

October 22, 2021

Ceremony

ASIA at LUE's INFRA+ Graduation

ASIA at the graduation ceremony of LUE’s INFRA+ program

During the ceremony organized on October 15 at the Abbaye des Prémontrés in Pont-à-Mousson on the occasion of the perpetuation of the I-site Lorraine University of Excellence (LUE), the StAR-LUE labeling diplomas of the INFRA+ program were awarded.

The 24 structures awarded the label for the years 2020-2021 were honored one after the other in the presence of Pierre Mutzenhardt, President of the University of Lorraine, Karl Tombre, Executive Director of Lorraine University of Excellence and Erwin Dreyer, Head of the INFRA+ program.

On this occasion, the ASIA platform as well as two other accredited structures were asked to present to the audience a feedback on the implementation of the Quality Approach.

Jean-Michel Girardet and Emilie Robert, operational and functional managers of the ASIA platform presented the platform and reported on the implementation of the Quality Approach since the call for expressions of interest (AMI 2018) until the first results.

This event was an opportunity to meet and exchange with colleagues also involved in the implementation of a Quality Approach.

October 13, 2021

Communication

ASIA participated in the switchSENSE usermeeting

Biophysical Method and switchSENSE User Meeting – Munich Sep 15-17, 2021

Jean-Michel Girardet participated to the last User Meeting organized by Dynamic Biosensors, the company developing the switchSENSE technology. He presented in about 30 minutes the last results obtained with the switchSENSE of the ASIA platform concerning (i) the study of the interaction between glutathione transferases (GST) of the Ure2p family and the transcription elongation factor EF1B (project of Mélanie Morel-Rouhier, UMR1136 IAM) and (ii) the study of the uptake by human plasma lipoproteins HDL and LDL of chlordecone, an organochlorine pesticide (project of Céline Cakir, UR AFPA). This seminar was also a convivial moment of exchange between the users or future users concerning their experience of this rather recent technology.

July 22, 2021

Publication

Book on source proteins of bioactive peptides

Publication of a book chapter on food proteins as sources of bioactive peptides

Bio-functionality of food peptides binding minerals: State of the art and new developments

In collaboration with colleagues from LRGP, CITHEFOR, University of Antioquia (Medellin, Colombia), LIBio, LCPM, L2CM and STLO (INRAE Rennes), ASIA participated in the writing of a book chapter entitled “Application in Nutrition: Mineral-Binding” and written by S. El Hajj, T. Sepúlveda-Rincon, K. Selmeczi, C. Paris, T. Giraud, G. Csire, L. Stefan, J-M. Girardet, S. Desobry, S. Bouhallab, L. Muhr, C. Gaucher, and L. Canabady-Rochelle. ASIA brought its expertise in the original study of peptide/mineral interactions in real time using the switchSENSE technology.

This publication is part of the thesis of Sarah El Hajj directed by Laetitia Canabady-Rochelle (LRGP) and Caroline Gaucher (CITHEFOR), and in connection with the “metal chelating peptides” consortium of IMPACT Biomolecules (LUE project 2017-2021).

Publication reference:

El Hajj S., Sepúlveda-Rinconi T., Selmeczi K., Paris C., Giraud T., Csire G., Stefan L., Girardet J.M., Desobry S., Bouhallab S., Muhr L., Gaucher C. & Canabady-Rochelle L. (2021) Chapter 19, Applications in Nutrition: Mineral-Binding. In Biologically Active Peptides 1st Ed.: From basic science to applications for human health (Fidel Toldrá and Jianping Wu, Eds.), pp 455-494, Elsevier. Academic Press (512 pages).

July 16, 2021

Mediation

Installation of three television sets

Thanks to funding from the CSTI+ ProBio program, the ASIA platform now broadcasts information throughout the Aiguillettes campus. Indeed, three televisions have been acquired, two of which are installed on the 3rd and 6th floors of entrance 1B of the Faculty of Science and Technology. These two sets broadcast a flow of information concerning the different structures identical to eight other sets on the campus, as follows

– Administration building, entrance hall
– Graduate building, high level atrium
– Graduate building, atrium lower level
– Poincaré building, main entrance hall
– BU, Reception
– ATELA building, main entrance hall
– AIPL building, main entrance hall
– SUMMPS, Velodrome site, entrance hall
– IAM Laboratory, Building 1B, 3rd entrance hall
– IAM Laboratory/ASIA Platform, Building 1B, 6th entrance hall

These televisions were commissioned on July 13, 2021 and will be used to promote the ASIA platform more widely. The last TV set installed in the room where the switchSENSE is located will be used to broadcast explanatory videos about the platform’s devices during visits organized for the training of students and PhD students, during the reception of new users or during the reception of high school students and the general public within the framework of the scientific mediation action.

June 16, 2021

Communication

ASIA participated to the ProteinLorraine network

On Monday, May 31, 2021 the ASIA platform participated in the first day of the scientific network ProteinLorraine. This new network created in 2019 gathers research entities distributed in 6 scientific poles of the University of Lorraine. The theme of the day was “Biochemical, biophysical and structural approaches to proteins in Lorraine”. 15 presentations were proposed to the audience in distanciel because of the Covid 19 pandemic. 10 laboratories and 4 technological platforms were represented.

The objective of knowing or rediscovering the different activities and themes around proteins in Lorraine was reached for this first day.

Jean-Michel Girardet and Emilie Robert intervened at the end of the morning to make discover the ASIA platform and some examples of applications of the devices to this public specialist of proteins, more than 90 people attended this presentation. The interest was strong and the platform staff hopes that this initiative will allow it to be more widely known.

April 08, 2021

Publication

Study of OrfG, a T4SS component of ICESt3

STRUCTURAL AND BIOCHIMICAL ANALYSIS OF ORFG PROTEIN, A TYPE IV SECRETORY SYSTEM (T4SS) COMPONENT OF THE INTEGRATIVE AND CONJUGATED ELEMENT ICESt3 OF STREPTOCOCCUS THERMOPHILUS.

Horizontal gene transfer plays an essential role in gene acquisition and contributes in particular to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes, which today constitutes a public health threat of exceptional magnitude at the global level. A major mechanism of horizontal transfer is bacterial conjugation, which ensures the transmission of mobile genetic elements (MGEs), including ECIs, from one bacterium to another by physical contact. The transfer of EGMs occurs through a multi-protein complex assembled in the bacterial envelope called the Conjugative Type IV Secretion System (Conj-T4SS). In this study, a collaboration between DynAMic and CRM2 laboratories, we have implemented biochemical and structural approaches to characterize the OrfG protein. This protein is a central component of the ICESt3 Conj-T4SS of the Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus. Little information is available to date on the Conj-T4SS of Gram positive bacteria. The crystallographic study of OrfG has shown that this protein has a similar structure to proteins belonging to the VirB8 family despite very low sequence identities. How can proteins with so few sequence identities present similar 3D structures? This question remains unanswered to this day. Through an extensive structural analysis coupled with a phylogenetic study, we have identified several structural classes of these proteins distributed separately between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This suggests significant differences in the modes of function of Conj-T4SS between these bacteria. By biochemical analyses, we have shown that the OrfG protein forms hexamers in solution, a novel property for this protein family. This work has, in particular, used the SEC-MALS-RI technology of the ASIA platform.

The results have just been published in Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences: [Cappele J., Mohamad-Ali A., Leblond-Bourget N., Mathiot S., Dhalleine T., Payot S., Savko M., Didierjean C., Favier F. & Douzi B. (2021). Structural and biochemical analysis of OrfG: the VirB8-like component of the conjugative type IV secretion system of ICESt3 from Streptococcus thermophilus, doi:10.3389/fmolb.2021.642606. eCollection 2021].

March 15, 2021

StAR-LUE labeling

The ASIA platform obtains the StAR-LUE label

The work of the staff of the ASIA platform, accompanied in their approach by Mr. Laurent Perilhon of the DAPEQ, for the labeling of the ASIA platform, has borne fruit. Indeed, following its evaluation last February, the platform obtained an excellent appreciation leading to the attribution of the StAR-LUE *** label by the Lorraine University of Excellence Executive Committee, as attested by the attached document dated March 5th:

Labellisation ASIA_3Stars_signée-1

February 08, 2021

Logo de la plateforme ASIA

Quality assessment

Evaluation of the ASIA platform for the StAR-LUE label

On Thursday 04 February 2021 the ASIA Platform was evaluated by Virginie Marchand and Julie Gonnet of the UMS IBSLor in order to obtain the StAR-LUE INFRA+ label.

The evaluation day took place in the presence of the platform’s operational and functional managers.

This evaluation finalizes a long work of implementation of the quality approach on this still young platform.

February 08, 2021

Publication

Phylogenetic diversity of fungus GSTs

DIVERSITY OF OMEGA GLUTATHIONE TRANSFERASES IN MUSHROOM-FORMING FUNGI

The Omega class of glutathione transferases (GSTs) forms a distinct class within the cytosolic GST superfamily because most of them possess a catalytic cysteine residue. This study re-assesses the phylogeny and the classification of GSTOs based on 240 genomes of mushroom-forming fungi (Agaricomycetes). The analysis leads to a new classification in which the fungal GSTOs are divided into two Types A and B. The catalytic residue of Type-A is either cysteine or serine, while that of Type-B is cysteine. Transcriptomic data show that Type-A GSTOs are constitutive enzymes while Type-B are inducible ones. The crystallographic analysis reveals substantial structural differences between the two types while they have similar biochemical profiles. Additionally, these enzymes have the ability to bind antioxidant molecules such as wood polyphenols in two possible binding sites as observed from X-ray structures. The multiplication of GSTOs could allow fungal organisms to adapt more easily to new environments. This work has notably used the switchSENSE technology of the ASIA platform.

The results have just been published: [Perrot T., Schwartz M., Deroy A., Girardet J.M., Kohler A., Morel-Rouhier M., Favier F., Gelhaye E. & Didierjean C. (2021). Diversity of Omega Glutathione Transferases in mushroom-forming fungi revealed by phylogenetic, transcriptomic, biochemical and structural approaches. Fungal Genetics and Biology, 148, 103506].

January 05, 2021

Publication

An elongation factor involved in redox regulation

IMPLICATION OF A TRANSLATION ELONGATION FACTOR IN REDOX REGULATION

In the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium, the eEF1Bγ subunit of the EF1 elongation factor is known to act as a scaffolding protein stabilizing the EF1 complex. Thanks in particular to thermodynamic (ITC) and kinetic (switchSENSE) approaches carried out on the ASIA platform, researchers from the UMR IAM have shown that the subunit has additional characteristics : It is active as a glutathione transferase in the presence of reduced glutathione (A), it changes conformation upon binding of oxidized glutathione (B), and the oxidized glutathione promotes the interaction between eEF1Bγ and glutathione transferase Ure2p (C), suggesting a presumed redox regulation of the elongation factor.

The results have just been published in The FEBS Journal [Bchini R., Girardet J.M., Sormani R., Gelhaye E. & Morel-Rouhier M. (2020). Oxidized glutathione promotes association between Eukaryotic Translation Elongation Factor 1Bγ and Ure2p glutathione transferase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium. https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.15614].

October 16, 2020

Publication

Highlighting the physiological role of a BolA protein

EVIDENCE OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLE OF A BACTERIAL PROTEIN TYPE BolA

Sinorhizobium meliloti is a nitrogen-fixing bacterium that forms symbiotic nodules with the legume Medicago truncatula. This bacterium has a BolA-type protein called YrbA, whose physiological role is unknown. In organisms where BolA proteins and monothiol glutaredoxins (Grxs) are present, they contribute to the regulation of iron homeostasis and also to the maturation of proteins with an iron-sulfur center.

Thanks in particular to thermodynamic (ITC) and kinetic (switchSENSE) approaches carried out on the ASIA platform, researchers from the UMR IAM, UMR CRM2 and ISA of Sophia Antipolis were able to show that YrbA coordinates various divalent metal ions (iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc) and has the ability to form heterodimers with the only glutaredoxin monothiol (Grx2) present in this species. This study helps to clarify the physiological role of BolA-type proteins in bacteria.

The results have just been published in Bioscience Reports [Roret T., Alloing G., Girardet J.M., Perrot T., Dhalleine T., Couturier J., Frendo P., Didierjean C. & Rouhier N.]. (2020). Sinorhizobium meliloti YrbA binds divalent metal cations using two conserved histidines. Biosci. Reports, 40, BSR20202956].

October 15, 2020

Communication

Presentation of results obtained on ASIA in New York City

Dynamic Biosensors, which markets switchSENSE, presented results obtained on the ASIA platform at Cold Spring Harbor Labs on September 14, 2020 in a webinar.

The Cold Spring Harbor Labs is a private, non-profit institution ranked among the world’s leading basic research institutions in molecular biology and genetics. It has been in existence since 1890 and is located in New York City.

The ASIA platform and the DynAMic laboratory are making headlines across the Atlantic!

The results presented were published in July 2020:

[Vicente C.M., Girardet J.M., Hôtel L. & Aigle B. (2020). Molecular dynamics to elucidate the DNA-binding activity of AlpZ, a member of the gamma-butyrolactone receptor family in S. ambofaciens. Front. Microbiol, 11.:1255. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01255].

September 29, 2020

Directory

ASIA referenced in the Plug in Labs Lorraine directory

Within the framework of the I-SITE Lorraine University of Excellence and more precisely of the Infra+ program, the Lorraine research skills portal “Plug in labs Lorraine” is now online!

This portal is a digital directory which will present the offer of the infrastructures and research units of the Lorraine site (University of Lorraine, CNRS, INRAE, Inria, Inserm, CHRU of Nancy) in terms of research, scientific and technical skills, equipment, technologies and engineering. It will orient academic and socio-economic players towards the various skills to encourage the emergence of collaborative projects and high-tech services. It will present the skills, equipment, technologies and certain patents from the research infrastructures and research units in the form of a fact sheet. The search can be done by free keywords, according to the main themes of the Lorraine site or by type of service sought (patent, service …). In short, Plug in labs Lorraine will map skills and promote scientific expertise in order to encourage exchanges with socio-economic players.

For the moment, only research infrastructures (platforms) are presented on Plug in labs Lorraine.

The presentation of the Research Units is being finalized and will be accessible on the portal by the end of the year.

Find ASIA in the recently available Lorraine directory:
https://pluginlabs.univ-lorraine.fr/fr/results/keywords/ASIA

September 25, 2020

Publication

Study of chlordecone binding to lipoproteins

REAL-TIME IN VITRO STUDY OF THE BINDING OF A PESTICIDE (CHLORDECONE) TO HUMAN PLASMA LIPOPROTEINS

Chlordecone is a chlorinated persistent organic pollutant (POP) that is still found in soils despite its ban in 1993, particularly in banana plantations in the West Indies. Once absorbed, it accumulates in the liver while its metabolite, chlordecol, is found instead in bile. The contamination can have a serious impact on health, including an increased incidence of prostate cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Thanks to the innovative switchSENSE® technology available on ASIA, URAFPA researchers were able to show for the first time that chlordecone binds specifically to plasma LDL lipoproteins with high affinity (KD of 1 µM), but does not bind to HDL. The opposite is observed for chlordecol. This work thus provides a better understanding of how chlordecone and chlordecol are differently transported in the bloodstream to reach specific tissue targets.

The results have just been published in Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology [Delannoy M., Girardet J.M., Djelti F., Yen F.T.]. & Cakir-Kiefer C. (2020). Affinity of chlordecone and chlordecol for human serum lipoproteins. Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 80, 103486. doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2020.103486].

https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/Stock-Images/Royalty-Free/SPH-F012-8901

July 20, 2020

Publication

Study of the gene regulation of kinamycins

REAL-TIME IN VITRO STUDY OF THE GENE REGULATION OF THE PRODUCTION OF KINAMYCINS, A FAMILY OF ANTIBIOTICS PRODUCED BY THE BACTERIUM STREPTOMYCES AMBOFACIENS.

A team from UMR UL-INRAE 1128 DynAMic is interested in the regulation of kinamycin biosynthesis in Streptomyces ambofaciens bacteria. Among the various transcription factors involved in this regulation, the AlpZ protein is a major player that negatively controls the kinamycin production regulation cascade. Its action is modulated by a signalling molecule of as yet unknown nature. The binding of AlpZ to the promoter sequence of its target genes and its release in the presence of the signal molecule were characterized in real time using for the first time switchSENSE® technology available on the ASIA platform. The results have just been published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology [Vicente C.M., Girardet J.M., Hôtel L. & Aigle B. (2020). Molecular dynamics to elucidate the DNA-binding activity of AlpZ, a member of the gamma-butyrolactone receptor family in S. ambofaciens. Front. Microbiol, 11.:1255. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01255].

June 5, 2020

Works

Progress of work on the platform's future premises

June 2, 2020

Event

Coronavirus crisis and deconfinement of the ASIA platform

Since 18 May 2020 the ASIA platform equipment has been back in service.

In strict compliance with the barrier measures in force at the University of Lorraine, the ASIA platform is working to relaunch scientific research at the Faculty of Science and Technology of Nancy.

Nevertheless, teleworking remains the norm for all activities that can be carried out remotely.

The operational and functional managers are at your disposal to satisfy your requests for availability and services in complete security.

Take care of yourself and your families!

April 23, 2020

Event

Read the Coronavirus Crisis and ASIA Platform Containment

Since March 16, 2020 teleworking is the norm for ASIA platform staff.

The opportunity to create a functional and attractive site for the new research support structure:

 

ASIA and its staff made a point of supporting the caregivers during this ordeal and donated their stock of single-use gloves and hydroalcoholic gel to the Médipôle de Gentilly and the Louis Pasteur Santé polyclinic.

The ASIA platform is obviously closed for the moment.

Take care of yourself and your families!

Sars CoV-2 coronavirus under the microscope, February 27, 2020. (NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH / AFP)