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Di Scala, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Di Scala, C..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Application of D4 Fluorescent Probes for Quantitative and Spatial Analysis of Cholesterol in Cells

Cholesterol is a key component of cellular membranes, regulating membrane organization, fluidity, and signaling. However, cholesterol analysis remains technically challenging, as no single method currently allows both accurate quantification and spatially resolved visualization. Biochemical assays provide accurate quantification but lack spatial resolution, whereas imaging strategies can perturb membrane organization or cholesterol accessibility. Here, we describe optimized protocols using fluorescent D4 probes derived from the cholesterol-binding domain of perfringolysin O (D4-mCherry and D4-GFP) to detect, visualize, and quantify cholesterol in biological samples. We detail procedures for probe production, purification, and application, and establish conditions that ensure robust and reproducible labeling of membrane-accessible cholesterol. By combining fluorescence-based imaging with quantitative analysis, this approach enables the assessment of cholesterol distribution while preserving its native membrane environment. The proposed methodology provides a versatile and reliable framework for studying cholesterol in a wide range of experimental systems.

biochemistry↗

Ganglioside GM1-enriched rafts regulate the neuronal chloride co-transporter 1 KCC2.

During brain development, dynamic remodeling of membrane lipid composition accompanies the maturation of inhibitory neurotransmission and the progressive establishment of low intracellular chloride levels. Central to this developmental transition is the neuronal K-Cl- cotransporter KCC2, whose stabilization at the plasma membrane enables the emergence of hyperpolarizing GABAergic signaling. Although KCC2 regulation by protein partners has been extensively characterized, whether lipid remodeling actively contributes to its membrane organization and chloride transport remains unclear. Here we identify the ganglioside GM1, a complex lipid abundant in plasma membrane of neurons, as a developmentally regulated lipid determinant of KCC2 membrane localization and function. We show that KCC2 interacts with GM1 within plasma membrane lipid rafts and that this interaction increases during postnatal brain maturation. Molecular modeling identified a conserved ganglioside-binding domain (GBD) in KCC2 centered on tryptophan 318 (W318). Biophysical analyses revealed a specific and saturable interaction between this domain and GM1 that is abolished by the epilepsy-associated W318S mutation. Disruption of KCC2-GM1 interactions, either by W318S mutation or by pharmacological depletion of GM1, excludes KCC2 from lipid rafts, alters its membrane diffusion and clustering, and reduces its surface stability. Functionally, these perturbations impair KCC2-mediated chloride extrusion and disrupt the somato-dendritic chloride gradient in hippocampal neurons. Consistent with these cellular effects, GM1-deficient (St3gal5-/-) mice exhibit selective reduced hippocampal KCC2 expression. Together, these findings reveal a lipid-protein mechanism that links developmental membrane remodeling to KCC2 stabilization and chloride homeostasis, highlighting membrane lipids as active regulators of transporter maturation and inhibitory circuit development.

neuroscience↗

Lipid rafts are the new Stress Granules regulators

Stress granules are cytoplasmic inclusions1 with cyto-protective functions2-6 assembling in response to stress. They are now accepted to be part of the pathological mechanism in several diseases, from cancer to neurodegenerative disorders7-10. However, the field is still struggling to find common regulators of their assembly and function7,11. In this study, we describe an unraveled mechanism involving lipid raft, via gangliosides and cholesterol, in the regulation of SG formation. This is the first report about regulation of SG by the cell membrane composition. This discovery could have a significant impact on the understanding of several disease mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODESO_ST_ABSCell culture & cell treatmentC_ST_ABSMDA-MB-231 (ATCC) and SH-SY5Y (ATCC) cells were maintained at 37 {degrees}C with 5% CO2 in Gibco Dulbeccos Modified Eagle Medium: Nutrient Mixture F12 (DMEM-F12, GIBCO, Waltham, MA, USA) supplemented with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS, Eurobio, Les Ulis, France), 20 mM HEPES (GIBCO, Waltham, MA, USA), 1X Penicillin streptomycin (GIBCO, Waltham, MA, USA). Cells are treated with methyl-{beta}-cyclodextrine (M{beta}CD) (MDA-MD-231 5mM, SH-SY5Y 1mM) 48h before experimentation, or with d,l-threo-l-Phenyl-2-hexadecanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PPMP) (MDA-MD-231 5M, SH-SY5Y 10M) for 24h. ImmunofluorescenceCells were seeded on coverslips, treated 48h with PPMP or 24h with M{beta}CD before the experiment. After stress treatment, cells are washed quickly with PBS before to be fixed for 15min with 4% Paraformaldehyde (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) in PBS. Cells were then permeabilized and blocked with IF buffer PBS-0.3% TX100 (Euromedex, Souffelweyersheim, France), 1% Glycine (Sigma, Saint-Louis, MO, USA), 5% Normal Horse Serum (Sigma, Saint-Louis, MO, USA), 5% Bovine Serum Albumine (Sigma, Saint-Louis, MO, USA) for 30 min at room temperature. Primary antibodies (Table S1) were diluted in IF buffer and incubated 1 h at room temperature. Coverslips were washed three times for 5 min with 1X PBS between primary and secondary antibody incubations. Subsequently, secondary antibodies (Table S1) were added along with DAPI for 1 h at room temperature in IF buffer. Cells were washed extensively 3 times with 1X PBS and mounted with ProLong Antifade reagent (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Pictures were taken with confocal microscope LEICA LSM880 Western BlotFollowing drug(s) treatment(s), cells were washed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and lysed in RIPA buffer (150mM NaCl, 50mM Tris pH7.4, 1%TritonX100, 0.1% SDS, 1% Sodiun desoxycholate) with Halt phosphatase and protease inhibitors (Thermo Scientific). Laemmlis sample buffer supplemented was added to samples to 1X final concentration. Samples were boiled, 5min 95{degrees}C before being loaded on a NuPAGE 4-12% Bis-Tris gel (Invitrogen) and transferred to nitrocellulose membrane (GE Healthcare). Membranes were blocked with Tris-buffered saline with 0.1% Tween-20 (TBS-T) with 5% BSA for at least 30 min at room temperature. Antibodies were diluted in 2.5% BSA in TBS-T. Primary antibodies were incubated overnight at 4{degrees}C and secondary antibodies for 1 h at room temperature; mouse anti G3BP1 antibody (Santa Cruz sc-365338), rabbit anti Caprin-1 antibody (ProteinTech Group 15112-1-AP), mouse anti puromycin antibody (Millipore MABE342), mouse anti GAPDH (abcam ab8245). Antibody detection was performed using SuperSignal West Pico Chemiluminescent Substrate (Thermo Scientific). Revelation of the blot was made using G:BOX machine (Syngene) via the GeneSys software. Blot analysis and quantification were done using ImageJ software. Statistical AnalysisStatistical analyses were done on 3 independent experiments. Student T-TEST were performed to compare control to PPMP samples or control to M{beta}CD samples.

molecular biology↗

Biophysical and functional characterization of K+-Cl- co-transporters from Drosophila melanogaster and Hydra vulgaris

The cation-chloride co-transporter (CCC) superfamily includes ion symporters, which co-transport monovalent cations and Cl-. CCCs have crucial roles in shaping signalling and neuronal connectivity in the vertebrate brain. K+-Cl- co-transporters (KCCs) are a subfamily of CCCs and carry out the symport of K+ and Cl- ions across the plasma membrane. The KCC proteins are involved in various physiological processes, such as cell volume regulation, transepithelial ion transport, synapse formation and signal transmission, and blood pressure regulation. Among KCCs, KCC2 has gained attention because of its unique and crucial functions in the central nervous system neuronal network. Loss of activity of this transporter has been associated with several neurological disorders including schizophrenia, epilepsy, and chronic pain. On the other hand, only a limited number of studies of KCCs have been published for invertebrates. Among invertebrate proteins, the Drosophila melanogaster KCC (DmKCC) has been studied most and suggested critical for neuronal transmission. Also Cnidarian Hydra vulgaris has been shown to have a functional KCC (HvKCC). Comparative analyses of these transporters with vertebrate ones and understanding functional and biophysical aspects of them as a model system can help understand the KCC mechanism of ion transport and its regulation and evolution broadly. In this study, we chose DmKCC and HvKCC as model systems and purified DmKCC and HvKCC from Sf9 insect cells and characterized their biophysical properties with differential scanning fluorimetry and light scattering techniques. We tested their functionality using a fluorescence assay and developed a method to measure recombinant KCC ion transport activity with flame photometry.

biochemistry↗