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Scientists Fabricate 2D Protein Monolayer That Can Help to Study Diseases like Amyloidosis

Relevance: GS3, Science & Technology, Biotechnology, Indigenization of Technology & Developing New Technology, Amyloidosis, Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) Technique, 2D Protein Monolayer, Lysozyme

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Why in the news?

  • Scientists have created a 2D protein monolayer focusing on lysozyme molecules. This development is significant for studying diseases like Amyloidosis.

About the Research

  • The research was conducted by the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati.
  • The team was led by Dr. Sarathi Kundu and junior Research Fellow Himadri Nath.
  • The methodology involved assembling lysozyme molecules into a 2D monolayer using Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique.

What is Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) Technique?

  • It is a method used in material science and surface chemistry to create ultra-thin films, often of a single molecule thickness.
  • This technique involves the transfer of a monolayer of molecules from the surface of a liquid (usually water) onto a solid substrate.
  • It is named after Irving Langmuir and Katharine Blodgett, who pioneered this technique.
  • These films have applications in various fields, including electronics, optics, materials science, and biophysics.
  • They are particularly useful for studying the properties of membranes, fabricating components for molecular electronics, and creating biosensors.

Key Findings

  • Fabrication of a 2D Protein Monolayer: The scientists successfully assembled lysozyme molecules into a two-dimensional (2D) monolayer.
    • Lysozyme, found in mucosal secretions and airway fluid, serves as a model protein for studying diseases like Amyloidosis.
  • Relevance to Amyloidosis: The misfolding and agglomeration of proteins like lysozyme are central to the disease's development. This research aids in understanding these processes.
  • Investigation of Physical Properties: The research explored how lysozyme molecules behave under different conditions, such as varying surface pressure and subphase pH.
    • They discovered that the lysozyme monolayers exhibit compressible behavior and form stripe-like domains with increased surface pressure.
  • Model System for Amyloidosis: The structural or conformational changes of lysozyme molecules in various pH conditions at the air-water interface provide a model system for studying Amyloidosis.
  • Applications of the 2D Monolayers: The densely packed lysozyme monolayers formed using the LB method offer a new way to study chemical and physical properties in two dimensions within a protein environment.
    • Additionally, the LB films of lysozyme could serve as nanotemplates for crystallizing other proteins of interest.

What are Lysozymes?

  • Lysozymes are enzymes that play an important role in the body's immune system. They are found in various body fluids, such as saliva, mucus, and tears, and are also present in egg white.
  • The primary function of lysozymes is to break down the cell walls of certain bacteria. They do this by cleaving the glycosidic bonds in peptidoglycan, a major component of bacterial cell walls, leading to the destruction of the bacteria.
  • This antibacterial property makes lysozymes an important part of the innate immune system, providing a first line of defense against bacterial infections.

What is Amyloidosis?

  • Amyloidosis is a rare and complex disease characterized by the abnormal deposition of amyloid, a protein substance, in various tissues and organs throughout the body.
  • Amyloid is an abnormal protein usually produced in the bone marrow. It can be deposited in any tissue or organ in the body.
Types of Amyloidosis
  • Primary Amyloidosis (AL): The most common form, not associated with other diseases. It occurs when the bone marrow produces abnormal antibodies that can't be broken down. This type can affect nerves, skin, heart, kidneys, and liver.
  • Secondary Amyloidosis (AA): Associated with chronic infectious or inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, or tuberculosis.
  • Hereditary Amyloidosis (ATTR): Caused by a genetic mutation and often affects the liver, nerves, heart, and kidneys.
  • Dialysis-Related Amyloidosis (ABeta2M): Occurs in people who have been on dialysis for a long time. Amyloid fibrils consist of beta-2-microglobulin.
Symptoms
  • Common symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, swelling of extremities, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, and an irregular heartbeat.
Diagnosis
  • It typically involves a combination of blood tests, urine tests, organ function tests, and biopsy to identify amyloid deposits.
Treatment
  • Focuses on limiting the production of amyloid protein and managing symptoms.
  • Treatment options can include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, stem cell transplantation, and supportive care for organ function.
Impact on Organs
  • Amyloid deposits can lead to organ dysfunction and failure, with severity depending on the type of amyloidosis and organs involved.

Conclusion

The 2D lysozyme monolayers, created using the LB technique, provide a platform for studying protein behaviors in two dimensions. The research marks a significant step in understanding the behavior of proteins in diseases and could pave the way for further scientific breakthroughs in disease study and treatment.

(*Click this link to read prelims specific weekly current affairs articles)

FAQs

Question: What is Amyloidosis?

Answer:

Amyloidosis is a rare disease characterized by the buildup of amyloid proteins in organs, affecting their function.

Question: What is Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) Technique?

Answer:

It is a method used in material science and surface chemistry to create ultra-thin films, often of a single molecule thickness. This technique involves the transfer of a monolayer of molecules from the surface of a liquid (usually water) onto a solid substrate. It is named after Irving Langmuir and Katharine Blodgett, who pioneered this technique.

Question: What are Lysozymes?

Answer:

Lysozymes are enzymes that play an important role in the body's immune system. They are found in various body fluids, such as saliva, mucus, and tears, and are also present in egg white. The primary function of lysozymes is to break down the cell walls of certain bacteria. They do this by cleaving the glycosidic bonds in peptidoglycan, a major component of bacterial cell walls, leading to the destruction of the bacteria. This antibacterial property makes lysozymes an important part of the innate immune system, providing a first line of defense against bacterial infections.

MCQs

Q.) ‘Aerial metagenomics' best refers to which one of the following situations? (UPSC 2023)

(a) Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go

(b) Understanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitat

(c) Using air-borne devices to collect samples from moving blood animals

(d) Sending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies

Answer: (a) See the Explanation

Aerial metagenomics is a scientific method that collects and analyzes genetic material (DNA or RNA) from airborne particles in the environment. Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungus, viruses, and other living material can be found in these particles.

Aerial metagenomics entails collecting air samples from a variety of locales, including cities, woods, oceans, and even indoor habitats. Sampling can be done with specialized air filters or by collecting particles suspended in the air directly.

Following the collection of air samples, DNA extraction procedures are used to isolate the genetic material of the microorganisms present in the samples. This phase is critical for gathering the genetic data needed for future research.

Aerial metagenomics analyzes the genetic material collected from air samples using modern sequencing technologies such as next-generation sequencing. These methods enable the simultaneous and quick sequencing of millions of DNA fragments.

Aerial metagenomics gives information about the microbial diversity in the atmosphere. It aids in the identification of microorganisms in the air, such as bacteria, viruses, fungus, and archaea. This information advances our understanding of microbial ecology and microorganism dispersal patterns in various environments.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q.) In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, ‘Pronuclear Transfer” is used for (UPSC 2020)

(a) Fertilisation of egg in vitro by the donor sperm

(b) Genetic modification of sperm producing cells

(c) Development of stem cells into functional embryos

(d) Prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring

Answer: (d) See the Explanation

Pronuclear Transfer entails the movement of pronuclei from one zygote to another. This process begins with the fertilisation of healthy donated egg/eggs delivered by the mitochondrial donor with the sperm of the intended male parent.

The impacted oocytes of the intending mother are fertilized with the sperm of the intending father. The fertilised oocytes are then allowed to mature until the early zygote stage, where the pronuclei are evident.

The pronuclei of zygotes generated from donated oocytes are extracted and discarded within a karyoplast using micromanipulation technology. The resultant zygotes contain nuclear DNA from both intended parents as well as mtDNA from a donor. The zygote is subsequently placed in the uterus of the mother.

Three-parent babies are offspring formed from the genetic material of one man and two women.

Pronuclear transfer mitigates the consequences of mutations in the DNA of mitochondrial cellular organelles. As a result, this technology is employed to avoid mitochondrial disorders in progeny.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q.) With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct? (UPSC 2019)

(a) Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species.

(b) Pieces of artificial functional DNA can be created in laboratories.

(c) A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell can be made to replicate outside a living cell in a laboratory.

(d) Cells taken out from plasma and animals can be made to undergo cell division in laboratory petri dishes.

Answer: (a) See the Explanation

Artificial chromosomes can be manufactured by connecting DNA segments from different species' cells.

Functional chromosomes cannot be generated using DNA from various species' cells. Hence, option (a) is incorrect.

Cambridge University scientists have built the world's first living organism with a wholly synthetic and drastically changed DNA code. Artificial Gene Synthesis is the technique of creating pieces of artificial functioning DNA in laboratories. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Cloning is the process of making a portion of DNA extracted from an animal cell replicate outside of a living cell in a laboratory. Hence, option (c) is correct.

Plant and animal tissue culture technology allows cells extracted from plants and animals to undergo cell division on laboratory Petri dishes. Hence, option (d) is correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q.) RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why? (UPSC 2019)

  1. It is used in developing gene silencing therapies.
  2. It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer.
  3. It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies.
  4. It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 4

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 1 and 4 only

Answer: (a) See the Explanation

RNA interference (RNAi) technology is a common technique that uses gene silencing therapies to treat diseases such as cancer.

RNAi is a gene-silencing method that uses double-stranded RNA to suppress protein production in target cells.

RNA interference is also utilized to develop crop plants that are resistant to plant viruses such as RNA and DNA viruses, viroids, insects, and other fungal diseases.

It is a procedure that uses recombinant DNA technology to attach or insert a DNA segment from one source into a DNA segment from another.

Gene Silencing - Gene silencing is a method that allows cells to turn off huge portions of chromosomal DNA.

It is commonly used to denote the "switching off" of a gene via a mechanism other than genetic modification.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q.) In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term ‘transcriptome’, sometimes seen in the news, refers to (UPSC 2016)

(a) a range of enzymes used in genome editing

(b) the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism

(c) the description of the mechanism of gene expression

(d) a mechanism of genetic mutation taking place in cells

Answer: (b) See the Explanation

The application of computer technology to the administration of biological information is referred to as bioinformatics.

A transcriptome is a collection or array of mRNA molecules produced by a specific cell or tissue type.

A genome is a collection of all the DNA found in a somatic cell's nucleus and mitochondria, while the transcriptome is the first output of genome expression.

In contrast to the genome, which is stable, the transcriptome is constantly changing.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
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