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Related Concept Videos

Protein Folding01:22

Protein Folding

Overview
Protein Folding01:25

Protein Folding

Proteins are chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. Upon synthesis, a protein folds into a three-dimensional conformation, critical to its biological function. Interactions between its constituent amino acids guide protein folding, and hence the protein structure is primarily dependent on its amino acid sequence.
Protein Structure Is Critical to Its Biological Function
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Many proteins can be classified into two distinct subtypes - globular or fibrous. These two types differ in their shapes and solubilities.
Globular proteins are also known as spheroproteins and typically are approximately round in shape. They contain a mix of amino acid types and contain differing sequences in their primary structures. Globular proteins have many different functions, such as enzymes, cellular messengers, and molecular transporters. These roles often require the proteins to be...
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Globular Proteins

In organisms, proteins are the most abundant macromolecules. They act as the building blocks of life and play various crucial roles in the body. Proteins can be broadly classified into two distinct subtypes based on their shape and solubilities: globular proteins and fibrous proteins.
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Vesicular Tubular Clusters01:45

Vesicular Tubular Clusters

After budding out from the ER membrane, some COPII vesicles lose their coat and fuse with one another to form larger vesicles and interconnected tubules called vesicular tubular clusters or VTCs. These clusters constitute a compartment at the ER-Golgi interface known as ERGIC (Endoplasmic Reticulum Golgi Intermediate Compartment). The ERGIC is a mobile membrane-bound cargo transport system that sorts proteins secreted from ER and delivers them to the Golgi.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
13:21

Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: July 21, 2011

Complex gadolinium-oxo clusters formed along concave protein surfaces.

Maik Veelders1, Lars-Oliver Essen

  • 1Fachbereich Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany.

Chembiochem : a European Journal of Chemical Biology
|September 1, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Researchers discovered a gadolinium cluster on a cell-adhesion protein, paving the way for novel protein-based MRI contrast agents. This finding enables targeted integration of lanthanide clusters into biomolecules for advanced imaging.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Developing targeted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) contrast agents is crucial for advanced diagnostics.
  • Incorporating contrast-enhancing elements into biomolecules offers potential for site-specific imaging.
  • Gadolinium-based agents are widely used but face challenges in targeted delivery and stability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the direct incorporation of poly-lanthanide clusters into biomolecules.
  • To establish a foundation for designing novel protein-based MRI contrast agents.
  • To explore the interaction between gadolinium clusters and cell-adhesion proteins.

Main Methods:

  • Observation of a heptanuclear gadolinium-oxo cluster.
  • Characterization of the cluster's binding to the cell-adhesion protein Flo5A.
  • Analysis of the structural basis for protein-lanthanide interaction.

Main Results:

  • An unusual heptanuclear gadolinium-oxo cluster was identified on the surface of the Flo5A protein.
  • This observation demonstrates the feasibility of directed incorporation of poly-lanthanide clusters into biomolecules.
  • The gadolinium cluster's interaction with Flo5A provides a model for protein-based contrast agent design.

Conclusions:

  • The direct binding of a gadolinium cluster to Flo5A protein is a significant advancement.
  • This finding serves as a paradigm for designing protein-based MRI contrast agents.
  • Future research can leverage this model for creating targeted and efficient diagnostic tools.