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Biology subjects

Juber, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Juber, M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Proteogenomic analysis of the differential stability of cardiac protein isoforms

Alternative splicing is an important regulatory layer in gene expression, but knowledge on the isoform protein molecules continue to lag their canonical counterparts. An open question is whether alternative protein isoforms feature different half-life than the canonical counterpart, which could indicate differential usage and functional diversification. Here we combined a proteogenomics approach with heavy water-based protein turnover analysis to survey 24 pairs of canonical-alternative protein isoforms in the mouse heart. The results provide a reference on their numerical half-life and also reveal widespread differences in isoform stability.

biochemistry↗

Body Mass Index-Specific Nanoparticle Protein Corona Signatures in Late Pregnancy

The protein corona (PC) formed on the surface of nanoparticles (NPs) upon exposure to human biofluids is a dynamic interface that reflects the physiological and pathological status of the host. In this study, we investigated how maternal body mass index (BMI) influences the composition of the NPs PC during late pregnancy. Polystyrene NPs were incubated with plasma samples collected from third-trimester pregnant individuals across normal weight, overweight, and obese BMI categories. Comprehensive characterization using dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurements, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed BMI-dependent differences in PC thickness and colloidal stability. SDS-PAGE and label-free quantitative proteomics revealed distinct molecular compositions: PCs from obese individuals were enriched in inflammatory and lipid metabolism-associated proteins (e.g., APOE, CRP), while normal weight-derived PCs showed higher levels of complement regulators and extracellular matrix proteins. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated clear clustering of proteomic profiles by BMI group, suggesting BMI-specific PC fingerprints. These findings indicate that maternal metabolic phenotype shapes nano-bio interactions at the proteomic level and highlight the potential of PC profiling as a non-invasive approach for assessing maternal health and metabolic status. This work lays the foundation for integrating NP-based proteomics into precision nanomedicine for maternal-fetal health monitoring.

biophysics↗

MXene Protein Corona Interfaces for Molecular Profiling of Alzheimers Disease

The protein corona (PC) that forms on the surface of nanomaterials upon contact with biological fluids provides a molecular snapshot of the hosts physiological and pathological state. Here, we investigate two-dimensional (2D) titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene nanosheets as nanobiointerfaces for capturing Alzheimers disease (AD)-associated plasma protein signatures. Ti3C2Tx MXene flakes were incubated with plasma from clinically diagnosed AD patients and age-matched healthy controls (HC), leading to the formation of Ti3C2Tx MXene-PC complexes. Physicochemical characterization using dynamic light scattering, zeta potential analysis, and transmission electron microscopy revealed disease-dependent changes in hydrodynamic size, surface charge, and PC profile. Proteomic analysis of the isolated PC layers quantified 1,611 proteins without prior fractionation, demonstrating effective enrichment of low-abundance plasma components. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed consistent separation between AD- and HC-derived Ti3C2Tx MXene-PC proteomes despite inter-individual heterogeneity. Differential abundance analysis identified selective enrichment of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs), annexins, and inflammatory mediators in AD-derived PC, implicating dysregulated RNA metabolism, membrane stress responses, and immune activation, hallmark processes in AD pathology. Our findings demonstrate that Ti3C2Tx MXene-PC interfaces act as selective molecular filters that reshape the detectable plasma proteome, enabling disease-associated molecular phenotyping and establishing a versatile nanointerface-driven framework for uncovering AD-related plasma signatures, providing a foundation for future translational diagnostic development.

biophysics↗