19F NMR spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the study of the structures, dynamics, and interactions of proteins bearing cysteine residues chemically modified with a trifluoroacetone group (CYF residue). 19F NMR relaxation rates for the fluoromethyl group of CYF residues are sensitive to overall rotational tumbling of proteins, fast rotation about the CF3 methyl axis, and the internal motion of the CYF side-chain. To develop a quantitative understanding of these various motional contributions, we used the model-free approach to extend expressions for 19F-T 2 NMR relaxation to include side-chain motions for the CYF residue. We complemented the NMR studies with atomic views of methyl rotation and side-chain motions using molecular dynamics simulations. This combined methodology allows for quantitative separation of the contributions of fast pico- to nanosecond dynamics from micro- to millisecond exchange processes to the 19F line width and highlights the utility of the CYF residue as a sensitive reporter of side-chain environment and dynamics in proteins.

Hsp90 is a crucial chaperone whose ATPase activity is fundamental for stabilizing and activating a diverse array of client proteins. Binding and hydrolysis of ATP by dimeric Hsp90 drive a conformational cycle characterized by fluctuations between a compact, N-and C-terminally dimerized catalytically competent closed state and a less compact open state that is largely C-terminally dimerized. We used 19 F and 1 H dynamic nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to study the opening and closing kinetics of Hsp90 and to determine the k cat for ATP hydrolysis. We derived a set of coupled ordinary differential equations describing the rate laws for the Hsp90 kinetic cycle and used these to analyze the NMR data. We found that the kinetics of closing and opening for the chaperone are slow and that the lower limit for k cat of ATP hydrolysis is ∼1 s −1 . Our results show that the chemical step is optimized and that Hsp90 is indeed a "perfect" enzyme.

PurposeTo describe a case and present unique images of a metallic intraocular foreign body that was identified in a 12-year-old male patient who underwent routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess neurodevelopmental delay.ObservationsWe present MRI and diagnostic imaging of a metallic intraocular foreign body in a young patient with no known history of trauma or reason for the existence of metal in the eye area. Computed tomography scan was performed to confirm the presence of the intraocular foreign body, followed by optical coherence tomography and electroretinogram to assess visual status. It was determined that no surgical intervention was currently required as no visual impairment or ocular toxicity was identified. The patient continues to be monitored.Conclusions and importanceThis case presentation highlights the novel imaging features of a metallic intraocular foreign body, unexpectedly detected with MRI.

Protein turnover in cells is regulated by the ATP dependent activity of the Hsp90 chaperone. In concert with accessory proteins, ATP hydrolysis drives the obligate Hsp90 dimer through a cycle between open and closed states that is critical for assisting the folding and stability of hundreds of proteins. Cycling is initiated by ATP binding to the ATPase domain, with the chaperone and the active site gates in the dimer in open states. The chaperone then adopts a short-lived, ATP bound closed state with a closed active site gate. The structural and dynamic changes induced in the ATPase domain and active site gate upon nucleotide binding, and their impact on dimer closing are not well understood. We site-specifically 19 Flabeled the ATPase domain at the active site gate to enable benchtop and high field 19 F NMR spectroscopic studies. Combined with MD simulations, this allowed accurate characterization of pico-to nanosecond time scale motions of the active site gate, as well as slower micro-to millisecond time scale processes resulting from nucleotide binding. ATP binding induces increased flexibility at one of the hinges of the active site gate, a necessary prelude to release of the second hinge and eventual gate closure in the intact chaperone.

We describe the retinal manifestations of a patient with a unique mutation of the Regulator of telomere length 1 (RTEL1) gene resulting in dyskeratosis congenita (DC), a rare, fatal, inherited disease. A 4-year-old boy with DC was referred for ophthalmology consult by his attending hematologist and underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, including wide-field fundus imaging and fluorescein angiography. The patient was found to have bilateral retinal vasculopathy and extensive microvascular abnormalities in addition to avascular regions in the temporal peripheral retina. He received multiple pan-retinal photocoagulation treatments in both eyes. Our case highlights the importance of ophthalmic screening and fluorescein angiography and the potential need for timely laser photocoagulation for sight-threatening retinopathy in patients with DC.