Platinum‐catalyzed formal 5+2 and 4+2 annulations of isoxazoles with heterosubstituted alkynes enabled the atom‐economical synthesis of valuable 1,3‐oxazepines and 2,5‐dihydropyridines, respectively. ...Importantly, this Pt catalysis not only led to unique reactivity dramatically divergent from that observed under Au catalysis, but also proceeded via unprecedented α‐imino platinum carbene intermediates.
Gold's deviant relative: Platinum‐catalyzed formal 5+2 and 4+2 annulations of isoxazoles and heterosubstituted alkynes provided valuable 1,3‐oxazepines and 2,5‐dihydropyridines (see scheme). This reactivity deviates dramatically from that observed under gold catalysis and involves the generation of an α‐imino platinum carbene. A computational study provided evidence for the proposed mechanism of this unusual tandem sequence.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Emerging artificial enzymes with reprogrammed and augmented catalytic activity and substrate selectivity have long been pursued with sustained efforts. The majority of current candidates have rather ...poor catalytic activity compared with natural molecules. To tackle this limitation, we design artificial enzymes based on a structurally well-defined Au
cluster, namely clusterzymes, which are endowed with intrinsic high catalytic activity and selectivity driven by single-atom substitutions with modulated bond lengths. Au
Cu
and Au
Cd
clusterzymes exhibit 137 and 160 times higher antioxidant capacities than natural trolox, respectively. Meanwhile, the clusterzymes demonstrate preferential enzyme-mimicking catalytic activities, with Au
, Au
Cu
and Au
Cd
displaying compelling selectivity in glutathione peroxidase-like (GPx-like), catalase-like (CAT-like) and superoxide dismutase-like (SOD-like) activities, respectively. Au
Cu
decreases peroxide in injured brain via catalytic reactions, while Au
Cd
preferentially uses superoxide and nitrogenous signal molecules as substrates, and significantly decreases inflammation factors, indicative of an important role in mitigating neuroinflammation.
Predisposition to Alzheimer's disease (AD) may arise from lipid metabolism perturbation, however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we identify ATPase family AAA-domain containing ...protein 3A (ATAD3A), a mitochondrial AAA-ATPase, as a molecular switch that links cholesterol metabolism impairment to AD phenotypes. In neuronal models of AD, the 5XFAD mouse model and post-mortem AD brains, ATAD3A is oligomerized and accumulated at the mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs), where it induces cholesterol accumulation by inhibiting gene expression of CYP46A1, an enzyme governing brain cholesterol clearance. ATAD3A and CYP46A1 cooperate to promote APP processing and synaptic loss. Suppressing ATAD3A oligomerization by heterozygous ATAD3A knockout or pharmacological inhibition with DA1 restores neuronal CYP46A1 levels, normalizes brain cholesterol turnover and MAM integrity, suppresses APP processing and synaptic loss, and consequently reduces AD neuropathology and cognitive deficits in AD transgenic mice. These findings reveal a role for ATAD3A oligomerization in AD pathogenesis and suggest ATAD3A as a potential therapeutic target for AD.
Herein, we disclose an efficient zinc-catalyzed formal 3 + 2 annulation of isoxazoles with ynol ethers under exceptionally mild reaction conditions, leading to the atom-economical and divergent ...synthesis of 2-alkoxyl 1 H -pyrroles and 3 H -pyrroles, respectively. Importantly, this zinc-catalyzed protocol demonstrates the dramatically divergent reactivity from the relevant platinum catalysis, where the formal 4 + 2 annulation of isoxazoles with ynol ethers was involved. In addition, theoretical calculations provide further evidence for the feasibility of the proposed reaction mechanism, especially the distinct selectivity.
Microwave dielectric ceramics with intrinsic low sintering temperatures are potential candidates for low temperature co‐fired ceramics technology. In the present work, the (Li0.5Y0.5)MoO4 ceramic ...with tetragonal scheelite structures was selected to improve microwave dielectric properties of BiVO4 ceramics. As proved by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results, scheelite structured solid‐solution ceramics were formed with x value ≤0.1 in the (Bi1−xLi0.5xY0.5x)(V1−xMox)O4. In situ XRD results further confirmed that the addition of (Li0.5Y0.5)MoO4 also lowered transition temperature from distorted monoclinic to tetragonal scheelite structure. When x value increased further, zircon phase was detected by XRD. Room and high‐temperature Raman spectra also supported the XRD results. Differences of thermal expansion coefficients of both monoclinic and tetragonal scheelite phases lead to an abnormality at phase transition temperature. Good microwave dielectric properties with permittivity above 70 and Qf (Q = quality factor = 1/dielectric loss and f = frequency) value above 8000 GHz were obtained in the (Bi1−xLi0.5xY0.5x)(V1−xMox)O4 solid‐solution ceramics with x value ≤0.1 sintered below 800°C. However, permittivity peak values at phase transition temperatures lead to large positive or negative temperature coefficient of resonant frequency, and this needs to be modified via composite technologies in the future.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Mitochondrial fragmentation and bioenergetic failure manifest in Huntington's disease (HD), a fatal neurodegenerative disease. The factors that couple mitochondrial fusion/fission with bioenergetics ...and their impacts on neurodegeneration however remain poorly understood. Our proteomic analysis identifies mitochondrial protein ATAD3A as an interactor of mitochondrial fission GTPase, Drp1, in HD. Here we show that, in HD, ATAD3A dimerization due to deacetylation at K135 residue is required for Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation. Disturbance of ATAD3A steady state impairs mtDNA maintenance by disrupting TFAM/mtDNA binding. Blocking Drp1/ATAD3A interaction with a peptide, DA1, abolishes ATAD3A oligomerization, suppresses mitochondrial fragmentation and mtDNA lesion, and reduces bioenergetic deficits and cell death in HD mouse- and patient-derived cells. DA1 treatment reduces behavioral and neuropathological phenotypes in HD transgenic mice. Our findings demonstrate that ATAD3A plays a key role in neurodegeneration by linking Drp1-induced mitochondrial fragmentation to defective mtDNA maintenance, suggesting that DA1 might be useful for developing HD therapeutics.
A novel material with a large two-photon absorption cross-section was conjugated with a typical photosensitizer for inducing a FRET process. The photosensitizer can be excited by a one-/two-photon ...laser and then induced photo-toxicity in vitro and in vivo. The system presents great potential for improving treatment depth and the precision of traditional photodynamic therapy.
N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is the most widespread RNA modification that plays roles in the regulation of genes and genome stability. YT521-B homology (YTH) domain-containing RNA-binding proteins are ...important RNA binding proteins that affect the fate of m6A-containing RNA by binding m6A. Little is known about the YTH genes in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), one of the most important crops for humans.
A total of 39 TaYTH genes were identified in common wheat, which are comprised of 13 homologous triads, and could be mapped in 18 out of the 21 chromosomes. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that the TaYTHs could be divided into two groups: YTHDF (TaDF) and YTHDC (TaDC). The TaYTHs in the same group share similar motif distributions and domain organizations, which indicates functional similarity between the closely related TaYTHs. The TaDF proteins share only one domain, which is the YTH domain. In contrast, the TaDCs possess three C3H1-type zinc finger repeats at their N-termini in addition to their central YTH domain. In TaDFs, the predicated aromatic cage pocket that binds the methylysine residue of m6A is composed of tryptophan, tryptophan, and tryptophan (WWW). In contrast, the aromatic cage pocket in the TaDCs is composed of tryptophan, tryptophan, and tyrosine (WWY). In addition to the general aspartic acid or asparagine residue used to form a hydrogen bond with N
of m6A, histidine might be utilized in some TaDFb proteins. An analysis of the expression using both online RNA-Seq data and quantitative real-time PCR verification revealed that the TaDFa and TaDFb genes are highly expressed in various tissues/organs compared with that of TaDFcs and TaDCs. In addition, the expression of the TaYTH genes is changed in response to various abiotic stresses.
In this study, we identified 39 TaYTH genes from common wheat. The phylogenetic structure, chromosome distribution, and patterns of expression of these genes and their protein structures were analyzed. Our results provide a foundation for the functional analysis of TaYTHs in the future.
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Male sterility is an efficient trait for hybrid seed production and germplasm innovation. Until now, most studies on male sterility were on cytoplasmic and recessive genic sterility, with few on ...dominant genic male sterility, especially in cotton, due to lack of such mutant.
We discovered a natural male sterile (MS) Sea Island cotton (G. barbadense) mutant. Genetic analysis showed the mutation was caused by a dominant mutation in a single nuclear gene. Comparative cytological observation of anther sections from MS and wild-type (WT) uncovered cellular differences in anther at and after the tetrad stage of pollen mother cells (PMC). In the MS anthers, the outer wall of pollen grains was free of spinules, the tapetum was vacuolated and showed delayed degradation, consequently, no functional pollen grains. Comparison of transcriptomes from meiosis, tetrad, mononuclear and binuclear pollen, and pollen maturation stages identified 13,783 non-redundant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between MS and WT. Based on the number of DEGs, analyses of enriched GO terms and KEGG pathways, it was evident that significant transcriptomic changes occurred at and after the tetrad stage, consistent with cytological observation, and that the major differences were on metabolism of starch, sucrose, ascorbate, aldarate, alanine, aspartate and glutamate, and biosynthesis of cutin, suberine and wax. WGCNA analysis identified five modules containing 920 genes highly related to anther development, especially the greenyellow module with 54 genes that was highly associated with PMC meiosis and tetrad formation. A NAC transcription factor (Gh_D11G2469) was identified as a hub gene for this module, which warrants further functional characterization.
We demonstrated that the MS trait was controlled by a single dominant nuclear gene and caused by delayed tapetum degradation at the tetrad stage. Comparative transcriptome analysis and gene network construction identified DEGs, enriched GO terms and metabolic pathways, and hub genes potentially associated with anther development and the MS trait. These results contribute to our understanding of dominant genic male sterility (DGMS) and provided source for innovation of cotton germplasm.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common hallmark of neurological disorders, and reducing mitochondrial damage is considered a promising neuroprotective therapeutic strategy. Here, we used ...high-throughput small molecule screening to identify CHIR99021 as a potent enhancer of mitochondrial function. CHIR99021 improved mitochondrial phenotypes and enhanced cell viability in several models of Huntington’s disease (HD), a fatal inherited neurodegenerative disorder. Notably, CHIR99201 treatment reduced HD-associated neuropathology and behavioral defects in HD mice and improved mitochondrial function and cell survival in HD patient-derived neurons. Independent of its known inhibitory activity against glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), CHIR99021 treatment in HD models suppressed the proteasomal degradation of calpastatin (CAST), and subsequently inhibited calpain activation, a well-established effector of neural death, and Drp1, a driver of mitochondrial fragmentation. Our results established CAST-Drp1 as a druggable signaling axis in HD pathogenesis and highlighted CHIR99021 as a mitochondrial function enhancer and a potential lead for developing HD therapies.
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