Detection of amyloid-beta by Fmoc-KLVFF self-assembled fluorescent nanoparticles for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis

The abnormal aggregation of amyloid-beta(Aβ) has been widely believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alz heimer's disease(AD),which is also recognized as one of the main biomarkers for AD diagnosis.The peptide sequence Lys-Leu-Val-Phe-Phe(KLVFF) is considered as the main driver of the fibrillation of Aβ,which also can be utilized to target Aβ and inhibit its aggregation.In this study,KLVFF and Fmoc-KLVFF fluorescent nanoparticles were self-assembled through zinc coordination and π-πstacking.The recognition of Aβ aggregates including oligomers and fibrils by fluorescent nanoparticles can be realized through aromatic,hydrophobic,and hydrogen-bond interactions.The fluorescent nanoprobes can distinguish Aβ aggregation formats and detect Aβ at the limit of 1 pg/mL(S/N=3).Hence,the detection of Aβ aggregates by fluorescent peptide nanoparticles has great potential for AD diagnosis and progression prediction.     

Comparison on effect of hydrophobicity on the antibacterial and antifungal activities of α-helical antimicrobial peptides

HPRP-A1, a 15-mer α-helical cationic peptide, was derived from N-terminus of ribosomal protein L1 (RpL1) of Helicobacter pylori. In this study, HPRP-A1 was used as a framework to obtain a series of peptide analogs with different hydrophobicity by single amino acid substitutions in the center of nonpolar face of the amphipathic helix in order to systematically study the effect of hydrophobicity on biological activities of -helical antimicrobial peptides. Hydrophobicity and net charge of peptides played key roles in the biological activities of these peptide analogs; HPRP-A1 and peptide analogs with relative higher hydrophobicity exerted broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and pathogenic fungi, but also showed stronger hemolytic activity; the change of hydrophobicity and net charge of peptides had similar effects with close trend and extent on antibacterial activities and antifungal activities. This indicated that there were certain correlations between the antibacterial mode of action and the antifungal mode of action of these peptides in this study. The peptides exhibited antimicrobial specificity for bacteria and fungi, which provided potentials to develop new antimicrobial drugs for clinical practices.     

A β-sheet-targeted theranostic agent for diagnosing and preventing aggregation of pathogenic peptides in Alzheimer's disease

Amyloid-β peptide(Aβ) aggregates, particularly Aβ oligomers, are established biomarker and toxic species in Alzheimer's disease(AD). Early detection and disaggregation of Aβ aggregates are of great importance for the treatment of AD due to the unavailability of therapy at the advanced stages of the disease. A multitalented agent, 2-{2-[(1 H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)methoxy]phenyl}benzothiazole(BPB), is designed by merging two β-sheet targeting groups into one molecule to detect and inhibit the Aβaggregation. BPB can quantitatively measure the β-sheet level of soluble Aβ oligomers and specifically distinguish the aggregates of Aβ40 and Aβ42 by unique luminescence spectrum. Animal tests demonstrate that BPB can efficiently penetrate the blood brain barrier and precisely stain Aβ plaques in the brain; more importantly, it can differentiate the blood of APP transgenic mice from that of normal ones. In addition to the diagnostic potential, BPB also suppresses the generation of ROS, protects the neurons from neurotoxicity, and disaggregates the Aβ aggregates in brain homogenates of APP transgenic mice induced by metal ions or self-assembly. In view of its detective ability toward Aβ oligomers and inhibition to Aβ-related neurotoxicity, BPB may be developed into a sensitive probe for screening blood samples in the early diagnosis of AD as well as an effective inhibitor for diminishing Aβ aggregates in the treatment of the disease.     

First Total Synthesis of an Analogue of (±)-Hypargenin B

Hypargenin B, a diterpene with the abietane skeleton, was isolated by Ayhan from the root of an endemic species salvia hypargenia and showed antibacterial activity1. In this diterpene, the junction of A/B ring is trans. In order to provide for studying further the relationship between the structure and bioactivities, we develop a novel route whereby the hypargenin B methyl ether 22 could be obtained in good yield. To our knowledge no total synthetic work has been reported on the title com…     

Aβ28-Induced Specific and Effective Serum Antibodies Against Aβ42

Though phase I clinical trial of immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease(AD) with inoculated Aβ42 in humans had been proven to be effective,phase II immunotherapy trial was discontinued in 2002 because a few patients developed significant inflammatory reactions caused by C-terminal domain of Aβ42.The aim of the study was to investigate the levels and the abilities of antibodies induced by C-terminal truncated Aβ species to inhibit Aβ42 aggregation and cytotoxity in vitro.46-week-old male BALB/c mice,Aβ42 and Aβ28/Aβ35/Aβ42 with a C-terminal eight-histidine tag(Aβ28H8,Aβ35H8,and Aβ42H8) were applied in the present study.The mice were randomly divided into 5 groups(n=8),control mice immunized with the normal saline,Aβ42-immunized mice and Aβ42H-/Aβ35H-/Aβ28H-immunized mice.All the serum antibodies were evaluated by measuring their abilities to inhibit Aβ42 aggregation and cytotoxity in vitro.Each mouse was vaccinated with purified Aβ peptide emulsified with Freund's adjuvant(volume ratio 1:1).Titers,concentrations and isotypes of serum antibodies against Aβ42 were measured by indirect ELISA.Effects of serum antibodies on Aβ42 aggregation and disassembly of Aβ42 fibrils in vitro were observed by electron microscopy.Effects of serum antibodies on Aβ42 cytotoxicity were determined by MTT assay.Aβ42 or Aβ28 could induce higher anti-Aβ42 antibody titer(1:6400) than Aβ35(1:3200).Significantly,Aβ28 induced more IgG1 and IgG2b isotype antibodies and less IgG2b isotype antibody than other Aβ species though all the induced serum antibodies could inhibit Aβ42 aggregation or fibrillogenesis,could induce the disassembly of Aβ42 aggregates,and neutralized or inhibited the cytotoxicity of Aβ42 in vitro.C-Terminal truncated Aβ28 could induce the same effective but safer serum antibodies against Aβ42 than full length Aβ42 by eliciting more Th2-type immune responses.     

Study of the interaction of Zn^2＋ with Aβ（10-21） by fluorescamine assay

Zinc may play a role as a co-factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease(AD)through influencing the conformation and neurotoxicity of amyloidβ-protein(Aβ).Using the fluorescamine assay,we show for the first time that Zn~(2 )induced Aβ(10-21) aggregate in a concentration-dependent manner.These results indicate that Aβ(10-21)can be used as an in vitro model in Zn~(2 )- induced Aβaggregation and that the region 10-21 to be the minimal fragment of zinc-binding domain of full length Aβ(1-42).     

Synergistic effect of W and P on ZSM-5 and its catalytic performance in the cracking of heavy oil

In order to develop the conversion of heavy oil with a high yield of propylene in the catalytic cracking process, ZSM-5 zeolite was modified by tungsten and phosphorus, which was proved to be an effective method. Characterization results show that the improvement of catalytic performance could be correlated to the interaction of phosphorus and tungsten species on ZSM-5. P inhibited the aggregation of tungsten species on ZSM-5 and was conductive to convert the tungsten species with octahedral coordination into tetrahedral coordination. And this ultimately led to that more acid sites were reserved after hydrothermal treatment in the tungsten and phosphorus co-modified ZSM-5 catalyst. Phosphorus species played an important role to restrain the dehydrogenation activity of tungsten. In addition, a model reflecting the interaction between tungsten species and ZSM-5 framework was proposed.     

PARADOXICAL EFFECT OF A GnRH AGONIST ON STEROIDOGENESIS IN CULTURED MONKEY GRANULOSA CELLS

In this study we demonstrate: (i) The GnRH agonist exerts a direct dose-dependet stimulative effect on the aromatase activity and progesterone production in cultured monkey granulosa cells; (ii)the stimulative effect on steroidogenesis can be completely blocked by concomitant treatment with a GnRH antagonist, suggesting that the actions of GnRH are mediated through stringent stereospecific recongnition sites; (iii) in addition to the stimulative effect, the GnRH agonist in the presence of gonadotropins also exerts an inhibitory effect, even though the peptide by itself is more effective in the stimulation of steroidogenesis, and the stimulation of gonadotropin on steroidogenesis could be gradually restored by decreasing the concentration of the GnRH agonist in the culture; and (iv) paradoxical effect can also be observed in the presence of cAMP-inducing agents, suggesting that the inhibitory action of the peptide on gonadotropin-induced steroidogenesis is localized at a step distal to the stringent reco     

A New Flavonol Oligosaccharide from the Seeds of Aesculus chinensis

Aesculus chinensis is a traditional chinese medicinal plant widely distributed in China, which has been used to treat stomach disease. From recent research its seeds contain many flavonoids and proanthocyanidin A2, which have potential venotonic and vasoprotective action and powerful antioxidant activity. In this paper, we report the isolation and the structure elucidation of a new flavonol oligosacchride. Bioassay results showed that the compound exhibited an antivirus activity. …     

Metal-amyloid-β peptide interactions: a preliminary investigation of molecular mechanisms for Alzheimer’s disease

Although humans have spent exactly 100 years combating Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the molecular mechanisms of AD remain unclear. Owing to the rapid growth of the oldest age groups of the popula-tion and the continuous increase of the incidence of AD, it has become one of the crucial problems to modern sciences. It would be impossible to prevent or reverse AD at the root without elucidating its molecular mechanisms. From the point of view of metal-amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) interactions, we review the molecular mechanisms of AD, mainly including Cu2 and Zn2 inducing the aggregation of Aβ, cata-lysing the production of active oxygen species from Aβ, as well as interacting with the ion-channel-like structures of Aβ. Moreover, the development of therapeutic drugs on the basis of metal-Aβ interactions is also briefly introduced. With the increasingly rapid progress of the molecular mechanisms of AD, we are now entering a new dawn that promises the delivery of revolutionary developments for the control of dementias.     

Studies on the Interaction Between Vanillin and β-Amyloid Protein via Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy

β-Amyloid(Aβ) plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary lesions in the brain are markers of Alzheimer's disease(AD). The ability to safely decrease Aβ concentrations is potentially important as a preventive strategy for AD. The interactions between vanillin and Aβ polypeptide were investigated via fluorescence spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy(AFM). The results of fluorescence and synchronous spectroscopies illustrate that the intrinsic fluorescence of tyrosine(Tyr) residues in Aβ_1-42 aggregates can be quenched strongly upon the formation of vanillin-Aβ_1-42 complex. Thioflavine T(ThT)-induced fluorescence changes indicated that Aβ_1-42 aggregates could be disaggregated by vanillin, and the AFM images of Aβ_1-42 enunciated the depolymerization of Aβ_1-42 aggregates by vanillin in a dose-dependent manner. Vanillin may be a potential pharmacological agent for the treatment of AD.     

Activation of β2-Adrenergic Receptor Induced by Three Catecholamine Agonists: a Docking and Molecular Dynamics Study

We studied the activation of β₂-adrenergic receptor(β₂AR) by norepinephrine, epinephrine and isoproterenol using docking and molecular dynamics(MD) simulation. The simulation was done on the assumption that β₂AR was surrounded with explicit water and infinite lipid bilayer membrane at body temperature. So the result should be close to that under the physiological conditions. We calculated the structure of binding sites in β₂AR for the three activators. We also simulated the change of the conformation of β₂AR in the transmembrane regions(TMs), in the molecular switches, and in the conserved DRY(Aspartic acid, Arginine and Tyrosine) motif. This study provides detailed information concerning the structure of β₂AR during activation process.     

(C26H40N2O4)[Ln(NO3)5H2O]的合成及其铕缔合物的晶体结构

合成了4个新型的稀土化合物(C₂₆H₄₀N₂O₄)[Ln(NO₃)₅H₂O](Ln=Pr,Nd,Sm,Eu),采用元素分析和红外光谱表征,用四圆衍射仪测定了其中(C₂₆H₄₀N₂O₄)[Eu(NO₃)₅H₂O]的晶体结构,属三斜晶系,P1空间群,晶胞参数:α=0.9100(4)nm,b=1.3560(3)nm,c=1.6463(4)nm;α=68.62(2)°,β=74.84(3)°,γ=87.50(2)°;Z=2.中心铕离子由5个硝酸根的10个氧原子和1个水分子中的氧原子配位,配位数是11.1,7,10,16-四氧-4,13-二氮杂-N,N'-二苄基环十八烷(N,N'-二苄基穴醚(2,2))未参与配位.     

Facile Preparation and Visible-light Photocatalysis Enhancement of N-Doped β-TiO2 Nanobelts

A facile preparation of nitrogen-doped β-TiO₂(N-doped β-TiO₂) nanobelts and their visible-light photocatalytic activity were reported. The preparation of N-doped β-TiO₂ nanobelts consisted of cation-exchange between layered sodium titanate nanobelts and NH₄⁺ in aqueous solution at room temperature and subsequent calcination in air. Such a calcination treatment is beneficial to the formation of monoclinic N-doped β-TiO₂ nanobelts. Various measurement results indicate that not only were the nitrogen atoms doped into the lattice of β-TiO₂ nanobelts resulting in a strong visible-light absorption, but also a large number of defects were caused by them in the lattice, increasing the stability of β-TiO₂. The photocatalysis enhancement of N-doped β-TiO₂ nanobelts for the photodegradation of Rhodamine B was demonstrated.     

Studies on α-Methacrylate Copper(Ⅱ) Complexes with Imidazole

Two complexes of α-methacrylate copper(Ⅱ) with imidazole, Cu[CH₂=C(CH₃)COO]₂· (imH)₂(1) and Cu ₂[CH₂C(CH₃)COO]₄(imH)₂(2) were prepared and characterized. The single crystal X-ray diffraction study of complex 1 showed that the copper(Ⅱ) atom in the symmetric centre of the square planar environment was coordinated by two monodentate α methacrylate groups and two imidazole ligands that were in trans position with each other. Each molecular unit is linked with four neighbouring units by means of hydrogen bond interactions, forming a two-dimensional supermolecular compound( d_N…O =0.278 1 nm). Complex 1 crystallizes in monoclinic, space group P2₁/n with a =1.023 94(12) nm, b =0.842 94(8) nm, c =1.079 35(10) nm, β=117.231(7)°, Z =2. The forming mechanism of the complexes was discussed.     

锌(Ⅱ)配合物的超分子设计及对甲醇蒸气的吸附性能

采用饱和蒸气扩散技术, 将2,4-二羟基苯甲醛缩异烟酰腙(H₂dhbi)配体分别与Zn(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O和Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O进行配位作用, 得到2种不同配位模式的金属-有机框架材料[(dhbi)₂Zn₂·8H₂O]_n(1)和{[(dhbi)₂(H₂O)₂Zn₂]·4DMF]}_n(2). 利用X射线单晶衍射、 热分析技术(TG-DTA)和X射线粉末衍射(PXRD)等方法进行了结构表征. 进一步将配位聚合物1和2用于对甲醇分子的吸附性能研究, 结果表明, 化合物1是一种理想的微孔材料, 其对甲醇分子的吸附能力为化合物2的近5倍, 采用PLATON对材料的孔隙体积进行计算得到化合物1和2的孔隙率分别为38.2%和5.5%.     

Studies on the Halogen Substituted β-Amino Acids and Their Cu(Ⅱ) Coordination Complexes in Crystallography

Halogen substituted β-amino acids, D,L-3-amino-3-(4-fluoro)phenylpropionic acid(D,L-HL1, 1) and D,L-3-amino-3-(4-bromo)phenylpropionic acid(D,L-HL2, 2), as well as their Cu(Ⅱ) coordination complexes[Cu(L1)₂(CH₃OH)₂]·2CH₃OH(3) and[Cu(L2)₂(CH₃OH)₂]·2CH₃OH(4) were investigated and their single crystal structures were discussed in details. Supramolecular helical chains were found in β-amino acids 1 and 2 while there was no helix in their coordination complexes 3 and 4. The formation of supramolecular helixes could be due to the hydrogen bonds between terminal-NH³⁺ and adjacent-COO^- in β-amino acids 1 and 2. While, this kind of hydrogen bonds could not be observed in their Cu(Ⅱ) coordination complexes 3 and 4, in which central-symmetrical dimers could be formed via coplanar coordinated bonds(N-Cu-O) between-NH₂ and-COO^-.     

Pd-Y合金膜的MOCVD研制

采用金属有机化合物的化学气相淀积法,以β-二酮螯合物为源物质,在多孔Al₂O₃衬底上成功制备了超薄钯钇合金膜.用Pd(AcAc)₂+Y(AcAc)₃混合源制备的钯钇合金膜的晶粒尺寸(21nm×10nm)比单独用Pd(AcAc)₂制备的钯膜的尺寸(30nm×10nm)小.XPS研究发现,制备的Pd-Y合金膜中Y/Pd比小于源物质的.氢的透气性实验表明,合金膜的氢渗透率高于Pd膜,且在200～350℃范围内渗透率稳定.     

二(烷基黄原酸)合铂(Ⅱ)与哌啶在苯介质中连串取代反应的动力学及机理

研究了二(境基黄原致)合铂(Ⅱ)[Pt(S₂COR)₂(R=Me,Et,n-Pr,n-Bu,Am)]与哌啶连串取代反应动力学,提出了包括前期平衡的反应机理,据此导出的速率方程圈满地解释了全部实验事实.计算了前期平衡常数和速控步骤的速率常数,并对加成物的结构作了合理推断,计算了各活化参数和两个反应系的等动力学温度β₁=283±7K和β₂=263±25K.     

Synthesis of β-Pinene/THF Block Copolymers

The living cationic polymerization of β-pinene was carried out with α-chloroethylbenzene(PEC)/TiCl₄/Ti(OiPr)₄ initiating system in CH₂C1₂ at -40℃. After 25 min of reaction(β-pinene conversion~100%),the resulted living poly(β-pinene) was capped with a few units of styrene and then the polymerization was quenched to give β-pinene macroinitiator with benzenyl chloride chain end (P(β-p)-St-Cl). The structure of the macroinitiator was confirmed by ¹H NMR (Fig.l). The macroinitiator, in conjunction with AgSbF₆ or AgC1O₄,was used to initiate the ring-opening cationic polymerization of THF in the presence of propylene oxide promoter. GPC analysis of the obtained polymers showed that AgSbF₆ system led to almost pure block copolymers of β-pinene with THF, whereas AgC1O₄ system gave mixtures of block copolymers and low molecular weight homopolymers of THF and unreacted macroinitiator (Fig.2). ¹H NMR analysis further confirmed the formation of β-pinene/THF block copolymers with macroinitiaor/AgSbF₆ system (Fig.3).