生物单分子力谱技术的研究进展

近年来,单分子力谱技术获得了快速发展和广泛应用。通过单分子力谱技术研究生物分子结构、力学及动力学,在单分子水平上揭示生物分子间相互作用机制,对于深入了解生物分子的特异识别、生化过程以及生物分子结构与功能的关系具有重要意义。本文主要介绍了3种最常见的单分子力谱技术:原子力显微镜(AFM),光镊(OT)和磁镊(MT)。另外,还侧重从不同力谱技术的原理、发展及应用三个方面简要介绍了3种大规模并行测量的单分子力谱技术:声力谱(AFS)、离心力显微镜(CFM)以及力诱导剩磁谱技术(FIRMS)。     

The Hydrogen Bond and Beyond: Perspectives for Rotational Investigations of Non-Covalent Interactions

In the last decade, experiment and theory have expanded our vision of non-covalent interactions (NCIs), shifting the focus from the conventional hydrogen bond to new bridging interactions involving a variety of weak donor/acceptor partners. Whereas most experimental data originate from condensed phases, the introduction of broadband (chirped-pulse) microwave fast-passage techniques has revolutionized the field of rotational spectroscopy, offering unexplored avenues for high-resolution studies in the gas phase. We present an outlook of hot topics for rotational investigations on isolated intermolecular clusters generated in supersonic jet expansions. Rotational spectra offer very detailed structural data, easily discriminating the isomeric or isotopic composition and effectively cancelling any solvent, crystal, or matrix bias. The direct comparison with quantum mechanical predictions provides insight into the origin of the inter- and intramolecular interactions with much greater precision than any other spectroscopic technique, simultaneously serving as test-bed for fine-tuning of theoretical methods. We present recent examples of rotational investigations around three topics: oligomer formation, chiral recognition, and identification of halogen, chalcogen, pnicogen, or tetrel bonds. The selected examples illustrate the benefits of rotational spectroscopy for the structural and energetic assessment of inter-/intramolecular interactions, which may help to move from fundamental research to applications in supramolecular chemistry and crystal engineering.     

Sequestration of CO2 by Phosphatrane Molecules

The stationary points for the reaction between the CO₂ and nine different phosphatranes molecules have been characterized by means of MP2 computational methods. Two minima structures have been located: a pnicogen bonded complex where one of the oxygen atoms of CO₂ acts as electron donor and an adduct that presents a covalent P−C linkage. The corresponding transition state structure linking the two minima has also been characterized. In gas phase, the pnicogen bonded complex is more stable than the corresponding adduct except in one case. In contrast, the inclusion of the solvent effect (toluene and THF), reverts the stability, being in all cases the different adducts more stable than the pnicogen bonded complexes. The electronic properties of the systems have been analysed with the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) and Electron Density Shift (EDS) methods.     

Optimizing the self-assembly of conjugated polymers and small molecules through structurally programmed non-covalent control

Organic conjugated polymers and oligomers are key electronic materials for applications such as transistors, photovoltaics, and light emitting devices due to their potential for solution processability, mechanical flexibility, and precise structure-based tuning compared to inorganic materials. In dilute environments, the optoelectronic properties of conjugated polymers are largely governed by their constitutional structure and, to a lesser degree, their solution-state intramolecular configuration. In the solid state, intramolecular conformation and intermolecular electronic coupling impact these properties substantially, especially in relation to device performance. Therefore, an increasingly important area of research concerning conjugated materials is developing design strategies aimed at optimizing the solid-state packing for electronic applications. Programming solid-state packing arrangements through discrete non-covalent interactions is an emerging strategy within the context of conjugated polymers. This review focuses on the use of the two most prevalent discrete and directional interactions used to dictate the self-assembly of conjugated polymers and oligomers—hydrogen bonds and chalcogen bonds. We also discuss how these design motifs can imbue conjugated materials with appealing physical properties while simultaneously retaining or improving electronic capabilities.     

表面增强喇曼光谱技术应用于生物体系的最新进展

本文综述了近几年来表面增强喇曼光谱技术应用于以下几个方面的生物体系的最新资料：（１）核酸及其组分，（２）蛋白质及其组分，（３）儿茶酚胺，（４）有色生物质，（５）膜制品。总结了表面增强喇曼光谱技术的一般性结论，并对这一技术应用于生物体系的发展作了展望     

How Aromatic Fluorination Exchanges the Interaction Role of Pyridine with Carbonyl Compounds: The Formaldehyde Adduct

The rotational spectrum of the weakly bound complex pentafluoropyridine⋅⋅⋅formaldehyde has been investigated using Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. From the analysis of the rotational parameters of the parent species and of the ¹³C and ¹⁵N isotopologues, the structural arrangement of the adduct has been unambiguously established. The full ring fluorination of pyridine has a dramatic effect on its binding properties: It alters the electron density distribution at the π-cloud of pyridine creating a π-hole and changing its electron donor-acceptor capabilities. In the complex, formaldehyde lies above the aromatic ring with one of the oxygen lone pairs, as conventionally envisaged, pointing toward its centre. This lone pair⋅⋅⋅π-hole interaction, reinforced by a weak C−H⋅⋅⋅N interaction, indicates an exchange of the electron-acceptor roles of both molecules when compared to the pyridine⋅⋅⋅formaldehyde adduct. Tunnelling doublets due to the internal rotation of formaldehyde have also been observed and analysed leading to a discussion on the competition between lone pair⋅⋅⋅π-hole and π⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions.     

基于原子力显微镜的单分子力谱在生物研究中的应用

原子力显微镜被广泛应用于生物研究领域,基于原子力显微镜的单分子力谱可以在单分子、单细胞水平上研究生物分子内和分子间的相互作用。 本文介绍了原子力显微镜单分子力谱在生物分子间相互作用、蛋白质去折叠、细胞表面生物分子、细胞力学性质和基于单分子力谱成像等研究中的最新进展。     

Infrared Spectroscopy Evidence of Weak Interactions in Frustrated Lewis Pairs Formed by Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane

Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) have been widely investigated as promising catalysts due to their metal-free feature and ability to activate small molecules. Since their discovery, many works have been investigating how these Lewis pairs (intermolecular pairs) are held together in an encounter complex. This prompted several studies based on theoretical investigations, but experimental ones are limited yet. In this communication we show evidence of weak intermolecular interactions between Lewis acids and Lewis bases, distinguishing the Lewis adduct from FLPs, by probing fluorine-carbon vibrational modes using infrared spectroscopy. The main evidence is based on the band shifts occurring in FLPs due to weak hydrogen bonds between the hydrogen atoms of the Lewis base and the fluorine atoms of Lewis acid.     

The Effect of Dispersion on the Structure of Diphenyl Ether Aggregates

Dispersion interactions can play an important role in understanding unusual binding behaviors. This is illustrated by a systematic study of the structural preferences of diphenyl ether (DPE)–alcohol aggregates, for which OH???O‐bound or OH???π‐bound isomers can be formed. The investigation was performed through a multi‐spectroscopic approach including IR/UV and microwave methods, combined with a detailed theoretical analysis. The resulting solvent‐size‐dependent trend for the structural preference turns out to be counter‐intuitive: the hydrogen‐bonded OH???O structures become more stable for larger alcohols, which are expected to be stronger dispersion energy donors and thus should prefer an OH???π arrangement. Dispersion interactions in combination with the twisting of the ether upon solvent aggregation are key for understanding this preference.     

非共价键功能化石墨烯/碳纳米管负载型金属配合物催化剂及催化反应中的应用

碳材料（石墨烯、碳纳米管）具有超大的比表面积、高机械强度、化学稳定性、环境友好等特点，使得其作为一类新型非均相催化剂的优良载体，固载的金属配合物催化剂在许多催化反应中得到了广泛的应用.由于弱相互作用（π-π键、氢键、静电）功能化可以有效的保护碳材料的完整性，从而更好地发挥碳材料本身的优异性能.通过改变温度、溶液极性、外场力来调控非共价键功能化碳材料催化剂在催化反应中载体与催化剂的吸附与分离，使其具有均相催化剂优良的催化活性和多相催化剂的可回收性.综述了近些年来非共价键功能化石墨烯和碳纳米管固载的金属配合物催化剂在催化反应中的研究进展.     

动脉粥样硬化分子影像研究进展

急性心脑血管疾病目前位居全球死亡原因首位，其关键病理基础是动脉粥样硬化并导致急性心肌梗死、中风等。由于动脉粥样硬化病情进展隐匿突发，目前的诊断方式不足以筛查出早期高风险病变。如何在急性心脑血管事件发生前准确地识别出斑块破裂风险高的患者并对患者进行有效干预，已成为目前迫切需要解决的问题，同时这也是降低急性心血管事件发生率的关键。近年来，迅速发展的分子影像及纳米医学技术为实现动脉粥样硬化斑块早期诊疗带来了新契机。     

Highly Ordered Self‐Assembly of Native Proteins into 1D, 2D,and 3D Structures Modulated by the Tether Length of Assembly‐Inducing Ligands

In nature, proteins self‐assemble into various structures with different dimensions. To construct these nanostructures in laboratories, normally proteins with different symmetries are selected. However, most of these approaches are engineering‐intensive and highly dependent on the accuracy of the protein design. Herein, we report that a simple native protein LecA assembles into one‐dimensional nanoribbons and nanowires, two‐dimensional nanosheets, and three‐dimensional layered structures controlled mainly by small‐molecule assembly‐inducing ligands RnG (n =1, 2, 3, 4, 5) with varying numbers of ethylene oxide repeating units. To understand the formation mechanism of the different morphologies controlled by the small‐molecule structure, molecular simulations were performed from microscopic and mesoscopic view, which presented a clear relationship between the molecular structure of the ligands and the assembled patterns. These results introduce an easy strategy to control the assembly structure and dimension, which could shed light on controlled protein assembly.     

采用超低场生物力谱技术研究核酸适配体与凝血酶蛋白的相互作用

蛋白质和核酸是构成生命体最为重要的两类生物大分子,它们之间的相互作用是分子生物学研究的中心问题之一,也是许多生命活动的重要组成部分。本文基于一种全新的超低场生物力谱技术,以凝血酶蛋白为研究对象,考察了凝血酶与其对应的核酸适配体之间的相互作用。结果表明,凝血酶蛋白与核酸适配体之间的结合力大小约为80 p N。同时,在分子水平上获得了凝血酶蛋白与核酸适配体之间的解离动力学信息。     

Delicate Balance of Non-Covalent Forces Govern the Biocompatibility of Graphitic Carbon Nitride towards Genetic Materials

Despite a plethora of suggested technological and biomedical applications, the nanotoxicity of two-dimensional (2D) graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) towards biomolecules remains elusive. To address this issue, we employ all-atom classical molecular dynamics simulations and investigate the interactions between nucleic acids and g-C₃N₄. It is revealed that, toxicity is modulated through a subtle balance between electrostatic and van der Waals interactions. When the exposed nucleobases interact through predominantly short-ranged van der Waals and π–π stacking interactions, they get deviated from their native disposition and adsorb on the surface, leading to loss of self-stacking and intra-quartet H-bonding along with partial disruption of the native structure. In contrast, for the interaction with double-stranded structures of both DNA and RNA, long-range electrostatics govern the adsorption phenomena since the constituent nucleobases are relatively concealed and wrapped, thereby resulting in almost complete preservation of the nucleic acid structures. Construction of free energy landscapes for lateral translation of adsorbed nucleic acids suggests decent targeting specificity owing to their restricted movement on g-C₃N₄. The release times of nucleic acids adsorbed through predominant electrostatics are significantly less than those adsorbed through stacking with the surface. It is therefore proposed that g-C₃N₄ would induce toxicity towards any biomolecule having bare residues available for strong van der Waals and π–π stacking interactions relative to those predominantly interacting through electrostatics.