Chemoselective reduction of a lactam carbonyl group in the presence of a gem-dicarboxylate by sodium borohydride and iodine: a facile entry to N-aryl trisubstituted pyrroles

Several N-aryl γ-lactam gem dicarboxylates were chemoselectively reduced to cyclic amine diesters by using sodium borohydride-iodine system. The reduction in all cases was completed within 2.5 h after refluxing in THF. The cyclic amine products were isolated after aqueous (acidic) workup in good yields. Hydrolytic decarboxylation followed by dehydrogenation produced N-aryl carboethoxy pyrroles.     

Confinement Effect of Organic Nanotubes Toward Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) Depending on the Inner Diameter Size

Transportation, release behavior, and stability of a green fluorescent protein (GFP, 3×4 nm) in self‐assembled organic nanotubes with three different inner diameters (10, 20, and 80 nm) have been studied in terms of novel nanocontainers. Selective immobilization of a fluorescent acceptor dye on the inner surface enabled us to not only visualize the transportation of GFP in the nanochannels but to also detect release of the encapsulated GFP to the bulk solution in real time, based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Obtained diffusion constants and release rates of GFP markedly decreased as the inner diameter of the nanotubes was decreased. An endo‐sensing procedure also clarified the dependence of the thermal and chemical stabilities of the GFP on the inner diameters. The GFP encapsulated in the 10 nm nanochannel showed strong resistance to heat and to a denaturant. On the other hand, the 20 nm nanochannel accelerated the denaturation of the encapsulated GFP compared with the rate of denaturation of the free GFP in bulk and the encapsulated GFP in the 80 nm nanochannels. The confinement effect based on rational fitting of the inner diameter to the size of GFP allowed us to store it stably and without denaturation under high temperatures and high denaturant concentrations.     

A Fluorogenic Assay: Analysis of Chemical Modification of Lysine and Arginine to Control Proteolytic Activity of Trypsin

The chemical modification of amino acids plays an important role in the modulation of proteins or peptides and has useful applications in the activation and stabilization of enzymes, chemical biology, shotgun proteomics, and the production of peptide-based drugs. Although chemoselective modification of amino acids such as lysine and arginine via the insertion of respective chemical moieties as citraconic anhydride and phenyl glyoxal is important for achieving desired application objectives and has been extensively reported, the extent and chemoselectivity of the chemical modification of specific amino acids using specific chemical agents (blocking or modifying agents) has yet to be sufficiently clarified owing to a lack of suitable assay methodologies. In this study, we examined the utility of a fluorogenic assay method, based on a fluorogenic tripeptide substrate (FP-AA1-AA2-AA3) and the proteolytic enzyme trypsin, in determinations of the extent and chemoselectivity of the chemical modification of lysine or arginine. As substrates, we used two fluorogenic tripeptide probes, MeRho-Lys-Gly-Leu(Ac) (lysine-specific substrate) and MeRho-Arg-Gly-Leu(Ac) (arginine-specific substrate), which were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for chemoselective modification of specific amino acids (lysine and arginine) using the fluorogenic assay. The results are summarized in terms of half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) for the extent of modification and ratios of IC₅₀ values (IC₅₀arginine/IC₅₀lysine and IC₅₀lysine/IC₅₀arginine) as a measure of the chemoselectivity of chemical modification for amino acids lysine and arginine. This novel fluorogenic assay was found to be rapid, precise, and reproducible for determinations of the extent and chemoselectivity of chemical modification.     

Template assembled synthetic proteins: Condensation of a multifunctional peptide to a topological template via chemoselective ligation

A chemoselective ligation via oxime bond formation is used for the chemical synthesis of template assembled peptides according to the TASP (Template Assembled Synthetic Proteins) approach. Aminooxyacetylation of the multifunctional partial sequence Lys- Arg- Asp- Ser of lactoferrin and subsequent condensation in aqueous solution with a topological template containing four selectively addressable aldehyde functions as attachment sites gives readily access to the TASP molecule.     

基础有机化学教学与前沿科学研究的融合——共价有机骨架材料的成键方式

作为材料研究领域的明星,共价有机框架材料的研究是基于有机化学反应的成功选择和合成条件的不断优化。本文探讨将共价有机框架材料的成键方式引入有机化学教学课堂的途径,阐述有机化学反应在新型纳米材料设计合成中的应用。科教融合教学模式不仅能够培养学生掌握知识、运用知识解决实际复杂问题的能力;同时可以调动学生的学习兴趣、拓展科研视野、激发科研热情;更能在科研成果中增强学生的专业认同感、培养学生的创新意识和社会担当。科教融合是实现创新人才培养的一个重要环节。     

Chemoselective Dehydrogenation of 3-[2-（3,4-Dihydro-1-naphthalenyl）ethyl]imidazolidine-2,4-diones： a New and Convenient Synthesis of 13,16-Diazaequilenin analogs

The synthesis of the title compounds starting with the chemoselective dehydrogenation of 3-[2-(3,4-dihydro-1-naphthalenyl)ethyl]imidazolidine-2,4-diones has been described.     

Modification of Soy Protein for Wood Adhesives using Mussel Protein as a Model: The Influence of a Mercapto Group

Summary: Mussel protein can serve as a strong and water‐resistant adhesive, but is expensive and not readily available. Soy protein is inexpensive, abundant, and readily available, but is a poor adhesive. Mussel protein contains a high amount of mercapto‐containing cysteine. This study revealed that increasing the free mercapto group content in soy protein could greatly increase the strength and water‐resistance of wood composites bonded with the modified soy protein.

Preparation of the modified SPIs.     

Protein nanotubes comprised of an alternate layer-by-layer assembly using a polycation as an electrostatic glue

We present the synthesis and structure of various protein nanotubes comprised of an alternate layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly using a polycation as an electrostatic glue. The nanotubes were fabricated by sequential LbL depositions of positively charged polycations and negatively charged proteins into a porous polycarbonate (PC) membrane, followed by release of the cylindrical core by quick dissolution of the template with CH(2)Cl(2). This procedure provides a variety of protein nanotubes without interlayer cross-linking. The three-cycle depositions of poly-L-arginine (PLA) and human serum albumin (HSA, M(w)=66.5 kDa) into the porous PC template (pore diameter, D(p)=400 nm) yielded well-defined (PLA/HSA)(3) nanotubes with an outer diameter of 419+/-29 nm and a wall thickness of 46+/-8 nm, revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations. The outer diameter of the tubules can be controlled by the pore size of the template (200-800 nm), whereas the wall thickness is always constant, independent of the D(p) value. The (PEI/HSA)(3) (PEI: polyethylenimine) nanotubes showed a slightly thin wall of 39+/-5 nm. CD spectra of the multilayered (PEI/HSA)(n) film on a flat quartz plate suggested that the secondary structure of HSA between the polycations was almost the same as that in aqueous solution. The three-cycle LbL depositions of PLA and ferritin (M(w)=460 kDa) or myoglobin (Mb, M(w)=1.7 kDa) into the porous PC membrane also gave cylindrical hollow structures. The wall thickness of the (PLA/ferritin)(3) and (PLA/Mb)(3) nanotubes were 55+/-5 nm and 31+/-4 nm; it depends on the globular size of the protein (ferritin>HSA>Mb). The individual ferritin molecule was clearly seen in the tubular walls by SEM and TEM measurements.     

有机化学实验创新:3-[(2-羟基-1-萘基)偶氮基]苯甲醛的合成*

针对目前大学基础有机化学实验教学中的实验缺乏连贯性和系统性等问题,首次将硝基还原和芳胺重氮化偶联2个反应结合起来。主要以间硝基苯甲醛为原料,不进行中间体纯化,连续通过硝基还原、重氮化偶联反应直接制备偶氮染料--3-[(2-羟基-1-萘基)偶氮基]苯甲醛。改进后的实验将2个原本孤立的实验联系在一起,让本科生在掌握实验原理和基础实验操作的基础上,体会到有机化学基础实验之间的内在联系。同时该创新实验可以进一步拓展成综合实验,更有利于学生系统地理解和掌握化学实验技术,并锻炼主动探索精神和综合实践能力。     

高校化学教学实验室小型试剂库改造

目前高校化学教学实验室小型试剂库(暂存库)存在较多安全隐患,但一般体量较小,容易被相关管理者忽视,可能会造成实验室安全事故的发生。本文结合国家级实验教学示范中心(中国科学技术大学)化学实验教学实验室的实际情况,阐述了化学教学实验室小型试剂库改造的实践经验,为其他高校实验室试剂库的改造提供符合法律法规和国家标准要求的、适应面广、操作性强的可借鉴经验。     

The Length of a Ubiquitin Chain: A General Factor for Selective Recognition by Ubiquitin‐Binding Proteins

The attachment of ubiquitin (Ub) chains of various length to proteins is a prevalent posttranslational modification in eukaryotes. The fate of a modified protein is determined by Ub‐binding proteins (UBPs), which interact with Ub chains in a linkage‐selective manner. However, the impact and functional consequences of chain length on the binding selectivity of UBPs remain mostly elusive. We have generated Ub chains of defined length and linkage by using click chemistry and GELFrEE fractionation. These defined polymers were used in affinity‐based enrichment assays to identify length‐ and linkage‐selective interaction partners on a proteome‐wide scale. For the first time, it is revealed that the length of a Ub chain generally has a major impact on its ability to be selectively recognized by UBPs.     

Surfactant‐Stabilized Small Hydrogel Particles in Oil: Hosts for Remarkable Activation of Enzymes in Organic Solvents

Hydrogels of amino acid based cationic surfactant having C₁₆ tails were used to immobilize heme proteins and enzyme. These hydrogel‐entrapped proteins/enzyme showed remarkable activation when dispersed in organic solvent. The activation effect (ratio of the activity of the hydrogel‐entrapped enzyme in organic solvent to the activity of the native enzyme in water) of cytochrome c increased up to 350‐fold with varying protein and gelator concentration. Hydrogel‐entrapped hemoglobin and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) also showed markedly improved activity in organic solvent. Alteration in the structure of the gelator and its supramolecular arrangement showed that the protein immobilized within amphiphilic networks with larger interstitial space exhibited higher activation. This striking activation of hydrogel‐entrapped proteins stems from the following effects: 1) the hydrophilic domain of the amphiphilic networks facilitates accessibility of the enzyme to the water‐soluble substrate. 2) the surfactant, as an integral part of the amphiphilic network, assists in the formation of a distinct interface through which reactants and products are easily transferred between hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains. 3) Surfactant gelators help in the dispersion and stabilization of gel matrix into small particles in organic solvent, which enhances the overall surface area and results in improved mass transfer. The activation was dramatically improved up to 675‐fold in the presence of nongelating anionic surfactants that helped in disintegration of the gel into further smaller‐sized particles. Interestingly, hydrogel‐immobilized HRP exhibited about 2000‐fold higher activity in comparison to the activity of the suspended enzyme in toluene. Structural changes of the entrapped enzyme and the morphology of the matrix were investigated to understand the mechanism of this activation.     

Organic Chemistry of Graphene: The Diels–Alder Reaction

Herein, by using dispersion‐corrected density functional theory, we investigated the Diels–Alder chemistry of pristine and defective graphene. Three dienes were considered, namely 2,3‐dimethoxy‐1,3‐butadiene (DMBD), 9‐methylanthracene (9MA), and 9,10‐dimethylanthracene (910DMA). The dienophiles that were assayed were tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and maleic anhydride (MA). When pristine graphene acted as the dienophile, we found that the cycloaddition products were 47–63 kcal mol^?1 less stable than the reactants, thus making the reaction very difficult. The presence of Stone–Wales translocations, 585 double vacancies, or 555‐777 reconstructed double vacancies did not significantly improve the reactivity because the cycloaddition products were still located at higher energy than the reactants. However, for the addition of 910DMA to single vacancies, the product showed comparable stability to the separated reactants, whereas for unsaturated armchair edges the reaction was extremely favorable. With regards the reactions with dienophiles, for TCNE, the cycloaddition product was metastable. In the case of MA, we observed a reaction product that was less stable than the reactants by 50 kcal mol^?1. For the reactions between graphene as a diene and the dienophiles, we found that the most‐promising defects were single vacancies and unsaturated armchair edges, because the other three defects were much‐less reactive. Thus, we conclude that the reactions with these above‐mentioned dienes may proceed on pristine or defective sheets with heating, despite being endergonic. The same statement also applies to the dienophile maleic anhydride. However, for TCNE, the reaction is only likely to occur onto single vacancies or unsaturated armchair edges. We conclude that the dienophile character of graphene is slightly stronger than its behavior as a diene.     

Protein Delivery System Containing a Nickel‐Immobilized Polymer for Multimerization of Affinity‐Purified His‐Tagged Proteins Enhances Cytosolic Transfer

Recombinant proteins with cytosolic or nuclear activities are emerging as tools for interfering with cellular functions. Because such tools rely on vehicles for crossing the plasma membrane we developed a protein delivery system consisting in the assembly of pyridylthiourea‐grafted polyethylenimine (πPEI) with affinity‐purified His‐tagged proteins pre‐organized onto a nickel‐immobilized polymeric guide. The guide was prepared by functionalization of an ornithine polymer with nitrilotriacetic acid groups and shown to bind several His‐tagged proteins. Superstructures were visualized by electron and atomic force microscopy using 2 nm His‐tagged gold nanoparticles as probes. The whole system efficiently carried the green fluorescent protein, single‐chain antibodies or caspase 3, into the cytosol of living cells. Transduction of the protease caspase 3 induced apoptosis in two cancer cell lines, demonstrating that this new protein delivery method could be used to interfere with cellular functions.     

综合有机化学实验:生物碱essramycin类似物的合成与表征*

以乙酰乙酸乙酯和5-氨基-1H-1,2,4-三氮唑-3-羧酸甲酯为原料,经过系列官能团转化和环合,制备出带有多种衍生化基团(如酰肼)的生物碱essramycin 类似物。实验涉及加热回流、真空脱溶、抽滤和TLC检测等基础操作,可以锻炼学生在有机化合物合成、纯化及结构鉴定等方面的操作技能。实验要求学生独立查阅文献,熟练掌握ChemDraw和MestReC等软件的使用,可以提升学生分析问题并解决问题的能力。实验以提高本科生综合素质为宗旨,适用于学生综合有机化学实验。     

基于学科理解的认识视角研究——以有机物分子组成与结构主题为例

学科理解对教师教学的主要价值在于凝练学科本原性问题、抽提认识视角、厘清认识思路及建构主题概念层级结构,其中认识视角决定了理解问题的深刻程度,能够指引认识思路的发展,具有学科认识论层面的重要价值。本研究探讨学科理解视域下的认识视角是如何抽提并发展的,以有机物分子组成与结构主题为例。通过理解化学史得出抽提认识视角的过程：(1)追溯化学家本原性思想,分析概念的学科功能;(2)基于学科功能抽提认识视角,纵向体会认识视角的发展性;(3)基于矛盾冲突丰富认识视角,横向体会认识视角的多面性;(4)基于认识视角发展结构化、本原性的理解。     

中外高中化学教材图表系统的比较研究——以“化学键”内容为例

通过定量的方法,对10个国家高中化学教材"化学键"内容图表系统从图表数量、图表密度、图表类型3个维度进行比较,发现各国高中化学教材图表类型都较为丰富,其中模型类图表的使用最多,且图表主要分布在共价键这一核心概念中。中国教材图表数量和图表密度在10国排名居中,图表类型略有欠缺。