Geminal Dicationic Ionothermal Synthesis of One Three-Dimensional Luminescent Strontium(II) Coordination Polymer Based on 1,4-Naphthalenedicarboxylate Acid

One three-dimensional Sr(II) coordination polymer [C₆(MIm)₂][Sr₃(1,4-NDC)₄] (I) (C₆(MIm)₂ = 1,3-bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)hexyl, 1,4-H₂NDC = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate acid) has been synthesized using an ionothermal method and structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRPD, and X-ray single-crystal structure analysis (СIF file CCDC 1033958). Two types of strontium centers are bridged by two coordination modes of 1,4-H₂NDC ligands to form a Sr(II) chain. Each Sr(II) chain is crossconnected to four other chains to generate a 3D coordination polymer, in which C₆(MIm) ₂ ²⁺ cations as charge balancing species are filled in the channels of the anionic framework. The polymeric solid of I exhibits strong luminescent emission at room temperature.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Electrochemical Properties of One Polyoxometalate-Based Silver(I) Compound with Keggin-Type [PW<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>]<Superscript>3−</Superscript> Anions

One polyoxometalate-based silver(I) compound [Ag(2,2'-Bipy)₂]₃(PW₁₂O₄₀) (I) (2,2'-Bipy = 2,2'- bipyridine) has been synthesized and structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, XRPD and X-ray single-crystal structure analysis (CIF file CCDC no. 1572216). Compound I exhibits a crystalline three-dimentional supramolecular framework constructed by Ag-2,2'-Bipy coordination units and [PW₁₂O₄0]^3? template anions, in which there are multiform π...π interactions and hydrogen bonds. The cyclic voltammetric experiments show that compound I displays a good electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of nitrite.     

DNA Origami Scaffolds as Templates for Functional Tetrameric Kir3 K+ Channels

In native systems, scaffolding proteins play important roles in assembling proteins into complexes to transduce signals. This concept is yet to be applied to the assembly of functional transmembrane protein complexes in artificial systems. To address this issue, DNA origami has the potential to serve as scaffolds that arrange proteins at specific positions in complexes. Herein, we report that Kir3 K⁺ channel proteins are assembled through zinc‐finger protein (ZFP)‐adaptors at specific locations on DNA origami scaffolds. Specific binding of the ZFP‐fused Kir3 channels and ZFP‐based adaptors on DNA origami were confirmed by atomic force microscopy and gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, the DNA origami with ZFP binding sites nearly tripled the K⁺ channel current activity elicited by heterotetrameric Kir3 channels in HEK293T cells. Thus, our method provides a useful template to control the oligomerization states of membrane protein complexes in vitro and in living cells.     

Rho-kinase inhibitors from adlay seeds

Rho-kinase enzymes are one of the most important targets recently identified in our bodies. Several lines of evidence indicate that these enzymes are involved in many diseases and cellular disorders. ROCK inhibitors may have clinical applications for cancer, hypertension, glaucoma, etc. Our study aims to identify the possible involvement of Rho-kinase inhibition to the multiple biological activities of adlay seeds and provide a rationale for their folkloric medicines. Hence, we evaluated Rho-kinase I and II inhibitory activity of the ethanol extract and 28 compounds derived from the seeds. A molecular docking assay was designed to estimate the binding affinity of the tested compounds with the target enzymes. The results of our study suggest a possible involvement of Rho-kinase inhibition to the multiple biological activities of the seeds. Furthermore, the results obtained with the tested compounds revealed some interesting skeletons as a scaffold for design and development of natural Rho-kinase inhibitors.     

Synthesis,conformational preferences in gas and solution,and molecular gear rotation in 1-(dimethylamino)-1-phenyl-1-silacyclohexane by gas phase electron diffraction (GED), LT NMR and theoretical calculations

1-(Dimethylamino)-1-phenyl-1-silacyclohexane 1, was synthesized, and its molecular structure and conformational properties studied by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED), low temperature ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations. The predominance of the 1-Ph_ax conformer (1-Ph_eq:1-Ph_ax ratio of 20:80%, ΔG°(317?K)?=??0.87?kcal/mol) in the gas phase is close to the theoretically estimated conformational equilibrium. In solution, low temperature NMR spectroscopy showed analyzable decoalescence of C_ipso and C(1,5) carbon signals in ¹³C NMR spectra at 103?K. Opposite to the gas state in the freon solution employed (CD₂Cl₂/CHFCl₂/CHFCl₂?=?1:1:3), which is still liquid at 100?K, the 1-Ph_eq conformer was found to be the preferred one [(1-Ph_eq: 1-Ph_ax?=?77%: 23%, K?=?77/23?=?2.8; ?ΔG°?=??RT ln K (at 103?K)?=?0.44?±?0.1?kcal/mol]. When comparing 1 with 1-phenyl-1-(X)silacylohexanes (X?=?H, Me, OMe, F, Cl), studied so far, the trend of predominance of the Ph_ax conformer in the gas phase and of the Ph_eq conformer in solution is confirmed.     

Heat capacities and thermodynamic functions of d-ribose and d-mannose

The heat capacities of d-ribose and d-mannose have been studied over the temperature range from 1.9 to 440 K for the first time using a combination of Quantum Design Physical Property Measurement System and a differential scanning calorimeter. The purity, crystal phase and thermal stability of these two compounds have been characterized using HPLC, XRD and TG–DTA techniques, respectively. The heat capacities of d-Mannose have been found to be larger than those of d-ribose due to its larger molecular weight, and the solid–liquid transition due to the sample melting has also been detected in the heat capacity curve. The heat capacities of these two compounds have been fitted to a series of theoretical models and empirical equations in the entire experimental temperature region, and the corresponding thermodynamic functions have been derived based on the curve fitting in the temperature range from 0 to 440 K. Moreover, the phase transition enthalpy and melting temperature of these two compounds have also been determined from the heat flows obtained in DSC measurements.

     

Carbon-coated LiFePO4–carbon nanotube electrodes for high-rate Li-ion battery

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Olivine LiFePO4 (LFP) is a promising cathode material for high-rated lithium-ion batteries. However, olivine faced a severe disadvantage of low...     

Hydrogen bond networks determine emergent mechanical and thermodynamic properties across a protein family

Background

Gram-negative bacteria use periplasmic-binding proteins (bPBP) to transport nutrients through the periplasm. Despite immense diversity within the recognized substrates, all members of the family share a common fold that includes two domains that are separated by a conserved hinge. The hinge allows the protein to cycle between open (apo) and closed (ligated) conformations. Conformational changes within the proteins depend on a complex interplay of mechanical and thermodynamic response, which is manifested as an increase in thermal stability and decrease of flexibility upon ligand binding.

Results

We use a distance constraint model (DCM) to quantify the give and take between thermodynamic stability and mechanical flexibility across the bPBP family. Quantitative stability/flexibility relationships (QSFR) are readily evaluated because the DCM links mechanical and thermodynamic properties. We have previously demonstrated that QSFR is moderately conserved across a mesophilic/thermophilic RNase H pair, whereas the observed variance indicated that different enthalpy-entropy mechanisms allow similar mechanical response at their respective melting temperatures. Our predictions of heat capacity and free energy show marked diversity across the bPBP family. While backbone flexibility metrics are mostly conserved, cooperativity correlation (long-range couplings) also demonstrate considerable amount of variation. Upon ligand removal, heat capacity, melting point, and mechanical rigidity are, as expected, lowered. Nevertheless, significant differences are found in molecular cooperativity correlations that can be explained by the detailed nature of the hydrogen bond network.

Conclusion

Non-trivial mechanical and thermodynamic variation across the family is explained by differences within the underlying H-bond networks. The mechanism is simple; variation within the H-bond networks result in altered mechanical linkage properties that directly affect intrinsic flexibility. Moreover, varying numbers of H-bonds and their strengths control the likelihood for energetic fluctuations as H-bonds break and reform, thus directly affecting thermodynamic properties. Consequently, these results demonstrate how unexpected large differences, especially within cooperativity correlation, emerge from subtle differences within the underlying H-bond network. This inference is consistent with well-known results that show allosteric response within a family generally varies significantly. Identifying the hydrogen bond network as a critical determining factor for these large variances may lead to new methods that can predict such effects.