Structure and Mechanism of an Aspartimide‐Dependent Peptide Ligase in Human Legumain

Peptide ligases expand the repertoire of genetically encoded protein architectures by synthesizing new peptide bonds, energetically driven by ATP or NTPs. Here, we report the discovery of a genuine ligase activity in human legumain (AEP) which has important roles in immunity and tumor progression that were believed to be due to its established cysteine protease activity. Defying dogma, the ligase reaction is independent of the catalytic cysteine but exploits an endogenous energy reservoir that results from the conversion of a conserved aspartate to a metastable aspartimide. Legumain’s dual protease–ligase activities are pH‐ and thus localization controlled, dominating at acidic and neutral pH, respectively. Their relevance includes reversible on–off switching of cystatin inhibitors and enzyme (in)activation, and may affect the generation of three‐dimensional MHC epitopes. The aspartate–aspartimide (succinimide) pair represents a new paradigm of coupling endergonic reactions in ATP‐scarce environments.     

Hydrogenations at Room Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure with Mesoionic Carbene‐Stabilized Borenium Catalysts

1,2,3‐Triazolylidene‐based mesoionic carbene boranes have been synthesized in a convenient one‐pot protocol from the corresponding 1,2,3‐triazolium salts, base, and borane. Borenium ions are obtained by hydride abstraction and serve as catalysts in mild hydrogenation reactions of imines and unsaturated N‐heterocycles at ambient pressure and temperature.     

Temperature effect on the microstructure and viscoelastic properties of aqueous micellar systems of sodium <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-oleyl taurate

The quantitative characteristics of the temperature effect on the rheological properties of aqueous solutions of the anionic surfactant sodium methyl oleyl taurate (SMOT) are presented. An increase in the intensity of thermal motion of surfactant molecules on heating from 25 to 45 °С was shown to decrease the average contour length of SMOT micelles from 2 μm to 700 nm. The decrease in the length of cylindrical micelles is probably one of the main reasons for a substantial decrease in the viscosity of micellar solutions of the surfactant with temperature.     

Supramolecular catalytic systems based on 1, 4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane,its alkylated quaternary derivatives,and lanthanum nitrate

Spectrophotometry was used to study the catalytic effects of the systems composed of N-monoand N, N-dialkylated 1, 4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes and lanthanum nitrate on the hydrolysis rate of O-alkyl O-4-nitrophenyl chloromethylphosphonates (Alk = Et, Buⁿ, and n-hexyl). The mechanism of action and efficiency of the catalytic system depend on the structure of the heterocycle, its propensity to aggregation and complexation with the lanthanum cation, and the relative content of the components in solution. The maximum catalytic effect (a ～115-fold increase in the hydrolysis rate constant) was achieved in micellar solutions of the cationic monoalkylated derivative of 1, 4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane and lanthanum nitrate.

     

Enthalpies of the Diels–Alder reactions of a series of dienes with tetracyanoethylene and 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione

Russian Chemical Bulletin - The enthalpies of the Diels–Alder reactions of twenty dienes with two active dienophiles, tetracyanoethylene and 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione, are compared,...