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.     

Polysaccharides of algae 67. Carrageenan from Pacific red alga Turnerella mertensiana (Gigartinales,Rhodophyta)

A sulfated galactan composed of nearly equimolar amounts of d-galactose, 3,6-anhydro-d-galactose, and sulfate was isolated from the red alga Turnerella mertensiana collected in the Sea of Japan. The structures of native polysaccharide and its alkaline modification products were studied by NMR spectroscopy. The polysaccharide molecules were shown to contain a linear carbohydrate chain consisting of alternating 3-linked β-d-galactopyranose 4-sulfate and 4-linked 3,6-anhydro-α-d-galactopyranose residues (known as к-carrageenan), which is typical of carrageenans, but the regularity of polymer structure is masked by the presence of some 3,6-anhydro-α-d-galactose 2-sulfate (ι-carrageenan units) and α-D-galactose 6-sulfate (µ-carrageenan units) instead of 3,6-anhydro-α-d-galactose. Upon addition of potassium chloride (up to 4%) to a solution of the native polysaccharide, about half of the substance transforms into gel. The gel-forming fraction is к-ι-µ-hybrid carrageenan with the ～65 : 15 : 20 ratio of к-, ι-, and µ-units. The non-gelling fraction contains the к-, ι-, and µ-units at the ratio of ～46 : 12 : 42. The gel-forming carrageenan product free of µ-units can be otained in ～30% yield (based on the dry biomass) by alkaline treatment of the alga prior to extraction of the polysaccharide.

     

Design of phosphonate analogs of short peptides by “click” chemistry

Methods were developed for the first time for the modification of the natural neuropeptides Ile–Gly–Leu and Leu–Gly–Leu simultaneously with the phosphonate moiety and the triazole ring or solely with the triazole ring by means of click chemistry. All of the peptidomimetics synthesized were isolated as a mixture of diastereomers and were characterized by spectroscopic methods.

     

The characteristics of the hydrotropic Miscanthus pulp

Russian Chemical Bulletin - The characteristics of the Miscanthus pulp obtained by hydrotropic processing under different conditions were studied. The pulping conditions were optimized to achieve...