Uncovering the Stoichiometry of Pyrococcus furiosus RNase P,a Multi‐Subunit Catalytic Ribonucleoprotein Complex,by Surface‐Induced Dissociation and Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry

We demonstrate that surface‐induced dissociation (SID) coupled with ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM‐MS) is a powerful tool for determining the stoichiometry of a multi‐subunit ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex assembled in a solution containing Mg²⁺. We investigated Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu) RNase P, an archaeal RNP that catalyzes tRNA 5′ maturation. Previous step‐wise, Mg²⁺‐dependent reconstitutions of Pfu RNase P with its catalytic RNA subunit and two interacting protein cofactor pairs (RPP21?RPP29 and POP5?RPP30) revealed functional RNP intermediates en route to the RNase P enzyme, but provided no information on subunit stoichiometry. Our native MS studies with the proteins showed RPP21?RPP29 and (POP5?RPP30)₂ complexes, but indicated a 1:1 composition for all subunits when either one or both protein complexes bind the cognate RNA. These results highlight the utility of SID and IM‐MS in resolving conformational heterogeneity and yielding insights on RNP assembly.     

Lysosomal pH Rise during Heat Shock Monitored by a Lysosome‐Targeting Near‐Infrared Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe

Heat stroke is a life‐threatening condition, featuring a high body temperature and malfunction of many organ systems. The relationship between heat shock and lysosomes is poorly understood, mainly because of the lack of a suitable research approach. Herein, by incorporating morpholine into a stable hemicyanine skeleton, we develop a new lysosome‐targeting near‐infrared ratiometric pH probe. In combination with fluorescence imaging, we show for the first time that the lysosomal pH value increases but never decreases during heat shock, which might result from lysosomal membrane permeabilization. We also demonstrate that this lysosomal pH rise is irreversible in living cells. Moreover, the probe is easy to synthesize, and shows superior overall analytical performance as compared to the existing commercial ones. This enhanced performance may enable it to be widely used in more lysosomal models of living cells and in further revealing the mechanisms underlying heat‐related pathology.     

Enhancement of Solar Hydrogen Evolution from Water by Surface Modification with CdS and TiO2 on Porous CuInS2 Photocathodes Prepared by an Electrodeposition–Sulfurization Method

Porous films of p‐type CuInS₂, prepared by sulfurization of electrodeposited metals, are surface‐modified with thin layers of CdS and TiO₂. This specific porous electrode evolved H₂ from photoelectrochemical water reduction under simulated sunlight. Modification with thin n‐type CdS and TiO₂ layers significantly increased the cathodic photocurrent and onset potential through the formation of a p–n junction on the surface. The modified photocathodes showed a relatively high efficiency and stable H₂ production under the present reaction conditions.     

Molecularly Precise Dendrimer–Drug Conjugates with Tunable Drug Release for Cancer Therapy

The structural preciseness of dendrimers makes them perfect drug delivery carriers, particularly in the form of dendrimer–drug conjugates. Current dendrimer–drug conjugates are synthesized by anchoring drug and functional moieties onto the dendrimer peripheral surface. However, functional groups exhibiting the same reactivity make it impossible to precisely control the number and the position of the functional groups and drug molecules anchored to the dendrimer surface. This structural heterogeneity causes variable pharmacokinetics, preventing such conjugates to be translational. Furthermore, the highly hydrophobic drug molecules anchored on the dendrimer periphery can interact with blood components and alter the pharmacokinetic behavior. To address these problems, we herein report molecularly precise dendrimer–drug conjugates with drug moieties buried inside the dendrimers. Surprisingly, the drug release rates of these conjugates were tailorable by the dendrimer generation, surface chemistry, and acidity.     

An Ylide Transformation of Rhodium(I) Carbene: Enantioselective Three‐Component Reaction through Trapping of Rhodium(I)‐Associated Ammonium Ylides by β‐Nitroacrylates

The chiral Rh^I–diene‐catalyzed asymmetric three‐component reaction of aryldiazoacetates, aromatic amines, and β‐nitroacrylates was achieved to obtain γ‐nitro‐α‐amino‐succinates in good yields and with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity. This reaction is proposed to proceed through the enantioselective trapping of Rh^I‐associated ammonium ylides by nitroacrylates. This new transformation represents the first example of Rh^I‐carbene‐induced ylide transformation.     

Organocatalytic and Scalable Synthesis of the Anti‐Influenza Drugs Zanamivir,Laninamivir, and CS‐8958

Zanamivir, laninamivir, and CS‐8958 are three neuraminidase inhibitors that have been clinically used to combat influenza. We report herein a novel organocatalytic route for preparing these agents. Only 13 steps are needed for the assembly of zanamivir and laninamivir from inexpensive D ‐araboascorbic acid by this synthetic route, which relies heavily on a thiourea‐catalyzed enantioselective Michael addition of acetone to tert‐butyl (2‐nitrovinyl)carbamate and an anti‐selective Henry reaction of the resulting Michael adduct with an aldehyde prepared from D ‐araboascorbic acid. The synthetic procedures are scalable, as evident from the preparation of more than 3.5 g of zanamivir.     

Ring Opening of N‐Sulfonyl Aziridines by Amines in Silica‐Water

Ring opening reactions of N‐sulfonyl aziridines by primary and secondary amines in silica gel (SG)‐water system were achieved, which provided a mild, practical and environmentally benign method to synthesize mono‐ and bis‐sulfonyl substituted amines. When primary and secondary amines were used in excess, they reacted with N‐sulfonyl aziridines smoothly at room temperature, mainly affording 1:1 ring opening products. Reactions of primary amines with 2 equiv. of aziridines produced 2:1 ring opening products. Some 1:1 products can be cyclized with CS₂ to synthesize N‐sulfonyl cyclothioureas also in water.     

The promoting role of minor amount of water in solvent-free hydrogenation of halogenated nitrobenzenes

This study shows that minor amount of water plays a very important role in solvent-free hydrogenation of halogenated nitrobenzenes. For dried sponge Pd, the reaction cannot occur in the absence of water. For Pd/C catalyst, minor amount of water reduces the induction time, increases the reaction rate and reaction TOFs. Water might enhance the diffusion, adsorption and dissociation of H2 on Pd catalysts.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of novel calix[4]arene derivatives containing 1,2,3-triazole moiety via K2CO3-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction

Two calix[4]arene derivatives containing 1,2,3-triazole moiety were synthesized via K2CO3-catalyzed1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between calix[4]arene-based azide and active methylene compounds in good yields.The structures of the two compounds synthesized herein were fully confirmed by 1HNMR,,（13）C NMR,and MS（ESI）.The thermal analysis showed that the mass losses of the synthesized compounds 4 and 5 containing 1,2,3-triazole groups are similar to each other.     

An efficient ionic liquid supported divergent assembly of 3,6-branched glucosamine-containing pentasaccharide

We utilized the glycosyl acceptor tagging method with ionic liquid support for synthesis of the core segment of Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin ligand through a divergent synthetic strategy without chromatographic purification.The total yield was 57.1% and the reaction was completed in 10 h.The efficient ionic liquid supported glycosylation and purification procedure was applied for the synthesis of branched glucosamine-containing oligosaccharides for the first time,which expanded the scope of ionic liquid supported synthesis of biologically important oligosaccharides.