A molecular docking model of SARS-CoV S1 protein in complex with its receptor, human ACE2

The exact residues within severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) S1 protein and its receptor, human ACE2, involved in their interaction still remain largely undetermined. Identification of exact amino acid residues that are crucial for the interaction of S1 with ACE2 could provide working hypotheses for experimental studies and might be helpful for the development of antiviral inhibitor. In this paper, a molecular docking model of SARS-CoV S1 protein in complex with human ACE2 was constructed. The interacting residue pairs within this complex model and their contact types were also identified. Our model, supported by significant biochemical evidence, suggested receptor-binding residues were concentrated in two segments of S1 protein. In contrast, the interfacial residues in ACE2, though close to each other in tertiary structure, were found to be widely scattered in the primary sequence. In particular, the S1 residue ARG453 and ACE2 residue LYS341 might be the key residues in the complex formation.     

Cover Picture: A Stepwise Annulation for the Transformation of Cyclic Ketones to Fused 6 and 7‐Membered Cyclic Enimines and Enones (Chin. J. Chem. 4/2019)

The cover picture shows a typical building within the Campus of Xiamen University displaying Chen Jiageng (Tan Kah Kee)'s style. Just like many beautiful buildings designed and constructed by human, Nature “designs and constructs” a huge number of useful molecules with fascinating structures called natural products. Many natural products possess a fused six or seven‐membered carbocyclic unity. On page 315–322, the Huang's group disclosed a three‐step “[2+n]” annulation method for the construction of fused six and seven‐membered carbocyclic enimines and enones. The method starts from simple cyclic ketones and terminal olefinic amides, and relies on both the Suzuki coupling reaction and the olefin‐amide based Friedel‐Crafts type acylating reaction, a method developed by Huang and coworkers.

     

A Novel Dihydroflavone from the Roots of Uvaria Macrophylla

A new dihydroflavone (1), named macrophyllol A, was isolated from the roots of Uvaria macrophylla. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.     

Esters of 5-carboxyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide: a family of spin traps for superoxide

Apparent rate constants, at acidic pH and neutral pH for the reaction of a family of ester-containing 5-carboxyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxides with superoxide (O2*-) were estimated, using ferricytochrome c as a competitive inhibitor. It was of interest to note that the rate constants were similar among the different nitrones and not that significantly different from that found for 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide. At acidic pH, the rate constant for spin trapping O2*- was 3-fold greater than that at physiological pH. Subsequent experiments determined the half-life of aminoxyls, derived from the reaction of these nitrones with O2*-. The EPR spectra were modeled by using a global analysis method. The results clearly demonstrated that EPR spectra of all the aminoxyls were inconsistent with a model that included a single gamma-hydrogen splitting. A better interpretation modeled them as two diastereomers with identical nitrogen splittings and slightly different beta-hydrogen splittings. Detailed line width analyses slightly favored an equal line width-unequal population ratio for the two diastereomers.     

模式识别—人工神经网络在化学中的若干新应用

本文通过我们应用模式识别－人工神经网络方法预报新化合物、熔盐相图以及复杂化学反应体系的研究，展示应用模式识别－人工神经网络方法与物理化学理论相结合，研究化学现象的可能性和应用价值。     

Reaction of porous silicon with both end-functionalized organic compounds bearing alpha-bromo and omega-carboxy groups for immobilization of biomolecules

Both end-functionalized (alpha-bromo and omega-carboxy) compounds were first tested for the radical reaction on the silicon-hydride (Si-H) terminated porous silicon (PSi) with/without the presence of diacyl peroxide initiator under microwave irradiation. Then the carboxylic acid monolayers (CAMs) assembled on PSi through the robust Si-C bonds were converted to amino-reactive linker, N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)-ester, terminated monolayers. And finally two proteins of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme (Lys) were immobilized through amide bonds. The optimum PSi membrane for protein immobilization without collapse, with parameters of porous radii 4-10 nm and depth 0.2-4.6 mum, was prepared from the (100)-oriented p-type silicon wafer. The chemically converted surface products were monitored with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM).     

Pd-catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling of anilides with olefins through regioselective C-H bond activation

Pd-catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling of anilides with olefins was achieved through selective C-H bond activation. Compared to the previous studies, not only did we successfully use molecular oxygen to replace the chemical oxidant, but we also obtained improved yields for a number of substrates. The reaction tended to give high yields for electron-rich anilides and electron-deficient olefins, with a best yield up to 91%.     

The Crystalline Changes of Starch from Rhizoma Dioscorea by Acid Hydrolysis

Dioscoreae (Chinese name Shanyao), the rhizome of various species of genus Dioscorea opposita Thunb.(Dioscoreaceae), has been used as an important invigorant in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for many years1. Starch, the most abundant carbohydrate in …     

Cloud Point Extraction Preconcentration of Trace Cadmium as 1-Phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone Complex and Determination by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A new method for the determination of trace cadmium in water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) after cloud point extraction (CPE) is proposed. The method is based on the complexation of Cd with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone (PMBP) in the presence of non-ionic micelles of Triton X-100. The effect of experimental conditions such as pH, concentration of chelating agent and surfactant, equilibration temperature and time on cloud point extraction was studied. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limits are 0.64 ng mL^±1 with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 2.1% (n = 10). The proposed method was applied to the determination of trace cadmium in water samples with satisfactory results.     

Synthesis and screening of a molecularly imprinted polymer library targeted for penicillin G

A library of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) was synthesized by radical bulk polymerization using the beta-lactam antibiotic penicillin G as the template. Diversity of the library was obtained by combining various functionalized monomers and cross-linkers and by varying the stoichiometry and the concentration of the components in the prepolymerization mixtures. The library was screened for selectivity to penicillin G by a radioligand binding assay and was compared to a corresponding control library. The best MIP candidate, showing the highest selectivity for penicillin G, was prepared from methacrylic acid and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate as the functionalized monomer and cross-linker, respectively. Cross-reactivity studies with other beta-lactam antibiotics showed a low cross-reactivity of penicillin V (15%), ampicillin (16%), and amoxicillin (19%). Nafcillin and oxacillin showed less cross-reactivity (<1%). Cross-reaction with a cephalosporin antibiotic (cephapirin) and structurally nonrelated antibiotics (chloramphenicol, tetracycline, dapsone, and erythromycin) was less than 0.01%.