Binding Ensembles of p53-MDM2 Peptide Inhibitors by Combining Bayesian Inference and Atomistic Simulations

Designing peptide inhibitors of the p53-MDM2 interaction against cancer is of wide interest. Computational modeling and virtual screening are a well established step in the rational design of small molecules. But they face challenges for binding flexible peptide molecules that fold upon binding. We look at the ability of five different peptides, three of which are intrinsically disordered, to bind to MDM2 with a new Bayesian inference approach (MELD × MD). The method is able to capture the folding upon binding mechanism and differentiate binding preferences between the five peptides. Processing the ensembles with statistical mechanics tools depicts the most likely bound conformations and hints at differences in the binding mechanism. Finally, the study shows the importance of capturing two driving forces to binding in this system: the ability of peptides to adopt bound conformations (ΔGconformation) and the interaction between interface residues (ΔGinteraction).     

Mechanism and kinetics of the 2,2′-bipyridyl catalysis of the chromium(VI) oxidation of malic acid

A spectrophotometric study of the kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of malic acid (Mal) by chromium(VI) catalyzed by 2,2′-bipyridyl (bpy) in aqueous acidic medium was conducted in a temperature range of ～298 to 313 K. This reaction was found to be pseudo-first order with respect to Cr(VI) and first order with respect to malic acid. Under the conditions of the pseudo-first order ([Mal]_o ? [Cr(VI)]_o), the observed rate constant (k _obs) increased with the increase in [H⁺] and [bpy]. There was a weak negative salt effect. Based on the experimental results, a possible reaction mechanism for this oxidation catalyzed by bpy is proposed. The rate equation derived from this mechanism can explain all the experimental phenomena.     

Synthesis and Insulin—sensitizing Activity of a Series of 2—Benzyl—1,3—dicarbonyl Derivatives

A series of 2-benzyl-1,3-dicabonyl derivatives was synthesized.Their insulin-sensitizing activity was evaluated in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells.Compounds3,26 and 27 were found to possess strong insulin-sensitizing activity in vitro and were selected for further hypoglycemic evaluation in vivo.     

A study on the bioactivity of chitosan/nano-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

In order to increase the biocompatibility and bioactivity of chitosan, hydroxyapatite had been in situ combined into chitosan scaffolds. The bioactivity of the composite scaffolds was studied by examining the apatite formed on the scaffolds by incubating in simulated body fluid and the activity of preosteoblasts cultured on them. The apatite layer was assessed using scanning electronic microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and weight measurement. Composite analysis showed that after incubation in simulated body fluid on both of the scaffolds carbonate hydroxyapatite was formed. With increasing nano-hydroxyapatite content in the composite, the quantity of the apatite formed on the scaffolds increased. Compared with pure chitosan, the composite with nano-hydroxyapatite could form apatite more readily during the biomimetic process, which suggests that the composite possessed better mineralization activity. Furthermore, preosteoblast cells cultured on the apatite-coated scaffolds showed different behavior. On the apatite-coated composite scaffolds cells presented better proliferation than on apatite-coated chitosan scaffolds. In addition, alkaline phosphatase activities of cells cultured on the scaffolds in conditioned medium were assessed. The cells on composite scaffolds showed a higher alkaline phosphatase activity which suggested a higher differentiation level. The results indicated that the addition of nano-hydroxyapatite improved the bioactivity of chitosan/nano-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds. On the other hand, that is to say composition of substrates could affect the apatite formation on them, and pre-loaded hydroxyapatite can enhance the apatite-coating. It will also be significant in preparation of apatite-coating polymer scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.     

Synthesis of the C16-C35 fragment of integramycin using olefin hydroesterification as a linchpin reaction

[reaction: see text] The spiroketal unit of the HIV-integrase inhibitor integramycin has been prepared in an efficient and convergent manner. Key steps in this sequence include the use of ruthenium-mediated hydroesterification reactions of homoallylic alcohols and silyl ethers, and a C,O-dianionic addition into a lactone provides the spiroketal while minimizing protecting group manipulations.     

2-(苯并噻唑-2-基)-5-(N,N-二乙基氨基)苯酚衍生物的合成及其对H2S的识别

以4-N,N-二乙基氨基水杨醛为原料,制备了2-(苯并噻唑-2-基)-5-(N,N-二乙基氨基)苯酚衍生物(探针L),并对其结构进行了表征。在DMSO/PBS(体积比3∶7,pH=7.4)溶液中,探针L具有高选择性并可荧光"关-开"识别H_2S,在365nm紫外灯照射下,由无荧光变成蓝色荧光。实验表明,探针L识别H_2S的检测限为2.05×10~(-6)mol/L,pH适用范围为6～9,可用于检测实际水样中的H_2S。     

Self-assembling of helical poly(phenylacetylene) carrying L-valine pendants in solution, on mica substrate, and on water surface

In the present work, we investigated self-assembling of a poly(phenylacetylene) carrying L-valine pendants (PPA-Val) in a water/methanol solution, upon evaporation of the solution on mica, and on the water surface. With intercalation of a fluorescence probe of Ru(phen)2(dppx)2+ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dppx=7,8-dimethyldipyridophenazine) into the hydrophobic cavities associated by the PPA-Val chains, their helical structures were directly detected in solution with an in situ fluorescence microscope. Helical aggregates were observed with AFM upon evaporation of the solvents, suggesting that the helical structures in the solution are the building blocks of the helical aggregates. Self-assembling structures of PPA-Val on the water surface were, however, very different from that formed upon evaporation of its THF solution on the mica surface. The polymer chains associated into a monolayer of extended fibers on the water surface, whereas superhelical fibers formed on the mica surface. Water molecules play a critical role in inducing the polymer to form diverse morphological structures in its bulk solution and on its surface. In solution, the isotropic hydrophobic effect drove the polymer chains to form superhelical aggregates, while on the water surface, the hydrophobic effect concentrated mainly on the lateral part of the polymer, thus giving a monolayer of extended fibers.     

C NMR spectra of cyclomercurated ferrocenylimines: Substituent effects and conformations in the ferrocenes

Three series of cyclomercurated ferrocenylimines (2-chloromercurio-ferrocenylimines) have been studied using ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Good to excellent linear relationships have been found to exist between the chemical shifts of the carbon atoms in the ferrocenyl moiety and normal Hammett substituent constants σ_m and σ_p. The δ values of the iminyl carbon atoms show excellent linear correlations with the σ values. In three series of the ferrocenes, the sensitivity of the carbon atoms to the substituent effect is different, which is discussed in terms of the twist angle between the N-phenyl ring and the C---C=N---C plane. The relative sensitivity of the chemical shifts on different positions in ferrocenyl moiety to the substituent effect has also been presented.     

ortho-Mercuration of ferrocenylimines

The mercuration of a series of aryliminomethylferrocenes occurred predominantly in an ortho-position of the substituted ferrocenyl ring to yield 2-mercurated ferrocenylimines. The regiospecificity of this reaction suggests that the mercury is directed into the ortho-position by coordination of the mercury to imino nitrogen with subsequent electrophilic substitution. The chromatographic and spectral properties of the 2-mercurated products show the presence of an intramolecular N → Hg coordination via the five-membered ring in these molecules, which was further confirmed by the single-crystal structure analysis of 2-chloromercuro-1-[(4-methoxyphenylimino)methyl]ferrocene.     

制备方法对Mg1.9Al0.1Ni合金储氢性能的影响

文中采用机械合金化(MA)和氢化燃烧法(HCS)制备了Mg1.9Al0.1Ni,通过对它们储氢性能的对比研究发现,MA优于HCS.采用MA制得的Mg1.9Al0.1Ni储氢合金具有较高的活性和高储氢量,对PCT结果进行计算,得出温度和氢平衡压的关系式.Mg1.9Al0.1Ni(MA)553K时100s内吸放氢量分别为2.67和2.54 mass%H.用XRD方法进行物相分析,表明添加适量Al没有改变Mg2Ni的物相结构,由于MA能够制备出纳米晶粒,使得Mg1.9Al0.1Ni合金具有更好的储放氢动力学性能.