竞争还是协同：分子内两类磷键Sb---X(X=O、N、F)和Sb---π的关系

本文通过选取多个双官能团有机分子(甲氧基甲基苯(1)、苄基二甲胺(2)、氟甲基苯(3))和无机分子SbCl₃,利用密度泛函理论详细考察了两类分子内磷键,Sb---X(X=O、N、F)与Sb---π之间的作用关系。研究结果表明,分子内均存在两种作用,并且二者是竞争关系,不存在协同性。分子1、2、3的结合能依次为-14.0、-17.0、-9.0 kcal mol^_-1。对于1,结合以Sb---O键为主,Sb---π为辅;对于2,结合基本均来自于Sb---N作用;而对于3,结合则以Sb---π作用为主。该结果体现了相互作用随原子序数的渐变性,为通过磷键调控体系的性质提供了理论依据。     

Peptide backbone-copper ring structure: A molecular insight into copper-induced amyloid toxicity

Copper ions can promote amyloid diseases that are associated with amyloid peptides, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains obscure. Here we present that Cu²⁺ is able to specifically bind to the backbone of T2D-related human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) by forming a ring structure, which causes the reduction of Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺ to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the modulation of hIAPP aggregation. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that Cu²⁺ bound to the backbone of a turn region, His18—Ser21, which is critical for hIAPP aggregation. Ab initio calculations and x-ray absorption fine structure analyses revealed that Cu²⁺ simultaneously bound with both the amide nitrogen and carbonyl oxygen on the peptide backbone, resulting in a ring structure, and causing the reduction of Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺ to form a hIAPP-Cu⁺ complex. 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate fluorescence measurements further indicated that this complex led to enhanced ROS levels in rat insulinoma cells. Additionally, thioflavin T fluorescence and atomic force microscopy measurements denoted that the backbone-Cu ring structure largely modulated hIAPP aggregation, including the inhibition of hIAPP fibrillation and the promotion of peptide oligomerization. These findings shed new light on the molecular mechanism of Cu²⁺-induced amyloid toxicity involving both the enhancement of ROS and the modulation of hIAPP aggregation.