Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Canxia Luo, Qi Zhang, Shiguo Sun, Hongjuan Li, Yongqian Xu
Summary: In the design of fluorescent probes, both the fluorescence properties and the working environment of the fluorescent molecule need to be considered. Auxiliary groups are introduced to refine the fluorescent molecule and improve the sensitivity and selectivity of the detection. This review summarizes the role of auxiliary groups in improving the performance of fluorescent probes and discusses the fundamental principles and future research directions in this field.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xinchi Zhou, Lin Li, Yuhui Wang, Tong Kong, Zhanglei Cao, Huiyuan Xie, Wei Liang, Yiting Wang, Sihua Qian, Jie Chao, Jianping Zheng
Summary: Developing highly active and sensitive nanozymes for biothiol analysis is of vital significance due to their essential roles in disease diagnosis. In this study, metal ion-doped carbon dots with high peroxidase-like activity were designed and prepared for biothiol detection and identification through a colorimetric sensor array technique. The developed sensor array showed accurate discrimination of the three most important biothiols, with a detection limit of 5 nM, and could also recognize a single biothiol with various concentrations and biothiol mixtures. Furthermore, actual samples such as cells and sera could be well distinguished, demonstrating its potential in disease diagnosis.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucia Coppo, Simona Scheggi, Graziella DeMontis, Raffaella Priora, Simona Frosali, Antonio Margaritis, Domenico Summa, Danila Di Giuseppe, Monica Ulivelli, Paolo Di Simplicio
Summary: This article discusses the relationship between increased plasma concentrations of total homocysteine (tHcy) and the onset/progression of diseases, but it is not yet clear how the increase in tHcy leads to pathological conditions. It is suggested that albumin may play a role in homocysteine toxicity, and further research on the redox role of albumin and thiol-disulfide exchange reactions could offer new therapeutic insights for reducing homocysteine toxicity.
ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jingfeng Yao, Guoxing Yin, Ting Yu, Haitao Li, Peng Yin
Summary: A fluorescent probe has been developed that can simultaneously distinguish Cys/Hcy and GSH, and perform fluorescence imaging in live cells.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shaohui Han, Hui Zhang, Xiuxiu Yue, Jingpei Wang, Lei Yang, Benhua Wang, Xiangzhi Song
Summary: A ratiometric fluorescent probe CP was developed to selectively and rapidly discriminate between Cys and Hcy by introducing a phenylethynyl group. With distinct ratiometric fluorescence changes induced by the presence of Cys or Hcy, the probe was able to visualize and discriminate between intracellular Cys and Hcy in HeLa cells and zebrafish.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu -Xi Feng, Cheng-Zhi Li, Peng Tian, Xiao-Zhang Yu
Summary: Thiocyanate is a common pollutant that negatively affects plant growth and crop yields. Rice plants can uptake and assimilate exogenous thiocyanate, producing hydrogen sulfide as a byproduct. Hydrogen sulfide has dual regulatory effects on rice plants. By clarifying the fate of hydrogen sulfide derived from assimilation of thiocyanate, we can better understand its physiological functions in rice plants.
Article
Spectroscopy
Xiuxiu Yue, Jiali Chen, Wenqiang Chen, Benhua Wang, Hui Zhang, Xiangzhi Song
Summary: The endoplasmic reticulum, known as the largest organelle in many eukaryotic cells, plays a vital role in maintaining normal cell function. A novel endoplasmic reticulum-targeting fluorescent probe, ER-CP, has been developed for distinguishing and imaging Cys, Hcy, and GSH with favorable sensitivity and selectivity. ER-CP shows good ER-targeting property and has been successfully applied in imaging these biothiols in HeLa cells.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei Wang, Zihao Peng, Min Ji, Junqing Chen, Peng Wang
Summary: In this study, a fluorescent probe SQM-NBD was synthesized for selective detection of Cys/Hcy. The probe showed superior sensitivity to Cys/Hcy and was able to achieve fluorescence imaging of Cys/Hcy in HeLa cells, demonstrating its potential for Cys/Hcy identification under physiological and pathological conditions.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Xiang-Gen Chen, Yuan Mei, Qin-Hua Song
Summary: In this article, a new fluorescent probe, CouSePh, was developed for the discriminative detection of three biothiols in biological systems. By introducing 4-phenylselenium as the active group, the probe showed a rapid and sensitive response to the biothiols.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinrong Zheng, Jianlong Li, Hongli Luo, Lingbin Sun, Mangmang Sang, Xiu Yu
Summary: Hyperhomocysteinemia, associated with atherosclerosis and vascular disease, is a known risk factor. Developing a specific probe for hyperhomocysteinemia can provide early warning for cardiovascular diseases. The Hcy-specific fluorescent probe (HSFP) designed in this study has excellent selectivity and anti-interference capability, automatically switching on and off in water solution, and sensitively reflecting changes in Hcy content in cells.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shang-Ming-Zhu Zeng, Qing Zhang, Qin Li, Liang-Chao Yuan, Muhammad Abbas, Zhen-Xiang He, Hai-Liang Zhu, Zhong-Chang Wang
Summary: In this study, a highly selective Cys fluorescent probe ZS-C1 based on quinoline was reported, which can monitor and image Cys levels in real time, providing critical information for early diagnosis and treatment of GBM.
Article
Plant Sciences
Huihui Fang, Zhenyuan Yu, Kehong Xing, Lingyi Zhou, Yuke Shao, Xiaofang Zhang, Yanxi Pei, Lu Zhang
Summary: Numerous studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) functions as a gasotransmitter in various biological processes. However, its involvement in sulfur metabolism and/or Cys synthesis makes its role as a signaling molecule unclear. In this study, we found that exogenous H2S fumigation and Cys treatment affected the production rate and content of endogenous H2S and Cys. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that H2S regulates gene expression independently of Cys, mainly involved in plant hormone signal transduction and plant-pathogen interaction.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Jurado-Flores, Luis C. Romero, Cecilia Gotor
Summary: Hydrogen sulfide-mediated signaling pathways play crucial roles in regulating physiological and pathophysiological processes in mammals and plants. Through quantitative proteomic analysis, this study identified a substantial number of persulfidated proteins in Arabidopsis roots, revealing alterations in persulfidation levels under nitrogen deprivation. These persulfidated proteins are involved in a wide range of biological functions, including primary metabolism, stress responses, growth and development, RNA translation, and protein degradation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vinayak S. Khodade, Sahil C. Aggarwal, Blaze M. Pharoah, Nazareno Paolocci, John P. Toscano
Summary: The discovery of alkylsulfenyl thiocarbonates as a new class of RSSH precursors has significant implications in biological systems, with the ability to release RSSH under physiologically relevant conditions and protect cells against oxidative stress. The release kinetics of RSSH from these precursors can be tuned through electronic modification, demonstrating the potential for increasing intracellular RSSH levels.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Malgorzata Iciek, Magdalena Gorny, Magdalena Kotanska, Anna Bilska-Wilkosz, Marta Kaczor-Kaminska, Jacek Zagajewski
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of yohimbine and its relationship with reactive sulfur species formed during cysteine catabolism. Administration of yohimbine at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day reduced oxidative stress and normalized sulfate levels in obese rats. Therefore, yohimbine may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for obesity and liver injury.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Shaomin Lin, Chunmao He
Summary: In this study, a simplified purification strategy for rubredoxins based on RP-HPLC is proposed, which allows for high yield and high resolution after just one-step purification. The RP-HPLC technique is also shown to be a valuable tool for investigating the thermal decomposition pathway of Pf-Rds.
ANALYTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Shaomin Lin, Chunmao He
Summary: Nitric oxide (NO) is an essential biological messenger that plays a significant role in physiological processes. This study developed red-light-controllable NO releasers with temporal precision and stability, demonstrating their potential for precise NO administration.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Yuqi Zhang, Junlang Chen, Chunmao He
Summary: In this study, a novel bifunctional reagent was developed for late-stage protection of peptide cysteine, enabling facile N-terminal and side-chain caging for model peptides and proteins. Additionally, a one-pot ligation and photolysis strategy was successfully applied in the synthesis of the mini-protein chlorotoxin. Furthermore, the utility of the reagent as a bifunctional linker for traceless solid-phase chemical ligation was extended.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zeyuan Mo, Shaomin Lin, Wentao Chen, Chunmao He
Summary: By fusing a tetracysteine tag to the C-terminal of the protein, we have developed a regioselective S-cyanylation and hydrazinolysis strategy (TCEPL) that is applicable for proteins expressed as inclusion bodies and allows for protein semi-synthesis and C-terminal labeling.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Takahiro Imanishi, Koji Nishikawa, Midori Taketa, Katsuhiro Higuchi, Hulin Tai, Shun Hirota, Hironobu Hojo, Toru Kawakami, Kiriko Hataguchi, Kayoko Matsumoto, Hideaki Ogata, Yoshiki Higuchi
Summary: This study investigated the binding state of CO with the hydrogenase in Citrobacter sp. S-77 using activity assays, spectroscopic techniques, and X-ray crystallography. The results showed a positive correlation between CO tolerance and oxygen tolerance in [NiFe]-hydrogenases.
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sven T. Stripp, Benjamin R. Duffus, Vincent Fourmond, Christophe Leger, Silke Leimkueshler, Shun Hirota, Yilin Hu, Andrew Jasniewski, Hideaki Ogata, Markus W. Ribbe
Summary: Gases like H-2, N-2, CO2, and CO are important feedstock for green energy conversion and as sources of nitrogen and carbon. However, their industrial transformation and production require significant energy input, whereas nature efficiently converts them at ambient conditions using gas-processing metalloenzymes (GPMs). In this review, the importance of the cofactor/protein interface in GPMs is emphasized, and the effects of second and outer coordination sphere on catalytic activity are discussed.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ye Yang, Mingchan Liang, Rui Wang, Chunmao He
Summary: In this study, a facile synthetic strategy was developed to synthesize sulfated hirudins with up to three modifications, which can be synthesized in large quantities after a single HPLC purification step. Through these synthetic proteins, a novel modulation mechanism based on tyrosine sulfation was proposed, which would contribute to the understanding of structure-function relationships in other sulfated proteins and the development of antithrombotic agents.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shunzhi Huang, Wen-Hao Deng, Rong-Zhen Liao, Chunmao He
Summary: An engineered variant of nitrophorin 2 (NP2), a nitric oxide transport hemoprotein, has been designed to catalyze olefin cyclopropanation with high activity and stereoselectivity, making it a robust lipocalin scaffold for carbene-transferase development. The study also reveals the unique substrate preference of the beta-barrel NP2 variant, distinguishing it from mainstream alpha-helical carbene-transfer heme enzymes. This work expands the current biocatalytic toolbox and contributes to the understanding of carbene transfer reactions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zeyuan Mo, Zhenbang Xiao, Chunmao He
Summary: Triabin, a lipocalin-like thrombin inhibitor found in the saliva of Triatoma pallidipennis, shows potent inhibition comparable to hirudin by binding exclusively at exosite I. It has the potential to be an effective antithrombotic agent with a larger therapeutic window. However, limited structural and functional studies on triabin have been conducted due to the lack of a reliable recombinant expression technology. In this study, the researchers successfully expressed and purified bioactive triabin using the SUMO fusion technology, revealing the crucial role of Phe-106 in thrombin inhibition. This study enhances our understanding of natural thrombin inhibitors and may contribute to the development of novel anticoagulant drugs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shaomin Lin, Zeyuan Mo, Peng Wang, Chunmao He
Summary: In order to meet the demand for peptide salicylaldehyde esters, we developed a new method for the preparation of these esters from peptide hydrazides through nitrite oxidation and phenolysis. This method is simple and suitable for both synthetic peptides and expressed proteins, facilitating peptide synthesis and the combined application of NCL and STL.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nipa Chongdar, Patricia Rodriguez-Macia, Edward J. Reijerse, Wolfgang Lubitz, Hideaki Ogata, James A. Birrell
Summary: This study investigates the influence of the protein environment on the catalytic, spectroscopic, and redox properties of [FeFe] hydrogenases. Mutations at the non-conserved serine 267 site resulted in a significant decrease in activity and a lower redox potential for the [4Fe-4S] subcluster. These findings highlight the important role of the secondary coordination sphere in tuning the catalytic properties of [FeFe] hydrogenases.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Takeshi Hiromoto, Koji Nishikawa, Seiya Inoue, Hideaki Ogata, Yuta Hori, Katsuhiro Kusaka, Yu Hirano, Kazuo Kurihara, Yasuteru Shigeta, Taro Tamada, Yoshiki Higuchi
Summary: This study reports that [NiFe]-hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F can recover its catalytic activity by reacting with H2 under anaerobic conditions after being inactivated in the presence of O2. Neutron structure analysis revealed that a part of the Ni ion dissociates from the active site Ni-Fe complex and forms a new square-planar Ni complex, accompanied by rearrangement of the coordinated thiolate ligands. The analysis also found that the Cys17(S) thiolate forms an unusual hydrogen bond with the main-chain amide N atom of Gly19(S), providing insights into the redox reaction of the Fe-S cluster.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Yi Zhou, Yuanmei Sun, Kewei Yi, Ziyu Wang, Yawei Liu, Chunmao He
Summary: This paper describes a simple and efficient synthesis method for preparing peptides with azopyridine side chains, and a series of red-light activatable peptide-based photoCORMs can be obtained by conjugating with the Mn-CO moiety. The targeted/localized CO release enabled by this novel type of peptide-based photoCORM exhibits enhanced cell cytotoxicity.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peisi Liao, Hongmei Liu, Chunmao He
Summary: In this study, we developed a reliable method for the synthesis of human SelF and described the synthetic route in detail. The synthesis involved a desulfurization process and removal of protective groups, resulting in the production of a large quantity of homogenous SelF. The reduction potential and oxidoreductase activity of SelF were determined, supporting its proposed function.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Yi Zhou, Yonglu Chen, Chunmao He
Summary: A one-pot synthetic route has been developed for peptide Mn(i)-carbonyl bioconjugates, allowing the installation of various chelating agents and obtaining TAT-MnCO complexes after one purification step. The resulting bioconjugates exhibit different and tunable CO releasing kinetics upon visible light activation.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael Ramek, Jasmina Sabolovic
Summary: This paper investigates the geometries, energy landscapes, and magnetic parameters of copper(II) amino acid compounds using density functional theory calculations. The results show that certain conformers with histaminate-like and glycine-like modes have low Gibbs free energies and high metal-binding affinities. The predicted conformations reproduce the experimental electron paramagnetic resonance parameters.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei Tian, Wen Zhong, Zengyan Yang, Ling Chen, Shijie Lin, Yanping Li, Yuxing Wang, Peilin Yang, Xing Long
Summary: A series of novel dibutyltin complexes based on salen-like ligands were synthesized and characterized. Complex S03 showed excellent in vitro anticancer activity and induced cancer cell death through multiple mechanisms. This study reveals new mechanisms of organotin complexes and provides new insights into the development of organotin metal complexes as anticancer drugs.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalie C. Korkola, Martin J. Stillman
Summary: Many proteins require a metal cofactor for their function, and these metals play a role in protein folding. The study found that the metallation rates of different metal binding pathways are influenced by pH, with the less cooperative pathway being more affected by low pH conditions. Specific mixtures of structures are formed in the initial steps of metallation, and unfolding the disordered apo-MT structure hinders the formation of these preliminary structures. The compact conformation of the native apo-MT allows for rapid formation of metal-thiolate structures with high affinity, providing protection from oxidation.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Boxuan Yang, Xitong Song, Binju Wang
Summary: The diiron active site plays a crucial role in catalytic transformations in both biological and chemical systems. Recent advancements in the field include the synthesis of biomimetic diiron catalysts inspired by the active structure of soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO), which have been successfully applied to the dehydrogenation of indolines.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christina N. Banti, Angeliki A. Piperoudi, Catherine P. Raptopoulou, Vassilis Psycharis, Constantinos M. Athanassopoulos, Sotiris K. Hadjikakou
Summary: Two copper(I) polymorphs with mitochondria-targeting properties were successfully prepared via metal ion conjugation. These compounds showed promising activities in DNA binding, enzyme inhibition, and cancer cell inhibition. The molecular mechanisms of action were investigated.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)