Article
Immunology
Yanzhi Lu, Huanhuan Ning, Jian Kang, Guangchun Bai, Lei Zhou, Yali Kang, Zhengfeng Wu, Maolin Tian, Junhao Zhao, Yueyun Ma, Yinlan Bai
Summary: Many antigens from Mycobacterium tuberculosis have strong immunogenicity and potential as vaccine candidate antigens. In this study, the researchers explored the immunogenicity and immune responses induced by the bacterial second messenger Cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP) phosphodiesterase (CnpB) in mice. They found that CnpB had strong immunogenicity and induced high levels of humoral response and lung mucosal immunity after M. tuberculosis infection. CnpB also interfered with host innate and adaptive immune responses and conferred protection against M. tuberculosis respiratory infection.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shivangi, Mary Krishna Ekka, Laxman S. Meena
Summary: This study explores the essential factors affecting the enzymatic activity of FtsY, including its hydrolysis kinetics of GTP, the influence of cations like Mg2+ and Mn2+ on activity, and the structural changes of FtsY in response to ligand binding. Mutational analysis showed that mutations at key residues significantly reduce FtsY's GTPase activity, while MD simulation indicated effective binding and stabilization of FtsY with GTP, GDP and ATP.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Amina Al-Jardan, Fatma Al Yaquobi, Chamila Adikaram, Adil Al Wahaibi, Laila Al-Balushi, Samiya Al-Zadjali, Bader Al Abri, Khalsa Al-Thuhli, Seif Al-Abri
Summary: This study used whole genome sequencing to analyze the epidemiology and geospatial distribution of tuberculosis in Oman, identifying multiple genotype clusters and predominant lineages. The considerable genetic variation in TB strains in Oman may be attributed to the high percentage of non-national population and frequent travel to high TB burden countries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ingie Elchennawi, Philippe Carpentier, Christelle Caux, Marine Ponge, Sandrine Ollagnier de Choudens
Summary: Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are essential for cellular pathways and require proteins to mobilize sulfur and iron for their assembly. The SUF system in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the primary Fe-S biogenesis system and a potential target for fighting tuberculosis. In this study, two proteins of the Mtb SUF system, Rv1464(sufS) and Rv1465(sufU), were characterized and their interaction and activities in Fe-S biogenesis were investigated.
Article
Microbiology
Huanhuan Ning, Xuan Liang, Yanling Xie, Lu Bai, Wei Zhang, Lifei Wang, Jian Kang, Yanzhi Lu, Yanling Ma, Guangchun Bai, Yinlan Bai
Summary: This study investigates the role of c-di-AMP in regulating mycobacterial physiology and immunogenicity. Elevated c-di-AMP levels in Mycobacterium smegmatis were found to result in smaller colonies, shorter bacteria length, impaired growth, and inhibition of potassium transporter. The study also discovered that elevated c-di-AMP levels can inhibit biofilm formation and induce porphyrin accumulation, which may affect drug resistance and virulence of mycobacterium.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Zexuan Song, Chunfa Liu, Wencong He, Shaojun Pei, Dongxin Liu, Xiaolong Cao, Yiting Wang, Ping He, Bing Zhao, Xichao Ou, Hui Xia, Shengfen Wang, Yanlin Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the drug-resistant profile, compensatory mutations, and genetic variations among MDR-TB isolates in China. The results showed a high rate of fluoroquinolone resistance and a low proportion of resistance to other drugs. The majority of MDR-TB isolates belonged to Lineage 2.2.1, and clustered isolates outperformed non-clustered isolates in terms of transmission. Compensatory mutations were more frequent in clusters, and single nucleotide polymorphism mutations were the main variants in resistance-associated genes.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Huanhuan Ning, Jian Kang, Yanzhi Lu, Xuan Liang, Jie Zhou, Rui Ren, Shan Zhou, Yong Zhao, Yanling Xie, Lu Bai, Linna Zhang, Yali Kang, Xiaojing Gao, Mingze Xu, Yanling Ma, Fanglin Zhang, Yinlan Bai
Summary: In this study, researchers constructed a recombinant BCG vaccine (rBCG-DisA) with di-adenylate cyclase (DisA) and found that it induced enhanced immune responses in mice, leading to trained immunity and adaptive immunity. Additionally, rBCG-DisA showed promising potential in protecting against M. tuberculosis infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manu Kumar, Sandeep Kumar Singh, Prem Pratap Singh, Vipin Kumar Singh, Avinash Chandra Rai, Akhileshwar Kumar Srivastava, Livleen Shukla, Mahipal Singh Kesawat, Atul Kumar Jaiswal, Sang-Min Chung, Ajay Kumar
Summary: Tuberculosis is a progressive disease with high mortality rates, hindered by drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Plant-derived secondary metabolites are being explored for their potential in developing anti-TB drugs targeting the action site of the bacteria. Computational approaches can play a significant role in screening these plant metabolites against tuberculosis virulence for drug design.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Alberti, Stefano Sainas, Erika Ronchi, Marco L. Lolli, Donatella Boschi, Menico Rizzi, Davide M. Ferraris, Riccardo Miggiano
Summary: Researchers have characterized the full-length MTB DHODH and discovered the first selective inhibitor. This study has significant implications for drug treatment of tuberculosis.
Article
Microbiology
Matt D. Johansen, Shalini, Sumit Kumar, Clement Raynaud, Diana H. Quan, Warwick J. Britton, Philip M. Hansbro, Vipan Kumar, Laurent Kremer
Summary: The designed and synthesized isatin-isoniazid hybrids exhibit high antimycobacterial activity against tuberculosis, well-tolerated with good selectivity in kidney cells, and are effective in infected macrophages, indicating their potential as promising antitubercular compounds for further evaluation in preclinical settings.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Zexuan Song, Chunfa Liu, Wencong He, Shaojun Pei, Dongxin Liu, Xiaolong Cao, Yiting Wang, Ping He, Bing Zhao, Xichao Ou, Hui Xia, Shengfen Wang, Yanlin Zhao
Summary: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a serious public health issue in China. In this study, the drug-resistant characteristics of MDR-TB were investigated using phenotypic drug-susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing. Compensatory mutations and epidemic success analysis using the time-scaled haplotypic density (THD) method were performed, and it was found that clustered isolates and compensatory mutations were associated with MDR-TB transmission. In addition, the study identified insertion and deletion variants in certain genes that were correlated with the lineage and sub-lineage of isolates. This study provides valuable insights and improves the understanding of MDR-TB in China, which is crucial for achieving precision medicine in the prevention and treatment of MDR-TB.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aditya Kumar Pal, Anirban Ghosh
Summary: This study investigates the role of secondary messenger c-di-AMP in drug tolerance, specifically in Mycobacterium smegmatis. The findings highlight the specific molecular mechanism linking elevated c-di-AMP levels with resistance mutagenesis and emphasize the significance of non-homology-based DNA repair. Additionally, the study identifies the unique mutational landscape associated with intracellular c-di-AMP levels and demonstrates the critical role of c-di-AMP in driving the evolution of multi-drug tolerance.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Huanhuan Ning, Wei Zhang, Jian Kang, Tianbing Ding, Xuan Liang, Yanzhi Lu, Chengxuan Guo, Wenjie Sun, Huapeng Wang, Yinlan Bai, Lixin Shen
Summary: A subunit vaccine of ESAT-6 formulated with c-di-AMP showed efficacy in promoting immune responses and reducing bacterial burdens in mice infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The vaccine was able to elicit both innate and adaptive immunity, with c-di-AMP enhancing the immunogenicity of the antigen. This study suggests the potential use of ESAT-6:c-di-AMP as a new mucosal vaccine against TB.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Thoko Flav Kapalamula, Joseph Yamweka Chizimu, Mwangala Lonah Akapelwa, David Atomanyi Barnes, Jirachaya Toyting, Precious Bwalya, Linda Basikolo, David Squarre, Herman M. Chambaro, Stephen V. Gordon, Jeewan Thapa, Chie Nakajima, Yasuhiko Suzuki
Summary: This study describes the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Mycobacterium bovis in cattle in Malawi. The findings suggest a low level of recent transmission and an endemic status of bovine tuberculosis in Malawi. The study also demonstrates genetic relatedness between Malawian isolates and those from neighboring countries.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Igor Mokrousov, Ivaylo Slavchev, Natalia Solovieva, Marine Dogonadze, Anna Vyazovaya, Violeta Valcheva, Aleksey Masharsky, Olesya Belopolskaya, Simeon Dimitrov, Viacheslav Zhuravlev, Isabel Portugal, Joao Perdigio, Georgi M. Dobrikov
Summary: New nitrofuranyl amides were synthesized and their anti-TB activity and genetic response of mycobacteria were investigated. The study demonstrated the potential resistance mechanisms mediated by certain genes and their roles in oxidative and nitrosative stress responses.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Huamin Wang, Mingming Yu, Panyue Zhang, Hao Wan, Hengjiang Cong, Aiwen Lei
Summary: This study investigates a strategy for synthesizing α-chlorosulfoxides using electrochemistry, which offers a broad substrate scope, high selectivity, and regionality, and can be applied to the late-stage modification of amino acids and pharmaceutical derivatives.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kailun Liang, Shengchun Wang, Hengjiang Cong, Lijun Lu, Aiwen Lei
Summary: A [4+2] annulation reaction was used to efficiently synthesize polysubstituted 1,2-dihydronaphthalenes. This transformation proceeded smoothly under electrochemical oxidative conditions without metal catalysts and external oxidants, and exhibited high regio- and dia-stereoselectivity. Furthermore, the obtained polysubstituted 1,2-dihydronaphthalenes could be further transformed into polysubstituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalenes and polysubstituted naphthalenes with great synthetic potential.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Na Yao, Gongwei Wang, Hongnan Jia, Jinlong Yin, Hengjiang Cong, Shengli Chen, Wei Luo
Summary: This study reports a method for electrochemical synthesis of amorphous CoOOH layers on the surface of various cobalt sulfides (CoS alpha) and identifies the phenomenon that reducing the intermolecular energy gap can accelerate the formation of OER-active high-valent Co4+ species. The combination of electrochemical and spectroscopic approaches reveals that Co species in the CoOOH/Co9S8 sample are more readily oxidized compared to other samples. This work provides a new design principle for transition metal-based OER electrocatalysts.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaowu Fang, Songwei Wen, Peishen Jin, Wenjing Bao, Shanshan Liu, Hengjiang Cong, Xiao Shen
Summary: Fluorinated enol silanes are widely used in synthetic transformations, but previous methods only allowed for the synthesis of racemic products. In this study, an enantioselective reductive coupling reaction was developed to access enantioenriched fluorinated enol silanes. The practicality of this methodology was demonstrated through multistep-one-isolation processes, and the synthetic potential of enantioenriched fluorinated enol silanes in the synthesis of valuable chiral organofluorine compounds was also shown.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Na Yao, Hongnan Jia, Zhengyin Fan, Lu Bai, Wei Xie, Hengjiang Cong, Shengli Chen, Wei Luo
Summary: In this study, nitridation-induced NiFe-MOF was synthesized through post-synthetic functionalization of the terminal ligand, leading to enhanced OER performance through the identification of the key factor of the amino ligand. Computational and experimental results revealed irreversible phase reconstruction from amino ligand oxidation prior to OER, resulting in remarkable OER performance with an overpotential of 258 mV to obtain the current density of 100 mA cm(-2) in 1.0 M KOH solution. This work presents a new strategy for designing advanced MOF-based OER electrocatalysts.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Along Zhao, Tianci Yuan, Peng Li, Changyu Liu, Hengjiang Cong, Xiangjun Pu, Zhongxue Chen, Xiping Ai, Hanxi Yang, Yuliang Cao
Summary: In this study, a novel pure-phase Na4Fe2.91(PO4)(2)(P2O7) cathode material was prepared by introducing a small amount of Fe defects in the lattice of NFPP. First-principles calculations revealed that the Fe defects result in lower band gap and migration energy barriers, leading to higher electron and Na+ ion conductivity. The material exhibited high discharge capacity, excellent rate performance, and outstanding long cycle stability, showcasing the feasibility of the defect regulation strategy for high-quality, low-cost sodium-ion batteries.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Miao Bai, Shihu Jia, Jingyang Zhang, Hong-Gang Cheng, Hengjiang Cong, Shanshan Liu, Zhiqian Huang, Yaoguo Huang, Xiaoming Chen, Qianghui Zhou
Summary: This article presents a modular and convergent method for the rapid assembly of 1,3-trans-disubstituted THIQ frameworks, highlighting the broad synthetic utility of this approach in the synthesis of naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zi-Hao Chen, Rui-Ze Sun, Fei Yao, Xu-Dong Hu, Long-Xue Xiang, Hengjiang Cong, Wen-Bo Liu
Summary: The study presents an enantioselective nickel-catalyzed intramolecular reductive cross-coupling reaction to assemble CN-containing all-carbon quaternary stereocenters by desymmetrizing cyclization of aryl/alkenyl halide-tethered malononitriles. The use of an organic reductant is crucial for the selectivity and reactivity, with demonstrated applications in the synthesis of bioactive molecules and natural products.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaolong Zhu, Zipei Su, Chen Wu, Hengjiang Cong, Xinping Ai, Hanxi Yang, Jiangfeng Qian
Summary: The method of intercalation and exfoliation of MoS2 using pyrene lithium (Py-Li) as a lithium reagent has been reported. The redox potential of Py-Li is located between the intercalation and decomposition potentials of MoS2, allowing precise Li+ intercalation and obtaining almost single-layer nanosheets at room temperature. This method is cost-effective, repeatable, and suitable for large-scale production.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xing Liu, Dali Yang, Zhao Liu, Yunkun Wang, Yichang Liu, Shengchun Wang, Pengjie Wang, Hengjiang Cong, Yi-Hung Chen, Lijun Lu, Xiaotian Qi, Hong Yi, Aiwen Lei
Summary: Oxidation-induced strategy using highly active radical cation intermediates has shown unique reactivity for activating inert chemical bonds. Understanding the structure and reactivity patterns of radical cation intermediates is crucial for mechanistic studies and the development of new reactions. In this study, the structure and properties of indole radical cations were investigated using time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy, in situ electrochemical UV-vis, and in situ Density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The insights gained from the properties of indole radical cations were used to successfully develop regioselective annulations of indoles under electrochemical oxidation conditions, leading to the synthesis of furo[2,3-b]indolines and furo[3,2-b]indolines with high yields and regioselectivities. These mechanistic insights will further advance oxidation-induced indole functionalizations.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xu Luo, Dali Yang, Xiaoqian He, Shengchun Wang, Dongchao Zhang, Jiaxin Xu, Chih-Wen Pao, Jeng-Lung Chen, Jyh-Fu Lee, Hengjiang Cong, Yu Lan, Hesham Alhumade, Janine Cossy, Ruopeng Bai, Yi-Hung Chen, Hong Yi, Aiwen Lei
Summary: The authors report an on-cycle mechanism for CoCl2bpy2 catalyzed Negishi-type cross-coupling, elucidating the full catalytic cycle through multiple spectroscopic studies. Solvent and ligand were found to be crucial for generating catalytically active Co(I) species, with acetonitrile and bipyridine ligand resisting Co(I) disproportionation events. Combined investigations using Q-XAFS, EPR, IR, and DFT calculations provide comprehensive mechanistic insights into the structural information of the catalytic cobalt species and the entire Co(I)/Co(III) cycle. Additionally, the acetonitrile and bipyridine system can be extended to acylation, allylation, and benzylation reactions of aryl zinc reagents, demonstrating a broad substrate scope with a catalytic amount of Co salt. Overall, this work offers a fundamental mechanistic perspective for designing cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Heng Liu, Maya M. Polovitskaya, Linlin Yang, Meiling Li, Hongyu Li, Zhen Han, Jianguo Wu, Qiansen Zhang, Thomas J. Jentsch, Jun Liao
Summary: This study reports the 3D structure of human LRRC8A, which can regulate cell volume regulation and ion selectivity, and proposes a mechanism for VRAC activation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chaoyi Yang, Yunbo Li, Jianchao Yue, Hengjiang Cong, Wei Luo
Summary: Researchers report a sulphate functionalized Ru catalyst (Ru-SO4) with remarkable electrocatalytic performance and stability towards alkaline hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). The charge redistribution on the Ru interface through sulphate functionalization optimizes the adsorption energies of hydrogen and hydroxide, facilitates H-2 transfer, and tailors interfacial water molecules, resulting in a decreased energy barrier for water formation and enhanced HOR performance under alkaline electrolytes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinxiang Ye, Lisha Li, Yiming You, Chengkang Jiao, Ziyang Cui, Yabin Zhang, Shihu Jia, Hengjiang Cong, Shanshan Liu, Hong-Gang Cheng, Qianghui Zhou
Summary: We report a strategy for the construction of both axial and planar chiralities in a ferrocene system via palladium/chiral norbornene (Pd/NBE*) cooperative catalysis. The first established axial chirality is dictated by Pd/NBE* cooperative catalysis, while the latter planar chirality is controlled by the preinstalled axial chirality through a unique axial-to-planar diastereoinduction process. This method allows for the synthesis of benzo-fused ferrocenes with both axial and planar chiralities in one step with high enantioselectivities and diastereoselectivities.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhipeng Guan, Xingxing Zhong, Yayu Ye, Xiangwei Li, Hengjiang Cong, Hong Yi, Heng Zhang, Zhiliang Huang, Aiwen Lei
Summary: A new photocatalytic approach for the synthesis of chroman compounds is reported in this study. This method offers mild reaction conditions and high selectivity, making it a potential application in the field of medicinal chemistry.
