Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Masanobu Nagano, Yichao Huang, Richard Obexer, Hiroaki Suga
Summary: This article presents a new approach for the preparation of cyclic depsipeptides (CDPs) through ribosomal synthesis and chemical synthesis. It also introduces an efficient method for the chemical synthesis of CDPs with binding activity. The study provides important potentials for the preparation and screening of CDP libraries.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Toru Kawakami, Eri Sasakura, Yohei Miyanoiri, Hironobu Hojo
Summary: In this study, a peptide containing a CPE moiety was transformed into a DKP thioester via an intramolecular acyl shift reaction, and it was used for peptide ligation. The reactivity difference between the stereoisomers of the CPE peptide was examined. The reaction allowed for efficient preparation of cyclic peptides.
JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Peng-Duo Song, Lei Xia, Xuan Nie, Guang Chen, Fei Wang, Ze Zhang, Chun-Yan Hong, Ye-Zi You
Summary: In this study, a ring-opening copolymerization method is reported to synthesize poly(thioester sulfonamide)s with highly alternative structures, high yields, and controlled molecular weights. This method combines the advantages of thioesters and amides, and can also be used to produce novel block copolymers.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Taleen Peker, Benjamin Zagiel, Lou Rocard, Claudia Bich, Emmanuelle Sachon, Roba Moumne
Summary: Target-directed dynamic combinatorial chemistry is an attractive strategy for discovering bioactive peptides. A method for efficiently generating large dynamic libraries of cyclic peptides with amino acid side-chains has been developed using thiol-to-thioester exchanges. Analytical tools have been presented to characterize these libraries, and structural modifications have been made to simplify identification of the peptides through chromatography and mass spectrometry.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yue Zeng, Wei Shi, Qian Dong, Wanzhen Li, Jianxin Zhang, Xuelian Ren, Caihong Tang, Bo Liu, Yuanli Song, Yali Wu, Xingxing Diao, Hu Zhou, He Huang, Feng Tang, Wei Huang
Summary: In this paper, a strategy for the facile and efficient one-step synthesis of site-specific antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) using a thioester-based acyl transfer reagent is reported. This strategy allows for the selective modification of antibodies and demonstrates excellent homogeneity, stability, and anti-tumor activity.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Florent Kerdraon, Gemma Bogard, Benoit Snella, Herve Drobecq, Muriel Pichavant, Vangelis Agouridas, Oleg Melnyk
Summary: Thiol-based catalysts are commonly used for chemical protein synthesis, but the development of selenol-based catalysts is still in its early stages. This study compared different selenols for their ability to promote thiol-thioester exchanges and demonstrated the successful total synthesis of a biologically active human chemotactic protein using a selected selenol compound.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jinzheng Wang, Xuechen Li
Summary: Non-ribosomal cyclic peptides are abundant in natural sources and exhibit attractive bioactivities and favorable pharmacological properties. Their total synthesis can be achieved through peptide ligation, which offers advantages in cyclizing peptides. This strategy highlights the unique features of achieving total synthesis in cyclic peptide synthesis.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Hayate Shida, Akihiro Taguchi, Sho Konno, Kentaro Takayama, Atsuhiko Taniguchi, Yoshio Hayashi
Summary: We have developed a new one-pot disulfide-driven cyclic peptide synthesis method. The entire process is conducted in solid phase, eliminating the need for complicated work up procedures. Simple cleavage of a peptidyl resin allows for the production of high-purity cyclic disulfide peptides. Using this method, oxytocin was synthesized with an isolated yield of 28% over 13 steps.
CHEMICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Keyi Zhang, Jing Zhao, Long Cheng, Haozhe Zhou, Yuan Dong, Huicong Ma, Jie Zhou, Youben Yu, Qingshan Xu
Summary: In this study, a HPLC-MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of eight primary aroma glycosides in tea samples. The optimized method allowed for efficient extraction of these glycosides and showed high sensitivity and accuracy. The findings showed that the content of aroma glycosides varied among different organs of the tea plant, with certain glycosides mainly accumulating in young leaves while others mainly accumulating in mature leaves. This method provides a rapid, reliable, and efficient analysis for the study of tea aroma glycosides and can promote the development of the tea industry.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiaoya Xu, Nan Jiang, Shangming Liu, Yang Jin, Yuhan Cheng, Tong Xu, Xin Wang, Yuanhua Liu, Mingwan Zhang, Shuhu Du, Junting Fan, Aixia Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrated that the cyclopeptide moroidin can inhibit microtubule polymerization and decrease levels of beta-tubulin protein, leading to cytotoxic effects on various cancer cells, particularly A549 lung cancer cells. Furthermore, moroidin can arrest A549 cells in the G2/M phase and induce cell apoptosis. It also has the ability to inhibit migration and invasion of A549 cells.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Abdullahi K. Adegboyega, Jongwoo Son
Summary: Dioxazolones can be used with boronic acids in the presence of copper(I) chloride to access N-aryl amides at room temperature. The developed reaction shows a wide range of functional group tolerance and the reactivity can be improved by adding a fluorine additive, suggesting the involvement of an N-acyl nitrene intermediate.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liang Fu, Hualin Xie, Jianhua Huang, Lin Chen
Summary: The study investigated the feasibility of using ICP-MS/MS to determine non-metallic elements in herbal tea, with O-2 and H-2 as reaction gases in MS/MS mode. The developed method successfully analyzed 20 herbal teas, showing a range of values for Si, P, S, Cl, Br, and I, indicating the potential health benefits of drinking herbal tea containing essential non-metallic elements.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ji Hye Yoon, Won Young Jang, Sang Hee Park, Han Gyung Kim, Youn Young Shim, Martin J. T. Reaney, Jae Youl Cho
Summary: This study investigated the inhibitory effects of cyclic peptides Linosorbs (Los) from flaxseed oil on melanogenesis, and found that LOMIX and LO could suppress melanin synthesis by downregulating the CREB-dependent signaling pathways, suggesting their potential application in treating hyperpigmentation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna N. Philippova, Daria V. Vorobyeva, Pavel S. Gribanov, Ivan A. Godovikov, Sergey N. Osipov
Summary: An efficient method for the selective preparation of trifluoromethyl-substituted azepin-2-carboxylates and their phosphorous analogues has been developed via Cu(I)-catalyzed tandem amination/cyclization reaction of functionalized allenynes with primary and secondary amines.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Qingli Shi, Hua Wang, Hao Cheng, Feng Cheng, Menglong Wang
Summary: The study proposes an adaptive sequential sampling strategy and employs surrogate models for multi-objective optimization, eventually obtaining an optimal Pareto front set to guide the primary design of aerodynamic configuration for a tandem-wing UAV.
Correction
Chemistry, Organic
Xinya Hemu, Janet To, Xiaohong Zhang, James P. Tam
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
James P. Tam, Ning-Yu Chan, Heng Tai Liew, Shaun J. Tan, Yu Chen
SCIENCE CHINA-CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xiaobao Bi, Juan Yin, Dingpeng Zhang, Xiaohong Zhang, Seetharamsing Balamkundu, Julien Lescar, Peter C. Dedon, James P. Tam, Chuan-Fa Liu
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jiayi Huang, Ka H. Wong, Wei Liang Tan, Stephanie V. Tay, Shujing Wang, James P. Tam
Summary: The discovery of a novel hyperstable beta-lybatide from wolfberry plant as a carboxypeptidase inhibitor is reported. This peptide, belonging to a different CRP family, displayed a knottin-like structure and showed potent inhibitory activity against carboxypeptidase, contributing to wolfberry biological activities. Bioinformatics analysis revealed additional similar plant carboxypeptidase inhibitors, indicating beta-lybatide as the first and smallest plant-derived hyperstable carboxypeptidase inhibitor from functional foods.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Shining Loo, Antony Kam, Bin Bin Li, Nan Feng, Xiaoliang Wang, James P. Tam
Summary: Researchers have discovered the first plant-derived noncanonical EGFR agonist, bleogen pB1, and a high-affinity analog [K29k]pB1. These findings could open new avenues for developing wound healing, skin regeneration therapeutics, and biomaterials.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dingpeng Zhang, Zhen Wang, Side Hu, Seetharamsing Balamkundu, Janet To, Xiaohong Zhang, Julien Lescar, James P. Tam, Chuan-Fa Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates that PAL enzymes display appreciable catalytic activities towards P1-Asp substrates at pH 4-5, at least 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of sortase A, making them practically useful for both intra- and intermolecular ligations.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Dingpeng Zhang, Zhen Wang, Side Hu, Ning-Yu Chan, Heng Tai Liew, Julien Lescar, James P. Tam, Chuan-Fa Liu
Summary: This study explores the use of asparaginyl endopeptidases (AEPs) in hydrazinolysis reactions, finding that hydrazine and hydroxylamine can efficiently resolve the thioester intermediate to produce peptide and protein products with specific functional groups. The results demonstrate that AEP-mediated protein hydrazinolysis is a simple and straightforward strategy for the precision manufacturing of protein bioconjugates.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dingpeng Zhang, Zhen Wang, Side Hu, Julien Lescar, James P. Tam, Chuan-Fa Liu
Summary: In the past two decades, there has been a growing demand for new protein modification methods in the biotech industry and biomedical research communities. Peptidyl Asx-specific ligases (PALs), a newly discovered class of peptide ligases, have emerged as powerful biotechnological tools. The use of a new PAL, VyPAL2, was successfully demonstrated for a diverse range of protein modifications, including protein labelling, inter-protein ligation, and protein cyclization. These PALs have the potential to revolutionize site-specific protein modification in basic research and drug discovery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shining Loo, Stephanie Tay, Antony Kam, Fan Tang, Jing-Song Fan, Daiwen Yang, James P. Tam
Summary: Chitin-binding hevein-like peptides (CB-HLPs) are important peptides that play roles in plant stress and defense. Chenotides, a new family of CB-HLPs, are effective against phyto-pathogenic fungi and have unique features that provide an evolutionary advantage for plant survival and reproduction.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Side Hu, Abbas El Sahili, Srujana Kishore, Yee Hwa Wong, Xinya Hemu, Boon Chong Goh, Sang Zhipei, Zhen Wang, James P. Tam, Chuan-Fa Liu, Julien Lescar
Summary: Peptide ligases are versatile enzymes that are capable of precise protein conjugation for bioengineering applications. In this study, crystal structures of VyPAL2, a highly catalytically active peptide asparaginyl ligase (PAL) from Viola yedoensis, were reported, revealing how PAL specifically recognizes its substrate and providing important insights into enzyme activity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yiyin Xia, Fupeng Li, Xiaohong Zhang, Seetharamsing Balamkundu, Fan Tang, Side Hu, Julien Lescar, James P. Tam, Chuan-Fa Liu
Summary: Enzymatic peptide ligation, particularly through peptidyl asparaginyl ligases (PALs), is a promising tool in studying protein functions and developing protein therapeutics. However, the reversibility of PAL-mediated ligation limits its efficacy, requiring a large excess of one of the partners. A method utilizing glutaminyl cyclase (QC)-catalyzed pyroglutamyl formation is presented to make intermolecular ligation irreversible and improve reaction yields.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xinya Hemu, Ning-Yu Chan, Heng Tai Liew, Side Hu, Xiaohong Zhang, Aida Serra, Julien Lescar, Chuan-Fa Liu, James P. P. Tam
Summary: In this study, 16 new asparaginyl endopeptidases (AEPs) were identified from 875 plant species, and two conserved glycine residues were found to be critical for differentiating ligases and proteases. These findings provide important clues for further identification and study of these two families.
Article
Cell Biology
Bamaprasad Dutta, Shining Loo, Antony Kam, Siu Kwan Sze, James P. Tam
Summary: Hypoxia-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) is a significant contributor to severe human diseases. The discovery of ginsentide TP1, a microprotein in ginseng, has shown promising results in reducing vascular dysfunction. This study identifies new proteins synthesized in hypoxia and demonstrates the protective effects of ginsentide TP1 against hypoxia and ER stress in human endothelial cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
James P. Tam, Jiayi Huang, Shining Loo, Yimeng Li, Antony Kam
Summary: Coffee processing waste contains novel microproteins with cell-penetrating and metal ion-binding abilities, including a ginsentide-like microprotein that can target intracellular proteins. These findings suggest that coffee by-products could be a potential source of bioactive peptides for targeting intracellular proteins.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinya Hemu, Xiaohong Zhang, Giang K. T. Nguyen, Janet To, Aida Serra, Shining Loo, Siu Kwan Sze, Chuan-Fa Liu, James P. Tam
Summary: The study focused on increasing the yield of recombinant Butelase-1, which in turn can be utilized for enhancing the stability and activity of lipase and phytase through end-to-end cyclization.
