Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Youfang Liu, Yingying Zhang, Jing Wang, Anquan Yang, Yanliang Zhao, Aying Zhou, Ranhua Xiong, Chaobo Huang
Summary: In this study, a high-performance fluorescence probe H4 based on intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism was developed. H4 exhibited outstanding sensitivity, short response time, low hemolysis effect, and excellent photo stability. It showed a good linear relationship in the pH range of 2.2-7.4 and could be used for real-time detection of H+ in food samples. The probe also demonstrated favorable behavior for detecting acid pH changes in living onion tissues and zebrafish.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Arivalagan Shabashini, Sathiaraj Richard, Sumit Kumar Panja, Ganesh Chandra Nandi
Summary: Two tricyanopyrroline based NIR dyes (TCP-Tph and TCP-HyDe) with solvent-sensitive and reverse solvatochromic properties were developed. These dyes selectively detect fluoride ions among various anions, and the mechanistic study of interaction between the dye and fluoride ions was conducted. The dyes were successfully applied for real-time monitoring of fluoride ions in toothpaste and sewage water, and a cost-effective paper-based fluoride detection kit was also developed.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sushmitha Pedugu Sivaraman, Akhila Maheswari Mohan
Summary: This study focuses on developing simple and fast probe-decorated macro-/mesoporous polymer monolithic solid-state visual colorimetric sensors for quantifying ultratrace amounts of Co2+. By manipulating the structure of the polymer matrix and the composition and concentration of the probe molecules, high selectivity and sensitivity for Co2+ ions were achieved. The proposed sensor materials have the advantages of low detection limits, rapid response, and good data reliability and reproducibility, making them suitable for the detection of environmental water samples.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wanting Zhou, Peng Zhang, Fuyan Tang, Wei Shu, Dongpeng Li, Xiaolei Zhang, Yuying Liu, Haibin Xiao
Summary: This study developed two probes for the detection of sulfur dioxide derivatives and hydrogen peroxide in vitro and live cells. The probes showed excellent photophysical properties and one of them could be used for live cell imaging to track the distribution of the derivatives and hydrogen peroxide.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wanqi Mo, Zihao Zhu, Fanwei Kong, Xiaobai Li, Yu Chen, Huaqian Liu, Zhiyong Cheng, Hongwei Ma, Bin Li
Summary: In this study, a sensor design based on a conjugated microporous polymer film was proposed for the detection of nerve agent substitutes, with low detection limit and portability, providing new ideas for the future development of gas sensors.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Jakob D. E. Lane, Katrina A. Jolliffe
Summary: A series of fluorophore-containing squaramides were synthesized to study their fluorescent and colorimetric response to anions. Squaramides with conjugated fluorophores showed complex fluorescence behavior and color changes upon addition of anions due to the presence of highly acidic NH protons. However, squaramides with an electronically insulated fluorophore gave a simpler fluorescence response attributed to a decrease in excimer emission, resulting in a ratiometric fluorescent response to anions. The most selective molecules demonstrated a preference for binding to sulfate over other anions.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hanxu Chen, Feika Bian, Yu Wang, Yuanji Zhao, Luoran Shang
Summary: In this study, a novel colorimetric photonic tongue inspired by the taste-sensing functions of human tongue was reported for screening multiple metal ions. By analyzing the color variations of sensory units, a colorimetric fingerprint for each metal ion could be obtained, and a portable, reusable device was constructed for real-time monitoring.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Melisew Tadele Alula
Summary: In this study, a cheap colorimetric method using biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as nanozymes was developed for the detection of cysteine. The method showed rapid, cheap, and accurate determination of cysteine in real samples.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Arunkumar Kathiravan, Selvaraj Sengottiyan, Tomasz Puzyn, Pushparathinam Gopinath, Kanagachidambaresan Ramasubramanian, Praveen Ayyappan Susila, Mariadoss Asha Jhonsi
Summary: In this study, a DMN colorimetric probe based on intramolecular charge transfer was employed for the rapid naked-eye detection of cyanide ions in solution and real water samples. The interaction between the DMN probe and cyanide ions was investigated using spectroscopic and computational methods. The probe showed a selective colorimetric response for cyanide ions and the mechanism of sensing was determined. Additionally, portable accessories and a smartphone application were developed for on-site work, and a microfluidic paper-based analytical device was designed for selective detection of cyanide ions.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Wenhui Feng, Zhuoma Zengji, Thomas T. Testoff, Tianyang Wang, Xilong Yan, Wei Li, Dongzhi Liu, Lichang Wang, Xueqin Zhou
Summary: Increased utilization of platinum ions in chemicals and drugs leads to environmental pollution and toxicity, but current analysis and detection strategies are hindered by limited sensitivity. A photoinduced charge-separated molecule (MTPA)2Ab was synthesized for enhanced detection of Pt ions, showing high selectivity and sensitivity.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shuwei Zhang, Ting Wang, Xuewen Wang, Wenyi Liao, Xinyao Wang, Yu Yuan, Gang Chen, Xiaodong Jia
Summary: In this study, a novel fluorescence probe TPE-DCP was developed for sensitive detection of intracellular pH changes, showing excellent performance and successful application in imaging intracellular pH changes in cells.
Article
Spectroscopy
Wenzhi Li, Yuxi Wang, Ruiling Zhang
Summary: In this study, the sensing mechanism of a triphenylamine-benzofuran-based probe (TBF-SS) towards H2Sn was investigated using the DFT method. The results showed that the inherent fluorescence quenching of the probe is mainly due to the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) effect. When the nitro fluorophenyl group is replaced by a hydroxyl group in the reaction with H2Sn, the TICT effect is eliminated, allowing the excited state to return to the ground state in a radiative way, leading to strong fluorescence emission.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qi Di, Liang Li, Xiaodan Miao, Linfeng Lan, Xu Yu, Bin Liu, Yuanping Yi, Pance Naumov, Hongyu Zhang
Summary: The study proposes the use of organic crystals as mechanically robust and compliant fluorescence-based thermal sensors, which can cover a wide range of temperatures and retain mechanical elasticity. This expands the materials available for optical thermal sensing and offers opportunities for lightweight, organic fluorescence-based thermal sensors in extreme temperature conditions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Yu-Shi Jiang, Shan-Shan Li, Xue-Ling Luo, Li-Ning Chen, Dan-Na Chen, Peng-Ju Xia
Summary: A metal-free difunctionalization strategy for diazenes was developed using bifunctionalization reagents, leading to the construction of over 30 triazane core motifs. This strategy involves a unique N(sp(3))-N(sp(2)) radical coupling between the hydrazine radical and the imine radical, allowing the efficient installation of imines and various functional groups on both ends of the nitrogen-nitrogen bond of diazenes.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Siquan Xu, Xinyi Xing, Yongyi Liu, Hui Gao
Summary: In this study, two novel enzyme-activatable fluorescent probes were developed to monitor the activity of Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) in complex biological systems. One of the probes, McMe, showed excellent selectivity and sensitivity, and was successfully used in living cells and tumor-bearing mice.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yunfei Hu, Kai Cheng, Lichun He, Xu Zhang, Bin Jiang, Ling Jiang, Conggang Li, Guan Wang, Yunhuang Yang, Maili Liu
Summary: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a well-established method for analyzing protein structure and dynamics, with rapid development allowing for studies in physiological environments. In-cell NMR has become crucial for bridging the gap between structural biology and cell biology.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shannon L. Speer, Wenwen Zheng, Xin Jiang, I-Te Chu, Alex J. Guseman, Maili Liu, Gary J. Pielak, Conggang Li
Summary: Protein-protein interactions are more influenced by chemical interactions than hard-core repulsions in cells; increasing negative charge on the homodimer surface enhances stability in cells; oocytes are less crowded than E. coli cells, leading to greater stability of protein complexes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Bin Yuan, Zhiming Zhou, Bin Jiang, Ghulam Mustafa Kamal, Xu Zhang, Conggang Li, Xin Zhou, Maili Liu
Summary: CORDY is a novel approach for NMR spectroscopy that utilizes concentration order to separate and quantify components in complex samples, by utilizing prior information of chemical shift distribution and line shape characteristics to shrink the solution space, it generates a pseudo-two-dimensional spectrum. The combination of CORDY and DOSY (CORDY-DOSY) has been found to be more efficient in resolving molecules with similar concentrations or self-diffusion coefficients.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Yunshan Pei, Xiaoli Liu, Kai Cheng, Guohua Xu, Ling Jiang, Conggang Li
Summary: Human protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) with its bb' domain responsible for client binding and a, a' domains catalyzing disulfide bond rearrangement, plays crucial roles in the endoplasmic reticulum. The x linker and a' domain are major dynamic regions for full-length PDI, while the b'xa' construct represents the minimum functional domain within full-length PDI. A new preparation strategy using 1,6-hexanediol and NMR chemical shift assignments for the monomer b'xa' domain is reported.
BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Yuting Guo, Chendie Yao, Kai Cheng, Qiong Wu, Guohua Xu, Ling Jiang, Conggang Li
Summary: Japanese encephalitis virus is a flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes, causing a large number of infections, especially in Asian countries. There are currently no specific antiviral drugs to treat infections caused by this virus. The capsid protein C plays a key role in the virus lifecycle, but its assembly mechanism remains unclear.
BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhiwei Miao, Qianqian Wang, Xiongjie Xiao, Ghulam Mustafa Kamal, Linhong Song, Xu Zhang, Conggang Li, Xin Zhou, Bin Jiang, Maili Liu
Summary: Protein secondary structure is crucial for understanding protein structure, and recent advancements in deep neural networks have greatly improved the accuracy of predicting protein secondary structures. The proposed deep neural network based on biLSTM showed superior prediction accuracy compared to existing methods in predicting 3-state protein secondary structures. A web server has been developed based on this method to provide protein secondary structure prediction service.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yangzhuoyue Jin, Gangjin Yu, Tairan Yuwen, Dawei Gao, Guan Wang, Yilin Zhou, Bin Jiang, Xu Zhang, Conggang Li, Lichun He, Maili Liu
Summary: Serum albumin (SA) is an abundant extracellular chaperone protein that can modify the folding free energy landscape of its client proteins, altering the equilibrium between different conformations and increasing the population of excited states.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guohua Xu, Jiajing Zhao, Hao Yu, Chen Wang, Yangyu Huang, Qiang Zhao, Xin Zhou, Conggang Li, Maili Liu
Summary: This research reports the solution structure of a DNA aptamer complexed with ochratoxin A (OTA), revealing the structural basis for its high-affinity binding. The study finds that OTA specifically binds at the junction between the double helix and G-quadruplex through pi-pi stacking, halogen bonding, and hydrophobic interaction. The presence of a strong halogen bond between OTA and the aptamer is the key to discriminating the strong binding toward OTA.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Gangjin Yu, Guan Wang, Mojie Duan, Bin Jiang, Xu Zhang, Conggang Li, Lichun He, Maili Liu
Summary: An alignment medium based on the self-assembled (FK)(4) oligopeptide is presented, showing excellent properties in measuring anisotropic NMR parameters in both D2O and CD3OD. The alignment medium is easy to prepare, has low viscosity, and provides fast, stable, and homogeneous alignment, allowing for high-quality NMR spectra. Its performance in residual dipolar coupling measurements and diastereomer discriminations is demonstrated, and its potential use for the quantification and identification of enantiomers of small molecules is revealed.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Liang Luo, Qiong Wu, Shixia Ji, Yixiang Liu, Kai Cheng, Maili Liu, Ling Jiang, Conggang Li
Summary: Liquid-liquid phase separation is a common phenomenon in biological processes, where biomolecules in the separated droplets experience a different environment compared to cellular or aqueous solution. By using F-19-NMR spectroscopy, we quantitatively characterized the thermodynamics and exchange kinetics of the SH3 domain protein in the condensed phase of DDX4N1 protein. Our findings suggest that the local ordered microstructure and heterogeneity in the condensates play significant roles in modulating the biophysical properties of enveloped proteins.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shizhen Chen, Long Xiao, Yu Li, Maosong Qiu, Yaping Yuan, Rui Zhou, Conggang Li, Lei Zhang, Zhong-Xing Jiang, Maili Liu, Xin Zhou
Summary: FCy7-NO2, a novel dual-mode NIR fluorescence and F-19 MRI agent, is proposed for imaging tumor hypoxia, showing rapid monitoring of nitroreductase in tumors and sensitive detection over a broad concentration range without limits to imaging depth by integrating two complementary imaging technologies.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Shizhen Chen, Maosong Qiu, Ruifang Wang, Lei Zhang, Conggang Li, Chaohui Ye, Xin Zhou
Summary: In this study, we engineered a photoresponsive nanohybrid for the trimodal imaging and photothermal therapy of lung cancer. The nanohybrid exhibited superior imaging performance and therapeutic effect, and is expected to play an important role in early diagnosis of lung cancer.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhaofei Chai, Qiong Wu, Kai Cheng, Xiaoli Liu, Zeting Zhang, Ling Jiang, Xin Zhou, Maili Liu, Conggang Li
Summary: With the introduction of a high-sensitivity tag, proteins can be observed at atomic resolution in their native cellular environment, significantly expanding the scope of protein NMR.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qiong Wu, Xiaoli Liu, Zhaofei Chai, Kai Cheng, Guohua Xu, Ling Jiang, Maili Liu, Conggang Li
Summary: This study reports the conformation and interaction of a newly discovered lanthanide ion binding protein, LanM, with Ln(3+) in Escherichia coli cells using in-cell NMR technique. It was found that LanM remains unfolded and fails to bind Ln(3+) due to the abundance of phosphate groups in Escherichia coli cells.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhaofei Chai, Qiong Wu, Kai Cheng, Xiaoli Liu, Ling Jiang, Maili Liu, Conggang Li
Summary: The study established a F-19 NMR platform for simultaneous detection of various thiols and generating unique two-dimensional codes in different environments. This method can reliably quantify thiol drug content in tablets, discriminate thiols in living cells, and monitor thiol-related metabolism pathways at the atomic level. This versatile platform can be extended to detect the activity of thiol-related enzymes such as gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase.