Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Hayden R. Anderson, Wei L. Reeves, Andrew T. Bockus, Paolo Suating, Amy G. Grice, Madeleine Gallagher, Adam R. Urbach
Summary: We have developed a novel insulin derivative that exhibits high nanomolar affinity for the synthetic receptor cucurbit[7]uril (Q7), potentially enabling the development of continuous insulin detection methods for diabetes management.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Andrei K. Yudin
Summary: This article summarizes the evolution of my lab's research efforts in making and understanding peptide macrocycles in arid environments. It started as a curiosity-driven investigation of amphoteric structures in multicomponent reactions and has now become a sustained exploration of complex macrocyclic peptides. New tools have been introduced to enable the chemical synthesis and property-driven optimization of cyclic peptides, which are expected to have relevance in drug discovery and biological probe design.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenbing Cao, Haoyu Wang, Mao Quan, Yuxuan Li, Yeyu Su, Yuhang Li, Wei Jiang, Tao Liu
Summary: We identified a high-affinity host-guest pair and developed a molecular-recognition strategy to control tetrazine reactions. This strategy efficiently and reversibly regulates the reactivity of tetrazine, enabling site-specific protein labeling and dual conjugate formation in living organisms.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Olivia Doppleb, Jennifer Bremer, Maren Bechthold, Carolina Sanchez Rico, Daniela Goehringer, Helmut Griesser, Clemens Richert
Summary: Proteins are composed of l-amino acids, while nucleic acids and most oligosaccharides contain d-sugars. Experimental results show that ribonucleotide residues not only facilitate the coupling of amino acids in aqueous medium, but also promote the formation of homochiral dipeptides.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Olivia Doppleb, Rainer Joachim Schwarz, Maria Landa, Clemens Richert
Summary: Peptide formation from amino acids is a crucial process associated with life, and RNA-induced peptide formation has attracted considerable interest. In this study, we investigated the potential of double-stranded DNA or RNA with four-helix bundle folding motifs and a gap near the 5'-phosphate as reaction sites for phosphoramidate formation. Our results showed that glycine could form phosphoramidate-linked peptido RNAs at these reaction sites. In contrast, phenylalanine and tryptophan showed accelerated peptide formation without covalent linkage to the nucleic acid. Additionally, the presence of gap-containing DNA or RNA 4HBs led to the formation of free peptides with up to 11 tryptophan or phenylalanine residues. These findings are intriguing in the context of prebiotic scenarios and suggest the existence of an RNA-induced pathway for oligomerization that is independent of translation.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tomislav Stolar, Sasa Grubesic, Nikola Cindro, Ernest Mestrovic, Krunoslav Uzarevic, Jose G. Hernandez
Summary: Research shows that the combination of prebiotically plausible minerals and mechanochemical activation can oligomerize glycine at ambient temperature in the absence of water. Additionally, raising the reaction temperature contributes to increasing the degree of oligomerization, along with the formation of the undesired cyclic glycine dimer.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Takayuki Katoh, Hiroaki Suga
Summary: Genetic code manipulation allows the synthesis of peptide libraries with diverse nonproteinogenic amino acids, facilitating the discovery of bioactive peptides. Recent advancements in using engineered tRNAs have significantly improved the efficiency of incorporating D-, ss-, and gamma-amino acids into nascent peptides.
BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Norio Kitadai, Shigeru Shimamura, Wataru Takahagi, Masayuki Miyazaki, Eiji Tasumi, Satoshi Okada
Summary: The origin of life in submarine hydrothermal systems has been supported by diverse scientific disciplines for a long time, but the chemical plausibility of this scenario remains uncertain. Many hypotheses propose peptides as important molecules in the prebiotic chemistry, but it is still unknown how peptides were formed from amino acids that were present in low concentrations. In this study, it was shown that a simple mix of elemental sulfur, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide enabled efficient dimerization of glycine at low concentrations. This finding supports the possibility of abiotic peptide formation and facilitates the hydrothermal origin of life.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinxin Tang, Raj K. Tak, Hidetoshi Noda, Masakatsu Shibasaki
Summary: We report the stereoselective synthesis of remotely decorated, trisubstituted beta-prolines via Rh-catalyzed C-H amination. The method works well in the presence of various functionalities, with carboxylic acids in the products serving as gateways for diverse downstream transformations.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lei Luo, Peter Muiruri Kamau, Ren Lai
Summary: The venom of wasps contains various bioactive components, including peptides and proteins, which possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and anticoagulant activities. These bioactive peptides and proteins may be potential sources of pharmaceutically active molecules. However, the venom can also cause allergic reactions and tissue damage.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Jizhou Song, Takeru Torigoe, Yoichiro Kuninobu
Summary: The decatungstate photocatalyst [W10O32](4-) efficiently promotes the C-(sp(3))-Halkylation reaction between the trifluoroacetic acid salt of valine methyl ester (H-Val-OMe center dot TFA) and electron-deficient alkenes under UV irradiation. The electrostatic interaction between the cationic ammonium group (+NH3) and anionic [W10O32](4-) plays a crucial role in this reaction. The study also demonstrates the successful introduction of an alkyne moiety into valine and the subsequent copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC).
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marina Kurbasic, Ana M. Garcia, Simone Viada, Silvia Marchesan
Summary: The study focused on the catalytic effects of bioactive hydrogels based on tripeptide self-assembly, specifically exploring the impact of modifications on the hydrogel and esterase mimicry activity.
The synthesis and characterization of three analogues with terminal modifications were analyzed, and their self-assembly, hydrogelation, and esterase-like biocatalysis were tested through various techniques.
These findings offer valuable insights into how chemical modifications affect the self-assembly of biocatalytic hydrogels and can potentially aid in the design of supramolecular catalysts for enhanced performance in the future.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Tomer M. Faraggi, Caroline Rouget-Virbel, Juan A. Rincon, Mario Barberis, Carlos Mateos, Susana Garcia-Cerrada, Javier Agejas, Oscar de Frutos, David W. C. MacMillan
Summary: The conversion of serine to optically pure unnatural amino acids can be achieved through a two-step process utilizing a photocatalytic cross-electrophile coupling. This method produces artificial analogues of phenylalanine, tryptophan, and histidine, and is tolerant of a broad range of functionalities. It can also be leveraged for the scalable synthesis of valuable pharmaceutical scaffolds via flow technology.
ORGANIC PROCESS RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Manuel I. Lopez-Martinez, Marta Miguel, Marta Garces-Rimon
Summary: Nutrition and sport are vital for a healthy lifestyle, with some sports requiring supplements to enhance performance. Alternative protein sources, such as insects, plants, or mycoproteins, offer bioactivity and sustainability. Protein hydrolysis and certain amino acids from plants have shown benefits for athletes. Future research focuses on finding alternative sources with greater bioactive potential and sustainability.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ana L. A. N. Barros, Abdelaaty Hamed, Mariela Marani, Daniel C. Moreira, Peter Eaton, Alexandra Placido, Massuo J. Kato, Jose Roberto S. A. Leite
Summary: Urodele amphibians, such as salamanders and newts, have skin secretions that contain a wide range of bioactive molecules, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, vasoactive, immune system modulation, and dermal wound healing properties. These molecules can serve as new scaffolds for drug development in the pharmaceutical industry.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)