Article
Cell Biology
Jacopo Lesma, Faustine Bizet, Corentin Berardet, Nicolo Tonali, Sara Pellegrino, Myriam Taverna, Lucie Khemtemourian, Jean-Louis Soulier, Carine van Heijenoort, Frederic Halgand, Tap Ha-Duong, Julia Kaffy, Sandrine Ongeri
Summary: This study focuses on designing and synthesizing new compounds to inhibit hIAPP aggregation, and biophysical evaluations demonstrate that these compounds effectively inhibit the aggregation process of hIAPP.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Benjamin H. Rajewski, Kamlesh M. Makwana, Isaac J. Angera, Danielle K. Geremia, Anna R. Zepeda, Grace I. Hallinan, Ruben Vidal, Bernardino Ghetti, Arnaldo L. Serrano, Juan R. Del Valle
Summary: In this study, we report the design and synthesis of beta-bracelets as a new class of cross-beta epitope mimics, which can inhibit the aggregation and seeding of tau protein, and have important implications for the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Benjamin H. Rajewski, Kamlesh M. Makwana, Isaac J. Angera, Danielle K. Geremia, Anna R. Zepeda, Grace I. Hallinan, Ruben Vidal, Bernardino Ghetti, Arnaldo L. Serrano, Juan R. Del Valle
Summary: The aggregation of misfolded tau into neurotoxic fibrils is a key factor in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. A new class of beta-bracelets has been discovered, which can inhibit tau aggregation and block the propagation and seeding of tau protein.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ryota Suzuki, Haruka Takahashi, Chika Yoshida, Masafumi Hidaka, Tomohisa Ogawa, Eugene Futai
Summary: In this study, the APP mutation T714I, which is associated with familial Alzheimer's disease, was found to severely reduce the cleavage of A beta. Secondary mutations were identified that restored the cleavage of APP T714I and could modulate the production of A beta species in mammalian cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Awwad Radwan, Fars Alanazi
Summary: Dysfunctional protein aggregation in the nervous system can lead to neurodegenerative disorders. Accumulation of amyloid beta peptide is a critical event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Natural compounds from Psoralea Fructus have anti-Alzheimer effects. This study used computer simulations to investigate the inhibitory effects of these compounds on amyloid beta accumulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Rong Tan, Yueju Wang, Xiaona Mi, Huiling Li, Yifeng Tu
Summary: This study presents a novel dual-screening sensing strategy based on specific aptamer recognition and mesoporous silica membrane (MSM) nano-sieving for the detection of A/3, which enhances the specificity and sensitivity of detection, aiding in monitoring the occurrence and development of Alzheimer's disease.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Rong Tan, Yuhong Liu, Yueju Wang, Huiling Li, Yifeng Tu
Summary: A new label-free sensor based on luminol electrochemiluminescence (ECL) was developed using a close-packed monolayered-SiO2 array with gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) as the basal electrode. The ECL signal was amplified by the quasiphotonic crystal structure of SiO2 NPs and by the catalytic activity of Au NPs. The sensor showed a 64-fold-intensified ECL signal and served as a substrate for an aptasensor with high sensitivity and a low limit of detection of 5 fM for Afi.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shani Ben-Zichri, Ravit Malishev, Ofek Oren, Daniel N. Bloch, Ran Taube, Niv Papo, Raz Jelinek
Summary: The study shows that BID, PUMA, and NOXA have significant and divergent effects on the aggregation, cytotoxicity, and membrane interactions of Afi42. Specifically, BID and PUMA accelerate aggregation, reduce toxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction, and inhibit membrane interactions of Afi42, while NOXA exhibits opposite effects. These findings suggest a potential link between the effects of these proapoptotic peptides on Afi42 and the pathophysiological features of AD.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yuanyuan Zhang, Jinwen Zhao, Guomin Yang, Ying He, Shihong Chen, Ruo Yuan
Summary: A quadrivalent cruciform DNA nanostructure (qCDN)-mediated cascaded catalyzed hairpin assembly (CHA) amplifier was developed for the fluorescence detection of amyloid beta oligomer species (A beta Os), achieving high FRET efficiency and fast reaction rate, with a detection limit as low as 0.69 pM. The combination of DD-A FRET binary probes and qCDN-mediated cascaded amplifier shows great promise for detecting biomarkers at trace levels.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Abhishek Cukkemane, Nina Becker, Mara Zielinski, Benedikt Frieg, Nils-Alexander Lakomek, Henrike Heise, Gunnar F. Schroeder, Dieter Willbold, Oliver H. Weiergraeber
Summary: Chronic mental illnesses, with poorly understood causes, present a significant challenge to global health. Research has identified the DISC1 protein's dysfunction as a predisposing factor in various psychiatric disorders, showing that its C-region is highly polymorphic and crucial for its physiological function. The protein forms oligomers and fibrils, with aggregation driven by a negative enthalpy change, and the C-region's association with other proteins like NDEL1 and LIS1 affects its role as a scaffold protein.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Seung Hwan Son, Ji Min Do, Ji-Na Yoo, Hyun Woo Lee, Nam Kwon Kim, Hyung-Seok Yoo, Min Sung Gee, Jong-Ho Kim, Ji Hye Seong, Kyung-Soo Inn, Min-Duk Seo, Jong Kil Lee, Nam-Jung Kim
Summary: Polyhydroxyisoflavones synthesized in this study effectively prevented the aggregation of both amyloid beta and tau, with an ortho-catechol containing isoflavone scaffold proving crucial for this prevention. Further analysis indicated that the compound could directly inhibit the formation of A beta fibrils and tau-derived neurofibrils, potentially through catechol-mediated nucleation of tau. Additionally, the compound was shown to alleviate cognitive impairment and pathologies related to Alzheimer's disease in a transgenic mouse model.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gideon K. Yawson, Samantha E. Huffman, Samuel S. Fisher, Paige J. Bothwell, David C. Platt, Marjorie A. Jones, Gregory M. Ferrence, Christopher G. Hamaker, Michael Webb
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is characterized by extracellular protein deposits containing the peptide amyloid-beta. Metallotherapeutics show promise in targeting soluble A beta to prevent aggregation and cytotoxicity. Studies have shown that thiazole-based derivatives and other complexes with hydrogen-bonding functional groups can effectively prevent A beta aggregation.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Romain Versele, Emmanuel Sevin, Fabien Gosselet, Laurence Fenart, Pietra Candela
Summary: The blood-brain barrier is a crucial barrier for maintaining brain homeostasis, and cytokine-induced neuroinflammation may play a role in BBB dysfunction and contribute to the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Cytokines like TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta can modulate BBB permeability, leading to amyloid-beta peptide accumulation and potentially influencing the progression of AD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Ryan Limbocker, Roxine Staats, Sean Chia, Francesco S. Ruggeri, Benedetta Mannini, Catherine K. Xu, Michele Perni, Roberta Cascella, Alessandra Bigi, Liam R. Sasser, Natalie R. Block, Aidan K. Wright, Ryan P. Kreiser, Edward T. Custy, Georg Meisl, Silvia Errico, Johnny Habchi, Patrick Flagmeier, Tadas Kartanas, Jared E. Hollows, Lam T. Nguyen, Kathleen LeForte, Denise Barbut, Janet R. Kumita, Cristina Cecchi, Michael Zasloff, Tuomas P. J. Knowles, Christopher M. Dobson, Fabrizio Chiti, Michele Vendruscolo
Summary: The study reveals the mechanism by which aminosterols modulate the aggregation of Aβ and α-S and suppress their toxicity, indicating that these compounds can inhibit toxicity by displacing toxic oligomeric species from cellular membranes.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dale C. Guenther, Shohei Mori, Shigeo Matsuda, Jason A. Gilbert, Jennifer L. S. Willoughby, Sarah Hyde, Anna Bisbe, Yongfeng Jiang, Saket Agarwal, Mimouna Madaoui, Maja M. Janas, Klaus Charisse, Martin A. Maier, Martin Egli, Muthiah Manoharan
Summary: This study demonstrates the synthesis and application of 2'-F/Me-modified pyrimidine phosphoramidites in oligonucleotides. The modification significantly affects the stability and degradation resistance of oligonucleotides. siRNAs modified with 2'-F/Me showed good silencing activity, especially when modified at specific positions. Furthermore, the combination with 5'-vinyl phosphonate led to silencing activity comparable to the parent.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemical Research Methods
Lucile Alexandre, Jiashu Sun, Myriam Taverna, Wenwan Zhong
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Lidia Ciccone, Susanna Nencetti, Armando Rossello, Lucia Barlettani, Nicolo Tonali, Paola Nieri, Elisabetta Orlandini
Summary: EPA and DHA, two omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, are safe dietary supplements derived from fish oil that contribute to human health. Studies show that these fatty acids have a role in counteracting neurodegenerative processes related to amyloidogenic proteins. The research found that EPA and DHA can directly interact with TTR and contribute to stabilizing the TTR tetramer.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nicola Forlano, Raffaella Bucci, Alessandro Contini, Mariano Venanzi, Ernesto Placidi, Maria Luisa Gelmi, Raffaella Lettieri, Emanuela Gatto
Summary: This study describes the self-assembly properties of an alpha,beta-peptide, which can self-organize into a fascinating supramolecular rope on surfaces. The material was characterized by AFM, electronic conduction and fluorescence measurements. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that this peptide can self-assemble into an antiparallel beta-sheet layer, which can further self-assemble into many side-by-side layers. The presence of aromatic residues promoted by the alternation of alpha,beta-amino-acids in the primary sequence endorses the formation of a super-secondary structure with good electron conduction properties.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Joanie Otin, N. Thuy Tran, Aurelie Benoit, Corinne Buisson, Myriam Taverna
Summary: This study proposes a capillary electrophoresis method to analyze misused growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogs. The use of dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin as a chiral selector allows the separation of basic peptide analogs, including enantiopeptides that differ by one amino acid chirality. Electrokinetic preconcentration methods were investigated to increase sensitivity. The combination of preconcentration with chiral capillary zone electrophoresis successfully separates GHRH analogs with detection limits ranging from 75 to 200 ng/mL.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Giorgio Facchetti, Jaime Gracia Vitoria, Martina Moraschi, Raffaella Bucci, Anne Catherine Abel, Stefano Pieraccini, Sara Pellegrino, Isabella Rimoldi
Summary: This article investigates the use of a dimeric cyclic cysteine analogue as a constrained unnatural amino acid and a folding inducer in ultra-short peptides. The results demonstrate that both the free dimer amino acid L1 and its peptide derivative L2 can chelate Cu(II). The resulting complexes exhibit catalytic activity in the Michael addition reaction of nitromethane on different types of chalcones, with L1-Cu(II) showing higher reactivity in terms of conversion and L2-Cu(II) achieving an interesting 60% enantiomeric excess on pyridine chalcone.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Crescenzo Coppa, Andrea Bazzoli, Maral Barkhordari, Alessandro Contini
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of accelerated molecular dynamics (aMD) protocols in predicting the secondary structure of eight peptides, including helical, fi-hairpin, and disordered peptides. The results showed that all three combinations of force fields and solvation models performed well on helical peptides. For fi-hairpins, the ff19SB force field combined with both solvation methods showed good performance, with a slight preference for the TIP3P solvation model. The ff19SB/OPC combination exhibited the best performance on intrinsically disordered peptides. However, the ff14SB/TIP3P combination had a strong bias towards helical peptides.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Serena Delbue, Elena Pariani, Silvia Parapini, Cristina Galli, Nicoletta Basilico, Sarah D'Alessandro, Sara Pellegrino, Elena Pini, Samuele Ciceri, Patrizia Ferraboschi, Paride Grisenti
Summary: Lysozyme, a protein widely found in nature, is a part of the innate defense mechanisms in humans, with antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria. It has also shown potential antiviral activity, leading to research on its application in treating SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luca Pinzi, Nicolo Bisi, Claudia Sorbi, Silvia Franchini, Nicolo Tonali, Giulio Rastelli
Summary: Tau is a protein with large structural portions that undergo extended conformational changes. Accumulation of Tau protein into toxic aggregates in neuronal cells leads to severe tauopathies. Recent research advancements have provided a better understanding of Tau structures and their implications in different tauopathies. This review presents an up-to-date overview of Tau structures reported in the Protein Data Bank, focusing on the connections between structural features, tauopathies, crystallization conditions, and sample types. The information presented highlights interesting links that could aid in the design of compounds to modulate Tau aggregation.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Chenghui Shi, Julia Kaffy, Tap Ha-Duong, Jean-Francois Gallard, Alain Pruvost, Aloise Mabondzo, Lidia Ciccone, Sandrine Ongeri, Nicolo Tonali
Summary: A novel class of peptidomimetic foldamers based on diaza-peptide units is reported, which can undergo helical folding in water and have potential applications in protein-protein interaction and amyloid protein aggregation.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Marta Papis, Raffaella Bucci, Alessandro Contini, Maria Luisa Gelmi, Leonardo Lo Presti, Giovanni Poli, Gianluigi Broggini, Camilla Loro
Summary: A phosphine-catalyzed domino assembly of six units of 2-bromomethyl acrylates was developed to synthesize polyalkenyl adducts containing two cyclohexenyl rings. This method involves initial dimerization and subsequent trimerization of the substrate, resulting in the formation of seven carbon-carbon bonds and four stereocenters. The protocol has also been successfully scaled up to gram-scale experiments.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lidia Ciccone, Caterina Camodeca, Nicolo Tonali, Lucia Barlettani, Armando Rossello, Carole Fruchart Gaillard, Julia Kaffy, Giovanni Petrarolo, Concettina La Motta, Susanna Nencetti, Elisabetta Orlandini
Summary: A series of new hybrid derivatives inspired by nature were synthesized and studied as multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. These compounds combine bioactive moieties with the ability to chelate biometals and exhibit antioxidant activity.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ngoc Van Thanh Nguyen, Claire Smadja, Myriam Taverna, Trong Khoa Mai, Frederic Halgand, Thanh Duc Mai
Summary: A new method for studying the orientation and density of mouse antibody grafting on magnetic beads, which can be used in immunoassays and biosensors with fluorescent detection of biomolecules, is reported in this study. The method involves selective enzymatic digestion to obtain F(ab')2 and Fc fragments, followed by separation and determination of these fragments using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with fluorescence detection (FLD). The developed method was used to evaluate the grafting capacity of immunoglobulin (IgG2a) on different biofunctionalized magnetic beads, and the results show that tosyl-activated and protein G beads have superior grafting capacity compared to carboxylic beads at the optimal IgG:bead ratios. Under optimized conditions, more than 70% of antibodies were grafted onto tosyl-activated and protein G beads in the correct orientation. The method was then demonstrated with commercially available antibodies specific to amyloid-beta peptide 1-42 (A beta 1-42) for magneto-immunoassays and fluorescent detection of this peptide, which is an established biomarker for the molecular diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alexander M. Prophet, Kritanjan Polley, Gary J. Van Berkel, David T. Limmer, Kevin R. Wilson
Summary: The oxidation kinetics of iodide by ozone at the air-water interface is studied in single microdroplets. Molecular simulations and kinetic modeling are used to understand the underlying multiphase mechanism.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rong Zhang, Jiajing Lan, Fei Wang, Shumei Chen, Jian Zhang
Summary: By utilizing 1,1'-ferrocene dicarboxylic acid as a chelating and surface protection ligand, we have synthesized multi-nuclear indium oxide clusters with varying nuclear sizes, including heptanuclear and thirteen-nuclear clusters. These clusters possess labile coordination sites, allowing for structural modification and self-assembly, resulting in the formation of various cluster structures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hui Wang, Hui Liu, Mingsen Wang, Jiaheng Hou, Yongjun Li, Yuancheng Wang, Yingjie Zhao
Summary: Two supramolecular complexes were prepared using CBs and M1, and their single-crystal structures were analyzed by SCXRD. The unexpected 1:2 self-assembly structure between M1 and CB[8] was discovered for the first time. These complexes exhibit unique photophysical properties and provide valuable information about the structure and photophysical properties of supramolecular complexes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chang-Hee Lee, Sookil Park, Sanggil Kim, Ji Young Hyun, Hyun Soo Lee, Injae Shin
Summary: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a cell-surface glycoprotein involved in cell proliferation and tumor development. This study used a fluorescently labeled EGFR to investigate its time-dependent endocytosis in live cells and found that appended glycans affect EGFR internalization. Additionally, the study detected sialic acid residues attached to EGFR on the live cell surface using FRET-based imaging. This research provides valuable insights into the cellular functions of EGFR.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Subhankar Sahu, Lokesh Kumar, Sumita Das, Dipti Gupta, Ruchi Anand
Summary: This study proposes a strategy that combines organic electronics with biosensor scaffolds to create a compact device for monitoring environmental aromatic pollution. By coupling biosensing protein MopR with an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT), a sensor module capable of efficient detection of phenol was designed. Exclusive phenol detection with minimal loss of sensitivity could be achieved in complex pollutant mixtures and real environmental samples.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Changseok Lee, Hyung-Joon Kang, Sungwoo Hong
Summary: The formation of C-N bonds through hydroamination reactions catalyzed by nickel hydrides has been a topic of recent interest. This approach offers a way to efficiently transform a variety of alkene and alkyne substrates into compounds enriched with C-N bonds. The review provides a concise overview of the underlying reaction mechanisms and aims to stimulate further progress in NiH-catalytic techniques and catalyst design.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yueci Wu, Lu-Lu Sun, Hai-Hao Han, Xiao-Peng He, Weiguo Cao, Tony D. James
Summary: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a common cause of acute liver failure in the USA and Europe, but most cases can be recovered or prevented by discontinuing the offending drug. Recent research has found that peroxynitrite (ONOO-) can be used as a potential indicator for early diagnosis of DILI, and there is an urgent need to establish a method to detect and track peroxynitrite in DILI cases. In this study, a FRET-based nano fluorescent probe CD-N-I was developed, which showed high selectivity and sensitivity in detecting peroxynitrite. The probe successfully detected exogenous peroxynitrite in live cells and endogenous peroxynitrite in APAP-induced liver injury of HepG2 cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dmitry L. Lipilin, Mikhail O. Zubkov, Mikhail D. Kosobokov, Alexander D. Dilman
Summary: This article describes a direct photocatalytic method for the thiolation of unprotected acids, which was previously challenging. By using a thionocarbonate reagent with an N-O bond, the efficient conversion of carboxylic acids to thiols is achieved.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jason Malenfant, Lucille Kuster, Yohann Gagne, Kouassi Signo, Maxime Denis, Sylvain Canesi, Mathieu Frenette
Summary: Raman microscopy can reveal compound-specific vibrational fingerprints without sample preparation. The combination of efficient theoretical calculations and a user-friendly software can accurately predict peak positions and provide match scores to assist with structure determination.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jayoh A. Hernandez, Paul S. Micus, Sean Alec Lois Sunga, Luca Mazzei, Stefano Ciurli, Gabriele Meloni
Summary: Essential trace metals play crucial roles in the survival and virulence of bacterial pathogens. Helicobacter pylori requires nickel for colonization and persistence in the stomach, and NixA is an essential nickel transporter in this process. This study characterizes the selectivity and electrogenic nature of NixA-mediated nickel transport.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tarali Devi, Kuheli Dutta, Jennifer Deutscher, Stefan Mebs, Uwe Kuhlmann, Michael Haumann, Beatrice Cula, Holger Dau, Peter Hildebrandt, Kallol Ray
Summary: This study emphasizes the importance of subtle electronic changes and secondary interactions in the stability of biologically relevant metal-dioxygen intermediates. It also shows that the role of the chloride ligand in stabilizing the Fe-III-(OOBu)-Bu-t moiety can extend to other anions, including the thiolate ligand.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jacqueline R. Santhouse, Jeremy M. G. Leung, Lillian T. Chong, W. Seth Horne
Summary: By studying the folding kinetics and mechanism of the BdpA sequence, researchers found that altering the backbone connectivity can affect protein folding. This suggests that protein mimetic chains have a significant degree of plasticity in transitioning between unfolded and folded states.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Divanshu Gupta, Ralf Einholz, Holger F. Bettinger
Summary: This study presents the first direct spectroscopic evidence of a cyclic seven-membered iminoborane. Compared to linear amino-iminoboranes, this cyclic iminoborane exhibits weakened bond strength and lower Lewis acidity value. The study suggests that the reduced ring strain of cyclic iminoborane prevents nitrogen fixation but allows facile (2 + 2) cycloaddition reaction with C2H4.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Renny Mathew, Aniruddha Mazumder, Praveen Kumar, Julie Matula, Sharmarke Mohamed, Petr Brazda, Mahesh Hariharan, Brijith Thomas
Summary: This study reveals the packing arrangement of partially disordered nitro-perylenediimide (NO2-PDI) using a synergistic approach that combines 3D ED, ssNMR, and DFT techniques. By overcoming these challenges, this methodology opens up new avenues for material characterization, driving exciting advancements in the field.