Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuanzhi Zhong, Jie Zhan, Guanghui Xu, Yumiao Chen, Qin Qin, Xu Liao, Shaodan Ma, Zhimou Yang, Yanbin Cai
Summary: The study demonstrates the construction of high-performing excimer-based luminescent tools at low molecular concentrations using enzyme-instructed self-assembly. The luminescent supramolecular nanofibers show potential for early cancer diagnosis and expand the application of supramolecular chemistry.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Dingze Mang, Sona Rani Roy, Qizheng Zhang, Xunwu Hu, Ye Zhang
Summary: This study developed HS-instructed self-assembling peptides to inhibit cancer cell migration by hindering the binding of HSPG with HBEGF, leading to the suppression of FAK and ERK activation. This approach shows promise as a synthetic therapeutic strategy for targeted cancer migration inhibition.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dianpeng Zheng, Yaowen Mao, Yinglong Gao, Feng He, Jun Ma
Summary: The cellular response to nutrient deprivation is not well known, but it has been observed that glucose withdrawal does not immediately halt the cell cycle like the removal of amino acids or glutamine does. Daughter cells from mother cells experiencing glucose withdrawal in S phase have the choice of proliferation or quiescence, while those experiencing it in G1 phase predominantly enter quiescence. This difference is due to the accumulation of p21 protein during G2/M in the latter cells, which can be degraded to allow daughter cells to enter S phase but with increased DNA damage.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yinghao Ding, Debin Zheng, Limin Xie, Xiangyang Zhang, Zhenghao Zhang, Ling Wang, Zhi-Wen Hu, Zhimou Yang
Summary: An enzyme-instructed peptide self-assembly (EISA) strategy is used to selectively modify cancer cell membranes, and different phosphorylation patterns in phosphopeptides targeting EGFR can impact their self-assembly abilities and binding affinity for EGFR. The phosphorylated peptide pY1 shows the highest capability for preorganization and the fastest dephosphorylation in the presence of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), making it the most effective at constructing stable peptide assemblies on cancer cell membranes. Additionally, peptide-protein and peptide-peptide co-assembly strategies are employed to apply antigens to cancer cell membranes, offering a potential technique for cancer immunotherapy.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rocio G. Sampayo, Mason Sakamoto, Madeline Wang, Sanjay Kumar, David V. Schaffer
Summary: During the process of cell differentiation into tissues, cells are influenced by mechanical signals from the extracellular matrix (ECM), which regulate their fate. The activation of Rho GTPases plays a key role in sensing these cues, but the regulation and integration of the activation dynamics is still unclear. This study found that ECM stiffness cues not only alter the magnitude but also the temporal frequency of RhoA and Cdc42 activation in adult neural stem cells (NSCs). Further experiments using optogenetics showed that the frequency of RhoA and Cdc42 activation drives astrocytic versus neuronal differentiation, highlighting the functional significance of these dynamics.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Lucia Morgado-Palacin
Summary: Sara Wickstrom combines biophysics, next-generation sequencing, and basic cell biology to investigate how cellular forces regulate the fate and position of stem cells within epithelial tissues.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Debin Zheng, Jingfei Liu, Limin Xie, Yuhan Wang, Yinghao Ding, Rong Peng, Min Cui, Ling Wang, Yongjie Zhang, Chunqiu Zhang, Zhimou Yang
Summary: An enzymatic self-assembly strategy using the peptide F-pY-T was developed to induce mitochondrial oxidative stress in cancer cells, leading to immunogenic cell death (ICD) and enhanced immune responses. Combination therapy with anti-PD-L1 agents further improved the immunotherapeutic capacity without biotoxicity in major organs.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Limin Xie, Yinghao Ding, Xiangyang Zhang, Zhenghao Zhang, Sheng Zeng, Ling Wang, Zhimou Yang, Qian Liu, Zhi-Wen Hu
Summary: The researchers constructed a multifunctional drug-loaded peptide nanomedicine (Comp. 4) for ICD-based cancer therapy. Comp. 4 interferes with mitochondrial functions, targets the cell membrane and mitochondria, and forms peptide assemblies in the presence of ALP. Comp. 4 induces mitochondrial oxidative stress, provokes robust ICD responses, and successfully inhibits colon cancer growth by eliciting a systemic ICD-based antitumor immunity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shijiang Wang, Yan Ma, Changsheng Ma, Kai Liu, Zhijun Huo, Yuna Shang
Summary: Cell-targeted peptides have potential for precision cancer treatment, but their bioactivity, penetration rate, and stability need improvement. Supramolecular self-assembly based on synthetic peptide shows promise in addressing these issues and achieving better therapeutic effects.
CHEMISTRY-AN ASIAN JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xuhui Xiong, Liting Yang, Guisheng Liang, Zhengwang Liu, Ziqi Yang, Ruixuan Zhang, Chao Wang, Renchao Che
Summary: A novel tetragonal tungsten bronze structure with an unprecedented cation-vacancy ordered superstructure is developed, which improves the cycling performance of lithium-ion batteries by enhancing lithium-ion diffusion and reducing structural strain induced by lithium-ion intercalation.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
A. R. Khalikov, E. A. Korznikova, A. A. Kudreyko, Yu Bebikhov, S. Dmitriev
Summary: This paper analyzes the structure and energy of planar superstructure defects (PSDs) in ordered alloys with the L-0(1) superstructure. The analysis is based on the symmetry of the structure and pairwise interatomic bonds across the defect plane. The results and expressions obtained are useful for analyzing slip systems and classifying possible PSDs in L-0(1) ordered alloys.
METALS AND MATERIALS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ayaka Sugiura, Gabriela Andrejeva, Kelsey Voss, Darren R. Heintzman, Xincheng Xu, Matthew Z. Madden, Xiang Ye, Katherine L. Beier, Nowrin U. Chowdhury, Melissa M. Wolf, Arissa C. Young, Dalton L. Greenwood, Allison E. Sewell, Shailesh K. Shahi, Samantha N. Freedman, Alanna M. Cameron, Patrik Foerch, Tim Bourne, Juan C. Garcia-Canaveras, John Karijolich, Dawn C. Newcomb, Ashutosh K. Mangalam, Joshua D. Rabinowitz, Jeffrey C. Rathmell
Summary: Antigenic stimulation promotes T cell metabolic reprogramming. The one-carbon metabolism enzyme MTHFD2 regulates purine synthesis and signaling in activated T cells. MTHFD2 deficiency reduces disease severity in multiple in vivo inflammatory disease models.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Seokgyu Han, Myung Chul Lee, Alejandra Rodriguez-delaRosa, Jiseong Kim, Margot Barroso-Zuppa, Montserrat Pineda-Rosales, Seong Soo Kim, Takaaki Hatanaka, Iman K. Yazdi, Nicole Bassous, Indranil Sinha, Olivier Pourquie, Sungsu Park, Su Ryon Shin
Summary: In this study, a bioengineering strategy was developed to create MCT-layered myofibers by controlling the fate of stem cells. The use of a gelatin-based hydrogel conjugated with TGF-beta 1 allowed for precise control of fibroblast populations and increased production of MCT-specific extracellular matrix. By using photolithography and co-axial wet spinning techniques, functional myofibers with MCT layers were successfully formed. This advanced engineering approach could potentially provide biomimetic human muscle grafts for various biomedical applications.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pengyang Li, Dania Nanes Sarfati, Yuan Xue, Xi Yu, Alexander J. Tarashansky, Stephen R. Quake, Bo Wang
Summary: This study identifies a regulatory program that mediates the fate of germline stem cells between proliferation and differentiation in schistosomes. Single-cell RNA sequencing and functional genomic analysis of juvenile worms were utilized to reveal key genetic factors involved in controlling germline development.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zacharias Wijfjes, Floris J. van Dalen, Camille M. Le Gall, Martijn Verdoes
Summary: This article reviews the mouse and human receptors studied as targets for therapeutic vaccines and discusses how antibody and ligand conjugates targeting affect antigen presentation. The aim is to delineate how targeting distinct receptors affects antigen presentation and vaccine efficacy, guiding target selection for future therapeutic vaccine development.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Beom Jin Kim, Yu Fang, Hongjian He, Bing Xu
Summary: This study discovered a readily available peptide that selectively inhibits cancer cells by forming peptide assemblies on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through enzyme-instructed self-assembly (EISA), resulting in ER stress and eventual cell death. It offers a promising new strategy for potential cancer therapy by targeting cancer cell subcellular organelles.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dongsik Yang, Beom Jin Kim, Hongjian He, Bing Xu
Summary: A new type of tryptophan-rich short peptides has been discovered, which act as hydrogelators, form supramolecular assemblies via enzymatic dephosphorylation, and exhibit cell compatibility. These peptides largely accumulate in lysosomes, are compatible with mammalian cells, and can transiently reduce the cytotoxicity of phenylalanine-rich peptide assemblies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adrianna N. Shy, Huaimin Wang, Zhaoqianqi Feng, Bing Xu
Summary: This study successfully developed new materials with the ability to form heterotypic peptide hydrogels using information revealed by structural biology. The ratio of complementary peptides affects the properties of the resulting hydrogels, while electrostatic interactions modulate the self-assembly process.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Dongsik Yang, Hongjian He, Beom Jin Kim, Bing Xu
Summary: This study found that peptides with negatively charged peptides (NCPs) can self-assemble to form micelles at neutral or basic pH, facilitating the trafficking of histone proteins. Structure-activity studies revealed that self-assembly, proper stereochemistry, and acidic repeats are crucial for successful trafficking of H2B.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Weiyi Tan, Qiuxin Zhang, Jiaqing Wang, Meihui Yi, Hongjian He, Bing Xu
Summary: Introducing a sulfur atom into phosphopeptides enables rapid targeting of Golgi apparatus and selective killing of cancer cells. The resulting thiophosphopeptide self-assembles after alkaline phosphatase-catalyzed dephosphorylation, enters cells, and accumulates in Golgi apparatus, inhibiting cancer cells effectively.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongjian He, Jiaqi Guo, Jiashu Xu, Jiaqing Wang, Shuang Liu, Bing Xu
Summary: This study demonstrates how nanoscale phosphopeptide assemblies cluster ALP to enable cellular uptake through caveolae-mediated endocytosis and endosomal escape. Dephosphorylation of phosphopeptides leads to the formation of peptidic nanofibers for endosomal escape. Inhibiting TNAP or disrupting lipid rafts abolishes the endocytosis process, while decreasing the transformation to nanofibers prevents endosomal escape.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Qiuxin Zhang, Weiyi Tan, Bing Xu
Summary: In this study, we synthesized pyrrole-conjugated phosphopeptides and investigated their effects on cell viability. The results showed that the introduction of a heteroaromatic motif at the N-terminal of short peptides reduced their inhibitory activity against cancer cells and hindered morphological changes during enzymatic dephosphorylation.
BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Weiyi Tan, Qiuxin Zhang, Pengyu Hong, Bing Xu
Summary: This study utilizes an enzyme-instructed self-assembling thiophosphopeptide as a probe to reveal the state of the Golgi Apparatus (GA) in live cells. Results show that the probe accumulates in the GA at different rates depending on cell types and is sensitive to alkaline phosphatase expression. This self-assembling probe offers a novel approach for high-resolution imaging of subcellular organelles.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Weiyi Tan, Qiuxin Zhang, Monica C. Quinones-Frias, Alan Y. Hsu, Yichi Zhang, Avital Rodal, Pengyu Hong, Hongbo R. Luo, Bing Xu
Summary: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of unconventional peptide thioesters in selectively targeting the Golgi apparatus, thereby controlling cell fate. These peptide thioesters enter cells through specific endocytic pathways and accumulate in the Golgi apparatus, disrupting protein trafficking and leading to cell death.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qiuxin Zhang, Weiyi Tan, Bing Xu
Summary: Enzymatic noncovalent synthesis (ENS) is a mechanism that utilizes enzymatic reactions to produce spatially organized higher-order supramolecular assemblies, which can modulate cellular processes. This Review highlights the recent progress in the application of ENS for targeted subcellular organelles, showcasing its potential in understanding diseases, controlling cell behaviors, and developing new therapeutics.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meihui Yi, Fengbin Wang, Weiyi Tan, Jer-Tsong Hsieh, Edward H. Egelman, Bing Xu
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of enzymatic responsive rigid-rod aromatics as substrates to target undruggable phosphatases and kill cancer cells in a bone microenvironment. The compounds effectively kill metastatic prostate cancer cells and mimic osteoblast cells, with high cellular uptake rate.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuang Liu, Qiuxin Zhang, Hongjian He, Meihui Yi, Weiyi Tan, Jiaqi Guo, Bing Xu
Summary: In this study, intranuclear nanoribbons formed by dephosphorylation of phosphorylated peptides catalyzed by alkaline phosphatase were demonstrated to selectively kill osteosarcoma cells. These peptides rapidly kill the cancer cells by interacting with histone proteins, while being nontoxic to normal cells.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Adrianna N. Shy, Jiashu Xu, Beom Jin Kim, Bing Xu
Summary: This study focuses on the enzyme-instructed self-assembly (EISA) of a phosphopeptide (1P) derived from the protein crystal structures of Merlin and CRL4(DCAF-1). The results demonstrate that even with the presence of a hydrophilic peptide, 1P can form a hydrogel at a very low volume fraction. Additionally, diastereomer 2P and enantiomer 3P of 1P are able to form hydrogels via EISA at higher concentrations than 1P.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huyeon Choi, Gaeun Park, Eunhye Shin, Seon Woo Shin, Batakrishna Jana, Seongeon Jin, Sangpil Kim, Huaimin Wang, Sang Kyu Kwak, Bing Xu, Ja-Hyoung Ryu
Summary: Mitochondria-targeting nucleopeptide can sequester ATP by self-assembling, leading to apoptosis of cancer cells.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meihui Yi, Weiyi Tan, Jiaqi Guo, Bing Xu
Summary: Enzymatic noncovalent synthesis allows for the control of multimolecular crowding in cells, offering opportunities for modulating cellular functions and various biomedical applications.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)