Photoreactive, core-shell cross-linked/hollow microspheres prepared by delayed addition of cross-linker in dispersion polymerization for antifouling and immobilization of protein

Global identification of the cellular targets for a multi-molecule system by a photochemically-induced coupling reaction

Current target identification strategies mainly focus on single compounds. However, no practical experimental methodologies have been developed for multi-molecule systems. Herein, we established a cellular target identification technology for a multi-molecule system by preparing 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone (DHBP)-bound Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) with photochemically induced crosslinking capacity. DHBP-bound NPs reacted with the chemicals from the medicinal plant extract as a multi-molecule system under ultraviolet radiation by forming carbon-carbon bonds, thus generating extract-crosslinked NPs for capturing target proteins from cell lysates. The technology, which is named the Zhao-Yao (ZY) strategy, may promote the comprehensive interpretation of the pharmacological mechanism of multi-molecule systems via the global identification of cellular targets.

Antimicrobial activity and metabolite profiling of endophytic fungi in Digitaria bicornis (Lam) Roem. and Schult. and Paspalidium flavidum (Retz.) A. Camus

Endophytic fungal occurrences were studied in aerial regions of Digitaria bicornis and Paspalidium flavidum by three isolation methods: potato dextrose agar (PDA), malt extract agar (MEA), and moist blotters. Seventy species of 29 genera of endophytic fungi in D. bicornis and 71 species of 30 genera in P. flavidum were documented. Endophytic fungal communities were grouped into 40 and 43 anamorphic ascomycetes (21 and 23 genera) and 20 teleomorphic ascomycetes (6 and 7 genera) in D. bicornis and P. flavidum, respectively. PDA supported the expression of larger number of fungal communities than MEA and MB; and P. flavidum hosted more number of endophytic fungi than D. bicornis. Seasons played an important role in supporting the assemblage of fungal endophytes. Endophytic fungal species richness and assemblages in plant regions were determined for alpha, beta, and gamma diversities. The ethyl acetate followed by methanolic extracts of certain fungal species showed good antagonistic and antibacterial activities. Among fungal endophytes, Curvularia protuberata and Penicillium citrinum exhibited high antagonistic and antibacterial activities. The high-resolution orbitrap liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of ethyl acetate crude extracts of C. protuberata and P. citrinum revealed the presence of antifungal and antimicrobial, besides a host of compounds in the extracts. The present study indicated that grass endophytes are the sources of compounds with antimicrobial and other pharmacological activities.

The Life of Pi Star: Exploring the Exciting and Forbidden Worlds of the Benzophenone Photophore

The widespread applications of benzophenone (BP) photochemistry in biological chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, and material science have been prominent in both academic and industrial research. BP photophores have unique photochemical properties: upon n-π* excitation at 365 nm, a biradicaloid triplet state is formed reversibly, which can abstract a hydrogen atom from accessible C-H bonds; the radicals subsequently recombine, creating a stable covalent C-C bond. This light-directed covalent attachment process is exploited in many different ways: (i) binding/contact site mapping of ligand (or protein)-protein interactions; (ii) identification of molecular targets and interactome mapping; (iii) proteome profiling; (iv) bioconjugation and site-directed modification of biopolymers; (v) surface grafting and immobilization. BP photochemistry also has many practical advantages, including low reactivity toward water, stability in ambient light, and the convenient excitation at 365 nm. In addition, several BP-containing building blocks and reagents are commercially available. In this review, we explore the "forbidden" (transitions) and excitation-activated world of photoinduced covalent attachment of BP photophores by touring a colorful palette of recent examples. In this exploration, we will see the pros and cons of using BP photophores, and we hope that both novice and expert photolabelers will enjoy and be inspired by the breadth and depth of possibilities.

Direct one-pot synthesis of chemically anisotropic particles with tunable morphology, dimensions, and surface roughness

Previously, synthesis of anisotropic particles by seeded polymerizations has involved multiple process steps. In conventional one-pot dispersion polymerization (Dis.P) with a cross-linker added, only spherical particles are produced due to rapid and high cross-linking. In this Article, a straightforward one-pot preparation of monodisperse anisotropic particles with tunable morphology, dimensions, surface roughness, and asymmetrically distributed functional groups is described. With a cross-linker of divinylbenzene (DVB, 8%), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA, 6%), or dimethacryloyloxybenzophenone (DMABP, 5%) added at 40 min, shortly after the end of nucleation stage in Dis.P of styrene (St) in methanol and water (6/4, vol), the swollen growing particles are inhomogeneously cross-linked at first. Then, at low gel contents of 59%, 49%, and 69%, corresponding to the cases using DVB, EGDMA, and DMABP, respectively, the growing particle phase separates and snowman- or dumbbell-like particles are generated. Thermodynamic and kinetic analyses reveal that moderate cross-linking and sufficient swelling of growing particles determine the formation and growth of anisotropic particles during polymerization. Morphology, surface roughness, sizes, and cross-linking degrees of each domain of final particles are tuned continuously by varying start addition time and contents of cross-linkers. The snowman-like particles fabricated with DVB have a gradient cross-linking and asymmetrical distribution of pendant vinyl groups from their body to head. The dumbbell-like particles prepared using DMABP have only one domain cross-linked; i.e., only one domain contains photosensitive benzophenone (BP) groups. With addition of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) or propargyl methacrylate (PMA) together with DVB or EGDMA, epoxy or alkynyl groups are asymmetrically incorporated. With the aid of these functional groups, carboxyl, amino, or thiol groups and PEG (200) are attached by thiol-ene (yne) click and photocoupling reactions.

Monodisperse highly cross-linked “living” microspheres prepared via photoinitiated RAFT dispersion polymerization

Monodisperse highly Cross-linked “Living” microspheres were synthesized via photoinitiated RAFT dispersion polymerization of MMA using a bifunctional monomer or a trifunctional monomer as the cross-linker.