1
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Fatima S, Olshansky L. Conformational control over proton-coupled electron transfer in metalloenzymes. Nat Rev Chem 2024:10.1038/s41570-024-00646-7. [PMID: 39223400 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-024-00646-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
From the reduction of dinitrogen to the oxidation of water, the chemical transformations catalysed by metalloenzymes underlie global geochemical and biochemical cycles. These reactions represent some of the most kinetically and thermodynamically challenging processes known and require the complex choreography of the fundamental building blocks of nature, electrons and protons, to be carried out with utmost precision and accuracy. The rate-determining step of catalysis in many metalloenzymes consists of a protein structural rearrangement, suggesting that nature has evolved to leverage macroscopic changes in protein molecular structure to control subatomic changes in metallocofactor electronic structure. The proton-coupled electron transfer mechanisms operative in nitrogenase, photosystem II and ribonucleotide reductase exemplify this interplay between molecular and electronic structural control. We present the culmination of decades of study on each of these systems and clarify what is known regarding the interplay between structural changes and functional outcomes in these metalloenzyme linchpins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saman Fatima
- Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Lisa Olshansky
- Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Materials Research Laboratory, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- The Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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2
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Fu YH, Hu YF, Lin T, Zhuang GW, Wang YL, Chen WX, Li ZT, Hou JL. Constructing artificial gap junctions to mediate intercellular signal and mass transport. Nat Chem 2024; 16:1418-1426. [PMID: 38658798 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01519-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Natural gap junctions are a type of channel protein responsible for intercellular signalling and mass communication. However, the scope of applications for these proteins is limited as they cannot be prepared at a large scale and are unable to spontaneously insert into cell membranes in vitro. The construction of artificial gap junctions may provide an alternative strategy for preparing analogues of the natural proteins and bottom-up building blocks necessary for the synthesis of artificial cells. Here we show the construction of artificial gap junction channels from unimolecular tubular molecules consisting of alternately arranged positively and negatively charged pillar[5]arene motifs. These molecules feature a hydrophobic-hydrophilic-hydrophobic triblock structure that allows them to efficiently insert into two adjacent plasma membranes and stretch across the gap between the two membranes to form gap junctions. Similar to natural gap junction channels, the synthetic channels could mediate intercellular signal coupling and reactive oxygen species transmission, leading to cellular activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Hong Fu
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Fei Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guo-Wei Zhuang
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying-Lan Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Xue Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhan-Ting Li
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-Li Hou
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Doerner B, Della Sala F, Wang S, Webb SJ. Reaction, Recognition, Relay: Anhydride Hydrolysis Reported by Conformationally Responsive Fluorinated Foldamers in Micelles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202405924. [PMID: 38703400 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202405924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Natural membrane receptors are proteins that can report on changes in the concentration of external chemical messengers. Messenger binding to a receptor produces conformational changes that are relayed through the membrane into the cell; this information allows cells to adapt to changes in their environment. Artificial membrane receptors (R)-1 and (S)-1 are helical α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) foldamers that replicate key parts of this information relay. Solution-phase 19F NMR spectroscopy of zinc(II)-capped receptor 1, either in organic solvent or in membrane-mimetic micelles, showed messenger binding produced an enrichment of either left- or right-handed screw-sense; the chirality of the bound messenger was relayed to the other receptor terminus. Furthermore, in situ production of a chemical messenger in the external aqueous environment could be detected in real-time by a racemic mixture of receptor 1 in micelles. The hydrolysis of insoluble anhydrides produced carboxylate in the aqueous phase, which bound to the receptors and gave a distinct 19F NMR output from inside the hydrophobic region of the micelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedicte Doerner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Flavio Della Sala
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Siyuan Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Simon J Webb
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
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4
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Morozov BS, Gargiulo F, Ghule S, Lee DJ, Hampel F, Kim HM, Kataev EA. Macrocyclic Conformational Switch Coupled with Pyridinium-Induced PET for Fluorescence Detection of Adenosine Triphosphate. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:7105-7115. [PMID: 38417151 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c01621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
The binding of nucleotides is crucial for signal transduction as it induces conformational protein changes, leading to downstream cellular responses. Synthetic receptors that bind nucleotides and transduce the binding event into global conformational rearrangements are highly challenging to design, especially those that operate in an aqueous solution. Much work is focused on evaluating functionalized dyes to detect nucleotides, whereas coupling of a nucleotide-induced conformational switching to a sensing event has not been reported to date. We disclose synthetic receptors that undergo a global conformational rearrangement upon nucleotide binding. Integrating naphthalimide and the pyridinium ion into the structure enables stabilization of the folded conformation and efficient fluorescence quenching. The binding of a nucleotide rearranges the receptor conformation and alters the strong fluorescence enhancement. The methylpyridinium-containing receptor demonstrated high sensing selectivity for adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and a record 160-fold fluorescence enhancement. It can detect fluctuations of ATP in HeLa cells and possesses low cytotoxicity. The developed systems present an attractive approach for designing ATP-responsive artificial molecular switches that operate in water and integrate a strong fluorescence response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris S Morozov
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Fabiano Gargiulo
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Swapnil Ghule
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dong Joon Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Energy Systems Research, Ajou University, 16499 Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Frank Hampel
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hwan Myung Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Energy Systems Research, Ajou University, 16499 Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Evgeny A Kataev
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
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5
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Wang S, Ye X, Yang Z, Li A, Sheng X, Wang Q, Jia C. Guest-Facilitated Heteroleptic Assembly of Helical Anionocages Enables Reversible Chirality Modulation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202319552. [PMID: 38179815 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202319552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
We report a novel strategy for reversible modulation of the supramolecular chirality based on guest-facilitated heteroleptic assembly of helical anionocages. Two triple-stranded helical anionocages including a chiral cage 1 (A2 L1 3 ) and a crown ether functionalized achiral cage 2 (A2 L2 3 ) were synthesized by anion coordination of bis-monourea-based ligands and PhPO3 2- . Both cages exhibited favorable binding with tetraethylammonium TEA+ and cobaltocenium Cob+ (endo-guest, bound in the cavity). Additionally, cage 2 could reversibly release and recapture the guests through binding the exo-guest potassium ions (K+ ) in the crown ethers and subsequent removal of the K+ by [2,2,2]-cryptand. The circular dichroism (CD) spectrum of cage 1 was not significantly affected by guest encapsulation or mixing with the "empty" cage 2. However, in the presence of both cage 2 and an endo-guest/exo-guest, the Cotton effects were reversed at 391 nm and significantly enhanced at 310 nm. This observation was attributed to the guest-facilitated formation of heteroleptic cages that enabled effective chirality transfer from the chiral to the achiral ligands. The CD changes induced by K+ could be fully reversed by removing it with [2,2,2]-cryptand. Sequential addition and removal of K+ allowed reversible modulation of the chirality for at least 10 cycles without significant attenuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, 710069, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuanli Ye
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, 710069, Xi'an, China
| | - Zaiwen Yang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, 710054, Xi'an, China
| | - Anyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, 710069, Xi'an, China
| | - Xinsong Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, 710069, Xi'an, China
| | - Qiangqiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, 710069, Xi'an, China
| | - Chuandong Jia
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, 710069, Xi'an, China
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6
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Lago-Silva M, Fernández-Míguez M, Rodríguez R, Quiñoá E, Freire F. Stimuli-responsive synthetic helical polymers. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:793-852. [PMID: 38105704 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00952a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic dynamic helical polymers (supramolecular and covalent) and foldamers share the helix as a structural motif. Although the materials are different, these systems also share many structural properties, such as helix induction or conformational communication mechanisms. The introduction of stimuli responsive building blocks or monomer repeating units in these materials triggers conformational or structural changes, due to the presence/absence of the external stimulus, which are transmitted to the helix resulting in different effects, such as assymetry amplification, helix inversion or even changes in the helical scaffold (elongation, J/H helical aggregates). In this review, we show through selected examples how different stimuli (e.g., temperature, solvents, cations, anions, redox, chiral additives, pH or light) can alter the helical structures of dynamic helical polymers (covalent and supramolecular) and foldamers acting on the conformational composition or molecular structure of their components, which is also transmitted to the macromolecular helical structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Lago-Silva
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS) and Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Manuel Fernández-Míguez
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS) and Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Rafael Rodríguez
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS) and Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Emilio Quiñoá
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS) and Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Félix Freire
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS) and Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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7
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Tilly DP, McColl C, Hu M, Vitórica-Yrezábal IJ, Webb SJ. Enantioselective conjugate addition to nitroolefins catalysed by helical peptides with a single remote stereogenic centre. Org Biomol Chem 2023; 21:9562-9571. [PMID: 38009076 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob01594g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Two short pentapeptides rich in α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residues have been shown to act as enantioselective organocatalysts for the conjugate addition of nucleophiles to nitroolefins. An L-alanine terminated peptide, (Aib)4(L-Ala)NHtBu, which has neither functionalised sidechains nor a highly designed reactive site, used an exposed N-terminal primary amine and the amide bonds of the backbone to mediate catalysis. Folding of this peptide into a 310 helical structure was observed by crystallography. Folding into a helix relays the conformational preference of the chiral alanine residue at the C-terminus to the primary amine at the N-terminus, 0.9 nm distant. The chiral environment and defined shape produced by the 310 helix brings the amine site into proximity to two exposed amide NHs. Reaction scope studies implied that the amine acts as a Brønsted base and the solvent-exposed NH groups of the helix, shown to weakly bind β-nitrostyrene, are needed to obtain an enantiomeric excess. Replacement of L-alanine with D-phenylalanine gave (Aib)4(D-Phe)NHtBu, a peptide that now catalysed the benchmark reaction with the opposite enantioselectivity. These studies show how achiral residues can play a key role in enantioselective catalysis by peptides through the promotion of folding.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P Tilly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Catherine McColl
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Mingda Hu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | | | - Simon J Webb
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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8
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Rohmer M, Ebbinghaus SG, Busse K, Radicke J, Kressler J, Binder WH. A Living Topochemical Ring-Opening Polymerization of Achiral Amino Acid N-Carboxy-Anhydrides in Single Crystals. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202302585. [PMID: 37698241 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
A living topochemical ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of achiral amino-acid N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) is reported. Single crystals of the NCAs of α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) and 1-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid (ACHC) were grown, allowing a ring-opening polymerization macroscopically induced by amines. The single crystals could be polymerized at temperatures from 25-50 °C after physically contacting the amine-based initiator with the crystals. Topochemical polymerization of the crystals was proven by MALDI-ToF MS and XRD, generating polymers with chain lengths of up to 40 units and a complete affixation of the initiating amine at the polymer's head. Due to the proper alignment of the reacting groups in the crystal, longer polymer chains with improved purities can be reached, as chain-transfer is reduced as compared to solution polymerization. Simple purification of the polymers can be achieved by separation of the unreacted NCA via dispersion in acetonitrile. Overall, this method enables the preparation of polymers with higher chain length and purities at mild conditions, finally demonstrating a crystal-based ring opening polymerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Rohmer
- Macromolecular Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Stefan G Ebbinghaus
- Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 2, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Karsten Busse
- Physical Chemistry of Polymers, Institute of Chemistry, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Julian Radicke
- Physical Chemistry of Polymers, Institute of Chemistry, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jörg Kressler
- Physical Chemistry of Polymers, Institute of Chemistry, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Wolfgang H Binder
- Macromolecular Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120, Halle, Germany
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9
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Ito T, Yokoo H, Kato T, Doi M, Demizu Y. Sculpting Secondary Structure of a Cyclic Peptide: Conformational Analysis of a Cyclic Hexapeptide Containing a Combination of l-Leu, d-Leu, and Aib Residues. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:44106-44111. [PMID: 38027316 PMCID: PMC10666233 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
We have previously reported that cyclo(l-Leu-d-Leu-Aib-l-Leu-d-Leu-Aib) (2), a cyclic hexapeptide consisting of heterochiral l-Leu and d-Leu (l-Leu-d-Leu) residues with achiral 2-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residues, forms a figure-8 conformation. In this study, we newly designed cyclo(l-Leu-d-Leu-Aib-d-Leu-l-Leu-Aib)+ (4), an epimer of 2, and examined the conformational differences between 2 and 4 by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Peptide 4 formed a planar cyclic conformation with an antiparallel β-sheet hydrogen-bonding pattern. This investigation demonstrates the potential to manipulate the molecular conformation of cyclic peptides by simply arranging the l- and d-amino acids and emphasizes that diverse conformations can be obtained by using cyclic peptides. Harnessing cyclic peptides as platforms for distinct molecular structures is a promising approach to expanding the chemical space for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahito Ito
- Division
of Organic Chemistry, National Institute
of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
- Graduate
School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama
City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0027, Japan
| | - Hidetomo Yokoo
- Division
of Organic Chemistry, National Institute
of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
| | - Takuma Kato
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical
University, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-8686, Japan
| | - Mitsunobu Doi
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical
University, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-8686, Japan
| | - Yosuke Demizu
- Division
of Organic Chemistry, National Institute
of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
- Graduate
School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama
City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0027, Japan
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10
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Tilly DP, Morris DTJ, Clayden J. Anion-Dependent Hydrogen-Bond Polarity Switching in Ethylene-bridged Urea Oligomers. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202302210. [PMID: 37589333 PMCID: PMC10946793 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
The reversible coordination of anions to an N,N'-disubstituted 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylurea located at a terminus of a linear chain of ethylene-bridged hydrogen-bonded ureas triggers a cascade of conformational changes. A series of hydrogen-bond polarity reversals propagates along the oligomer, leading to a global switch of its hydrogen-bond directionality. The induced polarity switch, transmitted through four reversible urea groups, results in a change in emission and excitation wavelengths of a fluorophore located at the opposite terminus of the oligomer. The molecule thus behaves as a chemical sensor with a relayed remote spectroscopic response to variations in anion concentration. The polarity switch induced by anion concentration constitutes an artificial communication mechanism for conveying information through oligomeric structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P. Tilly
- School of ChemistryUniversity of Bristol Cantock's CloseBristolBS8 1TSUK
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
| | - David T. J. Morris
- School of ChemistryUniversity of Bristol Cantock's CloseBristolBS8 1TSUK
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
| | - Jonathan Clayden
- School of ChemistryUniversity of Bristol Cantock's CloseBristolBS8 1TSUK
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11
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Pike SJ, Telford R, Male L. Reversible conformational switching of a photo-responsive ortho-azobenzene/2,6-pyridyldicarboxamide heterofoldamer. Org Biomol Chem 2023; 21:7717-7723. [PMID: 37565617 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob01137b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
We report on a convenient synthetic route to rapidly access a new photo-responsive ortho-azobenzene/2,6-pyridyldicarboxamide heterofoldamer. The adoption of a stable helical conformation has been established for this scaffold in both the solid state and in solution using single crystal X-ray diffraction and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy respectively. Reversible control over the stimuli-driven structural re-ordering of the supramolecular scaffold, from a stable helical conformation under non-irradiative conditions, to a less well-ordered state under irradiative conditions, has been identified. The robust nature of the responsive, conformational, molecular switching behaviour has been determined using UV/Vis, 1H NMR and CD spectroscopy. Minimal loss in the efficiency of the stimuli-driven, structural re-ordering processes of the foldamer scaffold is observed, even upon multiple cyclic treatments with irradiative/non-irradiative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Pike
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
- School of Chemistry and Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Richard Telford
- School of Chemistry and Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Louise Male
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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12
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Pang S, Liu J, Li T, Ye K, Yan Z, Zhao L, Bao C. Folding and Unfolding of a Fully Synthetic Transmembrane Receptor for ON/OFF Signal Transduction. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:20761-20766. [PMID: 37699413 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Signal transduction processes in living organisms are mainly transmitted through conformational changes in transmembrane protein receptors. So far, the development of signal transduction models induced by artificial simulation of conformational changes remains limited. We herein report a new artificial receptor that achieves controllable "ON/OFF" signal transduction through conformational changes between the folding and unfolding of a transmembrane foldamer moiety. The receptor contains three functional modules: a lipid-anchored cholic acid headgroup, a foldamer transmembrane moiety, and a precatalyst tailgroup. After inserting in the lipid membrane, the addition of Zn2+ induces unfolding of the foldamer, which changes the molecular conformation and activates the tailgroup to enter the cavity to perform its catalytic task, resulting in signal transduction in an "ON" state. By further adding a competitive ligand to bind Zn2+, the transduction can be turned "OFF". External signals can be used to reversibly switch intravesicular catalysis on and off, which provides a new model for constructing artificial signal transduction systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Pang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jiawei Liu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Tianlong Li
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Kai Ye
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zexin Yan
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Li Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Chunyan Bao
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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13
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Martínez‐Crespo L, Vitórica‐Yrezábal IJ, Whitehead GFS, Webb SJ. Chemically Fueled Communication Along a Scaffolded Nanoscale Array of Squaramides. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202307841. [PMID: 37429824 PMCID: PMC10952809 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202307841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Relaying conformational change over several nanometers is central to the function of allosterically regulated proteins. Replicating this mechanism artificially would provide important communication tools, but requires nanometer-sized molecules that reversibly switch between defined shapes in response to signaling molecules. In this work, 1.8 nm long rigid rod oligo(phenylene-ethynylene)s are scaffolds for switchable multi-squaramide hydrogen-bond relays. Each relay can adopt either a parallel or an antiparallel orientation relative to the scaffold; the preferred orientation is dictated by a director group at one end. An amine director responded to proton signals, with acid-base cycles producing multiple reversible changes in relay orientation that were reported by a terminal NH, which is 1.8 nm distant. Moreover, a chemical fuel acted as a dissipative signal. As the fuel was consumed, the relay reverted to its original orientation, illustrating how information from out-of-equilibrium molecular signals can be communicated to a distant site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Martínez‐Crespo
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Manchester Oxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
- Manchester Institute of BiotechnologyUniversity of Manchester131 Princess StreetManchesterM1 7DNUK
| | | | | | - Simon J. Webb
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Manchester Oxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
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14
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Gartland SA, Johnson TG, Walkley E, Langton MJ. Inter-Vesicle Signal Transduction Using a Photo-Responsive Zinc Ionophore. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202309080. [PMID: 37497854 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202309080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of chemical information between cells and across lipid bilayer membranes is of profound significance in many biological processes. The design of synthetic signalling systems is a critical step towards preparing artificial cells with collective behaviour. Here, we report the first example of a synthetic inter-vesicle signalling system, in which diffusible chemical signals trigger transmembrane ion transport in a manner reminiscent of signalling pathways in biology. The system is derived from novel ortho-nitrobenzyl and BODIPY photo-caged ZnII transporters, in which cation transport is triggered by photo-decaging with UV or red light, respectively. This decaging reaction can be used to trigger the release of the cationophores from a small population of sender vesicles. This in turn triggers the transport of ions across the membrane of a larger population of receiver vesicles, but not across the sender vesicle membrane, leading to overall inter-vesicle signal transduction and amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun A Gartland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Toby G Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Euan Walkley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Matthew J Langton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
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15
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Hou J, Guo J, Yan T, Liu S, Zang M, Wang L, Xu J, Luo Q, Wang T, Liu J. Light-controlled artificial transmembrane signal transduction for 'ON/OFF'-switchable transphosphorylation of an RNA model substrate. Chem Sci 2023; 14:6039-6044. [PMID: 37293632 PMCID: PMC10246681 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc06701c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Inspired by nature, it is of significant importance to design and construct biomimetic signaling systems to mimic natural signal transduction. Herein, we report an azobenzene/α-cyclodextrin (α-CD)-based signal transduction system with three functional modules: a light-responsive headgroup, lipid-anchored group, pro-catalyst tailgroup. The transducer can be inserted into the vesicular membrane to trigger the transmembrane translocation of molecules under the activation of light, forming a ribonuclease-like effector site and leading to the transphosphorylation of the RNA model substrate inside the vesicles. Moreover, the transphosphorylation process can be reversibly turned 'ON/OFF' over multiple cycles by the activation and deactivation of the pro-catalyst. This artificial photo-controlled signal transduction successfully constructs a signal responsive catalysis system across the membrane to utilize light to reversibly control the internal transphosphorylation process of an RNA model substrate, which might provide a new strategy for future design to utilize exogenous signals for implementing endogenous enzyme manipulation and gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxing Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
| | - Jiale Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
| | - Tengfei Yan
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
| | - Shengda Liu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
| | - Mingsong Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
| | - Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
| | - Jiayun Xu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
| | - Quan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University Changchun 130012 China
| | - Tingting Wang
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
| | - Junqiu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
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16
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Morris DTJ, Clayden J. Screw sense and screw sensibility: communicating information by conformational switching in helical oligomers. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:2480-2496. [PMID: 36928473 PMCID: PMC10068589 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00982j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Biological systems have evolved a number of different strategies to communicate information on the molecular scale. Among these, the propagation of conformational change is among the most important, being the means by which G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) use extracellular signals to modulate intracellular processes, and the way that opsin proteins translate light signals into nerve impulses. The developing field of foldamer chemistry has allowed chemists to employ conformationally well-defined synthetic structures likewise to mediate information transfer, making use of mechanisms that are not found in biological contexts. In this review, we discuss the use of switchable screw-sense preference as a communication mechanism. We discuss the requirements for functional communication devices, and show how dynamic helical foldamers derived from the achiral monomers such as α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) and meso-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine fulfil them by communicating information in the form of switchable screw-sense preference. We describe the various stimuli that can be used to switch screw sense, and explore the way that propagation of the resulting conformational preference in a well-defined helical molecule allows screw sense to control chemical events remote from a source of information. We describe the operation of these conformational switches in the membrane phase, and outline the progress that has been made towards using conformational switching to communicate between the exterior and interior of a phospholipid vesicle.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T J Morris
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK.
| | - Jonathan Clayden
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK.
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17
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Søgaard AB, Pedersen AB, Løvschall KB, Monge P, Jakobsen JH, Džabbarova L, Nielsen LF, Stevanovic S, Walther R, Zelikin AN. Transmembrane signaling by a synthetic receptor in artificial cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1646. [PMID: 36964156 PMCID: PMC10039019 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37393-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Signal transduction across biological membranes is among the most important evolutionary achievements. Herein, for the design of artificial cells, we engineer fully synthetic receptors with the capacity of transmembrane signaling, using tools of chemistry. Our receptors exhibit similarity with their natural counterparts in having an exofacial ligand for signal capture, being membrane anchored, and featuring a releasable messenger molecule that performs enzyme activation as a downstream signaling event. The main difference from natural receptors is the mechanism of signal transduction, which is achieved using a self-immolative linker. The receptor scaffold is modular and can readily be re-designed to respond to diverse activation signals including biological or chemical stimuli. We demonstrate an artificial signaling cascade that achieves transmembrane enzyme activation, a hallmark of natural signaling receptors. Results of this work are relevant for engineering responsive artificial cells and interfacing them and/or biological counterparts in co-cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ane Bretschneider Søgaard
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | | | - Pere Monge
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Raoul Walther
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Alexander N Zelikin
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
- iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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18
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Zhang ZE, Zhang YF, Zhang YZ, Li HL, Sun LY, Wang LJ, Han YF. Construction and Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Multifunctional Coordination Cages with Triangular Metal-Metal-Bonded Units. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:7446-7453. [PMID: 36947714 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Herein, a series of face-capped (Tr2M3)4L4 (Tr = cycloheptatrienyl cationic ring; M = metal; L = organosulfur ligand) tetrahedral cages 1-3 functionalized with 12 appended crown ether moieties were designed and synthesized. The reversible binding of ammonium cations with peripheral crown ether moieties to adjust internal guest-binding was realized. Combination of a bisammonium linker and cage 3 led to the formation of a supramolecular gel SPN1 via host-guest interactions between the crown ether moieties and ammonium salts. The obtained supramolecular gel exhibited multiple-stimuli responsiveness, injectability, and excellent self-healing properties and could be further developed to a SPN1-based drug delivery system. In addition, the storage modulus of SPN1 was 20 times higher than that of the model gel without Pd-Pd bonded blocks, and SPN1 had better self-healing properties compared with the latter, demonstrating the importance of such cages in improving mechanical strength without losing the dynamic properties of the material. The cytotoxicity in vitro of the drug-loaded (doxorubicin or methotrexate) SPN1 was significantly improved compared to that of free drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-En Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Fan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, P. R. China
| | - Yan-Zhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, P. R. China
| | - Hui-Ling Li
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, P. R. China
| | - Li-Ying Sun
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, P. R. China
| | - Li-Juan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, P. R. China
| | - Ying-Feng Han
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, P. R. China
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19
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Li H, Yan Y, Chen J, Shi K, Song C, Ji Y, Jia L, Li J, Qiao Y, Lin Y. Artificial receptor-mediated phototransduction toward protocellular subcompartmentalization and signaling-encoded logic gates. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade5853. [PMID: 36857444 PMCID: PMC9977178 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade5853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Engineering artificial cellular systems capable of perceiving and transmitting external signals across membranes to activate downstream targets and coordinate protocellular responses is key to build cell-cell communications and protolife. Here, we report a synthetic photoreceptor-mediated signaling pathway with the integration of light harvesting, photo-to-chemical energy conversion, signal transmission, and amplification in synthetic cells, which ultimately resulted in protocell subcompartmentalization. Key to our design is a ruthenium-bipyridine complex that acts as a membrane-anchored photoreceptor to convert visible light into chemical information and transduce signals across the lipid membrane via flip-flop motion. By coupling receptor-mediated phototransduction with biological recognition and enzymatic cascade reactions, we further develop protocell signaling-encoded Boolean logic gates. Our results illustrate a minimal cell model to mimic the photoreceptor cells that can transduce the energy of light into intracellular responses and pave the way to modular control over the flow of information for complex metabolic and signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yue Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ke Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Chuwen Song
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yanglimin Ji
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liyan Jia
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianming Li
- Research Center of New Energy, Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development (RIPED), PetroChina, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yan Qiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yiyang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
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20
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Wang S, della Sala F, Cliff MJ, Whitehead GFS, Vitórica-Yrezábal IJ, Webb SJ. A Chiral 19F NMR Reporter of Foldamer Conformation in Bilayers. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:21648-21657. [PMID: 36379007 PMCID: PMC9716558 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c09103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Understanding and controlling peptide foldamer conformation in phospholipid bilayers is a key step toward their use as molecular information relays in membranes. To this end, a new 19F "reporter" tag has been developed and attached to dynamic peptide foldamers. The (R)-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylamido ((R)-TFEA) reporter was attached to the C-terminus of α-amino-iso-butyric acid (Aib) foldamers. Crystallography confirmed that the foldamers adopted 310 helical conformations. Variable temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy in organic solvents showed that the (R)-TFEA reporter had an intrinsic preference for P helicity, but the overall screw-sense was dominated by a chiral "controller" at the N-terminus. The 19F NMR chemical shift of the CF3 resonance was correlated with the ability of different N-terminal groups to induce either an M or a P helix in solution. In bilayers, a similar correlation was found. Solution 19F NMR spectroscopy on small unilamellar vesicle (SUV) suspensions containing the same family of (R)-TFEA-labeled foldamers showed broadened but resolvable 19F resonances, with each chemical shift mirroring their relative positions in organic solvents. These studies showed that foldamer conformational preferences are the same in phospholipid bilayers as in organic solvents and also revealed that phospholipid chirality has little influence on conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Wang
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, ManchesterM13 9PL, U.K.
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, University of
Manchester, 131 Princess Street, ManchesterM1 7DN, U.K.
| | - Flavio della Sala
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, ManchesterM13 9PL, U.K.
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, University of
Manchester, 131 Princess Street, ManchesterM1 7DN, U.K.
| | - Matthew J. Cliff
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, University of
Manchester, 131 Princess Street, ManchesterM1 7DN, U.K.
| | | | | | - Simon J. Webb
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, ManchesterM13 9PL, U.K.
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, University of
Manchester, 131 Princess Street, ManchesterM1 7DN, U.K.
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21
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Rohmer M, Freudenberg J, Binder WH. Secondary Structures in Synthetic Poly(Amino Acids): Homo- and Copolymers of Poly(Aib), Poly(Glu), and Poly(Asp). Macromol Biosci 2022; 23:e2200344. [PMID: 36377468 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The secondary structure of poly(amino acids) is an excellent tool for controlling and understanding the functionality and properties of proteins. In this perspective article the secondary structures of the homopolymers of oligo- and poly-glutamic acid (Glu), aspartic acid (Asp), and α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) are discussed. Information on external and internal factors, such as the nature of side groups, interactions with solvents and interactions between chains is reviewed. A special focus is directed on the folding in hybrid-polymers consisting of oligo(amino acids) and synthetic polymers. Being part of the SFB TRR 102 "Polymers under multiple constraints: restricted and controlled molecular order and mobility" this overview is embedded into the cross section of protein fibrillation and supramolecular polymers. As polymer- and amino acid folding is an important step for the utilization and design of future biomolecules these principles guide to a deeper understanding of amyloid fibrillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Rohmer
- Macromolecular Chemistry, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Jan Freudenberg
- Macromolecular Chemistry, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120, Halle, Germany
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22
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Wootten MM, Tshepelevitsh S, Leito I, Clayden J. A Chemically Fuelled Molecular Automaton Displaying Programmed Migration of Zn 2+ Between Alternative Binding Sites. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202202247. [PMID: 35880579 PMCID: PMC9804598 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202202247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
A molecular system comprising a cationic zinc complex and an amino acid-derived ambident ligand having phosphate and carboxylate binding sites undergoes a series of rearrangements in which the metal cation migrates autonomously from one site to another. The location of the metal is identified by the circular dichroism spectrum of a ligated bis(2-quinolylmethyl)-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (BQPA) chromophore, which takes a characteristic shape at each binding site. Migration is fuelled by the decomposition of trichloroacetic acid to CO2 and CHCl3 , which progressively neutralises the acidity of the system as a function of time, revealing in sequence binding sites of increasing basicity. The migration rate responds to control by variation of the temperature, water content and triethylamine concentration, while an excess of fuel controls the duration of an induction period before the migration event.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ivo Leito
- Institute of ChemistryUniversity of TartuRavila 14aTartu50411Estonia
| | - Jonathan Clayden
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BristolCantock's CloseBristolBS8 1TSUK
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23
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Meredith NY, Borsley S, Smolyar IV, Nichol GS, Baker CM, Ling KB, Cockroft SL. Dissecting Solvent Effects on Hydrogen Bonding. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202206604. [PMID: 35608961 PMCID: PMC9400978 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202206604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The experimental isolation of H-bond energetics from the typically dominant influence of the solvent remains challenging. Here we use synthetic molecular balances to quantify amine/amide H-bonds in competitive solvents. Over 200 conformational free energy differences were determined using 24 H-bonding balances in 9 solvents spanning a wide polarity range. The correlations between experimental interaction energies and gas-phase computed energies exhibited wild solvent-dependent variation. However, excellent correlations were found between the same computed energies and the experimental data following empirical dissection of solvent effects using Hunter's α/β solvation model. In addition to facilitating the direct comparison of experimental and computational data, changes in the fitted donor and acceptor constants reveal the energetics of secondary local interactions such as competing H-bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Y. Meredith
- EaStCHEM School of ChemistryUniversity of EdinburghJoseph Black Building, David Brewster RoadEdinburghEH9 3FJUK
| | - Stefan Borsley
- EaStCHEM School of ChemistryUniversity of EdinburghJoseph Black Building, David Brewster RoadEdinburghEH9 3FJUK
| | - Ivan V. Smolyar
- EaStCHEM School of ChemistryUniversity of EdinburghJoseph Black Building, David Brewster RoadEdinburghEH9 3FJUK
| | - Gary S. Nichol
- EaStCHEM School of ChemistryUniversity of EdinburghJoseph Black Building, David Brewster RoadEdinburghEH9 3FJUK
| | - Christopher M. Baker
- SyngentaJealott's Hill International Research CentreBracknell, BerkshireRG42 6EYUK
| | - Kenneth B. Ling
- SyngentaJealott's Hill International Research CentreBracknell, BerkshireRG42 6EYUK
| | - Scott L. Cockroft
- EaStCHEM School of ChemistryUniversity of EdinburghJoseph Black Building, David Brewster RoadEdinburghEH9 3FJUK
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24
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De novo design of discrete, stable 3 10-helix peptide assemblies. Nature 2022; 607:387-392. [PMID: 35732733 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04868-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The α-helix is pre-eminent in structural biology1 and widely exploited in protein folding2, design3 and engineering4. Although other helical peptide conformations do exist near to the α-helical region of conformational space-namely, 310-helices and π-helices5-these occur much less frequently in protein structures. Less favourable internal energies and reduced tendencies to pack into higher-order structures mean that 310-helices rarely exceed six residues in length in natural proteins, and that they tend not to form normal supersecondary, tertiary or quaternary interactions. Here we show that despite their absence in nature, synthetic peptide assemblies can be built from 310-helices. We report the rational design, solution-phase characterization and an X-ray crystal structure for water-soluble bundles of 310-helices with consolidated hydrophobic cores. The design uses six-residue repeats informed by analysing 310-helical conformations in known protein structures, and incorporates α-aminoisobutyric acid residues. Design iterations reveal a tipping point between α-helical and 310-helical folding, and identify features required for stabilizing assemblies of 310-helices. This work provides principles and rules to open opportunities for designing into this hitherto unexplored region of protein-structure space.
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25
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Meredith NY, Borsley S, Smolyar IV, Nichol GS, Baker CM, Ling KB, Cockroft SL. Dissecting Solvent Effects on Hydrogen Bonding. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202206604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Y. Meredith
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry University of Edinburgh Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road Edinburgh EH9 3FJ UK
| | - Stefan Borsley
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry University of Edinburgh Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road Edinburgh EH9 3FJ UK
| | - Ivan V. Smolyar
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry University of Edinburgh Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road Edinburgh EH9 3FJ UK
| | - Gary S. Nichol
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry University of Edinburgh Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road Edinburgh EH9 3FJ UK
| | - Christopher M. Baker
- Syngenta Jealott's Hill International Research Centre Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 6EY UK
| | - Kenneth B. Ling
- Syngenta Jealott's Hill International Research Centre Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 6EY UK
| | - Scott L. Cockroft
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry University of Edinburgh Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road Edinburgh EH9 3FJ UK
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26
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Laurent Q, Sakai N, Matile S. An Orthogonal Dynamic Covalent Chemistry Tool for Ring-Opening Polymerization of Cyclic Oligochalcogenides on Detachable Helical Peptide Templates. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202200785. [PMID: 35416345 PMCID: PMC9324982 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202200785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A model system is introduced as a general tool to elaborate on orthogonal templation of dynamic covalent ring-opening polymerization (ODC-TROP). The tool consists of 310 helical peptides as unprecedented templates and semicarbazones as orthogonal dynamic covalent linkers. With difficult-to-control 1,2-dithiolanes, ODC-TROP on the level of short model oligomers occurs with high templation efficiency, increasing and diminishing upon helix stabilization and denaturation, respectively. Further, an anti-templated conjugate with mispositioned monomers gave reduced templation upon helix twisting. Even with the "unpolymerizable" 1,2-diselenolanes, initial studies already afford mild templation efficiency. These proof-of-principle results promise that the here introduced tool, recyclable and enabling late-stage side chain modification, will be useful to realize ODC-TROP of intractable or unknown cyclic dynamic covalent monomers for dynamer materials as well as cellular uptake and signaling applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Laurent
- Department of Organic ChemistryUniversity of Geneva1211GenevaSwitzerland
| | - Naomi Sakai
- Department of Organic ChemistryUniversity of Geneva1211GenevaSwitzerland
| | - Stefan Matile
- Department of Organic ChemistryUniversity of Geneva1211GenevaSwitzerland
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27
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Ghosh S, Tran PN, McElheny D, Perez JJ, Nguyen AI. Peptidic Scaffolds Enable Rapid and Multivariate Secondary Sphere Evolution for an Abiotic Metallocatalyst. Inorg Chem 2022; 61:6679-6687. [PMID: 35446044 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c00901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Metalloenzymes have benefited from the iterative process of evolution to achieve the precise arrangements of secondary sphere non-covalent interactions that enhance metal-centered catalysis. Iterative synthesis of scaffolds that display complex secondary sphere elements in abiotic systems can be highly challenging and time-intensive. To overcome this synthetic bottleneck, we developed a highly modular and rapid synthetic strategy, leveraging the efficiency of solid-phase peptide synthesis and conformational control afforded by non-canonical residues to construct a ligand platform displaying up to four unique residues of varying electronics and sterics in the secondary coordination sphere. As a proof-of-concept that peptidic secondary sphere can cooperate with the metal complex, we applied this scaffold to a well-known, modestly active C-H oxidizing Fe catalyst to evolve specific non-covalent interactions that is more than double its catalytic activity. Solution-state NMR structures of several catalyst variants suggest that higher activity is correlated with a hydrophobic pocket above the Fe center that may enhance the formation of a catalyst-substrate complex. Above all, we show that peptides are a convenient, highly modular, and structurally defined ligand platform for creating secondary coordination spheres that comprise multiple, diverse functional groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabari Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Phuong Nguyen Tran
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Dan McElheny
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Juan J Perez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Andy I Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
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28
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Wootten MM, Le Bailly BAF, Tshepelevitsh S, Leito I, Clayden J. Inducing a pH-dependent conformational response by competitive binding to Zn 2+ of a series of chiral ligands of disparate basicity. Chem Sci 2022; 13:2258-2269. [PMID: 35310487 PMCID: PMC8864710 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc06812a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecules that change shape in response to environmental conditions are central to biological molecular communication devices and their synthetic chemical analogues. Here we report a molecular system in which a series of chiral anionic ligands of differing basicity are selectively protonated according to the pH of the medium. A cationic circular dichroism (CD) reporter complex responds to anion binding by selecting one of two alternative enantiomeric conformations. Exploiting the principle that less basic anions have, in general, weaker electrostatic interactions than more basic anions, a set of three chiral acids with large (>5 unit) pK a differences and differing configurations were sequentially deprotonated in acetonitrile by addition of base, allowing the most basic anion in the mixture at any time to bind to the reporter complex. A characteristic CD output resulted, which changed in sign as the next-most basic anion was revealed by the next deprotonation in the series. Four cycles of switching between three ligand-bound states were achieved with minimal changes in signal magnitude, by alternating addition of base and acid. The pH-dependent conformational response was used to transduce a signal by appending to the binding site a 2-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) oligomer, whose M or P helical conformation depended on the chirality of the bound ligand, and was reported by a remote 13C-labelled NMR reporter group. The multicomponent system thus converts a pH signal into a programmable conformational response which induces a remote spectroscopic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M Wootten
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | | | | | - Ivo Leito
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu Ravila 14a Tartu 50411 Estonia
| | - Jonathan Clayden
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
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29
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Wales SM, Morris DTJ, Clayden J. Reversible Capture and Release of a Ligand Mediated by a Long-Range Relayed Polarity Switch in a Urea Oligomer. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:2841-2846. [PMID: 35142216 PMCID: PMC9097480 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c11928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Ethylene-bridged
oligoureas characterized by a continuous, switchable
chain of hydrogen bonds and carrying a binding site (an N,N′-disubstituted
urea) for a hydrogen-bond-accepting ligand (a phosphine oxide) were
synthesized. These oligomers show stronger ligand binding when the
binding site is located at the hydrogen-bond-donating terminus than
when the same binding site is at the hydrogen-bond-accepting terminus.
An acidic group at the terminus remote from the binding site allows
hydrogen bond polarity, and hence ligand binding ability, to be controlled
remotely by a deprotonation/reprotonation cycle. Addition of base
induces a remote conformational change that is relayed through up
to five urea linkages, reducing the ability of the binding site to
retain an intermolecular association to its ligand, which is consequently
released into solution. Reprotonation returns the polarity of the
oligomer to its original directionality, restoring the function of
the remote binding site, which consequently recaptures the ligand.
This is the first example of a synthetic molecular structure that
relays intermolecular binding information, and these “dynamic
foldamer” structures are prototypes of components for chemical
systems capable of controlling chemical function from a distance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Wales
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K
| | - David T J Morris
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K
| | - Jonathan Clayden
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K
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30
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Pandey S, Mandal S, Danielsen MB, Brown A, Hu C, Christensen NJ, Kulakova AV, Song S, Brown T, Jensen KJ, Wengel J, Lou C, Mao H. Chirality transmission in macromolecular domains. Nat Commun 2022; 13:76. [PMID: 35013247 PMCID: PMC8748818 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27708-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chiral communications exist in secondary structures of foldamers and copolymers via a network of noncovalent interactions within effective intermolecular force (IMF) range. It is not known whether long-range chiral communication exists between macromolecular tertiary structures such as peptide coiled-coils beyond the IMF distance. Harnessing the high sensitivity of single-molecule force spectroscopy, we investigate the chiral interaction between covalently linked DNA duplexes and peptide coiled-coils by evaluating the binding of a diastereomeric pair of three DNA-peptide conjugates. We find that right-handed DNA triple helices well accommodate peptide triple coiled-coils of the same handedness, but not with the left-handed coiled-coil stereoisomers. This chiral communication is effective in a range (<4.5 nm) far beyond canonical IMF distance. Small-angle X-ray scattering and molecular dynamics simulation indicate that the interdomain linkers are tightly packed via hydrophobic interactions, which likely sustains the chirality transmission between DNA and peptide domains. Our findings establish that long-range chiral transmission occurs in tertiary macromolecular domains, explaining the presence of homochiral pairing of superhelices in proteins. Chiral communication can propagate in secondary structures within the effective intermolecular force (IMF) range but it is not known whether long-range chiral communication exists between tertiary peptide structures. Here, the authors use single-molecule force spectroscopy to investigate chiral interaction between DNA duplexes/triplexes and peptide coiled-coils and demonstrate chiral communication beyond the IMF distance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shankar Pandey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Shankar Mandal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Mathias Bogetoft Danielsen
- Biomolecular Nanoscale Engineering Center, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Asha Brown
- ATDBio Ltd., Magdalen Centre, Oxford Science Park, 1 Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, OX4 4GA, UK
| | - Changpeng Hu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Niels Johan Christensen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | | | - Shixi Song
- Biomolecular Nanoscale Engineering Center, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Tom Brown
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Knud J Jensen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jesper Wengel
- Biomolecular Nanoscale Engineering Center, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Chenguang Lou
- Biomolecular Nanoscale Engineering Center, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark.
| | - Hanbin Mao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.
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31
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Yang H, Du S, Ye Z, Wang X, Yan Z, Lian C, Bao C, Zhu L. A system for artificial light signal transduction via molecular translocation in a lipid membrane. Chem Sci 2022; 13:2487-2494. [PMID: 35310493 PMCID: PMC8864706 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc06671d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Light signal transduction pathways are central components of the mechanisms that regulate plant development, in which photoreceptors receive light and participate in light signal transduction. Chemical systems can be designed...
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiting Yang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Shengjie Du
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Zhicheng Ye
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Xuebin Wang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Zexin Yan
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Cheng Lian
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Chunyan Bao
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Linyong Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
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32
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Tilly DP, Cullen W, Zhong H, Jamagne R, Vitórica-Yrezábal I, Webb SJ. α-Amino-iso-butyric acid foldamers terminated with rhodium(I) N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts. Chemistry 2021; 28:e202104293. [PMID: 34932229 PMCID: PMC9305545 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202104293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
To investigate how remotely induced changes in ligand folding might affect catalysis by organometallic complexes, dynamic α‐amino‐iso‐butyric acid (Aib) peptide foldamers bearing rhodium(I) N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes have been synthesized and studied. X‐ray crystallography of a foldamer with an N‐terminal azide and a C‐terminal Rh(NHC)(Cl)(diene) complex showed a racemate with a chiral axis in the Rh(NHC) complex and a distorted 310 helical body. Replacing the azide with either one or two chiral L‐α‐methylvaline (L‐αMeVal) residues gave diastereoisomeric foldamers that each possessed point, helical and axial chirality. NMR spectroscopy revealed an unequal ratio of diastereoisomers for some foldamers, indicating that the chiral conformational preference of the N‐terminal residue(s) was relayed down the 1 nm helical body to the axially chiral Rh(NHC) complex. Although the remote chiral residue(s) did not affect the stereoselectivity of hydrosilylation reactions catalysed by these foldamers, these studies suggest a potential pathway towards remote conformational control of organometallic catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P Tilly
- The University of Manchester, Department of Chemistry, UNITED KINGDOM
| | - William Cullen
- The University of Manchester, Department of Chemistry, UNITED KINGDOM
| | - Heng Zhong
- The University of Manchester, Department of Chemistry, UNITED KINGDOM
| | - Romain Jamagne
- The University of Manchester, Department of Chemistry, UNITED KINGDOM
| | | | - Simon John Webb
- University of Manchester, School of Chemistry and MIB, 131 Princess St, M1 7DN, Manchester, UNITED KINGDOM
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33
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Costil R, Holzheimer M, Crespi S, Simeth NA, Feringa BL. Directing Coupled Motion with Light: A Key Step Toward Machine-Like Function. Chem Rev 2021; 121:13213-13237. [PMID: 34533944 PMCID: PMC8587610 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Molecular photoactuators can control shape and chemical or physical properties of the responsive system they are embedded in. These effects are usually mediated by supramolecular interactions and can be amplified to perform work at the micro- and macroscopic scale, for instance, in materials and biomimetic systems. While many studies focus on the observable outcome of these events, photoresponsive structures can also translate their conformational change to molecular components and perform work against random Brownian motion. Stereochemical cascades can amplify light-generated motion to a distant moiety of the same molecule or molecular assembly, via conformationally restricted stereogenic elements. Being able to control the conformation or motion of molecular systems remotely provides prospects for the design of the smallest machines imaginable. This Focus Review emphasizes the emergence of directed, coupled motion of remote functionalities triggered by light-powered switches and motors as a tool to control molecular topology and function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefano Crespi
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry,
Faculty of Science and Engineering, University
of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nadja A. Simeth
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry,
Faculty of Science and Engineering, University
of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ben L. Feringa
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry,
Faculty of Science and Engineering, University
of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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34
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Kocsis I, Ding Y, Williams NH, Hunter CA. Transmembrane signal transduction by cofactor transport. Chem Sci 2021; 12:12377-12382. [PMID: 34603667 PMCID: PMC8480319 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc03910e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Information processing and cell signalling in biological systems relies on passing chemical signals across lipid bilayer membranes, but examples of synthetic systems that can achieve this process are rare. A synthetic transducer has been developed that triggers catalytic hydrolysis of an ester substrate inside lipid vesicles in response to addition of metal ions to the external vesicle solution. The output signal generated in the internal compartment of the vesicles is produced by binding of a metal ion cofactor to a head group on the transducer to form a catalytically competent complex. The mechanism of signal transduction is based on transport of the metal ion cofactor across the bilayer by the transducer, and the system can be reversibly switched between on and off states by adding cadmium(ii) and ethylene diamine tetracarboxylic acid input signals respectively. The transducer is also equipped with a hydrazide moiety, which allows modulation of activity through covalent conjugation with aldehydes. Conjugation with a sugar derivative abolished activity, because the resulting hydrazone is too polar to cross the bilayer, whereas conjugation with a pyridine derivative increased activity. Coupling transport with catalysis provides a straightforward mechanism for generating complex systems using simple components. Synthetic transducers transport externally added metal ion cofactors across the lipid bilayer membrane of vesicles to trigger catalysis of ester hydrolysis in the inner compartment. Signal transduction activity is modulated by hydrazone formation.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Istvan Kocsis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Yudi Ding
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | | | - Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
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35
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Morris DT, Wales SM, Tilly DP, Farrar EH, Grayson MN, Ward JW, Clayden J. A molecular communication channel consisting of a single reversible chain of hydrogen bonds in a conformationally flexible oligomer. Chem 2021; 7:2460-2472. [PMID: 34553103 PMCID: PMC8442760 DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2021.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Communication of information through the global switching of conformation in synthetic molecules has hitherto entailed the inversion of chirality. Here, we report a class of oligomer through which information may be communicated through a global reversal of polarity. Ethylene-bridged oligoureas are constitutionally symmetrical, conformationally flexible molecules organized by a single chain of hydrogen bonds running the full length of the oligomer. NMR reveals that this hydrogen-bonded chain may undergo a coherent reversal of directionality. The directional uniformity of the hydrogen-bond chain allows it to act as a channel for the spatial communication of information on a molecular scale. A binding site at the terminus of an oligomer detects local information about changes in pH or anion concentration and transmits that information—in the form of a directionality switch in the hydrogen-bond chain—to a remote polarity-sensitive fluorophore. This propagation of polarity-encoded information provides a new mechanism for molecular communication. Simple urea oligomers organize themselves with a single coherent hydrogen-bond chain Reversing the polarity of the hydrogen bonding sends a message through the molecule Conformational messages can be transmitted by changes in pH or by anion binding Receipt of the conformational message is indicated by a remote fluorescent response
Despite the progress made by synthetic chemistry in building the molecular structures of nature, there are still domains of molecular science where biology is immensely more sophisticated than even the most advanced artificial chemical systems. One of these is the ability to use molecular structures to encode and communicate information. Nature stores information in the hydrogen-bond polarity of the base pairs and translates it into molecular function using the polarity matching of these bonds. Here, we outline an early step toward replicating this ability in the design, synthesis, and operation of a series of synthetic molecular devices that employ a structurally simple family of oligomeric molecules that can communicate information in the form of hydrogen-bond polarity. This study marks a significant step in the design of molecular systems that manipulate information, which will form the basis of the many compartmentalization-based nanotechnologies of the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T.J. Morris
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Steven M. Wales
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - David P. Tilly
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Elliot H.E. Farrar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Matthew N. Grayson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - John W. Ward
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Jonathan Clayden
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- Corresponding author
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36
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Bickerton LE, Johnson TG, Kerckhoffs A, Langton MJ. Supramolecular chemistry in lipid bilayer membranes. Chem Sci 2021; 12:11252-11274. [PMID: 34567493 PMCID: PMC8409493 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc03545b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid bilayer membranes form compartments requisite for life. Interfacing supramolecular systems, including receptors, catalysts, signal transducers and ion transporters, enables the function of the membrane to be controlled in artificial and living cellular compartments. In this perspective, we take stock of the current state of the art of this rapidly expanding field, and discuss prospects for the future in both fundamental science and applications in biology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Bickerton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Toby G Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Aidan Kerckhoffs
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Matthew J Langton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
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37
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Dengler S, Mandal PK, Allmendinger L, Douat C, Huc I. Conformational interplay in hybrid peptide-helical aromatic foldamer macrocycles. Chem Sci 2021; 12:11004-11012. [PMID: 34522297 PMCID: PMC8386670 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc03640h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrocyclic peptides are an important class of bioactive substances. When inserting an aromatic foldamer segment in a macrocyclic peptide, the strong folding propensity of the former may influence the conformation and alter the properties of the latter. Such an insertion is relevant because some foldamer-peptide hybrids have recently been shown to be tolerated by the ribosome, prior to forming macrocycles, and can thus be produced using an in vitro translation system. We have investigated the interplay of peptide and foldamer conformations in such hybrid macrocycles. We show that foldamer helical folding always prevails and stands as a viable means to stretch, i.e. unfold, peptides in a solvent dependent manner. Conversely, the peptide systematically has a reciprocal influence and gives rise to strong foldamer helix handedness bias as well as foldamer helix stabilisation. The hybrid macrocycles also show resistance towards proteolytic degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Dengler
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Butenandtstraße 5-13 D-81377 Munich Germany
| | - Pradeep K Mandal
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Butenandtstraße 5-13 D-81377 Munich Germany
| | - Lars Allmendinger
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Butenandtstraße 5-13 D-81377 Munich Germany
| | - Céline Douat
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Butenandtstraße 5-13 D-81377 Munich Germany
| | - Ivan Huc
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Butenandtstraße 5-13 D-81377 Munich Germany
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38
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Leonard DJ, Zieleniewski F, Wellhöfer I, Baker EG, Ward JW, Woolfson DN, Clayden J. Scalable synthesis and coupling of quaternary α-arylated amino acids: α-aryl substituents are tolerated in α-helical peptides. Chem Sci 2021; 12:9386-9390. [PMID: 34349911 PMCID: PMC8278958 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc01378e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Quaternary amino acids are important tools for the modification and stabilisation of peptide secondary structures. Here we describe a practical and scalable synthesis applicable to quaternary alpha-arylated amino acids (Q4As), and the development of solid-phase synthesis conditions for their incorporation into peptides. Monomeric and dimeric α-helical peptides are synthesised with varying degrees of Q4A substitution and their structures examined using biophysical methods. Both enantiomers of the Q4As are tolerated in folded monomeric and oligomeric α-helical peptides, with the (R)-enantiomer slightly more so than the (S).
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Leonard
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | | | - Isabelle Wellhöfer
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Emily G Baker
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- Bristol BioDesign Institute, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building Tyndall Avenue Bristol BS8 1TQ UK
| | - John W Ward
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- Bristol BioDesign Institute, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building Tyndall Avenue Bristol BS8 1TQ UK
| | - Jonathan Clayden
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
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39
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A curved host and second guest cooperatively inhibit the dynamic motion of corannulene. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4079. [PMID: 34215736 PMCID: PMC8253762 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24344-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular systems show how host-guest binding can induce changes in molecular behavior, which in turn impact the functions of the system. Here we report an artificial host-guest system where dynamic adaptation during guest binding alters both host conformation and guest dynamics. The self-assembled cage host employed here possesses concave walls and a chirotopic cavity. Complementarity between the curved surfaces of fullerenes and the inner surface of the host cavity leads the host to reconfigure stereochemically in order to bind these guests optimally. The curved molecule corannulene undergoes rapid bowl-to-bowl inversion at room temperature. Its inversion barrier is increased upon binding, however, and increased further upon formation of a ternary complex, where corannulene and a cycloalkane are both bound together. The chiral nature of the host also leads to clear differences in the NMR spectra of ternary complexes involving corannulene and one or the other enantiomer of a chiral guest, which enables the determination of enantiomeric excess by NMR.
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40
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Monge P, Løvschall KB, Søgaard AB, Walther R, Golbek TW, Schmüser L, Weidner T, Zelikin AN. Synthetic Artificial Apoptosis-Inducing Receptor for On-Demand Deactivation of Engineered Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2004432. [PMID: 36246165 PMCID: PMC9539725 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202004432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The design of a fully synthetic, chemical "apoptosis-inducing receptor" (AIR) molecule is reported that is anchored into the lipid bilayer of cells, is activated by the incoming biological input, and responds with the release of a secondary messenger-a highly potent toxin for cell killing. The AIR molecule has four elements, namely, an exofacial trigger group, a bilayer anchor, a toxin as a secondary messenger, and a self-immolative scaffold as a mechanism for signal transduction. Receptor installation into cells is established via a robust protocol with minimal cell handling. The synthetic receptor remains dormant in the engineered cells, but is effectively triggered externally by the addition of an activating biomolecule (enzyme) or in a mixed cell population through interaction with the surrounding cells. In 3D cell culture (spheroids), receptor activation is accessible for at least 5 days, which compares favorably with other state of the art receptor designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Monge
- Department of Chemistry and iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience CentreAarhus UniversityAarhus8000Denmark
| | - Kaja Borup Løvschall
- Department of Chemistry and iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience CentreAarhus UniversityAarhus8000Denmark
| | - Ane Bretschneider Søgaard
- Department of Chemistry and iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience CentreAarhus UniversityAarhus8000Denmark
| | - Raoul Walther
- Department of Chemistry and iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience CentreAarhus UniversityAarhus8000Denmark
| | - Thaddeus W. Golbek
- Department of Chemistry and iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience CentreAarhus UniversityAarhus8000Denmark
| | - Lars Schmüser
- Department of Chemistry and iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience CentreAarhus UniversityAarhus8000Denmark
| | - Tobias Weidner
- Department of Chemistry and iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience CentreAarhus UniversityAarhus8000Denmark
| | - Alexander N. Zelikin
- Department of Chemistry and iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience CentreAarhus UniversityAarhus8000Denmark
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41
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Chen H, Zhou L, Li C, He X, Huang J, Yang X, Shi H, Wang K, Liu J. Controlled dimerization of artificial membrane receptors for transmembrane signal transduction. Chem Sci 2021; 12:8224-8230. [PMID: 34194713 PMCID: PMC8208304 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc00718a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In biology, membrane-spanning proteins are responsible for the transmission of chemical signals across membranes, including the signal recognition-mediated conformational change of transmembrane receptors at the cell surface, and a trigger of an intracellular phosphorylation cascade. The ability to reproduce such biological processes in artificial systems has potential applications in smart sensing, drug delivery, and synthetic biology. Here, an artificial transmembrane receptors signaling system was designed and constructed based on modular DNA scaffolds. The artificial transmembrane receptors in this system are composed of three functional modules: signal recognition, lipophilic transmembrane linker, and signal output modules. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) served as an external signal input to trigger the dimerization of two artificial receptors on membranes through a proximity effect. This effect induced the formation of a G-quadruplex, which served as a peroxidase-like enzyme to facilitate a signal output measured by either fluorescence or absorbance in the lipid bilayer vesicles. The broader utility of this modular method was further demonstrated using a lysozyme-binding aptamer instead of an ATP-binding aptamer. Therefore, this work provides a modular and generalizable method for the design of artificial transmembrane receptors. The flexibility of this synthetic methodology will allow researchers to incorporate different functional modules while retaining the same molecular framework for signal transduction. An artificial transmbrane signal transducer was developed through the chemical input-mediated dimerization of artificial DNA transmembrane receptors and the subsequent activation of a cascade of events inside the vesicles.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Chunying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao He
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Jin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Xiaohai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Hui Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Kemin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Jianbo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
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42
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Lizio MG, Campana M, De Poli M, Jefferies DF, Cullen W, Andrushchenko V, Chmel NP, Bouř P, Khalid S, Clayden J, Blanch E, Rodger A, Webb SJ. Insight into the Mechanism of Action and Peptide-Membrane Interactions of Aib-Rich Peptides: Multitechnique Experimental and Theoretical Analysis. Chembiochem 2021; 22:1656-1667. [PMID: 33411956 PMCID: PMC8248331 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The increase in resistant bacterial strains necessitates the identification of new antimicrobial molecules. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an attractive option because of evidence that bacteria cannot easily develop resistance to AMPs. The peptaibols, a class of naturally occurring AMPs, have shown particular promise as antimicrobial drugs, but their development has been hindered by their mechanism of action not being clearly understood. To explore how peptaibols might interact with membranes, circular dichroism, vibrational circular dichroism, linear dichroism, Raman spectroscopy, Raman optical activity, neutron reflectivity and molecular dynamics simulations have been used to study a small library of peptaibol mimics, the Aib-rich peptides. All the peptides studied quickly partitioned and oriented in membranes, and we found evidence of chiral interactions between the phospholipids and membrane-embedded peptides. The protocols presented in this paper open new ground by showing how chiro-optical spectroscopies can throw light on the mechanism of action of AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mario Campana
- ISIS Neutron and Muon SourceRutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell DidcotOxfordOX11 0QXUK
| | - Matteo De Poli
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
| | | | - William Cullen
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
- Manchester Institute of BiotechnologyUniversity of Manchester131 Princess St.ManchesterM1 7DNUK
| | - Valery Andrushchenko
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryAcademy of SciencesFlemingovo náměstí 216610Prague 6Czech Republic
| | - Nikola P. Chmel
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of WarwickCoventryCV4 7ALUK
| | - Petr Bouř
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryAcademy of SciencesFlemingovo náměstí 216610Prague 6Czech Republic
| | - Syma Khalid
- School of ChemistryUniversity of Southampton HighfieldSouthamptonSO17 1BJUK
| | - Jonathan Clayden
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BristolCantock's CloseBristolBS8 1TSUK
| | - Ewan Blanch
- School of ScienceRMIT UniversityGPO Box 2476MelbourneVictoria3001Australia
| | - Alison Rodger
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of WarwickCoventryCV4 7ALUK
- Department of Molecular SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNSW 2109Australia
| | - Simon J. Webb
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
- Manchester Institute of BiotechnologyUniversity of Manchester131 Princess St.ManchesterM1 7DNUK
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43
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Nuskol M, Šutalo P, Đaković M, Kovačević M, Kodrin I, Čakić Semenčić M. Testing the Potential of the Ferrocene Chromophore as a Circular Dichroism Probe for the Assignment of the Screw-Sense Preference of Tripeptides. Organometallics 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.organomet.1c00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marko Nuskol
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Petar Šutalo
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marijana Đaković
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Monika Kovačević
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Kodrin
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mojca Čakić Semenčić
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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44
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MacDonald TSC, Schmidt TW, Beves JE. An All-Photonic Molecular Amplifier and Binary Flip-flop. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:1236-1243. [PMID: 33493395 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c03497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A chemical system is proposed that is capable of amplifying small optical inputs into large changes in internal composition, based on a feedback interaction between switchable fluorescence and visible-light photoswitching. This system would demonstrate bifurcating reaction kinetics under irradiation and reach one of two stable photostationary states depending on the initial composition of the system. This behavior would allow the system to act as a chemical realization of the flip-flop circuit, the fundamental element in sequential logic and binary memory storage. We use detailed numerical modeling to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed behavior based on known molecular phenomena and comment on some of the conditions required to realize this system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Timothy W Schmidt
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, School of Chemistry, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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45
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Atcher J, Mateus P, Kauffmann B, Rosu F, Maurizot V, Huc I. Large-Amplitude Conformational Changes in Self-Assembled Multi-Stranded Aromatic Sheets. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:2574-2577. [PMID: 33156974 PMCID: PMC7898896 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202014670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The orchestration of ever larger conformational changes is made possible by the development of increasingly complex foldamers. Aromatic sheets, a rare motif in synthetic foldamer structures, have been designed so as to form discrete stacks of intercalated aromatic strands through the self‐assembly of two identical subunits. Ion‐mobility ESI‐MS confirms the formation of compact dimers. X‐ray crystallography reveals the existence of two distinct conformational dimeric states that require large changes to interconvert. Molecular dynamics simulation validates the stability of the two conformations and the possibility of their interconversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Atcher
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377, München, Germany.,Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux Institut National Polytechnique, CBMN (UMR 5248), Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Pedro Mateus
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux Institut National Polytechnique, CBMN (UMR 5248), Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Brice Kauffmann
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Inserm, IECB (UMS 3033-US001), Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Frédéric Rosu
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Inserm, IECB (UMS 3033-US001), Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Victor Maurizot
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux Institut National Polytechnique, CBMN (UMR 5248), Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Ivan Huc
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377, München, Germany
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46
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Rohmer M, Ucak Ö, Fredrick R, Binder WH. Chiral amines as initiators for ROP and their chiral induction on poly(2-aminoisobutyric acid) chains. Polym Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1py01021b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chirality induction by chiral amines in poly(amino acid)s by ring opening polymerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Rohmer
- Martin-Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry, D-06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Özgün Ucak
- Martin-Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry, D-06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Rahul Fredrick
- Martin-Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Chair of Polymer Reaction Engineering, D-06099 Halle, Germany
| | - Wolfgang H. Binder
- Martin-Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry, D-06120 Halle, Germany
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47
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Bravin C, Badetti E, Licini G, Zonta C. Tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amines as emerging scaffold in supramolecular chemistry. Coord Chem Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2020.213558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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48
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Gonzales DT, Zechner C, Tang TYD. Building synthetic multicellular systems using bottom–up approaches. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2020.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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49
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Atcher J, Mateus P, Kauffmann B, Rosu F, Maurizot V, Huc I. Umfangreiche Konformationsänderungen in selbstassemblierten mehrsträngigen aromatischen Faltblättern. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202014670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joan Atcher
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for Integrated Protein Science Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Butenandtstraße 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
- Université de Bordeaux CNRS, Bordeaux Institut National Polytechnique CBMN (UMR 5248) Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie 2 rue Robert Escarpit 33600 Pessac Frankreich
| | - Pedro Mateus
- Université de Bordeaux CNRS, Bordeaux Institut National Polytechnique CBMN (UMR 5248) Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie 2 rue Robert Escarpit 33600 Pessac Frankreich
| | - Brice Kauffmann
- Université de Bordeaux CNRS Inserm, IECB (UMS 3033 – US001) Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie 2 rue Robert Escarpit 33600 Pessac Frankreich
| | - Frédéric Rosu
- Université de Bordeaux CNRS Inserm, IECB (UMS 3033 – US001) Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie 2 rue Robert Escarpit 33600 Pessac Frankreich
| | - Victor Maurizot
- Université de Bordeaux CNRS, Bordeaux Institut National Polytechnique CBMN (UMR 5248) Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie 2 rue Robert Escarpit 33600 Pessac Frankreich
| | - Ivan Huc
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for Integrated Protein Science Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Butenandtstraße 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
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50
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Engineering of stimuli-responsive lipid-bilayer membranes using supramolecular systems. Nat Rev Chem 2020; 5:46-61. [PMID: 37118103 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-020-00233-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The membrane proteins found in nature control many important cellular functions, including signal transduction and transmembrane ion transport, and these, in turn, are regulated by external stimuli, such as small molecules, membrane potential and light. Membrane proteins also find technological applications in fields ranging from optogenetics to synthetic biology. Synthetic supramolecular analogues have emerged as a complementary method to engineer functional membranes. This Review describes stimuli-responsive supramolecular systems developed for the control of ion transport, signal transduction and catalysis in lipid-bilayer-membrane systems. Recent advances towards achieving spatio-temporal control over activity in artificial and living cells are highlighted. Current challenges, the scope, limitations and future potential to exploit supramolecular systems for engineering stimuli-responsive lipid-bilayer membranes are discussed.
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