Signal transfer in human protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B from allosteric inhibitor P00058

Selective Inhibition of PTP1B by New Anthraquinone Glycosides from Knoxia valerianoides

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is highly validated as a therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes. However, active site-directed PTP1B inhibitors generally suffer from poor selectivity and bioavailability. Inspired by the identification of a unique anthraquinone-coumarin hybrid from Knoxia valerianoides exhibiting good specificity for PTP1B over the highly homologous T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TCPTP), further chemical investigation of this plant species led to the isolation of nine new anthraquinone glycosides (1-9) and two known ones (10 and 11). Structures were characterized by a combination of spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. All compounds showed PTP1B inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.05 to 13.74 μM. Compounds 4 and 8 exhibited greater than 64-fold selectivity over TCPTP. Enzyme kinetic studies revealed that compounds 4 and 7 behaved as mixed-type inhibitors. Docking studies predicted similar binding modes of these compounds at the allosteric site positioned between helices α3 and α6.

Nanocellulose Composites as Smart Devices With Chassis, Light-Directed DNA Storage, Engineered Electronic Properties, and Chip Integration

The rapid development of green and sustainable materials opens up new possibilities in the field of applied research. Such materials include nanocellulose composites that can integrate many components into composites and provide a good chassis for smart devices. In our study, we evaluate four approaches for turning a nanocellulose composite into an information storage or processing device: 1) nanocellulose can be a suitable carrier material and protect information stored in DNA. 2) Nucleotide-processing enzymes (polymerase and exonuclease) can be controlled by light after fusing them with light-gating domains; nucleotide substrate specificity can be changed by mutation or pH change (read-in and read-out of the information). 3) Semiconductors and electronic capabilities can be achieved: we show that nanocellulose is rendered electronic by iodine treatment replacing silicon including microstructures. Nanocellulose semiconductor properties are measured, and the resulting potential including single-electron transistors (SET) and their properties are modeled. Electric current can also be transported by DNA through G-quadruplex DNA molecules; these as well as classical silicon semiconductors can easily be integrated into the nanocellulose composite. 4) To elaborate upon miniaturization and integration for a smart nanocellulose chip device, we demonstrate pH-sensitive dyes in nanocellulose, nanopore creation, and kinase micropatterning on bacterial membranes as well as digital PCR micro-wells. Future application potential includes nano-3D printing and fast molecular processors (e.g., SETs) integrated with DNA storage and conventional electronics. This would also lead to environment-friendly nanocellulose chips for information processing as well as smart nanocellulose composites for biomedical applications and nano-factories.