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Electric Field-Driven Long-Range Order and Enhanced Polarization Switching in High-Dipole Ionic Liquids
β-catenin-driven endomesoderm specification is a Bilateria-specific novelty
Abstract Endomesoderm specification by a maternal β-catenin signal and body axis patterning by interpreting a gradient of zygotic Wnt/β-catenin signalling was suggested to predate the split between Bilateria and their sister clade Cnidaria. However, in Cnidaria, the roles of β-catenin signalling in these processes have not been demonstrated directly. Here, by tagging the endogenous β-catenin in the cnidarian Nematostella vectensis, we confirm that its oral-aboral axis is indeed patterned by a gradient of β-catenin signalling. Strikingly, we show that, in contrast to bilaterians, Nematostella endomesoderm specification is repressed by β-catenin and takes place in the maternal nuclear β-catenin-negative part of the embryo. This completely changes the accepted paradigm and suggests that β-catenin-dependent endomesoderm specification was a bilaterian innovation linking endomesoderm specification to the subsequent posterior-anterior patterning.
Photodriven Ammonia Synthesis from N<sub>2</sub> and H<sub>2</sub>: Recycling of a Molecular Molybdenum Nitride
Upcycling waste commodity polymers into high-performance polyarylate materials with direct utilization of capping agent impurities
Favoring the Originally Unfavored Oxygen for Enhancing Nitrogen-to-Nitrate Electroconversion
A globular protein exhibits rare phase behavior and forms chemically regulated orthogonal condensates in cells
Alpha-Synuclein Inhibits the Secretion of Extracellular Vesicles through Disruptions in YKT6 Lipidation
Parkinson's disease is characterized by the presence of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) primarily containing Lewy bodies in neurons. Despite decades of extensive research on α-syn accumulation, its molecular mechanisms have remained largely unexplored. Recent studies by us and others have suggested that extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially exosomes, can mediate the release of α-syn from cells and inhibiting this pathway could result in increased intracellular α-syn levels. In this study, we have discovered that elevated levels of α-syn themselves lead to reduced α-syn -containing EVs in α-syn–inducible H4 cells and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic (DA) neurons from both sexes. Our investigations have revealed that the impairment in EV secretion is not due to their generation but rather a consequence of changes in a soluble N -ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptor protein, YKT6. Specifically, as α-syn levels increase, membrane-associated YKT6 is reduced. Pharmacological inhibition of farnesylation using FTI has led to decreased EV secretion and subsequent elevated levels of α-syn. In summary, our findings suggest that increased levels of α-syn impair YKT6-mediated EV secretion, establishing a detrimental cycle of intracellular α-syn accumulation in human DA neurons.
An mRNA Display Approach for Covalent Targeting of a <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Virulence Factor
Photo-induced ring-maintaining hydrosilylation of unactivated alkenes with hydrosilacyclobutanes
Abstract Increasing attention has been paid to silacyclobutanes because of their wide application in ring opening and ring extension reactions. However, the synthesis of functionalized silacyclobutanes remains an unmet challenge because of the limited functional group tolerance of the reactions with organometallic reagents and chlorosilacyclobutanes. Herein, we report a conceptually different solution to this end through a visible-light-induced metal-free hydrosilylation of unactivated alkenes with hydrosilacyclobutanes. A wide range of unactivated alkenes with diverse functional groups including the base-sensitive acid, alcohol and ketones participated in this reaction smoothly. In particular, the first hydrosilylation reaction of alkenes with dihydrosilacyclobutane provides a facile access to various functionalized alkyl monohydrosilacyclobutanes. Unsymmetrical dialkyl silacyclobutanes have also been synthesized through consecutive hydrosilylation with dihydrosilacyclobutane in one pot. The mechanism study reveals that the Lewis basic solvent could promote the generation of strained silyl radicals by direct light irradiation without a redox-active photocatalyst and the thiol catalyst plays an important role in accelerating the reaction.
Tuning the Structure–Property Relationships of Metallophthalocyanine-Based Two-Dimensional Conductive Metal–Organic Frameworks with Different Metal Linkages
Imaging molecular structures and interactions by enhanced confinement effect in electron microscopy
Freezing-Activated Covalent Organic Frameworks for Precise Fluorescence Cryo-Imaging of Cancer Tissue
Constraint of accessible chromatins maps regulatory loci involved in maize speciation and domestication
1,4-Azaborine Participation Enables Inaccessible Cycloarene with Unique Photophysical Properties
The translation inhibitors kasugamycin, edeine and GE81112 target distinct steps during 30S initiation complex formation
Abstract During bacterial translation initiation, the 30S ribosomal subunit, initiation factors, and initiator tRNA define the reading frame of the mRNA. This process is inhibited by kasugamycin, edeine and GE81112, however, their mechanisms of action have not been fully elucidated. Here we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of 30S initiation intermediate complexes formed in the presence of kasugamycin, edeine and GE81112 at resolutions of 2.0-2.9 Å. The structures reveal that all three antibiotics bind within the E-site of the 30S and preclude 30S initiation complex formation. While kasugamycin and edeine affect early steps of 30S pre-initiation complex formation, GE81112 stalls pre-initiation complex formation at a further step by allowing start codon recognition, but impeding IF3 departure. Collectively, our work highlights how chemically distinct compounds binding at a conserved site on the 30S can interfere with translation initiation in a unique manner.