• Gentry Harboe posted an update 4 days, 8 hours ago

    Protein kinase inhibitors are highly effective in treating diseases driven by aberrant kinase signaling and as chemical tools to help dissect the cellular roles of kinase signaling complexes. Evaluating the effects of binding of small molecule inhibitors on kinase conformational dynamics can assist in understanding both inhibition and resistance mechanisms. Using gas-phase ion-mobility mass spectrometry (IM-MS), we characterize changes in the conformational landscape and stability of the protein kinase Aurora A (Aur A) driven by binding of the physiological activator TPX2 or small molecule inhibition. Aided by molecular modeling, we establish three major conformations, the relative abundances of which were dependent on the Aur A activation status one highly populated compact conformer similar to that observed in most crystal structures, a second highly populated conformer possessing a more open structure infrequently found in crystal structures, and an additional low-abundance conformer not currently represented in the protein databank. Notably, inhibitor binding induces more compact configurations of Aur A, as adopted by the unbound enzyme, with both IM-MS and modeling revealing inhibitor-mediated stabilization of active Aur A.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra, as well as the ground-state electronic/geometrical structures of the newly discovered two non-classical isomers C2-C76(NC2) and C1-C76(NC3) with their derivatives C2-C76(NC2)(CF3)14 and C1-C76(NC3)Cl24, as well as the non-IPR(isolated pentagon rule) isomer C1-#17418C76 with its embedded metal fullerene U@C1-#17418C76 have been calculated at the density functional theory (DFT) level. The electronic structure after chlorination is significantly different in the simulated X-ray spectrum. Both XPS and NEXAFS spectra reflect obvious isomer dependence, indicating that the “fingerprint” in X-ray spectroscopy can provide an effective means for the identification of the above-mentioned fullerene isomers. Time-dependent DFT was used to simulate the ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum of U@C1-#17418C76. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental consequence. This work reveals that theoretically simulated X-ray and UV-vis spectroscopy techniques can provide valuable information to help researchers explore the electronic structure of fullerenes and the identification of isomers in future experimental and theoretical fields.The liquid-vapor interfacial properties of hydrocarbons and their mixtures are important factors in a wide range of industrial processes and applications. Determining these properties experimentally, however, is not only practically demanding, but many important properties, such as phase densities and compositions are not directly experimentally accessible, thus requiring the development of theoretical models. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, by contrast, are relatively straightforward even for the most complex of mixtures and directly provide all of the microscopic quantities for the studied systems. We have previously applied MD simulations to study the liquid-vapor equilibria of mixtures of hydrocarbons and CO2 that are particularly relevant to hydrocarbon recovery from geologic formations. In this study, we explore in more detail the robustness of the simulation methods with respect to the choice of the model system parameters, investigate the accuracy of the simulations in determining the key quantits of the interfacial properties, thereby reducing the need for challenging laboratory experiments.An overview of natural chemical compounds involved in plant-parasitic nematode (PPN) behavior is presented and classified following a system accepted by chemoecologists. Kairomonal and other egg-hatching stimulants, as well as attractants for juveniles, are presented. Sex, aggregation, egg-hatching, and putative diapause PPN pheromones are analyzed and grouped into clusters of primers and releasers. The role of over 500 chemical compounds, both organic and inorganic, involved in PPN behavior is reviewed, with the most widely analyzed and least studied fields of PPN chemical ecology indicated. Knowledge on PPN chemical ecology facilitates environmentally friendly integrated pest management. This could be achieved by disrupting biointeractions between nematodes and their host plants and/or between nematodes. Data on biologically active chemicals reveals targets for resistant plant selection, including through application of gene silencing techniques.Neurotransmitters are very important for neuron events and brain diseases. However, effective probes for analyzing specific neurotransmitters are currently lacking. Herein, we design and create a supramolecular fluorescent probe (CN-DFP5) by synthesizing a dual-functionalized fluorescent pillar[5]arene derivative with borate naphthalene and aldehyde coumarin recognition groups to identify large-scale neurotransmitters. The developed probe can detect seven model neurotransmitters by generating different fluorescence patterns through three types of host-guest interactions. The obtained signals are statistically processed by principal component analysis, thus the high-throughput analysis of neurotransmitters is realized under dual-channel fluorescence responses. The present probe combines the advantages of small-molecule-based probes to easily enter into living neurons and cross-reactive sensor arrays. Thus, the selective binding enables this probe to identify specific neurotransmitters in biofluids, living neurons, and tissues. High selectivity and sensitivity further demonstrate that the molecular device could extend to more applications to detect and image neurotransmitters.Viable foodborne pathogens can cause intestinal infection and food poisoning. Herein, we reported an RNA assay allowing for sensitive (close to 1 CFU and 1% viable bacteria detectable) and rapid (within 2.5 h) detection of viable pathogenic bacteria by coupling isothermal RNA amplification (nucleic acid sequence-based amplification, NASBA) with a CRISPR/Cas13a system. NASBA allowed direct amplification of 16S rRNA extracted from viable S. N6-methyladenosine enterica (RNAs degrade rapidly in dead bacteria), and the specificity of amplification was ensured using Cas13a/crRNA to recognize the amplicons. We used the CRISPR/Cas13-based NASBA assay (termed cNASBA assay) to investigate the in vivo colonization and intestinal infection of S. enterica in mice. We found that S. enterica was mainly colonized at the cecum, colon, and rectum, and the severity of enteritis caused by S. enterica was determined by the number of viable S. enterica rather than the total count of S. enterica. The cNASBA assay can quantify viable S. enterica and thus can improve the accuracy of virulence estimation compared to qPCR. It shows promise as a reliable tool for monitoring pathogen contamination and biosafety control.Differential mobility spectrometry is a separation technique that may be applied to a variety of analytes ranging from small molecule drugs to peptides and proteins. Although rudimentary theoretical models of differential mobility exist, these models are often only applied to small molecules and atomic ions without considering the effects of dynamic microsolvation. Here, we advance our theoretical description of differential ion mobility in pure N2 and microsolvating environments by incorporating higher order corrections to two-temperature theory (2TT) and a pseudoequilibrium approach to describe ion-neutral interactions. When comparing theoretical predictions to experimentally measured dispersion plots of over 300 different compounds, we find that higher order corrections to 2TT reduce errors by roughly a factor of 2 when compared to first order. Model predictions are accurate especially for pure N2 environments (mean absolute error of 4 V at SV = 4000 V). For strongly clustering environments, accurate thermochemical corrections for ion-solvent clustering are likely required to reliably predict differential ion mobility behavior. Within our model, general trends associated with clustering strength, solvent vapor concentration, and background gas temperature are well reproduced, and fine structure visible in some dispersion plots is captured. These results provide insight into the dynamic ion-solvent clustering process that underpins the phenomenon of differential ion mobility.Herein, we describe a metal-ligand cooperative approach for the sustainable synthesis of various aldazines, ketazines, and N-acylhydrazones via dehydrogenative functionalization of alcohols with hydrazine hydrate using a simple, easy-to-prepare iron catalyst featuring a redox noninnocent tridentate arylazo backbone. Our catalyst is compatible with both primary and secondary alcohols to produce a wide variety of substituted aldazines, ketazines, and N-acylhydrazones in good isolated yields in air. A series of control experiments are performed to elucidate the reaction mechanism.The hitherto elusive benzo[c]anthanthrenyl radical derivatives composed of seven fused six-membered rings are synthesized and isolated in the crystalline form, representing a laterally π-extended doublet open-shell graphene fragment compared to the phenalenyl and olympicenyl radical structures. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed one-dimensional chain stacking with relatively close intermolecular contacts, which is an important precondition for achieving single-component conductors. The magnetic, optical, and redox properties are investigated in the solution phase. In combination with the good stability, such open-shell molecular systems have potentials as functional electronic materials.To realize the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) at elevated temperatures, the approach of magnetic proximity effect (MPE) was adopted to break the time-reversal symmetry in the topological insulator (Bi0.3Sb0.7)2Te3 (BST) based heterostructures with a ferrimagnetic insulator europium iron garnet (EuIG) of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Here we demonstrate large anomalous Hall resistance (RAHE) exceeding 8 Ω (ρAHE of 3.2 μΩ·cm) at 300 K and sustaining to 400 K in 35 BST/EuIG samples, surpassing the past record of 0.28 Ω (ρAHE of 0.14 μΩ·cm) at 300 K. The large RAHE is attributed to an atomically abrupt, Fe-rich interface between BST and EuIG. Importantly, the gate dependence of the AHE loops shows no sign change with varying chemical potential. This observation is supported by our first-principles calculations via applying a gradient Zeeman field plus a contact potential on BST. Our calculations further demonstrate that the AHE in this heterostructure is attributed to the intrinsic Berry curvature. Furthermore, for gate-biased 4 nm BST on EuIG, a pronounced topological Hall effect-like (THE-like) feature coexisting with AHE is observed at the negative top-gate voltage up to 15 K. Interface tuning with theoretical calculations has realized topologically distinct phenomena in tailored magnetic TI-based heterostructures.Fabry-Pérot interference plays an important role in modulating the spectral intensity of optical response originating from light-matter interactions. Examples of such interference occurring in the substrate as the resonating cavity have been demonstrated and probed by two-dimensional layered materials. Similarly, the Fabry-Pérot interference can occur and modulate the optical response in the heterostructure; however, this remains elusive. Herein, we observe the Fabry-Pérot interference on photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectra in monolayer WS2/SiP2 heterostructures by varying the thickness of bottom SiP2 from 2 to 193 nm, which serves as the Fabry-Pérot cavity. Both the intensities of the PL spectra and the E2g1 Raman mode of WS2/SiP2 heterostructures first decrease to almost zero while displaying an interference increase at a SiP2 thickness of 75 nm. Our findings clearly demonstrate the Fabry-Pérot interference in the optical response of heterostructures, providing crucial information to optimize the optical response and paving the way toward photodetector applications.