Structural insights into the Shigella flexneri GmvAT toxin-antitoxin system.

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are common bicistronic gene elements in bacteria and are critical for stress responses. The toxin members of the GNAT/RHH TA family can acetylate certain aminoacylated tRNA molecules and inhibit global protein translation. One member named GmvT is important for virulence plasmid maintenance in Shigella flexneri, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood.

Amide-sialoside protein conjugates as neomucin bioshields prevent influenza virus infection.

We report the preparation of multivalent amide-sialoside-decorated human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as mimics of natural mucin and bioshields against influenza virus infection. Free sialic acid with an amine on C-2 was covalently attached to the protein scaffolds using di-(N-succinimidyl) adipate. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed that the synthetic neomucins were able to act as bioshields and aggregate the influenza virion particles.

Divalent oseltamivir analogues as potent influenza neuraminidase inhibitors.

A panel of divalent oseltamivir and guanidino oseltamivir analogues with esterification on the carboxyl acid group as potent inhibitors of influenza virus neuraminidase was prepared via click reaction. The primary structure activity relationship study demonstrated that appropriate distance between two oseltamivir monomers around 30 Å can crosslink two adjacent neuraminidase tetramers on the virion surface and result in highly effective NA inhibitors against three strains of influenza virus and H7N9 virus like particle. This strategy also provides a basis for the multivalent modification on oseltamivir.

Introduction and demonstration of a novel Pb(II)-imprinted polymeric membrane with high selectivity and reusability for treatment of lead contaminated water.

Lead contaminant in water has become an issue of great concern due to its high toxicity and easy accumulation in human body. In this study, a novel Pb(II)-imprinted polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyacrylic acid (PAA) membrane (Pb-IM) was prepared based on semi-interpenetrating polymer network for selective lead removal. The chemical stability and lead adsorption performance of the Pb-IM were evaluated.