Glutathione -transferase templated copper nanoclusters as a fluorescent probe for turn-on sensing of chlorotetracycline.

Hereby, facile-green copper nanoclusters templated by glutathione -transferase (GST-CuNCs) have been innovatively synthesized a simple one-pot stirring method at room temperature. The as-prepared nanoclusters exhibited uniform size with satisfactory fluorescence intensity, good stability and low cytotoxicity. Significantly, the fluorescence of the obtained GST-CuNCs could be considerably enhanced by the addition of chlorotetracycline (CTC) rather than other analogues of CTC, which was ascribed to the aggregation-induced enhancement caused by the interaction between CTC and GST.

Polysaccharides in contact lenses: From additives to bulk materials.

As the number of applications has increased, so has the demand for contact lenses comfort. Adding polysaccharides to lenses is a popular way to enhance comfort for wearers. However, this may also compromise some lens properties.

Ras Inhibitor Lonafarnib Rescues Structural and Functional Impairments of Synapses of Aβ Mice via α7nAChR-Dependent BDNF Upregulation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized pathologically by the structural and functional impairments of synapses in the hippocampus, inducing the learning and memory deficiencies. Ras GTPase is closely related to the synaptic function and memory. This study was to investigate the effects of farnesyl transferase inhibitor lonafarnib on the synaptic structure and function in AD male mice and explore the potential mechanism.

A Visual Discrimination of Existing States of Virus Capsid Protein by a Giant Molybdate Cluster.

We report a unique phenomenon, the opposite color response of a giant polyoxometalate, (NH)[MoO(CHCOO)] (HO) ([Mo]), to the existing states of human papillomavirus (HPV) major capsid protein, L1-pentamer (L1-p), and virus-like particles (VLPs). The color responses originate from the different assembly forms between [Mo] and the capsid protein. The latter were inspected and separated by using CsCl gradient centrifugation, and validated in detail by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging.

Lanthanide Polyoxometalate Based Water-Jet Film with Reversible Luminescent Switching for Rewritable Security Printing.

Luminescent security printing is of particular importance in the information era. However, the use of conventional paper still carries a lot of economic and environmental issues. Therefore, developing new environmentally friendly security printing material with a low cost is imperative.

Stimuli-activatable nanomaterials for phototherapy of cancer.

Phototherapy including photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), as non-invasive therapy approaches, have gained accumulated attention for cancer treatment in past years. PTT and PDT can generate local hyperthermia effects and reactive oxygen species (ROS) respectively, for tumor eradication. To improve the therapeutic performance while minimizing the reverse side effects of phototherapy, extensive efforts have been devoted to developing stimuli-activatable (e.

Coordination of Ligand-Protected Metal Nanoclusters and Glass Nanopipettes: Conversion of a Liquid-Phase Fluorometric Assay into an Enhanced Nanopore Analysis.

We propose a unique concept for transforming the liquid-phase fluorometric assay into an enhanced nanopore analysis, which is based on the analyte binding-mediated changes in the surface chemistry of noble metal nanostructures in a confined space. In a proof-of-concept trial, the bovine serum albumin-protected gold nanoclusters (BSA-Au NCs) were designed as the sensing unit for biothiol determination. Through the specific interaction between biothiols and BSA-Au NCs, the validation system not only performed well in aqueous fluorescent detection but also can be developed into a more selective and sensitive nanopore sensor.

Strong red-emitting gold nanoclusters protected by glutathione S-transferase.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is distributed widely in tissues and has been proven to be vital in the body. For example, it catalyzes reduced glutathione (GSH) to a variety of electrophilic substances and thus protects cells against many toxic chemicals. Therefore, GST-related investigations have always been significant for medical and/or life sciences.

Hybrid Assembly toward Enhanced Thermal Stability of Virus-like Particles and Antibacterial Activity of Polyoxometalates.

In an effort to improve both the stability of virus-like particles (VLPs) and the medical activity of polyoxometalates (POMs), a new hybrid assembly system between human papillomavirus (HPV) capsid protein L1 and a europium-containing POM (EuW) has been constructed, for the first time, via the electrostatic interactions between them. The co-assembly of EuW and HPV 16 L1-pentamer (L1-p) in buffer solution resulted in the encapsulation of POMs in the cavity of VLPs, which was further confirmed by cesium chloride (CsCl) gradient ultracentrifugation, SDS-PAGE, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy, whereas the post-assembly of EuW with the as-prepared VLPs leads to the adsorption of POMs only on the external surface of particles, and both cases improved the thermal and storage stabilities of VLPs obviously. Particularly, the encapsulation of POMs in VLPs largely improved the antibacterial activity of EuW, and thereby, the present study will be significant for both the stability improvement of protein vaccines and the development of POM medicine.

Biocompatible supramolecular dendrimers bearing a gadolinium-substituted polyanionic core for MRI contrast agents.

Two cationic dendrons bearing terminal groups of triethylene glycol monomethyl ether in different generations were used to encapsulate a paramagnetic polyoxometalate cluster K[Gd(β-SiWO)], in which the Gd ion was sandwiched by the coordination of two lacunary [β-SiWO] sub-clusters, through electrostatic interaction. Benefiting from the surface covering of cationic dendrons and ionic complexation, both inorganic polyanionic core and the complexes formed maintained chemical stability in a physiological environment. In addition, the formed charge-neutralized supramolecular complex dendrimers with biocompatible periphery had low cytotoxicity but high relaxivity for in vitro and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the self-assembled state.

Potential applications of polyoxometalates for the discrimination of human papillomavirus in different subtypes.

The binding-induced luminescence enhancement of an Eu-containing polyoxometalate (POM), EuSiWMo, by the arginin/lysine-rich cationic peptides supplied a platform to detect the capsid proteins of human papillomaviruses (HPVs). However, the strong binding affinity between them makes it very difficult to be differentiated among peptides from different subtypes of HPVs. Therefore, several strategies to monitor the binding affinity of POM-peptide are performed and finally the discriminations on representative peptides from different subtypes of HPV capsid proteins are achieved in the present study.

Peptidic inhibitors for in vitro pentamer formation of human papillomavirus capsid protein l1.

A new 14 peptide, originating essentially from the helix 5 of HPV 16L1, illustrates an IC50 of 19.38 nM for the inhibition of HPV 16 L1 pentamer formation, which is highly efficient for targeting a specific protein segment. In addition, mechanism studies reveal that the length, sequence, and the folding of the peptide are critical factors for its inhibition.

Efficient inhibition of human papillomavirus 16 L1 pentamer formation by a carboxylatopillarene and a p-sulfonatocalixarene.

Pillarenes and calixarenes showed obvious inhibition of HPV16 L1 pentamer formation via their selective binding to Arg and Lys residues at the monomer interface, which was reversible after the release of cyclic arenes. Pillarenes are more effective than calixarenes in terms of the inhibition efficiency, attributing to the different kinetics and binding affinity.

Highly selective aza-nitrile inhibitors for cathepsin K, structural optimization and molecular modeling.

As a new type of cathepsin K inhibitor, azadipeptide nitriles have the characteristics of proteolytic stability and excellent inhibitory activity, but they exhibit barely any satisfactory selectivity. Great efforts have focused on improving their selectivity toward cathepsin K. In this sequential study, we report the further structural optimization, synthesis, molecular modeling, and in vitro enzymatic assays of a new series of potent and selective inhibitors of cathepsin K without the P2-P3 amide linker.

Sustained release of microbicides by newly engineered vaginal rings.

Objective: An effective vaginal microbicide against sexual HIV transmission remains elusive, with requirements for adherence to appropriate application of effective, nontoxic products being a major deterrent. We explored methods to enable sustained release of combinations of antiretroviral microbicides, utilizing intravaginal rings composed of biosoluble Acacia gum or nonbiodegradable hydrogel of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and sodium methacrylate, materials approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Design And Methods: The reverse transcriptase inhibitors TMC120, PMPA, 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, and a newly characterized anti-HIV agent, Boc-lysinated betulonic acid, were incorporated into vaginal rings with different combinations.