Testing the Antigenic Potential of Transmembrane Proteins To Develop a Thermostable Tuberculosis MOF-Liposomal Vaccine.

Tuberculosis is one of the deadliest infectious diseases and continues to be a major health risk in many parts of the world. Even today, the century-old Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is the only formulation on the market and is ineffective for several sections of the global population responsible for transmission. In the search for antigens that can mount a robust immune response, we have reported the recombinant expression and purification of two novel membrane proteins, the Cation transporter protein V (CtpV) and the Mycobacterial copper transporter B (MctB) present on the membrane surface of .

Closed and open structures of the eukaryotic magnesium channel Mrs2 reveal the auto-ligand-gating regulation mechanism.

The CorA/Mrs2 family of pentameric proteins are cardinal for the influx of Mg across cellular membranes, importing the cation to mitochondria in eukaryotes. Yet, the conducting and regulation mechanisms of permeation remain elusive, particularly for the eukaryotic Mrs2 members. Here, we report closed and open Mrs2 cryo-electron microscopy structures, accompanied by functional characterization.

Transition metal transporting P-type ATPases: terminal metal-binding domains serve as sensors for autoinhibitory tails.

Copper is an essential micronutrient and yet is highly toxic to cells at elevated concentrations. P-ATPase proteins are critical for this regulation, providing active extrusion across cellular membranes. One unique molecular adaptation of P-ATPases compared to other P-type ATPases is the presence of metal-binding domains (MBDs) at the cytosolic termini, which however are poorly characterized with an elusive mechanistic role.

Exploring the reductive CO fixation with amines and hydrosilanes using readily available Cu(II) NHC-phenolate catalyst precursors.

-Methylation of amines is of great interest in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and valuable compounds, and the possibility to perform this reaction with an inexpensive and non-toxic substrate like CO and its derivatives is quite appealing. Herein, the synthesis of four novel homoleptic Cu(II) complexes with hybrid NHC-phenolate (NHC = -Heterocyclic Carbene) ligands is reported, and their use in the catalytic -methylation of amines with CO in the presence of hydrosilanes is explored. Both bidentate or tetradentate ligands can be used in the preparation of the complexes provided that the structural requirement that the two NHC and the two phenolate donors in the metal coordination sphere are mutually in is fulfilled.

The Current Shortcomings and Future Possibilities of 3D Printed Electrodes.

3D printing has changed many industries and research areas, and it is poised to do the same for electrochemistry and electroanalytical sciences. The ability to easily shape electrically conductive parts in complex geometries, something very difficult to do using traditional manufacturing techniques, can now be easily accomplished at home, opening the possibility of fabricating electrodes and electrochemical cells with geometries that were once unimaginable. This ability can be a milestone in electrochemistry, allowing the fabrication of systems tailored to specific applications.