Silver Oxide Promoted Synthesis of Alpha -GalNAc Containing Glyco-Amino Acids: Synthesis of Core 2 Containing Glyco-Amino Acids for Solid Phase Synthesis of Glycopeptides.

-GalNAc glycans on glycoproteins with eight different core structures sharing a common α-glycosidic linkage (-GalNAc-α-Ser/Thr) are critical in various physiological and pathological processes. Among the eight -GalNAc glycan cores, core 2 characterized by a GlcNAcβ1-6(Galβ1-3)GalNAc structural motif plays a significant role in regulating diverse biological processes, such as immune response modulation, adhesive properties of selectins, and gastrointestinal tract protection. However, the large-quantity synthesis of core 2 containing glyco-amino acids for downstream solid-phase peptide synthesis is challenging.

Design of high specificity binders for peptide-MHC-I complexes.

Class I MHC molecules present peptides derived from intracellular antigens on the cell surface for immune surveillance, and specific targeting of these peptide-MHC (pMHC) complexes could have considerable utility for treating diseases. Such targeting is challenging as it requires readout of the few outward facing peptide antigen residues and the avoidance of extensive contacts with the MHC carrier which is present on almost all cells. Here we describe the use of deep learning-based protein design tools to design small proteins that arc above the peptide binding groove of pMHC complexes and make extensive contacts with the peptide.

Tracking flaviviral protease conformational dynamics by tuning single-molecule nanopore tweezers.

The flaviviral NS2B/NS3 protease is a conserved enzyme required for flavivirus replication. Its highly dynamic conformation poses major challenges but also offers opportunities for antiviral inhibition. Here, we established a nanopore tweezers-based platform to monitor NS2B/NS3 conformational dynamics in real time.

Lysosomal enzyme binding to the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor is regulated allosterically by insulin-like growth factor 2.

The cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CI-MPR) is clinically significant in the treatment of patients with lysosomal storage diseases because it functions in the biogenesis of lysosomes by transporting mannose 6-phosphate (M6P)-containing lysosomal enzymes to endosomal compartments. CI-MPR is multifunctional and modulates embryonic growth and fetal size by downregulating circulating levels of the peptide hormone insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2). The extracellular region of CI-MPR comprises 15 homologous domains with binding sites for M6P-containing ligands located in domains 3, 5, 9, and 15, whereas IGF2 interacts with residues in domain 11.

Telephone cord blister formation in solvent swollen elastomer films.

Video imaging was used to study large-slope folded telephone cord blister formation in solvent swollen films of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers. Chlorobenzene, chloroform, heptane and toluene were used to swell PDMS films with thickness values in the range 15 μm < < 223 μm supported on glass substrates. Measurements of the blister width, corrugation wavelength and blister growth speed were studied as a function of the film thickness for all four solvents.