A recombinant L-threonine aldolase with high catalytic efficiency for the asymmetric synthesis of L-threo-phenylserine and L-threo-4-fluorophenylserine.

Objectives: To develop robust variants of L-threonine aldolases (L-TAs), potent catalysts for synthesizing asymmetric β-hydroxy-α-amino acids, it is necessary to identify critical residues beyond the known active site residues.

Results: Through virtual screening, a neglected residue Asn305, was identified as critical for catalytic efficiency. Subsequent site-saturation mutagenesis led to a potent variant N305R which exhibited excellent conversions of 88% (87%) and 80% (94%) for the synthesis of L-threo-phenylserine and L-threo-4-fluorophenylserine respectively.

Reciprocal links between methionine metabolism, DNA repair and therapy resistance in glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is uniformly lethal due to profound treatment resistance. Altered cellular metabolism is a key mediator of GBM treatment resistance. Uptake of the essential sulfur-containing amino acid methionine is drastically elevated in GBMs compared to normal cells, however, it is not known how this methionine is utilized or whether it relates to GBM treatment resistance.

Three-dimensional fluid-structure interaction modelling of the venous valve using immersed boundary/finite element method.

Research on venous hemodynamics is pivotal for unravelling venous diseases, including varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis, essential for clinical management, treatment and artificial valve design. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulation, employing the immersed boundary/finite element method, is constructed to explore the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) between intravenous blood and venous valves. A hyperelastic constitutive model is used to capture the incompressible, nonlinear mechanical response.

The causal effect of serum amino acids on the risk of prostate cancer: a two-sample mendelian randomization study.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common malignancy affecting men globally. Recent advances in metabolomics have highlighted significant alterations in specific amino acid (AA) metabolism linked to PCa, indicating their potential utility in diagnosis and therapy. However, no direct causal association between serum AA levels and PCa risk has been established.

Silk Fibroin-Derived N-Doped Carbon Cloth Coupling with Molybdenum Carbide Nanoparticles as a Self-Supported Electrode for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Handling tons of waste textiles is a big challenge in the textile and apparel industry. The recycling of waste textiles, especially expensive silk fabrics, is of great significance for resource conservation and green, low-carbon cycle development. In addition, the development of precious metal-free electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a major challenge.