A conserved germline-specific Dsn1 alternative splice isoform supports oocyte and embryo development.

Alternative mRNA splicing can generate distinct protein isoforms to allow for the differential control of cell processes across cell types. However, alternative splice isoforms that differentially modulate distinct cell division programs have remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that mammalian germ cells express an alternate mRNA splice isoform for the kinetochore component, DSN1, a subunit of the MIS12 complex that links the centromeres to spindle microtubules during chromosome segregation.

Optical and EPR Detection of a Triplet Ground State Phenyl Nitrenium Ion.

Nitrenium ions are important reactive intermediates participating in the synthetic chemistry and biological processes. Little is known about triplet phenyl nitrenium ions regarding their reactivity, lifetimes, spectroscopic features, and electronic configurations, and no ground state triplet nitrenium ion has been directly detected. In this work, -pyrrolidinyl-phenyl hydrazine hydrochloride () is synthesized as the photoprecursor to photochemically generate the corresponding -pyrrolidinyl-phenyl nitrenium ion (), which is computed to adopt a π, π* triplet ground state.

Make Selenium Reactive Again: Activating Elemental Selenium for Synthesis of Metal Selenides Ranging from Nanocrystals to Large Single Crystals.

The inertness of elemental selenium is a significant obstacle in the synthesis of selenium-containing materials at low reaction temperatures. Over the years, several recipes have been developed to overcome this hurdle; however, most of the methods are associated with the use of highly toxic, expensive, and environmentally harmful reagents. As such, there is an increasing demand for the design of cheap, stable, and nontoxic reactive selenium precursors usable in the low-temperature synthesis of transition metal selenides with vast applications in nanotechnology, thermoelectrics, and superconductors.