Publications by authors named "Yaning Duan"
A new type of carbon dots (D-NCCDs) was synthesized by 3, 5-diaminobenzoic acid, N,N-dimethyl-o-phenylenediamine, and D-cysteine. The morphology and structure of D-NCCDs were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and FT-IR spectra, and the chirality was characterized by circular dichroism. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide, the fluorescence of D-NCCDs at 487 nm (λ = 410 nm) showed great discrimination ability towards glutamine enantiomers.
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- WNT signaling is crucial for development and maintenance in organisms, but the mechanisms through which Frizzled receptors (FZDs) transmit this signaling are not well understood.
- Researchers have determined the cryo-EM structure of FZD4 complexed with Dishevelled 2 (DVL2), revealing a unique binding interaction where DVL2's DEP domain fits into FZD4, creating a stable interface.
- The study suggests that this binding mechanism is common across FZDs and identifies a specific area for FZD4 dimerization, advancing our understanding of how FZDs and DVLs interact to facilitate WNT signaling.
New chiral carbon dots (CDs), L-PCDs, for discriminating tryptophan (Trp) enantiomers were prepared in this work. Firstly, original CDs were synthesized through a hydrothermal method using pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and -phenylenediamine as raw materials. Then, the surface of original CDs was modified with L-phenylalanine to create chiral fluorescent carbon L-PCDs.
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- - The histamine H receptor (HR) is crucial for immune cell function and is a significant target for treating allergies and inflammation, but detailed structural information has been lacking.
- - This study presents four cryo-EM structures of HR/G complexes with different ligands, revealing a unique ligand binding mode that involves specific residues (D94 and E182) crucial for receptor activation.
- - The findings help identify mutations that can change how ligands interact with the receptor, paving the way for designing new, more effective antihistamines targeting HR.
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- GPR3 is crucial for both the nervous system and metabolism, but its natural ligand was previously unknown; this study identifies oleic acid (OA) as that ligand.
- Using techniques like cryo-electron microscopy and mass spectrometry, researchers found that GPR3 has a hydrophobic tunnel allowing fatty acids like OA to engage with the receptor and activate G signaling.
- Cold temperature prompts the release of OA in mice, which activates signaling in brown adipose tissue, but Gpr3 knockout mice do not respond to OA, highlighting GPR3's essential role in thermogenesis.
Article Synopsis
- - Adhesion G-protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs) are crucial for various physiological functions and their activation involves the removal of the GAIN domain, along with unique ligand-binding dynamics.
- - Researchers used cryoelectron microscopy to analyze the structure of ADGRL3 with G-proteins, revealing distinct activation conformations and new insights into how these receptors interact with G-proteins.
- - The study provides foundational knowledge on aGPCR activation mechanisms and suggests alterations in specific receptor components to enhance targeted G-protein pathways for better therapeutic approaches.
Plant litter decomposition is mainly affected by litter properties and environmental factors, but the influence of terrain on litter decomposition is not well understood. We studied the effects of terrain on litter decomposition over a period of 12 months at six locations in a typical steppe ecoregion and measured the concomitant release of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). The study site has two aspects, shaded and sunny, each aspect having three slopes: 15°, 30°, and 45°.
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