Expedient access to polysubstituted acrylamides strain-release-driven dual phosphine and palladium catalysis.

Polysubstituted acrylamides are ubiquitous in bioactive molecules and natural products. However, synthetic methods for the assembly of these important motifs remain underdeveloped. Herein, we report the expedient synthesis of structurally diverse and synthetically challenging polysubstituted acrylamides from readily available aromatic amines, cyclopropenones (CpOs), and aryl halides the synergistic merging of nucleophilic phosphine-mediated amidation and palladium-catalyzed C-H arylation.

sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from L. in Xinjiang, PR China.

An endophytic actinomycete designated TRM65318, was isolated from the root of L. Its taxonomic status was determined using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain TRM65318 is phylogenetically most closely related to XHU 5031 (98.

Regeneration of the human segmentation clock in somitoids in vitro.

Each vertebrate species appears to have a unique timing mechanism for forming somites along the vertebral column, and the process in human remains poorly understood at the molecular level due to technical and ethical limitations. Here, we report the reconstitution of human segmentation clock by direct reprogramming. We first reprogrammed human urine epithelial cells to a presomitic mesoderm (PSM) state capable of long-term self-renewal and formation of somitoids with an anterior-to-posterior axis.

Beyond Boolean: Ternary networks and dynamics.

Boolean networks introduced by Kauffman, originally intended as a prototypical model for gaining insights into gene regulatory dynamics, have become a paradigm for understanding a variety of complex systems described by binary state variables. However, there are situations, e.g.

Rapid determination of hexabromocyclododecane enantiomers in animal meat by matrix solid phase dispersion coupled with LC-MS/MS.

A rapid and sensitive method was developed based on matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) for the determination of hexabromocyclododecane enantiomers (±α, ±β and ± γ-HBCD) in animal meat. The instrumental analysis was employed with liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) at trace level (ng g). To obtain excellent efficiency, the key parameters, including the type of dispersive adsorbent and elution solvent, were investigated by single-factor experiments.

H3K27ac mediated SS18/BAFs relocation regulates JUN induced pluripotent-somatic transition.

Background: The exit from pluripotency or pluripotent-somatic transition (PST) landmarks an event of early mammalian embryonic development, representing a model for cell fate transition.

Results: In this study, using a robust JUN-induced PST within 8 h as a model, we investigate the chromatin accessibility dynamics (CAD) as well as the behaviors of corresponding chromatin remodeling complex SS18/BAFs, to probe the key events at the early stage of PST. Here, we report that, JUN triggers the open of 34661 chromatin sites within 4 h, accomplished with the activation of somatic genes, such as Anxa1, Fosl1.

SS18 regulates pluripotent-somatic transition through phase separation.

The transition from pluripotent to somatic states marks a critical event in mammalian development, but remains largely unresolved. Here we report the identification of SS18 as a regulator for pluripotent to somatic transition or PST by CRISPR-based whole genome screens. Mechanistically, SS18 forms microscopic condensates in nuclei through a C-terminal intrinsically disordered region (IDR) rich in tyrosine, which, once mutated, no longer form condensates nor rescue SS18 defect in PST.

Dynamical network analysis reveals key microRNAs in progressive stages of lung cancer.

Non-coding RNAs are fundamental to the competing endogenous RNA (CeRNA) hypothesis in oncology. Previous work focused on static CeRNA networks. We construct and analyze CeRNA networks for four sequential stages of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) based on multi-omics data of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs and mRNAs.

Novel Model for Comprehensive Assessment of Robust Prognostic Gene Signature in Ovarian Cancer Across Different Independent Datasets.

Different analytical methods or models can often find completely different prognostic biomarkers for the same cancer. In the study of prognostic molecular biomarkers of ovarian cancer (OvCa), different studies have reported a variety of prognostic gene signatures. In the current study, based on geometric concepts, the linearity-clustering phase diagram with integrated P-value (LCP) method was used to comprehensively consider three indicators that are commonly employed to estimate the quality of a prognostic gene signature model.

Supercritical fluid extraction for purification of waxes derived from polyethylene and polypropylene plastics.

Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) feedstock contain various additives, such as fillers and colorants, which either degrade or carry through the depolymerization process; thereby causing intense dark colors and a pungent petroleum odor. The combination of color and odor imposes several challenges, limiting the potential markets of the wax products. This study put emphasis on the development of an innovative and environmentally sustainable process based on supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE) to remove organic and inorganic contaminants that cause color and odor in waxes derived from recycled polymers.

Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts by Jdp2-Jhdm1b-Mkk6-Glis1-Nanog-Essrb-Sall4.

Reprogramming somatic cells to pluripotency by Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and Myc represent a paradigm for cell fate determination. Here, we report a combination of Jdp2, Jhdm1b, Mkk6, Glis1, Nanog, Essrb, and Sall4 (7F) that reprogram mouse embryonic fibroblasts or MEFs to chimera competent induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) efficiently. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and ATAC-seq reveal distinct mechanisms for 7F induction of pluripotency.

A network approach to quantifying radiotherapy effect on cancer: Radiosensitive gene group centrality.

Radiotherapy plays a vital role in cancer treatment, for which accurate prognosis is important for guiding sequential treatment and improving the curative effect for patients. An issue of great significance in radiotherapy is to assess tumor radiosensitivity for devising the optimal treatment strategy. Previous studies focused on gene expression in cells closely associated with radiosensitivity, but factors such as the response of a cancer patient to irradiation and the patient survival time are largely ignored.

Determination of hexabromocyclododecane enantiomers in chicken whole blood by a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry.

A rapid and simple analytical method has been developed for the determination of hexabromocyclododecane enantiomers in chicken whole blood, based on a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe approach before liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The factors influencing performance of method were investigated by single factor experiment, and further optimized by the response surface methodology based on Box-Behnken design. The matrix effects were also evaluated by the isotopic dilution method.

Comparative genome analysis reveals the molecular basis of nicotine degradation and survival capacities of Arthrobacter.

Arthrobacter is one of the most prevalent genera of nicotine-degrading bacteria; however, studies of nicotine degradation in Arthrobacter species remain at the plasmid level (plasmid pAO1). Here, we report the bioinformatic analysis of a nicotine-degrading Arthrobacter aurescens M2012083, and show that the moeB and mogA genes that are essential for nicotine degradation in Arthrobacter are absent from plasmid pAO1. Homologues of all the nicotine degradation-related genes of plasmid pAO1 were found to be located on a 68,622-bp DNA segment (nic segment-1) in the M2012083 genome, showing 98.

An unusual repressor controls the expression of a crucial nicotine-degrading gene cluster in Pseudomonas putida S16.

Transcriptional factors that contain helix-turn-helix (HTH) DNA-binding domains are widespread in bacteria for regulating gene expression on demand, and function as homodimers that bind a palindromic DNA segment. Here, we show that an HTH-containing transcriptional regulator, NicR2, in Pseudomonas putida S16 plays a critical role in controlling the expression of a crucial gene cluster (nic2) in nicotine degradation, and NicR2 binds DNA in a manner different from most other DNA-binding proteins that use HTHs for recognition. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and DNase I footprinting indicate that NicR2 directly interacts with a 28 bp inverted repeat (IR) in the nic2 promoter region.

Structural insights into the specific recognition of N-heterocycle biodenitrogenation-derived substrates by microbial amide hydrolases.

N-heterocyclic compounds from industrial wastes, including nicotine, are environmental pollutants or toxicants responsible for a variety of health problems. Microbial biodegradation is an attractive strategy for the removal of N-heterocyclic pollutants, during which carbon-nitrogen bonds in N-heterocycles are converted to amide bonds and subsequently severed by amide hydrolases. Previous studies have failed to clarify the molecular mechanism through which amide hydrolases selectively recognize diverse amide substrates and complete the biodenitrogenation process.

Iron(II)-dependent dioxygenase and N-formylamide deformylase catalyze the reactions from 5-hydroxy-2-pyridone to maleamate.

5-Hydroxy-2-pyridone (2,5-DHP) is a central metabolic intermediate in catabolism of many pyridine derivatives, and has been suggested as a potential carcinogen. 2,5-DHP is frequently transformed to N-formylmaleamic acid (NFM) by a 2,5-DHP dioxygenase. Three hypotheses were formerly discussed for conversion of 2,5-DHP to maleamate.

Systematic unraveling of the unsolved pathway of nicotine degradation in Pseudomonas.

Microorganisms such as Pseudomonas putida play important roles in the mineralization of organic wastes and toxic compounds. To comprehensively and accurately elucidate key processes of nicotine degradation in Pseudomonas putida, we measured differential protein abundance levels with MS-based spectral counting in P. putida S16 grown on nicotine or glycerol, a non-repressive carbon source.

Genome sequence of a nicotine-degrading strain of Arthrobacter.

We announce a 4.63-Mb genome assembly of an isolated bacterium that is the first sequenced nicotine-degrading Arthrobacter strain. Nicotine catabolism genes of the nicotine-degrading plasmid pAO1 were predicted, but plasmid function genes were not found.

Genome sequence of a novel nicotine-degrading strain, Pseudomonas geniculata N1.

A newly isolated bacterium, Pseudomonas geniculata N1, can efficiently degrade nicotine. Here we present a 4.51-Mb assembly of its genome, which is the first sequence of the P.

Genomic analysis of Pseudomonas putida: genes in a genome island are crucial for nicotine degradation.

Nicotine is an important chemical compound in nature that has been regarded as an environmental toxicant causing various preventable diseases. Several bacterial species are adapted to decompose this heterocyclic compound, including Pseudomonas and Arthrobacter. Pseudomonas putida S16 is a bacterium that degrades nicotine through the pyrrolidine pathway, similar to that present in animals.

A novel NADH-dependent and FAD-containing hydroxylase is crucial for nicotine degradation by Pseudomonas putida.

Nicotine, the main alkaloid produced by Nicotiana tabacum and other Solanaceae, is very toxic and may be a leading toxicant causing preventable disease and death, with the rise in global tobacco consumption. Several different microbial pathways of nicotine metabolism have been reported: Arthrobacter uses the pyridine pathway, and Pseudomonas, like mammals, uses the pyrrolidine pathway. We identified and characterized a novel 6-hydroxy-3-succinoyl-pyridine (HSP) hydroxylase (HspB) using enzyme purification, peptide sequencing, and sequencing of the Pseudomonas putida S16 genome.

Complete genome sequence of the nicotine-degrading Pseudomonas putida strain S16.

Pseudomonas putida S16 is an efficient degrader of nicotine. The complete genome of strain S16 (5,984,790 bp in length) includes genes related to catabolism of aromatic and heterocyclic compounds. The genes of enzymes in the core genome and a genomic island encode the proteins responsible for nicotine catabolism.