The microviridins are a group of ribosomally synthesized and subsequently posttranslationally modified peptides. The structural modifications introduced during maturation are the formation of two intramolecular esters and one amide bond accompanied by dehydration. The two ester bonds are introduced by one GRASP-like ligase (ATP-dependent carboxylate-amine/thiol ligase) (Galperin & Koonin, 1997) and the amide bond is formed by a second such enzyme, which shows strong homology to the ligase introducing the ester bonds. Action of these two enzymes gives microviridins an overall tricyclic topography. Further maturation of the peptide is achieved by leader peptide cleavage and N-terminal acetylation. Members of this group have been isolated and characterized by spectroscopic methods exclusively from the cyanobacteria, specifically the genera Microcystis, Nostoc, and Planktothrix (Oscillatoria). Expression of two genes encoding GRASP-like ATP-binding proteins has made it possible to study the cyclization reaction in vitro and to define the minimal sequence requirements for cross-linking in the C-terminal region comprising the structural peptide. Heterologous expression of the microviridin gene cluster of Microcystis in Escherichia coli and analysis of the cell mass of the heterologous host has allowed the analysis of motifs in the leader peptide important for posttranslational modification.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-394291-3.00023-X | DOI Listing |
PLoS Comput Biol
January 2025
College of Food and Bioengineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.
Gaussia Luciferase (GLuc) is a renowned reporter protein that can catalyze the oxidation of coelenterazine (CTZ) and emit a bright light signal. GLuc comprises two consecutive repeats that form the enzyme body and a central putative catalytic cavity. However, deleting the C-terminal repeat only limited reduces the activity (over 30% residual luminescence intensity detectable), despite being a key part of the cavity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiochemistry
January 2025
Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States.
In the wake of the pandemic, peptidyl protease inhibitors with Pro-based rigid Leu mimetics at the P position have emerged as potent drug candidates against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. This success is intuitively attributed to the enhanced hydrophobic interactions and rigidity of Pro-based rigid Leu mimetics in the literature. However, the tertiary amide of proline P derivatives, which hinders the formation of a critical hydrogen bond with the enzyme active site, and the constrained PP conformation, which contradicts the protease preferred β-strand conformation, represent two overlooked disadvantages associated with these inhibitors over traditional inhibitors and, theoretically, should adversely affect their potency.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrg Biomol Chem
January 2025
Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, P.O. Box 33, Postal Code 616, Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman.
This work introduces a mild reaction-condition approach for the direct C-C bond cleavage of amides, resulting in the formation of benzouracil and carbamate structures. This method leverages a C-C bond cleavage strategy that enables nucleophilic addition to the amide carbonyl, involving a reactive spiro intermediate. A diverse range of chloroacetamides were synthesized and utilized as bifunctional starting materials in this transformation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChem Asian J
January 2025
National Institute of Technology Warangal, Department of Chemistry, Hanamkonda, 506004, Warangal, INDIA.
We report CBr4 catalyzed Michael addition of indole to α,β-unsaturated ketones for the synthesis of β-indolylketones through halogen bonding catalysis. This reaction is compatible with a diverse range of chalcones, including drug-derived chalcones containing sensitive functional groups such as amides, yielding the addition products in good yields. Additionally, 3-indolyl furanoid motifs have been synthesized through the Michael addition followed by Paal-Knorr cyclization by utilizing various unsymmetrical 1,4-enediones in a one-pot process with good yields.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRSC Adv
January 2025
University of Split, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry R. Bošković 33 Split Croatia
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) have served as essential antimicrobial agents for nearly a century due to their rapid membrane-disrupting action. However, the emergence of bacterial resistance and environmental concerns have driven interest in alternative designs, such as "soft QACs", which are designed for enhanced biodegradability and reduced resistance potential. In this study, we explored the antibacterial properties and mechanisms of action of our newly synthesized soft QACs containing a labile amide bond within a quinuclidine scaffold.
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