Two three-dimensional metal-organic frameworks constructed by multiple building blocks of benzenetricarboxylate and bis(imidazole) ligands

Two novel metal-organic frameworks [Zn₃(BTC)₂(bbi)₃]_n (1) (H₃BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate, bbi = 1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(imidazole)) and{[Zn₃(BTC)₂(bix)₃ · 2.5H₂O]}_n (2) (bix = 1,4-bis(imidazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene) have been hydrothermally prepared and characterized. Analysis of the structure of 1 displays a 3D framework exhibiting a threefold interpenetration net of identical Zn_1.5(BTC)(bbi)_1.5 single frameworks. In the structure of 2, BTC³⁻ and bix build up infinite tubes extending to a 3D non-interpenetrated porous framework. Moderate fluorescent emissions in the solid state at room temperature were observed in both the compounds.     

Molecular insights into NF2/Merlin tumor suppressor function

The FERM domain protein Merlin, encoded by the NF2 tumor suppressor gene, regulates cell proliferation in response to adhesive signaling. The growth inhibitory function of Merlin is induced by intercellular adhesion and inactivated by joint integrin/receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. Merlin contributes to the formation of cell junctions in polarized tissues, activates anti-mitogenic signaling at tight-junctions, and inhibits oncogenic gene expression. Thus, inactivation of Merlin causes uncontrolled mitogenic signaling and tumorigenesis. Merlin’s predominant tumor suppressive functions are attributable to its control of oncogenic gene expression through regulation of Hippo signaling. Notably, Merlin translocates to the nucleus where it directly inhibits the CRL4^DCAF1 E3 ubiquitin ligase, thereby suppressing inhibition of the Lats kinases. A dichotomy in NF2 function has emerged whereby Merlin acts at the cell cortex to organize cell junctions and propagate anti-mitogenic signaling, whereas it inhibits oncogenic gene expression through the inhibition of CRL4^DCAF1 and activation of Hippo signaling. The biochemical events underlying Merlin’s normal function and tumor suppressive activity will be discussed in this Review, with emphasis on recent discoveries that have greatly influenced our understanding of Merlin biology.     

ProtIdent: a web server for identifying proteases and their types by fusing functional domain and sequential evolution information

Proteases are vitally important to life cycles and have become a main target in drug development. According to their action mechanisms, proteases are classified into six types: (1) aspartic, (2) cysteine, (3) glutamic, (4) metallo, (5) serine, and (6) threonine. Given the sequence of an uncharacterized protein, can we identify whether it is a protease or non-protease? If it is, what type does it belong to? To address these problems, a 2-layer predictor, called "ProtIdent", is developed by fusing the functional domain and sequential evolution information: the first layer is for identifying the query protein as protease or non-protease; if it is a protease, the process will automatically go to the second layer to further identify it among the six types. The overall success rates in both cases by rigorous cross-validation tests were higher than 92%. ProtIdent is freely accessible to the public as a web server at http://www.csbio.sjtu.edu.cn/bioinf/Protease.     

Two new pH-controlled metal-organic frameworks based on polynuclear secondary building units with conformation-flexible cyclohexane-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylate ligand

By regulating the pH values, two new zinc(II) coordination polymers, formulated as [Zn₄(μ₇-CTA^I)(μ₃-OH)(μ₂-OH)₃(H₂O)₂]_n·2n(H₂O) (1), [Zn₂(μ₇-CTA^II)(H₂O)₃]_n (2) have been prepared by a flexible ligand, cyclohexane-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid (H₄CTA) under hydrothermal conditions. Complex 1 exhibits a two-dimensional binodal (3,6)-connected topological network containing rare octanuclear zinc(II) clusters as the secondary building units (SBU1). Complex 2 displays a three-dimensional binodal (4,8)-connected topological network containing unusual Zn₄(COO)₆ secondary building units (SBU2). And importantly, the conformation of H₄CTA in 1 exhibits (a,e,e,a) fashion and transforms to thermodynamically more stable conformation (e,a,e,e) type in 2 by pH-controlled. In addition, both of the complexes show strong photoluminescence at room temperature, and may be good candidates for potential luminescence materials.     

Synthesis of novel pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazin-4(5H)-one derivatives and their inhibition against growth of A549 and H322 lung cancer cells

A series of substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazin-4(5H)-one was synthesized by the reaction of ethyl 1-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylate derivatives and 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol or 2-morpholinoethanamine in the condition of microwave-assisted one-step and solvent-free in a good yield. The structures of the compounds were determined by IR, ¹H NMR and mass spectroscopy. In addition, a representative single-crystal structure was characterized by using X-ray diffraction analysis. Preliminary biological evaluation showed that the compounds could inhibit the growth of A549 and H322 cells in dosage-dependent manners.     

Proposal of Ensifer psoraleae sp. nov., Ensifer sesbaniae sp. nov., Ensifer morelense comb. nov. and Ensifer americanum comb. nov

In a survey of rhizobia associated with the native legumes in Yunnan Province, China, seven and nine strains isolated from the root nodules of Psoralea corylifolia, Sesbania cannabina and Medicago lupulina were respectively classified into the novel genomic species groups I and II in the genus Ensifer (former Sinorhizobium) based on the sequence analyses of the 16S rRNA gene. Analyses of concatenated housekeeping genes (atpD, recA and glnII) further revealed that they were distinct lineages in the genus, and group I was most similar to Ensifer terangae and Ensifer garamanticus (both with 94.2% similarity), while group II was most similar to Ensifer adhaerens (94.0%). These groups could be distinguished from closely related species by DNA–DNA relatedness, MALID-TOF MS, cellular fatty acid profiles and a series of phenotypic characters. Therefore, two novel species were proposed: Ensifer psoraleae sp. nov. (seven strains, type strain CCBAU 65732^T = LMG 26835^T = HAMBI 3286^T) and Ensifer sesbaniae sp. nov. (nine strains, type strain CCBAU 65729^T = LMG 26833^T = HAMBI 3287^T). They had a DNA G + C mol% (T_m) of 58.9 and 60.4, respectively. Both of the type strains formed effective nodules on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and their hosts of origin. In addition, the previously described species Sinorhizobium morelense and Sinorhizobium americanum were renamed as Ensifer morelense comb. nov. and Ensifer americanum comb. nov. according to the accumulated data from different studies.     

Autopoietic and (M,R) systems

From the many attempts to produce a conceptual framework for the organization of living systems, the notions of (M,R) systems and Autopoiesis stand out for their rigor, their presupposition of the circularity of metabolism, and the new epistemologies that they imply. From their inceptions, these two notions have been essentially disconnected because each has defined its own language and tools. Here we demonstrate the existence of a deep conceptual link between (M,R) systems and Autopoietic systems. This relationship permits us to posit that Autopoietic systems, which have been advanced as capturing the central aspects of living systems, are a subset of (M,R) systems. This result, in conjunction with previous theorems proved by Rosen, can be used to outline a demonstration that the operation of Autopoietic systems cannot be simulated by Turing machines. This powerful result shows the potential of linking these two models. Finally, we suggest that the formalism of (M,R) systems could be used to model the circularity of metabolism.     

Indole alkoloids from Nauclea officinalis with weak antimalarial activity

Five indole alkaloids (naucleofficines A-E) were isolated from the stems (with bark) of Nauclea officinalis: (E)-2-(1-beta-d-glucopyranosyloxybut-2-en-2-yl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-6,7-dihydro-indolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-4(12H)-one (1), (E)-1-propenyl-12-beta-d-glucopyranosyloxy-2,7,8-trihydro-indolo[2,3-a]pyran[3,4-g]quinolizin-4,5(13H)-dione (2), (E)-2-(1-hydroxybut-2-en-2-yl)-11-beta-d-glucopyranosyloxy-6,7-dihydro-indolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-4(12H)-one (3), (E)-1-propenyl-4-hydroxy-2,4a,7,8,13b,14,14a-hepthydro-(4alpha,4abeta,13balpha,14abeta)indolo[2,3-a]pyran[3,4-g]quinolizin-5(13H)-one (4) and 1-(1-hydroxyethyl)-10-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-indolo[2,3-a]pirydine[3,4-g]quinolizin-5(13H)-one (10-hydroxyangustoline) (5), together with two known compounds, naucleidinal (6) and angustoline (7). All of the structures of the seven compounds above were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including use of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 2 and 3 are rare examples of monoterpene indole alkaloids with a glucopyranosyloxy group attached to position C-12. In vitro activity screening of the above seven compounds showed weak to moderate inhibitory activity against Plasmodium falciparum.     

Limonoids from the seeds of a Godavari mangrove, Xylocarpus moluccensis

Ten limonoids, named godavarins A-J (1-7, 9-11), were isolated from seeds of an Indian mangrove (Xylocarpus moluccensis) collected in the mangrove wetlands of Godavari estuary, Andhra Pradesh. Eight known limonoids, viz. xyloccensins L (8), P (12), Q (13), mexicanolide (14), 6-deoxy-3-detigloyl-swietenine acetate (15), fissinolide (16), methyl 3β-acetoxy-1-oxomeliaca-8(30),14-dienoate (17), and methyl 3β-acetoxy-1-oxomeliaca-8(9),14-dienoate (18), were also obtained. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic data or comparison with data in the literature (known compounds). The stereostructure of godavarin D was confirmed by means of single-crystal X-ray analysis. Godavarins A-C are the first mexicanolide derivatives with a C₇-C₂₈ ester-linked δ-lactone ring, while godavarins D-G are further additions to the small group of limonoids with a C₁-C₂₉ oxygen bridge. Godavarin H is a phragmalin with five acetoxy groups. Two limonoids, mexicanolide and fissinolide, were found to exhibit marked antifeedant activity against the third-instar larvae of Brontispa longissima (Gestro) at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. The most potent compound was mexicanolide. It also showed moderate insecticidal activity.     

Selective antagonists of mouse trace amine-associated receptor 1 (mTAAR1): discovery of EPPTB (RO5212773)

High throughput screening of the Roche compound library identified benzanilides such as 1 and 2 as antagonists of TAAR1. Optimisation of this hit series led to the first selective TAAR1 antagonist (N-(3-Ethoxy-phenyl)-4-pyrrolidin-1-yl-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide EPPTB (RO5212773, 9f) having IC₅₀ of 28 nM at mouse TAAR1.     

Two new Truncatelloidea species from Melissotrypa Cave in Greece (Caenogastropoda)

In the small lake located in the cave Melissotrypa in Thessalia, Greece, truncatelloidean gastropods representing two species were found, new to science. One of them, represented by two specimens only, has been described based on the shell characters only; with its cytochrome oxidase sequence it has been assigned to the genus Iglica, and to the family Moitessieriidae, Iglica hellenica sp. n. For the other species, represented by 30 collected specimens, the shell, protoconch, radula, head, penis and female reproductive organs have been described; all the morphological characters and cytochrome oxidase sequences have confirmed its assignment to the genus Daphniola (Hydrobiidae: Sadlerianinae), Daphniola magdalenae Falniowski, sp. n.     

Two new species of Myrmedonota Cameron (Staphylinidae,Aleocharinae) from Mexico

Two new species of Myrmedonota are described from Mexico. Illustrations and a distribution map are provided, as are keys to identify Myrmedonota known from the Nearctic and Neotropics. Specimens were collected by means of mercury vapor light traps or flight interception traps.     

Two new species of Asellota (Crustacea,Isopoda) from coral reefs on Iriomote Island,Okinawa, Japan

Pleurocope iriomotensis sp. n. and Prethura tuberculata sp. n. are described from Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, southern Japan. These are the first records of Pleurocope from the Pacific and of Prethura from the Asian Pacific coast. Pleurocope iriomotensis differs from its congeners in having lateral spine-like processes on pereonite 4 and coxal plates of pereonite 7. Prethura tuberculata can be distinguished from its single congener in having a lateral short projection of protopod of pleopod 2.     

Synthesis and biological properties of macrolactam analogs of the natural product macrolide (−)-A26771B

Promising synthetic derivatives of macrolactone natural product (−)-A26771B have been designed and synthesized both from semisynthesis and total synthesis. Further optimization led to the first synthesis of macrolactam analogs of (−)-A26771B with improved antibacterial activity and metabolic stability.     

Two new species and one new record of Parakiefferiella Thienemann, 1936 from China (Diptera,Chironomidae)

Two new species of the genus Parakiefferiella Thienemann, 1936 (Parakiefferiella fasciata Liu & Wang, sp. n. and Parakiefferiella liupanensis Liu & Wang, sp. n.) are described as adult males from China. Parakiefferiella tamatriangulata Sasa is recorded from China for the first time. A key to the known adult males of Parakiefferiella from China is presented. The generic diagnosis of male Parakiefferiella given by Cranston et al. (1989) is emended.     

Two new species of Lobrathium Mulsant & Rey (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae, Paederinae) from China

Lobrathium jianqingi sp. n. (Guangxi: Shiwanda Shan) and Lobrathium atanggei sp. n. (Yunnan: Nabanhe) from southwest China are described and illustrated.     

Two new species of the genus Comidoblemmus Storozhenko & Paik from China (Orthoptera,Gryllidae)

Two new species of Comidoblemmus Storozhenko & Paik, 2009 are described and illustrated, Comidoblemmus sororius sp. n. (CHINA, Zhejiang) and Comidoblemmus excavatus sp. n. (CHINA, Guizhou). A key and a distribution map of all species in the world are presented.     

Two new species of the genus Diostracus Loew from Tibet,with a key to the Himalayan fauna (Diptera,Dolichopodidae)

Previously only one species of the genus Diostracus was known to occur in Tibet. Here the following two new species are added to the fauna of Tibet: Diostracus acutatus sp. n. and Diostracus tibetensis sp. n. Their relationships with similar species are discussed. A key to the species of Diostracus from the Himalayas is presented.     

Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of Brazilian patients with GM1 gangliosidosis

GM1 gangliosidosis is a lysosomal disorder caused by β-galactosidase deficiency due to mutations in the GLB1 gene. It is a rare neurodegenerative disorder with an incidence of about 1:100,000–1:200,000 live births worldwide. Here we review GLB1 mutations and clinical features from 65 Brazilian GM1 gangliosidosis patients. Molecular analysis showed 17 different mutations and c.1622–1627insG was the most frequent, accounting for 50% of the alleles. Cognitive impairment was the main clinical sign, observed in 82% of patients, followed by hepatosplenomegaly observed in 56% of patients. It was possible to establish a significant correlation between age at onset of symptoms preceding the first year of life and the presence of the mutation c.1622–1627insG (p = 0.03). Overall our findings differ from literature and represent the exclusive genotypic profile found in Brazilian GM1 gangliosidosis patients.