Themed collection 2021 RSC Chemical Biology HOT Article Collection
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Nanobodies as in vivo, non-invasive, imaging agents
In vivo imaging has become in recent years an incredible tool to study biological events and has found critical applications in diagnostic medicine.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 685-701
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CB00023C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Design and synthesis of metabolic chemical reporters for the visualization and identification of glycoproteins
This review details a brief history of the synthesis and characterization of metabolic chemical reporters used to study glycosylation before describing recent applications and finishing with considerations and limitations of reporter molecules.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 306-321
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CB00010A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Fragment-based covalent ligand discovery
Covalent fragment-based ligand discovery greatly facilitates the discovery of useful fragments for drug discovery and helps unveil chemical-tractable biological targets in native biological systems.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 354-367
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00222D
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Biological functions of supramolecular assemblies of small molecules in the cellular environment
Supramolecular assemblies of small molecules, exhibiting emergent properties, are becoming a new and dynamic molecular platform for biological functions and for developing novel therapeutic approaches.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 289-305
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00219D
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Structural motifs and intramolecular interactions in non-canonical G-quadruplexes
G-rich nucleic acid sequences encompassing G-tracts of varying lengths can fold into different non-canonical G-quadruplexes with distinct structural features.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 338-353
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00211A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Development and biological applications of sulfur–triazole exchange (SuTEx) chemistry
This review discusses the development of sulfonyl–triazoles and highlights the merits and opportunities for deploying this sulfur electrophile for biological discovery.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 322-337
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00180E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
The chemical biology of coronavirus host–cell interactions
Chemical biology strategies can play important roles in studying the complexity of SARS-CoV-2–host interactions at molecular level detail.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 30-46
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00197J
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Transfer hydrogenation catalysis in cells
Recent developments in transfer hydrogenation catalysis and photocatalysis in cancer cells by synthetic metal complexes are reviewed. They offer exciting new ways to modulate biochemical pathways for drug development and biotechnology.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 12-29
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00150C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
DNA folds threaten genetic stability and can be leveraged for chemotherapy
Alternative DNA structures (including G-quadruplexes and DNA junctions) represent promising targets for combinatorial chemotherapeutic treatments aiming at fostering genomic instability and impeding DNA repair.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 47-76
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00151A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Matters of class: coming of age of class III and IV lanthipeptides
In this review, we give a concise overview of the known biosynthetic princples of class III and IV lanthipeptide synthtases.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2020,1, 110-127
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00073F
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Tools for functional dissection of site-specific O-GlcNAcylation
An overview of the latest tools and technologies to investigate the roles of site-specific O-GlcNAcylation in vitro and in vivo.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2020,1, 98-109
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00052C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Deciphering the substrate recognition mechanisms of the heparan sulfate 3-O-sulfotransferase-3
Co-crystallization and biochemical analyses with structurally defined oligosaccharides show the low reactivity of HS 3-OST-3 toward 6-O-sulfated substrates is due to inhibition of enzyme activity by 6-O-sulfated oligosaccharides.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 1239-1248
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CB00079A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Metathramycin, a new bioactive aureolic acid discovered by heterologous expression of a metagenome derived biosynthetic pathway
Heterologous expression of an aromatic polyketide biosynthetic gene cluster recovered from a New Zealand soil metagenome library resulted in the discovery of new bioactive aureolic acids.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 556-567
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00228C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Hyaluronan (HA)-inspired glycopolymers as molecular tools for studying HA functions
Glycopolymers based on hyaluronan (HA) were synthesised as homopolymers and alternating copolymers and used as probes to study the interactions with known HA-binding proteins and peptides.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 568-576
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00223B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Revision in the first steps of the biosynthesis of the red antibiotic prodigiosin: use of a synthetic thioester to validate a new intermediate
A revision is proposed to the biosynthetic pathway to the well-known red pigment prodigiosin via a new thioester intermediate.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 551-555
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00173B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Site-specific modification and segmental isotope labelling of HMGN1 reveals long-range conformational perturbations caused by posttranslational modifications
Using protein semi-synthesis, segmentally isotope-labelled variants of nucleosome-binding protein HMGN1 were generated with site-specific posttranslational modifications to explore their structural and functional effects.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 537-550
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00175A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
In vivo modulation of ubiquitin chains by N-methylated non-proteinogenic cyclic peptides
Cyclic peptides containing unnatural amino acids can modulate Lys-48 ubiquitin chains in cells and animals.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 513-522
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00179A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
In silico peptide-directed ligand design complements experimental peptide-directed binding for protein–protein interaction modulator discovery
Using the protein–protein interaction of Mcl-1/Noxa, two methods for efficient modulator discovery are directly compared.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 215-219
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00148A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
A peptidic inhibitor for PD-1 palmitoylation targets its expression and functions
We show for the first time that PD-1 is palmitoylated, identify DHHC9 as the predominant enzyme for its palmitoylation, and reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects on PD-1 stability and functions. Importantly, we also designed PD1-PALM, a competitive inhibitor of PD-1 palmitoylation, and this first-in-class molecule may inspire the development of new checkpoint inhibitors.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2021,2, 192-205
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00157K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Structural and biophysical insights into the mode of covalent binding of rationally designed potent BMX inhibitors
We identified potent, functionalisable BMX inhibitors and revealed their covalent mode of binding to BMX by X-ray crystallography.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2020,1, 251-262
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00033G
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Enhancing the enthalpic contribution of hydrogen bonds by solvent shielding
Altering local dielectric properties induced by solvent shielding, enhances polar interactions and leads to enthalpically driven recognition of polar substrates.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2020,1, 281-287
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00108B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Sub-stoichiometric inhibition of IAPP aggregation: a peptidomimetic approach to anti-amyloid agents
Naphthalimide-appended oligopyridylamide peptidomimetic modulate islet amyloid polypeptide amyloidogenesis and disaggregate preformed oligomers and fibrils into non-toxic conformations at substoichiometric concentration.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2020,1, 225-232
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00086H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
A thorough analysis and categorization of bacterial interrupted adenylation domains, including previously unidentified families
In-depth study of intriguing bacterial interrupted adenylation domains from seven distinct families and six different types.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2020,1, 233-250
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00092B
About this collection
Welcome to our inaugural HOT article collection.
This collection celebrates the very best work published in RSC Chemical Biology.
We hope you enjoy reading these articles and congratulations to all the authors whose articles are featured.