Themed collection Most popular 2022 chemical biology articles
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Molecular mechanisms of amyloid formation in living systems
The molecular mechanisms of amyloid formation have been studied extensively in test tube reactions. This perspective article addresses the question to what extent these mechanisms apply to the complex situation in living cells and organisms.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 7080-7097
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC01278B
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Reductive aminations by imine reductases: from milligrams to tons
IRED-catalyzed reductive aminations have progressed from mg to ton scale, through advances in enzyme discovery, protein engineering and process biocatalysis.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 4697-4713
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC00124A
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Three's a crowd – stabilisation, structure, and applications of DNA triplexes
Triplex-forming oligonucleotides can target specific DNA sequences by binding in the duplex major groove. Chemical modifications and ligand binding have been explored, for use in a variety of biological applications.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 10193-10215
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC01793H
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Stability matters, too – the thermodynamics of amyloid fibril formation
The thermodynamics of amyloid formation has largely been neglected compared to kinetic studies. In this review, the current state of the experimental exploration of amyloid thermodynamics is presented and important open questions are highlighted.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 10177-10192
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC06782F
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Stimulus-responsive self-assembled prodrugs in cancer therapy
Various prodrug conjugation strategies and innovative linker chemistries that exploit tumor-associated stimuli are summarized in this review to provide deep insights into the engineering of self-assembled prodrugs for efficient cancer therapy.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 4239-4269
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC01003H
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Emerging biosensing and transducing techniques for potential applications in point-of-care diagnostics
POC diagnostics are driven by the rapid advances in CRISPR, electrochemical and optical biosensors. Related emerging strategies are described and discussed from the perspective of facilitating the practical application of biosensors in POC testing.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 2857-2876
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC06269G
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Capture of activated dioxygen intermediates at the copper-active site of a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase
Superoxo and hydroperoxo intermediates were cryotrapped at the copper active site of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase using neutron protein crystallography.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 13303-13320
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC05031E
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Structural and dynamical determinants of a β-sheet-enriched intermediate involved in amyloid fibrillar assembly of human prion protein
The N-ter domain in HuPrP regulates the folding mechanism by tuning the long-range μs–ms dynamics. Removal of the N-ter domain triggers the formation of a stable β-enriched intermediate state inducing amyloid aggregates with HuPrPSc seeding activity.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 10406-10427
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC00345G
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Intra Q-body: an antibody-based fluorogenic probe for intracellular proteins that allows live cell imaging and sorting
A fluorescent immunosensor that lights up tumor biomarker p53 in living cells was developed based on the Q-body technology. The technology was further applied to the live cell monitoring of p53 levels, and live cell sorting based on p53 expression.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 9739-9748
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC02355E
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Stereoselective peptide catalysis in complex environments – from river water to cell lysates
The reactivity, stereo-, and chemoselectivity of a tripeptide are so high that it catalyzes conjugate addition reactions with high stereoselectivity in complex compound mixtures—even in cell lysates.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 8963-8967
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC02044K
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All-in-one disulfide bridging enables the generation of antibody conjugates with modular cargo loading
Tetra-divinylpyrimidine (TetraDVP) linkers offer a method for the generation of antibody conjugates with modular cargo loading and excellent stability via all-in-one disulfide bridging.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 8781-8790
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC02198F
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Highly stereoselective and enantiodivergent synthesis of cyclopropylphosphonates with engineered carbene transferases
Two enantiocomplementary myoglobin-based carbene transfer biocatalysts were developed for the synthesis of cyclopropylphosphonate esters with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity and in high yields.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 8550-8556
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC01965E
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Photostable polymorphic organic cages for targeted live cell imaging
In this article, we demonstrate the relatively unexplored potential of organic cages for use in targeted live cell imaging and highlight the importance of inter- and intramolecular interactions to stabilize and improve the performance of fluorophores.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 7341-7346
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC00836J
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Covalent labeling of a chromatin reader domain using proximity-reactive cyclic peptides
We describe the development of covalent cyclic peptide ligands which target a chromatin methylation reader domain using a proximity-reactive sulfonyl fluoride moiety.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 6599-6609
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC00555G
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A proximity labeling method for protein–protein interactions on cell membrane
Modified catalytic antibodies targeting specific antigens are employed to investigate protein interactions and antigen interaction sites.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 6028-6038
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC06898A
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A bioorthogonal chemical reporter for the detection and identification of protein lactylation
YnLac is an alkynyl-functionalized L-lactate analogue that is metabolically incorporated into L-lactylated proteins in live cells, enabling the fluorescence detection and proteomic identification of novel L-lactylated proteins.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 6019-6027
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC00918H
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Triazolinedione protein modification: from an overlooked off-target effect to a tryptophan-based bioconjugation strategy
A new strategy for selective tryptophan modification using triazolinedione (TAD) chemistry at pH 4 is shown on peptides and proteins. Additionally, off-target modification of tryptophan residues during the classical TAD-Y click reaction is uncovered.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 5390-5397
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC06942J
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Stronger together for in-cell translation: natural and unnatural base modified mRNA
Introducing unnatural base modifications site-specifically into the 3′-UTR of an mRNA bearing natural base modifications allows efficient visualization in cells by click chemistry. An enhanced protein expression in cells is observed from this twofold modified mRNA.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 4753-4761
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC00670G
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Development of a fluorescent probe library enabling efficient screening of tumour-imaging probes based on discovery of biomarker enzymatic activities
Efficient methodology to develop tumor-imaging fluorescent probes based on screening with our newly constructed probe library for aminopeptidase/protease (380 probes) and clinical samples has been established.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 4474-4481
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC06889J
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Antiviral cyclic peptides targeting the main protease of SARS-CoV-2
RaPID mRNA display was used for the discovery of antiviral cyclic peptides that potently and selectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. The most potent inhibitor exhibited a novel binding mode, interacting with residues across the homodimer interface.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 3826-3836
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC06750H
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A homogeneous high-DAR antibody–drug conjugate platform combining THIOMAB antibodies and XTEN polypeptides
Efficiency of targeted cell delivery of small molecules was enhanced in cells and animals via a novel well-defined bioconjugation platform combining site-specific antibody conjugation and XTEN polypeptides to enable high payload loading.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 3147-3160
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC05243H
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In-solution direct oxidative coupling for the integration of sulfur/selenium into DNA-encoded chemical libraries
DNA-compatible direct oxidative coupling using various sulfur/selenium sources has been achieved, featuring pre-functionalization-free substrates and transition metal-free condition.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 2604-2613
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC06268A
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Amyloid-β peptide 37, 38 and 40 individually and cooperatively inhibit amyloid-β 42 aggregation
The pathology of Alzheimer's disease is connected to the aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide, which in vivo exists as a number of length-variants. This study identifies the Aβ37/38/40 ratio that is maximally inhibitory to Aβ42 aggregation.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 2423-2439
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC02990H
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Enhancing proline-rich antimicrobial peptide action by homodimerization: influence of bifunctional linker
Homodimerization of a proline-rich antimicrobial peptide via bioconjugation to perfluoroaromatic linkers confers increased antimicrobial, antibiofilm and immunomodulatory activity. The dimers are promising new therapeutic leads against WHO priority multidrug resistant bacteria.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 2226-2237
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC05662J
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HydroFlipper membrane tension probes: imaging membrane hydration and mechanical compression simultaneously in living cells
HydroFlippers respond to membrane compression and hydration in the same fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy histogram: the responses do not correlate.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 2086-2093
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC05208J
About this collection
This specially curated collection pulls together some of the most popular articles from 2022 in the field of chemical biology. The collection presents some outstanding contributions to the field, ranging from imaging to peptide catalysis, and as with all Chemical Science articles – they are all completely free to access and read. We hope you enjoy browsing through this collection.
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