Themed collection Most popular 2023 chemical biology articles
![](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/Ajax-GA-Loader.gif)
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Opportunities and challenges of protein-based targeted protein degradation
Targeted protein degradation strategies employing proteins as binders for degradation targets.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 8433-8447
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC02361C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Synthesis of ubiquitinated proteins for biochemical and functional analysis
In this review, we present the key synthetic strategies for the preparation of various ubiquitinated proteins and the application of these conjugates in biochemical and functional studies.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 10025-10040
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC03664B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Organelle-targeting ratiometric fluorescent probes: design principles, detection mechanisms, bio-applications, and challenges
Biological species, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive sulfur species (RSS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), F−, Pd2+, Cu2+, Hg2+, and others, are crucial for the healthy functioning of cells in living organisms.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 5842-5871
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC01036H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Aptamers 101: aptamer discovery and in vitro applications in biosensors and separations
A primer that covers the discovery and validation process for novel aptamers and highlights recent applications of aptamers in biosensing and cell separations.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 4961-4978
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC00439B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Conductive hydrogels for tissue repair
This work reviewed the new progress of conductive hydrogels in the application of tissue repair and provided a useful reference for further preparation of safer and more efficient conductive hydrogels for tissue engineering.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 3091-3116
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC00145H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Metal complexes for catalytic and photocatalytic reactions in living cells and organisms
This review presents discrete metal complexes that catalyse or photocatalyse reactions within living cells or living organisms.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 409-442
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC05672K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Inorganic-based biomaterials for rapid hemostasis and wound healing
This review provides the recent progress in the application of inorganic-based biomaterials for rapid hemostasis and wound healing, including preparation methods, material systems, intrinsic mechanisms and biofunctions.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 29-53
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC04962G
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Melamine-cored glucosides for membrane protein solubilization and stabilization: importance of water-mediated intermolecular hydrogen bonding in detergent performance
A melamine-based glucoside, MG-C11, has the ability to form a dynamic hydrogen-bonding network between detergent molecules, responsible for the markedly enhanced efficacy for GPCR stabilization compared to LMNG and previously developed TTG-C11.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 13014-13024
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC03543C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Identification of non-conventional small molecule degraders and stabilizers of squalene synthase
Small molecule degraders and stabilizers of squalene synthase based on the same scaffold are reported, which respectively accelerate or block its natural degradation.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 12973-12983
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC04064J
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
A cellular platform for production of C4 monomers
In this work, we describe the engineering of a microbial platform to produce six different C4 chemicals at near quantitative yields using a combination of metabolic engineering and directed evolution.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 11718-11726
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC02773B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Molecular basis of sulfolactate synthesis by sulfolactaldehyde dehydrogenase from Rhizobium leguminosarum
Sulfolactate is an important species in the biogeochemical sulfur cycle. Herein we report the 3D cryo-EM structure and kinetics of its biosynthetic enzyme, sulfolactaldehyde dehydrogenase.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 11429-11440
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC01594G
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Catalytic olefin metathesis in blood
A Ru-based artificial metalloenzyme (ArM) at just 1–5 mol% could catalyze olefin metathesis in blood to construct various molecular scaffolds. The cancer-targeting ArM at a low dosage could elicit tumor growth inhibition by in vivo drug synthesis.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 11033-11039
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC03785A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
A natural polyphenol activates and enhances GPX4 to mitigate amyloid-β induced ferroptosis in Alzheimer's disease
Tannic acid (TA) mitigates ferroptosis induced by amyloid β-Fe in Alzheimer's disease (AD) through a multipronged activity. TA activates and enhances the GPX4 levels to counteract the complex interaction between AD and ferroptosis.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 9427-9438
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC02350H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Triplet states in the reaction center of Photosystem II
Multiscale simulations in combination with time-dependent density functional theory are used to explore the energetics, localization, and spectroscopic properties of triplet states in the reaction center of Photosystem II.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 9503-9516
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC02985A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Therapeutic efficacy of 211At-radiolabeled 2,6-diisopropylphenyl azide in mouse models of human lung cancer
We developed 211At-radiolabeled 2,6-diisopropylphenyl azide (ADIPA) for targeted α-particle therapy. In the experiment using a mouse model, low-dose (70 kBq) administration of ADIPA effectively suppressed tumor growth without causing adverse effects.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 8054-8060
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC02513F
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
The ACE2 receptor accelerates but is not biochemically required for SARS-CoV-2 membrane fusion
DNA-lipid tethers can replace ACE2 receptor attachment for SARS-CoV-2 entry. An attachment factor and protease are sufficient for membrane fusion, but ACE2 added in trans speeds up fusion kinetics.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 6997-7004
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC06967A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Substrate-derived Sortase A inhibitors: targeting an essential virulence factor of Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria
A series of peptidomimetic Sortase A inhibitors is reported. These compounds show inhibition activity of the Sortase A enzyme and efficiently prevent biofilm formation of S. aureus.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 6975-6985
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC01209C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Tracking the mechanism of covalent molecular glue stabilization using native mass spectrometry
The molecular mechanisms underlying molecular glue protein complex stabilization are poorly understood. In this study, we kinetically investigate covalent molecular glue stabilization of a canonical protein–protein interaction using native mass spectrometry.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 6756-6762
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC01732J
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Structural and biochemical characterisation of Co2+-binding sites on serum albumins and their interplay with fatty acids
Serum albumin–Co2+ interactions are of clinical importance.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 6244-6258
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC01723K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Photochemically controlled activation of STING by CAIX-targeting photocaged agonists to suppress tumor cell growth
A photo-caged STING agonist featuring a tumor-targeting carbonic anhydrase warhead was designed and synthesized for photo-controllable activation of STING signaling.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 5956-5964
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC01896B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Visualization of multiple localizations of GLUT4 by fluorescent probes of PYP-tag with designed unnatural warhead
Fluorescent probes with a designed unnatural warhead for binding to PYP-tag enabled intracellular/cell-surface selective protein labeling. This unique imaging tool was successfully applied to reveal multiple subcellular localizations of GLUT4.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 5925-5935
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC00724C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Discovery of lipid-mediated protein–protein interactions in living cells using metabolic labeling with photoactivatable clickable probes
Metabolic labelling of a specific post-translational modification in cells with a bifunctional probe enables site-specific photocrosslinking, enrichment and identification of PTM-mediated protein–protein interactions through quantitative proteomics.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 2419-2430
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC06116C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
A mitochondria-localized iridium(III) photosensitizer for two-photon photodynamic immunotherapy against melanoma
An iridium(III) two-photon photosensitizer was demonstrated to effectively trigger melanoma cell death by a combination of ferroptosis and ICD, and also cause the systemic induction of an immune response.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 1461-1471
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC06675K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.150/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
A chiral fluorescent Ir(III) complex that targets the GPX4 and ErbB pathways to induce cellular ferroptosis
Here, we report an Ir(III) complex that contains a novel chiral pyridine RAS-selective lethal ligand and effectively inhibits GPX4 and FSP1 to induce ferroptosis in human fibrosarcoma (HT-1080) cells.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 1114-1122
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC06171F
About this collection
This specially curated collection pulls together some of the most popular articles from 2023 in the field of chemical biology. The collection presents some outstanding contributions to the field, ranging from biomaterials for wound healing to biosensors, and as with all Chemical Science articles – they are all completely free to access and read. We hope you enjoy browsing through this collection.
If a particular article has inspired you, do feel free to share on social media using the buttons on each article landing page and use our hashtag: #ChemSciMostPopular