Synergistic π-Tunnel Clamps in β-Sheets for Long-Range Dry-State Conduction: Toward Neural Restoration.

The ordered arrangement of π-π networks within nanostructures is advantageous for the construction of artificial electronic transport (ETp) systems. Building such structures with biocompatible peptides offers a potential for prescribed structural addressability and enhanced ETp capability with implications for targeted neural tissue engineering. However, creating ordered π-π tunnels in peptide nanostructures composed entirely of natural amino acids presents challenges resulting from the flexible side chains and the free movement of aromatic residues, causing unpredictable orientation.

New near-infrared fluorescent probe for imaging superoxide anion of cell membrane.

Selective imaging of superoxide anion is important for understanding its role in cell membrane biology, but is often a challenging task because of the lack of an effective fluorescence probe. In this study, a new near-infrared fluorescent probe (SHX-O) that can target cell membrane was developed for imaging superoxide anion. SHX-O was designed by simultaneously incorporating a sulfonated bis-indole and a diphenylphosphinyl recognition group into the hemicyanine moiety.

Harnessing Cross-strand π-π Interlocking for Synergistic Enhancement of Immune Checkpoint Blocking and Ferroptosis.

The dynamic nature of noncovalent bonds in peptide self-assembly allows for selective accommodation of guest molecules. However, it remains unclear how to harness coassembly to reinforce the host peptides and simultaneously improve the application defects of guest molecules. This study aims to achieve supramolecular synergy between the host and guest, further expanding the functional space of the hybrid nanostructures.

Enhanced Molecular Imaging through a Versatile Peptide Nanofiber for Self-Assembly and Precise Recognition.

Designing molecules for multivalent targeting of specific disease markers can enhance binding stability which is critical in molecular imaging and targeted therapy. Through rational molecular design, the nanostructures formed by self-assembly of targeting peptides are expected to achieve multivalent targeting by increasing the density of recognition ligands. However, the balance between targeting peptide self-assembly and molecular recognition remains elusive.

π-π Stacking Network-Based Supramolecular Peptide Nanoprobe for Visualization of the ICB-Enhanced Ferroptosis Process.

The construction of coassembled peptide nanoprobes based on structural adaptation provides an effective template for stable monitoring of the molecular events in physiological and pathological processes. This also greatly expands their applications in biomedicine, such as multimodal combined diagnosis and treatment. However, the insufficient understanding of the physicochemical properties and structural features of different molecules still makes it difficult to construct the coassembled probes with mutually reinforcing functions, leading to unpredictable effects.

Sequence-Prescribed β-Sheet for Enhanced Electron Tunneling: Boosting Interface Recognition and Electrochemical Measurement.

Peptide self-assemblies could leverage their specificity, stability, biocompatibility, and electrochemical activity to create functionalized interfaces for molecular sensing and detection. However, the dynamics within these interfaces are complex, with competing forces, including those maintaining peptide structures, recognizing analytes, and facilitating signal transmission. Such competition could lead to nonspecific interference, compromising the detection sensitivity and accuracy.

Anti-Ovarian Cancer Conotoxins Identified from Venom.

Conotoxins constitute a treasury of drug resources and have attracted widespread attention. In order to explore biological candidates from the marine cone snail, we isolated and identified three novel conopeptides named as Vi14b, Vi002, Vi003, three conotoxin variants named as Mr3d.1, Mr3e.

A novel method for the direct detection of light stabilizer Tinuvin 622 in polymer additives by gel permeation chromatography combined with multi-angle laser light scattering.

Tinuvin 622, an oligomeric light stabilizer, is widely used in plastics to reduce light and heat induced degradation and extend their service life, therefore its detection is of great importance for quality control of plastic products. However, the classical analytical methods of Tinuvin 622, such as chromatography and mass spectrometry, are difficult to achieve direct qualitative and quantitative analysis, and simultaneously to obtain the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution information. Herein, we propose for the first time the combination of gel permeation chromatography with multi-angle laser light scattering as a simple and direct method to detect Tinuvin 622 in polymers and simultaneously to obtain its molecular weight distribution information.

Isolation and characterization of five novel disulfide-poor conopeptides from venom.

Background: Conopeptides from cone snail venom have aroused great interest related to the discovery of novel bioactive candidates, due to their excellent prospects for the treatment of various health problems such as pain, addiction, psychosis and epilepsy. In order to explore novel biopeptides, we investigated the structure and function of five novel conopeptides isolated from the venom of from South China Sea.

Methods: crude venom was prepared, fractionated and purified by HPLC system.

Metabolomic profiling of M. speciosa champ at different growth stages.

Millettia speciosa Champ (M. speciosa) is an edible food and folk medicine and extracts from its roots exhibit a hepatoprotective effect. However, its metabolic growth process and the best harvest time have not been reported.