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Aim: Antibiotic resistance has become a major health problem. The σ(70):core interface of bacterial RNA polymerase is a promising drug target. Recently, the coiled-coil and lid-rudder-system of the β' subunit has been identified as an inhibition hot spot. Materials & methods & Results: By using surface plasmon resonance-based assays, inhibitors of the protein-protein interaction were identified and competition with σ(70) was shown. Effective inhibition was verified in an in vitro transcription and a σ(70):core assembly assay. For one hit series, we found a correlation between activity and affinity. Mutant interaction studies suggest the inhibitors' binding site.
Conclusion: Surface plasmon resonance is a valuable technology in drug design, that has been used in this study to identify and evaluate σ(70):core RNA polymerase inhibitors.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.4155/fmc.14.105 | DOI Listing |
J Phys Chem B
September 2025
Department of Physics, Division of Nano and Biophysics, Chalmers University of Technology, Fysikgränd 3, Göteborg 41296, Sweden.
The detection of biological nanoparticles (NPs), such as viruses and extracellular vesicles (EVs), plays a critical role in medical diagnostics. However, these particles are optically faint, making microscopic detection in complex solutions challenging. Recent advancements have demonstrated that distinguishing between metallic and dielectric signals with twilight off-axis holographic microscopy makes it possible to differentiate between metal and biological NPs and to quantify complexes formed from metal and biological NPs binding together.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLangmuir
September 2025
Federal University of São Paulo, Laboratory of Hybrid Materials, Diadema, São Paulo 09913-030, Brazil.
This study demonstrates the successful fabrication of nanostructured Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films combining the conjugated copolymer poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene--3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PDOF--PEDOT) with spherical and triangular silver nanoparticles (AgNP). The LB technique allowed precise control over the molecular arrangement and distribution of the nanoparticles at the air-water interface, resulting in compact, reproducible and structurally ordered nanocomposite films. The structural and morphological properties of the interfacial monolayers and LB films were investigated using surface pressure-area isotherms, Brewster angle microscopy, polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) and quartz crystal microbalance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Mater
September 2025
Instituto Interuniversitario de Investigación de Reconocimiento Molecular y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Universitat de València-Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia, 46022, Spain.
Bioorthogonal chemistry that can be controlled through near-infrared (NIR) light is a promising route to therapeutics. This study proposes a method to intracellularly photoactivate prodrugs using plasmonic gold nanostars (AuNSt) and NIR irradiation. Two strategies are followed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLangmuir
September 2025
Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, North Guwahati, Kamrup, Assam 781039, India.
The efficient and sustainable remediation of contaminated water calls for catalytic systems that must clean broadly, endure widely, and last repeatedly. In this regard, we report the development of sulfonate-functionalized core-shell hydrogel beads embedded with synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that exhibit intrinsic oxidase-like activity without requiring external light or chemical oxidants. The sulfonate ligands modulate the surface electronic environment of the AuNPs, facilitating singlet oxygen generation via a nonplasmonic, radiationless mechanism.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Pept Sci
October 2025
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Targeting thrombin to screen safe thrombin inhibitors from natural plants and animals is a critical direction in anticoagulant drug development. This study aimed to screen thrombin inhibitors from the nonbloodsucking leech Whitmania pigra (WP) and elucidate the mechanism of anticoagulation through a "computation-guided experimentation" strategy. A peptide library was constructed from WP hydrolysates, and virtual screening was performed using molecular docking and dynamics simulations.
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