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Graphical abstract Using structural biology approaches, we have elucidated some of the rules that help define the formation of MH1 domain dimers of BMP activated Smad proteins. We also propose a new hypothesis on how dimers and monomers can influence the composition of Smad complexes as well as the recognition of specific cis-regulatory elements genome-wide., Highlights • MH1 domains of BMP-activated Smads populate a dimer-monomer equilibrium. • Swapping loop1 between BMP- and TGFβ Smads turns dimers into monomers and vice versa. • BMP-responsive genomic regions have a lower average count of motifs than TGFβ ones., Smad transcription factors are the main downstream effectors of the Transforming growth factor β superfamily (TGFβ) signalling network. The DNA complexes determined here by X-ray crystallography for the Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMP) activated Smad5 and Smad8 proteins reveal that all MH1 domains bind [GGC(GC)|(CG)] motifs similarly, although TGFβ-activated Smad2/3 and Smad4 MH1 domains bind as monomers whereas Smad1/5/8 form helix-swapped dimers. Dimers and monomers are also present in solution, as revealed by NMR. To decipher the characteristics that defined these dimers, we designed chimeric MH1 domains and characterized them using X-ray crystallography. We found that swapping the loop1 between TGFβ- and BMP- activated MH1 domains switches the dimer/monomer propensities. When we scanned the distribution of Smad-bound motifs in ChIP-Seq peaks (Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing) in Smad-responsive genes, we observed specific site clustering and spacing depending on whether the peaks correspond to BMP- or TGFβ-responsive genes. We also identified significant correlations between site distribution and monomer or dimer propensities. We propose that the MH1 monomer or dimer propensity of Smads contributes to the distinct motif selection genome-wide and together with the MH2 domain association, help define the composition of R-Smad/Smad4 trimeric complexes.

We report the synthesis, magnetic and conducting properties of a new manganese complex [MnII(hfac)2(IMHPhOPh)]2[MnII(hfac)3](IMH2PhOPh) (1), containing the reduced forms (IMHPhOPh and IMH2PhOPh) of the NIT-PhOPh radical (NIT-PhOPh = 2,4‘-benzoxo-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide). Direct current magnetic susceptibility studies revealed the presence of weak antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the metal ions, within the [MnII(hfac)2(IMHPhOPh)]2 unit. The EPR spectra of 1 exhibit simultaneous contributions of both the monomeric [MnII(hfac)3] and dimeric [MnII(hfac)2(IMHPhOPh)]2 species. Conductivity measurements shown that the electrical conduction of 1 is dominated by Ohm’s law, with a conductance value of 1.3 (6) × 10−9 S/cm.

Since a couple of years ago, Y6 has emerged as one of the main non-fullerene acceptors for organic solar cells, as its use leads to superior power conversion efficiencies. It is thus of major interest to investigate the multiscale phenomena that are responsible for Y6's efficacy. Here, we modeled neat films of Y6 and earlier non-fullerene acceptors, IT-4F and ITIC, using a combination of density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations, to investigate the various factors that control their charge and exciton transport rates. We find that the molecular packing in Y6 is drastically different from that in IT-4F and ITIC. At the nanoscale, the local morphology of Y6 consists of a large number of directional face-on stackings and well-connected transport networks. Y6 also consistently shows higher electronic couplings for LUMOs, HOMOs, and local excitations than ITIC-type acceptors, which results in fast transport rates for electrons, holes, and excitons. Importantly, when considering dimers, their configurations in Y6 are more diverse than in ITIC-type acceptors, with many of those similar to the configurations observed in the Y6 crystal structure reported recently. Most Y6 dimer configurations exhibit strong binding interactions, large electronic couplings, and high transport rates, which when taken together rationalize the better performance of OSCs based on Y6.

HdeA is an acid-stress chaperone that operates in the periplasm of various strains of pathogenic gram-negative bacteria. Its primary function is to prevent irreversible aggregation of other periplasmic proteins when the bacteria enter the acidic environment of the stomach after contaminated food is ingested; its role is therefore to help the bacteria survive long enough to enter and infect the intestines. The mechanism of operation of HdeA is unusual in that this helical homodimer is inactive when folded at neutral pH but becomes activated at low pH after the dimer dissociates and becomes partially unfolded. Studies with chemical reducing agents have previously suggested that the intramolecular disulfide bond of HdeA aids in the maintenance of some residual structure at low pH; it is believed that this residual structure is important for clustering exposed hydrophobic residues together for the purpose of binding unfolded client proteins. In order to explore its role in HdeA structure and chaperone function we mutated the disulfide as conservatively as possible, swapping cysteines with serines. We found that, although residual structure is diminished at low pH without the disulfide, it is not completely lost; conversely, we found that the mutant is almost completely random coil at pH 6. Aggregation assays showed that mutated HdeA, although less successful as a chaperone than wild type, still maintains a surprising level of function, and is better at maintaining the solubility of malate dehydrogenase than chemically-reduced wild type. These studies highlight that we still have much to learn about residual structure at low pH and the role of disulfide bonds, as well as revealing exciting areas of future research.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • The role of pre-ultrasound on β-LG–phenolic binding at various pH was investigated. • Pre-ultrasound at 35% amplitude strengthened the binding affinity of EGCG/CA to β-LG. • Pre-ultrasound promoted changes in the protein spatial structure by phenolic binding. • Dimer/monomer form of β-LG distinctly affects the complex property under ultrasound. • Pre-ultrasound with EGCG binding improved foaming and emulsifying properties of β-LG., There is a need to understand the ultrasound-induced changes in the interactions between proteins and phenolic compounds at different pH. This study systematically explored the role of high-intensity ultrasound pre-treatment on the binding mechanisms of β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) to two common phenolic compounds, i.e., (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and chlorogenic acid (CA) at neutral and acidic pH (pH 7.2 and 2.4). Tryptophan fluorescence revealed that compared to proteins sonicated at 20% and 50% amplitudes, 35%-amplitude ultrasound pre-treatment (ULG-35) strengthened the binding affinities of EGCG/CA to β-LG without altering the main interaction force. After phenolic addition, ULG-35 displayed a similar but a greater extent of protein secondary and tertiary structural changes than the native protein, ascribed to the ultrasound-driven hydrophobic stacking among interacted molecules. The dominant form of β-LG (dimer/monomer) played a crucial role in the conformational and interfacial properties of complexes, which can be explained by the distinct binding sites at different pH as unveiled by molecular docking. Combining pre-ultrasound with EGCG interaction notably increased the foaming and emulsifying properties of β-LG, providing a feasible way for the modification of bovine whey proteins. These results shed light on the understanding of protein–phenolic non-covalent binding under ultrasound and help to develop complex systems with desired functionality and delivery.

SUMMARY The SWR1C chromatin remodeling enzyme catalyzes ATP-dependent replacement of nucleosomal H2A with the H2A.Z variant, regulating key DNA-mediated processes such as transcription and DNA repair. Here, we investigate the transient kinetic mechanism of the histone exchange reaction, employing ensemble FRET, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), and the steady-state kinetics of ATP hydrolysis. Our studies indicate that SWR1C modulates nucleosome dynamics on both the millisecond and microsecond timescales, poising the nucleosome for the dimer exchange reaction. The transient kinetic analysis of the remodeling reaction performed under single turnover conditions unraveled a striking asymmetry in the ATP-dependent replacement of nucleosomal dimers, promoted by localized DNA unwrapping. Taken together, our transient kinetic studies identify intermediates and provide crucial insights into the SWR1C-catalyzed dimer exchange reaction and shed light on how the mechanics of H2A.Z deposition might contribute to transcriptional regulation in vivo., In Brief The SWR1C remodeling enzyme catalyzes ATP-dependent replacement of nucleosomal H2A with the H2A.Z variant at promoter-proximal nucleosomes. Singh et al. investigate the transient kinetic mechanism of this histone exchange reaction and show that SWR1C transiently unwraps nucleosomal DNA, promoting a concerted dimer eviction and replacement reaction., Graphical Abstract

Human apolipoprotein C1 (APOC1) is a 57 amino acid long polypeptide that, through its potent inhibition of cholesteryl ester transferase protein, helps regulate the transfer of lipids between lipid particles. We have now determined the structure of APOC1 in four crystal forms by X-ray diffraction. A molecule of APOC1 is a single, slightly bent, α-helix having 13-14 turns and a length of about 80 Å. APOC1 exists as a dimer, but the dimers are not the same in the four crystals. In two monoclinic crystals, two helices closely engage one another in an antiparallel fashion. The interactions between monomers are almost entirely hydrophobic with sparse electrostatic complements. In the third monoclinic crystal, the two monomers spread at one end of the dimer, like a scissor opening, and, by translation along the crystallographic a axis, form a continuous, contiguous sheet through the crystal. In the orthorhombic crystals, two molecules of APOC1 are related by a noncrystallographic 2-fold axis to create an arc of about 120 Å length. This symmetrical dimer utilizes interactions not present in dimers of the monoclinic crystals. Versatility of APOC1 monomer association shown by these crystals is suggestive of physiological function.

Isoprimeverose-producing enzymes (IPases) release isoprimeverose (α- d -xylopyranosyl-(1 → 6)- d -glucopyranose) from the non-reducing end of xyloglucan oligosaccharides. Aspergillus oryzae IPase (IpeA) is classified as a member of the glycoside hydrolase family 3 (GH3); however, it has unusual substrate specificity compared with other GH3 enzymes. Xylopyranosyl branching at the non-reducing ends of xyloglucan oligosaccharides is vital for IpeA activity. We solved the crystal structure of IpeA with isoprimeverose at 2.4 A resolution, showing that the structure of IpeA formed a dimer and was composed of three domains: an N-terminal (β/α)8 TIM-barrel domain, α/β/α sandwich fold domain, and a C-terminal fibronectin-like domain. The catalytic TIM-barrel domain possessed a catalytic nucleophile (Asp300) and acid/base (Glu524) residues. Interestingly, we found that the cavity of the active site of IpeA was larger than that of other GH3 enzymes, and subsite −1′ played an important role in its activity. The glucopyranosyl and xylopyranosyl residues of isoprimeverose were located at subsites −1 and −1′, respectively. Gln58 and Tyr89 contributed to the interaction with the xylopyranosyl residue of isoprimeverose through hydrogen bonding and stacking effects, respectively. Our findings provide new insights into the substrate recognition of GH3 enzymes.

Summary: The mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter complex (MCUC) is responsible for Ca2+ influx into the mitochondrial matrix, playing critical roles in various mitochondrial functions. Eukaryotic MCUC consists of multiple subunits, and its Ca2+ influx activity is controlled by regulatory subunits, including mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake 1 (MICU1) and its paralogs (MICU2 and MICU3). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we determined multiple crystal structures of MICU2 and MICU3 from Homo sapiens. Our data demonstrate that distinct MICU protein N-domains determine the specific type of MICU dimers that perform the opposing roles in mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake at low cytosolic Ca2+ levels. In contrast, at high cytosolic Ca2+ levels, all MICU proteins undergo dimer rearrangement induced by Ca2+ binding, which releases the suppression of the MCUC pore-forming subunit and promotes the influx of large amounts of Ca2+. Altogether, our results elucidate the delicate mechanism of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake regulation by MICU proteins. : Xing et al. determine multiple crystal structures of human MICU2 and MICU3. They demonstrate that distinct MICU protein N-domains determine the specific type of MICU dimers that perform opposing roles in mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake at low cytosolic Ca2+ levels. Keywords: mitochondria, mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter, MCU, MICU, MCUC, calcium, structure

Graphical abstract, Acyl-CoA:cholestereol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) is a two-fold dimer (homotetramer) and has two distinct dimerization domains. One domain is in an alpha-helical rich region near the cytoplasmic N-terminus. The other is proposed to be near the C-terminus where multiple transmembrane domains promote hydrophobic interactions between two ACAT1 subunits. The truncation of the ACAT1 N-terminal dimerization domain, Δ1-65, creates a dimer which is fully enzymatically active. It is currently not known how the C-terminal dimerization domain contributes to ACAT1 enzymatic activity. Here we describe a simple method that dissociates ACAT1 dimers through the addition of the non-ionic detergents Triton X-100 or octyl glucoside which disrupt the C-terminal dimerization domain. We also document the protocols for a method to exchange Triton X-100 with CHAPS to restore C-terminal dimerization of the ACAT1 protein, and an optimized liposomal assay to assess ACAT enzymatic activity. • This method can be applied to dissociate ACAT1 subunits by using Triton X-100 or octyl glucoside. • ACAT1 dimerization can be restored by exchanging Triton X-100 with CHAPS. • The liposomal ACAT activity assay conditions have been optimized.

Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) in the respiratory chain catalyzes oxygen reduction by coupling electron and proton transfer through the enzyme and proton pumping across the membrane. Although the functional unit of CcO is monomeric, mitochondrial CcO forms a monomer and a dimer, as well as a supercomplex with respiratory complexes I and III. A recent study showed that dimeric CcO has lower activity than monomeric CcO and proposed that dimeric CcO is a standby form for enzymatic activation in the mitochondrial membrane. Other studies have suggested that the dimerization is dependent on specifically arranged lipid molecules, peptide segments, and post-translationally modified amino acid residues. To re-examine the structural basis of dimerization, we improved the resolution of the crystallographic structure to 1.3 A by optimizing the method for cryoprotectant soaking. The observed electron density map revealed many weakly bound detergent and lipid molecules at the interface of the dimer. The dimer interface also contained hydrogen bonds with tightly bound cholate molecules, hydrophobic interactions between the transmembrane helices, and a Met–Met interaction between the extramembrane regions. These results imply that binding of physiological ligands structurally similar to cholate could trigger dimerization in the mitochondrial membrane and that non-specifically bound lipid molecules at the transmembrane surface between monomers support the stabilization of the dimer. The weak interactions involving the transmembrane helices and extramembrane regions may play a role in positioning each monomer at the correct orientation in the dimer.

Infrared combination bands of the polar isomer of the N₂O dimer are observed for the first time, using a tunable infrared laser source to probe a pulsed slit-jet supersonic expansion in the N₂O ν₁ region (≈2240 cm⁻¹). One band involves the torsional (out-of-plane) intermolecular mode and yields a torsional frequency of 19.83 cm⁻¹ if associated with the out-of-phase fundamental (N₂O ν₁) vibration of the N₂O monomers in the dimer. The other band, which is highly perturbed, yields an intermolecular in-plane geared bend frequency of 22.74 cm⁻¹. The results are compared with high level ab initio calculations. The less likely alternate assignment to the in-phase fundamental would give torsional and geared bend frequencies of 17.25 and 20.16 cm⁻¹, respectively.

The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) dimer interface plays an important role in the formation and stabilization of the dimer. Therefore, identifying the potential receptor-receptor interface is an important part of studying GPCRs. Various strategies have been employed to study the GPCR dimer interface and explore its functional significance, but experimental methods lack robustness and calculations are laborious. Herein, we report a combined optimized experimental and calculation approach for identifying and structurally characterizing GPCR dimer interfaces, and constructing atomic resolution models. Using a transmembrane domain (TM) peptide containing a human immunodeficiency virus trans-acting transcriptional activator (HIV-TAT) protein transduction motif, matrix-assisted laser desorption tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDITOF-MS), and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), we successfully identified Apelin receptor (APJ)/Nociceptin receptor 1 (ORL1) and APJ/Vasopressin receptor 2 (V2R) heterodimer interfaces, and two key sites mediating dimerization. This method can identify dimer interfaces of GPCR homodimers and heterodimers.

There are a number of experimental methods that can provide information about non-covalent bonds, the weak interactions between molecules. While each approach offers important and complementary data, there are certain aspects of these bonds which are inaccessible by experiment. Quantum calculations offer a window into the most fundamental aspects of these interactions. The preferred geometries can be elucidated, along with the energy of interaction, and the cost of deviations there from. The interaction energy can be dissected into its component parts, each with a clear physical meaning. The electrostatic potential surrounding each subunit can be computed which predicts the geometry and strength of the resulting dimer. Analysis of the wave function shows the redistributions of charge that accompany complexation, individual transfers of charge from one orbital to another, and quantitative measures of bond strength. Calculated spectra provide insights into perturbations of each molecule and can be compared with experimental data for verification.

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis trifunctional enzyme (MtTFE) is an α2β2 tetrameric enzyme. The α-chain harbors the 2E-enoyl-CoA hydratase (ECH) and 3S-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HAD) activities and the β-chain provides the 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (KAT) activity. Enzyme kinetic data reported here show that medium and long chain enoyl-CoA molecules are preferred substrates for MtTFE. Modelling studies indicate how the linear medium and long acyl chains of these substrates can bind to each of the active sites. In addition, crystallographic binding studies have identified three new CoA binding sites which are different from the previously known CoA binding sites of the three TFE active sites. Structure comparisons provide new insights into the properties of ECH, HAD and KAT active sites of MtTFE. The interactions of the adenine moiety of CoA with loop-2 of the ECH active site cause a conformational change of this loop by which a competent ECH active site is formed. The NAD+ binding domain (domain C) of the HAD part of MtTFE has only a few interactions with the rest of the complex and adopts a range of open conformations, whereas the A-domain of the ECH part is rigidly fixed with respect to the HAD part. Two loops, the CB1-CA1 region and the catalytic CB4-CB5 loop, near the thiolase active site and the thiolase dimer interface, have high B-factors. Structure comparisons suggest that a competent and stable thiolase dimer is formed only when complexed with the α-chains, highlighting the importance of the assembly for the proper functioning of the complex.

Glycation of amino or guanidino groups of proteins with glucose and glucose-derived reactive aldehydes, such as α-hydroxyaldehydes, leads to accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in the body, resulting in diabetic complications and age-related pathology. Although molecular structures of glycolaldehyde- and glyceraldehyde-derived AGEs have been described in previous studies, little is known about lactaldehyde-derived AGEs of α-hydroxyaldehydes. Here, we report a novel crosslinked type of AGE, named as lactaldehyde-derived lysine dimer (LAK2), which is produced due to non-enzymatic glycation of Nα-acetyl-L-lysine with lactaldehyde under physiological conditions. We have identified the molecular structure of LAK2 by extensive mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. Furthermore, we propose a reaction pathway to produce LAK2, in which it is formed through an intermediate common with the recently reported lactaldehyde-derived pyridinium-type lysine adduct (LAPL). Since lactaldehyde is known to be produced from L-threonine in a myeloperoxidase (MPO)-mediated reaction at sites of inflammation, LAK2 has the potential to be an oxidative stress marker of MPO-mediated reactions induced in inflammation., Biochemistry; Organic chemistry; Advanced glycation end-product; Glycation; Lactaldehyde; Pyridinium; Crosslink

The molecular structural dimerization of biologically potent 2-chloro-5-fluoro phenol (2C5FP) is optimized. A combined experimental and theoretical characteristics of vibrational spectral determinations (NMR, FT-IR and Raman) on 2-chloro-5-fluoro phenol (2C5FP) were used at DFT-B3LYP/6–31++G (d,p) level of computation. A close coherence is achieved when experimentally observed wave numbers are compared with calculated wave numbers by refinement of the scale factors. Calculated values of global chemical descriptors of the present molecule reveal significant molecular stability and chemical reactivity. Non-Linear optical (NLO) property of the present molecule is investigated by determining the second order non linear parameter of first hyperpolarizability β. Moreover, hydrogen bond and thermodynamic parameters at various temperatures are determined and discussed. Investigated compound 2C5FP possesses a better antibacterial activity against Echerichia coli, Streptococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aureus,and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. The title molecule is subjected to molecular docking studies with two different proteins, namely Staphylococcus aureus Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (PDB ID: 1JIL) and human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (hDHODH) (PDB ID: 6CJF). The results of molecular docking analysis support the antibacterial activity and demonstrate a strong interaction with the DHODH inhibitor., DFT, Dimer, NLO, Antibacterial activity, Molecular docking; Computational materials science; Materials characterization; Structural analysis; Structural behavior; Computational chemistry; Organic chemistry; Molecular modeling; Pharmaceutical chemistry; Microbiology; Pharmaceutical science.

In this paper, an experimental study of (E)-3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-acrylamide and its associated dimer were analysed with molecular docking, DFT and QTAIM approach. To spot, describe, and measure the non-covalent interactions (NCIs) of the atoms in the molecules of the monomer and its dimer, some important topological parameters of the charge densities, ρ(r) acquired from the Bader's QTAIM tool are determined, quantitatively. The bond paths are shown to persist for a range of five types of NCIs such as weak conventional (C-H···Cl) and nonconventional (C-O···C and N-O···Cl), medium (N-H···Cl) and strong O-H···O NCIs revealed by the existence of BCPs (ranging from 1.921 - 3.259 Å). A comprehensive explanation of the spectroscopic data like vibrational, electronic, and NMR spectra is reported along with the NLO, reactivity. Hydroxamic acid exhibited an excellent nonlinear optical activity (β0 = 14.8098 × 10−30). To predict the various reactive sites in the molecule, molecular electrostatic potential diagrams were displayed., Organic chemistry, Theoretical chemistry, Hydroxamic acid; HOMO-LUMO; NLO; QTAIM; Molecular docking.

Summary Direct conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to high-energy fuels and high-value chemicals is a fascinating sustainable strategy. For most of the current electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction, however, multi-carbon products are inhibited by large overpotentials and low selectivity. Herein, we exploit dispersed 3d transition metal dimers as spatially confined dual reaction centers for selective reduction of CO2 to liquid fuels. Various nitrogenated holey carbon monolayers are shown to be promising templates to stabilize these metal dimers and dictate their electronic structures, allowing precise control of the catalytic activity and product selectivity. By comprehensive first-principles calculations, we screen the suitable transition metal dimers that universally have high activity for ethanol (C2H5OH). Furthermore, remarkable selectivity for C2H5OH against other C1 and C2 products is found for Fe2 dimer anchored on C2N monolayer. The role of electronic coupling between the metal dimer and the carbon substrates is thoroughly elucidated., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • Dual metal centers provide an exclusive pathway for CO2 reduction to C2 products • Activity and selectivity are modulatable by the metal-support interaction • Fe2 dimer anchored on C2N leads to remarkable selectivity for ethanol, Catalysis; Atomic Electronic Structure; Energy Sustainability; Numerical Method in Materials Science

Small heat-shock proteins (sHSPs) are molecular chaperones that respond to cellular stresses to combat protein aggregation. HSP27 is a critical human sHSP that forms large, dynamic oligomers whose quaternary structures and chaperone activities depend on environmental factors. Upon exposure to cellular stresses such as heat shock or acidosis, HSP27 oligomers can dissociate into dimers and monomers, which leads to significantly enhanced chaperone activity. The structured core of the protein, the α-crystallin domain (ACD), forms dimers and can prevent the aggregation of substrate proteins to a similar degree as the full-length protein. When the ACD dimer dissociates into monomers, it partially unfolds and exhibits enhanced activity. Here, we used solution-state NMR spectroscopy to characterize the structure and dynamics of the HSP27 ACD monomer. We show that the monomer is stabilized at low pH and that its backbone chemical shifts, (15)N relaxation rates, and (1)H-(15)N residual dipolar couplings suggest structural changes and rapid motions in the region responsible for dimerization. By analyzing the solvent accessible and buried surface areas of sHSP structures in the context of a database of dimers that are known to dissociate into disordered monomers, we predict that ACD dimers from sHSPs across all kingdoms of life may partially unfold upon dissociation. We propose a general model in which conditional disorder – the partial unfolding of ACDs upon monomerization – is a common mechanism for sHSP activity.

29 p.-6 fig.-1 tab., How proteins with a stable globular fold acquire the amyloid state is still largely unknown. RepA, a versatile plasmidic DNA binding protein from Pseudomonas savastanoi, is functional as a transcriptional repressor or as an initiator or inhibitor of DNA replication, the latter via assembly of an amyloidogenic oligomer. Its N-terminal domain (WH1) is responsible for discrimination between these functional abilities by undergoing insufficiently understood structural changes. RepA-WH1 is a stable dimer whose conformational dynamics had not been explored. Here, we have studied it through NMR {1H}-15N relaxation and H/D exchange kinetics measurements. The N- and the C-terminal α-helices, and the internal amyloidogenic loop, are partially unfolded in solution. S4-indigo, a small inhibitor of RepA-WH1 amyloidogenesis, binds to and tethers the N-terminal α-helix to a β-hairpin that is involved in dimerization, thus providing evidence for a priming role of fraying ends and dimerization switches in the amyloidogenesis of folded proteins., This work was supported by grants SAF2016-76678-C2-2-R (DVL), CTQ2017-84371-P (Mª Ángeles Jiménez), BIO2015-68730-R (R.G.), BFU2015-72271-EXP (R.G.) and RTI2018-094549-B-I00 (R.G.) from the Spanish Ministry of Innovation and Competitiveness. NMR experiments were performed in the‘‘Manuel Rico’’ NMR laboratory (LMR) of the Spanish National Research Coun-cil (CSIC), a node of the Spanish Large-Scale National Facility (ICTS R-LRB)

Summary In 1982, an oxo-bridged dinuclear ruthenium(III) complex, known as “blue dimer,” was discovered to be active for water oxidation. In this work, a new amphiphilic ruthenium “green dimer” 2, obtained from an amphiphilic mononuclear Ru(bda) (N-OTEG) (L1) (1; N-OTEG = 4-(2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)-pyridine; L1 = vinylpyridine) is reported. An array of mechanistic studies identifies “green dimer” 2 as a mixed valence of RuII-O-RuIII oxo-bridged structure. Bearing the same bda2- and amphiphilic axial ligands, monomer 1 and green dimer 2 can be reversibly converted by ascorbic acid and oxygen, respectively, in aqueous solution. More importantly, the oxo-bridged “green dimer” 2 was found to take water nucleophilic attack for oxygen evolution, in contrast to monomer 1 via radical coupling pathway for O-O bond formation. This is the first report of an amphiphilic oxo-bridged catalyst, which possesses a new oxygen evolution pathway of Ru-bda catalysts., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • Green dimer (RuII-O-RuIII), referring to “blue dimer” of RuIII-O-RuIII, is disclosed • The first amphiphilic μ-oxido-bridged catalyst is reported active for water oxidation • The oxo-bridged “green dimer” 2 takes water nucleophilic attack for O-O bond formation • This is the first Ru-bda catalyst, which possesses a new oxygen evolution pathway, Inorganic Chemistry; Catalysis; Materials Chemistry

Monomeric [Cu(L1)Cl] (1) and dimeric [Cu(L2)Cl]2 (2) copper(II) complexes, where HL1 = methyl-2-(1-(pyridine-2-yl)ethylidene)-hydrazine-1-carbodithioate and HL2 = benzyl-2-(1-(pyridine-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazine-1-carbodithioate, have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, TGA and spectral methods. Complex 1 crystallizes in a space group P21/n and adopts a square planar environment surrounding the Cu ion, and complex 2 is a triclinic crystal system with space group Pī. Complex 2 is a centrosymmetric dimer where each copper atom forms two chloro bridges and completes five coordination with the tridentate NNS donor. Density functional calculations demonstrate that chloro-unbridged structure of 1 is favored by London dispersion between its layers. It is noticed that the layers are usually packed closely in the solid phase, such attractive interactions are sterically hindered between the layers of 2. Due to the presence of large phenyl group that extend from one layer to the other, the layers cannot slide on top of each other. This leads to the chloro-bridged structure of 2 stabilized by electrostatic interactions between Cu and Cl atoms located at different layers. Both complexes exhibit prominent catecholase activity in methanol following the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butyl catechol (DTBC) to the corresponding quinone. Based on the observed turn over frequency of 1 (25.19 h−1) and 2 (10.76 h−1), the monomeric complex demonstrates more catechol mimetic oxidation than the dimer. A plausible mechanism of catecholase activity has been discussed.

Increasing evidence indicates some G protein-coupled receptors function as a heterodimer, which provide a novel target for therapeutics investigation. However, study on the receptor-receptor interaction interface, a potent target on interfering dimer formation, are still limited. Here, using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) combined with co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), we found a new constitutive GPCR heterodimer, apelin receptor (APJ)-orexin receptor type 1 (OX1R). Both APJ and OX1R co-internalized when constantly subjected to cognate agonist (apelin-13 or orexin-A) specific to either protomer. Combined with BRET and immunostaining, the in vitro synthesized transmembrane peptides (TMs) interfering experiments suggests that TM4 and 5 of APJ act as the interaction interface of the APJ-OX1R heterodimer, and co-internalization could be disrupted by these peptides as well. Our study not only provide new evidence on GPCR heterodimerization, but address a novel heterodimerization interface, which can be severed as a potential pharmacological target.

An elevated prevalence of cryptococcal infection is a tendency in low-income countries and constitutes a global public health problem due to factors such as the limited efficacy of antifungal therapy and the AIDS/transplant immunocompromised patients. The fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, implicated in this burden, has had several genes validated as drug targets. Among them, the thioredoxin system is one of the major regulators of redox homeostasis and antioxidant defense acting on protein disulfide bonds. Thioredoxin 1 from C. neoformans (CnTrx1) was cloned and expressed in E. coli and the recombinant protein was purified and crystallized. Functional assay shows that CnTrx1 catalyzes the reduction of insulin disulfide bonds using dithiothreitol, while acting as a monomer in solution. The crystal structure of oxidized CnTrx1 at 1.80 Å resolution presents a dimer in the asymmetric unit with typical Trx-fold. Differences between the monomers in the asymmetric unit are found specially in the loop leading to the Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys active-site motif, being even larger when compared to those found between reduced and oxidized states of other thioredoxins. Although the thioredoxins have been isolated and characterized from many organisms, this new structural report provides important clues for understanding the binding and specificity of CnTrx1 to its targets., Highlights • The crystal structure of the thioredoxin 1 enzyme of the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is presented at 1.8 Å resolution. • The active site detailed description shows unexpected plasticity when comparing the two monomers found in the asymmetric unit. • The dimer interface is scrutinized, leading to the proposal of a crystallographic dimer with few common features found in previously stablished natural dimers. • The expression, purification and crystallization protocols are presented, as well as a enzymatic assay to show the activity of the produced thioredoxin.

Ion pairing is known to play a key role in stoichiometric and catalytic reactions mediated by charged transition metal complexes, especially when they are conducted in low-polar solvents. Molecular olefin polymerization catalysis by group IV metal complexes represents a textbook case in this respect, due to the high electrophilicity of the involved cationic active species and the very low relative permittivity (~ 2) of the commonly used hydrocarbon solvents. As a matter of fact, ion pairing has a huge impact on activity and selectivity of olefin polymerization catalysts. Ion pairing is strictly related to the activation process, since the cationic active species is usually generated by the reaction of a neutral precursor with a suitable cocatalyst (activator). The counterion generated from the latter reaction has to be weakly coordinating in order to disfavor its competition with the olefin for the occupancy of the coordination vacancy of the active metal center. Herein, after having recalled some generalities of olefin polymerization and nature of activators, using ion pairing as a reading key, the main findings concerning with the structure and self-aggregation tendency of ion pairs relevant to olefin polymerization, as deduced by means of advanced NMR techniques, are described. Representative examples of structure/activity relationships are then discussed, suggesting some rationale to interpret the different catalytic behavior of various ion pairs. Finally, cases in which the activation process, besides providing the expected active ion pair, leads to further layers of complexity (in situ ligand modification, dimer formation, etc.) are illustrated.