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A photo-caged STING agonist featuring a tumor-targeting carbonic anhydrase warhead was designed and synthesized for photo-controllable activation of STING signaling.

Utilizing a chiral bicyclic imidazole organocatalyst and adopting a continuous injection process, an alternative route has been developed for the efficient synthesis of chiral phthalidyl ester prodrugs via dynamic kinetic resolution of 3-hydroxyphthalides through enantioselective acylation (up to 99 % ee). The computational studies suggest a general base catalytic mechanism differing from the widely accepted nucleophilic catalytic mechanism. The structure analysis of the key transition states shows that the CH-π interactions and not the previously considered cation/π-π interactions between the catalyst and substrate is the dominant factor giving rise to the observed stereocontrol.

Piezo1 is a member of the mechanosensitive piezo ion channel family, which transduces various mechanical stimulations into electrochemical signals. Piezo1 is closely implicated in different physiological processes ranging from erythrocyte volume homeostasis to lymphatic vessel formation and bone homeostasis. Aberrant Piezo1 functions caused by gain-of-function or loss-of-function mutations are associated with various pathological conditions. Due to the significant contribution on the recognition of Piezo ion channels for sensing mechanical stress, Ardem Patapoutian received the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (jointly). Strategies of targeting and modulating Piezo1 have shown potential to produce significant therapeutic effects, thus validating Piezo1 as a promising drug target for diseases. In this Perspective, we review the cryo-EM structure, mechanogating mechanism, and physiological profiles of Piezo1, together with the latest advances in the development of its modulators. Limitations and challenges as well as future development of Piezo1 modulators are discussed as well.

Autoimmune diseases represent a class of over 80 illnesses with high incidence and prevalence and share a common pathogenesis of immune system disorders and self-attack. Over the past decade, extensive studies have demonstrated that imbalance of cGAS-STING mediated innate immune signaling is closely involved in autoimmune diseases. Over-activation of cGAS-STING pathway by mutations of STING or several exonucleases can cause accumulation of interferon and systemic inflammation. Therefore, suppression of the upregulated cGAS-STING pathway holds great potential in the treatment of human inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Inhibitors targeting cGAS, STING and the downstream factors have been developed and pharmacologically evaluated recently. Herein, we summarize the recent advance on development of small molecular inhibitors targeting the key effectors in cGAS-STING axis as promising treatment for autoimmune diseases.

A novel chiral nucleophilic organocatalyst easily synthesized from simple starting materials bearing a 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine skeleton has been developed and successfully applied in the direct enantioselective C-acylation of 3-substituted benzofuranones. Its catalytic efficiency was shown to be comparable to that of the previously reported chiral 6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazole catalyst. A wide range of 3,3-disubstituted benzofuranones, possessing a quaternary stereocenter, were synthesized with high yields and enantioselectivities.