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A highly conserved, strongly related protein family assigned to lower and higher eukaryotes has the properties of polypeptide chain release factors (RFs). Two proteins of this family, which is termed eukaryotic RF1 (eRF1), are expressed in yeast and Escherichia coli and show activity in the vitro RF assay. Another protein of this family, Sup45, is expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and is associated with inhibition during translation. The eRF1 family has a highly conserved amino-acid sequence and these protein abolish translation in eukaryotes.

A gold(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1,7- and 1,8-enyne propargylic acetates to obtain cyclopropyl derivatives containing seven- and eight-membered rings is reported. The reaction could also be used for the synthesis of a new allocolchicinoid having a cyclopropane ring fused to the B seven-membered ring at the C6-C7 positions.

[Rh(P2N2)X] complexes (2-X, X = Cl, BF4) featuring a tetradentate iminophosphorane phosphine ligand were synthesised and characterised. X-Ray analysis provides evidence for a square planar geometry without coordination of the chloride anion. These complexes proved to be air-sensitive, and their oxidation to Rh(iii) complexes 3-X was observed in air. The controlled reaction of 2-BF4 with one equivalent of hexachloroethane yielded [Rh(P2N2)Cl2(BF4)] (3-BF4). Direct synthesis of 3-Cl can also be achieved by coordination of the [P2N2] ligand to [RhCl(THT)3] (THT = tetrahydrothiophene). The reactivity of Rh(i) complexes 2 was further investigated, and no reaction was observed with silanes, aryl halides, or pinacolborane, although decomposition was observed under 1 atm of H2 upon prolonged heating. Interestingly, reduction of complex 3-Cl was observed by NMR upon treatment with silanes or sodium isopropoxide. Therefore, complex 3-Cl was used for catalytic transfer hydrogenation of polar bonds. The reduction of aromatic and aliphatic ketones can be carried out using 1% catalyst and 10% sodium isopropoxide, while imines are partially reduced under these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell morphogenesis is a complex process that depends on cytoskeleton and membrane organization, intracellular signalling and vesicular trafficking. The rod shape of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and the availability of powerful genetic tools make this species an excellent model to study cell morphology. Here we have investigated the function of the conserved Kin1 kinase. Kin1-GFP associates dynamically with the plasma membrane at sites of active cell surface remodelling and is present in the membrane fraction. Kin1Δ null cells show severe defects in cell wall structure and are unable to maintain a rod shape. To explore Kin1 primary function, we constructed an ATP analogue-sensitive allele kin1-as1. Kin1 inhibition primarily promotes delocalization of plasma membrane-associated markers of actively growing cell surface regions. Kin1 itself is depolarized and its mobility is strongly reduced. Subsequently, amorphous cell wall material accumulates at the cell surface, a phenotype that is dependent on vesicular trafficking, and the cell wall integrity mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is activated. Deletion of cell wall integrity mitogen-activated protein kinase components reduces kin1Δ hypersensitivity to stresses such as those induced by Calcofluor white and SDS. We propose that Kin1 is required for a tight link between the plasma membrane and the cell wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic production of hydrogen from renewable sources with platinum group metal‐free catalysts is of great importance for environmentally friendly energetics. Herein, Ti@TiO2 core–shell nanoparticles prepared by sonohydrothermal treatment of titanium metal nanoparticles are examined for hydrogen generation from aqueous glycerol solutions under vis/NIR light irradiation. It is shown that photocatalytic reforming of glycerol in the presence of Ti@TiO2 exhibits strong photothermal effect allowing more efficient use of solar energy. Apparent activation energy equal to Eact = 27 ± 2 kJ mol−1 indicates that the thermal effect is related to the diffusion of reaction intermediates at catalyst surface rather than to the activation of chemical bonds. The photoexcitation mechanism of Ti@TiO2 particles involves interband transitions in nonplasmonic Ti metal core followed by nonradiative Landau damping. Effective electron–hole separation between Ti core and nanocrystalline TiO2 anatase shell in Ti@TiO2 nanoparticles is confirmed by photoluminescence spectroscopy. In studied system, photothermal hydrogen production is not accompanied by CO2 emission indicating that glycerol is oxidized to glyceric acid without further decarboxylation. Ti@TiO2 core–shell nanoparticles exhibit strong photothermal effect in the process of glycerol reforming allowing more efficient use of solar energy. The photoexcitation mechanism of Ti@TiO2 particles involves interband transitions in nonplasmonic Ti metal core followed by nonradiative Landau damping. Effective electron–hole separation between Ti core and nanocrystalline TiO2 shell was confirmed by photoluminescence spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]