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NmMetQ is a substrate-binding protein (SBP) from Neisseria meningitidis that has been identified as a surface-exposed candidate antigen for meningococcal vaccines. However, this location for NmMetQ challenges the prevailing view that SBPs in Gram-negative bacteria are localized to the periplasmic space to promote interaction with their cognate ABC transporter embedded in the bacterial inner membrane. To elucidate the roles of NmMetQ, we characterized NmMetQ with and without its cognate ABC transporter (NmMetNI). Here, we show that NmMetQ is a lipoprotein (lipo-NmMetQ) that binds multiple methionine analogs and stimulates the ATPase activity of NmMetNI. Using single-particle electron cryo-microscopy, we determined the structures of NmMetNI in the presence and absence of lipo-NmMetQ. Based on our data, we propose that NmMetQ tethers to membranes via a lipid anchor and has dual function and localization, playing a role in NmMetNI-mediated transport at the inner membrane and moonlighting on the bacterial surface., Competing Interests: NS, MS, EK, JL, DV, AL, DR No competing interests declared, (© 2021, Sharaf et al.)

The mechanism originally proposed by Fischer and Tropsch for carbon monoxide (CO) hydrogenative catenation involves C-C coupling from a carbide-derived surface methylidene. A single molecular system capable of capturing these complex chemical steps is hitherto unknown. Herein, we demonstrate the sequential addition of proton and hydride to a terminal Mo carbide derived from CO. The resulting anionic methylidene couples with CO (1 atm) at low temperature (-78 °C) to release ethenone. Importantly, the synchronized delivery of two reducing equivalents and an electrophile, in the form of a hydride (H - = 2e - + H + ), promotes alkylidene formation from the carbyne precursor and enables coupling chemistry, under conditions milder than those previously described with strong one-electron reductants and electrophiles. Thermodynamic measurements bracket the hydricity and acidity requirements for promoting methylidene formation from carbide as energetically viable relative to the heterolytic cleavage of H 2 . Methylidene formation prior to C-C coupling proves critical for organic product release, as evidenced by direct carbide carbonylation experiments. Spectroscopic studies, a monosilylated model system, and Quantum Mechanics computations provide insight into the mechanistic details of this reaction sequence, which serves as a rare model of the initial stages of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Iron oxyhydroxide minerals, known to be chemically reactive and significant for elemental cycling, are thought to have been abundant in early-Earth seawater, sediments, and hydrothermal systems. In the anoxic Fe 2+ -rich early oceans, these minerals would have been only partially oxidized and thus redox-active, perhaps able to promote prebiotic chemical reactions. We show that pyruvate, a simple organic molecule that can form in hydrothermal systems, can undergo reductive amination in the presence of mixed-valence iron oxyhydroxides to form the amino acid alanine, as well as the reduced product lactate. Furthermore, geochemical gradients of pH, redox, and temperature in iron oxyhydroxide systems affect product selectivity. The maximum yield of alanine was observed when the iron oxyhydroxide mineral contained 1:1 Fe(II):Fe(III), under alkaline conditions, and at moderately warm temperatures. These represent conditions that may be found, for example, in iron-containing sediments near an alkaline hydrothermal vent system. The partially oxidized state of the precipitate was significant in promoting amino acid formation: Purely ferrous hydroxides did not drive reductive amination but instead promoted pyruvate reduction to lactate, and ferric hydroxides did not result in any reaction. Prebiotic chemistry driven by redox-active iron hydroxide minerals on the early Earth would therefore be strongly affected by geochemical gradients of E h , pH, and temperature, and liquid-phase products would be able to diffuse to other conditions within the sediment column to participate in further reactions., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Though Lewis acids (LAs) have been shown to have profound effects on carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) reduction catalysis, the underlying cause of the improved reactivity remains unclear. Herein, we report a well-defined molecular system for probing the role of LA additives in the reduction of CO 2 to carbon monoxide (CO) and water. Mo(0) CO 2 complex (2) forms adducts with a series of LAs, demonstrating CO 2 activation that correlates linearly with the strength of the LA. Protons induce C-O cleavage of these LA adducts, in contrast to the CO 2 displacement primarily observed in the absence of LA. CO 2 cleavage shows dependence on both bond activation and the residence time of the bound small molecule, demonstrating the influence of both kinetic and thermodynamic factors on promoting productive CO 2 reduction chemistry.

Efficient generation of hydrogen from renewable resources requires development of catalysts that avoid deep wells and high barriers. Information about the energy landscape for H2 production can be obtained by chemical characterization of catalytic intermediates, but few have been observed to date. We have isolated and characterized a key intermediate in 2e(-) + 2H(+) → H2 catalysis. This intermediate, obtained by treatment of Cp*Rh(bpy) (Cp*, η(5)-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; bpy, κ(2)-2,2'-bipyridyl) with acid, is not a hydride species but rather, bears [η(4)-Cp*H] as a ligand. Delivery of a second proton to this species leads to evolution of H2 and reformation of η(5)-Cp* bound to rhodium(III). With suitable choices of acids and bases, the Cp*Rh(bpy) complex catalyzes facile and reversible interconversion of H(+) and H2.

Derivatives of the fully twisted bicyclic amide 7-hypoquinuclidone are synthesized using a Schmidt-Aubé reaction. Their structures were unambiguously confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis and extensive spectroscopic characterization. Furthermore, the stability and chemical reactivity of these anti-Bredt amides are investigated. 7-Hypoquinuclidonium tetrafluoroborate is shown to decompose to a unique nitrogen bound amide-BF3 complex of 7-hypoquinuclidone under anhydrous conditions and to react instantaneously with water making it one of the most reactive amides known to date.

Two new precatalysts for ethylene and α-olefin trimerization, (FI)Ti(CH2SiMe3)2Me and (FI)Ti(CH2CMe3)2Me (FI = phenoxy-imine), have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. (FI)Ti(CH2SiMe3)2Me can be activated with 1 equiv of B(C6F5)3 at room temperature to give the solvent-separated ion pair [(FI)Ti(CH2SiMe3)2][MeB(C6F5)3], which catalytically trimerizes ethylene or 1-pentene to produce 1-hexene or C15 olefins, respectively. The neopentyl analogue (FI)Ti(CH2CMe3)2Me is unstable toward activation with B(C6F5)3 at room temperature, giving no discernible diamagnetic titanium complexes, but at -30 °C the following can be observed by NMR spectroscopy: (i) formation of the bis-neopentyl cation [(FI)Ti(CH2CMe3)2](+), (ii) α-elimination of neopentane to give the neopentylidene complex [(FI)Ti(═CHCMe3)](+), and (iii) subsequent conversion to the imido-olefin complex [(MeOAr2N═)Ti(OArHC═CHCMe3)](+) via an intramolecular metathesis reaction with the imine fragment of the (FI) ligand. If the reaction is carried out at low temperature in the presence of ethylene, catalytic production of 1-hexene is observed, in addition to the titanacyclobutane complex [(FI)Ti(CH(CMe3)CH2CH2)](+), resulting from addition of ethylene to the neopentylidene [(FI)Ti(═CHCMe3)](+). None of the complexes observed spectroscopically subsequent to [(FI)Ti(CH2CMe3)2](+) is an intermediate or precursor for ethylene trimerization, but notwithstanding these off-cycle pathways, [(FI)Ti(CH2CMe3)2](+) is a precatalyst that undergoes rapid initiation to generate a catalyst for trimerizing ethylene or 1-pentene.

In the cytoplasm, the correct delivery of membrane proteins is an essential and highly regulated process. The posttranslational targeting of the important tail-anchor membrane (TA) proteins has recently been under intense investigation. A specialized pathway, called the guided entry of TA proteins (GET) pathway in yeast and the transmembrane domain recognition complex (TRC) pathway in vertebrates, recognizes endoplasmic-reticulum-targeted TA proteins and delivers them through a complex series of handoffs. An early step is the formation of a complex between Sgt2/SGTA, a cochaperone with a presumed ubiquitin-like-binding domain (UBD), and Get5/UBL4A, a ubiquitin-like domain (UBL)-containing protein. We structurally characterize this UBD/UBL interaction for both yeast and human proteins. This characterization is supported by biophysical studies that demonstrate that complex formation is mediated by electrostatics, generating an interface that has high-affinity with rapid kinetics. In total, this work provides a refined model of the interplay of Sgt2 homologs in TA targeting., (Copyright © 2012 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Group 4 complexes containing an anilide(pyridine)phenoxide ligand and activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyze the formation of highly regioirregular polypropylene.

Tail-anchored trans-membrane proteins are targeted to membranes post-translationally. The proteins Get4 and Get5 form an obligate complex that catalyzes the transfer of tail-anchored proteins destined to the endoplasmic reticulum from Sgt2 to the cytosolic targeting factor Get3. Get5 forms a homodimer mediated by its carboxyl domain. We show here that a conserved motif exists within the carboxyl domain. A high resolution crystal structure and solution NMR structures of this motif reveal a novel and stable helical dimerization domain. We additionally determined a solution NMR structure of a divergent fungal homolog, and comparison of these structures allows annotation of specific stabilizing interactions. Using solution x-ray scattering and the structures of all folded domains, we present a model of the full-length Get4/Get5 complex.

The reaction of the phosphonium alkylidene [(H(2)IMes)RuCl(2)=CHP(Cy)(3))](+) BF(4)(-) with propene, 1-butene, and 1-hexene at -45 °C affords various substituted, metathesis-active ruthenacycles. These metallacycles were found to equilibrate over extended reaction times in response to decreases in ethylene concentrations, which favored increased populations of α-monosubstituted and α,α'-disubstituted (both cis and trans) ruthenacycles. On an NMR time scale, rapid chemical exchange was found to preferentially occur between the β-hydrogens of the cis and trans stereoisomers prior to olefin exchange. Exchange on an NMR time scale was also observed between the α- and β-methylene groups of the monosubstituted ruthenacycle (H(2)IMes)Cl(2)Ru(CHRCH(2)CH(2)) (R = CH(3), CH(2)CH(3), (CH(2))(3)CH(3)). EXSY NMR experiments at -87 °C were used to determine the activation energies for both of these exchange processes. In addition, new methods have been developed for the direct preparation of metathesis-active ruthenacyclobutanes via the protonolysis of dichloro(1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-2-imidazolidinylidene)(benzylidene) bis(pyridine)ruthenium(II) and its 3-bromopyridine analogue. Using either trifluoroacetic acid or silica-bound toluenesulfonic acid as the proton source, the ethylene-derived ruthenacyclobutane (H(2)IMes)Cl(2)Ru(CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)) was observed in up to 98% yield via NMR at -40 °C. On the basis of these studies, mechanisms accounting for the positional and stereochemical exchange within ruthenacyclobutanes are proposed, as well as the implications of these dynamics toward olefin metathesis catalyst and reaction design are described.

Epoxydiols are produced in the gas phase from the photo-oxidation of isoprene in the absence of significant mixing ratios of nitrogen oxides (NO(x)). The reactive uptake of these compounds onto acidic aerosols has been shown to produce secondary organic aerosol (SOA). To better characterize the fate of isoprene epoxydiols in the aerosol phase, the kinetics and products of the acid-catalyzed ring-opening reactions of four hydroxy-substituted epoxides were studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Polyols and sulfate esters are observed from the ring-opening of the epoxides in solutions of H(2)SO(4)/Na(2)SO(4). Likewise, polyols and nitrate esters are produced in solutions of HNO(3)/NaNO(3). In sulfuric acid, the rate of acid-catalyzed ring-opening is dependent on hydronium ion activity, sulfate ion, and bisulfate. The rates are much slower than the nonhydroxylated equivalent epoxides; however, the hydroxyl groups make them much more water-soluble. A model was constructed with the major channels for epoxydiol loss (i.e., aerosol-phase ring-opening, gas-phase oxidation, and deposition). In the atmosphere, SOA formation from epoxydiols will depend on a number of variables (e.g., pH and aerosol water content) with the yield of ring-opening products varying from less than 1% to greater than 50%.

The total synthesis of 22-(3-azidobenzoyloxy)methyl epothilone C is described as a potential photoaffinity probe to elucidate the beta-tubulin binding site. A sequential Suzuki-aldol-Yamaguchi macrolactonization strategy was utilized employing a novel derivatized C1-C6 fragment. The C22-functionalized analog exhibited good activity in microtubule assembly assays, but cytotoxicity was significantly reduced. Molecular modeling simulations indicated that excessive steric bulk in the C22 position is accommodated by the large hydrophobic pocket of the binding site. Photoaffinity labeling studies were inconclusive suggesting non-specific labeling.

The total synthesis of C25-benzyloxy epothilone C is described. A sequential Suzuki-Aldol-Yamaguchi macrolactonization strategy was utilized employing a novel derivatized C8-C12 fragment. The C25-benzyloxy analog exhibited significantly reduced biological activity in microtubule assembly and cytotoxicity assays. Molecular modeling simulations indicated that excessive steric bulk in the C25 position may reduce activity by disrupting key hydrogen bonds that are crucial for epothilone binding to beta-tubulin.

The ezomycins are Streptomyces-derived antifungal natural products, belonging to the complex peptidyl nucleoside family of antibiotics. Employing D-serine as a chiral platform, we report herein a novel synthetic route to the bicyclic octosyl nucleoside core of the ezomycins. A key step in the sequence involved a stereoselective 6-exo-trig oxymercurationoxidation of a strategic delta-hydroxy alkene derivative, toward construction of the trans-fused furopyran ring system as present in the target products. In contrast to the known carbohydrate-based synthetic routes to the above furopyranyl fragment, the present amino acid chiral template approach is expected to offer a more flexible pathway toward potential SAR-targeted structural/stereochemical modifications of this central bicyclic nucleoside component of the ezomycins.

[reaction: see text] We have previously described a model of paclitaxel-microtubule binding that led to the prediction that analogues of paclitaxel lacking any D ring could stabilize microtubules as well as paclitaxel if the substituent present at C4 did not have unfavorable steric interactions with the binding pocket. We report the synthesis of a 4-methyl paclitaxel analogue, compound 1, which bears this prediction out. Compound 1 is as potent as paclitaxel at microtubule stabilization in vitro; however, it has only about one-four-hundredth the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel.