The fabrication of a new type of one-dimensional Au-Ag porous nanotube（NPT） structure was presented based on a facile combination of nanocrystal growth and surface modification.Ag nanowires with various diameters we...The fabrication of a new type of one-dimensional Au-Ag porous nanotube（NPT） structure was presented based on a facile combination of nanocrystal growth and surface modification.Ag nanowires with various diameters were firstly served as the chemical plating templates via a polyol-process.Then,one-dimensional（1D） Au-Ag porous nanostructures with tailored structural features could be prepared by controlling the individual steps involved in this process,such as nanowire growth,surface modification,thermal diffusion,and dealloying.Structural characterizations reveal these Au-Ag porous nanotubes,non-porous nanotubes and porous nanowires possess novel nano-architectures with multimodal open porosity and excellent structural continuity and integrity,which make them particularly desirable as novel 1D nanocarriers for biomedical,drug delivery and sensing applications.展开更多
Dynamic regulation of histone methylation/demethylation plays an important role during development. Mutations and truncations in human plant homeodomain （PHD） finger protein 8 （PHF8） are associated with X-linked m...Dynamic regulation of histone methylation/demethylation plays an important role during development. Mutations and truncations in human plant homeodomain （PHD） finger protein 8 （PHF8） are associated with X-linked mental retardation and facial anomalies, such as a long face, broad nasal tip, cleft lip/cleft palate and large hands, yet its molecular function and structural basis remain unclear. Here, we report the crystal structures of the catalytic core of PHF8 with or without α-ketoglutarate （α-KG） at high resolution. Biochemical and structural studies reveal that PHF8 is a novel histone demethylase specific for di- and mono-methylated histone H3 lysine 9 （H3K9me2/1）, but not for H3K9me3. Our analyses also reveal how human PHF8 discriminates between methylation states and achieves sequence specificity for methylated H3K9. The in vitro demethylation assay also showed that the F279S mutant observed in clinical patients possesses no demethylation activity, suggesting that loss of enzymatic activity is crucial for pathogenesis of PHF8 patients. Taken together, these results will shed light on the molecular mechanism underlying PHF8-associated developmental and neurological diseases.展开更多
Catalytic oxidation at room temperature is recognized as the most promising method for formaldehyde(HCHO)removal.Pt‐based catalysts are the optimal catalyst for HCHO decomposition at room temperature.Herein,flower‐l...Catalytic oxidation at room temperature is recognized as the most promising method for formaldehyde(HCHO)removal.Pt‐based catalysts are the optimal catalyst for HCHO decomposition at room temperature.Herein,flower‐like hierarchical Pt/NiAl‐LDHs catalysts with different[Ni2+]/[Al3+]molar ratios were synthesized via hydrothermal method followed by NaBH4 reduction of Pt precursor at room temperature.The flower‐like hierarchical Pt/NiAl‐LDHs were composed of interlaced nanoplates and metallic Pt nanoparticles(NPs)approximately 3–4 nm in diameter were loaded on the surface of the Pt/NiAl‐LDHs with high dispersion.The as‐prepared Pt/NiAl21 nanocomposite was highly efficient in catalyzing oxidation of HCHO into CO2 at room temperature.The high activity of the hierarchical Pt/NiAl21 nanocomposite was maintained after seven recycle tests,suggesting the high stability of the catalyst.Based on in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy(DRIFTS)studies,a reaction mechanism was put forward about HCHO decomposition at room temperature.This work provides new insights into designing and fabricating high‐performance catalysts for efficient indoor air purification.展开更多
Objective To elucidate the influence of osteoporosis on the fracture healing in ovariectomized rat. Methods 24 females 8-month-old SD rats were divided randomly into two groups.12 were sham-operated(Sham)and 12 were b...Objective To elucidate the influence of osteoporosis on the fracture healing in ovariectomized rat. Methods 24 females 8-month-old SD rats were divided randomly into two groups.12 were sham-operated(Sham)and 12 were bilaterally ovariectomized(OVX) 3 months later.The femoral fracture model were made in both groups,the healing process was observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM) on d3,d7,d14,d21,d28,and d42 after making fracture in control groups(Sham) and the osteoporosis group(OVX). Results According to the TEM findings,the types of fracture healing cells,their ultrastructure changes and functional states were almost identical in both groups till d21 after making fracture.In OVX group,the calcified cartilage was not resorbed and replaced by new woven bone,a lot of necrosis chondrocytes were found being embedded in a calcified chondroid matrix on d28;after this period,osteoclastic bone resorption become severe gra- dually accompanied by osteocytic osteolysis during d28 to d42 of fracture healing. Conclusion Osteoporosis greatly affect the fracture healing in the later period of healing proess.It demonstrated as endochondral bone formation delayed and increased osteoclastic bone resorption which was made even more severed by osteocytic osteolysis during the period of bone callus remodelling.展开更多
A cell-free preparation obtained from extracts of activated Xenopus laevis eggs induced chromatin decondensation and nuclear formation from demembranated Xenopus sperm nuclei. Electron microscopy revealed that the rea...A cell-free preparation obtained from extracts of activated Xenopus laevis eggs induced chromatin decondensation and nuclear formation from demembranated Xenopus sperm nuclei. Electron microscopy revealed that the reassembled nucleus had a double-layered nuclear membrane, nuclear pore complexes, and decondensed chromatin etc. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated the presence of lamina in newly assembled nuclei. Western-blotting results showed that lamin LII was present in egg extracts and in lamina of the reassembled nuclei which were previously reported to contain only eggderived lamin LIII.展开更多
The potential energy surface of gaseous deprotonated arginine has been systematically in- vestigated by first principles calculations. At the B3LYP/6-31G（d） level, apart from the identification of several stable loc...The potential energy surface of gaseous deprotonated arginine has been systematically in- vestigated by first principles calculations. At the B3LYP/6-31G（d） level, apart from the identification of several stable local structures, a new global minimum is located which is about 6.56 k J/tool more stable than what has been reported. The deprotonated arginine molecule has two distinct forms with the deprotonation at the carboxylate group （COO-）. These two forms are bridged by a very high energy barrier and possess very different IR spectral profiles. Our calculated proton dissociation energy and gas-phase acidity of argi- nine molecule are found to be in good agreement with the corresponding experimental results. The predicted geometries, dipole moments, rotational constants, vertical ionization energies and IR spectra of low energy conformers will be useful for future experimental measurements.展开更多
β-Crystallins are the major structural proteins existing in the vertebrate lens, and their conformational stability is critical in maintaining the life-long transparency and refraction index of the lens. Seven subuni...β-Crystallins are the major structural proteins existing in the vertebrate lens, and their conformational stability is critical in maintaining the life-long transparency and refraction index of the lens. Seven subunits of β-crystallins naturally assemble into various heteroge- neous oligomers with different sizes. Here, we systematically investigated the thermal sta- bility of the different secondary structures present in β-Crystallins and then the dynamic process for the thermal-induced unfolding of β-crystallins by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-monitored thermal titration and temperature-jump nanosecond time-resolved IR difference absorbance spectra. Our results show that the N-terminal anti-parallel β-sheets in β-crystallin are the most unstable with a transition midpoint temperature at 36.0-2.1℃, leading to the formation of an intermediate consisting vastly of random coil structures. This intermediate structure is temporally assigned to that of the monomer generated by the thermal-induced disassembly of β-crystallin oligomers with a transition midpoint tempera- ture of 40.4-0.7℃. The global unfolding of β-crystallins that leads to denaturation and aggregation indicated by the formation of intermolecular anti-parallel β-sheets has a transi- tion midpoint temperature determined as 72.4-0.2 ℃. Temperature-jump time-resolved IR absorbance difference spectroscopy analysis further reveals that thermal-induced unfolding of β-crystallins occurs firstly in the anti-parallel β-sheets in the N-terminal domains with a time constant of 50 ns.展开更多
A lithium-assisted approach has been developed for the exfoliation of pristine graphite, which allows the large-scale preparation of few-layer graphene nanosheets. The process involves an unexpected physical insertion...A lithium-assisted approach has been developed for the exfoliation of pristine graphite, which allows the large-scale preparation of few-layer graphene nanosheets. The process involves an unexpected physical insertion and exfoliafion, and the graphene nanosheets prepared by this method reveal undisturbed sp2-hybridized structures. A possible two-step mechanism, which involves the negative charge being trapped around the edges of the graphite layers and a subsequent lithiation process, is proposed to explain the insertion of lithium inside the graphite interlayers. If necessary, the present exfoliation can be repeated and thinner （single or 2-3 layer） graphene can be achieved on a large scale. This simple process provides an efficient process for the exfoliation of pristine graphite, which might promote the future applications of graphene.展开更多
Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) plays an important role in determining the structure of proteins, viruses, and even the whole cell. It can capture dynamic structural changes of large protein complexes, which other ...Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) plays an important role in determining the structure of proteins, viruses, and even the whole cell. It can capture dynamic structural changes of large protein complexes, which other methods such as X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis find difficult. The signal-to-noise ratio of cryo-EM images is low and the contrast is very weak, and therefore, the images are very noisy and require filtering. In this paper, a filtering method based on non-local means and Zernike moments is proposed. The method takes into account the rotational symmetry of some biological molecules to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of cryo-EM images. The method may be useful in cryo-EM image processing such as the automatic selection of particles, orientation determination, and the building of initial models.展开更多
基金Project (2012CB932800) supported by the National Basic Research Program of ChinaProject (2012M521330) supported by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
文摘The fabrication of a new type of one-dimensional Au-Ag porous nanotube（NPT） structure was presented based on a facile combination of nanocrystal growth and surface modification.Ag nanowires with various diameters were firstly served as the chemical plating templates via a polyol-process.Then,one-dimensional（1D） Au-Ag porous nanostructures with tailored structural features could be prepared by controlling the individual steps involved in this process,such as nanowire growth,surface modification,thermal diffusion,and dealloying.Structural characterizations reveal these Au-Ag porous nanotubes,non-porous nanotubes and porous nanowires possess novel nano-architectures with multimodal open porosity and excellent structural continuity and integrity,which make them particularly desirable as novel 1D nanocarriers for biomedical,drug delivery and sensing applications.
基金Supplementary information is linked to the online version of the paper on the Cell Research website.Acknowledgments We thank Dr Dawei Li （China Agricultural University） for generously providing us with the experimental conditions during the early stages of this project. We thank Dr Ruiming Xu （Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences） for critical reading of this manuscript and advice. We thank Dr Pinchao Mei （Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College）, Xinqi Liu （Nankai University） and Jiemin Wong （East China Normal University） for discussions and advice. The synchrotronradiation experiments were performed at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility （SSRF） and NE3A in the Photon Factory. Z.C. is supported by the National Basic Research Program of China （973 Program, 2009CB825501）, the National Natural Science Foundation of China （30870494 and 90919043）, the New Century Excellent Talents in University （NCET-07-0808） and the Innovative Project of SKLAB. S. H. is supported by the National Key Laboratory Special Fund 2060204. Z. D. is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （J0730639）.
文摘Dynamic regulation of histone methylation/demethylation plays an important role during development. Mutations and truncations in human plant homeodomain （PHD） finger protein 8 （PHF8） are associated with X-linked mental retardation and facial anomalies, such as a long face, broad nasal tip, cleft lip/cleft palate and large hands, yet its molecular function and structural basis remain unclear. Here, we report the crystal structures of the catalytic core of PHF8 with or without α-ketoglutarate （α-KG） at high resolution. Biochemical and structural studies reveal that PHF8 is a novel histone demethylase specific for di- and mono-methylated histone H3 lysine 9 （H3K9me2/1）, but not for H3K9me3. Our analyses also reveal how human PHF8 discriminates between methylation states and achieves sequence specificity for methylated H3K9. The in vitro demethylation assay also showed that the F279S mutant observed in clinical patients possesses no demethylation activity, suggesting that loss of enzymatic activity is crucial for pathogenesis of PHF8 patients. Taken together, these results will shed light on the molecular mechanism underlying PHF8-associated developmental and neurological diseases.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21577046, 21307038)Wuhan Morning Light Plan of Youth Science and Technology (2017050304010327)the Opening Project of Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices,Ministry of Education,Jianghan University (JDGD-201813)~~
文摘Catalytic oxidation at room temperature is recognized as the most promising method for formaldehyde(HCHO)removal.Pt‐based catalysts are the optimal catalyst for HCHO decomposition at room temperature.Herein,flower‐like hierarchical Pt/NiAl‐LDHs catalysts with different[Ni2+]/[Al3+]molar ratios were synthesized via hydrothermal method followed by NaBH4 reduction of Pt precursor at room temperature.The flower‐like hierarchical Pt/NiAl‐LDHs were composed of interlaced nanoplates and metallic Pt nanoparticles(NPs)approximately 3–4 nm in diameter were loaded on the surface of the Pt/NiAl‐LDHs with high dispersion.The as‐prepared Pt/NiAl21 nanocomposite was highly efficient in catalyzing oxidation of HCHO into CO2 at room temperature.The high activity of the hierarchical Pt/NiAl21 nanocomposite was maintained after seven recycle tests,suggesting the high stability of the catalyst.Based on in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy(DRIFTS)studies,a reaction mechanism was put forward about HCHO decomposition at room temperature.This work provides new insights into designing and fabricating high‐performance catalysts for efficient indoor air purification.
文摘Objective To elucidate the influence of osteoporosis on the fracture healing in ovariectomized rat. Methods 24 females 8-month-old SD rats were divided randomly into two groups.12 were sham-operated(Sham)and 12 were bilaterally ovariectomized(OVX) 3 months later.The femoral fracture model were made in both groups,the healing process was observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM) on d3,d7,d14,d21,d28,and d42 after making fracture in control groups(Sham) and the osteoporosis group(OVX). Results According to the TEM findings,the types of fracture healing cells,their ultrastructure changes and functional states were almost identical in both groups till d21 after making fracture.In OVX group,the calcified cartilage was not resorbed and replaced by new woven bone,a lot of necrosis chondrocytes were found being embedded in a calcified chondroid matrix on d28;after this period,osteoclastic bone resorption become severe gra- dually accompanied by osteocytic osteolysis during d28 to d42 of fracture healing. Conclusion Osteoporosis greatly affect the fracture healing in the later period of healing proess.It demonstrated as endochondral bone formation delayed and increased osteoclastic bone resorption which was made even more severed by osteocytic osteolysis during the period of bone callus remodelling.
文摘A cell-free preparation obtained from extracts of activated Xenopus laevis eggs induced chromatin decondensation and nuclear formation from demembranated Xenopus sperm nuclei. Electron microscopy revealed that the reassembled nucleus had a double-layered nuclear membrane, nuclear pore complexes, and decondensed chromatin etc. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated the presence of lamina in newly assembled nuclei. Western-blotting results showed that lamin LII was present in egg extracts and in lamina of the reassembled nuclei which were previously reported to contain only eggderived lamin LIII.
文摘The potential energy surface of gaseous deprotonated arginine has been systematically in- vestigated by first principles calculations. At the B3LYP/6-31G（d） level, apart from the identification of several stable local structures, a new global minimum is located which is about 6.56 k J/tool more stable than what has been reported. The deprotonated arginine molecule has two distinct forms with the deprotonation at the carboxylate group （COO-）. These two forms are bridged by a very high energy barrier and possess very different IR spectral profiles. Our calculated proton dissociation energy and gas-phase acidity of argi- nine molecule are found to be in good agreement with the corresponding experimental results. The predicted geometries, dipole moments, rotational constants, vertical ionization energies and IR spectra of low energy conformers will be useful for future experimental measurements.
文摘β-Crystallins are the major structural proteins existing in the vertebrate lens, and their conformational stability is critical in maintaining the life-long transparency and refraction index of the lens. Seven subunits of β-crystallins naturally assemble into various heteroge- neous oligomers with different sizes. Here, we systematically investigated the thermal sta- bility of the different secondary structures present in β-Crystallins and then the dynamic process for the thermal-induced unfolding of β-crystallins by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-monitored thermal titration and temperature-jump nanosecond time-resolved IR difference absorbance spectra. Our results show that the N-terminal anti-parallel β-sheets in β-crystallin are the most unstable with a transition midpoint temperature at 36.0-2.1℃, leading to the formation of an intermediate consisting vastly of random coil structures. This intermediate structure is temporally assigned to that of the monomer generated by the thermal-induced disassembly of β-crystallin oligomers with a transition midpoint tempera- ture of 40.4-0.7℃. The global unfolding of β-crystallins that leads to denaturation and aggregation indicated by the formation of intermolecular anti-parallel β-sheets has a transi- tion midpoint temperature determined as 72.4-0.2 ℃. Temperature-jump time-resolved IR absorbance difference spectroscopy analysis further reveals that thermal-induced unfolding of β-crystallins occurs firstly in the anti-parallel β-sheets in the N-terminal domains with a time constant of 50 ns.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 51222104） and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
文摘A lithium-assisted approach has been developed for the exfoliation of pristine graphite, which allows the large-scale preparation of few-layer graphene nanosheets. The process involves an unexpected physical insertion and exfoliafion, and the graphene nanosheets prepared by this method reveal undisturbed sp2-hybridized structures. A possible two-step mechanism, which involves the negative charge being trapped around the edges of the graphite layers and a subsequent lithiation process, is proposed to explain the insertion of lithium inside the graphite interlayers. If necessary, the present exfoliation can be repeated and thinner （single or 2-3 layer） graphene can be achieved on a large scale. This simple process provides an efficient process for the exfoliation of pristine graphite, which might promote the future applications of graphene.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (2010CB912400)
文摘Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) plays an important role in determining the structure of proteins, viruses, and even the whole cell. It can capture dynamic structural changes of large protein complexes, which other methods such as X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis find difficult. The signal-to-noise ratio of cryo-EM images is low and the contrast is very weak, and therefore, the images are very noisy and require filtering. In this paper, a filtering method based on non-local means and Zernike moments is proposed. The method takes into account the rotational symmetry of some biological molecules to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of cryo-EM images. The method may be useful in cryo-EM image processing such as the automatic selection of particles, orientation determination, and the building of initial models.
