Alb4 of Arabidopsis Promotes Assembly and Stabilization of a Non Chlorophyll-Binding Photosynthetic Complex, the CF1CF0-ATP Synthase

All members of the YidC/Oxal/Alb3 protein family are evolutionarily conserved and appear to function in membrane protein integration and protein complex stabilization. Here, we report on a second thylakoidal isoform of Alb3, named Alb4. Analysis of Arabidopsis knockout mutant lines shows that AIb4 is required in assembly and/or stability of the CF1CF0-ATP synthase （ATPase）. alb4 mutant lines not only have reduced steady-state levels of ATPase subunits, but also their assembly into high-molecular-mass complexes is altered, leading to a reduction of ATP synthesis in the mutants. Moreover, we show that Alb4 but not AIb3 physically interacts with the subunits CF1β and CF0ll. Summarizing, the data indicate that AIb4 functions to stabilize or promote assembly of CF1 during its attachment to the membrane-embedded CF0 part.

M2M’AlB4（M = Mn, Fe, Co, M’ = Cr, Mo, W）: Theoretical predicted ordered MAB phases with Cr3AlB4 crystal structure

The nanolaminated MAB phases have attracted great research interests due to their unusual combination of metal-like and ceramic-like properties, which is similar to MAX phases. Recently, ordered quaternary MAX phases have been discovered, which enriches the family of MAX phases, and opens a new window to tailor the properties of MAX phases and to develop new MXenes. In the present work, we explored possible ordered quaternary MAB phases with Cr3AlB4 structure(space group: Pmmm) by first-principles calculations. The predictions show that M2M’AlB4 phases with M = Mn, Fe, Co and M’ = Cr, Mo, W exhibit strong tendency of ordering, where M locates at 2t site(0.5, 0.5, z2t) and M’ locates at 1 g site(0, 0.5,0.5). The main driving force of ordering may be the differences in bonding strengths between Al and M elements. Analyses on chemical bonds reveal that bonding strengths increase following the order:Al-Mn < Al-Fe < Al-Co, which is consistent with the prediction that ordering tendency increases when M changes from Mn to Co, as derived from enthalpy differences. The ordered M2M’AlB4 phases with M =Mn or Fe are predicted ferromagnetic and ordered M2M’AlB4 phases display lower shear resistance and possibly better ductility in comparison to Cr3AlB4.

Theoretical investigation on the stability, mechanical and thermal properties of the newly discovered MAB phase Cr4AlB4

The nanolaminated MAB phases have attracted great research interests in recent years due to their similarities to MAX phases,which display both metallic and ceramic-like properties.In the present work,a newly discovered MAB phase Cr4AlB4 was investigated by first principles calculations.Energy evaluations indicate that Cr4AlB4 can be synthetized in Al lean condition,which can further transform to Cr2AlB2 in Al rich condition.The full set of elastic properties and their dependences on temperature,ideal strengths under different tensile and shear deformations,and thermal expansions of Cr4AlB4 were predicted.The results reveal that the properties of Cr4AlB4 are dominated by the layered crystal structure and weak bonding nature between Al and Cr2B2 layers,including low elastic stiffness and large thermal expansion along[010]direction(the stacking direction of Al and Cr2B2 layers),low shear resistances in(010)plane,and preferentially cleavage along and/or shear in(010)plane.Therefore,it suggests that Cr4AlB4 displays similar mechanical properties to MAX phases,including readily machinable,thermal shock resistant,and damage tolerant.In combination with the fact that Cr,Al and B all can form dense oxides to protect the material from further oxidation,Cr4AlB4 is regarded as a promising high temperature ceramic.

Crystal structure of Cr_4AlB_4: A new MAB phase compound discovered in Cr-Al-B system

In this communication, the crystal structure of Cr_4AlB_4, a new MAB phase compound(where M is a transition metal, A is Al or Si, B is boron) discovered in Cr-Al-B system is reported. This new MAB phase was synthesized from a mixture of CrB and Al powders at 1000?C and its crystal structure was determined by a combination of X-ray diffraction, first-principles calculations and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS). Cr_4AlB_4 crystallizes in an orthorhombic structure with Immm space group. The lattice constants are a = 2.9343(6) ?, b = 18.8911(0) ?, c = 2.9733(7) ?, and the atomic positions are Cr1 at 4 g(0, 0.2936(5),0), Cr2 at 4 h(0.5, 0.5859(7), 0), Al at 2 b(0, 0.5, 0.5), B1 at 4 h(0, 0.3839(8), 0.5) and B2 at 4 g(0.5, 0.6646(2),0.5).