导电聚合物中极化子动力学的外加电场效应

基于紧束缚近似的Su-Schrieffer-Heeger(SSH)模型,考虑了外电场和Brazovskii-Kirova对称破缺对Hamiltonian的修正,采用非绝热动力学方法研究了一维导电聚合物中正负极化子对的碰撞过程.研究发现外加电场对正负极化子对碰撞的影响至关重要.当外电场很小(约E0<0.02mV/),碰撞的产物是束缚的正负极化子对;在稍强些的电场下,正负极化子可以复合成中性激子,其产率可以达到85%以上;在强电场(约E0>0.2mV/)下则散射成极化子激发态.其中激子形成的细节研究对于如何提高有机电致发光器件的发光效率具有一定的指导意义.     

Structure of mammalian AMPK and its regulation by ADP

The heterotrimeric AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has a key role in regulating cellular energy metabolism; in response to a fall in intracellular ATP levels it activates energy-producing pathways and inhibits energy-consuming processes. AMPK has been implicated in a number of diseases related to energy metabolism including type 2 diabetes, obesity and, most recently, cancer. AMPK is converted from an inactive form to a catalytically competent form by phosphorylation of the activation loop within the kinase domain: AMP binding to the γ-regulatory domain promotes phosphorylation by the upstream kinase, protects the enzyme against dephosphorylation, as well as causing allosteric activation. Here we show that ADP binding to just one of the two exchangeable AXP (AMP/ADP/ATP) binding sites on the regulatory domain protects the enzyme from dephosphorylation, although it does not lead to allosteric activation. Our studies show that active mammalian AMPK displays significantly tighter binding to ADP than to Mg-ATP, explaining how the enzyme is regulated under physiological conditions where the concentration of Mg-ATP is higher than that of ADP and much higher than that of AMP. We have determined the crystal structure of an active AMPK complex. The structure shows how the activation loop of the kinase domain is stabilized by the regulatory domain and how the kinase linker region interacts with the regulatory nucleotide-binding site that mediates protection against dephosphorylation. From our biochemical and structural data we develop a model for how the energy status of a cell regulates AMPK activity.     

Ionic colloidal crystals of oppositely charged particles

Colloidal suspensions are widely used to study processes such as melting, freezing and glass transitions. This is because they display the same phase behaviour as atoms or molecules, with the nano- to micrometre size of the colloidal particles making it possible to observe them directly in real space. Another attractive feature is that different types of colloidal interactions, such as long-range repulsive, short-range attractive, hard-sphere-like and dipolar, can be realized and give rise to equilibrium phases. However, spherically symmetric, long-range attractions (that is, ionic interactions) have so far always resulted in irreversible colloidal aggregation. Here we show that the electrostatic interaction between oppositely charged particles can be tuned such that large ionic colloidal crystals form readily, with our theory and simulations confirming the stability of these structures. We find that in contrast to atomic systems, the stoichiometry of our colloidal crystals is not dictated by charge neutrality; this allows us to obtain a remarkable diversity of new binary structures. An external electric field melts the crystals, confirming that the constituent particles are indeed oppositely charged. Colloidal model systems can thus be used to study the phase behaviour of ionic species. We also expect that our approach to controlling opposite-charge interactions will facilitate the production of binary crystals of micrometre-sized particles, which could find use as advanced materials for photonic applications.     

Structure of the C2 domain of human factor VIII at 1.5 A resolution

Human factor VIII is a plasma glycoprotein that has a critical role in blood coagulation. Factor VIII circulates as a complex with von Willebrand factor. After cleavage by thrombin, factor VIIIa associates with factor IXa at the surface of activated platelets or endothelial cells. This complex activates factor X (refs 6, 7), which in turn converts prothrombin to thrombin in the presence of factor Va (refs 8, 9). The carboxyl-terminal C2 domain of factor VIII contains sites that are essential for its binding to von Willebrand factor and to negatively charged phospholipid surfaces. Here we report the structure of human factor VIII C2 domain at 1.5 A resolution. The structure reveals a beta-sandwich core, from which two beta-turns and a loop display a group of solvent-exposed hydrophobic residues. Behind the hydrophobic surface lies a ring of positively charged residues. This motif suggests a mechanism for membrane binding involving both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. The structure explains, in part, mutations in the C2 region of factor VIII that lead to bleeding disorders in haemophilia A.     

3D Nanocomposite Hydrogel Scaffolds Fabricated by Rapid Prototyping for Bone Tissue Engineering

Colloidal gels made of oppositely charged nanoparticles are a novel class of hydrogels and can exhibit pseudoplastic behavior which will enable them to mold easily into specific shapes. These moldable gels can be used as building blocks to self-assemble into integral scaffolds from bottom to up through electrostatic forces. However, they are too weak to maintain scaffold morphology just depending on interparticle interactions such as Van der Waals attraction and electrostatic forces especially for bone tissue engineering. In this study, oppositely charged gelatin nanoparticles were firstly prepared by two-step desolvation method, followed by the mixture with water to form colloid gels. To solve the problem of weak mechanical performance of colloid gels, gelatin macromolecules were introduced into the prepared gels to form blend gels. The blend gels can be easily processed into three-dimensional （3D） porous scaffolds via motor assisted microsyringe （MAM） system, a nozzle-based rapid prototyping technology, under mild conditions. After fabrication the scaffolds were erosslinked by glutaraldehyde （ GA, 25 % solution in water by weight）, then the crosslinked gelatin macromolecules network could form to improve the mechanical properties of colloid gels. The average particle size and zeta potential of gdatin nanoparticles were measured by Nano- ZS instrument. The morphology and microstructures of scaffolds were characterized by macroscopic images. The mechanical properties of the scaffolds were studied by a universal material testing machine.     

Structure of mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier in complex with carboxyatractyloside

ATP, the principal energy currency of the cell, fuels most biosynthetic reactions in the cytoplasm by its hydrolysis into ADP and inorganic phosphate. Because resynthesis of ATP occurs in the mitochondrial matrix, ATP is exported into the cytoplasm while ADP is imported into the matrix. The exchange is accomplished by a single protein, the ADP/ATP carrier. Here we have solved the bovine carrier structure at a resolution of 2.2 A by X-ray crystallography in complex with an inhibitor, carboxyatractyloside. Six alpha-helices form a compact transmembrane domain, which, at the surface towards the space between inner and outer mitochondrial membranes, reveals a deep depression. At its bottom, a hexapeptide carrying the signature of nucleotide carriers (RRRMMM) is located. Our structure, together with earlier biochemical results, suggests that transport substrates bind to the bottom of the cavity and that translocation results from a transient transition from a 'pit' to a 'channel' conformation.     

聚电解质对表面活性剂胶束形成的影响研究

采用粘度、电导率、可见光光度计以及荧光光谱方法研究了聚电解质与表面活性剂在水溶液中的静电相互作用和疏水相互作用．认为表面活性剂头基电荷的种类对二者的相互作用有极大影响．二者复合物沉淀的产生取决于表面活性剂是以分子状态还是以胶束状态进入聚电解质溶液中．同时发现在有聚电解质存在时,表面活性剂可在低于ＣＭＣ的浓度下形成胶束     

Structural basis for AMP binding to mammalian AMP-activated protein kinase

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulates cellular metabolism in response to the availability of energy and is therefore a target for type II diabetes treatment. It senses changes in the ratio of AMP/ATP by binding both species in a competitive manner. Thus, increases in the concentration of AMP activate AMPK resulting in the phosphorylation and differential regulation of a series of downstream targets that control anabolic and catabolic pathways. We report here the crystal structure of the regulatory fragment of mammalian AMPK in complexes with AMP and ATP. The phosphate groups of AMP/ATP lie in a groove on the surface of the gamma domain, which is lined with basic residues, many of which are associated with disease-causing mutations. Structural and solution studies reveal that two sites on the gamma domain bind either AMP or Mg.ATP, whereas a third site contains a tightly bound AMP that does not exchange. Our binding studies indicate that under physiological conditions AMPK mainly exists in its inactive form in complex with Mg.ATP, which is much more abundant than AMP. Our modelling studies suggest how changes in the concentration of AMP ([AMP]) enhance AMPK activity levels. The structure also suggests a mechanism for propagating AMP/ATP signalling whereby a phosphorylated residue from the alpha and/or beta subunits binds to the gamma subunit in the presence of AMP but not when ATP is bound.     

Separation of Organic Dyes from Water by Colloidal Gas Aphrons

IntroductionColloidal gas aphrons ( CGAs) are dispersions ofvery small microbubbles( usually of diameters inthe range of2 5 1 2 5 μm) distributed in an aqueousmedium. Sebba[1] first reported colloidal gasaphrons in 1 971 . Colloidal gas aphrons are gasbu…     

FDP改善运动疲劳红细胞能量代谢

探索1,6-二磷酸果糖（FDP）在分子水平对蹦床运动员疲劳后红细胞（RBC）能量代谢的影响规律,为运动性疲劳的恢复提供实验研究依据。FDP800mmol／L和0mmol／L分别孵育疲劳后红细胞,分别用细胞化学方法、比色法、高效液相色谱法检测细胞色素氧化酶活力,2,3-二磷酸甘油酸（2,3-DPG）水平,三磷酸腺苷（ATP）、二磷酸腺苷（ADP）、一磷酸腺苷（AMP）含量并计算能荷。FDP处理后红细胞ATP、能荷、细胞色素氧化酶活力和2,3-DPG水平显著增加,ADP和AMP含量显著下降。FDP能够通过增加细胞色素氧化酶活力,提高2,3-DPG水平来改善疲劳红细胞能量供应,缓解运动性疲劳。     

Atomic structure of the actin:DNase I complex

The atomic models of the complex between rabbit skeletal muscle actin and bovine pancreatic deoxyribonuclease I both in the ATP and ADP forms have been determined by X-ray analysis at an effective resolution of 2.8 A and 3A, respectively. The two structures are very similar. The actin molecule consists of two domains which can be further subdivided into two subdomains. ADP or ATP is located in the cleft between the domains with a calcium ion bound to the beta- or beta- and gamma-phosphates, respectively. The motif of a five-stranded beta sheet consisting of a beta meander and a right handed beta alpha beta unit appears in each domain suggesting that gene duplication might have occurred. These sheets have the same topology as that found in hexokinase.     

Structural basis for recognition of acidic-cluster dileucine sequence by GGA1

GGAs (Golgi-localizing, gamma-adaptin ear homology domain, ARF-interacting proteins) are critical for the transport of soluble proteins from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) to endosomes/lysosomes by means of interactions with TGN-sorting receptors, ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF), and clathrin. The amino-terminal VHS domains of GGAs form complexes with the cytoplasmic domains of sorting receptors by recognizing acidic-cluster dileucine (ACLL) sequences. Here we report the X-ray structure of the GGA1 VHS domain alone, and in complex with the carboxy-terminal peptide of cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor containing an ACLL sequence. The VHS domain forms a super helix with eight alpha-helices, similar to the VHS domains of TOM1 and Hrs. Unidirectional movements of helices alpha6 and alpha8, and some of their side chains, create a set of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions for correct recognition of the ACLL peptide. This recognition mechanism provides the basis for regulation of protein transport from the TGN to endosomes/lysosomes, which is shared by sortilin and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein.     

四乙基溴化铵对离子型表面活性剂胶束化行为的影响

用表面张力方法研究了有机电解质四乙基溴化铵（（Ｅｔ）４ＮＢ）对离子型表面活性剂ＳＤＳ和ＤＴＡＢ胶束化行为的影响,并与无机电解质ＮａＢｒ的结果比较．实验结果表明,（Ｅｔ）４ＮＢ促进ＳＤＳ胶束化的能力强于ＮａＢｒ;但促进ＤＴＡＢ胶束化的能力与ＮａＢｒ基本一样．这说明：（Ｅｔ）４Ｎ＋与ＳＤＳ胶束间除了相反电荷静电吸引外,其乙基和表面活性剂碳氢链间还具有弱疏水相互作用,两者结合使（Ｅｔ）４Ｎ＋嵌入ＳＤＳ胶束离子头基中;这种疏水作用强度不及静电力,在静电排斥下,（Ｅｔ）４Ｎ＋乙基和ＤＴＡ＋碳氢链间疏水相互作用未能发生．     

感光性可溶共轭聚合物聚对苯的合成

利用反应性高分子的取代反应,合成了含肉桂酸酯侧基的新型感光性共轭聚合物．首先用无水三氯化铁作氧化剂,利用氧化聚合法合成可溶性聚对苯——聚(1,4-二(4-氯丁氧基))苯,然后与肉桂酸钾进行高分子反应,合成了所设计的感光性共轭聚合物．采用FT-IR,UV-VIS,NMR,TGA和荧光光谱对聚合物的化学结构和性能进行了测试．聚合物在氯仿、THF、DMSO等溶剂中溶解性较好,在紫外光辐照下聚合物薄膜可进行交联反应。     

Ectopic beta-chain of ATP synthase is an apolipoprotein A-I receptor in hepatic HDL endocytosis

The effect of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in protecting against atherosclerosis is usually attributed to its role in 'reverse cholesterol transport'. In this process, HDL particles mediate the efflux and the transport of cholesterol from peripheral cells to the liver for further metabolism and bile excretion. Thus, cell-surface receptors for HDL on hepatocytes are chief partners in the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis. A high-affinity HDL receptor for apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) was previously identified on the surface of hepatocytes. Here we show that this receptor is identical to the beta-chain of ATP synthase, a principal protein complex of the mitochondrial inner membrane. Different experimental approaches confirm this ectopic localization of components of the ATP synthase complex and the presence of ATP hydrolase activity at the hepatocyte cell surface. Receptor stimulation by apoA-I triggers the endocytosis of holo-HDL particles (protein plus lipid) by a mechanism that depends strictly on the generation of ADP. We confirm this effect on endocytosis in perfused rat liver ex vivo by using a specific inhibitor of ATP synthase. Thus, membrane-bound ATP synthase has a previously unsuspected role in modulating the concentrations of extracellular ADP and is regulated by a principal plasma apolipoprotein.     

氟硼二吡咯类共轭聚合物均相检测miRNA研究

基于水溶性氟硼二吡咯类共轭聚合物PBF可与长波长区(> 600 nm)荧光染料产生荧光共振能量转移(FRET),结合引物延伸反应,发展了一种均相检测miRNA的新方法.方法首先通过引物延伸反应在目标miRNA分子上引入荧光染料Cy5,形成miRNA-Cy5. 然后,PBF与miRNA-Cy5/DNA杂合体通过静电力结合并发生从PBF到Cy5的有效FRET,实现了基于阳离子共轭聚合物(CCP)的长波长区miRNA的均相检测,方法灵敏度高、特异性好,测定miR-221的线性为15~6 000 pmol/L,检出限(3σ)为8.4 pmol/L.方法拓展了CCP的应用,为基于CCP的生物传感和生化分析提供了新的均相检测平台.     

静电势对带电胶体系统排空作用的影响

在受两平行硬板约束,其中一块板带电且大胶球靠近带电板一侧的弱带电胶体系统中,采用四维超球面法计算系统的能量,通过接受率方法计算胶球与板之间的排空作用,并与不带电的硬球系统中相应结果进行分析对比,结果发现静电势能增强带电胶球与约束硬板之间的排空作用.     

Reversible phase transitions in polymer gels induced by radiation forces

Many polymer gels undergo reversible, discontinuous volume changes in response to changes in the balance between repulsive intermolecular forces that act to expand the polymer network and attractive forces that act to shrink it. Repulsive forces are usually electrostatic or hydrophobic in nature, whereas attraction is mediated by hydrogen bonding or van der Waals interactions. The competition between these counteracting forces, and hence the gel volume, can thus be controlled by subtle changes in parameters such as pH (ref. 4), temperature, solvent composition or gel composition. Here we describe a more direct influence on this balance of forces, by showing that the radiation force generated by a focused laser beam induces reversible shrinkage in polymer gels. Control experiments confirm that the laser-induced volume phase transitions are due to radiation forces, rather than local heating, modifying the weak interactions in the gels, in agreement with previous observations of light-induced chain association in polymer solutions. We find that, owing to shear-relaxation processes, gel shrinkage occurs up to several tens of micrometres away from the irradiation spot, raising the prospect that the combination of stimuli-responsive polymer gels and laser light might lead to new gel-based systems for applications such as actuating or sensing.     

Directed self-assembly of a colloidal kagome lattice

A challenging goal in materials chemistry and physics is spontaneously to form intended superstructures from designed building blocks. In fields such as crystal engineering and the design of porous materials, this typically involves building blocks of organic molecules, sometimes operating together with metallic ions or clusters. The translation of such ideas to nanoparticles and colloidal-sized building blocks would potentially open doors to new materials and new properties, but the pathways to achieve this goal are still undetermined. Here we show how colloidal spheres can be induced to self-assemble into a complex predetermined colloidal crystal-in this case a colloidal kagome lattice-through decoration of their surfaces with a simple pattern of hydrophobic domains. The building blocks are simple micrometre-sized spheres with interactions (electrostatic repulsion in the middle, hydrophobic attraction at the poles, which we call 'triblock Janus') that are also simple, but the self-assembly of the spheres into an open kagome structure contrasts with previously known close-packed periodic arrangements of spheres. This open network is of interest for several theoretical reasons. With a view to possible enhanced functionality, the resulting lattice structure possesses two families of pores, one that is hydrophobic on the rims of the pores and another that is hydrophilic. This strategy of 'convergent' self-assembly from easily fabricated colloidal building blocks encodes the target supracolloidal architecture, not in localized attractive spots but instead in large redundantly attractive regions, and can be extended to form other supracolloidal networks.     

Membrane Insertion by Trichosanthin Using the Monolayer Method

A monolayer technique was used to investigate the interaction between the ribosome inactivating protein trichosanthin (TCS) and phospholipid membrane. The adsorption experiments show that the negatively charged 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoglycerol (DPPG) causes obvious enrichment of TCS beneath the monolayer, indicating electrostatic attraction between TCS and the negatively charged phospholipid. When TCS was incorporated into the DPPG monolayer at low pH, it could not be completely squeezed out until the monolayer collapsed. The results suggest that the electrostatic attraction and the hydrophobic force are involved in the interaction between TCS and phospholipids at different stages. These findings may be correlated with the membrane translocation mechanism of TCS.