Aspergillus oryzae α-l-rhamnosidase: Crystal structure and insight into the substrate specificity.

The subsequent biochemical and structural investigations of the purified recombinant α-l-rhamnosidase from Aspergillus oryzae expressed in Pichia pastoris, designated as rAoRhaA, were performed. The specific activity of the rAoRhaA wild-type was higher toward hesperidin and narirutin, where the l-rhamnose residue was α-1,6-linked to ß-d-glucoside, than toward neohesperidin and naringin with an α-1,2-linkage to ß-d-glucoside. However, no activity was detected toward quercitrin, myricitrin, and epimedin C. rAoRhaA kinetic analysis indicated that Km values for neohesperidin, naringin, and rutin were lower compared to those for hesperidin and narirutin. kcat values for hesperidin and narirutin were higher than those for neohesperidin, naringin, and rutin. High catalytic efficiency (kcat /Km ) toward hesperidin and narirutin was a result of a considerably high kcat value, while Km values for hesperidin and narirutin were higher than those for naringin, neohesperidin, and rutin. The crystal structure of rAoRhaA revealed that the catalytic domain was represented by an (α/α)6 -barrel with the active site located in a deep cleft and two ß-sheet domains were also present in the N- and C-terminal sites of the catalytic domain. Additionally, five asparagine-attached N-acetylglucosamine molecules were observed. The catalytic residues of AoRhaA were suggested to be Asp254 and Glu524, and their catalytic roles were confirmed by mutational studies of D254N and E524Q variants, which lost their activity completely. Notably, three aspartic acids (Asp117, Asp249, and Asp261) located at the catalytic pocket were replaced with asparagine. D117N variant showed reduced activity. D249N and D261N variants activities drastically decreased.

Dehydrogenative Coupling of Alkylamines with Primary Alcohols Forming α-Amino Ketones.

Acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling reactions between C-H bonds offer straightforward and atom-economical methods connecting readily available materials while liberating gaseous hydrogen as the sole byproduct. Despite the growing interest in such transformations, their realization still poses a significant challenge. Here we report a photoinduced dehydrogenative coupling reaction of alkylamines with primary alcohols. C-H bonds adjacent to nitrogen and oxygen are site-selectively cleaved, and a C-C bond is created between the carbon atoms in a cross-selective manner to produce α-amino ketones. Diverse polar functionalities such as esters, amides, and carboxylic acids survived, demonstrating the broad applicability of the present method.

Effects of the matrix-bounded nanovesicles of high-hydrostatic pressure decellularized tissues on neural regeneration.

Decellularized tissues have been used as implantable materials for tissue regeneration because of their high biofunctionality. We have reported that high hydrostatic pressured (HHP) decellularized tissue developed in our laboratory exhibits good in vivo performance, but the details of the mechanism are still not known. Based on previous reports of bioactive factors called matrix bound nanovesicles (MBVs) within decellularized tissues, this study aims to investigate whether MBVs are also present in decellularized tissues prepared by HHP decellularization, which is different from the previously reported methods. In this study, we tried to extract bioactive factors from HHP decellularized brain and placenta, and evaluated their effects on nerves in vitro and in vivo, where its effects have been previously reported. The results confirmed that those factors can be extracted even if the decellularization method and tissue of origin differ, and that they have effects on a series of processes toward nerve regeneration, such as neurite outgrowth and nerve fiber repair.

In this study, we evaluated the neuroregenerative effects of matrix-bounded nanovesicles extracted from decellularized tissue using a high hydrostatic pressure method. The results indicate that bioactive factors, including matrix-bounded nanovesicles, can be extracted regardless of the decellularization method and tissue origin.

Photocatalytic 1,2-Phosphorus-Migrative [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Tri(t-butyl)phosphine with Terminal Alkynes.

Tri(t-butyl)phosphine and terminal alkynes undergo 1,2-phosphorus-migrative [3 + 2] cycloaddition in the presence of a proton source under photocatalytic conditions. The reaction exhibits broad functional group tolerance and affords substituted cyclic phosphonium salts, which are amenable to further derivatization by Wittig olefination. Theoretical studies suggest that the phosphorus 1,2-migration of a ß-phosphonioalkyl radical proceeds through a phosphine radical cation-alkene complex as a pseudointermediate, and the two fragments in the intermediate are bound to each other through multiple noncovalent interactions.

Cleavage of Carbon-Carbon σ-Bonds of Four-Membered Rings.

This article reviews synthetic transformations involving cleavage of a carbon-carbon bond of a four-membered ring, with a particular focus on the examples reported during the period from 2011 to the end of 2019. Most significant is the progress of catalytic reactions involving oxidative addition of carbon-carbon bonds onto transition metals or ß-carbon elimination of transition metal alkoxides. When they are looked at from synthetic perspectives, they offer unique and efficient methods to build complex natural products and structures that are difficult to construct by conventional methods. On the other hand, ß-scission of radical intermediates has also attracted increasing attention as an alternative elementary step to cleave carbon-carbon bonds. Its site-selectivity is often complementary to that of transition metal-catalyzed reactions. In addition, Lewis acid-mediated and thermally induced ring-opening of cyclobutanone derivatives has garnered renewed attention. On the whole, these examples demonstrate unique synthetic potentials of structurally strained four-membered ring compounds for the construction of organic skeletons.

Extraction and Biological Evaluation of Matrix-Bound Nanovesicles (MBVs) from High-Hydrostatic Pressure-Decellularized Tissues.

Decellularized tissues are widely used as promising materials in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Research on the microstructure and components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) was conducted to improve the current understanding of decellularized tissue functionality. The presence of matrix-bound nanovesicles (MBVs) embedded within the ECM was recently reported. Results of a previous experimental investigation revealed that decellularized tissues prepared using high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) exhibited good in vivo performance. In the current study, according to the hypothesis that MBVs are one of the functional components in HHP-decellularized tissue, we investigated the extraction of MBVs and the associated effects on vascular endothelial cells. Using nanoparticle tracking assay (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and RNA analysis, nanosized (100-300 nm) and membranous particles containing small RNA were detected in MBVs derived from HHP-decellularized small intestinal submucosa (SIS), urinary bladder matrix (UBM), and liver. To evaluate the effect on the growth of vascular endothelial cells, which are important in the tissue regeneration process, isolated SIS-derived MBVs were exposed to vascular endothelial cells to induce cell proliferation. These results indicate that MBVs can be extracted from HHP-decellularized tissues and may play a significant role in tissue remodeling.

Sustainable System for Hydrogenation Exploiting Energy Derived from Solar Light.

Herein described is a sustainable system for hydrogenation that uses solar light as the ultimate source of energy. The system consists of two steps. Solar energy is captured and chemically stored in the first step; exposure of a solution of azaxanthone in ethanol to solar light causes an energy storing dimerization of the ketone to produce a sterically strained 1,2-diol. In the second step, the chemical energy stored in the vicinal diol is released and used for hydrogenation; the diol offers hydrogen onto alkenes and splits back to azaxanthone, which is easily recovered and reused repeatedly for capturing solar energy.

Dehydrogenative Coupling of Benzylic and Aldehydic C-H Bonds.

A photoinduced dehydrogenative coupling reaction between benzylic and aldehydic C-H bonds is reported. When a solution of an alkylbenzene and an aldehyde in ethyl acetate is irradiated with visible light in the presence of iridium and nickel catalysts, a coupled α-aryl ketone is formed with evolution of dihydrogen. An analogous C-C bond forming reaction occurs between a C-H bond next to the nitrogen of an N-methylamide and an aldehydic C-H bond to produce an α-amino ketone. These reactions provide a straightforward pathway from readily available materials leading to valued structural motifs of pharmacological relevance.

Photoinduced Specific Acylation of Phenolic Hydroxy Groups with Aldehydes.

A convenient method is reported to specifically acylate phenolic hydroxyl groups through a radical pathway. When a mixture of an aldehyde and a phenol in ethyl acetate is irradiated with blue light in the presence of iridium and nickel bromide catalysts at ambient temperature, phenoxyl and acyl radicals are transiently generated in situ and cross-couple to furnish an ester. Aliphatic hydroxy groups remain untouched under the reaction conditions.

Carboxylation of Benzylic and Aliphatic C-H Bonds with CO2 Induced by Light/Ketone/Nickel.

A photoinduced carboxylation reaction of benzylic and aliphatic C-H bonds with CO2 is developed. Toluene derivatives capture gaseous CO2 at the benzylic position to produce phenylacetic acid derivatives when irradiated with UV light in the presence of an aromatic ketone, a nickel complex, and potassium tert-butoxide. Cyclohexane reacts with CO2 to furnish cyclohexanecarboxylic acid under analogous reaction conditions. The present photoinduced carboxylation reaction provides a direct access from readily available hydrocarbons to the corresponding carboxylic acids with one carbon extension.

Synthesis of 2-Aryloxy-1,3-dienes from Phenols and Propargyl Carbonates.

A convenient method for the synthesis of 1,3-dienes from readily available compounds is reported. 2-Aryoxy-1,3-dienes are produced stereoselectively by a nickel-catalyzed reaction of propargyl carbonates with phenols. Functional group tolerance is broad to allow iodo, formyl, and boryl groups. The resulting 1,3-dienes are of much synthetic value because they can participate in a wide variety of reactions, including the Diels-Alder reaction.

Universal holonomic single quantum gates over a geometric spin with phase-modulated polarized light.

We demonstrate universal non-adiabatic non-abelian holonomic single quantum gates over a geometric electron spin with phase-modulated polarized light and 93% average fidelity. This allows purely geometric rotation around an arbitrary axis by any angle defined by light polarization and phase using a degenerate three-level Λ-type system in a negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond. Since the control light is completely resonant to the ancillary excited state, the demonstrated holonomic gate not only is fast with low power, but also is precise without the dynamical phase being subject to control error and environmental noise. It thus allows pulse shaping for further fidelity.

2-Arylsilacyclobutane as a Latent Carbanion Reacting with CO2.

An electronically neutral 2-arylsilacyclobutane generates a nucleophilic carbanion at room temperature through cleavage of the benzylic C-Si bond when simply dissolved in polar aprotic solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The nucleophilic species is capable of capturing carbon dioxide to furnish a silalactone. The carboxylation reaction is unique in that no additional activating agents are required.

Palladium-Catalyzed Intermolecular Exchange between C-C and C-Si σ-Bonds.

A palladium-isocyanide complex opens the two four-membered rings of benzocyclobutenone and silacyclobutane to merge them into an eight-membered ring skeleton. The present reaction provides a unique example of an intermolecular cross metathesis-type reaction between covalent σ-bonds of low polarity.

Potential of Metal-Catalyzed C-C Single Bond Cleavage for Organic Synthesis.

Conventional organic synthesis has been mainly based upon the reactivities of π-bonds and polar σ-bonds. Carbon-carbon single bonds are nonpolar and generally far less reactive. Although they remain intact under most reaction conditions, it is possible to activate and cleave them if suitable organometallic compounds or metal catalysts are applied. Such C-C single bond cleavage reactions are attracting increasing attention in the context of synthetic chemistry because they provide a unique and more straightforward route from readily available substances to targets, while requiring significantly fewer steps. The present Perspective aims to exemplify the potential of metal-catalyzed C-C single bond cleavage for organic synthesis.

A Light/Ketone/Copper System for Carboxylation of Allylic C-H Bonds of Alkenes with CO2.

A photo-induced carboxylation reaction of allylic C-H bonds of simple alkenes with CO2 is prompted by means of a ketone and a copper complex. The unique carboxylation reaction proceeds through a sequence of an endergonic photoreaction of ketones with alkenes forming homoallyl alcohol intermediates and a thermal copper-catalyzed allyl transfer reaction from the homoallyl alcohols to CO2 through C-C bond cleavage.

Light-driven carboxylation of o-alkylphenyl ketones with CO2.

o-Alkylphenyl ketones undergo a C-C bond forming carboxylation reaction with CO2 simply upon irradiation with UV light or even solar light. The reaction presents a clean process exploiting light energy as the driving force for carboxylation of organic molecules with CO2.

Hole-Transporting Materials with a Two-Dimensionally Expanded π-System around an Azulene Core for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells.

Two-dimensionally expanded π-systems, consisting of partially oxygen-bridged triarylamine skeletons that are connected to an azulene (1-3) or biphenyl core (4), were synthesized and characterized. When tetra-substituted azulene 1 was used as a hole-transporting material (HTM) in perovskite solar cells, the observed performance (power conversion efficiency = 16.5%) was found to be superior to that of the current HTM standard Spiro-OMeTAD. A comparison of the hole mobility, the ability to control the HOMO and LUMO levels, and the hole-collection efficiency at the perovskite/HTM interface in 1 with reference compounds (2-4 and Spiro-OMeTAD) led to the elucidation of key factors required for HTMs to act efficiently in perovskite solar cells.

Pathologic Assessment of Pancreatic Fibrosis for Objective Prediction of Pancreatic Fistula and Management of Prophylactic Drain Removal After Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Soft pancreatic texture is a commonly accepted risk factor associated with pancreatic fistula (PF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). However, its evaluation is subjective and its predictive value is limited. The present study was performed to establish intraoperative PF prediction parameter: the pathological assessment of pancreatic fibrosis, which was an objective evaluation that was strongly related to pancreatic consistency. METHODS: Based on the results of a retrospective investigation on grades of pancreatic fibrosis and PF occurrence in 51 consecutive patients, an algorithm for intraoperative selection of early prophylactic drain removal was established. Prophylactic drains of patients with pancreatic fibrosis ≥ 30 % in the frozen section of pancreatic stump were removed on postoperative day (POD) 4. As CRP ≥ 10 mg/dL on POD 4 was a strong risk factor for PF in patients with fibrosis <30 %, the drains of these patients were maintained. RESULTS: The algorithm was applied to 26 consecutive patients. Prophylactic drains were removed in 14 patients and retained in 12 patients on POD 4. No PF was observed in patients with pancreatic fibrosis ≥ 30 % (n = 8). Among six patients with fibrosis <30 %, CRP <10 mg/dL, and without infection in the drain fluid, only two developed grade A PF. All nine patients with pancreatic fibrosis <30 % and CRP ≥ 10 mg/dL developed grade B PF. No grade C PF was observed in any group. CONCLUSIONS: The pathological evaluation of pancreatic fibrosis could objectively predict PF occurrence. Intraoperative assessment of pancreatic fibrosis could be applied to tailor postoperative drain management after PD.

Enantioselective Construction of 3-Hydroxypiperidine Scaffolds by Sequential Action of Light and Rhodium upon N-Allylglyoxylamides.

3-Hydroxypiperidine scaffolds were enantioselectively constructed in an atom-economical way by sequential action of light and rhodium upon N-allylglyoxylamides. In a formal sense, the allylic C-H bond was selectively cleaved and enantioselectively added across the ketonic carbonyl group with migration of the double bond (carbonyl-ene-type reaction).