Smooth muscle expression of RNA editing enzyme ADAR1 controls vascular integrity and progression of atherosclerosis.

Mapping the genomic architecture of complex disease has been predicated on the understanding that genetic variants influence disease risk through modifying gene expression. However, recent discoveries have revealed that a significant burden of disease heritability in common autoinflammatory disorders and coronary artery disease is mediated through genetic variation modifying post-transcriptional modification of RNA through adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing. This common RNA modification is catalyzed by ADAR enzymes, where ADAR1 edits specific immunogenic double stranded RNA (dsRNA) to prevent activation of the double strand RNA (dsRNA) sensor MDA5 ( IFIH1 ) and stimulation of an interferon stimulated gene (ISG) response. Multiple lines of human genetic data indicate impaired RNA editing and increased dsRNA sensing to be an important mechanism of coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Here, we provide a crucial link between observations in human genetics and mechanistic cell biology leading to progression of CAD. Through analysis of human atherosclerotic plaque, we implicate the vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) to have a unique requirement for RNA editing, and that ISG induction occurs in SMC phenotypic modulation, implicating MDA5 activation. Through culture of human coronary artery SMCs, generation of a conditional SMC specific Adar1 deletion mouse model on a pro-atherosclerosis background, and with incorporation of single cell RNA sequencing cellular profiling, we further show that Adar1 controls SMC phenotypic state, is required to maintain vascular integrity, and controls progression of atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. Through this work, we describe a fundamental mechanism of CAD, where cell type and context specific RNA editing and sensing of dsRNA mediates disease progression, bridging our understanding of human genetics and disease causality.

Self-assembly of cascade nanoenzyme glucose oxidase encapsulated in copper benzenedicarboxylate for wearable sweat-glucose colorimetric sensors with smartphone readout.

BACKGROUND: With the advent of personalized medical approaches, precise and tailored treatments are expected to become widely accepted for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Paper-based colorimetric sensors that function in combination with smartphones have been rapidly developed in recent years because it does not require additional equipment and is inexpensive and easy to perform. In this study, we developed a portable, low-cost, and wearable sweat-glucose detection device for in situ detection. RESULTS: The sensor adopted an integrated biomimetic nanoenzyme of glucose oxidase (GOx) encapsulated in copper 1, 4-benzenedicarboxylate (CuBDC) (GOx@CuBDC) through a biomimetic mineralization process. CuBDC exhibited a peroxide-like effect, cascade catalytic effect with the encapsulated GOx, and increased the enzyme stability. GOx@CuBDC and 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine were combined to form a hybrid membrane that achieved single-step paper-based glucose detection. SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTY: This GOx@CuBDC-based colorimetric glucose sensor was used to quantitatively analyze the sweat-glucose concentration with smartphone readings. The sensor exhibited a good linear relationship over the concentration range of 40-900 µM and a limit of detection of 20.7 µM (S/N = 3). Moreover, the sensor performed well in situ monitoring and in evaluating variations based on the consumption of foods with different glycemic indices. Therefore, the fabricated wearable sweat-glucose sensors exhibited optimal practical application performance.

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric [4 + 3] cycloaddition of methylene-trimethylenemethane: access to seven-membered exocyclic axially chiral allenes.

A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric [4 + 3] cycloaddition of the methylene-trimethylenemethane donor with an azadiene has been developed, affording benzofuro[3,2-b]azepine-derived exocyclic chiral allene with control of axial and point chirality. The target compounds were generated in good to excellent yields and with high diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities (up to >20 : 1 dr, 99% ee). Furthermore, this cycloaddition reaction could be efficiently scaled-up and several synthetic transformations were accomplished for the construction of useful chiral allenol and chiral spirocyclic derivatives.

BF3·OEt2 Catalyzed Cascade [4 + 2] Benzannulation of Vinyloxiranes with Coumarins to Construct Benzocoumarin Derivatives.

A BF3·OEt2-catalyzed cascade cyclization reaction of vinyloxirane with coumarin is described, affording the benzocoumarin derivatives with moderate to excellent yields (72-92%). The reaction demonstrates exceptional substrate tolerance and has been extensively explored for its potential in drug development, including scale-up experiments, functional group transformations, and screening of the products for anticancer activity. Moreover, the reaction mechanism has been rigorously validated through intermediate trapping and control experiments. Additionally, this reaction represents the uncommon nonmetal catalyzed intermolecular cyclization of vinyloxiranes.

Phosphine-catalyzed (3+3) annulation of cinnamaldehyde-derived Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with dinucleophiles.

The phosphine-catalyzed (3+3) annulation reaction of cinnamaldehyde-derived Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds as dinucleophiles has been developed, giving hexahydrochromenone derivatives in high yields with moderate to good diastereoselectivities. The reaction worked through double conjugate addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to the phosphonium intermediates generated from the cinnamaldehyde-derived MBH carbonates.

Palladium-Catalyzed (4 + 1) Annulation of 4-Vinylbenzodioxinones with Sulfur Ylides: Diastereoselective Synthesis of Dihydrobenzofuran Derivatives.

Palladium-catalyzed (4 + 1) annulation of 4-vinylbenzodioxinones with sulfur ylides has been developed to afford various dihydrobenzofuran derivatives in moderate to high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities. The scale-up reaction and further derivations of the product worked well, demonstrating the application potential of the current reaction in organic synthesis.

Phosphine-Catalyzed (4 + 2) Annulation of Allenoates Bearing Acidic Hydrogen with 1,1-Dicyanoalkenes.

α-succinimide-substituted allenoates were employed as phosphine acceptors in phosphine-catalyzed (4 + 2) annulation with 1,1-dicyanoalkenes. They served as C4 synthons in the annulation reaction under mild reaction conditions and produced hexahydroisoindole derivatives in moderate to high yields with good to excellent diastereoselectivities.

Palladium-Catalyzed [5 + 4] Cycloaddition of 4-Vinyl-4-Butyrolactones with N-Tosyl Azadienes: Construction of Nine-Membered Ring.

In this paper, we reported the palladium-catalyzed formal [5 + 4] cycloaddition reactions between 4-vinyl-4-butyrolactones (VBLs) and azadienes. Under mild reaction conditions, a wide range of benzofuran-fused 9-membered heterocyclic compounds had been provided in moderate to excellent yields with exclusive regioselectivities and excellent diastereoselectivities. The practical applicability of the synthesis was demonstrated through scale-up reaction and further transformation.

Palladium-catalyzed enantioselective umpolung allylation of amido-tethered allylic carbonates with isatin-derived ketimines.

A palladium-catalyzed enantioselective umpolung allylation reaction of amido-tethered allyl carbonates with N-2,2,2-trifluoroethylisatin ketimines has been realized herein. The reaction worked well under mild reaction conditions to give various chiral oxindole derivatives in moderate to excellent yields with high enantioselectivities. Notably, this work represents the first Pd-catalyzed asymmetric umpolung allylation reaction of N-2,2,2-trifluoroethylisatin ketimines.

Palladium-Catalyzed [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of 4-Vinyl-4-butyrolactones with Ketenes Generated in Situ from Acyl Chlorides: A Method for the Synthesis of Dihydrofurans.

In this paper, palladium-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 4-vinyl-4-butyrolactones with ketenes generated from easily available acyl chlorides was achieved. With Pd2(dba)3·CHCl3/XantPhos as the catalyst, the reaction proceeded smoothly under mild reaction conditions, affording a series of 2,3-dihydrofurans in moderate to high yields. The scale-up reaction and further transformations of the products are demonstrated, and a plausible mechanism is proposed as well.

Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective [4+2] Cycloaddition of 4-Vinylbenzodioxinones with Barbiturate-Derived Alkenes: Con-struction of Chiral Spirobarbiturate-Chromanes.

In this paper, Pd-catalyzed [4+2] decarboxylative cycloaddition of 4-vinylbenzodioxinones with barbiturate-derived alkenes has been developed, leading to various spirobarbiturate-chromane derivatives in high yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities. The scale-up reaction and further derivation of the product were demonstrated. A plausible reaction mechanism was also proposed.

Cu-Catalyzed Divergent Transformations of Allenylethylene Carbonates with Diboron Reagents.

Divergent transformations of allenylethylene carbonates with diboron reagents catalyzed by copper are disclosed. By using CuCl/IPr·HCl as the catalyst, the allenylethylene carbonates react with B2hex2 to afford 2,4-dien-1-ols as the product in the presence of Cs2CO3 as the base, iPrOH as the additive, and 1,4-dioxane as the solvent. And they react with B2pin2 to form boronic half acids in the presence of NaOtBu as the base, water as the additive, and THF as the solvent. The reactions afford corresponding products in good stereoselectivities and yields, and further derivatizations of boronic half acids and study of the mechanism are also demonstrated.

4-Vinylbenzodioxinones as a new type of precursor for palladium-catalyzed (4+3) cycloaddition of azomethine imines.

In this paper, benzo-fused cyclic carbonates were designed and synthesized as a new type of precursor of π-allylpalladium zwitterionic intermediates, and were applied in Pd-catalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective (4+3) cycloaddition with C,N-cyclic azomethine imines, leading to various biologically important 1,3,4-benzoxadiazepine derivatives in 43-99% yields with 6 : 1 to >20 : 1 dr and up to 95% ee.

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Allenes through Phosphine-Catalyzed Cascade Isomerization/Annulation.

Phosphine-catalyzed cascade isomerization/annulation has been developed to realize a diastereoselective synthesis of allenes installed on the hexahydropentalene skeleton, which contains five chiral centers (and one axial chirality). This reaction tolerated a broad range of allenoates and enynes. The allene products were transformed to various halogen-substituted fused-ring compounds.

Palladium-catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 2-methylidenetrimethylene carbonate or methylene cyclic carbamate with sulfamate-derived cyclic imines.

A palladium-catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 2-methylidenetrimethylene carbonate or methylene cyclic carbamate with sulfamate-derived cyclic imines has been successfully developed under mild reaction conditions, affording pharmacologically interesting oxazine or hydropyrimidine derivatives in high yields (up to 99% yield). Furthermore, the cycloaddition reactions could be efficiently scaled up and several synthetic transformations were accomplished for the construction of other useful 1,3-oxazine and hydropyrimidinone derivatives.

Phosphine-Catalyzed (3 + 2) Annulation of γ-Substituted Cinnamic Aldehyde-Derived Morita-Baylis-Hillman Carbonates through Remote Activation.

A series of γ-substituted Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates were synthesized and subjected to phosphine-catalyzed annulations with electrophilic exocyclic alkenes, giving various valuable spirocyclopentenes in moderate to excellent yields with moderate to excellent diastereoselectivities. A large scope of MBH carbonates bearing γ-hydrogen, alkenyl, and alkynyl substituents was well tolerated. The annulation unprecedentedly involves ß-, γ-, and δ-carbons of MBH carbonates.

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric (3 + 2) Cycloaddition of 5-Allenyloxazolidine-2,4-Diones with Barbiturate-Derived Alkenes: Synthesis of Spirobarbiturate-γ-Lactams.

The 5-allenyloxazolidine-2,4-diones had been synthesized as novel precursors of π-allyl palladium zwitterion and were applied in a palladium-catalyzed enantioselective (3 + 2) annulation by using barbiturate-derived alkenes as the reaction partner in the presence of an axially chiral phosphoramidite ligand. This reaction proceeded smoothly under mild reaction conditions, affording highly functionalized spirobarbiturate-γ-lactam derivatives in excellent yields along with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. The scale-up reaction and further transformation of the product were also successful.

An 'on-off-on' fluorescent switch based on a luminous covalent organic framework for the rapid and selective detection of glyphosate.

Glyphosate, the most used herbicide in the world, has a residue problem that cannot be ignored. However, glyphosate itself does not have fluorescence emission and lacks the conditions for fluorescence detection. In this work, a rapid and selective fluorescence detection method of glyphosate was designed by an 'on-off-on' fluorescent switch based on a luminous covalent organic framework (L-COF). Only the fixed concentration of Fe3+ as an intermediate could trigger the fluorescent switch and no incubation step was required. The proposed method showed good accuracy with a correlation coefficient of 0.9978. The method's limits of detection and quantitation were 0.88 and 2.93 µmol/L, which were lower than the maximum allowable residue limits in some regulations. Environmental water samples and tomatoes were selected as actual samples to verify the application in a complex matrix. A satisfactory mean recovery from 87% to 106% was gained. Furthermore, Fe3+ could induce fluorescence quenching of L-COF through the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) effect, while the addition of glyphosate could block the PET effect to achieve detection. These results demonstrated the proposed method had abilities to detect glyphosate and broaden the application of L-COF.

Fluorescence quenching determination of tetracyclines based on the synergistic oxidation effect between Fe3O4nanoparticles and tetracyclines.

In recent years, tetracyclines (TCs) is a hot research topic. Herein, we report an interesting discovery using the complexation of oxytetracycline and metal ions. In this study, according to the properties of Fe3O4nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs) as a nanoenzyme, it can be used to catalyze the oxidation of KI by H2O2to produceI3-,while at the same timeI3-binds to rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) to form a conjoined particle (Rh6G ∼ I3)n, leading to a decrease in the fluorescence intensity of Rh6G. However, in the presence of TCs, Fe3O4NPs have a synergistic effect with TCs, leading to enhanced catalytic activity, as well as better selectivity compared to the activity of other reducing enzymes. Consequently,the fluorescent signal based on a resonance scattering effect between Rh6G andI3-is dependent on the concentration of TCs, thus achieving highly facile and robust detection of TCs. The limits of detection (LOD) of the method were 20 nM, 10 nM and 40 nM for oxytetracycline(OTC), tetracycline(TC) and chlortetracycline(CTC), respectively. Most importantly, the method can be successfully applied to the detection of TCs in milk, eggs, and honey. The recoveries of spiked samples ranged from 83.11 to 118.95%. Thus, a stable, hands-on strategy for the detection of TCs is proposed, which has potential applications in the field of food safety and environmental protection.

Phosphine-Catalyzed Tandem Annulation of Allenylic Alcohols with 1,1-Dicyanoalkenes.

The phosphine-catalyzed tandem annulation of allenylic alcohols with 1,1-dicyanoalkenes has been developed, giving various bicyclic tetrahydrocyclopentafuran derivatives in 40-89% yields with moderate to excellent diastereoselectivities. The fused ring was furnished through a sequential (3 + 2) annulation/nucleophilic addition reaction. The unusual nucleophilic addition of an alkoxide ion to a cyano group led to a formation of tetrahydrofuran ring having an imino substituent.