Loss of m6A demethylase ALKBH5 alleviates hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension via inhibiting Cyp1a1 mRNA decay.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery hypertension (HPH) is a complication of chronic hypoxic lung disease and the third most common type of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). Epigenetic mechanisms play essential roles in the pathogenesis of HPH. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an important modified RNA nucleotide involved in a variety of biological processes and an important regulator of epigenetic processes. To date, the precise role of m6A and regulatory molecules in HPH remains unclear. METHODS: HPH model and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) were constructed from which m6A changes were observed and screened for AlkB homolog 5 (Alkbh5). Alkbh5 knock-in (KI) and knock-out (KO) mice were constructed to observe the effects on m6A and evaluate right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), left ventricular and septal weight [RV/(LV + S)], and pulmonary vascular remodeling in the context of HPH. Additionally, the effects of Alkbh5 knockdown using adenovirus were examined in vitro on m6A, specifically in PASMCs with regard to proliferation, migration and cytochrome P450 1A1 (Cyp1a1) mRNA stability. RESULTS: In both HPH mice lung tissues and hypoxic PASMCs, a decrease in m6A was observed, accompanied by a significant up-regulation of Alkbh5 expression. Loss of Alkbh5 attenuated the proliferation and migration of hypoxic PASMCs in vitro, with an associated increase in m6A modification. Furthermore, Alkbh5 KO mice exhibited reduced RVSP, RV/(LV + S), and attenuated vascular remodeling in HPH mice. Mechanistically, loss of Alkbh5 inhibited Cyp1a1 mRNA decay and increased its expression through an m6A-dependent post-transcriptional mechanism, which hindered the proliferation and migration of hypoxic PASMCs. CONCLUSION: The current study highlights the loss of Alkbh5 impedes the proliferation and migration of PASMCs by inhibiting post-transcriptional Cyp1a1 mRNA decay in an m6A-dependent manner.

Identification and experimental validation of PYCARD as a crucial PANoptosis-related gene for immune response and inflammation in COPD.

Chronic inflammatory and immune responses play key roles in the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PANoptosis, as a unique inflammatory cell death modality, is involved in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases. We aim to identify critical PANoptosis-related biomarkers and explore their potential effects on respiratory tract diseases and immune infiltration landscapes in COPD. Total microarray data consisting of peripheral blood and lung tissue datasets associated with COPD were obtained from the GEO database. PANoptosis-associated genes in COPD were identified by intersecting differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with genes involved in pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis after normalizing and removing the batch effect. Furthermore, GO, KEGG, PPI network, WGCNA, LASSO-COX, and ROC curves analysis were conducted to screen and verify hub genes, and the correlation between PYCARD and infiltrated immune cells was analyzed. The effect of PYCARD on respiratory tract diseases and the potential small-molecule agents for the treatment of COPD were identified. PYCARD expression was verified in the lung tissue of CS/LPS-induced COPD mice. PYCARD was a critical PANoptosis-related gene in all COPD patients. PYCARD was positively related to NOD-like receptor signaling pathway and promoted immune cell infiltration. Moreover, PYCARD was significantly activated in COPD mice mainly by targeting PANoptosis. PANoptosis-related gene PYCARD is a potential biomarker for COPD diagnosis and treatment.

Antiplatelet effects of the CEACAM1-derived peptide QDTT.

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) restricts platelet activation via platelet collagen receptor GPVI/FcRγ-chain. In this study, screening against collagen-induced platelet aggregation was performed to identify functional CEACAM1 extracellular domain fragments. CEACAM1 fragments, including Ala-substituted peptides, were synthesized. Platelet assays were conducted on healthy donor samples for aggregation, cytotoxicity, adhesion, spreading, and secretion. Mice were used for tail bleeding and FeCl3-induced thrombosis experiments. Clot retraction was assessed using platelet-rich plasma. Extracellular segments of CEACAM1 and A1 domain-derived peptide QDTT were identified, while N, A2, and B domains showed no involvement. QDTT inhibited platelet aggregation. Ala substitution for essential amino acids (Asp139, Thr141, Tyr142, Trp144, and Trp145) in the QDTT sequence abrogated collagen-induced aggregation inhibition. QDTT also suppressed platelet secretion and "inside-out" GP IIb/IIIa activation by convulxin, along with inhibiting PI3K/Akt pathways. QDTT curtailed FeCl3-induced mesenteric thrombosis without significantly prolonging bleeding time, implying the potential of CEACAM1 A1 domain against platelet activation without raising bleeding risk, thus paving the way for novel antiplatelet drugs.

What is the context? The study focuses on Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) and its role in platelet activation, particularly through the GPVI/FcRγ-chain pathway.The research aims to identify specific fragments of CEACAM1's extracellular domain that could restrict platelet activation, without increasing bleeding risk.What is new? The researchers identified a peptide called QDTT derived from the A1 domain of CEACAM1's extracellular segment. This peptide demonstrated the ability to inhibit platelet aggregation, secretion, and GP IIb/IIIa activation.The study also revealed that specific amino acids within the QDTT sequence were essential for its inhibitory effects on collagen-induced aggregation.What is the impact? The findings suggest that the A1 domain-derived peptide QDTT from CEACAM1 could serve as a potential basis for developing novel antiplatelet drugs. This peptide effectively limits platelet activation and aggregation without significantly prolonging bleeding time, indicating a promising approach to managing thrombosis and related disorders while minimizing bleeding risks.

Construction of a g-C3N4/Bi(OH)3 Heterojunction for the Enhancement of Visible Light Photocatalytic Antibacterial Activity.

Photocatalytic technology has been recently conducted to remove microbial contamination due to its unique features of nontoxic by-products, low cost, negligible microbial resistance and broad-spectrum elimination capacity. Herein, a novel two dimensional (2D) g-C3N4/Bi(OH)3 (CNB) heterojunction was fabricated byincorporating Bi(OH)3 (BOH) nanoparticles with g-C3N4 (CN) nanosheets. This CNB heterojunction exhibited high photocatalytic antibacterial efficiency (99.3%) against Escherichia coli (E. coli) under visible light irradiation, which was 4.3 and 3.4 times that of BOH (23.0%) and CN (28.0%), respectively. The increase in specific surface area, ultra-thin layered structure, construction of a heterojunction and enhancement of visible light absorption were conducive to facilitating the separation and transfer of photoinduced charge carriers. Live/dead cell staining, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) assays and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been implemented to investigate the damage to the cell membrane and the leakage of the intracellular protein in the photocatalytic antibacterial process. The e-, h+ and O2•- were the active species involved in this process. This study proposed an appropriate photocatalyst for efficient treatment of bacterial contamination.

Photoinduced Remote C(sp3)-H Phosphonylation of Amides.

The present study reports an unprecedented protocol for the phosphonylation of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds. By utilizing 1 mol % 4DPAIPN (1,2,3,5-tetrakis(diphenylamino)-4,6-dicyanobenzene) as the catalyst, satisfactory yields of γ-phosphonylated amides are obtained through a visible-light-induced reaction between N-((4-cyanobenzoyl)oxy)alkanamides and 9-fluorenyl o-phenylene phosphite at room temperature. This protocol demonstrates broad substrate scope and wide functional group compatibility.

Photoinduced Decarboxylative Radical Phosphinylation.

Reported herein is an unprecedented protocol for C(sp3 )-phosphinylation. With 1 mol % 4CzIPN (1,2,3,5-tetrakis(carbazol-9-yl)-4,6-dicyanobenzene) as the catalyst, the visible light induced reaction of redox-active esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids with dimethyl arylphosphonites or diethyl alkylphosphonites at room temperature provides the corresponding decarboxylative phosphinylation products in satisfactory yields. The protocol exhibits broad substrate scope and wide functional-group compatibility, enabling the late-stage modification of complex molecules and rapid synthesis of bioactive phosphinic acids such as glutamine synthetase phosphinothricin and a kynureninase inhibitor. A radical-polar crossover mechanism involving the formation and subsequent oxidation of phosphoranyl radicals followed by nucleophilic demethylation (or deethylation) is proposed.

Ultrathin Co-N-C Layer Modified Pt-Co Intermetallic Nanoparticles Leading to a High-Performance Electrocatalyst toward Oxygen Reduction and Methanol Oxidation.

The development of low platinum-based alloy electrocatalysts is crucial to accelerate the commercialization of fuel cells, yet remains a synthetic challenge and an incompatibility between activity and stability. Herein, a facile procedure to fabricate a high-performance composite that comprises Pt-Co intermetallic nanoparticles (IMNs) and Co, N co-doped carbon (Co-N-C) electrocatalyst is proposed. It is prepared by direct annealing of homemade carbon black-supported Pt nanoparticles (Pt/KB) covered with a Co-phenanthroline complex. During this process, most of Co atoms in the complex are alloyed with Pt to form ordered Pt-Co IMNs, while some Co atoms are atomically dispersed and doped in the framework of superthin carbon layer derived from phenanthroline, which is coordinated with N to form Co-Nx moieties. Moreover, the Co-N-C film obtained from complex is observed to cover the surface of Pt-Co IMNs, which prevent the dissolution and agglomeration of nanoparticles. The composite catalyst exhibits high activity and stability toward oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) and methanol oxidation reactions (MOR), delivering outstanding mass activities of 1.96 and 2.92 A mgPt -1 for ORR and MOR respectively, owing to the synergistic effect of Pt-Co IMNs and Co-N-C film. This study may provide a promising strategy to improve the electrocatalytic performance of Pt-based catalysts.

Radical trifluoromethylation.

The trifluoromethyl group plays an increasingly important role in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and materials. This tutorial describes recent advances in trifluoromethylation of carbon-centered radical intermediates.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Markovnikov-Selective Radical Hydroacylation of Unactivated Alkenes with Acylphosphonates.

Acylphosphonates having the 5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxophosphinanyl skeleton are developed as efficient intermolecular radical acylation reagents, which enable the cobalt-catalyzed Markovnikov hydroacylation of unactivated alkenes at room temperature under mild conditions. The protocol exhibits broad substrate scope and wide functional group compatibility, providing branched ketones in satisfactory yields. A mechanism involving the Co-H mediated hydrogen atom transfer and subsequent trapping of alkyl radicals by acylphosphonates is proposed.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (+)-Corymine and (-)-Deformylcorymine.

We report herein the first enantioselective total synthesis of akuammiline alkaloids (+)-corymine and (-)-deformylcorymine. Starting from commercially available N-nosyltryptamine, the target molecules are both achieved in 11 steps. Key elements of the design include (a) a copper-catalyzed enantioselective addition of dimethyl malonate to a 3-bromooxindole to secure the C7 all-carbon quaternary stereocenter, (b) a one-step construction of cyclohexyl and pyrrolidinyl rings via intramolecular nucleophilic C- and N-addition, and (c) a nickel-promoted 7-endo cyclization of alkenyl bromide to furnish the azepanyl ring. The strategy is further extended to the synthesis of another three members of the akuammiline family, namely, (-)-10-demethoxyvincorine, (-)-2(S)-cathafoline, and (-)-3-epi-dihydrocorymine 17-acetate.

Copper-Catalyzed Radical Aminotrifluoromethylation of Alkenes.

We report herein an unprecedented protocol for aminotrifluoromethylation of alkenes. With Cu(OTf)2 as the catalyst, the reaction of alkenes, (bpy)Zn(CF3)2, and N-fluorobis(benzenesulfonyl)imide (NFSI) at room temperature provides the corresponding aminotrifluoromethylation products in satisfactory yields with high regioselectivity opposite to those driven by CF3 radical addition. The method exhibits a broad substrate scope and wide functional group compatibility. A mechanism involving N-radical addition to alkenes followed by trifluoromethylation of alkyl radicals is proposed.

Copper-Catalyzed Remote C(sp3 )-H Trifluoromethylation of Carboxamides and Sulfonamides.

Reported herein is an unprecedented protocol for trifluoromethylation of unactivated aliphatic C(sp3 )-H bonds. With Cu(OTf)2 as the catalyst, the reaction of N-fluoro-substituted carboxamides (or sulfonamides) with Zn(CF3 )2 complexes provides the corresponding δ-trifluoromethylated carboxamides (or sulfonamides) in satisfactory yields under mild reaction conditions. A radical mechanism involving 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer of N-radicals followed by CF3 -transfer from CuII -CF3 complexes to the thus formed alkyl radicals is proposed.

Radical Carbofluorination of Unactivated Alkenes with Fluoride Ions.

The copper-assisted radical carbofluorination of unactivated alkenes with fluoride ions is described. With [Cu(L3)F2]H2O (L3 = 4,4'-di(methoxycarbonyl)-2,2'-bipyridine) as the fluorine source and [Ag(DMPhen)(MeCN)]BF4 (DMPhen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) as the chloride scavenger, the reaction of unactivated alkenes with CCl4 in acetonitrile provided the corresponding carbofluorination products in satisfactory yields. The protocol exhibited a wide functional group compatibility and broad substrate scope and could be extended to the use of a variety of activated alkyl chlorides other than CCl4. A copper-catalyzed fluorotrifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes was then successfully developed with CsF as the fluorine source and Umemoto's reagent as the trifluoromethylating agent. A mechanism involving the fluorine atom transfer from Cu(II)-F complexes to alkyl radicals is proposed.

Metal-Organic Framework Based Microcapsules.

MOFs are a type of ideal crystalline material with rigid reticular structures whereas microcapsules are usually prepared from soft mater, such as polymers or supramolecules. The synthesis of MOF-based microcapsules with novel nanostructures at the molecular scale remains a great challenge. Herein, we develop a competitive coordination strategy to synthesize MOF-based microcapsules with novel bowl-like structures. During the competitive coordination process, the infinite structures of MOFs are partially broken by the competitive reagents, thus flexibility is introduced into the rigid skeletons and results in the formation of bowl-like microcapsules. Owing to the unique structure and composition of these nano-structures, the microcapsules exhibit excellent performance and stability in adsorbing and removing iodine for both vapor and solution. This work describes new opportunities in designing MOF-based microcapsules with novel structures.

Silver-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Trifluoromethylation of Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids.

The silver-catalyzed decarboxylative trifluoromethylation of aliphatic carboxylic acids is described. With AgNO3 as the catalyst and K2S2O8 as the oxidant, the reactions of aliphatic carboxylic acids with (bpy)Cu(CF3)3 (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) and ZnMe2 in aqueous acetonitrile at 40 °C afford the corresponding decarboxylative trifluoromethylation products in good yield. The protocol is applicable to various primary and secondary alkyl carboxylic acids and exhibits wide functional group compatibility. Mechanistic studies reveal the intermediacy of -Cu(CF3)3Me, which undergoes reductive elimination and subsequent oxidation to give Cu(CF3)2 as the active species responsible for the trifluoromethylation of alkyl radicals.

Trifluoromethylation of Alkyl Radicals in Aqueous Solution.

The copper-mediated trifluoromethylation of alkyl radicals is described. The combination of Et3SiH and K2S2O8 initiates the radical reactions of alkyl bromides or iodides with BPyCu(CF3)3 (BPy = 2,2'-bipyridine) in aqueous acetone at room temperature to afford the corresponding trifluoromethylation products in good yield. The protocol is applicable to various primary and secondary alkyl halides and exhibits wide functional group compatibility. A mechanism involving trifluoromethyl group transfer from Cu(II)-CF3 intermediates to alkyl radicals is proposed.

Total Synthesis of (±)-Corymine.

The first total synthesis of the hexacyclic indole alkaloid (±)-corymine is described. Starting from the readily available N-protected tryptamine, the title compound was achieved in 21 steps in 3.4 % overall yield. Key steps of the synthesis include: a) the addition of a malonate to a 3-bromooxindole to afford 3,3-disubstituted oxindole, b) the formation of a 12-membered cyclic enol ether by intramolecular O-propargylation, immediately followed by propargyl Claisen rearrangement to provide the α-allenyl ketone stereospecifically, c) DMDO oxidation to install a hydroxy group in a highly stereoselective manner, and d) the SmI2 -mediated reductive C-O bond cleavage to remove the α-keto carboxyl group.

Selective Radical Fluorination of Tertiary Alkyl Halides at Room Temperature.

Direct fluorination of tertiary alkyl bromides and iodides with Selectfluor is described. The halogen-exchange fluorination proceeds efficiently in acetonitrile at room temperature under metal-free conditions and exhibits a wide range of functional group compatibility. Furthermore, the reactions are highly selective in that alkyl chlorides and primary and secondary alkyl bromides remain intact. A radical mechanism is proposed for this selective fluorination.

Stereoselectivity of 6-Exo Cyclization of α-Carbamoyl Radicals.

The stereoselectivity in the 6-exo cyclization of α-carbamoyl radicals was investigated experimentally and theoretically. The BEt3/O2-initiated iodine-atom-transfer radical cyclization reactions of substituted N-(but-3-en-1-yl)-N-(tert-butyl)-2-iodoalkanamides were carried out, which led to the predominant formations of 3,4-cis, 4,5-trans, or 4,6-trans substituted δ-lactams. Density functional calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G* level revealed that the 6-exo radical cyclization proceeds via boat-conformational transition states. Furthermore, a mechanistic insight into the stereoselectivity was provided and the calculation results were in excellent agreement with the experimental observations.

Total Synthesis of Notoamides†F, I, and R and Sclerotiamide.

The total synthesis of the natural indole alkaloids (+)-notoamide F, I, and R and (-)-sclerotiamide is described. The four heptacyclic compounds were synthesized in 10-12 steps in a convergent and highly stereoselective manner from the readily available Seebach acetal. Key steps of the synthesis include a stereoselective oxidative aza-Prins cyclization to construct the bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane, and a cobalt-catalyzed radical cycloisomerization to create the cyclohexenyl ring.