Mitochondria-Specific Molecular Crosstalk between Ferroptosis and Apoptosis Revealed by In Situ Raman Spectroscopy.

Ferroptosis and apoptosis are two types of regulated cell death that are closely associated with the pathophysiological processes of many diseases. The significance of ferroptosis-apoptosis crosstalk in cell fate determination has been reported, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Herein mitochondria-mediated molecular crosstalk is explored. Based on a comprehensive spectroscopic investigation and mass spectrometry, cytochrome c-involved Fenton-like reactions and lipid peroxidation are revealed. More importantly, cytochrome c is found to induce ROS-independent and cardiolipin-specific lipid peroxidation depending on its redox state. In situ Raman spectroscopy unveiled that erastin can interrupt membrane permeability, specifically through cardiolipin, facilitating cytochrome c release from the mitochondria. Details of the erastin-cardiolipin interaction are determined using molecular dynamics simulations. This study provides novel insights into how molecular crosstalk occurs around mitochondrial membranes to trigger ferroptosis and apoptosis, with significant implications for the rational design of mitochondria-targeted cell death reducers in cancer therapy.

In Situ Monitoring of Membrane Protein Electron Transfer via Surface-Enhanced Resonance Raman Spectroscopy.

In situ analysis of membrane protein-ligand interactions under physiological conditions is of significance for both fundamental and applied science, but it is still a big challenge due to the limits in sensitivity and selectivity. Here, we demonstrate the potential of surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS) for the investigation of membrane protein-protein interactions. Lipid biolayers are successfully coated on silver nanoparticles through electrostatic interactions, and a highly sensitive and biomimetic membrane platform is obtained in vitro. Self-assembly and immobilization of the reduced cytochrome b5 on the coated membrane are achieved and protein native biological functions are preserved. Owing to resonance effect, the Raman fingerprint of the immobilized cytochrome b5 redox center is selectively enhanced, allowing for in situ and real-time monitoring of the electron transfer process between cytochrome b5 and their partners, cytochrome c and myoglobin. This study provides a sensitive analytical approach for membrane proteins and paves the way for in situ exploration of their structural basis and functions.

In Situ and Real-Time Monitoring of Mitochondria-Endoplasmic Reticulum Crosstalk in Apoptosis via Surface-Enhanced Resonance Raman Spectroscopy.

The crosstalk between mitochondria and endoplasmic reticula plays a crucial role in apoptotic pathways in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by microsomal monooxygenase (MMO) are believed to accelerate cytochrome c release. Herein, we successfully demonstrate the potential of surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS) for monitoring MMO-derived ROS formation and ROS-mediated cytochrome c release. Silver nanoparticles coated with nickel shells are used as both Raman signal enhancers and electron donors for cytochrome c. SERRS of cytochrome c is found to be sensitive to ROS, allowing for in situ probing of ROS formation with a cell death inducer. Label-free evaluation of ROS-induced apoptosis is achieved by SERRS-based monitoring of cytochrome c release in living cells. This study verifies the capability of SERRS for label-free, in situ, and real-time monitoring of the mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum crosstalk in apoptosis and provides a novel strategy for the rational design and screening of ROS-inducing drugs for cancer treatment.

Asymmetric N-Alkylation of 1H-Indoles via Carbene Insertion Reaction.

An intermolecular enantioselective N-alkylation reaction of 1H-indoles has been developed by cooperative rhodium and chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed N-H bond insertion reaction. N-Alkyl indoles with newly formed stereocenter adjacent to the indole nitrogen atom are produced in good yields (up to 95 %) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99 % ee). Importantly, both α-aryl and α-alkyl diazoacetates are tolerated, which is extremely rare in asymmetric X-H (X=N, O, S et al.) and C-H insertion reactions. With this method, only 0.1 mol % of rhodium catalyst and 2.5 mol % of chiral phosphoric acid are required to complete the conversion as well as achieve the high enantioselectivity. Computational studies reveal the cooperative relay of rhodium and chiral phosphoric acid, and the origin of the chemo and stereoselectivity.

Construction of C-C Axial Chirality via Asymmetric Carbene Insertion into Arene C-H Bonds.

By using diazonaphthoquinones and anilines as key reagents and through a point-to-axis chiral transfer strategy, the atroposelective synthesis via asymmetric C(sp2 )-H bond insertion reaction of arenes has been realized under rhodium catalysis, providing the resulting biaryl atropisomers in moderate to excellent yields with good enantiomeric ratios (up to 99:1). Further elaboration indicates this type of axially biaryl scaffold may have promising potentials in developing novel chiral ligands.

Chemo- and Enantioselective Insertion of Furyl Carbene into the N-H Bond of 2-Pyridones.

Asymmetric carbene insertion reactions represent one of the most important protocols to construct carbon-heteroatom bonds. The use of donor-acceptor diazo compounds bearing an ester group is however a prerequisite for achieving high enantioselectivity. Herein, we report a chemo- and enantioselective formal N-H insertion of 2-pyridones that has been accomplished for the first time with enynones as the donor-donor carbene precursors. DFT calculations indicate an unprecedented enantioselective 1,4-proton transfer from O to C. The rhodium catalyst provides a chiral pocket in which the steric repulsion and the π-π interaction of the propeller ligand play a critical role in determining the selectivities.

Access to N-Substituted 2-Pyridones by Catalytic Intermolecular Dearomatization and 1,4-Acyl Transfer.

A novel rhodium-catalyzed dearomatization of O-substituted pyridines to access N-substituted 2-pyridones has been developed. A computational study suggests a mechanism involving the formation of a pyridinium ylide followed by an unprecedented 1,4-acyl migratory rearrangement from O to C. Furthermore, the chiral dirhodium complexes serve as the catalyst for the asymmetric transformation with excellent enantioselective control. DFT calculations indicate the chirality is transferred from axial chirality to the central stereogenic centre. The stronger π-π interaction and CH-π interaction account for the high enantioselectivity.

Gold-catalyzed C5-alkylation of indolines and sequential oxidative aromatization: access to C5-functionalized indoles.

A novel protocol for the synthesis of C5-alkylated indole derivatives via a gold-catalyzed reaction of indolines with diazo compounds and subsequent oxidative aromatization has been developed. C-H bond functionalization selectively occurs at the C5-position of indolines without a directing group. The experimental operation is simple and the whole process can be manipulated in one-pot.

Identification of immunogenic outer membrane proteins and evaluation of their protective efficacy against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

BACKGROUND: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) is an emerging global multiple-drug-resistant organism. It becomes increasingly challenging to treat S. maltophilia infection effectively. Novel therapeutic and preventive approaches targeting S. maltophilia infection are still lacking. This study aims to isolate outer membrane proteins (Omps) from S. maltophilia and use immunoproteomic technology to identify potential vaccine candidates of Omps against S. maltophilia infections. METHODS: Omps from S. maltophilia culture were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry and nano liquid chromatography coupled fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance tandem mass spectrometry. Recombinant Omps were prepared and used to immunize mice, and the potency of mouse anti-Omp serum was tested in opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPKA). The effects of immunization with recombinant Omp on blood and tissue bacterial loads in a mouse model of S. maltophilia-induced infection were analyzed. RESULTS: Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) and Smlt4123 were identified by mass spectrometry. Mouse anti-Smlt4123 serum significantly reduced the bacterial counts in healthy individuals' blood in OPKA (P < 0.05) but mouse anti-OmpA serum did not. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that the antibody subtype of mouse anti-Smlt4123 antibody was IgG1. Eight hours after an intraperitoneal challenge with S. maltophilia, the bacterial loads in mouse blood were significantly lower in the mice receiving immunization with recombinant Smlt4123 than in the control mice receiving no immunization (P < 0.05), whereas the bacterial loads in other organs, such as the liver, spleen, lung, and kidney were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that the immunoproteomic approach was an efficient way to screen the immunogenic protein of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Moreover, the recombinant Smlt4123 had potential to protect mice from bacteremia caused by S. maltophilia in the early stages.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Regioselective N2 -Alkylation of Benzotriazoles with Diazo Compounds/Enynones via a Nonclassical Pathway.

A novel rhodium-catalyzed highly selective N2 -alkylation of benzotriazoles with diazo compounds/enynones is achieved, providing N2 -alkylated benzotriazoles in good to excellent yields and with excellent N2 selectivities. Importantly, different to traditional carbene insertion into X-H (X=N, O etc) bonds, DFT calculations disclose that this selective N2 -alkylation probably proceeds through a formal 1,3- rather than 1,2-H shift to give the final products.

Synthesis of Six-Membered Carbo-/Heterocycles via Cascade Reaction of Alkynes and Diazo Compounds.

A novel approach toward diverse six-membered carbo-/heterocycles has been developed using diazo compounds and alkyne-substituted malonates as the suitable substrates. The polyfunctionalized cyclohexenes, tetrahydropyridines, and dihydropyrans have been prepared in moderate to high yield under mild reaction conditions. Importantly, the ligand plays a significant role in this copper-catalyzed protocol.

Gold/silver-catalyzed controllable regioselective vinylcarbene insertion into O-H bonds.

An unprecedented regioselective metallo-vinylcarbene insertion into O-H bonds has been achieved with vinyldiazoacetates and 2-pyridones/benzyl alcohols as ideal substrates, which displayed distinct regioselectivity by employing gold and silver catalytic systems.

Iron-catalyzed intermolecular cycloaddition of diazo surrogates with hexahydro-1,3,5-triazines.

We report here an unprecedented iron-catalyzed cycloaddition reaction of diazo surrogates with hexahydro-1,3,5-triazines, providing five-membered heterocycles in moderate to high yields under mild reaction conditions. This cycloaddition features C-N and C-C bond formation using a cheap iron catalyst. Importantly, different to our former report on a gold-catalyzed system, both donor/donor and donor/acceptor diazo substrates are tolerated in this iron-catalyzed protocol.

Gold-Catalyzed Formal [4+1]/[4+3] Cycloadditions of Diazo Esters with Triazines.

Reported herein is the unprecedented gold-catalyzed formal [4+1]/[4+3] cycloadditions of diazo esters with hexahydro-1,3,4-triazines, thus providing five- and seven-membered heterocycles in moderate to high yields under mild reaction conditions. These reactions feature the use of a gold complex to accomplish the diverse annulations and the first example of the involvement of a gold metallo-enolcarbene in a cycloaddition. It is also the first utilization of stable triazines as formal dipolar adducts in the carbene-involved cycloadditions. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the triazines reacted directly, rather than as formaldimine precursors, in the reaction process.

Base-Promoted/Gold-Catalyzed Intramolecular Highly Selective and Controllable Detosylative Cyclization.

A highly selective, controllable and synthetically useful base-promoted intramolecular detosylative cyclization of bis-N-tosylhydrazones has been achieved, affording N-containing heterocycles and cyclic olefins under transition-metal-free or gold-catalyzed procedures, respectively. Moreover, an effective and practical metal-free or gold-catalyzed approach to synthesize polycyclic aromatic compounds is also reported.

An efficient synthesis of isoquinolines via rhodium-catalyzed direct C-H functionalization of arylhydrazines.

A highly efficient rhodium-catalyzed C-H activation of arylhydrazines and coupling with internal alkynes has been realized under mild conditions. The isoquinolines have been prepared in moderate to excellent yields in high efficiency. This methodology features the use of readily available starting materials, and a simple hydrazine moiety as a directing group, in the absence of an external metal co-oxidant under an air atmosphere. The C-H bond activation and the N-N bond cleavage have been successively realized under mild conditions.

Gold(I)-catalyzed diazo cross-coupling: a selective and ligand-controlled denitrogenation/cyclization cascade.

An unprecedented gold-catalyzed ligand-controlled cross-coupling of diazo compounds by sequential selective denitrogenation and cyclization affords N-substituted pyrazoles in a position-switchable mode. This novel transformation features selective decomposition of one diazo moiety and simultaneous preservation of the other one from two substrates. Notably, the choice of the ancillary ligand to the gold complex plays a pivotal role on the chemo- and regioselectivity of the reactions.

Stereodivergent Synthesis of N-Heterocycles by Catalyst-Controlled, Activity-Directed Tandem Annulation of Diazo Compounds with Amino Alkynes.

A stereodivergent synthesis of five-membered N-heterocycles, such as 2,3-dihydropyrroles, and 2-methylene and 3-methylene pyrrolidines, has been developed through a tandem annulation of amino alkynes with diazo compounds and involves the trapping of in situ formed intermediates. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the copper-catalyzed tandem annulations proceed by allenoate formation and subsequent intramolecular hydroamination. In contrast, the rhodium-catalyzed protocol features a carbenoid insertion into the NH bond and subsequent Conia-ene cyclization.

Copper-catalyzed annulation of α-substituted diazoacetates with 2-ethynylanilines: the direct synthesis of C2-functionalized indoles.

Copper-catalyzed direct annulation of α-substituted diazoacetates with 2-ethynylanilines leading to C2-functionalized indoles was achieved under mild reaction conditions. The C2-(carboxylate methyl) substituted indoles were obtained in moderate to high yields. In addition, this procedure tolerates a series of N-substituted and free substituted 2-ethynylanilines.

A Pd-catalyzed cascade reaction of N-H insertion and oxidative dehydrogenative aromatization: a new entry to 2-amino-phenols.

A palladium-catalyzed cascade reaction of N-H insertion (NHI) and oxidative dehydrogenative aromatization (ODA) has been developed, which affords a straightforward and efficient way to access the carbazole precursors (2-arylamino-phenols) as well as to prepare 2-alkylamino-phenols from non-aromatic substrates.