In This Issue - pv
doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-v
doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-391
Full Text - Reviewing all options | PDF (68 KB) - Reviewing all options
Kazuya Kikuchi & Hideaki Kakeya
doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-392
Chemical biology is an interdisciplinary field that is undergoing rapid expansion around the globe. Recently, the Japanese Society for Chemical Biology sponsored its inaugural scientific meeting to discuss research at the interface of chemistry and biology.
Full Text - A bridge between chemistry and biology | PDF (168 KB) - A bridge between chemistry and biology
Jean-Pierre Vilardaga
doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-395
Specialized transmembrane proteins known as G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) serve as universal cell surface switches to transmit hormones, neurotransmitter and other extracellular chemical signals into cells. Testing ligands of different efficacies reveals two independent modes of receptor switching.
Full Text - Switching modes for G protein–coupled receptor activation | PDF (193 KB) - Switching modes for G protein–coupled receptor activation
See also: Letter by Yao et al.
Carsten Schultz
doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-396
Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a lysophospholipid and known immune regulator, stimulates distinct signaling pathways. A specific S1P antagonist that can be used systemically for the first time provides an indispensable tool for elucidating the therapeutic potential of the S1P signaling pathway.
Full Text - Lipid-induced phenotypes | PDF (686 KB) - Lipid-induced phenotypes
See also: Article by Sanna et al.
Gregory L Challis
doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-398
Genetic manipulation of biosynthetic pathways is a useful method for producing analogs of complex bioactive metabolites, but this technique can be challenging when performed in the natural producer of the target compounds. Reconstruction of biosynthetic gene clusters in E. coli could be the key to rapid heterologous production of natural products and genetic manipulation of their biosynthetic pathways.
Full Text - Engineering Escherichia coli to produce nonribosomal peptide antibiotics | PDF (134 KB) - Engineering Escherichia coli to produce nonribosomal peptide antibiotics
See also: Letter by Watanabe et al.
Mary Kay H Pflum
doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-400
Though uptake of beneficial foreign DNA confers fitness advantages to bacteria, the mechanisms protecting bacteria from harmful foreign DNA have been unclear. A new study suggests that the H-NS protein transcriptionally silences invading DNA by recognizing its low G-C content, thereby protecting cell viability during bacterial evolution.
Full Text - H-NS gives invading DNA the silent treatment | PDF (241 KB) - H-NS gives invading DNA the silent treatment
Kenton J Swartz
doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-401
Enzymatic conversion of sphingomyelin to ceramide-1-phosphate in the external leaflet of the cellular membrane has now been shown to markedly facilitate opening of classical voltage-activated potassium channels. This discovery raises the possibility that lipids may have more prominent roles in the gating mechanism of these important ion channels than was previously appreciated.
Full Text - Greasing the gears of potassium channels | PDF (482 KB) - Greasing the gears of potassium channels
doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-405
Full Text - Research Highlights | PDF (69 KB) - Research Highlights
Tracey A Rouault
doi:10.1038/nchembio807

Abstract - The role of iron regulatory proteins in mammalian iron homeostasis and disease | Full Text - The role of iron regulatory proteins in mammalian iron homeostasis and disease | PDF (908 KB) - The role of iron regulatory proteins in mammalian iron homeostasis and disease
Curtis R Chong, Xiaochun Chen, Lirong Shi, Jun O Liu & David J Sullivan, Jr
doi:10.1038/nchembio806

Abstract - A clinical drug library screen identifies astemizole as an antimalarial agent | Full Text - A clinical drug library screen identifies astemizole as an antimalarial agent | PDF (149 KB) - A clinical drug library screen identifies astemizole as an antimalarial agent | Supplementary information | Chemical compounds
2-adrenoceptor - pp417 - 422Xiaojie Yao, Charles Parnot, Xavier Deupi, Venkata R P Ratnala, Gayathri Swaminath, David Farrens & Brian Kobilka
doi:10.1038/nchembio801

First Paragraph - Coupling ligand structure to specific conformational switches in the [beta]: 2: -adrenoceptor | Full Text - Coupling ligand structure to specific conformational switches in the
2-adrenoceptor | PDF (324 KB) - Coupling ligand structure to specific conformational switches in the
2-adrenoceptor | Supplementary information | Chemical compounds
See also: News and Views by Vilardaga
Kenji Watanabe, Kinya Hotta, Alex P Praseuth, Kento Koketsu, Akira Migita, Christopher N Boddy, Clay C C Wang, Hiroki Oguri & Hideaki Oikawa
doi:10.1038/nchembio803

First Paragraph - Total biosynthesis of antitumor nonribosomal peptides in : Escherichia coli | Full Text - Total biosynthesis of antitumor nonribosomal peptides in Escherichia coli | PDF (592 KB) - Total biosynthesis of antitumor nonribosomal peptides in Escherichia coli | Supplementary information | Chemical compounds
See also: News and Views by Challis
Gerhard Bringmann, Torsten F Noll, Tobias A M Gulder, Matthias Grüne, Michael Dreyer, Christopher Wilde, Florian Pankewitz, Monika Hilker, Gail D Payne, Amanda L Jones, Michael Goodfellow & Hans-Peter Fiedler
doi:10.1038/nchembio805

First Paragraph - Different polyketide folding modes converge to an identical molecular architecture | Full Text - Different polyketide folding modes converge to an identical molecular architecture | PDF (295 KB) - Different polyketide folding modes converge to an identical molecular architecture | Chemical compounds
M Germana Sanna, Sheng-Kai Wang, Pedro J Gonzalez-Cabrera, Anthony Don, David Marsolais, Melanie P Matheu, Sindy H Wei, Ian Parker, Euijung Jo, Wei-Chieh Cheng, Michael D Cahalan, Chi-Huey Wong & Hugh Rosen
doi:10.1038/nchembio804

Abstract - Enhancement of capillary leakage and restoration of lymphocyte egress by a chiral S1P: 1: antagonist : in vivo | Full Text - Enhancement of capillary leakage and restoration of lymphocyte egress by a chiral S1P1 antagonist in vivo | PDF (471 KB) - Enhancement of capillary leakage and restoration of lymphocyte egress by a chiral S1P1 antagonist in vivo | Supplementary information | Chemical compounds
See also: News and Views by Schultz
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