Chemical biology articles within Polymer Journal

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  • Original Article
    | Open Access

    The density-dependent changes of avidities between Siglec-8 and the glycan ligand of the α(2 → 6)-sialyl-6-sulfo-N-acetyllactosamine derivative (1) were investigated for the first time. The SAM surfaces with different glycan densities were constructed by changing the ratio of 1 and 3,3′-dithiodipropionic acid (DTPA) on the gold electrode of the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Next, we measured the apparent KD values of 1 with Siglec-8 on the SAM surfaces by the QCM to investigate the effect of the glycan density on the avidity of the Siglec-8 interaction. The results obtained in this study suggest that Siglec-8 has an optimal glycan density (~9.2 × 102 molecules μm−2) for preferred interactions.

    • Risa Naka
    • , Simon Sau Yin Law
    •  & Masashi Ohmae

  • Review |

    Research advances in the extraction, structural and conformational characteristics, and biological activities (antitumor, anti-inflammation, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic activity) of β-glucans from three fungi, Auricularia auricula judae, Lentinus edodes and yeast, as typical representatives, were reviewed, as well as the potential mechanism and the structure-function relationship. Additionally, as-fabricated β-glucan-derived nanocomposite biomaterials as carriers for delivering drugs, genes, nanoparticles, and fluorescence probes were addressed.

    • Huanhuan Chen
    • , Ningyue Liu
    •  & Xiaojuan Xu

  • Focus Review |

    A supramolecular complex termed “hemoCD1” was constructed as the aqueous synthetic Hb/Mb model using a 1:1 inclusion complex of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(II) with a per-O-methylated β-cyclodextrin dimer with a pyridine linker. HemoCD1 was used as a selective CO scavenger in vivo due to its extremely high binding affinity to CO. In addition, hemoCD1 was utilized to quantify the accumulation of endogenous and exogenous CO in organs/tissues. Finally, hemoCD1 was employed as an antidote for CO poisoning in animals.

    • Hiroaki Kitagishi
    •  & Qiyue Mao

  • Focus Review |

    The structural characterization of DDS carriers, including transdermal DDS, is one of the essential factors in the understanding of the biological properties and useful for the development of new carriers. This review introduces a quantitative evaluation of the surface coating on a carrier with the contrast variation technique of SAXS in the first section and the localization determination of drug molecules in liposomes in the second section. The final section describes the microemulsions containing deep eutectic solvents in the inner phase for use in transdermal DDS.

    • Mina Sakuragi

  • Rapid Communication
    | Open Access

    A reduction-responsive oligonucleotide was successfully constructed by post-modification of an oligonucleotide with a diazo compound bearing a 4-nitrobenzyl group as a reduction-responsive cleavable moiety. High-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to reveal the introduction of the 4-nitrobenzyl group to the 5′-phosphate group of the oligonucleotide, and the subsequent reduction-triggered recovery of the original oligonucleotide. The protocol used for the preparation of this reduction-responsive oligonucleotide is simple and it will have various applications in the fields of chemical and synthetic biology.

    • Nanami Shirakami
    • , Sayuri L. Higashi
    •  & Masato Ikeda

  • Focus Review |

    Peptides conjugated with hydrophobic moieties are typical examples of supramolecular gelators (low molecular weight gelators, LMWGs), which can be designed or programmed to self-assemble to form nanofibers/nanosheets in response to stimuli or microenvironments. In the last decade, several groups have reported that the self-assembly of small gelator molecules achieved inside living cells or on the surfaces of living cells induced selective cell death. This focused review outlines the self-assembly of small gelator molecules inside or around living cells that control cell fate.

    • Tatsuo Maruyama
    •  & Witta Kartika Restu

  • Focus Review |

    This focus review describes that modular and hybrid molecular design approach used to introduce artificial chemical reactive groups into biomolecules or bio-related molecules enable the semi-rational construction of stimuli-responsive supramolecular systems.

    • Masato Ikeda

  • Focus Review |

    Flavin catalysts are typically metal-free, and their catalytic activity can be readily accessed using mild terminal oxidants such as H2O2 and O2; therefore, redox reactions with these compounds have great promise as alternatives to reactions with conventional metal catalysts for the sustainable production of important chemicals. Herein, our recent research on flavin catalysts including the development of facile preparation methods for flavin catalysts using polymers, readily reusable polymer-supported flavin catalysts, and flavin-peptide-polymer hybrids that can catalyze the first flavoenzyme-mimetic aerobic oxygenation reactions is summarized.

    • Yukihiro Arakawa
    • , Keiji Minagawa
    •  & Yasushi Imada

  • Original Article |

    Glycosylated double-hydrophilic block copolymers composed of polyacrylamide bearing maltose moieties and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) were synthesized by a RAFT polymerization technique. The resulting glycosylated block copolymer aggregated, interacted strongly with the lectin Con A, and formed a precipitate in aqueous media above the LCST. The precipitate dissociated into the aqueous medium below the LCST. This behavior of the block copolymer in aqueous media is reversible in response to changes in temperature.

    • Tomonari Tanaka
    •  & Masaru Okamoto

  • Original Article |

    6 groups of blend membranes based on carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCTS) or carboxymethyl chitin (CMCT) were prepared. CMCTS-Gel (1#) and CMCT-Gel (4#) blend membranes with high transmittance and surface properties were more suitable for cell growth. Although primary corneal epithelial cells (CECs) on the two blend membranes could keep marker proteins and prevent cell fibrosis, CECs on membrane 4# could maintain the original epithelial morphology and improve the K12 protein level seriously. The potential mechanism of anti-fibrosis effect was proved that both of the membranes could block phosphorylation levels of Smad2 and Smad3, and membrane 4# could also depress the total native Smad2 and Smad3 expressions.

    • Tong Li
    • , Ye Liang
    •  & Wenhua Xu

  • Focus Review |

    In this focus review, we overview our recent works on acyclic artificial nucleic acids (XNAs). Three acyclic XNAs, D-aTNA, SNA and L-aTNA have been developed. D-aTNA can form extremely stable homo-duplex, whereas it shows a high orthogonality with natural nucleic acids. SNA oligomers can change their helicity and chirality depending on sequences. L-aTNA can form stable duplexes with both DNA and RNA. Owing to unique properties of these XNAs, they should find application as tools in biology, biotechnology and nanotechnology.

    • Hiromu Kashida
    • , Keiji Murayama
    •  & Hiroyuki Asanuma

  • Invited Review |

    Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are one of the most important polysaccharide in the living systems. However, preparation of GAGs is difficult owing to the complex structure and high molecular weight. In order to obtain the GAGs’ materials with a practical way, we investigated a new approach to mimic GAGs using polymer chemistry. We reviewed the syntheses of GAGs of the previous reports and the glycopolymers having GAGs moieties, including our GAGs' mimic polymers.

    • Yoshiko Miura
    • , Tomohiro Fukuda
    •  & Yu Hoshino

  • Original Article |

    The cellular uptake of polymeric nanoparticles composed of biodegradable amphiphilic polymers was observed by scanning electron microscopy employing an ionic liquid for the first time. In particular, these NPs were observed when the quantum dots were immobilized on the NPs. In addition, when the cells were incubated with microparticles, the filopodia that covered the MPs were observed, and the cellular uptake of the MPs was evaluated in a time-dependent manner.

    • Fumiaki Shima
    • , Takami Akagi
    •  & Mitsuru Akashi

  • Original Article |

    This research aimed to chemically modify chitin with positively charged groups at a physiological pH (near neutral) to provide antibacterial activity. Chitin betainate, a quaternary ammonium chitin, was prepared by acylation of chitin with carboxymethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide as a coupling agent. The chemical structure was elucidated by FTIR analysis revealing the additional ester linkage peak at 1738 cm−1. Chitin betainate exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. Therefore, chitin betainate is potentially suitable for antibacterial wound dressings.

    • Wanpen Tachaboonyakiat
    • , Ekkachai Sukpaiboon
    •  & Onruthai Pinyakong

  • Note |

    Suppression of protein adsorption on polymeric interfaces is one of the significant challenges in developing novel biomedical polymers. In this study, the computational design of an antifouling polymer repeat unit is conducted based on a simple approach, whereby the intermolecular affinities between a probe molecule and a polymer repeat unit are evaluated to generate free energy profiles using molecular dynamics simulations. The simplified method affords convenient and theoretical screening of highly antifouling polymer repeat units.

    • Ryo Nagumo
    • , Shohei Terao
    •  & Hiromitsu Takaba

  • Original Article |

    Carboxymethyl chitosan(CMCTS), one of the chitosan derivates, is a zwitterion and potentially could be used as a kind of immunomodulator. The aim of this study is to investigate the immunological enhancement effects of CMCTS in vitro and provide an important theoretical evidence for its clinical practice.

    • Wenhua Xu
    • , Baoqin Han
    •  & Wanshun Liu

  • Original Article |

    Highly efficient DNA release was achieved by the polyamidoamine-modified superparamagnetic particles (PAMAM–SpMNPs) that were prepared with 10-nm magnetite cores. We optimized the surface amine numbers of the PAMAM–SpMNPs to control the interaction between a DNA molecule and the amine groups on the particle. With this optimization, the PAMAM–SpMNPs maintained a high DNA adsorption capacity and high dispersivity in solution. The DNA-release efficiency using PAMAM–SpMNPs was over 95%. Furthermore, the complete DNA release from PAMAM–SpMNPs was achieved by applying an alternating magnetic field for 10 min.

    • Atsushi Arakaki
    • , Keiyu Shibata
    •  & Tsuyoshi Tanaka

  • Invited Review |

    Recent developments in artificial cutters for site-selective scission of single-stranded DNA are described. With the cutters composed of two oligonucleotide additives and Ce(IV)/EDTA, long single-stranded DNA can be selectively cut at target site and manipulated according to our needs.

    • Yuichiro Aiba
    •  & Makoto Komiyama

  • Original Article |

    Poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) gel particles with DNA–ethidium bromide (EtBr) was synthesized and pH-sensitivity and fluorescence property were evaluated for applying to optical micro-pH sensor. Swelling ratio of PAAc gel particles with DNA–EtBr complexes were regularly changed with pH and the gel particle responded to pH for about 60 s. Furthermore, fluorescence intensity of PAAc gel particles with DNA–EtBr complexes were detected with high-sensitivity and changed in response to pH as shown in figure (The left shows the gel particles in pH 2.1 and the right shows in pH 11).

    • Takashi Nishiyama
    • , Yoshiharu Kagami
    •  & Norio Tsubokawa

  • Original Article |

    The effect of solvent annealing treatment on the microdomain orientation of polyacrylonitrile-block-polyethylene glycol (PAN-b-PEG) copolymers has been investigated by atomic force microscopy. Heptane, toluene and thiophene were used as annealing solvent. The size of PEG domains grew gradually by the solvent annealing of heptane, toluene and thiophene in sequence. The different size of PEG domains by solvent annealing treatment was caused by the different affinity of the solvent to PEG segments. Thiophene exhibited the strongest affinity to PEG segment among the used annealing solvent.

    • Fuwei Lu
    • , Ying Kong
    •  & Zhaoxuan Feng

  • Original Article |

    The scanning electron microscope images show how the pore diameter is changing as the time of thermal treatment is increasing. In the graphic, one can appreciate the oscillatory behavior of the pore size and the fitting curve obtained when the mathematical model is applied to the experimental data.

    • Rodolfo Fabian Estrada Guerrero
    • , Efrain Rubio Rosas
    •  & Ventura Rodriguez Lugo

  • Note |

    Permeation of model drugs with different molecular weights through a bioconjugated membrane having antigen–antibody complexes as reversible crosslinks was investigated in the absence and presence of a target antigen. The bioconjugated membrane regulated the drug permeation in response to the concentration of a target antigen. This paper focuses on the effect of the molecular size of the drugs on controlled permeability of the antigen-responsive membrane.

    • Takashi Miyata
    • , Noriko Asami
    •  & Tadashi Uragami

  • Original Article |

    The molecular chaperone function of polysaccharide nanogel was demonstrated for the folding of newly synthesized green fluorescent protein (GFP) in a cell-free protein synthesis system. Nanogel comprising cholesteryl group-bearing pullulan (CHP) trapped unfolded or partially folded GFP expressed in the cell-free system. The structure of the CHP nanogel was disrupted by the addition of cyclodextrins, and the protein complexed with the nanogel was released and folded into the mature form.

    • Yoshihiro Sasaki
    • , Yuta Nomura
    •  & Kazunari Akiyoshi

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