This review summarizes the use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a versatile supramolecular platform to develop heterogeneous catalysts for a variety of organic reactions, especially for liquid-phase reactions. Following a background introduction about catalytic relevance to various metal-organic materials, crystal engineering of MOFs, characterization and evaluation methods of MOF catalysis, we categorize catalytic MOFs based on the types of active sites, including coordinatively unsaturated metal sites (CUMs), metalloligands, functional organic sites (FOS), as well as metal nanoparticles (MNPs) embedded in the cavities. Throughout the review, we emphasize the incidental or deliberate formation of active sites, the stability, heterogeneity and shape/size selectivity for MOF catalysis. Finally, we briefly introduce their relevance into photo- and biomimetic catalysis, and compare MOFs with other typical porous solids such as zeolites and mesoporous silica with regard to their different attributes, and provide our view on future trends and developments in MOF-based catalysis.

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Bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST-2, also known as tetherin) restricts the production of a number of enveloped viruses by blocking virus release from the cell surface. This antiviral activity is counteracted by such viral factors as Vpu of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Here, we report that Vpu antagonizes human BST-2 but not BST-2 derived from African green monkeys. The determinants of susceptibility to Vpu map to the transmembrane domain of BST-2. In accordance with this, expression of human BST-2 containing a modified transmembrane domain effectively blocks the replication of wild-type Vpuexpressing HIV-1 in CD4 ؉ T cells. Furthermore, these BST-2 variants, as opposed to wild-type human BST-2, are refractory to Vpu-mediated down-regulation as a result of an attenuated interaction with Vpu. In view of the work by others pointing to a key role of the transmembrane domain of Vpu in promoting virus release, our data suggest that a direct interaction through the transmembrane domain of each of these two proteins is a prerequisite for Vpu to down-modulate BST-2.

A fluorescent compound, 9,10-bis(2-(10-hexyl-10H-phenothiazin-3-yl)vinyl) anthracene, has been synthesized and studied. The results show that the compound possesses piezofluorochromic properties as well as aggregation-induced emission enhancement effect. The spectroscopic properties and morphological structures are reversibly exhibited upon pressing (or grinding) or annealing (or fuming). The piezofluorochromic nature is generated through phase transformation under the stimulus of external pressure. The reason for the phase transformation caused by external pressure is ascribed to the twisted conformation of the molecule which leads to poor solid molecular packing and weak interactions in the interfaces of lamellar layers confirmed by its single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

Background: Retrotransposon LINE-1 causes dozens of genetic diseases. Results: Human MOV10 diminishes the level of LINE-1 RNA by acting at a post-transcriptional stage. Conclusion:The host protein suppresses LINE-1 transposition. Significance: MOV10 contributes to the cellular control of LINE-1 replication.

Porous materials confined within capillary columns/microfluidic devices are discussed, and progress in chromatographic and membrane separations and catalysis is reviewed.

A Zn metal anode suffers from severe dendrite issues and passive byproducts, which restrict the practical application of Zn-ion batteries. Herein, a bifunctional poly zwitterionic ionic liquid (PZIL) is designed as a new ion-migration layer to suppress Zn dendrites and side reactions. On one hand, the zwitterionic functional groups on the PZIL layer guide the Zn ion distribution to regulate the deposition behavior of Zn. On the other hand, the tight bond between zwitterionic groups and water molecules can build an H 2 O-poor interface on the surface of the Zn anode to avoid side reactions. Based on the above two functions, a symmetrical cell with the PZIL-layer-modified Zn exhibits a stable plating/stripping performance (2600 h at 1 mA cm −2 ) with low reversible deposition potential (∼50 mV). The concept of a zwitterionic bifunctional layer will open up a new avenue for reversible anodes for Zn-ion batteries as well as other battery systems.