Trypanosoma brucei protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (TbPRMT7) exclusively generates monomethylarginine (MMA), which directs biological consequences distinct from that of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). However, determinants controlling the strict monomethylation activity are unknown. We present the crystal structure of the TbPRMT7 active core in complex with S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) and a histone H4 peptide substrate. In the active site, residues E172, E181, and Q329 hydrogen bond the guanidino group of the target arginine and align the terminal guanidino nitrogen in a position suitable for nucleophilic attack on the methyl group of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet). Structural comparisons and isothermal titration calorimetry data suggest that the TbPRMT7 active site is narrower than those of protein arginine dimethyltransferases, making it unsuitable to bind MMA in a manner that would support a second turnover, thus abolishing the production of SDMA and ADMA. Our results present the structural interpretations for the monomethylation activity of TbPRMT7.

Transfer RNA (tRNA) methylation is necessary for the proper biological function of tRNA. The N1 methylation of guanine at Position 9 (m1G9) of tRNA, which is widely identified in eukaryotes and archaea, was found to be catalyzed by the Trm10 family of methyltransferases (MTases). Here, we report the first crystal structures of the tRNA MTase spTrm10 from Schizosaccharomyces pombe in the presence and absence of its methyl donor product S-adenosyl-homocysteine (SAH) and its ortholog scTrm10 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae in complex with SAH. Our crystal structures indicated that the MTase domain (the catalytic domain) of the Trm10 family displays a typical SpoU-TrmD (SPOUT) fold. Furthermore, small angle X-ray scattering analysis reveals that Trm10 behaves as a monomer in solution, whereas other members of the SPOUT superfamily all function as homodimers. We also performed tRNA MTase assays and isothermal titration calorimetry experiments to investigate the catalytic mechanism of Trm10 in vitro. In combination with mutational analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, our results provide insights into the substrate tRNA recognition mechanism of Trm10 family MTases.

Constructing artificial helical structures through hierarchical self-assembly and exploring the underlying mechanism are important, and they help gain insight from the structures, processes, and functions from the biological helices and facilitate the development of material science and nanotechnology. Herein, the two enantiomers of chiral Au­(I) complexes ( S )-1 and ( R )-1 were synthesized, and they exhibited impressive spontaneous hierarchical self-assembly transitions from vesicles to helical fibers. An impressive chirality inversion and amplification was accompanied by the assembly transition, as elucidated by the results of in situ and time-dependent circular dichroism spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope imaging. The two enantiomers could serve as ideal chiral templates to co-assemble with other achiral luminogens to efficiently induce the resulting co-assembly systems to show circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). Our work has provided a simple but efficient way to explore the sophisticated self-assembly process and presented a facile and effective strategy to fabricate architectures with CPL properties.

Mammalian shelterin proteins POT1 and TPP1 form a stable heterodimer that protects chromosome ends and regulates telomerase-mediated telomere extension. However, how POT1 interacts with TPP1 remains unknown. Here we present the crystal structure of the C-terminal portion of human POT1 (POT1C) complexed with the POT1-binding motif of TPP1. The structure shows that POT1C contains two domains, a third OB fold and a Holliday junction resolvase-like domain. Both domains are essential for binding to TPP1. Notably, unlike the heart-shaped structure of ciliated protozoan Oxytricha nova TEBPα–β complex, POT1–TPP1 adopts an elongated V-shaped conformation. In addition, we identify several missense mutations in human cancers that disrupt the POT1C–TPP1 interaction, resulting in POT1 instability. POT1C mutants that bind TPP1 localize to telomeres but fail to repress a DNA damage response and inappropriate repair by A-NHEJ. Our results reveal that POT1 C terminus is essential to prevent initiation of genome instability permissive for tumorigenesis.

A model for coalescence/sintering of Pt nanoparticles is developed to analyze particle growth and electrochemical surface area (ECSA) loss measured in aqueous tests and in catalyst-coated membrane and gas diffusion electrode-containing single fuel cells. The model combines a non-ideal solid solution theory for Pt dissolution with the dynamics of particle size evolution considering particle growth by Ostwald ripening and coalescence/sintering. Results from the model indicate that the observed growth in particle size and loss in ECSA in accelerated tests are primarily due to coalescence/sintering resulting from Pt dissolution and redeposition between particles. An enthalpy of dissolution of 49.3 kJ.mol −1 and an effective heat of fusion of 28.2 kJ.mol −1 for particle coalescence/sintering have been empirically determined from the measured temperature dependence of particle growth. The model suggests that higher Pt solubility in the presence of oxygen is responsible for enhanced particle growth and ECSA loss in accelerated tests in H 2 /air as compared to H 2 /N 2 . The model also indicates that the dissolution rate constant must be reduced by two orders of magnitude to explain the measured decrease in ECSA loss of the Pt cathode catalyst after 10,000 square potential cycles at 80 • C when the relative humidity is decreased from 100% to 30%.The inability to reach oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activities in operating fuel cells that have been achieved in ex-situ, aqueous electrolyte measurements for ideal Pt-based crystal structures 1 and further loss of ORR activity under potential cycling 2 directly contribute to the remaining cost and durability barriers to mass commercialization of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) for automotive applications. Ex-situ (aqueous) and in-cell studies have been conducted to investigate different aspects of the stability of Pt nanoparticles in PEFC cathode catalyst layers. Ex-situ studies in aqueous electrolyte offer the advantage that analytical techniques such as inductively-coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) 3-6 and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (ECQM) 7 can be used to monitor Pt dissolution and Pt oxide growth under controlled potentials. The disadvantage is that the data may not be fully representative of the behavior of Pt catalyst in actual fuel cells.More common are in-cell studies that monitor loss in electrochemical surface area (ECSA) and degradation in cell performance. 8-10 The disadvantage is that the extent of Pt dissolution can only be estimated at the end of the test by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) or X-ray diffraction (XRD) for particle size distribution. Only a small section of the electrode can usually be examined by TEM, making it difficult to get an accurate closure on Pt mass balance. The results are also difficult to interpret since more than one mechanism (Pt dissolution, transport, and precipitation) is involved.In a previous study, 5 we conducted ex-situ dissolution tests in an aqueous medium to investigate the ther...

An electrochemical flow cell system with catalyst-ionomer ink deposited on glassy carbon is used to investigate the aqueous stability of commercial PtCo alloys under cyclic potentials. An on-line inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer, capable of real-time measurements, is used to resolve the anodic and cathodic dissolution of Pt and Co during square-wave and triangle-wave potential cycles. We observe Co dissolution at all potentials, distinct peaks in anodic and cathodic Pt dissolution rates above 0.9 V, and potential-dependent Pt and Co dissolution rates. The amount of Pt that dissolves cathodically is smaller than the amount that dissolves anodically if the upper potential limit (UPL) is lower than 0.9 V. At the highest UPL investigated, 1.0 V, the cathodic dissolution greatly exceeds the anodic dissolution. A non-ideal solid solution model indicates that the anodic dissolution can be associated with the electrochemical oxidation of Pt and PtOH to Pt 2+ , and the cathodic dissolution to electrochemical reduction of a higher Pt oxide, PtO x (x > 1), to Pt 2+ . Pt also dissolves oxidatively during the cathodic scans but in smaller amounts than due to the reductive dissolution of PtO x . The relative amounts Pt dissolving oxidatively as Pt and PtOH depend on the potential cycle and UPL.

Mitophagy is an essential intracellular process that eliminates dysfunctional mitochondria and maintains cellular homeostasis. Mitophagy is regulated by the post-translational modification of mitophagy receptors. Fun14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1) was reported to be a new receptor for hypoxia-induced mitophagy in mammalian cells and interact with microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 beta (LC3B) through its LC3 interaction region (LIR). Moreover, the phosphorylation modification of FUNDC1 affects its binding affinity for LC3B and regulates selective mitophagy. However, the structural basis of this regulation mechanism remains unclear. Here, we present the crystal structure of LC3B in complex with a FUNDC1 LIR peptide phosphorylated at Ser17 (pS17), demonstrating the key residues of LC3B for the specific recognition of the phosphorylated or dephosphorylated FUNDC1. Intriguingly, the side chain of LC3B Lys49 shifts remarkably and forms a hydrogen bond and electrostatic interaction with the phosphate group of FUNDC1 pS17. Alternatively, phosphorylated Tyr18 (pY18) and Ser13 (pS13) in FUNDC1 significantly obstruct their interaction with the hydrophobic pocket and Arg10 of LC3B, respectively. Structural observations are further validated by mutation and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) assays. Therefore, our structural and biochemical results reveal a working model for the specific recognition of FUNDC1 by LC3B and imply that the reversible phosphorylation modification of mitophagy receptors may be a switch for selective mitophagy.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13238-016-0328-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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