Cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDC) are pore forming toxins. A prototype of the CDC family members is perfringolysin O (PFO), which directly binds to the cell membrane enriched in cholesterol, causing cell lysis. However, an exception of this general observation is intermedilysin (ILY) of Streptococcus intermedius, which requires human CD59 as a receptor in addition to cholesterol for its hemolytic activity. A possible explanation of this functional difference is the conformational variation between the C-terminal domains of the two toxins, particularly in the highly conserved undecapeptide termed tryptophan rich motif. Here, we present the crystal structure of suilysin, a CDC toxin from the infectious swine pathogen Streptococcus suis. Like PFO, suilysin does not require a host receptor for hemolytic activity; yet the crystal structure of suilysin exhibits a similar conformation in the tryptophan rich motif to ILY. This observation suggests that the current view of the structure-function relationship between CDC proteins and membrane association is far from complete.

A planar-like inorganic α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) particles were modified by a kind of cyclophosphazene derivative via three-step hybridization method, first modified by melamine (MA), then combined with hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) through nucleophilic substitution and further integrated with excessive MA. Thus, a hybrid flame retardant (HAC) was successfully synthesized. The composites based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and HAC were prepared by solution blending. The thermal, mechanical properties and flame retardancy of the composites were studied. It was found that HAC showed a catalytic effect in the initial decomposition stage and promoted the formation of char at high temperatures. When the content of HAC was 15 wt%, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) reached 28.4% and classified V-0 rating, whereas with the same content of fire retardant, for PVA/α-ZrP and PVA/product of MA with HCCP composites (one kind of intumescent flame retardant IFR), the LOI values were only 24.7% and 27.1%, respectively. The combination of IFR and α-ZrP could remarkably improve the yield and graphitization of char residues, make the char more stable, compact and continuous, inhibiting underlying PVA from contacting heat and oxygen. Moreover, the mechanical properties could be reinforced and toughened with certain content of HAC.

Heat shock response (HSR) is a ubiquitous cellular mechanism that copes with a variety of stresses. This response is mediated by a family of transcriptional activators, heat shock factors (HSFs), which are under tight regulation. HSF binding protein 1 (HSBP1) is a negative regulator of HSR and is reported to bind specifically with the active trimeric form of HSF1, thus inhibiting its activity. HSBP1 contains heptad-repeats in the primary sequence and was believed to stay in a trimer form in solution. We report the crystal structure of the trimerization domain of the M30I/L55P mutant of human HSBP1 at 1.8 A resolution. In this crystal form, the HSBP1 fragment of residues 6-53 forms a continuous, 11-turn long helix. The helix self-associates to form a parallel, symmetrical, triple coiled-coil helix bundle, which further assembles into a dimer of trimers in a head-to-head fashion. Solution study confirmed that the wild-type HSBP1 shares similar biophysical properties with the crystallized variant. Furthermore, we identified Ser31, which buried its polar side chain in the hydrophobic interior of the helix bundle, as a stability weak-spot. Substitution of this residue with Ile increases the melting temperature by 24 degrees C, implicating that this conserved serine residue is maintained at position 31 for functional purposes.

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Molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) with two-dimensional (2D) lamellar structure was functionalized with melamine-cyanuric acid (MCA) hybrids via a facile way. A core-shell composite particle (MoMA) was obtained. Acting as one kind of synergistic flame retardant, it was mixed with traditional intumescent flame retardant (IFR) to prepare the flame retardant poly(lactic acid) composites by melt blending. UL-94 V-0 rating and LOI value of 29.8% for PLA composites were achieved while the total amount of flame retardants was 12 wt%, with the optimal weight ratio of IFR to MoMA 3:1. The inclusion of MoMA can enhance the amount of char residue and suppress the pyrolysis rate. The thermal degradation kinetic studies indicated that more pyrolysis conversion energy was needed. Finally, the investigation of char residue further confirmed that the addition of MoMA can improve the continuity and thermal stability of intumescent char layer and promote its graphitization degree. The condensed phase mechanism was mainly responsible for the improved flame retardant performance. This work suggests a novel strategy for improving flame retardant performance of PLA by combination of MoMA with IFR. The mechanical properties were studied as well.

α-ZrP was combined with polyphosphazene and formed a core–shell structure, which has a significant synergistic flame retardant performance in polypropylene.

No abstract

An AIE-based fluorescent probe was developed for monitoring food spoilage via its response toward hydrogen sulfide.