Summary Cotransins are cyclic heptadepsipeptides that bind the Sec61 translocon to inhibit cotranslational translocation of a subset of secreted and type I transmembrane proteins. The few known cotransin-sensitive substrates are all targeted to the translocon by a cleavable signal sequence, previously shown to be a critical determinant of cotransin sensitivity. By profiling two cotransin variants against a panel of secreted and transmembrane proteins, we demonstrate that cotransin side-chain differences profoundly affect substrate selectivity. Among the most sensitive substrates we identified is the pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). Like all type II transmembrane proteins, TNFα is targeted to the translocon by its membrane-spanning domain, indicating that a cleavable signal sequence is not strictly required for cotransin sensitivity. Our results thus reveal an unanticipated breadth of translocon substrates whose expression is inhibited by Sec61 modulators.

Two consecutive ruthenium-catalyzed reactions have been achieved for the synthesis of siloxacycles from terminal alkenyl carbenols and alkynylsilanes. The metal-catalyzed dehydrogenative condensation between alcohols and silanes, generating molecular hydrogen as the only byproduct, allows for the subsequent enyne metathesis without isolating the intermediate silyl ethers. This system provides a streamlined synthesis of synthetically useful building blocks. [reaction: see text]

[reaction: see text] An unusual tandem reaction sequence to form oxasilacyclopentenes from carbonyls and alkynylsilanes in the presence of a catalytic amount of nucleophilic initiator has been discovered. The reaction proceeds readily at room temperature and is applicable to a wide variety of carbonyl substrates. While the reaction scope tolerates variable substitutions on the alkynylsilane, phenylacetylene-derived silane variants consistently achieved the best yield.

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