In our ChemSci Pick of the Week, Barry Potter (University of Oxford, UK) and Stephen Butler (Loughborough University, UK) report the first molecular probe for the selective and sensitive detection of the most abundant cellular inositol pyrophosphate, 5-PP-InsP5, as well as an efficient new synthesis.
The probe is based on a macrocyclic Eu(III) complex bearing two quinoline arms providing a free coordination site at the Eu(III) metal centre. Bidentate binding of the pyrophosphate group of 5-PP-InsP5 to the Eu(III) ion was proposed, supported by DFT calculations, giving rise to a selective enhancement in Eu(III) emission intensity and lifetime.
The authors also demonstrate use of time-resolved luminescence as a bioassay tool for monitoring enzymatic processes in which 5-PPInsP5 is consumed. The assay is label-free and does not require expensive antibodies or chemical modification of the substrate with a fluorescent or radioactive label.
The authors believe the availability of the assay should have a significant impact on the study of protein dephosphorylation and emerging cellular pathways regulated by 5-PP-InsP5, including those involved in glucose homeostasis.
This latest Chem Sci paper from Maria Alessandra Martini, James A. Birrell, Patricia Rodríguez-Maciá and colleagues highlights how the binding of exogenous cyanide can be used to determine new active sites in [FeFe] hydrogenases.
Investigating the [4Fe-4S] cluster coordinating cysteines within C. reinhardtii [FeFe]-hydrogenase for the impact on active site maturation and catalytic properties: https://doi.org/10.1039/C7SC03444J
All of these papers are free to read via Diamond Open Access 💎
Interested in knowing more? Corresponding author Patricia Rodríguez-Maciá also has a number of other exciting papers on hydrogenases in Chemical Science. Check out some of her previous work!
As requested by Reid Alderson, ChemEx is now in #NMROnline!
We would like to thank D. Flemming Hansen (@dflemminghansen) for providing the data, and Guillaume Bouvignies for his support with the ChemEx integration.