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.
#TIL "heliox" (helium+oxygen) is a thing in saturation diving. By using helium instead of nitrogen it decreases the time the body needs to acclimate to a new pressure.
It also means divers sound like chipmunks while they're down there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J51mRpDa5o #scubadiving#chemistry
⚗️ #TotalSynthesis of Waixenicin A, 9-Deacetoxy-14,15-deepoxyxeniculin and Xeniafaraunol A by Thomas Magauer and colleagues (#University of #Innsbruck@uniinnsbruck#Austria) published recently in #JACS featuring an unusual alkylation ring closing strategy.
This week's Chemical Science Pick of the Week #ChemSciPicks is "Taming the parent oxoborane", by Sakya Sen and coworkers from the CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory.
Congratulations on isolating the first stabilized parent oxoborane (HBO) complex, and a rare bora-carboxylic acid (BOOH) and reactive BH3 compound as well!
We've repaired and refined, introduced and integrated 14 established and important software titles into 1 platform – and they're ready to CLICK-CLICK-GO… again!