Peptides before and during the nucleotide world: an origins story emphasizing cooperation between proteins and nucleic acids

Recent developments in Origins of Life research have focused on substantiating the narrative of an abiotic emergence of nucleic acids from organic molecules of low molecular weight, a paradigm that typically sidelines the roles of peptides. Nevertheless, the simple synthesis of amino acids, the facile nature of their activation and condensation, their ability to recognize metals and cofactors and their remarkable capacity to self-assemble make peptides (and their analogues) favourable candidates for one of the earliest functional polymers. In this mini-review, we explore the ramifications of this hypothesis. Diverse lines of research in molecular biology, bioinformatics, geochemistry, biophysics and astrobiology provide clues about the progression and early evolution of proteins, and lend credence to the idea that early peptides served many central prebiotic roles before they were encodable by a polynucleotide template, in a putative ‘peptide-polynucleotide stage’. For example, early peptides and mini-proteins could have served as catalysts, compartments and structural hubs. In sum, we shed light on the role of early peptides and small proteins before and during the nucleotide world, in which nascent life fully grasped the potential of primordial proteins, and which has left an imprint on the idiosyncratic properties of extant proteins.     

Fatty Acid/Phospholipid Blended Membranes: A Potential Intermediate State in Protocellular Evolution

Prior to the evolution of membrane proteins, intrinsic membrane stability and permeability to polar solutes are essential features of a primitive cell membrane. These features are difficult to achieve simultaneously in model protocells made of either pure fatty acid or phospholipid membranes, raising the intriguing question of how the transition from fatty acid to phospholipid membranes might have occurred while continuously supporting encapsulated reactions required for genomic replication. Here, the properties of a blended membrane system composed of both oleic acid (OA), a monoacyl fatty acid, and 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (POPC), a diacyl phospholipid are described. This hybrid vesicle system exhibits high stability to divalent cations (Mg²⁺), while simultaneously maintaining its permeability to small charged molecules such as nucleotides and divalent ions such as Mg²⁺. This combination of features facilitates key reactions expected to occur during a transition from primitive to modern cells, including nonenzymatic RNA replication, and is also compatible with highly evolved functions such as the ribosomal translation of a protein. The observations support the hypothesis that the early transition from fatty acid to phospholipid membranes could be accomplished through intermediate states in which membranes are composed of amphiphile mixtures, and do not require protein transporters.     

Rapid Growth and Fusion of Protocells in Surface‐Adhered Membrane Networks

Elevated temperatures might have promoted the nucleation, growth, and replication of protocells on the early Earth. Recent reports have shown evidence that moderately high temperatures not only permit protocell assembly at the origin of life, but can have actively supported it. Here, the fast nucleation and growth of vesicular compartments from autonomously formed lipid networks on solid surfaces, induced by a moderate increase in temperature, are shown. Branches of the networks, initially consisting of self‐assembled interconnected nanotubes, rapidly swell into microcompartments which can spontaneously encapsulate RNA fragments. The increase in temperature further causes fusion of adjacent network‐connected compartments, resulting in the redistribution of the RNA. The experimental observations and the mathematical model indicate that the presence of nanotubular interconnections between protocells facilitates the fusion process.     

Tetraphenylethylene‐Interweaving Conjugated Macrocycle Polymer Materials as Two‐Photon Fluorescence Sensors for Metal Ions and Organic Molecules

A luminescent conjugated macrocycle polymer (CMP) with strong two‐photon fluorescence property, namely, P[5]‐TPE‐CMP, is constructed from ditriflate‐functionalized pillar[5]arene and a 1,1,2,2‐tetrakis(4‐ethynylphenyl)ethylene (TPE) linker through a Sonogashira–Hagihara cross‐coupling reaction. Significantly, in sharp contrast with the corresponding conjugated microporous polymer without synthetic macrocycles, P[5]‐TPE‐CMP shows an outstanding stability against photobleaching and exhibits highly selective cation sensing capability toward Fe³⁺ at different excitation wavelengths (both UV and red–near‐infrared regions). Meanwhile, its fluorescence could also be sufficiently quenched by 4‐amino azobenzene, a frequently used organic dye that is certified to be carcinogenic, as compared with a group of common organic compounds. This work paves a new way for enhancing the properties of porous organic polymers through the introduction of supramolecular macrocycles like macrocyclic arenes.     

DNA电化学传感器对金属离子检测的研究进展

由于DNAzyme、T-T和C-C之间错配以及G-四链体等能与金属离子特异性结合,基于DNA与金属离子相互作用来检测金属离子的DNA电化学传感器逐渐发展起来。介绍了几种DNA电化学传感器检测金属离子的新方法,并对DNA电化学传感器对金属离子检测的发展趋势和研究方向进行了展望。     

Tuning Cellular Response to Nanoparticles via Surface Chemistry and Aggregation

The aggregation of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in cell media is a common phenomenon that can influence NP‐cell interactions. Here, we control Au NP aggregation in cell media and study the impact of Au NP aggregation on human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. By first adding Au NPs to fetal bovine serum (FBS) and then subsequently to a buffer, aggregation can be avoided. Aggregation of Au NPs also can be avoided by coating Au NPs with other biomolecules such as lipids. The aggregation state of the Au NPs influences cellular toxicity and Au NP uptake: non‐aggregated cationic Au NPs are four‐fold less toxic to HDF cells than aggregated cationic Au NPs, and the uptake of non‐aggregated anionic citrate Au NPs is three orders of magnitude less than that of aggregated citrate Au NPs. Upon uptake of Au NPs, cellular F‐actin fiber formation is disrupted and actin dots are predominant. When lipid‐coated Au NPs are doped with a fluorescent lipid (F‐lipid) and incubated with HDF cells, the fluorescence from the F‐lipid was found throughout the cell, showing that lipids can dissociate from the Au NP surface upon entering the cell.     

Nanometal Oxides with Special Surface Physicochemical Properties to Promote Electrochemical Detection of Heavy Metal Ions

Heavy metal ions (HMIs) are one of the major environmental pollution problems currently faced. To monitor and control HMIs, rapid and reliable detection is required. Electrochemical analysis is one of the promising methods for on‐site detection and monitoring due to high sensitivity, short response time, etc. Recently, nanometal oxides with special surface physicochemical properties have been widely used as electrode modifiers to enhance sensitivity and selectivity for HMIs detection. In this work, recent advances in the electrochemical detection of HMIs using nanometal oxides, which are attributed to specific crystal facets and phases, surficial defects and vacancies, and oxidation state cycle, are comprehensively summarized and discussed in aspects of synthesis, characterization, electroanalysis application, and mechanism. Moreover, the challenges and opportunities for the development and application of nanometal oxides with functional surface physicochemical properties in electrochemical determination of HMIs are presented.     

碳酸氢铵与金属阳离子摩尔比对共沉淀法合成铽镓石榴石纳米粉体及陶瓷性能的影响

本研究以碳酸氢铵(AHC)为沉淀剂, 采用共沉淀法制备了TGG粉体。以上述粉体为原料, 将素坯于1500 ℃空气预烧3 h, 然后于1550 ℃, 150 MPa氩气气氛下HIP后处理3 h获得TGG陶瓷。系统研究了碳酸氢铵与金属离子摩尔比(R值)对合成粉体的相组成、形貌以及TGG陶瓷的透光率和Verdet常数的影响。R=3.6, 4.0和4.4的前驱体在1100 ℃煅烧形成纯相TGG粉体, 而R=3.2的前驱体经相同温度煅烧后形成了TGG和Ga₂O₃的混合相粉体。R=4.0的TGG粉体分散性和均匀性最好, 故制备的陶瓷光学质量最佳。R=4.4的粉体具有较严重的团聚, 这与其前驱体形貌密切相关。以R=4.0的粉体为原料, 制备的TGG透明陶瓷在1064 nm处的直线透过率为80.1%。制备的TGG陶瓷在633 nm处的Verdet常数和商业TGG单晶(-134 rad·T ^-1·m ^-1)几乎相等。     

提高电磁流量计性能的研究

本文对电磁流量计的性能提高进行了探讨，从传感器励磁方式、仪表稳定性及变换环节的信号转换精度进行实验研究，提供了这方面的成果．并在理论上作了分析．     

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Active Packaging to Increase Shelf Life of Gluten‐Free Sliced Bread

This paper presents a complete study and comparison of the efficiency of three types of packaging system: active packaging, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and combinations of both. To choose the best option, we must take into account microbiological results as well as sensory quality; therefore, a complete sensory study and an in‐depth statistical study were carried out, in order to evaluate each option and their interactions. The results showed that active packaging considerably increases the shelf life of packaged food, so it could be an attractive option to extend the shelf life. The active packaging provided better sensorial properties than the MAP option. Positive factors like characteristic flavour and spongy texture had higher values in the absence of MAP, and negative properties like cinnamon flavour, crumbly texture and hardness reached higher values when MAP was present in the packaged food. So when microbiological and sensorial properties are taken into account, the active packaging is a better option than MAP to increase shelf life because it inhibits microbial growth while maintaining the high quality of sensorial properties for gluten‐free breads. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monitoring of Current State of Pipe Metal in Active Gas Pipelines. Experimental Method and Results

Degradation of the structural state of pipe metal in gas pipelines upon long-term operation is assessed by the proposed hardness method. It is demonstrated that the method provides information needed for monitoring operational reliability of gas pipelines.     

光学铰链支承结构的形稳性研究

本文针对大型精密光学平台上实验时所发现的光束不稳定性问题 ,从结构的形稳性和连接方法两个方面进行了分析。通过对铰链关键节点的振动测量和谱分析 ,结合定量的估算 ,分析了引起光束漂移的主要原因 ,并设计了改善结构形稳性和改进连接方式的方法 ,供系统改造参考。     

Application of the Extrusion to Increase the Binding between the Ceramic Particles and the Metal Matrix:Enhancement of Mechanical and Tribological Properties

Aluminum alloyed with magnesium and silicon has been used as the matrix material owing to its excellent mechanical properties coupled with good formability and its wide applications in industrial sector.An extrusion process was developed to consolidate Al 6061—SiCp composites from mixed powders.The results show that the composites were fully densified,with no sign of pores or oxide layers observable in the optical microscope.The SiC particles were distributed uniformly in the matrix.As compared with 6061 alloys,the composites demonstrated a smaller elongation,but exhibited a higher Young’s modulus and a larger work hardening capacity.These composites possessed much higher elongation at the same strength level.The present study also addressed the dry wear behavior of the composites at different sliding speeds and applied loads.Values of the friction coefficient of the matrix alloy and composite materials were in expected range for light metals in dry sliding conditions.All of these improvements were attributed to the merits,including full densification of the bulk,uniform dispersion of the SiC particles in the matrix,and strong binding between the SiC particles and the matrix resulting from the extrusion.     

Countering the Segregation of Transition‐Metal Ions in LiMn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3O2 Cathode for Ultralong Life and High‐Energy Li‐Ion Batteries

High‐voltage layered lithium transition‐metal oxides are very promising cathodes for high‐energy Li‐ion batteries. However, these materials often suffer from a fast degradation of cycling stability due to structural evolutions. It seriously impedes the large‐scale application of layered lithium transition‐metal oxides. In this work, an ultralong life LiMn_1/3Co_1/3Ni_1/3O₂ microspherical cathode is prepared by constructing an Mn‐rich surface. Its capacity retention ratio at 700 mA g^?1 is as large as 92.9% after 600 cycles. The energy dispersive X‐ray maps of electrodes after numerous cycles demonstrate that the ultralong life of the as‐prepared cathode is attributed to the mitigation of TM‐ions segregation. Additionally, it is discovered that layered lithium transition‐metal oxide cathodes with an Mn‐rich surface can mitigate the segregation of TM ions and the corrosion of active materials. This study provides a new strategy to counter the segregation of TM ions in layered lithium transition‐metal oxides and will help to the design and development of high‐energy cathodes with ultralong life.     

Production and Application of Active Packaging Film with Ethylene Adsorber to Increase the Shelf Life of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica)

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica) florets were packaged in low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) bags with or without ethylene adsorber under passive modified atmosphere and then stored at 4°C for 20 days. LDPE films with (8% Tazetut® masterbatch, M2) or without ethylene adsorber (M1) were tested. The effects of modified atmosphere packaging treatments on gas concentrations (O₂, CO₂ and ethylene) in the headspace, the mass loss, colour, texture, pH, total soluble solids, chlorophyll content, total phenolic content and sensory quality of packaged broccoli were determined by comparing with unpackaged (control) florets. Results revealed that deterioration occurred quickly in control broccoli, manifested mainly by mass loss, chlorophyll degradation and stem hardening. Also, it was found unacceptable by sensory panel after 5 days. Conversely, in those florets packaged under modified atmosphere packaging, especially for LDPE with ethylene adsorber (M2), all changes related with loss of quality were significantly reduced and delayed with time. Additionally, total soluble solids and total phenolic content remained almost unchanged during the whole period. Ethylene concentration was determined as 61.8 ppm in M1 and 0.33 ppm in M2, respectively, at the end of the storage. Thus, broccoli packaged with M2 films had prolonged storability up to 20 days with high quality attributes, this period being only 5 days in unpackaged control broccoli. Oxygen concentration decreased below 1% after 5 days of storage in M1, and the shelf life of broccoli in these bags was limited to 5 days because of risk for anaerobic fermentation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

改善户式空调系统稳定性的设计措施

通过分析户式中央空调系统的特性,探讨了影响户式中央空调系统热稳定性的因素和改善稳定性的设计措施;给出了系统稳定性的判别方法和计算公式,为合理确定系统水容量提供了参考依据。     

Emergent multicellular life cycles in filamentous bacteria owing to density-dependent population dynamics

Filamentous bacteria are the oldest and simplest known multicellular life forms. By using computer simulations and experiments that address cell division in a filamentous context, we investigate some of the ecological factors that can lead to the emergence of a multicellular life cycle in filamentous life forms. The model predicts that if cell division and death rates are dependent on the density of cells in a population, a predictable cycle between short and long filament lengths is produced. During exponential growth, there will be a predominance of multicellular filaments, while at carrying capacity, the population converges to a predominance of short filaments and single cells. Model predictions are experimentally tested and confirmed in cultures of heterotrophic and phototrophic bacterial species. Furthermore, by developing a formulation of generation time in bacterial populations, it is shown that changes in generation time can alter length distributions. The theory predicts that given the same population growth curve and fitness, species with longer generation times have longer filaments during comparable population growth phases. Characterization of the environmental dependence of morphological properties such as length, and the number of cells per filament, helps in understanding the pre-existing conditions for the evolution of developmental cycles in simple multicellular organisms. Moreover, the theoretical prediction that strains with the same fitness can exhibit different lengths at comparable growth phases has important implications. It demonstrates that differences in fitness attributed to morphology are not the sole explanation for the evolution of life cycles dominated by multicellularity.