Intersecting Xenobiology and Neometabolism To Bring Novel Chemistries to Life

The diversity of life relies on a handful of chemical elements (carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus) as part of essential building blocks; some other atoms are needed to a lesser extent, but most of the remaining elements are excluded from biology. This circumstance limits the scope of biochemical reactions in extant metabolism – yet it offers a phenomenal playground for synthetic biology. Xenobiology aims to bring novel bricks to life that could be exploited for (xeno)metabolite synthesis. In particular, the assembly of novel pathways engineered to handle nonbiological elements (neometabolism) will broaden chemical space beyond the reach of natural evolution. In this review, xeno-elements that could be blended into nature's biosynthetic portfolio are discussed together with their physicochemical properties and tools and strategies to incorporate them into biochemistry. We argue that current bioproduction methods can be revolutionized by bridging xenobiology and neometabolism for the synthesis of new-to-nature molecules, such as organohalides.     

大庆长垣以东地区深层天然气输导特征及成藏

大庆长垣以东地区深层天然气输导通道主要由断裂、不整合面和砂体构成。该区砂体横向分布不稳定，物性差，不是天然气侧向长距离运移的输导通道，但可以起到衔接输导作用。输导通道时该区天然气成藏与分布起到了重要控制作用，主要表现在断裂将天然气输导致上覆不同储集层中聚集成藏。不整合面和砂体将天然气输导到四周古隆起上聚集成藏。沿断裂输导的天然气形成以断层为主的构造气藏。沿不整合面和砂体输导的天然气形成以地层及岩性为主的气藏。沿断裂输导运移聚集的天然气在剖面上呈串多层分布，沿不整合面和砂体输导运移聚集的天然气在平面上呈环状分布。     

Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Activated Ketones on Platinum: Relevant and Spectator Species

The heterogeneous enantioselective hydrogenation of activated ketones over chirally modified platinum is reviewed with emphasis on identifying the role of the various species observed in this catalytic system. The past years have witnessed a continuous broadening of the scope of this catalytic system including new reactants and modifiers affording over 97% ee. New reaction pathways have been uncovered and the kinetic and mechanistic studies have been faced with a number of complicating factors caused by spectator species and interactions in solution and on the Pt surface. The previously proposed mechanistic models are critically assessed in the light of these new findings.     

运移路径模拟和应用尝试

油气二次运移的方式和方向对具体指出盆地油气资源量所赋存的位置有决定性的意义.在运载层中推动油气运动的作用力主要是浮力和毛细管力,而盖层则起着毛细管阻力作用.因此盖层的形状及空间分布就成了影响运移路径重要的封盖因素.该文试图根据盖层的几何形状特性,建立运移路径模拟模型,开发微机软件运行实施.在一个具体盆地进行运移路径模拟应用的结果反映,与已知勘探情况基本符合,能够检验油气期次性运移的地质概念,可以揭示运移过程,预测可能的运移聚集位置.      

从烟草悬浮细胞中分离液泡前体的方法研究

通过跟踪含有液泡前体特异标记物的组分, 利用细胞壁酶水解胞壁制造原生质体, 并用真针头挤压的方法裂解细胞, 用蔗糖密度梯度离心的方法分离液泡前体. 通过相差显微镜观察, 发现所分离的液泡前体保持完整的结构. 利用不同细胞器的标记物抗体进行免疫标记检测, 证明所纯化的液泡前体不含其他细胞器, 具有较高的纯度.     

紫杉醇及其类似物生产的代谢工程研究进展

大量生产抗癌新药紫杉醇是目前生物技术的研究热点之一。通过对紫杉醇生物合成途径中关键酶基因的分离、克隆与遗传转化等方面最新研究结果进行评述 ,指出通过紫杉醇次生代谢途径中关键酶的基因改造及遗传转化 ,构建高效表达紫杉醇或其重要前体紫杉烷的基因工程细胞株 ,并建立其相应的基因表达调控方法 ,是解决紫杉醇药源问题的最有前途的方法之一。     

准噶尔盆地不整合结构的地球物理响应及油气成藏意义

准噶尔盆地自成盆期以来经历了多期次构造运动,形成数个不整合。这些不整合在剖面上可分为5种类型,它们在地震上具有明显的反射特征。在纵向上,不整合分为3层结构,每层结构发育着多种岩石类型,它们在测井曲线组合上具各自不同的响应。不整合纵向的分层结构构成油气运移的双重通道,同时为油气聚集提供良好的储集空间和圈闭条件。尽管不整合的成藏条件有共同之处,但由于形成各类不整合时的应力强度、应力作用方式及地层变形程度等存在差异,导致不同类型的不整合还具有各自不同的油气成藏模式。      

Neuroprotective Effects of Testosterone in the Hypothalamus of an Animal Model of Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is known to be associated to inflammation and alteration in the hypothalamus, a brain region implicated in the control of several physiological functions, including energy homeostasis and reproduction. Previous studies demonstrated the beneficial effects of testosterone treatment (TTh) in counteracting some MetS symptoms in both animal models and clinical studies. This study investigated the effect of TTh (30 mg/kg/week for 12 weeks) on the hypothalamus in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced animal model of MetS, utilizing quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses. The animal model recapitulates the human MetS features, including low testosterone/gonadotropin plasma levels. TTh significantly improved MetS-induced hypertension, visceral adipose tissue accumulation, and glucose homeostasis derangements. Within hypothalamus, TTh significantly counteracted HFD-induced inflammation, as detected in terms of expression of inflammatory markers and microglial activation. Moreover, TTh remarkably reverted the HFD-associated alterations in the expression of important regulators of energy status and reproduction, such as the melanocortin and the GnRH-controlling network. Our results suggest that TTh may exert neuroprotective effects on the HFD-related hypothalamic alterations, with positive outcomes on the circuits implicated in the control of energy metabolism and reproductive tasks, thus supporting a possible role of TTh in the clinical management of MetS.     

Mushroom-Derived Medicine? Preclinical Studies Suggest Potential Benefits of Ergothioneine for Cardiometabolic Health

Medicinal use of mushrooms has been documented since ancient times, and in the modern world, mushrooms have a longstanding history of use in Eastern medicine. Recent interest in plant-based diets in Westernized countries has brought increasing attention to the use of mushrooms and mushroom-derived compounds in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Edible mushrooms are the most abundant food sources of the modified amino acid, ergothioneine. This compound has been shown to accumulate in almost all cells and tissues, but preferentially in those exposed to oxidative stress and injury. The demonstrated cytoprotectant effect of ergothioneine has led many to suggest a potential therapeutic role for this compound in chronic conditions that involve ongoing oxidative stress and inflammation, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. However, the in vivo effects of ergothioneine and its underlying therapeutic mechanisms in the whole organism are not as clear. Moreover, there are no well-defined, clinical prevention and intervention trials of ergothioneine in chronic disease. This review highlights the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of ergothioneine and its potential as a Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine for the promotion of cardiometabolic health and the management of the most common manifestations of cardiometabolic disease.