Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society最新文献

The discovery of new targeting peptides for specific cells, tissues, or disease sites has gained significant attention in both basic research and translational medicine, particularly for the development of drug delivery platforms. This study identified a targeting peptide for ACE2-rich cells, which play a crucial role in maintaining blood–brain barrier integrity and neurovascular function, and applied the peptides for the fluorescence imaging of ACE2-rich cells. By analyzing the epitope sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the binding sites of neutralizing antibodies, we identified a hit peptide sequence, GFQPTNGVGYQ. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated the peptide's selective binding to ACE2-rich cells and its accumulation in brain tumor tissue in a glioblastoma mouse model. These findings provide valuable insights into the development of peptide-based therapeutics and hold potential for treating brain-related neurovascular diseases.

The purpose of this study was to develop a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-based thin film incorporating aspirin (ASP)-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for skin cancer therapy. SLNs are allowed to effectively interact with the intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum, leading to a continuous release of ASP. Thin films based on HPMC, a mucoadhesive polymer, can improve the skin residence time of SLN. ASP, a biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) class I drug, was encapsulated into SLNs using the water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion method. Among tested SLN formulations, the one utilizing stearic acid, Span 80, and poloxamer 188 exhibited the smallest particle size (111.80 nm) and highest loading efficiency (67.40%). The HPMC-thin film with 10% SLNs showed sustained ASP release and significant anti-cancer effects. In cytotoxicity studies on skin cancer cells, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values for ASP solution, SLNs, and the HPMC-thin film with SLNs were 0.23, 0.15, and 0.18 mM, respectively. This means that the anti-cancer effect of ASP was enhanced by approximately 1.55 times (SLNs) and 1.28 times (HPMC-thin film with SLNs) compared to the ASP solution. These results indicate that the HPMC-based thin film with ASP-loaded SLNs could be useful as a skin cancer treatment agent.

Density functional theory (DFT) calculation were performed to study the disproportionation reaction of high-valent Mn(IV)(O) species, such as 2[Mn^IV(O)(Porp)] → [Mn^IV(O)(Porp^•+)] + [Mn^III(O)(Porp)] (Porp = porphine²⁻), which experimentally occurs (only) in the presence of acid. Energy calculations of all possible derivatives of the above species with regard to protonation and Cl⁻ and OTf⁻ axial ligation enabled us to calculate the approximate thermodynamics of all the possible reactions and pinpoint the most probable disproportionation reaction occurring for more detailed studies. Thus, we predict that the real disprotonation reaction occurs in four steps, such as (i) reactant protonation, (ii) axial ligand exchange, (iii) proton-coupled electron transfer mediated disproportionation, and finally (iv) product protonation. The conditions for the disproportionation reaction to occur in this system may be applicable for similar systems, such as other high-valent metal-oxo systems. Furthermore, the current study is an example where relatively rudimentary calculations can give surprisingly deep insights into a biochemically relevant reaction.

We investigated the energy landscape of protein–protein complexes using a customizable energy model. Our findings highlight the crucial role of contact differences in distinguishing between authentic proteins and decoys, emphasizing the importance of accurately capturing favorable contacts. These insights contribute to the development of computational models for protein–protein interactions.

The cover image illustrates the Na⁺-ion storage capabilities of commercially available 2,6-diaminoanthraquinone (2,6-DAAQ) as a redox-active organic cathode material for advanced sodium-ion batteries, highlighting its fast rechargeability and excellent cycling stability. 2,6-DAAQ employs its redox-active carbonyl groups to enable durable cycling performance through a reversible sodiation and desodiation process. More detailed insights into the Na⁺-ion storage behavior of the 2,6-DAAQ cathode can be found in the article by Honggyu Seong, Youngseok Chang, and Jaewon Choi. Details are in the article by Honggyu Seong, Youngseok Chang, Jaewon Choi.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) plays a key role in extracellular matrix remodeling and is implicated in various physiological and pathological processes, including tissue regeneration and cancer progression. Accurate quantification of MMP-9 is essential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In this study, we developed a protease-based fluorescence enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) platform utilizing biotinylated α-chymotrypsin (α-CTB) as an alternative enzymatic reporter to conventional horseradish peroxidase (HRP). α-CT was conjugated with biotin using biotinamidohexanoic acid 3-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, achieving a labeling ratio of approximately 6.5:1 without significantly compromising enzymatic activity. The biotinylation efficiency was verified using the 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid (HABA)–avidin assay, and proteolytic activity was assessed with the fluorogenic substrate. Comparative kinetic analysis revealed that α-CTB retained substantial activity, including when immobilized on streptavidin-coated surfaces, validating its use in solid-phase immunoassays. The α-CTB-based ELISA was applied to quantify MMP-9 and compared with a conventional HRP-based ELISA. The α-CTB assay exhibited a concentration-dependent increase in fluorescence across a broad dynamic range, achieving a lower limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1.49 ng/mL, whereas the traditional ELISA showed reduced sensitivity at low concentrations with an LOQ of 3.19 ng/mL. This improved sensitivity demonstrates the suitability of α-CTB as an alternative enzymatic reporter for accurate biomarker quantification.

As the aging population grows, the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing, making it a significant global health concern. Despite advancements in surgical and chemotherapeutic treatments, the five-year survival rate for CRC remains around 65%, largely due to the presence of chemotherapy-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs). Artemisinin derivatives, known for their antimalarial properties, have shown potential anticancer activity. This study focuses on phenoxyartemisinin compounds and their effects on colon cancer cells and CSCs. We synthesized C-10 substituted phenoxyartemisinins and evaluated their efficacy using in vitro and in vivo models. The results demonstrated that phenoxyartemisinins, particularly compound 4a, significantly inhibited the growth of colon CSCs and reduced sphere formation, an indicator of stem cell activity. Additionally, in a mouse tumor xenograft model, 4a showed substantial tumor reduction with minimal toxicity. These findings suggest that phenoxyartemisinin compounds could offer a novel therapeutic approach for CRC, targeting both cancer cells and CSCs to potentially prevent recurrence and improve patient outcomes.

KT Hong, JH Jeon, S Park, L Gopala, J Lee, JS Lee, Quantitative analysis of disaggregation properties of aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) and off-the-shelf dyes, Bull. Korean Chem. Soc. 2025, 46(2), 116–121. https://doi.org/10.1002/bkcs.12933.

In the legend of Figure 1, the concentration of fluorophores was incorrectly stated as “1 M off-the-shelf fluorophores,” and should be corrected to “10 μM off-the-shelf fluorophores.”

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.

This study explores the excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) dynamics of weak and medium-strength photoacids, 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic trisodium salt (pyranine; HPTS), D-luciferin, and 2-cyano-6-hydroxybenzothiazole (CBTOH), confined within water-in-oil and methanol-in-oil reverse micelles (RMs). We extend the previous work on the ESPT dynamics of HPTS in Igepal RMs to several weak or medium-strength photoacids confined in the RMs. These photoacids exhibit proton transfer rate constants on the order of 10⁹ s⁻¹ in small RMs, which are comparable to the solvation dynamics inside the RMs. This suggests that the solvation dynamics govern the ESPT rates in the RMs, irrespective of the core polar solvent characteristics.

Mechanochemical reactions are chemical processes induced by mechanical energy. Unlike solution-based reactions, a key advantage of mechanochemistry is that reactions can be carried out without solvents. This feature, coupled with its simplicity and sustainability, makes mechanochemistry an increasingly powerful tool for material synthesis. However, traditional mechanochemical reactions typically rely on electronic ball milling devices, which can limit temperature control. Recent studies are exploring ways to selectively synthesize desired compounds using grinding techniques with highly reactive molecular precursors. In this Account, we highlight several examples of manual grinding mechanochemical reactions, demonstrating that solid-state grinding alone can achieve high yields and selectivities. This grinding approach, which uses highly reactive and stable ionic solids as starting materials, opens new possibilities for solid-state reactivity that were previously unattainable with conventional ball milling methods.