60 research outputs found

    Noncovalent Functionalization of SWNTs with Azobenzene-Containing Polymers: Solubility, Stability, and Enhancement of Photoresponsive Properties

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    Azobenzene-derived photoactive polymers (P1−P3) containing pyrene pendants were designed and synthesized (Mw ∼ 30 000) for the noncovalent functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). P1−P3 were found to be highly effective for the solubilization of SWNTs in common organic solvents, resulting in hybrid materials with enhanced thermal stability. The solubilization process was mostly driven by the π−π stacking interactions of pyrene with SWNTs. It also brings the azobenzene chromophores to the vicinity of nanotube surface, thereby allowing the electronic interactions between them. In addition to that, stacking of the pyrene and subsequent wrapping of the polymer around CNT surface provides more volume for the photoisomerization of azobenzene. These effects eventually accelerate the kinetics of photoisomerization of azobenzene in the polymer−SWNT composite. The photoalignment property of the composite was also increased when compared to that of the parent polymer which was studied by means of photoinduced birefringence

    Highly Tunable Self-Assembled Nanostructures from a Poly(2-vinylpyridine-<i>b</i>-dimethylsiloxane) Block Copolymer

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    An extraordinarily large degree of tunability in geometry and dimension is demonstrated in films of a self-assembled block copolymer. A poly(2-vinylpyridine-b-dimethylsiloxane) block copolymer with highly incompatible blocks was spun-cast on patterned substrates and treated with various solvent vapors. The degree of selective swelling in the poly(2-vinylpyridine) matrix block could be controlled over an extensive range, leading to the formation of various microdomain morphologies such as spheres, cylinders, hexagonally perforated lamellae, and lamellae from the same block copolymer. The systematic control of swelling ratio and the choice of solvent vapors offer the unusual ability to control the width of very well-ordered linear features within a range between 6 and 31 nm. This methodology is particularly useful for nanolithography based on directed self-assembly in that a single block copolymer film can form microdomains with a broad range of geometries and sizes without the need to change molecular weight or volume fraction

    Inhibition of TRAF6 ubiquitin-ligase activity by PRDX1 leads to inhibition of NFKB activation and autophagy activation

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    <p>TRAF6 (TNF receptor associated factor 6) plays a pivotal role in NFKB activation and macroautphagy/autophagy activation induced by TLR4 (toll like receptor 4) signaling. The objective of this study was to determine the functional role of PRDX1 (peroxiredoxin 1) in NFKB activation and autophagy activation. PRDX1 interacted with the ring finger domain of TRAF6 and inhibited its ubiquitin-ligase activity. The inhibition on TRAF6 ubiquitin-ligase activity by PRDX1 induced the suppression of ubiquitination of an evolutionarily conserved signaling intermediate in Toll pathways (ECSIT) essential for NFKB activation and BECN1 (beclin 1) required for autophagy activation. An inhibitory effect of PRDX1 on TRAF6 was clearly evidenced in <i>PRDX1</i>-knockdown (<i>PRDX1</i>KD) THP-1, <i>PRDX1</i>KD MDA-MB-231, and <i>PRDX1</i>KD SK-HEP-1 cells. <i>PRDX1</i>KD THP-1 cells showed increases of NFKB activation, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, NFKB-dependent gene expression induced by TLR4 stimulation, and resistance against <i>Salmonella typhimurium</i> infection. Additionally, migration and invasion abilities of <i>PRDX1</i>KD MDA-MB-231 and <i>PRDX1</i>KD SK-HEP-1 cancer cells were significantly enhanced compared to those of control cancer cells. Taken together, these results suggest that PRDX1 negatively regulates TLR4 signaling for NFKB activation and autophagy functions such as bactericidal activity, cancer cell migration, and cancer cell invasion by inhibiting TRAF6 ubiquitin-ligase activity.</p> <p><b>Abbreviations:</b> 3-MA: 3-methyladenine; BECN1: beclin 1; CHUK/IKKA: conserved helix-loop-helix ubiquitous kinase; ECSIT: ECSIT signalling integrator; ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; NFKB: nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells; IB: immunoblotting; IKBKB/IKKB: inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase subunit beta; IL1B: interleukin 1 beta; IL6: interleukin 6; IP: immunoprecipitation; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtuble associated protein 1 light chain 3; MAP3K7/TAK1: mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7; MAPK14/p38: mitogen-activated protein kinase 14; mROS: mitochondrial reactive oxygen species; PRDX1: peroxiredoxin 1; PRDX6: peroxiredoxin 6; RELA/p65: RELA proto-oncogene, NF-kB subunit; TRAF6 TNF: receptor associated factor 6. </p

    Image_6_CRBN Is a Negative Regulator of Bactericidal Activity and Autophagy Activation Through Inhibiting the Ubiquitination of ECSIT and BECN1.pdf

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    Cereblon (CRBN) as a multifunctional protein has been extensively studied. Here, we show that CRBN is a negative regulator of bactericidal activity and autophagy activation. Mitochondrial localization of CRBN was significantly increased in response to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) stimulation. CRBN interrupted the association of evolutionarily conserved signaling intermediate in Toll pathways (ECSIT)-TNF-receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) complex, thereby inhibiting the ubiquitination of ECSIT, which plays a pivotal role for the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS). Subsequently, mROS levels were markedly elevated in CRBN-knockdown (CRBNKD) THP-1 cells, and that led to resistance against S. typhimurium infection, indicating CRBN is a negative regulator of bactericidal activity through the regulation of mROS. Additionally, CRBN inhibited TRAF6-induced ubiquitination of BECN1 (Beclin 1), and that induced autophagy activation in CRBNKD THP-1, CRBN-knockout (CRBNKO) H1299, and CRBNKO MCF7 cancer cells in response to TLR4 stimulation. Notably, we found that the ability of cancer migration and invasion was significantly enhanced in CRBNKO H1299 and CRBNKO MCF7 cancer cells, as compared with those of control cancer cells. Collectively, these results suggest that CRBN is a negative regulator of bactericidal activity and autophagy activation through inhibiting the TRAF6-induced ubiquitination of ECSIT and BECN1, respectively.</p

    Image_3_CRBN Is a Negative Regulator of Bactericidal Activity and Autophagy Activation Through Inhibiting the Ubiquitination of ECSIT and BECN1.pdf

    No full text
    Cereblon (CRBN) as a multifunctional protein has been extensively studied. Here, we show that CRBN is a negative regulator of bactericidal activity and autophagy activation. Mitochondrial localization of CRBN was significantly increased in response to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) stimulation. CRBN interrupted the association of evolutionarily conserved signaling intermediate in Toll pathways (ECSIT)-TNF-receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) complex, thereby inhibiting the ubiquitination of ECSIT, which plays a pivotal role for the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS). Subsequently, mROS levels were markedly elevated in CRBN-knockdown (CRBNKD) THP-1 cells, and that led to resistance against S. typhimurium infection, indicating CRBN is a negative regulator of bactericidal activity through the regulation of mROS. Additionally, CRBN inhibited TRAF6-induced ubiquitination of BECN1 (Beclin 1), and that induced autophagy activation in CRBNKD THP-1, CRBN-knockout (CRBNKO) H1299, and CRBNKO MCF7 cancer cells in response to TLR4 stimulation. Notably, we found that the ability of cancer migration and invasion was significantly enhanced in CRBNKO H1299 and CRBNKO MCF7 cancer cells, as compared with those of control cancer cells. Collectively, these results suggest that CRBN is a negative regulator of bactericidal activity and autophagy activation through inhibiting the TRAF6-induced ubiquitination of ECSIT and BECN1, respectively.</p

    Image_1_CRBN Is a Negative Regulator of Bactericidal Activity and Autophagy Activation Through Inhibiting the Ubiquitination of ECSIT and BECN1.pdf

    No full text
    Cereblon (CRBN) as a multifunctional protein has been extensively studied. Here, we show that CRBN is a negative regulator of bactericidal activity and autophagy activation. Mitochondrial localization of CRBN was significantly increased in response to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) stimulation. CRBN interrupted the association of evolutionarily conserved signaling intermediate in Toll pathways (ECSIT)-TNF-receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) complex, thereby inhibiting the ubiquitination of ECSIT, which plays a pivotal role for the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS). Subsequently, mROS levels were markedly elevated in CRBN-knockdown (CRBNKD) THP-1 cells, and that led to resistance against S. typhimurium infection, indicating CRBN is a negative regulator of bactericidal activity through the regulation of mROS. Additionally, CRBN inhibited TRAF6-induced ubiquitination of BECN1 (Beclin 1), and that induced autophagy activation in CRBNKD THP-1, CRBN-knockout (CRBNKO) H1299, and CRBNKO MCF7 cancer cells in response to TLR4 stimulation. Notably, we found that the ability of cancer migration and invasion was significantly enhanced in CRBNKO H1299 and CRBNKO MCF7 cancer cells, as compared with those of control cancer cells. Collectively, these results suggest that CRBN is a negative regulator of bactericidal activity and autophagy activation through inhibiting the TRAF6-induced ubiquitination of ECSIT and BECN1, respectively.</p

    Chemical-Resistant Green Luminescent Concentrator-Based Photo-Microreactor via One-Touch Assembly of 3D-Printed Modules

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    The direct use of the most sustainable energy, the sun, for chemical reactions is extremely attractive. This study proposes a green luminescent concentrator-based photo-microreactor (GLC-PM) assembled by flow modules that can be diversely 3D-printed using a photocurable fluoropolymer formulated with a fluorescent dye (Coumarin 6) for enhancing photochemical reactions. The inherently solvent-resistant GLC-flow modules maintain the chemical efficiency without leaching of fluorescent dyes and deposition of photocatalyst on the walls. In particular, the hexagonal GLC modules enable facile assembly into the customized PMs based on the synthesis requirements using built-in magnets for one-touch self-alignment. Moreover, the serially assembled GLC-PM was shown to enhance the photocatalytic reaction of C–C bond formation in the presence of Rose Bengal, and eventually, the GLC-PM formed by clustering serial and radial connections resulted in enhanced conversion and throughput of C–P bond formation in the presence of Eosin-Y. Therefore, the clustered GLC-PM can be considered as a viable and unique scaling strategy for the production of organic compounds, such as a photo-driven mini-plant

    Image_4_CRBN Is a Negative Regulator of Bactericidal Activity and Autophagy Activation Through Inhibiting the Ubiquitination of ECSIT and BECN1.pdf

    No full text
    Cereblon (CRBN) as a multifunctional protein has been extensively studied. Here, we show that CRBN is a negative regulator of bactericidal activity and autophagy activation. Mitochondrial localization of CRBN was significantly increased in response to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) stimulation. CRBN interrupted the association of evolutionarily conserved signaling intermediate in Toll pathways (ECSIT)-TNF-receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) complex, thereby inhibiting the ubiquitination of ECSIT, which plays a pivotal role for the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS). Subsequently, mROS levels were markedly elevated in CRBN-knockdown (CRBNKD) THP-1 cells, and that led to resistance against S. typhimurium infection, indicating CRBN is a negative regulator of bactericidal activity through the regulation of mROS. Additionally, CRBN inhibited TRAF6-induced ubiquitination of BECN1 (Beclin 1), and that induced autophagy activation in CRBNKD THP-1, CRBN-knockout (CRBNKO) H1299, and CRBNKO MCF7 cancer cells in response to TLR4 stimulation. Notably, we found that the ability of cancer migration and invasion was significantly enhanced in CRBNKO H1299 and CRBNKO MCF7 cancer cells, as compared with those of control cancer cells. Collectively, these results suggest that CRBN is a negative regulator of bactericidal activity and autophagy activation through inhibiting the TRAF6-induced ubiquitination of ECSIT and BECN1, respectively.</p
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