Organic building blocks at inorganic nanomaterial interfaces

This tutorial review presents our perspective on designing organic molecules for the functionalization of inorganic nanomaterial surfaces, through the model of an “anchor-functionality” paradigm. This “anchor-functionality” paradigm is a streamlined design strategy developed from a comprehensive range of materials (e.g., lead halide perovskites, II–VI semiconductors, III–V semiconductors, metal oxides, diamonds, carbon dots, silicon, etc.) and applications (e.g., light-emitting diodes, photovoltaics, lasers, photonic cavities, photocatalysis, fluorescence imaging, photo dynamic therapy, drug delivery, etc.). The structure of this organic interface modifier comprises two key components: anchor groups binding to inorganic surfaces and functional groups that optimize their performance in specific applications. To help readers better understand and utilize this approach, the roles of different anchor groups and different functional groups are discussed and explained through their interactions with inorganic materials and external environments

Discovery of Hydrolysis-Resistant Isoindoline <i>N</i>‑Acyl Amino Acid Analogues that Stimulate Mitochondrial Respiration

<i>N</i>-Acyl amino acids directly bind mitochondria and function as endogenous uncouplers of UCP1-independent respiration. We found that administration of <i>N</i>-acyl amino acids to mice improves glucose homeostasis and increases energy expenditure, indicating that this pathway might be useful for treating obesity and associated disorders. We report the full account of the synthesis and mitochondrial uncoupling bioactivity of lipidated <i>N</i>-acyl amino acids and their unnatural analogues. Unsaturated fatty acid chains of medium length and neutral amino acid head groups are required for optimal uncoupling activity on mammalian cells. A class of unnatural <i>N</i>-acyl amino acid analogues, characterized by isoindoline-1-carboxylate head groups (<b>37</b>), were resistant to enzymatic degradation by PM20D1 and maintained uncoupling bioactivity in cells and in mice

Discovery of Hydrolysis-Resistant Isoindoline <i>N</i>‑Acyl Amino Acid Analogues that Stimulate Mitochondrial Respiration

<i>N</i>-Acyl amino acids directly bind mitochondria and function as endogenous uncouplers of UCP1-independent respiration. We found that administration of <i>N</i>-acyl amino acids to mice improves glucose homeostasis and increases energy expenditure, indicating that this pathway might be useful for treating obesity and associated disorders. We report the full account of the synthesis and mitochondrial uncoupling bioactivity of lipidated <i>N</i>-acyl amino acids and their unnatural analogues. Unsaturated fatty acid chains of medium length and neutral amino acid head groups are required for optimal uncoupling activity on mammalian cells. A class of unnatural <i>N</i>-acyl amino acid analogues, characterized by isoindoline-1-carboxylate head groups (<b>37</b>), were resistant to enzymatic degradation by PM20D1 and maintained uncoupling bioactivity in cells and in mice