Crystal structure of 1-benzoyl-2,7-dimethoxy-8-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl) naphthalene: Head-to-head fashioned molecular motif for accumulating weak non-classical hydrogen bonds

Title compound, 1-benzoyl-2,7-dimethoxy-8-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)naphthalene, an unsymmetrically substituted aromatic diketone compound having non-coplanarly accumulated aromatic rings structure, has been synthesized and its crystal structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The asymmetric unit of title compound contains two independent conformers. For each conformer, the two aroyl groups are non-coplanarly situated against the naphthalene ring plane and oriented in an opposite direction. The 3,5-dimethylbenzoyl group leans more than the non-substituted benzoyl group on the other peri-position of the naphthalene ring. The characteristics in the single molecular crystal structure of this unsymmetrical compound show unique relationship with two symmetrically substituted homologues, namely 1,8-dibenzoyl-2,7-dimethoxynaphthalene and 2,7-dimethoxy-1,8-bis(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl) naphthalene. Dihedral angles between 3,5-dimethylbenzene ring and naphthalene ring of 2,7-dimethoxy-1,8-bis(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)naphthalene are larger than those between benzene ring and naphthalene ring of 1,8-dibenzoyl-2,7-dimethoxynaphthalene. Dihedral angle between 3,5-dimethylbenzoyl group and naphthalene ring in title compound is close to those of symmetrical homologue having two 3,5-dimethylbenzoyl groups. In the similar manner, dihedral angle between non-substituted benzoyl group and naphthalene ring in title compound is also close to those of symmetrical homologue bearing two non-substituted benzoyl groups. On the other hand, the crystal packing of title compound has rather similar feature with 2,7-dimethoxy-1,8-bis(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)naphthalene. Two compounds have common crystalline molecular structural motif of head-to-head fashioned intermolecular interaction of 3,5-dimethylbenzoyl moieties. It is interpreted that the interactions between (sp3)C–H and π orbital preferentially govern the molecular packing motif. Molecular structure feature of title compound and the symmetrically 3,5-dimethylbenzoylated homologue strongly manifests that accumulation of weak non-classical hydrogen bonds play a crucial role in determination of the crystal packing rather than sole function of stronger non-classical hydrogen bond and π…π stacking

Two distinct modes of DNMT1 recruitment ensure stable maintenance DNA methylation

Stable inheritance of DNA methylation is critical for maintaining differentiated phenotypes in multicellular organisms. We have recently identified dual mono-ubiquitylation of histone H3 (H3Ub2) by UHRF1 as an essential mechanism to recruit DNMT1 to chromatin. Here, we show that PCNA-associated factor 15 (PAF15) undergoes UHRF1-dependent dual mono-ubiquitylation (PAF15Ub2) on chromatin in a DNA replication-coupled manner. This event will, in turn, recruit DNMT1. During early S-phase, UHRF1 preferentially ubiquitylates PAF15, whereas H3Ub2 predominates during late S-phase. H3Ub2 is enhanced under PAF15 compromised conditions, suggesting that H3Ub2 serves as a backup for PAF15Ub2. In mouse ES cells, loss of PAF15Ub2 results in DNA hypomethylation at early replicating domains. Together, our results suggest that there are two distinct mechanisms underlying replication timing-dependent recruitment of DNMT1 through PAF15Ub2 and H3Ub2, both of which are prerequisite for high fidelity DNA methylation inheritance

Single-Cell Memory Regulates a Neural Circuit for Sensory Behavior

Unveiling the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying memory has been a challenge for the past few decades. Although synaptic plasticity is proven to be essential for memory formation, the significance of “single-cell memory” still remains elusive. Here, we exploited a primary culture system for the analysis of C. elegans neurons and show that a single thermosensory neuron has an ability to form, retain, and reset a temperature memory. Genetic and proteomic analyses found that the expression of the single-cell memory exhibits inter-individual variability, which is controlled by the evolutionarily conserved CaMKI/IV and Raf pathway. The variable responses of a sensory neuron influenced the neural activity of downstream interneurons, suggesting that modulation of the sensory neurons ultimately determines the behavioral output in C. elegans. Our results provide proof of single-cell memory and suggest that the individual differences in neural responses at the single-cell level can confer individuality

Polymeric micelles for acyclovir drug delivery

Polymeric prodrug micelles for delivery of acyclovir (ACV) were synthesized. First, ACV was used directly to initiate ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone to form ACV-polycaprolactone (ACV-PCL). Through conjugation of hydrophobic ACV-PCL with hydrophilic methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG) or chitosan, polymeric micelles for drug delivery were formed. (1)H NMR, FTIR, and gel permeation chromatography were employed to show successful conjugation of MPEG or chitosan to hydrophobic ACV-PCL. Through dynamic light scattering, zeta potential analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and critical micelle concentration (CMC), the synthesized ACV-tagged polymeric micelles were characterized. It was found that the average size of the polymeric micelles was under 200 nm and the CMCs of ACV-PCLMPEG and ACV-PCL-chitosan were 2.0 mg L(−1) and 6.6 mg L(−1), respectively. The drug release kinetics of ACV was investigated and cytotoxicity assay demonstrates that ACV-tagged polymeric micelles were non-toxic

State dependence of climatic instability over the past 720,000 years from Antarctic ice cores and climate modeling

過去72万年間の気候の不安定性を南極ドームふじアイスコアの解析と気候シミュレーションにより解明. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2017-02-10.Climatic variabilities on millennial and longer time scales with a bipolar seesaw pattern have been documented in paleoclimatic records, but their frequencies, relationships with mean climatic state, and mechanisms remain unclear. Understanding the processes and sensitivities that underlie these changes will underpin better understanding of the climate system and projections of its future change. We investigate the long-term characteristics of climatic variability using a new ice-core record from Dome Fuji, East Antarctica, combined with an existing long record from the Dome C ice core. Antarctic warming events over the past 720, 000 years are most frequent when the Antarctic temperature is slightly below average on orbital time scales, equivalent to an intermediate climate during glacial periods, whereas interglacial and fully glaciated climates are unfavourable for a millennial-scale bipolar seesaw. Numerical experiments using a fully coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model with freshwater hosing in the northern North Atlantic showed that climate becomes most unstable in intermediate glacial conditions associated with large changes in sea ice and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Model sensitivity experiments suggest that the prerequisite for the most frequent climate instability with bipolar seesaw pattern during the late Pleistocene era is associated with reduced atmospheric CO2 concentration via global cooling and sea ice formation in the North Atlantic, in addition to extended Northern Hemisphere ice sheets

Single-Cell Memory Regulates a Neural Circuit for Sensory Behavior

Unveiling the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying memory has been a challenge for the past few decades. Although synaptic plasticity is proven to be essential for memory formation, the significance of "single-cell memory" still remains elusive. Here, we exploited a primary culture system for the analysis of C. elegans neurons and show that a single thermosensory neuron has an ability to form, retain, and reset a temperature memory. Genetic and proteomic analyses found that the expression of the single- cell memory exhibits inter-individual variability, which is controlled by the evolutionarily conserved CaMKI/IV and Raf pathway. The variable responses of a sensory neuron influenced the neural activity of downstream interneurons, suggesting that modulation of the sensory neurons ultimately determines the behavioral output in C. elegans. Our results provide proof of single-cell memory and suggest that the individual differences in neural responses at the single-cell level can confer individuality.A single thermosensory neuron is capable of memorizing a temperature / This single-cell memory shows variability between individuals / The CaMKI/IV and Raf pathway modulates variability in single-cell memory / The variability of the single-cell memory underlies premotor neuron activit