A reversible, unidirectional molecular rotary motor driven by chemical energy

With the long-term goal of producing nanometer-scale machines, we describe here the unidirectional rotary motion of a synthetic molecular structure fueled by chemical conversions. The basis of the rotation is the movement of a phenyl rotor relative to a naphthyl stator about a single bond axle. The sense of rotation is governed by the choice of chemical reagents that power the motor through four chemically distinct stations. Within the stations, the rotor is held in place by structural features that limit the extent of the rotor's Brownian motion relative to the stator.     

Molecular architecture of the rotary motor in ATP synthase

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase contains a rotary motor involved in biological energy conversion. Its membrane-embedded F0 sector has a rotation generator fueled by the proton-motive force, which provides the energy required for the synthesis of ATP by the F1 domain. An electron density map obtained from crystals of a subcomplex of yeast mitochondrial ATP synthase shows a ring of 10 c subunits. Each c subunit forms an alpha-helical hairpin. The interhelical loops of six to seven of the c subunits are in close contact with the gamma and delta subunits of the central stalk. The extensive contact between the c ring and the stalk suggests that they may rotate as an ensemble during catalysis.     

Structural aspects of reversible molecular oxygen uptake

The system IrX(CO)[P(C(6)H(5))(3)](2) in benzene solution adds mo lecular oxygen reversibly if X is chlorine and irreversibly if X is iodine. The crystal structure of the complex IrIO(2)(CO)[P(C(6)H(5))(3)](2) * CH(2)Cl(2) is reported here and compared with a previous study of the structure of IrClO(2)(CO)[P(C(6)H(5))(3)](2). The O-O bond length is 1.47 +/- 0.02 angstroms in the irreversibly oxygenated iodo-compound and 1.30 +/- 0.03 angstroms in the reversibly oxygenated chloro compound.     

Photoinduction of fast, reversible translational motion in a hydrogen-bonded molecular shuttle

A rotaxane is described in which a macrocycle moves reversibly between two hydrogen-bonding stations after a nanosecond laser pulse. Observation of transient changes in the optical absorption spectrum after photoexcitation allows direct quantitative monitoring of the submolecular translational process. The rate of shuttling was determined and the influence of the surrounding medium was studied: At room temperature in acetonitrile, the photoinduced movement of the macrocycle to the second station takes about 1 microsecond and, after charge recombination (about 100 microseconds), the macrocycle shuttles back to its original position. The process is reversible and cyclable and has properties characteristic of an energy-driven piston.     

A reversible and higher-rate Li-O2 battery

The rechargeable nonaqueous lithium-air (Li-O(2)) battery is receiving a great deal of interest because, theoretically, its specific energy far exceeds the best that can be achieved with lithium-ion cells. Operation of the rechargeable Li-O(2) battery depends critically on repeated and highly reversible formation/decomposition of lithium peroxide (Li(2)O(2)) at the cathode upon cycling. Here, we show that this process is possible with the use of a dimethyl sulfoxide electrolyte and a porous gold electrode (95% capacity retention from cycles 1 to 100), whereas previously only partial Li(2)O(2) formation/decomposition and limited cycling could occur. Furthermore, we present data indicating that the kinetics of Li(2)O(2) oxidation on charge is approximately 10 times faster than on carbon electrodes.     

利用SSR分子标记技术揭示"硬粒小麦-节节麦"人工合成六倍体小麦的遗传差异

为引入小麦近缘属种的优良基因和遗传变异、扩宽普通小麦的遗传基础,本文选用36对小麦A,B和D基因组的微卫星引物,对135份人工合成六倍体小麦的遗传多样性进行了评价。36对引物共检测到193个等位变异,每个位点等位变异数在2~14个之间,平均每个位点检测到5.36个等位变异;A,B和D 3个基因组检测到的等位变异数D>A>B,遗传多样性指数D>A>B。综合平均遗传丰富度和香浓指数两个指标分析结果表明,人工合成六倍体小麦第1和6同源群遗传多样性水平较高,第4和7同源群遗传多样性水平较低;21条染色体中,6D和2D染色体的遗传多样性最高,7D和4B染色体的遗传多样性最低。135份人工合成六倍体小麦遗传相似系数在0.36~0.85之间,平均遗传相似系数A>B>D基因组。人工合成六倍体小麦变异类型丰富,是改良普通小麦的重要基因资源。     

A general synthetic procedure for heteropolyniobates

The heteropolyanions of W, Mo, and V, which have found numerous applications, are formed simply by acidification of solutions of their oxoanions. Under similar conditions, these oxoanion precursors are not available for Nb, and Nb-oxo chemistry is dominated by formation of the Lindquist ion [Nb6O19]8- only. However, heteropolyniobate formation is favored in hydrothermal reactions of aqueous, alkaline precursor mixtures. Here we give two examples of heteropolyniobates formed by this general reaction type: K12[Ti2O2][SiNb12O40].16H2O [1], which contains chains of silicododecaniobate Keggin ions, and Na14[H2Si4Nb16O56].45.5H2O [2], a new heteropolyanion structure type.     

The way things move: looking under the hood of molecular motor proteins

The microtubule-based kinesin motors and actin-based myosin motors generate motions associated with intracellular trafficking, cell division, and muscle contraction. Early studies suggested that these molecular motors work by very different mechanisms. Recently, however, it has become clear that kinesin and myosin share a common core structure and convert energy from adenosine triphosphate into protein motion using a similar conformational change strategy. Many different types of mechanical amplifiers have evolved that operate in conjunction with the conserved core. This modular design has given rise to a remarkable diversity of kinesin and myosin motors whose motile properties are optimized for performing distinct biological functions.     

A molecular elevator

We report the incrementally staged design, synthesis, characterization, and operation of a molecular machine that behaves like a nanoscale elevator. The operation of this device, which is made of a platformlike component interlocked with a trifurcated riglike component and is only 3.5 nanometers by 2.5 nanometers in size, relies on the integration of several structural and functional molecular subunits. This molecular elevator is considerably more complex and better organized than previously reported artificial molecular machines. It exhibits a clear-cut on-off reversible behavior, and it could develop forces up to around 200 piconewtons.     

Dynamic control of chiral space in a catalytic asymmetric reaction using a molecular motor

Enzymes and synthetic chiral catalysts have found widespread application to produce single enantiomers, but in situ switching of the chiral preference of a catalytic system is very difficult to achieve. Here, we report on a light-driven molecular motor with integrated catalytic functions in which the stepwise change in configuration during a 360° unidirectional rotary cycle governs the catalyst performance both with respect to activity and absolute stereocontrol in an asymmetric transformation. During one full rotary cycle, catalysts are formed that provide either racemic (R,S) or preferentially the R or the S enantiomer of the chiral product of a conjugate addition reaction. This catalytic system demonstrates how different molecular tasks can be performed in a sequential manner, with the sequence controlled by the directionality of a rotary cycle.     

A kinesin-like motor inhibits microtubule dynamic instability

The motility of molecular motors and the dynamic instability of microtubules are key dynamic processes for mitotic spindle assembly and function. We report here that one of the mitotic kinesins that localizes to chromosomes, Xklp1 from Xenopus laevis, could inhibit microtubule growth and shrinkage. This effect appeared to be mediated by a structural change in the microtubule lattice. We also found that Xklp1 could act as a fast, nonprocessive, plus end-directed molecular motor. The integration of the two properties, motility and inhibition of microtubule dynamics, in one molecule emphasizes the versatile properties of kinesin family members.     

双螺旋旋耕埋草模型刀辊工作扭矩试验

为研究双螺旋旋耕埋草刀辊对水田土壤耕整时的工作性能,以相似原理为理论依据,基于LabVIEW搭建扭矩测试平台,制作与原型大小比例为1∶2的模型刀辊,以工作扭矩为评价指标,以土壤含水率、前进速度、刀辊转速和耕深为试验因素,在室内土槽条件下对该模型刀辊的工作扭矩进行研究。单因素试验结果表明:在试验范围内,模型刀辊的工作扭矩随前进速度的增加而增大,随刀辊转速的增加而减小。选取L18(37)正交表,开展上述4因素对模型刀辊工作扭矩影响的正交试验,极差结果显示,土壤含水率、耕深、前进速度及刀辊转速对模型刀辊的工作扭矩的影响程度依次降低,方差分析结果显示,土壤含水率、耕深、前进速度对工作扭矩有极显著的影响,刀辊转速对工作扭矩影响不显著。     

A synthetic lectin analog for biomimetic disaccharide recognition

Carbohydrate recognition is biologically important but intrinsically challenging, for both nature and host-guest chemists. Saccharides are complex, subtly variable, and camouflaged by hydroxyl groups that hinder discrimination between substrate and water. We have developed a rational strategy for the biomimetic recognition of carbohydrates with all-equatorial stereochemistry (beta-glucose, analogs, and homologs) and have now applied it to disaccharides such as cellobiose. Our synthetic receptor showed good affinities, not unlike those of some lectins (carbohydrate-binding proteins). Binding was demonstrated by nuclear magnetic resonance, induced circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, and calorimetry, all methods giving self-consistent results. Selectivity for the target substrates was exceptional; minor changes to disaccharide structure (for instance, cellobiose to lactose) caused almost complete suppression of complex formation.     

A superconducting reversible rectifier that controls the motion of magnetic flux quanta

We fabricated a device that controls the motion of flux quanta in a niobium superconducting film grown on an array of nanoscale triangular pinning potentials. The controllable rectification of the vortex motion is due to the asymmetry of the fabricated magnetic pinning centers. The reversal in the direction of the vortex flow is explained by the interaction between the vortices trapped on the magnetic nanostructures and the interstitial vortices. The applied magnetic field and input current strength can tune both the polarity and magnitude of the rectified vortex flow. Our ratchet system is explained and modeled theoretically, taking the interactions between particles into consideration.