Processing Of Precursor Research Articles

Molecular Mechanisms of the Protective Effects of Olive Leaf Polyphenols against Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the cause of around 60-70% of global cases of dementia and approximately 50 million people have been reported to suffer this disease worldwide. The leaves of olive trees (Olea europaea) are the most abundant by-products of the olive grove industry. These by-products have been highlighted due to the wide variety of bioactive compounds such as oleuropein (OLE) and hydroxytyrosol (HT) with demonstrated medicinal properties to fight AD. In particular, the olive leaf (OL), OLE, and HT reduced not only amyloid-β formation but also neurofibrillary tangles formation through amyloid protein precursor processing modulation. Although the isolated olive phytochemicals exerted lower cholinesterase inhibitory activity, OL demonstrated high inhibitory activity in the cholinergic tests evaluated. The mechanisms underlying these protective effects may be associated with decreased neuroinflammation and oxidative stress via NF-κB and Nrf2 modulation, respectively. Despite the limited research, evidence indicates that OL consumption promotes autophagy and restores loss of proteostasis, which was reflected in lower toxic protein aggregation in AD models. Therefore, olive phytochemicals may be a promising tool as an adjuvant in the treatment of AD.

Application of an electro elution system for direct purification of linear covalently closed DNA fragments

Gene therapy is a powerful treatment modality. Non-viral gene therapy vectors power one arm of this important approach, due to their enhanced safety profile compared to their viral counterparts. New non-viral approaches continue to be developed, but purification can bottleneck the scaleup and cost-effectiveness and quality of some of these advanced vectors. We require more advanced purification and separation techniques compared to conventional methods to maximize resolution in a scalable manner. The Prep Cell system is a continuous electro elution system that contains a circular gel casting tube where DNA mixtures can be run through and subsequently migrate into an elution chamber, to be eluted by a peristaltic pump. This DNA separation and purification process confers advantages over other conventional methods, including i) the elimination of multiple downstream purification process requirements; ii) its ability to be applied in mid-scale settings, and iii), its high-resolution power. In this study, we assessed the ability of this Prep Cell Model 491 system to purify a novel type of non-viral linear covalently closed (LCC) DNA minivector (ministring DNA) from its precursor parent plasmid DNA and process by-product DNA species by analyzing for effective separation via agarose gel electrophoresis, recovery yield, single enzyme digestion, and quality control assessments. Overall, effective separation and resolution of mini-DNA vectors was obtained using the Prep Cell system, conferring its potential to be applied towards mid-scale purification of DNA vectors for a variety of research, and eventually, clinical applications.

Abstract WP223: Identification Of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy With A Leukocyte Gene Expression Profile

Introduction: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a cerebral small vessel disease featuring beta-amyloid deposits within the cerebral vasculature. It is a major cause of cognitive decline and intracerebral hemorrhage in the elderly. This study evaluated whether gene expression profiles in peripheral blood can differentiate patients with CAA from vascular risk factor and healthy controls. Methods: In 27 patients with CAA blood cell gene expression was compared to 55 controls. Total RNA was isolated from PAXgene tubes and measured by RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed genes between CAA and controls were identified by ANOVA adjusting for age and sex. Functional pathway analysis identified pathways associated with CAA. A prediction model to distinguish CAA from controls was developed using linear discriminant analysis with feature selection by forward selection. Model performance was evaluated by 10-fold leave-one-out cross validation. Results: 686 differentially expressed genes were identified (p<0.05, fold change >|1.2|), of interest ADAM15, CAMK1D, CAP1 and TGFB1 . Canonical pathway analysis identified cell movement of phagocytes, activation of phagocytes, CREB, degranulation of leukocytes, immune response of cells, inflammatory response, and IL-23 signaling. A 24 gene panel differentiated patients with CAA from controls with >95% sensitivity and specificity. The identified genes reveal differences in immune system regulation in patients with CAA compared to vascular risk factor and healthy control patients. Differences identified include a potential shift in beta-amyloid uptake by phagocytes ( TGFB1, CREB, CAMK1D ), an increase in vascular extracellular matrix disruption ( ADAM15, CAP1 ), and a possible alteration in amyloid precursor processing ( BRI3BP, SORCS3 ). Conclusion: Differences in peripheral leukocyte gene expression are present in patients with CAA compared to control patients. These relate to differences in immune activation and signaling associated with CAA. The differences in blood cell gene expression shows promise to distinguish CAA from controls, though further evaluation in larger cohorts is required to further evaluate potential diagnostic utility of this gene expression profile.

The Formation Process and Mechanism of Carbon Dots Prepared from Aromatic Compounds as Precursors: A Review.

Fluorescent carbon dots are a novel type of nanomaterial. Due to their excellent optical properties, they have extensive application prospects in many fields. Studying the formation process and fluorescence mechanism of CDs will assist scientists in understanding the synthesis of CDs and guide more profound applications. Due to their conjugated structures, aromatic compounds have been continuously used to synthesize CDs, with emissions ranging from blue to NIR. There is a lack of a systematic summary of the formation process and fluorescence mechanism of aromatic precursors to form CDs. In this review, the formation process of CDs is first categorized into three main classes according to the precursor types of aromatic compounds: amines, phenols, and polycyclics. And then, the fluorescence mechanism of CDs synthesized from aromatic compounds is summarized. The challenges and prospects are proposed in the last section.

The Role of Caspases in Alzheimer's Disease: Pathophysiology Implications and Pharmacologic Modulation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. Although the main cause of the onset and development of AD is not known yet, neuronal death due to pathologic changes such as amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition, tau aggregation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and calcium dyshomeostasis are considered to be the main cause. At the present, there is no cure for this insidious disorder. However, accurate identification of molecular changes in AD can help provide new therapeutic goals. Caspases are a group of proteases which are known because of their role in cellular apoptosis. In addition, different caspases are involved in other cellular responses to the environment, such as induction of inflammation. Emerging evidence suggest that these proteases play a central role in AD pathophysiology due to their role in the processing of amyloid-β protein precursor, tau cleavage, and neuroinflammation. Therefore, it seems that targeting caspases may be a suitable therapeutic option to slow the progression of AD. This review focuses on the role of caspases in AD pathophysiology and introduce results from studies targeted caspases in different models of AD.

Facilitating carrier separation of hierarchical carbon nitride by a nucleation processable strategy in photocatalytic H2 evolution

The adjustment of hierarchical micro-nanostructure and morphology has been identified as an effective strategy to optimize photocatalytic performance of carbon nitrides (CNs). Nevertheless, environmental and additive-free construction of CNs with hierarchical structures is still challenging. Herein, a nucleation processable strategy is proposed to construct hierarchical CNs with unique morphologies (planar, donuts-like, flower-like), free of harmful additions. In this strategy, nucleation process and crystal growth degree of supramolecular precursors (cyanuric acid-melamine aggregates) can be controlled via tuning the initial supersaturation in the crystallization. Moreover, the formation mechanism of unique morphologies is illustrated in this article, based on the understanding of nucleation and crystal growth. Among the as-prepared CNs, owing to its hierarchical architecture and unique morphology, the flower-like CN0.25 display the optimal charge separation and excellent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance of 1880 μmol h−1 g−1, which is 27 times higher than that of the bulk CN. Additionally, the apparent quantum yield of CN0.25 is achieved 6.7% at 420 nm. The experimental results demonstrate that the nucleation processable strategy developed herein may provide a new pathway in the design of hierarchically structured CNs with desirable photocatalytic performance.

Assay for Phytaspase-mediated Peptide Precursor Cleavage Using Synthetic Oligopeptide Substrates.

Proteases control plant growth and development by limited proteolysis of regulatory proteins at highly specific sites. This includes the processing of peptide hormone precursors to release the bioactive peptides as signaling molecules. The proteases involved in this process have long remained elusive. Confirmation of a candidate protease as a peptide precursor-processing enzyme requires the demonstration of protease-mediated precursor cleavage in vitro. In vitro cleavage assays rely on the availability of suitable substrates and the candidate protease with high purity. Here, we provide a protocol for the expression, purification, and characterization of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) phytaspases as candidate proteases for the processing of the phytosulfokine precursor. We also show how synthetic oligopeptide substrates can be used to demonstrate site-specific precursor cleavage. Graphical abstract.

Laser-induced immobilization of an amorphous iron-phosphate/Fe3O4 composite on nickel foam for efficient water oxidation.

A laser-induced immobilization strategy is applied to prepare an amorphous iron-phosphate/Fe3O4 (L-FePO) composite on a nickel foam (NF) support. By laser-irradiating an iron hydrogen phosphate (FeHP) precursor, a melting and oxidation process leads to the generation of L-FePO with hierarchical pores and an amorphous structure. L-FePO shows exceptional electrocatalytic performance for the OER in an alkaline electrolyte, demonstrating an overpotential of 256 mV at 100 mA cm-2, a Tafel slope of 71 mV dec-1, and good stability over 100 h. The active Fe3O4, partially dissolved phosphate, and newly formed FeOOH species provide abundant active sites, contributing to the excellent OER performance.

In Situ Inducing Spinel/Rock Salt Phases to Stabilize Ni-Rich Cathode via Sucrose Heat Treatment

Nickel-rich cathode materials have attracted widespread interest due to their high capacity; however, the structure is prone to degradation and collapse during cycling, resulting in poor stability performance and safety, hindering the development of high-nickel cathode materials. Here, we propose a straightforward method to consume oxygen on the surface of primary particles during the high-temperature calcination process of precursors, inducing the coupled rearrangement of surface cations, resulting in the in situ generation of a nano-sized mixed spinel/rock salt defect phase, which is confirmed by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy. LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 modified with mixed phase not only can reduce side reactions with the electrolyte, resulting in fewer by-products such as LiF and Li 2 CO 3 , preventing the formation of excessively thick cathode–electrolyte interface layers, but also can avoid irreversible phase transitions and prevents lattice mismatches. As a result, the cycling performance has been improved to some extent, benefiting from structural stability. In addition, the special 3-dimensional structure of the spinel phase allows the material surface to expand ion transport channels and enhance multiplicative performance. Therefore, this study provides a new perspective on the modification of high-nickel materials and extends the application of nickel-rich materials.

Glutamine promotes O-GlcNAcylation of G6PD and inhibits AGR2 S-glutathionylation to maintain the intestinal mucus barrier in burned septic mice

Mucus forms the first line of defence of the intestinal mucosa barrier, and mucin is its core component. Glutamine is a vital energy substance for goblet cells; it can promote mucus synthesis and alleviate damage to the intestinal mucus barrier after burn injury, but its mechanism is not fully understood. This study focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of glutamine on the synthesis and modification of mucin 2 (MUC2) by using animal and cellular models of burn sepsis. We found that anterior gradient-2 (AGR2) plays a key role in the posttranslational modification of MUC2. Oxidative stress induced by burn sepsis enhanced the S-glutathionylation of AGR2, interfered with the processing and modification of MUC2 precursors by AGR2 and blocked the synthesis of mature MUC2. Further studies revealed that NADPH, catalysed by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), is a key molecule in inhibiting oxidative stress and regulating AGR2 activity. Glutamine promotes O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification of G6PD via the hexosamine pathway, which facilitates G6PD homodimer formation and increases NADPH synthesis, thereby inhibiting AGR2 S-glutathionylation and promoting MUC2 maturation, ultimately reducing damage to the intestinal mucus barrier after burn sepsis. Overall, we have demonstrated that the central mechanisms of glutamine in promoting MUC2 maturation and maintaining the intestinal mucus barrier are the enhancement of G6PD glycosylation and inhibition of AGR2 S-glutathionylation.

Associations of pathway‐specific polygenic risk scores with clinical status and Alzheimer’s‐related biomarkers

AbstractBackgroundThe APOE gene represents the largest genetic risk factor in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but there is a substantial polygenic component as well. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) represent a useful approach to summarize small effects across the genome but may obscure which pathways are affected. Variability across individuals at the genetic level may contribute to the extensive phenotypic heterogeneity of AD. Therefore, we calculated polygenic risk in multiple pathways associated with AD and examined its relationship with clinical status and AD biomarkers.MethodA total of 1,411 participants from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) with genotyping data were included. Top gene sets from a pathway analysis of AD GWAS summary statistics were combined into clusters based on proportion of overlapping genes. Pathway‐specific PRSs (ps‐PRS) were calculated for each participant by restricting to SNPs annotated to genes in each cluster. We tested associations of ps‐PRSs with diagnostic status (AD vs cognitively normal, MCI vs cognitively normal) and rate of progression to AD among those with no dementia at baseline. Additional analyses examined associations with amyloid and tau positivity, and hippocampal volume. The APOE region was excluded from all ps‐PRSs and the number of APOE‐ε4 alleles was included as a covariate along with age, gender, and the first 3 principal components. All analyses were FDR‐corrected.ResultThirteen pathway clusters were identified relating to categories such as immune response, amyloid precursor processing, protein localization, lipid transport and binding, tyrosine kinase, and endocytosis. Nine ps‐PRSs were significantly higher in AD and MCI compared to controls. A large subset of these were associated with both faster progression to AD and hippocampal volume. Amyloid and tau‐positivity were both related to endocytosis ps‐PRSs. Amyloid‐positivity was additionally related to microglial activation, lipid processing, fibril formation and amyloid precursor processing, whereas tau‐positivity was related to protein localization.ConclusionAlthough genetic risk for AD is widely distributed, AD‐phenotypes may be preferentially associated with risk in specific pathways. Defining genetic risk along multiple dimensions at the individual level may help clarify the etiology of heterogeneity in AD.

Inducible microRNA‐34a overexpression impairs cognition and promotes Alzheimer's pathology

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD), a chronic neurodegenerative condition resulting from pathological brain aging, is the most common cause of geriatric dementia and is likely polygenic in origin. The discovery of microRNAs (miR), small, endogenous, non‐coding, and highly conserved RNAs that regulate post‐transcriptional expression of potentially hundreds of genes, has revealed new drivers and therapeutic targets of AD pathogenesis. Research from our group and others indicates that miR‐34a may be a promising candidate.MethodWe aimed to interrogate the dementia‐associated cognitive and neurobiological consequences of miR‐34a stimulation in vivo. We generated a global doxycycline (Doxy)‐inducible miR‐34a expression mouse model (miR34a+/‐ 2X (TetR‐TetO‐miR34a). Three‐month‐old male and female miR‐34a+/‐ mice were treated for ∼90 days with either normal drinking water or Doxy (2mg/ml) to induce miR‐34a expression (N= 7‐8 mice/group) and evaluated for cognitive and neurobiological factors disrupted in other transgenic AD mice. To ascertain brain‐ and cell type‐specific vulnerabilities of miR‐34a overexpression, we also generated a mutant mouse line in which miR‐34a overexpression is restricted to excitatory neurons using a CaMKIIα driver.ResultDoxy‐treated miR‐34a+/‐ mice showed T/Y‐maze memory deficits, coinciding with upregulated miR‐34a expression in all brain regions assayed. They also showed evidence of known AD neuropathologies, including reduced NMDA2B glutamatergic receptor expression, altered amyloid precursor processing (alpha‐secretase), and increased phosphorylated tau. Experiments to determine consequences of brain‐specific miR‐34a overexpression are ongoing.ConclusionIn conclusion, miR‐34a appears to contribute to an AD‐like phenotype. Future work will utilize this Tet‐inducible system to explore age‐related susceptibility to, and capacity for recovery from, the cognitive and neuropathological consequences of miR‐34a overexpression.

Analysis of Peptide Hormone Maturation and Processing Specificity Using Isotope-Labeled Peptides.

Many peptide hormones and growth factors in plants, particularly the small posttranslationally modified signaling peptides, are synthesized as larger precursor proteins. Proteolytic processing is thus required for peptide maturation, and additional posttranslational modifications may contribute to bioactivity. To what extent these posttranslational modifications impact on processing is largely unknown. Likewise, it is poorly understood how the cleavage sites within peptide precursors are selected by specific processing proteases, and whether or not posttranslational modifications contribute to cleavage site recognition. Here, we describe a mass spectrometry-based approach to address these questions. We developed a method using heavy isotope labeling to directly compare cleavage efficiency of different precursor-derived synthetic peptides by mass spectrometry. Thereby, we can analyze the effect of posttranslational modifications on processing and the specific sequence requirements of the processing proteases. As an example, we describe how this method has been used to assess the relevance of tyrosine sulfation for the processing of the Arabidopsis CIF4 precursor by the subtilase SBT5.4.

Co-precipitation synthesis of LaFe1-xAlxO3 (x = 0–0.2) on structure and electromagnetic properties

The synthesis of LaFe1-xAlxO3 (x = 0–0.2) on the structure and electromagnetic properties using the co-precipitation method were evaluated. LaFe1-xAlxO3 (x = 0–0.2) materials were synthesized using lanthanum chloride and natural iron sand powders. The mixing process of precursors was held with a hotplate temperature of 60 °C. The calcination process was done at 400 °C for 2 h. Then samples were analyzed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), and CV meter. The XRD patterns result in two phases of LaFeO3 and Fe2O3. SEM images were performed that the powders are porous agglomerates. The particle size distribution is shown in the histogram that the samples are in the range of 50–500 nm, respectively. Then, the magnetic properties measurement of VSM analysis studied the substitution of Fe to Al ions decreases magnetic properties and BHmax in LaFe1-xAlxO3 (x = 0–0.2). The I-V measurements conducted the substitution of Fe to Al ions increase with a nonlinear reversal current in LaFeO3. These results show that LaFe1-xAlxO3 (x = 0–0.2) was recommended as the magnetic permanent material and perovskite material based on electromagnetic properties.

Microfluidic-assisted fiber production: Potentials, limitations, and prospects.

Besides the conventional fiber production methods, microfluidics has emerged as a promising approach for the engineered spinning of fibrous materials and offers excellent potential for fiber manufacturing in a controlled and straightforward manner. This method facilitates low-speed prototype synthesis of fibers for diverse applications while providing superior control over reaction conditions, efficient use of precursor solutions, reagent mixing, and process parameters. This article reviews recent advances in microfluidic technology for the fabrication of fibrous materials with different morphologies and a variety of properties aimed at various applications. First, the basic principles, as well as the latest developments and achievements of microfluidic-based techniques for fiber production, are introduced. Specifically, microfluidic platforms made of glass, polymers, and/or metals, including but not limited to microfluidic chips, capillary-based devices, and three-dimensional printed devices are summarized. Then, fiber production from various materials, such as alginate, gelatin, silk, collagen, and chitosan, using different microfluidic platforms with a broad range of cross-linking agents and mechanisms is described. Therefore, microfluidic spun fibers with diverse diameters ranging from submicrometer scales to hundreds of micrometers and structures, such as cylindrical, hollow, grooved, flat, core-shell, heterogeneous, helical, and peapod-like morphologies, with tunable sizes and mechanical properties are discussed in detail. Subsequently, the practical applications of microfluidic spun fibers are highlighted in sensors for biomedical or optical purposes, scaffolds for culture or encapsulation of cells in tissue engineering, and drug delivery. Finally, different limitations and challenges of the current microfluidic technologies, as well as the future perspectives and concluding remarks, are presented.

Electrospun manganese sesquioxide as cathode for aqueous zinc ion battery with high-rate performance and long cycle life

• An efficient method for synthesizing Mn 2 O 3 nanofibers by electrospinning is proposed. • The obtained Mn 2 O 3 has an excellent rate and cycle performance. • An anti-fire battery has illuminated light-emitting-diode during being burned by a flame gun. Different MnO x fibers have been fabricated through electrospinning method, in which their composition and structure can be modulated through adjusting the precursor solution and processing parameters conveniently. Moreover, they are reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to increase electrical conductivity. Mn 2 O 3 cathode formed at 500 °C exhibits excellent rate performance (∼153 mAh g −1 at a high current density of 5 A g −1 ), outperforming many reported manganese Mn 2 O 3 cathode materials. Moreover, it displays satisfactory cyclic performance (∼104 mAh g −1 at 2 A g −1 after 1000 cycles). These results suggest 3D Mn 2 O 3 fibers prepared through electrospinning has great potential as cathode for next generation ZIBs.

Evolving Concepts in Uromodulin Biology, Physiology, and Its Role in Disease: a Tale of Two Forms.

Uromodulin (or Tamm-Horsfall protein) is a glycoprotein uniquely produced in the kidney by tubular cells of the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle and early distal tubules. This protein exhibits bidirectional secretion in the urine and in the renal interstitium and circulation. The role of this protein in maintaining renal and systemic homeostasis is becoming increasingly appreciated. Furthermore, perturbations of its functions may play a role in various diseases affecting the kidney and distant organs. In this review, we will discuss important advances in understanding its biology, highlighting the recent discoveries of its secretion and differential precursor processing that generates 2 forms: (1) a highly polymerizing form that is apically excreted in the urine and generates filaments and (2) a nonpolymerizing form that retains a polymerization inhibitory pro-peptide and is released basolaterally in the kidney interstitium and circulation, but can also be found in the urine. We will also discuss factors regulating its production and release, taking into account its intricate physiology, and propose best practices to report its levels. We also discuss breaking advances in its role in hypertension, acute kidney injury and progression to chronic disease, immunomodulation and regulating renal and systemic oxidative stress. We anticipate that this work will be a great resource for researchers and clinicians. This review will highlight the importance of defining what regulates the 2 forms of uromodulin, so that modulation of uromodulin levels and function could become a novel tool in our therapeutic armamentarium against kidney disease.

Chlorofullerene C60Cl6 Enables Efficient and Stable Tin‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Tin‐based perovskite solar cells (TPSCs) have received great attention due to their eco‐friendly properties and high theoretical efficiencies. However, the fast crystallization feature of tin‐based perovskites leads to poor film quality and limits the corresponding device performance. Herein, a chlorofullerene, C60Cl6, with six chlorine attached to the C60 cage, is applied to modulate the crystallization process and passivate grain boundary defects of the perovskite film. The chemical interactions between C60Cl6 and perovskite components retard the transforming process of precursors to perovskite crystals and obtain a high‐quality tin‐based perovskite film. It is also revealed that the C60Cl6 located at the surfaces and grain boundaries can not only passivate the defects but also offer a role in suturing grain boundaries to suppress the detrimental effects of water and oxygen on perovskite films, especially the oxidation of Sn2+ to Sn4+. As a result, the C60Cl6‐based device yields a remarkably improved device efficiency from 10.03% to 13.30% with enhanced stability. This work provides a new strategy to regulate the film quality and stability of TPSCs using functional fullerene materials.

Profiling Substrate Specificity of the SUMO Protease Ulp1 by the YESS-PSSC System to Advance the Conserved Mechanism for Substrate Cleavage.

SUMO modification is a vital post-translational regulation process in eukaryotes, in which the SUMO protease is responsible for the maturation of the SUMO precursor and the deconjugation of the SUMO protein from modified proteins by accurately cleaving behind the C-terminal Gly–Gly motif. To promote the understanding of the high specificity of the SUMO protease against the SUMO protein as well as to clarify whether the conserved Gly–Gly motif is strictly required for the processing of the SUMO precursor, we systematically profiled the specificity of the S. cerevisiae SUMO protease (Ulp1) on Smt3 at the P2–P1↓P1’ (Gly–Gly↓Ala) position using the YESS–PSSC system. Our results demonstrated that Ulp1 was able to cleave Gly–Gly↓ motif-mutated substrates, indicating that the diglycine motif is not strictly required for Ulp1 cleavage. A structural-modeling analysis indicated that it is the special tapered active pocket of Ulp1 conferred the selectivity of small residues at the P1–P2 position of Smt3, such as Gly, Ala, Ser and Cys, and only which can smoothly deliver the scissile bond into the active site for cleavage. Meanwhile, the P1’ position Ala of Smt3 was found to play a vital role in maintaining Ulp1’s precise cleavage after the Gly–Gly motif and replacing Ala with Gly in this position could expand Ulp1 inclusivity against the P1 and P2 position residues of Smt3. All in all, our studies advanced the traditional knowledge of the SUMO protein, which may provide potential directions for the drug discovery of abnormal SUMOylation-related diseases.

Concave Engineering of Hollow Carbon Spheres toward Advanced Anode Material for Sodium/Potassium‐Ion Batteries

AbstractConcave carbon spheres have attracted enormous interest due to their unique physicochemical properties. However, the precise synthetic methodology is still scarce, because it is a great challenge to control the dynamic and nonselective deformation process of the intermediate precursor. Herein, a series of hollow carbon spheres with tunable concavity are prepared by a facile and efficient polymerization‐buckling strategy. Both the concave degree and concave density of these hollow carbon spheres can be precisely regulated. Finite element analysis indicates the unique concave morphology can relieve the stress accumulation during the cycling process, endowing concave hollow carbon spheres with superior potassium and sodium storage performance. As the anode for potassium‐ion batteries, stable capacity of 104.9 mAh g−1 can be achieved at 4 A g−1 after 1350 cycles. For sodium‐ion batteries, reversible capacity of 116.4 mAh g−1 after 2700 cycles can be enabled at 2 A g−1. This work may open a new avenue for the design of concave hollow carbon materials and promote their practical application in energy storage field.