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Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in... Aug 2016Organisms from all domains of life depend on filaments of the protein actin to provide structure and to support internal movements. Many eukaryotic cells use forces... (Review)
Review
Organisms from all domains of life depend on filaments of the protein actin to provide structure and to support internal movements. Many eukaryotic cells use forces produced by actin polymerization for their motility, and myosin motor proteins use ATP hydrolysis to produce force on actin filaments. Actin polymerizes spontaneously, followed by hydrolysis of a bound adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Dissociation of the γ-phosphate prepares the polymer for disassembly. This review provides an overview of the properties of actin and shows how dozens of proteins control both the assembly and disassembly of actin filaments. These players catalyze nucleotide exchange on actin monomers, initiate polymerization, promote phosphate dissociation, cap the ends of polymers, cross-link filaments to each other and other cellular components, and sever filaments.
Topics: Actins; Adenosine Triphosphate; Animals; Catalysis; Hydrolysis; Polymerization; Protein Binding
PubMed: 26988969
DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a018226 -
Australian Dental Journal Jun 2011This paper surveys the most important developments in resin-based dental composites and focuses on the deficits (e.g. polymerization shrinkage) and strengths of the... (Review)
Review
This paper surveys the most important developments in resin-based dental composites and focuses on the deficits (e.g. polymerization shrinkage) and strengths of the materials and their clinical implications. Moreover, differences between composite categories, such as hybrid, nanohybrid, microfilled, packable, ormocer-based, silorane-based, polyacid-modified composites (compomers) and flowable composites are highlighted, especially in view of their mechanical behaviour. In addition to the classical dimethacrylate-based composites, special attention is given to alternative monomers, such as siloranes, ormocers or high-molecular-weight dimethacrylate monomers (e.g. dimer acid-based dimethacrylates and tricyclodecane (TCD)-urethane), analysing their advantages, behaviour and abilities. Finally, the paper attempts to establish the needs and wishes of clinicians for further development of resin-based composites.
Topics: Ceramics; Composite Resins; Dental Restoration, Permanent; Dental Stress Analysis; Elastic Modulus; Humans; Mechanical Phenomena; Methacrylates; Nanocomposites; Organically Modified Ceramics; Polymerization; Polymers; Silanes; Siloxanes
PubMed: 21564116
DOI: 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2010.01296.x -
Hua Xi Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi = Huaxi... Jun 2020Bulk-fill composite resin are simple to operate, and they reduce polymerization shrinkage and microleakage compare to traditional resin-based composites. However, their... (Review)
Review
Bulk-fill composite resin are simple to operate, and they reduce polymerization shrinkage and microleakage compare to traditional resin-based composites. However, their clinical application could be affected by numerous factors, such as the material itself, light curing, placement techniques, storage condition, and preheating. This review aimed to summarize the definitions, classifications, indications, clinical properties, and influencing factors of the clinical application of bulk-fill resin-based composites and discuss the ways to improve their clinical effectiveness.
Topics: Composite Resins; Dental Materials; Materials Testing; Polymerization; Surface Properties
PubMed: 32573127
DOI: 10.7518/hxkq.2020.03.001 -
Dental Materials Journal Jun 2019The present in vitro study assessed the polymerization shrinkage/PS, Knoop microhardness/KHN and depth of cure/DC of 9 different resin composites : Filtek Bulk Fill...
The present in vitro study assessed the polymerization shrinkage/PS, Knoop microhardness/KHN and depth of cure/DC of 9 different resin composites : Filtek Bulk Fill Flowable (FBF), Surefill SDR flow (SDR), Xtra Base (XB), Filtek Z350XT Flowable (Z3F), Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior (FBP), Xtra Fill (SF), Tetric Evo Ceram Bulk Fill (TBF), Admira Fusion Xtra (ADM), and Filtek Z350XT (Z3XT). PS was assessed with a µ-CT machine, scanning 64 mm samples (n=8) before and after 20 s curing. KHN and DC were performed with a microhardness tester (n=8 for each group) right after 20 s light curing, with 3 readings per depth at every 0.5 mm. Low viscosity resin composites showed lower KHN values when compared with high viscosity resins. Z3XT showed the highest microhardness among the tested resin composites. Z3XT and Z3F showed lower DC when compared with bulk fill resin composites. All bulk fill resin composites presented depth of cure higher than 4.5 mm and similar or lower PS than conventional resin composites.
Topics: Composite Resins; Materials Testing; Polymerization; Surface Properties; Viscosity
PubMed: 30918231
DOI: 10.4012/dmj.2018-063 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2019Flow microreactors are expected to make a revolutionary change in chemical synthesis involving various fields of polymer synthesis. In fact, extensive flow microreactor... (Review)
Review
Flow microreactors are expected to make a revolutionary change in chemical synthesis involving various fields of polymer synthesis. In fact, extensive flow microreactor studies have opened up new possibilities in polymer chemistry including cationic polymerization, anionic polymerization, radical polymerization, coordination polymerization, polycondensation and ring-opening polymerization. This review provides an overview of flow microreactors in anionic polymerization and their various applications.
Topics: Anions; Polymerization; Polymers; Rheology; Solvents
PubMed: 31003462
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24081532 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces May 2015The need for smart materials in the area of biotechnology has fueled the development of numerous stimuli-responsive polymers. Many of these polymers are responsive to...
The need for smart materials in the area of biotechnology has fueled the development of numerous stimuli-responsive polymers. Many of these polymers are responsive to pH, light, temperature, or oxidative stress, and yet very few are responsive toward multiple stimuli. Here we report on the synthesis of a novel dual-stimuli-responsive poly(ethylene glycol)-based polymer capable of changing its hydrophilic properties upon treatment with UV light (exogenous stimulus) and markers of oxidative stress (endogenous stimulus). From this polymer, smart microparticles and fibers were fabricated and their responses to either stimulus separately and in conjunction were examined. Comparison of the degradation kinetics demonstrated that the polymer became water-soluble only after both oxidation and irradiation with UV light, which resulted in selective degradation of the corresponding particles. Furthermore, in vitro experiments demonstrated successful uptake of these particles by Raw 264.7 cells. Such dual-stimuli-responsive particles could have potential applications in drug delivery, imaging, and tissue engineering.
Topics: Animals; Endocytosis; Lactic Acid; Mice; Microspheres; Oxidation-Reduction; Polyethylene Glycols; Polyglycolic Acid; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Polymerization; RAW 264.7 Cells; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 25886692
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b01592 -
Biotechnology Letters Mar 2022Multimeric and polymeric proteins are large biomacromolecules consisting of multiple protein molecules as their monomeric units, connected through covalent or... (Review)
Review
Multimeric and polymeric proteins are large biomacromolecules consisting of multiple protein molecules as their monomeric units, connected through covalent or non-covalent bonds. Genetic modification and post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins offer alternative strategies for designing and creating multimeric and polymeric proteins. Multimeric proteins are commonly prepared by genetic modification, whereas polymeric proteins are usually created through PTMs. There are two methods that can be applied to create polymeric proteins: self-assembly and crosslinking. Self-assembly offers a spontaneous reaction without a catalyst, while the crosslinking reaction offers some catalyst options, such as chemicals and enzymes. In addition, enzymes are excellent catalysts because they provide site-specificity, rapid reaction, mild reaction conditions, and activity and functionality maintenance of protein polymers. However, only a few enzymes are applicable for the preparation of protein polymers. Most of the other enzymes are effective only for protein conjugation or labeling. Here, we review novel and applicable strategies for the preparation of multimeric proteins through genetic modification and self-assembly. We then describe the formation of protein polymers through site-selective crosslinking reactions catalyzed by enzymes, crosslinking reactions of non-natural amino acids, and protein-peptide (SpyCatcher/SpyTag) interactions. Finally, we discuss the potential applications of these protein polymers.
Topics: Catalysis; Polymerization; Polymers; Protein Multimerization; Proteins
PubMed: 35083582
DOI: 10.1007/s10529-021-03217-8 -
Accounts of Chemical Research Oct 2022The polymerization of biomolecules is a central operation in biology that connects molecular signals with proliferative and information-rich events in cells. As...
The polymerization of biomolecules is a central operation in biology that connects molecular signals with proliferative and information-rich events in cells. As molecules arrange precisely across 3-D space, they create new functional capabilities such as catalysis and transport highways and exhibit new phase separation phenomena that fuel nonequilibrium dynamics in cells. Hence, the observed polymer chemistry manifests itself as a molecular basis leading to cellular phenotypes, expressed as a multitude of hierarchical structures found in cell biology. Although many milestone discoveries had accompanied the rise of the synthetic polymer era, fundamental studies were realized within a closed, pristine environment and that their behavior in a complex multicomponent system remains challenging and thus unexplored. From this perspective, there is a rich trove of undiscovered knowledge that awaits the polymer science community that can revolutionize understanding in the interactive nanoscale world of the living cell.In this Account, we discuss the strategies that have enabled synthetic polymer chemistry to be conducted within the cells (membrane inclusive) and to establish monomer design principles that offer spatiotemporal control of the polymerization. As reaction considerations such as monomer concentration, polymer growth dynamics, and reactivities are intertwined with the subcellular environment and transport processes, we first provide a chemical narrative of each major cellular compartment. The conditions within each compartment will therefore set the boundaries on the type of polymer chemistry that can be conducted. Both covalent and supramolecular polymerization concepts are explored separately in the context of scaffold design, polymerization mechanism, and activation. To facilitate transport into a localized subcellular space, we show that monomers can be reversibly modified by targeting groups or stimulus-responsive motifs that react within the specific compartment. Upon polymerization, we discuss the characterization of the resultant polymeric structures and how these phase-separated structures would impact biological processes such as cell cycle, metabolism, and apoptosis. As we begin to integrate cellular biochemistry with in situ polymer science, we identify landmark challenges and technological hurdles that, when overcome, would lead to invaluable discoveries in macromolecular therapeutics and biology.
Topics: Catalysis; Macromolecular Substances; Polymerization; Polymers
PubMed: 36178462
DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00420 -
Journal of the American Chemical Society Dec 2019The dynamic interactions of membranes, particularly their fusion and fission, are critical for the transmission of chemical information between cells. Fusion is...
The dynamic interactions of membranes, particularly their fusion and fission, are critical for the transmission of chemical information between cells. Fusion is primarily driven by membrane tension built up through membrane deformation. For artificial polymersomes, fusion is commonly induced via the external application of a force field. Herein, fusion-promoted development of anisotropic tubular polymersomes (tubesomes) was achieved in the absence of an external force by exploiting the unique features of aqueous ring-opening metathesis polymerization-induced self-assembly (ROMPISA). The out-of-equilibrium tubesome morphology was found to arise spontaneously during polymerization, and the composition of each tubesome sample (purity and length distribution) could be manipulated simply by targeting different core-block degrees of polymerization (DPs). The evolution of tubesomes was shown to occur via fusion of "monomeric" spherical polymersomes, evidenced most notably by a step-growth-like relationship between the fraction of tubular to spherical nano-objects and the average number of fused particles per tubesome (analogous to monomer conversion and DP, respectively). Fusion was also confirmed by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) studies to show membrane blending and confocal microscopy imaging to show mixing of the polymersome lumens. We term this unique phenomenon polymerization-induced polymersome fusion, which operates via the buildup of membrane tension exerted by the growing polymer chains. Given the growing body of evidence demonstrating the importance of nanoparticle shape on biological activity, our methodology provides a facile route to reproducibly obtain samples containing mixtures of spherical and tubular polymersomes, or pure samples of tubesomes, of programmed length. Moreover, the capability to mix the interior aqueous compartments of polymersomes during polymerization-induced fusion also presents opportunities for its application in catalysis, small molecule trafficking, and drug delivery.
Topics: Anisotropy; Coordination Complexes; Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; Molecular Structure; Particle Size; Polymerization; Polymers; Surface Properties
PubMed: 31782652
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b10152 -
Accounts of Chemical Research Jun 2022Poor waste management and unchecked consumption underpin our current paradigm of plastics use, which is demonstrably unsustainable in the long term. Nonetheless, the...
Poor waste management and unchecked consumption underpin our current paradigm of plastics use, which is demonstrably unsustainable in the long term. Nonetheless, the utility and versatility of plastics suggest that the notion of a plastic-free society is also unsustainable. Responses to this conundrum are increasing, and among these are research efforts focused on the development of more sustainable plastics. This Account, written by trained chemists, reflects an academic research journey culminating in an appreciation of the importance of improving and enabling the overarching systems that plastics exist within. Our primary initial focus was on catalyst development because catalysts are key drivers of sustainability by improving the efficiency and ease of polymerization. Metal catalysts ranging in ligand structure and the incorporated metal(s) were developed for the preparation of traditional polyesters such as poly(lactic acid) and polycaprolactone. The central themes in these works were stereocontrol (tacticity), efficiency (polymerization rate), and versatility (monomer scope). Alongside insights gained by systematically varying catalyst structure came impressive results gained through collaboration, including the remarkably high activity of novel heterometallic zinc catalysts toward various cyclic esters.This catalysis work was complemented by and slowly transitioned to a focus on polymer functionality and monomer design. Several fundamental studies focus on polymer topology, specifically star-shaped polyesters, tuned arm number, length, and tacticity. These reports feature emphases on the end of life (solvolysis) and physical properties of polymers, which were increasingly important themes as work shifted toward new methods of incorporating functionality in polymers produced by ring-opening polymerization. Three key highlights demonstrate this shift: the first two rely upon the exploitation of olefin metathesis (cross- and ring-closing) to functionalize polyesters or polyethers, and the third involves the manipulation of ring-opening polymerization equilibrium to enable selective monomer recovery from a polyester. Our foundational work on 1,3-dioxolan-4-one (DOX) monomers is then discussed because this emerging class of molecules offers a distinct synthetic pathway toward functional polyesters, both conventional and novel. With this DOX framework, polyesters that are usually challenging to synthesize (e.g., poly(mandelic acid)) are accessible because polymerization is driven by the concomitant, controlled extrusion of small molecules (acetone or formaldehyde).After these polyester-focused highlights, the foundation of our ongoing work is presented, namely, that polymer sustainability must be viewed from a systems-level perspective, including economic and social components alongside the environmental considerations. Material design must be driven by practice, and we have to involve key players in academia, industry, and government in a concerted effort to enable positive and robust change. The key goal is to develop sustainable systems that retain plastics in their highest value state for as long as possible by designing materials and products for a particular (and assured) end-of-life fate, whether that be reuse, recycling, (bio)degradation, or energy recovery.
Topics: Metals; Plastics; Polyesters; Polymerization; Polymers
PubMed: 35579567
DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00134