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This work investigates and describes the structural dynamics taking place following charge-transfer-to-solvent photo-abstraction of electrons from I - and Br - ions in aqueous solution following single- and 2-photon excitation at 202 nm and 400 nm, respectively. A Time-Resolved X-ray Solution Scattering (TR-XSS) approach with direct sensitivity to the structure of the surrounding solvent as the water molecules adopt a new equilibrium configuration following the electron-abstraction process is utilized to investigate the structural dynamics of solvent shell expansion and restructuring in real-time. The structural sensitivity of the scattering data enables a quantitative evaluation of competing models for the interaction between the nascent neutral species and surrounding water molecules. Taking the I 0 -O distance as the reaction coordinate, we find that the structural reorganization is delayed by 0.1 ps with respect to the photoexcitation and completes on a time scale of 0.5-1 ps. On longer time scales we determine from the evolution of the TR-XSS difference signal that I 0 : e - recombination takes place on two distinct time scales of ∼20 ps and 100 s of picoseconds. These dynamics are well captured by a simple model of diffusive evolution of the initial photo-abstracted electron population where the charge-transfer-to-solvent process gives rise to a broad distribution of electron ejection distances, a significant fraction of which are in the close vicinity of the nascent halogen atoms and recombine on short time scales., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Alpha-gal IgE level can change rapidly. Reassessment of a patient's alpha-gal IgE level may be helpful in the patient's clinical follow-up. Pruritus related to the site of a previous tick bite strengthens the diagnosis of alpha-gal syndrome., Competing Interests: Supported by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (grant 2034-00031B [to K.B.L-M.]), the 10.13039/501100010234Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association Research Foundation (to M.vH.), the Swedish Cancer and 10.13039/501100013499Allergy Foundation (to M.vH.), the King Gustaf V 80th Birthday Foundation (to M.vH.), the 10.13039/501100003793Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation (to M.vH.), and the Hesselman Foundation (to M.vH.). Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: K. B. Leth-Møller has received lecture fees from 10.13039/100011033Thermo Fisher Scientific. M. van Hage has received lecture fees from 10.13039/100011033Thermo Fisher Scientific and 10.13039/100004325AstraZeneca outside the submitted work. The rest of the authors declare that they have no relevant conflicts of interest. Informed patient consent for publication: Signed informed consent was obtained from the patient., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Single-ion magnets (SIMs) constitute the ultimate size limit in the quest for miniaturizing magnetic materials. Several bottlenecks currently hindering breakthroughs in quantum information and communication technologies could be alleviated by new generations of SIMs displaying multifunctionality. Here, ultrafast optical absorption spectroscopy and X-ray emission spectroscopy are employed to track the photoinduced spin-state switching of the prototypical complex [Co(terpy) 2 ] 2+ (terpy = 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine) in solution phase. The combined measurements and their analysis supported by density functional theory (DFT), time-dependent-DFT (TD-DFT) and multireference quantum chemistry calculations reveal that the complex undergoes a spin-state transition from a tetragonally elongated doublet state to a tetragonally compressed quartet state on the femtosecond timescale, i.e., it sustains ultrafast Jahn-Teller (JT) photoswitching between two different spin multiplicities. Adding new Co-based complexes as possible contenders in the search for JT photoswitching SIMs will greatly widen the possibilities for implementing magnetic multifunctionality and eventually controlling ultrafast magnetization with optical photons., (© 2023 The Authors. Advanced Science published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The time-resolved x-ray absorption spectrum of the BT-1T cation (BT-1T + ) is theoretically simulated in order to investigate the charge transfer reaction of the system. We employ both trajectory surface hopping and quantum dynamics to simulate the structural evolution over time and the changes in the state populations. To compute the static x-ray absorption spectra (XAS) of the ground and excited states, we apply both the time-dependent density functional theory and the coupled cluster singles and doubles method. The results obtained are in good agreement between the methods. It is, furthermore, found that the small structural changes that occur during the reaction have little effect on the static XAS. Hence, the tr-XAS can be computed based on the state populations determined from a nuclear dynamics simulation and one set of static XAS calculations, utilizing the ground state optimized geometry. This approach can save considerable computational resources, as the static spectra need not to be calculated for all geometries. As BT-1T is a relatively rigid molecule, the outlined approach should only be considered when investigating non-radiative decay processes in the vicinity of the Franck-Condon point., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts to disclose., (© 2023 Author(s).)

The excess energy flow pathways during rotational and translational relaxation induced by rotational or translational excitation of a single molecule of and within each of four different neat liquids (H 2 O, MeOH, CCl 4 , and CH 4 ) are studied using classical molecular dynamics simulations and energy flux analysis. For all four liquids, the relaxation processes for both types of excitation are ultrafast, but the energy flow is significantly faster for the polar, hydrogen-bonded (H-bonded) liquids H 2 O and MeOH. Whereas the majority of the initial excess energy is transferred into hindered rotations (librations) for rotational excitation in the H-bonded liquids, an almost equal efficiency for transfer to translational and rotational motions is observed in the nonpolar, non-H-bonded liquids CCl 4 and CH 4 . For translational excitation, transfer to translational motions dominates for all liquids. In general, the energy flows are quite local; i.e., more than 70% of the energy flows directly to the first solvent shell molecules, reaching almost 100% for CCl 4 and CH 4 . Finally, the determined validity of linear response theory for these nonequilibrium relaxation processes is quite solvent-dependent, with the deviation from linear response most marked for rotational excitation and for the nonpolar liquids.

Electronic relaxation in organic chromophores often proceeds via states not directly accessible by photoexcitation. We report on the photoinduced dynamics of pyrazine that involves such states, excited by a 267 nm laser and probed with X-ray transient absorption spectroscopy in a table-top setup. In addition to the previously characterized 1 B 2u (ππ*) (S 2 ) and 1 B 3u (nπ*) (S 1 ) states, the participation of the optically dark 1 A u (nπ*) state is assigned by a combination of experimental X-ray core-to-valence spectroscopy, electronic structure calculations, nonadiabatic dynamics simulations, and X-ray spectral computations. Despite 1 A u (nπ*) and 1 B 3u (nπ*) states having similar energies at relaxed geometry, their X-ray absorption spectra differ largely in transition energy and oscillator strength. The 1 A u (nπ*) state is populated in 200 ± 50 femtoseconds after electronic excitation and plays a key role in the relaxation of pyrazine to the ground state., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

We assess the performance of different protocols for simulating excited-state x-ray absorption spectra. We consider three different protocols based on equation-of-motion coupled-cluster singles and doubles, two of them combined with the maximum overlap method. The three protocols differ in the choice of a reference configuration used to compute target states. Maximum-overlap-method time-dependent density functional theory is also considered. The performance of the different approaches is illustrated using uracil, thymine, and acetylacetone as benchmark systems. The results provide guidance for selecting an electronic structure method for modeling time-resolved x-ray absorption spectroscopy., (© 2021 Author(s).)

Background: Studies have indicated that underdiagnosis and diagnostic delay are common in celiac disease. Therefore, it is important to increase our knowledge of what symptoms and biomarkers could identify undiagnosed cases of celiac disease., Methods: We screened for celiac disease antibodies in stored blood samples from 16,776 participants in eight population-based studies examined during 1976-2012. Undiagnosed celiac seropositivity was defined as celiac disease antibody positivity (IgG-deamidated gliadin peptide above 10.0 U/mL and/or IgA-tissue transglutaminase (TTG) or IgG-TTG above 7.0 U/mL) without a known diagnosis of celiac disease in the National Patient Register. In all studies general health symptoms were recorded by participant-completed questionnaire, including self-perceived health, tiredness, headache and gastrointestinal symptoms. Furthermore, blood samples were drawn for analyses of biomarkers e.g. hemoglobin, blood glucose, cholesterol, liver parameters and vitamins. The participants with undiagnosed celiac seropositivity were matched by sex, age and study with four controls among the celiac disease antibody negative participants., Results: We excluded, five participants with known celiac disease, resulting in a population of 16,771 participants. In this population 1% (169/16,771) had undiagnosed celiac seropositivity. There were no statistically significant differences in symptoms between cases and controls. Undiagnosed celiac seropositivity was associated with low blood cholesterol (< 5 mmol/L) and low hemoglobin (< 7.3 mmol/L for women and < 8.3 mmol/L for men)., Conclusion: In this general population study, undiagnosed cases of celiac seropositivity did not have more symptoms than controls, confirming the diagnostic difficulties of celiac disease and the low prognostic value of symptoms for a diagnosis of celiac disease. Furthermore, decreased levels of cholesterol and/or hemoglobin in the blood were associated with undiagnosed celiac seropositivity.

The non-equilibrium dynamics of electrons and nuclei govern the function of photoactive materials. Disentangling these dynamics remains a critical goal for understanding photoactive materials. Here we investigate the photoinduced dynamics of the [Fe(bmip) 2 ] 2+ photosensitizer, where bmip = 2,6-bis(3-methyl-imidazole-1-ylidine)-pyridine, with simultaneous femtosecond-resolution Fe Kα and Kβ X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and X-ray solution scattering (XSS). This measurement shows temporal oscillations in the XES and XSS difference signals with the same 278 fs period oscillation. These oscillations originate from an Fe-ligand stretching vibrational wavepacket on a triplet metal-centered ( 3 MC) excited state surface. This 3 MC state is populated with a 110 fs time constant by 40% of the excited molecules while the rest relax to a 3 MLCT excited state. The sensitivity of the Kα XES to molecular structure results from a 0.7% average Fe-ligand bond length shift between the 1 s and 2p core-ionized states surfaces.

Light-driven molecular reactions are dictated by the excited state potential energy landscape, depending critically on the location of conical intersections and intersystem crossing points between potential surfaces where non-adiabatic effects govern transition probabilities between distinct electronic states. While ultrafast studies have provided significant insight into electronic excited state reaction dynamics, experimental approaches for identifying and characterizing intersections and seams between electronic states remain highly system dependent. Here we show that for 3d transition metal systems simultaneously recorded X-ray diffuse scattering and X-ray emission spectroscopy at sub-70 femtosecond time-resolution provide a solid experimental foundation for determining the mechanistic details of excited state reactions. In modeling the mechanistic information retrieved from such experiments, it becomes possible to identify the dominant trajectory followed during the excited state cascade and to determine the relevant loci of intersections between states. We illustrate our approach by explicitly mapping parts of the potential energy landscape dictating the light driven low-to-high spin-state transition (spin crossover) of [Fe(2,2'-bipyridine) 3 ] 2+ , where the strongly coupled nuclear and electronic dynamics have been a source of interest and controversy. We anticipate that simultaneous X-ray diffuse scattering and X-ray emission spectroscopy will provide a valuable approach for mapping the reactive trajectories of light-triggered molecular systems involving 3d transition metals.

We applied angular X-ray Cross-Correlation analysis (XCCA) to scattering images from a femtosecond resolution X-ray free-electron laser pump-probe experiment with solvated PtPOP {[Pt 2 (P 2 O 5 H 2 ) 4 ] 4- } metal complex molecules. The molecules were pumped with linear polarized laser pulses creating an excited state population with a preferred orientational (alignment) direction. Two time scales of 1.9 ± 1.5 ps and 46 ± 10 ps were revealed by angular XCCA associated with structural changes and rotational dephasing of the solvent molecules, respectively. These results illustrate the potential of XCCA to reveal hidden structural information in the analysis of time-resolved x-ray scattering data from molecules in solution.

Coherence is one of the most important phenomena in ultrafast sciences. We give our perspective on the terminology, observation, and preservation of coherence in photophysical processes with some glimpses to the past and some looking-head to what may pave the way for scaling one of the last bastions in ultrafast science, namely, that of mode specific chemistry where it will be possible to break any specific bond by tailoring the pulse, an accomplishment that obviously would be the dream of any chemist.

Time-resolved X-ray scattering patterns from photoexcited molecules in solution are in many cases anisotropic at the ultrafast time scales accessible at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs). This anisotropy arises from the interaction of a linearly polarized UV-Vis pump laser pulse with the sample, which induces anisotropic structural changes that can be captured by femtosecond X-ray pulses. In this work, a method for quantitative analysis of the anisotropic scattering signal arising from an ensemble of molecules is described, and it is demonstrated how its use can enhance the structural sensitivity of the time-resolved X-ray scattering experiment. This method is applied on time-resolved X-ray scattering patterns measured upon photoexcitation of a solvated di-platinum complex at an XFEL, and the key parameters involved are explored. It is shown that a combined analysis of the anisotropic and isotropic difference scattering signals in this experiment allows a more precise determination of the main photoinduced structural change in the solute, i.e. the change in Pt-Pt bond length, and yields more information on the excitation channels than the analysis of the isotropic scattering only. Finally, it is discussed how the anisotropic transient response of the solvent can enable the determination of key experimental parameters such as the instrument response function.

The interactions between the reactive excited state of molecular photocatalysts and surrounding solvent dictate reaction mechanisms and pathways, but are not readily accessible to conventional optical spectroscopic techniques. Here we report an investigation of the structural and solvation dynamics following excitation of a model photocatalytic molecular system [Ir 2 (dimen) 4 ] 2+ , where dimen is para-diisocyanomenthane. The time-dependent structural changes in this model photocatalyst, as well as the changes in the solvation shell structure, have been measured with ultrafast diffuse X-ray scattering and simulated with Born-Oppenheimer Molecular Dynamics. Both methods provide direct access to the solute-solvent pair distribution function, enabling the solvation dynamics around the catalytically active iridium sites to be robustly characterized. Our results provide evidence for the coordination of the iridium atoms by the acetonitrile solvent and demonstrate the viability of using diffuse X-ray scattering at free-electron laser sources for studying the dynamics of photocatalysis.

Pyrazolate-bridged dinuclear Pt(II) complexes represent a series of molecules with tunable absorption and emission properties that can be directly modulated by structural factors, such as the Pt-Pt distance. However, direct experimental information regarding the structure of the emissive triplet excited state has remained scarce. Using time-resolved wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), the excited triplet state molecular structure of [Pt(ppy)(μ-t-Bu2pz)]2 (ppy = 2-phenylpyridine; t-Bu2pz = 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolate), complex 1, was obtained in a dilute (0.5 mM) toluene solution utilizing the monochromatic X-ray pulses at Beamline 11IDD of the Advanced Photon Source. The excited-state structural analysis of 1 was performed based on the results from both transient WAXS measurements and density functional theory calculations to shed light on the primary structural changes in its triplet metal-metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MMLCT) state, in particular, the Pt-Pt distance and ligand rotation. We found a pronounced Pt-Pt distance contraction accompanied by rotational motions of ppy ligands toward one another in the MMLCT state of 1. Our results suggest that the contraction is larger than what has previously been reported, but they are in good agreement with recent theoretical efforts and suggest the ppy moieties as targets for rational synthesis aimed at tuning the excited-state structure and properties.

Objective: To examine the association between classes of antidepressants and hyponatremia, and between specific antidepressants and hyponatremia., Design: Retrospective register-based cohort study using nationwide registers from 1998 to 2012., Setting: The North Denmark Region., Participants: In total, 638 352 individuals were included., Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures: Plasma sodium was obtained from the LABKA database. The primary outcome was hyponatremia defined as plasma sodium (p-sodium) below 135 mmol/L and secondary outcome was severe hyponatremia defined as p-sodium below 130 mmol/L. The association between use of specific antidepressants and hyponatremia was analysed using multivariable Poisson regression models., Results: An event of hyponatremia occurred in 72 509 individuals and 11.36% (n=6476) of these events happened during treatment with antidepressants. Incidence rate ratios and CIs for the association with hyponatremia in the first p-sodium measured after initiation of treatment were for citalopram 7.8 (CI 7.42 to 8.20); clomipramine 4.93 (CI 2.72 to 8.94); duloxetine 2.05 (CI 1.44 to 292); venlafaxine 2.90 (CI 2.43 to 3.46); mirtazapine 2.95 (CI 2.71 to 3.21); and mianserin 0.90 (CI 0.71 to 1.14)., Conclusions: All antidepressants except mianserin are associated with hyponatremia. The association is strongest with citalopram and lowest with duloxetine, venlafaxine and mirtazapine., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/)

Characterizing the geometric and electronic structures of individual photoexcited dye molecules in solution is an important step towards understanding the interfacial properties of photo-active electrodes. The broad family of "red sensitizers" based on osmium(II) polypyridyl compounds often undergoes small photo-induced structural changes which are challenging to characterize. In this work, X-ray transient absorption spectroscopy with picosecond temporal resolution is employed to determine the geometric and electronic structures of the photoexcited triplet state of [Os(terpy)₂](2+) (terpy: 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine) solvated in methanol. From the EXAFS analysis, the structural changes can be characterized by a slight overall expansion of the first coordination shell [OsN₆]. DFT calculations supports the XTA results. They also provide additional information about the nature of the molecular orbitals that contribute to the optical spectrum (with TD-DFT) and the near-edge region of the X-ray spectra.

In liquid phase chemistry dynamic solute-solvent interactions often govern the path, ultimate outcome, and efficiency of chemical reactions. These steps involve many-body movements on subpicosecond time scales and thus ultrafast structural tools capable of capturing both intramolecular electronic and structural changes, and local solvent structural changes are desired. We have studied the intra- and intermolecular dynamics of a model chromophore, aqueous [Fe(bpy)3](2+), with complementary X-ray tools in a single experiment exploiting intense XFEL radiation as a probe. We monitored the ultrafast structural rearrangement of the solute with X-ray emission spectroscopy, thus establishing time zero for the ensuing X-ray diffuse scattering analysis. The simultaneously recorded X-ray diffuse scattering patterns reveal slower subpicosecond dynamics triggered by the intramolecular structural dynamics of the photoexcited solute. By simultaneous combination of both methods only, we can extract new information about the solvation dynamic processes unfolding during the first picosecond (ps). The measured bulk solvent density increase of 0.2% indicates a dramatic change of the solvation shell around each photoexcited solute, confirming previous ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Structural changes in the aqueous solvent associated with density and temperature changes occur with ∼1 ps time constants, characteristic for structural dynamics in water. This slower time scale of the solvent response allows us to directly observe the structure of the excited solute molecules well before the solvent contributions become dominant.

Ultrafast photoinduced electron transfer preceding energy equilibration still poses many experimental and conceptual challenges to the optimization of photoconversion since an atomic-scale description has so far been beyond reach. Here we combine femtosecond transient optical absorption spectroscopy with ultrafast X-ray emission spectroscopy and diffuse X-ray scattering at the SACLA facility to track the non-equilibrated electronic and structural dynamics within a bimetallic donor-acceptor complex that contains an optically dark centre. Exploiting the 100-fold increase in temporal resolution as compared with storage ring facilities, these measurements constitute the first X-ray-based visualization of a non-equilibrated intramolecular electron transfer process over large interatomic distances. Experimental and theoretical results establish that mediation through electronically excited molecular states is a key mechanistic feature. The present study demonstrates the extensive potential of femtosecond X-ray techniques as diagnostics of non-adiabatic electron transfer processes in synthetic and biological systems, and some directions for future studies, are outlined.

The ultrafast librational (hindered rotational) relaxation of a rotationally excited H2O molecule in pure liquid water is investigated by means of classical nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations and a power and work analysis. This analysis allows the mechanism of the energy transfer from the excited H2O to its water neighbors, which occurs on a sub-100 fs time scale, to be followed in molecular detail, i.e., to determine which water molecules receive the energy and in which degrees of freedom. It is found that the dominant energy flow is to the four hydrogen-bonded water partners in the first hydration shell, dominated by those partners' rotational motion, in a fairly symmetric fashion over the hydration shell. The minority component of the energy transfer, to these neighboring waters' translational motion, exhibits an asymmetry in energy reception between hydrogen-bond-donating and -accepting water molecules. The variation of the energy flow characteristics with rotational axis, initial rotational energy excitation magnitude, method of excitation, and temperature is discussed. Finally, the relation of the nonequilibrium results to equilibrium time correlations is investigated.

We present an investigation of structural dynamics in excited-state cations probed in real-time by femtosecond time-resolved ion photofragmentation spectroscopy. From photoelectron spectroscopy data on 1,3-dibromopropane we conclude that the pump pulse ionizes the molecule, populating an excited electronic state of the radical cation. In this state a coherent torsional vibration of the bromomethylene groups with a period of 700 fs is started and probed by photoinduced fragmentation of the molecular cation. The vibrational coherence dephases with the decay of the excited state to the ground state of the cation in 1.6 ps. The real-time probing of the excited-state dynamics is made possible by exploiting the interaction between the two bromine chromophores and its dependence on molecular conformation. This experiment therefore illustrates the applicability of the concept of probing ultrafast molecular dynamics using the intramolecular interaction between two chromophores.

The Norrish Type I reaction in the S(1) (nπ*) state of acetone is a prototype case of ketone photochemistry. On the basis of results from time-resolved mass spectrometry (TRMS) and photoelectron spectroscopy (TRPES) experiments, it was recently suggested that after excitation the wave packet travels toward the S(1) minimum in less than 30 fs and stays there for more than 100 picoseconds [Chem. Phys. Lett.2008, 461, 193]. In this work we present simulated TRMS and TRPES signals based on ab initio multiple spawning simulations of the dynamics during the first 200 fs after excitation, getting quite good agreement with the experimental signals. We can explain the ultrafast decay of the experimental signals in the following manner: the wave packet simply travels, mainly along the deplanarization coordinate, out of the detection window of the ionizing probe. This window is so narrow that subsequent revival of the signal due to the coherent deplanarization vibration is not observed, meaning that from the point of view of the experiment the wave packets travels directly to the S(1) minimum. This result stresses the importance of pursuing a closer link to the experimental signal when using molecular dynamics simulations in interpreting experimental results.

We have conducted wave packet simulations of excited-state dynamics of 1,3-dibromopropane (DBP) with the aim of reproducing the experimental results of the gas-phase pump-probe experiment by Kotting et al. [ Kotting, C. ; Diau, E. W.-G. ; Sølling, T. I. ; Zewail, A. H. J. Phys. Chem. A 2002, 106, 7530 ]. In the experiment, DBP is excited to a Rydberg state 8 eV above the ground state. The interpretation of the results is that a torsional motion of the bromomethylene groups with a vibrational period of 680 fs is activated upon excitation. The Rydberg state decays to a valence state, causing a dissociation of one of the carbon bromine bonds on a time scale of 2.5 ps. Building the theoretical framework for the wave packet propagation around this model of the reaction dynamics, the simulations reproduce, to a good extent, the time scales observed in the experiment. Furthermore, the simulations provide insight into how the torsion motion influences the bond breakage, and we can conclude that the mechanism that delays the dissociation is solely the electronic transition from the Rydberg state to the valence state and does not involve, for example, intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR).

The structures of the ground and excimer states of perylene pairs are calculated [using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT techniques] in a free as well as a crystal environment, and their spectroscopic properties are studied for the most stable configurations. The vertical transition energies for the absorption and emission bands are obtained, and they are in good agreement with experimental data. In these calculations, up to six excited states are considered. With the calculated structures of the ground and excimer states, the scattering factors are analyzed as a function of the concentration of excimers in a crystal. The intensity of the 110, 005, and 0 10 0 reflections are found to be fairly sensitive to the presence of excimers in the crystal. The finite (nanosecond) lifetime of the excimer may make it possible to observe this state using time-resolved X-ray diffraction techniques.

We derive the basic theoretical formulation for X-ray diffraction with pulsed fields, using a fully quantized description of light and matter. Relevant time scales are discussed for coherent as well as incoherent X-ray pulses, and we provide expressions to be used for calculation of the experimental diffraction signal for both types of X-ray sources. We present a simple analysis of time-resolved X-ray scattering for direct bond breaking in diatomic molecules. This essentially analytical approach highlights the relation between the signal and the time-dependent quantum distribution of internuclear positions, including thermal effects.

Protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are considered important therapeutic targets because of their pivotal role as regulators of signal transduction and thus their implication in several human diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and autoimmunity. In particular, PTP1B has been the focus of many academic and industrial laboratories because it was found to be an important negative regulator of insulin and leptin signaling, and hence a potential therapeutic target in diabetes and obesity. As a result, significant progress has been achieved in the design of highly selective and potent PTP1B inhibitors. In contrast, little attention has been given to other potential drug targets within the PTP family. Guided by x-ray crystallography, molecular modeling, and enzyme kinetic analyses with wild type and mutant PTPs, we describe the development of a general, low molecular weight, non-peptide, non-phosphorus PTP inhibitor into an inhibitor that displays more than 100-fold selectivity for PTPbeta over PTP1B. Of note, our structure-based design principles, which are based on extensive bioinformatics analyses of the PTP family, are general in nature. Therefore, we anticipate that this strategy, here applied to PTPbeta, in principle can be used in the design and development of selective inhibitors of many, if not most PTPs.

Several protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) have been proposed to act as negative regulators of insulin signaling. Recent studies have shown increased insulin sensitivity and resistance to obesity in PTP1B knockout mice, thus pointing to this enzyme as a potential drug target in diabetes. Structure-based design, guided by PTP mutants and x-ray protein crystallography, was used to optimize a relatively weak, nonphosphorus, nonpeptide general PTP inhibitor (2-(oxalyl-amino)-benzoic acid) into a highly selective PTP1B inhibitor. This was achieved by addressing residue 48 as a selectivity determining residue. By introducing a basic nitrogen in the core structure of the inhibitor, a salt bridge was formed to Asp-48 in PTP1B. In contrast, the basic nitrogen causes repulsion in other PTPs containing an asparagine in the equivalent position resulting in a remarkable selectivity for PTP1B. Importantly, this was accomplished while retaining the molecular weight of the inhibitor below 300 g/mol.

Protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are critically involved in regulation of signal transduction processes. Members of this class of enzymes are considered attractive therapeutic targets in several disease states, e.g. diabetes, cancer, and inflammation. However, most reported PTP inhibitors have been phosphorus-containing compounds, tight binding inhibitors, and/or inhibitors that covalently modify the enzymes. We therefore embarked on identifying a general, reversible, competitive PTP inhibitor that could be used as a common scaffold for lead optimization for specific PTPs. We here report the identification of 2-(oxalylamino)-benzoic acid (OBA) as a classical competitive inhibitor of several PTPs. X-ray crystallography of PTP1B complexed with OBA and related non-phosphate low molecular weight derivatives reveals that the binding mode of these molecules to a large extent mimics that of the natural substrate including hydrogen bonding to the PTP signature motif. In addition, binding of OBA to the active site of PTP1B creates a unique arrangement involving Asp(181), Lys(120), and Tyr(46). PTP inhibitors are essential tools in elucidating the biological function of specific PTPs and they may eventually be developed into selective drug candidates. The unique enzyme kinetic features and the low molecular weight of OBA makes it an ideal starting point for further optimization.

Binding of insulin to its receptor (IR) causes rapid autophosphorylation with concomitant activation of its tyrosine kinase which transmits the signal by phosphorylating cellular substrates. The IR activity is controlled by protein-tyrosine phosphatases, but those directly involved in regulating the insulin receptor and its signaling pathways have not yet been identified. Using baby hamster kidney cells overexpressing the IR and a novel insulin-based selection principle, we established stable cell lines with functionally coupled expression of the IR and protein-tyrosine phosphatases. The two closely related protein-tyrosine phosphatases alpha and epsilon were identified as negative regulators of IR tyrosine kinase.

A 6.2-kb full-length clone encoding a distinct protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTP; EC 3.1.3.48), PTPD1, was isolated from a human skeletal muscle cDNA library. The cDNA encodes a protein of 1174 amino acids with N-terminal sequence homology to the ezrin-band 4.1-merlin-radixin protein family, which also includes the two PTPs H1 and MEG1. The PTP domain is positioned in the extreme C-terminal part of PTPD1, and there is an intervening sequence of about 580 residues without any apparent homology to known proteins separating the ezrin-like and the PTP domains. Thus, PTPD1 and the closely related, partially characterized, PTPD2 belong to the same family as PTPH1 and PTPMEG1, but because of distinct features constitute a different PTP subfamily. Northern blot analyses indicate that PTPD1 and PTPD2 are expressed in a variety of tissues. In transient coexpression experiments PTPD1 was found to be efficiently phosphorylated by and associated with the src kinase pp60src.

Human beta 2-glycoprotein (beta 2gpI) cDNA was isolated from a liver cDNA library and sequenced. The cDNA encoded a 19-residue hydrophobic signal peptide followed by the mature beta 2gpI of 326 amino acid residues. In liver and in the hepatoma cell line HepG2 there are two mRNA species of about 1.4 and 4.3 kb, respectively, hybridizing specifically with the beta 2gpI cDNA. Upon isoelectric focusing, recombinant beta 2gpI obtained from expression of beta 2gpI cDNA in baby hamster kidney cells showed the same pattern of bands as beta 2gpI isolated from plasma, and at least 5 polypeptides were visible.

To identify the region(s) of the insulin receptor and the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptor responsible for ligand specificity (high-affinity binding), expression vectors encoding soluble chimeric insulin/IGF-I receptors were prepared. The chimeric receptors were expressed in mammalian cells and partially purified. Binding studies revealed that a construct comprising an IGF-I receptor in which the 68 N-terminal amino acids of the insulin receptor alpha-subunit had replaced the equivalent IGF-I receptor segment displayed a markedly increased affinity for insulin. In contrast, the corresponding IGF-I receptor sequence is not critical for high-affinity IGF-I binding. It is shown that part of the cysteine-rich domain determines IGF-I specificity. We have previously shown that exchanging exons 1, 2, and 3 of the insulin receptor with the corresponding IGF-I receptor sequence results in loss of high affinity for insulin and gain of high affinity for IGF-I. Consequently, it is suggested that the ligand specificities of the two receptors (i.e., the sequences that discriminate between insulin and IGF-I) reside in different regions of a binding site with common features present in both receptors.