Supramolecular hyaluronic acid hydrogels formed via 2 : 1 homoternary complexes of coumarin and cucurbit[8]uril can reversibly toggle between physical and covalent states.
Clathrin‐coated vesicles (CCVs) mediate transport between the plasma membrane, endosomes and the trans Golgi network. Using comparative proteomics, we have identified coated‐vesicle‐associated kinase of 104 kDa (CVAK104) as a candidate accessory protein for CCV‐mediated trafficking. Here, we demonstrate that the protein colocalizes with clathrin and adaptor protein‐1 (AP‐1), and that it is associated with a transferrin‐positive endosomal compartment. Consistent with these observations, clathrin as well as the cargo adaptors AP‐1 and epsinR can be coimmunoprecipitated with CVAK104. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of CVAK104 in HeLa cells results in selective loss of the SNARE proteins syntaxin 8 and vti1b from CCVs. Morpholino‐mediated knockdown of CVAK104 in Xenopus tropicalis causes severe developmental defects, including a bent body axis and ventral oedema. Thus, CVAK104 is an evolutionarily conserved protein involved in SNARE sorting that is essential for normal embryonic development.
Abstract Here we show the preparation of a series of water‐based physically cross‐linked polymeric materials utilizing cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) ternary complexes displaying a range of binding, and therefore cross‐linking, dynamics. We determined that the mechanical strength of these materials is correlated directly with a high energetic barrier for the dissociation of the CB[8] ternary complex cross‐links, whereas facile and rapid self‐healing requires a low energetic barrier to ternary complex association. The versatile CB[8] ternary complex has, therefore, proven to be a powerful asset for improving our understanding of challenging property–structure relationships in supramolecular systems and their associated influence on the bulk behavior of dynamically cross‐linked materials.
Abstract Here we show the preparation of a series of water‐based physically cross‐linked polymeric materials utilizing cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) ternary complexes displaying a range of binding, and therefore cross‐linking, dynamics. We determined that the mechanical strength of these materials is correlated directly with a high energetic barrier for the dissociation of the CB[8] ternary complex cross‐links, whereas facile and rapid self‐healing requires a low energetic barrier to ternary complex association. The versatile CB[8] ternary complex has, therefore, proven to be a powerful asset for improving our understanding of challenging property–structure relationships in supramolecular systems and their associated influence on the bulk behavior of dynamically cross‐linked materials.
Abstract Copoly(2‐oxazoline)s, prepared by the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐(dec‐9‐enyl)‐2‐oxazoline with either 2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline or 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline, are crosslinked with small dithiol molecules under UV irradiation to form homogeneous networks. In situ monitoring of the crosslinking reaction by photo‐rheology reveals the formation of soft gels within minutes. The degree of swelling in water is tunable based on the hydrophilicity of the starting macromers and the proportion of alkene side arms present. Furthermore, degradable hydrogels are prepared based on incorporation of a hydrolytically cleavable dithiol crosslinker. The rapid synthesis of the macromers and mild crosslinking conditions make these materials ideal for future biomaterial applications.