Polymer Journal最新文献

{"title":"Expanding toolkit for RNP granule transcriptomics","authors":"Yuichi Shichino, Shintaro Iwasaki","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01035-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01035-7","url":null,"abstract":"Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules—membraneless organelles formed through the condensation of RNA and proteins—play pivotal roles in diverse biological processes and diseases, opening new directions in molecular biology. Identifying the RNA composition of these granules is crucial for understanding their formation and functions. However, conventional approaches based on the simple immunoprecipitation of specific granule markers struggle to capture the precise nature of RNP granules. This review summarizes recent advances in granule transcriptome analysis, including the use of purification strategies, such as centrifugation and fluorescence-activated particle sorting, as well as proximity labeling techniques, which may help to increase the understanding of RNP granule biology. Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules are membraneless organelles formed through the condensation of RNA and proteins, which serve critical functions in diverse biological processes and disease contexts. Identifying their RNA composition is vital for understanding their molecular functions and mechanisms of formation, yet conventional approaches often fail to fully capture the complexity of these granules. This review highlights recent advances in transcriptome profiling of RNP granules using biochemical purification and proximity labeling, offering new insights into their molecular roles.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 8","pages":"873-883"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01035-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144774169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biomolecular liquid‒liquid phase separation associated with repetitive genomic elements","authors":"Sefan Asamitsu, Yuka W. Iwasaki","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01036-6","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01036-6","url":null,"abstract":"Liquid‒liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a fundamental physical phenomenon in which a homogenous liquid spontaneously demixes into distinct liquid phases. A mounting body of evidence has shown that biomolecular LLPS is an essential biological event. In particular, highly condensed environments such as the nucleus are inevitably influenced by biomolecular LLPS, in which extremely long biopolymers, including genomic DNA and associated proteins/RNAs, are present. Given that almost half of the human genome is composed of repetitive elements and that various proteins interact with these sequences in diverse biological contexts, these regions clearly play substantial roles in regulating biomolecular LLPS. In this review, we summarize examples of biomolecular LLPS occurring in repetitive genomic elements. We also discuss how these intrinsic biophysical properties reflect cellular phenotypes by describing intermediate pathways and biomolecular complexes. Biomolecular liquid‒liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a critical process shaping cellular organization, particularly within the densely packed environment of the nucleus. Repetitive genomic elements, constituting nearly half of the human genome, play a pivotal role in regulating LLPS through interactions with associated proteins and RNAs. These sequences act as dynamic platforms for phase separation, influencing nuclear architecture and cellular phenotypes. This review highlights instances of LLPS formation within repetitive elements and explores their contributions to intermediate pathways and biomolecular complexes.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 8","pages":"785-797"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01036-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144774165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influences of the comonomer type on the crystallization kinetics of high-density polyethylene","authors":"Wonchalerm Rungswang, Chatchai Jarumaneeroj, Bharanabha Makkaroon, Manutsavin Charernsuk, Rossarin Duekunthod, Nattapinya Nakawong, Siriwat Soontaranon, Supagorn Rugmai","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01033-9","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01033-9","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, the crystallization kinetics of 1-butene (B-PE) and 1-hexene (H-PE) polyethylene copolymers with varying comonomer contents are investigated, and an in-depth understanding of how chain branching impacts the crystal growth and nucleation is provided. By performing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), we discern a distinctly slower crystallization rate for B-PEs than for H-PEs at equivalent comonomer contents. In-situ isothermal crystallization with wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) measurements demonstrates the delayed emergence of the (200) crystallite plane () in the B-PEs, indicating slower lamellar width expansion. Small-angle light scattering (SALS) analysis of the spherulite formation during isothermal crystallization confirms that B-PEs exhibit both a lower spherulite growth rate and nucleation density. These results are likely attributed to the preferential inclusion of 1-butene in the PE crystal, thereby amplifying the crystallization disturbance in the B-PEs. Furthermore, to elucidate these observations, we experimentally determine the thermodynamic parameters. Remarkably, the values of the free energy of the lamellar folded surface (σf) for B-PEs are significantly greater than those of H-PEs. This discrepancy potentially stems from the higher surface entropy because of the denser excluded 1-hexene comonomers on the lamellar folded surface. The lower σf value causes a reduction in the free energy barrier for critical nucleus formation; thus, this facilitates the preferential nucleation and accelerated lamellar development in H-PEs than in B-PEs. Crystallization kinetics of high-density polyethylene copolymers containing 1-butene and 1-hexene were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), in-situ wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and in-situ small-angle light scattering (SALS). Compared to 1-hexene copolymers, 1-butene copolymers exhibit slower isothermal crystallization, reduced spherulite growth, and higher lamellar surface free energy (σf), highlighting the pronounced impact of comonomer type on nucleation thermodynamics and lamellar development.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 7","pages":"711-722"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144574317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carrier-free nano-prodrugs for enhanced cancer therapy: stimuli-responsive design and applications","authors":"Yoshitaka Koseki","doi":"10.1038/s41428-024-00995-6","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-024-00995-6","url":null,"abstract":"This review focuses on the development of carrier-free nano-prodrugs as an innovative approach to cancer therapy. We discuss the design strategies, synthesis methods, and characteristics of nano-prodrugs responsive to various stimuli, including enzymes, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and glutathione (GSH). This paper highlights recent advances in the development of a new class of stimulus-responsive nano-prodrugs without the use of carriers, thereby addressing the challenges faced by conventional nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems. The key aspects covered include (1) the design and synthesis of esterase-activated nano-prodrugs based on the anticancer agent SN-38, demonstrating the importance of substituent hydrophobicity for controlling hydrolysis resistance and drug release profiles; (2) the development of ROS-activated nano-prodrugs using camptothecin combined with trimethyl lock groups, demonstrating a novel molecular design principle for drugs with tertiary alcohol moieties; and (3) the GSH-responsive dimeric prodrugs of SN-38 linked by disulfide bonds, demonstrating enhanced antitumor effects and reduced side effects in vivo. These carrier-free nano-prodrugs exhibit high drug-loading capacity, excellent stimulus responsiveness, and improved therapeutic efficacy with reduced side effects. Finally, we discuss future research directions, including the optimization of nanoprodrug designs for enhanced cancer therapy. Carrier-free nano-prodrugs (NPDs) were developed for selective drug release in cancer cells using stimulus-responsive systems: esterases, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and glutathione (GSH). Esterase-activated NPDs showed hydrophobicity-dependent drug release through SN-38 modification. ROS-responsive NPDs with trimethyl lock groups demonstrated selective activation by intracellular H2O2. GSH-responsive dimeric SN-38 prodrugs exhibited enhanced antitumor effects with reduced side effects. These NPDs achieved high drug loading and excellent stimulus responsiveness without using carriers, providing a promising platform for safer and more effective cancer therapy.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 7","pages":"699-710"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144574315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Special issue: Molecular picture of heterogeneity in polymer networks: from thermosetting polymers to elastomers and gels","authors":"Keiji Tanaka, Kenji Urayama, Tasuku Nakajima, Takeshi Serizawa","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01014-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01014-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 4","pages":"341-342"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01014-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143787372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of water/oil repellent and heat-resistant aromatic poly(ether ketone)s bearing 3,5-(C4F9)2C6H3 groups at both ends","authors":"Haruki Konta, Katsuya Maeyama","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01029-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01029-5","url":null,"abstract":"Three types of polyketones with different numbers of 3,5-(C4F9)2C6H3 groups at both ends were successfully synthesized. The resulting polyketones are soluble in typical organic solvents such as THF, CHCl3, and NMP. These materials exhibit good thermal stability above 519 °C (Td10) and high glass transition temperatures (Tg) above 221 °C. Furthermore, these polyketones have excellent water/oil repellency. Notably, the polyketone with ten C4F9 groups at each polymer end has a lower surface tension than PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene). XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) measurements revealed that the increase in the water/oil repellency of the polyketones was due to the localization of terminal C4F9 groups on the film surface. Three types of polyketones with different numbers of 3,5-(C4F9)2C6H3 groups at both ends were successfully synthesized. The resulting polyketones are soluble in typical organic solvents such as THF, CHCl3, and NMP. They exhibit good thermal stability above 519 °C (Td10) and high glass transition temperature (Tg) above 221 oC. Furthermore, these polyketones also have excellent water/oil repellency.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 7","pages":"745-759"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01029-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144574316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Degradation behavior in soil and mechanical properties of bagasse monoesters with different acyl chain lengths and residual hydroxy contents","authors":"Shiori Suzuki, Shogo Ishikura, Shoichi Ikebata, Naoki Wada, Kenji Takahashi","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01031-x","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01031-x","url":null,"abstract":"Biomass plastics with biodegradability and suitable mechanical performance are needed to replace persistent synthetic plastics derived from fossil fuels. Lignocellulosic agricultural wastes, such as sugarcane bagasse, are promising renewable resources that offer better thermal processability when their abundant hydroxy (OH) groups are substituted with acyl groups, particularly those with longer chain lengths. However, excessive chemical modification can impair the inherent biodegradability of lignocellulose and weaken the resulting plastics. In this study, the acyl group was optimized to a decanoyl (De, C=10) group, which was the most effective in lowering the melt flow temperature of the fully substituted bagasse monoester to improve thermal moldability. The bagasse decanoate (BagDe) series were synthesized using different amounts of vinyl decanoate (VDe) ranging from 3 to 0.4 molar equivalents to the total OH content of bagasse, and their thermal/mechanical properties and degradability in soil were examined. BagDe synthesized with more than 0.6 equivalents of VDe could be hot-press molded, while the increased residual OH content improved the water uptake, degradation rate, and tensile strength. These findings indicate the potential applications of lignocellulose-based biodegradable plastics, such as agricultural mulch films.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 7","pages":"761-769"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01031-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144574320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self-assembled nanofibers and hydrogels of double-hydrophobic elastin-like polypeptides formed via coacervation","authors":"Ayae Sugawara-Narutaki","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01028-6","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01028-6","url":null,"abstract":"The soluble precursors of elastin protein and elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are polymers that typically undergo liquid‒liquid phase separation to form coacervates. In addition to their fundamental importance in biology, the dynamic nature of coacervates makes them attractive platforms as innovative materials in bioengineering and nanomedicine. This focus review presents the latest research on the requirements of elastin-like polypeptide sequences for phase separation and the dynamics of coacervates. Research attempting to control the phase-transition behavior of ELPs in living cells is also presented. In addition, a molecular design strategy for ELPs to obtain anisotropic nanofibers by coacervation, their functionalization for biomaterial applications, and the unique viscoelastic properties of hydrogels composed of nanofibers are discussed. These research trends indicate that the molecular design of ELPs enables control of the dynamics and morphology of coacervates. This fundamental knowledge will be useful for the dynamic functional design of drug delivery systems and scaffolds for regenerative medicine. Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) typically undergo liquid‒liquid phase separation to form coacervates. This focus review presents a molecular design strategy for novel ELPs to obtain self-assembled nanofibers via coacervation. In this molecular design, various functional motifs can be presented on the nanofiber surface, allowing cell-selective growth and differentiation control. In addition, unique viscoelastic properties of hydrogels composed of the nanofibers are discussed. These nanofibers and hydrogels could serve as platforms for small-diameter artificial blood vessels and scaffold materials for regenerative medicine.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 8","pages":"863-871"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01028-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144774164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surface and interfacial aggregation states in thin films of a polystyrene/polyrotaxane blend","authors":"Miki Taguchi, Noboru Miyata, Tsukasa Miyazaki, Hiroyuki Aoki, Satoru Ozawa, Ryuichi Hasegawa, Yuma Morimitsu, Daisuke Kawaguchi, Satoru Yamamoto, Keiji Tanaka","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01030-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01030-y","url":null,"abstract":"Polyrotaxane (PR) exhibits unique mechanical properties due to the ability of its cyclic molecules to move or slide along the axial chain. Thus, to design advanced polymer-based composite materials and organic devices, it is crucial to better understand the aggregation states at the surface and substrate interface in polymer films containing PR. Here, we report the depth profile of PR along the direction normal to the interface when it is mixed with polystyrene (PS). Neutron reflectivity and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that PS and PR segregated at the surface and substrate interface, respectively, and that the extent of segregation depended on the length of PS. The surface enrichment of PS is driven by both energy and entropy, whereas the enrichment of PR at the substrate interface is energy driven. To design and fabricate advanced polymer-based multilayer devices and composite materials, it is crucial to gain a better understanding of the aggregation states at the surface and at interfaces with solid materials in polymer films. Here, we report the depth profile of polyrotaxane (PR) when mixed with polystyrene (PS), analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and neutron reflectivity. Our findings indicate that PS and PR segregated at the surface and the substrate interface, respectively, with the extent of segregation depending on the length of the PS chains.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 7","pages":"737-743"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01030-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144574321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synthesis of polypyrrole and its derivative nanoparticles via a surfactant-free coupling polymerization protocol","authors":"Yuya Atsuta, Kazusa Takeuchi, Tomoki Sakuma, Koji Mitamura, Seiji Watase, Yuan Song, Tomoyasu Hirai, Yoshinobu Nakamura, Yuya Oaki, Syuji Fujii","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01026-8","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01026-8","url":null,"abstract":"Surfactant-free coupling polymerization of pyrrole (Py) and its derivatives, namely, N-methylpyrrole (MPy) and N-ethylpyrrole (EPy), was conducted using solid Fe(NO3)3 in the presence of an aqueous medium, resulting in aqueous dispersions of polymer particles. Dynamic light scattering studies revealed the production of colloidally stable polymer nanoparticles with diameters of 153–206 nm, 262–294 nm and 273–278 nm in aqueous media for the Py, MPy and EPy systems, respectively. The particle sizes of poly(N-methylpyrrole) (PMPy) and poly(N-ethylpyrrole) (PEPy) were larger than those of polypyrrole (PPy), which could be due to the greater hydrophobicity of MPy and EPy than Py. The particles could achieve colloidal stability through an electrostatic stabilization mechanism, as the polymerization process introduces cationic charges to the polymers via doping. Larger amounts of hydroxy and carbonyl groups were introduced into PMPy and PEPy because of the easier overoxidation of MPy and EPy due to their lower redox potentials than that of Py. Furthermore, the resulting particles could adsorb on oil‒water interfaces and work as effective Pickering-type emulsifiers. Suspension polymerization of vinyl monomer-in-water Pickering emulsions stabilized with PPy and PMPy nanoparticles resulted in the production of nanoparticle-coated polymer microparticles with diameters of 25 μm and 154 μm, respectively. “Polypyrrole, poly(N-methylpyrrole) and poly(N-ethylpyrrole) nanoparticles with surfactant-free clean surfaces were successfully synthesized via a vapor-phase coupling polymerization protocol. The particles could achieve colloidal stability through an electrostatic stabilization mechanism, as the polymerization process introduces cationic charges to the polymers via doping. The particles could adsorb on oil‒water interfaces and work as effective Pickering-type emulsifiers. Suspension polymerization of vinyl monomer-in-water Pickering emulsions stabilized with the nanoparticles resulted in the production of nanoparticle-coated polymer microparticles.”","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 7","pages":"723-735"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144574318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}