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F Grams

Publications and source records attributed to F Grams.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The 1.8-A crystal structure of a matrix metalloproteinase 8-barbiturate inhibitor complex reveals a previously unobserved mechanism for collagenase substrate recognition.

The individual zinc endoproteinases of the tissue degrading matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family share a common catalytic architecture but are differentiated with respect to substrate specificity, localization, and activation. Variation in domain structure and more subtle structural differences control their characteristic specificity profiles for substrates from among four distinct classes (Nagase, H., and Woessner, J. F. J. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 21491-21494). Exploitation of these differences may be decisive for the design of anticancer or other drugs, which should be highly selective for their particular MMP targets. Based on the 1.8-A crystal structure of human neutrophil collagenase (MMP-8) in complex with an active site-directed inhibitor (RO200-1770), we identify and describe new structural determinants for substrate and inhibitor recognition in addition to the primary substrate recognition sites. RO200-1770 induces a major rearrangement at a position relevant to substrate recognition near the MMP-8 active site (Ala206-Asn218). In stromelysin (MMP-3), competing stabilizing interactions at the analogous segment hinder a similar rearrangement, consistent with kinetic profiling of several MMPs. Despite the apparent dissimilarity of the inhibitors, the central 2-hydroxypyrimidine-4,6-dione (barbiturate) ring of the inhibitor RO200-1770 mimics the interactions of the hydroxamate-derived inhibitor batimastat (Grams, F., Reinemer, P., Powers, J. C., Kleine, T., Pieper, M., Tschesche, H., Huber, R., and Bode, W. (1995) Eur. J. Biochem. 228, 830-841) for binding to MMP-8. The two additional phenyl and piperidyl ring substituents of the inhibitor bind into the S1' and S2' pockets of MMP-8, respectively. The crystal lattice contains a hydrogen bond between the O(gamma) group of Ser209 and N(delta)1 of His207 of a symmetry related molecule; this interaction suggests a model for recognition of hydroxyprolines present in physiological substrates. We also identify a collagenase-characteristic cis-peptide bond, Asn188-Tyr189, on a loop essential for collagenolytic activity. The sequence conservation pattern at this position marks this cis-peptide bond as a determinant for triple-helical collagen recognition and processing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pyrimidine-2,4,6-Triones: a new effective and selective class of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc endopeptidases that have been implicated in various disease processes. Different classes of MMP inhibitors, including hydroxamic acids, phosphinic acids and thiols, have been previously described. Most of these mimic peptides and most likely bind in a similar way to the corresponding peptide substrates. Here we describe pyrimidine-triones as a completely new class of metalloprotease inhibitors. While the pyrimidine-trione template is used as the zinc-chelating moiety, the substituents have been optimized to yield inhibitors comparable in their inhibition efficiency of matrix metalloproteinases to hydroxamic acid derivatives such as batimastat. However, they are much more specific for a small subgroup of MMPs, namely the gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9).

Chelating Agents↗

Type IV collagen induces matrix metalloproteinase 2 activation in HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells.

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) activation has been described as a "master switch" which triggers tumor spread and metastatic progression. We show here that type IV collagen, a major component of basement membranes, promotes MMP-2 activation by HT1080 cells. When plated on plastic, HT1080 cells constitutively processed the 66-kDa pro-MMP-2 into a 62-kDa intermediate activated form, most probably through a membrane type (MT) 1 MMP-dependent mechanism. In the presence of type IV collagen, part of this intermediate form was further processed to fully activated 59-kDa MMP-2. This activation was prevented by tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-2 and a broad-spectrum hydroxamic acid-based synthetic MMP inhibitor (GI129471). Type IV collagen-mediated pro-MMP-2 activation did not involve either a transcriptional modulation of MMP-2, MT1-MMP, or TIMP-2 expression nor any alteration of MT1-MMP protein synthesis or processing. An inverse relationship between MMP-2 activation and the concentration of secreted TIMP-2 was observed. This is consistent with our previous report that TIMP-2 degradation is probably linked to the MT1-MMP-dependent MMP-2 activation mechanism. Because invasive tumor cells must breach basement membranes at different steps of the metastatic dissemination, the ability of HT1080 cells to activate pro-MMP-2 in the presence of type IV collagen might represent a key regulatory mechanism for the acquisition of an invasive potential.

Collagen↗

Identification of the (183)RWTNNFREY(191) region as a critical segment of matrix metalloproteinase 1 for the expression of collagenolytic activity.

Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) cleaves types I, II, and III collagen triple helices into (3/4) and (1/4) fragments. To understand the structural elements responsible for this activity, various lengths of MMP-1 segments have been introduced into MMP-3 (stromelysin 1) starting from the C-terminal end. MMP-3/MMP-1 chimeras and variants were overexpressed in Escherichia coli, folded from inclusion bodies, and isolated as zymogens. After activation, recombinant chimeras were tested for their ability to digest triple helical type I collagen at 25 degrees C. The results indicate that the nine residues (183)RWTNNFREY(191) located between the fifth beta-strand and the second alpha-helix in the catalytic domain of MMP-1 are critical for the expression of collagenolytic activity. Mutation of Tyr(191) of MMP-1 to Thr, the corresponding residue in MMP-3, reduced collagenolytic activity about 5-fold. Replacement of the nine residues with those of the MMP-3 sequence further decreased the activity 2-fold. Those variants exhibited significant changes in substrate specificity and activity against gelatin and synthetic substrates, further supporting the notion that this region plays a critical role in the expression of collagenolytic activity. However, introduction of this sequence into MMP-3 or a chimera consisting of the catalytic domain of MMP-3 with the hinge region and the C-terminal hemopexin domain of MMP-1 did not express any collagenolytic activity. It is therefore concluded that RWTNNFREY, together with the C-terminal hemopexin domain, is essential for collagenolytic activity but that additional structural elements in the catalytic domain are also required. These elements probably act in a concerted manner to cleave the collagen triple helix.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Insights into MMP-TIMP interactions.

The proteolytic activity of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) involved in extracellular matrix degradation must be precisely regulated by their endogenous protein inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Disruption of this balance can result in serious diseases such as arthritis and tumor growth and metastasis. Knowledge of the tertiary structures of the proteins involved in such processes is crucial for understanding their functional properties and to interfere with associated dysfunctions. Within the last few years, several three-dimensional structures have been determined showing the domain organization, the polypeptide fold, and the main specificity determinants of the MMPs. Complexes of the catalytic MMP domains with various synthetic inhibitors enabled the structure-based design and improvement of high-affinity ligands, which might be elaborated into drugs. Very recently, structural information also became available for some TIMP structures and MMP-TIMP complexes, and these new data elucidated important structural features that govern the enzyme-inhibitor interaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural properties of matrix metalloproteinases.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in extracellular matrix degradation. Their proteolytic activity must be precisely regulated by their endogenous protein inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Disruption of this balance results in serious diseases such as arthritis, tumour growth and metastasis. Knowledge of the tertiary structures of the proteins involved is crucial for understanding their functional properties and interference with associated dysfunctions. Within the last few years, several three-dimensional MMP and MMP-TIMP structures became available, showing the domain organization, polypeptide fold and main specificity determinants. Complexes of the catalytic MMP domains with various synthetic inhibitors enabled the structure-based design and improvement of high-affinity ligands, which might be elaborated into drugs. A multitude of reviews surveying work done on all aspects of MMPs have appeared in recent years, but none of them has focused on the three-dimensional structures. This review was written to close the gap.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-based factor Xa inhibitors.

Derivatives of (2-amidino-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydro-isoquinolin-7-yloxy)phenylacetic acid (TIPAC) were developed as inhibitors of factor Xa (fXa). The compounds are prepared using 15 synthetic steps on average. The most potent compounds (14, 17, 22-26) display inhibition constants of Ki = 21-55 nM but do not inhibit thrombin (Ki = 5->100 microM) and only weakly inhibit trypsin (Ki = 0.08-5 microM). They bear a second basic moiety, e.g., substituted 1-(iminomethyl)piperidines, which is linked to C-4 of the phenyl group of TIPAC via an oxygen atom. The inhibition constants of these compounds are almost independent of the size of the (iminomethyl)piperidine substituent. Due to the fact that fXa displays two cation binding sites, namely, the S1 and S4 sites, in principle two binding modes are conceivable for the novel dibasic fXa inhibitors. Molecular modeling experiments based on the X-ray structures of uninhibited fXa and the DX-9065a/fXa complex were carried out. The results taken together with the inhibition constants clearly favor one binding mode: the tetrahydro-isoquinoline fills the S1 pocket even better than the naphthalene moiety of DX-9065a, and the (iminomethyl)piperidine residues occupy the S4 site.

Anticoagulants↗

Bis-substituted malonic acid hydroxamate derivatives as inhibitors of human neutrophil collagenase (MMP8).

Malonic acid hydroxamate derivatives bis-substituted at the methylene group were synthesized as potential nonpeptidic inhibitors of human neutrophil collagenase (MMP8). The presence of an aromatic residue both at the C2 malonic acid position and in the C-terminal tail for hydrophobic interactions with the surface-exposed S1 binding site and the S1' pocket of the enzyme, respectively, was found to be sufficient for submicromolar inhibition potencies. For optimal insertion of the aryl amide group into the hydrophobic S1' pocket, spacing of the C-terminal phenyl group by at least a 3C-chain was required. In view of these results the achiral indan-2, 2-dicarboxylic acid was used to mimic the 2-benzyl-2-methylmalonic acid residue, and its derivatization to the 3-phenylpropyl amide hydroxamate produced a potent, achiral, low-mass inhibitor of MMP8 (Ki = 0.3 microM), the binding mode of which was unambiguously determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Binding Sites↗

Diarylsulfonamides as selective, non-peptidic thrombin inhibitors.

Based on the structures of aminopyridine thrombin inhibitors (1), a series of aminoalkyl- and guanidinoalkyl-substituted diarylsulfonamides were prepared. The most potent derivative, N-[3-(4-guanidinobutoxy)-5-methyl-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamide (6c) had Ki = 0.18 microM for thrombin and did not inhibit trypsin, plasmin, or factor Xa. Comparison of the X-ray structures of the thrombin/1b and the thrombin/6c complexes revealed important aspects which govern the binding of such diarylsulfonamides to thrombin.

Antithrombins↗

Design and synthesis of malonic acid-based inhibitors of human neutrophil collagenase (MMP8).

For most of the known synthetic inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a substrate-like binding mode was postulated on the basis of X-ray crystallographic structures of MMP/inhibitor complexes. Conversely, the malonic acid-based inhibitor (2R,S)-HONH-CO-CH(i-Bu)-CO-Ala-Gly-NH2 was found to bind in a surprisingly different manner. Using this compound as a new lead structure, the interaction sites with human neutrophil collagenase (MMP8) were optimized with a series of iteratively designed analogues and with the help of X-ray structural analysis of selected inhibitors to finally produce low molecular weight nonpeptidic compounds of 500-1000-fold improved inhibitory potency.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

Structure of malonic acid-based inhibitors bound to human neutrophil collagenase. A new binding mode explains apparently anomalous data.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc endopeptidases, which have been implicated in various disease processes. Various classes of MMP inhibitors, including hydroxamic acids, phosphinic acids, and thiols, have been previously described. Most of these mimic peptides, and most likely bind analogous to the corresponding peptide substrates. Among the hydroxamic acids, malonic acid derivatives have been used as MMP inhibitors, although optimization of their inhibition potency was not successful. Here we report the design of malonic acid-based inhibitors using the X-ray structure of a collagenase/inhibitor complex, which revealed a nonsubstrate-like binding mode. The proposed beta-type turn-like conformation for the improved inhibitors was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The observation of nonsubstrate-like binding confirms the original strategy for structure-based modeling of improved malonic acid inhibitors, and explains kinetic data that are inconsistent with substrate-like binding. Detailed interactions for the improved inhibitors seen in the crystal structure also suggest possibilities for further modifications in cycles of structure based drug design. Indeed, we have designed nonpeptidic inhibitors with approximately 500-fold improved inhibition based on these structures.

Collagenases↗

Non-peptidic cysteine derivatives as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases.

By exploiting the thiol function of L-cysteine as a chelating group of the active-site zinc atom of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), N- and C-terminal derivatization of this amino acid with aliphatic and aromatic groups allowed us to explore the selectivity of the S and/or S' binding subsites of human neutrophil collagenase (MMP8) and stromelysin (MMP3). With N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-cysteine-(2-phenyl)ethylamide a submicromolar inhibitor of MMP8 was discovered.

Cysteine↗

Structure determination and analysis of human neutrophil collagenase complexed with a hydroxamate inhibitor.

Matrix metalloproteinases are a family of zinc endopeptidases involved in tissue remodeling. They have been implicated in various disease processes including metastasis, joint destruction, and neurodegeneration. Human neutrophil collagenase (HNC, MMP-8) represents one of the three "interstitial" collagenases that cleave triple-helical collagens types I, II, and III. Its 163-residue catalytic domain (Met80 to Gly242) has been expressed in Escherichia coli and crystallized as a noncovalent complex with the hydroxamate inhibitor batimastat. The crystal structure, refined to 2.1 A, demonstrates that batimastat binds to the S1-S2' sites and coordinates to the catalytic zinc in a bidentate manner via the hydroxyl and carbonyl oxygens of the hydroxamate group. The batimastat-collagenase complex is described in detail, and the activities of batimastat analogues are discussed in the light of the protein-inhibitor interactions revealed by the crystallography studies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

X-ray structures of human neutrophil collagenase complexed with peptide hydroxamate and peptide thiol inhibitors. Implications for substrate binding and rational drug design.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc endopeptidases involved in tissue remodeling. They have also been implicated in various disease processes including tumour invasion and joint destruction and are therefore attractive targets for inhibitor design. For rational drug design, information of inhibitor binding at the atomic level is essential. Recently, we have published the refined high-resolution crystal structure of the catalytic domain of human neutrophil collagenase (HNC) complexed with the inhibitor Pro-Leu-Gly-NHOH, which is a mimic for the unprimed (P3-P1) residues of a bound peptide substrate. We have now determined two additional HNC complexes formed with the thiol inhibitor HSCH2CH(CH2Ph)CO-L-Ala-Gly-NH2 and another hydroxamate inhibitor, HONHCOCH(iBu)CO-L-Ala-Gly-NH2, which were both refined to R-values of 0.183/0.198 at 0.240/0.225-nm resolution. The inhibitor thiol and hydroxamate groups ligand the catalytic zinc, giving rise to a slightly distorted tetrahedral and trigonal-bipyramidal coordination sphere, respectively. The thiol inhibitor diastereomer with S-configuration at the P1' residue (corresponding to an L-amino acid analog) binds to HNC. Its peptidyl moiety mimics binding of primed (P1'-P3') residues of the substrate. In combination with our first structure a continuous hexapeptide corresponding to a peptide substrate productively bound to HNC was constructed and energy-minimized. Proteolytic cleavage of this Michaelis complex is probably general base-catalyzed as proposed for thermolysin, i.e. a glutamate assists nucleophilic attack of a water molecule. Although there are many structural and mechanistic similarities to thermolysin, substrate binding to MMPs differs due to the interactions beyond S1'-P1'. While thermolysin binds substrates with a kink at P1', substrates are bound in an extended conformation in the collagenases. This property explains the tolerance of thermolysin for D-amino acid residues at the P1' position, in contrast to the collagenases. The third inhibitor, HONHCOCH(iBu)CO-L-Ala-Gly-NH2, unexpectedly binds in a different manner than anticipated from its design and binding mode in thermolysin. Its hydroxamate group obviously interacts with the catalytic zinc in a favourable bidentate manner, but in contrast its isobutyl (iBu) side chain remains outside of the S1' pocket, presumably due to severe constraints imposed by the adjacent planar hydroxamate group. Instead, the C-terminal Ala-Gly-NH2 tail adopts a bent conformation and inserts into this S1' pocket, presumably in a non-optimized manner. Both the isobutyl side chain and the C-terminal peptide tail could be replaced by other, better fitting groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗