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Building three-dimensional structures of HIV-1 coreceptor CCR5 and its interaction with antagonist TAK779 by comparative molecular modeling.

AIM: To study the mechanism of interaction of CCR5 receptor with its antagonist TAK779. METHODS: Comparative molecular modeling has been used to develop the 3D-structural models of CCR5 receptor and its complex with TAK779. Molecular mechanics has been applied to optimize the above molecular models. Quantum mechanics has been utilized to calculate the structural information of TAK779. DOCK4.0 program is employed to dock the TAK779 molecular into the binding site of CCR5 receptor. RESULTS: The 3D-structural model of CCR5 receptor is constructed using the 3D-model of frog rhodopsin as a template. The binding pocket is situated in the transmembrane helices 3, 5, 6, and 7, and it is composed of conserved residues of Tyr108, Gly111, Ser114, Glu283, Gly286, and Cys290, and conservatively varied residues including Thr105, Leu107, Phe112, Gly115, Lys197, and Met287. O1, N7, N17, and O19 of TAK779 are the active center of TAK779. The pyran cycle and the aminium group of TAK779 interact with residues in the binding pocket of CCR5 receptor, the other part of TAK779 interacts with residues from the extracellular loops of CCR5. The binding energy of TAK779 with CCR5 is -51.606 kcal/mol. CONCLUSION: The model constructed and the interaction mode reported in the present study are useful in further understanding the molecular mechanism of receptor-virus recognition and designing new inhibitors of HIV-1 infection.

Amides↗

Integrating Application Programs for Bioinformatics Using a Web Browser.

We have constructed a general framework for integrating application programs with control through a local Web browser. This method is based on a simple inter-process message function from an external process to application programs. Commands to a target program are prepared in a script file, which is parsed by a message dispatcher program. When it is used as a helper application to a Web browser, these messages will be sent from the browser by clicking a hyper-link in a Web document. Our framework also supports pluggable extension-modules for application programs by means of dynamic linking. A prototype system is implemented on our molecular structure-viewer program, MOSBY. It successfully featured a function to load an extension-module required for the docking study of molecular fragments from a Web page. Our simple framework facilitates the concise configuration of Web softwares without complicated knowledge on network computation and security issues. It is also applicable for a wide range of network computations processing private data using a Web browser.

Journal Article↗

Stereoselectivity of 8-OH-DPAT toward the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor: biochemical and molecular modeling study.

The great majority of pharmacological investigations of 5-HT1A receptors' reactivity has been performed using racemic 8-OH-DPAT, therefore the biochemical as well as behavioral profiles of both 8-OH-DPAT enantiomers are not circumstantiated. In the biochemical study capability of racemic 8-OH-DPAT (0.05, 0.1 mg/kg s.c.) and its counterparts R-8-OH-DPAT (0.05, 0.1 mg/kg s.c.) and S-8-OH-DPAT (0.05, 0.1 mg/kg s.c.) to influence 5-HT synthesis rate in rats' prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus and brainstem was evaluated by HPLC/ED technique. Biochemical results are supported by the exhaustive computational study of possible differences between R- and S-enantiomer toward the 5-HT1A receptor. A reliable 3D model of the rat 5-HT1A receptor was constructed from the amino acid sequence using the crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin as a structural template. The structure of the receptor model was validated through docking studies and molecular dynamics simulations that gave results consistent with experimental data. Docking studies and the dynamics of ligand-receptor complexes emphasized different profiles of both enantiomers at the molecular level. The results of both biochemical and computational studies confirmed that R-enantiomer in contrast to S-8-OH-DPAT acts as full and potent agonist, whilst racemic form may display similar pharmacological profile to R-8-OH-DPAT.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗

Docking flexible ligands to macromolecular receptors by molecular shape.

We present a method to explore the interaction of flexible ligands with receptors of known geometry on the basis of molecular shape. This method is an extension of that described by Kuntz et al. (J. Mol. Biol. 1982, 161, 269). The shape of a binding site on a macromolecular receptor is represented as a set of overlapping spheres. Each ligand is divided into a small set of large rigid fragments that are docked separately into the binding site and then rejoined later in the calculation. The division of ligands into separate fragments allows a degree of flexibility at the position that joins them. The rejoined fragments are then energy minimized in the receptor site. We illustrate the method with two test cases: dihydrofolate reductase/methotrexate and prealbumin/thyroxine. For each test case, the method finds binding geometries for the ligand near that observed crystallographically as well as others that provide good steric fit with the receptor.

Binding Sites↗

Understanding channel blocking in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Ion-channel blockers are molecules that obstruct the path used by ions to cross the membrane through a protein channel. Many of these are local anesthetics, toxins or drugs of abuse, and the knowledge of their mechanism of action at the atomic level is an important step towards the development of new compounds on a structural basis. A molecular model of the transmembrane region of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, an important brain and muscle fast signaling protein, was used as a target for docking several channel blockers by means of an automatic docking method. The combination of the independent docking method and molecular models (of the receptor and blockers) reproduced or explained quite accurately experimental data (photoaffinity labeling, site-directed mutagenesis, binding assays). This represents a strong support for the validity of the predictions made for those molecules for which no experimental data is available and also for the models and methods on which are based.

Acetylcholine↗

On the use of isovalued surfaces to determine molecule shape and reaction pathways.

Novel insights into local molecule structure and reactivity can be gained from viewing isovalued surfaces of the molecular electron density, electrostatic potential and molecular orbitals rendered as colored, 3-D objects. For example, drawing positive and negative electrostatic isopotential surfaces partitions the molecule into regions subject to nucleophilic or electrophilic attack. Similarly, coloring isodensity surfaces to indicate the magnitude of the gradient of the electron density maps the molecule surface into regions of high and low electronegativity. A basic understanding of reaction mechanisms can also come from viewing and manipulating isovalued surfaces. A theory of molecular interactions, based upon second-order perturbation theory, provides for the decomposition of the intermolecular interaction energy into steric, electrostatic and orbital interactions. Color figures illustrate the docking of reactant molecular densities, electrostatic potentials and orbitals on low-energy pathways. The figures are used to visualize the steric, electrostatic and orbital contributions to molecular interaction energy. The visualization not only identifies low-energy reaction pathways, but it frequently reveals local interactions which determine the magnitude of the total interaction energy. Similar insight is not easily obtained by simple evaluation of the total interaction energy. Approximate transition states, built from structures along low-energy approach pathways, are excellent starting points for transition state searches.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Loop flexibility and solvent dynamics as determinants for the selective inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 4: comparative molecular dynamics simulation studies of CDK2 and CDK4.

The design and discovery of selective cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitors have been actively pursued in order to develop therapeutic cancer treatments. By means of a consecutive computational protocol involving homology modeling, docking experiments, and molecular dynamics simulations, we examine the characteristic structural and dynamic properties that distinguish CDK4 from CDK2 in its complexation with selective inhibitors. The results for all three CDK4-selective inhibitors under investigation show that the large-amplitude motion of a disordered loop of CDK4 is damped out in the presence of the inhibitors whereas their binding in the CDK2 active site has little effect on the loop flexibility. It is also found that the binding preference of CDK4- selective inhibitors for CDK4 over CDK2 stems from the reduced solvent accessibility in the active site of the former due to the formation of a stable hydrogen-bond triad by the Asp99, Arg101, and Thr102 side chains at the top of the active-site gorge. Besides the differences in loop flexibility and solvent accessibility, the dynamic stabilities of the hydrogen bonds between the inhibitors and the side chain of the lysine residue at the bottom of the active site also correlate well with the relative binding affinities of the inhibitors for the two CDKs. These results highlight the usefulness of this computational approach in evaluating the selectivity of a CDK inhibitor, and demonstrate the necessity of considering protein flexibility and solvent effects in designing new selective CDK4-selective inhibitors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Principles of docking: An overview of search algorithms and a guide to scoring functions.

The docking field has come of age. The time is ripe to present the principles of docking, reviewing the current state of the field. Two reasons are largely responsible for the maturity of the computational docking area. First, the early optimism that the very presence of the "correct" native conformation within the list of predicted docked conformations signals a near solution to the docking problem, has been replaced by the stark realization of the extreme difficulty of the next scoring/ranking step. Second, in the last couple of years more realistic approaches to handling molecular flexibility in docking schemes have emerged. As in folding, these derive from concepts abstracted from statistical mechanics, namely, populations. Docking and folding are interrelated. From the purely physical standpoint, binding and folding are analogous processes, with similar underlying principles. Computationally, the tools developed for docking will be tremendously useful for folding. For large, multidomain proteins, domain docking is probably the only rational way, mimicking the hierarchical nature of protein folding. The complexity of the problem is huge. Here we divide the computational docking problem into its two separate components. As in folding, solving the docking problem involves efficient search (and matching) algorithms, which cover the relevant conformational space, and selective scoring functions, which are both efficient and effectively discriminate between native and non-native solutions. It is universally recognized that docking of drugs is immensely important. However, protein-protein docking is equally so, relating to recognition, cellular pathways, and macromolecular assemblies. Proteins function when they are bound to other molecules. Consequently, we present the review from both the computational and the biological points of view. Although large, it covers only partially the extensive body of literature, relating to small (drug) and to large protein-protein molecule docking, to rigid and to flexible. Unfortunately, when reviewing these, a major difficulty in assessing the results is the non-uniformity in the formats in which they are presented in the literature. Consequently, we further propose a way to rectify it here.

Algorithms↗

[A monoclonal antibody against ragweed pollen cross-reacting with yellow dock pollen].

Using monoclonal antibodies with different specificity against the major allergenic components of ragweed pollen, we analyzed their cross-reactivity with two tree pollens, two grass pollens and five other weed pollens which are common in Taiwan by the immunoblot method. It was found that besides reacting with AgE and AgK of the ragweed pollen, the monoclonal antibody 48-5 also reacted with antigens of yellow dock pollen with molecular weights of 40K, 38K, 24K, and 21K. In a preliminary study, sera of two patients containing IgE antibodies to ragweed pollen antigens also reacted to the 40K component of the yellow dock pollen. Furthermore, from the results of allergenic skin testings on 109 patients with bronchial asthma, we found that of 22 patients who had a positive reaction to a crude extract of ragweed pollen, 18(81.8%) also reacted to the crude extract of yellow dock pollen. In conclusion, our results suggest that there exists a common allergenic determinant between pollens of ragweed and yellow dock. It may play an important role in the expression of the sensitivity of patients to these two kinds of pollens.

Allergens↗

Docking and three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D QSAR) analyses of nonsteroidal progesterone receptor ligands.

We report a docking and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) study of progesterone receptor (PR) ligands with an emphasis on nonsteroids including tanaproget. The ligand alignment generation, a critical part of model building, comprised two stages. First, thorough conformational sampling of docking poses within the PR binding pocket was made with the program GOLD. Second, a strategy to select representative poses for CoMSIA was developed utilizing the FlexX scoring function. After manual replacement of five poses where this approach had problems, a significant correlation (r(2) = 0.878) between the experimental affinities and electrostatic, hydrophobic, and hydrogen bond donor properties of the aligned ligands was found. Extensive model validation was made using random-group cross-validations, external test set predictions (r(pred)(2) = 0.833), and consistency check between the CoMSIA model and the PR binding site structure. Robustness, predictive ability, and automated alignment generation make the model a potential tool for virtual screening.

Binding Sites↗

CCR5 interactions with the variable 3 loop of gp120.

The G-protein coupled receptor CCR5 functions pathologically as the primary co-receptor for macrophage tropic (R5) strains of HIV-1. The interactions responsible for co-receptor activity are unknown. Molecular-dynamics simulations of the extracellular and adjacent transmembrane domains of CCR5 were performed with explicit solvation utilizing a rhodopsin-based homology model. The functional unit of co-receptor binding was constructed via docking and molecular-dynamics simulation of CCR5 and the variable 3 loop of gp120, which is a dominant determinant of co-receptor utilization. The variable 3 loop was demonstrated to interact primarily with the amino terminus and the second extracellular loop of CCR5, providing novel structural information regarding the co-receptor-binding site. Alanine mutants that alter chemokine binding and co-receptor activity were examined. Molecular-dynamics simulations with and without the variable 3 loop of gp120 were able to rationalize the activities of these mutants successfully, providing support for the proposed model. Based on these results, the global complex of CCR5, gp120 including the V3 loop and CD4, was investigated. The utilization of computational analysis, in combination with molecular biological data, provides a powerful approach for understanding the use of CCR5 as a co-receptor by HIV-1.

Alanine↗

A systematic study of low-resolution recognition in protein--protein complexes.

A comprehensive nonredundant database of 475 cocrystallized protein-protein complexes was used to study low-resolution recognition, which was reported in earlier docking experiments with a small number of proteins. The docking program GRAMM was used to delete the atom-size structural details and systematically dock the resulting molecular images. The results reveal the existence of the low-resolution recognition in 52% of all complexes in the database and in 76% of the 113 complexes with an interface area >4,000 A(2). Limitations of the docking and analysis tools used in this study suggest that the actual number of complexes with the low-resolution recognition is higher. However, the results already prove the existence of the low-resolution recognition on a broad scale.

Algorithms↗

Hydrogen bonding and molecular surface shape complementarity as a basis for protein docking.

A geometric docking algorithm based upon correlation analysis for quantification of geometric complementarity between protein molecular surfaces in close interfacial contact has been developed by a detailed optimization of the conformational search of the algorithm. In order to reduce the entire conformation space search required by the method a physico-chemical pre-filter of conformation space has been developed based upon the a priori assumption that two or more intermolecular hydrogen bonds are intrinsic to the mechanism of binding within protein complexes. Donor sites are defined spatially and directionally by the positions of explicitly calculated donor hydrogen atoms, and the vector space within a defined range about the donor atom-hydrogen atom bond vector. Acceptor sites are represented spatially and directionally by the van der Waals molecular surface points having normal vectors within a predefined range of vector space about the acceptor atom covalent bond vector(s). Geometric conditions necessary for the simultaneous hydrogen bonding interaction between both sites of functionally congruent hydrogen bonding site pairs, located on the individual proteins, are then tested on the basis of a transformation invariant parameterization of the site pair spatial and directional properties. Sterically acceptable conformations defined by interaction of functionally, spatially, and directionally compatible site pairs are then refined to a maximum contact of complementary contact surfaces using the simplex method for the angular search and correlation techniques for the translational search. The utility of the spatial and directional properties of hydrogen bonding donor and acceptor sites for the identification of candidate docking conformations is demonstrated by the reliable preliminary reduction of conformation space, the improved geometric ranking of the minimum RMS conformations of some complexes and the overall reduction of CPU time obtained.

Algorithms↗

A maurotoxin with constrained standard disulfide bridging: innovative strategy of chemical synthesis, pharmacology, and docking on K+ channels.

Maurotoxin (MTX) is a 34-residue toxin that has been isolated initially from the venom of the scorpion Scorpio maurus palmatus. It presents a large number of pharmacological targets, including small conductance Ca2+-activated and voltage-gated K+ channels. Contrary to other toxins of the alpha-KTx6 family (Pi1, Pi4, Pi7, and HsTx1), MTX exhibits a unique disulfide bridge organization of the type C1-C5, C2-C6, C3-C4, and C7-C8 (instead of the conventional C1-C5, C2-C6, C3-C7, and C4-C8, herein referred to as Pi1-like) that does not prevent its folding along the classic alpha/beta scaffold of scorpion toxins. Here, we developed an innovative strategy of chemical peptide synthesis to produce an MTX variant (MTXPi1) with a conventional pattern of disulfide bridging without any alteration of the toxin chemical structure. This strategy was used solely to address the impact of half-cystine pairings on MTX structural properties and pharmacology. The data indicate that MTXPi1 displays some marked changes in affinities toward the target K+ channels. Computed docking analyses using molecular models of both MTXPi1 and the various voltage-gated K+ channel subtypes (Shaker B, Kv1.2, and Kv1.3) were found to correlate with MTXPi1 pharmacology. A functional map detailing the interaction between MTXPi1 and Shaker B channel was generated in line with docking experiments.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Putative caveolin-binding sites in SARS-CoV proteins.

AIM: To obtain the information of protein-protein interaction between the SARS-CoV proteins and caveolin-1, identify the possible caveolin-binding sites in SARS-CoV proteins. METHODS: On the basis of three related caveolin-binding motifs, amino acid motif search was employed to predict the possible caveolin-1 related interaction domains in the SARS-CoV proteins. The molecular modeling and docking simulation methods were used to confirm the interaction between caveolin-1 and SARS-CoV proteins. RESULTS: Thirty six caveolin-binding motifs in the SARS-CoV proteins have been mapped out using bioinformatics analysis tools. Molecular modeling and simulation have confirmed 8 caveolin-binding sites. These caveolin-binding sites located in replicase 1AB, spike protein, orf3 protein, and M protein, respectively. CONCLUSION: Caveolin-1 may serve as a possible receptor of the SARS-CoV proteins, which may be associated with the SARS-CoV infection, replication, assembly, and budding.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Genetic algorithms in molecular recognition and design.

Genetic algorithms provide a novel tool for the investigation of combinatorial optimization problems. A genetic algorithm takes an initial set of possible starting solutions, and iteratively improves them by means of crossover and mutation operators that are related to those involved in Darwinian evolution. This approach is illustrated by reference to applications in molecular modelling, the docking of flexible ligands into protein active sites and de novo ligand design.

Algorithms↗

Temperature differentially affects encounter and docking thermodynamics of antibody--antigen association.

Using BIACORE SPR, we have examined the mechanism of temperature effects on the binding kinetics of two closely related antibody Fabs (H10 and H26) which recognize coincident epitopes on hen egg-white lysozyme (HEL), and whose association and dissociation kinetics are best described by the two-step conformational change model which we interpret as molecular encounter and docking. Time-course series data obtained at a series of six temperatures (6, 10, 15, 25, 30 and 37 degrees C) showed that temperature differentially affects the rate constants of the encounter and docking steps. Docking is more temperature-sensitive than the encounter step, and energetically less favorable at higher temperatures. At elevated temperatures, the time required for docking is longer and the apparent increase in off-rate reflects the greater proportion of the molecules failing to dock and remaining in the less stable encounter state. As a consequence, distribution of free energy change between the encounter and docking steps is altered. At physiological temperature (37 degrees C) the docking step of the H26 complex is energetically unfavorable and most complexes essentially do not dock. There is a significant decrease in total free energy change of the H26 complex at higher temperatures. Elevated temperature changes the rate-limiting step of H26--HEL association from the encounter to the docking step, but not that of H10--HEL. Our results indicate that the mechanism by which elevated temperature reduces the affinities of antigen--antibody complexes is to decrease the net docking rate, and/or stability of the docked complex; at higher temperatures, a smaller proportion of the complexes actually anneal to a more stable docked state. This mechanism may have broad applicability to other receptor--ligand complexes.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Design and assembly of anti-CD16 ScFv antibody with two different linker peptides.

Several studies have focused on the effect of different lengths of linker peptides on the properties of single-chain Fv (ScFv). The expressing level and stability of anti-CD16 ScFv with common linker peptide (Gly(4)Ser)(3) were very poor. Considering 3-D structures of heavy and light chain variable region gene of anti-CD16 antibody, a novel linker peptide PT7 (i.e. Gly(3)SerAla(3)) was designed. As a comparison, the linker PT5 (Gly(4)Ser) was chosen to construct anti-CD16 ScFv. A molecular modeling of anti-CD16 ScFv antibody with the two different linker peptides was designed using computer-assisted modeling techniques and molecular dynamics method. Based on the crystal structure of human IgG1 Fc fragment-Fc gamma receptor III (Fc gamma RIII) complex, putative interactions between anti-CD16 ScFv antibody with two different linker peptide and Fc gamma receptor III fragment were predicted with Docking method. Using molecular graphic techniques, the structure-function relationship of anti-CD16 ScFv antibody with two different linker peptides was analyzed and the combining ability was predicted. The binding activity to Daudi cells by FACS showed that anti-CD16 ScFv antibody with two different linker peptides possessed similar ability and the experimental result was consistent with the theoretical prediction.

Drug Design↗