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Identification of Val117 and Arg372 as critical amino acid residues for the activity difference between human CYP2A6 and CYP2A13 in coumarin 7-hydroxylation.

Human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6 and 2A13 play an important role in catalyzing the metabolism of many environmental chemicals including coumarin, nicotine, and several tobacco-specific carcinogens. Both CYP2A6 and CYP2A13 proteins are composed of 494 amino acid residues. Although CYP2A13 shares a 93.5% identity with CYP2A6 in the amino acid sequence, it is only about one-tenth as active as CYP2A6 in catalyzing coumarin 7-hydroxylation. To identify the key amino acid residues that account for such a remarkable difference, we generated a series of CYP2A6 and CYP2A13 mutants by site-directed mutagenesis/heterologous expression and compared their coumarin 7-hydroxylation activities. In CYP2A6, the amino acid residues at position 117 and 372 are valine (Val) and arginine (Arg), respectively; whereas in CYP2A13, they are alanine (Ala) and histidine (His). Kinetic analysis revealed that the catalytic efficiency (Vmax/Km) of the CYP2A6 Val(117)--> Ala and Arg(372)--> His mutants was drastically reduced (0.41 and 0.64 versus 3.23 for the wild-type CYP2A6 protein). In contrast, the catalytic efficiency of the CYP2A13 Ala(117) --> Val and His(372) --> Arg mutants was greatly increased (2.65 and 2.60 versus 0.31 for wild-type CYP2A13 protein). These results clearly demonstrate that the Val at position 117 and Arg at position 372 are critical amino acid residues for coumarin 7-hydroxylation. Based on the crystal structure of CYP2C5, we have generated the homology models of CYP2A6 and CYP2A13 and docked the substrate coumarin to the active site. Together with the kinetic characterization, our structural modeling provides explanations for the amino acid substitution results and the insights of detailed enzyme-substrate interactions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Design of novel N-(2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-7-yl)-guanidines as thymidine phosphorylase inhibitors, and flexible docking to a homology model.

A novel class of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) inhibitors has been designed based on analogy to the enzyme substrate as well as known inhibitors. Flexible docking studies, using a homology model of human TP, of the designed N-(2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-7-yl)-guanidines as well as their synthetic precursors provide insight into the observed experimental trends in binding affinity.

Binding Sites↗

Docking of protein models.

An adequate description of entire genomes has to include information on the three-dimensional (3D) structure of proteins. Most of these protein structures will be determined by high-throughput modeling procedures. Thus, a structure-based analysis of the network of protein-protein interactions in genomes requires docking methodologies that are capable of dealing with significant structural inaccuracies in the modeled structures of proteins. We present a systematic study of the applicability of our low-resolution docking method to protein models of different accuracies. A representative nonredundant set of 475 cocrystallized protein-protein complexes was used to build an array of models of each protein in the set. A sophisticated procedure was created to generate the models with RMS deviations of 1, 2, 3,., 10 A from the crystal structure. The docking was performed for all the models, and the predictions were compared with the configurations of the original cocrystallized complexes. Statistical analysis showed that the low-resolution docking can determine the gross structural features of protein-protein interactions for a significant percent of complexes of highly inaccurate protein models. Such predictions may serve as starting points for a more detailed structural analysis, as well as complement experimental and computational data on protein-protein interactions obtained by other techniques.

Algorithms↗

Calculation of cyclodextrin binding affinities: energy, entropy, and implications for drug design.

The second generation Mining Minima method yields binding affinities accurate to within 0.8 kcal/mol for the associations of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-cyclodextrin with benzene, resorcinol, flurbiprofen, naproxen, and nabumetone. These calculations require hours to a day on a commodity computer. The calculations also indicate that the changes in configurational entropy upon binding oppose association by as much as 24 kcal/mol and result primarily from a narrowing of energy wells in the bound versus the free state, rather than from a drop in the number of distinct low-energy conformations on binding. Also, the configurational entropy is found to vary substantially among the bound conformations of a given cyclodextrin-guest complex. This result suggests that the configurational entropy must be accounted for to reliably rank docked conformations in both host-guest and ligand-protein complexes. In close analogy with the common experimental observation of entropy-enthalpy compensation, the computed entropy changes show a near-linear relationship with the changes in mean potential plus solvation energy.

Algorithms↗

The FlexX database docking environment--rational extraction of receptor based pharmacophores.

We present an integrated docking environment that allows for iterative and interactive detailed analysis of many docking solutions. All docking information is stored in an ORACLE database. New scoring schemes (e.g. target-specific scoring functions) as well as various types of filters can be easily defined and tested within this environment. As an example application we investigated the validity of the following hypothesis: If a docking procedure can lead to enrichments significantly better than random then a bias towards (partially) correct placements should be detectable. Such bias in terms of a preference for certain interacting groups within the active site can be used to select a set of receptor-based pharmacophore constraints, which in turn might be used to enhance the docking procedure. As a proof of concept for this approach we performed docking studies on three targets: thrombin, the cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). We docked a set of known active compounds with standard FlexX and derived three sets of target-specific receptor-based pharmacophore constraints by statistical analysis of the predicted placements. Applying these receptor-based constraints in a virtual screening protocol utilizing FlexX-Pharm led to significantly improved enrichments.

Calibration↗

A structure-based strategy to identify new molecular scaffolds targeting the bacterial ribosomal A-site.

The need for novel antibiotics is widely recognized. A well validated target of antibiotics is the bacterial ribosome. Recent X-ray structures of the ribosome bound to antibiotics have shed new light on the binding sites of these antibiotics, providing fresh impetus for structure-based strategies aiming at identifying new ribosomal ligands. In that respect, the ribosomal decoding region of the aminoacyl-tRNA acceptor site (A-site) is of particular interest because oligonucleotide model systems of this site are available for crystallography, NMR and compound binding assays. This work presents how these different resources can be combined in a hierarchical screening strategy which has led to the identification of new A-site ligands. The approach exploits an X-ray structure of the A-site against which large and diverse libraries of compounds were computationally docked. The complementarity of the compounds to the A-site was assessed using a scoring function specifically calibrated for RNA targets. Starting from approximately 1 million compounds, the computational selection of candidate ligands allowed us to focus the experimental work on 129 compounds, 34 of which showed affinity for the A-site in a FRET-based binding assay. NMR experiments confirmed binding to the A-site for some compounds. For the most potent compound in the FRET assay, a tentative binding mode is suggested, which is compatible with the NMR data and the limited SAR in this series. Overall, the results validate the screening strategy.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Computational studies of COX-2 inhibitors: 3D-QSAR and docking.

The 3D-QSAR (three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships) studies for 88 selective COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) inhibitors belonging to three chemical classes (triaryl rings, diaryl cycloalkanopyrazoles, and diphenyl hydrazides) were conducted using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA). Partial least squares analysis produced statistically significant models with q(2) values of 0.84 and 0.79 for CoMFA and CoMSIA, respectively. The binding energies calculated from flexible docking were correlated with inhibitory activities by the least-squares fit method. The three chemical classes of inhibitors showed reasonable internal predictability (r(2)=0.51, 0.49, and 0.54), but the sulfonyl-containing inhibitors demonstrated distinctively low binding energy compared to the others. The electrostatic interaction energy between the Arg513 of the COX-2 active site and sulfonyl group of the triaryl rings seemed to have the responsibility for difference in binding energy. Comparative binding energy (COMBINE) analyses gave q(2) values of 0.64, 0.63, and 0.50 for triaryl rings, diaryl cycloalkanopyrazoles, and diphenyl hydrazides, respectively. In this COMBINE model, some protein residues were highlighted as particularly important for inhibitory activity. The combination of ligand-based and structure-based models provided an improved understanding in the interaction between the three chemical classes and the COX-2.

Binding Sites↗

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel N-alkyl- and N-acyl-(7-substituted-2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a][1,3,5]triazin-4-yl)amines (ITAs) as novel A(1) adenosine receptor antagonists.

Prompted by pharmacophore and docking based models, we have synthesized and tested a number of N-alkyl and N-acyl-(7-substituted-2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a][1,3,5]triazin-4-yl)amines (ITAs, 7) designed as a new class of A(1) adenosine receptor (A(1)AR) antagonists. Binding affinities at the A(1)AR, A(2A)AR, and A(3)AR were determined using bovine cerebral membranes. Most of the compounds displayed K(i) values at the A(1)AR in the submicromolar or even in the low nanomolar range, thus confirming the rationale leading to their synthesis. All or most of the ligands turned out to be selective for the A(1)AR over the A(2A)AR and A(3)AR subtypes, respectively. Structure-affinity relationships at the A(1)AR were rationalized by docking simulations in terms of putative ligand/receptor interactions. Among the ITAs investigated, 1-[(7-methyl-2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a][1,3,5]triazin-4-yl)amino]acetone (7j) exhibited the best combination of affinity at the A(1)AR (K(i) = 12 nM) and selectivity over the A(2A)AR and A(3)AR subtypes (K(i)s > 10000 nM).

Animals↗

Molecular modelling study of HIV p17gag (MA) protein shell utilising data from electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography.

The matrix protein p17gag (MA) is a product of proteolytic cleavage of the gag gene encoded polyprotein (pr55gag) and is formed when HIV particles undergo the process of maturation. The MA protein is associated with the inner surface of the viral membrane and determines the overall shape of the virion. Previous studies have shown the existence of trimers of MA in solution and in the crystalline state. Here, we used molecular modelling methods to identify feasible interactions between pairs of MA trimers and have related this to structural data from electron microscopy. A systematic search docking procedure was able to identify many energetically favourable conformations for a pair of trimers, including some which have been previously reported. These conformations were used to generate several networks of MA trimers, which were then evaluated against structural observations of the MA network. The model suggested here provides a good match with experimental data such as the spacing between gag protein rings, the number and disposition of glycoprotein (gp41-gp120) knobs and the number of copies of MA in a virus particle. It also rationalizes the observed distribution of sizes of virus particles and is consistent with the presence of icosahedral organisation in mature HIV. Energy minimisation performed with explicit water and counter ions, was used to identify residues participating in inter-trimer interactions. The nature of these interactions is discussed in relation to the conservation of these residues in reported variants of the HIV and SIV MA protein sequences.

Computer Simulation↗

QSD quadratic shape descriptors. 2. Molecular docking using quadratic shape descriptors (QSDock).

We present a new shape-based polynomial time algorithm for the rapid docking of rigid ligands into their macromolecular receptors. The method exploits molecular surface complementarity existing between a putative ligand and its receptor protein. Molecular shapes are represented by using a new shape descriptor that is based on local quadratic approximations to the molecular surface. The quadratic shape descriptor is capable of representing a plethora of molecular shapes and is not limited to describing convex or concave regions of molecular surface. A single pair of complementary descriptors is sufficient for computing the transformation matrix that positions a ligand into the receptor site. We demonstrate the capabilities of our algorithm by successfully reproducing the crystallographically determined orientation for a test set of 20 ligand-protein complexes.

Algorithms↗

Geometric analysis and comparison of protein-DNA interfaces: why is there no simple code for recognition?

Structural studies of protein-DNA complexes have shown that there are many distinct families of DNA-binding proteins, and have shown that there is no simple "code" describing side-chain/base interactions. However, systematic analysis and comparison of protein-DNA complexes has been complicated by the diversity of observed contacts, the sheer number of complexes currently available and the absence of any consistent method of comparison that retains detailed structural information about the protein-DNA interface. To address these problems, we have developed geometric methods for characterizing the local structural environment in which particular side-chain/base interactions are observed. In particular, we develop methods for analyzing and comparing spatial relationships at the protein-DNA interface. Our method involves attaching local coordinate systems to the DNA bases and to the C(alpha) atoms of the peptide backbone (these are relatively rigid structural units). We use these tools to consider how the position and orientation of the polypeptide backbone (with respect to the DNA) helps to determine what contacts are possible at any given position in a protein-DNA complex. Here, we focus on base contacts that are made in the major groove, and we use spatial relationships in analyzing: (i) the observed patterns of side-chain/base interactions; (ii) observed helix docking orientations; (iii) family/subfamily relationships among DNA-binding proteins; and (iv) broader questions about evolution, altered specificity mutants and the limits for the design of new DNA-binding proteins. Our analysis, which highlights differences in spatial relationships in different complexes and at different positions in a complex, helps explain why there is no simple, general code for protein-DNA recognition.

Computer Simulation↗

Suggestive evidence for the involvement of the second calcium and surface loop in interfacial binding: monoclinic and trigonal crystal structures of a quadruple mutant of phospholipase A2.

The crystal structures of the monoclinic and trigonal forms of the quadruple mutant K53,56,120,121M of recombinant bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) have been solved and refined at 1.9 and 1.1 A resolution, respectively. Interestingly, the monoclinic form reveals the presence of the second calcium ion. Furthermore, the surface-loop residues are ordered and the conformation of residues 62-66 is similar to that observed in other structures containing the second calcium ion. On the other hand, in the trigonal form the surface loop is disordered and the second calcium is absent. Docking studies suggest that the second calcium and residues Lys62 and Asp66 from the surface loop could be involved in the interaction with the polar head group of the membrane phospholipid. It is hypothesized that the two structures of the quadruple mutant, monoclinic and trigonal, represent the conformations of PLA2 at the lipid interface and in solution, respectively. A docked structure with a phospholipid molecule and with a transition-state analogue bound, one at the active site coordinating to the catalytic calcium and the other at the second calcium site, but both at the i-face, is presented.

Animals↗

Molecular recognition of receptor sites using a genetic algorithm with a description of desolvation.

Understanding the principles whereby macromolecular biological receptors can recognise small molecule substrates or inhibitors is the subject of a major effort. This is of paramount importance in rational drug design where the receptor structure is known (the "docking" problem). Current theoretical approaches utilise models of the steric and electrostatic interaction of bound ligands and recently conformational flexibility has been incorporated. We report results based on software using a genetic algorithm that uses an evolutionary strategy in exploring the full conformational flexibility of the ligand with partial flexibility of the protein, and which satisfies the fundamental requirement that the ligand must displace loosely bound water on binding. Results are reported on five test systems showing excellent agreement with experimental data. The design of the algorithm offers insight into the molecular recognition mechanism.

Arabinose↗

NMR, molecular modeling, and crystallographic studies of lentil lectin-sucrose interaction.

The conformational features of sucrose in the combining site of lentil lectin have been characterized through elucidation of a crystalline complex at 1.9-A resolution, transferred nuclear Overhauser effect experiments performed at 600 Mhz, and molecular modeling. In the crystal, the lentil lectin dimer binds one sucrose molecule per monomer. The locations of 229 water molecules have been identified. NMR experiments have provided 11 transferred NOEs. In parallel, the docking study and conformational analysis of sucrose in the combining site of lentil lectin indicate that three different conformations can be accommodated. Of these, the orientation with lowest energy is identical with the one observed in the crystalline complex and provides good agreement with the observed transferred NOEs. These structural investigations indicate that the bound sucrose has a unique conformation for the glycosidic linkage, close to the one observed in crystalline sucrose, whereas the fructofuranose ring remains relatively flexible and does not exhibit any strong interaction with the protein. Major differences in the hydrogen bonding network of sucrose are found. None of the two inter-residue hydrogen bonds in crystalline sucrose are conserved in the complex with the lectin. Instead, a water molecule bridges hydroxyl groups O2-g and O3-f of sucrose.

Computer Simulation↗

Knowledge-based interaction fingerprint scoring: a simple method for improving the effectiveness of fast scoring functions.

A new method for the postprocessing of docking outputs has been developed, based on encoding putative 3D binding modes (docking solutions) as ligand-protein interactions into simple bit strings, a method analogous to the structural interaction fingerprint. Instead of employing traditional scoring functions, the method uses a series of new, knowledge-based scores derived from the similarity of the bit strings for each docking solution to that of a known reference binding mode. A GOLD docking study was carried out using the Bissantz estrogen receptor antagonist set along with the new scoring method. Superior recovery rates, with up to 2-fold enrichments, were observed when the new knowledge-based scoring was compared to the GOLD fitness score. In addition, top ranking sets of molecules (actives and potential actives or decoys) were structurally diverse with low molecular weights and structural complexities. Principal component analysis and clustering of the fingerprints permits the easy separation of active from inactive binding modes and the visualization of diverse binding modes.

Cluster Analysis↗

Modeling the similarity and divergence of dopamine D2-like receptors and identification of validated ligand-receptor complexes.

Focusing on the similarity and divergence of GPCR subtypes and their ligand interactions, we generated dopamine D2, D3, and D4 receptor models based on the rhodopsin crystal structure and refined these with an extensive MM/MD protocol. After validation by diagnostic experimental data, subtype-specific relative positions of TM1, 2, 6, and 7 and bending angles of TM7 were found. To sample the conformational space of the complex, we performed simulated-annealing runs of the receptor protein with the sub-nanomolar antagonist spiperone. Docking a representative set of ligands, we were able to identify one superior model for each subtype when excellent correlations between predicted energies of binding and experimental affinities (r2 = 0.72 for D2, 0.91 for D3 and 0.77 for D4) could be observed. Further analysis revealed general ligand interactions with ASP3.32 and aromatic residues in TM6/7 and individual key interactions with TM1 and TM2 residues of the D3 and D4 receptor models, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural insights into the ATP binding pocket of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase by site-directed mutagenesis, inhibitor binding analysis, and homology modeling.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a valid target for anticancer therapy; however, potent ALK inhibitors suitable for clinical use are lacking. Because the majority of described kinase inhibitors bind in the ATP pocket of the kinase domain, we have characterized this pocket in ALK using site-directed mutagenesis, inhibition studies, and molecular modeling. Mutation of the gatekeeper residue, a key structural determinant influencing inhibitor binding, rendered the fusion protein, NPM/ALK, sensitive to inhibition by SKI-606 in the nanomolar range, while PD173955 inhibited the NPM/ALK mutant at micromolar concentrations. In contrast, both wild type and mutant NPM/ALK were insensitive to imatinib. Computer modeling indicated that docking solutions obtained with a homology model representing the intermediate conformation of the ALK kinase domain reflected closely experimental data. The good agreement between experimental and virtual results indicate that the ALK molecular models described here are useful tools for the rational design of ALK selective inhibitors. In addition, 4-phenylamino-quinoline compounds may have potential as templates for ALK inhibitors.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Molecular modeling of cytochrome P450 1A1: enzyme-substrate interactions and substrate binding affinities.

Human cytochrome P450 1A1, which is present in lungs, plays an important role in the metabolic activation of chemical carcinogens, and in particular, is thought to be linked to lung cancer. The mechanism of carcinogenesis is related to the enzyme's ability to oxidize highly toxic compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), to their carcinogenic derivatives. In order to better understand P450 1A1 function, a homology model of this enzyme has been constructed. The model has been based on the structure of P450 2C5, the first mammalian P450 to be crystallized. The coordinates of the model have been calculated using a consensus strategy, and the resulting structure has been evaluated with the ProStat and Profiles-3D programs. P450 1A1 substrates, such as benzo[a]pyrene, ethoxyresorufin and methoxyresorufin, were then docked into the active site of the model, and key amino acid residues able to interact with the substrate, have been identified. The analysis of enzyme-substrate interactions indicated that hydrophobic interactions are mainly responsible for binding of these substrates in the active site. Moreover, the non-bond enzyme-substrate interaction energy for ethoxyresorufin was lower than that for methoxyresorufin, which is consistent with higher activity of 1A1 towards the former substrate. Key residue Val-382 may play an important role in these interactions. Additionally, we performed binding free energy calculations for the three substrates. The obtained values were similar to those observed experimentally, which suggests that this approach might be useful for prediction of binding constants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗