In silico study directed towards identification of the key structural features of GyrB inhibitors targeting MTB DNA gyrase: HQSAR, CoMSIA and molecular dynamics simulations.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA gyrase subunit B (GyrB) has been identified as a promising target for rational drug design against fluoroquinolone drug-resistant tuberculosis. In this study, we attempted to identify the key structural feature for highly potent GyrB inhibitors through 2D-QSAR using HQSAR, 3D-QSAR using CoMSIA and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations approaches on a series of thiazole urea core derivatives. The best HQSAR and CoMSIA models based on IC50 and MIC displayed the structural basis required for good activity against both GyrB enzyme and mycobacterial cell. MD simulations and binding free energy analysis using MM-GBSA and waterswap calculations revealed that the urea core of inhibitors has the strongest interaction with Asp79 via hydrogen bond interactions. In addition, cation-pi interaction and hydrophobic interactions of the R2 substituent with Arg82 and Arg141 help to enhance the binding affinity in the GyrB ATPase binding site. Thus, the present study provides crucial structural features and a structural concept for rational design of novel DNA gyrase inhibitors with improved biological activities against both enzyme and mycobacterial cell, and with good pharmacokinetic properties and drug safety profiles.

Electrostatic Influence on Photoisomerization in Bacteriorhodopsin and Halorhodopsin.

Bacteriorhodopsin (bR) and halorhodopsin (hR) are both membrane proteins that transport ions across the cell membrane in halobacteria. Their ion transport function is triggered by photoactivated isomerization of the retinal protonated Schiff base (RPSB) chromophore. In spite of their similar structures, bR and hR exhibit widely differing RPSB isomerization rates and quantum yields (with bR being both faster and more efficient than hR). Previous simulations of photoisomerization in bR and hR using ab initio multiple spawning (AIMS) with QM/MM have successfully reproduced the experimentally observed ordering of quantum yields and isomerization rates, but the origin of these differences remains elusive. Here we investigate the role of electrostatic interactions in the protein pocket surrounding RPSB. We probe the influence of protein electrostatics by modifying the charge of the complex counterion in bR/hR to be more/less negative than the native state. We find that such modifications lead to bR-like behavior in hR and vice versa. This demonstrates the crucial role of electrostatic interactions in controlling the outcome of RPSB photoisomerization.

Susceptibility of inhibitors against 3C protease of coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus A71 causing hand, foot and mouth disease: A molecular dynamics study.

Hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) epidemic has occurred in many countries. Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) and Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) are the main causes of HFMD. Up to now, there are no anti-HFMD drugs available. Rupintrivir, a broad-spectrum inhibitor, is a drug candidate for HFMD treatment, while other HFMD inhibitors designed from several studies have a relatively low efficiency. Therefore, in this work we aim to study the binding mechanisms of rupintrivir and a peptidic α,ß-unsaturated ethyl ester (SG85) against both CV-A16 and EV-A71 3C proteases (3Cpro) using all-atoms molecular dynamics simulation. The obtained results indicate that SG85 shows a stronger binding affinity than rupintrivir against CV-A16. Both inhibitors exhibit a comparable affinity against EV-A71 3Cpro. The molecular information of the binding of the two inhibitors to the proteases will be elucidated. Thus, it is implied that these two compounds may be used as leads for further anti-HFMD drug design and development.

Rational design of InhA inhibitors in the class of diphenyl ether derivatives as potential anti-tubercular agents using molecular dynamics simulations.

A series of diphenyl ether derivatives were developed and showed promising potency for inhibiting InhA, an essential enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase involved in mycolic acid biosynthesis, leading to the lysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. To understand the structural basis of diphenyl ether derivatives for designing more potent inhibitors, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed. Based on the obtained results, the dynamic behaviour in terms of flexibility, binding free energy, binding energy decomposition, conformation, and the inhibitor-enzyme interaction of diphenyl ether inhibitors were elucidated. Phe149, Tyr158, Met161, Met199, Val203 and NAD+ are the key residues for binding of diphenyl ether inhibitors in the InhA binding pocket. Our results could provide the structural concept to design new diphenyl ether inhibitors with better enzyme inhibitory activity against M. tuberculosis InhA. The present work facilitates the design of new and potentially more effective anti-tuberculosis agents.

Comment on "Cleavage mechanism of the H5N1 hemagglutinin by trypsin and furin" [Amino Acids 2008, January 31, Doi: 10.1007/s00726-007-0611-3].

Recently, Guo et al. have reported structural as well as the binding energy data of the particular interactions between the cleavage sites of hemagglutinin and serine proteases, trypsin and furin, using molecular docking approach. Due to a wrong assignment of protonation state on the histidine, one of the catalytic triad in the active site of both enzymes, their docking results are contradictory with the fundamental principle and previous theoretical studies of the known cleavage mechanism in serine proteases.

Computer-aided molecular design of highly potent HIV-1 RT inhibitors: 3D QSAR and molecular docking studies of efavirenz derivatives.

Ligand- and structure-based design approaches have been applied to an extended series of 74 efavirenz compounds effectively inhibiting wild type (WT) and mutant type (K103N) HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). For ligand-based approach, three dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) methods, comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA), were performed. The starting geometry of efavirenz was obtained from X-ray crystallographic data. The efavirenz derivatives were constructed and fully optimized by ab-initio molecular orbital method at HF/3-21G level. Reliable QSAR models for high predictive abilities were developed. Regarding WT and K103N inhibitions, CoMFA models with r2/cv = 0.651 and 0.678 and CoMSIA models with r2/cv = 0.662 and 0.743 were derived, respectively. The interpretation obtained from the models highlights different structural requirements for inhibition of WT and K103N HIV-1 RT. To elucidate potential binding modes of efavirenz derivatives in the binding pocket of WT and K103N HIV-1 RT, structure-based approach based on computational docking studies of selected efavirenz compounds were performed by using GOLD and FlexX programs. The results derived from docking analysis give additional information and further probe the inhibitor-enzyme interactions. The correlation of the results obtained from 3D QSAR and docking models validate each other and lead to better understanding of the structural requirements for the activity. Therefore, these integrated results are informative to provide key features and a helpful guideline for novel compound design active against HIV-1 RT.

Optimal binding site of a methane molecule on the silanol covered (010) surface of silicalite-1: ONIOM calculations.

The binding energies and the corresponding structures of a methane molecule on the silanol covered (010) surface of silicalite-1 have been investigated using ab initio methods. Different levels of calculations, HF/6-31G(d), MP2/6-31G(d) and ONIOM (MP2/6-31G(d):HF/6-31G(d)) including the correction of an error due to an unbalance of the basis set, known as basis set super position error (BSSE), as well as the size of the cluster representing the silicalite-1 surface, were systematically examined to validate the model used. The ONIOM method with the BSSE correction was found to be a compromise between accuracy and computer time required. The optimal binding site on the silicalite-1 surface was observed at the configuration where the methane molecule points one H atom toward the O atom of the silanol group. The corresponding binding energy is -1.71 kJ/mol. This value is significantly higher than that of -5.65 kJ/mol when the methane molecule approaches the center of the straight channel. At this configuration, the C atom of methane was observed to locate exactly at the center of the channel. This leads to the conclusion that the methane molecule will relatively seldom be adsorbed on the silanol covered (010) surface of silicalite-1. Instead, the adsorption process will take place directly at the center of the straight channel.

Design of nevirapine derivatives insensitive to the K103N and Y181C HIV-1 reverse transcriptase mutants.

Nevirapine (Viramune) belongs to the first generation of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Its efficiency is limited by drug resistant mutations, such as K103N and Y181C, so, the aim of this work was to design novel nevirapine analogues insensitive to the K103N and Y181C HIV-1 RT. 360 Nevirapine derivatives were designed using a combinatorial library design approach and these compounds were docked into the binding pocket of mutant HIV-1 RT enzyme structures, using the GOLD program. 124 Compounds having a GoldScore higher than that of nevirapine (55.00 and 52.00 for K103N and Y181C mutants, respectively) were first retrieved and submitted to a topological analysis with the SILVER program. Consequently, 31 compounds presenting a significant percentage of the surfaces buried upon binding (>80%) and exhibiting hydrogen bonds to either N103 or C181 residues of the HIV-RT were selected. To ensure that these compounds had hydrogen bonding interaction to either N103 or C181 residues, their interaction energies were estimated by quantum chemical calculations (QCCs). Finally, QCCs represent an alternative method for performing post docking procedure.

Concentration dependence of the methane structure in silicalite-1: a molecular dynamics study using the Møller-Plesset-based potential.

Møller-Plesset perturbation-based potentials have been used in molecular dynamics simulations to examine methane diffusion in silicalite-1. The simulation box contains 2 unit cells of silicalite-1 and varying loading numbers (n(ld)) from 1, 2, 3, to 4 methane molecules per intersection, corresponding to 8, 16, 24, and 32 molecules per simulation box, respectively. Consistent with the previous study, a preferential diffusing path for methane is close to the channel axes. The structure of the methane molecules in the silicalite-1 pore was exhibited in terms of the methane-methane radial distribution function (RDF) in which the first peak appears at 6.4 A for n(ld) < or = 2, becomes a broad maximum at n(ld) = 3, and splits into two sharp peaks centered at 6.4 and 8.6 A at n(ld) = 4. This fact can be clearly described by an intensification of the methane density in the straight and zigzag channels but a decrease in the intersection when the loading increases. These features of the observed RDFs are in contrast with the previous report using a molecular dynamics force-field potential in which the RDFs for all concentrations show first maxima at approximately 4 A. The analysis of the relative residence times of methane at different sites inside the silicalite suggests that the zigzag channel is the most favored location. The computed self-diffusion coefficients as well as the heat of adsorptions are in reasonable agreement with the available values.

Structure and energetics of water-silanol binding on the surface of silicalite-1: quantum chemical calculations.

Quantum mechanical calculations have been carried out to investigate the structural properties and the interaction between water molecules and silanol groups on the surface of silicalite-1. The (010) surface, which is perpendicular to the straight channel, has been selected and represented by three fragments taken from different parts of the surface. Calculations have been performed using different levels of accuracy: HF/6-31G(d,p), B3LYP/6-31G(d,p), HF/6-31++G(d,p), and B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p). The basis set superposition error has been taken into account. The geometry of the silanol groups and that of the water molecules have been fully optimized. The results show that the most stable conformation takes place when a water molecule forms two hydrogen bonds with two silanols, with only one silanol lying on the opening of the pore of the straight channel. The corresponding binding energy is -48.82 kJ/mol. These areas are supposed to be the first binding sites which have to be covered when the water molecule approaches the surface. When the water loading increases, the next favorable silanols are those of the opening of the pore in which the four possible complex conformations yield a binding energy between -25.62 and -37.41 kJ/mol. It was also found that the calculated O-H bond length of the silanol in the free form was slightly shorter than that in the complex. In terms of the stretching frequency, the complexation leads to a red shift of the O-H stretching of the silanol group.

The study of hydrophobic hydration in supercritical water-methanol mixtures.

We investigated hydrophobic hydration and heat capacity (CV) of diluted aqueous solutions of methanol at supercritical region using molecular dynamics method. We performed simulations for several concentrations of methanol and densities of mixtures. Similar to that observed for ambient conditions, the 600 K solution containing 0.12 mole fraction of methanol at the density of 0.98 gm.cm-3 yields the highest CV. The intermolecular structure between water and methanol molecules at this concentration was also found to be enhanced. Hydrophobic hydration, relative to ambient conditions, is diminished slightly at the concentration of Cv maximum and diminishes drastically for the other concentrations.

3D-quantitative structure-activity relationships of HEPT derivatives as HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors, based on Ab initio calculations.

Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) has been applied to a large set of 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6-(phenylthio)thymine (HEPT) analogues. The starting geometry of HEPT was obtained from crystallographic data of HEPT/HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) complexes. The structures of 101 HEPT derivatives were considered and fully optimized by ab initio molecular orbital calculations at the HF/3-21G level. The best CoMFA model is satisfactory in both statistical significance and predictive ability. It shows excellent, high predictive ability as r2cv = 0.858. The derived model indicates the importance of steric contributions (64.4%) as well as electrostatic interactions for the HIV-1 RT inhibition. In addition, steric and electrostatic contour maps from this analysis agree well with the experimentally observed trend that there are steric interactions between the side chain of HEPT and an aromatic ring of Tyr181. It is concluded that a moderately sized group at C5 enhances contact with Tyr181 enough to push it into a position which renders the protein nonfunctional, but a smaller group has insufficient steric requirements to do this and a larger group renders the ligand too large for the cavity. The mutation-induced resistance of reverse transcriptase is explained by this analysis. The obtained results not only lead to a better understanding of structural requirements of this set of compounds for the inhibition but also enable the suggestions for new and more potent drugs.

Conformational analysis of nevirapine, a non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor, based on quantum mechanical calculations.

The structure and the conformational behavior of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor, 11-cyclopropyl-5,11dihydro-4-methyl-6H-dipyrido[3,2-b2',3'-e][1,4]diazepin-6-one (nevirapine), is investigated by semiempirical (MNDO, AMI and PM3) method, ab initio at the HF/3-21G and HF/6-31G** levels and density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31G** level. The fully optimized structure and rotational potential of the nitrogen and carbon bond in the cyclopropyl ring were examined in detail. A similar geometrical minimum is obtained from all methods which shows an almost identical structure to the geometry of the molecule in the complex structure with HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. To get some information on the structure in solution, NMR chemical shift calculations were also performed by a density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31G** level, using GIAO approximation. The calculated 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectra for the energy minimum geometry agree well with the experimental results, which indicated that the geometry of nevirapine in solution is very similar to that of the molecule in the inhibition complex. Furthermore, the obtained results are compared to the conformational studies of other non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and reveal a common agreement of the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The specific butterfly-like shape and conformational flexibility within the side chain of the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors play an important role inducing conformational change of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase structure and are essential for the association at the inhibition pocket.

Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships study on HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors in the class of dipyridodiazepinone derivatives, using comparative molecular field analysis.

A three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships (3D QSAR) method, Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA), was applied to a set of dipyridodiazepinone (nevirapine) derivatives active against wild-type (WT) and mutant-type (Y181C) HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. The starting geometry of dipyridodiazepinone was taken from X-ray crystallographic data. All 75 derivatives, divided into a training set of 53 compounds and a test set of 22 molecules, were then constructed and full geometrical optimizations were performed, based on a semiempirical molecular orbital method (AM1). CoMFA was used to discriminate between structural requirements for WT and Y181C inhibitory activities. The resulting CoMFA models yield satisfactory predictive ability regarding WT and Y181C inhibitions, with r2 cv = 0.624 and 0.726, respectively. CoMFA contour maps reveal that steric and electrostatic interactions corresponding to the WT inhibition amount to 58.5% and 41.5%, respectively, while steric and electrostatic effects have approximately equal contributions for the explanation of inhibitory activities against Y181C. The contour maps high-light different characteristics for different types of wild-type and mutant-type HIV-1 RT. In addition, these contour maps agree with experimental data for the binding topology. Consequently, the results obtained provide information for a better understanding of the inhibitor-receptor interactions of dipyridodiazepinone analogs.

Quantitative structure-activity relationships and comparative molecular field analysis of TIBO derivatised HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) and Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) have been applied in order to explain the structural requirements of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) inhibitory activity of TIBO derivatives on the MT-4 cells. The best QSAR model is satisfactory in both statistical significance and predictive ability. The derived structural descriptors indicate the importance of electronic contributions toward the HIV-1 RT inhibition of this class of compounds. However, it could not reveal any hydrophobic influence because of high collinearity between C2 and log P variables. In order to cope with steric interaction in the correlation, 3D-QSAR was performed using CoMFA. The obtained CoMFA model shows high predictive ability, rcv2 = 0.771, and clearly demonstrates its potential in the steric feature of the molecules through contour maps, explaining a majority (81.8%) of the variance in the data. Consequently, these results can be useful in identifying the structural requirements of TIBO derivatives and helpful for better understanding the HIV-1 RT inhibition. Eventually, they provide a beneficial basis to design new and more potent inhibitors of HIV-1 RT.

Conformational study of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6-(phenylthio)thymine (HEPT).

The conformations of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6-(phenylthio)thymine (HEPT) are calculated by semiempirical and mainly by ab initio methods in order to estimate the potential for the rotation around the carbon sulfur single bond. The results are compared to X-ray structures of HEPT associated to the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. The NMR spectra of the compound are calculated to obtain some information about its structure in solution. The structure of HEPT in the complex is analysed to study the intermolecular interactions between the inhibitor and the surrounding protein, which determine the geometry of the inhibition complex.

Structure-activity correlation study of HIV-1 inhibitors: electronic and molecular parameters.

Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) for 40 HIV-1 inhibitors, 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)-methyl]-6-(phenylthio)thymine and its derivatives, were studied. Fully optimized geometries, based on the semiempirical AMl method, were used to calculate electronic and molecular properties of all compounds. In order to examine the relation between biological activities and structural properties, multiple linear regression models were employed. A suitable QSAR model was obtained, showing not only statistical significance, but also predictive ability. The significant molecular descriptors used were atomic charges of two substituted carbon atoms in the thymine ring, hydration energies and molar refractivities of the molecules. These descriptors allowed a physical explanation of electronic and molecular properties contributing to HIV-1 inhibitory potency.