Salt Bridge Swapping in the EXXERFXYY Motif of Proton-coupled Oligopeptide Transporters.

Proton-coupled oligopeptide transporters (POTs) couple the inward transport of di- or tripeptides with an inwardly directed transport of protons. Evidence from several studies of different POTs has pointed toward involvement of a highly conserved sequence motif, E1XXE2RFXYY (from here on referred to as E1XXE2R), located on Helix I, in interactions with the proton. In this study, we investigated the intracellular substrate accumulation by motif variants with all possible combinations of glutamate residues changed to glutamine and arginine changed to a tyrosine, the latter being a natural variant found in the Escherichia coli POT YjdL. We found that YjdL motif variants with E1XXE2R, E1XXE2Y, E1XXQ2Y, or Q1XXE2Y were able to accumulate peptide, whereas those with E1XXQ2R, Q1XXE2R, or Q1XXQ2Y were unable to accumulate peptide, and Q1XXQ2R abolished uptake. These results suggest a mechanism that involves swapping of an intramotif salt bridge, i.e. R-E2 to R-E1, which is consistent with previous structural studies. Molecular dynamics simulations of the motif variants E1XXE2R and E1XXQ2R support this mechanism. The simulations showed that upon changing conformation arginine pushes Helix V, through interactions with the highly conserved FYING motif, further away from the central cavity in what could be a stabilization of an inward facing conformation. As E2 has been suggested to be the primary site for protonation, these novel findings show how protonation may drive conformational changes through interactions of two highly conserved motifs.

A diversity optimized combinatorial library for the identification of Fc-fragment binding ligands.

To generate a library covering a relatively wide area of the chemical space, molecular descriptors, and multivariate data analysis were combined to select the building blocks required for generating a diversity optimized library of putative Fc-fragment binding ligands. In such a method of library design, structural information about the target protein is not needed. Synthesis of the resulting 770 member virtual library was carried out using encoded beads, which facilitated rapid identification of the subsequent hits. The library was screened in an on-bead fluorescence assay with immunoglobulin G Fc-fragment of the subtype 4 to identify Fc-fragment binding ligands that would be useful for purifying monoclonal antibodies. An analysis of the positions of the hits in the chemical space revealed that the ones with the highest fluorescence were primarily concentrated in a particular part of the chemical space. One of the identified hits, when immobilized on amino sepharose, was able to purify a monoclonal antibody from crude cell supernatant with purity of 84% and a 70% recovery. The chemometric tools employed for the library design allowed the identification of the fraction of the available chemical space that would be preferred for a second generation library.

Mutational mapping and modeling of the binding site for (S)-citalopram in the human serotonin transporter.

The serotonin transporter (SERT) regulates extracellular levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) in the brain by facilitating uptake of released 5-hydroxytryptamine into neuronal cells. SERT is the target for widely used antidepressant drugs, including imipramine, fluoxetine, and (S)-citalopram, which are competitive inhibitors of the transport function. Knowledge of the molecular details of the antidepressant binding sites in SERT has been limited due to lack of structural data on SERT. Here, we present a characterization of the (S)-citalopram binding pocket in human SERT (hSERT) using mutational and computational approaches. Comparative modeling and ligand docking reveal that (S)-citalopram fits into the hSERT substrate binding pocket, where (S)-citalopram can adopt a number of different binding orientations. We find, however, that only one of these binding modes is functionally relevant from studying the effects of 64 point mutations around the putative substrate binding site. The mutational mapping also identify novel hSERT residues that are crucial for (S)-citalopram binding. The model defines the molecular determinants for (S)-citalopram binding to hSERT and demonstrates that the antidepressant binding site overlaps with the substrate binding site.

Study on the binding of Thioflavin T to beta-sheet-rich and non-beta-sheet cavities.

Amyloid fibril formation plays a role in more than 20 diseases including Alzheimer's disease. In vitro detection of these fibrils is often performed using Thioflavin T (ThT), though the ThT binding mode is largely unknown. In the present study, spectral properties of ThT in binding environments representing beta-sheet-rich and non-beta-sheet cavities were examined. Acetylcholinesterase and gamma-cyclodextrin induced a characteristic ThT fluorescence similar to that with amyloid fibrils, whereas beta-cyclodextrin and the beta-sheet-rich transthyretin did not. The cavities of acetylcholinesterase and gamma-cyclodextrin were of similar diameter and only these cavities could accommodate two ThT ions according to molecular modelling. Binding stoichiometry studies also showed a possible binding of two ThT ions. Thus, the characteristic ThT fluorescence is induced in cavities with a diameter of 8-9A and a length able to accommodate the entire length of the ThT ion. The importance of a cavity diameter capable of binding two ThT ions, among others, indicates that an excimer formation is a plausible mechanism for the characteristic fluorescence. We propose a similar ThT binding mode in amyloid fibrils, where cavities of an appropriate size running parallel to the fibril axis have previously been proposed in several amyloid fibril models.

Computational prediction of solubilizers' effect on partitioning.

A computational model for the prediction of solubilizers' effect on drug partitioning has been developed. Membrane/water partitioning was evaluated by means of immobilized artificial membrane (IAM) chromatography. Four solubilizers were used to alter the partitioning in the IAM column. Two types of molecular descriptors were calculated: 2D descriptors using the MOE software and 3D descriptors using the Volsurf software. Structure-property relationships between each of the two types of descriptors and partitioning were established using partial least squares, projection to latent structures (PLS) statistics. Statistically significant relationships between the molecular descriptors and the IAM data were identified. Based on the 2D descriptors structure-property relationships R(2)Y=0. 99 and Q(2)=0.82-0.83 were obtained for some of the solubilizers. The most important descriptor was related to logP. For the Volsurf 3D descriptors models with R(2)Y=0.53-0.64 and Q(2)=0.40-0.54 were obtained using five descriptors. The present study showed that it is possible to predict partitioning of substances in an artificial phospholipid membrane, with or without the use of solubilizers.

New leads of metallo-beta-lactamase inhibitors from structure-based pharmacophore design.

We have applied pharmacophore generation, database searching, docking methodologies, and experimental enzyme kinetics to discover new structures for design of di-zinc metallo-beta-lactamase inhibitors. Based on crystal structures of class B1 metallo-beta-lactamases with a succinic acid and a mercapto-carboxylic acid inhibitor bound to the enzyme, two pharmacophore models were constructed. With the Catalyst program, these pharmacophores were used to search the ACD database, which provided a total of 74 hits representing four different chemical classes of compounds: Dicarboxylic acids, phosphonic and sulfonic acid derivatives, and mercapto-carboxylic acids. All hits were docked into different metallo-beta-lactamases (from classes B1 and B3) using the GOLD docking program. A selection scheme based on the GOLD scores, the Catalyst fit and shape values, and the size of the compounds (molecular weight, surface area, and number of rotatable bonds) was developed and thirteen compounds representing all four chemical classes were selected for experimental studies. Three compounds with new scaffolds hitherto not present in metallo-beta-lactamase inhibitors have IC50 values less than 15 microM and may serve as starting points in the design of metallo-beta-lactamase inhibitors.

Identification of a gene on chromosome 12q22 uniquely overexpressed in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is unknown but may involve aberrant activation of signaling pathways. Somatic hypermutations in rearranged immunoglobulin heavy-chain (IgVH) genes allow a division of CLL patients into 2 categories: mutated IgVH genes are associated with an indolent disease, whereas unmutated IgVH genes define an aggressive form. Using differential display to compare gene expression in CLL cells with and without IgVH hypermutations, we identified a novel gene, CLL up-regulated gene 1 (CLLU1), that was highly up-regulated in CLL cells without IgVH hypermutations. CLLU1 mapped to chromosome 12q22, within a cluster of genes that are active in germinal center B cells. However, appreciable levels of CLLU1 were detectable only in CLL cells and not in a panel of normal tissue extracts or in any other tested hematologic malignancy. High expression of CLLU1 in CLL samples occurred irrespective of trisomy 12 or large chromosomal rearrangements. CLLU1 encodes 6 mRNAs with no sequence homology to any known gene, and most transcripts appear to be noncoding. Two transcripts, however, potentially encode a peptide with remarkable structural similarity to human interleukin 4. These data, in particular the unique and restricted expression pattern, suggest that CLLU1 is the first disease-specific gene identified in CLL.

Homology building as a means to define antigenic epitopes on dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from Plasmodium falciparum.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to develop site-specific antibodies as a tool to capture Plasmodium falciparum-dihydrofolate reductase (Pf-DHFR) from blood samples from P. falciparum infected individuals in order to detect, in a sandwich ELISA, structural alterations due to point mutations in the gene coding for Pf-DHFR. Furthermore, we wanted to study the potential use of homology models in general and of Pf-DHFR in particular in predicting antigenic malarial surface epitopes. METHODS: A homology model of Pf-DHFR domain was employed to define an epitope for the development of site-specific antibodies against Pf-DHFR. The homology model suggested an exposed loop encompassing amino acid residues 64-100. A synthetic peptide of 37-mers whose sequence corresponded to the sequence of amino acid residues 64-100 of Pf-DHFR was synthesized and used to immunize mice for antibodies. Additionally, polyclonal antibodies recognizing a recombinant DHFR enzyme were produced in rabbits. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Serum from mice immunized with the 37-mer showed strong reactivity against both the immunizing peptide, recombinant DHFR and a preparation of crude antigen from P. falciparum infected red blood cells. Five monoclonal antibodies were obtained, one of which showed reactivity towards crude antigen prepared from P. falciparum infected red cells. Western blot analysis revealed that both the polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies recognized Pf-DHFR. Our study provides insight into the potential use of homology models in general and of Pf-DHFR in particular in predicting antigenic malarial surface epitopes.

Isolation of a library of aromadendranes from Landolphia dulcis and its characterization using the VolSurf approach.

A library of nine aromadendrane-type sesquiterpenes (1-9), including eight new natural products (1-5 and 7-9), was isolated from Landolphia dulcis var. barteri along with a previously described cadinane derivative (10) and a new muurolane derivative (11). The structures of all compounds were established by means of NMR methods including COSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC experiments, supported by HRMS and optical rotation data. Virtual characterization of the aromadendrane library (1-9) was performed using chemoinformatics tools. 3D molecular fields were calculated with the GRID program using low-energy structures obtained with the MMFF force field. VolSurf descriptors were calculated from the GRID maps and subsequently analyzed by multivariate statistics. The analysis disclosed the presence of a common motif for possible interactions of the aromadendranes with a putative target receptor. At the same time, a considerable chemical diversity within the library was disclosed, despite a close biosynthetic relationship of its members. The results can be interpreted in terms of evolutionary optimization of structures of secondary metabolites for interaction with macromolecular targets and are of interest in terms of assessment of potential "drug-likeness" of natural products.

Evaluation and comparison of 3D-QSAR CoMSIA models for CDK1, CDK5, and GSK-3 inhibition by paullones.

With a view to the rational design of selective GSK-3beta inhibitors, 3D-QSAR CoMSIA models were developed for the inhibition of the three serine/threonine kinases CDK1/cyclin B, CDK5/p25, and GSK-3beta by compounds from the paullone inhibitor family. The models are based on the kinase inhibition data of 52 paullone entities, which were aligned by a docking routine into the ATP-binding cleft of a CDK1/cyclin B homology model. Variation of grid spacing and column filtering were used during the optimization of the models. The predictive ability of the models was shown by a leave-one-out cross-validation and the prediction of an independent set of test compounds, which were synthesized especially for this purpose. Besides paullones with the basic indolo[3,2-d][1]benzazepine core, the test set comprised novel thieno[3',2':2,3]azepino[4,5-b]indoles, pyrido[2',3':2,3]azepino[4,5-b]indoles, and a pyrido[3',2':4,5]pyrrolo[3,2-d][1]benzazepine. The best statistical values for the CoMSIA were obtained for the CDK1-models (r(2)() = 0.929 and q(2)() = 0.699), which were clearly superior to the models for CDK5 (r(2)() = 0.874 and q(2)() = 0.652) and GSK-3 (r(2)() = 0.871 and q(2)() = 0.554).

Assessing the relative importance of the biophysical properties of amino acid substitutions associated with human genetic disease.

The inclusion of a mutation in a pathology-based database such as the Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD) is a two-stage process: first, the mutation must occur at the DNA level, then it must cause a clinically detectable disease state. The likelihood of the latter step, termed the relative clinical observation likelihood (RCOL), can be regarded as a function of the structural/functional consequences of a mutation at the protein level. Following this paradigm, we modeled in silico all amino acid replacements that could potentially have arisen from an inherited single base pair substitution in five human genes encoding arylsulphatase A (ARSA), antithrombin III (SERPINC1), protein C (PROC), phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), and transthyretin (TTR). These proteins were chosen on the basis of 1) the availability of a crystallographic structure, and 2) a sufficiently large number of amino acid replacements being logged in HGMD. A total of 9,795 possible mutant structures were modeled and 20 different biophysical parameters assessed. Together with the HGMD-derived spectra of clinically detected mutations, these data allowed maximum likelihood estimation of RCOL profiles for the 20 parameters studied. Nine parameters (including energy difference between wild-type and mutant structures, accessibility of the mutated residue, and distance from the binding/active site) exhibited statistically significant variability in their RCOL profiles, indicating that mutation-associated changes affected protein function. As yet, however, a biological meaning could only be attributed to the RCOL profiles of solvent accessibility and, for three proteins, local energy change, disturbed geometry, and distance from the active center. The limited ability of the biophysical properties of mutations to explain clinical consequences is probably due to our current lack of understanding as to which amino acid residues are critical for protein folding. However, since the proteins examined here were unrelated, and our findings consistent, it may nevertheless prove possible to extrapolate to other proteins whose dysfunction underlies inherited disease.