1
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Figueroa Blanco DR, Vidossich P, De Vivo M. Correct Nucleotide Selection Is Confined at the Binding Site of Polymerase Enzymes. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:5285-5294. [PMID: 38901009 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c00696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
DNA polymerases (Pols) add incoming nucleotides (deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTPs)) to growing DNA strands, a crucial step for DNA synthesis. The insertion of correct (vs incorrect) nucleotides relates to Pols' fidelity, which defines Pols' ability to faithfully replicate DNA strands in a template-dependent manner. We and others have demonstrated that reactant alignment and correct base pairing at the Pols catalytic site are crucial structural features to fidelity. Here, we first used equilibrium molecular simulations to demonstrate that the local dynamics at the protein-DNA interface in the proximity of the catalytic site is different when correct vs incorrect dNTPs are bound to polymerase β (Pol β). Formation and dynamic stability of specific interatomic interactions around the incoming nucleotide influence the overall binding site architecture. This explains why certain Pols' mutants can affect the local catalytic environment and influence the selection of correct vs incorrect nucleotides. In particular, this is here demonstrated by analyzing the interaction network formed by the residue R283, whose mutant R283A has an experimentally measured lower capacity of differentiating correct (G:dCTP) vs incorrect (G:dATP) base pairing in Pol β. We also used alchemical free-energy calculations to quantify the G:dCTP →G:dATP transformation in Pol β wild-type and mutant R283A. These results correlate well with the experimental trend, thus corroborating our mechanistic insights. Sequence and structural comparisons with other Pols from the same family suggest that these findings may also be valid in similar enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ricardo Figueroa Blanco
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Pietro Vidossich
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
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2
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Dong J, Zhou W, Hu X, Bai J, Zhang S, Zhang X, Yu L, Yang P, Kong L, Liu M, Shang X, Su Z, Geng D, Zhu C. Honeycomb-inspired ZIF-sealed interface enhances osseointegration via anti-infection and osteoimmunomodulation. Biomaterials 2024; 307:122515. [PMID: 38401481 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Implant-associated infections (IAIs) pose a significant threat to orthopedic surgeries. Bacteria colonizing the surface of implants disrupt bone formation-related cells and interfere with the osteoimmune system, resulting in an impaired immune microenvironment and osteogenesis disorders. Inspired by nature, a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-sealed smart drug delivery system on Ti substrates (ZSTG) was developed for the "natural-artificial dual-enzyme intervention (NADEI)" strategy to address these challenges. The subtle sealing design of ZIF-8 on the TiO2 nanotubes ensured glucose oxidase (GOx) activity and prevented its premature leakage. In the acidic infection microenvironment, the degradation of ZIF-8 triggered the rapid release of GOx, which converted glucose into H2O2 for disinfection. The Zn2+ released from degraded ZIF-8, as a DNase mimic, can hydrolyze extracellular DNA, which further enhances H2O2-induced disinfection and prevents biofilm formation. Importantly, Zn2+-mediated M2 macrophage polarization significantly improved the impaired osteoimmune microenvironment, accelerating bone repair. Transcriptomics revealed that ZSTG effectively suppressed the inflammatory cascade induced by lipopolysaccharide while promoting cell proliferation, homeostasis maintenance, and bone repair. In vitro and in vivo results confirmed the superior anti-infective, osteoimmunomodulatory, and osteointegrative capacities of the ZSTG-mediated NADEI strategy. Overall, this smart bionic platform has significant potential for future clinical applications to treat IAIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Dong
- Department of Orthopedics, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xianli Hu
- Department of Orthopedics, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Jiaxiang Bai
- Department of Orthopedics, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China; National Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai) SHU Branch, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Siming Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Xianzuo Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Lei Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peng Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lingtong Kong
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University: Changhai Hospital, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Mingkai Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Xifu Shang
- Department of Orthopedics, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Zheng Su
- Department of Orthopedics, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
| | - Dechun Geng
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Chen Zhu
- Department of Orthopedics, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
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3
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Schwartz EA, Bravo JPK, Ahsan M, Macias LA, McCafferty CL, Dangerfield TL, Walker JN, Brodbelt JS, Palermo G, Fineran PC, Fagerlund RD, Taylor DW. RNA targeting and cleavage by the type III-Dv CRISPR effector complex. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3324. [PMID: 38637512 PMCID: PMC11026444 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47506-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas are adaptive immune systems in bacteria and archaea that utilize CRISPR RNA-guided surveillance complexes to target complementary RNA or DNA for destruction1-5. Target RNA cleavage at regular intervals is characteristic of type III effector complexes6-8. Here, we determine the structures of the Synechocystis type III-Dv complex, an apparent evolutionary intermediate from multi-protein to single-protein type III effectors9,10, in pre- and post-cleavage states. The structures show how multi-subunit fusion proteins in the effector are tethered together in an unusual arrangement to assemble into an active and programmable RNA endonuclease and how the effector utilizes a distinct mechanism for target RNA seeding from other type III effectors. Using structural, biochemical, and quantum/classical molecular dynamics simulation, we study the structure and dynamics of the three catalytic sites, where a 2'-OH of the ribose on the target RNA acts as a nucleophile for in line self-cleavage of the upstream scissile phosphate. Strikingly, the arrangement at the catalytic residues of most type III complexes resembles the active site of ribozymes, including the hammerhead, pistol, and Varkud satellite ribozymes. Our work provides detailed molecular insight into the mechanisms of RNA targeting and cleavage by an important intermediate in the evolution of type III effector complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan A Schwartz
- Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Programs, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Jack P K Bravo
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Mohd Ahsan
- Department of Bioengineering and Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Luis A Macias
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Caitlyn L McCafferty
- Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Programs, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Tyler L Dangerfield
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Jada N Walker
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - Giulia Palermo
- Department of Bioengineering and Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
| | - Peter C Fineran
- Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Robert D Fagerlund
- Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - David W Taylor
- Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Programs, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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4
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Lai R, Li G, Cui Q. Flexibility of Binding Site is Essential to the Ca 2+ Selectivity in EF-Hand Calcium-Binding Proteins. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:7628-7639. [PMID: 38456823 PMCID: PMC11102802 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c13981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
High binding affinity and selectivity of metal ions are essential to the function of metalloproteins. Thus, understanding the factors that determine these binding characteristics is of major interest for both fundamental mechanistic investigations and guiding of the design of novel metalloproteins. In this work, we perform QM cluster model calculations and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) free energy simulations to understand the binding selectivity of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the wild-type carp parvalbumin and its mutant. While a nonpolarizable MM model (CHARMM36) does not lead to the correct experimental trend, treatment of the metal binding site with the DFTB3 model in a QM/MM framework leads to relative binding free energies (ΔΔGbind) comparable with experimental data. For the wild-type (WT) protein, the calculated ΔΔGbind is ∼6.6 kcal/mol in comparison with the experimental value of 5.6 kcal/mol. The good agreement highlights the value of a QM description of the metal binding site and supports the role of electronic polarization and charge transfer to metal binding selectivity. For the D51A/E101D/F102W mutant, different binding site models lead to considerable variations in computed binding affinities. With a coordination number of seven for Ca2+, which is shown by QM/MM metadynamics simulations to be the dominant coordination number for the mutant, the calculated relative binding affinity is ∼4.8 kcal/mol, in fair agreement with the experimental value of 1.6 kcal/mol. The WT protein is observed to feature a flexible binding site that accommodates a range of coordination numbers for Ca2+, which is essential to the high binding selectivity for Ca2+ over Mg2+. In the mutant, the E101D mutation reduces the flexibility of the binding site and limits the dominant coordination number of Ca2+ to be seven, thereby leading to reduced binding selectivity against Mg2+. Our results highlight that the binding selectivity of metal ions depends on both the structural and dynamical properties of the protein binding site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Lai
- Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Guohui Li
- Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Qiang Cui
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Physics, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
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5
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Kaur R, Frederickson A, Wetmore SD. Elucidation of the catalytic mechanism of a single-metal dependent homing endonuclease using QM and QM/MM approaches: the case study of I- PpoI. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:8919-8931. [PMID: 38426850 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp06201e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Homing endonucleases (HEs) are highly specific DNA cleaving enzymes, with I-PpoI having been suggested to use a single metal to accelerate phosphodiester bond cleavage. Although an I-PpoI mechanism has been proposed based on experimental structural data, no consensus has been reached regarding the roles of the metal or key active site amino acids. This study uses QM cluster and QM/MM calculations to provide atomic-level details of the I-PpoI catalytic mechanism. Minimal QM cluster and large-scale QM/MM models demonstrate that the experimentally-proposed pathway involving direct Mg2+ coordination to the substrate coupled with leaving group protonation through a metal-activated water is not feasible due to an inconducive I-PpoI active site alignment. Despite QM cluster models of varying size uncovering a pathway involving leaving group protonation by a metal-activated water, indirect (water-mediated) metal coordination to the substrate is required to afford this pathway, which renders this mechanism energetically infeasible. Instead, QM cluster models reveal that the preferred pathway involves direct Mg2+-O3' coordination to stabilize the charged substrate and assist leaving group departure, while H98 activates the water nucleophile. These calculations also underscore that both catalytic residues that directly interact with the substrate and secondary amino acids that position or stabilize these residues are required for efficient catalysis. QM/MM calculations on the solvated enzyme-DNA complex verify the preferred mechanism, which is fully consistent with experimental kinetic, structural, and mutational data. The fundamental understanding of the I-PpoI mechanism of action, gained from the present work can be used to further explore potential uses of this enzyme in biotechnology and medicine, and direct future computational investigations of other members of the understudied HE family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajwinder Kaur
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada.
| | - Angela Frederickson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada.
| | - Stacey D Wetmore
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada.
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6
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Zhang Y, Guo Y, Zhao Y, Cao S. NaOAc-Assisted Aerobic Oxidation Protocol for the Synthesis of Pentacoordinate Chalcogenyl Spirophosphoranes with P-Se/P-S Bonds under Open Air. J Org Chem 2024; 89:3259-3270. [PMID: 38380616 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c02716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The NaOAc-assisted aerobic oxidation reaction of pentacoordinate hydrospirophosphoranes and dichalcogenyl compounds with open air as a green oxidant has been developed under mild conditions. A series of novel pentacoordinate spirophosphoranes with P-Se/P-S bonds were synthesized in excellent yields. The reaction mechanism was determined by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance tracing experiments, high-resolution mass spectrometry tracing experiments, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The method features a broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and a high degree of atomic utilization and is meaningful for the synthesis of bioactive chalcogenphosphate compounds with chalcogen and phosphorus moieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Organic Chemistry of Henan Province, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yanchun Guo
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Organic Chemistry of Henan Province, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yufen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Organic Chemistry of Henan Province, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Shuxia Cao
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Organic Chemistry of Henan Province, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
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7
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Rinaldi S, Moroni E, Rozza R, Magistrato A. Frontiers and Challenges of Computing ncRNAs Biogenesis, Function and Modulation. J Chem Theory Comput 2024; 20:993-1018. [PMID: 38287883 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c01239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), generated from nonprotein coding DNA sequences, constitute 98-99% of the human genome. Non-coding RNAs encompass diverse functional classes, including microRNAs, small interfering RNAs, PIWI-interacting RNAs, small nuclear RNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, and long non-coding RNAs. With critical involvement in gene expression and regulation across various biological and physiopathological contexts, such as neuronal disorders, immune responses, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, non-coding RNAs are emerging as disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this review, after providing an overview of non-coding RNAs' role in cell homeostasis, we illustrate the potential and the challenges of state-of-the-art computational methods exploited to study non-coding RNAs biogenesis, function, and modulation. This can be done by directly targeting them with small molecules or by altering their expression by targeting the cellular engines underlying their biosynthesis. Drawing from applications, also taken from our work, we showcase the significance and role of computer simulations in uncovering fundamental facets of ncRNA mechanisms and modulation. This information may set the basis to advance gene modulation tools and therapeutic strategies to address unmet medical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Rinaldi
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Institute of Chemistry of OrganoMetallic Compounds (ICCOM), c/o Area di Ricerca CNR di Firenze Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Moroni
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies (SCITEC), via Mario Bianco 9, 20131 Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Rozza
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Institute of Material Foundry (IOM) c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Via Bonomea, 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Institute of Material Foundry (IOM) c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Via Bonomea, 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
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8
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Kaur R, Wetmore SD. Is Metal Stabilization of the Leaving Group Required or Can Lysine Facilitate Phosphodiester Bond Cleavage in Nucleic Acids? A Computational Study of EndoV. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:944-959. [PMID: 38253321 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Endonuclease V (EndoV) is a single-metal-dependent enzyme that repairs deaminated DNA nucleobases in cells by cleaving the phosphodiester bond, and this enzyme has proven to be a powerful tool in biotechnology and medicine. The catalytic mechanism used by EndoV must be understood to design new disease detection and therapeutic solutions and further exploit the enzyme in interdisciplinary applications. This study has used a mixed molecular dynamics (MD) and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach to compare eight distinct catalytic pathways and provides the first proposed mechanism for bacterial EndoV. The calculations demonstrate that mechanisms involving either direct or indirect metal coordination to the leaving group of the substrate previously proposed for other nucleases are unlikely for EndoV, regardless of the general base (histidine, aspartate, and substrate phosphate moiety). Instead, distinct catalytic pathways are characterized for EndoV that involve K139 stabilizing the leaving group, a metal-coordinated water stabilizing the transition structure, and either H214 or a substrate phosphate group activating the water nucleophile. In silico K139A and H214A mutational results support the newly proposed roles of these residues. Although this is a previously unseen combination of general base, general acid, and metal-binding architecture for a one-metal-dependent endonuclease, our proposed catalytic mechanisms are fully consistent with experimental kinetic, structural, and mutational data. In addition to substantiating a growing body of literature, suggesting that one metal is enough to catalyze P-O bond cleavage in nucleic acids, this new fundamental understanding of the catalytic function will promote the exploration of new and improved applications of EndoV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajwinder Kaur
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Stacey D Wetmore
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
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9
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Dot EW, Thomason LC, Chappie JS. Everything OLD is new again: How structural, functional, and bioinformatic advances have redefined a neglected nuclease family. Mol Microbiol 2023; 120:122-140. [PMID: 37254295 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Overcoming lysogenization defect (OLD) proteins are a conserved family of ATP-powered nucleases that function in anti-phage defense. Recent bioinformatic, genetic, and crystallographic studies have yielded new insights into the structure, function, and evolution of these enzymes. Here we review these developments and propose a new classification scheme to categorize OLD homologs that relies on gene neighborhoods, biochemical properties, domain organization, and catalytic machinery. This taxonomy reveals important similarities and differences between family members and provides a blueprint to contextualize future in vivo and in vitro findings. We also detail how OLD nucleases are related to PARIS and Septu anti-phage defense systems and discuss important mechanistic questions that remain unanswered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Wanvig Dot
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Lynn C Thomason
- Molecular Control and Genetics Section, RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Joshua S Chappie
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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10
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Ahmed N, Ahmed N, Bilodeau DA, Pezacki JP. An unnatural enzyme with endonuclease activity towards small non-coding RNAs. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3777. [PMID: 37355703 PMCID: PMC10290691 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39105-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Endonucleases are enzymes that cleave internal phosphodiester bonds within double-stranded DNA or RNA and are essential for biological functions. Herein, we use genetic code expansion to create an unnatural endonuclease that cleaves non-coding RNAs including short interfering RNA (siRNA) and microRNAs (miRNAs), a function that does not exist in nature. We introduce a metal-chelating unnatural amino acid, (2,2'-bipyridin-5-yl)alanine (BpyAla) to impart endonuclease activity to the viral suppressor of RNA silencing protein p19. Upon binding of copper, the mutant p19-T111BpyAla displays catalytic site-specific cleavage of siRNA and human miRNAs. Catalysis is confirmed using fluorescence polarization and fluorescence turn-on. Global miRNA profiling reveals that the engineered enzyme cleaves miRNAs in a human cell line. The therapeutic potential is demonstrated by targeting miR-122, a critical host factor for the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Unnatural endonuclease function is shown to deplete miR-122 levels with similar effects to an antagomir that reduces HCV levels therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noreen Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Nadine Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Didier A Bilodeau
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - John Paul Pezacki
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada.
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11
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Genna V, Iglesias-Fernández J, Reyes-Fraile L, Villegas N, Guckian K, Seth P, Wan B, Cabrero C, Terrazas M, Brun-Heath I, González C, Sciabola S, Villalobos A, Orozco M. Controlled sulfur-based engineering confers mouldability to phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:4713-4725. [PMID: 37099382 PMCID: PMC10250214 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphorothioates (PS) have proven their effectiveness in the area of therapeutic oligonucleotides with applications spanning from cancer treatment to neurodegenerative disorders. Initially, PS substitution was introduced for the antisense oligonucleotides (PS ASOs) because it confers an increased nuclease resistance meanwhile ameliorates cellular uptake and in-vivo bioavailability. Thus, PS oligonucleotides have been elevated to a fundamental asset in the realm of gene silencing therapeutic methodologies. But, despite their wide use, little is known on the possibly different structural changes PS-substitutions may provoke in DNA·RNA hybrids. Additionally, scarce information and significant controversy exists on the role of phosphorothioate chirality in modulating PS properties. Here, through comprehensive computational investigations and experimental measurements, we shed light on the impact of PS chirality in DNA-based antisense oligonucleotides; how the different phosphorothioate diastereomers impact DNA topology, stability and flexibility to ultimately disclose pro-Sp S and pro-Rp S roles at the catalytic core of DNA Exonuclease and Human Ribonuclease H; two major obstacles in ASOs-based therapies. Altogether, our results provide full-atom and mechanistic insights on the structural aberrations PS-substitutions provoke and explain the origin of nuclease resistance PS-linkages confer to DNA·RNA hybrids; crucial information to improve current ASOs-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Genna
- Mechanisms of Diseases, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- NBD | Nostrum Biodiscovery, Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | | | - Laura Reyes-Fraile
- Mechanisms of Diseases, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Nuria Villegas
- Mechanisms of Diseases, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | | | - Punit Seth
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Brad Wan
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Cristina Cabrero
- Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano, C/ Serrano 119, Madrid 28006, Spain
| | - Montserrat Terrazas
- Mechanisms of Diseases, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry, IBUB, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabelle Brun-Heath
- Mechanisms of Diseases, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Carlos González
- Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano, C/ Serrano 119, Madrid 28006, Spain
| | | | | | - Modesto Orozco
- Mechanisms of Diseases, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08028, Spain
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12
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Kim M, Jo H, Jung GY, Oh SS. Molecular Complementarity of Proteomimetic Materials for Target-Specific Recognition and Recognition-Mediated Complex Functions. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2208309. [PMID: 36525617 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202208309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
As biomolecules essential for sustaining life, proteins are generated from long chains of 20 different α-amino acids that are folded into unique 3D structures. In particular, many proteins have molecular recognition functions owing to their binding pockets, which have complementary shapes, charges, and polarities for specific targets, making these biopolymers unique and highly valuable for biomedical and biocatalytic applications. Based on the understanding of protein structures and microenvironments, molecular complementarity can be exhibited by synthesizable and modifiable materials. This has prompted researchers to explore the proteomimetic potentials of a diverse range of materials, including biologically available peptides and oligonucleotides, synthetic supramolecules, inorganic molecules, and related coordination networks. To fully resemble a protein, proteomimetic materials perform the molecular recognition to mediate complex molecular functions, such as allosteric regulation, signal transduction, enzymatic reactions, and stimuli-responsive motions; this can also expand the landscape of their potential bio-applications. This review focuses on the recognitive aspects of proteomimetic designs derived for individual materials and their conformations. Recent progress provides insights to help guide the development of advanced protein mimicry with material heterogeneity, design modularity, and tailored functionality. The perspectives and challenges of current proteomimetic designs and tools are also discussed in relation to future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minsun Kim
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyesung Jo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, South Korea
| | - Gyoo Yeol Jung
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, South Korea
| | - Seung Soo Oh
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, South Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, South Korea
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13
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Sinha S, Pindi C, Ahsan M, Arantes PR, Palermo G. Machines on Genes through the Computational Microscope. J Chem Theory Comput 2023; 19:1945-1964. [PMID: 36947696 PMCID: PMC10104023 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.2c01313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Macromolecular machines acting on genes are at the core of life's fundamental processes, including DNA replication and repair, gene transcription and regulation, chromatin packaging, RNA splicing, and genome editing. Here, we report the increasing role of computational biophysics in characterizing the mechanisms of "machines on genes", focusing on innovative applications of computational methods and their integration with structural and biophysical experiments. We showcase how state-of-the-art computational methods, including classical and ab initio molecular dynamics to enhanced sampling techniques, and coarse-grained approaches are used for understanding and exploring gene machines for real-world applications. As this review unfolds, advanced computational methods describe the biophysical function that is unseen through experimental techniques, accomplishing the power of the "computational microscope", an expression coined by Klaus Schulten to highlight the extraordinary capability of computer simulations. Pushing the frontiers of computational biophysics toward a pragmatic representation of large multimegadalton biomolecular complexes is instrumental in bridging the gap between experimentally obtained macroscopic observables and the molecular principles playing at the microscopic level. This understanding will help harness molecular machines for medical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Sinha
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
| | - Chinmai Pindi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
| | - Mohd Ahsan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
| | - Pablo R. Arantes
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
| | - Giulia Palermo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
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14
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Geronimo I, Vidossich P, De Vivo M. On the Role of Molecular Conformation of the 8-Oxoguanine Lesion in Damaged DNA Processing by Polymerases. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:1521-1528. [PMID: 36825471 PMCID: PMC10015460 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
A common and insidious DNA damage is 8-oxoguanine (8OG), bypassed with low catalytic efficiency and high error frequency by polymerases (Pols) during DNA replication. This is a fundamental process with far-reaching implications in cell function and diseases. However, the molecular determinants of how 8OG exactly affects the catalytic efficiency of Pols remain largely unclear. By examining ternary deoxycytidine triphosphate/DNA/Pol complexes containing the 8OG damage, we found that 8OG consistently adopts different conformations when bound to Pols, compared to when in isolated DNA. Equilibrium molecular dynamics and metadynamics free energy calculations quantified that 8OG is in the lowest energy conformation in isolated DNA. In contrast, 8OG adopts high-energy conformations often characterized by intramolecular steric repulsion when bound to Pols. We show that the 8OG conformation can be regulated by mutating Pol residues interacting with the 8OG phosphate group. These findings propose the 8OG conformation as a factor in Pol-mediated processing of damaged DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inacrist Geronimo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Pietro Vidossich
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
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15
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Nierzwicki Ł, Ahsan M, Palermo G. The Electronic Structure of Genome Editors from the First Principles. ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2023; 5:014003. [PMID: 36926635 PMCID: PMC10016068 DOI: 10.1088/2516-1075/acb410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Genome editing based on the CRISPR-Cas9 system has paved new avenues for medicine, pharmaceutics, biotechnology, and beyond. This article reports the role of first-principles (ab-initio) molecular dynamics (MD) in the CRISPR-Cas9 revolution, achieving a profound understanding of the enzymatic function and offering valuable insights for enzyme engineering. We introduce the methodologies and explain the use of ab-initio MD simulations to characterize the two-metal dependent mechanism of DNA cleavage in the RuvC domain of the Cas9 enzyme, and how a second catalytic domain, HNH, cleaves the target DNA with the aid of a single metal ion. A detailed description of how ab-initio MD is combined with free-energy methods - i.e., thermodynamic integration and metadynamics - to break and form chemical bonds is given, explaining the use of these methods to determine the chemical landscape and establish the catalytic mechanism in CRISPR-Cas9. The critical role of classical methods is also discussed, explaining theory and application of constant pH MD simulations, used to accurately predict the catalytic residues' protonation states. Overall, first-principles methods are shown to unravel the electronic structure of the Cas9 enzyme, providing valuable insights that can serve for the design of genome editing tools with improved catalytic efficiency or controllable activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Nierzwicki
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
| | - Mohd Ahsan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
| | - Giulia Palermo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
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16
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Berger MB, Cisneros GA. Distal Mutations in the β-Clamp of DNA Polymerase III* Disrupt DNA Orientation and Affect Exonuclease Activity. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:3478-3490. [PMID: 36745735 PMCID: PMC10237177 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c11713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
DNA polymerases are responsible for the replication and repair of DNA found in all DNA-based organisms. DNA Polymerase III is the main replicative polymerase of E. coli and is composed of over 10 proteins. A subset of these proteins (Pol III*) includes the polymerase (α), exonuclease (ϵ), clamp (β), and accessory protein (θ). Mutations of residues in, or around the active site of the catalytic subunits (α and ϵ), can have a significant impact on catalysis. However, the effects of distal mutations in noncatalytic subunits on the activity of catalytic subunits are less well-characterized. Here, we investigate the effects of two Pol III* variants, β-L82E/L82'E and β-L82D/L82'D, on the proofreading reaction catalyzed by ϵ. MD simulations reveal major changes in the dynamics of Pol III*, which extend throughout the complex. These changes are mostly induced by a shift in the position of the DNA substrate inside the β-clamp, although no major structural changes are observed in the protein complex. Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations indicate that the β-L82D/L82'D variant has reduced catalytic proficiency due to highly endoergic reaction energies resulting from structural changes in the active site and differences in the electric field at the active site arising from the protein and substrate. Conversely, the β-L82E/L82'E variant is predicted to maintain proofreading activity, exhibiting a similar reaction barrier for nucleotide excision compared with the WT system. However, significant differences in the reaction mechanism are obtained due to the changes induced by the mutations on the β-clamp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison B Berger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - G Andrés Cisneros
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
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17
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Mahajan PS, Smith SJ, Hughes SH, Zhao X, Burke TR. A Practical Approach to Bicyclic Carbamoyl Pyridones with Application to the Synthesis of HIV-1 Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031428. [PMID: 36771093 PMCID: PMC9919513 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
An efficient one-pot synthetic method has been developed for the preparation of bicyclic carbamoyl pyridones from the known common intermediate methyl 5-((2,4-difluorobenzyl)carbamoyl)-1-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)-3-methoxy-4-oxo-1,4-dihydropyridine-2-carboxylate (8). The scalable protocol is facile and employs readily available reagents, needing only a single purification as the final step. The utility of the approach was demonstrated by preparing a library of HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) that differ by the presence or absence of a double bond in the B-ring of the bicyclic carbamoyl pyridines 6 and 7. Several of the analogs show good antiviral potencies in single-round HIV-1 replication antiviral assays and show no cytotoxicity in cell culture assays. In general, the compounds with a B-ring double bond have higher antiviral potencies than their saturated congeners. Our methodology should be applicable to the synthesis of a range of new metal-chelating analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj S. Mahajan
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Steven J. Smith
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
- HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Stephen H. Hughes
- HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Xuezhi Zhao
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Terrence R. Burke
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-301-846-5906; Fax: +1-301-846-6033
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18
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Gao A, Remsing RC, Weeks JD. Local Molecular Field Theory for Coulomb Interactions in Aqueous Solutions. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:809-821. [PMID: 36669139 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c06988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Coulomb interactions play a crucial role in a wide array of processes in aqueous solutions but present conceptual and computational challenges to both theory and simulations. We review recent developments in an approach addressing these challenges─local molecular field (LMF) theory. LMF theory exploits an exact and physically suggestive separation of intermolecular Coulomb interactions into strong short-range and uniformly slowly varying long-range components. This allows us to accurately determine the averaged effects of the long-range components on the short-range structure using effective single particle fields and analytical corrections, greatly reducing the need for complex lattice summation techniques used in most standard approaches. The simplest use of these ideas in aqueous solutions leads to the short solvent (SS) model, where both solvent-solvent and solute-solvent Coulomb interactions have only short-range components. Here we use the SS model to give a simple description of pairing of nucleobases and biologically relevant ions in water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ang Gao
- Department of Physics, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, China 100876
| | - Richard C Remsing
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - John D Weeks
- Institute for Physical Science and Technology and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
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19
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Cesaro G, da Soler HT, Guerra-Slompo E, Haouz A, Legrand P, Zanchin N, Guimaraes B. Trypanosoma brucei RRP44: a versatile enzyme for processing structured and non-structured RNA substrates. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:380-395. [PMID: 36583334 PMCID: PMC9841401 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Rrp44/Dis3 is a conserved eukaryotic ribonuclease that acts on processing and degradation of nearly all types of RNA. It contains an endo- (PIN) and an exonucleolytic (RNB) domain and, its depletion in model organisms supports its essential function for cell viability. In Trypanosoma brucei, depletion of Rrp44 (TbRRP44) blocks maturation of ribosomal RNA, leading to disruption of ribosome synthesis and inhibition of cell proliferation. We have determined the crystal structure of the exoribonucleolytic module of TbRRP44 in an active conformation, revealing novel details of the catalytic mechanism of the RNB domain. For the first time, the position of the second magnesium involved in the two-metal-ion mechanism was determined for a member of the RNase II family. In vitro, TbRRP44 acts preferentially on non-structured uridine-rich RNA substrates. However, we demonstrated for the first time that both TbRRP44 and its homologue from Saccharomyces cerevisiae can also degrade structured substrates without 3'-end overhang, suggesting that Rrp44/Dis3 ribonucleases may be involved in degradation of a wider panel of RNA than has been assumed. Interestingly, deletion of TbRRP44 PIN domain impairs RNA binding to different extents, depending on the type of substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Cesaro
- Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ, Curitiba-PR, Brazil,Biochemistry Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ahmed Haouz
- Institut Pasteur, Plate-forme de cristallographie-C2RT, UMR-3528 CNRS, Paris, France
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20
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Giannetti M, Mazzuca C, Ripani G, Palleschi A. Inspection on the Mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 Inhibition by Penciclovir: A Molecular Dynamic Study. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 28:molecules28010191. [PMID: 36615385 PMCID: PMC9821970 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, humanity has had to face a critical pandemic due to SARS-CoV-2. In the rapid search for effective drugs against this RNA-positive virus, the repurposing of already existing nucleotide/nucleoside analogs able to stop RNA replication by inhibiting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase enzyme has been evaluated. In this process, a valid contribution has been the use of in silico experiments, which allow for a rapid evaluation of the possible effectiveness of the proposed drugs. Here we propose a molecular dynamic study to provide insight into the inhibition mechanism of Penciclovir, a nucleotide analog on the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase enzyme. Besides the presented results, in this article, for the first time, molecular dynamic simulations have been performed considering not only the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase protein, but also its cofactors (fundamental for RNA replication) and double-strand RNA.
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21
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Kaur R, Nikkel DJ, Aboelnga MM, Wetmore SD. The Impact of DFT Functional, Cluster Model Size, and Implicit Solvation on the Structural Description of Single-Metal-Mediated DNA Phosphodiester Bond Cleavage: The Case Study of APE1. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:10672-10683. [PMID: 36485014 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c06756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Phosphodiester bond hydrolysis in nucleic acids is a ubiquitous reaction that can be facilitated by enzymes called nucleases, which often use metal ions to achieve catalytic function. While a two-metal-mediated pathway has been well established for many enzymes, there is growing support that some enzymes require only one metal for the catalytic step. Using human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE1) as a prototypical example and cluster models, this study clarifies the impact of DFT functional, cluster model size, and implicit solvation on single-metal-mediated phosphodiester bond cleavage and provides insight into how to efficiently model this chemistry. Initially, a model containing 69 atoms built from a high-resolution X-ray crystal structure is used to explore the reaction pathway mapped by a range of DFT functionals and basis sets, which provides support for the use of standard functionals (M06-2X and B3LYP-D3) to study this reaction. Subsequently, systematically increasing the model size to 185 atoms by including additional amino acids and altering residue truncation points highlights that small models containing only a few amino acids or β carbon truncation points introduce model strains and lead to incorrect metal coordination. Indeed, a model that contains all key residues (general base and acid, residues that stabilize the substrate, and amino acids that maintain the metal coordination) is required for an accurate structural depiction of the one-metal-mediated phosphodiester bond hydrolysis by APE1, which results in 185 atoms. The additional inclusion of the broader enzyme environment through continuum solvation models has negligible effects. The insights gained in the present work can be used to direct future computational studies of other one-metal-dependent nucleases to provide a greater understanding of how nature achieves this difficult chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajwinder Kaur
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Dylan J Nikkel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Mohamed M Aboelnga
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada.,Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, New Damietta 34517, Egypt
| | - Stacey D Wetmore
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
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22
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Kaur R, Aboelnga MM, Nikkel DJ, Wetmore SD. The metal dependence of single-metal mediated phosphodiester bond cleavage: a QM/MM study of a multifaceted human enzyme. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:29130-29140. [PMID: 36444615 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp04338f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Nucleases catalyze the cleavage of phosphodiester bonds in nucleic acids using a range of metal cofactors. Although it is well accepted that many nucleases rely on two metal ions, the one-metal mediated pathway is debated. Furthermore, one-metal mediated nucleases maintain activity in the presence of many different metals, but the underlying reasons for this broad metal specificity are unknown. The human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE1), which plays a key role in DNA repair, transcription regulation, and gene expression, is a prototypical example of a one-metal dependent nuclease. Although Mg2+ is the native metal cofactor, APE1 remains catalytically active in the presence of several metals, with the rate decreasing as Mg2+ > Mn2+ > Ni2+ > Zn2+, while Ca2+ completely abolished the activity. The present work uses quantum mechanics-molecular mechanics techniques to map APE1-facilitated phosphodiester bond hydrolysis in the presence of these metals. The structural differences in stationary points along the reaction pathway shed light on the interplay between several factors that allow APE1 to remain catalytically active for various metals, with the trend in the barrier heights correlating with the experimentally reported APE1 catalytic activity. In contrast, Ca2+ significantly changes the metal coordination and active site geometry, and thus completely inhibits catalysis. Our work thereby provides support for the controversial single-metal mediated phosphodiester bond cleavage and clarifies uncertainties regarding the role of the metal and metal identity in this important reaction. This information is key for future medicinal and biotechnological applications including disease diagnosis and treatment, and protein engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajwinder Kaur
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4, Canada.
| | - Mohamed M Aboelnga
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4, Canada.
| | - Dylan J Nikkel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4, Canada.
| | - Stacey D Wetmore
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4, Canada.
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23
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Borišek J, Aupič J, Magistrato A. Establishing the catalytic and regulatory mechanism of
RNA
‐based machineries. WIRES COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jure Borišek
- Theory Department National Institute of Chemistry Ljubljana Slovenia
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24
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Parise A, Ciardullo G, Prejanò M, Lande ADL, Marino T. On the Recognition of Natural Substrate CTP and Endogenous Inhibitor ddhCTP of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase: A Molecular Dynamics Study. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:4916-4927. [PMID: 36219674 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of the COVID-19 outbreak that is affecting the entire planet. As the pandemic is still spreading worldwide, with multiple mutations of the virus, it is of interest and of help to employ computational methods for identifying potential inhibitors of the enzymes responsible for viral replication. Attractive antiviral nucleotide analogue RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) chain terminator inhibitors are investigated with this purpose. This study, based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, addresses the important aspects of the incorporation of an endogenously synthesized nucleoside triphosphate, ddhCTP, in comparison with the natural nucleobase cytidine triphosphate (CTP) in RdRp. The ddhCTP species is the product of the viperin antiviral protein as part of the innate immune response. The absence of the ribose 3'-OH in ddhCTP could have important implications in its inhibitory mechanism of RdRp. We built an in silico model of the RNA strand embedded in RdRp using experimental methods, starting from the cryo-electron microscopy structure and exploiting the information obtained by spectrometry on the RNA sequence. We determined that the model was stable during the MD simulation time. The obtained results provide deeper insights into the incorporation of nucleoside triphosphates, whose molecular mechanism by the RdRp active site still remains elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Parise
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università Della Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy.,Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie Physique UMR8000, Orsay 91405, France
| | - Giada Ciardullo
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università Della Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Mario Prejanò
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università Della Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Aurélien de la Lande
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie Physique UMR8000, Orsay 91405, France
| | - Tiziana Marino
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università Della Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
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25
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Nierzwicki Ł, East KW, Binz JM, Hsu RV, Ahsan M, Arantes PR, Skeens E, Pacesa M, Jinek M, Lisi GP, Palermo G. Principles of target DNA cleavage and the role of Mg2+ in the catalysis of CRISPR-Cas9. Nat Catal 2022; 5:912-922. [PMID: 36778082 PMCID: PMC9909973 DOI: 10.1038/s41929-022-00848-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
At the core of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing technology, the endonuclease Cas9 introduces site-specific breaks in DNA. However, precise mechanistic information to ameliorating Cas9 function is still missing. Here, multi-microsecond molecular dynamics, free-energy and multiscale simulations are combined with solution NMR and DNA cleavage experiments to resolve the catalytic mechanism of target DNA cleavage. We show that the conformation of an active HNH nuclease is tightly dependent on the catalytic Mg2+, unveiling its cardinal structural role. This activated Mg2+-bound HNH is consistently described through molecular simulations, solution NMR and DNA cleavage assays, revealing also that the protonation state of the catalytic H840 is strongly affected by active site mutations. Finally, ab-initio QM(DFT)/MM simulations and metadynamics establish the catalytic mechanism, showing that the catalysis is activated by H840 and completed by K866, rationalising DNA cleavage experiments. This information is critical to enhance the enzymatic function of CRISPR-Cas9 toward improved genome-editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Nierzwicki
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
| | - Kyle W. East
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Jonas M. Binz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rohaine V. Hsu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
| | - Mohd Ahsan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
| | - Pablo R. Arantes
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
| | - Erin Skeens
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Martin Pacesa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Jinek
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - George P. Lisi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Giulia Palermo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
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26
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Ion-pairing equilibria and kinetics of dimethyl phosphate: A model for counter-ion binding to the phosphate backbone of nucleic acids. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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27
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Vora DS, Jaiswal AK, Sundar D. Implementing accelerated dynamics to unravel the effects of high-fidelity Cas9 mutants on target DNA and guide RNA hybrid stability. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022:1-13. [PMID: 35882048 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2103032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and its associated nuclease (Cas9) offers a unique and easily reprogrammable system for editing eukaryotic genomes. Cas9 is guided to the target by an RNA strand, and precise edits are created by introducing double-stranded breaks. However, nuclease activity of Cas9 is also triggered at other sites other than the target sit, which is a major limitation for various applications. Cas9 variants have been designed to improve the efficacy of the tool by introducing certain mutations. However, the on-target activity of such Cas9 variants is often seen as compromised. Hence, understanding the sub-molecular differences in the variants is essential to elucidate the factors that contribute to efficiency. The study reveals distortions in the PAM-distal regions of the nucleic hybrids as well as changes in the interactions between the Cas9 variants and RNA-DNA hybrid, contributing to the explanation for differences in on-target activity.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhvani Sandip Vora
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Atul Kumar Jaiswal
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Durai Sundar
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi, India.,Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi, India
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28
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Structural and Molecular Kinetic Features of Activities of DNA Polymerases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126373. [PMID: 35742812 PMCID: PMC9224347 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA polymerases catalyze DNA synthesis during the replication, repair, and recombination of DNA. Based on phylogenetic analysis and primary protein sequences, DNA polymerases have been categorized into seven families: A, B, C, D, X, Y, and RT. This review presents generalized data on the catalytic mechanism of action of DNA polymerases. The structural features of different DNA polymerase families are described in detail. The discussion highlights the kinetics and conformational dynamics of DNA polymerases from all known polymerase families during DNA synthesis.
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29
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Rechkunova NI, Zhdanova PV, Lebedeva NA, Maltseva EA, Koval VV, Lavrik OI. Structural features of DNA polymerases β and λ in complex with benzo[a]pyrene-adducted DNA cause a difference in lesion tolerance. DNA Repair (Amst) 2022; 116:103353. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2022.103353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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30
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Sigel A, Sigel H, Sigel RKO. Coordination Chemistry of Nucleotides and Antivirally Active Acyclic Nucleoside Phosphonates, including Mechanistic Considerations. Molecules 2022; 27:2625. [PMID: 35565975 PMCID: PMC9103026 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering that practically all reactions that involve nucleotides also involve metal ions, it is evident that the coordination chemistry of nucleotides and their derivatives is an essential corner stone of biological inorganic chemistry. Nucleotides are either directly or indirectly involved in all processes occurring in Nature. It is therefore no surprise that the constituents of nucleotides have been chemically altered-that is, at the nucleobase residue, the sugar moiety, and also at the phosphate group, often with the aim of discovering medically useful compounds. Among such derivatives are acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs), where the sugar moiety has been replaced by an aliphatic chain (often also containing an ether oxygen atom) and the phosphate group has been replaced by a phosphonate carrying a carbon-phosphorus bond to make the compounds less hydrolysis-sensitive. Several of these ANPs show antiviral activity, and some of them are nowadays used as drugs. The antiviral activity results from the incorporation of the ANPs into the growing nucleic acid chain-i.e., polymerases accept the ANPs as substrates, leading to chain termination because of the missing 3'-hydroxyl group. We have tried in this review to describe the coordination chemistry (mainly) of the adenine nucleotides AMP and ATP and whenever possible to compare it with that of the dianion of 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine (PMEA2- = adenine(N9)-CH2-CH2-O-CH2-PO32) [or its diphosphate (PMEApp4-)] as a representative of the ANPs. Why is PMEApp4- a better substrate for polymerases than ATP4-? There are three reasons: (i) PMEA2- with its anti-like conformation (like AMP2-) fits well into the active site of the enzyme. (ii) The phosphonate group has an enhanced metal ion affinity because of its increased basicity. (iii) The ether oxygen forms a 5-membered chelate with the neighboring phosphonate and favors thus coordination at the Pα group. Research on ANPs containing a purine residue revealed that the kind and position of the substituent at C2 or C6 has a significant influence on the biological activity. For example, the shift of the (C6)NH2 group in PMEA to the C2 position leads to 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]-2-aminopurine (PME2AP), an isomer with only a moderate antiviral activity. Removal of (C6)NH2 favors N7 coordination, e.g., of Cu2+, whereas the ether O atom binding of Cu2+ in PMEA facilitates N3 coordination via adjacent 5- and 7-membered chelates, giving rise to a Cu(PMEA)cl/O/N3 isomer. If the metal ions (M2+) are M(α,β)-M(γ)-coordinated at a triphosphate chain, transphosphorylation occurs (kinases, etc.), whereas metal ion binding in a M(α)-M(β,γ)-type fashion is relevant for polymerases. It may be noted that with diphosphorylated PMEA, (PMEApp4-), the M(α)-M(β,γ) binding is favored because of the formation of the 5-membered chelate involving the ether O atom (see above). The self-association tendency of purines leads to the formation of dimeric [M2(ATP)]2(OH)- stacks, which occur in low concentration and where one half of the molecule undergoes the dephosphorylation reaction and the other half stabilizes the structure-i.e., acts as the "enzyme" by bridging the two ATPs. In accord herewith, one may enhance the reaction rate by adding AMP2- to the [Cu2(ATP)]2(OH)- solution, as this leads to the formation of mixed stacked Cu3(ATP)(AMP)(OH)- species, in which AMP2- takes over the structuring role, while the other "half" of the molecule undergoes dephosphorylation. It may be added that Cu3(ATP)(PMEA) or better Cu3(ATP)(PMEA)(OH)- is even a more reactive species than Cu3(ATP)(AMP)(OH)-. - The matrix-assisted self-association and its significance for cell organelles with high ATP concentrations is summarized and discussed, as is, e.g., the effect of tryptophanate (Trp-), which leads to the formation of intramolecular stacks in M(ATP)(Trp)3- complexes (formation degree about 75%). Furthermore, it is well-known that in the active-site cavities of enzymes the dielectric constant, compared with bulk water, is reduced; therefore, we have summarized and discussed the effect of a change in solvent polarity on the stability and structure of binary and ternary complexes: Opposite effects on charged O sites and neutral N sites are observed, and this leads to interesting insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Sigel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, St. Johannsring 19, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Helmut Sigel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, St. Johannsring 19, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Roland K. O. Sigel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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31
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Wang J, Konigsberg WH. Two-Metal-Ion Catalysis: Inhibition of DNA Polymerase Activity by a Third Divalent Metal Ion. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:824794. [PMID: 35300112 PMCID: PMC8921852 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.824794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost all DNA polymerases (pols) exhibit bell-shaped activity curves as a function of both pH and Mg2+ concentration. The pol activity is reduced when the pH deviates from the optimal value. When the pH is too low the concentration of a deprotonated general base (namely, the attacking 3′-hydroxyl of the 3′ terminal residue of the primer strand) is reduced exponentially. When the pH is too high the concentration of a protonated general acid (i.e., the leaving pyrophosphate group) is reduced. Similarly, the pol activity also decreases when the concentration of the divalent metal ions deviates from its optimal value: when it is too low, the binding of the two catalytic divalent metal ions required for the full activity is incomplete, and when it is too high a third divalent metal ion binds to pyrophosphate, keeping it in the replication complex longer and serving as a substrate for pyrophosphorylysis within the complex. Currently, there is a controversy about the role of the third metal ion which we will address in this review.
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32
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Geronimo I, Vidossich P, De Vivo M. Local Structural Dynamics at the Metal-Centered Catalytic Site of Polymerases is Critical for Fidelity. ACS Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.1c03840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Inacrist Geronimo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Pietro Vidossich
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
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33
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Lyu Y, Scrimin P. Mimicking Enzymes: The Quest for Powerful Catalysts from Simple Molecules to Nanozymes. ACS Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.1c01219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yanchao Lyu
- University of Padova, Department of Chemical Sciences, via Marzolo, 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Scrimin
- University of Padova, Department of Chemical Sciences, via Marzolo, 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
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34
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Manigrasso J, De Vivo M, Palermo G. Controlled Trafficking of Multiple and Diverse Cations Prompts Nucleic Acid Hydrolysis. ACS Catal 2021; 11:8786-8797. [PMID: 35145762 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.1c01825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent in crystallo reaction intermediates have detailed how nucleic acid hydrolysis occurs in the RNA ribonuclease H1 (RNase H1), a fundamental metalloenzyme involved in maintaining the human genome. At odds with the previous characterization, these in crystallo structures unexpectedly captured multiple metal ions (K+ and Mg2+) transiently bound in the vicinity of the two-metal-ion active site. Using multi-microsecond all-atom molecular dynamics and free-energy simulations, we investigated the functional implications of the dynamic exchange of multiple K+ and Mg2+ ions at the RNase H1 reaction center. We found that such ions are timely positioned at non-overlapping locations near the active site, at different stages of catalysis, being crucial for both reactants' alignment and leaving group departure. We also found that this cation trafficking is tightly regulated by variations of the solution's ionic strength and is aided by two conserved second-shell residues, E188 and K196, suggesting a mechanism for the cations' recruitment during catalysis. These results indicate that controlled trafficking of multi-cation dynamics, opportunely prompted by second-shell residues, is functionally essential to the complex enzymatic machinery of the RNase H1. These findings revise the current knowledge on the RNase H1 catalysis and open new catalytic possibilities for other similar metalloenzymes including, but not limited to, CRISPR-Cas9, group II intron ribozyme and the human spliceosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Manigrasso
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, 16163, Italy.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, 16163, Italy
| | - Giulia Palermo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 52512, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 52512, United States
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35
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Pecina A, Rosa-Gastaldo D, Riccardi L, Franco-Ulloa S, Milan E, Scrimin P, Mancin F, De Vivo M. On the Metal-Aided Catalytic Mechanism for Phosphodiester Bond Cleavage Performed by Nanozymes. ACS Catal 2021; 11:8736-8748. [PMID: 34476110 PMCID: PMC8397296 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.1c01215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Recent studies have
shown that gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized
with Zn(II) complexes can cleave phosphate esters and nucleic acids.
Remarkably, such synthetic nanonucleases appear to catalyze metal
(Zn)-aided hydrolytic reactions of nucleic acids similar to metallonuclease
enzymes. To clarify the reaction mechanism of these nanocatalysts,
here we have comparatively analyzed two nanonucleases with a >10-fold
difference in the catalytic efficiency for the hydrolysis of the 2-hydroxypropyl-4-nitrophenylphosphate
(HPNP, a typical RNA model substrate). We have used microsecond-long
atomistic simulations, integrated with NMR experiments, to investigate
the structure and dynamics of the outer coating monolayer of these
nanoparticles, either alone or in complex with HPNP, in solution.
We show that the most efficient one is characterized by coating ligands
that promote a well-organized monolayer structure, with the formation
of solvated bimetallic catalytic sites. Importantly, we have found
that these nanoparticles can mimic two-metal-ion enzymes for nucleic
acid processing, with Zn ions that promote HPNP binding at the reaction
center. Thus, the two-metal-ion-aided hydrolytic strategy of such
nanonucleases helps in explaining their catalytic efficiency for substrate
hydrolysis, in accordance with the experimental evidence. These mechanistic
insights reinforce the parallelism between such functionalized AuNPs
and proteins toward the rational design of more efficient catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Pecina
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniele Rosa-Gastaldo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Laura Riccardi
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Sebastian Franco-Ulloa
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Emil Milan
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Scrimin
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Mancin
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
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36
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Marcia M, Manigrasso J, De Vivo M. Finding the Ion in the RNA-Stack: Can Computational Models Accurately Predict Key Functional Elements in Large Macromolecular Complexes? J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:2511-2515. [PMID: 34133879 PMCID: PMC8278382 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This viewpoint discusses the predictive power and impact of computational analyses and simulations to gain prospective, experimentally supported mechanistic insights into complex biological systems. Remarkably, two newly resolved cryoEM structures have confirmed the previous, and independent, prediction of the precise localization and dynamics of key catalytic ions in megadalton-large spliceosomal complexes. This outstanding outcome endorses a prominent synergy of computational and experimental methods in the prospective exploration of such large multicomponent biosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Marcia
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Grenoble, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, Grenoble 38042, France
| | - Jacopo Manigrasso
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
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37
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Czescik J, Mancin F, Strömberg R, Scrimin P. The Mechanism of Cleavage of RNA Phosphodiesters by a Gold Nanoparticle Nanozyme. Chemistry 2021; 27:8143-8148. [PMID: 33780067 PMCID: PMC8251847 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202100299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The cleavage of uridine 3'-phosphodiesters bearing alcohols with pKa ranging from 7.14 to 14.5 catalyzed by AuNPs functionalized with 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-Zn(II) complexes has been studied to unravel the source of catalysis by these nanosystems (nanozymes). The results have been compared with those obtained with two Zn(II) dinuclear catalysts for which the mechanism is fairly understood. Binding to the Zn(II) ions by the substrate and the uracil of uridine was observed. The latter leads to inhibition of the process and formation of less productive binding complexes than in the absence of the nucleobase. The nanozyme operates with these substrates mostly via a nucleophilic mechanism with little stabilization of the pentacoordinated phosphorane and moderate assistance in leaving group departure. This is attributed to a decrease of binding strength of the substrate to the catalytic site in reaching the transition state due to an unfavorable binding mode with the uracil. The nanozyme favors substrates with better leaving groups than the less acidic ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Czescik
- Department of Chemical SciencesUniversity of PadovaVia Marzolo, 135131PadovaItaly
- Current address: School of Life and Health SciencesAston UniversityB4 7ETBirminghamUK
| | - Fabrizio Mancin
- Department of Chemical SciencesUniversity of PadovaVia Marzolo, 135131PadovaItaly
| | | | - Paolo Scrimin
- Department of Chemical SciencesUniversity of PadovaVia Marzolo, 135131PadovaItaly
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38
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Geronimo I, Vidossich P, Donati E, Vivo M. Computational investigations of polymerase enzymes: Structure, function, inhibition, and biotechnology. WIRES COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Inacrist Geronimo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genoa Italy
| | - Pietro Vidossich
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genoa Italy
| | - Elisa Donati
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genoa Italy
| | - Marco Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genoa Italy
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39
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Nierzwicki Ł, Arantes PR, Saha A, Palermo G. Establishing the allosteric mechanism in CRISPR-Cas9. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2021; 11:e1503. [PMID: 34322166 PMCID: PMC8315640 DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Allostery is a fundamental property of proteins, which regulates biochemical information transfer between spatially distant sites. Here, we report on the critical role of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in discovering the mechanism of allosteric communication within CRISPR-Cas9, a leading genome editing machinery with enormous promises for medicine and biotechnology. MD revealed how allostery intervenes during at least three steps of the CRISPR-Cas9 function: affecting DNA recognition, mediating the cleavage and interfering with the off-target activity. An allosteric communication that activates concerted DNA cleavages was found to led through the L1/L2 loops, which connect the HNH and RuvC catalytic domains. The identification of these "allosteric transducers" inspired the development of novel variants of the Cas9 protein with improved specificity, opening a new avenue for controlling the CRISPR-Cas9 activity. Discussed studies also highlight the critical role of the recognition lobe in the conformational activation of the catalytic HNH domain. Specifically, the REC3 region was found to modulate the dynamics of HNH by sensing the formation of the RNA:DNA hybrid. The role of REC3 was revealed to be particularly relevant in the presence of DNA mismatches. Indeed, interference of REC3 with the RNA:DNA hybrid containing mismatched pairs at specific positions resulted in locking HNH in an inactive "conformational checkpoint" conformation, thereby hampering off-target cleavages. Overall, MD simulations established the fundamental mechanisms underlying the allosterism of CRISPR-Cas9, aiding engineering strategies to develop new CRISPR-Cas9 variants for improved genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Nierzwicki
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California
| | - Pablo Ricardo Arantes
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California
| | - Aakash Saha
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California
| | - Giulia Palermo
- Department of Bioengineering and Department of Chemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California
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40
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Spinello A, Borišek J, Pavlin M, Janoš P, Magistrato A. Computing Metal-Binding Proteins for Therapeutic Benefit. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:2034-2049. [PMID: 33740297 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Over one third of biomolecules rely on metal ions to exert their cellular functions. Metal ions can play a structural role by stabilizing the structure of biomolecules, a functional role by promoting a wide variety of biochemical reactions, and a regulatory role by acting as messengers upon binding to proteins regulating cellular metal-homeostasis. These diverse roles in biology ascribe critical implications to metal-binding proteins in the onset of many diseases. Hence, it is of utmost importance to exhaustively unlock the different mechanistic facets of metal-binding proteins and to harness this knowledge to rationally devise novel therapeutic strategies to prevent or cure pathological states associated with metal-dependent cellular dysfunctions. In this compendium, we illustrate how the use of a computational arsenal based on docking, classical, and quantum-classical molecular dynamics simulations can contribute to extricate the minutiae of the catalytic, transport, and inhibition mechanisms of metal-binding proteins at the atomic level. This knowledge represents a fertile ground and an essential prerequisite for selectively targeting metal-binding proteins with small-molecule inhibitors aiming to (i) abrogate deregulated metal-dependent (mis)functions or (ii) leverage metal-dyshomeostasis to selectively trigger harmful cells death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Spinello
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR)-, Institute of Materials (IOM) c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jure Borišek
- National Institute of Chemistry Institution Hajdrihova ulica 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matic Pavlin
- Laboratory of Microsensor Structures and Electronics Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana Tržaška cesta 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Pavel Janoš
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR)-, Institute of Materials (IOM) c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR)-, Institute of Materials (IOM) c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
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41
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Tang H, Yuan H, Du W, Li G, Xue D, Huang Q. Active-Site Models of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 in DNA Cleavage State. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:653262. [PMID: 33987202 PMCID: PMC8112549 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.653262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 is a powerful tool for target genome editing in living cells. Significant advances have been made to understand how this system cleaves target DNA. HNH is a nuclease domain, which shares structural similarity with the HNH endonuclease characterzied by a beta-beta-alpha-metal fold. Therefore, based on one- and two-metal-ion mechanisms, homology modeling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation are suitable tools for building an atomic model of Cas9 in the DNA cleavage state. Here, by modeling and MD, we presented an atomic model of SpCas9-sgRNA-DNA complex with the cleavage state. This model shows that the HNH and RuvC conformations resemble their DNA cleavage state where the active-sites in the complex coordinate with DNA, Mg2+ ions, and water. Among them, residues D10, E762, H983, and D986 locate at the first shell of the RuvC active-site and interact with the ions directly, residues H982 or/and H985 are general (Lewis) bases, and the coordinated water is located at the positions for nucleophilic attack of the scissile phosphate. Meanwhile, this catalytic model led us to engineer a new SpCas9 variant (SpCas9-H982A + H983D) with reduced off-target effects. Thus, our study provided new mechanistic insights into the CRISPR-Cas9 system in the DNA cleavage state and offered useful guidance for engineering new CRISPR-Cas9 editing systems with improved specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honghai Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Ministry of Education Engineering Research Centre of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Ministry of Education Engineering Research Centre of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhao Du
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Ministry of Education Engineering Research Centre of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Ministry of Education Engineering Research Centre of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongmei Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Ministry of Education Engineering Research Centre of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Ministry of Education Engineering Research Centre of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Multiscale Research Institute of Complex Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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42
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Giacchello I, Musumeci F, D'Agostino I, Greco C, Grossi G, Schenone S. Insights into RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Inhibitors as Antiinfluenza Virus Agents. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:1068-1090. [PMID: 31942843 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200114115632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza is a seasonal disease that affects millions of people every year and has a significant economic impact. Vaccines are the best strategy to fight this viral pathology, but they are not always available or administrable, prompting the search for antiviral drugs. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) recently emerged as a promising target because of its key role in viral replication and its high conservation among viral strains. DISCUSSION This review presents an overview of the most interesting RdRp inhibitors that have been discussed in the literature since 2000. Compounds already approved or in clinical trials and a selection of inhibitors endowed with different scaffolds are described, along with the main features responsible for their activity. RESULTS RdRp inhibitors are emerging as a new strategy to fight viral infections and the importance of this class of drugs has been confirmed by the FDA approval of baloxavir marboxil in 2018. Despite the complexity of the RdRp machine makes the identification of new compounds a challenging research topic, it is likely that in the coming years, this field will attract the interest of a number of academic and industrial scientists because of the potential strength of this therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Giacchello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca Musumeci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Ilaria D'Agostino
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Greco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Grossi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Schenone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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43
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Borišek J, Magistrato A. An Expanded Two-Zn2+-Ion Motif Orchestrates Pre-mRNA Maturation in the 3′-End Processing Endonuclease Machinery. ACS Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c05594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jure Borišek
- National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- CNR-IOM-Democritos National Simulation Center c/o SISSA, Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
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44
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Czescik J, Zamolo S, Darbre T, Rigo. R, Sissi C, Pecina A, Riccardi L, De Vivo M, Mancin F, Scrimin P. A Gold Nanoparticle Nanonuclease Relying on a Zn(II) Mononuclear Complex. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:1423-1432. [PMID: 32985766 PMCID: PMC7839518 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202012513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Similarly to enzymes, functionalized gold nanoparticles efficiently catalyze chemical reactions, hence the term nanozymes. Herein, we present our results showing how surface-passivated gold nanoparticles behave as synthetic nanonucleases, able to cleave pBR322 plasmid DNA with the highest efficiency reported so far for catalysts based on a single metal ion mechanism. Experimental and computational data indicate that we have been successful in creating a catalytic site precisely mimicking that suggested for natural metallonucleases relying on a single metal ion for their activity. It comprises one Zn(II) ion to which a phosphate diester of DNA is coordinated. Importantly, as in nucleic acids-processing enzymes, a positively charged arginine plays a key role by assisting with transition state stabilization and by reducing the pKa of the nucleophilic alcohol of a serine. Our results also show how designing a catalyst for a model substrate (bis-p-nitrophenylphosphate) may provide wrong indications as for its efficiency when it is tested against the real target (plasmid DNA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Czescik
- Department of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Padovavia Marzolo, 135131PadovaItaly
- Current address: School of Life and Health SciencesAston UniversityB4 7ETBirminghamUK
| | - Susanna Zamolo
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of BernFreiestrasse 3CH-3012BernSwitzerland
| | - Tamis Darbre
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of BernFreiestrasse 3CH-3012BernSwitzerland
| | - Riccardo Rigo.
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological SciencesUniversity of Padovavia Marzolo 535131PadovaItaly
| | - Claudia Sissi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological SciencesUniversity of Padovavia Marzolo 535131PadovaItaly
| | - Adam Pecina
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling & Drug DiscoveryIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)Via Morego 3016163GenovaItaly
| | - Laura Riccardi
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling & Drug DiscoveryIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)Via Morego 3016163GenovaItaly
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling & Drug DiscoveryIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)Via Morego 3016163GenovaItaly
| | - Fabrizio Mancin
- Department of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Padovavia Marzolo, 135131PadovaItaly
| | - Paolo Scrimin
- Department of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Padovavia Marzolo, 135131PadovaItaly
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45
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Czescik J, Zamolo S, Darbre T, Rigo. R, Sissi C, Pecina A, Riccardi L, De Vivo M, Mancin F, Scrimin P. A Gold Nanoparticle Nanonuclease Relying on a Zn(II) Mononuclear Complex. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202012513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Czescik
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Padova via Marzolo, 1 35131 Padova Italy
- Current address: School of Life and Health Sciences Aston University B4 7ET Birmingham UK
| | - Susanna Zamolo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Bern Freiestrasse 3 CH-3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Tamis Darbre
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Bern Freiestrasse 3 CH-3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Riccardo Rigo.
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences University of Padova via Marzolo 5 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Claudia Sissi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences University of Padova via Marzolo 5 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Adam Pecina
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling & Drug Discovery Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) Via Morego 30 16163 Genova Italy
| | - Laura Riccardi
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling & Drug Discovery Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) Via Morego 30 16163 Genova Italy
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling & Drug Discovery Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) Via Morego 30 16163 Genova Italy
| | - Fabrizio Mancin
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Padova via Marzolo, 1 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Paolo Scrimin
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Padova via Marzolo, 1 35131 Padova Italy
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46
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Rational Design of an Artificial Nuclease by Engineering a Hetero-Dinuclear Center of Mg-Heme in Myoglobin. ACS Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c04572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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47
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Casalino L, Nierzwicki Ł, Jinek M, Palermo G. Catalytic Mechanism of Non-Target DNA Cleavage in CRISPR-Cas9 Revealed by Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics. ACS Catal 2020; 10:13596-13605. [PMID: 33520346 PMCID: PMC7842700 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c03566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 is a cutting-edge genome editing technology, which uses the endonuclease Cas9 to introduce mutations at desired sites of the genome. This revolutionary tool is promising to treat a myriad of human genetic diseases. Nevertheless, the molecular basis of DNA cleavage, which is a fundamental step for genome editing, has not been established. Here, quantum-classical molecular dynamics (MD) and free energy methods are used to disclose the two-metal-dependent mechanism of phosphodiester bond cleavage in CRISPR-Cas9. Ab initio MD reveals a conformational rearrangement of the Mg2+-bound RuvC active site, which entails the relocation of H983 to act as a general base. Then, the DNA cleavage proceeds through a concerted associative pathway fundamentally assisted by the joint dynamics of the two Mg2+ ions. This clarifies previous controversial experimental evidence, which could not fully establish the catalytic role of the conserved H983 and the metal cluster conformation. The comparison with other two-metal-dependent enzymes supports the identified mechanism and suggests a common catalytic strategy for genome editing and recombination. Overall, the non-target DNA cleavage catalysis described here resolves a fundamental open question in the CRISPR-Cas9 biology and provides valuable insights for improving the catalytic efficiency and the metal-dependent function of the Cas9 enzyme, which are at the basis of the development of genome editing tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Casalino
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Łukasz Nierzwicki
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Martin Jinek
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Palermo
- Department of Bioengineering and Department of Chemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, United States
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48
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Vidossich P, Castañeda Moreno LE, Mota C, de Sanctis D, Miscione GP, De Vivo M. Functional Implications of Second-Shell Basic Residues for dUTPase DR2231 Enzymatic Specificity. ACS Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c04148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Vidossich
- COBO Computational Bio-Organic Chemistry Bogotá, Chemistry Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra 1 No 18A-12, 111711 Bogotá, Colombia
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Luis Eduardo Castañeda Moreno
- COBO Computational Bio-Organic Chemistry Bogotá, Chemistry Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra 1 No 18A-12, 111711 Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Cristiano Mota
- ESRF The European Synchrotron, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Daniele de Sanctis
- ESRF The European Synchrotron, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Gian Pietro Miscione
- COBO Computational Bio-Organic Chemistry Bogotá, Chemistry Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra 1 No 18A-12, 111711 Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
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49
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Ortega JA, Arencibia JM, Minniti E, Byl JAW, Franco-Ulloa S, Borgogno M, Genna V, Summa M, Bertozzi SM, Bertorelli R, Armirotti A, Minarini A, Sissi C, Osheroff N, De Vivo M. Novel, Potent, and Druglike Tetrahydroquinazoline Inhibitor That Is Highly Selective for Human Topoisomerase II α over β. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12873-12886. [PMID: 33079544 PMCID: PMC7668297 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
![]()
We disclose a novel
class of 6-amino-tetrahydroquinazoline derivatives
that inhibit human topoisomerase II (topoII), a validated target of
anticancer drugs. In contrast to topoII-targeted drugs currently in
clinical use, these compounds do not act as topoII poisons that enhance
enzyme-mediated DNA cleavage, a mechanism that is linked to the development
of secondary leukemias. Instead, these tetrahydroquinazolines block
the topoII function with no evidence of DNA intercalation. We identified
a potent lead compound [compound 14 (ARN-21934) IC50 = 2 μM for inhibition of DNA relaxation, as compared
to an IC50 = 120 μM for the anticancer drug etoposide]
with excellent metabolic stability and solubility. This new compound
also shows ~100-fold selectivity for topoIIα over topoβ,
a broad antiproliferative activity toward cultured human cancer cells,
a favorable in vivo pharmacokinetic profile, and the ability to penetrate
the blood–brain barrier. Thus, ARN-21934 is a highly promising
lead for the development of novel and potentially safer topoII-targeted
anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Antonio Ortega
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Jose M Arencibia
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Elirosa Minniti
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy.,Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jo Ann W Byl
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Sebastian Franco-Ulloa
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Borgogno
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Vito Genna
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Summa
- Analytical Chemistry & Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Sine Mandrup Bertozzi
- Analytical Chemistry & Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Rosalia Bertorelli
- Analytical Chemistry & Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical Chemistry & Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Minarini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Sissi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Neil Osheroff
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States.,Department of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-6307, United States.,VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
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50
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Gabrielli
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Padova, via Marzolo, 1 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Leonard J. Prins
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Padova, via Marzolo, 1 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Federico Rastrelli
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Padova, via Marzolo, 1 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Fabrizio Mancin
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Padova, via Marzolo, 1 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Paolo Scrimin
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Padova, via Marzolo, 1 35131 Padova Italy
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