Static CP 31P NMR multilamellar bilayer broadlines in the absence and presence of the bioactive dipeptide β-Ala-Tyr or Glu

On the Rational Drug Design for Hypertension through NMR Spectroscopy

Antagonists of the AT1receptor (AT1R) are beneficial molecules that can prevent the peptide hormone angiotensin II from binding and activating the specific receptor causing hypertension in pathological states. This review article summarizes the multifaced applications of solid and liquid state high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in antihypertensive commercial drugs that act as AT1R antagonists. The 3D architecture of these compounds is explored through 2D NOESY spectroscopy and their interactions with micelles and lipid bilayers are described using solid state 13CP/MAS, 31P and 2H static solid state NMR spectroscopy. Due to their hydrophobic character, AT1R antagonists do not exert their optimum profile on the AT1R. Therefore, various vehicles are explored so as to effectively deliver these molecules to the site of action and to enhance their pharmaceutical efficacy. Cyclodextrins and polymers comprise successful examples of effective drug delivery vehicles, widely used for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs to the active site of the receptor. High resolution NMR spectroscopy provides valuable information on the physical-chemical forces that govern these drug:vehicle interactions, knowledge required to get a deeper understanding on the stability of the formed complexes and therefore the appropriateness and usefulness of the drug delivery system. In addition, it provides valuable information on the rational design towards the synthesis of more stable and efficient drug formulations.

Apoptotic Bax at Oxidatively Stressed Mitochondrial Membranes: Lipid Dynamics and Permeabilization

Mitochondria are crucial compartments of eukaryotic cells because they function as the cellular power plant and play a central role in the early stages of programmed cell death (apoptosis). To avoid undesired cell death, this apoptotic pathway is tightly regulated by members of the Bcl-2 protein family, which interact on the external surface of the mitochondria, i.e., the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM), and modulate its permeability to apoptotic factors, controlling their release into the cytosol. A growing body of evidence suggests that the MOM lipids play active roles in this permeabilization process. In particular, oxidized phospholipids (OxPls) formed under intracellular stress seem to directly induce apoptotic activity at the MOM. Here we show that the process of MOM pore formation is sensitive to the type of OxPls species that are generated. We created MOM-mimicking liposome systems, which resemble the cellular situation before apoptosis and upon triggering of oxidative stress conditions. These vesicles were studied using ³¹P solid-state magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, together with dye leakage assays. Direct polarization and cross-polarization nuclear magnetic resonance experiments enabled us to probe the heterogeneity of these membranes and their associated molecular dynamics. The addition of apoptotic Bax protein to OxPls-containing vesicles drastically changed the membranes' dynamic behavior, almost completely negating the previously observed effect of temperature on the lipids' molecular dynamics and inducing an ordering effect that led to more cooperative membrane melting. Our results support the hypothesis that the mitochondrion-specific lipid cardiolipin functions as a first contact site for Bax during its translocation to the MOM in the onset of apoptosis. In addition, dye leakage assays revealed that different OxPls species in the MOM-mimicking vesicles can have opposing effects on Bax pore formation.

Structural characterization of the caveolin scaffolding domain in association with cholesterol-rich membranes

Members of the caveolin protein family are implicated in the formation of caveolae and play important roles in a number of signaling pathways and in the regulation of various proteins. We employ complementary spectroscopic methods to study the structure of the caveolin scaffolding domain (CSD) in caveolin-1 fragments, while bound to cholesterol-rich membranes. This key domain is thought to be involved in multiple critical functions that include protein recognition, oligomerization, and cholesterol binding. In our membrane-bound peptides, residues within the flanking intramembrane domain (IMD) are found to adopt an α-helical structure, consistent with its commonly believed helical hairpin conformation. Intriguingly, in these same peptides, we observe a β-stranded conformation for residues in the CSD, contrasting with earlier reports, which commonly do not reflect β-structure. Our experimental data based on solid-state NMR, CD, and FTIR are found to be consistent with computational analyses of the secondary structure preference of the primary sequence. We discuss how our structural data of membrane binding Cav fragments may match certain general features of cholesterol-binding domains and could be consistent with the role for CSD in protein recognition and homo-oligomerization.

Thermal, dynamic and structural properties of drug AT1 antagonist olmesartan in lipid bilayers

It is proposed that AT1 antagonists (ARBs) exert their biological action by inserting into the lipid membrane and then diffuse to the active site of AT1 receptor. Thus, lipid bilayers are expected to be actively involved and play a critical role in drug action. For this reason, the thermal, dynamic and structural effects of olmesartan alone and together with cholesterol were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), 13C magic-angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), cross-polarization (CP) MAS NMR, and Raman spectroscopy as well as small- and wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS) on dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) multilamellar vesicles. 13C CP/MAS spectra provided direct evidence for the incorporation of olmesartan and cholesterol in lipid bilayers. Raman and X-ray data revealed how both molecules modify the bilayer's properties. Olmesartan locates itself at the head-group region and upper segment of the lipid bilayers as 13C CP/MAS spectra show that its presence causes significant chemical shift changes mainly in the A ring of the steroidal part of cholesterol. The influence of olmesartan on DPPC/cholesterol bilayers is less pronounced. Although, olmesartan and cholesterol are residing at the same region of the lipid bilayers, due to their different sizes, display distinct impacts on the bilayer's properties. Cholesterol broadens significantly the main transition, abolishes the pre-transition, and decreases the membrane fluidity above the main transition. Olmesartan is the only so far studied ARB that increases the gauche:trans ratio in the liquid crystalline phase. These significant differences of olmesartan may in part explain its distinct pharmacological profile.

Development of a CP 31P NMR broadline simulation methodology for studying the interactions of antihypertensive AT1 antagonist losartan with phospholipid bilayers

A cross-polarization (CP) (31)P NMR broadline simulation methodology was developed for studying the effects of drugs in phospholipids bilayers. Based on seven-parameter fittings, this methodology provided information concerning the conformational changes and dynamics effects of losartan in the polar region of the dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers. The test molecule for this study was losartan, an antihypertensive drug known to exert its effect on AT(1) transmembrane receptors. The results were complemented and compared with those of differential scanning calorimetry, solid-state (13)C NMR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and electron spin resonance. More specifically, these physical chemical methodologies indicated that the amphipathic losartan molecule interacts with the hydrophilic-head zone of the lipid bilayers. The CP (31)P NMR broadline simulations showed that the lipid molecules in the bilayers containing losartan displayed greater collective tilt compared to the tilt displayed by the load-free bilayers, indicating improved packing. The Raman results displayed a decrease in the trans/gauche ratio and increased intermolecular interactions of the acyl chains in the liquid crystalline phase. Additional evidence, suggesting that losartan possibly anchors in the realm of the headgroup, was derived from upfield shift of the average chemical shift sigma(iso) of the (31)P signal in the presence of losartan and from shift of the observed peak at 715 cm(-1) attributed to C-N stretching in the Raman spectra.