Exploring DNA binding properties and biological activities of dihydropyrimidinones derivatives

Exploration of interaction between angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) and the inhibitory peptide from Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida)

The interaction between angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) and the inhibitory peptide KNFL from Wakame was explored using isothermal titration calorimetry, multiple spectroscopic techniques and molecular dynamics simulations, and an inhibition model was established based on free energy binding theory. The experiments revealed that the binding of KNFL to ACE was a spontaneous exothermic process driven by enthalpy and entropy and occurred via multiple binding sites to form stable complexes. The complexes may be formed through multiple steps of inducing fit and conformational selection. The peptide KNFL had a fluorescence quenching effect on ACE and its addition not only affected the microenvironment around the ACE Trp and Tyr residues, but also increased the diameter and altered the conformation of ACE. This study should prove useful for improving our understanding of the mechanism of ACE inhibitory peptides.

Studies on the Interaction between Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) and ACE Inhibitory Peptide from Saurida elongata

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides derived from food protein exhibited antihypertensive effects by inhibiting ACE activity. In this work, the interaction between ACE inhibitory peptide GMKCAF (GF-6) and ACE was studied by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), molecular docking, ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Experimental results revealed that the binding of GF-6 to ACE was a spontaneous exothermic process driven by both enthalpy and entropy. The interaction occurred via a static quenching mechanism and involved the alteration of the conformation of ACE. In addition, ITC and molecular docking results indicated binding of GF-6 to ACE via multiple binding sites on the protein surface. This study could be deemed helpful for the better understanding of the inhibitory mechanism of ACE inhibitory peptides.

Novel pyrimidinic selenourea induces DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in human breast carcinoma

Novel pyrimidinic selenoureas were synthesized and evaluated against tumour and normal cell lines. Among these, the compound named 3j initially showed relevant cytotoxicity and selectivity for tumour cells. Three analogues of 3j were designed and synthesized keeping in view the structural requirements of this compound. Almost all the tested compounds displayed considerable cytotoxicity. However, 8a, one of the 3j analogues, was shown to be highly selective and cytotoxic, especially for breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7) (IC₅₀ = 3.9 μM). Furthermore, 8a caused DNA damage, inhibited cell proliferation, was able to arrest cell cycle in S phase, and induced cell death by apoptosis in human breast carcinoma cells. Moreover, predictions of pharmacokinetic properties showed that 8a may present good absorption and permeation characteristics for oral administration. Overall, the current study established 8a as a potential drug prototype to be employed as a DNA interactive cytotoxic agent for the treatment of breast cancer.

Biological activity of dihydropyrimidinone (DHPM) derivatives: A systematic review

Dihydropyrimidinones are heterocycles with a pyrimidine moiety in the ring nucleus, which, in recent decades, have aroused interest in medicinal chemistry due to alleged versatile biological activity. In this systematic review, we describe the currently published activities of dihydropyrimidinone derivatives. Between 1990 and December 31st, 2016, 115 articles outlined biological activities or toxicity of DHPM derivatives, 12 of those involved in vivo experiments. The main activities associated with this class of compounds are antitumoral (43 articles), anti-inflammatory (12 articles), antibacterial (20 articles) and calcium channel antagonism/inhibition (14 articles). Antitumoral activity is the main biological property evaluated, since the main representative compound of this class (monastrol) is a known Eg5 kinesin inhibitor. This review depicts a variety of other pharmacological activities associated with DHPM derivatives, but the main findings are essentially in vitro characteristics of the substances. This review presents the current state of the art of DHPM biological activities and demonstrates that there is still a need for further in vivo studies to better delineate the pharmacological potential of this class of substances.

Applications of isothermal titration calorimetry - the research and technical developments from 2011 to 2015

Isothermal titration calorimetry is a widely used biophysical technique for studying the formation or dissociation of molecular complexes. Over the last 5 years, much work has been published on the interpretation of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) data for single binding and multiple binding sites. As over 80% of ITC papers are on macromolecules of biological origin, this interpretation is challenging. Some researchers have attempted to link the thermodynamics constants to events at the molecular level. This review highlights work carried out using binding sites characterized using x-ray crystallography techniques that allow speculation about individual bond formation and the displacement of individual water molecules during ligand binding and link these events to the thermodynamic constants for binding. The review also considers research conducted with synthetic binding partners where specific binding events like anion-π and π-π interactions were studied. The revival of assays that enable both thermodynamic and kinetic information to be collected from ITC data is highlighted. Lastly, published criticism of ITC research from a physical chemistry perspective is appraised and practical advice provided for researchers unfamiliar with thermodynamics and its interpretation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

DNA studies of newly synthesized heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes [Pt(bpy)(iip)](2+) and [Pt(bpy)(miip)](2.)

Two new mono-nuclear heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes, [Pt(bpy)(iip)](PF6)2 (1) and [Pt(bpy)(miip)](PF6)2·2H2O (2) (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine; iip is 2-(imidazo-4-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f] [1,10] phenanthroline; miip is 2-(1-methylimidazo-2-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f] [1, 10] phenanthroline), have been synthesized and fully characterized by CHN analysis, electrospray ionization and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, (1)H NMR, FT-IR (ATR), and UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Cytotoxicity, ability to inhibit DNA transcription and DNAse activity of the complexes were studied. The DNA-binding behaviors of both complexes have also been studied by spectroscopic methods, cyclic voltammetry and viscosity measurements. Both complexes showed cytotoxic properties and 2 was more cytotoxic than 1. DNA transcription was inhibited upon increasing concentrations of both complexes. The complex 2 was found to be a better inhibitor than 1. The same pattern can be seen in the DNAse profile of the complexes. In addition, 2 was found to promote cleavage of pBR322 DNA at a lower concentration than 1. The spectroscopic, electrochemical and viscometric results indicate that both complexes show some degree of binding to DNA in an intercalative mode, resulting in intrinsic binding constants K b = 3.55 ± 0.6 × 10(4) M(-1) and 7.01 ± 0.9 × 10(4) M(-1) for 1 and 2, respectively. The difference in the DNA-binding affinities of 1 and 2 may presumably be explained by the methylated imidazole nitrogen atom that makes the compound more hydrophobic and gives better intercalative binding ability to DNA's hydrophobic environment.

Binding of glutathione and melatonin to pepsin occurs via different binding mechanisms

Glutathione is a hydrophilic antioxidant and melatonin is a hydrophobic antioxidant, thus, the binding mechanism of the two antioxidants interacting with protease may be different. In this study, binding of glutathione and melatonin to pepsin has been studied using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), equilibrium microdialysis, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and molecular modeling. Thermodynamic investigations reveal that the binding of glutathione/melatonin to pepsin is driven by favorable enthalpy and unfavorable entropy, and the major driving forces are hydrogen bond and van der Waals force. ITC, equilibrium microdialysis, and molecular modeling reveal that the binding of glutathione to pepsin is characterized by a high number of binding sites. For melatonin, one molecule of melatonin combines with one molecule of pepsin. These results confirm that glutathione/melatonin interact with pepsin through two different binding mechanisms. In addition, the UV-Vis absorption and CD experiments indicate that glutathione and melatonin may induce conformational and microenvironmental changes of pepsin. The conformational changes of pepsin may affect its biological function as protease.

Interaction of oridonin with human serum albumin by isothermal titration calorimetry and spectroscopic techniques

Oridonin has been traditionally and widely used for treatment of various human diseases due to its uniquely biological, pharmacological and physiological functions. In this study, the interaction between oridonin and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), in combination with fluorescence spectroscopy and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. We found that the hydrogen bond and van der Waals force are the major binding forces in the binding of oridonin to HSA. The binding of oridonin to HSA is driven by favorable enthalpy and unfavorable entropy. Oridonin can quench the fluorescence of HSA through a static quenching mechanism. The binding constant between oridonin and HSA is moderate and the equilibrium fraction of unbound oridonin f(u) > 60%. Binding site I is found to be the primary binding site for oridonin. Additionally, oridonin may induce conformational changes of HSA and affect its biological function as the carrier protein. The results of the current study suggest that oridonin can be stored and transported from the circulatory system to reach its target organ to provide its therapeutic effects. But its side-effect in the clinics cannot be overlook. The study provides an accurate and full basic data for clarifying the binding mechanism of oridonin with HSA and is helpful for understanding its effect on protein function during the blood transportation process and its biological activity in vivo.

Probing the interaction of human serum albumin with DPPH in the absence and presence of the eight antioxidants

Albumin represents a very abundant and important circulating antioxidant in plasma. DPPH radical is also called 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. It has been widely used for measuring the efficiency of antioxidants. In this paper, the ability of human serum albumin (HSA) to scavenge DPPH radical was investigated using UV-vis absorption spectra. The interaction between HSA and DPPH was investigated in the absence and presence of eight popular antioxidants using fluorescence spectroscopy. These results indicate the antioxidant activity of HSA against DPPH radical is similar to glutathione and the value of IC50 is 5.200×10(-5) mol L(-1). In addition, the fluorescence experiments indicate the quenching mechanism of HSA, by DPPH, is a static process. The quenching process of DPPH with HSA is easily affected by the eight antioxidants, however, they cannot change the quenching mechanism of DPPH with HSA. The binding of DPPH to HSA primarily takes place in subdomain IIA and exists two classes of binding sites with two different interaction behaviors. The decreased binding constants and the number of binding sites of DPPH with HSA by the introduction of the eight antioxidants may result from the competition of the eight antioxidants and DPPH binding to HSA. The binding of DPPH to HSA may induce the micro-environment of the lone Trp-214 from polar to slightly nonpolar.

Dissection of the binding ofl-ascorbic acid to trypsin and pepsin using isothermal titration calorimetry, equilibrium microdialysis and spectrofluorimetry

Clear and quantitative information on the nature ofl-ascorbic acid interaction with trypsin/pepsin should provide a firm base for its rational use in clinical practice.

Binding of glutathione and melatonin to human serum albumin: a comparative study

Binding of glutathione and melatonin to human serum albumin (HSA) has been studied using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) in combination with UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Thermodynamic investigations reveal that glutathione/melatonin binds to HSA is driven by favorable enthalpy and unfavorable entropy, and the major driving forces are hydrogen bond and van der Waals force. For glutathione, the interaction is characterized by a high number of binding sites, which suggests that binding occurs by a surface adsorption mechanism that leads to coating of the protein surface. For melatonin, one molecule of melatonin combines with one molecule of HSA and no more melatonin binding to HSA occurs at concentration ranges used in this study. The UV-vis absorption, FT-IR, and CD spectroscopy suggest that glutathione and melatonin may induce conformational and microenvironmental changes of HSA.

Investigation of interaction of nuclear fast red with human serum albumin by experimental and computational approaches

For the first time, interaction of nuclear fast red (NFR) with human serum albumin (HSA) was studied by experimental and computational approaches. Firstly, experimental measurements including fluorescence spectroscopy (F), UVvis spectrophotometry (UVvis), cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) were separately used to investigate the interaction of NFR with HSA and interesting thermodynamics information was obtained from these studies. Secondly, new information including electrochemical behavior of NFR-HSA complex species, relative concentrations of the various reacting species and effects of NFR on the sub-structure of HSA was obtained by applying multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS). In this case, a row- and column-wise augmented matrix was built with DPV, LSV, F and UVvis sub-matrices and resolved by MCR-ALS. Surprisingly, by this method two NFR-HSA complex species with different stoichiometries and different electrochemical behaviors were found. Furthermore, by the use of the recorded voltammetric and spectroscopic data the binding constants of complex species were computed by EQUISPEC (a hard-modeling algorithm). Finally, the binding of NFR to HSA was modeled by molecular modeling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations methods. Excellent agreement was found between experimental and computational results. Both experimental and computational results suggested that the NFR binds mainly to the sub-domain IIA of HSA.