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Li X, Li B, Li J, Yang M, Bai Y, Chen K, Chen Z, Mao N. Mechanistic insights into the role of calcium in the allosteric regulation of the calmodulin-regulated death-associated protein kinase. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1104942. [PMID: 36601586 PMCID: PMC9806222 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1104942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium (Ca2+) signaling plays an important role in the regulation of many cellular functions. Ca2+-binding protein calmodulin (CaM) serves as a primary effector of calcium function. Ca2+/CaM binds to the death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) to regulate intracellular signaling pathways. However, the mechanism underlying the influence of Ca2+ on the conformational dynamics of the DAPK1-CaM interactions is still unclear. Here, we performed large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the DAPK1-CaM complex in the Ca2+-bound and-unbound states to reveal the importance of Ca2+. MD simulations revealed that removal of Ca2+ increased the anti-correlated inter-domain motions between DAPK1 and CaM, which weakened the DAPK1-CaM interactions. Binding free energy calculations validated the decreased DAPK1-CaM interactions in the Ca2+-unbound state. Structural analysis further revealed that Ca2+ removal caused the significant conformational changes at the DAPK1-CaM interface, especially the helices α1, α2, α4, α6, and α7 from the CaM and the basic loop and the phosphate-binding loop from the DAPK1. These results may be useful to understand the biological role of Ca2+ in physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingyuan Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yushu Bai
- Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Yushu Bai, ; Kai Chen, ; Ziqiang Chen, ; Ningfang Mao,
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Yushu Bai, ; Kai Chen, ; Ziqiang Chen, ; Ningfang Mao,
| | - Ziqiang Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Yushu Bai, ; Kai Chen, ; Ziqiang Chen, ; Ningfang Mao,
| | - Ningfang Mao
- Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Yushu Bai, ; Kai Chen, ; Ziqiang Chen, ; Ningfang Mao,
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Ullah A, Al Kury LT, Althobaiti YS, Ali T, Shah FAL. Benzimidazole Derivatives as New Potential NLRP3 Inflammasome Inhibitors That Provide Neuroprotection in a Rodent Model of Neurodegeneration and Memory Impairment. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:3873-3890. [PMID: 35845091 PMCID: PMC9286489 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s351913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The study investigated the effect of newly synthesized benzimidazole derivatives against ethanol-induced neurodegeneration. According to evidence, ethanol consumption may cause a severe insult to the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in mental retardation, neuronal degeneration, and oxidative stress. Targeting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress may be a useful strategy for preventing ethanol-induced neurodegeneration. Methodology Firstly, the newly synthesized compounds were subjected to molecular simulation and docking in order to predict ligand binding status. Later, for in vivo observations, adult male Sprague Dawley rats were used for studying behavioral and oxidative stress markers. ELIZA kits were used to analyse tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-), nuclear factor-B (NF-B), interleukin (IL-18), and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) expression, while Western blotting was used to measure IL-1 and Caspase-1 expression. Results Our findings suggested that altered levels of antioxidant enzymes were associated with elevated levels of TNF-α, NF-B, IL-1, IL-18, Caspase-1, and NLRP3 in the ethanol-treated group. Furthermore, ethanol also caused memory impairment in rats, as measured by behavioural tests. Pretreatment using selected benzimidazole significantly increased the combat of the brain against ethanol-induced oxidative stress. The neuroprotective effects of benzimidazole derivatives were promoted by their free radical scavenging activity, augmentation of endogenous antioxidant proteins (GST, GSH), and amelioration of lipid peroxide (LPO) and other pro-inflammatory mediators. Molecular docking and molecular simulation studies further supported our hypothesis that the synthetic compounds Ca and Cb had an excellent binding affinity with proper bond formation with their targets (TNF-α and NLRP3). Conclusion It is revealed that these benzimidazole derivatives can reduce ethanol-induced neuronal toxicity by regulating the expression of cytokines, antioxidant enzymes, and the inflammatory cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman Ullah
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Lina Tariq Al Kury
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yusuf S Althobaiti
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia.,Addiction and Neuroscience Research Unit, Taif University, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tahir Ali
- University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Fawad ALi Shah
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Rahman ZU, Al Kury LT, Alattar A, Tan Z, Alshaman R, Malik I, Badshah H, Uddin Z, Khan Khalil AA, Muhammad N, Khan S, Ali A, Shah FA, Li JB, Li S. Carveol a Naturally-Derived Potent and Emerging Nrf2 Activator Protects Against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:621538. [PMID: 33597885 PMCID: PMC7883019 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.621538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetaminophen (N-acetyl p-aminophenol or APAP) is used worldwide for its antipyretic and anti-inflammatory potential. However, APAP overdose sometimes causes severe liver damage. In this study, we elucidated the protective effects of carveol in liver injury, using molecular and in silico approaches. Male BALB/c mice were divided into two experimental cohorts, to identify the best dose and to further assess the role of carveol in the nuclear factor E2-related factor; nuclear factor erythroid 2; p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. The results demonstrated that carveol significantly modulated the detrimental effects of APAP by boosting endogenous antioxidant mechanisms, such as nuclear translocation of Nrf2 gene, a master regulator of the downstream antioxidant machinery. Furthermore, an inhibitor of Nrf2, called all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), was used, which exaggerated APAP toxicity, in addition to abrogating the protective effects of carveol; this effect was accompanied by overexpression of inflammatory mediators and liver = 2ltoxicity biomarkers. To further support our notion, we performed virtual docking of carveol with Nrf2-keap1 target, and the resultant drug-protein interactions validated the in vivo findings. Together, our findings suggest that carveol could activate the endogenous master antioxidant Nrf2, which further regulates the expression of downstream antioxidants, eventually ameliorating the APAP-induced inflammation and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaif Ur Rahman
- Shenzhen University Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Health Management Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Lina Tariq Al Kury
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdullah Alattar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zhen Tan
- Shenzhen University Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Health Management Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Reem Alshaman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Imran Malik
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Haroon Badshah
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Zia Uddin
- Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Atif Ali Khan Khalil
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Muhammad
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Saifullah Khan
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Abasyn University Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Amjad Ali
- Department of Botany, University of Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Fawad Ali Shah
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Jing Bo Li
- Shenzhen University Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Health Management Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shupeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen, China
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