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Kell DB, Pretorius E. Are fibrinaloid microclots a cause of autoimmunity in Long Covid and other post-infection diseases? Biochem J 2023; 480:1217-1240. [PMID: 37584410 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
It is now well established that the blood-clotting protein fibrinogen can polymerise into an anomalous form of fibrin that is amyloid in character; the resultant clots and microclots entrap many other molecules, stain with fluorogenic amyloid stains, are rather resistant to fibrinolysis, can block up microcapillaries, are implicated in a variety of diseases including Long COVID, and have been referred to as fibrinaloids. A necessary corollary of this anomalous polymerisation is the generation of novel epitopes in proteins that would normally be seen as 'self', and otherwise immunologically silent. The precise conformation of the resulting fibrinaloid clots (that, as with prions and classical amyloid proteins, can adopt multiple, stable conformations) must depend on the existing small molecules and metal ions that the fibrinogen may (and is some cases is known to) have bound before polymerisation. Any such novel epitopes, however, are likely to lead to the generation of autoantibodies. A convergent phenomenology, including distinct conformations and seeding of the anomalous form for initiation and propagation, is emerging to link knowledge in prions, prionoids, amyloids and now fibrinaloids. We here summarise the evidence for the above reasoning, which has substantial implications for our understanding of the genesis of autoimmunity (and the possible prevention thereof) based on the primary process of fibrinaloid formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas B Kell
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, U.K
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 200, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1 Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
| | - Etheresia Pretorius
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, U.K
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1 Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
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2
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Li X, Duan H, Song Z, Xu R. Comparative study on the interaction between fibrinogen and flavonoids. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.132963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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3
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Rial R, González-Durruthy M, Liu Z, Ruso JM. Conformational binding mechanism of lysozyme induced by interactions with penicillin antibiotic drugs. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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4
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Zhang L, Wu Y, Luo X, Jia T, Li K, Zhou L, Mao Z, Huang P. A novel insight into mechanism of derangement of coagulation balance: interactions of quantum dots with coagulation-related proteins. Part Fibre Toxicol 2022; 19:17. [PMID: 35260173 PMCID: PMC8903618 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-022-00458-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Quantum dots (QDs) have gained increased attention for their extensive biomedical and electronic products applications. Due to the high priority of QDs in contacting the circulatory system, understanding the hemocompatibility of QDs is one of the most important aspects for their biosafety evaluation. Thus far, the effect of QDs on coagulation balance haven’t been fully understood, and limited studies also have yet elucidated the potential mechanism from the perspective of interaction of QDs with coagulation-related proteins. Results QDs induced the derangement of coagulation balance by prolonging the activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time as well as changing the expression levels of coagulation and fibrinolytic factors. The contact of QDs with PTM (prothrombin), PLG (plasminogen) and FIB (fibrinogen) which are primary coagulation-related proteins in the coagulation and fibrinolysis systems formed QDs-protein conjugates through hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interaction. The affinity of proteins with QDs followed the order of PTM > PLG > FIB, and was larger with CdTe/ZnS QDs than CdTe QDs. Binding with QDs not only induced static fluorescence quenching of PTM, PLG and FIB, but also altered their conformational structures. The binding of QDs to the active sites of PTM, PLG and FIB may promote the activation of proteins, thus interfering the hemostasis and fibrinolysis processes. Conclusions The interactions of QDs with PTM, PLG and FIB may be key contributors for interference of coagulation balance, that is helpful to achieve a reliable and comprehensive evaluation on the potential biological influence of QDs from the molecular level. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12989-022-00458-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyan Zhang
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Xitoutiao You An Men, Beijing, 100069, China.,School of Public Health, Baotou Medical College, 31# Jianshe Road, Donghe District, Baotou, 014040, China
| | - Yingting Wu
- Core Facility Center, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Xitoutiao You An Men, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xingling Luo
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Xitoutiao You An Men, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Tianjiang Jia
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Xitoutiao You An Men, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Kexin Li
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Xitoutiao You An Men, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Lihong Zhou
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Xitoutiao You An Men, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Zhen Mao
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Xitoutiao You An Men, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Peili Huang
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Xitoutiao You An Men, Beijing, 100069, China.
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Baruah P, Paul D, Doshi J, Mitra S. Elevated Fibrinogen Level Reduces Therapeutic Efficiency of AD Drugs: Biophysical Insights into the Interaction of FDA-Approved Cholinesterase Inhibitors with Human Fibrinogen. J Phys Chem B 2021; 126:30-43. [PMID: 34964643 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c07495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite being the second most abundant protein in blood plasma, reports on the interaction of drugs with fibrinogen (FIB) are relatively scarce. The effect of FIB on the therapeutic potency of four FDA-approved Alzheimer's disease drugs, namely, tacrine (TAC), donepezil (DON), eserine (ESE), and huperzine (HUP), was investigated through a combination of different in vitro and in silico experiments. The efficiency of the drugs in inhibiting the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was significantly reduced in the presence of FIB. This effect was even found to be more substantial than that for the most abundant plasma protein, human serum albumin (HSA). For example, the relative change in IC50 for TAC was found to be 65% in 10 μM FIB as opposed to 43% in the presence of 250 μM HSA. The relative trend of modulation in AChE activity showed consistency with the binding efficiency of the drugs and FIB. The sequestration of drugs in FIB, therefore reducing the availability of free drugs in solution, was identified to be the primary cause for the decrease in the AChE inhibition potency. This study aims to establish FIB as a vital component, while considering the therapeutic effectiveness of different newly developed AChE inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prayasee Baruah
- Department of Chemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
| | - Debojit Paul
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, India
| | - Jitesh Doshi
- BioInsight Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd, Navi Mumbai 410210, India
| | - Sivaprasad Mitra
- Department of Chemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
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6
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Orellana N, Palma S, Torres E, Cordero ML, Vio V, Ruso JM, Juárez J, Topete A, Araya E, Vasquez-Contreras R, Kogan MJ, Hassan N. Study of the interaction of folic acid-modified gold nanorods and fibrinogen through microfluidics: implications for protein adsorption, incorporation and viability of cancer cells. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:17807-17821. [PMID: 34668502 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr03179a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are an attractive nanomaterial for potential applications in therapy and diagnostics due to their capability to direct toward specific sites in the organism. However, when exposed to plasma, GNPs can interact with different biomolecules that form a dynamic nano-bio interface called a "protein corona" (PC). Remarkably, the PC could affect multiple biological processes, such as cell targeting and uptake, cytotoxicity, and nanoparticle (NP) clearance. The interaction of nanomaterials with plasmatic proteins has been widely studied under bulk conditions, however, under dynamic conditions, it has just recently been explored. Thus, to mimic a dynamic natural environment found in arteries and veins, microfluidic devices were used. In this work, gold nanorods (GNRs) were synthesized and conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to reduce their interaction with plasma proteins and increase their biocompatibility. Then, GNRs were functionalized with folic acid, a targeting ligand typically used to recognize tumor cells. The resulting nanosystem was exposed to fibrinogen (FB) to study the development and biological impact of PC formation through two strategies: bulk and laminar flow conditions. The obtained nanosystems were characterized by absorption spectrophotometry, DLS, laser Doppler microelectrophoresis, neutron activation analysis, circular dichroism spectroscopy and TEM. Finally, cell viability and cellular uptake assays were performed to study the influence of the PC on the cell viability and delivery of nanosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nacaroha Orellana
- Programa Institucional de Fomento a la I+D+I, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Ignacio Valdivieso 2409, San Joaquín, Chile.
| | - Sujey Palma
- Programa Institucional de Fomento a la I+D+I, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Ignacio Valdivieso 2409, San Joaquín, Chile.
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Laboratorio de Nanobiotecnología, Universidad de Chile, Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, Chile.
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDis), Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Estefania Torres
- Programa Institucional de Fomento a la I+D+I, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Ignacio Valdivieso 2409, San Joaquín, Chile.
| | - María Luisa Cordero
- Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 850, Santiago, Chile
| | - Valentina Vio
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Laboratorio de Nanobiotecnología, Universidad de Chile, Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, Chile.
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDis), Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan M Ruso
- Soft Matter and Molecular Biophysics Group, Department of Applied Physics, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - Josué Juárez
- Departamento de Física, Universidad de Sonora, Unidad Centro, Hermosillo, Sonora 83000, Mexico
| | - Antonio Topete
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud (CUCS), Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico
| | - Eyleen Araya
- Departamento de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 275, 8370146 Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Vasquez-Contreras
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Laboratorio de Nanobiotecnología, Universidad de Chile, Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, Chile.
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDis), Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 275, 8370146 Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcelo J Kogan
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Laboratorio de Nanobiotecnología, Universidad de Chile, Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, Chile.
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDis), Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Natalia Hassan
- Programa Institucional de Fomento a la I+D+I, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Ignacio Valdivieso 2409, San Joaquín, Chile.
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDis), Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, Santiago, Chile
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Rial R, González-Durruthy M, Somoza M, Liu Z, Ruso JM. Unraveling the Compositional and Molecular Features Involved in Lysozyme-Benzothiazole Derivative Interactions. Molecules 2021; 26:5855. [PMID: 34641399 PMCID: PMC8510236 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26195855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work we present a computational analysis together with experimental studies, focusing on the interaction between a benzothiazole (BTS) and lysozyme. Results obtained from isothermal titration calorimetry, UV-vis, and fluorescence were contrasted and complemented with molecular docking and machine learning techniques. The free energy values obtained both experimentally and theoretically showed excellent similarity. Calorimetry, UV-vis, and 3D/2D-lig-plot analysis revealed that the most relevant interactions between BTS and lysozyme are based on a predominance of aromatic, hydrophobic Van der Waals interactions, mainly aromatic edge-to-face (T-shaped) π-π stacking interactions between the benzene ring belonging to the 2-(methylthio)-benzothiazole moiety of BTS and the aromatic amino acid residue TRP108 of the lysozyme receptor. Next, conventional hydrogen bonding interactions contribute to the stability of the BTS-lysozyme coupling complex. In addition, mechanistic approaches performed using elastic network models revealed that the BTS ligand theoretically induces propagation of allosteric signals, suggesting non-physiological conformational flexing in large blocks of lysozyme affecting α-helices. Likewise, the BTS ligand interacts directly with allosteric residues, inducing perturbations in the conformational dynamics expressed as a moderate conformational softening in the α-helices H1, H2, and their corresponding β-loop in the lysozyme receptor, in contrast to the unbound state of lysozyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramón Rial
- Soft Matter and Molecular Biophysics Group, Department of Applied Physics, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (R.R.); (M.G.-D.); (M.S.)
| | - Michael González-Durruthy
- Soft Matter and Molecular Biophysics Group, Department of Applied Physics, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (R.R.); (M.G.-D.); (M.S.)
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, LAQV@REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuel Somoza
- Soft Matter and Molecular Biophysics Group, Department of Applied Physics, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (R.R.); (M.G.-D.); (M.S.)
| | - Zhen Liu
- Department of Physics and Engineering, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD 21532, USA;
| | - Juan M. Ruso
- Soft Matter and Molecular Biophysics Group, Department of Applied Physics, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (R.R.); (M.G.-D.); (M.S.)
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Wu X, Wang C, Hao P, He F, Yao Z, Zhang X. Adsorption properties of albumin and fibrinogen on hydrophilic/hydrophobic TiO 2 surfaces: A molecular dynamics study. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2021; 207:111994. [PMID: 34303996 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.111994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
In serval experimental researches, UV-induced hydrophilicity enabled better hemocompatibility in the TiO2 surface, which was considered to be caused by the removal of the carboxylic acid contamination from the surface. In this paper, we altered the surface wetting property by applying the formate contamination on the rutile (110) surface, and systematically investigated the adsorption properties of albumin and fibrinogen on hydrophilic/hydrophobic TiO2 surface. Unique contacts were found between the charged residues and the hydrophilic surface, anchoring the protein on the surface. The small size and the heart shape of albumin make it easy to cross the stable water layers near the surface. Besides, albumin has a higher proportion of charged residues, so it can form more unique contacts on the hydrophilic surface. Therefore, the albumin tends to adsorb on the hydrophilic surface. For the hydrophobic surface, the water layers near the surface are weakened, which helps the fibrinogen diffusing to the surface and adjusting its orientation. Although the hydrophobic surface cannot form the unique contacts, the larger size of fibrinogen can provide more residues to form enough ordinary contacts after adjusting, and then achieves stable adsorption. Therefore, fibrinogen tends to adsorb on the hydrophobic surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wu
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Chenyang Wang
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Pengfei Hao
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Feng He
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zhaohui Yao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Xiwen Zhang
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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González-Durruthy M, Rial R, Cordeiro MND, Liu Z, Ruso JM. Exploring the conformational binding mechanism of fibrinogen induced by interactions with penicillin β-lactam antibiotic drugs. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114667] [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]
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10
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González-Durruthy M, Concu R, Vendrame LFO, Zanella I, Ruso JM, Cordeiro MNDS. Targeting Beta-Blocker Drug-Drug Interactions with Fibrinogen Blood Plasma Protein: A Computational and Experimental Study. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25225425. [PMID: 33228181 PMCID: PMC7699576 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, one of the most prevalent polypharmacology drug–drug interaction events that occurs between two widely used beta-blocker drugs—i.e., acebutolol and propranolol—with the most abundant blood plasma fibrinogen protein was evaluated. Towards that end, molecular docking and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were used as complementary tools. A fibrinogen crystallographic validation for the three best ranked binding-sites shows 100% of conformationally favored residues with total absence of restricted flexibility. From those three sites, results on both the binding-site druggability and ligand transport analysis-based free energy trajectories pointed out the most preferred biophysical environment site for drug–drug interactions. Furthermore, the total affinity for the stabilization of the drug–drug complexes was mostly influenced by steric energy contributions, based mainly on multiple hydrophobic contacts with critical residues (THR22: P and SER50: Q) in such best-ranked site. Additionally, the DFT calculations revealed that the beta-blocker drug–drug complexes have a spontaneous thermodynamic stabilization following the same affinity order obtained in the docking simulations, without covalent-bond formation between both interacting beta-blockers in the best-ranked site. Lastly, experimental ultrasound density and velocity measurements were performed and allowed us to validate and corroborate the computational obtained results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael González-Durruthy
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal;
- Soft Matter and Molecular Biophysics Group, Department of Applied Physics, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
- Correspondence: (M.G.-D.); (M.N.D.S.C.); Tel.: +351-220402502 (M.N.D.S.C.)
| | - Riccardo Concu
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Laura F. Osmari Vendrame
- Post-Graduate Program in Nanoscience, Franciscana University (UFN), Santa Maria 97010-032, RS, Brazil; (L.F.O.V.); (I.Z.)
| | - Ivana Zanella
- Post-Graduate Program in Nanoscience, Franciscana University (UFN), Santa Maria 97010-032, RS, Brazil; (L.F.O.V.); (I.Z.)
| | - Juan M. Ruso
- Soft Matter and Molecular Biophysics Group, Department of Applied Physics, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - M. Natália D. S. Cordeiro
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal;
- Correspondence: (M.G.-D.); (M.N.D.S.C.); Tel.: +351-220402502 (M.N.D.S.C.)
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Mapping the underlying mechanisms of fibrinogen benzothiazole drug interactions using computational and experimental approaches. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 163:730-744. [PMID: 32653381 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional conformational crystallographic binding-modes are of paramount importance to understand the docking mechanism of protein-ligand interactions and to identify potential "leading drugs" conformers towards rational drugs-design. Herein, we present an integrated computational-experimental study tackling the problem of multiple binding modes among the ligand 3-(2-Benzothiazolylthio)-propane sulfonic acid (BTS) and the fibrinogen receptor (E-region). Based on molecular docking simulations, we found that the free energy of binding values for nine of different BTS-docking complexes (i.e., BTS-pose_1-9) were very close. We have also identified a docking-mechanism of BTS-interaction mainly based on non-covalent hydrophobic interactions with H-bond contacts stabilizing the fibrinogen-BTS docking complexes. Interestingly, the different BTS-poses_1-9 were found to be able to block the fibrinogen binding site (E-region) by inducing local perturbations in effector and allosteric residues, reducing the degree of collectivity in its flexibility normal modes. As such, we theoretically suggest that the BTS-binding modes can significantly affect the physiological condition of the unoccupied fibrinogen protein structure by bringing global and local perturbations in the frequency domain spectra. The proposed theoretical mechanisms, the interactions involved and the conformational changes suggested, were further corroborated by different experimental techniques such as isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), zeta potential, UV-vis, fluorescence and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The combined results shall open new avenues towards the application of complex supra-molecular information in rational drugs-design.
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