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Zhou J, Huang M. Navigating the landscape of enzyme design: from molecular simulations to machine learning. Chem Soc Rev 2024. [PMID: 38990263 DOI: 10.1039/d4cs00196f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Global environmental issues and sustainable development call for new technologies for fine chemical synthesis and waste valorization. Biocatalysis has attracted great attention as the alternative to the traditional organic synthesis. However, it is challenging to navigate the vast sequence space to identify those proteins with admirable biocatalytic functions. The recent development of deep-learning based structure prediction methods such as AlphaFold2 reinforced by different computational simulations or multiscale calculations has largely expanded the 3D structure databases and enabled structure-based design. While structure-based approaches shed light on site-specific enzyme engineering, they are not suitable for large-scale screening of potential biocatalysts. Effective utilization of big data using machine learning techniques opens up a new era for accelerated predictions. Here, we review the approaches and applications of structure-based and machine-learning guided enzyme design. We also provide our view on the challenges and perspectives on effectively employing enzyme design approaches integrating traditional molecular simulations and machine learning, and the importance of database construction and algorithm development in attaining predictive ML models to explore the sequence fitness landscape for the design of admirable biocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Zhou
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Meilan Huang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG, Northern Ireland, UK.
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2
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Bowling PE, Dasgupta S, Herbert JM. Eliminating Imaginary Vibrational Frequencies in Quantum-Chemical Cluster Models of Enzymatic Active Sites. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:3912-3922. [PMID: 38648614 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c00221] [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: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
In constructing finite models of enzyme active sites for quantum-chemical calculations, atoms at the periphery of the model must be constrained to prevent unphysical rearrangements during geometry relaxation. A simple fixed-atom or "coordinate-lock" approach is commonly employed but leads to undesirable artifacts in the form of small imaginary frequencies. These preclude evaluation of finite-temperature free-energy corrections, limiting thermochemical calculations to enthalpies only. Full-dimensional vibrational frequency calculations are possible by replacing the fixed-atom constraints with harmonic confining potentials. Here, we compare that approach to an alternative strategy in which fixed-atom contributions to the Hessian are simply omitted. While the latter strategy does eliminate imaginary frequencies, it tends to underestimate both the zero-point energy and the vibrational entropy while introducing artificial rigidity. Harmonic confining potentials eliminate imaginary frequencies and provide a flexible means to construct active-site models that can be used in unconstrained geometry relaxations, affording better convergence of reaction energies and barrier heights with respect to the model size, as compared to models with fixed-atom constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige E Bowling
- Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Saswata Dasgupta
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - John M Herbert
- Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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3
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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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4
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Coimbra JTS, Fernandes PA, Ramos MJ. Deciphering the Catalytic Mechanism of Virginiamycin B Lyase with Multiscale Methods and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:6354-6365. [PMID: 37791530 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00962] [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: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance, the need to explore novel antibiotics and/or novel strategies to counter antibiotic resistance is of utmost importance. In this work, we explored the molecular and mechanistic details of the degradation of a streptogramin B antibiotic by virginiamycin B (Vgb) lyase of Staphylococcus aureus using classical molecular dynamics simulations and multiscale quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics methods. Our results were in line with available experimental kinetic information. Although we were able to identify a stepwise mechanism, in the wild-type enzyme, the intermediate is short-lived, showing a small barrier to decay to the product state. The impact of point mutations on the reaction was also assessed, showing not only the importance of active site residues to the reaction catalyzed by Vgb lyase but also of near positive and negative residues surrounding the active site. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we also predicted the most likely protonation state of the 3-hydroxypicolinic moiety of the antibiotic and the impact of mutants on antibiotic binding. All this information will expand our understanding of linearization reactions of cyclic antibiotics, which are crucial for the development of novel strategies that aim to tackle antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- João T S Coimbra
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro A Fernandes
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria J Ramos
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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Chaturvedi SS, Bím D, Christov CZ, Alexandrova AN. From random to rational: improving enzyme design through electric fields, second coordination sphere interactions, and conformational dynamics. Chem Sci 2023; 14:10997-11011. [PMID: 37860658 PMCID: PMC10583697 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc02982d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Enzymes are versatile and efficient biological catalysts that drive numerous cellular processes, motivating the development of enzyme design approaches to tailor catalysts for diverse applications. In this perspective, we investigate the unique properties of natural, evolved, and designed enzymes, recognizing their strengths and shortcomings. We highlight the challenges and limitations of current enzyme design protocols, with a particular focus on their limited consideration of long-range electrostatic and dynamic effects. We then delve deeper into the impact of the protein environment on enzyme catalysis and explore the roles of preorganized electric fields, second coordination sphere interactions, and protein dynamics for enzyme function. Furthermore, we present several case studies illustrating successful enzyme-design efforts incorporating enzyme strategies mentioned above to achieve improved catalytic properties. Finally, we envision the future of enzyme design research, spotlighting the challenges yet to be overcome and the synergy of intrinsic electric fields, second coordination sphere interactions, and conformational dynamics to push the state-of-the-art boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shobhit S Chaturvedi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles California 90095 USA
| | - Daniel Bím
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles California 90095 USA
| | - Christo Z Christov
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan Technological University Houghton Michigan 49931 USA
| | - Anastassia N Alexandrova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles California 90095 USA
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6
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Inniss NL, Kozic J, Li F, Rosas-Lemus M, Minasov G, Rybáček J, Zhu Y, Pohl R, Shuvalova L, Rulíšek L, Brunzelle JS, Bednárová L, Štefek M, Kormaník JM, Andris E, Šebestík J, Li ASM, Brown PJ, Schmitz U, Saikatendu K, Chang E, Nencka R, Vedadi M, Satchell KJ. Discovery of a Druggable, Cryptic Pocket in SARS-CoV-2 nsp16 Using Allosteric Inhibitors. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1918-1931. [PMID: 37728236 PMCID: PMC10961098 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00203] [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] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
A collaborative, open-science team undertook discovery of novel small molecule inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp16-nsp10 2'-O-methyltransferase using a high throughput screening approach with the potential to reveal new inhibition strategies. This screen yielded compound 5a, a ligand possessing an electron-deficient double bond, as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 nsp16 activity. Surprisingly, X-ray crystal structures revealed that 5a covalently binds within a previously unrecognized cryptic pocket near the S-adenosylmethionine binding cleft in a manner that prevents occupation by S-adenosylmethionine. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we examined the mechanism of binding of compound 5a to the nsp16 cryptic pocket and developed 5a derivatives that inhibited nsp16 activity and murine hepatitis virus replication in rat lung epithelial cells but proved cytotoxic to cell lines canonically used to examine SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study reveals the druggability of this newly discovered SARS-CoV-2 nsp16 cryptic pocket, provides novel tool compounds to explore the site, and suggests a new approach for discovery of nsp16 inhibition-based pan-coronavirus therapeutics through structure-guided drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L. Inniss
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology and Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
| | - Ján Kozic
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Fengling Li
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Monica Rosas-Lemus
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology and Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
| | - George Minasov
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology and Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
| | - Jiří Rybáček
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Yingjie Zhu
- WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Shanghai, 201308, China
| | - Radek Pohl
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Ludmilla Shuvalova
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
| | - Lubomír Rulíšek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Joseph S. Brunzelle
- Northwestern Synchrotron Research Center, Life Sciences Collaborative Access Team, Northwestern University, Argonne, IL, 60439, United States
| | - Lucie Bednárová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Štefek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Ján Michael Kormaník
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Erik Andris
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Šebestík
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Alice Shi Ming Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada, and Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Peter J. Brown
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Uli Schmitz
- Structural Chemistry, Gilead Pharmaceuticals, San Mateo, CA, 94404, United States
| | - Kumar Saikatendu
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., San Diego, CA, 92121, United States
| | - Edcon Chang
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., San Diego, CA, 92121, United States
| | - Radim Nencka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Masoud Vedadi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada, and Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Karla J.F. Satchell
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology and Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
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Motlová L, Šnajdr I, Kutil Z, Andris E, Ptáček J, Novotná A, Nováková Z, Havlínová B, Tueckmantel W, Dráberová H, Majer P, Schutkowski M, Kozikowski A, Rulíšek L, Bařinka C. Comprehensive Mechanistic View of the Hydrolysis of Oxadiazole-Based Inhibitors by Histone Deacetylase 6 (HDAC6). ACS Chem Biol 2023. [PMID: 37392419 PMCID: PMC10367051 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors used in the clinic typically contain a hydroxamate zinc-binding group (ZBG). However, more recent work has shown that the use of alternative ZBGs, and, in particular, the heterocyclic oxadiazoles, can confer higher isoenzyme selectivity and more favorable ADMET profiles. Herein, we report on the synthesis and biochemical, crystallographic, and computational characterization of a series of oxadiazole-based inhibitors selectively targeting the HDAC6 isoform. Surprisingly, but in line with a very recent finding reported in the literature, a crystal structure of the HDAC6/inhibitor complex revealed that hydrolysis of the oxadiazole ring transforms the parent oxadiazole into an acylhydrazide through a sequence of two hydrolytic steps. An identical cleavage pattern was also observed both in vitro using the purified HDAC6 enzyme as well as in cellular systems. By employing advanced quantum and molecular mechanics (QM/MM) and QM calculations, we elucidated the mechanistic details of the two hydrolytic steps to obtain a comprehensive mechanistic view of the double hydrolysis of the oxadiazole ring. This was achieved by fully characterizing the reaction coordinate, including identification of the structures of all intermediates and transition states, together with calculations of their respective activation (free) energies. In addition, we ruled out several (intuitively) competing pathways. The computed data (ΔG‡ ≈ 21 kcal·mol-1 for the rate-determining step of the overall dual hydrolysis) are in very good agreement with the experimentally determined rate constants, which a posteriori supports the proposed reaction mechanism. We also clearly (and quantitatively) explain the role of the -CF3 or -CHF2 substituent on the oxadiazole ring, which is a prerequisite for hydrolysis to occur. Overall, our data provide compelling evidence that the oxadiazole warheads can be efficiently transformed within the active sites of target metallohydrolases to afford reaction products possessing distinct selectivity and inhibition profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Motlová
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Šnajdr
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Zsófia Kutil
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Erik Andris
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Ptáček
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Adéla Novotná
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Zora Nováková
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Havlínová
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Werner Tueckmantel
- StarWise Therapeutics LLC, University Research Park, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin 53719, United States
| | - Helena Dráberová
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Mike Schutkowski
- Department of Enzymology, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Alan Kozikowski
- StarWise Therapeutics LLC, University Research Park, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin 53719, United States
| | - Lubomír Rulíšek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Cyril Bařinka
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
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8
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Shirazi J, Jafari S, Ryde U, Irani M. Catalytic Reaction Mechanism of Glyoxalase II: A Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics Study. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:4480-4495. [PMID: 37191640 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c01495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Methylglyoxal (MG) is a reactive and toxic compound produced in carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. The glyoxalase system is the main detoxifying route for MG and consists of two enzymes, glyoxalase I (GlxI) and glyoxalase II (GlxII). GlxI catalyzes the formation of S-d-lactoylglutathione from hemithioacetal, and GlxII converts this intermediate to d-lactate. A relationship between the glyoxalase system and some diseases like diabetes has been shown, and inhibiting enzymes of this system may be an effective means of controlling certain diseases. A detailed understanding of the reaction mechanism of an enzyme is essential to the rational design of competitive inhibitors. In this work, we use quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations and energy refinement utilizing the big-QM and QM/MM thermodynamic cycle perturbation methods to propose a mechanism for the GlxII reaction that starts with a nucleophilic attack of the bridging OH- group on the substrate. The coordination of the substrate to the Zn ions places its electrophilic center close to the hydroxide group, enabling the reaction to proceed. Our estimated reaction energies are in excellent agreement with experimental data, thus demonstrating the reliability of our approach and the proposed mechanism. Additionally, we examined alternative protonation states of Asp-29, Asp-58, Asp-134, and the bridging hydroxide ion in the catalytic process. However, these give less favorable reactions, a poorer reproduction of the crystal structure geometry of the active site, and higher root-mean-squared deviations of the active site residues in molecular dynamics simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Shirazi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 66175-416, 66177-15177 Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Sonia Jafari
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 66175-416, 66177-15177 Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Ulf Ryde
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Mehdi Irani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 66175-416, 66177-15177 Sanandaj, Iran
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Chang Y, Hawkins BA, Du JJ, Groundwater PW, Hibbs DE, Lai F. A Guide to In Silico Drug Design. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010049. [PMID: 36678678 PMCID: PMC9867171 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The drug discovery process is a rocky path that is full of challenges, with the result that very few candidates progress from hit compound to a commercially available product, often due to factors, such as poor binding affinity, off-target effects, or physicochemical properties, such as solubility or stability. This process is further complicated by high research and development costs and time requirements. It is thus important to optimise every step of the process in order to maximise the chances of success. As a result of the recent advancements in computer power and technology, computer-aided drug design (CADD) has become an integral part of modern drug discovery to guide and accelerate the process. In this review, we present an overview of the important CADD methods and applications, such as in silico structure prediction, refinement, modelling and target validation, that are commonly used in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqun Chang
- Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Bryson A. Hawkins
- Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jonathan J. Du
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Paul W. Groundwater
- Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - David E. Hibbs
- Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Felcia Lai
- Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Jedlickova L, Peterkova K, Boateng EM, Ulrychova L, Vacek V, Kutil Z, Jiang Z, Novakova Z, Snajdr I, Kim J, O’Donoghue AJ, Barinka C, Dvorak J. Characterization of glutamate carboxypeptidase 2 orthologs in trematodes. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:480. [PMID: 36539882 PMCID: PMC9768917 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05556-5] [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: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutamate carboxypeptidase 2 (GCP2) belongs to the M28B metalloprotease subfamily encompassing a variety of zinc-dependent exopeptidases that can be found in many eukaryotes, including unicellular organisms. Limited information exists on the physiological functions of GCP2 orthologs in mammalian tissues outside of the brain and intestine, and such data are completely absent for non-mammalian species. Here, we investigate GCP2 orthologs found in trematodes, not only as putative instrumental molecules for defining their basal function(s) but also as drug targets. METHODS Identified genes encoding M28B proteases Schistosoma mansoni and Fasciola hepatica genomes were analyzed and annotated. Homology modeling was used to create three-dimensional models of SmM28B and FhM28B proteins using published X-ray structures as the template. For S. mansoni, RT-qPCR was used to evaluate gene expression profiles, and, by RNAi, we exploited the possible impact of knockdown on the viability of worms. Enzymes from both parasite species were cloned for recombinant expression. Polyclonal antibodies raised against purified recombinant enzymes and RNA probes were used for localization studies in both parasite species. RESULTS Single genes encoding M28B metalloproteases were identified in the genomes of S. mansoni and F. hepatica. Homology models revealed the conserved three-dimensional fold as well as the organization of the di-zinc active site. Putative peptidase activities of purified recombinant proteins were assayed using peptidic libraries, yet no specific substrate was identified, pointing towards the likely stringent substrate specificity of the enzymes. The orthologs were found to be localized in reproductive, digestive, nervous, and sensory organs as well as parenchymal cells. Knockdown of gene expression by RNAi silencing revealed that the genes studied were non-essential for trematode survival under laboratory conditions, reflecting similar findings for GCP2 KO mice. CONCLUSIONS Our study offers the first insight to our knowledge into M28B protease orthologs found in trematodes. Conservation of their three-dimensional structure, as well as tissue expression pattern, suggests that trematode GCP2 orthologs may have functions similar to their mammalian counterparts and can thus serve as valuable models for future studies aimed at clarifying the physiological role(s) of GCP2 and related subfamily proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Jedlickova
- grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XDepartment of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Kristyna Peterkova
- grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XDepartment of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic ,grid.4491.80000 0004 1937 116XDepartment of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12844 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Enoch Mensah Boateng
- grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XDepartment of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Ulrychova
- grid.4491.80000 0004 1937 116XDepartment of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12844 Prague 2, Czech Republic ,grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo N. 2, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Vacek
- grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XDepartment of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Zsofia Kutil
- grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Laboratory of Structural Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Zhenze Jiang
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Zora Novakova
- grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Laboratory of Structural Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Snajdr
- grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo N. 2, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Juan Kim
- grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XDepartment of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Anthony J. O’Donoghue
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Cyril Barinka
- grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Laboratory of Structural Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Dvorak
- grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XDepartment of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic ,grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo N. 2, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic ,grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XFaculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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11
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Derat E, Kamerlin SCL. Computational Advances in Protein Engineering and Enzyme Design. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:2449-2451. [PMID: 35387452 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c01198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Derat
- Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire, UMR 8232 CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
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