Volume of Hsp90 Protein–Ligand Binding Determined by Fluorescent Pressure Shift Assay, Densitometry, and NMR

Interaction of the new inhibitor paxlovid (PF-07321332) and ivermectin with the monomer of the main protease SARS-CoV-2: A volumetric study based on molecular dynamics, elastic networks, classical thermodynamics and SPT

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the study of drugs, most notably ivermectin and more recently Paxlovid (PF-07321332) which is in phase III clinical trials with experimental data showing covalent binding to the viral protease M^pro. Theoretical developments of catalytic site-directed docking support thermodynamically feasible non-covalent binding to M^pro. Here we show that Paxlovid binds non-covalently at regions other than the catalytic sites with energies stronger than reported and at the same binding site as the ivermectin B1a homologue, all through theoretical methodologies, including blind docking. We volumetrically characterize the non-covalent interaction of the ivermectin homologues (avermectins B1a and B1b) and Paxlovid with the mM^pro monomer, through molecular dynamics and scaled particle theory (SPT). Using the fluctuation-dissipation theorem (FDT), we estimated the electric dipole moment fluctuations at the surface of each of complex involved in this study, with similar trends to that observed in the interaction volume. Using fluctuations of the intrinsic volume and the number of flexible fragments of proteins using anisotropic and Gaussian elastic networks (ANM+GNM) suggests the complexes with ivermectin are more dynamic and flexible than the unbound monomer. In contrast, the binding of Paxlovid to mM^pro shows that the mM^pro-PF complex is the least structurally dynamic of all the species measured in this investigation. The results support a differential molecular mechanism of the ivermectin and PF homologues in the mM^pro monomer. Finally, the results showed that Paxlovid despite beingbound in different sites through covalent or non-covalent forms behaves similarly in terms of its structural flexibility and volumetric behaviour.

Deep sea osmolytes in action: their effect on protein-ligand binding under high pressure stress

Because organisms living in the deep sea and in the sub-seafloor must be able to cope with hydrostatic pressures up to 1000 bar and more, their biomolecular processes, including ligand-binding reactions, must be adjusted to keep the associated volume changes low in order to function efficiently. Almost all organisms use organic cosolvents (osmolytes) to protect their cells from adverse environmental conditions. They counteract osmotic imbalance, stabilize the structure of proteins and maintain their function. We studied the binding properties of the prototypical ligand proflavine to two serum proteins with different binding pockets, BSA and HSA, in the presence of two prominent osmolytes, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and glycine betaine (GB). TMAO and GB play an important role in the regulation and adaptation of life in deep-sea organisms. To this end, pressure dependent fluorescence spectroscopy was applied, supplemented by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and computer modeling studies. The pressure-dependent measurements were also performed to investigate the intimate nature of the complex formation in relation to hydration and packing changes caused by the presence of the osmolytes. We show that TMAO and GB are able to modulate the ligand binding process in specific ways. Depending on the chemical make-up of the protein's binding pocket and thus the thermodynamic forces driving the binding process, there are osmolytes with specific interaction sites and binding strengths with water that are able to mediate efficient ligand binding even under external stress conditions. In the binding of proflavine to BSA and HSA, the addition of both compatible osmolytes leads to an increase in the binding constant upon pressurization, with TMAO being the most efficient, rendering the binding process also insensitive to pressurization even up to 2 kbar as the volume change remains close to zero. This effect can be corroborated by the effects the cosolvents impose on the strength and dynamics of hydration water as well as on the conformational dynamics of the protein.

Denaturant- or ligand-induced change in protein volume by pressure shift assay

A complete thermodynamic description of protein-ligand binding includes parameters related to pressure and temperature. The changes in protein volume and compressibility upon binding a ligand are pressure-related parameters that are...

Protein-Ligand Binding Volume Determined from a Single 2D NMR Spectrum with Increasing Pressure

Proteins undergo changes in their partial volumes in numerous biological processes such as enzymatic catalysis, unfolding–refolding, and ligand binding. The change in the protein volume upon ligand binding—a parameter termed the protein–ligand binding volume—can be extensively studied by high-pressure NMR spectroscopy. In this study, we developed a method to determine the protein–ligand binding volume from a single two-dimensional (2D) ¹H–¹⁵N heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) spectrum at different pressures, if the exchange between ligand-free and ligand-bound states of a protein is slow in the NMR time-scale. This approach required a significantly lower amount of protein and NMR time to determine the protein–ligand binding volume of two carbonic anhydrase isozymes upon binding their ligands. The proposed method can be used in other protein–ligand systems and expand the knowledge about protein volume changes upon small-molecule binding.

Harnessing Pressure Modulation for Exploring Ligand Binding Reactions in Cosolvent Solutions

A comprehensive understanding of ligand-protein interactions requires information about all thermodynamic parameters that describe the complexation reaction, and they should be able to provide the necessary information to understand the molecular forces that drive complex formation. Usually, binding studies are performed at ambient pressure conditions. However, in addition to using temperature variation to reveal enthalpic and entropic contributions to ligand binding, complementary pressure-dependent studies providing volumetric properties of the reaction can be beneficial. Changes in partial molar volume can inform about changes in packing and hydration upon ligand binding. Here, after a general discussion of pressure effects on ligand binding reactions, we present a comprehensive study of the effect of pressure and a widely used organic cosolvent, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), on the binding of a small aromatic ligand, proflavine, to the enzyme α-chymotrypsin. We found that DMSO, which acts as a competitive inhibitor for proflavine, has a strong impact on the interaction process, resulting in a decrease of the binding constant. While the reaction performed in neat buffer is basically pressure insensitive, the partial molar volume of the complex in the presence of DMSO is larger compared with the uncomplexed state, rendering the binding constant markedly smaller upon pressurization. We also show that the magnitude and sign of the binding volume provide valuable information about the interaction mechanism and hydration changes, which is of particular interest when cosolvents are present.

Thermodynamic, kinetic, and structural parameterization of human carbonic anhydrase interactions toward enhanced inhibitor design

The aim of rational drug design is to develop small molecules using a quantitative approach to optimize affinity. This should enhance the development of chemical compounds that would specifically, selectively, reversibly, and with high affinity interact with a target protein. It is not yet possible to develop such compounds using computational (i.e., in silico) approach and instead the lead molecules are discovered in high-throughput screening searches of large compound libraries. The main reason why in silico methods are not capable to deliver is our poor understanding of the compound structure-thermodynamics and structure-kinetics correlations. There is a need for databases of intrinsic binding parameters (e.g., the change upon binding in standard Gibbs energy (ΔGint), enthalpy (ΔHint), entropy (ΔSint), volume (ΔVintr), heat capacity (ΔCp,int), association rate (ka,int), and dissociation rate (kd,int)) between a series of closely related proteins and a chemically diverse, but pharmacophoric group-guided library of compounds together with the co-crystal structures that could help explain the structure-energetics correlations and rationally design novel compounds. Assembly of these data will facilitate attempts to provide correlations and train data for modeling of compound binding. Here, we report large datasets of the intrinsic thermodynamic and kinetic data including over 400 primary sulfonamide compound binding to a family of 12 catalytically active human carbonic anhydrases (CA). Thermodynamic parameters have been determined by the fluorescent thermal shift assay, isothermal titration calorimetry, and by the stopped-flow assay of the inhibition of enzymatic activity. Kinetic measurements were performed using surface plasmon resonance. Intrinsic thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of binding were determined by dissecting the binding-linked protonation reactions of the protein and sulfonamide. The compound structure-thermodynamics and kinetics correlations reported here helped to discover compounds that exhibited picomolar affinities, hour-long residence times, and million-fold selectivities over non-target CA isoforms. Drug-lead compounds are suggested for anticancer target CA IX and CA XII, antiglaucoma CA IV, antiobesity CA VA and CA VB, and other isoforms. Together with 85 X-ray crystallographic structures of 60 compounds bound to six CA isoforms, the database should be of help to continue developing the principles of rational target-based drug design.

Analyzing protein-ligand and protein-interface interactions using high pressure

All protein function is based on interactions with the environment. Proteins can bind molecules for their transport, their catalytic conversion, or for signal transduction. They can bind to each other, and they adsorb at interfaces, such as lipid membranes or material surfaces. An experimental characterization is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms, but also to make use of proteins in biotechnology or biomedicine. When protein interactions are studied under high pressure, volume changes are revealed that directly describe spatial contributions to these interactions. Moreover, the strength of protein interactions with ligands or interfaces can be tuned in a smooth way by pressure modulation, which can be utilized in the design of drugs and bio-responsive interfaces. In this short review, selected studies of protein-ligand and protein-interface interactions are presented that were carried out under high pressure. Furthermore, a perspective on bio-responsive interfaces is given where protein-ligand binding is applied to create functional interfacial structures.

A high pressure study of calmodulin-ligand interactions using small-angle X-ray and elastic incoherent neutron scattering

Calmodulin (CaM) is a Ca²⁺ sensor and mediates Ca²⁺ signaling through binding of numerous target ligands. The binding of ligands by Ca²⁺-saturated CaM (holo-CaM) is governed by attractive hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions that are weakened under high pressure in aqueous solutions. Moreover, the potential formation of void volumes upon ligand binding creates a further source of pressure sensitivity. Hence, high pressure is a suitable thermodynamic variable to probe protein-ligand interactions. In this study, we compare the binding of two different ligands to holo-CaM as a function of pressure by using X-ray and neutron scattering techniques. The two ligands are the farnesylated hypervariable region (HVR) of the K-Ras4B protein, which is a natural binding partner of holo-CaM, and the antagonist trifluoperazine (TFP), which is known to inhibit holo-CaM activity. From small-angle X-ray scattering experiments performed up to 3000 bar, we observe a pressure-induced partial unfolding of the free holo-CaM in the absence of ligands, where the two lobes of the dumbbell-shaped protein are slightly swelled. In contrast, upon binding TFP, holo-CaM forms a closed globular conformation, which is pressure stable at least up to 3000 bar. The HVR of K-Ras4B shows a different binding behavior, and the data suggest the dissociation of the holo-CaM/HVR complex under high pressure, probably due to a less dense protein contact of the HVR as compared to TFP. The elastic incoherent neutron scattering experiments corroborate these findings. Below 2000 bar, pressure induces enhanced atomic fluctuations in both holo-CaM/ligand complexes, but those of the holo-CaM/HVR complex seem to be larger. Thus, the inhibition of holo-CaM by TFP is supported by a low-volume ligand binding, albeit this is not associated with a rigidification of the complex structure on the sub-ns Å-scale.