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Chen C, Hao HT, Li MQ, Ma YQ, Ding HM. Dissociation of Nicotine from Acetylcholine-Binding Protein under Terahertz Waves Radiation. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:9669-9679. [PMID: 39327873 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c03755] [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: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
The binding of nicotine (NCT) to acetylcholine-binding protein (AChBP) plays an important role in synaptic transmission and neurotransmitter regulation. However, effectively regulating their binding or dissociation processes remains a challenging problem. In this study, we employed all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to systematically investigate the impact of external terahertz (THz) waves on the binding kinetics between AChBP and NCT. We first identified the key residues (i.e., W143) and the key interactions (i.e., hydrogen bonding and cation-π interaction) in AChBP-NCT binding without THz waves. We then investigated the binding and dissociation of charged NCT with AChBP at three different frequencies (i.e., 13.02, 21.44, 42.55 THz). Importantly, the predominant vibrational modes at 13.02 THz can drive the rotation of the pentagonal ring on NCT. This leads to the disruption of hydrogen bonds between NCT and W143 and a reduced likelihood of forming cation-π interactions, resulting in the dissociation of NCT from AChBP. Additionally, we further investigated the influence of electric field intensities on the dissociation kinetics and found that when the electric field intensity exceeds a critical value (∼0.60 V/nm), the probability of ligand dissociation gradually rises as the intensity increases. In general, this study contributes to a better understanding of the effects of THz waves on protein-ligand interactions, which might also shed some light on potential applications in nicotine addiction treatment and therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Hao-Tian Hao
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Meng-Qiu Li
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research, School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Yu-Qiang Ma
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Hong-Ming Ding
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research, School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
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2
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Akinola LS, Gonzales J, Buzzi B, Mathews HL, Papke RL, Stitzel JA, Damaj MI. Investigating the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in menthol's effects in mice. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 257:111262. [PMID: 38492255 PMCID: PMC11031278 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
The use of menthol in tobacco products has been linked to an increased likelihood of developing nicotine dependence. The widespread use of menthol can be attributed to its unique sensory characteristics; however, emerging evidence suggests that menthol also alters sensitivity to nicotine through modulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Nicotinic subunits, such as β2 and α5, are of interest due to their implications in nicotine reward, reinforcement, intake regulation, and aversion. This study, therefore, examined the in vivo relevance of β2 and α5 nicotinic subunits on the pharmacological and behavioral effects of menthol. Data suggests that the α5 nicotinic subunit modulates menthol intake in mice. Overall, deletion or a reduction in function of the α5 subunit lessened aversion to menthol. α5 KO mice and mice possessing the humanized α5 SNP, a variant that confers a nicotine dependence phenotype in humans, demonstrated increased menthol intake compared to their WT counterparts and in a sex-related fashion for α5 SNP mice. We further reported that the modulatory effects of the α5 subunit do not extend to other aversive tastants like quinine, suggesting that deficits in α5* nAChR signaling may not abolish general sensitivity to the aversive effects of other noxious chemicals. Further probing into the role of α5 in other pharmacological properties of menthol revealed that the α5 subunit does not modulate the antinociceptive properties of menthol in mice and suggests that the in vivo differences observed are likely not due to the direct effects of menthol on α5-containing nAChRs in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lois S Akinola
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Jada Gonzales
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Belle Buzzi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Hunter L Mathews
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of Colorado Boulder, Institute for Behavioral Genetics, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Roger L Papke
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jerry A Stitzel
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of Colorado Boulder, Institute for Behavioral Genetics, Boulder, CO, USA; Department of Integrative Physiology, The University of Colorado Boulder, Institute for Behavioral Genetics, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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3
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Filipe HAL, Loura LMS, Moreno MJ. Permeation of a Homologous Series of NBD-Labeled Fatty Amines through Lipid Bilayers: A Molecular Dynamics Study. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:551. [PMID: 37367755 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13060551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Permeation through biomembranes is ubiquitous for drugs to reach their active sites. Asymmetry of the cell plasma membrane (PM) has been described as having an important role in this process. Here we describe the interaction of a homologous series of 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl (NBD)-labeled amphiphiles (NBD-Cn, n = 4 to 16) with lipid bilayers of different compositions (1-palmitoyl, 2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC):cholesterol (1:1) and palmitoylated sphingomyelin (SpM):cholesterol (6:4)), including an asymmetric bilayer. Both unrestrained and umbrella sampling (US) simulations (at varying distances to the bilayer center) were carried out. The free energy profile of NBD-Cn at different depths in the membrane was obtained from the US simulations. The behavior of the amphiphiles during the permeation process was described regarding their orientation, chain elongation, and H-bonding to lipid and water molecules. Permeability coefficients were also calculated for the different amphiphiles of the series, using the inhomogeneous solubility-diffusion model (ISDM). Quantitative agreement with values obtained from kinetic modeling of the permeation process could not be obtained. However, for the longer, and more hydrophobic amphiphiles, the variation trend along the homologous series was qualitatively better matched by the ISDM when the equilibrium location of each amphiphile was taken as reference (ΔG = 0), compared to the usual choice of bulk water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo A L Filipe
- Coimbra Chemistry Center, Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
- CPIRN-IPG-Center of Potential and Innovation of Natural Resources, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal
| | - Luís M S Loura
- Coimbra Chemistry Center, Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria João Moreno
- Coimbra Chemistry Center, Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
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4
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Moreno MJ, Salvador A. Ligand's Partition to the Lipid Bilayer Should Be Accounted for When Estimating Their Affinity to Proteins. Molecules 2023; 28:3136. [PMID: 37049898 PMCID: PMC10095633 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28073136] [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] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ligand-protein interactions are usually studied in complex media that also contain lipids. This is particularly relevant for membrane proteins that are always associated with lipid bilayers, but also for water-soluble proteins studied in in vivo conditions. This work addresses the following two questions: (i) How does the neglect of the lipid bilayer influence the apparent ligand-protein affinity? (ii) How can the intrinsic ligand-protein affinity be obtained? Here we present a framework to quantitatively characterize ligand-protein interactions in complex media for proteins with a single binding site. The apparent affinity obtained when following some often-used approximations is also explored, to establish these approximations' validity limits and to allow the estimation of the true affinities from data reported in literature. It is found that an increase in the ligand lipophilicity or in the volume of the lipid bilayer always leads to a decrease in the apparent ligand-protein affinity, both for water-soluble and for membrane proteins. The only exceptions are very polar ligands (excluded from the lipid bilayer) and ligands whose binding affinity to the protein increases supralinearly with ligand lipophilicity. Finally, this work discusses which are the most relevant parameters to consider when exploring the specificity of membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Moreno
- Department of Chemistry, Coimbra Chemistry Center, Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Armindo Salvador
- Department of Chemistry, Coimbra Chemistry Center, Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
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5
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Moreno MJ, Loura LMS, Martins J, Salvador A, Velazquez-Campoy A. Analysis of the Equilibrium Distribution of Ligands in Heterogeneous Media–Approaches and Pitfalls. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179757. [PMID: 36077155 PMCID: PMC9478965 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The equilibrium distribution of small molecules (ligands) between binding agents in heterogeneous media is an important property that determines their activity. Heterogeneous systems containing proteins and lipid membranes are particularly relevant due to their prevalence in biological systems, and their importance to ligand distribution, which, in turn, is crucial to ligand’s availability and biological activity. In this work, we review several approaches and formalisms for the analysis of the equilibrium distribution of ligands in the presence of proteins, lipid membranes, or both. Special attention is given to common pitfalls in the analysis, with the establishment of the validity limits for the distinct approaches. Due to its widespread use, special attention is given to the characterization of ligand binding through the analysis of Stern–Volmer plots of protein fluorescence quenching. Systems of increasing complexity are considered, from proteins with single to multiple binding sites, from ligands interacting with proteins only to biomembranes containing lipid bilayers and membrane proteins. A new formalism is proposed, in which ligand binding is treated as a partition process, while considering the saturation of protein binding sites. This formalism is particularly useful for the characterization of interaction with membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Moreno
- Coimbra Chemistry Center—Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Luís M. S. Loura
- Coimbra Chemistry Center—Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jorge Martins
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR/CIMAR, LA) and DCBB-FCT, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Armindo Salvador
- Coimbra Chemistry Center—Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Adrian Velazquez-Campoy
- Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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6
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Róg T, Girych M, Bunker A. Mechanistic Understanding from Molecular Dynamics in Pharmaceutical Research 2: Lipid Membrane in Drug Design. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:1062. [PMID: 34681286 PMCID: PMC8537670 DOI: 10.3390/ph14101062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We review the use of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation as a drug design tool in the context of the role that the lipid membrane can play in drug action, i.e., the interaction between candidate drug molecules and lipid membranes. In the standard "lock and key" paradigm, only the interaction between the drug and a specific active site of a specific protein is considered; the environment in which the drug acts is, from a biophysical perspective, far more complex than this. The possible mechanisms though which a drug can be designed to tinker with physiological processes are significantly broader than merely fitting to a single active site of a single protein. In this paper, we focus on the role of the lipid membrane, arguably the most important element outside the proteins themselves, as a case study. We discuss work that has been carried out, using MD simulation, concerning the transfection of drugs through membranes that act as biological barriers in the path of the drugs, the behavior of drug molecules within membranes, how their collective behavior can affect the structure and properties of the membrane and, finally, the role lipid membranes, to which the vast majority of drug target proteins are associated, can play in mediating the interaction between drug and target protein. This review paper is the second in a two-part series covering MD simulation as a tool in pharmaceutical research; both are designed as pedagogical review papers aimed at both pharmaceutical scientists interested in exploring how the tool of MD simulation can be applied to their research and computational scientists interested in exploring the possibility of a pharmaceutical context for their research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Róg
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Mykhailo Girych
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Alex Bunker
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
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7
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Matta JA, Gu S, Davini WB, Bredt DS. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor redux: Discovery of accessories opens therapeutic vistas. Science 2021; 373:373/6556/eabg6539. [PMID: 34385370 DOI: 10.1126/science.abg6539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) acts in part through a family of nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs), which mediate diverse physiological processes including muscle contraction, neurotransmission, and sensory transduction. Pharmacologically, nAChRs are responsible for tobacco addiction and are targeted by medicines for hypertension and dementia. Nicotinic AChRs were the first ion channels to be isolated. Recent studies have identified molecules that control nAChR biogenesis, trafficking, and function. These nAChR accessories include protein and chemical chaperones as well as auxiliary subunits. Whereas some factors act on many nAChRs, others are receptor specific. Discovery of these regulatory mechanisms is transforming nAChR research in cells and tissues ranging from central neurons to spinal ganglia to cochlear hair cells. Nicotinic AChR-specific accessories also enable drug discovery on high-confidence targets for psychiatric, neurological, and auditory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Weston B Davini
- Neuroscience Discovery, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - David S Bredt
- Neuroscience Discovery, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, San Diego, CA 92121, USA.
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8
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Klauda JB. Virtual Issue on Docking. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:5455-5457. [PMID: 34078077 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c03303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffery B Klauda
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland
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9
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Zhang Y, Xie M, Sun F, Zhang Z, Nie W, Sun X, Hu Y. Proton Transfer in Nitromethane-Ammonia Clusters under VUV Single-Photon Ionization Explored by Infrared Spectroscopy and Theoretical Calculations. J Phys Chem A 2021; 125:3279-3287. [PMID: 33878869 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.1c00255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
It is known that the acidity and reactivity of the CH bond can be enhanced after ionization. Also, this property plays a pivotal role in proton transfer reaction and in the formation of new molecules. Herein, infrared spectroscopy and high-precision quantum chemical calculations are used to study the neutral and cationic clusters of nitromethane-ammonia (CH3NO2-NH3). It is found that in the neutral cluster, CH3NO2 and NH3 are mainly bonded by three intermolecular hydrogen bonds, in which electrostatic contribution plays a major role. After vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) single-photon ionization of CH3NO2-NH3, the positive charge redistributes from the ionized nitrogen atom of NH3 to the CH3NO2 molecule immediately. Then, the proton of CH3NO2 transfers to NH3 to form a proton-transferred type structure CH2NO2-NH4+, without any effective energy barrier, due to the positive hyperconjugation of cationic nitromethane. A closed loop of positive charge transfer takes place in the CH3NO2-NH3 cluster after VUV ionization. The present work demonstrates that both the proton transfer reaction and charge transfer process have occurred in the ionized CH3NO2-NH3 cluster. Moreover, it is found that the proton transfer reaction is a result of the highly acidic CH bond caused by hyperconjugation between the σ (CH) bond and π orbital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Spectral Analysis and Functional Probes, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Min Xie
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Spectral Analysis and Functional Probes, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Fufei Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Spectral Analysis and Functional Probes, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Zhaoli Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Spectral Analysis and Functional Probes, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Wuyi Nie
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Spectral Analysis and Functional Probes, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Xiaonan Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Spectral Analysis and Functional Probes, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Yongjun Hu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Spectral Analysis and Functional Probes, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
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10
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Zhang Z, He Z, Xie Y, He T, Fu Y, Yu Y, Huang F. Brønsted acid-catalyzed homogeneous O–H and S–H insertion reactions under metal- and ligand-free conditions. Org Chem Front 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d0qo01401j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The economical and accessible CF3SO3H successfully catalyzed homogeneous O–H and S–H bond insertion reactions between hydroxyl compounds, thiols and diazo compounds under metal- and ligand-free conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Zhang
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Nanjing Normal University
- Nanjing 210023
- P. R. China
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering
| | - Zhiqin He
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Nanjing Normal University
- Nanjing 210023
- P. R. China
| | - Yuxing Xie
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Nanjing Normal University
- Nanjing 210023
- P. R. China
| | - Tiantong He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Nanjing Tech University
- Nanjing 211816
- P. R. China
| | - Yaofeng Fu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Nanjing Tech University
- Nanjing 211816
- P. R. China
| | - Yang Yu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering
- Nanjing Tech University
- Nanjing
- China
| | - Fei Huang
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Nanjing Normal University
- Nanjing 210023
- P. R. China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
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11
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Cooper SY, Henderson BJ. The Impact of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) Flavors on Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors and Nicotine Addiction-Related Behaviors. Molecules 2020; 25:E4223. [PMID: 32942576 PMCID: PMC7571084 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, combustible cigarette smoking has slowly declined by nearly 11% in America; however, the use of electronic cigarettes has increased tremendously, including among adolescents. While nicotine is the main addictive component of tobacco products and a primary concern in electronic cigarettes, this is not the only constituent of concern. There is a growing market of flavored products and a growing use of zero-nicotine e-liquids among electronic cigarette users. Accordingly, there are few studies that examine the impact of flavors on health and behavior. Menthol has been studied most extensively due to its lone exception in combustible cigarettes. Thus, there is a broad understanding of the neurobiological effects that menthol plus nicotine has on the brain including enhancing nicotine reward, altering nicotinic acetylcholine receptor number and function, and altering midbrain neuron excitability. Although flavors other than menthol were banned from combustible cigarettes, over 15,000 flavorants are available for use in electronic cigarettes. This review seeks to summarize the current knowledge on nicotine addiction and the various brain regions and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes involved, as well as describe the most recent findings regarding menthol and green apple flavorants, and their roles in nicotine addiction and vaping-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandon J. Henderson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25703, USA;
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