1
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Ferreira Almeida C, Correia-da-Silva G, Teixeira N, Amaral C. Influence of tumor microenvironment on the different breast cancer subtypes and applied therapies. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116178. [PMID: 38561089 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Despite the significant improvements made in breast cancer therapy during the last decades, this disease still has increasing incidence and mortality rates. Different targets involved in general processes, like cell proliferation and survival, have become alternative therapeutic options for this disease, with some of them already used in clinic, like the CDK4/6 inhibitors for luminal A tumors treatment. Nevertheless, there is a demand for novel therapeutic strategies focused not only on tumor cells, but also on their microenvironment. Tumor microenvironment (TME) is a very complex and dynamic system that, more than surrounding and supporting tumor cells, actively participates in tumor development and progression. During the last decades, it has become clear that the cellular and acellular components of TME differ between the various breast cancer subtypes and shape the differences regarding their severity and prognosis. The pivotal role of the TME in controlling tumor growth and influencing responses to therapy represents a potential source for novel targets and therapeutic strategies. In this review, we present a description of the multiple therapeutic options used for different breast cancer subtypes, as well as the influence that the TME may exert on the development of the disease and on the response to the distinct therapies, which in some cases may explain their failure by the occurrence of relapses and resistance. Furthermore, the ongoing studies focused on the use of TME components for developing potential cancer treatments are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Ferreira Almeida
- UCIBIO, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Georgina Correia-da-Silva
- UCIBIO, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Natércia Teixeira
- UCIBIO, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina Amaral
- UCIBIO, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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Caciolla J, Martini S, Spinello A, Belluti F, Bisi A, Zaffaroni N, Magistrato A, Gobbi S. Single-digit nanomolar inhibitors lock the aromatase active site via a dualsteric targeting strategy. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114802. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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3
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Rahman MM, Islam MR, Rahman F, Rahaman MS, Khan MS, Abrar S, Ray TK, Uddin MB, Kali MSK, Dua K, Kamal MA, Chellappan DK. Emerging Promise of Computational Techniques in Anti-Cancer Research: At a Glance. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:bioengineering9080335. [PMID: 35892749 PMCID: PMC9332125 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9080335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on the immune system and cancer has led to the development of new medicines that enable the former to attack cancer cells. Drugs that specifically target and destroy cancer cells are on the horizon; there are also drugs that use specific signals to stop cancer cells multiplying. Machine learning algorithms can significantly support and increase the rate of research on complicated diseases to help find new remedies. One area of medical study that could greatly benefit from machine learning algorithms is the exploration of cancer genomes and the discovery of the best treatment protocols for different subtypes of the disease. However, developing a new drug is time-consuming, complicated, dangerous, and costly. Traditional drug production can take up to 15 years, costing over USD 1 billion. Therefore, computer-aided drug design (CADD) has emerged as a powerful and promising technology to develop quicker, cheaper, and more efficient designs. Many new technologies and methods have been introduced to enhance drug development productivity and analytical methodologies, and they have become a crucial part of many drug discovery programs; many scanning programs, for example, use ligand screening and structural virtual screening techniques from hit detection to optimization. In this review, we examined various types of computational methods focusing on anticancer drugs. Machine-based learning in basic and translational cancer research that could reach new levels of personalized medicine marked by speedy and advanced data analysis is still beyond reach. Ending cancer as we know it means ensuring that every patient has access to safe and effective therapies. Recent developments in computational drug discovery technologies have had a large and remarkable impact on the design of anticancer drugs and have also yielded useful insights into the field of cancer therapy. With an emphasis on anticancer medications, we covered the various components of computer-aided drug development in this paper. Transcriptomics, toxicogenomics, functional genomics, and biological networks are only a few examples of the bioinformatics techniques used to forecast anticancer medications and treatment combinations based on multi-omics data. We believe that a general review of the databases that are now available and the computational techniques used today will be beneficial for the creation of new cancer treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Mominur Rahman
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.R.); (M.R.I.); (F.R.); (M.S.R.); (M.S.K.); (S.A.); (T.K.R.); (M.B.U.); (M.S.K.K.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Md. Rezaul Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.R.); (M.R.I.); (F.R.); (M.S.R.); (M.S.K.); (S.A.); (T.K.R.); (M.B.U.); (M.S.K.K.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Firoza Rahman
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.R.); (M.R.I.); (F.R.); (M.S.R.); (M.S.K.); (S.A.); (T.K.R.); (M.B.U.); (M.S.K.K.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Md. Saidur Rahaman
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.R.); (M.R.I.); (F.R.); (M.S.R.); (M.S.K.); (S.A.); (T.K.R.); (M.B.U.); (M.S.K.K.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Md. Shajib Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.R.); (M.R.I.); (F.R.); (M.S.R.); (M.S.K.); (S.A.); (T.K.R.); (M.B.U.); (M.S.K.K.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Sayedul Abrar
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.R.); (M.R.I.); (F.R.); (M.S.R.); (M.S.K.); (S.A.); (T.K.R.); (M.B.U.); (M.S.K.K.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Tanmay Kumar Ray
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.R.); (M.R.I.); (F.R.); (M.S.R.); (M.S.K.); (S.A.); (T.K.R.); (M.B.U.); (M.S.K.K.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Mohammad Borhan Uddin
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.R.); (M.R.I.); (F.R.); (M.S.R.); (M.S.K.); (S.A.); (T.K.R.); (M.B.U.); (M.S.K.K.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Most. Sumaiya Khatun Kali
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.R.); (M.R.I.); (F.R.); (M.S.R.); (M.S.K.); (S.A.); (T.K.R.); (M.B.U.); (M.S.K.K.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Kamal Dua
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia;
- Faculty of Health, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Mohammad Amjad Kamal
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.R.); (M.R.I.); (F.R.); (M.S.R.); (M.S.K.); (S.A.); (T.K.R.); (M.B.U.); (M.S.K.K.); (M.A.K.)
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Enzymoics, 7 Peterlee Place, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, NSW 2770, Australia
| | - Dinesh Kumar Chellappan
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
- Correspondence:
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Eissa AG, Barrow D, Gee J, Powell LE, Foster PA, Simons C. 4th generation nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors: An iterative SAR-guided design, synthesis, and biological evaluation towards picomolar dual binding inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 240:114569. [PMID: 35834906 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
One in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime and approximately 70% of all patients are oestrogen receptor (ER) positive depending upon oestrogen for their growth accounting for third generation aromatase (CYP19A1) inhibitors being the mainstay in the treatment of ER-positive breast cancer. Despite the success of current aromatase inhibitors, acquired resistance occurs after prolonged therapy. Although the precise mechanisms of resistance are not known, lack of cross resistance among aromatase inhibitors drives the need for a newer generation of inhibitors to overcome this resistance alongside minimising toxicity and adverse effects. Novel triazole-based inhibitors were designed based on previously published parent compound 5a, making use of the now available crystal structure of CYP19A1 (PDB 3S79), to make modifications at specific sites to explore the potential of dual binding at both the active site and the access channel. Modifications included adding long chain substituents e.g. but-2-ynyloxy and pent-2-ynyloxy at different positions including the most active compound 13h with IC50 value in the low picomolar range (0.09 nM). Aromatase inhibition results paired with molecular dynamics studies provided a clear structure activity relationship and favourable dual binding mode was verified. Toxicity assays and CYP selectivity profile studies for some example compounds were performed to assess the safety profile of the prepared inhibitors providing the basis for the 4th generation nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed G Eissa
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Denise Barrow
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Julia Gee
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Lauren E Powell
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Paul A Foster
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Claire Simons
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, UK.
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5
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Nguyen HL, Thai NQ, Li MS. Determination of Multidirectional Pathways for Ligand Release from the Receptor: A New Approach Based on Differential Evolution. J Chem Theory Comput 2022; 18:3860-3872. [PMID: 35512104 PMCID: PMC9202309 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.1c01158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Steered molecular
dynamics (SMD) simulation is a powerful method
in computer-aided drug design as it can be used to access the relative
binding affinity with high precision but with low computational cost.
The success of SMD depends on the choice of the direction along which
the ligand is pulled from the receptor-binding site. In most simulations,
the unidirectional pathway was used, but in some cases, this choice
resulted in the ligand colliding with the complex surface of the exit
tunnel. To overcome this difficulty, several variants of SMD with
multidirectional pulling have been proposed, but they are not completely
devoid of disadvantages. Here, we have proposed to determine the direction
of pulling with a simple scoring function that minimizes the receptor–ligand
interaction, and an optimization algorithm called differential evolution
is used for energy minimization. The effectiveness of our protocol
was demonstrated by finding expulsion pathways of Huperzine A and
camphor from the binding site of Torpedo California acetylcholinesterase
and P450cam proteins, respectively, and comparing them with the previous
results obtained using memetic sampling and random acceleration molecular
dynamics. In addition, by applying this protocol to a set of ligands
bound with LSD1 (lysine specific demethylase 1), we obtained a much
higher correlation between the work of pulling force and experimental
data on the inhibition constant IC50 compared to that obtained using
the unidirectional approach based on minimal steric hindrance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Linh Nguyen
- Life Science Lab, Institute for Computational Science and Technology, QuangTrung Software City, Tan Chanh Hiep Ward, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City 729110, Vietnam.,Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), Ho Chi Minh City 740500, Vietnam.,Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 71300, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Quoc Thai
- Life Science Lab, Institute for Computational Science and Technology, QuangTrung Software City, Tan Chanh Hiep Ward, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City 729110, Vietnam.,Dong Thap University, 783 Pham Huu Lau Street, Ward 6, Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap 81100, Vietnam
| | - Mai Suan Li
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Al. Lotnikow 32/46, Warsaw 02-668, Poland
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Catucci G, Ciaramella A, Di Nardo G, Zhang C, Castrignanò S, Gilardi G. Molecular Lego of Human Cytochrome P450: The Key Role of Heme Domain Flexibility for the Activity of the Chimeric Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073618. [PMID: 35408976 PMCID: PMC8998974 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The cytochrome P450 superfamily are heme-thiolate enzymes able to carry out monooxygenase reactions. Several studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using a soluble bacterial reductase from Bacillus megaterium, BMR, as an artificial electron transfer partner fused to the human P450 domain in a single polypeptide chain in an approach known as ‘molecular Lego’. The 3A4-BMR chimera has been deeply characterized biochemically for its activity, coupling efficiency, and flexibility by many different biophysical techniques leading to the conclusion that an extension of five glycines in the loop that connects the two domains improves all the catalytic parameters due to improved flexibility of the system. In this work, we extend the characterization of 3A4-BMR chimeras using differential scanning calorimetry to evaluate stabilizing role of BMR. We apply the ‘molecular Lego’ approach also to CYP19A1 (aromatase) and the data show that the activity of the chimeras is very low (<0.003 min−1) for all the constructs tested with a different linker loop length: ARO-BMR, ARO-BMR-3GLY, and ARO-BMR-5GLY. Nevertheless, the fusion to BMR shows a remarkable effect on thermal stability studied by differential scanning calorimetry as indicated by the increase in Tonset by 10 °C and the presence of a cooperative unfolding process driven by the BMR protein domain. Previously characterized 3A4-BMR constructs show the same behavior of ARO-BMR constructs in terms of thermal stabilization but a higher activity as a function of the loop length. A comparison of the ARO-BMR system to 3A4-BMR indicates that the design of each P450-BMR chimera should be carefully evaluated not only in terms of electron transfer, but also for the biophysical constraints that cannot always be overcome by chimerization.
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Zhang Q, Zhao N, Meng X, Yu F, Yao X, Liu H. The prediction of protein-ligand unbinding for modern drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2021; 17:191-205. [PMID: 34731059 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2002298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Drug-target thermodynamic and kinetic information have perennially important roles in drug design. The prediction of protein-ligand unbinding, which can provide important kinetic information, in experiments continues to face great challenges. Uncovering protein-ligand unbinding through molecular dynamics simulations has become efficient and inexpensive with the progress and enhancement of computing power and sampling methods. AREAS COVERED In this review, various sampling methods for protein-ligand unbinding and their basic principles are firstly briefly introduced. Then, their applications in predicting aspects of protein-ligand unbinding, including unbinding pathways, dissociation rate constants, residence time and binding affinity, are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Although various sampling methods have been successfully applied in numerous systems, they still have shortcomings and deficiencies. Most enhanced sampling methods require researchers to possess a wealth of prior knowledge of collective variables or reaction coordinates. In addition, most systems studied at present are relatively simple, and the study of complex systems in real drug research remains greatly challenging. Through the combination of machine learning and enhanced sampling methods, prediction accuracy can be further improved, and some problems encountered in complex systems also may be solved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nannan Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Meng
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Fansen Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Spinello A, Borišek J, Pavlin M, Janoš P, Magistrato A. Computing Metal-Binding Proteins for Therapeutic Benefit. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:2034-2049. [PMID: 33740297 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Over one third of biomolecules rely on metal ions to exert their cellular functions. Metal ions can play a structural role by stabilizing the structure of biomolecules, a functional role by promoting a wide variety of biochemical reactions, and a regulatory role by acting as messengers upon binding to proteins regulating cellular metal-homeostasis. These diverse roles in biology ascribe critical implications to metal-binding proteins in the onset of many diseases. Hence, it is of utmost importance to exhaustively unlock the different mechanistic facets of metal-binding proteins and to harness this knowledge to rationally devise novel therapeutic strategies to prevent or cure pathological states associated with metal-dependent cellular dysfunctions. In this compendium, we illustrate how the use of a computational arsenal based on docking, classical, and quantum-classical molecular dynamics simulations can contribute to extricate the minutiae of the catalytic, transport, and inhibition mechanisms of metal-binding proteins at the atomic level. This knowledge represents a fertile ground and an essential prerequisite for selectively targeting metal-binding proteins with small-molecule inhibitors aiming to (i) abrogate deregulated metal-dependent (mis)functions or (ii) leverage metal-dyshomeostasis to selectively trigger harmful cells death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Spinello
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR)-, Institute of Materials (IOM) c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jure Borišek
- National Institute of Chemistry Institution Hajdrihova ulica 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matic Pavlin
- Laboratory of Microsensor Structures and Electronics Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana Tržaška cesta 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Pavel Janoš
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR)-, Institute of Materials (IOM) c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR)-, Institute of Materials (IOM) c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
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Zhang X, Zhang Z, Guo J, Ma J, Xie S, Zhao Y, Wang C. Combination of multiple computational methods revealing specific sub-sectional recognition and hydrogen-bond dependent transportation of CKII peptide fragment in O-GlcNAc transferase. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:2045-2056. [PMID: 33995901 PMCID: PMC8085782 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanism of CKII peptide recognition, transportation and binding in OGT is obtained. Peptide delivery is strong exothermic, highly dependent on hydrogen bond network. Typical ‘spread’ & ‘V’ conformation change noticed for peptide accompanies stable OGT. Specific subsection of peptide has diverse performance in its recognition and delivery. Multiple methods combination may be used in other bio-system with flexible substrate.
O-linked β-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) is an essential enzyme in many cellular physiological catalytic reactions that regulates protein O-GlcNAcylation. Aberrant O-GlcNAcylation is related to insulin resistance, diabetic complications, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the peptide delivery in OGT is significant in comprehending enzymatic catalytic process, target-protein recognition and pathogenic mechanism. Herein extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations combined with various techniques are utilized to study the recognizing and binding mechanism of peptide fragment extracted from casein kinase II by OGT from atomic level. The residues of His496, His558, Thr633, Lys634, and Pro897 are demonstrated to play a dominant role in the peptide stabilization via hydrogen bonds and σ-π interaction, whose van der Waals and non-polar solvent effects provide the main driving force. In addition, two channels are identified. The delivery mode, mechanism together with thermodynamic and dynamic characterizations for the most favorable channel are determined. The peptide is more inclined to be recognized by OGT through the cavity comprised of residues 799–812, 893–899, and 865–871, and Tyr13-terminal is prior recognized to Met26-terminal. The transportation process is accompanied with conformation changes between the “spread” and “V” shapes. The whole process is strong exothermic that is highly dependent on the variation of hydrogen bond interactions between peptide and OGT as well as the performance of different subsections of peptide. Besides that, multiple computational methods combinations may contribute meaningfully to calculation of similar bio-systems with long and flexible substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyang Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Guo
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, People's Republic of China
| | - Songqiang Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaojie Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, People's Republic of China
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10
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Palermo G, Spinello A, Saha A, Magistrato A. Frontiers of metal-coordinating drug design. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 16:497-511. [PMID: 33874825 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2021.1851188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The occurrence of metal ions in biomolecules is required to exert vital cellular functions. Metal-containing biomolecules can be modulated by small-molecule inhibitors targeting their metal-moiety. As well, the discovery of cisplatin ushered the rational discovery of metal-containing-drugs. The use of both drug types exploiting metal-ligand interactions is well established to treat distinct pathologies. Therefore, characterizing and leveraging metal-coordinating drugs is a pivotal, yet challenging, part of medicinal chemistry.Area covered: Atomic-level simulations are increasingly employed to overcome the challenges met by traditional drug-discovery approaches and to complement wet-lab experiments in elucidating the mechanisms of drugs' action. Multiscale simulations, allow deciphering the mechanism of metal-binding inhibitors and metallo-containing-drugs, enabling a reliable description of metal-complexes in their biological environment. In this compendium, the authors review selected applications exploiting the metal-ligand interactions by focusing on understanding the mechanism and design of (i) inhibitors targeting iron and zinc-enzymes, and (ii) ruthenium and gold-based anticancer agents targeting the nucleosome and aquaporin protein, respectively.Expert opinion: The showcased applications exemplify the current role and the potential of atomic-level simulations and reveal how their synergic use with experiments can contribute to uncover fundamental mechanistic facets and exploit metal-ligand interactions in medicinal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Palermo
- Department of Bioengineering and Department of Chemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, United States
| | - Angelo Spinello
- National Research Council (CNR) of Italy, Institute of Material (IOM) @ International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Aakash Saha
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, Riverside, United States
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- National Research Council (CNR) of Italy, Institute of Material (IOM) @ International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
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11
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Caciolla J, Bisi A, Belluti F, Rampa A, Gobbi S. Reconsidering Aromatase for Breast Cancer Treatment: New Roles for an Old Target. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25225351. [PMID: 33207783 PMCID: PMC7696276 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The current therapeutic approach for the treatment of hormone dependent breast cancer includes interference with estrogen receptors via either selective modulators or estrogens deprivation, by preventing their biosynthesis with aromatase inhibitors. Severe side effects and acquired resistance are drawbacks of both drug classes, and the efforts to overcome these issues still allow for research in this field to be animated. This review reports on recent findings that have opened new avenues for reconsidering the role of aromatase enzymes (and estrogen receptors) leading to the possibility of looking at well-known targets in a new perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Caciolla
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bisi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Belluti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Angela Rampa
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Gobbi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
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12
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Zhang Z, Fan F, Luo W, Zhao Y, Wang C. Molecular Dynamics Revealing a Detour-Forward Release Mechanism of Tacrine: Implication for the Specific Binding Characteristics in Butyrylcholinesterase. Front Chem 2020; 8:730. [PMID: 33195011 PMCID: PMC7477934 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is a non-specific enzyme with clinical pharmacological and toxicological significance, which was a renewed interest as therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease (AD) nowadays. Here, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of butyrylcholinesterase with tacrine complex were designed to characterize inhibitor binding modes, strengths, and the hydrogen-bond dependent non-covalent release mechanism. Four possible release channels were identified, and the most favorable channel was determined by random acceleration molecular dynamics molecular dynamics (RAMD MD) simulations. The thermodynamic and dynamic properties as well as the corresponding Detour-forward delivery mechanism were determined according to the classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations accompanied with umbrella sampling. The free energy barrier of the tacrine release process for the most beneficial pathway is about 10.95 kcal/mol, which is related to the non-covalent interactions from the surrounding residues, revealing the specific binding characteristics in the active site. The residues including Asp70, Ser79, Trp82, Gly116, Thr120, Tyr332, and His438 were identified to play major roles in the stabilization of tacrine in the pocket of BChE, where hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions are significant factors. Tyr332 and Asp70, which act as gate keepers, play crucial roles in the substrate delivery. The present results provide a basic understanding for the ligand transport mechanism depending on the BChE enzymatic environment, which is useful for the design of BChE inhibitors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyang Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Fangfang Fan
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wen Luo
- The Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yuan Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Chaojie Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
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13
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Molecular Basis for Endocrine Disruption by Pesticides Targeting Aromatase and Estrogen Receptor. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17165664. [PMID: 32764486 PMCID: PMC7459580 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17165664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The intensive use of pesticides has led to their increasing presence in water, soil, and agricultural products. Mounting evidence indicates that some pesticides may be endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), being therefore harmful for the human health and the environment. In this study, three pesticides, glyphosate, thiacloprid, and imidacloprid, were tested for their ability to interfere with estrogen biosynthesis and/or signaling, to evaluate their potential action as EDCs. Among the tested compounds, only glyphosate inhibited aromatase activity (up to 30%) via a non-competitive inhibition or a mixed inhibition mechanism depending on the concentration applied. Then, the ability of the three pesticides to induce an estrogenic activity was tested in MELN cells. When compared to 17β-estradiol, thiacloprid and imidacloprid induced an estrogenic activity at the highest concentrations tested with a relative potency of 5.4 × 10−10 and 3.7 × 10−9, respectively. Molecular dynamics and docking simulations predicted the potential binding sites and the binding mode of the three pesticides on the structure of the two key targets, providing a rational for their mechanism as EDCs. The results demonstrate that the three pesticides are potential EDCs as glyphosate acts as an aromatase inhibitor, whereas imidacloprid and thiacloprid can interfere with estrogen induced signaling.
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14
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Zhang C, Catucci G, Di Nardo G, Gilardi G. Effector role of cytochrome P450 reductase for androstenedione binding to human aromatase. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 164:510-517. [PMID: 32698066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.07.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Cytochromes P450 constitute a large superfamily of monooxygenases involved in many metabolic pathways. Most of them are not self-sufficient and need a reductase protein to provide the electrons necessary for catalysis. It was shown that the redox partner plays a role in the modulation of the structure and function of some bacterial P450 enzymes. Here, the effect of NADPH-cytochrome reductase (CPR) on human aromatase (Aro) is studied for what concerns its role in substrate binding. Pre-steady-state kinetic experiments indicate that both the substrate binding rates and the percentage of spin shift detected for aromatase are increased when CPR is present. Moreover, aromatase binds the substrate through a conformational selection mechanism, suggesting a possible effector role of CPR. The thermodynamic parameters for the formation of the CPR-Aro complex were studied by isothermal titration calorimetry. The dissociation constant of the complex formation is 4.5 folds lower for substrate-free compared to the substrate-bound enzyme. The enthalpy change observed when the CPR-Aro complex forms in the absence of the substrate are higher than in its presence, indicating that more interactions are formed/broken in the former case. Taken together, our data confirm that CPR has a role in promoting aromatase conformation optimal for substrate binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhang
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino 10123, Italy
| | - Gianluca Catucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino 10123, Italy
| | - Giovanna Di Nardo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino 10123, Italy.
| | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino 10123, Italy.
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15
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Caciolla J, Spinello A, Martini S, Bisi A, Zaffaroni N, Gobbi S, Magistrato A. Targeting Orthosteric and Allosteric Pockets of Aromatase via Dual-Mode Novel Azole Inhibitors. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:732-739. [PMID: 32435378 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most diffused cancer type in women and the second leading cause of death among the female population. Effective strategies to fight estrogen responsive (ER+) BC, which represents 70% of all BC cases, rely on estrogen deprivation, via the inhibition of the aromatase enzyme, or the modulation of its cognate estrogen receptor. Current clinical therapies significantly increased patient survival time. Nevertheless, the onset of resistance in metastatic BC patients undergoing prolonged treatments is becoming a current clinical challenge, urgently demanding to devise innovative strategies. In this context, here we designed, synthesized, and performed in vitro inhibitory tests on the aromatase enzyme and distinct ER+/ER- BC cell line types of novel azole bridged xanthones. These compounds are active in the low μM range and behave as dual-mode inhibitors, targeting both the orthosteric and the allosteric sites of the enzyme placed along one access channel. Classical and quantum-classical molecular dynamics simulations of the new compounds, as compared with selected steroidal and nonsteroidal inhibitors, provide a rationale to the observed inhibitory potency and supply the guidelines to boost the activity of inhibitors able to exploit coordination to iron and occupation of the access channel to modulate estrogen production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Caciolla
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Angelo Spinello
- CNR-IOM Democritos c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Martini
- Fondazione IRCSS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via Amadeo 42, 20113 Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bisi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Nadia Zaffaroni
- Fondazione IRCSS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via Amadeo 42, 20113 Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Gobbi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- CNR-IOM Democritos c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
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16
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Ferreira Almeida C, Oliveira A, João Ramos M, Fernandes PA, Teixeira N, Amaral C. Estrogen receptor-positive (ER +) breast cancer treatment: Are multi-target compounds the next promising approach? Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 177:113989. [PMID: 32330493 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine therapy is currently the main therapeutic approach for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, the most frequent subtype of breast cancer in women worldwide. For this subtype of tumors, the current clinical treatment includes aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and anti-estrogenic compounds, such as Tamoxifen and Fulvestrant, being AIs the first-line treatment option for post-menopausal women. Moreover, the recent guidelines also suggest the use of these compounds by pre-menopausal women after suppressing ovaries function. However, besides its therapeutic efficacy, the prolonged use of this type of therapies may lead to the development of several adverse effects, as well as, endocrine resistance, limiting the effectiveness of such treatments. In order to surpass this issues and clinical concerns, during the last years, several studies have been suggesting alternative therapeutic approaches, considering the function of aromatase, ERα and ERβ. Here, we review the structural and functional features of these three targets and their importance in ER+ breast cancer treatment, as well as, the current treatment strategies used in clinic, emphasizing the importance of the development of multi-target compounds able to simultaneously modulate these key targets, as a novel and promising therapeutic strategy for this type of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Ferreira Almeida
- UCIBIO.REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Oliveira
- UCIBIO.REQUIMTE, Computational Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Ramos
- UCIBIO.REQUIMTE, Computational Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro A Fernandes
- UCIBIO.REQUIMTE, Computational Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Natércia Teixeira
- UCIBIO.REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina Amaral
- UCIBIO.REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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17
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Garofalo M, Grazioso G, Cavalli A, Sgrignani J. How Computational Chemistry and Drug Delivery Techniques Can Support the Development of New Anticancer Drugs. Molecules 2020; 25:E1756. [PMID: 32290224 PMCID: PMC7180704 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25071756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The early and late development of new anticancer drugs, small molecules or peptides can be slowed down by some issues such as poor selectivity for the target or poor ADME properties. Computer-aided drug design (CADD) and target drug delivery (TDD) techniques, although apparently far from each other, are two research fields that can give a significant contribution to overcome these problems. Their combination may provide mechanistic understanding resulting in a synergy that makes possible the rational design of novel anticancer based therapies. Herein, we aim to discuss selected applications, some also from our research experience, in the fields of anticancer small organic drugs and peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Garofalo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Grazioso
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Jacopo Sgrignani
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
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18
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Ritacco I, Saltalamacchia A, Spinello A, Ippoliti E, Magistrato A. All-Atom Simulations Disclose How Cytochrome Reductase Reshapes the Substrate Access/Egress Routes of Its Partner CYP450s. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:1189-1193. [PMID: 31986051 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b03798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cytochromes P450 enzymes (CYP450s) promote the oxidative metabolism of a variety of substrates via the electrons supplied by the cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) and upon formation of a CPR/CYP450 adduct. In spite of the pivotal regulatory importance of this process, the impact of CPR binding on the functional properties of its partner CYP450 remains elusive. By performing multiple microsecond-long all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of a 520 000-atom model of a CPR/CYP450 adduct embedded in a membrane mimic, we disclose the molecular terms for their interactions, considering the aromatase (HA) enzyme as a proxy of the CYP450 family. Our study strikingly unveils that CPR binding alters HA's functional motions, bolstering a change in the shape and type of the channels traveled by substrates/products during their access/egress to/from the enzyme's active site. Our outcomes unprecedentedly contribute to extricate the many entangled facets of the CYP450 metabolon, redrafting its intricate panorama from an atomic-level perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Ritacco
- CNR-IOM c/o SISSA , via Bonomea 265 , 34136 Trieste , Italy
| | | | | | - Emiliano Ippoliti
- IAS-5/INM-9 Computational Biomedicine Institute and JARA-HPC , Forschungszentrum Jülich , Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße , 52425 Jülich , Germany
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19
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Khan A, Ashfaq-Ur-Rehman, Junaid M, Li CD, Saleem S, Humayun F, Shamas S, Ali SS, Babar Z, Wei DQ. Dynamics Insights Into the Gain of Flexibility by Helix-12 in ESR1 as a Mechanism of Resistance to Drugs in Breast Cancer Cell Lines. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 6:159. [PMID: 32039233 PMCID: PMC6992541 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Incidents of breast cancer (BC) are on the rise on a daily basis and have proven to be the most prevelant cause of death for women in both developed and developing countries. Among total BC cases diagnosed after menopause, 70% of cases are Estrogen Receptor (ER) positive (ER-positive or ER+). Mutations in the LBD (ligand-binding domain) of the ER have recently been reported to be the major cause of resistance to potent antagonists. In this study, the experimentally reported mutations K303R, E380Q, V392I, S463P, V524E, P535H, P536H, Y537C, Y537N, Y537S, and D538G were analyzed, and the most significant mutations were shortlisted based on multiple analyses. Initial analyses, such as mCSM stability, occluded depth analysis, mCSM-binding affinity, and FoldX energy changes shortlisted only six mutations as being highly resistant. Finally, simulations of force field-based molecular dynamics (MD on wild type (WT) ERα) on six mERα variants (E380Q, S463P, Y537S, Y537C, Y537N, and D538G) were carried out to justify mechanism of the resistance. It was observed that these mutations increased the flexibility of the H12. A bonding analysis suggested that previously reported important residue His524 lost bonding upon mutation. Other parameters, such as PCA (principal component analysis), DCCM (dynamics cross-correlation), and FEL (free energy landscape), verified that the shortlisted mutations affect the H12 helix, which opens up the co-activator binding conformation. These results provide deep insight into the mechanism of relative resistance posed to fulvestrant due to mutations in breast cancer. This study will facilitate further understanding of the important aspects of designing specific and more effective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Khan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ashfaq-Ur-Rehman
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng-Dong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shoaib Saleem
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Fahad Humayun
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shazia Shamas
- Department of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan
| | - Syed Shujait Ali
- Centre for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Mingora, Pakistan
| | - Zainib Babar
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong-Qing Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.,Joint Laboratory of International Cooperation in Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
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20
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Borišek J, Saltalamacchia A, Spinello A, Magistrato A. Exploiting Cryo-EM Structural Information and All-Atom Simulations To Decrypt the Molecular Mechanism of Splicing Modulators. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 60:2510-2521. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jure Borišek
- National Research Council (CNR)-IOM c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
- National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrea Saltalamacchia
- International School for Advanced studies (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Angelo Spinello
- National Research Council (CNR)-IOM c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- National Research Council (CNR)-IOM c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
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21
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Kiani YS, Ranaghan KE, Jabeen I, Mulholland AJ. Molecular Dynamics Simulation Framework to Probe the Binding Hypothesis of CYP3A4 Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184468. [PMID: 31510073 PMCID: PMC6769491 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cytochrome P450 family of heme-containing proteins plays a major role in catalyzing phase I metabolic reactions, and the CYP3A4 subtype is responsible for the metabolism of many currently marketed drugs. Additionally, CYP3A4 has an inherent affinity for a broad spectrum of structurally diverse chemical entities, often leading to drug-drug interactions mediated by the inhibition or induction of the metabolic enzyme. The current study explores the binding of selected highly efficient CYP3A4 inhibitors by docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation protocols and their binding free energy calculated using the WaterSwap method. The results indicate the importance of binding pocket residues including Phe57, Arg105, Arg106, Ser119, Arg212, Phe213, Thr309, Ser312, Ala370, Arg372, Glu374, Gly481 and Leu483 for interaction with CYP3A4 inhibitors. The residue-wise decomposition of the binding free energy from the WaterSwap method revealed the importance of binding site residues Arg106 and Arg372 in the stabilization of all the selected CYP3A4-inhibitor complexes. The WaterSwap binding energies were further complemented with the MM(GB/PB)SA results and it was observed that the binding energies calculated by both methods do not differ significantly. Overall, our results could guide towards the use of multiple computational approaches to achieve a better understanding of CYP3A4 inhibition, subsequently leading to the design of highly specific and efficient new chemical entities with suitable ADMETox properties and reduced side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusra Sajid Kiani
- Research Center for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan.
| | - Kara E Ranaghan
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK.
| | - Ishrat Jabeen
- Research Center for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan.
| | - Adrian J Mulholland
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK.
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22
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Pavlin M, Gelsomino L, Barone I, Spinello A, Catalano S, Andò S, Magistrato A. Structural, Thermodynamic, and Kinetic Traits of Antiestrogen-Compounds Selectively Targeting the Y537S Mutant Estrogen Receptor α Transcriptional Activity in Breast Cancer Cell Lines. Front Chem 2019; 7:602. [PMID: 31552220 PMCID: PMC6737084 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The most frequently diagnosed cancers in women are the estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer subtypes, which are characterized by estrogen dependency for their growth. The mainstay of clinical treatment for this tumor relies on the modulation of ERα action or on the suppression of estrogen biosynthesis via the administration of Selective ERα Modulators/Down-regulators (SERMs/SERDs) or aromatase inhibitors, respectively. Nevertheless, de novo and acquired resistance to these therapies frequently occurs and represents a major clinical concern for patient survival. Recently, somatic mutations affecting the hormone-binding domain of ERα (i.e., Y537S, Y537N, D538G) have been associated with endocrine resistance, disease relapse and increased mortality rates. Hence, devising novel therapies against these ERα isoforms represents a daunting challenge. Here, we identified five molecules active on recurrent Y537S ERα polymorphism by employing in silico virtual screening on commercial databases of molecules, complemented by ER-transactivation and MTT assays in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells expressing wild type or mutated ERα. Among them, one molecule selectively targets Y537S ERα without inducing any cytotoxicity in breast cell lines. Multi-microseconds (4.5 μs) of biased and unbiased molecular dynamics provided an atomic-level picture of the structural, thermodynamics (i.e., binding free energies) and the kinetic (i.e., dissociation free energy barriers) of these active ligands as compared to clinically used SERM/SERDs upon binding to wild type and distinct ERα variants (Y537S, Y537N, D538G). This study contributes to a dissection of the key molecular traits needed by drug-candidates to hamper the agonist (active)-like conformation of ERα, normally selected by those polymorphic variants. This information can be useful to discover mutant specific drug-candidates, enabling to move a step forward toward tailored approaches for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matic Pavlin
- National Research Council - Institute of Materials (IOM) at International School for Advanced Studies (ISAS), Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Gelsomino
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutrition Sciences, Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Ines Barone
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutrition Sciences, Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Angelo Spinello
- National Research Council - Institute of Materials (IOM) at International School for Advanced Studies (ISAS), Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefania Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutrition Sciences, Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Andò
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutrition Sciences, Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- National Research Council - Institute of Materials (IOM) at International School for Advanced Studies (ISAS), Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
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Spinello A, Ritacco I, Magistrato A. Recent advances in computational design of potent aromatase inhibitors: open-eye on endocrine-resistant breast cancers. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:1065-1076. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1646245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Spinello
- National Research Council - Istituto Officina dei Materiali c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Ida Ritacco
- National Research Council - Istituto Officina dei Materiali c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- National Research Council - Istituto Officina dei Materiali c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
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24
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Rendic SP, Peter Guengerich F. Human cytochrome P450 enzymes 5-51 as targets of drugs and natural and environmental compounds: mechanisms, induction, and inhibition - toxic effects and benefits. Drug Metab Rev 2019; 50:256-342. [PMID: 30717606 DOI: 10.1080/03602532.2018.1483401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 (P450, CYP) enzymes have long been of interest due to their roles in the metabolism of drugs, pesticides, pro-carcinogens, and other xenobiotic chemicals. They have also been of interest due to their very critical roles in the biosynthesis and metabolism of steroids, vitamins, and certain eicosanoids. This review covers the 22 (of the total of 57) human P450s in Families 5-51 and their substrate selectivity. Furthermore, included is information and references regarding inducibility, inhibition, and (in some cases) stimulation by chemicals. We update and discuss important aspects of each of these 22 P450s and questions that remain open.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - F Peter Guengerich
- b Department of Biochemistry , Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville , TN , USA
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25
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Ritacco I, Spinello A, Ippoliti E, Magistrato A. Post-Translational Regulation of CYP450s Metabolism As Revealed by All-Atoms Simulations of the Aromatase Enzyme. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 59:2930-2940. [PMID: 31033287 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Phosphorylation by kinases enzymes is a widespread regulatory mechanism able of rapidly altering the function of target proteins. Among these are cytochrome P450s (CYP450), a superfamily of enzymes performing the oxidation of endogenous and exogenous substrates thanks to the electron supply of a redox partner. In spite of its pivotal role, the molecular mechanism by which phosphorylation modulates CYP450s metabolism remains elusive. Here by performing microsecond-long all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we disclose how phosphorylation regulates estrogen biosynthesis, catalyzed by the Human Aromatase (HA) enzyme. Namely, we unprecedentedly propose that HA phosphorylation at Y361 markedly stabilizes its adduct with the flavin mononucleotide domain of CYP450s reductase (CPR), the redox partner of microsomal CYP450s, and a variety of other proteins. With CPR present at physiological conditions in a limiting ratio with respect to its multiple oxidative partners, the enhanced stability of the CPR/HA adduct may favor HA in the competition with the other proteins requiring CPR's electron supply, ultimately facilitating the electron transfer and estrogen biosynthesis. As a result, our work elucidates at atomic-level the post-translational regulation of CYP450s catalysis. Given the potential for rational clinical management of diseases associated with steroid metabolism disorders, unraveling this mechanism is of utmost importance, and raises the intriguing perspective of exploiting this knowledge to devise novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Ritacco
- CNR-IOM-Democritos c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) , via Bonomea 265 , 34136 Trieste , Italy
| | - Angelo Spinello
- CNR-IOM-Democritos c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) , via Bonomea 265 , 34136 Trieste , Italy
| | - Emiliano Ippoliti
- IAS-5/INM-9 Computational Biomedicine Institute and JARA-HPC, Forschungszentrum Jülich , Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße , 52425 Jülich , Germany
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- CNR-IOM-Democritos c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) , via Bonomea 265 , 34136 Trieste , Italy
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26
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Can multiscale simulations unravel the function of metallo-enzymes to improve knowledge-based drug discovery? Future Med Chem 2019; 11:771-791. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2018-0495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Metallo-enzymes are a large class of biomolecules promoting specialized chemical reactions. Quantum-classical quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics molecular dynamics, describing the metal site at quantum mechanics level, while accounting for the rest of system at molecular mechanics level, has an accessible time-scale limited by its computational cost. Hence, it must be integrated with classical molecular dynamics and enhanced sampling simulations to disentangle the functions of metallo-enzymes. In this review, we provide an overview of these computational methods and their capabilities. In particular, we will focus on some systems such as CYP19A1 a Fe-dependent enzyme involved in estrogen biosynthesis, and on Mg2+-dependent DNA/RNA processing enzymes/ribozymes and the spliceosome, a protein-directed ribozyme. This information may guide the discovery of drug-like molecules and genetic manipulation tools.
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27
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Spinello A, Martini S, Berti F, Pennati M, Pavlin M, Sgrignani J, Grazioso G, Colombo G, Zaffaroni N, Magistrato A. Rational design of allosteric modulators of the aromatase enzyme: An unprecedented therapeutic strategy to fight breast cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 168:253-262. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.02.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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28
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Nunes-Alves A, Zuckerman DM, Arantes GM. Escape of a Small Molecule from Inside T4 Lysozyme by Multiple Pathways. Biophys J 2019. [PMID: 29539393 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The T4 lysozyme L99A mutant is often used as a model system to study small-molecule binding to proteins, but pathways for ligand entry and exit from the buried binding site and the associated protein conformational changes have not been fully resolved. Here, molecular dynamics simulations were employed to model benzene exit from its binding cavity using the weighted ensemble (WE) approach to enhance sampling of low-probability unbinding trajectories. Independent WE simulations revealed four pathways for benzene exit, which correspond to transient tunnels spontaneously formed in previous simulations of apo T4 lysozyme. Thus, benzene unbinding occurs through multiple pathways partially created by intrinsic protein structural fluctuations. Motions of several α-helices and side chains were involved in ligand escape from metastable microstates. WE simulations also provided preliminary estimates of rate constants for each exit pathway. These results complement previous works and provide a semiquantitative characterization of pathway heterogeneity for binding of small molecules to proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Nunes-Alves
- Department of Biochemistry, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel M Zuckerman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.
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29
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The Catalytic Mechanism of Steroidogenic Cytochromes P450 from All-Atom Simulations: Entwinement with Membrane Environment, Redox Partners, and Post-Transcriptional Regulation. Catalysts 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/catal9010081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytochromes P450 (CYP450s) promote the biosynthesis of steroid hormones with major impact on the onset of diseases such as breast and prostate cancers. By merging distinct functions into the same catalytic scaffold, steroidogenic CYP450s enhance complex chemical transformations with extreme efficiency and selectivity. Mammalian CYP450s and their redox partners are membrane-anchored proteins, dynamically associating to form functional machineries. Mounting evidence signifies that environmental factors are strictly intertwined with CYP450s catalysis. Atomic-level simulations have the potential to provide insights into the catalytic mechanism of steroidogenic CYP450s and on its regulation by environmental factors, furnishing information often inaccessible to experimental means. In this review, after an introduction of computational methods commonly employed to tackle these systems, we report the current knowledge on three steroidogenic CYP450s—CYP11A1, CYP17A1, and CYP19A1—endowed with multiple catalytic functions and critically involved in cancer onset. In particular, besides discussing their catalytic mechanisms, we highlight how the membrane environment contributes to (i) regulate ligand channeling through these enzymes, (ii) modulate their interactions with specific protein partners, (iii) mediate post-transcriptional regulation induced by phosphorylation. The results presented set the basis for developing novel therapeutic strategies aimed at fighting diseases originating from steroid metabolism dysfunction.
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30
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Kreß N, Halder JM, Rapp LR, Hauer B. Unlocked potential of dynamic elements in protein structures: channels and loops. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2018; 47:109-116. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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31
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Sgrignani J, Chen J, Alimonti A, Cavalli A. How phosphorylation influences E1 subunit pyruvate dehydrogenase: A computational study. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14683. [PMID: 30279533 PMCID: PMC6168537 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33048-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyruvate (PYR) dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is an enzymatic system that plays a crucial role in cellular metabolism as it controls the entry of carbon into the Krebs cycle. From a structural point of view, PDC is formed by three different subunits (E1, E2 and E3) capable of catalyzing the three reaction steps necessary for the full conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA. Recent investigations pointed out the crucial role of this enzyme in the replication and survival of specific cancer cell lines, renewing the interest of the scientific community. Here, we report the results of our molecular dynamics studies on the mechanism by which posttranslational modifications, in particular the phosphorylation of three serine residues (Ser-264-α, Ser-271-α, and Ser-203-α), influence the enzymatic function of the protein. Our results support the hypothesis that the phosphorylation of Ser-264-α and Ser-271-α leads to (1) a perturbation of the catalytic site structure and dynamics and, especially in the case of Ser-264-α, to (2) a reduction in the affinity of E1 for the substrate. Additionally, an analysis of the channels connecting the external environment with the catalytic site indicates that the inhibitory effect should not be due to the occlusion of the access/egress pathways to/from the active site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Sgrignani
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Via Vincenzo Vela 6, CH-6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - JingJing Chen
- Institute of Research in Oncology (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Via Vincenzo Vela 6, CH-6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Alimonti
- Institute of Research in Oncology (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Via Vincenzo Vela 6, CH-6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Via Vincenzo Vela 6, CH-6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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32
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Spinello A, Pavlin M, Casalino L, Magistrato A. A Dehydrogenase Dual Hydrogen Abstraction Mechanism Promotes Estrogen Biosynthesis: Can We Expand the Functional Annotation of the Aromatase Enzyme? Chemistry 2018; 24:10840-10849. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201802025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Spinello
- CNR-IOM-Democritos, c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA); via Bonomea 265 34136 Trieste Italy
| | - Matic Pavlin
- CNR-IOM-Democritos, c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA); via Bonomea 265 34136 Trieste Italy
| | - Lorenzo Casalino
- International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA); via Bonomea 265 34136 Trieste Italy
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- CNR-IOM-Democritos, c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA); via Bonomea 265 34136 Trieste Italy
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33
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Perricone U, Gulotta MR, Lombino J, Parrino B, Cascioferro S, Diana P, Cirrincione G, Padova A. An overview of recent molecular dynamics applications as medicinal chemistry tools for the undruggable site challenge. MEDCHEMCOMM 2018; 9:920-936. [PMID: 30108981 PMCID: PMC6072422 DOI: 10.1039/c8md00166a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Molecular dynamics (MD) has become increasingly popular due to the development of hardware and software solutions and the improvement in algorithms, which allowed researchers to scale up calculations in order to speed them up. MD simulations are usually used to address protein folding issues or protein-ligand complex stability through energy profile analysis over time. In recent years, the development of new tools able to deeply explore a potential energy surface (PES) has allowed researchers to focus on the dynamic nature of the binding recognition process and binding-induced protein conformational changes. Moreover, modern approaches have been demonstrated to be effective and reliable in calculating some kinetic and thermodynamic parameters behind the host-guest recognition process. Starting from all of these considerations, several efforts have been made in order to integrate MD within the virtual screening process in drug discovery. Knowledge retrieved from MD can, in fact, be exploited as a starting point to build pharmacophores or docking constraints in the early stage of the screening campaign as well as to define key features, in order to unravel hidden binding modes and help the optimisation of the molecular structure of a lead compound. Based on these outcomes, researchers are nowadays using MD as an invaluable tool to discover and target previously considered undruggable binding sites, including protein-protein interactions and allosteric sites on a protein surface. As a matter of fact, the use of MD has been recognised as vital to the discovery of selective protein-protein interaction modulators. The use of a dynamic overview on how the host-guest recognition occurs and of the relative conformational modifications induced allows researchers to optimise small molecules and small peptides capable of tightly interacting within the cleft between two proteins. In this review, we aim to present the most recent applications of MD as an integrated tool to be used in the rational design of small molecules or small peptides able to modulate undruggable targets, such as allosteric sites and protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Perricone
- Computational and Medicinal Chemistry Group , Fondazione Ri.MED , Via Bandiera 11 , 90133 Palermo , Italy .
| | - Maria Rita Gulotta
- Computational and Medicinal Chemistry Group , Fondazione Ri.MED , Via Bandiera 11 , 90133 Palermo , Italy .
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF) , Università degli Studi di Palermo , Via Archirafi 32 , 90123 Palermo , Italy
| | - Jessica Lombino
- Computational and Medicinal Chemistry Group , Fondazione Ri.MED , Via Bandiera 11 , 90133 Palermo , Italy .
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF) , Università degli Studi di Palermo , Via Archirafi 32 , 90123 Palermo , Italy
| | - Barbara Parrino
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF) , Università degli Studi di Palermo , Via Archirafi 32 , 90123 Palermo , Italy
| | - Stella Cascioferro
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF) , Università degli Studi di Palermo , Via Archirafi 32 , 90123 Palermo , Italy
| | - Patrizia Diana
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF) , Università degli Studi di Palermo , Via Archirafi 32 , 90123 Palermo , Italy
| | - Girolamo Cirrincione
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF) , Università degli Studi di Palermo , Via Archirafi 32 , 90123 Palermo , Italy
| | - Alessandro Padova
- Computational and Medicinal Chemistry Group , Fondazione Ri.MED , Via Bandiera 11 , 90133 Palermo , Italy .
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34
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Zhao Y, She N, Ma Y, Wang C, Cao Z. A Description of Enzymatic Catalysis in N-Acetylhexosamine 1-Kinase: Concerted Mechanism of Two-Magnesium-Ion-Assisted GlcNAc Phosphorylation, Flexibility Behavior of Lid Motif upon Substrate Recognition, and Water-Assisted GlcNAc-1-P Release. ACS Catal 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.8b00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Nai She
- The Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yiming Ma
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chaojie Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zexing Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 360015, People’s Republic of China
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35
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Fan JR, Li H, Zhang HX, Zheng QC. Exploring the structure characteristics and major channels of cytochrome P450 2A6, 2A13, and 2E1 with pilocarpine. Biopolymers 2018; 109:e23108. [PMID: 29484634 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The majority of cytochromes P450 play a critical role in metabolism of endogenous and exogenous substrates, some of its products are carcinogens. Therefore, inhibition of P450 enzymes activity can promote the detoxification and elimination of chemical carcinogens. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and adaptive steered molecular dynamics (ASMD) simulations were performed to explore the structure features and channel dynamics of three P450 isoforms 2A6, 2A13, and 2E1 bound with the common inhibitor pilocarpine. The binding free energy results combined with the PMF calculations give a reasonable ranking of binding affinity, which are consistent with the experimental data. Our results uncover how a sequence divergence of different CYP2 enzymes causes individual variations in major channel selections. On the basis of channel bottleneck and energy decomposition analysis, we propose a gating mechanism of their respective major channels in three enzymes, which may be attributed to a reversal of Phe209 in CYP2A6/2A13, as well as the rotation of Phe116 and Phe298 in CYP2E1. The hydrophobic residues not only make strong hydrophobic interactions with inhibitor, but also act as gatekeeper to regulate the opening of channel. The present study provides important insights into the structure-function relationships of three cytochrome P450s and the molecular basis for development of potent inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Rong Fan
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, International Joint Research Laboratory of Nano-Micro Architecture Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, People's Republic of China
| | - Heng Li
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Xing Zhang
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, International Joint Research Laboratory of Nano-Micro Architecture Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing-Chuan Zheng
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, International Joint Research Laboratory of Nano-Micro Architecture Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of China
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36
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Pavlin M, Spinello A, Pennati M, Zaffaroni N, Gobbi S, Bisi A, Colombo G, Magistrato A. A Computational Assay of Estrogen Receptor α Antagonists Reveals the Key Common Structural Traits of Drugs Effectively Fighting Refractory Breast Cancers. Sci Rep 2018; 8:649. [PMID: 29330437 PMCID: PMC5766519 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17364-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Somatic mutations of the Estrogen Receptor α (ERα) occur with an up to 40% incidence in ER sensitive breast cancer (BC) patients undergoing prolonged endocrine treatments. These polymorphisms are implicated in acquired resistance, disease relapse, and increased mortality rates, hence representing a current major clinical challenge. Here, multi-microseconds (12.5 µs) molecular dynamics simulations revealed that recurrent ERα polymorphisms (i. e. L536Q, Y537S, Y537N, D538G) (mERα) are constitutively active in their apo form and that they prompt the selection of an agonist (active)-like conformation even upon antagonists binding. Interestingly, our simulations rationalize, for the first time, the efficacy profile of (pre)clinically used Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators/Downregulators (SERMs/SERDs) against these variants, enlightening, at atomistic level of detail, the key common structural traits needed by drugs able to effectively fight refractory BC types. This knowledge represents a key advancement for mechanism-based therapeutics targeting resistant ERα isoforms, potentially allowing the community to move a step closer to ‘precision medicine’ calibrated on patients’ genetic profiles and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matic Pavlin
- CNR-IOM-Democritos c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
| | - Angelo Spinello
- CNR-IOM-Democritos c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marzia Pennati
- Fondazione IRCSS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via Amadeo 42, 20113, Milano, Italy
| | - Nadia Zaffaroni
- Fondazione IRCSS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via Amadeo 42, 20113, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Gobbi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bisi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Magistrato
- CNR-IOM-Democritos c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy.
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37
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Di Nardo G, Cimicata G, Baravalle R, Dell'Angelo V, Ciaramella A, Catucci G, Ugliengo P, Gilardi G. Working at the membrane interface: Ligand-induced changes in dynamic conformation and oligomeric structure in human aromatase. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2017; 65:46-53. [DOI: 10.1002/bab.1613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Di Nardo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Torino; Torino Italy
- CrisDi; Interdepartmental Center for Crystallography; Torino Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cimicata
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Torino; Torino Italy
| | - Roberta Baravalle
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Torino; Torino Italy
| | | | - Alberto Ciaramella
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Torino; Torino Italy
| | - Gianluca Catucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Torino; Torino Italy
| | - Piero Ugliengo
- Department of Chemistry; University of Torino; Torino Italy
| | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Torino; Torino Italy
- CrisDi; Interdepartmental Center for Crystallography; Torino Italy
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38
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Thermodynamics of camphor migration in cytochrome P450cam by atomistic simulations. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7736. [PMID: 28798338 PMCID: PMC5552751 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07993-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of ligand binding to enzymes is of paramount importance for the design of new drugs. Here, we report on the use of a novel biased molecular dynamics (MD) methodology to study the mechanism of camphor binding to cytochrome P450cam. Microsecond-long MD simulations allowed us to observe reaction coordinates characterizing ligand diffusion from the active site of cytochrome P450cam to solvent via three egress routes. These atomistic simulations were used to estimate thermodynamic quantities along the reaction coordinates and indicate diverse binding configurations. The results suggest that the diffusion of camphor along the pathway near the substrate recognition site (SRS) is thermodynamically preferred. In addition, we show that the diffusion near the SRS is triggered by a transition from a heterogeneous collection of closed ligand-bound conformers to the basin comprising the open conformations of cytochrome P450cam. The conformational change accompanying this switch is characterized by the retraction of the F and G helices and the disorder of the B' helix. These results are corroborated by experimental studies and provide detailed insight into ligand binding and conformational behavior of the cytochrome family. The presented methodology is general and can be applied to other ligand-protein systems.
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39
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Magistrato A. Direct in silico visualization of ligands channelling through proteins: The next-generation frontier of computational biology: Comment on 'Ligand diffusion via enhanced sampling molecular dynamics' by Jakub Rydzewski and Wieslaw Nowak. Phys Life Rev 2017; 22-23:82-84. [PMID: 28818495 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Magistrato
- CNR-IOM-Democritos c/o, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, 34135, Trieste, Italy.
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