1
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Sumangala N, Im SC, Valentín-Goyco J, Auchus RJ. Influence of cholesterol on kinetic parameters for human aromatase (P450 19A1) in phospholipid nanodiscs. J Inorg Biochem 2023; 247:112340. [PMID: 37544101 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Cholesterol, a significant constituent of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, exerts a substantial effect on the membrane's biophysical and mechanical properties. Cholesterol, however, is often neglected in model systems used to study membrane-bound proteins. For example, the influence of cholesterol on the enzymatic functions of type 2 cytochromes P450, which require a phospholipid bilayer and the redox partner P450-oxidoreductase (POR) for activity, are rarely investigated. Human aromatase (P450 19A1) catalyzes three sequential oxygenations of 19‑carbon steroids to estrogens and is widely expressed across various tissues, which are characterized by varying cholesterol compositions. Our study examined the impact of cholesterol on the functionality of the P450 19A1 complex with POR. Nanodiscs containing P450 19A1 with 20% cholesterol/80% phospholipid had similar rates and affinity of androstenedione binding as phospholipid-only P450 19A1 nanodiscs, and rates of product formation were indistinguishable among these conditions. In contrast, the rate of the first electron transfer from POR to P450 19A1 was 3-fold faster in cholesterol-containing nanodiscs than in phospholipid-only nanodiscs. These results suggest that cholesterol influences some aspects of POR interaction with P450 19A1 and might serve as an additional regulatory mechanism in this catalytic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirupama Sumangala
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, & Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Program in Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sang-Choul Im
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, & Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, United States
| | - Juan Valentín-Goyco
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, & Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Richard J Auchus
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, & Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Program in Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, United States.
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2
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Sun MZ, Lyu LS, Zheng QC. How does multiple substrate binding lead to substrate inhibition of CYP2D6 metabolizing dextromethorphan? A theoretical study. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:5164-5173. [PMID: 36723118 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp05634h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
CYP2D6 is one of the most important metalloenzymes involved in the biodegradation of many drug molecules in the human body. It has been found that multiple substrate binding can lead to substrate inhibition of CYP2D6 metabolizing dextromethorphan (DM), but the corresponding theoretical mechanism is rarely reported. Therefore, we chose DM as the probe and performed molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanical calculations on CYP2D6-DM systems to investigate the mechanism of how the multiple substrate binding leads to the substrate inhibition of CYP2D6 metabolizing substrates. According to our results, three gate residues (Arg221, Val374, and Phe483) for the catalytic pocket are determined. We also found that the multiple substrate binding can lead to substrate inhibition by reducing the stability of CYP2D6 binding DM and increasing the reactive activation energy of the rate-determining step. Our findings would help to understand the substrate inhibition of CYP2D6 metabolizing the DM and enrich the knowledge of the drug-drug interactions for the cytochrome P450 superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Zhang Sun
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, China
| | - Ling-Shan Lyu
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, China
| | - Qing-Chuan Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, China. .,Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, China
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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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Laporte S, Magistrato A. Deciphering the Molecular Terms of Arp2/3 Allosteric Regulation from All-Atom Simulations and Dynamical Network Theory. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:5384-5389. [PMID: 34077215 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c00940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Arp2/3 molecular machine stimulates the generation of branched actin networks at the cytosolic surface of cellular membranes. Arp2/3 is thus pivotal for cell motility and migration, and its aberrant function is implicated in cancer invasion and metastasis. Here, all-atom multi μs-long molecular dynamics simulations and dynamical NetWork Analysis (NWA) unprecedentedly disclose the molecular terms of Arp2/3 regulation (activation/inhibition) by positive/negative allosteric modulators. After identifying the crucial structural elements underlying Arp2/3's conformational transition toward its active actin-polymerization-competent state, we decrypt the activating signaling paths heading from the allosteric effector (ATP) binding sites to these pivotal regions, also elucidating how small-molecule inhibitors scramble this signal-exchange. As a result, while ATP-induced signaling triggers a harmonious conformational transition toward active Arp2/3, the inhibitors disturb these information channels, desynchronizing Arp2/3 functional movements, thus hindering its activation. Our outcomes supply a conceptual basis for devising small-molecule inhibitors to block infiltrative cancer migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Laporte
- CNR-IOM at SISSA via Bonomea 265 34136, Trieste Italy
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5
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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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6
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Sellner M, Fischer A, Don CG, Smieško M. Conformational Landscape of Cytochrome P450 Reductase Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1023. [PMID: 33498551 PMCID: PMC7864194 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative reactions catalyzed by Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs), which constitute the most relevant group of drug-metabolizing enzymes, are enabled by their redox partner Cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR). Both proteins are anchored to the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum and the CPR undergoes a conformational change in order to interact with the respective CYP and transfer electrons. Here, we conducted over 22 microseconds of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in combination with protein-protein docking to investigate the conformational changes necessary for the formation of the CPR-CYP complex. While some structural features of the CPR and the CPR-CYP2D6 complex that we highlighted confirmed previous observations, our simulations revealed additional mechanisms for the conformational transition of the CPR. Unbiased simulations exposed a movement of the whole protein relative to the membrane, potentially to facilitate interactions with its diverse set of redox partners. Further, we present a structural mechanism for the susceptibility of the CPR to different redox states based on the flip of a glycine residue disrupting the local interaction network that maintains inter-domain proximity. Simulations of the CPR-CYP2D6 complex pointed toward an additional interaction surface of the FAD domain and the proximal side of CYP2D6. Altogether, this study provides novel structural insight into the mechanism of CPR-CYP interactions and underlying conformational changes, improving our understanding of this complex machinery Cytochrome P450 reductase; CPR; conformational; dynamicsrelevant for drug metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Martin Smieško
- Computational Pharmacy, Departement of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; (M.S.); (A.F.); (C.G.D.)
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7
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Di Nardo G, Zhang C, Marcelli AG, Gilardi G. Molecular and Structural Evolution of Cytochrome P450 Aromatase. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:E631. [PMID: 33435208 PMCID: PMC7827799 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aromatase is the cytochrome P450 enzyme converting androgens into estrogen in the last phase of steroidogenesis. As estrogens are crucial in reproductive biology, aromatase is found in vertebrates and the invertebrates of the genus Branchiostoma, where it carries out the aromatization reaction of the A-ring of androgens that produces estrogens. Here, we investigate the molecular evolution of this unique and highly substrate-selective enzyme by means of structural, sequence alignment, and homology modeling, shedding light on its key role in species conservation. The alignments led to the identification of a core structure that, together with key and unique amino acids located in the active site and the substrate recognition sites, has been well conserved during evolution. Structural analysis shows what their roles are and the reason why they have been preserved. Moreover, the residues involved in the interaction with the redox partner and some phosphorylation sites appeared late during evolution. These data reveal how highly substrate-selective cytochrome P450 has evolved, indicating that the driving forces for evolution have been the optimization of the interaction with the redox partner and the introduction of phosphorylation sites that give the possibility of modulating its activity in a rapid way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Di Nardo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 1023 Torino, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.G.M.)
| | | | | | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 1023 Torino, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.G.M.)
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8
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An electron transfer competent structural ensemble of membrane-bound cytochrome P450 1A1 and cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase. Commun Biol 2021; 4:55. [PMID: 33420418 PMCID: PMC7794467 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01568-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 (CYP) heme monooxygenases require two electrons for their catalytic cycle. For mammalian microsomal CYPs, key enzymes for xenobiotic metabolism and steroidogenesis and important drug targets and biocatalysts, the electrons are transferred by NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CPR). No structure of a mammalian CYP-CPR complex has been solved experimentally, hindering understanding of the determinants of electron transfer (ET), which is often rate-limiting for CYP reactions. Here, we investigated the interactions between membrane-bound CYP 1A1, an antitumor drug target, and CPR by a multiresolution computational approach. We find that upon binding to CPR, the CYP 1A1 catalytic domain becomes less embedded in the membrane and reorients, indicating that CPR may affect ligand passage to the CYP active site. Despite the constraints imposed by membrane binding, we identify several arrangements of CPR around CYP 1A1 that are compatible with ET. In the complexes, the interactions of the CPR FMN domain with the proximal side of CYP 1A1 are supplemented by more transient interactions of the CPR NADP domain with the distal side of CYP 1A1. Computed ET rates and pathways agree well with available experimental data and suggest why the CYP-CPR ET rates are low compared to those of soluble bacterial CYPs.
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9
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Molecular determinant of substrate binding and specificity of cytochrome P450 2J2. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22267. [PMID: 33335233 PMCID: PMC7746748 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79284-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) is responsible for the epoxidation of endogenous arachidonic acid, and is involved in the metabolism of exogenous drugs. To date, no crystal structure of CYP2J2 is available, and the proposed structural basis for the substrate recognition and specificity in CYP2J2 varies with the structural models developed using different computational protocols. In this study, we developed a new structural model of CYP2J2, and explored its sensitivity to substrate binding by molecular dynamics simulations of the interactions with chemically similar fluorescent probes. Our results showed that the induced-fit binding of these probes led to the preferred active poses ready for the catalysis by CYP2J2. Divergent conformational dynamics of CYP2J2 due to the binding of each probe were observed. However, a stable hydrophobic clamp composed of residues I127, F310, A311, V380, and I487 was identified to restrict any substrate access to the active site of CYP2J2. Molecular docking of a series of compounds including amiodarone, astemizole, danazol, ebastine, ketoconazole, terfenadine, terfenadone, and arachidonic acid to CYP2J2 confirmed the role of those residues in determining substrate binding and specificity of CYP2J2. In addition to the flexibility of CYP2J2, the present work also identified other factors such as electrostatic potential in the vicinity of the active site, and substrate strain energy and property that have implications for the interpretation of CYP2J2 metabolism.
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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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Dixit VA, Warwicker J, Visser SP. How Do Metal Ions Modulate the Rate‐Determining Electron‐Transfer Step in Cytochrome P450 Reactions? Chemistry 2020; 26:15270-15281. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.202003024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav A. Dixit
- Department of Pharmacy Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences Pilani (BITS-Pilani) Vidya Vihar Campus 41 Pilani 333031 Rajasthan India
| | - Jim Warwicker
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology The University of Manchester 131 Princess Street Manchester M17DN United Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry The University of Manchester Oxford Road Manchester M139PL United Kingdom
| | - Sam P. Visser
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology The University of Manchester 131 Princess Street Manchester M17DN United Kingdom
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science The University of Manchester Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL United Kingdom
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13
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Li J, Zhou Y, Tang Y, Li W, Tu Y. Dissecting the Structural Plasticity and Dynamics of Cytochrome P450 2B4 by Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2020; 60:5026-5035. [PMID: 32808774 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c00482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The plasticity of cytochromes P450 (P450s) is known to contribute significantly to their catalytic capacity of metabolizing various substrates. Although numerous studies have been performed, factors governing the plasticity and dynamics of P450s are still not fully understood. In this study, taking CYP2B4 as an example, we dissect the protein plasticity and dynamics in different environments. CYP2B4 is featured by a high degree of plasticity, which exhibits open, closed, and intermediate states. By analyzing the CYP2B4 crystal structures, we identified the structural features for the closed, open, and intermediate states. Interestingly, formation of the dimer structure was found in the open and intermediate states. The subsequent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the open structure in water confirmed the importance of the dimer form in stabilizing the open conformations. MD simulations of the closed and open structures in the membrane environment and the free energies for opening the F-G cassette obtained from the umbrella sampling calculations indicate that the membrane environment is important for stabilizing the F-G cassette. The dynamical network analysis indicates that Asp105 on the B-C loop plays an important role in transiting the structure from the open to the intermediate state. Our results thus unveil the mechanisms of dimer formation and open-to-intermediate transition for CYP2B4 in the water and membrane environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Li
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry and Biology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (CBH), KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry and Biology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (CBH), KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yun Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Weihua Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yaoquan Tu
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry and Biology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (CBH), KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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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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15
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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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16
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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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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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