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Yekefallah M, van Aalst EJ, van Beekveld RAM, Eason IR, Breukink E, Weingarth M, Wylie BJ. Cooperative Gating of a K + Channel by Unmodified Biological Anionic Lipids Viewed by Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:4421-4432. [PMID: 38334076 PMCID: PMC10885140 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Lipids adhere to membrane proteins to stimulate or suppress molecular and ionic transport and signal transduction. Yet, the molecular details of lipid-protein interaction and their functional impact are poorly characterized. Here we combine NMR, coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD), and functional assays to reveal classic cooperativity in the binding and subsequent activation of a bacterial inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channel by phosphatidylglycerol (PG), a common component of many membranes. Past studies of lipid activation of Kir channels focused primarily on phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate, a relatively rare signaling lipid that is tightly regulated in space and time. We use solid-state NMR to quantify the binding of unmodified 13C-PG to the K+ channel KirBac1.1 in liposomes. This specific lipid-protein interaction has a dissociation constant (Kd) of ∼7 mol percentage PG (ΧPG) with positive cooperativity (n = 3.8) and approaches saturation near 20% ΧPG. Liposomal flux assays show that K+ flux also increases with PG in a cooperative manner with an EC50 of ∼20% ΧPG, within the physiological range. Further quantitative fitting of these data reveals that PG acts as a partial (80%) agonist with fivefold K+ flux amplification. Comparisons of NMR chemical shift perturbation and CGMD simulations at different ΧPG confirm the direct interaction of PG with key residues, several of which would not be accessible to lipid headgroups in the closed state of the channel. Allosteric regulation by a common lipid is directly relevant to the activation mechanisms of several human ion channels. This study highlights the role of concentration-dependent lipid-protein interactions and tightly controlled protein allostery in the activation and regulation of ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Yekefallah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| | - Evan J van Aalst
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| | - Roy A M van Beekveld
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Isaac R Eason
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| | - Eefjan Breukink
- Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Markus Weingarth
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Benjamin J Wylie
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
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Dymova MA, Malysheva DO, Popova VK, Dmitrienko EV, Endutkin AV, Drokov DV, Mukhanov VS, Byvakina AA, Kochneva GV, Artyushenko PV, Shchugoreva IA, Rogova AV, Tomilin FN, Kichkailo AS, Richter VA, Kuligina EV. Characterizing Aptamer Interaction with the Oncolytic Virus VV-GMCSF-Lact. Molecules 2024; 29:848. [PMID: 38398600 PMCID: PMC10892425 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29040848] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are currently being investigated for their potential to improve virotherapy. They offer several advantages, including the ability to prevent the aggregation of viral particles, enhance target specificity, and protect against the neutralizing effects of antibodies. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively investigate an aptamer capable of enhancing virotherapy. This involved characterizing the previously selected aptamer for vaccinia virus (VACV), evaluating the aggregation and molecular interaction of the optimized aptamers with the recombinant oncolytic virus VV-GMCSF-Lact, and estimating their immunoshielding properties in the presence of human blood serum. We chose one optimized aptamer, NV14t_56, with the highest affinity to the virus from the pool of several truncated aptamers and built its 3D model. The NV14t_56 remained stable in human blood serum for 1 h and bound to VV-GMCSF-Lact in the micromolar range (Kd ≈ 0.35 μM). Based on dynamic light scattering data, it has been demonstrated that aptamers surround viral particles and inhibit aggregate formation. In the presence of serum, the hydrodynamic diameter (by intensity) of the aptamer-virus complex did not change. Microscale thermophoresis (MST) experiments showed that NV14t_56 binds with virus (EC50 = 1.487 × 109 PFU/mL). The analysis of the amplitudes of MST curves reveals that the components of the serum bind to the aptamer-virus complex without disrupting it. In vitro experiments demonstrated the efficacy of VV-GMCSF-Lact in conjunction with the aptamer when exposed to human blood serum in the absence of neutralizing antibodies (Nabs). Thus, NV14t_56 has the ability to inhibit virus aggregation, allowing VV-GMCSF-Lact to maintain its effectiveness throughout the storage period and subsequent use. When employing aptamers as protective agents for oncolytic viruses, the presence of neutralizing antibodies should be taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya A. Dymova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev av. 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (D.O.M.); (V.K.P.); (E.V.D.); (A.V.E.); (D.V.D.); (V.S.M.); (A.A.B.); (V.A.R.); (E.V.K.)
| | - Daria O. Malysheva
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev av. 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (D.O.M.); (V.K.P.); (E.V.D.); (A.V.E.); (D.V.D.); (V.S.M.); (A.A.B.); (V.A.R.); (E.V.K.)
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova str. 1, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Victoria K. Popova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev av. 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (D.O.M.); (V.K.P.); (E.V.D.); (A.V.E.); (D.V.D.); (V.S.M.); (A.A.B.); (V.A.R.); (E.V.K.)
| | - Elena V. Dmitrienko
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev av. 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (D.O.M.); (V.K.P.); (E.V.D.); (A.V.E.); (D.V.D.); (V.S.M.); (A.A.B.); (V.A.R.); (E.V.K.)
| | - Anton V. Endutkin
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev av. 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (D.O.M.); (V.K.P.); (E.V.D.); (A.V.E.); (D.V.D.); (V.S.M.); (A.A.B.); (V.A.R.); (E.V.K.)
| | - Danil V. Drokov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev av. 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (D.O.M.); (V.K.P.); (E.V.D.); (A.V.E.); (D.V.D.); (V.S.M.); (A.A.B.); (V.A.R.); (E.V.K.)
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova str. 1, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Vladimir S. Mukhanov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev av. 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (D.O.M.); (V.K.P.); (E.V.D.); (A.V.E.); (D.V.D.); (V.S.M.); (A.A.B.); (V.A.R.); (E.V.K.)
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova str. 1, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Arina A. Byvakina
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev av. 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (D.O.M.); (V.K.P.); (E.V.D.); (A.V.E.); (D.V.D.); (V.S.M.); (A.A.B.); (V.A.R.); (E.V.K.)
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova str. 1, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Galina V. Kochneva
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, 630559 Koltsovo, Russia;
| | - Polina V. Artyushenko
- Laboratory for Biomolecular and Medical Technologies, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Named after Prof. V.F. Voyno-Yasenetsky, Partizana Zheleznyaka str. 1, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (P.V.A.); (I.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (A.S.K.)
- Federal Research Center KSC SB RAS, 50 Akademgorodok, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia;
| | - Irina A. Shchugoreva
- Laboratory for Biomolecular and Medical Technologies, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Named after Prof. V.F. Voyno-Yasenetsky, Partizana Zheleznyaka str. 1, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (P.V.A.); (I.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (A.S.K.)
- Federal Research Center KSC SB RAS, 50 Akademgorodok, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia;
| | - Anastasia V. Rogova
- Laboratory for Biomolecular and Medical Technologies, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Named after Prof. V.F. Voyno-Yasenetsky, Partizana Zheleznyaka str. 1, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (P.V.A.); (I.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (A.S.K.)
- Federal Research Center KSC SB RAS, 50 Akademgorodok, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia;
| | - Felix N. Tomilin
- Federal Research Center KSC SB RAS, 50 Akademgorodok, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia;
- Kirensky Institute of Physics, 50/38 Akademgorodok, 660012 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Anna S. Kichkailo
- Laboratory for Biomolecular and Medical Technologies, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Named after Prof. V.F. Voyno-Yasenetsky, Partizana Zheleznyaka str. 1, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (P.V.A.); (I.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (A.S.K.)
- Federal Research Center KSC SB RAS, 50 Akademgorodok, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia;
| | - Vladimir A. Richter
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev av. 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (D.O.M.); (V.K.P.); (E.V.D.); (A.V.E.); (D.V.D.); (V.S.M.); (A.A.B.); (V.A.R.); (E.V.K.)
| | - Elena V. Kuligina
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev av. 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (D.O.M.); (V.K.P.); (E.V.D.); (A.V.E.); (D.V.D.); (V.S.M.); (A.A.B.); (V.A.R.); (E.V.K.)
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Buchwald P. Quantitative receptor model for responses that are left- or right-shifted versus occupancy (are more or less concentration sensitive): the SABRE approach. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1274065. [PMID: 38161688 PMCID: PMC10755021 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1274065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Simple one-to three-parameter models routinely used to fit typical dose-response curves and calculate EC50 values using the Hill or Clark equation cannot provide the full picture connecting measured response to receptor occupancy, which can be quite complex due to the interplay between partial agonism and (pathway-dependent) signal amplification. The recently introduced SABRE quantitative receptor model is the first one that explicitly includes a parameter for signal amplification (γ) in addition to those for binding affinity (K d), receptor-activation efficacy (ε), constitutive activity (ε R0), and steepness of response (Hill slope, n). It can provide a unified framework to fit complex cases, where fractional response and occupancy do not match, as well as simple ones, where parameters constrained to specific values can be used (e.g., ε R0 = 0, γ = 1, or n = 1). Here, it is shown for the first time that SABRE can fit not only typical cases where response curves are left-shifted compared to occupancy (κ = K d/EC50 > 1) due to signal amplification (γ > 1), but also less common ones where they are right-shifted (i.e., less concentration-sensitive; κ = K d/EC50 < 1) by modeling them as apparent signal attenuation/loss (γ < 1). Illustrations are provided with μ-opioid receptor (MOPr) data from three different experiments with one left- and one right-shifted response (G protein activation and β-arrestin2 recruitment, respectively; EC50,Gprt < K d < EC50,βArr). For such cases of diverging pathways with differently shifted responses, partial agonists can cause very weak responses in the less concentration-sensitive pathway without having to be biased ligands due to the combination of low ligand efficacy and signal attenuation/loss-an illustration with SABRE-fitted oliceridine data is included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Buchwald
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Diabetes Research Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
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Zhang X, Fan X, Bao H, Ping J. Nanomechanoelectrical approach to highly sensitive and specific label-free DNA detection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306130120. [PMID: 37549255 PMCID: PMC10433451 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306130120] [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: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Electronic detection of DNA oligomers offers the promise of rapid, miniaturized DNA analysis across various biotechnological applications. However, known all-electrical methods, which solely rely on measuring electrical signals in transducers during probe-target DNA hybridization, are prone to nonspecific electrostatic and electrochemical interactions, subsequently limiting their specificity and detection limit. Here, we demonstrate a nanomechanoelectrical approach that delivers ultra-robust specificity and a 100-fold improvement in detection limit. We drive nanostructural DNA strands tethered to a graphene transistor to oscillate in an alternating electric field and show that the transistor-current spectra are characteristic and indicative of DNA hybridization. We find that the inherent difference in pliability between unpaired and paired DNA strands leads to the spectral characteristics with minimal influence from nonspecific electrostatic and electrochemical interactions, resulting in high selectivity and sensitivity. Our results highlight the potential of high-performance DNA analysis based on miniaturized all-electronic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA01003
| | - Xiao Fan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA01003
| | - Huilu Bao
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA01003
| | - Jinglei Ping
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA01003
- Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA01003
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Quantification of receptor binding from response data obtained at different receptor levels: a simple individual sigmoid fitting and a unified SABRE approach. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18833. [PMID: 36336760 PMCID: PMC9637741 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23588-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Methods that allow quantification of receptor binding (occupancy) by measuring response (effect) data only are of interest as they can be used to allow characterization of binding properties (e.g., dissociation constant, Kd) without having to perform explicit ligand binding experiments that require different setups (e.g., use of labeled ligands). However, since response depends not just on the binding affinity-determined receptor occupancy, but also on receptor activation, which is affected by ligand efficacy (plus constitutive activity, if present), and downstream pathway amplification, this requires the acquisition and fitting of multiple concentration-response data. Here, two alternative methods, which both are straightforward to implement using nonlinear regression software, are described to fit such multiple responses measured at different receptor levels that can be obtained, for example, by partial irreversible receptor inactivation (i.e., Furchgott method) or different expression levels. One is a simple method via straightforward fitting of each response with sigmoid functions and estimation of Kd from the obtained Emax and EC50 values as Kd = (Emax·EC'50 - E'max·EC50)/(Emax - E'max). This is less error-prone than the original Furchgott method of double-reciprocal fit and simpler than alternatives that require concentration interpolations, thus, should allow more widespread use of this so-far underutilized approach to estimate binding properties. Relative efficacies can then be compared using Emax·Kd/EC50 values. The other is a complex method that uses the SABRE receptor model to obtain a unified fit of the multiple concentration-response curves with a single set of parameters that include binding affinity Kd, efficacy ε, amplification γ, and Hill coefficient n. Illustrations with simulated and experimental data are presented including with activity data of three muscarinic agonists measured in rabbit myocardium.
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Jakubík J, Randáková A. Insights into the operational model of agonism of receptor dimers. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:1181-1191. [PMID: 36369915 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2147502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Accurate ranking of efficacies and potencies of agonists is essential in the discovery of new selective agonists. For the purpose of system-independent ranking of agonists, the operational model of agonism (OMA) has become a standard. Many receptors function as oligomers which makes functional responses more complex, requiring an extension of the original OMA. AREAS COVERED Explicit equations of the operational model of agonism of receptor dimers (OMARD) were derived. The OMARD can be applied to any receptor possessing two orthosteric sites. The behavior of OMARD was analyzed to demonstrate its complexity and relation to experimental data. Properties of OMARD and OMA equations were compared to demonstrate their pros and cons. EXPERT OPINION Extension of OMA by slope factors gives simple equations of functional response that are easy to fit experimental data but results may be inaccurate because of exponentiation of operational efficacy. Also, such equations cannot accommodate bell-shaped curves. Explicit equations of OMARD give accurate results but are complex and tedious to fit experimental data. All operational models use inter-dependent parameters that are a hurdle in the fitting. A good understanding of OMARD behavior helps to overcome such obstacles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Jakubík
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Institute of Physiology CAS, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Randáková
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Institute of Physiology CAS, Prague, Czech Republic
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Ogunyemi OM, Gyebi GA, Saheed A, Paul J, Nwaneri-Chidozie V, Olorundare O, Adebayo J, Koketsu M, Aljarba N, Alkahtani S, Batiha GES, Olaiya CO. Inhibition mechanism of alpha-amylase, a diabetes target, by a steroidal pregnane and pregnane glycosides derived from Gongronema latifolium Benth. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:866719. [PMID: 36032689 PMCID: PMC9399641 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.866719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-amylase is widely exploited as a drug target for preventing postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Inhibition of this enzyme by plant-derived pregnanes is not fully understood. Herein, we used in vitro, in silico, and in vivo studies to provide further insights into the alpha-amylase inhibitory potential of selected pregnane-rich chromatographic fractions and four steroidal pregnane phytochemicals (SPPs), viz: marsectohexol (P1), 3-O-[6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1→14)-β-D-oleandropyranosyl]-11,12-di-O-tigloyl-17β-marsdenin (P2), 3-O-[6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-oleandropyranosyl]-17β-marsdenin (P3), and 3-O-[6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-canaropyranosyl]-17β-marsdenin (P4) derived from Gongronema latifolium Benth. The results revealed that the SPPs source pregnane-rich chromatographic fractions and the SPPs (P1–P4) exhibited inhibitory potential against porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase in vitro. Compounds P1 and P2 with IC50 values 10.01 and 12.10 µM, respectively, showed greater inhibitory potential than the reference acarbose (IC50 = 13.47 µM). Molecular docking analysis suggests that the SPPs had a strong binding affinity to porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase (PPA), human pancreatic alpha-amylase (HPA), and human salivary alpha-amylase (HSA), interacting with the key active site residues through an array of hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. The strong interactions of the SPPs with Glu233 and Asp300 residues may disrupt their roles in the acid-base catalytic mechanism and proper orientation of the polymeric substrates, respectively. The interactions with human pancreatic amylase were maintained in a dynamic environment as indicated by the root mean square deviation, radius of gyration, surface accessible surface area, and number of hydrogen bonds computed from the trajectories obtained from a 100-ns molecular dynamics simulation. Key loop regions of HPA that contribute to substrate binding exhibited flexibility and interaction potential toward the compounds as indicated by the root mean square fluctuation. Furthermore, P1 significantly reduced blood glucose levels and area under the curve in albino rats which were orally challenged with starch. Therefore, Gongronema latifolium and its constituent SPPs may be exploited as inhibitors of pancreatic alpha-amylase as an oral policy for impeding postprandial blood glucose rise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oludare M. Ogunyemi
- Human Nutraceuticals and Bioinformatics Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Salem University, Lokoja, Nigeria
- Nutritional and Industrial Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- *Correspondence: Oludare M. Ogunyemi, ; Gideon A. Gyebi,
| | - Gideon A. Gyebi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology Bingham University, Nasarawa, Nigeria
- Natural Products and Structural (Bio-Chem)-informatics Research Laboratory (NpsBC-Rl), Bingham University, Nasarawa, Nigeria
- *Correspondence: Oludare M. Ogunyemi, ; Gideon A. Gyebi,
| | - Afolabi Saheed
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Jesse Paul
- Human Nutraceuticals and Bioinformatics Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Salem University, Lokoja, Nigeria
| | - Victoria Nwaneri-Chidozie
- Human Nutraceuticals and Bioinformatics Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Salem University, Lokoja, Nigeria
| | - Olufunke Olorundare
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Joseph Adebayo
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Mamoru Koketsu
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Nada Aljarba
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad Alkahtani
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Charles O. Olaiya
- Nutritional and Industrial Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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Chuang ST, Papp H, Kuczmog A, Eells R, Condor Capcha JM, Shehadeh LA, Jakab F, Buchwald P. Methylene Blue Is a Nonspecific Protein-Protein Interaction Inhibitor with Potential for Repurposing as an Antiviral for COVID-19. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:621. [PMID: 35631447 PMCID: PMC9144480 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously identified methylene blue, a tricyclic phenothiazine dye approved for clinical use for the treatment of methemoglobinemia and for other medical applications as a small-molecule inhibitor of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and ACE2, the first critical step of the attachment and entry of this coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we show that methylene blue concentration dependently inhibits this PPI for the spike protein of the original strain as well as for those of variants of concern such as the D614G mutant and delta (B.1.617.2) with IC50 in the low micromolar range (1-5 μM). Methylene blue also showed promiscuous activity and inhibited several other PPIs of viral proteins (e.g., HCoV-NL63-ACE2, hepatitis C virus E-CD81) as well as others (e.g., IL-2-IL-2Rα) with similar potency. This nonspecificity notwithstanding, methylene blue inhibited the entry of pseudoviruses bearing the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 in hACE2-expressing host cells, both for the original strain and the delta variant. It also blocked SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.5) virus replication in Vero E6 cells with an IC50 in the low micromolar range (1.7 μM) when assayed using quantitative PCR of the viral RNA. Thus, while it seems to be a promiscuous PPI inhibitor with low micromolar activity and has a relatively narrow therapeutic index, methylene blue inhibits entry and replication of SARS-CoV-2, including several of its mutant variants, and has potential as a possible inexpensive, broad-spectrum, orally bioactive small-molecule antiviral for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Ting Chuang
- Diabetes Research Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Henrietta Papp
- National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, 7622 Pécs, Hungary; (H.P.); (A.K.); (F.J.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7622 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Anett Kuczmog
- National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, 7622 Pécs, Hungary; (H.P.); (A.K.); (F.J.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7622 Pécs, Hungary
| | | | - Jose M. Condor Capcha
- Division of Cardiology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (J.M.C.C.); (L.A.S.)
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Lina A. Shehadeh
- Division of Cardiology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (J.M.C.C.); (L.A.S.)
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ferenc Jakab
- National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, 7622 Pécs, Hungary; (H.P.); (A.K.); (F.J.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7622 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Peter Buchwald
- Diabetes Research Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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9
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Manry D, Bolanos K, DiAndreth B, Mock JY, Kamb A. Robust In Vitro Pharmacology of Tmod, a Synthetic Dual-Signal Integrator for Cancer Cell Therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:826747. [PMID: 35359952 PMCID: PMC8960424 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.826747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Progress toward improved solid-tumor treatment has long been hindered by the lack of truly tumor-specific targets. We have developed an approach to T cell therapy based on a dual-receptor system called Tmod™ that addresses this problem. The Tmod system exploits one of the few common genetic differences between tumor and normal cells: loss of heterozygosity (LOH). It utilizes the basic mechanistic logic that evolved in early vertebrates to mediate self vs. non-self discrimination, where an activation stimulus is blocked by self-ligands. Tmod constructs employ a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) or T cell receptor (TCR) as activator component and a modified LIR-1 inhibitory receptor (blocker) to achieve high selectivity based on expression of the blocker antigen (Ag). Here we explore the in vitro pharmacology of a blocker directed at the HLA-A*02 Ag paired with either a mesothelin CAR or an HLA-A*11-restricted KRAS peptide TCR. While more sensitive to receptor expression changes on effector cells, we show that Tmod response is well-buffered against variations in Ag levels on target cells. In addition, the data reveal at least two distinguishable pharmacologic mechanisms of Tmod blocker function: (1) reducing activator sensitivity and (2) decreasing activation magnitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Manry
- A2 Biotherapeutics, Inc., Agoura Hills, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Jee-Young Mock
- A2 Biotherapeutics, Inc., Agoura Hills, CA, United States
| | - Alexander Kamb
- A2 Biotherapeutics, Inc., Agoura Hills, CA, United States
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10
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Song H, Lee PG, Kim J, Kim J, Lee SH, Kim H, Lee UJ, Kim JY, Kim EJ, Kim BG. Regioselective One-Pot Synthesis of Hydroxy-(S)-Equols Using Isoflavonoid Reductases and Monooxygenases and Evaluation of the Hydroxyequol Derivatives as Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators and Antioxidants. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:830712. [PMID: 35402392 PMCID: PMC8987157 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.830712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Several regiospecific enantiomers of hydroxy-(S)-equol (HE) were enzymatically synthesized from daidzein and genistein using consecutive reduction (four daidzein-to-equol–converting reductases) and oxidation (4-hydroxyphenylacetate 3-monooxygenase, HpaBC). Despite the natural occurrence of several HEs, most of them had not been studied owing to the lack of their preparation methods. Herein, the one-pot synthesis pathway of 6-hydroxyequol (6HE) was developed using HpaBC (EcHpaB) from Escherichia coli and (S)-equol-producing E. coli, previously developed by our group. Based on docking analysis of the substrate or products, a potential active site and several key residues for substrate binding were predicted to interpret the (S)-equol hydroxylation regioselectivity of EcHpaB. Through investigating mutations on the key residues, the T292A variant was verified to display specific mono-ortho-hydroxylation activity at C6 without further 3′-hydroxylation. In the consecutive oxidoreductive bioconversion using T292A, 0.95 mM 6HE could be synthesized from 1 mM daidzein, while 5HE and 3′HE were also prepared from genistein and 3′-hydroxydaidzein (3′HD or 3′-ODI), respectively. In the following efficacy tests, 3′HE and 6HE showed about 30∼200-fold higher EC50 than (S)-equol in both ERα and ERβ, and they did not have significant SERM efficacy except 6HE showing 10% lower β/α ratio response than that of 17β-estradiol. In DPPH radical scavenging assay, 3′HE showed the highest antioxidative activity among the examined isoflavone derivatives: more than 40% higher than the well-known 3′HD. In conclusion, we demonstrated that HEs could be produced efficiently and regioselectively through the one-pot bioconversion platform and evaluated estrogenic and antioxidative activities of each HE regio-isomer for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanbit Song
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Pyung-Gang Lee
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Engineering Research, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Junyeob Kim
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Joonwon Kim
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang-Hyuk Lee
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Uk-Jae Lee
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin Young Kim
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun-Jung Kim
- Bio-MAX/N-Bio Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Byung-Gee Kim
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Bio-MAX/N-Bio Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD), Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Byung-Gee Kim,
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11
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Gabe MBN, Skov-Jeppesen K, Gasbjerg LS, Schiellerup SP, Martinussen C, Gadgaard S, Boer GA, Oeke J, Torz LJ, Veedfald S, Svane MS, Bojsen-Møller KN, Madsbad S, Holst JJ, Hartmann B, Rosenkilde MM. GIP and GLP-2 together improve bone turnover in humans supporting GIPR-GLP-2R co-agonists as future osteoporosis treatment. Pharmacol Res 2022; 176:106058. [PMID: 34995796 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The intestinal hormones glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) are key regulators of postprandial bone turnover in humans. We hypothesized that GIP and GLP-2 co-administration would provide stronger effect on bone turnover than administration of the hormones separately, and tested this using subcutaneous injections of GIP and GLP-2 alone or in combination in humans. Guided by these findings, we designed series of GIPR-GLP-2R co-agonists as template for new osteoporosis treatment. The clinical experiment was a randomized cross-over design including 10 healthy men administered subcutaneous injections of GIP and GLP-2 alone or in combination. The GIPR-GLP-2R co-agonists were characterized in terms of binding and activation profiles on human and rodent GIP and GLP-2 receptors, and their pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles were improved by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 protection and site-directed lipidation. Co-administration of GIP and GLP-2 in humans resulted in an additive reduction in bone resorption superior to each hormone individually. The GIPR-GLP-2R co-agonists, designed by combining regions of importance for cognate receptor activation, obtained similar efficacies as the two native hormones and nanomolar potencies on both human receptors. The PK-improved co-agonists maintained receptor activity along with their prolonged half-lives. Finally, we found that the GIPR-GLP-2R co-agonists optimized toward the human receptors for bone remodeling are not feasible for use in rodent models. The successful development of potent and efficacious GIPR-GLP-2R co-agonists, combined with the improved effect on bone metabolism in humans by co-administration, support these co-agonists as a future osteoporosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Buur Nordskov Gabe
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kirsa Skov-Jeppesen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; NNF Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lærke Smidt Gasbjerg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sine Pasch Schiellerup
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christoffer Martinussen
- Department of Endocrinology, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Sarina Gadgaard
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Geke Aline Boer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; NNF Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jannika Oeke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lola Julia Torz
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Simon Veedfald
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Saur Svane
- NNF Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Endocrinology, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | | | - Sten Madsbad
- Department of Endocrinology, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Jens Juul Holst
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; NNF Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bolette Hartmann
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; NNF Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Mette Marie Rosenkilde
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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12
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Bojadzic D, Alcazar O, Chen J, Chuang ST, Capcha JMC, Shehadeh LA, Buchwald P. Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the Coronavirus Spike: ACE2 Protein-Protein Interaction as Blockers of Viral Attachment and Entry for SARS-CoV-2. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1519-1534. [PMID: 33979123 PMCID: PMC8130611 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitors of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and human ACE2 (hACE2), which acts as a ligand-receptor pair that initiates the viral attachment and cellular entry of this coronavirus causing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, are of considerable interest as potential antiviral agents. While blockade of such PPIs with small molecules is more challenging than that with antibodies, small-molecule inhibitors (SMIs) might offer alternatives that are less strain- and mutation-sensitive, suitable for oral or inhaled administration, and more controllable/less immunogenic. Here, we report the identification of SMIs of this PPI by screening our compound library focused around the chemical space of organic dyes. Among promising candidates identified, several dyes (Congo red, direct violet 1, Evans blue) and novel druglike compounds (DRI-C23041, DRI-C91005) inhibited the interaction of hACE2 with the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 as well as SARS-CoV with low micromolar activity in our cell-free ELISA-type assays (IC50's of 0.2-3.0 μM), whereas control compounds, such as sunset yellow FCF, chloroquine, and suramin, showed no activity. Protein thermal shift assays indicated that the SMIs of interest identified here bind SARS-CoV-2-S and not hACE2. While dyes seemed to be promiscuous inhibitors, DRI-C23041 showed some selectivity and inhibited the entry of two different SARS-CoV-2-S expressing pseudoviruses into hACE2-expressing cells in a concentration-dependent manner with low micromolar IC50's (6-7 μM). This provides proof-of-principle evidence for the feasibility of small-molecule inhibition of PPIs critical for SARS-CoV-2 attachment/entry and serves as a first guide in the search for SMI-based alternative antiviral therapies for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by coronaviruses in general and COVID-19 in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damir Bojadzic
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Oscar Alcazar
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Jinshui Chen
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Sung-Ting Chuang
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Jose M. Condor Capcha
- Division of Cardiology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Lina A. Shehadeh
- Division of Cardiology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Peggy and Harold Katz Family Drug Discovery Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Peter Buchwald
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
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13
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Lee JH, Shon SY, Jeon W, Hong SJ, Ban J, Lee DS. Discovery of μ,δ-Opioid Receptor Dual-Biased Agonists That Overcome the Limitation of Prior Biased Agonists. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:1149-1160. [PMID: 34151205 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Morphine is widely used in pain management although the risk of side effects is significant. The use of biased agonists to the G protein of μ-opioid receptors has been suggested as a potential solution, although oliceridine and PZM21 have previously failed to demonstrate benefits in clinical studies. An amplification-induced confusion in the process of comparing G protein and beta-arrestin pathways may account for previously biased agonist misidentification. Here, we have devised a strategy to discover biased agonists with intrinsic efficacy. We computationally simulated 430 000 molecular dockings to the μ-opioid receptor to construct a compound library. Hits were then verified experimentally. Using the verified compounds, we performed simulations to build a second library with a common scaffold and selected compounds that showed a bias to μ- and δ-opioid receptors in a cell-based assay. Three compounds (ID110460001, ID110460002, and ID110460003) with a dual-biased agonistic effect for μ- and δ-opioid receptors were identified. These candidates are full agonists for the μ-opioid receptor and show specific binding modes. On the basis of our findings, we expect our novel compounds to act as more biased agonists compared to existing drugs, including oliceridine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hee Lee
- Research Laboratory, Ildong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 20, Samsung 1-ro 1-gil, Hwaseong 18449, Korea
| | - Suh-Youn Shon
- Research Laboratory, Ildong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 20, Samsung 1-ro 1-gil, Hwaseong 18449, Korea
| | - Woojin Jeon
- Research Laboratory, Ildong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 20, Samsung 1-ro 1-gil, Hwaseong 18449, Korea
| | - Sung-Jun Hong
- Research Laboratory, Ildong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 20, Samsung 1-ro 1-gil, Hwaseong 18449, Korea
| | - Junsu Ban
- Research Laboratory, Ildong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 20, Samsung 1-ro 1-gil, Hwaseong 18449, Korea
| | - Do Sup Lee
- Research Laboratory, Ildong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 20, Samsung 1-ro 1-gil, Hwaseong 18449, Korea
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14
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Bojadzic D, Alcazar O, Buchwald P. Methylene Blue Inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 Spike-ACE2 Protein-Protein Interaction-a Mechanism that can Contribute to its Antiviral Activity Against COVID-19. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:600372. [PMID: 33519460 PMCID: PMC7838506 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.600372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to our interest in the chemical space of organic dyes to identify potential small-molecule inhibitors (SMIs) for protein-protein interactions (PPIs), we initiated a screen of such compounds to assess their inhibitory activity against the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its cognate receptor ACE2, which is the first critical step initiating the viral attachment and entry of this coronavirus responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this, we found that methylene blue, a tricyclic phenothiazine compound approved by the FDA for the treatment of methemoglobinemia and used for other medical applications (including the inactivation of viruses in blood products prior to transfusion when activated by light), inhibits this interaction. We confirmed that it does so in a concentration-dependent manner with a low micromolar half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 = 3 μM) in our protein-based ELISA-type setup, while chloroquine, siramesine, and suramin showed no inhibitory activity in this assay. Erythrosine B, which we have shown before to be a promiscuous SMI of PPIs, also inhibited this interaction. Methylene blue inhibited the entry of a SARS-CoV-2 spike bearing pseudovirus into ACE2-expressing cells with similar IC50 (3.5 μM). Hence, this PPI inhibitory activity could contribute to its antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 even in the absence of light by blocking its attachment to ACE2-expressing cells and making this inexpensive and widely available drug potentially useful in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 as an oral or inhaled medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damir Bojadzic
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Oscar Alcazar
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Peter Buchwald
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
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