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Fatima T, Mubasher MM, Rehman HM, Niyazi S, Alanzi AR, Kalsoom M, Khalid S, Bashir H. Computational modeling study of IL-15-NGR peptide fusion protein: a targeted therapeutics for hepatocellular carcinoma. AMB Express 2024; 14:91. [PMID: 39133343 PMCID: PMC11319546 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-024-01747-8] [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: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The primary challenge to improving existing cancer treatment is to develop drugs that specifically target tumor cell. NGR peptide is tumor homing peptide that selectively target cancer cells while interleukin 15 is a pleiotropic cytokine with anticancer properties. This study computationally engineered a IL15-NGR fusion peptide by linking the homing peptide NGR with the targeting peptide IL-15. After evaluating and validating the chimeric peptide, we docked it to the IL-15Rα/IL-15Rβ/γc heterodimer receptor, examining the interactions and binding energy and lastly, molecular dynamics simulations were performed. The secondary and tertiary structures, along with physicochemical properties of the designed IL-15-NGR chimeric protein, were predicted using GOR IV, trRosetta and ProtParam online servers respectively. The quality and 3D structure validation were confirmed via ProSA-web and SAVES 6.0 analysis which predicted an ERRAT score of 96.72%, with 97.6% of residues in the Ramachandran plot, validating its structure. Finally, Docking, MD simulations and interaction analysis were performed using ClusPro 2.0 and GROMACS and PDBsum, which exhibited significant hydrogen bonding and salt bridges, confirming the formation of a stable docked complex. These results were further corroborated by simulation analysis, which demonstrated a stable and dynamic behavior of the docked complex in a biological environment. The predicted high expression value of fusion protein was 0.844 in E.coli using SOLUPROT tool. These findings suggest efficient expression of the IL15-NGR fusion protein if its gene is inserted into E. coli and indicates its potential as a safe and effective anticancer treatment, paving the way for targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tehreem Fatima
- Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West canal, Bank Road, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan
| | | | - Hafiz Muhammad Rehman
- Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West canal, Bank Road, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan.
- University Institute of Medical Lab Technology, Faculty of Allied health sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan.
| | - Sakina Niyazi
- School of Biotechnology, IFTM University, Moradabad, 244102, India
| | - Abdullah R Alanzi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maria Kalsoom
- Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West canal, Bank Road, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan
| | - Sania Khalid
- Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West canal, Bank Road, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan
| | - Hamid Bashir
- Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West canal, Bank Road, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan.
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2
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Islam S, Amin MA, Rengasamy KR, Mohiuddin AKM, Mahmud S. Structure-based pharmacophore modeling for precision inhibition of mutant ESR2 in breast cancer: A systematic computational approach. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e70074. [PMID: 39101505 PMCID: PMC11299079 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.70074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer, a leading cause of female mortality, is closely linked to mutations in estrogen receptor beta (ESR2), particularly in the ligand-binding domain, which contributed to altered signaling pathways and uncontrolled cell growth. OBJECTIVES/AIMS This study investigates the molecular and structural aspects of ESR2 mutant proteins to identify shared pharmacophoric regions of ESR2 mutant proteins and potential therapeutic targets aligned within the pharmacophore model. METHODS This study was initiated by establishing a common pharmacophore model among three mutant ESR2 proteins (PDB ID: 2FSZ, 7XVZ, and 7XWR). The generated shared feature pharmacophore (SFP) includes four primary binding interactions: Hydrogen bond donors (HBD), hydrogen bond acceptors (HBA), hydrophobic interactions (HPho), and Aromatic interactions (Ar), along with halogen bond donors (XBD) and totalling 11 features (HBD: 2, HBA: 3, HPho: 3, Ar: 2, XBD: 1). By employing an in-house Python script, these 11 features distributed into 336 combinations, which were used as query to isolate a drug library of 41,248 compounds and subjected to virtual screening through the generated SFP. RESULTS The virtual screening demonstrated 33 hits showing potential pharmacophoric fit scores and low RMSD value. The top four compounds: ZINC94272748, ZINC79046938, ZINC05925939, and ZINC59928516 showed a fit score of more than 86% and satisfied the Lipinski rule of five. These four compounds and a control underwent molecular (XP Glide mode) docking analysis against wild-type ESR2 protein (PDB ID: 1QKM), resulting in binding affinity of -8.26, -5.73, -10.80, and -8.42 kcal/mol, respectively, along with the control -7.2 kcal/mol. Furthermore, the stability of the selected candidates was determined through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of 200 ns and MM-GBSA analysis. CONCLUSION Based on MD simulations and MM-GBSA analysis, our study identified ZINC05925939 as a promising ESR2 inhibitor among the top four hits. However, it is essential to conduct further wet lab evaluation to assess its efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirajul Islam
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic EngineeringMawlana Bhashani Science and Technology UniversitySantoshTangail1902Bangladesh
| | - Md. Al Amin
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic EngineeringMawlana Bhashani Science and Technology UniversitySantoshTangail1902Bangladesh
| | - Kannan R.R. Rengasamy
- Laboratory of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry (LNPMC), Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and HospitalSaveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS)ThandalamChennai602105India
| | - A. K. M. Mohiuddin
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic EngineeringMawlana Bhashani Science and Technology UniversitySantoshTangail1902Bangladesh
| | - Shahin Mahmud
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic EngineeringMawlana Bhashani Science and Technology UniversitySantoshTangail1902Bangladesh
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3
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Hu C, He X, Zhang H, Hu X, Liao L, Cai M, Lin Z, Xiang J, Jia X, Lu G, Xiao W, Feng Y, Gong W. Tanshinone I limits inflammasome activation of macrophage via docking into Syk to alleviate DSS-induced colitis in mice. Mol Immunol 2024; 173:88-98. [PMID: 39088935 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2024.07.007] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
Tanshinone I (Tan I) has been proven to exert an anti-inflammatory effect, but the complete mechanism remains unclear. In this study, Tan I was described to have no effect on Syk expression in resting or LPS-stimulated macrophages ex vivo, but dramatically suppressed Syk phosphorylation and CD80, CD86, and IL-1β expression of macrophages. The inflammatory activity of macrophages in ApoC3-transgenic (ApoC3TG) mice is upregulated by Syk activation. Tan I was determined to downregulate Syk phosphorylation and inflammatory activity of macrophages in ApoC3TG mice, both ex vivo and in vivo. Intraperitoneal injection of Tan I (4 mg/kg) effectively alleviated DSS-induced colitis in mice, accompanying with suppressing the activation of intestinal macrophages. Mechanistically, Tan I-treated macrophages exhibited a decrease in cytoplasmic ROS, NLRP3, GSDMD, and IL-1β, which suggested that the alternative pathway of inflammasome activation in macrophages was suppressed. The SPR assay demonstrated that Tan I bound to Syk protein with a dissociation constant (KD) of 2.473 × 10-6 M. When Syk expression was knocked down by its shRNA, the inhibitory effects of Tan I on macrophages were blocked. Collectively, Tanshinone I effectively alleviated DSS-induced colitis in mice by inhibiting Syk-stimulated inflammasome activation, hence suppressing the inflammatory activity of macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmiao Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yangzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Treatment of Refractory Bowel Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, PR China
| | - Xiaoli He
- Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Digestive Diseases, Kunshan Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Kunshan, PR China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, PR China
| | - Xiangyu Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yangzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Treatment of Refractory Bowel Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, PR China
| | - Liting Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yangzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Treatment of Refractory Bowel Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, PR China; Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, PR China
| | - Minmin Cai
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, PR China
| | - Zhijie Lin
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, PR China
| | - Jie Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, PR China
| | - Xiaoqin Jia
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, PR China
| | - Guotao Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yangzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Treatment of Refractory Bowel Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, PR China
| | - Weiming Xiao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yangzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Treatment of Refractory Bowel Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, PR China
| | - Yisheng Feng
- Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Digestive Diseases, Kunshan Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Kunshan, PR China.
| | - Weijuan Gong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yangzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Treatment of Refractory Bowel Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, PR China; Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Yangzhou 225001, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou 225001, PR China.
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4
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Morgan RN, Ismail NSM, Alshahrani MY, Aboshanab KM. Multi-epitope peptide vaccines targeting dengue virus serotype 2 created via immunoinformatic analysis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17645. [PMID: 39085250 PMCID: PMC11291903 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67553-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The Middle East has witnessed a greater spread of infectious Dengue viruses, with serotype 2 (DENV-2) being the most prevalent form. Through this work, multi-epitope peptide vaccines against DENV-2 that target E and nonstructural (NS1) proteins were generated through an immunoinformatic approach. MHC class I and II and LBL epitopes among NS1 and envelope E proteins sequences were predicted and their antigenicity, toxicity, and allergenicity were investigated. Studies of the population coverage denoted the high prevalence of NS1 and envelope-E epitopes among different countries where DENV-2 endemic. Further, both the CTL and HTL epitopes retrieved from NS1 epitopes exhibited high conservancies' percentages with other DENV serotypes (1, 3, and 4). Three vaccine constructs were created and the expected immune responses for the constructs were estimated using C-IMMSIM and HADDOCK (against TLR 2,3,4,5, and 7). Molecular dynamics simulation for vaccine construct 2 with TLR4 denoted high binding affinity and stability of the construct with the receptor which might foretell favorable in vivo interaction and immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radwa N Morgan
- Drug Radiation Research Department, National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nasser S M Ismail
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammad Y Alshahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 61413, 9088, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled M Aboshanab
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Organization of African Unity St., Abbassia, POB: 11566, Cairo, 11566, Egypt.
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5
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Khan A, Ali SS, Khan A, Zahid MA, Alshabrmi FM, Waheed Y, Agouni A. Structural proteomics guided annotation of vaccine targets and designing of multi-epitopes vaccine to instigate adaptive immune response against Francisella tularensis. Microb Pathog 2024; 194:106777. [PMID: 39002657 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106777] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Francisella tularensis can cause severe disease in humans via the respiratory or cutaneous routes and a case fatality ratio of up to 10 % is reported due to lack of proper antibiotic treatment, while F. novicida causes disease in severely immunocompromised individuals. Efforts are needed to develop effective vaccine candidates against Francisella species. Thus, in this study, a systematic computational work frame was used to deeply investigate the whole proteome of Francisella novicida containing 1728 proteins to develop vaccine against F. tularensis and related species. Whole-proteome analysis revealed that four proteins including (A0Q492) (A0Q7Y4), (A0Q4N4), and (A0Q5D9) are the suitable vaccine targets after the removal of homologous, paralogous and prediction of subcellular localization. These proteins were used to predict the T cell, B cell, and HTL epitopes which were joined together through suitable linkers to construct a multi-epitopes vaccine (MEVC). The MEVC was found to be highly immunogenic and non-allergenic while the physiochemical properties revealed the feasible expression and purification. Moreover, the molecular interaction of MEVC with TLR2, molecular simulation, and binding free energy analyses further validated the immune potential of the construct. According to Jcat analysis, the refined sequence demonstrates GC contents of 41.48 % and a CAI value of 1. The in-silico cloning and optimization process ensured compatibility with host codon usage, thereby facilitating efficient expression. Computational immune simulation studies underscored the capacity of MEVC to induce both primary and secondary immune responses. The conservation analysis further revealed that the selected epitopes exhibit 100 % conservation across different species and thus provides wider protection against Francisella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Khan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Syed Shujait Ali
- Centre for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Charbagh, Swat, KP, Pakistan
| | - Asghar Khan
- Saidu Teaching Hospital, Saidu Sharif, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ammar Zahid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Fahad M Alshabrmi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasir Waheed
- Near East University, Operational Research Center in Healthcare, TRNC Mersin 10, Nicosia, 99138, Turkey; Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, 1401, Lebanon; MEU Research Unit, Middle East University, Amman, 11831, Jordan
| | - Abdelali Agouni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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6
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Xu Y, Fu Q, He D, Yang F, Ma X, Wang Y, Liu Z, Liu X, Wang D. Exposure of polyethylene microplastics affects sulfur migration and transformation in anaerobic system. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134520. [PMID: 38718512 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene (PE) microplastic, which is detected in various environmental media worldwide, also inevitably enters wastewater treatment plants, which may have an impact on anaerobic processes in wastewater treatment. In this work, the effect of PE microplastics on anaerobic sulfur transformation was explored. Experimental results showed that PE microplastics addition at 0.1%- 0.5% w/w promoted H2S production by 14.8%-27.4%. PE microplastics enhanced the release of soluble organic sulfur and inorganic sulfate, and promoted the bioprocesses of organosulfur compounds hydrolysis and sulfate reduction. Mechanism analysis showed that PE microplastics increased the content of electroactive components (e.g., protein and humic acids) contained in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). In particular, PE microplastics increased the proportion and the dipole moment of α-helix, an important component involved in electron transfer contained in extracelluar protein, which provided more electron transfer sites and promoted the α-helix mediated electron transfer. These enhanced the direct electron transfer ability of EPSs, which might explain why PE microplastics facilitated the bioprocesses of organosulfur compounds hydrolysis and sulfate reduction. Correspondingly, metagenomic analysis revealed that PE microplastics increased the relative abundance of S2- producers (e.g., Desulfobacula and Desulfonema) and the relative abundance of functional genes involved in anaerobic sulfur transformation (e.g., PepD and cysD), which were beneficial to H2S production in anaerobic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhao Xu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Ministry of Education), Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Qizi Fu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Ministry of Education), Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Dandan He
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Ministry of Education), Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Fan Yang
- RIOH High Science and Technology Group, Beijing 100088, PR China
| | - Xingyu Ma
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Ministry of Education), Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Yan Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Ministry of Education), Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Zirui Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Ministry of Education), Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Xuran Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Ministry of Education), Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Dongbo Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Ministry of Education), Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China.
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Sabater C, Sáez GD, Suárez N, Garro MS, Margolles A, Zárate G. Fermentation with Lactic Acid Bacteria for Bean Flour Improvement: Experimental Study and Molecular Modeling as Complementary Tools. Foods 2024; 13:2105. [PMID: 38998611 PMCID: PMC11241767 DOI: 10.3390/foods13132105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Pulses are considered superfoods for the future world due to their properties, but they require processing to reduce antinutritional factors (ANFs) and increase bioactivity. In this study, bean flour (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was fermented under different conditions (addition of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CRL 2211 and/or Weissella paramesenteroides CRL 2182, temperature, time and dough yield) to improve its nutri-functional quality. Fermentation for 24 h at 37 °C with the mixed starter increased the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population, acidity, polyphenol content (TPC) and ANF removal more than spontaneous fermentation. Statistical and rep-PCR analysis showed that fermentation was mainly conducted by Lp. plantarum CRL 2211. Metabolic modeling revealed potential cross-feeding between Lp. plantarum and W. paramesenteroides, while the molecular docking and dynamic simulation of LAB tannases and proteinases involved in ANF removal revealed their chemical affinity to gallocatechin and trypsin inhibitors. Fermentation was better than soaking, germination and cooking for enhancing bean flour properties: it increased the free amino acids content by 50% by releasing glutamine, glutamic acid, arginine, leucine and lysine and modified TPC by increasing gallic acid and decreasing caffeic, ferulic and vanillic acids and quercetin-3-glucoside. The combination of experimental and simulation data may help us to understand fermentation processes and to design products with desirable features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Sabater
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy Products, Dairy Research Institute of Asturias (IPLA), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Paseo Río Linares S/N, 33300 Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Gabriel D Sáez
- Laboratory of Technological Ecophysiology, Reference Centre for Lactobacilli (CERELA-CONICET), Chacabuco 145, San Miguel de Tucumán 4000, Tucumán, Argentina
- Department of Food Microbiology, University of San Pablo Tucumán, Av. Solano Vera y Camino a Villa Nougués, San Pablo 4129, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Nadia Suárez
- Laboratory of Technological Ecophysiology, Reference Centre for Lactobacilli (CERELA-CONICET), Chacabuco 145, San Miguel de Tucumán 4000, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Marisa S Garro
- Laboratory of Technological Ecophysiology, Reference Centre for Lactobacilli (CERELA-CONICET), Chacabuco 145, San Miguel de Tucumán 4000, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Abelardo Margolles
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy Products, Dairy Research Institute of Asturias (IPLA), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Paseo Río Linares S/N, 33300 Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Gabriela Zárate
- Laboratory of Technological Ecophysiology, Reference Centre for Lactobacilli (CERELA-CONICET), Chacabuco 145, San Miguel de Tucumán 4000, Tucumán, Argentina
- Department of Food Microbiology, University of San Pablo Tucumán, Av. Solano Vera y Camino a Villa Nougués, San Pablo 4129, Tucumán, Argentina
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Hu X, Hu C, Liao L, Zhang H, Xu X, Xiang J, Lu G, Jia X, Xu H, Gong W. Isoliquiritigenin limits inflammasome activation of macrophage via docking into Syk to alleviate murine non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Scand J Immunol 2024; 100:e13371. [PMID: 38671579 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13371] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a chalcone-type flavonoid derived from the root of licorice with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour and neuroprotective properties. ISL has been proven to downregulate the productions of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 by macrophages. However, detailed molecular mechanisms of this modulation remain elusive. Here, ISL suppressed Syk phosphorylation and CD80, CD86, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 expressions in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages ex vivo. ApoC3-transgenic (ApoC3TG) mice had more activated macrophages. ISL was also able to downregulate the inflammatory activities of macrophages from ApoC3TG mice. Administration of ISL inhibited Syk activation and inflammatory activities of macrophages in ApoC3TG mice in vivo. The treatment of ISL further alleviated MCD-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in wild-type and ApoC3TG mice, accompanied by less recruitment and activation of liver macrophages. Due to the inhibition of Syk phosphorylation, ISL-treated macrophages displayed less production of cytoplasmic ROS, NLRP3, cleaved-GSDMD and cleaved-IL-1β, suggesting less inflammasome activation. Finally, the molecular docking study demonstrated that ISL bound to Syk directly with the Kd of 1.273 × 10-8 M. When the Syk expression was knocked down by its shRNA, the inhibitory effects of ISL on activated macrophages disappeared, indicating that Syk was at least one of key docking-molecules of ISL. Collectively, ISL could alleviate MCD-induced NAFLD in mice involved with the inhibition of macrophage inflammatory activity by the blockade of Syk-induced inflammasome activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yangzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Treatment of Refractory Bowel Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Chunmiao Hu
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Liting Liao
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xingmeng Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yangzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Treatment of Refractory Bowel Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jie Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Guotao Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yangzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Treatment of Refractory Bowel Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqin Jia
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunshan Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Kunshan, China
| | - Weijuan Gong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yangzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Treatment of Refractory Bowel Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
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9
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Biswas G, Mukherjee D, Basu S. Combining Complementarity and Binding Energetics in the Assessment of Protein Interactions: EnCPdock-A Practical Manual. J Comput Biol 2024. [PMID: 38885081 DOI: 10.1089/cmb.2024.0554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The combined effect of shape and electrostatic complementarities (Sc, EC) at the interface of the interacting protein partners (PPI) serves as the physical basis for such associations and is a strong determinant of their binding energetics. EnCPdock (https://www.scinetmol.in/EnCPdock/) presents a comprehensive web platform for the direct conjoint comparative analyses of complementarity and binding energetics in PPIs. It elegantly interlinks the dual nature of local (Sc) and nonlocal complementarity (EC) in PPIs using the complementarity plot. It further derives an AI-based ΔGbinding with a prediction accuracy comparable to the state of the art. This book chapter presents a practical manual to conceptualize and implement EnCPdock with its various features and functionalities, collectively having the potential to serve as a valuable protein engineering tool in the design of novel protein interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gargi Biswas
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Sankar Basu
- Department of Microbiology, Asutosh College, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
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Alshabrmi FM, Alatawi EA. Subtractive proteomics-guided vaccine targets identification and designing of multi-epitopes vaccine for immune response instigation against Burkholderia pseudomallei. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 270:132105. [PMID: 38710251 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
In this study, a methodical workflow using subtractive proteomics, vaccine designing, molecular simulation, and agent-based modeling approaches were used to annotate the whole proteome of Burkholderia pseudomallei (strain K96243) for vaccine designing. Among the total 5717 proteins in the whole proteome, 505 were observed to be essential for the pathogen's survival and pathogenesis predicted by the Database of Essential Genes. Among these, 23 vaccine targets were identified, of which fimbrial assembly chaperone (Q63UH5), Outer membrane protein (Q63UH1), and Hemolysin-like protein (Q63UE4) were selected for the subsequent analysis based on the systematic approaches. Using immunoinformatic approaches CTL (cytotoxic T lymphocytes), HTL (helper T lymphocytes), IFN-positive, and B cell epitopes were predicted for these targets. A total of 9 CTL epitopes were added using the GSS linker, 6 HTL epitopes using the GPGPG linker, and 6 B cell epitopes using the KK linker. An adjuvant was added for enhanced antigenicity, an HIV-TAT peptide for improved delivery, and a PADRE sequence was added to form a 466 amino acids long vaccine construct. The construct was classified as non-allergenic, highly antigenic, and experimentally feasible. Molecular docking results validated the robust interaction of MEVC with immune receptors such as TLR2/4. Furthermore, molecular simulation revealed stable dynamics and compact nature of the complexes. The binding free energy results further validated the robust binding. In silico cloning, results revealed GC contents of 50.73 % and a CIA value of 0.978 which shows proper downstream processing. Immune simulation results reported that after the three injections of the vaccine a robust secondary immune response, improved antigen clearance, and effective immune memory generation were observed highlighting its potential for effective and sustained immunity. Future directions should encompass experimental validations, animal model studies, and clinical trials to substantiate the vaccine's efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahad M Alshabrmi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Eid A Alatawi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia.
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11
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Hashmi HF, Xuan X, Chen K, Zhang P, Shahab M, Zheng G, Younous YA, Salamatullah AM, Bourhia M. Molecular modeling and simulation approaches to characterize potential molecular targets for burdock inulin to instigate protection against autoimmune diseases. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11291. [PMID: 38760355 PMCID: PMC11101470 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61387-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
In the current study, we utilized molecular modeling and simulation approaches to define putative potential molecular targets for Burdock Inulin, including inflammatory proteins such as iNOS, COX-2, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1β. Molecular docking results revealed potential interactions and good binding affinity for these targets; however, IL-1β, COX-2, and iNOS were identified as the best targets for Inulin. Molecular simulation-based stability assessment demonstrated that inulin could primarily target iNOS and may also supplementarily target COX-2 and IL-1β during DSS-induced colitis to reduce the role of these inflammatory mechanisms. Furthermore, residual flexibility, hydrogen bonding, and structural packing were reported with uniform trajectories, showing no significant perturbation throughout the simulation. The protein motions within the simulation trajectories were clustered using principal component analysis (PCA). The IL-1β-Inulin complex, approximately 70% of the total motion was attributed to the first three eigenvectors, while the remaining motion was contributed by the remaining eigenvectors. In contrast, for the COX2-Inulin complex, 75% of the total motion was attributed to the eigenvectors. Furthermore, in the iNOS-Inulin complex, the first three eigenvectors contributed to 60% of the total motion. Furthermore, the iNOS-Inulin complex contributed 60% to the total motion through the first three eigenvectors. To explore thermodynamically favorable changes upon mutation, motion mode analysis was carried out. The Free Energy Landscape (FEL) results demonstrated that the IL-1β-Inulin achieved a single conformation with the lowest energy, while COX2-Inulin and iNOS-Inulin exhibited two lowest-energy conformations each. IL-1β-Inulin and COX2-Inulin displayed total binding free energies of - 27.76 kcal/mol and - 37.78 kcal/mol, respectively, while iNOS-Inulin demonstrated the best binding free energy results at - 45.89 kcal/mol. This indicates a stronger pharmacological potential of iNOS than the other two complexes. Thus, further experiments are needed to use inulin to target iNOS and reduce DSS-induced colitis and other autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huma Farooque Hashmi
- School of Life Science and National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xu Xuan
- School of Life Science and National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Kaoshan Chen
- School of Life Science and National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Pengying Zhang
- School of Life Science and National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
| | - Muhammad Shahab
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Guojun Zheng
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Ahmad Mohammad Salamatullah
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Bourhia
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Natural Resources Valorization, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, 80060, Agadir, Morocco
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12
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Suleman M, Murshed A, Imran K, Khan A, Ali Z, Albekairi NA, Wei DQ, Yassine HM, Crovella S. Abrogation of ORF8-IRF3 binding interface with Carbon nanotube derivatives to rescue the host immune system against SARS-CoV-2 by using molecular screening and simulation approaches. BMC Chem 2024; 18:99. [PMID: 38734638 PMCID: PMC11088783 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-024-01185-4] [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: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has led to over six million deaths worldwide. In human immune system, the type 1 interferon (IFN) pathway plays a crucial role in fighting viral infections. However, the ORF8 protein of the virus evade the immune system by interacting with IRF3, hindering its nuclear translocation and consequently downregulate the type I IFN signaling pathway. To block the binding of ORF8-IRF3 and inhibit viral pathogenesis a quick discovery of an inhibitor molecule is needed. Therefore, in the present study, the interface between the ORF8 and IRF3 was targeted on a high-affinity carbon nanotube by using computational tools. After analysis of 62 carbon nanotubes by multiple docking with the induced fit model, the top five compounds with high docking scores of - 7.94 kcal/mol, - 7.92 kcal/mol, - 7.28 kcal/mol, - 7.19 kcal/mol and - 7.09 kcal/mol (top hit1-5) were found to have inhibitory activity against the ORF8-IRF3 complex. Molecular dynamics analysis of the complexes revealed the high compactness of residues, stable binding, and strong hydrogen binding network among the ORF8-nanotubes complexes. Moreover, the total binding free energy for top hit1-5 was calculated to be - 43.21 ± 0.90 kcal/mol, - 41.17 ± 0.99 kcal/mol, - 48.85 ± 0.62 kcal/mol, - 43.49 ± 0.77 kcal/mol, and - 31.18 ± 0.78 kcal/mol respectively. These results strongly suggest that the identified top five nanotubes (hit1-5) possess significant potential for advancing and exploring innovative drug therapies. This underscores their suitability for subsequent in vivo and in vitro experiments, marking them as promising candidates worthy of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Suleman
- Laboratory of Animal Research Center (LARC), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Abduh Murshed
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China
| | - Kashif Imran
- Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Abbas Khan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 47500, Sunway City, Malaysia
| | - Zafar Ali
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Norah A Albekairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Post Box 2455, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dong-Qing Wei
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Hadi M Yassine
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar.
- College of Health Sciences-QU Health, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Sergio Crovella
- Laboratory of Animal Research Center (LARC), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Araujo-Abad S, Rizzuti B, Vidal M, Abian O, Fárez-Vidal ME, Velazquez-Campoy A, de Juan Romero C, Neira JL. Unveiling the Binding between the Armadillo-Repeat Domain of Plakophilin 1 and the Intrinsically Disordered Transcriptional Repressor RYBP. Biomolecules 2024; 14:561. [PMID: 38785968 PMCID: PMC11117474 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050561] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Plakophilin 1 (PKP1), a member of the p120ctn subfamily of the armadillo (ARM)-repeat-containing proteins, is an important structural component of cell-cell adhesion scaffolds although it can also be ubiquitously found in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. RYBP (RING 1A and YY1 binding protein) is a multifunctional intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) best described as a transcriptional regulator. Both proteins are involved in the development and metastasis of several types of tumors. We studied the binding of the armadillo domain of PKP1 (ARM-PKP1) with RYBP by using in cellulo methods, namely immunofluorescence (IF) and proximity ligation assay (PLA), and in vitro biophysical techniques, namely fluorescence, far-ultraviolet (far-UV) circular dichroism (CD), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). We also characterized the binding of the two proteins by using in silico experiments. Our results showed that there was binding in tumor and non-tumoral cell lines. Binding in vitro between the two proteins was also monitored and found to occur with a dissociation constant in the low micromolar range (~10 μM). Finally, in silico experiments provided additional information on the possible structure of the binding complex, especially on the binding ARM-PKP1 hot-spot. Our findings suggest that RYBP might be a rescuer of the high expression of PKP1 in tumors, where it could decrease the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in some cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salome Araujo-Abad
- Cancer Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Universidad de Las Américas, 170124 Quito, Ecuador;
- IDIBE, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Bruno Rizzuti
- CNR-NANOTEC, SS Rende (CS), Department of Physics, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (O.A.); (A.V.-C.)
| | - Miguel Vidal
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Calle Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Olga Abian
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (O.A.); (A.V.-C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María Esther Fárez-Vidal
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular III e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica IBS, Granada, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Adrian Velazquez-Campoy
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (O.A.); (A.V.-C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Camino de Juan Romero
- IDIBE, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03202 Elche, Spain
- Unidad de Investigación, Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunidad Valenciana (FISABIO), Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Camí de l’Almazara 11, 03203 Elche, Spain
| | - José L. Neira
- IDIBE, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03202 Elche, Spain
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (O.A.); (A.V.-C.)
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14
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Glenet M, Lebreil AL, N'Guyen Y, Meyer I, Baud S, Andreoletti L. Structural impact of a new spike Y170W mutation detected in early emerging SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants in France. Virus Res 2024; 343:199354. [PMID: 38492859 PMCID: PMC10957500 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
To assess the genetic characteristics of the early emerging SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant strains, we retrospectively analyzed a collection of 150 nasopharyngeal samples taken from a series of outpatient cases tested positive by a referenced qRT-PCR assay during the reported period of Omicron variant emergence in December 2021, in northeastern region of France. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis of SARS-CoV-2 spike sequences revealed that only 3 (2 %) of these detected strains were Omicron variants, while 147 (98 %) were identified as previously described delta variants. Our phylogenetic analyzes of SARS-CoV-2 RNA genomes showed that these French early emerging Omicron variants may have originated from South Africa or India. In addition, whole viral genome sequences NGS comparison analyzes allowed us to identify an original and uncharacterized Y170W spike mutation that was weakly and transiently detected during the period of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant emergence in human populations. Molecular modeling and docking experiments indicated that this original mutated residue Y170W was neither directly involved in binding to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 nor in interacting with known neutralizing antibody sites. However, this new mutation may be responsible for preventing the transition from the closed to the open Spike conformation, thus promoting the early emergence of the Omicron variant. Overall, these results underscore the epidemiological utility of a routine whole-genome viral NGS strategy that enables genotypic characterization of emerging or mutant SARS-CoV-2 variants, which could have significant implications for public health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Glenet
- University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratory of Virology, CardioVir UMR-S 1320 51 rue Cognacq Jay, REIMS Cedex, Reims 51092, France.
| | - Anne-Laure Lebreil
- University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratory of Virology, CardioVir UMR-S 1320 51 rue Cognacq Jay, REIMS Cedex, Reims 51092, France
| | - Yohan N'Guyen
- University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratory of Virology, CardioVir UMR-S 1320 51 rue Cognacq Jay, REIMS Cedex, Reims 51092, France; Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine Department, CHU Reims, Hôpital Robert Debré, Reims, France
| | - Ittah Meyer
- Unilabs BioCT, Private Laboratory Group, Château-Thierry, France
| | - Stéphanie Baud
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, CNRS, MEDyC UMR 7369, Reims, France
| | - Laurent Andreoletti
- University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratory of Virology, CardioVir UMR-S 1320 51 rue Cognacq Jay, REIMS Cedex, Reims 51092, France; Virology Department, CHU Reims, Hôpital Robert Debré, Reims, France
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15
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Shahab M, Khan A, Khan SA, Zheng G. Unraveling the mechanisms of Sofosbuvir resistance in HCV NS3/4A protease: Structural and molecular simulation-based insights. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 267:131629. [PMID: 38631585 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Current management of HCV infection is based on Direct-Acting Antiviral Drugs (DAAs). However, resistance-associated mutations, especially in the NS3 and NS5B regions are gradually decreasing the efficacy of DAAs. Among the most effective HCV NS3/4A protease drugs, Sofosbuvir also develops resistance due to mutations in the NS3 and NS5B regions. Four mutations at positions A156Y, L36P, Q41H, and Q80K are classified as high-level resistance mutations. The resistance mechanism of HCV NS3/4A protease toward Sofosbuvir caused by these mutations is still unclear, as there is less information available regarding the structural and functional effects of the mutations against Sofosbuvir. In this work, we combined molecular dynamics simulation, molecular mechanics/Generalized-Born surface area calculation, principal component analysis, and free energy landscape analysis to explore the resistance mechanism of HCV NS3/4A protease due to these mutations, as well as compare interaction changes in wild-type. Subsequently, we identified that the mutant form of HCV NS3/4A protease affects the activity of Sofosbuvir. In this study, the resistance mechanism of Sofosbuvir at the atomic level is proposed. The proposed drug-resistance mechanism will provide valuable guidance for the design of HCV drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shahab
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, PR China
| | - Abbas Khan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Salman Ali Khan
- Tunneling Group, Biotechnology Centre, Doctoral School, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 2, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Guojun Zheng
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, PR China.
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16
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Gupta G, Verkhivker G. Exploring Binding Pockets in the Conformational States of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Trimers for the Screening of Allosteric Inhibitors Using Molecular Simulations and Ensemble-Based Ligand Docking. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4955. [PMID: 38732174 PMCID: PMC11084335 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094955] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding mechanisms of allosteric regulation remains elusive for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, despite the increasing interest and effort in discovering allosteric inhibitors of the viral activity and interactions with the host receptor ACE2. The challenges of discovering allosteric modulators of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins are associated with the diversity of cryptic allosteric sites and complex molecular mechanisms that can be employed by allosteric ligands, including the alteration of the conformational equilibrium of spike protein and preferential stabilization of specific functional states. In the current study, we combine conformational dynamics analysis of distinct forms of the full-length spike protein trimers and machine-learning-based binding pocket detection with the ensemble-based ligand docking and binding free energy analysis to characterize the potential allosteric binding sites and determine structural and energetic determinants of allosteric inhibition for a series of experimentally validated allosteric molecules. The results demonstrate a good agreement between computational and experimental binding affinities, providing support to the predicted binding modes and suggesting key interactions formed by the allosteric ligands to elicit the experimentally observed inhibition. We establish structural and energetic determinants of allosteric binding for the experimentally known allosteric molecules, indicating a potential mechanism of allosteric modulation by targeting the hinges of the inter-protomer movements and blocking conformational changes between the closed and open spike trimer forms. The results of this study demonstrate that combining ensemble-based ligand docking with conformational states of spike protein and rigorous binding energy analysis enables robust characterization of the ligand binding modes, the identification of allosteric binding hotspots, and the prediction of binding affinities for validated allosteric modulators, which is consistent with the experimental data. This study suggested that the conformational adaptability of the protein allosteric sites and the diversity of ligand bound conformations are both in play to enable efficient targeting of allosteric binding sites and interfere with the conformational changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Gupta
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA;
| | - Gennady Verkhivker
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA;
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
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Khan A, Zahid MA, Shahab M, Al-Zoubi RM, Shkoor M, Benameur T, Agouni A. Investigating the role of functional mutations in leucine binding to Sestrin2 in aging and age-associated degenerative pathologies using structural and molecular simulation approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38686915 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2335289] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Leucine is the native known ligand of Sestrin2 (Sesn2) and its interaction with Sesn2 is particularly important, as it influences the activity of mTOR in aging and its associated pathologies. It is important to find out how leucine interacts with Sesn2 and how mutations in the binding pocket of leucine affect the binding of leucine. Therefore, this study was committed to investigating the impact of non-synonymous mutations by incorporating a broad spectrum of simulation techniques, from molecular dynamics to free energy calculations. Our study was designed to model the atomic-scale interactions between leucine and mutant forms of Sesn2. Our results demonstrated that the interaction paradigm for the mutants has been altered thus showing a significant decline in the hydrogen bonding network. Moreover, these mutations compromised the dynamic stability by altering the conformational flexibility, sampling time, and leucine-induced structural constraints that consequently caused variation in the binding and structural stability. Molecular dynamics-based flexibility analysis revealed that the regions 217-339 and 371-380 demonstrated a higher fluctuation. Noteworthy, these regions correspond to a linker (217-339) and a loop (371-380) that cover the leucine binding cavity that is critical for the 'latch' mechanism in the N-terminal, which is essential for leucine binding. Further validation of reduced binding and modified internal motions caused by the mutants was obtained through binding free energy calculations, principal components analysis (PCA), and free energy landscape (FEL) analysis. By unraveling the molecular intricacies of Sesn2-leucine interactions and their mutations, we hope to pave the way for innovative strategies to combat the inevitable tide of aging and its associated diseases.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Khan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Muhammad Ammar Zahid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Muhammad Shahab
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT), Beijing, China
| | - Raed M Al-Zoubi
- Surgical Research Section, Department of Surgery, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Chemistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Mohanad Shkoor
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Science, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tarek Benameur
- College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelali Agouni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Office of Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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18
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Li L, Han J, Lo HYG, Tam WWL, Jia H, Tse ECM, Taliaferro JM, Li Y. Symmetry-breaking malachite green as a near-infrared light-activated fluorogenic photosensitizer for RNA proximity labeling. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:e36. [PMID: 38407347 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae125] [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] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular RNA is asymmetrically distributed in cells and the regulation of RNA localization is crucial for proper cellular functions. However, limited chemical tools are available to capture dynamic RNA localization in complex biological systems with high spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we developed a new method for RNA proximity labeling activated by near-infrared (NIR) light, which holds the potential for deep penetration. Our method, termed FAP-seq, utilizes a genetically encoded fluorogen activating protein (FAP) that selectively binds to a set of substrates known as malachite green (MG). FAP binding restricts the rotation of MG and rapidly activates its fluorescence in a wash-free manner. By introducing a monoiodo modification to MG, we created a photosensitizer (MG-HI) with the highest singlet oxygen generation ability among various MG derivatives, enabling both protein and RNA proximity labeling in live cells. New insights are provided in the transcriptome analysis with FAP-seq, while a deeper understanding of the symmetry-breaking structural arrangement of FAP-MG-HI was obtained through molecular dynamics simulations. Overall, our wash-free and NIR light-inducible RNA proximity labeling method (FAP-seq) offers a powerful and versatile approach for investigating complex mechanisms underlying RNA-related biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Li
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Jinghua Han
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Hei-Yong G Lo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Winnie Wai Ling Tam
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, New Territories, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Han Jia
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Edmund Chun Ming Tse
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, New Territories, Hong Kong 999077, China
- CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - J Matthew Taliaferro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, New Territories, Hong Kong 999077, China
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19
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Grassmann G, Miotto M, Desantis F, Di Rienzo L, Tartaglia GG, Pastore A, Ruocco G, Monti M, Milanetti E. Computational Approaches to Predict Protein-Protein Interactions in Crowded Cellular Environments. Chem Rev 2024; 124:3932-3977. [PMID: 38535831 PMCID: PMC11009965 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00550] [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] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Investigating protein-protein interactions is crucial for understanding cellular biological processes because proteins often function within molecular complexes rather than in isolation. While experimental and computational methods have provided valuable insights into these interactions, they often overlook a critical factor: the crowded cellular environment. This environment significantly impacts protein behavior, including structural stability, diffusion, and ultimately the nature of binding. In this review, we discuss theoretical and computational approaches that allow the modeling of biological systems to guide and complement experiments and can thus significantly advance the investigation, and possibly the predictions, of protein-protein interactions in the crowded environment of cell cytoplasm. We explore topics such as statistical mechanics for lattice simulations, hydrodynamic interactions, diffusion processes in high-viscosity environments, and several methods based on molecular dynamics simulations. By synergistically leveraging methods from biophysics and computational biology, we review the state of the art of computational methods to study the impact of molecular crowding on protein-protein interactions and discuss its potential revolutionizing effects on the characterization of the human interactome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Grassmann
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences “Alessandro Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
- Center
for Life Nano & Neuro Science, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Mattia Miotto
- Center
for Life Nano & Neuro Science, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Fausta Desantis
- Center
for Life Nano & Neuro Science, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome 00161, Italy
- The
Open University Affiliated Research Centre at Istituto Italiano di
Tecnologia, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Di Rienzo
- Center
for Life Nano & Neuro Science, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- Center
for Life Nano & Neuro Science, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome 00161, Italy
- Department
of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16163, Italy
- Center
for Human Technologies, Genoa 16152, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pastore
- Experiment
Division, European Synchrotron Radiation
Facility, Grenoble 38043, France
| | - Giancarlo Ruocco
- Center
for Life Nano & Neuro Science, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome 00161, Italy
- Department
of Physics, Sapienza University, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Michele Monti
- RNA
System Biology Lab, Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Edoardo Milanetti
- Center
for Life Nano & Neuro Science, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome 00161, Italy
- Department
of Physics, Sapienza University, Rome 00185, Italy
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20
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Wang M, Liu K. Molecular dynamics simulations to explore the binding mode between the amyloid-β protein precursor (APP) and adaptor protein Mint2. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7975. [PMID: 38575686 PMCID: PMC10995209 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58584-9] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents a significant challenge in neurodegenerative disease management, with limited therapeutic options available for its prevention and treatment. At the heart of AD pathogenesis is the amyloid-β (Aβ) protein precursor (APP), with the interaction between APP and the adaptor protein Mint2 being crucial. Despite previous explorations into the APP-Mint2 interaction, the dynamic regulatory mechanisms by which Mint2 modulates APP binding remain poorly understood. This study undertakes molecular dynamics simulations across four distinct systems-free Mint2, Mint2 bound to APP, a mutant form of Mint2, and the mutant form bound to APP-over an extensive 400 ns timeframe. Our findings reveal that the mutant Mint2 experiences significant secondary structural transformations, notably the formation of an α-helix in residues S55-K65 upon APP binding, within the 400 ns simulation period. Additionally, we observed a reduction in the active pocket size of the mutant Mint2 compared to its wild-type counterpart, enhancing its APP binding affinity. These insights hold promise for guiding the development of novel inhibitors targeting the Mints family, potentially paving the way for new therapeutic strategies in AD prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, China.
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, China.
| | - Kaifeng Liu
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
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21
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Humayun F, Khan F, Khan A, Alshammari A, Ji J, Farhan A, Fawad N, Alam W, Ali A, Wei DQ. De novo generation of dual-target ligands for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 using deep learning, virtual screening, and molecular dynamic simulations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:3019-3029. [PMID: 37449757 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2234481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
De novo generation of molecules with the necessary features offers a promising opportunity for artificial intelligence, such as deep generative approaches. However, creating novel compounds having biological activities toward two distinct targets continues to be a very challenging task. In this study, we develop a unique computational framework for the de novo synthesis of bioactive compounds directed at two predetermined therapeutic targets. This framework is referred to as the dual-target ligand generative network. Our approach uses a stochastic policy to explore chemical spaces called a sequence-based simple molecular input line entry system (SMILES) generator. The steps in the high-level workflow would be to gather and prepare the training data for both targets' molecules, build a neural network model and train it to make molecules, create new molecules using generative AI, and then virtually screen the newly validated molecules against the SARS-CoV-2 PLpro and 3CLpro drug targets. Results shows that novel molecules generated have higher binding affinity with both targets than the conventional drug i.e. Remdesivir being used for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahad Humayun
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Fatima Khan
- National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Abbas Khan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Abdulrahman Alshammari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jun Ji
- Henan Provincial Engineering and Technology Center of Health Products for Livestock and Poultry, Henan Provincial Engineering and Technology Center of Animal Disease Diagnosis and Integrated Control, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, PR China
| | - Ali Farhan
- Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Nasim Fawad
- Poultry Research Institute, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Waheed Alam
- National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Arif Ali
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Dong-Qing Wei
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China
- Centre for Research in Molecular Modeling, Concordia University, Québec, Canada
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22
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Jiang D, Du H, Zhao H, Deng Y, Wu Z, Wang J, Zeng Y, Zhang H, Wang X, Wang E, Hou T, Hsieh CY. Assessing the performance of MM/PBSA and MM/GBSA methods. 10. Prediction reliability of binding affinities and binding poses for RNA-ligand complexes. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:10323-10335. [PMID: 38501198 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp04366e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)-ligand interactions play a pivotal role in a wide spectrum of biological processes, ranging from protein biosynthesis to cellular reproduction. This recognition has prompted the broader acceptance of RNA as a viable candidate for drug targets. Delving into the atomic-scale understanding of RNA-ligand interactions holds paramount importance in unraveling intricate molecular mechanisms and further contributing to RNA-based drug discovery. Computational approaches, particularly molecular docking, offer an efficient way of predicting the interactions between RNA and small molecules. However, the accuracy and reliability of these predictions heavily depend on the performance of scoring functions (SFs). In contrast to the majority of SFs used in RNA-ligand docking, the end-point binding free energy calculation methods, such as molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) and molecular mechanics/Poisson Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA), stand as theoretically more rigorous approaches. Yet, the evaluation of their effectiveness in predicting both binding affinities and binding poses within RNA-ligand systems remains unexplored. This study first reported the performance of MM/PBSA and MM/GBSA with diverse solvation models, interior dielectric constants (εin) and force fields in the context of binding affinity prediction for 29 RNA-ligand complexes. MM/GBSA is based on short (5 ns) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in an explicit solvent with the YIL force field; the GBGBn2 model with higher interior dielectric constant (εin = 12, 16 or 20) yields the best correlation (Rp = -0.513), which outperforms the best correlation (Rp = -0.317, rDock) offered by various docking programs. Then, the efficacy of MM/GBSA in identifying the near-native binding poses from the decoys was assessed based on 56 RNA-ligand complexes. However, it is evident that MM/GBSA has limitations in accurately predicting binding poses for RNA-ligand systems, particularly compared with notably proficient docking programs like rDock and PLANTS. The best top-1 success rate achieved by MM/GBSA rescoring is 39.3%, which falls below the best results given by docking programs (50%, PLNATS). This study represents the first evaluation of MM/PBSA and MM/GBSA for RNA-ligand systems and is expected to provide valuable insights into their successful application to RNA targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejun Jiang
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
- Hangzhou Carbonsilicon AI Technology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Hongyan Du
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
| | - Huifeng Zhao
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
- Hangzhou Carbonsilicon AI Technology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Yafeng Deng
- Hangzhou Carbonsilicon AI Technology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Zhenxing Wu
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
| | - Jike Wang
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
| | - Yundian Zeng
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
| | - Haotian Zhang
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
| | - Xiaorui Wang
- China State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
| | - Ercheng Wang
- Zhejiang Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311100, China.
| | - Tingjun Hou
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
| | - Chang-Yu Hsieh
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
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23
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Karnchanapandh K, Sanachai K, Poo-Arporn RP, Rungrotmongkol T. Enhancing bezlotoxumab binding to C. difficile toxin B2: insights from computational simulations and mutational analyses for antibody design. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38511411 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2329785] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a significant concern caused by widespread antibiotic use, resulting in diarrhea and inflammation from the gram-positive anaerobic bacterium C. difficile. Although bezlotoxumab (Bez), a monoclonal antibody (mAb), was developed to address CDI recurrences, the recurrence rate remains high, partly due to reduced neutralization efficiency against toxin B2. In this study, we aimed to enhance the binding of Bez to C. difficile toxin B2 by combining computational simulations and mutational analyses. We identified specific mutations in Bez, including S28R, S31W/K, Y32R, S56W and G103D/S in the heavy chain (Hc), and S32F/H/R/W/Y in the light chain (Lc), which significantly improved binding to toxin B2 and formed critical protein-protein interactions. Through molecular dynamics simulations, several single mutations, such as HcS28R, LcS32H, LcS32R, LcS32W and LcS32Y, exhibited superior binding affinities to toxin B2 compared to Bez wild-type (WT), primarily attributed to Coulombic interactions. Combining the HcS28R mutation with four different mutations at residue LcS32 led to even greater binding affinities in double mutants (MTs), particularly HcS28R/LcS32H, HcS28R/LcS32R and HcS28R/LcS32Y, reinforcing protein-protein binding. Analysis of per-residue decomposition free energy highlighted key residues contributing significantly to enhanced binding interactions, emphasizing the role of electrostatic interactions. These findings offer insights into rational Bez MT design for improved toxin B2 binding, providing a foundation for developing more effective antibodies to neutralize toxin B2 and combat-related infections.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Karnchanapandh
- Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kamonpan Sanachai
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Rungtiva P Poo-Arporn
- Biological Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thanyada Rungrotmongkol
- Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Biocatalyst and Sustainable Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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24
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Shahab M, Ziyu P, Waqas M, Zheng G, Bin Jardan YA, Fentahun Wondmie G, Bouhrhia M. Targeting human progesterone receptor (PR), through pharmacophore-based screening and molecular simulation revealed potent inhibitors against breast cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6768. [PMID: 38514638 PMCID: PMC10958019 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55321-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer, the prevailing malignant tumor among women, is linked to progesterone and its receptor (PR) in both tumorigenesis and treatment responsiveness. Despite thorough investigation, the precise molecular mechanisms of progesterone in breast cancer remain unclear. The human progesterone receptor (PR) serves as an essential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment, warranting the rapid design of small molecule therapeutics that can effectively inhibit HPR. By employing cutting-edge computational techniques like molecular screening, simulation, and free energy calculation, the process of identifying potential lead molecules from natural products has been significantly expedited. In this study, we employed pharmacophore-based virtual screening and molecular simulations to identify natural product-based inhibitors of human progesterone receptor (PR) in breast cancer treatment. High-throughput molecular screening of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and zinc databases was performed, leading to the identification of potential lead compounds. The analysis of binding modes for the top five compounds from both database provides valuable structural insights into the inhibition of HPR for breast cancer treatment. The top five hits exhibited enhanced stability and compactness compared to the reference compound. In conclusion, our study provides valuable insights for identifying and refining lead compounds as HPR inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shahab
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Ziyu
- School of chemistry and chemical engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430081, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Waqas
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Birkat Al-Mouz, 616, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Guojun Zheng
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yousef A Bin Jardan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P. O. BOX 2455, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Mohammed Bouhrhia
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Natural Resources Valorization, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, 80060, Agadir, Morocco
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25
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Carrión-Estrada DA, Aguilar-Rojas A, Huerta-Yepez S, Montecillo-Aguado M, Bello M, Rojo-Domínguez A, Arechaga-Ocampo E, Briseño-Díaz P, Meraz-Ríos MA, Thompson-Bonilla MDR, Hernández-Rivas R, Vargas M. Antineoplastic effect of compounds C14 and P8 on TNBC and radioresistant TNBC cells by stabilizing the K-Ras4B G13D/PDE6δ complex. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1341766. [PMID: 38571493 PMCID: PMC10989073 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1341766] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) representing one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant subtypes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antitumor potential of C14 and P8 molecules in both TNBC and radioresistant TNBC cells. These compounds were chosen for their ability to stabilize the complex formed by the overactivated form of K-Ras4BG13D and its membrane transporter (PDE6δ). Methods The antitumor potential of C14 and P8 was assessed using TNBC cell lines, MDA-MB-231, and the radioresistant derivative MDA-MB-231RR, both carrying the K-Ras4B> G13D mutation. We investigated the compounds' effects on K-Ras signaling pathways, cell viability, and tumor growth in vivo. Results Western blotting analysis determined the negative impact of C14 and P8 on the activation of mutant K-Ras signaling pathways in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-231RR cells. Proliferation assays demonstrated their efficacy as cytotoxic agents against K-RasG13D mutant cancer cells and in inducing apoptosis. Clonogenic assays proven their ability to inhibit TNBC and radioresistant TNBC cell clonogenicity. In In vivo studies, C14 and P8 inhibited tumor growth and reduced proliferation, angiogenesis, and cell cycle progression markers. Discussion These findings suggest that C14 and P8 could serve as promising adjuvant treatments for TNBC, particularly for non-responders to standard therapies. By targeting overactivated K-Ras and its membrane transporter, these compounds offer potential therapeutic benefits against TNBC, including its radioresistant form. Further research and clinical trials are warranted to validate their efficacy and safety as novel TNBC treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayan A. Carrión-Estrada
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV-I.P.N.), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Arturo Aguilar-Rojas
- Medical Research Unit in Reproductive Medicine, Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), High Specialty Medical Unit in Gynecology and Obstetrics No. 4 Dr. Luis Castelazo Ayala, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sara Huerta-Yepez
- Research Unit in Oncological Diseases, Children’s Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mayra Montecillo-Aguado
- Research Unit in Oncological Diseases, Children’s Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Martiniano Bello
- Laboratory for the Design and Development of New Drugs and Biotechnological Innovation, Higher School of Medicine, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Arturo Rojo-Domínguez
- Department of Natural Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University Cuajimalpa Unit, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elena Arechaga-Ocampo
- Department of Natural Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University Cuajimalpa Unit, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Paola Briseño-Díaz
- Department of Biochemistry of the Faculty of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Marco Antonio Meraz-Ríos
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV-I.P.N.), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - María del Rocío Thompson-Bonilla
- Biomedical and Transnational Research, Genomic Medicine Laboratory, Hospital 1° de Octubre, Institute of Security and Social Services of State Workers (ISSSTE), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rosaura Hernández-Rivas
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV-I.P.N.), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel Vargas
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV-I.P.N.), Mexico City, Mexico
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26
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Khan A, Waheed Y, Kuttikrishnan S, Prabhu KS, El-Elimat T, Uddin S, Alali FQ, Agouni A. Network pharmacology, molecular simulation, and binding free energy calculation-based investigation of Neosetophomone B revealed key targets for the treatment of cancer. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1352907. [PMID: 38434705 PMCID: PMC10905267 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1352907] [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: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In the current study, Neosetophomone B (NSP-B) was investigated for its anti-cancerous potential using network pharmacology, quantum polarized ligand docking, molecular simulation, and binding free energy calculation. Using SwissTarget prediction, and Superpred, the molecular targets for NSP-B were predicted while cancer-associated genes were obtained from DisGeNet. Among the total predicted proteins, only 25 were reported to overlap with the disease-associated genes. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed by using Cytoscape and STRING databases. MCODE was used to detect the densely connected subnetworks which revealed three sub-clusters. Cytohubba predicted four targets, i.e., fibroblast growth factor , FGF20, FGF22, and FGF23 as hub genes. Molecular docking of NSP-B based on a quantum-polarized docking approach with FGF6, FGF20, FGF22, and FGF23 revealed stronger interactions with the key hotspot residues. Moreover, molecular simulation revealed a stable dynamic behavior, good structural packing, and residues' flexibility of each complex. Hydrogen bonding in each complex was also observed to be above the minimum. In addition, the binding free energy was calculated using the MM/GBSA (Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area) and MM/PBSA (Molecular Mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area) approaches. The total binding free energy calculated using the MM/GBSA approach revealed values of -36.85 kcal/mol for the FGF6-NSP-B complex, -43.87 kcal/mol for the FGF20-NSP-B complex, and -37.42 kcal/mol for the FGF22-NSP-B complex, and -41.91 kcal/mol for the FGF23-NSP-B complex. The total binding free energy calculated using the MM/PBSA approach showed values of -30.05 kcal/mol for the FGF6-NSP-B complex, -39.62 kcal/mol for the FGF20-NSP-B complex, -34.89 kcal/mol for the FGF22-NSP-B complex, and -37.18 kcal/mol for the FGF23-NSP-B complex. These findings underscore the promising potential of NSP-B against FGF6, FGF20, FGF22, and FGF23, which are reported to be essential for cancer signaling. These results significantly bolster the potential of NSP-B as a promising candidate for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Khan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Yasir Waheed
- Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC), Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), Islamabad, Pakistan
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Shilpa Kuttikrishnan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kirti S. Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tamam El-Elimat
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Feras Q. Alali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Office of Vice President for Medical and Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdelali Agouni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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27
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Ferreiro D, Khalil R, Sousa SF, Arenas M. Substitution Models of Protein Evolution with Selection on Enzymatic Activity. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msae026. [PMID: 38314876 PMCID: PMC10873502 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae026] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Substitution models of evolution are necessary for diverse evolutionary analyses including phylogenetic tree and ancestral sequence reconstructions. At the protein level, empirical substitution models are traditionally used due to their simplicity, but they ignore the variability of substitution patterns among protein sites. Next, in order to improve the realism of the modeling of protein evolution, a series of structurally constrained substitution models were presented, but still they usually ignore constraints on the protein activity. Here, we present a substitution model of protein evolution with selection on both protein structure and enzymatic activity, and that can be applied to phylogenetics. In particular, the model considers the binding affinity of the enzyme-substrate complex as well as structural constraints that include the flexibility of structural flaps, hydrogen bonds, amino acids backbone radius of gyration, and solvent-accessible surface area that are quantified through molecular dynamics simulations. We applied the model to the HIV-1 protease and evaluated it by phylogenetic likelihood in comparison with the best-fitting empirical substitution model and a structurally constrained substitution model that ignores the enzymatic activity. We found that accounting for selection on the protein activity improves the fitting of the modeled functional regions with the real observations, especially in data with high molecular identity, which recommends considering constraints on the protein activity in the development of substitution models of evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ferreiro
- CINBIO, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Ruqaiya Khalil
- CINBIO, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Sergio F Sousa
- UCIBIO/REQUIMTE, BioSIM, Departamento de Biomedicina, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel Arenas
- CINBIO, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
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28
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Karnchanapandh K, Hanpaibool C, Sanachai K, Rungrotmongkol T. Elucidation of bezlotoxumab binding specificity to toxin B in Clostridioides difficile. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:1617-1628. [PMID: 37098802 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2201360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
C. difficile or Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is currently one of the major causes of epidemics worldwide. Toxin B from Clostridioides difficile toxin B (TcdB) infection is the main target protein inhibiting CDI recurrence. Clinical research suggested that bezlotoxumab's (Bez) efficiency is significantly reduced in neutralizing the B2 strain compared to the B1 strain. The monoclonal antibody (mAb) functions by binding to the epitope 1 and 2 regions in the combined repetitive oligopeptide (CROP) domain. Some binding residues are distinctively different between B1 and B2 strains. In this work, we aimed to elucidate and compare insights into the interaction of toxins B1 and B2 in complex with Bez by using all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and binding free energy calculations. The predicted ΔGbinding values suggested that the antibody (Ab) could bind to toxin B1 significantly better than B2, supported by higher salt bridge and hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) interactions, as well as the number of contact residues between the two focused proteins. The toxin B1 residues important for binding with Bez were E1878, T1901, E1902, F1905, N1941, V1946, N2031, T2032, E2033, V2076, V2077, and E2092. The lower susceptibility of Bez towards toxin B2 was primarily due to a change of residue E2033 from glutamate to alanine (A2033) and the loss of E1878 and E1902 contributions, as determined by the intermolecular interaction changes from the dynamic residue interaction network (dRIN) analysis. The obtained data strengthen our understanding of Bez/toxin B binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Karnchanapandh
- Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chonnikan Hanpaibool
- Center of Excellence in Biocatalyst and Sustainable Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kamonpan Sanachai
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Thanyada Rungrotmongkol
- Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Biocatalyst and Sustainable Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Gao J, Liang C, Yin J, Bai Y, Hu D. Discovery of Palbociclib as a potent c-Myc G4 stabilizer for lung cancer treatment using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and in vitro activity evaluation. Mol Divers 2024:10.1007/s11030-023-10789-2. [PMID: 38246949 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10789-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Despite significant progress in lung cancer treatment, this disease remains a prevalent and serious global malignancy, leading to high rates of illness and death. Urgent research is needed to discover new or alternative therapies that can improve clinical outcomes for lung cancer patients. In our study, we successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of Palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, in suppressing the growth of lung cancer cells. The IC50 values obtained were 11.00 μM and 11.74 μM for H1299 and A549 cells, respectively. Furthermore, our findings indicate that Palbociclib may possess strong c-Myc G4 stabilizing properties by significantly reducing both protein and mRNA expression levels of c-Myc. Additionally, Palbociclib induces apoptosis and causes cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in two cells. Through circular dichroism (CD), molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, we have provided evidence that Palbociclib enhances the structural stability of c-Myc G4 while exhibiting a high binding affinity to its ligand's binding site on c-Myc G4. These results suggest that Palbociclib holds promise as a novel c-Myc G4 stabilizer for treating cancers associated with abnormal c-Myc activity; further optimization and development are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Gao
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Chao Liang
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Jiacheng Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Bai
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Dong Hu
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.
- Anhui Occupational Health and Safety Engineering Laboratory, Huainan, 232001, China.
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institute, Huainan, 232001, China.
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Prevention and Control & Occupational Safety and Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, 232001, China.
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Suleman M, Ahmad T, shah K, Albekairi NA, Alshammari A, Khan A, Wei DQ, Yassine HM, Crovella S. Exploring the natural products chemical space to abrogate the F3L-dsRNA interface of monkeypox virus to enhance the immune responses using molecular screening and free energy calculations. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1328308. [PMID: 38269277 PMCID: PMC10805857 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1328308] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Amid the ongoing monkeypox outbreak, there is an urgent need for the rapid development of effective therapeutic interventions capable of countering the immune evasion mechanisms employed by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). The evasion strategy involves the binding of the F3L protein to dsRNA, resulting in diminished interferon (IFN) production. Consequently, our current research focuses on utilizing virtual drug screening techniques to target the RNA binding domain of the F3L protein. Out of the 954 compounds within the South African natural compound database, only four demonstrated notable docking scores: -6.55, -6.47, -6.37, and -6.35 kcal/mol. The dissociation constant (KD) analysis revealed a stronger binding affinity of the top hits 1-4 (-5.34, -5.32, -5.29, and -5.36 kcal/mol) with the F3L in the MPXV. All-atom simulations of the top-ranked hits 1 to 4 consistently exhibited stable dynamics, suggesting their potential to interact effectively with interface residues. This was further substantiated through analyses of parameters such as radius of gyration (Rg), Root Mean Square Fluctuation, and hydrogen bonding. Cumulative assessments of binding free energy confirmed the top-performing candidates among all the compounds, with values of -35.90, -52.74, -28.17, and -32.11 kcal/mol for top hits 1-4, respectively. These results indicate that compounds top hit 1-4 could hold significant promise for advancing innovative drug therapies, suggesting their suitability for both in vivo and in vitro experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Suleman
- Laboratory of Animal Research Center (LARC), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Tanveer Ahmad
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Khadim shah
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Norah A. Albekairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman Alshammari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abbas Khan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Sunway City, Malaysia
| | - Dong-Qing Wei
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hadi M. Yassine
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health Sciences-QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sergio Crovella
- Laboratory of Animal Research Center (LARC), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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31
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He Y, Liu K, Cao F, Song R, Liu J, Zhang Y, Li W, Han W. Using deep learning and molecular dynamics simulations to unravel the regulation mechanism of peptides as noncompetitive inhibitor of xanthine oxidase. Sci Rep 2024; 14:174. [PMID: 38168773 PMCID: PMC10761953 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50686-0] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a crucial enzyme in the development of hyperuricemia and gout. This study focuses on LWM and ALPM, two food-derived inhibitors of XO. We used molecular docking to obtain three systems and then conducted 200 ns molecular dynamics simulations for the Apo, LWM, and ALPM systems. The results reveal a stronger binding affinity of the LWM peptide to XO, potentially due to increased hydrogen bond formation. Notable changes were observed in the XO tunnel upon inhibitor binding, particularly with LWM, which showed a thinner, longer, and more twisted configuration compared to ALPM. The study highlights the importance of residue F914 in the allosteric pathway. Methodologically, we utilized the perturbed response scan (PRS) based on Python, enhancing tools for MD analysis. These findings deepen our understanding of food-derived anti-XO inhibitors and could inform the development of food-based therapeutics for reducing uric acid levels with minimal side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi He
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Qianjin Road 2699, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Kaifeng Liu
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Qianjin Road 2699, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Fuyan Cao
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Qianjin Road 2699, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Renxiu Song
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Qianjin Road 2699, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Jianxuan Liu
- Jilin Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Chuangju Road 155, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Yinghua Zhang
- Jilin Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Chuangju Road 155, Changchun, 130012, China.
| | - Wannan Li
- Edmond H. Fischer Signal Transduction Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Qianjin Road 2699, Changchun, 130012, China.
| | - Weiwei Han
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Qianjin Road 2699, Changchun, 130012, China.
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32
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Pitaloka DAE, Arfan A, Ramadhan DSF, Chaidir L. Insights from the molecular mechanism of pyrazinamide to mutated pyrazinamidase linked to the pncA gene in clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:759-765. [PMID: 37096659 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2195002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to conduct a comprehensive molecular dynamics strategy to evaluate whether mutations found in pyrazinamide monoresistant (PZAMR) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) can potentially reduce the effectiveness of pyrazinamide (PZA) for tuberculosis (TB) treatment. Five single point mutations of pyrazinamidase (PZAse), an enzyme which is responsible for the activation of prodrug PZA into pyrazinoic acid, found in MTB clinical isolates, namely His82Arg, Thr87Met, Ser66Pro, Ala171Val, and Pro62Leu, were analyzed by the dynamics simulations both in the apo state (unbound state) and in the PZA bound state. The results showed that the mutation of His82 to Arg, Thr87 to Met, and Ser66 to Pro in PZAse affects the coordination state of the Fe2+ ion, which is a cofactor required for enzyme activity. These mutations change the flexibility, stability, and fluctuation of His51, His57, and ASP49 amino acid residues around the Fe2+ ion, culminating in an unstable complex and dissociation of PZA from the PZAse binding site. However, mutations of Ala171 to Val and Pro62 to Leu were found to have no effect on the complex's stability. Based on the results, PZAse mutations of His82Arg, Thr87Met, and Ser66Pro culminated in weak binding affinity for PZA and caused significant structural deformations that led to PZA resistance. Future structural and functional studies, as well as investigations into other aspects of drug resistance in PZAse, will require experimental clarification.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian Ayu Eka Pitaloka
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia
- Center for Translational Biomarker Research, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Arfan Arfan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Halu Oleo, Kendari, Indonesia
| | - Dwi Syah Fitra Ramadhan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Mandala Waluya, Kendari, Indonesia
| | - Lidya Chaidir
- Center for Translational Biomarker Research, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia
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Firdaus ARR, Baroroh U, Ramdani Tohari T, Hardianto A, Subroto T, Yusuf M. Computational design of scFv anti-receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein based on antibody S230 anti-SARS-CoV-1. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:22-33. [PMID: 37880854 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2265485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Developing therapeutics such as neutralizing antibodies targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is essential to halt the Covid-19 infection. However, antibody production is expensive and relatively inaccessible to many low-income countries. Therefore, a more efficient and smaller antibody fragment, such as a single-chain variable fragment (scFv), derived from a known neutralizing antibody structure, is of interest due to the lower cost of recombinant protein production and the ability to tailor scFvs against circulating viruses. In this study, we used computational design to create an scFv based on the structure of a known neutralizing antibody, S230, for SARS-CoV-1. By analyzing the interaction of S230 with the RBD of both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, five mutations were introduced to improve the binding of the scFv to the RBD of SARS-CoV-2. These mutations were Ser32Thr, Trp99Val, Asn57Val, Lys65Glu, and Tyr106Ile. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to evaluate the stability and affinity of the designed scFv. Our results showed that the designed scFv improved binding to the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 compared to the original S230, as indicated by principal component analysis, distance analysis, and MM/GBSA interaction energy. Furthermore, a positive result in a spot test lateral flow assay of the expressed scFv against the RBD indicated that the mutations did not alter the protein's structure. The designed scFv showed a negative result when tested against human serum albumin as a negative control, indicating reasonable specificity. We hope that this study will be useful in designing a specific and low-cost therapeutic agent, particularly during early outbreaks when information on neutralizing antibodies is limited.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ade R R Firdaus
- Research Center for Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
- Biotechnology Master Program, Postgraduate School, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Umi Baroroh
- Research Center for Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
- Department of Pharmacy, Sekolah Tinggi Farmasi Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Taufik Ramdani Tohari
- Research Center for Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Ari Hardianto
- Research Center for Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia
| | - Toto Subroto
- Research Center for Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Yusuf
- Research Center for Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia
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Cieślak D, Kabelka I, Bartuzi D. Molecular Dynamics Simulations in Protein-Protein Docking. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2780:91-106. [PMID: 38987465 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3985-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Concerted interactions between all the cell components form the basis of biological processes. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) constitute a tremendous part of this interaction network. Deeper insight into PPIs can help us better understand numerous diseases and lead to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. PPI interfaces, until recently, were considered undruggable. However, it is now believed that the interfaces contain "hot spots," which could be targeted by small molecules. Such a strategy would require high-quality structural data of PPIs, which are difficult to obtain experimentally. Therefore, in silico modeling can complement or be an alternative to in vitro approaches. There are several computational methods for analyzing the structural data of the binding partners and modeling of the protein-protein dimer/oligomer structure. The major problem with in silico structure prediction of protein assemblies is obtaining sufficient sampling of protein dynamics. One of the methods that can take protein flexibility and the effects of the environment into account is Molecular Dynamics (MD). While sampling of the whole protein-protein association process with plain MD would be computationally expensive, there are several strategies to harness the method to PPI studies while maintaining reasonable use of resources. This chapter reviews known applications of MD in the PPI investigation workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Cieślak
- Laboratory of Plant Protein Phosphorylation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ivo Kabelka
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Damian Bartuzi
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances with Computer Modelling Lab, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
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35
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Stocker WA, Howard JA, Maskey S, Luan H, Harrison SG, Hart KN, Hok L, Thompson TB, Walton KL, Harrison CA. Characterization of the molecular mechanisms that govern anti-Müllerian hormone synthesis and activity. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23377. [PMID: 38133902 PMCID: PMC10926428 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301335rr] [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: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The roles of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) continue to expand, from its discovery as a critical factor in sex determination, through its identification as a regulator of ovarian folliculogenesis, its use in fertility clinics as a measure of ovarian reserve, and its emerging role in hypothalamic-pituitary function. In light of these actions, AMH is considered an attractive therapeutic target to address diverse reproductive needs, including fertility preservation. Here, we set out to characterize the molecular mechanisms that govern AMH synthesis and activity. First, we enhanced the processing of the AMH precursor to >90% by introducing more efficient proprotein convertase cleavage sites (RKKR or ISSRKKRSVSS [SCUT]). Importantly, enhanced processing corresponded with a dramatic increase in secreted AMH activity. Next, based on species differences across the AMH type II receptor-binding interface, we generated a series of human AMH variants and assessed bioactivity. AMHSCUT potency (EC50 4 ng/mL) was increased 5- or 10-fold by incorporating Gln484 Met/Leu535 Thr (EC50 0.8 ng/mL) or Gln484 Met/Gly533 Ser (EC50 0.4 ng/mL) mutations, respectively. Furthermore, the Gln484 Met/Leu535 Thr double mutant displayed enhanced efficacy, relative to AMHSCUT . Finally, we identified residues within the wrist pre-helix of AMH (Trp494 , Gln496 , Ser497 , and Asp498 ) that likely mediate type I receptor binding. Mutagenesis of these residues generated gain- (Trp494 Phe or Gln496 Leu) or loss- (Ser497 Ala) of function AMH variants. Surprisingly, combining activating type I and type II receptor mutations only led to modest additive increases in AMH potency/efficacy. Our study is the first to characterize AMH residues involved in type I receptor binding and suggests a step-wise receptor-complex assembly mechanism, in which enhancement in the affinity of the ligand for either receptor can increase AMH activity beyond the natural level.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A. Stocker
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - James A. Howard
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Shreya Maskey
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Haitong Luan
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sophie G. Harrison
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kaitlin N. Hart
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Lucija Hok
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Thomas B. Thompson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Kelly L. Walton
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Craig A. Harrison
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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36
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Hu Z, Zeng Y, Zhang Y, Zhang Q, Xu J, Liu L. Discovery of small molecule c-Maf inhibitors using molecular docking-based virtual screening, molecular dynamics simulation, and biological evaluation. Chem Biol Drug Des 2024; 103:e14403. [PMID: 37984986 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14403] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a prevalent plasma cell malignancy in the blood system that remains incurable. Given the abnormally high expression of c-Maf in most MM patients, targeting c-Maf presents an attractive therapeutic approach for treating MM malignancies. In this study, we employed a combined strategy involving molecular docking-based virtual screening, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) free energy calculation on existing FDA-approved drugs. Six compounds were selected for further experimental assay: vemurafenib, sorafenib, sildenafil, fluvastatin, erlotinib, and glimepiride. Among these compounds, sorafenib and glimepiride exhibited significant inhibition of myeloma cell proliferation in the RPMI-8226 cell line. Moreover, both compounds simultaneously downregulated c-Maf protein expression to induce G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in myeloma cells. Collectively, sorafenib and glimepiride may be considered promising candidates for developing more potent c-Maf inhibitors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Hu
- College of Medical Imaging, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yindi Zeng
- Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yaxin Zhang
- Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiurong Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinge Xu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Linlin Liu
- College of Medical Imaging, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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37
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Sahoo S, Pal T, Mondal S, Ghanta KP, Bandyopadhyay S. Conformational Properties of Aβ Peptide Oligomers in Aqueous Ionic Liquid Solution: Insights from Molecular Simulation Studies. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:10960-10973. [PMID: 38091356 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c05490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive irreversible neurological disorder with abnormal extracellular deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides in the brain. We have carried out atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the size-dependent conformational properties of aggregated Aβ oligomers of different orders, namely, pentamer [O(5)], decamer [O(10)], and hexadecamer [O(16)] in aqueous solutions containing the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF4]). The calculations revealed reduced peptide conformational fluctuations in O(5) and O(10) in the presence of the IL. In contrast, the higher order oligomer [O(16)] has been found to exhibit greater structural distortion due to enhanced flexibilities of its peptide units in the presence of the IL. Based on the distributions of the solvent (water) and the cosolvent (IL) components, it is demonstrated that exchange of water by the IL ion pairs at the exterior surface of the oligomers primarily occurs beyond the first layer of surface-bound water molecules. Importantly, a reduced number of relatively weaker peptide salt bridges have been found in O(16) in binary water-IL solution as compared to the other two smaller-sized oligomers [O(5) and O(10)]. Such differential influence of the IL on peptide salt bridges results in less favorable binding free energies of peptide monomers to O(16), which leads to its greater structural distortion and reduced stability compared to those of O(5) and O(10).
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhadip Sahoo
- Centre for Computational and Data Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Tamisra Pal
- Molecular Modeling Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Souvik Mondal
- Molecular Modeling Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Krishna Prasad Ghanta
- Molecular Modeling Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Sanjoy Bandyopadhyay
- Molecular Modeling Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
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38
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Gupta H, Sahi S. High-throughput virtual screening of potential inhibitors of GPR52 using docking and biased sampling method for Huntington's disease therapy. Mol Divers 2023:10.1007/s11030-023-10763-y. [PMID: 38038795 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10763-y] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare and progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by polyglutamine (poly-Q) mutations of the huntingtin (HTT) gene resulting in chorea, cognitive, and psychiatric dysfunctions. Being a monogenic condition, reducing the levels of the mutated huntingtin protein (mHTT) holds promise as an effective therapeutic approach. GPR52, an orphan G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), enriched in the striatum, is a novel target for slowing down the progression of HD by lowering the mHTT levels. Therefore, the study focuses on identifying potent small-molecule inhibitors for GPR52 using a combination of robust high-throughput virtual screening (HTVS) and pharmacokinetics profiling followed by fast pulling of ligand (FPL) and umbrella sampling (US) simulations. Initially, screening a library of 2,36,545 compounds was done against the binding pocket of GPR52. Based on binding affinity, stereochemical and non-bonded interactions, and pharmacokinetic profiling, 50 compounds were shortlisted. Selected hit compounds 1, 2, and 3 were subjected to FPL simulations with applied external bias potential to investigate their unique dissociation pathways and intermolecular interactions over time. Subsequently, the US simulations were performed on the selected hit compounds to estimate their binding free energy (ΔG). The analysis of the trajectories obtained from simulations revealed that the residues TYR34, TYR185, GLY187, ASP188, ILE189, SER299, PHE300, and THR303 within the active site of GPR52 were significant for efficient ligand binding through the formation of various hydrogen bond interactions and hydrophobic contacts. Out of the three hit compounds, compound 3 had the lowest ΔG of - 20.82 ± 0.44 kcal/mol. The study identified compounds 1, 2, and 3 as potential molecules that can be developed as GPR52 inhibitors holding promise for lowering mHTT levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshi Gupta
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201312, India
| | - Shakti Sahi
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201312, India.
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Stojceski F, Buetti-Dinh A, Stoddart MJ, Danani A, Della Bella E, Grasso G. Influence of dexamethasone on the interaction between glucocorticoid receptor and SOX9: A molecular dynamics study. J Mol Graph Model 2023; 125:108587. [PMID: 37579519 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2023.108587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a nuclear receptor that controls critical biological processes by regulating the transcription of specific genes. GR transcriptional activity is modulated by a series of ligands and coenzymes, where a ligand can act as an agonist or antagonist. GR agonists, such as the glucocorticoids dexamethasone (DEX) and prednisolone, are widely prescribed to patients with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. DEX is also used to induce osteogenic differentiation in vitro. Recently, it has been highlighted that DEX induces changes in the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells by downregulating the transcription factor SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) and upregulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARG). SOX9 is fundamental in the control of chondrogenesis, but also in osteogenesis by acting as a dominant-negative of RUNX2. Many processes remain to be clarified during cell fate determination, such as the interplay between the key transcription factors. The main objective pursued by this work is to shed light on the interaction between GR and SOX9 in the presence and absence of DEX at an atomic level of resolution using molecular dynamics simulations. The outcome of this research could help the understanding of possible molecular interactions between GR and SOX9 and their role in the determination of cell fate. The results highlight the key residues at the interface between GR and SOX9 involved in the complexation process and shed light on the mechanism through which DEX modulates GR-SOX9 binding and exerts its biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Stojceski
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence USI-SUPSI Polo universitario Lugano - Campus Est, Via la Santa 1, 6962, Lugano-Viganello, Switzerland
| | - Antoine Buetti-Dinh
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence USI-SUPSI Polo universitario Lugano - Campus Est, Via la Santa 1, 6962, Lugano-Viganello, Switzerland
| | - Martin J Stoddart
- AO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, 7270, Davos Platz, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Danani
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence USI-SUPSI Polo universitario Lugano - Campus Est, Via la Santa 1, 6962, Lugano-Viganello, Switzerland
| | - Elena Della Bella
- AO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, 7270, Davos Platz, Switzerland.
| | - Gianvito Grasso
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence USI-SUPSI Polo universitario Lugano - Campus Est, Via la Santa 1, 6962, Lugano-Viganello, Switzerland.
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Ali A, Wani AB, Malla BA, Poyya J, Dar NJ, Ali F, Ahmad SB, Rehman MU, Nadeem A. Network Pharmacology Integrated Molecular Docking and Dynamics to Elucidate Saffron Compounds Targeting Human COX-2 Protein. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:2058. [PMID: 38138161 PMCID: PMC10744988 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59122058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is mostly linked to inflammation and has been validated as a molecular target for treating inflammatory diseases. The present study aimed to identify novel compounds that could inhibit COX-2, which is associated with various diseases including inflammation, and in such a scenario, plant-derived biomolecules have been considered as attractive candidates. Materials and Methods: In the present study, physiochemical properties and toxicity of natural compounds/drugs were determined by SWISSADME and ProTox-II. In the present study, the molecular docking binding features of saffron derivatives (crocetin, picrocrocin, quercetin, safranal, crocin, rutin, and dimethylcrocetin) against human COX-2 protein were assessed. Moreover, protein-protein interactions, topographic properties, gene enrichment analysis and molecular dynamics simulation were also determined. Results: The present study revealed that picrocrocin showed the highest binding affinity of -8.1 kcal/mol when docked against the COX-2 protein. PROCHECK analysis revealed that 90.3% of the protein residues were found in the most favored region. Compartmentalized Protein-Protein Interaction identified 90 interactions with an average interaction score of 0.62, and the highest localization score of 0.99 found in secretory pathways. The Computed Atlas of Surface Topography of Proteins was used to identify binding pockets and important residues that could serve as drug targets. Use of WEBnmα revealed protein dynamics by using normal mode analysis. Ligand and Receptor Dynamics used the Molecular Generalized Born Surface Area approach to determine the binding free energy of the protein. Gene enrichment analysis revealed that ovarian steroidogenesis, was the most significant enrichment pathway. Molecular dynamic simulations were executed for the best docked (COX-2-picrocrocin) complex, and the results displayed conformational alterations with more pronounced surface residue fluctuations in COX-2 with loss of the intra-protein hydrogen bonding network. The direct interaction of picrocrocin with various crucial amino-acid residues like GLN203, TYR385, HIS386 and 388, ASN382, and TRP387 causes modifications in these residues, which ultimately attenuates the activity of COX-2 protein. Conclusions: The present study revealed that picrocrocin was the most effective biomolecule and could be repurposed via computational approaches. However, various in vivo and in vitro observations are still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarif Ali
- Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, SKUAST-K, Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar 190006, India
| | - Amir Bashir Wani
- Genome Engineering and Societal Biotechnology Lab., Division of Plant Biotechnology, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar 190006, India;
| | - Bashir Ahmad Malla
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar 190006, India;
| | - Jagadeesha Poyya
- SDM Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Dharwad 580009, India
| | - Nawab John Dar
- SALK Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037, USA;
| | - Fasil Ali
- Department of Studies and Research in Biochemistry, Mangalore University, Mangalore 571232, India
| | - Sheikh Bilal Ahmad
- Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, SKUAST-K, Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar 190006, India
| | - Muneeb U. Rehman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ahmed Nadeem
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Karkashan A, Attar R. Computational screening of natural products to identify potential inhibitors for human neuropilin-1 (NRP1) receptor to abrogate the binding of SARS-CoV-2 and host cell. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:9987-9996. [PMID: 36437796 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2150685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recently, a new variant B.1.1.529 or Omicron variant and its sub-variants (BA2.75, BA.5) of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory virus 2) have been reported with a larger number of mutations in the spike protein and particularly in the RBD (receptor-binding domain). The omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has aggravated the pandemic situation further and needs more analysis for therapeutic development. Keeping in view the urgency of the required data, the current study used molecular modeling and simulation-based methods to target the NRP1 (Neuropilin 1) protein to halt the entry into the host cell. Employing a molecular screening approach to screen the North-East African natural compounds database (NEANCDB) revealed Subereamine B with a docking score of -8.44 kcal/mol, Zinolol with the docking score of -8.05 while Subereamine A with a docking score of -7.88 kcal/mol as the best hits against NRP1. Molecular simulation-based further validation revealed stable dynamics, good structural packing, and dynamic residues flexibility index. Moreover, hydrogen bonding fraction analysis demonstrated the interactions remained sustained during the simulation. Furthermore, the total binding free energy for Subereamine B was -44.24 ±0.91 kcal/mol, for Zinolol -34.32 ±0.40 kcal/mol while for Subereamine A the TBE was calculated to be -41.78 ± 0.36 kcal/mol respectively. This shows that the two arginine-based alkaloids, i.e. Subereamine B and Subereamine A could inhibit the NRP1 more strongly than Zinolol. In conclusion, this study provides a basis for the development of novel drugs against SARS-CoV-2.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Karkashan
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Roba Attar
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Sayaf AM, Ahmad H, Aslam MA, Ghani SA, Bano S, Yousafi Q, Suleman M, Khan A, Yeoh KK, Wei DQ. Pharmacotherapeutic Potential of Natural Products to Target the SARS-CoV-2 PLpro Using Molecular Screening and Simulation Approaches. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2023; 195:6959-6978. [PMID: 36961512 PMCID: PMC10037394 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04466-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Because of the essential role of PLpro in the regulation of replication and dysregulation of the host immune sensing, it is considered a therapeutic target for novel drug development. To reduce the risk of immune evasion and vaccine effectiveness, small molecular therapeutics are the best complementary approach. Hence, we used a structure-based drug-designing approach to identify potential small molecular inhibitors for PLpro of SARS-CoV-2. Initial scoring and re-scoring of the best hits revealed that three compounds NPC320891 (2,2-Dihydroxyindene-1,3-Dione), NPC474594 (Isonarciclasine), and NPC474595 (7-Deoxyisonarciclasine) exhibit higher docking scores than the control GRL0617. Investigation of the binding modes revealed that alongside the essential contacts, i.e., Asp164, Glu167, Tyr264, and Gln269, these molecules also target Lys157 and Tyr268 residues in the active site. Moreover, molecular simulation demonstrated that the reported top hits also possess stable dynamics and structural packing. Furthermore, the residues' flexibility revealed that all the complexes demonstrated higher flexibility in the regions 120-140, 160-180, and 205-215. The 120-140 and 160-180 lie in the finger region of PLpro, which may open/close during the simulation to cover the active site and push the ligand inside. In addition, the total binding free energy was reported to be - 32.65 ± 0.17 kcal/mol for the GRL0617-PLpro, for the NPC320891-PLpro complex, the TBE was - 35.58 ± 0.14 kcal/mol, for the NPC474594-PLpro, the TBE was - 43.72 ± 0.22 kcal/mol, while for NPC474595-PLpro complex, the TBE was calculated to be - 41.61 ± 0.20 kcal/mol, respectively. Clustering of the protein's motion and FEL further revealed that in NPC474594 and NPC474595 complexes, the drug was seen to have moved inside the binding cavity along with the loop in the palm region harboring the catalytic triad, thus justifying the higher binding of these two molecules particularly. In conclusion, the overall results reflect favorable binding of the identified hits strongly than the control drug, thus demanding in vitro and in vivo validation for clinical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abrar Mohammad Sayaf
- School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM George Town, Penang Malaysia
| | - Hassaan Ahmad
- Rawalpindi Medical University, Chamanzar Colony, Rawalpindi, Punjab 46000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ammar Aslam
- Rawalpindi Medical University, Chamanzar Colony, Rawalpindi, Punjab 46000, Pakistan
| | | | - Saira Bano
- Department of Botany, University of Okara, Okara, Punjab Pakistan
| | - Qudsia Yousafi
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad-Sahiwal Campus, Sahiwal, Punjab Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Suleman
- Centre for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan
| | - Abbas Khan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 People’s Republic of China
- Zhongjing Research and Industrialization, Institute of Chinese Medicine, Zhongguancun Scientific Park, Meixi, Nanyang, Henan 473006 People’s Republic of China
| | - Kar Kheng Yeoh
- School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM George Town, Penang Malaysia
| | - Dong-Qing Wei
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 People’s Republic of China
- Zhongjing Research and Industrialization, Institute of Chinese Medicine, Zhongguancun Scientific Park, Meixi, Nanyang, Henan 473006 People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Shanghai-Islamabad-Belgrade Joint Innovation Center On Antibacterial Resistances, Joint Laboratory of International Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Ministry of Education and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Peng Cheng Laboratory, Vanke Cloud City Phase I Building 8, Xili Street, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055 People’s Republic of China
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Mohanty S, Bhadane R, Kumar S. Bioinformatics insights into CENP-T and CENP-W protein-protein interaction disruptive amino acid substitution in the CENP-T-W complex. J Cell Biochem 2023; 124:1870-1885. [PMID: 37943107 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30495] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Kinetochores are multi-protein assemblies present at the centromere of the human chromosome and play a crucial role in cellular mitosis. The CENP-T and CENP-W chains form a heterodimer, which is an integral part of the inner kinetochore, interacting with the linker DNA on one side and the outer kinetochore on the other. Additionally, the CENP-T-W dimer interacts with other regulatory proteins involved in forming inner kinetochores. The specific roles of different amino acids in the CENP-W at the protein-protein interaction (PPI) interface during the CENP-T-W dimer formation remain incompletely understood. Since cell division goes awry in diseases like cancer, this CENP-T-W partnership is a potential target for new drugs that could restore healthy cell division. We employed molecular docking, binding free energy calculations, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the disruptive effects of amino acids substitutions in the CENP-W chain on CENP-T-W dimer formation. By conducting a molecular docking study and analysing hydrogen bonding interactions, we identified key residues in CENP-W (ASN-46, ARG-53, LEU-83, SER-86, ARG-87, and GLY-88) for further investigation. Through site-directed mutagenesis and subsequent binding free energy calculations, we refined the selection of mutant. We chose four mutants (N46K, R53K, L83K, and R87E) of CENP-W to assess their comparative potential in forming CENP-T-W dimer. Our analysis from 250 ns long revealed that the substitution of LEU83 and ARG53 residues in CENP-W with the LYS significantly disrupts the formation of CENP-T-W dimer. In conclusion, LEU83 and ARG53 play a critical role in CENP-T and CENP-W dimerization which is ultimately required for cellular mitosis. Our findings not only deepen our understanding of cell division but also hint at exciting drug-target possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suryakanta Mohanty
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Punjab, Guddha, Bathinda, India
| | - Rajendra Bhadane
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Unit for Infection and Immunity, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Shashank Kumar
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Punjab, Guddha, Bathinda, India
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Shah SJA, Zhang Q, Guo J, Liu H, Liu H, Villà-Freixa J. Identification of Aggregation Mechanism of Acetylated PHF6* and PHF6 Tau Peptides Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Markov State Modeling. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3959-3971. [PMID: 37830541 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) has a critical role in the development and preservation of the nervous system. However, tau's dysfunction and accumulation in the human brain can lead to several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome, and frontotemporal dementia. The microtubule binding (MTB) domain plays a significant, important role in determining the tau's pathophysiology, as the core of paired helical filaments PHF6* (275VQIINK280) and PHF6 (306VQIVYK311) of R2 and R3 repeat units, respectively, are formed in this region, which promotes tau aggregation. Post-translational modifications, and in particular lysine acetylation at K280 of PHF6* and K311 of PHF6, have been previously established to promote tau misfolding and aggregation. However, the exact aggregation mechanism is not known. In this study, we established an atomic-level nucleation-extension mechanism of the separated aggregation of acetylated PHF6* and PHF6 hexapeptides, respectively, of tau. We show that the acetylation of the lysine residues promotes the formation of β-sheet enriched high-ordered oligomers. The Markov state model analysis of ac-PHF6* and ac-PHF6 aggregation revealed the formation of an antiparallel dimer nucleus which could be extended from both sides in a parallel manner to form mixed-oriented and high-ordered oligomers. Our study describes the detailed mechanism for acetylation-driven tau aggregation, which provides valuable insights into the effect of post-translation modification in altering the pathophysiology of tau hexapeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, 999078 Macao, SAR, China
| | - Jingjing Guo
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, 999078 Macao, SAR, China
| | - Hongli Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004 Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, 999078 Macao, SAR, China
| | - Jordi Villà-Freixa
- Departament de Biociències, Universitat de Vic─Universitat Central de Catalunya, 08500 Vic, Spain
- Institut de Recerca i Innovació en Ciències de la Vida i de la Salut a la Catalunya Central (IRIS-CC), 08500 Vic, Spain
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Rehman MU, Ali A, Ansar R, Arafah A, Imtiyaz Z, Wani TA, Zargar S, Ganie SA. In Silico molecular docking and dynamic analysis of natural compounds against major non-structural proteins of SARS-COV-2. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:9072-9088. [PMID: 36326281 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2139766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 has infected millions and significantly affected the global economy and healthcare systems. Despite continuous lockdowns, symptomatic management with currently available medications, and numerous vaccination drives, it is still far more difficult to control. Against COVID-19 infection, the pressure to develop vaccines and drugs has led to using some currently available medications like remdesivir, azithromycin, hydroxychloroquine and ritonavir. Understanding the importance and potential of harmless molecules to tackle SARS-COV-2, we designed the present study to identify potential natural phytocompounds. In the present study, we docked natural compounds and standard drugs against SARS-COV-2 proteins: papain-like protease, main protease and helicase. ADME/T and ProTox-II analyses were used to determine the toxicity of phytocompounds and drugs. The docking analysis revealed that podophyllotoxin gave the highest binding affinity scores of -8.1, -7.1 and -7.4 kcal/mol against PLpro, Mpro and helicase, respectively. Among the control drugs, doxycycline hydrochloride showed the highest binding affinity of -10.5, -8.4 and -8.8 kcal/mol against PLpro, Mpro and helicase. The results of this study revealed that podophyllotoxin and doxycycline hydrochloride could be promising inhibitors against SARS-Cov-2. Molecular dynamic simulations were executed for the best docked (PLpro-podophyllotoxin) complex, and the results displayed stable conformation and convergence. Energy plot results predicted a global minima average energy of -95 kcal/mol and indicated podophyllotoxin's role in stabilizing protein and making it compact and complex. FarPPI server used MM/GBSA approach to determine free binding affinity, and helicase-gallic acid complex showed the highest affinity, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is still a need for in vitro and in vivo studies to support further and validate these findings and validate these findings.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneeb U Rehman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aarif Ali
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Ruhban Ansar
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Azher Arafah
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zuha Imtiyaz
- Department of Pathology, University Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tanveer A Wani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seema Zargar
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Showkat A Ganie
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J&K, India
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Malla BA, Ali A, Maqbool I, Dar NA, Ahmad SB, Alsaffar RM, Rehman MU. Insights into molecular docking and dynamics to reveal therapeutic potential of natural compounds against P53 protein. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:8762-8781. [PMID: 36281711 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2137241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
P53 is eminent tumour suppressor protein that plays a prominent role in cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, senescence, differentiation and initiation of apoptosis. P53 is an attractive drug target and the high toxicity of some cancer chemotherapy drugs increase the demand for new anti-cancer drugs from natural products. In this current scenario, identification of promising anticancer compounds from natural sources by repurposing approach is still relevant for the early prevention and effective management of cancer. In present study, we docked natural compounds like podophyllotoxin, quercetin and rutin along standard drugs (MG-132 and Bay 61-3606) against p53 protein. ADME/T analysis predicted toxicity of phytochemicals and drugs. In silico docking analysis of podophyllotoxin, quercetin and rutin gave HDOCK docking scores of -187.87, -148. 97 and -143.85, whereas control drugs MG-132 and Bay 61-3606 showed docking scores of -159.59 and -140.71 against p53 respectively. AutoDock analysis of rutin and MG-132 showed highest binding affinity scores of -7.3 and -6.8 kcal/mol against p53. Molecular dynamic simulation for p53 protein displayed stable conformation and convergence. In this study, P53-rutin complex showed free binding energy score of 11.84 kcal/mol and P53-MG-132 complex reported free energy score of 16.3 kcal/mol. Protein contacts atlas gives non-covalent contacts framework by exploring interfaces of individual subunits and protein-ligand interactions. STRING tool predicts physical and functional interactions between proteins. The results of this study revealed that rutin and MG-132 could be promising inhibitors against targeted p53 protein and this could prove detrimental for molecular therapeutics and drug-designing strategies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashir Ahmad Malla
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Aarif Ali
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Irfan Maqbool
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, SKIMS Soura, Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Nazir Ahmad Dar
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Sheikh Bilal Ahmad
- Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, SKUAST-K, Shuhama Alusteng, J&K, India
| | - Rana M Alsaffar
- Department Of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College Of Pharmacy Girls Section, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muneeb U Rehman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Kaur R, Arora N, Rawat SS, Keshri AK, Singh G, Kumar R, Prasad A. Recognition of immune reactive proteins as a potential multiepitope vaccine candidate of Taenia solium cysticerci through proteomic approach. J Cell Biochem 2023; 124:1587-1602. [PMID: 37697970 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Metacestode, the larva of Taenia solium, is the causative agent for neurocysticercosis (NCC), which causes epilepsy. The unavailability of a vaccine against human NCC is a major cause for its widespread prevalence across the globe. Therefore, the development of a reliable vaccine against NCC is the need of the hour. Employing a combination of proteomics and immunoinformatics, we endeavored to formulate a vaccine candidate. The immune reactive cyst fluid antigens of T. solium were identified by immune-blotting two-dimensional gels with NCC patient's sera, followed by Matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization analysis. We performed a detailed proteomic study of these immune reactive proteins by utilizing immune-informatics tools, identified the nontoxic, nonallergic, B-cell epitopes, and collected epitopes with the least sequence homology with human and other Taenia species. These epitopes were joined through linkers to construct a multiepitope vaccine. Different physiochemical parameters such as molecular weight (23.82 kDa), instability (39.91), and aliphatic index (49.61) were calculated to ensure the stability of the linked peptides vaccine. The vaccine demonstrated stable interactions with different immune receptors like Toll-like receptor 4 and IgG confirming that it will effectively stimulate the host immune response. We anticipate that our designed B-cell linear epitope-based vaccine will show promising results in in vitro and in vivo assays. This study provides a platform that would be useful to develop other suitable vaccine candidates to prevent helminthic neglected tropical diseases in near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimanpreet Kaur
- School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Naina Arora
- School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Suraj S Rawat
- School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Anand K Keshri
- School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Gagandeep Singh
- Dayanad Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Rajiv Kumar
- CSIR-Institute for Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Amit Prasad
- School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Indian Knowledge System and Mental Health Center, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
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48
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Zhang L, Yao L, Zhao F, Yu A, Zhou Y, Wen Q, Wang J, Zheng T, Chen P. Protein and Peptide-Based Nanotechnology for Enhancing Stability, Bioactivity, and Delivery of Anthocyanins. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2300473. [PMID: 37537383 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Anthocyanin, a unique natural polyphenol, is abundant in plants and widely utilized in biomedicine, cosmetics, and the food industry due to its excellent antioxidant, anticancer, antiaging, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the degradation of anthocyanin in an extreme environment, such as alkali pH, high temperatures, and metal ions, limits its physiochemical stabilities and bioavailabilities. Encapsulation and combining anthocyanin with biomaterials could efficiently stabilize anthocyanin for protection. Promisingly, natural or artificially designed proteins and peptides with favorable stabilities, excellent biocapacity, and wide sources are potential candidates to stabilize anthocyanin. This review focuses on recent progress, strategies, and perspectives on protein and peptide for anthocyanin functionalization and delivery, i.e., formulation technologies, physicochemical stability enhancement, cellular uptake, bioavailabilities, and biological activities development. Interestingly, due to the simplicity and diversity of peptide structure, the interaction mechanisms between peptide and anthocyanin could be illustrated. This work sheds light on the mechanism of protein/peptide-anthocyanin nanoparticle construction and expands on potential applications of anthocyanin in nutrition and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L3G1, Canada
| | - Liang Yao
- College of Biotechnology, Sericultural Research Institute, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212018, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L3G1, Canada
| | - Alice Yu
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Yueru Zhou
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L3G1, Canada
| | - Qingmei Wen
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Jun Wang
- College of Biotechnology, Sericultural Research Institute, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212018, China
| | - Tao Zheng
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Pu Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L3G1, Canada
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49
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Yue Y, Li S, Wang L, Liu H, Tong HHY, He S. MpbPPI: a multi-task pre-training-based equivariant approach for the prediction of the effect of amino acid mutations on protein-protein interactions. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:bbad310. [PMID: 37651610 PMCID: PMC10516393 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbad310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The accurate prediction of the effect of amino acid mutations for protein-protein interactions (PPI $\Delta \Delta G$) is a crucial task in protein engineering, as it provides insight into the relevant biological processes underpinning protein binding and provides a basis for further drug discovery. In this study, we propose MpbPPI, a novel multi-task pre-training-based geometric equivariance-preserving framework to predict PPI $\Delta \Delta G$. Pre-training on a strictly screened pre-training dataset is employed to address the scarcity of protein-protein complex structures annotated with PPI $\Delta \Delta G$ values. MpbPPI employs a multi-task pre-training technique, forcing the framework to learn comprehensive backbone and side chain geometric regulations of protein-protein complexes at different scales. After pre-training, MpbPPI can generate high-quality representations capturing the effective geometric characteristics of labeled protein-protein complexes for downstream $\Delta \Delta G$ predictions. MpbPPI serves as a scalable framework supporting different sources of mutant-type (MT) protein-protein complexes for flexible application. Experimental results on four benchmark datasets demonstrate that MpbPPI is a state-of-the-art framework for PPI $\Delta \Delta G$ predictions. The data and source code are available at https://github.com/arantir123/MpbPPI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yue
- School of Computer Science from the University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Shu Li
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence Driven Drug Discovery at Macao Polytechnic University
| | - Lingling Wang
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence Driven Drug Discovery at Macao Polytechnic University
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence Driven Drug Discovery at Macao Polytechnic University
| | - Henry H Y Tong
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence Driven Drug Discovery at Macao Polytechnic University
| | - Shan He
- School of Computer Science, the University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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50
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Williams AH, Zhan CG. Staying Ahead of the Game: How SARS-CoV-2 has Accelerated the Application of Machine Learning in Pandemic Management. BioDrugs 2023; 37:649-674. [PMID: 37464099 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00611-8] [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] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, machine learning (ML) techniques have garnered considerable interest for their potential use in accelerating the rate of drug discovery. With the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, the utilization of ML has become even more crucial in the search for effective antiviral medications. The pandemic has presented the scientific community with a unique challenge, and the rapid identification of potential treatments has become an urgent priority. Researchers have been able to accelerate the process of identifying drug candidates, repurposing existing drugs, and designing new compounds with desirable properties using machine learning in drug discovery. To train predictive models, ML techniques in drug discovery rely on the analysis of large datasets, including both experimental and clinical data. These models can be used to predict the biological activities, potential side effects, and interactions with specific target proteins of drug candidates. This strategy has proven to be an effective method for identifying potential coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other disease treatments. This paper offers a thorough analysis of the various ML techniques implemented to combat COVID-19, including supervised and unsupervised learning, deep learning, and natural language processing. The paper discusses the impact of these techniques on pandemic drug development, including the identification of potential treatments, the understanding of the disease mechanism, and the creation of effective and safe therapeutics. The lessons learned can be applied to future outbreaks and drug discovery initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander H Williams
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
- GSK Upper Providence, 1250 S. Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA, 19426, USA
| | - Chang-Guo Zhan
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
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