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de Carvalho Matias EG, Bezerra KS, Costa AHL, Clemente Junior WS, Oliveira JIN, Ribeiro Junior LA, Galvão DS, Fulco UL. Quantum biochemical analysis of the TtgR regulator and effectors. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8519. [PMID: 38609407 PMCID: PMC11015042 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58441-9] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The recent expansion of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens poses significant challenges in treating healthcare-associated infections. Although antibacterial resistance occurs by numerous mechanisms, active efflux of the drugs is a critical concern. A single species of efflux pump can produce a simultaneous resistance to several drugs. One of the best-studied efflux pumps is the TtgABC: a tripartite resistance-nodulation-division (RND) efflux pump implicated in the intrinsic antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E. The expression of the TtgABC gene is down-regulated by the HTH-type transcriptional repressor TtgR. In this context, by employing quantum chemistry methods based on the Density Functional Theory (DFT) within the Molecular Fragmentation with Conjugate Caps (MFCC) approach, we investigate the coupling profiles of the transcriptional regulator TtgR in complex with quercetin (QUE), a natural polyphenolic flavonoid, tetracycline (TAC), and chloramphenicol (CLM), two broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. Our quantum biochemical computational results show the: [i] convergence radius, [ii] total binding energy, [iii] relevance (energetically) of the ligands regions, and [iv] most relevant amino acids residues of the TtgR-QUE/TAC/CLM complexes, pointing out distinctions and similarities among them. These findings improve the understanding of the binding mechanism of effectors and facilitate the development of new chemicals targeting TtgR, helping in the battle against the rise of resistance to antimicrobial drugs. These advances are crucial in the ongoing fight against rising antimicrobial drug resistance, providing hope for a future where healthcare-associated infections can be more beneficially treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- E G de Carvalho Matias
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - K S Bezerra
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - A H Lima Costa
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - W S Clemente Junior
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - J I N Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - L A Ribeiro Junior
- Institute of Physics, University of Brasília, Brasília, 70919-970, Brazil.
| | - D S Galvão
- Applied Physics Department, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - U L Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
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2
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da Rocha JM, Campos DMDO, Esmaile SC, Menezes GDL, Bezerra KS, da Silva RA, Junior EDDS, Tayyeb JZ, Akash S, Fulco UL, Alqahtani T, Oliveira JIN. Quantum biochemical analysis of the binding interactions between a potential inhibitory drug and the Ebola viral glycoprotein. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38258414 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2305314] [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: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Ebola virus disease (EVD) causes outbreaks and epidemics in West Africa that persist until today. The envelope glycoprotein of Ebola virus (GP) consists of two subunits, GP1 and GP2, and plays a key role in anchoring or fusing the virus to the host cell in its active form on the virion surface. Toremifene (TOR) is a ligand that mainly acts as an estrogen receptor antagonist; however, a recent study showed a strong and efficient interaction with GP. In this context, we aimed to evaluate the energetic affinity features involved in the interaction between GP and toremifene by computer simulation techniques using the Molecular Fractionation Method with Conjugate Caps (MFCC) scheme and quantum-mechanical (QM) calculations, as well as missense mutations to assess protein stability. We identified ASP522, GLU100, TYR517, THR519, LEU186, LEU515 as the most attractive residues in the EBOV glycoprotein structure that form the binding pocket. We divided toremifene into three regions and evaluated that region i was more important than region iii and region ii for the formation of the TOR-GP1/GP2 complex, which might control the molecular remodeling process of TOR. The mutations that caused more destabilization were ARG134, LEU515, TYR517 and ARG559, while those that caused stabilization were GLU523 and ASP522. TYR517 is a critical residue for the binding of TOR, and is highly conserved among EBOV species. Our results may help to elucidate the mechanism of drug action on the GP protein of the Ebola virus and subsequently develop new pharmacological approaches against EVD.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaerdyson M da Rocha
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Daniel M de O Campos
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Stephany C Esmaile
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Gabriela de L Menezes
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Katyanna S Bezerra
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Roosevelt A da Silva
- Core Collaboratives of BioSistemas, Special Unit of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Jataí, Jataí, GO, Brazil
| | - Edilson D da S Junior
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Jehad Zuhair Tayyeb
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shopnil Akash
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Birulia, Ashulia, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Umberto L Fulco
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Taha Alqahtani
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jonas I N Oliveira
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
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3
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Lima Costa AH, Bezerra KS, de Lima Neto JX, Oliveira JIN, Galvão DS, Fulco UL. Deciphering Interactions between Potential Inhibitors and the Plasmodium falciparum DHODH Enzyme: A Computational Perspective. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:9461-9475. [PMID: 37897437 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c05738] [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: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a parasitic disease that, in its most severe form, can even lead to death. Insect-resistant vectors, insufficiently effective vaccines, and drugs that cannot stop parasitic infestations are making the fight against the disease increasingly difficult. It is known that the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is of paramount importance for the synthesis of pyrimidine from the Plasmodium precursor, that is, for its growth and reproduction. Therefore, its blockade can lead to disruption of the parasite's life cycle in the vertebrate host. In this scenario, PfDHODH inhibitors have been considered candidates for a new therapy to stop the parasitic energy source. Given what is known, in this work, we applied molecular fractionation with conjugated caps (MFCC) in the framework of the quantum formalism of density functional theory (DFT) to evaluate the energies of the interactions between the enzyme and the different triazolopyrimidines (DSM483, DMS557, and DSM1), including a complex carrying the mutation C276F. From these results, it was possible to identify the main features of each system, focusing on the wild-type and mutant PfDHODH and examining the major amino acid residues that are part of the four complexes. Our analysis provides new information that can be used to develop new drugs that could prove to be more effective alternatives to present antimalarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aranthya Hevelly Lima Costa
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Katyanna Sales Bezerra
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
- Applied Physics Department, University of Campinas, 130838-59 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Xavier de Lima Neto
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Jonas Ivan Nobre Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Douglas Soares Galvão
- Applied Physics Department, University of Campinas, 130838-59 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Umberto Laino Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
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4
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Sinha P, Yadav AK. Identification of 3, 4-dihydroxy complexes as potential antiviral via DFT, molecular docking, molecular dynamics and MM/PBSA against rabies and dengue receptors. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37580968 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2246572] [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: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
The quest to identify antiviral drug candidates for dengue and rabies viral diseases is a great challenge for the researchers. While different research is being conducted on the repurposed drugs against these two viruses, no drug compound has gained success in treating them. Therefore, in this study, 3, 4-dihydroxy complexes have been virtually designed to investigate their antiviral properties and analyze their efficiency in interaction with the concerned viral diseases. DFT calculations are carried out to study the electronic and thermodynamic properties to understand the stability and reactivity of the reported compounds. These compounds were subjected to molecular docking studies to understand the binding interactions with NS5 Dengue virus mRNA 2'-O-methyltransferase and phosphoprotein C-terminal domain of Rabies virus. MD simulation, hydrogen bond analysis, and MM/PBSA were performed at 100 ns to support the obtained docking results.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashasti Sinha
- Department of Physics, School of Physical & Decision Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anil Kumar Yadav
- Department of Physics, School of Physical & Decision Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
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5
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Tillmanns J, Häge S, Borst EM, Wardin J, Eickhoff J, Klebl B, Wagner S, Wangen C, Hahn F, Socher E, Marschall M. Assessment of Covalently Binding Warhead Compounds in the Validation of the Cytomegalovirus Nuclear Egress Complex as an Antiviral Target. Cells 2023; 12:cells12081162. [PMID: 37190072 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Herpesviral nuclear egress is a regulated process of viral capsid nucleocytoplasmic release. Due to the large capsid size, a regular transport via the nuclear pores is unfeasible, so that a multistage-regulated export pathway through the nuclear lamina and both leaflets of the nuclear membrane has evolved. This process involves regulatory proteins, which support the local distortion of the nuclear envelope. For human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), the nuclear egress complex (NEC) is determined by the pUL50-pUL53 core that initiates multicomponent assembly with NEC-associated proteins and capsids. The transmembrane NEC protein pUL50 serves as a multi-interacting determinant that recruits regulatory proteins by direct and indirect contacts. The nucleoplasmic core NEC component pUL53 is strictly associated with pUL50 in a structurally defined hook-into-groove complex and is considered as the potential capsid-binding factor. Recently, we validated the concept of blocking the pUL50-pUL53 interaction by small molecules as well as cell-penetrating peptides or an overexpression of hook-like constructs, which can lead to a pronounced degree of antiviral activity. In this study, we extended this strategy by utilizing covalently binding warhead compounds, originally designed as binders of distinct cysteine residues in target proteins, such as regulatory kinases. Here, we addressed the possibility that warheads may likewise target viral NEC proteins, building on our previous crystallization-based structural analyses that revealed distinct cysteine residues in positions exposed from the hook-into-groove binding surface. To this end, the antiviral and NEC-binding properties of a selection of 21 warhead compounds were investigated. The combined findings are as follows: (i) warhead compounds exhibited a pronounced anti-HCMV potential in cell-culture-based infection models; (ii) computational analysis of NEC primary sequences and 3D structures revealed cysteine residues exposed to the hook-into-groove interaction surface; (iii) several of the active hit compounds exhibited NEC-blocking activity, as shown at the single-cell level by confocal imaging; (iv) the clinically approved warhead drug ibrutinib exerted a strong inhibitory impact on the pUL50-pUL53 core NEC interaction, as demonstrated by the NanoBiT assay system; and (v) the generation of recombinant HCMV ∆UL50-ΣUL53, allowing the assessment of viral replication under conditional expression of the viral core NEC proteins, was used for characterizing viral replication and a mechanistic evaluation of ibrutinib antiviral efficacy. Combined, the results point to a rate-limiting importance of the HCMV core NEC for viral replication and to the option of exploiting this determinant by the targeting of covalently NEC-binding warhead compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Tillmanns
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sigrun Häge
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eva Maria Borst
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Julia Wardin
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Eickhoff
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC), 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Bert Klebl
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC), 44227 Dortmund, Germany
- The Norwegian College of Fishery Science UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Sabrina Wagner
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christina Wangen
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Friedrich Hahn
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eileen Socher
- Institute of Anatomy, Functional and Clinical Anatomy, FAU, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manfred Marschall
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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6
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França VLB, Amaral JL, Martins YA, Caetano EWS, Brunaldi K, Freire VN. Characterization of the binding interaction between atrazine and human serum albumin: Fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular dynamics and quantum biochemistry. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 366:110130. [PMID: 36037875 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Atrazine (ATR), one of the most used herbicides worldwide, causes persistent contamination of water and soil due to its high resistance to degradation. ATR is associated with low fertility and increased risk of prostate cancer in humans, as well as birth defects, low birth weight and premature delivery. Describing ATR binding to human serum albumin (HSA) is clinically relevant to future studies about pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicity of ATR, as albumin is the most abundant carrier protein in plasma and binds important small biological molecules. In this work we characterize, for the first time, the binding of ATR to HSA by using fluorescence spectroscopy and performing simulations using molecular docking, classical molecular dynamics and quantum biochemistry based on density functional theory (DFT). We determine the most likely binding sites of ATR to HSA, highlighting the fatty acid binding site FA8 (located between subdomains IA-IB-IIA and IIB-IIIA-IIIB) as the most important one, and evaluate each nearby amino acid residue contribution to the binding interactions explaining the fluorescence quenching due to ATR complexation with HSA. The stabilization of the ATR/FA8 complex was also aided by the interaction between the atrazine ring and SER454 (hydrogen bond) and LEU481(alkyl interaction).
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor L B França
- Departament of Physics, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60440-900, Brazil
| | - Jackson L Amaral
- Departament of Physics, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60440-900, Brazil
| | - Yandara A Martins
- Departament of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Ewerton W S Caetano
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60040-531, Brazil
| | - Kellen Brunaldi
- Departament of Physiological Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, 87020-900, Brazil.
| | - Valder N Freire
- Departament of Physics, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60440-900, Brazil.
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7
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Santos JLS, Bezerra KS, Barbosa ED, Pereira ACL, Meurer YSR, Oliveira JIN, Gavioli EC, Fulco UL. In silico analysis of energy interactions between nociceptin/orfanin FQ receptor and two antagonists with potential antidepressive action. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2nj00916a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This study addresses the binding energies of NOPR-ligand complexes and presents the main amino acid residues involved in the interaction between these complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. L. S. Santos
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - K. S. Bezerra
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - E. D. Barbosa
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - A. C. L. Pereira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Y. S. R. Meurer
- Departamento de Psicologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa-PB, Brazil
| | - J. I. N. Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - E. C. Gavioli
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - U. L. Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal-RN, Brazil
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8
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Barbosa ED, Lima Neto JX, Bezerra KS, Oliveira JIN, Machado LD, Fulco UL. Quantum Biochemical Investigation of Lys49-PLA 2 from Bothrops moojeni. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:12972-12980. [PMID: 34793159 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c07298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Envenomation via snakebites occurs largely in areas where it is harder to access the hospital. Its mortality rate and sequelae acquired by the survivors symbolize a big challenge for antivenom therapy. In particular, the homologous phospholipase A2 (Lys49-PLA2) proteins can induce myonecrosis and are not effectively neutralized by current treatments. Thus, by taking advantage of crystallographic structures of Bothrops moojeni Lys49-PLA2 complexed with VRD (varespladib) and AIN (aspirin), a quantum biochemistry study based on the molecular fractionation with conjugate cap scheme within the density functional theory formalism is performed to unveil these complexes' detailed interaction energies. The calculations revealed that important interactions between ligands and the Lys49-PLA2 pocket could occur up to a pocket radius of r = 6.5 (5.0 Å) for VRD (AIN), with the total interaction energy of the VRD ligand being higher than that of the AIN ligand, which is well-correlated with the experimental binding affinity. Furthermore, we have identified the role played by the amino acids LYS0069, LYS0049, LEU0005, ILE0009, CYS0029, GLY0030, HIS0048, PRO0018, ALA0019, CYS0045, TYR0052, TYR0022, PRO0125*, and PHE0126* (LYS0069, LYS0049, GLY0032, LEU0002, and LEU0005) in the VRD↔Lys49-PLA2 (AIN↔Lys49-PLA2) complex. Our simulations are a valuable tool to support the big challenge for neutralizing the damages in victims of snakebites.
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Affiliation(s)
- E D Barbosa
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59072-970, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - J X Lima Neto
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59072-970, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - K S Bezerra
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59072-970, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - J I N Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59072-970, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - L D Machado
- Departamento de Física Teórica e Experimental, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59072-970, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - U L Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59072-970, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
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9
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Saranya V, Radhika R, Shankar R, Vijayakumar S. In silico studies of the inhibition mechanism of dengue with papain. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:1912-1927. [PMID: 32249700 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1742205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Dengue virus is becoming a major global disease; the envelope protein is the major target for vaccine development against Dengue. Nowadays, the attention has focused on developing inhibitors based on Papain is a promising target for treating Dengue. In the present work, the theoretical studies of E-protein(Cys74-Glu79;Lys110)…Papain(Cys25, Asn175 and His159) complexes are analysed by Density Functional Theory (M06-2X/cc-pVDZ) method. Among the E-protein(Cys74-Glu79;Lys110)…Papain(Cys25, Asn175 and Hys159) complexes, E-protein(Glu76)…Papain(Cys25) complex has the highest interaction value of -352.22 kcal/mol. Moreover, the natural bond orbital analysis also supports the above results. The 100 ns Molecular Dynamics simulation reveals that, E-protein(Ala54-Ile129)…Papain(Cys25) complex had the lowest root mean square deviation value of 1 Å compared to the E-protein(Ala54-Ile129)… Papain(Asn175 & His159) complexes. The salt bridge formation between the Asp103 and Lys110 residues are the important stabilizing factor in E-protein(Ala54-Ile129)…Papain(Cys25) complex. This result can extend our knowledge of the functional behaviour of Papain and provides structural insight to target Envelope protein as forthcoming drug targets in Dengue.
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10
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Bezerra KS, Vianna JF, Lima Neto JX, Ivan Nobre Oliveira J, Albuquerque EL, Fulco UL. Interaction energies between two antiandrogenic and one androgenic agonist receptor in the presence of a T877A mutation in prostate cancer: a quantum chemistry analysis. NEW J CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/c9nj06276a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
We provide a detailed picture of the interactions between the androgen receptor T877A mutation and three different compounds used in the treatment of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. S. Bezerra
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | - J. F. Vianna
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | - J. X. Lima Neto
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | - J. Ivan Nobre Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | - E. L. Albuquerque
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | - U. L. Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
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11
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Morais PA, Maia FF, Solis-Calero C, Caetano EWS, Freire VN, Carvalho HF. The urokinase plasminogen activator binding to its receptor: a quantum biochemistry description within an in/homogeneous dielectric function framework with application to uPA–uPAR peptide inhibitors. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:3570-3583. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cp06530j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
DFT calculations using the MFCC fragment-based model considering a spatial-dependent dielectric function based on the Poisson–Boltzmann approximation were performed to describe the uPA–uPAR interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo A. Morais
- Instituto Federal de Educação
- Ciência e Tecnologia do Ceará
- Campus Horizonte
- Horizonte
- Brazil
| | - Francisco Franciné Maia
- Departamento de Ciências Naturais
- Matemática e Estatística
- Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido
- Mossoró
- Brazil
| | - Christian Solis-Calero
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional
- Instituto de Biologia
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas
- Campinas
- Brazil
| | | | | | - Hernandes F. Carvalho
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional
- Instituto de Biologia
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas
- Campinas
- Brazil
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12
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Campos DMO, Bezerra KS, Esmaile SC, Fulco UL, Albuquerque EL, Oliveira JIN. Intermolecular interactions of cn-716 and acyl-KR-aldehyde dipeptide inhibitors against Zika virus. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:15683-15695. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cp02254c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Structural representation and graphic panel showing the most relevant residues that contribute to the ZIKV NS2B–NS3–ligand complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M. O. Campos
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal
- Brazil
| | - Katyanna S. Bezerra
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal
- Brazil
| | - Stephany C. Esmaile
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal
- Brazil
| | - Umberto L. Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal
- Brazil
| | | | - Jonas I. N. Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal
- Brazil
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13
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Lima Neto JX, Bezerra KS, Barbosa ED, Oliveira JIN, Manzoni V, Soares-Rachetti VP, Albuquerque EL, Fulco UL. Exploring the Binding Mechanism of GABAB Receptor Agonists and Antagonists through in Silico Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 60:1005-1018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b01025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- José X. Lima Neto
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Katyanna S. Bezerra
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Emmanuel D. Barbosa
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Jonas I. N. Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Manzoni
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Alagoas, 57072-970 Maceió-AL, Brazil
| | - Vanessa P. Soares-Rachetti
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Eudenilson L. Albuquerque
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Umberto L. Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
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14
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Bezerra KS, Fulco UL, Esmaile SC, Lima Neto JX, Machado LD, Freire VN, Albuquerque EL, Oliveira JIN. Ribosomal RNA-Aminoglycoside Hygromycin B Interaction Energy Calculation within a Density Functional Theory Framework. J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:6421-6429. [PMID: 31283875 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b04468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We intend to investigate the drug-binding energy of each nucleotide inside the aminoglycoside hygromycin B (hygB) binding site of 30S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) subunit by using the molecular fractionation with conjugate caps (MFCC) strategy based on the density functional theory (DFT), considering the functional LDA/PWC, OBS, and the dielectric constant parametrization. Aminoglycosides are bactericidal antibiotics that have high affinity to the prokaryotic rRNA, inhibiting the synthesis of proteins by acting on the main stages of the translation mechanism, whereas binding to rRNA 16S, a component of the 30S ribosomal subunit in prokaryotes. The identification of the nucleotides presenting the most negative binding energies allows us to stabilize hygB in a suitable binding pocket of the 30S ribosomal subunit. In addition, it should be highlighted that mutations in these residues may probably lead to resistance to ribosome-targeting antibiotics. Quantum calculations of aminoglycoside hygromycin B-ribosome complex might contribute to further quantum studies with antibiotics like macrolides and other aminoglycosides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katyanna S Bezerra
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte , 59072-970 Natal-RN , Brazil
| | - Umberto L Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte , 59072-970 Natal-RN , Brazil
| | - Stephany C Esmaile
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte , 59072-970 Natal-RN , Brazil
| | - José X Lima Neto
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte , 59072-970 Natal-RN , Brazil
| | - Leonardo D Machado
- Departamento de Física Teórica e Experimental , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte , 59072-970 Natal-RN , Brazil
| | - Valder N Freire
- Departamento de Física , Universidade Federal do Ceará , 60455-760 Fortaleza-CE , Brazil
| | - Eudenilson L Albuquerque
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte , 59072-970 Natal-RN , Brazil
| | - Jonas I N Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte , 59072-970 Natal-RN , Brazil
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15
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Tavares ABMLA, Lima Neto JX, Fulco UL, Albuquerque EL. A quantum biochemistry approach to investigate checkpoint inhibitor drugs for cancer. NEW J CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1039/c8nj05561k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We investigate the coupling profiles of the receptor PD-1 in complex with its natural ligand PDL1 and two inhibitor drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José X. Lima Neto
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal
- Brazil
| | - Umberto L. Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal
- Brazil
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16
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The electrostatic embedding contribution to DFT calculations of ligand-amino acid residues interaction. J Mol Model 2018; 24:211. [DOI: 10.1007/s00894-018-3743-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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17
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Tavares ABMLA, Lima Neto JX, Fulco UL, Albuquerque EL. Inhibition of the checkpoint protein PD-1 by the therapeutic antibody pembrolizumab outlined by quantum chemistry. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1840. [PMID: 29382901 PMCID: PMC5789983 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20325-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Much of the recent excitement in the cancer immunotherapy approach has been generated by the recognition that immune checkpoint proteins, like the receptor PD-1, can be blocked by antibody-based drugs with profound effects. Promising clinical data have already been released pointing to the efficiency of the drug pembrolizumab to block the PD-1 pathway, triggering the T-lymphocytes to destroy the cancer cells. Thus, a deep understanding of this drug/receptor complex is essential for the improvement of new drugs targeting the protein PD-1. In this context, by employing quantum chemistry methods based on the Density Functional Theory (DFT), we investigate in silico the binding energy features of the receptor PD-1 in complex with its drug inhibitor. Our computational results give a better understanding of the binding mechanisms, being also an efficient alternative towards the development of antibody-based drugs, pointing to new treatments for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Beatriz M L A Tavares
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - José X Lima Neto
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Umberto L Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Eudenilson L Albuquerque
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal, RN, Brazil.
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18
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Bezerra KS, Lima Neto JX, Oliveira JIN, Albuquerque EL, Caetano EWS, Freire VN, Fulco UL. Computational investigation of the α2β1 integrin–collagen triple helix complex interaction. NEW J CHEM 2018. [DOI: 10.1039/c8nj04175j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, quantum biochemistry methods have been used to describe important protein–protein interactions for the complex integrin–collagen.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. S. Bezerra
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | - J. X. Lima Neto
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | - J. I. N. Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | - E. L. Albuquerque
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | - E. W. S. Caetano
- Instituto Federal de Educação
- Ciência e Tecnologia do Ceará
- Fortaleza-CE
- Brazil
| | - V. N. Freire
- Departamento de Física
- Universidade Federal do Ceará
- Fortaleza-CE
- Brazil
| | - U. L. Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
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19
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Lima Neto JX, Soares-Rachetti VP, Albuquerque EL, Manzoni V, Fulco UL. Outlining migrainous through dihydroergotamine–serotonin receptor interactions using quantum biochemistry. NEW J CHEM 2018. [DOI: 10.1039/c7nj03645k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We present the electronic structure of the complex dihydroergotamine–serotonin receptor to unveil new medications to treat migraine and related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- José X. Lima Neto
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | | | | | - Vinicius Manzoni
- Instituto de Física
- Universidade Federal de Alagoas
- Maceio-AL
- Brazil
| | - Umberto L. Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
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20
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de Sousa B, Oliveira J, Albuquerque E, Fulco U, Amaro V, Blaha C. Molecular modelling and quantum biochemistry computations of a naturally occurring bioremediation enzyme: Alkane hydroxylase from Pseudomonas putida P1. J Mol Graph Model 2017; 77:232-239. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2017.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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21
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Neto JXL, Bezerra KS, Manso DN, Mota KB, Oliveira JIN, Albuquerque EL, Caetano EWS, Freire VN, Fulco UL. Energetic description of cilengitide bound to integrin. NEW J CHEM 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7nj02166f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We employ quantum chemistry methods to investigate the binding energy features of the cyclic RGD pentapeptide cilengitide interacting with the integrin receptor αVβ3.
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Affiliation(s)
- José X. Lima Neto
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | - Katyanna S. Bezerra
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | - Dalila N. Manso
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | - Kyvia B. Mota
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | - Jonas I. N. Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
| | | | | | - Valder N. Freire
- Departamento de Física
- Universidade Federal do Ceará
- Fortaleza-CE
- Brazil
| | - Umberto L. Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal-RN
- Brazil
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22
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Martins ACV, de-Lima-Neto P, Caetano EWS, Freire VN. An improved quantum biochemistry description of the glutamate–GluA2 receptor binding within an inhomogeneous dielectric function framework. NEW J CHEM 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c6nj03939a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A new methodology to define the inhomogeneous dielectric constant of protein residues, to apply to the calculation of protein–ligand properties such as the electrostatic interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. C. V. Martins
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Physical-Chemistry
- Federal University of Ceara
- 60455-760 Fortaleza
- Brazil
| | - P. de-Lima-Neto
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Physical-Chemistry
- Federal University of Ceara
- 60455-760 Fortaleza
- Brazil
| | - E. W. S. Caetano
- Federal Institute of Education
- Science and Technology of Ceara
- 60040-531 Fortaleza
- Brazil
| | - V. N. Freire
- Department of Physics
- Federal University of Ceara
- 60455-760 Fortaleza
- Brazil
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23
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Bezerra KS, Oliveira JIN, Lima Neto JX, Albuquerque EL, Caetano EWS, Freire VN, Fulco UL. Quantum binding energy features of the T3-785 collagen-like triple-helical peptide. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra25206k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural representation of the T3-785 collagen-like triple-helical peptide depicting the 15 most and fewest energetically significant amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katyanna S. Bezerra
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal
- Brazil
| | - Jonas I. N. Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal
- Brazil
| | - José X. Lima Neto
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal
- Brazil
| | | | | | - Valder N. Freire
- Departamento de Física
- Universidade Federal do Ceará
- Fortaleza
- Brazil
| | - Umberto L. Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal
- Brazil
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