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Bassotti E, Gabrielli S, Paradossi G, Chiessi E, Telling M. An experimentally representative in-silico protocol for dynamical studies of lyophilised and weakly hydrated amorphous proteins. Commun Chem 2024; 7:83. [PMID: 38609466 PMCID: PMC11014950 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01167-6] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Characterization of biopolymers in both dry and weakly hydrated amorphous states has implications for the pharmaceutical industry since it provides understanding of the effect of lyophilisation on stability and biological activity. Atomistic Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations probe structural and dynamical features related to system functionality. However, while simulations in homogenous aqueous environments are routine, dehydrated model assemblies are a challenge with systems investigated in-silico needing careful consideration; simulated systems potentially differing markedly despite seemingly negligible changes in procedure. Here we propose an in-silico protocol to model proteins in lyophilised and weakly hydrated amorphous states that is both more experimentally representative and routinely applicable. Since the outputs from MD align directly with those accessed by neutron scattering, the efficacy of the simulation protocol proposed is shown by validating against experimental neutron data for apoferritin and insulin. This work also highlights that without cooperative experimental and simulative data, development of simulative procedures using MD alone would prove most challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bassotti
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica I, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Gabrielli
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica I, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Gaio Paradossi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica I, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Ester Chiessi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica I, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Mark Telling
- STFC, ISIS Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11OQX, UK.
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, UK.
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Gorai B, Vashisth H. Progress in Simulation Studies of Insulin Structure and Function. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:908724. [PMID: 35795141 PMCID: PMC9252437 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.908724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Insulin is a peptide hormone known for chiefly regulating glucose level in blood among several other metabolic processes. Insulin remains the most effective drug for treating diabetes mellitus. Insulin is synthesized in the pancreatic β-cells where it exists in a compact hexameric architecture although its biologically active form is monomeric. Insulin exhibits a sequence of conformational variations during the transition from the hexamer state to its biologically-active monomer state. The structural transitions and the mechanism of action of insulin have been investigated using several experimental and computational methods. This review primarily highlights the contributions of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in elucidating the atomic-level details of conformational dynamics in insulin, where the structure of the hormone has been probed as a monomer, dimer, and hexamer. The effect of solvent, pH, temperature, and pressure have been probed at the microscopic scale. Given the focus of this review on the structure of the hormone, simulation studies involving interactions between the hormone and its receptor are only briefly highlighted, and studies on other related peptides (e.g., insulin-like growth factors) are not discussed. However, the review highlights conformational dynamics underlying the activities of reported insulin analogs and mimetics. The future prospects for computational methods in developing promising synthetic insulin analogs are also briefly highlighted.
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Ong SC, Belgi A, Merriman AL, Delaine CA, van Lierop B, Andrikopoulos S, Robinson AJ, Forbes BE. Minimizing Mitogenic Potency of Insulin Analogues Through Modification of a Disulfide Bond. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:907864. [PMID: 35832429 PMCID: PMC9271792 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.907864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms by which insulin activates the insulin receptor to promote metabolic processes and cellular growth are still not clear. Significant advances have been gained from recent structural studies in understanding how insulin binds to its receptor. However, the way in which specific interactions lead to either metabolic or mitogenic signalling remains unknown. Currently there are only a few examples of insulin receptor agonists that have biased signalling properties. Here we use novel insulin analogues that differ only in the chemical composition at the A6-A11 bond, as it has been changed to a rigid, non-reducible C=C linkage (dicarba bond), to reveal mechanisms underlying signaling bias. We show that introduction of an A6-A11 cis-dicarba bond into either native insulin or the basal/long acting insulin glargine results in biased signalling analogues with low mitogenic potency. This can be attributed to reduced insulin receptor activation that prevents effective receptor internalization and mitogenic signalling. Insight gained into the receptor interactions affected by insertion of an A6-A11 cis-dicarba bond will ultimately assist in the development of new insulin analogues for the treatment of diabetes that confer low mitogenic activity and therefore pose minimal risk of promoting cancer with long term use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shee Chee Ong
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Alessia Belgi
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Allanah L. Merriman
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Carlie A. Delaine
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Briony E. Forbes
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Briony E. Forbes,
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Murar CE, Ninomiya M, Shimura S, Karakus U, Boyman O, Bode JW. Chemical Synthesis of Interleukin‐2 and Disulfide Stabilizing Analogues. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201916053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia E. Murar
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences ETH Zürich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Mamiko Ninomiya
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences ETH Zürich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Satomi Shimura
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences ETH Zürich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Ufuk Karakus
- Department of Immunology University Hospital Zurich Gloriastrasse 23 8091 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Onur Boyman
- Department of Immunology University Hospital Zurich Gloriastrasse 23 8091 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Jeffrey W. Bode
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences ETH Zürich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zürich Switzerland
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Murar CE, Ninomiya M, Shimura S, Karakus U, Boyman O, Bode JW. Chemical Synthesis of Interleukin-2 and Disulfide Stabilizing Analogues. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:8425-8429. [PMID: 32032465 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201916053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Chemical protein synthesis allows the construction of well-defined structural variations and facilitates the development of deeper understanding of protein structure-function relationships and new protein engineering strategies. Herein, we report the chemical synthesis of interleukin-2 (IL-2) variants on a multimilligram scale and the formation of non-natural disulfide mimetics that improve stability against reduction. The synthesis was accomplished by convergent KAHA ligations; the acidic conditions of KAHA ligation proved to be valuable for the solubilization of the hydrophobic segments of IL-2. The bioactivity of the synthetic IL-2 and its analogues were shown to be equipotent to recombinant IL-2 and exhibit improved stability against reducing agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia E Murar
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mamiko Ninomiya
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Satomi Shimura
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ufuk Karakus
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, Gloriastrasse 23, 8091, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Onur Boyman
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, Gloriastrasse 23, 8091, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jeffrey W Bode
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
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Zheng N, Karra P, VandenBerg MA, Kim JH, Webber MJ, Holland WL, Chou DHC. Synthesis and Characterization of an A6-A11 Methylene Thioacetal Human Insulin Analogue with Enhanced Stability. J Med Chem 2019; 62:11437-11443. [PMID: 31804076 PMCID: PMC7217704 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Insulin has been a life-saving drug for millions of people with diabetes. However, several challenges exist which limit therapeutic benefits and reduce patient convenience. One key challenge is the fibrillation propensity, which necessitates refrigeration for storage. To address this limitation, we chemically synthesized and evaluated a methylene thioacetal human insulin analogue (SCS-Ins). The synthesized SCS-Ins showed enhanced serum stability and aggregation resistance while retaining bioactivity compared with native insulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
| | - Prasoona Karra
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
| | - Michael A. VandenBerg
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States
| | - Jin Hwan Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
| | - Matthew J. Webber
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States
| | - William L. Holland
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
| | - Danny Hung-Chieh Chou
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
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Ryberg LA, Sønderby P, Bukrinski JT, Harris P, Peters GHJ. Investigations of Albumin–Insulin Detemir Complexes Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Free Energy Calculations. Mol Pharm 2019; 17:132-144. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Line A. Ryberg
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pernille Sønderby
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Pernille Harris
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Günther H. J. Peters
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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8
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Herndon JW. The chemistry of the carbon-transition metal double and triple bond: Annual survey covering the year 2018. Coord Chem Rev 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2019.213051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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