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Tvaroška I, Kozmon S, Kóňa J. Molecular Modeling Insights into the Structure and Behavior of Integrins: A Review. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020324. [PMID: 36672259 PMCID: PMC9856412 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Integrins are heterodimeric glycoproteins crucial to the physiology and pathology of many biological functions. As adhesion molecules, they mediate immune cell trafficking, migration, and immunological synapse formation during inflammation and cancer. The recognition of the vital roles of integrins in various diseases revealed their therapeutic potential. Despite the great effort in the last thirty years, up to now, only seven integrin-based drugs have entered the market. Recent progress in deciphering integrin functions, signaling, and interactions with ligands, along with advancement in rational drug design strategies, provide an opportunity to exploit their therapeutic potential and discover novel agents. This review will discuss the molecular modeling methods used in determining integrins' dynamic properties and in providing information toward understanding their properties and function at the atomic level. Then, we will survey the relevant contributions and the current understanding of integrin structure, activation, the binding of essential ligands, and the role of molecular modeling methods in the rational design of antagonists. We will emphasize the role played by molecular modeling methods in progress in these areas and the designing of integrin antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Tvaroška
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Correspondence:
| | - Stanislav Kozmon
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Medical Vision o. z., Záhradnícka 4837/55, 821 08 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Kóňa
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Medical Vision o. z., Záhradnícka 4837/55, 821 08 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Reis MH, Antunes D, Santos LHS, Guimarães ACR, Caffarena ER. Shared Binding Mode of Perrottetinene and Tetrahydrocannabinol Diastereomers inside the CB1 Receptor May Incentivize Novel Medicinal Drug Design: Findings from an in Silico Assay. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:4289-4300. [PMID: 33201672 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00547] [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: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, therapeutic compounds derived from phytocannabinoids have brought renewed attention to the benefits they offer to ameliorate chronic disease symptoms. Among cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a well-known component of the Cannabis plant, whose active principles have been studied through the years. Another psychoactive phytocannabinoid, derived from liverworts Radula, perrottetinene (PET), has created interest, especially as a pharmaceutical product and for its legal recreational use. Unfortunately, so far, the interaction mode of these compounds at the type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R) binding site remains unknown, and no experimental three-dimensional structure in complex with THC or PET is available in the Protein Data Bank. Today, many computational methodologies can assist in this crusade and help unveil how these molecules bind, based on the already known pose of a structurally similar compound. In this work, we aim to elucidate the binding mode of THC and PET molecules in both cis and trans conformers, using a combination of several computational methodologies, including molecular docking, molecular dynamics, free energy calculations, and protein-energy network studies. We found that THC and PET interact similarly with the CB1R, in a different conformation depending on the considered diastereomer. We have observed that cis ligands adopted a half-chair conformation of the cycle ring containing the dimethyl group, assuming an axial or equatorial conformation producing a different induced fitting of the surrounding residues compared with trans ligands, with higher interaction energy than the trans conformer. For PET, we have seen that Trp-279 and Trp-356 have a marked influence on the binding. After binding, Trp-279 accommodates its side chain to better interact with the PET's terminal phenyl group, disturbing CB1R residues communication. The interaction with Trp-356 might impair the activation of CB1R and can influence the binding of PET as a partial agonist. Understanding the PET association with CB1R from a molecular perspective can offer a glimpse of preventing potential toxicological or recreational effects since it is an attractive lead for drug development with fewer side effects than trans-THC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Henrique Reis
- Grupo de Biofísica Computacional e Modelagem Molecular, Programa de Computação Científica, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Deborah Antunes
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Bioinformática, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Lucianna H S Santos
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Ramos Guimarães
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Bioinformática, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Ernesto Raul Caffarena
- Grupo de Biofísica Computacional e Modelagem Molecular, Programa de Computação Científica, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
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Abstract
Computational methods, applied at the early stages of the drug design process, use current technology to provide valuable insights into the understanding of chemical systems in a virtual manner, complementing experimental analysis. Molecular docking is an in silico method employed to foresee binding modes of small compounds or macromolecules in contact with a receptor and to predict their molecular interactions. Moreover, the methodology opens up the possibility of ranking these compounds according to a hierarchy determined using particular scoring functions. Docking protocols assign many approximations, and most of them lack receptor flexibility. Therefore, the reliability of the resulting protein-ligand complexes is uncertain. The association with the costly but more accurate MD techniques provides significant complementary with docking. MD simulations can be used before docking since a series of "new" and broader protein conformations can be extracted from the processing of the resulting trajectory and employed as targets for docking. They also can be utilized a posteriori to optimize the structures of the final complexes from docking, calculate more detailed interaction energies, and provide information about the ligand binding mechanism. Here, we focus on protocols that offer the docking-MD combination as a logical approach to improving the drug discovery process.
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De Marco R, Mazzotti G, Dattoli SD, Baiula M, Spampinato S, Greco A, Gentilucci L. 5-aminomethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione hybrid α/β-dipeptide scaffolds as inductors of constrained conformations: Applications to the synthesis of integrin antagonists. Biopolymers 2016. [PMID: 26211418 DOI: 10.1002/bip.22704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Peptidomimetics represent an attractive starting point for drug discovery programs; in particular, peptidomimetics that result from the incorporation of a heterocycle may take advantage of increased enzymatic stability and higher ability to reproduce the bioactive conformations of the parent peptides, resulting in enhanced therapeutic potential. Herein, we present mimetics of the α4β1 integrin antagonist BIO1211 (MPUPA-Leu-Asp-Val-Pro-OH), containing a aminomethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione scaffold (Amo). Interestingly, the retro-sequences PhCOAsp(OH)-Amo-APUMP including either (S)- or (R)-configured Amo displayed significant ability to inhibit the adhesion of α4β1 integrin expressing cells, and remarkable stability in mouse serum. Possibly, the conformational bias exerted by the Amo scaffold determined the affinity for the receptors. These peptidomimetics could be of interest for the development of small-molecule agents effective against inflammatory processes and correlated autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella De Marco
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, via Selmi 2, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Giacomo Mazzotti
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, via Selmi 2, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Samantha D Dattoli
- Department of Pharmacy and BioTechnology, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Monica Baiula
- Department of Pharmacy and BioTechnology, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Santi Spampinato
- Department of Pharmacy and BioTechnology, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Arianna Greco
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, via Selmi 2, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Luca Gentilucci
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, via Selmi 2, Bologna, 40126, Italy
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De Marco R, Tolomelli A, Juaristi E, Gentilucci L. Integrin Ligands with α/β-Hybrid Peptide Structure: Design, Bioactivity, and Conformational Aspects. Med Res Rev 2016; 36:389-424. [PMID: 26777675 DOI: 10.1002/med.21383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Integrins are cell surface receptors for proteins of the extracellular matrix and plasma-borne adhesive proteins. Their involvement in diverse pathologies prompted medicinal chemists to develop small-molecule antagonists, and very often such molecules are peptidomimetics designed on the basis of the short native ligand-integrin recognition motifs. This review deals with peptidomimetic integrin ligands composed of α- and β-amino acids. The roles exerted by the β-amino acid components are discussed in terms of biological activity, bioavailability, and selectivity. Special attention is paid to the synthetic accessibility and efficiency of conformationally constrained heterocyclic scaffolds incorporating α/β-amino acid span.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella De Marco
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician,", University of Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Tolomelli
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician,", University of Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eusebio Juaristi
- Department of Chemistry, Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Avenida IPN 2508, esquina Ticoman, Mexico, D.F., 07360, Mexico
| | - Luca Gentilucci
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician,", University of Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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Tolomelli A, Baiula M, Viola A, Ferrazzano L, Gentilucci L, Dattoli S, Spampinato S, Juaristi E, Escudero M. Dehydro-β-proline Containing α4β1 Integrin Antagonists: Stereochemical Recognition in Ligand-Receptor Interplay. ACS Med Chem Lett 2015; 6:701-6. [PMID: 26101577 PMCID: PMC4468404 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5b00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel class of dehydro-β-proline-containing peptidomimetics, designed to be effective as α4β1 integrin ligands, has been developed on the basis of the fundamental requirements for the interactions of these transmembrane receptors with bioactive ligands. Dehydro-β-proline ring has been synthesized through an original pathway, involving ring closing metathesis of a diallylamino derivative. The synthesized products showed to be effective and selective as α4β1 integrin antagonists and displayed IC50 values in the nanomolar range in cell adhesion inhibition assays and in VCAM-1-induced phosphorylation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinases. Significant activity was observed also toward the homologous integrin α4β7, while they did not display any activity toward selected members of β1, β2, and β3 families. A strong dependence on the stereochemistry of the heterocyclic central core could be observed. The great importance of α4β1 integrin in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases suggests a possible exploitation of these ligands as lead compounds for therapeutic tools development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Tolomelli
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Monica Baiula
- Department of Pharmacy
and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Angelo Viola
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Lucia Ferrazzano
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Gentilucci
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Samantha
Deianira Dattoli
- Department of Pharmacy
and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Santi Spampinato
- Department of Pharmacy
and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Eusebio Juaristi
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto
Politécnico Nacional, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco 07360, México
| | - Margarita Escudero
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto
Politécnico Nacional, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco 07360, México
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KABANDA MWADHAMM, EBENSO ENOE. DFT STUDY OF THE PROTONATION AND DEPROTONATION ENTHALPIES OF BENZOXAZOLE, 1,2-BENZISOXAZOLE AND 2,1-BENZISOXAZOLE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE STRUCTURES AND ENERGIES OF THEIR ADDUCTS WITH EXPLICIT WATER MOLECULES. JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL & COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY 2013. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219633613500703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Benzoxazole, 1,2-benzisoxazole and 2,1-benzisoxazole are biologically active molecules with potential applications in drug design. Their interaction with aqueous medium in biological systems may be simulated by considering their interaction with explicit water molecules. Such studies provide information on the structures, energies and type of interactions stabilizing the resulting geometric systems. The objective of the current study was to utilize theoretical approaches to investigate the structures, stabilization energy and binding energy of benzoxazole–water, 1,2-benzisoxazole–water and 2,1-benzisoxazole–water complexes. The calculations were performed utilizing the density functional theory (DFT)/M06-2X/6-311 ++ G(d,p) method and the DFT/ωB97XD method with both the 6-311 ++ G(d,p) and the aug-cc-pVDZ basis sets. The results suggest that the stability of the different clusters depends on interrelated factors including the rings formed by intermolecular hydrogen bonds and the proton affinity (PA) or acidity of the atoms forming the intermolecular hydrogen bonds with the water molecules. A comparison across methods indicates that the results follow similar trends with different methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- MWADHAM M. KABANDA
- Material Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
| | - ENO E. EBENSO
- Material Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
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