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Homodimeric complexes of the 90-231 human prion: a multilayered computational study based on FMO/GRID-DRY approach. J Mol Model 2022; 28:241. [PMID: 35918494 PMCID: PMC9345805 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-022-05244-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The molecular interaction properties and aggregation capabilities disclosed by PrP-E200K, a pathogenic mutant of the human prion protein, were investigated in detail using multilayered computational approaches. In a previous work, we reported that the electrostatic complementarity between region1 (negative) and region3 (positive) has been assumed to lead to a head-to tail interaction between 120 and 231 PrP-E200K units and to initiation of the aggregation process. In this work, we extended the PrP-E200K structure by including the unstructured 90–120 segment which was found to assume different conformations. Plausible models of 90–231 PrP-E200K dimers were calculated and analyzed in depth to identify the nature of the involved protein–protein interactions. The unstructured 90–120 segment was found to extend the positively charged region3 involved in the association of PrP-E200K units which resulted to be driven by hydrophobic interactions. The combination of molecular dynamics, protein–protein docking, grid-based mapping, and fragment molecular orbital approaches allowed us to provide a plausible mechanism of the early state of 90–231 PrP-E200K aggregation, considered a preliminary step of amyloid conversion.
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Uliassi E, Nikolic L, Bolognesi ML, Legname G. Therapeutic strategies for identifying small molecules against prion diseases. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 392:337-347. [PMID: 34989851 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-021-03573-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders, for which there are no effective therapeutic and diagnostic agents. The main pathological hallmark has been identified as conformational changes of the cellular isoform prion protein (PrPC) to a misfolded isoform of the prion protein (PrPSc). Targeting PrPC and its conversion to PrPSc is still the central dogma in prion drug discovery, particularly in in silico and in vitro screening endeavors, leading to the identification of many small molecules with therapeutic potential. Nonetheless, multiple pathological targets are critically involved in the intricate pathogenesis of prion diseases. In this context, multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) emerge as valuable therapeutic approach for their potential to effectively counteract the complex etiopathogenesis by simultaneously modulating multiple targets. In addition, diagnosis occurs late in the disease process, and consequently a successful therapeutic intervention cannot be provided. In this respect, small molecule theranostics, which combine imaging and therapeutic properties, showed tremendous potential to cure and diagnose in vivo prion diseases. Herein, we review the major advances in prion drug discovery, from anti-prion small molecules identified by means of in silico and in vitro screening approaches to two rational strategies, namely MTDLs and theranostics, that have led to the identification of novel compounds with an expanded anti-prion profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lea Nikolic
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy.
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Agamennone M, Storchi L, Marrone A, Paciotti R. Hampering the early aggregation of PrP-E200K protein by charge-based inhibitors: a computational study. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2021; 35:751-770. [PMID: 34110550 PMCID: PMC8213589 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-021-00393-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A multilayered computational workflow was designed to identify a druggable binding site on the surface of the E200K pathogenic mutant of the human prion protein, and to investigate the effect of the binding of small molecules in the inhibition of the early aggregation of this protein. At this purpose, we developed an efficient computational tool to scan the molecular interaction properties of a whole MD trajectory, thus leading to the characterization of plausible binding regions on the surface of PrP-E200K. These structural data were then employed to drive structure-based virtual screening and fragment-based approaches to the seeking of small molecular binders of the PrP-E200K. Six promising compounds were identified, and their binding stabilities were assessed by MD simulations. Therefore, analyses of the molecular electrostatic potential similarity between the bound complexes and unbound protein evidenced their potential activity as charged-based inhibitors of the PrP-E200K early aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Loriano Storchi
- Department of Pharmacy, University "G d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Molecular Discovery Limited, Middlesex, London, UK
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Department of Pharmacy, University "G d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Roberto Paciotti
- Department of Pharmacy, University "G d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
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4
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Storchi L, Remoli AL, Marsili G, Acchioni C, Acchioni M, Battistini A, Sgarbanti M, Marrone A. A model of the three-dimensional structure of human interferon responsive factor 1 and its modifications upon phosphorylation or phosphorylation-mimicking mutations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2019; 37:4632-4643. [PMID: 30569833 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2018.1557558] [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: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Interferon responsive factor 1 (IRF-1) is a pleiotropic transcription factor, possessing non-redundant biological activities that depend on its interaction with different protein partners and multiple post-translational modifications including phosphorylation. In particular, a 5'-SXXXSXS-3' motif of the protein represents the target of the IκB-related kinases, TANK-binding kinase (TBK)-1 and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase (IKK)-ε. Here, a 3D model of human IRF-1 was determined by using multi-template comparative modeling and molecular dynamics approaches. Models obtained through either phosphorylation or aspartate mutation of residues 215, 219 and 221 were also calculated and compared to the wild type. Calculations indicated that each of these modifications mainly induces a rigidification of the protein structure and only slightly changes in electrostatics and hydrophobicity of IRF-1 surface, resulting in the impairment of the capacity of IRF-1 containing as partate mutations (S221D and S215D/S219D/S221D) to synergize with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α stimulation in inducing interferon (IFN) promoter-mediated reporter gene activation. Therefore, these changes are qualitatively correlated to the amount of negative charge located on the 215-221 segments of IRF-1 by phosphorylation or aspartate mutation. Hypotheses on the structural mechanism that governs the phosphorylation-related damping of IRF-1 activity were also drawn. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loriano Storchi
- Department of Pharmacy, Università "G d'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara , Chieti , Italy.,Molecular Discovery Limited , Pinner, Middlesex, London , United Kingdom
| | - Anna Lisa Remoli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Giulia Marsili
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Chiara Acchioni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Marta Acchioni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Angela Battistini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Marco Sgarbanti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Department of Pharmacy, Università "G d'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara , Chieti , Italy
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5
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Paciotti R, Storchi L, Marrone A. An insight of early PrP-E200K aggregation by combined molecular dynamics/fragment molecular orbital approaches. Proteins 2018; 87:51-61. [PMID: 30367504 DOI: 10.1002/prot.25621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Unveiling the events leading to the formation of prion particles is a nowadays challenge in the field of neurochemistry. Pathogenic mutants of prion protein (PrP) are characterized by both an intrinsic tendency to aggregation and scrapie conversion propensity. However, the question about a possible correlation between these two events lasts still unanswered. Here, a multilayered computational workflow was employed to investigate structure, stability, and molecular interaction properties of a dimer of PrPC -E200K, a well-known mutant of the PrP that represents a reduced model of early aggregates of this protein. Based on the combination of molecular dynamics and quantum mechanical approaches, this study provided for an in depth insight of PrPC -E200K dimer in terms of residue-residue interactions. Assembly hypotheses for the early aggregation of PrPC -E200K are paved and compared with PrPSc models reported in the literature to find a structural link between early and late (scrapie) aggregates of this protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Paciotti
- Department of Pharmacy, Università "G d'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Loriano Storchi
- Department of Pharmacy, Università "G d'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Molecular Discovery Limited, Middlesex, London, United Kingdom.,ISTM - CNR, Perugia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Department of Pharmacy, Università "G d'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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Agrahari AK, Muskan M, George Priya Doss C, Siva R, Zayed H. Computational insights of K1444N substitution in GAP-related domain of NF1 gene associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 disease: a molecular modeling and dynamics approach. Metab Brain Dis 2018; 33:1443-1457. [PMID: 29804243 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-018-0251-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The NF1 gene encodes for neurofibromin protein, which is ubiquitously expressed, but most highly in the central nervous system. Non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) in the NF1 gene were found to be associated with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 disease, which is characterized by the growth of tumors along nerves in the skin, brain, and other parts of the body. In this study, we used several in silico predictions tools to analyze 16 nsSNPs in the RAS-GAP domain of neurofibromin, the K1444N (K1423N) mutation was predicted as the most pathogenic. The comparative molecular dynamic simulation (MDS; 50 ns) between the wild type and the K1444N (K1423N) mutant suggested a significant change in the electrostatic potential. In addition, the RMSD, RMSF, Rg, hydrogen bonds, and PCA analysis confirmed the loss of flexibility and increase in compactness of the mutant protein. Further, SASA analysis revealed exchange between hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues from the core of the RAS-GAP domain to the surface of the mutant domain, consistent with the secondary structure analysis that showed significant alteration in the mutant protein conformation. Our data concludes that the K1444N (K1423N) mutant lead to increasing the rigidity and compactness of the protein. This study provides evidence of the benefits of the computational tools in predicting the pathogenicity of genetic mutations and suggests the application of MDS and different in silico prediction tools for variant assessment and classification in genetic clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Kumar Agrahari
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Meghana Muskan
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - C George Priya Doss
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
| | - R Siva
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Hatem Zayed
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Rongai D, Sabatini N, Pulcini P, Di Marco C, Storchi L, Marrone A. Effect of pomegranate peel extract on shelf life of strawberries: computational chemistry approaches to assess antifungal mechanisms involved. Journal of Food Science and Technology 2018; 55:2702-2711. [PMID: 30042586 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-018-3192-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In Italy Botrytis cinerea represents the most significant disease in strawberry crops and causes major quality and quantity losses in postharvest storage. An alternative strategy to the synthetic fungicides in crop defence could be the use of bioactive compounds with high antifungal activity. This research regards the use of Punica granatum peel extract to extend the shelf life of strawberry and the proposal of a possible mechanism for its antifungal activity. In vitro and in vivo tests showed the ability of pomegranate peel extract to control strawberry gray mould. Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy showed a high correlation between spectra and disease severity then, a putative molecular mechanism for the interaction of punicalagin on ergosterol of fungal membrane was described by means of computational chemistry approaches. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed by using Gromacs to gain multiconformational representations of either punicalagin and an antifungal compound of clinical relevance, i.e. amphotericin B. The use of grid-based procedures, allowed to shed some light on the molecular mechanism featuring the antifungal activity of punicalagin.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Rongai
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, via C.G Bertero, 22, 00156 Rome, Italy
| | - N Sabatini
- CREA Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing, via L. Petruzzi 75, 65013 Città Sant'Angelo, Italy
| | - P Pulcini
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, via C.G Bertero, 22, 00156 Rome, Italy
| | - C Di Marco
- CREA Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing, via L. Petruzzi 75, 65013 Città Sant'Angelo, Italy
| | - L Storchi
- 3(UNI-CH) Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, via Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy.,4Molecular Discovery Limited, Middlesex, London, UK
| | - A Marrone
- 3(UNI-CH) Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, via Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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