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Effects of extrinsic imidazole ligation on the molecular and electronic structure of cytochrome c.

Although imidazole ligand binding to cytochrome c is not directly related to its physiological function, it has the potential to provide valuable information on the molecular and electronic structure of the protein. The solution structure of the imidazole adduct of oxidized horse heart cytochrome c (Im-cyt c) has been determined through 2D NMR spectroscopy. The Im-cyt c, 8 mM in 1.2 M imidazole solution at pH 5.7 and 313 K, provided altogether 2,542 NOEs (1,901 meaningful NOEs) and 194 pseudocontact shifts. The 35 conformers of the family show the RMSD values to the average structure of 0.063+/-0.007 nm for the backbone and 0.107+/-0.007 nm for all heavy atoms, respectively. The characterization of Im-cyt c is discussed in detail both in terms of structure and electronic properties. The replacement of the axial ligand Met80 with the exogenous imidazole ligand induces significant conformation changes in both backbone and side chains of the residues located in the distal axial ligand regions. The imidazole ligand binds essentially parallel to the imidazole of the proximal histidine, the two planes forming an angle of 8+/-7 degrees. The electron delocalization on the heme moiety and the magnetic susceptibility tensor are consistent with these structural features.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Imidazole-induced potentiation of the contractile response to various agonists in vascular smooth muscle.

In isolated rabbit aortae, imidazole (10(-4)M) caused a unique nonspecific potentiation of the contractile responses to prostaglandins, norepinephrine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine and potassium only at low concentrations. Imidazole had no effect on the dose-response relationship for Ca2+ in the presence of potassium, 40 mM. Imidazole potentiated contractions in supersensitive strips pretreated with reserpine or with low temperature (5 degrees C) for 5 days. In the presence of theophylline (3 x 10(-4)M), imidazole failed to potentiate the responses to norepinephrine, 5-hydroxy-tryptamine, histamine and potassium, but significantly potentiated responses to prostaglandin E1, E2 and F2 alpha. Imidazole (10(-4)M) significantly decreased the 45Ca uptake of aorta in a Ca-free solution, whereas the drug did not affect 45Ca uptake in a normal solution. These results suggest that imidazole-induced potentiation is related to an increase in Ca2+ permeability and possibly to an additive effect on Ca2+ binding.

Animals↗

Imidazole: a selective inhibitor of thromboxane synthetase.

Imidazole inhibits the enzymic conversion of the endoperoxides (PGG2 and PGH2) to thromboxane A2 by platelet microsomes (IC50: 22 MICRONG/ML; DETERMINED BY BIOASSAY). The inhibitor is selective, for prostaglandin cyclo-oxygenase is only affected at high doses. Radiochemical data confirms that imidazole blocks the formation of 14C-thromboxane B2 from 14C-PGH2. Several imidazole analogues and other substances were tested but only 1-methyl-imidazole was more potent than imidazole itself. The use of imidazole to inhibit thromboxane formation could help to elucidate the role of thromboxanes in physiology or pathophysiology.

Animals↗

1H-NMR study on the tautomerism of the imidazole ring of histidine residues. I. Microscopic pK values and molar ratios of tautomers in histidine-containing peptides.

The 1H-NMR titration curves of chemical shifts versus pH were observed for imidazole, N1-methylimidazole, L-histidine, N1-methyl-L-histidine, N3-methyl-L-histidine, and other related compounds. With these results, the macroscopic pK values of these compounds were determined by a computer curve-fitting for a simple dissociation sequence. From the pK values of imidazole and N1-methylimidazole, the perturbation for the pK of the imidazole ring due to the substitution of a proton with a methyl group was estimated as -0.21 pH unit. The microscopic pK values of the individual tautomers of the imidazole ring were estimated with the pK values of N1-methyl-L-histidine, N3-methyl-L-histidine, and perturbation due to methyl substitution. The estimated pK values were 6.73 for the N1-H tautomer and 6.12 for the N3-H tautomer. These values were in good agreement with those obtained using carboxymethyl derivatives instead of methyl derivatives. Furthermore, the macroscopic pK value (6.02) calculated using the estimated microscopic pK values agreed with that (6.03) observed for the imidazole ring of L-histidine. Thus the method in this work was indicated to be self-consistent. The microscopic pK values of tautomers were also obtained for N alpha-acetyl-L-histidine and N alpha-acetyl-L-histidine methylamide. The molar ratios of tautomers were calculated on the basis of the microscopic pK values of tautomers. The intrinsic (or unperturbed) pK value of imidazole ring and perturbations due to the CO2- and NH3+ were obtained for each of the N1-H and N3-H tautomers.

Histidine↗

1H-NMR and EPR studies on met-azido and met-imidazole Dolabella auricularia myoglobin.

Met-azido and met-imidazole forms of the myoglobin from the mollusc Dolabella auricularia have been studied by 1H-NMR and EPR spectroscopy. In the mollusc myoglobin, in which His-E7 is replaced by Val, the guanidino group of Arg-E10 serves as an alternative hydrogen-bond donor to the bound ligand. Therefore, the guanidino group of Arg-E10 plays similar roles in ligand stabilization to that the His-E7 imidazole does in most vertebrate myoglobins. Differences in both the structural and electronic properties between Arg and His side chains largely affect the stability of met-azido and met-imidazole forms of the protein. Due to a weak stabilization by Arg-E10, the bound-N3- ligand is replaced by OH- at higher pH, although it is stable at neutral and acidic pH. In the absence of the hydrogen-bonding interaction, Fe-bound imidazole in met-imidazole Dolabella myoglobin is only stable at neutral pH and is removed at acidic pH and replaced by OH- at basic pH. The temperature study also revealed that the bound imidazole is replaced by OH- at higher temperature. These results confirm that the presence of steric hindrance between these bulky ligands and the long and bulky side chain of Arg-E10 in the distal pocket of the mollusc myoglobin. Thus steric effects contribute significantly to the stability of exogenous ligand in the distal pocket of myoglobin.

Animals↗

Imidazole facilitates electron transfer from organic reductants.

In cyclic voltammetry studies at pH 8, imidazole facilitates oxidation of organic compounds that normally lose hydrogen atoms. High concentrations of imidazole shift the oxidizing wave of ascorbic acid, 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-hydroquinone, and the vitamin E analogue Trolox toward lower potentials. By contrast, imidazole has no effect on the cyclic voltammogram of methyl viologen, which undergoes electron rather than hydrogen-atom transfer. The effect of imidazole is observed at pH 8.0 but only to a lesser extent at pH 5.5 indicating that imidazole must be unprotonated to facilitate oxidation. Digital simulation shows that these results are consistent with a mechanism in which imidazole acts as a proton acceptor permitting concerted proton/electron transfer by the organic reductant.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Resonance Raman studies of dioxygen and carbon monoxide binding to imidazole-appended hemes.

Resonance Raman spectroscopy has been employed to probe the effects of proximal base strain on the bonding of O2 and CO in three synthetic hemins with covalently linked imidazole ligands. The strain is introduced by varying the length of the imidazole-containing side chain and by restricting the side chain flexibility with a phenyl ring. These hemins are abbreviated as "long," "short," and "stiff" hemins, respectively. In the deoxy state, the iron-imidazole stretching frequencies [nu(Fe--N epsilon)] for long, short, and stiff hemins are detected at 200, 207, and 204 cm-1, respectively. The strain induced in the iron-imidazole bond by the short hemin results in a higher nu(Fe--N epsilon) frequency, in contrast to the strain induced by sterically hindered 2-methylimidazole or 1,2-dimethylimidazole complexes in which the Fe--N epsilon bond is tilted and lengthened, but the imidazole ring remains perpendicular to the heme plane. However, in the short hemin, the plane of the imidazole ring may not be perpendicular to the plane of the porphyrin, altering the amount of pi-interaction (hence the strength of Fe--N epsilon bond) and the nature of normal mode containing Fe--N epsilon bond stretching. Upon CO binding, we have observed the nu(Fe--CO) stretching frequencies at 497 (long), 499 (short), and 496 cm-1 (stiff), somewhat lower than those reported by Mitchell et al. (Inorg. Chem., 1985, 24:967) for the chelated-heme X CO complexes (i.e., 501-506 cm-1). This is the first report of an iron-oxygen-associated vibration observed in solution for an unprotected heme. The oxy complexes were formed by introducing dioxygen to the deoxy complexes at -700C. The isotope-sensitive line was detected at 576 cm- (1602) in oxy stiff hemin, which was shifted to 545 cm-1 upon 1802 substitution. This is perhaps the largest isotope shift (31 cm-') observed to date, compared with the usual 22-24 cm-'.For the long and short hemins, the iron-oxygen-associated vibration was detected at 574 and 573 cm-', respectively.These values are very similar to those observed(N-methylimidazole) and myoglobin/hemoglobin.

Carbon Monoxide↗

Effects of imidazole-salicylate on renal function and the diuretic action of furosemide in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Imidazole-salicylate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with limited inhibitory effects on prostaglandin synthesis. The renal effects of this drug were investigated by a double-blind cross-over study in 10 patients with cirrhosis and ascites. Two therapeutic doses of imidazole-salicylate (750 mg each) were given at midnight and 08:00 h and 80 mg of furosemide were injected intravenously at 09:00 h. The same procedure was followed on another day but a placebo replaced imidazole-salicylate. Renal function (creatinine clearance, free water and electrolyte excretions) and urinary excretion of prostaglandin E, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 were evaluated for 8 h after the first dose of the drug and for 2 h after furosemide injection. Platelet thromboxane production was also determined 9 h after the first administration of drug or placebo. Imidazole-salicylate did not affect renal function or inhibit kidney prostanoid production either under basal conditions or after the stimulating effect of furosemide. On the contrary, imidazole-salicylate significantly inhibited platelet thromboxane production (45.8 +/- 9 vs. 69.4 +/- 7.5 ng/ml, P < 0.05). These results suggest that imidazole-salicylate is an anti-inflammatory drug that can be given to patients with decompensated cirrhosis without risk of inhibiting kidney prostaglandin synthesis or the renal response to furosemide.

Adult↗

Competition and binding of arginine, imidazole, and aminoguanidine to endothelial nitric oxide synthase: aminoguanidine is a poor model for substrate, intermediate, and arginine analog inhibitor binding.

The oxygenase domains of nitric oxide synthases are unusual in that they contain at least three ligand binding sites; these correspond to the axial heme ligand position, the substrate binding site, and the pterin binding site. Ligands can occupy portions of a site or extend into regions of adjacent sites. Depending on the size, shape, and binding mode of ligands to these positions, cooperative and anticooperative interactions mediated conformationally and by binding domain overlap can be observed. In the present study we describe competition between arginine and imidazole at the axial heme ligand position; a second imidazole, which occupies part of the arginine site in some crystal structures, is too weak to contribute to the equilibria. All spectroscopic titrations using imidazole competition depend on displacement of the heme axial imidazole ligand, which drives the ferriheme low spin. Aminoguanidine, a partial arginine analog, has multiple binding modes. It is somewhat competitive with arginine; a ternary complex forms, but the K(d) for arginine increases from 1 to 15 microM in the presence of saturating aminoguanidine. Aminoguanidine competition with imidazole is very weak, amounting to approximately a factor of two increase in K(d). This implies that aminoguanidine has multiple binding modes and is not well described as an arginine analog. The major binding mode occupies part of the binding site but does not extend into the imidazole axial ligand binding domain and probably corresponds to the crystal structure. The other binding mode is not significantly overlapped with the arginine site.

Animals↗

Thermodynamics of binding of the CO2-competitive inhibitor imidazole and related compounds to human carbonic anhydrase I: an isothermal titration calorimetry approach to studying weak binding by displacement with strong inhibitors.

The visible spectrum of Co(II)-substituted human carbonic anhydrase I (HCA I) complexed with the unique CO2-competitive inhibitor imidazole undergoes a marked alkaline intensification, with a midpoint near pH 8 [Bauer, R., Limkilde, P., & Johansen, J. T. (1977) Carlsberg Res. Commun. 42, 325-339]. This change was first attributed to the ionization of a nondisplaced water ligand of the active-site metal in a five-coordinate complex. Later proposals favored assigning it to the deprotonation of the bound imidazole itself to give a tetrahedrally coordinated imidazolate anion at high pH. We have determined by isothermal titration calorimetry the pH dependence of the enthalpy of binding of imidazole and its analogues to HCA I and Co(II)HCA I. We devised an indirect strategy whereby the enthalpy of binding of the strong sulfonamide inhibitor methazolamide was determined in the absence and presence of a constant high concentration of the competing imidazole or its analogues. The standard enthalpy of binding of deprotonated methazolamide to the "acid" form of HCA I and Co(II)HCA I was found to be pH independent over the pH range of 6.5-9.5, as expected. It was also identical for both the zinc (-13.5 +/- 1.1 kcal M-1) and the cobalt (-13.7 +/- 0.4 kcal M-1) forms. The standard enthalpy of binding of neutral imidazole (average value -6.1 +/- 0.8 kcal M-1) surprisingly did not show any marked pH dependence, varying by about 1.1 and 2.6 kcal M-1 for the zinc and cobalt enzymes, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Binding, Competitive↗

Replacement of the proximal ligand of sperm whale myoglobin with free imidazole in the mutant His-93-->Gly.

The proximal bond between the iron atom of the heme group and the N epsilon of histidine F8 in myoglobin (Mb) and hemoglobin (Hb) is presumed to be an important determinant of heme binding, protein structure, and oxygen binding. Here a system is described in which the proximal ligand is provided intermolecularly by the histidine side chain mimic imidazole. The proximal ligand of sperm whale Mb is replaced with glycine (H93G) using site-directed mutagenesis. The addition of imidazole to Escherichia coli expressing this gene reconstitutes myoglobin function. H93G Mb purified in the presence of imidazole is spectroscopically similar to wild-type Mb in combination with a wide variety of distal ligands. The crystal structure of H93G Mb, determined in the presence of imidazole, reveals that an imidazole molecule is bonded to the heme iron on the proximal side, substituting in trans for the side-chain function of the proximal histidine of wild-type Mb. Although H93G Mb is similar in spectroscopic and gross structural detail to wild-type Mb, subtle differences exist in the orientation of imidazole with respect to the heme group. trans-Complementation of proximal ligand function will allow the proximal bond in hemoproteins to be chemically substituted beyond the limits of the genetic code.

Animals↗

Investigations of the myoglobin cavity mutant H93G with unnatural imidazole proximal ligands as a modular peroxide O-O bond cleavage model system.

A general inability to elucidate extensive variations in the electronic characteristics of proximal heme iron ligands in heme proteins has hampered efforts to obtain a clear understanding of the role of the proximal heme iron ligand in the activation of oxygen and peroxide. The disadvantage of the frequently applied site-directed mutagenesis technique is that it is limited by the range of natural ligands available within the genetic code. The myoglobin cavity mutant H93G [Barrick, D. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 6546-6554] has its proximal histidine ligand replaced with glycine, a mutation which leaves an open cavity capable of accommodating a variety of unnatural potential proximal ligands. We have carried out investigations of the effect of changing the electron donor characteristics of a variety of substituted imidazole proximal ligands on the rate of formation of myoglobin compound II and identified a correlation between the substituted imidazole N-3 pK(a) (which provides a measure of the electron donor ability of N-3) and the apparent rate of formation of compound II. A similar rate dependence correlation is not observed upon binding of azide. This finding indicates that O-O bond cleavage and not the preceding peroxide binding step is being influenced by the electron donor characteristics of the substituted imidazole ligands. The proximal ligand effects are clearly visible, but their overall magnitude is quite low (1.7-fold increase in the O-O bond cleavage rate per pK(a) unit). This appears to provide support for recent commentaries which concluded that the partial ionization of the proximal histidine ligand in typical heme peroxidases may not be enough of an influence to provide a mechanistically critical push effect [Poulos, T. L. (1996) JBIC, J. Biol. Inorg. Chem. 1, 356-359]. Further attempts were made to define the mechanism of the influence of N-3 pK(a) on O-O bond cleavage by using peracetic acid and cumene hydroperoxide as mechanistic probes. The observation of heme destruction in these reactions indicates that displacement of the proximal imidazole ligands by peracetic acid or cumene hydroperoxide has occurred. A combination mutation (H64D/H93G) was prepared with the objective of observing compound I of H64D/H93G with substituted imidazoles as proximal ligands upon reaction with H(2)O(2). This double mutant was found to simultaneously bind imidazole to both axial positions, an arrangement which prevents a reaction with H(2)O(2).

Animals↗

Beta 1-selective adrenoceptor antagonists: examples of the 2-[4-[3-(substituted amino)-2-hydroxypropoxy]phenyl]imidazole class. 2.

An attempt to develop a highly cardioselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist devoid of intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) focused on exploring structure-activity relationships around (S)-[p-[3-[[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amino]-2-hydroxypropoxy] phenyl]-4-(2-thienyl)imidazole. Strategies to reduce or eliminate ISA centered on structural changes that could influence activation of the receptor by the drug itself or by a metabolite. The approaches involved (a) eliminating the acidic imidazole N-H proton, (b) incorporating substituents ortho to the beta-adrenergic blocking side chain, (c) increasing steric bulk around the N-H moiety, (d) decreasing lipophilicity, (e) introducing intramolecular hydrogen bonding involving the imidazole N-H, and (f) displacing the imidazole ring from an activating position by the incorporation of a spacer element. The compounds were investigated in vitro for beta-adrenoceptor antagonism and in vivo for ISA. From these studies, the most successful variation involved the insertion of a spacer between the imidazole and aryl rings. (S)-4-Acetyl-2-[[4-[3-[[2-(3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amino]-2-hydroxypropoxy]phenyl]methyl] imidazole (S-51) was demonstrated to be highly cardioselective (dose ratio beta 2/beta 1 greater than 9333) and devoid of ISA.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Synthesis and antiviral and antimicrobial activity of certain 1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-4,5-disubstituted imidazoles.

Starting with AICA ribonucleoside the following nucleosides were prepared. Methyl 5-amino-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazole-4-carboxylate (5) was converted into methyl 5-chloro-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazole-4-carboxylate (6) via diazotization in the presence of cuprous chloride. Similarly, 5-amino-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuanosyl)imidazole-4-carbonitrile (9) was converted into 5-chloro-, 5-bromo-, and 5-iodo-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazole-4-carbonitrile derivatives. These 5-halogenated imidazole nucleosides were treated with several nucleophiles such as ammonia, hydroxylamine, and hydrogen sulfide to provide, respectively, 5-haloimidazole-4-carboxamide, 5-haloimidazole-4-carboxamidoxime, and 5-haloimidazole-4-thiocarboxamide ribonucleosides. 5-Chloro- or 5-bromo-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazole-4-carbonitrile was treated with potassium hydrosulfide to yield 5-mercapto-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazole-4-thiocarboxamide (16). The catalytic reduction of 5-chloro- or 5-bromo-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazole-4-carboxamidoxime provided 1-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazole-4-carboxamidines as their hydrochloride and hydrobromide salts, respectively. These nucleosides were tested for in vitro antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial activity. The 5-halo analogues of 1-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazole-4-carboxamide showed significant antiviral activity whereas compound 16 was found inhibitory to fungi.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

A novel series of (phenoxyalkyl)imidazoles as potent H3-receptor histamine antagonists.

[[(4-Nitrophenyl)X]alkyl]imidazole isosteres (where X = NH, S, CH2S, O) of previously described [[(5-nitropyrid-2-yl)X]ethyl]imidazoles (where X = NH, S) have been synthesized and evaluated for H3-receptor histamine antagonism in vitro (Ki for [3H]histamine release from rat cerebral cortex synaptosomes) and in vivo (ED50 per os in mice on brain tele-methylhistamine levels). Encouraging results led to the synthesis and testing of a novel series of substituted (phenoxyethyl)- and (phenoxypropyl)imidazoles. From the latter, 4-[3-(4-cyanophenoxy)propyl]-1H-imidazole (10a, UCL 1390; Ki = 12 nM, ED50 = 0.54 mg/kg) and 4-[3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenoxy]propyl]-1H-imidazole (10c, UCL 1409; Ki = 14 nM, ED50 = 0.60 mg/kg) have been selected as potential candidates for drug development. For 16 [(aryloxy)ethyl]imidazoles the relationship between in vitro and in vivo potency is described by the equation log ED50 = 0.47 log Ki + 0.20 (r = 0.78).

Animals↗

An investigation of imidazole and oxazole syntheses using aryl-substituted TosMIC reagents.

This article describes efficient and mild protocols for preparing polysubstituted imidazoles in a single pot from aryl-substituted tosylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) reagents and imines generated in situ. Traditional imine-forming reactions employing virtually any aldehyde and amine followed by addition of the TosMIC reagent delivers 1,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles with predictable regiochemistry. Employing chiral amines and aldehydes, particularly those derived from alpha-amino acids, affords imidazoles with asymmetric centers appended to N-1 or C-5 with excellent retention of chiral purity. 1,4-Disubstituted imidazoles are also readily prepared by a simple variant of the above procedure. Selecting glyoxylic acid as the aldehyde component of this procedure leads to intermediates such as 48, which readily undergo decarboxylation and elimination of the tosyl moiety to deliver 1,4-disubstituted imidazoles in high yields. Alternatively, using NH(4)OH as the amine component in conjunction with a variety of aldehydes delivers 4, 5-disubstituted imidazoles in moderate to good yields in a single pot while avoiding the need for protecting groups. Finally, the facile preparation of mono- and disubstituted oxazoles from these TosMIC reagents and aldehydes is described.

Aldehydes↗

Inhibition of monoamine oxidase A and B activities by imidazol(ine)/guanidine drugs, nature of the interaction and distinction from I2-imidazoline receptors in rat liver.

1. I2-Imidazoline sites ([3H]-idazoxan binding) have been identified on monoamine oxidase (MAO) and proposed to modulate the activity of the enzyme through an allosteric inhibitory mechanism (Tesson et al., 1995). The main aim of this study was to assess the inhibitory effects and nature of the inhibition of imidazol(ine)/guanidine drugs on rat liver MAO-A and MAO-B isoforms and to compare their inhibitory potencies with their affinities for the sites labelled by [3H]-clonidine in the same tissue. 2. Competition for [3H]-clonidine binding in rat liver mitochondrial fractions by imidazol(ine)/guanidine compounds revealed that the pharmacological profile of the interaction (2-styryl-2-imidazoline, LSL 61112 > idazoxan > 2-benzofuranyl-2-imidazoline, 2-BFI = cirazoline > guanabenz > oxymetazoline > > clonidine) was typical of that for I2-sites. 3. Clonidine inhibited rat liver MAO-A and MAO-B activities with very low potency (IC50S: 700 microM and 6 mM, respectively) and displayed the typical pattern of competitive enzyme inhibition (lineweaver-Burk plots: increased K(m) and unchanged Vmax values). Other imidazol(ine)/guanidine drugs also were weak MAO inhibitors with the exception of guanabenz, 2-BFI and cirazoline on MAO-A (IC50S: 4-11 microM) and 2-benzofuranyl-2-imidazol (LSL 60101) on MAO-B (IC50: 16 microM). Idazoxan was a full inhibitor although with rather low potency, on both MAO-A and MAO-B isoenzymes (IC50S: 280 microM and 624 microM, respectively). Kinetic analyses of MAO-A inhibition by these drugs revealed that the interactions were competitive. For the same drugs acting on MAO-B the interactions were of the mixed type inhibition (increased K(m) and decreased Vmax values), although the greater inhibitory effects on the apparent value of Vmax/K(m) than on the Vmax value indicated that the competitive element of the MAO-B inhibition predominated. 4. Competition for [3H]-Ro 41-1049 binding to MAO-A or [3H]-Ro 19-6327 binding to MAO-B in rat liver mitochondrial fractions by imidazol(ine)/guanidine compounds revealed that the drug inhibition constants (Ki values) were similar to the IC50 values displayed for the inhibition of MAO-A or MAO-B activities In fact, very good correlations were obtained when the affinities of drugs at MAO-A or MAO-B catalytic sites were correlated with their potencies in inhibiting MAO-A (r = 0.92) or MAO-B (r = 0.99) activity. This further suggested a direct drug interaction with the catalytic sites of MAO-A and MAO-B isoforms. 5. No significant correlations were found when the potencies of imidazol(ine)/guanidine drugs at the high affinity site (pKiH, nanomolar range) or the low-affinity site (pKiL, micromolar range) of I2-imidazoline receptors labelled with [3H]-clonidine were correlated with the pIC50 values of the same drugs for inhibition of MAO-A or MAO-B activity. These discrepancies indicated that I2-imidazoline receptors are not directly related to the site of action of these drugs on MAO activity in rat liver mitochondrial fractions. 6. Although these studies cannot exclude the presence of additional binding sites on MAO that do not affect the activity of the enzyme, they would suggest that I2-imidazoline receptors represent molecular species that are distinct from MAO.

Animals↗

Imidazole binding to Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome c2. Effect of site-directed mutants on ligand binding.

Although ligand binding in c-type cytochromes is not directly related to their physiological function, it has the potential to provide valuable information on protein stability and dynamics, particularly in the region of the methionine sixth heme ligand and the nearby peptide chain that has been implicated in electron transfer. Thus, we have measured the equilibrium and kinetics of binding of imidazole to eight mutants of Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome c2 that differ in overall protein stability. We found that imidazole binding affinity varies 70-fold, but does not correlate with overall protein stability. Instead, each mutant exerts an effect at the local level, with the largest change due to mutant G95E (glycine substituted by glutamate), which shows 30-fold stronger binding as compared with the wild-type protein. The kinetics of imidazole binding are monophasic and reach saturation at high ligand concentrations for all the mutants and wild-type protein, which is attributed to a rate-limiting conformational change leading to breakage of the iron-methionine bond and providing a binding site for imidazole. The mutants show as much as an 18-fold variation in the first-order rate constant for the conformational change, with the largest effect found with mutant G95E. The kinetics also show a lack of correlation with overall protein stability, but are consistent with localized effects on the dynamics of hinge region 88-102 of the protein, which changes conformation to permit ligand binding. These results are consistent with R. capsulatus cytochrome c2 stabilizing the complex through hydrogen bonding to the imidazole. The larger effects of mutant G95E on equilibrium and kinetics are likely to be due to its location within the hinge region adjacent to heme ligand methionine 96, which is displaced by imidazole.

Bacterial Proteins↗