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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Low-mode docking search in iGluR homology models implicates three residues in the control of ligand selectivity.

Homology models of the ionotropic rat kainate receptor iGluR6, based on the ligand binding domains of iGluR2, were constructed. A systematic analysis by low-mode docking searches of kainic acid in homology models of the native iGluR6 receptor, chimeric (iGluR2 and iGluR6) receptors and mutant receptors have identified three residues which influence the conformation of kainic acid in the binding core and hence the affinity for kainic acid. These residues are Leu650, Thr649 and Leu704, all located in domain 2. Leu650 has previously been implicated in the control of selectivity of iGluR2. However, this is the first report that suggests that Thr649 and Leu704 play a role in receptor selectivity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

SWISS-MODEL: An automated protein homology-modeling server.

SWISS-MODEL (http://swissmodel.expasy.org) is a server for automated comparative modeling of three-dimensional (3D) protein structures. It pioneered the field of automated modeling starting in 1993 and is the most widely-used free web-based automated modeling facility today. In 2002 the server computed 120 000 user requests for 3D protein models. SWISS-MODEL provides several levels of user interaction through its World Wide Web interface: in the 'first approach mode' only an amino acid sequence of a protein is submitted to build a 3D model. Template selection, alignment and model building are done completely automated by the server. In the 'alignment mode', the modeling process is based on a user-defined target-template alignment. Complex modeling tasks can be handled with the 'project mode' using DeepView (Swiss-PdbViewer), an integrated sequence-to-structure workbench. All models are sent back via email with a detailed modeling report. WhatCheck analyses and ANOLEA evaluations are provided optionally. The reliability of SWISS-MODEL is continuously evaluated in the EVA-CM project. The SWISS-MODEL server is under constant development to improve the successful implementation of expert knowledge into an easy-to-use server.

Computer Graphics↗

Insight into the inhibition of human choline kinase: homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations.

A homology model of human choline kinase (CK-alpha) based on the X-ray crystallographic structure of C. elegans choline kinase (CKA-2) is presented. Molecular dynamics simulations performed on CK-alpha confirm the quality of the model, and also support the putative ATP and choline binding sites. A good correlation between the MD results and reported CKA-2 mutagenesis assays has been found for the main residues involved in catalytic activity. Preliminary docking studies performed on the CK-alpha model indicate that inhibitors can bind to the binding sites of both substrates (ATP and choline). A possible reason for inhibition of choline kinase by Ca(2+) ion is also proposed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Understanding human 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase binding with NAD+ and PGE2 by homology modeling, docking and molecular dynamics simulation.

Homology modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation have been performed to determine human 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) binding with its NAD+ cofactor and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) substrate. The computational studies have led to a three-dimensional (3D) model of the entire 15-PGDH-NAD+-PGE2 complex, demonstrating the detailed binding of PGE2 with 15-PGDH for the first time. This 3D model shows specific interactions of the protein with the cofactor and substrate in qualitative agreement with available experimental data. Our model demonstrates the PGE2-binding cavity of the protein for the first time. The model further leads to an interesting prediction that the catalytic activity of 15-PGDH should also significantly be affected by Gln148, in addition to the previously known three catalytic residues (Ser138, Tyr151, and Lys155). The reported 3D model of 15-PGDH-NAD+-PGE2 complex might be valuable for future rational design of novel inhibitors of 15-PGDH.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Homology modeling of the transmembrane domain of the human calcium sensing receptor and localization of an allosteric binding site.

A homology model for the human calcium sensing receptor (hCaR) transmembrane domain utilizing bovine rhodopsin (bRho) structural information was derived and tested by docking the allosteric antagonist, NPS 2143, followed by mutagenesis of predicted contact sites. Mutation of residues Phe-668 (helix II), Arg-680, or Phe-684 (helix III) to Ala (or Val or Leu) and Glu-837 (helix VII) to Ile (or Gln) reduced the inhibitory effects of NPS 2143 on [Ca2+]i responses. The calcimimetic NPS R-568 increases the potency of Ca2+ in functional assays of CaR. Mutations at Phe-668, Phe-684, or Glu-837 attenuated the effects of this compound, but mutations at Arg-680 had no effect. In all cases, mutant CaRs responded normally to Ca2+ or phenylalanine, which act at distinct site(s). Discrimination by the Arg-680 mutant is consistent with the structural differences between NPS 2143, which contains an alkyl bridge hydroxyl group, and NPS R-568, which does not. The homology model of the CaR transmembrane domain robustly accounts for binding of both an allosteric antagonist and agonist, which share a common site, and provides a basis for the development of more specific and/or potent allosteric modulators of CaR. These studies suggest that the bRho backbone can be used as a starting point for homology modeling of even distantly related G protein-coupled receptors and provide a rational framework for investigation of the contributions of the transmembrane domain to CaR function.

Allosteric Site↗

Structure of the virus capsid protein VP1 of enterovirus 71 predicted by some homology modeling and molecular docking studies.

The homology modeling technique has been used to construct the structure of enterovirus 71 (EV 71) capsid protein VP1. The protein is consisted of 297 amino acid residues and treated as the target. The amino acid sequence identity between the target protein and sequences of template proteins 1EAH, 1PIV, and 1D4M searched from NCBI protein BLAST and WorkBench protein tools were 38, 37, and 36%, respectively. Based on these template structures, the protein model was constructed by using the InsightII/Homology program. The protein model was briefly refined by energy minimization and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation steps. The protein model was validated using some web available servers such as ERRAT, PROCHECK, PROVE, and PROSA2003. However, an inconsistency between the docking scores and the measured activity was observed for a series of EV 71 VP1 inhibitors synthesized by Shia et al. (J Med Chem 2002, 45, 1644) and docked into the binding pocket of the protein model using the DOCK 4.0.2 program. The protein model with an EV 71 VP1 inhibitor docked and engulfed was then refined further by some MD simulation steps in the presence of water molecules. The docking scores obtained for these inhibitors after such a MD refinement were well correlated with the activities. The structure-activity relationships for the ligand-protein model system was also analyzed using the GRID-VOLSURF programs and the corresponding noncrossvalidated and crossvalidated (by leave-one-out) r2 and q2 were 0.99 and 0.61, respectively. The hydrophobic nature of the binding pocket of the protein model was also examined using the GRID21 program. The possibility of improving the potency of the current series of EV 71 VP1 inhibitors was discussed based on all the studies presented.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations of lymphotactin.

We have modeled the structure of human lymphotactin (hLpnt), by homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations. This chemokine is unique in having a single disulfide bond and a long C-terminal tail. Because other structural classes of chemokines have two pairs of Cys residues, compared to one in Lpnt, and because it has been shown that both disulfide bonds are required for stability and function, the question arises how the Lpnt maintains its structural integrity. The initial structure of hLpnt was constructed by homology modeling. The first 63 residues in the monomer of hLpnt were modeled using the structure of the human CC chemokine, RANTES, whose sequence appeared most similar. The structure of the long C-terminal tail, missing in RANTES, was taken from the human muscle fatty-acid binding protein. In a Protein Data Bank search, this protein was found to contain a sequence that was most homologous to the long tail. Consequently, the modeled hLpnt C-terminal tail consisted of both alpha-helical and beta-motifs. The complete model of the hLpnt monomer consisted of two alpha-helices located above the five-stranded beta-sheet. Molecular dynamics simulations of the solvated initial model have indicated that the stability of the predicted fold is related to the geometry of Pro78. The five-stranded beta-sheet appeared to be preserved only when Pro78 was modeled in the cis conformation. Simulations were also performed both for the C-terminal truncated forms of the hLpnt that contained one or two (CC chemokine-like) disulfide bonds, and for the chicken Lpnt (cLpnt). Our MD simulations indicated that the turn region (T30-G34) in hLpnt is important for the interactions with the receptor, and that the long C-terminal region stabilizes both the turn (T30-G34) and the five-stranded beta-sheet. The major conclusion from our theoretical studies is that the lack of one disulfide bond and the extension of the C-terminus in hLptn are mutually complementary. It is very likely that removal of two Cys residues sufficiently destabilizes the structure of a chemokine molecule, particularly the core beta-sheet, to abolish its biological function. However, this situation is rectified by the long C-terminal segment. The role of this long region is most likely to stabilize the first beta-turn region and alpha-helix H1, explaining how this chemokine can function with a single disulfide bond.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparison of a homology model and the crystallographic structure of human 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11betaHSD1) in a structure-based identification of inhibitors.

Human 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11betaHSD1) catalyzes the interconversion of cortisone into active cortisol. 11betaHSD1 inhibition is a tempting target for the treatment of a host of human disorders that might benefit from blockade of glucocorticoid action, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes type 2. Here, we report an in silico screening study aimed at identifying new selective inhibitors of human 11betaHSD1 enzyme. In the first step, homology modeling was employed to build the 3D structure of 11betaHSD1. Further, molecular docking was used to validate the predicted model by showing that it was able to discriminate between known 11betaHSD1 inhibitors or substrates and non-inhibitors. The homology model was found to reproduce closely the crystal structure that became publicly available in the final stages of this work. Finally, we carried out structure-based virtual screening experiments on both the homology model and the crystallographic structure with a database of 114,000 natural molecules. Among these, 15 molecules were consistently selected as inhibitors based on both the model and crystal structures of the enzyme, implying a good quality for the homology model. Among these putative 11betaHSD1 inhibitors, two were flavonone derivatives that have already been shown to be potent inhibitors of the enzyme.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1↗

Homology modeling three-dimensional structure of AnxB1 and reducing its immunogenicity by sequence-deleted mutagenesis.

AnxB1, a novel annexin previously isolated from Cysticercus cellulose, shows high thrombi affinity and anticoagulant activity in vivo. In order to investigate the relationship between structure and biological function, a predicted three-dimensional (3D) model of AnxB1 was generated by homology modeling. This model contains four homologous internal-domains and the Ca trace of domain I, II and IV shows high similarity. Based on the structure characterization, four sequence-deleted mutants were constructed and expressed as GST fusion proteins in E. coli. Two of the mutants, GST-M3 and GST-M4 reserved high anticoagulant activity (p<0.01 vs. GST). Furthermore, compared with the wild type GST-AnxB1, the immunogenicity of GST-M3 and GST-M4 was reduced significantly (p<0.01) and the molecular weight was lowered to 27 kD and 34 kD, respectively. These observations laid a solid foundation for further study on developing new thrombolytic agents with higher efficiency and lower side effect.

Annexins↗

De novo RNA synthesis and homology modeling of the classical swine fever virus RNA polymerase.

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) non-structural protein 5B (NS5B) encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), a key enzyme which initiates RNA replication by a de novo mechanism without a primer and is a potential target for anti-virus therapy. We expressed the NS5B protein in Escherichia coli. The rGTP can stimulate de novo initiation of RNA synthesis and mutation of the GDD motif to Gly-Asp-Asp (GAA) abolishes the RNA synthesis. To better understand the mechanism of viral RNA synthesis in CSFV, a three-dimensional model was built by homology modeling based on the alignment with several virus RdRps. The model contains 605 residues folded in the characteristic fingers, palm and thumb domains. The fingers domain contains an N-terminal region that plays an important role in conformational change. We propose that the experimentally observed promotion of polymerase efficiency by rGTP is probably due to the conformational changes of the polymerase caused by binding the rGTP. Mutation of the GDD to GAA interferes with the interaction between the residues at the polymerase active site and metal ions, and thus renders the polymerase inactive.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of functionally important residues of Arp2/3 complex by analysis of homology models from diverse species.

We constructed homology models from the crystal structure of bovine Arp2/3 complex and sequences from six phylogenetically diverse species (Arabidopsis thaliana, Caenorhabditis elegans, Dictyostelium discoideum, Drosophila melanogaster, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe) representing over 800 million years of evolution and used conserved surface residues to search for functionally important structural elements. The folds of the seven subunits and their core residues are well conserved, as well as residues at subunit interfaces. Only 45% of solvent-exposed surface residues are conserved and only 15% are identical across the seven species. Arp residues expected to interact with nucleotide and with the first and second actin subunits in a daughter filament are conserved and similar to actin. Arp residues required to form an Arp dimer differ from actin and may contribute to the dissociated state of the Arps in the unactivated complex. Conserved patches of surface residues guided us to candidate sites for nucleation promoting factors to interact with Arp3, Arp2, and ARPC3. Other conserved residues were used with experimental constraints to propose how residues on the subunits ARPC1, ARPC2, ARPC4 and ARPC5 might interact with the mother filament at branch junctions.

Actin-Related Protein 2↗

Homology modelling of the human eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A).

Homology modelling of the human eIF-5A protein has been performed by using a multiple predictions strategy. As the sequence identity between the target and the template proteins is nearly 30%, which is lower than the commonly used threshold to apply with confidence the homology modelling method, we developed a specific predictive scheme by combining different sequence analyses and predictions, as well as model validation by comparison to structural experimental information. The target sequence has been used to find homologues within sequence databases and a multiple alignment has been created. Secondary structure for each single protein has been predicted and compared on the basis of the multiple sequence alignment, in order to evaluate and adjust carefully any gap. Therefore, comparative modelling has been applied to create the model of the protein on the basis of the optimized sequence alignment. The quality of the model has been checked by computational methods and the structural features have been compared to experimental information, giving us a good validation of the reliability of the model and its correspondence to the protein structure in solution. Last, the model was deposited in the Protein Data Bank to be accessible for studies on the structure-function relationships of the human eIF-5A.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The rat 17 alpha-hydroxylase-17,20-desmolase (CYP17) active site: computerized homology modeling and site directed mutagenesis.

A homology model of the rat 17 alpha-hydroxylase-17,20 desmolase (CYP17) steroid binding domain was derived from the alpha/beta F supersecondary structural element of the 3 alpha/20 beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) of Streptomyces hydrogenans that constitutes a major segment of the C19 steroid binding cavity. A CYP17 arginine-rich domain, including Arg346, Arg361 and Arg363, that has previously been shown to be important to CYP17 catalytic activity, is conserved in this HSD structural element between two HSD domains known to be important to C19 steroid binding. These two HSD motifs, in addition to a C-terminal domain at the apex of the steroid binding cavity, are also present in similar though not identical forms in the rat CYP17 sequence. The model was evaluated in terms of both hydroxylase/lyase activity and stability of CYP17 mutant proteins (Tyr334Phe, Phe343Ile, Arg357Ala, Arg361Ala, Asp345Ala), and further tested with mutagenesis of Glu353, Glu358, and Tyr431. Those amino acids located at folding junctions in the model steroid binding domain (Glu358, Arg361, and Tyr431) are each individually required to prevent degradation of the nascent protein, as well as for basic hydroxylase/lyase activity. Genomic analysis of the rat CYP17 gene reveals that this domain is contained in exon 6, and a correlation exists between the length of exon 6 and the boundaries of the HSD supersecondary element. These studies demonstrate that exon 6 of the rat CYP17 is essential for CYP17 activity, and may be structurally related to the NAD-linked prokaryote alpha/beta F supersecondary element.

Aldehyde-Lyases↗

Docking ligands onto binding site representations derived from proteins built by homology modelling.

Due to the abundant sequence information available from genome projects, an increasing number of structurally unknown proteins, homologous to examples of known 3D structure, will be discovered as new targets for drug design. Since homology models do not provide sufficient accuracy to apply common drug design tools, a new approach, DragHome, has been developed to dock ligands into such approximate protein models. DragHome combines information from homology modelling with ligand data, used by and derived from 3D quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR). The binding-site of a model-built protein is analysed in terms of putative ligand interaction sites and translated via Gaussian functions into a functional binding-site description represented by physico-chemical properties. Ligands to be docked onto these binding-site representations are similarly translated into a description based on Gaussian functions. The docking is computed by optimising the overlap between the functional description of the binding site and the ligand, generating multiple solutions. For a set of different ligands, these solutions are ranked according to the internal similarity consistance among the various ligands in the binding modes obtained from docking. DragHome has been validated at examples for which crystal structures are available: structurally distinct thrombin inhibitors were docked onto models of thrombin generated from serine proteases of 28 to 40 % sequence identity, yielding ligand binding modes with an average RMS deviation of 1.4 A. Mostly the near-native solutions are ranked best. Molecular flexibility of ligands can be considered in terms of pre-calculated multiple conformers. DragHome has been used to automatically generate an alignment of 88 thrombin inhibitors, for which a significant 3D QSAR model could be derived. The contribution maps resulting from this analysis can be interpreted with respect to the surrounding protein model. They highlight inconsistencies and deficiencies present in the model. In future developments, this information could be fed back into a subsequent modelling step to improve the protein model.

Algorithms↗

Homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations of the mu opioid receptor in a membrane-aqueous system.

Three types of opioid receptors-mu, delta, and kappa-belong to the rhodopsin subfamily in the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. With the recent characterization of the high-resolution X-ray crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin, considerable attention has been focused on molecular modeling of these transmembrane proteins. In this study, a homology model of the mu opioid receptor was constructed based on the X-ray crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin. A phospholipid bilayer was built around the receptor, and two water layers were placed on both surfaces of the lipid bilayer. Molecular-dynamics simulations were carried out by using CHARMM for the entire system, which consisted of 316 amino acid residues, 92 phospholipid molecules, 8327 water molecules, and 11 chloride counter ions-40 931 atoms altogether. The whole system was equilibrated for 250 ps followed by another 2 ns dynamic simulation. The opioid ligand naltrexone was docked into the optimized model, and the critical amino acid residues for binding were identified. The mu opioid receptor homology model optimized in a complete membrane-aqueous system should provide a good starting point for further characterization of the binding modes for opioid ligands. Furthermore, the method developed herein will be applicable to molecular model building to other opioid receptors as well as other GPCRs.

Animals↗

Homology modeling using simulated annealing of restrained molecular dynamics and conformational search calculations with CONGEN: application in predicting the three-dimensional structure of murine homeodomain Msx-1.

We have developed an automatic approach for homology modeling using restrained molecular dynamics and simulated annealing procedures, together with conformational search algorithms available in the molecular mechanics program CONGEN (Bruccoleri RE, Karplus M, 1987, Biopolymers 26:137-168). The accuracy of the method is validated by "predicting" structures of two homeodomain proteins with known three-dimensional structures, and then applied to predict the three-dimensional structure of the homeodomain of the murine Msx-1 transcription factor. Regions of the unknown protein structure that are highly homologous to the known template structure are constrained by "homology distance constraints," whereas the conformations of nonhomologous regions of the unknown protein are defined only by the potential energy function. A full energy function (excluding explicit solvent) is employed to ensure that the calculated structures have good conformational energies and are physically reasonable. As in NMR structure determinations, information on the consistency of the structure prediction is obtained by superposition of the resulting family of protein structures. In this paper, our homology modeling algorithm is described and compared with related homology modeling methods using spatial constraints derived from the structures of homologous proteins. The software is then used to predict the DNA-bound structures of three homeodomain proteins from the X-ray crystal structure of the engrailed homeodomain protein (Kissinger CR et al., 1990, Cell 63:579-590). The resulting backbone and side-chain conformations of the modeled yeast Mat alpha 2 and D. melanogaster Antennapedia homeodomains are excellent matches to the corresponding published X-ray crystal (Wolberger C et al., 1991, Cell 67:517-528) and NMR (Billeter M et al., 1993, J Mol Biol 234:1084-1097) structures, respectively. Examination of these structures of Msx-1 reveals a network of highly conserved surface salt bridges that are proposed to play a role in regulating protein-protein interactions of homeodomains in transcription complexes.

Algorithms↗

Characterization of HERG potassium channel inhibition using CoMSiA 3D QSAR and homology modeling approaches.

A data set consisting of twenty-two sertindole analogues and ten structurally diverse inhibitors, spanning a wide range in potency, was analyzed using CoMSiA. A homology model of HERG was constructed from the crystal structure of the open MthK potassium channel. A complementary relationship between our CoMSiA and homology models is apparent when the long inhibitor axis is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pore, with the tail region pointed toward the selectivity filter. The key elements of the pharmacophore, the CoMSiA and the homology model are: (1) The hydrophobic feature optimally consists of an aromatic group that is capable of engaging in pi-stacking with a Phe656 side chain. Optionally, a second aromatic or hydrophobic group present in some inhibitors may contact an additional Phe656 side chain. (2) The basic nitrogen appears to undergo a pi-cation interaction with Tyr652. (3) The pore diameter (12A+), and depth of the selectivity loop relative to the intracellular opening, act as constraints on the conformation-dependent inhibitor dimensions.

Amino Acids, Aromatic↗