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Immobilized artificial membrane chromatography: quantitative structure-retention relationships of structurally diverse drugs.

The chromatographic capacity factors (log k') for 32 structurally diverse drugs were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a stationary phase composed of phospholipids, the so-called immobilized artificial membrane (IAM). In addition, quantitative structure-retention relationships (QSRR) were developed in order to explain the dependence of retention on the chemical structure of the neutral, acidic, and basic drugs considered in this study. The obtained retention data were modeled by means of multiple regression analysis (MLR) and partial least squares (PLS) techniques. The structures of the compounds under study were characterized by means of calculated physicochemical properties and several nonempirical descriptors. For the carboxylic compounds included in the analysis, the obtained results suggest that the IAM-retention is governed by hydrophobicity factors followed by electronic effects due to polarizability in second place. Further, from the analysis of the results obtained of two developed quantitative structure-permeability studies for 20 miscellaneous carboxylic compounds, it may be concluded that the balance between polarizability and hydrophobic effects is not the same toward IAM phases and biological membranes. These results suggest that the IAM phases could not be a suitable model in assessing the acid-membrane interactions. However, it is not possible to generalize this observation, and further work in this area needs to be done to obtain a full understanding of the partitioning of carboxylic compounds in biological membranes. For the non-carboxylic compounds included in the analysis, this work shows that the hydrophobic factors are of prime importance for the IAM-retention of these compounds, while the specific polar interactions, such as electron pair donor-acceptor interactions and electrostatic interactions, are also involved, but they are not dominant.

Algorithms↗

Analysis of the internal representations developed by neural networks for structures applied to quantitative structure--activity relationship studies of benzodiazepines.

An application of recursive cascade correlation (CC) neural networks to quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies is presented, with emphasis on the study of the internal representations developed by the neural networks. Recursive CC is a neural network model recently proposed for the processing of structured data. It allows the direct handling of chemical compounds as labeled ordered directed graphs, and constitutes a novel approach to QSAR. The adopted representation of molecular structure captures, in a quite general and flexible way, significant topological aspects and chemical functionalities for each specific class of molecules showing a particular chemical reactivity or biological activity. A class of 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones is analyzed by the proposed approach. It compares favorably versus the traditional QSAR treatment based on equations. To show the ability of the model in capturing most of the structural features that account for the biological activity, the internal representations developed by the networks are analyzed by principal component analysis. This analysis shows that the networks are able to discover relevant structural features just on the basis of the association between the molecular morphology and the target property (affinity).

Benzodiazepines↗

Structural study on highly oxidized states of a water oxidation complex [RuIII(bpy)2(H2O)]2(mu-O)4+ by ruthenium K-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy.

The oxidation-induced structural change of a water-oxidizing diruthenium complex, [(bpy)(2)(H(2)O)Ru(III)(micro-O)Ru(III)(OH(2))(bpy)(2)](4+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), was investigated by means of X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Ru K-edge XANES (X-ray absorption near-edge structure) spectra from the acidic solution and solid precipitates obtained by oxidation showed that the absorption edge shifts toward higher energy with a preedge feature slightly more enhanced than those of the lower oxidation states. This indicates that the higher oxidation state has a lower symmetry due to shortening of the Ru-O bonds that originated from the water ligands. The EXAFS (extended X-ray absorption fine structure) spectra were similar to those of the lower oxidation states, whose analysis revealed the existence of short Ru-O double bonds and an almost linear Ru-O-Ru angle (169 +/- 2 degrees ). Ab initio EXAFS simulations for several possible structural models suggest that the dimeric structure is maintained during the water oxidation reaction.

Molecular Structure↗

The structure of the homogeneous oxidation catalyst, Mn(II)(Br(-1))x, in supercritical water: an X-ray absorption fine-structure study.

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopies were used to probe the first-shell coordination structure about Mn(II) and Br(-1) ions that exist as contact ion pairs in supercritical water. This work was performed to clarify why solutions of MnBr2 in supercritical water are known to effectively catalyze the aerobic oxidative synthesis of terephthalic acid from p-xylene as well as a number of other methylaromatic compounds. The Mn and Br K-edge spectra were collected at the bending magnet beamline (sector 20) at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. The first-shell coordination structure about the Mn(II) ion changes from octahedral at ambient conditions to tetrahedral at supercritical conditions. Under supercritical conditions, the measured bond distances of Mn-OH2 and Mn-Br are 2.14 and 2.46 A, respectively. Direct contact ion pairs form with about 2 Br(-1) ions present in the first coordination shell of the Mn(II) ion. The structure of dissolved MnBr2, below 1.0 m, changes from essentially [Mn(II)(H2O)6]+2 to [Mn(II)(H2O)2(Br(-1))2] in supercritical water (scH2O). When an excess of Br(-1) ion is added, the bromide coordination number increases and the number of water molecules decreases. The results show that the initial MnBr2 catalyst in scH2O is tetrahedral with two Mn-Br contact ion pairs. The presence of the acetate anion deactivates the catalyst by formation of insoluble MnO.

Catalysis↗

Peptide and peptide mimetic inhibitors of antigen presentation by HLA-DR class II MHC molecules. Design, structure-activity relationships, and X-ray crystal structures.

Molecular features of ligand binding to MHC class II HLA-DR molecules have been elucidated through a combination of peptide structure-activity studies and structure-based drug design, resulting in analogues with nanomolar affinity in binding assays. Stabilization of lead compounds against cathepsin B cleavage by N-methylation of noncritical backbone NH groups or by dipeptide mimetic substitutions has generated analogues that compete effectively against protein antigens in cellular assays, resulting in inhibition of T-cell proliferation. Crystal structures of four ternary complexes of different peptide mimetics with the rheumatoid arthritis-linked MHC DRB10401 and the bacterial superantigen SEB have been obtained. Peptide-sugar hybrids have also been identified using a structure-based design approach in which the sugar residue replaces a dipeptide. These studies illustrate the complementary roles played by phage display library methods, peptide analogue SAR, peptide mimetics substitutions, and structure-based drug design in the discovery of inhibitors of antigen presentation by MHC class II HLA-DR molecules.

Antigen Presentation↗

Confirmation of usefulness of a structure construction program based on three-dimensional receptor structure for rational lead generation.

Skeletal structures very similar to those of four known inhibitors were automatically output from our computer program LEGEND, based on the three-dimensional structure of the active site of the target enzyme, dihydrofolate reductase. Besides them, the program output novel promising structures that are stable intra- and intermolecularly. This result strongly supports the usefulness of this method for rational lead generation. New lead compounds can be obtained, not relying on chance or trial and error, if appropriate structural selection and modification of the output structures are made.

Binding Sites↗

Nonpeptide cyclic cyanoguanidines as HIV-1 protease inhibitors: synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and X-ray crystal structure studies.

Comparison of the high-resolution X-ray structures of the native HIV-1 protease and its complexes with the inhibitors suggested that the enzyme flaps are flexible. The movement at the tip of the flaps could be as large as 7 A. On the basis of this observation, cyclic cyanoguanidines have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated as HIV-1 protease (PR) inhibitors. Cyclic cyanoguanidines were found to be very potent inhibitors of HIV-1 protease. The choice of cyclic cyanoguanidines over cyclic guanidines was based on the reduced basicity of the former. X-ray structure studies of the HIV PR complex with cyclic cyanoguanidine demonstrated that in analogy to cyclic urea, cyclic cyanoguanidines also displace the unique structural water molecule. The structure-activity relationship of the cyclic cyanoguanidines is compared with that of the corresponding cyclic urea analogues. The differences in binding constants of the two series of compounds have been rationalized using high-resolution X-ray structure information.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Structure and structure formation of the 20S proteasome.

Eukaryotic 20S proteasomes are complex oligomeric proteins. The maturation process of the 14 different alpha- and beta-subunits has to occur in a highly coordinate manner. In addition beta-subunits are synthesized as proproteins and correct processing has to be guaranteed during complex maturation. The structure formation can be subdivided in different phases. The knowledge of the individual phases is summarized in this publication. As a first step the newly synthesized monomers have to adopt the correct tertiary structure, a process that might be supported in the case of the beta-subunits by the intramolecular chaperone activity postulated for the prosequences. Subsequently the alpha-subunits form ring-like structures thereby providing docking sites for the different beta-subunits. The result most likely is a double ring structure (13S precursor) representing half-proteasomes, which contain immature proproteins. Two 13S precursors associate to form the proteolytically inactive 16S assembly intermediate which still contains unprocessed beta-monomers. In addition the chaperone Hsc73 is present within these particles suggesting an essential role during the structure formation process. The processing of monomers with an N-terminal threonine occurs within the 16S particles and is achieved autocatalytically by two subsequent processing events finally leading to the mature, active 20S proteasome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An analysis of structural similarity in the iron and manganese superoxide dismutases based on known structures and sequences.

There are two types of homologous enzymes catalysing the dismutation of the superoxide radical--Cu-Zn superoxide dismutases, and manganese or iron superoxide dismutases. In the latter two forms there is a high percentage of identity in the primary structures, and the tertiary structures are very similar particularly in the areas of the active site and in the residues responsible for the formation of the dimer. The quaternary structure of the dimer is also highly conserved. However, it has been found that despite this conservation there is strong metal ion specificity and many enzymes in the family will only be active if the correct metal ion is present. The purpose of this study has been to analyse solved X-ray structures for interactions common in both the manganese and iron forms and those that are specific to each, which may indicate reasons for the metal ion specificity. Initial analysis points to the probability that it is a combination of a number of residues, and not necessarily the same ones in every instance, which confer the specificity. In addition we have identified some anomalies in the currently available Fe/MnSOD structures which may require further remodelling and refinement.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The solution structure of the Josephin domain of ataxin-3: structural determinants for molecular recognition.

The Josephin domain plays an important role in the cellular functions of ataxin-3, the protein responsible for the neurodegenerative Machado-Joseph disease. We have determined the solution structure of Josephin and shown that it belongs to the family of papain-like cysteine proteases, sharing the highest degree of structural similarity with bacterial staphopain. A currently unique structural feature of Josephin is a flexible helical hairpin formed by a 32-residue insertion, which could determine substrate specificity. By using the Josephin structure and the availability of NMR chemical shift assignments, we have mapped the enzyme active site by using the typical cysteine protease inhibitors, transepoxysuccinyl-L-eucylamido-4-guanidino-butane (E-64) and [L-3-trans-(propylcarbamyl)oxirane-2-carbonyl]-L-isoleucyl-L-proline (CA-074). We also demonstrate that the specific interaction of Josephin with the ubiquitin-like domain of the ubiquitin- and proteasome-binding factor HHR23B involves complementary exposed hydrophobic surfaces. The structural similarity with other deubiquitinating enzymes suggests a model for the proteolytic enzymatic activity of ataxin-3.

Ataxin-3↗

Solution structure of p53 core domain: structural basis for its instability.

The 25-kDa core domain of the tumor suppressor p53 is inherently unstable and melts at just above body temperature, which makes it susceptible to oncogenic mutations that inactivate it by lowering its stability. We determined its structure in solution using state-of-the-art isotopic labeling techniques and NMR spectroscopy to complement its crystal structure. The structure was very similar to that in the crystal but far more mobile than expected. Importantly, we were able to analyze by NMR the structural environment of several buried polar groups, which indicated structural reasons for the instability. NMR spectroscopy, with its ability to detect protons, located buried hydroxyl and sulfhydryl groups that form suboptimal hydrogen-bond networks. We mutated one such buried pair, Tyr-236 and Thr-253 to Phe-236 and Ile-253 (as found in the paralogs p63 and p73), and stabilized p53 by 1.6 kcal/mol. We also detected differences in the conformation of a mobile loop that might reflect the existence of physiologically relevant alternative conformations. The effects of temperature on the dynamics of aromatic residues indicated that the protein also experiences several dynamic processes that might be related to the presence of alternative hydrogen-bond patterns in the protein interior. p53 appears to have evolved to be dynamic and unstable.

Crystallography↗

Crystal structure of human erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase B. Three-dimensional structure at a nominal 2.2-A resolution.

The three-dimensional structure of carbonic anhydrase B (EC 4,2,1,1; carbonate hydro-lyase) from human erythrocytes has been determined to high resolution. Parallel and antiparallel pleated sheet makes up the predominant secondary structure of the enzyme. The tertiary structure is unique for its folding and is very similar to the structure is unique for its folding and is very similar to the structure of the isoenzyme, human erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase C. The essential metal ion, zinc, is firmly bound to the enzyme through three histidyl ligands and located at the bottom of a 12-A deep conical cavity. The zinc ligands are involved in a number of hydrogen bond formations with residues in the immediate vicinity of the active site cavity. Some of the similarities and differences in the sidechain orientation and active site topography of the two isoenzymes are also discussed.

Binding Sites↗

Crystal structure and mutational analysis of the Escherichia coli putrescine receptor. Structural basis for substrate specificity.

PotF protein is a periplasmic substrate-binding protein of the putrescine transport system in Escherichia coli. We have determined the crystal structure of PotF protein in complex with the substrate at 2.3-A resolution. The PotF molecule has dimensions of 54 x 42 x 30 A and consists of two similar globular domains. The PotF structure is reminiscent of other periplasmic receptors with a highest structural homology to another polyamine-binding protein, PotD. Putrescine is tightly bound in the deep cleft between the two domains of PotF through 12 hydrogen bonds and 36 van der Waals interactions. The comparison of the PotF structure with that of PotD provides the insight into the differences in the specificity between the two proteins. The PotF structure, in combination with the mutational analysis, revealed the residues crucial for putrescine binding (Trp-37, Ser-85, Glu-185, Trp-244, Asp-247, and Asp-278) and the importance of water molecules for putrescine recognition.

Base Sequence↗

Crystal structure of anti-Hen egg white lysozyme antibody (HyHEL-10) Fv-antigen complex. Local structural changes in the protein antigen and water-mediated interactions of Fv-antigen and light chain-heavy chain interfaces.

In order to address the recognition mechanism of the fragments of antibody variable regions, termed Fv, toward their target antigen, an x-ray crystal structure of an anti-hen egg white lysozyme antibody (HyHEL-10) Fv fragment complexed with its cognate antigen, hen egg white lysozyme (HEL), was solved at 2.3 A. The overall structure of the complex is similar to that reported in a previous article dealing with the Fab fragment-HEL complex (PDB ID code,). However, the areas of Fv covered by HEL upon complex formation increased by about 100 A(2) in comparison with the Fab-HEL complex, and two local structural differences were observed in the heavy chain of the variable region (VH). In addition, small but significant local structural changes were observed in the antigen, HEL. The x-ray data permitted the identification of two water molecules between the VH and HEL and six water molecules retained in the interface between the antigen and the light chain complementarity determining regions (CDRs) 2 and 3 (CDR-L2 and CDR-L3). These water molecules bridge the antigen-antibody interface through hydrogen bond formation in the VL-HEL interface. Eleven water molecules were found to complete the imperfect VH-VL interface, suggesting that solvent molecules mediate the stabilization of interaction between variable regions. These results suggest that the unfavorable effect of deletion of constant regions on the antigen-antibody interaction is compensated by an increase in favorable interactions, including structural changes in the antigen-antibody interface and solvent-mediated hydrogen bond formation upon complex formation, which may lead to a minimum decreased affinity of the antibody Fv fragment toward its antigen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Secondary structure of the human cardiac Na+ channel C terminus: evidence for a role of helical structures in modulation of channel inactivation.

Little is known about the structure of the C terminus of the human cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel alpha subunit (SCN5A), but disease-linked mutations within this 244-amino acid intracellular region of the channel have marked effects on channel inactivation. Here we report a structural analysis of the C-terminal tail of the cardiac Na(+) channel that sheds new light on mechanisms that control its inactivation gating. Homology modeling of the SCN5A C terminus predicts predominant alpha-helical structure (six helices) in the proximal half of this intracellular tail but little structure in the distal half. Circular dichroism of isolated and purified C terminus supports this prediction. Whole cell and single channel patch clamp recordings of wild type and mutant alpha subunits co-expressed with the hbeta(1) subunit in HEK 293 cells indicate that truncation of the distal, nonstructured, C terminus (L1921stop mutant) reduces current density but does not affect channel gating (n = 6). In contrast, truncation of the sixth helix containing a concentration of positively charged residues along with the distal C terminus (S1885stop mutant) also reduces current density but, in addition, has profound and selective effects on inactivation (no effect on activation). Channel availability is shifted (-11 +/- 0.6 mV), and there is a 10-fold increase in the percentage of channels that burst (fail to inactivate) during prolonged depolarization (0.025% S1885stop (n = 7) versus 0.0028% wild type (n = 9), p < 0.005). These results suggest that the charged structured region of the SCN5A C terminus plays a major role in channel inactivation, stabilizing the inactivated state.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure--activity relationships of hainantoxin-IV and structure determination of active and inactive sodium channel blockers.

Hainantoxin-IV (HNTX-IV) can specifically inhibit the neuronal tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels and defines a new class of depressant spider toxin. The sequence of native HNTX-IV is ECLGFGKGCNPSNDQCCKSSNLVCSRKHRWCKYEI-NH(2). In the present study, to obtain further insight into the primary and tertiary structural requirements of neuronal sodium channel blockers, we determined the solution structure of HNTX-IV as a typical inhibitor cystine knot motif and synthesized four mutants designed based on the predicted sites followed by structural elucidation of two inactive mutants. Pharmacological studies indicated that the S12A and R26A mutants had activities near that of native HNTX-IV, while K27A and R29A demonstrated activities reduced by 2 orders of magnitude. (1)H MR analysis showed the similar molecular conformations for native HNTX-IV and four synthetic mutants. Furthermore, in the determined structures of K27A and R29A, the side chains of residues 27 and 29 were located in the identical spatial position to those of native HNTX-IV. These results suggested that residues Ser(12), Arg(26), Lys(27), and Arg(29) were not responsible for stabilizing the distinct conformation of HNTX-IV, but Lys(27) and Arg(29) were critical for the bioactivities. The potency reductions produced by Ala substitutions were primarily due to the direct interaction of the essential residues Lys(27) and Arg(29) with sodium channels rather than to a conformational change. After comparison of these structures and activities with correlated toxins, we hypothesized that residues Lys(27), Arg(29), His(28), Lys(32), Phe(5), and Trp(30) clustered on one face of HNTX-IV were responsible for ligand binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Crystal structure of agmatinase reveals structural conservation and inhibition mechanism of the ureohydrolase superfamily.

Agmatine is the product of arginine decarboxylation and can be hydrolyzed by agmatinase to putrescine, the precursor for biosynthesis of higher polyamines, spermidine, and spermine. Besides being an intermediate in polyamine metabolism, recent findings indicate that agmatine may play important regulatory roles in mammals. Agmatinase is a binuclear manganese metalloenzyme and belongs to the ureohydrolase superfamily that includes arginase, formiminoglutamase, and proclavaminate amidinohydrolase. Compared with a wealth of structural information available for arginases, no three-dimensional structure of agmatinase has been reported. Agmatinase from Deinococcus radiodurans, a 304-residue protein, shows approximately 33% of sequence identity to human mitochondrial agmatinase. Here we report the crystal structure of D. radiodurans agmatinase in Mn(2+)-free, Mn(2+)-bound, and Mn(2+)-inhibitor-bound forms, representing the first structure of agmatinase. It reveals the conservation as well as variation in folding, oligomerization, and the active site of the ureohydrolase superfamily. D. radiodurans agmatinase exists as a compact homohexamer of 32 symmetry. Its binuclear manganese cluster is highly similar but not identical to the clusters of arginase and proclavaminate amidinohydrolase. The structure of the inhibited complex reveals that inhibition by 1,6-diaminohexane arises from the displacement of the metal-bridging water.

Agmatine↗

Automatic 3D protein structure classification without structural alignment.

In this paper, we present a new scheme named ProtClass for automatic classification of three-dimensional (3D) protein structures. It is a dedicated and unified multiclass classification scheme. Neither detailed structural alignment nor multiple binary classifications are required in this scheme. We adopt a nearest neighbor-based classification strategy. We use a filter-and-refine scheme. In the first step, we filter out the improbable answers using the precalculated parameters from the training data. In the second, we perform a relatively more detailed nearest neighbor search on the remaining answers. We use very concise and effective encoding schemes of the 3D protein structures in both steps. We compare our proposed method against two other dedicated protein structure classification schemes, namely SGM and CPMine. The experimental results show that ProtClass is slightly better in accuracy than SGM and much faster. In comparison with CPMine, ProtClass is much more accurate, while their running times are about the same. We also compare ProtClass against a structural alignment-based classification scheme named DALI, which is found to be more accurate, but extremely slow. The software is available upon request from the authors. The supplementary information on ProtClass method can be found at: http://xena1.ddns.comp.nus.edu.sg/ approximately genesis/PClass.htm.

Algorithms↗