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A computational system for modelling flexible protein-protein and protein-DNA docking.

A computational system is described that predicts the structure of protein/protein and protein/DNA complexes starting from unbound coordinate sets. The approach is (i) a global search with rigid-body docking for complexes with shape complementarity and favourable electrostatics; (ii) use of distance constraints from experimental (or predicted) knowledge of critical residues; (iii) use of pair potential to screen docked complexes and (iv) refinement and further screening by protein-side chain optimisation and interfacial energy minimisation. The system has been applied to model ten protein/protein and eight protein-repressor/DNA (steps i to iii only) complexes. In general a few complexes, one of which is close to the true structure, can be generated.

Algorithms↗

Modelling repressor proteins docking to DNA.

The docking of repressor proteins to DNA starting from the unbound protein and model-built DNA coordinates is modeled computationally. The approach was evaluated on eight repressor/DNA complexes that employed different modes for protein/ DNA recognition. The global search is based on a protein-protein docking algorithm that evaluates shape and electrostatic complementarity, which was modified to consider the importance of electrostatic features in DNA-protein recognition. Complexes were then ranked by an empirical score for the observed amino acid /nucleotide pairings (i.e., protein-DNA pair potentials) derived from a database of 20 protein/ DNA complexes. A good prediction had at least 65% of the correct contacts modeled. This approach was able to identify a good solution at rank four or better for three out of the eight complexes. Predicted complexes were filtered by a distance constraint based on experimental data defining the DNA footprint. This improved coverage to four out of eight complexes having a good model at rank four or better. The additional use of amino acid mutagenesis and phylogenetic data defining residues on the repressor resulted in between 2 and 27 models that would have to be examined to find a good solution for seven of the eight test systems. This study shows that starting with unbound coordinates one can predict three-dimensional models for protein/DNA complexes that do not involve gross conformational changes on association.

Algorithms↗

Olive leaf protein hydrolysates yield gastro-resistant peptides with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential: peptidomics, in vitro validation and molecular docking analyses.

Olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves are an abundant olive-oil by-product and a promising feedstock for sustainable valorisation. An olive leaf protein isolate (OLPI) from olive-leaf powder (OLP) was enzymatically hydrolysed to yield seven hydrolysates (OLPHs). All showed notable antioxidant activity as whole hydrolysate matrices (EC₅₀ = 0.11-0.28 mg mL-1); likely reflecting the combined contribution of released peptides and co-extracted phenolic compounds; the 15-min Alcalase product (OLPH15A) showed high activity with the shortest processing time. Its INFOGEST digest (dOLPH15A) attenuated LPS-induced inflammation in Caco-2 cells, down-regulating pro-inflammatory and up-regulating anti-inflammatory genes. Peptidomics identified 7037 peptides in OLPH15A and 534 in dOLPH15A, from which twenty gastro-resistant sequences were prioritised for in silico analysis. Multi-tool prediction and docking highlighted four peptides, GAAGGIGQPL, QSAYPGTGPL, GGGAGGGDGGIL and LDAQFPGVN, with favourable predicted affinity for the TLR4/MD2 complex, suggesting that they may contribute to the observed immunomodulatory response. These findings position olive leaves as a viable source of protein hydrolysate-based ingredients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, advancing the valorisation of olive-oil by-products.

Olea↗

Mechanism exploration of divergent partial denitrification performance under tetracycline stress: Insights from functional gene, electron transport and molecular docking.

Nitrates and antibiotics like tetracycline (TC) coexist in wastewater and inhibit nitrite (NO₂--N) accumulation during partial denitrification (PD), restricting anammox coupling. A moving bed biofilm reactor (PD-MBBR) and a sequencing batch reactor (PD-SBR) were compared under TC stress (0-8 mg/L). The PD-MBBR proved more robust, sustaining a high nitrate transformation ratio (NTR) of 95.11% and ∼53% TC removal. Metagenomic sequencing, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and molecular docking revealed this tolerance stemmed from physical shielding and metabolic compensation. Carrier-attached growth promoted extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) overproduction, forming a dense barrier preventing TC from binding to key denitrifying enzymes. The biofilm maintained stable nitrate reductase (NAR) activity via high narG and napA gene abundances, while nitrite reductase (NIR) was inhibited, ensuring efficient NO₂--N accumulation. This was supported by hyperactivated electron transport chain components, with complex III relative abundance increasing 15.08% and peak enzymatic activity reaching 149.02%. While IntI1-mediated horizontal gene transfer fortified community defense, concentrated antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within the biofilm pose a secondary dissemination risk. Thus, PD-MBBR provides an efficient pretreatment strategy for anammox, though downstream ARGs management is warranted.

Denitrification↗

Precision UV-B irradiation for flavonoid biofortification in indoor-cultivated Morus nigra: Integrated multi-omics and molecular docking insights.

Precision application of UV irradiation represents an effective strategy for improving the quality of functional food crops under controlled environmental conditions. Morus nigra serves as a significant functional food resource in Xinjiang, with its leaves being rich in diverse bioactive compounds with nutritional and health-promoting properties. In this study, a low-dose UV-B treatment regimen was developed to enhance flavonoids in indoor-cultivated M. nigra without growth penalty. Multi-omics revealed a hormone shift (suppressed auxin vs. activated JA signaling). This triggered transcriptional reprogramming of PAL/4CL and CHS/CYP75B1, redirecting carbon flux towards flavonoid biosynthesis. Transient overexpression of MYB, NAC, and TIFY variants validated this regulatory network. The UV-B-induced NAC upregulated key genes and flavonoids, while different TIFY members showed diverse regulatory effects. Molecular docking predicted that the induced flavonoids had hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-browning potential. This study indicates targeted UV-B as a green biofortification strategy for high-value crops in controlled environments.

Flavonoid biosynthesis↗

Domesticated Argania spinosa in Eastern Morocco: HPLC-DAD/GC-MS Chemical Profiling, Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities, and Network Pharmacology-Guided Molecular Docking.

The argan tree (Argania spinosa) is an endemic Moroccan species known for its primary product, argan oil, which possesses exceptional nutritional and medicinal properties. The current study aimed to evaluate and compare the antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of argan oil obtained from the introduced and native argan tree in eastern Morocco, to analyze its chemical composition using HPLC-DAD and GC-MS, and to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the obtained pharmacological activities through an in silico pharmacological networking and molecular docking study. The results revealed that argan oil from all three regions of Morocco (Oujda, Agadir, and Chouihya) is rich in oleic and linoleic acids as major constituents, along with the presence of significant tocopherols. Regarding the antioxidant assays, including DPPH radical scavenging and iron-reducing power tests, argan oil from Oujda exhibited the highest activity, with the lowest IC50 values of 15.25 ± 0.022 mg/mL and 28.5 ± 1.7 mg/mL, respectively. Concerning the antidiabetic activity, we found that oil from Chaouihya showed the strongest α-amylase inhibition, while Oujda oil had the highest antiglycation activity, indicating that even introduced argan trees retain potent bioactivity. The results of the in silico investigation suggested that tocopherols may contribute to the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of argan oil, showing predicted antioxidant activity (Pa = 0.843-0.967) and favorable binding affinities toward iNOS (ΔG = -9.3 kcal mol-1) and α-glucosidase (ΔG = -8.2 kcal mol-1). The identified fatty acids also showed predicted insulin-promoting activity (Pa = 0.59-0.75) and moderate enzyme-binding potential. Pharmacological network analysis identified 51 shared genes associated with antioxidant, antidiabetic, and argan-related targets, with enrichment of the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. These computational findings provide possible molecular associations that may help explain the observed biological activities, although they remain predictive and require experimental validation. Overall, the in silico analysis suggests that tocopherols could be among the contributors to the multi-target profile of Argania spinosa oil, while fatty acids may provide complementary effects related to glycemic regulation.

Sapotaceae↗

CASP2 experiences with docking flexible ligands using FlexX.

We have applied our docking program FlexX to all eight CASP2 targets involving protein complexes with small ligands. Of the seven targets that were kept in the CASP2 experiment, we could solve two. We found important parts of the solution in four other examples, and were unsuccessful on the remaining example. This paper discusses all predictions in detail. Each of our prediction runs took just a few minutes of computer time on a standard workstation and could thus be demonstrated in real time at the CASP meeting. We believe that this speed is the prime strength of our program FlexX. In quality, our predictions are competitive with those produced by other predictors. The experiment showed that possible objectives of improvement of the FlexX program are to incorporate relevant aspects of receptor flexibility, deal with water molecules in the receptor pocket, allow for a postoptimization to refine favorable complexes, and improve the scoring function.

Amiloride↗

Expression, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction study of FtsY, the docking protein of the signal recognition particle of E. coli.

FtsY is the docking protein or SR alpha homologue in E. coli. It is involved in targeting secretory proteins to the cytoplasmic membrane by interacting with the signal recognition particle, controlled by guanosine 5'-triphosphate. Two different constructs have been used in crystallization studies: the full-length protein and a truncated fragment with a his-tag at the C terminus. Only the second construct resulted in crystals suitable for x-ray diffraction. The crystals belong to the monoclinic space group P2(1) with cell dimensions a = 32.20 A, b = 79.57 A, c = 59.21 A, and beta = 94.45, and contain one molecule per asymmetric unit. At cryogenic temperatures the crystals diffract to a resolution limit of 2.5 A by using a rotating anode, and beyond 1.8 A by using synchrotron radiation.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Ligand solvation in molecular docking.

Solvation plays an important role in ligand-protein association and has a strong impact on comparisons of binding energies for dissimilar molecules. When databases of such molecules are screened for complementarity to receptors of known structure, as often occurs in structure-based inhibitor discovery, failure to consider ligand solvation often leads to putative ligands that are too highly charged or too large. To correct for the different charge states and sizes of the ligands, we calculated electrostatic and non-polar solvation free energies for molecules in a widely used molecular database, the Available Chemicals Directory (ACD). A modified Born equation treatment was used to calculate the electrostatic component of ligand solvation. The non-polar component of ligand solvation was calculated based on the surface area of the ligand and parameters derived from the hydration energies of apolar ligands. These solvation energies were subtracted from the ligand-receptor interaction energies. We tested the usefulness of these corrections by screening the ACD for molecules that complemented three proteins of known structure, using a molecular docking program. Correcting for ligand solvation improved the rankings of known ligands and discriminated against molecules with inappropriate charge states and sizes.

Aniline Compounds↗

Ionization state and molecular docking studies for the macrophage migration inhibitory factor: the role of lysine 32 in the catalytic mechanism.

The macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine that is structurally similar to certain isomerases and for which multiple immune and catalytic roles have been proposed. Different catalytic activities have been reported for MIF, yet the exact mechanism by which MIF acts is not completely known. As a tautomerase, the enzyme uses a general acid-base mechanism of proton transfer in which the amino-terminal proline has been shown to function as the catalytic base. We report the results of molecular docking simulations of macrophage migration inhibitory factor with three substrates, D-dopachrome, L-dopachrome methyl ester and p-(hydroxyphenyl)pyruvate. Electrostatic pK(a) predictions were also performed for the free and complexed forms of the enzyme. The predicted binding mode of p-(hydroxyphenyl)pyruvate is in agreement with the recently published X-ray structure. A model for the binding mode of D-dopachrome and L-dopachrome methyl ester to MIF is proposed which offers insights into the catalytic mechanism of D-dopachrome tautomerase activity of MIF. The proposed catalytic mechanism is further supported by the pK(a) predictions, which suggest that residue Lys32 acts as the general acid for the enzymatic catalysis of D-dopachrome.

Catalysis↗

Dust exposure indices and lung function changes in longshoremen and dock workers.

A group of Dutch harbor workers involved in loading and unloading bulk products from sea vessels such as coal, cokes, and some other products like alumina, borax, phosphate ore, and vermiculite was studied. Exposures were characterized by personal and environmental monitoring. This information was subsequently used to estimate several dust exposure indices and to study relationships with lung function variables and respiratory symptoms. Average respirable dust exposure levels ranged from 0.3-4.0 mg/m3. Workers involved in unloading products from sea vessels were exposed to the highest dust levels. Supervisors and workers with tasks in the dock had an intermediate to low exposure. Office workers had the lowest exposure to respirable dust. Inhalable dust levels were considerably higher and average exposures ranged from 0.3-80 mg/m3. The ranking of occupational titles by inhalable dust exposure was almost identical to the rank order of respirable dust levels. Workers with higher current and cumulative dust exposures tended to have a lower lung function, and only shortness of breath had a statistically significant relationship with current and cumulative inhalable dust exposure. In general, relationships between lung function and inhalable dust levels tended to be somewhat stronger in terms of statistical significance, because inhalable dust is an estimate of dust deposition in the upper airways and lung function is a measurable parameter of airway obstruction in that region. However, the differences with respirable dust were minimal, and variability in dust exposure levels was extremely large for this population. It was concluded that harbor workers involved in unloading ships containing coal and various kinds of ore can be exposed to high dust levels. Relationships between dust exposure and lung function illustrate that these exposures are a respiratory hazard. Our finding that inhalable dust levels have a somewhat stronger relationship with lung function level than respirable dust levels deserves further attention.

Adult↗

Calculation of ligand-nucleic acid binding free energies with the generalized-born model in DOCK.

The calculation of ligand-nucleic acid binding free energies is investigated by including solvation effects computed with the generalized-Born model. Modifications of the solvation module in DOCK, including introduction of all-atom parameters and revision of coefficients in front of different terms, are shown to improve calculations involving nucleic acids. This computing scheme is capable of calculating binding energies, with reasonable accuracy, for a wide variety of DNA-ligand complexes, RNA-ligand complexes, and even for the formation of double-stranded DNA. This implementation of GB/SA is also shown to be capable of discriminating strong ligands from poor ligands for a series of RNA aptamers without sacrificing the high efficiency of the previous implementation. These results validate this approach to screening large databases against nucleic acid targets.

DNA↗

Muscarinic receptors: A comparative analysis of structural features and binding modes through homology modelling and molecular docking.

Three-dimensional models of the five human muscarinic receptors were obtained from their known sequences. Homology modelling based on the crystallographic structure of bovine rhodopsin yielded models compatible with known results from site-directed mutagenesis studies. The only exceptions were the cytoplasmic loop 3 (CL3) in the five receptors, and the large C-terminal domain in M(1). Here, homology modelling with other closely related proteins allowed to solve these gaps. A detailed comparative discussion of the five models is given. The second part of the work involved docking experiments with the physiological ligand acetylcholine, again yielding results entirely compatible with results from mutagenesis experiments. The study revealed analogies and differences between the five receptors in the residues, and interactions leading to the recognition and binding of acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine↗

Transport and arrangement of the outer-dynein-arm docking complex in the flagella of Chlamydomonas mutants that lack outer dynein arms.

The outer dynein arms of Chlamydomonas flagella are attached to a precise site on the outer doublet microtubules and repeat at a regular interval of 24 nm. This binding is mediated by the outer dynein arm docking complex (ODA-DC), which is composed of three protein subunits. In this study, antibodies against the 83- and 62-kD subunits (DC83 and DC62) of the ODA-DC were used to analyze its state of association with outer arm components within the cytoplasm, and its localization in the axonemes of oda mutants. Immunoprecipitation indicates that DC83 and DC62 are preassembled within the cytoplasm, but that they are not associated with outer arm dynein. Both proteins are lost or greatly diminished in oda1 and oda3, mutants in the structural genes of DC62 and DC83, respectively, demonstrating that their association is necessary for their stable presence in the cytoplasm. Immunoelectron microscopy indicates that DC83 repeats at 24-nm intervals along the length of the doublet microtubules of oda6, which lacks outer arms; thus, outer arm periodicity may be determined by the ODA-DC. Flagellar regeneration and temporary dikaryon experiments indicate that the ODA-DC can be rapidly transported into the flagellum and assembled on the doublet microtubules independently of the outer arms and independently of flagellar growth. Unexpectedly, the intensity of ODA-DC labeling decreased toward the distal ends of axonemes of oda6 but not wild-type cells, suggesting that the outer arms reciprocally contribute to the assembly/stability of the ODA-DC.

Animals↗

Molecular characterization of Ciona sperm outer arm dynein reveals multiple components related to outer arm docking complex protein 2.

Using proteomic and immunochemical techniques, we have identified the light and intermediate chains (IC) of outer arm dynein from sperm axonemes of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Ciona outer arm dynein contains six light chains (LC) including a leucine-rich repeat protein, Tctex1- and Tctex2-related proteins, a protein similar to Drosophila roadblock and two components related to Chlamydomonas LC8. No LC with thioredoxin domains is included in Ciona outer arm dynein. Among the five ICs in Ciona, three are orthologs of those in sea urchin dynein: two are WD-repeat proteins and the third one, unique to metazoan sperm flagella, contains both thioredoxin and nucleoside diphosphate kinase modules. The remaining two Ciona ICs have extensive coiled coil structure and show sequence similarity to outer arm dynein docking complex protein 2 (DC2) that was first identified in Chlamydomonas flagella. We recently identified a third DC2-like protein with coiled coil structure, Ci-Axp66.0 that is also associated in substoichiometric amounts with Ciona outer arm dynein. In addition, Oda5p, a component of an additional complex required for assembly of outer arm dynein in Chlamydomonas flagella, also groups with this family of DC2-like proteins. Thus, the assembly of outer arm dynein onto doublet microtubules involves multiple coiled-coil proteins related to DC2.

Animals↗

Synthesis of stable analogues of geranylgeranyl diphosphate possessing a (Z,E,E)-geranylgeranyl side chain, docking analysis, and biological assays for prenyl protein transferase inhibition.

Herein, we report the synthesis of novel stable analogues of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), in which the "natural" all-trans geranylgeranyl portion has been replaced by a (Z,E,E)-geranylgeranyl chain. The change in configuration and consequent change in the relative position of the polar portion with the lipophilic side chain did not improve the properties of the E,E,E analogues in their inhibition of geranylgeranyl protein transferase I (GGTase I). However, a significant level of GGTase I inhibition and selectivity for GGTase I over farnesyl transferase (FTase) was maintained the unsubstituted phosphonoacetamidoxy derivative 4 a. This has shed light on the relative importance of the configuration at the C2=C3 double bond among GGPP derivatives. Moreover, the biological activities of all the compounds reported herein, in particular the preferential FTase inhibitory activity shown by compound 6, were in good agreement with the results of docking analysis.

Dimethylallyltranstransferase↗

Prediction of small-molecule binding to cytochrome P450 3A4: flexible docking combined with multidimensional QSAR.

The inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) by small molecules is a major mechanism associated with undesired drug-drug interactions, which are responsible for a substantial number of late-stage failures in the pharmaceutical drug-development process. For a quantitative prediction of associated pharmacokinetic parameters, a computational model was developed that allows prediction of the inhibitory potential of 48 structurally diverse molecules. Based on the experimental structure of CYP3A4, possible binding modes were first sampled by using automated docking (Yeti software) taking protein flexibility into account. The results are consistent with both X-ray crystallographic data and data from metabolic studies. Next, an ensemble of energetically favorable orientations was composed into a 4D dataset for use as input for a multidimensional QSAR technique (Raptor software). A dual-shell binding-site model that allows an explicit induced fit was then generated by using hydrophobicity scoring and hydrogen-bond propensity. The simulation reached a cross-validated r2 value of 0.825 and a predictive r2 value of 0.659. On average, the predicted binding affinity of the training ligands deviates by a factor of 2.7 from the experiment; those of the test set deviate by a factor of 3.8 in Ki.

Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A↗

Aziridide-based inhibitors of cathepsin L: synthesis, inhibition activity, and docking studies.

A comprehensive screening of N-acylated aziridine (aziridide) based cysteine protease inhibitors containing either Boc-Leu-Caa (Caa=cyclic amino acid), Boc-Gly-Caa, or Boc-Phe-Ala attached to the aziridine nitrogen atom revealed Boc-(S)-Leu-(S)-Azy-(S,S)-Azi(OBn)(2) (18 a) as a highly potent cathepsin L (CL) inhibitor (K(i)=13 nM) (Azy=aziridine-2-carboxylate, Azi=aziridine-2,3-dicarboxylate). Docking studies, which also accounted for the unusual bonding situations (the flexibility and hybridization of the aziridides) predict that the inhibitor adopts a Y shape and spans across the entire active site cleft, binding into both the nonprimed and primed sites of CL.

Animals↗