MicroED Structures of Fluticasone Furoate and Fluticasone Propionate Provide New Insights to Their Function.

The detailed understanding of fluticasone, a widely prescribed medicine for allergic rhinitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), has not been complete due to challenges in structural elucidation. The three-dimensional (3D) structure of fluticasone furoate 1 remained undetermined for decades, while the existing structures of fluticasone propionate 2 required refinement against improved data. In this study, we applied microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) to determine the 3D structures of 1 and 2 in their drug formulation state. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were utilized to model solvent effects to determine the preferred geometries in solution. A comparative analysis of structures of 1 and 2 across three states (drug formulation state, in solution, and biologically active state) revealed major conformational changes during the entire transition. Potential energy plots were calculated for the most dynamic bonds, uncovering their rotational barriers. This study underscores the combined use of MicroED and DFT calculations to provide a comprehensive understanding of conformational and energy changes during drug functioning in humans. The quantitative comparison highlights the subtle structural differences that can lead to significant functional changes in pharmaceutical properties.

An Updated Structure of Oxybutynin Hydrochloride.

Oxybutynin (Ditropan), a widely distributed muscarinic antagonist for treating the overactive bladder, has been awaiting a definitive crystal structure for ≈50 years due to the sample and technique limitations. Past reports used powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) to shed light on the possible packing of the molecule however their model showed some inconsistencies when compared with the 2D chemical structure. These are largely attributed to X-ray-induced photoreduction. Here microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) is used to successfully unveil the experimental 3D structure of oxybutynin hydrochloride showing marked improvement over the reported PXRD structure. Using the improved model, molecular docking is applied to investigate the binding mechanism between M3 muscarinic receptor (M3R) and (R)-oxybutynin, revealing essential contacts/residues and conformational changes within the protein pocket. A possible universal conformation is proposed for M3R antagonists, which is valuable for future drug development and optimization. This study underscores the immense potential of MicroED as a complementary technique for elucidating unknown pharmaceutical structures, as well as for protein-drug interactions.

An Updated Structure of Oxybutynin Hydrochloride.

Oxybutynin (Ditropan), a widely distributed muscarinic antagonist for treating the overactive bladder, has been awaiting a definitive crystal structure for nearly 50 years due to the sample and technique limitations. Past reports used powder X-ray diffraction (PCRD) to shed light on the possible packing of the molecule however a 3D structure remained elusive. Here we used Microcrystal Electron Diffraction (MicroED) to successfully unveil the 3D structure of oxybutynin hydrochloride. We identify several inconsistencies between the reported PXRD analyses and the experimental structure. Using the improved model, molecular docking was applied to investigate the binding mechanism between M3 muscarinic receptor (M3R) and (R)-oxybutynin, revealing essential contacts/residues and conformational changes within the protein pocket. A possible universal conformation was proposed for M3R antagonists, which is valuable for future drug development and optimization. This study underscores the immense potential of MicroED as a complementary technique for elucidating the unknown pharmaceutical crystal structures, as well as for the protein-drug interactions.

Compositional Analysis of Complex Mixtures using Automatic MicroED Data Collection.

Quantitative analysis of complex mixtures, including compounds having similar chemical properties, is demonstrated using an automatic and high throughput approach to microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED). Compositional analysis of organic and inorganic compounds can be accurately executed without the need of diffraction standards. Additionally, with sufficient statistics, small amounts of compounds in mixtures can be reliably detected. These compounds can be distinguished by their crystal structure properties prior to structure solution. In addition, if the crystals are of good quality, the crystal structures can be generated on the fly, providing a complete analysis of the sample. MicroED is an effective method for analyzing the structural properties of sub-micron crystals, which are frequently found in small-molecule powders. By developing and using an automatic and high throughput approach to MicroED, and with the use of SerialEM for data collection, data from thousands of crystals allow sufficient statistics to detect even small amounts of compounds reliably.

Methyl α-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-ß-D-galactopyranoside and methyl ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-ß-D-galactopyranoside: Glycosidic linkage conformation determined from MA'AT analysis.

MA'AT analysis has been applied to two biologically-important O-glycosidic linkages in two disaccharides, α-D-Galp-(1→3)-ß-D-GalpOMe (3) and ß-D-Galp-(1→3)-ß-D-GalpOMe (4). Using density functional theory (DFT) to obtain parameterized equations relating a group of trans-O-glycosidic NMR spin-couplings to either phi (ϕ') or psi (ψ'), and experimental 3JCOCH, 2JCOC, and 3JCOCC spin-couplings measured in aqueous solution in 13C-labeled isotopomers, probability distributions of ϕ' and ψ' in each linkage were determined and compared to those determined by aqueous 1-µs molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Good agreement was found between the MA'AT and single-state MD conformational models of these linkages for the most part, with modest (approximately <15°) differences in the mean values of ϕ' and ψ', although the envelope of allowed angles (encoded in circular standard deviations or CSDs) is consistently larger for ϕ' determined from MA'AT analysis than from MD for both linkages. The MA'AT model of the α-Galp-(1→3)-ß-Galp linkage agrees well with those determined previously using conventional NMR methods (3JCOCH values and/or 1H-1H NOEs), but some discrepancy was observed for the ß-Galp-(1→3)-ß-Galp linkage, which may arise from errors in the conventions used to describe the linkage torsion angles. Statistical analyses of X-ray crystal structures show ranges of ϕ' and ψ' for both linkages that include the mean angles determined from MA'AT analyses, although both angles adopt a wide range of values in the crystalline state, with ϕ' in ß-Galp-(1→3)-ß-Galp linkages showing greater-than-expected conformational variability.

Unraveling the Structure of Meclizine Dihydrochloride with MicroED.

Meclizine (Antivert, Bonine) is a first-generation H1 antihistamine used in the treatment of motion sickness and vertigo. Despite its wide medical use for over 70 years, its crystal structure and the details of protein-drug interactions remained unknown. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) is previously unsuccessful for meclizine. Today, microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) enables the analysis of nano- or micro-sized crystals that are merely a billionth the size needed for SC-XRD directly from seemingly amorphous powder. In this study, MicroED to determine the 3D crystal structure of meclizine dihydrochloride is used. Two racemic enantiomers (R/S) are found in the unit cell, which is packed as repetitive double layers in the crystal lattice. The packing is made of multiple strong N-H-Cl- hydrogen bonding interactions and weak interactions like C-H-Cl- and pi-stacking. Molecular docking reveals the binding mechanism of meclizine to the histamine H1 receptor. A comparison of the docking complexes between histamine H1 receptor and meclizine or levocetirizine (a second-generation antihistamine) shows the conserved binding sites. This research illustrates the combined use of MicroED and molecular docking in unraveling elusive drug structures and protein-drug interactions for precision drug design and optimization.

Distinct Conformations of Mirabegron Determined by MicroED.

Mirabegron, commonly known as "Myrbetriq", has been widely prescribed as a medicine for overactive bladder syndrome for over a decade. However, the structure of the drug and what conformational changes it may undergo upon binding its receptor remain unknown. In this study, the authors employed microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) to reveal its elusive three-dimensional (3D) structure. They find that the drug adopts two distinct conformational states (conformers) within the asymmetric unit. Analysis of hydrogen bonding and packing demonstrated that the hydrophilic groups are embedded within the crystal lattice, resulting in a hydrophobic surface and low water solubility. Structural comparison revealed the presence of trans- and cis- forms in conformers 1 and 2, respectively. Comparison of the structures of Mirabegron alone with that of the drug bound to its receptor, the beta 3 adrenergic receptor (ß3AR) suggests that the drug undergoes major conformational change to fit in the receptor agonist binding site. This research highlights the efficacy of MicroED in determining the unknown and polymorphic structures of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) directly from powders.

Unraveling the Structure of Meclizine Dihydrochloride with MicroED.

Meclizine (Antivert, Bonine) is a first-generation H1 antihistamine used in the treatment of motion sickness and vertigo. Despite its wide medical use for over 70 years, its crystal structure and the details of protein-drug interactions remained unknown. In this study, we used microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) to determine the three-dimensional (3D) crystal structure of meclizine dihydrochloride directly from a seemingly amorphous powder. Two racemic enantiomers (R/S) were found in the unit cell, which packed as repetitive double layers in the crystal lattice. The packing was made of multiple strong N-H⋯Cl- hydrogen bonding interactions and weak interactions like C-H⋯Cl- and pi-stacking. Molecular docking revealed the binding mechanism of meclizine to the histamine H1 receptor. A comparison of the docking complexes between histamine H1 receptor and meclizine or levocetirizine (a second-generation antihistamine) showed the conserved binding sites. This research illustrates the combined use of MicroED and molecular docking in unraveling protein-drug interactions for precision drug design and optimization.

Distinct Conformations of Mirabegron Determined by MicroED.

Mirabegron, commonly known as "Myrbetriq", has been widely prescribed as a medicine for overactive bladder syndrome for over a decade. However, the structure of the drug and what conformational changes it may undergo upon binding its receptor remain unknown. In this study, we employed microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) to reveal its elusive three-dimensional (3D) structure. We find that the drug adopts two distinct conformational states (conformers) within the asymmetric unit. Analysis of hydrogen bonding and packing demonstrated that the hydrophilic groups were embedded within the crystal lattice, resulting in a hydrophobic surface and low water solubility. Structural comparison revealed the presence of trans- and cis- forms in conformers 1 and 2, respectively. Comparison of the structures of Mirabegron alone with that of the drug bound to its receptor,1 the beta 3 adrenergic receptor (ß3AR) suggests that the drug undergoes major conformational change to fit in the receptor agonist binding site. This research highlights the efficacy of MicroED in determining the unknown and polymorphic structures of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) directly from powders.

D-Mannosamine hydrochloride (2-amino-2-deoxy-D-mannose hydrochloride): ionic hydrogen bonding in saccharides involving chloride and aminium ions.

D-Mannosamine hydrochloride (2-amino-2-deoxy-D-mannose hydrochloride), C6H14NO5+·Cl-, (I), crystallized from a methanol/ethyl acetate/n-hexane solvent mixture at room temperature in a 4C1 chair conformation that is slightly distorted towards the C3,O5B form. A comparison of the structural parameters of (I) with the corresponding parameters in α-D-glucosamine hydrochloride, (II), and ß-D-galactosamine hydrochloride, (III)/(III'), was undertaken to evaluate the effects of ionic hydrogen bonding on structural properties. Three types of ionic hydrogen bonds are present in the crystals of (I)-(III)/(III'), i.e. N+-H...O, N+-H...Cl-, and O-H...Cl-. The exocyclic structural parameters in (I), (II), and (III)/(III') appear to be most influenced by this bonding, especially the exocyclic hydroxy groups, which adopt eclipsed conformations enabled by ionic hydrogen bonding to the chloride anion. Anomeric disorder was observed in crystals of (I), with an α:ß ratio of 37:63. However, anomeric configuration appears to exert minimal structural effects; that is, bond lengths, bond angles, and torsion angles are essentially identical in both anomers. The observed disorder at the anomeric C atom of (I) appears to be caused by the presence of the chloride anion and atom O3 or O4 in proximal voids, which provide opportunities for hydrogen bonding to atom O1 in both axial and equatorial orientations.

Two-bond 13C-13C spin-coupling constants in saccharides: dependencies on exocyclic hydroxyl group conformation.

Seven doubly 13C-labeled isotopomers of methyl ß-D-glucopyranoside, methyl ß-D-xylopyranoside, methyl ß-D-galactopyranoside, methyl ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-ß-D-glucopyranoside and methyl ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-ß-D-xylopyranoside were prepared, crystallized, and studied by single-crystal X-ray crystallography and solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy to determine experimentally the dependence of 2JC1,C3 values in aldopyranosyl rings on the C1-C2-O2-H torsion angle, θ2, involving the C2 carbon of the C1-C2-C3 coupling pathway. Using X-ray crystal structures to determine θ2 in crystalline samples and by selecting compounds that exhibit a relatively wide range of θ2 values in the crystalline state, 2JC1,C3 values measured in crystalline samples were plotted against θ2 and the resulting plot compared to that obtained from density functional theory (DFT) calculations. For θ2 values ranging from ∼90° to ∼240°, very good agreement was observed between the experimental and theoretical plots, providing strong validation of DFT-calculated spin-coupling dependencies on exocyclic C-O bond conformation involving the central carbon of geminal C-C-C coupling pathways. These findings provide new experimental evidence supporting the use of 2JCCC values as non-conventional spin-coupling constraints in MA'AT conformational modeling of saccharides in solution, and the use of NMR spin-couplings not involving coupled hydroxyl hydrogens as indirect probes of C-O bond conformation. Solvomorphism was observed in crystalline ßGal-(1→4)-ßGlcOCH3 wherein the previously-reported methanol solvate form was found to spontaneously convert to a monohydrate upon air-drying, leading to small but discernible conformational changes in, and a new crystalline form of, this disaccharide.

Methyl ß-lactoside [methyl ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-ß-D-glucopyranoside] monohydrate: a solvomorphism study.

Methyl ß-lactoside [methyl ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-ß-D-glucopyranoside] monohydrate, C13H24O11·H2O, (I), was obtained via spontaneous transformation of methyl ß-lactoside methanol solvate, (II), during air-drying. Cremer-Pople puckering parameters indicate that the ß-D-Galp (ß-D-galactopyranosyl) and ß-D-Glcp (ß-D-glucopyranosyl) rings in (I) adopt slightly distorted 4C1 chair conformations, with the former distorted towards a boat form (BC1,C4) and the latter towards a twist-boat form (O5SC2). Puckering parameters for (I) and (II) indicate that the conformation of the ßGalp ring is slightly more affected than the ßGlcp ring by the solvomorphism. Conformations of the terminal O-glycosidic linkages in (I) and (II) are virtually identical, whereas those of the internal O-glycosidic linkage show torsion-angle changes of 6° in both C-O bonds. The exocyclic hydroxymethyl group in the ßGalp residue adopts a gt conformation (C4' anti to O6') in both (I) and (II), whereas that in the ßGlcp residue adopts a gg (gauche-gauche) conformation (H5 anti to O6) in (II) and a gt (gauche-trans) conformation (C4 anti to O6) in (I). The latter conformational change is critical to the solvomorphism in that it allows water to participate in three hydrogen bonds in (I) as opposed to only two hydrogen bonds in (II), potentially producing a more energetically stable structure for (I) than for (II). Visual inspection of the crystalline lattice of (II) reveals channels in which methanol solvent resides and through which solvent might exchange during solvomorphism. These channels are less apparent in the crystalline lattice of (I).

Isopropyl 3-deoxy-α-D-ribo-hexopyranoside (isopropyl 3-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside): evaluating trends in structural parameters.

Isopropyl 3-deoxy-α-D-ribo-hexopyranoside (isopropyl 3-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside), C9H18O5, (I), crystallizes from a methanol-ethyl acetate solvent mixture at room temperature in a 4C1 chair conformation that is slightly distorted towards the C5SC1 twist-boat form. A comparison of the structural parameters in (I), methyl α-D-glucopyranoside, (II), α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-D-glucitol (maltitol), (III), and 3-deoxy-α-D-ribo-hexopyranose (3-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranose), (IV), shows that most endocyclic and exocyclic bond lengths, valence bond angles and torsion angles in the aldohexopyranosyl rings are more affected by anomeric configuration, aglycone structure and/or the conformation of exocyclic substituents, such as hydroxymethyl groups, than by monodeoxygenation at C3. The structural effects observed in the crystal structures of (I)-(IV) were confirmed though density functional theory (DFT) calculations in computed structures (I)c-(IV)c. Exocyclic hydroxymethyl groups adopt the gauche-gauche (gg) conformation (H5 anti to O6) in (I) and (III), and the gauche-trans (gt) conformation (C4 anti to O6) in (II) and (IV). The O-glycoside linkage conformations in (I) and (III) resemble those observed in disaccharides containing ß-(1→4) linkages.

Asymmetric distribution of CRUMBS polarity complex proteins from compacted 8-cell to blastocyst stage during mouse preimplantation development.

During mouse preimplantation development, blastomeres are equipotent until polarity establishment at compacted 8-cell stage. The intrinsic nature of polarity is the asymmetric distribution of polarity proteins between inside and outside blastomeres along the direction of apical-basal axis. This study investigated the early developmental temporal and spatial expression of the main CRUMBS polarity complex proteins in the mouse preimplantation embryo. We observed that Crb3, Pals1, Patj and Mpdz are transcribed in the mouse preimplantation embryo. However, the asymmetric distribution of these polarity proteins is not established until the compacted 8-cell stage. From compaction and thereafter, CRB3 and PALS1 are progressively enriched in the apical membrane, while PATJ and MPDZ are discretely localized at both tight junctions and the apical membrane adjacent to tight junctions. These temporal and spatial distribution patterns suggest that CRUMBS polarity complex might be involved in the cell polarity establishment in the early mouse embryo and reinforce the viewpoint that developmentally spatial asymmetries are first set up at the compaction stage. The present study provides a foundation for further investigation on the functions of CRUMBS polarity complex in trophectoderm specification and blastocyst morphogenesis.