Flexible scaffold-based cheminformatics approach for polypharmacological drug design.

Effective treatments for complex central nervous system (CNS) disorders require drugs with polypharmacology and multifunctionality, yet designing such drugs remains a challenge. Here, we present a flexible scaffold-based cheminformatics approach (FSCA) for the rational design of polypharmacological drugs. FSCA involves fitting a flexible scaffold to different receptors using different binding poses, as exemplified by IHCH-7179, which adopted a "bending-down" binding pose at 5-HT2AR to act as an antagonist and a "stretching-up" binding pose at 5-HT1AR to function as an agonist. IHCH-7179 demonstrated promising results in alleviating cognitive deficits and psychoactive symptoms in mice by blocking 5-HT2AR for psychoactive symptoms and activating 5-HT1AR to alleviate cognitive deficits. By analyzing aminergic receptor structures, we identified two featured motifs, the "agonist filter" and "conformation shaper," which determine ligand binding pose and predict activity at aminergic receptors. With these motifs, FSCA can be applied to the design of polypharmacological ligands at other receptors.

Structural insights into the human D1 and D2 dopamine receptor signaling complexes.

The D1- and D2-dopamine receptors (D1R and D2R), which signal through Gs and Gi, respectively, represent the principal stimulatory and inhibitory dopamine receptors in the central nervous system. D1R and D2R also represent the main therapeutic targets for Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and many other neuropsychiatric disorders, and insight into their signaling is essential for understanding both therapeutic and side effects of dopaminergic drugs. Here, we report four cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of D1R-Gs and D2R-Gi signaling complexes with selective and non-selective dopamine agonists, including two currently used anti-Parkinson's disease drugs, apomorphine and bromocriptine. These structures, together with mutagenesis studies, reveal the conserved binding mode of dopamine agonists, the unique pocket topology underlying ligand selectivity, the conformational changes in receptor activation, and potential structural determinants for G protein-coupling selectivity. These results provide both a molecular understanding of dopamine signaling and multiple structural templates for drug design targeting the dopaminergic system.

GPCRs steer Gi and Gs selectivity via TM5-TM6 switches as revealed by structures of serotonin receptors.

Serotonin (or 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter that activates 12 different G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) through selective coupling of Gs, Gi, or Gq proteins. The structural basis for G protein subtype selectivity by these GPCRs remains elusive. Here, we report the structures of the serotonin receptors 5-HT4, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7 with Gs, and 5-HT4 with Gi1. The structures reveal that transmembrane helices TM5 and TM6 alternate lengths as a macro-switch to determine receptor's selectivity for Gs and Gi, respectively. We find that the macro-switch by the TM5-TM6 length is shared by class A GPCR-G protein structures. Furthermore, we discover specific residues within TM5 and TM6 that function as micro-switches to form specific interactions with Gs or Gi. Together, these results present a common mechanism of Gs versus Gi protein coupling selectivity or promiscuity by class A GPCRs and extend the basis of ligand recognition at serotonin receptors.

Recognition of methamphetamine and other amines by trace amine receptor TAAR1.

Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), the founding member of a nine-member family of trace amine receptors, is responsible for recognizing a range of biogenic amines in the brain, including the endogenous ß-phenylethylamine (ß-PEA)1 as well as methamphetamine2, an abused substance that has posed a severe threat to human health and society3. Given its unique physiological role in the brain, TAAR1 is also an emerging target for a range of neurological disorders including schizophrenia, depression and drug addiction2,4,5. Here we report structures of human TAAR1-G-protein complexes bound to methamphetamine and ß-PEA as well as complexes bound to RO5256390, a TAAR1-selective agonist, and SEP-363856, a clinical-stage dual agonist for TAAR1 and serotonin receptor 5-HT1AR (refs. 6,7). Together with systematic mutagenesis and functional studies, the structures reveal the molecular basis of methamphetamine recognition and underlying mechanisms of ligand selectivity and polypharmacology between TAAR1 and other monoamine receptors. We identify a lid-like extracellular loop 2 helix/loop structure and a hydrogen-bonding network in the ligand-binding pockets, which may contribute to the ligand recognition in TAAR1. These findings shed light on the ligand recognition mode and activation mechanism for TAAR1 and should guide the development of next-generation therapeutics for drug addiction and various neurological disorders.

Structures of the human dopamine D3 receptor-Gi complexes.

The dopamine system, including five dopamine receptors (D1R-D5R), plays essential roles in the central nervous system (CNS), and ligands that activate dopamine receptors have been used to treat many neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we report two cryo-EM structures of human D3R in complex with an inhibitory G protein and bound to the D3R-selective agonists PD128907 and pramipexole, the latter of which is used to treat patients with Parkinson's disease. The structures reveal agonist binding modes distinct from the antagonist-bound D3R structure and conformational signatures for ligand-induced receptor activation. Mutagenesis and homology modeling illuminate determinants of ligand specificity across dopamine receptors and the mechanisms for Gi protein coupling. Collectively our work reveals the basis of agonist binding and ligand-induced receptor activation and provides structural templates for designing specific ligands to treat CNS diseases targeting the dopaminergic system.

Structural insights into the lipid and ligand regulation of serotonin receptors.

Serotonin, or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is an important neurotransmitter1,2 that activates the largest subtype family of G-protein-coupled receptors3. Drugs that target 5-HT1A, 5-HT1D, 5-HT1E and other 5-HT receptors are used to treat numerous disorders4. 5-HT receptors have high levels of basal activity and are subject to regulation by lipids, but the structural basis for the lipid regulation and basal activation of these receptors and the pan-agonism of 5-HT remains unclear. Here we report five structures of 5-HT receptor-G-protein complexes: 5-HT1A in the apo state, bound to 5-HT or bound to the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole; 5-HT1D bound to 5-HT; and 5-HT1E in complex with a 5-HT1E- and 5-HT1F-selective agonist, BRL-54443. Notably, the phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate is present at the G-protein-5-HT1A interface, and is able to increase 5-HT1A-mediated G-protein activity. The receptor transmembrane domain is surrounded by cholesterol molecules-particularly in the case of 5-HT1A, in which cholesterol molecules are directly involved in shaping the ligand-binding pocket that determines the specificity for aripiprazol. Within the ligand-binding pocket of apo-5-HT1A are structured water molecules that mimic 5-HT to activate the receptor. Together, our results address a long-standing question of how lipids and water molecules regulate G-protein-coupled receptors, reveal how 5-HT acts as a pan-agonist, and identify the determinants of drug recognition in 5-HT receptors.

Highly resistant and sensitive colorimetric immunochromatographic assay for sibutramine (SBT) illegally adulterated into diet food based on PDA/AuNP labelling.

A gold nanoparticle (AuNP) based immunochromatographic assay strip is a valuable tool for monitoring chemicals in foods. However, the sensitive ICA strip for SBT is rarely reported due to the fact that monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against SBT with high affinity are commercially unavailable. Herein, a monoclonal antibody against SBT was prepared through a designed hapten with a carboxyl end-capped space arm. The obtained mAb showed high affinity for SBT and N-desmethylsibutramine, a metabolite of SBT. Furthermore, a series of core-shell NPs, polydopamine (PDA) coated AuNPs (PDA/AuNPs) with controlled shell thickness and packing density were synthesized. The obtained PDA/AuNP-mAb conjugate demonstrated high tolerance to salt and good stability in a wide pH range, which is beneficial for improving the matrix interference common in ICA. As a result, PDA/AuNP-based ICA could quantify SBT in the range of 3.39-69.60 ng mL-1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.98 ng mL-1. This novel ICA improved the sensitivity of the traditional AuNP-based ICA by nearly 12 times. Method validation was conducted with spiked samples of slimming food and human serum and compared with HPLC-MS/MS. Consistent results indicated that high sensitivity, accuracy, and reliability of the PDA/AuNP-based ICA approach were achieved. To the best of our knowledge, this study reported the most sensitive immunoassay for SBT thus far.

Enhancing Carrier Transport via σ-Linkage Length Modulation in D-σ-A Semiconductors for Photocatalytic Oxidation.

Carrier transport is an equally decisive factor as carrier separation for elevating photocatalytic efficiency. However, limited by indefinite structures and low crystallinities, studies on enhancing carrier transport of organic photocatalysts are still in their infancy. Here, we develop an σ-linkage length modulation strategy to enhance carrier transport in imidazole-alkyl-perylene diimide (IMZ-alkyl-PDI, corresponding to D-σ-A) photocatalysts by controlling π-π stacking distance. Ethyl-linkage can shorten π-π stacking distance (3.19 Å) the most among IMZ-alkyl-PDIs (where alkyl=none, ethyl, and n-propyl) via minimizing steric hindrance between D and A moieties, which leads to the fastest carrier transport rates. Thereby, IMZ-ethyl-PDI exhibits remarkable enhancement in phenol degradation with 32-fold higher rates than IMZ-PDI, as well as the oxygen evolution rate (271-fold increased). In microchannel reactors, IMZ-ethyl-PDI also presents 81.5 % phenol removal with high-flux surface hydraulic loading (44.73 L m-2 h-1 ). Our findings provide a promising molecular design guideline for high-performance photocatalysts and elucidate crucial internal carrier transport mechanisms.

Instrumental activities of daily living function and cognitive status among Chinese older adults: a serial multiple mediation model.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate a serial multiple mediation model to investigate the association between instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) function and cognitive status among older adults while exploring the underlying mechanisms. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 3,665 individuals aged 60 years and older who participated in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS). A serial multiple mediation model was utilized to explore the direct and indirect relationship between IADL function and cognitive status and whether sleep duration, social engagement, and depressive symptoms mediated this relationship. Results: Decreased IADL function was associated with worse cognitive status [effect = -0.620, 95% CI: (-0.692, -0.540)]. Sleep duration, social participation (SP), and depressive symptoms all acted as mediators in the relationship between IADL function and cognitive status. Conclusion: This study found both direct and indirect associations between IADL function and cognitive status, providing new insights into the effective prevention and intervention of cognitive decline among older adults.

Outcomes, responses, and prognostic analyses of intrathecal combined treatment for leptomeningeal metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a severe lung cancer complication, with potentially fatal consequences. The use of intrathecal therapy (IT) combined with systemic therapy has shown promise as a treatment approach for LM. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the features and responses to IT combined therapy and identify determinants affecting patients with leptomeningeal metastasis resulting from lung adenocarcinoma (LM-LA). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of medical records from our hospital database was performed, covering from April 2018 to August 2022, for 37 patients diagnosed with LM-LA and treated with IT combined therapy. Patients who received IT combined therapy for LM-LA were evaluated for demographic characteristics, treatment efficacy, survival, and variables that impacted them. RESULTS: The median overall survival (mOS) of 37 patients was 16.0 months, and the survival rates at 6 and 12 months were 75.7% and 35.1%, respectively. Among the 21 patients with LM-LA who received IT combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), the mOS was 17.0 months, which was significantly longer than that of patients treated with IT combined with chemotherapy (7.0 months, P = 0.010) and the best supportive care (6.0 months, P = 0.001). However, no significant survival benefit was observed in patients treated with IT combined with TKIs when compared with those treated with IT combined with PD-1 (5.0 months, P = 0.249). Multivariate analysis indicated that the combination of TKIs was an independent favorable prognostic factor for patients with LM-LA. CONCLUSION: Combination treatment is regarded as an additional option for patients with LM-LA. Compared with other combination therapies in our study, IT combined with TKI therapy provided a better survival outcome for patients with LM-LA.

Deciphering soil resistance and virulence gene risks in conventional and organic farming systems.

Organic farming is a sustainable agricultural practice emphasizing natural inputs and ecological balance, and has garnered significant attention for its potential health and environmental benefits. However, a comprehensive evaluation of the emergent contaminants, particularly resistance and virulence genes within organic farming system, remains elusive. Here, a total of 36 soil samples from paired conventional and organic vegetable farms were collected from Jiangsu province, China. A systematic metagenomic approach was employed to investigate the prevalence, dispersal capability, pathogenic potential, and drivers of resistance and virulence genes across both organic and conventional systems. Our findings revealed a higher abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), biocide resistance genes (BRGs), and virulence factor genes (VFGs) in organic farming system, with ARGs exhibiting a particularly notable increase of 10.76% compared to the conventional one. Pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were hosts carrying all four gene categories, highlighting their potential health implications. The neutral community model captured 77.1% and 71.9% of the variance in community dynamics within the conventional and organic farming systems, respectively, indicating that stochastic process was the predominant factor shaping gene communities. The relative smaller m value calculated in organic farming system (0.021 vs 0.023) indicated diminished gene exchange with external sources. Moreover, farming practices were observed to influence the resistance and virulence gene landscape by modifying soil properties, managing heavy metal stress, and steering mobile genetic elements (MGEs) dynamics. The study offers insights that can guide agricultural strategies to address potential health and ecological concerns.

AlphaFold2 structures guide prospective ligand discovery.

AlphaFold2 (AF2) models have had wide impact but mixed success in retrospective ligand recognition. We prospectively docked large libraries against unrefined AF2 models of the σ2 and serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptors, testing hundreds of new molecules and comparing results with those obtained from docking against the experimental structures. Hit rates were high and similar for the experimental and AF2 structures, as were affinities. Success in docking against the AF2 models was achieved despite differences between orthosteric residue conformations in the AF2 models and the experimental structures. Determination of the cryo-electron microscopy structure for one of the more potent 5-HT2A ligands from the AF2 docking revealed residue accommodations that resembled the AF2 prediction. AF2 models may sample conformations that differ from experimental structures but remain low energy and relevant for ligand discovery, extending the domain of structure-based drug design.

AlphaFold2 structures template ligand discovery.

AlphaFold2 (AF2) and RosettaFold have greatly expanded the number of structures available for structure-based ligand discovery, even though retrospective studies have cast doubt on their direct usefulness for that goal. Here, we tested unrefined AF2 models prospectively, comparing experimental hit-rates and affinities from large library docking against AF2 models vs the same screens targeting experimental structures of the same receptors. In retrospective docking screens against the σ2 and the 5-HT2A receptors, the AF2 structures struggled to recapitulate ligands that we had previously found docking against the receptors' experimental structures, consistent with published results. Prospective large library docking against the AF2 models, however, yielded similar hit rates for both receptors versus docking against experimentally-derived structures; hundreds of molecules were prioritized and tested against each model and each structure of each receptor. The success of the AF2 models was achieved despite differences in orthosteric pocket residue conformations for both targets versus the experimental structures. Intriguingly, against the 5-HT2A receptor the most potent, subtype-selective agonists were discovered via docking against the AF2 model, not the experimental structure. To understand this from a molecular perspective, a cryoEM structure was determined for one of the more potent and selective ligands to emerge from docking against the AF2 model of the 5-HT2A receptor. Our findings suggest that AF2 models may sample conformations that are relevant for ligand discovery, much extending the domain of applicability of structure-based ligand discovery.

Coproduction of amino acids and biohythane from microalgae via cascaded hydrothermal and anaerobic process.

In search of the candidate for animal feed and clean energy, a new vision of algal biorefinery was firstly proposed to coproduce amino acids and biohythane via hydrothermal treatment and two-stage anaerobic fermentation. This study focused on the comprehensive analysis of amino acids recovered from Chlorella sp. and the subsequent biohythane production from microalgal residues. The content and recovery rate of amino acids were in the range of 2.07-27.62 g/100 g and 3.65 %-48.66 % with increasing temperature due to more cell wall disruptions. Furthermore, it was rich in essential amino acids for livestock, including leucine, arginine, isoleucine, valine and phenylalanine. A comparable hydrogen production (9 mL/g volatile solids (VS)) was reached at 70 °C and 90 °C, while it reduced to 5.84 mL/gVS at 150 °C. The group at 70 °C got the maximum methane generation of 311.9 mL/gVS, which was 16.67 %, 24.94 %, 38.38 % and 46.49 % higher than that of other groups. Microalgal residues at lower temperature contained more organics, which was the reason for the better biohythane production. The coproduction of amino acids and biohythane at 130 °C was favorable, which led to 43.71 % amino acids recovery and 93.82 mL biohythane production from per gVS of Chlorella sp. The improved microalgal biorefinery could provide an alternative way to mitigate the crisis of food and energy, but animal experimentations and techno-economic assessments should be considered for further study.

Dietary B vitamins and glioma: A case-control study based on Chinese population.

Background: Dietary antioxidants have long been thought to be likely to prevent the development of gliomas. Previous studies have reported vitamin A, C, and E protective effects against gliomas. B vitamins, one of the main vitamins in the diet, are closely related to human health, but the association with gliomas has rarely been reported. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between five B vitamins and glioma. Methods: In this Chinese population-based case-control study, 506 glioma cases and 506 matched (age and sex) controls were included. The dietary intake of study participants was assessed using a valid 111-item food frequency questionnaire. The intake of five B vitamins was calculated based on participants' dietary information from the food frequency questionnaire. The logistic regression model was used to examine the association between B vitamins and glioma, and the restriction cubic spline evaluated the dose-response relationship between the two. Results: After adjusting for confounding factors, thiamine (OR = 0.09, 95%CI: 0.05-0.20), riboflavin (OR = 0.12, 95%CI: 0.06-0.25), nicotinic acid (OR = 0.24, 95%CI: 0.12-0.47), folate (OR = 0.07, 95%CI: 0.03-0.15) and biotin (OR = 0.14, 95%CI: 0.07-0.30) in the highest tertile were associated with a significantly decreased risk of glioma compared with the lowest tertile. The results of thiamine and biotin in glioma with different pathological types and grades were different. The restricted cubic spline function showed significant dose-response relationships between the intake of five B vitamins and the risk of glioma. When B vitamins exceeded a specific intake, the risk of glioma did not change. Conclusion: Our study suggests that higher dietary intake of thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, and folate are associated with a decreased risk of glioma, but the results of biotin are not consistent among different populations. In the future, prospective studies should be conducted better to validate the effects of B vitamins on gliomas.

Structural basis for motilin and erythromycin recognition by motilin receptor.

Motilin is an endogenous peptide hormone almost exclusively expressed in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It activates the motilin receptor (MTLR), a class A G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), and stimulates GI motility. To our knowledge, MTLR is the first GPCR reported to be activated by macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin. It has attracted extensive attention as a potential drug target for GI disorders. We report two structures of Gq-coupled human MTLR bound to motilin and erythromycin. Our structures reveal the recognition mechanism of both ligands and explain the specificity of motilin and ghrelin, a related gut peptide hormone, for their respective receptors. These structures also provide the basis for understanding the different recognition modes of erythromycin by MTLR and ribosome. These findings provide a framework for understanding the physiological regulation of MTLR and guiding drug design targeting MTLR for the treatment of GI motility disorders.

Structural genomics of the human dopamine receptor system.

The dopaminergic system, including five dopamine receptors (D1R to D5R), plays essential roles in the central nervous system (CNS); and ligands that activate dopamine receptors have been used to treat many neuropsychiatric disorders, including Parkinson's Disease (PD) and schizophrenia. Here, we report cryo-EM structures of all five subtypes of human dopamine receptors in complex with G protein and bound to the pan-agonist, rotigotine, which is used to treat PD and restless legs syndrome. The structures reveal the basis of rotigotine recognition in different dopamine receptors. Structural analysis together with functional assays illuminate determinants of ligand polypharmacology and selectivity. The structures also uncover the mechanisms of dopamine receptor activation, unique structural features among the five receptor subtypes, and the basis of G protein coupling specificity. Our work provides a comprehensive set of structural templates for the rational design of specific ligands to treat CNS diseases targeting the dopaminergic system.

Differentially Expressed Genes in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Tissues and Their Correlation with Recurrence and Metastasis of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

In this study, bioinformatics tools were used to identify key genes to study the molecular mechanism of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) development and to explore the correlation of these key genes with the recurrence and metastasis of NPC. The GSE61218 microarray dataset obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus Database (GEO) was used. The limma R package was used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between NPC and normal nasopharyngeal (NP) tissues. KEGG functional enrichment was performed on these selected DEGs. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using Cytoscape software to identify key node proteins. The NPC-metastasis microarray dataset GSE103611 was obtained from GEO to analyze the expression of DEGs in NPC metastasis. A total of 239 DEGs were identified. DEGs were mainly enriched in oocyte maturation-related pathways, cytokine-related pathways, cell cycle-related pathways, cancer-related pathways, and homologous recombination-related pathways. In addition, the top 10 nodes with the higher degree in the DEG PPI network were as follows: CDK1, CCNB2, BUB1, CCNA2, AURKB, BUB1B, MAD2L1, NDC80, BIRC5, and CENPF. The results indicated that DEGs may be involved in the pathogenesis of NPC by regulating cell cycle and mitosis, which can be used as molecular biomarkers for the diagnosis of NPC. In addition, we identified 87 DEGs with FC > 2 and P < 0.01 from the metastasis spectrum of NPC. The intersection gene between DEGs of NPC and normal NP tissue samples and those of the metastatic spectrum of NPC was identified to be VRK2. The expression of VRK2 in NPC samples was significantly higher than that in normal NP tissue, and similarly, VRK2 expression was significantly upregulated in metastatic samples compared with nonmetastatic samples (P < 0.05). Therefore, VRK2 may be a biomarker for predicting the metastasis of NPC patients after treatment.

Structural insights into the peptide selectivity and activation of human neuromedin U receptors.

Neuromedin U receptors (NMURs), including NMUR1 and NMUR2, are a group of Gq/11-coupled G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). NMUR1 and NMUR2 play distinct, pleiotropic physiological functions in peripheral tissues and in the central nervous system (CNS), respectively, according to their distinct tissue distributions. These receptors are stimulated by two endogenous neuropeptides, neuromedin U and S (NMU and NMS) with similar binding affinities. NMURs have gathered attention as potential drug targets for obesity and inflammatory disorders. Specifically, selective agonists for NMUR2 in peripheral tissue show promising long-term anti-obesity effects with fewer CNS-related side effects. However, the mechanisms of peptide binding specificity and receptor activation remain elusive. Here, we report four cryo-electron microscopy structures of Gq chimera-coupled NMUR1 and NMUR2 in complexes with NMU and NMS. These structures reveal the conserved overall peptide-binding mode and the mechanism of peptide selectivity for specific NMURs, as well as the common activation mechanism of the NMUR subfamily. Together, these findings provide insights into the molecular basis of the peptide recognition and offer an opportunity for the design of the selective drugs targeting NMURs.

The fabrication of novel zein and resveratrol covalent conjugates: Enhanced thermal stability, emulsifying and antioxidant properties.

Novel zein and resveratrol conjugates were fabricated by alkaline and free radical grafting reactions. The grafting efficiency and total phenolic content of alkaline treated conjugates were slightly higher than those of free radical grafting. Compared to native and alkaline treated zein, the sulfhydryl contents of conjugates were obviously decreased, confirming that nucleophilic addition of resveratrol to sulfhydryl group of zein formed stable CS covalent bonds. The conformation changes of zein modified by resveratrol were revealed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Moreover, covalent modification changed isoelectric point of zein from 6.5 to 5.4 (alkaline) or 5.6 (free radical grafting), and broadening the pH application range of zein. It was worth mentioning that the conjugates showed much higher thermal stability, antioxidant activity, and emulsify activity than those of native zein. This study provides an effective way for the design of novel delivery systems to encapsulate bioactive substances.