Gold Salts as Alternative Catalysts in Promoting Cascade Condensation of 2-Aminobenzaldehydes with Alcohols and Amines.

The distinctive features of gold self-relay catalysts were alternatively utilized in the intriguing cascade condensation of 2-aminobenzaldehydes with alcohols and amines. Using NaAuCl4·2H2O as a catalyst, a range of 13-alkyloxy-7,11b-dihydro-6H,13H-6,12-[1,2]benzenoquinazolino[3,4-a]quinazoline derivatives was produced in good to high yields through A3B condensation of various 2-aminobenzaldehydes with alcohols. By carefully choosing the reaction conditions, gold catalysis also proved effective for A2B condensation with primary aryl- and benzylamines, facilitating the synthesis of challenging McGeachin bisaminals, including a chiral nonracemic derivative of 2-(S)-methylbenzylamine. The mild conditions of this gold-catalyzed approach may lead to new advancements in the field.

Kinetic Modeling of Time-Dependent Enzyme Inhibition by Pre-Steady-State Analysis of Progress Curves: The Case Study of the Anti-Alzheimer's Drug Galantamine.

The Michaelis-Menten model of enzyme kinetic assumes the free ligand approximation, the steady-state approximation and the rapid equilibrium approximation. Analytical methods to model slow-binding inhibitors by the analysis of initial velocities have been developed but, due to their inherent complexity, they are seldom employed. In order to circumvent the complications that arise from the violation of the rapid equilibrium assumption, inhibition is commonly evaluated by pre-incubating the enzyme and the inhibitors so that, even for slow inhibitors, the binding equilibrium is established before the reaction is started. Here, we show that for long drug-target residence time inhibitors, the conventional analysis of initial velocities by the linear regression of double-reciprocal plots fails to provide a correct description of the inhibition mechanism. As a case study, the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by galantamine, a drug approved for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease, is reported. For over 50 years, analysis based on the conventional steady-state model has overlooked the time-dependent nature of galantamine inhibition, leading to an erroneous assessment of the drug potency and, hence, to discrepancies between biochemical data and the pharmacological evidence. Re-examination of acetylcholinesterase inhibition by pre-steady state analysis of the reaction progress curves showed that the potency of galantamine has indeed been underestimated by a factor of ~100.

Untangling the Conformational Plasticity of V66M Human proBDNF Polymorphism as a Modifier of Psychiatric Disorder Susceptibility.

The human genetic variant BDNF (V66M) represents the first example of neurotrophin family member that has been linked to psychiatric disorders. In order to elucidate structural differences that account for the effects in cognitive function, this hproBDNF polymorph was expressed, refolded, purified, and compared directly to the WT variant for the first time for differences in their 3D structures by DSF, limited proteolysis, FT-IR, and SAXS measurements in solution. Our complementary studies revealed a deep impact of V66M polymorphism on hproBDNF conformations in solution. Although the mean conformation in solution appears to be more compact in the V66M variant, overall, we demonstrated a large increase in flexibility in solution upon V66M mutation. Thus, considering that plasticity in IDR is crucial for protein function, the observed alterations may be related to the functional alterations in hproBDNF binding to its receptors p75NTR, sortilin, HAP1, and SorCS2. These effects can provoke altered intracellular neuronal trafficking and/or affect proBDNF physiological functions, leading to many brain-associated diseases and conditions such as cognitive impairment and anxiety. The structural alterations highlighted in the present study may pave the way to the development of drug discovery strategies to provide greater therapeutic responses and of novel pharmacologic strategy in human populations with this common polymorphism, ultimately guiding personalized medicine for neuropsychiatric disorders.

Peptide-Protein Interactions: From Drug Design to Supramolecular Biomaterials.

The self-recognition and self-assembly of biomolecules are spontaneous processes that occur in Nature and allow the formation of ordered structures, at the nanoscale or even at the macroscale, under thermodynamic and kinetic equilibrium as a consequence of specific and local interactions. In particular, peptides and peptidomimetics play an elected role, as they may allow a rational approach to elucidate biological mechanisms to develop new drugs, biomaterials, catalysts, or semiconductors. The forces that rule self-recognition and self-assembly processes are weak interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attractions, and van der Waals forces, and they underlie the formation of the secondary structure (e.g., α-helix, ß-sheet, polyproline II helix), which plays a key role in all biological processes. Here, we present recent and significant examples whereby design was successfully applied to attain the desired structural motifs toward function. These studies are important to understand the main interactions ruling the biological processes and the onset of many pathologies. The types of secondary structure adopted by peptides during self-assembly have a fundamental importance not only on the type of nano- or macro-structure formed but also on the properties of biomaterials, such as the types of interaction, encapsulation, non-covalent interaction, or covalent interaction, which are ultimately useful for applications in drug delivery.

Kinetic and structural studies on the interactions of Torpedo californica acetylcholinesterase with two donepezil-like rigid analogues.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors were introduced for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Among the currently approved inhibitors, donepezil (DNP) is one of the most preferred choices in AD therapy. The X-ray crystal structures of Torpedo californica AChE in complex with two novel rigid DNP-like analogs, compounds 1 and 2, have been determined. Kinetic studies indicated that compounds 1 and 2 show a mixed-type inhibition against TcAChE, with Ki values of 11.12 ± 2.88 and 29.86 ± 1.12 nM, respectively. The DNP rigidification results in a likely entropy-enthalpy compensation with solvation effects contributing primarily to AChE binding affinity. Molecular docking evidenced the molecular basis for the binding of compounds 1 and 2 to the active site of ß-secretase-1. Overall, these simplified DNP derivatives may represent new structural templates for the design of lead compounds for a more effective therapeutic strategy against AD by foreseeing a dual AChE and BACE-1 inhibitory activity.

A comparative analysis of the structural, functional and biological differences between Mouse and Human Nerve Growth Factor.

NGF is the prototype member of the neurotrophin family of proteins that promote the survival and growth of selected neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. As for all neurotrophins, NGF is translated as a pre-pro-protein. Over the years, NGF and proNGF of either human or mouse origin, given their high degree of homology, have been exploited for numerous applications in biomedical sciences. The mouse NGF has been considered the golden-standard for bioactivity. Indeed, due to evolutionary relatedness to human NGF and to its ready availability and by assuming identical properties to its human counterpart, the mouse NGF, isolated and purified from sub-maxillary glands, has been tested not only in laboratory practice and in preclinical models, but it has also been evaluated in several human clinical trials. Aiming to validate this assumption, widely believed, we performed a comparative study of the biochemical and biophysical properties of the mouse and human counterparts of NGF and proNGF. The mature and the precursor proteins of either species strikingly differ in their biophysical profiles and, when tested for ligand binding to their receptors, in their in vitro biological activities. We provide a structural rationale that accounts for their different functional behaviors. Despite being highly conserved during evolution, NGF and proNGF of mouse and human origins show distinct properties and therefore special care must be taken in performing experiments with cross-species systems in the laboratory practice, in developing immunoassays, in clinical trials and in pharmacological treatments.

Proof of the Structure of the Stemodia chilensis Tetracyclic Diterpenoid (+)-19-Acetoxystemodan-12-ol by Synthesis from (+)-Podocarpic Acid: X-ray Structure Determination of a Key Intermediate.

The first synthesis of (+)-19-acetoxystemodan-12-ol (1), a stemodane diterpenoid isolated from Stemodia chilensis, is described. The structure was supported by an X-ray crystallographic analysis of intermediate (+)-9a, which confirmed the proposed structure and excluded the structure of (-)-19-hydroxystemod-12-ene as a possible candidate for the Chilean Calceolaria diterpenoid to which the (-)-19-hydroxystemar-13-ene structure (9b) had been erroneously assigned.

The conundrum of the high-affinity NGF binding site formation unveiled?

The homodimer NGF (nerve growth factor) exerts its neuronal activity upon binding to either or both distinct transmembrane receptors TrkA and p75(NTR). Functionally relevant interactions between NGF and these receptors have been proposed, on the basis of binding and signaling experiments. Namely, a ternary TrkA/NGF/p75(NTR) complex is assumed to be crucial for the formation of the so-called high-affinity NGF binding sites. However, the existence, on the cell surface, of direct extracellular interactions is still a matter of controversy. Here, supported by a small-angle x-ray scattering solution study of human NGF, we propose that it is the oligomerization state of the secreted NGF that may drive the formation of the ternary heterocomplex. Our data demonstrate the occurrence in solution of a concentration-dependent distribution of dimers and dimer of dimers. A head-to-head molecular assembly configuration of the NGF dimer of dimers has been validated. Overall, these findings prompted us to suggest a new, to our knowledge, model for the transient ternary heterocomplex, i.e., a TrkA/NGF/p75(NTR) ligand/receptors molecular assembly with a (2:4:2) stoichiometry. This model would neatly solve the problem posed by the unconventional orientation of p75(NTR) with respect to TrkA, as being found in the crystal structures of the TrkA/NGF and p75(NTR)/NGF complexes.

Disentangling the formation, mechanism, and evolvement of the covalent methanesulfonyl fluoride acetylcholinesterase adduct: Insights into an aged-like inactive complex susceptible to reactivation by a combination of nucleophiles.

Chemical warfare nerve agents and pesticides, known as organophosphorus compounds inactivate cholinesterases (ChEs) by phosphorylating the serine hydroxyl group located at the active site of ChEs. Over the course of time, phosphorylation is followed by loss of an organophosphate-leaving group and the bond with ChEs becomes irreversible, a process known as aging. Differently, structurally related irreversible catalytic poisons bearing sulfur instead of phosphorus convert ChEs in its aged form only by covalently binding to the key catalytic serine. Kinetic and crystallographic studies of the interaction between Torpedo californica acetylcholinesterase (TcAChE) and a small organosulfonate, methanesulfonyl fluoride (MSF), indeed revealed irreversibly methylsulfonylated serine 200, to be isosteric with the bound aged sarin/soman analogues. The potent bulky reversible inhibitor 7-bis-tacrine (BTA) adopts, in the active site of the crystal structure of the MSF-enzyme adduct, a location and an orientation that closely resemble the one being found in the crystal structure of the BTA-enzyme complex. Remarkably, the presence of BTA accelerates the rate of methanesulfonylation by a factor of two. This unexpected result can be explained on the basis of two facts: i) the steric hindrance exerted by BTA to MSF in accessing the active site and ii) the acceleration of the MSF-enzyme adduct formation as a consequence of the lowering of the rotational and translational degrees of freedom in the proximity of the catalytic serine. It is well known that pralidoxime (2-Pyridine Aldoxime Methyl chloride, 2-PAM) alone or in the presence of the substrate acetylcholine cannot reactivate the active site serine of the TcAChE-MSF adduct. We show that the simultaneous presence of 2-PAM and the additional neutral oxime, 2-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]-l-methylimidazol (2-HAM), triggers the reactivation process of TcAChE within the hour timescale. Overall, our results pave the way toward the likely use of a cocktail of distinctive oximes as a promising recipe for an effective and fast reactivation of aged cholinesterases.

Functional and structural study of the dimeric inner membrane protein SbmA.

SbmA protein has been proposed as a dimeric secondary transporter. The protein is involved in the transport of microcins B17 and J25, bleomycin, proline-rich antimicrobial peptides, antisense peptide phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers, and peptide nucleic acids into the Escherichia coli cytoplasm. The sbmA homologue is found in a variety of bacteria, though the physiological role of the protein is hitherto unknown. In this work, we carried out a functional and structural analysis to determine which amino acids are critical for the transport properties of SbmA. We created a set of 15 site-directed sbmA mutants in which single conserved amino acids were replaced by glycine residues. Our work demonstrated that strains carrying the site-directed mutants V102G, F219G, and E276G had a null phenotype for SbmA transport functions. In contrast, strains carrying the single point mutants W19G, W53G, F60G, S69G, N155G, R190, L233G, A344G, T255G, N308G, and R385G showed transport capacities indistinguishable from those of strains harboring a wild-type sbmA. The strain carrying the Y116G mutant exhibited mixed phenotypic characteristics. We also demonstrated that those sbmA mutants with severely impaired transport capacity showed a dominant negative phenotype. Electron microscopy data and in silico three-dimensional (3D) homology modeling support the idea that SbmA forms a homodimeric complex, closely resembling the membrane-spanning region of the ATP-binding cassette transporter family. Direct mapping of the sbmA single point mutants on the protein surface allowed us to explain the observed phenotypic differences in transport ability.

Kinetics of Torpedo californica acetylcholinesterase inhibition by bisnorcymserine and crystal structure of the complex with its leaving group.

Natural and synthetic carbamates act as pseudo-irreversible inhibitors of AChE (acetylcholinesterase) as well as BChE (butyrylcholinesterase), two enzymes involved in neuronal function as well as in the development and progression of AD (Alzheimer's disease). The AChE mode of action is characterized by a rapid carbamoylation of the active-site Ser(200) with release of a leaving group followed by a slow regeneration of enzyme action due to subsequent decarbamoylation. The experimental AD therapeutic bisnorcymserine, a synthetic carbamate, shows an interesting activity and selectivity for BChE, and its clinical development is currently being pursued. We undertook detailed kinetic studies on the activity of the carbamate bisnorcymserine with Tc (Torpedo californica) AChE and, on the basis of the results, crystallized the complex between TcAChE and bisnorcymserine. The X-ray crystal structure showed only the leaving group, bisnoreseroline, trapped at the bottom of the aromatic enzyme gorge. Specifically, bisnoreseroline interacts in a non-covalent way with Ser(200) and His(440), disrupting the existing interactions within the catalytic triad, and it stacks with Trp(84) at the bottom of the gorge, giving rise to an unprecedented hydrogen-bonding contact. These interactions point to a dominant reversible inhibition mechanism attributable to the leaving group, bisnoreseroline, as revealed by kinetic analysis.

Insights into subtle conformational differences in the substrate-binding loop of fungal 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: a combined structural and kinetic approach.

The 17ß-HSD (17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) from the filamentous fungus Cochliobolus lunatus (17ß-HSDcl) is a NADP(H)-dependent enzyme that preferentially catalyses the interconversion of inactive 17-oxo-steroids and their active 17ß-hydroxy counterparts. 17ß-HSDcl belongs to the SDR (short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase) superfamily. It is currently the only fungal 17ß-HSD member that has been described and represents one of the model enzymes of the cP1 classical subfamily of NADPH-dependent SDR enzymes. A thorough crystallographic analysis has been performed to better understand the structural aspects of this subfamily and provide insights into the evolution of the HSD enzymes. The crystal structures of the 17ß-HSDcl apo, holo and coumestrol-inhibited ternary complex, and the active-site Y167F mutant reveal subtle conformational differences in the substrate-binding loop that probably modulate the catalytic activity of 17ß-HSDcl. Coumestrol, a plant-derived non-steroidal compound with oestrogenic activity, inhibits 17ß-HSDcl [IC50 2.8 µM; at 100 µM substrate (4-oestrene-3,17-dione)] by occupying the putative steroid-binding site. In addition to an extensive hydrogen-bonding network, coumestrol binding is stabilized further by π-π stacking interactions with Tyr212. A stopped-flow kinetic experiment clearly showed the coenzyme dissociation as the slowest step of the reaction and, in addition to the low steroid solubility, it prevents the accumulation of enzyme-coenzyme-steroid ternary complexes.

Structural insights into a novel interkingdom signaling circuit by cartography of the ligand-binding sites of the homologous quorum sensing LuxR-family.

Recent studies have identified a novel interkingdom signaling circuit, via plant signaling molecules, and a bacterial sub-family of LuxR proteins, bridging eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Indeed pivotal plant-bacteria interactions are regulated by the so called Plant Associated Bacteria (PAB) LuxR solo regulators that, although closely related to the quorum sensing (QS) LuxR family, do not bind or respond to canonical quorum sensing N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), but only to specific host plant signal molecules. The large body of structural data available for several members of the QS LuxR family complexed with different classes of ligands (AHLs and other compounds), has been exploited to dissect the cartography of their regulatory domains through structure-based multiple sequence alignments, structural superimposition and a comparative analysis of the contact residues involved in ligand binding. In the absence of experimentally determined structures of members of the PAB LuxR solos subfamily, an homology model of its prototype OryR is presented, aiming to elucidate the architecture of its ligand-binding site. The obtained model, in combination with the cartography of the regulatory domains of the homologous QS LuxRs, provides novel insights into the 3D structure of its ligand-binding site and unveils the probable molecular determinants responsible for differences in selectivity towards specific host plant signal molecules, rather than to canonical QS compounds.

The NGF R100W Mutation, Associated with Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy Type V, Specifically Affects the Binding Energetic Landscapes of NGF and of Its Precursor proNGF and p75NTR.

Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), the prototype of the neurotrophin family, stimulates morphological differentiation and regulates neuronal gene expression by binding to TrkA and p75NTR receptors. It plays a critical role in maintaining the function and phenotype of peripheral sensory and sympathetic neurons and in mediating pain transmission and perception during adulthood. A point mutation in the NGFB gene (leading to the amino acid substitution R100W) is responsible for Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy type V (HSAN V), leading to a congenital pain insensitivity with no clear cognitive impairments, but with alterations in the NGF/proNGF balance. The available crystal structures of the p75NTR/NGF and 2p75NTR/proNGF complexes offer a starting point for Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations in order to capture the impact of the R100W mutation on their binding energetic landscapes and to unveil the molecular determinants that trigger their different physiological and pathological outcomes. The present in silico studies highlight that the stability and the binding energetic fingerprints in the 2p75NTR/proNGF complex is not affected by R100W mutation, which on the contrary, deeply affects the energetic landscape, and thus the stability in the p75NTR/NGF complex. Overall, these findings present insights into the structural basis of the molecular mechanisms beyond the clinical manifestations of HSAN V patients.

Distinct conformational changes occur within the intrinsically unstructured pro-domain of pro-Nerve Growth Factor in the presence of ATP and Mg2.

Nerve growth factor (NGF), the prototypical neurotrophic factor, is involved in the maintenance and growth of specific neuronal populations, whereas its precursor, proNGF, is involved in neuronal apoptosis. Binding of NGF or proNGF to TrkA, p75NTR , and VP10p receptors triggers complex intracellular signaling pathways that can be modulated by endogenous small-molecule ligands. Here, we show by isothermal titration calorimetry and NMR that ATP binds to the intrinsically disordered pro-peptide of proNGF with a micromolar dissociation constant. We demonstrate that Mg2+ , known to play a physiological role in neurons, modulates the ATP/proNGF interaction. An integrative structural biophysics analysis by small angle X-ray scattering and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry unveils that ATP binding induces a conformational rearrangement of the flexible pro-peptide domain of proNGF. This suggests that ATP may act as an allosteric modulator of the overall proNGF conformation, whose likely distinct biological activity may ultimately affect its physiological homeostasis.

Direct intracellular selection and biochemical characterization of a recombinant anti-proNGF single chain antibody fragment.

proNGF, the precursor of the neurotrophin NGF, is widely expressed in central and peripheral nervous system. Its physiological functions are still largely unknown, although it emerged from studies in the last decade that proNGF has additional and distinct functions with respect to NGF, besides acting chaperone-like for NGF folding during its biogenesis. The regulation of proNGF/NGF ratio represents a crucial process for homeostasis of brain and other tissues, and understanding the molecular aspects of these differences is important. We report the selection and characterization of a recombinant monoclonal anti-proNGF antibody in single chain Fv fragment (scFv) format. The selection exploited the Intracellular Antibody Capture Technology (IACT), starting from a naïve mouse SPLINT (Single Pot Library of INTracellular antibodies) library. This antibody (scFv FPro10) was expressed recombinantly in Escherichia coli, was proven to be highly soluble and stable, and thoroughly characterized from the biochemical-biophysical point of view. scFv FPro10 displays high affinity and specificity for proNGF, showing no cross-reactivity with other pro-neurotrophins. A structural model was obtained by SAXS. scFv FPro10 represents a new tool to be exploited for the selective immunoanalysis of proNGF, both in vitro and in vivo, and might help in understanding the molecular function of proNGF in neurodegeneration.

Regio- and diastereoselective synthesis and X-ray structure determination of (+)-2-deoxyoryzalexin S from (+)-podocarpic acid. Structural nonidentity with its nominal natural isolated enantiomer.

(+)-2-Deoxyoryzalexin S (1), the nominal enantiomer of a diterpenoid isolated in Chile from Calceolaria species, was regio- and diastereoselectively synthesized from (+)-podocarpic acid. (+)-2-Deoxyoryzalexin S (1) was characterized also as its acetyl derivative, (+)-2, whose structure was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Surprisingly, comparison of the data recorded for (+)-1 and (+)-2 and those reported in the literature for the Calceolaria isolated diterpenoid 1 and its derivative (-)-2 showed some differences, suggesting that the latter do not possess the proposed structures.

Kinetic and structural studies on the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase by a series of multitarget-directed galantamine-peptide derivatives.

Complex neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, are one of the major therapeutic areas to which multitarget drug discovery strategies have been applied in the last twenty years. Due to the complex multifactorial etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, it has been proposed that to be successful the pharmaceutical agents should act on multiple targets in order to restore the complex disease network and to provide disease modifying effects. Here we report on the synthesis and the anticholinergic activity profiles of seven multitarget anti-Alzheimer compounds designed by combining galantamine, a well-known acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, with different peptide fragments endowed with inhibitory activity against BACE-1. A complementary approach based on molecular docking simulations of the galantamine-peptide derivatives in the active sites of acetylcholinesterase and of the related butyrylcholinesterase, as well as on inhibition kinetics, by global fitting of the reaction progress curves, allowed to gain insights into the enzyme-inhibitor mechanism of interaction. The resulting structure-activity relationships pave the way towards the design of more effective pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic multitarget inhibitors.

Small Endogenous Ligands Modulation of Nerve Growth Factor Bioactivity: A Structural Biology Overview.

Experiments with cell cultures and animal models have provided solid support for the assumption that Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) plays a key role in the regulation of neuronal cell survival and death. Recently, endogenous ligands have been proposed as physiological modulators of NGF biological activity as part of this regulatory cascade. However, the structural and mechanistic determinants for NGF bioactivity remain to be elucidated. We recently unveiled, by an integrated structural biology approach, the ATP binding sites of NGF and investigated the effects on TrkA and p75NTR receptors binding. These results pinpoint ATP as a genuine endogenous modulator of NGF signaling, paving the way to the characterization of not-yet-identified chemical diverse endogenous biological active small molecules as novel modulators of NGF. The present review aims at providing an overview of the currently available 3D structures of NGF in complex with different small endogenous ligands, featuring the molecular footprints of the small molecules binding. This knowledge is essential for further understanding the functional role of small endogenous ligands in the modulation of neurotrophins signaling in physiological and pathological conditions and for better exploiting the therapeutic potentialities of NGF.

Endogenous modulators of neurotrophin signaling: Landscape of the transient ATP-NGF interactions.

The Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) neurotrophin acts in the maintenance and growth of neuronal populations. Despite the detailed knowledge of NGF's role in neuron physiology, the structural and mechanistic determinants of NGF bioactivity modulated by essential endogenous ligands are still lacking. We present the results of an integrated structural and advanced computational approach to characterize the extracellular ATP-NGF interaction. We mapped by NMR the interacting surface and ATP orientation on NGF and revealed the functional role of this interaction in the binding to TrkA and p75NTR receptors by SPR. The role of divalent ions was explored in conjunction with ATP. Our results pinpoint ATP as a likely transient molecular modulator of NGF signaling, in health and disease states.