Polyamines and its analogue modulates amyloid fibrillation in lysozyme: A comparative investigation.

BACKGROUND: Polyamines can induce protein aggregation that can be related to the physiology of the cellular function. Polyamines have been implicated in protein aggregation which may lead to neuropathic and non neuropathic amyloidosis. SCOPE OF REVIEW: Change in the level of polyamine concentration has been associated with ageing and neurodegeneration such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease. Lysozyme aggregation in the presence of polyamines leads to non neuropathic amyloidosis. Polyamine analogues can suppress or inhibit protein aggregation suggesting their efficacy against amyloidogenic protein aggregates. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: In this study we report the comparative interactions of lysozyme with the polyamine analogue, 1-naphthyl acetyl spermine in comparison with the biogenic polyamines through spectroscopy, calorimetry, imaging and docking techniques. The findings revealed that the affinity of binding varied as spermidine > 1-naphthyl acetyl spermine > spermine. The biogenic polyamines accelerated the rate of fibrillation significantly, whereas the analogue inhibited the rate of fibrillation to a considerable extent. The polyamines bind near the catalytic diad residues viz. Glu35 and Asp52, and in close proximity of Trp62 residue. However, the analogue showed dual nature of interaction where its alkyl amine region bind in same way as the biogenic polyamines bind to the catalytic site, while the naphthyl group makes hydrophobic contacts with Trp62 and Trp63, thereby suggesting its direct influence on fibrillation. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study, thus, potentiates, the development of a polyamine analogue that can perform as an effective inhibitor targeted towards aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins.

Cross-talk between allosteric and orthosteric binding sites of γ-amino butyric acid type A receptors (GABAA-Rs): A computational study revealing the structural basis of selectivity.

The γ-amino butyric acid type A receptors (GABAA-Rs) are GABA-gated chloride ion channels that mediate fast inhibitory neurotransmissions. Due to their essential role in normal brain function, neuromodulatory therapies are targeted at them for restoring GABA-mediated inhibition. The receptor modulation by benzodiazepine (BZD) shows therapeutically useful actions. The mechanisms, by which BZD-site performs selective transduction while modulating GABAA-Rs, and its correlation with the occurrence of sedation is not fully known. In pursuance, we performed a computational study starting from modeling of α2-subtype GABAA-R, docking of α1/2-selective ligands followed by molecular dynamics simulations of the obtained complexes. The results show that during early stages of activation, a) allosteric binding initiate structural changes through BZD-site for GABA-elicited activation; b) selective BZD-binders positively modulate orthosteric GABA-bound site with fin-like C- and F-loop movements, which supports twisting of inner and outer ß-barrel; c) modulation by α1/2-selective ligands was only evident at site 1, mimicking mandatory doubly bound state; d) strength of allosteric communication was prominent for α2-modulators, however, the basic nature of allosteric-orthosteric site cross-talk remains same for both α1/2-modulators; and e) ratio of hydrophobic:hydrophilic ligand contact surface decides α2-selectivity, less value of ratio favors it. These insights would enable us to design better α2-selective modulator/s. Altogether our computational study reveals early stages of allosteric modulation, highlighting subtype selective activation and pathways recommending GABA binding sites during selective modulation. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Enhanced basepair dynamics pre-disposes protein-assisted flips of key bases in DNA strand separation during transcription initiation.

Localized separation of strands of duplex DNA is a necessary step in many DNA-dependent processes, including transcription and replication. Little is known about how these strand separations occur. The strand-separated E.coli RNA polymerase-promoter open-complex structure showed four bases of the non-template strand, the master base -11A, -7, -6 and +2, in a flipped state and inserted into protein pockets. To explore whether any property of these bases in the duplex state pre-disposes them to flipping, NMR studies were performed on a wild-type promoter in the duplex state. Measurement of relaxation times indicates that a limited number of base pairs, including the flipped ones, have faster opening rates than the rest. Molecular dynamics studies also show an inherently high dynamic character of the -11A:T base pair in the wild-type strand-paired state. In order to explore the role of the RNA polymerase in the flipping process, we have used 2-aminopurine as a fluorescent probe. Slower kinetics of the increase of 2-aminopurine fluorescence was observed with RNA polymerases containing several mutant σ70s. This may be interpreted as the protein playing an important role in enhancing the flipping rate. These results suggest that flipping of -11A, and perhaps other flipped bases observed in the open-complex, is facilitated by its inherent proclivity to open-up with further assistance from the protein, thus leading to a strand-open state. Other DNA-based processes that require strand-separation may use similar pathways for strand separation. We conclude that not only basepair stability, but also dynamics may play an important role in the strand-separation.

Identification of novel hits as highly prospective dual agonists for mu and kappa opioid receptors: an integrated in silico approach.

Opioid agonists are used clinically for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, however, their clinical use is limited due to the presence of undesired side effects. Dual agonists, simultaneously targeting mu and kappa opioid receptors, show fewer side effects than that of selective agonists. In the present work, 2D- and 3D- Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship studies were performed on a series of aminomorphinan derivatives as dual agonists, using a wide range of descriptors. The aim of the study was to identify the structural requirements for the activity of these compounds towards mu and kappa opioid receptors and using the models, with best external predictability, for predicting the activities of new hits obtained from shape based virtual screening of drug like compounds from ZINC database. Genetic algorithm-based GFA and G/PLS techniques were used to derive the 2D-QSAR models. Common feature-based pharmacophore was used for aligning the compounds for 3D-QSAR. All the models were validated both internally and externally using statistical metrics. The coverage estimation of the models was carried out with applicability domain calculation. Six enriched hits were identified as novel prospective dual agonist based on good Blood Brain Barrier permeability and their activities towards mu and kappa opioid receptors, predicted by the best QSAR models. The known potent dual agonist, cyclorphan, and two highly prospective dual agonists were docked to both the receptors and binding free energies were calculated using MMGBSA. Molecular dynamics studies were performed on the docked complexes with both the receptors to establish stability of the complexes.

Computational analysis of BACE1-ligand complex crystal structures and linear discriminant analysis for identification of BACE1 inhibitors with anti P-glycoprotein binding property.

More than 100 years of research on Alzheimer's disease didn't yield a potential cure for this dreadful disease. Poor Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) permeability and P-glycoprotein binding of BACE1 inhibitors are the major causes for the failure of these molecules during clinical trials. The design of BACE1 inhibitors with a balance of sufficient affinity to the binding site and little or no interaction with P-glycoproteins is indispensable. Identification and understanding of protein-ligand interactions are essential for ligand optimization process. Structure-based drug design (SBDD) efforts led to a steady accumulation of BACE1-ligand crystal complexes in the PDB. This study focuses on analyses of 153 BACE1-ligand complexes for the direct contacts (hydrogen bonds and weak interactions) observed between protein and ligand and indirect contacts (water-mediated hydrogen bonds), observed in BACE1-ligand complex crystal structures. Intraligand hydrogen bonds were analyzed, with focus on ligand P-glycoprotein efflux. The interactions are dissected specific to subsites in the active site and discussed. The observed protein-ligand and intraligand interactions were used to develop the linear discriminant model for the identification of BACE1 inhibitors with less or no P-glycoprotein binding property. Excellent statistical results and model's ability to correctly predict a new data-set with an accuracy of 92% is achieved. The results are retrospectively analyzed to give input for the design of potential BACE1 inhibitors.

Fragment-based virtual screening approach and molecular dynamics simulation studies for identification of BACE1 inhibitor leads.

Traditional structure-based virtual screening method to identify drug-like small molecules for BACE1 is so far unsuccessful. Location of BACE1, poor Blood Brain Barrier permeability and P-glycoprotein (Pgp) susceptibility of the inhibitors make it even more difficult. Fragment-based drug design method is suitable for efficient optimization of initial hit molecules for target like BACE1. We have developed a fragment-based virtual screening approach to identify/optimize the fragment molecules as a starting point. This method combines the shape, electrostatic, and pharmacophoric features of known fragment molecules, bound to protein conjugate crystal structure, and aims to identify both chemically and energetically feasible small fragment ligands that bind to BACE1 active site. The two top-ranked fragment hits were subjected for a 53 ns MD simulation. Principle component analysis and free energy landscape analysis reveal that the new ligands show the characteristic features of established BACE1 inhibitors. The potent method employed in this study may serve for the development of potential lead molecules for BACE1-directed Alzheimer's disease therapeutics.

Aristolochic acid and its derivatives as inhibitors of snake venom L-amino acid oxidase.

Snake venom L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) exerts toxicity by inducing hemorrhage, pneumorrhagia, pulmonary edema, cardiac edema, liver cell necrosis etc. Being well conserved, inhibitors of the enzyme may be synthesized using the template of the substrate, substrate binding site and features of the catalytic site of the enzyme. Previous findings showed that aristolochic acid (AA), a major constituent of Aristolochia indica, inhibits Russell's viper venom LAAO enzyme activity since, AA interacts with DNA and causes genotoxicity, derivatives of this compound were synthesized by replacing the nitro group to reduce toxicity while retaining the inhibitory potency. The interactions of AA and its derivatives with LAAO were followed by inhibition kinetics and surface plasmon resonance. Similar interactions with DNA were followed by absorption spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. LAAO-induced cytotoxicity was evaluated by generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell viability assays, confocal and epifluorescence microscopy. The hydroxyl (AA-OH) and chloro (AA-Cl) derivatives acted as inhibitors of LAAO but did not interact with DNA. The derivatives significantly reduced LAAO-induced ROS generation and cytotoxicity in human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) and hepatoma (HepG2) cell lines. Confocal images indicated that AA, AA-OH and AA-Cl interfered with the binding of LAAO to the cell membrane. AA-OH and AA-Cl significantly inhibited LAAO activity and reduced LAAO-induced cytotoxicity.

Integration of ligand and structure based approaches for identification of novel MbtI inhibitors in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and molecular dynamics simulation studies.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an obligate pathogen of mammals and is responsible for more than two million deaths annually. The ability to acquire iron from the extracellular environment is a key determinant of pathogenicity in mycobacteria. M. tuberculosis acquires iron exclusively through the siderophores. Several lines of evidence suggest that siderophores have a critical role in bacterial growth and virulence. Hence, in the present study, we have used a combined ligand and structure-based drug design approach for identification of novel inhibitors against salicylate synthase MbtI, a unique and essential enzyme for the biosynthesis of siderophores in M. tuberculosis. We have generated the ligand based and structure based pharmacophores and validated exhaustively. From the validation results it was found that GH (Goodness of Hit) scores for the selected ligand based and structure based pharmacophore models were 0.89 and 0.97, respectively, which indicate that the quality of the pharmacophore models are acceptable as GH value is >0.7. The validated pharmacophores were used for screening the ZINC database. A total of 73 hits, obtained through various insilico screening techniques, were further enriched to 17 hits using docking studies. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to compare the binding mode and stability of complexes of MbtI bound with substrate, known inhibitors, and three top ranked hits. The results obtained in this study gave assurance about the identified hits as prospective inhibitors of MbtI.

Molecular Shape Analysis-Guided Virtual Screening Platform for Adenosine Kinase Inhibitors.

We propose a new application of molecular shape descriptors in hierarchical selection during virtual screening (VS). Here, a structure-based pharmacophore and docking-guided VS protocol have been evolved to identify inhibitors against adenosine kinase (AK). The knowledge gained on the shape requirements has been extrapolated in classifying active and inactive molecules against this target. This classification enabled us to pick the appropriate ligand conformation in the binding site. We have suggested a set of hierarchical filters for VS, from a simple molecular shape analysis (MSA) descriptor-based recursive models to docking scores. This approach permits a systematic study to understand the importance of spatial requirements and limitations for inhibitors against AK. Finally, the guidelines on how to select compounds for AK to achieve success have been highlighted. The utility of this approach has been suggested by giving an example of database screening for plausible active compounds.

Structural and thermodynamic analysis of the binding of tRNA(phe) by the putative anticancer alkaloid chelerythrine: Spectroscopy, calorimetry and molecular docking studies.

The interaction of the putative anticancer alkaloid chelerythrine with tRNA(phe) was characterized by spectroscopy, calorimetry and molecular docking studies. The charged iminium form of chelerythrine binds with tRNA(phe) in a cooperative mode with a binding affinity value of (4.06±0.01)×10(5)M(-1). The neutral alkanolamine form does not bind to tRNA(phe) but in the presence of high concentration of tRNA(phe) this form gets converted to the iminium form and then binds with tRNA(phe). The partial intercalative mode of binding of chelerythrine to the tRNA(phe) was characterized from the steady state anisotropy, iodide ion-induced fluorescence quenching and viscosity measurements. Chelerythrine binding induced conformational perturbations in tRNA(phe) as observed from the circular dichroism spectroscopy. The strong binding was also supported by the ethidium bromide displacement assay. The binding was favoured by both enthalpy and entropy contributions. Although the binding was dependent on the [Na(+)], non-electrostatic forces contributed predominantly to the Gibbs energy change. The negative value of the heat capacity change proposed the involvement of hydrophobic forces in the binding. Molecular docking study was carried out to decipher the details of the recognition of tRNA(phe) by chelerythrine. The study provided insights about the chelerythrine binding pockets on tRNA(phe) and marked the necessary interactions for binding of chelerythrine molecule. Partially intercalative mode of the alkaloid binding was supported by docking studies. In total, docking studies corroborated well with our experiential observations. The structural and thermodynamic results of chelerythrine binding to tRNA(phe) may be helpful to develop new RNA therapeutic agents.

Structure-based designing of sordarin derivative as potential fungicide with pan-fungal activity.

Fungal infections have become a significant problem for immunosuppressed patients. Sordarin, a promising fungicidal agent, inhibits fungal protein synthesis by impairing elongation factor-2 (eEF2) function. Intriguingly, despite high sequence similarity among eEF2s from different species, sordarin has been shown to inhibit translation specifically in certain fungi while unable to do so in some other fungal species (e.g. Candida parapsilosis and Candida lusitaniae). The sordarin binding site on eEF2 as well as its mechanism of action is known. In a previous study, we have detailed the interactions between sordarin and eEF2 cavities from different fungal species at the molecular level and predicted the probable cause of sordarin sensitivity. Guided by our previous analysis, we aimed for computer-aided designing of sordarin derivatives as potential fungicidal agents that still remain ineffective against human eEF2. We have performed structural knowledge-based designing of several sordarin derivatives and evaluated predicted interactions of those derivatives with the sordarin-binding cavities of different eEF2s, against which sordarin shows no inhibitory action. Our analyses identify an amino-pyrrole derivative as a good template for further designing of promising broad-spectrum antifungal agents. The drug likeness and ADMET prediction on this derivative also supports its suitability as a drug candidate.

Capturing state-dependent dynamic events of GABAA-receptors: a microscopic look into the structural and functional insights.

The γ-amino butyric acid type A receptors (GABAA-Rs) are the key players in the mammalian brain that meditate fast inhibitory neurotransmission events. The structural integrity of these ligand-gated ion channel controls chloride ion permeability, which in turn monitors important pharmacological functions. Despite ample studies on GABAA-Rs, there was a need for a study on full-length receptor structures, devoted to track structure-function correlations based on their dynamic behavior consideration. We have employed molecular dynamics simulations accompanied by other biophysical methods to shed light on sequential and unaddressed questions like How GABAA-R structure facilitates the entry of GABA molecules at its two orthosteric binding sites? After entry, what structural features and changes monitor site-wise GABA binding differences? In the same context, what are the roles and responsibilities of loops such as C and F? On physiologically relevant time scales, how open to close state transition occurs? How salt bridges such as E155-R207 and E153-R207 maintain state-dependent C-loop structures? In an attempt, our simulation study unravels the complete course of GABA binding-unbinding pathway. This provides us with the relevant understanding of state-dependent dynamic events of GABAA-Rs.

Evaluation of anti-diabetic and alpha glucosidase inhibitory action of anthraquinones from Rheum emodi.

Rheum emodi is used as a culinary plant across the world and finds an eminent role in the Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese systems of medicine. The plant is known to principally contain 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinones (DHAQs) like rhein, aloe emodin, emodin, chrysophanol and physcion that possess diverse pharmacological and therapeutic actions. The present work deals with developing a platform technology for isolation of these DHAQs and evaluating their anti-diabetic potential. Herein, we report the anti-hyperglycemic activity and alpha glucosidase (AG) inhibitory actions of five isolated DHAQs from R. emodi. All the five isolated DHAQs showed good anti-hyperglycemic activity with aloe emodin exhibiting maximum lowering of blood glucose in an oral glucose tolerance test. However, on evaluation of the AG inhibitory potential of the DHAQs only emodin exhibited potent intestinal AG inhibition (93 ± 2.16%) with an IC50 notably lower than acarbose. Subsequent kinetic studies indicated a mixed type of inhibition for emodin. In vivo studies using oral maltose load showed almost total inhibition for emodin when compared to acarbose. Molecular docking studies revealed the presence of an allosteric topographically distinct 'quinone binding site' and showed that interaction with Ser 74 occurs exclusively with emodin, which is vital for AG inhibition. The net benefit from the glucose lowering effect and mixed type inhibition by emodin would enable the administration of a small dosage that is safe and non-toxic in the case of prolonged use in treating diabetes.

Chelerythrine-lysozyme interaction: spectroscopic studies, thermodynamics and molecular modeling exploration.

The binding of the iminium and alkanolamine forms of chelerythrine to lysozyme (Lyz) was investigated by spectroscopy and docking studies. The thermodynamics of the binding was studied by calorimetry. Spectroscopic evidence suggested that Trp-62 and Trp-63 in the ß-domain of the protein are closer to the binding site; moreover, the binding site was at a distance of 2.27 and 2.00 nm from the iminium and alkanolamine forms, respectively, according to the Forster theory of non-radiation energy transfer. The equilibrium binding constants for the iminium and alkanolamine forms at 298 K were evaluated to be 1.29 × 10(5) and 7.79 × 10(5) M(-1), respectively. The binding resulted in an alteration of the secondary structure of the protein with a distinct reduction of the helical organization. The binding of iminium was endothermic, involving electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, while that of alkanolamine form was exothermic and dominated by hydrogen bonding interactions. Docking studies provided the atomistic details pertaining to the binding of both forms of chelerythrine and supported the higher binding in favour of the alkanolamine over the iminium. Furthermore, molecular dynamics study provided accurate insights regarding the binding of both chelerythrine forms in accordance with the experimental results obtained. Chelerythrine binding pocket involves the catalytic region and aggregation prone K-peptide region, which are sandwiched between one another. Overall, these results suggest that both the forms of the alkaloid bind to the protein but the neutral form has higher affinity than the cationic form.

Target specific proteochemometric model development for BACE1 - protein flexibility and structural water are critical in virtual screening.

BACE1 is an attractive target in Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment. A rational drug design effort for the inhibition of BACE1 is actively pursued by researchers in both academic and pharmaceutical industries. This continued effort led to the steady accumulation of BACE1 crystal structures, co-complexed with different classes of inhibitors. This wealth of information is used in this study to develop target specific proteochemometric models and these models are exploited for predicting the prospective BACE1 inhibitors. The models developed in this study have performed excellently in predicting the computationally generated poses, separately obtained from single and ensemble docking approaches. The simple protein-ligand contact (SPLC) model outperforms other sophisticated high end models, in virtual screening performance, developed during this study. In an attempt to account for BACE1 protein active site flexibility information in predictive models, we included the change in the area of solvent accessible surface and the change in the volume of solvent accessible surface in our models. The ensemble and single receptor docking results obtained from this study indicate that the structural water mediated interactions improve the virtual screening results. Also, these waters are essential for recapitulating bioactive conformation during docking study. The proteochemometric models developed in this study can be used for the prediction of BACE1 inhibitors, during the early stage of AD drug discovery.

3D-QSAR studies and shape based virtual screening for identification of novel hits to inhibit MbtA in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the pathogen responsible for tuberculosis, uses various strategies to survive in a variety of host lesions. The re-emergence of multi-drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis underlines the necessity to discover new molecules. Inhibitors of aryl acid adenylating enzyme, MbtA, involved in siderophore biosynthesis in M. tuberculosis, are being explored as potential anti tubercular agents. In this study, we have used 3D-QSAR models and shape based virtual screening to identify novel MbtA inhibitors. 3D-QSAR studies were carried out on nucleoside bisubstrate derivatives. Both Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (r(2) = .944 and r(2)(pred) = .938) and Comparative Molecular Similarity Indices Analysis (r(2) = .892 and r(2)(pred) = .842) models, developed using Gasteiger charges with all fields, predicted efficiently. A total of 13 hits were identified as novel prospective inhibitors for MbtA by utilizing an insilico workflow. Out of 13 hits, five top ranked hits were used for further molecular dynamics studies to gain more insights about the stability of the complexes.

In silico work flow for scaffold hopping in Leishmania.

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniasis,a broad spectrum of diseases caused by several sister species of protozoa belonging to family trypanosomatidae and genus leishmania , generally affects poorer sections of the populace in third world countries. With the emergence of strains resistant to traditional therapies and the high cost of second line drugs which generally have severe side effects, it becomes imperative to continue the search for alternative drugs to combat the disease. In this work, the leishmanial genomes and the human genome have been compared to identify proteins unique to the parasite and whose structures (or those of close homologues) are available in the Protein Data Bank. Subsequent to the prioritization of these proteins (based on their essentiality, virulence factor etc.), inhibitors have been identified for a subset of these prospective drug targets by means of an exhaustive literature survey. A set of three dimensional protein-ligand complexes have been assembled from the list of leishmanial drug targets by culling structures from the Protein Data Bank or by means of template based homology modeling followed by ligand docking with the GOLD software. Based on these complexes several structure based pharmacophores have been designed and used to search for alternative inhibitors in the ZINC database. RESULT: This process led to a list of prospective compounds which could serve as potential antileishmanials. These small molecules were also used to search the Drug Bank to identify prospective lead compounds already in use as approved drugs. Interestingly, paromomycin which is currently being used as an antileishmanial drug spontaneously appeared in the list, probably giving added confidence to the 'scaffold hopping' computational procedures adopted in this work. CONCLUSIONS: The report thus provides the basis to experimentally verify several lead compounds for their predicted antileishmanial activity and includes several useful data bases of prospective drug targets in leishmania, their inhibitors and protein--inhibitor three dimensional complexes.

Binding of the iminium and alkanolamine forms of sanguinarine to lysozyme: spectroscopic analysis, thermodynamics, and molecular modeling studies.

Sanguinarine (SGR) exists in charged iminium (SGRI) and neutral alkanolamine (SGRA) forms. The binding of these two forms to the protein lysozyme (Lyz) was investigated by fluorescence, UV-vis absorbance and circular dichroism spectroscopy, and in silico molecular docking approaches. Binding thermodynamics were studied by microcalorimetry. Both forms of sanguinarine quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of Lyz, but the quenching efficiencies varied on the basis of binding that was derived after correction for an inner-filter effect. The equilibrium binding constants at 25 ± 1.0 °C for the iminium and alkanolamine forms were 1.17 × 10(5) and 3.32 × 10(5) M(-1), respectively, with approximately one binding site for both forms of the protein. Conformational changes of the protein in the presence of SGR were confirmed by absorbance, circular dichroism, three-dimensional fluorescence, and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. Microcalorimetry data revealed that SGRI binding is endothermic and predominantly involves electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, whereas SGRA binding is exothermic and dominated by hydrogen-bonding interactions. The molecular distances (r) of 3.27 and 3.04 nm between the donor (Lyz) and the SGRI and SGRA acceptors, respectively, were calculated according to Förster's theory. These data suggested that both forms were bound near the Trp-62/63 residues of Lyz. Stronger binding of SGRA than SGRI was apparent from the results of both structural and thermodynamic experiments. Molecular docking studies revealed that the putative binding site for the SGR analogues resides at the catalytic site. The docking results are in accordance with the spectroscopic and thermodynamic data, further validating the stronger binding of SGRA over SGRI to Lyz. The binding site is situated near a deep crevice on the protein surface and is close to several crucial amino acid residues, including Asp-52, Glu-35, Trp-62, and Trp-63. This study advances our knowledge of the structural nature and thermodynamic aspects of binding between the putative anticancer alkaloid sanguinarine and lysozyme.

Probing the structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis MbtA: model validation using molecular dynamics simulations and docking studies.

Multidrug resistance capacity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis demands urgent need for developing new antitubercular drugs. The present work is on M. tuberculosis-MbtA, an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of siderophores, having a critical role in bacterial growth and virulence. The molecular models of both holo and apo forms of M. tuberculosis-MbtA have been constructed and validated. A docking study with a series of 42 5'-O-[N-(salicyl) sulfamoyl] adenosine derivatives, using GOLD software, revealed significant correlation (R(2) = 0.8611) between Goldscore and the reported binding affinity data. Further, binding energies of the docked poses were calculated and compared with the observed binding affinities (R(2) = 0.901). All-atom molecular dynamics simulation was performed for apo form, holo form without ligand and holo form with ligands. The holo form without ligand on molecular dynamics simulation for 20 ns converged to the apo form and the apo form upon induced fit docking of the natural substrate, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid-adenylate, yielded the holo structure. The molecular dynamics simulation of the holo form with ligands across the time period of 20 ns provided with the insights into ligand-receptor interactions for inhibition of the enzyme. A thorough study involving interaction energy calculation between the ligands and the active site residues of MbtA model identified the key residues implicated in ligand binding. The holo model was capable to differentiate active compounds from decoys. In the absence of experimental structure of MbtA, the homology models together with the insights gained from this study will promote the rational design of potent and selective MbtA inhibitors as antitubercular therapeutics. An animated interactive 3D complement (I3DC) is available in Proteopedia at http://proteopedia.org/w/Journal:JBSD:33.

Functional compensation of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) null by another GST superfamily member, GSTM2.

The gene for glutathione-S-transferase (GST) M1 (GSTM1), a member of the GST-superfamily, is widely studied in cancer risk with regard to the homozygous deletion of the gene (GSTM1 null), leading to a lack of corresponding enzymatic activity. Many of these studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding its association with cancer risk. Therefore, we employed in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches to investigate whether the absence of a functional GSTM1 enzyme in a null variant can be compensated for by other family members. Through the in silico approach, we identified maximum structural homology between GSTM1 and GSTM2. Total plasma GST enzymatic activity was similar in recruited individuals, irrespective of their GSTM1 genotype (positive/null). Furthermore, expression profiling using real-time PCR, western blotting, and GSTM2 overexpression following transient knockdown of GSTM1 in HeLa cells confirmed that the absence of GSTM1 activity can be compensated for by the overexpression of GSTM2.