p53突变体Y220C小分子稳定剂的虚拟筛选

为了获得p53突变体的稳定剂,依次利用利宾斯基五原则,通过2次分子对接和全原子分子动力学(MD)模拟从Drug Bank 4.0数据库中筛选获得了潜在的稳定剂他克林.利用MD模拟进一步验证他克林和目标蛋白质之间的亲和作用.结果表明,他克林能够紧密结合到Y220C突变所形成的疏水空腔之中;他克林和目标蛋白质之间的主要作用力为疏水和静电相互作用,其中疏水相互作用占主导地位.此外,他克林分别与目标蛋白质的残基Leu145,Val147和Asp228形成3个氢键.基于MD模拟轨迹分析了他克林与p53CY220C的结合过程.由硫黄素T荧光光谱进一步证明他克林能够提高p53C-Y220C突变体的稳定性.     

双接触弯曲蓝移氢键CH2…Y的理论研究

用量子化学从头算方法在MP2／6-311＋＋G（d,p）与MP2／6—311＋＋G（2df,2p）两个理论级别上研究了双接触弯曲氢键Y…H2CZ（z=O,S,Se）和Y…H2CZ2（Z=F,Cl,Br）（Y=Clˉ,Br-）．计算表明,在这些复合物中都存在两个等价的Y…H—C蓝移氢键;相互作用能和蓝移都比较大,每个Y…H—C氢键的能量为15～27kJ／mol,CH键长变化为-0．1～-0．5pm,CH伸缩振动频率位移为30—80cm^-1．自然键轨道分析表明,3个因素导致了这些蓝移氢键的形成：（1）存在较大的重杂化;（2）弯曲的氢键构型使得分子间直接超共轭相互作用比较小,而存在相当的分子间间接超共轭相互作用;（3）质子给体的分子内超共轭相互作用较大地减小．电子密度拓扑性质的研究表明,在这些氢键复合物中都存在3个分子间临界点：在接受体原子Y与每个H原子之间存在一个键临界点,也存在相应的键径和原子间界面;在YHCH四边形内部存在一个环临界点．因此这些分子间相互作用可以严格地看作氢键．     

C—H···O氢键驱动的1,2,3-三氮唑折叠体:评估分子间C—H···X~-(X=Cl,Br,I)和C—H···N氢键的稳定性

1,2,3-三氮唑芳香寡聚体可以通过分子内三中心C—H···O氢键诱导形成折叠或螺旋二级结构.通过~1H NMR实验研究这类人工二级结构在氯仿和二氯甲烷中进一步形成分子间C—H···Cl~-和C—H···N氢键的倾向性,发现分子内的两类C—H···O氢键可以通过进一步形成C—H···Cl~-氢键而被弱化.在过量Cl~-存在时,三氮唑N-1侧的六元环C—H···O氢键被显著破坏,由此形成分子间C—H···Cl~-氢键,从而诱导骨架形成另一类更加扩展的折叠构象.过量的Br~-和I~-也可以形成类似的分子间氢键.对其中一个八聚体研究揭示,1,2,3-三氮唑螺旋体的内侧2,3-位N原子还可以与三炔和二炔衍生物的炔基C—H形成分子间弱的C—H···N氢键,三氮唑折叠结构通过诱导N原子形成环形定位促进这一分子间弱氢键产生协同效应.     

HIV-1整合酶G140A/G149A及T66I/S153Y突变后的构象变化

对HIV-1整合酶(IN)野生体(WT), G140A/G149A和T66I/S153Y突变体分别进行了5 ns的分子动力学(MD)模拟, 并用成簇和动力学交叉相关图(DCCM)分析了突变前后的构象变化. 整体结构分析表明, 突变后IN的活性口袋尺寸变化不大, T66I/S153Y突变体分子的整体运动性提高, 而G140A/G149A突变体的功能loop区柔性明显上升. IN WT的方均根涨落(RMSF)模拟值与B因子实验值的较高相关性证明了柔性分析的合理性. 通过成簇分析发现, IN在突变后功能loop区构象有开合运动, 构象开放的概率是: 体系G140A/G149A＞T66I/S153Y＞WT. 最后DCCM分析结果表明, 功能性分区的弱化以及DDE基序残基运动相关性的降低均有可能是突变体G140A/G149A和T66I/S153Y产生抗药性的原因. 模拟结果对理解IN突变体的抗药机理以及为基于HIV-1 IN的药物分子设计提供了理论帮助.     

HIV-1整合酶G140A/G149A及T661/S153Y突变后的构象变化

对HIV-1整合酶(IN)野生体(WT),G140A/G149A和T66I/S153Y突变体分别进行了5 ns的分子动力学(MD)模拟,并用成簇和动力学交叉相关图(DCCM)分析了突变前后的构象变化.整体结构分析表明,突变后IN的活性口袋尺寸变化不大,T66I/S153Y突变体分子的整体运动性提高,而G140A/G149A突变体的功能loop区柔性明显上升.IN WT的方均根涨落(RMSF)模拟值与B因子实验值的较高相关性证明了柔性分析的合理性.通过成簇分析发现,IN在突变后功能loop区构象有开合运动,构象开放的概率是:体系G140A/G149A＞T66I/S153Y＞WT.最后DCCM分析结果表明,功能性分区的弱化以及DDE基序残基运动相关性的降低均有可能是突变体G140A/G149A和T66I/S153Y产生抗药性的原因.模拟结果对理解IN突变体的抗药机理以及为基于HIV-1 IN的药物分子设计提供了理论帮助.     

准确快速计算含多肽酰胺和核酸碱基的氢键复合物的氢键强度和氢键作用势能曲线

N-H···O=C、C-H···O=C、N-H···N和C-H···N等氢键作用是蛋白质a-螺旋结构、b-折叠结构和DNA双螺旋结构形成的主要因素,在生物分子识别、蛋白质复制以及遗传信息传递等过程中起重要作用。准确快速计算生物体系中存在的N-H···O=C、C-H···O=C、N-H···N和C-H···N等氢键作用强度以及氢键强度随分子几何结构(距离和角度)变化的势能曲线对正确模拟(从而正确认识和理解)蛋白质折叠机制和DNA双螺旋结构形成机制等生物过程意义重大,对设计合成具有特殊功能的生物分子材料有重要指导价值。本文主要介绍了近年来建立的偶极-偶极氢键作用模型及其在快速预测多肽-多肽分子间和核酸碱基-多肽分子间氢键作用强度和氢键作用势能曲线方面的应用。     

双接触弯曲蓝移氢键CH_2…Y的理论研究

用量子化学从头算方法在MP2/6-311 G(d,p)与MP2/6-311 G(2df,2p)两个理论级别上研究了双接触弯曲氢键Y…H2CZ(Z=O,S,Se)和Y…H2CZ2(Z=F,Cl,Br)(Y=Cl-,Br-).计算表明,在这些复合物中都存在两个等价的Y…H—C蓝移氢键;相互作用能和蓝移都比较大,每个Y…H—C氢键的能量为15～27kJ/mol,CH键长变化为-0.1～-0.5pm,CH伸缩振动频率位移为30～80cm-1.自然键轨道分析表明,3个因素导致了这些蓝移氢键的形成:(1)存在较大的重杂化;(2)弯曲的氢键构型使得分子间直接超共轭相互作用比较小,而存在相当的分子间间接超共轭相互作用;(3)质子给体的分子内超共轭相互作用较大地减小.电子密度拓扑性质的研究表明,在这些氢键复合物中都存在3个分子间临界点:在接受体原子Y与每个H原子之间存在一个键临界点,也存在相应的键径和原子间界面;在YHCH四边形内部存在一个环临界点.因此这些分子间相互作用可以严格地看作氢键.     

蛋白质分子的HNP格点模型

从 6 0种球形蛋白质的结构出发 ,采用Miyazawa Jernigan相互作用矩阵 ,计算了蛋白质分子中氨基酸之间的相互作用能 .发现构成蛋白质分子的 2 0种氨基酸可分成疏水 (Hydrophobic ,H)、中性 (Neutral,N)、亲水(Hydrophilic ,P)基团 .在计算它们之间相互作用能的基础上 ,建立了蛋白质分子的HNP格点模型 .用这个模型计算了二维蛋白质分子在自然态 (Nativestate)时的构象性质 .同时研究了氨基酸序列为HHNHNPNHPP HPNPPHPHPPHHPHNH的折叠过程 ,得到其基态能量为 - 6 4 89RT .这能为研究球形蛋白质的构象性质及折叠过程提供一种更合理的格点模型     

芳酰胺折叠体分子内N—H…OMe氢键强度评估

为了评估分子内N—H…OMe氢键诱导的芳酰胺折叠体分子内氢键的稳定性, 我们从相应间-苯二胺和间-苯二甲酸前体出发构筑了3个三、五和七聚体芳酰胺折叠体, 并合成了3个并入这些折叠体片段的基于十六烷二胺的酰胺聚合物. ¹H NMR, 定量芳酰胺氢-氘交换和晶体结构研究揭示, 折叠体中间区域的氢键最弱, 而处于骨架两端的氢键最为稳定. 氢-氘交换实验测定出了不同酰胺氢发生这一过程的半衰期, 最大差别约为8倍. 对并入折叠体片段的聚合物的单分子力谱(SMFS)研究揭示, 折叠体片段内不同区域分子内氢键的稳定性与单个折叠体分子内相应位置氢键的稳定性一致. 通过SMFS实验, 我们还测定出了不同氢键的绝对力值. 结果显示, 并入到聚合物中的短的三聚体折叠体具有最强的分子内氢键, 而五聚体和七聚体折叠体的部分分子内氢键较弱, 其力值出现在较低位置.     

双亲嵌段共聚物P103对牛血清白蛋白构象的影响

利用傅立叶变换红外光谱和傅立叶变换拉曼光谱研究了牛血清白蛋白(BSA)与双亲嵌段共聚物P103作用过程中蛋白质构象的变化规律。研究表明,当P103浓度较低时,BSA二级结构变化不大,当P103浓度为16 g/L或以上时,α-螺旋结构由45.9%降至40%以下,β-折叠结构升高,由6.1%增至17%左右,同时无规结构略微下降。P103的加入主要改变BSA分子内部氢键的结合方式,使α-螺旋结构转变为β-折叠结构;P103的加入还影响BSA中氨基酸侧链的微环境变化和蛋白质二硫键的构象变化。     

Virtual screening of p53 mutants reveals Y220S as an additional rescue drug target for PhiKan083 with higher binding characteristics

Pharmacological intervention to reactivate p53 in human tumors holds great promise for cancer patients. A number of small molecules that reactivate p53 mutants that are either specific to certain mutation or more broadly on various mutants of p53 are discovered by rational design and screening methods. One of the most remarkable among small molecules for the rescue of specific mutant p53, Y220C is PhiKan083 (1-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazole-3-yl)-N-methylmethanamine) that have been demonstrated effective in advanced pre-clinical trials. Our attempt here is to identify additional targets of p53 mutants for rescue drugs and provide insight into the molecular level interactions of the drug with the mutant target. In this study PhiKan083 also known as PK083 is investigated, screened and validated on 28 different mutants of p53 using FlexX. Interaction of PhiKan08 with Y220C is found to be largely hydrophobic and a crucial single H-bond interaction with Asp228 in addition to few electrostatic interactions. Our study identified Y220S mutant as an additional target for PK083 as it shows a similar interaction pattern. Besides this, Docking and MD simulation studies, showed that Y220S binds to PK083 at higher efficiency as a result of improved steric and hydrophobic environment in the binding cavity in comparison with known mutant target, Y220C. Further, we point out that structure guided optimization of PhiKan08 can lead to an improved drug that can interact favourably with yet another mutant, Y220 N. In addition, this study revealed that Y220H and other mutants including native p53 does not provide any favourable interaction with PhiKan08 which is in accord with the experimental findings. These findings can facilitate the selection of patients for clinical studies and cancer survival analysis.     

Markov state models and NMR uncover an overlooked allosteric loop in p53

The tumor suppressor p53 is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer, and thus reactivation of mutated p53 is a promising avenue for cancer therapy. Analysis of wildtype p53 and the Y220C cancer mutant long-timescale molecular dynamics simulations with Markov state models and validation by NMR relaxation studies has uncovered the involvement of loop L6 in the slowest motions of the protein. Due to its distant location from the DNA-binding surface, the conformational dynamics of this loop has so far remained largely unexplored. We observe mutation-induced stabilization of alternate L6 conformations, distinct from all experimentally-determined structures, in which the loop is both extended and located further away from the DNA-interacting surface. Additionally, the effect of the L6-adjacent Y220C mutation on the conformational landscape of the functionally-important loop L1 suggests an allosteric role to this dynamic loop and the inactivation mechanism of the mutation. Finally, the simulations reveal a novel Y220C cryptic pocket that can be targeted for p53 rescue efforts. Our approach exemplifies the power of the MSM methodology for uncovering intrinsic dynamic and kinetic differences among distinct protein ensembles, such as for the investigation of mutation effects on protein function.

Wildtype and Y220C L1 and L6 loops conformational landscape, with MSM-identified L6 states highlighted on the right.     

Molecular dynamic and free energy studies of primary resistance mutations in HIV-1 protease-ritonavir complexes

To understand the basis of drug resistance of the HIV-1 protease, molecular dynamic (MD) and free energy calculations of the wild-type and three primary resistance mutants, V82F, I84V, and V82F/I84V, of HIV-1 protease complexed with ritonavir were carried out. Analysis of the MD trajectories revealed overall structures of the protein and the hydrogen bonding of the catalytic residues to ritonavir were similar in all four complexes. Substantial differences were also found near the catalytic binding domain, of which the double mutant complex has the greatest impact on conformational changes of the protein and the inhibitor. The tip of the HIV-1 protease flap of the double mutant has the greater degree of opening with respect to that of the others. Additionally, the phenyl ring of Phe82 moves away from the binding pocket S1', and the conformational change of ritonavir subsite P1' consequently affects the cavity size of the protein and the conformational energy of the inhibitor. Calculations of binding free energy using the solvent continuum model were able to reproduce the same trend of the experimental inhibition constant. The results show that the resistance mutants require hydrophobic residues to maintain the interactions in the binding pocket. Changes of the cavity volume correlate well with free energy penalties due to the mutation and are responsible for the loss of drug susceptibility.     

Halogen-enriched fragment libraries as leads for drug rescue of mutant p53

The destabilizing p53 cancer mutation Y220C creates a druggable surface crevice. We developed a strategy exploiting halogen bonding for lead discovery to stabilize the mutant with small molecules. We designed halogen-enriched fragment libraries (HEFLibs) as starting points to complement classical approaches. From screening of HEFLibs and subsequent structure-guided design, we developed substituted 2-(aminomethyl)-4-ethynyl-6-iodophenols as p53-Y220C stabilizers. Crystal structures of their complexes highlight two key features: (i) a central scaffold with a robust binding mode anchored by halogen bonding of an iodine with a main-chain carbonyl and (ii) an acetylene linker, enabling the targeting of an additional subsite in the crevice. The best binders showed induction of apoptosis in a human cancer cell line with homozygous Y220C mutation. Our structural and biophysical data suggest a more widespread applicability of HEFLibs in drug discovery.     

Direct observations of conformational distributions of intrinsically disordered p53 peptides using UV Raman and explicit solvent simulations

We report the first experimental measurements of Ramachandran Ψ-angle distributions for intrinsically disordered peptides: the N-terminal peptide fragment of tumor suppressor p53 and its P27S mutant form. To provide atomically detailed views of the conformational distributions, we performed classical, explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations on the microsecond time scale. Upon binding its partner protein, MDM2, wild-type p53 peptide adopts an α-helical conformation. Mutation of Pro27 to serine results in the highest affinity yet observed for MDM2-binding of the p53 peptide. Both UV resonance Raman spectroscopy (UVRR) and simulations reveal that the P27S mutation decreases the extent of PPII helical content and increases the probability for conformations that are similar to the α-helical MDM2-bound conformation. In addition, UVRR measurements were performed on peptides that were isotopically labeled at the Leu26 residue preceding the Pro27 in order to determine the conformational distributions of Leu26 in the wild-type and mutant peptides. The UVRR and simulation results are in quantitative agreement in terms of the change in the population of non-PPII conformations involving Leu26 upon mutation of Pro27 to serine. Finally, our simulations reveal that the MDM2-bound conformation of the peptide is significantly populated in both the wild-type and mutant isolated peptide ensembles in their unbound states, suggesting that MDM2 binding of the p53 peptides may involve conformational selection.     

Hydrogen Bonding Between Ions of Like Charge in Ionic Liquids Characterized by NMR Deuteron Quadrupole Coupling Constants—Comparison with Salt Bridges and Molecular Systems

We present deuteron quadrupole coupling constants (DQCC) for hydroxyl‐functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) in the crystalline or glassy states characterizing two types of hydrogen bonding: The regular Coulomb‐enhanced hydrogen bonds between cation and anion (c–a), and the unusual hydrogen bonds between cation and cation (c–c), which are present despite repulsive Coulomb forces. We measure these sensitive probes of hydrogen bonding by means of solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. The DQCCs of (c–a) ion pairs and (c–c) H‐bonds are compared to those of salt bridges in supramolecular complexes and those present in molecular liquids. At low temperatures, the (c–c) species successfully compete with the (c–a) ion pairs and dominate the cluster populations. Equilibrium constants obtained from molecular‐dynamics (MD) simulations show van't Hoff behavior with small transition enthalpies between the differently H‐bonded species. We show that cationic‐cluster formation prevents these ILs from crystallizing. With cooling, the (c–c) hydrogen bonds persist, resulting in supercooling and glass formation.     

Synthesis,Structure and Properties of C(X)NHP(Y) Fragment Containing Compounds

Abstract

N-(thio)carbonyl(thio)amidophosphate, their open-chain and crown-containing analogues with a C (X) NHP (Y) fragments are associated with intermolecular hydrogen bonds as C=X…H-N and P=Y…H-N or intramolecular hydrogen bonds of N-H…O(macrocycle). These compounds easily enter into alkylation reaction, are added according to C=N bonds of activated imines, take part in O → S and S → O exchanging reactions.     

Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the allosteric effect of F1174C resistance mutation to ceritinib in ALK-associated lung cancer

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has become as an important target for the treatment of various human cancers, especially non-small-cell lung cancer. A mutation, F1174C, suited in the C-terminal helix αC of ALK and distal from the small-molecule inhibitor ceritinib bound to the ATP-binding site, causes the emergence of drug resistance to ceritinib. However, the detailed mechanism for the allosteric effect of F1174C resistance mutation to ceritinib remains unclear. Here, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and binding free energy calculations [Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MM/GBSA)] were carried out to explore the advent of drug resistance mutation in ALK. MD simulations observed that the exquisite aromatic-aromatic network formed by residues F1098, F1174, F1245, and F1271 in the wild-type ALK-ceritinib complex was disrupted by the F1174C mutation. The resulting mutation allosterically affected the conformational dynamic of P-loop and caused the upward movement of the P-loop from the ATP-binding site, thereby weakening the interaction between ceritinib and the P-loop. The subsequent MM/GBSA binding free energy calculations and decomposition analysis of binding free energy validated this prediction. This study provides mechanistic insight into the allosteric effect of F1174C resistance mutation to ceritinib in ALK and is expected to contribute to design the next-generation of ALK inhibitors.