Structural impact of GTP binding on downstream KRAS signaling

Oncogenic RAS proteins, involved in ∼30% of human tumors, are molecular switches of various signal transduction pathways. Here we apply a new protocol for the NMR study of KRAS in its (inactive) GDP- and (activated) GTP-bound form, allowing a comprehensive analysis of the backbone dynamics of its WT-, G12C- and G12D variants. We found that Tyr32 shows opposite mobility with respect to the backbone of its surroundings: it is more flexible in the GDP-bound form while more rigid in GTP-complexes (especially in WT- and G12D-GTP). Using the G12C/Y32F double mutant, we showed that the presence of the hydroxyl group of Tyr32 has a marked effect on the G12C-KRAS-GTP system as well. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that Tyr32 is linked to the γ-phosphate of GTP in the activated states – an arrangement shown, using QM/MM calculations, to support catalysis. Anchoring Tyr32 to the γ-phosphate contributes to the capture of the catalytic waters participating in the intrinsic hydrolysis of GTP and supports a simultaneous triple proton transfer step (catalytic water → assisting water → Tyr32 → O1G of the γ-phosphate) leading to straightforward product formation. The coupled flip of negatively charged residues of switch I toward the inside of the effector binding pocket potentiates ligand recognition, while positioning of Thr35 to enter the coordination sphere of the Mg²⁺ widens the pocket. Position 12 mutations do not disturb the capture of Tyr32 by the γ-phosphate, but (partially) displace Gln61, which opens up the catalytic pocket and destabilizes catalytic water molecules thus impairing intrinsic hydrolysis.

Nucleotide exchange to the physiological, activated, GTP-bound form of KRAS results in the anchoring of Tyr32 within the active site.     

Synthesis of 4-unsubstituted 2H-1,2,3-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides via ortho lithiation of protected benzaldehyde derivatives

Variously substituted 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolanes and 2-(2-bromophenyl)-1,3-dioxolanes, prepared from the corresponding benzaldehydes, were lithiated ortho to the acetal group. Reaction of the lithio derivatives with sulfur dioxide led to the lithium sulfinate salts, which gave, upon oxidative chlorination with sulfuryl chloride, the corresponding benzenesulfonyl chlorides. Then, depending on the aromatic substitution pattern of the molecule, several protocols were elaborated for the functional group transformations leading to the target compounds. Ring closure was performed with hydrazine hydrate or acetylhydrazine, in the latter case with one-pot removal of the acetyl group. The 4-unsubstituted 2H-1,2,3-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides thus obtained are potential drug candidates based on their structural similarity to biologically active phthalazinones.     

Well Ordering Groups with no Monotone Arithmetic Progressions

Károlyi–Kós and Ardal–Brown–Jungic proved that every vector space over \(\mathbb {Q}\) has an ordering with no monotone three term arithmetic progression (3-AP). We show that every solvable group has a well ordering with no monotone 6-AP, and each hypoabelian group has an ordering omitting monotone 5-APs. Finally, we prove that every group has a well ordering with no infinite monotone AP.     

Expanding the Ligand Classes Used for Mn(II) Complexation: Oxa-aza Macrocycles Make the Difference

We report two macrocyclic ligands based on a 1,7-diaza-12-crown-4 platform functionalized with acetate (tO2DO2A²⁻) or piperidineacetamide (tO2DO2AM^Pip) pendant arms and a detailed characterization of the corresponding Mn(II) complexes. The X−ray structure of [Mn(tO2DO2A)(H₂O)]·2H₂O shows that the metal ion is coordinated by six donor atoms of the macrocyclic ligand and one water molecule, to result in seven-coordination. The Cu(II) analogue presents a distorted octahedral coordination environment. The protonation constants of the ligands and the stability constants of the complexes formed with Mn(II) and other biologically relevant metal ions (Mg(II), Ca(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)) were determined using potentiometric titrations (I = 0.15 M NaCl, T = 25 °C). The conditional stabilities of Mn(II) complexes at pH 7.4 are comparable to those reported for the cyclen-based tDO2A²⁻ ligand. The dissociation of the Mn(II) chelates were investigated by evaluating the rate constants of metal exchange reactions with Cu(II) under acidic conditions (I = 0.15 M NaCl, T = 25 °C). Dissociation of the [Mn(tO2DO2A)(H₂O)] complex occurs through both proton− and metal−assisted pathways, while the [Mn(tO2DO2AM^Pip)(H₂O)] analogue dissociates through spontaneous and proton-assisted mechanisms. The Mn(II) complex of tO2DO2A²⁻ is remarkably inert with respect to its dissociation, while the amide analogue is significantly more labile. The presence of a water molecule coordinated to Mn(II) imparts relatively high relaxivities to the complexes. The parameters determining this key property were investigated using ¹⁷O NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) transverse relaxation rates and ¹H nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) profiles.     

A new approach to constant term identities and Selberg-type integrals

Selberg-type integrals that can be turned into constant term identities for Laurent polynomials arise naturally in conjunction with random matrix models in statistical mechanics. Built on a recent idea of Karasev and Petrov we develop a general interpolation based method that is powerful enough to establish many such identities in a simple manner. The main consequence is the proof of a conjecture of Forrester related to the Calogero–Sutherland model. In fact we prove a more general theorem, which includes Aomoto's constant term identity at the same time. We also demonstrate the relevance of the method in additive combinatorics.     

Synthesis and catalase-like activity of dimanganese complexes with phthalazine-based ligands

Dimanganese complexes Mn₂ ^III(L¹)(OAc)₄ and Mn₂ ^III(L²)(OAc)₄ with the phthalazine-based ligands 1,4-di(2′-benzimidazolyl)aminophthalazine (H₂L¹) and 1,4-di(N-methyl-2′-benzimidazolyl)aminophthalazine (H₂L²) have been prepared and characterized. The complexes accelerate the disproportionation of H₂O₂ into water and dioxygen in buffered aqueous solutions in a near-neutral pH range thus can be regarded as catalase models. Results of kinetic measurements indicate a similar mechanism for the two catalysts, but formation of the proposed peroxo-adduct intermediate is less favored for Mn₂ ^III(L¹)(OAc)₄. It is presumed to be the reason for the lower rates for this catalyst even at higher pH.