On the origin of the stabilization of the zwitterionic resting state of cysteine proteases: a theoretical study

Papain-like cysteine proteases are ubiquitous proteolytic enzymes. The protonated His199/deprotonated Cys29 ion pair (cathepsin B numbering) in the active site is essential for their proper functioning. The presence of this ion pair stands in contrast to the corresponding intrinsic residue p K a values, indicating a strong influence of the enzyme environment. In the present work we show by molecular dynamics simulations on quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) potentials that the ion pair is stabilized by a complex hydrogen bond network which comprises several amino acids situated in the active site of the enzyme and 2-4 water molecules. QM/MM reaction path computations for the proton transfer from His199 to the thiolate of the Cys29 moiety indicate that the ion pair is about 32-36 kJ mol (-1) more stable than the neutral form if the whole hydrogen bonding network is active. Without any hydrogen bonding network the ion pair is predicted to be significantly less stable than the neutral form. QM/MM charge deletion analysis and QM model calculations are used to quantify the stabilizing effect of the active-site residues and the L1 helix in favor of the zwitterionic form. The active-site water molecules contribute about 30 kJ mol (-1) to the overall stabilization. Disruption of the hydrogen bonding network upon substrate binding is expected to enhance the nucleophilic reactivity of the thiolate.     

The hydrogen‐bonded complex bis(tert‐butylammonium) 2,6‐dichlorophenolate 2,4‐dichlorophenol–2,4‐dichlorophenolate tetrahydrofuran disolvate containing a chiral R53(10) hydrogen‐bonded ring as a supramolecular synthon

A fixed hydrogen‐bonding motif with a high probability of occurring when appropriate functional groups are involved is described as a `supramolecular hydrogen‐bonding synthon'. The identification of these synthons may enable the prediction of accurate crystal structures. The rare chiral hydrogen‐bonding motif R₅³(10) was observed previously in a cocrystal of 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol, 2,4‐dichlorophenol and dicyclohexylamine. In the title solvated salt, 2C₄H₁₂N⁺·C₆H₃Cl₂O⁻·(C₆H₃Cl₂O⁻·C₆H₄Cl₂O)·2C₄H₈O, five components, namely two tert‐butylammonium cations, one 2,4‐dichlorophenol molecule, one 2,4‐dichlorophenolate anion and one 2,6‐dichlorophenolate anion, are bound by N—H…O and O—H…O hydrogen bonds to form a hydrogen‐bonded ring, with the graph‐set motif R₅³(10), which is further associated with two pendant tetrahydrofuran molecules by N—H…O hydrogen bonds. The hydrogen‐bonded ring has internal symmetry, with a twofold axis running through the centre of the 2,6‐dichlorophenolate anion, and is isostructural with a previous and related structure formed from 2,4‐dichlorophenol, dicyclohexylamine and 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol. In the title crystal, helical columns are built by the alignment and twisting of the chiral hydrogen‐bonded rings, along and across the c axis, and successive pairs of rings are associated with each other through C—H…π interactions. Neighbouring helical columns are inversely related and, therefore, no chirality is sustained, in contrast to the previous case.     

Semiempirical simulation of a theta‐class glutathione S‐transferase‐catalyzed glutathione attack to the allelochemical DIMBOA

We evaluated by the semiempirical method PM3 possible mechanisms of a putative interaction between a cereal allelochemical, the cyclic hydroxamic acid 2,4‐dihydroxy‐7‐metoxy‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3(4H)‐one (DIMBOA), and the tripeptide glutathione (GSH) inside the active site of a theta‐class glutathione S‐transferase. Based on a preliminary study of transition states from DIMBOA reactions with methanethiolate as a simple model of GSH, we investigated the roles of catalytic residues of the enzyme during nucleophilic additions of GSH to the carbonyl groups of DIMBOA and of its phenol/aldehyde isomer inside the active site model. Our results suggest that a tyrosine residue, Tyr113, makes the most important contributions for the catalytic mechanism. In the modeled reaction steps, Tyr113 behaves as a double hydrogen bond donor catalyst for nucleophilic additions of GSH to substrates: It initially helps stabilize the strongly nucleophilic reduced GSH with a hydrogen bond intermediated by a water molecule; during substrate approach, small conformational changes enable the residue to make a direct hydrogen bond to the substrate group that develop negative charge after addition of reduced GSH. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.; Int J Quantum Chem, 2002     

mer‐(4‐Amino­benzene­sulfonato‐κN)tri­aqua(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)cobalt(II) chloride

Both coordination and hydrogen bonds contribute to networking in the supramolecular title compound, [Co(C₆H₆­NO₃S)(C₁₂H₈N₂)(H₂O)₃]Cl, which contains a discrete [Co(C₆H₆NO₃S)(C₁₂H₈N₂)(H₂O)₃]⁺ complex cation, formed by one 4‐amino­benzene­sulfonate ligand, one 1,10‐phenanthroline ligand and three coordinated water mol­ecules, together with one uncoordinated chloride anion. These discrete cations and chloride anions are connected by hydrogen‐bonding interactions into a two‐dimensional supramolecular motif. Further hydrogen‐bonding interactions consolidate the structural architecture and extend the two‐dimensional supramol­ecular structure into a three‐dimensional network.     

Chloride‐Anion‐Templated Synthesis of a Strapped‐Porphyrin‐Containing Catenane Host System

The synthesis, structure and anion‐recognition properties of a new strapped‐porphyrin‐containing [2]catenane anion host system are described. The assembly of the catenane is directed by discrete chloride anion templation acting in synergy with secondary aromatic donor–acceptor and coordinative pyridine–zinc interactions. The [2]catenane incorporates a three‐dimensional, hydrogen‐bond‐donating anion‐binding pocket; solid‐state structural analysis of the catenane?chloride complex reveals that the chloride anion is encapsulated within the catenane’s interlocked binding cavity through six convergent CH????Cl and NH???Cl hydrogen‐bonding interactions and solution‐phase ¹H NMR titration experiments demonstrate that this complementary hydrogen‐bonding arrangement facilitates the selective recognition of chloride over larger halide anions in DMSO solution.     

Hydrogen‐Bonding Interactions Trigger a Spin‐Flip in Iron(III) Porphyrin Complexes

A key step in cytochrome P450 catalysis includes the spin‐state crossing from low spin to high spin upon substrate binding and subsequent reduction of the heme. Clearly, a weak perturbation in P450 enzymes triggers a spin‐state crossing. However, the origin of the process whereby enzymes reorganize their active site through external perturbations, such as hydrogen bonding, is still poorly understood. We have thus studied the impact of hydrogen‐bonding interactions on the electronic structure of a five‐coordinate iron(III) octaethyltetraarylporphyrin chloride. The spin state of the metal was found to switch reversibly between high (S=⁵/₂) and intermediate spin (S=³/₂) with hydrogen bonding. Our study highlights the possible effects and importance of hydrogen‐bonding interactions in heme proteins. This is the first example of a synthetic iron(III) complex that can reversibly change its spin state between a high and an intermediate state through weak external perturbations.     

Hydrogen‐bonded sheets in 2‐(2‐aminophenyl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium dihydrogen phosphate

The title salt, C₁₃H₁₂N₃⁺·H₂PO₄⁻, contains a nonplanar 2‐(2‐aminophenyl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium cation and two different dihydrogen phosphate anions, both situated on twofold rotation axes in the space group C2. The anions are linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds into chains of R₂²(8) rings. The anion chains are linked by the cations, via hydrogen‐bonding complementarities and electrostatic interactions, giving rise to a sheet structure with alternating rows of organic cations and inorganic anions. Comparison of this structure with that of the pure amine reveals that the two compounds generate characteristically different sheet structures. The anion–anion chain serves as a template for the assembly of the cations, suggesting a possible application in the design of solid‐state materials.     

Poly[[diaquabis(μ2‐1‐oxo‐2,6,7‐trioxa‐1‐phosphabicyclo[2.2.2]octane‐4‐carboxylato)copper(II)] dihydrate]

The asymmetric unit of the title complex, {[Cu(C₅H₆O₆P)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O}_n, consists of half a Cu atom, one complete 1‐oxo‐2,6,7‐trioxa‐1‐phosphabicyclo[2.2.2]octane‐4‐carboxylate anion ligand and two non‐equivalent water molecules. The Cu atom lies on a crystallographic inversion centre and has an elongated axially distorted octahedral environment. A two‐dimensional layer structure parallel to (100) is formed as a result of the connectivity brought about by each anion bonding to two different Cu atoms via a carboxylate O atom and a bridging O atom of a C—O—P group. The water molecules participate in extensive O—H...O hydrogen bonding. Neighbouring layers are linked together by intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The crystal structure is characterized by intra‐ and interlayer motifs of a hydrogen‐bonded network. This study demonstrates the usefulness of carboxylates with caged phosphate esters in crystal engineering.     

A 16‐connected three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding network in tetrakis(4‐aminopyridinium) perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylate octahydrate

The novel title organic salt, 4C₅H₇N₂⁺·C₂₄H₈O₈⁴⁻·8H₂O, was obtained from the reaction of perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylic acid (H₄ptca) with 4‐aminopyridine (4‐ap). The asymmetric unit contains half a perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylate (ptca⁴⁻) anion with twofold symmetry, two 4‐aminopyridinium (4‐Hap⁺) cations and four water molecules. Strong N—H...O hydrogen bonds connect each ptca⁴⁻ anion with four 4‐Hap⁺ cations to form a one‐dimensional linear chain along the [010] direction, decorated by additional 4‐Hap⁺ cations attached by weak N—H...O hydrogen bonds to the ptca⁴⁻ anions. Intermolecular O—H...O interactions of water molecules with ptca⁴⁻ and 4‐Hap⁺ ions complete the three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding network. From the viewpoint of topology, each ptca⁴⁻ anion acts as a 16‐connected node by hydrogen bonding to six 4‐Hap⁺ cations and ten water molecules to yield a highly connected hydrogen‐bonding framework. π–π interactions between 4‐Hap⁺ cations, and between 4‐Hap⁺ cations and ptca⁴⁻ anions, further stabilize the three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding network.     

嗜热蛋白酶PH1704别构中心量子化学计算与突变体动力学

通过量子化学计算, 确定嗜热菌Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3的PH1704蛋白酶别构位点的关键残基为Arg113, Tyr120和Asn129. 其中, Arg113及Asn129与别构抑制剂结合, 参与别构调控. Tyr120残基位于亚基交界面附近, 并与亲核残基Cys100之间以氢键相连, 可通过影响亚基聚合来影响酶的亲核催化. DJ-1超家族的4种构建蛋白的结构显示, 120位点位于亚基交界面处, 影响亚基的聚合, 进而影响蛋白酶的活力, 并间接参与别构调控. 分子生物学实验显示, 突变体R113T/Y120P/N129D的k_cat/k_m(L·μmol^-1·min^-1)值是野生型k_cat/k_m值的6倍, h系数由野生型的0.86转变为1.3, 负协同效应消失. 113和129位点处阴离子别构剂脱离, 从而破坏113, 120和129位点间的封闭环结构, 使AC交界面α7螺旋(124~129, 524~529)间聚合度增强; 120位点残基由Tyr转变为Pro, 与Cys100间氢键断裂, 亲核进攻的阻力减小, 从而使酶活力提高, 别构负调控消失.     

Hexaaquanickel(II) bis[2‐carboxylato‐2‐(isothiouronium‐S‐ylmethyl)propane‐1,3‐diyl phosphate] hexahydrate

In the title complex, [Ni(H₂O)₆](C₆H₁₀N₂O₆PS)₂·6H₂O, the asymmetric unit consists of one‐half of an Ni atom (which lies on an inversion centre) with three coordinated water molecules, one complete 2‐carboxylato‐2‐(isothiouronium‐S‐ylmethyl)propane‐1,3‐diyl phosphate anion and three noncoordinated water molecules. The hexaaquanickel(II) cations have distorted octahedral coordination and are connected via water chains to form two‐dimensional supramolecular networks parallel to the ab plane. The phosphate ester anion is linked via N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds, thus creating various ring, dimer and chain hydrogen‐bonding patterns, and building up a second two‐dimensional supramolecular network parallel to the ab plane. The crystal structure is further stabilized by an intra‐ and interlayer hydrogen‐bond network. This work illustrates that a carboxylate with a caged phosphate ester can open its ring in the presence of dichloridotetrakis(thiourea)nickel, and the resulting polyfunctional anion can be used for constructing a complex hydrogen‐bonding scheme.     

Dual Role of the 1,2,3‐Triazolium Ring as a Hydrogen‐Bond Donor and Anion–π Receptor in Anion‐Recognition Processes

Several bis(triazolium)‐based receptors have been synthesized as chemosensors for anion recognition. The central naphthalene core features two aryltriazolium side‐arms. NMR experiments revealed differences between the binding modes of the two triazolium rings: one triazolium ring acts as a hydrogen‐bond donor, the other as an anion–π receptor. Receptors 9²⁺?2BF₄ ^? (C₆H₅), 11²⁺?2BF₄ ^? (4‐NO₂?C₆H₄), and 13²⁺?2BF^4? (ferrocenyl) bind HP₂O₇^3? anions in a mixed‐binding mode that features a combination of hydrogen‐bonding and anion–π interactions and results in strong binding. On the other hand, receptor 10²⁺?2 BF₄ ^? (4‐CH₃O?C₆H₄) only displays combined Csp₂?H/anion–π interactions between the two arms of the receptors and the bound anion rather than triazolium (CH)⁺???anion hydrogen bonding. All receptors undergo a downfield shift of the triazolium protons, as well as the inner naphthalene protons, in the presence of H₂PO₄^? anions. That suggests that only hydrogen‐bonding interactions exist between the binding site and the bound anion, and involve a combination of cationic (triazolium) and neutral (naphthalene) C?H donor interactions. Theoretical calculations relate the electronic structure of the substituent on the aromatic group with the interaction energies and provide a minimum‐energy conformation for all the complexes that explains their measured properties.     

Formation of Self‐Templated 2,6‐Bis(1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine [2]Catenanes by Triazolyl Hydrogen Bonding: Selective Anion Hosts for Phosphate

We report the remarkable ability of 2,6‐bis(1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine ( btp ) compounds 2 with appended olefin amide arms to self‐template the formation of interlocked [2]catenane structures 3 in up to 50 % yield when subjected to olefin ring‐closing metathesis in CH₂Cl₂. X‐ray diffraction crystallography enabled the structural characterization of both the [2]catenane 3 a and the non‐interlocked macrocycle 4 a . These [2]catenanes showed selective triazolyl hydrogen‐bonding interactions with the tetrahedral phosphate anion when screened against a range of ions; 3 a , b are the first examples of selective [2]catenane hosts for phosphate.     

嗜热蛋白酶PH1704别构中心量子化学计算与突变体动力学简

通过量子化学计算,确定嗜热菌Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3的PH1704蛋白酶别构位点的关键残基为Arg113,Tyr120和Asn129. 其中,Arg113及Asn129与别构抑制剂结合,参与别构调控. Tyr120残基位于亚基交界面附近,并与亲核残基Cys100之间以氢键相连,可通过影响亚基聚合来影响酶的亲核催化. DJ-1超家族的4种构建蛋白的结构显示,120位点位于亚基交界面处,影响亚基的聚合,进而影响蛋白酶的活力,并间接参与别构调控. 分子生物学实验显示,突变体R113T/Y120P/N129D的kcat/km(L·μmol-1·min-1)值是野生型kcat/km值的6倍,h系数由野生型的0.86转变为1.3,负协同效应消失. 113和129位点处阴离子别构剂脱离,从而破坏113,120和129位点间的封闭环结构,使AC交界面α7螺旋(124~129,524~529)间聚合度增强;120位点残基由Tyr转变为Pro,与Cys100间氢键断裂,亲核进攻的阻力减小,从而使酶活力提高,别构负调控消失.     

3‐[(Diphenylphosphinothioyl)oxy]‐N‐methylpropan‐1‐aminium diphenylphosphanylthioate

The title salt, C₁₆H₂₁NOPS⁺·C₁₂H₁₀OPS, was synthesized from the reaction between 3‐(methylamino)propan‐1‐ol and PPh₂(S)Cl in the presence of Et₃N. Its structure has been identified using spectroscopic methods and X‐ray analysis. Single crystals were obtained from ethanol by slow evaporation. In the asymmetric unit, a cation–anion pair is formed through an intermolecular N—H...O [N...O = 2.6974 (18) Å] hydrogen bond. The molecules are packed through N—H...O and N—H...S hydrogen bonds in the crystal and these hydrogen bonds are responsible for the high melting point. The P atoms of the anion and cation both have distorted tetrahedral environments.     

Very Long‐Range Effects: Cooperativity between Anion–π and Hydrogen‐Bonding Interactions

The interplay between two important non‐covalent interactions involving aromatic rings (namely anion–π and hydrogen bonding) is investigated. Very interesting cooperativity effects are present in complexes where anion–π and hydrogen bonding interactions coexist. These effects are found in systems where the distance between the anion and the hydrogen‐bond donor/acceptor molecule is as long as ～11 Å. These effects are studied theoretically using the energetic and geometric features of the complexes, which were computed using ab initio calculations. We use and discuss several criteria to analyze the mutual influence of the non‐covalent interactions studied herein. In addition we use Bader’s theory of atoms‐in‐molecules to characterize the interactions and to analyze the strengthening or weakening of the interactions depending upon the variation of the charge density at the critical points.     

Halogen‐ and Hydrogen‐Bonding Catenanes for Halide‐Anion Recognition

Halogen‐bonding (XB) interactions were exploited in the solution‐phase assembly of anion‐templated pseudorotaxanes between an isophthalamide‐containing macrocycle and bromo‐ or iodo‐functionalised pyridinium threading components. ¹H NMR spectroscopic titration investigations demonstrated that such XB interpenetrated assemblies are more stable than analogous hydrogen bonding (HB) pseudorotaxanes. The stability of the anion‐templated halogen‐bonded pseudorotaxane architectures was exploited in the preparation of new halogen‐bonding interlocked catenane species through a Grubbs’ ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) clipping methodology. The catenanes’ anion recognition properties in the competitive CDCl₃/CD₃OD 1:1 solvent mixture revealed selectivity for the heavier halides iodide and bromide over chloride and acetate.     

Luminescent Property of a Supramolecular Silver(I)‐Thiolate Complex Based on Secondary Ag‐S Interactions and Hydrogen Bonds

The supramolecular silver(I)‐thiolate complex [Ag(μ₂‐SC₄N₂H₄)₂(SCN)]_n has been prepared from the reaction of AgSCN and pyrimidine‐2‐thiol in DMF. X‐ray diffraction analysis shows that the supramolecular structure exhibits one‐dimensional chain through the secondary Ag‐S interactions and the chains are further linked by strong hydrogen bonds to form a three dimensional network. The luminescence effect from the silver‐centered state of S→Ag LMCT in solid state is different from that in solution due to the secondary Ag‐S interactions.     

Time‐Resolved Crystallography of the Reaction Intermediate of Nitrile Hydratase: Revealing a Role for the Cysteinesulfenic Acid Ligand as a Catalytic Nucleophile

The reaction mechanism of nitrile hydratase (NHase) was investigated using time‐resolved crystallography of the mutant NHase, in which βArg56, strictly conserved and hydrogen bonded to the two post‐translationally oxidized cysteine ligands, was replaced by lysine, and pivalonitrile was the substrate. The crystal structures of the reaction intermediates were determined at high resolution (1.2–1.3 Å). In combination with FTIR analyses of NHase following hydration in H₂¹⁸O, we propose that the metal‐coordinated substrate is nucleophilically attacked by the O(SO^?) atom of αCys114‐SO^?, followed by nucleophilic attack of the S(SO^?) atom by a βArg56‐activated water molecule to release the product amide and regenerate αCys114‐SO^?.     

The Catalytic Mechanism of Fluoroacetate Dehalogenase: A Computational Exploration of Biological Dehalogenation

The biological dehalogenation of fluoroacetate carried out by fluoroacetate dehalogenase is discussed by using quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations for a whole‐enzyme model of 10 800 atoms. Substrate fluoroacetate is anchored by a hydrogen‐bonding network with water molecules and the surrounding amino acid residues of Arg105, Arg108, His149, Trp150, and Tyr212 in the active site in a similar way to haloalkane dehalogenase. Asp104 is likely to act as a nucleophile to attack the α‐carbon of fluoroacetate, resulting in the formation of an ester intermediate, which is subsequently hydrolyzed by the nucleophilic attack of a water molecule to the carbonyl carbon atom. The cleavage of the strong C? F bond is greatly facilitated by the hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the leaving fluorine atom and the three amino acid residues of His149, Trp150, and Tyr212. The hydrolysis of the ester intermediate is initiated by a proton transfer from the water molecule to His271 and by the simultaneous nucleophilic attack of the water molecule. The transition state and produced tetrahedral intermediate are stabilized by Asp128 and the oxyanion hole composed of Phe34 and Arg105.