Conformational studies on the four stereoisomers of the novel anticholinergic 4-(dimethylamino)-2-phenyl-2-(2-pyridyl)pentanamide

Summary To interpret differences in the anticholinergic activity among the four steroisomers of 4-(dimethylamino)-2-phenyl-2-(2-pyridyl)pentanamide (1–4), we performed conformational studies using the semiempirical molecular orbital method. The structures of the global minimum-energy conformations obtained for 1–4, however, could not explain the different activities, particularly in terms of distances between the essential pharmacophores. We thus implemented superimposition studies, using the energetically stable conformations of the most active stereoisomer, 1(2S,4R), as a template. The energy penalties for a conformation change of the less active stereoisomers 2–4 from their global minimum-energy structure to a new conformation, fitting onto the global minimum-energy conformation of 1, appear to account for the differences in the pharmacological potency better than using the other conformations of 1 as a template. We thus presume that the global minimum-energy conformation of 1 is closely related to the bioactive conformation for these anticholinergics, and also that the pharmacological potency is linked to how readily these substances can change their conformations to fit the muscarinic receptor.     

Exploring the similarities between potential smoothing and simulated annealing

Simulated annealing and potential function smoothing are two widely used approaches for global energy optimization of molecular systems. Potential smoothing as implemented in the diffusion equation method has been applied to study partitioning of the potential energy surface (PES) for N‐Acetyl‐Ala‐Ala‐N‐Methylamide (CDAP) and the clustering of conformations on deformed surfaces. A deformable version of the united‐atom OPLS force field is described, and used to locate all local minima and conformational transition states on the CDAP surface. It is shown that the smoothing process clusters conformations in a manner consistent with the inherent structure of the undeformed PES. Smoothing deforms the original surface in three ways: structural shifting of individual minima, merging of adjacent minima, and energy crossings between unrelated minima. A master equation approach and explicit molecular dynamics trajectories are used to uncover similar features in the equilibrium probability distribution of CDAP minima as a function of temperature. Qualitative and quantitative correlations between the simulated annealing and potential smoothing approaches to enhanced conformational sampling are established. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 21: 531–552, 2000     

The effect of electron correlation on the conformational space of melatonin

The pineal gland hormone melatonin regulates several physiological processes including circadian rhythm and also alleviates oxidative stress‐induced degenerative diseases. In spite of its important biological roles, no high level ab initio conformational study has been conducted to reveal its structural features. In this work, the conformational flexibility of melatonin was investigated using correlated ab initio calculations. Conformers, obtained previously at the Hartree‐Fock level (HF/6‐31G*), were fully optimized using second order Møller‐Plesset perturbation theory applying the frozen core approximation (MP2(FC)/6‐31G*). Furthermore, single‐point MP4(SDQ,FC)/6‐31G*//MP2(FC)/6‐31G* computations were performed to investigate the effect of higher order perturbation terms. The HF and MP2 conformational spaces are considerably different: the initial 128 structures converged into 102 different local minima as confirmed by frequency calculations; 28 new minima appeared and 26 previous HF local minima disappeared; no “all‐trans” C3 side chain conformations are seen at the MP2(FC) level. The MP2 global minimum conformation is stabilized by an aromatic‐side chain interaction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008     

Molecular mechanics conformational analysis of cyclononane using the RIPS method and comparison with quantum-mechanical calculations

The recently reported Random Incremental Pulse Search (RIPS) technique has been used to probe the conformational energy surface of cyclononane. The stochastic method permits searching of the potential energy surface for all minimum-energy conformations. The search located all previously reported structures together with three additional conformations that were not found by earlier, primitive searching techniques. Two of these structures are high-nergy skew forms, and the third is a low-energy conformer that should contribute significantly to the overall equilibrium set of cyclononane conformations. The global minimum has been found to be the D₃ symmetrical twist chair-boat (TBC) form in accordance with previous studies. The newly discovered low-energy structure, which lies only 2.2 kcal/mol above the global minimum, has been designated twist chair-twist chair (TCTC). The two higher energy conformers are skewed chair-chair (SCC) and skewed boat-boat (SBB) forms that are 5.7 kcal/mol and 10.4 kcal/mol above the global minimum, respectively. The seven reported conformations were reanalyzed quantum mechanically (AM 1), and a comparison between MM 2 and AM 1 results is presented.     

Molecular modeling studies of novel heteroarotinoids

The molecular structure and conformational properties of structurally related oxo and thio heteroarotinoids have been calculated by employing AM1 molecular orbital and both MM2P and Chem-X “optimize” molecular mechanics methods, and the results have been compared with crystal structure data. For the cis and trans oxo heteroarotinoids, MM2P gives values of the bridge torsion angles ?₁ and ?₂ in closest agreement with the crystal structure, and all three computational methods yield values of ?₁ and ?₂ within about 10° of that found in the crystal structures. All three computational methods locate a minimum-energy conformation for the trans isomer corresponding to the two bridged aryl rings being mutually perpendicular, in agreement with the crystal structure and similar to that found for the structurally analogous trans-stilbene. The calculated heteroring geometries also reproduce the twist-sofa conformation observed for the crystal structure. Calculated conformational energies versus ?₁ and ?₂ indicate broad energy wells about the minimum-energy conformation with barriers to rotation at the planar and perpendicular conformations, and with higher barriers found for the more sterically congested cis isomer. The corresponding cis and trans thio heteroarotinoids exhibit conformational properties similar to their oxo analogues. Both AM1 and MM2P fare poorly in reproducing the crystal structure values of the sulfur-containing bond lengths and bond angles. The C-S bonds found in these thio heteroarotinoids may possess more double-bond character than accounted for in the calculations. Also, the results suggest that the MM2P sulfur-related force-field parameters adopted for these calculations may require further refinement.     

Global optimization using bad derivatives: Derivative-free method for molecular energy minimization

A general method designed to isolate the global minimum of a multidimensional objective function with multiple minima is presented. The algorithm exploits an integral “coarse-graining” transformation of the objective function, U, into a smoothed function with few minima. When the coarse-graining is defined over a cubic neighborhood of length scale ϵ, the exact gradient of the smoothed function, 𝒰_ϵ, is a simple three-point finite difference of U. When ϵ is very large, the gradient of 𝒰_ϵ appears to be a “bad derivative” of U. Because the gradient of 𝒰_ϵ is a simple function of U, minimization on the smoothed surface requires no explicit calculation or differentiation of 𝒰_ϵ. The minimization method is “derivative-free” and may be applied to optimization problems involving functions that are not smooth or differentiable. Generalization to functions in high-dimensional space is straightforward. In the context of molecular conformational optimization, the method may be used to minimize the potential energy or, preferably, to maximize the Boltzmann probability function. The algorithm is applied to conformational optimization of a model potential, Lennard–Jones atomic clusters, and a tetrapeptide. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 19: 1445–1455, 1998     

Investigation of isomerization pathways in monosaccharides. Computer modeling of the hybrid conformations of hexapyranose rings

The method of Wiberg and Boyd was used to determine the pathways for the interconversion of the 3,4-anhydropyranose ring in methyl-2,6-di-O-acetyl-3,4-anhydro--DL (6,6-²H₂) derivatives of talopyranoside (1) and galactopyranoside (2). Stationary points were found on the potential surface. The E₀+¹H₀ and⁰H_1def conformations are global minima in 1. Three local minima are found near the boat conformation B_2.5 and^2.5B. Two saddle points are also found near these conformations. The¹H₀ and⁰H_1def conformations are also global minima in 2. Only one local minimum and two saddle points were found, as in the case of 1, near the B_2.5 and^2.5B conformations. The interconversion barriers in 1 and 2 were calculated. The physical factors affecting the ring conformation in these compounds were discussed.Institute of Physics, Belarus Academy of Sciences. Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 112–118, March–April, 1993.     

Quantum chemical modelling of the effect of proline residues on peptide conformation

Semiempirical AM1 calculations were performed for quantum chemically optimized minimum-energy conformations of L -alanine oligomers (A)_n at n = 7 and their derivatives containing one, two, or three proline residues at various positions along the peptide chain. The effect of proline residues on the peptide conformation was quantified in terms of the conformational “strain energy” and also analyzed in terms of the spatial compatibility of peptides. The defined “strain energy” corresponds to the transformation of the polyalanine peptide from its minimum conformation to the conformation corresponding to that of the proline-containing peptide. The results of calculations indicate that the “strain effect” of proline residues is additive at all locations along the peptide chain, except at the first and the second positions of its N-terminal part. Also, the regular α-helical polyalanine structure was most significantly altered by the presence of some specific motifs around the proline location in the peptide. This, in turn, has its implications in the prediction of the protein secondary structure, as well as in the design of peptide inhibitors and substrates for enzymes and receptors. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 66 : 391–396, 1998     

On the conformational structure of cyclohexadecane,the corresponding ketone,the 1,9-dione and the corresponding ketals

The title compounds have been prepared, and their structures have been studied using molecular mechanics calculations, together with dipole moment measurements, and thermodynamic and spectroscopic data reported in the literature. It is concluded that the parent hydrocarbon exists to a very large extent in a “square” diamondoid conformation (D_2d symmetry). Other conformations (rectangular, nearly D₂, and puckered, (D_2d) are considerably higher in energy. The ketone consists of a mixture of both square and rectangular conformations with the CO group in several different positions. The monoethylene ketal exists primarily in a conformation which is square, with the ketal group on a corner. The diketone, diketal, and monoketal of the dione are considered in the light of the above, and conclusions are drawn regarding their conformations. The dipole moments of the difunctional compounds are in agreement with the conformational conclusions reached by the calculations.     

Applications of simulated annealing to the conformational analysis of flexible molecules

We describe in this article our solution to the global minimum problem which uses the simulated annealing algorithm of Kirkpatrick. This method is a Metropolis (e-ΔE/kT) Monte Carlo sampling of conformation space with simultaneous constraint of the search by lowering the temperature T so that the search converges on the global minimum. The Anneal-Conformer program has been extensively tested with peptides and organic molecules using either the Amber or MM2 force fields. A history file of the simulated annealing process allows reconstruction of the random walk in conformation space for subsequent examination. Thus plots of distance and dihedral angle changes during the search for the global minimum can be examined to deduce molecular shape and flexibility. A separate program Conf-Gen reads the history file and extracts all low energy conformations visited during the run.     

A strategy to find minimal energy nanocluster structures

An unbiased strategy to search for the global and local minimal energy structures of free standing nanoclusters is presented. Our objectives are twofold: to find a diverse set of low lying local minima, as well as the global minimum. To do so, we use massively the fast inertial relaxation engine algorithm as an efficient local minimizer. This procedure turns out to be quite efficient to reach the global minimum, and also most of the local minima. We test the method with the Lennard–Jones (LJ) potential, for which an abundant literature does exist, and obtain novel results, which include a new local minimum for LJ₁₃, 10 new local minima for LJ₁₄, and thousands of new local minima for . Insights on how to choose the initial configurations, analyzing the effectiveness of the method in reaching low‐energy structures, including the global minimum, are developed as a function of the number of atoms of the cluster. Also, a novel characterization of the potential energy surface, analyzing properties of the local minima basins, is provided. The procedure constitutes a promising tool to generate a diverse set of cluster conformations, both two‐ and three‐dimensional, that can be used as an input for refinement by means of ab initio methods. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Oligonucleosides with a Nucleobase‐Including Backbone,Part 7

The conformational analysis of 7 was carried out in (D₆)DMSO and in mixtures of (D₆)DMSO and CDCl₃ to evaluate the syn/anti conformations, relevant to the pairing propensity of this type of nucleotide analogue. The HO−C(5′) of unit I and of unit II of the dimer 7 form an intramolecular H‐bond to N(3). In (D₆)DMSO, the C(5′)−OH⋅⋅⋅N(3) H‐bond in unit I is partially broken, while that in unit II persists to a larger extent. The syn conformation prevails for unit I and particularly for unit II. The furanosyl moieties adopt predominantly a 2′‐endo conformation that is largely independent of the solvent.     

Theoretical study of the structure and vibrational spectra of the (H2O)2…HF and H2O…(HF)2 molecular complexes

Using the Hartree–Fock and MP 2 methods with bases of up to 6-31++G (2d, 2p) quality, the optimum geometry of the 1:2 and 2:1 (H₂O)_n… (HF)_m complexes of water and hydrogen fluoride is searched in a systematic way. Two minimum-energy conformations are found for the 1:2 complex connected through a low-energy transition state. For the 2:1 complex, only one minimum-energy structure is obtained. The analysis of the geometries of the minima and their vibrational frequencies shows that none of them can be used to explain the existence of the H …F? H reverse complex detected experimentally. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Conformational analysis of X3PNP(O)X2 and (X3PNPX3)+ for X = H,F, Cl,CH3 by the pcilo method

Conformational energy maps have been calculated, using the PCILO method, for X₃PNP(O)X₂ and (X₃PNPX₃)⁺ for X = H, F, Cl, CH₃ as a function of the PNP angle. In H₃PNP(O)H₂ the global energy minimum corresponds to the eclipsed conformation of the H₃P and P(O)H₂ fragments for all PNP angles, while in Cl₃PNP(O)Cl₂, the global minimum always has Cl₃P and P(O)C1₂ staggered: the global minimum in F₃PNP(O)F₂ corresponds to eclipsed F₃P and P(O)F₂ fragments at low PNP angles and staggered fragments at high PNP angles: in (CH₃))₃PNPO(CH₃)₂ the global minimum conformation is very sensitive to ∠ PNP. Subordinate energy minima occur for all X₃PNP(O)X₂, species: in particular, there are two local conformational minima for Cl₃PNP(O)Cl₂ at the optimum value of ∠ PNP, and the relative energies of the three stable conformations are in good agreement with those derivable from the ³¹P NMR spectrum of this compound. In (X₃PNPX₃)⁺ the global minimum, usually the sole minimum on the conformational energy surface, is always close to the eclipsed conformation: free rotation of the X₃P groups relative to one another is approached in each (X₃PNPX₃)⁺ ion as ∠PNP approaches 180°. The conformations of the transition states for the equilibria between energy minima are reported with their relative energies, for X₃PNP(O)X₂ (X = H, F. Cl, CH₃) and for (Cl₃PNPCl₃)⁺     

Conformational analysis of a secondary hydroxamic acid in aqueous solution by NOE spectroscopy

Hydroxamic acids are metal‐binding compounds used by micro‐organisms and possess applications in medicine and industry. Hydroxamic acids favor two conformations, E and Z; metal binding is limited to the Z conformation. The Z conformation may be identifiable by NOE spectroscopy, but analysis is complicated by the potential for long‐range coupling as well as for relayed NOEs due to conformational switching. In this report, we re‐examine the reported conformational preference of N‐methyl acetohydroxamic acid (NMHA) in D₂O using NOE spectroscopy. We find that the favored conformation of NMHA in aqueous solution is the E conformation, contrary to an earlier report. NOE build‐up curves are proposed as a valuable tool to probe conformational behavior in similar systems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conformations of the Nine‐Membered Ring in the B‐Nor‐5,10‐secosteroids. X‐Ray and NMR Analysis

The conformations of (Z)‐ and (E)‐5‐oxo‐B‐nor‐5,10‐secocholest‐1(10)‐en‐3β‐yl acetates ( 2 and 3 , resp.) were examined by a combination of X‐ray crystallographic analysis and NMR spectroscopy, with emphasis on the geometry of the cyclononenone moiety. The ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectra showed that the unsaturated nine‐membered ring of (E)‐isomer 3 in C₆D₆ and (D₆)acetone solution exists in a sole conformation of type B ₁ , which is similar to its solid‐state conformation. The (Z)‐isomer 2 in C₆D₆, CDCl₃, and (D₆)acetone solution, however, exists in two conformational forms of different families, with different orientation of the carbonyl group, the predominant form (85%) corresponding to the conformation of type A ₁ and the minor (15%) to the conformation A ₂ present also in the crystalline state. In this solid‐state conformations of the nine‐membered ring of both compounds, the 19‐Me and 5‐oxo groups are ‘β’‐oriented. The NMR analysis suggests that the nine‐membered ring of 4 has a conformation of type C ₁ in CDCl₃ solution.     

Conformational analysis and molecular dynamics simulation of cellobiose and larger cellooligomers

The conformational behavior of cellobiose (D -glc-ß(1→4)-D -glc), cellotetraose, and cellooctaose was studied by a combination of energy minimization and molecular dynamics simulations in vacuo at 400 K. These diand oligosaccharide models have considerable flexibility and exhibit a variety of different motions in glycosidic and exocyclic torsions. The glycosidic ?, ψ torsions moved frequently between two local minima on the cellobiose energy surface in the region of known crystal structures. Transitions of the hydroxymethyl side chain were observed between gt,gg, and tg conformations accompanied by changes in intramolecular hydrogen bonding patterns. A reasonable fit to the experimental optical rotation and nuclear magnetic resonance vicinal coupling data of cellobiose in solution required a distribution of its conformations. The oligomers, although generally extended, assumed a more coiled or twisted shape than is observed in the crystalline state of cellulose and exhibited considerable backbone motion due to local ring rotations about the glycosidic bonds. Long-lived transitions to structures having torsion angles 180° from the major minima (ring flips) introduced kinks and bends into the tetramer and octamer. While the glucose rings of the structures remained primarily in the ⁴C₁ conformation, twist and boat structures were also observed in the tetramer and octamer structures. Reducing the simulation temperature to 300 K eliminated some of the transitions seen at 400 K. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Conformational and electronic study of dopamine interacting with the D2 dopamine receptor

We report an exhaustive conformational and electronic study on dopamine (DA) interacting with the D₂ dopamine receptor (D₂DR). For the first time, the complete surface of the conformational potential energy of the complex DA/D₂DR is reported. Such a surface was obtained through the use of QM/MM calculations. A detailed study of the molecular interactions that stabilize and destabilize the different molecular complexes was carried out using two techniques: Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules computations and nuclear magnetic shielding constants calculations. A comparative study of the behavior of DA in the gas phase, aqueous solution, and in the active site of D₂DR has allowed us to evaluate the degree of deformation suffered by the ligand and, therefore, analyze how rustic are the lock-key model and the induced fit theory in this case. Our results allow us to propose one of the conformations obtained as the “biologically relevant” conformation of DA when it is interacting with the D₂DR.     

Conformational analyses on histamine H2-receptor antagonists

Summary In a series of compounds with H₂-antihistaminic activity, a conformational analysis was performed based on force field calculations. The drugs studied were cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine, roxatidine and the conformationally more restricted ICI127032. For the compounds containing a flexible chain, the local minima conformations and the global minimum conformation were calculated. These conformations were used for a systematic structural comparison with all energetically allowed conformations of the ICI derivative, with regard to the best fit of the common structural features. In this way a pharmacophore could be developed consisting of four parts: (1) a polar planar group, uncharged at physiological pH; (2) a hydrophobic part formed by aromatic systems or flexible chains; (3) an—under physiological conditions—protonated nitrogen atom; and (4) a substructure, which contains a hydrogen bond donor site and a hydrogen bond acceptor site in a specific spatial arrangement.