Molecular modeling study of the differential ligand–receptor interaction at the μ, δ and κ opioid receptors

3D models of the opioid receptors , and were constructed using BUNDLE, an in-house program to build de novo models of G-protein coupled receptors at the atomic level. Once the three opioid receptors were constructed and before any energy refinement, models were assessed for their compatibility with the results available from point-site mutations carried out on these receptors. In a subsequent step, three selective antagonists to each of three receptors (naltrindole, naltrexone and nor-binaltorphamine) were docked onto each of the three receptors and subsequently energy minimized. The nine resulting complexes were checked for their ability to explain known results of structure-activity studies. Once the models were validated, analysis of the distances between different residues of the receptors and the ligands were computed. This analysis permitted us to identify key residues tentatively involved in direct interaction with the ligand.     

Homology modeling and 3D–QSAR study of benzhydrylpiperazine δ opioid receptor agonists

The binding affinity of a series of benzhydrylpiperazine δ opioid receptor agonists were pooled and evaluated by using 3D-QSAR and homology modeling/molecular docking methods. Ligand-based CoMFA and CoMSIA 3D-QSAR analyses with 46 compounds were performed on benzhydrylpiperazine analogues by taking the most active compound BW373U86 as the template. The models were generated successfully with q² value of 0.508 and r² value of 0.964 for CoMFA, and q² value of 0.530 and r² value of 0.927 for CoMSIA. The predictive capabilities of the two models were validated on the test set with R²_pred value of 0.720 and 0.814, respectively. The CoMSIA model appeared to work better in this case. A homology model of active form of δ opioid receptor was established by Swiss-Model using a reported crystal structure of active μ opioid receptor as a template, and was further optimized using nanosecond scale molecular dynamics simulation. The most active compound BW373U86 was docked to the active site of δ opioid receptor and the lowest energy binding pose was then used to identify binding residues such as s Gln105, Lys108, Leu125, Asp128, Tyr129, Leu200, Met132, Met199, Lys214, Trp274, Ile277, Ile304 and Tyr308. The docking and 3D-QSAR results showed that hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions played major roles in ligand-receptor interactions. Our results highlight that an approach combining structure-based homology modeling/molecular docking and ligand-based 3D-QSAR methods could be useful in designing of new opioid receptor agonists.     

The μ-and δ-opioid pharmacophore conformations of cyclic β-casomorphin analogues indicate docking of the Phe3 residue to different domains of the opioid receptors

Summary Cyclic -casomorphin analogues with a d-configured amino acid residue in position 2, such as Tyr-c[-Xaa-Phe-Pro-Gly-] and Tyr-c[-Xaa-Phe-d-Pro-Gly-] (Xaa=d-A₂bu, d-Orn, d-Lys) were found to bind to the -opioid receptor as well as to the -opioid receptor, whereas the corresponding l-Xaa² derivatives are nearly inactive at both. Low-energy conformers of both active and nearly inactive derivatives have been determined in a systematic conformational search or by molecular dynamics simulations using the TRIPOS force field. The obatained conformations were compared with regard to a model for -selective opiates developed by Brandt et al. [Drug Des. Discov., 10 (1993) 257]. Superpositions as well as electrostatic, lipophilic and hydrogen bonding similarities with the -opioid receptor pharmacophore conformation of t-Hpp-JOM-13 proposed by Mosberg et al. [J. Med. Chem., 37 (1994) 4371, 4384] were used to establish the probable -pharmacophoric cyclic -casomorphin conformations. These conformations were also compared with a -opioid agonist (SNC 80) and the highly potent antagonist naltrindole. These investigations led to a prediction of the -and -pharmacophore structures for the cyclic -casomorphins. Interestingly, for the inactive compounds such conformations could not be detected. The comparison between the -and -pharmacophore conformations of the cyclic -casomorphins demonstrates not only differences in spatial orientation of both aromatic groups, but also in the backbone conformations of the ring part. In particular, the differences in ² and ² (70°,-80°; 165°,55°) cause a completely different spatial arrangement of the cyclized peptide rings when all compounds are matched with regard to maximal spatial overlap of the tyrosine residue. Assuming that both the -and -pharmacophore conformations bind with the tyrosine residue in a similar orientation at the same transmembrane domain X of their receptors, the side chain of Phe³ as a second binding site has to dock with different domains.This paper is based on a presentation given at the 14th Molecular Graphics and Modelling Society Conference, held in Cairns, Australia, August 27–September 1, 1995.     

Synthesis and physicochemical properties of 1-(2-alkylamidoethyl)-2-alkyl-2-imidazolines based on α,α′-branched carboxylic acids

Condensation of diethylenetriamine with lauric, 2-ethylhexanoic, and α,α′-branched C_10,12-carboxylic acids results in 1-(2-alkylamidoethyl)-2-alkyl-2-imidazolines. A stability of the synthesized compounds relative to the acid and alkaline hydrolysis was studied. Their protonation constants were determined. The effect of the structure of the alkyl substituents on the distribution of the substance between the organic and aqueous phases was examined. The principal possibility of extracting Zn(II), Fe(III), Cu(II), Co(II), Mn(II) chlorides from hydrochloric acid solutions was shown. A mixture of 1-(2-alkylamidoethyl)-2-alkyl-2-imidazolines based on the α,α′-branched carboxylic acids was suggested as a potential extractant of the metal salts from hydrochloric acid and chloride solutions.     

Synthesis and antiadrenergic properties of β-substituted alcohols based on 6-hydroxymethylpyridoxine

An approach to the synthesis of epoxides based on 6-hydroxymethylpyridoxine acetals was developed. The epoxides obtained were involved in the ring opening reactions by nitrogen-, oxygen-, and sulfur-containing nucleophiles. Cytotoxicity and antiadrenergic properties of some synthesized compounds were studied on the models in situ and in vivo.     

Effect of γ-irradiation on the physicochemical and sensory properties of hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.)

The present study evaluated the quality of hazelnuts as a function of irradiation dose to determine dose levels causing minimal undesirable changes to hazelnuts. Physicochemical (color, peroxide value (PV), hexanal content, fatty acid composition and volatile compounds) and sensory (color, texture, odor and taste) properties were determined.Results showed a twenty fold increase in peroxide value and twenty-eight fold increase in hexanal content after irradiation at a dose of 7 kGy. An increase was also observed in saturated fatty acids (10%–23%) with a parallel decrease in unsaturated fatty acids (90–77%). Volatile compounds such as ketones, alkanes, alcohols, aldehydes, furans, aromatic hydrocarbons, bicyclic monoterpenes and acids were produced mostly comprising secondary oxidation products of hazelnut lipids after irradiation. Color parameter b* increased (p<0.05) after irradiation at a dose of ⩾5 kGy, while color parameters L* and a* remained unchanged by irradiation. Sensory evaluation showed that texture and color were not affected by irradiation. Taste, the most sensitive sensory attribute showed that hazelnuts retain acceptable sensory quality when irradiated up to a dose of 1.5 kGy.     

3D-QSAR and docking studies of estrogen compounds based on estrogen receptor β

Close attention has been paid to estrogen compounds because these chemicals may pose a serious threat to the health of humans and wildlife. Estrogen receptor (ER) exists as two subtypes, ERα and ERβ. The difference in amino acids sequence of the binding sites of ERα and ERβ might lead to a result that some synthetic estrogens and naturally occurring steroidal ligands have different relative affinities and binding modes for ERα and ERβ. In this investigation, comparative molecular similarity indices analysis...     

Phase composition,physicochemical and catalytic properties of cobalt–aluminum–zeolite systems

The phase composition and physicochemical and catalytic properties of three samples of cobalt–aluminum–zeolite systems were studied. The catalytic properties of the systems are related to the application of a highly porous acidic support and the presence of cobalt oxide crystallites of an optimal size (6–12 nm). The occurrence of an efficient heat-conductive spatial net formed by metallic aluminum particles is also important for catalytic performance.     

Electrophysical properties of materials based on BaGdCo2O5 + δ

The phase composition, linear thermal expansion coefficient, electroconductivity (in the temperature interval 600–900°C and partial pressures of oxygen 10⁻⁵–0.21 atm) of solid-oxide materials based on gadolinium-barium cobaltite doped with 3d-elements BaGdCo_{2 − x} Me _x O_{5 + δ}, Me = Cu, Fe; x = 0.0, 0.2, …, 2.0 were investigated. The homogeneity regions of samples were established by means of X-ray phase analysis. It was shown that the linear thermal expansion coefficient of cobaltite decreases with an increase in the copper or iron concentration. It was established that the electroconductivity of BaGdCo_{2 − x} Me _x O_{5 + δ} decreases with an increase in x. We concluded that upon a decrease in p(O₂), the electroconductivity of samples first decreases and then reaches a horizontal plateau.     

Preparation and properties of copolymer resins based on phenolphthalein benzoxazine–benzoic acid and bisoxazoline

The novel phenolphthalein benzoxazine–benzoic acid (PBB) was synthesized. The structure of the monomer was supported by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, and elemental analysis. The curing behavior of PBB–bisoxazoline (1,3-PBO) resin was monitored by FTIR and differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that PBB–bisoxazoline resin exhibited two-stage polymerization mechanism. The thermogravimetry showed that PBB–bisoxazoline resin had good heat resistance due to the rigidity of PBB polymer chains and the high cross-linking density of copolymer. Furthermore, it seemed that the reaction between PBB and 1,3-PBO also led to an additional cross-linking, which increased the cross-linking density and delayed the decomposition. The cured resin had low water absorption.     

Trichobitacin-a new ribosome-inactivating protein Ⅰ.The isolation,physicochemical and biological properties of trichobitacin

From the press-residue of the fresh root tuber of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim (Cu-curbitaceae),a new ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP),trichobitacin,was isolated.It has the activity of RNA N-glycosidase and can inhibit the growth of human placental trophoblastic cells.Its molecular weight is 27,228 Da (ES-MS) and pI 9.6.It is a single chain basic RIP.Its amino acid composition was determined.It is a new RIP.It consists of 0.7~0.9% galactose and may be a glycoprotein.Its A'-and C-terminal amino acid is Asp and Ala,respectively.Its N-terminal preliminary amino acid sequence has been determined.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure, and properties of two novel binuclear complexes based on Zaltoprofen and 2,2′-bipyridine ligands

Two novel binuclear metal-organic coordination complexes [M₂(Zaltoprofen)₂(Bipy)₂] [M = Cd (I), Zn (II); Zaltoprofen = 5-(1-carboxyethyl)-2-(phenylthio)phenylacetic acid, Bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR and electronic spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and fluorescent properties. Complexes I, II crystallize isomorphously in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c. Structural analysis shows that the M(II) atom of I and II is coordinated with four oxygen atoms from the carboxyl group of the Zaltoprofen together with two nitrogen atoms from the Bipy. The 3D structures of the complexes are stabilized by π-π stacking interactions.     

Effect of synthesis method on physicochemical and catalytic properties of Cu–Zn-based mesoporous nanocatalysts for water-gas shift reaction

Two new mesoporous nanocatalysts based on CuO–ZnO/MgO were synthesized by using a modified liquid-phase method. Due to use of this method, the nanocatalysts contained an efficient ZnO/MgO phase in which MgO is incorporated into ZnO phase. The structural and catalytic properties of the nanocatalysts in the water-gas shift reaction were investigated compared with samples prepared by conventional sol–gel and liquid-phase methods as references, as well as a commercial catalyst. The results reveal that the new nanocatalysts exhibited higher surface area, lower degree of agglomeration, and higher activity than the reference samples, indicating the influence of both the synthesis method and phase composition.     

Identification of novel PPARα/γ dual agonists by pharmacophore screening,docking analysis,ADMET prediction and molecular dynamics simulations

PPARα and PPARγ play an important role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. The single and selective PPARα or PPARγ agonists have caused several side effects such as edema, weight gain and cardiac failure. In the recent years, the dual PPARs agonist development has become a hot topic in the antidiabetic medicinal chemistry field. In this paper, the compound CHEMBL230490 were gained from CHEMBL database, by means of complex-based pharmacophore (CBP) virtual screening, molecular docking, ADMET prediction and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The compound CHEMBL230490 not only displayed higher binding scores and better binding modes with the active site of PPARα a/γ, but also had more favorable the pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity evaluated by ADMET prediction. The representative compound CHEMBL230490 was performed to MDs for studying a stable binding conformation. The results indicated that the CHEMBL230490 might be a potential antidiabetic lead compound. The research provided a valuable approach in developing novel PPARα/γ dual agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).