Discovery Studio软件在生物化学教学中的应用——分子的刚性对接

借助Discovery Studio（简称：DS）软件，探讨了分子对接中的刚性对接在课堂教学中的运用，促使学生对配体与受体间相互作用机制及其强弱关系有更感性的认识，进而提高课堂教学质量。同时，有利于学生在课后自行练习，深化对分子间非键作用的认识。     

基于虚拟现实的分子对接教学软件*

由于其强大的沉浸性和交互性等特征,虚拟现实技术在教育教学方面有着独特的优势。基于分子建模工具和虚拟现实技术构建了一种关于分子对接的教学软件,该软件将语音讲解、动画演示、分子可视化、交互操作等内容有机整合在虚拟现实环境中,从理论知识讲解和VR实验操作2个方面展开,深入浅出地讲解了分子对接的知识点,达到辅助教学的目的。     

MOE软件在分子对接教学中的应用*

主要介绍MOE软件在分子对接教学中的应用。详细介绍了MOE用于分子对接的使用流程,并分析了对接的可靠性及小分子与蛋白的连接情况,为后续药物的设计提供参考。本案例既可以用于理论教学也可以设计成计算机辅助药物设计上机实验,增强了学生的学习兴趣,降低了教学的难度,也为涉及到分子对接的大学生创新创业项目提供方法。     

交联血管紧张素转化酶聚集体的制备及性质

制备了交联血管紧张素转化酶聚集体（ACE-CLEAs）,比较了ACE-CLEAs及游离ACE的酶学性质,包括最适酶促反应温度、最适pH值、Km、vmax、温度稳定性及pH稳定性等。 以酶活力回收率为参考,确定了制备ACE-CLEAs的最佳条件为：饱和度为80%的(NH4)2SO4溶液作为沉淀剂,沉淀时间0.5 h,质量分数为0.02%的戊二醛作为交联剂,交联时间1 h。 通过比较酶学性质发现,ACE-CLEAs比游离ACE具有更好的温度稳定性及pH稳定性,且与游离ACE接近的Km值表明,ACE-CLEAs对底物的亲和力与游离酶几乎相当。     

毛细管胶束电动色谱法测定血管紧张素转化酶的活性

 建立了应用毛细管胶束电动色谱 (MECC)灵敏、快速的测定血管紧张素转化酶 (ACE)活性的方法。通过对电压、上样时间、电极缓冲液体系等影响因素的优化 ,探讨了方法的可行性 ,确立了最佳测定条件 (电压 :8 1kV ;上样时间 :1s;电极缓冲液 :2 0mmol/L硼酸盐缓冲液 (pH 9 0 ,含 5 0mmol/LSDS) ;检测波长 :2 2 8nm)。方法的最低ACE活性检测限为 5pmol/min(以 2倍的信噪比计 )。     

基于MOE软件的虚拟仿真实验*——多奈哌齐与乙酰胆碱酯酶的分子对接

基于MOE软件设计了多奈哌齐与乙酰胆碱酯酶的分子对接虚拟仿真实验。通过分子结构预处理、分子对接以及数据分析等内容,帮助学生掌握分子对接的基本技能,深入理解立体化学结构对药物-靶分子相互作用的影响。本实验可以作为药物化学、生物化学等基础课的扩展内容,提高学生研究式学习的兴趣和能力。     

Materials Studio软件辅助中学化学教学*——以晶体结构为例

引入一种新的化学软件--Material Studio(MS),利用其晶体结构数据库和立体演示功能辅助晶体结构教学,并设计了典型化合物晶胞结构以及金属晶体晶胞堆积的演示实例和教学过程。MS软件的晶体结构演示功能简单易学,能帮助学生更好地掌握晶体结构知识点,实现个性化教学和学生自主学习,提高课堂教学效率。     

基于逐步非线性回归的血管紧张素转化酶抑制肽QSAR建模

线性特征选择方法可提升定量构效关系(QSAR)模型的预测能力,但易忽略特征(理化属性)与分子活性间的非线性关系。本文提出基于支持向量回归(SVR)的逐步非线性回归(SSNR)特征选择算法并用于降血压药物血管紧张素转化酶(ACE)抑制肽的QSAR研究。首先以具有不同背景的5组分子描述符分别表征肽序列,以SSNR实施特征选择,再通过智能一致性模型(ICM)对各组描述符对应子模型的预测活性进行加权整合,获得最终活性预测值。在ACE抑制二肽与三肽两个数据上的应用结果表明,SSNR获得的特征子集结合ICM策略可有效提升模型预测能力(二肽的平均Q■为0.675±0.002,三肽为0.663±0.013),优于遗传算法-偏最小二乘(0.538±0.049、0.599±0.047)与逐步线性回归(0.583±0.041、0.675±0.010)。最后基于抑制活性已知肽序列预测所有活性未知肽的活性,分析了高活性肽及其氨基酸偏好性,为人工合成潜在高活性ACE抑制肽提供可能的序列组合。     

ACE抑制三肽与ACE相互作用的分子机制

4种食源性三肽IRP(Ile-Arg-Pro),IKP(Ile-Lys-Pro),GRP(Gly-Arg-Pro),IRA(Ile-ArgAla)的ACE抑制活性已得到实验证实,但其与ACE的相互作用模式与分子机制尚不清楚,本研究采用柔性分子对接方法解决这一问题。分子对接结果表明:4种三肽与ACE有相似的作用模式,氢键、亲水、疏水、静电等作用力共同对三肽与ACE的结合存在贡献,但以氢键作用为主;ACE分子中Lys511,His513,Tyr520,Tyr523等氨基酸残基为其与肽结合的重要结合位点;ACE抑制三肽中氮端氨基和碳端羧基对其抑制活性影响显著,其中氮端氨基的作用更为重要。通过以上分子机理研究可为开发强活性ACE抑制肽提供理论指导。     

基于多元线性回归的血管紧张素转化酶抑制肽定量构效关系建模研究

利用氨基酸结构描述符SVHEHS分别对血管紧张素转化酶(Angiotensin I-converting Enzyme,ACE)竞争性抑制二肽、三肽、四肽序列表征后,建立结构与活性的多元线性回归(MLR)模型。ACE抑制二肽模型的相关系数、交叉验证相关系数、均方根误差、外部验证相关系数分别为0.851、0.781、0.327、0.792;三肽模型分别为0.805、0.717、0.339、0.817;四肽模型分别为0.792、0.553、0.393、0.630。研究表明,运用该描述符建立的ACE抑制肽MLR模型拟合、预测能力均较好,能较好解释ACE抑制肽的活性与结构间的关系。     

基于GROMACS软件的本科生酶工程创新实验项目设计*——微生物谷氨酰胺转胺酶在水溶液中的分子动力学模拟

基于分子动力学模拟软件GROMACS设计了微生物谷氨酰胺转胺酶在不同温度水环境下的分子动力学模拟实验,通过计算模拟过程中酶蛋白主链动力学,分子内氢键数目,回转半径以及溶剂可接触表面积的变化,分析温度对酶的结构与功能造成的影响。该模拟实验可帮助学生:(1)掌握蛋白质分子在水溶液中动力学模拟的方法;(2)理解温度对酶结构稳定性和活性造成的影响;(3)了解分子运动特性的生物学的意义;(4)学习酶工程研究的新手段。     

Discovery of Anti-SARS Coronavirus Drug Based on Molecular Docking and Database Screening

The active site of 3CL proteinase (3CL^por) for coronavirus was identified by comparing the crystal structures of human and porcine coronavirus. The inhibitor of the main protein of rhinovirus (Ag7088) could bind with 3CL^pro of human coronavirus, then it was selected as the reference for molecular docking and database screening. The ligands from two databases were used to search potential lead structures with molecular docking. Several structures from natural products and ACD-SC databases were found to have lower binding free energy with 3CL^pro than that of Ag7088. These structures have similar hydrophobicity to Ag7088. They have complementary electrostatic potential and hydrogen bond aeceptor and donor with 3CL^pro, showing that the strategy of anti-SARS drug design based on molecular docking and database screening is feasible.     

Macrophage-Targeted Punicalagin Nanoengineering to Alleviate Methotrexate-Induced Neutropenia: A Molecular Docking,DFT, and MD Simulation Analysis

Punicalagin is the most bioactive pomegranate polyphenol with high antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activity and can potentially cure different ailments related to the cardiovascular system. The current research work was envisioned to predict the targeting efficiency of punicalagin (PG) nanoparticles to the macrophages, more specifically to bone marrow macrophages. For this, we selected mannose-decorated PLGA-punicalagin nanoparticles (Mn-PLGA-PG), and before formulating this nanocarrier in laboratory settings, we predicted the targeting efficiency of this nanocarrier by in silico analysis. The analysis proceeded with macrophage mannose receptors to be acquainted with the binding affinity and punicalagin-based nanocarrier interactions with this receptor. In silico docking studies of macrophage mannose receptors and punicalagin showed binding interactions on its surface. PG interacted with hydrogen bonds to the charged residue ASP668 and GLY666 and polar residue GLN760 of the Mn receptor. Mannose with a docking score of −5.811 Kcal/mol interacted with four hydrogen bonds and the mannose receptor of macrophage, and in PLGA, it showed a −4.334 Kcal/mol docking score. Further, the analysis proceeded with density functional theory analysis (DFT) and HOMO–LUMO analysis, followed by an extensive 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation to analyse the trajectories showing the slightest deviation and fluctuation. While analysing the ligand and protein interaction, a wonderful interaction was found among the atoms of the ligand and protein residues. This computational study confirms that this nanocarrier could be a promising lead molecule to regulate the incidence of drug-induced neutropenia. Furthermore, experimental validation is required before this can be stated with complete confidence or before human use.     

Aphrodisiac Performance of Bioactive Compounds from Mimosa pudica Linn.: In Silico Molecular Docking and Dynamics Simulation Approach

Plants and their derived molecules have been traditionally used to manage numerous pathological complications, including male erectile dysfunction (ED). Mimosa pudica Linn. commonly referred to as the touch-me-not plant, and its extract are important sources of new lead molecules in drug discovery research. The main goal of this study was to predict highly effective molecules from M. pudica Linn. for reaching and maintaining penile erection before and during sexual intercourse through in silico molecular docking and dynamics simulation tools. A total of 28 bioactive molecules were identified from this target plant through public repositories, and their chemical structures were drawn using Chemsketch software. Graph theoretical network principles were applied to identify the ideal target (phosphodiesterase type 5) and rebuild the network to visualize the responsible signaling genes, proteins, and enzymes. The 28 identified bioactive molecules were docked against the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) enzyme and compared with the standard PDE5 inhibitor (sildenafil). Pharmacokinetics (ADME), toxicity, and several physicochemical properties of bioactive molecules were assessed to confirm their drug-likeness property. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation modeling was performed to investigate the stability of PDE5–ligand complexes. Four bioactive molecules (Bufadienolide (−12.30 kcal mol⁻¹), Stigmasterol (−11.40 kcal mol⁻¹), Isovitexin (−11.20 kcal mol⁻¹), and Apigetrin (−11.20 kcal mol⁻¹)) showed the top binding affinities with the PDE5 enzyme, much more powerful than the standard PDE5 inhibitor (−9.80 kcal mol⁻¹). The four top binding bioactive molecules were further validated for a stable binding affinity with the PDE5 enzyme and conformation during the MD simulation period as compared to the apoprotein and standard PDE5 inhibitor complexes. Further, the four top binding bioactive molecules demonstrated significant drug-likeness characteristics with lower toxicity profiles. According to the findings, the four top binding molecules may be used as potent and safe PDE5 inhibitors and could potentially be used in the treatment of ED.     

From Myricetin to the Discovery of Novel Natural Human ENPP1 Inhibitors: A Virtual Screening,Molecular Docking,Molecular Dynamics Simulation,and MM/GBSA Study

It was recently revealed that naturally occurring myricetin can inhibit ectonucleotidase ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1), which, in turn, can treat ischemic cardiac injury. However, due to myricetin’s poor druggability, its further developments are relatively limited, which necessitates the discovery of novel ENPP1-inhibiting myricetin analogs as alternatives. In this study, the binding model of myricetin with ENPP1 was elucidated by molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies. Subsequently, virtual screening on the self-developed flavonoid natural product database (FNPD), led to the identification of two flavonoid glycosides (Cas No: 1397173-50-0 and 1169835-58-8), as potential ENPP1 inhibitors. Docking scores and MM/GBSA binding energies predicted that they might have higher inhibitory effects than myricetin. This study provides a strong foundation for the future development of ischemic cardiac injury drugs.     

Carnosine to Combat Novel Coronavirus (nCoV): Molecular Docking and Modeling to Cocrystallized Host Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) and Viral Spike Protein

Aims: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) plays an important role in the entry of coronaviruses into host cells. The current paper described how carnosine, a naturally occurring supplement, can be an effective drug candidate for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the basis of molecular docking and modeling to host ACE2 cocrystallized with nCoV spike protein. Methods: First, the starting point was ACE2 inhibitors and their structure–activity relationship (SAR). Next, chemical similarity (or diversity) and PubMed searches made it possible to repurpose and assess approved or experimental drugs for COVID-19. Parallel, at all stages, the authors performed bioactivity scoring to assess potential repurposed inhibitors at ACE2. Finally, investigators performed molecular docking and modeling of the identified drug candidate to host ACE2 with nCoV spike protein. Results: Carnosine emerged as the best-known drug candidate to match ACE2 inhibitor structure. Preliminary docking was more optimal to ACE2 than the known typical angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1) inhibitor (enalapril) and quite comparable to known or presumed ACE2 inhibitors. Viral spike protein elements binding to ACE2 were retained in the best carnosine pose in SwissDock at 1.75 Angstroms. Out of the three main areas of attachment expected to the protein–protein structure, carnosine bound with higher affinity to two compared to the known ACE2 active site. LibDock score was 92.40 for site 3, 90.88 for site 1, and inside the active site 85.49. Conclusion: Carnosine has promising inhibitory interactions with host ACE2 and nCoV spike protein and hence could offer a potential mitigating effect against the current COVID-19 pandemic.     

基于虚拟仿真技术的热分析实验教学探索与实践*

针对热分析实验教学,设计和开发了热分析仪虚拟仿真实训系统,提出了一种新的基于虚拟仿真技术的仪器分析测试类实验课教学模式,并将其应用于实际的实验教学中。对随堂实验教学质量进行了调查,结果表明此种实验教学模式很大程度上提升了学生自主学习的兴趣,提高了学生的综合实践能力。