Epitope Targeting of Tertiary Protein Structure Enables Target‐Guided Synthesis of a Potent In‐Cell Inhibitor of Botulinum Neurotoxin

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotype A is the most lethal known toxin and has an occluded structure, which prevents direct inhibition of its active site before it enters the cytosol. Target‐guided synthesis by in situ click chemistry is combined with synthetic epitope targeting to exploit the tertiary structure of the BoNT protein as a landscape for assembling a competitive inhibitor. A substrate‐mimicking peptide macrocycle is used as a direct inhibitor of BoNT. An epitope‐targeting in situ click screen is utilized to identify a second peptide macrocycle ligand that binds to an epitope that, in the folded BoNT structure, is active‐site‐adjacent. A second in situ click screen identifies a molecular bridge between the two macrocycles. The resulting divalent inhibitor exhibits an in vitro inhibition constant of 165 pM against the BoNT/A catalytic chain. The inhibitor is carried into cells by the intact holotoxin, and demonstrates protection and rescue of BoNT intoxication in a human neuron model.     

Structures of Clostridium botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype A Light Chain complexed with small-molecule inhibitors highlight active-site flexibility

The potential for the use of Clostridial neurotoxins as bioweapons makes the development of small-molecule inhibitors of these deadly toxins a top priority. Recently, screening of a random hydroxamate library identified a small-molecule inhibitor of C. botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype A Light Chain (BoNT/A-LC), 4-chlorocinnamic hydroxamate, a derivative of which has been shown to have in vivo efficacy in mice and no toxicity. We describe the X-ray crystal structures of BoNT/A-LC in complexes with two potent small-molecule inhibitors. The structures of the enzyme with 4-chlorocinnamic hydroxamate or 2,4-dichlorocinnamic hydroxamate bound are compared to the structure of the enzyme complexed with L-arginine hydroxamate, an inhibitor with modest affinity. Taken together, this suite of structures provides surprising insights into the BoNT/A-LC active site, including unexpected conformational flexibility at the S1' site that changes the electrostatic environment of the binding pocket. Information gained from these structures will inform the design and optimization of more effective small-molecule inhibitors of BoNT/A-LC.     

Molecular docking and 3D-QSAR study of pyranmycin derivatives against 16S rRNA A site

To understand pharmacophore properties of pyranmycin derivatives and to design novel inhibitors of 16S rRNA A site, comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) approach was applied to analyze three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (3D-QSAR) of 17 compounds. AutoDock 3.0.5 program was employed to locate the orientations and conformations of the inhibitors interacting with 16S rRNA A site. The interaction mode was demonstrated in the aspects of inhibitor conformation, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction. Similar binding conformations of these inhibitors and good correlations between the calculated binding free energies and experimental biological activities suggest that the binding conformations of these inhibitors derived from docking procedure were reasonable. Robust and predictive 3D-QSAR model was obtained by CoMFA with q² values of 0.723 and 0.993 for cross-validated and non-cross-validated, respectively. The 3D-QSAR model built here will provide clear guidelines for novel inhibitors design based on the Pyranmycin derivatives against 16S rRNA A site.     

Development and characterization of nonpeptidic small molecule inhibitors of the XIAP/caspase-3 interaction

Elevated expression of inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family members in various types of cancers is thought to provide a survival advantage to these cells. Thus, antiapoptotic functions of IAPs, and their potential as novel anticancer targets have attracted considerable interest. Among the IAPs, the X chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) is regarded as the most potent suppressor of mammalian apoptosis through direct binding and inhibition of caspases. A high-throughput biochemical screen of a combinatorial chemical library led to the discovery of a novel nonpeptidic small molecule that has the ability to disrupt the XIAP/caspase-3 interaction. The activity of this nonpeptidic small molecule inhibitor of the XIAP/caspase-3 interaction has been characterized both in vitro and in cells. Molecules of this type can be used to conditionally inhibit the cellular function of XIAP and may provide insights into the development of therapeutic agents that act by modulating apoptotic pathways.     

Quantitative electrospray mass spectrometry for the rapid assay of enzyme inhibitors

Background: Combinatorial chemistry has become an important method for identifying effective ligand-receptor binding, new catalysts and enzyme inhibitors. In order to distinguish the most active component of a library or to obtain structure-activity relationships of compounds in a library, an efficient quantitative assay is crucial. Electrospray mass spectrometry has become an indispensable tool for qualitatively screening combinatorial libraries and its use for quantitative analysis has recently been demonstrated.Results: This paper describes the use of quantitative electrospray mass spectrometry for screening libraries of inhibitors of enzymatic reactions, specifically the enzymatic glycosylation by β-1,4-galactosyltransferase, which catalyzes the transfer of galactose from uridine-5′-diphosphogalactose to the 4-position of N-acetylglucosamine βOBn (Bn: benzene) to form N-acetyllactosamine βOBn. Our mass spectrometric screening approach showed that both nucleoside diphosphates and triphosphates inhibited galactosyltransferase while none of the nucleoside monophosphates, including uridine-5′-monophosp hate, showed any inhibition. Additional libraries were generated in which the concentrations of the inhibitors were varied and, using mass spectrometry, uridine-5′-diphosphate-2-deoxy-2-fluorogalactose was identified as the best inhibitor.Conclusions: This report introduces quantitative electrospray mass spectrometry as a rapid, sensitive and accurate quantitative assaying tool for inhibitor libraries that does not require a chromophore or radiolabeling. A viable alternative to existing analytical techniques is thus provided. The new technique will greatly facilitate the discovery of novel inhibitors against galactosyltransferase, an enzyme for which there are few potent inhibitors.     

作用于秋水仙碱位点的微管蛋白抑制剂的结合模式 研究与结构模型的构建

采用对接的方法建立了秋水仙碱位点抑制剂与微管蛋白的结合模式, 并构建了其结构模型. 结果表明: 抑制剂主要借助于与口袋I和II的疏水作用, 以及同α-Thr178, α-Val181和β-Cys241之间的氢键来实现与微管蛋白的结合. 根据抑制剂的结合构象, 将抑制剂的结构分为A, B以及AB间的桥连三个部分, 从而建立了由A部分中的疏水中心H1、氢键受体A1, B部分中的疏水中心H2、疏水基团H3和极性原子P以及桥连结构中的氢键受体A2组成的结构模型. 并指出H1与H2对活性的影响因素分别为疏水基团的体积和平面特征, 而桥连部分则应以刚性的形式保证AB处于桥连的同侧(即顺式构象). 还提出在A2与loop区之间存在一个的潜在氢键受体A3. 研究结果为设计新型小分子微管蛋白抑制剂提供指导.     

Design and synthesis of a dimeric derivative of RK-682 with increased inhibitory activity against VHR, a dual-specificity ERK phosphatase: implications for the molecular mechanism of the inhibition

BACKGROUND: VHR is a dual-specificity phosphatase, which dephosphorylates activated ERK1/2 and weakens the ERK signaling cascade in mammalian cells. A selective inhibitor is expected to be useful for revealing the physiological function of VHR. RESULTS: First, we investigated the molecular mechanism of VHR inhibition by a known natural product, RK-682. Kinetic analysis indicated that inhibition was competitive toward the substrate, and two molecules of RK-682 were required to inhibit one molecule of VHR. Based on the structure-activity relationships for VHR inhibition by RK-682 derivatives, we constructed a binding model using molecular dynamics calculation. Based on this model, we designed and synthesized a novel dimeric derivative. As expected, the dimeric derivative showed increased inhibition of VHR, supporting our proposed mechanism of VHR inhibition by RK-682. CONCLUSION: We have developed a novel inhibitor of VHR based on the results of kinetic analysis and docking simulation.     

Label free binding assay with spectroscopic detection for pharmaceutical screening

Many therapeutic drugs exert their effects by interaction with well defined molecular targets. Increasing knowledge in molecular biology allows identification of more and more molecular key compounds and in consequence a molecular approach to disease and therapy. As binding of drugs to their target compounds is a key event, binding assays with an appropriate target molecule are useful means for primary screening of novel substances. We have investigated the potential of thin film interference spectroscopy (RIFS) as a label free detection method for pharmaceutical screening in a binding inhibition assay. To meet the throughput requirements in pharmaceutical screening a parallel detection system based on imaging spectroscopy was constructed. Thrombin/thrombin inhibitor interaction was investigated as a model system. The thin film transducer was covalently modified with a thrombin inhibitor. Specific binding of thrombin and binding inhibition by inhibitor compounds could be observed. A test cycle of less than 10 min could be reached. The parallel setup allows the simultaneous detection of 96 binding curves and can reach a throughput of more than 10⁶ samples per year. Received: 26 November 1996 / Revised: 17 February 1997 / Accepted: 22 February 1997     

Properties of inhibitors of methane hydrate formation via molecular dynamics simulations

Within the framework of a proposed two-step mechanism for hydrate inhibition, the energy of binding of four inhibitor molecules (PEO, PVP, PVCap, and VIMA) to a hydrate surface is estimated with molecular dynamic simulations. One key feature of this proposed mechanism is that the binding of an inhibitor molecule to the surface of an ensuing hydrate crystal disrupts growth and therein crystallization. It is found through the molecular dynamic simulations that inhibitor molecules that experimentally exhibit better inhibition strength also have higher free energies of binding, an indirect confirmation of our proposed mechanism. Inhibitors increasing in effectiveness, PEO < PVP < PVCap < VIMA, have increasingly negative (exothermic) binding energies of -0.2 < -20.6 < -37.5 < -45.8 kcal/mol and binding free energies of increasing favorability (+0.4 approximately = +0.5 < -9.4 < -15.1 kcal/mol). Furthermore, the effect of an inhibitor molecule on the local liquid water structure under hydrate-forming conditions was examined and correlated to the experimental effectiveness of the inhibitors. Two molecular characteristics that lead to strongly binding inhibitors were found: (1) a charge distribution on the edge of the inhibitor that mimics the charge separation in the water molecules on the surface of the hydrate and (2) the congruence of the size of the inhibitor with respect to the available space at the hydrate-surface binding site. Equipped with this molecular-level understanding of the process of hydrate inhibition via low-dosage kinetic hydrate inhibitors we can design new, more effective inhibitor molecules.     

Synthesis, characterization and development of a high-throughput methodology for the discovery of botulinum neurotoxin a inhibitors

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), etiological agents of the deadly food poisoning disease botulism, are the most toxic proteins currently known. Although only a few hundred cases of botulism are reported in the United States annually, there is growing interest in BoNTs attributable to their potential use as biological warfare agents. Neurotoxicity results from cleavage of the soluble NSF-attachment protein receptor complex proteins of the presynaptic vesicles by the BoNT light chain subunit, a Zn endopeptidase. Few effective inhibitors of BoNT/A LC (light chain) activity are known, and the discovery process is hampered by the lack of an efficient high-throughput assay for screening compound libraries. To alleviate this bottleneck, we have synthesized the peptide SNAPtide and have developed a robust assay for the high-throughput evaluation of BoNT/A LC inhibitors. Key aspects for the development of this optimized assay include the addition of a series of detergents, cosolvents, and salts, including 0.01% w/v Tween 20 to increase BoNT/A LC catalysis, stability, and ease of small molecule screening. To evaluate the effectiveness of the assay, a series of hydroxamate-based small molecules were synthesized and examined with BoNT/A LC. The methodology described is superior to other assays reported to date for the high-throughput identification of BoNT/A inhibitors.     

Allosteric inhibition abrogates dysregulated LFA-1 activation: Structural insight into mechanisms of diminished immunologic disease

Lymphocyte Function Associated antigen-1(LFA-1) has been implicated severely in the pathophysiology of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Its active and inactive conformations correlate with its diseased and non-diseased state respectively. This is determined by its degree of affinity for its intrinsic ligand (ICAM) at the active site and accompanying synergistic coordination at the α7 helix. This potentiates the role of inhibitors in disrupting this interaction allosterically. Herein, we present a first account of the structural dynamics which characterizes the inhibitory effect of a novel LFA-1 antagonist, Lifitegrast (SAR1118), upon binding to the I-domain allosteric site (IDAS) using molecular dynamics simulation. Findings from this study revealed that the inhibitor stabilized the closed conformation and reversed the open conformation to a low ICAM-affinity state (closed) as evidenced by the upward movement of the α7 helix and corresponding transitions at the active site. This in both cases favors the formation of the non-disease inactive form. Upon allosteric modulation, the inhibitor significantly restored protein stability, enhanced compactness and decreased residual fluctuation as crucial to its potency in the amelioration of immunological and inflammatory diseases which agrees with experimental studies. These findings could therefore serve as the basis for the exploration of the allosteric domain and its active site affinity modulation to aid the design of more specific and selective inhibitors.     

Kinetics and stereochemistry of hydrolysis of an N-(phenylacetyl)-α-hydroxyglycine ester catalyzed by serine β-lactamases and dd-peptidases

The α-hydroxydepsipeptide 3-carboxyphenyl N-(phenylacetyl)-α-hydroxyglycinate () is a quite effective substrate of serine β-lactamases and low molecular mass dd-peptidases. The class C P99 and ampC β-lactamases catalyze the hydrolysis of both enantiomers of , although they show a strong preference for one of them. The class A TEM-2 and class D OXA-1 β-lactamases and the Streptomyces R61 and Actinomadura R39 dd-peptidases catalyze hydrolysis of only one enantiomer of at any significant rate. Experiments show that all of the above enzymes strongly prefer the same enantiomer, a surprising result since β-lactamases usually prefer l(S) enantiomers and dd-peptidases d(R). Product analysis, employing peptidylglycine α-amidating lyase, showed that the preferred enantiomer is d(R). Thus, it is the β-lactamases that have switched preference rather than the dd-peptidases. Molecular modeling of the P99 β-lactamase active site suggests that the α-hydroxyl of may interact with conserved Asn and Lys residues. Both α-hydroxy and α-amido substituents on a glycine ester substrate can therefore enhance its productive interaction with the β-lactamase active site, although their effects are not additive; this may also be true for inhibitors.     

Two‐Dimensional Crowding Uncovers a Hidden Conformation of α‐Synuclein

The intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), α‐synuclein (αS), is well‐known for phospholipid membrane binding‐coupled folding into tunable helical conformers. Here, using single‐molecule experiments in conjunction with ensemble assays and a theoretical model, we present a unique case demonstrating that the interaction–folding landscape of αS can be tuned by two‐dimensional (2D) crowding through simultaneous binding of a second protein on the bilayer surface. Unexpectedly, the experimental data show a clear deviation from a simple competitive inhibition model, but are consistent with a bimodal inhibition mechanism wherein membrane binding of a second protein (a membrane interacting chaperone, Hsp27, in this case) differentially inhibits two distinct modules of αS–membrane interaction. As a consequence, αS molecules are forced to access a hidden conformational state on the phospholipid bilayer in which only the higher‐affinity module remains membrane‐bound. Our results demonstrate that macromolecular crowding in two dimensions can play a significant role in shaping the conformational landscape of membrane‐binding IDPs with multiple binding modes.     

Natural products triptolide,celastrol, and withaferin A inhibit the chaperone activity of peroxiredoxin I

Peroxiredoxin I (Prx I) plays an important role in cancer development and inflammation. It is a dual-functional protein which acts as both an antioxidant enzyme and a molecular chaperone. While there have been intensive studies on its peroxidase activity, Prx I''s chaperone activity remains elusive, likely due to the lack of chaperone inhibitors. Here we report that natural product triptolide selectively inhibits the chaperone activity of Prx I, but not its peroxidase activity. Through direct interaction with corresponding cysteines, triptolide triggers dissociation of high-molecular-weight oligomers of Prx I, and thereby inhibits its chaperone activity in a dose-dependent manner. We have also identified celastrol and withaferin A as novel Prx I chaperone inhibitors that are even more potent than triptolide in the chaperone activity assay. By revealing the exact molecular mechanisms of interaction and inhibition, the current study provides the first Prx I chaperone inhibitors as promising pharmacological tools for modulating and dissecting the chaperone function of Prx I.     

人参β-香树素合成酶同源模建及高通量虚拟筛选抑制剂的研究

人参β-香树素合成酶(β-AS)能催化氧鲨烯环化生成齐墩果烷型皂苷,从而减少植物固醇的生成量,有助于获得高效的人参皂苷.因β-AS的三维结构是未知的,我们以氧鲨烯环化酶为模板,对β-AS进行三维结构搭建.以抑制剂10-aza-10,11-dihydro-2,3-oxidosqualene为先导化合物,通过AutoDockvina进行分子对接,选取结合能量最低的新化合物进行研究.研究结果表明:新抑制剂8442257比先导化合物10-aza-10,11-dihydro-2,3-oxidosqualene的抑制效果更好.Leu287与新抑制剂结合时能量最低,是重要的残基位点;Ser413和Trp613通过氢键与新抑制剂结合,在抑制过程中起重要作用.我们的研究结果为人参β-香树素合成酶抑制剂的研究提供一个有利的依据.     

Identification of a potent botulinum neurotoxin a protease inhibitor using in situ lead identification chemistry

[reaction: see text] Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), etiological agents of the deadly food poisoning disease botulism, are the most toxic proteins currently known. By using in situ lead identification chemistry, we have uncovered the first class of inhibitors that displays nanomolar potency. From a 15 microM lead compound, structure-activity relationship studies were performed granting the most potent BoNT/A inhibitor reported to date that displays an inhibition constant of 300 nM.     

Glycosidase inhibition: an assessment of the binding of 18 putative transition-state mimics

The inhibition of glycoside hydrolases, through transition-state mimicry, is important both as a probe of enzyme mechanism and in the continuing quest for new drugs, notably in the treatment of cancer, HIV, influenza, and diabetes. The high affinity with which these enzymes are known to bind the transition state provides a framework upon which to design potent inhibitors. Recent work [for example, Bülow, A. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 8567-8568; Zechel, D. L. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 14313-14323] has revealed quite confusing and counter-intuitive patterns of inhibition for a number of glycosidase inhibitors. Here we describe a synergistic approach for analysis of inhibitors with a single enzyme 'model system', the Thermotoga maritima family 1 beta-glucosidase, TmGH1. The pH dependence of enzyme activity and inhibition has been determined, structures of inhibitor complexes have been solved by X-ray crystallography, with data up to 1.65 A resolution, and isothermal titration calorimetry was used to establish the thermodynamic signature. This has allowed the characterization of 18 compounds, all putative transition-state mimics, in order to build an 'inhibition profile' that provides an insight into what governs binding. In contrast to our preconceptions, there is little correlation of inhibitor chemistry with the calorimetric dissection of thermodynamics. The ensemble of inhibitors shows strong enthalpy-entropy compensation, and the random distribution of similar inhibitors across the plot of DeltaH degrees a vs TDeltaS degrees a likely reflects the enormous contribution of solvation and desolvation effects on ligand binding.     

Molecular interactions of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates within farnesyl diphosphate synthase

Bisphosphonates, known for their effectiveness in the treatment of osteoporosis, inhibit bone resorption via mechanisms that involve binding to bone mineral and cellular effects on osteoclasts. The major molecular target of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) in osteoclasts is farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS). N-BPs likely inhibit this enzyme by mimicking one or more of the natural isoprenoid lipid substrates (GPP/DMAPP and IPP) but the mode of inhibition is not established. The active site of FPPS comprises a subsite for each substrate. Kinetic studies with recombinant human FPPS indicate that both potent (risedronate) and weak (NE-58051) enzyme inhibitors compete with GPP for binding to FPPS, however, binding to this site does not completely explain the difference in potency of the two inhibitors, suggesting that a second binding site may also be a target of bisphosphonate inhibition. Using the docking software suite Autodock, we explored a dual inhibitor binding mode for recombinant human FPPS. Experimental support for dual binding is suggested by Dixon plots for the inhibitors. N-BPs may inhibit by binding to both the GPP and a second site with differences in potency at least partly arising from inhibition at the second site.     

Synthesis and α-amylase inhibitory activity of glucose-deoxynojirimycin conjugates

Inhibitors of α-amylase have attracted attention for their putative effects against diabetes mellitus. Although numerous studies have explored natural small molecule inhibitors, acarbose is currently the only compound with sufficient inhibitory potency and drug-like characteristics to be considered as a potential therapeutic agent. We have synthesized conjugates of the potent glucosidase inhibitor, 1-deoxynojirimycin, and glucose, with the aim of enhancing inhibitory activity against α-amylase. This synthetic conjugate showed increased inhibition of α-amylase compared to 1-deoxynojirimycin alone, suggesting that similar modifications of existing glucosidase inhibitors may yield more potent α-amylase inhibitors.     

Discovery of Cell‐Permeable Inhibitors That Target the BRCT Domain of BRCA1 Protein by Using a Small‐Molecule Microarray

BRCTs are phosphoserine‐binding domains found in proteins involved in DNA repair, DNA damage response and cell cycle regulation. BRCA1 is a BRCT domain‐containing, tumor‐suppressing protein expressed in the cells of breast and other human tissues. Mutations in BRCA1 have been found in ca. 50 % of hereditary breast cancers. Cell‐permeable, small‐molecule BRCA1 inhibitors are promising anticancer agents, but are not available currently. Herein, with the assist of microarray‐based platforms, we have discovered the first cell‐permeable protein–protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors against BRCA1. By targeting the (BRCT)₂ domain, we showed compound 15 a and its prodrug 15 b inhibited BRCA1 activities in tumor cells, sensitized these cells to ionizing radiation‐induced apoptosis, and showed synergistic inhibitory effect when used in combination with Olaparib (a small‐molecule inhibitor of poly‐ADP‐ribose polymerase) and Etoposide (a small‐molecule inhibitor of topoisomerase II). Unlike previously reported peptide‐based PPI inhibitors of BRCA1, our compounds are small‐molecule‐like and could be directly administered to tumor cells, thus making them useful for future studies of BRCA1/PARP‐related pathways in DNA damage and repair response, and in cancer therapy.