Modelling and mutation studies on the histamine H1-receptor agonist binding site reveal different binding modes for H1-agonists: Asp116 (TM3) has a constitutive role in receptor stimulation

Summary A modelling study has been carried out, investigating the binding of histamine (Hist), 2-methylhistamine (2-MeHist) and 2-phenylhistamine (2-PhHist) at two postulated agonistic binding sites on transmembrane domain 5 (TM5) of the histamine H₁-receptor. For this purpose a conformational analysis study was performed on three particular residues of TM5, i.e., Lys²⁰⁰, Thr²⁰³ and Asn²⁰⁷, for which a functional role in binding has been proposed. The most favourable results were obtained for the interaction between Hist and the Lys²⁰⁰/Asn²⁰⁷ pair. Therefore, Lys²⁰⁰ was subsequently mutated and converted to an alanine, resulting in a 50-fold decrease of H₁-receptor stimulation by histamine. Altogether, the data suggest that the Lys²⁰⁰/Asn²⁰⁷ pair is important for activation of the H₁-receptor by histamine. In contrast, analogues of 2-PhHist seem to belong to a distinct subclass of histamine agonists and an alternative mode of binding is proposed in which the 2-phenyl ring binds to the same receptor location as one of the aromatic rings of classical histamine H₁-antagonists. Subsequently, the binding modes of the agonists Hist, 2-MeHist and 2-PhHist and the H₁-antagonist cyproheptadine were evaluated in three different seven--helical models of the H₁-receptor built in homology with bacteriorhodopsin, but using three different alignments. Our findings suggest that the position of the carboxylate group of Asp¹¹⁶ (TM3) within the receptor pocket depends on whether an agonist or an antagonist binds to the protein; a conformational change of this aspartate residue upon agonist binding is expected to play an essential role in receptor stimulation.Abbreviations 2-MeHist 2-methylhistamine - 2-PEA 2-pyridyl-ethylamine - 2-PhHist 2-phenylhistamine - CHO Chinese hamster ovary - E_int interaction energy - E_str strain energy - GES global energy structure - gpH₁R guinea pig H₁-receptor - GPCR G-protein coupled receptor - Hist histamine - N proximal nitrogen - N tele nitrogen - TM transmembrane domain - WT wild type     

A preliminary 3D model for cytochrome P450 2D6 constructed by homology model building

Summary A homology model building study of cytochrome P450 2D6 has been carried out based on the crystal structure of cytochrome P450 101. The primary sequences of P450 101 and P450 2D6 were aligned by making use of an automated alignment procedure. This alignment was adjusted manually by matching -helices (C, D, G, I, J, K and L) and -sheets (3/4) of P450 101 that are proposed to be conserved in membrane-bound P450s (Ouzounis and Melvin [Eur. J. Biochem., 198 (1991) 307]) to the corresponding regions in the primary amino acid sequence of P450 2D6. Furthermore, -helices B, B and F were found to be conserved in P450 2D6. No significant homology between the remaining regions of P450 101 and P450 2D6 could be found and these regions were therefore deleted. A 3D model of P450 2D6 was constructed by copying the coordinates of the residues from the crystal structure of P450 101 to the corresponding residues in P450 2D6. The regions without a significant homology with P450 101 were not incorporated into the model. After energy-minimization of the resulting 3D model of P450 2D6, possible active site residues were identified by fitting the substrates debrisoquine and dextrometorphan into the proposed active site. Both substrates could be positioned into a planar pocket near the heme region formed by residues Val³⁷⁰, Pro³⁷¹, Leu³⁷², Trp³¹⁶, and part of the oxygen binding site of P450 2D6. Furthermore, the carboxylate group of either Asp¹⁰⁰ or Asp³⁰¹ was identified as a possible candidate for the proposed interaction with basic nitrogen atom(s) of the substrates. These findings are in accordance with a recently published predictive model for substrates of P450 2D6 [Koymans et al., Chem. Res. Toxicol., 5 (1992) 211].     

Physical and electrochemical properties of LiFe<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> spinel synthesized by different methods

The study deals with the synthesis and comparison of physicochemical properties of LiFe_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ based cathode materials synthesized by the standard ceramic and the auto-ignition method.     

Effect of a rhombohedral phase on lithium intercalation capacity in graphite

Five natural graphites with different rhombohedral phase (3R phase) content have been investigated as anode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The reversible capacity varies from 250 mA h/g to 350 mA h/g for the same intercalation conditions depending on the content of the 3R-phase. With increasing rhombohedral phase in the graphite, the intercalation capacity will be high. A peak at about 10 mV in the cyclic voltammograms (CV) of a sample with a large 3R-phase content is caused by lithium ions occupying boundaries between the rhombohedral (3R) phase and the hexagonal (2H) phase and is responsible for a capacity exceeding the theoretical value.     

On the lower excited electronic states of glyoxal

The polarization of both nπ* absorption bands of glyoxal has been measured in a glass matrix of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran by the photoselection method. The second absorption band in the 30 000 cm^?1 region has been assigned to a ¹A_g → ¹B_g nπ* transition. Its intensity is mainly induced by interaction with the solvent. An absorption band at about 43 000 cm^?1 has been ascribed to a charge transfer transition in complexes of glyoxal and 2-MTHF.     

The histamine H1-receptor antagonist binding site. Part I: Active conformation of cyproheptadine

Summary The active conformation of several histamine H₁-antagonists is investigated. As a template molecule we used the antagonist cyproheptadine, which consists of a piperidylene ring connected to a tricyclic system. The piperidylene moiety is shown to be flexible. The global minimum is a chair conformation but, additionally, a second chair and various boat conformations have to be considered, as their energies are less than 5 kcal/mol above the energy of the global minimum. Two semi-rigid histamine H₁-antagonists, phenindamine and triprolidine, were fitted onto the various conformations of cyproheptadine in order to derive the pharmacologically active conformation of cyproheptadine. At the same time, the active conformation of both phenindamine and triprolidine was derived. It is demonstrated that, within the receptor-bound conformation of cyproheptadine, the piperidylene ring most probably exists in a boat form.     

Synthesis and characterization of LiCo<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Fe<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>VO<Subscript>4</Subscript> prepared by a citric acid complex method

For the first time, a method involving a citric acid complex has been used to prepare Fe-doped LiCoVO₄. LiCoVO₄ has the inverse spinel structure and posses a high voltage of 4.3 V vs. metallic Li. A disadvantage of LiCoVO₄ is its poor electronic conductivity, which is enhanced by using an Fe dopant. The doping levels were between 2 and 10 mol% to increase the electrical conductivity of the material. The citric acid complex method enabled us to make small particles in the range 0.3–0.6 m. The structure and the electrochemical properties of these materials were studied using X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and cycle tests.Presented at the 3rd International Meeting on Advanced Batteries and Accumulators, 16–20 June 2002, Brno, Czech Republic     

Electrochemistry of potential bioreductive alkylating quinones : Part 2. Electrochemical properties of 2,5-bis(1-aziridinyl)-3,6-bis(ethoxycarbonylamino)-1,4-benzoquinone and some model compounds

The reduction mechanism of 2,5-bis(1-aziridinyl)-3,6-bis(ethoxycarbonylamino)-1,4-benzoquinone (Diaziquone, AZQ) and several model compounds of the mono- and bis(1-aziridinyl)quinone type at the dropping mercury electrode in aqueous solutions was studied. In addition, the influence of methyl substitution of the aziridinyl moiety at the 2-position on the protonation of the aziridine nitrogen was investigated. Substituent effects on quinone reduction and aziridine protonation prior to and following quinone reduction were studied qualitatively.     

Conformational comparison of five follicular fluid meiosis-activating sterol-related active and inactive compounds

The crystal structures of five follicular fluid meiosis-activating sterol-related Δ^8,14-sterol compounds are presented. These are 4,4-di­methyl-23-phenyl-24-nor-5α-chola-8,14-dien-3β-ol, C₃₁H₄₄O, 4,4-di­methyl-22-phenyl-23,24-dinor-5α-chola-8,14-dien-3β-ol, C₃₀H₄₂O, (20R)-4,4-di­methyl-22-oxa-5α,20-chol­es­ta-8,14,24-trien-3β-ol, C₂₈H₄₄O₂, 4,4-di­methyl-23-phenyl-22-oxa-24-nor-5α-chola-8,14-dien-3β-ol–water (4/1), 4C₃₀H₄₂O₂·H₂O, and 4,4-di­methyl-5α-cholesta-8,14-dien-3-one, C₂₉H₄₆O. Two of the derivatives are inactive and three are active as agonists. Preliminary structure–activity relationship studies showed that the positions of the double bonds in the skeleton and the structures of the side chains are important determinants for activity. The conformations of the skeletons were compared with double-bond isomers retrieved from the Cambridge Structural Database [Allen & Kennard (1993). Chem. Des. Autom. News, 8 , 1, 31–37]; no significant differences were found. Thus, conformational changes induced by the double bonds are not discriminative with respect to the activity of the compounds. Comparisons of the side-chain conformations of active and inactive structures revealed that the crystal structures were not conclusive as far as correlation of conformation and activity of the side chains were concerned.