Structural and molecular dynamics investigations of ligand stabilization via secondary binding site interactions in Paenibacillus xylanivorans GH11 xylanase

Background: Although protein kinase D1 (PKD1) has been proved to be an efficient target for anticancer drug development, lack of structural details and substrate binding mechanisms are the main obstacles for the development of selective inhibitors with therapeutic benefits. Objective: The present study described the in silico dynamics behaviors of PKD1 in binding with selective and non-selective inhibitors and revealed the critical binding site residues for the selective kinase inhibition. Methods: Here, the three dimensional model of PKD1 was initially constructed by homology modeling along with binding site characterization to explore the non-conserved residues. Subsequently, two known inhibitors were docked to the catalytic site and the detailed ligand binding mechanisms and post binding dyanmics were investigated by molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy calculations. Results: According to the binding site analysis, PKD1 serves several non-conserved residues in the G-loop, hinge and catalytic subunits. Among them, the residues including Leu662, His663, and Asp665 from hinge region made polar interactions with selective PKD1 inhibitor in docking simulation, which were further validated by the molecular dynamics simulation. Both inhibitors strongly influenced the structural dynamics of PKD1 and their computed binding free energies were in accordance with experimental bioactivity data. Conclusion: The identified non-conserved residues likely to play critical role on molecular reorganization and inhibitor selectivity. Taken together, this study explained the molecular basis of PKD1 specific inhibition, which may help to design new selective inhibitors for better therapies to overcome cancer and PKD1 dysregulated disorders.

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Design of Inhibitors for Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH) Enzyme of Leishmania mexicana

Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1573406415666190712111139 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 784-795

Author(s):

Krisnna M.A. Alves ◽

Fábio José Bonfim Cardoso ◽

Kathia M. Honorio ◽

Fábio A. de Molfetta

Keyword(s):

Molecular Dynamics ◽

Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽

Binding Site ◽

Point Of View ◽

New Drugs ◽

Leishmania Mexicana ◽

Receptor Complexes ◽

Starting Point ◽

Dynamics Simulations ◽

Selection Of

Background:: Leishmaniosis is a neglected tropical disease and glyceraldehyde 3- phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a key enzyme in the design of new drugs to fight this disease. Objective:: The present study aimed to evaluate potential inhibitors of GAPDH enzyme found in Leishmania mexicana (L. mexicana). Methods: A search for novel antileishmanial molecules was carried out based on similarities from the pharmacophoric point of view related to the binding site of the crystallographic enzyme using the ZINCPharmer server. The molecules selected in this screening were subjected to molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Results:: Consensual analysis of the docking energy values was performed, resulting in the selection of ten compounds. These ligand-receptor complexes were visually inspected in order to analyze the main interactions and subjected to toxicophoric evaluation, culminating in the selection of three compounds, which were subsequently submitted to molecular dynamics simulations. The docking results showed that the selected compounds interacted with GAPDH from L. mexicana, especially by hydrogen bonds with Cys166, Arg249, His194, Thr167, and Thr226. From the results obtained from molecular dynamics, it was observed that one of the loop regions, corresponding to the residues 195-222, can be related to the fitting of the substrate at the binding site, assisting in the positioning and the molecular recognition via residues responsible for the catalytic activity. Conclusion:: he use of molecular modeling techniques enabled the identification of promising compounds as inhibitors of the GAPDH enzyme from L. mexicana, and the results obtained here can serve as a starting point to design new and more effective compounds than those currently available.

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Schistosomal Sulfotransferase Interaction with Oxamniquine Involves Hybrid Mechanism of Induced-fit and Conformational Selection

Current Computer - Aided Drug Design ◽

10.2174/1573409915666190708103132 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 451-459 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fortunatus C. Ezebuo ◽

Ikemefuna C. Uzochukwu

Keyword(s):

Molecular Dynamics ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Binding Energy ◽

Binding Site ◽

Conformational Dynamics ◽

Side Chain ◽

Amino Acid Residues ◽

Conformational Selection ◽

Hybrid Mechanism ◽

Dynamics Simulations

Background: Sulfotransferase family comprises key enzymes involved in drug metabolism. Oxamniquine is a pro-drug converted into its active form by schistosomal sulfotransferase. The conformational dynamics of side-chain amino acid residues at the binding site of schistosomal sulfotransferase towards activation of oxamniquine has not received attention. Objective: The study investigated the conformational dynamics of binding site residues in free and oxamniquine bound schistosomal sulfotransferase systems and their contribution to the mechanism of oxamniquine activation by schistosomal sulfotransferase using molecular dynamics simulations and binding energy calculations. Methods: Schistosomal sulfotransferase was obtained from Protein Data Bank and both the free and oxamniquine bound forms were subjected to molecular dynamics simulations using GROMACS-4.5.5 after modeling it’s missing amino acid residues with SWISS-MODEL. Amino acid residues at its binding site for oxamniquine was determined and used for Principal Component Analysis and calculations of side-chain dihedrals. In addition, binding energy of the oxamniquine bound system was calculated using g_MMPBSA. Results: The results showed that binding site amino acid residues in free and oxamniquine bound sulfotransferase sampled different conformational space involving several rotameric states. Importantly, Phe45, Ile145 and Leu241 generated newly induced conformations, whereas Phe41 exhibited shift in equilibrium of its conformational distribution. In addition, the result showed binding energy of -130.091 ± 8.800 KJ/mol and Phe45 contributed -9.8576 KJ/mol. Conclusion: The results showed that schistosomal sulfotransferase binds oxamniquine by relying on hybrid mechanism of induced fit and conformational selection models. The findings offer new insight into sulfotransferase engineering and design of new drugs that target sulfotransferase.

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Study of Endogen Substrates, Drug Substrates and Inhibitors Binding Conformations on MRP4 and Its Variants by Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26041051 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 1051

Author(s):

Edgardo Becerra ◽

Giovanny Aguilera-Durán ◽

Laura Berumen ◽

Antonio Romo-Mancillas ◽

Guadalupe García-Alcocer

Keyword(s):

Molecular Dynamics ◽

Molecular Docking ◽

Binding Energy ◽

Binding Site ◽

Binding Sites ◽

Adenosine Monophosphate ◽

Competitive Inhibitor ◽

Umbrella Sampling ◽

Coarse Grained ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms

Multidrug resistance protein-4 (MRP4) belongs to the ABC transporter superfamily and promotes the transport of xenobiotics including drugs. A non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in the ABCC4 gene can promote changes in the structure and function of MRP4. In this work, the interaction of certain endogen substrates, drug substrates, and inhibitors with wild type-MRP4 (WT-MRP4) and its variants G187W and Y556C were studied to determine differences in the intermolecular interactions and affinity related to SNPs using protein threading modeling, molecular docking, all-atom, coarse grained, and umbrella sampling molecular dynamics simulations (AA-MDS and CG-MDS, respectively). The results showed that the three MRP4 structures had significantly different conformations at given sites, leading to differences in the docking scores (DS) and binding sites of three different groups of molecules. Folic acid (FA) had the highest variation in DS on G187W concerning WT-MRP4. WT-MRP4, G187W, Y556C, and FA had different conformations through 25 ns AA-MD. Umbrella sampling simulations indicated that the Y556C-FA complex was the most stable one with or without ATP. In Y556C, the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and ceefourin-1 binding sites are located out of the entrance of the inner cavity, which suggests that both cAMP and ceefourin-1 may not be transported. The binding site for cAMP and ceefourin-1 is quite similar and the affinity (binding energy) of ceefourin-1 to WT-MRP4, G187W, and Y556C is greater than the affinity of cAMP, which may suggest that ceefourin-1 works as a competitive inhibitor. In conclusion, the nsSNPs G187W and Y556C lead to changes in protein conformation, which modifies the ligand binding site, DS, and binding energy.

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Conformational Ensembles of an Intrinsically Disordered Protein pKID with and without a KIX Domain in Explicit Solvent Investigated by All-Atom Multicanonical Molecular Dynamics

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom2010104 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 104-121 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Koji Umezawa ◽

Jinzen Ikebe ◽

Mitsunori Takano ◽

Haruki Nakamura ◽

Junichi Higo

Keyword(s):

Molecular Dynamics ◽

Free Energy ◽

Binding Site ◽

Complex Structure ◽

Intrinsically Disordered Protein ◽

Bound State ◽

Conformational Ensembles ◽

Intrinsically Disordered ◽

Dynamics Simulations ◽

High Flexibility

The phosphorylated kinase-inducible activation domain (pKID) adopts a helix–loop–helix structure upon binding to its partner KIX, although it is unstructured in the unbound state. The N-terminal and C-terminal regions of pKID, which adopt helices in the complex, are called, respectively, αA and αB. We performed all-atom multicanonical molecular dynamics simulations of pKID with and without KIX in explicit solvents to generate conformational ensembles. Although the unbound pKID was disordered overall, αA and αB exhibited a nascent helix propensity; the propensity of αA was stronger than that of αB, which agrees with experimental results. In the bound state, the free-energy landscape of αB involved two low free-energy fractions: native-like and non-native fractions. This result suggests that αB folds according to the induced-fit mechanism. The αB-helix direction was well aligned as in the NMR complex structure, although the αA helix exhibited high flexibility. These results also agree quantitatively with experimental observations. We have detected that the αB helix can bind to another site of KIX, to which another protein MLL also binds with the adopting helix. Consequently, MLL can facilitate pKID binding to the pKID-binding site by blocking the MLL-binding site. This also supports experimentally obtained results.

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The Interplay of Cholesterol and Ligand Binding in hTSPO from Classical Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26051250 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 1250

Author(s):

Hien T. T. Lai ◽

Alejandro Giorgetti ◽

Giulia Rossetti ◽

Toan T. Nguyen ◽

Paolo Carloni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Dynamics ◽

Ligand Binding ◽

Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽

Binding Site ◽

Transmembrane Protein ◽

Free Form ◽

Experimental Investigations ◽

Terminal Part ◽

Dynamics Simulations ◽

Cholesterol Binding

The translocator protein (TSPO) is a 18kDa transmembrane protein, ubiquitously present in human mitochondria. It is overexpressed in tumor cells and at the sites of neuroinflammation, thus representing an important biomarker, as well as a promising drug target. In mammalian TSPO, there are cholesterol–binding motifs, as well as a binding cavity able to accommodate different chemical compounds. Given the lack of structural information for the human protein, we built a model of human (h) TSPO in the apo state and in complex with PK11195, a molecule routinely used in positron emission tomography (PET) for imaging of neuroinflammatory sites. To better understand the interactions of PK11195 and cholesterol with this pharmacologically relevant protein, we ran molecular dynamics simulations of the apo and holo proteins embedded in a model membrane. We found that: (i) PK11195 stabilizes hTSPO structural fold; (ii) PK11195 might enter in the binding site through transmembrane helices I and II of hTSPO; (iii) PK11195 reduces the frequency of cholesterol binding to the lower, N–terminal part of hTSPO in the inner membrane leaflet, while this impact is less pronounced for the upper, C–terminal part in the outer membrane leaflet, where the ligand binding site is located; (iv) very interestingly, cholesterol most frequently binds simultaneously to the so-called CRAC and CARC regions in TM V in the free form (residues L150–X–Y152–X(3)–R156 and R135–X(2)–Y138–X(2)–L141, respectively). However, when the protein is in complex with PK11195, cholesterol binds equally frequently to the CRAC–resembling motif that we observed in TM I (residues L17–X(2)–F20–X(3)–R24) and to CRAC in TM V. We expect that the CRAC–like motif in TM I will be of interest in future experimental investigations. Thus, our MD simulations provide insight into the structural features of hTSPO and the previously unknown interplay between PK11195 and cholesterol interactions with this pharmacologically relevant protein.

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2P335 Molecular dynamics study on the structure of the FAD binding site of some BLUF proteins(42. Sensory signal transduction,Poster Session,Abstract,Meeting Program of EABS & BSJ 2006)

Seibutsu Butsuri ◽

10.2142/biophys.46.s379_3 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 46 (supplement2) ◽

pp. S379

Author(s):

Kazuya Obanayama ◽

Minoru Sakurai

Keyword(s):

Molecular Dynamics ◽

Signal Transduction ◽

Binding Site ◽

Poster Session ◽

Sensory Signal ◽

Meeting Program ◽

Fad Binding

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A molecular dynamics simulation study of the ACE2 receptor with screened natural inhibitors to identify novel drug candidate against COVID-19

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.11171 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. e11171

Author(s):

Neha Srivastava ◽

Prekshi Garg ◽

Prachi Srivastava ◽

Prahlad Kishore Seth

Keyword(s):

Molecular Dynamics ◽

Molecular Docking ◽

Molecular Dynamics Simulation ◽

Binding Site ◽

Cinnamic Acid ◽

Simulation Study ◽

Computational Study ◽

Dynamics Simulation ◽

Receptor Protein ◽

Novel Therapeutic

Background & Objectives The massive outbreak of Novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has turned out to be a serious global health issue worldwide. Currently, no drugs or vaccines are available for the treatment of COVID-19. The current computational study was attempted to identify a novel therapeutic inhibitor against novel SARS-CoV-2 using in silico drug discovery pipeline. Methods In the present study, the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor was the target for the designing of drugs against the deadly virus. The 3D structure of the receptor was modeled & validated using a Swiss-model, Procheck & Errat server. A molecular docking study was performed between a group of natural & synthetic compounds having proven anti-viral activity with ACE2 receptor using Autodock tool 1.5.6. The molecular dynamics simulation study was performed using Desmond v 12 to evaluate the stability and interaction of the ACE2 receptor with a ligand. Results Based on the lowest binding energy, confirmation, and H-bond interaction, cinnamic acid (−5.20 kcal/mol), thymoquinone (−4.71 kcal/mol), and andrographolide (Kalmegh) (−4.00 kcal/mol) were screened out showing strong binding affinity to the active site of ACE2 receptor. MD simulations suggest that cinnamic acid, thymoquinone, and andrographolide (Kalmegh) could efficiently activate the biological pathway without changing the conformation in the binding site of the ACE2 receptor. The bioactivity and drug-likeness properties of compounds show their better pharmacological property and safer to use. Interpretation & Conclusions The study concludes the high potential of cinnamic acid, thymoquinone, and andrographolide against the SARS-CoV-2 ACE2 receptor protein. Thus, the molecular docking and MD simulation study will aid in understanding the molecular interaction between ligand and receptor binding site, thereby leading to novel therapeutic intervention.

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Insights into the binding mode of MEK type-III inhibitors. A step towards discovering and designing allosteric kinase inhibitors across the human kinome

10.1101/076711 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zheng Zhao ◽

Lei Xie ◽

Philip E. Bourne

Keyword(s):

Molecular Dynamics ◽

Binding Site ◽

Protein Kinases ◽

Drug Targets ◽

Kinase Inhibitors ◽

Binding Mode ◽

Dynamics Simulation ◽

Allosteric Inhibitors ◽

Type Iii ◽

Human Kinome

AbstractProtein kinases are critical drug targets for treating a large variety of human diseases. Type-I and type-II kinase inhibitors frequently exhibit off-target toxicity or lead to mutation acquired resistance. Two highly specific allosteric type-III MEK-targeted drugs, Trametinib and Cobimetinib, offer a new approach. Thus, understanding the binding mechanism of existing type-III kinase inhibitors will provide insights for designing new type-III kinase inhibitors. In this work we have systematically studied the binding mode of MEK-targeted type-III inhibitors using structural systems pharmacology and molecular dynamics simulation. Our studies provide detailed sequence, structure, interaction-fingerprint, pharmacophore and binding-site information on the binding characteristics of MEK type-III kinase inhibitors. We propose that the helix-folding activation loop is a hallmark allosteric binding site for type-III inhibitors. Subsequently we screened and predicted allosteric binding sites across the human kinome, suggesting other kinases as potential targets suitable for type-III inhibitors. Our findings will provide new insights into the design of potent and selective kinases inhibitors.Author SummaryHuman protein kinases represent a large protein family relevant to many diseases, especially cancers, and have become important drug targets. However, developing the desired selective kinase-targeted inhibitors remain challenging. Kinase allosteric inhibitors provide that opportunity, but, to date, few have been designed other than MEK inhibitors. To more efficiently develop kinase allosteric inhibitors, we systematically studied the binding mode of the MEK type-III allosteric kinase inhibitors using structural system pharmacology and molecular dynamics approaches. New insights into the binding mode and mechanism of type-III inhibitors were revealed that may facilitate the design of new prospective type-III kinase inhibitors.

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