Structural Basis for the Inhibition Mechanism of Ecotin against Neutrophil Elastase by Targeting the Active Site and Secondary Binding Site

4′-Ethynyl-2-fluoro-2′-deoxyadenosine (EFdA) is the most potent nucleoside analog inhibitor of HIV reverse transcriptase (RT). It retains a 3′-OH yet acts as a chain-terminating agent by diminishing translocation from the pretranslocation nucleotide-binding site (N site) to the posttranslocation primer-binding site (P site). Also, facile misincorporation of EFdA-monophosphate (MP) results in difficult-to-extend mismatched primers. To understand the high potency and unusual inhibition mechanism of EFdA, we solved RT crystal structures (resolutions from 2.4 to 2.9 Å) that include inhibition intermediates (i) before inhibitor incorporation (catalytic complex, RT/DNA/EFdA-triphosphate), (ii) after incorporation of EFdA-MP followed by dT-MP (RT/DNAEFdA-MPP•dT-MPN), or (iii) after incorporation of two EFdA-MPs (RT/DNAEFdA-MPP•EFdA-MPN); (iv) the latter was also solved with EFdA-MP mismatched at the N site (RT/DNAEFdA-MPP•EFdA-MP*N). We report that the inhibition mechanism and potency of EFdA stem from interactions of its 4′-ethynyl at a previously unexploited conserved hydrophobic pocket in the polymerase active site. The high resolution of the catalytic complex structure revealed a network of ordered water molecules at the polymerase active site that stabilize enzyme interactions with nucleotide and DNA substrates. Finally, decreased translocation results from favorable interactions of primer-terminating EFdA-MP at the pretranslocation site and unfavorable posttranslocation interactions that lead to observed localized primer distortions.

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Substrate-modulated Cytochrome P450 17A1 and Cytochrome b5 Interactions Revealed by NMR

Journal of Biological Chemistry ◽

10.1074/jbc.m113.468926 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 288 (23) ◽

pp. 17008-17018 ◽

Cited By ~ 63

Author(s):

D. Fernando Estrada ◽

Jennifer S. Laurence ◽

Emily E. Scott

Keyword(s):

Cytochrome P450 ◽

Binding Site ◽

Active Site ◽

Catalytic Domain ◽

Cytochrome B5 ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Reaction Conditions ◽

Reversible Binding ◽

Important Interaction

The membrane heme protein cytochrome b5 (b5) can enhance, inhibit, or have no effect on cytochrome P450 (P450) catalysis, depending on the specific P450, substrate, and reaction conditions, but the structural basis remains unclear. Here the interactions between the soluble domain of microsomal b5 and the catalytic domain of the bifunctional steroidogenic cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) were investigated. CYP17A1 performs both steroid hydroxylation, which is unaffected by b5, and an androgen-forming lyase reaction that is facilitated 10-fold by b5. NMR chemical shift mapping of b5 titrations with CYP17A1 indicates that the interaction occurs in an intermediate exchange regime and identifies charged surface residues involved in the protein/protein interface. The role of these residues is confirmed by disruption of the complex upon mutagenesis of either the anionic b5 residues (Glu-48 or Glu-49) or the corresponding cationic CYP17A1 residues (Arg-347, Arg-358, or Arg-449). Cytochrome b5 binding to CYP17A1 is also mutually exclusive with binding of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase. To probe the differential effects of b5 on the two CYP17A1-mediated reactions and, thus, communication between the superficial b5 binding site and the buried CYP17A1 active site, CYP17A1/b5 complex formation was characterized with either hydroxylase or lyase substrates bound to CYP17A1. Significantly, the CYP17A1/b5 interaction is stronger when the hydroxylase substrate pregnenolone is present in the CYP17A1 active site than when the lyase substrate 17α-hydroxypregnenolone is in the active site. These findings form the basis for a clearer understanding of this important interaction by directly measuring the reversible binding of the two proteins, providing evidence of communication between the CYP17A1 active site and the superficial proximal b5 binding site.

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Structural Basis for the Active Site Inhibition Mechanism of Human Kidney-Type Glutaminase (KGA)

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/srep03827 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

K. Thangavelu ◽

Qing Yun Chong ◽

Boon Chuan Low ◽

J. Sivaraman

Keyword(s):

Active Site ◽

Human Kidney ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Inhibition Mechanism

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Allosteric inhibition of VIM metallo-β-lactamases by a camelid nanobody

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bj20121305 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 450 (3) ◽

pp. 477-486 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Jean S. Sohier ◽

Clémentine Laurent ◽

Andy Chevigné ◽

Els Pardon ◽

Vasundara Srinivasan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Binding Site ◽

Active Site ◽

Substrate Inhibition ◽

Inhibition Mechanism ◽

Bacterial Strains ◽

Single Domain Antibody ◽

Alanine Scan ◽

Hydrophobic Amino Acids ◽

Micromolar Range

MβL (metallo-β-lactamase) enzymes are usually produced by multi-resistant Gram-negative bacterial strains and have spread worldwide. An approach on the basis of phage display was used to select single-domain antibody fragments (VHHs, also called nanobodies) that would inhibit the clinically relevant VIM (Verona integron-encoded MβL)-4 MβL. Out of more than 50 selected nanobodies, only the NbVIM_38 nanobody inhibited VIM-4. The paratope, inhibition mechanism and epitope of the NbVIM_38 nanobody were then characterized. An alanine scan of the NbVIM_38 paratope showed that its binding was driven by hydrophobic amino acids. The inhibitory concentration was in the micromolar range for all β-lactams tested. In addition, the inhibition was found to follow a mixed hyperbolic profile with a predominantly uncompetitive component. Moreover, substrate inhibition was recorded only after nanobody binding. These kinetic data are indicative of a binding site that is distant from the active site. This finding was confirmed by epitope mapping analysis that was performed using peptides, and which identified two stretches of amino acids in the L6 loop and at the end of the α2 helix. Because this binding site is distant from the active site and alters both the substrate binding and catalytic properties of VIM-4, this nanobody can be considered as an allosteric inhibitor.

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Structural basis for the activation and inhibition of Sirtuin 6 by quercetin and its derivatives

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-55654-1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Weijie You ◽

Wei Zheng ◽

Sandra Weiss ◽

Katrin F. Chua ◽

Clemens Steegborn

Keyword(s):

Binding Site ◽

Active Site ◽

Specific Binding ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Allosteric Site ◽

Quercetin Derivatives ◽

Dependent Protein ◽

Targeted Drug ◽

Related Compounds

AbstractMammalian Sirtuin 6 (Sirt6) is an NAD+-dependent protein deacylase regulating metabolism and chromatin homeostasis. Sirt6 activation protects against metabolic and aging-related diseases, and Sirt6 inhibition is considered a cancer therapy. Available Sirt6 modulators show insufficient potency and specificity, and even partially contradictory Sirt6 effects were reported for the plant flavone quercetin. To understand Sirt6 modulation by quercetin-based compounds, we analysed their binding and activity effects on Sirt6 and other Sirtuin isoforms and solved crystal structures of compound complexes with Sirt6 and Sirt2. We find that quercetin activates Sirt6 via the isoform-specific binding site for pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines. Its inhibitory effect on other isoforms is based on an alternative binding site at the active site entrance. Based on these insights, we identified isoquercetin as a ligand that can discriminate both sites and thus activates Sirt6 with increased specificity. Furthermore, we find that quercetin derivatives that inhibit rather than activate Sirt6 exploit the same general Sirt6 binding site as the activators, identifying it as a versatile allosteric site for Sirt6 modulation. Our results thus provide a structural basis for Sirtuin effects of quercetin-related compounds and helpful insights for Sirt6-targeted drug development.

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Structures of c-di-GMP/cGAMP degrading phosphodiesterase VcEAL: identification of a novel conformational switch and its implication

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bcj20190399 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 476 (21) ◽

pp. 3333-3353 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Malti Yadav ◽

Kamalendu Pal ◽

Udayaditya Sen

Keyword(s):

Active Site ◽

Metal Binding ◽

Metal Ion ◽

Triosephosphate Isomerase ◽

Catalytic Mechanism ◽

Degradation Mechanism ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Conserved Residues ◽

Phosphodiester Bond ◽

Cyclic Dinucleotides

Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) have emerged as the central molecules that aid bacteria to adapt and thrive in changing environmental conditions. Therefore, tight regulation of intracellular CDN concentration by counteracting the action of dinucleotide cyclases and phosphodiesterases (PDEs) is critical. Here, we demonstrate that a putative stand-alone EAL domain PDE from Vibrio cholerae (VcEAL) is capable to degrade both the second messenger c-di-GMP and hybrid 3′3′-cyclic GMP–AMP (cGAMP). To unveil their degradation mechanism, we have determined high-resolution crystal structures of VcEAL with Ca2+, c-di-GMP-Ca2+, 5′-pGpG-Ca2+ and cGAMP-Ca2+, the latter provides the first structural basis of cGAMP hydrolysis. Structural studies reveal a typical triosephosphate isomerase barrel-fold with substrate c-di-GMP/cGAMP bound in an extended conformation. Highly conserved residues specifically bind the guanine base of c-di-GMP/cGAMP in the G2 site while the semi-conserved nature of residues at the G1 site could act as a specificity determinant. Two metal ions, co-ordinated with six stubbornly conserved residues and two non-bridging scissile phosphate oxygens of c-di-GMP/cGAMP, activate a water molecule for an in-line attack on the phosphodiester bond, supporting two-metal ion-based catalytic mechanism. PDE activity and biofilm assays of several prudently designed mutants collectively demonstrate that VcEAL active site is charge and size optimized. Intriguingly, in VcEAL-5′-pGpG-Ca2+ structure, β5–α5 loop adopts a novel conformation that along with conserved E131 creates a new metal-binding site. This novel conformation along with several subtle changes in the active site designate VcEAL-5′-pGpG-Ca2+ structure quite different from other 5′-pGpG bound structures reported earlier.

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Theoretical Studies of the Acid-Base Equilibria in a Model Active Site of the Human 20S Proteasome

10.26434/chemrxiv.13388753.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jon Uranga ◽

Lukas Hasecke ◽

Jonny Proppe ◽

Jan Fingerhut ◽

Ricardo A. Mata

Keyword(s):

Active Site ◽

Boronic Acid ◽

Computational Study ◽

Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽

Bayesian Optimization ◽

Inhibition Mechanism ◽

20S Proteasome ◽

Acid Base ◽

Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽

Infection Cycles

The 20S Proteasome is a macromolecule responsible for the chemical step in the ubiquitin-proteasome system of degrading unnecessary and unused proteins of the cell. It plays a central role both in the rapid growth of cancer cells as well as in viral infection cycles. Herein, we present a computational study of the acid-base equilibria in an active site of the human proteasome, an aspect which is often neglected despite the crucial role protons play in the catalysis. As example substrates, we take the inhibition by epoxy and boronic acid containing warheads. We have combined cluster quantum mechanical calculations, replica exchange molecular dynamics and Bayesian optimization of non-bonded potential terms in the inhibitors. In relation to the latter, we propose an easily scalable approach to the reevaluation of non-bonded potentials making use of QM/MM dynamics information. Our results show that coupled acid-base equilibria need to be considered when modeling the inhibition mechanism. The coupling between a neighboring lysine and the reacting threonine is not affected by the presence of the inhibitor.

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Characterization of two azurphil granule proteases with active-site homology to neutrophil elastase.

Journal of Biological Chemistry ◽

10.1016/s0021-9258(19)39936-3 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 265 (4) ◽

pp. 2038-2041

Author(s):

C G Wilde ◽

J L Snable ◽

J E Griffith ◽

R W Scott

Keyword(s):

Active Site ◽

Neutrophil Elastase

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Discovery of natural product ovalicin sensitive type 1 methionine aminopeptidases: molecular and structural basis

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bcj20180874 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 476 (6) ◽

pp. 991-1003 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vijaykumar Pillalamarri ◽

Tarun Arya ◽

Neshatul Haque ◽

Sandeep Chowdary Bala ◽

Anil Kumar Marapaka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Product ◽

Active Site ◽

Covalent Modification ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Wild Type ◽

Methionine Aminopeptidases ◽

Synthetic Derivative ◽

Dynamics Simulations

Abstract Natural product ovalicin and its synthetic derivative TNP-470 have been extensively studied for their antiangiogenic property, and the later reached phase 3 clinical trials. They covalently modify the conserved histidine in Type 2 methionine aminopeptidases (MetAPs) at nanomolar concentrations. Even though a similar mechanism is possible in Type 1 human MetAP, it is inhibited only at millimolar concentration. In this study, we have discovered two Type 1 wild-type MetAPs (Streptococcus pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis) that are inhibited at low micromolar to nanomolar concentrations and established the molecular mechanism. F309 in the active site of Type 1 human MetAP (HsMetAP1b) seems to be the key to the resistance, while newly identified ovalicin sensitive Type 1 MetAPs have a methionine or isoleucine at this position. Type 2 human MetAP (HsMetAP2) also has isoleucine (I338) in the analogous position. Ovalicin inhibited F309M and F309I mutants of human MetAP1b at low micromolar concentration. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that ovalicin is not stably placed in the active site of wild-type MetAP1b before the covalent modification. In the case of F309M mutant and human Type 2 MetAP, molecule spends more time in the active site providing time for covalent modification.

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