scholarly journals A Lumenal Loop Associated with Catalytic Asymmetry in Plant Vacuolar H+-Translocating Pyrophosphatase

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (23) ◽  
pp. 12902
Author(s):  
Viktor A. Anashkin ◽  
Alexander A. Baykov
Keyword(s):  
Functional Data ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Regulatory Function ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Ph Sensing ◽  
Substrate Analog ◽  
Catalytic Sites ◽  
Pyrophosphate Hydrolysis ◽  
Structural Aspects

Membrane-integral inorganic pyrophosphatases (mPPases) couple pyrophosphate hydrolysis with H+ and Na+ pumping in plants and microbes. mPPases are homodimeric transporters with two catalytic sites facing the cytoplasm and demonstrating highly different substrate-binding affinities and activities. The structural aspects of the functional asymmetry are still poorly understood because the structure of the physiologically relevant dimer form with only one active site occupied by the substrate is unknown. We addressed this issue by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the H+-transporting mPPase of Vigna radiata, starting from its crystal structure containing a close substrate analog (imidodiphosphate, IDP) in both active sites. The MD simulations revealed pre-existing subunit asymmetry, which increased upon IDP binding to one subunit and persisted in the fully occupied dimer. The most significant asymmetrical change caused by IDP binding is a ‘rigid body’-like displacement of the lumenal loop connecting α-helices 2 and 3 in the partner subunit and opening its exit channel for water. This highly conserved 14–19-residue loop is found only in plant vacuolar mPPases and may have a regulatory function, such as pH sensing in the vacuole. Our data define the structural link between the loop and active sites and are consistent with the published structural and functional data.

scholarly journals Insights on forming N,O-coordinated Cu single-atom catalysts for electrochemical reduction CO2 to methane

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanming Cai ◽  
Jiaju Fu ◽  
Yang Zhou ◽  
Yu-Chung Chang ◽  
Qianhao Min ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Barrier ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Single Atom ◽  
Faradaic Efficiency ◽  
High Energy Barrier ◽  
Catalytic Sites ◽  
Electron Reduction ◽  
First Time

AbstractSingle-atom catalysts (SACs) are promising candidates to catalyze electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR) due to maximized atomic utilization. However, products are usually limited to CO instead of hydrocarbons or oxygenates due to unfavorable high energy barrier for further electron transfer on synthesized single atom catalytic sites. Here we report a novel partial-carbonization strategy to modify the electronic structures of center atoms on SACs for lowering the overall endothermic energy of key intermediates. A carbon-dots-based SAC margined with unique CuN2O2 sites was synthesized for the first time. The introduction of oxygen ligands brings remarkably high Faradaic efficiency (78%) and selectivity (99% of ECR products) for electrochemical converting CO2 to CH4 with current density of 40 mA·cm-2 in aqueous electrolytes, surpassing most reported SACs which stop at two-electron reduction. Theoretical calculations further revealed that the high selectivity and activity on CuN2O2 active sites are due to the proper elevated CH4 and H2 energy barrier and fine-tuned electronic structure of Cu active sites.

scholarly journals Comprehensive Virtual Screening of the Antiviral Potentialities of Marine Polycyclic Guanidine Alkaloids against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 460
Author(s):  
Amr El-Demerdash ◽  
Ahmed M. Metwaly ◽  
Afnan Hassan ◽  
Tarek Mohamed Abd El-Aziz ◽  
Eslam B. Elkaeed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Aqueous Solubility ◽  
Maximum Tolerated Dose ◽  
Binding Energies ◽  
Log P ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Structural Protein ◽  
Guanidine Alkaloids

The huge global expansion of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel SARS-corona virus-2 is an extraordinary public health emergency. The unavailability of specific treatment against SARS-CoV-2 infection necessitates the focus of all scientists in this direction. The reported antiviral activities of guanidine alkaloids encouraged us to run a comprehensive in silico binding affinity of fifteen guanidine alkaloids against five different proteins of SARS-CoV-2, which we investigated. The investigated proteins are COVID-19 main protease (Mpro) (PDB ID: 6lu7), spike glycoprotein (PDB ID: 6VYB), nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (PDB ID: 6VYO), membrane glycoprotein (PDB ID: 6M17), and a non-structural protein (nsp10) (PDB ID: 6W4H). The binding energies for all tested compounds indicated promising binding affinities. A noticeable superiority for the pentacyclic alkaloids particularly, crambescidin 786 (5) and crambescidin 826 (13) has been observed. Compound 5 exhibited very good binding affinities against Mpro (ΔG = −8.05 kcal/mol), nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (ΔG = −6.49 kcal/mol), and nsp10 (ΔG = −9.06 kcal/mol). Compound 13 showed promising binding affinities against Mpro (ΔG = −7.99 kcal/mol), spike glycoproteins (ΔG = −6.95 kcal/mol), and nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (ΔG = −8.01 kcal/mol). Such promising activities might be attributed to the long ω-fatty acid chain, which may play a vital role in binding within the active sites. The correlation of c Log P with free binding energies has been calculated. Furthermore, the SAR of the active compounds has been clarified. The Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) studies were carried out in silico for the 15 compounds; most examined compounds showed optimal to good range levels of ADMET aqueous solubility, intestinal absorption and being unable to pass blood brain barrier (BBB), non-inhibitors of CYP2D6, non-hepatotoxic, and bind plasma protein with a percentage less than 90%. The toxicity of the tested compounds was screened in silico against five models (FDA rodent carcinogenicity, carcinogenic potency TD50, rat maximum tolerated dose, rat oral LD50, and rat chronic lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL)). All compounds showed expected low toxicity against the tested models. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were also carried out to confirm the stable binding interactions of the most promising compounds, 5 and 13, with their targets. In conclusion, the examined 15 alkaloids specially 5 and 13 showed promising docking, ADMET, toxicity and MD results which open the door for further investigations for them against SARS-CoV-2.

Tuning electronic states of catalytic sites enhances SCR activity of hexagonal WO3by Mo framework substitution

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 2467-2473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaxin Chen ◽  
Zichenxi Dong ◽  
Zhiwei Huang ◽  
Meijuan Zhou ◽  
Jiayi Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Sites ◽  
Electronic States ◽  
Catalytic Sites ◽  
Catalytically Active

The electronic states of the catalytically active sites of HWO were tuned by Mo framework substitution.

scholarly journals Insight into Inhibitor Binding in the Eukaryotic Proteasome: Computations of the 20S CP

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 3858
Author(s):  
Milan Hodošček ◽  
Nadia Elghobashi-Meinhardt
Keyword(s):  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Relaxation Dynamics ◽  
Inhibitor Binding ◽  
Computational Analyses ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Proteolytic Chamber

A combination of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and computational analyses uncovers structural features that may influence substrate passage and exposure to the active sites within the proteolytic chamber of the 20S proteasome core particle (CP). MD simulations of the CP reveal relaxation dynamics in which the CP slowly contracts over the 54 ns sampling period. MD simulations of the SyringolinA (SylA) inhibitor within the proteolytic B 1 ring chamber of the CP indicate that favorable van der Waals and electrostatic interactions account for the predominant association of the inhibitor with the walls of the proteolytic chamber. The time scale required for the inhibitor to travel from the center of the proteolytic chamber to the chamber wall is on the order of 4 ns, accompanied by an average energetic stabilization of approximately −20 kcal/mol.

scholarly journals Large-area printing of ferroelectric surface and super-domains for efficient solar water splitting

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Tian ◽  
Yaqing Wei ◽  
Minghui Pei ◽  
Rongrong Cao ◽  
Zhenao Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Splitting ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Electronic Structures ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Solar Water Splitting ◽  
High Efficient ◽  
Catalytic Sites ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Magnitude Increase

Abstract Surface electronic structures of the photoelectrodes determine the activity and efficiency of the photoelectrochemical water splitting, but the controls of their surface structures and interfacial chemical reactions remain challenging. Here, we use ferroelectric BiFeO3 as a model system to demonstrate an efficient and controllable water splitting reaction by large-area constructing the hydroxyls-bonded surface. The up-shift of band edge positions at this surface enables and enhances the interfacial holes and electrons transfer through the hydroxyl-active-sites, leading to simultaneously enhanced oxygen and hydrogen evolutions. Furthermore, printing of ferroelectric super-domains with microscale checkboard up/down electric fields separates the distribution of reduction/oxidation catalytic sites, enhancing the charge separation and giving rise to an order of magnitude increase of the photocurrent. This large-area printable ferroelectric surface and super-domains offer an alternative platform for controllable and high-efficient photocatalysis.

scholarly journals FrustratometeR: an R-package to compute Local frustration in protein structures, point mutants and MD simulations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atilio O. Rausch ◽  
Maria I. Freiberger ◽  
Cesar O. Leonetti ◽  
Diego M. Luna ◽  
Leandro G. Radusky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Protein Structures ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
R Package ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
Large Scale Analysis ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
Catalytic Sites ◽  
Polypeptide Chains

Once folded natural protein molecules have few energetic conflicts within their polypeptide chains. Many protein structures do however contain regions where energetic conflicts remain after folding, i.e. they have highly frustrated regions. These regions, kept in place over evolutionary and physiological timescales, are related to several functional aspects of natural proteins such as protein-protein interactions, small ligand recognition, catalytic sites and allostery. Here we present FrustratometeR, an R package that easily computes local energetic frustration on a personal computer or a cluster. This package facilitates large scale analysis of local frustration, point mutants and MD trajectories, allowing straightforward integration of local frustration analysis in to pipelines for protein structural analysis.Availability and implementation: https://github.com/proteinphysiologylab/frustratometeR

scholarly journals Vitamin D and lumisterol novel metabolites can inhibit SARS-COV-2 replication machinery enzymes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shariq Qayyum ◽  
Taj Mohammad ◽  
Radomir M. Slominski ◽  
Md Imtaiyaz Hassan ◽  
Robert Tuckey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Replication Machinery ◽  
Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Binding Partners ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Activity Measurements

Vitamin D deficiency significantly correlates with the severity of SARS-COV-2 infection. Molecular docking-based virtual screening studies predict that novel vitamin D and related lumisterol hydroxymetabolites are able to bind to the active sites of two SARS-COV-2 transcription machinery enzymes with high affinity. These enzymes are the main protease (Mpro) and RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) which play important roles in viral replication and establishing infection. Based on predicted binding affinities and specific interactions, we identified ten D3 and lumisterol analogs as likely binding partners of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and RdRP and therefore tested their ability to inhibit these enzymes. Activity measurements demonstrated that 25(OH)L3, 24(OH)L3 and 20(OH)7DHC are the most effective of the hydroxymetabolites tested at inhibiting the activity of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, causing 10-19% inhibition. These same derivatives as well as other hydroxylumisterols and hydroxyvitamin D3 metabolites inhibited RdRP by 50-60%. Thus, inhibition of these enzymes by vitamin D and lumisterol metabolites may provide a novel approach to hindering the SARS-COV-2 infection.

The protease MBTPS2 is an important regulator of several cellular processes, especially in health and sickness

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moataz Dowaidar
Keyword(s):  
Active Sites ◽  
Peptide Bond ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Tremendous Progress ◽  
Catalytic Sites ◽  
Important Regulator ◽  
Catalytic Active Sites ◽  
Proteolytic Action ◽  
Health And Sickness

Since the identification of MBTPS2 in 1997, tremendous progress has been made in determining the protease's functions. The protease has developed from an element of the SREBP cleavage machinery to an important regulator of several cellular processes, especially in health and sickness. With this newfound information from biochemical and structural biology, S2P's proteolytic action through peptide bond hydrolysis can occur in the membrane, providing a conceptual framework for appreciating S2P's roles in other aspects, and showing that many other substrates rely on S2P for their survival. In addition, we discovered the identity of both of S2P's catalytic active sites, an essential finding as the activity of the proteolysis as well as the pathogenesis of MBTPS2-caused illnesses seems to be connected to the molecular and biochemical features of the catalytic sites. Additionally, MBTPS2 causes different diseases, possibly illustrating the pleiotropic nature of the protein. Also, while the ailments reported thus far are all due to mutations that cause MBTPS2 to lose function, other variants that cause MBTPS2 to be hyperactive have not been examined. Nevertheless, recognizing the related sickness pathomechanism is a challenge. Pursuing these challenging technical areas would most definitely enhance our understanding of MBTPS2 in disease states. MBTPS2 appears to be nearing the solution to many of the remaining fundamental questions surrounding the mechanism of its action, as well as being a therapeutic target for new therapies.

A mutually isolated nanodiamond/porous carbon nitride nanosheet hybrid with enriched active sites for promoted catalysis in styrene production

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1048-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guifang Ge ◽  
Xinwen Guo ◽  
Chunshan Song ◽  
Zhongkui Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Molten Salt ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Porous Carbon ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Carbon Nitride ◽  
Catalytic Sites ◽  
Styrene Production

A mutually isolated nanodiamond/porous carbon nitride nanosheet hybrid with enriched catalytic sites is fabricated by a facile two-step molten salt-oxidation strategy, generating an excellent catalyst for clean and energy-saving styrene production.

scholarly journals Atomically dispersed nickel as coke-resistant active sites for methane dry reforming

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohcin Akri ◽  
Shu Zhao ◽  
Xiaoyu Li ◽  
Ketao Zang ◽  
Adam F. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Sites ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Coke Formation ◽  
Dry Reforming ◽  
Dry Reforming Of Methane ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Catalytic Sites ◽  
Earth Abundant ◽  
Poor Stability

AbstractDry reforming of methane (DRM) is an attractive route to utilize CO2 as a chemical feedstock with which to convert CH4 into valuable syngas and simultaneously mitigate both greenhouse gases. Ni-based DRM catalysts are promising due to their high activity and low cost, but suffer from poor stability due to coke formation which has hindered their commercialization. Herein, we report that atomically dispersed Ni single atoms, stabilized by interaction with Ce-doped hydroxyapatite, are highly active and coke-resistant catalytic sites for DRM. Experimental and computational studies reveal that isolated Ni atoms are intrinsically coke-resistant due to their unique ability to only activate the first C-H bond in CH4, thus avoiding methane deep decomposition into carbon. This discovery offers new opportunities to develop large-scale DRM processes using earth abundant catalysts.

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