Studies of the melatonin binding site location onto quinone reductase 2 by directed mutagenesis

2008 ◽  
Vol 477 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean A. Boutin ◽  
Carine Saunier ◽  
Sophie-Pénélope Guenin ◽  
Sylvie Berger ◽  
Natacha Moulharat ◽  
...  
2008 ◽  
Vol 413 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Calamini ◽  
Bernard D. Santarsiero ◽  
Jean A. Boutin ◽  
Andrew D. Mesecar

Melatonin exerts its biological effects through at least two transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors, MT1 and MT2, and a lower-affinity cytosolic binding site, designated MT3. MT3 has recently been identified as QR2 (quinone reductase 2) (EC 1.10.99.2) which is of significance since it links the antioxidant effects of melatonin to a mechanism of action. Initially, QR2 was believed to function analogously to QR1 in protecting cells from highly reactive quinones. However, recent studies indicate that QR2 may actually transform certain quinone substrates into more highly reactive compounds capable of causing cellular damage. Therefore it is hypothesized that inhibition of QR2 in certain cases may lead to protection of cells against these highly reactive species. Since melatonin is known to inhibit QR2 activity, but its binding site and mode of inhibition are not known, we determined the mechanism of inhibition of QR2 by melatonin and a series of melatonin and 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) analogues, and we determined the X-ray structures of melatonin and 2-iodomelatonin in complex with QR2 to between 1.5 and 1.8 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) resolution. Finally, the thermodynamic binding constants for melatonin and 2-iodomelatonin were determined by ITC (isothermal titration calorimetry). The kinetic results indicate that melatonin is a competitive inhibitor against N-methyldihydronicotinamide (Ki=7.2 μM) and uncompetitive against menadione (Ki=92 μM), and the X-ray structures shows that melatonin binds in multiple orientations within the active sites of the QR2 dimer as opposed to an allosteric site. These results provide new insights into the binding mechanisms of melatonin and analogues to QR2.


1991 ◽  
Vol 266 (24) ◽  
pp. 16105-16112
Author(s):  
M. Nikkola ◽  
F.K. Gleason ◽  
M. Saarinen ◽  
T. Joelson ◽  
O. Björnberg ◽  
...  

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 580
Author(s):  
Danna De Boer ◽  
Nguyet Nguyen ◽  
Jia Mao ◽  
Jessica Moore ◽  
Eric J. Sorin

The present article reviews published efforts to study acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase structure and function using computer-based modeling and simulation techniques. Structures and models of both enzymes from various organisms, including rays, mice, and humans, are discussed to highlight key structural similarities in the active site gorges of the two enzymes, such as flexibility, binding site location, and function, as well as differences, such as gorge volume and binding site residue composition. Catalytic studies are also described, with an emphasis on the mechanism of acetylcholine hydrolysis by each enzyme and novel mutants that increase catalytic efficiency. The inhibitory activities of myriad compounds have been computationally assessed, primarily through Monte Carlo-based docking calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. Pharmaceutical compounds examined herein include FDA-approved therapeutics and their derivatives, as well as several other prescription drug derivatives. Cholinesterase interactions with both narcotics and organophosphate compounds are discussed, with the latter focusing primarily on molecular recognition studies of potential therapeutic value and on improving our understanding of the reactivation of cholinesterases that are bound to toxins. This review also explores the inhibitory properties of several other organic and biological moieties, as well as advancements in virtual screening methodologies with respect to these enzymes.


2004 ◽  
Vol 123 (5) ◽  
pp. 475-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Bao ◽  
Christina Kaldany ◽  
Ericka C. Holmstrand ◽  
Daniel H. Cox

There is controversy over whether Ca2+ binds to the BKCa channel's intracellular domain or its integral-membrane domain and over whether or not mutations that reduce the channel's Ca2+ sensitivity act at the point of Ca2+ coordination. One region in the intracellular domain that has been implicated in Ca2+ sensing is the “Ca2+ bowl”. This region contains many acidic residues, and large Ca2+-bowl mutations eliminate Ca2+ sensing through what appears to be one type of high-affinity Ca2+-binding site. Here, through site-directed mutagenesis we have mapped the residues in the Ca2+ bowl that are most important for Ca2+ sensing. We find acidic residues, D898 and D900, to be essential, and we find them essential as well for Ca2+ binding to a fusion protein that contains a portion of the BKCa channel's intracellular domain. Thus, much of our data supports the conclusion that Ca2+ binds to the BKCa channel's intracellular domain, and they define the Ca2+ bowl's essential Ca2+-sensing motif. Overall, however, we have found that the relationship between mutations that disrupt Ca2+ sensing and those that disrupt Ca2+ binding is not as strong as we had expected, a result that raises the possibility that, when examined by gel-overlay, the Ca2+ bowl may be in a nonnative conformation.


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