scholarly journals Molecular basis for activation of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase by a compound that increases HDL cholesterol

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly A. Manthei ◽  
Shyh-Ming Yang ◽  
Bolormaa Baljinnyam ◽  
Louise Chang ◽  
Alisa Glukhova ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTLecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and LCAT-activating small molecules are being investigated as treatments for coronary heart disease (CHD) and familial LCAT deficiency (FLD). Herein we report the crystal structure of LCAT bound to a potent activator and an acyl intermediate-like inhibitor, thereby revealing an active conformation of LCAT and that the activator is bound exclusively to its membrane-binding domain (MBD). Functional studies indicate that the compound does not modulate the affinity of LCAT for HDL, but instead stabilizes residues in the MBD and likely facilitates channeling of substrates into the active site. By demonstrating that these activators increase the activity of an FLD variant, we show that compounds targeting the MBD have therapeutic potential. In addition, our data better define the acyl binding site of LCAT and pave the way for rational design of LCAT agonists and improved biotherapeutics for augmenting or restoring reverse cholesterol transport in CHD and FLD patients.

eLife ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly A Manthei ◽  
Shyh-Ming Yang ◽  
Bolormaa Baljinnyam ◽  
Louise Chang ◽  
Alisa Glukhova ◽  
...  

Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and LCAT-activating compounds are being investigated as treatments for coronary heart disease (CHD) and familial LCAT deficiency (FLD). Herein we report the crystal structure of human LCAT in complex with a potent piperidinylpyrazolopyridine activator and an acyl intermediate-like inhibitor, revealing LCAT in an active conformation. Unlike other LCAT activators, the piperidinylpyrazolopyridine activator binds exclusively to the membrane-binding domain (MBD). Functional studies indicate that the compound does not modulate the affinity of LCAT for HDL, but instead stabilizes residues in the MBD and facilitates channeling of substrates into the active site. By demonstrating that these activators increase the activity of an FLD variant, we show that compounds targeting the MBD have therapeutic potential. Our data better define the substrate binding site of LCAT and pave the way for rational design of LCAT agonists and improved biotherapeutics for augmenting or restoring reverse cholesterol transport in CHD and FLD patients.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly A Manthei ◽  
Shyh-Ming Yang ◽  
Bolormaa Baljinnyam ◽  
Louise Chang ◽  
Alisa Glukhova ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 1356-1371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Kronenberg

The picture of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) as the “good” cholesterol has eroded. This is even more surprising because there exists strong evidence that HDL-C is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population as well as in patients with impairment of kidney function and/or progression of CKD. However, drugs that dramatically increase HDL-C have mostly failed to decrease CVD events. Furthermore, genetic studies took the same line, as genetic variants that have a pronounced influence on HDL-C concentrations did not show an association with cardiovascular risk. For many, this was not surprising, given that an HDL particle is highly complex and carries >80 proteins and several hundred lipid species. Simply measuring cholesterol might not reflect the variety of biologic effects of heterogeneous HDL particles. Therefore, functional studies and the involvement of HDL components in the reverse cholesterol transport, including the cholesterol efflux capacity, have become a further focus of study during recent years. As also observed for other aspects, CKD populations behave differently compared with non-CKD populations. Although clear disturbances have been observed for the “functionality” of HDL particles in patients with CKD, this did not necessarily translate into clear-cut associations with outcomes.


1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (02) ◽  
pp. 157-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irving Fox ◽  
Adrian Dawson ◽  
Peter Loynds ◽  
Jane Eisner ◽  
Kathleen Findlen ◽  
...  

SummaryHirulog™ (BG8967) is a direct thrombin inhibitor built by rational design using the protein hirudin as a model (Maraganore et al. [1990]; Biochemistry 29: 7095–101). In order to evaluate the therapeutic potential for hirulog in the management of thrombotic disease, the tolerability and anticoagulant activity of the agent were examined in a study of human volunteers.In a randomized, placebo-controlled study (n = 54), the intravenous infusion of hirulog over 15 min showed a rapid, dose-dependent prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT). There was a corresponding dose-dependent increase in plasma hirulog levels. The peptide was rapidly cleared with a half-life of 36 min and a total body clearance rate for the peptide of 0.43 1 kg−1 h−1. Similar activity was observed following subcutaneous injection but with sustained pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic behavior. There was a significant correlation between pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variables for both intravenous (r = 0.8, p <0.001) and subcutaneous administration (r = 0.7, p = 0.002).To evaluate the possible interactions of aspirin on the tolerability and anticoagulant activity of intravenous hirulog, a cross-over design was employed in eight subjects. Aspirin administration did not modify the peptide’s activity. At the administered dose of 0.6 mg kg−1 h−1 for 2 h, hirulog infusion prolonged APTT from 230 to 260% baseline. The infusion of hirulog in subjects who had received aspirin was not associated with any significant changes in the template bleeding time.The final phase of the study examined the activity and tolerability of hirulog in ten subjects during prolonged intravenous infusions for up to 24 h. The peptide (0.3 mg kg−1 h−1) exhibited sustained anticoagulant activity with no evidence for a cumulative effect. During hirulog infusion, APTT was prolonged from 210 to 250% baseline.In all phases of the study, hirulog administration was generally well-tolerated.Our observations show that hirulog is an active antithrombin agent with excellent tolerability in humans. As a direct thrombin inhibitor, hirulog provides a novel approach for the management of thrombotic disease.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhumita Rano ◽  
Sumanta K Ghosh ◽  
Debashree Ghosh

<div>Combining the roles of spin frustration and geometry of odd and even numbered rings in polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), we design small molecules that show exceedingly small singlet-triplet gaps and stable triplet ground states. Furthermore, a computationally efficient protocol with a model spin Hamiltonian is shown to be capable of qualitative agreement with respect to high level multireference calculations and therefore, can be used for fast molecular discovery and screening.</div>


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4167
Author(s):  
Xiaonan Sun ◽  
Jalen Alford ◽  
Hongyu Qiu

Mitochondria undergo structural and functional remodeling to meet the cell demand in response to the intracellular and extracellular stimulations, playing an essential role in maintaining normal cellular function. Merging evidence demonstrated that dysregulation of mitochondrial remodeling is a fundamental driving force of complex human diseases, highlighting its crucial pathophysiological roles and therapeutic potential. In this review, we outlined the progress of the molecular basis of mitochondrial structural and functional remodeling and their regulatory network. In particular, we summarized the latest evidence of the fundamental association of impaired mitochondrial remodeling in developing diverse cardiac diseases and the underlying mechanisms. We also explored the therapeutic potential related to mitochondrial remodeling and future research direction. This updated information would improve our knowledge of mitochondrial biology and cardiac diseases’ pathogenesis, which would inspire new potential strategies for treating these diseases by targeting mitochondria remodeling.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 198
Author(s):  
Lijun Lang ◽  
Alberto Perez

Designing peptide inhibitors of the p53-MDM2 interaction against cancer is of wide interest. Computational modeling and virtual screening are a well established step in the rational design of small molecules. But they face challenges for binding flexible peptide molecules that fold upon binding. We look at the ability of five different peptides, three of which are intrinsically disordered, to bind to MDM2 with a new Bayesian inference approach (MELD × MD). The method is able to capture the folding upon binding mechanism and differentiate binding preferences between the five peptides. Processing the ensembles with statistical mechanics tools depicts the most likely bound conformations and hints at differences in the binding mechanism. Finally, the study shows the importance of capturing two driving forces to binding in this system: the ability of peptides to adopt bound conformations (ΔGconformation) and the interaction between interface residues (ΔGinteraction).


ChemBioChem ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor S. Jayawant ◽  
Jack Hutchinson ◽  
Dorota Gasparíková ◽  
Christine Lockey ◽  
Lidόn Pruñonosa Lara ◽  
...  

1997 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-205
Author(s):  
J A Kuivenhoven ◽  
H Pritchard ◽  
J Hill ◽  
J Frohlich ◽  
G Assmann ◽  
...  

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