scholarly journals Discovery of Novel Inhibitors for Nek6 Protein through Homology Model Assisted Structure Based Virtual Screening and Molecular Docking Approaches

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Srinivasan ◽  
P. Chella Perumal ◽  
A. Sudha

Nek6 is a member of the NIMA (never in mitosis, gene A)-related serine/threonine kinase family that plays an important role in the initiation of mitotic cell cycle progression. This work is an attempt to emphasize the structural and functional relationship of Nek6 protein based on homology modeling and binding pocket analysis. The three-dimensional structure of Nek6 was constructed by molecular modeling studies and the best model was further assessed by PROCHECK, ProSA, and ERRAT plot in order to analyze the quality and consistency of generated model. The overall quality of computed model showed 87.4% amino acid residues under the favored region. A 3 ns molecular dynamics simulation confirmed that the structure was reliable and stable. Two lead compounds (Binding database ID: 15666, 18602) were retrieved through structure-based virtual screening and induced fit docking approaches as novel Nek6 inhibitors. Hence, we concluded that the potential compounds may act as new leads for Nek6 inhibitors designing.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Brendan Timmons ◽  
Chandralal M Hewage

Palustrin-Ca (GFLDIIKDTGKEFAVKILNNLKCKLAGGCPP) is a host defense peptide with potent antimicrobial and anticancer activities, first isolated from the skin of the American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus. The peptide is 31 amino acid residues long, cationic and amphipathic. Two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy was employed to characterise its three-dimensional structure in a 50/50% water/2,2,2-trifluoroethanol-d3 mixture. The structure is defined by an α-helix that spans between Ile6-Ala26, and a cyclic disulphide bridged domain at the C-terminal end of the peptide sequence, between residues 23 and 29. A molecular dynamics simulation was employed to model the peptide's interactions with sodium dodecyl sulphate micelles, a widely used bacterial membrane-mimicking environment. Throughout the simulation, the peptide was found to maintain its α-helical conformation between residues Ile6-Ala26, while adopting a position parallel to the surface to micelle, which is energetically-favourable due to many hydrophobic and electrostatic contacts with the micelle.


2013 ◽  
Vol 452 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radika Soysa ◽  
Hanka Venselaar ◽  
Jacqueline Poston ◽  
Buddy Ullman ◽  
Marie-Pierre Hasne

The TcPOT1.1 gene from Trypanosoma cruzi encodes a high affinity putrescine-cadaverine transporter belonging to the APC (amino acid/polyamine/organocation) transporter superfamily. No experimental three-dimensional structure exists for any eukaryotic member of the APC family, and thus the structural determinants critical for function of these permeases are unknown. To elucidate the key residues involved in putrescine translocation and recognition by this APC family member, a homology model of TcPOT1.1 was constructed on the basis of the atomic co-ordinates of the Escherichia coli AdiC arginine/agmatine antiporter crystal structure. The TcPOT1.1 homology model consisted of 12 transmembrane helices with the first ten helices organized in two V-shaped antiparallel domains with discontinuities in the helical structures of transmembrane spans 1 and 6. The model suggests that Trp241 and a Glu247–Arg403 salt bridge participate in a gating system and that Asn245, Tyr148 and Tyr400 contribute to the putrescine-binding pocket. To test the validity of the model, 26 site-directed mutants were created and tested for their ability to transport putrescine and to localize to the parasite cell surface. These results support the robustness of the TcPOT1.1 homology model and reveal the importance of specific aromatic residues in the TcPOT1.1 putrescine-binding pocket.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Mahmudpour ◽  
Iraj Nabipour ◽  
Mohsen Keshavarz ◽  
Maryam Farrokhnia

Although SARS-CoV-2 entry to cells strictly depends on angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the virus also needs transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) for its spike protein priming. It has been shown that the entrance of SARS-CoV-2 through ACE2 can be blocked by cellular TMPRSS2 blockers. The main aim of this study was to find potential inhibitor(s) of TMPRSS2 through virtual screening against a homology model of TMPRSS2 using the library of marine natural products (MNPs). The homology modeling technique for generating a three-dimensional structure of TMPRSS2 was applied. Molecular docking, MM-GBSA and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) evaluations were performed to investigate the inhibitory activity of marine natural products (MNPs) against TMPRSS2 and their pharmacokinetic properties. Camostat and nafamostat mesylate were used as the standard inhibitory molecules. Seven MNPs were able to inhibit TMPRSS2 better than the standard compounds. MNP 10 with CAS number 107503-09-3, called Watasenia β-D- Preluciferyl glucopyrasoiuronic acid, was found to be the best inhibitor of TMPRSS2 with acceptable pharmacokinetic properties. Herein, for the first time, a new marine natural product was introduced with potent inhibitory effects against TMPRSS2. MNP 10 exhibited favorable drug-like pharmacokinetic properties and it promises a novel TMPRSS2 blocker to combat SARS-CoV-2.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramar Vanajothi ◽  
Sundaresan Bhavaniramya ◽  
Muthu Umadevi ◽  
Rajendran Vijayakumar ◽  
Yaser E. Alqurashi ◽  
...  

Abstract Cancer is a major health problem worldwide and one of the leading death-causing diseases. Mirk (Minibrain-related kinase is a member of the dual-specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase (Dyrk) family that is highly upregulated in various solid tumors and mediates cell survival including lung cancer. Mirk effectively increases the expression of a series of antioxidant genes, which scavenge the reactive oxygen species and stabilize the p27kip1 that maintain the viability of the quiescent cancer cell and also mediates the cell cycle and survival of cancer cells by influencing the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Hence, Mirk acts as a novel therapeutic target for cancer prevention. Owing to the unavailability of the three-dimensional structure of Mirk, in the present study, we have modeled the 3D structure of Mirk, based on the crystal structure of Dyrk1a as a template, and subsequently used it as a target for virtual screening and molecular docking against a small molecule database. Based on the visual inspection, four best hits such as Chembridge_ID 7768949, 7771055, 7758866, and 7764195 have high binding affinity, good docking score, and pharmacokinetic properties were shortlisted. Further, the dynamic stability of lead molecules with modeled Mirk/Dyrk1B was evaluated using 10 ns molecular dynamics simulation approach. The four hit molecules exhibited good and stable binding complex in the binding pocket of the target protein. Collectively the finding of this study suggested that the identified molecules may serve as potential effective anti-cancer inhibitors for cancer prevention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick B. Timmons ◽  
Chandralal M. Hewage

AbstractPalustrin-Ca (GFLDIIKDTGKEFAVKILNNLKCKLAGGCPP) is a host defence peptide with potent antimicrobial and anticancer activities, first isolated from the skin of the American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus. The peptide is 31 amino acid residues long, cationic and amphipathic. Two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy was employed to characterise its three-dimensional structure in a 50/50% water/2,2,2-trifluoroethanol-$$d_{3}$$ d 3 mixture. The structure is defined by an $$\alpha$$ α -helix that spans between Ile$$^{6}$$ 6 -Ala$$^{26}$$ 26 , and a cyclic disulfide-bridged domain at the C-terminal end of the peptide sequence, between residues 23 and 29. A molecular dynamics simulation was employed to model the peptide’s interactions with sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles, a widely used bacterial membrane-mimicking environment. Throughout the simulation, the peptide was found to maintain its $$\alpha$$ α -helical conformation between residues Ile$$^{6}$$ 6 -Ala$$^{26}$$ 26 , while adopting a position parallel to the surface to micelle, which is energetically-favourable due to many hydrophobic and electrostatic contacts with the micelle.


Author(s):  
David A. Agard ◽  
Yasushi Hiraoka ◽  
John W. Sedat

In an effort to understand the complex relationship between structure and biological function within the nucleus, we have embarked on a program to examine the three-dimensional structure and organization of Drosophila melanogaster embryonic chromosomes. Our overall goal is to determine how DNA and proteins are organized into complex and highly dynamic structures (chromosomes) and how these chromosomes are arranged in three dimensional space within the cell nucleus. Futher, we hope to be able to correlate structual data with such fundamental biological properties as stage in the mitotic cell cycle, developmental state and transcription at specific gene loci.Towards this end, we have been developing methodologies for the three-dimensional analysis of non-crystalline biological specimens using optical and electron microscopy. We feel that the combination of these two complementary techniques allows an unprecedented look at the structural organization of cellular components ranging in size from 100A to 100 microns.


2013 ◽  
Vol 288 (23) ◽  
pp. 16460-16475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda J. Olson ◽  
Ramiro Orsi ◽  
Solana G. Alculumbre ◽  
Francis C. Peterson ◽  
Ivan D. Stigliano ◽  
...  

Here we report for the first time the three-dimensional structure of a mannose 6-phosphate receptor homology (MRH) domain present in a protein with enzymatic activity, glucosidase II (GII). GII is involved in glycoprotein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. GII removes the two innermost glucose residues from the Glc3Man9GlcNAc2 transferred to nascent proteins and the glucose added by UDP-Glc:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase. GII is composed of a catalytic GIIα subunit and a regulatory GIIβ subunit. GIIβ participates in the endoplasmic reticulum localization of GIIα and mediates in vivo enhancement of N-glycan trimming by GII through its C-terminal MRH domain. We determined the structure of a functional GIIβ MRH domain by NMR spectroscopy. It adopts a β-barrel fold similar to that of other MRH domains, but its binding pocket is the most shallow known to date as it accommodates a single mannose residue. In addition, we identified a conserved residue outside the binding pocket (Trp-409) present in GIIβ but not in other MRHs that influences GII glucose trimming activity.


Author(s):  
Bo Li ◽  
Ruihong Qiao ◽  
Zhizhi Wang ◽  
Weihong Zhou ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
...  

Telomere repeat factor 1 (TRF1) is a subunit of shelterin (also known as the telosome) and plays a critical role in inhibiting telomere elongation by telomerase. Tankyrase 1 (TNKS1) is a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase that regulates the activity of TRF1 through poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation). PARylation of TRF1 by TNKS1 leads to the release of TRF1 from telomeres and allows telomerase to access telomeres. The interaction between TRF1 and TNKS1 is thus important for telomere stability and the mitotic cell cycle. Here, the crystal structure of a complex between the N-terminal acidic domain of TRF1 (residues 1–55) and a fragment of TNKS1 covering the second and third ankyrin-repeat clusters (ARC2-3) is presented at 2.2 Å resolution. The TNKS1–TRF1 complex crystals were optimized using an `oriented rescreening' strategy, in which the initial crystallization condition was used as a guide for a second round of large-scale sparse-matrix screening. This crystallographic and biochemical analysis provides a better understanding of the TRF1–TNKS1 interaction and the three-dimensional structure of the ankyrin-repeat domain of TNKS.


2008 ◽  
Vol 190 (6) ◽  
pp. 2056-2064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan E. Ulmer ◽  
Yap Boum ◽  
Christopher D. Thouvenel ◽  
Hannu Myllykallio ◽  
Carol Hopkins Sibley

ABSTRACT A novel FAD-dependent thymidylate synthase, ThyX, is present in a variety of eubacteria and archaea, including the mycobacteria. A short motif found in all thyX genes, RHRX7-8S, has been identified. The three-dimensional structure of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis ThyX enzyme has been solved. Building upon this information, we used directed mutagenesis to produce 67 mutants of the M. tuberculosis thyX gene. Each enzyme was assayed to determine its ability to complement the defect in thymidine biosynthesis in a ΔthyA strain of Escherichia coli. Enzymes from selected strains were then tested in vitro for their ability to catalyze the oxidation of NADPH and the release of a proton from position 5 of the pyrimidine ring of dUMP. The results defined an extended motif of amino acids essential to enzyme activity in M. tuberculosis (Y44X24 H69X25R95HRX7 S105XRYX90R199 [with the underlined histidine acting as the catalytic residue and the underlined serine as the nucleophile]) and provided insight into the ThyX reaction mechanism. ThyX is found in a variety of bacterial pathogens but is absent in humans, which depend upon an unrelated thymidylate synthase, ThyA. Therefore, ThyX is a potential target for development of antibacterial drugs.


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