1
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Schwartz R, Zev S, Major DT. Differential Substrate Sensing in Terpene Synthases from Plants and Microorganisms: Insight from Structural, Bioinformatic, and EnzyDock Analyses. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202400743. [PMID: 38556463 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Terpene synthases (TPSs) catalyze the first step in the formation of terpenoids, which comprise the largest class of natural products in nature. TPSs employ a family of universal natural substrates, composed of isoprenoid units bound to a diphosphate moiety. The intricate structures generated by TPSs are the result of substrate binding and folding in the active site, enzyme-controlled carbocation reaction cascades, and final reaction quenching. A key unaddressed question in class I TPSs is the asymmetric nature of the diphosphate-(Mg2+)3 cluster, which forms a critical part of the active site. In this asymmetric ion cluster, two diphosphate oxygen atoms protrude into the active site pocket. The substrate hydrocarbon tail, which is eventually molded into terpenes, can bind to either of these oxygen atoms, yet to which is unknown. Herein, we employ structural, bioinformatics, and EnzyDock docking tools to address this enigma. We bring initial data suggesting that this difference is rooted in evolutionary differences between TPSs. We hypothesize that this alteration in binding, and subsequent chemistry, is due to TPSs originating from plants or microorganisms. We further suggest that this difference can cast light on the frequent observation that the chiral products or intermediates of plant and bacterial terpene synthases represent opposite enantiomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renana Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Dan T Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 52900, Israel
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2
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Nam K, Shao Y, Major DT, Wolf-Watz M. Perspectives on Computational Enzyme Modeling: From Mechanisms to Design and Drug Development. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:7393-7412. [PMID: 38405524 PMCID: PMC10883025 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Understanding enzyme mechanisms is essential for unraveling the complex molecular machinery of life. In this review, we survey the field of computational enzymology, highlighting key principles governing enzyme mechanisms and discussing ongoing challenges and promising advances. Over the years, computer simulations have become indispensable in the study of enzyme mechanisms, with the integration of experimental and computational exploration now established as a holistic approach to gain deep insights into enzymatic catalysis. Numerous studies have demonstrated the power of computer simulations in characterizing reaction pathways, transition states, substrate selectivity, product distribution, and dynamic conformational changes for various enzymes. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain in investigating the mechanisms of complex multistep reactions, large-scale conformational changes, and allosteric regulation. Beyond mechanistic studies, computational enzyme modeling has emerged as an essential tool for computer-aided enzyme design and the rational discovery of covalent drugs for targeted therapies. Overall, enzyme design/engineering and covalent drug development can greatly benefit from our understanding of the detailed mechanisms of enzymes, such as protein dynamics, entropy contributions, and allostery, as revealed by computational studies. Such a convergence of different research approaches is expected to continue, creating synergies in enzyme research. This review, by outlining the ever-expanding field of enzyme research, aims to provide guidance for future research directions and facilitate new developments in this important and evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwangho Nam
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
| | - Yihan Shao
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019-5251, United States
| | - Dan T. Major
- Department
of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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3
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Das S, Merz KM. Molecular Gas-Phase Conformational Ensembles. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:749-760. [PMID: 38206321 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Accurately determining the global minima of a molecular structure is important in diverse scientific fields, including drug design, materials science, and chemical synthesis. Conformational search engines serve as valuable tools for exploring the extensive conformational space of molecules and for identifying energetically favorable conformations. In this study, we present a comparison of Auto3D, CREST, Balloon, and ETKDG (from RDKit), which are freely available conformational search engines, to evaluate their effectiveness in locating global minima. These engines employ distinct methodologies, including machine learning (ML) potential-based, semiempirical, and force field-based approaches. To validate these methods, we propose the use of collisional cross-section (CCS) values obtained from ion mobility-mass spectrometry studies. We hypothesize that experimental gas-phase CCS values can provide experimental evidence that we likely have the global minimum for a given molecule. To facilitate this effort, we used our gas-phase conformation library (GPCL) which currently consists of the full ensembles of 20 small molecules and can be used by the community to validate any conformational search engine. Further members of the GPCL can be readily created for any molecule of interest using our standard workflow used to compute CCS values, expanding the ability of the GPCL in validation exercises. These innovative validation techniques enhance our understanding of the conformational landscape and provide valuable insights into the performance of conformational generation engines. Our findings shed light on the strengths and limitations of each search engine, enabling informed decisions for their utilization in various scientific fields, where accurate molecular structure determination is crucial for understanding biological activity and designing targeted interventions. By facilitating the identification of reliable conformations, this study significantly contributes to enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of molecular structure determination, with particular focus on metabolite structure elucidation. The findings of this research also provide valuable insights for developing effective workflows for predicting the structures of unknown compounds with high precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanta Das
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, 578 S. Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Kenneth M Merz
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, 578 S. Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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4
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Sulimov AV, Ilin IS, Tashchilova AS, Kondakova OA, Kutov DC, Sulimov VB. Docking and other computing tools in drug design against SARS-CoV-2. SAR AND QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 35:91-136. [PMID: 38353209 DOI: 10.1080/1062936x.2024.2306336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The use of computer simulation methods has become an indispensable component in identifying drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. There is a huge body of literature on application of molecular modelling to predict inhibitors against target proteins of SARS-CoV-2. To keep our review clear and readable, we limited ourselves primarily to works that use computational methods to find inhibitors and test the predicted compounds experimentally either in target protein assays or in cell culture with live SARS-CoV-2. Some works containing results of experimental discovery of corresponding inhibitors without using computer modelling are included as examples of a success. Also, some computational works without experimental confirmations are also included if they attract our attention either by simulation methods or by databases used. This review collects studies that use various molecular modelling methods: docking, molecular dynamics, quantum mechanics, machine learning, and others. Most of these studies are based on docking, and other methods are used mainly for post-processing to select the best compounds among those found through docking. Simulation methods are presented concisely, information is also provided on databases of organic compounds that can be useful for virtual screening, and the review itself is structured in accordance with coronavirus target proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Sulimov
- Dimonta Ltd., Moscow, Russia
- Research Computing Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - I S Ilin
- Research Computing Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - A S Tashchilova
- Dimonta Ltd., Moscow, Russia
- Research Computing Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - O A Kondakova
- Research Computing Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - D C Kutov
- Dimonta Ltd., Moscow, Russia
- Research Computing Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - V B Sulimov
- Dimonta Ltd., Moscow, Russia
- Research Computing Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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5
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Olla S, Siguri C, Fais A, Era B, Fantini MC, Di Petrillo A. Inhibitory Effect of Quercetin on Oxidative Endogen Enzymes: A Focus on Putative Binding Modes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15391. [PMID: 37895071 PMCID: PMC10607112 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is defined as an imbalance between the production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ability of the body to neutralize them by anti-oxidant defense systems. Cells can produce ROS during physiological processes, but excessive ROS can lead to non-specific and irreversible damage to biological molecules, such as DNA, lipids, and proteins. Mitochondria mainly produce endogenous ROS during both physiological and pathological conditions. Enzymes like nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX), xanthine oxidase (XO), lipoxygenase (LOX), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and monoamine oxidase (MAO) contribute to this process. The body has enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense systems to neutralize ROS. The intake of bioactive phenols, like quercetin (Que), can protect against pro-oxidative damage by quenching ROS through a non-enzymatic system. In this study, we evaluate the ability of Que to target endogenous oxidant enzymes involved in ROS production and explore the mechanisms of action underlying its anti-oxidant properties. Que can act as a free radical scavenger by donating electrons through the negative charges in its phenolic and ketone groups. Additionally, it can effectively inhibit the activity of several endogenous oxidative enzymes by binding them with high affinity and specificity. Que had the best molecular docking results with XO, followed by MAO-A, 5-LOX, NOX, and MPO. Que's binding to these enzymes was confirmed by subsequent molecular dynamics, revealing different stability phases depending on the enzyme bound. The 500 ns simulation showed a net evolution of binding for NOX and MPO. These findings suggest that Que has potential as a natural therapy for diseases related to oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Olla
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy;
| | - Chiara Siguri
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy;
| | - Antonella Fais
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (A.F.); (B.E.)
| | - Benedetta Era
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (A.F.); (B.E.)
| | - Massimo Claudio Fantini
- Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy;
| | - Amalia Di Petrillo
- Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy;
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6
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Whitehead J, Leferink NGH, Johannissen LO, Hay S, Scrutton NS. Decoding Catalysis by Terpene Synthases. ACS Catal 2023; 13:12774-12802. [PMID: 37822860 PMCID: PMC10563020 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c03047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The review by Christianson, published in 2017 on the twentieth anniversary of the emergence of the field, summarizes the foundational discoveries and key advances in terpene synthase/cyclase (TS) biocatalysis (Christianson, D. W. Chem Rev2017, 117 (17), 11570-11648. DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00287). Here, we review the TS literature published since then, bringing the field up to date and looking forward to what could be the near future of TS rational design. Many revealing discoveries have been made in recent years, building on the knowledge and fundamental principles uncovered during those initial two decades of study. We use these to explore TS reaction chemistry and see how a combined experimental and computational approach helps to decipher the complexities of TS catalysis. Revealed are a suite of catalytic motifs which control product outcome in TSs, some obvious, some more subtle. We examine each in detail, using the most recent papers and insights to illustrate how exactly this fascinating class of enzymes takes a single acyclic substrate and turns it into the many thousands of complex terpenoids found in Nature. We then explore some of the recent strategies for TS engineering, including machine learning and other data-driven approaches. From this, rational and predictive engineering of TSs, "designer terpene synthases", will begin to emerge as a realistic goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua
N. Whitehead
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole G. H. Leferink
- Future
Biomanufacturing Research Hub (FBRH), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology,
Department of Chemistry, The University
of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United
Kingdom
| | - Linus O. Johannissen
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Hay
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel S. Scrutton
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
- Future
Biomanufacturing Research Hub (FBRH), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology,
Department of Chemistry, The University
of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United
Kingdom
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7
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Nakano M, Gemma R, Sato H. Unraveling the role of prenyl side-chain interactions in stabilizing the secondary carbocation in the biosynthesis of variexenol B. Beilstein J Org Chem 2023; 19:1503-1510. [PMID: 37799177 PMCID: PMC10548252 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.19.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Terpene cyclization reactions involve a number of carbocation intermediates. In some cases, these carbocations are stabilized by through-space interactions with π orbitals. Several terpene/terpenoids, such as sativene, santalene, bergamotene, ophiobolin and mangicol, possess prenyl side chains that do not participate in the cyclization reaction. The role of these prenyl side chains has been partially investigated, but remains elusive in the cyclization cascade. In this study, we focus on variexenol B that is synthesized from iso-GGPP, as recently reported by Dickschat and co-workers, and investigate the possibility of through-space interactions with prenyl side chains using DFT calculations. Our calculations show that (i) the unstable secondary carbocation is stabilized by the cation-π interaction from prenyl side chains, thereby lowering the activation energy, (ii) the four-membered ring formation is completed through bridging from the exomethylene group, and (iii) the annulation from the exomethylene group proceeds in a barrier-free manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moe Nakano
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Rintaro Gemma
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Hajime Sato
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332–0012, Japan
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8
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Zhang F, Zeng T, Wu R. QM/MM Modeling Aided Enzyme Engineering in Natural Products Biosynthesis. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:5018-5034. [PMID: 37556841 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Natural products and their derivatives are widely used across various industries, particularly pharmaceuticals. Modern engineered biosynthesis provides an alternative way of producing and meeting the growing need for diverse natural products. Natural enzymes, on the other hand, often exhibit unsatisfactory catalytic characteristics and necessitate further enzyme engineering modifications. QM/MM, as a powerful and extensively used computational tool in the field of enzyme catalysis, has been increasingly applied in rational enzyme engineering over the past decade. In this review, we summarize recent advances in QM/MM computational investigation on enzyme catalysis and enzyme engineering for natural product biosynthesis. The challenges and perspectives for future QM/MM applications aided enzyme engineering in natural product biosynthesis will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Tao Zeng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Ruibo Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
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9
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Matsuyama T, Togashi K, Nakano M, Sato H, Uchiyama M. Revision of the Peniroquesine Biosynthetic Pathway by Retro-Biosynthetic Theoretical Analysis: Ring Strain Controls the Unique Carbocation Rearrangement Cascade. JACS AU 2023; 3:1596-1603. [PMID: 37388688 PMCID: PMC10301677 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Peniroquesine, a sesterterpenoid featuring a unique 5/6/5/6/5 fused pentacyclic ring system, has been known for a long time, but its biosynthetic pathway/mechanism remains elusive. Based on isotopic labeling experiments, a plausible biosynthetic pathway to peniroquesines A-C and their derivatives was recently proposed, in which the characteristic peniroquesine-type 5/6/5/6/5 pentacyclic skeleton is synthesized from geranyl-farnesyl pyrophosphate (GFPP) via a complex concerted A/B/C-ring formation, repeated reverse-Wagner-Meerwein alkyl shifts, three successive secondary (2°) carbocation intermediates, and a highly distorted trans-fused bicyclo[4.2.1]nonane intermediate. However, our density functional theory calculations do not support this mechanism. By applying a retro-biosynthetic theoretical analysis strategy, we were able to find a preferred pathway for peniroquesine biosynthesis, involving a multistep carbocation cascade including triple skeletal rearrangements, trans-cis isomerization, and 1,3-H shift. This pathway/mechanism is in good agreement with all of the reported isotope-labeling results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taro Matsuyama
- Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University
of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Ko Togashi
- Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University
of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Moe Nakano
- Interdisciplinary
Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Hajime Sato
- Interdisciplinary
Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Masanobu Uchiyama
- Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University
of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Research
Initiative for Supra-Materials (RISM), Shinshu
University, 3-15-1 Tokida, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
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10
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Grasso D, Galderisi S, Santucci A, Bernini A. Pharmacological Chaperones and Protein Conformational Diseases: Approaches of Computational Structural Biology. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065819. [PMID: 36982893 PMCID: PMC10054308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Whenever a protein fails to fold into its native structure, a profound detrimental effect is likely to occur, and a disease is often developed. Protein conformational disorders arise when proteins adopt abnormal conformations due to a pathological gene variant that turns into gain/loss of function or improper localization/degradation. Pharmacological chaperones are small molecules restoring the correct folding of a protein suitable for treating conformational diseases. Small molecules like these bind poorly folded proteins similarly to physiological chaperones, bridging non-covalent interactions (hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions, and van der Waals contacts) loosened or lost due to mutations. Pharmacological chaperone development involves, among other things, structural biology investigation of the target protein and its misfolding and refolding. Such research can take advantage of computational methods at many stages. Here, we present an up-to-date review of the computational structural biology tools and approaches regarding protein stability evaluation, binding pocket discovery and druggability, drug repurposing, and virtual ligand screening. The tools are presented as organized in an ideal workflow oriented at pharmacological chaperones' rational design, also with the treatment of rare diseases in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Grasso
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Silvia Galderisi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Annalisa Santucci
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Bernini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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11
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Major DT, Gupta PK, Gao J. Origin of Catalysis by Nitroalkane Oxidase. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:151-162. [PMID: 36580021 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c07357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The rate of proton abstraction of the carbon acid nitroethane by Asp402 is accelerated by a factor of 108 in the enzyme nitroalkane oxidase (NAO) relative to that by the organic base acetate ion in water. The Cα proton of nitroalkanes is known to exhibit an abnormal correlation between its acidity strength and the rate of deprotonation, with an unusually slow rate of deprotonation in water. This work examines the origin of NAO catalysis, revealing that the rate enhancement by the enzyme is due to transition-state stabilization, restoring the normal behavior of the linear free energy relationship of Bronsted acids. Interestingly, NAO employs the ubiquitous cofactor flavin adenosine diphosphate (FAD) to perform the subsequent oxidation. Does the FAD cofactor also affect the catalytic rate of the initial proton transfer process of the overall nitroalkane oxidation? Classical molecular dynamics and path-integral simulations using a reaction-specific combined quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach were carried out to obtain the free energy reaction profiles, or the potentials of mean force, for the enzymatic reaction and for a model reaction in aqueous solution, as well as for the 2'-deoxy-FAD co-factor-modified NAO. Free energy perturbation calculations suggest that transition-state stabilization of the reactive fragment is the primary cause of the catalytic effect. It is found that the FAD cofactor plays a crucial role in increasing the Cα proton acidity, via specific hydrogen bonding and π-stacking interactions, although these factors have a smaller effect on the enhancement of the rate of deprotonation. Model QM calculations of the π-stacking complexes between the FAD isoalloxazine ring and the neutral and anionic nitroethane, respectively, reveal that the anionic π-stacking complex is more stable than the neutral one by 15.7 kcal/mol, and a net π-stacking energy of 17.3 kcal/mol is obtained. Hence, the isoalloxazine ring, in addition to serving as a very potent oxidizing agent via the formation of covalent intermediate structures, is able to exert a considerable amount of catalytic effect through noncovalent π-stacking interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Thomas Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan52900, Israel
| | - Prashant Kumar Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan52900, Israel
| | - Jiali Gao
- Department of Chemistry and Supercomputing Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota55455, United States.,Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Institute of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen, Guangdong581055, China
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12
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Zev S, Ringel M, Driller R, Loll B, Brück T, Major DT. Understanding the competing pathways leading to hydropyrene and isoelisabethatriene. Beilstein J Org Chem 2022; 18:972-978. [PMID: 35965858 PMCID: PMC9359192 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.18.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Terpene synthases are responsible for the biosynthesis of terpenes, the largest family of natural products. Hydropyrene synthase generates hydropyrene and hydropyrenol as its main products along with two byproducts, isoelisabethatrienes A and B. Fascinatingly, a single active site mutation (M75L) diverts the product distribution towards isoelisabethatrienes A and B. In the current work, we study the competing pathways leading to these products using quantum chemical calculations in the gas phase. We show that there is a great thermodynamic preference for hydropyrene and hydropyrenol formation, and hence most likely in the synthesis of the isoelisabethatriene products kinetic control is at play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Marion Ringel
- Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Ronja Driller
- Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Structural Biochemistry Laboratory, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany,
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience – DANDRITE, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Bernhard Loll
- Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Structural Biochemistry Laboratory, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany,
| | - Thomas Brück
- Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Dan T Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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13
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Tian Y, Zhang D, Cai P, Lin H, Ying H, Hu QN, Wu A. Elimination of Fusarium mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) via microbial and enzymatic strategies: Current status and future perspectives. Trends Food Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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14
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Leferink NGH, Scrutton NS. Predictive Engineering of Class I Terpene Synthases Using Experimental and Computational Approaches. Chembiochem 2021; 23:e202100484. [PMID: 34669250 PMCID: PMC9298401 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Terpenoids are a highly diverse group of natural products with considerable industrial interest. Increasingly, engineered microbes are used for the production of terpenoids to replace natural extracts and chemical synthesis. Terpene synthases (TSs) show a high level of functional plasticity and are responsible for the vast structural diversity observed in natural terpenoids. Their relatively inert active sites guide intrinsically reactive linear carbocation intermediates along one of many cyclisation paths via exertion of subtle steric and electrostatic control. Due to the absence of a strong protein interaction with these intermediates, there is a remarkable lack of sequence‐function relationship within the TS family, making product‐outcome predictions from sequences alone challenging. This, in combination with the fact that many TSs produce multiple products from a single substrate hampers the design and use of TSs in the biomanufacturing of terpenoids. This review highlights recent advances in genome mining, computational modelling, high‐throughput screening, and machine‐learning that will allow more predictive engineering of these fascinating enzymes in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole G H Leferink
- Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Nigel S Scrutton
- Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
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15
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Huang ZY, Ye RY, Yu HL, Li AT, Xu JH. Mining methods and typical structural mechanisms of terpene cyclases. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2021; 8:66. [PMID: 38650244 PMCID: PMC10992375 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-021-00421-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Terpenoids, formed by cyclization and/or permutation of isoprenes, are the most diverse and abundant class of natural products with a broad range of significant functions. One family of the critical enzymes involved in terpenoid biosynthesis is terpene cyclases (TCs), also known as terpene synthases (TSs), which are responsible for forming the ring structure as a backbone of functionally diverse terpenoids. With the recent advances in biotechnology, the researches on terpene cyclases have gradually shifted from the genomic mining of novel enzyme resources to the analysis of their structures and mechanisms. In this review, we summarize both the new methods for genomic mining and the structural mechanisms of some typical terpene cyclases, which are helpful for the discovery, engineering and application of more and new TCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Yu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Centre for Biomanufacturing, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Ru-Yi Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Centre for Biomanufacturing, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Hui-Lei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Centre for Biomanufacturing, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Ai-Tao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Jian-He Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Centre for Biomanufacturing, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
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16
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Zev S, Raz K, Schwartz R, Tarabeh R, Gupta PK, Major DT. Benchmarking the Ability of Common Docking Programs to Correctly Reproduce and Score Binding Modes in SARS-CoV-2 Protease Mpro. J Chem Inf Model 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00263 order by 1-- #] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Keren Raz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Renana Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Reem Tarabeh
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Prashant Kumar Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Dan T. Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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17
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Zev S, Raz K, Schwartz R, Tarabeh R, Gupta PK, Major DT. Benchmarking the Ability of Common Docking Programs to Correctly Reproduce and Score Binding Modes in SARS-CoV-2 Protease Mpro. J Chem Inf Model 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00263 order by 8029-- awyx] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Keren Raz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Renana Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Reem Tarabeh
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Prashant Kumar Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Dan T. Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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18
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Zev S, Raz K, Schwartz R, Tarabeh R, Gupta PK, Major DT. Benchmarking the Ability of Common Docking Programs to Correctly Reproduce and Score Binding Modes in SARS-CoV-2 Protease Mpro. J Chem Inf Model 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00263 order by 1-- -] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Keren Raz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Renana Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Reem Tarabeh
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Prashant Kumar Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Dan T. Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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19
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Zev S, Raz K, Schwartz R, Tarabeh R, Gupta PK, Major DT. Benchmarking the Ability of Common Docking Programs to Correctly Reproduce and Score Binding Modes in SARS-CoV-2 Protease Mpro. J Chem Inf Model 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00263 order by 8029-- -] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Keren Raz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Renana Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Reem Tarabeh
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Prashant Kumar Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Dan T. Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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20
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Zev S, Raz K, Schwartz R, Tarabeh R, Gupta PK, Major DT. Benchmarking the Ability of Common Docking Programs to Correctly Reproduce and Score Binding Modes in SARS-CoV-2 Protease Mpro. J Chem Inf Model 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00263 order by 8029-- #] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Keren Raz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Renana Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Reem Tarabeh
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Prashant Kumar Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Dan T. Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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21
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Zev S, Raz K, Schwartz R, Tarabeh R, Gupta PK, Major DT. Benchmarking the Ability of Common Docking Programs to Correctly Reproduce and Score Binding Modes in SARS-CoV-2 Protease Mpro. J Chem Inf Model 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00263 and 1880=1880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Keren Raz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Renana Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Reem Tarabeh
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Prashant Kumar Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Dan T. Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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22
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Zev S, Raz K, Schwartz R, Tarabeh R, Gupta PK, Major DT. Benchmarking the Ability of Common Docking Programs to Correctly Reproduce and Score Binding Modes in SARS-CoV-2 Protease Mpro. J Chem Inf Model 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00263 order by 1-- gadu] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Keren Raz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Renana Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Reem Tarabeh
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Prashant Kumar Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Dan T. Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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23
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Zev S, Raz K, Schwartz R, Tarabeh R, Gupta PK, Major DT. Benchmarking the Ability of Common Docking Programs to Correctly Reproduce and Score Binding Modes in SARS-CoV-2 Protease Mpro. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:2957-2966. [PMID: 34047191 PMCID: PMC8189035 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 main protease, Mpro, is conserved among coronaviruses with no human homolog and has therefore attracted significant attention as an enzyme drug target for COVID-19. The number of studies targeting Mpro for in silico screening has grown rapidly, and it would be of great interest to know in advance how well docking methods can reproduce the correct ligand binding modes and rank these correctly. Clearly, current attempts at designing drugs targeting Mpro with the aid of computational docking would benefit from a priori knowledge of the ability of docking programs to predict correct binding modes and score these correctly. In the current work, we tested the ability of several leading docking programs, namely, Glide, DOCK, AutoDock, AutoDock Vina, FRED, and EnzyDock, to correctly identify and score the binding mode of Mpro ligands in 193 crystal structures. None of the codes were able to correctly identify the crystal structure binding mode (lowest energy pose with root-mean-square deviation < 2 Å) in more than 26% of the cases for noncovalently bound ligands (Glide: top performer), whereas for covalently bound ligands the top score was 45% (EnzyDock). These results suggest that one should perform in silico campaigns of Mpro with care and that more comprehensive strategies including ligand free energy perturbation might be necessary in conjunction with virtual screening and docking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology
& Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900,
Israel
| | - Keren Raz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology
& Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900,
Israel
| | - Renana Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology
& Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900,
Israel
| | - Reem Tarabeh
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology
& Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900,
Israel
| | - Prashant Kumar Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology
& Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900,
Israel
| | - Dan T. Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology
& Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900,
Israel
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24
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Computational Study on Temperature Driven Structure-Function Relationship of Polysaccharide Producing Bacterial Glycosyl Transferase Enzyme. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13111771. [PMID: 34071348 PMCID: PMC8198650 DOI: 10.3390/polym13111771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosyltransferase (GTs) is a wide class of enzymes that transfer sugar moiety, playing a key role in the synthesis of bacterial exopolysaccharide (EPS) biopolymer. In recent years, increased demand for bacterial EPSs has been observed in pharmaceutical, food, and other industries. The application of the EPSs largely depends upon their thermal stability, as any industrial application is mainly reliant on slow thermal degradation. Keeping this in context, EPS producing GT enzymes from three different bacterial sources based on growth temperature (mesophile, thermophile, and hyperthermophile) are considered for in silico analysis of the structural–functional relationship. From the present study, it was observed that the structural integrity of GT increases significantly from mesophile to thermophile to hyperthermophile. In contrast, the structural plasticity runs in an opposite direction towards mesophile. This interesting temperature-dependent structural property has directed the GT–UDP-glucose interactions in a way that thermophile has finally demonstrated better binding affinity (−5.57 to −10.70) with an increased number of hydrogen bonds (355) and stabilizing amino acids (Phe, Ala, Glu, Tyr, and Ser). The results from this study may direct utilization of thermophile-origin GT as best for industrial-level bacterial polysaccharide production.
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25
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Raz K, Driller R, Dimos N, Ringel M, Brück T, Loll B, Major DT. The Impression of a Nonexisting Catalytic Effect: The Role of CotB2 in Guiding the Complex Biosynthesis of Cyclooctat-9-en-7-ol. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:21562-21574. [PMID: 33289561 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c11348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Terpene synthases generate terpenes employing diversified carbocation chemistry, including highly specific ring formations, proton and hydride transfers, and methyl as well as methylene migrations, followed by reaction quenching. In this enzyme family, the main catalytic challenge is not rate enhancement, but rather structural and reactive control of intrinsically unstable carbocations in order to guide the resulting product distribution. Here we employ multiscale modeling within classical and quantum dynamics frameworks to investigate the reaction mechanism in the diterpene synthase CotB2, commencing with the substrate geranyl geranyl diphosphate and terminating with the carbocation precursor to the final product cyclooctat-9-en-7-ol. The 11-step in-enzyme carbocation cascade is compared with the same reaction in the absence of the enzyme. Remarkably, the free energy profiles in gas phase and in CotB2 are surprisingly similar. This similarity contrasts the multitude of strong π-cation, dipole-cation, and ion-pair interactions between all intermediates in the reaction cascade and the enzyme, suggesting a remarkable balance of interactions in CotB2. We ascribe this balance to the similar magnitude of the interactions between the carbocations along the reaction coordinate and the enzyme environment. The effect of CotB2 mutations is studied using multiscale mechanistic docking, machine learning, and X-ray crystallography, pointing the way for future terpene synthase design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keren Raz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Ronja Driller
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Strukturbiochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicole Dimos
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Strukturbiochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marion Ringel
- Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Thomas Brück
- Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Bernhard Loll
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Strukturbiochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dan Thomas Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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26
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Bianco G, Goodsell DS, Forli S. Selective and Effective: Current Progress in Computational Structure-Based Drug Discovery of Targeted Covalent Inhibitors. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2020; 41:1038-1049. [PMID: 33153778 PMCID: PMC7669701 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Targeted covalent inhibitors are currently showing great promise for systems that are normally difficult to target with small molecule therapies. This renewed interest has spurred the refinement of existing computational methods as well as the designof new ones, expanding the toolbox for discovery and optimization of selectiveand effective covalent inhibitors. Commonly applied approaches are covalentdocking methods that predict the conformation of the covalent complex with known residues. More recently, a new predictive method, reactive docking, was developed, building on the growing corpus of data generated by large proteomics experiments. This method was successfully used in several 'inverse drug discovery' programs that use high-throughput techniques to isolate effective compounds based on screening of entire compound libraries based on desired phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Bianco
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - David S Goodsell
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Research Collaboratory for Structure Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Stefano Forli
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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27
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Zhang Y, Prach LM, O'Brien TE, DiMaio F, Prigozhin DM, Corn JE, Alber T, Siegel JB, Tantillo DJ. Crystal Structure and Mechanistic Molecular Modeling Studies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Diterpene Cyclase Rv3377c. Biochemistry 2020; 59:4507-4515. [PMID: 33182997 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Terpenes make up the largest class of natural products, with extensive chemical and structural diversity. Diterpenes, mostly isolated from plants and rarely prokaryotes, exhibit a variety of important biological activities and valuable applications, including providing antitumor and antibiotic pharmaceuticals. These natural products are constructed by terpene synthases, a class of enzymes that catalyze one of the most complex chemical reactions in biology: converting simple acyclic oligo-isoprenyl diphosphate substrates to complex polycyclic products via carbocation intermediates. Here we obtained the second ever crystal structure of a class II diterpene synthase from bacteria, tuberculosinol pyrophosphate synthase (i.e., Halimadienyl diphosphate synthase, MtHPS, or Rv3377c) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). This enzyme transforms (E,E,E)-geranylgeranyl diphosphate into tuberculosinol pyrophosphate (Halimadienyl diphosphate). Rv3377c is part of the Mtb diterpene pathway along with Rv3378c, which converts tuberculosinol pyrophosphate to 1-tuberculosinyl adenosine (1-TbAd). This pathway was shown to exist only in virulent Mycobacterium species, but not in closely related avirulent species, and was proposed to be involved in phagolysosome maturation arrest. To gain further insight into the reaction pathway and the mechanistically relevant enzyme substrate binding orientation, electronic structure calculation and docking studies of reaction intermediates were carried out. Results reveal a plausible binding mode of the substrate that can provide the information to guide future drug design and anti-infective therapies of this biosynthetic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Lisa M Prach
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Terrence E O'Brien
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Frank DiMaio
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Daniil M Prigozhin
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jacob E Corn
- Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tom Alber
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology and QB3 Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Justin B Siegel
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States.,Genome Center, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Dean J Tantillo
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
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28
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Raz K, Levi S, Gupta PK, Major DT. Enzymatic control of product distribution in terpene synthases: insights from multiscale simulations. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 65:248-258. [PMID: 32679412 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In this opinion, we review some recent work on terpene biosynthesis using multiscale simulation approaches, with special focus on contributions from our group. Terpene synthases generate terpenes employing rich carbocation chemistry, including highly specific ring formations, proton, hydride, methyl, and methylene migrations, followed by reaction quenching. In these enzymes, the main catalytic challenge is not rate enhancement, but rather control of intrinsically reactive carbocations and the resulting product distribution. Herein, we review multiscale simulations of selected mono-, sesqui-, and diterpene synthases. We point to the many tools adopted by terpene synthases to achieve correct substrate fold, carbocation formation, carbocation reaction environment, and reaction quenching. A better understanding of the toolbox employed by terpene synthases is expected to aid in the search for new enzymatic and biomimetic synthetic routes to natural and unnatural terpenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keren Raz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Shani Levi
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Prashant Kumar Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Dan Thomas Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel.
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29
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Tantillo DJ. Interrogating chemical mechanisms in natural products biosynthesis using quantum chemical calculations. WIRES COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dean J. Tantillo
- Department of Chemistry University of California–Davis Davis California
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Driller R, Garbe D, Mehlmer N, Fuchs M, Raz K, Major DT, Brück T, Loll B. Current understanding and biotechnological application of the bacterial diterpene synthase CotB2. Beilstein J Org Chem 2019; 15:2355-2368. [PMID: 31666870 PMCID: PMC6808215 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.15.228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
CotB2 catalyzes the first committed step in cyclooctatin biosynthesis of the soil bacterium Streptomyces melanosporofaciens. To date, CotB2 represents the best studied bacterial diterpene synthase. Its reaction mechanism has been addressed by isoptope labeling, targeted mutagenesis and theoretical computations in the gas phase, as well as full enzyme molecular dynamic simulations. By X-ray crystallography different snapshots of CotB2 from the open, inactive, to the closed, active conformation have been obtained in great detail, allowing us to draw detailed conclusions regarding the catalytic mechanism at the molecular level. Moreover, numerous alternative geranylgeranyl diphosphate cyclization products obtained by CotB2 mutagenesis have exciting applications for the sustainable production of high value bioactive substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronja Driller
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laboratory of Structural Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany.,present address: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.,present address: Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel Garbe
- Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Dept. of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Norbert Mehlmer
- Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Dept. of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Monika Fuchs
- Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Dept. of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Keren Raz
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Dan Thomas Major
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Thomas Brück
- Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Dept. of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Bernhard Loll
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laboratory of Structural Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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