1
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Penteado RF, Iulek J. Crystal structure of Methionyl-tRNA Synthetase from Rickettsia typhi in complex with its cognate amino acid. Biochimie 2024; 219:63-73. [PMID: 37673171 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Rickettsia typhi is the causative agent of murine typhus (endemic typhus), a febrile illness that can be self-contained, though in some cases it can progress to death. The three dimensional structure of Methionyl-tRNA Synthetase from R. typhi (RtMetRS) in complex with its substrate l-methionine was solved by molecular replacement and refined at 2.30 Å resolution in space group P1 from one X-ray diffraction dataset. Processing and refinement trials were decisive to establish the lower symmetry space group and indicated the presence of twinning with four domains. RtMetRS belongs to the MetRS1 family and was crystallized with the CP domain in an open conformation, what is distinctive from other MetRS1 enzymes whose structures were solved with a bound L-methionine (therefore, in a closed conformation). This conformation resembles the ones observed in the MetRS2 family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Ferras Penteado
- Department of Chemistry, State University of Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa, PR, 84030-900, Brazil
| | - Jorge Iulek
- Department of Chemistry, State University of Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa, PR, 84030-900, Brazil.
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2
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Volynets GP, Gudzera OI, Usenko MO, Gorbatiuk OB, Yarmoluk SM, Tukalo MA. Probing interactions of aminoacyl-adenylate with Mycobacterium tuberculosis methionyl-tRNA synthetase through in silico site-directed mutagenesis and free energy calculation. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022:1-9. [PMID: 35930324 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2107574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS) is an attractive molecular target for antibiotic discovery. Recently, we have developed several classes of small-molecular inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis MetRS possessing antibacterial activity. In this article, we performed in silico site-directed mutagenesis of aminoacyl-adenylate binding site of M. tuberculosis MetRS in order to identify crucial amino acid residues for substrate interaction. The umbrella sampling algorithm was used to calculate the binding free energy (ΔG) of these mutated forms with methionyl-adenylate analogue. According to the obtained results, the replacement of Glu24 and Leu293 by alanine leads to the most significant decrease in the binding free energy (ΔG) for adenylate analogue with methionyl-tRNA synthetase indicating increasing of the affinity, which in turn causes the loss of compounds inhibitory activity. Therefore, these amino acid residues can be proposed for further experimental site-directed mutagenesis to confirm binding mode of inhibitors and should be taken into account during chemical optimization to overcome resistance due to mutations.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galyna P Volynets
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, the NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Olga I Gudzera
- Department of Protein Synthesis Enzymology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, the NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Mariia O Usenko
- Department of Cell Regulatory Mechanisms, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, the NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Oksana B Gorbatiuk
- Department of Cell Regulatory Mechanisms, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, the NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Sergiy M Yarmoluk
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, the NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Michael A Tukalo
- Department of Protein Synthesis Enzymology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, the NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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3
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Yi J, Cai Z, Qiu H, Lu F, Luo Z, Chen B, Gu Q, Xu J, Zhou H. Fragment screening and structural analyses highlight the ATP-assisted ligand binding for inhibitor discovery against type 1 methionyl-tRNA synthetase. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:4755-4768. [PMID: 35474479 PMCID: PMC9071491 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS) charges tRNAMet with l-methionine (L-Met) to decode the ATG codon for protein translation, making it indispensable for all cellular lives. Many gram-positive bacteria use a type 1 MetRS (MetRS1), which is considered a promising antimicrobial drug target due to its low sequence identity with human cytosolic MetRS (HcMetRS, which belongs to MetRS2). Here, we report crystal structures of a representative MetRS1 from Staphylococcus aureus (SaMetRS) in its apo and substrate-binding forms. The connecting peptide (CP) domain of SaMetRS differs from HcMetRS in structural organization and dynamic movement. We screened 1049 chemical fragments against SaMetRS preincubated with or without substrate ATP, and ten hits were identified. Four cocrystal structures revealed that the fragments bound to either the L-Met binding site or an auxiliary pocket near the tRNA CCA end binding site of SaMetRS. Interestingly, fragment binding was enhanced by ATP in most cases, suggesting a potential ATP-assisted ligand binding mechanism in MetRS1. Moreover, co-binding with ATP was also observed in our cocrystal structure of SaMetRS with a class of newly reported inhibitors that simultaneously occupied the auxiliary pocket, tRNA site and L-Met site. Our findings will inspire the development of new MetRS1 inhibitors for fighting microbial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Haipeng Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China,Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Feihu Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China,Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhiteng Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China,Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Bingyi Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China,Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qiong Gu
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jun Xu
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Huihao Zhou
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +86 20 39943350;
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4
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Rowaiye AB, Ogugua AJ, Ibeanu G, Bur D, Asala MT, Ogbeide OB, Abraham EO, Usman HB. Identifying potential natural inhibitors of Brucella melitensis Methionyl-tRNA synthetase through an in-silico approach. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0009799. [PMID: 35312681 PMCID: PMC8970508 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Although it is the most common zoonosis worldwide, there are increasing reports of drug resistance and cases of relapse after long term treatment with the existing drugs of choice. This study therefore aims at identifying possible natural inhibitors of Brucella melitensis Methionyl-tRNA synthetase through an in-silico approach. Methods Using PyRx 0.8 virtual screening software, the target was docked against a library of natural compounds obtained from edible African plants. The compound, 2-({3-[(3,5-dichlorobenzyl) amino] propyl} amino) quinolin-4(1H)-one (OOU) which is a co-crystallized ligand with the target was used as the reference compound. Screening of the molecular descriptors of the compounds for bioavailability, pharmacokinetic properties, and bioactivity was performed using the SWISSADME, pkCSM, and Molinspiration web servers respectively. The Fpocket and PLIP webservers were used to perform the analyses of the binding pockets and the protein ligand interactions. Analysis of the time-resolved trajectories of the Apo and Holo forms of the target was performed using the Galaxy and MDWeb servers. Results The lead compounds, Strophanthidin and Isopteropodin are present in Corchorus olitorius and Uncaria tomentosa (Cat’s-claw) plants respectively. Isopteropodin had a binding affinity score of -8.9 kcal / ml with the target and had 17 anti-correlating residues in Pocket 1 after molecular dynamics simulation. The complex formed by Isopteropodin and the target had a total RMSD of 4.408 and a total RMSF of 9.8067. However, Strophanthidin formed 3 hydrogen bonds with the target at ILE21, GLY262 and LEU294, and induced a total RMSF of 5.4541 at Pocket 1. Conclusion Overall, Isopteropodin and Strophanthidin were found to be better drug candidates than OOU and they showed potentials to inhibit the Brucella melitensis Methionyl-tRNA synthetase at Pocket 1, hence abilities to treat brucellosis. In-vivo and in-vitro investigations are needed to further evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the lead compounds. The cure for brucellosis involves a long course of treatment with a combination of antibiotics. However, some of the drugs are not recommended for very young children and pregnant women. Moreover, cases of relapse and resistance to these drugs are reported. With the Brucella Methionyl-tRNA synthetase as a target, molecular docking and virtual screening was used to identify possible drug candidates from a library of 1524 compounds obtained from edible African plants. Two lead compounds, Strophanthidin and Isopteropodin usually present in Corchorus olitorius and Uncaria tomentosa (Cat’s claw) plants showed potentials to inhibit the Brucella melitensis Methionyl-tRNA synthetase. Their bioactivities were also confirmed in their molecular dynamic simulation with the target protein. Consequently, both compounds have potentials for safety and efficacy in the treatment of brucellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Akwoba Joseph Ogugua
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
- * E-mail:
| | - Gordon Ibeanu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Doofan Bur
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Mercy Titilayo Asala
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Hamzah Bundu Usman
- Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University Gusau, Gusau, Nigeria
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5
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Kim DK, Lee HJ, Kong J, Cho HY, Kim S, Kang BS. Structural basis for the dynamics of human methionyl-tRNA synthetase in multi-tRNA synthetase complexes. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:6549-6568. [PMID: 34086935 PMCID: PMC8216282 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, eight aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) and three AARS-interacting multifunctional proteins (AIMPs) form a multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC). MSC components possess extension peptides for MSC assembly and specific functions. Human cytosolic methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MRS) has appended peptides at both termini of the catalytic main body. The N-terminal extension includes a glutathione transferase (GST) domain responsible for interacting with AIMP3, and a long linker peptide between the GST and catalytic domains. Herein, we determined crystal structures of the human MRS catalytic main body, and the complex of the GST domain and AIMP3. The structures reveal human-specific structural details of the MRS, and provide a dynamic model for MRS at the level of domain orientation. A movement of zinc knuckles inserted in the catalytic domain is required for MRS catalytic activity. Depending on the position of the GST domain relative to the catalytic main body, MRS can either block or present its tRNA binding site. Since MRS is part of a huge MSC, we propose a dynamic switching between two possible MRS conformations; a closed conformation in which the catalytic domain is compactly attached to the MSC, and an open conformation with a free catalytic domain dissociated from other MSC components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Kyu Kim
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Hyun Joo Lee
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Jiwon Kong
- Medicinal Bioconvergence Research Center, College of Pharmacy & School of Medicine, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Korea
| | - Ha Yeon Cho
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Sunghoon Kim
- Medicinal Bioconvergence Research Center, College of Pharmacy & School of Medicine, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Korea
| | - Beom Sik Kang
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
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6
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Spontaneous Selection of Cryptosporidium Drug Resistance in a Calf Model of Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:AAC.00023-21. [PMID: 33753338 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00023-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal protozoan Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrheal disease and mortality in young children. There is currently no fully effective treatment for cryptosporidiosis, which has stimulated interest in anticryptosporidial development over the last ∼10 years, with numerous lead compounds identified, including several tRNA synthetase inhibitors. Here, we report the results of a dairy calf efficacy trial of the methionyl-tRNA (Cryptosporidium parvum MetRS [CpMetRS]) synthetase inhibitor 2093 and the spontaneous emergence of drug resistance. Dairy calves experimentally infected with Cryptosporidium parvum initially improved with 2093 treatment, but parasite shedding resumed in two of three calves on treatment day 5. Parasites shed by each recrudescent calf had different amino acid-altering mutations in the gene encoding CpMetRS (CpMetRS), yielding either an aspartate 243-to-glutamate (D243E) or a threonine 246-to-isoleucine (T246I) mutation. Transgenic parasites engineered to have either the D243E or T246I CpMetRS mutation using CRISPR/Cas9 grew normally but were highly 2093 resistant; the D243E and T246I mutant-expressing parasites, respectively, had 2093 half-maximal effective concentrations (EC50s) that were 613- and 128-fold that of transgenic parasites with wild-type CpMetRS. In studies using recombinant enzymes, the D243E and T246I mutations shifted the 2093 IC50 >170-fold. Structural modeling of CpMetRS based on an inhibitor-bound Trypanosoma brucei MetRS crystal structure suggested that the resistance mutations reposition nearby hydrophobic residues, interfering with compound binding while minimally impacting substrate binding. This is the first report of naturally emerging Cryptosporidium drug resistance, highlighting the need to address the potential for anticryptosporidial resistance and establish strategies to limit its occurrence.
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7
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Nyamai DW, Tastan Bishop Ö. Identification of Selective Novel Hits against Plasmodium falciparum Prolyl tRNA Synthetase Active Site and a Predicted Allosteric Site Using in silico Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3803. [PMID: 32471245 PMCID: PMC7312540 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been increased interest in aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) as potential malarial drug targets. These enzymes play a key role in protein translation by the addition of amino acids to their cognate tRNA. The aaRSs are present in all Plasmodium life cycle stages, and thus present an attractive malarial drug target. Prolyl tRNA synthetase is a class II aaRS that functions in charging tRNA with proline. Various inhibitors against Plasmodium falciparum ProRS (PfProRS) active site have been designed. However, none have gone through clinical trials as they have been found to be highly toxic to human cells. Recently, a possible allosteric site was reported in PfProRS with two possible allosteric modulators: glyburide and TCMDC-124506. In this study, we sought to identify novel selective inhibitors targeting PfProRS active site and possible novel allosteric modulators of this enzyme. To achieve this, virtual screening of South African natural compounds against PfProRS and the human homologue was carried out using AutoDock Vina. The modulation of protein motions by ligand binding was studied by molecular dynamics (MD) using the GROningen MAchine for Chemical Simulations (GROMACS) tool. To further analyse the protein global motions and energetic changes upon ligand binding, principal component analysis (PCA), and free energy landscape (FEL) calculations were performed. Further, to understand the effect of ligand binding on the protein communication, dynamic residue network (DRN) analysis of the MD trajectories was carried out using the MD-TASK tool. A total of ten potential natural hit compounds were identified with strong binding energy scores. Binding of ligands to the protein caused observable global and residue level changes. Dynamic residue network calculations showed increase in betweenness centrality (BC) metric of residues at the allosteric site implying these residues are important in protein communication. A loop region at the catalytic domain between residues 300 and 350 and the anticodon binding domain showed significant contributions to both PC1 and PC2. Large motions were observed at a loop in the Z-domain between residues 697 and 710 which was also in agreement with RMSF calculations that showed increase in flexibility of residues in this region. Residues in this loop region are implicated in ATP binding and thus a change in dynamics may affect ATP binding affinity. Free energy landscape (FEL) calculations showed that the holo protein (protein-ADN complex) and PfProRS-SANC184 complexes were stable, as shown by the low energy with very few intermediates and hardly distinguishable low energy barriers. In addition, FEL results agreed with backbone RMSD distribution plots where stable complexes showed a normal RMSD distribution while unstable complexes had multimodal RMSD distribution. The betweenness centrality metric showed a loss of functional importance of key ATP binding site residues upon allosteric ligand binding. The deep basins in average L observed at the allosteric region imply that there is high accessibility of residues at this region. To further analyse BC and average L metrics data, we calculated the ΔBC and ΔL values by taking each value in the holo protein BC or L matrix less the corresponding value in the ligand-bound complex BC or L matrix. Interestingly, in allosteric complexes, residues located in a loop region implicated in ATP binding had negative ΔL values while in orthosteric complexes these residues had positive ΔL values. An increase in contact frequency between residues Ser263, Thr267, Tyr285, and Leu707 at the allosteric site and residues Thr397, Pro398, Thr402, and Gln395 at the ATP binding TXE loop was observed. In summary, this study identified five potential orthosteric inhibitors and five allosteric modulators against PfProRS. Allosteric modulators changed ATP binding site dynamics, as shown by RMSF, PCA, and DRN calculations. Changes in dynamics of the ATP binding site and increased contact frequency between residues at the proposed allosteric site and the ATP binding site may explain how allosteric modulators distort the ATP binding site and thus might inhibit PfProRS. The scaffolds of the identified hits in the study can be used as a starting point for antimalarial inhibitor development with low human cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Özlem Tastan Bishop
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa;
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Torrie LS, Robinson DA, Thomas MG, Hobrath JV, Shepherd SM, Post JM, Ko EJ, Ferreira RA, Mackenzie CJ, Wrobel K, Edwards DP, Gilbert IH, Gray DW, Fairlamb AH, De Rycker M. Discovery of an Allosteric Binding Site in Kinetoplastid Methionyl-tRNA Synthetase. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:1044-1057. [PMID: 32275825 PMCID: PMC7294809 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
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Methionyl-tRNA
synthetase (MetRS) is a chemically validated drug target in kinetoplastid
parasites Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania
donovani. To date, all kinetoplastid MetRS inhibitors described
bind in a similar way to an expanded methionine pocket and an adjacent,
auxiliary pocket. In the current study, we have identified a structurally
novel class of inhibitors containing a 4,6-diamino-substituted pyrazolopyrimidine
core (the MetRS02 series). Crystallographic studies revealed that
MetRS02 compounds bind to an allosteric pocket in L. major MetRS not previously described, and enzymatic studies demonstrated
a noncompetitive mode of inhibition. Homology modeling of the Trypanosoma cruzi MetRS enzyme revealed key differences
in the allosteric pocket between the T. cruzi and Leishmania enzymes. These provide a likely explanation for
the lower MetRS02 potencies that we observed for the T. cruzi enzyme compared to the Leishmania enzyme. The identification
of a new series of MetRS inhibitors and the discovery of a new binding
site in kinetoplastid MetRS enzymes provide a novel strategy in the
search for new therapeutics for kinetoplastid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah S. Torrie
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - David A. Robinson
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Michael G. Thomas
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Judith V. Hobrath
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Sharon M. Shepherd
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - John M. Post
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Eun-Jung Ko
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Rafael Alves Ferreira
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Claire J. Mackenzie
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Karolina Wrobel
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Darren P. Edwards
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Ian H. Gilbert
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - David W. Gray
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Alan H. Fairlamb
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Manu De Rycker
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
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9
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Roles of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in immune regulation and immune diseases. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:901. [PMID: 31780718 PMCID: PMC6883034 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-2145-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) play a vital role in protein synthesis by linking amino acids to their cognate transfer RNAs (tRNAs). This typical function has been well recognized over the past few decades. However, accumulating evidence reveals that ARSs are involved in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes apart from translation. Strikingly, certain ARSs are closely related to different types of immune responses. In this review, we address the infection and immune responses induced by pathogen ARSs, as well as the potential anti-infective compounds that target pathogen ARSs. Meanwhile, we describe the functional mechanisms of ARSs in the development of immune cells. In addition, we focus on the roles of ARSs in certain immune diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and tumor immunity. Although our knowledge of ARSs in the immunological context is still in its infancy, research in this field may provide new ideas for the treatment of immune-related diseases.
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10
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Nyamai DW, Tastan Bishop Ö. Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases as malarial drug targets: a comparative bioinformatics study. Malar J 2019; 18:34. [PMID: 30728021 PMCID: PMC6366043 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2665-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment of parasitic diseases has been challenging due to evolution of drug resistant parasites, and thus there is need to identify new class of drugs and drug targets. Protein translation is important for survival of malarial parasite, Plasmodium, and the pathway is present in all of its life cycle stages. Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases are primary enzymes in protein translation as they catalyse amino acid addition to the cognate tRNA. This study sought to understand differences between Plasmodium and human aminoacyl tRNA synthetases through bioinformatics analysis. METHODS Plasmodium berghei, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium fragile, Plasmodium knowlesi, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium yoelii and human aminoacyl tRNA synthetase sequences were retrieved from UniProt database and grouped into 20 families based on amino acid specificity. These families were further divided into two classes. Both families and classes were analysed. Motif discovery was carried out using the MEME software, sequence identity calculation was done using an in-house Python script, multiple sequence alignments were performed using PROMALS3D and TCOFFEE tools, and phylogenetic tree calculations were performed using MEGA vs 7.0 tool. Possible alternative binding sites were predicted using FTMap webserver and SiteMap tool. RESULTS Motif discovery revealed Plasmodium-specific motifs while phylogenetic tree calculations showed that Plasmodium proteins have different evolutionary history to the human homologues. Human aaRSs sequences showed low sequence identity (below 40%) compared to Plasmodium sequences. Prediction of alternative binding sites revealed potential druggable sites in PfArgRS, PfMetRS and PfProRS at regions that are weakly conserved when compared to the human homologues. Multiple sequence analysis, motif discovery, pairwise sequence identity calculations and phylogenetic tree analysis showed significant differences between parasite and human aaRSs proteins despite functional and structural conservation. These differences may provide a basis for further exploration of Plasmodium aminoacyl tRNA synthetases as potential drug targets. CONCLUSION This study showed that, despite, functional and structural conservation, Plasmodium aaRSs have key differences from the human homologues. These differences in Plasmodium aaRSs can be targeted to develop anti-malarial drugs with less toxicity to the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy Wavinya Nyamai
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa
| | - Özlem Tastan Bishop
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa.
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Robles S, Hu Y, Resto T, Dean F, Bullard JM. Identification and Characterization of a Chemical Compound that Inhibits Methionyl-tRNA Synthetase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Curr Drug Discov Technol 2018; 14:156-168. [PMID: 28359232 DOI: 10.2174/1570163814666170330100238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen problematic in causing nosocomial infections and is highly susceptible to development of resistance to multiple antibiotics. The gene encoding methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS) from P. aeruginosa was cloned and the resulting protein characterized. METHODS MetRS was kinetically evaluated and the KM for its three substrates, methionine, ATP and tRNAMet were determined to be 35, 515, and 29 μM, respectively. P. aeruginosaMetRS was used to screen two chemical compound libraries containing 1690 individual compounds. RESULTS A natural product compound (BM01C11) was identified that inhibited the aminoacylation function. The compound inhibited P. aeruginosa MetRS with an IC50 of 70 μM. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of BM01C11 was determined against nine clinically relevant bacterial strains, including efflux pump mutants and hypersensitive strains of P. aeruginosa and E. coli. The MIC against the hypersensitive strain of P. aeruginosa was 16 μg/ml. However, the compound was not effective against the wild-type and efflux pump mutant strains, indicating that efflux may not be responsible for the lack of activity against the wild-type strains. When tested in human cell cultures, the cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) was observed to be 30 μg/ml. The compound did not compete with methionine or ATP for binding MetRS, indicating that the mechanism of action of the compound likely occurs outside the active site of aminoacylation. CONCLUSION An inhibitor of P. aeruginosa MetRS, BM01C11, was identified as a flavonoid compound named isopomiferin. Isopomiferin inhibited the enzymatic activity of MetRS and displayed broad spectrum antibacterial activity. These studies indicate that isopomiferin may be amenable to development as a therapeutic for bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Robles
- Chemistry Department, The University of Texas-RGV, 1201 W. University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78541. United States
| | - Yanmei Hu
- Chemistry Department, The University of Texas-RGV, 1201 W. University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78541. United States
| | - Tahyra Resto
- Chemistry Department, The University of Texas-RGV, 1201 W. University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78541. United States
| | - Frank Dean
- Chemistry Department, The University of Texas-RGV, 1201 W. University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78541. United States
| | - James M Bullard
- Chemistry Department, The University of Texas-RGV, 1201 W. University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78541. United States
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12
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Barros-Álvarez X, Turley S, Ranade RM, Gillespie JR, Duster NA, Verlinde CLMJ, Fan E, Buckner FS, Hol WGJ. The crystal structure of the drug target Mycobacterium tuberculosis methionyl-tRNA synthetase in complex with a catalytic intermediate. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2018; 74:245-254. [PMID: 29633973 PMCID: PMC5893993 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x18003151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a pathogenic bacterial infectious agent that is responsible for approximately 1.5 million human deaths annually. Current treatment requires the long-term administration of multiple medicines with substantial side effects. Lack of compliance, together with other factors, has resulted in a worrisome increase in resistance. New treatment options are therefore urgently needed. Here, the crystal structure of methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS), an enzyme critical for protein biosynthesis and therefore a drug target, in complex with its catalytic intermediate methionyl adenylate is reported. Phenylalanine 292 of the M. tuberculosis enzyme is in an `out' conformation and barely contacts the adenine ring, in contrast to other MetRS structures where ring stacking occurs between the adenine and a protein side-chain ring in the `in' conformation. A comparison with human cytosolic MetRS reveals substantial differences in the active site as well as regarding the position of the connective peptide subdomain 1 (CP1) near the active site, which bodes well for arriving at selective inhibitors. Comparison with the human mitochondrial enzyme at the amino-acid sequence level suggests that arriving at inhibitors with higher affinity for the mycobacterial enzyme than for the mitochondrial enzyme might be achievable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Barros-Álvarez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela
| | - Stewart Turley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ranae M. Ranade
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - J. Robert Gillespie
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nicole A. Duster
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Erkang Fan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Frederick S. Buckner
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Wim G. J. Hol
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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13
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Development of Methionyl-tRNA Synthetase Inhibitors as Antibiotics for Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.00999-17. [PMID: 28848016 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00999-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are widespread and pose a growing threat to human health. New antibiotics acting by novel mechanisms of action are needed to address this challenge. The bacterial methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS) enzyme is essential for protein synthesis, and the type found in Gram-positive bacteria is substantially different from its counterpart found in the mammalian cytoplasm. Both previously published and new selective inhibitors were shown to be highly active against Gram-positive bacteria with MICs of ≤1.3 μg/ml against Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Streptococcus strains. Incorporation of radioactive precursors demonstrated that the mechanism of activity was due to the inhibition of protein synthesis. Little activity against Gram-negative bacteria was observed, consistent with the fact that Gram-negative bacterial species contain a different type of MetRS enzyme. The ratio of the MIC to the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was consistent with a bacteriostatic mechanism. The level of protein binding of the compounds was high (>95%), and this translated to a substantial increase in MICs when the compounds were tested in the presence of serum. Despite this, the compounds were very active when they were tested in a Staphylococcus aureus murine thigh infection model. Compounds 1717 and 2144, given by oral gavage, resulted in 3- to 4-log decreases in the bacterial load compared to that in vehicle-treated mice, which was comparable to the results observed with the comparator drugs, vancomycin and linezolid. In summary, the research describes MetRS inhibitors with oral bioavailability that represent a class of compounds acting by a novel mechanism with excellent potential for clinical development.
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14
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Moen SO, Edwards TE, Dranow DM, Clifton MC, Sankaran B, Van Voorhis WC, Sharma A, Manoil C, Staker BL, Myler PJ, Lorimer DD. Ligand co-crystallization of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from infectious disease organisms. Sci Rep 2017; 7:223. [PMID: 28303005 PMCID: PMC5428304 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00367-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) charge tRNAs with their cognate amino acid, an essential precursor step to loading of charged tRNAs onto the ribosome and addition of the amino acid to the growing polypeptide chain during protein synthesis. Because of this important biological function, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases have been the focus of anti-infective drug development efforts and two aaRS inhibitors have been approved as drugs. Several researchers in the scientific community requested aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases to be targeted in the Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID) structure determination pipeline. Here we investigate thirty-one aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from infectious disease organisms by co-crystallization in the presence of their cognate amino acid, ATP, and/or inhibitors. Crystal structures were determined for a CysRS from Borrelia burgdorferi bound to AMP, GluRS from Borrelia burgdorferi and Burkholderia thailandensis bound to glutamic acid, a TrpRS from the eukaryotic pathogen Encephalitozoon cuniculi bound to tryptophan, a HisRS from Burkholderia thailandensis bound to histidine, and a LysRS from Burkholderia thailandensis bound to lysine. Thus, the presence of ligands may promote aaRS crystallization and structure determination. Comparison with homologous structures shows conformational flexibility that appears to be a recurring theme with this enzyme class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer O Moen
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), Bethesda, MD, USA.,Beryllium Discovery Corp, Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110, USA
| | - Thomas E Edwards
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), Bethesda, MD, USA. .,Beryllium Discovery Corp, Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110, USA.
| | - David M Dranow
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), Bethesda, MD, USA.,Beryllium Discovery Corp, Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110, USA
| | - Matthew C Clifton
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), Bethesda, MD, USA.,Beryllium Discovery Corp, Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110, USA
| | - Banumathi Sankaran
- Berkeley Center for Structural Biology, Advanced Light Source, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), Bethesda, MD, USA.,University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195-6423, USA
| | - Amit Sharma
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110 067, India
| | - Colin Manoil
- University of Washington, Department of Genome Sciences, Seattle, WA, 98195-5065, USA
| | - Bart L Staker
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), Bethesda, MD, USA.,Center for Infectious Disease Research (formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute), Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Peter J Myler
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), Bethesda, MD, USA.,Center for Infectious Disease Research (formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute), Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.,University of Washington, Department of Medical Education and Biomedical Informatics & Department of Global Health, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Donald D Lorimer
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), Bethesda, MD, USA.,Beryllium Discovery Corp, Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110, USA
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Kumari M, Chandra S, Tiwari N, Subbarao N. High Throughput Virtual Screening to Identify Novel natural product Inhibitors for MethionyltRNA-Synthetase of Brucella melitensis. Bioinformation 2017; 13:8-16. [PMID: 28479744 PMCID: PMC5405087 DOI: 10.6026/97320630013008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Brucella melitensis methionyl-tRNA-synthetase (MetRSBm) is a promising target for brucellosis drug development. The virtual screening of large libraries of a drug like molecules against a protein target is a common strategy used to identify novel inhibitors. A High throughput virtual screening was performed to identify hits to the potential antibrucellosis drug target, MetRSBm. The best inhibitor identified from the literature survey was 1312, 1415, and 1430. In the virtual screening 56,400 compounds of ChEMBL antimycobacterial library, 1596 approved drugs, 419 Natural product IV library, and 2396 methionine analogous were docked and rescoring, identified top 10 ranked compounds as anti-mycobacterial leads showing G-scores -10.27 to -8.42 (in kcal/mol), approved drugs G-scores -9.08 to -6.60 (in kcal/mol), Natural product IV library G-scores -10.55 to -6.02 (in kcal/mol), methionine analogous Gscores -11.20 to -8.51 (in kcal/mol), and compared with all three known inhibitors (as control) G-scores -3.88 to -3.17 (in kcal/mol). This result indicates these novel compounds have the best binding affinity for MetRSBm. In this study, we extrapolate that the analogous of methionine for find novel drug likeness has been identified [4-(L-histidyl)-2-phenylbenzoyl] methionine hydrochloride, might show the inhibitor of Brucella melitensis effect by interacting with MetRS enzyme. We suggests that Prumycin as a natural product is the novel drugs for brucellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhulata Kumari
- Department of Information Technology, Kumaun University, SSJ Campus, Almora, Uttarakhand 263601, India
- School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Subhash Chandra
- Department of Botany, Kumaun University, SSJ Campus, Almora, Uttarakhand 263601, India
| | - Neeraj Tiwari
- Department of Statistics, Kumaun University, SSJ Campus Almora, Uttarakhand, 263601, India
| | - Naidu Subbarao
- School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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16
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Ojo KK, Ranade RM, Zhang Z, Dranow DM, Myers JB, Choi R, Nakazawa Hewitt S, Edwards TE, Davies DR, Lorimer D, Boyle SM, Barrett LK, Buckner FS, Fan E, Van Voorhis WC. Correction: Brucella melitensis Methionyl-tRNA-Synthetase (MetRS), a Potential Drug Target for Brucellosis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163641. [PMID: 27658298 PMCID: PMC5033446 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160350.].
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