Development of pyridine based o-aminophenolate zinc complexes as structurally tunable catalysts for CO2 fixation into cyclic carbonates

Structure–reactivity correlation in o-aminophenolate zinc catalysts provides an atom-efficient protocol for the conversion of CO₂ into valuable cyclic carbonates.

Phosphorylation of H2AX histone as indirect evidence for double-stranded DNA breaks related to the exchange of nuclear proteins and chromatin remodeling in Chara vulgaris spermiogenesis

Phosphorylation of H2AX histone results not only from DNA damage (caused by ionizing radiation, UV or chemical substances, e.g. hydroxyurea), but also regularly takes place during spermiogenesis, enabling correct chromatin remodeling. Immunocytochemical analysis using antibodies against H2AX histone phosphorylated at serine 139 indirectly revealed endogenous double-stranded DNA breaks in Chara vulgaris spermatids in mid-spermiogenesis (stages V, VI and VII), when protamine-type proteins appear in the nucleus. Fluorescent foci were not observed in early (stages I-IV) and late (VIII-X) spermiogenesis, after replacement of histones by protamine-type proteins was finished. A similar phenomenon exists in animals. Determination of the localization of fluorescent foci and the ultrastructure of nuclei led to the hypothesis that DNA breaks at stage V, when condensed chromatin adheres to the nuclear envelope. This is transformed into a net-like structure during stage VI, probably allowing chromosome repositioning to specific regions in the mature spermatozoid. However, at stages VI and VII, DNA breaks are necessary for transformation of the nucleosomal structure into a fibrillar and finally the extremely condensed status of sleeping genes at stage X.

Structures of human transthyretin complexed with thyroxine at 2.0 A resolution and 3',5'-dinitro-N-acetyl-L-thyronine at 2.2 A resolution

The molecular structures of two human transthyretin (hTTR, prealbumin) complexes, co-crystallized with thyroxine (3,5,3',5'-tetraiodo-L-thyronine; T(4)), and with 3',5'-dinitro-N-acetyl-LL-thyronine (DNNAT), were determined by X-ray diffraction methods. Crystals of both structures are orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2, and have two independent monomers in the asymmetric unit of the crystal lattice. These structures have been refined to 17.0% for 8-2.0 A resolution data for the T(4) complex (I), and to R = 18.4% for 8-2.2 A resolution data for the DNNAT structure (II). This report provides a detailed description of T(4) binding to wild-type hTTR at 2.0 A resolution, as well as DNNAT. In both structures, the two independent hormone-binding sites of the TTR tetramer are occupied by ligand. A 50% statistical disorder model was applied to account for the crystallographic twofold symmetry along the binding channel and the lack of such symmetry for the ligands. Results for the co-crystallized T(4) complex show that T(4) binds deep in the hormone-binding channel and displaces the bound water previously reported for T(4) soaked into a native transthyretin crystal [Blake & Oatley (1977). Nature (London), 268, 115-120]. DNNAT also binds deeper in the channel toward the tetramer center than T(4) with the nitro groups occupying the symmetrical innermost halogen pockets. The N-acetyl moiety does not form polar contacts with the protein side chains as it is oriented toward the center of the channel. The weak binding affinity of DNNAT results from the loss of hydrophobic interactions with the halogen binding pockets as observed in T(4) binding. These data suggest that the halogen-binding sites toward the tetramer center are of primary importance as they are occupied by analogues with weak affinity to TTR, and are therefore selected over the other halogen sites which contribute more strongly to the overall binding affinity.

Computer modeling studies of the structural role of NADPH binding to active site mutants of human dihydrofolate reductase in complex with piritrexim

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR, EC 1.5.1.3) is one of the enzymes active in the folate cycle which plays an important role in DNA synthesis. Inhibition of DHFR is a key element in the treatment of many diseases, including cancer and AIDS related infections. A search for new selective inhibitors is motivated by the resistance to common drugs observed in the course of treatment. In this paper, results of a detailed computer analysis of human DHFR interactions with the lipophilic inhibitor piritrexim (PTX) are presented. It was found that the NADPH cofactor contributes 30% of the total PTX-enzyme interaction energy. Substitution of the highly conserved Glu30 with alanine does not lead to the release of the inhibitor from the hDHFR pocket. The important L22F point mutation does affect PTX orientation but does not changethe binding energy. Simulations of the dynamics of binary hDHFR-PTX complexes were performed with the use of Extensible Systematic Force Field (ESFF) and the results indicate structural changes in the enzyme induced by NADPH binding.

Structural basis of negative cooperativity in transthyretin

A comparison of the AC and BD binding sites of transthyretin (TTR) was made in terms of the interatomic distances between the Ca atoms of equivalent amino acids, measured across the tetramer channel in each binding site. The comparison of the channel diameter for apo TTR from different sources revealed that in the unliganded transthyretin tetramers the distances between the A, D and H beta-strands are consistently larger, while the distances between the G beta-strands are smaller in one site than in the other. These differences might be described to have a 'wave' character. An analogous analysis performed for transthyretin complexes reveals that the shape of the plot is similar, although the amplitudes of the changes are smaller. The analysis leads us to a model of the changes in the binding sites caused by ligand binding. The sequence of events includes ligand binding in the first site, followed by a slight collapse of this site and concomitant opening of the second site, binding of the second molecule and collapse of the second site. The following opening of the first, already occupied site upon ligand binding in the second site is smaller because of the bridging interactions already formed by the first ligand. This explains the negative cooperativity (NC) effect observed for many ligands in transthyretin.

Complex of rat transthyretin with tetraiodothyroacetic acid refined at 2.1 and 1.8 A resolution

The crystal structure of rat transthyretin (rTTR) complex with 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodothyroacetic acid (T4Ac) was determined at 1.8 A resolution with low temperature synchrotron data collected at CHESS. The structure was refined to R = 0.207 and Rfree = 0.24 with the use of 8-1.8 A data. The additional 8000 reflections from the incomplete 2.1-1.8 data shell, included in the refinement, reduced the Rfree index by 1.3%. Structure comparison with the model refined against the complete 8-2.1 A data revealed no differences in the ligand orientation and the conformation of the polypeptide chain in the core regions. However, the high-resolution data included in the refinement improved the model in the flexible regions poorly defined with the lower resolution data. Also additional sixteen water molecules were found in the difference map calculated with the extended data. The structure revealed both forward and reverse binding of tetraiodothyroacetic acid in one binding site and two modes of forward ligand binding in the second site, with the phenolic iodine atoms occupying different sets of the halogen binding pockets.

Comparison of binding interactions of dibromoflavonoids with transthyretin

The crystal structure of rat transthyretin (rTTR) complex with the dibromoflavone EMD21388 was determined to 2.3 A resolution and refined to R = 0.203 and Rfree = 0.288. Two different orientations of EMD21388, which differ in the channel penetration by 1.6 A, were found in the A/C binding site of rTTR. The single ligand position observed in the BID site is intermediate between the two positions found in the A/C site. The position of the dibromoflavone in the B/D site is similar to that reported for dibromoaurone in human TTR. The bromine atoms of EMD21388 form strong interactions in the P3 and P3' pockets of rTTR. Due to the different molecular architectures of both ligands, dibromoflavone forms only one interaction with Lys-15 near the channel entrance, while direct interactions with the pair of Lys-15 were reported for dibromoaurone. The C3* methyl group of EMD21388 mediates the bridging interactions between two TTR subunits in the P2 pockets. The interactions of the O2* hydroxyl group of dibromoaurone with the Thr-119 side chain in the P3 pockets are not matched by similar interactions in EMD21388. Both these alternative interactions can explain the competitive binding of 3',5'-dibromoflavonoids to transthyretin.

Complex of rat transthyretin with tetraiodothyroacetic acid refined at 2.1 and 1.8 A resolution

The crystal structure of rat transthyretin (rTTR) complex with 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodothyroacetic acid (T4Ac) was determined at 1.8 A resolution with low temperature synchrotron data collected at CHESS. The structure was refined to R = 0.207 and Rfree = 0.24 with the use of 8-1.8 A data. The additional 8000 reflections from the incomplete 2.1-1.8 data shell, included in the refinement, reduced the Rfree index by 1.3%. Structure comparison with the model refined against the complete 8-2.1 A data revealed no differences in the ligand orientation and the conformation of the polypeptide chain in the core regions. However, the high-resolution data included in the refinement improved the model in the flexible regions poorly defined with the lower resolution data. Also additional sixteen water molecules were found in the difference map calculated with the extended data. The structure revealed both forward and reverse binding of tetraiodothyroacetic acid in one binding site and two modes of forward ligand binding in the second site, with the phenolic iodine atoms occupying different sets of the halogen binding pockets.

Comparison of binding interactions of dibromoflavonoids with transthyretin

The crystal structure of rat transthyretin (rTTR) complex with the dibromoflavone EMD21388 was determined to 2.3 A resolution and refined to R = 0.203 and Rfree = 0.288. Two different orientations of EMD21388, which differ in the channel penetration by 1.6 A, were found in the A/C binding site of rTTR. The single ligand position observed in the BID site is intermediate between the two positions found in the A/C site. The position of the dibromoflavone in the B/D site is similar to that reported for dibromoaurone in human TTR. The bromine atoms of EMD21388 form strong interactions in the P3 and P3' pockets of rTTR. Due to the different molecular architectures of both ligands, dibromoflavone forms only one interaction with Lys-15 near the channel entrance, while direct interactions with the pair of Lys-15 were reported for dibromoaurone. The C3* methyl group of EMD21388 mediates the bridging interactions between two TTR subunits in the P2 pockets. The interactions of the O2* hydroxyl group of dibromoaurone with the Thr-119 side chain in the P3 pockets are not matched by similar interactions in EMD21388. Both these alternative interactions can explain the competitive binding of 3',5'-dibromoflavonoids to transthyretin.

Computer modeling studies of the structural role of NADPH binding to active site mutants of human dihydrofolate reductase in complex with piritrexim

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR, EC 1.5.1.3) is one of the enzymes active in the folate cycle which plays an important role in DNA synthesis. Inhibition of DHFR is a key element in the treatment of many diseases, including cancer and AIDS related infections. A search for new selective inhibitors is motivated by the resistance to common drugs observed in the course of treatment. In this paper, results of a detailed computer analysis of human DHFR interactions with the lipophilic inhibitor piritrexim (PTX) are presented. It was found that the NADPH cofactor contributes 30% of the total PTX-enzyme interaction energy. Substitution of the highly conserved Glu30 with alanine does not lead to the release of the inhibitor from the hDHFR pocket. The important L22F point mutation does affect PTX orientation but does not changethe binding energy. Simulations of the dynamics of binary hDHFR-PTX complexes were performed with the use of Extensible Systematic Force Field (ESFF) and the results indicate structural changes in the enzyme induced by NADPH binding.

Structural basis of negative cooperativity in transthyretin

A comparison of the AC and BD binding sites of transthyretin (TTR) was made in terms of the interatomic distances between the Ca atoms of equivalent amino acids, measured across the tetramer channel in each binding site. The comparison of the channel diameter for apo TTR from different sources revealed that in the unliganded transthyretin tetramers the distances between the A, D and H beta-strands are consistently larger, while the distances between the G beta-strands are smaller in one site than in the other. These differences might be described to have a 'wave' character. An analogous analysis performed for transthyretin complexes reveals that the shape of the plot is similar, although the amplitudes of the changes are smaller. The analysis leads us to a model of the changes in the binding sites caused by ligand binding. The sequence of events includes ligand binding in the first site, followed by a slight collapse of this site and concomitant opening of the second site, binding of the second molecule and collapse of the second site. The following opening of the first, already occupied site upon ligand binding in the second site is smaller because of the bridging interactions already formed by the first ligand. This explains the negative cooperativity (NC) effect observed for many ligands in transthyretin.

Structure of rat transthyretin (rTTR) complex with thyroxine at 2.5 A resolution: first non-biased insight into thyroxine binding reveals different hormone orientation in two binding sites

The first observation of the unique environment for thyroxine (T(4)) binding in tetrameric rat transthyretin (rTTR) is reported as determined by X-ray diffraction. These data revealed different modes of hormone binding in the two unique hormone-binding sites in the rat TTR tetramer channel. Differences in the orientation of thyroxine and the position of water molecules in the two binding sites further suggest a mechanism for the docking pathway of the hormone into the channel of TTR. Crystals of the rat transthyretin-thyroxine complex are isomorphous with those reported for apo rTTR and crystallized in the tetragonal space group P4(3)2(1)2 with four independent TTR monomeric subunits in the asymmetric part of the crystal lattice. Data were collected to 2.5 A resolution and the structure was refined to R = 20.9% for 15 384 data in the resolution range 12-2.5 A. Similar to human TTR, the rat protein is also a 54 000 Da tetramer with four identical polypeptide chains of 127 amino-acid residues. Of the 22 amino-acid residues which differ between the human and rat sequences, none are in the thyroxine-binding domains. Analysis of these structural data reveals that the tertiary structure is similar to that of hTTR, with only small differences in the flexible loop regions on the surface of the structure. Conformational changes of the amino acids in the channel result in a hydrogen-bonded network that connects the two binding domains, in contrast to the hydrogen bonds formed along the tetramer interface in the apo transthyretin structure. These changes suggest a mechanism for the signal transmission between thyroxine-binding domains.

Structure of the insecticidal bacterial delta-endotoxin Cry3Bb1 of Bacillus thuringiensis

The coleopteran-active delta-endotoxin Cry3Bb1 from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strain EG7231 is uniquely toxic to Diabrotica undecimpunctata, the Southern corn rootworm, while retaining activity against Leptinotarsa decemlineata, the Colorado potato beetle. The crystal structure of the delta-endotoxin Cry3Bb1 has been refined using data collected to 2.4 A resolution, with a residual R factor of 17.5% and an R(free) of 25.3%. The structure is made up of three domains: I, a seven-helix bundle (residues 64-294); II, a three-sheet domain (residues 295-502); and III, a beta-sandwich domain (residues 503-652). The monomers in the orthorhombic C222(1) crystal lattice form a dimeric quaternary structure across a crystallographic twofold axis, with a channel formed involving interactions between domains I and III. There are 23 hydrogen bonds between the two monomers conferring structural stability on the dimer. It has been demonstrated that Cry3Bb1 and the similar toxin Cry3A form oligomers in solution. The structural results presented here indicate that the interactions between domains I and III could be responsible for the initial higher order structure and have implications for the biological activity of these toxins. There are seven additional single amino-acid residues in the sequence of Cry3Bb1 compared with that of Cry3A; one in domain I, two in domain II and four in domain III, which also shows the largest conformational difference between the two proteins. These changes can be implicated in the selectivity differences noted for these two delta-endotoxins.

Structure of a new polymorphic monoclinic form of human transthyretin at 3 A resolution reveals a mixed complex between unliganded and T4-bound tetramers of TTR

The crystal structure of a new polymorphic form of human transthyretin (hTTR) with a lattice containing a unique assembly of apo hTTR and TTR-T(4) complex has been determined to 3 A resolution. The monoclinic form of human TTR reported here crystallizes in space group P2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 76.7 (6), b = 96.7 (8), c = 81.7 (4) A, beta = 106.8 (4) degrees. The asymmetric unit contains two tetramers of transthyretin related by the non-crystallographic symmetry (NCS) operation of a 90.28 degrees rotation between two hTTR molecules around an axis close to crystallographic z. The r.m.s. difference between the two tetramers calculated from their C(alpha) positions is 0.48 A. The structure was refined using 15.0-3.0 A resolution data to R = 22.9% and R(free) = 28.9% for reflections F > 0.0sigma(F), and R = 19.7% and R(free) = 25.8% for reflections F > 3.0sigma(F). The intermolecular interactions involve the tips of alpha-helices and loops around Arg21, Glu61 and Ser100 of all monomers. The electron-density maps revealed residual thyroxine (T(4)) bound in only one of the two unique tetrameric TTR molecules, with an occupancy of 53%, while the second tetramer is unliganded. One thyroxine ligand is bound in a way similar to the orientations described for the orthorhombic form of the hTTR-T(4) complex. The T(4) bound in the second site is positioned similar to 3',5'-dinitro-N-acetyl-L-thyronine in its hTTR complex. Differences in the size of the central channel defined by the D, A, G and H beta-strands of two monomeric subunits are observed between the apo TTR and T(4)-bound tetramer. The averaged distances between Ala108 C(alpha) and its equivalent measured across each binding site are 12.34 A for the T(4)-bound and 10.96 A for the unliganded TTR tetramer, respectively. The observed differences might reflect the mechanics of the ligand binding in the channel and possibly explain the observed negative cooperativity effect for ligand binding.

Occurrence of ubiquitin during spermiogenesis in Chara vulgaris

Experiments with an anti-ubiquitin antibody proved the presence of ubiquitin in spermatids at all spermiogenesis stages in Charta vulgaris. Its level increased before marked ultrastructural changes of spermatids correlated with disappearance of somatic proteins (histones) and appearance of protamine-type generative proteins. The obtained results seem to confirm our earlier hypotheses concerning a significant role of ubiquitin-proteasome system in Chara spermatozoid differentiation.

Crystal structure of rat transthyretin at 2.5 A resolution: first report on a unique tetrameric structure

The first observation of a unique tetrameric molecular structure of transthyretin from rat (rTTR, prealbumin) is reported. The structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction using molecular replacement and the structure of human transthyretin (hTTR) as a starting model. Crystals of native rat transthyretin are tetragonal, space group P4(3)2(1)2, and have four independent monomers in the asymmetric unit of the crystal lattice. Data were collected to 2.5 A resolution and the structure has been refined to R = 18.9% for 13584 data points between 8-2.5 A resolution. Like hTTR, the rat protein is also a 54000 Da tetramer with four identical polypeptide chains of 127 amino-acid residues. Of the 22 amino-acid residues which are different in the human and rat TTR sequences, none are in the thyroxine binding domain. Analysis of these data reveal that the tertiary structure of rTTR is similar to that of hTTR with only small differences in the flexible loop regions on the surface of the protein. As a result of local changes in flexible loop regions near residues 30-41, 60-65 and 102-104, the structure of rTTR monomers is more compact than that of the corresponding hTTR monomers. The loop between residues 30-41 is bound closer to the monomer core in the former as compared with the latter structure and there is a wider opening of the space formed between these loops at two adjacent monomeric subunits. These conformational changes do not affect the interfaces between the monomeric subunits and are not transmitted to the thyroxine binding site so that its topology remains not altered.

Crystal structure of rat transthyretin at 2.5 A resolution: first report on a unique tetrameric structure

The first observation of a unique tetrameric molecular structure of transthyretin from rat (rTTR, prealbumin) is reported. The structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction using molecular replacement and the structure of human transthyretin (hTTR) as a starting model. Crystals of native rat transthyretin are tetragonal, space group P4(3)2(1)2, and have four independent monomers in the asymmetric unit of the crystal lattice. Data were collected to 2.5 A resolution and the structure has been refined to R = 18.9% for 13584 data points between 8-2.5 A resolution. Like hTTR, the rat protein is also a 54000 Da tetramer with four identical polypeptide chains of 127 amino-acid residues. Of the 22 amino-acid residues which are different in the human and rat TTR sequences, none are in the thyroxine binding domain. Analysis of these data reveal that the tertiary structure of rTTR is similar to that of hTTR with only small differences in the flexible loop regions on the surface of the protein. As a result of local changes in flexible loop regions near residues 30-41, 60-65 and 102-104, the structure of rTTR monomers is more compact than that of the corresponding hTTR monomers. The loop between residues 30-41 is bound closer to the monomer core in the former as compared with the latter structure and there is a wider opening of the space formed between these loops at two adjacent monomeric subunits. These conformational changes do not affect the interfaces between the monomeric subunits and are not transmitted to the thyroxine binding site so that its topology remains not altered.

[Application of Internet technology in public health]

Recent advances in telecommunication technology have been enormous. Application of this technology in public health has the potential to markedly improve global health through better surveillance and information systems. With this assumption the GHNet was established in 1994 by representatives from academia, WHO, Pan American Health Organization, the World Bank, NASA, IBM, and AT & T. The GHNet consists of seven components: 1) promotion of networking with the Internet among people in public health; 2) disease tele-monitoring; 3) distance learning system with the internet; 4) connection of non-governmental health organizations; 5) training cyberdocs who are educated in both public health and telecommunications; 6) establishment of an electronic scientific research server; and 7) a home page on the World Wide Web (WWW). In order to effectively incorporate the Internet into the field, connectivity and knowing how to use it are of critical concern. More and more facilities are connected to the Internet in Japan. However, few courses teaching how to utilize the Internet are provided for people in this field. An Internet training course for people in public health was held as joint venture of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Health Network (GHNet) on October 31, 1996, at the 55th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Public Health. Most of the participants for the course were from local public health departments and very few had previous experience with the Internet before the course. During this course participants learned how to use e-mail, how to find health resources on the WWW, how to construct a home page, and how the Internet could be utilized to improve public health, with their computers actually hooked to the Internet. From this experience, we found that this kind of course is feasible and beneficial and hope that this course would serve as a model for training people in public health.

Structure-activity relationships of milrinone analogues determined in vitro in a rabbit heart membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase model

The cardiac activity of a series of analogues of the positive inotropic bipyridines amrinone (5-amino-[3,4'-bipyridin]-6(1H)-one) and milrinone (2-methyl-5-cyano-[3,4'-bipyridin]-6(1H)-one) was evaluated in vitro in a rabbit myocardial membrane Mg(2+)-dependent, Ca(2+)-stimulable adenosine triphosphatase (Ca(2+)-ATPase) model and structure-activity relationships were compared for nine closely related derivatives. In the present studies, a 5-bromo analogue of milrinone stimulated myocardial membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase significantly (10(-7) M; P < 0.001 vs control, with 67% of the activity of milrinone), whereas a 2'-methyl-2H-milrinone derivative was inactive. Although amrinone was inactive in this assay, its 2-methyl analogue was stimulatory. However, analogues lacking a 2-substituent (with or without a 5-cyano group) or with the 3-N position blocked by a methyl group did not stimulate myocardial membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. Structural data for these bipyridines show that those with either a 2- or 2'-methyl substituent have a twist conformation, whereas those without are nearly planar. Activity data reveal that those bipyridines with a nonplanar conformation are more active in the Ca(2+)-ATPase assay. Further study of milrinone analogues with a 2'-methyl substituent shows that even though the effect on the twist angle is equivalent to that of 2-methyl substitution, these analogues are less potent. Data for this series reveal that the prerequisites for Ca(2+)-ATPase stimulation include not only a 2-methyl to maintain a twist conformation but also a free 3-N position and a 5-substituent. This model for optimal activity in the myocardial membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase system differs from those proposed for phosphodiesterase enzyme receptor recognition only in the requirement for a nonplanar molecule. We have previously shown that milrinone, but not amrinone, shares structural homology with thyroxine and was able to stimulate myocardial membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in a manner similar to the thyroid hormone. Additionally, milrinone, but not amrinone, was an effective competitor for thyroxine binding to the serum transport protein transthyretin. Analysis of the milrinone-transthyretin crystal complex confirms the structural homology between milrinone and thyroid hormone which is not shared by amrinone. Modeling studies of the binding interactions of milrinone analogues indicate that the 2-desmethylmilrinone analogue, the most inhibitory analogue, lacks the hydrophobic contacts present in milrinone in its transthyretin-bound complex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Structural and conformational studies on bio-active flavonoids. Crystal and molecular structure of a complex formed between 2',6'-dimethoxyflavone and orthophosphoric acid: a model for flavone-nucleotide interactions

In order to investigate mechanisms of action of flavones at the molecular level, we have prepared a complex between a flavone and orthophosphoric acid which can be considered as a simplest model of interaction between a flavone and a more complex biological phosphate such as nucleotide, coenzyme or DNA. With orthophosphoric acid, the title flavone forms crystals which have 1:2 stoichiometry (C17H14O4.2H3PO4). This compound was found to be the 1:1 salt co-crystallized with the unionized molecular acid C17H15O4+.H2PO4-.H3PO4. The symmetry is monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n and unit cell dimensions a = 15.571(2), b = 7.369(1), c = 17.837(2) A, beta = 100.84(1) degrees. One molecule of phosphoric acid is present as a solvate molecule of crystallization, but the other is ionized and protonates the carbonyl oxygen, introducing conformational and bond distance changes in the flavone. The dihedral angle between the benzopyrone and phenyl rings is 47 degrees. Complexes with phosphate groups involve strong hydrogen bonds and are expected to play important roles in biomolecular structures.

Structural aspects of inotropic bipyridine binding. Crystal structure determination to 1.9 A of the human serum transthyretin-milrinone complex

The crystal structure of human transthyretin (TTR) complexed with milrinone (2-methyl-5-cyano-3,4'-bipyridin-6(1H)-one), a positive inotropic cardiac agent, has been refined to R = 17.4% for 8-1.9-A resolution data. This report provides the first detailed description of protein interactions for an inotropic bipyridine agent which is an effective thyroid hormone binding competitor to transthyretin. Milrinone is bound along the 2-fold axis in the binding site with its substituted pyridone ring located deep within the channel of the two identical binding domains of the TTR tetramer. In this orientation the 5-cyano group occupies the same site as the 3'-iodine in the TTR complex with 3,3'-diiodothyronine (Wojtczak, A., Luft, J., and Cody, V. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 353-357), which is 3.5 A deeper in the channel than thyroxine (Blake, C. C. F., and Oately, S. J., (1977) Nature 268, 115-120). These structural results confirm computer modeling studies of milrinone structural homology with thyroxine and its TTR binding interactions and explain the effectiveness of milrinone competition for thyroxine binding to TTR. To understand the weaker binding affinity of the parent inotropic drug, amrinone (5-amino-3,4'-bipyridin-6(1H)-one), modeling studies of its TTR binding were carried out which indicate that the 5-amino group cannot participate in strong interactions with TTR and the lack of the 2-methyl further weakens amrinone binding.

Conformational analysis of human dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor complexes: crystal structure determination of wild type and F31 mutant binary and ternary inhibitor complexes

These structural studies reveal unusual intermolecular interactions for the binding of inhibitors and cofactor in ternary complexes with both wild type and F31 mutant recombinant human DHFR and show that these inhibitors have flexibility in occupying the active site. These studies also possibly indicate the first structural data for a ternary complex with a folate inhibitor and a polyglutamate side chain. However, further refinement of this data is necessary before this can be confirmed. In contrast to the ternary complexes of folate and MTX, the lipophilic antifolate PTX binds with its methoxybenzoyl ring oriented toward the cofactor nicotinamide ring, while that of TMQ it is bound closer to the Phe-31 position. Furthermore, the nicotinamide ring makes a close contact to the N10 amine of TMQ, significantly different from its binding site interactions in MTX complexes. These data also reveal that the conserved contacts between the cofactor carboxyamide with the enzyme backbone residues Ala-9 and Ile-16 are dictated by the enzyme and that changes in the orientation of the structural elements requires only subtle changes in the secondary structural units in which they are contained. Therefore, only by careful analysis of a series of enzyme complexes can the mechanisms of binding action be delineated.

Mechanism of molecular recognition. Structural aspects of 3,3'-diiodo-L-thyronine binding to human serum transthyretin

The three-dimensional structure of the thyroid hormone metabolite, 3,3'-diiodo-L-thyronine (3,3'-T2), complex with human serum transthyretin (TTR) has been refined to R = 18.5% for 8-2 A resolution data. This is the first detailed description of a thyroid hormone metabolite binding to a thyroid transport protein. The four TTR monomeric subunits form a tetramer in the same manner as the native transthyretin reported earlier (Blake, C. C. F., Geisow, M. J., Oatley, S. J., Rerat, B., and Rerat, C. (1978) J. Mol. Biol. 121, 339-356). The two hormone binding sites of the TTR tetramer are occupied by 3,3'-T2. A statistical disorder model for the ligand was applied with a 50% occupancy to account for the discrepancy between the crystallographic 2-fold symmetry of the binding sites and the lack of such symmetry for 3,3'-T2. The bound metabolite has an overall transoid conformation with the either bridge intermediate between skewed and perpendicular. The hormone metabolite is bound 3.5 A deeper and with a different orientation in the channel than observed for thyroxine (T4), thereby revealing the presence of another set of halogen binding sites close to the center of the tetramer. When compared with the binding of T4, these data show that the 3-iodine of 3,3'-T2 occupies the same site as the 3'-iodine of T4, and the metabolite 3'-iodine occupies the water site observed in the T4 complex. The binding affinity of 3,3'-T2, which is 100-fold lower than that of T4, reflects the lack of the second pair of iodine atoms interacting in the channel. In order to understand the tighter binding of T4 observed in the Ala-109----Thr mutant, modeling studies were carried out that indicate that this modification could shorten the contacts between thyroid hormone iodines and residues 108-110 of the binding site.

Structure of 6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-3,4'-bipyridine-5-carbonitrile hydrogen bromide

5-Cyano-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-3,4'-bipyridinium bromide, C11H8N3O+.Br-, Mr = 278.11, triclinic, P1, a = 7.827 (2), b = 9.796 (2), c = 15.548 (4) A, alpha = 76.53 (2), beta = 75.40 (2), gamma = 74.36 (2) degrees, V = 1093.4 (4) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.689 Mg m-3, lambda (Mo K alpha) = 0.71073 A, mu = 3.70 mm-1, F(000) = 552, T = 293 K, R = 0.084 for 3989 observed reflections. The bipyridinium ions are planar, the C(2)-C(1)-C(1')-C(2') torsion angles being -3.3 (10) and 2.2 (11) degrees for molecules (1) and (2), respectively. The symmetry-independent bipyridinium ions are assembled in separate chains by hydrogen-bonding Br bridges [respective distances: Br(1)...N(3) 3.227 (6); Br(1)...N(4') 3.374 (6); Br(2)...N(3*) 3.263 (5); Br(2)...N(4'*) 3.540 (7) A] and by forming N...O hydrogen bonds between pyridinium NH groups and keto O atoms, the N(4')...O(4) and N(4'*)...O(4') distances being 2.835 (7) and 2.706 (7) A, respectively. These chains are connected by the series of stacking interactions with an average C...C distance of 3.5 A.

Structure of two polymorphs of 2-methyl-3,4'-bipyridin-6(1H)-one

C11H10N2O, Mr = 186.22. Polymorph (I) monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 7.574 (1), b = 11.132 (2), c = 11.437 (2) A, beta = 94.90 (1) degree, V = 960.8 (5) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.287 Mg m-3, lambda(Mo K alpha) = 0.71069 A, mu = 0.079 mm-1, F(000) = 392, T = 293 K, R = 0.058 for 2335 observed reflections. Polymorph (II) monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 6.7897 (7), b = 13.449 (2), c = 10.736 (1) A, beta = 108.644 (8) degrees, V = 928.9 (2) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.331 Mg m-3, lambda(Mo K alpha) = 0.71069 A, mu = 0.082 mm-1, F(000) = 392, T = 293 K, R = 0.047 for 1952 observed reflections. The molecular conformations in the two polymorphs are similar and the torsion angle C(2)--C(1)--C(1')--C(2') is 58.9 (2) and 54.1 (2) degrees for (I) and (II), respectively. Both structures contain centrosymmetric hydrogen-bonded dimers of molecules with the pyridone ring NH groups acting as donors and the keto O atoms as acceptors with N...O distances of 2.776 (2) and 2.765 (1) A for (I) and (II), respectively.

Conformational comparison of 1,2-dimethyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-3,4'-bipyridine-5-carbonitrile free base and its hydrobromide monohydrate salt

C13H11N3O (I), Mr = 225.25, monoclinic, P21/c, a = 11.713 (4), b = 7.891 (3), c = 12.154 (4) A, beta = 92.27 (4) degrees, V = 1123 (1) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.333 Mg m-3, lambda (Mo K alpha) = 0.71073 A, mu = 0.082 mm-1, F(000) = 472, T = 293 K, R = 0.063 for 2579 reflections. 5-cyano-1,2-dimethyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-3,4'-bipyridinium bromide monohydrate, C13H12N3O+.Br-.H2O (II), Mr = 324.18, orthorhombic, Pbca, a = 7.2893 (8), b = 18.955 (3), c = 19.814 (3) A, V = 2738 (1) A3, Z = 8, Dx = 1.573 Mg m-3, lambda (Mo K alpha) = 0.71073 A, mu = 2.972 mm-1, F(000) = 1312, T = 293 K, R = 0.086 for 2292 reflections. The twist angle around the bipyridine C(1)-C(1)' bond is 66.6 (2) and 44.1 (8) degrees for the free base (I) and its salt (II), respectively. The larger C(3)'-N(4)'-C(5)' pyridine ring angle [121.8 (5) degrees] in the salt structure compared with the corresponding value for the free base [116.1 (1) degrees] suggests that N(4)' is a protonation site. The water molecule in the salt structure (II) is disordered with occupancy refined to 0.6 and 0.4.

Pulmonary haemodynamics at rest and during exercise in patients with sarcoidosis

Pulmonary haemodynamics at rest and during exercise was studied in 30 patients with histologically confirmed sarcoidosis. All subjects were divided into three groups according to the stage of the disease assessed by radiological image of pulmonary lesions. At rest, in stage I and II patients, the mean pulmonary pressure (PAP) was normal. In stage III patients, a slight pulmonary hypertension was found. During exercise, a rise in PAP in stage I and II subjects was within the normal limits for a given workload, although in individual stage II subjects a rise in PAP was abnormally high. In all stage III patients a rise in PAP was pathologically elevated.