13 research outputs found
Treatment Of A Patient With Thoracolumbar Scoliosis Utilizing A Regional Interdependence Approach Including Components Of The Schroth Method: A Case Report
Background and Purpose: Spinal deformity is a challenging spinal disorder in adults. A scoliotic curve of \u3e10 degrees exists in up to 12% of the population and while surgery is the definitive measure, there is limited evidence to guide non-surgical treatment. This case investigated traditional physical therapy (PT) treatment utilizing a Regional Interdependence Approach (RIA) and components of the Schroth method for a patient with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Case Description: A 66 year old male presented with CLBP, worst upon rising in the AM with (6/10 NPRS). Imaging demonstrated thoracolumbar dextroscoliosis, bilateral foraminal narrowing and associated spondylolisthesis of the fifth lumbar vertebrae. A RIA exam revealed mobility deficits of thoracolumbar spine, instability of L5-S1, and a 1.38” leg length discrepancy. A comprehensive treatment approach was used including lumbar stabilization exercises and postural therapy, including components of the Schroth method. Outcomes: Following 12 weeks, pain improved from 6/10 to 4/105, with the patient reporting no pain when arising from bed. 30-second sit to stand improved from five to eight. Following implementation of a shoe lift visible changes were noted in pelvic symmetry. However, the degree of scoliosis appeared unchanged and no subjective improvements were noted on the Roland-Morris Low Back Pain Questionnaire (RMLBPQ)
NMR and Molecular Recognition of N‑Glycans: Remote Modifications of the Saccharide Chain Modulate Binding Features
Glycans
play a key role as recognition elements in the communication
of cells and other organisms. Thus, the analysis of carbohydrate–protein
interactions has gained significant importance. In particular, nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques are considered powerful tools
to detect relevant features in the interaction between sugars and
their natural receptors. Here, we present the results obtained in
the study on the molecular recognition of different mannose-containing
glycans by <i>Pisum sativum</i> agglutinin. NMR experiments
supported by Corcema-ST analysis, isothermal titration calorimetry
(ITC) experiments, and molecular dynamics (MD) protocols have been
successfully applied to unmask important binding features and especially
to determine how a remote branching substituent significantly alters
the binding mode of the sugar entity. These results highlight the
key influence of common structural modifications in natural glycans
on molecular recognition processes and underscore their importance
for the development of biomedical applications
Molecular Recognition of Complex-Type Biantennary <i>N</i>‑Glycans by Protein Receptors: a Three-Dimensional View on Epitope Selection by NMR
The current surge in defining glycobiomarkers by applying
lectins
rekindles interest in definition of the sugar-binding sites of lectins
at high resolution. Natural complex-type <i>N</i>-glycans
can present more than one potential binding motif, posing the question
of the actual mode of interaction when interpreting, for example,
lectin array data. By strategically combining <i>N</i>-glycan
preparation with saturation-transfer difference NMR and modeling,
we illustrate that epitope recognition depends on the structural context
of both the sugar and the lectin (here, wheat germ agglutinin and
a single hevein domain) and cannot always be predicted from simplified
model systems studied in the solid state. We also monitor branch-end
substitutions by this strategy and describe a three-dimensional structure
that accounts for the accommodation of the α2,6-sialylated
terminus of a biantennary <i>N</i>-glycan by viscumin. In
addition, we provide a structural
explanation for the role of terminal α2,6-sialylation
in precluding the interaction of natural <i>N</i>-glycans
with lectin from Maackia amurensis.
The approach described is thus capable of pinpointing lectin-binding
motifs in natural <i>N</i>-glycans and providing detailed
structural explanations for lectin selectivity
Interactions of Bacterial Cell Division Protein FtsZ with C8-Substituted Guanine Nucleotide Inhibitors. A Combined NMR, Biochemical and Molecular Modeling Perspective
FtsZ
is the key protein of bacterial cell-division and target for
new antibiotics. Selective inhibition of FtsZ polymerization without
impairing the assembly of the eukaryotic homologue tubulin was demonstrated
with C8-substituted guanine nucleotides. By combining NMR techniques
with biochemical and molecular modeling procedures, we have investigated
the molecular recognition of C8-substituted-nucleotides by FtsZ from <i>Methanococcus jannaschii</i> (Mj-FtsZ) and <i>Bacillus
subtilis</i> (Bs-FtsZ). STD epitope mapping and trNOESY bioactive
conformation analysis of each nucleotide were employed to deduce differences
in their recognition mode by each FtsZ species. GMP binds in the same
anti conformation as GTP, whereas 8-pyrrolidino-GMP binds in the syn
conformation. However, the anti conformation of 8-morpholino-GMP is
selected by Bs-FtsZ, while Mj-FtsZ binds both anti- and syn-geometries.
The inhibitory potencies of the C8-modified-nucleotides on the assembly
of Bs-FtsZ, but not of Mj-FtsZ, correlate with their binding affinities.
Thus, MorphGTP behaves as a nonhydrolyzable analog whose binding induces
formation of Mj-FtsZ curved filaments, resembling polymers formed
by the inactive forms of this protein. NMR data, combined with molecular
modeling protocols, permit explanation of the mechanism of FtsZ assembly
impairment by C8-substituted GTP analogs. The presence of the C8-substituent
induces electrostatic remodeling and small structural displacements
at the association interface between FtsZ monomers to form filaments,
leading to complete assembly inhibition or to formation of abnormal
FtsZ polymers. The inhibition of bacterial Bs-FtsZ assembly may be
simply explained by steric clashes of the C8-GTP-analogs with the
incoming FtsZ monomer. This information may facilitate the design
of antibacterial FtsZ inhibitors replacing GTP
Deciphering the Inhibition of the Neuronal Calcium Sensor 1 and the Guanine Exchange Factor Ric8a with a Small Phenothiazine Molecule for the Rational Generation of Therapeutic Synapse Function Regulators
Protein–protein
interactions (PPIs) are known to play an
essential role between the neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS-1) and the
guanine exchange factor Ric8a to regulate synapse function, emerging
as a druggable interface for synaptopathies such as the fragile X
syndrome (FXS). Recently, the phenothiazine FD44 has been identified
as an inhibitor of this PPI, decreasing the abnormally high synapse
number and enhancing associative learning in a FXS animal model. Here,
we have integrated advanced experimental and computational studies
to obtain important structural insights into <i>Drosophila</i> NCS-1/FD44 recognition to understand the basis of its affinity and
specificity and generate improved PPI regulators. This has allowed
the identification of a new small drug-like molecule, IGS-1.76, which
efficiently inhibits the human NCS-1/Ric8a complex with improved binding
potency. The crystal structure of the <i>Drosophila</i> NCS-1/IGS-1.76
complex demonstrates that the new inhibitor, although chemically different
from FD44, shares the same mechanism of action and constitutes a new
hit candidate for FXS
Deciphering the Inhibition of the Neuronal Calcium Sensor 1 and the Guanine Exchange Factor Ric8a with a Small Phenothiazine Molecule for the Rational Generation of Therapeutic Synapse Function Regulators
Protein–protein
interactions (PPIs) are known to play an
essential role between the neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS-1) and the
guanine exchange factor Ric8a to regulate synapse function, emerging
as a druggable interface for synaptopathies such as the fragile X
syndrome (FXS). Recently, the phenothiazine FD44 has been identified
as an inhibitor of this PPI, decreasing the abnormally high synapse
number and enhancing associative learning in a FXS animal model. Here,
we have integrated advanced experimental and computational studies
to obtain important structural insights into <i>Drosophila</i> NCS-1/FD44 recognition to understand the basis of its affinity and
specificity and generate improved PPI regulators. This has allowed
the identification of a new small drug-like molecule, IGS-1.76, which
efficiently inhibits the human NCS-1/Ric8a complex with improved binding
potency. The crystal structure of the <i>Drosophila</i> NCS-1/IGS-1.76
complex demonstrates that the new inhibitor, although chemically different
from FD44, shares the same mechanism of action and constitutes a new
hit candidate for FXS
Deciphering the Inhibition of the Neuronal Calcium Sensor 1 and the Guanine Exchange Factor Ric8a with a Small Phenothiazine Molecule for the Rational Generation of Therapeutic Synapse Function Regulators
Protein–protein
interactions (PPIs) are known to play an
essential role between the neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS-1) and the
guanine exchange factor Ric8a to regulate synapse function, emerging
as a druggable interface for synaptopathies such as the fragile X
syndrome (FXS). Recently, the phenothiazine FD44 has been identified
as an inhibitor of this PPI, decreasing the abnormally high synapse
number and enhancing associative learning in a FXS animal model. Here,
we have integrated advanced experimental and computational studies
to obtain important structural insights into <i>Drosophila</i> NCS-1/FD44 recognition to understand the basis of its affinity and
specificity and generate improved PPI regulators. This has allowed
the identification of a new small drug-like molecule, IGS-1.76, which
efficiently inhibits the human NCS-1/Ric8a complex with improved binding
potency. The crystal structure of the <i>Drosophila</i> NCS-1/IGS-1.76
complex demonstrates that the new inhibitor, although chemically different
from FD44, shares the same mechanism of action and constitutes a new
hit candidate for FXS
Deciphering the Inhibition of the Neuronal Calcium Sensor 1 and the Guanine Exchange Factor Ric8a with a Small Phenothiazine Molecule for the Rational Generation of Therapeutic Synapse Function Regulators
Protein–protein
interactions (PPIs) are known to play an
essential role between the neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS-1) and the
guanine exchange factor Ric8a to regulate synapse function, emerging
as a druggable interface for synaptopathies such as the fragile X
syndrome (FXS). Recently, the phenothiazine FD44 has been identified
as an inhibitor of this PPI, decreasing the abnormally high synapse
number and enhancing associative learning in a FXS animal model. Here,
we have integrated advanced experimental and computational studies
to obtain important structural insights into <i>Drosophila</i> NCS-1/FD44 recognition to understand the basis of its affinity and
specificity and generate improved PPI regulators. This has allowed
the identification of a new small drug-like molecule, IGS-1.76, which
efficiently inhibits the human NCS-1/Ric8a complex with improved binding
potency. The crystal structure of the <i>Drosophila</i> NCS-1/IGS-1.76
complex demonstrates that the new inhibitor, although chemically different
from FD44, shares the same mechanism of action and constitutes a new
hit candidate for FXS
Deciphering the Inhibition of the Neuronal Calcium Sensor 1 and the Guanine Exchange Factor Ric8a with a Small Phenothiazine Molecule for the Rational Generation of Therapeutic Synapse Function Regulators
Protein–protein
interactions (PPIs) are known to play an
essential role between the neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS-1) and the
guanine exchange factor Ric8a to regulate synapse function, emerging
as a druggable interface for synaptopathies such as the fragile X
syndrome (FXS). Recently, the phenothiazine FD44 has been identified
as an inhibitor of this PPI, decreasing the abnormally high synapse
number and enhancing associative learning in a FXS animal model. Here,
we have integrated advanced experimental and computational studies
to obtain important structural insights into <i>Drosophila</i> NCS-1/FD44 recognition to understand the basis of its affinity and
specificity and generate improved PPI regulators. This has allowed
the identification of a new small drug-like molecule, IGS-1.76, which
efficiently inhibits the human NCS-1/Ric8a complex with improved binding
potency. The crystal structure of the <i>Drosophila</i> NCS-1/IGS-1.76
complex demonstrates that the new inhibitor, although chemically different
from FD44, shares the same mechanism of action and constitutes a new
hit candidate for FXS
The Quest for Anticancer Vaccines: Deciphering the Fine-Epitope Specificity of Cancer-Related Monoclonal Antibodies by Combining Microarray Screening and Saturation Transfer Difference NMR
The identification of MUC1 tumor-associated
Tn antigen (αGalpNAc1-<i>O</i>-Ser/Thr) has boosted
the development of anticancer vaccines.
Combining microarrays and saturation transfer difference NMR, we have
characterized the fine-epitope mapping of a MUC1 chemical library
(naked and Tn-glycosylated) toward two families of cancer-related
monoclonal antibodies (anti-MUC1 and anti-Tn mAbs). Anti-MUC1 mAbs
clone VU-3C6 and VU-11E2 recognize naked MUC1-derived peptides and
bind GalNAc in a peptide-sequence-dependent manner. In contrast, anti-Tn
mAbs clone 8D4 and 14D6 mostly recognize the GalNAc and do not bind
naked MUC1-derived peptides. These anti-Tn mAbs show a clear preference
for glycopeptides containing the Tn-Ser antigen rather than the Tn-Thr
analogue, stressing the role of the underlying amino acid (serine
or threonine) in the binding process. The reported strategy can be
employed, in general, to unveil the key minimal structural features
that modulate antigen–antibody recognition, with particular
relevance for the development of Tn-MUC1-based anticancer vaccines