Sampling of conformational ensemble for virtual screening using molecular dynamics simulations and normal mode analysis

Aim: Molecular dynamics simulations and normal mode analysis are well-established approaches to generate receptor conformational ensembles (RCEs) for ligand docking and virtual screening. Here, we report new fast molecular dynamics-based and normal mode analysis-based protocols combined with conformational pocket classifications to efficiently generate RCEs. Materials \& methods: We assessed our protocols on two well-characterized protein targets showing local active site flexibility, dihydrofolate reductase and large collective movements, CDK2. The performance of the RCEs was validated by distinguishing known ligands of dihydrofolate reductase and CDK2 among a dataset of diverse chemical decoys. Results \& discussion: Our results show that different simulation protocols can be efficient for generation of RCEs depending on different kind of protein flexibility

A rational free energy-based approach to understanding and targeting disease-causing missense mutations.

BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE: Intellectual disability is a condition characterized by significant limitations in cognitive abilities and social/behavioral adaptive skills and is an important reason for pediatric, neurologic, and genetic referrals. Approximately 10% of protein-encoding genes on the X chromosome are implicated in intellectual disability, and the corresponding intellectual disability is termed X-linked ID (XLID). Although few mutations and a small number of families have been identified and XLID is rare, collectively the impact of XLID is significant because patients usually are unable to fully participate in society. OBJECTIVE: To reveal the molecular mechanisms of various intellectual disabilities and to suggest small molecules which by binding to the malfunctioning protein can reduce unwanted effects. METHODS: Using various in silico methods we reveal the molecular mechanism of XLID in cases involving proteins with known 3D structure. The 3D structures were used to predict the effect of disease-causing missense mutations on the folding free energy, conformational dynamics, hydrogen bond network and, if appropriate, protein-protein binding free energy. RESULTS: It is shown that the vast majority of XLID mutation sites are outside the active pocket and are accessible from the water phase, thus providing the opportunity to alter their effect by binding appropriate small molecules in the vicinity of the mutation site. CONCLUSIONS: This observation is used to demonstrate, computationally and experimentally, that a particular condition, Snyder-Robinson syndrome caused by the G56S spermine synthase mutation, might be ameliorated by small molecule binding

Representations of protein structure for exploring the conformational space: A speed–accuracy trade-off

International audienceThe recent breakthrough in the field of protein structure prediction shows the relevance of using knowledge-based based scoring functions in combination with a low-resolution 3D representation of protein macromolecules. The choice of not using all atoms is barely supported by any data in the literature, and is mostly motivated by empirical and practical reasons, such as the computational cost of assessing the numerous folds of the protein conformational space. Here, we present a comprehensive study, carried on a large and balanced benchmark of predicted protein structures, to see how different types of structural representations rank in either accuracy or calculation speed, and which ones offer the best compromise between these two criteria. We tested ten representations, including lowresolution, high-resolution, and coarse-grained approaches. We also investigated the generalization of the findings to other formalisms than the widely-used ''potential of mean force" (PMF) method. Thus, we observed that representing protein structures by their b carbons-combined or not with Ca-provides the best speed-accuracy trade-off, when using a ''total information gain" scoring function. For statistical PMFs, using MARTINI backbone and side-chains beads is the best option. Finally, we also demonstrated the necessity of training the reference state on all atom types, and of including the Ca atoms of glycine residues, in a Cb-based representation

Exploring the Structural Rearrangements of the Human Insulin-Degrading Enzyme through Molecular Dynamics Simulations

International audienceInsulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is a ubiquitously expressed metallopeptidase that degrades insulin and a large panel of amyloidogenic peptides. IDE is thought to be a potential therapeutic target for type-2 diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. IDE catalytic chamber, known as a crypt, is formed, so that peptides can be enclosed and degraded. However, the molecular mechanism of the IDE function and peptide recognition, as well as its conformation changes, remains elusive. Our study elucidates IDE structural changes and explains how IDE conformational dynamics is important to modulate the catalytic cycle of IDE. In this aim, a free-substrate IDE crystallographic structure (PDB ID: 2JG4) was used to model a complete structure of IDE. IDE stability and flexibility were studied through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to witness IDE conformational dynamics switching from a closed to an open state. The description of IDE structural changes was achieved by analysis of the cavity and its expansion over time. Moreover, the quasi-harmonic analysis of the hinge connecting IDE domains and the angles formed over the simulations gave more insights into IDE shifts. Overall, our results could guide toward the use of different approaches to study IDE with different substrates and inhibitors, while taking into account the conformational states resolved in our study

PatchSearch: a web server for off-target protein identification

International audienceThe large number of proteins found in the human body implies that a drug may interact with many proteins, called off-target proteins, besides its intended target. The PatchSearch web server provides an automated workflow that allows users to identify structurally conserved binding sites at the protein surfaces in a set of user-supplied protein structures. Thus, this web server may help to detect potential off-target protein. It takes as input a protein complexed with a ligand and identifies within user-defined or predefined collections of protein structures, those having a binding site compatible with this ligand in terms of geometry and physicochemical properties. It is based on a non-sequential local alignment of the patch over the entire protein surface. Then the PatchSearch web server proposes a ligand binding mode for the potential off-target, as well as an estimated affinity calculated by the Vinardo scoring function. This novel tool is able to efficiently detects potential interactions of ligands with distant off-target proteins. Furthermore, by facilitating the discovery of unexpected off-targets, PatchSearch could contribute to the repurposing of existing drugs. The server is freely available at http://bioserv.rpbs.univparis-diderot.fr/services/PatchSearch

Catechins as a Potential Dietary Supplementation in Prevention of Comorbidities Linked with Down Syndrome

Plant-derived polyphenols flavonoids are increasingly being recognized for their medicinal potential. These bioactive compounds derived from plants are gaining more interest in ameliorating adverse health risks because of their low toxicity and few side effects. Among them, therapeutic approaches demonstrated the efficacy of catechins, a major group of flavonoids, in reverting several aspects of Down syndrome, the most common genomic disorder that causes intellectual disability. Down syndrome is characterized by increased incidence of developing Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and subsequent metabolic disorders. In this focused review, we examine the main effects of catechins on comorbidities linked with Down syndrome. We also provide evidence of catechin effects on DYRK1A, a dosage-sensitive gene encoding a protein kinase involved in brain defects and metabolic disease associated with Down syndrome

In silico characterization of the interaction between LSKL peptide, a LAP-TGF-beta derived peptide, and ADAMTS1

International audienceMetalloproteases involved in extracellular matrix remodeling play a pivotal role in cell response by regulating the bioavailability of cytokines and growth factors. Recently, the disintegrin and metalloprotease, ADAMTS1 has been demonstrated to be able to activate the transforming growth factor TGF-β, a major factor in fibrosis and cancer. The KTFR sequence from ADAMTS1 is responsible for the interaction with the LSKL peptide from the latent form of TGF-β, leading to its activation. While the atomic details of the interaction site can be the basis of the rational design of efficient inhibitory molecules, the binding mode of interaction is totally unknown. In this study, we show that recombinant fragments of human ADAMTS1 containing KTFR sequence keep the ability to bind the latent form of TGF-β. The recombinant fragment with the best affinity is modeled to investigate the binding mode of LSKL peptide with ADAMTS1 at the atomic level. Using a combined approach with molecular docking and multiple independent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we provide the binding mode of LSKL peptide with ADAMTS1. The MD simulations starting with the two lowest energy model predicted by molecular docking shows stable interactions characterized by 3 salt bridges (K3-NH3(+) with E626-COO(-); L4-COO(-) with K619-NH3(+); L1-NH3(+) with E624-COO(-)) and 2 hydrogen bonds (S2-OH with E623-COO(-); L4-NH with E623-COO(-)). The knowledge of this interaction mechanism paves the way to the design of more potent and more specific inhibitors against the inappropriate activation of TGF-β by ADAMTS1 in liver diseases