Search

Aim:To design and synthesize bivalent ligands for adenosine A1-dopamine D1 receptor heteromers (A1-D1R), and evaluate their pharmacological activities.Methods:Bivalent ligands and their corresponding A1R monovalent ligands were designed and synthesized. The affinities of the bivalent ligands for A1R and D1R in rat brain membrane preparation were examined using radiolabeled binding assays. To demonstrate the formation of A1-D1R, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) was conducted in HEK293 cells transfected with D1-CFP and A1-YFP. Molecular modeling was used to analyze the possible mode of protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions.Results:Two bivalent ligands for A1R and D1R (20a, 20b), as well as the corresponding A1R monovalent ligands (21a, 21b) were synthesized. In radiolabeled binding assays, the bivalent ligands showed affinities for A1R 10-100 times higher than those of the corresponding monovalent ligands. In FRET experiments, the bivalent ligands significantly increased the heterodimerization of A1R and D1R compared with the corresponding monovalent ligands. A heterodimer model with the interface of helixes 3, 4, 5 of A1R and helixes 1, 6, 7 from D1R was established with molecular modeling. The distance between the two ligand binding sites in the heterodimer model was approximately 48.4 Å, which was shorter than the length of the bivalent ligands.Conclusion:This study demonstrates the existence of A1-D1R in situ and a simultaneous interaction of bivalent ligands with both the receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to design and synthesize a series of high activity compounds against aspartyl protease beta-secretase (BACE-1) bearing hydroxyethylene (HE) framework., Methods: First, we designed the small library based on our previous work and rational analysis. Subsequently, thirteen compounds were selected and synthesized using skilled solid phase synthetic methods to explore the relationship between structure and activity. We then used molecular modeling to explain the possible binding mode., Results: Thirteen new compounds (6-18) have been designed, synthesized and bioassayed. Their structures were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, low- and high-resolution mass spectra and optical rotation. Most compounds have shown moderate to excellent activities, and compound 10, which contains fewer amino acids and amide bonds than GRL-7234, was about 5-fold more potent than the control compound 4 discovered by Merck. The molecular modeling results have indicated the possible binding mode and explained the difference between compounds 10 and 16, providing direction for further study., Conclusion: This study yielded several high activity compounds bearing fewer amino acids and amide bonds than previous compounds, providing insight into the further development of potent BACE-1 inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Aim: To develop probes for detecting the binding specificity between beta-secretase and substrate, and provide reliable biological activity data for further researching encircling substrate-based inhibitors., Methods: To prepare the inhibitors, the hydroxyethylene (HE) segment including P1 and P1'was synthesized after multi-step reactions; the combination of all segments was then completed through solid phase synthesis. Recombinant human beta-secretase ectodomain (amino acid residues 1-460) was expressed as a secreted protein with a C-terminal His tag in insect cells using baculovirus infection, and all compounds were evaluated in this beta-secretase enzyme assay. In order to understand the interaction in detail, the theoretical methods, namely molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and molecular mechanics-generalized-born surface area (MM-GBSA) analysis, were performed on the complex of beta-secretase and OM99-2 to obtain the geometrical and energetical information., Results: We designed and constructed a positional scanning combinatorial library including 16 compounds; all members of the library were synthesized based on HE dipeptide isostere. Structure-activity relationship studies at the P4-P1 and P1' -P4'positions led to the discoveries of P and P'sides binding specificity and potent inhibitors 14, 18, and 22. The binding free energy on the whole system and every residue were compared to the biological assay result., Conclusion: The removal of P4' yielded inhibitor 22 (A3 *B2) with high potency; further truncation of P3'gave inhibitor 18 (A3 *B1) with equal activity, implying that the right side of the inhibitors play a less important role and could be easily simplified, while change on the P side may cause substantial results.

Aim: To constructed a three-dimensional (3D) model for the 3C like (3CL) proteinase of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and to design inhibitors of the 3CL proteinase based on the 3D model., Methods: Bioinformatics analyses were performed to search the homologous proteins of the SARS-CoV 3CL proteinase from the GenBank and PDB database. A 3D model of the proteinase was constructed by using homology modeling technique. Targeting to the 3D model and its X-ray crystal structure of the main proteinase (Mpro) of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), virtual screening was performed employing molecular docking method to identify possible 3CL proteinase inhibitors from small molecular databases., Results: Sequence alignment indicated that the SARS-CoV 3CL proteinase was extremely homologous to TGEV Mpro, especially the substrate-binding pocket (active site). Accordingly, a 3D model for the SARS-CoV 3CL proteinase was constructed based on the crystal structure of TGEV Mpro. The 3D model adopts a similar fold of the TGEV Mpro, its structure and binding pocket feature are almost as same as that of TGEV Mpro. The tested virtual screening indicated that 73 available proteinase inhibitors in the MDDR database might dock into both the binding pockets of the TGEV Mpro and the SARS-CoV 3CL proteinase., Conclusions: Either the 3D model of the SARS-CoV 3CL proteinase or the X-ray crystal structure of the TGEV Mpro may be used as a starting point for design anti-SARS drugs. Screening the known proteinase inhibitors may be an appreciated shortcut to discover anti-SARS drugs.