Multidrug resistance-associated proteins are ABC C-family exporters. They are crucial in pharmacology as they transport various substrates across membranes. However, the role of the degenerate nucleotide-binding site (NBS) remains unclear likewise the interplay with the surrounding lipid environment. Here, we propose a dynamic and structural overview of MRP1 from ca. 110 μs molecular dynamics simulations. ATP binding to NBS1 is likely maintained along several transport cycles. Asymmetric NBD behaviour is ensured by lower signal transduction from NBD1 to the rest of the protein owing to the absence of ball-and-socket conformation between NBD1 and coupling helices. Even though surrounding lipids play an active role in the allosteric communication between the substrate-binding pocket and NBDs, our results suggest that lipid composition has a limited impact, mostly by affecting transport kinetics. We believe that our work can be extended to other degenerate NBS ABC proteins and provide hints for deciphering mechanistic differences among ABC transporters.

The human SLC22A6/OAT1 plays an important role in the elimination of a broad range of endogenous substances and xenobiotics thus attracting attention from the pharmacological community. Furthermore, OAT1 is also involved in key physiological events such as the remote inter-organ communication. Despite its significance, the knowledge about hOAT1 structure and the transport mechanism at the atomic level remains fragmented owing to the lack of resolved structures. By means of protein-threading modeling refined by μs-scaled Molecular Dynamics simulations, the present study provides the first robust model of hOAT1 in outward-facing conformation. Taking advantage of the AlphaFold 2 predicted structure of hOAT1 in inward-facing conformation, we here provide the essential structural and functional features comparing both states. The intracellular motifs conserved among Major Facilitator Superfamily members create a so-called “charge-relay system” that works as molecular switches modulating the conformation. The principal element of the event points at interactions of charged residues that appear crucial for the transporter dynamics and function. Moreover, hOAT1 model was embedded in different lipid bilayer membranes highlighting the crucial structural dependence on lipid-protein interactions. MD simulations supported the pivotal role of phosphatidylethanolamine components to the protein conformation stability. The present model is made available to decipher the impact of any observed polymorphism and mutation on drug transport as well as to understand substrate binding modes.

Cationic carbenes are a relatively new and rare group of ancillary ligands, which have shown their superior activity in a number of challenging catalytic reactions. In ruthenium-based metathesis catalysis they are often used as ammonium tags, to provide water-soluble, environment-friendly catalysts. In this work we performed computational studies on three cationic carbenes with the formal positive charge located at different distances from the carbene carbon. We show that the predicted initiation rates of Grubbs, indenylidene, and Hoveyda–Grubbs-like complexes incorporating these carbenes show little variance and are similar to initiation rates of standard Grubbs, indenylidene, and Hoveyda–Grubbs catalysts. In all investigated cases the partial charge of the carbene carbon atom is similar, resulting in comparable Ccarbene–Ru bond strengths and Ru–P/O dissociation Gibbs free energies.

The human SLC22A6/OAT1 plays an important role in the disposition of a broad range of endogenous substances and xenobiotics. This is particularly important from the pharmacological point of view since OAT1 is involved in drug elimination events. Furthermore, OAT1 is also involved in key physiological events such as the remote inter-organ communication. Despite its significance, the knowledge about OAT1 structure and the transport mechanism at the atomic level remains fragmented owing to the lack of resolved structures. By means of protein-threading modeling refined by μs-scaled Molecular Dynamics simulations, the present study provides the first robust model of hOAT1 in outward-facing conformation. Taking advantage of the AlphaFold 2 predicted structure of hOAT1 in inward-facing conformation, we here provide the essential structural and functional features comparing both states. The intracellular motifs conserved among Major Facilitator Superfamily members create a so-called "charge-relay system" that works as molecular switches modulating the conformation. The principal element of the event points at interactions charged residues that appear crucial for the transporter dynamics and function. Besides, hOAT1 model was embedded in different lipid bilayer membranes highlighting the crucial structural dependence on lipid-protein. MD simulations supported the pivotal role of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) components on the protein conformation stability. The present model is made available to decipher the impact of any observed polymorphism and mutation on drug transport as well as to understand substrate binding modes.

Formation of sterically hindered C−C double bonds via catalytic olefin metathesis is considered a very challenging task for Ru catalysts. This limitation led to the development of specialised catalysts bearing sterically reduced N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands that are very active in such transformations, yet significantly less stable as compared to general purpose catalysts. To decrease the small‐size NHC catalysts susceptibility to decomposition, a new NHC ligand was designed, in which two sterically reduced aryl arms were tied together by a C‐8 alkyl chain. The installation of this macrocyclic ligand on the ruthenium centre led to the formation of an olefin metathesis catalyst (trans‐Ru6). Interestingly, this complex undergoes transformation into an isomer bearing two Cl ligands in the cis‐arrangement (cis‐Ru6). These two isomeric complexes exhibit similarly high thermodynamic stability, yet different application profiles in catalysis.

Background & aim: ABCB4 is expressed at the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes. This ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter is responsible for the secretion of phosphatidylcholine into bile canaliculi. Missense genetic variations of ABCB4 are correlated with several rare cholestatic liver diseases, the most severe being progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 (PFIC3). In a repurposing strategy to correct intracellularly retained ABCB4 variants, we tested 16 compounds previously validated as cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) correctors. Methods:The maturation, intracellular localization and activity of intracellularly retained ABCB4 variants were analyzed in cell models after treatment with CFTR correctors. In addition, in silico molecular docking calculations were performed to test the potential interaction of CFTR correctors with ABCB4. Results:We observed that the correctors C10, C13, and C17, as well as the combinations of C3 + C18 and C4 + C18, allowed the rescue of maturation and canalicular localization of four distinct traffic-defective ABCB4 variants. However, such treatments did not permit a rescue of the phosphatidylcholine secretion activity of these defective variants and were also inhibitory of the activity of wild type ABCB4. In | 1345 BEN SAAD Et Al.

Multidrug resistance-associated proteins are ABC C-family exporters. They are crucial in pharmacology as they transport various substrates across membranes. However, the role of the degenerate nucleotide-binding site (NBS) remains unclear likewise the interplay with the surrounding lipid environment. Here, we propose a dynamic and structural overview of MRP1 from ca. 110 μs molecular dynamics simulations. ATP binding to NBS1 is likely maintained along several transport cycles. Asymmetric NBD behaviour is ensured by lower signal transduction from NBD1 to the rest of the protein owing to the absence of ball-and-socket conformation between NBD1 and coupling helices. Even though surrounding lipids play an active role in the allosteric communication between the substrate-binding pocket and NBDs, our results suggest that lipid composition has a limited impact, mostly by affecting transport kinetics. We believe that our work can be extended to other degenerate NBS ABC proteins and provide hints for deciphering mechanistic differences among ABC transporters.

ATP‐binding cassette C‐family drug membrane transporters play an important role in local pharmacokinetics, that is, drug concentration in cellular compartments. From the structural point of view, only the bovine ortholog of the multidrug resistance‐associated protein 1 (bMRP1) has been resolved. We here used μs‐scaled molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the structure and dynamics of the bovine multidrug resistance‐associated protein 1 in pre‐ and post‐hydrolysis functional states. The present work aims to examine the slight but likely relevant structural differences between pre‐ and post‐hydrolysis states of outward‐facing conformations as well as the interactions between the multidrug resistance‐associated protein 1 and the surrounding lipid bilayer. Global conformational dynamics show unfavourable extracellular opening associated with nucleotide‐binding domain dimerization indicating that the post‐hydrolysis state adopts a close‐cleft conformation rather than an outward‐open conformation. Our present simulations also highlight persistent interactions with annular cholesterol molecules and the expected active role of lipid bilayer in the allosteric communication between distant domains of the transporter.