A novel mechanism of inhibiting HIV-1 protease (HIVp) is presented. Using computational solvent mapping to identify complementary interactions and the Multiple Protein Structure method to incorporate protein flexibility, we generated a receptor-based pharmacophore model of the flexible flap region of the semi-open, apo state of HIVp. Complementary interactions were consistently observed at the base of the flap, only within a cleft with a specific structural role. In the closed, bound state of HIVp, each flap tip docks against the opposite monomer, occupying this cleft. This flap-recognition site is filled by the protein and cannot be identified using traditional approaches based on bound, closed structures. Virtual screening and dynamics simulations show how small molecules can be identified to complement this cleft. Subsequent experimental testing confirms inhibitory activity of this new class of inhibitor. This may be the first new inhibitor class for HIVp since dimerization inhibitors were introduced 17 years ago.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the self-assembly of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides. Recent models implicate some of the earliest Aβ oligomers, such as trimers and tetramers, in disease. However, the roles of these structures remain uncertain, in part, because selective probes of their formation are not available. Towards that goal, we generated bivalent versions of the known Aβ ligand, the pentapeptide KLVFF. We found that compounds containing sufficiently long linkers (~19 to 24 Å) recognized primarily Aβ trimers and tetramers, with little binding to either monomer or higher order structures. These compounds might be useful probes for early Aβ oligomers.
The 1TW7 crystal structure of HIV-1 protease shows the flaps placed wider and more open than what is seen in other examples of the semi-open, apo form. It has been proposed that this might be experimental evidence of allosteric control, because crystal packing creates contacts to the "elbow region" of the protease, which may cause deformation of the flaps. Recent dynamics simulations have shown that the conformation seen in 1TW7 relaxes into the typical semi-open conformation in the absence of the crystal contacts, definitively showing that the crystal contacts cause the deformation (Layten, Hornak, and Simmerling. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 13360-13361). However, this does not prove or disprove allosteric modulation at the elbow. In this study, we have conducted additional simulations, supplemented with experimental testing, to further probe the possibility of 1TW7 providing an example of allosteric control of the flap region. We show that the contacts are unstable and do not restrict the conformational sampling of the flaps. The deformation seen in the 1TW7 crystal structure is simply opportunistic crystal packing, not allosteric control.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.