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357 Publications visible to you, out of a total of 357
On the determinants of electron transfer reorganization energy in a cytochrome P450: cytochrome b5 complex. A combined quantum mechanics and molecular dynamics simulation study

Abstract (Expand)

The electron transfer steps in the catalytic cycle of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, ubiquitous proteins with key roles in processes such as drug metabolism and steroidogenesis, are often rate-limiting. …rate-limiting. To predict ET rates from atomistic molecular dynamics simulations using Marcus theory, values of the reaction free energy ΔG0 and the reorganization free energy λ are required from either experiments or computations. For the reduction of cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) by the secondary redox protein cytochrome b5 (CYb5), a critical step in the regulation of steroidogenesis, experimental measurements of λ are not available. We here describe the computation of λ for this system from a combination of molecular mechanics/molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanics computations. Our results show that a quantum mechanical treatment of the redox-active cofactors is necessary, even though the surrounding protein and solvent, which are modeled classically, contribute most to the reorganization energy. The values of λ computed for structural ensembles corresponding to two predicted binding modes of the proteins are 1.23 and 1.16 eV. We find that the λ values computed for the individual soluble globular domains of the two proteins sum to approximately the λ values computed for the membrane-bound CYP17A1-CYb5 complex, indicating that additivity can be invoked in a computationally efficient approach to estimating λ values for such protein–protein complexes.

Authors: J. Teuffel, G. Mukherjee, S. B. Han, M. Elstner, R. C. Wade

Date Published: 21st May 2025

Publication Type: Journal

Simulation of Neurotrophin Receptor Transmembrane Helix Interactions Reveals Active States and Distinct Signaling Mechanisms

Abstract

Not specified

Authors: Christina Athanasiou, Ainara Claveras Cabezudo, Alexandros Tsengenes, Rebecca C. Wade

Date Published: 27th Apr 2025

Publication Type: Journal

Design of nanobody targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein using CDR-grafting assisted by molecular simulation and machine learning

Abstract (Expand)

The design of proteins capable effectively binding to specific protein targets is crucial for developing therapies, diagnostics, and vaccine candidates for viral infections. Here, we introduce a …we introduce a complementarity-determining region (CDR) grafting approach for designing nanobodies (Nbs) that target specific epitopes, with the aid of computer simulation and machine learning. As a proof-of-concept, we designed, evaluated, and characterized a high-affinity Nb against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. The designed Nb, referred to as Nb Ab.2, was synthesized and displayed high-affinity for both the purified receptor-binding domain protein and to the virus-like particle, demonstrating affinities of 9 nM and 60 nM, respectively, as measured with microscale thermophoresis. Circular dichroism showed the designed protein’s structural integrity and its proper folding, whereas molecular dynamics simulations provided insights into the internal dynamics of Nb Ab.2. This study shows that our computational pipeline can be used to efficiently design high-affinity Nbs with diagnostic and prophylactic potential, which can be tailored to tackle different viral targets.

Authors: Matheus VF Ferraz, W Camilla S Adan, Tayná E Lima, Adriele JC Santos, Sérgio O de Paula, Rafael Dhalia, Gabriel L Wallau, Rebecca C Wade, Isabelle FT Viana, Roberto D Lins

Date Published: 21st Apr 2025

Publication Type: Journal

The need to implement FAIR principles in biomolecular simulations.

Abstract

Not specified

Authors: R. E. Amaro, J. Aqvist, I. Bahar, F. Battistini, A. Bellaiche, D. Beltran, P. C. Biggin, M. Bonomi, G. R. Bowman, R. A. Bryce, G. Bussi, P. Carloni, D. A. Case, A. Cavalli, C. A. Chang, T. E. 3rd Cheatham, M. S. Cheung, C. Chipot, L. T. Chong, P. Choudhary, G. A. Cisneros, C. Clementi, R. Collepardo-Guevara, P. Coveney, R. Covino, T. D. Crawford, M. Dal Peraro, B. L. de Groot, L. Delemotte, M. De Vivo, J. W. Essex, F. Fraternali, J. Gao, J. L. Gelpi, F. L. Gervasio, F. D. Gonzalez-Nilo, H. Grubmuller, M. G. Guenza, H. V. Guzman, S. Harris, T. Head-Gordon, R. Hernandez, A. Hospital, N. Huang, X. Huang, G. Hummer, J. Iglesias-Fernandez, J. H. Jensen, S. Jha, W. Jiao, W. L. Jorgensen, S. C. L. Kamerlin, S. Khalid, C. Laughton, M. Levitt, V. Limongelli, E. Lindahl, K. Lindorff-Larsen, S. Loverde, M. Lundborg, Y. L. Luo, F. J. Luque, C. I. Lynch, A. D. Jr MacKerell, A. Magistrato, S. J. Marrink, H. Martin, J. A. McCammon, K. Merz, V. Moliner, A. J. Mulholland, S. Murad, A. N. Naganathan, S. Nangia, F. Noe, A. Noy, J. Olah, M. L. O'Mara, M. J. Ondrechen, J. N. Onuchic, A. Onufriev, S. Osuna, G. Palermo, A. R. Panchenko, S. Pantano, C. Parish, M. Parrinello, A. Perez, T. Perez-Acle, J. R. Perilla, B. M. Pettitt, A. Pietropaolo, J. P. Piquemal, A. B. Poma, M. Praprotnik, M. J. Ramos, P. Ren, N. Reuter, A. Roitberg, E. Rosta, C. Rovira, B. Roux, U. Rothlisberger, K. Y. Sanbonmatsu, T. Schlick, A. K. Shaytan, C. Simmerling, J. C. Smith, Y. Sugita, K. Swiderek, M. Taiji, P. Tao, D. P. Tieleman, I. G. Tikhonova, J. Tirado-Rives, I. Tunon, M. W. van der Kamp, D. van der Spoel, S. Velankar, G. A. Voth, R. Wade, A. Warshel, V. V. Welborn, S. D. Wetmore, T. J. Wheeler, C. F. Wong, L. W. Yang, M. Zacharias, M. Orozco

Date Published: 2nd Apr 2025

Publication Type: Journal

Impact of an irreversible β-galactosylceramidase inhibitor on the lipid profile of zebrafish embryos

Abstract

Not specified

Authors: Jessica Guerra, Mirella Belleri, Giulia Paiardi, Chiara Tobia, Davide Capoferri, Marzia Corli, Elisa Scalvini, Marco Ghirimoldi, Marcello Manfredi, Rebecca C. Wade, Marco Presta, Luca Mignani

Date Published: 1st Dec 2024

Publication Type: Journal

Computational screening of the effects of mutations on protein-protein off-rates and dissociation mechanisms by τRAMD

Abstract (Expand)

Abstract The dissociation rate, or its reciprocal, the residence time (τ), is a crucial parameter for understanding the duration and biological impact of biomolecular interactions. Accurate prediction …tions. Accurate prediction of τ is essential for understanding protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and identifying potential drug targets or modulators for tackling diseases. Conventional molecular dynamics simulation techniques are inherently constrained by their limited timescales, making it challenging to estimate residence times, which typically range from minutes to hours. Building upon its successful application in protein-small molecule systems, τ-Random Acceleration Molecular Dynamics (τRAMD) is here investigated for estimating dissociation rates of protein-protein complexes. τRAMD enables the observation of unbinding events on the nanosecond timescale, facilitating rapid and efficient computation of relative residence times. We tested this methodology for three protein-protein complexes and their extensive mutant datasets, achieving good agreement between computed and experimental data. By combining τRAMD with MD-IFP (Interaction Fingerprint) analysis, dissociation mechanisms were characterized and their sensitivity to mutations investigated, enabling the identification of molecular hotspots for selective modulation of dissociation kinetics. In conclusion, our findings underscore the versatility of τRAMD as a simple and computationally efficient approach for computing relative protein-protein dissociation rates and investigating dissociation mechanisms, thereby aiding the design of PPI modulators.

Authors: Giulia D’Arrigo, Daria B. Kokh, Ariane Nunes-Alves, Rebecca C. Wade

Date Published: 1st Dec 2024

Publication Type: Journal

Comprehensive characterization of the neurogenic and neuroprotective action of a novel TrkB agonist using mouse and human stem cell models of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract (Expand)

Abstract Background Neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation and differentiation in the mammalian brain decreases to minimal levels postnatally. Nevertheless, neurogenic niches persist in the adult cortex …rtheless, neurogenic niches persist in the adult cortex and hippocampus in rodents, primates and humans, with adult NSC differentiation sharing key regulatory mechanisms with development. Adult neurogenesis impairments have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. Addressing these impairments by using neurotrophic factors is a promising new avenue for therapeutic intervention based on neurogenesis. However, this possibility has been hindered by technical difficulties of using in-vivo models to conduct screens, including working with scarce NSCs in the adult brain and differences between human and mouse models or ethical limitations. Methods Here, we use a combination of mouse and human stem cell models for comprehensive in-vitro characterization of a novel neurogenic compound, focusing on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway. The ability of ENT-A011, a steroidal dehydroepiandrosterone derivative, to activate the tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptor was tested through western blotting in NIH-3T3 cells and its neurogenic and neuroprotective action were assessed through proliferation, cell death and Amyloid-β (Aβ) toxicity assays in mouse primary adult hippocampal NSCs, mouse embryonic cortical NSCs and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) differentiated from three human induced pluripotent stem cell lines from healthy and AD donors. RNA-seq profiling was used to assess if the compound acts through the same gene network as BDNF in human NPCs. Results ENT-A011 was able to increase proliferation of mouse primary adult hippocampal NSCs and embryonic cortical NSCs, in the absence of EGF/FGF, while reducing Aβ-induced cell death, acting selectively through TrkB activation. The compound was able to increase astrocytic gene markers involved in NSC maintenance, protect hippocampal neurons from Αβ toxicity and prevent synapse loss after Aβ treatment. ENT-A011 successfully induces proliferation and prevents cell death after Aβ toxicity in human NPCs, acting through a core gene network shared with BDNF as shown through RNA-seq. Conclusions Our work characterizes a novel BDNF mimetic with preferable pharmacological properties and neurogenic and neuroprotective actions in Alzheimer’s disease via stem cell-based screening, demonstrating the promise of stem cell systems for short-listing competitive candidates for further testing.

Authors: Despoina Charou, Thanasis Rogdakis, Alessia Latorrata, Maria Valcarcel, Vasileios Papadogiannis, Christina Athanasiou, Alexandros Tsengenes, Maria Anna Papadopoulou, Dimitrios Lypitkas, Matthieu D. Lavigne, Theodora Katsila, Rebecca C. Wade, M. Zameel Cader, Theodora Calogeropoulou, Achille Gravanis, Ioannis Charalampopoulos

Date Published: 1st Dec 2024

Publication Type: Journal

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