Solution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Research Articles

NMR characterization of RNA binding property of the DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX3X and its implications for helicase activity

The DEAD-box RNA helicase (DDX) plays a central role in many aspects of RNA metabolism by remodeling the defined structure of RNA molecules. While a number of structural studies have revealed the atomistic details of the interaction between DDX and RNA ligands, the molecular mechanism of how this molecule unwinds a structured RNA into an unstructured single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) has largely remained elusive. This is due to challenges in structurally characterizing the unwinding intermediate state and the lack of thermodynamic details underlying this process. In this study, we use solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to characterize the interaction of human DDX3X, a member of the DDX family, with various RNA ligands. Our results show that the inherent binding affinity of DDX3X for ssRNA is significantly higher than that for structured RNA elements. This preferential binding, accompanied by the formation of a domain-closed conformation in complex with ssRNA, effectively stabilizes the denatured ssRNA state and thus underlies the unwinding activity of DDX3X. Our results provide a thermodynamic and structural basis for the DDX function, whereby DDX can recognize and remodel a distinct set of structured RNAs to participate in a wide range of physiological processes.

Multinuclear Residual Quadrupolar Couplings for Structure and Assignment.

Most stable isotopes have a nuclear spin >1/2, but the quadrupole interaction poses challenge on their detection by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). On the other hand, the quadrupole interaction is a rich source of structural information that may be exploited for solution NMR in the form of residual quadrupolar couplings (RQCs) of weakly oriented samples. While 2H RQCs are now well established for structure verification and enantiomeric discrimination of organic molecules, we will in this article highlight some recent work on RQCs of other nuclei (especially 7Li and 11B).

Monitoring Drug-Protein Interactions in the Bacterial Periplasm by Solution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

The rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance across bacterial pathogens poses a serious risk to the efficacy and sustainability of available treatments. This puts pressure on research concerning the development of new drugs. Here, we present an in-cell NMR-based research strategy to monitor the activity of the enzymes located in the periplasmic space delineated by the inner and outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria. We demonstrate its unprecedented analytical power in monitoring in situ and in real time (i) the hydrolysis of β-lactams by β-lactamases, (ii) the interaction of drugs belonging to the β-lactam family with their essential targets, and (iii) the binding of inhibitors to these enzymes. We show that in-cell NMR provides a powerful analytical tool for investigating new drugs targeting the molecular components of the bacterial periplasm.

Exploring Host-Guest Interactions within a 600 kDa DegP Protease Cage Complex Using Hydrodynamics Measurements and Methyl-TROSY NMR.

The DegP protease-chaperone operates within the periplasm of Gram-negative bacteria, where it assists in the regulation of protein homeostasis, promotes virulence, and is essential to survival under stress. To carry out these tasks, DegP forms a network of preorganized apo oligomers that facilitate the capture of substrates within distributions of cage-like complexes which expand to encapsulate clients of various sizes. Although the architectures of DegP cage complexes are well understood, little is known about the structures, dynamics, and interactions of client proteins within DegP cages and the relationship between client structural dynamics and function. Here, we probe host-guest interactions within a 600 kDa DegP cage complex throughout the DegP activation cycle using a model α-helical client protein through a combination of hydrodynamics measurements, methyl-transverse relaxation optimized spectroscopy-based solution nuclear magnetic resonance studies, and proteolytic activity assays. We find that in the presence of the client, DegP cages assemble cooperatively with few intermediates. Our data further show that the N-terminal half of the bound client, which projects into the interior of the cages, is predominantly unfolded and flexible, and exchanges between multiple conformational states over a wide range of time scales. Finally, we show that a concerted structural transition of the protease domains of DegP occurs upon client engagement, leading to activation. Together, our findings support a model of DegP as a highly cooperative and dynamic molecular machine that stabilizes unfolded states of clients, primarily via interactions with their C-termini, giving rise to efficient cleavage.

High-fidelity, hyper-accurate, and evolved mutants rewire atomic-level communication in CRISPR-Cas9.

The high-fidelity (HF1), hyper-accurate (Hypa), and evolved (Evo) variants of the CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) endonuclease are critical tools to mitigate off-target effects in the application of CRISPR-Cas9 technology. The mechanisms by which mutations in recognition subdomain 3 (Rec3) mediate specificity in these variants are poorly understood. Here, solution nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular dynamics simulations establish the structural and dynamic effects of high-specificity mutations in Rec3, and how they propagate the allosteric signal of Cas9. We reveal conserved structural changes and dynamic differences at regions of Rec3 that interface with the RNA:DNA hybrid, transducing chemical signals from Rec3 to the catalytic His-Asn-His (HNH) domain. The variants remodel the communication sourcing from the Rec3 α helix 37, previously shown to sense target DNA complementarity, either directly or allosterically. This mechanism increases communication between the DNA mismatch recognition helix and the HNH active site, shedding light on the structure and dynamics underlying Cas9 specificity and providing insight for future engineering principles.

Intrinsically disordered Pseudomonas chaperone FapA slows down the fibrillation of major biofilm-forming functional amyloid FapC.

Functional bacterial amyloids play a crucial role in the formation of biofilms, which mediate chronic infections and contribute to antimicrobial resistance. This study focuses on the FapC amyloid fibrillar protein from Pseudomonas, a major contributor to biofilm formation. We investigate the initial steps of FapC amyloid formation and the impact of the chaperone-like protein FapA on this process. Using solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), we recently showed that both FapC and FapA are intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). Here, the secondary structure propensities (SSPs) are compared to alphafold (DeepMind, protein structure prediction tool/algorithm: https://alphafold.ebi.ac.uk/) models. We further demonstrate that the FapA chaperone interacts with FapC and significantly slows down the formation of FapC fibrils. Our NMR titrations reveal ~ 18% of the resonances show FapA-induced chemical shift perturbations (CSPs), which has not been previously observed, the largest being for A82, N201, C237, C240, A241, and G245. These sites may suggest a specific interaction site and/or hotspots of fibrillation inhibition/control interface at the repeat-1 (R1)/loop-2 (L2) and L2/R3 transition areas and at the C-terminus of FapC. Remarkably, ~ 90% of FapA NMR signals exhibit substantial CSPs upon titration with FapC, the largest being for S63, A69, A80, and I92. A temperature-dependent effect of FapA was observed on FapC by thioflavin T (ThT) and NMR experiments. This study provides a detailed understanding of the interaction between the FapA and FapC, shedding light on the regulation and slowing down of amyloid formation, and has important implications for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting biofilms and associated infections.

A rationally designed antimicrobial peptide from structural and functional insights of Clostridioides difficile translation initiation factor 1.

A significant increase of hospital-acquired bacterial infections during the COVID-19 pandemic has become an urgent medical problem. Clostridioides difficile is an urgent antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogen and a leading causative agent of nosocomial infections. The increasing recurrence of C. difficile infection and antibiotic resistance in C. difficile has led to an unmet need for the discovery of new compounds distinctly different from present antimicrobials, while antimicrobial peptides as promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics have attracted growing interest recently. Protein synthesis is an essential metabolic process in all bacteria and a validated antibiotic target. Initiation factor 1 from C. difficile (Cd-IF1) is the smallest of the three initiation factors that acts to establish the 30S initiation complex to initiate translation during protein biosynthesis. Here, we report the solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structure of Cd-IF1 which adopts a typical β-barrel fold and consists of a five-stranded β-sheet and one short α-helix arranged in the sequential order β1-β2-β3-α1-β4-β5. The interaction of Cd-IF1 with the 30S ribosomal subunit was studied by NMR titration for the construction of a structural model of Cd-IF1 binding with the 30S subunit. The short α-helix in IF1 was found to be critical for IF1 ribosomal binding. A peptide derived from this α-helix was tested and displayed a high ability to inhibit the growth of C. difficile and other bacterial strains. These results provide a clue for the rational design of new antimicrobials.IMPORTANCEBacterial infections continue to represent a major worldwide health hazard due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Clostridioides difficile is a common nosocomial pathogen and the causative agent in many infections resulting in an increase in morbidity and mortality. Bacterial protein synthesis is an essential metabolic process and an important target for antibiotic development; however, the precise structural mechanism underlying the process in C. difficile remains unknown. This study reports the solution structure of C. difficile translation initiation factor 1 (IF1) and its interaction with the 30S ribosomal subunit. A short α-helix in IF1 structure was identified as critically important for ribosomal binding and function in regulating the translation initiation, which allowed a rational design of a new peptide. The peptide demonstrated a high ability to inhibit bacterial growth with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. This study provides a new clue for the rational design of new antimicrobials against bacterial infections.

Unraveling Molecular Recognition of Glycan Ligands by Siglec-9 via NMR Spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics Modeling.

Human sialic-acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-9 (Siglec-9) is a glycoimmune checkpoint receptor expressed on several immune cells. Binding of Siglec-9 to sialic acid containing glycans (sialoglycans) is well documented to modulate its functions as an inhibitory receptor. Here, we first assigned the amino acid backbone of the Siglec-9 V-set domain (Siglec-9d1), using well-established triple resonance three-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. Then, we combined solution NMR and molecular dynamic simulation methods to decipher the molecular details of the interaction of Siglec-9 with the natural ligands α2,3 and α2,6 sialyl lactosamines (SLN), sialyl Lewis X (sLeX), and 6-O sulfated sLeX and with two synthetically modified sialoglycans that bind with high affinity. As expected, Neu5Ac is accommodated between the F and G β-strands at the canonical sialic acid binding site. Addition of a heteroaromatic scaffold 9N-5-(2-methylthiazol-4-yl)thiophene sulfonamide (MTTS) at the C9 position of Neu5Ac generates new interactions with the hydrophobic residues located at the G-G' loop and the N-terminal region of Siglec-9. Similarly, the addition of the aromatic substituent (5-N-(1-benzhydryl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl (BTC)) at the C5 position of Neu5Ac stabilizes the conformation of the long and flexible B'-C loop present in Siglec-9. These results expose the underlying mechanism responsible for the enhanced affinity and specificity for Siglec-9 for these two modified sialoglycans and sheds light on the rational design of the next generation of modified sialoglycans targeting Siglec-9.

High-Resolution NMR Structures of Intrastrand Hairpins Formed by CTG Trinucleotide Repeats.

The CAG and CTG trinucleotide repeat expansions cause more than 10 human neurodegenerative diseases. Intrastrand hairpins formed by trinucleotide repeats contribute to repeat expansions, establishing them as potential drug targets. High-resolution structural determination of CAG and CTG hairpins poses as a long-standing goal to aid drug development, yet it has not been realized due to the intrinsic conformational flexibility of repetitive sequences. We herein investigate the solution structures of CTG hairpins using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and found that four CTG repeats with a clamping G-C base pair was able to form a stable hairpin structure. We determine the first solution NMR structure of dG(CTG)4C hairpin and decipher a type I folding geometry of the TGCT tetraloop, wherein the two thymine residues form a T·T loop-closing base pair and the first three loop residues continuously stack. We further reveal that the CTG hairpin can be bound and stabilized by a small-molecule ligand, and the binding interferes with replication of a DNA template containing CTG repeats. Our determined high-resolution structures lay an important foundation for studying molecular interactions between native CTG hairpins and ligands, and benefit drug development for trinucleotide repeat expansion diseases.

Probing Molecular Packing of Lipid Nanoparticles from 31P Solution and Solid-State NMR.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are intricate multicomponent systems widely recognized for their efficient delivery of oligonucleotide cargo to host cells. Gaining insights into the molecular properties of LNPs is crucial for their effective design and characterization. However, analysis of their internal structure at the molecular level presents a significant challenge. This study introduces 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods to acquire structural and dynamic information about the phospholipid envelope of LNPs. Specifically, we demonstrate that the 31P chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) parameters serve as a sensitive indicator of the molecular assembly of distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) lipids within the particles. An analytical protocol for measuring 31P CSA is developed, which can be implemented using either solution NMR or solid-state NMR, offering wide accessibility and adaptability. The capability of this method is demonstrated using both model DSPC liposomes and real-world pharmaceutical LNP formulations. Furthermore, our method can be employed to investigate the impact of formulation processes and composition on the assembly of specifically LNP particles or, more generally, phospholipid-based delivery systems. This makes it an indispensable tool for evaluating critical pharmaceutical properties such as structural homogeneity, batch-to-batch reproducibility, and the stability of the particles.

Enhancing protein dynamics analysis with hydrophilic polyethylene glycol cross-linkers.

Cross-linkers play a critical role in capturing protein dynamics in chemical cross-linking mass spectrometry techniques. Various types of cross-linkers with different backbone features are widely used in the study of proteins. However, it is still not clear how the cross-linkers' backbone affect their own structure and their interactions with proteins. In this study, we systematically characterized and compared methylene backbone and polyethylene glycol (PEG) backbone cross-linkers in terms of capturing protein structure and dynamics. The results indicate the cross-linker with PEG backbone have a better ability to capture the inter-domain dynamics of calmodulin, adenylate kinase, maltodextrin binding protein and dual-specificity protein phosphatase. We further conducted quantum chemical calculations and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to analyze thermodynamic and kinetic properties of PEG backbone and methylene backbone cross-linkers. Solution nuclear magnetic resonance was employed to validate the interaction interface between proteins and cross-linkers. Our findings suggest that the polarity distribution of PEG backbone enhances the accessibility of the cross-linker to the protein surface, facilitating the capture of sites located in dynamic regions. By comprehensively benchmarking with disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS)/bis-sulfosuccinimidyl-suberate(BS3), bis-succinimidyl-(PEG)2 revealed superior advantages in protein dynamic conformation analysis in vitro and in vivo, enabling the capture of a greater number of cross-linking sites and better modeling of protein dynamics. Furthermore, our study provides valuable guidance for the development and application of PEG backbone cross-linkers.

NMR characterization of uniformly 13C- and/or 15N-labeled, unsulfated chondroitins with high molecular weights.

Solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of polysaccharides can provide valuable information not only on their primary structures but also on their conformation, dynamics, and interactions under physiological conditions. One of the main problems is that non-anomeric 1H signals typically overlap, and this often hinders detailed NMR analysis. Isotope enrichment, such as with 13C and 15N, will add a new dimension to the NMR spectra of polysaccharides, and spectral analysis can be performed with enhanced sensitivity using isolated peaks. For this purpose, here we have prepared uniformly 13C- and/or 15N-labeled chondroitin polysaccharides -4)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1- with molecular weights in the range from 310 to 460 k by bacterial fermentation. The enrichment ratios for 13C and 15N were 98.9 and 99.8%, respectively, based on the mass spectrometric analysis of the constituent chondroitin disaccharides. 1H and 13C NMR signals were assigned mainly based on HSQC and 13C-detection experiments including INADEQUATE, HETCOR, and HETCOR-TOCSY. The carbonyl carbon signal of the N-acetyl-β-D-galactosamine residue was unambiguously distinguished from the C6 carbon of the β-D-glucuronic acid residue by the observation of 13C peak splitting due to 1JCN coupling in 13C- and 15N-labeled chondroitin. The T2* and T1 were measured and indicate that both rigid and mobile sites are present in the long sequence of chondroitin. The conformation, dynamics, and interactions of chondroitin and its derivatives will be further analyzed based on the results obtained in this study.

Selection, characterization, and biosensing applications of DNA aptamers targeting cyanotoxin BMAA.

Scientists have established a connection between environmental exposure to toxins like β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) and a heightened risk of neurodegenerative disorders. BMAA is a byproduct from certain strains of cyanobacteria that are present in ecosystems worldwide and is renowned for its bioaccumulation and biomagnification in seafood. The sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility of the current analytical techniques are insufficient to support efforts regarding food safety and environment monitoring adequately. This work outlines the in vitro selection of BMAA-specific DNA aptamers via the systematic evolution of ligands through exponential enrichment (SELEX). Screening and characterization of the full-length aptamers was achieved using the SYBR Green (SG) fluorescence displacement assay. Aptamers BMAA_159 and BMAA_165 showed the highest binding affinities, with dissociation constants (Kd) of 2.2 ± 0.1 μM and 0.32 ± 0.02 μM, respectively. After truncation, the binding affinity was confirmed using a BMAA-conjugated fluorescence assay. The Kd values for BMAA_159_min and BMAA_165_min were 6 ± 1 μM and 0.63 ± 0.02 μM, respectively. Alterations in the amino proton region studied using solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) provided further evidence of aptamer-target binding. Additionally, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy revealed that BMAA_165_min forms hybrid G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Finally, BMAA_165_min was used in the development of an electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) sensor that accomplished sensitive and selective detection of BMAA with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.13 ± 0.02 pM.

NMR methods to detect fluoride binding and transport by membrane proteins.

Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods can probe the motions of membrane proteins in liposomes at the atomic level, and propel the understanding of biomolecular processes for which static structures cannot provide a satisfactory description. High-resolution crystallography snapshots have provided a structural basis for fluoride channels. NMR is a powerful tool to build upon these snapshots and depict a dynamic picture of fluoride channels in native-like lipid bilayers. In this contribution, we discuss solid-state and solution NMR experiments to detect fluoride binding and transport by fluoride channels. Ongoing developments in membrane protein sample preparation and ssNMR methodology, particularly in using 1H, 19F and 13C-detection schemes, offer additional opportunities to study structure and functional aspects of fluoride channels.

EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway acts as a potential therapeutic target for sulforaphane-rescued heart tube malformation induced by various concentrations of PhIP exposure

Background2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b] pyrimidine (PhIP) is a known carcinogen generated mainly from cooking meat and environmental pollutants. It is worth exploring the potential of natural small-molecule drugs to protect against adverse effects on embryonic development. PurposeIn this study, we investigated the potential toxicological effects of PhIP on embryonic heart tube formation and the effect of Sulforaphane (SFN) administration on the anti-toxicological effects of PhIP on embryonic cardiogenesis. Study design and methodsFirst, the chicken embryo model was used to investigate the different phenotypes of embryonic heart tubes induced by various concentrations of PhIP exposure. We also proved that SFN rescues PhIP-induced embryonic heart tube malformation. Second, immunofluorescence, western blot, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and flow cytometry experiments were employed to explore the mechanisms by which SFN protects cardiac cells from oxidative damage in the presence of PhIP. We used RNA-seq analysis, molecular docking, in situ hybridization, cellular thermal shift assay and solution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to explore whether SFN protects cardiogenesis through the EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway. ResultsThe study showed that PhIP might dose-dependently interfere with the C-looping heart tube (mild) or the fusion of a pair of bilateral endocardial tubes (severe) in chick embryos, while SFN administration prevented cardiac cells from oxidative damage in the presence of high-level PhIP. Furthermore, we found that excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and subsequent apoptosis were not the principal mechanisms by which low-level PhIP induced malformation of heart tubes. This is due to PhIP-disturbed Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway could be corrected by SFN administration. ConclusionsThis study provided novel insight that PhIP exposure could increase the risk of abnormalities in early cardiogenesis and that SFN could partially rescue various concentrations of PhIP-induced abnormal heart tube formation by targeting EGFR and mediating EGFR/MAPK signaling pathways.

Modulation of Gold Nanoparticle Ligand Structure-Dynamic Relationships Probed Using Solution NMR.

Ligand dynamics plays a critical role in the chemical and biological properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). In this study, ligands featuring hydrophobic alkanethiol interiors and hydrophilic shells were used to systematically examine the effects of ligand headgroups on the ligand dynamics. Solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provided quantitative insight into the monolayer ligand dynamics. Notably, the introduction of hydrophobic moieties to the cationic headgroups significantly decreased ligand conformational mobility; however, variations in hydrophobicity among these moieties had a limited effect on this reduction. Further examination of ligand dynamics under various physiological conditions, including ionic strength and temperature, showed that ligands bound to the AuNP surface become less conformationally mobile with an increase in ionic strength or decreasing temperature. This exploration of ligand dynamics provides insight into designing nanoparticles tailored to specific biological applications.

3site Multisubstrate-Bound State of Cytochrome P450cam.

We identified a multisubstrate-bound state, hereby referred as a 3site state, in cytochrome P450cam via integrating molecular dynamics simulation with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) pseudocontact shift measurements. The 3site state is a result of simultaneous binding of three camphor molecules in three locations around P450cam: (a) in a well-established "catalytic" site near heme, (b) in a kink-separated "waiting" site along channel-1, and (c) in a previously reported "allosteric" site at E, F, G, and H helical junctions. These three spatially distinct binding modes in the 3site state mutually communicate with each other via homotropic allostery and act cooperatively to render P450cam functional. The 3site state shows a significantly superior fit with NMR pseudo contact shift (PCS) data with a Q-score of 0.045 than previously known bound states and consists of D251 free of salt-bridges with K178 and R186, rendering the enzyme functionally primed. To date, none of the reported cocomplex of P450cam with its redox partner putidaredoxin (pdx) has been able to match solution NMR data and controversial pdx-induced opening of P450cam's channel-1 remains a matter of recurrent discourse. In this regard, inclusion of pdx to the 3site state is able to perfectly fit the NMR PCS measurement with a Q-score of 0.08 and disfavors the pdx-induced opening of channel-1, reconciling previously unexplained remarkably fast hydroxylation kinetics with a koff of 10.2 s-1. Together, our findings hint that previous experimental observations may have inadvertently captured the 3site state as an in vitro solution state, instead of the catalytic state alone, and provided a distinct departure from the conventional understanding of cytochrome P450.

Solvent-Free Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Charged Molecules.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of small molecules protonated in a solvent-free environment was successfully demonstrated. The method is referred to as solvent-free protonation NMR (SoF-NMR). Leveraging matrix-assisted ionization (MAI), we generated protonated species of aniline, 4-chloroaniline, 4-aminobiphenyl, and benzocaine for NMR analysis under mild pressure and temperature conditions. The SoF-NMR spectra were compared to traditional solution NMR spectra, and the shift changes in nuclear spin resonance frequencies verify that these small molecules are protonated by 3-nitrobenzonitrile (3-NBN). As the sample pressure decreased, new spectral features appeared, indicating the presence of differently charged species. Several advantages of SoF-NMR are highlighted, such as the elimination of H/D exchange in labile protons, resulting in the precise observation of protons that are otherwise transient in solution. Notably, the data on benzocaine show evidence of neutral, N-protonated, and O-protonated species all in the same spectrum. SoF-NMR eliminates the solvent effects and interactions that can hinder important spectral features. Optimizing SoF-NMR will result in more cost-effective and efficient NMR experimentation to monitor high-temperature, solvent-free reactions. SoF-NMR has a viable future application for studying exchangeable protons, intermediates, and products in gas-phase chemistry.

Spectroscopic Investigation of Phosphorus Mineralization as Affected by the Calcite-Water Interfacial Chemistry.

The mineralization and bioavailability of phytic acid, the predominant organic phosphorus (OP) species in many soils, have generally been rendered limited due to its interaction with soil minerals. In particularly calcareous and neutral to slightly alkaline soils, phytic acid is known to actively react with calcite, although how this interaction affects phytic acid mineralization is still unknown. This study, therefore, investigated the mechanisms regarding how the calcite-water interface influences phytic acid mineralization by phytase, at pHs 6 and 8 using in situ spectroscopic techniques including solution nuclear magnetic resonance and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The findings indicated a pH-specific effect of the calcite-water interface. Inhibited phytase activity and thus impaired phytic acid mineralization were induced by calcite at pH 6, while the opposite effect was observed at pH 8. How the interaction between phytic acid and calcite and between phytase and calcite differed between the two pH values contributed to the pH-specific effect. The results demonstrate the importance of soil pH, enzyme-, and OP-clay mineral interactions in controlling the mineralization and transformation of OP and, consequently, the release of phosphate in soils. The findings can also provide implications for the management of calcite-rich and limed soils.

Chiral distinction between hydroxychloroquine enantiomers in binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the forward receptor of SARS-CoV-2

Soon after the outset of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (March-April 2020), formulations of the old antimalarial racemic drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) sulfate were authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. A call for the chiral switch of HCQ to the single enantiomer (S)-(+)-HCQ for treating the disease followed. The above authorizations were later withdrawn. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been recognized to be the forward receptor of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the chiral distinction in the potential preferential binding of the HCQ enantiomers to ACE2, as a basis for its future drug repurposing, using high-field solution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Proton selective spin-lattice relaxation rates were measured for selected diagnostic nuclei; in particular, protons belonging to the quinoline ring proved to be the most affected by the presence of the protein, for both (S)-(+)-HCQ and (R)-(−)-HCQ enantiomers. An increase in mono-selective relaxation rates was observed for both enantiomers. A significant difference in the magnitude of the increase was detected for all protons investigated, up to a 5-fold and an 8-fold increase in the case of (R)-(−)-HCQ and (S)-(+)-HCQ, respectively. Furthermore, comparison between the normalized mono-selective relaxation rates of the two HCQ enantiomers in their binary mixtures with ACE2 pointed out a certain preference for the (S)-(+)-HCQ enantiomer over (R)-(−)-HCQ in the interaction with ACE2. The findings form the basis for a future application of the drug repurposing/chiral-switch combination strategy to racemic HCQ in previously reported indications for hydroxychloroquine treatment and in the search for new indications in which ACE2 receptors are involved.