Saturation Transfer Difference NMR Studies Research Articles

On-cell saturation transfer difference NMR study of Bombesin binding to GRP receptor.

We report the NMR characterization of the molecular interaction between Gastrin Releasing Peptide Receptor (GRP-R) and its natural ligand bombesin (BN). GRP-R is a transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor promoting the stimulation of cancer cell proliferation; in addition, being overexpressed on the surface of different human cancer cell lines, it is ideal for the development of new strategies for the selective targeted delivery of anticancer drugs and diagnostic devices to tumor cells. However, the design of new GRP-R binders requires structural information on receptor interaction with its natural ligands. The experimental protocol presented herein, based on on-cell STD NMR techniques, is a powerful tool for the screening and the epitope mapping of GRP-R ligands aimed at the development of new anticancer and diagnostic tools. Notably, the study can be carried out in a physiological environment, at the surface of tumoral cells overespressing GRP-R. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of an NMR experiment able to detect and investigate the structural determinants of BN/GRP-R interaction.

Analyzing organophosphate pesticide-serum albumin binding interaction: a combined STD NMR and molecular docking study

In Vitro analysis of the interaction of organophosphate pesticides (OP) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) is crucial to understand their potential effects at the molecular level. In this context, we have employed Saturation Transfer Difference (STD) NMR experiments in conjunction with molecular docking studies to unravel the binding interaction of the OP chlorpyrifos (CPF), diazinon (DZN) and parathion (PA) in solution. The relative STD (%) suggested the detailed epitope mapping of these OP with BSA while the concentration-dependent STD NMR studies were performed to obtain the complex dissociation constant (KD) of the OP-BSA complexes; KD=1.81 × 10−4 M, 1.30 × 10−3 M and 1.11 × 10−3 M for CPF, DZN and PA were extracted respectively. Similar binding modes were identified for all the three OP using STD site-marker experiment. ITC experiments were performed as a complementary method that revealed a high binding affinity of OP-BSA complexes through non-covalent interaction. Molecular docking confirmed the possible interacting chemical groups of OP-BSA complexes. These significant results furnish valuable information about the toxicity risk of OP to proteins. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Role of β-naphthylalanine end-tags in the enhancement of antiendotoxin activities: Solution structure of the antimicrobial peptide S1-Nal-Nal in complex with lipopolysaccharide

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) is the major component of Gram-negative bacterial outer surface membrane. LPS released from bacteria into bloodstream during infection may cause serious unwanted stimulation of host's immune system and lead to septic shock of the patient. Recently, we have developed a strategy to increase salt resistance and LPS neutralization of short antimicrobial peptides by adding β-naphthylalanine end-tags to their termini. Herein, correlations between membrane immersion depth, orientation, and antiendotoxin activities of the antimicrobial peptides S1 and S1-Nal-Nal have been investigated via solution structure, paramagnetic resonance enhancement, and saturation transfer difference NMR studies. Unlike the parent peptide S1, S1-Nal-Nal rotated its two terminal β-naphthylalanine residues into the hydrophobic lipid A motif of LPS micelles. The LPS-induced inflammation may then be prohibited by the blocked lipid A motif.

Structures of glycans bound to receptors from saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy: quantitative analysis by using CORCEMA-ST.

Glycan-receptor interactions are of fundamental relevance for a large number of biological processes, and their kinetics properties (medium/weak binding affinities) make them appropriated to be studied by ligand observed NMR techniques, among which saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy has been shown to be a very robust and powerful approach. The quantitative analysis of the results from a STD NMR study of a glycan-receptor interaction is essential to be able to translate the resulting spectral intensities into a 3D molecular model of the complex. This chapter describes how to carry out such a quantitative analysis by means of the Complete Relaxation and Conformational Exchange Matrix Approach for STD NMR (CORCEMA-ST), in general terms, and an example of a previous work on an antibody-glycan interaction is also shown.

Unveiling the Interaction of Vanadium Compounds with Human Serum Albumin by Using 1H STD NMR and Computational Docking Studies

AbstractThe binding of the VV oxidation products of two vanadium(IV) compounds, [VO(dmpp)2] and [VO(maltolato)2], which have shown promising anti‐diabetic properties, to human serum albumin (HSA) in aqueous aerobic solution has been studied by 1H saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy and computational docking studies. Group epitope mapping and docking simulations indicate a preference of HSA binding to the 1:1 [VO2(dmpp)(OH)(H2O)]– and 1:2 [VO2(maltol)2]– vanadium(V) species. By using known HSA binders, competition NMR experiments revealed that both complexes preferentially bind to drug site I. Docking simulations carried out with HADDOCK together with restraints derived from the STD results led to three‐dimensional models that are in agreement with the NMR spectroscopic data, providing useful information on molecular interaction modes. These results indicate that the combination of STD NMR and data‐driven docking is a good tool for elucidating the interactions in protein–vanadium compounds and thus for clarifying the mechanism of drug delivery as vanadium compounds have shown potential therapeutic properties.

Saturation Transfer Difference NMR Studies of the Interaction of the Proteinkinase CK2 with Peptides

Saturation Transfer Difference NMR (STD NMR) is used for the detection of the binding constant of the decapeptide RRRDDDSDDD with CK2α, the catalytic subunit of the proteinkinase CK2. For this work a valid irradiation frequency of the CK2α had to be found ensuring that no peptide resonance is affected by the irradiation. This is the principle problem for investigations of protein peptide interactions by STD NMR due to the similarity of protein and peptide resonances. It is shown that by careful selection of the irradiation point a KD value averaging to 1 mM can be found. In addition, preferred binding sites of the peptide are detected and it is shown that the side chains of serine and aspartate are closest to the protein surface.

STD NMR Study of the Interactions between Antibody 2G12 and Synthetic Oligomannosides that Mimic Selected Branches of gp120 Glycans

The human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) is able to shield immunogenic peptide epitopes on its envelope spike (a trimer of two glycoproteins, gp120 and gp41) by presenting numerous host-derived N-linked glycans. Nevertheless, broadly neutralizing antibodies against gp120 and gp41 have been isolated from HIV-1-infected patients and provide protection against viral challenge in animal models. Among these, the monoclonal antibody 2G12 binds to clusters of high-mannose-type glycans that are present on the surface of gp120. These types of glycans have thus been envisaged as target structures for the development of synthetic agents capable of eliciting 2G12-like antibodies. High-resolution structural studies of 2G12 and chemically defined glycan-type ligands, including crystallographic data, have been performed to gain an insight into this interaction. Further studies are still required to design a carbohydrate-based vaccine for HIV. Our previous NMR studies highlighted different recognition modes of two branched synthetic oligosaccharides, a penta- and a heptamannoside, by 2G12 in solution. In order to clarify the underlying structural reasons for such different behaviors, we have herein "dissected" the branches into the linear tri- and tetra- oligomannosides by chemical synthesis and studied their interactions with 2G12 in solution by saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy. The results confirm the distinct preferences of 2G12 for the studied branches and afford explanations for the observed differences. This study provides important structural information for further ligand optimizations. Possible effects of structural modifications on the solvent-exposed end of the ligands are also discussed.

NMR Structures and Interactions of Temporin-1Tl and Temporin-1Tb with Lipopolysaccharide Micelles: MECHANISTIC INSIGHTS INTO OUTER MEMBRANE PERMEABILIZATION AND SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITY

Temporins are a group of closely related short antimicrobial peptides from frog skin. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major constituent of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, plays important roles in the activity of temporins. Earlier studies have found that LPS induces oligomerization of temporin-1Tb (TB) thus preventing its translocation across the outer membrane and, as a result, reduces its activity on gram-negative bacteria. On the other hand, temporin-1Tl (TL) exhibits higher activity, presumably because of lack of such oligomerization. A synergistic mechanism was proposed, involving TL and TB in overcoming the LPS-mediated barrier. Here, to gain insights into interactions of TL and TB within LPS, we investigated the structures and interactions of TL, TB, and TL+TB in LPS micelles, using NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy. In the context of LPS, TL assumes a novel antiparallel dimeric helical structure sustained by intimate packing between aromatic-aromatic and aromatic-aliphatic residues. By contrast, independent TB has populations of helical and aggregated conformations in LPS. The LPS-induced aggregated states of TB are largely destabilized in the presence of TL. Saturation transfer difference NMR studies have delineated residues of TL and TB in close contact with LPS and enhanced interactions of these two peptides with LPS, when combined together. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer and (31)P NMR have pointed out the proximity of TL and TB in LPS and conformational changes of LPS, respectively. Importantly, these results provide the first structural insights into the mode of action and synergism of antimicrobial peptides at the level of the LPS-outer membrane.

STD and trNOESY NMR Study of Receptor–Ligand Interactions in Living Cancer Cells

Integrin antagonists: Saturation transfer difference (STD) and transferred NOE provided useful information on membrane-bound receptor–ligand interactions in living cells in which the integrin αvβ3 is highly expressed. The epitopes of two cyclic RGD mimics were identified by STD. The different activities of these compounds were interpreted in terms of different binding modes. The experimental evidence was confirmed by docking calculations.

Saturation transfer difference NMR studies on substrates and inhibitors of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenases

Saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR experiments on Escherichia coli and Drosophila melanogaster succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH, EC1.2.1.24) suggest that only the aldehyde forms and not the gem-diol forms of the specific substrate succinic semialdehyde (SSA), of selected aldehyde substrates, and of the inhibitor 3-tolualdehyde bind to these enzymes. Site-directed mutagenesis of the active site cysteine311 to alanine in D. melanogaster SSADH leads to an inactive product binding both SSA aldehyde and gem-diol. Thus, the residue cysteine311 is crucial for their discrimination. STD experiments on SSADH and NAD +/NADP + indicate differential affinity in agreement with the respective cosubstrate properties. Epitope mapping by STD points to a strong interaction of the NAD +/NADP + adenine H2 proton with SSADH. Adenine H8, nicotinamide H2, H4, and H6 also show STD signals. Saturation transfer to the ribose moieties is limited to the anomeric protons of E. coli SSADH suggesting that the NAD +/NADP + adenine and nicotinamide, but not the ribose moieties are important for the binding of the coenzymes.

Transferred NOE and Saturation Transfer Difference NMR Studies of Novobiocin Binding to EnvZ Suggest Binding Mode Similar to DNA Gyrase

Histidine protein kinases (HPKs) are a class of receptor proteins found in bacterial two-component signal transduction systems, which allow bacteria to respond to changes in their external environment. To date, there are few potent inhibitors of histidine kinases, despite their potential ability to weaken bacteria against antibiotic treatment. EnvZ is a histidine protein kinase with osmoregulatory function in bacteria with sequence and topological similarity to DNA Gyrase B. DNA Gyrase B has several well-characterized potent inhibitors, including novobiocin and clorobiocin which have detailed structures in complex. With fluorescence competition experiments, we have determined that novobiocin binds to EnvZ with a (novo)K(D) 120 +/- 20 microm. NMR transferred NOE (trNOE) experiments, and saturation transfer difference (STD) experiments suggest that novobiocin binds to EnvZ in a conformation and orientation similar to its binding with DNA Gyrase B. These experiments suggest some similarity in the pocket despite weaker affinity for EnvZ by novobiocin.