Search results for "molecular model"
showing 10 items of 274 documents
10-A cryoEM structure and molecular model of the Myriapod (Scutigera) 6x6mer hemocyanin:understanding a giant oxygen transport protein
2009
Oxygen transport in Myriapoda is maintained by a unique 6x6mer hemocyanin, that is, 36 subunits arranged as six hexamers (1x6mers). In the sluggish diplopod Spirostreptus, the 1x6mers seem to operate as almost or fully independent allosteric units (h approximately 1.3; P(50) approximately 5 torr), whereas in the swift centipede Scutigera, they intensively cooperate allosterically (h approximately 10; P(50) approximately 50 torr). Here, we show the chemomechanical basis of this differential behavior as deduced from hybrid 6x6mer structures, obtained by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy of the Scutigera 6x6mer (10.0 A resolution according to the 0.5 criterion) and docking of homology-m…
DNA minor groove binders: an overview on molecular modeling and QSAR approaches
2007
Molecular recognition of DNA by small molecules and proteins is a fundamental problem in structural biology and drug design. Understanding of recognition in both sequence-selective and sequence neutral ways at the level of successful prediction of binding modes and site selectivity will be instrumental for improvements in the design and synthesis of new molecules as potent and selective gene-regulatory drugs. Minor groove is the target of a large number of non-covalent binding agents. DNA binding with specific sequences, mostly AT, takes place by means of a combination of directed hydrogen bonding to base pair edges, van der Waals interactions with the minor groove walls and generalized ele…
Nonlinear mechanics of DNA doule strand: existence of the compact-envelope bright solitary wave
2013
We study the nonlinear dynamics of a homogeneous DNA chain which is based on site-dependent finite stacking and pairing enthalpies. We introduce an extended nonlinear Schrödinger equation describing the dynamics of modulated wave in DNA model. We obtain envelope bright solitary waves with compact support as a solution. Analytical criteria of existence of this solution are derived. The stability of bright compactons is confirmed by numerical simulations of the exact equations of the lattice. The impact of the finite stacking energy is investigated and we show that some of these compact bright solitary waves are robust, while others decompose very quickly depending on the finite stacking para…
Triphenylphosphane Pt(II) complexes containing biologically active natural polyphenols: Synthesis, crystal structure, molecular modeling and cytotoxi…
2016
Platinum complexes bearing phosphane ligands in cis configuration with deprotonated flavonoids (3-hydroxyflavone, quercetin) and deprotonated ethyl gallate were synthesized starting from cis-[PtCl2(PPh3)(2)]. In all cases, O,O' chelate structures were obtained. While quercetin and ethyl gallate complexes are quite stable in solution, the 3-hydroxyflavonate complex undergoes a slow aerobic photodegradation in solution with formation of salicylic and benzoic acids. The X-ray diffraction structures of quercetin and ethyl gallate complexes are reported. Cell cycle studies (in the dark) of the complexes in two human cell lines revealed that the cytotoxic activity of the complex bearing 3-hydroxy…
Synthesis and Inhibitory Studies of Phosphonic Acid Analogues of Homophenylalanine and Phenylalanine towards Alanyl Aminopeptidases.
2020
A library of novel phosphonic acid analogues of homophenylalanine and phenylalanine, containing fluorine and bromine atoms in the phenyl ring, have been synthesized. Their inhibitory properties against two important alanine aminopeptidases, of human (hAPN, CD13) and porcine (pAPN) origin, were evaluated. Enzymatic studies and comparison with literature data indicated the higher inhibitory potential of the homophenylalanine over phenylalanine derivatives towards both enzymes. Their inhibition constants were in the submicromolar range for hAPN and the micromolar range for pAPN, with 1-amino-3-(3-fluorophenyl) propylphosphonic acid (compound 15c) being one of the best low-molecular inhibitors …
Indicaxanthin, a multi-target natural compound from Opuntia ficus-indica fruit: From its poly-pharmacological effects to biochemical mechanisms and m…
2019
Abstract Over the latest years phytochemical consumption has been associated to a decreased risk of both the onset and the development of a number of pathological conditions. In this context indicaxanthin, a betalain pigment from Opuntia ficus-indica fruit, has been the object of sound research. Explored, at first, for its mere antioxidant potential, Indicaxanthin is now regarded as a redox-active compound able to exert significant poly-pharmacological effects against several targets in a number of experimental conditions both in vivo and in vitro. This paper aims to provide an overview on the therapeutical effects of indicaxanthin, ranging from the anti-inflammatory to the neuro-modulatory…
TOMOCOMD-CARDD descriptors-based virtual screening of tyrosinase inhibitors: evaluation of different classification model combinations using bond-bas…
2006
Abstract A new set of bond-level molecular descriptors (bond-based linear indices) are used here in QSAR (quantitative structure–activity relationship) studies of tyrosinase inhibitors, for finding functions that discriminate between the tyrosinase inhibitor compounds and inactive ones. A database of 246 compounds was collected for this study; all organic chemicals were reported as tyrosinase inhibitors; they had great structural diversity. This dataset can be considered as a helpful tool, not only for theoretical chemists but also for other researchers in this area. The set used as inactive has 412 drugs with other clinical uses. Twelve LDA-based QSAR models were obtained, the first six us…
Advances in the molecular modeling and quantitative structure–activity relationship-based design for antihistamines
2013
Nowadays the use of antihistamines (AH) is increasing steadily. These drugs are able to act on a variety of pathological conditions of the organism. A number of computer-aided (in silico) approaches have been developed to discover and develop novel AH drugs. Among these methods stand the ones based on drug-receptor docking, thermodynamics, as well as the quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR).This review collates the most recent advances in the use of computer approaches for the search and characterization of novel AH drugs. Within the QSAR methods, particular attention will be paid to those based on molecular topology (MT) because of their demonstrated efficacy in discovering…
Design and Synthesis of 4-Substituted Indolo[3,2-e][1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine Derivatives with Antitumor Activity
2008
New derivatives of the indolo[3,2- e][1,2,3]triazolo[1,5- a]pyrimidine system, substituted in the 4 position, were designed as novel antitumor agents because of their theoretical capability to form stable complexes with DNA fragments. The calculated free energies of binding were found in the range -12.76 --> -39.68 Kcal/mol. The docking studies revealed a common binding mode with the chromophore intercalated between GC base pairs, whereas the side chain lies along the minor groove. Compounds, selected on the basis of the docking studies and suitably synthesized, showed antiproliferative activity against each type of tumor cell line investigated, generally in the low micromolar range. The mo…
Chicken Avidin-related Protein 4/5 Shows Superior Thermal Stability when Compared with Avidin while Retaining High Affinity to Biotin
2003
The protein chicken avidin is a commonly used tool in various applications. The avidin gene belongs to a gene family that also includes seven other members known as the avidin-related genes (AVR). We report here on the extremely high thermal stability and functional characteristics of avidin-related protein AVR4/5, a member of the avidin protein family. The thermal stability characteristics of AVR4/5 were examined using a differential scanning calorimeter, microparticle analysis, and a microplate assay. Its biotin-binding properties were studied using an isothermal calorimeter and IAsys optical biosensor. According to these analyses, in the absence of biotin AVR4/5 is clearly more stable (T…