Project description:We present the application of seven binding-site prediction algorithms to a meticulously curated dataset of ligand-bound and ligand-free crystal structures for 304 unique protein sequences (2528 crystal structures). We probe the influence of starting protein structures on the results of binding-site prediction, so the dataset contains a minimum of two ligand-bound and two ligand-free structures for each protein. We use this dataset in a brief survey of five geometry-based, one energy-based, and one machine-learning-based methods: Surfnet, Ghecom, LIGSITEcsc, Fpocket, Depth, AutoSite, and Kalasanty. Distributions of the F scores and Matthew's correlation coefficients for ligand-bound versus ligand-free structure performance show no statistically significant difference in structure type versus performance for most methods. Only Fpocket showed a statistically significant but low magnitude enhancement in performance for holo structures. Lastly, we found that most methods will succeed on some crystal structures and fail on others within the same protein family, despite all structures being relatively high-quality structures with low structural variation. We expected better consistency across varying protein conformations of the same sequence. Interestingly, the success or failure of a given structure cannot be predicted by quality metrics such as resolution, Cruickshank Diffraction Precision index, or unresolved residues. Cryptic sites were also examined.
Project description:DNA-binding proteins such as transcription factors use DNA-binding domains (DBDs) to bind to specific sequences in the genome to initiate many important biological functions. Accurate prediction of such target sequences, often represented by position weight matrices (PWMs), is an important step to understand many biological processes. Recent studies have shown that knowledge-based potential functions can be applied on protein-DNA co-crystallized structures to generate PWMs that are considerably consistent with experimental data. However, this success has not been extended to DNA-binding proteins lacking co-crystallized structures. This study aims at investigating the possibility of predicting the DNA sequences bound by DNA-binding proteins from the proteins' unbound structures (structures of the unbound state). Given an unbound query protein and a template complex, the proposed method first employs structure alignment to generate synthetic protein-DNA complexes for the query protein. Once a complex is available, an atomic-level knowledge-based potential function is employed to predict PWMs characterizing the sequences to which the query protein can bind. The evaluation of the proposed method is based on seven DNA-binding proteins, which have structures of both DNA-bound and unbound forms for prediction as well as annotated PWMs for validation. Since this work is the first attempt to predict target sequences of DNA-binding proteins from their unbound structures, three types of structural variations that presumably influence the prediction accuracy were examined and discussed. Based on the analyses conducted in this study, the conformational change of proteins upon binding DNA was shown to be the key factor. This study sheds light on the challenge of predicting the target DNA sequences of a protein lacking co-crystallized structures, which encourages more efforts on the structure alignment-based approaches in addition to docking- and homology modeling-based approaches for generating synthetic complexes.
Project description:The objective of this work was to establish that unbound maximum concentrations may be reasonably predicted from a combination of computed molecular properties assuming subcutaneous (SQ) dosing. Additionally, we show that the maximum unbound plasma and brain concentrations may be projected from a mixture of in vitro absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion experimental parameters in combination with computed properties (volume of distribution, fraction unbound in microsomes). Finally, we demonstrate the utility of the underlying equations by showing that the maximum total plasma concentrations can be projected from the experimental parameters for a set of compounds with data collected from clinical research.
Project description:ObjectivesTo describe the unbound and total flucloxacillin pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients and to define optimal dosing strategies.Patients and methodsObservational multicentre study including a total of 33 adult ICU patients receiving flucloxacillin, given as intermittent or continuous infusion. Pharmacokinetic sampling was performed on two occasions on two different days. Total and unbound flucloxacillin concentrations were measured and analysed using non-linear mixed-effects modelling. Serum albumin was added as covariate on the maximum binding capacity and endogenous creatinine clearance (CLCR) as covariate for renal function. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to predict the unbound flucloxacillin concentrations for different dosing strategies and different categories of endogenous CLCR.ResultsThe measured unbound concentrations ranged from 0.2 to 110 mg/L and the observed unbound fraction varied between 7.0% and 71.7%. An integral two-compartmental linear pharmacokinetic model based on total and unbound concentrations was developed. A dose of 12 g/24 h was sufficient for 99.9% of the population to achieve a concentration of >2.5 mg/L (100% fT>5×MIC, MIC = 0.5 mg/L).ConclusionsCritically ill patients show higher unbound flucloxacillin fractions and concentrations than previously thought. Consequently, the risk of subtherapeutic exposure is low.
Project description:The mathematical foundation of quantum mechanics is built on linear algebra, while the application of nonlinear operators can lead to outstanding discoveries under some circumstances, such as the prediction of positron, a direct outcome of the Dirac equation which stems from the square-root of the Klein-Gordon equation. In this article, we propose a model of square-root higher-order Weyl semimetal (SHOWS) by inheriting features from its parent Hamiltonians. It is found that the SHOWS hosts both "Fermi-arc" surface and hinge states that respectively connect the projection of the Weyl points on the side surface and arris. We theoretically construct and experimentally observe the exotic SHOWS state in three-dimensional (3D) stacked electric circuits with honeycomb-kagome hybridizations and double-helix interlayer couplings. Our results open the door for realizing the square-root topology in 3D solid-state platforms.
Project description:Squaramides constitute a novel class of RNA polymerase inhibitors of which genetic evidence and computational modeling previously have suggested an inhibitory mechanism mediated by binding to the RNA polymerase switch region. An iterative chemistry program increased the fraction unbound to human plasma protein from below minimum detection levels, i.e., <1% to 4-6%, while retaining biochemical potency. Since in vitro antimicrobial activity against an efflux-negative strain of Haemophilus influenzae was 4- to 8-fold higher, the combined improvement was at least 20- to 60-fold. Cocrystal structures of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase with two key squaramides showed displacement of the switch 2, predicted to interfere with the conformational change of the clamp domain and/or with binding of template DNA, a mechanism akin to that of natural product myxopyronin. Furthermore, the structures confirmed the chemical features required for biochemical potency. The terminal isoxazole and benzyl rings bind into distinct relatively narrow, hydrophobic pockets, and both are required for biochemical potency. In contrast, the linker composed of squarate and piperidine accesses different conformations in their respective cocrystal structures with RNA polymerase, reflecting its main role of proper orientation of the aforementioned terminal rings. These observations further explain the tolerance of hydrophilic substitutions in the linker region that was exploited to improve the fraction unbound to human plasma protein while retaining biochemical potency.
Project description:We determined for the first time the profiles of the nine most abundant unbound FFAs (FFAus) in human plasma. Profiles were determined for a standard reference plasma of pooled healthy adults for which the Lipid MAPSMAPS Consortium had determined the total FFA profiles. Measurements were performed by using 20 different acrylodan-labeled fatty acid binding protein mutants (probes), which have complementary specificities for the nine FFAs that comprise more than 96% of long-chain plasma FFA. The acrylodan fluorescence emission for each probe changes upon binding a FFAu. The plasma concentrations of each of the nine FFAus were determined by combining the measured fluorescence ratios of the 20 probes. The total molar FFAu concentration accounted for <10-5 of the total FFA concentration, and the mole fractions of the FFAu profiles were substantially different than the total FFA profiles. Myristic acid, for example, comprises 22% of the unbound versus 2.8% of the total. The most surprising difference is our finding of zero unbound cis-9-palmitoleic acid (POA), whereas the total POA was 7.2%. An unidentified plasma component appears to specifically prevent the release of POA. FFAus are the physiologically active FFAs, and plasma FFAu profiles may provide novel information about human health.
Project description:This study investigated voriconazole (VRC) unbound plasma concentration and its relationship with adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in patients with malignant hematologic disease. Plasma samples were collected from patients or spiked in vitro. A time-saving rapid equilibrium dialysis assay was used for the separation of unbound and bound VRC, following a high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis method for drug concentration detection. Liver function and treatment details were collected from the electronic medical records of patients. Protein concentration was determined according to instructions. VRC plasma protein binding rate (PPB) in patient is significantly higher [69.5 ± 6.2%] than that in in-vitro samples, influenced by total drug concentration (Ct), plasma protein concentration, and protein type. The ?1-acid glycogen (AAG) has the highest affinity with VRC. Relationship between total PPB of VRC with PPB of individual protein is not a simple addition, but a compressive combination. Unbound drug concentration (Cu) of VRC shows significant relationships with Ct, protein concentration, AST level, metabolism type of CYP2C19 and co-administration of high PPB medicines. Unbound plasma concentration of VRC shows a more sensitive relationship with ADRs than Ct.