Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF). Chemotherapy drugs such as methotrexate help to slow the progression of cancer by limiting the...Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF). Chemotherapy drugs such as methotrexate help to slow the progression of cancer by limiting the ability of dividing cells to make nucleotides by competitively inhibiting DHFR. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been previously reported to exhibit competitive inhibition of DHFR, in addition to their primary action on cyclooxygenase enzymes. This interaction interferes with the enzymatic reduction of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate, thereby impeding the folate metabolism pathway essential for nucleotide synthesis and cell proliferation. This activity stems from their structural resemblance to the p-aminobenzoyl-l-glutamate (pABG) moiety of folate, a substrate of DHFR. It has been established that NSAIDs containing a salicylate group (which has structural similarities to pABG), such as diflunisal, exhibit stronger DHFR-binding activity. In this study, we synthesized salicylate derivatives of naproxen with the aim of exploring their potential as inhibitors of DHFR. The interactions between these derivatives and human DHFR were characterized using a combination of biochemical, biophysical, and structural methods. Through polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis, enzymatic assays, and quantitative ELISA, we investigated the binding affinity and inhibitory potency of the synthesized salicylate derivatives towards DHFR. The findings of this study suggest the potential of salicylate derivatives of naproxen as promising candidates for the inhibition of DHFR, thereby offering novel therapeutic opportunities for modulating the inflammatory process through multiple pathways. Further optimization of these derivatives could lead to the development of more efficacious dual-targeted analogs with enhanced therapeutic benefits.展开更多
Dihydrofolate reductase(DHFR),a housekeeping enzyme in primary metabolism,has been extensively studied as a model of acid-base catalysis and a clinic drug target.Herein,we investigated the enzymology of a DHFR-like pr...Dihydrofolate reductase(DHFR),a housekeeping enzyme in primary metabolism,has been extensively studied as a model of acid-base catalysis and a clinic drug target.Herein,we investigated the enzymology of a DHFR-like protein SacH in safracin(SAC)biosynthesis,which reductively inactivates hemiaminal pharmacophore-containing biosynthetic intermediates and antibiotics for self-resistance.Furthermore,based on the crystal structure of SacH−NADPH−SAC-A ternary complexes and mutagenesis,we proposed a catalytic mechanism that is distinct from the previously characterized short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases-mediated inactivation of hemiaminal pharmacophore.These findings expand the functions of DHFR family proteins,reveal that the common reaction can be catalyzed by distinct family of enzymes,and imply the possibility for the discovery of novel antibiotics with hemiaminal pharmacophore.展开更多
A series of N5-substituted 8-deaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydromethotrexate derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase(DHFR).The results indicated that modification of the pteridine ri...A series of N5-substituted 8-deaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydromethotrexate derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase(DHFR).The results indicated that modification of the pteridine ring of methotrexate(MTX) rendered poor activity against human DHFR.展开更多
A three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) study of a series of 7,8-dialkyl-l,3-diaminopyrrolo-[3,2-f] quinazolines with anticancer activity as dihydrofo- late reductase (DHFR) inhi...A three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) study of a series of 7,8-dialkyl-l,3-diaminopyrrolo-[3,2-f] quinazolines with anticancer activity as dihydrofo- late reductase (DHFR) inhibitors was carried out by using the comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), on the basis of our reported 2D-QSAR of these compounds. The es- tablished 3D-QSAR model has good quality of statistics and good prediction ability; the non cross-validation correlation coefficient and the cross-validation value of this model are 0.993 and 0.619, respectively, the F value is 193.4, and the standard deviation SD is 0.208. This model indicates that the steric field factor plays a much more important role than the electrostatic one, in satisfying agreement with the published 2D-QSAR model. However, the 3D-QSAR model offers visual images of the steric field and the electrostatic field. The 3D-QSAR study further suggests the following: to improve the activity, the substituent R^1 should be selected to be a group with an adaptive bulk like Et or i-Pr, and the substituent R should be selected to be a larger alkyl. In particular, based on our present 3D-QSAR as well as the published 2D-QSAR, the experimentMly-proposed hydrophobic binding mechanism on the receptor-binding site of the DHFR can be further explained in theory. Therefore, the QSAR studies help to further understand the "hydrophobic binding" action mechanism of this kind of compounds, and to direct the molecular design of new drugs with higher activity.展开更多
Dihydrofolate reductase(DHFR)(EC 1.5.1.3)exists in all biobodies.It is an importantcomponent of the chemistry of DNA synthesis in cells.Methotrexate,a potent inhibitor ofDHFR,is a well-known anticancer agent.It has be...Dihydrofolate reductase(DHFR)(EC 1.5.1.3)exists in all biobodies.It is an importantcomponent of the chemistry of DNA synthesis in cells.Methotrexate,a potent inhibitor ofDHFR,is a well-known anticancer agent.It has been employed extensively in clinicaltreatment.Therefore,the study on the conformational change of DHFR gives occasion topeople’s close attention.The thermally-induced conformational change of DHFR展开更多
The conformation changes of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from chicken liver in guanidine hy-drochloride were monitored by protein intrinsic fluorescence, hydrophobic fluorescence probe TNS and limited proteol-ysis b...The conformation changes of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from chicken liver in guanidine hy-drochloride were monitored by protein intrinsic fluorescence, hydrophobic fluorescence probe TNS and limited proteol-ysis by proteinase K. The kinetics of the enzyme denaturation were also studied and compared with its activity changes. It was indicated by the enhanced fluorescence of 2-p-toluidinylnaphthalene (TNS) that a subtle conforma-tional change of the enzyme in dilute GuHCl parallels GuHCl-induced activation. At GuHCl concentration higher than 0.75 mol/L, the conformational change can be detected by increased susceptibility of the enzyme to proteinase K, but no significant gross conformational change of the enzyme molecule is observed by intrinsic fluorescence up to a GuHCl concentration of 1.2 mol/L. The results suggest that the denaturation of DHFR by GuHCl does not follow strictly the two-state model. The enzyme seems to open up sequentially with increasing concentrations of denaturants, mainly at the active site first, until to a critical concentration of the denaturant the overall conformation change of the molecule may occur cooperatively. Activation of DHFR in low GuHCl concentration is due to the subtle conformational change at the active site of the enzyme. Although the conformational change at the active site decreases the affinity of the enzyme for the substrates, it accelerates the velocity of the limiting step in the catalytic reaction, i.e. the velocity of the disso-ciation of products from the ternary complex.展开更多
文摘Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF). Chemotherapy drugs such as methotrexate help to slow the progression of cancer by limiting the ability of dividing cells to make nucleotides by competitively inhibiting DHFR. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been previously reported to exhibit competitive inhibition of DHFR, in addition to their primary action on cyclooxygenase enzymes. This interaction interferes with the enzymatic reduction of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate, thereby impeding the folate metabolism pathway essential for nucleotide synthesis and cell proliferation. This activity stems from their structural resemblance to the p-aminobenzoyl-l-glutamate (pABG) moiety of folate, a substrate of DHFR. It has been established that NSAIDs containing a salicylate group (which has structural similarities to pABG), such as diflunisal, exhibit stronger DHFR-binding activity. In this study, we synthesized salicylate derivatives of naproxen with the aim of exploring their potential as inhibitors of DHFR. The interactions between these derivatives and human DHFR were characterized using a combination of biochemical, biophysical, and structural methods. Through polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis, enzymatic assays, and quantitative ELISA, we investigated the binding affinity and inhibitory potency of the synthesized salicylate derivatives towards DHFR. The findings of this study suggest the potential of salicylate derivatives of naproxen as promising candidates for the inhibition of DHFR, thereby offering novel therapeutic opportunities for modulating the inflammatory process through multiple pathways. Further optimization of these derivatives could lead to the development of more efficacious dual-targeted analogs with enhanced therapeutic benefits.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.31930002,21621002,21877002,81991525,82273829 and 22077007)the key project at central government level:the ability establishment of sustainable use for valuable Chinese medicine resources(2060302-2201-17).
文摘Dihydrofolate reductase(DHFR),a housekeeping enzyme in primary metabolism,has been extensively studied as a model of acid-base catalysis and a clinic drug target.Herein,we investigated the enzymology of a DHFR-like protein SacH in safracin(SAC)biosynthesis,which reductively inactivates hemiaminal pharmacophore-containing biosynthetic intermediates and antibiotics for self-resistance.Furthermore,based on the crystal structure of SacH−NADPH−SAC-A ternary complexes and mutagenesis,we proposed a catalytic mechanism that is distinct from the previously characterized short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases-mediated inactivation of hemiaminal pharmacophore.These findings expand the functions of DHFR family proteins,reveal that the common reaction can be catalyzed by distinct family of enzymes,and imply the possibility for the discovery of novel antibiotics with hemiaminal pharmacophore.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.20972011)
文摘A series of N5-substituted 8-deaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydromethotrexate derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase(DHFR).The results indicated that modification of the pteridine ring of methotrexate(MTX) rendered poor activity against human DHFR.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.20673148). We also heartily thank the College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University for the SYBYL 6.9 computation environment support.
文摘A three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) study of a series of 7,8-dialkyl-l,3-diaminopyrrolo-[3,2-f] quinazolines with anticancer activity as dihydrofo- late reductase (DHFR) inhibitors was carried out by using the comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), on the basis of our reported 2D-QSAR of these compounds. The es- tablished 3D-QSAR model has good quality of statistics and good prediction ability; the non cross-validation correlation coefficient and the cross-validation value of this model are 0.993 and 0.619, respectively, the F value is 193.4, and the standard deviation SD is 0.208. This model indicates that the steric field factor plays a much more important role than the electrostatic one, in satisfying agreement with the published 2D-QSAR model. However, the 3D-QSAR model offers visual images of the steric field and the electrostatic field. The 3D-QSAR study further suggests the following: to improve the activity, the substituent R^1 should be selected to be a group with an adaptive bulk like Et or i-Pr, and the substituent R should be selected to be a larger alkyl. In particular, based on our present 3D-QSAR as well as the published 2D-QSAR, the experimentMly-proposed hydrophobic binding mechanism on the receptor-binding site of the DHFR can be further explained in theory. Therefore, the QSAR studies help to further understand the "hydrophobic binding" action mechanism of this kind of compounds, and to direct the molecular design of new drugs with higher activity.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
文摘Dihydrofolate reductase(DHFR)(EC 1.5.1.3)exists in all biobodies.It is an importantcomponent of the chemistry of DNA synthesis in cells.Methotrexate,a potent inhibitor ofDHFR,is a well-known anticancer agent.It has been employed extensively in clinicaltreatment.Therefore,the study on the conformational change of DHFR gives occasion topeople’s close attention.The thermally-induced conformational change of DHFR
文摘The conformation changes of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from chicken liver in guanidine hy-drochloride were monitored by protein intrinsic fluorescence, hydrophobic fluorescence probe TNS and limited proteol-ysis by proteinase K. The kinetics of the enzyme denaturation were also studied and compared with its activity changes. It was indicated by the enhanced fluorescence of 2-p-toluidinylnaphthalene (TNS) that a subtle conforma-tional change of the enzyme in dilute GuHCl parallels GuHCl-induced activation. At GuHCl concentration higher than 0.75 mol/L, the conformational change can be detected by increased susceptibility of the enzyme to proteinase K, but no significant gross conformational change of the enzyme molecule is observed by intrinsic fluorescence up to a GuHCl concentration of 1.2 mol/L. The results suggest that the denaturation of DHFR by GuHCl does not follow strictly the two-state model. The enzyme seems to open up sequentially with increasing concentrations of denaturants, mainly at the active site first, until to a critical concentration of the denaturant the overall conformation change of the molecule may occur cooperatively. Activation of DHFR in low GuHCl concentration is due to the subtle conformational change at the active site of the enzyme. Although the conformational change at the active site decreases the affinity of the enzyme for the substrates, it accelerates the velocity of the limiting step in the catalytic reaction, i.e. the velocity of the disso-ciation of products from the ternary complex.