I04-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Abstract: Here we have described a systematic structure activity relationship (SAR) of a set of compounds inspired from cladosporin, a tool compound that targets parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) lysyl tRNA synthetase (KRS). Four sets of analogues, synthesized based on point changes in the chemical scaffold of cladosporin and other logical modifications and hybridizations, were assessed using high throughput enzymatic and parasitic assays along with in vitro pharmacokinetics. Co-crystallization of the most potent compound in our series (CL-2) with PfKRS revealed its structural basis of enzymatic binding and potency. Further, we report that CL-2 has performed better than cladosporin in terms of metabolic stability. It thus represents a new lead for further optimization toward the development of antimalarial drugs. Collectively, along with a lead compound, the series offers insights on how even the slightest chemical modification might play an important role in enhancing or decreasing the potency of a chemical scaffold.
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Apr 2021
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I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction
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Martin
Schroeder
,
Louis
Kimberley
,
Alena M.
Sheveleva
,
Jiangnan
Li
,
Joseph H.
Carter
,
Xinchen
Kang
,
Gemma L.
Smith
,
Xue
Han
,
Sarah J.
Day
,
Chiu C.
Tang
,
Floriana
Tuna
,
Eric J. L.
Mcinnes
,
Sihai
Yang
Abstract: Selective oxidation of benzylic C‐H compounds to ketones is important for the production of a wide range of fine chemicals, and is often achieved using toxic or precious metals catalysts. Here, we report the efficient oxidation of benzylic C‐H groups in a broad range of substrates under mild conditions over a robust metal‐organic framework material, MFM‐170, incorporating redox‐active [Cu2II(O2CR)4] paddlewheel nodes. A comprehensive investigation employing electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and synchrotron X‐ray diffraction has identified the critical role of the paddlewheel moiety in activating the oxidant tBuOOH (t‐butyl hydroperoxide) via partial reduction to [CuIICuI(O2CR)4] species.
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Apr 2021
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Krios I-Titan Krios I at Diamond
Krios II-Titan Krios II at Diamond
Krios III-Titan Krios III at Diamond
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Luiza
Mendonca
,
Dapeng
Sun
,
Jiying
Ning
,
Jiwei
Liu
,
Abhay
Kotecha
,
Mateusz
Olek
,
Thomas
Frosio
,
Xiaofeng
Fu
,
Benjamin A.
Himes
,
Alex B.
Kleinpeter
,
Eric O.
Freed
,
Jing
Zhou
,
Christopher
Aiken
,
Peijun
Zhang
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[18477, 21005, 21004]
Open Access
Abstract: Gag is the HIV structural precursor protein which is cleaved by viral protease to produce mature infectious viruses. Gag is a polyprotein composed of MA (matrix), CA (capsid), SP1, NC (nucleocapsid), SP2 and p6 domains. SP1, together with the last eight residues of CA, have been hypothesized to form a six-helix bundle responsible for the higher-order multimerization of Gag necessary for HIV particle assembly. However, the structure of the complete six-helix bundle has been elusive. Here, we determined the structures of both Gag in vitro assemblies and Gag viral-like particles (VLPs) to 4.2 Å and 4.5 Å resolutions using cryo-electron tomography and subtomogram averaging by emClarity. A single amino acid mutation (T8I) in SP1 stabilizes the six-helix bundle, allowing to discern the entire CA-SP1 helix connecting to the NC domain. These structures provide a blueprint for future development of small molecule inhibitors that can lock SP1 in a stable helical conformation, interfere with virus maturation, and thus block HIV-1 infection.
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Apr 2021
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Krios II-Titan Krios II at Diamond
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Yasunori
Watanabe
,
Luiza
Mendonca
,
Elizabeth R.
Allen
,
Andrew
Howe
,
Mercede
Lee
,
Joel D.
Allen
,
Himanshi
Chawla
,
David
Pulido
,
Francesca
Donnellan
,
Hannah
Davies
,
Marta
Ulaszewska
,
Sandra
Belij-Rammerstorfer
,
Susan
Morris
,
Anna-Sophia
Krebs
,
Wanwisa
Dejnirattisai
,
Juthathip
Mongkolsapaya
,
Piyada
Supasa
,
Gavin R.
Screaton
,
Catherine M.
Green
,
Teresa
Lambe
,
Peijun
Zhang
,
Sarah C.
Gilbert
,
Max
Crispin
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[18477, 21005, 21004]
Abstract: Vaccine development against the SARS-CoV-2 virus focuses on the principal target of the neutralizing immune response, the spike (S) glycoprotein. Adenovirus-vectored vaccines offer an effective platform for the delivery of viral antigen, but it is important for the generation of neutralizing antibodies that they produce appropriately processed and assembled viral antigen that mimics that observed on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Here, we describe the structure, conformation, and glycosylation of the S protein derived from the adenovirus-vectored ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222 vaccine. We demonstrate native-like post-translational processing and assembly, and reveal the expression of S proteins on the surface of cells adopting the trimeric prefusion conformation. The data presented here confirm the use of ChAdOx1 adenovirus vectors as a leading platform technology for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
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Apr 2021
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Zhou
Zhong
,
Jiying
Ning
,
Emerson A.
Boggs
,
Sooin
Jang
,
Callen
Wallace
,
Cheryl
Telmer
,
Marcel P.
Bruchez
,
Jinwoo
Ahn
,
Alan N.
Engelman
,
Peijun
Zhang
,
Simon C.
Watkins
,
Zandrea
Ambrose
Open Access
Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid binds host proteins during infection, including cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 6 (CPSF6) and cyclophilin A (CypA). We observe that HIV-1 infection induces higher-order CPSF6 formation, and capsid-CPSF6 complexes cotraffic on microtubules. CPSF6-capsid complex trafficking is impacted by capsid alterations that reduce CPSF6 binding or by excess cytoplasmic CPSF6 expression, both of which are associated with decreased HIV-1 infection. Higher-order CPSF6 complexes bind and disrupt HIV-1 capsid assemblies in vitro. Disruption of HIV-1 capsid binding to CypA leads to increased CPSF6 binding and altered capsid trafficking, resulting in reduced infectivity. Our data reveal an interplay between CPSF6 and CypA that is important for cytoplasmic capsid trafficking and HIV-1 infection. We propose that CypA prevents HIV-1 capsid from prematurely engaging cytoplasmic CPSF6 and that differences in CypA cellular localization and innate immunity may explain variations in HIV-1 capsid trafficking and uncoating in CD4+ T cells and macrophages.
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Apr 2021
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I04-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Hermen S.
Overkleeft
,
Sybrin
Schröder
,
Wendy
Offen
,
Alexandra
Males
,
Yi
Jin
,
Casper
De Boer
,
Jacopo
Enotarpi
,
Gijs
Van Der Marel
,
Bogdan
Florea
,
Jeroen
Codée
,
Gideon
Davies
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[13587, 18598]
Abstract: There is a vast genomic resource for enzymes active on carbohydrates. Lagging far behind, however, are functional chemical tools for the rapid characterization of carbohydrate‐active enzymes. Activity‐based probes (ABPs) offer one chemical solution to these issues with ABPs based upon cyclophellitol epoxide and aziridine covalent and irreversible inhibitors representing a potent and widespread approach. Such inhibitors for enzymes active on polysaccharides are potentially limited by the requirement for several glycosidic bonds, themselves substrates for the enzyme targets. Here we show that non‐hydrolysable trisaccharide can be synthesized and applied even to enzymes with challenging subsite requirements. We find that incorporation of carbasugar moieties, which we accomplished by cuprate‐assisted regioselective trans‐diaxial epoxide opening of carba‐mannal we synthesised for this purpose, yields inactivators that act as powerful activity‐based inhibitors for a‐1,6 endo‐mannanases. 3‐D structures at 1.35 – 1.47 Å resolutions confirm the design rationale and binding to the enzymatic nucleophile. Carbasugar oligosaccharide cyclophellitols offer a powerful new approach for the design of robust endoglycosidase inhibitors, while the synthesis procedures presented here should allow adaptation towards activity‐based endoglycosidase probes as well as configurational isosteres targeting other endoglycosidase families.
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Apr 2021
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Abstract: Catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) provides a promising route for upgrading biomass-derived fatty acids to alkanes, which are potential biofuels (e.g. jet fuel (C8–C16) and diesel (C12–C22)) that could reduce our reliance on unsustainable fossil fuels. Currently, catalytic HDO, conducted over catalysts such as molybdenum disulfide, necessitates harsh operating conditions (>300 °C) which is both environmentally and economically unsustainable and promotes unwanted side reactions, e.g. cracking, which compromises product selectivity. Accordingly, the development of novel catalysts, which enable efficient and sustainable HDO, under milder operating conditions, and their translation from lab bench to large-scale production are highly desired. This review discusses the recent development of heterogeneous catalysts for HDO (including reaction pathways, mechanisms, and side reactions) and explores design strategies for the development of new multifunctional catalysts with potential to enable future development of HDO processes under mild conditions. In particular, we consider the sequential cascade transformation of fatty acids into fatty alcohols (via hydrodeoxygenation) and then hydrocarbons (via dehydration and hydrogenation), which requires the coupling of different but complementary catalytic sites, as an attractive alternative mild HDO strategy.
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Mar 2021
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I03-Macromolecular Crystallography
I04-Macromolecular Crystallography
I24-Microfocus Macromolecular Crystallography
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Sergio
Celis
,
Fruzsina
Hobor
,
Thomas
James
,
Gail J.
Bartlett
,
Amaurys A.
Ibarra
,
Deborah K.
Shoemark
,
Zsofia
Hegedus
,
Kristina
Hetherington
,
Derek N.
Woolfson
,
Richard B.
Sessions
,
Thomas A.
Edwards
,
David M.
Andrews
,
Adam
Nelson
,
Andrew J.
Wilson
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[19248]
Open Access
Abstract: Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are central to biological mechanisms, and can serve as compelling targets for drug discovery. Yet, the discovery of small molecule inhibitors of PPIs remains challenging given the large and typically shallow topography of the interacting protein surfaces. Here, we describe a general approach to the discovery of orthosteric PPI inhibitors that mimic specific secondary protein structures. Initially, hot residues at protein–protein interfaces are identified in silico or from experimental data, and incorporated into secondary structure-based queries. Virtual libraries of small molecules are then shape-matched against the queries, and promising ligands docked to target proteins. The approach is exemplified experimentally using two unrelated PPIs that are mediated by an α-helix (p53/hDM2) and a β-strand (GKAP/SHANK1-PDZ). In each case, selective PPI inhibitors are discovered with low μM activity as determined by a combination of fluorescence anisotropy and 1H–15N HSQC experiments. In addition, hit expansion yields a series of PPI inhibitors with defined structure–activity relationships. It is envisaged that the generality of the approach will enable discovery of inhibitors of a wide range of unrelated secondary structure-mediated PPIs.
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Mar 2021
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B18-Core EXAFS
I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction
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Pu
Zhao
,
Lin
Ye
,
Guangchao
Li
,
Chen
Huang
,
Simson
Wu
,
Ping-Luen
Ho
,
Haokun
Wang
,
Tatchamapan
Yoskamtorn
,
Denis
Sheptyakov
,
Giannantonio
Cibin
,
Angus I.
Kirkland
,
Chiu C.
Tang
,
Anmin
Zheng
,
Wenjuan
Xue
,
Donghai
Mei
,
Kongkiat
Suriye
,
Shik Chi Edman
Tsang
Abstract: Synthesizing atomically dispersed synergistic active pairs is crucial yet challenging in developing highly active heterogeneous catalysts for various industrially important reactions. Here, a single molecular Re species is immobilized on the inner surface of a Y zeolite with Brønsted acid sites (BASs) within atomic proximity to form Re OMS–BAS active pairs for the efficient catalysis of olefin metathesis reactions (OMS: olefin metathesis site). The synergy within the active pairs is revealed by studying the coadsorption geometry of the olefin substrates over the active pairs by synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffraction. It is shown that the BAS not only facilitates olefin adsorption but also aligns the olefin molecule to the Re OMS for efficient intermediate formation. Consequently, for the cross-metathesis of ethene and trans-2-butene to propene, this catalyst shows high activity under mild reaction conditions without observable deactivation. The catalyst outperforms not only traditional ReOx-based catalysts but also the best industrially applicable WOx-based catalyst thus far that we discovered previously. The concept of using two isolated active sites of different functionalities within atomic proximity in a confined cavity can provide opportunities for designing synergistically catalytic materials.
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Mar 2021
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I03-Macromolecular Crystallography
I04-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Xiangrong
Chen
,
Yusuf I
Ali
,
Charlotte E. L.
Fisher
,
Raquel
Arribas-Bosacoma
,
Mohan B.
Rajasekaran
,
Gareth
Williams
,
Sarah
Walker
,
Jessica R.
Booth
,
Jessica J R.
Hudson
,
S. Mark
Roe
,
Laurence H.
Pearl
,
Simon E.
Ward
,
Frances M G.
Pearl
,
Antony W.
Oliver
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[20145]
Open Access
Abstract: BLM (Bloom syndrome protein) is a RECQ-family helicase involved in the dissolution of complex DNA structures and repair intermediates. Synthetic lethality analysis implicates BLM as a promising target in a range of cancers with defects in the DNA damage response; however, selective small molecule inhibitors of defined mechanism are currently lacking. Here, we identify and characterise a specific inhibitor of BLM’s ATPase-coupled DNA helicase activity, by allosteric trapping of a DNA-bound translocation intermediate. Crystallographic structures of BLM-DNA-ADP-inhibitor complexes identify a hitherto unknown interdomain interface, whose opening and closing are integral to translocation of ssDNA, and which provides a highly selective pocket for drug discovery. Comparison with structures of other RECQ helicases provides a model for branch migration of Holliday junctions by BLM.
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Mar 2021
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