| 1. |
- Allgardsson, Anders, et al.
(author)
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An unusual dimeric inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase : cooperative binding of crystal violet
- 2017
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In: Molecules. - : MDPI AG. - 1431-5157 .- 1420-3049. ; 22:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an essential enzyme that terminates cholinergic transmission by a rapid hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. AChE is an important target for treatment of various cholinergic deficiencies, including Alzheimer's disease and myasthenia gravis. In a previous high throughput screening campaign, we identified the dye crystal violet (CV) as an inhibitor of AChE. Herein, we show that CV displays a significant cooperativity for binding to AChE, and the molecular basis for this observation has been investigated by X-ray crystallography. Two monomers of CV bind to residues at the entrance of the active site gorge of the enzyme. Notably, the two CV molecules have extensive intermolecular contacts with each other and with AChE. Computational analyses show that the observed CV dimer is not stable in solution, suggesting the sequential binding of two monomers. Guided by the structural analysis, we designed a set of single site substitutions, and investigated their effect on the binding of CV. Only moderate effects on the binding and the cooperativity were observed, suggesting a robustness in the interaction between CV and AChE. Taken together, we propose that the dimeric cooperative binding is due to a rare combination of chemical and structural properties of both CV and the AChE molecule itself.
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| 2. |
- Allgardsson, Anders, et al.
(author)
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Structure of a prereaction complex between the nerve agent sarin, its biological target acetylcholinesterase, and the antidote HI-6
- 2016
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In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 113:20, s. 5514-5519
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Organophosphorus nerve agents interfere with cholinergic signaling by covalently binding to the active site of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). This inhibition causes an accumulation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, potentially leading to overstimulation of the nervous system and death. Current treatments include the use of antidotes that promote the release of functional AChE by an unknown reactivation mechanism. We have used diffusion trap cryocrystallography and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to determine and analyze prereaction conformers of the nerve agent antidote HI-6 in complex with Mus musculus AChE covalently inhibited by the nerve agent sarin. These analyses reveal previously unknown conformations of the system and suggest that the cleavage of the covalent enzyme-sarin bond is preceded by a conformational change in the sarin adduct itself. Together with data from the reactivation kinetics, this alternate conformation suggests a key interaction between Glu202 and the O-isopropyl moiety of sarin. Moreover, solvent kinetic isotope effect experiments using deuterium oxide reveal that the reactivation mechanism features an isotope-sensitive step. These findings provide insights into the reactivation mechanism and provide a starting point for the development of improved antidotes. The work also illustrates how DFT calculations can guide the interpretation, analysis, and validation of crystallographic data for challenging reactive systems with complex conformational dynamics.
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| 3. |
- Andersson, C. David, et al.
(author)
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Benefits of statistical molecular design, covariance analysis, and reference models in QSAR : a case study on acetylcholinesterase
- 2015
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In: Journal of Computer-Aided Molecular Design. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0920-654X .- 1573-4951. ; 29:3, s. 199-215
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Scientific disciplines such as medicinal- and environmental chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology deal with the questions related to the effects small organic compounds exhort on biological targets and the compounds' physicochemical properties responsible for these effects. A common strategy in this endeavor is to establish structure-activity relationships (SARs). The aim of this work was to illustrate benefits of performing a statistical molecular design (SMD) and proper statistical analysis of the molecules' properties before SAR and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis. Our SMD followed by synthesis yielded a set of inhibitors of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) that had very few inherent dependencies between the substructures in the molecules. If such dependencies exist, they cause severe errors in SAR interpretation and predictions by QSAR-models, and leave a set of molecules less suitable for future decision-making. In our study, SAR- and QSAR models could show which molecular sub-structures and physicochemical features that were advantageous for the AChE inhibition. Finally, the QSAR model was used for the prediction of the inhibition of AChE by an external prediction set of molecules. The accuracy of these predictions was asserted by statistical significance tests and by comparisons to simple but relevant reference models.
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| 4. |
- Andersson, C. David, et al.
(author)
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Divergent Structure-Activity Relationships of Structurally Similar Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors
- 2013
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In: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0022-2623 .- 1520-4804. ; 56:19, s. 7615-7624
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The molecular interactions between the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and two compound classes consisting of N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]benzenesulfonamides and N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]benzenemethanesulfonamides have been investigated using organic synthesis, enzymatic assays, X-ray crystallography, and thermodynamic profiling. The inhibitors' aromatic properties were varied to establish structure activity relationships (SAR) between the inhibitors and the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of AChE. The two structurally similar compound classes proved to have distinctly divergent SARs in terms of their inhibition capacity of AChE. Eight X-ray structures revealed that the two sets have different conformations in PAS. Furthermore, thermodynamic profiles of the binding between compounds and AChE revealed class-dependent differences of the entropy/enthalpy contributions to the free energy of binding. Further development of the entropy-favored compound class resulted in the synthesis of the most potent inhibitor and an extension beyond the established SARs. The divergent SARs will be utilized to develop reversible inhibitors of AChE into reactivators of nerve agent-inhibited AChE.
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| 5. |
- Andersson, Per Ola, et al.
(author)
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Polymorph and size dependent uptake and toxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles in living lung epithelial cells
- 2011
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In: Small. - : Wiley. - 1613-6810 .- 1613-6829. ; 7:4, s. 514-523
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The cellular uptake and distribution of five types of well-characterized anatase and rutile TiO(2) nanoparticles (NPs) in A549 lung epithelial cells is reported. Static light scattering (SLS), in-vitro Raman microspectroscopy (mu-Raman) and transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM) reveal an intimate correlation between the intrinsic physicochemical properties of the NPs, particle agglomeration, and cellular NP uptake. It is shown that mu-Raman facilitates chemical-, polymorph-, and size-specific discrimination of endosomal-particle cell uptake and the retention of particles in the vicinity of organelles, including the cell nucleus, which quantitatively correlates with TEM and SLS data. Depth-profiling mu-Raman coupled with hyperspectral data analysis confirms the location of the NPs in the cells and shows that the NPs induce modifications of the biological matrix. NP uptake is found to be kinetically activated and strongly dependent on the hard agglomeration size-not the primary particle size-which quantitatively agrees with the measured intracellular oxidative stress. Pro-inflammatory responses are also found to be sensitive to primary particle size.
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| 6. |
- Artursson, Elisabet, et al.
(author)
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Catalytic-site conformational equilibrium in nerve-agent adducts of acetylcholinesterase : Possible implications for the HI-6 antidote substrate specificity
- 2013
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In: Biochemical Pharmacology. - : Elsevier. - 0006-2952 .- 1356-1839. ; 85:9, s. 1389-1397
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nerve agents such as tabun, cyclosarin and Russian VX inhibit the essential enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by organophosphorylating the catalytic serine residue. Nucleophiles, such as oximes, are used as antidotes as they can reactivate and restore the function of the inhibited enzyme. The oxime HI-6 shows a notably low activity on tabun adducts but can effectively reactivate adducts of cyclosarin and Russian VX. To examine the structural basis for the pronounced substrate specificity of HI-6, we determined the binary crystal structures of Mus musculus AChE (mAChE) conjugated by cyclosarin and Russian VX and found a conformational mobility of the side chains of Phe338 and His447. The interaction between HI-6 and tabun-adducts of AChE were subsequently investigated using a combination of time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Our findings show that HI-6 binds to tabun inhibited Homo sapiens AChE (hAChE) with an IC50 value of 300 μM and suggest that the reactive nucleophilic moiety of HI-6 is excluded from the phosphorus atom of tabun. We propose that a conformational mobility of the side-chains of Phe338 and His447 is a common feature in nerve-agent adducts of AChE. We also suggest that the conformational mobility allow HI-6 to reactivate conjugates of cyclosarin and Russian VX while a reduced mobility in tabun conjugated AChE results in steric hindrance that prevents efficient reactivation.
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| 7. |
- Ekstrand-Hammarström, Barbro, et al.
(author)
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Human Primary Bronchial Epithelial Cells are more Responsive to Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles than the Lung Epithelial Cell Lines A549 and BEAS-2B
- 2012
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In: Nanotoxicology. - : Informa Healthcare. - 1743-5390 .- 1743-5404. ; 6:6, s. 623-634
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have compared the cellular uptake and responses of fivepreparations of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO2) betweennormal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells and epithelialcell lines (A549 and BEAS-2B). The P25 nanoparticles, containingboth anatase and rutile modifications, induced reactive oxygenspecies (ROS) and secretion of the neutrophil chemoattractantIL-8 in all three cell types used. Pure anatase and rutile particlesprovoked differential IL-8 response in A549 and no response inBEAS-2B cells despite similar formation of ROS. The pure TiO2modifications also provoked release of the inflammatorymediators: IL-6, G-CSF and VEGF, in NHBE cells but not in the twocell lines. We conclude that the responsiveness of lung epithelialcells is strongly dependent on both the physicochemicalproperties of TiO2 nanoparticles and the type of responder cells.The differential pro-inflammatory responsiveness of primarylung epithelial cells compared with immortalized cell linesshould be considered in the assessment of adverse reactions toinhaled nanoparticles.
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| 8. |
- Ekstrand-Hammarström, Barbro, et al.
(author)
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Human primary bronchial epithelial cells respond differently to titanium dioxide nanoparticles than the lung epithelial cell lines A549 and BEAS-2B
- 2012
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In: Nanotoxicology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1743-5390 .- 1743-5404. ; 6:6, s. 623-634
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have compared the cellular uptake and responses of five preparations of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) between normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells and epithelial cell lines (A549 and BEAS-2B). The P25 nanoparticles, containing both anatase and rutile modifications, induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and secretion of the neutrophil chemoattractant IL-8 in all three cell types used. Pure anatase and rutile particles provoked differential IL-8 response in A549 and no response in BEAS-2B cells despite similar formation of ROS. The pure TiO(2) modifications also provoked release of the inflammatory mediators: IL-6, G-CSF and VEGF, in NHBE cells but not in the two cell lines. We conclude that the responsiveness of lung epithelial cells is strongly dependent on both the physicochemical properties of TiO(2) nanoparticles and the type of responder cells. The differential pro-inflammatory responsiveness of primary lung epithelial cells compared with immortalized cell lines should be considered in the assessment of adverse reactions to inhaled nanoparticles.
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| 9. |
- Lindgren, Cecilia, et al.
(author)
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Broad-Spectrum Antidote Discovery by Untangling the Reactivation Mechanism of Nerve-Agent-Inhibited Acetylcholinesterase
- 2022
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In: Chemistry - A European Journal. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0947-6539 .- 1521-3765. ; 28:40
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Reactivators are vital for the treatment of organophosphorus nerve agent (OPNA) intoxication but new alternatives are needed due to their limited clinical applicability. The toxicity of OPNAs stems from covalent inhibition of the essential enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which reactivators relieve via a chemical reaction with the inactivated enzyme. Here, we present new strategies and tools for developing reactivators. We discover suitable inhibitor scaffolds by using an activity-independent competition assay to study non-covalent interactions with OPNA-AChEs and transform these inhibitors into broad-spectrum reactivators. Moreover, we identify determinants of reactivation efficiency by analysing reactivation and pre-reactivation kinetics together with structural data. Our results show that new OPNA reactivators can be discovered rationally by exploiting detailed knowledge of the reactivation mechanism of OPNA-inhibited AChE.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Wigenstam, Elisabeth, et al.
(author)
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Anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic treatment in a rodent model of acute lung injury induced by sulfur dioxide
- 2018
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In: Clinical Toxicology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1556-3650 .- 1556-9519. ; 56:12, s. 1185-1194
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context: Inhalation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) affects the lungs and exposure to high concentrations can be lethal. The early pulmonary response after inhaled SO2 involves tissue injury, acute neutrophilic lung inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). In rats, long-term pulmonary fibrosis is evident 14 days post-exposure as indicated by analysis of collagen deposition in lung tissue. Early treatment with a single dose of dexamethasone (DEX,10 mg/kg) significantly attenuates the acute inflammatory response in airways. However, this single DEX-treatment is not sufficient for complete protection against SO2-induced injuries.Methods: Female Sprague–Dawley rats exposed to SO2 (2200 ppm, nose-only exposure, 10 min) were given treatments (1, 5 and 23 h after SO2-exposure) with the anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory substance Pirfenidone (PFD, 200 mg/kg) or DEX (10 mg/kg) to evaluate whether the inflammatory response, AHR and lung fibrosis could be counteracted.Results: Both treatment approaches significantly reduced the total leukocyte response in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and suppressed pulmonary edema. In contrast to DEX-treatment, PFD-treatment reduced the methacholine-induced AHR to almost control levels and partially suppressed the acute mucosal damage whereas multiple DEX-treatment was the only treatment that reduced collagen formation in lung tissue.Conclusions: To enable an accurate extrapolation of animal derived data to humans, a detailed understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the injury, and potential treatment options, is needed. The findings of the present study suggest that treatments with the capability to reduce both AHR, the inflammatory response, and fibrosis are needed to achieve a comprehensive mitigation of the acute lung injury caused by SO2.
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| 12. |
- Wiktelius, Daniel, et al.
(author)
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In Situ Assembly of Choline Acetyltransferase Ligands by a Hydrothiolation Reaction Reveals Key Determinants for Inhibitor Design
- 2021
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In: Angewandte Chemie International Edition. - : Wiley-VCH Verlagsgesellschaft. - 1433-7851 .- 1521-3773. ; 60:2, s. 813-819
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The potential drug target choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) catalyses the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in cholinergic neurons, T-cells, and B-cells. Herein, we show that arylvinylpyridiniums (AVPs), the most widely studied class of ChAT inhibitors, act as substrate in an unusual coenzyme A-dependent hydrothiolation reaction. This in situ synthesis yields an adduct that is the actual enzyme inhibitor. The adduct is deeply buried in the active site tunnel of ChAT and interactions with a hydrophobic pocket near the choline binding site have major implications for the molecular recognition of inhibitors. Our findings clarify the inhibition mechanism of AVPs, establish a drug modality that exploits a target-catalysed reaction between exogenous and endogenous precursors, and provide new directions for the development of ChAT inhibitors with improved potency and bioactivity.
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