Jeffrey Clifford Dyason

α-Tocopheryl succinate induces apoptosis by targeting ubiquinone-binding sites in mitochondrial respiratory complex II

α-Tocopheryl succinate (α-TOS) is a selective inducer of apoptosis in cancer cells, which involves the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The molecular target of α-TOS has not been identified. Here, we show that α-TOS inhibits succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity of complex II (CII) by interacting with the proximal and distal ubiquinone (UbQ)-binding site (QP and QD, respectively). This is based on biochemical analyses and molecular modelling, revealing similar or stronger interaction energy of α-TOS compared to that of UbQ for the QP and QD sites, respectively. CybL-mutant cells with dysfunctional CII failed to accumulate ROS and underwent apoptosis in the presence of α-TOS. Similar resistance was observed when CybL was knocked down with siRNA. Reconstitution of functional CII rendered CybL-mutant cells susceptible to α-TOS. We propose that α-TOS displaces UbQ in CII causing electrons generated by SDH to recombine with molecular oxygen to yield ROS. Our data highlight CII, a known tumour suppressor, as a novel target for cancer therapy.

Mitochondrial Targeting of Vitamin E Succinate Enhances Its Pro-apoptotic and Anti-cancer Activity via Mitochondrial Complex II

Mitochondrial complex II (CII) has been recently identified as a novel target for anti-cancer drugs. Mitochondrially targeted vitamin E succinate (MitoVES) is modified so that it is preferentially localized to mitochondria, greatly enhancing its pro-apoptotic and anti-cancer activity. Using genetically manipulated cells, MitoVES caused apoptosis and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CII-proficient malignant cells but not their CII-dysfunctional counterparts. MitoVES inhibited the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity of CII with IC50 of 80 μm, whereas the electron transfer from CII to CIII was inhibited with IC50 of 1.5 μm. The agent had no effect either on the enzymatic activity of CI or on electron transfer from CI to CIII. Over 24 h, MitoVES caused stabilization of the oxygen-dependent destruction domain of HIF1α fused to GFP, indicating promotion of the state of pseudohypoxia. Molecular modeling predicted the succinyl group anchored into the proximal CII ubiquinone (UbQ)-binding site and successively reduced interaction energies for serially shorter phytyl chain homologs of MitoVES correlated with their lower effects on apoptosis induction, ROS generation, and SDH activity. Mutation of the UbQ-binding Ser68 within the proximal site of the CII SDHC subunit (S68A or S68L) suppressed both ROS generation and apoptosis induction by MitoVES. In vivo studies indicated that MitoVES also acts by causing pseudohypoxia in the context of tumor suppression. We propose that mitochondrial targeting of VES with an 11-carbon chain localizes the agent into an ideal position across the interface of the mitochondrial inner membrane and matrix, optimizing its biological effects as an anti-cancer drug.

Lewis-base Adducts of Group 1B Metal(I) Compounds. Part 16. Synthesis, structure and solid-state phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of some novel [Cu4X4L4] (X = halogen, L = N, P base) 'cubane' clusters

Recrystallization of [Cu4l4(PPh3)4] from toluene has yielded a new polymorph of that compound, (1), which has been shown by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis to have a tetrametallic ‘cubane’ structure rather than the expected ‘step’ structure. Crystals are monoclinic, space group P21/n, with a= 19.47(1), b= 26.94(1), c= 13.528(5)A, β= 98.98(4)°, Z= 4 tetramers; R was 0.06 for No= 3 681. Cu–I distances range from 2.653(3) to 2.732(3)A, with Cu ⋯ Cu 2.874(5)–3.164(4) and I ⋯ I 4.234(2)–4.496(3)A. All adducts of stoicheiometry [M4X4(PPh3)4](M = Cu or Ag; X = Cl, Br, or I) have now been synthesized and structurally characterized in a cubane configuration. Recrystallization of copper(I) chloride and bromide from triethylamine also yields tetrameric cubane 1 : 1 adducts [X = Cl (2) or Br (3)], as does the reaction of copper(I) chloride with the very bulky ligand 2-[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]pyridine, to give [Cu4Cl4(tmspy)4](4). These three complexes have also been crystallographically characterized, (2) and (4) being the first reported cubane type tetramers for the copper(I) chloride–nitrogen base system. Complexes (2) and (3) are isostructural with their triethylarsine and -phosphine counterparts, being cubic, space group I3m, with a= 12.162(5)A in (2) and 12.368(3)A in (3); Z= 2 tetramers. Cu–Cl,Br distances are 2.441(4) and 2.537(3)A respectively. For (4), the crystals are tetragonal, space group I41/a, with a= 18.620(4), c= 20.079(5)A, Z= 4 tetramers. Although the Cu4Cl4 cubane core of the molecule has crystallographically imposed symmetry, the geometry is very unsymmetrical as a consequence of the ligand bulk, with Cu–Cl 2.225(2)–2.636(2), Cu ⋯ Cu 2.960(2)–3.194(2), and Cl ⋯ Cl 3.838(3)–3.866(3)A. Residuals R for (2), (3), (4) were 0.040, 0.038, and 0.040 respectively for No= 136, 136, and 1 008 ‘observed’ reflections. The solid-state 31P n.m.r. spectra of the triphenylphosphine cubane clusters show significant differences to those with a ‘step’ geometry; these differences are related to the crystallographic environment of the phosphorus nuclei.

Lewis base adducts of Group 11 metal compounds. Part 24. Co-ordination of triphenylphosphine with silver nitrate. A solid-state cross-polarization magic angle spinning 31P nuclear magnetic resonance, crystal structure, and infrared spectroscopic study of Ag(PPh3)nNO3(n= 1–4)

Solid-state cross-polarization magic angle spinning 31P n.m.r. spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray structure determination, and i.r. spectroscopy have been used to investigate the properties of the adducts of triphenylphosphine with silver(I) nitrate: Ag(PPh3)NO3, (1); Ag(PPh3)2NO3, (2); Ag(PPh3)3NO3, (3); and Ag(PPh3)4NO3, (4). The value of 1J(Ag–P) decreases with increasing co-ordination number: (1), 780; (2), 470; (3), 310; and (4),190 Hz, paralleling solution results. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of compounds (2)–(4) have been performed: (2), triclinic, space group P, a= 11.821(3), b= 11.990(3), c= 13.660(3)A, α= 102.05(2), β= 112.80(2), and γ= 105.30(2)°, yielding R= 0.036 for 4 090 ‘observed’ reflections; Ag–P 2.443(1) and 2.440(1)A, P–Ag–P 138.21(5)°(3), monoclinic, space group P21/n, a= 18.984(5), b= 13.710(3), c= 17.900(4)A, and β= 94.94(2)°, yielding R= 0.053 for 5126 reflections; Ag–P 2.630(2), 2.525(1), and 2.545(2)A, P–Ag–P 118.37(5),112.07(4), and 116.44(5)°; (4), trigonal, space group R, a= 19.07(2), and α= 43.77(5)°, yielding R= 0.060 for 1 903 observed reflections; Ag–P 2.643(3) and 2.671(4)A, P–Ag–P 109.49(12) and 109.45(10)°. Structures (2) and (3)[and (1)] are isomorphous with the analogous triphenylarsine compounds. In all cases the nitrate group is only weakly co-ordinated [and is ionic in (4)]: Ag–O 2.464(4) and 2.649(4) in (2), 2.684(6) and 2.775(6)A in (3). These weak interactions are reflected in the small splitting observed for the asymmetric N–O stretching vibrational mode compared to the analogous copper(I) compounds.

Complexity in influenza virus targeted drug design: interaction with human sialidases

With the global spread of the pandemic H1N1 and the ongoing pandemic potential of the H5N1 subtype, the influenza virus represents one of the most alarming viruses spreading worldwide. The influenza virus sialidase is an effective drug target, and a number of inhibitors are clinically effective against the virus (zanamivir, oseltamivir, peramivir). Here we report structural and biochemical studies of the human cytosolic sialidase Neu2 with influenza virus sialidase-targeting drugs and related compounds.

Neuraminidase Inhibitor Sensitivity and Receptor-Binding Specificity of Cambodian Clade 1 Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Influenza Virus

ABSTRACT The evolution of the highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus produces genetic variations that can lead to changes in antiviral susceptibility and in receptor-binding specificity. In countries where the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus is endemic or causes regular epidemics, the surveillance of these changes is important for assessing the pandemic risk. In Cambodia between 2004 and 2010, there have been 26 outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus in poultry and 10 reported human cases, 8 of which were fatal. We have observed naturally occurring mutations in hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) of Cambodian H5N1 viruses that were predicted to alter sensitivity to neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) and/or receptor-binding specificity. We tested H5N1 viruses isolated from poultry and humans between 2004 and 2010 for sensitivity to the NAIs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). All viruses were sensitive to both inhibitors; however, we identified a virus with a mildly decreased sensitivity to zanamivir and have predicted that a V149A mutation is responsible. We also identified a virus with a hemagglutinin A134V mutation, present in a subpopulation amplified directly from a human sample. Using reverse genetics, we verified that this mutation is adaptative for human α2,6-linked sialidase receptors. The importance of an ongoing surveillance of H5N1 antigenic variance and genetic drift that may alter receptor binding and sensitivities of H5N1 viruses to NAIs cannot be underestimated while avian influenza remains a pandemic threat.

Recognition of the GM3 Ganglioside Glycan by Rhesus Rotavirus Particles

Rotaviruses are a major cause of severe infantile gastroenteritis in humans and animals worldwide, producing a childhood mortality exceeding 650 000 annually.[1] Mapping host cell glycan-virus interactions to define a viral glycointeractome is invaluable in providing new directions for the discovery of novel broad-spectrum drugs and vaccines. In that context we have recently reported the first NMR-based structural analysis of the interaction of GD1a (1) and GM1 (2) ganglioside glycans with recombinantly expressed rotaviral surface lectin VP8* from two distinct rotavirus strains.[2]

Novel Structural Insights into Rotavirus Recognition of Ganglioside Glycan Receptors

Rotaviruses ubiquitously infect children under the age of 5, being responsible for more than half a million diarrhoeal deaths each year worldwide. Host cell oligosaccharides containing sialic acid(s) are critical for attachment by rotaviruses. However, to date, no detailed three-dimensional atomic model showing the exact rotavirus interactions with these glycoconjugate receptors has been reported. Here, we present the first crystallographic structures of the rotavirus carbohydrate-recognizing protein VP8* in complex with ganglioside G(M3) glycans. In combination with assessment of the inhibition of rotavirus infectivity by N-acetyl and N-glycolyl forms of this ganglioside, our results reveal key details of rotavirus-ganglioside G(M3) glycan recognition. In addition, they show a direct correlation between the carbohydrate specificities exhibited by VP8* from porcine and by monkey rotaviruses and the respective infectious virus particles. These novel results also indicate the potential binding interactions of rotavirus VP8* with other sialic acid-containing gangliosides.

Unsaturated N-acetyl-D-glucosaminuronic acid glycosides as inhibitors of influenza virus sialidase

The threat of pandemic influenza is a significant concern of governments worldwide. There is a very limited and relatively expensive armament to tackle such a pandemic should it occur. This fact provides much impetus to the scientific community for the discovery of new and less expensive anti-influenza drugs. Our longstanding interest in the inhibition of influenza virus sialidase, coupled with the development of simple carbohydrates that mimic an unsaturated derivative of the enzymes naturally-occurring ligand, N-acetylneuraminic acid, has led us to investigate the development of influenza virus sialidase inhibitors based on these mimetics. We have successfully prepared a range of these compounds, in good yield, from the relatively inexpensive carbohydrate N-acetylglucosamine utilising a short synthetic procedure. We have employed a sialidase inhibition assay for biological evaluation of the target compounds and to our delight these mimetics have displayed significant inhibition of influenza virus sialidase.

The design, synthesis and biological evaluation of neuraminic acid-based probes of Vibrio cholerae sialidase

Abstract A molecular modelling study using the program GRID has been used to investigate the structural requirements of a potential inhibitor binding to Vibrio cholerae sialidase. A number of favourable interactions were predicted between the sialidase and Neu2en derivatives containing hydroxyl- or halogen-substituted acyl groups on the C-5 amine. As a result of this study, a detailed analysis of the interactions of C-5-substituted Neu2en derivatives with the active site of V. cholerae sialidase was undertaken using a conformational searching routine based on molecular dynamics. Based on the results of these molecular design studies several N -acyl-Neu2en-based probes were prepared and evaluated for sialidase inhibition. As envisaged, and pleasingly, the designed compounds were found to be accommodated by the enzyme’s active site architecture, and to be strong inhibitors of V. cholerae sialidase.