Zrinka Kovarik

Structural aspects of flavonoids as inhibitors of human butyrylcholinesterase.

Selected flavonoids: galangin, kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, fisetin, apigenin, luteolin and rutin, reversibly inhibited human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, EC 3.1.1.8). Inhibition potency of the flavonoids we attributed to their chemical structure, i.e., the number of OH groups and their side on the phenyl ring. The most potent BChE inhibitor among the tested flavonoids was galangin, which showed 12 times higher preference for binding to BChE (7 micromol/L) than to the related enzyme human acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7). Docking study showed that flavonoids bind to the BChE active site by forming multiple hydrogen bonds and pi-pi interactions. The UV-VIS (200-500 nm) absorption spectra of the flavonoid phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4), with the exception of rutin, revealed time dependant changes indicating precipitation of flavonoids or in the case of myricetin, a change in the chemical structure resulting in a BChE non-inhibiting specie. Selected flavonoids showed no cytotoxic effect on HepG2 and A549 cell lines at concentrations up to 200 micromol/L. Cytotoxicity was observed only for fisetin, apigenin and luteolin in the THP-1 cell line with IC50 of 30, 60 and 70 micromol/L, respectively.

Acetylcholinesterase active centre and gorge conformations analysed by combinatorial mutations and enantiomeric phosphonates.

A series of eight double and triple mutants of mouse acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7), with substitutions corresponding to residues found largely within the butyrylcholinesterase (BChE; EC 3.1.1.8) active-centre gorge, was analysed to compare steady-state kinetic constants for substrate turnover and inhibition parameters for enantiomeric methylphosphonate esters. The mutations combined substitutions in the acyl pocket (Phe(295)-->Leu and Phe(297)-->Ile) with the choline-binding site (Tyr(337)-->Ala and Phe(338)-->Ala) and with a side chain (Glu(202)--> Gln) N-terminal to the active-site serine, Ser(203). The mutations affected catalysis by increasing K (m) and decreasing k (cat), but these constants were typically affected by an order of magnitude or less, a relatively small change compared with the catalytic potential of AChE. To analyse the constraints on stereoselective phosphonylation, the mutant enzymes were reacted with a congeneric series of S (P)- and R (P)-methylphosphonates of known absolute stereochemistry. Where possible, the overall reaction rates were deconstructed into the primary constants for formation of the reversible complex and intrinsic phosphonylation. The multiple mutations greatly reduced the reaction rates of the more reactive S (P)-methylphosphonates, whereas the rates of reaction with the R (P)-methylphosphonates were markedly enhanced. With the phosphonates of larger steric bulk, the enhancement of rates for the R (P) enantiomers, coupled with the reduction of the S (P) enantiomers, was sufficient to invert markedly the enantiomeric preference. The sequence of mutations to enlarge the size of the AChE active-centre gorge, resembling in part the more spacious gorge of BChE, did not show an ordered conversion into BChE reactivity as anticipated for a rigid template. Rather, the individual aromatic residues may mutually interact to confer a distinctive stereospecificity pattern towards organophosphates.

New Structural Scaffolds for Centrally Acting Oxime Reactivators of Phosphylated Cholinesterases

We describe here the synthesis and activity of a new series of oxime reactivators of cholinesterases (ChEs) that contain tertiary amine or imidazole protonatable functional groups. Equilibration between the neutral and protonated species at physiological pH enables the reactivators to cross the blood-brain barrier and distribute in the CNS aqueous space as dictated by interstitial and cellular pH values. Our structure-activity analysis of 134 novel compounds considers primarily imidazole aldoximes and N-substituted 2-hydroxyiminoacetamides. Reactivation capacities of novel oximes are rank ordered by their relative reactivation rate constants at 0.67 mm compared with 2-pyridinealdoxime methiodide for reactivation of four organophosphate (sarin, cyclosarin, VX, and paraoxon) conjugates of human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE). Rank order of the rates differs for reactivation of human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) conjugates. The 10 best reactivating oximes, predominantly hydroxyimino acetamide derivatives (for hAChE) and imidazole-containing aldoximes (for hBChE) also exhibited reasonable activity in the reactivation of tabun conjugates. Reactivation kinetics of the lead hydroxyimino acetamide reactivator of hAChE, when analyzed in terms of apparent affinity (1/Kox) and maximum reactivation rate (k2), is superior to the reference uncharged reactivators monoisonitrosoacetone and 2,3-butanedione monoxime and shows potential for further refinement. The disparate pH dependences for reactivation of ChE and the general base-catalyzed oximolysis of acetylthiocholine reveal that distinct reactivator ionization states are involved in the reactivation of ChE conjugates and in conferring nucleophilic reactivity of the oxime group.

Refinement of Structural Leads for Centrally Acting Oxime Reactivators of Phosphylated Cholinesterases

Background: Contemporary oxime antidotes to organophosphate poisoning cannot penetrate CNS to reactivate inhibited acetylcholinesterase. Results: Structural, in vitro optimization of ionizable hydroxyiminoacetamido amine acetylcholinesterase reactivators produced superior antidotal responses for VX-, sarin-, paraoxon-, and tabun-exposed mice. Conclusion: Ionizable hydroxyiminoacetamido amines are promising centrally active acetylcholinesterase reactivators. Significance: A mechanism-based iterative refinement of acetylcholinesterase reactivation kinetics coupled with pharmacokinetic analyses yields efficient CNS penetrating antidotes. We present a systematic structural optimization of uncharged but ionizable N-substituted 2-hydroxyiminoacetamido alkylamine reactivators of phosphylated human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) intended to catalyze the hydrolysis of organophosphate (OP)-inhibited hAChE in the CNS. Starting with the initial lead oxime RS41A identified in our earlier study and extending to the azepine analog RS194B, reactivation rates for OP-hAChE conjugates formed by sarin, cyclosarin, VX, paraoxon, and tabun are enhanced severalfold in vitro. To analyze the mechanism of intrinsic reactivation of the OP-AChE conjugate and penetration of the blood-brain barrier, the pH dependence of the oxime and amine ionizing groups of the compounds and their nucleophilic potential were examined by UV-visible spectroscopy, 1H NMR, and oximolysis rates for acetylthiocholine and phosphoester hydrolysis. Oximolysis rates were compared in solution and on AChE conjugates and analyzed in terms of the ionization states for reactivation of the OP-conjugated AChE. In addition, toxicity and pharmacokinetic studies in mice show significantly improved CNS penetration and retention for RS194B when compared with RS41A. The enhanced intrinsic reactivity against the OP-AChE target combined with favorable pharmacokinetic properties resulted in great improvement of antidotal properties of RS194B compared with RS41A and the standard peripherally active oxime, 2-pyridinealdoxime methiodide. Improvement was particularly noticeable when pretreatment of mice with RS194B before OP exposure was combined with RS194B reactivation therapy after the OP insult.

Evaluation of Oxime K203 as Antidote in Tabun Poisoning

Evaluation of Oxime K203 as Antidote in Tabun Poisoning We studied bispyridinium oxime K203 [(E)-1-(4-carbamoylpyridinium)-4-(4-hydroxyiminomethylpyridinium)-but-2-ene dibromide] with tabun-inhibited human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in vitro, and its antidotal effect on tabun-poisoned mice and rats in vivo. We compared it with oximes K048 and TMB-4, which have proven the most efficient oxime antidotes in tabun poisoning by now. Tabun-inhibited AChE was completely reactivated by K203, with the overall reactivation rate constant of 1806 L mol-1 min-1. This means that K203 is a very potent reactivator of tabun-inhibited AChE. In addition, K203 reversibly inhibited AChE (Ki = 0.090 mmol L-1) and BChE (Ki = 0.91 mmol L-1), and exhibited its protective effect against phosphorylation of AChE by tabun in vitro. In vivo, a quarter of the LD50 K203 dose insured survival of all mice after the application of as many as 8 LD50 doses of tabun, which is the highest dosage obtained compared to K048 and TMB-4. Moreover, K203 showed high therapeutic potency in tabun-poisoned rats, preserving cholinesterase activity in rat plasma up to 60 min after poisoning. This therapeutic improvement obtained by K203 in tabun-poisoning places this oxime in the spotlight for further development. Procjena oksima K203 kao antidota pri otrovanju tabunom Proučavali smo bispiridinijski oksim K203 [(E)-1-(4-karbamilpiridinij)-4-(4-hidroksiiminometilpiridinij)-but-2-ene dibromid] u uvjetima in vitro - studirajući njegove interakcije s ljudskom acetilkolinesterazom (AChE) i butirilkolinesterazom (BChe) inhibiranim tabunom te u uvjetima in vivo - određivanjem njegova antidotskog učinka na miševe i štakore otrovane tabunom. Radi usporedbe uključili smo rezultate dobivene s oksimima K048 i TMB-4 kao najučinkovitijim oksimima kod otrovanja tabunom. K203 je potpuno reaktivirao AChE inhibiranu tabunom sa sveukupnom brzinom reaktivacije od 1806 L mol-1 min-1 što ga svrstava u najučinkovitije reaktivatore AChE inhibirane tabunom. K203 je reverzibilno inhibirao AChE (Ki = 0,090 mmol L-1) i BChE (Ki = 0,91 mmol L-1) pokazujući svoja in vitro zaštitna svojstva od inhibicije tabunom. Terapija dozom K203 od 1/4 njegove LD50 omogućila je preživljavanje svih miševa nakon otrovanja dozom tabuna od 8,0 LD50. Time je K203 pokazao bolju učinkovitost u usporedbi s K048 ili TMB-4. K tome, K203 je značajno zaštitio štakore od otrovanja tabunom kompenzirajući toksični učinak tabuna na aktivnost kolinesteraze i do 60 min nakon trovanja. Pokazano poboljšanje terapeutske učinkovitosti K203 ističe ovaj oksim pretečom za daljnji razvoj antidota u otrovanju tabunom.

Catalytic detoxification of nerve agent and pesticide organophosphates by butyrylcholinesterase assisted with non-pyridinium oximes.

In the present paper we show a comprehensive in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo study on hydrolytic detoxification of nerve agent and pesticide OPs (organophosphates) catalysed by purified hBChE (human butyrylcholinesterase) in combination with novel non-pyridinium oxime reactivators. We identified TAB2OH (2-trimethylammonio-6-hydroxybenzaldehyde oxime) as an efficient reactivator of OP-hBChE conjugates formed by the nerve agents VX and cyclosarin, and the pesticide paraoxon. It was also functional in reactivation of sarin- and tabun-inhibited hBChE. A 3-5-fold enhancement of in vitro reactivation of VX-, cyclosarin- and paraoxon-inhibited hBChE was observed when compared with the commonly used N-methylpyridinium aldoxime reactivator, 2PAM (2-pyridinealdoxime methiodide). Kinetic analysis showed that the enhancement resulted from improved molecular recognition of corresponding OP-hBChE conjugates by TAB2OH. The unique features of TAB2OH stem from an exocyclic quaternary nitrogen and a hydroxy group, both ortho to an oxime group on a benzene ring. pH-dependences reveal participation of the hydroxy group (pKa=7.6) forming an additional ionizing nucleophile to potentiate the oxime (pKa=10) at physiological pH. The TAB2OH protective indices in therapy of sarin- and paraoxon-exposed mice were enhanced by 30-60% when they were treated with a combination of TAB2OH and sub-stoichiometric hBChE. The results of the present study establish that oxime-assisted catalysis is feasible for OP bioscavenging.

A mutation linked with autism reveals a common mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum retention for the α,β-hydrolase fold protein family

A mutation linked to autistic spectrum disorders encodes an Arg to Cys replacement in the C-terminal portion of the extracellular domain of neuroligin-3. The solvent-exposed Cys causes virtually complete retention of the protein in the endoplasmic reticulum when the protein is expressed in transfected cells. An identical Cys substitution was reported for butyrylcholinesterase through genotyping patients with post-succinylcholine apnea. Neuroligin, butyrylcholinesterase, and acetylcholinesterase are members of the α,β-hydrolase fold family of proteins sharing sequence similarity and common tertiary structures. Although these proteins have distinct oligomeric assemblies and cellular dispositions, homologous Arg residues in neuroligin-3 (Arg-451), in butyrylcholinesterase (Arg-386), and in acetylcholinesterase (Arg-395) are conserved in all studied mammalian species. To examine whether an homologous Arg to Cys mutation affects related proteins similarly despite their differing capacities to oligomerize, we inserted homologous mutations in the acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase cDNAs. Using confocal fluorescence microscopy and analysis of oligosaccharide processing, we find that the homologous Arg to Cys mutation also results in endoplasmic reticulum retention of the two cholinesterases. Small quantities of mutated acetylcholinesterase exported from the cell retain activity but show a greater Km, a much smaller kcat, and altered substrate inhibition. The nascent proteins associate with chaperones during processing, but the mutation presumably restricts processing through the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, because of local protein misfolding and inability to oligomerize. The mutation may alter the capacity of these proteins to dissociate from their chaperone prior to oligomerization and processing for export.

Centrally acting oximes in reactivation of tabun-phosphoramidated AChE.

Organophosphates (OP) inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7), both in peripheral tissues and central nervous system (CNS), causing adverse and sometimes fatal effects due to the accumulation of neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). The currently used therapy, focusing on the reactivation of inhibited AChE, is limited to peripheral tissues because commonly used quaternary pyridinium oxime reactivators do not cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) at therapeutically relevant levels. A directed library of thirty uncharged oximes that contain tertiary amine or imidazole protonable functional groups that should cross the BBB as unionized species was tested as tabun-hAChE conjugate reactivators along with three reference oximes: DAM (diacetylmonoxime), MINA (monoisonitrosoacetone), and 2-PAM. The oxime RS150D [N-((1-(3-(2-((hydroxyimino)methyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)benzamide] was highlighted as the most promising reactivator of the tabun-hAChE conjugate. We also observed that oximes RS194B [N-(2-(azepan-1-yl)ethyl)-2-(hydroxyimino)acetamide] and RS41A [2-(hydroxyimino)-N-(2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)acetamide], which emerged as lead uncharged reactivators of phosphylated hAChE with other OPs (sarin, cyclosarin and VX), exhibited only moderate reactivation potency for tabun inhibited hAChE. This implies that geometry of oxime access to the phosphorus atom conjugated to the active serine is an important criterion for efficient reactivation, along with the chemical nature of the conjugated moiety: phosphorate, phosphonate, or phosphoramidate. Moreover, modification of the active center through mutagenesis enhances the rates of reactivation. The phosphoramidated-hAChE choline-binding site mutant Y337A showed three-times enhanced reactivation capacity with non-triazole imidazole containing aldoximes (RS113B, RS113A and RS115A) and acetamide derivative (RS194B) than with 2PAM.

Oximes: Reactivators of phosphorylated acetylcholinesterase and antidotes in therapy against tabun poisoning.

One of the therapeutic approaches to organophosphate poisoning is to reactivate AChE with site-directed nucleophiles such as oximes. However, pyridinium oximes 2-PAM, HI-6, TMB-4 and obidoxime, found as the most effective reactivators, have limiting reactivating potency in tabun poisoning. We tested oximes varying in the type of ring (pyridinium and/or imidazolium), the length and type of the linker between rings, and in the position of the oxime group on the ring to find more effective oximes to reactivate tabun-inhibited human erythrocyte AChE. Three of our tested pyridinium oximes K027, K048, K074, along with TMB-4, were the most promising for AChE reactivation. Promising oximes were further tested in vivo on tabun poisoned mice not only as antidotes in combination with atropine but also as pretreatment drug. Herein, we showed that a promising treatment in tabun poisoning by selected oximes and atropine could be improved if oximes are also used in pretreatment. Since the reactivating efficacy of the oximes in vitro corresponded to their therapeutic efficacy in vivo, it seems that pharmacological effect of these oximes is indeed primarily related to the reactivation of tabun-phosphorylated AChE.

para- and ortho-Pyridinium aldoximes in reaction with acetylthiocholine

In the oximolysis reaction para‐aldoximes K027 and TMB‐4 react faster with ATCh than ortho‐aldoximes HI‐6 and K033. The reaction rate constants at 25 °C were 22 M−1 min−1 for HI‐6 and K033, 230 M−1 min−1 for TMB‐4 and 306 M−1 min−1 for K027. Semi‐empirical calculations showed that differences in rates do not origin from different electron density on the oxygen of the oxime group, but can be explained by the steric hindrance of the oxime group within the molecule. Thermodynamic parameters, ΔG #, ΔH # and ΔS #, were also determined for oximolysis reaction.