Inhibition of human chymase by 2-amino-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones

A series of 2-sec.amino-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones was evaluated as acyl-enzyme inhibitors of human recombinant chymase. The compounds were also assayed for inhibition of human cathepsin G, bovine chymotrypsin, and human leukocyte elastase. Introduction of an aromatic moiety into the 2-substituent resulted in strong inhibition of chymase, cathepsin G, and chymotrypsin. Extension of the N(Me)CH2Ph substituent by one methylene unit was unfavourable to inhibit these proteases. Towards chymase, 2-(N-benzyl-N-methylamino)-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one (32) and 2-(N-benzyl-N-methylamino)-6-methyl-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one (33) were found to exhibit Ki values of 11 and 17 nM, respectively, and form stable acyl-enzymes with half-lives of 53 and 25 min, respectively. Benzoxazinone 33 also inhibited the human chymase-catalyzed formation of angiotensin 11 from angiotensin I.     

Inhibition of chymotrypsin and pancreatic elastase by 4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones

Eight 3,1-Benzoxazin-4-ones have been used to inactivate chymotrypsin and pancreatic elastase. Whereas 6,7-dimethoxy substitution only slightly decreased the acylation rate constant, the deacylation reaction was nearly unaffected. Bulky alkoxy groups in position 2 of the heterocyclic moiety were shown to increase enormously the acylation rate of chymotrypsin, but not that of elastase.     

Inhibition of cathepsin B by Au(I) complexes: a kinetic and computational study

Gold(I) compounds have been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis for over 80 years, but the biological targets and the structure–activity relationships of these drugs are not well understood. Of particular interest is the molecular mechanism behind the antiarthritic activity of the orally available drug triethylphosphine(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-1-d-thiopyranosato-S) gold(I) (auranofin, Ridaura). The cathepsin family of lysosomal, cysteine-dependent enzymes is an attractive biological target of Au(I) and is inhibited by auranofin and auranofin analogs with reasonable potency. Here we employ a combination of experimental and computational investigations into the effect of changes in the phosphine ligand of auranofin on its in vitro inhibition of cathepsin B. Sequential replacement of the ethyl substituents of triethylphosphine by phenyl groups leads to increasing potency in the resultant Au(I) complexes, due in large part to favorable interactions of the more sterically bulky Au(I)–PR₃ fragments with the enzyme active site.     

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal-modified glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is degraded by cathepsin G

Degradation of oxidized or oxidatively modified proteins is an essential part of the antioxidant defenses of cells. 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a major reactive aldehyde formed by lipid peroxidation, causes many types of cellular damage. It has been reported that HNE-modified proteins are degraded by the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway or, in some cases, by the lysosomal pathway. However, our previous studies using U937 cells showed that HNE-modified glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is degraded by an enzyme that is sensitive to a serine protease inhibitor, diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP), but not a proteasome inhibitor, MG-132, and that its degradation is not catalyzed in the acidic pH range where lysosomal enzymes are active. In the present study, we purified an HNE-modified GAPDH-degrading enzyme from a U937 cell extract to a final active fraction containing two proteins of 28 kDa (P28) and 27 kDa (P27) that became labeled with [³H]DFP. Using peptide mass fingerprinting and a specific antibody, P28 and P27 were both identified as cathepsin G. The degradation activity was inhibited by cathepsin G inhibitors. Furthermore, a cell extract from U937 cells transfected with a cathepsin G-specific siRNA hardly degraded HNE-modified GAPDH. These results suggest that cathepsin G plays a role in the degradation of HNE-modified GAPDH.     

The Effect of Cations on the Amidase Activity of Human Tissue Kallikrein: 1-Linear Competitive Inhibition by Sodium,Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium. 2-Linear Mixed Inhibition by Aluminium

Hydrolysis of D-valyl-L-leucyl-L-arginine p-nitroanilide by human tissue kallikrein (hK1) was studied in the absence and in the presence of increasing concentrations of the following chloride salts: sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and aluminium. The data indicate that the inhibition of hK1 by sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium is linear competitive and that divalent cations are more potent inhibitors of hK1 than univalent cations. However the inhibition of hK1 by aluminium cation is linear mixed, with the cation being able to bind to both the free enzyme and the ES complex. This cation was the best hK1 inhibitor. Aluminium is not a physiological cation, but is a known neurotoxicant for animals and humans. The neurotoxic actions of aluminium may relate to neuro-degenerative diseases.     

Benzenesulfonamide derivatives of 2-substituted 4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones and benzthiazin-4-ones as inhibitors of complement C1r protease

A series of 2-sulfonyl-4H-3,1-benzoxazinones was prepared that inhibit C1r protease in vitro. Several compounds were found to be selective for C1r verses the related serine protease trypsin. Selected compounds demonstrated functional activity in a hemolysis assay.     

Synthesis and anti-elastase properties of 6-amino-2-phenyl-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one aminoacyl and dipeptidyl derivatives

A series of 6-amino-2-phenyl-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one aminoacyl and dipeptidyl derivatives, in which aminoacids and dipeptides are linked to the benzoxazinone moiety via an amide bond, were synthesized and tested in vitro for their inhibitory activity towards human leukocyte elastase (HLE). When compared to their values without inhibitors, the residual enzymatic activities decrease with time, indicating a time-dependent inhibition. The most potent inhibitions were obtained when Z-Arg-(Pmc), Z-Val-Phe, Z-Ala-Val or Z-Val-Ala are linked to the 6-amino group. Twenty-five new compounds were synthesized.     

Benzoflavones as cholesterol esterase inhibitors: Synthesis,biological evaluation and docking studies

A library of forty 7,8-benzoflavone derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory potential against cholesterol esterase (CEase). Among all the synthesized compounds seven benzoflavone derivatives (A-7, A-8, A-10, A-11, A-12, A-13, A-15) exhibited significant inhibition against CEase in in vitro enzymatic assay. Compound A-12 showed the most promising activity with IC₅₀ value of 0.78 nM against cholesterol esterase. Enzyme kinetic studies carried out for A-12, revealed its mixed-type inhibition approach. Molecular protein–ligand docking studies were also performed to figure out the key binding interactions of A-12 with the amino acid residues of the enzyme’s active site. The A-12 fits well at the catalytic site and is stabilized by hydrophobic interactions. It completely blocks the catalytic assembly of CEase and prevents it to participate in ester hydrolysis mechanism. The favorable binding conformation of A-12 suggests its prevailing role as CEase inhibitor.     

Inhibition of microbial β-N-acetylhexosaminidases by 4-deoxy- and galacto-analogues of NAG-thiazoline

NAG-thiazoline is a well-established competitive inhibitor of two physiologically relevant glycosidase families—β-N-acetylhexosaminidases (GH20) and β-N-acetylglucosaminidases (GH84). Based on the different substrate flexibilities of these enzyme groups, we designed and synthesized the 4-deoxy derivative of NAG-thiazoline aiming at the selective inhibition of GH20 β-N-acetylhexosaminidases. One GH84 and two GH20 microbial glycosidases were employed as model enzymes for the inhibition assays. Surprisingly, the new compound 4-deoxy-thiazoline exhibited no activity inhibition with either of the enzyme families of interest. Unlike with the substrates, the 4-hydroxyl group of the inhibitor’s sugar ring seems to be crucial for binding the inhibitor to the active sites of these enzymes.     

Inhibition of CYP2B4 by the mechanism-based inhibitor 2-ethynylnaphthalene: inhibitory potential of 2EN is dependent on the size of the substrate

2-Ethynylnaphthalene (2EN) is a mechanism-based inhibitor of CYP2B4 with two components to the inhibition, (1) enzyme inactivation, which requires covalent binding of the 2EN metabolite, and (2) reversible inhibition by 2EN itself. Both inhibitory components were examined using several different CYP2B4 substrates. Preincubation of CYP2B4 with 2EN led to a time-dependent inactivation of each of the CYP2B4-dependent activities examined; however, the ability of 2EN to reversibly inhibit CYP2B4 depended on the substrate employed, which is inconsistent with classical inhibition patterns. The degree 2EN's reversible inhibition was shown not to correlate with the substrate affinity for the active site, but with parameters related to the molecular size of the substrate. The results are consistent with 2EN and the smaller substrates simultaneously fitting in the CYP2B4 active site, leading to very little inhibition. Larger substrates exhibited greater degrees of inhibition because of their inability to co-bind with inhibitor in the active site.     

Inhibition of human leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G by extended peptides and subunits derived from human C-reactive protein

Extended peptides that derive from the primary sequence of the acute phase reactant C-reactive protein (CRP) are shown to inhibit in vitro the enzymatic activities of human leukocyte elastase (hLE) and human leukocyte cathepsin G (hCG), which are associated with the tissue damage that occurs during the course of several chronic inflammatory conditions. Major inhibitory activity was observed in the peptides CRP_70-98 and CRP_50-98 towards hLE (K_i = 4.0 µM) and hCG (K_i = 1.4 µM), respectively. In contrast to the inability of intact CRP pentamers to inhibit both enzymes, CRP subunits (monomers) inhibited hLE (3.0 µM) and hCG (3.6 µM) activity.     

Inhibition of human leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G by extended peptides and subunits derived from human C-reactive protein

Summary Extended peptides that derive from the primary sequence of the acute phase reactant C-reactive protein (CRP) are shown to inhibit in vitro the enzymatic activities of human leukocyte elastase (hLE) and human leukocyte cathepsin G (hCG), which are associated with the tissue damage that occurs during the course of several chronic inflammatory conditions. Major inhibitory activity was observed in the peptides CRP_70–98 and CRP_50–98 towards hLE (K_i=4.0μ M) and hCG (K_i=1.4 μM), respectively. In contrast to the inability of intact CRP pentamers to inhibit both enzymes, CRP subunits (monomers) inhibited hLE (3.0 μM) and hCG (3.6 μM) activity.     

Inhibition of inward rectifying tonoplast channels by a vacuolar factor: Physiological and kinetic implications

Summary Regulation of ion-channel activity must take place in order to regulate ion transport. In case of tonoplast ion channels, this is possible on both the cytoplasmic and the vacuolar side. Isolated vacuoles of youngVigna unguiculata seedlings show no or hardly any channel activity at tonoplast potentials >80 mV, in the vacuole-attached configuration. When the configuration is changed to an excised patch or whole vacuole, a fast (excised patch) or slow (whole vacuole) increase of inward rectifying channel activity is seen. This increase is accompanied by a shift in the voltage-dependent gating to less hyperpolarized potentials. In the whole vacuole configuration the level of inward current increases and also the activation kinetics changes. Induction of channel activity takes up to 20 min depending on the age of the plants used and the diameter of the vacuole. On the basis of the estimated diffusion velocities, it is hypothesized that a compound with a mol wt of 20,000 to 200,000 is present in vacuoles of young seedlings, which shifts the population of channels to a less voltage-sensitive state.Ecotrans publication no. 27.     

Inhibition of CYP2B4 by 2-ethynylnaphthalene: evidence for the co-binding of substrate and inhibitor within the active site

2-Ethynylnaphthalene (2EN) is an effective mechanism-based inhibitor of CYP2B4. There are two inhibitory components: (1) irreversible inactivation of CYP2B4 (a typical time-dependent inactivation), and (2) a reversible component. The reversible component was unusual in that the degree of inhibition was not simply a characteristic of the enzyme-inhibitor interaction, but dependent on the size of the substrate molecule used to monitor residual activity. The effect of 2EN on the metabolism of seven CYP2B4 substrates showed that it was not an effective reversible inhibitor of substrates containing a single aromatic ring; substrates with two fused rings were competitively inhibited by 2EN; and larger substrates were non-competitively inhibited. Energy-based docking studies demonstrated that, with increasing substrate size, the energy of 2EN and substrate co-binding in the active site became unfavorable precisely at the point where 2EN became a competitive inhibitor. Hierarchical docking revealed potential allosteric inhibition sites separate from the substrate binding site.     

Bacterial surface display library screening by target enzyme labeling: Identification of new human cathepsin G inhibitors

The aim of this study was to establish a new tool for screening surface displayed peptide libraries based on the idea that cells expressing an enzyme inhibitor at the surface can be specifically labeled by the target enzyme. For this purpose peptide P15, exhibiting a K(i) value of 0.25 microM toward human cathepsin G, was expressed on the Escherichia coli cell surface by the use of Autodisplay. Purified cathepsin G was coupled to biotin and incubated with cells expressing the inhibitor. After addition of streptavidin-fluorescein isothiocyanate, these cells could be clearly differentiated from control cells by whole-cell fluorescence using flow cytometer analysis. To determine whether this protocol can be used for the sorting of single cells, a mixed population of cells with and without inhibitor was treated accordingly. Single cells were selected by increased fluorescence and sorted using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Single cell clones were obtained and subjected to DNA sequence analysis. It turned out that the bacteria selected by this protocol displayed the correct peptide inhibitor at the cell surface. The protocol was then used to screen random peptide libraries, expressed at the cell surface, and a new lead structure for human cathepsin G (IC50 = 11.7 microM) was identified. The new drug discovery tool presented here consists of three steps: (a) surface display of peptide libraries, (b) selection of single cells with inhibiting structures by using the inherent affinity of the target enzyme, and (c) sorting of single cells, which were labeled by FACS.     

Clathrin Pit-mediated Endocytosis of Neutrophil Elastase and Cathepsin G by Cancer Cells

Neutrophil elastase (NE) is a neutrophil-derived serine proteinase with broad substrate specificity. We have recently demonstrated that NE is capable of entering tumor cell endosomes and processing novel intracellular substrates. In the current study, we sought to determine the mechanism by which NE enters tumor cells. Our results show that NE enters into early endosomal antigen-1⁺ endosomes in a dynamin- and clathrin-dependent but flotillin-1- and caveolin-1-independent fashion. Cathepsin G (but not proteinase-3) also enters tumor endosomes via the same mechanism. We utilized ¹²⁵I-labeled NE to demonstrate that NE binds to the surface of cancer cells. Incubation of radiolabeled NE with lung cancer cells displays a dissociation constant (K_d) of 284 nm. Because NE is known to bind to heparan sulfate- and chondroitin sulfate-containing proteoglycans, we treated cells with glycanases to remove these confounding factors, which did not significantly diminish cell surface binding or endosomal entry. Thus, NE and CG bind to the surface of cancer cells, presumably to a cell surface receptor, and subsequently undergo clathrin pit-mediated endocytosis.     

Simultaneous interaction of enzymes with two modifiers: Reappraisal of kinetic models and new paradigms

Enzyme activity can be modulated by the concurrent action of two modifiers, either activators or inhibitors. The kinetic mechanisms for the interaction of the individual modifiers with the target enzyme can change considerably when two modifiers bind simultaneously. We illustrate a general equation for this kind of interactions, which can unambiguously describe the behavior of activators and inhibitors acting by any combination of classical kinetic mechanisms. The flexibility of this model is exemplified by combinations of activators and/or inhibitors, which can be competitive, uncompetitive or mixed-type, bind the target enzyme in either compulsory or random order, and are able to drive or not enzyme activity to zero at saturation. The model shows that the effects of zero-interaction and synergy between simultaneously acting enzyme modifiers are common events. Yet, in disagreement with previous theories, this model shows that antagonism between enzyme modifiers is a rare effect, which can be predicted only under very particular circumstances.     

Inhibition of hyperthermostable xylanases by superbase ionic liquids

The use of enzymes in aqueous solutions of ionic liquids (ILs) could be useful for the enzymatic treatment of lignocellulose. Hydrophilic ILs that dissolve lignocellulose are harmful to enzymes. The toleration limits and enzyme-friendly superbase IL combinations were investigated for the hyperthermophilic Thermopolyspora flexuosa GH10 xylanase (endo-1,4-β-xylanase EC 3.2.1.8) TfXYN10A and Dictyoglomus thermophilum GH11 xylanase DtXYN11B. TfXYN10A was more tolerant than DtXYN11B to acetate or propionate-based ILs. However, when the anion of the ILs was bigger (guaiacolate), GH11 xylanase showed higher tolerance to ILs. 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM]OAc), followed by 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine acetate ([TMGH]OAc), were the most enzyme-friendly ILs for TfXYN10A and [TMGH]⁺-based ILs were tolerated best by DtXYN11B. Double-ring cations and a large size anion were associated with the strongest enzyme inhibition. Competitive inhibition appears to be a general factor in the reduction of enzyme activity. However, with guaiacolate ILs, the denaturation of proteins may also contribute to the reduction in enzyme activity. Molecular docking with IL cations and anions indicated that the binding mode and shape of the active site affect competitive inhibition, and the co-binding of cations and anions to separate active site positions caused the strongest enzyme inhibition.     

Inhibition of the cysteine proteinases cathepsins K and L by the serpin headpin (SERPINB13): a kinetic analysis

Headpin (SERPINB13) is a novel member of the serine proteinase inhibitor (Serpin) gene family that was originally cloned from a keratinocyte cDNA library. Western blot analysis using a headpin-specific antiserum recognized a protein with the predicted M(r) of 44kDa in lysates derived from a transformed keratinocyte cell line known to express headpin mRNA. Similarity of the reactive-site loop (RSL) domain of headpin, notably at the P1-P1(') residues, with other serpins that inhibit cysteine and serine proteinases suggests that headpin may inhibit similar proteinases. This study demonstrates that recombinant headpin indeed inhibits cathepsins K and L, but not chymotrypsin, elastase, trypsin, subtilisin A, urokinase-type plasminogen activator, plasmin, or thrombin. The second-order rate constants (k(a)) for the inhibitory reactions of rHeadpin with cathepsins K and L were 5.1+/-0.6x10(4) and 4.1+/-0.8x10(4)M(-1)s(-1), respectively. Headpin formed SDS-stable complexes with cathepsins K and L, a characteristic property of inhibitory serpins. Interactions of the RSL domain of headpin with cathepsins K and L were indicated by cleavage of headpin near the predicted P1-P1(') residues by these proteinases. These results demonstrate that the serpin headpin possesses specificity for inhibiting lysosomal cysteine proteinases.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 7-(aminoalkyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives as cathepsin K inhibitors

A series of novel 7-aminoalkyl substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized and tested for inhibition of cathepsin K. The synthetic methodology comprises cyclization of 5-aminopyrazoles with N-Boc-α-amino acid-derived ynones followed by transformation of the ester and the Boc-amino functions. It allows for easy diversification of the pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine scaffold at various positions. Molecular docking studies with pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives were also performed to elucidate the binding mode in the active site of cathepsin K. The synthesized compounds exhibited moderate inhibition activity (K_i ≥ 77 μM).