Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Computational Design And Molecular Modeling Of Morphine Derivatives For Preferential Binding In Inflamed Tissue, Makena Augenstein, Nayiri Alexander, Matthew Gartner

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The opioid epidemic has impacted over 10 million Americans in 2019. Opioids, like morphine, bind non-selectively in both peripheral tissue, leading to effective pain relief, and central tissue, resulting in dangerous side effects and addiction. The inflamed conditions of injured tissues have a lower pH (pH = 6–6.5) environment than healthy tissue (pH = 7.4). We aim to design a morphine derivative that binds selectively within inflamed tissue using molecular extension and dissection techniques. Morphine binds to the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) when the biochemically active amine group is protonated. Fluorination of a β-carbon from the tertiary amine group led to …

Effects Of Cannabinoids On Ligand-Gated Ion Channels, Murat Oz, Keun-Hang Susan Yang, Mohamed Omer Mahgoub

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Phytocannabinoids such as Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, endocannabinoids such as N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and synthetic cannabinoids such as CP47,497 and JWH-018 constitute major groups of structurally diverse cannabinoids. Along with these cannabinoids, CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors and enzymes involved in synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids comprise the major components of the cannabinoid system. Although, cannabinoid receptors are known to be involved in anti-convulsant, anti-nociceptive, anti-psychotic, anti-emetic, and anti-oxidant effects of cannabinoids, in recent years, an increasing number of studies suggest that, at pharmacologically relevant concentrations, these compounds interact with several molecular targets including G-protein coupled receptors, ion …

Subtype-Selective Positive Modulation Of KCa2.3 Channels Increases Cilia Length, Young-Woo Nam, Rajasekharreddy Pala, Naglaa Salem El-Sayed, Denisse Laren-Henriquez, Farideh Amirrad, Grace Yang, Mohammad Asikur Rahman, Razan Orfali, Myles Downey, Keykavous Parang, Surya M. Nauli, Miao Zhang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Small-conductance Ca²⁺-activated potassium (K_Ca2.x) channels are gated exclusively by intracellular Ca²⁺. The activation of K_Ca2.3 channels induces hyperpolarization, which augments Ca²⁺ signaling in endothelial cells. Cilia are specialized Ca²⁺ signaling compartments. Here, we identified compound 4 that potentiates human K_Ca2.3 channels selectively. The subtype selectivity of compound 4 for human K_Ca2.3 over rat K_Ca2.2a channels relies on an isoleucine residue in the HA/HB helices. Positive modulation of K_Ca2.3 channels by compound 4 increased flow-induced Ca²⁺ signaling and cilia length, while negative …

Synthesis And Evaluation Of Anti-Hiv Activity Of Mono- And Di-Substituted Phosphonamidate Conjugates Of Tenofovir, Aaminat Qureshi, Louise A. Ouattara, Naglaa Salem El-Sayed, Amita Verma, Gustavo F. Doncel, Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Hina Siddiqui, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The activity of nucleoside and nucleotide analogs as antiviral agents requires phosphorylation by endogenous enzymes. Phosphate-substituted analogs have low bioavailability due to the presence of ionizable negatively-charged groups. To circumvent these limitations, several prodrug approaches have been proposed. Herein, we hypothesized that the conjugation or combination of the lipophilic amide bond with nucleotide-based tenofovir (TFV) (1) could improve the anti-HIV activity. During the current study, the hydroxyl group of phosphonates in TFV was conjugated with the amino group of L-alanine, L-leucine, L-valine, and glycine amino acids and other long fatty ester hydrocarbon chains to synthesize 43 derivatives. Several …

Integrating Conformational Dynamics And Perturbation-Based Network Modeling For Mutational Profiling Of Binding And Allostery In The Sars-Cov-2 Spike Variant Complexes With Antibodies: Balancing Local And Global Determinants Of Mutational Escape Mechanisms, Gennady M. Verkhivker, Steve Agajanian, Ryan Kassab, Keerthi Krishnan

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

n this study, we combined all-atom MD simulations, the ensemble-based mutational scanning of protein stability and binding, and perturbation-based network profiling of allosteric interactions in the SARS-CoV-2 spike complexes with a panel of cross-reactive and ultra-potent single antibodies (B1-182.1 and A23-58.1) as well as antibody combinations (A19-61.1/B1-182.1 and A19-46.1/B1-182.1). Using this approach, we quantify the local and global effects of mutations in the complexes, identify protein stability centers, characterize binding energy hotspots, and predict the allosteric control points of long-range interactions and communications. Conformational dynamics and distance fluctuation analysis revealed the antibody-specific signatures of protein stability and flexibility of the …

Channelopathy Of Small- And Intermediate-Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels, Young-Woo Nam, Miles Downey, Mohammad Asikur Rahman, Meng Cui, Miao Zhang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Small- and intermediate-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (K_Ca2.x/K_Ca3.1 also called SK/IK) channels are gated exclusively by intracellular Ca²⁺. The Ca²⁺ binding protein calmodulin confers sub-micromolar Ca²⁺ sensitivity to the channel-calmodulin complex. The calmodulin C-lobe is constitutively associated with the proximal C-terminus of the channel. Interactions between calmodulin N-lobe and the channel S4-S5 linker are Ca²⁺-dependent, which subsequently trigger conformational changes in the channel pore and open the gate. KCNN genes encode four subtypes, including KCNN1 for K_Ca2.1 (SK1), KCNN2 for K_Ca2.2 (SK2), KCNN3 for K …

Biophysical Insight Into The Sars-Cov2 Spike–Ace2 Interaction And Its Modulation By Hepcidin Through A Multifaceted Computational Approach, Hamid Hadi-Alijanvand, Luisa Di Paola, Guang Hu, David M. Leitner, Gennady M. Verkhivker, Peixin Sun, Humanath Poudel, Alessandro Giuliani

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

At the center of the SARS-CoV2 infection, the spike protein and its interaction with the human receptor ACE2 play a central role in the molecular machinery of SARS-CoV2 infection of human cells. Vaccine therapies are a valuable barrier to the worst effects of the virus and to its diffusion, but the need of purposed drugs is emerging as a core target of the fight against COVID19. In this respect, the repurposing of drugs has already led to discovery of drugs thought to reduce the effects of the cytokine storm, but still a drug targeting the spike protein, in the infection …

Computer Simulations And Network-Based Profiling Of Binding And Allosteric Interactions Of Sars-Cov-2 Spike Variant Complexes And The Host Receptor: Dissecting The Mechanistic Effects Of The Delta And Omicron Mutations, Gennady M. Verkhivker, Steve Agajanian, Ryan Kassab, Keerthi Krishnan

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

In this study, we combine all-atom MD simulations and comprehensive mutational scanning of S-RBD complexes with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) host receptor in the native form as well as the S-RBD Delta and Omicron variants to (a) examine the differences in the dynamic signatures of the S-RBD complexes and (b) identify the critical binding hotspots and sensitivity of the mutational positions. We also examined the differences in allosteric interactions and communications in the S-RBD complexes for the Delta and Omicron variants. Through the perturbation-based scanning of the allosteric propensities of the SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD residues and dynamics-based network centrality and …

Channelopathy-Causing Mutations In The S45A/S45B And Ha/Hb Helices Of KCa2.3 And KCa3.1 Channels Alter Their Apparent Ca2+ Sensitivity, Razan Orfali, Young-Woo Nam, Hai Minh Nguyen, Mohammad Asikur Rahman, Grace Yang, Meng Cui, Heike Wulff, Miao Zhang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Small- and intermediate-conductance Ca²⁺-activated potassium (K_Ca2.x and K_Ca3.1, also called SK and IK) channels are activated exclusively by a Ca²⁺-calmodulin gating mechanism. Wild-type K_Ca2.3 channels have a Ca²⁺ EC₅₀ value of ∼0.3 μM, while the apparent Ca²⁺ sensitivity of wild-type K_Ca3.1 channels is ∼0.27 μM. Heterozygous genetic mutations of K_Ca2.3 channels have been associated with Zimmermann-Laband syndrome and idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension, while K_Ca3.1 channel mutations were reported in hereditary xerocytosis patients. K_Ca2.3_S436C and K_Ca2.3_V450L channels with …

Physiological Roles Of Mammalian Transmembrane Adenylyl Cyclase Isoforms, Katrina F. Ostrom, Justin E. Lavigne, Tarsis F. Brust, Roland Seifert, Carmen Dessauer, Val J. Watts, Rennolds S. Ostrom

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Adenylyl cyclases (ACs) catalyze the conversion of ATP to the ubiquitous second messenger cAMP. Mammals possess nine isoforms of transmembrane ACs, dubbed AC1-9, that serve as major effector enzymes of G protein-coupled receptors. The transmembrane ACs display varying expression patterns across tissues, giving potential for them having a wide array of physiologic roles. Cells express multiple AC isoforms, implying that ACs have redundant functions. Furthermore, all transmembrane ACs are activated by Gα_s so it was long assumed that all ACs are activated by Gα_s-coupled GPCRs. AC isoforms partition to different microdomains of the plasma membrane and form …

Atomistic Simulations And In Silico Mutational Profiling Of Protein Stability And Binding In The Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein Complexes With Nanobodies: Molecular Determinants Of Mutational Escape Mechanisms, Gennady M. Verkhivker, Steve Agajanian, Deniz Yasar Oztas, Grace Gupta

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Structure-functional studies have recently revealed a spectrum of diverse high-affinity nanobodies with efficient neutralizing capacity against SARS-CoV-2 virus and resilience against mutational escape. In this study, we combine atomistic simulations with the ensemble-based mutational profiling of binding for the SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD complexes with a wide range of nanobodies to identify dynamic and binding affinity fingerprints and characterize the energetic determinants of nanobody-escaping mutations. Using an in silico mutational profiling approach for probing the protein stability and binding, we examine dynamics and energetics of the SARS-CoV-2 complexes with single nanobodies Nb6 and Nb20, VHH E, a pair combination VHH E + …

Subtype-Selective Positive Modulation Of KCa 2 Channels Depends On The Ha/Hb Helices, Young-Woo Nam, Meng Cui, Naglaa Salem, Razan Orfali, Misa Nguyen, Grace Yang, Mohammad Asikur Rahman, Judy Lee, Miao Zhang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background and Purpose

In the activated state of small-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium (KCa 2) channels, calmodulin interacts with the HA/HB helices and the S4-S5 linker. CyPPA potentiates KCa 2.2a and KCa 2.3 channel activity but not the KCa 2.1 and KCa 3.1 subtypes.

Experimental Approach

Site-directed mutagenesis, patch-clamp recordings and in silico modeling were utilized to explore the structural determinants for the subtype-selective modulation of KCa 2 channels by CyPPA.

Key Results

Mutating residues in the HA (V420) and HB (K467) helices of KCa 2.2a channels to their equivalent residues in KCa 3.1 channels diminished the potency of CyPPA. CyPPA elicited …

Label‑Free Spectral Imaging To Study Drug Distribution And Metabolism In Single Living Cells, Qamar Alshammari, Rajasekharreddy Pala, Nir Katzir, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

During drug development, evaluation of drug and its metabolite is an essential process to understand drug activity, stability, toxicity and distribution. Liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) has become the standard analytical tool for screening and identifying drug metabolites. Unlike LC/MS approach requiring liquifying the biological samples, we showed that spectral imaging (or spectral microscopy) could provide high-resolution images of doxorubicin (dox) and its metabolite doxorubicinol (dox’ol) in single living cells. Using this new method, we performed measurements without destroying the biological samples. We calculated the rate constant of dox translocating from extracellular moiety into the cell and …

Design And Synthesis Of Core–Shell Microgels With One‐Step Clickable Crosslinked Cores And Ultralow Crosslinked Shells, Molla R. Islam, Chelsea Nguy, Sanika Pandit, L. Andrew Lyon

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The present study is conducted to explore the engineering of core–shell microgels such that the core can be rapidly labeled with a variety of fluorophores, while the shell retains the softness needed in specific biomedical applications. Azide containing crosslinked core particles based on a crosslinked poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) particle, using a one‐pot, multistep polymerization is synthesized. A core–shell microgel is then synthesized by growing a crosslinker‐free poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐co‐acrylic acid (ULC10AAc) shell through a two‐step seed and feed polymerization. A simple “click” reaction between the azide present on the core and dibenzocyclooctyne containing fluorophores to make dyed core–shell …

Capsaicin Is A Negative Allosteric Modulator Of The 5-Ht3 Receptor, Eslam El Nebrisi, Tatiana Prytkova, Dietrich Ernst Lorke, Luke Howarth, Asma Hassan Alzaabi, Keun-Hang Susan Yang, Frank Christopher Howarth, Murat Oz

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

In this study, effects of capsaicin, an active ingredient of the capsicum plant, were investigated on human 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT₃) receptors. Capsaicin reversibly inhibited serotonin (5-HT)-induced currents recorded by two-electrode voltage clamp method in Xenopus oocytes. The inhibition was time- and concentration-dependent with an IC₅₀ = 62 μM. The effect of capsaicin was not altered in the presence of capsazepine, and by intracellular BAPTA injections or trans-membrane potential changes. In radio-ligand binding studies, capsaicin did not change the specific binding of the 5-HT₃ antagonist [³H]GR65630, indicating that it is a noncompetitive inhibitor of …

Pharmacogenomics Cascade Testing (Phact): A Novel Approach For Preemptive Pharmacogenomics Testing To Optimize Medication Therapy, Don Roosan, Angela Hwang, Moom Roosan

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The implementation of pharmacogenomics (PGx) has come a long way since the dawn of utilizing pharmacogenomic data in clinical patient care. However, the potential benefits of sharing PGx results have yet to be explored. In this paper, we explore the willingness of patients to share PGx results, as well as the inclusion of family medication history in identifying potential family members for pharmacogenomics cascade testing (PhaCT). The genetic similarities in families allow for identifying potential gene variants prior to official preemptive testing. Once a candidate patient is determined, PhaCT can be initiated. PhaCT recognizes that further cascade testing throughout a …

Cyclic Peptide-Gadolinium Nanoparticles For Enhanced Intracellular Delivery, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Shang Eun Park, Shirin Rad, Luiza Baloyan, Dindyal Mandal, Muhammad Imran Sajid, Ryley Hall, Sandeep Lohan, Khalid Zoghebi, Keykavous Parang, Rakesh Tiwari

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

A cyclic peptide containing one cysteine and five alternating tryptophan and arginine amino acids [(WR)₅C] was synthesized using Fmoc/tBu solid-phase methodology. The ability of the synthesized cyclic peptide to produce gadolinium nanoparticles through an in situ one-pot mixing of an aqueous solution of GdCl₃ with [(WR)₅C] peptide solution was evaluated. Transmission electron microscopy showed the formed peptide-Gd nanoparticles in star-shape morphology with a size of ~250 nm. Flow cytometry investigation showed that the cellular uptake of a cell-impermeable fluorescence-labeled phosphopeptide (F′-GpYEEI, where F′ = fluorescein) was approximately six times higher in the presence of [(WR) …

Prostate Field Cancerization And Exosomes: Association Between Cd9, Early Growth Response 1 And Fatty Acid Synthase, Farideh Amirrad, Philip A. Pytak, Neda Sadeghiani-Pelar, Julie P. T. Nguyen, Emily L. Cauble, Anna C. Jones

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Intracapsular and well‑defined adenocarcinomas of the prostate are often surrounded by tissue areas that harbor molecular aberrations, including those of genetic, epigenetic and biochemical nature. This is known as field cancerization, or a field effect and denotes a state of pre‑malignancy. Such alterations in histologically normal tumor‑adjacent prostatic tissues have been recognized as clinically important and are potentially exploitable as biomarkers of disease and/or targets for preventative/therapeutic intervention. The authors have previously identified and validated two protein markers of field cancerization: The expressional upregulation of the transcription factor early growth response 1 (EGR‑1) and the lipogenic enzyme fatty acid synthase …

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Solution Structure And Functional Behavior Of The Human Proton Channel, Monika Bayrhuber, Innokentiy Maslennikov, Witek Kwiatkowski, Alexander Sobol, Christoph Wierschem, Cédric Eichmann, Lukas Frey, Roland Riek

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The human voltage-gated proton channel [Hv1⁽¹⁾ or VSDO⁽²⁾] plays an important role in the human innate immune system. Its structure differs considerably from those of other cation channels. It is built solely of a voltage-sensing domain and thus lacks the central pore domain, which is essential for other cation channels. Here, we determined the solution structure of an N- and C-terminally truncated human Hv1 (Δ-Hv1) in the resting state by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Δ-Hv1 comprises the typical voltage-sensing antiparallel four-helix bundle (S1–S4) preceded by an amphipathic helix (S0). The solution structure corresponds to an intermediate …

Small‐Molecule Activators Of Glucose‐6‐Phosephate Dehydrogenase (G6pd) Bridging The Dimer Interface, Andrew G. Raub, Sunhee Hwang, Naoki Horikoshi, Anna D. Cunningham, Simin Rahighi, Soichi Wakatsuki, Daria Mochly-Rosen

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

We have recently identified AG1, a small-molecule activator that functions by promoting oligomerization of glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) to the catalytically competent forms. Biochemical experiments indicate activation of G6PD by the original hit molecule (AG1) is noncovalent and that one C2-symmetric region of the G6PD homodimer is important for ligand function. Consequently, the disulfide in AG1 is not required for activation of G6PD and a number of analogs were prepared without this reactive moiety. Our Study supports a mechanism of action whereby AG1 bridges the dimer interface at the structural nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+)-binding sites of two interacting G6PD …

Integration Of Random Forest Classifiers And Deep Convolutional Neural Networks For Classification And Biomolecular Modeling Of Cancer Driver Mutations, Steve Agajanian, Odeyemi Oluyemi, Gennady M. Verkhivker

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Development of machine learning solutions for prediction of functional and clinical significance of cancer driver genes and mutations are paramount in modern biomedical research and have gained a significant momentum in a recent decade. In this work, we integrate different machine learning approaches, including tree based methods, random forest and gradient boosted tree (GBT) classifiers along with deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) for prediction of cancer driver mutations in the genomic datasets. The feasibility of CNN in using raw nucleotide sequences for classification of cancer driver mutations was initially explored by employing label encoding, one hot encoding, and embedding to …

Effect Of Tyrosine On The Productivity Of Pc12 Cells By Measuring Extracellular Atp Release, Sabrina Burkholder, Mary Rapmund, David Fogel, Jon Flees

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Given the challenge to “reverse-engineer the brain”, our group tried to address the problems of a lack of long term focus and attention span. Tyrosine was determined to aid in mental focus and brain productivity as it is a precursor to the neurotransmitter Dopamine. Given that Tyrosine is naturally occurring in the body, it is preferable to add to the body, whereas a substance like Adderall has negative effects, including increased heart rate that, over time, can cause cardiovascular damage. Drawing connections between in increase ATP and an increased ability to focus and perform under stress, extracellular ATP secretion of …

Fluorometholone Modulates Gene Expression Of Ocular Surface Mucins, Jonathan Taniguchi, Ajay Sharma

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose

Mucins are vital to keep the ocular surface hydrated. Genes encoding for mucins contain a glucocorticoid response element. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of fluorometholone, a glucocorticoid receptor agonist used in the management of dry eye, on the gene expression of conjunctival and corneal epithelial cell mucins.

Methods

Stratified cultures of human conjunctival and corneal epithelial cells were exposed to 25, 50 and 100 nM of fluorometholone alone or in presence of mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. The mRNA was isolated from the cells and reverse transcribed to cDNA. The cDNA was used for …

Purification And Characterization Of A Nonspecific Lipid Transfer Protein 1 (Nsltp1) From Ajwain (Trachyspermum Ammi) Seeds, Meshal Nazeer, Humera Waheed, Maria Saeed, Saman Yousuf Ali, M. Iqbal Choudhary, Zaheer Ul-Haq, Aftab Ahmed

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) belongs to the family Umbelliferae, is commonly used in traditional, and folk medicine due to its carminative, stimulant, antiseptic, diuretic, antihypertensive, and hepatoprotective activities. Non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) reported from various plants are known to be involved in transferring lipids between membranes and in plants defense response. Here, we describe the complete primary structure of a monomeric non-specific lipid transfer protein 1 (nsLTP1), with molecular weight of 9.66 kDa, from ajwain seeds. The nsLTP1 has been purified by combination of chromatographic techniques, and further characterized by mass spectrometry, and Edman degradation. The ajwain nsLTP1 …

Synthesis, Biological Evaluation And Molecular Modeling Studies Of Novel Chromone/Aza-Chromone Fused Α-Aminophosphonates As Src Kinase Inhibitors, S. Bapat, N. Viswanadh, M. Mujahid, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Rakesh Tiwari, Keykavous Parang, M. Karthikeyan, M. Muthukrishnan, Renu Vyas

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

A series of novel chromone/aza-chromone fused α-aminophosphonate derivatives were synthesized in good yields using silica chloride as the catalyst. All the synthesized compounds were tested for their c-Src kinase inhibitory activity. Aza-chromone compound showed Src kinase inhibition with an IC50 value of 15.8 µM. The compounds were subjected to molecular docking and dynamics simulations to study the atomic level interactions with an unphosphorylated proto-oncogenic tyrosine protein kinase Src (PDB code 1Y57) as well as phosphorylated tyrosine protein kinase Src (PDB code 2H8H). Docking and molecular dynamic results revealed phosphorylated Src tyrosine kinase protein better results than unphosphorylated tyrosine Src kinase …

Efficacy And Renal Outcomes Of Sglt2 Inhibitors In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes And Chronic Kidney Disease, Michael S. Kelly, Jelena Lewis, Ashley M. Huntsberry, Lauren Dea, Ivan Portillo

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Objective: To review glucose-lowering efficacy and changes in renal function associated with sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Data sources: A literature search of MEDLINE and Cochrane databases was performed from 2000 to August 2018 using search terms: SGLT2 inhibitors, sodium glucose co-transporter 2, canagliflozin, empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, ertugliflozin, and chronic kidney disease. References of identified articles were also reviewed.

Study selection and data extraction: English-language studies investigating glucose-lowering endpoints and/or changes in renal function with one of four U.S. approved SGLT2 inhibitors were included. A …

Kinetics Of Dextromethorphan-O-Demethylase Activity And Distribution Of Cyp2d In Four Commonly-Used Subcellular Fractions Of Rat Brain, Barent N. Dubois, Farideh Amirrad, Reza Mehvar

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The purpose of this study was to compare the enzymatic kinetics and distribution of cytochrome P450 2D (CYP2D) among different rat brain subcellular fractions.

Rat brains were used to prepare total membrane, crude mitochondrial, purified mitochondrial, and microsomal fractions, in addition to total homogenate. Michaelis–Menten kinetics of the brain CYP2D activity was estimated based on the conversion of dextromethorphan (DXM) to dextrorphan using UPLC-MS/MS. Protein levels of CYP2D and subcellular markers were determined by Western blot.

Microsomal CYP2D exhibited high affinity and low capacity, compared with the mitochondrial CYP2D that had a much lower (∼50-fold) affinity but a higher (∼six-fold) …

Synthesis And Antiproliferative Activities Of Doxorubicin Thiol Conjugates And Doxorubicin-Ss-Cyclic Peptide, Shaban Darwish, Neda Sadeghiani, Shirley Fong, Saghar Mozaffari, Parinaz Hamidi, Thimanthi Withana, Sun Yang, Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Myocardial toxicity and drug resistance caused by drug efflux are major limitations of doxorubicin (Dox)-based chemotherapy. Dox structure modification could be used to develop conjugates with an improved biological profile, such as antiproliferative activity and higher cellular retention. Thus, Dox thiol conjugates, Dox thiol (Dox-SH), thiol-reactive Dox-SS-pyridine (SS = disulfide), and a Dox-SS-cell-penetrating cyclic peptide, Dox-SS-[C(WR)4K], were synthesized. Dox was reacted with Traut's reagent to generate Dox-SH. The thiol group was activated by the reaction with dithiodipyridine to afford the corresponding Dox-SS-Pyridine (Dox-SS-Pyr). A cyclic cell-penetrating peptide containing a cysteine residue [C(WR)4K] was prepared using Fmoc solid-phase strategy. Dox-SS-Py was …

Correcting Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency With A Small-Molecule Activator, Sunhee Hwang, Karen Mruk, Simin Rahighi, Andrew G. Raub, Che-Hong Chen, Lisa E. Dorn, Naoki Horikoshi, Soichi Wakatsuki, James K. Chen, Daria Mochly-Rosen

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, one of the most common human genetic enzymopathies, is caused by over 160 different point mutations and contributes to the severity of many acute and chronic diseases associated with oxidative stress, including hemolytic anemia and bilirubin-induced neurological damage particularly in newborns. As no medications are available to treat G6PD deficiency, here we seek to identify a small molecule that corrects it. Crystallographic study and mutagenesis analysis identify the structural and functional defect of one common mutant (Canton, R459L). Using high-throughput screening, we subsequently identify AG1, a small molecule that increases the activity of the wild-type, the …

Recombinant Human Proteoglycan-4 Reduces Phagocytosis Of Urate Crystals And Downstream Nuclear Factor Kappa B And Inflammasome Activation And Production Of Cytokines And Chemokines In Human And Murine Macrophages, Marwa Qadri, Gregory D. Jay, Ling X. Zhang, Wendy Wong, Anthony M. Reginato, Changqi Sun, Tannin A. Schmidt

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Microbial biofilms are organized communities of cells that are associated with a wide spectrum of resistant and chronic infections that lead to the treatment failure. Accordingly, there is an urgent demand to create novel effective therapeutic drugs that can inhibit biofilm formation with new mechanisms of action to surmount the current escalating resistance. In this study, in silico hybrid model was utilized to develop three novel short linear peptides (4, 5, and 6) with potential biofilm inhibiting activities (scores > 1.0). The peptides were composed of cationic and hydrophobic residues. They were synthesized using solid-phase strategy. Synthesized peptides were purified and …