Logo: to the web site of Uppsala University

uu.sePublications from Uppsala University
Change search
Refine search result
12345 1 - 50 of 237
CiteExportLink to result list
Permanent link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf
Rows per page
  • 5
  • 10
  • 20
  • 50
  • 100
  • 250
Sort
  • Standard (Relevance)
  • Author A-Ö
  • Author Ö-A
  • Title A-Ö
  • Title Ö-A
  • Publication type A-Ö
  • Publication type Ö-A
  • Issued (Oldest first)
  • Issued (Newest first)
  • Created (Oldest first)
  • Created (Newest first)
  • Last updated (Oldest first)
  • Last updated (Newest first)
  • Disputation date (earliest first)
  • Disputation date (latest first)
  • Standard (Relevance)
  • Author A-Ö
  • Author Ö-A
  • Title A-Ö
  • Title Ö-A
  • Publication type A-Ö
  • Publication type Ö-A
  • Issued (Oldest first)
  • Issued (Newest first)
  • Created (Oldest first)
  • Created (Newest first)
  • Last updated (Oldest first)
  • Last updated (Newest first)
  • Disputation date (earliest first)
  • Disputation date (latest first)
Select
The maximal number of hits you can export is 250. When you want to export more records please use the Create feeds function.
  • 1. Adamczyk, Andrew J.
    et al.
    Cao, Jie
    Kamerlin, Shina C. Lynn
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Warshel, Arieh
    Catalysis by dihydrofolate reductase and other enzymes arises from electrostatic preorganization, not conformational motions2011In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, ISSN 0027-8424, E-ISSN 1091-6490, Vol. 108, no 34, p. 14115-14120Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The proposal that enzymatic catalysis is due to conformational fluctuations has been previously promoted by means of indirect considerations. However, recent works have focused on cases where the relevant motions have components toward distinct conformational regions, whose population could be manipulated by mutations. In particular, a recent work has claimed to provide direct experimental evidence for a dynamical contribution to catalysis in dihydrofolate reductase, where blocking a relevant conformational coordinate was related to the suppression of the motion toward the occluded conformation. The present work utilizes computer simulations to elucidate the true molecular basis for the experimentally observed effect. We start by reproducing the trend in the measured change in catalysis upon mutations (which was assumed to arise as a result of a "dynamical knockout" caused by the mutations). This analysis is performed by calculating the change in the corresponding activation barriers without the need to invoke dynamical effects. We then generate the catalytic landscape of the enzyme and demonstrate that motions in the conformational space do not help drive catalysis. We also discuss the role of flexibility and conformational dynamics in catalysis, once again demonstrating that their role is negligible and that the largest contribution to catalysis arises from electrostatic preorganization. Finally, we point out that the changes in the reaction potential surface modify the reorganization free energy (which includes entropic effects), and such changes in the surface also alter the corresponding motion. However, this motion is never the reason for catalysis, but rather simply a reflection of the shape of the reaction potential surface.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 2.
    Adler, Marlen
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology.
    Anjum, Mehreen
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology.
    Berg, Otto, G.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Andersson, Dan I.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology.
    Sandegren, Linus
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology.
    High Fitness Costs and Instability of Gene Duplications Reduce Rates of Evolution of New Genes by Duplication-Divergence Mechanisms2014In: Molecular biology and evolution, ISSN 0737-4038, E-ISSN 1537-1719, Vol. 31, no 6, p. 1526-1535Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [sv]

    An important mechanism for generation of new genes is by duplication-divergence of existing genes. Duplication-divergence includes several different sub-models, such as subfunctionalization where after accumulation of neutral mutations the original function is distributed between two partially functional and complementary genes, and neofunctionalization where a new function evolves in one of the duplicated copies while the old function is maintained in another copy. The likelihood of these mechanisms depends on the longevity of the duplicated state, which in turn depends on the fitness cost and genetic stability of the duplications. Here, we determined the fitness cost and stability of defined gene duplications/amplifications on a low copy number plasmid. Our experimental results show that the costs of carrying extra gene copies are substantial and that each additional kbp of DNA reduces fitness by approximately 0.15%. Furthermore, gene amplifications are highly unstable and rapidly segregate to lower copy numbers in absence of selection. Mathematical modelling shows that the fitness costs and instability strongly reduces the likelihood of both sub- and neofunctionalization, but that these effects can be off-set by positive selection for novel beneficial functions.

  • 3. Alizadehheidari, M.
    et al.
    Frykholm, K.
    Fritzsche, J.
    Wigenius, J.
    Modesti, M.
    Persson, Fredrik
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Westerlund, F.
    Probing the Physical Properties of a DNA-Protein Complex Using Nanofluidic Channels2013In: European Biophysics Journal, ISSN 0175-7571, E-ISSN 1432-1017, Vol. 42, p. S134-S134Article in journal (Other academic)
    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 4. Alizadehheidari, Mohammadreza
    et al.
    Werner, Erik
    Noble, Charleston
    Nyberg, Lena
    Fritzsche, Joachim
    Mehlig, Bernhard
    Tegenfeldt, Jonas
    Ambjoernsson, Tobias
    Persson, Fredrik
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Westerlund, Fredrik
    Nanoconfined Circular DNA2014In: Biophysical Journal, ISSN 0006-3495, E-ISSN 1542-0086, Vol. 106, no 2, p. 274A-274AArticle in journal (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Nanofluidic channels have become a versatile tool to manipulate single DNA molecules. They allow investigation of confined single DNA molecules from a fundamental polymer physics perspective as well as for example in DNA barcoding techniques.

  • 5.
    Aqvist, Johan
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Lind, Christoffer
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Sund, Johan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Wallin, Goran
    Bridging the gap between ribosome structure and biochemistry by mechanistic computations2012In: Current opinion in structural biology, ISSN 0959-440X, E-ISSN 1879-033X, Vol. 22, no 6, p. 815-823Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The wealth of structural and biochemical data now available for protein synthesis on the ribosome presents major new challenges for computational biochemistry. Apart from technical difficulties in modeling ribosome systems, the complexity of the overall translation cycle with a multitude of different kinetic steps presents a formidable problem for computational efforts where we have only seen the beginning. However, a range of methodologies including molecular dynamics simulations, free energy calculations, molecular docking and quantum chemical approaches have already been put to work with promising results. In particular, the combined efforts of structural biology, biochemistry, kinetics and computational modeling can lead towards a quantitative structure-based description of translation.

  • 6. Azuaje, Jhonny
    et al.
    Carbajales, Carlos
    Gonzalez-Gomez, Manuel
    Coelho, Alberto
    Caamano, Olga
    Gutierrez-de-Teran, Hugo
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Sotelo, Eddy
    Pyrazin-2(1H)-ones as a novel class of selective A3 adenosine receptor antagonists2015In: Future Medicinal Chemistry, ISSN 1756-8919, E-ISSN 1756-8927, Vol. 7, no 11, p. 1373-1380Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: A(3)AR antagonists are promising drug candidates as neuroprotective agents as well as for the treatment of inflammation or glaucoma. The most widely known A(3)AR antagonists are derived from polyheteroaromatic scaffolds, which usually show poor pharmacokinetic properties. Accordingly, the identification of structurally simple A(3)AR antagonists by the exploration of novel diversity spaces is a challenging goal. Results: A convergent and efficient Ugi-based multicomponent approach enabled the discovery of pyrazin-2(1H)-ones as a novel class of A(3)AR antagonists. A combined experimental/computational strategy accelerated the establishment of the most salient features of the structure-activity and structure-selectivity relationships in this series. Conclusion: The optimization process provided pyrazin-2(1H)-ones with improved affinity and a plausible hypothesis regarding their binding modes was proposed.

  • 7. Baltscheffsky, Herrick
    et al.
    Persson, Bengt
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    On an Early Gene for Membrane-Integral Inorganic Pyrophosphatase in the Genome of an Apparently Pre-LUCA Extremophile, the Archaeon Candidatus Korarchaeum cryptofilum2014In: Journal of Molecular Evolution, ISSN 0022-2844, E-ISSN 1432-1432, Vol. 78, no 2, p. 140-147Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    A gene for membrane-integral inorganic pyrophosphatase (miPPase) was found in the composite genome of the extremophile archaeon Candidatus Korarchaeum cryptofilum (CKc). This korarchaeal genome shows unusual partial similarity to both major archaeal phyla Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota. Thus this Korarchaeote might have retained features that represent an ancestral archaeal form, existing before the occurrence of the evolutionary bifurcation into Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota. In addition, CKc lacks five genes that are common to early genomes at the LUCA border. These two properties independently suggest a pre-LUCA evolutionary position of this extremophile. Our finding of the miPPase gene in the CKc genome points to a role for the enzyme in the energy conversion of this very early archaeon. The structural features of its miPPase indicate that it can pump protons through membranes. An miPPase from the extremophile bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus also has a sequence indicating a proton pump. Recent analysis of the three-dimensional structure of the miPPase from Vigna radiata has resulted in the recognition of a strongly acidic substrate (orthophosphate: Pi, pyrophosphate: PPi) binding pocket, containing 11 Asp and one Glu residues. Asp (aspartic acid) is an evolutionarily very early proteinaceous amino acid as compared to the later appearing Glu (glutamic acid). All the Asp residues are conserved in the miPPase of CKc, V. radiata and other miPPases. The high proportion of Asp, as compared to Glu, seems to strengthen our argument that biological energy conversion with binding and activities of orthophosphate (Pi) and energy-rich pyrophosphate (PPi) in connection with the origin and early evolution of life may have started with similar or even more primitive acidic peptide funnels and/or pockets.

  • 8. Barbaro, Michela
    et al.
    Soardi, Fernanda C.
    Ostberg, Linus J.
    Persson, Bengt
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    de Mello, Maricilda Palandi
    Wedell, Anna
    Lajic, Svetlana
    In vitro functional studies of rare CYP21A2 mutations and establishment of an activity gradient for nonclassic mutations improve phenotype predictions in congenital adrenal hyperplasia2015In: Clinical Endocrinology, ISSN 0300-0664, E-ISSN 1365-2265, Vol. 82, no 1, p. 37-44Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    BackgroundA detailed genotype-phenotype evaluation is presented by studying the enzyme activities of five rare amino acid substitutions (Arg233Gly, Ala265Ser, Arg341Trp, Arg366Cys and Met473Ile) identified in the CYP21A2 gene in patients investigated for Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). ObjectiveTo investigate whether the mutations identified in the CYP21A2 gene are disease causing and to establish a gradient for the degree of enzyme impairment to improve prediction of patient phenotype. Design and patientsThe CYP21A2 genes of seven patients investigated for CAH were sequenced and five mutations were identified. The mutant proteins were expressed in vitro in COS-1 cells, and the enzyme activities towards the two natural substrates were determined to verify the disease-causing state of the mutations. The in vitro activities of these rare mutations were also compared with the activities of four mutations known to cause nonclassic CAH (Pro30Leu, Val281Leu, Pro453Ser and Pro482Ser) in addition to an in silico structural evaluation of the novel mutants. Main outcome measureTo verify the disease-causing state of novel mutations. ResultsFive CYP21A2 mutations were identified (Arg233Gly, Ala265Ser, Arg341Trp, Arg366Cys and Met473Ile). All mutant proteins exhibited enzyme activities above 5%, and four mutations were classified as nonclassic and one as a normal variant. By comparing the investigated protein changes with four common mutations causing nonclassic CAH, a gradient for the degree of enzyme impairment could be established. Studying rare mutations in CAH increases our knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms that render a mutation pathogenic. It also improves phenotype predictions and genetic counselling for future generations.

  • 9.
    Barrenäs, Fredrik
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Green, Richard R.
    Thomas, Matthew J.
    Law, G. Lynn
    Proll, Sean C.
    Engelmann, Flora
    Messaoudi, Ilhem
    Marzi, Andrea
    Feldmann, Heinz
    Katze, Michael G.
    Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals a Controlled Immune Response to Zaire Ebola Virus Challenge in Cynomolgus Macaques Immunized with Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Expressing Zaire Ebola Virus Glycoprotein (VSV Delta G/EBOVgp)2015In: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, ISSN 1556-6811, E-ISSN 1556-679X, Vol. 22, no 3, p. 354-356Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Vesicular stomatitis virus expressing Zaire Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoprotein (VSV Delta G/EBOVgp) could be used as a vaccine to meet the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak. To characterize the host response to this vaccine, we used mRNA sequencing to analyze peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cynomolgus macaques after VSV Delta G/EBOVgp immunization and subsequent EBOV challenge. We found a controlled transcriptional response that transitioned to immune regulation as the EBOV was cleared. This observation supports the safety of the vaccine.

  • 10.
    Barrenäs, Fredrik
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Palermo, Robert E.
    Agricola, Brian
    Agy, Michael B.
    Aicher, Lauri
    Carter, Victoria
    Flanary, Leon
    Green, Richard R.
    McLain, Randy
    Li, Qingsheng
    Lu, Wuxun
    Murnane, Robert
    Peng, Xinxia
    Thomas, Matthew J.
    Weiss, Jeffrey M.
    Anderson, David M.
    Katze, Michael G.
    Deep Transcriptional Sequencing of Mucosal Challenge Compartment from Rhesus Macaques Acutely Infected with Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Implicates Loss of Cell Adhesion Preceding Immune Activation2014In: Journal of Virology, ISSN 0022-538X, E-ISSN 1098-5514, Vol. 88, no 14, p. 7962-7972Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Pathology resulting from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is driven by protracted inflammation; the primary loss of CD4(+) T cells is caused by activation-driven apoptosis. Recent studies of nonhuman primates (NHPs) have suggested that during the acute phase of infection, antiviral mucosal immunity restricts viral replication in the primary infection compartment. These studies imply that HIV achieves systemic infection as a consequence of a failure in host antiviral immunity. Here, we used high-dose intrarectal inoculation of rhesus macaques with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) SIVmac251 to examine how the mucosal immune system is overcome by SIV during acute infection. The host response in rectal mucosa was characterized by deep mRNA sequencing (mRNA-seq) at 3 and 12 days postinoculation (dpi) in 4 animals for each time point. While we observed a strong host transcriptional response at 3 dpi, functions relating to antiviral immunity were absent. Instead, we observed a significant number of differentially expressed genes relating to cell adhesion and reorganization of the cytoskeleton. We also observed downregulation of genes encoding members of the claudin family of cell adhesion molecules, which are coexpressed with genes associated with pathology in the colorectal mucosa, and a large number of noncoding transcripts. In contrast, at 12 dpi the differentially expressed genes were enriched in those involved with immune system functions, in particular, functions relating to T cells, B cells, and NK cells. Our findings indicate that host responses that negatively affect mucosal integrity occur before inflammation. Consequently, when inflammation is activated at peak viremia, mucosal integrity is already compromised, potentially enabling rapid tissue damage, driving further inflammation. IMPORTANCE The HIV pandemic is one of the major threats to human health, causing over a million deaths per year. Recent studies have suggested that mucosal antiviral immune responses play an important role in preventing systemic infection after exposure to the virus. Yet, despite their potential role in decreasing transmission rates between individuals, these antiviral mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we carried out the first deep mRNA sequencing analysis of mucosal host responses in the primary infection compartment during acute SIV infection. We found that during acute infection, a significant host response was mounted in the mucosa before inflammation was triggered. Our analysis indicated that the response has a detrimental effect on tissue integrity, causing increased permeability, tissue damage, and recruitment of SIV target cells. These results emphasize the importance of mucosal host responses preceding immune activation in preventing systemic SIV infection.

  • 11.
    Barrozo, Alexandre
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Borstnar, Rok
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Marloie, Gaël
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Kamerlin, Lynn
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Computational Protein Engineering: Bridging the Gap between Rational Design and Laboratory Evolution2012In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, ISSN 1661-6596, E-ISSN 1422-0067, Vol. 13, no 10, p. 12428-12460Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Enzymes are tremendously proficient catalysts, which can be used as extracellular catalysts for a whole host of processes, from chemical synthesis to the generation of novel biofuels. For them to be more amenable to the needs of biotechnology, however, it is often necessary to be able to manipulate their physico-chemical properties in an efficient and streamlined manner, and, ideally, to be able to train them to catalyze completely new reactions. Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in different approaches to achieve this, both in the laboratory, and in silico. There remains, however, a gap between current approaches to computational enzyme design, which have primarily focused on the early stages of the design process, and laboratory evolution, which is an extremely powerful tool for enzyme redesign, but will always be limited by the vastness of sequence space combined with the low frequency for desirable mutations. This review discusses different approaches towards computational enzyme design and demonstrates how combining newly developed screening approaches that can rapidly predict potential mutation “hotspots” with approaches that can quantitatively and reliably dissect the catalytic step can bridge the gap that currently exists between computational enzyme design and laboratory evolution studies.

    Download full text (pdf)
    IJMS Review
  • 12.
    Barrozo, Alexandre H.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Harnessing Promiscuity Patterns to Map Evolution in the Alkaline Phosphatase Superfamily2013In: Biophysical Journal, ISSN 0006-3495, E-ISSN 1542-0086, Vol. 104, no 2, p. 232A-232AArticle in journal (Other academic)
  • 13.
    Barrozo, Alexandre H.
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Carvalho, Alexandra Pires
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Understanding Functional Evolution in the Alkaline Phosphatase Superfamily2014In: Biophysical Journal, ISSN 0006-3495, E-ISSN 1542-0086, Vol. 106, no 2, p. 675A-675AArticle in journal (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Over the past 40 years, it has been demonstrated that many enzymes are capable of promiscuous catalytic activities, facilitating the turnover of more than one chemically distinct substrate. This has been argued to play an important role in enzyme evolution, with highly promiscuous progenitor enzymes evolving under evolutionary pressure to modern day specialists, while still retaining some level of their former promiscuous activities1. This theory has been extensively tested by different experiments using in vitro evolution2. The alkaline phosphatase superfamily members provide a particularly attractive showcase for studying enzyme promiscuity, as they often show reciprocal promiscuity, in that the native reaction for one member is often a side-reaction for another3. While deceptively similar, their catalyzed reactions (cleavage of P-O and S-O bonds) proceed via distinct transition states and protonation requirements4,5. We present detailed computational studies of the promiscuous catalytic activity of three evolutionarily related members: the arylsulfatase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa6, and the phosphonate monoester hydrolases from Burkholderia caryophili7and Rhizobium leguminosarum8. By tracking their structural and electrostatic features, and comparing to other known members of the superfamily, we provide an atomic-level map for functional evolution within this superfamily.

  • 14.
    Bauer, Paul
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Barrozo, Alexandre
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Structure and Molecular Biology.
    Amrein, Beat Anton
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Structure and Molecular Biology.
    Purg, Miha
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Structure and Molecular Biology.
    Esguerra, Mauricio
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics.
    Wilson, Philippe
    De Montfort University Leicester, School of Pharmacy .
    Åqvist, Johan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics.
    Major, Dan Thomas
    Department of Chemistry, The Lise Meitner-Minerva Center of Computational Quantum Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel.
    Kamerlin, Shina Caroline Lynn
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Structure and Molecular Biology.
    Q Version 6, a comprehensive toolkit for empirical valence bond and related free energy calculations.Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
  • 15. Behzadi, Hadi
    et al.
    Olyai, Mohamad Reza Talei Bavil
    van der Spoel, David
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Probing (13)C chemical shielding tensors in cryptolepine and two bromo-substituted analogs for antiplasmodial activity2011In: Journal of Molecular Modeling, ISSN 1610-2940, E-ISSN 0948-5023, Vol. 17, no 12, p. 3289-3297Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Density functional theory calculations were applied to investigate (13)C chemical shielding tensors in cryptolepine and its bromo-substituted analogs, 2-bromocryptolepine and 2,7-dibromocryptolepine. The fact that bromo-substituted cryptolepine shows higher antiplasmodial activity than cryptolepine raises the question of whether this effect can be related to the electronic properties around carbon atoms. The results show that changes to the principal components of the shielding tensors upon substitution are significant. In particular, sigma (33) is the most affected tensor for carbons in the substituted ring, which could be related to the increased antiplasmodial activity of bromosubstituted cryptolepine. The analyses were also focused on atomic charges and dipole moment.

  • 16.
    Behzadi, Hadi
    et al.
    Kharazmi Univ, Fac Chem, Dept Phys Chem, Tehran, Iran.
    Roonasi, Payman
    Kharazmi Univ, Fac Chem, Dept Phys Chem, Tehran, Iran.
    Taghipour, Khatoon Assle
    Kharazmi Univ, Fac Chem, Dept Phys Chem, Tehran, Iran.
    van der Spoel, David
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Manzetti, Sergio
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics. Fjordforsk AS Inst Sci & Technol, N-6894 Midtun, Vangsnes, Norway.
    Relationship between electronic properties and drug activity of seven quinoxaline compounds: A DFT study2015In: Journal of Molecular Structure, ISSN 0022-2860, E-ISSN 1872-8014, Vol. 1091, p. 196-202Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The quantum chemical calculations at the DFT/B3LYP level of theory were carried out on seven quinoxaline compounds, which have been synthesized as anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis agents. Three conformers were optimized for each compound and the lowest energy structure was found and used in further calculations. The electronic properties including E-HOMO, E-LUMO and related parameters as well as electron density around oxygen and nitrogen atoms were calculated for each compound. The relationship between the calculated electronic parameters and biological activity of the studied compounds were investigated. Six similar quinoxaline derivatives with possible more drug activity were suggested based on the calculated electronic descriptors. A mechanism was proposed and discussed based on the calculated electronic parameters and bond dissociation energies.

  • 17. Bjorling, Alexander
    et al.
    Niebling, Stephan
    Marcellini, Moreno
    Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    van der Spoel, David
    Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Westenhoff, Sebastian
    Deciphering Solution Scattering Data with Experimentally Guided Molecular Dynamics Simulations2015In: Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation, ISSN 1549-9618, E-ISSN 1549-9626, Vol. 11, no 2, p. 780-787Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Time-resolved X-ray solution scattering is an increasingly popular method to measure conformational changes in proteins. Extracting structural information from the resulting difference X-ray scattering data is a daunting task. We present a method in which the limited but precious information encoded in such scattering curves is combined with the chemical knowledge of molecular force fields. The molecule of interest is then refined toward experimental data using molecular dynamics simulation. Therefore, the energy landscape is biased toward conformations that agree with experimental data. We describe and verify the method, and we provide an implementation in GROMACS.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 18.
    Bornelöv, Susanne
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Rule-based Models of Transcriptional Regulation and Complex Diseases: Applications and Development2014Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    As we gain increased understanding of genetic disorders and gene regulation more focus has turned towards complex interactions. Combinations of genes or gene and environmental factors have been suggested to explain the missing heritability behind complex diseases. Furthermore, gene activation and splicing seem to be governed by a complex machinery of histone modification (HM), transcription factor (TF), and DNA sequence signals. This thesis aimed to apply and develop multivariate machine learning methods for use on such biological problems. Monte Carlo feature selection was combined with rule-based classification to identify interactions between HMs and to study the interplay of factors with importance for asthma and allergy.

    Firstly, publicly available ChIP-seq data (Paper I) for 38 HMs was studied. We trained a classifier for predicting exon inclusion levels based on the HMs signals. We identified HMs important for splicing and illustrated that splicing could be predicted from the HM patterns. Next, we applied a similar methodology on data from two large birth cohorts describing asthma and allergy in children (Paper II). We identified genetic and environmental factors with importance for allergic diseases which confirmed earlier results and found candidate gene-gene and gene-environment interactions.

    In order to interpret and present the classifiers we developed Ciruvis, a web-based tool for network visualization of classification rules (Paper III). We applied Ciruvis on classifiers trained on both simulated and real data and compared our tool to another methodology for interaction detection using classification. Finally, we continued the earlier study on epigenetics by analyzing HM and TF signals in genes with or without evidence of bidirectional transcription (Paper IV). We identified several HMs and TFs with different signals between unidirectional and bidirectional genes. Among these, the CTCF TF was shown to have a well-positioned peak 60-80 bp upstream of the transcription start site in unidirectional genes.

    List of papers
    1. Combinations of histone modifications mark exon inclusion levels
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Combinations of histone modifications mark exon inclusion levels
    2012 (English)In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 7, no 1, article id e29911Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Splicing is a complex process regulated by sequence at the classical splice sites and other motifs in exons and introns with an enhancing or silencing effect. In addition, specific histone modifications on nucleosomes positioned over the exons have been shown to correlate both positively and negatively with exon expression. Here, we trained a model of "IF … THEN …" rules to predict exon inclusion levels in a transcript from histone modification patterns. Furthermore, we showed that combinations of histone modifications, in particular those residing on nucleosomes preceding or succeeding the exon, are better predictors of exon inclusion levels than single modifications. The resulting model was evaluated with cross validation and had an average accuracy of 72% for 27% of the exons, which demonstrates that epigenetic signals substantially mark alternative splicing.

    National Category
    Cell and Molecular Biology
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-175875 (URN)10.1371/journal.pone.0029911 (DOI)000312662100045 ()22242188 (PubMedID)
    Funder
    Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationSwedish Foundation for Strategic Research Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Cancer Society
    Available from: 2012-06-13 Created: 2012-06-13 Last updated: 2021-06-14Bibliographically approved
    2. Rule-Based Models of the Interplay between Genetic and Environmental Factors in Childhood Allergy
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Rule-Based Models of the Interplay between Genetic and Environmental Factors in Childhood Allergy
    Show others...
    2013 (English)In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 8, no 11, p. e80080-Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Both genetic and environmental factors are important for the development of allergic diseases. However, a detailed understanding of how such factors act together is lacking. To elucidate the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in allergic diseases, we used a novel bioinformatics approach that combines feature selection and machine learning. In two materials, PARSIFAL (a European cross-sectional study of 3113 children) and BAMSE (a Swedish birth-cohort including 2033 children), genetic variants as well as environmental and lifestyle factors were evaluated for their contribution to allergic phenotypes. Monte Carlo feature selection and rule based models were used to identify and rank rules describing how combinations of genetic and environmental factors affect the risk of allergic diseases. Novel interactions between genes were suggested and replicated, such as between ORMDL3 and RORA, where certain genotype combinations gave odds ratios for current asthma of 2.1 (95% CI 1.2-3.6) and 3.2 (95% CI 2.0-5.0) in the BAMSE and PARSIFAL children, respectively. Several combinations of environmental factors appeared to be important for the development of allergic disease in children. For example, use of baby formula and antibiotics early in life was associated with an odds ratio of 7.4 (95% CI 4.5-12.0) of developing asthma. Furthermore, genetic variants together with environmental factors seemed to play a role for allergic diseases, such as the use of antibiotics early in life and COL29A1 variants for asthma, and farm living and NPSR1 variants for allergic eczema. Overall, combinations of environmental and life style factors appeared more frequently in the models than combinations solely involving genes. In conclusion, a new bioinformatics approach is described for analyzing complex data, including extensive genetic and environmental information. Interactions identified with this approach could provide useful hints for further in-depth studies of etiological mechanisms and may also strengthen the basis for risk assessment and prevention.

    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-213817 (URN)10.1371/journal.pone.0080080 (DOI)000327311900057 ()
    Available from: 2014-01-05 Created: 2014-01-04 Last updated: 2021-06-14Bibliographically approved
    3. Ciruvis: a web-based tool for rule networks and interaction detection using rule-based classifiers
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Ciruvis: a web-based tool for rule networks and interaction detection using rule-based classifiers
    2014 (English)In: BMC Bioinformatics, E-ISSN 1471-2105, Vol. 15, p. 139-Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Background: The use of classification algorithms is becoming increasingly important for the field of computational biology. However, not only the quality of the classification, but also its biological interpretation is important. This interpretation may be eased if interacting elements can be identified and visualized, something that requires appropriate tools and methods. Results: We developed a new approach to detecting interactions in complex systems based on classification. Using rule-based classifiers, we previously proposed a rule network visualization strategy that may be applied as a heuristic for finding interactions. We now complement this work with Ciruvis, a web-based tool for the construction of rule networks from classifiers made of IF-THEN rules. Simulated and biological data served as an illustration of how the tool may be used to visualize and interpret classifiers. Furthermore, we used the rule networks to identify feature interactions, compared them to alternative methods, and computationally validated the findings. Conclusions: Rule networks enable a fast method for model visualization and provide an exploratory heuristic to interaction detection. The tool is made freely available on the web and may thus be used to aid and improve rule-based classification.

    Keywords
    Visualization, Rules, Interactions, Interaction detection, Classification, Rule-based classification
    National Category
    Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-228027 (URN)10.1186/1471-2105-15-139 (DOI)000336679600001 ()
    Available from: 2014-07-02 Created: 2014-07-02 Last updated: 2024-01-17Bibliographically approved
    4. Different distribution of histone modifications in genes with unidirectional and bidirectional transcription and a role of CTCF and cohesin in directing transcription
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Different distribution of histone modifications in genes with unidirectional and bidirectional transcription and a role of CTCF and cohesin in directing transcription
    2015 (English)In: BMC Genomics, E-ISSN 1471-2164, Vol. 16, article id 300Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Several post-translational histone modifications are mainly found in gene promoters and are associated with the promoter activity. It has been hypothesized that histone modifications regulate the transcription, as opposed to the traditional view with transcription factors as the key regulators. Promoters of most active genes do not only initiate transcription of the coding sequence, but also a substantial amount of transcription of the antisense strand upstream of the transcription start site (TSS). This promoter feature has generally not been considered in previous studies of histone modifications and transcription factor binding.

    Results: We annotated protein-coding genes as bi- or unidirectional depending on their mode of transcription and compared histone modifications and transcription factor occurrences between them. We found that H3K4me3, H3K9ac, and H3K27ac were significantly more enriched upstream of the TSS in bidirectional genes compared with the unidirectional ones. In contrast, the downstream histone modification signals were similar, suggesting that the upstream histone modifications might be a consequence of transcription rather than a cause. Notably, we found well-positioned CTCF and RAD21 peaks approximately 60-80 bp upstream of the TSS in the unidirectional genes. The peak heights were related to the amount of antisense transcription and we hypothesized that CTCF and cohesin act as a barrier against antisense transcription.

    Conclusions: Our results provide insights into the distribution of histone modifications at promoters and suggest a novel role of CTCF and cohesin as regulators of transcriptional direction.

    Keywords
    Antisense transcription, CTCF, RAD21, Cohesin, CAGE, Epigenetics, Transcription factor, Histone modification
    National Category
    Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-230158 (URN)10.1186/s12864-015-1485-5 (DOI)000355166000001 ()25881024 (PubMedID)
    Available from: 2014-08-19 Created: 2014-08-19 Last updated: 2024-01-17Bibliographically approved
    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
    Download (jpg)
    presentationsbild
  • 19.
    Bornelöv, Susanne
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Enroth, Stefan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Genomics. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Komorowski, Jan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Visualization of Rules in Rule-Based Classifiers2012In: INTELLIGENT DECISION TECHNOLOGIES (IDT'2012), VOL 1, 2012, Vol. 15, p. 329-338Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Interpretation and visualization of the classification models are important parts of machine learning. Rule-based classifiers often contain too many rules to be easily interpreted by humans, and methods for post-classification analysis of the rules are needed. Here we present a strategy for circular visualization of sets of classification rules. The Circos software was used to generate graphs showing all pairs of conditions that were present in the rules as edges inside a circle. We showed using simulated data that all two-way interactions in the data were found by the classifier and displayed in the graph, although the single attributes were constructed to have no correlation to the decision class. For all examples we used rules trained using the rough set theory, but the visualization would by applicable to any sort of classification rules. This method for rule visualization may be useful for applications where interaction terms are expected, and the size of the model limits the interpretability.

  • 20.
    Bornelöv, Susanne
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Komorowski, Jan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Wadelius, Claes
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology.
    Different distribution of histone modifications in genes with unidirectional and bidirectional transcription and a role of CTCF and cohesin in directing transcription2015In: BMC Genomics, E-ISSN 1471-2164, Vol. 16, article id 300Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Several post-translational histone modifications are mainly found in gene promoters and are associated with the promoter activity. It has been hypothesized that histone modifications regulate the transcription, as opposed to the traditional view with transcription factors as the key regulators. Promoters of most active genes do not only initiate transcription of the coding sequence, but also a substantial amount of transcription of the antisense strand upstream of the transcription start site (TSS). This promoter feature has generally not been considered in previous studies of histone modifications and transcription factor binding.

    Results: We annotated protein-coding genes as bi- or unidirectional depending on their mode of transcription and compared histone modifications and transcription factor occurrences between them. We found that H3K4me3, H3K9ac, and H3K27ac were significantly more enriched upstream of the TSS in bidirectional genes compared with the unidirectional ones. In contrast, the downstream histone modification signals were similar, suggesting that the upstream histone modifications might be a consequence of transcription rather than a cause. Notably, we found well-positioned CTCF and RAD21 peaks approximately 60-80 bp upstream of the TSS in the unidirectional genes. The peak heights were related to the amount of antisense transcription and we hypothesized that CTCF and cohesin act as a barrier against antisense transcription.

    Conclusions: Our results provide insights into the distribution of histone modifications at promoters and suggest a novel role of CTCF and cohesin as regulators of transcriptional direction.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 21.
    Bornelöv, Susanne
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Marillet, Simon
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Komorowski, Jan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Ciruvis: a web-based tool for rule networks and interaction detection using rule-based classifiers2014In: BMC Bioinformatics, E-ISSN 1471-2105, Vol. 15, p. 139-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: The use of classification algorithms is becoming increasingly important for the field of computational biology. However, not only the quality of the classification, but also its biological interpretation is important. This interpretation may be eased if interacting elements can be identified and visualized, something that requires appropriate tools and methods. Results: We developed a new approach to detecting interactions in complex systems based on classification. Using rule-based classifiers, we previously proposed a rule network visualization strategy that may be applied as a heuristic for finding interactions. We now complement this work with Ciruvis, a web-based tool for the construction of rule networks from classifiers made of IF-THEN rules. Simulated and biological data served as an illustration of how the tool may be used to visualize and interpret classifiers. Furthermore, we used the rule networks to identify feature interactions, compared them to alternative methods, and computationally validated the findings. Conclusions: Rule networks enable a fast method for model visualization and provide an exploratory heuristic to interaction detection. The tool is made freely available on the web and may thus be used to aid and improve rule-based classification.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 22.
    Bornelöv, Susanne
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Saaf, Annika
    Melen, Erik
    Bergstrom, Anna
    Moghadam, Behrooz Torabi
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Pulkkinen, Ville
    Acevedo, Nathalie
    Pietras, Christina Orsmark
    Ege, Markus
    Braun-Fahrlaender, Charlotte
    Riedler, Josef
    Doekes, Gert
    Kabesch, Michael
    van Hage, Marianne
    Kere, Juha
    Scheynius, Annika
    Soderhall, Cilla
    Pershagen, Goran
    Komorowski, Jan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Rule-Based Models of the Interplay between Genetic and Environmental Factors in Childhood Allergy2013In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 8, no 11, p. e80080-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Both genetic and environmental factors are important for the development of allergic diseases. However, a detailed understanding of how such factors act together is lacking. To elucidate the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in allergic diseases, we used a novel bioinformatics approach that combines feature selection and machine learning. In two materials, PARSIFAL (a European cross-sectional study of 3113 children) and BAMSE (a Swedish birth-cohort including 2033 children), genetic variants as well as environmental and lifestyle factors were evaluated for their contribution to allergic phenotypes. Monte Carlo feature selection and rule based models were used to identify and rank rules describing how combinations of genetic and environmental factors affect the risk of allergic diseases. Novel interactions between genes were suggested and replicated, such as between ORMDL3 and RORA, where certain genotype combinations gave odds ratios for current asthma of 2.1 (95% CI 1.2-3.6) and 3.2 (95% CI 2.0-5.0) in the BAMSE and PARSIFAL children, respectively. Several combinations of environmental factors appeared to be important for the development of allergic disease in children. For example, use of baby formula and antibiotics early in life was associated with an odds ratio of 7.4 (95% CI 4.5-12.0) of developing asthma. Furthermore, genetic variants together with environmental factors seemed to play a role for allergic diseases, such as the use of antibiotics early in life and COL29A1 variants for asthma, and farm living and NPSR1 variants for allergic eczema. Overall, combinations of environmental and life style factors appeared more frequently in the models than combinations solely involving genes. In conclusion, a new bioinformatics approach is described for analyzing complex data, including extensive genetic and environmental information. Interactions identified with this approach could provide useful hints for further in-depth studies of etiological mechanisms and may also strengthen the basis for risk assessment and prevention.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 23. Borstnar, Rok
    et al.
    Repic, Matej
    Kamerlin, Shina Caroline Lynn
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Vianello, Robert
    Mavri, Janez
    Computational Study of the pK(a) Values of Potential Catalytic Residues in the Active Site of Monoamine Oxidase B2012In: Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation, ISSN 1549-9618, E-ISSN 1549-9626, Vol. 8, no 10, p. 3864-3870Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Monoamine oxidase (MAO), which exists in two isozymic forms, MAO A and MAO B, is an important flavoenzyme responsible for the metabolism of amine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Despite extensive research effort, neither the catalytic nor the inhibition mechanisms of MAO have been completely understood. There has also been dispute with regard to the protonation state of the substrate upon entering the active site, as well as the identity of residues that are important for the initial deprotonation of irreversible acetylenic inhibitors, in accordance with the recently proposed mechanism. Therefore, in order to investigate features essential for the modes of action of MAO, we have calculated pK(a) values of three relevant tyrosine residues in the MAO B active site, with and without dopamine bound as the. substrate (as well as the pK(a) of the dopamine itself in the active site). The calculated pK(a) values for Tyr188, Tyr398, and Tyr435 in the complex are found to be shifted upward to 13.0, 13.7, and 14.7, respectively, relative to 10.1 in aqueous solution, ruling out the likelihood that they are viable proton acceptors. The altered tyrosine pK(a) values could be rationalized as an interplay of two opposing effects: insertion of positively charged bulky dopamine that lowers tyrosine pK(a) values, and subsequent removal of water molecules from the active site that elevates tyrosine pK(a) values, in which the latter prevails. Additionally, the pK(a) value of the bound dopamine (8.8) is practically unchanged compared to the corresponding value in aqueous solution (8.9), as would be expected from a charged amine placed in a hydrophobic active site consisting of aromatic moieties. We also observed potentially favorable cation-pi interactions between the -NH3+ group on dopamine and aromatic moieties, which provide a stabilizing effect to the charged fragment. Thus, we offer here theoretical evidence that the amine is most likely to be present in the active site in its protonated form, which is similar to the conclusion from experimental studies of MAO A (Jones et al. J. Neural Trans. 2007, 114, 707-712). However, the free energy cost of transferring the proton from the substrate to the bulk solvent is only 1.9 kcal mol(-1), leaving open the possibility that the amine enters the chemical step in its neutral form. In conjunction with additional experimental and computational work, the data presented here should lead toward a deeper understanding of mechanisms of the catalytic activity and irreversible inhibition of MAO B, which can allow for the design of novel and improved MAO B inhibitors.

    Download full text (pdf)
    Kamerlin_JCTC
  • 24.
    Boukharta, Lars
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Computational Modelling of Ligand Complexes with G-Protein Coupled Receptors, Ion Channels and Enzymes2014Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Accurate predictions of binding free energies from computer simulations are an invaluable resource for understanding biochemical processes and drug action. The primary aim of the work described in the thesis was to predict and understand ligand binding to several proteins of major pharmaceutical importance using computational methods.

    We report a computational strategy to quantitatively predict the effects of alanine scanning and ligand modifications based on molecular dynamics free energy simulations. A smooth stepwise scheme for free energy perturbation calculations is derived and applied to a series of thirteen alanine mutations of the human neuropeptide Y1 G-protein coupled receptor and a series of eight analogous antagonists. The robustness and accuracy of the method enables univocal interpretation of existing mutagenesis and binding data. We show how these calculations can be used to validate structural models and demonstrate their ability to discriminate against suboptimal ones. Site-directed mutagenesis, homology modelling and docking were further used to characterize agonist binding to the human neuropeptide Y2 receptor, which is important in feeding behavior and an obesity drug target.  In a separate project, homology modelling was also used for rationalization of mutagenesis data for an integron integrase involved in antibiotic resistance.

    Blockade of the hERG potassium channel by various drug-like compounds, potentially causing serious cardiac side effects, is a major problem in drug development. We have used a homology model of hERG to conduct molecular docking experiments with a series of channel blockers, followed by molecular dynamics simulations of the complexes and evaluation of binding free energies with the linear interaction energy method. The calculations are in good agreement with experimental binding affinities and allow for a rationalization of three-dimensional structure-activity relationships with implications for design of new compounds. Docking, scoring, molecular dynamics, and the linear interaction energy method were also used to predict binding modes and affinities for a large set of inhibitors to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. Good agreement with experiment was found and the work provides a validation of the methodology as a powerful tool in structure-based drug design. It is also easily scalable for higher throughput of compounds.

    List of papers
    1. Mutagenesis of human neuropeptide Y/peptide YY receptor Y2 reveals additional differences to Y1 in interactions with highly conserved ligand positions
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Mutagenesis of human neuropeptide Y/peptide YY receptor Y2 reveals additional differences to Y1 in interactions with highly conserved ligand positions
    Show others...
    2010 (English)In: Regulatory Peptides, ISSN 0167-0115, E-ISSN 1873-1686, Vol. 163, no 1-3, p. 120-129Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and peptide YY (PYY) share similar to 70% of their 36 amino acids and bind to the same three human receptor subtypes, Y1, Y2 and Y5, even though these receptors only share similar to 30% sequence identity Based on our previous investigation of human Y1 we describe here a mutagenesis study of three corresponding positions in human Y2, i e Tyr(2 64), Val(6 58) and Tyr(7 31) Pharmacological characterization was performed with the four peptide agonists PYY, NPY, PYY(3-36) and NPY(13-36) as well as the non-peptide antagonist BIIE0246 Results from mutants where Tyr(2 64) has been substituted by Ala suggest that Tyr(2 64) is involved in the interaction with all investigated ligands whereas position Tyr(7 31) seems to be more important for interaction with the truncated peptide PYY(3-36) than with intact NPY Surprisingly, substitution of Tyr(7 31) with His, the corresponding residue in Y1, resulted in total loss of binding of iodinated porcine PYY The third position. Val(6 58), did not influence binding of any of the ligands. These findings differ from those obtained for Y1 where Ala substitution resulted in lost or changed binding for each of the three positions. Although Tyr(2 64) and Tyr(7 31) in Y2 are involved in ligand binding, their interactions with the peptide ligands seem to be different from the corresponding positions in Y1 This suggests that the receptor-ligand interactions have changed during evolution after Y1 and Y2 arose from a common ancestral receptor.

    Keywords
    Site-directed mutagenesis, G-protein coupled receptor, Three dimensional model, Evolution
    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-135756 (URN)10.1016/j.regpep.2010.04.011 (DOI)000280050000018 ()
    Note

    Manuscript title: Investigation of receptor-ligand interactions of the human neuropeptide Y receptor Y2 by site-directed mutagenesis: comparison with the structurally divergent Y1 subtype

    Available from: 2010-12-08 Created: 2010-12-08 Last updated: 2022-01-28Bibliographically approved
    2. Mutagenesis and Computational Modeling of Human G‑Protein-Coupled Receptor Y2 for Neuropeptide Y and Peptide YY
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Mutagenesis and Computational Modeling of Human G‑Protein-Coupled Receptor Y2 for Neuropeptide Y and Peptide YY
    Show others...
    2013 (English)In: Biochemistry, ISSN 0006-2960, E-ISSN 1520-4995, Vol. 52, no 45, p. 7987-7998Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Neuropeptide Y and peptide YY receptor type 2 (Y2) is involved in appetite regulation and several other physiological processes. We have investigated the structure of the human Y2 receptor. Computational modeling of receptor–agonist interactions was used as a guide to design a series of receptor mutants, followed by binding assays using full-length and truncated peptide agonists and the Y2-specific antagonist BIIE0246. Our model suggested a hydrogen bond network among highly conserved residues Thr2.61, Gln3.32, and His7.39, which could play roles in ligand binding and/or receptor structure. In addition, the C-terminus of the peptide could make contact with residues Tyr5.38 and Leu6.51. Mutagenesis of all these positions, followed by binding assays, provides experimental support for our computational model: most of the mutants for the residues forming the proposed hydrogen bond network displayed reduced peptide agonist affinities as well as reduced hPYY3-36 potency in a functional assay. The Ala and Leu mutants of Gln3.32 and His7.39 disrupted membrane expression of the receptor. Combined with the modeling, the experimental results support roles for these hydrogen bond network residues in peptide binding as well as receptor architecture. The reduced agonist affinity for mutants of Tyr5.38 and Leu6.51 supports their role in a binding pocket surrounding the invariant tyrosine at position 36 of the peptide ligands. The results for antagonist BIIE0246 suggest several differences in interactions compared to those of the peptides. Our results lead to a new structural model for NPY family receptors and peptide binding.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    American Chemical Society (ACS), 2013
    National Category
    Natural Sciences Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-154994 (URN)10.1021/bi400830c (DOI)000330017700012 ()
    Available from: 2011-08-04 Created: 2011-06-14 Last updated: 2022-01-28Bibliographically approved
    3. Computational prediction of alanine scanning and ligand binding energetics in G-protein coupled receptors
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Computational prediction of alanine scanning and ligand binding energetics in G-protein coupled receptors
    2014 (English)In: PloS Computational Biology, ISSN 1553-734X, E-ISSN 1553-7358, Vol. 10, no 4, p. e1003585-Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Site-directed mutagenesis combined with binding affinity measurements is widely used to probe the nature of ligand interactions with GPCRs. Such experiments, as well as structure-activity relationships for series of ligands, are usually interpreted with computationally derived models of ligand binding modes. However, systematic approaches for accurate calculations of the corresponding binding free energies are still lacking. Here, we report a computational strategy to quantitatively predict the effects of alanine scanning and ligand modifications based on molecular dynamics free energy simulations. A smooth stepwise scheme for free energy perturbation calculations is derived and applied to a series of thirteen alanine mutations of the human neuropeptide Y1 receptor and series of eight analogous antagonists. The robustness and accuracy of the method enables univocal interpretation of existing mutagenesis and binding data. We show how these calculations can be used to validate structural models and demonstrate their ability to discriminate against suboptimal ones. Author Summary G-protein coupled receptors constitute a family of drug targets of outstanding interest, with more than 30% of the marketed drugs targeting a GPCR. The combination of site-directed mutagenesis, biochemical experiments and computationally generated 3D structural models has traditionally been used to investigate these receptors. The increasing number of GPCR crystal structures now paves the way for detailed characterization of receptor-ligand interactions and energetics using advanced computer simulations. Here, we present an accurate computational scheme to predict and interpret the effects of alanine scanning experiments, based on molecular dynamics free energy simulations. We apply the technique to antagonist binding to the neuropeptide Y receptor Y1, the structure of which is still unknown. A structural model of a Y1-antagonist complex was derived and used as starting point for computational characterization of the effects on binding of alanine substitutions at thirteen different receptor positions. Further, we used the model and computational scheme to predict the binding of a series of seven antagonist analogs. The results are in excellent agreement with available experimental data and provide validation of both the methodology and structural models of the complexes.

    National Category
    Bioinformatics (Computational Biology) Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-212102 (URN)10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003585 (DOI)000336507500014 ()
    Available from: 2013-12-05 Created: 2013-12-05 Last updated: 2018-01-11Bibliographically approved
    4. Computer Simulations of Structure-Activity Relationships for hERG Channel Blockers
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Computer Simulations of Structure-Activity Relationships for hERG Channel Blockers
    Show others...
    2011 (English)In: Biochemistry, ISSN 0006-2960, E-ISSN 1520-4995, Vol. 50, no 27, p. 6146-6156Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    The hERG potassium channel is of major pharmaceutical importance, and its blockade by various compounds, potentially causing serious cardiac side effects, is a major problem in drug development. Despite the large amounts of existing biochemical data on blockade of hERG by drugs and druglike compounds, relatively little is known regarding the structural basis of binding of blockers to the channel. Here, we have used a recently developed homology model of hERG to conduct molecular docking experiments with a series of channel blockers, followed by molecular dynamics simulations of the complexes and evaluation of binding free energies with the linear interaction energy method. The calculations yield a remarkably good agreement with experimental binding affinities and allow for a rationalization of three-dimensional structure-activity relationships in terms of a number of key interactions. Two main interaction regions of the channel are thus identified with implications for further mutagenesis experiments and design of new compounds.

    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-156474 (URN)10.1021/bi200173n (DOI)000292430600018 ()
    Available from: 2011-07-27 Created: 2011-07-25 Last updated: 2022-01-28Bibliographically approved
    5. Combining docking, molecular dynamics and the linear interaction energy method to predict binding modes and affinities for non-nucleoside inhibitors to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Combining docking, molecular dynamics and the linear interaction energy method to predict binding modes and affinities for non-nucleoside inhibitors to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase
    2008 (English)In: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, ISSN 0022-2623, E-ISSN 1520-4804, Vol. 51, no 9, p. 2648-56Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Docking, scoring, molecular dynamics (MD), and the linear interaction energy (LIE) method are used here to predict binding modes and affinities for a set of 43 non-nucleoside inhibitors to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. Starting from a crystallographic structure, the binding modes of 43 inhibitors are predicted using automated docking. The Goldscore scoring function and the LIE method are then used to determine the relative binding free energies for the inhibitors. The Goldscore scoring function does not reproduce the relative binding affinities for the inhibitors, while the standard parametrization of the LIE method reproduces the experimental binding free energies for 39 inhibitors with an R (2) = 0.70 and an unsigned average error of 0.8 kcal/mol. The present calculations provide a validation of the combination of docking, MD, and LIE as a powerful tool in structure-based drug design, and the methodology is easily scalable for attaining a higher throughput of compounds.

    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-97214 (URN)10.1021/jm7012198 (DOI)000255500000010 ()18410085 (PubMedID)
    Available from: 2008-04-29 Created: 2008-04-29 Last updated: 2022-01-28Bibliographically approved
    6. Mutagenesis and homology modelling of the Tn21 integron integrase IntI1
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Mutagenesis and homology modelling of the Tn21 integron integrase IntI1
    Show others...
    2009 (English)In: Biochemistry, ISSN 0006-2960, E-ISSN 1520-4995, Vol. 48, no 8, p. 1743-1753Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Horizontal DNA transfer between bacteria is widespread and a major cause of antibiotic resistance. For logistic reasons, single or combined genes are shuttled between vectors such as plasmids and   bacterial chromosomes. Special elements termed integrons operate in such shuttling and are therefore vital for horizontal gene transfer. Shorter elements carrying genes, cassettes, are integrated in the integrons, or excised from them, by virtue of a recombination site, attC, positioned in the 3' end of each unit. It is a remarkable and   possibly restricting elementary feature of attC that it must be single-stranded while the partner target site, attI, may be double-stranded. The integron integrases belong to the tyrosine recombinase family, and this work reports mutations of the integrase IntI1 from transposon Tn21, chosen within a well-conserved region characteristic of the integron integrases. The mutated proteins were  tested for binding to a bottom strand of an attC substrate, by using an electrophoresis mobility shift assay. To aid in interpreting the   results, a homology model was constructed on the basis of the crystal structure of integron integrase VchIntIA from Vibrio cholerae bound to its cognate attC substrate VCRbs. The local stability and hydrogen bonding network of key domains of the modeled structure were further examined using molecular dynamics simulations. The homology model allowed us to interpret the roles of several amino acid residues, four of which were clearly binding assay responsive upon mutagenesis. Notably, we also observed features indicating that IntI1 may be more prone to base-specific contacts with VCRbs than VchIntIA.

    National Category
    Biological Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-95309 (URN)10.1021/bi8020235 (DOI)000263697300009 ()
    Available from: 2007-01-02 Created: 2007-01-02 Last updated: 2022-01-28Bibliographically approved
    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
    Download (jpg)
    presentationsbild
  • 25.
    Boukharta, Lars
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Gutierréz de Terán, Hugo
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Åqvist, Johan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Computational prediction of alanine scanning and ligand binding energetics in G-protein coupled receptors2014In: PloS Computational Biology, ISSN 1553-734X, E-ISSN 1553-7358, Vol. 10, no 4, p. e1003585-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Site-directed mutagenesis combined with binding affinity measurements is widely used to probe the nature of ligand interactions with GPCRs. Such experiments, as well as structure-activity relationships for series of ligands, are usually interpreted with computationally derived models of ligand binding modes. However, systematic approaches for accurate calculations of the corresponding binding free energies are still lacking. Here, we report a computational strategy to quantitatively predict the effects of alanine scanning and ligand modifications based on molecular dynamics free energy simulations. A smooth stepwise scheme for free energy perturbation calculations is derived and applied to a series of thirteen alanine mutations of the human neuropeptide Y1 receptor and series of eight analogous antagonists. The robustness and accuracy of the method enables univocal interpretation of existing mutagenesis and binding data. We show how these calculations can be used to validate structural models and demonstrate their ability to discriminate against suboptimal ones. Author Summary G-protein coupled receptors constitute a family of drug targets of outstanding interest, with more than 30% of the marketed drugs targeting a GPCR. The combination of site-directed mutagenesis, biochemical experiments and computationally generated 3D structural models has traditionally been used to investigate these receptors. The increasing number of GPCR crystal structures now paves the way for detailed characterization of receptor-ligand interactions and energetics using advanced computer simulations. Here, we present an accurate computational scheme to predict and interpret the effects of alanine scanning experiments, based on molecular dynamics free energy simulations. We apply the technique to antagonist binding to the neuropeptide Y receptor Y1, the structure of which is still unknown. A structural model of a Y1-antagonist complex was derived and used as starting point for computational characterization of the effects on binding of alanine substitutions at thirteen different receptor positions. Further, we used the model and computational scheme to predict the binding of a series of seven antagonist analogs. The results are in excellent agreement with available experimental data and provide validation of both the methodology and structural models of the complexes.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 26.
    Boukharta, Lars
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Keränen, Henrik
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Stary-Weinzinger, Anna
    Wallin, Göran
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    de Groot, Bert L.
    Åqvist, Johan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Computer Simulations of Structure-Activity Relationships for hERG Channel Blockers2011In: Biochemistry, ISSN 0006-2960, E-ISSN 1520-4995, Vol. 50, no 27, p. 6146-6156Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The hERG potassium channel is of major pharmaceutical importance, and its blockade by various compounds, potentially causing serious cardiac side effects, is a major problem in drug development. Despite the large amounts of existing biochemical data on blockade of hERG by drugs and druglike compounds, relatively little is known regarding the structural basis of binding of blockers to the channel. Here, we have used a recently developed homology model of hERG to conduct molecular docking experiments with a series of channel blockers, followed by molecular dynamics simulations of the complexes and evaluation of binding free energies with the linear interaction energy method. The calculations yield a remarkably good agreement with experimental binding affinities and allow for a rationalization of three-dimensional structure-activity relationships in terms of a number of key interactions. Two main interaction regions of the channel are thus identified with implications for further mutagenesis experiments and design of new compounds.

  • 27.
    Bysani, Madhu Sudhan Reddy
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Medical Genetics. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Wallerman, Ola
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Medical Genetics. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Genomics. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Bornelöv, Susanne
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Zatloukal, Kurt
    Komorowski, Jan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Wadelius, Claes
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Medical Genetics. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    ChIP-seq in steatohepatitis and normal liver tissue identifies candidate disease mechanisms related to progression to cancer2013In: BMC Medical Genomics, E-ISSN 1755-8794, Vol. 6, p. 50-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Steatohepatitis occurs in alcoholic liver disease and may progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Its molecular pathogenesis is to a large degree unknown. Histone modifications play a key role in transcriptional regulations as marks for silencing and activation of gene expression and as marks for functional elements. Many transcription factors (TFs) are crucial for the control of the genes involved in metabolism, and abnormality in their function may lead to disease. Methods: We performed ChIP-seq of the histone modifications H3K4me1, H3K4me3 and H3K27ac and a candidate transcription factor (USF1) in liver tissue from patients with steatohepatitis and normal livers and correlated results to mRNA-expression and genotypes. Results: We found several regions that are differentially enriched for histone modifications between disease and normal tissue, and qRT-PCR results indicated that the expression of the tested genes strongly correlated with differential enrichment of histone modifications but is independent of USF1 enrichment. By gene ontology analysis of differentially modified genes we found many disease associated genes, some of which had previously been implicated in the etiology of steatohepatitis. Importantly, the genes associated to the strongest histone peaks in the patient were over-represented in cancer specific pathways suggesting that the tissue was on a path to develop to cancer, a common complication to the disease. We also found several novel SNPs and GWAS catalogue SNPs that are candidates to be functional and therefore needs further study. Conclusion: In summary we find that analysis of chromatin features in tissue samples provides insight into disease mechanisms.

  • 28.
    Bysani, Madhusudhan Reddy
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Medical Genetics.
    Wallerman, Ola
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Medical Genetics.
    Bornelöv, Susanne
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Zatloukal, Kurt
    Komorowski, Jan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Wadelius, Claes
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Medical Genetics.
    ChIP-seq in steatohepatitis and normal liver tissue identifies candidate disease mechanisms related to progression to cancerManuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
  • 29.
    Cabrera, C.
    et al.
    Karolinska Inst, Sodersjukhuset, Dept Clin Sci & Educ, Stockholm, Sweden.;Karolinska Inst, Dept Clin Sci & Educ, Dept Cardiol, Sodersjukhuset, Sjukhusbacken 10, SE-11883 Stockholm, Sweden..
    Frisk, Christoffer
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Lofstrom, U.
    Karolinska Inst, Dept Med, Stockholm, Sweden..
    Lynga, P.
    Karolinska Inst, Sodersjukhuset, Dept Clin Sci & Educ, Stockholm, Sweden..
    Linde, C.
    Karolinska Inst, Dept Med, Stockholm, Sweden..
    Hage, C.
    Karolinska Inst, Dept Med, Stockholm, Sweden..
    Persson, H.
    Danderyd Hosp, Karolinska Inst, Div Cardiovasc Med, Dep Clin Sci, Stockholm, Sweden..
    Eriksson, M. J.
    Karolinska Inst, Dept Mol Med & Surg, Solna, Sweden..
    Wallen, H.
    Danderyd Hosp, Karolinska Inst, Div Cardiovasc Med, Dep Clin Sci, Stockholm, Sweden..
    Persson, Bengt
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics.
    Ekstrom, M.
    Danderyd Hosp, Karolinska Inst, Div Cardiovasc Med, Dep Clin Sci, Stockholm, Sweden..
    Relationship between iron deficiency and expression of genes involved in iron metabolism in human myocardium and skeletal muscle2023In: International Journal of Cardiology, ISSN 0167-5273, E-ISSN 1874-1754, Vol. 379, p. 82-88Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is associated with adverse prognosis in patients with heart failure. This study aims to investigate the relationship between ID and expression of genes involved in iron metabolism in human myocardium and skeletal muscle, focusing on Transferrin 1 receptor (TfR1), the main pathway of cellular iron uptake.

    Methods: Patients undergoing elective CABG were assessed prior to surgery with echocardiography and serum iron parameters. Core needle biopsies were collected from the left and right ventricle (LV, RV), the right atrium and intercostal skeletal muscle (SM). Gene expression analyses were done by mRNA sequencing.

    Results: Of 69 patients (median age 69 years, 91% men), 28% had ID. 26% had HFrEF, 25% had HFpEF phys-iology according to echocardiographic findings and NT-proBNP levels, and 49% had normal LV function. The expression of TfR1 was increased in patients with ID compared to patients without ID in ventricular tissue (p = 0.04) and in intercostal SM (p = 0.01). The increase in TfR1 expression in LV and RV was more pronounced when analysing patients with absolute ID (S-Ferritin<100 mu g/L). Analysing the correlation between various iron pa-rameters, S-Ferritin levels showed the strongest correlation with TfR1 expression. There was no correlation with NT-proBNP levels and no difference in TfR1 expression between different HF phenotypes.

    Conclusions: In patients undergoing elective CABG we found an association between ID and increased TfR1 expression in myocardium regardless of LV function, indicating physiologically upregulated TfR1 expression in the presence of ID to restore intracellular iron needs.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 30. Caleman, Carl
    et al.
    Hub, Jochen S.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    van Maaren, Paul J.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology.
    van der Spoel, David
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Atomistic simulation of ion solvation in water explains surface preference of halides2011In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, ISSN 0027-8424, E-ISSN 1091-6490, Vol. 108, no 17, p. 6838-6842Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Water is a demanding partner. It strongly attracts ions, yet some halide anions-chloride, bromide, and iodide-are expelled to the air/water interface. This has important implications for chemistry in the atmosphere, including the ozone cycle. We present a quantitative analysis of the energetics of ion solvation based on molecular simulations of all stable alkali and halide ions in water droplets. The potentials of mean force for Cl-, Br-, and I-have shallow minima near the surface. We demonstrate that these minima derive from more favorable water-water interaction energy when the ions are partially desolvated. Alkali cations are on the inside because of the favorable ion-water energy, whereas F-is driven inside by entropy. Models attempting to explain the surface preference based on one or more ion properties such as polarizability or size are shown to lead to qualitative and quantitative errors, prompting a paradigm shift in chemistry away from such simplifications.

  • 31. Caleman, Carl
    et al.
    Huldt, Gösta
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Molecular biophysics.
    Maia, Filipe R. N. C.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Molecular biophysics.
    Ortiz, Carlos
    Parak, Fritz G.
    Hajdu, Janos
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Molecular biophysics.
    van der Spoel, David
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Chapman, Henry N.
    Timneanu, Nicusor
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Molecular biophysics.
    On the Feasibility of Nanocrystal Imaging Using Intense and Ultrashort X-ray Pulses2011In: ACS Nano, ISSN 1936-0851, Vol. 5, no 1, p. 139-146Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Structural studies of biological macromolecules are severely limited by radiation damage. Traditional crystallography curbs the effects of damage by spreading damage over many copies of the molecule of interest in the crystal. X-ray lasers offer an additional opportunity for limiting damage by out-running damage processes with ultrashort and very intense X-ray pulses Such pulses may allow the imaging of single molecules, clusters; Or nanoparticles: Coherent flash Imaging Will also open up new avenues for structural studies on nano- and microcrystalline substances. This paper addresses the theoretical potentials and limitations of nanocrystallography with extremely intense coherent X-ray pulses. We use urea nanocrystals as a model for generic biological substances and simulate the primary and secondary ionization dynamics in the crystalline sample. The results establish conditions for ultrafast single shot nanocrystallography diffraction experiments as a function of X-ray fluence, pulse duration, and the size of nanocrystals. Nanocrystallography using ultrafast X-ray pulses has the potential to open up a new route in protein crystallography to solve atomic structures of many systems that remain Inaccessible using conventional X-ray sources.

  • 32. Caleman, Carl
    et al.
    van Maaren, Paul J.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology.
    Hong, Minyan
    Hub, Jochen S.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology.
    Costa, Luciano T.
    van der Spoer, David
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Force Field Benchmark of Organic Liquids: Density, Enthalpy of Vaporization, Heat Capacities, Surface Tension, Isothermal Compressibility, Volumetric Expansion Coefficient, and Dielectric Constant2012In: Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation, ISSN 1549-9618, E-ISSN 1549-9626, Vol. 8, no 1, p. 61-74Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The chemical composition of small organic molecules is often very similar to amino acid side chains or the bases in nucleic acids, and hence there is no a priori reason why a molecular mechanics force field could not describe both organic liquids and biomolecules with a single parameter set. Here, we devise a benchmark for force fields in order to test the ability of existing force fields to reproduce some key properties of organic liquids, namely, the density, enthalpy of vaporization, the surface tension, the heat capacity at constant volume and pressure, the isothermal compressibility, the volumetric expansion coefficient, and the static dielectric constant. Well over 1200 experimental measurements were used for comparison to the simulations of 146 organic liquids. Novel polynomial interpolations of the dielectric constant (32 molecules), heat capacity at constant pressure (three molecules), and the isothermal compressibility (53 molecules) as a function of the temperature have been made, based on experimental data, in order to be able to compare simulation results to them. To compute the heat capacities, we applied the two phase thermodynamics method (Lin et al. J. Chem. Phys. 2003, 119, 11792), which allows one to compute thermodynamic properties on the basis of the density of states as derived from the velocity autocorrelation function. The method is implemented in a new utility within the GROMACS molecular simulation package, named g_dos, and a detailed expose of the underlying equations is presented. The purpose of this work is to establish the state of the art of two popular force fields, OPLS/AA (all-atom optimized potential for liquid simulation) and GAFF (generalized Amber force field), to find common bottlenecks, i.e., particularly difficult molecules, and to serve as a reference point for future force field development. To make for a fair playing field, all molecules were evaluated with the same parameter settings, such as thermostats and barostats, treatment of electrostatic interactions, and system size (1000 molecules). The densities and enthalpy of vaporization from an independent data set based on simulations using the CHARMM General Force Field (CGenFF) presented by Vanommeslaeghe et al. (J. Comput. Chem. 2010, 31, 671) are included for comparison. We find that, overall, the OPLS/AA force field performs somewhat better than GAFF, but there are significant issues with reproduction of the surface tension and dielectric constants for both force fields.

  • 33. Carbajales, Carlos
    et al.
    Prado, Miguel Angel
    Gutierrez-de-Teran, Hugo
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Cores, Angel
    Azuaje, Jhonny
    Novio, Silvia
    Jesus Nunez, Maria
    Fernandez-Garcia, Belen
    Sotelo, Eddy
    Garcia-Mera, Xerardo
    Sanchez-Lazo, Pedro
    Freire-Garabal, Manuel
    Coelho, Alberto
    Structure-Based Design of New KSP-Eg5 Inhibitors Assisted by a Targeted Multicomponent Reaction2014In: ChemBioChem (Print), ISSN 1439-4227, E-ISSN 1439-7633, Vol. 15, no 10, p. 1471-1480Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    An integrated multidisciplinary approach that combined structure-based drug design, multicomponent reaction synthetic approaches and functional characterization in enzymatic and cell assays led to the discovery of new kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitors with antiproliferative activity. A focused library of new benzimidazoles obtained by a Ugi + Boc removal/cyclization reaction sequence generated low-micromolar-range KSP inhibitors as promising anticancer prototypes. The design and functional studies of the new chemotypes were assessed by computational modeling and molecular biology techniques. The most active compounds-20 (IC50=1.49 mu m, EC50=3.63 mu m) and 22 (IC50=1.37 mu m, EC50=6.90 mu m)-were synthesized with high efficiency by taking advantage of the multicomponent reactions.

  • 34.
    Carvalho, Alexandra T P
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Barrozo, Alexandre
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Doron, Dvir
    Kilshtain, Alexandra Vardi
    Major, Dan Thomas
    Kamerlin, Lynn Shina Caroline
    Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Challenges in computational studies of enzyme structure, function and dynamics2014In: Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling, ISSN 1093-3263, E-ISSN 1873-4243, Vol. 54, p. 62-79Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In this review we give an overview of the field of Computational enzymology. We start by describing the birth of the field, with emphasis on the work of the 2013 chemistry Nobel Laureates. We then present key features of the state-of-the-art in the field, showing what theory, accompanied by experiments, has taught us so far about enzymes. We also briefly describe computational methods, such as quantum mechanics-molecular mechanics approaches, reaction coordinate treatment, and free energy simulation approaches. We finalize by discussing open questions and challenges.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 35.
    Carvalho, Alexandra T. P.
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Szeler, Klaudia
    Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology.
    Vavitsas, Konstantinos
    Univ Copenhagen, Dept Plant & Environm Sci, CPSC, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark..
    Åqvist, Johan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Kamerlin, Lynn Shina C.
    Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Structure and Molecular Biology.
    Modeling the mechanisms of biological GTP hydrolysis2015In: Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, ISSN 0003-9861, E-ISSN 1096-0384, Vol. 582, no SI, p. 80-90Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Enzymes that hydrolyze GTP are currently in the spotlight, due to their molecular switch mechanism that controls many cellular processes. One of the best-known classes of these enzymes are small GTPases such as members of the Ras superfamily, which catalyze the hydrolysis of the gamma-phosphate bond in GTP. In addition, the availability of an increasing number of crystal structures of translational GTPases such as EF-Tu and EF-G have made it possible to probe the molecular details of GTP hydrolysis on the ribosome. However, despite a wealth of biochemical, structural and computational data, the way in which GTP hydrolysis is activated and regulated is still a controversial topic and well-designed simulations can play an important role in resolving and rationalizing the experimental data. In this review, we discuss the contributions of computational biology to our understanding of GTP hydrolysis on the ribosome and in small GTPases.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 36. Caulfield, Thomas R.
    et al.
    Fiesel, Fabienne C.
    Moussaud-Lamodiere, Elisabeth L.
    Dourado, Daniel F. A. R.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Flores, Samuel C.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Springer, Wolfdieter
    Phosphorylation by PINK1 Releases the UBL Domain and Initializes the Conformational Opening of the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Parkin2014In: PloS Computational Biology, ISSN 1553-734X, E-ISSN 1553-7358, Vol. 10, no 11, p. e1003935-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Loss-of-function mutations in PINK1 or PARKIN are the most common causes of autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease. Both gene products, the Ser/Thr kinase PINK1 and the E3 Ubiquitin ligase Parkin, functionally cooperate in a mitochondrial quality control pathway. Upon stress, PINK1 activates Parkin and enables its translocation to and ubiquitination of damaged mitochondria to facilitate their clearance from the cell. Though PINK1-dependent phosphorylation of Ser65 is an important initial step, the molecular mechanisms underlying the activation of Parkin's enzymatic functions remain unclear. Using molecular modeling, we generated a complete structural model of human Parkin at all atom resolution. At steady state, the Ub ligase is maintained inactive in a closed, auto-inhibited conformation that results from intra-molecular interactions. Evidently, Parkin has to undergo major structural rearrangements in order to unleash its catalytic activity. As a spark, we have modeled PINK1-dependent Ser65 phosphorylation in silico and provide the first molecular dynamics simulation of Parkin conformations along a sequential unfolding pathway that could release its intertwined domains and enable its catalytic activity. We combined free (unbiased) molecular dynamics simulation, Monte Carlo algorithms, and minimalbiasing methods with cell-based high content imaging and biochemical assays. Phosphorylation of Ser65 results in widening of a newly defined cleft and dissociation of the regulatory N-terminal UBL domain. This motion propagates through further opening conformations that allow binding of an Ub-loaded E2 co-enzyme. Subsequent spatial reorientation of the catalytic centers of both enzymes might facilitate the transfer of the Ub moiety to charge Parkin. Our structure-function study provides the basis to elucidate regulatory mechanisms and activity of the neuroprotective Parkin. This may open up new avenues for the development of small molecule Parkin activators through targeted drug design.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 37. Crespo, Abel
    et al.
    El Maatougui, Abdelaziz
    Biagini, Pierfrancesco
    Azuaje, Jhonny
    Coelho, Alberto
    Brea, Jose
    Isabel Loza, Maria
    Isabel Cadavid, Maria
    Garcia-Mera, Xerardo
    Gutierrez-de-Teran, Hugo
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Sotelo, Eddy
    Discovery of 3,4-Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones As a Novel Class of Potent and Selective A(2B) Adenosine Receptor Antagonists2013In: ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, ISSN 1948-5875, E-ISSN 1948-5875, Vol. 4, no 11, p. 1031-1036Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    We describe the discovery and optimization of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones as a novel family of (nonzanthine) A(2B) receptor antagonists that exhibit an unusually high selectivity profile. The Biginelli-based hit optimization process enabled a thoughtful exploration of the structure-activity and structure-selectivity relationships for this chemotype, enabling the identification of ligands that combine structural simplicity with excellent hA(2B) AdoR affinity and remarkable selectivity profiles.

  • 38.
    Crooks, Lucy
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Nettelblad, Carl
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Mathematics and Computer Science, Department of Information Technology, Division of Scientific Computing. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Mathematics and Computer Science, Department of Information Technology, Computational Science.
    Carlborg, Örjan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    An improved method for estimating chromosomal line origin in QTL analysis of crosses between outbred lines2011In: G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics, E-ISSN 2160-1836, Vol. 1, p. 57-64Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 39. Cruz, Jose Almeida
    et al.
    Blanchet, Marc-Frederick
    Boniecki, Michal
    Bujnicki, Janusz M.
    Chen, Shi-Jie
    Cao, Song
    Das, Rhiju
    Ding, Feng
    Dokholyan, Nikolay V.
    Coulbourn Flores, Samuel
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Huang, Lili
    Lavender, Christopher A.
    Lisi, Veronique
    Major, Francois
    Mikolajczak, Katarzyna
    Patel, Dinshaw J.
    Philips, Anna
    Puton, Tomasz
    Santalucia, John
    Sijenyi, Fredrick
    Hermann, Thomas
    Rother, Kristian
    Rother, Magdalena
    Serganov, Alexander
    Skorupski, Marcin
    Soltysinski, Tomasz
    Sripakdeevong, Parin
    Tuszynska, Irina
    Weeks, Kevin M.
    Waldsich, Christina
    Wildauer, Michael
    Leontis, Neocles B.
    Westhof, Eric
    RNA-Puzzles: A CASP-like evaluation of RNA three-dimensional structure prediction2012In: RNA: A publication of the RNA Society, ISSN 1355-8382, E-ISSN 1469-9001, Vol. 18, no 4, p. 610-625Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    We report the results of a first, collective, blind experiment in RNA three-dimensional (3D) structure prediction, encompassing three prediction puzzles. The goals are to assess the leading edge of RNA structure prediction techniques; compare existing methods and tools; and evaluate their relative strengths, weaknesses, and limitations in terms of sequence length and structural complexity. The results should give potential users insight into the suitability of available methods for different applications and facilitate efforts in the RNA structure prediction community in ongoing efforts to improve prediction tools. We also report the creation of an automated evaluation pipeline to facilitate the analysis of future RNA structure prediction exercises.

  • 40.
    Dabrowski, M. J.
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Bornelöv, Susanne
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Kruczyk, M.
    Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Baltzer, N.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Komorowski, Jan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    'True' null allele detection in microsatellite loci: a comparison of methods, assessment of difficulties and survey of possible improvements2015In: Molecular Ecology Resources, ISSN 1755-098X, E-ISSN 1755-0998, Vol. 15, no 3, p. 477-488Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Null alleles are alleles that for various reasons fail to amplify in a PCR assay. The presence of null alleles in microsatellite data is known to bias the genetic parameter estimates. Thus, efficient detection of null alleles is crucial, but the methods available for indirect null allele detection return inconsistent results. Here, our aim was to compare different methods for null allele detection, to explain their respective performance and to provide improvements. We applied several approaches to identify the true' null alleles based on the predictions made by five different methods, used either individually or in combination. First, we introduced simulated true' null alleles into 240 population data sets and applied the methods to measure their success in detecting the simulated null alleles. The single best-performing method was ML-NullFreq_frequency. Furthermore, we applied different noise reduction approaches to improve the results. For instance, by combining the results of several methods, we obtained more reliable results than using a single one. Rule-based classification was applied to identify population properties linked to the false discovery rate. Rules obtained from the classifier described which population genetic estimates and loci characteristics were linked to the success of each method. We have shown that by simulating true' null alleles into a population data set, we may define a null allele frequency threshold, related to a desired true or false discovery rate. Moreover, using such simulated data sets, the expected null allele homozygote frequency may be estimated independently of the equilibrium state of the population.

  • 41.
    Dabrowski, Michal
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Pilot, M.
    Kruczyk, M.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology.
    Zmihorski, M.
    Umer, Husen Muhammad
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Gliwicz, J.
    Reliability assessment of null allele detection: inconsistencies between and within different methods2014In: Molecular Ecology Resources, ISSN 1755-098X, E-ISSN 1755-0998, Vol. 14, no 2, p. 361-373Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Microsatellite loci are widely used in population genetic studies, but the presence of null alleles may lead to biased results. Here, we assessed five methods that indirectly detect null alleles and found large inconsistencies among them. Our analysis was based on 20 microsatellite loci genotyped in a natural population of Microtus oeconomus sampled during 8years, together with 1200 simulated populations without null alleles, but experiencing bottlenecks of varying duration and intensity, and 120 simulated populations with known null alleles. In the natural population, 29% of positive results were consistent between the methods in pairwise comparisons, and in the simulated data set, this proportion was 14%. The positive results were also inconsistent between different years in the natural population. In the null-allele-free simulated data set, the number of false positives increased with increased bottleneck intensity and duration. We also found a low concordance in null allele detection between the original simulated populations and their 20% random subsets. In the populations simulated to include null alleles, between 22% and 42% of true null alleles remained undetected, which highlighted that detection errors are not restricted to false positives. None of the evaluated methods clearly outperformed the others when both false-positive and false-negative rates were considered. Accepting only the positive results consistent between at least two methods should considerably reduce the false-positive rate, but this approach may increase the false-negative rate. Our study demonstrates the need for novel null allele detection methods that could be reliably applied to natural populations.

  • 42. Delhomme, N.
    et al.
    Sundström, Görel
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Zamani, Neda
    Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology.
    Lantz, Henrik
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Lin, Y. C.
    Hvidsten, T. R.
    Höppner, Marc P.
    Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Jern, Patric
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Van de Peer, Y.
    Lundeberg, J.
    Grabherr, Manfred G.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology. Uppsala University, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab.
    Street, N. R.
    Serendipitous Meta-Transcriptomics: The Fungal Community of Norway Spruce (Picea abies)2015In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 10, no 9, article id e0139080Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    After performing de novo transcript assembly of >1 billion RNA-Sequencing reads obtained from 22 samples of different Norway spruce (Picea abies) tissues that were not surface sterilized, we found that assembled sequences captured a mix of plant, lichen, and fungal transcripts. The latter were likely expressed by endophytic and epiphytic symbionts, indicating that these organisms were present, alive, and metabolically active. Here, we show that these serendipitously sequenced transcripts need not be considered merely as contamination, as is common, but that they provide insight into the plant's phyllosphere. Notably, we could classify these transcripts as originating predominantly from Dothideomycetes and Leotiomycetes species, with functional annotation of gene families indicating active growth and metabolism, with particular regards to glucose intake and processing, as well as gene regulation.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 43. Diaz, Lucia
    et al.
    Bujons, Jordi
    Delgado, Antonio
    Gutierrez-de-Teran, Hugo
    Åqvist, Johan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Computational Prediction of Structure-Activity Relationships for the Binding of Aminocyclitols to beta-Glucocerebrosidase2011In: Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling, ISSN 1549-9596, Vol. 51, no 3, p. 601-611Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Glucocerebrosidase (GCase, acid beta-Glucosidase) hydrolyzes the sphingolipid glucosylceramide into glucose and ceramide. Mutations in this enzyme lead to a lipid metabolism disorder known as Gaucher disease. The design of competitive inhibitors of GCase is a promising field of research for the design of pharmacological chaperones as new therapeutic agents. Using a series of recently reported molecules with experimental binding affinities for GCase in the nanomolar to micromolar range, we here report an extensive theoretical analysis of their binding mode. On the basis of molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and binding free energy calculations using the linear interaction energy method (LIE), we provide details on the molecular interactions supporting ligand binding in the different families of compounds. The applicability of other computational approaches, such as the COMBINE methodology, is also investigated. The results show the robustness of the standard parametrization of the LIE method, which reproduces the experimental affinities with a mean unsigned error of 0.7 kcal/mol. Several structure activity relationships are established using the computational models here provided, including the identification of hot spot residues in the binding site. The models derived are envisaged as important tools in ligand-design programs for GCase inhibitors.

  • 44.
    Diwakarla, Shanti
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences.
    Nylander, Erik
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences.
    Grönbladh, Alfhild
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences.
    Reddy Vanga, Sudarsana
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Shamsudin Khan, Yasmin
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Gutierrez-de-Teran, Hugo
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Ng, Leelee
    Pham, Vi
    Sävmarker, Jonas
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
    Lundback, Thomas
    Jenmalm-Jensen, Annika
    Andersson, Hanna
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Chemistry, Department of Chemistry - BMC, Organic Chemistry.
    Engen, Karin
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
    Rosenström, Ulrika
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
    Larhed, Mats
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry.
    Åqvist, Johan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology.
    Yeen Chai, Siew
    Hallberg, Mathias
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences.
    Binding to and Inhibition of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase (IRAP) by Macrocyclic Disulfides Enhances Spine Density2016In: Molecular Pharmacology, ISSN 0026-895X, E-ISSN 1521-0111, Vol. 89, no 4, p. 413-424Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Angiotensin IV (Ang IV) and related peptide analogues, as well as non-peptide inhibitors of insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP), have previously been shown to enhance memory and cognition in animal models. Furthermore, the endogenous IRAP substrates oxytocin and vasopressin are known to facilitate learning and memory. In this study, the two recently synthesized 13-membered macrocylic competitive IRAP inhibitors HA08 and HA09, which were designed to mimic the N-terminal of oxytocin and vasopressin, were assessed and compared based on their ability to bind to the IRAP active site, and alter dendritic spine density in rat hippocampal primary cultures. The binding modes of the IRAP inhibitors HA08, HA09 and of Ang IV in either the extended or γ-turn conformation at the C-terminal to human IRAP were predicted by docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The binding free energies calculated with the linear interaction energy (LIE) method, which are in excellent agreement with experimental data and simulations, have been used to explain the differences in activities of the IRAP inhibitors, both of which are structurally very similar, but differ only with regard to one stereogenic center. In addition, we show that HA08, which is 100-fold more potent than the epimer HA09, can enhance dendritic spine number and alter morphology, a process associated with memory facilitation. Therefore, HA08, one of the most potent IRAP inhibitors known today, may serve as a suitable starting point for medicinal chemistry programs aided by MD simulations aimed at discovering more drug-like cognitive enhancers acting via augmenting synaptic plasticity.

  • 45.
    Dourado, Daniel F. A. R.
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Fernandes, Pedro Alexandrino
    Ramos, Maria Joao
    Mannervik, Bengt
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Chemistry, Department of Chemistry - BMC, Biochemistry.
    Mechanism of Glutathione Transferase P1-1-Catalyzed Activation of the Prodrug Canfosfamide (TLK286, TELCYTA)2013In: Biochemistry, ISSN 0006-2960, E-ISSN 1520-4995, Vol. 52, no 45, p. 8069-8078Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Canfosfamide (TLK286, TELCYTA) is a prodrug that upon activation by glutathione transferase P1-1 (GST P1-1) yields an anticancer alkylating agent and a glutathione derivative. The rationale underlying the use of TLK286 in chemotherapy is that tumor cells overexpressing GST P1-1 will be locally exposed to the released alkylating agent with limited collateral toxicity to the surrounding normal tissues. TLK286 has demonstrated clinical effects in phase II and III clinical trials for the treatment of malignancies, such as ovarian cancer, nonsmall cell lung cancer, and breast cancer, as a single agent and in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents. In spite of these promising results, the detailed mechanism of GST P1-1 activation of the prodrug has not been elucidated. Here, we propose a mechanism for the TLK286 activation by GST P1-1 on the basis of density functional theory (DFT) and on potential of mean force (PMF) calculations. A catalytic water molecule is instrumental to the activation by forming a network of intermolecular interactions between the active-site Tyr7 hydroxyl and the sulfone and COO- groups of TLK286. The results obtained are consistent with the available experimental kinetic data and provide an atomistic understanding of the TLK286 activation mechanism.

  • 46.
    Dourado, Daniel F. A. R.
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Flores, Samuel Coulbourn
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    A multiscale approach to predicting affinity changes in protein-protein interfaces2014In: Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics, ISSN 0887-3585, E-ISSN 1097-0134, Vol. 82, no 10, p. 2681-2690Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Substitution mutations in protein-protein interfaces can have a substantial effect on binding, which has consequences in basic and applied biomedical research. Experimental expression, purification, and affinity determination of protein complexes is an expensive and time-consuming means of evaluating the effect of mutations, making a fast and accurate in silico method highly desirable. When the structure of the wild-type complex is known, it is possible to economically evaluate the effect of point mutations with knowledge based potentials, which do not model backbone flexibility, but these have been validated only for single mutants. Substitution mutations tend to induce local conformational rearrangements only. Accordingly, ZEMu (Zone Equilibration of Mutants) flexibilizes only a small region around the site of mutation, then computes its dynamics under a physics-based force field. We validate with 1254 experimental mutants (with 1-15 simultaneous substitutions) in a wide variety of different protein environments (65 protein complexes), and obtain a significant improvement in the accuracy of predicted Delta Delta G.

  • 47.
    Duarte, Fernanda
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Amrein, Beat Anton
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Structure and Molecular Biology.
    Kamerlin, Lynn
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Modeling catalytic promiscuity in the alkaline phosphatase superfamily2013In: Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP, ISSN 1463-9076, E-ISSN 1463-9084, Vol. 15, no 27, p. 11160-11177Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that promiscuity plays a key role in the evolution of new enzyme function. This finding has helped to elucidate fundamental aspects of molecular evolution. While there has been extensive experimental work on enzyme promiscuity, computational modeling of the chemical details of such promiscuity has traditionally fallen behind the advances in experimental studies, not least due to the nearly prohibitive computational cost involved in examining multiple substrates with multiple potential mechanisms and binding modes in atomic detail with a reasonable degree of accuracy. However, recent advances in both computational methodologies and power have allowed us to reach a stage in the field where we can start to overcome this problem, and molecular simulations can now provide accurate and efficient descriptions of complex biological systems with substantially less computational cost. This has led to significant advances in our understanding of enzyme function and evolution in a broader sense. Here, we will discuss currently available computational approaches that can allow us to probe the underlying molecular basis for enzyme specificity and selectivity, discussing the inherent strengths and weaknesses of each approach. As a case study, we will discuss recent computational work on different members of the alkaline phosphatase superfamily (AP) using a range of different approaches, showing the complementary insights they have provided. We have selected this particular superfamily, as it poses a number of significant challenges for theory, ranging from the complexity of the actual reaction mechanisms involved to the reliable modeling of the catalytic metal centers, as well as the very large system sizes. We will demonstrate that, through current advances in methodologies, computational tools can provide significant insight into the molecular basis for catalytic promiscuity, and, therefore, in turn, the mechanisms of protein functional evolution.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 48.
    Duarte, Fernanda
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Bauer, Paul
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Barrozo, Alexandre
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Amrein, Beat Anton
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Purg, Miha
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Åqvist, Johan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Kamerlin, Shina Caroline Lynn
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Force Field Independent Metal Parameters Using a Nonbonded Dummy Model2014In: Journal of Physical Chemistry B, ISSN 1520-6106, E-ISSN 1520-5207, Vol. 118, no 16, p. 4351-4362Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The cationic dummy atom approach provides a powerful nonbonded description for a range of alkaline-earth and transition-metal centers, capturing both structural and electrostatic effects. In this work we refine existing literature parameters for octahedrally coordinated Mn2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+, as well as providing new parameters for Ni2+, Co2+, and Fe2+. In all the cases, we are able to reproduce both M2+-O distances and experimental solvation free energies, which has not been achieved to date for transition metals using any other model. The parameters have also been tested using two different water models and show consistent performance. Therefore, our parameters are easily transferable to any force field that describes nonbonded interactions using Coulomb and Lennard-Jones potentials. Finally, we demonstrate the stability of our parameters in both the human and Escherichia coli variants of the enzyme glyoxalase 1 as showcase systems, as both enzymes are active with a range of transition metals. The parameters presented in this work provide a valuable resource for the molecular simulation community, as they extend the range of metal ions that can be studied using classical approaches, while also providing a starting point for subsequent parametrization of new metal centers.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 49.
    Duarte, Fernanda
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Geng, Ting
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology.
    Marloie, Gaël
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology.
    Al Hussain, Adel O.
    Williams, Nicholas H.
    Kamerlin, Shina Caroline Lynn
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    The Alkaline Hydrolysis of Sulfonate Esters: Challenges in Interpreting Experimental and Theoretical Data2014In: Journal of Organic Chemistry, ISSN 0022-3263, E-ISSN 1520-6904, Vol. 79, no 7, p. 2816-2828Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Sulfonate ester hydrolysis has been the subject of recent debate, with experimental evidence interpreted in terms of both stepwise and concerted mechanisms. In particular, a recent study of the alkaline hydrolysis of a series of benzene arylsulfonates (Babtie et al., Org. Biomol. Chem. 10, 2012, 8095) presented a nonlinear Bronsted plot, which was explained in terms of a change from a stepwise mechanism involving a pentavalent intermediate for poorer leaving groups to a fully concerted mechanism for good leaving groups and supported by a theoretical study. In the present work, we have performed a detailed computational study of the hydrolysis of these compounds and find no computational evidence for a thermodynamically stable intermediate for any of these compounds. Additionally, we have extended the experimental data to include pyridine-3-yl benzene sulfonate and its N-oxide and N-methylpyridinium derivatives. Inclusion of these compounds converts the Bronsted plot to a moderately scattered but linear correlation and gives a very good Hammett correlation. These data suggest a concerted pathway for this reaction that proceeds via an early transition state with little bond cleavage to the leaving group, highlighting the care that needs to be taken with the interpretation of experimental and especially theoretical data.

  • 50.
    Duarte, Fernanda
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Gronert, Scott
    Kamerlin, Shina Caroline Lynn
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Computational and Systems Biology.
    Concerted or Stepwise: How Much Do Free-Energy Landscapes Tell Us about the Mechanisms of Elimination Reactions?2014In: Journal of Organic Chemistry, ISSN 0022-3263, E-ISSN 1520-6904, Vol. 79, no 3, p. 1280-1288Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The base-catalyzed dehydration of benzene cis-1,2-dihydrodiols is driven by formation of an aromatic product as well as intermediates potentially stabilized by hyperaromaticity. Experiments exhibit surprising shifts in isotope effects, indicating an unusual mechanistic balance on the E2-E1cB continuum. In this study, both land 2-dimensional free energy surfaces are generated for these compounds with various substituents, using density functional theory and a mixed implicit/explicit solvation model. The computational data help unravel hidden intermediates along the reaction coordinate and provide a novel conceptual framework for distinguishing between competing pathways in this and any other system with borderline reaction mechanisms.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
12345 1 - 50 of 237
CiteExportLink to result list
Permanent link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf