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image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Journal of Molecular...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling
Article . 2011 . Peer-reviewed
License: Elsevier TDM
Data sources: Crossref
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QM and QM/MD simulations of the Vinca alkaloids docked to tubulin

Authors: Evan B, Kelly; Jack A, Tuszynski; M, Klobukowski;

QM and QM/MD simulations of the Vinca alkaloids docked to tubulin

Abstract

The Vinca alkaloids are a class of pharmaceutically relevant binary indole-indoline alkaloids based on and including natural extracts of the periwinkle plant, Catharanthus rosea. Two natural products, vinblastine and vincristine, have been in clinical use as important chemotherapy agents for over four decades. Two semi-synthetic Vinca alkaloids, vindesine and vinorelbine, are currently in investigational chemotherapy programs, and a third semi-synthetic, vinflunine, is in advanced clinical trials. In addition to these five compounds studied in the present work, there are hundreds of other natural and semi-synthetic Vinca alkaloids known, although most are not clinically advantageous. The Vinca alkaloids are anti-mitotic agents that affect the cellular protein tubulin and bind to a specific site known as the Vinca domain located on β-tubulin. While the Vinca domain is well established, the specific binding mode of each drug is not. However, there is much insight into the binding mode and this has provided a strong base of information to begin simulations and to make comparisons against. Complicating the issue, however, is the large size of the Vinca alkaloids and their complex molecular structure, including a rotatable single bond joining the indole and indoline portions of each compound. The differential geometric and tubulin-binding properties of the drugs are not fully known. In the present work, the projection of the potential energy surface on the major torsional angle was calculated at the semi-empirical AM1 level, through in vacuo geometry optimizations. QM/MD simulations were performed, with the drugs at the AM1 level, of each Vinca alkaloid free in TIP3P water, and also bound to β-tubulin. A single equilibrium structure, resembling a known crystallographic vinblastine structure, for the free drugs was found. Further, the 1Z2B crystal structure of vinblastine bound to tubulin appears to be a valid starting point for simulations of all five Vinca alkaloids studied here.

Keywords

Amino Acid Motifs, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, Protein Structure, Tertiary, Tubulin, Animals, Thermodynamics, Cattle, Amino Acids, Vinca Alkaloids, Protein Binding

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
4
Average
Average
Average
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