Papers by Jitendra Maharana
Computational studies on receptor–ligand interactions between novel buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) variants and muramyl dipeptide (MDP)
Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling, 2016
Nucleotide binding and oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2), a member of intracellular NOD-like recept... more Nucleotide binding and oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2), a member of intracellular NOD-like receptors (NLRs) family, recognizes the bacterial peptidoglycan, muramyl dipeptide (MDP) and initiates host immune response. The precise ligand recognition mechanism of NOD2 has remained elusive, although studies have suggested leucine rich repeat (LRR) region of NOD2 as the possible binding site of MDP. In this study, we identified multiple transcripts of NOD2 gene in buffalo (buNOD2) and at least five LRR variants (buNOD2-LRRW (wild type), buNOD2-LRRV1-V4) were found to be expressed in buffalo peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The newly identified buNOD2 transcripts were shorter in lengths as a result of exon-skipping and frame-shift mutations. Among the variants, buNOD2-LRRW, V1, and V3 were expressed more frequently in the animals studied. A comparative receptor-ligand interaction study through modeling of variants, docking, and molecular dynamics simulation revealed that the binding affinity of buNOD2-LRRW towards MDP was greater than that of the shorter variants. The absence of a LRR segment in the buNOD2 variants had probably affected their affinity toward MDP. Notwithstanding a high homology among the variants, the amino acid residues that interact with MDP were located on different LRR motifs. The binding free energy calculation revealed that the amino acids Arg850(LRR4) and Glu932(LRR7) of buNOD2-LRRW, Lys810(LRR3) of buNOD2-LRRV1, and Lys830(LRR3) of buNOD2-LRRV3 largely contributed towards MDP recognition. The knowledge of MDP recognition and binding modes on buNOD2 variants could be useful to understand the regulation of NOD-mediated immune response as well as to develop next generation anti-inflammatory compounds.
Structural and functional insights into CARDs of zebrafish (Danio rerio) NOD1 and NOD2, and their interaction with adaptor protein RIP2
Mol. BioSyst., 2015
Nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1) and NOD2 are cytosolic ... more Nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1) and NOD2 are cytosolic pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) composed of an N-terminal caspase activation and recruitment domain (CARD), a central NACHT domain and C-terminal leucine-rich repeats (LRRs). They play a vital role in innate immune signaling by activating the NF-κB pathway via recognition of peptidoglycans by LRRs, and ATP-dependent self-oligomerization of NACHT followed by downstream signaling. After oligomerization, CARD/s play a crucial role in activating downstream signaling via the adaptor molecule, RIP2. Due to the inadequacy of experimental 3D structures of CARD/s of NOD2 and RIP2, and results from differential experimental setups, the RIP2-mediated CARD-CARD interaction has remained as a contradictory statement. We employed a combinatorial approach involving protein modeling, docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and binding free energy calculation to illuminate the molecular mechanism that shows the possible involvement of either the acidic or basic patch of zebrafish NOD1/2-CARD/a and RIP2-CARD in CARD-CARD interaction. Herein, we have hypothesized 'type-I' mode of CARD-CARD interaction in NOD1 and NOD2, where NOD1/2-CARD/a involve their acidic surfaces to interact with RIP2. Asp37 and Glu51 (of NOD1) and Arg477, Arg521 and Arg529 (of RIP2) were identified to be crucial for NOD1-RIP2 interaction. However, in NOD2-RIP2, Asp32 (of NOD2) and Arg477 and Arg521 (of RIP2) were anticipated to be significant for downstream signaling. Furthermore, we found that strong electrostatic contacts and salt bridges are crucial for protein-protein interactions. Altogether, our study has provided novel insights into the RIP2-mediated CARD-CARD interaction in zebrafish NOD1 and NOD2, which will be helpful to understand the molecular basis of the NOD1/2 signaling mechanism.
PLOS ONE, 2015
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1) and NOD2 are cytosolic patt... more Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1) and NOD2 are cytosolic pattern recognition receptors playing pivotal roles in innate immune signaling. NOD1 and NOD2 recognize bacterial peptidoglycan derivatives iE-DAP and MDP, respectively and undergoes conformational alternation and ATP-dependent self-oligomerization of NACHT domain followed by downstream signaling. Lack of structural adequacy of NACHT domain confines our understanding about the NOD-mediated signaling mechanism. Here, we predicted the structure of NACHT domain of both NOD1 and NOD2 from model organism zebrafish (Danio rerio) using computational methods. Our study highlighted the differential ATP binding modes in NOD1 and NOD2. In NOD1, γ-phosphate of ATP faced toward the central nucleotide binding cavity like NLRC4, whereas in NOD2 the cavity was occupied by adenine moiety. The conserved 'Lysine' at Walker A formed hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) and Aspartic acid (Walker B) formed electrostatic interaction with ATP. At Sensor 1, Arg328 of NOD1 exhibited an H-bond with ATP, whereas corresponding Arg404 of NOD2 did not. 'Proline' of GxP motif (Pro386 of NOD1 and Pro464 of NOD2) interacted with adenine moiety and His511 at Sensor 2 of NOD1 interacted with γ-phosphate group of ATP. In contrast, His579 of NOD2 interacted with the adenine moiety having a relatively inverted orientation. Our findings are well supplemented with the molecular interaction of ATP with NLRC4, and consistent with mutagenesis data reported for human, which indicates evolutionary shared NOD signaling mechanism. Together, this study provides novel insights into ATP binding PLOS ONE | Innate immune system of higher organisms that restricts the proliferation of invading foreign pathogens usually senses pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) employing different pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). These molecular patterns are associated with pathogens or danger signals and conquer their space in the extracellular and cytoplasmic regions. The NOD-like receptors (NLRs), absent in melanoma (AIM)-2-like receptors (ALRs) and retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) like receptors (RLRs) together constitute the intracellular PRRs. Whereas, extracellular PRRs comprises of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), which are widely distributed in the cell membrane and some TLRs (TLR3, 7, 8 and 9) are found in lysosomes and endosomes . The NLR family members show a tripartite domain architecture with a C-terminal ligand binding domain (LBD) having variable numbers of leucine rich repeats (LRRs); a centrally positioned NACHT domain (found in NAIP, CIITA, HET-E and TP1), which oligomerizes in a nucleotide dependent fashion; and an N-terminally located effector binding domain (EBD) that accelerates the interaction with downstream effectors to initiate signaling cascade .
Understanding the distinguishable structural and functional features in zebrafish TLR3 and TLR22, and their binding modes with fish dsRNA viruses: an exploratory structural model analysis
Amino Acids, 2014
Viral infections are one of the major challenges in aquaculture production, and considered as the... more Viral infections are one of the major challenges in aquaculture production, and considered as the potential threat for fish farming. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 and TLR22 are highly specialized innate immune receptors that recognize double-stranded (ds)-RNA of viruses resulting in the induction of innate immunity. The existence of TLR3 and TLR22 only in aquatic animals indicates their distinctive characteristics in viral infection; however, the studies in exploring their structural features and dsRNA binding mechanism are still elusive. Here, we studied the structural and functional differentiations of TLR3 and TLR22 in zebrafish by employing comparative modeling and molecular dynamics simulation. Comparative structural analysis revealed a distinct spatial arrangement of TLR22 ectodomain with a flattened horseshoe-shape conformation as compared to other TLRs. Essential dynamics studies showed that unlike TLR3, TLR22 possessed a prominent motion, elasticity and twisting at both terminus separated by a distance equivalent to the length of a short-sized dsRNA. Interaction analysis of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) and dsRNA depicted leucine-rich-repeats (LRR)2-3 and LRR18-19 (in TLR3) and LRRNT-LRR3 and LRR22-24 (in TLR22) as the potential binding sites. The short-sized dsRNA binds tightly across its full-length with TLR22-monomer, and suggested that TLR22 dimer may sense long-sized dsRNA. Binding energy (BE) calculation using MM/PBSA method from the TLR3- and TLR22-ligand complexes revealed an adequate binding affinity between TLR22-monomer and dsRNA as like as TLR3-dimer-dsRNA complex. Mutagenesis and BE computation of key residues suggested their involvement in dsRNA recognition. These findings can be helpful for therapeutic applications against viral diseases in fish.
Functional Screening and Molecular Characterization of Halophilic and Halotolerant Bacteria by 16S rRNA Gene Sequence Analysis
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences, 2014
ABSTRACT A total of 206 bacterial isolates were obtained from soil, water and sediment samples us... more ABSTRACT A total of 206 bacterial isolates were obtained from soil, water and sediment samples using three different culture media with a pH of 7.3 ± 0.2 and an incubation temperature of 37 °C. Of these isolates, 48 bacteria were selected for functional screening and molecular characterization. The functional screening for salt stress tolerance revealed that, 17 bacteria were identified as moderately halotolerant and 31 were halophilic, capable of growing at 5–15 % (w/v) and ≥15 % (w/v) of NaCl concentration respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and taxonomic identification of isolates were performed using Ribosomal Database Project Release-10 and SILVA SSU database. Based on the sequence length >1,300 bp, 40 bacteria were identified out of 48 isolates. Study showed that, Staphylococcus spp. was highly resistant to salt stress followed by Enterococcus faecalis, Vagococcus fluvialis and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that, 24 bacterial isolates belong to Firmicutes and 16 isolates come under Proteobacteria. These bacterial strains would be of great use for prospecting novel and candidate salt stress tolerant genes
PLoS ONE, 2014
RIG1 and MDA5 have emerged as important intracellular innate pattern recognition receptors that r... more RIG1 and MDA5 have emerged as important intracellular innate pattern recognition receptors that recognize viral RNA and mediate cellular signals controlling Type I interferon (IFN-I) response. Buffalo RIG1 and MDA5 genes were investigated to understand the mechanism of receptor induced antiviral response. Sequence analysis revealed that RIG1 and MDA5 maintain a domain arrangement that is common in mammals. Critical binding site residues of the receptors are evolutionary conserved among mammals. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that RIG1 and MDA5 follow a similar, if not identical, dsRNA binding pattern that has been previously reported in human. Moreover, binding free energy calculation revealed that MDA5 had a greater affinity towards dsRNA compared to RIG1. Constitutive expressions of RLR genes were ubiquitous in different tissues without being specific to immune organs. Poly I:C stimulation induced elevated expressions of IFN-b and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) through interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) mediated pathway in buffalo foetal fibroblast cells. The present study provides crucial insights into the structure and function of RIG1 and MDA5 receptors in buffalo. Citation: Singh M, Brahma B, Maharana J, Patra MC, Kumar S, et al. (2014) Insight into Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) RIG1 and MDA5 Receptors: A Comparative Study on dsRNA Recognition and In-Vitro Antiviral Response. PLoS ONE 9(2): e89788.
Molecular recognition of avirulence protein (avrxa5) by eukaryotic transcription factor xa5 of rice (Oryza sativa L.): Insights from molecular dynamics simulations
Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling, 2015
The avirulence gene avrxa5 of bacterial blight pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) recog... more The avirulence gene avrxa5 of bacterial blight pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) recognized by the resistant rice lines having corresponding resistance (xa5) gene in a gene-for-gene manner. We used a combinatorial approach involving protein-protein docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and binding free energy calculations to gain novel insights into the gene-for-gene mechanism that governs the direct interaction of R-Avr protein. From the best three binding poses predicted by molecular docking, MD simulations were performed to explore the dynamic binding mechanism of xa5 and avrxa5. Molecular Mechanics/Poisson Boltzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) techniques were employed to calculate the binding free energy and to uncover the thriving force behind the molecular recognition of avrxa5 by eukaryotic transcription factor xa5. Binding free energy analysis revealed van der Waals term as the most constructive component that favors the xa5 and avrxa5 interaction. In addition, hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) and essential electrostatic interactions analysis highlighted amino acid residues Lys54/Asp870, Lys56/Ala868, Lys56/Ala866, Lys56/Glu871, Ile59/His862, Gly61/Phe858, His62/Arg841, His62/Leu856, Ser101/Ala872 and Ser105/Asp870 plays pivotal role for the energetically stability of the R-Avr complex. Insights gained from the present study are expected to unveil the molecular mechanisms that define the transcriptional activator mediated transcriptome modification in host plants.
Molecular recognition of avirulence protein (avrxa5) by eukaryotic transcription factor xa5 of rice (Oryza sativa L.): Insights from molecular dynamics simulations
Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling, 2015
The avirulence gene avrxa5 of bacterial blight pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) recog... more The avirulence gene avrxa5 of bacterial blight pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) recognized by the resistant rice lines having corresponding resistance (xa5) gene in a gene-for-gene manner. We used a combinatorial approach involving protein-protein docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and binding free energy calculations to gain novel insights into the gene-for-gene mechanism that governs the direct interaction of R-Avr protein. From the best three binding poses predicted by molecular docking, MD simulations were performed to explore the dynamic binding mechanism of xa5 and avrxa5. Molecular Mechanics/Poisson Boltzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) techniques were employed to calculate the binding free energy and to uncover the thriving force behind the molecular recognition of avrxa5 by eukaryotic transcription factor xa5. Binding free energy analysis revealed van der Waals term as the most constructive component that favors the xa5 and avrxa5 interaction. In addition, hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) and essential electrostatic interactions analysis highlighted amino acid residues Lys54/Asp870, Lys56/Ala868, Lys56/Ala866, Lys56/Glu871, Ile59/His862, Gly61/Phe858, His62/Arg841, His62/Leu856, Ser101/Ala872 and Ser105/Asp870 plays pivotal role for the energetically stability of the R-Avr complex. Insights gained from the present study are expected to unveil the molecular mechanisms that define the transcriptional activator mediated transcriptome modification in host plants.
Molecular dynamics simulation of human serum paraoxonase 1 in DPPC bilayer reveals a critical role of transmembrane helix H1 for HDL association
European Biophysics Journal, 2014
Serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-bound mammalian enzyme exhibiting ... more Serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-bound mammalian enzyme exhibiting antiatherosclerotic activity. Despite years of research, an accurate model for the binding interaction between PON1 and HDL has not been established. However, it is reported that anchoring of PON1 to HDL is mainly governed by an N-terminal alpha helix H1 and another short helix H2. Here, we studied the molecular association of full-length human PON1 (huPON1) with a HDL-mimetic dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer using homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations. Our results indicate that H1 is the highly dynamic part of huPON1, showing clockwise rotation of up to 30° within the DPPC bilayer. However, without phospholipid molecules, H1 experiences helical distortions, illustrating an incompatible HDL-anchoring conformation. Snorkeling interactions of K3, R18, and R27 together with aromatic locks formed by Y187, Y190, W194, and W202 are highly essential for anchoring of huPON1 to HDL's surface. Molecular mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann solvent-accessible surface area (MM/PBSA) binding free energy calculation revealed that H1 displays greater binding affinity towards lipid molecules compared with H2 and H3, suggesting that H1 is the most probable HDL-binding domain of PON1. Binding free energy decomposition showed that K3, R18, and R27 interact with polar headgroups of DPPC membrane through electrostatic interaction. Moreover, Y187, Y190, W194, and W202 interact with DPPC lipids mainly through van der Waals interaction. Taken together, these results show that the transmembrane helix H1 along with the interfacial positively charged and aromatic resides were crucial for PON1's association with HDL particle. The current study will be useful towards understanding the antiatherosclerotic and bioscavenging properties of this promiscuous enzyme.
Exploration of the binding modes of buffalo PGRP1 receptor complexed with meso-diaminopimelic acid and lysine-type peptidoglycans by molecular dynamics simulation and free energy calculation
Chemico-biological interactions, 2014
The peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are the key components of innate-immunity, and are... more The peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are the key components of innate-immunity, and are highly specific for the recognition of bacterial peptidoglycans (PGN). Among different mammalian PGRPs, the PGRP1 binds to murein PGN of Gram-positive bacteria (lysine-type) and also have bactericidal activity towards Gram-negative bacteria (diaminopimelic acid or Dap-type). Buffaloes are the major sources of milk and meat in Asian sub-continents and are highly exposed to bacterial infections. The PGRP activates the innate-immune signaling, but their studies has been confined to limited species due to lack of structural and functional information. So, to understand the structural constituents, 3D model of buffalo PGRP1 (bfPGRP1) was constructed and conformational and dynamics properties of bfPGRP1 was studied. The bfPGRP1 model highly resembled human and camel PGRP structure, and shared a highly flexible N-terminus and centrally placed L-shaped cleft. Docking simulation of muramyl-tripeptide, tetrapeptide, pentapeptide-Dap-(MTP-Dap, MTrP-Dap and MPP-Dap) and lysine-type (MTP-Lys, MTrP-Lys and MPP-Lys) in AutoDock 4.2 and ArgusLab 4.0.1 anticipated β1, α2, α4, β4, and loops connecting β1-α2, α2-β2, β3-β4 and α4-α5 as the key interacting domains. The bfPGRP1-ligand complex molecular dynamics simulation followed by free binding energy (BE) computation conceded BE values of -18.30, -35.53, -41.80, -25.03, -24.62 and -22.30 kJ mol(-1) for MTP-Dap, MTrP-Dap, MPP-Dap, MTP-Lys, MTrP-Lys and MPP-Lys, respectively. The groove-surface and key binding residues involved in PGN-Dap and Lys-type interaction intended by the molecular docking, and were also accompanied by significant BE values directed their importance in pharmacogenomics, and warrants further in vivo studies for drug targeting and immune signaling pathways exploration.
Structural insights into the MDP binding and CARD-CARD interaction in zebrafish (Danio rerio) NOD2: a molecular dynamics approach
Journal of molecular recognition : JMR, 2014
Nucleotide binding and oligomerization domain (NOD2) is a key component of innate immunity that i... more Nucleotide binding and oligomerization domain (NOD2) is a key component of innate immunity that is highly specific for muramyl dipeptide (MDP)—a peptidoglycan component of bacterial cell wall. MDP recognition by NOD2–leucine rich repeat (LRR) domain activates NF-κB signaling through a protein–protein interaction between caspase activating and recruitment domains (CARDs) of NOD2 and downstream receptor interacting and activating protein kinase 2 (RIP2). Due to the lack of crystal/NMR structures, MDP recognition and CARD–CARD interaction are poorly understood. Herein, we have predicted the probable MDP and CARD–CARD binding surfaces in zebrafish NOD2 (zNOD2) using various in silico methodologies. The results show that the conserved residues Phe819, Phe871, Trp875, Trp929, Trp899, and Arg845 located at the concave face of zNOD2–LRR confer MDP recognition by hydrophobic and hydrogen bond (H-bond) interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal a stable association between the electropositive surface on zNOD2–CARDa and the electronegative surface on zRIP2–CARD reinforced mostly by H-bonds and electrostatic interactions. Importantly, a 3.5 Å salt bridge is observed between Arg60 of zNOD2–CARDa and Asp494 of zRIP2–CARD. Arg11 and Lys53 of zNOD2–CARDa and Ser498 and Glu508 of zRIP2–CARD are critical residues for CARD–CARD interaction and NOD2 signaling. The 2.7 Å H-bond between Lys104 of the linker and Glu508 of zRIP2–CARD suggests a possible role of the linker for shaping CARD–CARD interaction. These findings are consistent with existing mutagenesis data. We provide first insight into MDP recognition and CARD–CARD interaction in the zebrafish that will be useful to understand the molecular basis of NOD signaling in a broader perspective. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural and dynamic investigation of bovine folate receptor alpha (FOLR1), and role of ultra-high temperature processing on conformational and thermodynamic characteristics of FOLR1-folate complex
Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 2014
The folate receptor alpha (FOLR1) present in milk has widely been studied to investigate the effe... more The folate receptor alpha (FOLR1) present in milk has widely been studied to investigate the effects of pasteurization, ultra-high temperature (UHT) processing and fermentation on net folate concentration. However, the folate binding mechanism with FOLR1, and effect of temperature on FOLR1-folate complex is poorly explored till now in bovine milk which is a chief resource of folate. Despite of enormous importance of folic acid and the routine intake of bovine milk, folic acid deficiency diseases are common in human race. To understand the folate deficiency in milk after processing, in absence of experimental structure, 3D model of bovine FOLR1 (bvFOLR1) was built followed by 40ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The folate and its derivatives binding sites in bvFOLR1 were anticipated by molecular docking using AutoDock 4.2. Essential MD studies suggested the presence of a longer signal peptide (22 residues) and a short propeptide (7 residues) at the C-terminus that may cleaved during post-translational modification. MD analysis of bvFOLR1-folate complex at 298, 323, 353, 373 and 408K followed by binding energy (BE) calculation showed maximum binding affinity at ∼353K. However, at 373K and UHT (408K), the folate BE is significantly decreased with substantial conformational alteration. Heating at UHT followed by cooling within 298-408K range demoed no structural reformation with temperature reduction, and the folate was displaced from the active site. This study presented the disintegration of folate from bvFOLR1 during high temperature processing and revealed a lower folate concentration in UHT milk and dairy products.
Structural and functional investigation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) NOD1 leucine rich repeat domain and its interaction with iE-DAP
Molecular bioSystems, 2014
Nucleotide binding and oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1), a cytoplasmic pattern recognition recepto... more Nucleotide binding and oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1), a cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor (PRR) and is a key component for modulating innate immunity and signaling. It is highly specific to γ-D-Glu-mDAP (iE-DAP), a cell wall component of Gram-negative and few Gram-positive bacteria. In the absence of the experimental structure of NOD1 leucine rich repeat (NOD1-LRR) domain, the NOD signaling cascade mediated through NOD1 and iE-DAP interaction is poorly understood. Herein, we modeled 3D structure of zebrafish NOD1-LRR (zNOD1-LRR) through a protein-threading approach and structural integrity of the model was assessed using molecular dynamics simulations. Molecular interaction analysis of iE-DAP and zNOD1-LRR, their complex stability and binding free energy studies were conducted to anticipate the ligand binding residues in zNOD1. Our study revealed that His775, Lys777, Asp803, Gly805, Trp807, Asn831, Ser833, Ile859 and Trp861 situated in the β-sheet region of zNOD1-LRR could be involved in iE-DAP recognition, which correlates the earlier findings in human. Comparison of binding free energies of native and mutant zNOD1-iE-DAP complexes delineated His775, Lys777, Asp803, Ser833 and Ile859 as the pivotal residues for energetic stability of NOD1 and iE-DAP interaction. This study provides the first comprehensive description of biophysical and biochemical parameters responsible for NOD1 and iE-DAP interaction in zebrafish, which is expected to shed more light on NOD1 signaling and therapeutic applications in other organisms.
Molecular bioSystems, 2014
Neuropeptide B/W receptor 1 (NPBWR1), previously known as G-protein coupled receptor 7 (GPR7), is... more Neuropeptide B/W receptor 1 (NPBWR1), previously known as G-protein coupled receptor 7 (GPR7), is a class A G-protein coupled receptor implicated in the modulation of several neuroendocrine functions such as feeding behavior, energy homeostasis, epilepsy, and analgesia. In recent years, a few antagonists have been designed that bind to NPBWR1 with high affinity. However, the exact binding modes between the antagonists and the receptor are still unknown. Unraveling the key pharmacophoric features of the receptor will guide the development of novel compounds with increased potency for therapeutic use. Here, we studied the structural organization of NPBWR1 receptor and its antagonist binding modes through computational approaches. Based on the dynamics and energetic features of receptor-ligand interactions, we categorized the binding affinities of the antagonists for NPBWR1 and identified key residues responsible for ligand recognition by NPBWR1. Binding free energy calculations revealed that the residues Trp102 ECL1 , Val113 3.29 , Gln281 ECL3 , and Ala274 6.58 were crucial for ligand interaction. The results of our study will be useful to understand the structure-function relationship of NPBWR1 that may assist future drug discovery initiatives.
A conformational analysis of mouse Nalp3 domain structures by molecular dynamics simulations, and binding site analysis
Molecular bioSystems, 2014
Scrutinizing various nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) genes in... more Scrutinizing various nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) genes in higher eukaryotes is very important for understanding the intriguing mechanism of the host defense against pathogens. The nucleotide-binding domain (NACHT), leucine-rich repeat (LRR), and pyrin domains (PYD)-containing protein 3 (Nalp3), is an intracellular innate immune receptor and is associated with several immune system related disorders. Despite Nalp3's protective role during a pathogenic invasion, the molecular features and structural organization of this crucial protein is poorly understood. Using comparative modeling and molecular dynamics simulations, we have studied the structural architecture of Nalp3 domains, and characterized the dynamic and energetic parameters of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding in NACHT, and pathogen-derived ligands muramyl dipeptide (MDP) and imidazoquinoline with LRR domains. The results suggested that walker A, B and extended walker B motifs were the key ATP binding regions in NACHT that mediate self-oligomerization. The analysis of the binding sites of MDP and imidazoquinoline revealed LRR 7-9 to be the most energetically favored site for imidazoquinoline interaction. However, the binding free energy calculations using the Molecular Mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) method indicated that MDP is incompatible for activating the Nalp3 molecule in its monomeric form, and suggest its complex interaction with NOD2 or other NLRs accounts for MDP recognition. The high binding affinity of ATP with NACHT was correlated to the experimental data for human NLRs. Our binding site prediction for imidazoquinoline in LRR warrants further investigation via in vivo models. This is the first study that provides ligand recognition in mouse Nalp3 and its spatial structural arrangements.
PloS one, 2014
The NADPH-dependent HC-toxin reductases (HCTR1 and 2) encoded by enzymatic class of disease resis... more The NADPH-dependent HC-toxin reductases (HCTR1 and 2) encoded by enzymatic class of disease resistance homologous genes (Hm1 and Hm2) protect maize by detoxifying a cyclic tetrapeptide, HC-toxin, secreted by the fungus Cochliobolus carbonum race 1(CCR1). Unlike the other classes' resistance (R) genes, HCTR-mediated disease resistance is an inimitable mechanism where the avirulence (Avr) component from CCR1 is not involved in toxin degradation. In this study, we attempted to decipher cofactor (NADPH) recognition and mode of HC-toxin binding to HCTRs through molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and binding free energy calculation methods. The rationality and the stability of docked complexes were validated by 30-ns MD simulation. The binding free energy decomposition of enzyme-cofactor complex was calculated to find the driving force behind cofactor recognition. The overall binding free energies of HCTR1-NADPH and HCTR2-NADPH were found to be 2616.989 and 216.9749 kJ mol 21 respectively. The binding free energy decomposition revealed that the binding of NADPH to the HCTR1 is mainly governed by van der Waals and nonpolar interactions, whereas electrostatic terms play dominant role in stabilizing the binding mode between HCTR2 and NADPH. Further, docking analysis of HC-toxin with HCTR-NADPH complexes showed a distinct mode of binding and the complexes were stabilized by a strong network of hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions. This study is the first in silico attempt to unravel the biophysical and biochemical basis of cofactor recognition in enzymatic class of R genes in cereal crop maize. Citation: Dehury B, Patra MC, Maharana J, Sahu J, Sen P, et al. (2014) Structure-Based Computational Study of Two Disease Resistance Gene Homologues (Hm1 and Hm2) in Maize (Zea mays L.) with Implications in Plant-Pathogen Interactions. PLoS ONE 9(5): e97852.
Structural Analysis of Respirasomes in Electron Transfer Pathway of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans: A Computer-Aided Molecular Designing Study
Molecular dynamics simulation of neuropeptide B and neuropeptide W in the dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine membrane bilayer.
Journal of biomolecular structure and dynamics, Jul 1, 2013
Identification of MDP (muramyl dipeptide)-binding key domains in NOD2 (nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-2) receptor of Labeo rohita
Fish physiology and …, 2013
In lower eukaryotes-like fish, innate immunity contributed by various pattern recognition recepto... more In lower eukaryotes-like fish, innate immunity contributed by various pattern recognition receptor (PRR) plays an essential role in protection against diseases. Nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)-2 is a cytoplasmic PRR that recognizes MDP (muramyl dipeptide) of the Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria as ligand and activates signalling to induce innate immunity. Hypothesizing a similar NOD2 signalling pathway of higher eukaryotes, the peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs) of rohu (Labeo rohita) was stimulated with MDP. The data of quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed MDP-mediated inductive expression of NOD2 and its down-stream molecule RICK/RIP2 (receptor-interacting serine-threonine protein kinase-2). This observation suggested the existence of MDP-binding sites in rohu NOD2 (rNOD2). To investigate it, 3D model of ligand-binding leucine-rich repeat (LRR) region of rNOD2 (rNOD2-LRR) was constructed following ab initio and threading approaches in I-TASSER web server. Structural refinement of the model was performed by energy minimization, and MD (molecular dynamics) simulation was performed in GROMACS (Groningen Machine for Chemical Simulations). The refined model of rNOD2-LRR was validated through SAVES, ProSA, ProQ, WHAT IF and MolProbity servers, and molecular docking with MDP was carried out in GOLD 4.1. The result of docking identified LRR3-7 comprising Lys820, Phe821, Asn822, Arg847, Gly849, Trp877, Trp901 and Trp931 as MDP-binding critical amino acids in rNOD2. This is the first study in fish to provide an insight into the 3D structure of NOD2-LRR region and its important motifs that are expected to be engaged in MDP binding and innate immunity.
International Journal of …, 2012
In response to double stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses, toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in fish activates... more In response to double stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses, toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in fish activates signaling like human, and induces innate immunity. This suggested the existence of dsRNA binding domains in fish TLR3 as reported in higher vertebrates. In in silico analysis, leucine rich repeat (LRR) regions (4-6, 13-14, 20-22), and LRR (8-15, 17-24) were identified as key domains in rohu TLR3 as poly I:C and dsRNA of fish reovirus (AGCRV,VHSV and IHNV) binding regions. 3D-models of rohu TLR3-TIR and zebrafish TRIF were generated by homology and ab initio modeling respectively, and their interacting domains were predicted. This is the first report of TLR3 modeling in fish.
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Papers by Jitendra Maharana