title: Inhibitor binding to the plasmepsin IV aspartic protease from Plasmodium falciparum.
abstract: Plasmepsin IV (Plm IV) is one of the aspartic proteases present in the food vacuole of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum involved in host hemoglobin degradation by the parasite. Using a series of previously synthesized plasmepsin inhibitors [Ersmark, K., et al. (2005) J. Med. Chem. 48, 6090-106], we report here experimental data and theoretical analysis of their inhibitory activity toward Plm IV. All compounds share a 1,2-dihydroxyethylene unit as the transition state mimic. They possess symmetric P1 and P1' side chains and either a diacylhydrazine, a five-membered oxadiazole ring, or a retroamide at the P2 and P2' positions. Experimental binding affinities are compared to those predicted by the linear interaction energy (LIE) method and an empirical scoring function, using both a crystal structure and a homology model for the enzyme. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the modeled complexes allow a rational interpretation of the structural determinants for inhibitor binding. A ligand bearing a P2 and P2' symmetric oxadiazole which is devoid of amide bonds is identified both experimentally and theoretically as the most potent inhibitor of Plm IV. For the P2 and P2' asymmetric compounds, the results are consistent with earlier predictions regarding the mode of binding of this class of inhibitors to Plm II. Theoretical estimation of selectivity for some compounds is also reported. Significant features of the Plm IV binding pocket are discussed in comparison to related enzymes, and the results obtained here should be helpful for further optimization of inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 596, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-de-Terán
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nervall
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ersmark
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Linda K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Janka
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hallberg
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aqvist
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry*; D001665:Binding Sites; D003198:Computer Simulation; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000201:enzymology*; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D011485:Protein Binding; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; C089643:plasmepsin