title: A combined high-resolution mass spectrometric and in silico approach for the characterisation of small ligands of beta2-microglobulin.
abstract: Beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-m) is a protein responsible for a severe complication of long-term hemodialysis, known as dialysis-related amyloidosis, in which initial beta(2)-m misfolding leads to amyloid fibril deposition, mainly in the skeletal tissue. Whereas much attention is paid to understanding the complex mechanism of amyloid formation, the evaluation of small molecules that may bind beta(2)-m and possibly inhibit the aggregation process is still largely unexplored mainly because the protein lacks a specific active site. Based on our previous findings, we selected a pilot set of sulfonated molecules that are known to either bind or not to the protein, including binders that are anti-amyloidogenic. We show how a complementary approach, using high-resolution mass spectrometry and in silico studies, can offer rapid and precise information on affinity, as well as insight into the structural requisites that favour or disfavour the inhibitory activity. Overall, this approach can be used for predictive purposes and for a rapid screening of fibrillogenesis inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche Pietro Pratesi, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Regazzoni
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bertoletti
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vistoli
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aldini
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carini
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caccialanza
authors.forename: Ersilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Lorenzi
mesh_terms: D000682:Amyloid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000378:metabolism; D001665:Binding Sites; D020134:Catalytic Domain; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000682:Amyloid; D008024:Ligands; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin