A novel series of cysteine-dependent, allosteric inverse agonists of the nuclear receptor RORγt.

Inhibition of the nuclear receptor Retinoic Acid Receptor-Related Orphan Receptor γt (RORγt) is a promising strategy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this paper, we describe a series of allosteric, cysteine-dependent, inverse agonists of RORγt. Site-directed mutagenesis and molecular dynamics simulations are supportive of a mechanism of action through specific binding to Cys476 on alpha helix 11 of the ligand binding domain (LBD).

Characterization of novel small-molecule NRF2 activators: Structural and biochemical validation of stereospecific KEAP1 binding.

Background: Semi-synthetic oleanane triterpenoid antioxidant inflammation modulators (tpAIMs) are small molecules that interact with KEAP1 cysteine residue 151 (C151) and activate NRF2. Exploration of the structure-activity relationship between the tpAIMs and KEAP1 is limited by the predominantly hydrocarbon nature of the oleanane triterpenoid pentacyclic ring structure. Therefore, we used novel, chemically-tractable, synthetic antioxidant inflammation modulators (sAIMs) to probe the stereoselectivity of the ligand-protein interaction.

RTA 408, A Novel Synthetic Triterpenoid with Broad Anticancer and Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Semi-synthetic triterpenoids are antioxidant inflammation modulator (AIM) compounds that inhibit tumor cell growth and metastasis. Compounds in the AIM class bind to Keap1 and attenuate Nrf2 degradation. In the nucleus, Nrf2 increases antioxidant gene expression and reduces pro-inflammatory gene expression.

Autoinhibition of Mint1 adaptor protein regulates amyloid precursor protein binding and processing.

Mint adaptor proteins bind to the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and regulate APP processing associated with Alzheimer's disease; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying Mint regulation in APP binding and processing remain unclear. Biochemical, biophysical, and cellular experiments now show that the Mint1 phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain that binds to APP is intramolecularly inhibited by the adjacent C-terminal linker region. The crystal structure of a C-terminally extended Mint1 PTB fragment reveals that the linker region forms a short α-helix that folds back onto the PTB domain and sterically hinders APP binding.

RIM proteins tether Ca2+ channels to presynaptic active zones via a direct PDZ-domain interaction.

At a synapse, fast synchronous neurotransmitter release requires localization of Ca(2+) channels to presynaptic active zones. How Ca(2+) channels are recruited to active zones, however, remains unknown. Using unbiased yeast two-hybrid screens, we here identify a direct interaction of the central PDZ domain of the active-zone protein RIM with the C termini of presynaptic N- and P/Q-type Ca(2+) channels but not L-type Ca(2+) channels.