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Methylations of Tryptophan-Modified Naphthoquinone affect its inhibitory potential toward Aβ aggregation


Scherzer-Attali, Roni; Convertino, Marino; Pellarin, Riccardo; Gazit, Ehud; Segal, Daniel; Caflisch, Amedeo (2013). Methylations of Tryptophan-Modified Naphthoquinone affect its inhibitory potential toward Aβ aggregation. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 117(6):1780-1789.

Abstract

Aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) is the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Small molecules inhibiting Aβ can be valuable therapeutics for AD. We have previously reported that 1,4-naphthoquinon-2-yl-l-tryptophan (NQTrp), reduces aggregation and oligomerization of Aβ in vitro and in vivo. In silico analysis further showed that certain functional groups of NQTrp, not in the aromatic rings, are also involved in binding and inhibiting Aβ. To better understand the exact mode of action and identify the groups crucial for NQTrp inhibitory activity, we conducted structure-activity analysis. Four derivatives of NQTrp were studied in silico: a D-isomer, two single-methylated and one double-methylated derivative. In silico results showed that the NQTrp groups involved in hydrogen bonds are the anilinic NH (i.e., the NH linker between the quinone and tryptophan moieties), the quinonic carbonyls, and the carboxylic acid. These predictions were supported by in vitro results. Our results should aid in designing improved small-molecule inhibitors of Aβ aggregation for treating AD.

Abstract

Aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) is the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Small molecules inhibiting Aβ can be valuable therapeutics for AD. We have previously reported that 1,4-naphthoquinon-2-yl-l-tryptophan (NQTrp), reduces aggregation and oligomerization of Aβ in vitro and in vivo. In silico analysis further showed that certain functional groups of NQTrp, not in the aromatic rings, are also involved in binding and inhibiting Aβ. To better understand the exact mode of action and identify the groups crucial for NQTrp inhibitory activity, we conducted structure-activity analysis. Four derivatives of NQTrp were studied in silico: a D-isomer, two single-methylated and one double-methylated derivative. In silico results showed that the NQTrp groups involved in hydrogen bonds are the anilinic NH (i.e., the NH linker between the quinone and tryptophan moieties), the quinonic carbonyls, and the carboxylic acid. These predictions were supported by in vitro results. Our results should aid in designing improved small-molecule inhibitors of Aβ aggregation for treating AD.

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Additional indexing

Item Type:Journal Article, refereed, original work
Communities & Collections:04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Biochemistry
07 Faculty of Science > Department of Biochemistry
Dewey Decimal Classification:570 Life sciences; biology
Scopus Subject Areas:Physical Sciences > Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Physical Sciences > Surfaces, Coatings and Films
Physical Sciences > Materials Chemistry
Language:English
Date:2013
Deposited On:22 Mar 2013 12:46
Last Modified:24 Jan 2022 00:30
Publisher:American Chemical Society
ISSN:1520-5207
OA Status:Closed
Publisher DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jp309066p
PubMed ID:23259849