Crystal structure of dihydrofolate reductase from the filarial nematode W. bancrofti in complex with NADPH and folate. 2023

Keith Lange, and Kathleen M Frey, and Tyler Eck, and Cheryl A Janson, and Ueli Gubler, and Nina M Goodey
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, United States of America.

Lymphatic filariasis is a debilitating illness with an estimated 50 million cases as of 2018. The majority of cases are caused by the parasitic worm W. bancrofti and additional cases by the worms B. malayi and B. timori. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is an established target in the treatment of cancer, bacterial, and protozoal infections and may be a potential target for drugs targeting parasitic worm infections, including filariasis. Recent studies have shown that known antifolate compounds, including methotrexate, inhibit the activity of W. bancrofti DHFR (WbDHFR). However, the absence of structural information for filarial DHFRs has limited the study of more in-depth structure-function relationships. We report the structure of WbDHFR complexed with NADPH and folate using X-ray diffraction data measured to 2.47 Å resolution. The structure of WbDHFR reveals the usual DHFR fold and is currently only the second nematode DHFR structure in the Protein Data Bank. The equilibrium dissociation constants for NADPH (90 ± 29 nM) and folate (23 ± 4 nM) were determined by equilibrium titrations. The interactions of known antifolates with WbDHFR were analyzed using molecular docking programs and molecular dynamics simulations. Antifolates with a hydrophobic core and extended linker formed favorable interactions with WbDHFR. These combined data should now facilitate the rational design of filarial DHFR inhibitors, which in turn can be used to determine whether DHFR is a viable drug target for filariasis and whether existing antifolates may be repurposed for its treatment.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009249 NADP Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. A coenzyme composed of ribosylnicotinamide 5'-phosphate (NMN) coupled by pyrophosphate linkage to the 5'-phosphate adenosine 2',5'-bisphosphate. It serves as an electron carrier in a number of reactions, being alternately oxidized (NADP+) and reduced (NADPH). (Dorland, 27th ed) Coenzyme II,Nicotinamide-Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate,Triphosphopyridine Nucleotide,NADPH,Dinucleotide Phosphate, Nicotinamide-Adenine,Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate,Nucleotide, Triphosphopyridine,Phosphate, Nicotinamide-Adenine Dinucleotide
D004605 Elephantiasis, Filarial Parasitic infestation of the human lymphatic system by WUCHERERIA BANCROFTI or BRUGIA MALAYI. It is also called lymphatic filariasis. Bancroftian Elephantiasis,Brugian Filariasis,Brugoa malayi Infection,Elephantiasis, Bancroftian,Filarial Elephantiasis,Filariasis, Lymphatic,Lymphatic Filariasis,Wuchereria bancrofti Infection,Bancroftian Filariasis,Elephantiasis, Malayi,Malayi Filariasis,Bancroftian Elephantiases,Bancroftian Filariases,Brugian Filariases,Brugoa malayi Infections,Filarial Elephantiases,Filariasis, Bancroftian,Filariasis, Brugian,Filariasis, Malayi,Infection, Brugoa malayi,Infection, Wuchereria bancrofti,Lymphatic Filariases,Malayi Elephantiases,Malayi Elephantiasis,Malayi Filariases,Wuchereria bancrofti Infections
D005492 Folic Acid A member of the vitamin B family that stimulates the hematopoietic system. It is present in the liver and kidney and is found in mushrooms, spinach, yeast, green leaves, and grasses (POACEAE). Folic acid is used in the treatment and prevention of folate deficiencies and megaloblastic anemia. Pteroylglutamic Acid,Vitamin M,Folacin,Folate,Folic Acid, (D)-Isomer,Folic Acid, (DL)-Isomer,Folic Acid, Calcium Salt (1:1),Folic Acid, Monopotassium Salt,Folic Acid, Monosodium Salt,Folic Acid, Potassium Salt,Folic Acid, Sodium Salt,Folvite,Vitamin B9,B9, Vitamin
D005493 Folic Acid Antagonists Inhibitors of the enzyme, dihydrofolate reductase (TETRAHYDROFOLATE DEHYDROGENASE), which converts dihydrofolate (FH2) to tetrahydrofolate (FH4). They are frequently used in cancer chemotherapy. (From AMA, Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p2033) Antifolate,Antifolates,Dihydrofolate Reductase Inhibitor,Folic Acid Antagonist,Dihydrofolate Reductase Inhibitors,Folic Acid Metabolism Inhibitors,Acid Antagonist, Folic,Acid Antagonists, Folic,Antagonist, Folic Acid,Antagonists, Folic Acid,Inhibitor, Dihydrofolate Reductase,Inhibitors, Dihydrofolate Reductase,Reductase Inhibitor, Dihydrofolate,Reductase Inhibitors, Dihydrofolate
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013762 Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase An enzyme of the oxidoreductase class that catalyzes the reaction 7,8-dihyrofolate and NADPH to yield 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate and NADPH+, producing reduced folate for amino acid metabolism, purine ring synthesis, and the formation of deoxythymidine monophosphate. Methotrexate and other folic acid antagonists used as chemotherapeutic drugs act by inhibiting this enzyme. (Dorland, 27th ed) EC 1.5.1.3. Dihydrofolate Dehydrogenase,Dihydrofolate Reductase,Folic Acid Reductase,Acid Reductase, Folic,Dehydrogenase, Dihydrofolate,Dehydrogenase, Tetrahydrofolate,Reductase, Dihydrofolate,Reductase, Folic Acid
D014958 Wuchereria bancrofti A white threadlike worm which causes elephantiasis, lymphangitis, and chyluria by interfering with the lymphatic circulation. The microfilaria are found in the circulating blood and are carried by mosquitoes. Filaria bancrofti,Filaria sanguinis hominis
D062105 Molecular Docking Simulation A computer simulation technique that is used to model the interaction between two molecules. Typically the docking simulation measures the interactions of a small molecule or ligand with a part of a larger molecule such as a protein. Molecular Docking,Molecular Docking Simulations,Molecular Docking Analysis,Analysis, Molecular Docking,Docking Analysis, Molecular,Docking Simulation, Molecular,Docking, Molecular,Molecular Docking Analyses,Molecular Dockings,Simulation, Molecular Docking

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