UMass Chem 423 Student Projects 2011-1

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Spring 2011 Chem423 Team Projects: Understanding Drug Mechanisms Instructions posted here: Student Projects for UMass Chemistry 423 Spring 2011

Student projects continued below.

Brittany Forkus, Katie Geldart, Elizabeth Schutsky, Breanna Zerfas - Beta Adrenergic GPCR

Andy Kim, Zach Brentzel, Tyler Vlass, Zach Hitzig -- Acetylcholinesterase

Varun Chalupadi, Anthony Laviola, Tiffany Brucker, Alan Stebbins - cyclooxygenase

Contents 1 Beta-1 Adrenergic GPCR 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Overall Structure 1.3 Drug Binding Interactions 1.4 Additional Features 1.5 Credits 1.6 References 2 Acetylcholinesterase bound by Tacrine 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Overall structure 2.3 Binding 2.4 Additional Features 2.5 References 2.6 Credits 3 Cyclooxygenase 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Overall Structure 3.3 Drug Binding Site 3.4 Additional Features 3.5 References 3.6 Credits

Beta-1 Adrenergic GPCR

spinqualitylabelsall models PDB ID 2y01 Show:Asymmetric Unit Biological Assembly Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate   Export Animated Image
2y01, resolution 2.60Å ()
Ligands:	, ,
Related:	1dep, 2vt4, 2y04, 2y00, 2y03, 2y02
Structural annotation: Resources: InterPro : Ipr000507, Ipr017452, Ipr000276, Ipr002233 Pfam : PF00001
Resources:	FirstGlance, OCA, PDBsum, RCSB
Coordinates:	save as pdb, mmCIF, xml

Introduction

G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) are a type of transmembrane protein that are used to pass extracellular signals into the interior, or cytoplasm, of the cell. The signal is passed to the interior of the cell by a conformational change that occurs in the G-protein on the cytoplasmic side of the cell, due to the binding of a ligand to a receptor on the extracellular side of the cell. The protein is called a G-protein because its activity depends on the binding of a guanyl nucleotide.

The signaling begins with a ligand and causes the conformational changes necessary for the G-protein to activate another transmembrane protein called andenylate cyclase. This transmembrane protein is activated by the binding of the guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound alpha subunit of the G-protein. The cytoplasmic G-protein is heterotrimeric, meaning that it has : alpha (purple), beta (blue) and gamma (yellow). Upon binding of the extracellular ligand the heterotrimer breaks into the beta-gamma complex and the activated alpha subunit, both of which are membrane anchored. When the GTP binds the alpha subunit the affinity of the beta-gamma complex for the alpha subunit decreases, so these two domains of the G-protein separate. The binding of the activated alpha subunit to the adenylate cyclase protein triggers the formation of cAMP from adenosine triphosphate (ATP), in which cAMP is a mobile signal transducer that can act as an activator of other proteins, often kinases, within the cell upon binding events. The small molecule cAMP is formed for as long as the activated alpha subunit of the G-protein in bound to adenylate. Also, since one ligand binding event can activate multiple G-proteins, and one adenylate cyclase protein can activate the formation of cAMP molecules, the effect of the signal is amplified within the cell.

The alpha subunit is deactivated by a spontaneous hydrolysis reaction that converts GTP into GDP. This allosteric deactivation allows the heterotrimer reform at the base of the GPCR membrane protein. The deactivation process includes the unbinding of the extracellular ligand to return the receptor to its deactivated state, and the dephosphorylation of certain amino acids in the carboxy-terminus tail of the GPCR. The GPCRs can be reactivated when a ligand binds the extracellular receptor again, which is mostly a function of the concentration of ligand in the extracellular space.

There are multiple ligands and small signaling molecules that are utilized in the case of GPCRs. Some of the ligands include epinephrine, norepinephrine, adenosine, and GABA. Some of the small molecules include IP3 and DAG. Each ligand stimulates a different pathway and therefore also calls for the use of second messengers (small molecules) in intracellular signaling.^[1]

GPCRs are currently the target of many drugs because of their allosteric sites that are separate from direct chemical binding sites of the protein. This allows for conformational changes of the protein without competitive binding at the chemical site. Since binding an allosteric site is reciprocal, the types of cooperativity vary based on the chemistry of the ligands. There are three main advantages to using allosteric binding sites on GPCRs as drug targets: (1) the drug is saturable and therefore can only affect the cells to an upper or lower limit, (2) the response of the cell can change with time and space when using an allosteric modulator, and (3) the potential increased selectivity of the binding site. There are multiple binding sites and ligands that can effect the activity, or non-activity, of the protein. In this case, we are describing the interaction of the drug dobutamine with the of a G-protein coupled receptor.

^[2]

Overall Structure

Since this protein is membrane bound, determining the structure was very difficult. Transmembrane proteins are difficult to look at because they are complicated to separate and crystallize. For these reasons, it took about 20 years of studies to determine the structure of β-adrenergic GPCR; the structure was even mutated to increase its thermal stability so that it could be examined^[3]. This protein is made of , each represented in a different color in the scene. Just as is true of most GPCRs, the dimers are each made up of seven , all of which must span the membrane; the α helices are connected by external and internal loops and are connected in an form^[4]. For these α helices to be stable, their middle must be made up of mostly hydrophobic amino acids while their ends are hydrophilic. In this , hydrophobic amino acids are colored grey while polar amino acids are purple. Though it is shown that some polar amino acids exist on the middle of the helices, they are also mostly on the interior of the helix. This keeps them from being exposed to the lipid membrane and destabilizing the protein. It is also required that all of the hydrogen bonding sites in the α helices are satisfied, so that there are no unfavorable interactions between the lipid inside of the membrane and the protein. As can be seen, the (represented in white) are all between the amino acids in the α helices and not from interactions with the ligand. The ligand to the protein must also have these similar qualities, or else it would not be able exist within the membrane. As seen in this , the ligand consists of hydrocarbon chains and rings in the center with nitrogen (blue) and oxygen (red) atoms only existing on the ends. This gives the ligands a very similar structure to the membrane, with a hydrophobic center and polar ends. Most of the ligands exist , allowing them to participate in binding along with the protein. ^[5]

spinqualitylabelsall models PDB ID 2y01 Show:Asymmetric Unit Biological Assembly Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate   Export Animated Image
2y01, resolution 2.60Å ()
Ligands:	, ,
Related:	1dep, 2vt4, 2y04, 2y00, 2y03, 2y02
Structural annotation: Resources: InterPro : Ipr000507, Ipr017452, Ipr000276, Ipr002233 Pfam : PF00001
Resources:	FirstGlance, OCA, PDBsum, RCSB
Coordinates:	save as pdb, mmCIF, xml

Drug Binding Interactions

A common technique employed by researchers in the field of modern drug development is to design synthetic ligands that structurally and biochemically mimic natural molecules to induce a desired physiological response. With respect to the beta-adrenergic receptors, several drugs have been created that function to activate or inhibit the receptors for clinical implications such as the treatment of asthma, hypertension, and cardiac dysfunction. In particular, activation of the beta1-adrenergic receptor results in increased cardiovascular output and several drugs including, the total agonists, carmoterol and isoprenaline, and the partial agonists, salbutamol and , have been designed to take advantage of this feature. The classification as, full agonists, partial agonists, or antagonists is dependent on whether the ligand functions to activate, reduce, or inhibit the natural cellular responses, respectively. However, it is interesting to notice that each of these three classifications has significant effects on the interactions between the ligand and the drug-binding site.

When any of the aforementioned drug agonists bind to the beta-1 receptor, they fit into the natural catecholamine binding-pocket and are capable of inducing three structural changes that result in the protein's overall transition to an active state conformation. The first, and most important, contribution to receptor activation is the of the binding-pocket by 1 angstrom that is stimulated between the alpha carbons of Asn310 and Ser211. Stabilization of the ligand in this pocket is a major factor contributing to ligand efficacy and requires strong hydrogen bonding between the secondary amine and the beta hydroxyl group of the ligand to some of the side chains of protein helices 3 and 7. However, dobutamine lacks the traditional ligand beta-hydroxyl group which, in turn, reduces its potential bonding ability from 4 H-bonds to 2. This weakens the interactions between the helices and is responsible for much of dobutamine’s only partially agonistic behavior.

The second major change that occurs upon agonist binding is the rotamer conformational shift that occurs at . This conformational shift causes Ser212 to form stabilizing hydrogen bonds with Asn310, while simultaneously inducing ligand-mediated bonding interactions between Ser211 and Asn310. These combined actions heighten the extent of interactions between protein helices 5 and 6. The final possible binding change is only observed in total agonists. Full agonists have the ability to additionally induce a conformational change at , which severs the van der waals interactions between Val 172 and Ser215 inducing a subsequent weakening of the interactions between protein helices 4 and 5. The rotameric conformational changes that result from the weakening of interaction between H4 and H5 combined with the strengthening of interactions between H5 and H6, results in a conformational change that is extremely similar to that observed in the familiar and well-studied rhodopsin protein and is believed to significantly contribute to protein activation. It is also important to notice that there are several polar and non-polar interactions that take place right outside of the catecholamine binding-pocket between ligand and protein, which are essential for the specificity of drug binding.

^[5]

Additional Features

Adrenergic receptors are the targets of catecholemines, hormones produced in the adrenal glands in response to stress. These ligands result in a wide variety of sympathetic responses depending on the type of ligand and its binding region within the protein^[5]. The alpha and beta domains of the G-protein are broken down into smaller subunits that are more specifically involved in binding. Different tissues throughout the body often vary in the types of G-protein receptors found in the cells. Beta 1 adrenergic receptors that bind agonists in the beta 1 site are highly prominent in kidney and heart tissue cells. Beta 2 receptors on the other hand are found in cells in skeletal muscle, lungs, and the GI tract. Beta 3 receptors are found specifically in brown fat cells. It thus makes sense that introducing a beta 1 binding ligand such as would target heart or kidney cells ^[6]. In the case of dobutamine, the beta 1 site is preferentially bound and results in an increased frequency and intensity of cardiac contractions. Comparatively, beta 2 bound agonists cause smooth muscle and bronchial relaxation and are thus often used in the treatment of asthma. Agonists bound to the alpha receptors can result in vascoconstriction of veins and arteries as well as decreased activity of the smooth muscle in the GI tract ^[7].

The intensity of a sympathetic response can be controlled with how tightly the agonist is able to bind to its designated receptor. Agonists are broken down into three primary levels of activity; full agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists. Full agonists produce a similar response to that expected from the natural ligand (such as adrenaline or norepinephrine in this case). Dobutamine is considered a partial agonist because it results in a similar but damped response. The primary difference in the interaction of full versus partial agonists is the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the ligand and the protein^[5]. Full agonists form two hydrogen bonds on the 5th alpha helix at Serine 211 and 215 whereas partial agonists only interact with Serine211. , a full agonist, has a similar structure to the native ligand adrenaline and is shown bound to the GPCR. The third category of ligands are called antagonists. Antagonists inhibit the response of the natural ligand. The term "beta blocker" refers to antagonists that specifically target the beta subunits on adrenergic receptors. Binding of a beta 1 antagonists competitively inhibits the binding of the natural ligand. This is why beta blockers are used to decrease heart rate to reduce oxygen deprivation of the heart ^[8]. is shown bound to the beta 1 subunit. Like the full and partial agonists, this beta blocker binds to Serine 211. It also hydrogen bonds to Aspartic Acid 121 and Asparagine 329 ^[9].

Credits

Introduction -- Elizabeth Schutsky

Overall structure -- Breanna Zerfas

Drug binding site -- Brittany Forkus

Additional features -- Katie Geldart

References

1. ↑ Berg, Jeremy M.. "Biochemistry." Ed. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company, 2007. Print. pp. 383-388.
2. ↑ Christopoulos A. Allosteric binding sites on cell-surface receptors: novel targets for drug discovery. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2002 Mar;1(3):198-210. PMID:12120504
3. ↑ Warne T, Moukhametzianov R, Baker JG, Nehme R, Edwards PC, Leslie AG, Schertler GF, Tate CG. The structural basis for agonist and partial agonist action on a beta(1)-adrenergic receptor. Nature. 2011 Jan 13;469(7329):241-4. PMID:21228877 doi:10.1038/nature09746
4. ↑ Rosenbaum DM, Rasmussen SG, Kobilka BK. The structure and function of G-protein-coupled receptors. Nature. 2009 May 21;459(7245):356-63. PMID:19458711 doi:10.1038/nature08144
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3} DOI: 10.2210/pdb2y01/pdb
6. ↑ Arcangelo V.P.; Peterson A.M. (2006). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: a practical approach. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 205. ISBN 9780781757843. Retrieved 2011-04-21.
7. ↑ http://www.adrenoceptor.com/betaintro.htm
8. ↑ Khan, M. I. Gabriel (2006). Encyclopedia of Heart Diseases. Elsevier. p. 160. ISBN 0124060616. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
9. ↑ http://www.pdb.org/pdb/explore/explore.do?structureId=2VT4

See also:

• G protein-coupled receptor
• Receptor
• Transmembrane (cell surface) receptors

Acetylcholinesterase bound by Tacrine

spinqualitylabelsall models PDB ID 1acj Show:Asymmetric Unit Biological Assembly Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate   Export Animated Image
1acj, resolution 2.80Å ()
Ligands:
Activity:	Acetylcholinesterase, with EC number 3.1.1.7
Structural annotation: Resources: CATH : 1Acj000 InterPro : Ipr002018, Ipr000908, Ipr000997 Pfam : PF00135 SCOP : d1acj__ UniProt : P04058
Functional annotation: Cellular component: cell junction membrane synapse Biological process: neurotransmitter catabolic process acetylcholine catabolic process in synaptic cleft Molecular function: GPI anchor binding cholinesterase activity acetylcholinesterase activity hydrolase activity
Evolutionary conservation: Toggle Conservation Colors: Rows = identical sequences: Further Information: Caveats, Explanation, Complete Results at ConSurfDB
Resources:	FirstGlance, OCA, RCSB, PDBsum
Coordinates:	save as pdb, mmCIF, xml

spinqualitylabelsall models PDB ID 1ea5 Show:Asymmetric Unit Biological Assembly Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate   Export Animated Image
1ea5, resolution 1.80Å ()
Ligands:
Activity:	Acetylcholinesterase, with EC number 3.1.1.7
Related:	1amn, 1ax9, 1cfj, 1dx6, 1e3q, 1e66, 1eea, 1eve, 1fss, 1oce, 1qid, 1qie, 1qif, 1qig, 1qih, 1qii, 1qij, 1qik, 1qim, 1qti, 1som, 1vot, 1vxo, 1vxr, 2ace, 2ack, 2dfp, 3ace
Structural annotation: Resources: CATH : 1Ea5A00 InterPro : Ipr000908, Ipr000997, Ipr019826, Ipr019819, Ipr002018 Pfam : PF00135 SCOP : d1ea5a_
Evolutionary conservation: Toggle Conservation Colors: Rows = identical sequences: Further Information: Caveats, Explanation, Complete Results at ConSurfDB
Resources:	FirstGlance, OCA, RCSB, PDBsum
Coordinates:	save as pdb, mmCIF, xml

Introduction

Acetylcholinesterase breaks down acetylcholine into acetic acid and choline via a hydrolysis reaction.^[1] Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that signals muscle contraction. If acetylcholine is not broken down, then the chemical builds up in the synapses between nerve cells and muscle cells resulting in loss of muscle function and ultimately paralysis. The enzyme’s extremely fast reaction rate (approaching the diffusion limit) for breaking one acetylcholine into its two components indicates acetylcholinesterase’s biological importance. Many natural poisons and toxins work by inhibiting this enzyme, thus, paralyzing the victim.^[2]

Intentionally inhibiting acetylcholinesterase is a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is basically the progressive breakdown of the nervous system. Worldwide, there are an estimated 20 million individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, most of whom are over the age of 65.^[3] Symptoms of the disease include confusion, irritability and aggressioin, mood swings, language breakdown, long-term memory loss, and eventually loss of bodily functions.^[4] To help combat nerve cell degeneration, these acetylcholinesterase inhibitors partially block the enzyme so that excess neurotransmitters remain in the synapse and strengthen the signal.^[5]

The drug Tacrine, also known as Cognex, was the first acetylcholinesterase inhibitor approved to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show that the drug only led to slight improvements in people who took it during early stages of the disease, but the drug did nothing to delay the onset of the disease.^[6] Tacrine is not often used anymore because it has to be taken four times a day and has adverse side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, muscle aches and headaches.^[7]

Overall structure

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an monomeric enzyme. Most often, AChE forms a tetramer and binds with a molecule, collagen Q, to connect to the membrane of the neuromuscular junction. ^[8]. From the , it can be seen that there are 17 and 14 . There are 2 beta sheets formed from 3 anti-parallel and 11 anti-parallel beta sheets, respectively. As the shows, turns, alpha helices, and beta sheets all occupy a portion of the exterior of the protein. The means that the turns must be composed primarily of polar side chains. On the other hand, the alpha helices will be amphipathic with side chain order designated by the helical wheel; the exterior will be filled with polar side chains that can hydrogen bond with water while the inside of the alpha helix will have nonpolar, hydrophobic groups. The beta sheets must also be amphipathic, but the pattern of side chains is alternating polar and nonpolar. In addition, in order to maintain its tertiary structure, the protein has three sulfide bonds, which are covalent bonds that form between cysteine residues. The between cysteine 67 and cysteine 94 is 5.03 angstroms.

Binding

The active site of Torpedo californica acetylcholinesterase (TcAChE) is buried at the bottom of a narrow, deep gorge in the enzyme, and contains a consisting of Ser200, Glu327, and His440. When complexed with tacrine (THA), the aromatic rings of sandwich the THA’s acridine ring . The phenyl ring of Phe330 lies parallel to and in contact with THA. THA is stacked against Trp-84. Its ring nitrogen is H-bonded to the main chain carbonyl oxygen of Hist-440 and it’s amino nitrogen is H-bonded to a water molecule.

Additional Features

Huperzine A reversible binds with AChE at Ser200 but forms hydrogen bonds with Tyr130, Gly117, and Glu199.^[9]

Decamethonium is similar to acetylcholine in that it contains trimethylammonium cations allowing it to bind to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.^[10]

Soman binds to Ser200, in the active gorge. After binding the acetylcholinesterase(AChE) catalyzes the cleavage of the ether bond on the carbon side causing irreversible inhibition.^[11]

Rivastigmine reversible inhibits AChE, binding at the active gorge. The AChE cleaves the rivastigmine into carbamyl moiety and NAP.^[12]

References

Credits

Introduction - Tyler Vlass

Overall Structure - Zach Brentzel

Drug Binding Site - Andy Kim

Additional Features - Zach Hitzig

Cyclooxygenase

spinqualitylabelsall models PDB ID 3hs5 Show:Asymmetric Unit Biological Assembly Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate   Export Animated Image
3hs5, resolution 2.10Å ()
Ligands:	, , , , , ,
Gene:	Ptgs2, Cox-2, Cox2, Pghs-b, Tis10 (Mus musculus)
Activity:	Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase, with EC number 1.14.99.1
Related:	1cvu, 1ddx, 1diy, 5cox, 3hs6, 3hs7
Structural annotation: Resources: InterPro : Ipr000742, Ipr006210, Ipr019791, Ipr010255, Ipr002007 Pfam : PF03098
Resources:	FirstGlance, OCA, RCSB, PDBsum
Coordinates:	save as pdb, mmCIF, xml

Introduction

Cyclooxygenase, abbreviated COX, is an enzyme involved in the formation of biological mediators and takes part in the pain and inflammatory response. It serves as an effective pain and inflammation signal in the body to indicate a fault in the body’s homeostatic balance. Drugs target the binding sites of COX to prevent substrate binding and therefore reduce pain and inflammation in the body.

There are two commonly used forms of cyclooxygenase in animals which are denoted as COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 carries out normal, physiological production of prostaglandins and serves as a basic housekeeping messages throughout the body. Alternatively, COX-2 is constructed in specialty cells and is used in pain and inflammation signaling. COX-2 is “induced by cytokines, mitogens and endotoxins in inflammatory cells, and which is responsible for the production of prostaglandins in inflammation.”

COX has been of research interest because of the value it provides in particular signaling pathways. Currently, cyclooxygenase is widely targeted in the production of a group of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). This group of drugs inclue asprin, ibuprofecn, flurbiprofen and acetaminophen. These drugs attack the binding site of cyclooxygenase and prevent the substrate binding to reduce pain and fever. NSAIDS are broken down into four different classes. Asprin is categorized in class one, ibuprofem is in class two, flurbiprofen and indomethacin are examples of class three, and Vioxx and Celebrex are components of class four. Latest research shows that cyclooxygenase can possibly serve as an effective target in battling cancer including lung and bladder cancer. Additionally, research is being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of targeting COX in studying Alzhemier’s disease and cardiovascular disease.

Structurally, cyclooxygenase is composed primarily of alpha helices with few beta sheets. The protein contains two binding sites, the cyclooxygenase active site and the peroxidase site.

Overall Structure

COX-2 is a homodimer membrane protein with two identical subunits. The of each subunit contains primarily alpha helices, shown in light blue, with a few beta sheets, shown in yellow. Each subunit contains 587 amino acids.

Each subunit contains three , the epidermal growth factor (red) beginning at the N-terminus, followed by a membrane binding domain (green), and a large catalytic domain at the C-terminus which contains 480 amino acids (blue). The catalytic domain contains two active sites, the cyclooxygenase and peroxidase. The membrane binding domain is made up of four alpha helices. The alpha helices are amphipathic, creating a , shown in gray, which integrates into the membrane bilayer.

COX-1 and COX-2 are very conserved, being 67% identical in their amino acid sequences. The greatest difference occurs in the membrane binding domain which is only 33% identical.

Drug Binding Site

Many drugs such as aspirin, tylenol, and ibuprofen help regulate pain and and the inflammatory response in the body by blocking the active site of COX. These drugs along with others not only inhibit COX-2 but also inhibit COX-1, causing severe side effects in a small percentage of patients. Recently there has been advances in selectively regulating COX-2 without affecting COX-1 with a drug such as Vioxx. The enzyme COX-2 breaks down arachidonic acid to initiate the production of prostaglandins. Arachidonic acid enters the enzyme through a hydrophobic tunnel formed by the four alpha-helices in the second domain. Once the arachidonic acid reaches the , a hydrogen is believed to be ripped off by the . The heme group located near the peroxidase active site which is believed to help stabilize the radical formed. This radical goes on to further processes that create prostaglandins which intensify pain signals and induce inflammation in damaged parts of the body.

The COX enzyme can be regulated by four different classes of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). The first class of inhibitors such as Aspirin regulate the enzyme by irreversibly inactivating the enzyme through covalent modification. A second class of NSAIDS like Motrin or Advil competitively regulates the enzyme. The third class of NSAIDS, for example Flurbiprofen and Indomethacin, forms salt bridges with the enzyme resulting in a slow, time dependent regulation. Finally the fourth class of drugs namely Vioxx and Celebrex selectively regulates COX-2.

Aspirin inhibits the COX enzyme by acetylating the serine residue in the catalytic site preventing the substrate from being catalyzed. Flurbiprofen, a class three inhibitor, binds to the hydrophobic tunnel preventing the substrate from reaching the active site. Flurbiprofen does this with a number of interactions. First it binds to the 120 arginine residue with the formation of a salt bridge. It then hydrogen bonds with the 355 tyrosine residue. An example of a class four inhibitor is SC-558. This drug works in a very similar way as the class three drugs in that it blocks the hydrophobic tunnel but it selectively affects the COX-2. Due to an exposed pocket in COX-2 that is not accessible in COX-1, this drug selectively regulates COX-2 19,000 times more effectively then COX-1. The phenylsulphonamide group of .

Additional Features

Role in other conditions and diseases

COX-2 does not only aid in pain response but plays a role in numerous conditions and diseases including Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancers such as of the lung and bladder.

Recent discoveries have shown that COX-2 has indirectly played a role in smoker related cancers. Cigarette smoke has been proven to decrease COX-2 expression and cause an increase of PGE2 and TxA2 release. This imbalance causes the progression of tumors and carcinogenesis. This imbalance also contributed to progression of cardiovascular disease. Particularly, more COX-2 positive tumors were found in lung cancer patients than COX-1 positive tumors. Furthermore, smokers of non-cancerous and cancerous patients both had higher expression and imbalance of COX-2, PGE2, and TxA2. Thus, COXIBs are a possible candidate for research in some possible anti-tumor reagents.

Overexpression of COX-2 is observed in later and severe stages of Alzheimer's disease. COX-2 is found to be expressed normally in brain neurons; however, it is questioned as to whether COX-2 prevents or causes neuronal cell death. Some research indicates that an increase in COX-2 and PG synthesis may cause neuronal cell death. Other research has found that NSAID treatment in rats with Alzheimer's disease decreased activated microglial cells and could be used to treat Alzheimer's disease in small doses. Further research must be clarified about the role of COX-2 in the hippocampus, as its role is not clearly defined.

NSAIDS have been shown to have adverse side effects on the kidneys and cause fluid retention, hypertension, edema, and hyperkalemia through the alterations of renal blood flow, and sodium and potassium excretion. COX-2 has selective inhibition and is expressed in the kidneys, thus, with NSAID use severe side effects can occur.

See also:

• Receptor
• Transmembrane (cell surface) receptors
• G protein-coupled receptors

References

Wang, Jane; Limburg, David; Graneto, Matthew; Springer, John; Hamper, Joseph; Liao, Subo; Pawlitz, Jennifer; Kurubail, Ravi; Maziasz, Timothy; Talley, John; Kiefer, James; Carter, Jeffrey. The novel benzopyran class of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. Part 2: The second clinical candidate having a shorter and favorable human half-life. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters. 2010, 20, 7159-7163.

Cyclooxygenase Structure and Mechanism. University of Virginia. http://cti.itc.virginia.edu/~cmg/Demo/pdb/cycox/cycox.html (Accessed April 19, 2011).

Cyclooxygenase. Worldwide Protein Data Bank. http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/static.do?p=education_discussion/molecule_of_the_month/pdb17_1.html (Accessed April 19, 2011).

Kurumbail, R. G.; Stevens, A. M.; Gierse, J. K.; McDonald, J. J.; Stegeman, R. A.; Pak, J. Y.; Gildehaus, D.; Miyashiro, J. M.; Penning, T. D.; Seibert, K.; Isakson, P. C.; Stallings, W. C. Structural basis for selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 by anti-inflammatory agents. Nature. 1996, 384, 644-648.

Luong, C.; Miller, A.; Barnett, J.; Chow, J.; Ramesha, C.; Browner, M. F. Flexibility of the NSAID binding site in the structure of human cyclooxygenase-2. Nat. Struct. Biol. 1996, 3, 927-933.

Messiah College. http://www.messiah.edu/departments/chemistry/molscilab/my_molecules/molslides/my_slides/COX/COX.htm

Chen, George; Huang, Run-Yue. Cigarette smoking, cyclooxygenase-2 pathway and cancer. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 2010, 1815, 158-169.

Credits

Introduction: Varun Chalupadi

Overall Structure: Alan Stebbins

Drug Binding Site: Anthony Laviola

Additional Features: Tiffany Brucker

References (edited by): Tiffany Brucker