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Reyes, F. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Reyes, F. E..

2 recordsLinked to original sources
bioRxiv2018

Structure-activity relationship of flavin analogs that target the FMN riboswitch

The flavin mononucleotide (FMN) riboswitch is an emerging target for the development of novel RNA-targeting antibiotics. We previously discovered an FMN derivative --5FDQD-- that protects mice against diarrhea-causing Clostridium difficile bacteria. Here, we present the structure-based drug design strategy that led to the discovery of this fluoro-phenyl derivative with antibacterial properties. This approach involved the following stages: (1) structural analysis of all available free and bound FMN riboswitch structures; (2) design, synthesis and purification of derivatives; (3) in vitro testing for productive binding using two chemical probing methods; (4) in vitro transcription termination assays; (5) resolution of the crystal structures of the FMN riboswitch in complex with the most mature candidates. In the process, we delineated principles for productive binding to this riboswitch, thereby demonstrating the effectiveness of a coordinated structure-guided approach to designing drugs against RNA.\n\nGRAPHICAL ABSTRACT\n\nO_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=146 SRC=\"FIGDIR/small/389148_ufig1.gif\" ALT=\"Figure 1\">\nView larger version (41K):\norg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@f59798org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1b38b02org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@6b50faorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1915fc4_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG Exploring the chemical structure landscape of FMN riboswitch binders.\n\nC_FIG

biochemistry↗
bioRxiv2018

Structural basis for substrate binding and specificity of a sodium/alanine symporter AgcS

The amino acid, polyamine, and organocation (APC) superfamily is the second largest superfamily of membrane proteins forming secondary transporters that move a range of organic molecules across the cell membrane. Each transporter in APC superfamily is specific for a unique sub-set of substrates, even if they possess a similar structural fold. The mechanism of substrate selectivity remains, by and large, elusive. Here we report two crystal structures of an APC member from Methanococcus maripaludis, the alanine or glycine:cation symporter (AgcS), with L- or D-alanine bound. Structural analysis combined with site-directed mutagenesis and functional studies inform on substrate binding, specificity, and modulation of the AgcS family and reveal key structural features that allow this transporter to accommodate glycine and alanine while excluding all other amino acids. Mutation of key residues in the substrate binding site expand the selectivity to include valine and leucine. Moreover, as a transporter that binds both enantiomers of alanine, the present structures provide an unprecedented opportunity to gain insights into the mechanism of stereo-selectivity in APC transporters.

biochemistry↗