Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2004. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

This thesis is focused on enzymatic studies of the secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) from Candida albicans as a tool for discovery of anti-candida drugs. C. albicans causes infections in a number of different locations, which differ widely in the protein substrates available and pH. Since C. albicans needs Saps during virulent growth, these enzymes are good targets for drug development. In order to investigate the catalytic characteristics of Saps and their inhibitor affinities, substrate-based kinetic assays were developed. Due to the low sensitivity of these assays, especially at the sub-optimal pH required to mimic the different locations of infections, these assays were not satisfactory. Therefore, a biosensor assay was developed whereby, it was possible to study interaction between Saps and inhibitors without the need to optimise catalytic efficacy. Furthermore, the biosensor assay allowed determination of affinity, as well as the individual association and dissociation rates for inhibitor interactions. Knowledge about substrate specificity, Sap subsite adaptivity, and the pH dependencies of catalytic efficacy has been accumulated. Also, screening of transition-state analogue inhibitors designed for HIV-1 protease has revealed inhibitors with affinity for Saps. Furthermore, the kinetics and pH dependencies of their interaction with Saps have been investigated. One of these inhibitors, BEA-440, displayed a complex interaction with Saps, indicating a conformational change upon binding and a very slow dissociation rate. A time dependent interaction was further supported by inhibition measurements. The structural information obtained affords possibilities for design of new more potent inhibitors that might ultimately become drugs against candidiasis. The strategy to combine substrate specificity studies with inhibitor screening has led to complementary results that generate a framework for further development of potent inhibitors.

<p>This thesis is focused on enzymatic studies of the secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) from <i>Candida albicans</i> as a tool for discovery of anti-<i>candida</i> drugs. <i>C. albicans</i> causes infections in a number of different locations, which differ widely in the protein substrates available and pH. Since <i>C. albicans</i> needs Saps during virulent growth, these enzymes are good targets for drug development.</p><p>In order to investigate the catalytic characteristics of Saps and their inhibitor affinities, substrate-based kinetic assays were developed. Due to the low sensitivity of these assays, especially at the sub-optimal pH required to mimic the different locations of infections, these assays were not satisfactory. Therefore, a biosensor assay was developed whereby, it was possible to study interaction between Saps and inhibitors without the need to optimise catalytic efficacy. Furthermore, the biosensor assay allowed determination of affinity, as well as the individual association and dissociation rates for inhibitor interactions.</p><p>Knowledge about substrate specificity, Sap subsite adaptivity, and the pH dependencies of catalytic efficacy has been accumulated. Also, screening of transition-state analogue inhibitors designed for HIV-1 protease has revealed inhibitors with affinity for Saps. Furthermore, the kinetics and pH dependencies of their interaction with Saps have been investigated. One of these inhibitors, BEA-440, displayed a complex interaction with Saps, indicating a conformational change upon binding and a very slow dissociation rate. A time dependent interaction was further supported by inhibition measurements. The structural information obtained affords possibilities for design of new more potent inhibitors that might ultimately become drugs against candidiasis. The strategy to combine substrate specificity studies with inhibitor screening has led to complementary results that generate a framework for further development of potent inhibitors.</p>

The use of a surface plasmon biosensor fills a missing link in kinetic studies of enzymes, since it measures directly the interaction between biomolecules and allows determination of parameters that are determined only indirectly in activity assays. The present thesis deals with kinetic and dynamic aspects of ligand binding to two viral enzymes: the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) protease and the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT). The improved description of interactions presented herein will contribute to the discovery and development of antiviral drugs. The biosensor method provided new insights into the interaction between serine proteases and a peptide substrate, as well as substrate-induced conformational changes of the enzymes. The direct binding assay served as a tool for characterising the binding mechanism of HCMV protease inhibitors. Kinetic details of the interaction between HIV-1 RT and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) were unravelled. The recorded sensorgrams revealed several forms of complexity. A general binding model for the analysis was derived from the data, describing a two-state mechanism for the enzyme and a high- and a low-affinity interaction with the inhibitor. Interaction kinetic constants were determined for the clinically used NNRTIs and several investigational inhibitors. The established method was applied to investigate the mechanism of resistance against NNRTIs. Amino acid substitutions in the NNRTI-binding site resulted in both decreased association rates and increased dissociation rates for the inhibitors. The K103N and the L100I substitution also interfered with the formation of the binding site, thereby facilitating inhibitor binding and unbinding. Finally, thermodynamic analysis revealed that, despite the hydrophobic character of the interaction, NNRTI binding was mainly enthalpy-driven at equilibrium. Large entropy contributions in the association and dissociation indicated that binding is associated with a dynamic effect in the enzyme.