Title:Comparative Dynamic Features of Apo and Bound MDM2 Protein
Reveal the Mechanism of Inhibitor Recognition for Anti-Cancer
Activity
Volume: 30
Issue: 10
Author(s): Aisha I. El habbash, Ahmed El Rashedy and Mahmoud E.S. Soliman*
Affiliation:
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-
Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
Keywords:
MDM2, p53, α-mangostin (AM), gambogic acid (G250), anti-cancer, dynamics simulations.
Abstract:
Background: Mouse Double Minute 2 Homolog (MDM2) oncogenic protein
is the principal cellular antagonist of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. Restoration of p53
activity by inhibiting the MDM2-P53 interactions at the molecular level has become the
cornerstone of cancer research due to its promising anticancer effects. Natural medicinal
products possess various chemical structures and represent an essential source for drug
discovery. α-Mangostin (AM) and gambogic acid (G250) are plant-derived compounds
that showed inhibitory effects on MDM2-P53 interactions in vitro and in vivo.
Methods: Despite the many clinical studies which performed deeper insight about the
molecular understanding of the structural mechanisms exhibited by α-Mangostin and
Gambogic acid-binding to MDM2 remains critical. In this study, comparative molecular
dynamics simulations were performed for each Apo and bound p53 and MDM2 proteins
to shed light on the MDM2-p53 interactions and get a better understanding of the inhibition
mechanisms.
Results: Results revealed atomistic interaction of AM and G250 within the MDM2-p53
interaction cleft. Both compounds mediate the interaction between the α-helix motifs of
the p53 amino-terminal domain, which caused a significant separation between orthogonally
opposed residues, specifically Lys8 and Gly47 residues of the p53 and MDM2, respectively.
Contrasting changes in magnitudes were observed in per-residue fluctuation
on AM and G250 (~0.04 nm and ~2.3 nm, respectively). The Radius of gyration (~0.03
nm and 0.04 nm, respectively), C-alpha deviations (~0.06 nm and 0.1 nm, respectively).
The phenolic group of AM was found to establish hydrogen interactions with Glu28 and
His96 residues of MDM2. The trioxahexacyclo-ring of G250 also forms hydrogen bond
interactions with Lys51 and Leu26 residues of MDM2.
Conclusion: Utilizing the information provided on the inhibitory binding mode adopted
by each compound in this study may further assist in the tailored designs for cancer therapeutics.