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Publication Abstract from PubMed

Analyzing the active site topology and plasticity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and understanding enzyme-drug interactions are crucial for the development of potent, isoform-selective NOS inhibitors. A small hydrophobic pocket in the active site is identified in the bovine eNOS heme domain structures complexed with potent isothiourea inhibitors: seleno analogue of S-ethyl-isothiourea, S-isopropyl-isothiourea, and 2-aminothiazoline, respectively. These structures reveal the importance of nonpolar van der Waals contacts in addition to the well-known hydrogen bonding interactions between inhibitor and enzyme. The scaffold of a potent NOS inhibitor should be capable of donating hydrogen bonds to as well as making nonpolar contacts with amino acids in the NOS active site.

Mapping the active site polarity in structures of endothelial nitric oxide synthase heme domain complexed with isothioureas.,Li H, Raman CS, Martasek P, Kral V, Masters BS, Poulos TL J Inorg Biochem. 2000 Aug 31;81(3):133-9. PMID:11051558^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.