Combining small-molecule bioconjugation and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to expose allostery: the case of human cytochrome P450 3A4

Abstract

We report herein a novel approach to study allostery which combines the use of carefully selected bioconjugates and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS). The utility of our method is demonstrated using human cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). CYP3A4 is arguably the most important drug-metabolizing enzyme, and as such, is involved in numerous drug interactions. Diverse allosteric ligand effects have been reported for this enzyme, yet the structural mechanism of these phenomena remain poorly understood. We have described different CYP3A4-effector bioconjugates, some of which mimic the allosteric effect of positive effectors on CYP3A4, while others show activity enhancement even though the label does not occupy the allosteric pocket (agonistic), or do not show activation while still blocking the allosteric site (antagonistic). These bioonjugates were studied here by HDX-MS, which enabled us to better define the position of the allosteric site, and to identify important regions involved in CYP3A4 activation.