Insights into the structure of urea-like compounds as inhibitors of the juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase (JHEH) of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta: analysis of the binding modes and structure-activity relationships of the inhibitors by docking and CoMFA calculations

Substituted urea compounds are well-known as potent inhibitors of juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase (JHEH) of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta. Docking simulations of 47 derivatives inside JHEH were performed to gain insight into the structural characteristics of these complexes. The obtained orientations show a strong similitude with the observed in the known X-ray crystal structures of human soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) complexed with dialkylurea inhibitors. In addition, the predicted inhibitor concentration (IC₅₀) of the above-mentioned compounds as JHEH inhibitors were obtained by a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) method by using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) applied to aligned dataset. The best models included steric and electrostatic fields and had adequate predictive abilities. In addition, these models were used to predict the activity of an external test set of compounds that was not used for building the model. Furthermore, plots of the CoMFA fields allowed conclusions to be drawn for the choice of suitable inhibitors.     

Development of a novel mathematical model using a group contribution method for prediction of ionic liquid toxicities

A new mathematical model has been developed that expresses the toxicities (EC₅₀ values) of a wide variety of ionic liquids (ILs) towards the freshwater flea Daphnia magna by means of a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR). The data were analyzed using summed contributions from the cations, their alkyl substituents and anions. The model employed multiple linear regression analysis with polynomial model using the MATLAB software. The model predicted IL toxicities with R² = 0.974 and standard error of estimate of 0.028. This model affords a practical, cost-effective and convenient alternative to experimental ecotoxicological assessment of many ILs.     

染料结构-光催化降解活性关系初步研究

以近20种水溶性染料为研究对象,选择正辛醇-水分配系数(Kow)、分子最高占据轨道能(EHOMO)及分子最低空轨道能(ELUMO)等理化参数,建立了染料的定量结构-光催化降解反应活性关系模型,得到定量关系式为:lgk＝0.016 28×lgKow 0.132 46×(ELUMO-EHOMO)-2.148 56,很好地表示反应活性与结构之间的定量关系,为水溶性染料的光催化降解活性预测提供了有效的工具.     

Integrated testing and intelligent assessment—new challenges under REACH

BACKGROUND, AIM AND SCOPE: Due to a number of drawbacks associated with the previous regime for the assessment of new and existing chemicals, the European Union established a new regulation concerning the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH). All relevant industrial chemicals must now be assessed. Instead of the authorities, industry itself is responsible for the risk assessment. To achieve better and more efficient assessments while reducing animal testing, all information-standard, non-standard and non-testing-has to be used in an integrated manner. To meet these challenges, the current technical guidance documents for risk assessment of new and existing chemicals had to be updated and extended considerably. This was done by experts in a number of REACH Implementation Projects. This paper presents the most relevant results of the expert Endpoint Working Group on Aquatic Toxicity in order to illustrate the change of paradigm in the future assessment of hazards to the aquatic environment by chemical substances. MAIN FEATURES AND CHALLENGES: REACH sets certain minimum data requirements in order to achieve a high level of protection for human health and the environment. It encourages the assessor to use alternative information instead of or in addition to standard one. This information has to be equivalent to the standard information requirement and adequate to draw overall conclusions with respect to the regulatory endpoints classification and labelling, persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) assessment and predicted no-effect concentrations (PNEC) derivation. The main task of the expert working group was to develop guidance on how to evaluate the toxicity of a substance based on integration of information from different sources and of various degrees of uncertainty in a weight of evidence approach. INTEGRATED TESTING AND INTELLIGENT ASSESSMENT: In order to verify the equivalence and adequacy of different types of information, a flexible sequence of steps was proposed, covering characterisation of the substance, analysis of modes of action, identification of possible analogues, evaluation of existing in vivo and in vitro testing data as well as of QSAR results. Finally, all available data from the different steps have to be integrated to come to an overall conclusion on the toxicity of the substance. This weight of evidence approach is the basis for the development of integrated testing strategies (ITS), in that the available evidence can help to determine subsequent testing steps and is essential for an optimal assessment. Its flexibility helps to meet the different requirements for drawing conclusions on the endpoints classification and labelling, PNEC derivation as well as PBT assessment. The integration of all kinds of additional information in a multi-criteria assessment reduces the uncertainties involved with extrapolation to the ecosystem level. The weight of evidence approach is illustrated by practical examples. CONCLUSIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: REACH leads to higher challenges in order to make sound decisions with fewer resources, i.e. to move away from extensive standard testing to an intelligent substance-tailored approach. Expert judgement and integrated thinking are key elements of the weight of evidence concept and ITS, potentially leading to better risk assessments. Important sub-lethal effects such as endocrine disruption, which are not covered by the current procedure, can be considered. Conclusions have to be fully substantiated: Risk communication will be an important aspect of future assessments.     

硝基芳族化合物对江水细菌的毒性及QSAR研究

采用细菌生长抑制实验,测定了２４种硝莽主族化合物对松花江水中细菌的毒性,得到２４ｈ－ＩＣ５０值,并选用５种物理化学参数ｌｇＰ、＾１Ｘ＾ｖ、Ｉ、∑σ＾－、ＥＬＵＭＯ对毒性数据进行量结构活性关系研究。     

定量预测多氯联苯的贝类净化

以量子化学参数为描述符,应用偏最小二乘法(PLS)对多氯联苯(PCBs)在淡水贝类Elliptio complanata体内的净化速率常数(k_d)进行了模拟分析,获得一个五参数定量结构-活性相关(QSAR)模型.模型的交叉验证相关系数(Q_cum2)和标准偏差(SD)分别为0.871和0.112,表明其具有较高的预测能力和可靠性. 模型中具有重要意义的参数包括平均分子极化率(α),分子量(M_w),核核斥能(CCR)和总能(TE). 这些参数表明,偶极-诱导偶极作用和色散力是影响贝类Elliptio complanata净化PCBs的主要因素.      

不同pH值下对发光菌的毒性及QSAR研究

测定了11种苯酚类化合物在不同pH下对发光菌的急性毒性(15minEC50。)。应用两种理化参数logP和pKa对毒性数据进行了定量构效关系(QSARs)研究,并在此基础上初步探讨了苯酚类化合物的毒性机制。结果表明,苯酚类化合物对发光菌的毒性随pH的升高而减小,这与不同pH下苯酚类化合物的电离程度有关。相同pH下,苯酚类化合物的毒性随取代基团的种类、个数及取代位置而不同。苯酚类化合物属于极性麻醉(麻醉Ⅱ型)化合物,毒性可用logP和pKa来联合描述。     

A model based on molecular structure descriptors for predicting mutagenicity of organic compounds

A model predictive of the potential mutagenicity of organic compounds was devised by relating mutagenicity data obtained in the Ames reversion test to molecular structure parameters describing their hydrophobic, topological, steric and electronic properties. These included second order valence molecular connectivity index, parachor, molar refraction and polarizability of electrons. A classification rule was calculated, by means of discriminant analysis, using a training set of 117 compounds of various chemical classes. There was agreement between experimental data and theoretical expectations for the majority of compounds (70.9%), with homogeneous figures among the different chemical classes under scrutiny. An exception was represented by halogenated aliphatics with up to 3 C atoms, the mutagenicity of which was poorly predicted by the structural analysis model.