Caroline Knorz

Ms. Caroline Knorz


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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8 January 2024 in Pharmaceuticals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SASara Abdelfatah
Sara Abdelfatah
CKCaroline Knorz
Caroline Knorz
AAAkhtar Ayoobi
Akhtar Ayoobi
EOEjlal A. Omer
Ejlal A. Omer
MRMatteo Rosellini
Matteo Rosellini
Thomas EfferthThomas Efferth
Thomas Efferth
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are one of the largest distributed classes of toxins in nature. They have a wide range of toxicity, such as hepatotoxicity, pulmonary toxicity, neuronal toxicity, and carcinogenesis. Yet, biological targets responsible for these effects are not well addressed. Using methods of computational biology for target identification, we tested more than 200 PAs. We used a machine-learning approach that applies structural similarity for target identification, ChemMapper, and SwissTargetPrediction. The predicted targets with high probabilities were muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1. The predicted interactions between these two targets and PAs were further studied by molecular docking-based binding energies using AutoDock and VinaLC, which revealed good binding affinities. The PAs are bound to the same binding pocket as pirenzepine, a known M1 antagonist. These results were confirmed by in vitro assays showing that PAs increased the levels of intracellular calcium. We conclude that PAs are potential acetylcholine receptor M1 antagonists. This elucidates for the first time the serious neuro-oncological toxicities exerted by PA consumption.