101
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Chen XS, Pomerantz RT. DNA Polymerase θ: A Cancer Drug Target with Reverse Transcriptase Activity. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1146. [PMID: 34440316 PMCID: PMC8391894 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of precision medicine from the development of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors that preferentially kill cells defective in homologous recombination has sparked wide interest in identifying and characterizing additional DNA repair enzymes that are synthetic lethal with HR factors. DNA polymerase theta (Polθ) is a validated anti-cancer drug target that is synthetic lethal with HR factors and other DNA repair proteins and confers cellular resistance to various genotoxic cancer therapies. Since its initial characterization as a helicase-polymerase fusion protein in 2003, many exciting and unexpected activities of Polθ in microhomology-mediated end-joining (MMEJ) and translesion synthesis (TLS) have been discovered. Here, we provide a short review of Polθ's DNA repair activities and its potential as a drug target and highlight a recent report that reveals Polθ as a naturally occurring reverse transcriptase (RT) in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojiang S. Chen
- Molecular and Computational Biology, USC Dornsife Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA;
| | - Richard T. Pomerantz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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102
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Cohen P, Cross D, Jänne PA. Kinase drug discovery 20 years after imatinib: progress and future directions. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:551-569. [PMID: 34002056 PMCID: PMC8127496 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00195-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 454] [Impact Index Per Article: 151.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Protein kinases regulate nearly all aspects of cell life, and alterations in their expression, or mutations in their genes, cause cancer and other diseases. Here, we review the remarkable progress made over the past 20 years in improving the potency and specificity of small-molecule inhibitors of protein and lipid kinases, resulting in the approval of more than 70 new drugs since imatinib was approved in 2001. These compounds have had a significant impact on the way in which we now treat cancers and non-cancerous conditions. We discuss how the challenge of drug resistance to kinase inhibitors is being met and the future of kinase drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Cohen
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | | | - Pasi A Jänne
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
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103
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Yu F, Cai M, Shao L, Zhang J. Targeting Protein Kinases Degradation by PROTACs. Front Chem 2021; 9:679120. [PMID: 34277564 PMCID: PMC8279777 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.679120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinase dysregulation is greatly associated with cell proliferation, migration and survival, indicating the importance of kinases as therapeutic targets for anticancer drug development. However, traditional kinase inhibitors binding to catalytic or allosteric sites are associated with significant challenges. The emergence of resistance and targeting difficult-to-degrade and multi-domain proteins are significant limiting factors affecting the efficacy of targeted anticancer drugs. The next-generation treatment approaches seem to have overcome these concerns, and the use of proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology is one such method. PROTACs bind to proteins of interest and recruit E3 ligase for degrading the whole target protein via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. This review provides a detailed summary of the most recent signs of progress in PROTACs targeting different kinases, primarily focusing on new chemical entities in medicinal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yu
- Medical School of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Ming Cai
- Medical School of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Liang Shao
- Medical School of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Jihong Zhang
- Medical School of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
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104
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Wang C, Zhang Y, Xing D, Zhang R. PROTACs technology for targeting non-oncoproteins: Advances and perspectives. Bioorg Chem 2021; 114:105109. [PMID: 34175722 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have been developed to be an effective technology for targeted protein degradation. Each PROTAC contains three key components: a protein-of-interest (POI) ligand, an E3 ligase ligand, and a linker. These bifunctional molecules can hijack the intracellular inherent ubiquitin-proteasome system to degrade different POIs. With several advantages over other therapeutic strategies, PROTACs have set off a new upsurge of drug discovery in recent years. PRTOACs have been extensively explored worldwide and have excelled not only in cancer diseases but also in cardiovascular diseases, fatty liver disease, immune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and viral infections. In this review, we aim to summarize the rapid progress from 2010 to 2021 in PROTACs targeting various non-oncoproteins and elucidate the advantages of PROTACs technology. Finally, the potential challenges of this dynamic field are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Cancer Institute, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Yujing Zhang
- The Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Dongming Xing
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Cancer Institute, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China; School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Renshuai Zhang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Cancer Institute, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China.
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105
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Sobhani N, Neeli PK, D’Angelo A, Pittacolo M, Sirico M, Galli IC, Roviello G, Nesi G. AR-V7 in Metastatic Prostate Cancer: A Strategy beyond Redemption. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5515. [PMID: 34073713 PMCID: PMC8197232 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic prostate cancer is the most common cancer in males and the fifth cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Despite the major progress in this field, leading to the approval of novel anti-androgens, the prognosis is still poor. A significant number of patients acquire an androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7), which is constitutively activated and lacks the ligand-binding domain (LBD) while maintaining the nuclear localization signal and DNA-binding domain (DBD). This conformational change, even in the absence of the ligand, allows its retention within the nucleus, where it acts as a transcription factor repressing crucial tumor suppressor genes. AR-V7 is an important oncogenic driver and plays a role as an early diagnostic and prognostic marker, as well as a therapeutic target for antagonists such as niclosamide and TAS3681. Anti-AR-V7 drugs have shown promise in recent clinical investigations on this subset of patients. This mini-review focuses on the relevance of AR-V7 in the clinical manifestations of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and summarizes redemptive therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Sobhani
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.S.); (P.K.N.); (M.P.)
| | - Praveen Kumar Neeli
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.S.); (P.K.N.); (M.P.)
| | - Alberto D’Angelo
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK;
| | - Matteo Pittacolo
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.S.); (P.K.N.); (M.P.)
| | - Marianna Sirico
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK;
- Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Cremona, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| | - Ilaria Camilla Galli
- Histopathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Careggi Teaching Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | | | - Gabriella Nesi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy;
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106
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Tang K, Wu YH, Song Y, Yu B. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibitors in clinical trials for cancer immunotherapy. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:68. [PMID: 33883013 PMCID: PMC8061021 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01080-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is a heme enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of L-tryptophan. Functionally, IDO1 has played a pivotal role in cancer immune escape via catalyzing the initial step of the kynurenine pathway, and overexpression of IDO1 is also associated with poor prognosis in various cancers. Currently, several small-molecule candidates and peptide vaccines are currently being assessed in clinical trials. Furthermore, the "proteolysis targeting chimera" (PROTAC) technology has also been successfully used in the development of IDO1 degraders, providing novel therapeutics for cancers. Herein, we review the biological functions of IDO1, structural biology and also extensively summarize medicinal chemistry strategies for the development of IDO1 inhibitors in clinical trials. The emerging PROTAC-based IDO1 degraders are also highlighted. This review may provide a comprehensive and updated overview on IDO1 inhibitors and their therapeutic potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Tang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Ya-Hong Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yihui Song
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Bin Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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107
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Zeng S, Zhang H, Shen Z, Huang W. Photopharmacology of Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras: A New Frontier for Drug Discovery. Front Chem 2021; 9:639176. [PMID: 33777902 PMCID: PMC7987681 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.639176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Photopharmacology is an emerging field that uses light to precisely control drug activity. This strategy promises to improve drug specificity for reducing off-target effects. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are an advanced technology engineered to degrade pathogenic proteins through the ubiquitin-proteasome system for disease treatment. This approach has the potential to target the undruggable proteome via event-driven pharmacology. Recently, the combination strategy of photopharmacology and PROTACs has gained tremendous momentum for its use in the discovery and development of new therapies. This review systematically focuses on PROTAC-based photopharmacology. Herein, we provide an overview of the new and vibrant research on photoPROTACs, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this approach as a biological tool, and outline the challenges it faces in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenxin Zeng
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Materia Medica, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongjie Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Materia Medica, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhengrong Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Materia Medica, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenhai Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Materia Medica, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
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