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Zeng Y, Ren X, Jin P, Fan Z, Liu M, Zhang Y, Li L, Zhuo M, Wang J, Li Z, Wu M. Inhibitors and PROTACs of CDK2: challenges and opportunities. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024:1-24. [PMID: 38994606 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2376655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Abundant evidence suggests that the overexpression of CDK2-cyclin A/E complex disrupts normal cell cycle regulation, leading to uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells. Thus, CDK2 has become a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. In recent years, insights into the structures of the CDK2 catalytic site and allosteric pockets have provided notable opportunities for developing more effective clinical candidates of CDK2 inhibitors. AREA COVERED This article reviews the latest CDK2 inhibitors that have entered clinical trials and discusses the design and discovery of the most promising new preclinical CDK2 inhibitors in recent years. Additionally, it summarizes the development of allosteric CDK2 inhibitors and CDK2-targeting PROTACs. The review encompasses strategies for inhibitor and PROTAC design, structure-activity relationships, as well as in vitro and in vivo biological assessments. EXPERT OPINION Despite considerable effort, no CDK2 inhibitor has yet received FDA approval for marketing due to poor selectivity and observed toxicity in clinical settings. Future research must prioritize the optimization of the selectivity, potency, and pharmacokinetics of CDK2 inhibitors and PROTACs. Moreover, exploring combination therapies incorporating CDK2 inhibitors with other targeted agents, or the design of multi-target inhibitors, presents significant promise for advancing cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangjie Zeng
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiaodong Ren
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Pengyao Jin
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhida Fan
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | | | - Yali Zhang
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Linzhao Li
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Ming Zhuo
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jubo Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyu Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China
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Hillebrand L, Liang XJ, Serafim RAM, Gehringer M. Emerging and Re-emerging Warheads for Targeted Covalent Inhibitors: An Update. J Med Chem 2024; 67:7668-7758. [PMID: 38711345 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Covalent inhibitors and other types of covalent modalities have seen a revival in the past two decades, with a variety of new targeted covalent drugs having been approved in recent years. A key feature of such molecules is an intrinsically reactive group, typically a weak electrophile, which enables the irreversible or reversible formation of a covalent bond with a specific amino acid of the target protein. This reactive group, often called the "warhead", is a critical determinant of the ligand's activity, selectivity, and general biological properties. In 2019, we summarized emerging and re-emerging warhead chemistries to target cysteine and other amino acids (Gehringer, M.; Laufer, S. A. J. Med. Chem. 2019, 62, 5673-5724; DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01153). Since then, the field has rapidly evolved. Here we discuss the progress on covalent warheads made since our last Perspective and their application in medicinal chemistry and chemical biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hillebrand
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Xiaojun Julia Liang
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided & Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ricardo A M Serafim
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Gehringer
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided & Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Lucas SCC, Blackwell JH, Hewitt SH, Semple H, Whitehurst BC, Xu H. Covalent hits and where to find them. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2024; 29:100142. [PMID: 38278484 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Covalent hits for drug discovery campaigns are neither fantastic beasts nor mythical creatures, they can be routinely identified through electrophile-first screening campaigns using a suite of different techniques. These include biophysical and biochemical methods, cellular approaches, and DNA-encoded libraries. Employing best practice, however, is critical to success. The purpose of this review is to look at state of the art covalent hit identification, how to identify hits from a covalent library and how to select compounds for medicinal chemistry programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon C C Lucas
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D, Cambridge, UK.
| | | | - Sarah H Hewitt
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hannah Semple
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Hua Xu
- Mechanistic and structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D, Waltham, USA
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Knight H, Abis G, Kaur M, Green HL, Krasemann S, Hartmann K, Lynham S, Clark J, Zhao L, Ruppert C, Weiss A, Schermuly RT, Eaton P, Rudyk O. Cyclin D-CDK4 Disulfide Bond Attenuates Pulmonary Vascular Cell Proliferation. Circ Res 2023; 133:966-988. [PMID: 37955182 PMCID: PMC10699508 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.321836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a chronic vascular disease characterized, among other abnormalities, by hyperproliferative smooth muscle cells and a perturbed cellular redox and metabolic balance. Oxidants induce cell cycle arrest to halt proliferation; however, little is known about the redox-regulated effector proteins that mediate these processes. Here, we report a novel kinase-inhibitory disulfide bond in cyclin D-CDK4 (cyclin-dependent kinase 4) and investigate its role in cell proliferation and PH. METHODS Oxidative modifications of cyclin D-CDK4 were detected in human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells and human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells. Site-directed mutagenesis, tandem mass-spectrometry, cell-based experiments, in vitro kinase activity assays, in silico structural modeling, and a novel redox-dead constitutive knock-in mouse were utilized to investigate the nature and definitively establish the importance of CDK4 cysteine modification in pulmonary vascular cell proliferation. Furthermore, the cyclin D-CDK4 oxidation was assessed in vivo in the pulmonary arteries and isolated human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and in 3 preclinical models of PH. RESULTS Cyclin D-CDK4 forms a reversible oxidant-induced heterodimeric disulfide dimer between C7/8 and C135, respectively, in cells in vitro and in pulmonary arteries in vivo to inhibit cyclin D-CDK4 kinase activity, decrease Rb (retinoblastoma) protein phosphorylation, and induce cell cycle arrest. Mutation of CDK4 C135 causes a kinase-impaired phenotype, which decreases cell proliferation rate and alleviates disease phenotype in an experimental mouse PH model, suggesting this cysteine is indispensable for cyclin D-CDK4 kinase activity. Pulmonary arteries and human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension display a decreased level of CDK4 disulfide, consistent with CDK4 being hyperactive in human pulmonary arterial hypertension. Furthermore, auranofin treatment, which induces the cyclin D-CDK4 disulfide, attenuates disease severity in experimental PH models by mitigating pulmonary vascular remodeling. CONCLUSIONS A novel disulfide bond in cyclin D-CDK4 acts as a rapid switch to inhibit kinase activity and halt cell proliferation. This oxidative modification forms at a critical cysteine residue, which is unique to CDK4, offering the potential for the design of a selective covalent inhibitor predicted to be beneficial in PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Knight
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (H.K., M.K., H.L.H.G., J.C., O.R.), King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Giancarlo Abis
- Division of Biosciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, United Kingdom (G.A.)
| | - Manpreet Kaur
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (H.K., M.K., H.L.H.G., J.C., O.R.), King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah L.H. Green
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (H.K., M.K., H.L.H.G., J.C., O.R.), King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Susanne Krasemann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (S.K., K.H.)
| | - Kristin Hartmann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (S.K., K.H.)
| | - Steven Lynham
- Proteomics Core Facility, Centre of Excellence for Mass Spectrometry (S.L.), King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - James Clark
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (H.K., M.K., H.L.H.G., J.C., O.R.), King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Lan Zhao
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, United Kingdom (L.Z.)
| | - Clemens Ruppert
- Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center Giessen Biobank, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany (C.R.)
| | - Astrid Weiss
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Germany (A.W., R.T.S.)
| | - Ralph T. Schermuly
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Germany (A.W., R.T.S.)
| | - Philip Eaton
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (P.E.)
| | - Olena Rudyk
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (H.K., M.K., H.L.H.G., J.C., O.R.), King’s College London, United Kingdom
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Hocking B, Armstrong A, Mann DJ. Covalent fragment libraries in drug discovery-Design, synthesis, and screening methods. PROGRESS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2023; 62:105-146. [PMID: 37981350 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmch.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
As the development of drugs with a covalent mode of action is becoming increasingly popular, well-validated covalent fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) methods have been comparatively slow to keep up with the demand. In this chapter the principles of covalent fragment reactivity, library design, synthesis, and screening methods are explored in depth, focussing on literature examples with direct applications to practical covalent fragment library design and screening. Further, questions about the future of the field are explored and potential useful advances are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad Hocking
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Armstrong
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, London, United Kingdom
| | - David J Mann
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Oyedele AQK, Ogunlana AT, Boyenle ID, Adeyemi AO, Rita TO, Adelusi TI, Abdul-Hammed M, Elegbeleye OE, Odunitan TT. Docking covalent targets for drug discovery: stimulating the computer-aided drug design community of possible pitfalls and erroneous practices. Mol Divers 2023; 27:1879-1903. [PMID: 36057867 PMCID: PMC9441019 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10523-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The continuous approval of covalent drugs in recent years for the treatment of diseases has led to an increased search for covalent agents by medicinal chemists and computational scientists worldwide. In the computational parlance, molecular docking which is a popular tool to investigate the interaction of a ligand and a protein target, does not account for the formation of covalent bond, and the increasing application of these conventional programs to covalent targets in early drug discovery practice is a matter of utmost concern. Thus, in this comprehensive review, we sought to educate the docking community about the realization of covalent docking and the existence of suitable programs to make their future virtual-screening events on covalent targets worthwhile and scientifically rational. More interestingly, we went beyond the classical description of the functionality of covalent-docking programs down to selecting the 'best' program to consult with during a virtual-screening campaign based on receptor class and covalent warhead chemistry. In addition, we made a highlight on how covalent docking could be achieved using random conventional docking software. And lastly, we raised an alert on the growing erroneous molecular docking practices with covalent targets. Our aim is to guide scientists in the rational docking pursuit when dealing with covalent targets, as this will reduce false-positive results and also increase the reliability of their work for translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul-Quddus Kehinde Oyedele
- Computational Biology/Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Abdeen Tunde Ogunlana
- Computational Biology/Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
| | - Ibrahim Damilare Boyenle
- Computational Biology/Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemsitry, University of Maryland, Maryland, USA.
- College of Health Sciences, Crescent University, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
| | | | - Temionu Oluwakemi Rita
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Lagos State College of Health, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Temitope Isaac Adelusi
- Computational Biology/Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
| | - Misbaudeen Abdul-Hammed
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
| | - Oluwabamise Emmanuel Elegbeleye
- Computational Biology/Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
| | - Tope Tunji Odunitan
- Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
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7
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Hope I, Endicott JA, Watt JE. Emerging approaches to CDK inhibitor development, a structural perspective. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:146-164. [PMID: 36794018 PMCID: PMC9906319 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00201a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activity of the cyclin-dependent kinase family is frequently noted in a number of diseases identifying them as potential targets for drug development. However, current CDK inhibitors lack specificity owing to the high sequence and structural conservation of the ATP binding cleft across family members, highlighting the necessity of finding novel modes of CDK inhibition. The wealth of structural information regarding CDK assemblies and inhibitor complexes derived from X-ray crystallographic studies has been recently complemented through the use of cryo-electron microscopy. These recent advances have provided insights into the functional roles and regulatory mechanisms of CDKs and their interaction partners. This review explores the conformational malleability of the CDK subunit, the importance of SLiM recognition sites in CDK complexes, the progress made in chemically induced CDK degradation and how these studies can contribute to CDK inhibitor design. Additionally, fragment-based drug discovery can be utilised to identify small molecules that bind to allosteric sites on the CDK surface employing interactions which mimic those of native protein-protein interactions. These recent structural advances in CDK inhibitor mechanisms and in chemical probes which do not occupy the orthosteric ATP binding site can provide important insights for targeted CDK therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Hope
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Paul O'Gorman Building, Framlington Place Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH UK
| | - Jane A Endicott
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Paul O'Gorman Building, Framlington Place Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH UK
| | - Jessica E Watt
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Paul O'Gorman Building, Framlington Place Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH UK
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Wu Q, Huang SY. HCovDock: an efficient docking method for modeling covalent protein-ligand interactions. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:6961470. [PMID: 36573474 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Covalent inhibitors have received extensive attentions in the past few decades because of their long residence time, high binding efficiency and strong selectivity. Therefore, it is valuable to develop computational tools like molecular docking for modeling of covalent protein-ligand interactions or screening of potential covalent drugs. Meeting the needs, we have proposed HCovDock, an efficient docking algorithm for covalent protein-ligand interactions by integrating a ligand sampling method of incremental construction and a scoring function with covalent bond-based energy. Tested on a benchmark containing 207 diverse protein-ligand complexes, HCovDock exhibits a significantly better performance than seven other state-of-the-art covalent docking programs (AutoDock, Cov_DOX, CovDock, FITTED, GOLD, ICM-Pro and MOE). With the criterion of ligand root-mean-squared distance < 2.0 Å, HCovDock obtains a high success rate of 70.5% and 93.2% in reproducing experimentally observed structures for top 1 and top 10 predictions. In addition, HCovDock is also validated in virtual screening against 10 receptors of three proteins. HCovDock is computationally efficient and the average running time for docking a ligand is only 5 min with as fast as 1 sec for ligands with one rotatable bond and about 18 min for ligands with 23 rotational bonds. HCovDock can be freely assessed at http://huanglab.phys.hust.edu.cn/hcovdock/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qilong Wu
- School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P. R. China
| | - Sheng-You Huang
- School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P. R. China
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9
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McAulay K, Bilsland A, Bon M. Reactivity of Covalent Fragments and Their Role in Fragment Based Drug Discovery. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1366. [PMID: 36355538 PMCID: PMC9694498 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragment based drug discovery has long been used for the identification of new ligands and interest in targeted covalent inhibitors has continued to grow in recent years, with high profile drugs such as osimertinib and sotorasib gaining FDA approval. It is therefore unsurprising that covalent fragment-based approaches have become popular and have recently led to the identification of novel targets and binding sites, as well as ligands for targets previously thought to be 'undruggable'. Understanding the properties of such covalent fragments is important, and characterizing and/or predicting reactivity can be highly useful. This review aims to discuss the requirements for an electrophilic fragment library and the importance of differing warhead reactivity. Successful case studies from the world of drug discovery are then be examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten McAulay
- Cancer Research Horizons—Therapeutic Innovation, Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, University of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Alan Bilsland
- Cancer Research Horizons—Therapeutic Innovation, Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Marta Bon
- Cancer Research Horizons—Therapeutic Innovation, Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Exscientia, The Schrödinger Building, Oxford Science Park, Oxford OX4 4GE, UK
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10
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St. Denis JD, Chessari G, Cleasby A, Cons BD, Cowan S, Dalton SE, East C, Murray CW, O’Reilly M, Peakman T, Rapti M, Stow JL. X-ray Screening of an Electrophilic Fragment Library and Application toward the Development of a Novel ERK 1/2 Covalent Inhibitor. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12319-12333. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D. St. Denis
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Gianni Chessari
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Cleasby
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin D. Cons
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanna Cowan
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel E. Dalton
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte East
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher W. Murray
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Marc O’Reilly
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Torren Peakman
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Magdalini Rapti
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Jessie L. Stow
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
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11
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Wah Tan Z, Tee WV, Berezovsky IN. Learning about allosteric drugs and ways to design them. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167692. [PMID: 35738428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
While the accelerating quest for precision medicine requires new individually targeting and selective drugs, and the ability to work with so-called undruggable targets, the realm of allosteric drugs meeting this need remains largely uncharted. Generalizing the observations on two major drug targets with widely observed inherent allostery, GPCRs and kinases, we describe and discuss basic allosteric modes of action that are universally applicable in all types of structures and functions. Using examples of Class A GPCRs and CMGC protein kinases, we show how Allosteric Signalling and Probing Fingerprints can be used to identify potential allosteric sites and reveal effector-leads that may serve as a starting point for the development of allosteric drugs targeting these regulatory sites. A set of distinct characteristics of allosteric ligands was established, which highlights the versatility of their design and make them advantageous before their orthosteric counterparts in personalized medicine. We argue that rational design of allosteric drugs should begin with the search for latent sites or design of non-natural binding sites followed by fragment-based design of allosteric ligands and by the mutual adjustment of the site-ligand pair in order to achieve required effects. On the basis of the perturbative nature and reversibility of allosteric communication, we propose a generic protocol for computational design of allosteric effectors, enabling also the allosteric tuning of biologics, in obtaining allosteric control over protein functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wah Tan
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01, Matrix, Singapore 138671
| | - Wei-Ven Tee
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01, Matrix, Singapore 138671
| | - Igor N Berezovsky
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01, Matrix, Singapore 138671; Department of Biological Sciences (DBS), National University of Singapore (NUS), 8 Medical Drive, 117579, Singapore.
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12
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Qin B, Craven GB, Hou P, Chesti J, Lu X, Child ES, Morgan RML, Niu W, Zhao L, Armstrong A, Mann DJ, Cui S. Acrylamide fragment inhibitors that induce unprecedented conformational distortions in enterovirus 71 3C and SARS-CoV-2 main protease. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:3924-3933. [PMID: 35702321 PMCID: PMC9181371 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA viruses are critically dependent upon virally encoded proteases to cleave the viral polyproteins into functional proteins. Many of these proteases exhibit a similar fold and contain an essential catalytic cysteine, offering the opportunity to inhibit these enzymes with electrophilic small molecules. Here we describe the successful application of quantitative irreversible tethering (qIT) to identify acrylamide fragments that target the active site cysteine of the 3C protease (3Cpro) of Enterovirus 71, the causative agent of hand, foot and mouth disease in humans, altering the substrate binding region. Further, we re-purpose these hits towards the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 which shares the 3C-like fold and a similar active site. The hit fragments covalently link to the catalytic cysteine of Mpro to inhibit its activity. We demonstrate that targeting the active site cysteine of Mpro can have profound allosteric effects, distorting secondary structures to disrupt the active dimeric unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100076, China
| | - Gregory B Craven
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Pengjiao Hou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100076, China
| | - Julian Chesti
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Xinran Lu
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Emma S Child
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Rhodri M L Morgan
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Wenchao Niu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lina Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Alan Armstrong
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - David J Mann
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Sheng Cui
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100076, China
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13
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Proj M, Knez D, Sosič I, Gobec S. Redox active or thiol reactive? Optimization of rapid screens to identify less evident nuisance compounds. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:1733-1742. [PMID: 35301150 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Compounds that exhibit assay interference or undesirable mechanisms of bioactivity are routinely encountered in assays at various stages of drug discovery. We observed that assays for the investigation of thiol-reactive and redox-active compounds have not been collected in a comprehensive review. Here, we review these assays and subject them to experimental optimization to improve their reliability. We demonstrate the usefulness of our assay cascade by assaying a library of bioactive compounds, chemical probes, and a set of approved drugs. These high-throughput assays should complement the array of wet-lab and in silico assays during the initial stages of hit discovery campaigns to pursue only hit compounds with tractable mechanisms of action. Teaser: We provide an overview of assays to detect redox active and thiol reactive compounds and the robust protocols for identification of nuisance compounds during early stages of drug discovery programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matic Proj
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Askerceva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damijan Knez
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Askerceva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Izidor Sosič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Askerceva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Stanislav Gobec
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Askerceva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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14
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Jamshidiha M, Lanyon-Hogg T, Sutherell CL, Craven GB, Tersa M, De Vita E, Brustur D, Pérez-Dorado I, Hassan S, Petracca R, Morgan RM, Sanz-Hernández M, Norman JC, Armstrong A, Mann DJ, Cota E, Tate EW. Identification of the first structurally validated covalent ligands of the small GTPase RAB27A. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:150-155. [PMID: 35308027 PMCID: PMC8864489 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00225b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rab27A is a small GTPase, which mediates transport and docking of secretory vesicles at the plasma membrane via protein-protein interactions (PPIs) with effector proteins. Rab27A promotes the growth and invasion of multiple cancer types such as breast, lung and pancreatic, by enhancing secretion of chemokines, metalloproteases and exosomes. The significant role of Rab27A in multiple cancer types and the minor role in adults suggest that Rab27A may be a suitable target to disrupt cancer metastasis. Similar to many GTPases, the flat topology of the Rab27A-effector PPI interface and the high affinity for GTP make it a challenging target for inhibition by small molecules. Reported co-crystal structures show that several effectors of Rab27A interact with the Rab27A SF4 pocket ('WF-binding pocket') via a conserved tryptophan-phenylalanine (WF) dipeptide motif. To obtain structural insight into the ligandability of this pocket, a novel construct was designed fusing Rab27A to part of an effector protein (fRab27A), allowing crystallisation of Rab27A in high throughput. The paradigm of KRas covalent inhibitor development highlights the challenge presented by GTPase proteins as targets. However, taking advantage of two cysteine residues, C123 and C188, that flank the WF pocket and are unique to Rab27A and Rab27B among the >60 Rab family proteins, we used the quantitative Irreversible Tethering (qIT) assay to identify the first covalent ligands for native Rab27A. The binding modes of two hits were elucidated by co-crystallisation with fRab27A, exemplifying a platform for identifying suitable lead fragments for future development of competitive inhibitors of the Rab27A-effector interaction interface, corroborating the use of covalent libraries to tackle challenging targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Jamshidiha
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ UK
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Thomas Lanyon-Hogg
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ UK
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London London W12 0BZ UK
| | | | - Gregory B Craven
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Montse Tersa
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Elena De Vita
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Delia Brustur
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London London W12 0BZ UK
| | | | - Sarah Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Rita Petracca
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Rhodri M Morgan
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ UK
| | | | - Jim C Norman
- Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Garscube Estate Glasgow G61 1BD UK
| | - Alan Armstrong
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London London W12 0BZ UK
| | - David J Mann
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Ernesto Cota
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Edward W Tate
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London London W12 0BZ UK
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15
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Jung Y, Noda N, Takaya J, Abo M, Toh K, Tajiri K, Cui C, Zhou L, Sato SI, Uesugi M. Discovery of Non-Cysteine-Targeting Covalent Inhibitors by Activity-Based Proteomic Screening with a Cysteine-Reactive Probe. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:340-347. [PMID: 35076225 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Covalent inhibitors of enzymes are increasingly appreciated as pharmaceutical seeds, yet discovering non-cysteine-targeting inhibitors remains challenging. Herein, we report an intriguing experience during our activity-based proteomic screening of 1601 reactive small molecules, in which we monitored the ability of library molecules to compete with a cysteine-reactive iodoacetamide probe. One epoxide molecule, F8, exhibited unexpected enhancement of the probe reactivity for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a rate-limiting glycolysis enzyme. In-depth mechanistic analysis suggests that F8 forms a covalent adduct with an aspartic acid in the active site to displace NAD+, a cofactor of the enzyme, with concomitant enhancement of the probe reaction with the catalytic cysteine. The mechanistic underpinning permitted the identification of an optimized aspartate-reactive GAPDH inhibitor. Our findings exemplify that activity-based proteomic screening with a cysteine-reactive probe can be used for discovering covalent inhibitors that react with non-cysteine residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yejin Jung
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Naotaka Noda
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Junichiro Takaya
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Masahiro Abo
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Kohei Toh
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Ken Tajiri
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Changyi Cui
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lu Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shin-ichi Sato
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Motonari Uesugi
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
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16
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Xiong M, Nie T, Shao Q, Li M, Su H, Xu Y. In silico screening-based discovery of novel covalent inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 231:114130. [PMID: 35114541 PMCID: PMC8783839 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) 3CL protease (3CLpro) has been regarded as an extremely promising antiviral target for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we carried out a virtual screening based on commercial compounds database to find novel covalent non-peptidomimetic inhibitors of this protease. It allowed us to identify 3 hit compounds with potential covalent binding modes, which were evaluated through an enzymatic activity assay of the SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro. Moreover, an X-ray crystal structure of the SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro in complex with compound 8, the most potent hit with an IC50 value of 8.50 μM, confirmed the covalent binding of the predicted warhead to the catalytic residue C145, as well as portrayed interactions of the compound with S1’ and S2 subsites at the ligand binding pocket. Overall, the present work not merely provided an experiment-validated covalent hit targeting the SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro, but also displayed a prime example to seeking new covalent small molecules by a feasible and effective computational approach.
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17
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Faber EB, Wang N, Georg GI. Review of rationale and progress toward targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) for male contraception†. Biol Reprod 2021; 103:357-367. [PMID: 32543655 PMCID: PMC7523694 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) is a member of the larger cell cycle regulating CDK family of kinases, activated by binding partner cyclins as its name suggests. Despite its canonical role in mitosis, CDK2 knockout mice are viable but sterile, suggesting compensatory mechanisms for loss of CDK2 in mitosis but not meiosis. Here, we review the literature surrounding the role of CDK2 in meiosis, particularly a cyclin-independent role in complex with another activator, Speedy 1 (SPY1). From this evidence, we suggest that CDK2 could be a viable nonhormonal male contraceptive target. Finally, we review the literature of pertinent CDK2 inhibitors from the preclinical to clinical stages, mostly developed to treat various cancers. To date, there is no potent yet selective CDK2 inhibitor that could be repurposed as a contraceptive without appreciable off-target toxicity. To achieve selectivity for CDK2 over closely related kinases, developing compounds that bind outside the conserved adenosine triphosphate-binding site may be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik B Faber
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Medical-Scientist Training Program, University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Nan Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Gunda I Georg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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18
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Zhou Y, Shen W, Peng J, Deng Y, Li X. Identification of isoform/domain-selective fragments from the selection of DNA-encoded dynamic library. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 45:116328. [PMID: 34364223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
DNA-encoded chemical library (DEL) has emerged to be a powerful ligand screening technology in drug discovery. Recently, we reported a DNA-encoded dynamic library (DEDL) approach that combines the principle of traditional dynamic combinatorial library (DCL) with DEL. DEDL has shown excellent potential in fragment-based ligand discovery with a variety of protein targets. Here, we further tested the utility of DEDL in identifying low molecular weight fragments that are selective for different isoforms or domains of the same protein family. A 10,000-member DEDL was selected against sirtuin-1, 2, and 5 (SIRT1, 2, 5) and the BD1 and BD2 domains of bromodomain 4 (BRD4), respectively. Albeit with modest potency, a series of isoform/domain-selective fragments were identified and the corresponding inhibitors were derived by fragment linking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhou
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Wenyin Shen
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Jianzhao Peng
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yuqing Deng
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Health@InnoHK, Innovation and Technology Commission, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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19
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Zaidman D, Gehrtz P, Filep M, Fearon D, Gabizon R, Douangamath A, Prilusky J, Duberstein S, Cohen G, Owen CD, Resnick E, Strain-Damerell C, Lukacik P, Barr H, Walsh MA, von Delft F, London N. An automatic pipeline for the design of irreversible derivatives identifies a potent SARS-CoV-2 M pro inhibitor. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:1795-1806.e5. [PMID: 34174194 PMCID: PMC8228784 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Designing covalent inhibitors is increasingly important, although it remains challenging. Here, we present covalentizer, a computational pipeline for identifying irreversible inhibitors based on structures of targets with non-covalent binders. Through covalent docking of tailored focused libraries, we identify candidates that can bind covalently to a nearby cysteine while preserving the interactions of the original molecule. We found ∼11,000 cysteines proximal to a ligand across 8,386 complexes in the PDB. Of these, the protocol identified 1,553 structures with covalent predictions. In a prospective evaluation, five out of nine predicted covalent kinase inhibitors showed half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values between 155 nM and 4.5 μM. Application against an existing SARS-CoV Mpro reversible inhibitor led to an acrylamide inhibitor series with low micromolar IC50 values against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. The docking was validated by 12 co-crystal structures. Together these examples hint at the vast number of covalent inhibitors accessible through our protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Zaidman
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Paul Gehrtz
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Mihajlo Filep
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Daren Fearon
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Ronen Gabizon
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Alice Douangamath
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Jaime Prilusky
- Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shirly Duberstein
- Wohl Institute for Drug Discovery of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Galit Cohen
- Wohl Institute for Drug Discovery of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - C David Owen
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK; Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Efrat Resnick
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Claire Strain-Damerell
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK; Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Petra Lukacik
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK; Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | | | - Haim Barr
- Wohl Institute for Drug Discovery of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Martin A Walsh
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK; Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Frank von Delft
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK; Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK; Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Headington OX3 7DQ, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
| | - Nir London
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel.
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20
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Craven GB, Briggs EL, Zammit CM, McDermott A, Greed S, Affron DP, Leinfellner C, Cudmore HR, Tweedy RR, Luisi R, Bull JA, Armstrong A. Synthesis and Configurational Assignment of Vinyl Sulfoximines and Sulfonimidamides. J Org Chem 2021; 86:7403-7424. [PMID: 34003635 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.1c00373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Vinyl sulfones and sulfonamides are valued for their use as electrophilic warheads in covalent protein inhibitors. Conversely, the S(VI) aza-isosteres thereof, vinyl sulfoximines and sulfonimidamides, are far less studied and have yet to be applied to the field of protein bioconjugation. Herein, we report a range of different synthetic methodologies for constructing vinyl sulfoximine and vinyl sulfonimidamide architectures that allows access to new areas of electrophilic chemical space. We demonstrate how late-stage functionalization can be applied to these motifs to incorporate alkyne tags, generating fully functionalized probes for future chemical biology applications. Finally, we establish a workflow for determining the absolute configuration of enantioenriched vinyl sulfoximines and sulfonimidamides by comparing experimentally and computationally determined electronic circular dichroism spectra, enabling access to configurationally assigned enantiomeric pairs by separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory B Craven
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K.,The Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Edward L Briggs
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Charlotte M Zammit
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Alexander McDermott
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Stephanie Greed
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Dominic P Affron
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Charlotte Leinfellner
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Hannah R Cudmore
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Ruth R Tweedy
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Renzo Luisi
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari, "A. Moro" Via E. Orabona 4, Bari 70125, Italy
| | - James A Bull
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Alan Armstrong
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
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21
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Exploring ligand binding pathways on proteins using hypersound-accelerated molecular dynamics. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2793. [PMID: 33990583 PMCID: PMC8121818 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23157-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Capturing the dynamic processes of biomolecular systems in atomistic detail remains difficult despite recent experimental advances. Although molecular dynamics (MD) techniques enable atomic-level observations, simulations of “slow” biomolecular processes (with timescales longer than submilliseconds) are challenging because of current computer speed limitations. Therefore, we developed a method to accelerate MD simulations by high-frequency ultrasound perturbation. The binding events between the protein CDK2 and its small-molecule inhibitors were nearly undetectable in 100-ns conventional MD, but the method successfully accelerated their slow binding rates by up to 10–20 times. Hypersound-accelerated MD simulations revealed a variety of microscopic kinetic features of the inhibitors on the protein surface, such as the existence of different binding pathways to the active site. Moreover, the simulations allowed the estimation of the corresponding kinetic parameters and exploring other druggable pockets. This method can thus provide deeper insight into the microscopic interactions controlling biomolecular processes. Molecular dynamics (MD) techniques enable atomic-level observations, but simulations of “slow” biomolecular processes are challenging because of current computer speed limitations. Here, the authors develop a method to accelerate MD simulations by high-frequency ultrasound perturbation and reveal binding events between the protein CDK2 and its small-molecule inhibitors.
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22
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Crowley VM, Thielert M, Cravatt BF. Functionalized Scout Fragments for Site-Specific Covalent Ligand Discovery and Optimization. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:613-623. [PMID: 34056091 PMCID: PMC8155467 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c01336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Covalent ligands are a versatile class of chemical probes and drugs that can target noncanonical sites on proteins and display differentiated pharmacodynamic properties. Chemical proteomic methods have been introduced that leverage electrophilic fragments to globally profile the covalent ligandability of nucleophilic residues, such as cysteine and lysine, in native biological systems. Further optimization of these initial ligandability events without resorting to the time-consuming process of individualized protein purification and functional assay development, however, presents a persistent technical challenge. Here, we show that broadly reactive electrophilic fragments, or "scouts", can be converted into site-specific target engagement probes for screening small molecules against a wide array of proteins in convenient gel- and ELISA-based assay formats. We use these assays to expediently optimize a weak potency fragment hit into a sub-μM inhibitor that selectively engages an active-site cysteine in the retinaldehyde reductase AKR1B10. Our findings provide a road map to optimize covalent fragments into more advanced chemical probes without requiring protein purification or structural analysis.
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23
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Lu W, Kostic M, Zhang T, Che J, Patricelli MP, Jones LH, Chouchani ET, Gray NS. Fragment-based covalent ligand discovery. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:354-367. [PMID: 34458789 PMCID: PMC8341086 DOI: 10.1039/d0cb00222d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted covalent inhibitors have regained widespread attention in drug discovery and have emerged as powerful tools for basic biomedical research. Fueled by considerable improvements in mass spectrometry sensitivity and sample processing, chemoproteomic strategies have revealed thousands of proteins that can be covalently modified by reactive small molecules. Fragment-based drug discovery, which has traditionally been used in a target-centric fashion, is now being deployed on a proteome-wide scale thereby expanding its utility to both the discovery of novel covalent ligands and their cognate protein targets. This powerful approach is allowing ‘high-throughput’ serendipitous discovery of cryptic pockets leading to the identification of pharmacological modulators of proteins previously viewed as “undruggable”. The reactive fragment toolkit has been enabled by recent advances in the development of new chemistries that target residues other than cysteine including lysine and tyrosine. Here, we review the emerging area of covalent fragment-based ligand discovery, which integrates the benefits of covalent targeting and fragment-based medicinal chemistry. We discuss how the two strategies synergize to facilitate the efficient discovery of new pharmacological modulators of established and new therapeutic target proteins. Covalent fragment-based ligand discovery greatly facilitates the discovery of useful fragments for drug discovery and helps unveil chemical-tractable biological targets in native biological systems.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Lu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA 02215 USA .,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA 02215 USA
| | - Milka Kostic
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA 02215 USA
| | - Tinghu Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA 02215 USA .,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA 02215 USA
| | - Jianwei Che
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA 02215 USA .,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA 02215 USA.,Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA 02215 USA
| | | | - Lyn H Jones
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA 02215 USA
| | - Edward T Chouchani
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA 02215 USA .,Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA 02215 USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA 02215 USA .,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA 02215 USA
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24
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Sutanto F, Shaabani S, Neochoritis CG, Zarganes-Tzitzikas T, Patil P, Ghonchepour E, Dömling A. Multicomponent reaction-derived covalent inhibitor space. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabd9307. [PMID: 33536213 PMCID: PMC7857676 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd9307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The area of covalent inhibitors is gaining momentum due to recently introduced clinical drugs, but libraries of these compounds are scarce. Multicomponent reaction (MCR) chemistry is well known for its easy access to a very large and diverse chemical space. Here, we show that MCRs are highly suitable to generate libraries of electrophiles based on different scaffolds and three-dimensional shapes and highly compatible with multiple functional groups. According to the building block principle of MCR, acrylamide, acrylic acid ester, sulfurylfluoride, chloroacetic acid amide, nitrile, and α,β-unsaturated sulfonamide warheads can be easily incorporated into many different scaffolds. We show examples of each electrophile on 10 different scaffolds on a preparative scale as well as in a high-throughput synthesis mode on a nanoscale to produce libraries of potential covalent binders in a resource- and time-saving manner. Our operational procedure is simple, mild, and step economical to facilitate future covalent library synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fandi Sutanto
- Department of Drug Design, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Shabnam Shaabani
- Department of Drug Design, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Tryfon Zarganes-Tzitzikas
- Department of Drug Design, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pravin Patil
- Department of Drug Design, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ehsan Ghonchepour
- Department of Drug Design, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Dömling
- Department of Drug Design, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands.
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25
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Reaction screening in multiwell plates: high-throughput optimization of a Buchwald-Hartwig amination. Nat Protoc 2021; 16:1152-1169. [PMID: 33432233 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-020-00452-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Chemical space is vast, and chemical reactions involve the complex interplay of multiple variables. As a consequence, reactions can fail for subtle reasons, necessitating screening of conditions. High-throughput experimentation (HTE) techniques enable a more comprehensive array of data to be obtained in a relatively short amount of time. Although HTE can be most efficiently achieved with automated robotic dispensing equipment, the benefits of running reaction microarrays can be accessed in any regularly equipped laboratory using inexpensive consumables. Herein, we present a cost-efficient approach to HTE, examining a Buchwald-Hartwig amination as our model reaction. Experiments are carried out in a machined aluminum 96-well plate, taking advantage of solid transfer scoops and pipettes to facilitate rapid reagent transfer. Reaction vials are simultaneously heated and mixed, using a magnetic stirrer, and worked up in parallel, using a plastic filter plate. Analysis by gas chromatography provides the chemist with 96 data points with minimal commitment of time and resources. The best-performing experiment can be selected for scale-up and isolation, or the data can be used for designing future optimization experiments.
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26
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Craven GB, Armstrong A, Mann DJ. Quantitative Irreversible Tethering (qIT) for Target-directed Covalent Fragment Screening. Bio Protoc 2020; 10:e3855. [PMID: 33659502 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Small molecules that react to form covalent bonds with proteins are widely used as biological tools and therapeutic agents. Screening cysteine-reactive fragments against a protein target is an efficient way to identify chemical starting points for covalent probe development. Mass spectrometry is often used to identify the site and degree of covalent fragment binding. However, robust hit identification requires characterization of the kinetics of covalent binding that can be readily achieved using quantitative irreversible tethering. This screening platform uses a non-specific cysteine-reactive fluorogenic probe to monitor the rate of reaction between covalent fragments and cysteine containing biomolecules. Fragment libraries are simultaneously screened against the target protein and glutathione, which functions as a control, to identify hit fragments with kinetic selectivity for covalent modification of the target. Screening by quantitative irreversible tethering accounts for variations in the intrinsic reactivity of individual fragments enabling robust hit identification and ranking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory B Craven
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK.,Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Alan Armstrong
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - David J Mann
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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27
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Abstract
In the first decade of targeted covalent inhibition, scientists have successfully reversed the previous trend that had impeded the use of covalent inhibition in drug development. Successes in the clinic, mainly in the field of kinase inhibitors, are existing proof that safe covalent inhibitors can be designed and employed to develop effective treatments. The case of KRASG12C covalent inhibitors entering clinical trials in 2019 has been among the hottest topics discussed in drug discovery, raising expectations for the future of the field. In this perspective, an overview of the milestones hit with targeted covalent inhibitors, as well as the promise and the needs of current research, are presented. While recent results have confirmed the potential that was foreseen, many questions remain unexplored in this branch of precision medicine.
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28
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Grant EK, Fallon DJ, Hann MM, Fantom KGM, Quinn C, Zappacosta F, Annan RS, Chung C, Bamborough P, Dixon DP, Stacey P, House D, Patel VK, Tomkinson NCO, Bush JT. A Photoaffinity‐Based Fragment‐Screening Platform for Efficient Identification of Protein Ligands. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202008361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emma K. Grant
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
- Pure and Applied Chemistry University of Strathclyde 295 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 1XL UK
| | - David J. Fallon
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
- Pure and Applied Chemistry University of Strathclyde 295 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 1XL UK
| | - Michael M. Hann
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
| | - Ken G. M. Fantom
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
| | - Chad Quinn
- GlaxoSmithKline South Collegeville Road Collegeville PA 19426 USA
| | | | - Roland S. Annan
- GlaxoSmithKline South Collegeville Road Collegeville PA 19426 USA
| | - Chun‐wa Chung
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
| | - Paul Bamborough
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
| | - David P. Dixon
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
| | - Peter Stacey
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
| | - David House
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
| | | | | | - Jacob T. Bush
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
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29
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Grant EK, Fallon DJ, Hann MM, Fantom KGM, Quinn C, Zappacosta F, Annan RS, Chung C, Bamborough P, Dixon DP, Stacey P, House D, Patel VK, Tomkinson NCO, Bush JT. A Photoaffinity‐Based Fragment‐Screening Platform for Efficient Identification of Protein Ligands. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:21096-21105. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202008361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emma K. Grant
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
- Pure and Applied Chemistry University of Strathclyde 295 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 1XL UK
| | - David J. Fallon
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
- Pure and Applied Chemistry University of Strathclyde 295 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 1XL UK
| | - Michael M. Hann
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
| | - Ken G. M. Fantom
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
| | - Chad Quinn
- GlaxoSmithKline South Collegeville Road Collegeville PA 19426 USA
| | | | - Roland S. Annan
- GlaxoSmithKline South Collegeville Road Collegeville PA 19426 USA
| | - Chun‐wa Chung
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
| | - Paul Bamborough
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
| | - David P. Dixon
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
| | - Peter Stacey
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
| | - David House
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
| | | | | | - Jacob T. Bush
- GlaxoSmithKline Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2NY UK
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30
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Teng M, Jiang J, He Z, Kwiatkowski NP, Donovan KA, Mills CE, Victor C, Hatcher JM, Fischer ES, Sorger PK, Zhang T, Gray NS. Development of CDK2 and CDK5 Dual Degrader TMX‐2172. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202004087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Teng
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Jie Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Zhixiang He
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Nicholas P. Kwiatkowski
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Caitlin E. Mills
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology Department of Systems Biology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Chiara Victor
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology Department of Systems Biology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - John M. Hatcher
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Peter K. Sorger
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology Department of Systems Biology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Tinghu Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
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31
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Craven GB, Affron DP, Kösel T, Wong TLM, Jukes ZH, Liu CT, Morgan RML, Armstrong A, Mann DJ. Multiparameter Kinetic Analysis for Covalent Fragment Optimization by Using Quantitative Irreversible Tethering (qIT). Chembiochem 2020; 21:3417-3422. [PMID: 32659037 PMCID: PMC7754465 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Chemical probes that covalently modify cysteine residues in a protein‐specific manner are valuable tools for biological investigations. Covalent fragments are increasingly implemented as probe starting points, but the complex relationship between fragment structure and binding kinetics makes covalent fragment optimization uniquely challenging. We describe a new technique in covalent probe discovery that enables data‐driven optimization of covalent fragment potency and selectivity. This platform extends beyond the existing repertoire of methods for identifying covalent fragment hits by facilitating rapid multiparameter kinetic analysis of covalent structure–activity relationships through the simultaneous determination of Ki, kinact and intrinsic reactivity. By applying this approach to develop novel probes against electrophile‐sensitive kinases, we showcase the utility of the platform in hit identification and highlight how multiparameter kinetic analysis enabled a successful fragment‐merging strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory B Craven
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.,Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Dominic P Affron
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Teresa Kösel
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Tsz Lam M Wong
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Zoë H Jukes
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Chun-Ting Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Rhodri M L Morgan
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Alan Armstrong
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - David J Mann
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
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32
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Teng M, Jiang J, He Z, Kwiatkowski NP, Donovan KA, Mills CE, Victor C, Hatcher JM, Fischer ES, Sorger PK, Zhang T, Gray NS. Development of CDK2 and CDK5 Dual Degrader TMX-2172. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:13865-13870. [PMID: 32415712 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202004087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer. Development of CDK2 inhibitors has been extremely challenging as its ATP-binding site shares high similarity with CDK1, a related kinase whose inhibition causes toxic effects. Here, we report the development of TMX-2172, a heterobifunctional CDK2 degrader with degradation selectivity for CDK2 and CDK5 over not only CDK1, but transcriptional CDKs (CDK7 and CDK9) and cell cycle CDKs (CDK4 and CDK6) as well. In addition, we demonstrate that antiproliferative activity in ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR8) depends on CDK2 degradation and correlates with high expression of cyclin E1 (CCNE1), which functions as a regulatory subunit of CDK2. Collectively, our work provides evidence that TMX-2172 represents a lead for further development and that CDK2 degradation is a potentially valuable therapeutic strategy in ovarian and other cancers that overexpress CCNE1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Teng
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jie Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhixiang He
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas P Kwiatkowski
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caitlin E Mills
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chiara Victor
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John M Hatcher
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter K Sorger
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tinghu Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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33
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Huang F, Hu H, Wang K, Peng C, Xu W, Zhang Y, Gao J, Liu Y, Zhou H, Huang R, Li M, Shen J, Xu Y. Identification of Highly Selective Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) Inhibitors by a Covalent Fragment-Based Approach. J Med Chem 2020; 63:7052-7065. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fubao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hangchen Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chengyuan Peng
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wenwei Xu
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jing Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yishen Liu
- Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Hu Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ruimin Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Minjun Li
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianhua Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yechun Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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34
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Keeley A, Petri L, Ábrányi-Balogh P, Keserű GM. Covalent fragment libraries in drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2020; 25:983-996. [PMID: 32298798 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Targeted covalent inhibitors and chemical probes have become integral parts of drug discovery approaches. Given the advantages of fragment-based drug discovery, screening electrophilic fragments emerged as a promising alternative to discover and validate novel targets and to generate viable chemical starting points even for targets that are barely tractable. In this review, we present recent principles and considerations in the design of electrophilic fragment libraries from the selection of the appropriate covalent warhead through the design of the covalent fragment to the compilation of the library. We then summarize recent screening methodologies of covalent fragments against surrogate models, proteins, and the whole proteome, or living cells. Finally, we highlight recent drug discovery applications of covalent fragment libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Keeley
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok krt. 2, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Petri
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok krt. 2, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Ábrányi-Balogh
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok krt. 2, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - György M Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok krt. 2, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary.
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35
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Cheng SS, Yang GJ, Wang W, Leung CH, Ma DL. The design and development of covalent protein-protein interaction inhibitors for cancer treatment. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:26. [PMID: 32228680 PMCID: PMC7106679 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00850-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are central to a variety of biological processes, and their dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of a range of human diseases, including cancer. Hence, the inhibition of PPIs has attracted significant attention in drug discovery. Covalent inhibitors have been reported to achieve high efficiency through forming covalent bonds with cysteine or other nucleophilic residues in the target protein. Evidence suggests that there is a reduced risk for the development of drug resistance against covalent drugs, which is a major challenge in areas such as oncology and infectious diseases. Recent improvements in structural biology and chemical reactivity have enabled the design and development of potent and selective covalent PPI inhibitors. In this review, we will highlight the design and development of therapeutic agents targeting PPIs for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha-Sha Cheng
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, SAR, China
| | - Guan-Jun Yang
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, SAR, China
| | - Wanhe Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong, China.,Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Chung-Hang Leung
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, SAR, China.
| | - Dik-Lung Ma
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong, China.
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36
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Erlanson DA, de Esch IJP, Jahnke W, Johnson CN, Mortenson PN. Fragment-to-Lead Medicinal Chemistry Publications in 2018. J Med Chem 2020; 63:4430-4444. [PMID: 31913033 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
This Perspective, the fourth in an annual series, summarizes fragment-to-lead (F2L) success stories published during 2018. Topics such as target class, screening methods, physicochemical properties, and ligand efficiency are discussed for the 2018 examples as well as for the combined 111 F2L examples covering 2015-2018. While the overall properties of fragments and leads have remained constant, a number of new trends are noted, for example, broadening of target class coverage and application of FBDD to covalent inhibitors. Moreover, several studies make use of fragment hits that were previously described in the literature, illustrating that fragments are versatile starting points that can be optimized to structurally diverse leads. By focusing on success stories, the hope is that this Perspective will identify and inform best practices in fragment-based drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Erlanson
- Frontier Medicines, 151 Oyster Point Boulevard, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Iwan J P de Esch
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wolfgang Jahnke
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christopher N Johnson
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Paul N Mortenson
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
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37
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Huang Y, Wei L, Han X, Chen H, Ren Y, Xu Y, Song R, Rao L, Su C, Peng C, Feng L, Wan J. Discovery of novel allosteric site and covalent inhibitors of FBPase with potent hypoglycemic effects. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 184:111749. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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38
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Sánchez-Martínez C, Lallena MJ, Sanfeliciano SG, de Dios A. Cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors as anticancer drugs: Recent advances (2015-2019). Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:126637. [PMID: 31477350 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.126637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sustained proliferative capacity and gene dysregulation are hallmarks of cancer. In mammalian cells, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) control critical cell cycle checkpoints and key transcriptional events in response to extracellular and intracellular signals leading to proliferation. Significant clinical activity for the treatment of hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer has been demonstrated by palbociclib, ribociclib and abemaciclib, dual CDK4/6 inhibitors recently FDA-approved. SY-1365, a CDK7 inhibitor has shown initial encouraging data in phase I for solid tumors treatment. These results have rejuvenated the CDKs research field. This review provides an overview of relevant advances on CDK inhibitor research since 2015 to 2019, with special emphasis on transcriptional CDK inhibitors, new emerging strategies such as target protein degradation and compounds under clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María José Lallena
- Discovery Chemistry Research and Technologies, Eli Lilly and Company, Alcobendas (Madrid) 28108, Spain
| | | | - Alfonso de Dios
- Discovery Chemistry Research and Technologies, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, United States
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39
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Resnick E, Bradley A, Gan J, Douangamath A, Krojer T, Sethi R, Geurink PP, Aimon A, Amitai G, Bellini D, Bennett J, Fairhead M, Fedorov O, Gabizon R, Gan J, Guo J, Plotnikov A, Reznik N, Ruda GF, Díaz-Sáez L, Straub VM, Szommer T, Velupillai S, Zaidman D, Zhang Y, Coker AR, Dowson CG, Barr HM, Wang C, Huber KVM, Brennan PE, Ovaa H, von Delft F, London N. Rapid Covalent-Probe Discovery by Electrophile-Fragment Screening. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:8951-8968. [PMID: 31060360 PMCID: PMC6556873 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b02822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Covalent probes can display unmatched potency, selectivity, and duration of action; however, their discovery is challenging. In principle, fragments that can irreversibly bind their target can overcome the low affinity that limits reversible fragment screening, but such electrophilic fragments were considered nonselective and were rarely screened. We hypothesized that mild electrophiles might overcome the selectivity challenge and constructed a library of 993 mildly electrophilic fragments. We characterized this library by a new high-throughput thiol-reactivity assay and screened them against 10 cysteine-containing proteins. Highly reactive and promiscuous fragments were rare and could be easily eliminated. In contrast, we found hits for most targets. Combining our approach with high-throughput crystallography allowed rapid progression to potent and selective probes for two enzymes, the deubiquitinase OTUB2 and the pyrophosphatase NUDT7. No inhibitors were previously known for either. This study highlights the potential of electrophile-fragment screening as a practical and efficient tool for covalent-ligand discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anthony Bradley
- Department of Chemistry , Chemistry Research Laboratory , 12 Mansfield Road , Oxford OX1 3TA , U.K.,Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus , Didcot OX11 0QX , U.K
| | | | - Alice Douangamath
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus , Didcot OX11 0QX , U.K
| | | | - Ritika Sethi
- Structural Biology Research Center , VIB , Brussels , Belgium.,Structural Biology Brussels , Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels , Belgium
| | - Paul P Geurink
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology , Leiden University Medical Center , Einthovenweg 20 , 2333 ZC Leiden , The Netherlands
| | - Anthony Aimon
- Department of Chemistry , Chemistry Research Laboratory , 12 Mansfield Road , Oxford OX1 3TA , U.K.,Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus , Didcot OX11 0QX , U.K
| | | | - Dom Bellini
- School of Life Sciences , University of Warwick , Coventry , U.K
| | | | | | | | | | - Jin Gan
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology , Leiden University Medical Center , Einthovenweg 20 , 2333 ZC Leiden , The Netherlands
| | - Jingxu Guo
- Division of Medicine , University College London , Gower Street , London WC1E 6BT , U.K
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alun R Coker
- Division of Medicine , University College London , Gower Street , London WC1E 6BT , U.K
| | | | | | | | | | - Paul E Brennan
- School of Life Sciences , University of Warwick , Coventry , U.K.,Alzheimer's Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute , University of Oxford , NDMRB, Roosevelt Drive , Oxford OX3 7FZ , U.K
| | - Huib Ovaa
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology , Leiden University Medical Center , Einthovenweg 20 , 2333 ZC Leiden , The Netherlands
| | - Frank von Delft
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus , Didcot OX11 0QX , U.K.,Department of Biochemistry , University of Johannesburg , Auckland Park 2006 , South Africa
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40
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Martin JS, MacKenzie CJ, Fletcher D, Gilbert IH. Characterising covalent warhead reactivity. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:2066-2074. [PMID: 30975501 PMCID: PMC6538824 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Many drugs currently used are covalent inhibitors and irreversibly inhibit their targets. Most of these were discovered through serendipity. Covalent inhibitions can have many advantages from a pharmacokinetic perspective. However, until recently most organisations have shied away from covalent compound design due to fears of non-specific inhibition of off-target proteins leading to toxicity risks. However, there has been a renewed interest in covalent modifiers as potential drugs, as it possible to get highly selective compounds. It is therefore important to know how reactive a warhead is and to be able to select the least reactive warhead possible to avoid toxicity. A robust NMR based assay was developed and used to measure the reactivity of a variety of covalent warheads against serine and cysteine - the two most common targets for covalent drugs. A selection of these warheads also had their reactivity measured against threonine, tyrosine, lysine, histidine and arginine to better understand our ability to target non-traditional residues. The reactivity was also measured at various pHs to assess what effect the environment in the active site would have on these reactions. The reactivity of a covalent modifier was found to be very dependent on the amino acid residue.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Martin
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Claire J MacKenzie
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Daniel Fletcher
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Ian H Gilbert
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
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41
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Chen J, Pang L, Wang W, Wang L, Zhang JZH, Zhu T. Decoding molecular mechanism of inhibitor bindings to CDK2 using molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy calculations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2019; 38:985-996. [PMID: 30843759 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2019.1591304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
CDK2 can be used as an attractive target for development of efficient inhibitors curing multiple disease relating with CDK2. In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and binding free energy calculations were coupled to probe conformational changes of CDK2 due to inhibitor associations and binding mechanisms of inhibitors PM1, FMD and X64 to CDK2. The results suggest that the binding strength of FMD and X64 to CDK2 is stronger than that of PM1. Principal component (PC) analysis and cross-correlation map calculations based on the equilibrated MD trajectories demonstrate that the structural difference in inhibitors exerts important impact on motion modes and dynamics behavior of CDK2. Residue-based free energy decomposition method was adopted to estimate the inhibitor-residue spectrum. The results not only efficiently identify the hot interaction spot of inhibitors with CDK2 but also show that the hydrophobic rings R1, R2 and R3 as well as polar groups of three inhibitors play key roles in favorably binding of inhibitors to CDK2. This work is expected to contribute energetic basis and dynamics information to development of promising inhibitors toward CDK2.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhong Chen
- School of Science, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan, China
| | - Laixue Pang
- School of Science, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Science, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lifei Wang
- School of Science, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan, China
| | - John Z H Zhang
- NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Zhu
- NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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42
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Heidrich J, Sperl LE, Boeckler FM. Embracing the Diversity of Halogen Bonding Motifs in Fragment-Based Drug Discovery-Construction of a Diversity-Optimized Halogen-Enriched Fragment Library. Front Chem 2019; 7:9. [PMID: 30834240 PMCID: PMC6387937 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Halogen bonds have recently gained attention in life sciences and drug discovery. However, it can be difficult to harness their full potential, when newly introducing them into an established hit or lead structure by molecular design. A possible solution to overcome this problem is the use of halogen-enriched fragment libraries (HEFLibs), which consist of chemical probes that provide the opportunity to identify halogen bonds as one of the main features of the binding mode. Initially, we have suggested the HEFLibs concept when constructing a focused library for finding p53 mutant stabilizers. Herein, we broaden and extent this concept aiming for a general HEFLib comprising a huge diversity of binding motifs and, thus, increasing the applicability to various targets. Using the construction principle of feature trees, we represent each halogenated fragment by treating all simple to complex substituents as modifiers of the central (hetero)arylhalide. This approach allows us to focus on the proximal binding interface around the halogen bond and, thus, its integration into a network of interactions based on the fragment's binding motif. As a first illustrative example, we generated a library of 198 fragments that unifies a two-fold strategy: Besides achieving a diversity-optimized basis of the library, we have extended this "core" by structurally similar "satellite compounds" that exhibit quite different halogen bonding interfaces. Tuning effects, i.e., increasing the magnitude of the σ-hole, can have an essential influence on the strength of the halogen bond. We were able to implement this key feature into the diversity selection, based on the rapid and efficient prediction of the highest positive electrostatic potential on the electron isodensity surface, representing the σ-hole, by VmaxPred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Heidrich
- Lab for Molecular Design & Pharmaceutical Biophysics, Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Laura E. Sperl
- Lab for Molecular Design & Pharmaceutical Biophysics, Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Frank M. Boeckler
- Lab for Molecular Design & Pharmaceutical Biophysics, Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Center for Bioinformatics Tübingen (ZBIT), Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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43
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Robson-Tull J. Biophysical screening in fragment-based drug design: a brief overview. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biohorizons/hzy015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Robson-Tull
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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44
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Cheng W, Yang Z, Wang S, Li Y, Wei H, Tian X, Kan Q. Recent development of CDK inhibitors: An overview of CDK/inhibitor co-crystal structures. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 164:615-639. [PMID: 30639897 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs) are protein-serine/threonine kinases that display crucial effects in regulation of cell cycle and transcription. While the excessive expression of CDKs is intimate related to the development of diseases including cancers, which provides opportunities for disease treatment. A large number of small molecules are explored targeting CDKs. CDK/inhibitor co-crystal structures play an important role during the exploration of inhibitors. So far nine kinds of CDK/inhibitor co-crystals have been determined, they account for the highest proportion among the Protein Data Bank (PDB) deposited crystal structures. Herein, we review main co-crystals of CDKs in complex with corresponding inhibitors reported in recent years, focusing our attention on the binding models and the pharmacological activities of inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyan Cheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Zhiheng Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Suhua Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Han Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Xin Tian
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
| | - Quancheng Kan
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
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45
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Craven GB, Affron DP, Raymond PN, Mann DJ, Armstrong A. Vinyl sulfonamide synthesis for irreversible tethering via a novel α-selenoether protection strategy. MEDCHEMCOMM 2019; 10:158-163. [PMID: 30774862 DOI: 10.1039/c8md00566d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Vinyl sulfonamides are valuable electrophiles for targeted protein modification and inhibition. We describe a novel approach to the synthesis of terminal vinyl sulfonamides which uses mild oxidative conditions to induce elimination of an α-selenoether masking group. The method complements traditional synthetic approaches and typically yields vinyl sulfonamides in high purity after aqueous work-up without requiring column chromatography of the final electrophilic product. The methodology is applied to the synthesis of covalent fragments for use in irreversible protein tethering and crucially enables the attachment of diverse fragments to the vinyl sulfonamide warhead via a chemical linker. Using thymidylate synthase as a model system, ethylene glycol is identified as an effective linker for irreversible protein tethering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory B Craven
- Department of Chemistry , Imperial College London , Molecular Sciences Research Hub , White City Campus, Wood Lane , London W12 0BZ , UK .
| | - Dominic P Affron
- Department of Chemistry , Imperial College London , Molecular Sciences Research Hub , White City Campus, Wood Lane , London W12 0BZ , UK .
| | - Philip N Raymond
- Department of Chemistry , Imperial College London , Molecular Sciences Research Hub , White City Campus, Wood Lane , London W12 0BZ , UK .
| | - David J Mann
- Department of Life Sciences , Imperial College London , South Kensington Campus , London SW7 2AZ , UK
| | - Alan Armstrong
- Department of Chemistry , Imperial College London , Molecular Sciences Research Hub , White City Campus, Wood Lane , London W12 0BZ , UK .
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46
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Craven GB, Affron DP, Allen CE, Matthies S, Greener JG, Morgan RML, Tate EW, Armstrong A, Mann DJ. High-Throughput Kinetic Analysis for Target-Directed Covalent Ligand Discovery. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:5257-5261. [PMID: 29480525 PMCID: PMC5947712 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201711825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cysteine‐reactive small molecules are used as chemical probes of biological systems and as medicines. Identifying high‐quality covalent ligands requires comprehensive kinetic analysis to distinguish selective binders from pan‐reactive compounds. Quantitative irreversible tethering (qIT), a general method for screening cysteine‐reactive small molecules based upon the maximization of kinetic selectivity, is described. This method was applied prospectively to discover covalent fragments that target the clinically important cell cycle regulator Cdk2. Crystal structures of the inhibitor complexes validate the approach and guide further optimization. The power of this technique is highlighted by the identification of a Cdk2‐selective allosteric (type IV) kinase inhibitor whose novel mode‐of‐action could be exploited therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory B. Craven
- Department of ChemistryImperial College LondonSouth Kensington CampusLondonSW7 2AZUK
- Department of Life SciencesImperial College LondonSouth Kensington CampusLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Dominic P. Affron
- Department of ChemistryImperial College LondonSouth Kensington CampusLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Charlotte E. Allen
- Department of ChemistryImperial College LondonSouth Kensington CampusLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Stefan Matthies
- Department of ChemistryImperial College LondonSouth Kensington CampusLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Joe G. Greener
- Department of Life SciencesImperial College LondonSouth Kensington CampusLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Rhodri M. L. Morgan
- Department of Life SciencesImperial College LondonSouth Kensington CampusLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Edward W. Tate
- Department of ChemistryImperial College LondonSouth Kensington CampusLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Alan Armstrong
- Department of ChemistryImperial College LondonSouth Kensington CampusLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - David J. Mann
- Department of Life SciencesImperial College LondonSouth Kensington CampusLondonSW7 2AZUK
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47
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Abstract
Cysteine thiols are involved in a diverse set of biological transformations, including nucleophilic and redox catalysis, metal coordination and formation of both dynamic and structural disulfides. Often posttranslationally modified, cysteines are also frequently alkylated by electrophilic compounds, including electrophilic metabolites, drugs, and natural products, and are attractive sites for covalent probe and drug development. Quantitative proteomics combined with activity-based protein profiling has been applied to annotate cysteine reactivity, susceptibility to posttranslational modifications, and accessibility to chemical probes, uncovering thousands of functional and small-molecule targetable cysteines across a diverse set of proteins, proteome-wide in an unbiased manner. Reactive cysteines have been targeted by high-throughput screening and fragment-based ligand discovery efforts. New cysteine-reactive electrophiles and compound libraries have been synthesized to enable inhibitor discovery broadly and to minimize nonspecific toxicity and off-target activity of compounds. With the recent blockbuster success of several covalent inhibitors, and the development of new chemical proteomic strategies to broadly identify reactive, ligandable and posttranslationally modified cysteines, cysteine profiling is poised to enable the development of new potent and selective chemical probes and even, in some cases, new drugs.
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