1
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Hossain MA. Targeting the RAS upstream and downstream signaling pathway for cancer treatment. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 979:176727. [PMID: 38866361 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Cancer often involves the overactivation of RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) and PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathways due to mutations in genes like RAS, RAF, PTEN, and PIK3CA. Various strategies are employed to address the overactivation of these pathways, among which targeted therapy emerges as a promising approach. Directly targeting specific proteins, leads to encouraging results in cancer treatment. For instance, RTK inhibitors such as imatinib and afatinib selectively target these receptors, hindering ligand binding and reducing signaling initiation. These inhibitors have shown potent efficacy against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Other inhibitors, like lonafarnib targeting Farnesyltransferase and GGTI 2418 targeting geranylgeranyl Transferase, disrupt post-translational modifications of proteins. Additionally, inhibition of proteins like SOS, SH2 domain, and Ras demonstrate promising anti-tumor activity both in vivo and in vitro. Targeting downstream components with RAF inhibitors such as vemurafenib, dabrafenib, and sorafenib, along with MEK inhibitors like trametinib and binimetinib, has shown promising outcomes in treating cancers with BRAF-V600E mutations, including myeloma, colorectal, and thyroid cancers. Furthermore, inhibitors of PI3K (e.g., apitolisib, copanlisib), AKT (e.g., ipatasertib, perifosine), and mTOR (e.g., sirolimus, temsirolimus) exhibit promising efficacy against various cancers such as Invasive Breast Cancer, Lymphoma, Neoplasms, and Hematological malignancies. This review offers an overview of small molecule inhibitors targeting specific proteins within the RAS upstream and downstream signaling pathways in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Arafat Hossain
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, 8100, Bangladesh.
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2
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Kaya P, Schaffner-Reckinger E, Manoharan GB, Vukic V, Kiriazis A, Ledda M, Burgos Renedo M, Pavic K, Gaigneaux A, Glaab E, Abankwa DK. An Improved PDE6D Inhibitor Combines with Sildenafil To Inhibit KRAS Mutant Cancer Cell Growth. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8569-8584. [PMID: 38758695 PMCID: PMC11181323 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The trafficking chaperone PDE6D (or PDEδ) was proposed as a surrogate target for K-Ras, leading to the development of a series of inhibitors that block its prenyl binding pocket. These inhibitors suffered from low solubility and suspected off-target effects, preventing their clinical development. Here, we developed a highly soluble, low nanomolar PDE6D inhibitor (PDE6Di), Deltaflexin3, which has the lowest off-target activity as compared to three prominent reference compounds. Deltaflexin3 reduces Ras signaling and selectively decreases the growth of KRAS mutant and PDE6D-dependent cancer cells. We further show that PKG2-mediated phosphorylation of Ser181 lowers K-Ras binding to PDE6D. Thus, Deltaflexin3 combines with the approved PKG2 activator Sildenafil to more potently inhibit PDE6D/K-Ras binding, cancer cell proliferation, and microtumor growth. As observed previously, inhibition of Ras trafficking, signaling, and cancer cell proliferation remained overall modest. Our results suggest reevaluating PDE6D as a K-Ras surrogate target in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pelin Kaya
- Cancer
Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences
and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Elisabeth Schaffner-Reckinger
- Cancer
Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences
and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Ganesh babu Manoharan
- Cancer
Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences
and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Vladimir Vukic
- Faculty
of Technology, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Alexandros Kiriazis
- Turku
Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and
Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Mirko Ledda
- Luxembourg
Center for Systems Biomedicine, University
of Luxembourg, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Maria Burgos Renedo
- Cancer
Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences
and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Karolina Pavic
- Cancer
Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences
and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Anthoula Gaigneaux
- Bioinformatics
Core, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Enrico Glaab
- Luxembourg
Center for Systems Biomedicine, University
of Luxembourg, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Daniel Kwaku Abankwa
- Cancer
Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences
and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Turku
Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and
Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
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3
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Mukherjee A, Yadav PH, Mukunthan KS. Unveiling Potential Targeted Therapeutic Opportunities for Co-Overexpressed Targeting Protein for Xklp2 and Aurora-A Kinase in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Mol Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s12033-023-00879-9. [PMID: 37768502 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00879-9] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the most prevalent and leading causes of cancer deaths globally, with limited diagnostic and clinically significant therapeutic targets. Identifying the genes and processes involved in developing and progressing LUAD is crucial for developing effective targeted therapeutics and improving patient outcomes. Therefore, the study aimed to explore the RNA sequencing data of LUAD from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and gene expression profile datasets involving GSE10072, GSE31210, and GSE32863 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The differential gene expression and the downstream analysis determined clinically significant biomarkers using a network-based approach. These therapeutic targets predominantly enriched the dysregulation of mitotic cell cycle regulation and revealed the co-overexpression of Aurora-A Kinase (AURKA) and Targeting Protein for Xklp2 (TPX2) with high survival risk in LUAD patients. The hydrophobic residues of the AURKA-TPX2 interaction were considered as the target site to block the autophosphorylation of AURKA during the mitotic cell cycle. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) dacomitinib demonstrated the strong binding potential to hinder TPX2, shielding the AURKA destabilization. This in silico study lays the foundation for repurposing targeted therapeutic options to impede the Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) in LUAD progression and aid in future translational investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnab Mukherjee
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | | | - K S Mukunthan
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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4
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Harwood SJ, Smith CR, Lawson JD, Ketcham JM. Selected Approaches to Disrupting Protein-Protein Interactions within the MAPK/RAS Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087373. [PMID: 37108538 PMCID: PMC10139024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087373] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the MAPK/RAS pathway, there exists a plethora of protein-protein interactions (PPIs). For many years, scientists have focused efforts on drugging KRAS and its effectors in hopes to provide much needed therapies for patients with KRAS-mutant driven cancers. In this review, we focus on recent strategies to inhibit RAS-signaling via disrupting PPIs associated with SOS1, RAF, PDEδ, Grb2, and RAS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - J David Lawson
- Mirati Therapeutics, 3545 Cray Court, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - John M Ketcham
- Mirati Therapeutics, 3545 Cray Court, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
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5
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Mambwe D, Korkor CM, Mabhula A, Ngqumba Z, Cloete C, Kumar M, Barros PL, Leshabane M, Coertzen D, Taylor D, Gibhard L, Njoroge M, Lawrence N, Reader J, Moreira DR, Birkholtz LM, Wittlin S, Egan TJ, Chibale K. Novel 3-Trifluoromethyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole Analogues of Astemizole with Multi-stage Antiplasmodium Activity and In Vivo Efficacy in a Plasmodium berghei Mouse Malaria Infection Model. J Med Chem 2022; 65:16695-16715. [PMID: 36507890 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Iterative medicinal chemistry optimization of an ester-containing astemizole (AST) analogue 1 with an associated metabolic instability liability led to the identification of a highly potent 3-trifluoromethyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole analogue 23 (PfNF54 IC50 = 0.012 μM; PfK1 IC50 = 0.040 μM) displaying high microsomal metabolic stability (HLM CLint < 11.6 μL·min-1·mg-1) and > 1000-fold higher selectivity over hERG compared to AST. In addition to asexual blood stage activity, the compound also shows activity against liver and gametocyte life cycle stages and demonstrates in vivo efficacy in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice at 4 × 50 mg·kg-1 oral dose. Preliminary interrogation of the mode of action using live-cell microscopy and cellular heme speciation revealed that 23 could be affecting multiple processes in the parasitic digestive vacuole, with the possibility of a novel target at play in the organelles associated with it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dickson Mambwe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Constance M Korkor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Amanda Mabhula
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), DMPK & Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Zama Ngqumba
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), DMPK & Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Cleavon Cloete
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), DMPK & Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Malkeet Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Paula Ladeia Barros
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, CEP 40296-710 Salvador, Brazil
| | - Meta Leshabane
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics & Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Dina Coertzen
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics & Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Dale Taylor
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), DMPK & Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Liezl Gibhard
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), DMPK & Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Mathew Njoroge
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), DMPK & Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Nina Lawrence
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), DMPK & Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Janette Reader
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics & Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Diogo Rodrigo Moreira
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, CEP 40296-710 Salvador, Brazil
| | - Lyn-Marie Birkholtz
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics & Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4002 Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Timothy J Egan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.,Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), DMPK & Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
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6
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Kim T, Kim K, Park I, Hong S, Park H. Two-Track Virtual Screening Approach to Identify the Dual Inhibitors of Wild Type and C481S Mutant of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:4500-4511. [PMID: 36001093 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is responsible for the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, the discovery of efficient medicines has seen limited success due to the constitutively active mutants that acquired the drug resistance. To disclose the dual inhibitors against the wild-type BTK and the problematic drug-resistant C481S mutant, a large chemical library was virtually screened with extensive molecular docking simulations using two target proteins. As a consequence of imposing the configurational restraint to make a hydrogen bond in the hinge region of BTK as well as modifying the ligand dehydration term in the scoring function, a total of 20 dual inhibitors were discovered with the range of the associated IC50 values from 2.5 to 15 μM. All these dual inhibitors revealed the inhibitory activity against the C481S mutant to a comparable extent to that measured for the wild type. Among the new inhibitors, N-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-amine (1) appeared to be most suitable as a starting point of the lead optimization due to the highest biochemical potency against the C481S mutant as well as the lowest molecular weight. To increase the potential of a drug candidate, 1 was modified into 6,7-dimethoxy-N-(pyridin-3-yl)quinazolin-4-amine (12) via chemical synthesis so as to possess better physicochemical properties without loss of the biochemical potency. 12 is suggested as a new effective molecular core from which numerous druggable dual inhibitors of the wild-type BTK and the C481S mutant would be derivatized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taeho Kim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, 209 Neungdong-ro, Kwangjin-gu, Seoul 05006, Korea
| | - Kewon Kim
- Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Korea.,Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Inyoung Park
- Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Korea.,Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Sungwoo Hong
- Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Korea.,Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Hwangseo Park
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, 209 Neungdong-ro, Kwangjin-gu, Seoul 05006, Korea
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7
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Lu H, Martí J. Predicting the conformational variability of oncogenic GTP-bound G12D mutated KRas-4B proteins at zwitterionic model cell membranes. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:3148-3158. [PMID: 35142321 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr07622a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
KRas proteins are the largest family of mutated Ras isoforms, participating in a wide variety of cancers. Due to their importance, large effort is being carried out on drug development by small-molecule inhibitors. However, understanding protein conformational variability remains a challenge in drug discovery. In the case of the Ras family, their multiple conformational states can affect the binding of potential drug inhibitors. To overcome this challenge, we propose a computational framework based on combined all-atom Molecular Dynamics and Metadynamics simulations in order to accurately access conformational variants of the target protein. We tested the methodology using a G12D mutated GTP bound oncogenic KRas-4B protein located at the interface of a DOPC/DOPS/cholesterol model anionic cell membrane. Two main orientations of KRas-4B at the anionic membrane have been determined. The corresponding torsional angles are taken as reliable reaction coordinates so that free-energy landscapes are obtained by well-tempered metadynamics simulations, revealing local and global minima of the free-energy hypersurface and unveiling reactive paths of the system between the two preferential orientations. We have observed that GTP-binding to KRas-4B has huge influence on the stabilisation of the protein and it can potentially help to open Switch I/II druggable pockets, lowering energy barriers between stable states and resulting in cumulative conformers of KRas-4B. This may highlight new opportunities for targeting the unique meta-stable states through the design of new efficient drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixia Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jordi Martí
- Department of Physics, Polytechnical University of Catalonia-Barcelona Tech, B5-209 Northern Campus, Jordi Girona 1-3, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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8
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Guo M, He S, Cheng J, Li Y, Dong G, Sheng C. Hydrophobic Tagging-Induced Degradation of PDEδ in Colon Cancer Cells. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:298-303. [PMID: 35178186 PMCID: PMC8842115 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of KRAS-PDEδ protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors is generally hampered by limited antitumor activity. Herein, the first hydrophobic tagging (HyT)-based PDEδ degraders were designed. Compound 17c efficiently bound to PDEδ and induced degradation of PDEδ in SW480 colon cancer cells. As compared with PDEδ inhibitor deltazinone, HyT-based degrader 17c exhibited improved antitumor activity toward KRAS mutant cancer cells. This study highlighted the potential of HyT as a valuable chemical tool for tumorigenic PDEδ knockdown, which could be developed into a promising strategy for antitumor drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglu Guo
- School
of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Shipeng He
- Institute
of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Junfei Cheng
- School
of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yu Li
- School
of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Guoqiang Dong
- School
of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China,
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- School
of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China,
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9
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Lu H, Martí J. Influence of Cholesterol on the Orientation of the Farnesylated GTP-Bound KRas-4B Binding with Anionic Model Membranes. MEMBRANES 2020; 10:E364. [PMID: 33266473 PMCID: PMC7700388 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10110364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The Ras family of proteins is tethered to the inner leaflet of the cell membranes which plays an essential role in signal transduction pathways that promote cellular proliferation, survival, growth, and differentiation. KRas-4B, the most mutated Ras isoform in different cancers, has been under extensive study for more than two decades. Here we have focused our interest on the influence of cholesterol on the orientations that KRas-4B adopts with respect to the plane of the anionic model membranes. How cholesterol in the bilayer might modulate preferences for specific orientation states is far from clear. Herein, after analyzing data from in total 4000 ns-long molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for four KRas-4B systems, properties such as the area per lipid and thickness of the membrane as well as selected radial distribution functions, penetration of different moieties of KRas-4B, and internal conformational fluctuations of flexible moieties in KRas-4B have been calculated. It has been shown that high cholesterol content in the plasma membrane (PM) favors one orientation state (OS1), exposing the effector-binding loop for signal transduction in the cell from the atomic level. We confirm that high cholesterol in the PM helps KRas-4B mutant stay in its constitutively active state, which suggests that high cholesterol intake can increase mortality and may promote cancer progression for cancer patients. We propose that during the treatment of KRas-4B-related cancers, reducing the cholesterol level in the PM and sustaining cancer progression by controlling the plasma cholesterol intake might be taken into account in anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordi Martí
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Catalonia-Barcelona Tech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain;
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10
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Lu H, Zhou Q, He J, Jiang Z, Peng C, Tong R, Shi J. Recent advances in the development of protein-protein interactions modulators: mechanisms and clinical trials. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:213. [PMID: 32968059 PMCID: PMC7511340 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00315-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 375] [Impact Index Per Article: 93.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) have pivotal roles in life processes. The studies showed that aberrant PPIs are associated with various diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, targeting PPIs is a direction in treating diseases and an essential strategy for the development of new drugs. In the past few decades, the modulation of PPIs has been recognized as one of the most challenging drug discovery tasks. In recent years, some PPIs modulators have entered clinical studies, some of which been approved for marketing, indicating that the modulators targeting PPIs have broad prospects. Here, we summarize the recent advances in PPIs modulators, including small molecules, peptides, and antibodies, hoping to provide some guidance to the design of novel drugs targeting PPIs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiying Lu
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610072, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiaodan Zhou
- Department of Ultrasonic, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, 610072, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun He
- Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhongliang Jiang
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Cheng Peng
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Herbal Medicines of Ministry, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China.
| | - Rongsheng Tong
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610072, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610072, Chengdu, China.
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11
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Ibrahim HA, Refaat HM. Versatile mechanisms of 2-substituted benzimidazoles in targeted cancer therapy. FUTURE JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s43094-020-00048-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The aim of this review is to provide an overview on diverse anticancer activities of 2-substituted benzimidazole derivatives.
Main body
This review provides a correlation between the various mechanisms of action of benzimidazoles as anticancer and the substitution pattern around the nucleus.
Conclusion
The linker group and substitution at N-1, C-2, C-5, and C-6 positions have been found to be the most contributory factors for anticancer activity. This will help in the further design to afford more selective, potent, and multi-target anticancer of 2-substituted benzimidazole-based compounds.
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12
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Ye N, Xu Q, Li W, Wang P, Zhou J. Recent Advances in Developing K-Ras Plasma Membrane Localization Inhibitors. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:2114-2127. [PMID: 31475899 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190902145116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Ras proteins play an important role in cell growth, differentiation, proliferation and survival by regulating diverse signaling pathways. Oncogenic mutant K-Ras is the most frequently mutated class of Ras superfamily that is highly prevalent in many human cancers. Despite intensive efforts to combat various K-Ras-mutant-driven cancers, no effective K-Ras-specific inhibitors have yet been approved for clinical use to date. Since K-Ras proteins must be associated to the plasma membrane for their function, targeting K-Ras plasma membrane localization represents a logical and potentially tractable therapeutic approach. Here, we summarize the recent advances in the development of K-Ras plasma membrane localization inhibitors including natural product-based inhibitors achieved from high throughput screening, fragment-based drug design, virtual screening, and drug repurposing as well as hit-to-lead optimizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Ye
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.,Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
| | - Qingfeng Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Wanwan Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Pingyuan Wang
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
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Rustler K, Maleeva G, Bregestovski P, König B. Azologization of serotonin 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists. Beilstein J Org Chem 2019; 15:780-788. [PMID: 30992726 PMCID: PMC6444460 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.15.74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor (5-HT3R) plays a unique role within the seven classes of the serotonin receptor family, as it represents the only ionotropic receptor, while the other six members are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The 5-HT3 receptor is related to chemo-/radiotherapy provoked emesis and dysfunction leads to neurodevelopmental disorders and psychopathologies. Since the development of the first serotonin receptor antagonist in the early 1990s, the range of highly selective and potent drugs expanded based on various chemical structures. Nevertheless, on-off-targeting of a pharmacophore's activity with high spatiotemporal resolution as provided by photopharmacology remains an unsolved challenge bearing additionally the opportunity for detailed receptor examination. In the presented work, we summarize the synthesis, photochromic properties and in vitro characterization of azobenzene-based photochromic derivatives of published 5-HT3R antagonists. Despite reported proof of principle of direct azologization, only one of the investigated derivatives showed antagonistic activity lacking isomer specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Rustler
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Galyna Maleeva
- Aix-Marseille University, INSERM, INS, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Piotr Bregestovski
- Aix-Marseille University, INSERM, INS, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, 13005 Marseille, France
- Department of Normal Physiology, Kazan State Medical University, Kazan, Russia
- Institute of Neurosciences, Kazan State Medical University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Burkhard König
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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Dietrich P, Hellerbrand C, Bosserhoff A. The Delta Subunit of Rod-Specific Photoreceptor cGMP Phosphodiesterase (PDE6D) Contributes to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11030398. [PMID: 30901922 PMCID: PMC6468542 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11030398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence reveals crucial roles of wild type RAS in liver cancer. The delta subunit of rod-specific photoreceptor cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE6D) regulates the trafficking of RAS proteins to the plasma membrane and thereby contributes to RAS activation. However, the expression and specific function of PDE6D in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were completely unknown. In this study, PDE6D was newly found to be markedly upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of PDE6D in HCC correlated with enhanced tumor stages, tumor grading, and ERK activation. PDE6D depletion significantly reduced proliferation, clonogenicity, and migration of HCC cells. Moreover, PDE6D was induced by TGF-β1, the mediator of stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and chemoresistance. In non-resistant cells, overexpression of PDE6D conferred resistance to sorafenib-induced toxicity. Further, PDE6D was overexpressed in sorafenib resistance, and inhibition of PDE6D reduced proliferation and migration in sorafenib-resistant HCC cells. Together, PDE6D was found to be overexpressed in liver cancer and correlated with tumor stages, grading, and ERK activation. Moreover, PDE6D contributed to migration, proliferation, and sorafenib resistance in HCC cells, therefore representing a potential novel therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Dietrich
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
- Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Claus Hellerbrand
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Anja Bosserhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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15
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Chen L, Zhuang C, Lu J, Jiang Y, Sheng C. Discovery of Novel KRAS-PDEδ Inhibitors by Fragment-Based Drug Design. J Med Chem 2018; 61:2604-2610. [PMID: 29510040 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Targeting KRAS-PDEδ protein-protein interactions with small molecules represents a promising opportunity for developing novel antitumor agents. However, current KRAS-PDEδ inhibitors are limited by poor cellular antitumor potency and the druggability of the target remains to be validated by new inhibitors. To tackle these challenges, herein, novel, highly potent KRAS-PDEδ inhibitors were identified by fragment-based drug design, providing promising lead compounds or chemical probes for investigating the biological functions and druggability of KRAS-PDEδ interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Chen
- School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , 325 Guohe Road , Shanghai 200433 , China
| | - Chunlin Zhuang
- School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , 325 Guohe Road , Shanghai 200433 , China
| | - Junjie Lu
- School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , 325 Guohe Road , Shanghai 200433 , China
| | - Yan Jiang
- School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , 325 Guohe Road , Shanghai 200433 , China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , 325 Guohe Road , Shanghai 200433 , China
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16
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Jiang Y, Zhuang C, Chen L, Lu J, Dong G, Miao Z, Zhang W, Li J, Sheng C. Structural Biology-Inspired Discovery of Novel KRAS–PDEδ Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2017; 60:9400-9406. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jiang
- School
of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chunlin Zhuang
- School
of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Long Chen
- School
of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Junjie Lu
- School
of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Guoqiang Dong
- School
of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhenyuan Miao
- School
of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wannian Zhang
- School
of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jian Li
- School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- School
of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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17
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Nussinov R, Jang H, Tsai CJ, Liao TJ, Li S, Fushman D, Zhang J. Intrinsic protein disorder in oncogenic KRAS signaling. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:3245-3261. [PMID: 28597297 PMCID: PMC11107717 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2564-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
How Ras, and in particular its most abundant oncogenic isoform K-Ras4B, is activated and signals in proliferating cells, poses some of the most challenging questions in cancer cell biology. In this paper, we ask how intrinsically disordered regions in K-Ras4B and its effectors help promote proliferative signaling. Conformational disorder allows spanning long distances, supports hinge motions, promotes anchoring in membranes, permits segments to fulfil multiple roles, and broadly is crucial for activation mechanisms and intensified oncogenic signaling. Here, we provide an overview illustrating some of the key mechanisms through which conformational disorder can promote oncogenesis, with K-Ras4B signaling serving as an example. We discuss (1) GTP-bound KRas4B activation through membrane attachment; (2) how farnesylation and palmitoylation can promote isoform functional specificity; (3) calmodulin binding and PI3K activation; (4) how Ras activates its RASSF5 cofactor, thereby stimulating signaling of the Hippo pathway and repressing proliferation; and (5) how intrinsically disordered segments in Raf help its attachment to the membrane and activation. Collectively, we provide the first inclusive review of the roles of intrinsic protein disorder in oncogenic Ras-driven signaling. We believe that a broad picture helps to grasp and formulate key mechanisms in Ras cancer biology and assists in therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Nussinov
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
| | - Hyunbum Jang
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Chung-Jung Tsai
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Tsung-Jen Liao
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biomolecular Structure and Organization, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Shuai Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Universities E-Institute for Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - David Fushman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biomolecular Structure and Organization, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Universities E-Institute for Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
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