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Dong S, Matossian MD, Yousefi H, Khosla M, Collins-Burow BM, Burow ME, Alahari SK. Targeting Mcl-1 by a small molecule NSC260594 for triple-negative breast cancer therapy. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11843. [PMID: 37481672 PMCID: PMC10363135 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37058-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are aggressive forms of breast cancer and tend to grow and spread more quickly than most other types of breast cancer. TNBCs can neither be targeted by hormonal therapies nor the antibody trastuzumab that targets the HER2 protein. There are urgent unmet medical needs to develop targeted drugs for TNBCs. We identified a small molecule NSC260594 from the NCI diversity set IV compound library. NSC260594 exhibited dramatic cytotoxicity in multiple TNBCs in a dose-and time-dependent manner. NSC260594 inhibited the Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) expression through downregulation of Wnt signaling proteins. Consistent with this, NSC260594 treatment increased apoptosis, which was confirmed by using an Annexin-V/PI assay. Interestingly, NSC260594 treatment reduced the cancer stem cell (CSC) population in TNBCs. To make NSC260594 more clinically relevant, we treated NSC260594 with TNBC cell derived xenograft (CDX) mouse model, and with patient-derived xenograft (PDX) organoids. NSC260594 significantly suppressed MDA-MB-231 tumor growth in vivo, and furthermore, the combination treatment of NSC260594 and everolimus acted synergistically to decrease growth of TNBC PDX organoids. Together, we found that NSC260594 might serve as a lead compound for triple-negative breast cancer therapy through targeting Mcl-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengli Dong
- TYK Medicines Inc., Block D, No. 778 Huaxi Avenue, Changxing, 313100, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSUHSC, CSRB 406, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
| | | | - Hassan Yousefi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSUHSC, CSRB 406, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Maninder Khosla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSUHSC, CSRB 406, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | | | - Matthew E Burow
- Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA
| | - Suresh K Alahari
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSUHSC, CSRB 406, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
- Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, LSUHSC School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
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2
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The aryl-ureido fatty acid CTU activates endoplasmic reticulum stress and PERK/NOXA-mediated apoptosis in tumor cells by a dual mitochondrial-targeting mechanism. Cancer Lett 2022; 526:131-141. [PMID: 34822928 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The cancer cell mitochondrion is functionally different from that in normal cells and could be targeted to develop novel experimental therapeutics. The aryl-ureido fatty acid CTU (16({[4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-carbamoyl}amino)hexadecanoic acid) is the prototype of a new class of mitochondrion-targeted agents that kill cancer cells. Here we show that CTU rapidly depolarized the inner mitochondrial membrane, selectively inhibited complex III of the electron transport chain and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. From RNA-seq analysis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress was a major activated pathway in CTU-treated cells and in MDA-MB-231 tumor xenografts from CTU-treated nu/nu mice. Mitochondrion-derived ROS activated the PERK-linked ER-stress pathway and induced the BH3-only protein NOXA leading to outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) disruption. The lipid peroxyl scavenger α-tocopherol attenuated CTU-dependent ER-stress and apoptosis which confirmed the critical role of ROS. Oleic acid protected against CTU-mediated apoptosis by activating Mcl-1 expression, which increased NOXA sequestration and prevented OMM disruption. Taken together, CTU both uncouples mitochondrial electron transport and activates ROS production which promotes ER-stress-dependent OMM disruption and tumor cell death. Dual-mitochondrial targeting agents like CTU offer a novel approach for development of new anti-cancer therapeutics.
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3
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Hetherington K, Dutt S, Ibarra AA, Cawood EE, Hobor F, Woolfson DN, Edwards TA, Nelson A, Sessions RB, Wilson AJ. Towards optimizing peptide-based inhibitors of protein-protein interactions: predictive saturation variation scanning (PreSaVS). RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:1474-1478. [PMID: 34704051 PMCID: PMC8495968 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00137j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A simple-to-implement and experimentally validated computational workflow for sequence modification of peptide inhibitors of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) is described. An experimentally validated approach for in silico modification of peptide based protein–protein interaction inhibitors is described.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Hetherington
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK .,School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Som Dutt
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK .,School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Amaurys A Ibarra
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
| | - Emma E Cawood
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK .,School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Fruzsina Hobor
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK .,School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Derek N Woolfson
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK .,School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK.,BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building Tyndall Avenue Bristol BS8 1TQ UK
| | - Thomas A Edwards
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK .,School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Adam Nelson
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK .,School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Richard B Sessions
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK .,BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building Tyndall Avenue Bristol BS8 1TQ UK
| | - Andrew J Wilson
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK .,School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
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4
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Labrecque CL, Hilton CN, Airas J, Blake A, Rubenstein KJ, Parish CA, Pollock JA. Identification of Phenazine-Based MEMO1 Small-Molecule Inhibitors: Virtual Screening, Fluorescence Polarization Validation, and Inhibition of Breast Cancer Migration. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:1163-1171. [PMID: 33332774 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Phosphorylation-dependent protein-protein interactions play a significant role in biological signaling pathways; therefore, small molecules that are capable of influencing these interactions can be valuable research tools and have potential as pharmaceutical agents. MEMO1 (mediator of ErbB2-cell driven motility) is a phosphotyrosine-binding protein that interacts with a variety of protein partners and has been found to be upregulated in breast cancer patients. Herein, we report the first small-molecule inhibitors of MEMO1 interactions identified through a virtual screening platform and validated in a competitive fluorescence polarization assay. Initial structure-activity relationships have been investigated for these phenazine-core inhibitors and the binding sites have been postulated using molecular dynamics simulations. The most potent biochemical inhibitor is capable of disrupting the large protein interface with a KI of 2.7 μm. In addition, the most promising phenazine core compounds slow the migration of breast cancer cell lines in a scratch assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney L Labrecque
- Department of Chemistry, University of Richmond, 138 UR Drive, Richmond, VA 23173, USA
| | - Cassidy N Hilton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Richmond, 138 UR Drive, Richmond, VA 23173, USA
| | - Justin Airas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Richmond, 138 UR Drive, Richmond, VA 23173, USA
| | - Alexis Blake
- Department of Chemistry, University of Richmond, 138 UR Drive, Richmond, VA 23173, USA
| | - Kristen J Rubenstein
- Department of Chemistry, University of Richmond, 138 UR Drive, Richmond, VA 23173, USA
| | - Carol A Parish
- Department of Chemistry, University of Richmond, 138 UR Drive, Richmond, VA 23173, USA
| | - Julie A Pollock
- Department of Chemistry, University of Richmond, 138 UR Drive, Richmond, VA 23173, USA
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5
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Sun J, Russell CC, Scarlett CJ, McCluskey A. Small molecule inhibitors in pancreatic cancer. RSC Med Chem 2020; 11:164-183. [PMID: 33479626 PMCID: PMC7433757 DOI: 10.1039/c9md00447e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC), with a 5 year survival of <7%, is one of the most fatal of all human cancers. The highly aggressive and metastatic character of this disease poses a challenge that current therapies are failing, despite significant efforts, to meet. This review examines the current status of the 35 small molecule inhibitors targeting pancreatic cancer in clinical trials and the >50 currently under investigation. These compounds inhibit biological targets spanning protein kinases, STAT3, BET, HDACs and Bcl-2 family proteins. Unsurprisingly, protein kinase inhibitors are overrepresented. Some trials show promise; a phase I combination trial of vorinostat 11 and capecitabine 17 gave a median overall survival (MoS) of 13 months and a phase II study of pazopanib 15 showed a MoS of 25 months. The current standard of care for metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, fluorouracil/folic acid (5-FU, Adrucil®), and gemcitabine (GEMZAR®) afforded a MoS of 23 and 23.6 months (EPAC-3 study), respectively. In patients who can tolerate the FOLFIRINOX regime, this is becoming the standard of treatment with a MoS of 11.1 months. Clinical study progress has been slow with limited improvement in patient survival relative to gemcitabine 1 monotherapy. A major cause of low PC survival is the late stage of diagnosis, occurring in patients who consider typical early stage warning signs of aches and pains normal. The selection of patients with specific disease phenotypes, the use of improved efficient drug combinations, the identification of biomarkers to specific cancer subtypes and more effective designs of investigation have improved outcomes. To move beyond the current dire condition and paucity of PC treatment options, determination of the best regimes and new treatment options is a challenge that must be met. The reasons for poor PC prognosis have remained largely unchanged for 20 years. This is arguably a consequence of significant changes in the drug discovery landscape, and the increasing pressure on academia to deliver short term 'media' friendly short-term news 'bites'. PC research sits at a pivotal point. Perhaps the greatest challenge is enacting a culture change that recognises that major breakthroughs are a result of blue sky, truly innovative and curiosity driven research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jufeng Sun
- Chemistry , School of Environmental & Life Sciences , The University of Newcastle , Newcastle , Callaghan , NSW 2308 , Australia . ; ; Tel: +61 249216486
- Medicinal Chemistry , School of Pharmacy , Binzhou Medical University , Yantai , 264003 , China
| | - Cecilia C Russell
- Chemistry , School of Environmental & Life Sciences , The University of Newcastle , Newcastle , Callaghan , NSW 2308 , Australia . ; ; Tel: +61 249216486
| | - Christopher J Scarlett
- Applied Sciences , School of Environmental & Life Sciences , The University of Newcastle , Ourimbah NSW 2258 , Australia
| | - Adam McCluskey
- Chemistry , School of Environmental & Life Sciences , The University of Newcastle , Newcastle , Callaghan , NSW 2308 , Australia . ; ; Tel: +61 249216486
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6
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Activation of Src mediates acquired cisplatin resistance in human lung carcinoma cells. Anticancer Drugs 2019; 31:123-130. [PMID: 31815763 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cisplatin (CDDP) is the most effective chemotherapeutic drug against lung carcinoma. However, the emergence of resistant clones has severely limited its clinical application. We found that the cisplatin-resistant lung carcinoma cell line A549/CDDP had increased levels of the phosphorylated gap junction protein Cx43 and SRC tyrosine kinase, and low levels of total Cx43 protein and reduced gap junction formation. The SRC kinase inhibitor PP2 increased the expression of total Cx43 protein and enhanced cisplatin sensitivity, indicating that activated SRC kinase induces chemoresistance by decrease total Cx43 level. Furthermore, Cx43 gene silencing in the drug-resistant cell lines abrogated the sensitizing effect of PP2. Taken together, targeting SRC kinase by PP2 reverses cisplatin resistance by upregulating Cx43 protein levels, indicating a novel pathway of cisplatin resistance that may be amenable to therapeutic intervention.
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7
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Bazhanova ED, Sokolova YO, Teplyi DL. [Effects of cytoflavin on neuronal apoptotic processes in the murine cerebral cortex on a model of physiologicaland pathological aging]. Arkh Patol 2019; 81:59-65. [PMID: 31407720 DOI: 10.17116/patol20198104159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Involutional changes in the cerebral cortex substantially affect the activity of the cortex itself and the function of target organs. This necessitates pharmacological correction of age-related diseases, primarily a high level of cell death. OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of cytoflavin in mechanisms for the apoptotic regulation of cerebral cortical cells during physiological and pathological aging (in the presence of HER-2/neu overexpression). MATERIAL AND METHODS HER-2/neu transgenic mice were used; wild-type FVB/N mice served as controls. The levels of apoptosis (TUNEL) and the expression of its associated proteins (p53, CD95, Mcl-1, p-AKT, and p-ERK) (Western blotting) were estimated in the sensorimotor cortex. RESULTS Activation of fundamental AKT and ERK survival pathways promotes a low level of cell death in young FVB/N mice; the extrinsic receptor mechanism of apoptosis is observed to be initiated by aging. The high p-AKT levels in the cortical cells provide suppressed cell death in transgenic mice regardless of their age. After cytoflavin administration, the old wild-type mice show a lower level of apoptosis in the cortical neurons apparently due to the increased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1, while the old transgenic mice exhibited suppression of the AKT and ERK survival pathways and, accordingly, activation of the extrinsic receptor and p53-dependent apoptosis pathways. CONCLUSION Thus, cytoflavin exerts a pronounced neuroprotective effect during physiological and accelerated aging, while its effect on the level of neuronal apoptosis is ambiguous and depends on the genetic line of animals. So, this is a moderate stimulation of apoptosis when its level is low in HER-2/neu mice with a high level of carcinogenesis, as well as a decrease in the high level of apoptosis in old wild-type animals, which prevents neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- E D Bazhanova
- Laboratory of Morphology and Electron Microscopy, Institute of Toxicology, Federal Biomedical Agency of Russia, Saint Petersburg, Russia; Laboratory for Comparative Biochemistry of Cell Functions, I.M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia; Joint Laboratory for Research of Role of Apoptosis in Neuroendocrinal System Formation, Astrakhan, Russia
| | - Yu O Sokolova
- Laboratory for Comparative Biochemistry of Cell Functions, I.M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - D L Teplyi
- Astrakhan State University, Astrakhan, Russia
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8
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Michalak K, Rárová L, Kubala M, Čechová P, Strnad M, Wicha J. Synthesis and evaluation of cytotoxic and Na+/K+-ATP-ase inhibitory activity of selected 5α-oleandrigenin derivatives. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 180:417-429. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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9
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Targeting cancer's Achilles’ heel: role of BCL-2 inhibitors in cellular senescence and apoptosis. Future Med Chem 2019; 11:2287-2312. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2018-0366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins are involved in tumor growth, progression and survival, and are also responsible for chemoresistance to conventional anticancer agents. Early efforts to target these proteins yielded some active compounds; however, newer methodologies involving structure-based drug design, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)-based screening and fragment-based screening yielded more potent compounds. Discovery of specific as well as nonspecific inhibitors of this class of proteins has resulted in great advances in targeted chemotherapy and decrease in chemoresistance. Here, we review the history and current progress in direct as well as selective targeting of the BCL-2 proteins for anticancer therapy.
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10
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Beekman AM, O'Connell MA, Howell LA. Peptide-Directed Binding for the Discovery of Modulators of α-Helix-Mediated Protein-Protein Interactions: Proof-of-Concept Studies with the Apoptosis Regulator Mcl-1. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:10446-10450. [PMID: 28670766 PMCID: PMC5577515 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201705008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Targeting PPIs with small molecules can be challenging owing to large, hydrophobic binding surfaces. Herein, we describe a strategy that exploits selective α-helical PPIs, transferring these characteristics to small molecules. The proof of concept is demonstrated with the apoptosis regulator Mcl-1, commonly exploited by cancers to avoid cell death. Peptide-directed binding uses few synthetic transformations, requires the production of a small number of compounds, and generates a high percentage of hits. In this example, about 50 % of the small molecules prepared showed an IC50 value of less than 100 μm, and approximately 25 % had IC50 values below 1 μm to Mcl-1. Compounds show selectivity for Mcl-1 over other anti-apoptotic proteins, possess cytotoxicity to cancer cell lines, and induce hallmarks of apoptosis. This approach represents a novel and economic process for the rapid discovery of new α-helical PPI modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Michael Beekman
- School of PharmacyUniversity of East AngliaNorwich Research Park, NorwichNorfolkNR4 7TJUK
| | - Maria Anne O'Connell
- School of PharmacyUniversity of East AngliaNorwich Research Park, NorwichNorfolkNR4 7TJUK
| | - Lesley Ann Howell
- School of PharmacyUniversity of East AngliaNorwich Research Park, NorwichNorfolkNR4 7TJUK
- School of Biological and Chemical SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonMile End RoadLondonE1 4NSUK
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11
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Beekman AM, O'Connell MA, Howell LA. Peptide-Directed Binding for the Discovery of Modulators of α-Helix-Mediated Protein-Protein Interactions: Proof-of-Concept Studies with the Apoptosis Regulator Mcl-1. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201705008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Michael Beekman
- School of Pharmacy; University of East Anglia; Norwich Research Park, Norwich Norfolk NR4 7TJ UK
| | - Maria Anne O'Connell
- School of Pharmacy; University of East Anglia; Norwich Research Park, Norwich Norfolk NR4 7TJ UK
| | - Lesley Ann Howell
- School of Pharmacy; University of East Anglia; Norwich Research Park, Norwich Norfolk NR4 7TJ UK
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences; Queen Mary University of London; Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
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12
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Glantz-Gashai Y, Meirson T, Reuveni E, Samson AO. Virtual screening for potential inhibitors of Mcl-1 conformations sampled by normal modes, molecular dynamics, and nuclear magnetic resonance. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2017; 11:1803-1813. [PMID: 28684899 PMCID: PMC5484510 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s133127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) is often overexpressed in human cancer and is an important target for developing antineoplastic drugs. In this study, a data set containing 2.3 million lead-like molecules and a data set of all the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs are virtually screened for potential Mcl-1 ligands using Protein Data Bank (PDB) ID 2MHS. The potential Mcl-1 ligands are evaluated and computationally docked on to three conformation ensembles generated by normal mode analysis (NMA), molecular dynamics (MD), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), respectively. The evaluated potential Mcl-1 ligands are then compared with their clinical use. Remarkably, half of the top 30 potential drugs are used clinically to treat cancer, thus partially validating our virtual screen. The partial validation also favors the idea that the other half of the top 30 potential drugs could be used in the treatment of cancer. The normal mode-, MD-, and NMR-based conformation greatly expand the conformational sampling used herein for in silico identification of potential Mcl-1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tomer Meirson
- Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Eli Reuveni
- Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Abraham O Samson
- Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel
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13
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Yap JL, Chen L, Lanning ME, Fletcher S. Expanding the Cancer Arsenal with Targeted Therapies: Disarmament of the Antiapoptotic Bcl-2 Proteins by Small Molecules. J Med Chem 2016; 60:821-838. [PMID: 27749061 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A hallmark of cancer is the evasion of apoptosis, which is often associated with the upregulation of the antiapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins. The prosurvival function of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins is manifested by capturing and neutralizing the proapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins via their BH3 death domains. Accordingly, strategies to antagonize the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins have largely focused on the development of low-molecular-weight, synthetic BH3 mimetics ("magic bullets") to disrupt the protein-protein interactions between anti- and proapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. In this way, apoptosis has been reactivated in malignant cells. Moreover, several such Bcl-2 family inhibitors are presently being evaluated for a range of cancers in clinical trials and show great promise as new additions to the cancer armamentarium. Indeed, the selective Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax (Venclexta) recently received FDA approval for the treatment of a specific subset of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This review focuses on the major developments in the field of Bcl-2 inhibitors over the past decade, with particular emphasis on binding modes and, thus, the origins of selectivity for specific Bcl-2 family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy L Yap
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy , 20 N. Pine Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Lijia Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy , 20 N. Pine Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Maryanna E Lanning
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy , 20 N. Pine Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Steven Fletcher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy , 20 N. Pine Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States.,University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center , Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
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14
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Beekman AM, O'Connell MA, Howell LA. Identification of Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the Antiapoptotic Protein Myeloid Cell Leukaemia-1 (Mcl-1). ChemMedChem 2016; 11:840-4. [PMID: 26616140 PMCID: PMC4848766 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) control many cellular processes in cancer and tumour growth. Of significant interest is the role PPIs play in regulating apoptosis. The overexpression of the antiapoptosis regulating Bcl-2 family of proteins is commonly observed in several cancers, leading to resistance towards both radiation and chemotherapies. From this family, myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) has proven the most difficult to target, and one of the leading causes of treatment resistance. Exploiting the selective PPI between the apoptosis-regulating protein Noxa and Mcl-1, utilising a fluorescence polarization assay, we have identified four small molecules with the ability to modulate Mcl-1. The identified compounds were computationally modelled and docked against the Mcl-1 binding interface to obtain structural information about their binding sites allowing for future analogue design. When examined for their activity towards pancreatic cell lines that overexpress Mcl-1 (MiaPaCa-2 and BxPC-3), the identified compounds demonstrated growth inhibition, suggesting effective Mcl-1 modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Beekman
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Maria A O'Connell
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Lesley A Howell
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK.
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