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Feoli A, Sarno G, Castellano S, Sbardella G. DMSO-Related Effects on Ligand-Binding Properties of Lysine Methyltransferases G9a and SETD8. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300809. [PMID: 38205880 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Being the standard solvent for preparing stock solutions of compounds for drug discovery, DMSO is always present in assay buffers in concentrations ranging from 0.1 % to 5 % (v/v). Even at the lowest concentrations, DMSO-containing solutions can have significant effects on individual proteins and possible pitfalls cannot be eliminated. Herein, we used two protein systems, the lysine methyltransferases G9a/KMT1 C and SETD8/KMT5 A, to study the effects of DMSO on protein stability and on the binding of the corresponding inhibitors, using different biophysical methods such as nano Differential Scanning Fluorimetry (nanoDSF), Differential Scanning Fluorimetry (DSF), microscale thermophoresis (MST), and surface plasmon resonance (SPR), all widely used in drug discovery screening campaigns. We demonstrated that the effects of DMSO are protein- and technique-dependent and cannot be predicted or extrapolated on the basis of previous studies using different proteins and/or different assays. Moreover, we showed that the application of orthogonal biophysical methods can lead to different binding affinity data, thus confirming the importance of using at least two different orthogonal assays in screening campaigns. This variability should be taken into account in the selection and characterization of hit compounds, in order to avoid data misinterpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Feoli
- Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Giuliana Sarno
- Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
- PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, I-84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Sabrina Castellano
- Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Gianluca Sbardella
- Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
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2
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Discovery of cysteine-targeting covalent histone methyltransferase inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 246:115028. [PMID: 36528996 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Post-translational methylation of histone lysine or arginine residues by histone methyltransferases (HMTs) plays crucial roles in gene regulation and diverse physiological processes and is implicated in a plethora of human diseases, especially cancer. Therefore, histone methyltransferases have been increasingly recognized as potential therapeutic targets. Consequently, the discovery and development of histone methyltransferase inhibitors have been pursued with steadily increasing interest over the past decade. However, the disadvantages of limited clinical efficacy, moderate selectivity, and propensity for acquired resistance have hindered the development of HMTs inhibitors. Targeted covalent modification represents a proven strategy for kinase drug development and has gained increasing attention in HMTs drug discovery. In this review, we focus on the discovery, characterization, and biological applications of covalent inhibitors for HMTs with emphasis on advancements in the field. In addition, we identify the challenges and future directions in this fast-growing research area of drug discovery.
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3
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Bispyrrolidinoindoline Epi(poly)thiodioxopiperazines (BPI-ETPs) and Simplified Mimetics: Structural Characterization, Bioactivities, and Total Synthesis. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27217585. [DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the 2,5-dioxopiperazine-containing natural products generated by “head-to-tail” cyclization of peptides, those derived from tryptophan allow further structural diversification due to the rich chemical reactivity of the indole heterocycle, which can generate tetracyclic fragments of hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole or pyrrolidinoindoline skeleton fused to the 2,5-dioxopiperazine. Even more complex are the dimeric bispyrrolidinoindoline epi(poly)thiodioxopiperazines (BPI-ETPs), since they feature transannular (poly)sulfide bridges connecting C3 and C6 of their 2,5-dioxopiperazine rings. Homo- and heterodimers composed of diastereomeric epi(poly)thiodioxopiperazines increase the complexity of the family. Furthermore, putative biogenetically generated downstream metabolites with C11 and C11’-hydroxylated cores, as well as deoxygenated and/or oxidized side chain counterparts, have also been described. The isolation of these complex polycyclic tryptophan-derived alkaloids from the classical sources, their structural characterization, the description of the relevant biological activities and putative biogenetic routes, and the synthetic efforts to generate and confirm their structures and also to prepare and further evaluate structurally simple analogs will be reported.
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4
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Chemical biology and pharmacology of histone lysine methylation inhibitors. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194840. [PMID: 35753676 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Histone lysine methylation is a post-translational modification that plays a key role in the epigenetic regulation of a broad spectrum of biological processes. Moreover, the dysregulation of histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases particularly cancer. Due to their pathobiological importance, KMTs have garnered immense attention over the last decade as attractive therapeutic targets. These endeavors have culminated in tens of chemical probes that have been used to interrogate many aspects of histone lysine methylation. Besides, over a dozen inhibitors have been advanced to clinical trials, including the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat approved for the treatment of follicular lymphoma and advanced epithelioid sarcoma. In this Review, we highlight the chemical biology and pharmacology of KMT inhibitors and targeted protein degraders focusing on the clinical development of EZH1/2, DOT1L, Menin-MLL, and WDR5-MLL inhibitors. We also briefly discuss the pharmacologic targeting of other KMTs.
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5
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Feoli A, Viviano M, Cipriano A, Milite C, Castellano S, Sbardella G. Lysine methyltransferase inhibitors: where we are now. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:359-406. [PMID: 35441141 PMCID: PMC8985178 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00196e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein lysine methyltransferases constitute a large family of epigenetic writers that catalyse the transfer of a methyl group from the cofactor S-adenosyl-l-methionine to histone- and non-histone-specific substrates. Alterations in the expression and activity of these proteins have been linked to the genesis and progress of several diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, and growing defects, hence they represent interesting targets for new therapeutic approaches. Over the past two decades, the identification of modulators of lysine methyltransferases has increased tremendously, clarifying the role of these proteins in different physio-pathological states. The aim of this review is to furnish an updated outlook about the protein lysine methyltransferases disclosed modulators, reporting their potency, their mechanism of action and their eventual use in clinical and preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Feoli
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno via Giovanni Paolo II 132 I-84084 Fisciano SA Italy +39-089-96-9602 +39-089-96-9770
| | - Monica Viviano
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno via Giovanni Paolo II 132 I-84084 Fisciano SA Italy +39-089-96-9602 +39-089-96-9770
| | - Alessandra Cipriano
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno via Giovanni Paolo II 132 I-84084 Fisciano SA Italy +39-089-96-9602 +39-089-96-9770
| | - Ciro Milite
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno via Giovanni Paolo II 132 I-84084 Fisciano SA Italy +39-089-96-9602 +39-089-96-9770
| | - Sabrina Castellano
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno via Giovanni Paolo II 132 I-84084 Fisciano SA Italy +39-089-96-9602 +39-089-96-9770
| | - Gianluca Sbardella
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno via Giovanni Paolo II 132 I-84084 Fisciano SA Italy +39-089-96-9602 +39-089-96-9770
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Sui J, Qiao W, Xiang X, Luo Y. Epigenetic Changes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its Host Provide Potential Targets or Biomarkers for Drug Discovery and Clinical Diagnosis. Pharmacol Res 2022; 179:106195. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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7
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Guillade L, Mora P, Villar P, Alvarez R, R de Lera A. Total synthesis of nahuoic acid A via a putative biogenetic intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction. Chem Sci 2021; 12:15157-15169. [PMID: 34909158 PMCID: PMC8612404 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc04524e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Inspired by the biogenetic proposal of an intramolecular Diels–Alder (IMDA) cycloaddition, the total synthesis of natural product nahuoic acid A, a cofactor-competitive inhibitor of the epigenetic enzyme lysine methyl transferase SETD8, has been carried out. A non-conjugated pentaenal precursor was synthesized with high levels of stereoselectivity at seven stereogenic centers and with the appropriate control of double bond geometries. Although the IMDA reaction of the non-conjugated pentaenal using Me2AlCl for catalysis at −40 °C selectively afforded the trans-fused diastereomer corresponding to the Re-endo mode of cycloaddition, under thermal reaction conditions it gave rise to a mixture of diastereomers, that preferentially formed through the exo mode, including the cis-fused angularly-methylated octahydronaphthalene diastereomer precursor of nahuoic acid A. The natural product could be obtained upon oxidation and overall deprotection of the hydroxyl groups present in the Si-exo IMDA diastereomer. The total synthesis of natural product nahuoic acid A, a cofactor-competitive inhibitor of the epigenetic enzyme lysine methyl transferase SETD8, has been carried out based on the biogenetic proposal of an intramolecular Diels–Alder (IMDA) cycloaddition.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Guillade
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultade de Química, CINBIO, IIS Galicia Sur, Universidade de Vigo 36310 Vigo Spain
| | - Paula Mora
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultade de Química, CINBIO, IIS Galicia Sur, Universidade de Vigo 36310 Vigo Spain
| | - Pedro Villar
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultade de Química, CINBIO, IIS Galicia Sur, Universidade de Vigo 36310 Vigo Spain
| | - Rosana Alvarez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultade de Química, CINBIO, IIS Galicia Sur, Universidade de Vigo 36310 Vigo Spain
| | - Angel R de Lera
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultade de Química, CINBIO, IIS Galicia Sur, Universidade de Vigo 36310 Vigo Spain
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Zhang Y, Rong D, Li B, Wang Y. Targeting Epigenetic Regulators with Covalent Small-Molecule Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7900-7925. [PMID: 33599482 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation of gene expression plays a critical role in various physiological processes, and epigenetic dysregulation is implicated in a number of diseases, prominently including cancer. Epigenetic regulators have been validated as potential therapeutic targets, and significant progress has been made in the discovery and development of epigenetic-based inhibitors. However, successful epigenetic drug discovery is still facing challenges, including moderate selectivity, limited efficacy, and acquired drug resistance. Inspired by the advantages of covalent small-molecule inhibitors, targeted covalent inhibition has attracted increasing interest in epigenetic drug discovery. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the structure-based design and characterization of covalent inhibitors targeting epigenetic writers, readers, and erasers and highlight their potential benefits in enhancing selectivity across the enzyme family and improving in vivo efficacy. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities of covalent small-molecule inhibitors and hope to shed light on future epigenetic drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Deqin Rong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Bingbing Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yuanxiang Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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9
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Myers JA, Couch T, Murphy Z, Malik J, Getman M, Steiner LA. The histone methyltransferase Setd8 alters the chromatin landscape and regulates the expression of key transcription factors during erythroid differentiation. Epigenetics Chromatin 2020; 13:16. [PMID: 32178723 PMCID: PMC7075014 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-020-00337-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background SETD8 is the sole methyltransferase capable of mono-methylating histone H4, lysine 20. SETD8 and H4K20me1 play a role in a number of essential biologic processes, including cell cycle progression, establishment of higher order chromatin structure, and transcriptional regulation. SETD8 is highly expressed in erythroid cells and erythroid deletion of Setd8 is embryonic lethal by embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) due to profound anemia, suggesting that it has an erythroid-specific function. The function of SETD8 in the hemopoietic system is poorly understood. The goal of our study was to gain insights into the function of SETD8 during erythroid differentiation. Results We performed ATAC-seq (assay for transposase-accessible chromatin) on sorted populations of E10.5 Setd8 mutant and control erythroblasts. Accessibility profiles were integrated with expression changes and a mark of heterochromatin (H3K27me3) performed in wild-type E10.5 erythroblasts to further understand the role of SETD8 in erythropoiesis. Data integration identified regions of greater chromatin accessibility in Setd8 mutant cells that co-located with H3K27me3 in wild-type E10.5 erythroblasts suggesting that these regions, and their associated genes, are repressed during normal erythropoiesis. The majority of these more accessible regions were located in promoters and they frequently co-located with the NFY complex. Pathway analysis of genes identified through data integration revealed stemness-related pathways. Among those genes were multiple transcriptional regulators active in multipotent progenitors, but repressed during erythroid differentiation including Hhex, Hlx, and Gata2. Consistent with a role for SETD8 in erythroid specification, SETD8 expression is up-regulated upon erythroid commitment, and Setd8 disruption impairs erythroid colony forming ability. Conclusion Taken together, our results suggest that SETD8 is an important regulator of the chromatin landscape during erythroid differentiation, particularly at promoters. Our results also identify a novel role for Setd8 in the establishment of appropriate patterns of lineage-restricted gene expression during erythroid differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn A Myers
- Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Genomics Resource Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Tyler Couch
- Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Zachary Murphy
- Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey Malik
- Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Genomics Resource Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Michael Getman
- Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Laurie A Steiner
- Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
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10
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Niu C, Guo J, Shen X, Ma S, Xia M, Xia J, Zheng Y. Meiotic gatekeeper STRA8 regulates cell cycle by interacting with SETD8 during spermatogenesis. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:4194-4211. [PMID: 32090428 PMCID: PMC7171306 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
STRA8 (Stimulated By Retinoic Acid Gene 8) is a retinoic acid (RA) induced gene that plays vital roles in spermatogonial proliferation, differentiation and meiosis. The SETD8 and STRA8 protein interaction was discovered using the yeast two-hybrid technique using a mouse spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) cDNA library. The interaction of these two proteins was confirmed using co-immunoprecipitation and identification of key domains governing the protein: protein complex. STRA8 and SETD8 showed a mutual transcriptional regulation pattern that provided evidence that SETD8 negatively regulated transcriptional activity of the STRA8 promoter. The SETD8 protein directly bound to the proximal promoter of the STRA8 gene. STRA8 increased the transcriptional activity of SETD8 promoter in a dose-dependent manner. For the first time, we have discovered that STRA8 and SETD8 display a cell cycle-dependent expression pattern in germline cells. Expression levels of SETD8 and H4K20me1 in S phase of STRA8 overexpression GC1 cells were different from that previously observed in tumour cell lines. In wild-type mice testis, SETD8, H4K20me1 and PCNA co-localized with STRA8 in spermatogonia. Further, our studies quantitated abnormal expression levels of cell cycle and ubiquitination-related factors in STRA8 dynamic models. STRA8 and SETD8 may regulate spermatogenesis via Cdl4-Clu4A-Ddb1 ubiquitinated degradation axis in a PCNA-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changmin Niu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqian Guo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xueyi Shen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Shikun Ma
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Mengmeng Xia
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jing Xia
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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11
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Chen S, Wiewiora RP, Meng F, Babault N, Ma A, Yu W, Qian K, Hu H, Zou H, Wang J, Fan S, Blum G, Pittella-Silva F, Beauchamp KA, Tempel W, Jiang H, Chen K, Skene RJ, Zheng YG, Brown PJ, Jin J, Luo C, Chodera JD, Luo M. The dynamic conformational landscape of the protein methyltransferase SETD8. eLife 2019; 8:45403. [PMID: 31081496 PMCID: PMC6579520 DOI: 10.7554/elife.45403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the conformational heterogeneity of proteins is essential for understanding protein function and developing exogenous ligands. With the rapid development of experimental and computational methods, it is of great interest to integrate these approaches to illuminate the conformational landscapes of target proteins. SETD8 is a protein lysine methyltransferase (PKMT), which functions in vivo via the methylation of histone and nonhistone targets. Utilizing covalent inhibitors and depleting native ligands to trap hidden conformational states, we obtained diverse X-ray structures of SETD8. These structures were used to seed distributed atomistic molecular dynamics simulations that generated a total of six milliseconds of trajectory data. Markov state models, built via an automated machine learning approach and corroborated experimentally, reveal how slow conformational motions and conformational states are relevant to catalysis. These findings provide molecular insight on enzymatic catalysis and allosteric mechanisms of a PKMT via its detailed conformational landscape. Our cells contain thousands of proteins that perform many different tasks. Such tasks often involve significant changes in the shape of a protein that allow it to interact with other proteins or ligands. Understanding these shape changes can be an essential step for predicting and manipulating how proteins work or designing new drugs. Some changes in protein shape happen quickly, whereas others take longer. Existing experimental approaches generally only capture some, but not all, of the different shapes an individual protein adopts. A family of proteins known as protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs) help to regulate the activities of other proteins by adding small tags called methyl groups to specific positions on their target proteins. PKMTs play important roles in many life processes including in activating genes, maintaining stem cells and controlling how organs develop. It is important for cells to properly control the activity of PKMTs because too much, or too little, activity can promote cancers and neurological diseases. For example, genetic mutations that increase the levels of a PKMT known as SETD8 appear to promote the progression of some breast cancers and childhood leukemia. There is a pressing need to develop new drugs that can inhibit SETD8 and other PKMTs in human patients. However, these efforts are hindered by the lack of understanding of exactly how the shape of PKMT proteins change as they operate in cells. Chen, Wiewiora et al. used a technique called X-ray crystallography to generate structural models of the human SETD8 protein in the presence or absence of native or foreign ligands. These models were used to develop computer simulations of how the shape of SETD8 changes as it operates. Further computational analysis and laboratory experiments revealed how slow changes in the shape of SETD8 contribute to the ability of the protein to attach methyl groups to other proteins. This work is a significant stepping-stone to developing a complete model of how the SETD8 protein works, as well as understanding how genetic mutations may affect the protein’s role in the body. The next step is to refine the model by integrating data from other approaches including biophysical models and mathematical calculations of the energy associated with the shape changes, with a long-term goal to better understand and then manipulate the function of SETD8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Chen
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States.,Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
| | - Rafal P Wiewiora
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States.,Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
| | - Fanwang Meng
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Nicolas Babault
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.,Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.,Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States
| | - Anqi Ma
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.,Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.,Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States
| | - Wenyu Yu
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kun Qian
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, United States
| | - Hao Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, United States
| | - Hua Zou
- Takeda California, Science Center Drive, San Diego, United States
| | - Junyi Wang
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
| | - Shijie Fan
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gil Blum
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
| | - Fabio Pittella-Silva
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
| | - Kyle A Beauchamp
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
| | - Wolfram Tempel
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hualiang Jiang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kaixian Chen
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Robert J Skene
- Takeda California, Science Center Drive, San Diego, United States
| | - Yujun George Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, United States
| | - Peter J Brown
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.,Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.,Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States
| | - Cheng Luo
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - John D Chodera
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
| | - Minkui Luo
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States.,Program of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, United States
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Milite C, Feoli A, Horton JR, Rescigno D, Cipriano A, Pisapia V, Viviano M, Pepe G, Amendola G, Novellino E, Cosconati S, Cheng X, Castellano S, Sbardella G. Discovery of a Novel Chemotype of Histone Lysine Methyltransferase EHMT1/2 (GLP/G9a) Inhibitors: Rational Design, Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Co-crystal Structure. J Med Chem 2019; 62:2666-2689. [PMID: 30753076 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b02008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of compound BIX01294 over 10 years ago, only a very limited number of nonquinazoline inhibitors of H3K9-specific methyltransferases G9a and G9a-like protein (GLP) have been reported. Herein, we report the identification of a novel chemotype for G9a/GLP inhibitors, based on the underinvestigated 2-alkyl-5-amino- and 2-aryl-5-amino-substituted 3 H-benzo[ e][1,4]diazepine scaffold. Our research efforts resulted in the identification 12a (EML741), which not only maintained the high in vitro and cellular potency of its quinazoline counterpart, but also displayed improved inhibitory potency against DNA methyltransferase 1, improved selectivity against other methyltransferases, low cell toxicity, and improved apparent permeability values in both parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) and blood-brain barrier-specific PAMPA, and therefore might potentially be a better candidate for animal studies. Finally, the co-crystal structure of GLP in complex with 12a provides the basis for the further development of benzodiazepine-based G9a/GLP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John R Horton
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , Texas 77030 , United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Giorgio Amendola
- DiSTABiF , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy , University Federico II of Naples , Via D. Montesano 49 , 80131 Naples , Italy
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , Texas 77030 , United States
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Abstract
Protein lysine methylation is a distinct posttranslational modification that causes minimal changes in the size and electrostatic status of lysine residues. Lysine methylation plays essential roles in regulating fates and functions of target proteins in an epigenetic manner. As a result, substrates and degrees (free versus mono/di/tri) of protein lysine methylation are orchestrated within cells by balanced activities of protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs) and demethylases (KDMs). Their dysregulation is often associated with neurological disorders, developmental abnormalities, or cancer. Methyllysine-containing proteins can be recognized by downstream effector proteins, which contain methyllysine reader domains, to relay their biological functions. While numerous efforts have been made to annotate biological roles of protein lysine methylation, limited work has been done to uncover mechanisms associated with this modification at a molecular or atomic level. Given distinct biophysical and biochemical properties of methyllysine, this review will focus on chemical and biochemical aspects in addition, recognition, and removal of this posttranslational mark. Chemical and biophysical methods to profile PKMT substrates will be discussed along with classification of PKMT inhibitors for accurate perturbation of methyltransferase activities. Semisynthesis of methyllysine-containing proteins will also be covered given the critical need for these reagents to unambiguously define functional roles of protein lysine methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minkui Luo
- Chemical Biology Program , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , New York 10065 , United States.,Program of Pharmacology, Weill Graduate School of Medical Science , Cornell University , New York , New York 10021 , United States
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Bryzgalov LO, Korbolina EE, Brusentsov II, Leberfarb EY, Bondar NP, Merkulova TI. Novel functional variants at the GWAS-implicated loci might confer risk to major depressive disorder, bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia. BMC Neurosci 2018; 19:22. [PMID: 29745862 PMCID: PMC5998904 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-018-0414-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A challenge of understanding the mechanisms underlying cognition including neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders is mainly given by the potential severity of cognitive disorders for the quality of life and their prevalence. However, the field has been focused predominantly on protein coding variation until recently. Given the importance of tightly controlled gene expression for normal brain function, the goal of the study was to assess the functional variation including non-coding variation in human genome that is likely to play an important role in cognitive functions. To this end, we organized and utilized available genome-wide datasets from genomic, transcriptomic and association studies into a comprehensive data corpus. We focused on genomic regions that are enriched in regulatory activity-overlapping transcriptional factor binding regions and repurpose our data collection especially for identification of the regulatory SNPs (rSNPs) that showed associations both with allele-specific binding and allele-specific expression. We matched these rSNPs to the nearby and distant targeted genes and then selected the variants that could implicate the etiology of cognitive disorders according to Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Next, we use DeSeq 2.0 package to test the differences in the expression of the certain targeted genes between the controls and the patients that were diagnosed bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia. Finally, we assess the potential biological role for identified drivers of cognition using DAVID and GeneMANIA. RESULTS As a result, we selected fourteen regulatory SNPs locating within the loci, implicated from GWAS for cognitive disorders with six of the variants unreported previously. Grouping of the targeted genes according to biological functions revealed the involvement of processes such as 'posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression', 'neuron differentiation', 'neuron projection development', 'regulation of cell cycle process' and 'protein catabolic processes'. We identified four rSNP-targeted genes that showed differential expression between patient and control groups depending on brain region: NRAS-in schizophrenia cohort, CDC25B, DDX21 and NUCKS1-in bipolar disorder cohort. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our findings are likely to provide the keys for unraveling the mechanisms that underlie cognitive functions including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia etiopathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid O. Bryzgalov
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 10 Lavrentyeva Prospekt, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation 630090
| | - Elena E. Korbolina
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 10 Lavrentyeva Prospekt, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation 630090
- The Novosibirsk State University, 1 Pirogova st., Novosibirsk, Russian Federation 630090
| | - Ilja I. Brusentsov
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 10 Lavrentyeva Prospekt, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation 630090
| | - Elena Y. Leberfarb
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 10 Lavrentyeva Prospekt, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation 630090
| | - Natalia P. Bondar
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 10 Lavrentyeva Prospekt, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation 630090
- The Novosibirsk State University, 1 Pirogova st., Novosibirsk, Russian Federation 630090
| | - Tatiana I. Merkulova
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 10 Lavrentyeva Prospekt, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation 630090
- The Novosibirsk State University, 1 Pirogova st., Novosibirsk, Russian Federation 630090
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Lu W, Zhang R, Jiang H, Zhang H, Luo C. Computer-Aided Drug Design in Epigenetics. Front Chem 2018; 6:57. [PMID: 29594101 PMCID: PMC5857607 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic dysfunction has been widely implicated in several diseases especially cancers thus highlights the therapeutic potential for chemical interventions in this field. With rapid development of computational methodologies and high-performance computational resources, computer-aided drug design has emerged as a promising strategy to speed up epigenetic drug discovery. Herein, we make a brief overview of major computational methods reported in the literature including druggability prediction, virtual screening, homology modeling, scaffold hopping, pharmacophore modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, quantum chemistry calculation, and 3D quantitative structure activity relationship that have been successfully applied in the design and discovery of epi-drugs and epi-probes. Finally, we discuss about major limitations of current virtual drug design strategies in epigenetics drug discovery and future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Lu
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rukang Zhang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Luo
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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