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Köhler C, Carlström G, Gunnarsson A, Weininger U, Tångefjord S, Ullah V, Lepistö M, Karlsson U, Papavoine T, Edman K, Akke M. Dynamic allosteric communication pathway directing differential activation of the glucocorticoid receptor. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eabb5277. [PMID: 32832645 PMCID: PMC7439413 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb5277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Allosteric communication within proteins is a hallmark of biochemical signaling, but the dynamic transmission pathways remain poorly characterized. We combined NMR spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance to reveal these pathways and quantify their energetics in the glucocorticoid receptor, a transcriptional regulator controlling development, metabolism, and immune response. Our results delineate a dynamic communication network of residues linking the ligand-binding pocket to the activation function-2 interface, where helix 12, a switch for transcriptional activation, exhibits ligand- and coregulator-dependent dynamics coupled to graded activation. The allosteric free energy responds to variations in ligand structure: subtle changes gradually tune allostery while preserving the transmission pathway, whereas substitution of the entire pharmacophore leads to divergent allosteric control by apparently rewiring the communication network. Our results provide key insights that should aid in the design of mechanistically differentiated ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Köhler
- Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - G. Carlström
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - A. Gunnarsson
- Discovery Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - U. Weininger
- Division of Biophysical Chemistry, Center for Molecular Protein Science, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, P. O. Box 124, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - S. Tångefjord
- Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Discovery Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - V. Ullah
- Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - M. Lepistö
- Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - U. Karlsson
- Discovery Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - T. Papavoine
- Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - K. Edman
- Discovery Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - M. Akke
- Division of Biophysical Chemistry, Center for Molecular Protein Science, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, P. O. Box 124, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
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Van Moortel L, Gevaert K, De Bosscher K. Improved Glucocorticoid Receptor Ligands: Fantastic Beasts, but How to Find Them? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:559673. [PMID: 33071974 PMCID: PMC7541956 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.559673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Exogenous glucocorticoids are widely used in the clinic for the treatment of inflammatory disorders and hematological cancers. Unfortunately, their use is associated with debilitating side effects, including hyperglycemia, osteoporosis, mood swings, and weight gain. Despite the continued efforts of pharma as well as academia, the search for so-called selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators (SEGRMs), compounds with strong anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer properties but a reduced number or level of side effects, has had limited success so far. Although monoclonal antibody therapies have been successfully introduced for the treatment of certain disorders (such as anti-TNF for rheumatoid arthritis), glucocorticoids remain the first-in-line option for many other chronic diseases including asthma, multiple sclerosis, and multiple myeloma. This perspective offers our opinion on why a continued search for SEGRMs remains highly relevant in an era where small molecules are sometimes unrightfully considered old-fashioned. Besides a discussion on which bottlenecks and pitfalls might have been overlooked in the past, we elaborate on potential solutions and recent developments that may push future research in the right direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Van Moortel
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research (TNRR) Laboratory, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kris Gevaert
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research (TNRR) Laboratory, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Karolien De Bosscher
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Crowley EL, Rafferty SP. Review of lactose-driven auto-induction expression of isotope-labelled proteins. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 157:70-85. [PMID: 30708035 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
NMR is an important method in the structural and functional characterization of proteins, but such experiments typically require isotopic labelling because of the low natural abundance of the nuclei of interest. Isotope-labelled protein for NMR experiments is typically obtained from IPTG-inducible bacterial expression systems in a minimal media that contains labelled carbon or nitrogen sources. Optimization of expression conditions is crucial yet challenging; large amounts of labelled protein are desired, yet protein yields are lower in minimal media, while the labelled precursors are expensive. Faced with these challenges there is a growing body of literature that apply innovative methods of induction to optimize the yield of isotope-labelled protein. A promising technique is lactose-driven auto-induction as it mitigates user intervention and can lead to higher protein yields. This review assesses the current advances and limitations surrounding the ability of researchers to isotope label proteins using auto-induction, and it identifies key components for optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika L Crowley
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 0G2, Canada.
| | - Steven P Rafferty
- Department of Chemistry, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 0G2, Canada.
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