1
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Awoonor-Williams E, Abu-Saleh AAAA. Molecular Insights into the Impact of Mutations on the Binding Affinity of Targeted Covalent Inhibitors of BTK. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:2874-2884. [PMID: 38502552 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) have witnessed a significant resurgence in recent years, particularly in the kinase drug discovery field for treating diverse clinical indications. The inhibition of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) for treating B-cell cancers is a classic example where TCIs such as ibrutinib have had breakthroughs in targeted therapy. However, selectivity remains challenging, and the emergence of resistance mutations is a critical concern for clinical efficacy. Computational methods that can accurately predict the impact of mutations on inhibitor binding affinity could prove helpful in informing targeted approaches─providing insights into drug resistance mechanisms. In addition, such systems could help guide the systematic evaluation and impact of mutations in disease models for optimal experimental design. Here, we have employed in silico physics-based methods to understand the effects of mutations on the binding affinity and conformational dynamics of select TCIs of BTK. The TCIs studied include ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, and zanubrutinib─all of which are FDA-approved drugs for treating multiple forms of leukemia and lymphoma. Our results offer useful molecular insights into the structural determinants, thermodynamics, and conformational energies that impact ligand binding for this biological target of clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Awoonor-Williams
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL A1B 3X7, Canada
| | - Abd Al-Aziz A Abu-Saleh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
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2
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Westberg M, Su Y, Zou X, Huang P, Rustagi A, Garhyan J, Patel PB, Fernandez D, Wu Y, Hao C, Lo CW, Karim M, Ning L, Beck A, Saenkham-Huntsinger P, Tat V, Drelich A, Peng BH, Einav S, Tseng CTK, Blish C, Lin MZ. An orally bioavailable SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor exhibits improved affinity and reduced sensitivity to mutations. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadi0979. [PMID: 38478629 PMCID: PMC11193659 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi0979] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Inhibitors of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease (Mpro) such as nirmatrelvir (NTV) and ensitrelvir (ETV) have proven effective in reducing the severity of COVID-19, but the presence of resistance-conferring mutations in sequenced viral genomes raises concerns about future drug resistance. Second-generation oral drugs that retain function against these mutants are thus urgently needed. We hypothesized that the covalent hepatitis C virus protease inhibitor boceprevir (BPV) could serve as the basis for orally bioavailable drugs that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Mpro more efficiently than existing drugs. Performing structure-guided modifications of BPV, we developed a picomolar-affinity inhibitor, ML2006a4, with antiviral activity, oral pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic efficacy similar or superior to those of NTV. A crucial feature of ML2006a4 is a derivatization of the ketoamide reactive group that improves cell permeability and oral bioavailability. Last, ML2006a4 was found to be less sensitive to several mutations that cause resistance to NTV or ETV and occur in the natural SARS-CoV-2 population. Thus, anticipatory design can preemptively address potential resistance mechanisms to expand future treatment options against coronavirus variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Westberg
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University; 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University; 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Yichi Su
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xinzhi Zou
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Pinghan Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Arjun Rustagi
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jaishree Garhyan
- Stanford In Vitro Biosafety Level 3 Service Center, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Puja Bhavesh Patel
- Stanford In Vitro Biosafety Level 3 Service Center, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Daniel Fernandez
- Program in Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Macromolecular Structure Knowledge Center, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Chenzhou Hao
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Chieh-Wen Lo
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marwah Karim
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lin Ning
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aimee Beck
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Vivian Tat
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Aleksandra Drelich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Bi-Hung Peng
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Shirit Einav
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub; San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Chien-Te K. Tseng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Catherine Blish
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub; San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Michael Z. Lin
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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3
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Wang J, Zhou S, Cheng Y, Cheng L, Qin Y, Zhang Z, Bi A, Xiang H, He X, Tian X, Liu W, Zhang J, Peng C, Zhu Z, Huang M, Li Y, Zhuang G, Tan L. Selective Covalent Targeting of Pyruvate Kinase M2 Using Arsenous Warheads. J Med Chem 2023; 66:2608-2621. [PMID: 36723914 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
There is growing interest in covalent targeted inhibitors in drug discovery against previously "undruggable" sites and targets. These molecules typically feature an electrophilic warhead that reacts with nucleophilic groups of protein residues, most notably the thiol group of cysteines. One main challenge in the field is to develop versatile utilizable warheads. Here, we characterize the unique features of novel arsenous warheads for reaction with thiol species in a reversible manner and further demonstrate that organoarsenic probes can be chemically tuned toward specific molecular targets by developing selective and potent inhibitors of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2). We show that compound 24 is a covalent and allosteric inhibitor of PKM2 and its orally bioavailable prodrug 25 exerts efficacious inhibition of PKM2-dependent tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Our results introduce 25 and its derivatives as useful pharmacological tools and provide a general road map for targeting the protein cysteinome using arsenous warheads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyao Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shaoqing Zhou
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Lin Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ying Qin
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhenfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Aiwei Bi
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Huaijiang Xiang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinheng He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaoxu Tian
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Wenbin Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Chao Peng
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhengjiang Zhu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Min Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ying Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Guanglei Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Li Tan
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
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4
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Salimova EV, Mannanova LR, Kukovinets OS, Parfenova LV. Synthesis of Halo Derivatives of Fusidane Triterpenoids. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1070428022070041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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5
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Huang KW, Chen JW, Hua TY, Chu YY, Chiu TY, Liu JY, Tu CI, Hsu KC, Kao YT, Chu JW, Hsiao YY. Targeted Covalent Inhibitors Allosterically Deactivate the DEDDh Lassa Fever Virus NP Exonuclease from Alternative Distal Sites. JACS AU 2021; 1:2315-2327. [PMID: 34977900 PMCID: PMC8715546 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
For using targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) as anticancer and antiviral drugs, we establish that the model compounds PCMPS (p-chloromercuriphenyl sulfate) and PCMB (p-chloromercuribenzoate) are inhibitors of the DEDDh family of exonucleases. The underlying mechanism is analyzed by X-ray crystallography, activity/nucleic acid-binding assays, and all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The first TCI-complexed structures of a DEDDh enzyme, the Lassa fever virus NP exonuclease (NPexo), are resolved to elucidate that the Cys409 binding site is away from the active site and the RNA-binding lid. The NPexo C409A structures indicate Cys461 as the alternative distal site for obstructing the equally active mutant. All-atom MD simulations of the wild type and mutant NPexos in explicit solvent uncover an allosteric inhibition mechanism that the local perturbation induced by PCMPS sulfonate propagates to impact the RNA-binding lid conformation. Binding assay studies confirm that PCMPS does affect the RNA binding of NPexo. The predicted relative potency between PCMPS and PCMB is also in line with experiments. The structural data and inhibition mechanism established in this work provide an important molecular basis for the drug development of TCIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Wei Huang
- Department
of Biological Science and Technology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Wen Chen
- Department
of Biological Science and Technology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
- Institute
of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30068, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Yu Hua
- Institute
of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30068, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Yu Chu
- Department
of Biological Science and Technology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
- Institute
of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30068, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Yuan Chiu
- Department
of Biological Science and Technology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Yu Liu
- Department
of Biological Science and Technology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
| | - Chun-I Tu
- Department
of Biological Science and Technology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Cheng Hsu
- Graduate
Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical
Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program
for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical
Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Ph.D.
Program in Biotechnology Research and Development, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Biomedical
Commercialization Center, Taipei Medical
University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Ting Kao
- Department
of Biological Science and Technology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
- Institute
of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30068, Taiwan
- Center
for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
| | - Jhih-Wei Chu
- Department
of Biological Science and Technology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
- Institute
of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30068, Taiwan
- Center
for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Yuan Hsiao
- Department
of Biological Science and Technology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
- Institute
of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30068, Taiwan
- Center
for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
- Drug
Development and Value Creation Research Center, Center for Cancer
Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
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6
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Abstract
Covalent drugs offer higher efficacy and longer duration of action than their noncovalent counterparts. Significant advances in computational methods for modeling covalent drugs are poised to shift the paradigm of small molecule therapeutics within the next decade. This viewpoint discusses the advantages of a two-state model for ranking reversible and irreversible covalent ligands and of more complex models for dissecting reaction mechanisms. The relation between these models highlights the complexity and diversity of covalent drug binding and provides opportunities for mechanism-based rational design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Lyna Luo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California 91709, United States
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7
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Udompholkul P, Baggio C, Gambini L, Alboreggia G, Pellecchia M. Lysine Covalent Antagonists of Melanoma Inhibitors of Apoptosis Protein. J Med Chem 2021; 64:16147-16158. [PMID: 34705456 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
We have recently reported on Lys-covalent agents that, based on aryl-sulfonyl fluorides, were designed to target binding site Lys 311 in the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). Similar to XIAP, melanoma-IAP (ML-IAP), a less well-characterized IAP family protein, also presents a lysine residue (Lys 135), which is in a position equivalent to that of Lys 311 of XIAP. On the contrary, two other members of the IAP family, namely, cellular-IAPs (cIAP1 and cIAP2), present a glutamic acid residue in that position. Hence, in the present work, we describe the derivation and characterization of the very first potent ML-IAP Lys-covalent inhibitor with cellular activity. The agent can be used as a pharmacological tool to further validate ML-IAP as a drug target and eventually for the development of ML-IAP-targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parima Udompholkul
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Luca Gambini
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Giulia Alboreggia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
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8
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Awoonor-Williams E, Rowley CN. Modeling the Binding and Conformational Energetics of a Targeted Covalent Inhibitor to Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:5234-5242. [PMID: 34590480 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) bind to their targets in both covalent and noncovalent modes, providing exceptionally high affinity and selectivity. These inhibitors have been effectively employed as inhibitors of protein kinases, with Taunton and coworkers (Nat. Chem. Biol. 2015, 11, 525-531) reporting a notable example of a TCI with a cyanoacrylamide warhead that forms a covalent thioether linkage to an active-site cysteine (Cys481) of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). The specific mechanism of the binding and the relative importance of the covalent and noncovalent interactions is difficult to determine experimentally, and established simulation methods for calculating the absolute binding affinity of an inhibitor cannot describe the covalent bond-forming steps. Here, an integrated approach using alchemical free-energy perturbation and QM/MM molecular dynamics methods was employed to model the complete Gibbs energy profile for the covalent inhibition of BTK by a cyanoacrylamide TCI. These calculations provide a rigorous and complete absolute Gibbs energy profile of the covalent modification binding process. Following a classic thiol-Michael addition mechanism, the target cysteine is deprotonated to form a nucleophilic thiolate, which then undergoes a facile conjugate addition to the electrophilic functional group to form a bond with the noncovalently bound ligand. This model predicts that the formation of the covalent linkage is highly exergonic relative to the noncovalent binding alone. Nevertheless, noncovalent interactions between the ligand and individual amino acid residues in the binding pocket of the enzyme are also essential for ligand binding, particularly van der Waals dispersion forces, which have a larger contribution to the binding energy than the covalent component in absolute terms. This model also shows that the mechanism of covalent modification of a protein occurs through a complex series of steps and that entropy, conformational flexibility, noncovalent interactions, and the formation of covalent linkage are all significant factors in the ultimate binding affinity of a covalent drug to its target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Awoonor-Williams
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland A1B 3X9, Canada
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9
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Martín-Sabroso C, Lozza I, Torres-Suárez AI, Fraguas-Sánchez AI. Antibody-Antineoplastic Conjugates in Gynecological Malignancies: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1705. [PMID: 34683998 PMCID: PMC8541375 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), normally formed by a humanized antibody and a small drug via a chemical cleavable or non-cleavable linker, have emerged as a potential treatment strategy in cancer disease. They allow to get a selective delivery of the chemotherapeutic agents at the tumor level, and, consequently, to improve the antitumor efficacy and, especially to decrease chemotherapy-related toxicity. Currently, nine antibody-drug conjugate-based formulations have been already approved and more than 80 are under clinical trials for the treatment of several tumors, especially breast cancer, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma. To date, no ADCs have been approved for the treatment of gynecological formulations, but many formulations have been developed and have reached the clinical stage, especially for the treatment of ovarian cancer, an aggressive disease with a low five-year survival rate. This manuscript analyzes the ADCs formulations that are under clinical research in the treatment of gynecological carcinomas, specifically ovarian, endometrial, and cervical tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Martín-Sabroso
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.M.-S.); (I.L.); (A.I.T.-S.)
- Institute of Industrial Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Lozza
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.M.-S.); (I.L.); (A.I.T.-S.)
| | - Ana Isabel Torres-Suárez
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.M.-S.); (I.L.); (A.I.T.-S.)
- Institute of Industrial Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Fraguas-Sánchez
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.M.-S.); (I.L.); (A.I.T.-S.)
- Institute of Industrial Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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10
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Du H, Gao J, Weng G, Ding J, Chai X, Pang J, Kang Y, Li D, Cao D, Hou T. CovalentInDB: a comprehensive database facilitating the discovery of covalent inhibitors. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:D1122-D1129. [PMID: 33068433 PMCID: PMC7778999 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitors that form covalent bonds with their targets have traditionally been considered highly adventurous due to their potential off-target effects and toxicity concerns. However, with the clinical validation and approval of many covalent inhibitors during the past decade, design and discovery of novel covalent inhibitors have attracted increasing attention. A large amount of scattered experimental data for covalent inhibitors have been reported, but a resource by integrating the experimental information for covalent inhibitor discovery is still lacking. In this study, we presented Covalent Inhibitor Database (CovalentInDB), the largest online database that provides the structural information and experimental data for covalent inhibitors. CovalentInDB contains 4511 covalent inhibitors (including 68 approved drugs) with 57 different reactive warheads for 280 protein targets. The crystal structures of some of the proteins bound with a covalent inhibitor are provided to visualize the protein–ligand interactions around the binding site. Each covalent inhibitor is annotated with the structure, warhead, experimental bioactivity, physicochemical properties, etc. Moreover, CovalentInDB provides the covalent reaction mechanism and the corresponding experimental verification methods for each inhibitor towards its target. High-quality datasets are downloadable for users to evaluate and develop computational methods for covalent drug design. CovalentInDB is freely accessible at http://cadd.zju.edu.cn/cidb/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Du
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.,State Key Lab of CAD&CG, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junbo Gao
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gaoqi Weng
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junjie Ding
- Beijing Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Xin Chai
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jinping Pang
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Kang
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dan Li
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dongsheng Cao
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Tingjun Hou
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.,State Key Lab of CAD&CG, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
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11
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Gambini L, Udompholkul P, Salem AF, Baggio C, Pellecchia M. Stability and Cell Permeability of Sulfonyl Fluorides in the Design of Lys-Covalent Antagonists of Protein-Protein Interactions. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:2176-2184. [PMID: 32790900 PMCID: PMC7722097 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recently we reported on aryl-fluorosulfates as possible stable and effective electrophiles for the design of lysine covalent, cell permeable antagonists of protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Here we revisit the use of aryl-sulfonyl fluorides as Lys-targeting moieties, incorporating these electrophiles in XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein) targeting agents. We evaluated stability in buffer and reactivity with Lys311 of XIAP of various aryl-sulfonyl fluorides using biochemical and biophysical approaches, including displacement assays, mass spectrometry, SDS gel electrophoresis, and denaturation thermal shift measurements. To assess whether these modified electrophilic "warheads" can also react with Tyr, we repeated these evaluations with a Lys311Tyr XIAP mutant. Using a direct cellular assay, we could demonstrate that selected agents are cell permeable and interact covalently with their intended target in cell. These results suggest that certain substituted aryl-sulfonyl fluorides can be useful Lys- or Tyr-targeting electrophiles for the design of covalent pharmacological tools or even future therapeutics targeting protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Gambini
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
| | - Parima Udompholkul
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
| | - Ahmed F. Salem
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
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12
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Petri L, Ábrányi-Balogh P, Tímea I, Pálfy G, Perczel A, Knez D, Hrast M, Gobec M, Sosič I, Nyíri K, Vértessy BG, Jänsch N, Desczyk C, Meyer-Almes FJ, Ogris I, Golič Grdadolnik S, Iacovino LG, Binda C, Gobec S, Keserű GM. Assessment of Tractable Cysteines for Covalent Targeting by Screening Covalent Fragments. Chembiochem 2020; 22:743-753. [PMID: 33030752 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Targeted covalent inhibition and the use of irreversible chemical probes are important strategies in chemical biology and drug discovery. To date, the availability and reactivity of cysteine residues amenable for covalent targeting have been evaluated by proteomic and computational tools. Herein, we present a toolbox of fragments containing a 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl core that was equipped with chemically diverse electrophilic warheads showing a range of reactivities. We characterized the library members for their reactivity, aqueous stability and specificity for nucleophilic amino acids. By screening this library against a set of enzymes amenable for covalent inhibition, we showed that this approach experimentally characterized the accessibility and reactivity of targeted cysteines. Interesting covalent fragment hits were obtained for all investigated cysteine-containing enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Petri
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok krt 2, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Ábrányi-Balogh
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok krt 2, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Imre Tímea
- MS Metabolomics Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok krt 2, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gyula Pálfy
- Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and Biology &, MTA-ELTE Protein Modelling Research Group, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Perczel
- Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and Biology &, MTA-ELTE Protein Modelling Research Group, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Damijan Knez
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Martina Hrast
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Martina Gobec
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Izidor Sosič
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Kinga Nyíri
- Genome Metabolism Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok krt 2, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Beáta G Vértessy
- Genome Metabolism Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok krt 2, 1117, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Applied Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Szt Gellért tér 4, 1111, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Niklas Jänsch
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 12, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Charlotte Desczyk
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 12, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Franz-Josef Meyer-Almes
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 12, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Iza Ogris
- Laboratory for Molecular Structural Dynamics, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simona Golič Grdadolnik
- Laboratory for Molecular Structural Dynamics, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Luca Giacinto Iacovino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 1, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Binda
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 1, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stanislav Gobec
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - György M Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok krt 2, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
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13
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Macchiagodena M, Pagliai M, Karrenbrock M, Guarnieri G, Iannone F, Procacci P. Virtual Double-System Single-Box: A Nonequilibrium Alchemical Technique for Absolute Binding Free Energy Calculations: Application to Ligands of the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease. J Chem Theory Comput 2020; 16:7160-7172. [PMID: 33090785 PMCID: PMC8015232 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.0c00634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In the context of drug-receptor binding affinity calculations using molecular dynamics techniques, we implemented a combination of Hamiltonian replica exchange (HREM) and a novel nonequilibrium alchemical methodology, called virtual double-system single-box, with increased accuracy, precision, and efficiency with respect to the standard nonequilibrium approaches. The method has been applied for the determination of absolute binding free energies of 16 newly designed noncovalent ligands of the main protease (3CLpro) of SARS-CoV-2. The core structures of 3CLpro ligands were previously identified using a multimodal structure-based ligand design in combination with docking techniques. The calculated binding free energies for four additional ligands with known activity (either for SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 main protease) are also reported. The nature of binding in the 3CLpro active site and the involved residues besides the CYS-HYS catalytic dyad have been thoroughly characterized by enhanced sampling simulations of the bound state. We have identified several noncongeneric compounds with predicted low micromolar activity for 3CLpro inhibition, which may constitute possible lead compounds for the development of antiviral agents in Covid-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Macchiagodena
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Marco Pagliai
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Maurice Karrenbrock
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Guido Guarnieri
- ENEA, Portici Research Centre, DTE-ICT-HPC P.le E. Fermi, 1, I-80055 Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Francesco Iannone
- ENEA, Portici Research Centre, DTE-ICT-HPC P.le E. Fermi, 1, I-80055 Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Piero Procacci
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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14
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Baillie TA. Approaches to mitigate the risk of serious adverse reactions in covalent drug design. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 16:275-287. [PMID: 33006907 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2021.1832079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Covalent inhibition of target proteins using high affinity ligands bearing weakly electrophilic warheads is being adopted increasingly as design strategy in the discovery of novel therapeutics, and several covalent drugs have now received regulatory approval for indications in oncology. Experience to date with targeted covalent inhibitors has led to a number of design principles that underlie the safety and efficacy of this increasingly important class of molecules. AREAS COVERED A review is provided of the current status of the covalent drug approach, emphasizing the unique benefits and attendant risks associated with reversible and irreversible binders. Areas of application beyond inhibition of tyrosine kinases are presented, and design considerations to de-risk covalent inhibitors with respect to undesirable off-target effects are discussed. EXPERT OPINION High selectivity for the intended protein target has emerged as a key consideration in mitigating safety risks associated with widespread proteome reactivity. Powerful chemical proteomics-based techniques are now available to assess selectivity in a drug discovery setting. Optimizing pharmacokinetics to capitalize on the intrinsically high potency of covalent drugs should lead to low daily doses and greater safety margins, while minimizing susceptibility to metabolic activation likewise will attenuate the risk of covalent drug toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Baillie
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington Seattle, Seattle, WA, USA
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15
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Tran QT, Tan DW, Wong WF, Chai CL. From irreversible to reversible covalent inhibitors: Harnessing the andrographolide scaffold for anti-inflammatory action. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 204:112481. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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16
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Petri L, Egyed A, Bajusz D, Imre T, Hetényi A, Martinek T, Ábrányi-Balogh P, Keserű GM. An electrophilic warhead library for mapping the reactivity and accessibility of tractable cysteines in protein kinases. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 207:112836. [PMID: 32971426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Targeted covalent inhibitors represent a viable strategy to block protein kinases involved in different disease pathologies. Although a number of computational protocols have been published for identifying druggable cysteines, experimental approaches are limited for mapping the reactivity and accessibility of these residues. Here, we present a ligand based approach using a toolbox of fragment-sized molecules with identical scaffold but equipped with diverse covalent warheads. Our library represents a unique opportunity for the efficient integration of warhead-optimization and target-validation into the covalent drug development process. Screening this probe kit against multiple kinases could experimentally characterize the accessibility and reactivity of the targeted cysteines and helped to identify suitable warheads for designed covalent inhibitors. The usefulness of this approach has been confirmed retrospectively on Janus kinase 3 (JAK3). Furthermore, representing a prospective validation, we identified Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK), as a tractable covalent target. Covalently labelling and biochemical inhibition of MELK would suggest an alternative covalent strategy for MELK inhibitor programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Petri
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Krt 2, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Egyed
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Krt 2, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dávid Bajusz
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Krt 2, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tímea Imre
- MS Metabolomics Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Krt 2, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anasztázia Hetényi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm Tér 8, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Martinek
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm Tér 8, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter Ábrányi-Balogh
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Krt 2, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - György M Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Krt 2, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary.
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17
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Rolt A, Cox LS. Structural basis of the anti-ageing effects of polyphenolics: mitigation of oxidative stress. BMC Chem 2020; 14:50. [PMID: 32793891 PMCID: PMC7417423 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-020-00696-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ageing, and particularly the onset of age-related diseases, is associated with tissue dysfunction and macromolecular damage, some of which can be attributed to accumulation of oxidative damage. Polyphenolic natural products such as stilbenoids, flavonoids and chalcones have been shown to be effective at ameliorating several age-related phenotypes, including oxidative stress, inflammation, impaired proteostasis and cellular senescence, both in vitro and in vivo. Here we aim to identify the structural basis underlying the pharmacology of polyphenols towards ROS and related biochemical pathways involved in age-related disease. We compile and describe SAR trends across different polyphenol chemotypes including stilbenoids, flavonoids and chalcones, review their different molecular targets and indications, and identify common structural ground between chemotypes and mechanisms of action. In particular, we focus on the structural requirements for the direct scavenging of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species such as radicals as well as coordination of a broader antioxidant response. We further suggest that it is important to consider multiple (rather than single) biological activities when identifying and developing new medicinal chemistry entities with utility in modulating complex biological properties such as cell ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Rolt
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU UK
| | - Lynne S Cox
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU UK
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18
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Palazzesi F, Hermann MR, Grundl MA, Pautsch A, Seeliger D, Tautermann CS, Weber A. BIreactive: A Machine-Learning Model to Estimate Covalent Warhead Reactivity. J Chem Inf Model 2020; 60:2915-2923. [PMID: 32250627 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b01058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In the past decade, the pharmaceutical industry has paid closer attention to covalent drugs. Differently from standard noncovalent drugs, these compounds can exhibit peculiar properties, such as higher potency or longer duration of target inhibition with a potentially lower dosage. These properties are mainly driven by the reactive functional group present in the compound, the so-called warhead that forms a covalent bond with a specific nucleophilic amino-acid on the target. In this work, we report the possibility to combine ab initio activation energies with machine-learning to estimate covalent compound intrinsic reactivity. The idea behind this approach is to have a precise estimation of the transition state barriers, and thus of the compound reactivity, but with the speed of a machine-learning algorithm. We call this method "BIreactive". Here, we demonstrate this approach on acrylamides and 2-chloroacetamides, two warhead classes that possess different reaction mechanisms. In combination with our recently implemented truncation algorithm, we also demonstrate the possibility to use BIreactive not only for fragments but also for lead-like molecules. The generic nature of this approach allows also the extension to several other warheads. The combination of these factors makes BIreactive a valuable tool for the covalent drug discovery process in a pharmaceutical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferruccio Palazzesi
- Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorferstrasse 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Markus R Hermann
- Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorferstrasse 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Marc A Grundl
- Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorferstrasse 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Alexander Pautsch
- Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorferstrasse 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Daniel Seeliger
- Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorferstrasse 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Christofer S Tautermann
- Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorferstrasse 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Alexander Weber
- Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorferstrasse 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
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19
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Macchiagodena M, Pagliai M, Procacci P. Identification of potential binders of the main protease 3CL pro of the COVID-19 via structure-based ligand design and molecular modeling. Chem Phys Lett 2020; 750:137489. [PMID: 32313296 PMCID: PMC7165110 DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2020.137489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
We have applied a computational strategy, using a combination of virtual screening, docking and molecular dynamics techniques, aimed at identifying possible lead compounds for the non-covalent inhibition of the main protease 3CLpro of the SARS-CoV2 Coronavirus. Based on the X-ray structure (PDB code: 6LU7), ligands were generated using a multimodal structure-based design and then docked to the monomer in the active state. Docking calculations show that ligand-binding is strikingly similar in SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV2 main proteases. The most potent docked ligands are found to share a common binding pattern with aromatic moieties connected by rotatable bonds in a pseudo-linear arrangement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Macchiagodena
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Universitá degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino I-50019 Italy
| | - Marco Pagliai
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Universitá degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino I-50019 Italy
| | - Piero Procacci
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Universitá degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino I-50019 Italy
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20
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Small-molecule covalent bond formation at tyrosine creates a binding site and inhibits activation of Ral GTPases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:7131-7139. [PMID: 32179690 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1913654117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ral (Ras-like) GTPases are directly activated by oncogenic Ras GTPases. Mutant K-Ras (G12C) has enabled the development of covalent K-Ras inhibitors currently in clinical trials. However, Ral, and the overwhelming majority of mutant oncogenic K-Ras, are devoid of a druggable pocket and lack an accessible cysteine for the development of a covalent inhibitor. Here, we report that covalent bond formation by an aryl sulfonyl fluoride electrophile at a tyrosine residue (Tyr-82) inhibits guanine exchange factor Rgl2-mediated nucleotide exchange of Ral GTPase. A high-resolution 1.18-Å X-ray cocrystal structure shows that the compound binds to a well-defined binding site in RalA as a result of a switch II loop conformational change. The structure, along with additional high-resolution crystal structures of several analogs in complex with RalA, confirm the importance of key hydrogen bond anchors between compound sulfone oxygen atoms and Ral backbone nitrogen atoms. Our discovery of a pocket with features found on known druggable sites and covalent modification of a bystander tyrosine residue present in Ral and Ras GTPases provide a strategy that could lead to therapeutic agent targeting oncogenic Ras mutants that are devoid of a cysteine nucleophile.
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21
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Hammad SG, El-Gazzar MG, Abutaleb NS, Li D, Ramming I, Shekhar A, Abdel-Halim M, Elrazaz EZ, Seleem MN, Bilitewski U, Abouzid KAM, El-Hossary EM. Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of new halogenated 1,3-Thiazolidin-4-ones. Bioorg Chem 2019; 95:103517. [PMID: 31884138 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The ongoing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens requires the development of new effective antibacterial agents. In this study, two series of halogenated 1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones were synthesized and characterized. All the synthesized thiazolidinone derivatives were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. Biological screening of the tested compounds revealed the antibacterial activity of the chlorinated thiazolidinones 4a, 4b and 4c against Escherichia coli TolC-mutant, with MIC values of 16 µg/mL. A combination of a sub-inhibitory concentration of colistin (0.25 × MIC) with compounds 4a, 4b or 4c showed antibacterial activity against different Gram-negative bacteria (MICs = 4-16 µg/mL). Interestingly, compounds 4a, 4b and 4c were not cytotoxic to murine fibroblasts and Caco-2 cells. The chlorinated thiazolidinone derivative 16d demonstrated a bacteriostatic activity against a panel of pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria, including clinical isolates of methicillin and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MICs = 8 - 64 µg/mL), with no cytotoxicity against both Caco-2 and L929 cells. Compound 16d was superior to vancomycin in disruption of the pre-formed MRSA biofilm. Furthermore, the three fluorinated thiazolidinone derivatives 26c, 30c and 33c showed a hindrance to hemolysin activity, without cytotoxicity against L929 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaymaa G Hammad
- National Centre for Radiation Research & Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Ahmed El-Zomor St. 3, El-Zohoor Dist., Nasr City, Cairo 11765, Egypt
| | - Marwa G El-Gazzar
- National Centre for Radiation Research & Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Ahmed El-Zomor St. 3, El-Zohoor Dist., Nasr City, Cairo 11765, Egypt.
| | - Nader S Abutaleb
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Daoyi Li
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Isabell Ramming
- Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, WG Compound Profiling and Screening (COPS), Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Aditya Shekhar
- Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, WG Compound Profiling and Screening (COPS), Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mohammad Abdel-Halim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Eman Z Elrazaz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain-Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Mohamed N Seleem
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Ursula Bilitewski
- Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, WG Compound Profiling and Screening (COPS), Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Khaled A M Abouzid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain-Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo 11566, Egypt; Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, Menoufia, Egypt.
| | - Ebaa M El-Hossary
- National Centre for Radiation Research & Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Ahmed El-Zomor St. 3, El-Zohoor Dist., Nasr City, Cairo 11765, Egypt
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22
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Baggio C, Udompholkul P, Gambini L, Salem AF, Jossart J, Perry JJP, Pellecchia M. Aryl-fluorosulfate-based Lysine Covalent Pan-Inhibitors of Apoptosis Protein (IAP) Antagonists with Cellular Efficacy. J Med Chem 2019; 62:9188-9200. [PMID: 31550155 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We have recently investigated the reactivity of aryl-fluorosulfates as warheads to form covalent adducts with Lys, Tyr, and His residues. However, the rate of reaction of aryl-fluorosulfates seemed relatively slow, putting into question their effectiveness to form covalent adducts in cell. Unlike the previously reported agents that targeted a relatively remote Lys residue with respect to the target's binding site, the current agents were designed to more directly juxtapose an aryl-fluorosulfate with a Lys residue that is located within the binding pocket of the BIR3 domain of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). We found that such new agents can effectively and rapidly form a covalent adduct with XIAP-BIR3 in vitro and in cell, approaching the rate of reaction, cellular permeability, and stability that are similar to what attained by acrylamides when targeting Cys residues. Our studies further validate aryl-fluorosulfates as valuable Lys-targeting electrophiles, for the design of inhibitors of both enzymes and protein-protein interactions.
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23
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Kath JE, Baranczak A. Target engagement approaches for pharmacological evaluation in animal models. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:9241-9250. [PMID: 31328738 DOI: 10.1039/c9cc02824b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The field of chemical biology has introduced several approaches, typically using chemical probes, to measure the direct binding interaction of a small molecule with its biological target in cells. The use of these direct target engagement assays in pharmaceutical development can support mechanism of action hypothesis testing, rank ordering of compounds, and iterative improvements of chemical matter. This Feature Article highlights a newer application of these approaches: the quantification of target engagement in animal models to support late stage preclinical development and the nomination of a drug candidate to clinical trials. Broadly speaking, these efforts can be divided between compounds that covalently and reversibly interact with protein targets; recent examples for both categories are discussed for a range of targets, along with their limitations. New, promising technologies are also highlighted, in addition to the application of target engagement determination to new therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Kath
- Drug Discovery Science and Technology, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-6101, USA.
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Palazzesi F, Grundl MA, Pautsch A, Weber A, Tautermann CS. A Fast Ab Initio Predictor Tool for Covalent Reactivity Estimation of Acrylamides. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 59:3565-3571. [PMID: 31246457 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Thanks to their unique mode of action, covalent drugs represent an exceptional opportunity for drug design. After binding to a biologically relevant target system, covalent compounds form a reversible or irreversible covalent bond with a nucleophilic amino acid. Due to the inherently large binding energy of a covalent bond, covalent binders exhibit higher potencies and thus allow potentially lower drug dosages. However, a proper balancing of compound reactivity is key for the design of covalent binders, to achieve high levels of target inhibition while minimizing promiscuous covalent binding to nontarget proteins. In this work, we demonstrated the possibility to apply the electrophilicity index concept to estimate covalent compound reactivity. We tested this approach on acrylamides, one of the most prominent classes of covalent warheads. Our study clearly demonstrated that, for compounds with molecular weight (MW) below 250 Da, the electrophilicity index can be directly used to estimate compound reactivity. On the other hand, for leadlike molecules (MW > 250 Da) we implemented a new truncation algorithm that has to be applied before reactivity calculations. This algorithm can ensure the localization of HOMO/LUMO orbitals on the compound warhead and thus a correct estimation of its reactivity. Our results also indicate that caution should be used when employing the electrophilicity index to estimate the reactivity of nonterminal acrylamides. The nonparametric nature of this method and its reasonable computational cost make it a suitable tool to support covalent drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferruccio Palazzesi
- Medicinal Chemistry , Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG , Birkendorfer Strasse 65 , 88397 Biberach an der Riss , Germany
| | - Marc A Grundl
- Medicinal Chemistry , Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG , Birkendorfer Strasse 65 , 88397 Biberach an der Riss , Germany
| | - Alexander Pautsch
- Medicinal Chemistry , Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG , Birkendorfer Strasse 65 , 88397 Biberach an der Riss , Germany
| | - Alexander Weber
- Medicinal Chemistry , Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG , Birkendorfer Strasse 65 , 88397 Biberach an der Riss , Germany
| | - Christofer S Tautermann
- Medicinal Chemistry , Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG , Birkendorfer Strasse 65 , 88397 Biberach an der Riss , Germany
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