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Luo G, Wang B, Hou Q, Wu X. Development of Son of Sevenless Homologue 1 (SOS1) Modulators To Treat Cancers by Regulating RAS Signaling. J Med Chem 2023; 66:4324-4341. [PMID: 36987571 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Son of sevenless homologue 1 (SOS1) protein is universally expressed in cells and plays an important role in the RAS signaling pathway. Specifically, this protein interacts with RAS in response to upstream stimuli to promote guanine nucleotide exchange in RAS and activates the downstream signaling pathways. Thus, targeting SOS1 is a new approach for treating RAS-driven cancers. In this Perspective, we briefly summarize the structural and functional aspects of SOS1 and focus on recent advances in the discovery of activators, inhibitors, and PROTACs that target SOS1. This review aims to provide a timely and updated overview on the strategies for targeting SOS1 in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangmei Luo
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Bingrui Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Qiangqiang Hou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xiaoxing Wu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
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Tisi R, Spinelli M, Palmioli A, Airoldi C, Cazzaniga P, Besozzi D, Nobile MS, Mazzoleni E, Arnhold S, De Gioia L, Grandori R, Peri F, Vanoni M, Sacco E. The Multi-Level Mechanism of Action of a Pan-Ras Inhibitor Explains its Antiproliferative Activity on Cetuximab-Resistant Cancer Cells. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:625979. [PMID: 33681292 PMCID: PMC7925909 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.625979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ras oncoproteins play a crucial role in the onset, maintenance, and progression of the most common and deadly human cancers. Despite extensive research efforts, only a few mutant-specific Ras inhibitors have been reported. We show that cmp4–previously identified as a water-soluble Ras inhibitor– targets multiple steps in the activation and downstream signaling of different Ras mutants and isoforms. Binding of this pan-Ras inhibitor to an extended Switch II pocket on HRas and KRas proteins induces a conformational change that down-regulates intrinsic and GEF-mediated nucleotide dissociation and exchange and effector binding. A mathematical model of the Ras activation cycle predicts that the inhibitor severely reduces the proliferation of different Ras-driven cancer cells, effectively cooperating with Cetuximab to reduce proliferation even of Cetuximab-resistant cancer cell lines. Experimental data confirm the model prediction, indicating that the pan-Ras inhibitor is an appropriate candidate for medicinal chemistry efforts tailored at improving its currently unsatisfactory affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Tisi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Spinelli
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,SYSBIO-ISBE-IT-Candidate National Node of Italy for ISBE, Research Infrastructure for Systems Biology Europe, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Palmioli
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Airoldi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,SYSBIO-ISBE-IT-Candidate National Node of Italy for ISBE, Research Infrastructure for Systems Biology Europe, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Cazzaniga
- SYSBIO-ISBE-IT-Candidate National Node of Italy for ISBE, Research Infrastructure for Systems Biology Europe, Milan, Italy.,Bicocca Bioinformatics, Biostatistics and Bioimaging Centre - B4, Milano, Italy
| | - Daniela Besozzi
- SYSBIO-ISBE-IT-Candidate National Node of Italy for ISBE, Research Infrastructure for Systems Biology Europe, Milan, Italy.,Bicocca Bioinformatics, Biostatistics and Bioimaging Centre - B4, Milano, Italy
| | - Marco S Nobile
- Bicocca Bioinformatics, Biostatistics and Bioimaging Centre - B4, Milano, Italy.,Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Elisa Mazzoleni
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Arnhold
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca De Gioia
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,SYSBIO-ISBE-IT-Candidate National Node of Italy for ISBE, Research Infrastructure for Systems Biology Europe, Milan, Italy
| | - Rita Grandori
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Peri
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Vanoni
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,SYSBIO-ISBE-IT-Candidate National Node of Italy for ISBE, Research Infrastructure for Systems Biology Europe, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Sacco
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,SYSBIO-ISBE-IT-Candidate National Node of Italy for ISBE, Research Infrastructure for Systems Biology Europe, Milan, Italy
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Natural Products Attenuating Biosynthesis, Processing, and Activity of Ras Oncoproteins: State of the Art and Future Perspectives. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10111535. [PMID: 33182807 PMCID: PMC7698260 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RAS genes encode signaling proteins, which, in mammalian cells, act as molecular switches regulating critical cellular processes as proliferation, growth, differentiation, survival, motility, and metabolism in response to specific stimuli. Deregulation of Ras functions has a high impact on human health: gain-of-function point mutations in RAS genes are found in some developmental disorders and thirty percent of all human cancers, including the deadliest. For this reason, the pathogenic Ras variants represent important clinical targets against which to develop novel, effective, and possibly selective pharmacological inhibitors. Natural products represent a virtually unlimited resource of structurally different compounds from which one could draw on for this purpose, given the improvements in isolation and screening of active molecules from complex sources. After a summary of Ras proteins molecular and regulatory features and Ras-dependent pathways relevant for drug development, we point out the most promising inhibitory approaches, the known druggable sites of wild-type and oncogenic Ras mutants, and describe the known natural compounds capable of attenuating Ras signaling. Finally, we highlight critical issues and perspectives for the future selection of potential Ras inhibitors from natural sources.
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Bonanomi M, Mazzucchelli S, D’Urzo A, Nardini M, Konarev PV, Invernizzi G, Svergun DI, Vanoni M, Regonesi ME, Tortora P. Interactions of ataxin-3 with its molecular partners in the protein machinery that sorts protein aggregates to the aggresome. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2014; 51:58-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2014.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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NMR-based functional profiling of RASopathies and oncogenic RAS mutations. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:4574-9. [PMID: 23487764 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1218173110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Defects in the RAS small G protein or its associated network of regulatory proteins that disrupt GTPase cycling are a major cause of cancer and developmental RASopathy disorders. Lack of robust functional assays has been a major hurdle in RAS pathway-targeted drug development. We used NMR to obtain detailed mechanistic data on RAS cycling defects conferred by oncogenic mutations, or full-length RASopathy-derived regulatory proteins. By monitoring the conformation of wild-type and oncogenic RAS in real-time, we show that opposing properties integrate with regulators to hyperactivate oncogenic RAS mutants. Q61L and G13D exhibited rapid nucleotide exchange and an unexpected susceptibility to GAP-mediated hydrolysis, in direct contrast with G12V, indicating different approaches must be taken to inhibit these oncoproteins. An NMR methodology was established to directly monitor RAS cycling by intact, multidomain proteins encoded by RASopathy genes in mammalian cell extracts. By measuring GAP activity from tumor cells, we demonstrate how loss of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) increases RAS-GTP levels in NF1-derived cells. We further applied this methodology to profile Noonan Syndrome (NS)-derived SOS1 mutants. Combining NMR with cell-based assays allowed us to differentiate defects in catalysis, allosteric regulation, and membrane targeting of individual mutants, while revealing a membrane-dependent compensatory effect that attenuates dramatic increases in RAS activation shown by Y337C, L550P, and I252T. Our NMR method presents a precise and robust measure of RAS activity, providing mechanistic insights that facilitate discovery of therapeutics targeted against the RAS signaling network.
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Sacco E, Spinelli M, Vanoni M. Approaches to Ras signaling modulation and treatment of Ras-dependent disorders: a patent review (2007--present). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2012; 22:1263-87. [PMID: 23009088 DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2012.728586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ras proteins are small GTPases molecular switches that cycle through two alternative conformational states, a GDP-bound inactive state and a GTP-bound active state. In the active state, Ras proteins interact with and modulate the activity of several downstream effectors regulating key cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, survival, senescence, migration and metabolism. Activating mutations of RAS genes and of genes encoding Ras signaling members have a great incidence in proliferative disorders, such as cancer, immune and inflammatory diseases and developmental syndromes. Therefore, Ras and Ras signaling represent important clinical targets for the design and development of pharmaceutically active agents, including anticancer agents. AREAS COVERED The authors summarize methods available to down-regulate the Ras pathway and review recent patents covering Ras signaling modulators, as well as methods designed to kill specifically cancer cells bearing activated RAS oncogene. EXPERT OPINION Targeted therapy approach based on direct targeting of molecules specifically altered in Ras-dependent diseases is pursued with molecules that down-regulate expression or inhibit the biological function of mutant Ras or Ras signaling members. The low success rate in a clinical setting of molecules targeting activated members of the Ras pathway may require development of novel approaches, including combined and synthetic lethal therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Sacco
- University of Milano-Bicocca, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, Milano, Italy
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Alberghina L, Gaglio D, Gelfi C, Moresco RM, Mauri G, Bertolazzi P, Messa C, Gilardi MC, Chiaradonna F, Vanoni M. Cancer cell growth and survival as a system-level property sustained by enhanced glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolic remodeling. Front Physiol 2012; 3:362. [PMID: 22988443 PMCID: PMC3440026 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2012.00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2012] [Accepted: 08/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Systems Biology holds that complex cellular functions are generated as system-level properties endowed with robustness, each involving large networks of molecular determinants, generally identified by “omics” analyses. In this paper we describe four basic cancer cell properties that can easily be investigated in vitro: enhanced proliferation, evasion from apoptosis, genomic instability, and inability to undergo oncogene-induced senescence. Focusing our analysis on a K-ras dependent transformation system, we show that enhanced proliferation and evasion from apoptosis are closely linked, and present findings that indicate how a large metabolic remodeling sustains the enhanced growth ability. Network analysis of transcriptional profiling gives the first indication on this remodeling, further supported by biochemical investigations and metabolic flux analysis (MFA). Enhanced glycolysis, down-regulation of TCA cycle, decoupling of glucose and glutamine utilization, with increased reductive carboxylation of glutamine, so to yield a sustained production of growth building blocks and glutathione, are the hallmarks of enhanced proliferation. Low glucose availability specifically induces cell death in K-ras transformed cells, while PKA activation reverts this effect, possibly through at least two mitochondrial targets. The central role of mitochondria in determining the two investigated cancer cell properties is finally discussed. Taken together the findings reported herein indicate that a system-level property is sustained by a cascade of interconnected biochemical pathways that behave differently in normal and in transformed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilia Alberghina
- SysBio Centre for Systems Biology Milano and Rome, Italy ; Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza Milano, Italy
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