Thioureido N-acetyllactosamine derivatives as potent galectin-7 and 9N inhibitors

Functions and Inhibition of Galectin-7, an Emerging Target in Cellular Pathophysiology

Galectin-7 is a soluble unglycosylated lectin that is able to bind specifically to β-galactosides. It has been described to be involved in apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation, but also in cell adhesion and migration. Several disorders and diseases are discussed by covering the aforementioned biological processes. Structural features of galectin-7 are discussed as well as targeting the protein intracellularly or extracellularly. The exact molecular mechanisms that lie behind many biological processes involving galectin-7 are not known. It is therefore useful to come up with chemical probes or tools in order to obtain knowledge of the physiological processes. The objective of this review is to summarize the roles and functions of galectin-7 in the human body, providing reasons why it is necessary to design inhibitors for galectin-7, to give the reader structural insights and describe its current inhibitors.

Targeting the CRD F-face of Human Galectin-3 and Allosterically Modulating Glycan Binding by Angiostatic PTX008 and a Structurally Optimized Derivative

Calix[4]arene PTX008 is an angiostatic agent that inhibits tumor growth in mice by binding to galectin-1, a β-galactoside-binding lectin. To assess the affinity profile of PTX008 for galectins, we used ¹⁵ N,¹ H HSQC NMR spectroscopy to show that PTX008 also binds to galectin-3 (Gal-3), albeit more weakly. We identified the contact site for PTX008 on the F-face of the Gal-3 carbohydrate recognition domain. STD NMR revealed that the hydrophobic phenyl ring crown of the calixarene is the binding epitope. With this information, we performed molecular modeling of the complex to assist in improving the rather low affinity of PTX008 for Gal-3. By removing the N-dimethyl alkyl chain amide groups, we produced PTX013 whose reduced alkyl chain length and polar character led to an approximately eightfold stronger binding than PTX008. PTX013 also binds Gal-1 more strongly than PTX008, whereas neither interacts strongly, if at all, with Gal-7. In addition, PTX013, like PTX008, is an allosteric inhibitor of galectin binding to the canonical ligand lactose. This study broadens the scope for galectin targeting by calixarene-based compounds and opens the perspective for selective galectin blocking.

Human Galectin-1 and Its Inhibitors: Privileged Target for Cancer and HIV

Galectin 1(Gal-1), a β-galactoside binding mammalian lectin of 14KDa, is implicated in many signalling pathways, immune responses associated with cancer progression and immune disorders. Inhibition of human Gal-1 has been regarded as one of the potential therapeutic approaches for the treatment of cancer, as it plays a major role in tumour development and metastasis by modulating various biological functions viz. apoptosis, angiogenesis, migration, cell immune escape. Gal-1 is considered as a biomarker in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment condition. The overexpression of Gal-1 is well established and seen in many types of cancer progression like osteosarcoma, breast, lung, prostate, melanoma, etc. Gal-1 greatly accelerates the binding kinetics of HIV-1 to susceptible cells, leading to faster viral entry and a more robust viral replication by specific binding of CD4 cells. Hence, the Gal-1 is considered a promising molecular target for the development of new therapeutic drugs for cancer and HIV. The present review laid emphasis on structural insights and functional role of Gal-1 in the disease, current Gal-1 inhibitors and future prospects in the design of specific Gal-1 inhibitors.

Aromatic heterocycle galectin-1 interactions for selective single-digit nM affinity ligands

A series of 3-triazole-thiogalactosides and 3,3′-triazole-thiodigalactosides substituted with different five-membered heterocycles at the C-4 triazole position were found to have high selectivity for galectin-1. Initial studies on the 3-triazole-thiogalactosides indicated that five membered heterocycles in general gave increased affinity for galectin-1 and improved selectivity over galectin-3. The selectivity profile was similar for thiodigalactosides exemplified by 3,3′ substituted thien-3-yltriazole and thiazol-2-yltriazole, both having single-digit nM galectin-1 affinity and almost 10-fold galectin-1 selectivity. The binding interactions of a thiodigalactoside based galectin-1 inhibitor with two thien-3-yltriazole moieties were studied with X-ray crystallography. One of the thiophene moieties was positioned deeper into the pocket than previously reported phenyltriazoles and formed close contacts with Val31, Ser29, Gly124, and Asp123. The affinity and structural analysis thus revealed that steric and electronic optimization of five-membered aromatic heterocycle binding in a narrow galectin-1 subsite confers high affinity and selectivity.

A series of 3-triazole-thiogalactosides and 3,3′-triazole-thiodigalactosides substituted with different five-membered heterocycles at the C-4 triazole position were found to have high selectivity for galectin-1.

Galectins as Molecular Targets for Therapeutic Intervention

Galectins are a family of small, highly conserved, molecular effectors that mediate various biological processes, including chemotaxis and angiogenesis, and that function by interacting with various cell surface glycoconjugates, usually targeting β-galactoside epitopes. Because of their significant involvement in various biological functions and pathologies, galectins have become a focus of therapeutic discovery for clinical intervention against cancer, among other pathological disorders. In this review, we focus on understanding galectin structure-function relationships, their mechanisms of action on the molecular level, and targeting them for therapeutic intervention against cancer.

Galectin-1 Inhibitor OTX008 Induces Tumor Vessel Normalization and Tumor Growth Inhibition in Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Models

Galectin-1 is a hypoxia-regulated protein and a prognostic marker in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Here we assessed the ability of non-peptidic galectin-1 inhibitor OTX008 to improve tumor oxygenation levels via tumor vessel normalization as well as tumor growth inhibition in two human HNSCC tumor models, the human laryngeal squamous carcinoma SQ20B and the human epithelial type 2 HEp-2. Tumor-bearing mice were treated with OTX008, Anginex, or Avastin and oxygen levels were determined by fiber-optics and molecular marker pimonidazole binding. Immuno-fluorescence was used to determine vessel normalization status. Continued OTX008 treatment caused a transient reoxygenation in SQ20B tumors peaking on day 14, while a steady increase in tumor oxygenation was observed over 21 days in the HEp-2 model. A >50% decrease in immunohistochemical staining for tumor hypoxia verified the oxygenation data measured using a partial pressure of oxygen (pO₂) probe. Additionally, OTX008 induced tumor vessel normalization as tumor pericyte coverage increased by approximately 40% without inducing any toxicity. Moreover, OTX008 inhibited tumor growth as effectively as Anginex and Avastin, except in the HEp-2 model where Avastin was found to suspend tumor growth. Galectin-1 inhibitor OTX008 transiently increased overall tumor oxygenation via vessel normalization to various degrees in both HNSCC models. These findings suggest that targeting galectin-1—e.g., by OTX008—may be an effective approach to treat cancer patients as stand-alone therapy or in combination with other standards of care.

Galactose-amidine derivatives as selective antagonists of galectin-9

The family of galectin proteins involved in adhesion, growth regulation, immunity, and inflammatory events are important targets for development of small molecule antagonists. Here, N-sulfonyl amidine galactopyranoside derivatives obtained via a multicomponent reaction between galactose alkyne derivatives, sulfonyl azides, and amines were evaluated as antagonists of galectin-1, -2, -3, -4N (N-terminal domain), -4C (C-terminal domain), -8N, -9N, and -9C in a competitive fluorescence polarization assay. Highly selective compounds against galectin-9N with up to 30-fold improved affinity compared to the reference methyl β-d-galactopyranoside were identified. Molecular dynamics simulation suggested that the selectivity and affinity for galectin-9N originate from the N-sulfonyl amidine moieties forming tridentate hydrogen bonds to two asparagine side chains and one phenyl stacking edge-to-face to an arginine side chain. These selective galectin-9N antagonists are of significant value as chemical tools for studying galectin-9 biology and chemistry as well as possible starting structures for the discovery of galectin-9-targeting drugs influencing, e.g., immune regulation.

Galectin-3-Binding Glycomimetics that Strongly Reduce Bleomycin-Induced Lung Fibrosis and Modulate Intracellular Glycan Recognition

Discovery of glycan-competitive galectin-3-binding compounds that attenuate lung fibrosis in a murine model and that block intracellular galectin-3 accumulation at damaged vesicles, hence revealing galectin-3-glycan interactions involved in fibrosis progression and in intracellular galectin-3 activities, is reported. 3,3'-Bis-(4-aryltriazol-1-yl)thiodigalactosides were synthesized and evaluated as antagonists of galectin-1, -2, -3, and -4 N-terminal, -4 C-terminal, -7 and -8 N-terminal, -9 N-terminal, and -9 C-terminal domains. Compounds displaying low-nanomolar affinities for galectins-1 and -3 were identified in a competitive fluorescence anisotropy assay. X-ray structural analysis of selected compounds in complex with galectin-3, together with galectin-3 mutant binding experiments, revealed that both the aryltriazolyl moieties and fluoro substituents on the compounds are involved in key interactions responsible for exceptional affinities towards galectin-3. The most potent galectin-3 antagonist was demonstrated to act in an assay monitoring galectin-3 accumulation upon amitriptyline-induced vesicle damage, visualizing a biochemically/medically relevant intracellular lectin-carbohydrate binding event and that it can be blocked by a small molecule. The same antagonist administered intratracheally attenuated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in a mouse model with a dose/response profile comparing favorably with that of oral administration of the marketed antifibrotic compound pirfenidone.

Recent advances toward the development of inhibitors to attenuate tumor metastasis via the interruption of lectin-ligand interactions

Aberrant glycosylation is a well-recognized phenomenon that occurs on the surface of tumor cells, and the overexpression of a number of ligands (such as TF, sialyl Tn, and sialyl Lewis X) has been correlated to a worse prognosis for the patient. These unique carbohydrate structures play an integral role in cell-cell communication and have also been associated with more metastatic cancer phenotypes, which can result from binding to lectins present on cell surfaces. The most well studied metastasis-associated lectins are the galectins and selectins, which have been correlated to adhesion, neoangiogenesis, and immune-cell evasion processes. In order to slow the rate of metastatic lesion formation, a number of approaches have been successfully developed which involve interfering with the tumor lectin-substrate binding event. Through the generation of inhibitors, or by attenuating lectin and/or carbohydrate expression, promising results have been observed both in vitro and in vivo. This article briefly summarizes the involvement of lectins in the metastatic process and also describes different approaches used to prevent these undesirable carbohydrate-lectin binding events, which should ultimately lead to improvement in current cancer therapies.

Structure-based optimization of angiostatic agent 6DBF7, an allosteric antagonist of galectin-1

Galectin-1 (gal-1), which binds β-galactoside groups on various cell surface receptors, is crucial to cell adhesion and migration, and is found to be elevated in several cancers. Previously, we reported on 6DBF7, a dibenzofuran (DBF)-based peptidomimetic of the gal-1 antagonist anginex. In the present study, we used a structure-based approach to optimize 6DBF7. Initial NMR studies showed that 6DBF7 binds to gal-1 on one side of the β-sandwich away from the lectin's carbohydrate binding site. Although an alanine scan of 6DBF7 showed that the two cationic groups (lysines) in the partial peptide are crucial to its angiostatic activity, it is the hydrophobic face of the amphipath that appears to interact directly with the surface of gal-1. Based on this structural information, we designed and tested additional DBF analogs. In particular, substitution of the C-terminal Asp for alanine and branched alkyl side chains (Val, Leu, Ile) for linear ones (Nle, Nva) rendered the greatest improvements in activity. Flow cytometry with gal-1(-/-) splenocytes showed that 6DBF7 and two of its more potent analogs (DB16 and DB21) can fully inhibit fluorescein isothiocyanate-gal-1 binding. Moreover, heteronuclear single-quantum coherence NMR titrations showed that the presence of DB16 decreases gal-1 affinity for lactose, indicating that the peptidomimetic targets gal-1 as a noncompetitive, allosteric inhibitor of glycan binding. Using tumor mouse models (B16F10 melanoma, LS174 lung, and MA148 ovarian), we found that DB21 inhibits tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth significantly better than 6DBF7, DB16, or anginex. DB21 is currently being developed further and holds promise for the management of human cancer in the clinic.

Antitumor agent calixarene 0118 targets human galectin-1 as an allosteric inhibitor of carbohydrate binding

Calix[4]arene compound 0118 is an angiostatic agent that inhibits tumor growth in mice. Although 0118 is a topomimetic of galectin-1-targeting angiostatic amphipathic peptide Anginex, we had yet to prove that 0118 targets galectin-1. Galectin-1 is involved in pathological disorders like tumor endothelial cell adhesion and migration and therefore presents a relevant target for therapeutic intervention against cancer. Here, (15)N-(1)H HSQC NMR spectroscopy demonstrates that 0118 indeed targets galectin-1 at a site away from the lectin's carbohydrate binding site and thereby attenuates lactose binding to the lectin. Flow cytometry and agglutination assays show that 0118 attenuates binding of galectin-1 to cell surface glycans, and the inhibition of cell proliferation by 0118 is found to be correlated with the cellular expression of the lectin. In general, our data indicate that 0118 targets galectin-1 as an allosteric inhibitor of glycan/carbohydrate binding. This work contributes to the clinical development of antitumor calixarene compound 0118.

Inhibition mechanism of human galectin-7 by a novel galactose-benzylphosphate inhibitor

Galectins are involved in many cellular processes due to their ability to bind carbohydrates. Understanding their functions has shown the necessity for potent and specific galectin inhibitors. Human galectin-7 (hGal-7), in particular, has been highlighted as an important marker in many types of cancer by either inhibiting or promoting tumour growth. Producing ligands able to selectively target hGal-7 will offer promising tools for deciphering cancer processes in which hGal-7 is involved as well as present potential solutions for future therapeutics. Here we report the high resolution crystal structure of hGal-7 in complex with a synthetic 2-O-benzylphosphate-galactoside inhibitor (which is > 60-fold more potent than its parent galactoside). The high resolution crystallographic analysis highlights the validity of using saccharide derivatives, conserving properties of the galactose binding, while enhanced affinity and specificity is provided by the added phosphate group. This structural information will allow the design of further inhibitors with improved potency and specificity.

1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl thiodigalactoside derivatives as high affinity galectin-3 inhibitors

Galactose C3-triazole derivatives were synthesized by Cu(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition between acetylenes and galactose C3-azido derivatives. Evaluation against galectin-3, 7, 8N (N-terminal) and 9N (N-terminal) revealed 1,4-disubstituted triazoles to be high-affinity inhibitors of galectin-3 with selectivity over galectin-7, 8N, and 9N. Conformational analysis of 1,4-di- and 1,4,5-tri-substituted galactose C3-triazoles suggested that a triazole C5-substituent interfered sterically with the galectin proteins, which explained their poor affinities compared to the corresponding 1,4-disubstituted triazoles. Introduction of two 1,4-disubstituted triazole moieties onto thiodigalactoside resulted in affinities down to 29 nM for galectin-3.

The role of galectins in protein trafficking

The galectins, a family of lectins, modulate distinct cellular processes, such as cancer progression, immune response and cellular development, through their specific binding to extracellular or intracellular ligands. In the past few years, research has unravelled interactions of different galectins with lipids and glycoproteins in the outer milieu or in the secretory pathway of cells. Interestingly, these lectins do not possess a signalling sequence to enter the endoplasmic reticulum as a starting point for the classical secretory pathway. Instead they use a so-called non-classical mechanism for translocation across the plasma membrane and/or into the lumen of transport vesicles. Here, they stabilize transport platforms for apical trafficking or sort apical glycoproteins into specific vesicle populations. Modes of ligand interaction as well as the modulation of binding activities and trafficking pathways are discussed in this review.

Protein subtype-targeting through ligand epimerization: talose-selectivity of galectin-4 and galectin-8

A series of O2 and O3-derivatized methyl beta-d-talopyranosides were synthesized and evaluated in vitro as inhibitors of the galactose-binding galectin-1, -2, -3, -4 (N- and C-terminal domains), 8 (N-terminal domain), and 9 (N-terminal domain). Galectin-4C and 8N were found to prefer the d-talopyranose configuration to the natural ligand d-galactopyranose configuration. Derivatization at talose O2 and/or O3 provided selective submillimolar inhibitors for these two galectins.

Different affinity of galectins for human serum glycoproteins: galectin-3 binds many protease inhibitors and acute phase proteins

Here we report the first survey of galectins binding to glycoproteins of human serum. Serum was subjected to affinity chromatography using immobilized galectins, and the bound glycoproteins were analyzed by electrophoresis, Western blotting, and mass spectrometry. Galectins-3, -8, and -9 bound a much broader range of ligands in serum than previously known, galectin-1 bound less, and galectins-2, -4, and -7 bound only traces or no serum ligands. Galectin-3 bound most major glycoproteins, including alpha-2-macroglobulin and acute phase proteins such as haptoglobin. It bound only a selected minor fraction of transferrin, and bound none or little of IgG. Galectins-8 and -9 bound a similar range of glycoproteins as galectin-3, but in lower amounts, and galectin-8 had a relative preference for IgA. Galectin-1 bound mainly a fraction of alpha-2-macroglobulin and only traces of other glycoproteins. The binding of galectin-3 to serum glycoproteins requires affinity for LacNAc, since a mutant (R186S), which has lost this affinity, did not bind any serum glycoproteins. The average affinity of galectin-3 for serum glycoproteins was estimated to correspond to K(d) approximately 1-5 muM by modeling of the affinity chromatography and a fluorescence anisotropy assay. Since galectins are expressed on endothelial cells and other cells exposed to serum components, this report gives new insight into function of galectins and the role of their different fine specificity giving differential binding to the serum glycoproteins.

Studies of Arginine–Arene Interactions through Synthesis and Evaluation of a Series of Galectin-Binding Aromatic Lactose Esters

Aromatic lactose 2-O-esters were synthesized and used to probe arene-arginine interactions with the galectin family of proteins. They were found to be low microM inhibitors of galectin-1, -3, and -9N-terminal domain and moderate inhibitors of galectin-7, but not inhibitors of galectin-8N-terminal, which lacks an arginine residue close to the critical, esterified lactose 2-O-position. Molecular modeling of galectins in complex with aromatic lactose 2-O-esters, as well as binding studies with a galectin-3 R186S mutant, confirmed that the inhibitory efficiency of the lactose 2-O-esters was due to the formation of strong interactions between the aromatic ester moieties and the arginine guanidinium groups of galectin-1 and -3. An important common feature shared by galectin-1 and -3 was that the arginines formed in-plane ion pairs with two side-chain carboxylates, which resulted in extended planar pi-electron surfaces that did not require solvation by water; these surfaces were ideal for stacking with aromatic moieties of the ligands. The results provide a basis for the design of lectin inhibitors and drugs that exploit interactions with arginine side-chains via aromatic moieties, which are involved in intramolecular protein salt bridges.

Synthesis of galactose-mimicking 1H-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-mannosides as selective galectin-3 and 9N inhibitors

1H-[1,2,3]-Triazol-1-yl mannosides have been synthesized as inhibitors for the beta-galactoside-binding family of galectin proteins. Easier synthetic access to C1 in mannose, as compared to C3 in galactose, for attachment of affinity-enhancing triazoles rendered a synthetic advantage. The best mannose-derived inhibitor for galectin-9N, 4-benzylaminocarbonyl-1H-[1,2,3]-triazol-1-yl beta-D-mannopyranoside, had a Kd value of 540 microM, which compares favorably with its galactoside counterpart (Kd=670 microM) and with LacNAc (Kd=500 microM).

Inhibition and Detection of Galectins

More and more studies report on the roles that galectins play in numerous types of cancer. These roles can be varied, as has been shown particularly for galectin-3. These studies have created the need for inhibitors that can block unwanted effects, and the need to detect galectins in tissues, in order to better understand their role, and aid in diagnosis and prognosis. Since galectins bind beta-galactosides, monovalent galactose-derived inhibitors have been prepared but also peptidic ones have appeared. Since galectins often induce crosslinking and partake in aggregation phenomena, multivalency has been a successful design element in inhibitor development. Currently, there are no cheap and convenient solutions available for the detection of, ideally multiple, galectins in tissue samples, although antibody-based methods such as ELISA and Western blot analysis are being used. Besides these, a chemical probe-based method also shows potential as an alternative.