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Esquea EM, Ciraku L, Young RG, Merzy J, Talarico AN, Ahmed NN, Karuppiah M, Ramesh A, Chatoff A, Crispim CV, Rashad AA, Cocklin S, Snyder NW, Beld J, Simone NL, Reginato MJ, Dick A. Selective and brain-penetrant ACSS2 inhibitors target breast cancer brain metastatic cells. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1394685. [PMID: 38818373 PMCID: PMC11137182 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1394685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) typically results in an end-stage diagnosis and is hindered by a lack of brain-penetrant drugs. Tumors in the brain rely on the conversion of acetate to acetyl-CoA by the enzyme acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2), a key regulator of fatty acid synthesis and protein acetylation. Here, we used a computational pipeline to identify novel brain-penetrant ACSS2 inhibitors combining pharmacophore-based shape screen methodology with absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) property predictions. We identified compounds AD-5584 and AD-8007 that were validated for specific binding affinity to ACSS2. Treatment of BCBM cells with AD-5584 and AD-8007 leads to a significant reduction in colony formation, lipid storage, acetyl-CoA levels and cell survival in vitro. In an ex vivo brain-tumor slice model, treatment with AD-8007 and AD-5584 reduced pre-formed tumors and synergized with irradiation in blocking BCBM tumor growth. Treatment with AD-8007 reduced tumor burden and extended survival in vivo. This study identifies selective brain-penetrant ACSS2 inhibitors with efficacy towards breast cancer brain metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M. Esquea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lorela Ciraku
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Riley G. Young
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jessica Merzy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alexandra N. Talarico
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nusaiba N. Ahmed
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mangalam Karuppiah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Anna Ramesh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Adam Chatoff
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Claudia V. Crispim
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Adel A. Rashad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Simon Cocklin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nathaniel W. Snyder
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Joris Beld
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nicole L. Simone
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Cancer Risk and Control Program, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mauricio J. Reginato
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Translational Cellular Oncology Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alexej Dick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Esquea E, Ciraku L, Young RG, Merzy J, Talarico AN, Rashad AA, Cocklin S, Simone NL, Beld J, Reginato MJ, Dick A. Discovery of novel brain permeable human ACSS2 inhibitors for blocking breast cancer brain metastatic growth. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.22.573073. [PMID: 38187734 PMCID: PMC10769402 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.22.573073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Breast-cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) poses a significant clinical challenge, resulting in an end-stage diagnosis and hindered by limited therapeutic options. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) acts as an anatomical and physiological hurdle for therapeutic compounds, restricting the effective delivery of therapies to the brain. In order to grow and survive in a nutrient-poor environment, tumors in the brain must adapt to their metabolic needs, becoming highly dependent on acetate. These tumors rely on the conversion of acetate to acetyl-CoA by the enzyme Acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2), a key metabolic enzyme involved in regulating fatty acid synthesis and protein acetylation in tumor cells. ACSS2 has emerged as a crucial enzyme required for the growth of tumors in the brain. Here, we utilized a computational pipeline, combining pharmacophore-based shape screen methodology with ADME property predictions to identify novel brain-permeable ACSS2 inhibitors. From a small molecule library, this approach identified 30 potential ACSS2 binders, from which two candidates, AD-5584 and AD-8007, were validated for their binding affinity, predicted metabolic stability, and, notably, their ability to traverse the BBB. We show that treatment of BCBM cells, MDA-MB-231BR, with AD-5584 and AD-8007 leads to a significant reduction in lipid storage, reduction in colony formation, and increase in cell death in vitro . Utilizing an ex vivo orthotopic brain-slice tumor model, we show that treatment with AD-8007 and AD-5584 significantly reduces tumor size and synergizes with radiation in blocking BCBM tumor growth ex vivo. Importantly, we show that following intraperitoneal injections with AD-5584 and AD-8007, we can detect these compounds in the brain, confirming their BBB permeability. Thus, we have identified and validated novel ACSS2 inhibitor candidates for further drug development and optimization as agents for treating patients with breast cancer brain metastasis.
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Zuze BJL, Radibe BT, Choga WT, Bareng OT, Moraka NO, Maruapula D, Seru K, Mokgethi P, Mokaleng B, Ndlovu N, Kelentse N, Pretorius-Holme M, Shapiro R, Lockman S, Makhema J, Novitsky V, Seatla KK, Moyo S, Gaseitsiwe S. Fostemsavir resistance-associated polymorphisms in HIV-1 subtype C in a large cohort of treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced individuals in Botswana. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0125123. [PMID: 37823653 PMCID: PMC10714836 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01251-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Fostemsavir (FTR) is a newly licensed antiretroviral drug that has been shown to have activity against HIV-1. The mechanism of action of FTR is different from all currently available antiretrovirals (ARVs), and as such, it offers hope for HIV-1 suppression in those people with HIV (PWH) who harbor HIV-1 variants with drug resistance mutations to currently used ARVs. Using 6,030 HIV-1 sequences covering the HIV-1 envelope from PWH in Botswana who are antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve as well as those who are failing ART, we explored the sequences for FTR resistance-associated polymorphisms. We found the prevalence of FTR polymorphisms to be similar in both ART-naïve and ART-experienced individuals with VF in this setting, with no prior FTR exposure. Further studies on the phenotypic impact of these polymorphisms are warranted to guide how to monitor for FTR resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wonderful T. Choga
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Professions, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Ontlametse T. Bareng
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Professions, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Natasha O. Moraka
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Professions, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Dorcas Maruapula
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Kedumetse Seru
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Patrick Mokgethi
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Baitshepi Mokaleng
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Professions, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | - Nametso Kelentse
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Professions, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Molly Pretorius-Holme
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Roger Shapiro
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shahin Lockman
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph Makhema
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vlad Novitsky
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kaelo K. Seatla
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Sikhulile Moyo
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Simani Gaseitsiwe
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Zhang T, Jiang S, Li T, Liu Y, Zhang Y. Identified Isosteric Replacements of Ligands' Glycosyl Domain by Data Mining. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:25165-25184. [PMID: 37483233 PMCID: PMC10357434 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Biologically equivalent replacements of key moieties in molecules rationalize scaffold hopping, patent busting, or R-group enumeration. Yet, this information may depend upon the expert-defined space, and might be subjective and biased toward the chemistries they get used to. Most importantly, these practices are often informatively incomplete since they are often compromised by a try-and-error cycle, and although they depict what kind of substructures are suitable for the replacement occurrence, they fail to explain the driving forces to support such interchanges. The protein data bank (PDB) encodes a receptor-ligand interaction pattern and could be an optional source to mine structural surrogates. However, manual decoding of PDB has become almost impossible and redundant to excavate the bioisosteric know-how. Therefore, a text parsing workflow has been developed to automatically extract the local structural replacement of a specific structure from PDB by finding spatial and steric interaction overlaps between the fragments in endogenous ligands and particular ligand fragments. Taking the glycosyl domain for instance, a total of 49 520 replacements that overlap on nucleotide ribose were identified and categorized based on their SMILE codes. A predominately ring system, such as aliphatic and aromatic rings, was observed; yet, amide and sulfonamide replacements also occur. We believe these findings may enlighten medicinal chemists on the structure design and optimization of ligands using the bioisosteric replacement strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinghao Zhang
- Xi’an
Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi’an Institute
of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical
University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Shenghao Jiang
- School of
Computer Science, Northwestern Polytechnical
University, 127 West
Youyi Road, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Ting Li
- Xi’an
Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi’an Institute
of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical
University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Xi’an
Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi’an Institute
of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical
University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Yuezhou Zhang
- Xi’an
Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi’an Institute
of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical
University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi’an 710072, China
- Ningbo
Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University, Frontiers Science
Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Key laboratory of Flexible
Electronics of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo Institute of Northwestern
Polytechnical University, 218 Qingyi Road, Ningbo 315103, China
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5
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Li M, Chong Q, Meng F. Cobalt-Catalyzed Atom-economical and Regioselective Hydroalkylation of N-Boc-2-azetine with Cobalt Homoenolates. Tetrahedron Lett 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2023.154479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
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6
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Singh M, Verma H, Bhandu P, Kumar M, Narendra G, Choudhary S, Singh PK, Silakari O. Network Analysis Guided Designing of Multi-Targeted Anti-Fungal Agents: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation. J Mol Struct 2022; 1272:134128. [PMID: 36101882 PMCID: PMC9458262 DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.134128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
During the ongoing pandemic, there have been increasing reports of invasive fungal disease (IFD), particularly among immunocompromised populations. Candida albicans is one of the most common clinical pathogenic microorganisms which have become a serious health threat to population either infected with Covid-19 or on treatment with immunosuppressant's/broad-range antibiotics. Currently, benzothiazole is a well explored scaffold for anti-fungal activity, especially mercapto substituted benzothiazoles. It is reported that exploring the 2nd position of benzothiazoles yield improved anti-fungal molecules. Therefore, in the current study, lead optimization approach using bioisosteric replacement protocol was followed to improve the anti-fungal activity of an already reported benzothiazole derivative, N-(1,3-benzothiazole-2-yl)-2-(pyridine-3-ylformohydrazido) acetamide. To rationally identify the putative anti-candida targets of this derivative, network analysis was carried out. Complexes of designed compounds and identified putative targets were further analyzed for the docking interactions and their consequent retention after the completion of exhaustive MD simulations. Top seven designed compounds were synthesized and evaluated for in-vitro anti-fungal property against Candida, which indicated that compounds 1.2c and 1.2f possess improved and comparable anti-fungal activity to N-(1,3-benzothiazole-2-yl)-2-(pyridine-3-ylformohydrazido) acetamide and Nystatin, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manmeet Singh
- Molecular Modeling Lab (MML), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, 147002, India
| | - Himanshu Verma
- Molecular Modeling Lab (MML), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, 147002, India
| | - Priyanka Bhandu
- Molecular Modeling Lab (MML), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, 147002, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Molecular Modeling Lab (MML), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, 147002, India
| | - Gera Narendra
- Molecular Modeling Lab (MML), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, 147002, India
| | - Shalki Choudhary
- Molecular Modeling Lab (MML), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, 147002, India
| | - Pankaj Kumar Singh
- Faculty of Medicine, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, FI-20014, Finland
| | - Om Silakari
- Molecular Modeling Lab (MML), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, 147002, India
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Verma H, Narendra G, Raju B, Kumar M, Jain SK, Tung GK, Singh PK, Silakari O. 3D-QSAR and scaffold hopping based designing of benzo[d]ox-azol-2(3H)-one and 2-oxazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-2(3H)-one derivatives as selective aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 inhibitors: Synthesis and biological evaluation. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2200108. [PMID: 35618489 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202200108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1A1), an oxidoreductase class of enzymes, is overexpressed in various types of cancer cell lines and is the major cause of resistance to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug, cyclophosphamide (CP). In cancer conditions, CP undergoes a sequence of biotransformations to form an active metabolite, aldophosphamide, which further biotransforms to its putative cytotoxic metabolite, phosphoramide mustard. However, in resistant cancer conditions, aldophosphamide is converted into its inactive metabolite, carboxyphosphamide, via oxidation with ALDH1A1. Herein, to address the issue of ALDH1A1 mediated CP resistance, we report a series of benzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-one and 2-oxazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-2(3H)-one derivatives as selective ALDH1A1 inhibitors. These inhibitors were designed using a validated 3D-quantitative structure activity relationship (3D-QSAR) model coupled with scaffold hopping. The 3D-QSAR model was developed using reported indole-2,3-diones based ALDH1A1 inhibitors, which provided field points in terms of electrostatic, van der Waals and hydrophobic potentials required for selectively inhibiting ALDH1A1. The most selective indole-2,3-diones-based compound, that is, cmp 3, was further considered for scaffold hopping. Two top-ranked bioisosteres, that is, benzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-one and 2-oxazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-2(3H)-one, were selected for designing new inhibitors by considering the field pattern of 3D-QSAR. All designed molecules were mapped perfectly on the 3D-QSAR model and found to be predictive with good inhibitory potency (pIC50 range: 7.5-6.8). Molecular docking was carried out for each designed molecule to identify key interactions that are required for ALDH1A1 inhibition and to authenticate the 3D-QSAR result. The top five inhibitor-ALDH1A1 complexes were also submitted for molecular dynamics simulations to access their stability. In vitro enzyme assays of 21 compounds suggested that these compounds are selective toward ALDH1A1 over the other two isoforms, that is, ALDH2 and ALDH3A1. All the compounds were found to be at least three and two times more selective toward ALDH1A1 over ALDH2 and ALDH3A1, respectively. All the compounds showed an IC50 value in the range of 0.02-0.80 μM, which indicates the potential for these to be developed as adjuvant therapy for CP resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Verma
- Molecular Modelling Lab (MML), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, India
| | - Gera Narendra
- Molecular Modelling Lab (MML), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, India
| | - Baddipadige Raju
- Molecular Modelling Lab (MML), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Molecular Modelling Lab (MML), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, India
| | - Subheet K Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India
| | - Gurleen K Tung
- Centre for Basic and Translational Research in Health Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India
| | - Pankaj K Singh
- Faculty of Medicine, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Om Silakari
- Molecular Modelling Lab (MML), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, India
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8
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Dick A, Meuser ME, Cocklin S. Clade-Specific Alterations within the HIV-1 Capsid Protein with Implications for Nuclear Translocation. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12050695. [PMID: 35625621 PMCID: PMC9138599 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The HIV-1 capsid (CA) protein has emerged as an attractive therapeutic target. However, all inhibitor designs and structural analyses for this essential HIV-1 protein have focused on the clade B HIV-1 (NL4-3) variant. This study creates, overproduces, purifies, and characterizes the CA proteins from clade A1, A2, B, C, and D isolates. These new CA constructs represent novel reagents that can be used in future CA-targeted inhibitor design and to investigate CA proteins’ structural and biochemical properties from genetically diverse HIV-1 subtypes. Moreover, we used surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectrometry and computational modeling to examine inter-clade differences in CA assembly and binding of PF-74, CPSF-6, and NUP-153. Interestingly, we found that HIV-1 CA from clade A1 does not bind to NUP-153, suggesting that the import of CA core structures through the nuclear pore complex may be altered for viruses from this clade. Overall, we have demonstrated that in silico generated models of the HIV-1 CA protein from clades other than the prototypically used clade B have utility in understanding and predicting biology and antiviral drug design and mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexej Dick
- Correspondence: (A.D.); (S.C.); Tel.: +1-215-762-7234 (A.D. & S.C.); Fax: +1-215-762-4452 (A.D. & S.C.)
| | | | - Simon Cocklin
- Correspondence: (A.D.); (S.C.); Tel.: +1-215-762-7234 (A.D. & S.C.); Fax: +1-215-762-4452 (A.D. & S.C.)
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9
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The Genesis and Future Prospects of Small Molecule HIV-1 Attachment Inhibitors. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1366:45-64. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-8702-0_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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10
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Karadsheh R, Meuser ME, Cocklin S. Composition and Orientation of the Core Region of Novel HIV-1 Entry Inhibitors Influences Metabolic Stability. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25061430. [PMID: 32245167 PMCID: PMC7144373 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25061430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Fostemsavir/temsavir is an investigational HIV-1 entry inhibitor currently in late-stage clinical trials. Although it holds promise to be a first-in-class Env-targeted entry inhibitor for the clinic, issues with bioavailability relegate its use to salvage therapies only. As such, the development of a small molecule HIV-1 entry inhibitor that can be used in standard combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) remains a longstanding goal for the field. We previously demonstrated the ability of extending the chemotypes available to this class of inhibitor as the first step towards this overarching goal. In addition to poor solubility, metabolic stability is a crucial determinant of bioavailability. Therefore, in this short communication, we assess the metabolic stabilities of five of our novel chemotype entry inhibitors. We found that changing the piperazine core region of temsavir alters the stability of the compound in human liver microsome assays. Moreover, we identified an entry inhibitor with more than twice the metabolic stability of temsavir and demonstrated that the orientation of the core replacement is critical for this increase. This work further demonstrates the feasibility of our long-term goal—to design an entry inhibitor with improved drug-like qualities—and warrants expanded studies to achieve this.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Simon Cocklin
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-215-762-7234 or +1-215-762-4979; Fax: 215-762-4452
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11
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Dick A, Cocklin S. Bioisosteric Replacement as a Tool in Anti-HIV Drug Design. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13030036. [PMID: 32121077 PMCID: PMC7151723 DOI: 10.3390/ph13030036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioisosteric replacement is a powerful tool for modulating the drug-like properties, toxicity, and chemical space of experimental therapeutics. In this review, we focus on selected cases where bioisosteric replacement and scaffold hopping have been used in the development of new anti-HIV-1 therapeutics. Moreover, we cover field-based, computational methodologies for bioisosteric replacement, using studies from our group as an example. It is our hope that this review will serve to highlight the utility and potential of bioisosteric replacement in the continuing search for new and improved anti-HIV drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Cocklin
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +215-762-7234 or +215-762-4979
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12
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Constantin T, Zanini M, Regni A, Sheikh NS, Juliá F, Leonori D. Aminoalkyl radicals as halogen-atom transfer agents for activation of alkyl and aryl halides. Science 2020; 367:1021-1026. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aba2419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Organic halides are important building blocks in synthesis, but their use in (photo)redox chemistry is limited by their low reduction potentials. Halogen-atom transfer remains the most reliable approach to exploit these substrates in radical processes despite its requirement for hazardous reagents and initiators such as tributyltin hydride. In this study, we demonstrate that α-aminoalkyl radicals, easily accessible from simple amines, promote the homolytic activation of carbon-halogen bonds with a reactivity profile mirroring that of classical tin radicals. This strategy conveniently engages alkyl and aryl halides in a wide range of redox transformations to construct sp3-sp3, sp3-sp2, and sp2-sp2 carbon-carbon bonds under mild conditions with high chemoselectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Margherita Zanini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Alessio Regni
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Nadeem S. Sheikh
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fabio Juliá
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Daniele Leonori
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
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13
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Mining large databases to find new leads with low similarity to known actives: application to find new DPP-IV inhibitors. Future Med Chem 2019; 11:1387-1401. [PMID: 31298576 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2018-0597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Fragment-based drug design or bioisosteric replacement is used to find new actives with low (or no) similarity to existing ones but requires the synthesis of nonexisting compounds to prove their predicted bioactivity. Protein-ligand docking or pharmacophore screening are alternatives but they can become computationally expensive when applied to very large databases such as ZINC. Therefore, fast strategies are necessary to find new leads in such databases. Materials & methods: We designed a computational strategy to find lead molecules with very low (or no) similarity to existing actives and applied it to DPP-IV. Results: The bioactivity assays confirm that this strategy finds new leads for DPP-IV inhibitors. Conclusion: This computational strategy reduces the time of finding new lead molecules.
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14
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Meuser ME, Rashad AA, Ozorowski G, Dick A, Ward AB, Cocklin S. Field-Based Affinity Optimization of a Novel Azabicyclohexane Scaffold HIV-1 Entry Inhibitor. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24081581. [PMID: 31013646 PMCID: PMC6514670 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24081581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-molecule HIV-1 entry inhibitors are an extremely attractive therapeutic modality. We have previously demonstrated that the entry inhibitor class can be optimized by using computational means to identify and extend the chemotypes available. Here we demonstrate unique and differential effects of previously published antiviral compounds on the gross structure of the HIV-1 Env complex, with an azabicyclohexane scaffolded inhibitor having a positive effect on glycoprotein thermostability. We demonstrate that modification of the methyltriazole-azaindole headgroup of these entry inhibitors directly effects the potency of the compounds, and substitution of the methyltriazole with an amine-oxadiazole increases the affinity of the compound 1000-fold over parental by improving the on-rate kinetic parameter. These findings support the continuing exploration of compounds that shift the conformational equilibrium of HIV-1 Env as a novel strategy to improve future inhibitor and vaccine design efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Meuser
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Rooms 10307, 10309, and 10315, 245 North 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.
| | - Adel A Rashad
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Rooms 10307, 10309, and 10315, 245 North 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.
| | - Gabriel Ozorowski
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Collaboration for AIDS Vaccine Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Alexej Dick
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Rooms 10307, 10309, and 10315, 245 North 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.
| | - Andrew B Ward
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Collaboration for AIDS Vaccine Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Simon Cocklin
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Rooms 10307, 10309, and 10315, 245 North 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.
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15
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Xu JP, Francis AC, Meuser ME, Mankowski M, Ptak RG, Rashad AA, Melikyan GB, Cocklin S. Exploring Modifications of an HIV-1 Capsid Inhibitor: Design, Synthesis, and Mechanism of Action. JOURNAL OF DRUG DESIGN AND RESEARCH 2018; 5:1070. [PMID: 30393786 PMCID: PMC6214487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent efforts by both academic and pharmaceutical researchers have focused on the HIV-1 capsid (CA) protein as a new therapeutic target. An interprotomer pocket within the hexamer configuration of the CA, which is also a binding site for key host dependency factors, is the target of the most widely studied CA inhibitor compound PF-3450074 (PF-74). Despite its popularity, PF-74 suffers from properties that limit its usefulness as a lead, most notably it's extremely poor metabolic stability. To minimize unfavorable qualities, we investigated bioisosteric modification of the PF-74 scaffold as a first step in redeveloping this compound. Using a field-based bioisostere identification method, coupled with biochemical and biological assessment, we have created four new compounds that inhibit HIV-1 infection and that bind to the assembled CA hexamer. Detailed mechanism of action studies indicates that the modifications alter the manner in which these new compounds affect HIV-1 capsid core stability, as compared to the parental compound. Further investigations are underway to redevelop these compounds to optimize potency and drug-like characteristics and to deeply define the mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy P. Xu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, USA
| | | | - Megan E. Meuser
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, USA
| | - Marie Mankowski
- Department of Infectious Disease Research, Southern Research Institute, USA
| | - Roger G. Ptak
- Department of Infectious Disease Research, Southern Research Institute, USA
| | - Adel A. Rashad
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, USA
| | | | - Simon Cocklin
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, USA
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16
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Kinetic Characterization of Novel HIV-1 Entry Inhibitors: Discovery of a Relationship between Off-Rate and Potency. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23081940. [PMID: 30081466 PMCID: PMC6222832 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23081940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The entry of HIV-1 into permissible cells remains an extremely attractive and underexploited therapeutic intervention point. We have previously demonstrated the ability to extend the chemotypes available for optimization in the entry inhibitor class using computational means. Here, we continue this effort, designing and testing three novel compounds with the ability to inhibit HIV-1 entry. We demonstrate that alteration of the core moiety of these entry inhibitors directly influences the potency of the compounds, despite common proximal and distal groups. Moreover, by establishing for the first time a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based interaction assay with soluble recombinant SOSIP Env trimers, we demonstrate that the off-rate (kd) parameter shows the strongest correlation with potency in an antiviral assay. Finally, we establish an underappreciated relationship between the potency of a ligand and its degree of electrostatic complementarity (EC) with its target, the Env complex. These findings not only broaden the chemical space in this inhibitor class, but also establish a rapid and simple assay to evaluate future HIV-1 entry inhibitors.
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17
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Porta F, Gelain A, Barlocco D, Ferri N, Marchianò S, Cappello V, Basile L, Guccione S, Meneghetti F, Villa S. A field-based disparity analysis of new 1,2,5-oxadiazole derivatives endowed with antiproliferative activity. Chem Biol Drug Des 2017; 90:820-839. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Porta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milan Italy
| | - Arianna Gelain
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milan Italy
| | - Daniela Barlocco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milan Italy
| | - Nicola Ferri
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Padova; Padua Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milan Italy
| | - Valentina Cappello
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Catania; Catania Italy
| | - Livia Basile
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Catania; Catania Italy
| | - Salvatore Guccione
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Catania; Catania Italy
| | - Fiorella Meneghetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milan Italy
| | - Stefania Villa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milan Italy
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18
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Woodham AW, Skeate JG, Sanna AM, Taylor JR, Da Silva DM, Cannon PM, Kast WM. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Immune Cell Receptors, Coreceptors, and Cofactors: Implications for Prevention and Treatment. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2016; 30:291-306. [PMID: 27410493 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2016.0100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last three decades, extensive research on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has highlighted its capability to exploit a variety of strategies to enter and infect immune cells. Although CD4(+) T cells are well known as the major HIV target, with infection occurring through the canonical combination of the cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) receptor and either the C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) or C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) coreceptors, HIV has also been found to enter other important immune cell types such as macrophages, dendritic cells, Langerhans cells, B cells, and granulocytes. Interestingly, the expression of distinct cellular cofactors partially regulates the rate in which HIV infects each distinct cell type. Furthermore, HIV can benefit from the acquisition of new proteins incorporated into its envelope during budding events. While several publications have investigated details of how HIV manipulates particular cell types or subtypes, an up-to-date comprehensive review on HIV tropism for different immune cells is lacking. Therefore, this review is meant to focus on the different receptors, coreceptors, and cofactors that HIV exploits to enter particular immune cells. Additionally, prophylactic approaches that have targeted particular molecules associated with HIV entry and infection of different immune cells will be discussed. Unveiling the underlying cellular receptors and cofactors that lead to HIV preference for specific immune cell populations is crucial in identifying novel preventative/therapeutic targets for comprehensive strategies to eliminate viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W. Woodham
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Joseph G. Skeate
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Adriana M. Sanna
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Julia R. Taylor
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Diane M. Da Silva
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Paula M. Cannon
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - W. Martin Kast
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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Inhibitors of HIV-1 attachment: The discovery and structure-activity relationships of tetrahydroisoquinolines as replacements for the piperazine benzamide in the 3-glyoxylyl 6-azaindole pharmacophore. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2015; 26:160-7. [PMID: 26584882 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2015.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
6,6-Fused ring systems including tetrahydroisoquinolines and tetrahydropyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidines have been explored as possible replacements for the piperazine benzamide portion of the HIV-1 attachment inhibitor BMS-663068. In initial studies, the tetrahydroisoquinoline compounds demonstrate sub-nanomolar activity in a HIV-1 pseudotype viral infection assay used as the initial screen for inhibitory activity. Analysis of SARs and approaches to optimization for an improved drug-like profile are examined herein.
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