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Wang T, Pang L, He M, Wang Z. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting apoptosis signal-regulated kinase 1. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 262:115889. [PMID: 37883895 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis signal regulated kinase 1 (ASK1, also known as MAP3K5) is a member of the mitogen activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) family. Since its first isolation from a human macrophage library in 1996, its research has been ongoing for over 25 years. A large number of reports have revealed that ASK1, as a key activator of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling cascade, responds to various stressors, and its inhibitors have important potential value in the treatment of diseases such as inflammation, cancer, and the nervous system and so on. This review summarizes the recent development in this field, including the structure and signaling pathways of ASK1, with a particular focus on the structure-activity relationships, and the hit-to-lead optimization strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, PR China; National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, PR China
| | - Lidan Pang
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, PR China
| | - Mengni He
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, PR China
| | - Zengtao Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, PR China.
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2
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Catalytic activity in vitro of the human protein kinase ASK1 mutants: Experimental and molecular simulation study. Comput Biol Chem 2022; 99:107712. [PMID: 35689994 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2022.107712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Kinases have become an important class of targets for drug discovery since the milestone approval of imatinib in 2001. Although a great success has been achieved for targeting kinases with over 70 inhibitors approved by the FDA, it is inevitable that drug resistance would emerge during treatment. Thus, assessment of the kinase mutations is an essential issue for the development of the next generation inhibitors. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a crucial regulator of classical mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade that is being explored under several clinical trials as a promising target. Herein, we investigate the catalytic activity in vitro of ASK1 by constructing two mutants: M754T and H729L, from gatekeeper and αC-helix, respectively. Compared to wild type, the mutation of M754T and H729L results in a roughly 3-fold and 2-fold decrease in binding affinity experimentally. In addition, their binding modes with substrate are theoretically predicted and compared by molecular dynamics. Trajectory analyses of simulations indicate that the decrease of binding affinity should be attributed to the loss of H-bond interaction with gatekeeper methionine. Unexpectedly, the conformation of αC-helix in H729L mutant did not alter significantly during the simulations, although the putatively important H-bond with H729 is lost. These simulations showed the regulatory role of H729 in αC-helix is maintained by leucine residue through the interaction with non-polar residues around H729 site.
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3
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Volynets GP, Pletnova LV, Sapelkin VM, Savytskyi OV, Yarmoluk SM. A computational analysis of the binding free energies of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 inhibitors from different chemotypes. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2021.1922686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Galyna P. Volynets
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Scientific Services Company Otava Ltd., Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Larysa V. Pletnova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Vladislav M. Sapelkin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Oleksandr V. Savytskyi
- Department of Protein Engineering and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Sergiy M. Yarmoluk
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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4
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Hou S, Yang X, Tong Y, Yang Y, Chen Q, Wan B, Wei R, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Kong B, Huang J, Chen Y, Lu T, Hu Q, Du D. Structure-based discovery of 1H-indole-2-carboxamide derivatives as potent ASK1 inhibitors for potential treatment of ulcerative colitis. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 211:113114. [PMID: 33360793 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, is implicated in many human diseases. Here, we describe the structural optimization of hit compound 7 and conduct further structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies that result in the development of compound 19 with a novel indole-2-carboxamide hinge scaffold. Compound 19 displays potent anti-ASK1 kinase activity and stronger inhibitory effect on ASK1 in AP1-HEK293 cells than previously described ASK1 inhibitor GS-4997. Besides improved in vitro activity, compound 19 also exhibits an appropriate in vivo PK profile. In a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model of ulcerative colitis (UC), compound 19 shows significant anti-UC efficacy and markedly attenuates DSS-induced body weight loss, colonic shortening, elevation in disease activity index (DAI) and inflammatory cell infiltration in colon tissues. Mechanistically, compound 19 represses the phosphorylation of ASK1-p38/JNK signaling pathways and suppresses the overexpression of inflammatory cytokines. Together, these findings suggest that ASK1 inhibitors can potentially be used as a therapeutic strategy for UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohua Hou
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Xiping Yang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Yu Tong
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Yuejing Yang
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Quanwei Chen
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Boheng Wan
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Ran Wei
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Yuchen Wang
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Bo Kong
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Jianhang Huang
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Yadong Chen
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Tao Lu
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China.
| | - Qinghua Hu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China.
| | - Ding Du
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, PR China.
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5
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Brys R, Gibson K, Poljak T, Van Der Plas S, Amantini D. Discovery and development of ASK1 inhibitors. PROGRESS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2020; 59:101-179. [PMID: 32362327 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmch.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) like c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 is an event involved in the pathophysiology of numerous human diseases. The apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is an upstream target that gets activated only under pathological conditions and as such is a promising target for therapeutic intervention. In the first part of this review the molecular mechanisms leading to ASK1 activation and regulation will be described as well as the evidences supporting a pathogenic role for ASK1 in human disease. In the second part, an update on drug discovery efforts towards the discovery and development of ASK1-targeting therapies will be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karl Gibson
- Sandexis Medicinal Chemistry Ltd, Innovation House Discovery ParkSandwich, Kent, United Kingdom
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Discovery of a 2-pyridinyl urea-containing compound YD57 as a potent inhibitor of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1). Eur J Med Chem 2020; 195:112277. [PMID: 32289582 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition of MAP3K kinase ASK1 has been an attractive strategy for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and multiple sclerosis, among others. Herein, we reported the discovery of 2-pyridinyl urea-containing compound 14l (YD57) as a potent, small-molecule inhibitor of ASK1. 14l was selective against MAP3K kinases ASK2 and TAK1 (>140-fold), while it also inhibited several cell cycle regulating kinases with IC50 values in a range of 90-400 nM (<20-fold selectivity). As a consequence, 14l had stronger apoptosis induction, more potent G1 cell cycle arrest activities, and lower IC50 value of cell growth inhibition than that of GS4997 in HepG2 cancer cell line. On the other hand, 14l did not inhibit ASK1 and p38 phosphorylation in intact cells. We reason that the multi-target effects of 14l likely neutralized the activities caused by inhibition of cellular ASK1. Future studies of these ASK1 inhibitors should pay close attention to their kinome selectivity profile.
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7
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Baig MH, Baker A, Ashraf GM, Dong JJ. ASK1 and its role in cardiovascular and other disorders: available treatments and future prospects. Expert Rev Proteomics 2019; 16:857-870. [DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2019.1676735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hassan Baig
- Department of Family Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Abu Baker
- Nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine lab, Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow, India
| | - Ghulam M Ashraf
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jae-June Dong
- Department of Family Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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8
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Wang Y, Hou S, Tong Y, Li H, Hua Y, Fan Y, Chen X, Yang Y, Liu H, Lu T, Chen Y, Zhang Y. Discovery of potent apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 inhibitors via integrated computational strategy and biological evaluation. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2019; 38:4385-4396. [PMID: 31612792 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2019.1680439] [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: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis signal-regulating Kinase 1 (ASK1) has been confirmed as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) disorder and the discovery of ASK1 inhibitors has attracted increasing attention. In this work, a series of in silico methods including pharmacophore screening, docking binding site analysis, protein-ligand interaction fingerprint (PLIF) similarity investigation and molecular docking were applied to find the potential hits from commercial compound databases. Five compounds with potential inhibitory activity were purchased and submitted to biological activity validation. Thus, one hit compound was discovered with micromolar IC50 value (10.59 μM) against ASK1. Results demonstrated that the integration of computation methods and biological test was quite reliable for the discovery of potent ASK1 inhibitors and the strategy could be extended to other similar targets of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Wang
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shaohua Hou
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Tong
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongmei Li
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Hua
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuanrong Fan
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xingye Chen
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Yang
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haichun Liu
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tao Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yadong Chen
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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