1
|
Yang J, Wu Y, Zhu Q, Qu X, Ou H, Liu H, Wei Y, Ge D, Lu C, Jiang B, Song X. Discovery of a first-in-class protein degrader for the c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1). Bioorg Chem 2024; 150:107590. [PMID: 38955003 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107590] [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: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1), an oncogenic driver, is known to induce non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) when overactivated, particularly through the formation of fusion proteins. Traditional targeted therapies focus on inhibiting ROS1 activity with ROS 1 inhibitors to manage cancer progression. However, a new strategy involving the design of protein degraders offers a more potent approach by completely degrading ROS1 fusion oncoproteins, thereby effectively blocking their kinase activity and enhancing anti-tumour potential. Utilizing PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) technology and informed by molecular docking and rational design, we report the first ROS1-specific PROTAC, SIAIS039. This degrader effectively targets multiple ROS1 fusion oncoproteins (CD74-ROS1, SDC4-ROS1 and SLC34A2-ROS1) in engineered Ba/F3 cells and HCC78 cells, demonstrating anti-tumour effects against ROS1 fusion-driven cancer cells. It suppresses cell proliferation, induces cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis, and inhibits clonogenicity. The anti-tumour efficacy of SIAIS039 surpasses two approved drugs, crizotinib and entrectinib, and matches that of the top inhibitors, including lorlatinib and taletrectinib. Mechanistic studies confirm that the degradation induced by 039 requires the participation of ROS1 ligands and E3 ubiquitin ligases, and involves the proteasome and ubiquitination. In addition, 039 exhibited excellent oral bioavailability in a mouse xenograft model, highlighting its potential for clinical application. In conclusion, our study presents a promising and novel therapeutic strategy for ROS1 fusion-positive NSCLC by targeting ROS1 fusion oncoproteins for degradation, laying the foundation for the development of further PROTAC and offering hope for patients with ROS1 fusion-positive NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Qiaoliang Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiaojuan Qu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hongyue Ou
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Haixia Liu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yongqi Wei
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Di Ge
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chunlai Lu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Biao Jiang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry of Natural Substances, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Xiaoling Song
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
He G, Gu K, Wei J, Zhang J. METTL3-mediated the m6A modification of SF3B4 facilitates the development of non-small cell lung cancer by enhancing LSM4 expression. Thorac Cancer 2024; 15:919-928. [PMID: 38462740 PMCID: PMC11016404 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.15275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Splicing factor B subunit 4 (SF3B4) has been confirmed to participate in the progression of many cancers and is considered to be a potential target for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Thus, the role and molecular mechanism of SF3B4 in NSCLC progression deserves further study. METHODS Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were employed to detect the mRNA and protein levels of SF3B4, Sm-like protein 4 (LSM4) and methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3). Cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration and stemness were tested by cell counting kit-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, transwell, wound healing, and sphere formation assays. The interaction between SF3B4 and METTL3 or LSM4 was confirmed by MeRIP, RIP and Co-IP assays. Mice xenograft models were constructed to assess the effects of METTL3 and SF3B4 on NSCLC tumorigenesis. RESULTS SF3B4 had high expression in NSCLC tissues and was associated with the shorter overall survival of NSCLC patients. Knockdown of SF3B4 suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion, migration and stemness, while inducing apoptosis. METTL3 promoted SF3B4 mRNA stability by m6A modification, and its knockdown inhibited NSCLC cell growth, metastasis and stemness by downregulating SF3B4. SF3B4 could interact with LSM4, and sh-SF3B4-mediated the inhibition on NSCLC cell functions could be reversed by LSM4 overexpression. In addition, reduced METTL3 expression restrained NSCLC tumor growth, and this effect was reversed by SF3B4 overexpression. CONCLUSION METTL3-stablized SF3B4 promoted NSCLC cell growth, metastasis and stemness via positively regulating LSM4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangsi He
- Department of Oncologythe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
- Second Department of OncologyFirst People's Hospital of ChuzhouChuzhouChina
| | - Kangsheng Gu
- Department of Oncologythe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Jie Wei
- First Department of OncologyFirst People's Hospital of ChuzhouChuzhouChina
| | - Jian Zhang
- Second Department of OncologyFirst People's Hospital of ChuzhouChuzhouChina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tian L, Qiang T, Yang X, Gao Y, Zhai X, Kang K, Du C, Lu Q, Gao H, Zhang D, Xie X, Liang C. Development of de-novo coronavirus 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CL pro) inhibitors since COVID-19 outbreak: A strategy to tackle challenges of persistent virus infection. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:115979. [PMID: 38048696 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Although no longer a public health emergency of international concern, COVID-19 remains a persistent and critical health concern. The development of effective antiviral drugs could serve as the ultimate piece of the puzzle to curbing this global crisis. 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), with its substrate specificity mirroring that of the main picornavirus 3C protease and conserved across various coronaviruses, emerges as an ideal candidate for broad-spectrum antiviral drug development. Moreover, it holds the potential as a reliable contingency option to combat emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. In this light, the approved drugs, promising candidates, and de-novo small molecule therapeutics targeting 3CLpro since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 are discussed. Emphasizing the significance of diverse structural characteristics in inhibitors, be they peptidomimetic or nonpeptidic, with a shared mission to minimize the risk of cross-resistance. Moreover, the authors propose an innovative optimization strategy for 3CLpro reversible covalent PROTACs, optimizing pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics to better prepare for potential future viral outbreaks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Tian
- College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Taotao Qiang
- College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China.
| | - Xiuding Yang
- Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Yue Gao
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511436, PR China
| | - Xiaopei Zhai
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, PR China
| | - Kairui Kang
- Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Cong Du
- Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Qi Lu
- Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Hong Gao
- Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; Shaanxi Pioneer Biotech Co., Ltd., Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Dezhu Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; Shaanxi Panlong Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Xi'an, 710025, PR China
| | - Xiaolin Xie
- Shaanxi Panlong Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Xi'an, 710025, PR China
| | - Chengyuan Liang
- Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|