Towards small molecule inhibitors of mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases

KH-like Domains in PARP9/DTX3L and PARP14 Coordinate Protein-Protein Interactions to Promote Cancer Cell Survival

Certain members of the ADP-ribosyltransferase superfamily (ARTD or PARP enzymes) catalyse ADP-ribosylation in response to cellular stress, DNA damage and viral infection and are upregulated in various tumours. PARP9, its binding partner DTX3L and PARP14 protein levels are significantly correlated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and other tumour types though a mechanism where PARP9/DTX3L regulates PARP14 post-transcriptionally. Depleting PARP9, DTX3L or PARP14 expression in HNSCC or HeLa cell lines decreases cell survival through a reduction of proliferation and an increase in apoptosis. A partial rescue of survival was achieved by expressing a PARP14 truncation containing a predicted eukaryotic type I KH domain. KH-like domains were also found in PARP9 and in DTX3L and contributed to protein-protein interactions between PARP9-DTX3L and PARP14-DTX3L. Homodimerization of DTX3L was also coordinated by a KH-like domain and was disrupted by site-specific mutation. Although, cell survival promoted by PARP14 did not require ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, interaction of DTX3L in vitro suppressed PARP14 auto-ADP-ribosylation and promoted trans-ADP-ribosylation of PARP9 and DTX3L. In summary, we characterised PARP9-DTX3L-PARP14 interactions important to pro-survival signalling in HNSCC cells, albeit in PARP14 catalytically independent fashion.

Privileged Scaffolds for Potent and Specific Inhibitors of Mono-ADP-Ribosylating PARPs

The identification of new targets to address unmet medical needs, better in a personalized way, is an urgent necessity. The introduction of PARP1 inhibitors into therapy, almost ten years ago, has represented a step forward this need being an innovate cancer treatment through a precision medicine approach. The PARP family consists of 17 members of which PARP1 that works by poly-ADP ribosylating the substrate is the sole enzyme so far exploited as therapeutic target. Most of the other members are mono-ADP-ribosylating (mono-ARTs) enzymes, and recent studies have deciphered their pathophysiological roles which appear to be very extensive with various potential therapeutic applications. In parallel, a handful of mono-ARTs inhibitors emerged that have been collected in a perspective on 2022. After that, additional very interesting compounds were identified highlighting the hot-topic nature of this research field and prompting an update. From the present review, where we have reported only mono-ARTs inhibitors endowed with the appropriate profile of pharmacological tools or drug candidate, four privileged scaffolds clearly stood out that constitute the basis for further drug discovery campaigns.

Combining pharmacophore models derived from DNA-encoded chemical libraries with structure-based exploration to predict Tankyrase 1 inhibitors

DNA-encoded chemical libraries (DECLs) interrogate the interactions of a target of interest with vast numbers of molecules. DECLs hence provide abundant information about the chemical ligand space for therapeutic targets, and there is considerable interest in methods for exploiting DECL screening data to predict novel ligands. Here we introduce one such approach and demonstrate its feasibility using the cancer-related poly-(ADP-ribose)transferase tankyrase 1 (TNKS1) as a model target. First, DECL affinity selections resulted in structurally diverse TNKS1 inhibitors with high potency including compound 2 with an IC50 value of 0.8 nM. Additionally, TNKS1 hits from four DECLs were translated into pharmacophore models, which were exploited in combination with docking-based screening to identify TNKS1 ligand candidates in databases of commercially available compounds. This computational strategy afforded TNKS1 inhibitors that are outside the chemical space covered by the DECLs and yielded the drug-like lead compound 12 with an IC50 value of 22 nM. The study further provided insights in the reliability of screening data and the effect of library design on hit compounds. In particular, the study revealed that while in general DECL screening data are in good agreement with off-DNA ligand binding, unpredictable interactions of the DNA-attachment linker with the target protein contribute to the noise in the affinity selection data.

Depletion of PARP10 inhibits the growth and metastatic potential of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Although poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase family member 10 (PARP10) has been implicated in the progression of multiple cancer types, its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unknown. This study aimed to examine the function of PARP10 in OSCC and investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: The expression of PARP10 in OSCC was investigated in OSCC patient cohorts. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis was performed to assess the association between PARP10 and prognosis in OSCC. Correlation between PARP10 expression and the related variables was analyzed by χ² test. CKK-8, transwell assay, western blot, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and bioinformatic analysis, were applied to clarify the role of PARP10 in OSCC.

Results: PARP10 was found to be markedly elevated in OSCC tissues. The upregulation of PARP10 predicted shorter overall survival and disease-specific survival and was significantly correlated with several malignant features. Moreover, depletion of PARP10 markedly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells, and promoted OSCC cell apoptosis, and resulted in alterations of relevant proteins. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the expression of PARP10 and Ki67, PARP1, MMP2, and VEGF. In addition, depletion of PARP10 impaired the PI3K-AKT and MAPK signaling pathways.

Conclusion: PARP10 is involved in the progression of OSCC via regulation of PI3K-AKT and MAPK signaling pathways.

Medicinal Chemistry Perspective on Targeting Mono-ADP-Ribosylating PARPs with Small Molecules

Major advances have recently defined functions for human mono-ADP-ribosylating PARP enzymes (mono-ARTs), also opening up potential applications for targeting them to treat diseases. Structural biology combined with medicinal chemistry has allowed the design of potent small molecule inhibitors which typically bind to the catalytic domain. Most of these inhibitors are at the early stages, but some have already a suitable profile to be used as chemical tools. One compound targeting PARP7 has even progressed to clinical trials. In this review, we collect inhibitors of mono-ARTs with a typical "H-Y-Φ" motif (Φ = hydrophobic residue) and focus on compounds that have been reported as active against one or a restricted number of enzymes. We discuss them from a medicinal chemistry point of view and include an analysis of the available crystal structures, allowing us to craft a pharmacophore model that lays the foundation for obtaining new potent and more specific inhibitors.

Evaluation of 3- and 4-Phenoxybenzamides as Selective Inhibitors of the Mono-ADP-Ribosyltransferase PARP10

Intracellular ADP-ribosyltransferases catalyze mono- and poly-ADP-ribosylation and affect a broad range of biological processes. The mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase PARP10 is involved in signaling and DNA repair. Previous studies identified OUL35 as a selective, cell permeable inhibitor of PARP10. We have further explored the chemical space of OUL35 by synthesizing and investigating structurally related analogs. Key synthetic steps were metal-catalyzed cross-couplings and functional group modifications. We identified 4-(4-cyanophenoxy)benzamide and 3-(4-carbamoylphenoxy)benzamide as PARP10 inhibitors with distinct selectivities. Both compounds were cell permeable and interfered with PARP10 toxicity. Moreover, both revealed some inhibition of PARP2 but not PARP1, unlike clinically used PARP inhibitors, which typically inhibit both enzymes. Using crystallography and molecular modeling the binding of the compounds to different ADP-ribosyltransferases was explored regarding selectivity. Together, these studies define additional compounds that interfere with PARP10 function and thus expand our repertoire of inhibitors to further optimize selectivity and potency.

Targeted Degradation of PARP14 Using a Heterobifunctional Small Molecule

PARP14 is an interferon-stimulated gene that is overexpressed in multiple tumor types, influencing pro-tumor macrophage polarization as well as suppressing the antitumor inflammation response by modulating IFN-γ and IL-4 signaling. PARP14 is a 203 kDa protein that possesses a catalytic domain responsible for the transfer of mono-ADP-ribose to its substrates. PARP14 also contains three macrodomains and a WWE domain which are binding modules for mono-ADP-ribose and poly-ADP-ribose, respectively, in addition to two RNA recognition motifs. Catalytic inhibitors of PARP14 have been shown to reverse IL-4 driven pro-tumor gene expression in macrophages, however it is not clear what roles the non-enzymatic biomolecular recognition motifs play in PARP14-driven immunology and inflammation. To further understand this, we have discovered a heterobifunctional small molecule designed based on a catalytic inhibitor of PARP14 that binds in the enzyme's NAD⁺ -binding site and recruits cereblon to ubiquitinate it and selectively target it for degradation.

A potent and selective PARP14 inhibitor decreases protumor macrophage gene expression and elicits inflammatory responses in tumor explants

PARP14 has been implicated by genetic knockout studies to promote protumor macrophage polarization and suppress the antitumor inflammatory response due to its role in modulating interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ signaling pathways. Here, we describe structure-based design efforts leading to the discovery of a potent and highly selective PARP14 chemical probe. RBN012759 inhibits PARP14 with a biochemical half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 0.003 μM, exhibits >300-fold selectivity over all PARP family members, and its profile enables further study of PARP14 biology and disease association both in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of PARP14 with RBN012759 reverses IL-4-driven protumor gene expression in macrophages and induces an inflammatory mRNA signature similar to that induced by immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in primary human tumor explants. These data support an immune suppressive role of PARP14 in tumors and suggest potential utility of PARP14 inhibitors in the treatment of cancer.

MARTs and MARylation in the Cytosol: Biological Functions, Mechanisms of Action, and Therapeutic Potential

Mono(ADP-ribosyl)ation (MARylation) is a regulatory post-translational modification of proteins that controls their functions through a variety of mechanisms. MARylation is catalyzed by mono(ADP-ribosyl) transferase (MART) enzymes, a subclass of the poly(ADP-ribosyl) polymerase (PARP) family of enzymes. Although the role of PARPs and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) in cellular pathways, such as DNA repair and transcription, is well studied, the role of MARylation and MARTs (i.e., the PARP 'monoenzymes') are not well understood. Moreover, compared to PARPs, the development of MART-targeted therapeutics is in its infancy. Recent studies are beginning to shed light on the structural features, catalytic targets, and biological functions of MARTs. The development of new technologies to study MARTs have uncovered essential roles for these enzymes in the regulation of cellular processes, such as RNA metabolism, cellular transport, focal adhesion, and stress responses. These insights have increased our understanding of the biological functions of MARTs in cancers, neuronal development, and immune responses. Furthermore, several novel inhibitors of MARTs have been developed and are nearing clinical utility. In this review, we summarize the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of MARTs and MARylation, as well as recent advances in technology that have enabled detection and inhibition of their activity. We emphasize PARP-7, which is at the forefront of the MART subfamily with respect to understanding its biological roles and the development of therapeutically useful inhibitors. Collectively, the available studies reveal a growing understanding of the biochemistry, chemical biology, physiology, and pathology of MARTs.

Mono(ADP-ribosyl)ation Enzymes and NAD+ Metabolism: A Focus on Diseases and Therapeutic Perspectives

Mono(ADP-ribose) transferases and mono(ADP-ribosyl)ating sirtuins use NAD⁺ to perform the mono(ADP-ribosyl)ation, a simple form of post-translational modification of proteins and, in some cases, of nucleic acids. The availability of NAD⁺ is a limiting step and an essential requisite for NAD⁺ consuming enzymes. The synthesis and degradation of NAD⁺, as well as the transport of its key intermediates among cell compartments, play a vital role in the maintenance of optimal NAD⁺ levels, which are essential for the regulation of NAD⁺-utilizing enzymes. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of NAD⁺ metabolism, highlighting the functional liaison with mono(ADP-ribosyl)ating enzymes, such as the well-known ARTD10 (also named PARP10), SIRT6, and SIRT7. To this aim, we discuss the link of these enzymes with NAD⁺ metabolism and chronic diseases, such as cancer, degenerative disorders and aging.

In silico identification and in vitro activity of natural products as ADP-ribosyl transferase member 8 inhibitors

Aim: ADP-ribosyl transferase member 8 (ARTD8) of the ARTD superfamily has been identified as a possible anti-cancer, antiviral and anti-inflammatory target. Method: Pure actives from natural products with a documented anti-cancer activity were docked into the catalytic site of 3SMI.pdb using PyRx and AutoDock Vina. Results: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), trans-resveratrol, indol-3-carbinol, curcumin, quercetin and naringenin were investigated, in vitro, against ARTD8, revealing EGCG and quercetin as lead compounds, with EGCG displaying complete inhibition at 10 μM. Both EGCG and quercetins docked poses spanned across both the nicotinamide and adenine subsites of the catalytic domain, interacting with conserved residues Ser1641 and/or Ser1607 and Tyr1646. Thereby, suggesting that the meta-hydroxy group on the catechin ring B backbone may be responsible for these inhibition effects.

Synthesis and molecular docking studies of some novel antimicrobial benzamides

Common use of classical antibiotics has caused to the growing emergence of many resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, we aimed to synthesize a number of N-(2-hydroxy-(4 or 5)-nitrophenyl)benzamide derivatives as a new class of antimicrobial compounds. Moreover, our second goal is to predict the interaction between active structures and enzymes (DNA -gyrase and FtsA) in the binding mode. In this study, thirteen N-(2-hydroxy-(4 or 5-nitrophenyl)-substituted-benzamides were synthesized and determined for their antimicrobial activity using the microdilution method. According to this work, none of the compounds showed any activity against Candida albicans and its clinical isolate. Some of the benzamides (4N1, 5N1, 5N2) displayed very significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus and MSSA with <4 µg/ml MIC value, even they were found to be more potent than ceftazidime. 4N1 was also found to be more effective than gentamicin against Enterococcus faecalis clinical isolate. Molecular docking studies revealed that 4N1, 5N1, and 5N2 showed a good interactions with DNA-gyrase. Moreover, 5N1 has interacted with FtsA enzyme in the binding mode, as well. Only compound 5N4 displayed very good activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. These findings showed us that 4N1, 5N1, 5N2, and 5N4 could be lead compounds to discover new antibacterial candidates against multidrug-resistant strains.

Reversible ADP-ribosylation of RNA

ADP-ribosylation is a reversible chemical modification catalysed by ADP-ribosyltransferases such as PARPs that utilize nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) as a cofactor to transfer monomer or polymers of ADP-ribose nucleotide onto macromolecular targets such as proteins and DNA. ADP-ribosylation plays an important role in several biological processes such as DNA repair, transcription, chromatin remodelling, host-virus interactions, cellular stress response and many more. Using biochemical methods we identify RNA as a novel target of reversible mono-ADP-ribosylation. We demonstrate that the human PARPs - PARP10, PARP11 and PARP15 as well as a highly diverged PARP homologue TRPT1, ADP-ribosylate phosphorylated ends of RNA. We further reveal that ADP-ribosylation of RNA mediated by PARP10 and TRPT1 can be efficiently reversed by several cellular ADP-ribosylhydrolases (PARG, TARG1, MACROD1, MACROD2 and ARH3), as well as by MACROD-like hydrolases from VEEV and SARS viruses. Finally, we show that TRPT1 and MACROD homologues in bacteria possess activities equivalent to the human proteins. Our data suggest that RNA ADP-ribosylation may represent a widespread and physiologically relevant form of reversible ADP-ribosylation signalling.

Small-Molecule Screening Assay for Mono-ADP-Ribosyltransferases

Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases of the PARP/ARTD enzyme family are enzymes catalyzing the transfer of a single ADP-ribose unit to target proteins. The enzymes have various roles in vital cellular processes such as DNA repair and transcription, and many of the enzymes are linked to cancer-relevant functions. Thus inhibition of the enzymes is a potential way to discover and develop new drugs against cancer. Here we describe an activity-based screening assay for mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases. The assay utilizes the natural substrate of the enzymes, NAD⁺, and it is based on chemically converting the leftover substrate to a fluorophore and measuring its relative concentration after the enzymatic reaction. The assay is homogenous, robust, and cost-effective and, most importantly, applicable to mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases as well as poly-ADP-ribosyltransferases for screening of small-molecule inhibitors against the enzymes.

Rational Design of Cell-Active Inhibitors of PARP10

Poly-ADP-ribose polymerases (PARPs 1-16) have emerged as major regulators of diverse cellular processes. PARPs can be subclassified based on their ability to catalyze poly-ADP-ribosylation (PARylation) or mono-ADP-ribosylation (MARylation). While much is known about the cellular roles of PARPs that catalyze PARylation (e.g., PARP1), the function of PARPs that catalyze MARylation (e.g., PARP10) is substantially less understood. This is due in large part to the lack of small-molecule inhibitors that are selective for individual PARP family members that catalyze MARylation. Herein, we describe the rational design and synthesis of selective inhibitors of PARP10. Using structure-based design, we targeted a hydrophobic subpocket within the nicotinamide-binding site of PARP10. We synthesized a series of small molecules based on a 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-one (dq, 1) scaffold that contain various substituents at the C-5 and C-6 positions designed to exploit this hydrophobic subpocket. We found a dq analogue (22) that contains a methyl group at the C-5 position and a substituted pyridine at the C-6 position that exhibits >10-fold selectivity for PARP10 over a large subset of other PARP family members. The results of this study will serve as a platform for future small-molecule probe development for PARP10 and other PARP family members that catalyze MARylation.

Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerases in Host-Pathogen Interactions, Inflammation, and Immunity

The literature review presented here details recent research involving members of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) family of proteins. Among the 17 recognized members of the family, the human enzyme PARP1 is the most extensively studied, resulting in a number of known biological and metabolic roles. This review is focused on the roles played by PARP enzymes in host-pathogen interactions and in diseases with an associated inflammatory response. In mammalian cells, several PARPs have specific roles in the antiviral response; this is perhaps best illustrated by PARP13, also termed the zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP). Plant stress responses and immunity are also regulated by poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation. PARPs promote inflammatory responses by stimulating proinflammatory signal transduction pathways that lead to the expression of cytokines and cell adhesion molecules. Hence, PARP inhibitors show promise in the treatment of inflammatory disorders and conditions with an inflammatory component, such as diabetes, arthritis, and stroke. These functions are correlated with the biophysical characteristics of PARP family enzymes. This work is important in providing a comprehensive understanding of the molecular basis of pathogenesis and host responses, as well as in the identification of inhibitors. This is important because the identification of inhibitors has been shown to be effective in arresting the progression of disease.

Characterization of TCDD-inducible poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (TIPARP/ARTD14) catalytic activity

Here, we report the biochemical characterization of the mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (TIPARP/ARTD14/PARP7), which is known to repress aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-dependent transcription. We found that the nuclear localization of TIPARP was dependent on a short N-terminal sequence and its zinc finger domain. Deletion and in vitro ADP-ribosylation studies identified amino acids 400–657 as the minimum catalytically active region, which retained its ability to mono-ADP-ribosylate AHR. However, the ability of TIPARP to ADP-ribosylate and repress AHR in cells was dependent on both its catalytic activity and zinc finger domain. The catalytic activity of TIPARP was resistant to meta-iodobenzylguanidine but sensitive to iodoacetamide and hydroxylamine, implicating cysteines and acidic side chains as ADP-ribosylated target residues. Mass spectrometry identified multiple ADP-ribosylated peptides in TIPARP and AHR. Electron transfer dissociation analysis of the TIPARP peptide ³³ITPLKTCFK⁴¹ revealed cysteine 39 as a site for mono-ADP-ribosylation. Mutation of cysteine 39 to alanine resulted in a small, but significant, reduction in TIPARP autoribosylation activity, suggesting that additional amino acid residues are modified, but loss of cysteine 39 did not prevent its ability to repress AHR. Our findings characterize the subcellular localization and mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of TIPARP, identify cysteine as a mono-ADP-ribosylated residue targeted by this enzyme, and confirm the TIPARP-dependent mono-ADP-ribosylation of other protein targets, such as AHR.

A Potent and Selective PARP11 Inhibitor Suggests Coupling between Cellular Localization and Catalytic Activity

Poly-ADP-ribose polymerases (PARPs1-16) play pivotal roles in diverse cellular processes. PARPs that catalyze poly-ADP-ribosylation (PARylation) are the best characterized PARP family members because of the availability of potent and selective inhibitors for these PARPs. There has been comparatively little success in developing selective small-molecule inhibitors of PARPs that catalyze mono-ADP-ribosylation (MARylation), limiting our understanding of the cellular role of MARylation. Here we describe the structure-guided design of inhibitors of PARPs that catalyze MARylation. The most selective analog, ITK7, potently inhibits the MARylation activity of PARP11, a nuclear envelope-localized PARP. ITK7 is greater than 200-fold selective over other PARP family members. Using live-cell imaging, we show that ITK7 causes PARP11 to dissociate from the nuclear envelope. These results suggest that the cellular localization of PARP11 is regulated by its catalytic activity.

PARP12 (ARTD12) suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis through interacting with FHL2 and regulating its stability

PARP12 is a mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase, but its function remains largely unknown. Here, we identified four-and-a-half LIM-only protein 2 (FHL2) as a functional partner of PARP12 through protein affinity purification. Although PARP12 did not mono-ADP-ribosylate FHL2 in vitro and in vivo, PARP12 deficiency decreased the protein level of FHL2 by promoting its ubiquitination and increased the expression level of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1), which is independent of PARP12 enzymatic activity. We also provided evidence that PARP12 deficiency increased the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and promoted HCC metastasis in vivo by regulating the epithelial–mesenchymal transition process. These results indicated that PARP12 is a tumor suppressor that plays an important role in HCC metastasis through the regulation of FHL2 stability and TGF-β1 expression.

Discovery of a novel allosteric inhibitor scaffold for polyadenosine-diphosphate-ribose polymerase 14 (PARP14) macrodomain 2

The polyadenosine-diphosphate-ribose polymerase 14 (PARP14) has been implicated in DNA damage response pathways for homologous recombination. PARP14 contains three (ADP ribose binding) macrodomains (MD) whose exact contribution to overall PARP14 function in pathology remains unclear. A medium throughput screen led to the identification of N-(2(-9H-carbazol-1-yl)phenyl)acetamide (GeA-69, 1) as a novel allosteric PARP14 MD2 (second MD of PARP14) inhibitor. We herein report medicinal chemistry around this novel chemotype to afford a sub-micromolar PARP14 MD2 inhibitor. This chemical series provides a novel starting point for further development of PARP14 chemical probes.

Small-Molecule Inhibitors of PARPs: From Tools for Investigating ADP-Ribosylation to Therapeutics

Over the last 60 years, poly-ADP-ribose polymerases (PARPs, 17 family members in humans) have emerged as important regulators of physiology and disease. Small-molecule inhibitors have been essential tools for unraveling PARP function, and recently the first PARP inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of various human cancers. However, inhibitors have only been developed for a few PARPs and in vitro profiling has revealed that many of these exhibit polypharmacology across the PARP family. In this review, we discuss the history, development, and current state of the field, highlighting the limitations and opportunities for PARP inhibitor development.

A macrodomain-linked immunosorbent assay (MLISA) for mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases

ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTs) catalyze reversible additions of mono- and poly-ADP-ribose onto diverse types of proteins by using nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) as a cosubstrate. In the human ART superfamily, 14 out of 20 members are shown to catalyze endogenous protein mono-ADP-ribosylation and play important roles in regulating various physiological and pathophysiological processes. Identification of new modulators of mono-ARTs can thus potentially lead to discovery of novel therapeutics. In this study, we developed a macrodomain-linked immunosorbent assay (MLISA) for characterizing mono-ARTs. Recombinant macrodomain 2 from poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 14 (PARP14) was generated with a C-terminal human influenza hemagglutinin (HA) tag for detecting mono-ADP-ribosylated proteins. Coupled with an anti-HA secondary antibody, the generated HA-tagged macrodomain 2 reveals high specificity for mono-ADP-ribosylation catalyzed by distinct mono-ARTs. Kinetic parameters of PARP15-catalyzed automodification were determined by MLISA and are in good agreement with previous studies. Eight commonly used chemical tools for PARPs were examined by MLISA with PARP15 and PARP14 in 96-well plates and exhibited moderate inhibitory activities for PARP15, consistent with published reports. These results demonstrate that MLISA provides a new and convenient method for quantitative characterization of mono-ART enzymes and may allow identification of potent mono-ART inhibitors in a high-throughput-compatible manner.

PARP1-produced poly-ADP-ribose causes the PARP12 translocation to stress granules and impairment of Golgi complex functions

Poly-ADP-ribose-polymerases (PARPs) 1 and 2 are nuclear enzymes that catalyze the poly-ADP-ribosylation of nuclear proteins transferring poly-ADP-ribose (PAR) polymers to specific residues. PARPs and PAR intervene in diverse functions, including DNA repair in the nucleus and stress granule assembly in the cytoplasm. Stress granules contribute to the regulation of translation by clustering and stabilizing mRNAs as well as several cytosolic PARPs and signaling proteins to modulate cell metabolism and survival. Our study is focused on one of these PARPs, PARP12, a Golgi-localized mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase that under stress challenge reversibly translocates from the Golgi complex to stress granules. PARP1 activation and release of nuclear PAR drive this translocation by direct PAR binding to the PARP12-WWE domain. Thus, PAR formation functionally links the activity of the nuclear and cytosolic PARPs during stress response, determining the release of PARP12 from the Golgi complex and the disassembly of the Golgi membranes, followed by a block in anterograde-membrane traffic. Notably, these functions can be rescued by reverting the stress condition (by drug wash-out). Altogether these data point at a novel, reversible nuclear signaling that senses stress to then act on cytosolic PARP12, which in turn converts the stress response into a reversible block in intracellular-membrane traffic.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate enhances ER stress-induced cancer cell apoptosis by directly targeting PARP16 activity

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) are ADP-ribosylating enzymes and play important roles in a variety of cellular processes. Most small-molecule PARP inhibitors developed to date have been against PARP1, a poly-ADP-ribose transferase, and suffer from poor selectivity. PARP16, a mono-ADP-ribose transferase, has recently emerged as a potential therapeutic target, but its inhibitor development has trailed behind. Here we newly characterized epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a potential inhibitor of PARP16. We found that EGCG was associated with PARP16 and dramatically inhibited its activity in vitro. Moreover, EGCG suppressed the ER stress-induced phosphorylation of PERK and the transcription of unfolded protein response-related genes, leading to dramatically increase of cancer cells apoptosis under ER stress conditions, which was dependent on PARP16. These findings newly characterized EGCG as a potential inhibitor of PARP16, which can enhance the ER stress-induced cancer cell apoptosis, suggesting that a combination of EGCG and ER stress-induced agents might represent a novel approach for cancer therapy or chemoprevention.

Biology of Paenibacillus larvae, a deadly pathogen of honey bee larvae

The gram-positive bacterium Paenibacillus larvae is the etiological agent of American Foulbrood of honey bees, a notifiable disease in many countries. Hence, P. larvae can be considered as an entomopathogen of considerable relevance in veterinary medicine. P. larvae is a highly specialized pathogen with only one established host, the honey bee larva. No other natural environment supporting germination and proliferation of P. larvae is known. Over the last decade, tremendous progress in the understanding of P. larvae and its interactions with honey bee larvae at a molecular level has been made. In this review, we will present the recent highlights and developments in P. larvae research and discuss the impact of some of the findings in a broader context to demonstrate what we can learn from studying "exotic" pathogens.

Novel drug targets for personalized precision medicine in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a comprehensive review

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a clinically heterogeneous lymphoid malignancy and the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in adults, with one of the highest mortality rates in most developed areas of the world. More than half of DLBLC patients can be cured with standard R-CHOP regimens, however approximately 30 to 40 % of patients will develop relapsed/refractory disease that remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality due to the limited therapeutic options.Recent advances in gene expression profiling have led to the identification of at least three distinct molecular subtypes of DLBCL: a germinal center B cell-like subtype, an activated B cell-like subtype, and a primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma subtype. Moreover, recent findings have not only increased our understanding of the molecular basis of chemotherapy resistance but have also helped identify molecular subsets of DLBCL and rational targets for drug interventions that may allow for subtype/subset-specific molecularly targeted precision medicine and personalized combinations to both prevent and treat relapsed/refractory DLBCL. Novel agents such as lenalidomide, ibrutinib, bortezomib, CC-122, epratuzumab or pidilizumab used as single-agent or in combination with (rituximab-based) chemotherapy have already demonstrated promising activity in patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL. Several novel potential drug targets have been recently identified such as the BET bromodomain protein (BRD)-4, phosphoribosyl-pyrophosphate synthetase (PRPS)-2, macrodomain-containing mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase (ARTD)-9 (also known as PARP9), deltex-3-like E3 ubiquitin ligase (DTX3L) (also known as BBAP), NF-kappaB inducing kinase (NIK) and transforming growth factor beta receptor (TGFβR).This review highlights the new insights into the molecular basis of relapsed/refractory DLBCL and summarizes the most promising drug targets and experimental treatments for relapsed/refractory DLBCL, including the use of novel agents such as lenalidomide, ibrutinib, bortezomib, pidilizumab, epratuzumab, brentuximab-vedotin or CAR T cells, dual inhibitors, as well as mechanism-based combinatorial experimental therapies. We also provide a comprehensive and updated list of current drugs, drug targets and preclinical and clinical experimental studies in DLBCL. A special focus is given on STAT1, ARTD9, DTX3L and ARTD8 (also known as PARP14) as novel potential drug targets in distinct molecular subsets of DLBCL.

Selective inhibition of PARP10 using a chemical genetics strategy

The lack of inhibitors that are selective for individual poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) family members has limited our understanding of their roles in cells. Here, we describe a chemical genetics approach for generating selective inhibitors of an engineered variant of PARP10. We synthesized a series of C-7 substituted 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-one (dq) analogues designed to selectively inhibit a mutant of PARP10 (LG-PARP10) that contains a unique pocket in its active site. A dq analogue containing a bromo at the C-7 position demonstrated a 10-fold selectivity for LG-PARP10 compared to its WT counterpart. This study provides a platform for the development of selective inhibitors of individual PARP family members that will be useful for decoding their cellular functions.