Discovery of small molecules targeting GRP78 for antiangiogenic and anticancer therapy

Recent advances in small molecule and peptide inhibitors of glucose-regulated protein 78 for cancer therapy

Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is one of key endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone proteins that regulates the unfolded protein response (UPR) to maintain ER homeostasis. As a core factor in the regulation of the UPR, GRP78 takes a critical part in the cellular processes required for tumorigenesis, such as proliferation, metastasis, anti-apoptosis, immune escape and chemoresistance. Overexpression of GRP78 is closely correlated with tumorigenesis and poor prognosis in various malignant tumors. Targeting GRP78 is regarded as a potentially promising therapeutic strategy for cancer therapy. Although none of the GRP78 inhibitors have been approved to date, there have been several studies of GRP78 inhibitors. Herein, we comprehensively review the structure, physiological functions of GRP78 and the recent progress of GRP78 inhibitors, and discuss the structures, in vitro and in vivo efficacies, and merits and demerits of these inhibitors to inspire further research. Additionally, the feasibility of GRP78-targeting proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), disrupting GRP78 cochaperone interactions, or covalent inhibition are also discussed as novel strategies for drugs discovery targeting GRP78, with the hope that these strategies can provide new opportunities for targeted GRP78 antitumor therapy.

Unveiling the dark side of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in cancers and other human pathology: a systematic review

Glucose-Regulated Protein 78 (GRP78) is a chaperone protein that is predominantly expressed in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. GRP78 plays a crucial role in protein folding by assisting in the assembly of misfolded proteins. Under cellular stress conditions, GRP78 can translocate to the cell surface (csGRP78) were it interacts with different ligands to initiate various intracellular pathways. The expression of csGRP78 has been associated with tumor initiation and progression of multiple cancer types. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the existing evidence on the roles of GRP78 in various types of cancer and other human pathology. Additionally, the review discusses the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying GRP78's involvement in tumorigenesis and cancer advancement. Furthermore, we highlight recent innovative approaches employed in downregulating GRP78 expression in cancers as a potential therapeutic target.

A computational peptide model induces cancer cells' apoptosis by docking Kringle 5 to GRP78

BACKGROUND

Cells can die through a process called apoptosis in both pathological and healthy conditions. Cancer development and progression may result from abnormal apoptosis. The 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) is increased on the surface of cancer cells. Kringle 5, a cell apoptosis agent, is bound to GRP78 to induce cancer cell apoptosis. Kringle 5 was docked to GRP78 using ClusPro 2.0. The interaction between Kringle 5 and GRP78 was investigated.

RESULTS

The interacting amino acids were found to be localized in three areas of Kringle 5. The proposed peptide is made up of secondary structure amino acids that contain Kringle 5 interaction residues. The 3D structure of the peptide model amino acids was created using the PEP-FOLD3 web tool.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed peptide completely binds to the GRP78 binding site on the Kringle 5, signaling that it might be effective in the apoptosis of cancer cells.

Synthetic Small Molecule Modulators of Hsp70 and Hsp40 Chaperones as Promising Anticancer Agents

A class of chaperones dubbed heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) possesses high relevance in cancer diseases due to its cooperative activity with the well-established anticancer target Hsp90. However, Hsp70 is closely connected with a smaller heat shock protein, Hsp40, forming a formidable Hsp70-Hsp40 axis in various cancers, which serves as a suitable target for anticancer drug design. This review summarizes the current state and the recent developments in the field of (semi-)synthetic small molecule inhibitors directed against Hsp70 and Hsp40. The medicinal chemistry and anticancer potential of pertinent inhibitors are discussed. Since Hsp90 inhibitors have entered clinical trials but have exhibited severe adverse effects and drug resistance formation, potent Hsp70 and Hsp40 inhibitors may play a significant role in overcoming the drawbacks of Hsp90 inhibitors and other approved anticancer drugs.

GRP78 Activity Moderation as a Therapeutic Treatment against Obesity

Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), a molecular chaperone, is overexpressed in patients suffering from obesity, fatty liver, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. GRP78, therefore, can be not only a biomarker to predict the progression and prognosis of obesity and metabolic diseases but also a potential therapeutic target for anti-obesity treatment. In this paper, GRP78 inhibitors targeting its ATPase domain have been reviewed. Small molecules and proteins that directly bind GRP78 have been described. Putative mechanisms of GRP78 in regulating lipid metabolism were also summarized so as to investigate the role of GRP78 in obesity and other related diseases and provide a theoretical basis for the development and design of anti-obesity drugs targeting GRP78.

Application of Proteomics in the Discovery of Radiosensitive Cancer Biomarkers

Radiation therapy remains an important component of cancer treatment. Gene-encoded proteins were the actual executors of cellular functions. Proteomic was a novel technology that can systematically analysis protein composition and measure their levels of change, this was a high throughput method, and were the import tools in the post genomic era. In recent years, rapid progress of proteomic have been made in the study of cancer mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment. This article elaborates current advances and future directions of proteomics in the discovery of radiosensitive cancer biomarkers.

Structural, biological and computational study of oxamide derivative

A dicarboxylato-diamide-type compound 2,2'-[(1,2-dioxoethane-1,2- -diyl)diimino]dibenzoic acid (H4obbz) (1) was synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of K2H2obbz?2H2O (2) was determined by X-ray diffracttion analysis. The cytotoxic activities of the compounds were tested against four different cancer cell lines MCF-7, A549, HT-29, HeLa and a human normal cell line MRC-5. The results indicate reasonable dose-dependent cytotoxicity of the ligands that show selectivity against the tested carcinoma and healthy cell lines. Flow cytometric analysis and fluorescence microscopy showed that the most active compound, H4obbz, induced apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, indicating blockage of DNA synthesis as a possible mechanism that triggers apoptosis. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations gave similar responses regarding interactions (binding) between their ligands and chaperon Grp78. The MMGBSA determined ?G binding energies were in the range from -104 to -140 kJ mol-1.

Recent Developments in Oxazole Derivatives as Anticancer Agents: Review on Synthetic Strategies, Mechanism of Action and SAR studies

BACKGROUND

Cancer is the world's third deadliest disease. Despite the availability of numerous treatments, researchers are focusing on the development of new drugs lacking resistance and toxicity issues. Many newly synthesized drugs fail to reach clinical trials due to poor pharmacokinetic properties. Therefore, there is an imperative requisite to expand novel anticancer agents with in vivo efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

This review emphasizes synthetic methods, contemporary strategies used for the inclusion of oxazole moiety, mechanistic targets along with comprehensive structure-activity relationship studies to provide perspective into the rational design of highly efficient oxazole-based anticancer drugs.

METHODS

Literature related to oxazole derivatives engaged in cancer research is reviewed. This article gives a detailed account of synthetic strategies, targets of oxazole in cancer, including STAT3, Microtubules, G-quadruplex, DNA topoisomerases, DNA damage, Protein kinases, miscellaneous targets, in vitro studies, and some SAR studies.

RESULTS

Oxazole derivatives possess potent anticancer activity by inhibiting novel targets such as STAT3 and G-quadruplex. Oxazoles also inhibit tubulin protein to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Some other targets such as DNA topoisomerase enzyme, protein kinases, and miscellaneous targets including Cdc25, mitochondrial enzymes, HDAC, LSD1, HPV E2 TAD, NQO1, Aromatase, BCl-6, Estrogen receptor, GRP-78, and Keap-Nrf2 pathway are inhibited by oxazole derivatives Many derivatives showed excellent potencies on various cancer cell lines with IC50 values in nanomolar concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Oxazole is a five-membered heterocycle, with oxygen and nitrogen at 1 and 3 positions respectively. It is often combined with other pharmacophores in the expansion of novel anticancer drugs. In summary, oxazole is a promising entity to develop new anticancer drugs.