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Li N, Zhang E, Li Z, Lv S, Zhao X, Ke Q, Zou Q, Li W, Wang Y, Guo H, Song T, Sun L. The P53-P21-RB1 pathway promotes BRD4 degradation in liver cancer through USP1. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105707. [PMID: 38309505 PMCID: PMC10907170 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105707] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is notoriously refractory to conventional therapeutics. Tumor progression is governed by the interplay between tumor-promoting genes and tumor-suppressor genes. BRD4, an acetyl lysine-binding protein, is overexpressed in many cancer types, which promotes activation of a pro-tumor gene network. But the underlying mechanism for BRD4 overexpression remains incompletely understood. In addition, understanding the regulatory mechanism of BRD4 protein level will shed insight into BRD4-targeting therapeutics. In this study, we investigated the potential relation between BRD4 protein level and P53, the most frequently dysregulated tumor suppressor. By analyzing the TCGA datasets, we first identify a strong negative correlation between protein levels of P53 and BRD4 in liver cancer. Further investigation shows that P53 promotes BRD4 protein degradation. Mechanistically, P53 indirectly represses the transcription of USP1, a deubiquitinase, through the P21-RB1 axis. USP1 itself is also overexpressed in liver cancer and we show USP1 deubiquitinates BRD4 in vivo and in vitro, which increases BRD4 stability. With cell proliferation assays and xenograft model, we show the pro-tumor role of USP1 is partially mediated by BRD4. With functional transcriptomic analysis, we find the USP1-BRD4 axis upholds expression of a group of cancer-related genes. In summary, we identify a functional P53-P21-RB1-USP1-BRD4 axis in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neng Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Erlei Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhenyong Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Suli Lv
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuefeng Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Ke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qingli Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wensheng Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Haocheng Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tanjing Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Cell Architecture Research Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Lidong Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Cell Architecture Research Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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2
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Chen X, Wu T, Du Z, Kang W, Xu R, Meng F, Liu C, Chen Y, Bao Q, Shen J, You Q, Cao D, Jiang Z, Guo X. Discovery of a brain-permeable bromodomain and extra terminal domain (BET) inhibitor with selectivity for BD1 for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116080. [PMID: 38142510 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116080] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory autoimmune disease and lacks effective therapeutic agents. Dysregulation of transcription mediated by bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins containing two different bromodomains (BD1 and BD2) is an important factor in multiple diseases, including MS. Herein, we identified a series of BD1-biased inhibitors, in which compound 16 showed nanomolar potency for BD1 (Kd = 230 nM) and a 60-fold selectivity for BRD4 BD1 over BD2. The co-crystal structure of BRD4 BD1 with 16 indicated that the hydrogen bond interaction of 16 with BD1-specific Asp145 is important for BD1 selectivity. 16 showed favorable brain distribution in mice and PK properties in rats. 16 was able to inhibit microglia activation and had significant therapeutic effects on EAE mice including improvement of spinal cord inflammatory conditions and demyelination protection. Overall, these results suggest that brain-permeable BD1 inhibitors have the potential to be further investigated as therapeutic agents for MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuetao Chen
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Zhiyan Du
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wenjing Kang
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Rujun Xu
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Fanying Meng
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Chihong Liu
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yali Chen
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qichao Bao
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jingkang Shen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Qidong You
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Danyan Cao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Zhengyu Jiang
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Xiaoke Guo
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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3
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Wahi A, Manchanda N, Jain P, Jadhav HR. Targeting the epigenetic reader "BET" as a therapeutic strategy for cancer. Bioorg Chem 2023; 140:106833. [PMID: 37683545 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106833] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins have the ability to bind to acetylated lysine residues present in both histones and non-histone proteins. This binding is facilitated by the presence of tandem bromodomains. The regulatory role of BET proteins extends to chromatin dynamics, cellular processes, and disease progression. The BET family comprises of BRD 2, 3, 4 and BRDT. The BET proteins are a class of epigenetic readers that regulate the transcriptional activity of a multitude of genes that are involved in the pathogenesis of cancer. Thus, targeting BET proteins has been identified as a potentially efficacious approach for the treatment of cancer. BET inhibitors (BETis) are known to interfere with the binding of BET proteins to acetylated lysine residues of chromatin, thereby leading to the suppression of transcription of several genes, including oncogenic transcription factors. Here in this review, we focus on role of Bromodomain and extra C-terminal (BET) proteins in cancer progression. Furthermore, numerous small-molecule inhibitors with pan-BET activity have been documented, with certain compounds currently undergoing clinical assessment. However, it is apparent that the clinical effectiveness of the present BET inhibitors is restricted, prompting the exploration of novel technologies to enhance their clinical outcomes and mitigate undesired adverse effects. Thus, strategies like development of selective BET-BD1, & BD2 inhibitors, dual and acting BET are also presented in this review and attempts to cover the chemistry needed for proper establishment of designed molecules into BRD have been made. Moreover, the review attempts to summarize the details of research till date and proposes a space for future development of BET inhibitor with diminished side effects. It can be concluded that discovery of isoform selective BET inhibitors can be a way forward in order to develop BET inhibitors with negligible side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Wahi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Delhi, New Delhi 110017, India
| | - Namish Manchanda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Delhi, New Delhi 110017, India
| | - Priti Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Delhi, New Delhi 110017, India.
| | - Hemant R Jadhav
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani-Pilani Campus, Vidya Vihar Pilani, Rajasthan 333031, India
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El-Kalyoubi S, El-Sebaey SA, Elfeky SM, AL-Ghulikah HA, El-Zoghbi MS. Novel Aminopyrimidine-2,4-diones, 2-Thiopyrimidine-4-ones, and 6-Arylpteridines as Dual-Target Inhibitors of BRD4/PLK1: Design, Synthesis, Cytotoxicity, and Computational Studies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1303. [PMID: 37765111 PMCID: PMC10535864 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Structural-based drug design and solvent-free synthesis were combined to obtain three novel series of 5-arylethylidene-aminopyrimidine-2,4-diones (4, 5a-c, 6a,b), 5-arylethylidene-amino-2-thiopyrimidine-4-ones (7,8), and 6-arylpteridines (9,10) as dual BRD4 and PLK1 inhibitors. MTT assays of synthesized compounds against breast (MDA-MB-231), colorectal (HT-29), and renal (U-937) cancer cells showed excellent-to-good cytotoxic activity, compared to Methotrexate; MDA-MB-231 were the most sensitive cancer cells. The most active compounds were tested against normal Vero cells. Compounds 4 and 7 significantly inhibited BRD4 and PLK1, with IC50 values of 0.029, 0.042 µM, and 0.094, 0.02 µM, respectively, which are nearly comparable to volasertib (IC50 = 0.017 and 0.025 µM). Compound 7 triggered apoptosis and halted cell growth at the G2/M phase, similarly to volasertib. It also upregulated the BAX and caspase-3 markers while downregulating the Bcl-2 gene. Finally, active compounds fitted the volasertib binding site at BRD4 and PLK1 and showed ideal drug-like properties and pharmacokinetics, making them promising anticancer candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar El-Kalyoubi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Port Said University, Port Said 42511, Egypt
| | - Samiha A. El-Sebaey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Youssef Abbas Street, Cairo 11754, Egypt
| | - Sherin M. Elfeky
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 355516, Egypt;
| | - Hanan A. AL-Ghulikah
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mona S. El-Zoghbi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Gamal Abd Al-Nasir Street, Shibin-Elkom 32511, Egypt;
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5
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Belghalia E, Ouabane M, El Bahi S, Rehman HM, Sbai A, Lakhlifi T, Bouachrine M. In silico research on new sulfonamide derivatives as BRD4 inhibitors targeting acute myeloid leukemia using various computational techniques including 3D-QSAR, HQSAR, molecular docking, ADME/Tox, and molecular dynamics. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-19. [PMID: 37656159 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2250460] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia, a serious condition affecting stem cells, drives uncontrollable myeloblast proliferation, leading to accumulation. Extensive research seeks rapid, effective chemotherapeutics. A potential option is a BRD4 inhibitor, known for suppressing cell proliferation. Sulfonamide derivatives probed essential structural elements for potent BRD4 inhibitors. To achieve this goal, we employed 3D-QSAR molecular modeling techniques, including CoMFA, CoMSIA, and HQSAR models, along with molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The validation of the 2D/3D QSAR models, both internally and externally, underscores their robustness and reliability. The contour plots derived from CoMFA, CoMSIA, and HQSAR analyses played a pivotal role in shaping the design of effective BRD4 inhibitors. Importantly, our findings highlight the advantageous impact of incorporating bulkier substituents on the pyridinone ring and hydrophobic/electrostatic substituents on the methoxy-substituted phenyl ring, enhancing interactions with the BRD4 target. The interaction mode of the new compounds with the BRD4 receptor (PDB ID: 4BJX) was investigated using molecular docking simulations, revealing favorable binding energies, supported by the formation of hydrogen and hydrophobic bonds with key protein residues. Moreover, these novel inhibitors exhibited good oral bioavailability and demonstrated non-toxic properties based on ADMET analysis. Furthermore, the newly designed compounds along with the most active one from series 58, underwent a molecular dynamics simulation to analyze their behavior. The simulation provided additional evidence to support the molecular docking results, confirming the sustained stability of the analyzed molecules over the trajectory. This outcome could serve as a valuable reference for designing and developing novel and effective BRD4 inhibitors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etibaria Belghalia
- Molecular chemistry and Natural Substances Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University Moulay Ismail, Meknes, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Ouabane
- Molecular chemistry and Natural Substances Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University Moulay Ismail, Meknes, Morocco
- Chemistry- Biologie Applied to the Environment URL CNRT 13, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco
| | - Salma El Bahi
- Molecular chemistry and Natural Substances Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University Moulay Ismail, Meknes, Morocco
| | | | - Abdelouahid Sbai
- Molecular chemistry and Natural Substances Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University Moulay Ismail, Meknes, Morocco
| | - Tahar Lakhlifi
- Molecular chemistry and Natural Substances Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University Moulay Ismail, Meknes, Morocco
| | - Mohammed Bouachrine
- Higher School of Technology - Khenifra (EST-Khenifra), University of Sultan My Slimane, Beni Mellal, Morocco
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6
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Ma Z, Bolinger AA, Chen H, Zhou J. Drug Discovery Targeting Nuclear Receptor Binding SET Domain Protein 2 (NSD2). J Med Chem 2023; 66:10991-11026. [PMID: 37578463 PMCID: PMC11092389 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor binding SET domain proteins (NSDs) catalyze the mono- or dimethylation of histone 3 lysine 36 (H3K36me1 and H3K36me2), using S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) as a methyl donor. As a key member of the NSD family of proteins, NSD2 plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of various diseases such as cancers, inflammations, and infectious diseases, serving as a promising drug target. Developing potent and specific NSD2 inhibitors may provide potential novel therapeutics. Several NSD2 inhibitors and degraders have been discovered while remaining in the early stage of drug development. Excitingly, KTX-1001, a selective NSD2 inhibitor, has entered clinical trials. In this Perspective, the structures and functions of NSD2, its roles in various human diseases, and the recent advances in drug discovery strategies targeting NSD2 have been summarized. The challenges, opportunities, and future directions for developing NSD2 inhibitors and degraders are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zonghui Ma
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Andrew A Bolinger
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Haiying Chen
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
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7
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Elshazly AM, Gewirtz DA. Cytoprotective, Cytotoxic and Cytostatic Roles of Autophagy in Response to BET Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12669. [PMID: 37628849 PMCID: PMC10454099 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612669] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family inhibitors are small molecules that target the dysregulated epigenetic readers, BRD2, BRD3, BRD4 and BRDT, at various transcription-related sites, including super-enhancers. BET inhibitors are currently under investigation both in pre-clinical cell culture and tumor-bearing animal models, as well as in clinical trials. However, as is the case with other chemotherapeutic modalities, the development of resistance is likely to constrain the therapeutic benefits of this strategy. One tumor cell survival mechanism that has been studied for decades is autophagy. Although four different functions of autophagy have been identified in the literature (cytoprotective, cytotoxic, cytostatic and non-protective), primarily the cytoprotective and cytotoxic forms appear to function in different experimental models exposed to BET inhibitors (with some evidence for the cytostatic form). This review provides an overview of the cytoprotective, cytotoxic and cytostatic functions of autophagy in response to BET inhibitors in various tumor models. Our aim is to determine whether autophagy targeting or modulation could represent an effective therapeutic strategy to enhance the response to these modalities and also potentially overcome resistance to BET inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M. Elshazly
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, 401 College St., Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - David A. Gewirtz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, 401 College St., Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
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8
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Fu Y, Yang B, Cui Y, Hu X, Li X, Lu F, Qin T, Zhang L, Hu Z, Guo E, Fan J, Xiao R, Li W, Qin X, Hu D, Peng W, Liu J, Wang B, Mills GB, Chen G, Sun C. BRD4 inhibition impairs DNA mismatch repair, induces mismatch repair mutation signatures and creates therapeutic vulnerability to immune checkpoint blockade in MMR-proficient tumors. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006070. [PMID: 37072347 PMCID: PMC10124306 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) is a well-recognized biomarker for response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Strategies to convert MMR-proficient (pMMR) to dMMR phenotype with the goal of sensitizing tumors to ICB are highly sought. The combination of bromodomain containing 4 (BRD4) inhibition and ICB provides a promising antitumor effect. However, the mechanisms underlying remain unknown. Here, we identify that BRD4 inhibition induces a persistent dMMR phenotype in cancers. METHODS We confirmed the correlation between BRD4 and mismatch repair (MMR) by the bioinformatic analysis on The Cancer Genome Atlas and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium data, and the statistical analysis on immunohistochemistry (IHC) scores of ovarian cancer specimens. The MMR genes (MLH1,MSH2,MSH6,PMS2) were measured by quantitative reverse transcription PCR, western blot, and IHC. The MMR status was confirmed by whole exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, MMR assay and hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase gene mutation assay. The BRD4i AZD5153 resistant models were induced both in vitro and in vivo. The transcriptional effects of BRD4 on MMR genes were investigated by chromatin immunoprecipitation among cell lines and data from the Cistrome Data Browser. The therapeutic response to ICB was testified in vivo. The tumor immune microenvironment markers, such as CD4, CD8, TIM-3, FOXP3, were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS We identified the positive correlation between BRD4 and MMR genes in transcriptional and translational aspects. Also, the inhibition of BRD4 transcriptionally reduced MMR genes expression, resulting in dMMR status and elevated mutation loads. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to AZD5153 promoted a persistent dMMR signature both in vitro and in vivo, enhancing tumor immunogenicity, and increased sensitivity to α-programmed death ligand-1 therapy despite the acquired drug resistance. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that BRD4 inhibition suppressed expression of genes critical to MMR, dampened MMR, and increased dMMR mutation signatures both in vitro and in vivo, sensitizing pMMR tumors to ICB. Importantly, even in BRD4 inhibitors (BRD4i)-resistant tumor models, the effects of BRD4i on MMR function were maintained rendering tumors sensitive to ICB. Together, these data identified a strategy to induce dMMR in pMMR tumors and further, indicated that BRD4i sensitive and resistant tumors could benefit from immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Fu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaoyuan Cui
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingyuan Hu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Li
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Funian Lu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyu Qin
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Hu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Ensong Guo
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Junpeng Fan
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Rourou Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenting Li
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Qin
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- Department of Stomatology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Dianxing Hu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenju Peng
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingbo Liu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Beibei Wang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Department of Cell, Development and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoyang Sun
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
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9
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Yu X, Long Q, Shen S, Liu Z, Chandran J, Zhang J, Ding H, Zhang H, Cai D, Kim ES, Huang Y, Guo H. Screening of an epigenetic compound library identifies BRD4 as a potential antiviral target for hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA transcription. Antiviral Res 2023; 211:105552. [PMID: 36737008 PMCID: PMC10036215 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105552] [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: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
HBV cccDNA is the persistent form of viral genome, which exists in host cell nucleus as an episomal minichromosome decorated with histone and non-histone proteins. cccDNA is the authentic viral transcription template and resistant to current antivirals. Growing evidence shows that the transcriptional activity of cccDNA minichromosome undergoes epigenetic regulations, suggesting a new perspective for anti-cccDNA drug development through targeting histone modifications. In this study, we screened an epigenetic compound library in the cccDNA reporter cell line HepBHAe82, which produces the HA-tagged HBeAg in a cccDNA-dependent manner. Among the obtained hits, a bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitor MS436 exhibited marked inhibition of cccDNA transcription in both HBV stable cell line HepAD38 and HepG2-NTCP or primary human hepatocyte infection system under noncytotoxic concentrations. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay demonstrated that MS436 dramatically reduced the enrichment of H3K27ac, an activating histone modification pattern, on cccDNA minichromosome. RNAseq differential analysis showed that MS436 does not drastically change host transcriptome or induce any known anti-HBV factors/pathways, indicating a direct antiviral effect of MS436 on cccDNA minichromosome. Interestingly, the MS436-mediated inhibition of cccDNA transcription is accompanied by cccDNA destabilization in HBV infection and a recombinant cccDNA system, indicating that BRD4 activity may also play a role in cccDNA maintenance. Furthermore, depletion of BRD4 by siRNA knockdown or PROTAC degrader resulted in cccDNA inhibition in HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells, further validating BRD4 as an antiviral target. Taken together, our study has demonstrated the practicability of HepBHAe82-based anti-HBV drug screening system and provided a proof-of-concept for targeting HBV cccDNA with epigenetic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Quanxin Long
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sheng Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Zhentao Liu
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jithin Chandran
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hao Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hu Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Dawei Cai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Elena S Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yufei Huang
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Haitao Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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10
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Shanmugam V, Muthukrishnan S. Investigation of novel ligand targeting bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) for cancer drug discovery: complete pharmacophore approach. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:14524-14539. [PMID: 36841551 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2183034] [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: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
The Bromodomain (BRD4) and extra-terminal (BET) protein family are reversible; lysine-acetylated epigenetic readers identified as key important epigenetic regulators for protein recognition in posttranslational modifications for targeting cancer for its role in super-enhancers and transcription of oncogene expression in cancer and other forms of cancer and various diseases. Firstly, JQ-1a small potent BET inhibitors, targeting BET proteins were currently in clinical trials to ablate cancer. The identified compounds were taken from the library of preexisting therapeutically potent molecules. The objective of the present study is to identify the potential small molecule inhibitors against BRD4 through in-silico approach for the treatment of cancer. In present study, designed an in-silico screening of small molecules through ligand-based pharmacophore studies against bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD-4) protein and used for virtual screening through Database and their binding affinity and interaction of identified molecules were predicted through molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations for 12 fixed time period, Molecular mechanics (MMGBSA) binding free energy calculations, ADME with drug-likeness properties including violations of lipinski's rule of 5, Jorgensens rule of 3 and other parameters were studied. The docking results indicate from the reported database screened molecules were validated with docking score -7.92 to -4.27Kcal/mol for BRD4-BD1 and the best model identified 21 hits. Among these two drugs were filtered and scrutinized for their ability based on binding modes and common interaction, MMGBSA of the highest affinity -54.53 Kcal/mol of BRD4-BD1 and ADME properties of selected molecules were predicted for its various parameters, dynamics studies evaluating its binding stability using Maestro software. In Conclusion, two BRD4 inhibitors were found to bind strongly in the similar binding sites as JQ-1, highlighting the role of BRD4-BD1. These compounds were identified as promising new options for regulating epigenetics and understanding the structural needs of BRD4 protein, further research in these areas could lead to the development of more effective and targeted cancer drugs.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishnavi Shanmugam
- Department of Pharmacology, PSG College of Pharmacy, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, India
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11
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Jia X, Han X. Targeting androgen receptor degradation with PROTACs from bench to bedside. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114112. [PMID: 36508999 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of androgen receptor (AR) has been extensively investigated to treat prostate cancer. Resistance mechanisms such as increased levels of androgen production, increased AR gene, enhancer expression and AR point mutations always reduce the clinical efficacy. Design and discovery of small-molecule PROTAC AR degraders have been pursued as a new therapeutic strategy to overcome common resistance mechanisms developed during prostate cancer treatment. In the last two decades, potent and efficacious PROTAC AR degraders have been gotten rapid development and several such compounds have been advanced into preclinical phase and phase I/II trials for the treatment of human prostate cancers. Especially, the first PROTAC to enter the clinic, ARV-110, has shown good clinical effects in patients with mCRPC. This fully demonstrates the high clinical value of PROTAC strategy in treatment of human diseases. Here, we summarized the recent advances in the development of these potential clinical-stage PROTAC AR degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Jia
- The 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xin Han
- The 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.; Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310029, China..
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12
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Dong J, Wang X. Identification of novel BRD4 inhibitors by pharmacophore screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation. J Mol Struct 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.134363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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13
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Makki AA, Ibraheem W, Alzain AA. Cytosporone E analogues as BRD4 inhibitors for cancer treatment: molecular docking and molecular dynamic investigations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:12643-12653. [PMID: 36644887 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2167122] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is considered one of the worldwide life-threatening and leading causes of human mortality. In 2020, 19,292,789 cancer cases and 9,958,133 cancer deaths have been estimated worldwide. Therefore, efforts have been devoted to discover novel anticancer agents. Bromodomains have a vital role in the regulation of transcription. Many reports have shown that bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is an important target for cancer therapeutics. In this study, several in silico approaches were utilized to discover new inhibitors against the BRD4 protein using the Schrodinger suite. A library of 27 cytosporone E derivatives was docked into the active site of the BRD4 protein. Docked ligands showed docking scores ranging between -11.289 to -3.992 Kcal/mol. Ligands 1-4 showed better binding affinities with docking scores ranging from -11.289 to -8.917 Kcal/mol compared to the reference ligand BI-2536 (-8.426 Kcal/mol). These ligands displayed favorable MM-GBSA free binding energy. Also, ligands 1-4 were subjected to molecular dynamics simulations for 100 ns to get insight into the ligand-binding stability. These compounds exhibited an average RMSD below 2.8 Å, indicating the stability of the compounds with BRD4 protein. Further, Moreover, ligands 1-3 displayed favorable AMDET properties (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity). These new compounds might be potential leads to combat cancer.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa A Makki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Walaa Ibraheem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Abdulrahim A Alzain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
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14
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Jonchere B, Williams J, Zindy F, Liu J, Robinson S, Farmer DM, Min J, Yang L, Stripay JL, Wang Y, Freeman BB, Yu J, Shelat AA, Rankovic Z, Roussel MF. Combination of Ribociclib with BET-Bromodomain and PI3K/mTOR Inhibitors for Medulloblastoma Treatment In Vitro and In Vivo. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:37-51. [PMID: 36318650 PMCID: PMC9808370 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Despite improvement in the treatment of medulloblastoma over the last years, numerous patients with MYC- and MYCN-driven tumors still fail current therapies. Medulloblastomas have an intact retinoblastoma protein RB, suggesting that CDK4/6 inhibition might represent a therapeutic strategy for which drug combination remains understudied. We conducted high-throughput drug combination screens in a Group3 (G3) medulloblastoma line using the CDK4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) ribociclib at IC20, referred to as an anchor, and 87 oncology drugs approved by FDA or in clinical trials. Bromodomain and extra terminal (BET) and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors potentiated ribociclib inhibition of proliferation in an established cell line and freshly dissociated tumor cells from intracranial xenografts of G3 and Sonic hedgehog (SHH) medulloblastomas in vitro. A reverse combination screen using the BET inhibitor JQ1 as anchor, revealed CDK4/6i as the most potentiating drugs. In vivo, ribociclib showed single-agent activity in medulloblastoma models whereas JQ1 failed to show efficacy due to high clearance and insufficient free brain concentration. Despite in vitro synergy, combination of ribociclib with the PI3K/mTOR inhibitor paxalisib did not significantly improve the survival of G3 and SHH medulloblastoma-bearing mice compared with ribociclib alone. Molecular analysis of ribociclib and paxalisib-treated tumors revealed that E2F targets and PI3K/AKT/MTORC1 signaling genes were depleted, as expected. Importantly, in one untreated G3MB model HD-MB03, the PI3K/AKT/MTORC1 gene set was enriched in vitro compared with in vivo suggesting that the pathway displayed increased activity in vitro. Our data illustrate the difficulty in translating in vitro findings in vivo. See related article in Mol Cancer Ther (2022) 21(8):1306-1317.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Jonchere
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Justin Williams
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Frederique Zindy
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jingjing Liu
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Sarah Robinson
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Dana M. Farmer
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jaeki Min
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology Chemical Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology Chemical Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jennifer L. Stripay
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Yingzhe Wang
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology Preclinical PK Shared Resource, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Burgess B. Freeman
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology Preclinical PK Shared Resource, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jiyang Yu
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Anang A. Shelat
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology Chemical Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Zoran Rankovic
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology Chemical Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Martine F. Roussel
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
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15
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Ma Z, Bolinger AA, Zhou J, Tian B. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4): a key player in inflammatory bowel disease and potential to inspire epigenetic therapeutics. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:1-7. [PMID: 36710583 PMCID: PMC11092387 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2175317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are debilitating chronic inflammatory disorders with increasing prevalence worldwide. Epigenetic regulator bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is critical in controlling gene expression of IBD-associated inflammatory cytokine networks. BRD4 as a promising therapeutic target is also tightly associated with many other diseases, such as airway inflammation and fibrosis, cancers, infectious diseases and central nervous system disorders. AREAS COVERED This review briefly summarized the critical role of BRD4 in the pathogenesis of IBDs and the current clinical landscape of developing bromodomain and extra terminal domain (BET) inhibitors. The challenges and opportunities as well as future directions of targeting BRD4 inhibition for potential IBD medications were also discussed. EXPERT OPINION Targeting BRD4 with potent and specific inhibitors may offer novel effective therapeutics for IBD patients, particularly those who are refractory to anti-TNFα therapy and IBD-related profibrotic. Developing highly specific BRD4 inhibitors for IBD medications may help erase the drawbacks of most current pan-BET/BRD4 inhibitors, such as off-target effects, poor oral bioavailability, and low gut mucosal absorbance. Novel strategies such as combinatorial therapy, BRD4-based dual inhibitors and proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) may also have great potential to mitigate side effects and overcome drug resistance during IBD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zonghui Ma
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Andrew A. Bolinger
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Bing Tian
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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16
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Zheng ZZ, Xia L, Hu GS, Liu JY, Hu YH, Chen YJ, Peng JY, Zhang WJ, Liu W. Super-enhancer-controlled positive feedback loop BRD4/ERα-RET-ERα promotes ERα-positive breast cancer. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:10230-10248. [PMID: 36124682 PMCID: PMC9561272 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-induced gene transcription is tightly associated with ERα-positive breast carcinogenesis. ERα-occupied enhancers, particularly super-enhancers, have been suggested to play a vital role in regulating such transcriptional events. However, the landscape of ERα-occupied super-enhancers (ERSEs) as well as key ERα-induced target genes associated with ERSEs remain to be fully characterized. Here, we defined the landscape of ERSEs in ERα-positive breast cancer cell lines, and demonstrated that bromodomain protein BRD4 is a master regulator of the transcriptional activation of ERSEs and cognate ERα target genes. RET, a member of the tyrosine protein kinase family of proteins, was identified to be a key ERα target gene of BRD4-regulated ERSEs, which, in turn, is vital for ERα-induced gene transcriptional activation and malignant phenotypes through activating the RAS/RAF/MEK2/ERK/p90RSK/ERα phosphorylation cascade. Combination therapy with BRD4 and RET inhibitors exhibited additive effects on suppressing ERα-positive breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo, comparable with that of standard endocrine therapy tamoxifen. Furthermore, combination therapy re-sensitized a tamoxifen-resistant ERα-positive breast cancer cell line to tamoxifen treatment. Taken together, our data uncovered the critical role of a super-enhancer-associated positive feedback loop constituting BRD4/ERα–RET–ERα in ERα-positive breast cancer, and suggested that targeting components in this loop would provide a new therapeutic avenue for treating ERα-positive breast cancer in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zao-Zao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Lin Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Guo-Sheng Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Jun-Yi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Ya-Hong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yu-Jie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Jia-Yin Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Wen-Juan Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, No. 23, Qingnian Road, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China
| | - Wen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
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17
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Thng DKH, Toh TB, Pigini P, Hooi L, Dan YY, Chow PK, Bonney GK, Rashid MBMA, Guccione E, Wee DKB, Chow EK. Splice-switch oligonucleotide-based combinatorial platform prioritizes synthetic lethal targets CHK1 and BRD4 against MYC-driven hepatocellular carcinoma. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 8:e10363. [PMID: 36684069 PMCID: PMC9842033 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10363] [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: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of MYC is among the most frequent oncogenic drivers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, the clinical success of MYC-targeted therapies is limited. Synthetic lethality offers an alternative therapeutic strategy by leveraging on vulnerabilities in tumors with MYC deregulation. While several synthetic lethal targets of MYC have been identified in HCC, the need to prioritize targets with the greatest therapeutic potential has been unmet. Here, we demonstrate that by pairing splice-switch oligonucleotide (SSO) technologies with our phenotypic-analytical hybrid multidrug interrogation platform, quadratic phenotypic optimization platform (QPOP), we can disrupt the functional expression of these targets in specific combinatorial tests to rapidly determine target-target interactions and rank synthetic lethality targets. Our SSO-QPOP analyses revealed that simultaneous attenuation of CHK1 and BRD4 function is an effective combination specific in MYC-deregulated HCC, successfully suppressing HCC progression in vitro. Pharmacological inhibitors of CHK1 and BRD4 further demonstrated its translational value by exhibiting synergistic interactions in patient-derived xenograft organoid models of HCC harboring high levels of MYC deregulation. Collectively, our work demonstrates the capacity of SSO-QPOP as a target prioritization tool in the drug development pipeline, as well as the therapeutic potential of CHK1 and BRD4 in MYC-driven HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexter Kai Hao Thng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Tan Boon Toh
- The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of SingaporeSingapore
| | - Paolo Pigini
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)SingaporeSingapore
| | - Lissa Hooi
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Yock Young Dan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyNational University Health SystemSingaporeSingapore,Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Pierce Kah‐Hoe Chow
- Division of Surgical OncologyNational Cancer Centre SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Department of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary and Transplant SurgerySingapore General HospitalSingaporeSingapore,Duke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingaporeSingapore
| | - Glenn Kunnath Bonney
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Division of Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplantation SurgeryNational University Health SystemSingaporeSingapore
| | | | - Ernesto Guccione
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)SingaporeSingapore,Department of Oncological SciencesTisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA,Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Oncological and Pharmacological SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Dave Keng Boon Wee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)SingaporeSingapore
| | - Edward Kai‐Hua Chow
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of SingaporeSingapore,NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and EngineeringNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
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18
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A Comprehensive Review of BET-targeting PROTACs for Cancer Therapy. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 73:117033. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.117033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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19
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Chen X, Meng F, Zhang J, Zhang Z, Ye X, Zhang W, Tong Y, Ji X, Xu R, Xu XL, You QD, Jiang ZY. Discovery of 2-((2-methylbenzyl)thio)-6-oxo-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carbonitrile as a novel and effective bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitor for the treatment of sepsis. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 238:114423. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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20
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Wang C, Zhang Y, Shi L, Yang S, Chang J, Zhong Y, Li Q, Xing D. Recent advances in IAP-based PROTACs (SNIPERs) as potential therapeutic agents. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2022; 37:1437-1453. [PMID: 35589670 PMCID: PMC9122363 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2074414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteolytic targeting chimaeras (PROTACs) have been developed as an effective technology for targeted protein degradation. PROTACs are heterobifunctional molecules that can trigger the polyubiquitination of proteins of interest (POIs) by recruiting the ubiquitin-proteasome system, thereby inhibiting the intracellular level of POIs. To date, a variety of small-molecule PROTACs (CRBN, VHL, IAP, and MDM2-based PROTACs) have been developed. IAP-based PROTACs, also known as specific and nongenetic IAP-dependent protein erasers (SNIPERs), are used to degrade the target proteins closely related to diseases. Their structures consist of three parts, including target protein ligand, E3 ligase ligand, and the linker between them. So far, many SNIPERs have been extensively studied worldwide and have performed well in multiple diseases, especially cancer. In this review, we will present the most relevant advances in the field of SNIPERs and provide our perspective on the opportunities and challenges for SNIPERs to become therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yujing Zhang
- The Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lingyu Shi
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shanbo Yang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Chang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yingjie Zhong
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qian Li
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Dongming Xing
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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21
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Chen J, Tang P, Wang Y, Wang J, Yang C, Li Y, Yang G, Wu F, Zhang J, Ouyang L. Targeting Bromodomain-Selective Inhibitors of BET Proteins in Drug Discovery and Development. J Med Chem 2022; 65:5184-5211. [PMID: 35324195 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Blocking the interactions between bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins and acetylated lysines of histones by small molecules has important implications for the treatment of cancers and other diseases. Many pan-BET inhibitors have shown satisfactory results in clinical trials, but their potential for poor tolerability and toxicity persist. However, recently reported studies illustrate that some BET bromodomain (BET-BD1 or BET-BD2)-selective inhibitors have advantage over pan-inhibitors, including reduced toxicity concerns. Furthermore, some selective BET inhibitors have similar or even better therapeutic efficacy in inflammatory diseases or cancers. Therefore, the development of selective BET inhibitors has become a hot spot for medicinal chemists. Here, we summarize the known selective BET-BD1 and BET-BD2 inhibitors and review the methods for enhancing the selectivity and potency of these inhibitors based on their different modes of interactions with BET-BD1 or BET-BD2. Finally, we discuss prospective strategies that selectively target the bromodomains of BET proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juncheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Pan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Chengcan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Gaoxia Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Fengbo Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
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22
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Chen L, Liu Z, Li X. Recent Advances in Dual BRD4-Kinase Inhibitors Base on Polypharmacology. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202100731. [PMID: 35146935 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic reader BRD4 is involved in chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation, making it a promising therapeutic target. However, during the past decades, the results of many BRD4 inhibitors that have entered clinical trials were, in the main, unsatisfactory, due to some therapeutic limitations such as off-target effects and drug resistance. Combining a BRD4 inhibitor with another drug was expected to be an ideal option to overcome these "bottlenecks" and achieve improved therapeutic outcomes. However, combination therapy might trigger toxicity caused by drug-drug interaction, complex pharmacokinetic and additive effects. Recently, the application of dual-target drugs targeting BRD4 and other kinases has emerged to be an attractive approach to remedy defects of a single BRD4 inhibitor. Herein, this review focuses on recent advances in the discovery of dual BRD4-kinase inhibitors, with emphasis on their co-crystal structures and structure-activity relationships (SARs), as well as perspective prospects in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Shandong University Cheeloo College of Medicine, Medicinal chemistry, West Wenhua Road 44, 250012, Jinnan, CHINA
| | - Zhaopeng Liu
- Institute of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong Un, No.44 WhenHua XiLu, 250012, Jinan, CHINA
| | - Xun Li
- Shandong First Medical University, Institute of Materia Medica, CHINA
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23
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Li Y, Lv M, Lu M, Guan H. miR-124a Involves in the Regulation of Wnt/ β-Catenin and P53 Pathways to Inhibit Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm via Targeting BRD4. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:9241959. [PMID: 35096137 PMCID: PMC8799344 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9241959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) belongs to a progressive, gradual aortic rupture, which can lead to death without surgical intervention. The key factors regulating the occurrence and progress of AAA are not clear. Increasing studies have indicated that microRNA (miRNA) plays an important role in cancer development. miR-124a serves as a tumor suppressor in several neoplasms, and its upregulation can greatly inhibit the life activities such as malignant growth and migration of tumor cells. AIM The objective of this study is to explore the association of miR-124a with AAA and to uncover the regulated mechanism of miR-124a on AAA progression. METHODS The specimens from the AAA patients were used for observing the miR-124a expression, and human aortic endothelial cells (hAoECs) were treated with AngII to establish the AAA cell models. The quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), CCK-8, transwell assay, flow cytometry assay, and western blot were conducted to unearth the regulation mechanism of miR-124a on AAA, and the dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to investigate the downstream target of miR-124a. RESULTS miR-124a was significantly downregulated in the whole blood of the patients, and the decreased miR-124a was also observed in AAA cell models. Overexpressing miR-124a could effectively inhibit the proliferation and migration and promote the apoptosis of the AAA cells. The dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that BRD4 was a downstream target of miR-124a, and BRD4 upregulation could obviously reverse the effects of miR-124a on the phenotype of AAA cells. Moreover, it was found that miR-124a could regulate the activities of Wnt/β-catenin and P53 pathways via targeting the BRD4. CONCLUSION Our data suggested that miR-124a could regulate the activities of Wnt/β-catenin and P53 to suppress the AAA progression via targeting the BRD4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhui Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Jinan People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, China
| | - Meifeng Lv
- Pharmacy Department of Jinan Second Maternal and Child Health Hospital, China
| | - Mingshu Lu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Jinan People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, China
| | - Hongliang Guan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Shandong Shanxian Central Hospital, China
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24
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Kondo H, Mishiro K, Iwashima Y, Qiu Y, Kobayashi A, Lim K, Domoto T, Minamoto T, Ogawa K, Kunishima M, Hazawa M, Wong RW. Discovery of a Novel Aminocyclopropenone Compound That Inhibits BRD4-Driven Nucleoporin NUP210 Expression and Attenuates Colorectal Cancer Growth. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030317. [PMID: 35159127 PMCID: PMC8833887 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic deregulation plays an essential role in colorectal cancer progression. Bromodomains are epigenetic “readers” of histone acetylation. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) plays a pivotal role in transcriptional regulation and is a feasible drug target in cancer cells. Disease-specific elevation of nucleoporin, a component of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), is a determinant of cancer malignancy, but BRD4-driven changes of NPC composition remain poorly understood. Here, we developed novel aminocyclopropenones and investigated their biological effects on cancer cell growth and BRD4 functions. Among 21 compounds developed here, we identified aminocyclopropenone 1n (ACP-1n) with the strongest inhibitory effects on the growth of the cancer cell line HCT116. ACP-1n blocked BRD4 functions by preventing its phase separation ability both in vitro and in vivo, attenuating the expression levels of BRD4-driven MYC. Notably, ACP-1n significantly reduced the nuclear size with concomitant suppression of the level of the NPC protein nucleoporin NUP210. Furthermore, NUP210 is in a BRD4-dependent manner and silencing of NUP210 was sufficient to decrease nucleus size and cellular growth. In conclusion, our findings highlighted an aminocyclopropenone compound as a novel therapeutic drug blocking BRD4 assembly, thereby preventing BRD4-driven oncogenic functions in cancer cells. This study facilitates the development of the next generation of effective and potent inhibitors of epigenetic bromodomains and extra-terminal (BET) protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroya Kondo
- Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan; (H.K.); (K.M.); (K.O.)
| | - Kenji Mishiro
- Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan; (H.K.); (K.M.); (K.O.)
- Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan;
| | - Yuki Iwashima
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, School of Natural System, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan;
| | - Yujia Qiu
- WPI-Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan; (Y.Q.); (K.L.)
| | - Akiko Kobayashi
- Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan;
| | - Keesiang Lim
- WPI-Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan; (Y.Q.); (K.L.)
| | - Takahiro Domoto
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan; (T.D.); (T.M.)
| | - Toshinari Minamoto
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan; (T.D.); (T.M.)
| | - Kazuma Ogawa
- Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan; (H.K.); (K.M.); (K.O.)
- Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan;
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan;
| | - Munetaka Kunishima
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan;
| | - Masaharu Hazawa
- Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan; (H.K.); (K.M.); (K.O.)
- Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan;
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, School of Natural System, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan;
- WPI-Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan; (Y.Q.); (K.L.)
- Correspondence: (M.H.); (R.W.W.); Tel.: +81-076-264-6250 (R.W.W.)
| | - Richard W. Wong
- Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan; (H.K.); (K.M.); (K.O.)
- Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan;
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, School of Natural System, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan;
- WPI-Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan; (Y.Q.); (K.L.)
- Correspondence: (M.H.); (R.W.W.); Tel.: +81-076-264-6250 (R.W.W.)
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25
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Li C, Zhang S, Li S, Feng Y, Fan QH. Ruthenium-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of quinoxalinones and quinazolinones. Org Chem Front 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1qo01598b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
An efficient Ru-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of quinoxalinone and quinazolinone derivatives has been developed, providing a facile access to chiral dihydroquinoxalinones and dihydroquinazolinones with excellent enantioselectivities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghao Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Shuxin Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Shan Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Yu Feng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Qing-Hua Fan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
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26
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Medina JR, Tian X, Li WH, Suarez D, Mack JF, LaFrance L, Martyr C, Brackley J, Di Marco C, Rivero R, Heerding DA, McHugh C, Minthorn E, Bhaskar A, Rubin J, Butticello M, Carpenter C, Nartey EN, Berrodin TJ, Kallal LA, Mangatt B. Cell-Based Drug Discovery: Identification and Optimization of Small Molecules that Reduce c-MYC Protein Levels in Cells. J Med Chem 2021; 64:16056-16087. [PMID: 34669409 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Elevated expression of the c-MYC oncogene is one of the most common abnormalities in human cancers. Unfortunately, efforts to identify pharmacological inhibitors that directly target MYC have not yet yielded a drug-like molecule due to the lack of any known small molecule binding pocket in the protein, which could be exploited to disrupt MYC function. We have recently described a strategy to target MYC indirectly, where a screening effort designed to identify compounds that can rapidly decrease endogenous c-MYC protein levels in a MYC-amplified cell line led to the discovery of a compound series that phenocopies c-MYC knockdown by siRNA. Herein, we describe our medicinal chemistry program that led to the discovery of potent, orally bioavailable c-MYC-reducing compounds. The development of a minimum pharmacophore model based on empirical structure activity relationship as well as the property-based approach used to modulate pharmacokinetics properties will be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús R Medina
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Xinrong Tian
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - William H Li
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Dominic Suarez
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - James F Mack
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Louis LaFrance
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Cuthbert Martyr
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - James Brackley
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Christina Di Marco
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Ralph Rivero
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Dirk A Heerding
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Charles McHugh
- Oncology Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Elisabeth Minthorn
- Oncology Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Aishwarya Bhaskar
- Oncology Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Jacob Rubin
- Oncology Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Michael Butticello
- Oncology Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | | | - Eldridge N Nartey
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Thomas J Berrodin
- Oncology Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Lorena A Kallal
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Biju Mangatt
- Oncology Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
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27
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Wang Q, Shao X, Leung ELH, Chen Y, Yao X. Selectively targeting individual bromodomain: Drug discovery and molecular mechanisms. Pharmacol Res 2021; 172:105804. [PMID: 34450309 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing proteins include bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) and non-BET families. Due to the conserved bromodomain (BD) module between BD-containing proteins, and especially BETs with each member having two BDs (BD1 and BD2), the high degree of structural similarity makes BD-selective inhibitors much difficult to be designed. However, increasing evidences emphasized that individual BDs had distinct functions and different cellular phenotypes after pharmacological inhibition, and selectively targeting one of the BDs could result in a different efficacy and tolerability profile. This review is to summarize the pioneering progress of BD-selective inhibitors targeting BET and non-BET proteins, focusing on their structural features, biological activity, therapeutic application and experimental/theoretical mechanisms. The present proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTAC) degraders targeting BDs, and clinical status of BD-selective inhibitors were also analyzed, providing a new insight into future direction of bromodomain-selective drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Wang
- Chronic Disease Research Center, Medical College, Dalian University, Dalian 116622, China
| | - Xiaomin Shao
- Chronic Disease Research Center, Medical College, Dalian University, Dalian 116622, China
| | - Elaine Lai Han Leung
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau(SAR) 999078, China
| | - Yingqing Chen
- Chronic Disease Research Center, Medical College, Dalian University, Dalian 116622, China.
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau(SAR) 999078, China.
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28
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Sabnis RW. Novel Bromodomain Inhibitors for Treating Cancer, Fibrosis, and Inflammatory Disorders. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:1200-1201. [PMID: 34413941 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ram W. Sabnis
- Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP, 1230 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 3100, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, United States
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29
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Filho EV, Pinheiro EM, Pinheiro S, Greco SJ. Aminopyrimidines: Recent synthetic procedures and anticancer activities. Tetrahedron 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2021.132256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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30
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Guest EE, Pickett SD, Hirst JD. Structural variation of protein-ligand complexes of the first bromodomain of BRD4. Org Biomol Chem 2021; 19:5632-5641. [PMID: 34105560 DOI: 10.1039/d1ob00658d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), a member of the bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family, plays a key role in several diseases, especially cancers. With increased interest in BRD4 as a therapeutic target, many X-ray crystal structures of the protein in complex with small molecule inhibitors are publicly available over the recent decade. In this study, we use this structural information to investigate the conformations of the first bromodomain (BD1) of BRD4. Structural alignment of 297 BRD4-BD1 complexes shows a high level of similarity between the structures of BRD4-BD1, regardless of the bound ligand. We employ WONKA, a tool for detailed analyses of protein binding sites, to compare the active site of over 100 of these crystal structures. The positions of key binding site residues show a high level of conformational similarity, with the exception of Trp81. A focused analysis on the highly conserved water network in the binding site of BRD4-BD1 is performed to identify the positions of these water molecules across the crystal structures. The importance of the water network is illustrated using molecular docking and absolute free energy perturbation simulations. 82% of the ligand poses were better predicted when including water molecules as part of the receptor. Our analysis provides guidance for the design of new BRD4-BD1 inhibitors and the selection of the best structure of BRD4-BD1 to use in structure-based drug design, an important approach for faster and more cost-efficient lead discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen E Guest
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Stephen D Pickett
- GlaxoSmithKline R&D Pharmaceuticals, Computational Chemistry, Stevenage, UK
| | - Jonathan D Hirst
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
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31
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Sabnis RW. Novel Bromodomain BRD4 Inhibitors for Treating Cancer. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:951-952. [PMID: 34141078 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ram W. Sabnis
- Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP, 1230 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 3100, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, United States
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32
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Wang K, Zhao Z, Wang X, Zhang Y. BRD4 induces osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Tissue Cell 2021; 72:101555. [PMID: 33957539 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2021.101555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomain 4 (BRD4), an important epigenetic regulator, is involved in many bone-related pathologies via promoting osteoclast formation. However, whether and how it participates in the process of osteoblast formation remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of BRD4 in osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Our experiments revealed that an inhibitor of BRD4, JQ1, attenuated osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The recombinant adenoviruses for AdBRD4 and AdsiBRD4 could infect BMSCs with high efficiency. Exogenous BRD4 expression potentiated differentiation, and silencing endogenous BRD4 expression decreased it. In addition, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is known to be important for osteogenic differentiation. Our results showed that AdBRD4 increased the expressions of Wnt3a and β-catenin while AdsiBRD4 decreased the expressions. What's more, the recombinant adenovirus for Adsiβ-catenin, which obviously decreased in β-catenin expression, inhibited BRD4-induced osteogenic differentiation. Conclusion: Our data indicates that the epigenetic reader BRD4 participates in the process of BMSC osteogenic differentiation via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This finding may pave the way into further understanding the mechanism of BMSC osteogenic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Arthritis Clinic and Research Centre, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Zhiping Zhao
- Department of Joint Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Department of Joint Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Yongtao Zhang
- Department of Joint Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China.
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33
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Current status in the discovery of dual BET/HDAC inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 38:127829. [PMID: 33685790 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.127829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The development of desired multitarget agents may provide an attractive and cost-effective complement or alternative to drug combinations. Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) and histone deacetylase (HDAC), as important epigenetic modulators, are attractive targets in drug discovery and development. Considering the fact that BET and HDAC inhibitors exert a synergistic effect on cellular processes in cancer cells, the design of dual BET/HDAC inhibitors may be a rational strategy to improve the efficacy of their single-target drugs for tumor treatment. In the current review, we depict the development of dual BET/HDAC inhibitors and particularly highlight their structure-activity relationships (SARs), binding modes, and biological functions with the aim to facilitate rational drug design and develop more dual BET/HDAC inhibitors.
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34
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Feng Z, Chen A, Shi J, Zhou D, Shi W, Qiu Q, Liu X, Huang W, Li J, Qian H, Zhang W. Design, synthesis, and biological activity evaluation of a series of novel sulfonamide derivatives as BRD4 inhibitors against acute myeloid leukemia. Bioorg Chem 2021; 111:104849. [PMID: 33798846 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating researches have contributed much effect to discover novel chemotherapeutic drug for leukemia with expeditious curative effect, of which bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitor is considered as a eutherapeutic drug which has presented efficient cell proliferation suppression effect. In this study, we disclosed a series of phenylisoxazole sulfonamide derivatives as potent BRD4 inhibitors. Especially, compound 58 exhibited robust inhibitory potency toward BRD4-BD1 and BRD4-BD2 with IC50 values of 70 and 140 nM, respectively. In addition, compound 58 significantly suppressed cell proliferation of leukemia cell lines HL-60 and MV4-11 with IC50 values of 1.21 and 0.15 μM. In-depth study of the biological mechanism of compound 58 exerted its tumor suppression effect via down-regulating the level of oncogene c-myc. Moreover, in vivo pharmacokinetics (PK) study was conducted and the results demonstrated better pharmacokinetics features versus (+)-JQ1. In summary, our study discovers that compound 58 represents as a novel BRD4 inhibitor for further investigation in development of leukemia inhibitor with potentiality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziying Feng
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Aiping Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing 210023, PR China; Center for Drug Evaluation, NMPA, 128 Jianguo Road, Beijing 100022, PR China
| | - Jing Shi
- Center for Drug Evaluation, NMPA, 128 Jianguo Road, Beijing 100022, PR China
| | - Daoguang Zhou
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Wei Shi
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Qianqian Qiu
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Xinhong Liu
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Wenlong Huang
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Jieming Li
- Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan, PR China.
| | - Hai Qian
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China.
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China.
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35
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Kargbo RB. Tumor-Targeted Bivalent Protein Degradation for Application in Cancer Therapy. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:326-327. [PMID: 33738055 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robert B. Kargbo
- Usona Institute, 277 Granada Drive, San Luis Obispo, California 93401-7337, United States
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36
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Yang H, Wei L, Xun Y, Yang A, You H. BRD4: An emerging prospective therapeutic target in glioma. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2021; 21:1-14. [PMID: 33851008 PMCID: PMC8010576 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in treatment, the prognosis for glioma patients remains poor. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), a member of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) protein family, plays an important role in controlling oncogene expression and genome stability. In recent years, numerous BRD4 inhibitors have entered clinical trials and achieved exciting results in tumor treatment. Recent clinical studies have shown that BRD4 expression in glioma is significantly higher than in the adjacent normal brain tissue. BRD4 inhibitors effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier and target glioma tumor tissues but have little effect on normal brain tissues. Thus, BRD4 is a target for the treatment of glioma. In this study, we discuss the progress in the use of BRD4 inhibitors for glioma treatment, their mechanism of action, and their broad potential clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Yang
- Department of Basic Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Li Wei
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yang Xun
- Department of Basic Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Anping Yang
- Department of Basic Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hua You
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, Guangdong Province, China
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37
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Metabolites of Marine Sediment-Derived Fungi: Actual Trends of Biological Activity Studies. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19020088. [PMID: 33557071 PMCID: PMC7913796 DOI: 10.3390/md19020088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine sediments are characterized by intense degradation of sedimenting organic matter in the water column and near surface sediments, combined with characteristically low temperatures and elevated pressures. Fungi are less represented in the microbial communities of sediments than bacteria and archaea and their relationships are competitive. This results in wide variety of secondary metabolites produced by marine sediment-derived fungi both for environmental adaptation and for interspecies interactions. Earlier marine fungal metabolites were investigated mainly for their antibacterial and antifungal activities, but now also as anticancer and cytoprotective drug candidates. This review aims to describe low-molecular-weight secondary metabolites of marine sediment-derived fungi in the context of their biological activity and covers research articles published between January 2016 and November 2020.
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38
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Wu Q, Chen DQ, Sun L, Huan XJ, Bao XB, Tian CQ, Hu J, Lv KK, Wang YQ, Xiong B, Miao ZH. Novel bivalent BET inhibitor N2817 exhibits potent anticancer activity and inhibits TAF1. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 185:114435. [PMID: 33539817 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family proteins are promising anticancer targets. Most BET inhibitors in clinical trials are monovalent. They competitively bind to one of the bromodomains (BD1 and BD2) in BET proteins and exhibit relatively weak anticancer activity, poor pharmacokinetics, and low metabolic stability. Here, we evaluated the anticancer activity of a novel bivalent BET inhibitor, N2817, which consists of two molecules of the monovalent BET inhibitor 8124-053 connected by a common piperazine ring, rendering a long linker unnecessary. Compared with ABBV-075, one of the potent monovalent BET inhibitors reported to date, N2817 showed greater potency in inhibiting proliferation, arresting cell-cycle, inducing apoptosis, and suppressing the growth of tumor xenografts. Moreover, N2817 showed high metabolic stability, a relatively long half-life, and no brain penetration after oral administration. Additionally, N2817 directly bound and inhibited another BD-containing protein, TAF1 (BD2), as evidenced by a reduction in mRNA and protein levels. TAF1 inhibition contributed to the anticancer effect of N2817. Therefore, this study offers a new paradigm for designing bivalent BET inhibitors and introduces a novel potent bivalent BET inhibitor and a new anticancer mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wu
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dan-Qi Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lin Sun
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xia-Juan Huan
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xu-Bin Bao
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chang-Qing Tian
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianping Hu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Kai-Kai Lv
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ying-Qing Wang
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Bing Xiong
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Ze-Hong Miao
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.
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Ma Z, Ji Y, Yu Y, Liang D. Specific non-genetic IAP-based protein erasers (SNIPERs) as a potential therapeutic strategy. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 216:113247. [PMID: 33652355 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
As a newly emerged technology, PROTAC (proteolysis targeting chimera) is a promising therapeutic strategy for varieties of diseases. Unlike small molecule inhibitors, PROTACs catalytically induce target proteins degradation, including currently "undruggable" target proteins. In addition, PROTACs can be a potentially successful strategy to overcome drug resistance. IAPs can inhibit apoptosis by inhibiting caspase, and also exhibits the activity of E3 ubiquitin ligase. Specific and nongenetic IAP-based protein erasers (SNIPERs) are hybrid molecules that designed based on IAPs, and used to degrade the target proteins closely associated with diseases. Their structures consist of three parts, including target protein ligand, E3 ligase ligand and the linker between them. SNIPERs (PROTACs) degrade diseases-associated proteins through human inherent ubiquitin-proteasome system. So far, many SNIPERs have been developed to treat diseases that difficult to handle by traditional methods, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and small molecule inhibitors, and showed promising prospects in application. In this paper, the recent advances of SNIPERs were summarized, and the chances and challenges associated with this area were also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zonghui Ma
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjiaxiang 24, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjiaxiang 24, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Yu Ji
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjiaxiang 24, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjiaxiang 24, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yifan Yu
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjiaxiang 24, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjiaxiang 24, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Dailin Liang
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjiaxiang 24, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjiaxiang 24, Nanjing, 210009, China
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40
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Current status in the discovery of dual BET/HDAC inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 31:127671. [PMID: 33229136 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The development of desired multitarget agents may provide an attractive and cost-effective complement or alternative to drug combinations. BET and HDAC, as important epigenetic modulators, are both attractive targets in drug discovery and development. Considering the fact that BET and HDAC inhibitors exert a synergistic effect on cellular processes in cancer cells, the design of dual BET/HDAC inhibitors may be a rational strategy to improve the efficacy of their single-target drugs for tumor treatment. In current review, we depict the development of dual BET/HDAC inhibitors and particularly highlight their SARs, binding modes and biological functions with the aim to facilitate rational design and develop more dual BET/HDAC inhibitors.
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41
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Zhang K, Xu Y. Suppressing BRD4 exhibits protective effects against vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy by alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 532:271-279. [PMID: 32868081 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.06.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Vincristine (VCR) is a well-known anticancer drug, and frequently causes painful neuropathy and impairs the quality of life of patients. However, the molecular mechanisms revealing VCR-induced neuropathy are still unclear, and effectively therapeutic strategy is still necessary. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) has long been implicated in many different pathological processes, in particular, the development of oxidative stress and inflammation. In the present study, we showed that BRD4 played a mechanistic role in VCR-induced peripheral neuropathy. Using the in vivo transfection of BRD4 siRNA, we found that BRD4 suppression markedly alleviated VCR-induced neuropathic pain. Macrophage infiltration in sciatic nerve was effectively inhibited in VCR-challenged mice with BRD4 knockdown, as evidenced by the markedly reduced expression of F4/80. In the VCR-induced sciatic nerve tissues, we found that the mRNA and protein expression levels of C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) and C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) were greatly elevated, which were, however, mitigated by siBRD4 injection. In addition, oxidative stress induced by VCR was markedly restrained in sciatic nerve from mice with BRD4 knockdown, which was closely associated with the improved activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) signaling. The in vitro studies indicated that in H2O2-stimulated primary neurons, BRD4 silence markedly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and improved Nrf-2 activation, exhibiting anti-oxidant effects. Finally, BRD4 selective inhibitor JQ1 was subjected to mice challenged with VCR. The results confirmed that reducing BRD4 expression by JQ1 effectively ameliorated VCR-induced peripheral neuropathy also through repressing macrophage infiltration, inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that BRD4 played a critical role in VCR-induced neuropathy, and developing novel and new therapies might be effective for the treatment of VCR-induced neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- Department of Painless Endoscopy, People's Hospital of Linzi District, Zibo City, Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Shandong Province, 255400, China
| | - Yanbing Xu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 250021, China.
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