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Mostafa N, Chen PJ, Darwish SS, Su YC, Shiao MH, Piazza GA, Abadi AH, Engel M, Abdel-Halim M. N-Benzylated 5-Hydroxybenzothiophene-2-carboxamides as Multi-Targeted Clk/Dyrk Inhibitors and Potential Anticancer Agents. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2033. [PMID: 38893153 PMCID: PMC11171218 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have reported that Dyrk1A, Dyrk1B, and Clk1 are overexpressed in multiple cancers, suggesting a role in malignant disease. Here, we introduce a novel class of group-selective kinase inhibitors targeting Dyrk1A, Dyrk1B, and Clk1. This was achieved by modifying our earlier selective Clk1 inhibitors, which were based on the 5-methoxybenzothiophene-2-carboxamide scaffold. By incorporating a 5-hydroxy group, we increased the potential for additional hydrogen bond interactions that broadened the inhibitory effect to include Dyrk1A and Dyrk1B kinases. Within this series, compounds 12 and 17 emerged as the most potent multi-kinase inhibitors against Dyrk1A, Dyrk1B, and Clk1. Furthermore, when assessed against the most closely related kinases also implicated in cancer, the frontrunner compounds revealed additional inhibitory activity against Haspin and Clk2. Compounds 12 and 17 displayed high potency across various cancer cell lines with minimal effect on non-tumor cells. By examining the effect of these inhibitors on cell cycle distribution, compound 17 retained cells in the G2/M phase and induced apoptosis. Compounds 12 and 17 could also increase levels of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, while decreasing the expression of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein. These findings support the further study and development of these compounds as novel anticancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha Mostafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt; (N.M.); (S.S.D.); (A.H.A.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University, Cairo 12256, Egypt
| | - Po-Jen Chen
- Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824410, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824410, Taiwan;
| | - Sarah S. Darwish
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt; (N.M.); (S.S.D.); (A.H.A.)
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, New Administrative Capital, Cairo 11578, Egypt
| | - Yu-Chieh Su
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824410, Taiwan;
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824410, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824410, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hua Shiao
- Taiwan Instrument Research Institute, National Applied Research Laboratories, Hsinchu 300092, Taiwan;
| | - Gary A. Piazza
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36832, USA;
| | - Ashraf H. Abadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt; (N.M.); (S.S.D.); (A.H.A.)
| | - Matthias Engel
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Mohammad Abdel-Halim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt; (N.M.); (S.S.D.); (A.H.A.)
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Song M, Pang L, Zhang M, Qu Y, Laster KV, Dong Z. Cdc2-like kinases: structure, biological function, and therapeutic targets for diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:148. [PMID: 37029108 PMCID: PMC10082069 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01409-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The CLKs (Cdc2-like kinases) belong to the dual-specificity protein kinase family and play crucial roles in regulating transcript splicing via the phosphorylation of SR proteins (SRSF1-12), catalyzing spliceosome molecular machinery, and modulating the activities or expression of non-splicing proteins. The dysregulation of these processes is linked with various diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, inflammatory diseases, viral replication, and cancer. Thus, CLKs have been considered as potential therapeutic targets, and significant efforts have been exerted to discover potent CLKs inhibitors. In particular, clinical trials aiming to assess the activities of the small molecules Lorecivivint on knee Osteoarthritis patients, and Cirtuvivint and Silmitasertib in different advanced tumors have been investigated for therapeutic usage. In this review, we comprehensively documented the structure and biological functions of CLKs in various human diseases and summarized the significance of related inhibitors in therapeutics. Our discussion highlights the most recent CLKs research, paving the way for the clinical treatment of various human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqiu Song
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No.127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450008, China
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Luping Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Yingzi Qu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Kyle Vaughn Laster
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No.127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450008, China
| | - Zigang Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China.
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No.127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450008, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
- Academy of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China.
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Lindberg MF, Deau E, Arfwedson J, George N, George P, Alfonso P, Corrionero A, Meijer L. Comparative Efficacy and Selectivity of Pharmacological Inhibitors of DYRK and CLK Protein Kinases. J Med Chem 2023; 66:4106-4130. [PMID: 36876904 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c02068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Dual-specificity, tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinases (DYRKs) and cdc2-like kinases (CLKs) play a large variety of cellular functions and are involved in several diseases (cognitive disorders, diabetes, cancers, etc.). There is, thus, growing interest in pharmacological inhibitors as chemical probes and potential drug candidates. This study presents an unbiased evaluation of the kinase inhibitory activity of a library of 56 reported DYRK/CLK inhibitors on the basis of comparative, side-by-side, catalytic activity assays on a panel of 12 recombinant human kinases, enzyme kinetics (residence time and Kd), in-cell inhibition of Thr-212-Tau phosphorylation, and cytotoxicity. The 26 most active inhibitors were modeled in the crystal structure of DYRK1A. The results show a rather large diversity of potencies and selectivities among the reported inhibitors and emphasize the difficulties to avoid "off-targets" in this area of the kinome. The use of a panel of DYRKs/CLKs inhibitors is suggested to analyze the functions of these kinases in cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emmanuel Deau
- Perha Pharmaceuticals, Perharidy Peninsula, 29680 Roscoff, France
| | - Jonas Arfwedson
- Perha Pharmaceuticals, Perharidy Peninsula, 29680 Roscoff, France
| | - Nicolas George
- Oncodesign, 25-27 avenue du Québec, 91140 Villebon-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Pascal George
- Perha Pharmaceuticals, Perharidy Peninsula, 29680 Roscoff, France
| | - Patricia Alfonso
- Enzymlogic, Qube Technology Park, C/Santiago Grisolía, 2, 28760 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Corrionero
- Enzymlogic, Qube Technology Park, C/Santiago Grisolía, 2, 28760 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laurent Meijer
- Perha Pharmaceuticals, Perharidy Peninsula, 29680 Roscoff, France
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ElHady AK, El-Gamil DS, Abadi AH, Abdel-Halim M, Engel M. An overview of cdc2-like kinase 1 (Clk1) inhibitors and their therapeutic indications. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:343-398. [PMID: 36262046 DOI: 10.1002/med.21928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, Clk1 has been identified as a promising target for the treatment of various diseases, in which deregulated alternative splicing plays a role. First small molecules targeting Clk1 are in clinical trials for the treatment of solid cancer, where variants of oncogenic proteins derived from alternative splicing promote tumor progression. Since many infectious pathogens hi-jack the host cell's splicing machinery to ensure efficient replication, further indications in this area are under investigation, such as Influenza A, HIV-1 virus, and Trypanosoma infections, and more will likely be discovered in the future. In addition, Clk1 was found to contribute to the progression of Alzheimer's disease through causing an imbalance of tau splicing products. Interestingly, homozygous Clk1 knockout mice showed a rather mild phenotype, opposed to what might be expected in view of the profound role of Clk1 in alternative splicing. A major drawback of most Clk1 inhibitors is their insufficient selectivity; in particular, Dyrk kinases and haspin were frequently identified as off-targets, besides the other Clk isoforms. Only few inhibitors were shown to be selective over Dyrk1A and haspin, whereas no Clk1 inhibitor so far achieved selectivity over the Clk4 isoform. In this review, we carefully compiled all Clk1 inhibitors from the scientific literature and summarized their structure-activity relationships (SAR). In addition, we critically discuss the available selectivity data and describe the inhibitor's efficacy in cellular models, if reported. Thus, we provide a comprehensive overview on the current state of Clk1 drug discovery and highlight the most promising chemotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed K ElHady
- Department of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, New Administrative Capital, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dalia S El-Gamil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ashraf H Abadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammad Abdel-Halim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Matthias Engel
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
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Remans K, Lebendiker M, Abreu C, Maffei M, Sellathurai S, May MM, Vaněk O, de Marco A. Protein purification strategies must consider downstream applications and individual biological characteristics. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:52. [PMID: 35392897 PMCID: PMC8991485 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01778-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proteins are used as reagents in a broad range of scientific fields. The reliability and reproducibility of experimental data will largely depend on the quality of the (recombinant) proteins and, consequently, these should undergo thorough structural and functional controls. Depending on the downstream application and the biochemical characteristics of the protein, different sets of specific features will need to be checked. RESULTS A number of examples, representative of recurrent issues and previously published strategies, has been reported that illustrate real cases of recombinant protein production in which careful strategy design at the start of the project combined with quality controls throughout the production process was imperative to obtain high-quality samples compatible with the planned downstream applications. Some proteins possess intrinsic properties (e.g., prone to aggregation, rich in cysteines, or a high affinity for nucleic acids) that require certain precautions during the expression and purification process. For other proteins, the downstream application might demand specific conditions, such as for proteins intended for animal use that need to be endotoxin-free. CONCLUSIONS This review has been designed to act as a practical reference list for researchers who wish to produce and evaluate recombinant proteins with certain specific requirements or that need particular care for their preparation and storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Remans
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mario Lebendiker
- Protein Purification Facility, The Wolfson Centre for Applied Structural Biology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Celeste Abreu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 2030/8, 12840, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Mariano Maffei
- Evvivax Biotech, Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marina M May
- AiCuris Anti-Infective Cures AG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 475, 42117, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Ondřej Vaněk
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 2030/8, 12840, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ario de Marco
- Lab of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska Cesta 13, 5000, Rožna Dolina-Nova Gorica, Slovenia.
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Qiao K, Jiang Y, Hu T, Li S, Gui W. Prokaryotic expression of human-sourced and zebrafish-sourced protein kinase A alpha catalytic subunits combined with in vitro and in silico assay. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 228:113023. [PMID: 34839138 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The extensively studied cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) is involved in the regulation of critical cell processes, including metabolism, gene expression, and cell proliferation. Therefore, PKA has been viewed increasingly as potential target for variety of drugs and environmental endocrine disruptors. Consequentially, the preparation of PKA protein became an important initial step for the subsequent exploration of PKA's character in endocrine disrupting effects of pesticides. To investigate PKA protein, which is potential to be the environmental endocrine toxicity target of triazole fungicides, a strategy to heterologously express protein kinase A catalytic alpha subunit of human (hPKAcα) and zebrafish (zPKAcα) in Escherichia coli (E. coli) BL21(DE3) host cells was demonstrated. After optimizing conditions and protein purification, we successfully obtained enzymatically active hPKAcα and zPKAcα. Western blot analysis indicated that the recombinant hPKAcα and zPKAcα still retained their characteristic antigenicity and binding activity, while in vitro kinase activity assays revealed that the recombinant hPKAcα and zPKAcα maintained enzyme activity. By in silico methods including homology modelling and molecular docking, the affinity of ligands and the models of hPKAcα and zPKAcα were further tested. The present study offered a valuable method to achieve the prokaryotic expression of a eukaryotic protein kinase and laid a foundation to facilitate further investigation of toxicological target of triazole pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Qiao
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China; Institute of Nuclear-Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Yao Jiang
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Tiantian Hu
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Shuying Li
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China; Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang, Hangzhou 310058, PR China.
| | - Wenjun Gui
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China; Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
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7
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Lindberg MF, Meijer L. Dual-Specificity, Tyrosine Phosphorylation-Regulated Kinases (DYRKs) and cdc2-Like Kinases (CLKs) in Human Disease, an Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6047. [PMID: 34205123 PMCID: PMC8199962 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinases (DYRK1A, 1B, 2-4) and cdc2-like kinases (CLK1-4) belong to the CMGC group of serine/threonine kinases. These protein kinases are involved in multiple cellular functions, including intracellular signaling, mRNA splicing, chromatin transcription, DNA damage repair, cell survival, cell cycle control, differentiation, homocysteine/methionine/folate regulation, body temperature regulation, endocytosis, neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, etc. Abnormal expression and/or activity of some of these kinases, DYRK1A in particular, is seen in many human nervous system diseases, such as cognitive deficits associated with Down syndrome, Alzheimer's disease and related diseases, tauopathies, dementia, Pick's disease, Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, autism, and CDKL5 deficiency disorder. DYRKs and CLKs are also involved in diabetes, abnormal folate/methionine metabolism, osteoarthritis, several solid cancers (glioblastoma, breast, and pancreatic cancers) and leukemias (acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute megakaryoblastic leukemia), viral infections (influenza, HIV-1, HCMV, HCV, CMV, HPV), as well as infections caused by unicellular parasites (Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Plasmodium). This variety of pathological implications calls for (1) a better understanding of the regulations and substrates of DYRKs and CLKs and (2) the development of potent and selective inhibitors of these kinases and their evaluation as therapeutic drugs. This article briefly reviews the current knowledge about DYRK/CLK kinases and their implications in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laurent Meijer
- Perha Pharmaceuticals, Perharidy Peninsula, 29680 Roscoff, France;
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