Unraveling binding mechanism and kinetics of macrocyclic Gαq protein inhibitors

The Bacterial Gq Signal Transduction Inhibitor FR900359 Impairs Soil-Associated Nematodes

The cyclic depsipeptide FR900359 (FR) is derived from the soil bacterium Chromobacterium vaccinii and known to bind Gq proteins of mammals and insects, thereby abolishing the signal transduction of their Gq protein-coupled receptors, a process that leads to severe physiological consequences. Due to their highly conserved structure, Gq family of proteins are a superior ecological target for FR producing organisms, resulting in a defense towards a broad range of harmful organisms. Here, we focus on the question whether bacteria like C. vaccinii are important factors in soil in that their secondary metabolites impair, e.g., plant harming organisms like nematodes. We prove that the Gq inhibitor FR is produced under soil-like conditions. Furthermore, FR inhibits heterologously expressed Gαq proteins of the nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and Heterodera schachtii in the micromolar range. Additionally, in vivo experiments with C. elegans and the plant parasitic cyst nematode H. schachtii demonstrated that FR reduces locomotion of C. elegans and H. schachtii. Finally, egg-laying of C. elegans and hatching of juvenile stage 2 of H. schachtii from its cysts is inhibited by FR, suggesting that FR might reduce nematode dispersion and proliferation. This study supports the idea that C. vaccinii and its excreted metabolome in the soil might contribute to an ecological equilibrium, maintaining and establishing the successful growth of plants.

The translational value of ligand-receptor binding kinetics in drug discovery

The translation of in vitro potency of a candidate drug, as determined by traditional pharmacology metrics (such as EC50 /IC50 and KD /Ki values), to in vivo efficacy and safety is challenging. Residence time, which represents the duration of drug-target interaction, can be part of a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamic nature of drug-target interactions in vivo, thereby enabling better prediction of drug efficacy and safety. As a consequence, a prolonged residence time may help in achieving sustained pharmacological activity, while transient interactions with shorter residence times may be favourable for targets associated with side effects. Therefore, integration of residence time into the early stages of drug discovery and development has yielded a number of clinical candidates with promising in vivo efficacy and safety profiles. Insights from residence time research thus contribute to the translation of in vitro potency to in vivo efficacy and safety. Further research and advances in measuring and optimizing residence time will bring a much-needed addition to the drug discovery process and the development of safer and more effective drugs. In this review, we summarize recent research progress on residence time, highlighting its importance from a translational perspective.

Structure-affinity and structure-residence time relationships of macrocyclic Gαq protein inhibitors

The macrocyclic depsipeptides YM-254890 (YM) and FR900359 (FR) are potent inhibitors of Gα_q/11 proteins. They are important pharmacological tools and have potential as therapeutic drugs. The hydrogenated, tritium-labeled YM and FR derivatives display largely different residence times despite similar structures. In the present study we established a competition-association binding assay to determine the dissociation kinetics of unlabeled G_q protein inhibitors. Structure-affinity and structure-residence time relationships were analyzed. Small structural modifications had a large impact on residence time. YM and FR exhibited 4- to 10-fold higher residence times than their hydrogenated derivatives. While FR showed pseudo-irreversible binding, YM displayed much faster dissociation from its target. The isopropyl anchor present in FR and some derivatives was essential for slow dissociation. These data provide a basis for future drug design toward modulating residence times of macrocyclic G_q protein inhibitors, which has been recognized as a crucial determinant for therapeutic outcome.

Imaging of Gαq Proteins in Mouse and Human Organs and Tissues

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) transfer extracellular signals across cell membranes by activating intracellular heterotrimeric G proteins. Several studies suggested G proteins as novel drug targets for the treatment of complex diseases, e.g., asthma and cancer. Recently, we developed specific radiotracers, [³H]PSB-15900-FR and [³H]PSB-16254-YM, for the Gαq family of G proteins by tritiation of the macrocyclic natural products FR900359 (FR) and YM-254890 (YM). In the present study, we utilized these potent radioligands to perform autoradiography studies in tissues of healthy mice, mouse models of disease, and human tissues. Specific binding was high, while non-specific binding was extraordinarily low, giving nearly identical results for both radioligands. High expression levels of Gαq proteins were detected in healthy mouse organs showing the following rank order of potency: kidney > liver > brain > pancreas > lung > spleen, while expression in the heart was low. Organ sub-structures, e.g., of mouse brain and lung, were clearly distinguishable. Whereas an acute asthma model in mice did not result in altered Gαq protein expressions as compared to control animals, a cutaneous melanoma model displayed significantly increased expression in comparison to healthy skin. These results suggest the future development of Gαq-protein-binding radio-tracers as novel diagnostics.

Promoter-Driven Overexpression in Chromobacterium vaccinii Facilitates Access to FR900359 and Yields Novel Low Abundance Analogs

Access to the cyclic depsipeptide FR900359 (FR), a selective G_q/11 protein inhibitor of high pharmacological interest and a potential lead molecule for targeted therapy of cancers with oncogenic GNAQ or GNA11 mutations (encoding G_q and G₁₁ respectively), has been challenging ever since its initial discovery more than three decades ago. The recent discovery of Chromobacterium vaccinii as a cultivable FR producer enables the development of approaches leading to a high-yielding, scalable and sustainable biotechnological process for production of FR, thereby removing this bottleneck. Here we characterize different promoters in exchange of the native promoter of the FR assembly line, resulting in an overexpression mutant with significantly increased production of FR. Thereby, the isolation and structure elucidation of novel FR analogs of low abundance is enabled. Further, we explore the antiproliferative activities of fifteen chromodepsins against uveal melanoma cell lines harboring G_q/11 mutations and characterize the major metabolite of FR formed in plasma.