1
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Taujale R, Gravel N, Zhou Z, Yeung W, Kochut K, Kannan N. Informatic challenges and advances in illuminating the druggable proteome. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103894. [PMID: 38266979 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.103894] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The understudied members of the druggable proteomes offer promising prospects for drug discovery efforts. While large-scale initiatives have generated valuable functional information on understudied members of the druggable gene families, translating this information into actionable knowledge for drug discovery requires specialized informatics tools and resources. Here, we review the unique informatics challenges and advances in annotating understudied members of the druggable proteome. We demonstrate the application of statistical evolutionary inference tools, knowledge graph mining approaches, and protein language models in illuminating understudied protein kinases, pseudokinases, and ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahil Taujale
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Nathan Gravel
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | - Wayland Yeung
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Krystof Kochut
- School of Computing, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Natarajan Kannan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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2
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Zhou M, Han Y, Jiang J. Ulk4 promotes Shh signaling by regulating Stk36 ciliary localization and Gli2 phosphorylation. eLife 2023; 12:RP88637. [PMID: 38096226 PMCID: PMC10721220 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) family of secreted proteins governs embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis through the Gli family of transcription factors. Gli is thought to be activated at the tip of primary cilium, but the underlying mechanism has remained poorly understood. Here, we show that Unc-51-like kinase 4 (Ulk4), a pseudokinase and a member of the Ulk kinase family, acts in conjunction with another Ulk family member Stk36 to promote Gli2 phosphorylation and Hh pathway activation. Ulk4 interacts with Stk36 through its N-terminal region containing the pseudokinase domain and with Gli2 via its regulatory domain to bridge the kinase and substrate. Although dispensable for Hh-induced Stk36 kinase activation, Ulk4 is essential for Stk36 ciliary tip localization, Gli2 phosphorylation, and activation. In response to Hh, both Ulk4 and Stk36 colocalize with Gli2 at ciliary tip, and Ulk4 and Stk36 depend on each other for their ciliary tip accumulation. We further show that ciliary localization of Ulk4 depends on Stk36 kinase activity and phosphorylation of Ulk4 on Thr1023, and that ciliary tip accumulation of Ulk4 is essential for its function in the Hh pathway. Taken together, our results suggest that Ulk4 regulates Hh signaling by promoting Stk36-mediated Gli2 phosphorylation and activation at ciliary tip.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Zhou
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Yuhong Han
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Jin Jiang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
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3
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Zhang H, Yang M, Zhang J, Li L, Guan T, Liu J, Gong X, Yang F, Shen S, Liu M, Han Y. The putative protein kinase Stk36 is essential for ciliogenesis and CSF flow by associating with Ulk4. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23138. [PMID: 37584603 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300481r] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Motile cilia lining on the ependymal cells are crucial for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow and its dysfunction is often associated with hydrocephalus. Unc51-like-kinase 4 (Ulk4) was previously linked to CSF flow and motile ciliogenesis in mice, as the hypomorph mutant of Ulk4 (Ulk4tm1a/tm1a ) developed hydrocephalic phenotype resulted from defective ciliogenesis and disturbed ciliary motility, while the underling mechanism is largely obscure. Here, we report that serine/threonine kinase 36 (STK36), a paralog of ULK4, directly interacts with ULK4 and this was demonstrated by yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) in yeast and coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP) assays in HEK293T cells, respectively. The interaction region was confined to their respective N-terminal kinase domain. The hypomorph mutant of Stk36 (Stk36tmE4-/- ) also developed progressive hydrocephalus postnatally and dysfunctional CSF flow, with multiple defects of motile cilia, including reduced ciliary number, disorganized ciliary orientation, defected axonemal structure and inconsistent base body (BB) orientation. Stk36tmE4-/- also disturbed the expression of Foxj1 transcription factor and a range of other ciliogenesis-related genes. All these morphological changes, motile cilia defects and transcriptional dysregulation in the Stk36tmE4-/- are practically copied from that in Ulk4tm1a/tm1a mice. Taken together, we conclude that both Stk36 and Ulk4 are crucial for CSF flow, they cooperate by direct binding with their kinase domain to regulate the Foxj1 transcription factor pathways for ciliogenesis and cilia function, not limited to CSF flow. The underlying molecular mechanism probably conserved in evolution and could be extended to other metazoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongye Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Meimei Yang
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Li Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Tianyuan Guan
- Department of Neurology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jiaxin Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xuanwei Gong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Children's Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Sanbing Shen
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Min Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yongfeng Han
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
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4
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McCoy CJ, Paupelin-Vaucelle H, Gorilak P, Beneke T, Varga V, Gluenz E. ULK4 and Fused/STK36 interact to mediate assembly of a motile flagellum. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar66. [PMID: 36989043 PMCID: PMC10295485 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-06-0222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Unc-51-like kinase (ULK) family serine-threonine protein kinase homologues have been linked to the function of motile cilia in diverse species. Mutations in Fused/STK36 and ULK4 in mice resulted in hydrocephalus and other phenotypes consistent with ciliary defects. How either protein contributes to the assembly and function of motile cilia is not well understood. Here we studied the phenotypes of ULK4 and Fused gene knockout (KO) mutants in the flagellated protist Leishmania mexicana. Both KO mutants exhibited a variety of structural defects of the flagellum cytoskeleton. Biochemical approaches indicate spatial proximity of these proteins and indicate a direct interaction between the N-terminus of LmxULK4 and LmxFused. Both proteins display a dispersed localization throughout the cell body and flagellum, with enrichment near the flagellar base and tip. The stable expression of LmxULK4 was dependent on the presence of LmxFused. Fused/STK36 was previously shown to localize to mammalian motile cilia, and we demonstrate here that ULK4 also localizes to the motile cilia in mouse ependymal cells. Taken together these data suggest a model where the pseudokinase ULK4 is a positive regulator of the kinase Fused/ STK36 in a pathway required for stable assembly of motile cilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciaran J. McCoy
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
| | | | - Peter Gorilak
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Tom Beneke
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
| | - Vladimir Varga
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Gluenz
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
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5
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Small Molecule Inhibitors for Unc-51-like Autophagy-Activating Kinase Targeting Autophagy in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24020953. [PMID: 36674464 PMCID: PMC9866249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24020953] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a cellular process that removes damaged components of cells and recycles them as biochemical building blocks. Autophagy can also be induced to protect cells in response to intra- and extracellular stresses, including damage to cellular components, nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, and pathogenic invasion. Dysregulation of autophagy has been attributed to various diseases. In particular, autophagy protects cancer cells by supporting tumor cell survival and the development of drug resistance. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of autophagy in cancer has stimulated the research on discovery and development of specific inhibitors targeting various stages of autophagy. In recent years, Unc-51-like autophagy-activating kinase (ULK) inhibitors have become an attractive strategy to treat cancer. This review summarizes recent discoveries and developments in small-molecule ULK inhibitors and their potential as anticancer agents. We focused on structural features, interactions with binding sites, and biological effects of these inhibitors. Overall, this review will provide guidance for using ULK inhibitors as chemical probes for autophagy in various cancers and developing improved ULK inhibitors that would enhance therapeutic benefits in the clinic.
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6
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Sheetz JB, Lemmon MA. Looking lively: emerging principles of pseudokinase signaling. Trends Biochem Sci 2022; 47:875-891. [PMID: 35585008 PMCID: PMC9464697 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2022.04.011] [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: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Progress towards understanding catalytically 'dead' protein kinases - pseudokinases - in biology and disease has hastened over the past decade. An especially lively area for structural biology, pseudokinases appear to be strikingly similar to their kinase relatives, despite lacking key catalytic residues. Distinct active- and inactive-like conformation states, which are crucial for regulating bona fide protein kinases, are conserved in pseudokinases and appear to be essential for function. We discuss recent structural data on conformational transitions and nucleotide binding by pseudokinases, from which some common principles emerge. In both pseudokinases and bona fide kinases, a conformational toggle appears to control the ability to interact with signaling effectors. We also discuss how biasing this conformational toggle may provide opportunities to target pseudokinases pharmacologically in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Sheetz
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06505, USA; Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
| | - Mark A Lemmon
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06505, USA; Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
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7
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Jamieson SA, Pudjihartono M, Horne CR, Viloria JS, Dunlop JL, McMillan HD, Day RC, Keeshan K, Murphy JM, Mace PD. Nanobodies identify an activated state of the TRIB2 pseudokinase. Structure 2022; 30:1518-1529.e5. [PMID: 36108635 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Tribbles proteins (TRIB1-3) are pseudokinases that recruit substrates to the COP1 ubiquitin ligase. TRIB2 was the first Tribbles ortholog to be implicated as a myeloid leukemia oncogene, because it recruits the C/EBPα transcription factor for ubiquitination by COP1. Here we report identification of nanobodies that bind the TRIB2 pseudokinase domain with low nanomolar affinity. A crystal structure of the TRIB2-Nb4.103 complex identified the nanobody to bind the N-terminal lobe of TRIB2, enabling specific recognition of TRIB2 in an activated conformation that is similar to the C/EBPα-bound state of TRIB1. Characterization in solution revealed that Nb4.103 can stabilize a TRIB2 pseudokinase domain dimer in a face-to-face manner. Conversely, a distinct nanobody (Nb4.101) binds through a similar epitope but does not readily promote dimerization. In combination, this study identifies features of TRIB2 that could be exploited for the development of inhibitors and nanobody tools for future investigation of TRIB2 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam A Jamieson
- Biochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Michael Pudjihartono
- Biochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Christopher R Horne
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | | | - Jessica L Dunlop
- Biochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Hamish D McMillan
- Biochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Robert C Day
- Biochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Karen Keeshan
- Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - James M Murphy
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Peter D Mace
- Biochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
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8
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Luo S, Zheng N, Lang B. ULK4 in Neurodevelopmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:873706. [PMID: 35493088 PMCID: PMC9039724 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.873706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene Unc51-like kinase 4 (ULK4) belongs to the Unc-51-like serine/threonine kinase family and is assumed to encode a pseudokinase with unclear function. Recently, emerging evidence has suggested that ULK4 may be etiologically involved in a spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, but the underlying mechanism remains unaddressed. Here, we summarize the key findings of the structure and function of the ULK4 protein to provide comprehensive insights to better understand ULK4-related neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders and to aid in the development of a ULK4-based therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilin Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha, China
| | - Nanxi Zheng
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Nanxi Zheng, ; Bing Lang,
| | - Bing Lang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Nanxi Zheng, ; Bing Lang,
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9
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Regulatory spine RS3 residue of protein kinases: a lipophilic bystander or a decisive element in the small-molecule kinase inhibitor binding? Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:633-648. [PMID: 35226061 PMCID: PMC9022976 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210837] [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: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, protein kinases have been one of the most pursued drug targets. These determined efforts have resulted in ever increasing numbers of small-molecule kinase inhibitors reaching to the market, offering novel treatment options for patients with distinct diseases. One essential component related to the activation and normal functionality of a protein kinase is the regulatory spine (R-spine). The R-spine is formed of four conserved residues named as RS1–RS4. One of these residues, RS3, located in the C-terminal part of αC-helix, is usually accessible for the inhibitors from the ATP-binding cavity as its side chain is lining the hydrophobic back pocket in many protein kinases. Although the role of RS3 has been well acknowledged in protein kinase function, this residue has not been actively considered in inhibitor design, even though many small-molecule kinase inhibitors display interactions to this residue. In this minireview, we will cover the current knowledge of RS3, its relationship with the gatekeeper, and the role of RS3 in kinase inhibitor interactions. Finally, we comment on the future perspectives how this residue could be utilized in the kinase inhibitor design.
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10
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O’Boyle B, Shrestha S, Kochut K, Eyers PA, Kannan N. Computational tools and resources for pseudokinase research. Methods Enzymol 2022; 667:403-426. [PMID: 35525549 PMCID: PMC9733567 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2022.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pseudokinases regulate diverse cellular processes associated with normal cellular functions and disease. They are defined bioinformatically based on the absence of one or more catalytic residues that are required for canonical protein kinase functions. The ability to define pseudokinases based on primary sequence comparison has enabled the systematic mapping and cataloging of pseudokinase orthologs across the tree of life. While these sequences contain critical information regarding pseudokinase evolution and functional specialization, extracting this information and generating testable hypotheses based on integrative mining of sequence and structural data requires specialized computational tools and resources. In this chapter, we review recent advances in the development and application of open-source tools and resources for pseudokinase research. Specifically, we describe the application of an interactive data analytics framework, KinView, for visualizing the patterns of conservation and variation in the catalytic domain motifs of pseudokinases and evolutionarily related canonical kinases using a consistent set of curated alignments organized based on the widely used kinome evolutionary hierarchy. We also demonstrate the application of an integrated Protein Kinase Ontology (ProKinO) and an interactive viewer, ProtVista, for mapping and analyzing primary sequence motifs and annotations in the context of 3D structures and AlphaFold2 models. We provide examples and protocols for generating testable hypotheses on pseudokinase functions both for bench biologists and advanced users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brady O’Boyle
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Safal Shrestha
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Krzysztof Kochut
- Department of Computer Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Patrick A Eyers
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Natarajan Kannan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA,Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA,Corresponding author:
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11
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Aksenova AY, Zhuk AS, Lada AG, Zotova IV, Stepchenkova EI, Kostroma II, Gritsaev SV, Pavlov YI. Genome Instability in Multiple Myeloma: Facts and Factors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5949. [PMID: 34885058 PMCID: PMC8656811 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant neoplasm of terminally differentiated immunoglobulin-producing B lymphocytes called plasma cells. MM is the second most common hematologic malignancy, and it poses a heavy economic and social burden because it remains incurable and confers a profound disability to patients. Despite current progress in MM treatment, the disease invariably recurs, even after the transplantation of autologous hematopoietic stem cells (ASCT). Biological processes leading to a pathological myeloma clone and the mechanisms of further evolution of the disease are far from complete understanding. Genetically, MM is a complex disease that demonstrates a high level of heterogeneity. Myeloma genomes carry numerous genetic changes, including structural genome variations and chromosomal gains and losses, and these changes occur in combinations with point mutations affecting various cellular pathways, including genome maintenance. MM genome instability in its extreme is manifested in mutation kataegis and complex genomic rearrangements: chromothripsis, templated insertions, and chromoplexy. Chemotherapeutic agents used to treat MM add another level of complexity because many of them exacerbate genome instability. Genome abnormalities are driver events and deciphering their mechanisms will help understand the causes of MM and play a pivotal role in developing new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Y. Aksenova
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna S. Zhuk
- International Laboratory “Computer Technologies”, ITMO University, 197101 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Artem G. Lada
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Irina V. Zotova
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; (I.V.Z.); (E.I.S.)
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, St. Petersburg Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Elena I. Stepchenkova
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; (I.V.Z.); (E.I.S.)
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, St. Petersburg Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ivan I. Kostroma
- Russian Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology, 191024 St. Petersburg, Russia; (I.I.K.); (S.V.G.)
| | - Sergey V. Gritsaev
- Russian Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology, 191024 St. Petersburg, Russia; (I.I.K.); (S.V.G.)
| | - Youri I. Pavlov
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Pathology, Genetics Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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12
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Russ N, Schröder M, Berger BT, Mandel S, Aydogan Y, Mauer S, Pohl C, Drewry DH, Chaikuad A, Müller S, Knapp S. Design and Development of a Chemical Probe for Pseudokinase Ca 2+/calmodulin-Dependent Ser/Thr Kinase. J Med Chem 2021; 64:14358-14376. [PMID: 34543009 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
CASK (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent Ser/Thr kinase) is a member of the MAGUK (membrane-associated guanylate kinase) family that functions as neurexin kinases with roles implicated in neuronal synapses and trafficking. The lack of a canonical DFG motif, which is altered to GFG in CASK, led to the classification as a pseudokinase. However, functional studies revealed that CASK can still phosphorylate substrates in the absence of divalent metals. CASK dysfunction has been linked to many diseases, including colorectal cancer, Parkinson's disease, and X-linked mental retardation, suggesting CASK as a potential drug target. Here, we exploited structure-based design for the development of highly potent and selective CASK inhibitors based on 2,4-diaminopyrimidine-5-carboxamides targeting an unusual pocket created by the GFG motif. The presented inhibitor design offers a more general strategy for the development of pseudokinase ligands that harbor unusual sequence motifs. It also provides a first chemical probe for studying the biological roles of CASK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Russ
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Martin Schröder
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Benedict-Tilman Berger
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Sebastian Mandel
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Yagmur Aydogan
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Sandy Mauer
- Buchman Institute for Molecular Life Science and Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Christian Pohl
- Buchman Institute for Molecular Life Science and Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - David H Drewry
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.,UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Susanne Müller
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,German Cancer Network (DKTK) and Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
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13
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Conformational plasticity of the ULK3 kinase domain. Biochem J 2021; 478:2811-2823. [PMID: 34190988 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The human protein kinase ULK3 regulates the timing of membrane abscission, thus being involved in exosome budding and cytokinesis. Herein, we present the first high-resolution structures of the ULK3 kinase domain. Its unique features are explored against the background of other ULK kinases. An inhibitor fingerprint indicates that ULK3 is highly druggable and capable of adopting a wide range of conformations. In accordance with this, we describe a conformational switch between the active and an inactive ULK3 conformation, controlled by the properties of the attached small-molecule binder. Finally, we discuss a potential substrate-recognition mechanism of the full-length ULK3 protein.
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14
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Zhang S, Hama Y, Mizushima N. The evolution of autophagy proteins - diversification in eukaryotes and potential ancestors in prokaryotes. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:270774. [PMID: 34228793 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.233742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a degradative pathway for cytoplasmic constituents, and is conserved across eukaryotes. Autophagy-related (ATG) genes have undergone extensive multiplications and losses in different eukaryotic lineages, resulting in functional diversification and specialization. Notably, even though bacteria and archaea do not possess an autophagy pathway, they do harbor some remote homologs of Atg proteins, suggesting that preexisting proteins were recruited when the autophagy pathway developed during eukaryogenesis. In this Review, we summarize our current knowledge on the distribution of Atg proteins within eukaryotes and outline the major multiplication and loss events within the eukaryotic tree. We also discuss the potential prokaryotic homologs of Atg proteins identified to date, emphasizing the evolutionary relationships and functional differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yutaro Hama
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Noboru Mizushima
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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15
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Hu L, Chen Y, Yang CP, Huang Y, Song NN, Chen JY, Sun YL, Ding YQ, Lang B. Ulk4, a Newly Discovered Susceptibility Gene for Schizophrenia, Regulates Corticogenesis in Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:645368. [PMID: 34235142 PMCID: PMC8255617 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.645368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a chronic and severe mental disease that affects around 1% of the population. The precise etiology of SCZ still remains largely unknown, and no conclusive mechanisms are firmly established. Recent advances in epidemiological and clinical investigation support an overwhelmingly strong neurodevelopmental origin for SCZ. Here, we demonstrated that Unc-51-like kinase 4 (Ulk4), a novel risk factor for major mental disorders including schizophrenia, is involved in the corticogenesis. Deletion of Ulk4 in mice led to significantly thinner layers of II–III, and V in the cerebral cortex, which was confirmed in conditional Ulk4 deletion mice achieved by Cre-loxp strategy. This abnormality might be caused by decreased intermediate neural progenitors and increased apoptosis. Thus, our data suggest that Ulk4 manipulates the behaviors of neural progenitors during brain development and, when functionally defective, leads to the reduction of specific cortical layers. This anomaly may increase predisposition to a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, East Hospital, and Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cui-Ping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, East Hospital, and Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning-Ning Song
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Yin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Ling Sun
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, East Hospital, and Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Qiang Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, East Hospital, and Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Lang
- National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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16
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Mace PD, Murphy JM. There's more to death than life: Noncatalytic functions in kinase and pseudokinase signaling. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100705. [PMID: 33895136 PMCID: PMC8141879 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein kinases are present in all domains of life and play diverse roles in cellular signaling. Whereas the impact of substrate phosphorylation by protein kinases has long been appreciated, it is becoming increasingly clear that protein kinases also play other, noncatalytic, functions. Here, we review recent developments in understanding the noncatalytic functions of protein kinases. Many noncatalytic activities are best exemplified by protein kinases that are devoid of enzymatic activity altogether-known as pseudokinases. These dead proteins illustrate that, beyond conventional notions of kinase function, catalytic activity can be dispensable for biological function. Through key examples we illustrate diverse mechanisms of noncatalytic kinase activity: as allosteric modulators; protein-based switches; scaffolds for complex assembly; and as competitive inhibitors in signaling pathways. In common, these noncatalytic mechanisms exploit the nature of the protein kinase fold as a versatile protein-protein interaction module. Many examples are also intrinsically linked to the ability of the protein kinase to switch between multiple states, a function shared with catalytic protein kinases. Finally, we consider the contemporary landscape of small molecules to modulate noncatalytic functions of protein kinases, which, although challenging, has significant potential given the scope of noncatalytic protein kinase function in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Mace
- Biochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - James M Murphy
- Inflammation Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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17
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Abstract
Unc-51-like kinase 4 (ULK4) is a pseudokinase conserved in most eukaryotes, yet ULK4 signaling mechanisms remain enigmatic. In this issue of Structure, Preuss and colleagues report a structure of the ATP-bound ULK4 pseudokinase domain, supported by proteomic analysis of the ULK4 interactome and in-depth evolutionary analysis of the intriguingULK4 pseudokinase domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A Eyers
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.
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