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Kovachka S, Tong Y, Childs-Disney JL, Disney MD. Heterobifunctional small molecules to modulate RNA function. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:449-463. [PMID: 38641489 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.03.006] [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: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
RNA has diverse cellular functionality, including regulating gene expression, protein translation, and cellular response to stimuli, due to its intricate structures. Over the past decade, small molecules have been discovered that target functional structures within cellular RNAs and modulate their function. Simple binding, however, is often insufficient, resulting in low or even no biological activity. To overcome this challenge, heterobifunctional compounds have been developed that can covalently bind to the RNA target, alter RNA sequence, or induce its cleavage. Herein, we review the recent progress in the field of RNA-targeted heterobifunctional compounds using representative case studies. We identify critical gaps and limitations and propose a strategic pathway for future developments of RNA-targeted molecules with augmented functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Kovachka
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Yuquan Tong
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Jessica L Childs-Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Matthew D Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
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2
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Liu Y, Wang L, Zhao L, Zhang Y, Li ZT, Huang F. Multiple hydrogen bonding driven supramolecular architectures and their biomedical applications. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:1592-1623. [PMID: 38167687 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00705g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Supramolecular chemistry combines the strength of molecular assembly via various molecular interactions. Hydrogen bonding facilitated self-assembly with the advantages of directionality, specificity, reversibility, and strength is a promising approach for constructing advanced supramolecules. There are still some challenges in hydrogen bonding based supramolecular polymers, such as complexity originating from tautomerism of the molecular building modules, the assembly process, and structure versatility of building blocks. In this review, examples are selected to give insights into multiple hydrogen bonding driven emerging supramolecular architectures. We focus on chiral supramolecular assemblies, multiple hydrogen bonding modules as stimuli responsive sources, interpenetrating polymer networks, multiple hydrogen bonding assisted organic frameworks, supramolecular adhesives, energy dissipators, and quantitative analysis of nano-adhesion. The applications in biomedical materials are focused with detailed examples including drug design evolution for myotonic dystrophy, molecular assembly for advanced drug delivery, an indicator displacement strategy for DNA detection, tissue engineering, and self-assembly complexes as gene delivery vectors for gene transfection. In addition, insights into the current challenges and future perspectives of this field to propel the development of multiple hydrogen bonding facilitated supramolecular materials are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Liu
- School of Materials and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, Sichuan, China.
| | - Lulu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-based Energy Resource, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830046, China
| | - Lin Zhao
- School of Materials and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yagang Zhang
- School of Materials and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, Sichuan, China.
| | - Zhan-Ting Li
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Self-Assembly Chemistry for Organic Functional Molecules, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, 2205 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, China.
| | - Feihe Huang
- Stoddart Institute of Molecular Science, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center-Hangzhou Zhijiang Silicone Chemicals Co. Ltd. Joint Lab, Zhejiang-Israel Joint Laboratory of Self-Assembling Functional Materials, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311215, China
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3
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Ahmadpour‐kacho M, Pasha YZ, Pournajaf S. A couple of the first cousins born with hypotonia and maternal polyhydramnios. Clin Case Rep 2024; 12:e8503. [PMID: 38333661 PMCID: PMC10849984 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8503] [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: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Congenital myotonic dystrophy should be considered in hypotonic infants with polyhydramniotic mothers with a positive history of myotonia. Abstract Congenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM) is a predominantly maternally inherited disease and results from increased numbers of cytosine, thymine, and guanine (CTG) repeats in the unstable DNA regions and presents as hypotonia in the neonatal period and myotonia in adulthood. This report aims to present two cases of CDM. A first-cousin couple was born and hospitalized due to hypotonia at birth and a maternal history of polyhydramnios during this pregnancy. The first-born baby girl was admitted to the NICU with tachypnea and hypotonia, clubfoot, and frog-like posture. The pregnancy was complicated by polyhydramnios. Interestingly, her first cousin was born the next day with a similar picture and history. Myotonia was detected in their mothers. The concurrent presence of hypotonia and polyhydramnios as well as maternal myotonia in a first cousin should be considered CDM until proven otherwise and this was confirmed by the EMG- NCV test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mousa Ahmadpour‐kacho
- Non‐Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Department of PediatricsBabol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
- Non‐Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Department of PediatricsClinical Research Development Unit of Rouhani Hospital Babol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
| | - Yadollah Zahed Pasha
- Non‐Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Department of PediatricsBabol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
- Non‐Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Department of PediatricsClinical Research Development Unit of Rouhani Hospital Babol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
| | - Samira Pournajaf
- Non‐Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Department of PediatricsBabol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
- Non‐Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Department of PediatricsClinical Research Development Unit of Rouhani Hospital Babol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
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4
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Kovachka S, Panosetti M, Grimaldi B, Azoulay S, Di Giorgio A, Duca M. Small molecule approaches to targeting RNA. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:120-135. [PMID: 38278932 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00569-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
The development of innovative methodologies to identify RNA binders has attracted enormous attention in chemical biology and drug discovery. Although antibiotics targeting bacterial ribosomal RNA have been on the market for decades, the renewed interest in RNA targeting reflects the need to better understand complex intracellular processes involving RNA. In this context, small molecules are privileged tools used to explore the biological functions of RNA and to validate RNAs as therapeutic targets, and they eventually are to become new drugs. Despite recent progress, the rational design of specific RNA binders requires a better understanding of the interactions which occur with the RNA target to reach the desired biological response. In this Review, we discuss the challenges to approaching this underexplored chemical space, together with recent strategies to bind, interact and affect biologically relevant RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Kovachka
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France
| | - Marc Panosetti
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France
- Molecular Medicine Research Line, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, Italy
| | - Benedetto Grimaldi
- Molecular Medicine Research Line, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, Italy
| | - Stéphane Azoulay
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France
| | - Audrey Di Giorgio
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France
| | - Maria Duca
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France.
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5
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Krueger SB, Zimmerman SC. Dynamic Covalent Template-Guided Screen for Nucleic Acid-Targeting Agents. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12417-12426. [PMID: 36099320 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Trinucleotide repeat diseases such as myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and Huntington's disease (HD) are caused by expanded DNA repeats that can be used as templates to synthesize their own inhibitors. Because it would be particularly advantageous to reversibly assemble multivalent nucleic acid-targeting agents in situ, we sought to develop a target-guided screen that uses dynamic covalent chemistry to identify multitarget inhibitors. We report the synthesis of a library of amine- or aldehyde-containing fragments. The assembly of these fragments led to a diverse set of hit combinations that was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) in the presence of DM1 and HD repeat sequences. Of interest for both diseases, the resulting hit combinations inhibited transcription selectively and in a cooperative manner in vitro, with inhibitory concentration (IC50) values in the micromolar range. This dynamic covalent library and screening approach could be applied to identify compounds that reversibly assemble on other nucleic acid targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B Krueger
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Steven C Zimmerman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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Krueger SB, Lanzendorf AN, Jeon HH, Zimmerman SC. Selective and Reversible Ligand Assembly on the DNA and RNA Repeat Sequences in Myotonic Dystrophy. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200260. [PMID: 35790065 PMCID: PMC9733911 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Small molecule targeting of DNA and RNA sequences has come into focus as a therapeutic strategy for diseases such as myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), a trinucleotide repeat disease characterized by RNA gain-of-function. Herein, we report a novel template-selected, reversible assembly of therapeutic agents in situ via aldehyde-amine condensation. Rationally designed small molecule targeting agents functionalized with either an aldehyde or an amine were synthesized and screened against the target nucleic acid sequence. The assembly of fragments was confirmed by MALDI-MS in the presence of DM1-relevant nucleic acid sequences. The resulting hit combinations of aldehyde and amine inhibited the formation of r(CUG)exp in vitro in a cooperative manner at low micromolar levels and rescued mis-splicing defects in DM1 model cells. This reversible template-selected assembly is a promising approach to achieve cell permeable and multivalent targeting via in situ synthesis and could be applied to other nucleic acid targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B Krueger
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Amie N Lanzendorf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Hyoeun Heather Jeon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Steven C Zimmerman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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7
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Vezina-Dawod S, Angelbello AJ, Choudhary S, Wang KW, Yildirim I, Disney MD. Massively Parallel Optimization of the Linker Domain in Small Molecule Dimers Targeting a Toxic r(CUG) Repeat Expansion. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:907-914. [PMID: 34141068 PMCID: PMC8201483 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA contributes to disease pathobiology and is an important therapeutic target. The downstream biology of disease-causing RNAs can be short-circuited with small molecules that recognize structured regions. The discovery and optimization of small molecules interacting with RNA is, however, challenging. Herein, we demonstrate a massively parallel one-bead-one-compound methodology, employed to optimize the linker region of a dimeric compound that binds the toxic r(CUG) repeat expansion [r(CUG)exp] causative of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Indeed, affinity selection on a 331,776-member library allowed the discovery of a compound with enhanced potency both in vitro (10-fold) and in DM1-patient-derived myotubes (5-fold). Molecular dynamics simulations revealed additional interactions between the optimized linker and the RNA, resulting in ca. 10 kcal/mol lower binding free energy. The compound was conjugated to a cleavage module, which directly cleaved the transcript harboring the r(CUG)exp and alleviated disease-associated defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Vezina-Dawod
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Alicia J. Angelbello
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Shruti Choudhary
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Kye Won Wang
- Department
of Chemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Ilyas Yildirim
- Department
of Chemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Matthew D. Disney
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
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8
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Hagler LD, Krueger SB, Luu LM, Lanzendorf AN, Mitchell NL, Vergara JI, Curet LD, Zimmerman SC. Versatile Target-Guided Screen for Discovering Bidirectional Transcription Inhibitors of a Trinucleotide Repeat Disease. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:935-940. [PMID: 34141072 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 originates from d(CTG·CAG) repeats that undergo aberrant expansion during normal processing because the d(CTG) repeat forms stable hairpin structures. Bidirectional transcription of d(CTG·CAG) yields two RNA transcripts that undergo repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation to form homopolymeric proteins. Thus, both the r(CUG) transcript and the r(CAG) transcript are known to be toxic. We report a pairwise fragment-based, target-guided approach to screen for proximity-induced click dimers formed on the nucleic acid template. This screen uses an azide/alkyne clickable fragment library of nucleic acid-binding ligands incubated in parallel, pairwise reactions as an alternative to our previously reported one-pot screening method. MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy was used to detect template assisted click products. Hit compounds inhibited the in vitro transcription of d(CTG·CAG)90 bidirectionally with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. This approach may be broadly applicable to other trinucleotide repeat diseases and in targeting other disease-associated nucleic acid sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren D. Hagler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Sarah B. Krueger
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Long M. Luu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Amie N. Lanzendorf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Niya L. Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - J. Ignacio Vergara
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - L. Daniel Curet
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Steven C. Zimmerman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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Baisden JT, Childs-Disney JL, Ryan LS, Disney MD. Affecting RNA biology genome-wide by binding small molecules and chemically induced proximity. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2021; 62:119-129. [PMID: 34118759 PMCID: PMC9264282 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The ENCODE and genome-wide association projects have shown that much of the genome is transcribed into RNA and much less is translated into protein. These and other functional studies suggest that the druggable transcriptome is much larger than the druggable proteome. This review highlights approaches to define druggable RNA targets and structure-activity relationships across genomic RNA. Binding compounds can be identified and optimized into structure-specific ligands by using sequence-based design with various modes of action, for example, inhibiting translation or directing pre-mRNA splicing outcomes. In addition, strategies to direct protein activity against an RNA of interest via chemically induced proximity is a burgeoning area that has been validated both in cells and in preclinical animal models, and we describe that it may allow rapid access to new avenues to affect RNA biology. These approaches and the unique modes of action suggest that more RNAs are potentially amenable to targeting than proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared T Baisden
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458 USA
| | - Jessica L Childs-Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458 USA
| | - Lucas S Ryan
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458 USA
| | - Matthew D Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458 USA.
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