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Geng Y, Li W, Wong NK, Xue F, Li Q, Zhang Y, Xu J, Deng Z, Zhou Y. Discovery of Artemisinins as Microsomal Prostaglandins Synthase-2 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer via Chemoproteomics. J Med Chem 2024; 67:2083-2094. [PMID: 38287228 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01989] [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: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related mortalities worldwide. While artemisinin (ART), a key active compound from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Artemisia annua, has been recognized for its antiproliferative activity against colon cancer cells, its underlying molecular underpinnings remain elusive. Whereas promiscuity of heme-dependent alkylating of macromolecules, mainly proteins, has been seen pivotal as a universal and primary mode of action of ART in cancer cells, accumulating evidence suggests the existence of unique targets and mechanisms of actions contingent on cell or tissue specificities. Here, we employed photoaffinity probes to identify the specific targets responsible for ART's anti-colon cancer actions. Upon validation, microsomal prostaglandins synthase-2 emerged as a specific and reversible target of ART in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells, whose inhibition resulted in reduced cellular prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis and cell growth. Our discovery opens new opportunities for pharmacological treatment of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyun Geng
- School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Changshu Institute of Technology, Suzhou 215500, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Products Research and Development, College of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
| | - Weichao Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Nai-Kei Wong
- Clinical Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Fuchong Xue
- School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Changshu Institute of Technology, Suzhou 215500, China
| | - Qing Li
- School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Changshu Institute of Technology, Suzhou 215500, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Products Research and Development, College of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Jingyuan Xu
- School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Changshu Institute of Technology, Suzhou 215500, China
| | - Zhangshuang Deng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Products Research and Development, College of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
| | - Yiqing Zhou
- School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Changshu Institute of Technology, Suzhou 215500, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Products Research and Development, College of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
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Mehta NV, Degani MS. The expanding repertoire of covalent warheads for drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103799. [PMID: 37839776 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The reactive functionalities of drugs that engage in covalent interactions with the enzyme/receptor residue in either a reversible or an irreversible manner are called 'warheads'. Covalent warheads that were previously neglected because of safety concerns have recently gained center stage as a result of their various advantages over noncovalent drugs, including increased selectivity, increased residence time, and higher potency. With the approval of several covalent inhibitors over the past decade, research in this area has accelerated. Various strategies are being continuously developed to tune the characteristics of warheads to improve their potency and mitigate toxicity. Here, we review research progress in warhead discovery over the past 5 years to provide valuable insights for future drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namrashee V Mehta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Matunga, Mumbai 400019, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Mariam S Degani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Matunga, Mumbai 400019, Maharashtra, India.
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Kotsos D, Tziomalos K. Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 and -2: Emerging Targets in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24033049. [PMID: 36769370 PMCID: PMC9918023 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24033049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects a substantial proportion of the general population and is even more prevalent in obese and diabetic patients. NAFLD, and particularly the more advanced manifestation of the disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), increases the risk for both liver-related and cardiovascular morbidity. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex and multifactorial, with many molecular pathways implicated. Emerging data suggest that microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 and -2 might participate in the development and progression of NAFLD. It also appears that targeting these enzymes might represent a novel therapeutic approach for NAFLD. In the present review, we discuss the association between microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 and -2 and NAFLD.
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Ngo C, Ekanayake A, Zhang C. Identification of Covalent Ligands – from Single Targets to Whole Proteome. Isr J Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202200105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chau Ngo
- Department of Chemistry Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute University of Southern California 90089 Los Angeles California USA
| | - Arunika Ekanayake
- Department of Chemistry Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute University of Southern California 90089 Los Angeles California USA
- Current address: Department of Chemistry University of Alberta T6G 2G2 Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Chemistry Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute University of Southern California 90089 Los Angeles California USA
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Liu Y, Lv S, Peng L, Xie C, Gao L, Sun H, Lin L, Ding K, Li Z. Development and application of novel electrophilic warheads in target identification and drug discovery. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 190:114636. [PMID: 34062128 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Nucleophilic amino acids play important roles in maintenance of protein structure and function, covalent modification of such amino acid residues by therapeutic agents is an efficient way to treat human diseases. Most of current clinical drugs are structurally limited to α,β-unsaturated amide as an electrophilic warhead. To alleviate this issue, many novel electrophiles have been developed in recent years that can covalently bind to different amino acid residues and provides a unique way to interrogate proteins, including "undruggable" targets. With an activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) approach, the activity and functionality of a protein and its binding sites can be assessed. This facilitates an understanding of protein function, and contributes to the discovery of new druggable targets and lead compounds. Meanwhile, many novel inhibitors bearing new reactive warhead were developed and displayed remarkable pharmaceutical properties. In this perspective, we have reviewed the recent remarkable progress of novel electrophiles and their applications in target identification and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Shumin Lv
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lijie Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chengliang Xie
- School of Pharmaceutical Science (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Liqian Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Science (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Hongyan Sun
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Ligen Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
| | - Ke Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Zhengqiu Li
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
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Ahn YC, May VK, Bedford GC, Tuley AA, Fast W. Discovery of 4,4'-Dipyridylsulfide Analogs as "Switchable Electrophiles" for Covalent Inhibition. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:264-269. [PMID: 33492128 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Electrophilic heterocycles offer attractive features as covalent fragments for inhibitor and probe development. A focused library of heterocycles for which protonation can enhance reactivity (called "switchable electrophiles") is screened for inhibition of the proposed drug target dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH). Several novel covalent fragments are identified: 4-chloroquinoline, 4-bromopyridazine, and 4,4-dipyridylsulfide. Mechanistic studies of DDAH inactivation by 4,4-dipyridylsulfide reveal selective covalent S-pyridinylation of the active-site Cys through catalysis by a neighboring Asp residue. Inactivation (kinact/KI = 0.33 M-1 s-1) proceeds with release of 4-thiopyridone (0.78 equiv), and structure-activity relationships reveal that the leaving group pKa can be modulated to tune reactivity. The use of a "switchable electrophile" strategy helps impart selectivity, even to fragment-sized modifiers. Identification of 4,4-dipyridylsulfide analogs as inactivators offers an easily tunable covalent fragment with multiple derivatization sites on both the leaving and staying groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeong-Chan Ahn
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Valerie K. May
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Guy C. Bedford
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Alfred A. Tuley
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Walter Fast
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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