1
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Zhu W, Ding Y, Huang W, Guo N, Ren Q, Wang N, Ma X. Synergistic effects of the KDM4C inhibitor SD70 and the menin inhibitor MI-503 against MLL::AF9-driven acute myeloid leukaemia. Br J Haematol 2024; 205:568-579. [PMID: 38877874 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19591] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) leukaemia is observed in approximately 10% of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and is associated with a relatively poor prognosis, highlighting the need for new treatment regimens. MLL fusion proteins produced by MLL rearrangements recruit KDM4C to mediate epigenetic reprogramming, which is required for the maintenance of MLL-r leukaemia. In this study, we used a combinatorial drug screen to selectively identify synergistic treatment partners for the KDM4C inhibitor SD70. The results showed that the drug combination of SD70 and MI-503, a potent menin-MLL inhibitor, induced synergistically enhanced apoptosis in MLL::AF9 leukaemia cells without affecting normal CD34+ cells. In vivo treatment with SD70 and MI-503 significantly prolonged survival in AML xenograft models. Differential gene expression analysis by RNA-seq following combined pharmacological inhibition of SD70 and MI-503 revealed changes in numerous genes, with MYC target genes being the most significantly downregulated. Taken together, these data provide preclinical evidence that the combination of SD70 and MI-503 is a potential dual-targeted therapy for MLL::AF9 AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Yiyi Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Wanling Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Nini Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Qian Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Nan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaotong Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
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2
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Yang Y, Xu L, Zhang S, Yao L, Ding Y, Li W, Chen X. Structural studies of WDR5 in complex with MBD3C WIN motif reveal a unique binding mode. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107468. [PMID: 38876301 PMCID: PMC11261779 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107468] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex plays a pivotal role in chromatin regulation and transcriptional repression. In mice, methyl-CpG binding domain 3 isoform C (MBD3C) interacts specifically with the histone H3 binding protein WD repeat-containing protein 5 (WDR5) and forms the WDR5-MBD3C/Norde complex. Despite the functional significance of this interaction on embryonic stem cell gene regulation, the molecular mechanism underlying MBD3C recognition by WDR5 remains elusive. Here, we determined the crystal structure of WDR5 in complex with the peptide (residues 40-51) derived from the MBD3C protein at a resolution of 1.9 Å. Structural analysis revealed that MBD3C utilizes a unique binding mode to interact with WDR5, wherein MBD3C Arg43 and Phe47 are involved in recognizing the WDR5-interacting (WIN) site and Tyr191-related B site on the small surface of WDR5, respectively. Notably, the binding induces a ∼91° rotation of WDR5 Tyr191, generating the hydrophobic B site. Furthermore, mutation experiments combined with isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) assays confirmed the importance of both Arg43 and Phe47 in mediating WDR5 binding affinity. By determining structures of various peptides bound to WDR5, we demonstrated that the WDR5 WIN site and B site can be concurrently recognized by WIN motif peptides containing ''Arg-Cies/Ser-Arg-Val-Phe'' consensus sequence. Overall, this study reveals the structural basis for the formation of the WDR5-MBD3C subcomplex and provides new insights into the recognition mode of WDR5 for the WIN motif. Moreover, these findings shed light on structural-based designs of WDR5-targeted anti-cancer small molecule inhibitors or peptide-mimic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Li Xu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Health, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, China.
| | - Shuting Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Liangrui Yao
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yuqing Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wenwen Li
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xuemin Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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3
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Huang X, Zhang C, Shang X, Chen Y, Xiao Q, Wei Z, Wang G, Zhen X, Xu G, Min J, Shen S, Liu Y. The NTE domain of PTENα/β promotes cancer progression by interacting with WDR5 via its SSSRRSS motif. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:335. [PMID: 38744853 PMCID: PMC11094138 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06714-6] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
PTENα/β, two variants of PTEN, play a key role in promoting tumor growth by interacting with WDR5 through their N-terminal extensions (NTEs). This interaction facilitates the recruitment of the SET1/MLL methyltransferase complex, resulting in histone H3K4 trimethylation and upregulation of oncogenes such as NOTCH3, which in turn promotes tumor growth. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this interaction has remained elusive. In this study, we determined the first crystal structure of PTENα-NTE in complex with WDR5, which reveals that PTENα utilizes a unique binding motif of a sequence SSSRRSS found in the NTE domain of PTENα/β to specifically bind to the WIN site of WDR5. Disruption of this interaction significantly impedes cell proliferation and tumor growth, highlighting the potential of the WIN site inhibitors of WDR5 as a way of therapeutic intervention of the PTENα/β associated cancers. These findings not only shed light on the important role of the PTENα/β-WDR5 interaction in carcinogenesis, but also present a promising avenue for developing cancer treatments that target this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, 215123, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Institute of Aging & Tissue Regeneration, Ren-Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), 200127, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinci Shang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, 215123, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yichang Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, 215123, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qin Xiao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, 215123, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengguo Wei
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Soochow University, 215123, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guanghui Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, 215123, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuechu Zhen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, 215123, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guoqiang Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, 215123, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinrong Min
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, 430079, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shaoming Shen
- Institute of Aging & Tissue Regeneration, Ren-Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), 200127, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yanli Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, 215123, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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4
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Shen L, Fang J, Liu L, Yang F, Jenkins JL, Kutchukian PS, Wang H. Pocket Crafter: a 3D generative modeling based workflow for the rapid generation of hit molecules in drug discovery. J Cheminform 2024; 16:33. [PMID: 38515171 PMCID: PMC10958880 DOI: 10.1186/s13321-024-00829-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
We present a user-friendly molecular generative pipeline called Pocket Crafter, specifically designed to facilitate hit finding activity in the drug discovery process. This workflow utilized a three-dimensional (3D) generative modeling method Pocket2Mol, for the de novo design of molecules in spatial perspective for the targeted protein structures, followed by filters for chemical-physical properties and drug-likeness, structure-activity relationship analysis, and clustering to generate top virtual hit scaffolds. In our WDR5 case study, we acquired a focused set of 2029 compounds after a targeted searching within Novartis archived library based on the virtual scaffolds. Subsequently, we experimentally profiled these compounds, resulting in a novel chemical scaffold series that demonstrated activity in biochemical and biophysical assays. Pocket Crafter successfully prototyped an effective end-to-end 3D generative chemistry-based workflow for the exploration of new chemical scaffolds, which represents a promising approach in early drug discovery for hit identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Shen
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
| | - Jian Fang
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Lulu Liu
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Fei Yang
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | | | | | - He Wang
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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5
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Wu T, Chen Y, You Q, Jiang Z, Chen X. Targeting bromodomian-containing protein 8 (BRD8): An advanced tool to interrogate BRD8. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116271. [PMID: 38401187 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116271] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications play crucial roles in physiological processes, including cell differentiation, proliferation, and death. Bromodomain/Brd-containing proteins (BCPs) regulate abnormal gene expression in various diseases by recognizing the lysine-ε-N-acetylated residues (KAc) or by acting as transcriptional co-activators. Small molecule inhibitors targeting BCPs offer an attractive strategy for modulating aberrant gene expression. Besides the extensive research on the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) domain family proteins, the non-BET proteins have gained increasing attention. Bromodomain containing protein 8 (BRD8), a reader of KAc and co-activator of nuclear receptors (NRs), plays a key role in various cancers. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the structure, disease-related functions, and inhibitor development of BRD8. Opportunities and challenges for future studies targeting BRD8 in disease treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Wu
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yali Chen
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qidong You
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Zhengyu Jiang
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Xuetao Chen
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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6
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Chang JY, Neugebauer C, Mues Genannt Koers A, 't Hart P. Small molecule WDR5 inhibitors down-regulate lncRNA expression. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:636-640. [PMID: 38389889 PMCID: PMC10880924 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00605k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
WD repeat domain 5 (WDR5) plays an important role as a scaffold protein in both protein-protein and RNA-protein complexes involved in epigenetic gene regulation. In particular, some of these lncRNAs were reported to regulate the expression of genes in cis as well as themselves through binding WDR5. In this report, we investigate the two known binding sites of WDR5 in relation to lncRNA binding and expression. The WBM binding site mediates both protein-protein and lncRNA-protein interactions while the WIN site, which is on the opposite side of the protein, is only known to mediate protein-protein interactions. To dissect the function of different binding sites on WDR5, we characterized them with selective peptide ligands using fluorescence polarization and used these to demonstrate the selectivity of small molecule inhibitors of these two major binding sites. RNA immunoprecipitation experiments were performed to show that lncRNA-WDR5 complex formation could be interrupted using a WBM site inhibitor. Finally, we demonstrated that WDR5 regulated lncRNAs are down regulated with different sensitivity toward the corresponding inhibitors, demonstrating the potential of targeting lncRNA-protein interactions to reduce oncogenic lncRNA expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Yao Chang
- Chemical Genomics Centre of the Max Planck Society, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Cora Neugebauer
- Chemical Genomics Centre of the Max Planck Society, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Anne Mues Genannt Koers
- Chemical Genomics Centre of the Max Planck Society, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Peter 't Hart
- Chemical Genomics Centre of the Max Planck Society, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
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7
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Qin S, Feng L, Zhao Q, Yan Z, Lyu X, Li K, Mu B, Chen Y, Lu W, Wang C, Suo Y, Yue J, Cui M, Li Y, Zhao Y, Duan Z, Zhu J, Lu X. Discovery and Optimization of WDR5 Inhibitors via Cascade Deoxyribonucleic Acid-Encoded Library Selection Approach. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1079-1092. [PMID: 38166388 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01463] [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: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
The DNA-encoded library (DEL) is a powerful hit generation tool for chemical biology and drug discovery; however, the optimization of DEL hits remained a daunting challenge for the medicinal chemistry community. In this study, hit compounds targeting the WIN binding domain of WDR5 were discovered by the initial three-cycle linear DEL selection, and their potency was further enhanced by a cascade DEL selection from the focused DEL designed based on the original first run DEL hits. As expected, these new compounds from the second run of focused DEL were more potent WDR5 inhibitors in the protein binding assay confirmed by the off-DNA synthesis. Interestingly, selected inhibitors exhibited good antiproliferative activity in two human acute leukemia cell lines. Taken together, this new cascade DEL selection strategy may have tremendous potential for finding high-affinity leads against WDR5 and provide opportunities to explore and optimize inhibitors for other targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaozhao Qin
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lijian Feng
- Etern BioPharma (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. F2-B13, No. 80, 1505 Lane, Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qingyi Zhao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ziqin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xilin Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Kaige Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Baiyang Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yujie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Weiwei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanrui Suo
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinfeng Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mengqing Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yingjie Li
- Etern BioPharma (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. F2-B13, No. 80, 1505 Lane, Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yujun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhiqiang Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jidong Zhu
- Etern BioPharma (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. F2-B13, No. 80, 1505 Lane, Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaojie Lu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
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8
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Teuscher KB, Mills JJ, Tian J, Han C, Meyers KM, Sai J, South TM, Crow MM, Van Meveren M, Sensintaffar JL, Zhao B, Amporndanai K, Moore WJ, Stott GM, Tansey WP, Lee T, Fesik SW. Structure-Based Discovery of Potent, Orally Bioavailable Benzoxazepinone-Based WD Repeat Domain 5 Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2023; 66:16783-16806. [PMID: 38085679 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The chromatin-associated protein WDR5 (WD repeat domain 5) is an essential cofactor for MYC and a conserved regulator of ribosome protein gene transcription. It is also a high-profile target for anti-cancer drug discovery, with proposed utility against both solid and hematological malignancies. We have previously discovered potent dihydroisoquinolinone-based WDR5 WIN-site inhibitors with demonstrated efficacy and safety in animal models. In this study, we sought to optimize the bicyclic core to discover a novel series of WDR5 WIN-site inhibitors with improved potency and physicochemical properties. We identified the 3,4-dihydrobenzo[f][1,4]oxazepin-5(2H)-one core as an alternative scaffold for potent WDR5 inhibitors. Additionally, we used X-ray structural analysis to design partially saturated bicyclic P7 units. These benzoxazepinone-based inhibitors exhibited increased cellular potency and selectivity and favorable physicochemical properties compared to our best-in-class dihydroisoquinolinone-based counterparts. This study opens avenues to discover more advanced WDR5 WIN-site inhibitors and supports their development as novel anti-cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jianhua Tian
- Molecular Design and Synthesis Center, Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0142, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - William J Moore
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
| | - Gordon M Stott
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21701-4907, United States
| | | | | | - Stephen W Fesik
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0142, United States
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9
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Yu X, Li D, Kottur J, Kim HS, Herring LE, Yu Y, Xie L, Hu X, Chen X, Cai L, Liu J, Aggarwal AK, Wang GG, Jin J. Discovery of Potent and Selective WDR5 Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras as Potential Therapeutics for Pancreatic Cancer. J Med Chem 2023; 66:16168-16186. [PMID: 38019706 PMCID: PMC10872723 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
As a core chromatin-regulatory scaffolding protein, WDR5 mediates numerous protein-protein interactions (PPIs) with other partner oncoproteins. However, small-molecule inhibitors that block these PPIs exert limited cell-killing effects. Here, we report structure-activity relationship studies in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells that led to the discovery of several WDR5 proteolysis-targeting chimer (PROTAC) degraders, including 11 (MS132), a highly potent and selective von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)-recruiting WDR5 degrader, which displayed positive binding cooperativity between WDR5 and VHL, effectively inhibited proliferation in PDAC cells, and was bioavailable in mice and 25, a cereblon (CRBN)-recruiting WDR5 degrader, which selectively degraded WDR5 over the CRBN neo-substrate IKZF1. Furthermore, by conducting site-directed mutagenesis studies, we determined that WDR5 K296, but not K32, was involved in the PROTAC-induced WDR5 degradation. Collectively, these studies resulted in a highly effective WDR5 degrader, which could be a potential therapeutic for pancreatic cancer and several potentially useful tool compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xufen Yu
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Dongxu Li
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jithesh Kottur
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Huen Suk Kim
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Laura E Herring
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Yao Yu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
| | - Ling Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Xiaoping Hu
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Xian Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Ling Cai
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
| | - Jing Liu
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Aneel K Aggarwal
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
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10
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Song L, Cao J, Chen L, Du Z, Zhang N, Cao D, Xiong B. Screening and optimization of phage display cyclic peptides against the WDR5 WBM site. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:2048-2057. [PMID: 37859722 PMCID: PMC10583817 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00288h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Of the various WD40 family proteins, WDR5 is a particularly important multifunctional adaptor protein that can bind to several protein complexes to regulate gene activation, so it was considered as a promising epigenetic target in anti-cancer drug development. Despite many inhibitors having been discovered directing against the arginine-binding cavity in WDR5 called the WIN site, the side hydrophobic cavity called the WBM site receives rather scant attention. Herein, we aim to obtain novel WBM-targeted peptidic inhibitors with high potency and selectivity. We employed two improved biopanning approaches with a disulfide-constrained cyclic peptide phage library containing 7 randomized residues and identified several peptides with micromole binding activity by docking and binding assay. To further optimize the stability and activity, 9 thiol-reactive chemical linkers were utilized in the cyclization of the candidate peptide DH226027, which had good binding affinity. This study provides an effective method to discover potent peptides targeting protein-protein interactions and highlights a broader perspective of peptide-mimic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyu Song
- Department of College of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 19A Yuquan Road Beijing 100049 China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences 555 Zuchongzhi Road Shanghai 201203 China
| | - Jiawen Cao
- Department of College of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 19A Yuquan Road Beijing 100049 China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences 555 Zuchongzhi Road Shanghai 201203 China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences 555 Zuchongzhi Road Shanghai 201203 China
| | - Zhiyan Du
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences 555 Zuchongzhi Road Shanghai 201203 China
| | - Naixia Zhang
- Department of College of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 19A Yuquan Road Beijing 100049 China
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences 555 Zuchongzhi Road Shanghai 201203 China
| | - Danyan Cao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences 555 Zuchongzhi Road Shanghai 201203 China
| | - Bing Xiong
- Department of College of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 19A Yuquan Road Beijing 100049 China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences 555 Zuchongzhi Road Shanghai 201203 China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences 555 Zuchongzhi Road Shanghai 201203 China
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11
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Chen Y, Su H, Zhao J, Na Z, Jiang K, Bacchiocchi A, Loh KH, Halaban R, Wang Z, Cao X, Slavoff SA. Unannotated microprotein EMBOW regulates the interactome and chromatin and mitotic functions of WDR5. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113145. [PMID: 37725512 PMCID: PMC10629662 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113145] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The conserved WD40-repeat protein WDR5 interacts with multiple proteins both inside and outside the nucleus. However, it is currently unclear whether and how the distribution of WDR5 between complexes is regulated. Here, we show that an unannotated microprotein EMBOW (endogenous microprotein binder of WDR5) dually encoded in the human SCRIB gene interacts with WDR5 and regulates its binding to multiple interaction partners, including KMT2A and KIF2A. EMBOW is cell cycle regulated, with two expression maxima at late G1 phase and G2/M phase. Loss of EMBOW decreases WDR5 interaction with KIF2A, aberrantly shortens mitotic spindle length, prolongs G2/M phase, and delays cell proliferation. In contrast, loss of EMBOW increases WDR5 interaction with KMT2A, leading to WDR5 binding to off-target genes, erroneously increasing H3K4me3 levels, and activating transcription of these genes. Together, these results implicate EMBOW as a regulator of WDR5 that regulates its interactions and prevents its off-target binding in multiple contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanran Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Institute for Biomolecular Design and Discovery, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education and Shanghai, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Haomiao Su
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Institute for Biomolecular Design and Discovery, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Jianing Zhao
- Frontier Innovation Center, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhenkun Na
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Institute for Biomolecular Design and Discovery, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Kevin Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Institute for Biomolecular Design and Discovery, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Antonella Bacchiocchi
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Ken H Loh
- Institute for Biomolecular Design and Discovery, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Ruth Halaban
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Zhentian Wang
- Frontier Innovation Center, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xiongwen Cao
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Institute for Biomolecular Design and Discovery, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education and Shanghai, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
| | - Sarah A Slavoff
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Institute for Biomolecular Design and Discovery, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06529, USA.
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12
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Xie X, Yu T, Li X, Zhang N, Foster LJ, Peng C, Huang W, He G. Recent advances in targeting the "undruggable" proteins: from drug discovery to clinical trials. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:335. [PMID: 37669923 PMCID: PMC10480221 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01589-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Undruggable proteins are a class of proteins that are often characterized by large, complex structures or functions that are difficult to interfere with using conventional drug design strategies. Targeting such undruggable targets has been considered also a great opportunity for treatment of human diseases and has attracted substantial efforts in the field of medicine. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the recent development of drug discovery targeting "undruggable" proteins and their application in clinic. To make this review well organized, we discuss the design strategies targeting the undruggable proteins, including covalent regulation, allosteric inhibition, protein-protein/DNA interaction inhibition, targeted proteins regulation, nucleic acid-based approach, immunotherapy and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Tingting Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
- Department of Dermatology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Leonard J Foster
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China.
| | - Wei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China.
| | - Gu He
- Department of Dermatology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China.
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13
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Chang JY, Neugebauer C, Schmeing S, Amrahova G, 't Hart P. Macrocyclic peptides as inhibitors of WDR5-lncRNA interactions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:10656-10659. [PMID: 37581220 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc03221c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
WDR5 is an adaptor protein involved in the regulation of various epigenetic modifier complexes. Various inhibitors have been described but only as inhibitors of its protein-protein interactions. Here we describe peptidic macrocycles that act as inhibitors of the interaction between WDR5 and long non-coding RNAs. The findings provide a new strategy to modulate the biological function of WDR5 as an RNA binding epigenetic regulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Yao Chang
- Chemical Genomics Centre of the Max Planck, Society Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Cora Neugebauer
- Chemical Genomics Centre of the Max Planck, Society Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Stefan Schmeing
- Chemical Genomics Centre of the Max Planck, Society Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Gulshan Amrahova
- Chemical Genomics Centre of the Max Planck, Society Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Peter 't Hart
- Chemical Genomics Centre of the Max Planck, Society Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.
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14
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Gurung R, Om D, Pun R, Hyun S, Shin D. Recent Progress in Modulation of WD40-Repeat Domain 5 Protein (WDR5): Inhibitors and Degraders. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3910. [PMID: 37568727 PMCID: PMC10417795 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
WD40-repeat (WDR) domain proteins play a crucial role in mediating protein-protein interactions that sustain oncogenesis in human cancers. One prominent example is the interaction between the transcription factor MYC and its chromatin co-factor, WD40-repeat domain protein 5 (WDR5), which is essential for oncogenic processes. The MYC family of proteins is frequently overexpressed in various cancers and has been validated as a promising target for anticancer therapies. The recruitment of MYC to chromatin is facilitated by WDR5, highlighting the significance of their interaction. Consequently, inhibiting the MYC-WDR5 interaction has been shown to induce the regression of malignant tumors, offering an alternative approach to targeting MYC in the development of anticancer drugs. WDR5 has two protein interaction sites, the "WDR5-binding motif" (WBM) site for MYC interaction and the histone methyltransferases SET1 recognition motif "WDR5-interacting" (WIN) site forming MLL complex. Significant efforts have been dedicated to the discovery of inhibitors that target the WDR5 protein. More recently, the successful application of targeted protein degradation technology has enabled the removal of WDR5. This breakthrough has opened up new avenues for inhibiting the interaction between WDR5 and the binding partners. In this review, we address the recent progress made in targeting WDR5 to inhibit MDR5-MYC and MDR5-MLL1 interactions, including its targeted protein degradation and their potential impact on anticancer drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raju Gurung
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, 191 Hambakmoe-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea; (R.G.); (D.O.); (R.P.)
| | - Darlami Om
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, 191 Hambakmoe-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea; (R.G.); (D.O.); (R.P.)
| | - Rabin Pun
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, 191 Hambakmoe-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea; (R.G.); (D.O.); (R.P.)
| | - Soonsil Hyun
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, 194-31 Osongsaengmyeong 1-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongyun Shin
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, 191 Hambakmoe-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea; (R.G.); (D.O.); (R.P.)
- Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Gachon University, 191 Hambakmoe-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea
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15
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Schwalm MP, Krämer A, Dölle A, Weckesser J, Yu X, Jin J, Saxena K, Knapp S. Tracking the PROTAC degradation pathway in living cells highlights the importance of ternary complex measurement for PROTAC optimization. Cell Chem Biol 2023:S2451-9456(23)00157-5. [PMID: 37354907 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
The multi-step degradation process of PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) poses a challenge for their rational development, as the rate-limiting steps that determine PROTACs efficiency remain largely unknown. Moreover, the slow throughput of currently used endpoint assays does not allow the comprehensive analysis of larger series of PROTACs. Here, we developed cell-based assays using the NanoLuciferase and HaloTag that allow measuring PROTAC-induced degradation and ternary complex formation kinetics and stability in cells. Using PROTACs developed for the degradation of WD40 repeat domain protein 5 (WDR5), the characterization of the mode of action of these PROTACs in the early degradation cascade revealed a key role of ternary complex formation and stability. Comparing a series of ternary complex crystal structures highlighted the importance of an efficient E3-target interface for ternary complex stability. The developed assays outline a strategy for the rational optimization of PROTACs using a series of live cell assays monitoring key steps of the early PROTAC-induced degradation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin P Schwalm
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Biozentrum, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Krämer
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Biozentrum, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anja Dölle
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Biozentrum, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Janik Weckesser
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Biozentrum, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Xufen Yu
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Krishna Saxena
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Biozentrum, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Biozentrum, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)/German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKTK site Frankfurt-Mainz, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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16
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Ding J, Liu L, Chiang YL, Zhao M, Liu H, Yang F, Shen L, Lin Y, Deng H, Gao J, Sage DR, West L, Llamas LA, Hao X, Kawatkar S, Li E, Jain RK, Tallarico JA, Canham SM, Wang H. Discovery and Structure-Based Design of Inhibitors of the WD Repeat-Containing Protein 5 (WDR5)-MYC Interaction. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37307526 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
WDR5 is a critical chromatin cofactor of MYC. WDR5 interacts with MYC through the WBM pocket and is hypothesized to anchor MYC to chromatin through its WIN site. Blocking the interaction of WDR5 and MYC impairs the recruitment of MYC to its target genes and disrupts the oncogenic function of MYC in cancer development, thus providing a promising strategy for the treatment of MYC-dysregulated cancers. Here, we describe the discovery of novel WDR5 WBM pocket antagonists containing a 1-phenyl dihydropyridazinone 3-carboxamide core that was identified from high-throughput screening and subsequent structure-based design. The leading compounds showed sub-micromolar inhibition in the biochemical assay. Among them, compound 12 can disrupt WDR5-MYC interaction in cells and reduce MYC target gene expression. Our work provides useful probes to study WDR5-MYC interaction and its function in cancers, which can also be used as the starting point for further optimization toward drug-like small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Ding
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Lulu Liu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Ying-Ling Chiang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mengxi Zhao
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hejun Liu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai 201203, China
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Fei Yang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Lingling Shen
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Ying Lin
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Huiwen Deng
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jingyan Gao
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - David R Sage
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Laura West
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Luis A Llamas
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Xin Hao
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Sameer Kawatkar
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - En Li
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Rishi K Jain
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - John A Tallarico
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Stephen M Canham
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - He Wang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai 201203, China
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17
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Li H, Zhang D, Fu Q, Wang S, Zhang X, Lin Z, Wang Z, Song J, Su Z, Xue V, Liu S, Chen Y, Zhou L, Zhao N, Lu D. WDR54 exerts oncogenic roles in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer Sci 2023. [PMID: 37302808 PMCID: PMC10394158 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15872] [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: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
WDR54 has been recently identified as a novel oncogene in colorectal and bladder cancers. However, the expression and function of WDR54 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) were not reported. In this study, we investigated the expression of WDR54 in T-ALL, as well as its function in T-ALL pathogenesis using cell lines and T-ALL xenograft. Bioinformatics analysis indicated high mRNA expression of WDR54 in T-ALL. We further confirmed that the expression of WDR54 was significantly elevated in T-ALL. Depletion of WDR54 dramatically inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at S phase in T-ALL cells in vitro. Moreover, knockdown of WDR54 impeded the process of leukemogenesis in a Jurkat xenograft model in vivo. Mechanistically, the expression of PDPK1, phospho-AKT (p-AKT), total AKT, phospho-ERK (p-ERK), Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were downregulated, while cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 were upregulated in T-ALL cells with WDR54 knockdown. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis indicated that WDR54 might regulate the expression of some oncogenic genes involved in multiple signaling pathways. Taken together, these findings suggest that WDR54 may be involved in the pathogenesis of T-ALL and serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Danlan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiuxia Fu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shang Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhixian Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhongyuan Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiaxing Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zijie Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - VivianWeiwen Xue
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Na Zhao
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Desheng Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
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18
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Liu L, Shen L, Ding Z, He M, Li E, Tallarico JA, Jain RK, Wang H. Mechanism of Resistance to the WDR5 Inhibitor in MLL-Rearranged Leukemia. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:949-958. [PMID: 37027891 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance is a major problem often limiting the long-term effectiveness of targeted cancer therapeutics. Resistance can be acquired through mutations or amplification of the primary drug targets or activation of bypass signaling pathways. Considering the multifaceted function of WDR5 in human malignancies, WDR5 has emerged as an attractive drug target for the discovery of small-molecule inhibitors. In this study, we investigated if cancer cells might develop resistance to a highly potent WDR5 inhibitor. We established a drug-adapted cancer cell line and discovered that WDR5P173L mutation occurs in the resistant cells, which confers resistance by preventing target engagement of the inhibitor. This work elucidated the WDR5 inhibitor's potential resistance mechanism in a preclinical study as a reference for future study in the clinical stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Liu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Lingling Shen
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Zhilou Ding
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4218 Jinke Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Miao He
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4218 Jinke Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - En Li
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4218 Jinke Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - John A Tallarico
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Rishi K Jain
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - He Wang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4218 Jinke Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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19
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Ding J, Li G, Liu H, Liu L, Lin Y, Gao J, Zhou G, Shen L, Zhao M, Yu Y, Guo W, Hommel U, Ottl J, Blank J, Aubin N, Wei Y, He H, Sage DR, Atadja PW, Li E, Jain RK, Tallarico JA, Canham SM, Chiang YL, Wang H. Discovery of Potent Small-Molecule Inhibitors of WDR5-MYC Interaction. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:34-40. [PMID: 36594833 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
WD repeat domain 5 (WDR5) is a member of the WD40-repeat protein family that plays a critical role in multiple processes. It is also a prominent target for pharmacological inhibition in diseases such as cancer, aging, and neurodegenerative disorders. Interactions between WDR5 and various partners are essential for sustaining its function. Most drug discovery efforts center on the WIN (WDR5 interaction motif) site of WDR5 that is responsible for the recruitment of WDR5 to chromatin. Here, we describe the discovery of novel WDR5 inhibitors for the other WBM (WDR5 binding motif) pocket on this scaffold protein, to disrupt WDR5 interaction with its binding partner MYC by high-throughput biochemical screening, subsequent molecule optimization, and biological assessment. These new WDR5 inhibitors provide useful probes for future investigations of WDR5 and an avenue for targeting WDR5 as a therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Ding
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Guo Li
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Hejun Liu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China.,Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, San Diego, California92121, United States
| | - Lulu Liu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Ying Lin
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Jingyan Gao
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Guoqiang Zhou
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Lingling Shen
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States.,Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Mengxi Zhao
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Yanyan Yu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Weihui Guo
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Ulrich Hommel
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, BaselCH-4056, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Ottl
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, BaselCH-4056, Switzerland
| | - Jutta Blank
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, BaselCH-4056, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Aubin
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, BaselCH-4056, Switzerland
| | - Yi Wei
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Hu He
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China
| | - David R Sage
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Peter W Atadja
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China
| | - En Li
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Rishi K Jain
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - John A Tallarico
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Stephen M Canham
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Ying-Ling Chiang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States.,Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China
| | - He Wang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States.,Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai201203, China
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20
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Wu CP, Hsieh YJ, Tseng HY, Huang YH, Li YQ, Hung TH, Wang SP, Wu YS. The WD repeat-containing protein 5 (WDR5) antagonist WDR5-0103 restores the efficacy of cytotoxic drugs in multidrug-resistant cancer cells overexpressing ABCB1 or ABCG2. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 154:113663. [PMID: 36081287 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the major challenges in the treatment of cancer which is caused by the overexpression of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein) and/or ABCG2 (BCRP/MXR/ABCP) in cancer cells. These transporters are capable of reducing the efficacy of cytotoxic drugs by actively effluxing them out of cancer cells. Since there is currently no approved treatment for patients with multidrug-resistant tumors, the drug repurposing approach provides an alternative route to identify agents to reverse MDR mediated by ABCB1 and/or ABCG2 in multidrug-resistant cancer cells. WDR5-0103 is a histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferase inhibitor that disrupts the interaction between the WD repeat-containing protein 5 (WDR5) and mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) protein. In this study, the effect of WDR5-0103 on MDR mediated by ABCB1 and ABCG2 was determined. We found that in a concentration-dependent manner, WDR5-0103 could sensitize ABCB1- and ABCG2-overexpressing multidrug-resistant cancer cells to conventional cytotoxic drugs. Our results showed that WDR5-0103 reverses MDR and improves drug-induced apoptosis in multidrug-resistant cancer cells by inhibiting the drug-efflux function of ABCB1 and ABCG2, without altering the protein expression of ABCB1 or ABCG2. The potential sites of interactions of WDR5-0103 with the drug-binding pockets of ABCB1 and ABCG2 were predicted by molecular docking. In conclusion, the MDR reversal activity of WDR5-0103 demonstrated here indicates that it could be used in combination therapy to provide benefits to a subset of patients with tumor expressing high levels of ABCB1 or ABCG2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Pu Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ya-Ju Hsieh
- Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Han-Yu Tseng
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Yang-Hui Huang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Yan-Qing Li
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Tai-Ho Hung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.
| | - Shun-Ping Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Shan Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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21
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Teuscher KB, Meyers KM, Wei Q, Mills JJ, Tian J, Alvarado J, Sai J, Van Meveren M, South TM, Rietz TA, Zhao B, Moore WJ, Stott GM, Tansey WP, Lee T, Fesik SW. Discovery of Potent Orally Bioavailable WD Repeat Domain 5 (WDR5) Inhibitors Using a Pharmacophore-Based Optimization. J Med Chem 2022; 65:6287-6312. [PMID: 35436124 PMCID: PMC10081510 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
WD repeat domain 5 (WDR5) is a nuclear scaffolding protein that forms many biologically important multiprotein complexes. The WIN site of WDR5 represents a promising pharmacological target in a variety of human cancers. Here, we describe the optimization of our initial WDR5 WIN-site inhibitor using a structure-guided pharmacophore-based convergent strategy to improve its druglike properties and pharmacokinetic profile. The core of the previous lead remained constant while a focused SAR effort on the three pharmacophore units was combined to generate a new in vivo lead series. Importantly, this new series of compounds has picomolar binding affinity, improved cellular antiproliferative activity and selectivity, and increased kinetic aqueous solubility. They also exhibit a desirable oral pharmacokinetic profile with manageable intravenous clearance and high oral bioavailability. Thus, these new leads are useful probes toward studying the effects of WDR5 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - William J Moore
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21701-4907, United States
| | - Gordon M Stott
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21701-4907, United States
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22
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Siladi AJ, Wang J, Florian AC, Thomas LR, Creighton JH, Matlock BK, Flaherty DK, Lorey SL, Howard GC, Fesik SW, Weissmiller AM, Liu Q, Tansey WP. WIN site inhibition disrupts a subset of WDR5 function. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1848. [PMID: 35115608 PMCID: PMC8813994 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05947-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
WDR5 nucleates the assembly of histone-modifying complexes and acts outside this context in a range of chromatin-centric processes. WDR5 is also a prominent target for pharmacological inhibition in cancer. Small-molecule degraders of WDR5 have been described, but most drug discovery efforts center on blocking the WIN site of WDR5, an arginine binding cavity that engages MLL/SET enzymes that deposit histone H3 lysine 4 methylation (H3K4me). Therapeutic application of WIN site inhibitors is complicated by the disparate functions of WDR5, but is generally guided by two assumptions-that WIN site inhibitors disable all functions of WDR5, and that changes in H3K4me drive the transcriptional response of cancer cells to WIN site blockade. Here, we test these assumptions by comparing the impact of WIN site inhibition versus WDR5 degradation on H3K4me and transcriptional processes. We show that WIN site inhibition disables only a specific subset of WDR5 activity, and that H3K4me changes induced by WDR5 depletion do not explain accompanying transcriptional responses. These data recast WIN site inhibitors as selective loss-of-function agents, contradict H3K4me as a relevant mechanism of action for WDR5 inhibitors, and indicate distinct clinical applications of WIN site inhibitors and WDR5 degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Siladi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Andrea C Florian
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Lance R Thomas
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Oncocyte Corporation, 2 International Drive, Suite 510, Nashville, TN, 37217, USA
| | - Joy H Creighton
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, 32132, USA
| | - Brittany K Matlock
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center Flow Cytometry Shared Resource, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - David K Flaherty
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center Flow Cytometry Shared Resource, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Shelly L Lorey
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Gregory C Howard
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Stephen W Fesik
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - April M Weissmiller
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, 32132, USA
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - William P Tansey
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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