1
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Zhu W, Liu C, Xi K, Li A, Shen LA, Li Y, Jia M, He Y, Chen G, Liu C, Chen Y, Chen K, Sun F, Zhang D, Duan C, Wang H, Wang D, Zhao Y, Meng X, Zhu D. Discovery of Novel 1-Phenylpiperidine Urea-Containing Derivatives Inhibiting β-Catenin/BCL9 Interaction and Exerting Antitumor Efficacy through the Activation of Antigen Presentation of cDC1 Cells. J Med Chem 2024; 67:12485-12520. [PMID: 38912577 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02079] [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: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling is associated with tumor development, and blocking β-catenin/BCL9 is a novel strategy for oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Herein, we presented two novel β-catenin variations and exposed conformational dynamics in several β-catenin crystal structures at the BCL9 binding site. Furthermore, we identified a class of novel urea-containing compounds targeting β-catenin/BCL9 interaction. Notably, the binding modalities of inhibitors were greatly affected by the conformational dynamics of β-catenin. Among them, 28 had a strong affinity for β-catenin (Kd = 82 nM), the most potent inhibitor reported. In addition, 13 and 35 not only activate T cells but also promote the antigen presentation of cDC1, showing robust antitumor efficacy in the CT26 model. Collectively, our study demonstrated a series of potent small-molecule inhibitors targeting β-catenin/BCL9, which can enhance antigen presentation and activate cDC1 cells, delivering a potential strategy for boosting innate and adaptive immunity to overcome immunotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Zhu
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Cuiting Liu
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Kang Xi
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Anqi Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Li-An Shen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yana Li
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Miaomiao Jia
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Yangbo He
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Chenglong Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yangqiang Chen
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Fan Sun
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Daizhou Zhang
- Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Science, Jinan 250101, China
| | - Chonggang Duan
- Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Science, Jinan 250101, China
| | - Heng Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | | | - Yujun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd., Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiangjing Meng
- Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Science, Jinan 250101, China
| | - Di Zhu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 201210, China
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2
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Song P, Gao Z, Bao Y, Chen L, Huang Y, Liu Y, Dong Q, Wei X. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in carcinogenesis and cancer therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:46. [PMID: 38886806 PMCID: PMC11184729 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01563-4] [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] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, encompassing development, tissue homeostasis, and cell proliferation. Under normal physiological conditions, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is meticulously regulated. However, aberrant activation of this pathway and downstream target genes can occur due to mutations in key components of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, epigenetic modifications, and crosstalk with other signaling pathways. Consequently, these dysregulations contribute significantly to tumor initiation and progression. Therapies targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling transduction have exhibited promising prospects and potential for tumor treatment. An increasing number of medications targeting this pathway are continuously being developed and validated. This comprehensive review aims to summarize the latest advances in our understanding of the role played by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in carcinogenesis and targeted therapy, providing valuable insights into acknowledging current opportunities and challenges associated with targeting this signaling pathway in cancer research and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Song
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Zirui Gao
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yige Bao
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Li Chen
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yuhe Huang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Dong
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, China.
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China.
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3
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Peng X, Shen LA, Bao Y, Liu C, Chen Q, Zhang H, Li J, Zhang Q. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel 8-substituted quercetin derivatives targeting the β‑catenin/B-cell lymphoma 9 interaction. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 98:129591. [PMID: 38097141 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129591] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The β-catenin/B-cell lymphoma 9 (BCL9) protein-protein interaction (PPI) is a potential target for aberrantly active Wnt/β-catenin signaling which actively participates in initiating and progressing of many cancers. Herein, we discovered novel 8-substituted quercetin derivatives with potential inhibitory activities targeting β-catenin/BCL9 PPI. Among all the derivatives, compound B4 displayed the most promising PPI inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 2.25 μM in a competitive fluorescence polarization assay and a KD value of 1.44 μM for the β-catenin protein. Furthermore, B4 selectively inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, suppressed the transactivation of Wnt signaling, and downregulated the expression of oncogenic Wnt target gene. Especially, B4 showed potent anti-CRC activity in vivo with the tumor growth inhibition (TGI) of 75.99 % and regulated the tumor immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyan Peng
- Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200123, China; Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Li-An Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ya Bao
- Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chenglong Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qiushi Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiayi Li
- Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Qingwei Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China; National Key Laboratory of Lead Druggability Research, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co. Ltd. Shanghai 201203, China.
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4
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Dev A, Vachher M, Prasad CP. β-catenin inhibitors in cancer therapeutics: intricacies and way forward. Bioengineered 2023; 14:2251696. [PMID: 37655825 PMCID: PMC10478749 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2023.2251696] [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: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
β-catenin is an evolutionary conserved, quintessential, multifaceted protein that plays vital roles in cellular homeostasis, embryonic development, organogenesis, stem cell maintenance, cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, apoptosis, and pathogenesis of various human diseases including cancer. β-catenin manifests both signaling and adhesive features. It acts as a pivotal player in intracellular signaling as a component of versatile WNT signaling cascade involved in embryonic development, homeostasis as well as in carcinogenesis. It is also involved in Ca2+ dependent cell adhesion via interaction with E-cadherin at the adherens junctions. Aberrant β-catenin expression and its nuclear accumulation promote the transcription of various oncogenes including c-Myc and cyclinD1, thereby contributing to tumor initiation, development, and progression. β-catenin's expression is closely regulated at various levels including its stability, sub-cellular localization, as well as transcriptional activity. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of regulation of β-catenin and its atypical expression will provide researchers not only the novel insights into the pathogenesis and progression of cancer but also will help in deciphering new therapeutic avenues. In the present review, we have summarized the dual functions of β-catenin, its role in signaling, associated mutations as well as its role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression of various cancers. Additionally, we have discussed the challenges associated with targeting β-catenin molecule with the presently available drugs and suggested the possible way forward in designing new therapeutic alternatives against this oncogene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arundhathi Dev
- Department of Medical Oncology (Laboratory), DR BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Meenakshi Vachher
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Chandra Prakash Prasad
- Department of Medical Oncology (Laboratory), DR BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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5
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Kumar V, Haldar S, Ghosh S, Saini S, Dhankhar P, Roy P. Pterostilbene-Isothiocyanate Inhibits Proliferation of Human MG-63 Osteosarcoma Cells via Abrogating β-Catenin/TCF-4 Interaction-A Mechanistic Insight. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:43474-43489. [PMID: 38027335 PMCID: PMC10666272 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma, a highly metastasizing bone neoplasm, is a leading cause of death and disability in children and adolescents worldwide. Osteosarcoma is only suboptimally responsive to surgery and radio- and chemotherapy, that too with adverse side effects. Hence, there is a necessary need for safer alternative therapeutic approaches. This study evaluated the anticancer effects of the semi-synthetic compound, pterostilbene-isothiocyanate (PTER-ITC), on human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells through cytotoxicity, wound-healing, and transwell-migration assays. Results showed that PTER-ITC specifically inhibited the survival, proliferation, and migration of osteosarcoma cells. PTER-ITC induced apoptosis in MG-63 cells by disrupting mitochondrial membrane potential, as evident from the outcomes of different cytological staining. The antimetastatic potential of PTER-ITC was evaluated through immunostaining, RT-qPCR, and immunoblotting. In silico (molecular docking and dynamic simulation) and, subsequently, biochemical [co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and luciferase reporter] assays deciphered the underlying mode-of-action of this compound. PTER-ITC increased E-cadherin and reduced N-cadherin levels, thereby facilitating the reversal of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It also modulated the expressions of proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), caspase-3, poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase (PARP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMPs-2/9) at transcriptional and translational levels. PTER-ITC interfered with the β-catenin/transcription factor-4 (TCF-4) interaction in silico by occupying the β-catenin binding site on TCF-4, confirmed by their reduced physical interactions (Co-IP assay). This inhibited transcriptional activation of TCF-4 by β-catenin (as shown by luciferase reporter assay). In conclusion, PTER-ITC exhibited potent anticancer effects in vitro against human osteosarcoma cells by abrogating the β-catenin/TCF-4 interaction. Altogether, this study suggests that PTER-ITC may be regarded as a new approach for osteosarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viney Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667,India
| | - Swati Haldar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667,India
- Centre of Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Souvik Ghosh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667,India
- Centre of Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Saakshi Saini
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667,India
| | - Poonam Dhankhar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667,India
| | - Partha Roy
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667,India
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6
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Zhu J, Chen S, Liu Z, Guo J, Cao S, Long S. Recent advances in anticancer peptoids. Bioorg Chem 2023; 139:106686. [PMID: 37399616 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Since most tumors become resistant to drugs in a gradual and irreversible manner, making treatment less effective over time, anticancer drugs require continuous development. Peptoids are a class of peptidomimetics that can be easily synthesized and optimized. They exhibit a number of unique characteristics, including protease resistance, non-immunogenicity, do not interfere with peptide functionality and skeleton polarity, and can adopt different conformations. They have been studied for their efficacy in different cancer therapies, and can be considered as a promising alternative molecular category for the development of anticancer drugs. Herein, we discuss the extensive recent advances in peptoids and peptoid hybrids in the treatment of cancers such as prostate, breast, lung, and other ones, in the hope of providing a reference for the further development of peptoid anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jidan Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Advanced Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 1st Rd Optics Valley, East Lake New Technology Development District, Wuhan, Hubei 430205, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Advanced Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 1st Rd Optics Valley, East Lake New Technology Development District, Wuhan, Hubei 430205, China
| | - Ziwei Liu
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Advanced Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 1st Rd Optics Valley, East Lake New Technology Development District, Wuhan, Hubei 430205, China
| | - Ju Guo
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Advanced Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 1st Rd Optics Valley, East Lake New Technology Development District, Wuhan, Hubei 430205, China
| | - Shuang Cao
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Advanced Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 1st Rd Optics Valley, East Lake New Technology Development District, Wuhan, Hubei 430205, China.
| | - Sihui Long
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Advanced Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 1st Rd Optics Valley, East Lake New Technology Development District, Wuhan, Hubei 430205, China.
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7
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Shen LA, Peng X, Bao Y, Liu C, Zhang H, Li J, Zhu D, Zhang Q. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of quercetin derivatives as novel β-catenin/B-cell lymphoma 9 protein-protein interaction inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 247:115075. [PMID: 36599228 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The β-catenin/B-cell lymphoma 9 (BCL9) protein-protein interaction (PPI) is a potential target for the suppression of hyperactive Wnt/β-catenin signaling that is vigorously involved in cancer initiation and development. Herein, we first described quercetin and its derivatives had potential inhibitory effects on β-catenin/BCL9 PPI. The most potent compound, quercetin-3'-O-(4-methylpiperazine-1-yl) propyl (C1), directly binded with β-catenin and disrupted the β-catenin/BCL9 interaction in both the protein level and the cellular context. C1 also effectively inhibited colorectal cancer in vitro and showed better selectivity in inhibiting hyperactive Wnt/β-catenin signaling cells like CT26 and HCT116. And we further confirmed that C1 could inhibit CT26 tumor growth in vivo and regulate the tumor immune microenvironment. This study provides a good chemical probe to explore β-catenin-related biology and a drug-like quercetin derivative as novel β-catenin/BCL9 PPI inhibitors for further drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-An Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xinyan Peng
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ya Bao
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Chenglong Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China; Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jianqi Li
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Di Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201100, China.
| | - Qingwei Zhang
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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8
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Zhang H, Liu C, Zhu D, Zhang Q, Li J. Medicinal Chemistry Strategies for the Development of Inhibitors Disrupting β-Catenin's Interactions with Its Nuclear Partners. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1-31. [PMID: 36583662 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is strongly associated with various aspects of cancer, including tumor initiation, proliferation, and metastasis as well as antitumor immunity, and presents a promising opportunity for cancer therapy. Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation increases nuclear dephosphorylated β-catenin levels, resulting in β-catenin binding to TCF and additional cotranscription factors, such as BCL9, CBP, and p300. Therefore, directly disrupting β-catenin's interactions with these nuclear partners holds promise for the effective and selective suppression of the aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Herein, we summarize recent advances in biochemical techniques and medicinal chemistry strategies used to identify potent peptide-based and small-molecule inhibitors that directly disrupt β-catenin's interactions with its nuclear binding partners. We discuss the challenges involved in developing drug-like inhibitors that target the interactions of β-catenin and its nuclear binding partner into therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.,Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chenglong Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Di Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Qingwei Zhang
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianqi Li
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
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9
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Semenova MN, Tsyganov DV, Konyushkin LD, Semenov VV. Cytotoxic monoaryl furazanopyrazines with microtubule destabilizing activity in the sea urchin embryo model. RESULTS IN CHEMISTRY 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2022.100704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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10
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Yang P, Zhu Y, Zheng Q, Meng S, Wu Y, Shuai W, Sun Q, Wang G. Recent advances of β-catenin small molecule inhibitors for cancer therapy: Current development and future perspectives. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114789. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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11
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Nalli M, Masci D, Urbani A, La Regina G, Silvestri R. Emerging Direct Targeting β-Catenin Agents. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27227735. [PMID: 36431838 PMCID: PMC9698307 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227735] [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: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant accumulation of β-catenin in the cell nucleus as a result of deregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is found in various types of cancer. Direct β-catenin targeting agents are being researched despite obstacles; however, specific β-catenin drugs for clinical treatments have not been approved so far. We focused on direct β-catenin targeting of potential therapeutic value as anticancer agents. This review provides recent advances on small molecule β-catenin agents. Structure-activity relationships and biological activities of reported inhibitors are discussed. This work provides useful knowledge in the discovery of β-catenin agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Nalli
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Domiziana Masci
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative Clinics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Urbani
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative Clinics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe La Regina
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Romano Silvestri
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
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12
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Dong Y, Liu M, Mao Y, Wu S, Wen J, Lu J, Yang Y, Ruan S, Li L, Liu X, Zhang J, Liao S, Dong L. Discovery of 2-(isoxazol-5-yl)phenyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate as a potential inhibitor for the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Bioorg Chem 2022; 128:106116. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Koelman EMR, Yeste-Vázquez A, Grossmann TN. Targeting the interaction of β-catenin and TCF/LEF transcription factors to inhibit oncogenic Wnt signaling. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 70:116920. [PMID: 35841828 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116920] [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: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is crucially involved in embryonic development, stem cell maintenance and tissue renewal. Hyperactivation of this pathway is associated with the development and progression of various types of cancers. The transcriptional coactivator β-catenin represents a pivotal component of the pathway and its interaction with transcription factors of the TCF/LEF family is central to pathway activation. Inhibition of this crucial protein-protein interaction via direct targeting of β-catenin is considered a promising strategy for the inactivation of oncogenic Wnt signaling. This review summarizes advances in the development of Wnt antagonists that have been shown to directly bind β-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M R Koelman
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Yeste-Vázquez
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands
| | - Tom N Grossmann
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands.
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14
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Peery R, Cui Q, Kyei-Baffour K, Josephraj S, Huang C, Dong Z, Dai M, Zhang JT, Liu JY. A novel survivin dimerization inhibitor without a labile hydrazone linker induces spontaneous apoptosis and synergizes with docetaxel in prostate cancer cells. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 65:116761. [PMID: 35504208 PMCID: PMC9148172 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, exists as a homodimer and is aberrantly upregulated in a wide spectrum of cancers. It was thought to be an ideal target due to its lack of expression in most adult normal tissues and importance in cancer cell survival. However, it has been challenging to target survivin due to its "undruggable" nature. We previously attempted to target its dimerization domain with a hypothesis that inhibiting survivin dimerization would promote its degradation in proteasome, which led to identification of a lead small-molecule inhibitor, LQZ-7F. LQZ-7F consists of a flat tetracyclic aromatic core with labile hydrazone linking a 1,2,5-oxadiazole moiety. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that LQZ-7F could be developed as a prodrug because the labile hydrazone linker could be hydrolyzed, releasing the tetracyclic aromatic core. To this end, we synthesized the tetracyclic aromatic core (LQZ-7F1) using reported procedure and tested LQZ-7F1 for its biological activities. Here we show that LQZ-7F1 has a significantly improved potency with submicromolar IC50's and induces spontaneous apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. It also more effectively inhibits survivin dimerization and induces survivin degradation in a proteasome-dependent manner than LQZ-7F. We also show that the combination of LQZ-7F1 and docetaxel have strong synergism in inhibiting prostate cancer cell survival. Together, we conclude that the hydrazone linker with the oxadiazole tail is dispensable for survivin inhibition and the survivin dimerization inhibitor, LQZ-7F, may be developed as a prodrug for prostate cancer treatment and to overcome docetaxel resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Peery
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Qingbin Cui
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Kwaku Kyei-Baffour
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Sophia Josephraj
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Caoqinglong Huang
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Zizheng Dong
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Mingji Dai
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States, Corresponding authors at: Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States (M. Dai). Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, United States (J.-T. Zhang). Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, United States (J.-Y. Liu). (M. Dai), (J.-T. Zhang), (J.-Y. Liu)
| | - Jian-Ting Zhang
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States, Corresponding authors at: Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States (M. Dai). Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, United States (J.-T. Zhang). Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, United States (J.-Y. Liu). (M. Dai), (J.-T. Zhang), (J.-Y. Liu)
| | - Jing-Yuan Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States, Corresponding authors at: Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States (M. Dai). Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, United States (J.-T. Zhang). Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, United States (J.-Y. Liu). (M. Dai), (J.-T. Zhang), (J.-Y. Liu)
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15
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Kvashnin YA, Verbitskiy EV, Rusinov GL, Charushin VN. Modification and application of 1,2,5-oxadiazolo[3,4-b]pyrazine derivatives: highlights and perspectives. Russ Chem Bull 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11172-022-3540-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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16
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McCoy MA, Spicer D, Wells N, Hoogewijs K, Fiedler M, Baud MGJ. Biophysical Survey of Small-Molecule β-Catenin Inhibitors: A Cautionary Tale. J Med Chem 2022; 65:7246-7261. [PMID: 35581674 PMCID: PMC9150122 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The canonical Wingless-related
integration site signaling pathway
plays a critical role in human physiology, and its dysregulation can
lead to an array of diseases. β-Catenin is a multifunctional
protein within this pathway and an attractive yet challenging therapeutic
target, most notably in oncology. This has stimulated the search for
potent small-molecule inhibitors binding directly to the β-catenin
surface to inhibit its protein–protein interactions and downstream
signaling. Here, we provide an account of the claimed (and some putative)
small-molecule ligands of β-catenin from the literature. Through
in silico analysis, we show that most of these molecules contain promiscuous
chemical substructures notorious for interfering with screening assays.
Finally, and in line with this analysis, we demonstrate using orthogonal
biophysical techniques that none of the examined small molecules bind
at the surface of β-catenin. While shedding doubts on their
reported mode of action, this study also reaffirms β-catenin
as a prominent target in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A McCoy
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K
| | - Dominique Spicer
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K
| | - Neil Wells
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K
| | - Kurt Hoogewijs
- National University of Ireland, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Marc Fiedler
- Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, U.K
| | - Matthias G J Baud
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K
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17
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Chen W, Chen C, Chang T, Hsieh F, Chen W, Li W. Design, synthesis, and characterization of oxadiazolopyrazine analogs with application as anticancer agents. J CHIN CHEM SOC-TAIP 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jccs.202100438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei‐Chia Chen
- Institute of Chemistry Academia Sinica Taipei Taiwan
- Department of Chemistry National Taiwan Normal University Taipei Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | - Wen‐Shan Li
- Institute of Chemistry Academia Sinica Taipei Taiwan
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, College of Life Science Kaohsiung Medical Univer‐sity Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Biomedical Translation Research Center Academia Sinica Taipei Taiwan
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18
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Li Z, Zhang M, Teuscher KB, Ji H. Discovery of 1-Benzoyl 4-Phenoxypiperidines as Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the β-Catenin/B-Cell Lymphoma 9 Protein-Protein Interaction. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11195-11218. [PMID: 34270257 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Structure-based design and optimization were performed to develop small-molecule β-catenin/B-cell lymphoma 9 (BCL9) inhibitors and improve their inhibitory activities. Compound ZL3138 with a novel 1-benzoyl 4-phenoxypiperidine scaffold was discovered to disrupt the β-catenin/BCL9 protein-protein interaction (PPI) with a Ki of 0.96 μM in AlphaScreen competitive inhibition assays and displayed good selectivity for β-catenin/BCL9 over β-catenin/E-cadherin PPIs. The binding mode of new inhibitors was characterized by structure-activity relationship and site-directed mutagenesis studies. Protein pull-down assays indicate that this series of compounds directly binds with β-catenin. Cellular target engagement and co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate that ZL3138 binds with β-catenin and disrupts the β-catenin/BCL9 interaction without affecting the β-catenin/E-cadherin interaction in living cells. Further cell-based studies show that ZL3138 selectively suppresses transactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, regulates transcription and expression of Wnt target genes, and inhibits the growth of Wnt/β-catenin-dependent cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilu Li
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States.,Departments of Oncologic Sciences and Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Min Zhang
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Kevin B Teuscher
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
| | - Haitao Ji
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States.,Departments of Oncologic Sciences and Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
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19
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Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling is crucial both in normal embryonic development and throughout the life of an organism. Moreover, aberrant Wnt signaling has been associated with various diseases, especially cancer and fibrosis. Recent research suggests that direct targeting of the β-catenin/BCL9 protein-protein interaction (PPI) is a promising strategy to block the Wnt pathway. Progress in understanding the cocrystalline complex and mechanism of action of the β-catenin/BCL9 interaction facilitates the discovery process of its inhibitors, but only a few inhibitors have been reported. In this review, the discovery and development of β-catenin/BCL9 PPI inhibitors in the areas of drug design, structure-activity relationships and biological and biochemical properties are summarized. In addition, perspectives for the future development of β-catenin/BCL9 PPI inhibitors are explored.
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20
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Liu Z, Wang P, Wold EA, Song Q, Zhao C, Wang C, Zhou J. Small-Molecule Inhibitors Targeting the Canonical WNT Signaling Pathway for the Treatment of Cancer. J Med Chem 2021; 64:4257-4288. [PMID: 33822624 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Canonical WNT signaling is an important developmental pathway that has attracted increased attention for anticancer drug discovery. From the production and secretion of WNT ligands, their binding to membrane receptors, and the β-catenin destruction complex to the expansive β-catenin transcriptional complex, multiple components have been investigated as drug targets to modulate WNT signaling. Significant progress in developing WNT inhibitors such as porcupine inhibitors, tankyrase inhibitors, β-catenin/coactivators, protein-protein interaction inhibitors, casein kinase modulators, DVL inhibitors, and dCTPP1 inhibitors has been made, with several candidates (e.g., LGK-974, PRI-724, and ETC-159) in human clinical trials. Herein we summarize recent progress in the drug discovery and development of small-molecule inhibitors targeting the canonical WNT pathway, focusing on their specific target proteins, in vitro and in vivo activities, physicochemical properties, and therapeutic potential. The relevant opportunities and challenges toward maintaining the balance between efficacy and toxicity in effectively targeting this pathway are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqing Liu
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, College of Food Science and Technology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Pingyuan Wang
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Eric A Wold
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Qiaoling Song
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, College of Food Science and Technology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Chenyang Zhao
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, College of Food Science and Technology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Changyun Wang
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, College of Food Science and Technology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
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21
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Abstract
Incorporation of heterocycles into drug molecules can enhance physical properties and biological activity. A variety of heterocyclic groups is available to medicinal chemists, many of which have been reviewed in detail elsewhere. Oxadiazoles are a class of heterocycle containing one oxygen and two nitrogen atoms, available in three isomeric forms. While the 1,2,4- and 1,3,4-oxadiazoles have seen widespread application in medicinal chemistry, 1,2,5-oxadiazoles (furazans) are less common. This Review provides a summary of the application of furazan-containing molecules in medicinal chemistry and drug development programs from analysis of both patent and academic literature. Emphasis is placed on programs that reached clinical or preclinical stages of development. The examples provided herein describe the pharmacology and biological activity of furazan derivatives with comparative data provided where possible for other heterocyclic groups and pharmacophores commonly used in medicinal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Donald F Weaver
- Department of Fundamental Neurobiology, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada.,Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H2, Canada
| | - Mark A Reed
- Treventis Corporation, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada.,Department of Fundamental Neurobiology, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada
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22
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Wang Z, Li Z, Ji H. Direct targeting of β-catenin in the Wnt signaling pathway: Current progress and perspectives. Med Res Rev 2021; 41:2109-2129. [PMID: 33475177 DOI: 10.1002/med.21787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling circuit is associated with cancer recurrence and relapse, cancer invasion and metastasis, and cancer immune evasion. Direct targeting of β-catenin, the central hub in this signaling pathway, is a promising strategy to suppress the hyperactive β-catenin signaling but has proven to be highly challenging. Substantial efforts have been made to discover compounds that bind with β-catenin, block β-catenin-mediated protein-protein interactions, and suppress β-catenin signaling. Herein, we characterize potential small-molecule binding sites in β-catenin, summarize bioactive small molecules that directly target β-catenin, and review structure-based inhibitor optimization, structure-activity relationship, and biological activities of reported inhibitors. This knowledge will benefit future inhibitor development and β-catenin-related drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Zilu Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Haitao Ji
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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23
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Development of structure-based pharmacophore to target the β-catenin-TCF protein–protein interaction. Med Chem Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-020-02693-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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24
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Phull MS, Jadav SS, Gundla R, Mainkar PS. A perspective on medicinal chemistry approaches towards adenomatous polyposis coli and Wnt signal based colorectal cancer inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 212:113149. [PMID: 33445154 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major causes of carcinogenic mortality in numbers only after lung and breast cancers. The mutations in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene leads to formation of colorectal polyps in the colonic region and which develop as a malignant tumour upon coalition with patient related risk factors. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) of APC with Asef (A Rac specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor) overwhelms the patient's conditions by rapidly spreading in the entire colorectal region. Most mutations in APC gene occur in mutated cluster region (MCR), where it specifically binds with the cytosolic β-catenin to regulate the Wnt signalling pathway required for CRC cell adhesion, invasion, progression, differentiation and stemness in initial cell cycle phages. The current broad spectrum perspective is attempted to elaborate the sources of identification, development of selective APC inhibitors by targeting emopamil-binding protein (EBP) & dehydrocholesterol reductase-7 & 24 (DHCR-7 & 24); APC-Asef, β-catenin/APC, Wnt/β-catenin, β-catenin/TCF4 PPI inhibitors with other vital Wnt signal cellular proteins and APC/Pol-β interface of colorectal cancer. In this context, this perspective would serve as a platform for design of new medicinal agents by targeting cellular essential components which could accelerate anti-colorectal potential candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjinder Singh Phull
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to Be University), Hyderabad, 502329, Telangana, India
| | - Surender Singh Jadav
- Department of Organic Synthesis & Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Tarnaka, Hyderabad, 500007, Telangana, India
| | - Rambabu Gundla
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to Be University), Hyderabad, 502329, Telangana, India
| | - Prathama S Mainkar
- Department of Organic Synthesis & Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Tarnaka, Hyderabad, 500007, Telangana, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, Utter Pradesh, India.
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25
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Zhang Y, Wang X. Targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:165. [PMID: 33276800 PMCID: PMC7716495 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00990-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 642] [Impact Index Per Article: 160.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway facilitates cancer stem cell renewal, cell proliferation and differentiation, thus exerting crucial roles in tumorigenesis and therapy response. Accumulated investigations highlight the therapeutic potential of agents targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancer. Wnt ligand/ receptor interface, β-catenin destruction complex and TCF/β-catenin transcription complex are key components of the cascade and have been targeted with interventions in preclinical and clinical evaluations. This scoping review aims at outlining the latest progress on the current approaches and perspectives of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway targeted therapy in various cancer types. Better understanding of the updates on the inhibitors, antagonists and activators of Wnt/β-catenin pathway rationalizes innovative strategies for personalized cancer treatment. Further investigations are warranted to confirm precise and secure targeted agents and achieve optimal use with clinical benefits in malignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,School of medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Lymphoma, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 250021, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. .,Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. .,School of medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. .,Shandong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Lymphoma, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. .,Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 250021, China.
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26
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Kvashnin Y, Verbitskiy EV, Zhilina EF, Rusinov GL, Chupakhin ON, Charushin VN. Synthesis of Heteroannulated Indolopyrazines through Domino N-H Palladium-Catalyzed/Metal-Free Oxidative C-H Bond Activation. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:15681-15690. [PMID: 32637843 PMCID: PMC7331205 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c01945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A convenient approach to [1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3',4':5,6]pyrazino[2,3-b]indoles and their heteroannulated analogues bearing various aryl substituents in the backbone has been developed. This synthetic protocol is based on Pd-catalyzed Buchwald-Hartwig and subsequent annulation by intramolecular oxidative cyclodehydrogenation. The photophysical properties for new polycycles have been measured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuriy
A. Kvashnin
- I.
Postovsky Institute of Organic Synthesis, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, S. Kovalevskaya Str., 22, Ekaterinburg 620108, Russia
| | - Egor V. Verbitskiy
- I.
Postovsky Institute of Organic Synthesis, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, S. Kovalevskaya Str., 22, Ekaterinburg 620108, Russia
- Ural
Federal University, Mira
St. 19, Ekaterinburg 620002, Russia
| | - Ekaterina F. Zhilina
- I.
Postovsky Institute of Organic Synthesis, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, S. Kovalevskaya Str., 22, Ekaterinburg 620108, Russia
| | - Gennady L. Rusinov
- I.
Postovsky Institute of Organic Synthesis, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, S. Kovalevskaya Str., 22, Ekaterinburg 620108, Russia
- Ural
Federal University, Mira
St. 19, Ekaterinburg 620002, Russia
| | - Oleg N. Chupakhin
- I.
Postovsky Institute of Organic Synthesis, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, S. Kovalevskaya Str., 22, Ekaterinburg 620108, Russia
- Ural
Federal University, Mira
St. 19, Ekaterinburg 620002, Russia
| | - Valery N. Charushin
- I.
Postovsky Institute of Organic Synthesis, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, S. Kovalevskaya Str., 22, Ekaterinburg 620108, Russia
- Ural
Federal University, Mira
St. 19, Ekaterinburg 620002, Russia
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27
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Yamaguchi K, Nagatoishi S, Tsumoto K, Furukawa Y. Discovery of chemical probes that suppress Wnt/β-catenin signaling through high-throughput screening. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:783-794. [PMID: 31912579 PMCID: PMC7060471 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway has been observed in a wide range of human tumors. Deregulation of the pathway is closely linked to various aspects of human carcinogenesis such as cell viability, regulation of cell cycle, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, and maintenance of stemness. In addition, recent studies have disclosed the involvement of Wnt signaling in immune evasion of tumor cells. The accumulation of β‐catenin in the nucleus is a common feature of cancer cells carrying defects in the pathway, which leads to the continuous activation of T‐cell factor (TCF)/LEF transcription factors. Consequently, a genetic program is switched on, leading to the uncontrolled growth, prolonged survival, and acquisition of mesenchymal phenotype. As β‐catenin/TCF serves as a signaling hub for the pathway, β‐catenin/TCF‐dependent transcriptional activity is a relevant readout of the pathway. To date, a wide variety of synthetic TCF/LEF reporters has been developed, and high‐throughput screening (HTS) using these reporters has made significant contributions to the discovery of Wnt inhibitors. Indeed, HTS led to the identification of chemical probes targeting porcupine, a membrane bound O‐acyltransferase, and CREB‐binding protein, a transcriptional coactivator. This review focuses on various screening strategies for the discovery of Wnt inhibitors and their mode of action to help the creation of new concepts for assay/screening methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoshi Yamaguchi
- Division of Clinical Genome Research, Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Nagatoishi
- Project Division of Advanced Biopharmaceutical Science, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouhei Tsumoto
- Project Division of Advanced Biopharmaceutical Science, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Medical Proteomics Laboratory, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoichi Furukawa
- Division of Clinical Genome Research, Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Miller MS, Douglass J, Hwang MS, Skora AD, Murphy M, Papadopoulos N, Kinzler KW, Vogelstein B, Zhou S, Gabelli SB. An engineered antibody fragment targeting mutant β-catenin via major histocompatibility complex I neoantigen presentation. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:19322-19334. [PMID: 31690625 PMCID: PMC6916501 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in CTNNB1, the gene encoding β-catenin, are common in colon and liver cancers, the most frequent mutation affecting Ser-45 in β-catenin. Peptides derived from WT β-catenin have previously been shown to be presented on the cell surface as part of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, suggesting an opportunity for targeting this common driver gene mutation with antibody-based therapies. Here, crystal structures of both the WT and S45F mutant peptide bound to HLA-A*03:01 at 2.20 and 2.45 Å resolutions, respectively, confirmed the accessibility of the phenylalanine residue for antibody recognition. Phage display was then used to identify single-chain variable fragment clones that selectively bind the S45F mutant peptide presented in HLA-A*03:01 and have minimal WT or other off-target binding. Following the initial characterization of five clones, we selected a single clone, E10, for further investigation. We developed a computational model of the binding of E10 to the mutant peptide-bound HLA-A3, incorporating data from affinity maturation as initial validation. In the future, our model may be used to design clones with maintained specificity and higher affinity. Such derivatives could be adapted into either cell-based (CAR-T) or protein-based (bispecific T-cell engagers) therapies to target cancer cells harboring the S45F mutation in CTNNB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle S Miller
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Jacqueline Douglass
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Michael S Hwang
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Andrew D Skora
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Michael Murphy
- GE Healthcare Life Sciences, Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752
| | - Nickolas Papadopoulos
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Kenneth W Kinzler
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Bert Vogelstein
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Shibin Zhou
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Sandra B Gabelli
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287 .,Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287.,Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
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29
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Krishnamachary B, Subramaniam D, Dandawate P, Ponnurangam S, Srinivasan P, Ramamoorthy P, Umar S, Thomas SM, Dhar A, Septer S, Weir SJ, Attard T, Anant S. Targeting transcription factor TCF4 by γ-Mangostin, a natural xanthone. Oncotarget 2019; 10:5576-5591. [PMID: 31608135 PMCID: PMC6771460 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Given that colon cancer is the third most common cancer in incidence and cause of death in the United States, and current treatment modalities are insufficient, there is a need to develop novel agents. Towards this, here we focus on γ-Mangostin, a bioactive compound present in the Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) fruit. γ-Mangostin suppressed proliferation and colony formation, and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of colon cancer cell lines. Further, γ-Mangostin inhibited colonosphere formation. Molecular docking and CETSA (Cellular thermal shift assay) binding assays demonstrated that γ-Mangostin interacts with transcription factor TCF4 (T-Cell Factor 4) at the β-catenin binding domain with the binding energy of -5.5 Kcal/mol. Moreover, γ-Mangostin treatment decreased TCF4 expression and reduced TCF reporter activity. The compound also suppressed the expression of Wnt signaling target proteins cyclin D1 and c-Myc, and stem cell markers such as LGR5, DCLK1 and CD44. To determine the effect of γ-Mangostin on tumor growth in vivo, we administered nude mice harboring HCT116 tumor xenografts with 5 mg/Kg of γ-Mangostin intraperitoneally for 21 days. γ-Mangostin treatment significantly suppressed tumor growth, with notably lowered tumor volume and weight. In addition, western blot analysis revealed a significant decrease in the expression of TCF4 and its downstream targets such as cyclin D1 and c-Myc. Together, these data suggest that γ-Mangostin inhibits colon cancer growth through targeting TCF4. γ-Mangostin may be a potential therapeutic agent for colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balaji Krishnamachary
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | | | - Prasad Dandawate
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Sivapriya Ponnurangam
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | | | - Prabhu Ramamoorthy
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Shahid Umar
- Department of General Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Sufi Mary Thomas
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Animesh Dhar
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Seth Septer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Scott J Weir
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Thomas Attard
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Shrikant Anant
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
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30
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Wang Z, Zhang M, Wang J, Ji H. Optimization of Peptidomimetics as Selective Inhibitors for the β-Catenin/T-Cell Factor Protein-Protein Interaction. J Med Chem 2019; 62:3617-3635. [PMID: 30856332 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The β-catenin/T-cell factor (Tcf) protein-protein interaction (PPI) plays a critical role in the β-catenin signaling pathway which is hyperactivated in many cancers and fibroses. Based on compound 1, which was designed to target the Tcf4 G13ANDE17 binding site of β-catenin, extensive structure-activity relationship studies have been conducted. As a result, compounds 53 and 57 were found to disrupt the β-catenin/Tcf PPI with the Ki values of 0.64 and 0.44 μM, respectively, and exhibit good selectivity for β-catenin/Tcf over β-catenin/E-cadherin and β-catenin/adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) PPIs. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2 H-tetrazolium (MTS) cell viability assays revealed that 56, the ethyl ester of 53, was more potent than 53 in inhibiting viability of most of the Wnt/β-catenin hyperactive cancer cells. Further cell-based studies indicated that 56 disrupted the β-catenin/Tcf PPI without affecting the β-catenin/E-cadherin and β-catenin/APC PPIs, suppressed transactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in dose-dependent manners, and inhibited migration and invasiveness of Wnt/β-catenin-dependent cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- Drug Discovery Department , H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute , Tampa , Florida 33612-9497 , United States
| | - Min Zhang
- Drug Discovery Department , H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute , Tampa , Florida 33612-9497 , United States
| | - Jin Wang
- Drug Discovery Department , H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute , Tampa , Florida 33612-9497 , United States
| | - Haitao Ji
- Drug Discovery Department , H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute , Tampa , Florida 33612-9497 , United States.,Departments of Oncologic Sciences and Chemistry , University of South Florida , Tampa , Florida 33620-9497 , United States
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Hua F, Shang S, Yang YW, Zhang HZ, Xu TL, Yu JJ, Zhou DD, Cui B, Li K, Lv XX, Zhang XW, Liu SS, Yu JM, Wang F, Zhang C, Huang B, Hu ZW. TRIB3 Interacts With β-Catenin and TCF4 to Increase Stem Cell Features of Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells and Tumorigenesis. Gastroenterology 2019; 156:708-721.e15. [PMID: 30365932 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Activation of Wnt signaling to β-catenin contributes to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Expression of tribbles pseudo-kinase 3 (TRIB3) is increased in some colorectal tumors and associated with poor outcome. We investigated whether increased TRIB3 expression promotes stem cell features of CRC cells and tumor progression by interacting with the Wnt signaling pathway. METHODS We performed studies with C57BL/6J-ApcMin/J mice injected with an adeno-associated virus vector that expresses a small hairpin RNA against Trib3 mRNA (ApcMin/J-Trib3KD) or a control vector (ApcMin/J-Ctrl). We created BALB/c mice that overexpress TRIB3 from an adeno-associated virus vector and mice with small hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of β-catenin. The mice were given azoxymethane followed by dextran sodium sulfate to induce colitis-associated cancer. Intestinal tissues were collected and analyzed by histology, gene expression profiling, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5)-positive (LGR5Pos) and LGR5-negative (LGR5Neg) HCT-8 CRC cells, with or without knockdown or transgenic expression of TRIB3, were sorted and analyzed in sphere-formation assays. We derived organoids from human and mouse colorectal tumors to analyze the function of TRIB3 and test the effect of a peptide inhibitor. Wnt signaling to β-catenin was analyzed in dual luciferase reporter, chromatin precipitation, immunofluorescence, and immunoblot assays. Proteins that interact with TRIB3 were identified by immunoprecipitation. CRC cell lines were grown in nude mice as xenograft tumors. RESULTS At 10 weeks of age, more than half the ApcMin/J-Ctrl mice developed intestinal high-grade epithelial neoplasia, whereas ApcMin/J-Trib3KD mice had no intestinal polyps and normal histology. Colon tissues from ApcMin/J-Trib3KD mice expressed lower levels of genes regulated by β-catenin and genes associated with cancer stem cells. Mice with overexpression of Trib3 developed more tumors after administration of azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate than BALB/c mice. Mice with knockdown of β-catenin had a lower tumor burden after administration of azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate, regardless of Trib3 overexpression. Intestinal tissues from mice with overexpression of Trib3 and knockdown of β-catenin did not have activation of Wnt signaling or expression of genes regulated by β-catenin. LGR5Pos cells sorted from HCT-8 cells expressed higher levels of TRIB3 than LGR5Neg cells. CRC cells that overexpressed TRIB3 had higher levels of transcription by β-catenin and formed larger spheroids than control CRC cells; knockdown of β-catenin prevented the larger organoid size caused by TRIB3 overexpression. TRIB3 interacted physically with β-catenin and transcription factor 4 (TCF4). TRIB3 overexpression increased, and TRIB3 knockdown decreased, recruitment of TCF4 and β-catenin to the promoter region of genes regulated by Wnt. Activated β-catenin increased expression of TRIB3, indicating a positive-feedback loop. A peptide (P2-T3A6) that bound β-catenin disrupted its interaction with TRIB3 and TCF4. In primary CRC cells and HCT-8 cells, P2-T3A6 decreased expression of genes regulated by β-catenin and genes associated with cancer stem cells and decreased cell viability and migration. Injection of C57BL/6J-ApcMin/J mice with P2-T3A6 decreased the number and size of tumor nodules and colon expression of genes regulated by β-catenin. P2-T3A6 increased 5-fluorouracil-induced death of CRC cells and survival times of mice with xenograft tumors. CONCLUSION TRIB3 interacts with β-catenin and TCF4 in intestine cells to increase expression of genes associated with cancer stem cells. Knockdown of TRIB3 decreases colon neoplasia in mice, migration of CRC cells, and their growth as xenograft tumors in mice. Strategies to block TRIB3 activity might be developed for treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Hua
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Shang
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Wei Yang
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Zeng Zhang
- Institute of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian-Lei Xu
- Institute of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Yu
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan-Dan Zhou
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Cui
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Xi Lv
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Wei Zhang
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan-Shan Liu
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Mei Yu
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Wang
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Huang
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuo-Wei Hu
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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32
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Ma J, Zhang G, Gu H, Tang J, Wang B, Yang H, Cheng G. Polynitro-1,2,4-triazole-functionalized azo-furazans as high-performance and insensitive energetic materials. NEW J CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1039/c9nj01065c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Polynitro-1,2,4-triazoles were introduced into the azo-furazan backbones to boost their energetic performance and to simultaneously keep these compounds from exhibiting hazardous sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinchao Ma
- School of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology
- Nanjing
- China
| | - Guojie Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology
- Nanjing
- China
| | - Hao Gu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology
- Nanjing
- China
| | - Jie Tang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology
- Nanjing
- China
| | - Bohan Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology
- Nanjing
- China
| | - Hongwei Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology
- Nanjing
- China
| | - Guangbin Cheng
- School of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology
- Nanjing
- China
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Uttam B, Hussain MA, Joshi S, Rao CP. Physicochemical and Ion-Sensing Properties of Benzofurazan-Appended Calix[4]arene in Solution and on Gold Nanoparticles: Spectroscopy, Microscopy, and DFT Computations in Support of the Species of Recognition. ACS OMEGA 2018; 3:16989-16999. [PMID: 31458321 PMCID: PMC6644172 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b02848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
A calix[4]arene conjugate (L) functionalized at the lower rim with a benzofurazan fluorophore (NBD) and at the upper rim with a thioether moiety has been synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectrometry techniques. Both the absorption and emission spectral data for L in different solvents exhibited progressive changes with an increase in polarity. Ion recognition studies were performed by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy using 10 different metal ions. Among these, Hg2+ exhibited greater changes in these spectra, whereas Cu2+ showed only significant changes and all other ions showed no change in the spectral features. Although the Hg2+ has dominant influence on the spectral features and provides a detection limit of 56.0 ± 0.6 ppb, the selectivity was hampered because of the presence of the derivatizations present on both the rims of L for ion interaction in solution. Therefore, L was immobilized onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPL's) so that the upper rim derivatizations anchor onto the gold surface through Au-S interactions, and this leaves out only the lower rim NBD derivatization for interaction with ions selectively. The AuNPL's were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The surface characteristics were analyzed by contact angle measurements. The AuNPL's exhibit greater selectivity and enhanced sensitivity for Hg2+ ions with a lowest detection limit of 48.0 ± 0.8 ppb. The immobilization of L onto AuNPs was reflected in the corresponding fluorescence lifetime values, and the addition of Hg2+ to either L or AuNPL showed fluorescence quenching. The reversible recognition of Hg2+ by L was demonstrated by titrating L or AuNPL with Hg2+ followed by tetra-butyl ammonium iodide for several cycles. The structural features of Hg2+-bound species were demonstrated by density functional theory computations and were supported by the XPS data. The Hg2+ induces aggregated fibrillar morphology into supramolecular L, as demonstrated by microscopy when Hg2+ was added either to L or to AuNPL, supporting aggregation-caused quenching.
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Schneider JA, Craven TW, Kasper AC, Yun C, Haugbro M, Briggs EM, Svetlov V, Nudler E, Knaut H, Bonneau R, Garabedian MJ, Kirshenbaum K, Logan SK. Design of Peptoid-peptide Macrocycles to Inhibit the β-catenin TCF Interaction in Prostate Cancer. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4396. [PMID: 30352998 PMCID: PMC6199279 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06845-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
New chemical inhibitors of protein-protein interactions are needed to propel advances in molecular pharmacology. Peptoids are peptidomimetic oligomers with the capability to inhibit protein-protein interactions by mimicking protein secondary structure motifs. Here we report the in silico design of a macrocycle primarily composed of peptoid subunits that targets the β-catenin:TCF interaction. The β-catenin:TCF interaction plays a critical role in the Wnt signaling pathway which is over-activated in multiple cancers, including prostate cancer. Using the Rosetta suite of protein design algorithms, we evaluate how different macrocycle structures can bind a pocket on β-catenin that associates with TCF. The in silico designed macrocycles are screened in vitro using luciferase reporters to identify promising compounds. The most active macrocycle inhibits both Wnt and AR-signaling in prostate cancer cell lines, and markedly diminishes their proliferation. In vivo potential is demonstrated through a zebrafish model, in which Wnt signaling is potently inhibited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Schneider
- Departments of Urology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Timothy W Craven
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Amanda C Kasper
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Chi Yun
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Michael Haugbro
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Erica M Briggs
- Departments of Urology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Vladimir Svetlov
- Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Evgeny Nudler
- Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Holger Knaut
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Richard Bonneau
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Michael J Garabedian
- Departments of Urology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Kent Kirshenbaum
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
| | - Susan K Logan
- Departments of Urology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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Jumde VR, Mondal M, Gierse RM, Unver MY, Magari F, van Lier RCW, Heine A, Klebe G, Hirsch AKH. Design and Synthesis of Bioisosteres of Acylhydrazones as Stable Inhibitors of the Aspartic Protease Endothiapepsin. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:2266-2270. [PMID: 30178575 PMCID: PMC6282583 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Acylhydrazone‐based dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC) is a powerful strategy for the rapid identification of novel hits. Even though acylhydrazones are important structural motifs in medicinal chemistry, their further progression in development may be hampered by major instability and potential toxicity under physiological conditions. It is therefore of paramount importance to identify stable replacements for acylhydrazone linkers. Herein, we present the first report on the design and synthesis of stable bioisosteres of acylhydrazone‐based inhibitors of the aspartic protease endothiapepsin as a follow‐up to a DCC study. The most successful bioisostere is equipotent, bears an amide linker, and we confirmed its binding mode by X‐ray crystallography. Having some validated bioisosteres of acylhydrazones readily available might accelerate hit‐to‐lead optimization in future acylhydrazone‐based DCC projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha R Jumde
- Chemical Biology, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)-Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Department of Drug Design and Optimization (DDOP), Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Milon Mondal
- Chemical Biology, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robin M Gierse
- Chemical Biology, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)-Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Department of Drug Design and Optimization (DDOP), Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - M Yagiz Unver
- Chemical Biology, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Magari
- Drug Design Group AG Klebe, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Roos C W van Lier
- Chemical Biology, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Heine
- Drug Design Group AG Klebe, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Klebe
- Drug Design Group AG Klebe, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Anna K H Hirsch
- Chemical Biology, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)-Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Department of Drug Design and Optimization (DDOP), Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
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36
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Cui C, Zhou X, Zhang W, Qu Y, Ke X. Is β-Catenin a Druggable Target for Cancer Therapy? Trends Biochem Sci 2018; 43:623-634. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2018] [Revised: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Ran X, Gestwicki JE. Inhibitors of protein-protein interactions (PPIs): an analysis of scaffold choices and buried surface area. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2018; 44:75-86. [PMID: 29908451 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPI) were once considered 'undruggable', but clinical successes, driven by advanced methods in drug discovery, have challenged that notion. Here, we review the last three years of literature on PPI inhibitors to understand what is working and why. From the 66 recently reported PPI inhibitors, we found that the average molecular weight was significantly greater than 500Da, but that this trend was driven, in large part, by the contribution of peptide-based compounds. Despite differences in average molecular weight, we found that compounds based on small molecules or peptides were almost equally likely to be potent inhibitors (KD<1μM). Finally, we found PPIs with buried surface area (BSA) less than 2000Å2 were more likely to be inhibited by small molecules, while PPIs with larger BSA values were typically inhibited by peptides. PPIs with BSA values over 4000Å2 seemed to create a particular challenge, especially for orthosteric small molecules. Thus, it seems important to choose the inhibitor scaffold based on the properties of the target interaction. Moreover, this survey suggests a (more nuanced) conclusion to the question of whether PPIs are good drug targets; namely, that some PPIs are readily 'druggable' given the right choice of scaffold, while others still seem to deserve the 'undruggable' moniker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Ran
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
| | - Jason E Gestwicki
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States.
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Shin SH, Lim DY, Reddy K, Malakhova M, Liu F, Wang T, Song M, Chen H, Bae KB, Ryu J, Liu K, Lee MH, Bode AM, Dong Z. A Small Molecule Inhibitor of the β-Catenin-TCF4 Interaction Suppresses Colorectal Cancer Growth In Vitro and In Vivo. EBioMedicine 2017; 25:22-31. [PMID: 29033371 PMCID: PMC5704052 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is associated with aberrant activation of the Wnt pathway. β-Catenin plays essential roles in the Wnt pathway by interacting with T-cell factor 4 (TCF4) to transcribe oncogenes. We synthesized a small molecule, referred to as HI-B1, and evaluated signaling changes and biological consequences induced by the compound. HI-B1 inhibited β-catenin/TCF4 luciferase activity and preferentially caused apoptosis of cancer cells in which the survival is dependent on β-catenin. The formation of the β-catenin/TCF4 complex was disrupted by HI-B1 due to the direct interaction of HI-B1 with β-catenin. Colon cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) studies showed that a tumor with higher levels of β-catenin expression was more sensitive to HI-B1 treatment, compared to a tumor with lower expression levels of β-catenin. The different sensitivities of PDX tumors to HI-B1 were dependent on the β-catenin expression level and potentially could be further exploited for biomarker development and therapeutic applications against colon cancer. HI-B1 is a synthesized compound identified as a β-catenin inhibitor suppressing the β-catenin-TCF4 protein interaction. HI-B1 preferentially causes apoptosis in β-catenin-dependent cancer cells. A colon cancer PDX mouse model with a high level of β-catenin is sensitive to HI-B1.
β-catenin is an important protein that facilitates colon cancer. Shin et al. synthesized and identified HI-B1 as a direct β-catenin inhibitor. HI-B1 disrupted formation of the β-catenin-TCF4 protein complex. HI-B1 preferentially caused apoptosis of cancer cells in which the survival is dependent on β-catenin. In a comparison of two colon cancer PDX models with different β-catenin levels, they showed that β-catenin-high PDX is more sensitive to HI-B1 treatment than β-catenin-low PDX. HI-B1 could thus be further developed as a colon cancer drug, and β-catenin expression levels might be a predictive biomarker for colon cancer therapy using β-catenin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Ho Shin
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA; Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Do Young Lim
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Kanamata Reddy
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | | | - Fangfang Liu
- The China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; The Pathophysiology Department, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ting Wang
- The China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Mengqiu Song
- The China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; The Pathophysiology Department, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Hanyong Chen
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Ki Beom Bae
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Joohyun Ryu
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Kangdong Liu
- The China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; The Pathophysiology Department, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China; The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Mee-Hyun Lee
- The China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ann M Bode
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA; Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Zigang Dong
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA; Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; The China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; The Pathophysiology Department, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China; The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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Shang S, Hua F, Hu ZW. The regulation of β-catenin activity and function in cancer: therapeutic opportunities. Oncotarget 2017; 8:33972-33989. [PMID: 28430641 PMCID: PMC5464927 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 431] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling is an evolutionarily conserved and versatile pathway that is known to be involved in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis and a wide variety of human diseases. Aberrant activation of this pathway gives rise to the accumulation of β-catenin in the nucleus and promotes the transcription of many oncogenes such as c-Myc and CyclinD-1. As a result, it contributes to carcinogenesis and tumor progression of several cancers, including colon cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and ovarian cancer. β-Catenin is a pivotal component of the Wnt signaling pathway and it is tightly regulated at three hierarchical levels: protein stability, subcellular localization and transcriptional activity. Uncovering the regulatory mechanisms of β-catenin will provide new insights into the pathogenesis of cancer and other diseases, as well as new therapeutic strategies against these diseases. In this review we dissect the concrete regulatory mechanisms of β-catenin from three aspects mentioned above. Then we focus on the role of β-catenin in cancer initiation, progression, dormancy, immunity and cancer stem cell maintenance. At last, we summarize the recent progress in the development of agents for the pharmacological modulation of β-catenin activity in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Shang
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Fang Hua
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Zhuo-Wei Hu
- Immunology and Cancer Pharmacology Group, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
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40
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Xu D, Li L, Zhou D, Liu D, Hudmon A, Meroueh SO. Structure-Based Target-Specific Screening Leads to Small-Molecule CaMKII Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:660-677. [PMID: 28371191 PMCID: PMC5554713 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201600636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Target-specific scoring methods are more commonly used to identify small-molecule inhibitors among compounds docked to a target of interest. Top candidates that emerge from these methods have rarely been tested for activity and specificity across a family of proteins. In this study we docked a chemical library into CaMKIIδ, a member of the Ca2+ /calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) family, and re-scored the resulting protein-compound structures using Support Vector Machine SPecific (SVMSP), a target-specific method that we developed previously. Among the 35 selected candidates, three hits were identified, such as quinazoline compound 1 (KIN-1; N4-[7-chloro-2-[(E)-styryl]quinazolin-4-yl]-N1,N1-diethylpentane-1,4-diamine), which was found to inhibit CaMKIIδ kinase activity at single-digit micromolar IC50 . Activity across the kinome was assessed by profiling analogues of 1, namely 6 (KIN-236; N4-[7-chloro-2-[(E)-2-(2-chloro-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl)vinyl]quinazolin-4-yl]-N1,N1-diethylpentane-1,4-diamine), and an analogue of hit compound 2 (KIN-15; 2-[4-[(E)-[(5-bromobenzofuran-2-carbonyl)hydrazono]methyl]-2-chloro-6-methoxyphenoxy]acetic acid), namely 14 (KIN-332; N-[(E)-[4-(2-anilino-2-oxoethoxy)-3-chlorophenyl]methyleneamino]benzofuran-2-carboxamide), against 337 kinases. Interestingly, for compound 6, CaMKIIδ and homologue CaMKIIγ were among the top ten targets. Among the top 25 targets of 6, IC50 values ranged from 5 to 22 μm. Compound 14 was found to be not specific toward CaMKII kinases, but it does inhibit two kinases with sub-micromolar IC50 values among the top 25. Derivatives of 1 were tested against several kinases including several members of the CaMK family. These data afforded a limited structure-activity relationship study. Molecular dynamics simulations with explicit solvent followed by end-point MM-GBSA free-energy calculations revealed strong engagement of specific residues within the ATP binding pocket, and also changes in the dynamics as a result of binding. This work suggests that target-specific scoring approaches such as SVMSP may hold promise for the identification of small-molecule kinase inhibitors that exhibit some level of specificity toward the target of interest across a large number of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Xu
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Liwei Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Van Nuys Medical Science Building, MS 4023, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46202-5122, USA
| | - Donghui Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Van Nuys Medical Science Building, MS 4023, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46202-5122, USA
| | - Degang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Van Nuys Medical Science Building, MS 4023, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46202-5122, USA
| | - Andy Hudmon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Van Nuys Medical Science Building, MS 4023, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46202-5122, USA
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Samy O Meroueh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Van Nuys Medical Science Building, MS 4023, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46202-5122, USA
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
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Wang P, Li HF, Zhao JZ, Du ZH, Da CS. Organocatalytic Enantioselective Cross-Aldol Reaction of o-Hydroxyarylketones and Trifluoromethyl Ketones. Org Lett 2017; 19:2634-2637. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.7b00828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pei Wang
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Hong-Feng Li
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jia-Zhen Zhao
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhi-Hong Du
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Chao-Shan Da
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- Key
Lab of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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42
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Yan M, Li G, An J. Discovery of small molecule inhibitors of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by targeting β-catenin/Tcf4 interactions. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2017; 242:1185-1197. [PMID: 28474989 DOI: 10.1177/1535370217708198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway typically shows aberrant activation in various cancer cells, especially colorectal cancer cells. This signaling pathway regulates the expression of a variety of tumor-related proteins, including c-myc and cyclin D1, and plays essential roles in tumorigenesis and in the development of many cancers. Small molecules that block the interactions between β-catenin and Tcf4, a downstream stage of activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, could efficiently cut off this signal transduction and thereby act as a novel class of anticancer drugs. This paper reviews the currently reported inhibitors that target β-catenin/Tcf4 interactions, focusing on the discovery approaches taken in the design of these inhibitors and their bioactivities. A brief perspective is then shared on the future discovery and development of this class of inhibitors. Impact statement This mini-review summarized the current knowledge of inhibitors of interactions of beta-catenin/Tcf4 published to date according to their discovery approaches, and discussed their in vitro and in vivo activities, selectivities, and pharmacokinetic properties. Several reviews presently available now in this field describe modulators of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, but are generally focused on the bioactivities of these inhibitors. By contrast, this review focused on the drug discovery approaches taken in identifying these types of inhibitors and provided our perspective on further strategies for future drug discoveries. This review also integrated many recently published and important works on highly selective inhibitors as well as rational drug design. We believe that the findings and strategies summarized in this review have broad implications and will be of interest throughout the biochemical and pharmaceutical research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maocai Yan
- 1 School of Pharmacy, Jining Medical University, Rizhao, Shandong 276800, P. R. China
| | - Guanqun Li
- 2 Upstate Medical University, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Jing An
- 3 Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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43
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Vega JA, Alonso JM, Méndez G, Ciordia M, Delgado F, Trabanco AA. Continuous Flow α-Arylation of N,N-Dialkylhydrazones under Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysis. Org Lett 2017; 19:938-941. [PMID: 28181814 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.7b00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The first direct α-arylation of aldehyde-derived N,N-dialkylhydrazones with electron deficient aryl and heteroaryl cyanides under visible-light photoredox catalysis has been developed. Structurally complex α,α'-diaryl-N,N-cycloalkylhydrazones were obtained in moderate yields by repetition of the direct arylation protocol. A continuous-flow procedure for the preparation of α-aryl-N,N-dialkylhydrazones on a multigram scale has also been established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A Vega
- Neuroscience Medicinal Chemistry, Janssen Research & Development , Jarama 75A, 45007 Toledo, Spain
| | - José Manuel Alonso
- Neuroscience Medicinal Chemistry, Janssen Research & Development , Jarama 75A, 45007 Toledo, Spain
| | - Gabriela Méndez
- Neuroscience Medicinal Chemistry, Janssen Research & Development , Jarama 75A, 45007 Toledo, Spain
| | - Myriam Ciordia
- Neuroscience Medicinal Chemistry, Janssen Research & Development , Jarama 75A, 45007 Toledo, Spain
| | - Francisca Delgado
- Neuroscience Medicinal Chemistry, Janssen Research & Development , Jarama 75A, 45007 Toledo, Spain
| | - Andrés A Trabanco
- Neuroscience Medicinal Chemistry, Janssen Research & Development , Jarama 75A, 45007 Toledo, Spain
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Teuscher KB, Zhang M, Ji H. A Versatile Method to Determine the Cellular Bioavailability of Small-Molecule Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2017; 60:157-169. [PMID: 27935314 PMCID: PMC7771553 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The determination of the cellular bioavailability of small-molecule inhibitors is a critical step for interpreting cell-based data and guiding inhibitor optimization. Herein, a HPLC-MS based protocol was developed to determine inhibitor cellular bioavailability. This generalizable protocol allows determination of the accurate intracellular concentrations and characterization of various properties of inhibitors including the extra- and intracellular stability, the dose- and time-dependence of the intracellular concentrations, the cell permeability, and the nonspecific binding with the cell culture plates, the extracellular matrices, and the cell membrane. The inhibitors of the protein-protein interactions, bromodomains, and the β-catenin/B-cell lymphoma 9 (BCL9) interaction were used to examine the protocol, and the cellular bioavailability of the inhibitors in cancer cells was determined. High nonspecific binding and low cellular uptake were observed for two bromodomain inhibitors. The two β-catenin/BCL9 inhibitors had low nonspecific binding but different cellular uptake. These inhibitors exhibited different stability kinetics in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin B Teuscher
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute , 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612-9416, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Min Zhang
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute , 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612-9416, United States
| | - Haitao Ji
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute , 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612-9416, United States.,Department of Oncologic Sciences, University of South Florida College of Medicine , Tampa, Florida 33612, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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Serafino A, Sferrazza G, Colini Baldeschi A, Nicotera G, Andreola F, Pittaluga E, Pierimarchi P. Developing drugs that target the Wnt pathway: recent approaches in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 12:169-186. [PMID: 27960558 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2017.1271321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Wnt/β-catenin signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that has a crucial role in embryonic and adult life. Dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been associated with various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Several molecular components of the signaling have been proposed as innovative targets for cancer therapy, and very recently, some of them have been also evaluated as potential therapeutic targets for PD. Areas covered: This review focuses on the role of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the pathogenensis of cancer and PD, examining some recent therapeutic approaches that are ongoing in preclinical and clinical studies. The possibilities that this signaling offers for diagnosis and prognosis of neoplastic diseases, and the concerns of targeting this pathway are also discussed. Expert opinion: Despite the stimulating results obtained in preclinical studies on cancer and other disease models, the clinical experience with Wnt modulators is still in its infancy, and is mainly restricted to anticancer therapy. Even with concerns of the safety of drugs targeting Wnt signaling, the attention of researchers worldwide is increasing to this issue in terms of their therapeutic potential for diseases such as PD, for which no cure exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalucia Serafino
- a Institute of Translational Pharmacology , National Research Council (CNR) , Rome , Italy
| | - Gianluca Sferrazza
- a Institute of Translational Pharmacology , National Research Council (CNR) , Rome , Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Nicotera
- a Institute of Translational Pharmacology , National Research Council (CNR) , Rome , Italy
| | - Federica Andreola
- a Institute of Translational Pharmacology , National Research Council (CNR) , Rome , Italy
| | - Eugenia Pittaluga
- a Institute of Translational Pharmacology , National Research Council (CNR) , Rome , Italy
| | - Pasquale Pierimarchi
- a Institute of Translational Pharmacology , National Research Council (CNR) , Rome , Italy
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46
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Small-molecule inhibitors of Wnt signaling pathway: towards novel anticancer therapeutics. Future Med Chem 2015; 7:2485-505. [PMID: 26670195 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.15.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Wnt signaling pathway involves secreted glycoproteins that bind to the Frizzled family receptors to activate intracellular signal transduction events that regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration and many critical aspects of developmental biology. DISCUSSION Aberrant Wnt signaling underlies a wide range of pathologies in humans including tumor initiation, tumor growth, cell senescence, cell death, differentiation and metastasis. The inhibition of Wnt signaling offers a novel approach for anticancer therapeutics. CONCLUSION Focusing on recent developments, we reviewed the small-molecule inhibitors targeting various components of Wnt signaling pathways and the progress from the discovery of lead compounds to highly potent inhibitors with significant therapeutic potential.
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47
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Hoggard LR, Zhang Y, Zhang M, Panic V, Wisniewski JA, Ji H. Rational design of selective small-molecule inhibitors for β-catenin/B-cell lymphoma 9 protein-protein interactions. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:12249-60. [PMID: 26352795 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b04988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Selective inhibition of α-helix-mediated protein-protein interactions (PPIs) with small organic molecules provides great potential for the discovery of chemical probes and therapeutic agents. Protein Data Bank data mining using the HippDB database indicated that (1) the side chains of hydrophobic projecting hot spots at positions i, i + 3, and i + 7 of an α-helix had few orientations when interacting with the second protein and (2) the hot spot pockets of PPI complexes had different sizes, shapes, and chemical groups when interacting with the same hydrophobic projecting hot spots of α-helix. On the basis of these observations, a small organic molecule, 4'-fluoro-N-phenyl-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide, was designed as a generic scaffold that itself directly mimics the binding mode of the side chains of hydrophobic projecting hot spots at positions i, i + 3, and i + 7 of an α-helix. Convenient decoration of this generic scaffold led to the selective disruption of α-helix-mediated PPIs. A series of small-molecule inhibitors selective for β-catenin/B-cell lymphoma 9 (BCL9) over β-catenin/cadherin PPIs was designed and synthesized. The binding mode of new inhibitors was characterized by site-directed mutagenesis and structure-activity relationship studies. This new class of inhibitors can selectively disrupt β-catenin/BCL9 over β-catenin/cadherin PPIs, suppress the transactivation of canonical Wnt signaling, downregulate the expression of Wnt target genes, and inhibit the growth of Wnt/β-catenin-dependent cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan R Hoggard
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
| | - Yongqiang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
| | - Vanja Panic
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
| | - John A Wisniewski
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
| | - Haitao Ji
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
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Zhang H, Wu Q, Berezin MY. Fluorescence anisotropy (polarization): from drug screening to precision medicine. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2015; 10:1145-61. [PMID: 26289575 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2015.1075001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fluorescence anisotropy (FA) is one of the major established methods accepted by industry and regulatory agencies for understanding the mechanisms of drug action and selecting drug candidates utilizing a high-throughput format. AREAS COVERED This review covers the basics of FA and complementary methods, such as fluorescence lifetime anisotropy and their roles in the drug discovery process. The authors highlight the factors affecting FA readouts, fluorophore selection and instrumentation. Furthermore, the authors describe the recent development of a successful, commercially valuable FA assay for long QT syndrome drug toxicity to illustrate the role that FA can play in the early stages of drug discovery. EXPERT OPINION Despite the success in drug discovery, the FA-based technique experiences competitive pressure from other homogeneous assays. That being said, FA is an established yet rapidly developing technique, recognized by academic institutions, the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory agencies across the globe. The technical problems encountered in working with small molecules in homogeneous assays are largely solved, and new challenges come from more complex biological molecules and nanoparticles. With that, FA will remain one of the major work-horse techniques leading to precision (personalized) medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairong Zhang
- a 1 Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Radiology , St. Louis 63110, USA
| | - Qian Wu
- a 1 Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Radiology , St. Louis 63110, USA
| | - Mikhail Y Berezin
- a 1 Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Radiology , St. Louis 63110, USA.,b 2 Washington University School of Medicine, Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Radiology , 510 S. Kingshighway, Barnard Bldg, 6th floor, 6604A, St. Louis, MO, USA +1 314 747 0701 ; +1 314 747 5191 ;
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