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Cai G, Bao Y, Li Q, Hsu PH, Xia J, Ngo JCK. Design of a covalent protein-protein interaction inhibitor of SRPKs to suppress angiogenesis and invasion of cancer cells. Commun Chem 2024; 7:144. [PMID: 38937565 PMCID: PMC11211491 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01230-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Serine-arginine (SR) proteins are splicing factors that play essential roles in both constitutive and alternative pre-mRNA splicing. Phosphorylation of their C-terminal RS domains by SR protein kinases (SRPKs) regulates their localization and diverse cellular activities. Dysregulation of phosphorylation has been implicated in many human diseases, including cancers. Here, we report the development of a covalent protein-protein interaction inhibitor, C-DBS, that targets a lysine residue within the SRPK-specific docking groove to block the interaction and phosphorylation of the prototypic SR protein SRSF1. C-DBS exhibits high specificity and conjugation efficiency both in vitro and in cellulo. This self-cell-penetrating inhibitor attenuates the phosphorylation of endogenous SR proteins and subsequently inhibits the angiogenesis, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. These findings provide a new foundation for the development of covalent SRPK inhibitors for combatting diseases such as cancer and viral infections and overcoming the resistance encountered by ATP-competitive inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gongli Cai
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yishu Bao
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qingyun Li
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Pang-Hung Hsu
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
- Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiang Xia
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jacky Chi Ki Ngo
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Center of Novel Biomaterials, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Center for Protein Science and Crystallography, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Hillebrand L, Liang XJ, Serafim RAM, Gehringer M. Emerging and Re-emerging Warheads for Targeted Covalent Inhibitors: An Update. J Med Chem 2024; 67:7668-7758. [PMID: 38711345 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Covalent inhibitors and other types of covalent modalities have seen a revival in the past two decades, with a variety of new targeted covalent drugs having been approved in recent years. A key feature of such molecules is an intrinsically reactive group, typically a weak electrophile, which enables the irreversible or reversible formation of a covalent bond with a specific amino acid of the target protein. This reactive group, often called the "warhead", is a critical determinant of the ligand's activity, selectivity, and general biological properties. In 2019, we summarized emerging and re-emerging warhead chemistries to target cysteine and other amino acids (Gehringer, M.; Laufer, S. A. J. Med. Chem. 2019, 62, 5673-5724; DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01153). Since then, the field has rapidly evolved. Here we discuss the progress on covalent warheads made since our last Perspective and their application in medicinal chemistry and chemical biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hillebrand
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Xiaojun Julia Liang
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided & Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ricardo A M Serafim
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Gehringer
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided & Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Gutiérrez-González A, Karlsson S, Leonori D, Plesniak MP. Mild Strategy for the Preparation of Alkyl Sulfonyl Fluorides from Alkyl Bromides and Alcohols Using Photoredox Catalysis and Flow Chemistry. Org Lett 2024; 26:3972-3976. [PMID: 38663015 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c01216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Facile access to sp3-rich scaffolds containing a sulfonyl fluoride group is still limited. Herein, we describe a mild and scalable strategy for the preparation of alkyl sulfonyl fluorides from readily available alkyl bromides and alcohols using photoredox catalysis. This approach is based on halogen atom transfer (XAT), followed by SO2 capture and fluorination. The method features mild conditions enabling fast access to high-value derivatives and has been scaled up to 5 g using a continuous stirred tank reactor cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Gutiérrez-González
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, 431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Staffan Karlsson
- Early Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, 431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Daniele Leonori
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1, 52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - Mateusz P Plesniak
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, 431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
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Grob NM, Remarcik C, Rössler SL, Wong JYK, Wang JCK, Tao J, Smith CL, Loas A, Buchwald SL, Eaton DL, López MP, Pentelute BL. Electrophile Scanning Reveals Reactivity Hotspots for the Design of Covalent Peptide Binders. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:101-109. [PMID: 38069818 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are intriguing targets in drug discovery and development. Peptides are well suited to target PPIs, which typically present with large surface areas lacking distinct features and deep binding pockets. To improve binding interactions with these topologies and advance the development of PPI-focused therapeutics, potential ligands can be equipped with electrophilic groups to enable binding through covalent mechanisms of action. We report a strategy termed electrophile scanning to identify reactivity hotspots in a known peptide ligand and demonstrate its application in a model PPI. Cysteine mutants of a known ligand are used to install protein-reactive modifiers via a palladium oxidative addition complex (Pd-OAC). Reactivity hotspots are revealed by cross-linking reactions with the target protein under physiological conditions. In a model PPI with the 9-mer peptide antigen VL9 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I protein HLA-E, we identify two reactivity hotspots that afford up to 87% conversion to the protein-peptide conjugate within 4 h. The reactions are specific to the target protein in vitro and dependent on the peptide sequence. Moreover, the cross-linked peptide successfully inhibits molecular recognition of HLA-E by CD94-NKG2A possibly due to structural changes enacted at the PPI interface. The results illustrate the potential application of electrophile scanning as a tool for rapid discovery and development of covalent peptide binders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie M Grob
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - Clint Remarcik
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, San Francisco, California 94080, United States of America
| | - Simon L Rössler
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey Y K Wong
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - John C K Wang
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, San Francisco, California 94080, United States of America
| | - Jason Tao
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - Corey L Smith
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States of America
| | - Andrei Loas
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - Stephen L Buchwald
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - Dan L Eaton
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, San Francisco, California 94080, United States of America
| | | | - Bradley L Pentelute
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States of America
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
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Cosgrove B, Grant EK, Bertrand S, Down KD, Somers DO, P Evans J, Tomkinson NCO, Barker MD. Covalent targeting of non-cysteine residues in PI4KIIIβ. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:1111-1122. [PMID: 38033723 PMCID: PMC10685791 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00142c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The synthesis and characterisation of fluorosulfate covalent inhibitors of the lipid kinase PI4KIIIβ is described. The conserved lysine residue located within the ATP binding site was targeted, and optimised compounds based upon reversible inhibitors with good activity and physicochemical profile showed strong reversible interactions and slow onset times for the covalent inhibition, resulting in an excellent selectivity profile for the lipid kinase target. X-Ray crystallography demonstrated a distal tyrosine residue could also be targeted using a fluorosulfate strategy. Combination of this knowledge showed that a dual covalent inhibitor could be developed which reveals potential in addressing the challenges associated with drug resistant mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Cosgrove
- Medicinal Chemistry, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde Glasgow G1 1XL UK
| | - Emma K Grant
- Medicinal Chemistry, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - Sophie Bertrand
- Medicinal Chemistry, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - Kenneth D Down
- Medicinal Chemistry, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - Don O Somers
- Structural and Biophysical Science, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - John P Evans
- Screening, Profiling and Mechanistic Biology, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | | | - Michael D Barker
- Medicinal Chemistry, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
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Hocking B, Armstrong A, Mann DJ. Covalent fragment libraries in drug discovery-Design, synthesis, and screening methods. PROGRESS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2023; 62:105-146. [PMID: 37981350 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmch.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
As the development of drugs with a covalent mode of action is becoming increasingly popular, well-validated covalent fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) methods have been comparatively slow to keep up with the demand. In this chapter the principles of covalent fragment reactivity, library design, synthesis, and screening methods are explored in depth, focussing on literature examples with direct applications to practical covalent fragment library design and screening. Further, questions about the future of the field are explored and potential useful advances are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad Hocking
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Armstrong
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, London, United Kingdom
| | - David J Mann
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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