1
|
Park JE, Kirsch K, Lee H, Oliva P, Ahn JI, Ravishankar H, Zeng Y, Fox SD, Kirby SA, Badhwar P, Andresson T, Jacobson KA, Lee KS. Specific inhibition of an anticancer target, polo-like kinase 1, by allosterically dismantling its mechanism of substrate recognition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305037120. [PMID: 37603740 PMCID: PMC10629583 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305037120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is considered an attractive target for anticancer therapy. Over the years, studies on the noncatalytic polo-box domain (PBD) of Plk1 have raised the expectation of generating highly specific protein-protein interaction inhibitors. However, the molecular nature of the canonical PBD-dependent interaction, which requires extensive water network-mediated interactions with its phospholigands, has hampered efforts to identify small molecules suitable for Plk1 PBD drug discovery. Here, we report the identification of the first allosteric inhibitor of Plk1 PBD, called Allopole, a prodrug that can disrupt intracellular interactions between PBD and its cognate phospholigands, delocalize Plk1 from centrosomes and kinetochores, and induce mitotic block and cancer cell killing. At the structural level, its unmasked active form, Allopole-A, bound to a deep Trp-Phe-lined pocket occluded by a latch-like loop, whose adjoining region was required for securely retaining a ligand anchored to the phospho-binding cleft. Allopole-A binding completely dislodged the L2 loop, an event that appeared sufficient to trigger the dissociation of a phospholigand and inhibit PBD-dependent Plk1 function during mitosis. Given Allopole's high specificity and antiproliferative potency, this study is expected to open an unexplored avenue for developing Plk1 PBD-specific anticancer therapeutic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Eun Park
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Klara Kirsch
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Hobin Lee
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Paola Oliva
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Jong Il Ahn
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Harsha Ravishankar
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Yan Zeng
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Stephen D. Fox
- Protein Characterization Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD21702
| | - Samuel A. Kirby
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Pooja Badhwar
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Thorkell Andresson
- Protein Characterization Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD21702
| | - Kenneth A. Jacobson
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Kyung S. Lee
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Park JE, Lee H, Oliva P, Kirsch K, Kim B, Ahn JI, Alverez CN, Gaikwad S, Krausz KW, O’Connor R, Rai G, Simeonov A, Mock BA, Gonzalez FJ, Lee KS, Jacobson KA. Structural Optimization and Anticancer Activity of Polo-like Kinase 1 (Plk1) Polo-Box Domain (PBD) Inhibitors and Their Prodrugs. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:422-446. [PMID: 36926457 PMCID: PMC10012257 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00250] [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: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), a mitotic kinase whose activity is widely upregulated in various human cancers, is considered an attractive target for anticancer drug discovery. Aside from the kinase domain, the C-terminal noncatalytic polo-box domain (PBD), which mediates the interaction with the enzyme's binding targets or substrates, has emerged as an alternative target for developing a new class of inhibitors. Various reported small molecule PBD inhibitors exhibit poor cellular efficacy and/or selectivity. Here, we report structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on triazoloquinazolinone-derived inhibitors, such as 43 (a 1-thioxo-2,4-dihydrothieno[2,3-e][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidin-5(1H)-one) that effectively block Plk1, but not Plk2 and Plk3 PBDs, with improved affinity and drug-like properties. The range of prodrug moieties needed for thiol group masking of the active drugs has been expanded to increase cell permeability and mechanism-based cancer cell (L363 and HeLa) death. For example, a 5-thio-1-methyl-4-nitroimidazolyl prodrug 80, derived from 43, showed an improved cellular potency (GI50 4.1 μM). As expected, 80 effectively blocked Plk1 from localizing to centrosomes and kinetochores and consequently induced potent mitotic block and apoptotic cell death. Another prodrug 78 containing 9-fluorophenyl in place of the thiophene-containing heterocycle in 80 also induced a comparable degree of anti-Plk1 PBD effect. However, orally administered 78 was rapidly converted in the bloodstream to parent drug 15, which was shown be relatively stable toward in vivo oxidation due to its 9-fluorophenyl group in comparison to unsubstituted phenyl. Further derivatization of these inhibitors, particularly to improve the systemic prodrug stability, could lead to a new class of therapeutics against Plk1-addicted cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Eun Park
- Cancer
Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Hobin Lee
- Cancer
Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
- Laboratory
of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute
of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes
of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Paola Oliva
- Laboratory
of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute
of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes
of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Klara Kirsch
- Cancer
Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Bora Kim
- Cancer
Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Jong Il Ahn
- Cancer
Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Celeste N. Alverez
- Cancer
Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
- Division
of Preclinical Innovation, National Center
for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Snehal Gaikwad
- Laboratory
of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of
Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Kristopher W. Krausz
- Cancer
Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Robert O’Connor
- Laboratory
of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute
of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes
of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Ganesha Rai
- Division
of Preclinical Innovation, National Center
for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Anton Simeonov
- Division
of Preclinical Innovation, National Center
for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Beverly A. Mock
- Laboratory
of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of
Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Frank J. Gonzalez
- Cancer
Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Kyung S. Lee
- Cancer
Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Kenneth A. Jacobson
- Laboratory
of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute
of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes
of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sakla R, Ghosh A, Kumar V, Kanika, Das P, Sharma PK, Khan R, Jose DA. Light activated simultaneous release and recognition of biological signaling molecule carbon monoxide (CO). Methods 2023; 210:44-51. [PMID: 36642393 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2023.01.003] [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: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic action of carbon monoxide (CO) is very well known and has been studied on various types of tissues and animals. However, real-time spatial and temporal tracking and release of CO is still a challenging task. This paper reported an amphiphilic CO sensing probe NP and phospholipid 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) based nanoscale vesicular sensing system Ves-NP consisting of NP. The liposomal sensing system (Ves-NP) showed good selectivity and sensitivity for CO without any interference from other relevant biological analytes. Detection of CO is monitored by fluorescence OFF-ON signal. Ves-NP displayed LOD of 5.94 µM for CO detection with a response time of 5 min. Further, in a novel attempt, Ves-NP is co-embedded with the amphiphilic CO-releasing molecule 1-Mn(CO)3 to make an analyte replacement probe Ves-NP-CO. Having a both CO releasing and sensing moiety at the surface of the same liposomal system Ves-NP-CO play a dual role. Ves-NP-CO is used for the simultaneous release and recognition of CO that can be controlled by light. Thus, in this novel approach, for the first time we have attached both the release and recognition units of CO in the vesicular surface, both release and recognition simultaneously monitored by the change in fluorescent OFF-ON signal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Sakla
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Kurukshetra, Kurukshetra-136119, Haryana, India; Chemical Biology Unit, Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Amrita Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra-136119, Haryana, India
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Kurukshetra, Kurukshetra-136119, Haryana, India
| | - Kanika
- Chemical Biology Unit, Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Priyadip Das
- Department of Chemistry, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur-603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Pawan K Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra-136119, Haryana, India
| | - Rehan Khan
- Chemical Biology Unit, Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - D Amilan Jose
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Kurukshetra, Kurukshetra-136119, Haryana, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Olawale F, Iwaloye O, Elekofehinti OO. Virtual screening of natural compounds as selective inhibitors of polo-like kinase-1 at C-terminal polo box and N-terminal catalytic domain. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:13606-13624. [PMID: 34669551 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1991476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The over-expression of Polo-like kinase-1 (PLK1) is associated with cancer prognosis due to its pivotal role in cell proliferation. The N-terminal catalytic domain (NCD) and C-terminal polo box domain (PBD) of PLK1 are critical for the activity of the protein. Drugs that inhibit PLK1 by targeting these domains are on clinical trials, but so far, none has been approved by FDA. Thus, this study targets the two domains of PLK1 to identify compounds with inhibitory potential. Four validated e-pharmacophore models from NCD (PDB ID: 2OU7 and 4J52) and PBD (PDB ID: 5NEI and 5NN2) were used to screen over 26,000 natural compounds from NPASS database. Hits were identified after the well-fitted compounds were subjected to molecular docking study and ADME prediction. The pIC50 and electronic behaviour of the identified hits selectively targeting NCD and PBD of PLK1 were predicted via an externally validated QSAR model and quantum mechanics. The results showed that CAA180504, CAA197326, CAA74619, CAA328856 modulating PLK1 at NCD, and CBB130581, CBB230713, CBB206123, CBB12656 and CBB267117 modulating PLK1 at PBD had better molecular docking scores, pharmacokinetics and drug-like properties than NCD (volasertib) and PBD (purpurogallin) reference inhibitors. The compounds all had satisfactory inhibitory (pIC50) values which range from 6.187 to 7.157. The electronic behaviours of understudied compounds using HOMO/LUMO and global descriptive parameters revealed the atomic portion of the compounds prone to donating and accepting electrons. In conclusion, the hit compounds identified from the library of natural compounds are worthy of further experimental validation.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Femi Olawale
- Nano-Gene and Drug Delivery Group, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Science, University of Kwazulu Natal, Durban, South Africa.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Opeyemi Iwaloye
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure, Nigeria
| | - Olusola Olalekan Elekofehinti
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang Z, Xing X, Guan P, Song S, You G, Xia C, Liu T. Recent progress in agents targeting polo-like kinases: Promising therapeutic strategies. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 217:113314. [PMID: 33765606 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Polo-like kinases (PLKs) play important roles in regulating multiple aspects of cell cycle and cell proliferation. In many cancer types, PLK family members are often dysregulated, which can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and aberrant cell division and has been shown to associate with poor prognosis of cancers. The key roles of PLK kinases in cancers lead to an enhanced interest in them as promising targets for anticancer drug development. In consideration of PLK inhibitors and some other anticancer agents, such as BRD4, EEF2K and Aurora inhibitors, exert synergy effects in cancer cells, dual-targeting of PLK and other cancer-related targets is regarded as an rational and potent strategy to enhance the effectiveness of single-targeting therapy for cancer treatment. This review introduces the PLK family members at first and then focuses on the recent advances of single-target PLK inhibitors and summarizes the corresponding SARs of them. Moreover, we discuss the synergisms between PLK and other anti-tumor targets, and sum up the current dual-target agents based on them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong, 271016, PR China
| | - Xiaolan Xing
- Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group Shanghai Haini Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Pudong, Shanghai, 201100, PR China
| | - Peng Guan
- Department of Pharmacy, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China
| | - Shubin Song
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, PR China
| | - Guirong You
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong, 271016, PR China
| | - Chengcai Xia
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong, 271016, PR China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong, 271016, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Alverez CN, Park JE, Toti KS, Xia Y, Krausz KW, Rai G, Bang JK, Gonzalez FJ, Jacobson KA, Lee KS. Identification of a New Heterocyclic Scaffold for Inhibitors of the Polo-Box Domain of Polo-like Kinase 1. J Med Chem 2020; 63:14087-14117. [PMID: 33175530 PMCID: PMC7769008 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
As a mitotic-specific target widely deregulated in various human cancers, polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) has been extensively explored for anticancer activity and drug discovery. Although multiple catalytic domain inhibitors were tested in preclinical and clinical studies, their efficacies are limited by dose-limiting cytotoxicity, mainly from off-target cross reactivity. The C-terminal noncatalytic polo-box domain (PBD) of Plk1 has emerged as an attractive target for generating new protein-protein interaction inhibitors. Here, we identified a 1-thioxo-2,4-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinazolin-5(1H)-one scaffold that efficiently inhibits Plk1 PBD but not its related Plk2 and Plk3 PBDs. Structure-activity relationship studies led to multiple inhibitors having ≥10-fold higher inhibitory activity than the previously characterized Plk1 PBD-specific phosphopeptide, PLHSpT (Kd ∼ 450 nM). In addition, S-methyl prodrugs effectively inhibited mitotic progression and cell proliferation and their metabolic stability was determined. These data describe a novel class of small-molecule inhibitors that offer a promising avenue for future drug discovery against Plk1-addicted cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celeste N Alverez
- Chemistry Section, Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Jung-Eun Park
- Chemistry Section, Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Kiran S Toti
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Yangliu Xia
- Chemistry Section, Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Kristopher W Krausz
- Chemistry Section, Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Ganesha Rai
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Jeong K Bang
- Division of Magnetic Resonance, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Frank J Gonzalez
- Chemistry Section, Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Kenneth A Jacobson
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Kyung S Lee
- Chemistry Section, Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| |
Collapse
|