Hybrid In Silico and TR-FRET-Guided Discovery of Novel BCL-2 Inhibitors

Finding the partner: FRET and beyond

Given the importance of aberrant protein-protein interactions (PPIs) in disease, the recent drug discovery focuses on targeting the altered PPIs to treat the disease. In this context, identifying the atypical PPIs underlying the disease is critical for the development of diagnostics and therapeutics. Various biochemical, biophysical, and genetic methods have been reported to study PPIs. Here, we are giving a short account of those techniques with more emphasis on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), which can be used to monitor macromolecular interactions in live cells. Besides the basics of FRET, we explain the modifications of its application, like Single molecule FRET (smFRET), Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy-FRET (FLIM-FRET), and photoswitching FRET. While smFRET is extensively used for evaluating the biology of nucleic acids and also to develop diagnostics, FLIM-FRET is widely exploited to study the PPIs underlying neurological disorders and cancer. Photoswitching FRET is a relatively newer technique and it has tremendous potential to unravel the significance of different PPIs. Besides these modifications, there are several advancements in the field by introducing new fluorophores. Identification of lanthanide chelates, quantum dots, and other nanoparticle fluorophores has revolutionized the applications of FRET in diagnostics and basic biology. Yet, these methods can be employed to study the interactions of only two molecules. Since the majority of the PPIs are multimeric complexes, we still need to improve our technologies to study these interactions in live cells in real-time.

Identifying Potential SOS1 Inhibitors via Virtual Screening of Multiple Small Molecule Libraries against KRAS-SOS1 Interaction

The RAS-MAPK signaling pathway, crucial for cell proliferation and differentiation, involves key proteins KRAS and SOS1. Mutations in the KRAS and SOS1 genes are implicated in various cancer types, including pancreatic, lung, and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia. There is considerable interest in identifying inhibitors targeting KRAS and SOS1 to explore potential therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. In this study, advanced in silico techniques were employed to screen small molecule libraries at this interface, leading to the identification of promising lead compounds as potential SOS1 inhibitors. Comparative analysis of the average binding free energies of these predicted potent compounds with known SOS1 small molecule inhibitors revealed that the identified compounds display similar or even superior predicted binding affinities compared to the known inhibitors. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential of these compounds as candidates for further development as effective anti-cancer agents.

Current challenges in the discovery of treatments against Mayaro fever

INTRODUCTION

Mayaro fever is an emerging viral disease that manifests as an acute febrile illness. The disease is self-limiting, however joint pain can persist for months leading to chronic arthralgia. There is no specific treatment available, which ultimately leads to socioeconomic losses in populations at risk as well as strains to the public health systems.

AREAS COVERED

We reviewed the candidate treatments proposed for Mayaro virus (MAYV) infection and disease, including antiviral compounds targeting viral or host mechanisms, and pathways involved in disease development and pathogenicity. We assessed compound screening technologies and experimental infection models used in these studies and indicated the advantages and limitations of available technologies and intended therapeutic strategies.

EXPERT OPINION

Although several compounds have been suggested as candidate treatments against MAYV infection, notably those with antiviral activity, most compounds were assessed only in vitro. Compounds rarely progress toin vivo or preclinical studies, and such difficulty may be associated with limited experimental models. MAYV biology is largely inferred from related alphaviruses and reflected by few studies focusing on target proteins or mechanisms of action for MAYV. Therapeutic strategies targeting pathogenic inflammatory responses have shown potential against MAYV-induced disease in vivo, which might reduce long-term sequelae.

Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of BCL-2 Associated Protein Family: Exploring BCL-2 Inhibitors in Cancer Therapy

Apoptosis, programmed cell death pathway, is a vital physiological mechanism that ensures cellular homeostasis and overall cellular well-being. In the context of cancer, where evasion of apoptosis is a hallmark, the overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins like Bcl2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 has been documented. Consequently, these proteins have emerged as promising targets for therapeutic interventions. The BCL-2 protein family is central to apoptosis and plays a significant importance in determining cellular fate serving as a critical determinant in this biological process. This review offers a comprehensive exploration of the BCL-2 protein family, emphasizing its dual nature. Specifically, certain members of this family promote cell survival (known as anti-apoptotic proteins), while others are involved in facilitating cell death (referred to as pro-apoptotic and BH3-only proteins). The potential of directly targeting these proteins is examined, particularly due to their involvement in conferring resistance to traditional cancer therapies. The effectiveness of such targeting strategies is also discussed, considering the tumor's propensity for anti-apoptotic pathways. Furthermore, the review highlights emerging research on combination therapies, where BCL-2 inhibitors are used synergistically with other treatments to enhance therapeutic outcomes. By understanding and manipulating the BCL-2 family and its associated pathways, we open doors to innovative and more effective cancer treatments, offering hope for resistant and aggressive cases.

Nonlinear molecular dynamics of quercetin in Gynocardia odorata and Diospyros malabarica fruits: Its mechanistic role in hepatoprotection

Liver performs number of critical physiological functions in human system. Intoxication of liver leads to accumulation of free radicals that eventually cause damage, fibrosis, cirrhosis and cancer. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) belongs to hepatotoxin is converted to a highly reactive free radical by cytochrome P450 enzymes that causes liver damage. Plant extracts derived quercetin has substantial role in hepatoprotection. This study highlights the possible mechanism by which quercetin plays significant role in hepatoprotection. HPLC analysis revealed the abundance of quercetin in the fruit extracts of Gynocardia odorata and Diospyros malabarica, were isolated, purified and subjected to liver function analysis on Wistar rats. Post quercetin treatment improved liver function parameters in the hepatotoxic Wistar rats by augmenting bilirubin content, SGOT and SGPT activity. Gene expression profile of quercetin treated rats revealed down regulation of HGF, TIMP1 and MMP2 expressed during CCl₄ induction. In silico molecular mechanism prediction suggested that quercetin has a high affinity for cell signaling pathway proteins BCL-2, JAK2 and Cytochrome P450 Cyp2E1, which all play a significant role in CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity. In silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation have shown that quercetin has a plausible affinity for major signaling proteins in liver. MMGBSA studies have revealed high binding of quercetin (ΔG) -41.48±11.02, -43.53±6.55 and -39.89±5.78 kcal/mol, with BCL-2, JAK2 and Cyp2E1, respectively which led to better stability of the quercetin bound protein complexes. Therefore, quercetin can act as potent inhibitor against CCl₄ induced hepatic injury by regulating BCL-2, JAK2 and Cyp2E1.