1
|
Bütikofer M, Stadler GR, Kadavath H, Cadalbert R, Torres F, Riek R. Rapid Protein-Ligand Affinity Determination by Photoinduced Hyperpolarized NMR. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:17974-17985. [PMID: 38957136 PMCID: PMC11228983 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c04000] [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: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The binding affinity determination of protein-ligand complexes is a cornerstone of drug design. State-of-the-art techniques are limited by lengthy and expensive processes. Building upon our recently introduced novel screening method utilizing photochemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (photo-CIDNP) NMR, we provide the methodological framework to determine binding affinities within 5-15 min using 0.1 mg of protein. The accuracy of our method is demonstrated for the affinity constants of peptides binding to a PDZ domain and fragment ligands binding to the protein PIN1. The method can also be extended to measure the affinity of nonphoto-CIDNP-polarizable ligands in competition binding experiments. Finally, we demonstrate a strong correlation between the ligand-reduced signals in photo-CIDNP-based NMR fragment screening and the well-established saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR. Thus, our methodology measures protein-ligand affinities in the micro- to millimolar range in only a few minutes and informs on the binding epitope in a single-scan experiment, opening new avenues for early stage drug discovery approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Bütikofer
- Institute for Molecular Physical Science, Vladimir Prelog Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gabriela R Stadler
- Institute for Molecular Physical Science, Vladimir Prelog Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Harindranath Kadavath
- Institute for Molecular Physical Science, Vladimir Prelog Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Riccardo Cadalbert
- Institute for Molecular Physical Science, Vladimir Prelog Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Felix Torres
- Institute for Molecular Physical Science, Vladimir Prelog Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- NexMR AG, Wiesenstrasse 10A, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Roland Riek
- Institute for Molecular Physical Science, Vladimir Prelog Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Alboreggia G, Udompholkul P, Baggio C, Muzzarelli K, Assar Z, Pellecchia M. Histidine-Covalent Stapled Alpha-Helical Peptides Targeting hMcl-1. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8172-8185. [PMID: 38695666 PMCID: PMC11129181 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00277] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Several novel and effective cysteine targeting (Cys) covalent drugs are in clinical use. However, the target area containing a druggable Cys residue is limited. Therefore, methods for creating covalent drugs that target different residues are being looked for; examples of such ligands include those that target the residues lysine (Lys) and tyrosine (Tyr). Though the histidine (His) side chain is more frequently found in protein binding locations and has higher desirable nucleophilicity, surprisingly limited research has been done to specifically target this residue, and there are not many examples of His-targeting ligands that have been rationally designed. In the current work, we created novel stapled peptides that are intended to target hMcl-1 His 252 covalently. We describe the in vitro (biochemical, NMR, and X-ray) and cellular design and characterization of such agents. Our findings further suggest that the use of electrophiles to specifically target His residues is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Alboreggia
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Parima Udompholkul
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Kendall Muzzarelli
- Cayman
Chemical Co., 1180 E. Ellsworth road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, United States
| | - Zahra Assar
- Cayman
Chemical Co., 1180 E. Ellsworth road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Favaro A, Sturlese M. A Novel NMR-Based Protocol to Screen Ultralow Molecular Weight Fragments. J Med Chem 2024; 67:3874-3884. [PMID: 38426508 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02222] [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: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Fragment-based lead discovery has emerged as one of the most efficient screening strategies for finding hit molecules in drug discovery. Recently, a novel strategy based on a class of fragments characterized by an ultralow molecular weight (ULMW) has been proposed. These fragments bind to the target with a very low affinity, requiring reliable biophysical methods for detection. The most notable application of ULMW used a set of 81 fragments, named MiniFrags, and screened them by X-ray crystallography. We extended the utilization of this novel class of fragments to another gold standard technique for fragment-based screening: nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Here, we present a novel NMR protocol to detect and analyze such weak interactions in a challenging real-world scenario: a flexible target with a flat, water-exposed binding site. We identified a subset of 69 highly water-soluble MiniFrags that were screened against the antiapoptotic protein human Bfl-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annagiulia Favaro
- Molecular Modeling Section (MMS), Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Mattia Sturlese
- Molecular Modeling Section (MMS), Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Alboreggia G, Udompholkul P, Baggio C, Pellecchia M. Mixture-Based Screening of Focused Combinatorial Libraries by NMR: Application to the Antiapoptotic Protein hMcl-1. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37464766 PMCID: PMC10388297 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
We report on an innovative ligand discovery strategy based on protein NMR-based screening of a combinatorial library of ∼125,000 compounds that was arranged in 96 distinct mixtures. Using sensitive solution protein NMR spectroscopy and chemical perturbation-based screening followed by an iterative synthesis, deconvolutions, and optimization strategy, we demonstrate that the approach could be useful in the identification of initial binding molecules for difficult drug targets, such as those involved in protein-protein interactions. As an application, we will report novel agents targeting the Bcl-2 family protein hMcl-1. The approach is of general applicability and could be deployed as an effective screening strategy for de novo identification of ligands, particularly when tackling targets involved in protein-protein interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Alboreggia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Parima Udompholkul
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Udompholkul P, Garza-Granados A, Alboreggia G, Baggio C, McGuire J, Pegan SD, Pellecchia M. Characterization of a Potent and Orally Bioavailable Lys-Covalent Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (IAP) Antagonist. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37262387 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We have recently reported on the use of aryl-fluorosulfates in designing water- and plasma-stable agents that covalently target Lys, Tyr, or His residues in the BIR3 domain of the inhibitor of the apoptosis protein (IAP) family. Here, we report further structural, cellular, and pharmacological characterizations of this agent, including the high-resolution structure of the complex between the Lys-covalent agent and its target, the BIR3 domain of X-linked IAP (XIAP). We also compared the cellular efficacy of the agent in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures, side by side with the clinical candidate reversible IAP inhibitor LCL161. Finally, in vivo pharmacokinetic studies indicated that the agent was long-lived and orally bioavailable. Collectively our data further corroborate that aryl-fluorosulfates, when incorporated correctly in a ligand, can result in Lys-covalent agents with pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties that warrant their use in the design of pharmacological probes or even therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parima Udompholkul
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Ana Garza-Granados
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Giulia Alboreggia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Jack McGuire
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Scott D Pegan
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sun J, Xu M, Ru J, James-Bott A, Xiong D, Wang X, Cribbs AP. Small molecule-mediated targeting of microRNAs for drug discovery: Experiments, computational techniques, and disease implications. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115500. [PMID: 37262996 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115500] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Small molecules have been providing medical breakthroughs for human diseases for more than a century. Recently, identifying small molecule inhibitors that target microRNAs (miRNAs) has gained importance, despite the challenges posed by labour-intensive screening experiments and the significant efforts required for medicinal chemistry optimization. Numerous experimentally-verified cases have demonstrated the potential of miRNA-targeted small molecule inhibitors for disease treatment. This new approach is grounded in their posttranscriptional regulation of the expression of disease-associated genes. Reversing dysregulated gene expression using this mechanism may help control dysfunctional pathways. Furthermore, the ongoing improvement of algorithms has allowed for the integration of computational strategies built on top of laboratory-based data, facilitating a more precise and rational design and discovery of lead compounds. To complement the use of extensive pharmacogenomics data in prioritising potential drugs, our previous work introduced a computational approach based on only molecular sequences. Moreover, various computational tools for predicting molecular interactions in biological networks using similarity-based inference techniques have been accumulated in established studies. However, there are a limited number of comprehensive reviews covering both computational and experimental drug discovery processes. In this review, we outline a cohesive overview of both biological and computational applications in miRNA-targeted drug discovery, along with their disease implications and clinical significance. Finally, utilizing drug-target interaction (DTIs) data from DrugBank, we showcase the effectiveness of deep learning for obtaining the physicochemical characterization of DTIs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Sun
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK.
| | - Miaoer Xu
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jinlong Ru
- Chair of Prevention of Microbial Diseases, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, 85354, Germany
| | - Anna James-Bott
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Dapeng Xiong
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA; Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Xia Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China.
| | - Adam P Cribbs
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nietzold F, Rubner S, Labuzek B, Golik P, Surmiak E, Del Corte X, Kitel R, Protzel C, Reppich-Sacher R, Stichel J, Magiera-Mularz K, Holak TA, Berg T. Nutlin-3a-aa: Improving the Bioactivity of a p53/MDM2 Interaction Inhibitor by Introducing a Solvent-Exposed Methylene Group. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300006. [PMID: 36602436 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300006] [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: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Nutlin-3a is a reversible inhibitor of the p53/MDM2 interaction. We have synthesized the derivative Nutlin-3a-aa bearing an additional exocyclic methylene group in the piperazinone moiety. Nutlin-3a-aa is more active than Nutlin-3a against purified wild-type MDM2, and is more effective at increasing p53 levels and releasing transcription of p53 target genes from MDM2-induced repression. X-ray analysis of wild-type MDM2-bound Nutlin-3a-aa indicated that the orientation of its modified piperazinone ring was altered in comparison to the piperazinone ring of MDM2-bound Nutlin-3a, with the exocyclic methylene group of Nutlin-3a-aa pointing away from the protein surface. Our data point to the introduction of exocyclic methylene groups as a useful approach by which to tailor the conformation of bioactive molecules for improved biological activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Nietzold
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 29, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Rubner
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 29, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Beata Labuzek
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Przemysław Golik
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewa Surmiak
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Xabier Del Corte
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland.,Present address: Departamento de Química Orgánica I, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados "Lucio Lascaray", Facultad de Farmacia, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Radoslaw Kitel
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Christoph Protzel
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 29, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Regina Reppich-Sacher
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstraße 34, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jan Stichel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstraße 34, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katarzyna Magiera-Mularz
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Tad A Holak
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Thorsten Berg
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 29, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Díaz-Casado L, Santana AG, Gómez-Pinto I, Villacampa A, Corzana F, Jiménez-Barbero J, González C, Asensio JL. Binding-driven reactivity attenuation enables NMR identification of selective drug candidates for nucleic acid targets. Commun Chem 2022; 5:137. [PMID: 36697799 PMCID: PMC9814457 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-022-00755-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
NMR methods, and in particular ligand-based approaches, are among the most robust and reliable alternatives for binding detection and consequently, they have become highly popular in the context of hit identification and drug discovery. However, when dealing with DNA/RNA targets, these techniques face limitations that have precluded widespread application in medicinal chemistry. In order to expand the arsenal of spectroscopic tools for binding detection and to overcome the existing difficulties, herein we explore the scope and limitations of a strategy that makes use of a binding indicator previously unexploited by NMR: the perturbation of the ligand reactivity caused by complex formation. The obtained results indicate that ligand reactivity can be utilised to reveal association processes and identify the best binders within mixtures of significant complexity, providing a conceptually different reactivity-based alternative within NMR screening methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Díaz-Casado
- grid.419121.e0000 0004 1761 1887Instituto de Química Orgánica (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrés G. Santana
- grid.419121.e0000 0004 1761 1887Instituto de Química Orgánica (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Gómez-Pinto
- grid.429036.a0000 0001 0805 7691Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano (IQFR-CSIC), Madrid, 28006 Spain
| | - Alejandro Villacampa
- grid.419121.e0000 0004 1761 1887Instituto de Química Orgánica (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Corzana
- grid.119021.a0000 0001 2174 6969Dept. Química and Centro de Investigación en Síntesis Química, Universidad de La Rioja, 26005 La Rioja, Spain
| | - Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
- grid.420175.50000 0004 0639 2420Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC-bioGUNE). Derio, 48160 Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Carlos González
- grid.429036.a0000 0001 0805 7691Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano (IQFR-CSIC), Madrid, 28006 Spain
| | - Juan Luis Asensio
- grid.419121.e0000 0004 1761 1887Instituto de Química Orgánica (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kitel R, Rodríguez I, del Corte X, Atmaj J, Żarnik M, Surmiak E, Muszak D, Magiera-Mularz K, Popowicz GM, Holak TA, Musielak B. Exploring the Surface of the Ectodomain of the PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint with Small-Molecule Fragments. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:2655-2663. [PMID: 36073782 PMCID: PMC9486809 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Development of small molecules targeting the PD-L1/PD-1 interface is advancing both in industry and academia, but only a few have reached early-stage clinical trials. Here, we take a closer look at the general druggability of PD-L1 using in silico hot spot mapping and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based characterization. We found that the conformational elasticity of the PD-L1 surface strongly influences the formation of hot spots. We deconstructed several generations of known inhibitors into fragments and examined their binding properties using differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) and protein-based nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). These biophysical analyses showed that not all fragments bind to the PD-L1 ectodomain despite having the biphenyl scaffold. Although most of the binding fragments induced PD-L1 oligomerization, two compounds, TAH35 and TAH36, retain the monomeric state of proteins upon binding. Additionally, the presence of the entire ectodomain did not affect the binding of the hit compounds and dimerization of PD-L1. The data demonstrated here provide important information on the PD-L1 druggability and the structure-activity relationship of the biphenyl core moiety and therefore may aid in the design of novel inhibitors and focused fragment libraries for PD-L1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Radoslaw Kitel
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Ismael Rodríguez
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Xabier del Corte
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica I, Centro de Investigación
y Estudios Avanzados “Lucio Lascaray” − Facultad
de Farmacia, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU Paseo de la Universidad
7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Jack Atmaj
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Żarnik
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewa Surmiak
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Damian Muszak
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Magiera-Mularz
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Grzegorz M. Popowicz
- Institute
of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum
München, Ingolstädter
Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Tad A. Holak
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Bogdan Musielak
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Biochemical Interactions through Microscopic Techniques: Structural and Molecular Characterization. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14142853. [PMID: 35890632 PMCID: PMC9318543 DOI: 10.3390/polym14142853] [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] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many researchers and scientists have contributed significantly to provide structural and molecular characterizations of biochemical interactions using microscopic techniques in the recent decade, as these biochemical interactions play a crucial role in the production of diverse biomaterials and the organization of biological systems. The properties, activities, and functionalities of the biomaterials and biological systems need to be identified and modified for different purposes in both the material and life sciences. The present study aimed to review the advantages and disadvantages of three main branches of microscopy techniques (optical microscopy, electron microscopy, and scanning probe microscopy) developed for the characterization of these interactions. First, we explain the basic concepts of microscopy and then the breadth of their applicability to different fields of research. This work could be useful for future research works on biochemical self-assembly, biochemical aggregation and localization, biological functionalities, cell viability, live-cell imaging, material stability, and membrane permeability, among others. This understanding is of high importance in rapid, inexpensive, and accurate analysis of biochemical interactions.
Collapse
|
11
|
Kell SR, Wang Z, Ji H. Fragment hopping protocol for the design of small-molecule protein-protein interaction inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 69:116879. [PMID: 35749838 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Fragment-based ligand discovery (FBLD) is one of the most successful approaches to designing small-molecule protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors. The incorporation of computational tools to FBLD allows the exploration of chemical space in a time- and cost-efficient manner. Herein, a computational protocol for the development of small-molecule PPI inhibitors using fragment hopping, a fragment-based de novo design approach, is described and a case study is presented to illustrate the efficiency of this protocol. Fragment hopping facilitates the design of PPI inhibitors from scratch solely based on key binding features in the PPI complex structure. This approach is an open system that enables the inclusion of different state-of-the-art programs and softwares to improve its performances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shelby R Kell
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, United States; Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, United States
| | - Zhen Wang
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, United States; Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, United States
| | - Haitao Ji
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, United States; Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Biphenyl Ether Analogs Containing Pomalidomide as Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the Programmed Cell Death-1/Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 Interaction. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27113454. [PMID: 35684392 PMCID: PMC9181982 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27113454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
New biphenyl-based chimeric compounds containing pomalidomide were developed and evaluated for their activity to inhibit and degrade the programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death- ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) complex. Most of the compounds displayed excellent inhibitory activity against PD-1/PD-L1, as assessed by the homogenous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) binding assay. Among them, compound 3 is one of the best with an IC50 value of 60 nM. Using an ex vivo PD-1/PD-L1 blockade cell line bioassay that expresses human PD-1 and PD-L1, we show that compounds 4 and 5 significantly restore the repressed immunity in this co-culture model. Western blot data, however, demonstrated that these anti-PD-L1/pomalidomide chimeras could not reduce the protein levels of PD-L1.
Collapse
|
13
|
Protein-Protein Interaction Inhibitors Targeting the Eph-Ephrin System with a Focus on Amino Acid Conjugates of Bile Acids. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020137. [PMID: 35215250 PMCID: PMC8880657 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020137] [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] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the Eph-ephrin system in the etiology of pathological conditions has been consolidated throughout the years. In this context, approaches directed against this signaling system, intended to modulate its activity, can be strategic therapeutic opportunities. Currently, the most promising class of compounds able to interfere with the Eph receptor-ephrin protein interaction is composed of synthetic derivatives of bile acids. In the present review, we summarize the progresses achieved, in terms of chemical expansions and structure-activity relationships, both in the steroidal core and the terminal carboxylic acid group, along with the pharmacological characterization for the most promising Eph-ephrin antagonists in in vivo settings.
Collapse
|
14
|
Yin G, Lv G, Zhang J, Jiang H, Lai T, Yang Y, Ren Y, Wang J, Yi C, Chen H, Huang Y, Xiao C. Early-stage structure-based drug discovery for small GTPases by NMR spectroscopy. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 236:108110. [PMID: 35007659 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Small GTPase or Ras superfamily, including Ras, Rho, Rab, Ran and Arf, are fundamental in regulating a wide range of cellular processes such as growth, differentiation, migration and apoptosis. They share structural and functional similarities for binding guanine nucleotides and hydrolyzing GTP. Dysregulations of Ras proteins are involved in the pathophysiology of multiple human diseases, however there is still a stringent need for effective treatments targeting these proteins. For decades, small GTPases were recognized as 'undruggable' targets due to their complex regulatory mechanisms and lack of deep pockets for ligand binding. NMR has been critical in deciphering the structural and dynamic properties of the switch regions that are underpinning molecular switch functions of small GTPases, which pave the way for developing new effective inhibitors. The recent progress of drug or lead molecule development made for small GTPases profoundly delineated how modern NMR techniques reshape the field of drug discovery. In this review, we will summarize the progress of structural and dynamic studies of small GTPases, the NMR techniques developed for structure-based drug screening and their applications in early-stage drug discovery for small GTPases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Yin
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
| | - Guohua Lv
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511486, Guangdong, China
| | - Jerry Zhang
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
| | - Hongmei Jiang
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Tianqi Lai
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511486, Guangdong, China
| | - Yushan Yang
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yong Ren
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Jing Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chenju Yi
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Biomedical Informatics & Genomics Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710049, PR China; Research Institute of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 311215, PR China
| | - Yun Huang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase 20815, MD, USA; Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York 10065, NY, USA.
| | - Chaoni Xiao
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Mass OA, Tuccinardi J, Woodbury L, Wolf CL, Grantham B, Holdaway K, Pu X, King MD, Warner DL, Jorcyk CL, Warner LR. Bioactive recombinant human oncostatin M for NMR-based screening in drug discovery. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16174. [PMID: 34376712 PMCID: PMC8355150 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95424-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncostatin M (OSM) is a pleiotropic, interleukin-6 family inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer progression and metastasis. Recently, elevated OSM levels have been found in the serum of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units. Multiple anti-OSM therapeutics have been investigated, but to date no OSM small molecule inhibitors are clinically available. To pursue a high-throughput screening and structure-based drug discovery strategy to design a small molecule inhibitor of OSM, milligram quantities of highly pure, bioactive OSM are required. Here, we developed a reliable protocol to produce highly pure unlabeled and isotope enriched OSM from E. coli for biochemical and NMR studies. High yields (ca. 10 mg/L culture) were obtained in rich and minimal defined media cultures. Purified OSM was characterized by mass spectrometry and circular dichroism. The bioactivity was confirmed by induction of OSM/OSM receptor signaling through STAT3 phosphorylation in human breast cancer cells. Optimized buffer conditions yielded 1H, 15N HSQC NMR spectra with intense, well-dispersed peaks. Titration of 15N OSM with a small molecule inhibitor showed chemical shift perturbations for several key residues with a binding affinity of 12.2 ± 3.9 μM. These results demonstrate the value of bioactive recombinant human OSM for NMR-based small molecule screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga A. Mass
- grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XBiomoleculer Research Center, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725 USA
| | - Joseph Tuccinardi
- grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725 USA
| | - Luke Woodbury
- grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XBiomoleculer Research Center, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725 USA
| | - Cody L. Wolf
- grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XBiomolecular Sciences Graduate Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725 USA ,grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725 USA
| | - Bri Grantham
- grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XBiomoleculer Research Center, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725 USA
| | - Kelsey Holdaway
- grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725 USA
| | - Xinzhu Pu
- grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XBiomoleculer Research Center, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725 USA ,grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XBiomolecular Sciences Graduate Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725 USA
| | - Matthew D. King
- grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725 USA ,grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XBiomolecular Sciences Graduate Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725 USA
| | - Don L. Warner
- grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725 USA ,grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XBiomolecular Sciences Graduate Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725 USA
| | - Cheryl L. Jorcyk
- grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XBiomolecular Sciences Graduate Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725 USA ,grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725 USA
| | - Lisa R. Warner
- grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XBiomoleculer Research Center, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725 USA ,grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725 USA ,grid.184764.80000 0001 0670 228XBiomolecular Sciences Graduate Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725 USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Baggio C, Kulinich A, Dennys CN, Rodrigo R, Meyer K, Ethell I, Pellecchia M. NMR-Guided Design of Potent and Selective EphA4 Agonistic Ligands. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11229-11246. [PMID: 34293864 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we applied an innovative nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-guided screening and ligand design approach, named focused high-throughput screening by NMR (fHTS by NMR), to derive potent, low-molecular-weight ligands capable of mimicking interactions elicited by ephrin ligands on the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA4. The agents bind with nanomolar affinity, trigger receptor activation in cellular assays with motor neurons, and provide remarkable motor neuron protection from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient-derived astrocytes. Structural studies on the complex between EphA4 ligand-binding domain and a most active agent provide insights into the mechanism of the agents at a molecular level. Together with preliminary in vivo pharmacology studies, the data form a strong foundation for the translation of these agents for the treatment of ALS and potentially other human diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Baggio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Anna Kulinich
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Cassandra N Dennys
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205, United States
| | - Rochelle Rodrigo
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205, United States
| | - Kathrin Meyer
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205, United States
| | - Iryna Ethell
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gambini L, Udompholkul P, Baggio C, Muralidharan A, Kenjić N, Assar Z, Perry JJP, Pellecchia M. Design, Synthesis, and Structural Characterization of Lysine Covalent BH3 Peptides Targeting Mcl-1. J Med Chem 2021; 64:4903-4912. [PMID: 33797903 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Modulating disease-relevant protein-protein interactions (PPIs) using pharmacological tools is a critical step toward the design of novel therapeutic strategies. Over the years, however, targeting PPIs has proven a very challenging task owing to the large interfacial areas. Our recent efforts identified possible novel routes for the design of potent and selective inhibitors of PPIs using a structure-based design of covalent inhibitors targeting Lys residues. In this present study, we report on the design, synthesis, and characterizations of the first Lys-covalent BH3 peptide that has a remarkable affinity and selectivity for hMcl-1 over the closely related hBfl-1 protein. Our structural studies, aided by X-ray crystallography, provide atomic-level details of the inhibitor interactions that can be used to further translate these discoveries into novel generation, Lys-covalent pro-apoptotic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Gambini
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Parima Udompholkul
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Aruljothi Muralidharan
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Nikola Kenjić
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Zahra Assar
- Cayman Chemical, 1180 East Ellsworth Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, United States
| | - J Jefferson P Perry
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Le ATH, Krylova SM, Beloborodov SS, Wang TY, Hili R, Johnson PE, Li F, Veedu RN, Belyanskaya S, Krylov SN. How to Develop and Prove High-Efficiency Selection of Ligands from Oligonucleotide Libraries: A Universal Framework for Aptamers and DNA-Encoded Small-Molecule Ligands. Anal Chem 2021; 93:5343-5354. [PMID: 33764056 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c00601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Screening molecular libraries for ligands capable of binding proteins is widely used for hit identification in the early drug discovery process. Oligonucleotide libraries provide a very high diversity of compounds, while the combination of the polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing allow the identification of ligands in low copy numbers selected from such libraries. Ligand selection from oligonucleotide libraries requires mixing the library with the target followed by the physical separation of the ligand-target complexes from the unbound library. Cumulatively, the low abundance of ligands in the library and the low efficiency of available separation methods necessitate multiple consecutive rounds of partitioning. Multiple rounds of inefficient partitioning make the selection process ineffective and prone to failures. There are continuing efforts to develop a separation method capable of reliably generating a pure pool of ligands in a single round of partitioning; however, none of the proposed methods for single-round selection have been universally adopted. Our analysis revealed that the developers' efforts are disconnected from each other and hindered by the lack of quantitative criteria of selection quality assessment. Here, we present a formalism that describes single-round selection mathematically and provides parameters for quantitative characterization of selection quality. We use this formalism to define a universal strategy for development and validation of single-round selection methods. Finally, we analyze the existing partitioning methods, the published single-round selection reports, and some pertinent practical considerations through the prism of this formalism. This formalism is not an experimental protocol but a framework for correct development of experimental protocols. While single-round selection is not a goal by itself and may not always suffice selection of good-quality ligands, our work will help developers of highly efficient selection approaches to consolidate their efforts under an umbrella of universal quantitative criteria of method development and assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- An T H Le
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Svetlana M Krylova
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Stanislav S Beloborodov
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Tong Y Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Ryan Hili
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Philip E Johnson
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Biotechnology, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Rakesh N Veedu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University and Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth 6150, Australia
| | | | - Sergey N Krylov
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Corpas FJ, González-Gordo S, Palma JM. Nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide modulate the NADPH-generating enzymatic system in higher plants. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:830-847. [PMID: 32945878 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are two key molecules in plant cells that participate, directly or indirectly, as regulators of protein functions through derived post-translational modifications, mainly tyrosine nitration, S-nitrosation, and persulfidation. These post-translational modifications allow the participation of both NO and H2S signal molecules in a wide range of cellular processes either physiological or under stressful circumstances. NADPH participates in cellular redox status and it is a key cofactor necessary for cell growth and development. It is involved in significant biochemical routes such as fatty acid, carotenoid and proline biosynthesis, and the shikimate pathway, as well as in cellular detoxification processes including the ascorbate-glutathione cycle, the NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase (NTR), or the superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase. Plant cells have diverse mechanisms to generate NADPH by a group of NADP-dependent oxidoreductases including ferredoxin-NADP reductase (FNR), NADP-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NADP-GAPDH), NADP-dependent malic enzyme (NADP-ME), NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP-ICDH), and both enzymes of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, designated as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH). These enzymes consist of different isozymes located in diverse subcellular compartments (chloroplasts, cytosol, mitochondria, and peroxisomes) which contribute to the NAPDH cellular pool. We provide a comprehensive overview of how post-translational modifications promoted by NO (tyrosine nitration and S-nitrosation), H2S (persulfidation), and glutathione (glutathionylation), affect the cellular redox status through regulation of the NADP-dependent dehydrogenases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Corpas
- Group of Antioxidant, Free Radical and Nitric Oxide in Biotechnology, Food and Agriculture, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology of Plants, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, C/ Profesor Albareda, Granada, Spain
| | - Salvador González-Gordo
- Group of Antioxidant, Free Radical and Nitric Oxide in Biotechnology, Food and Agriculture, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology of Plants, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, C/ Profesor Albareda, Granada, Spain
| | - José M Palma
- Group of Antioxidant, Free Radical and Nitric Oxide in Biotechnology, Food and Agriculture, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology of Plants, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, C/ Profesor Albareda, Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Gambini L, Udompholkul P, Salem AF, Baggio C, Pellecchia M. Stability and Cell Permeability of Sulfonyl Fluorides in the Design of Lys-Covalent Antagonists of Protein-Protein Interactions. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:2176-2184. [PMID: 32790900 PMCID: PMC7722097 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recently we reported on aryl-fluorosulfates as possible stable and effective electrophiles for the design of lysine covalent, cell permeable antagonists of protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Here we revisit the use of aryl-sulfonyl fluorides as Lys-targeting moieties, incorporating these electrophiles in XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein) targeting agents. We evaluated stability in buffer and reactivity with Lys311 of XIAP of various aryl-sulfonyl fluorides using biochemical and biophysical approaches, including displacement assays, mass spectrometry, SDS gel electrophoresis, and denaturation thermal shift measurements. To assess whether these modified electrophilic "warheads" can also react with Tyr, we repeated these evaluations with a Lys311Tyr XIAP mutant. Using a direct cellular assay, we could demonstrate that selected agents are cell permeable and interact covalently with their intended target in cell. These results suggest that certain substituted aryl-sulfonyl fluorides can be useful Lys- or Tyr-targeting electrophiles for the design of covalent pharmacological tools or even future therapeutics targeting protein-protein interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Gambini
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
| | - Parima Udompholkul
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
| | - Ahmed F. Salem
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Baggio C, Velazquez JV, Fragai M, Nordgren TM, Pellecchia M. Therapeutic Targeting of MMP-12 for the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12911-12920. [PMID: 33107733 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disorder characterized by progressive airflow obstruction associated with inflammation and emphysema, and it is currently one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Recent studies with genetically engineered mice reported that during pulmonary inflammation, basophil-derived interleukin-4 can act on lung-infiltrating monocytes causing aberrant expression of the matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12). MMP-12 activity in turn causes the destruction of alveolar walls leading to emphysema, making it potentially a valid target for pharmacological intervention. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)- and structure-based optimizations, the current study reports on the optimized novel, potent, and selective MMP-12 inhibitors with single-digit nanomolar affinity in vitro and in vivo efficacy. Using a murine model of elastase-induced emphysema we demonstrated that the most potent agents exhibited a significant decrease in emphysema-like pathology compared to vehicle-treated mice, thus suggesting that the reported agents may potentially be translated into novel therapeutics for the treatment of COPD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Baggio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Jalene V Velazquez
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Marco Fragai
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence and Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche di Metallo Proteine (CIRMMP), Via L. Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Tara M Nordgren
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Emwas AH, Szczepski K, Poulson BG, Chandra K, McKay RT, Dhahri M, Alahmari F, Jaremko L, Lachowicz JI, Jaremko M. NMR as a "Gold Standard" Method in Drug Design and Discovery. Molecules 2020; 25:E4597. [PMID: 33050240 PMCID: PMC7594251 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25204597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Studying disease models at the molecular level is vital for drug development in order to improve treatment and prevent a wide range of human pathologies. Microbial infections are still a major challenge because pathogens rapidly and continually evolve developing drug resistance. Cancer cells also change genetically, and current therapeutic techniques may be (or may become) ineffective in many cases. The pathology of many neurological diseases remains an enigma, and the exact etiology and underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. Viral infections spread and develop much more quickly than does the corresponding research needed to prevent and combat these infections; the present and most relevant outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, which originated in Wuhan, China, illustrates the critical and immediate need to improve drug design and development techniques. Modern day drug discovery is a time-consuming, expensive process. Each new drug takes in excess of 10 years to develop and costs on average more than a billion US dollars. This demonstrates the need of a complete redesign or novel strategies. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) has played a critical role in drug discovery ever since its introduction several decades ago. In just three decades, NMR has become a "gold standard" platform technology in medical and pharmacology studies. In this review, we present the major applications of NMR spectroscopy in medical drug discovery and development. The basic concepts, theories, and applications of the most commonly used NMR techniques are presented. We also summarize the advantages and limitations of the primary NMR methods in drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdul-Hamid Emwas
- Core Labs, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kacper Szczepski
- Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (K.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.C.); (L.J.)
| | - Benjamin Gabriel Poulson
- Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (K.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.C.); (L.J.)
| | - Kousik Chandra
- Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (K.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.C.); (L.J.)
| | - Ryan T. McKay
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2W2, Canada;
| | - Manel Dhahri
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Yanbu El-Bahr 46423, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Fatimah Alahmari
- Nanomedicine Department, Institute for Research and Medical, Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Lukasz Jaremko
- Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (K.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.C.); (L.J.)
| | - Joanna Izabela Lachowicz
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Università di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (K.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.C.); (L.J.)
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Zhao Z, Roose BW, Zemerov SD, Stringer MA, Dmochowski IJ. Detecting protein-protein interactions by Xe-129 NMR. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:11122-11125. [PMID: 32814938 PMCID: PMC7511426 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc02988b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Detection of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is limited by current bioanalytical methods. A protein complementation assay (PCA), split TEM-1 β-lactamase, interacts with xenon at the interface of the TEM-1 fragments. Reconstitution of TEM-1-promoted here by cFos/cJun leucine zipper interaction-gives rise to sensitive 129Xe NMR signal in bacterial cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuangyu Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
| | - Benjamin W Roose
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
| | - Serge D Zemerov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
| | - Madison A Stringer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
| | - Ivan J Dmochowski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Kieffer C, Jourdan JP, Jouanne M, Voisin-Chiret AS. Noncellular screening for the discovery of protein–protein interaction modulators. Drug Discov Today 2020; 25:1592-1603. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
25
|
Recent advance on PTP1B inhibitors and their biomedical applications. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 199:112376. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
26
|
Competition NMR for Detection of Hit/Lead Inhibitors of Protein-Protein Interactions. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25133017. [PMID: 32630327 PMCID: PMC7412237 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25133017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Screening for small-molecule fragments that can lead to potent inhibitors of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) is often a laborious step as the fragments cannot dissociate the targeted PPI due to their low μM–mM affinities. Here, we describe an NMR competition assay called w-AIDA-NMR (weak-antagonist induced dissociation assay-NMR), which is sensitive to weak μM–mM ligand–protein interactions and which can be used in initial fragment screening campaigns. By introducing point mutations in the complex’s protein that is not targeted by the inhibitor, we lower the effective affinity of the complex, allowing for short fragments to dissociate the complex. We illustrate the method with the compounds that block the Mdm2/X-p53 and PD-1/PD-L1 oncogenic interactions. Targeting the PD-/PD-L1 PPI has profoundly advanced the treatment of different types of cancers.
Collapse
|
27
|
Capraro DT, Burban DJ, Jennings PA. Unraveling Allostery in a Knotted Minimal Methyltransferase by NMR Spectroscopy. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:3018-3032. [PMID: 32135193 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The methyltransferases that belong to the SpoU-TrmD family contain trefoil knots in their backbone fold. Recent structural dynamic and binding analyses of both free and bound homologs indicate that the knot within the polypeptide backbone plays a significant role in the biological activity of the molecule. The knot loops form the S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM)-binding pocket as well as participate in SAM binding and catalysis. Knots contain both at once a stable core as well as moving parts that modulate long-range motions. Here, we sought to understand allosteric effects modulated by the knotted topology. Uncovering the residues that contribute to these changes and the functional aspects of these protein motions are essential to understanding the interplay between the knot, activation of the methyltransferase, and the implications in RNA interactions. The question we sought to address is as follows: How does the knot, which constricts the backbone as well as forms the SAM-binding pocket with its three distinctive loops, affect the binding mechanism? Using a minimally tied trefoil protein as the framework for understanding the structure-function roles, we offer an unprecedented view of the conformational mechanics of the knot and its relationship to the activation of the ligand molecule. Focusing on the biophysical characterization of the knot region by NMR spectroscopy, we identify the SAM-binding region and observe changes in the dynamics of the loops that form the knot. Importantly, we also observe long-range allosteric changes in flanking helices consistent with winding/unwinding in helical propensity as the knot tightens to secure the SAM cofactor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominique T Capraro
- University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Natural Science Building #3110, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - David J Burban
- University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Natural Science Building #3110, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Patricia A Jennings
- University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Natural Science Building #3110, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
van der Vlag R, Yagiz Unver M, Felicetti T, Twarda‐Clapa A, Kassim F, Ermis C, Neochoritis CG, Musielak B, Labuzek B, Dömling A, Holak TA, Hirsch AKH. Optimized Inhibitors of MDM2 via an Attempted Protein-Templated Reductive Amination. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:370-375. [PMID: 31774938 PMCID: PMC7064911 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Innovative and efficient hit-identification techniques are required to accelerate drug discovery. Protein-templated fragment ligations represent a promising strategy in early drug discovery, enabling the target to assemble and select its binders from a pool of building blocks. Development of new protein-templated reactions to access a larger structural diversity and expansion of the variety of targets to demonstrate the scope of the technique are of prime interest for medicinal chemists. Herein, we present our attempts to use a protein-templated reductive amination to target protein-protein interactions (PPIs), a challenging class of drug targets. We address a flexible pocket, which is difficult to achieve by structure-based drug design. After careful analysis we did not find one of the possible products in the kinetic target-guided synthesis (KTGS) approach, however subsequent synthesis and biochemical evaluation of each library member demonstrated that all the obtained molecules inhibit MDM2. The most potent library member (Ki =0.095 μm) identified is almost as active as Nutlin-3, a potent inhibitor of the p53-MDM2 PPI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramon van der Vlag
- Stratingh Institute for ChemistryUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 79747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - M. Yagiz Unver
- Stratingh Institute for ChemistryUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 79747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Tommaso Felicetti
- Stratingh Institute for ChemistryUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 79747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of PerugiaVia del Liceo 106123PerugiaItaly
| | | | - Fatima Kassim
- Stratingh Institute for ChemistryUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 79747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Cagdas Ermis
- Stratingh Institute for ChemistryUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 79747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Constantinos G. Neochoritis
- Department of Pharmacy, Drug Design groupUniversity of GroningenA. Deusinglaan 1GroningenThe Netherlands
- Chemistry departmentUniversity of Crete70013HeraklionGreece
| | - Bogdan Musielak
- Faculty of ChemistryJagiellonian UniversityGronostajowa 230-387KrakowPoland
| | - Beata Labuzek
- Faculty of ChemistryJagiellonian UniversityGronostajowa 230-387KrakowPoland
| | - Alexander Dömling
- Department of Pharmacy, Drug Design groupUniversity of GroningenA. Deusinglaan 1GroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Tad A. Holak
- Faculty of ChemistryJagiellonian UniversityGronostajowa 230-387KrakowPoland
| | - Anna K. H. Hirsch
- Stratingh Institute for ChemistryUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 79747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
- Department of Drug Design and OptimizationHelmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) – Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)Campus Building E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- Department of PharmacySaarland UniversityCampus Building E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Ricardo MG, Ali AM, Plewka J, Surmiak E, Labuzek B, Neochoritis CG, Atmaj J, Skalniak L, Zhang R, Holak TA, Groves M, Rivera DG, Dömling A. Multicomponent Peptide Stapling as a Diversity‐Driven Tool for the Development of Inhibitors of Protein–Protein Interactions. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201916257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel G. Ricardo
- Faculty of Chemistry, Center for Natural Product ResearchUniversity of Havana Cuba
| | - Ameena M. Ali
- Department of PharmacyDrug Design group, University of Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Jacek Plewka
- Faculty of ChemistryJagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Ewa Surmiak
- Faculty of ChemistryJagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Beata Labuzek
- Faculty of ChemistryJagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Constantinos G. Neochoritis
- Department of PharmacyDrug Design group, University of Groningen The Netherlands
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Crete Greece
| | - Jack Atmaj
- Department of PharmacyDrug Design group, University of Groningen The Netherlands
- Faculty of ChemistryJagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | | | - Ran Zhang
- Department of PharmacyDrug Design group, University of Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Tad A. Holak
- Faculty of ChemistryJagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Matthew Groves
- Department of PharmacyDrug Design group, University of Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Daniel G. Rivera
- Faculty of Chemistry, Center for Natural Product ResearchUniversity of Havana Cuba
| | - Alexander Dömling
- Department of PharmacyDrug Design group, University of Groningen The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ricardo MG, Ali AM, Plewka J, Surmiak E, Labuzek B, Neochoritis CG, Atmaj J, Skalniak L, Zhang R, Holak TA, Groves M, Rivera DG, Dömling A. Multicomponent Peptide Stapling as a Diversity-Driven Tool for the Development of Inhibitors of Protein-Protein Interactions. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:5235-5241. [PMID: 31944488 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201916257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Stapled peptides are chemical entities in-between biologics and small molecules, which have proven to be the solution to high affinity protein-protein interaction antagonism, while keeping control over pharmacological performance such as stability and membrane penetration. We demonstrate that the multicomponent reaction-based stapling is an effective strategy for the development of α-helical peptides with highly potent dual antagonistic action of MDM2 and MDMX binding p53. Such a potent inhibitory activity of p53-MDM2/X interactions was assessed by fluorescence polarization, microscale thermophoresis, and 2D NMR, while several cocrystal structures with MDM2 were obtained. This MCR stapling protocol proved efficient and versatile in terms of diversity generation at the staple, as evidenced by the incorporation of both exo- and endo-cyclic hydrophobic moieties at the side chain cross-linkers. The interaction of the Ugi-staple fragments with the target protein was demonstrated by crystallography.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel G Ricardo
- Faculty of Chemistry, Center for Natural Product Research, University of Havana, Cuba
| | - Ameena M Ali
- Department of Pharmacy, Drug Design group, University of, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacek Plewka
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewa Surmiak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Beata Labuzek
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Constantinos G Neochoritis
- Department of Pharmacy, Drug Design group, University of, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Chemistry, University of, Crete, Greece
| | - Jack Atmaj
- Department of Pharmacy, Drug Design group, University of, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Lukasz Skalniak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ran Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Drug Design group, University of, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tad A Holak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Matthew Groves
- Department of Pharmacy, Drug Design group, University of, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel G Rivera
- Faculty of Chemistry, Center for Natural Product Research, University of Havana, Cuba
| | - Alexander Dömling
- Department of Pharmacy, Drug Design group, University of, Groningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Huang B, Liu Y, Yao H, Zhao Y. NMR-based investigation into protein phosphorylation. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 145:53-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.12.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
32
|
De Simone A, Naldi M, Tedesco D, Bartolini M, Davani L, Andrisano V. Advanced analytical methodologies in Alzheimer’s disease drug discovery. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2020; 178:112899. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2019.112899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
33
|
Baggio C, Udompholkul P, Gambini L, Salem AF, Jossart J, Perry JJP, Pellecchia M. Aryl-fluorosulfate-based Lysine Covalent Pan-Inhibitors of Apoptosis Protein (IAP) Antagonists with Cellular Efficacy. J Med Chem 2019; 62:9188-9200. [PMID: 31550155 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We have recently investigated the reactivity of aryl-fluorosulfates as warheads to form covalent adducts with Lys, Tyr, and His residues. However, the rate of reaction of aryl-fluorosulfates seemed relatively slow, putting into question their effectiveness to form covalent adducts in cell. Unlike the previously reported agents that targeted a relatively remote Lys residue with respect to the target's binding site, the current agents were designed to more directly juxtapose an aryl-fluorosulfate with a Lys residue that is located within the binding pocket of the BIR3 domain of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). We found that such new agents can effectively and rapidly form a covalent adduct with XIAP-BIR3 in vitro and in cell, approaching the rate of reaction, cellular permeability, and stability that are similar to what attained by acrylamides when targeting Cys residues. Our studies further validate aryl-fluorosulfates as valuable Lys-targeting electrophiles, for the design of inhibitors of both enzymes and protein-protein interactions.
Collapse
|
34
|
Ganesan A, Ahmed M, Okoye I, Arutyunova E, Babu D, Turnbull WL, Kundu JK, Shields J, Agopsowicz KC, Xu L, Tabana Y, Srivastava N, Zhang G, Moon TC, Belovodskiy A, Hena M, Kandadai AS, Hosseini SN, Hitt M, Walker J, Smylie M, West FG, Siraki AG, Lemieux MJ, Elahi S, Nieman JA, Tyrrell DL, Houghton M, Barakat K. Comprehensive in vitro characterization of PD-L1 small molecule inhibitors. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12392. [PMID: 31455818 PMCID: PMC6712002 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48826-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Blockade of the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) interaction has emerged as a powerful strategy in cancer immunotherapy. Recently, there have been enormous efforts to develop potent PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. In particular, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and Aurigene Discovery Technologies have individually disclosed several promising PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, whose detailed experimental data are not publicly disclosed. In this work, we report the rigorous and systematic in vitro characterization of a selected set of potent PD-1/PD-L1 macrocyclic peptide (BMSpep-57) and small-molecule inhibitors (BMS-103, BMS-142) from BMS and a peptidomimetic small-molecule inhibitor from Aurigene (Aurigene-1) using a series of biochemical and cell-based assays. Our results confirm that BMS-103 and BMS-142 are strongly active in biochemical assays; however, their acute cytotoxicity greatly compromised their immunological activity. On the other hand, Aurigene-1 did not show any activity in both biochemical and immunological assays. Furthermore, we also report the discovery of a small-molecule immune modulator, whose mode-of-action is not clear; however, it exhibits favorable drug-like properties and strong immunological activity. We hope that the results presented here will be useful in guiding the development of next-generation PD-1/PD-L1 small molecule inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aravindhan Ganesan
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Marawan Ahmed
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Isobel Okoye
- Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Elena Arutyunova
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Dinesh Babu
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - William L Turnbull
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Joydeb Kumar Kundu
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Justin Shields
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Lai Xu
- Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Yasser Tabana
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Nutan Srivastava
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Guangzhi Zhang
- Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Tae Chul Moon
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Alexandr Belovodskiy
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Mostofa Hena
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | | | - Mary Hitt
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - John Walker
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Michael Smylie
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Frederick G West
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Arno G Siraki
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - M Joanne Lemieux
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shokrollah Elahi
- Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - James A Nieman
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - D Lorne Tyrrell
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Michael Houghton
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Khaled Barakat
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
- Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Hitting on the move: Targeting intrinsically disordered protein states of the MDM2-p53 interaction. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 182:111588. [PMID: 31421630 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins are an emerging class of proteins without a folded structure and currently disorder-based drug targeting remains a challenge. p53 is the principal regulator of cell division and growth whereas MDM2 consists its main negative regulator. The MDM2-p53 recognition is a dynamic and multistage process that amongst other, employs the dissociation of a transient α-helical N-terminal ''lid'' segment of MDM2 from the proximity of the p53-complementary interface. Several small molecule inhibitors have been reported to inhibit the formation of the p53-MDM2 complex with the vast majority mimicking the p53 residues Phe19, Trp23 and Leu26. Recently, we have described the transit from the 3-point to 4-point pharmacophore model stabilizing this intrinsically disordered N-terminus by increasing the binding affinity by a factor of 3. Therefore, we performed a thorough SAR analysis, including chiral separation of key compound which was evaluated by FP and 2D NMR. Finally, p53-specific anti-cancer activity towards p53-wild-type cancer cells was observed for several representative compounds.
Collapse
|
36
|
NMR investigation of protein-ligand interactions for G-protein coupled receptors. Future Med Chem 2019; 11:1811-1825. [PMID: 31287732 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2018-0312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review, we report NMR studies of ligand-GPCR interactions, including both ligand-observed and protein-observed NMR experiments. Published studies exemplify how NMR can be used as a powerful tool to design novel GPCR ligands and investigate the ligand-induced conformational changes of GPCRs. The strength of NMR also lies in its capability to explore the diverse signaling pathways and probe the allosteric modulation of these highly dynamic receptors. By offering unique opportunities for the identification, structural and functional characterization of GPCR ligands, NMR will likely play a major role for the generation of novel molecules both as new tools for the understanding of the GPCR function and as therapeutic compounds for a large diversity of pathologies.
Collapse
|
37
|
Gambini L, Baggio C, Udompholkul P, Jossart J, Salem AF, Perry JJP, Pellecchia M. Covalent Inhibitors of Protein-Protein Interactions Targeting Lysine, Tyrosine, or Histidine Residues. J Med Chem 2019; 62:5616-5627. [PMID: 31095386 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We have recently reported a series of Lys-covalent agents targeting the BIR3 domain of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) using a benzamide-sulfonyl fluoride warhead. Using XIAP as a model system, we further investigated a variety of additional warheads that can be easily incorporated into binding peptides and analyzed their ability to form covalent adducts with lysine and other amino acids, including tyrosine, histidine, serine, and threonine, using biochemical and biophysical assays. Moreover, we tested aqueous, plasma stability, cell permeability, and cellular efficacy of the most effective agents. These studies identified aryl-fluoro sulfates as likely the most suitable electrophiles to effectively form covalent adducts with Lys, Tyr, and His residues, given that these agents were cell permeable and stable in aqueous buffer and in plasma. Our studies contain a number of general findings that open new possible avenues for the design of potent covalent protein-protein interaction antagonists.
Collapse
|
38
|
Ni D, Lu S, Zhang J. Emerging roles of allosteric modulators in the regulation of protein-protein interactions (PPIs): A new paradigm for PPI drug discovery. Med Res Rev 2019; 39:2314-2342. [PMID: 30957264 DOI: 10.1002/med.21585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are closely implicated in various types of cellular activities and are thus pivotal to health and disease states. Given their fundamental roles in a wide range of biological processes, the modulation of PPIs has enormous potential in drug discovery. However, owing to the general properties of large, flat, and featureless interfaces of PPIs, previous attempts have demonstrated that the generation of therapeutic agents targeting PPI interfaces is challenging, rendering them almost "undruggable" for decades. To date, rapid progress in chemical and structural biology techniques has promoted the exploitation of allostery as a novel approach in drug discovery. By attaching to allosteric sites that are topologically and spatially distinct from PPI interfaces, allosteric modulators can achieve improved physiochemical properties. Thus, allosteric modulators may represent an alternative strategy to target intractable PPIs and have attracted intense pharmaceutical interest. In this review, we first briefly introduce the characteristics of PPIs and then present different approaches for investigating PPIs, as well as the latest methods for modulating PPIs. Importantly, we comprehensively review the recent progress in the development of allosteric modulators to inhibit or stabilize PPIs. Finally, we conclude with future perspectives on the discovery of allosteric PPI modulators, especially the application of computational methods to aid in allosteric PPI drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duan Ni
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Clinical and Fundamental Research Center, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaoyong Lu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Clinical and Fundamental Research Center, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Medicinal Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Clinical and Fundamental Research Center, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Medicinal Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Center for Single-Cell Omics, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Skalniak L, Twarda-Clapa A, Neochoritis CG, Surmiak E, Machula M, Wisniewska A, Labuzek B, Ali AM, Krzanik S, Dubin G, Groves M, Dömling A, Holak TA. A fluorinated indole-based MDM2 antagonist selectively inhibits the growth of p53 wt osteosarcoma cells. FEBS J 2019; 286:1360-1374. [PMID: 30715803 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The p53 protein is engaged in the repair of DNA mutations and elimination of heavily damaged cells, providing anticancer protection. Dysregulation of p53 activity is a crucial step in carcinogenesis. This dysregulation is often caused by the overexpression of negative regulators of p53, among which MDM2 is the most prominent one. Antagonizing MDM2 with small molecules restores the activity of p53 in p53 wild-type (p53wt ) cells and thus provides positive outcomes in the treatment of p53wt cancers. Previously, we have reported the discovery of a panel of fluoro-substituted indole-based antagonists of MDM2. Here, we demonstrate the biological activity and stereoselectivity of the most active compound from this series. Both enantiomers of the esterified form of the compound, as well as its corresponding carboxylic acids, were found active in fluorescence polarization (FP) assay, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and microscale thermophoresis (MST) assay, with Ki and KD values around 1 μm. From these four compounds, the esterified enantiomer (R)-5a was active in cells, which was evidenced by the increase of p53 levels, the induced expression of p53-target genes (CDKN1A and MDM2), the selective induction of cell cycle arrest, and selective growth inhibition of p53wt U-2 OS and SJSA-1 compared to p53del SAOS-2 cells. The analysis of the crystal structure of human MDM2 in complex with the compound (R)-6a (carboxylic acid of the active (R)-5a compound) revealed the classical three-finger binding mode. Altogether, our data demonstrate the activity of the compound and provide the structural basis for further structure optimization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz Skalniak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | | | | | - Ewa Surmiak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Monika Machula
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Beata Labuzek
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ameena M Ali
- Department of Drug Design, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sylwia Krzanik
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Dubin
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.,Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Matthew Groves
- Department of Drug Design, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Tad A Holak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Chen PC, Hennig J. The role of small-angle scattering in structure-based screening applications. Biophys Rev 2018; 10:1295-1310. [PMID: 30306530 PMCID: PMC6233350 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-018-0464-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In many biomolecular interactions, changes in the assembly states and structural conformations of participants can act as a complementary reporter of binding to functional and thermodynamic assays. This structural information is captured by a number of structural biology and biophysical techniques that are viable either as primary screens in small-scale applications or as secondary screens to complement higher throughput methods. In particular, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) reports the average distance distribution between all atoms after orientational averaging. Such information is important when for example investigating conformational changes involved in inhibitory and regulatory mechanisms where binding events do not necessarily cause functional changes. Thus, we summarise here the current and prospective capabilities of SAXS-based screening in the context of other methods that yield structural information. Broad guidelines are also provided to assist readers in preparing screening protocols that are tailored to available X-ray sources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Po-Chia Chen
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory Heidelberg, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69126, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Janosch Hennig
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory Heidelberg, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69126, Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Specific Antibody Fragment Ligand Traps Blocking FGF1 Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19092470. [PMID: 30134556 PMCID: PMC6163658 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092470] [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: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) and its receptors (FGFRs) regulate crucial biological processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation. Aberrant activation of FGFRs by their ligands can promote tumor growth and angiogenesis in many tumor types, including lung or breast cancer. The development of FGF1-targeting molecules with potential implications for the therapy of FGF1-driven tumors is recently being considered a promising approach in the treatment of cancer. In this study we have used phage display selection to find scFv antibody fragments selectively binding FGF1 and preventing it from binding to its receptor. Three identified scFv clones were expressed and characterized with regard to their binding to FGF1 and ability to interfere with FGF1-induced signaling cascades activation. In the next step the scFvs were cloned to scFv-Fc format, as dimeric Fc fusions prove beneficial in prospective therapeutic application. As expected, scFvs-Fc exhibited significantly increased affinity towards FGF1. We observed strong antiproliferative activity of the scFvs and scFvs-Fc in the in vitro cell models. Presented antibody fragments serve as novel FGF1 inhibitors and can be further utilized as powerful tools to use in the studies on the selective cancer therapy.
Collapse
|
42
|
Larsen EK, Olivieri C, Walker C, V S M, Gao J, Bernlohr DA, Tonelli M, Markley JL, Veglia G. Probing Protein-Protein Interactions Using Asymmetric Labeling and Carbonyl-Carbon Selective Heteronuclear NMR Spectroscopy. Molecules 2018; 23:E1937. [PMID: 30081441 PMCID: PMC6205158 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23081937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) regulate a plethora of cellular processes and NMR spectroscopy has been a leading technique for characterizing them at the atomic resolution. Technically, however, PPIs characterization has been challenging due to multiple samples required to characterize the hot spots at the protein interface. In this paper, we review our recently developed methods that greatly simplify PPI studies, which minimize the number of samples required to fully characterize residues involved in the protein-protein binding interface. This original strategy combines asymmetric labeling of two binding partners and the carbonyl-carbon label selective (CCLS) pulse sequence element implemented into the heteronuclear single quantum correlation (¹H-15N HSQC) spectra. The CCLS scheme removes signals of the J-coupled 15N⁻13C resonances and records simultaneously two individual amide fingerprints for each binding partner. We show the application to the measurements of chemical shift correlations, residual dipolar couplings (RDCs), and paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PRE). These experiments open an avenue for further modifications of existing experiments facilitating the NMR analysis of PPIs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erik K Larsen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Cristina Olivieri
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Caitlin Walker
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Manu V S
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Jiali Gao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - David A Bernlohr
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Marco Tonelli
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - John L Markley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Gianluigi Veglia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Tomala MD, Magiera-Mularz K, Kubica K, Krzanik S, Zieba B, Musielak B, Pustula M, Popowicz GM, Sattler M, Dubin G, Skalniak L, Holak TA. Identification of small-molecule inhibitors of USP2a. Eur J Med Chem 2018. [PMID: 29529503 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
USP2a is a deubiquitinating protease that rescues its target proteins from destruction by the proteasome by reversing the process of protein ubiquitination. USP2a shows oncogenic properties in vivo and has been found to be a specific activator of cyclin D1. Many types of cancers are addicted to cyclin D1 expression. Targeting USP2a is a promising strategy for cancer therapy but little progress has been made in the field of inhibition of USP2a. Using NMR-based fragment screening and biophysical binding assays, we have discovered small molecules that bind to USP2a. Iterations of fragment combination and structure-driven design identified two 5-(2-thienyl)-3-isoxazoles as the inhibitors of the USP2a-ubiquitin protein-protein interaction. The affinity of these molecules for the catalytic domain of USP2a parallels their ability to interfere with USP2a binding to ubiquitin in vitro. Altogether, our results establish the 5-(2-thienyl)-3-isoxazole pharmacophore as an attractive starting point for lead optimization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcin D Tomala
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Katarzyna Kubica
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Sylwia Krzanik
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Bartosz Zieba
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Bogdan Musielak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marcin Pustula
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Grzegorz M Popowicz
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Sattler
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Grzegorz Dubin
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Lukasz Skalniak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Tad A Holak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Baggio C, Cerofolini L, Fragai M, Luchinat C, Pellecchia M. HTS by NMR for the Identification of Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Metalloenzymes. ACS Med Chem Lett 2018; 9:137-142. [PMID: 29456802 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.7b00483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently proposed a novel drug discovery approach based on biophysical screening of focused positional scanning libraries in which each element of the library contained a common binding moiety for the given target or class of targets. In this Letter, we report on the implementation of this approach to target metal containing proteins. In our implementation, we first derived a focused positional scanning combinatorial library of peptide mimetics (of approximately 100,000 compounds) in which each element of the library contained the metal-chelating moiety hydroxamic acid at the C-terminal. Screening of this library by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in solution allowed the identification of a novel and selective compound series targeting MMP-12. The data supported that our general approach, perhaps applied using other metal chelating agents or other initial binding fragments, may result very effective in deriving novel and selective agents against metalloenzyme.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Baggio
- Division of Biomedical
Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California—Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Linda Cerofolini
- Magnetic
Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence and Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche di Metallo Proteine (CIRMMP), Via L. Sacconi
6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Marco Fragai
- Magnetic
Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence and Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche di Metallo Proteine (CIRMMP), Via L. Sacconi
6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Claudio Luchinat
- Magnetic
Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence and Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche di Metallo Proteine (CIRMMP), Via L. Sacconi
6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical
Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California—Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Kim JY, Han JH, Park G, Seo YW, Yun CW, Lee BC, Bae J, Moon AR, Kim TH. Necrosis-inducing peptide has the beneficial effect on killing tumor cells through neuropilin (NRP-1) targeting. Oncotarget 2018; 7:32449-61. [PMID: 27083053 PMCID: PMC5078025 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic efficacy of most anti-cancer drugs depends on their apoptosis-inducing abilities. Previously, we showed that a peptide containing the mitochondrial targeting domain (MTD) found in Noxa, a BH-3 only protein of Bcl-2 family, induces necrosis. Here, a fusion peptide of neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) targeting peptide and MTD peptide, designated tumor homing motif 17:MTD (TU17:MTD), was found to induce necrosis in cancer cells in vitro and to cause the regression of tumors when intravenously injected into mice bearing subcutaneous CT26 colorectal carcinoma tumors. The necrosis within tumor tissues was evident upon administering TU17:MTD. TU17:MTD penetrated into tumor cells by targeting to Neuropilin-1, which could be blocked by anti-NRP-1 antibody. The efficacy of TU17:MTD on tumor regression was higher than that of TU17:D(KLAKLAK)2, a fusion peptide of NRP-1 targeting peptide and a pro-apoptotic peptide. The necrotic cell death within tumor tissues was evident at day 1 after administering TU17:MTD systemically. Transplanted subcutaneous substantially reduced in size within two weeks and 5 days, respectively, with no apparent side effects. Together, these results propose that the pro-necrotic peptide MTD may present an alternative approach for development of targeted anti-cancer agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Young Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Chosun University School of Medicine, Dong-Gu, Gwang-Ju, Korea
| | - Ji-Hae Han
- Department of Biochemistry, Chosun University School of Medicine, Dong-Gu, Gwang-Ju, Korea
| | - Geon Park
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chosun University School of Medicine, Dong-Gu, Gwang-Ju, Korea
| | - Young-Woo Seo
- Korea Basic Science Institute Gwang-Ju Center, Chonnam National University, Buk-Gu, Gwang-Ju, Korea
| | - Cheol-Won Yun
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Jeehyeon Bae
- School of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ae Ran Moon
- Department of Biochemistry, Chosun University School of Medicine, Dong-Gu, Gwang-Ju, Korea
| | - Tae-Hyoung Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Chosun University School of Medicine, Dong-Gu, Gwang-Ju, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Sugiki T, Furuita K, Fujiwara T, Kojima C. Current NMR Techniques for Structure-Based Drug Discovery. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23010148. [PMID: 29329228 PMCID: PMC6017608 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23010148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) applications have been developed for structure-based drug discovery (SBDD). NMR provides many advantages over other methods, such as the ability to directly observe chemical compounds and target biomolecules, and to be used for ligand-based and protein-based approaches. NMR can also provide important information about the interactions in a protein-ligand complex, such as structure, dynamics, and affinity, even when the interaction is too weak to be detected by ELISA or fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based high-throughput screening (HTS) or to be crystalized. In this study, we reviewed current NMR techniques. We focused on recent progress in NMR measurement and sample preparation techniques that have expanded the potential of NMR-based SBDD, such as fluorine NMR (19F-NMR) screening, structure modeling of weak complexes, and site-specific isotope labeling of challenging targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiko Sugiki
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Kyoko Furuita
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | | | - Chojiro Kojima
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
- Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
|
48
|
Baggio C, Udompholkul P, Barile E, Pellecchia M. Enthalpy-Based Screening of Focused Combinatorial Libraries for the Identification of Potent and Selective Ligands. ACS Chem Biol 2017; 12:2981-2989. [PMID: 29094589 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.7b00717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In modern drug discovery, the ability of biophysical methods, including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy or surface plasmon resonance, to detect and characterize ligand-protein interactions accurately and unambiguously makes these approaches preferred versus conventional biochemical high-throughput screening of large collections of compounds. Nonetheless, ligand screening strategies that address simultaneously potency and selectivity have not yet been fully developed. In this work, we propose a novel method for screening large collections of combinatorial libraries using enthalpy measurements as a primary screening technique. We demonstrate that selecting binders that are driven by enthalpy (ΔH) results in agents that are not only potent but also more selective for a given target. This general and novel approach, we termed ΔH screening of fPOS (enthalpy screening of focused positional scanning library), combines the principles of focused combinatorial chemistry with rapid calorimetry measurements to efficiently identify potent and selective inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Baggio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences,
School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Parima Udompholkul
- Division of Biomedical Sciences,
School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Elisa Barile
- Division of Biomedical Sciences,
School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences,
School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Peng Y, Jin X, Zheng Y, Han D, Liu K, Jiang L. Direct Imaging of Superwetting Behavior on Solid-Liquid-Vapor Triphase Interfaces. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2017; 29. [PMID: 28869679 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201703009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
A solid-liquid-vapor interface dominated by a three-phase contact line usually serves as an active area for interfacial reactions and provides a vital clue to surface behavior. Recently, direct imaging of the triphase interface of superwetting interfaces on the microscale/nanoscale has attracted broad scientific attention for both theoretical research and practical applications, and has gradually become an efficient and intuitive approach to explore the wetting behaviors of various multiphase interfaces. Here, recent progress on characterizing the solid-liquid-vapor triphase interface on the microscale/nanoscale with diverse types of imaging apparatus is summarized. Moreover, the accurate, visible, and quantitative information that can be obtained shows the real interfacial morphology of the wetting behaviors of multiphase interfaces. On the basis of fundamental research, technical innovations in imaging and complicated multiphase interfaces of the superwetting surface are also briefly presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Peng
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Xu Jin
- Research Institute of Petroleum, Exploration and Development, Petro China, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Yongmei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Dong Han
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Kesong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired Smart Interface Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Monaco S, Tailford LE, Juge N, Angulo J. Differential Epitope Mapping by STD NMR Spectroscopy To Reveal the Nature of Protein-Ligand Contacts. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201707682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Serena Monaco
- School of Pharmacy; University of East Anglia; Norwich Research Park Norwich UK
| | - Louise E. Tailford
- The Gut Health And Food Safety Institute Strategic Program; Quadram Institute of Bioscience; NR47UA Norwich Research Park Norwich UK
| | - Nathalie Juge
- The Gut Health And Food Safety Institute Strategic Program; Quadram Institute of Bioscience; NR47UA Norwich Research Park Norwich UK
| | - Jesus Angulo
- School of Pharmacy; University of East Anglia; Norwich Research Park Norwich UK
| |
Collapse
|