1
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Nayak D, Lv D, Yuan Y, Zhang P, Hu W, Nayak A, Ruben EA, Lv Z, Sung P, Hromas R, Zheng G, Zhou D, Olsen SK. Development and crystal structures of a potent second-generation dual degrader of BCL-2 and BCL-xL. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2743. [PMID: 38548768 PMCID: PMC10979003 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46922-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of BCL-xL and BCL-2 play key roles in tumorigenesis and cancer drug resistance. Advances in PROTAC technology facilitated recent development of the first BCL-xL/BCL-2 dual degrader, 753b, a VHL-based degrader with improved potency and reduced toxicity compared to previous small molecule inhibitors. Here, we determine crystal structures of VHL/753b/BCL-xL and VHL/753b/BCL-2 ternary complexes. The two ternary complexes exhibit markedly different architectures that are accompanied by distinct networks of interactions at the VHL/753b-linker/target interfaces. The importance of these interfacial contacts is validated via functional analysis and informed subsequent rational and structure-guided design focused on the 753b linker and BCL-2/BCL-xL warhead. This results in the design of a degrader, WH244, with enhanced potency to degrade BCL-xL/BCL-2 in cells. Using biophysical assays followed by in cell activities, we are able to explain the enhanced target degradation of BCL-xL/BCL-2 in cells. Most PROTACs are empirically designed and lack structural studies, making it challenging to understand their modes of action and specificity. Our work presents a streamlined approach that combines rational design and structure-based insights backed with cell-based studies to develop effective PROTAC-based cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Digant Nayak
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology and Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Dongwen Lv
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology and Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Yaxia Yuan
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology and Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Peiyi Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Wanyi Hu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Anindita Nayak
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology and Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Eliza A Ruben
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology and Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Zongyang Lv
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology and Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Patrick Sung
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology and Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Robert Hromas
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Guangrong Zheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Daohong Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology and Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
| | - Shaun K Olsen
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology and Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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2
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Gong Q, Wang H, Zhou M, Zhou L, Wang R, Li Y. B-cell lymphoma-2 family proteins in the crosshairs: Small molecule inhibitors and activators for cancer therapy. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:707-737. [PMID: 37983840 DOI: 10.1002/med.21999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) family of proteins plays a crucial role in the regulation of apoptosis, offering a dual mechanism for its control. Numerous studies have established a strong association between gene disorders of these proteins and the proliferation of diverse cancer cell types. Consequently, the identification and development of drugs targeting BCL-2 family proteins have emerged as a prominent area in antitumor therapy. Over the last two decades, several small-molecules have been designed to modulate the protein-protein interactions between anti- and proapoptotic BCL-2 proteins, effectively suppressing tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. The primary focus of research has been on developing BCL-2 homology 3 (BH3) mimetics to target antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins, thereby competitively releasing proapoptotic BCL-2 proteins and restoring the blocked intrinsic apoptotic program. Additionally, for proapoptotic BCL-2 proteins, exogenous small molecules have been explored to activate cell apoptosis by directly interacting with executioner proteins such as BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX) or BCL-2 homologous antagonist/killer protein (BAK). In this comprehensive review, we summarize the inhibitors and activators (sensitizers) of BCL-2 family proteins developed over the past decades, highlighting their discovery, optimization, preclinical and clinical status, and providing an overall landscape of drug development targeting these proteins for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qineng Gong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Haojie Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Mi Zhou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Zhou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Renxiao Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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3
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NAWAZ Z, GÜRBÜZ N, ZAFAR MN, ÖZDEMIR N, ÇETİNKAYA B, ÖZDEMİR İ. Benzimidazol-2-ylidene ruthenium complexes for C-N bond formation through alcohol dehydrogenation. Turk J Chem 2023; 47:1209-1223. [PMID: 38173746 PMCID: PMC10760900 DOI: 10.55730/1300-0527.3606] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
A low temperature hydrogen borrowing approach to generate secondary amines using benzimidazole-based N-heterocyclic carbene (BNHC) ruthenium complexes is reported. A series of the piano-stool complexes of the type [(η6-p-cymene)(BNHC)RuCl2] (1a-g) were synthesized via one-pot reaction of the NHC salt precursor, Ag2O, and [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 and characterized using conventional spectroscopic techniques. The geometry of two precursors, [(η6-p-cymene)(Me4BnMe2BNHCCH2OxMe)RuCl2] (1f) and [(η6-p-cymene)(Me5BnMe2BNHCCH2OxMe)RuCl2] (1g), was studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. These catalysts were found to dehydrogenate alcohols efficiently at temperatures as low as 50 °C to allow Schiff-base condensation and subsequent imine hydrogenation to afford secondary amines. Notably, this ruthenium-based procedure enables the N-alkylation of aromatic and heteroaromatic primary amines with a wide range of primary alcohols in excellent yields of up to 98%. The present methodology is green and water is liberated as the sole byproduct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahid NAWAZ
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad,
Pakistan
- Catalysis Research and Application Center, İnönü University, Malatya,
Turkiye
| | - Nevin GÜRBÜZ
- Catalysis Research and Application Center, İnönü University, Malatya,
Turkiye
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Arts, İnönü University, Malatya,
Turkiye
- Drug Application and Research Center, İnönü University, Malatya,
Turkiye
| | | | - Namık ÖZDEMIR
- Department of Mathematics and Science Education, Faculty of Education, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun,
Turkiye
| | - Bekir ÇETİNKAYA
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir,
Turkiye
| | - İsmail ÖZDEMİR
- Catalysis Research and Application Center, İnönü University, Malatya,
Turkiye
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Arts, İnönü University, Malatya,
Turkiye
- Drug Application and Research Center, İnönü University, Malatya,
Turkiye
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4
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Cascade reaction of 3-formylchromones: Highly selective synthesis of 4-oxo-3-(1H-pyrrol-3-yl)-4H-chromenes. GREEN SYNTHESIS AND CATALYSIS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gresc.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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5
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Ma X, Davies RP. Tartramide Ligands for Copper‐Catalyzed N‐Arylation at Room Temperature. Adv Synth Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/adsc.202200174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuerui Ma
- Department of Chemistry Imperial College London South Kensington London SW7 2AZ United Kingdom
| | - Robert P. Davies
- Department of Chemistry Imperial College London South Kensington London SW7 2AZ United Kingdom
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6
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Zhang Z, Bai L, Hou L, Deng H, Luan S, Liu D, Huang M, Zhao L. Trends in targeting Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic proteins for cancer treatment. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 232:114184. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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7
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Liu Y, Bai S, Du Y, Qi X, Gao H. Expeditious and Efficient
ortho
‐Selective Trifluoromethane‐sulfonylation of Arylhydroxylamines. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202115611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shandong University 27 South Shanda Road Ji'nan 250100, Shandong China
| | - Songlin Bai
- National Institute of Biological Sciences Beijing 102206 China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Yuanbo Du
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shandong University 27 South Shanda Road Ji'nan 250100, Shandong China
| | - Xiangbing Qi
- National Institute of Biological Sciences Beijing 102206 China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Hongyin Gao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shandong University 27 South Shanda Road Ji'nan 250100, Shandong China
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8
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Mouhtady O, Castellan T, André‐Barrès C, Gornitzka H, Fabing I, Saffon‐Merceron N, Génisson Y, Gaspard H. (
R
)‐BINOL‐6,6’‐bistriflone: Shortened Synthesis, Characterization, and Enantioselective Catalytic Applications. European J Org Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202101137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Omar Mouhtady
- College of Engineering and Technology American University of the Middle East Kuwait
| | - Tessa Castellan
- Laboratoire de Synthèse et Physico-Chimie de Molécules d'Intérêt Biologique SPCMIB UMR 5068 CNRS/Université Paul Sabatier - Toulouse III 118 route de Narbonne Toulouse 31062 Cedex 9 France
| | - Christiane André‐Barrès
- Laboratoire de Synthèse et Physico-Chimie de Molécules d'Intérêt Biologique SPCMIB UMR 5068 CNRS/Université Paul Sabatier - Toulouse III 118 route de Narbonne Toulouse 31062 Cedex 9 France
| | - Heinz Gornitzka
- LCC-CNRS Université de Toulouse CNRS UPS Toulouse 31077 France
| | - Isabelle Fabing
- Laboratoire de Synthèse et Physico-Chimie de Molécules d'Intérêt Biologique SPCMIB UMR 5068 CNRS/Université Paul Sabatier - Toulouse III 118 route de Narbonne Toulouse 31062 Cedex 9 France
| | - Nathalie Saffon‐Merceron
- Institut de Chimie de Toulouse ICT FR 2599 CNRS/Université Paul Sabatier - Toulouse III Toulouse 31062 Cedex 9 France
| | - Yves Génisson
- Laboratoire de Synthèse et Physico-Chimie de Molécules d'Intérêt Biologique SPCMIB UMR 5068 CNRS/Université Paul Sabatier - Toulouse III 118 route de Narbonne Toulouse 31062 Cedex 9 France
| | - Hafida Gaspard
- Laboratoire de Synthèse et Physico-Chimie de Molécules d'Intérêt Biologique SPCMIB UMR 5068 CNRS/Université Paul Sabatier - Toulouse III 118 route de Narbonne Toulouse 31062 Cedex 9 France
- Laboratoire Hétérochimie Fondamentale et Appliquée LHFA UMR 5069 CNRS/Université Paul Sabatier - Toulouse III 118 route de Narbonne Toulouse 31062 Cedex 9 France
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9
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Liu Y, Bai S, Du Y, Qi X, Gao H. Expeditious and Efficient ortho-Selective Trifluoromethane-sulfonylation of Arylhydroxylamines. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 61:e202115611. [PMID: 34904339 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202115611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A metal- and oxidant-free, practical and efficient method for the synthesis of highly versatile and synthetically useful ortho-trifluoromethanesulfonylated anilines from arylhydroxylamines and trifluoromethanesulfinic chloride was developed. This rapid transformation proceeded smoothly with good yields and excellent ortho-selectivity in the absence of any metals or ligands. Mechanistically, the reaction comprised a noncanonical O-trifluoromethanesulfinylation of the arylhydroxylamine, and the subsequent [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement to afford ortho-trifluoromethanesulfonylated aniline derivatives. The practical application of this reaction was demonstrated by further conversion into a series of functional molecules under different reaction conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, 27 South Shanda Road, Ji'nan, 250100, Shandong, China
| | - Songlin Bai
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China.,Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yuanbo Du
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, 27 South Shanda Road, Ji'nan, 250100, Shandong, China
| | - Xiangbing Qi
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China.,Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Hongyin Gao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, 27 South Shanda Road, Ji'nan, 250100, Shandong, China
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10
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Townsend PA, Kozhevnikova MV, Cexus ONF, Zamyatnin AA, Soond SM. BH3-mimetics: recent developments in cancer therapy. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:355. [PMID: 34753495 PMCID: PMC8576916 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02157-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The hopeful outcomes from 30 years of research in BH3-mimetics have indeed served a number of solid paradigms for targeting intermediates from the apoptosis pathway in a variety of diseased states. Not only have such rational approaches in drug design yielded several key therapeutics, such outputs have also offered insights into the integrated mechanistic aspects of basic and clinical research at the genetics level for the future. In no other area of medical research have the effects of such work been felt, than in cancer research, through targeting the BAX-Bcl-2 protein-protein interactions. With these promising outputs in mind, several mimetics, and their potential therapeutic applications, have also been developed for several other pathological conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and tissue fibrosis, thus highlighting the universal importance of the intrinsic arm of the apoptosis pathway and its input to general tissue homeostasis. Considering such recent developments, and in a field that has generated so much scientific interest, we take stock of how the broadening area of BH3-mimetics has developed and diversified, with a focus on their uses in single and combined cancer treatment regimens and recently explored therapeutic delivery methods that may aid the development of future therapeutics of this nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Townsend
- University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. .,Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation. .,University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Maria V Kozhevnikova
- University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.,Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | | | - Andrey A Zamyatnin
- University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.,Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation.,Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation.,Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russian Federation
| | - Surinder M Soond
- University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. .,Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation.
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11
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Arakal NG, Sharma V, Kumar A, Kavya B, Devadath NG, Kumar SB, Murthy KT, Murahari M. Ligand-based design approach of potential Bcl-2 inhibitors for cancer chemotherapy. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2021; 209:106347. [PMID: 34399152 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2021.106347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Overexpression of prosurvival Bcl-2 family members make tumor cells resistant to conventional cancer therapeutic agents. It is commonly observed feature in many different types of human tumors. Hence, small-molecules as Bcl-2 inhibitors may have a promising therapeutic potential for the treatment of human cancer. The given study focusses on development of novel and small Bcl-2 inhibitors using ligand-based drug design approach. METHODS Ligand based pharmacophore was generated using the PHASE tool of Schrödinger and screened ZINC database through ZINCPharmer webserver to identify compounds with similar features. Compounds having good fitness score were selected for molecular docking and binding interactions were compared with drugs in market as well as trials. QSAR model was generated using advanced AutoQSAR tool and validated for prediction of unknown compounds. QSAR prediction of in silico active identified three potential compounds and were subjected to investigate stability by molecular dynamics simulations and MM-PBSA binding energy calculations. RESULTS Study identified three in silico potential molecules with good stability and binding affinity. Further substructure search and pIC50 value prediction has identified six more molecules. Total nine molecules have demonstrated good drug likeness features. CONCLUSION Final oral rat LD50 calculation of nine molecules has identified three hit molecules i.e., ZINC76760927, ZINC76768675 and ZINC52767796 for further in vitro and in vivo testing as safe and potential Bcl-2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilofer Gerald Arakal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Vaishali Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Avinash Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - B Kavya
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - N G Devadath
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - S Birendra Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India
| | - Krishna Tp Murthy
- Department of Biotechnology, M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India
| | - Manikanta Murahari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, India.
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12
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Dou Z, Zhao D, Chen X, Xu C, Jin X, Zhang X, Wang Y, Xie X, Li Q, Di C, Zhang H. Aberrant Bcl-x splicing in cancer: from molecular mechanism to therapeutic modulation. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:194. [PMID: 34118966 PMCID: PMC8196531 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02001-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bcl-x pre-mRNA splicing serves as a typical example to study the impact of alternative splicing in the modulation of cell death. Dysregulation of Bcl-x apoptotic isoforms caused by precarious equilibrium splicing is implicated in genesis and development of multiple human diseases, especially cancers. Exploring the mechanism of Bcl-x splicing and regulation has provided insight into the development of drugs that could contribute to sensitivity of cancer cells to death. On this basis, we review the multiple splicing patterns and structural characteristics of Bcl-x. Additionally, we outline the cis-regulatory elements, trans-acting factors as well as epigenetic modifications involved in the splicing regulation of Bcl-x. Furthermore, this review highlights aberrant splicing of Bcl-x involved in apoptosis evade, autophagy, metastasis, and therapy resistance of various cancer cells. Last, emphasis is given to the clinical role of targeting Bcl-x splicing correction in human cancer based on the splice-switching oligonucleotides, small molecular modulators and BH3 mimetics. Thus, it is highlighting significance of aberrant splicing isoforms of Bcl-x as targets for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Dou
- Department of Heavy Ion Radiation Medicine, Bio-Medical Research Center, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Dapeng Zhao
- Department of Heavy Ion Radiation Medicine, Bio-Medical Research Center, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Xiaohua Chen
- Department of Heavy Ion Radiation Medicine, Bio-Medical Research Center, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Caipeng Xu
- Department of Heavy Ion Radiation Medicine, Bio-Medical Research Center, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Xiaodong Jin
- Department of Heavy Ion Radiation Medicine, Bio-Medical Research Center, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xuetian Zhang
- Department of Heavy Ion Radiation Medicine, Bio-Medical Research Center, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Yupei Wang
- Medical Genetics Center of Gansu Maternal and Child Health Care Center, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiaodong Xie
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Heavy Ion Radiation Medicine, Bio-Medical Research Center, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, 516029, China
| | - Cuixia Di
- Department of Heavy Ion Radiation Medicine, Bio-Medical Research Center, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, 516029, China.
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Heavy Ion Radiation Medicine, Bio-Medical Research Center, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, 516029, China.
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13
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Perez JJ, Perez RA, Perez A. Computational Modeling as a Tool to Investigate PPI: From Drug Design to Tissue Engineering. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:681617. [PMID: 34095231 PMCID: PMC8173110 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.681617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) mediate a large number of important regulatory pathways. Their modulation represents an important strategy for discovering novel therapeutic agents. However, the features of PPI binding surfaces make the use of structure-based drug discovery methods very challenging. Among the diverse approaches used in the literature to tackle the problem, linear peptides have demonstrated to be a suitable methodology to discover PPI disruptors. Unfortunately, the poor pharmacokinetic properties of linear peptides prevent their direct use as drugs. However, they can be used as models to design enzyme resistant analogs including, cyclic peptides, peptide surrogates or peptidomimetics. Small molecules have a narrower set of targets they can bind to, but the screening technology based on virtual docking is robust and well tested, adding to the computational tools used to disrupt PPI. We review computational approaches used to understand and modulate PPI and highlight applications in a few case studies involved in physiological processes such as cell growth, apoptosis and intercellular communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Perez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roman A Perez
- Bioengineering Institute of Technology, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Sant Cugat, Spain
| | - Alberto Perez
- The Quantum Theory Project, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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14
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Zhang L, Lu Z, Zhao X. Targeting Bcl-2 for cancer therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188569. [PMID: 34015412 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis deficiency is one of the most important features observed in neoplastic diseases. The Bcl-2 family is composed of a subset of proteins that act as decisive apoptosis regulators. Research and clinical studies have both demonstrated that the hyperactivation of Bcl-2-related anti-apoptotic effects correlates with cancer occurrence, progression and prognosis, also having a role in facilitating the radio- and chemoresistance of various malignancies. Therefore, targeting Bcl-2 inactivation has provided some compelling therapeutic advantages by enhancing apoptotic sensitivity or reversing drug resistance. Therefore, this pharmacological route turned into one of the most promising routes for cancer treatment. This review discusses some of the well-defined and emerging roles of Bcl-2 as well as its potential clinical value in cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, LN, China
| | - Zaiming Lu
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, LN, China.
| | - Xiangxuan Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, LN, China.
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15
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Çiçek M, Gürbüz N, Özdemir N, Özdemir İ, İspir E. Half-sandwich Ru( ii) arene complexes bearing benzimidazole ligands for the N-alkylation reaction of aniline with alcohols in a solvent-free medium. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj01539g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In this article, the direct N-alkylation reactions of amines with alcohol derivatives using the borrowing hydrogen methodology have been investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Metin Çiçek
- Department of Chemistry
- Faculty of Science and Arts
- Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University
- Kahramanmaraş
- Turkey
| | - Nevin Gürbüz
- Catalysis Research and Application Center
- Inönü University
- 44280 Malatya
- Turkey
- Department of Chemistry
| | - Namık Özdemir
- Ondokuz Mayıs University
- Faculty of Education
- Department of Mathematics and Science Education
- 9055139 Samsun
- Turkey
| | - İsmail Özdemir
- Catalysis Research and Application Center
- Inönü University
- 44280 Malatya
- Turkey
- Department of Chemistry
| | - Esin İspir
- Department of Chemistry
- Faculty of Science and Arts
- Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University
- Kahramanmaraş
- Turkey
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16
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Zhang H, Gu X, Meng C, Zhou D, Chen G, Wang J, Liu Y, Li N. Computational investigation of 4,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid derivatives as B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL) inhibitors by using 3D-QSAR, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. Struct Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11224-020-01631-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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17
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Byadi S, Eddine HM, Sadik K, Podlipnik Č, Aboulmouhajir A. Fingerprint-based 2D-QSAR Models for Predicting Bcl-2 Inhibitors Affinity. LETT DRUG DES DISCOV 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1570180817999200414155403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background:
Bcl-2 family plays an essential role in the cell cycle events incorporating
survival, proliferation, and differentiation in normal and neoplastic neuronal cells. Thus, it
has been validated as a principal target for the treatment of cancer. For this reason, we will build
a model based on a large number of Bcl-2 inhibitors to predict the activities of new compounds
as future Bcl-2 inhibitors.
Methods:
In this study, QSAR models were successfully used to predict the inhibitory activity
against Bcl-2 for a set of compounds collected from BDB (Binding database). The kPLS (kernelbased
Partial Least-Square) method implemented in Schrodinger's Canvas, was used for searching
the correlation between pIC50 and binary fingerprints for a set of known Bcl-2 inhibitors.
Results and Discussion:
Models based on binary fingerprints with two kPLS factors have been
found with decent predictive power (q2 > 0.58), while the optimal number of factors is about 5.
The enrichment study (148 actives, 5700 decoys) has shown excellent classification ability of
our models (AUC > 0.90) for all cases).
Conclusion:
We found that the kPLS method, in combination with binary fingerprints, is useful
for the affinity prediction and the Bcl-2 inhibitors classification. The obtained promising results,
methods, and applications highlighted in this study will help us to design more selective Bcl-2
inhibitors with better structural characteristics and improved anti-cancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Said Byadi
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Hachim Mouhi Eddine
- Molecular Modeling and Spectroscopy Team, Sciences Faculty, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco
| | - Karima Sadik
- Molecular Modeling and Spectroscopy Team, Sciences Faculty, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco
| | - Črtomir Podlipnik
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aziz Aboulmouhajir
- Molecular Modeling and Spectroscopy Team, Sciences Faculty, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco
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18
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Yin Z, Yang D, Wang J, Jiang Y. Structure-based Drug Design Strategies in the Development of Small Molecule Inhibitors Targeting Bcl-2 Family Proteins. LETT DRUG DES DISCOV 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1570180817666200213114759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Proteins of B-cell lymphoma (Bcl-2) family are key regulators of apoptosis and are involved
in the pathogenesis of various cancers. Disrupting the interactions between the antiapoptotic
and proapoptotic Bcl-2 members is an attractive strategy to reactivate the apoptosis of cancer cells.
Structure-based drug design (SBDD) has been successfully applied to the discovery of small molecule
inhibitors targeting Bcl-2 proteins in past decades. Up to now, many Bcl-2 inhibitors with different
paralogue selectivity profiles have been developed and some were used in clinical trials. This
review focused on the recent applications of SBDD strategies in the development of small molecule
inhibitors targeting Bcl-2 family proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Yin
- Thoracic Surgery Department, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Donglin Yang
- International Academy of Targeted Therapeutics and Innovation, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing 402160, China
| | - Jun Wang
- International Academy of Targeted Therapeutics and Innovation, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing 402160, China
| | - Yuequan Jiang
- Thoracic Surgery Department, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, China
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19
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Marimuthu P, Razzokov J, Eshonqulov G. Disruption of conserved polar interactions causes a sequential release of Bim mutants from the canonical binding groove of Mcl1. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 158:364-374. [PMID: 32376253 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.04.243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mcl1 is an important anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl2 family proteins that are upregulated in several cancer malignancies. The canonical binding groove (CBG) located at the surface of Mcl1 exhibits a critical role in binding partners selectively via the BH3-domain of pro-apoptotic Bcl2 family members that trigger the downregulation of Mcl1 function. There are several crystal structures of point-mutated pro-apoptotic Bim peptides in complex with Mcl1. However, the mechanistic effects of such point-mutations towards peptide binding and complex stability still remain unexplored. Here, the effects of the reported point mutations in Bim peptides and their binding mechanisms to Mcl1 were computationally evaluated using atomistic-level steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations. A range of external-forces and constant-velocities were applied to the Bim peptides to uncover the mechanistic basis of peptide dissociation from the CBG of Mcl1. Although the peptides showed similarities in their dissociation pathways, the peak rupture forces varied significantly. According to simulations results, the disruption of the conserved polar contacts at the complex interface causes a sequential release of the peptides from the CBG of Mcl1. Overall, the results obtained from the current study may provide valuable insights for the development of novel anti-cancer peptide-inhibitors that can downregulate Mcl1's function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parthiban Marimuthu
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory (SBL), Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland.
| | - Jamoliddin Razzokov
- Research Group PLASMANT, Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gofur Eshonqulov
- Department of Physics, National University of Uzbekistan, 100174 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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20
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Liu J, Jia X, Chen X, Sun H, Li Y, Kramer S, Lian Z. Nickel-Catalyzed Intramolecular Desulfitative C-N Coupling: A Synthesis of Aromatic Amines. J Org Chem 2020; 85:5702-5711. [PMID: 32223239 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.0c00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
A nickel-catalyzed intramolecular C-N coupling reaction via SO2 extrusion is presented. The use of a catalytic amount of BPh3 allows the transformation to take place under much milder conditions (60 °C) than previously reported C-N coupling reactions by CO or CO2 extrusion (160-180 °C). In addition, this method displays good functional group tolerance and versatility, as it can be applied to the synthesis of dialkyl aryl amines, alkyl diaryl amines, and triaryl amines. The robustness of the desulfitative C-N coupling is demonstrated by three high-yielding gram-scale reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangjun Liu
- Department of Dermatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Xiuwen Jia
- Department of Dermatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Xuemeng Chen
- Department of Dermatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Haotian Sun
- Department of Dermatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Dermatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Søren Kramer
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Zhong Lian
- Department of Dermatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
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21
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Zhou X, Hu D, He X, Li Y, Chu Y, She Y. Practical and efficient synthesis of aryl trifluoromethyl sulfones from arylsulfonyl chlorides with Umemoto’s reagent II. Tetrahedron Lett 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2019.151465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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22
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Yue SL, Jiang M, Li H, Liu JT. Triflylation of 1,4-Benzoquinones with sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate. J Fluor Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfluchem.2019.109410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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23
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The chemical biology of apoptosis: Revisited after 17 years. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 177:63-75. [PMID: 31129454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A balance of Bcl-2 family proteins dictates cell survival or death, as the interactions between these proteins regulate mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathways. However, cancer cells frequently show upregulation of pro-survival Bcl-2 proteins and sequester activated pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins driven by diverse cytotoxic stresses, resulting in tumor progression and chemoresistance. Synthetic molecules from either structure-based design or screening procedures to engage and inactivate pro-survival Bcl-2 proteins and restore apoptotic process represent a chemical biological means of selectively killing malignant cells. 17 years ago, one of us reviewed on the discovery of novel Bcl-2 targeted agents [1]. Here we revisit this area and examine the progress and current status of small molecule Bcl-2 inhibitor development, demonstrating the Bcl-2 family as a valid target for cancer therapy and providing successful examples for the discovery of inhibitors that target protein-protein interactions.
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24
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Identification of molecular features necessary for selective inhibition of B cell lymphoma proteins using machine learning techniques. Mol Divers 2018; 23:55-73. [DOI: 10.1007/s11030-018-9856-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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25
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Dual inhibitors of the pro-survival proteins Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 derived from natural compound meiogynin A. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 148:26-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.01.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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26
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Opydo-Chanek M, Gonzalo O, Marzo I. Multifaceted anticancer activity of BH3 mimetics: Current evidence and future prospects. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 136:12-23. [PMID: 28288819 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BH3 mimetics are a novel class of anticancer agents designed to specifically target pro-survival proteins of the Bcl-2 family. Like endogenous BH3-only proteins, BH3 mimetics competitively bind to surface hydrophobic grooves of pro-survival Bcl-2 family members, counteracting their protective effects and thus facilitating apoptosis in cancer cells. Among the small-molecule BH3 mimetics identified, ABT-737 and its analogs, obatoclax as well as gossypol derivatives are the best characterized. The anticancer potential of these compounds applied as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs is currently being evaluated in preclinical studies and in clinical trials. In spite of promising results, the actual mechanisms of their anticancer action remain to be identified. Findings from preclinical studies point to additional activities of BH3 mimetics in cancer cells that are not connected with apoptosis induction. These off-target effects involve induction of autophagy and necrotic cell death as well as modulation of the cell cycle and multiple cell signaling pathways. For the optimization and clinical implementation of BH3 mimetics, a detailed understanding of their role as inhibitors of the pro-survival Bcl-2 proteins, but also of their possible additional effects is required. This review summarizes the most representative BH3 mimetic compounds with emphasis on their off-target effects. Based on the present knowledge on the multifaceted effects of BH3 mimetics on cancer cells, the commentary outlines the potential pitfalls and highlights the considerable promise for cancer treatment with BH3 mimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Opydo-Chanek
- Department of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland.
| | - Oscar Gonzalo
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, IIS, University of Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Isabel Marzo
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, IIS, University of Zaragoza, Spain
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27
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Zhao X, Huang Y, Qing FL, Xu XH. Synthesis of aryl triflones by insertion of arynes into C–SO2CF3 bonds. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra26429h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A new approach toward the synthesis of aryl triflones was achieved by the formal insertion of arynes into C–SO2CF3 bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Zhao
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Donghua University
- Shanghai 201620
- China
| | - Yangen Huang
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Donghua University
- Shanghai 201620
- China
| | - Feng-Ling Qing
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Donghua University
- Shanghai 201620
- China
| | - Xiu-Hua Xu
- Key Laboratory of Organofluorine Chemistry
- Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Science
- Shanghai 200032
- China
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28
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Yap JL, Chen L, Lanning ME, Fletcher S. Expanding the Cancer Arsenal with Targeted Therapies: Disarmament of the Antiapoptotic Bcl-2 Proteins by Small Molecules. J Med Chem 2016; 60:821-838. [PMID: 27749061 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A hallmark of cancer is the evasion of apoptosis, which is often associated with the upregulation of the antiapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins. The prosurvival function of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins is manifested by capturing and neutralizing the proapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins via their BH3 death domains. Accordingly, strategies to antagonize the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins have largely focused on the development of low-molecular-weight, synthetic BH3 mimetics ("magic bullets") to disrupt the protein-protein interactions between anti- and proapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. In this way, apoptosis has been reactivated in malignant cells. Moreover, several such Bcl-2 family inhibitors are presently being evaluated for a range of cancers in clinical trials and show great promise as new additions to the cancer armamentarium. Indeed, the selective Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax (Venclexta) recently received FDA approval for the treatment of a specific subset of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This review focuses on the major developments in the field of Bcl-2 inhibitors over the past decade, with particular emphasis on binding modes and, thus, the origins of selectivity for specific Bcl-2 family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy L Yap
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy , 20 N. Pine Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Lijia Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy , 20 N. Pine Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Maryanna E Lanning
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy , 20 N. Pine Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Steven Fletcher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy , 20 N. Pine Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States.,University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center , Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
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29
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Targeting BCL-2-like Proteins to Kill Cancer Cells. Trends Cancer 2016; 2:443-460. [PMID: 28741496 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Mutations that impair apoptosis contribute to cancer development and reduce the effectiveness of conventional anti-cancer therapies. These insights and understanding of how the B cell lymphoma (BCL)-2 protein family governs apoptosis have galvanized the search for a new class of cancer drugs that target its pro-survival members by mimicking their natural antagonists, the BCL-2 homology (BH)3-only proteins. Successful initial clinical trials of the BH3 mimetic venetoclax/ABT-199, specific for BCL-2, have led to its recent licensing for refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia and to multiple ongoing trials for other malignancies. Moreover, preclinical studies herald the potential of emerging BH3 mimetics targeting other BCL-2 pro-survival members, particularly myeloid cell leukemia (MCL)-1, for multiple cancer types. Thus, BH3 mimetics seem destined to become powerful new weapons in the arsenal against cancer. This review sketches the discovery of the BCL-2 family and its impact on cancer development and therapy; describes how interactions of family members trigger apoptosis; outlines the development of BH3 mimetic drugs; and discusses their potential to advance cancer therapy.
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30
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Castillo JC, Orrego-Hernández J, Portilla J. Cs2CO3-Promoted DirectN-Alkylation: Highly Chemoselective Synthesis ofN-Alkylated Benzylamines and Anilines. European J Org Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201600549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Carlos Castillo
- Departamento de Química; Universidad de los Andes; Carrera 1 N° 18A-12 Bogotá Colombia
| | | | - Jaime Portilla
- Departamento de Química; Universidad de los Andes; Carrera 1 N° 18A-12 Bogotá Colombia
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31
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Besbes S, Mirshahi M, Pocard M, Billard C. New dimension in therapeutic targeting of BCL-2 family proteins. Oncotarget 2016; 6:12862-71. [PMID: 25970783 PMCID: PMC4536985 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins of the BCL-2 family control the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Targeting these proteins proves to be an attractive strategy for anticancer therapy. The biological context is based on the fact that BH3-only members of the family are specific antagonists of prosurvival members. This prompted the identification of “BH3 mimetic” compounds. These small peptides or organic molecules indeed mimic the BH3 domain of BH3-only proteins: by selectively binding and antagonizing prosurvival proteins, they can induce apoptosis in malignant cells. Some small-molecule inhibitors of prosurvival proteins have already entered clinical trials in cancer patients and two of them have shown significant therapeutic effects. The latest developments in the field of targeting BCL-2 family proteins highlight several new antagonists of prosurvival proteins as well as direct activators of proapoptotic proteins. These compounds open up novel prospects for the development of BH3 mimetic anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samaher Besbes
- INSERM U 965, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France.,Université Paris Diderot, UMR S965, Paris, France
| | - Massoud Mirshahi
- INSERM U 965, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France.,Université Paris Diderot, UMR S965, Paris, France
| | - Marc Pocard
- INSERM U 965, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France.,Université Paris Diderot, UMR S965, Paris, France
| | - Christian Billard
- INSERM U 965, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France.,Université Paris Diderot, UMR S965, Paris, France
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32
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Pandey MK, Prasad S, Tyagi AK, Deb L, Huang J, Karelia DN, Amin SG, Aggarwal BB. Targeting Cell Survival Proteins for Cancer Cell Death. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2016; 9:11. [PMID: 26927133 PMCID: PMC4812375 DOI: 10.3390/ph9010011; 10.3390/biomedicines5020030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Escaping from cell death is one of the adaptations that enable cancer cells to stave off anticancer therapies. The key players in avoiding apoptosis are collectively known as survival proteins. Survival proteins comprise the Bcl-2, inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP), and heat shock protein (HSP) families. The aberrant expression of these proteins is associated with a range of biological activities that promote cancer cell survival, proliferation, and resistance to therapy. Several therapeutic strategies that target survival proteins are based on mimicking BH3 domains or the IAP-binding motif or competing with ATP for the Hsp90 ATP-binding pocket. Alternative strategies, including use of nutraceuticals, transcriptional repression, and antisense oligonucleotides, provide options to target survival proteins. This review focuses on the role of survival proteins in chemoresistance and current therapeutic strategies in preclinical or clinical trials that target survival protein signaling pathways. Recent approaches to target survival proteins-including nutraceuticals, small-molecule inhibitors, peptides, and Bcl-2-specific mimetic are explored. Therapeutic inventions targeting survival proteins are promising strategies to inhibit cancer cell survival and chemoresistance. However, complete eradication of resistance is a distant dream. For a successful clinical outcome, pretreatment with novel survival protein inhibitors alone or in combination with conventional therapies holds great promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj K Pandey
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - Sahdeo Prasad
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Cytokine Research Laboratory, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Amit Kumar Tyagi
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Cytokine Research Laboratory, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Lokesh Deb
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Cytokine Research Laboratory, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Jiamin Huang
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Cytokine Research Laboratory, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Deepkamal N Karelia
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - Shantu G Amin
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - Bharat B Aggarwal
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Cytokine Research Laboratory, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Targeting Cell Survival Proteins for Cancer Cell Death. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2016; 9:ph9010011. [PMID: 26927133 PMCID: PMC4812375 DOI: 10.3390/ph9010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Escaping from cell death is one of the adaptations that enable cancer cells to stave off anticancer therapies. The key players in avoiding apoptosis are collectively known as survival proteins. Survival proteins comprise the Bcl-2, inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP), and heat shock protein (HSP) families. The aberrant expression of these proteins is associated with a range of biological activities that promote cancer cell survival, proliferation, and resistance to therapy. Several therapeutic strategies that target survival proteins are based on mimicking BH3 domains or the IAP-binding motif or competing with ATP for the Hsp90 ATP-binding pocket. Alternative strategies, including use of nutraceuticals, transcriptional repression, and antisense oligonucleotides, provide options to target survival proteins. This review focuses on the role of survival proteins in chemoresistance and current therapeutic strategies in preclinical or clinical trials that target survival protein signaling pathways. Recent approaches to target survival proteins-including nutraceuticals, small-molecule inhibitors, peptides, and Bcl-2-specific mimetic are explored. Therapeutic inventions targeting survival proteins are promising strategies to inhibit cancer cell survival and chemoresistance. However, complete eradication of resistance is a distant dream. For a successful clinical outcome, pretreatment with novel survival protein inhibitors alone or in combination with conventional therapies holds great promise.
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Hua LN, Li H, Qing FL, Huang Y, Xu XH. Iodine-mediated regioselective synthesis of vinyl triflones from styrenes with CF3SO2Na. Org Biomol Chem 2016; 14:8443-7. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ob01567k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The iodine-mediated reaction of styrenes and CF3SO2Na proceeded regioselectively to give various potentially useful vinyl triflones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Na Hua
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Donghua University
- Shanghai 201620
- China
| | - Huan Li
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Donghua University
- Shanghai 201620
- China
| | - Feng-Ling Qing
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Donghua University
- Shanghai 201620
- China
| | - Yangen Huang
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Donghua University
- Shanghai 201620
- China
| | - Xiu-Hua Xu
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Donghua University
- Shanghai 201620
- China
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35
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Zhang K, Xu XH, Qing FL. Copper-Promoted Trifluoromethanesulfonylation and Trifluoromethylation of Arenediazonium Tetrafluoroborates with NaSO2CF3. J Org Chem 2015; 80:7658-65. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.5b01295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- College
of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, 2999 North Renmin Lu, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xiu-Hua Xu
- Key
Laboratory of Organofluorine Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic
Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Lu, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Feng-Ling Qing
- College
of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, 2999 North Renmin Lu, Shanghai 201620, China
- Key
Laboratory of Organofluorine Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic
Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Lu, Shanghai 200032, China
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Wang Y, Ling J, Zhang Y, Zhang A, Yao Q. N-(1-Oxy-2-picolyl)oxalamic Acid as an Efficient Ligand for Copper-Catalyzed Amination of Aryl Iodides at Room Temperature. European J Org Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201500279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Enrichment of druggable conformations from apo protein structures using cosolvent-accelerated molecular dynamics. BIOLOGY 2015; 4:344-66. [PMID: 25906084 PMCID: PMC4498304 DOI: 10.3390/biology4020344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Here we describe the development of an improved workflow for utilizing experimental and simulated protein conformations in the structure-based design of inhibitors for anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins. Traditional structure-based approaches on similar targets are often constrained by the sparsity of available structures and difficulties in finding lead compounds that dock against flat, flexible protein-protein interaction surfaces. By employing computational docking of known small molecule inhibitors, we have demonstrated that structural ensembles derived from either accelerated MD (aMD) or MD in the presence of an organic cosolvent generally give better scores than those assessed from analogous conventional MD. Furthermore, conformations obtained from combined cosolvent aMD simulations started with the apo-Bcl-xL structure yielded better average and minimum docking scores for known binders than an ensemble of 72 experimental apo- and ligand-bound Bcl-xL structures. A detailed analysis of the simulated conformations indicates that the aMD effectively enhanced conformational sampling of the flexible helices flanking the main Bcl-xL binding groove, permitting the cosolvent acting as small ligands to penetrate more deeply into the binding pocket and shape ligand-bound conformations not evident in conventional simulations. We believe this approach could be useful for identifying inhibitors against other protein-protein interaction systems involving highly flexible binding sites, particularly for targets with less accumulated structural data.
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Johnson DK, Karanicolas J. Selectivity by small-molecule inhibitors of protein interactions can be driven by protein surface fluctuations. PLoS Comput Biol 2015; 11:e1004081. [PMID: 25706586 PMCID: PMC4338137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-molecules that inhibit interactions between specific pairs of proteins have long represented a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention in a variety of settings. Structural studies have shown that in many cases, the inhibitor-bound protein adopts a conformation that is distinct from its unbound and its protein-bound conformations. This plasticity of the protein surface presents a major challenge in predicting which members of a protein family will be inhibited by a given ligand. Here, we use biased simulations of Bcl-2-family proteins to generate ensembles of low-energy conformations that contain surface pockets suitable for small molecule binding. We find that the resulting conformational ensembles include surface pockets that mimic those observed in inhibitor-bound crystal structures. Next, we find that the ensembles generated using different members of this protein family are overlapping but distinct, and that the activity of a given compound against a particular family member (ligand selectivity) can be predicted from whether the corresponding ensemble samples a complementary surface pocket. Finally, we find that each ensemble includes certain surface pockets that are not shared by any other family member: while no inhibitors have yet been identified to take advantage of these pockets, we expect that chemical scaffolds complementing these “distinct” pockets will prove highly selective for their targets. The opportunity to achieve target selectivity within a protein family by exploiting differences in surface fluctuations represents a new paradigm that may facilitate design of family-selective small-molecule inhibitors of protein-protein interactions. Despite intense interest and considerable effort, there are few examples of small molecules that directly inhibit protein-protein interactions. Crystal structures of early successes have highlighted the plasticity of the protein surface, as some inhibitor-bound proteins are captured in conformations that are distinct from both their unbound and their protein-bound conformations. The lack of a single well-defined structure presents a challenge for predicting the members of a protein family to which a given compound will show activity (ligand selectivity). Here we generate ensembles of conformations from simulation, and show that we can predict ligand selectivity based on which family members sample conformations complementary to the ligand. This approach may present a new avenue for designing highly-selective inhibitors of protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David K. Johnson
- Center for Computational Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
| | - John Karanicolas
- Center for Computational Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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39
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Siddiqui WA, Ahad A, Ahsan H. The mystery of BCL2 family: Bcl-2 proteins and apoptosis: an update. Arch Toxicol 2015; 89:289-317. [PMID: 25618543 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-014-1448-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 476] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis is a critically important biological process that plays an essential role in cell fate and homeostasis. An important component of the apoptotic pathway is the family of proteins commonly known as the B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). The primary role of Bcl-2 family members is the regulation of apoptosis. Although the structure of Bcl-2 family of proteins was reported nearly 10 years ago, however, it still surprises us with its structural and functional complexity and diversity. A number of studies have demonstrated that Bcl-2 family influences many other cellular processes beyond apoptosis which are generally independent of the regulation of apoptosis, suggesting additional roles for Bcl-2. The disruption of the regulation of apoptosis is a causative event in many diseases. Since the Bcl-2 family of proteins is the key regulator of apoptosis, the abnormalities in its function have been implicated in many diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, ischemia and autoimmune diseases. In the past few years, our understanding of the mechanism of action of Bcl-2 family of proteins and its implications in various pathological conditions has enhanced significantly. The focus of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the structure and function of Bcl-2 family of proteins in apoptotic cellular processes. A number of drugs have been developed in the past few years that target different Bcl-2 members. The role of Bcl-2 proteins in the pathogenesis of various diseases and their pharmacological significance as effective molecular therapeutic targets is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Ahmad Siddiqui
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University), New Delhi, 110062, India
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40
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Synthesis and characterization of novel 2-amino-chromene-nitriles that target Bcl-2 in acute myeloid leukemia cell lines. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107118. [PMID: 25268519 PMCID: PMC4182326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 is a well-known and attractive therapeutic target for cancer. In the present study the solution-phase T3P-DMSO mediated efficient synthesis of 2-amino-chromene-3-carbonitriles from alcohols, malanonitrile and phenols is reported. These novel 2-amino-chromene-3-carbonitriles showed cytotoxicity in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines. Compound 4g was found to be the most bioactive, decreasing growth and increasing apoptosis of AML cells. Moreover, compound 4g (at a concentration of 5 µM) increased the G2/M and sub-G1 (apoptosis) phases of AML cells. The AML cells treated with compound 4g exhibited decreased levels of Bcl-2 and increased levels of caspase-9. In silico molecular interaction analysis showed that compound 4g shared a similar global binding motif with navitoclax (another small molecule that binds Bcl-2), however compound 4g occupies a smaller volume within the P2 hot spot of Bcl-2. The intermolecular π-stacking interaction, direct electrostatic interactions, and docking energy predicted for 4g in complex with Bcl-2 suggest a strong affinity of the complex, rendering 4g as a promising Bcl-2 inhibitor for evaluation as a new anticancer agent.
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41
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Xu XH, Matsuzaki K, Shibata N. Synthetic methods for compounds having CF3-S units on carbon by trifluoromethylation, trifluoromethylthiolation, triflylation, and related reactions. Chem Rev 2014; 115:731-64. [PMID: 25121343 DOI: 10.1021/cr500193b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 836] [Impact Index Per Article: 83.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Hua Xu
- Department of Nanopharmaceutical Science and Department of Frontier Materials, Nagoya Institute of Technology , Gokiso, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan
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42
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Bai L, Chen J, McEachern D, Liu L, Zhou H, Aguilar A, Wang S. BM-1197: a novel and specific Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitor inducing complete and long-lasting tumor regression in vivo. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99404. [PMID: 24901320 PMCID: PMC4047118 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL are critical regulators of apoptosis that are overexpressed in a variety of human cancers and pharmacological inhibition of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL represents a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Using a structure-based design approach, we have designed BM-1197 as a potent and efficacious dual inhibitor of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. BM-1197 binds to Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins with Ki values less than 1 nM and shows >1,000-fold selectivity over Mcl-1. Mechanistic studies performed in the Mcl-1 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells revealed that BM-1197 potently disassociates the heterodimeric interactions between anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, concomitant with conformational changes in Bax protein, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and subsequent cytochrome c release to the cytosol, leading to activation of the caspase cascade and apoptosis. BM-1197 exerts potent growth-inhibitory activity in 7 of 12 small cell lung cancer cell lines tested and induces mechanism-based apoptotic cell death. When intravenously administered at daily or weekly in H146 and H1963 small-cell lung cancer xenograft models, it achieves complete and long-term tumor regression. Consistent with its targeting of Bcl-xL, BM-1197 causes transit platelet reduction in mice. Collectively, our data indicate that BM-1197 is a promising dual Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitor which warrants further investigation as a new anticancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longchuan Bai
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jianfang Chen
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Donna McEachern
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Liu Liu
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Haibin Zhou
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Angelo Aguilar
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Shaomeng Wang
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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43
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Yang C, Chen S, Zhou M, Li Y, Li Y, Zhang Z, Liu Z, Ba Q, Li J, Wang H, Yan X, Ma D, Wang R. Development of 3-phenyl-N-(2-(3-phenylureido)ethyl)-thiophene-2-sulfonamide compounds as inhibitors of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins. ChemMedChem 2014; 9:1436-52. [PMID: 24782462 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201400058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, such as Bcl-xL , Bcl-2, and Mcl-1, are often overexpressed in tumor cells, which contributes to tumor cell resistance to chemotherapies and radiotherapies. Inhibitors of these proteins thus have potential applications in cancer treatment. We discovered, through structure-based virtual screening, a lead compound with micromolar binding affinity to Mcl-1 (inhibition constant (Ki )=3 μM). It contains a phenyltetrazole and a hydrazinecarbothioamide moiety, and it represents a structural scaffold not observed among known Bcl-2 inhibitors. This work presents the structural optimization of this lead compound. By following the scaffold-hopping strategy, we have designed and synthesized a total of 82 compounds in three sets. All of the compounds were evaluated in a fluorescence-polarization binding assay to measure their binding affinities to Bcl-xL , Bcl-2, and Mcl-1. Some of the compounds with a 3-phenylthiophene-2-sulfonamide core moiety showed sub-micromolar binding affinities to Mcl-1 (Ki =0.3-0.4 μM) or Bcl-2 (Ki ≈1 μM). They also showed obvious cytotoxicity on tumor cells (IC50 <10 μM). Two-dimensional heteronuclear single quantum coherence NMR spectra of three selected compounds, that is, YCW-E5, YCW-E10, and YCW-E11, indicated that they bind to the BH3-binding groove on Bcl-xL in a similar mode to ABT-737. Several apoptotic assays conducted on HL-60 cells demonstrated that these compounds are able to induce cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. We propose that the compounds with the 3-phenylthiophene-2-sulfonamide core moiety are worth further optimization as effective apoptosis inducers with an interesting selectivity towards Mcl-1 and Bcl-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengwen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic & Natural Products Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Rd, Shanghai 200032 (P. R. China)
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Roy MJ, Vom A, Czabotar PE, Lessene G. Cell death and the mitochondria: therapeutic targeting of the BCL-2 family-driven pathway. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 171:1973-87. [PMID: 24117105 PMCID: PMC3976616 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Revised: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The principal biological role of mitochondria is to supply energy to cells; although intriguingly, evolution has bestowed another essential function upon these cellular organelles: under physiological stress, mitochondria become the cornerstone of apoptotic cell death. Specifically, mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) allows cell death factors such as cytochrome c to be released into the cytoplasm, thus inducing caspase activation and the eventual destruction of essential cellular components. Proteins of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) family control the tightly regulated pathway that causes MOMP. The equilibrium between pro-survival and pro-apoptotic members of the BCL-2 family dictates the fate of cells, the homeostasis of organs and, by extension, the health of whole organisms. Dysregulation of this equilibrium is involved in a large number of diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity and neurodegenerative conditions. Modulating the activity of the BCL-2 family of proteins with small molecules or peptides is an attractive but challenging therapeutic goal. This review highlights the latest developments in this field and provides evidence that this strategy is likely to have a positive effect on the treatment of still poorly addressed medical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Roy
- Divisions of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourne, Vic, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of MelbourneMelbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - A Vom
- Divisions of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourne, Vic, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of MelbourneMelbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - P E Czabotar
- Divisions of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourne, Vic, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of MelbourneMelbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - G Lessene
- Divisions of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourne, Vic, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of MelbourneMelbourne, Vic, Australia
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of MelbourneMelbourne, Vic, Australia
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Abstract
The past decade has witnessed tremendous advances in the discovery and development of novel small-molecule inhibitors targeting apoptosis pathways for cancer treatment, with some compounds now in clinical development. Early promising clinical data have been reported with these new classes of anticancer drugs. This review highlights the recent advancements in the development of small-molecule inhibitors targeting three major classes of antiapoptotic proteins: antiapoptotic B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) proteins, inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), and murine double-minute 2 (MDM2). Special emphasis is given to those that have been advanced into clinical trials. The challenges and future directions in the further preclinical and clinical development of these new anticancer drugs are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longchuan Bai
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Departments of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109;
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Ding X, Li Y, Lv L, Zhou M, Han L, Zhang Z, Ba Q, Li J, Wang H, Liu H, Wang R. De Novo Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Benzylpiperazine Derivatives as Highly Selective Binders of Mcl-1. ChemMedChem 2013; 8:1986-2014. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201300316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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47
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Shi S, Han L, Zhou M, Li Y, Liu Z, Yu B, Wang R. Synthesis of 4-(2-Phenylhydrazono)-1-(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one Compounds and Characterization of Their Affinities to Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 Family Proteins. CHINESE J CHEM 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/cjoc.201300426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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48
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Xu Y, Zhou M, Li Y, Li C, Zhang Z, Yu B, Wang R. Characterization of the Stereochemical Structures of 2H-Thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine Compounds and Their Binding Affinities for Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 Family Proteins. ChemMedChem 2013; 8:1345-52. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201300159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Revised: 05/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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49
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Cao X, Yap JL, Newell-Rogers MK, Peddaboina C, Jiang W, Papaconstantinou HT, Jupitor D, Rai A, Jung KY, Tubin RP, Yu W, Vanommeslaeghe K, Wilder PT, MacKerell AD, Fletcher S, Smythe RW. The novel BH3 α-helix mimetic JY-1-106 induces apoptosis in a subset of cancer cells (lung cancer, colon cancer and mesothelioma) by disrupting Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 protein-protein interactions with Bak. Mol Cancer 2013; 12:42. [PMID: 23680104 PMCID: PMC3663763 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-12-42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It has been shown in many solid tumors that the overexpression of the pro-survival Bcl-2 family members Bcl-2/Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 confers resistance to a variety of chemotherapeutic agents. We designed the BH3 α-helix mimetic JY-1-106 to engage the hydrophobic BH3-binding grooves on the surfaces of both Bcl-xL and Mcl-1. Methods JY-1-106–protein complexes were studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and the SILCS methodology. We have evaluated the in vitro effects of JY-1-106 by using a fluorescence polarization (FP) assay, an XTT assay, apoptosis assays, and immunoprecipitation and western-blot assays. A preclinical human cancer xenograft model was used to test the efficacy of JY-1-106 in vivo. Results MD and SILCS simulations of the JY-1-106–protein complexes indicated the importance of the aliphatic side chains of JY-1-106 to binding and successfully predicted the improved affinity of the ligand for Bcl-xL over Mcl-1. Ligand binding affinities were measured via an FP assay using a fluorescently labeled Bak-BH3 peptide in vitro. Apoptosis induction via JY-1-106 was evidenced by TUNEL assay and PARP cleavage as well as by Bax–Bax dimerization. Release of multi-domain Bak from its inhibitory binding to Bcl-2/Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 using JY-1-106 was detected via immunoprecipitation (IP) western blotting. At the cellular level, we compared the growth proliferation IC50s of JY-1-106 and ABT-737 in multiple cancer cell lines with various Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 expression levels. JY-1-106 effectively induced cell death regardless of the Mcl-1 expression level in ABT-737 resistant solid tumor cells, whilst toxicity toward normal human endothelial cells was limited. Furthermore, synergistic effects were observed in A549 cells using a combination of JY-1-106 and multiple chemotherapeutic agents. We also observed that JY-1-106 was a very effective agent in inducing apoptosis in metabolically stressed tumors. Finally, JY-1-106 was evaluated in a tumor-bearing nude mouse model, and was found to effectively repress tumor growth. Strong TUNEL signals in the tumor cells demonstrated the effectiveness of JY-1-106 in this animal model. No significant side effects were observed in mouse organs after multiple injections. Conclusions Taken together, these observations demonstrate that JY-1-106 is an effective pan-Bcl-2 inhibitor with very promising clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Cao
- Department of Surgery, Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic, The Texas A&M University System, Health Science Center, College of Medicine, 702 SW HK Dodgen Loop, Temple, Texas 76504, USA
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50
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Aguilar A, Zhou H, Chen J, Liu L, Bai L, McEachern D, Yang CY, Meagher J, Stuckey J, Wang S. A potent and highly efficacious Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitor. J Med Chem 2013; 56:3048-3067. [PMID: 23448298 PMCID: PMC3806060 DOI: 10.1021/jm4001105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Our previously reported Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitor, 4, effectively inhibited tumor growth but failed to achieve complete regression in vivo. We have now performed extensive modifications on its pyrrole core structure, which has culminated in the discovery of 32 (BM-1074). Compound 32 binds to Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins with K(i) values of <1 nM and inhibits cancer cell growth with IC50 values of 1-2 nM in four small-cell lung cancer cell lines sensitive to potent and specific Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitors. Compound 32 is capable of achieving rapid, complete, and durable tumor regression in vivo at a well-tolerated dose schedule. Compound 32 is the most potent and efficacious Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitor reported to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Aguilar
- Comprehensive Cancer Center and Departments of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0934, USA
| | - Haibin Zhou
- Comprehensive Cancer Center and Departments of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0934, USA
| | - Jianfang Chen
- Comprehensive Cancer Center and Departments of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0934, USA
| | - Liu Liu
- Comprehensive Cancer Center and Departments of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0934, USA
| | - Longchuan Bai
- Comprehensive Cancer Center and Departments of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0934, USA
| | - Donna McEachern
- Comprehensive Cancer Center and Departments of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0934, USA
| | - Chao-Yie Yang
- Comprehensive Cancer Center and Departments of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0934, USA
| | - Jennifer Meagher
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0934, USA
| | - Jeanne Stuckey
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0934, USA
| | - Shaomeng Wang
- Comprehensive Cancer Center and Departments of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0934, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed Tel: 734-615-0362 Fax: 734-647-9647
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