1
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Dopfer J, Vasta JD, Müller S, Knapp S, Robers MB, Schwalm MP. tracerDB: a crowdsourced fluorescent tracer database for target engagement analysis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5646. [PMID: 38969708 PMCID: PMC11226670 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49896-5] [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: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Investigating ligand-protein complexes is essential in the areas of chemical biology and drug discovery. However, detailed information on key reagents such as fluorescent tracers and associated data for the development of widely used bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assays including NanoBRET, time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) and fluorescence polarization (FP) assays are not easily accessible to the research community. We created tracerDB, a curated database of validated tracers. This resource provides an open access knowledge base and a unified system for tracer and assay validation. The database is freely available at https://www.tracerdb.org/ .
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Grants
- 424228829 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)
- M.P.S., J.D., S.M.K. and S.K. are grateful for support by the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), a registered charity (no: 1097737) that receives funds from Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, Genome Canada through Ontario Genomics Institute, EU/EFPIA/OICR/McGill/KTH/Diamond Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking [EUbOPEN grant 875510], Janssen, Merck KGaA, Pfizer and Takeda, and by the German Cancer Research Center DKTK, and the Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI). M.P.S. is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation), CRC1430 (Project-ID 424228829).
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Dopfer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Susanne Müller
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)/German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKTK Site Frankfurt-Mainz, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Martin P Schwalm
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)/German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKTK Site Frankfurt-Mainz, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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2
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Payne NC, Ichikawa S, Woo CM, Mazitschek R. Protocol for the comprehensive biochemical and cellular profiling of small-molecule degraders using CoraFluor TR-FRET technology. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:103129. [PMID: 38857155 PMCID: PMC11193044 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive characterization of small-molecule degraders, including binary and ternary complex formation and degradation efficiency, is critical for bifunctional ligand development and understanding structure-activity relationships. Here, we present a protocol for the biochemical and cellular profiling of small-molecule degraders based on CoraFluor time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) technology. We describe steps for labeling antibodies and proteins, tracer saturation binding, binary target engagement, ternary complex profiling, and off-rate determination. We then detail procedures for the quantification of endogenous and GFP fusion proteins in cell lysates. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Ichikawa et al.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Connor Payne
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Saki Ichikawa
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Christina M Woo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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3
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Ichikawa S, Payne NC, Xu W, Chang CF, Vallavoju N, Frome S, Flaxman HA, Mazitschek R, Woo CM. The cyclimids: Degron-inspired cereblon binders for targeted protein degradation. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:1162-1175.e10. [PMID: 38320555 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Cereblon (CRBN) is an E3 ligase substrate adapter widely exploited for targeted protein degradation (TPD) strategies. However, achieving efficient and selective target degradation is a preeminent challenge with ligands that engage CRBN. Here, we report that the cyclimids, ligands derived from the C-terminal cyclic imide degrons of CRBN, exhibit distinct modes of interaction with CRBN and offer a facile approach for developing potent and selective bifunctional degraders. Quantitative TR-FRET-based characterization of 60 cyclimid degraders in binary and ternary complexes across different substrates revealed that ternary complex binding affinities correlated strongly with cellular degradation efficiency. Our studies establish the unique properties of the cyclimids as versatile warheads in TPD and a systematic biochemical approach for quantifying ternary complex formation to predict their cellular degradation activity, which together will accelerate the development of ligands that engage CRBN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saki Ichikawa
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - N Connor Payne
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Wenqing Xu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Chia-Fu Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Nandini Vallavoju
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Spencer Frome
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Hope A Flaxman
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Christina M Woo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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4
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Xie X, Zhang O, Yeo MJR, Lee C, Harry SA, Paul L, Li Y, Payne NC, Nam E, Kwok HS, Jiang H, Mao H, Hadley JL, Lin H, Batts M, Gosavi PM, D'Angiolella V, Cole PA, Mazitschek R, Northcott PA, Zheng N, Liau BB. KBTBD4 Cancer Hotspot Mutations Drive Neomorphic Degradation of HDAC1/2 Corepressor Complexes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.14.593970. [PMID: 38798357 PMCID: PMC11118371 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.14.593970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Cancer mutations can create neomorphic protein-protein interactions to drive aberrant function 1 . As a substrate receptor of the CULLIN3-RBX1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, KBTBD4 is recurrently mutated in medulloblastoma (MB) 2 , the most common embryonal brain tumor in children, and pineoblastoma 3 . These mutations impart gain-of-function to KBTBD4 to induce aberrant degradation of the transcriptional corepressor CoREST 4 . However, their mechanism of action remains unresolved. Here, we elucidate the mechanistic basis by which KBTBD4 mutations promote CoREST degradation through engaging HDAC1/2, the direct neomorphic target of the substrate receptor. Using deep mutational scanning, we systematically map the mutational landscape of the KBTBD4 cancer hotspot, revealing distinct preferences by which insertions and substitutions can promote gain-of-function and the critical residues involved in the hotspot interaction. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) analysis of two distinct KBTBD4 cancer mutants bound to LSD1-HDAC1-CoREST reveals that a KBTBD4 homodimer asymmetrically engages HDAC1 with two KELCH-repeat propeller domains. The interface between HDAC1 and one of the KBTBD4 propellers is stabilized by the MB mutations, which directly insert a bulky side chain into the active site pocket of HDAC1. Our structural and mutational analyses inform how this hotspot E3-neo-substrate interface can be chemically modulated. First, our results unveil a converging shape complementarity-based mechanism between gain-of-function E3 mutations and a molecular glue degrader, UM171. Second, we demonstrate that HDAC1/2 inhibitors can block the mutant KBTBD4-HDAC1 interface, the aberrant degradation of CoREST, and the growth of KBTBD4-mutant MB models. Altogether, our work reveals the structural and mechanistic basis of cancer mutation-driven neomorphic protein-protein interactions and pharmacological strategies to modulate their action for therapeutic applications.
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5
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Li Y, Qian M, Liu Y, Qiu X. APPROACH: Sensitive Detection of Exosomal Biomarkers by Aptamer-Mediated Proximity Ligation Assay and Time-Resolved Förster Resonance Energy Transfer. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:233. [PMID: 38785707 PMCID: PMC11117858 DOI: 10.3390/bios14050233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Exosomal biomarker detection holds great importance in the field of in vitro diagnostics, offering a non-invasive and highly sensitive approach for early disease detection and personalized treatment. Here, we proposed an "APPROACH" strategy, combining aptamer-mediated proximity ligation assay (PLA) with rolling circle amplification (RCA) and time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) for the sensitive and semi-homogenous detection of exosomal biomarkers. PLA probes consisted of a cholesterol-conjugated oligonucleotide, which anchored to the membrane of an exosome, and a specific aptamer oligonucleotide that recognized a target protein of the exosome; the proximal binding of pairs of PLA probes to the same exosome positioned the oligonucleotides in the vicinity of each other, guiding the hybridization and ligation of two subsequently added backbone and connector oligonucleotides to form a circular DNA molecule. Circular DNA formed from PLA underwent rolling circle amplification (RCA) for signal amplification, and the resulting RCA products were subsequently quantified by TR-FRET. The limits of detection provided by APPROACH for the exosomal biomarkers CD63, PD-L1, and HER2 were 0.46 ng∙μL-1, 0.77 ng∙μL-1, and 1.1 ng∙μL-1, respectively, demonstrating excellent analytical performance with high sensitivity and quantification accuracy. Furthermore, the strategy afforded sensitive detection of exosomal CD63 with a LOD of 1.56 ng∙μL-1 in complex biological matrices, which underscored its anti-interference capability and potential for in vitro detection. The proposed strategy demonstrates wide-ranging applicability in quantifying diverse exosomal biomarkers while exhibiting robust analytical characteristics, including high sensitivity and accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Marine Drug, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (Y.L.); (M.Q.)
| | - Meiqi Qian
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Marine Drug, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (Y.L.); (M.Q.)
| | | | - Xue Qiu
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Marine Drug, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (Y.L.); (M.Q.)
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6
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Carrow KP, Hamilton HL, Hopps MP, Li Y, Qiao B, Payne NC, Thompson MP, Zhang X, Magassa A, Fattah M, Agarwal S, Vincent MP, Buyanova M, Bertin PA, Mazitschek R, Olvera de la Cruz M, Johnson DA, Johnson JA, Gianneschi NC. Inhibiting the Keap1/Nrf2 Protein-Protein Interaction with Protein-Like Polymers. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2311467. [PMID: 38241649 PMCID: PMC11257647 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Successful and selective inhibition of the cytosolic protein-protein interaction (PPI) between nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Kelch-like ECH-associating protein 1 (Keap1) can enhance the antioxidant response, with the potential for a therapeutic effect in a range of settings including in neurodegenerative disease (ND). Small molecule inhibitors have been developed, yet many have off-target effects, or are otherwise limited by poor cellular permeability. Peptide-based strategies have also been attempted to enhance specificity, yet face challenges due to susceptibility to degradation and lack of cellular penetration. Herein, these barriers are overcome utilizing a polymer-based proteomimetics. The protein-like polymer (PLP) consists of a synthetic, lipophilic polymer backbone displaying water soluble Keap1-binding peptides on each monomer unit forming a brush polymer architecture. The PLPs are capable of engaging Keap1 and displacing the cellular protective transcription factor Nrf2, which then translocates to the nucleus, activating the antioxidant response element (ARE). PLPs exhibit increased Keap1 binding affinity by several orders of magnitude compared to free peptides, maintain serum stability, are cell-penetrant, and selectively activate the ARE pathway in cells, including in primary cortical neuronal cultures. Keap1/Nrf2-inhibitory PLPs have the potential to impact the treatment of disease states associated with dysregulation of oxidative stress, such as NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendal P Carrow
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Medical Scientist Training Program, Feinberg School of Medicine, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, IL, USA
| | - Haylee L Hamilton
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 57305, WI, USA
| | - Madeline P Hopps
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, IL, USA
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, IL, USA
| | - Baofu Qiao
- Department of Natural Sciences, Baruch College, City University of New York, New York, 10010, NY, USA
| | - N Connor Payne
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, 02138, MA, USA
| | - Matthew P Thompson
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, IL, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, IL, USA
| | - Assa Magassa
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, IL, USA
| | - Mara Fattah
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, IL, USA
| | - Shivangi Agarwal
- Grove Biopharma, Inc, 1375 W. Fulton St., Ste. 650, Chicago, 60558, IL, USA
| | - Michael P Vincent
- Grove Biopharma, Inc, 1375 W. Fulton St., Ste. 650, Chicago, 60558, IL, USA
| | - Marina Buyanova
- Grove Biopharma, Inc, 1375 W. Fulton St., Ste. 650, Chicago, 60558, IL, USA
| | - Paul A Bertin
- Grove Biopharma, Inc, 1375 W. Fulton St., Ste. 650, Chicago, 60558, IL, USA
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, 02142, MA, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 02115, MA, USA
| | - Monica Olvera de la Cruz
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, Center for Computation and Theory of Soft Materials, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, IL, USA
| | - Delinda A Johnson
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 57305, WI, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Johnson
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 57305, WI, USA
| | - Nathan C Gianneschi
- Departments of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, IL, USA
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7
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Rosenthal ZC, Fass DM, Payne NC, She A, Patnaik D, Hennig KM, Tesla R, Werthmann GC, Guhl C, Reis SA, Wang X, Chen Y, Placzek M, Williams NS, Hooker J, Herz J, Mazitschek R, Haggarty SJ. Epigenetic modulation through BET bromodomain inhibitors as a novel therapeutic strategy for progranulin-deficient frontotemporal dementia. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9064. [PMID: 38643236 PMCID: PMC11032351 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59110-7] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder with currently no disease-modifying treatment options available. Mutations in GRN are one of the most common genetic causes of FTD, near ubiquitously resulting in progranulin (PGRN) haploinsufficiency. Small molecules that can restore PGRN protein to healthy levels in individuals bearing a heterozygous GRN mutation may thus have therapeutic value. Here, we show that epigenetic modulation through bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) inhibitors (BETi) potently enhance PGRN protein levels, both intracellularly and secreted forms, in human central nervous system (CNS)-relevant cell types, including in microglia-like cells. In terms of potential for disease modification, we show BETi treatment effectively restores PGRN levels in neural cells with a GRN mutation known to cause PGRN haploinsufficiency and FTD. We demonstrate that BETi can rapidly and durably enhance PGRN in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in a manner dependent upon BET protein expression, suggesting a gain-of-function mechanism. We further describe a CNS-optimized BETi chemotype that potently engages endogenous BRD4 and enhances PGRN expression in neuronal cells. Our results reveal a new epigenetic target for treating PGRN-deficient forms of FTD and provide mechanistic insight to aid in translating this discovery into therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary C Rosenthal
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Precision Therapeutics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniel M Fass
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Precision Therapeutics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - N Connor Payne
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Angela She
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Precision Therapeutics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Debasis Patnaik
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Precision Therapeutics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Krista M Hennig
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Precision Therapeutics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel Tesla
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Gordon C Werthmann
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Charlotte Guhl
- Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Surya A Reis
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Precision Therapeutics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yueting Chen
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Placzek
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Noelle S Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jacob Hooker
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joachim Herz
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Precision Therapeutics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Mercer JAM, DeCarlo SJ, Roy Burman SS, Sreekanth V, Nelson AT, Hunkeler M, Chen PJ, Donovan KA, Kokkonda P, Tiwari PK, Shoba VM, Deb A, Choudhary A, Fischer ES, Liu DR. Continuous evolution of compact protein degradation tags regulated by selective molecular glues. Science 2024; 383:eadk4422. [PMID: 38484051 PMCID: PMC11203266 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk4422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Conditional protein degradation tags (degrons) are usually >100 amino acids long or are triggered by small molecules with substantial off-target effects, thwarting their use as specific modulators of endogenous protein levels. We developed a phage-assisted continuous evolution platform for molecular glue complexes (MG-PACE) and evolved a 36-amino acid zinc finger (ZF) degron (SD40) that binds the ubiquitin ligase substrate receptor cereblon in complex with PT-179, an orthogonal thalidomide derivative. Endogenous proteins tagged in-frame with SD40 using prime editing are degraded by otherwise inert PT-179. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of SD40 in complex with ligand-bound cereblon revealed mechanistic insights into the molecular basis of SD40's activity and specificity. Our efforts establish a system for continuous evolution of molecular glue complexes and provide ZF tags that overcome shortcomings associated with existing degrons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaron A. M. Mercer
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Stephan J. DeCarlo
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Shourya S. Roy Burman
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Vedagopuram Sreekanth
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Andrew T. Nelson
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Moritz Hunkeler
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Peter J. Chen
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Praveen Kokkonda
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Praveen K. Tiwari
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Veronika M. Shoba
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Arghya Deb
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Amit Choudhary
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - David R. Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
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9
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Yin Y, Zhao SL, Rane D, Lin Z, Wu M, Peterson BR. Quantification of Binding of Small Molecules to Native Proteins Overexpressed in Living Cells. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:187-200. [PMID: 38118119 PMCID: PMC10910633 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
The affinity and selectivity of small molecules for proteins drive drug discovery and development. We report a fluorescent probe cellular binding assay (FPCBA) for determination of these values for native (untagged) proteins overexpressed in living cells. This method uses fluorophores such as Pacific Blue (PB) linked to cell-permeable protein ligands to generate probes that rapidly and reversibly equilibrate with intracellular targets, as established by kinetic assays of cellular uptake and efflux. To analyze binding to untagged proteins, an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) vector was employed that allows a single mRNA to encode both the protein target and a separate orthogonal fluorescent protein (mVenus). This enabled cellular uptake of the probe to be correlated with protein expression by flow cytometry, allowing measurement of cellular dissociation constants (Kd) of the probe. This approach was validated by studies of the binding of allosteric activators to eight different Protein Kinase C (PKC) isozymes. Full-length PKCs expressed in transiently transfected HEK293T cells were used to measure cellular Kd values of a probe comprising PB linked to the natural product phorbol via a carbamate. These values were further used to determine competitive binding constants (cellular Ki values) of the nonfluorescent phorbol ester PDBu and the anticancer agent bryostatin 1 for each isozyme. For some PKC-small molecule pairs, these cellular Ki values matched known biochemical Ki values, but for others, altered selectivity was observed in cells. This approach can facilitate quantification of interactions of small molecules with physiologically relevant native proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwen Yin
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, The Ohio State University, College of Pharmacy, 500 W. 12 Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Serena Li Zhao
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, The Ohio State University, College of Pharmacy, 500 W. 12 Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Digamber Rane
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, The Ohio State University, College of Pharmacy, 500 W. 12 Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Zhihong Lin
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, 460 W. 10 Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Meng Wu
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, The Ohio State University, College of Pharmacy, 500 W. 12 Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, 460 W. 10 Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Blake R. Peterson
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, The Ohio State University, College of Pharmacy, 500 W. 12 Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, 460 W. 10 Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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10
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Navarro G, Sotelo E, Raïch I, Loza MI, Brea J, Majellaro M. A Robust and Efficient FRET-Based Assay for Cannabinoid Receptor Ligands Discovery. Molecules 2023; 28:8107. [PMID: 38138600 PMCID: PMC10745346 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28248107] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The identification of new modulators for Cannabinoid Receptors (CBRs) has garnered significant attention in drug discovery over recent years, owing to their manifold pathophysiological implications. In the context of hit identification, the availability of robust and sensitive high-throughput screening assays is essential to enhance the likelihood of success. In this study, we present the development and validation of a Tag-lite® binding assay designed for screening hCB1/hCB2 binding, employing a dual fluorescent ligand, CELT-335. Representative ligands for CBRs, exhibiting diverse affinity and functional profiles, were utilized as reference compounds to validate the robustness and efficiency of the newly developed Tag-lite® binding assay protocol. The homogeneous format, coupled with the sensitivity and optimal performance of the fluorescent ligand CELT-335, establishes this assay as a viable and reliable method for screening in hit and lead identification campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Navarro
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neuroscience of the University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eddy Sotelo
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Iu Raïch
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neuroscience of the University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Isabel Loza
- Research Center in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Jose Brea
- Research Center in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Maria Majellaro
- Celtarys Research SL, Avda. Mestre Mateo, 2, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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11
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Fessl T, Majellaro M, Bondar A. Microscopy and spectroscopy approaches to study GPCR structure and function. Br J Pharmacol 2023. [PMID: 38087925 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The GPCR signalling cascade is a key pathway responsible for the signal transduction of a multitude of physical and chemical stimuli, including light, odorants, neurotransmitters and hormones. Understanding the structural and functional properties of the GPCR cascade requires direct observation of signalling processes in high spatial and temporal resolution, with minimal perturbation to endogenous systems. Optical microscopy and spectroscopy techniques are uniquely suited to this purpose because they excel at multiple spatial and temporal scales and can be used in living objects. Here, we review recent developments in microscopy and spectroscopy technologies which enable new insights into GPCR signalling. We focus on advanced techniques with high spatial and temporal resolution, single-molecule methods, labelling strategies and approaches suitable for endogenous systems and large living objects. This review aims to assist researchers in choosing appropriate microscopy and spectroscopy approaches for a variety of applications in the study of cellular signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Fessl
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Alexey Bondar
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Histology, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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12
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Sadowski B, Kaliszewska M, Clermont G, Poronik YM, Blanchard-Desce M, Piątkowski P, Gryko DT. Realization of nitroaromatic chromophores with intense two-photon brightness. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:11708-11711. [PMID: 37700732 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc03347c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Strong fluorescence is a general feature of dipyrrolonaphthyridinediones bearing two nitrophenyl substituents. Methyl groups simultaneously being weakly electron-donating and inducing steric hindrance appear to be a key structural parameter that allows for significant emission enhancement, whereas Et2N groups cause fluorescence quenching. The magnitude of two-photon absorption increases if 4-nitrophenyl substituents are present while the contribution of Et2N groups is detrimental.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartłomiej Sadowski
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, S. Banacha 2c, Warsaw 02-097, Poland.
| | - Marzena Kaliszewska
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 101, Warsaw 02-089, Poland.
| | - Guillaume Clermont
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255, Talence F-33400, France.
| | - Yevgen M Poronik
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, Warsaw 01-224, Poland.
| | | | - Piotr Piątkowski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 101, Warsaw 02-089, Poland.
| | - Daniel T Gryko
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, Warsaw 01-224, Poland.
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13
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Adamson RJ, Payne NC, Bartual SG, Mazitschek R, Bullock AN. Structural and biochemical characterization establishes a detailed understanding of KEAP1-CUL3 complex assembly. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 204:215-225. [PMID: 37156295 PMCID: PMC10564622 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
KEAP1 promotes the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of NRF2 by assembling into a CUL3-dependent ubiquitin ligase complex. Oxidative and electrophilic stress inhibit KEAP1 allowing NRF2 to accumulate for the transactivation of stress response genes. To date there are no structures of the KEAP1-CUL3 interaction nor binding data to show the contributions of different domains to their binding affinity. We determined a crystal structure of the BTB and 3-box domains of human KEAP1 in complex with the CUL3 N-terminal domain that showed a heterotetrameric assembly with 2:2 stoichiometry. To support the structural data, we developed a versatile TR-FRET-based assay system to profile the binding of BTB-domain-containing proteins to CUL3 and determine the contribution of distinct protein features, revealing the importance of the CUL3 N-terminal extension for high affinity binding. We further provide direct evidence that the investigational drug CDDO does not disrupt the KEAP1-CUL3 interaction, even at high concentrations, but reduces the affinity of KEAP1-CUL3 binding. The TR-FRET-based assay system offers a generalizable platform for profiling this protein class and may form a suitable screening platform for ligands that disrupt these interactions by targeting the BTB or 3-box domains to block E3 ligase function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roslin J Adamson
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - N Connor Payne
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA; Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Sergio G Bartual
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
| | - Alex N Bullock
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK.
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14
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Park Y, Taguchi A, Baidin V, Kahne D, Walker S. A Time-Resolved FRET Assay Identifies a Small Molecule that Inhibits the Essential Bacterial Cell Wall Polymerase FtsW. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202301522. [PMID: 37099323 PMCID: PMC10330507 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202301522] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
The peptidoglycan cell wall is essential for bacterial survival. To form the cell wall, peptidoglycan glycosyltransferases (PGTs) polymerize Lipid II to make glycan strands and then those strands are crosslinked by transpeptidases (TPs). Recently, the SEDS (for shape, elongation, division, and sporulation) proteins were identified as a new class of PGTs. The SEDS protein FtsW, which produces septal peptidoglycan during cell division, is an attractive target for novel antibiotics because it is essential in virtually all bacteria. Here, we developed a time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) assay to monitor PGT activity and screened a Staphylococcus aureus lethal compound library for FtsW inhibitors. We identified a compound that inhibits S. aureus FtsW in vitro. Using a non-polymerizable Lipid II derivative, we showed that this compound competes with Lipid II for binding to FtsW. The assays described here will be useful for discovering and characterizing other PGT inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngseon Park
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, 4 Blackfan Circle, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford St., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Atsushi Taguchi
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, 4 Blackfan Circle, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- (Current location) SANKEN (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research), Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0047, Japan
| | - Vadim Baidin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford St., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Daniel Kahne
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford St., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Suzanne Walker
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, 4 Blackfan Circle, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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15
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Yue H, Nowak RP, Overwijn D, Payne NC, Fischinger S, Atyeo C, Lam EC, St. Denis K, Brais LK, Konishi Y, Sklavenitis-Pistofidis R, Baden LR, Nilles EJ, Karlson EW, Yu XG, Li JZ, Woolley AE, Ghobrial IM, Meyerhardt JA, Balazs AB, Alter G, Mazitschek R, Fischer ES. Diagnostic TR-FRET assays for detection of antibodies in patient samples. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100421. [PMID: 37056371 PMCID: PMC10088089 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Serological assays are important diagnostic tools for surveying exposure to the pathogen, monitoring immune response post vaccination, and managing spread of the infectious agent among the population. Current serological laboratory assays are often limited because they require the use of specialized laboratory technology and/or work with a limited number of sample types. Here, we evaluate an alternative by developing time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) homogeneous assays that exhibited exceptional versatility, scalability, and sensitivity and outperformed or matched currently used strategies in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and precision. We validated the performance of the assays measuring total immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels; antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) or Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV spike (S) protein; and SARS-CoV-2 S and nucleocapsid (N) proteins and applied it to several large sample sets and real-world applications. We further established a TR-FRET-based ACE2-S competition assay to assess the neutralization propensity of the antibodies. Overall, these TR-FRET-based serological assays can be rapidly extended to other antigens and are compatible with commonly used plate readers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yue
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Radosław P. Nowak
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Daan Overwijn
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - N. Connor Payne
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Stephanie Fischinger
- Ragon Institute of MGH, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Caroline Atyeo
- Ragon Institute of MGH, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Evan C. Lam
- Ragon Institute of MGH, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kerri St. Denis
- Ragon Institute of MGH, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lauren K. Brais
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yoshinobu Konishi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Romanos Sklavenitis-Pistofidis
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Lindsey R. Baden
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Eric J. Nilles
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Xu G. Yu
- Ragon Institute of MGH, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jonathan Z. Li
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ann E. Woolley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Irene M. Ghobrial
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Alejandro B. Balazs
- Ragon Institute of MGH, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Galit Alter
- Ragon Institute of MGH, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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16
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Hunkeler M, Jin CY, Fischer ES. Structures of BIRC6-client complexes provide a mechanism of SMAC-mediated release of caspases. Science 2023; 379:1105-1111. [PMID: 36758104 DOI: 10.1126/science.ade5750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Tight regulation of apoptosis is essential for metazoan development and prevents diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. Caspase activation is central to apoptosis, and inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are the principal actors that restrain caspase activity and are therefore attractive therapeutic targets. IAPs, in turn, are regulated by mitochondria-derived proapoptotic factors such as SMAC and HTRA2. Through a series of cryo-electron microscopy structures of full-length human baculoviral IAP repeat-containing protein 6 (BIRC6) bound to SMAC, caspases, and HTRA2, we provide a molecular understanding for BIRC6-mediated caspase inhibition and its release by SMAC. The architecture of BIRC6, together with near-irreversible binding of SMAC, elucidates how the IAP inhibitor SMAC can effectively control a processive ubiquitin ligase to respond to apoptotic stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Hunkeler
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Cyrus Y Jin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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17
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Kurata K, James-Bott A, Tye MA, Yamamoto L, Samur MK, Tai YT, Dunford J, Johansson C, Senbabaoglu F, Philpott M, Palmer C, Ramasamy K, Gooding S, Smilova M, Gaeta G, Guo M, Christianson JC, Payne NC, Singh K, Karagoz K, Stokes ME, Ortiz M, Hagner P, Thakurta A, Cribbs A, Mazitschek R, Hideshima T, Anderson KC, Oppermann U. Prolyl-tRNA synthetase as a novel therapeutic target in multiple myeloma. Blood Cancer J 2023; 13:12. [PMID: 36631435 PMCID: PMC9834298 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-023-00787-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy characterised by aberrant production of immunoglobulins requiring survival mechanisms to adapt to proteotoxic stress. We here show that glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase (GluProRS) inhibition constitutes a novel therapeutic target. Genomic data suggest that GluProRS promotes disease progression and is associated with poor prognosis, while downregulation in MM cells triggers apoptosis. We developed NCP26, a novel ATP-competitive ProRS inhibitor that demonstrates significant anti-tumour activity in multiple in vitro and in vivo systems and overcomes metabolic adaptation observed with other inhibitor chemotypes. We demonstrate a complex phenotypic response involving protein quality control mechanisms that centers around the ribosome as an integrating hub. Using systems approaches, we identified multiple downregulated proline-rich motif-containing proteins as downstream effectors. These include CD138, transcription factors such as MYC, and transcription factor 3 (TCF3), which we establish as a novel determinant in MM pathobiology through functional and genomic validation. Our preclinical data therefore provide evidence that blockade of prolyl-aminoacylation evokes a complex pro-apoptotic response beyond the canonical integrated stress response and establish a framework for its evaluation in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiji Kurata
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XJerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Anna James-Bott
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK
| | - Mark A. Tye
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA ,Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Leona Yamamoto
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XJerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Mehmet K. Samur
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XJerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA ,grid.65499.370000 0001 2106 9910Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Yu-Tzu Tai
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XJerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - James Dunford
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK
| | - Catrine Johansson
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK
| | - Filiz Senbabaoglu
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK
| | - Martin Philpott
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK
| | - Charlotte Palmer
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK
| | - Karthik Ramasamy
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Oxford Centre for Translational Myeloma Research, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK
| | - Sarah Gooding
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Oxford Centre for Translational Myeloma Research, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK ,grid.421962.a0000 0004 0641 4431Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK
| | - Mihaela Smilova
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK
| | - Giorgia Gaeta
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK
| | - Manman Guo
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK
| | - John C. Christianson
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Oxford Centre for Translational Myeloma Research, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK
| | - N. Connor Payne
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Kritika Singh
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA ,grid.261112.70000 0001 2173 3359Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Kubra Karagoz
- grid.419971.30000 0004 0374 8313Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ 07901 USA
| | - Matthew E. Stokes
- grid.419971.30000 0004 0374 8313Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ 07901 USA
| | - Maria Ortiz
- grid.419971.30000 0004 0374 8313Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ 07901 USA
| | - Patrick Hagner
- grid.419971.30000 0004 0374 8313Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ 07901 USA
| | - Anjan Thakurta
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Oxford Centre for Translational Myeloma Research, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK ,grid.419971.30000 0004 0374 8313Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ 07901 USA
| | - Adam Cribbs
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Oxford Centre for Translational Myeloma Research, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD UK
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA ,grid.66859.340000 0004 0546 1623Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
| | - Teru Hideshima
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Kenneth C. Anderson
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XJerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Udo Oppermann
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK. .,Oxford Centre for Translational Myeloma Research, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK.
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18
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Review of FRET biosensing and its application in biomolecular detection. Am J Transl Res 2023; 15:694-709. [PMID: 36915763 PMCID: PMC10006758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Life science research is advancing rapidly in the 21st century. Many innovative technologies and methodologies are being applied in various fields of the life sciences to reveal how macromolecules interact with each other. The technology of using fluorescent molecules in biomedical research has contributed immensely to progress in this field. Fluorescence-based optical biosensors, which show high specificity, exhibit huge potential for clinical diagnosis and treatment of many of the life-changing diseases. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), is a technique that has been widely employed in biosensing ever since its discovery. It is a classic fluorescence technique, and an important biosensing research tool extensively utilized in the fields of toxicology, pharmacology, and biomedicine; many biosensor designs are based on FRET. Radiometric imaging of biological molecules, biomolecular interactions, and cellular processes are extensively performed using FRET biosensors. This review focuses on the selection of FRET donors and acceptors used for biosensing, and presents an overview of different FRET technologies. Furthermore, it highlights the progress in the application for FRET in nucleic acid and protein biosensing, and provides a viewpoint for future developmental trends using FRET technology.
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19
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Li J, Cai Z, Li XW, Zhuang C. Natural Product-Inspired Targeted Protein Degraders: Advances and Perspectives. J Med Chem 2022; 65:13533-13560. [PMID: 36205223 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD), a promising therapeutic strategy in drug discovery, has great potential to regulate the endogenous degradation of undruggable targets with small molecules. As vital resources that provide diverse structural templates for drug discovery, natural products (NPs) are a rising and robust arsenal for the development of therapeutic TPD. The first proof-of-concept study of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) was a natural polyketide ovalicin-derived degrader; since then, NPs have shown great potential to promote TPD technology. The use of NP-inspired targeted protein degraders has been confirmed to be a promising strategy to treat many human conditions, including cancer, inflammation, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Nevertheless, the development of NP-inspired degraders is challenging, and the field is currently in its infancy. In this review, we summarize the bioactivities and mechanisms of NP-inspired degraders and discuss the associated challenges and future opportunities in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Li
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China.,School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhenyu Cai
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xu-Wen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai 201203, China.,Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong 264117, China
| | - Chunlin Zhuang
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China.,School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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20
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Jin G, Sun D, Xia X, Jiang Z, Cheng B, Ning Y, Wang F, Zhao Y, Chen X, Zhang J. Bioorthogonal Lanthanide Molecular Probes for Near‐Infrared Fluorescence and Mass Spectrometry Imaging. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202208707. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202208707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guo‐Qing Jin
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
| | - De‐en Sun
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
- Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
| | - Xiaoqian Xia
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
- Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
| | - Zhi‐Fan Jiang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
| | - Bo Cheng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
- Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
| | - Yingying Ning
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
| | - Fuyi Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences National Centre for Mass Spectrometry in Beijing CAS Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 P. R. China
| | - Yao Zhao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences National Centre for Mass Spectrometry in Beijing CAS Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 P. R. China
| | - Xing Chen
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
- Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences Beijing 100871 P. R. China
| | - Jun‐Long Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory Shantou 515031 P. R. China
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21
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Tye MA, Payne NC, Johansson C, Singh K, Santos SA, Fagbami L, Pant A, Sylvester K, Luth MR, Marques S, Whitman M, Mota MM, Winzeler EA, Lukens AK, Derbyshire ER, Oppermann U, Wirth DF, Mazitschek R. Elucidating the path to Plasmodium prolyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors that overcome halofuginone resistance. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4976. [PMID: 36008486 PMCID: PMC9403976 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32630-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of next-generation antimalarials that are efficacious against the human liver and asexual blood stages is recognized as one of the world's most pressing public health challenges. In recent years, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, including prolyl-tRNA synthetase, have emerged as attractive targets for malaria chemotherapy. We describe the development of a single-step biochemical assay for Plasmodium and human prolyl-tRNA synthetases that overcomes critical limitations of existing technologies and enables quantitative inhibitor profiling with high sensitivity and flexibility. Supported by this assay platform and co-crystal structures of representative inhibitor-target complexes, we develop a set of high-affinity prolyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors, including previously elusive aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase triple-site ligands that simultaneously engage all three substrate-binding pockets. Several compounds exhibit potent dual-stage activity against Plasmodium parasites and display good cellular host selectivity. Our data inform the inhibitor requirements to overcome existing resistance mechanisms and establish a path for rational development of prolyl-tRNA synthetase-targeted anti-malarial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Tye
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - N Connor Payne
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Catrine Johansson
- Botnar Research Centre, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kritika Singh
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sofia A Santos
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lọla Fagbami
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Akansha Pant
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Madeline R Luth
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sofia Marques
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Malcolm Whitman
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria M Mota
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Udo Oppermann
- Botnar Research Centre, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Dyann F Wirth
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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22
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Jin GQ, Sun DE, Xia X, Jiang ZF, Cheng B, Ning Y, Wang F, Zhao Y, Chen X, Zhang JL. Bioorthogonal Lanthanide Molecular Probes for Near‐Infrared Fluorescence and Mass Spectrometry Imaging. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202208707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Qing Jin
- Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | - De-en Sun
- Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | - Xiaoqian Xia
- Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | - Zhi-Fan Jiang
- Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | - Bo Cheng
- Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | - Yingying Ning
- Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | - Fuyi Wang
- Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences CHINA
| | - Yao Zhao
- Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences CHINA
| | - Xing Chen
- Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | - Jun-Long Zhang
- Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Chengfu Road 202 100871 Beijing CHINA
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23
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Payne NC, Maksoud S, Tannous BA, Mazitschek R. A direct high-throughput protein quantification strategy facilitates discovery and characterization of a celastrol-derived BRD4 degrader. Cell Chem Biol 2022; 29:1333-1340.e5. [PMID: 35649410 PMCID: PMC9391279 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
We describe a generalizable time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET)-based platform to profile the cellular action of heterobifunctional degraders (or proteolysis-targeting chimeras [PROTACs]) that is capable of both accurately quantifying protein levels in whole-cell lysates in less than 1 h and measuring small-molecule target engagement to endogenous proteins, here specifically for human bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4). The detection mix consists of a single primary antibody targeting the protein of interest, a luminescent donor-labeled anti-species nanobody, and a fluorescent acceptor ligand. Importantly, our strategy can readily be applied to other targets of interest and will greatly facilitate the cell-based profiling of small-molecule inhibitors and PROTACs in a high-throughput format with unmodified cell lines. We furthermore validate our platform in the characterization of celastrol, a p-quinone methide-containing pentacyclic triterpenoid, as a broad cysteine-targeting E3 ubiquitin ligase warhead for potent and efficient targeted protein degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Connor Payne
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Semer Maksoud
- Experimental Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging Unit, Department of Neurology, Neuro-Oncology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | - Bakhos A Tannous
- Experimental Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging Unit, Department of Neurology, Neuro-Oncology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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24
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Lin Z, Woo CM. Methods to characterize and discover molecular degraders in cells. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:7115-7137. [PMID: 35899832 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00261b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cells use many post-translational modifications (PTMs) to tailor proteins and transduce cellular signals. Recent years have witnessed the rapid growth of small molecule and enzymatic strategies to purposely manipulate one particular PTM, ubiquitination, on desired target proteins in cells. These approaches typically act by induced proximity between an E3 ligase and a target protein resulting in ubiquitination and degradation of the substrate in cells. In this review, we cover recent approaches to study molecular degraders and discover their induced substrates in vitro and in live cells. Methods that have been adapted and applied to the development of molecular degraders are described, including global proteomics, affinity-purification, chemical proteomics and enzymatic strategies. Extension of these strategies to edit additional PTMs in cells is also discussed. This review is intended to assist researchers who are interested in editing PTMs with new modalities to select suitable method(s) and guide their studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Lin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
| | - Christina M Woo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
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25
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Resolving the deceptive isoform and complex selectivity of HDAC1/2 inhibitors. Cell Chem Biol 2022; 29:1140-1152.e5. [PMID: 35298895 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The histone deacetylase paralogs HDAC1/2/3 and their corepressor complexes serve as epigenetic master regulators of chromatin function. Over the past decades, HDACs have been widely pursued as pharmacological targets, and considerable efforts have been invested in the development of small molecule drugs. Specifically, ortho-aminoanilide-derived inhibitors, including CI-994 and Cpd-60, stand out with their attractive selectivity profiles and have been used extensively as tools to delineate the biological roles of specific HDAC isoforms and complexes. Here, we apply a suite of activity-independent strategies to investigate how dynamic processes that regulate HDAC complexes govern the isoform and complex selectivity of HDAC inhibitors. Importantly, we find that overreliance on static and simplified biochemical activity assays has confounded the determination of the biological selectivity of these ligands. Our data urge a comprehensive reinterpretation of numerous studies utilizing these tool compounds for the interrogation of epigenetic and other cellular processes.
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26
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Wang M, Hu C, Su Q. Luminescent Lifetime Regulation of Lanthanide-Doped Nanoparticles for Biosensing. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12020131. [PMID: 35200391 PMCID: PMC8869906 DOI: 10.3390/bios12020131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles possess numerous advantages including tunable luminescence emission, narrow peak width and excellent optical and thermal stability, especially concerning the long lifetime from microseconds to milliseconds. Differing from other shorter-lifetime fluorescent nanomaterials, the long lifetime of lanthanide-doped nanomaterials is independent with background fluorescence interference and biological tissue depth. This review presents the recent advances in approaches to regulating the lifetime and applications of bioimaging and biodetection. We begin with the introduction of the strategies for regulating the lifetime by modulating the core-shell structure, adjusting the concentration of sensitizer and emitter, changing energy transfer channel, establishing a fluorescence resonance energy transfer pathway and changing temperature. We then summarize the applications of these nanoparticles in biosensing, including ion and molecule detecting, DNA and protease detection, cell labeling, organ imaging and thermal and pH sensing. Finally, the prospects and challenges of the lanthanide lifetime regulation for fundamental research and practical applications are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingkai Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China;
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Chuanyu Hu
- Department of Stomatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China;
- Correspondence: (C.H.); (Q.S.)
| | - Qianqian Su
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- Correspondence: (C.H.); (Q.S.)
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