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Stadler KA, Ortiz-Joya LJ, Singh Sahrawat A, Buhlheller C, Gruber K, Pavkov-Keller T, O'Hagan TB, Guarné A, Pulido S, Marín-Villa M, Zangger K, Gubensäk N. Structural investigation of Trypanosoma cruzi Akt-like kinase as drug target against Chagas disease. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10039. [PMID: 38693166 PMCID: PMC11063076 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59654-8] [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: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, Chagas disease (CD) is the most prevalent poverty-promoting neglected tropical disease. Alarmingly, climate change is accelerating the geographical spreading of CD causative parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, which additionally increases infection rates. Still, CD treatment remains challenging due to a lack of safe and efficient drugs. In this work, we analyze the viability of T. cruzi Akt-like kinase (TcAkt) as drug target against CD including primary structural and functional information about a parasitic Akt protein. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance derived information in combination with Molecular Dynamics simulations offer detailed insights into structural properties of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of TcAkt and its binding to phosphatidylinositol phosphate ligands (PIP). Experimental data combined with Alpha Fold proposes a model for the mechanism of action of TcAkt involving a PIP-induced disruption of the intramolecular interface between the kinase and the PH domain resulting in an open conformation enabling TcAkt kinase activity. Further docking experiments reveal that TcAkt is recognized by human inhibitors PIT-1 and capivasertib, and TcAkt inhibition by UBMC-4 and UBMC-6 is achieved via binding to TcAkt kinase domain. Our in-depth structural analysis of TcAkt reveals potential sites for drug development against CD, located at activity essential regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina A Stadler
- Institute of Chemistry/Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Lesly J Ortiz-Joya
- Institute of Chemistry/Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Amit Singh Sahrawat
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Innophore GmbH, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Karl Gruber
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Innophore GmbH, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Tea Pavkov-Keller
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Alba Guarné
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sergio Pulido
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- LifeFactors ZF SAS, Rionegro, Colombia
| | - Marcel Marín-Villa
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Klaus Zangger
- Institute of Chemistry/Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Nina Gubensäk
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
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Pervanidis KA, D'Angelo GD, Weisner J, Brandherm S, Rauh D. Akt Inhibitor Advancements: From Capivasertib Approval to Covalent-Allosteric Promises. J Med Chem 2024; 67:6052-6063. [PMID: 38592948 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Akt kinase is vital in cell growth, survival, metabolism, and migration. Dysregulation of Akt signaling is implicated in cancer and metabolic disorders. In the context of cancer, overactive Akt promotes cell survival and proliferation. This has spurred extensive research into developing Akt inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents to disrupt aberrant Akt signaling. Akt inhibitors are classified into three main types: ATP-competitive, allosteric, and covalent-allosteric inhibitors (CAAIs). ATP-competitive inhibitors compete with ATP for binding to Akt, allosteric inhibitors interact with the Pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, and covalent-allosteric inhibitors form covalent bonds, making them more potent and selective. Notably, capivasertib (AZD5363), a potent ATP-competitive Akt inhibitor, received FDA approval in November 2023 for use in combination with the estrogen receptor degrader fulvestrant to treat breast cancer. Challenges remain, including improving selectivity, identifying biomarkers to tailor treatments, and enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. Particularly covalent-allosteric inhibitors hold promise for future more effective and personalized treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosmas Alexandros Pervanidis
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University and Drug Discovery Hub Dortmund (DDHD), Zentrum für Integrierte Wirkstoffforschung (ZIW), Otto-Hahn-Strasse 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Giovanni Danilo D'Angelo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University and Drug Discovery Hub Dortmund (DDHD), Zentrum für Integrierte Wirkstoffforschung (ZIW), Otto-Hahn-Strasse 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jörn Weisner
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University and Drug Discovery Hub Dortmund (DDHD), Zentrum für Integrierte Wirkstoffforschung (ZIW), Otto-Hahn-Strasse 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
- KyDo Therapeutics, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 15, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Sven Brandherm
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University and Drug Discovery Hub Dortmund (DDHD), Zentrum für Integrierte Wirkstoffforschung (ZIW), Otto-Hahn-Strasse 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
- KyDo Therapeutics, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 15, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Daniel Rauh
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University and Drug Discovery Hub Dortmund (DDHD), Zentrum für Integrierte Wirkstoffforschung (ZIW), Otto-Hahn-Strasse 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
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Huang X, You L, Nepovimova E, Psotka M, Malinak D, Valko M, Sivak L, Korabecny J, Heger Z, Adam V, Wu Q, Kuca K. Inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related protein kinase family (PIKK). J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2237209. [PMID: 37489050 PMCID: PMC10392309 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2237209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related protein kinases (PIKK) are two structurally related families of kinases that play vital roles in cell growth and DNA damage repair. Dysfunction of PIKK members and aberrant stimulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway are linked to a plethora of diseases including cancer. In recent decades, numerous inhibitors related to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling have made great strides in cancer treatment, like copanlisib and sirolimus. Notably, most of the PIKK inhibitors (such as VX-970 and M3814) related to DNA damage response have also shown good efficacy in clinical trials. However, these drugs still require a suitable combination therapy to overcome drug resistance or improve antitumor activity. Based on the aforementioned facts, we summarised the efficacy of PIKK, PI3K, and AKT inhibitors in the therapy of human malignancies and the resistance mechanisms of targeted therapy, in order to provide deeper insights into cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqin Huang
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Li You
- College of Physical Education and Health, Chongqing College of International Business and Economics, Chongqing, China
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Psotka
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - David Malinak
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Marian Valko
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ladislav Sivak
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Korabecny
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Heger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Qinghua Wu
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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