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Celis S, Hobor F, James T, Bartlett GJ, Ibarra AA, Shoemark DK, Hegedüs Z, Hetherington K, Woolfson DN, Sessions RB, Edwards TA, Andrews DM, Nelson A, Wilson AJ. Query-guided protein-protein interaction inhibitor discovery. Chem Sci 2021; 12:4753-4762. [PMID: 34163731 PMCID: PMC8179539 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc00023c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are central to biological mechanisms, and can serve as compelling targets for drug discovery. Yet, the discovery of small molecule inhibitors of PPIs remains challenging given the large and typically shallow topography of the interacting protein surfaces. Here, we describe a general approach to the discovery of orthosteric PPI inhibitors that mimic specific secondary protein structures. Initially, hot residues at protein-protein interfaces are identified in silico or from experimental data, and incorporated into secondary structure-based queries. Virtual libraries of small molecules are then shape-matched against the queries, and promising ligands docked to target proteins. The approach is exemplified experimentally using two unrelated PPIs that are mediated by an α-helix (p53/hDM2) and a β-strand (GKAP/SHANK1-PDZ). In each case, selective PPI inhibitors are discovered with low μM activity as determined by a combination of fluorescence anisotropy and 1H-15N HSQC experiments. In addition, hit expansion yields a series of PPI inhibitors with defined structure-activity relationships. It is envisaged that the generality of the approach will enable discovery of inhibitors of a wide range of unrelated secondary structure-mediated PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Celis
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Fruzsina Hobor
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Thomas James
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Gail J Bartlett
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Amaurys A Ibarra
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
| | - Deborah K Shoemark
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue Bristol BS8 1TQ UK
| | - Zsófia Hegedüs
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Kristina Hetherington
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue Bristol BS8 1TQ UK
| | - Richard B Sessions
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue Bristol BS8 1TQ UK
| | - Thomas A Edwards
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - David M Andrews
- Early Oncology, AstraZeneca Hodgkin Building, Chesterford Research Campus, Saffron Walden Cambridge CB10 1XL UK
| | - Adam Nelson
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Andrew J Wilson
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
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Hoffer L, Roche P, Morelli X. Rational Design of PDZ Domain Inhibitors: Discovery of Small Organic Compounds Targeting PDZ Domains. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2256:277-289. [PMID: 34014528 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1166-1_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
PDZ domains, which belong to protein-protein interaction networks, are critical for regulating important biological processes such as scaffolding, trafficking, and signaling cascades. Interfering with PDZ-mediated interactions could affect these numerous biological processes. Thus, PDZ domains have emerged as promising targets to decipher biological phenomena and potentially treat cancer and neurological diseases. In this minireview, we focus on the discovery and design of small molecule inhibitors to modulate PDZ domains. These compounds interfere with endogenous protein partners from the PDZ domain by binding at the protein-protein interface. While peptides or peptidomimetic ligands were described to modulate PDZ domains, the focus of this review is on small organic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Hoffer
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Aix-Marseille Université, Inserm, CNRS and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France.
| | - Philippe Roche
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Aix-Marseille Université, Inserm, CNRS and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Xavier Morelli
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Aix-Marseille Université, Inserm, CNRS and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France.
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Zang J, Ye F, Solbak SMØ, Høj LJ, Zhang M, Bach A. Identification of Novel Fragments Binding to the PDZ1-2 Domain of PSD-95. ChemMedChem 2020; 16:949-954. [PMID: 33305877 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of PSD-95 has emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke, as shown with peptide-based compounds that target the PDZ domains of PSD-95. In contrast, developing potent and drug-like small molecules against the PSD-95 PDZ domains has so far been unsuccessful. Here, we explore the druggability of the PSD-95 PDZ1-2 domain and use fragment screening to investigate if this protein is prone to binding small molecules. We screened 2500 fragments by fluorescence polarization (FP) and validated the hits by surface plasmon resonance (SPR), including an inhibition counter-test, and found four promising fragments. Three ligand efficient fragments were shown by 1 H,15 N HSQC NMR to bind in the small hydrophobic P0 pockets of PDZ1-2, and one of them underwent structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies. Overall, we demonstrate that fragment screening can successfully be applied to PDZ1-2 of PSD-95 and disclose novel fragments that can serve as starting points for optimization towards small-molecule PDZ domain inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zang
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fei Ye
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong (China
| | - Sara M Ø Solbak
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars J Høj
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mingjie Zhang
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong (China
| | - Anders Bach
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Ganeshpurkar A, Swetha R, Kumar D, Gangaram GP, Singh R, Gutti G, Jana S, Kumar D, Kumar A, Singh SK. Protein-Protein Interactions and Aggregation Inhibitors in Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:501-533. [PMID: 30836921 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190304153353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a multifaceted disorder, involves complex pathophysiology and plethora of protein-protein interactions. Thus such interactions can be exploited to develop anti-AD drugs. OBJECTIVE The interaction of dynamin-related protein 1, cellular prion protein, phosphoprotein phosphatase 2A and Mint 2 with amyloid β, etc., studied recently, may have critical role in progression of the disease. Our objective has been to review such studies and their implications in design and development of drugs against the Alzheimer's disease. METHODS Such studies have been reviewed and critically assessed. RESULTS Review has led to show how such studies are useful to develop anti-AD drugs. CONCLUSION There are several PPIs which are current topics of research including Drp1, Aβ interactions with various targets including PrPC, Fyn kinase, NMDAR and mGluR5 and interaction of Mint2 with PDZ domain, etc., and thus have potential role in neurodegeneration and AD. Finally, the multi-targeted approach in AD may be fruitful and opens a new vista for identification and targeting of PPIs in various cellular pathways to find a cure for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Ganeshpurkar
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Rayala Swetha
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Devendra Kumar
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Gore P Gangaram
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Ravi Singh
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Gopichand Gutti
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Srabanti Jana
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Dileep Kumar
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Sushil K Singh
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi 221005, India
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Marion A, Góra J, Kracker O, Fröhr T, Latajka R, Sewald N, Antes I. Amber-Compatible Parametrization Procedure for Peptide-like Compounds: Application to 1,4- and 1,5-Substituted Triazole-Based Peptidomimetics. J Chem Inf Model 2017; 58:90-110. [PMID: 29112399 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.7b00305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Peptidomimetics are molecules of particular interest in the context of drug design and development. They are proteolytically and metabolically more stable than their natural peptide counterparts but still offer high specificity toward their biological targets. In recent years, 1,4- and 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole-based peptidomimetics have emerged as promising lead compounds for the design of various inhibitory and tumor-targeting molecules as well as for the synthesis of peptide analogues. The growing popularity of triazole-based peptidomimetics and a constantly broadening range of their application generated a demand for elaborate theoretical investigations by classical molecular dynamics simulations and molecular docking. Despite this rising interest, accurate and coherent force field parameters for triazole-based peptidomimetics are still lacking. Here, we report the first complete set of parameters dedicated to this group of compounds, named TZLff. This parametrization is compatible with the latest version of the AMBER force field (ff14SB) and can be readily applied for the modeling of pure triazole-based peptidomimetics as well as natural peptide sequences containing one or more triazole-based modifications in their backbone. The parameters were optimized to reproduce HF/6-31G* electrostatic potentials as well as MP2/cc-pVTZ equilibrium Hessian matrices and conformational potential energy surfaces through the use of a genetic algorithm-based search and least-squares fitting. Following the standards of AMBER, we introduce residue building units, thus allowing the user to define any given sequence of triazole-based peptidomimetics. Validation of the parameter set against ab initio- and NMR-based reference systems shows that we obtain fairly accurate results, which properly capture the conformational features of triazole-based peptidomimetics. The successful and efficient parametrization strategy developed in this work is general enough to be applied in a straightforward manner for parametrization of other peptidomimetics and, potentially, any polymeric assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Marion
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at the Department of Biosciences, Technische Universität München , Emil-Erlenmeyer-Forum 8, D-85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Jerzy Góra
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Bielefeld University , Universitätsstraße 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany.,Department of Organic and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology , Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, PL-50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Oliver Kracker
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Bielefeld University , Universitätsstraße 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Tanja Fröhr
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Bielefeld University , Universitätsstraße 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Rafał Latajka
- Department of Organic and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology , Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, PL-50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Norbert Sewald
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Bielefeld University , Universitätsstraße 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Iris Antes
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at the Department of Biosciences, Technische Universität München , Emil-Erlenmeyer-Forum 8, D-85354 Freising, Germany
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