1
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Tong Y, Childs-Disney JL, Disney MD. Targeting RNA with small molecules, from RNA structures to precision medicines: IUPHAR review: 40. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 39224931 DOI: 10.1111/bph.17308] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA plays important roles in regulating both health and disease biology in all kingdoms of life. Notably, RNA can form intricate three-dimensional structures, and their biological functions are dependent on these structures. Targeting the structured regions of RNA with small molecules has gained increasing attention over the past decade, because it provides both chemical probes to study fundamental biology processes and lead medicines for diseases with unmet medical needs. Recent advances in RNA structure prediction and determination and RNA biology have accelerated the rational design and development of RNA-targeted small molecules to modulate disease pathology. However, challenges remain in advancing RNA-targeted small molecules towards clinical applications. This review summarizes strategies to study RNA structures, to identify small molecules recognizing these structures, and to augment the functionality of RNA-binding small molecules. We focus on recent advances in developing RNA-targeted small molecules as potential therapeutics in a variety of diseases, encompassing different modes of actions and targeting strategies. Furthermore, we present the current gaps between early-stage discovery of RNA-binding small molecules and their clinical applications, as well as a roadmap to overcome these challenges in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuquan Tong
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, USA
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Jessica L Childs-Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Matthew D Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, USA
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, Florida, USA
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2
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Wang D, Wang Y. Identification of protein partners for small molecules reshapes the understanding of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and drug discovery. Life Sci 2024; 356:123031. [PMID: 39226989 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.123031] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the severe subtype of nonalcoholic fatty diseases (NAFLD) with few options for treatment. Patients with NASH exhibit partial responses to the current therapeutics and adverse effects. Identification of the binding proteins for the drugs is essential to understanding the mechanism and adverse effects of the drugs and fuels the discovery of potent and safe drugs. This paper aims to critically discuss recent advances in covalent and noncovalent approaches for identifying binding proteins that mediate NASH progression, along with an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms by which these targets regulate NASH. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature search was conducted to identify the relevant studies in the database of PubMed and the American Chemical Society. The search covered articles published from January 1990 to July 2024, using the search terms with keywords such as NASH, benzophenone, diazirine, photo-affinity labeling, thermal protein profiling, CETSA, target identification. KEY FINDINGS The covalent approaches utilize drugs modified with diazirine and benzophenone to covalently crosslink with the target proteins, which facilitates the purification and identification of target proteins. In addition, they map the binding sites in the target proteins. By contrast, noncovalent approaches identify the binding targets of unmodified drugs in the intact cell proteome. The advantages and limitations of both approaches have been compared, along with a comprehensive analysis of recent innovations that further enhance the efficiency and specificity. SIGNIFICANCE The analyses of the applicability of these approaches provide novel tools to delineate NASH pathogenesis and promote drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyi Wang
- School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yibing Wang
- School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China; Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, China.
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3
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Tong Y, Su X, Rouse W, Childs-Disney JL, Taghavi A, Zanon PRA, Kovachka S, Wang T, Moss WN, Disney MD. Transcriptome-Wide, Unbiased Profiling of Ribonuclease Targeting Chimeras. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:21525-21534. [PMID: 39047145 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c04717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Various approaches have been developed to target RNA and modulate its function with modes of action including binding and cleavage. Herein, we explored how small molecule binding is correlated with cleavage induced by heterobifunctional ribonuclease targeting chimeras (RiboTACs), where RNase L is recruited to cleave the bound RNA target, in a transcriptome-wide, unbiased fashion. Only a fraction of bound targets was cleaved by RNase L, induced by RiboTAC binding. Global analysis suggested that (i) cleaved targets generally form a region of stable structure that encompasses the small molecule binding site; (ii) cleaved targets have preferred RNase L cleavage sites nearby small molecule binding sites; (iii) RiboTACs facilitate a cellular interaction between cleaved targets and RNase L; and (iv) the expression level of the target influences the extent of cleavage observed. In one example, we converted a binder of LGALS1 (galectin-1) mRNA into a RiboTAC. In MDA-MB-231 cells, the binder had no effect on galectin-1 protein levels, while the RiboTAC cleaved LGALS1 mRNA, reduced galectin-1 protein abundance, and affected galectin-1-associated oncogenic cellular phenotypes. Using LGALS1, we further assessed additional factors including the length of the linker that tethers the two components of the RiboTAC, cellular uptake, and the RNase L-recruiting module on RiboTAC potency. Collectively, these studies may facilitate triangulation of factors to enable the design of RiboTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuquan Tong
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Xiaoxuan Su
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Warren Rouse
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Jessica L Childs-Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Amirhossein Taghavi
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Patrick R A Zanon
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Sandra Kovachka
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Tenghui Wang
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Walter N Moss
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Matthew D Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
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4
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Jurj A, Fontana B, Varani G, Calin GA. Small molecules targeting microRNAs: new opportunities and challenges in precision cancer therapy. Trends Cancer 2024:S2405-8033(24)00121-3. [PMID: 39107162 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.06.006] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Noncoding RNAs, especially miRNAs, play a pivotal role in cancer initiation and metastasis, underscoring their susceptibility to precise modulation via small molecule inhibitors. This review examines the innovative strategy of targeting oncogenic miRNAs with small drug-like molecules, an approach that can reshape the cancer treatment landscape. We review the current understanding of the multifaceted roles of miRNAs in oncogenesis, highlighting emerging therapeutic paradigms that have the potential to expand cancer treatment options. As research on small molecule inhibitors of miRNA is still in its early stages, ongoing investigative efforts and the development of new technologies and chemical matter are essential to fulfill the significant potential of this innovative approach to cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ancuta Jurj
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Beatrice Fontana
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gabriele Varani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - George A Calin
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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5
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Song Y, Cui J, Zhu J, Kim B, Kuo ML, Potts PR. RNATACs: Multispecific small molecules targeting RNA by induced proximity. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:1101-1117. [PMID: 38876100 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
RNA-targeting small molecules (rSMs) have become an attractive modality to tackle traditionally undruggable proteins and expand the druggable space. Among many innovative concepts, RNA-targeting chimeras (RNATACs) represent a new class of multispecific, induced proximity small molecules that act by chemically bringing RNA targets into proximity with an endogenous RNA effector, such as a ribonuclease (RNase). Depending on the RNA effector, RNATACs can alter the stability, localization, translation, or splicing of the target RNA. Although still in its infancy, this new modality has the potential for broad applications in the future to treat diseases with high unmet need. In this review, we discuss potential advantages of RNATACs, recent progress in the field, and challenges to this cutting-edge technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Song
- Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.
| | - Jia Cui
- Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Jiaqiang Zhu
- Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Boseon Kim
- Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Mei-Ling Kuo
- Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Patrick Ryan Potts
- Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.
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6
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Chatterjee S, Xiao L, Zhong W, Feng S, Kool ET. Selective Arylation of RNA 2'-OH Groups via S NAr Reaction with Trialkylammonium Heterocycles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202403496. [PMID: 38625814 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202403496] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Small-molecule reactions at the 2'-OH groups of RNA enable useful applications for transcriptome technology and biology. To date, all reactions have involved carbonyl acylation and mechanistically related sulfonylation, limiting the types of modifications and properties that can be achieved. Here we report that electron-deficient heteroaryl species selectively react with 2'-OH groups of RNA in water via SNAr chemistry. In particular, trialkyl-ammonium (TAA)-activated aromatic heterocycles, prepared in one step from aryl chloride precursors, give high conversions to aryl ether adducts with RNAs in aqueous buffer in ~2-3 h. Remarkably, a TAA triazine previously used only for reaction with carboxylic acids, shows unprecedented selectivity for RNA over water, reacting rapidly with 2'-OH groups while exhibiting a half-life in water of >10 days. We further show that a triazine aryl species can be used as a probe at trace-level yields to map RNA structure in vitro. Finally, we prepare a number of functionalized trialkylammonium triazine reagents and show that they can be used to covalently label RNA efficiently for use in vitro and in living cells. This direct arylation chemistry offers a simple and distinct structural scaffold for post-synthetic RNA modification, with potential utility in multiple applications in transcriptome research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lu Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Wenrui Zhong
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sheng Feng
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Eric T Kool
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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7
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Kovachka S, Tong Y, Childs-Disney JL, Disney MD. Heterobifunctional small molecules to modulate RNA function. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:449-463. [PMID: 38641489 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.03.006] [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: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
RNA has diverse cellular functionality, including regulating gene expression, protein translation, and cellular response to stimuli, due to its intricate structures. Over the past decade, small molecules have been discovered that target functional structures within cellular RNAs and modulate their function. Simple binding, however, is often insufficient, resulting in low or even no biological activity. To overcome this challenge, heterobifunctional compounds have been developed that can covalently bind to the RNA target, alter RNA sequence, or induce its cleavage. Herein, we review the recent progress in the field of RNA-targeted heterobifunctional compounds using representative case studies. We identify critical gaps and limitations and propose a strategic pathway for future developments of RNA-targeted molecules with augmented functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Kovachka
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Yuquan Tong
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Jessica L Childs-Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Matthew D Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
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8
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Offensperger F, Tin G, Duran-Frigola M, Hahn E, Dobner S, Ende CWA, Strohbach JW, Rukavina A, Brennsteiner V, Ogilvie K, Marella N, Kladnik K, Ciuffa R, Majmudar JD, Field SD, Bensimon A, Ferrari L, Ferrada E, Ng A, Zhang Z, Degliesposti G, Boeszoermenyi A, Martens S, Stanton R, Müller AC, Hannich JT, Hepworth D, Superti-Furga G, Kubicek S, Schenone M, Winter GE. Large-scale chemoproteomics expedites ligand discovery and predicts ligand behavior in cells. Science 2024; 384:eadk5864. [PMID: 38662832 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk5864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Chemical modulation of proteins enables a mechanistic understanding of biology and represents the foundation of most therapeutics. However, despite decades of research, 80% of the human proteome lacks functional ligands. Chemical proteomics has advanced fragment-based ligand discovery toward cellular systems, but throughput limitations have stymied the scalable identification of fragment-protein interactions. We report proteome-wide maps of protein-binding propensity for 407 structurally diverse small-molecule fragments. We verified that identified interactions can be advanced to active chemical probes of E3 ubiquitin ligases, transporters, and kinases. Integrating machine learning binary classifiers further enabled interpretable predictions of fragment behavior in cells. The resulting resource of fragment-protein interactions and predictive models will help to elucidate principles of molecular recognition and expedite ligand discovery efforts for hitherto undrugged proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Offensperger
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gary Tin
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Miquel Duran-Frigola
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Ersilia Open Source Initiative, Cambridge CB1 3DE, UK
| | - Elisa Hahn
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Dobner
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Andrea Rukavina
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Vincenth Brennsteiner
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kevin Ogilvie
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Nara Marella
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Kladnik
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rodolfo Ciuffa
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Ariel Bensimon
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Luca Ferrari
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter Campus (VBC), Vienna Biocenter 5, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- University of Vienna, Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter 5, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Evandro Ferrada
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Amanda Ng
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Zhechun Zhang
- Molecular Informatics, Machine Learning and Computational Sciences, Early Clinical Development, Pfizer, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Gianluca Degliesposti
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andras Boeszoermenyi
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sascha Martens
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter Campus (VBC), Vienna Biocenter 5, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- University of Vienna, Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter 5, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Stanton
- Molecular Informatics, Machine Learning and Computational Sciences, Early Clinical Development, Pfizer, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - André C Müller
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - J Thomas Hannich
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Giulio Superti-Furga
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Kubicek
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Georg E Winter
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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9
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Luo Y, Li C. Advances in Research Related to MicroRNA for Diabetic Retinopathy. J Diabetes Res 2024; 2024:8520489. [PMID: 38375094 PMCID: PMC10876316 DOI: 10.1155/2024/8520489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a severe microvascular complication of diabetes and is one of the primary causes of blindness in the working-age population in Europe and the United States. At present, no cure is available for DR, but early detection and timely intervention can prevent the rapid progression of the disease. Several treatments for DR are known, primarily ophthalmic treatment based on glycemia, blood pressure, and lipid control, which includes laser photocoagulation, glucocorticoids, vitrectomy, and antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications. Despite the clinical efficacy of the aforementioned therapies, none of them can entirely shorten the clinical course of DR or reverse retinopathy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are vital regulators of gene expression and participate in cell growth, differentiation, development, and apoptosis. MicroRNAs have been shown to play a significant role in DR, particularly in the molecular mechanisms of inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurodegeneration. The aim of this review is to systematically summarize the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms of miRNAs involved in the occurrence and development of DR, mainly from the pathogenesis of oxidative stress, inflammation, and neovascularization. Meanwhile, this article also discusses the research progress and application of miRNA-specific therapies for DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahan Luo
- Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunxia Li
- Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, China
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10
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Kovachka S, Panosetti M, Grimaldi B, Azoulay S, Di Giorgio A, Duca M. Small molecule approaches to targeting RNA. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:120-135. [PMID: 38278932 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00569-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
The development of innovative methodologies to identify RNA binders has attracted enormous attention in chemical biology and drug discovery. Although antibiotics targeting bacterial ribosomal RNA have been on the market for decades, the renewed interest in RNA targeting reflects the need to better understand complex intracellular processes involving RNA. In this context, small molecules are privileged tools used to explore the biological functions of RNA and to validate RNAs as therapeutic targets, and they eventually are to become new drugs. Despite recent progress, the rational design of specific RNA binders requires a better understanding of the interactions which occur with the RNA target to reach the desired biological response. In this Review, we discuss the challenges to approaching this underexplored chemical space, together with recent strategies to bind, interact and affect biologically relevant RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Kovachka
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France
| | - Marc Panosetti
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France
- Molecular Medicine Research Line, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, Italy
| | - Benedetto Grimaldi
- Molecular Medicine Research Line, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, Italy
| | - Stéphane Azoulay
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France
| | - Audrey Di Giorgio
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France
| | - Maria Duca
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France.
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11
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Zhang S, Hu W, Lv C, Song X. Biogenesis and Function of circRNAs in Pulmonary Fibrosis. Curr Gene Ther 2024; 24:395-409. [PMID: 39005062 DOI: 10.2174/0115665232284076240207073542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a class of fibrosing interstitial lung diseases caused by many pathogenic factors inside and outside the lung, with unknown mechanisms and without effective treatment. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanism implicated in pulmonary fibrosis pathogenesis is urgently needed to develop new and effective measures. Although circRNAs have been widely acknowledged as new contributors to the occurrence and development of diseases, only a small number of circRNAs have been functionally characterized in pulmonary fibrosis. Here, we systematically review the biogenesis and functions of circRNAs and focus on how circRNAs participate in pulmonary fibrogenesis by influencing various cell fates. Meanwhile, we analyze the current exploration of circRNAs as a diagnostic biomarker, vaccine, and therapeutic target in pulmonary fibrosis and objectively discuss the challenges of circRNA- based therapy for pulmonary fibrosis. We hope that the review of the implication of circRNAs will provide new insights into the development circRNA-based approaches to treat pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songzi Zhang
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Wenjie Hu
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Changjun Lv
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256603, China
| | - Xiaodong Song
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256603, China
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12
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Liu H, Jian Y, Hou J, Zeng C, Zhao Y. RNet: a network strategy to predict RNA binding preferences. Brief Bioinform 2023; 25:bbad482. [PMID: 38145947 PMCID: PMC10749790 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbad482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Determining the RNA binding preferences remains challenging because of the bottleneck of the binding interactions accompanied by subtle RNA flexibility. Typically, designing RNA inhibitors involves screening thousands of potential candidates for binding. Accurate binding site information can increase the number of successful hits even with few candidates. There are two main issues regarding RNA binding preference: binding site prediction and binding dynamical behavior prediction. Here, we propose one interpretable network-based approach, RNet, to acquire precise binding site and binding dynamical behavior information. RNetsite employs a machine learning-based network decomposition algorithm to predict RNA binding sites by analyzing the local and global network properties. Our research focuses on large RNAs with 3D structures without considering smaller regulatory RNAs, which are too small and dynamic. Our study shows that RNetsite outperforms existing methods, achieving precision values as high as 0.701 on TE18 and 0.788 on RB9 tests. In addition, RNetsite demonstrates remarkable robustness regarding perturbations in RNA structures. We also developed RNetdyn, a distance-based dynamical graph algorithm, to characterize the interface dynamical behavior consequences upon inhibitor binding. The simulation testing of competitive inhibitors indicates that RNetdyn outperforms the traditional method by 30%. The benchmark testing results demonstrate that RNet is highly accurate and robust. Our interpretable network algorithms can assist in predicting RNA binding preferences and accelerating RNA inhibitor design, providing valuable insights to the RNA research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoquan Liu
- Institute of Biophysics and Department of Physics, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Yiren Jian
- Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Jinxuan Hou
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Chen Zeng
- Department of Physics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Yunjie Zhao
- Institute of Biophysics and Department of Physics, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
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13
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Tang Z, Hegde S, Hao S, Selvaraju M, Qiu J, Wang J. Chemical-guided SHAPE sequencing (cgSHAPE-seq) informs the binding site of RNA-degrading chimeras targeting SARS-CoV-2 5' untranslated region. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.03.535453. [PMID: 37066172 PMCID: PMC10103992 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.03.535453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of RNA viruses is highly structured untranslated regions (UTRs) in their genomes. These conserved RNA structures are often essential for viral replication, transcription, or translation. In this report, we discovered and optimized a new type of coumarin derivatives, such as C30 and C34, which bind to a four-way RNA helix called SL5 in the 5' UTR of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome. To locate the binding site, we developed a novel sequencing-based method namely cgSHAPE-seq, in which the acylating chemical probe was directed to crosslink with the 2'-OH groups of ribose at the ligand binding site. This crosslinked RNA could then create read-through mutations during reverse transcription (i.e., primer extension) at single-nucleotide resolution to uncover the acylation locations. cgSHAPE-seq unambiguously determined that a bulged G in SL5 was the primary binding site of C30 in the SARS-CoV-2 5' UTR, which was validated through mutagenesis and in vitro binding experiments. C30 was further used as a warhead in RNA-degrading chimeras to reduce viral RNA expression levels. We demonstrated that replacing the acylating moiety in the cgSHAPE probe with ribonuclease L recruiter (RLR) moieties yielded RNA degraders active in the in vitro RNase L degradation assay and SARS-CoV-2 5' UTR expressing cells. We further explored another RLR conjugation site on the E ring of C30/C34 and discovered improved RNA degradation activities in vitro and in cells. The optimized RNA-degrading chimera C64 inhibited live virus replication in lung epithelial carcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Tang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Shalakha Hegde
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Siyuan Hao
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | | | - Jianming Qiu
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Jingxin Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
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14
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Burton NR, Polasky DA, Shikwana F, Ofori S, Yan T, Geiszler DJ, Veiga Leprevost FD, Nesvizhskii AI, Backus KM. Solid-Phase Compatible Silane-Based Cleavable Linker Enables Custom Isobaric Quantitative Chemoproteomics. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:21303-21318. [PMID: 37738129 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c05797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry-based chemoproteomics has emerged as an enabling technology for functional biology and drug discovery. To address limitations of established chemoproteomics workflows, including cumbersome reagent synthesis and low throughput sample preparation, here, we established the silane-based cleavable isotopically labeled proteomics (sCIP) method. The sCIP method is enabled by a high yielding and scalable route to dialkoxydiphenylsilane fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (DADPS-Fmoc)-protected amino acid building blocks, which enable the facile synthesis of customizable, isotopically labeled, and chemically cleavable biotin capture reagents. sCIP is compatible with both MS1- and MS2-based quantitation, and the sCIP-MS2 method is distinguished by its click-assembled isobaric tags in which the reporter group is encoded in the sCIP capture reagent and balancer in the pan cysteine-reactive probe. The sCIP-MS2 workflow streamlines sample preparation with early stage isobaric labeling and sample pooling, allowing for high coverage and increased sample throughput via customized low cost six-plex sample multiplexing. When paired with a custom FragPipe data analysis workflow and applied to cysteine-reactive fragment screens, sCIP proteomics revealed established and unprecedented cysteine-ligand pairs, including the discovery that mitochondrial uncoupling agent FCCP acts as a covalent-reversible cysteine-reactive electrophile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolas R Burton
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Daniel A Polasky
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Flowreen Shikwana
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Samuel Ofori
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Tianyang Yan
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Daniel J Geiszler
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | | | - Alexey I Nesvizhskii
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Keriann M Backus
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
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15
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Fang L, Velema WA, Lee Y, Xiao L, Mohsen MG, Kietrys AM, Kool ET. Pervasive transcriptome interactions of protein-targeted drugs. Nat Chem 2023; 15:1374-1383. [PMID: 37653232 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01309-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The off-target toxicity of drugs targeted to proteins imparts substantial health and economic costs. Proteome interaction studies can reveal off-target effects with unintended proteins; however, little attention has been paid to intracellular RNAs as potential off-targets that may contribute to toxicity. To begin to assess this, we developed a reactivity-based RNA profiling methodology and applied it to uncover transcriptome interactions of a set of Food and Drug Administration-approved small-molecule drugs in vivo. We show that these protein-targeted drugs pervasively interact with the human transcriptome and can exert unintended biological effects on RNA functions. In addition, we show that many off-target interactions occur at RNA loci associated with protein binding and structural changes, allowing us to generate hypotheses to infer the biological consequences of RNA off-target binding. The results suggest that rigorous characterization of drugs' transcriptome interactions may help assess target specificity and potentially avoid toxicity and clinical failures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linglan Fang
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Willem A Velema
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yujeong Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lu Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Anna M Kietrys
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Eric T Kool
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Sarafan ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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16
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Gibaut QR, Bush JA, Tong Y, Baisden JT, Taghavi A, Olafson H, Yao X, Childs-Disney JL, Wang ET, Disney MD. Transcriptome-Wide Studies of RNA-Targeted Small Molecules Provide a Simple and Selective r(CUG) exp Degrader in Myotonic Dystrophy. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:1342-1353. [PMID: 37521782 PMCID: PMC10375898 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c01223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by a highly structured RNA repeat expansion, r(CUG)exp, harbored in the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) mRNA and drives disease through a gain-of-function mechanism. A panel of low-molecular-weight fragments capable of reacting with RNA upon UV irradiation was studied for cross-linking to r(CUG)expin vitro, affording perimidin-2-amine diazirine (1) that bound to r(CUG)exp. The interactions between the small molecule and RNA were further studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Binding of 1 in DM1 myotubes was profiled transcriptome-wide, identifying 12 transcripts including DMPK that were bound by 1. Augmenting the functionality of 1 with cleaving capability created a chimeric degrader that specifically targets r(CUG)exp for elimination. The degrader broadly improved DM1-associated defects as assessed by RNA-seq, while having limited effects on healthy myotubes. This study (i) provides a platform to investigate molecular recognition of ligands directly in disease-affected cells; (ii) illustrates that RNA degraders can be more specific than the binders from which they are derived; and (iii) suggests that repeating transcripts can be selectively degraded due to the presence of multiple ligand binding sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin
M. R. Gibaut
- The
Department of Chemistry, UF Scripps Biomedical
Research and The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Jessica A. Bush
- The
Department of Chemistry, UF Scripps Biomedical
Research and The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Yuquan Tong
- The
Department of Chemistry, UF Scripps Biomedical
Research and The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Jared T. Baisden
- The
Department of Chemistry, UF Scripps Biomedical
Research and The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Amirhossein Taghavi
- The
Department of Chemistry, UF Scripps Biomedical
Research and The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Hailey Olafson
- Center
for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
- Department
of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Xiyuan Yao
- The
Department of Chemistry, UF Scripps Biomedical
Research and The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Jessica L. Childs-Disney
- The
Department of Chemistry, UF Scripps Biomedical
Research and The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Eric T. Wang
- Center
for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
- Department
of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Matthew D. Disney
- The
Department of Chemistry, UF Scripps Biomedical
Research and The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
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17
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Abstract
Although fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) has been successfully implemented and well-explored for protein targets, its feasibility for RNA targets is emerging. Despite the challenges associated with the selective targeting of RNA, efforts to integrate known methods of RNA binder discovery with fragment-based approaches have been fruitful, as a few bioactive ligands have been identified. Here, we review various fragment-based approaches implemented for RNA targets and provide insights into experimental design and outcomes to guide future work in the area. Indeed, investigations surrounding the molecular recognition of RNA by fragments address rather important questions such as the limits of molecular weight that confer selective binding and the physicochemical properties favorable for RNA binding and bioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blessy M. Suresh
- UF Scripps Biomedical Research & The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Amirhossein Taghavi
- UF Scripps Biomedical Research & The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Jessica L. Childs-Disney
- UF Scripps Biomedical Research & The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Matthew D. Disney
- UF Scripps Biomedical Research & The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
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18
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Sun J, Xu M, Ru J, James-Bott A, Xiong D, Wang X, Cribbs AP. Small molecule-mediated targeting of microRNAs for drug discovery: Experiments, computational techniques, and disease implications. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115500. [PMID: 37262996 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Small molecules have been providing medical breakthroughs for human diseases for more than a century. Recently, identifying small molecule inhibitors that target microRNAs (miRNAs) has gained importance, despite the challenges posed by labour-intensive screening experiments and the significant efforts required for medicinal chemistry optimization. Numerous experimentally-verified cases have demonstrated the potential of miRNA-targeted small molecule inhibitors for disease treatment. This new approach is grounded in their posttranscriptional regulation of the expression of disease-associated genes. Reversing dysregulated gene expression using this mechanism may help control dysfunctional pathways. Furthermore, the ongoing improvement of algorithms has allowed for the integration of computational strategies built on top of laboratory-based data, facilitating a more precise and rational design and discovery of lead compounds. To complement the use of extensive pharmacogenomics data in prioritising potential drugs, our previous work introduced a computational approach based on only molecular sequences. Moreover, various computational tools for predicting molecular interactions in biological networks using similarity-based inference techniques have been accumulated in established studies. However, there are a limited number of comprehensive reviews covering both computational and experimental drug discovery processes. In this review, we outline a cohesive overview of both biological and computational applications in miRNA-targeted drug discovery, along with their disease implications and clinical significance. Finally, utilizing drug-target interaction (DTIs) data from DrugBank, we showcase the effectiveness of deep learning for obtaining the physicochemical characterization of DTIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Sun
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK.
| | - Miaoer Xu
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jinlong Ru
- Chair of Prevention of Microbial Diseases, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, 85354, Germany
| | - Anna James-Bott
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Dapeng Xiong
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA; Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Xia Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China.
| | - Adam P Cribbs
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK.
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19
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Tong Y, Gibaut QMR, Rouse W, Childs-Disney JL, Suresh BM, Abegg D, Choudhary S, Akahori Y, Adibekian A, Moss WN, Disney MD. Correction to "Transcriptome-Wide Mapping of Small-Molecule RNA-Binding Sites in Cells Informs an Isoform-Specific Degrader of QSOX1 mRNA". J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:9364. [PMID: 37058601 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c02644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
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20
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Koehn JT, Felder S, Weeks KM. Innovations in targeting RNA by fragment-based ligand discovery. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 79:102550. [PMID: 36863268 PMCID: PMC10023403 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102550] [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: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
A subset of functional regions within large RNAs fold into complex structures able to bind small-molecule ligands with high affinity and specificity. Fragment-based ligand discovery (FBLD) offers notable opportunities for discovery and design of potent small molecules that bind pockets in RNA. Here we share an integrated analysis of recent innovations in FBLD, emphasizing opportunities resulting from fragment elaboration via both linking and growing. Analysis of elaborated fragments emphasizes that high-quality interactions form with complex tertiary structures in RNA. FBLD-inspired small molecules have been shown to modulate RNA functions by competitively inhibiting protein binding and by selectively stabilizing dynamic RNA states. FBLD is creating a foundation to interrogate the relatively unknown structural space for RNA ligands and for discovery of RNA-targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan T Koehn
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC 27599-3290, USA
| | - Simon Felder
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC 27599-3290, USA
| | - Kevin M Weeks
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC 27599-3290, USA.
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21
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Garner AL. Contemporary Progress and Opportunities in RNA-Targeted Drug Discovery. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:251-259. [PMID: 36923915 PMCID: PMC10009794 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00020] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The surprising discovery that RNAs are the predominant gene products to emerge from the human genome catalyzed a renaissance in RNA biology. It is now well-understood that RNAs act as more than just a messenger and comprise a large and diverse family of ribonucleic acids of differing sizes, structures, and functions. RNAs play expansive roles in the cell, contributing to the regulation and fine-tuning of nearly all aspects of gene expression and genome architecture. In line with the significance of these functions, we have witnessed an explosion in discoveries connecting RNAs with a variety of human diseases. Consequently, the targeting of RNAs, and more broadly RNA biology, has emerged as an untapped area of drug discovery, making the search for RNA-targeted therapeutics of great interest. In this Microperspective, I highlight contemporary learnings in the field and present my views on how to catapult us toward the systematic discovery of RNA-targeted medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L. Garner
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry,
College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, 1600 Huron Parkway, NCRC B520, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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22
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Velema WA, Lu Z. Chemical RNA Cross-Linking: Mechanisms, Computational Analysis, and Biological Applications. JACS AU 2023; 3:316-332. [PMID: 36873678 PMCID: PMC9975857 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.2c00625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, RNA has emerged as a multifaceted biomolecule that is involved in virtually every function of the cell and is critical for human health. This has led to a substantial increase in research efforts to uncover the many chemical and biological aspects of RNA and target RNA for therapeutic purposes. In particular, analysis of RNA structures and interactions in cells has been critical for understanding their diverse functions and druggability. In the last 5 years, several chemical methods have been developed to achieve this goal, using chemical cross-linking combined with high-throughput sequencing and computational analysis. Applications of these methods resulted in important new insights into RNA functions in a variety of biological contexts. Given the rapid development of new chemical technologies, a thorough perspective on the past and future of this field is provided. In particular, the various RNA cross-linkers and their mechanisms, the computational analysis and challenges, and illustrative examples from recent literature are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem A. Velema
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen 6500 HC, The Netherlands
| | - Zhipeng Lu
- Department
of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
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23
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Lightfoot HL, Smith GF. Targeting RNA with small molecules-A safety perspective. Br J Pharmacol 2023. [PMID: 36631428 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16027] [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: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA is a major player in cellular function, and consequently can drive a number of disease pathologies. Over the past several years, small molecule-RNA targeting (smRNA targeting) has developed into a promising drug discovery approach. Numerous techniques, tools, and assays have been developed to support this field, and significant investments have been made by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. To date, the focus has been on identifying disease validated primary targets for smRNA drug development, yet RNA as a secondary (off) target for all small molecule drug programs largely has been unexplored. In this perspective, we discuss structure, target, and mechanism-driven safety aspects of smRNAs and highlight how these parameters can be evaluated in drug discovery programs to produce potentially safer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen L Lightfoot
- Safety and Mechanistic Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Graham F Smith
- Data Science and AI, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
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24
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Wang KW, Riveros I, DeLoye J, Yildirim I. Dynamic docking of small molecules targeting RNA CUG repeats causing myotonic dystrophy type 1. Biophys J 2023; 122:180-196. [PMID: 36348626 PMCID: PMC9822796 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.11.010] [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: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Expansion of RNA CUG repeats causes myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Once transcribed, the expanded CUG repeats strongly attract muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1) proteins and disturb their functions in cells. Because of its unique structural form, expanded RNA CUG repeats are prospective drug targets, where small molecules can be utilized to target RNA CUG repeats to inhibit MBNL1 binding and ameliorate DM1-associated defects. In this contribution, we developed two physics-based dynamic docking approaches (DynaD and DynaD/Auto) and applied them to nine small molecules known to specifically target RNA CUG repeats. While DynaD uses a distance-based reaction coordinate to study the binding phenomenon, DynaD/Auto combines results of umbrella sampling calculations performed on 1 × 1 UU internal loops and AutoDock calculations to efficiently sample the energy landscape of binding. Predictions are compared with experimental data, displaying a positive correlation with correlation coefficient (R) values of 0.70 and 0.81 for DynaD and DynaD/Auto, respectively. Furthermore, we found that the best correlation was achieved with MM/3D-RISM calculations, highlighting the importance of solvation in binding calculations. Moreover, we detected that DynaD/Auto performed better than DynaD because of the use of prior knowledge about the binding site arising from umbrella sampling calculations. Finally, we developed dendrograms to present how bound states are connected to each other in a binding process. Results are exciting, as DynaD and DynaD/Auto will allow researchers to utilize two novel physics-based and computer-aided drug-design methodologies to perform in silico calculations on drug-like molecules aiming to target complex RNA loops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kye Won Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida; Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
| | - Ivan Riveros
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida
| | - James DeLoye
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Ilyas Yildirim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida.
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25
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Abstract
For more than three decades, RNA has been known to be a relevant and attractive macromolecule to target but figuring out which RNA should be targeted and how remains challenging. Recent years have seen the confluence of approaches for screening, drug optimization, and target validation that have led to the approval of a few RNA-targeting therapeutics for clinical applications. This focused perspective aims to highlight - but not exhaustively review - key factors accounting for these successes while pointing at crucial aspects worth considering for further breakthroughs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Vicens
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Eric Westhof
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, CNRS UPR 9002, 2, allée Konrad Roentgen, F-67084 Strasbourg, France
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26
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West AV, Woo CM. Photoaffinity Labeling Chemistries Used to Map Biomolecular Interactions. Isr J Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202200081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V. West
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Harvard University 12 Oxford St Cambridge MA USA
| | - Christina M. Woo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Harvard University 12 Oxford St Cambridge MA USA
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27
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Suresh BM, Akahori Y, Taghavi A, Crynen G, Gibaut QMR, Li Y, Disney MD. Low-Molecular Weight Small Molecules Can Potently Bind RNA and Affect Oncogenic Pathways in Cells. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:20815-20824. [PMID: 36322830 PMCID: PMC9930674 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c08770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
RNA is challenging to target with bioactive small molecules, particularly those of low molecular weight that bind with sufficient affinity and specificity. In this report, we developed a platform to address this challenge, affording a novel bioactive interaction. An RNA-focused small-molecule fragment collection (n = 2500) was constructed by analyzing features in all publicly reported compounds that bind RNA, the largest collection of RNA-focused fragments to date. The RNA-binding landscape for each fragment was studied by using a library-versus-library selection with an RNA library displaying a discrete structural element, probing over 12.8 million interactions, the greatest number of interactions between fragments and biomolecules probed experimentally. Mining of this dataset across the human transcriptome defined a drug-like fragment that potently and specifically targeted the microRNA-372 hairpin precursor, inhibiting its processing into the mature, functional microRNA and alleviating invasive and proliferative oncogenic phenotypes in gastric cancer cells. Importantly, this fragment has favorable properties, including an affinity for the RNA target of 300 ± 130 nM, a molecular weight of 273 Da, and quantitative estimate of drug-likeness (QED) score of 0.8. (For comparison, the mean QED of oral medicines is 0.6 ± 0.2). Thus, these studies demonstrate that a low-molecular weight, fragment-like compound can specifically and potently modulate RNA targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blessy M. Suresh
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute & UF Scripps Biomedical Research, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States
| | - Yoshihiro Akahori
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute & UF Scripps Biomedical Research, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States
| | - Amirhossein Taghavi
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute & UF Scripps Biomedical Research, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States
| | - Gogce Crynen
- Bioinformatics and Statistics Core, The Scripps Research Institute & UF Scripps Biomedical Research, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States
| | - Quentin M. R. Gibaut
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute & UF Scripps Biomedical Research, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute & UF Scripps Biomedical Research, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States
| | - Matthew D. Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute & UF Scripps Biomedical Research, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States
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28
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Kousar K, Ahmad T, Abduh MS, Kanwal B, Shah SS, Naseer F, Anjum S. miRNAs in Regulation of Tumor Microenvironment, Chemotherapy Resistance, Immunotherapy Modulation and miRNA Therapeutics in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213822. [PMID: 36430305 PMCID: PMC9699074 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
miRNAs are 20-22 long nucleotide non-coding ribonucleic acid molecules critical to the modulation of molecular pathways. Immune evasion and the establishment of a suitable tumor microenvironment are two major contributors that support tumor invasion and metastasis. Tumorigenic miRNAs support these two hallmarks by desensitizing important tumor-sensitive regulatory cells such as dendritic cells, M1 macrophages, and T helper cells towards tumors while supporting infiltration and proliferation of immune cells like Treg cells, tumor-associated M2 macrophages that promote self-tolerance and chronic inflammation. miRNAs have a significant role in enhancing the efficacies of immunotherapy treatments like checkpoint blockade therapy, adoptive T cell therapy, and oncolytic virotherapy in cancer. A clear understanding of the role of miRNA can help scientists to formulate better-targeted treatment modalities. miRNA therapeutics have emerged as diverse class of nucleic acid-based molecules that can suppress oncogenic miRNAs and promote the expression of tumor suppressor miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kousain Kousar
- Industrial Biotechnology, Atta Ur Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
- Correspondence: (K.K.); (T.A.)
| | - Tahir Ahmad
- Industrial Biotechnology, Atta Ur Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
- Correspondence: (K.K.); (T.A.)
| | - Maisa S. Abduh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Balquees Kanwal
- Healthcare Biotechnology, Atta Ur Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Syeda Saba Shah
- Healthcare Biotechnology, Atta Ur Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Faiza Naseer
- Industrial Biotechnology, Atta Ur Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
- Shifa College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shifa Tameer e Millat University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Sadia Anjum
- Department of Biology, University of Hail, Hail 81442, Saudi Arabia
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29
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Chen Y, Onizuka K, Hazemi ME, Nagatsugi F. Reactivity Modulation of Reactive OFF–ON Type G-Quadruplex Alkylating Agents. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:2097-2102. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Chen
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Kazumitsu Onizuka
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
- Division for the Establishment of Frontier Sciences of Organization for Advanced Studies, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
| | - Madoka E. Hazemi
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Fumi Nagatsugi
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
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30
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Childs-Disney JL, Yang X, Gibaut QMR, Tong Y, Batey RT, Disney MD. Targeting RNA structures with small molecules. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2022; 21:736-762. [PMID: 35941229 PMCID: PMC9360655 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00521-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
RNA adopts 3D structures that confer varied functional roles in human biology and dysfunction in disease. Approaches to therapeutically target RNA structures with small molecules are being actively pursued, aided by key advances in the field including the development of computational tools that predict evolutionarily conserved RNA structures, as well as strategies that expand mode of action and facilitate interactions with cellular machinery. Existing RNA-targeted small molecules use a range of mechanisms including directing splicing - by acting as molecular glues with cellular proteins (such as branaplam and the FDA-approved risdiplam), inhibition of translation of undruggable proteins and deactivation of functional structures in noncoding RNAs. Here, we describe strategies to identify, validate and optimize small molecules that target the functional transcriptome, laying out a roadmap to advance these agents into the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xueyi Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | | | - Yuquan Tong
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Robert T Batey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
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31
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Conti BA, Oppikofer M. Biomolecular condensates: new opportunities for drug discovery and RNA therapeutics. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:820-837. [PMID: 36028355 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates organize cellular functions in the absence of membranes. These membraneless organelles can form through liquid-liquid phase separation coalescing RNA and proteins into well-defined, yet dynamic, structures distinct from the surrounding cellular milieu. Numerous physiological and disease-causing processes link to biomolecular condensates, which could impact drug discovery in several ways. First, disruption of pathological condensates seeded by mutated proteins or RNAs may provide new opportunities to treat disease. Second, condensates may be leveraged to tackle difficult-to-drug targets lacking binding pockets whose function depends on phase separation. Third, condensate-resident small molecules and RNA therapeutics may display unexpected pharmacology. We discuss the potential impact of phase separation on drug discovery and RNA therapeutics, leveraging concrete examples, towards novel clinical opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke A Conti
- Pfizer Centers for Therapeutic Innovation, Pfizer Inc., New York, NY, USA
| | - Mariano Oppikofer
- Pfizer Centers for Therapeutic Innovation, Pfizer Inc., New York, NY, USA.
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32
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Sexton AN, Vandivier LE, Petter JC, Mukherjee H, Craig Blain J. Determination of RNA-ligand interactions with the photoaffinity platform PEARL-seq. Methods 2022; 205:83-88. [PMID: 35764246 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2022.06.009] [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: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the development of therapeutics, it is important to establish engagement of a compound to its intended target and identify other targets it binds to. Methods for demonstrating target engagement in the growing field of RNA-targeted therapeutics are therefore needed. We present a detailed protocol for Photoaffinity Evaluation of RNA Ligation-Sequencing (PEARL-seq), a platform for determining interactions between small molecule ligands and their target RNA(s). PEARL-seq allows detection of binding and crosslinking events with single nucleotide resolution and allows measurement of enrichment of the target RNA relative to all other RNAs. PEARL-seq is a valuable tool in the effort to verify bona fide RNA-ligand interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec N Sexton
- Arrakis Therapeutics, 828 Winter Street, Waltham MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - J Craig Blain
- Arrakis Therapeutics, 828 Winter Street, Waltham MA, USA
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33
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Zuber J, Schroeder SJ, Sun H, Turner DH, Mathews DH. Nearest neighbor rules for RNA helix folding thermodynamics: improved end effects. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:5251-5262. [PMID: 35524574 PMCID: PMC9122537 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearest neighbor parameters for estimating the folding stability of RNA secondary structures are in widespread use. For helices, current parameters penalize terminal AU base pairs relative to terminal GC base pairs. We curated an expanded database of helix stabilities determined by optical melting experiments. Analysis of the updated database shows that terminal penalties depend on the sequence identity of the adjacent penultimate base pair. New nearest neighbor parameters that include this additional sequence dependence accurately predict the measured values of 271 helices in an updated database with a correlation coefficient of 0.982. This refined understanding of helix ends facilitates fitting terms for base pair stacks with GU pairs. Prior parameter sets treated 5′GGUC3′ paired to 3′CUGG5′ separately from other 5′GU3′/3′UG5′ stacks. The improved understanding of helix end stability, however, makes the separate treatment unnecessary. Introduction of the additional terms was tested with three optical melting experiments. The average absolute difference between measured and predicted free energy changes at 37°C for these three duplexes containing terminal adjacent AU and GU pairs improved from 1.38 to 0.27 kcal/mol. This confirms the need for the additional sequence dependence in the model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Zuber
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Susan J Schroeder
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Hongying Sun
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.,Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Douglas H Turner
- Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - David H Mathews
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.,Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.,Department of Biostatistics & Computational Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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34
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Liu X, Xiong W, Qi Q, Zhang Y, Ji H, Cui S, An J, Sun X, Yin H, Tian T, Zhou X. Rational guide RNA engineering for small-molecule control of CRISPR/Cas9 and gene editing. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:4769-4783. [PMID: 35446403 PMCID: PMC9071477 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
It is important to control CRISPR/Cas9 when sufficient editing is obtained. In the current study, rational engineering of guide RNAs (gRNAs) is performed to develop small-molecule-responsive CRISPR/Cas9. For our purpose, the sequence of gRNAs are modified to introduce ligand binding sites based on the rational design of ligand-RNA pairs. Using short target sequences, we demonstrate that the engineered RNA provides an excellent scaffold for binding small molecule ligands. Although the 'stem-loop 1' variants of gRNA induced variable cleavage activity for different target sequences, all 'stem-loop 3' variants are well tolerated for CRISPR/Cas9. We further demonstrate that this specific ligand-RNA interaction can be utilized for functional control of CRISPR/Cas9 in vitro and in human cells. Moreover, chemogenetic control of gene editing in human cells transfected with all-in-one plasmids encoding Cas9 and designer gRNAs is demonstrated. The strategy may become a general approach for generating switchable RNA or DNA for controlling other biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Qianqian Qi
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Yutong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Huimin Ji
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Shuangyu Cui
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Jing An
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoming Sun
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Hao Yin
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Tian Tian
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
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35
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Kim Y, Jung HJ, Lee Y, Koo S, Thangam R, Jang WY, Kim SY, Park S, Lee S, Bae G, Patel KD, Wei Q, Lee KB, Paulmurugan R, Jeong WK, Hyeon T, Kim D, Kang H. Manipulating Nanoparticle Aggregates Regulates Receptor-Ligand Binding in Macrophages. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:5769-5783. [PMID: 35275625 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c08861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The receptor-ligand interactions in cells are dynamically regulated by modulation of the ligand accessibility. In this study, we utilize size-tunable magnetic nanoparticle aggregates ordered at both nanometer and atomic scales. We flexibly anchor magnetic nanoparticle aggregates of tunable sizes over the cell-adhesive RGD ligand (Arg-Gly-Asp)-active material surface while maintaining the density of dispersed ligands accessible to macrophages at constant. Lowering the accessible ligand dispersity by increasing the aggregate size at constant accessible ligand density facilitates the binding of integrin receptors to the accessible ligands, which promotes the adhesion of macrophages. In high ligand dispersity, distant magnetic manipulation to lift the aggregates (which increases ligand accessibility) stimulates the binding of integrin receptors to the accessible ligands available under the aggregates to augment macrophage adhesion-mediated pro-healing polarization both in vitro and in vivo. In low ligand dispersity, distant control to drop the aggregates (which decreases ligand accessibility) repels integrin receptors away from the aggregates, thereby suppressing integrin receptor-ligand binding and macrophage adhesion, which promotes inflammatory polarization. Here, we present "accessible ligand dispersity" as a novel fundamental parameter that regulates receptor-ligand binding, which can be reversibly manipulated by increasing and decreasing the ligand accessibility. Limitless tuning of nanoparticle aggregate dimensions and morphology can offer further insight into the regulation of receptor-ligand binding in host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Joon Jung
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Yunjung Lee
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sagang Koo
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ramar Thangam
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Young Jang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Yeol Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangwoo Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungkyu Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Gunhyu Bae
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Kapil Dev Patel
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Qiang Wei
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Ki-Bum Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Ramasamy Paulmurugan
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
| | - Woong Kyo Jeong
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeghwan Hyeon
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dokyoon Kim
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bionano Engineering and Bionanotechnology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Heemin Kang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomicrosystem Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
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36
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Zhang D, Liu L, Jin S, Tota E, Li Z, Piao X, Zhang X, Fu XD, Devaraj NK. Site-Specific and Enzymatic Cross-Linking of sgRNA Enables Wavelength-Selectable Photoactivated Control of CRISPR Gene Editing. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:4487-4495. [PMID: 35257575 PMCID: PMC9469474 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c12166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chemical cross-linking enables rapid identification of RNA-protein and RNA-nucleic acid inter- and intramolecular interactions. However, no method exists to site-specifically and covalently cross-link two user-defined sites within an RNA. Here, we develop RNA-CLAMP, which enables site-specific and enzymatic cross-linking (clamping) of two selected guanine residues within an RNA. Intramolecular clamping can disrupt normal RNA function, whereas subsequent photocleavage of the cross-linker restores activity. We used RNA-CLAMP to clamp two stem loops within the single-guide RNA (sgRNA) of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system via a photocleavable cross-linker, completely inhibiting gene editing. Visible light irradiation cleaved the cross-linker and restored gene editing with high spatiotemporal resolution. Design of two photocleavable linkers responsive to different wavelengths of light allowed multiplexed photoactivation of gene editing in mammalian cells. This photoactivated CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing platform benefits from undetectable background activity, provides a choice of activation wavelengths, and has multiplexing capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Luping Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Shuaijiang Jin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Ember Tota
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Zijie Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Xijun Piao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Xiang-Dong Fu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Neal K Devaraj
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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37
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Diener C, Keller A, Meese E. Emerging concepts of miRNA therapeutics: from cells to clinic. Trends Genet 2022; 38:613-626. [PMID: 35303998 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 274] [Impact Index Per Article: 137.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are very powerful genetic regulators, as evidenced by the fact that a single miRNA can direct entire cellular pathways via interacting with a broad spectrum of target genes. This property renders miRNAs as highly interesting therapeutic tools to restore cell functions that are altered as part of a disease phenotype. However, this strength of miRNAs is also a weakness because their cellular effects are so numerous that off-target effects can hardly be avoided. In this review, we point out the main challenges and the strategies to specifically address the problems that need to be surmounted in the push toward a therapeutic application of miRNAs. Particular emphasis is given to approaches that have already found their way into clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Diener
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Keller
- Center for Bioinformatics, Medical Faculty, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Eckart Meese
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
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38
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Zeller MJ, Nuthanakanti A, Li K, Aubé J, Serganov A, Weeks KM. Subsite Ligand Recognition and Cooperativity in the TPP Riboswitch: Implications for Fragment-Linking in RNA Ligand Discovery. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:438-448. [PMID: 35060698 PMCID: PMC8938680 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
RNA molecules can show high levels of cooperativity in their global folding and interactions with divalent ions. However, cooperativity at individual ligand-RNA interaction sites remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the binding of thiamine and methylene diphosphonic acid (MDP, a soluble structural analogue of pyrophosphate) to the thiamine pyrophosphate riboswitch. These ligands each bind weakly at proximal subsites, with 10 μM and 1 mM affinities, respectively. The affinity of MDP moderately improves when thiamine or thiamine-like fragments are pre-bound to the RNA. Covalent linking of thiamine and MDP substantially increases riboswitch binding to a notable high affinity of 20 nM. Crystal structures and single-molecule correlated chemical probing revealed favorable induced fit effects upon binding of individual ligands and, unexpectedly, a substantial thermodynamically unfavorable RNA structural rearrangement upon binding of the linked thiamine-MDP ligand. Thus, linking of two ligands of modest affinity, accompanied by an unfavorable structural rearrangement, still yields a potent linked RNA-binding compound. Since complex ligands often bind riboswitches and other RNAs at proximal subsites, principles derived from this work inform and support fragment-linking strategies for identifying small molecules that interact with RNA specifically and with high affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith J. Zeller
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290
| | - Ashok Nuthanakanti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - Kelin Li
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7363
| | - Jeffrey Aubé
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290,Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7363
| | - Alexander Serganov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - Kevin M. Weeks
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290,correspondence,
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39
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de Esch IJP, Erlanson DA, Jahnke W, Johnson CN, Walsh L. Fragment-to-Lead Medicinal Chemistry Publications in 2020. J Med Chem 2022; 65:84-99. [PMID: 34928151 PMCID: PMC8762670 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) continues to evolve and make an impact in the pharmaceutical sciences. We summarize successful fragment-to-lead studies that were published in 2020. Having systematically analyzed annual scientific outputs since 2015, we discuss trends and best practices in terms of fragment libraries, target proteins, screening technologies, hit-optimization strategies, and the properties of hit fragments and the leads resulting from them. As well as the tabulated Fragment-to-Lead (F2L) programs, our 2020 literature review identifies several trends and innovations that promise to further increase the success of FBDD. These include developing structurally novel screening fragments, improving fragment-screening technologies, using new computer-aided design and virtual screening approaches, and combining FBDD with other innovative drug-discovery technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwan J. P. de Esch
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life
Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel A. Erlanson
- Frontier
Medicines, 151 Oyster
Point Blvd., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Wolfgang Jahnke
- Novartis
Institutes for Biomedical Research, Chemical
Biology and Therapeutics, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christopher N. Johnson
- Astex
Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Walsh
- Astex
Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
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40
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Knight S, Gianni D, Hendricks A. Fragment-based screening: A new paradigm for ligand and target discovery. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2022; 27:3-7. [PMID: 35058174 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2021.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Significant advances in fragment-based screening, including the emergence of Fully Functionalised Fragments (FFFs) and innovations in Covalent Fragment screening are providing a new paradigm for ligand and target discovery. FFFs offer some key distinct advantages over other screening modalities such as small molecules and genetic screens, including 1) An ability to access diverse chemical space employing a relatively small compound set 2) Ease of screen optimisation given there is no requirement for genetic manipulation and 3) Built-in proteomics tools to facilitate rapid target deconvolution directly in cells. Covalent fragments enable exploration of novel druggable nodes through irreversible fragment-cysteine interactions, complementing their fully functionalized counterparts. Both FFFs and Covalent fragments present the phenotypic screening community with an additional and complementary approach for disease centric target identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinéad Knight
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK; Bioscience, Sygnature Discovery Ltd, Alderley Park, Cheshire, UK.
| | - Davide Gianni
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Adam Hendricks
- Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, Boston, USA; Civetta Therapeutics, 10 Wilson Road, Cambridge, MA 02140
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41
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Hu J, Lai Y, Huang H, Ramakrishnan S, Pan Y, Ma VWS, Cheuk W, So GYK, He Q, Geoffrey Lau C, Zhang L, Cho WCS, Chan KM, Wang X, Rebecca Chin Y. TCOF1 upregulation in triple-negative breast cancer promotes stemness and tumour growth and correlates with poor prognosis. Br J Cancer 2022; 126:57-71. [PMID: 34718356 PMCID: PMC8727631 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01596-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis. By performing multiomic profiling, we recently uncovered super-enhancer heterogeneity between breast cancer subtypes. Our data also revealed TCOF1 as a putative TNBC-specific super-enhancer-regulated gene. TCOF1 plays a critical role in craniofacial development but its function in cancer remains unclear. METHODS Overall survival and multivariant Cox regression analyses were conducted using the METABRIC data set. The effect of TCOF1 knockout on TNBC growth and stemness was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo assays. RNA-seq and rescue experiments were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS TCOF1 is frequently upregulated in TNBC and its elevated expression correlates with shorter overall survival. TCOF1 depletion significantly inhibits the growth and stemness of basal-like TNBC, but not of mesenchymal-like cells, highlighting the distinct molecular dependency in different TNBC subgroups. RNA-seq uncovers several stem cell molecules regulated by TCOF1. We further demonstrate that KIT is a downstream effector of TCOF1 in mediating TNBC stemness. TCOF1 expression in TNBC is regulated by the predicted super-enhancer. CONCLUSIONS TCOF1 depletion potently attenuates the growth and stemness of basal-like TNBC. Expression of TCOF1 may serve as a TNBC prognostic marker and a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyang Hu
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuni Lai
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Hao Huang
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Saravanan Ramakrishnan
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Yilin Pan
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Victor W S Ma
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Wah Cheuk
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Grace Y K So
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Qingling He
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - C Geoffrey Lau
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Liang Zhang
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - William C S Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Kui Ming Chan
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Y Rebecca Chin
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
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42
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Balaratnam S, Rhodes C, Bume DD, Connelly C, Lai CC, Kelley JA, Yazdani K, Homan PJ, Incarnato D, Numata T, Schneekloth Jr JS. A chemical probe based on the PreQ 1 metabolite enables transcriptome-wide mapping of binding sites. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5856. [PMID: 34615874 PMCID: PMC8494917 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25973-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of metabolite-responsive riboswitches in regulating gene expression in bacteria is well known and makes them useful systems for the study of RNA-small molecule interactions. Here, we study the PreQ1 riboswitch system, assessing sixteen diverse PreQ1-derived probes for their ability to selectively modify the class-I PreQ1 riboswitch aptamer covalently. For the most active probe (11), a diazirine-based photocrosslinking analog of PreQ1, X-ray crystallography and gel-based competition assays demonstrated the mode of binding of the ligand to the aptamer, and functional assays demonstrated that the probe retains activity against the full riboswitch. Transcriptome-wide mapping using Chem-CLIP revealed a highly selective interaction between the bacterial aptamer and the probe. In addition, a small number of RNA targets in endogenous human transcripts were found to bind specifically to 11, providing evidence for candidate PreQ1 aptamers in human RNA. This work demonstrates a stark influence of linker chemistry and structure on the ability of molecules to crosslink RNA, reveals that the PreQ1 aptamer/ligand pair are broadly useful for chemical biology applications, and provides insights into how PreQ1, which is similar in structure to guanine, interacts with human RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumirtha Balaratnam
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Curran Rhodes
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Desta Doro Bume
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Colleen Connelly
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Christopher C. Lai
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - James A. Kelley
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Kamyar Yazdani
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Philip J. Homan
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Center for Cancer Research Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA ,grid.418021.e0000 0004 0535 8394Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Danny Incarnato
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tomoyuki Numata
- grid.177174.30000 0001 2242 4849Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka-shi Fukuoka, 812-8582 Japan ,grid.208504.b0000 0001 2230 7538Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, 305-8566 Japan
| | - John S. Schneekloth Jr
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
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43
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Reply to Zhang and Zhu "MicroRNA Mimics or Inhibitors as Antiviral Therapeutic Approaches Against COVID-19". Drugs 2021; 81:1693-1695. [PMID: 34453691 PMCID: PMC8397847 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-021-01581-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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44
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Shortridge MD, Varani G. Efficient NMR Screening Approach to Discover Small Molecule Fragments Binding Structured RNA. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:1253-1260. [PMID: 34413954 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe a scalable nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) screening approach to identify and prioritize small molecule fragments that bind to structured RNAs. This approach is target agnostic and, therefore, amenable to many RNA structures and libraries, and it provides initial hits for further synthetic elaboration and structure-based drug discovery efforts. We demonstrate the approach on the pre-miR-21 stem-loop, which is of significant interest in oncology and metabolic diseases. We screened the pre-miR-21 hairpin using a small (420 compounds) commercially available fragment library and identified 18 hits in the first round of triage screening. This was further refined to four fragments which passed all screening cascade filters. Among these four hits, a thiadiazole fragment was demonstrated to bind the Dicer cleavage site of pre-miR-21 by target-detected NMR experiments and through the observation of clear intermolecular NOEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Shortridge
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Gabriele Varani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
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45
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Lundquist KP, Panchal V, Gotfredsen CH, Brenk R, Clausen MH. Fragment-Based Drug Discovery for RNA Targets. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:2588-2603. [PMID: 34101375 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Rapid development within the fields of both fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) and medicinal targeting of RNA provides possibilities for combining technologies and methods in novel ways. This review provides an overview of fragment-based screening (FBS) against RNA targets, including a discussion of the most recently used screening and hit validation methods such as NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and virtual screening methods. A discussion of fragment library design based on research from small-molecule RNA binders provides an overview on both the currently limited guidelines within RNA-targeting fragment library design, and future possibilities. Finally, future perspectives are provided on screening and hit validation methods not yet used in combination with both fragment screening and RNA targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper P Lundquist
- Center for Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 207, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Vipul Panchal
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Charlotte H Gotfredsen
- NMR Center ⋅ DTU, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 207, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ruth Brenk
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Mads H Clausen
- Center for Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 207, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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46
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Garner AL, Djuric SW. RNA: Opening New Doors in Medicinal Chemistry, a Special Issue. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:851-853. [PMID: 34141054 PMCID: PMC8201500 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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47
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Maucort C, Vo DD, Aouad S, Charrat C, Azoulay S, Di Giorgio A, Duca M. Design and Implementation of Synthetic RNA Binders for the Inhibition of miR-21 Biogenesis. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:899-906. [PMID: 34141067 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting RNAs using small molecules is an emerging field of medicinal chemistry and holds promise for the discovery of efficient tools for chemical biology. MicroRNAs are particularly interesting targets since they are involved in a number of pathologies such as cancers. Indeed, overexpressed microRNAs in cancer are oncogenic and various series of inhibitors of microRNAs biogenesis have been developed in recent years. Here, we describe the structure-based design of new efficient inhibitors of microRNA-21. Starting from a previously identified hit, we performed biochemical studies and molecular docking to design a new series of optimized conjugates of neomycin aminoglycoside with artificial nucleobases and amino acids. Investigation about the mode of action and the site of the interaction of the newly synthesized compounds allowed for the description of structure-activity relationships and the identification of the most important parameters for miR-21 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Maucort
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice (ICN), 28 avenue Valrose, 06100 Nice, France
| | - Duc Duy Vo
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice (ICN), 28 avenue Valrose, 06100 Nice, France
| | - Samy Aouad
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice (ICN), 28 avenue Valrose, 06100 Nice, France
| | - Coralie Charrat
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice (ICN), 28 avenue Valrose, 06100 Nice, France
| | - Stéphane Azoulay
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice (ICN), 28 avenue Valrose, 06100 Nice, France
| | - Audrey Di Giorgio
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice (ICN), 28 avenue Valrose, 06100 Nice, France
| | - Maria Duca
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice (ICN), 28 avenue Valrose, 06100 Nice, France
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48
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Baisden JT, Childs-Disney JL, Ryan LS, Disney MD. Affecting RNA biology genome-wide by binding small molecules and chemically induced proximity. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2021; 62:119-129. [PMID: 34118759 PMCID: PMC9264282 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The ENCODE and genome-wide association projects have shown that much of the genome is transcribed into RNA and much less is translated into protein. These and other functional studies suggest that the druggable transcriptome is much larger than the druggable proteome. This review highlights approaches to define druggable RNA targets and structure-activity relationships across genomic RNA. Binding compounds can be identified and optimized into structure-specific ligands by using sequence-based design with various modes of action, for example, inhibiting translation or directing pre-mRNA splicing outcomes. In addition, strategies to direct protein activity against an RNA of interest via chemically induced proximity is a burgeoning area that has been validated both in cells and in preclinical animal models, and we describe that it may allow rapid access to new avenues to affect RNA biology. These approaches and the unique modes of action suggest that more RNAs are potentially amenable to targeting than proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared T Baisden
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458 USA
| | - Jessica L Childs-Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458 USA
| | - Lucas S Ryan
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458 USA
| | - Matthew D Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458 USA.
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49
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Raue R, Frank AC, Syed SN, Brüne B. Therapeutic Targeting of MicroRNAs in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042210. [PMID: 33672261 PMCID: PMC7926641 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor-microenvironment (TME) is an amalgamation of various factors derived from malignant cells and infiltrating host cells, including cells of the immune system. One of the important factors of the TME is microRNAs (miRs) that regulate target gene expression at a post transcriptional level. MiRs have been found to be dysregulated in tumor as well as in stromal cells and they emerged as important regulators of tumorigenesis. In fact, miRs regulate almost all hallmarks of cancer, thus making them attractive tools and targets for novel anti-tumoral treatment strategies. Tumor to stroma cell cross-propagation of miRs to regulate protumoral functions has been a salient feature of the TME. MiRs can either act as tumor suppressors or oncogenes (oncomiRs) and both miR mimics as well as miR inhibitors (antimiRs) have been used in preclinical trials to alter cancer and stromal cell phenotypes. Owing to their cascading ability to regulate upstream target genes and their chemical nature, which allows specific pharmacological targeting, miRs are attractive targets for anti-tumor therapy. In this review, we cover a recent update on our understanding of dysregulated miRs in the TME and provide an overview of how these miRs are involved in current cancer-therapeutic approaches from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Raue
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (R.R.); (A.-C.F.)
| | - Ann-Christin Frank
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (R.R.); (A.-C.F.)
| | - Shahzad Nawaz Syed
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (R.R.); (A.-C.F.)
- Correspondence: (S.N.S.); (B.B.); Tel.: +49-69-6301-7424 (B.B.)
| | - Bernhard Brüne
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (R.R.); (A.-C.F.)
- Project Group Translational Medicine and Pharmacology TMP, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.N.S.); (B.B.); Tel.: +49-69-6301-7424 (B.B.)
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50
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Conway LP, Li W, Parker CG. Chemoproteomic-enabled phenotypic screening. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:371-393. [PMID: 33577749 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The ID of disease-modifying, chemically accessible targets remains a central priority of modern therapeutic discovery. The phenotypic screening of small-molecule libraries not only represents an attractive approach to identify compounds that may serve as drug leads but also serves as an opportunity to uncover compounds with novel mechanisms of action (MoAs). However, a major bottleneck of phenotypic screens continues to be the ID of pharmacologically relevant target(s) for compounds of interest. The field of chemoproteomics aims to map proteome-wide small-molecule interactions in complex, native systems, and has proved a key technology to unravel the protein targets of pharmacological modulators. In this review, we discuss the application of modern chemoproteomic methods to identify protein targets of phenotypic screening hits and investigate MoAs, with a specific focus on the development of chemoproteomic-enabled compound libraries to streamline target discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis P Conway
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Weichao Li
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Christopher G Parker
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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