1
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Bhat ZR, Gahlawat A, Kumar N, Sharma N, Garg P, Tikoo K. Target validation and structure-based virtual screening to Discover potential lead molecules against the oncogenic NSD1 histone methyltransferase. In Silico Pharmacol 2023; 11:21. [PMID: 37575680 PMCID: PMC10421842 DOI: 10.1007/s40203-023-00158-0] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to validate Nuclear receptor-binding SET Domain NSD1 as a cancer drug target followed by the design of lead molecules against NSD1. TCGA clinical data, molecular expression techniques were used to validate the target and structure-based virtual screening was performed to design hits against NSD1. Clinical data analysis suggests the role of NSD1 in metastasis, prognosis and influence on overall survival in various malignancies. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expression profile of NSD1 was evaluated in various cell lines. NSD1 was exploited as a target protein for in silico design of inhibitors using two major databases including ZINC15 and ChemDiv by structure-based virtual screening approach. Virtual screening was performed using the pharmacophore hypothesis designed with a protein complex S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) as an endogenous ligand. Subsequently, a combined score was used to distinguish the top 10 compounds from the docking screened compounds having high performance in all four scores (docking score, XP, Gscore, PhaseScreenScore, and MMGBSA delta G Bind). Finally, the top three Zinc compounds were subjected to molecular dynamic simulation. The binding MMGBSA data suggests that ZINC000257261703 and ZINC000012405780 can be taken for in vitro and in vivo studies as they have lesser MMGBSA energy towards the cofactor binding site of NSD1 than the sinefungin. Our data validates NSD1 as a cancer drug target and provides promising structures that can be utilized for further lead optimization and rational drug design to open new gateways in the field of cancer therapeutics. Graphical abstract Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-023-00158-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahid Rafiq Bhat
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), S.A.S. Nagar, India
| | - Anuj Gahlawat
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), S.A.S. Nagar, 160062 Punjab India
| | - Navneet Kumar
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), S.A.S. Nagar, 160062 Punjab India
| | - Nisha Sharma
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), S.A.S. Nagar, India
| | - Prabha Garg
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), S.A.S. Nagar, 160062 Punjab India
| | - Kulbhushan Tikoo
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), S.A.S. Nagar, India
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2
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Bare A, Thomas J, Etoroma D, Lee SG. Functional analysis of phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase in plants and parasites: Essential S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase in choline and phospholipid metabolism. Methods Enzymol 2023; 680:101-137. [PMID: 36710008 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2022.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Phospholipids play an essential role as a barrier between cell content and the extracellular environment and regulate various cell signaling processes. Phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) is one of the most abundant phospholipids in plant, animal, and some prokaryote cell membranes. In plants and some parasites, the biosynthesis of PtdCho begins with the amino acid serine, followed mainly through a phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PMT)-mediated biosynthetic pathway to phosphocholine (pCho). Because the PMT-mediated pathway, referred to as the phosphobase methylation pathway, produces a series of important primary and specialized metabolites for plant development and stress response, understanding the PMT enzyme is a key aspect of engineering plants with improved stress tolerance and fortified nutrients. Importantly, given the very limited phylogenetic distribution of PMTs, functional analysis and the identification of inhibitors targeting PMTs have potential and positive impacts in humans and in veterinary and agricultural fields. Here, we describe detailed basic knowledge and practical research methods to enable the systematic study of the biochemical and biophysical functions of PMT. The research methods described in this chapter are also applicable to the studies of other ubiquitous S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases in all kingdoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Bare
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, United States
| | - Jaime Thomas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Daniel Etoroma
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, United States
| | - Soon Goo Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, United States.
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3
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Discovery of cysteine-targeting covalent histone methyltransferase inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 246:115028. [PMID: 36528996 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Post-translational methylation of histone lysine or arginine residues by histone methyltransferases (HMTs) plays crucial roles in gene regulation and diverse physiological processes and is implicated in a plethora of human diseases, especially cancer. Therefore, histone methyltransferases have been increasingly recognized as potential therapeutic targets. Consequently, the discovery and development of histone methyltransferase inhibitors have been pursued with steadily increasing interest over the past decade. However, the disadvantages of limited clinical efficacy, moderate selectivity, and propensity for acquired resistance have hindered the development of HMTs inhibitors. Targeted covalent modification represents a proven strategy for kinase drug development and has gained increasing attention in HMTs drug discovery. In this review, we focus on the discovery, characterization, and biological applications of covalent inhibitors for HMTs with emphasis on advancements in the field. In addition, we identify the challenges and future directions in this fast-growing research area of drug discovery.
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4
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Dippe M, Davari MD, Weigel B, Heinke R, Vogt T, Wessjohann LA. Altering the Regiospecificity of a Catechol
O
‐methyltransferase through Rational Design: Vanilloid vs. Isovanilloid Motifs in the B‐ring of Flavonoids. ChemCatChem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202200511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Dippe
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry Leibniz-Institute of Plant Biochemistry Weinberg 3 D-06120 Halle Germany
| | - Mehdi D. Davari
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry Leibniz-Institute of Plant Biochemistry Weinberg 3 D-06120 Halle Germany
| | - Benjamin Weigel
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry Leibniz-Institute of Plant Biochemistry Weinberg 3 D-06120 Halle Germany
| | - Ramona Heinke
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry Leibniz-Institute of Plant Biochemistry Weinberg 3 D-06120 Halle Germany
| | - Thomas Vogt
- Department of Cell and Metabolic Biology Leibniz-Institute of Plant Biochemistry Weinberg 3 D-06120 Halle Germany
| | - Ludger A. Wessjohann
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry Leibniz-Institute of Plant Biochemistry Weinberg 3 D-06120 Halle Germany
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5
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Idigo NJ, Voigt P. Detection and Quantification of Histone Methyltransferase Activity In Vitro. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2529:43-61. [PMID: 35733009 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2481-4_2] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Histone methyltransferases (HMTs) catalyze the methylation of lysine and arginine residues in histone as well as nonhistone substrates. In vitro histone methyltransferase assays have been instrumental in identifying HMTs, and they continue to be invaluable tools for the study of these important enzymes, revealing novel substrates and modes of regulation.Here we describe a universal protocol to examine HMT activity in vitro that can be adapted to a range of HMTs, substrates, and experimental objectives. We provide protocols for the detection of activity based on incorporation of 3H-labeled methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), methylation-specific antibodies, and quantification of the reaction product S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nwamaka J Idigo
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Philipp Voigt
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK.
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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6
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Yang C, Wang K, Liang Q, Tian TT, Zhong Z. Role of NSD1 as potential therapeutic target in tumor. Pharmacol Res 2021; 173:105888. [PMID: 34536546 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor binding SET Domain Protein 1 (NSD1) is a bifunctional transcriptional regulatory protein that encodes histone methyltransferase. Mono- and di-methylation of H3K36 by NSD1 is mainly primarily involved in the regulation of gene expression, DNA repair, alternative splicing, and other important biological processes. Many types of cancers, including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), liver cancer, lung cancer, endometrial carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer, are associated with NSD1 fusion, missense mutation, nonsense mutation, silent mutation, deletion, and insertion of frameshift, and deletion in a frame. Therefore, targeting NSD1 may be a potential strategy for tumor therapy. An in-depth study of the structure and biological activities of NSD1 sets the groundwork for improving tumor therapy and creating NSD1 inhibitors. This article emphasizes the role of NSD1 in tumorigenesis and the development of NSD1 targeted small-molecule inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Institute of Innovation & Application, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province 316022, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China
| | - Qilian Liang
- Oncology Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province 524001, China
| | - Tian-Tian Tian
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519087, China.
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macau Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China.
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7
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Tauchmann S, Schwaller J. NSD1: A Lysine Methyltransferase between Developmental Disorders and Cancer. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11090877. [PMID: 34575025 PMCID: PMC8465848 DOI: 10.3390/life11090877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Recurrent epigenomic alterations associated with multiple human pathologies have increased the interest in the nuclear receptor binding SET domain protein 1 (NSD1) lysine methyltransferase. Here, we review the current knowledge about the biochemistry, cellular function and role of NSD1 in human diseases. Several studies have shown that NSD1 controls gene expression by methylation of lysine 36 of histone 3 (H3K36me1/2) in a complex crosstalk with de novo DNA methylation. Inactivation in flies and mice revealed that NSD1 is essential for normal development and that it regulates multiple cell type-specific functions by interfering with transcriptional master regulators. In humans, putative loss of function NSD1 mutations characterize developmental syndromes, such as SOTOS, as well as cancer from different organs. In pediatric hematological malignancies, a recurrent chromosomal translocation forms a NUP98-NSD1 fusion with SET-dependent leukemogenic activity, which seems targetable by small molecule inhibitors. To treat or prevent diseases driven by aberrant NSD1 activity, future research will need to pinpoint the mechanistic correlation between the NSD1 gene dosage and/or mutational status with development, homeostasis, and malignant transformation.
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8
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Molecular basis of nucleosomal H3K36 methylation by NSD methyltransferases. Nature 2020; 590:498-503. [PMID: 33361816 PMCID: PMC7889650 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-03069-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The NSD family histone methyltransferases, including NSD1, NSD2 and NSD3, play crucial roles in chromatin regulation and are implicated in oncogenesis1,2. NSD enzymes exhibit an auto-inhibitory state that is relieved by nucleosome engagement, allowing for H3K36 di-methylation catalysis3–7. However, the molecular basis underlying this mechanism is largely unknown. Here, we have solved the cryo-EM structures of NSD2 and NSD3 bound to mononucleosomes at atomic resolution. We find that NSD2/3 mononucleosome engagement causes DNA near the linker region to unwrap, which facilitates insertion of their catalytic core in-between the histone octamer and the unwrapped segment of DNA. A network of DNA- and histone-specific contacts between the nucleosome and NSD2/3 precisely define the enzymes’ position on the nucleosome, explaining the methylation specificity for H3K36. Further, NSD-nucleosome intermolecular contacts are altered by several recurrent cancer-associated NSD2/3 mutations. NSDs harboring these mutations are catalytically hyperactive in vitro and in cells, and their ectopic expression promotes cancer cell proliferation and xenograft tumor growth. Together, our research provides molecular insights into the nucleosome-based recognition and modification mechanisms of NSD2 and NSD3, which should uncover strategies for therapeutic targeting of the NSD family of proteins.
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9
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Kasprzyk R, Fido M, Mamot A, Wanat P, Smietanski M, Kopcial M, Cowling VH, Kowalska J, Jemielity J. Direct High-Throughput Screening Assay for mRNA Cap Guanine-N7 Methyltransferase Activity. Chemistry 2020; 26:11266-11275. [PMID: 32259329 PMCID: PMC7262028 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202001036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, mature mRNA is formed through modifications of precursor mRNA, one of which is 5' cap biosynthesis, involving RNA cap guanine-N7 methyltransferase (N7-MTase). N7-MTases are also encoded by some eukaryotic viruses and facilitate their replication. N7-MTase inhibitors have therapeutic potential, but their discovery is difficult because long RNA substrates are usually required for activity. Herein, we report a universal N7-MTase activity assay based on small-molecule fluorescent probes. We synthesized 12 fluorescent substrate analogues (GpppA and GpppG derivatives) varying in the dye type, dye attachment site, and linker length. GpppA labeled with pyrene at the 3'-O position of adenosine acted as an artificial substrate with the properties of a turn-off probe for all three tested N7-MTases (human, parasite, and viral). Using this compound, a N7-MTase inhibitor assay adaptable to high-throughput screening was developed and used to screen synthetic substrate analogues and a commercial library. Several inhibitors with nanomolar activities were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Kasprzyk
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02097, Warsaw, Poland.,College of Inter-Faculty Individual Studies in Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mateusz Fido
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adam Mamot
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Przemyslaw Wanat
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Miroslaw Smietanski
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michal Kopcial
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02097, Warsaw, Poland.,College of Inter-Faculty Individual Studies in Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Victoria H Cowling
- Centre of Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, Dundee, UK
| | - Joanna Kowalska
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek Jemielity
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02097, Warsaw, Poland
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10
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Dong G, Yasgar A, Peterson DL, Zakharov A, Talley D, Cheng KCC, Jadhav A, Simeonov A, Huang R. Optimization of High-Throughput Methyltransferase Assays for the Discovery of Small Molecule Inhibitors. ACS COMBINATORIAL SCIENCE 2020; 22:422-432. [PMID: 32525297 PMCID: PMC7429283 DOI: 10.1021/acscombsci.0c00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Methyltransferases (MTases) play diverse roles in cellular processes. Aberrant methylation levels have been implicated in many diseases, indicating the need for the identification and development of small molecule inhibitors for each MTase. Specific inhibitors can serve as probes to investigate the function and validate therapeutic potential for the respective MTase. High-throughput screening (HTS) is a powerful method to identify initial hits for further optimization. Here, we report the development of a fluorescence-based MTase assay and compare this format with the recently developed MTase-Glo luminescence assay for application in HTS. Using protein N-terminal methyltransferase 1 (NTMT1) as a model system, we miniaturized to 1536-well quantitative HTS format. Through a pilot screen of 1428 pharmacologically active compounds and subsequent validation, we discovered that MTase-Glo produced lower false positive rates than the fluorescence-based MTase assay. Nevertheless, both assays displayed robust performance along with low reagent requirements and can potentially be employed as general HTS formats for the discovery of inhibitors for any MTase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangping Dong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Structural Biology, Drug Discovery and Development, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23219, United States
| | - Adam Yasgar
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Darrell L. Peterson
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Structural Biology, Drug Discovery and Development, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23219, United States
| | - Alexey Zakharov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Daniel Talley
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Ken Chih-Chien Cheng
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Ajit Jadhav
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Anton Simeonov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Rong Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Structural Biology, Drug Discovery and Development, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23219, United States
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11
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Hallaj T, Amjadi M, Qiu X, Susumu K, Medintz IL, Hildebrandt N. Terbium-to-quantum dot Förster resonance energy transfer for homogeneous and sensitive detection of histone methyltransferase activity. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:13719-13730. [PMID: 32573632 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr03383a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The development of rapid, simple, and versatile biosensors for monitoring the activity of histone modifying enzymes (HMEs) is needed for the improvement of diagnostic assays, screening of HME inhibitors, and a better understanding of HME kinetics in different environments. Nanoparticles can play an important role in this regard by improving or complementing currently available enzyme detection technologies. Here, we present the development and application of a homogeneous methyltransferase (SET7/9) assay based on time-gated Förster resonance energy transfer (TG-FRET) between terbium complexes (Tb) and luminescent semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). Specific binding of a Tb-antibody conjugate to a SET7/9-methylated Lys4 on a histone H3(1-21) peptide substrate attached to the QD surface resulted in efficient FRET and provided the mechanism for monitoring the SET7/9 activity. Two common peptide-QD attachment strategies (biotin-streptavidin and polyhistidine-mediated self-assembly), two different QD colors (625 and 705 nm), and enzyme sensing with post- or pre-assembled QD-peptide conjugates demonstrated the broad applicability of this assay design. Limits of detection in the low picomolar concentration range, high selectivity tested against non-specific antibodies, enzymes, and co-factors, determination of the inhibition constants of the SET7/9 inhibitors SAH and (R)-PFI-2, and analysis of the co-factor (SAM) concentration-dependent enzyme kinetics of SET7/9 which followed the Michaelis-Menten model highlighted the excellent performance of this TG-FRET HME activity assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tooba Hallaj
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran. and Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia 5714783734, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amjadi
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran.
| | - Xue Qiu
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France and School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China. 5, Yushan Road, 266003 Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Kimihiro Susumu
- Optical Sciences Division, Code 5600, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, USA and KeyW Corporation, Hanover, Maryland 21076, USA
| | - Igor L Medintz
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, USA
| | - Niko Hildebrandt
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France and nanoFRET.com, Laboratoire COBRA (Chimie Organique, Bioorganique, Réactivité et Analyse), Université de Rouen Normandie, CNRS, INSA, 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France.
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12
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Mudgal R, Mahajan S, Tomar S. Inhibition of Chikungunya virus by an adenosine analog targeting the SAM-dependent nsP1 methyltransferase. FEBS Lett 2019; 594:678-694. [PMID: 31623018 PMCID: PMC7164056 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Alphaviruses, including Chikungunya (CHIKV) and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), are among the leading causes of recurrent epidemics all over the world. Alphaviral nonstructural protein 1 (nsP1) orchestrates the capping of nascent viral RNA via its S-adenosyl methionine-dependent N-7-methyltransferase (MTase) and guanylyltransferase activities. Here, we developed and validated a novel capillary electrophoresis (CE)-based assay for measuring the MTase activity of purified VEEV and CHIKV nsP1. We employed the assay to assess the MTase inhibition efficiency of a few adenosine analogs and identified 5-iodotubercidin (5-IT) as an inhibitor of nsP1. The antiviral potency of 5-IT was evaluated in vitro using a combination of cell-based assays, which suggest that 5-IT is efficacious against CHIKV in cell culture (EC50 : 0.409 µm).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajat Mudgal
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India
| | - Supreeti Mahajan
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India
| | - Shailly Tomar
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India
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13
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Mercher T, Schwaller J. Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): From Genes to Models Toward Targeted Therapeutic Intervention. Front Pediatr 2019; 7:401. [PMID: 31681706 PMCID: PMC6803505 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2019.00401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge of the genetic lesions driving pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML), emerging biological concepts, and strategies for therapeutic intervention. Hereby, we focus on lesions that preferentially or exclusively occur in pediatric patients and molecular markers of aggressive disease with often poor outcome including fusion oncogenes that involve epigenetic regulators like KMT2A, NUP98, or CBFA2T3, respectively. Functional studies were able to demonstrate cooperation with signaling mutations leading to constitutive activation of FLT3 or the RAS signal transduction pathways. We discuss the issues faced to faithfully model pediatric acute leukemia in mice. Emerging experimental evidence suggests that the disease phenotype is dependent on the appropriate expression and activity of the driver fusion oncogenes during a particular window of opportunity during fetal development. We also highlight biochemical studies that deciphered some molecular mechanisms of malignant transformation by KMT2A, NUP98, and CBFA2T3 fusions, which, in some instances, allowed the development of small molecules with potent anti-leukemic activities in preclinical models (e.g., inhibitors of the KMT2A-MENIN interaction). Finally, we discuss other potential therapeutic strategies that not only target driver fusion-controlled signals but also interfere with the transformed cell state either by exploiting the primed apoptosis or vulnerable metabolic states or by increasing tumor cell recognition and elimination by the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Mercher
- INSERM U1170, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Gustave Roussy Institute, Université Paris Diderot, Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France
| | - Juerg Schwaller
- Department of Biomedicine, University Children's Hospital Beider Basel (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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14
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Dasatinib and navitoclax act synergistically to target NUP98-NSD1 +/FLT3-ITD + acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2018; 33:1360-1372. [PMID: 30568173 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-018-0327-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with co-occurring NUP98-NSD1 and FLT3-ITD is associated with unfavorable prognosis and represents a particularly challenging treatment group. To identify novel effective therapies for this AML subtype, we screened patient cells and engineered cell models with over 300 compounds. We found that mouse hematopoietic progenitors co-expressing NUP98-NSD1 and FLT3-ITD had significantly increased sensitivity to FLT3 and MEK-inhibitors compared to cells expressing either aberration alone (P < 0.001). The cells expressing NUP98-NSD1 alone had significantly increased sensitivity to BCL2-inhibitors (P = 0.029). Furthermore, NUP98-NSD1+/FLT3-ITD+ patient cells were also very sensitive to BCL2-inhibitor navitoclax, although the highest select sensitivity was found to SRC/ABL-inhibitor dasatinib (mean IC50 = 2.2 nM). Topoisomerase inhibitor mitoxantrone was the least effective drug against NUP98-NSD1+/FLT3-ITD+ AML cells. Of the 25 significant hits, four remained significant also compared to NUP98-NSD1-/FLT3-ITD+ AML patients. We found that SRC/ABL-inhibitor dasatinib is highly synergistic with BCL2-inhibitor navitoclax in NUP98-NSD1+/FLT3-ITD+ cells. Gene expression analysis supported the potential relevance of dasatinib and navitoclax by revealing significantly higher expression of BCL2A1, FGR, and LCK in NUP98-NSD1+/FLT3-ITD+ patients compared to healthy CD34+ cells. Our data suggest that dasatinib-navitoclax combination may offer a clinically relevant treatment strategy for AML with NUP98-NSD1 and concomitant FLT3-ITD.
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Biray Avci C, Goker Bagca B, Tetik Vardarli A, Saydam G, Gunduz C. Epigenetic modifications in chronic myeloid leukemia cells through ruxolitinib treatment. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:4555-4563. [PMID: 30260022 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia is a clonal malignancy of hematopoietic stem cell that is characterized by the occurrence of t(9;22)(q34;q11.2) translocation, named Philadelphia chromosome. Ruxolitinib is a powerful Janus tyrosine kinase 1 and 2 inhibitor that is used for myelofibrosis treatment. DNA-histone connection mediates a wide range of genes that code methylation, demethylation, acetylation, deacetylation, ubiquitination, and phosphorylation enzymes. Epigenetic modifications regulate chromatin compactness, which plays pivotal roles in critical biological processes including the transcriptional activity and cell proliferation as well as various pathological mechanisms, including CML. This study is aimed to determine the alterations of the expression levels of epigenetic modification-related genes after ruxolitinib treatment. Total RNA was isolated from K-562 cells treated with the IC50 value of ruxolitinib and untreated K-562 control cells. A reverse transcription procedure was performed for complementary DNA synthesis, and gene expressions were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction compared with the untreated cells. Ruxolitinib treatment caused a significant alteration in the expression levels of epigenetic regulation-related genes in K-562 cells. Our novel results suggested that ruxolitinib has inhibitor effects on epigenetic modification-regulator genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cigir Biray Avci
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Bakiye Goker Bagca
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Asli Tetik Vardarli
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Guray Saydam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Haematology, Medical Faculty, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Cumhur Gunduz
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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16
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High throughput detection of deamidation using S-(5′-adenosyl)- l -homocysteine hydrolase and a fluorogenic reagent. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2018; 156:323-327. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2018.04.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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17
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Coussens NP, Kales SC, Henderson MJ, Lee OW, Horiuchi KY, Wang Y, Chen Q, Kuznetsova E, Wu J, Chakka S, Cheff DM, Cheng KCC, Shinn P, Brimacombe KR, Shen M, Simeonov A, Lal-Nag M, Ma H, Jadhav A, Hall MD. High-throughput screening with nucleosome substrate identifies small-molecule inhibitors of the human histone lysine methyltransferase NSD2. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:13750-13765. [PMID: 29945974 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.004274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone lysine methyltransferase nuclear receptor-binding SET domain protein 2 (NSD2, also known as WHSC1/MMSET) is an epigenetic modifier and is thought to play a driving role in oncogenesis. Both NSD2 overexpression and point mutations that increase its catalytic activity are associated with several human cancers. Although NSD2 is an attractive therapeutic target, no potent, selective, and bioactive small molecule inhibitors of NSD2 have been reported to date, possibly due to the challenges of developing high-throughput assays for NSD2. Here, to establish a platform for the discovery and development of selective NSD2 inhibitors, we optimized and implemented multiple assays. We performed quantitative high-throughput screening with full-length WT NSD2 and a nucleosome substrate against a diverse collection of bioactive small molecules comprising 16,251 compounds. We further interrogated 174 inhibitory compounds identified in the primary screen with orthogonal and counter assays and with activity assays based on the clinically relevant NSD2 variants E1099K and T1150A. We selected five confirmed inhibitors for follow-up, which included a radiolabeled validation assay, surface plasmon resonance studies, methyltransferase profiling, and histone methylation in cells. We found that all five NSD2 inhibitors bind the catalytic SET domain and one exhibited apparent activity in cells, validating the workflow and providing a template for identifying selective NSD2 inhibitors. In summary, we have established a robust discovery pipeline for identifying potent NSD2 inhibitors from small-molecule libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan P Coussens
- From the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
| | - Stephen C Kales
- From the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
| | - Mark J Henderson
- From the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
| | - Olivia W Lee
- From the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
| | | | - Yuren Wang
- the Reaction Biology Corporation, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355
| | - Qing Chen
- the Reaction Biology Corporation, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355
| | | | - Jianghong Wu
- the Reaction Biology Corporation, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355
| | - Sirisha Chakka
- From the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
| | - Dorian M Cheff
- From the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
| | - Ken Chih-Chien Cheng
- From the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
| | - Paul Shinn
- From the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
| | - Kyle R Brimacombe
- From the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
| | - Min Shen
- From the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
| | - Anton Simeonov
- From the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
| | - Madhu Lal-Nag
- From the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
| | - Haiching Ma
- the Reaction Biology Corporation, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355
| | - Ajit Jadhav
- From the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
| | - Matthew D Hall
- From the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
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Banco MT, Mishra V, Greeley SC, Ronning DR. Direct Detection of Products from S-Adenosylmethionine-Dependent Enzymes Using a Competitive Fluorescence Polarization Assay. Anal Chem 2018; 90:1740-1747. [PMID: 29275620 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b03556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
S-Adenosylmethionine (AdoMet)-dependent methyltransferases (MTases) are an essential superfamily of enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a methyl group to several biomolecules. Alterations in the methylation of cellular components crucially impact vital biological processes, making MTases attractive drug targets for treating infectious diseases and diseases caused by overactive human-encoded MTases. Several methods have been developed for monitoring the activity of MTases, but most MTase assays have inherent limitations or are not amenable for high-throughput screening. We describe a universal, competitive fluorescence polarization (FP) assay that directly measures the production of S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) from MTases. Our developed assay monitors the generation of AdoHcy by displacing a fluorescently labeled AdoHcy molecule complexed to a catalytically inert 5'-methylthioadenosine nucleosidase (MTAN-D198N) variant performed in a mix-and-read format. Producing the fluorescently labeled molecule involves a one-pot synthesis by combining AdoHcy with an amine-reactive rhodamine derivative, which possesses a Kd value of 11.3 ± 0.7 nM to MTAN-D198N. The developed competitive FP assay expresses a limit of detection for AdoHcy of 6 nM and exhibits a 34-fold preference to AdoHcy in comparison to AdoMet. We demonstrate the utility of the developed assay by performing a pilot screen with the NIH Clinical Collection as well as determining the kinetic parameters of l-histidine methylation for EgtD from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Additionally, the developed assay is applicable to other AdoMet-dependent and ATP-dependent enzymes by detecting various adenosine-containing molecules including 5'-methylthioadenosine, AMP, and ADP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Banco
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Toledo , Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Vidhi Mishra
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Toledo , Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Samantha C Greeley
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Donald R Ronning
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Toledo , Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
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19
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Burgos ES, Walters RO, Huffman DM, Shechter D. A simplified characterization of S-adenosyl-l-methionine-consuming enzymes with 1-Step EZ-MTase: a universal and straightforward coupled-assay for in vitro and in vivo setting. Chem Sci 2017; 8:6601-6612. [PMID: 29449933 PMCID: PMC5676521 DOI: 10.1039/c7sc02830j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Methyltransferases use S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) to deposit methyl marks. Many of these epigenetic 'writers' are associated with gene regulation. As cancer etiology is highly correlated with misregulated methylation patterns, methyltransferases are emerging therapeutic targets. Successful assignment of methyltransferases' roles within intricate biological networks relies on (1) the access to enzyme mechanistic insights and (2) the efficient screening of chemical probes against these targets. To characterize methyltransferases in vitro and in vivo, we report a highly-sensitive one-step deaminase-linked continuous assay where the S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (SAH) enzyme-product is rapidly and quantitatively catabolized to S-inosyl-l-homocysteine (SIH). To highlight the broad capabilities of this assay, we established enzymatic characteristics of two protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMT5 and PRMT7), a histone-lysine N-methyltransferase (DIM-5) and a sarcosine/dimethylglycine N-methyltransferase (SDMT). Since the coupling deaminase TM0936 displays robust activity over a broad pH-range we determined the pH dependence of SDMT reaction rates. TM0936 reactions are monitored at 263 nm, so a drawback may arise when methyl acceptor substrates absorb within this UV-range. To overcome this limitation, we used an isosteric fluorescent SAM-analog: S-8-aza-adenosyl-l-methionine. Most enzymes tolerated this probe and sustained methyltransfers were efficiently monitored through loss of fluorescence at 360 nm. Unlike discontinuous radioactive- and antibody-based assays, our assay provides a simple, versatile and affordable approach towards the characterization of methyltransferases. Supported by three logs of linear dynamic range, the 1-Step EZ-MTase can detect methylation rates as low as 2 μM h-1, thus making it possible to quantify low nanomolar concentrations of glycine N-methyltransferase within crude biological samples. With Z'-factors above 0.75, this assay is well suited to high-throughput screening and may promote the identification of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel S Burgos
- Department of Biochemistry , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , 1300 Morris Park Avenue , Bronx , New York 10461 , USA . ; ; ; Tel: +1-718-430-4120 ; Tel: +1-718-430-4128
| | - Ryan O Walters
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , 1300 Morris Park Avenue , Bronx , New York 10461 , USA.,Department of Medicine , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , 1300 Morris Park Avenue , Bronx , New York 10461 , USA.,Department of Institute for Aging Research , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , 1300 Morris Park Avenue , Bronx , New York 10461 , USA
| | - Derek M Huffman
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , 1300 Morris Park Avenue , Bronx , New York 10461 , USA.,Department of Medicine , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , 1300 Morris Park Avenue , Bronx , New York 10461 , USA.,Department of Institute for Aging Research , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , 1300 Morris Park Avenue , Bronx , New York 10461 , USA
| | - David Shechter
- Department of Biochemistry , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , 1300 Morris Park Avenue , Bronx , New York 10461 , USA . ; ; ; Tel: +1-718-430-4120 ; Tel: +1-718-430-4128
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20
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Bennett RL, Swaroop A, Troche C, Licht JD. The Role of Nuclear Receptor-Binding SET Domain Family Histone Lysine Methyltransferases in Cancer. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2017; 7:cshperspect.a026708. [PMID: 28193767 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a026708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The nuclear receptor-binding SET Domain (NSD) family of histone H3 lysine 36 methyltransferases is comprised of NSD1, NSD2 (MMSET/WHSC1), and NSD3 (WHSC1L1). These enzymes recognize and catalyze methylation of histone lysine marks to regulate chromatin integrity and gene expression. The growing number of reports demonstrating that alterations or translocations of these genes fundamentally affect cell growth and differentiation leading to developmental defects illustrates the importance of this family. In addition, overexpression, gain of function somatic mutations, and translocations of NSDs are associated with human cancer and can trigger cellular transformation in model systems. Here we review the functions of NSD family members and the accumulating evidence that these proteins play key roles in tumorigenesis. Because epigenetic therapy is an important emerging anticancer strategy, understanding the function of NSD family members may lead to the development of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Bennett
- Departments of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and University of Florida Health Cancer Center, The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Alok Swaroop
- Departments of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and University of Florida Health Cancer Center, The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Catalina Troche
- Departments of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and University of Florida Health Cancer Center, The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Jonathan D Licht
- Departments of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and University of Florida Health Cancer Center, The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610
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21
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Gul S. Epigenetic assays for chemical biology and drug discovery. Clin Epigenetics 2017; 9:41. [PMID: 28439316 PMCID: PMC5399855 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-017-0342-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The implication of epigenetic abnormalities in many diseases and the approval of a number of compounds that modulate specific epigenetic targets in a therapeutically relevant manner in cancer specifically confirms that some of these targets are druggable by small molecules. Furthermore, a number of compounds are currently in clinical trials for other diseases including cardiovascular, neurological and metabolic disorders. Despite these advances, the approved treatments for cancer only extend progression-free survival for a relatively short time and being associated with significant side effects. The current clinical trials involving the next generation of epigenetic drugs may address the disadvantages of the currently approved epigenetic drugs. The identification of chemical starting points of many drugs often makes use of screening in vitro assays against libraries of synthetic or natural products. These assays can be biochemical (using purified protein) or cell-based (using for example, genetically modified, cancer cell lines or primary cells) and performed in microtiter plates, thus enabling a large number of samples to be tested. A considerable number of such assays are available to monitor epigenetic target activity, and this review provides an overview of drug discovery and chemical biology and describes assays that monitor activities of histone deacetylase, lysine-specific demethylase, histone methyltransferase, histone acetyltransferase and bromodomain. It is of critical importance that an appropriate assay is developed and comprehensively validated for a given drug target prior to screening in order to improve the probability of the compound progressing in the drug discovery value chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology - ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
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22
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Neelakantan H, Vance V, Wang HYL, McHardy SF, Watowich SJ. Noncoupled Fluorescent Assay for Direct Real-Time Monitoring of Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase Activity. Biochemistry 2017; 56:824-832. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b01215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Harshini Neelakantan
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Virginia Vance
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Hua-Yu Leo Wang
- Center
for Innovative Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | - Stanton F. McHardy
- Center
for Innovative Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | - Stanley J. Watowich
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
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23
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Zhou W, Wang Y, Xie J, Geraghty RJ. A fluorescence-based high-throughput assay to identify inhibitors of tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase activity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 482:1207-1212. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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24
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Hsiao K, Zegzouti H, Goueli SA. Methyltransferase-Glo: a universal, bioluminescent and homogenous assay for monitoring all classes of methyltransferases. Epigenomics 2016; 8:321-39. [DOI: 10.2217/epi.15.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To develop a homogenous, nonradioactive, antibody-free and universal assay for diverse families of methyltransferases and monitor the activity of these enzymes in a high-throughput format. Materials & methods: The assay conditions are optimized for monitoring the enzymatic activity of a broad range of methyltransferases regardless of the chemical structure or nature of the enzyme substrate in a low- and high-throughput-formatted protocols. The assay detects S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine, the universal reaction products of all methyltransferases. Results: We demonstrate the utility of using this protocol to determine the activity of DNA, protein methyltransferases and also to determine kinetic parameters of several inhibitors using purified enzymes. The assay is sensitive (20–30 nM of S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine) and robust. Conclusion: The methyltransferase Glo is nonradioactive, antibody-free and homogenous, universal assay to determine enzyme activity of diverse families of methyltransferases. The assay is formatted to meet the requirements of high-throughput screening in drug discovery programs searching for modulators of methyltransferases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Hsiao
- Promega Corporation, R&D Department, 2800 Woods Hollow Road, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Hicham Zegzouti
- Promega Corporation, R&D Department, 2800 Woods Hollow Road, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Said A Goueli
- Promega Corporation, R&D Department, 2800 Woods Hollow Road, Madison, WI 53711, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI 53726, USA
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25
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Klumpp M. Non-stoichiometric inhibition in integrated lead finding - a literature review. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2015; 11:149-62. [PMID: 26653534 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2016.1128892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Non-stoichiometric inhibition summarizes different mechanisms by which low-molecular weight compounds can reproducibly inhibit high-throughput screening (HTS) and other lead finding assays without binding to a structurally defined site on their molecular target. This disqualifies such molecules from optimization by medicinal chemistry, and therefore their rapid elimination from screening hit lists is essential for productive and effective drug discovery. AREAS COVERED This review covers recent literature that either investigates the various mechanisms behind non-stoichiometric inhibition or suggests assays and readouts to identify them. In addition, combination of the various methods to distill promising molecules out of raw primary hit lists step-by-step is considered. Emerging technologies to demonstrate target engagement in cells are also discussed. EXPERT OPINION Over the last few years, awareness of non-stoichiometric inhibitors within screening libraries and HTS hit lists has considerably increased, not only in the pharmaceutical industry but also in the academic drug discovery community. This has resulted in a variety of methods to detect and handle such compounds. These range from in silico approaches to flag suspicious compounds, and counterassays to measure non-stoichiometric inhibition, to biophysical methods that positively demonstrate stoichiometric binding. In addition, novel technologies to verify target engagement within cells are becoming available. While still a time- and resource-consuming nuisance, non-stoichiometric inhibitors therefore do not fundamentally jeopardize the discovery of low molecular weight lead and drug candidates. Rather, they should be viewed as a manageable issue that with appropriate expertise can be overcome through integration of the above-mentioned approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Klumpp
- a Novartis Institute of Biomedical Research Basel, Novartis Pharma AG , Basel , Switzerland
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26
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Yi X, Jiang XJ, Li XY, Jiang DS. Histone methyltransferases: novel targets for tumor and developmental defects. Am J Transl Res 2015; 7:2159-2175. [PMID: 26807165 PMCID: PMC4697697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/31/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Histone lysine methylation plays a critical role in epigenetic regulation of eukaryotes. To date, studies have shown that lysine residues of K4, K9, K27, K36 and K79 in histone H3 and K20 in histone H4 can be modified by histone methyltransferases (HMTs). Such histone methylation can specifically activate or repress the transcriptional activity to play a key role in gene expression/regulation and biological genetics. Importantly, abnormities of patterns or levels of histone methylation in higher eukaryotes may result in tumorigenesis and developmental defects, suggesting histone methylation will be one of the important targets or markers for treating these diseases. This review will outline the structural characteristics, active sites and specificity of HMTs, correlation between histone methylation and human diseases and lay special emphasis on the progress of the research on H3K36 methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yi
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430060, China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430060, China
| | - Xue-Jun Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430060, China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430060, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Li
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430060, China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430060, China
| | - Ding-Sheng Jiang
- Division of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
- Heart-Lung Transplantation Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
- Sino-Swiss Heart-Lung Transplantation Institute, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
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27
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Horiuchi KY. Challenges in profiling and lead optimization of drug discovery for methyltransferases. DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY. TECHNOLOGIES 2015; 18:62-68. [PMID: 26723894 DOI: 10.1016/j.ddtec.2015.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The importance of epigenetics in the initiation and progression of disease has attracted many investigators to incorporate this novel and exciting field in drug development. Protein methyltransferases are one of the target classes which have gained attention as potential therapeutic targets after promising results of inhibitors for EZH2 and DOT1L in clinical trials. There are many technologies developed in order to find small molecule inhibitors for protein methyltransferases. However, in contrast to high throughput screening, profiling against different methyltransferases is challenging since each enzyme has a different substrate preference so that it is hard to profile in one assay format. Here, different technologies for methyltransferase assays will be overviewed, and the advantages and disadvantages of each will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurumi Y Horiuchi
- Reaction Biology Corporation, One Great Valley Parkway, Suite 2, Malvern, PA 19355, USA.
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28
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Nebbioso A, Benedetti R, Conte M, Iside C, Altucci L. Genetic mutations in epigenetic modifiers as therapeutic targets in acute myeloid leukemia. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2015; 19:1187-202. [PMID: 26028314 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2015.1051728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite enormous insights into the molecular mechanisms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) pathophysiology, this disease is still fatal in the majority of patients, highlighting the urgent need for novel biomarkers useful in AML prognosis and therapy. AREAS COVERED The advent of modern sequencing technologies has allowed the identification of genetic mutations in genes encoding for specific enzymes involved in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. The authors review recent data demonstrating the involvement of mutations in genes encoding for epigenetic players and their complex combination with somatic genetic mutations in the pathogenesis of AML. They also discuss the prognostic and therapeutic implications of these findings. EXPERT OPINION Current clinical and preclinical studies are underscoring the importance of targeting epigenetic modifiers as new biomarkers for a better prognostic risk stratification and therapeutic evaluation of intermediate-risk patients. Combining data from traditional and modern methodologies will allow a definition of the complex networks of epigenetic changes and molecular interactions between candidate epitargets and key regulators of hematopoiesis. It will thus be possible to achieve an overview of potential aberrant mechanisms driving leukemogenesis in different classes of AML patients. Such an improved approach could pave the way towards 'personalized' therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Nebbioso
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples , Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples , Italy
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Kumar M, Zielinski T, Lowery RG. Biochemical Assay Development for Histone Methyltransferases Using a Transcreener-Based Assay for S-Adenosylhomocysteine. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2015; 13:200-9. [PMID: 25710335 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2014.609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation has been implicated in diverse diseases including cancer, diabetes, and inflammation, and high-throughput screening for histone methyltransferase (HMT) inhibitors is an area of intense drug discovery effort. HMTs catalyze the transfer of methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to lysine or arginine on histone tails forming the methylated products and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). HMTs are challenging to incorporate into biochemical assays for a number of reasons. They have slow turnovers and low Km values for SAM, which leads to low levels of product formation, and thus requires very sensitive detection methods and/or high levels of enzyme. They also have diverse acceptor substrate requirements, ranging from peptides to intact nucleosomes. Additionally, some HMTs function as complexes of three or more proteins. Developing assays for individual HMTs, including sourcing and acquiring high quality enzymes and acceptor substrates, therefore can be laborious and expensive. We recently developed the Transcreener(®) EPIGEN Methyltransferase assay, a sensitive SAH detection method with a fluorescence polarization readout, to enable universal HMT detection independent of acceptor substrate. To facilitate screening and profiling of HMTs, we describe the development of turnkey assay systems for thirteen HMTs including identification of optimal acceptor substrates and their concentrations, optimization of detection reagents, determination of initial velocity enzyme concentrations, and measurement of inhibitor potencies.
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