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Brown T, Nguyen T, Zhou B, Zheng YG. Chemical probes and methods for the study of protein arginine methylation. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:647-669. [PMID: 37654509 PMCID: PMC10467615 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00018d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein arginine methylation is a widespread post-translational modification (PTM) in eukaryotic cells. This chemical modification in proteins functionally modulates diverse cellular processes from signal transduction, gene expression, and DNA damage repair to RNA splicing. The chemistry of arginine methylation entails the transfer of the methyl group from S-adenosyl-l-methionine (AdoMet, SAM) onto a guanidino nitrogen atom of an arginine residue of a target protein. This reaction is catalyzed by about 10 members of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). With impacts on a variety of cellular processes, aberrant expression and activity of PRMTs have been shown in many disease conditions. Particularly in oncology, PRMTs are commonly overexpressed in many cancerous tissues and positively correlated with tumor initiation, development and progression. As such, targeting PRMTs is increasingly recognized as an appealing therapeutic strategy for new drug discovery. In the past decade, a great deal of research efforts has been invested in illuminating PRMT functions in diseases and developing chemical probes for the mechanistic study of PRMTs in biological systems. In this review, we provide a brief developmental history of arginine methylation along with some key updates in arginine methylation research, with a particular emphasis on the chemical aspects of arginine methylation. We highlight the research endeavors for the development and application of chemical approaches and chemical tools for the study of functions of PRMTs and arginine methylation in regulating biology and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Brown
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia Athens GA 30602 USA +1-(706) 542-5358 +1-(706) 542-0277
| | - Terry Nguyen
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia Athens GA 30602 USA +1-(706) 542-5358 +1-(706) 542-0277
| | - Bo Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia Athens GA 30602 USA +1-(706) 542-5358 +1-(706) 542-0277
| | - Y George Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia Athens GA 30602 USA +1-(706) 542-5358 +1-(706) 542-0277
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2
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Protein arginine N-methyltransferase activity determination with filter binding and phosphor screening (FBAPS) assay. Anal Biochem 2022; 653:114778. [PMID: 35709928 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2022.114778] [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: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We developed a cost-effective assay to measure protein arginine N-methyltransferase (PRMT) activity in a medium-throughput manner by combining P81 filter binding and phosphor screening (FBAPS). Recombinantly-expressed PRMT1 and coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) were used to develop the FBAPS assay using GST fusions of glycine- and arginine-rich (GAR) protein and polyA binding protein 1 (PABP1(437-488)) as substrates, respectively, and radiolabelled S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-14C]-methionine as cofactor. Methylation reactions were spotted onto P81 filter paper in a dot blot apparatus and radioactive signals were measured both by phosphor imaging and liquid scintillation counting. Kinetic parameters (KM, kcat) for enzymes and substrates were determined, and IC50 values were obtained for well-characterized inhibitors. FBAPS yielded kinetic parameters with no statistically significant difference to what was obtained using liquid scintillation counting. The IC50 values obtained by the FBAPS assay for PRMT1 and CARM1 were comparable to values reported in literature. The FBAPS assay is a modification to the P81 filter binding assay with a dot blot apparatus that allows for processing of samples in a multi-well format, moderately increasing throughput. Signal detection by phosphor imaging offers an affordable and quantitative method that can be used to screen several inhibitors simultaneously against PRMT enzymes with high accuracy.
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3
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Brown T, Cao M, Zheng YG. Synthesis and Activity of Triazole-Adenosine Analogs as Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 Inhibitors. Molecules 2022; 27:3779. [PMID: 35744905 PMCID: PMC9228412 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is an attractive molecular target in anticancer drug discovery due to its extensive involvement in transcriptional control, RNA processing, and other cellular pathways that are causally related to tumor initiation and progression. In recent years, various compounds have been screened or designed to target either the substrate- or cofactor-binding site of PRMT5. To expand the diversity of chemotypes for inhibitory binding to PRMT5 and other AdoMet-dependent methyltransferases, in this work, we designed a series of triazole-containing adenosine analogs aimed at targeting the cofactor-binding site of PRMT5. Triazole rings have commonly been utilized in drug discovery due to their ease of synthesis and functionalization as bioisosteres of amide bonds. Herein, we utilized the electronic properties of the triazole ring as a novel way to specifically target the cofactor-binding site of PRMT5. A total of about 30 compounds were synthesized using the modular alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction. Biochemical tests showed that these compounds exhibited inhibitory activity of PRMT5 at varying degrees and several showed single micromolar potency, with clear selectivity for PRMT5 over PRMT1. Docking-based structural analysis showed that the triazole ring plays a key role in binding to the characteristic residue Phe327 in the active pocket of PRMT5, explaining the compounds' selectivity for this type-II enzyme. Overall, this work provides new structure-activity relationship information on the design of AdoMet analogs for selective inhibition of PRMT5. Further structural optimization work will further improve the potency of the top leads.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Y. George Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (T.B.); (M.C.)
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4
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Rudenko AY, Mariasina SS, Sergiev PV, Polshakov VI. Analogs of S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine in Studies of Methyltransferases. Mol Biol 2022; 56:229-250. [PMID: 35440827 PMCID: PMC9009987 DOI: 10.1134/s002689332202011x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Methyltransferases (MTases) play an important role in the functioning of living systems, catalyzing the methylation reactions of DNA, RNA, proteins, and small molecules, including endogenous compounds and drugs. Many human diseases are associated with disturbances in the functioning of these enzymes; therefore, the study of MTases is an urgent and important task. Most MTases use the cofactor S‑adenosyl‑L‑methionine (SAM) as a methyl group donor. SAM analogs are widely applicable in the study of MTases: they are used in studies of the catalytic activity of these enzymes, in identification of substrates of new MTases, and for modification of the substrates or substrate linking to MTases. In this review, new synthetic analogs of SAM and the problems that can be solved with their usage are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Yu. Rudenko
- Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - S. S. Mariasina
- Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Functional Genomics, Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - P. V. Sergiev
- Institute of Functional Genomics, Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - V. I. Polshakov
- Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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5
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Si Y, Bon C, Barbachowska M, Cadet-Daniel V, Jallet C, Soresinetti L, Boullé M, Duchateau M, Matondo M, Agou F, Halby L, Arimondo PB. A novel screening strategy to identify histone methyltransferase inhibitors reveals a crosstalk between DOT1L and CARM1. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:456-467. [PMID: 35441144 PMCID: PMC8985137 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00095k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation is a dynamic and reversible process that controls gene expression. Abnormal function results in human diseases such as cancer, thus the enzymes that establish epigenetic marks, such as...
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Si
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, UMR3523 CNRS 75015 Paris France
| | - Corentin Bon
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, UMR3523 CNRS 75015 Paris France
- Ecole Doctorale MTCI, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité Paris France
| | - Magdalena Barbachowska
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, UMR3523 CNRS 75015 Paris France
- Ecole Doctorale MTCI, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité Paris France
| | - Veronique Cadet-Daniel
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, UMR3523 CNRS 75015 Paris France
| | - Corinne Jallet
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, UMR3523 CNRS 75015 Paris France
| | - Laura Soresinetti
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, UMR3523 CNRS 75015 Paris France
| | - Mikaël Boullé
- Chemogenomics and Biology Screening platform, Institut Pasteur 75015 Paris France
| | - Magalie Duchateau
- Proteomic Platform, Mass spectrometry for Biology, CNRS USR 2000, Institut Pasteur 75015 Paris France
| | - Mariette Matondo
- Proteomic Platform, Mass spectrometry for Biology, CNRS USR 2000, Institut Pasteur 75015 Paris France
| | - Fabrice Agou
- Chemogenomics and Biology Screening platform, Institut Pasteur 75015 Paris France
| | - Ludovic Halby
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, UMR3523 CNRS 75015 Paris France
| | - Paola B Arimondo
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, UMR3523 CNRS 75015 Paris France
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6
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Maron MI, Lehman SM, Gayatri S, DeAngelo JD, Hegde S, Lorton BM, Sun Y, Bai DL, Sidoli S, Gupta V, Marunde MR, Bone JR, Sun ZW, Bedford MT, Shabanowitz J, Chen H, Hunt DF, Shechter D. Independent transcriptomic and proteomic regulation by type I and II protein arginine methyltransferases. iScience 2021; 24:102971. [PMID: 34505004 PMCID: PMC8417332 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) catalyze the post-translational monomethylation (Rme1), asymmetric (Rme2a), or symmetric (Rme2s) dimethylation of arginine. To determine the cellular consequences of type I (Rme2a) and II (Rme2s) PRMTs, we developed and integrated multiple approaches. First, we determined total cellular dimethylarginine levels, revealing that Rme2s was ∼3% of total Rme2 and that this percentage was dependent upon cell type and PRMT inhibition status. Second, we quantitatively characterized in vitro substrates of the major enzymes and expanded upon PRMT substrate recognition motifs. We also compiled our data with publicly available methylarginine-modified residues into a comprehensive database. Third, we inhibited type I and II PRMTs and performed proteomic and transcriptomic analyses to reveal their phenotypic consequences. These experiments revealed both overlapping and independent PRMT substrates and cellular functions. Overall, this study expands upon PRMT substrate diversity, the arginine methylome, and the complex interplay of type I and II PRMTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim I. Maron
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Stephanie M. Lehman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Sitaram Gayatri
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, USA
- Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, USA
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joseph D. DeAngelo
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Subray Hegde
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Benjamin M. Lorton
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Dina L. Bai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Varun Gupta
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | | | - James R. Bone
- EpiCypher, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Zu-Wen Sun
- EpiCypher, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Mark T. Bedford
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, USA
- Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, USA
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jeffrey Shabanowitz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Hongshan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Donald F. Hunt
- Departments of Chemistry and Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - David Shechter
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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7
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Histone H4-based peptoids are inhibitors of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1). Biochem J 2021; 477:2971-2980. [PMID: 32716034 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Methylation of arginine residues occurs on a number of protein substrates, most notably the N-terminal tails of histones, and is catalyzed by a family of enzymes called the protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). This modification can lead to transcriptional activation or repression of cancer-related genes. To date, a number of inhibitors, based on natural peptide substrates, have been developed for the PRMT family of enzymes. However, because peptides are easily degraded in vivo, the utility of these inhibitors as potential therapeutics is limited. The use of peptoids, which are peptide mimetics where the amino acid side chain is attached to the nitrogen in the amide backbone instead of the α-carbon, may circumvent the problems associated with peptide degradation. Given the structural similarities, peptoid scaffolds may provide enhanced stability, while preserving the mechanism of action. Herein, we have identified that peptoids based on natural peptide substrates are not catalyzed to the product by PRMT1, but instead are inhibitors of this enzyme. Reducing the length of the peptoid reduces inhibition and suggest the residues distal from the site of modification are important for binding. Furthermore, a positive charge on the N-terminus helps promote binding and improves inhibition. Selectivity among family members is likely possible based on inhibition being moderately selective for PRMT1 over PRMT5 and provides a scaffold that can be used to develop pharmaceuticals against this class of enzymes.
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8
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Qian K, Yan C, Su H, Dang T, Zhou B, Wang Z, Zhao X, Ivanov I, Ho MC, Zheng YG. Pharmacophore-based screening of diamidine small molecule inhibitors for protein arginine methyltransferases. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:95-102. [PMID: 34046601 PMCID: PMC8130551 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00259c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are essential epigenetic and post-translational regulators in eukaryotic organisms. Dysregulation of PRMTs is intimately related to multiple types of human diseases, particularly cancer. Based on the previously reported PRMT1 inhibitors bearing the diamidine pharmacophore, we performed virtual screening to identify additional amidine-associated structural analogs. Subsequent enzymatic tests and characterization led to the discovery of a top lead K313 (2-(4-((4-carbamimidoylphenyl)amino)phenyl)-1H-indole-6-carboximidamide), which possessed low-micromolar potency with biochemical IC50 of 2.6 μM for human PRMT1. Limited selectivity was observed over some other PRMT isoforms such as CARM1 and PRMT7. Molecular modeling and inhibition pattern studies suggest that K313 is a nonclassic noncompetitive inhibitor to PRMT1. K313 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and reduced the arginine asymmetric dimethylation level in the leukaemia cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Qian
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia Athens Georgia 30602 USA +(706) 542 0277
| | - Chunli Yan
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University Atlanta Georgia 30302 USA
| | - Hairui Su
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama 35294 USA
| | - Tran Dang
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia Athens Georgia 30602 USA +(706) 542 0277
| | - Bo Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia Athens Georgia 30602 USA +(706) 542 0277
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University Atlanta Georgia 30302 USA
| | - Xinyang Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama 35294 USA
| | - Ivaylo Ivanov
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University Atlanta Georgia 30302 USA
| | - Meng-Chiao Ho
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica Nankang Taipei Taiwan
| | - Y George Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia Athens Georgia 30602 USA +(706) 542 0277
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9
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Li ASM, Li F, Eram MS, Bolotokova A, Dela Seña CC, Vedadi M. Chemical probes for protein arginine methyltransferases. Methods 2019; 175:30-43. [PMID: 31809836 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) catalyze the transfer of methyl groups to specific arginine residues of their substrates using S-adenosylmethionine as a methyl donor, contributing to regulation of many biological processes including transcription, and DNA damage repair. Dysregulation of PRMT expression is often associated with various diseases including cancers. Different methods have been used to characterize the activities of PRMTs and determine their kinetic parameters including mass spectrometry, radiometric, and antibody-based assays. Here, we present kinetic characterization of PRMTs using a radioactivity-based assay for better comparison along with previously reported values. We also report on full characterization of PRMT9 activity with SAP145 peptide as substrate. We further review the potent, selective and cell-active PRMT inhibitors discovered in recent years to provide a better understanding of available tools to investigate the roles these proteins play in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Shi Ming Li
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Fengling Li
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Mohammad S Eram
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Albina Bolotokova
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Carlo C Dela Seña
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Masoud Vedadi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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10
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Ohta Y, Wakita H, Kawaguchi M, Ieda N, Osada S, Nakagawa H. Ratiometric assay of CARM1 activity using a FRET-based fluorescent probe. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:126728. [PMID: 31607607 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.126728] [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: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
One of the regulatory mechanisms of epigenetic gene expression is the post-translational methylation of arginine residues, which is catalyzed by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). Abnormal expression of PRMT4/CARM1, one of the PRMTs, is associated with various diseases, including cancers. Here, we designed and synthesized a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based probe, FRC, which contains coumarin and fluorescein fluorophores at the N-terminus and C-terminus of a peptide containing an arginine residue within an appropriate amino acid sequence to serve as a substrate of CARM1; the two fluorophores act as a FRET donor and a FRET acceptor, respectively. Since trypsin specifically hydrolyzes the arginine residue, but not a monomethylarginine or dimethylarginine residue, CARM1 activity can be evaluated from the change of the coumarin/fluorescein fluorescence ratio of FRC in the presence of trypsin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhei Ohta
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hiroo Wakita
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Mitsuyasu Kawaguchi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Naoya Ieda
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shigehiro Osada
- Daiichi University of Pharmacy, 22-1 Tamagawa-cho, Minami-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hidehiko Nakagawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
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11
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Rapid and direct measurement of methyltransferase activity in about 30 min. Methods 2019; 175:3-9. [PMID: 31605745 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein arginine methylation is a widespread eukaryotic posttranslational modification that occurs to both histone and non-histone proteins. The S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet or SAM)-dependent modification is catalyzed by the protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) family of enzymes. In the last several years a series of both direct and indirect assay formats have been described that allow the rate of methylation to be measured. Here we provide a detailed protocol to directly measure PRMT activity using radiolabeled AdoMet, reversed-phase resin-filled pipette tips (ZipTips®) and a liquid scintillation counter. Because the ZipTips® based quantitation relies only on the straightforward separation of unreacted AdoMet from a methylated substrate, this protocol should be readily adaptable to other methyltransferases. The method is fast, simple to employ with both peptide and protein substrates, and produces very little radioactive waste.
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12
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Fulton MD, Brown T, Zheng YG. Mechanisms and Inhibitors of Histone Arginine Methylation. CHEM REC 2018; 18:1792-1807. [PMID: 30230223 PMCID: PMC6348102 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.201800082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Histone methylation plays an important regulatory role in chromatin restructuring and RNA transcription. Arginine methylation that is enzymatically catalyzed by the family of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) can either activate or repress gene expression depending on cellular contexts. Given the strong correlation of PRMTs with pathophysiology, great interest is seen in understanding molecular mechanisms of PRMTs in diseases and in developing potent PRMT inhibitors. Herein, we reviewed key research advances in the study of biochemical mechanisms of PRMT catalysis and their relevance to cell biology. We highlighted how a random binary, ordered ternary kinetic model for PRMT1 catalysis reconciles the literature reports and endorses a distributive mechanism that the enzyme active site utilizes for multiple turnovers of arginine methylation. We discussed the impacts of histone arginine methylation and its biochemical interplays with other key epigenetic marks. Challenges in developing small-molecule PRMT inhibitors were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody D Fulton
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Tyler Brown
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Y George Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
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13
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Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are crucial epigenetic regulators in eukaryotic organisms that serve as histone writers for chromatin remodeling. PRMTs also methylate a variety of non-histone protein substrates to modulate their function and activity. The development of potent PRMT inhibitors has become an emerging and imperative research area in the drug discovery field to provide novel therapeutic agents for treating diseases and as tools to investigate the biological functions of PRMTs. PRMT1 is the major type I enzyme that catalyzes the formation of asymmetric dimethyl arginine, and PRMT1 plays important regulatory roles in signal transduction, transcriptional activation, RNA splicing, and DNA repair. Aberrant expression of PRMT1 is found in many types of cancers, pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and renal diseases. PRMT1 is a highly promising target for therapeutic development. We created a stopped flow fluorescence-based assay for PRMT1 inhibitor detection and characterization that has the advantages of being homogeneous, nonradioactive, and mix-and-measure in nature, allowing for continuous measurement of the methylation reaction and its inhibition. To our knowledge, this is the first continuous assay for PRMT1 reaction detection and inhibitor characterization. The approach is not only capable of quantitatively determining the potency (IC50) of PRMT1 inhibitors but can also distinguish cofactor-competitive inhibitors, substrate-competitive inhibitors, and mixed-type inhibitors.
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14
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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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15
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Guitot K, Drujon T, Burlina F, Sagan S, Beaupierre S, Pamlard O, Dodd RH, Guillou C, Bolbach G, Sachon E, Guianvarc'h D. A direct label-free MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry based assay for the characterization of inhibitors of protein lysine methyltransferases. Anal Bioanal Chem 2017; 409:3767-3777. [PMID: 28389916 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-017-0319-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Histone lysine methylation is associated with essential biological functions like transcription activation or repression, depending on the position and the degree of methylation. This post-translational modification is introduced by protein lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) which catalyze the transfer of one to three methyl groups from the methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) to the amino group on the side chain of lysines. The regulation of protein lysine methylation plays a primary role not only in the basic functioning of normal cells but also in various pathologies and KMT deregulation is associated with diseases including cancer. These enzymes are therefore attractive targets for the development of new antitumor agents, and there is still a need for direct methodology to screen, identify, and characterize KMT inhibitors. We report here a simple and robust in vitro assay to quantify the enzymatic methylation of KMT by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Following this protocol, we can monitor the methylation events over time on a peptide substrate. We detect in the same spectrum the modified and unmodified substrates, and the ratios of both signals are used to quantify the amount of methylated substrate. We first demonstrated the validity of the assay by determining inhibition parameters of two known inhibitors of the KMT SET7/9 ((R)-PFI-2 and sinefungin). Next, based on structural comparison with these inhibitors, we selected 42 compounds from a chemical library. We applied the MALDI-TOF assay to screen their activity as inhibitors of the KMT SET7/9. This study allowed us to determine inhibition constants as well as kinetic parameters of a series of SET7/9 inhibitors and to initiate a structure activity discussion with this family of compounds. This assay is versatile and can be easily adapted to other KMT substrates and enzymes as well as automatized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Guitot
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France.,Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), 75005, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Drujon
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France.,Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), 75005, Paris, France
| | - Fabienne Burlina
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France.,Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), 75005, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Sagan
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France.,Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), 75005, Paris, France
| | - Sandra Beaupierre
- Centre de Recherche de Gif, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS UPR 2301, 1 Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Olivier Pamlard
- Centre de Recherche de Gif, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS UPR 2301, 1 Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Robert H Dodd
- Centre de Recherche de Gif, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS UPR 2301, 1 Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Catherine Guillou
- Centre de Recherche de Gif, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS UPR 2301, 1 Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Gérard Bolbach
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France.,Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), 75005, Paris, France.,UPMC Univ Paris 06, IBPS/FR3631, Plateforme de Spectrométrie de Masse et Protéomique, 7-9 Quai Saint Bernard, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuelle Sachon
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France.,Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), 75005, Paris, France.,UPMC Univ Paris 06, IBPS/FR3631, Plateforme de Spectrométrie de Masse et Protéomique, 7-9 Quai Saint Bernard, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Guianvarc'h
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France. .,Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), 75005, Paris, France.
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16
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Zhang J, Qian K, Yan C, He M, Jassim BA, Ivanov I, Zheng YG. Discovery of Decamidine as a New and Potent PRMT1 Inhibitor. MEDCHEMCOMM 2017. [PMID: 28649316 DOI: 10.1039/c6md00573j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) is a key player for the dynamic regulation of arginine methylation. Its dysregulation and aberrant expression are implicated in various pathological conditions, and a plethora of evidence suggests that PRMT1 inhibition is of significant therapeutic value. Herein, we reported the modification of a series of diamidine compounds with varied lengths in the middle alkyl linker for PRMT1 inhibition. Decamidine (2j), which possesses the longest linker in the series, displayed 2- and 4- fold increase in PRMT1 inhibition (IC50 = 13 μM), as compared with furamdine and stilbamidine. The inhibitory activity toward PRMT1 was validated by secondary orthogonal assays. Docking studies showed that the increased activity is due to the extra interaction of the amidine group with the SAM binding pocket, which is absent when the linker is not long enough. These results provide structural insights into developing the amidine type of PRMT1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Kun Qian
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Chunli Yan
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30302, United States
| | - Maomao He
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Brenson A Jassim
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Ivaylo Ivanov
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30302, United States
| | - Yujun George Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
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17
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Ye Y, Zhang B, Mao R, Zhang C, Wang Y, Xing J, Liu YC, Luo X, Ding H, Yang Y, Zhou B, Jiang H, Chen K, Luo C, Zheng M. Discovery and optimization of selective inhibitors of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 by docking-based virtual screening. Org Biomol Chem 2017; 15:3648-3661. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ob00070g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A series of highly selective and potent inhibitors against PRMT5 have been achieved using virtual screening and medicinal chemistry approaches.
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18
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Hu H, Luo C, Zheng YG. Transient Kinetics Define a Complete Kinetic Model for Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 1. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:26722-26738. [PMID: 27834681 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.757625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are the enzymes responsible for posttranslational methylation of protein arginine residues in eukaryotic cells, particularly within the histone tails. A detailed mechanistic model of PRMT-catalyzed methylation is currently lacking, but it is essential for understanding the functions of PRMTs in various cellular pathways and for efficient design of PRMT inhibitors as potential treatments for a range of human diseases. In this work, we used stopped-flow fluorescence in combination with global kinetic simulation to dissect the transient kinetics of PRMT1, the predominant type I arginine methyltransferase. Several important mechanistic insights were revealed. The cofactor and the peptide substrate bound to PRMT1 in a random manner and then followed a kinetically preferred pathway to generate the catalytic enzyme-cofactor-substrate ternary complex. Product release proceeded in an ordered fashion, with peptide dissociation followed by release of the byproduct S-adenosylhomocysteine. Importantly, the dissociation rate of the monomethylated intermediate from the ternary complex was much faster than the methyl transfer. Such a result provided direct evidence for distributive arginine dimethylation, which means the monomethylated substrate has to be released to solution and rebind with PRMT1 before it undergoes further methylation. In addition, cofactor binding involved a conformational transition, likely an open-to-closed conversion of the active site pocket. Further, the histone H4 peptide bound to the two active sites of the PRMT1 homodimer with differential affinities, suggesting a negative cooperativity mechanism of substrate binding. These findings provide a new mechanistic understanding of how PRMTs interact with their substrates and transfer methyl groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Hu
- From the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602 and
| | - Cheng Luo
- the State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Y George Zheng
- From the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602 and
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19
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Mas-y-Mas S, Barbon M, Teyssier C, Déméné H, Carvalho JE, Bird LE, Lebedev A, Fattori J, Schubert M, Dumas C, Bourguet W, le Maire A. The Human Mixed Lineage Leukemia 5 (MLL5), a Sequentially and Structurally Divergent SET Domain-Containing Protein with No Intrinsic Catalytic Activity. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165139. [PMID: 27812132 PMCID: PMC5094779 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Mixed Lineage Leukemia 5 (MLL5) plays a key role in hematopoiesis, spermatogenesis and cell cycle progression. Chromatin binding is ensured by its plant homeodomain (PHD) through a direct interaction with the N-terminus of histone H3 (H3). In addition, MLL5 contains a Su(var)3-9, Enhancer of zeste, Trithorax (SET) domain, a protein module that usually displays histone lysine methyltransferase activity. We report here the crystal structure of the unliganded SET domain of human MLL5 at 2.1 Å resolution. Although it shows most of the canonical features of other SET domains, both the lack of key residues and the presence in the SET-I subdomain of an unusually large loop preclude the interaction of MLL5 SET with its cofactor and substrate. Accordingly, we show that MLL5 is devoid of any in vitro methyltransferase activity on full-length histones and histone H3 peptides. Hence, the three dimensional structure of MLL5 SET domain unveils the structural basis for its lack of methyltransferase activity and suggests a new regulatory mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Mas-y-Mas
- Inserm U1054, Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Montpellier, France
- CNRS UMR5048, Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Marta Barbon
- Inserm U1054, Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Montpellier, France
- CNRS UMR5048, Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Catherine Teyssier
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Hélène Déméné
- Inserm U1054, Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Montpellier, France
- CNRS UMR5048, Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - João E. Carvalho
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer, Observatoire Océanologique de Villefranche-sur-Mer, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Louise E. Bird
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire, OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Andrey Lebedev
- CCP4, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire, OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Juliana Fattori
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Michael Schubert
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer, Observatoire Océanologique de Villefranche-sur-Mer, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Christian Dumas
- Inserm U1054, Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Montpellier, France
- CNRS UMR5048, Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - William Bourguet
- Inserm U1054, Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Montpellier, France
- CNRS UMR5048, Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Albane le Maire
- Inserm U1054, Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Montpellier, France
- CNRS UMR5048, Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Campinas, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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20
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Hu H, Qian K, Ho MC, Zheng YG. Small Molecule Inhibitors of Protein Arginine Methyltransferases. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2016; 25:335-58. [PMID: 26789238 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2016.1144747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Arginine methylation is an abundant posttranslational modification occurring in mammalian cells and catalyzed by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). Misregulation and aberrant expression of PRMTs are associated with various disease states, notably cancer. PRMTs are prominent therapeutic targets in drug discovery. AREAS COVERED The authors provide an updated review of the research on the development of chemical modulators for PRMTs. Great efforts are seen in screening and designing potent and selective PRMT inhibitors, and a number of micromolar and submicromolar inhibitors have been obtained for key PRMT enzymes such as PRMT1, CARM1, and PRMT5. The authors provide a focus on their chemical structures, mechanism of action, and pharmacological activities. Pros and cons of each type of inhibitors are also discussed. EXPERT OPINION Several key challenging issues exist in PRMT inhibitor discovery. Structural mechanisms of many PRMT inhibitors remain unclear. There lacks consistency in potency data due to divergence of assay methods and conditions. Physiologically relevant cellular assays are warranted. Substantial engagements are needed to investigate pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the new PRMT inhibitors in pertinent disease models. Discovery and evaluation of potent, isoform-selective, cell-permeable and in vivo-active PRMT modulators will continue to be an active arena of research in years ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Hu
- a Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences , The University of Georgia , Athens , GA , USA
| | - Kun Qian
- a Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences , The University of Georgia , Athens , GA , USA
| | - Meng-Chiao Ho
- b Institute of Biological Chemistry , Academia Sinica , Nankang , Taipei , Taiwan
| | - Y George Zheng
- a Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences , The University of Georgia , Athens , GA , USA
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21
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Cai XC, Kapilashrami K, Luo M. Synthesis and Assays of Inhibitors of Methyltransferases. Methods Enzymol 2016; 574:245-308. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2016.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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22
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Zhou R, Xie Y, Hu H, Hu G, Patel VS, Zhang J, Yu K, Huang Y, Jiang H, Liang Z, Zheng YG, Luo C. Molecular Mechanism underlying PRMT1 Dimerization for SAM Binding and Methylase Activity. J Chem Inf Model 2015; 55:2623-32. [PMID: 26562720 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.5b00454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) catalyze the posttranslational methylation of arginine, which is important in a range of biological processes, including epigenetic regulation, signal transduction, and cancer progression. Although previous studies of PRMT1 mutants suggest that the dimerization arm and the N-terminal region of PRMT1 are important for activity, the contributions of these regions to the structural architecture of the protein and its catalytic methylation activity remain elusive. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations performed in this study showed that both the dimerization arm and the N-terminal region undergo conformational changes upon dimerization. Because a correlation was found between the two regions despite their physical distance, an allosteric pathway mechanism was proposed based on a network topological analysis. The mutation of residues along the allosteric pathways markedly reduced the methylation activity of PRMT1, which may be attributable to the destruction of dimer formation and accordingly reduced S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) binding. This study provides the first demonstration of the use of a combination of MD simulations, network topological analysis, and biochemical assays for the exploration of allosteric regulation upon PRMT1 dimerization. These findings illuminate the results of mechanistic studies of PRMT1, which have revealed that dimer formation facilitates SAM binding and catalytic methylation, and provided direction for further allosteric studies of the PRMT family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Zhou
- Center for Systems Biology, Soochow University , Jiangsu 215006, China.,State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yiqian Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Guang Hu
- Center for Systems Biology, Soochow University , Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Viral Sanjay Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Kunqian Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yiran Huang
- Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hualiang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhongjie Liang
- Center for Systems Biology, Soochow University , Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Yujun George Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Cheng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203, China
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23
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Nguyen HC, Wang M, Salsburg A, Knuckley B. Development of a Plate-Based Screening Assay to Investigate the Substrate Specificity of the PRMT Family of Enzymes. ACS COMBINATORIAL SCIENCE 2015; 17:500-5. [PMID: 26252756 DOI: 10.1021/acscombsci.5b00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
There are nine protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs 1-9) expressed in humans that vary in both subcellular localization and substrate specificity. The variation in substrate specificity between isozymes leads to competing effects that result in either activation or repression of tumor suppressor genes. Current methods used to study substrate specificity for these enzymes utilize radioisotopic labeling of substrates, mass spectrometry analysis of complex samples, or coupled assays that monitor cofactor degradation. Herein, we report the development of a rapid, nonradioactive, and sensitive method for screening multiple peptides in parallel to gain insight into the substrate specificity of PRMT enzymes. Our assay provides a major advantage over other high-throughput screening assays (e.g., ELISA, AlphaScreen chemiluminescence) by eliminating the need for purification of individual peptides and provides a timesaving, cost-effective alternative to the traditional PRMT assays. A one-bead one-compound (OBOC) peptide library was synthesized and subsequently screened against PRMT1 in a 96-well plate. This screen resulted in identification of a novel PRMT1 substrate with kinetic parameters similar to histone H4-21 (e.g., the best-known PRMT1 peptide substrate).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao C. Nguyen
- Department
of Chemistry, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida 32224-7699, United States
| | - Min Wang
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, United States
| | - Andrew Salsburg
- Department
of Chemistry, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida 32224-7699, United States
| | - Bryan Knuckley
- Department
of Chemistry, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida 32224-7699, United States
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24
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Ngo L, Wu J, Yang C, Zheng YG. Effective Quenchers Are Required to Eliminate the Interference of Substrate: Cofactor Binding in the HAT Scintillation Proximity Assay. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2015; 13:210-20. [PMID: 26065557 PMCID: PMC4490742 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2015.636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) mediate the transfer of an acetyl group from the cofactor, acetyl-CoA, to the side chain amino group of specific lysines in diverse protein substrates, most notably nuclear histones. The deregulation of HATs is connected to a number of disease states. Reliable and rapid biochemical assays for HATs are critical for understanding biological functions of protein acetylation, as well as for screening small-molecule inhibitors of HAT enzymes. In this report, we present a scintillation proximity assay (SPA) for the measurement of HAT enzymatic activities. The acetyl donor was [(3)H]Ac-CoA, and a biotin-modified histone peptide served as the HAT substrate. After the HAT reaction, streptavidin-coated beads were added to induce proximity of acetylated substrate to the scintillant molecules. However, we observed strong nonspecific binding between the cofactor and the histone peptide substrates, which adversely complicated the SPA performance. To prevent this problem, a set of chemical agents were evaluated to eliminate the cofactor-substrate interaction, thus providing reliable SPA readings. With optimization, the SPA showed consistent and robust performance for HAT activity measurement and HAT inhibitor evaluation. Overall, this mix-and-measure assay does not require any washing procedure, can be utilized in the microplate format, and is well suited for high-throughput screening of HAT chemical modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza Ngo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia
| | - Jiang Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia
| | - Chao Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia
| | - Yujun George Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia
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25
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Hu H, Owens EA, Su H, Yan L, Levitz A, Zhao X, Henary M, Zheng YG. Exploration of cyanine compounds as selective inhibitors of protein arginine methyltransferases: synthesis and biological evaluation. J Med Chem 2015; 58:1228-43. [PMID: 25559100 PMCID: PMC4610307 DOI: 10.1021/jm501452j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
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Protein arginine methyltransferase
1 (PRMT1) is involved in many biological activities, such as gene
transcription, signal transduction, and RNA processing. Overexpression
of PRMT1 is related to cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, and
cancers; therefore, selective PRMT1 inhibitors serve as chemical probes
to investigate the biological function of PRMT1 and drug candidates
for disease treatment. Our previous work found trimethine cyanine
compounds that effectively inhibit PRMT1 activity. In our present
study, we systematically investigated the structure–activity
relationship of cyanine structures. A pentamethine compound, E-84
(compound 50), showed inhibition on PRMT1 at the micromolar
level and 6- to 25-fold selectivity over CARM1, PRMT5, and PRMT8.
The cellular activity suggests that compound 50 permeated
the cellular membrane, inhibited cellular PRMT1 activity, and blocked
leukemia cell proliferation. Additionally, our molecular docking study
suggested compound 50 might act by occupying the cofactor
binding site, which provided a roadmap to guide further optimization
of this lead compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
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Yu W, Eram MS, Hajian T, Szykowska A, Burgess-Brown N, Vedadi M, Brown PJ. A scintillation proximity assay for histone demethylases. Anal Biochem 2014; 463:54-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2014.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2014] [Revised: 06/22/2014] [Accepted: 06/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Li S, Gu XJ, Hao Q, Fan H, Li L, Zhou S, Zhao K, Chan HM, Wang YK. A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry-based generic detection method for biochemical assay and hit discovery of histone methyltransferases. Anal Biochem 2013; 443:214-21. [PMID: 24018340 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2013.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications of the genome, such as DNA methylation and posttranslational modifications of histone proteins, contribute to gene regulation. Growing evidence suggests that histone methyltransferases are associated with the development of various human diseases, including cancer, and are promising drug targets. High-quality generic assays will facilitate drug discovery efforts in this area. In this article, we present a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS)-based S-adenosyl homocysteine (SAH) detection assay for histone methyltransferases (HMTs) and its applications in HMT drug discovery, including analyzing the activity of newly produced enzymes, developing and optimizing assays, performing focused compound library screens and orthogonal assays for hit confirmations, selectivity profiling against a panel of HMTs, and studying mode of action of select hits. This LC/MS-based generic assay has become a critical platform for our methyltransferase drug discovery efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Li
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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28
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Luo M. Current chemical biology approaches to interrogate protein methyltransferases. ACS Chem Biol 2012; 7:443-63. [PMID: 22220966 DOI: 10.1021/cb200519y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Protein methyltransferases (PMTs) play various physiological and pathological roles through methylating histone and nonhistone targets. However, most PMTs including more than 60 human PMTs remain to be fully characterized. The current approaches to elucidate the functions of PMTs have been diversified by many emerging chemical biology technologies. This review focuses on progress in these aspects and is organized into four discussion modules (assays, substrates, cofactors, and inhibitors) that are important to elucidate biological functions of PMTs. These modules are expected to provide general guidance and present emerging methods for researchers to select and combine suitable PMT-activity assays, well-defined substrates, novel SAM surrogates, and PMT inhibitors to interrogate PMTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minkui Luo
- Molecular Pharmacology
and Chemistry Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New
York 10065, United States
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