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Cárdenas EL, O'Rourke RL, Menon A, Meagher J, Stuckey J, Garner AL. Design of Cell-Permeable Inhibitors of Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4E (eIF4E) for Inhibiting Aberrant Cap-Dependent Translation in Cancer. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10734-10745. [PMID: 37471629 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is an RNA-binding protein that binds to the m7GpppX-cap at the 5' terminus of coding mRNAs to initiate cap-dependent translation. While all cells require cap-dependent translation, cancer cells become addicted to enhanced translational capacity, driving the production of oncogenic proteins involved in proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, metastasis, and angiogenesis, among other cancerous phenotypes. eIF4E is the rate-limiting translation factor, and its activation has been shown to drive cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. These findings have established eIF4E as a translational oncogene and promising, albeit challenging, anti-cancer therapeutic target. Although significant effort has been put forth toward inhibiting eIF4E, the design of cell-permeable, cap-competitive inhibitors remains a challenge. Herein, we describe our work toward solving this long-standing challenge. By employing an acyclic nucleoside phosphonate prodrug strategy, we report the synthesis of cell-permeable inhibitors of eIF4E binding to capped mRNA to inhibit cap-dependent translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio L Cárdenas
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Rachel L O'Rourke
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Arya Menon
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Jennifer Meagher
- Life Science Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Jeanne Stuckey
- Life Science Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Amanda L Garner
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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Cárdenas EL, O’Rourke RL, Menon A, Meagher J, Stuckey J, Garner AL. Design of Cell-Permeable Inhibitors of Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4E (eIF4E) for Inhibiting Aberrant Cap-Dependent Translation in Cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.23.541912. [PMID: 37292917 PMCID: PMC10245873 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.23.541912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is an RNA-binding protein that binds to the m 7 GpppX-cap at the 5' terminus of coding mRNAs to initiate cap-dependent translation. While all cells require cap-dependent translation, cancer cells become addicted to enhanced translational capacity, driving the production of oncogenic proteins involved in proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, metastasis, and angiogenesis among other cancerous phenotypes. eIF4E is the rate-limiting translation factor and its activation has been shown to drive cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. These findings have established eIF4E as a translational oncogene and promising, albeit challenging, anti-cancer therapeutic target. Although significant effort has been put forth towards inhibiting eIF4E, the design of cell-permeable, cap-competitive inhibitors remains a challenge. Herein, we describe our work towards solving this long-standing challenge. By employing an acyclic nucleoside phosphonate prodrug strategy, we report the synthesis of cell-permeable inhibitors of eIF4E binding to capped mRNA to inhibit cap-dependent translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio L. Cárdenas
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Rachel L. O’Rourke
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Arya Menon
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Jennifer Meagher
- Life Science Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Jeanne Stuckey
- Life Science Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Amanda L. Garner
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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Evaluation of carboxyfluorescein-labeled 7-methylguanine nucleotides as probes for studying cap-binding proteins by fluorescence anisotropy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7687. [PMID: 33833335 PMCID: PMC8032668 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87306-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescence anisotropy (FA) is a powerful technique for the discovery of protein inhibitors in a high-throughput manner. In this study, we sought to develop new universal FA-based assays for the evaluation of compounds targeting mRNA 5′ cap-binding proteins of therapeutic interest, including eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E and scavenger decapping enzyme. For this purpose, a library of 19 carboxyfluorescein probes based on 7-methylguanine nucleotides was evaluated as FA probes for these proteins. Optimal probe:protein systems were further investigated in competitive binding experiments and adapted for high-throughput screening. Using a small in-house library of compounds, we verified and confirmed the accuracy of the developed FA assay to study cap-binding protein binders. The applications of the most promising probes were then extended to include evaluation of allosteric inhibitors as well as RNA ligands. From this analysis, we confirmed the utility of the method to study small molecule ligands and evaluate differently 5′ capped RNAs.
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Kasprzyk R, Starek BJ, Ciechanowicz S, Kubacka D, Kowalska J, Jemielity J. Fluorescent Turn-On Probes for the Development of Binding and Hydrolytic Activity Assays for mRNA Cap-Recognizing Proteins. Chemistry 2019; 25:6728-6740. [PMID: 30801798 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201900051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The m7 G cap is a unique nucleotide structure at the 5'-end of all eukaryotic mRNAs. The cap specifically interacts with numerous cellular proteins and participates in biological processes that are essential for cell growth and function. To provide small molecular probes to study important cap-recognizing proteins, we synthesized m7 G nucleotides labeled with fluorescent tags via the terminal phosph(on)ate group and studied how their emission properties changed upon protein binding or enzymatic cleavage. Only the pyrene-labeled compounds behaved as sensitive turn-on probes. A pyrene-labeled m7 GTP analogue showed up to eightfold enhanced fluorescence emission upon binding to eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and over 30-fold enhancement upon cleavage by decapping scavenger (DcpS) enzyme. These observations served as the basis for developing binding- and hydrolytic-activity assays. The assay utility was validated with previously characterized libraries of eIF4E ligands and DcpS inhibitors. The DcpS assay was also applied to study hydrolytic activity and inhibition of endogenous enzyme in cytoplasmic extracts from HeLa and HEK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Kasprzyk
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland.,College of Inter-Faculty Individual Studies in Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata J Starek
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sylwia Ciechanowicz
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland.,College of Inter-Faculty Individual Studies in Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Kubacka
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Kowalska
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek Jemielity
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
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Liu T, Liu M, Chen F, Chen F, Tian Y, Huang Q, Liu S, Yang J. A Small-Molecule Compound Has Anti-influenza A Virus Activity by Acting as a ‘‘PB2 Inhibitor”. Mol Pharm 2018; 15:4110-4120. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b00531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Teng Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Miaomiao Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Feimin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Fangzhao Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yuanxin Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shuwen Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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Heat shock protein-27 (HSP27) regulates STAT3 and eIF4G levels in first trimester human placenta. J Mol Histol 2016; 47:555-563. [DOI: 10.1007/s10735-016-9699-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Yuan S, Chu H, Zhang K, Ye J, Singh K, Kao RYT, Chow BKC, Zhou J, Zheng BJ. A novel small-molecule compound disrupts influenza A virus PB2 cap-binding and inhibits viral replication. J Antimicrob Chemother 2016; 71:2489-97. [PMID: 27272726 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkw194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The conserved residues 318-483 in the PB2 subunit of influenza A polymerase is an independently folded cap-binding domain (PB2cap) that exhibits a distinct binding mode from other host cap-binding proteins, which suggests that PB2cap might be an ideal drug target. This study aimed to identify a new class of anti-influenza inhibitors that specifically disrupts the interaction between PB2cap and host cap structures. METHODS An innovative fluorescence polarization assay was established for primary screening, followed by cap-binding inhibitory activity, antiviral efficacy and cytotoxicity evaluations of the selected compounds. The best compound was characterized by multi-cycle virus growth assay, cross-protection test, synergism evaluation, mini-replicon assay, binding affinity analysis, docking simulation and mouse study. RESULTS Several PB2 cap-binding inhibitors were discovered. The compound 7-(4-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-6H,7H,8H-chromeno[3',4':5,6]pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-6,8-dione, designated PB2-39, was identified as a potent inhibitor of replication of multiple subtypes of influenza A virus, including H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, H7N7, H7N9 and H9N2 in vitro and H1N1, H5N1 and H7N9 in vivo. Combinational treatment with the influenza virus release inhibitor zanamivir and PB2-39 exerted a synergistic anti-influenza effect. Mechanistic experiments supported that PB2-39 suppressed viral polymerase activity. Docking and binding affinity analyses demonstrated that PB2-39 interacted with the PB2 cap-binding pocket, suggesting its role as a cap-binding competitor. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides new insights for the strategic development of novel cap-binding inhibitors of influenza A viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuofeng Yuan
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hin Chu
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jiahui Ye
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kailash Singh
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Richard Y T Kao
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Billy K C Chow
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bo-Jian Zheng
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Discovery of the first small-molecule CsrA-RNA interaction inhibitors using biophysical screening technologies. Future Med Chem 2016; 8:931-47. [PMID: 27253623 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2016-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM CsrA is a global post-transcriptional regulator protein affecting mRNA translation and/or stability. Widespread among bacteria, it is essential for their full virulence and thus represents a promising anti-infective drug target. Therefore, we aimed at the discovery of CsrA-RNA interaction inhibitors. Results & methodology: We followed two strategies: a screening of small molecules (A) and an RNA ligand-based approach (B). Using surface plasmon resonance-based binding and fluorescence polarization-based competition assays, (A) yielded seven small-molecule inhibitors, among them MM14 (IC50 of 4 µM). (B) resulted in RNA-based inhibitor GGARNA (IC50 of 113 µM). CONCLUSION The first small-molecule inhibitors of the CsrA-RNA interaction were discovered exhibiting micromolar affinities. These hits represent tools to investigate the effects of CsrA-RNA interaction inhibition on bacterial virulence.
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Minuesa G, Antczak C, Shum D, Radu C, Bhinder B, Li Y, Djaballah H, Kharas MG. A 1536-well fluorescence polarization assay to screen for modulators of the MUSASHI family of RNA-binding proteins. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2015; 17:596-609. [PMID: 24912481 DOI: 10.2174/1386207317666140609122714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 05/31/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) can act as stem cell modulators and oncogenic drivers, but have been largely ignored by the pharmaceutical industry as potential therapeutic targets for cancer. The MUSASHI (MSI) family has recently been demonstrated to be an attractive clinical target in the most aggressive cancers. Therefore, the discovery and development of small molecule inhibitors could provide a novel therapeutic strategy. In order to find novel compounds with MSI RNA binding inhibitory activity, we have developed a fluorescence polarization (FP) assay and optimized it for high throughput screening (HTS) in a 1536-well microtiter plate format. Using a chemical library of 6,208 compounds, we performed pilot screens, against both MSI1 and MSI2, leading to the identification of 7 molecules for MSI1, 15 for MSI2 and 5 that inhibited both. A secondary FP dose-response screen validated 3 MSI inhibitors with IC50 below 10 μM. Out of the 25 compounds retested in the secondary screen only 8 demonstrated optical interference due to high fluorescence. Utilizing a SYBR-based RNA electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA), we further verified MSI inhibition of the top 3 compounds. Surprisingly, even though several aminoglycosides were present in the library, they failed to demonstrate MSI inhibitor activity challenging the concept that these compounds are pan-active against RBPs. In summary, we have developed an in vitro strategy to identify MSI specific inhibitors using an FP HTS platform, which will facilitate novel drug discovery for this class of RBPs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michael G Kharas
- (Michael G. Kharas) Molecular Pharmacology & Chemistry Program, MSKCC, New York, USA.
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Abstract
Cap analogs are chemically modified derivatives of the unique cap structure present at the 5´ end of all eukaryotic mRNAs and several non-coding RNAs. Until recently, cap analogs have served primarily as tools in the study of RNA metabolism. Continuing advances in our understanding of cap biological functions (including RNA stabilization, pre-mRNA splicing, initiation of mRNA translation, as well as cellular transport of mRNAs and snRNAs) and the consequences of the disruption of these processes - resulting in serious medical disorders - have opened new possibilities for pharmaceutical applications of these compounds. In this review, the medicinal potential of cap analogs in areas, such as cancer treatment (including eIF4E targeting and mRNA-based immunotherapy), spinal muscular atrophy treatment, antiviral therapy and the improvement of the localization of nucleus-targeting drugs, are highlighted. Advances achieved to date, challenges, plausible solutions and prospects for the future development of cap analog-based drug design are described.
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Garvie CW. Solution-based approach to study binding to the eIF4E cap-binding site using CD spectroscopy. Anal Biochem 2012; 434:166-71. [PMID: 23219983 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2012.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Revised: 11/21/2012] [Accepted: 11/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is the key component of the translational initiation complex that recruits mRNA by binding to a unique "cap" structure located at the 5' end of the mRNA. Overexpression of eIF4E has been implicated in the development of cancer, potentially as a result of increasing the cellular levels of proteins involved in processes that include proliferation and regulation of apoptosis. As a result, the cap-binding site of eIF4E has become a target for the development of anti-cancer therapeutics. The structure of eIF4E bound to the cap mimic 7-methyl-GDP revealed that two tryptophans from different loops in eIF4E sandwiched the 7-methylguanine group between them. This interaction gives rise to a strong exciton coupling signal between the two tryptophans that can be visualized by CD spectroscopy. eIF4E is a challenging protein to work with because of a propensity to aggregate under conditions used in biophysical techniques. CD spectroscopy provides a gentle, solution-based approach to study binding to the cap-binding site of eIF4E. Evidence is provided that the exciton coupling signal can be used to both qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the binding of cap analogs to eIF4E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin W Garvie
- Discovery Technology, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., 340 Kingsland Street, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA.
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