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Katzengruber L, Sander P, Laufer S. MKK4 Inhibitors-Recent Development Status and Therapeutic Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087495. [PMID: 37108658 PMCID: PMC10144091 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
MKK4 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4; also referred to as MEK4) is a dual-specificity protein kinase that phosphorylates and regulates both JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) and p38 MAPK (p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling pathways and therefore has a great impact on cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Overexpression of MKK4 has been associated with aggressive cancer types, including metastatic prostate and ovarian cancer and triple-negative breast cancer. In addition, MKK4 has been identified as a key regulator in liver regeneration. Therefore, MKK4 is a promising target both for cancer therapeutics and for the treatment of liver-associated diseases, offering an alternative to liver transplantation. The recent reports on new inhibitors, as well as the formation of a startup company investigating an inhibitor in clinical trials, show the importance and interest of MKK4 in drug discovery. In this review, we highlight the significance of MKK4 in cancer development and other diseases, as well as its unique role in liver regeneration. Furthermore, we present the most recent progress in MKK4 drug discovery and future challenges in the development of MKK4-targeting drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon Katzengruber
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Pascal Sander
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Laufer
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided & Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Tübingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Crystallographic mining of ASK1 regulators to unravel the intricate PPI interfaces for the discovery of small molecule. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:3734-3754. [PMID: 35891784 PMCID: PMC9294202 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein seldom performs biological activities in isolation. Understanding the protein–protein interactions’ physical rewiring in response to pathological conditions or pathogen infection can help advance our comprehension of disease etiology, progression, and pathogenesis, which allow us to explore the alternate route to control the regulation of key target interactions, timely and effectively. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is now a global public health problem exacerbated due to the lack of appropriate treatments. The most advanced anti-NASH lead compound (selonsertib) is withdrawn, though it is able to inhibit its target Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) completely, indicating the necessity to explore alternate routes rather than complete inhibition. Understanding the interaction fingerprints of endogenous regulators at the molecular level that underpin disease formation and progression may spur the rationale of designing therapeutic strategies. Based on our analysis and thorough literature survey of the various key regulators and PTMs, the current review emphasizes PPI-based drug discovery’s relevance for NASH conditions. The lack of structural detail (interface sites) of ASK1 and its regulators makes it challenging to characterize the PPI interfaces. This review summarizes key regulators interaction fingerprinting of ASK1, which can be explored further to restore the homeostasis from its hyperactive states for therapeutics intervention against NASH.
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Key Words
- ASK1
- ASK1, Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1
- CFLAR, CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator
- CREG, Cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes
- DKK3, Dickkopf-related protein 3
- Interaction fingerprint
- NAFLD, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NASH
- NASH, Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
- PPI, Protein-protein interaction
- PTM, Post-trancriptional modification
- PTMs
- Protein-protein interaction
- TNFAIP3, TNF Alpha Induced Protein 3
- TRAF2/6, Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor2/6
- TRIM48, Tripartite Motif Containing 48
- TRX, Thioredoxin
- USP9X, Ubiquitin Specific Peptidase 9 X-Linked
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Kwong AJ, Pham TND, Oelschlager HE, Munshi HG, Scheidt KA. Rational Design, Optimization, and Biological Evaluation of Novel MEK4 Inhibitors against Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:1559-1567. [PMID: 34676038 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth, division, and development of healthy cells relies on efficient response to environmental survival cues. The conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family of pathways interface extracellular stimuli to intracellular processes for this purpose. Within these pathways, the MEK family has been identified as a target of interest due to its clinical relevance. Particularly, MEK4 has drawn recent attention for its indications in pancreatic and prostate cancers. Here, we report two potent MEK4 inhibitors demonstrating significant reduction of phospho-JNK and antiproliferative properties against pancreatic cancer cell lines. Furthermore, molecular inhibition of MEK4 pathway activates the MEK1/2 pathway, with the combination of MEK1/2 and MEK4 inhibitors demonstrating synergistic effects against pancreatic cancer cells. Our inhibitors provided insight into the crosstalk between MAPK pathways and new tools for elucidating the roles of MEK4 in disease states, findings which will pave the way for better understanding of the MAPK pathways and development of additional probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada J. Kwong
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Thao N. D. Pham
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Hannah E. Oelschlager
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Hidayatullah G. Munshi
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Karl A. Scheidt
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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Kwong AJ, Scheidt KA. Non-'classical' MEKs: A review of MEK3-7 inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127203. [PMID: 32389527 PMCID: PMC7299838 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The MAPK pathways are an enduring area of interest due to their essential roles in cell processes. Increased expression and activity can lead to a multitude of diseases, sparking research efforts in developing inhibitors against these kinases. Though great strides have been made in developing MEK1/2 inhibitors, there is a notable lack of chemical probes for MEK3-7, given their central role in stimuli response, cell growth, and development. This review summarizes the progress that has been made on developing small molecule probes for MEK3-7, the specific disease states in which they have been studied, and their potential to become novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada J Kwong
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, United States
| | - Karl A Scheidt
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, United States.
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Deibler KK, Schiltz GE, Clutter MR, Mishra RK, Vagadia PP, O’Connor M, George MD, Gordon R, Fowler G, Bergan R, Scheidt KA. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 3-Arylindazoles as Selective MEK4 Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:615-620. [PMID: 30707493 PMCID: PMC6476181 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Herein we report the discovery of a novel series of highly potent and selective mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MEK4) inhibitors. MEK4 is an upstream kinase in MAPK signaling pathways that phosphorylates p38 MAPK and JNK in response to mitogenic and cellular stress queues. MEK4 is overexpressed and induces metastasis in advanced prostate cancer lesions. However, the value of MEK4 as an oncology target has not been pharmacologically validated because selective chemical probes targeting MEK4 have not been developed. Optimization of this series via structure-activity relationships and molecular modeling led to the identification of compound 6 ff (4-(6-fluoro-2H-indazol-3-yl)benzoic acid), a highly potent and selective MEK4 inhibitor. This series of inhibitors is the first of its kind in both activity and selectivity and will be useful in further defining the role of MEK4 in prostate and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine K. Deibler
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, Illinois, USA,
| | - Gary E. Schiltz
- Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, 60611, Illinois, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, 60611, Illinois, USA
| | - Matthew R. Clutter
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, 60611, Illinois, USA
- Chemistry of Life Process Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, Illinois, USA
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, Illinois, USA
| | - Rama K. Mishra
- Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, 60611, Illinois, USA
| | - Purav P. Vagadia
- Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
| | - Matthew O’Connor
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, Illinois, USA,
| | - Mariam Donny George
- Chemistry of Life Process Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, Illinois, USA
| | - Ryan Gordon
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Graham Fowler
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Raymond Bergan
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Karl A. Scheidt
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, Illinois, USA,
- Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, 60611, Illinois, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, 60611, Illinois, USA
- Chemistry of Life Process Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, Illinois, USA
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Guo XX, An S, Yang Y, Liu Y, Hao Q, Tang T, Xu TR. Emerging role of the Jun N-terminal kinase interactome in human health. Cell Biol Int 2018; 42:756-768. [DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xi Guo
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology; Kunming University of Science and Technology; Kunming Yunnan 650500 China
| | - Su An
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology; Kunming University of Science and Technology; Kunming Yunnan 650500 China
| | - Yang Yang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology; Kunming University of Science and Technology; Kunming Yunnan 650500 China
| | - Ying Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology; Kunming University of Science and Technology; Kunming Yunnan 650500 China
| | - Qian Hao
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology; Kunming University of Science and Technology; Kunming Yunnan 650500 China
| | - Tao Tang
- Faculty of Medicine; Kunming University of Science and Technology; Kunming Yunnan 650500 China
| | - Tian-Rui Xu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology; Kunming University of Science and Technology; Kunming Yunnan 650500 China
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Leng G, Song K. Direct interaction of Ste11 and Mkk1/2 through Nst1 integrates high-osmolarity glycerol and pheromone pathways to the cell wall integrity MAPK pathway. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:148-60. [PMID: 26787465 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2015] [Revised: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Coordination and cross talks of MAPK pathways are critical for signaling efficiency, but their mechanisms are not well understood. Slt2, the MAP kinase of cell wall integrity pathway (CWI), is activated by heat stress even in the absence of upstream components of this pathway, suggesting a supplementary input for Slt2 activation. Here, we identify a new interaction of Ste11 and Mkk1, mediated by Nst1 that connects the high-osmolarity glycerol and pheromone pathways directly to CWI pathway in response to heat and pheromone. We suggest that Ser(407) and Thr(411) are novel residues of Mkk1 activated by these MAPK pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Leng
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kiwon Song
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
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