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Fougiaxis V, He B, Khan T, Vatinel R, Koutroumpa NM, Afantitis A, Lesire L, Sierocki P, Deprez B, Deprez-Poulain R. ERAP Inhibitors in Autoimmunity and Immuno-Oncology: Medicinal Chemistry Insights. J Med Chem 2024; 67:11597-11621. [PMID: 39011823 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidases ERAP1 and 2 are intracellular aminopeptidases that trim antigenic precursors and generate antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules. They thus modulate the antigenic repertoire and drive the adaptive immune response. ERAPs are considered as emerging targets for precision immuno-oncology or for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, in particular MHC-I-opathies. This perspective covers the structural and biological characterization of ERAP, their relevance to these diseases and the ongoing research on small-molecule inhibitors. We describe the chemical and pharmacological space explored by medicinal chemists to exploit the potential of these targets given their localization, biological functions, and family depth. Specific emphasis is put on the binding mode, potency, selectivity, and physchem properties of inhibitors featuring diverse scaffolds. The discussion provides valuable insights for the future development of ERAP inhibitors and analysis of persisting challenges for the translation for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Fougiaxis
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Ben He
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Tuhina Khan
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, EGID, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Rodolphe Vatinel
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | | | | | - Laetitia Lesire
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, EGID, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Pierre Sierocki
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, EGID, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Benoit Deprez
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, EGID, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Rebecca Deprez-Poulain
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, EGID, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
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Gising J, Honarnejad S, Bras M, Baillie GL, McElroy SP, Jones PS, Morrison A, Beveridge J, Hallberg M, Larhed M. The Discovery of New Inhibitors of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase by a High-Throughput Screening of 400,000 Drug-like Compounds. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4084. [PMID: 38612894 PMCID: PMC11012289 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
With the ambition to identify novel chemical starting points that can be further optimized into small drug-like inhibitors of insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) and serve as potential future cognitive enhancers in the clinic, we conducted an ultra-high-throughput screening campaign of a chemically diverse compound library of approximately 400,000 drug-like small molecules. Three biochemical and one biophysical assays were developed to enable large-scale screening and hit triaging. The screening funnel, designed to be compatible with high-density microplates, was established with two enzyme inhibition assays employing either fluorescent or absorbance readouts. As IRAP is a zinc-dependent enzyme, the remaining active compounds were further evaluated in the primary assay, albeit with the addition of zinc ions. Rescreening with zinc confirmed the inhibitory activity for most compounds, emphasizing a zinc-independent mechanism of action. Additionally, target engagement was confirmed using a complementary biophysical thermal shift assay where compounds causing positive/negative thermal shifts were considered genuine binders. Triaging based on biochemical activity, target engagement, and drug-likeness resulted in the selection of 50 qualified hits, of which the IC50 of 32 compounds was below 3.5 µM. Despite hydroxamic acid dominance, diverse chemotypes with biochemical activity and target engagement were discovered, including non-hydroxamic acid compounds. The most potent compound (QHL1) was resynthesized with a confirmed inhibitory IC50 of 320 nM. Amongst these compounds, 20 new compound structure classes were identified, providing many new starting points for the development of unique IRAP inhibitors. Detailed characterization and optimization of lead compounds, considering both hydroxamic acids and other diverse structures, are in progress for further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Gising
- The Beijer Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (J.B.); (M.L.)
| | - Saman Honarnejad
- Pivot Park Screening Centre, Kloosterstraat 9, 5349 AB Oss, The Netherlands; (S.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Maaike Bras
- Pivot Park Screening Centre, Kloosterstraat 9, 5349 AB Oss, The Netherlands; (S.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Gemma L. Baillie
- BioAscent Discovery Ltd., Bo‘Ness Road, Newhouse, Motherwell ML1 5UH, UK; (G.L.B.); (S.P.M.); (P.S.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Stuart P. McElroy
- BioAscent Discovery Ltd., Bo‘Ness Road, Newhouse, Motherwell ML1 5UH, UK; (G.L.B.); (S.P.M.); (P.S.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Philip S. Jones
- BioAscent Discovery Ltd., Bo‘Ness Road, Newhouse, Motherwell ML1 5UH, UK; (G.L.B.); (S.P.M.); (P.S.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Angus Morrison
- BioAscent Discovery Ltd., Bo‘Ness Road, Newhouse, Motherwell ML1 5UH, UK; (G.L.B.); (S.P.M.); (P.S.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Julia Beveridge
- The Beijer Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (J.B.); (M.L.)
| | - Mathias Hallberg
- The Beijer Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Neuropharmacology and Addiction Research, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Mats Larhed
- The Beijer Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (J.B.); (M.L.)
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3
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Mpakali A, Barla I, Lu L, Ramesh KM, Thomaidis N, Stern LJ, Giastas P, Stratikos E. Mechanisms of Allosteric Inhibition of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168449. [PMID: 38244767 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Inhibition of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase is being actively explored for the treatment of several human diseases and several classes of inhibitors have been developed although no clinical applications have been reported yet. Here, we combine enzymological analysis with x-ray crystallography to investigate the mechanism employed by two of the most studied inhibitors of IRAP, an aryl sulfonamide and a 2-amino-4H-benzopyran named HFI-419. Although both compounds have been hypothesized to target the enzyme's active site by competitive mechanisms, we discovered that they instead target previously unidentified proximal allosteric sites and utilize non-competitive inhibition mechanisms. X-ray crystallographic analysis demonstrated that the aryl sulfonamide stabilizes the closed, more active, conformation of the enzyme whereas HFI-419 locks the enzyme in a semi-open, and likely less active, conformation. HFI-419 potency is substrate-dependent and fails to effectively block the degradation of the physiological substrate cyclic peptide oxytocin. Our findings demonstrate alternative mechanisms for inhibiting IRAP through allosteric sites and conformational restricting and suggest that the pharmacology of HFI-419 may be more complicated than initially considered. Such conformation-specific interactions between IRAP and small molecules can be exploited for the design of more effective second-generation allosteric inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Mpakali
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 15771, Greece; National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos, Athens 15341, Greece
| | - Ioanna Barla
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Liying Lu
- Department of Pathology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01650, USA
| | - Karthik M Ramesh
- Department of Pathology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01650, USA
| | - Nikolaos Thomaidis
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Lawrence J Stern
- Department of Pathology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01650, USA
| | - Petros Giastas
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology & Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens 11855, Greece
| | - Efstratios Stratikos
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 15771, Greece; National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos, Athens 15341, Greece.
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Hydrogen Peroxide Induced Toxicity Is Reversed by the Macrocyclic IRAP-Inhibitor HA08 in Primary Hippocampal Cell Cultures. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:5000-5012. [PMID: 36286055 PMCID: PMC9601255 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44100340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin IV (Ang IV), a metabolite of Angiotensin II, is a bioactive hexapeptide that inhibits the insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP). This transmembrane zinc metallopeptidase with many biological functions has in recent years emerged as a new pharmacological target. IRAP is expressed in a variety of tissues and can be found in high density in the hippocampus and neocortex, brain regions associated with cognition. Ang IV is known to improve memory tasks in experimental animals. One of the most potent IRAP inhibitors known today is the macrocyclic compound HA08 that is significantly more stable than the endogenous Ang IV. HA08 combines structural elements from Ang IV and the physiological substrates oxytocin and vasopressin, and binds to the catalytic site of IRAP. In the present study we evaluate whether HA08 can restore cell viability in rat primary cells submitted to hydrogen peroxide damage. After damaging the cells with hydrogen peroxide and subsequently treating them with HA08, the conceivable restoring effects of the IRAP inhibitor were assessed. The cellular viability was determined by measuring mitochondrial activity and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. The mitochondrial activity was significantly higher in primary hippocampal cells, whereas the amount of LDH was unaffected. We conclude that the cell viability can be restored in this cell type by blocking IRAP with the potent macrocyclic inhibitor HA08, although the mechanism by which HA08 exerts its effects remains unclear.
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Vourloumis D, Mavridis I, Athanasoulis A, Temponeras I, Koumantou D, Giastas P, Mpakali A, Magrioti V, Leib J, van Endert P, Stratikos E, Papakyriakou A. Discovery of Selective Nanomolar Inhibitors for Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase Based on α-Hydroxy-β-amino Acid Derivatives of Bestatin. J Med Chem 2022; 65:10098-10117. [PMID: 35833347 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The oxytocinase subfamily of M1 zinc aminopeptidases comprises emerging drug targets, including the ER-resident aminopeptidases 1 and 2 (ERAP1 and ERAP2) and insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP); however, reports on clinically relevant inhibitors are limited. Here we report a new synthetic approach of high diastereo- and regioselectivity for functionalization of the α-hydroxy-β-amino acid scaffold of bestatin. Stereochemistry and mechanism of inhibition were investigated by a high-resolution X-ray crystal structure of ERAP1 in complex with a micromolar inhibitor. By exploring the P1 side-chain functionalities, we achieve significant potency and selectivity, and we report a cell-active, low-nanomolar inhibitor of IRAP with >120-fold selectivity over homologous enzymes. X-ray crystallographic analysis of IRAP in complex with this inhibitor suggest that interactions with the GAMEN loop is an unappreciated key determinant for potency and selectivity. Overall, our results suggest that α-hydroxy-β-amino acid derivatives may constitute useful chemical tools and drug leads for this group of aminopeptidases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dionisios Vourloumis
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Mavridis
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Athanasoulis
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Temponeras
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece.,Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, 26504 Patra, Greece
| | - Despoina Koumantou
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Giastas
- Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, GR-11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Mpakali
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece.,Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Victoria Magrioti
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Jacqueline Leib
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Peter van Endert
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015 Paris, France.,Service Immunologie Biologique, AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Efstratios Stratikos
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece.,Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Papakyriakou
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece
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Discovery of Selective Inhibitor Leads by Targeting an Allosteric Site in Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14060584. [PMID: 34207179 PMCID: PMC8233869 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin-Regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) is a zinc-dependent aminopeptidase with several important biological functions and is an emerging pharmaceutical target for cognitive enhancement and immune system regulation. Aiming to discover lead-like IRAP inhibitors with enhanced selectivity versus homologous enzymes, we targeted an allosteric site at the C-terminal domain pocket of IRAP. We compiled a library of 2.5 million commercially available compounds from the ZINC database, and performed molecular docking at the target pocket of IRAP and the corresponding pocket of the homologous endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1). Of the top compounds that showed high selectivity, 305 were further analyzed by molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations, leading to the selection of 33 compounds for in vitro evaluation. Two orthogonal functional assays were employed: one using a small fluorogenic substrate and one following the degradation of oxytocin, a natural peptidic substrate of IRAP. In vitro evaluation suggested that several of the compounds tested can inhibit IRAP, but the inhibition profile was dependent on substrate size, consistent with the allosteric nature of the targeted site. Overall, our results describe several novel leads as IRAP inhibitors and suggest that the C-terminal domain pocket of IRAP is a promising target for developing highly selective IRAP inhibitors.
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Sui L, Guo HC. Enhanced recombinant expression and purification of human IRAP for biochemical and crystallography studies. Biochem Biophys Rep 2021; 27:101042. [PMID: 34169156 PMCID: PMC8207215 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2021.101042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) in humans is a membrane bound enzyme that has multiple functions. It was first described as a companion protein of the insulin-responsive glucose transporter, Glut4, in specialized vesicles. The protein has subsequently been shown to be identical to the oxytocinase/aminopeptidase or the angiotensin IV (Ang IV) receptor (AT4 receptor). Some AT4 ligand peptides, such as Ang IV and LVV-hemorphin-7, have been shown to act as IRAP inhibitors that exert memory-enhancing properties. As such IRAP has been a target for developing cognitive enhancers. To facilitate detailed mechanistic studies of IRAP catalysis and inhibition, and to pave the way for biophysical and structural studies of IRAP in complex with peptide inhibitors, we report here an optimized expression and purification system using High Five insect cells. We also report biochemical characterizations of the purified recombinant IRAP with a standard aminopeptidase substrate and an optimized IRAP peptide inhibitor with a Ki of 98 nM.
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Key Words
- AT4, Ang IV receptor
- Ang IV, angiotensin IV
- Cognitive enhancers
- Crystallization
- ERAP, endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase
- Expression and purification
- IEX, ion exchange chromatography
- IMAC, immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography
- IRAP, insulin-regulated aminopeptidase
- Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP)
- L-AMC, leucine 7-amido-4-methylcoumarin
- LVV-H7, LVV-hemorphin-7
- MHC-I, major histocompatibility complex class I
- Peptide inhibitor
- SEC, size exclusion chromatography
- Substrate affinity
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Affiliation(s)
- Lufei Sui
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA
| | - Hwai-Chen Guo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA
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Vanga SR, Åqvist J, Hallberg A, Gutiérrez-de-Terán H. Structural Basis of Inhibition of Human Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase (IRAP) by Benzopyran-Based Inhibitors. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:625274. [PMID: 33869280 PMCID: PMC8047434 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.625274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of the insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) improves memory and cognition in animal models. The enzyme has recently been crystallized and several series of inhibitors reported. We herein focused on one series of benzopyran-based inhibitors of IRAP known as the HFI series, with unresolved binding mode to IRAP, and developed a robust computational model to explain the structure-activity relationship (SAR) and potentially guide their further optimization. The binding model here proposed places the benzopyran ring in the catalytic binding site, coordinating the Zn2+ ion through the oxygen in position 3, in contrast to previous hypothesis. The whole series of HFI compounds was then systematically simulated, starting from this binding mode, using molecular dynamics and binding affinity estimated with the linear interaction energy (LIE) method. The agreement with experimental affinities supports the binding mode proposed, which was further challenged by rigorous free energy perturbation (FEP) calculations. Here, we found excellent correlation between experimental and calculated binding affinity differences, both between selected compound pairs and also for recently reported experimental data concerning the site directed mutagenesis of residue Phe544. The computationally derived structure-activity relationship of the HFI series and the understanding of the involvement of Phe544 in the binding of this scaffold provide valuable information for further lead optimization of novel IRAP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Johan Åqvist
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Hallberg
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hugo Gutiérrez-de-Terán
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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